Story summary:
April 1912, two penniless lads, Jack Dawson and Robin of Locksley, win tickets to board the Titanic, on her maiden voyage. Both travel 3rd Class.
Two first class passengers, 18-year-old Ms. Regina Mills and 17-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater, both unhappily engaged, to respectively Mr. Caledon Hockley a Pittsburgh Steel tycoon, and Leopold Blanchard, a very rich businessman, become friends aboard the Titanic, even though they're very different. Both feel trapped in the cages their mothers and fiancés have built for them. And both want to escape their fate, but can they?
April 10, 1912
"Come on, Regina, hurry up! The ship will be leaving soon! We have to go now!" her Mother shouted from downstairs, and she sighed as she put her comb in her purse. Today they would be boarding the grandest ship in the world, the Titanic. Not that she wanted to, per se, it would take her back to America, where she would have to marry Leopold Blanchard, a man she absolutely didn't like, but it would also reunite her with her father again, and that thought made her very happy. "I'm coming, Mother!" she shouted, before making her way downstairs, where her Mother and Leopold were waiting for her. Along with her handmaiden Eva White, whom she really liked. Leopold took her hand, and led her, and her Mother to the car, with Eva following behind them.
Southampton Port:
Rose DeWitt Bukater stepped out of the car, and looked up at the grand ship that would take her back to America in chains. Her Mother had arranged her engagement to Caledon Nathan Hockley, a rich Pittsburgh Steel tycoon. She didn't like him at all. No, she wanted to be free, and this ship, wouldn't provide freedom. If anything, it would only trap her even more. As Cal stepped out of the car, she looked at him, sternly, "I don't see what all the fuss is about. It doesn't look any bigger than the Mauretania…"
He sighed, "you can be blasé about some things, Rose, but not about Titanic, it's over a hundred feet longer than Mauretania, and far more luxurious."
He then went to assist her Mother, as she stepped out of the other car, the one which also held their bags. "Your daughter is far too difficult to impress, Ruth." Ruth ignored him, and looked up at Titanic. "So this is the ship they say is unsinkable.", Cal smiled. "It is unsinkable. God himself could not sink this ship." Behind them, the porter checked in their bags, assisted by Mr. Lovejoy, Cal's valet. "These bags, and twelve more in the Daimler to rooms B52-54-56!" Cal looked at Rose and Ruth, "Come ladies, we better hurry up!" And so, the three went to board the grand ship.
As Regina made her way aboard Titanic, she couldn't help but feel like she was dreaming. What a beautiful ship! While she dreamily made her way toward B-Deck, where their rooms, B51, B53 and B55, were located, she suddenly bumped into another woman, and almost tripped.
Except, the other woman did fall because of her stupid actions. As the woman got up, with help from what was presumably her husband, and turned around to look at her, she saw it was a girl of her own age, and she immediately went to apologize.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't watch where I was going…", the man looked her up and down, "as you should be! Are you alright, sweet pea?" The girl looked at him, "I'm fine, and it's alright… we're on the 'Ship of Dreams'. I'm sure she was just admiring the beauty of the grand ship." She then faced Regina, "Right?"
Regina smiled in return, "yes, that's right. The beauty of the ship is remarkable… it feels like a dream. Perhaps you could join us for dinner tonight, so we can talk about the beauty of the ship some more? It would be an honor…" The girl smiled, and answered for her husband, or maybe he was her fiancé, "Of course, we'd love to, wouldn't we, Cal?", he faked a smile, "of course…"
Regina smiled back at them, but felt her Mother's and Leopold's stare, "oh, how rude of me, I'm Regina, Regina Mills. This is my fiancé, Leopold Blanchard, and my Mother, Cora Mills." The girl smiled back at her, "I'm Rose, Rose DeWitt Bukater. And this is my fiancé Cal, short for Caledon, Hockley, and my Mother, Ruth DeWitt Bukater."
They shook hands, and went on their merry way. Rose, Ruth and Cal to the rooms B52, B54 and B56, and Regina, Cora and Leopold to rooms B51, B53 and B55.
Meanwhile in a pub at Southampton Port:
Jack Dawson looked around the group, which consisted of his friend Robin, and two Swedes, named Olaf and Sven. "Alright, moment of truth boys. Somebody's life is about to change." Robin and the two Swedes put down their cards, as he holds his close.
"Let's see… Robin's got… niente… Olaf, you've got… nothing. And Sven, uh oh, two pair…" He shares a look with his friend, "I'm sorry pal…" And Robin glares at him now, "what?! You lost all of our money?!" Jack just smiles, "you're not gonna see your mom for a long time, cause you're going to America!" He slams his cards on the table. "Full house boys!"
Jack took the tickets off the table, and danced around the table, grabbing Robin's hand. "We're going to America!" He also took the money, while the Swedes fought. And the pubkeeper sighed, as he pointed at the clock, which showed that it was five to twelve, "no, Titanic go to America. In five minutes."
Jack's eyes went wide, "shit! Come Rob, we've got a boat to catch!" And together they ran out the pub, and along the dock towards the third-class entrance. The crewman was just about to close the door, as Jack and Robin sped up to it. "Wait! Wait, we're passengers!"
Jack showed the man the tickets, and the man looked them up and down, "have you been through third-class inspection?" Jack and Robin both nodded, "of course! But we don't have lice anyways! We're Americans, both of us!"
The crewman nodded, "alright then, come aboard." As Jack and Robin had boarded, the crewman looked around the dock one more time, before closing the door.
Jack and Robin ran through the ship, in search of their room. "We're the luckiest bastards alive!" Jack shouted, but Robin didn't reply, because of all the commotion. Jack looked at the tickets, "G60… G60… oh, it's right here. Come Rob!" And so, the boys went into room G60, which they shared with two other Swedes, who looked slightly confused, and one asked the other, "where's Sven?"
Jack and Robin introduced themselves, and afterwards, Robin claimed top bunk, which Jack didn't mind at all. After they had dropped their bags on the beds, they made their way to the boat deck, to wave goodbye to the people on the docks, even though they didn't know anyone. And then, the engines started roaring, and Titanic left the port of Southampton.
The next stop would be Cherbourg, in France.
Millionaire's Suite B51-53-55:
Once they arrived at their rooms, which apparently had a private promenade deck, Regina got a stern talking-to from both Leopold and Cora, for her reckless behavior. She had made a lady fall over, how dare she? It was always the same. She always did something wrong, no matter how hard she tried. She sighed, didn't pay too much attention to it, and let Eva retie her corset for lunch.
At lunch, they were seated with Mr. John Jacob Astor Gold, his young and pregnant wife Belle Madeleine, Ms. Ruby Lucas, her Mother and of course Leopold. A few tables across from them, Rose was seated with her mother, Cal, the ship's architect Mr. Thomas Andrews and the ship's designer Mr. J. Bruce Ismay.
From Regina's point of view, they seemed to be having an interesting conversation. She couldn't say the same about the conversation at her table. Her Mother was busy talking to the richest man aboard and his wife, as was Leopold. Everyone ignored her, and Ruby, whom her Mother described as 'new money', her deceased father seemed to have had a lot of money, unbeknownst to his daughter.
So, Regina found herself silently eating, and sometimes sharing glances across the table toward Ruby, or to the table where Rose was seated. Rose was seated with her back to her, so she didn't see her, but even Regina could see that Rose wasn't happy.
So, she wasn't at all surprised, when Rose suddenly got up and left, in the direction of the boat deck. Regina tried to come up with an excuse to get up, but found none. Ruby saved her, when she suddenly spoke up with her loud voice.
"Leopold, may I borrow your fiancée for a few minutes, there's something I'd like to show her…" He nodded absentmindedly, and Regina shot Ruby a grateful nod, as they both got up from the table, and headed in the same direction as Rose went just a few moments before.
As they walked along the boat deck, Regina smiled at Ruby. "Thanks, Ms. Lucas, you really saved me there." Ruby smiled back, "oh well, I saved myself too, all those boring talks. And please, do call me Ruby." Regina nodded. "Okay... Ms., uh, Ruby… but only if you call me Regina." Ruby nodded at that.
"Yes, now go talk to your friend. And don't forget to let me know how it went!"
Aft 3rd Class Promenade Deck/Poop Deck:
Jack was seated on a bench on the aft 3rd class promenade deck, he was busy sketching, when he looked up and saw a beautiful red-haired girl.
Sadly enough, she was a first-class passenger, and far out of reach for him.
A blonde woman with sea-green eyes followed his sight, as did Robin who was seated next to him. And the blonde snorted, "forget it, boy, it's impossible for you to get next to the likes of those first-class snobs."
Robin nodded. "What she says." But then, a brunette girl, woman, slightly taller than the redhead walks up to the railing, and goes to stand next to her. As the brunette turns their way, all three of them, the blonde, Robin, the brunette lock eyes, and Robin can't find it in him to look away.
And Jack laughs, "you were saying, Rob?" The blonde looked at both of them, sternly, "you're certainly two fools, but I can't blame ya. I'm Emma Swan."
The boys introduce themselves to her as well, and then look back at the two pretty ladies that were standing at the aft-railing of the B-deck promenade.
They see how the brunette taps the redhead on the shoulder, and says something to her, after the redhead turns around to look at them as well. They can't hear what they're saying, but the two seem to be laughing. And Jack sighs, it's not surprising, he'd think himself foolish as well if he were to be in their place. So far out of reach…
Aft B-deck promenade:
Regina walked up behind Rose, meanwhile looking down at the poop deck, where she locked eyes with two steerage boys, not much older than them. They were handsome for sure, but no way would she ever be able to talk to them, let alone fall in love. Then she saw the suspicious blonde woman, and she realized that the woman probably thought they were stuck-up bitches, like most first-class women are.
She tapped Rose on the shoulder. "Hey…", Rose seemed almost frightened when she turned around to face her. "Oh it's you…" Regina blushed slightly, "sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. You might want to look down, though, we've got a pair of admirers" and Rose chuckled. "Ha, as if Mother or Cal would ever let me to talk to him."
Regina snorted, but tried to hide it behind a cough. Snorting was unladylike, after all. "That's not likely to happen, no… but do tell, why did you leave lunch so all of the sudden?"
Rose sighed, looking over the railing, towards the stern.
"How do you know?" Regina smiled softly, "I was sat a few tables behind you, and saw you leaving, unhappily, I thought you could use a friend. Ms. Lucas helped me escape from my table."
"I just… felt so trapped, between my mother and Cal. Cal decided what I should eat, and they all kept talking about how beautiful the ship is. Mr. Andrews was okay, but Mr. Ismay, I really don't like. I slapped him in the face with an inappropriate comment about one of Mr. Freud's sayings… And then I just left. I couldn't stand it anymore… you wouldn't understand how that feels, being trapped like that… forced to marry a man you don't like…"
Regina sighed, "on the contrary. I do understand. My mother arranged my engagement to Leopold, I don't like him in the slightest, but I'm trying to make the best of it, when the ship docks in New York, I'll be reunited with my father, so, I mostly just try to focus on that…"
Now it was Rose's turn to sigh, "I wish I still had my father… he died a year ago, and I still miss him every day." Regina nodded, "that's understandable. I'm so sorry… I shouldn't have started about my father, when you've lost yours…"
Rose exhaled, nodding, "it's alright, there's no way you could have known…"
Regina smiled, "well if it's a friend you need, you can always come to me. My rooms are B51,53 and 55…"
Rose smiled, nodding, "thank you, Regina, I'm happy to have made a friend, and should you need one, I'll be there for you as well." Regina smiled, "I appreciate that," then she turned around, "oh, there's my mother and Leopold, I'm afraid it's time for me to go."
Rose nodded, "oh it's alright, I'm sure my mother and Cal are close behind them." Rose turned out to be right, and only moments after Regina had left with Leopold and her mother, Cora, Cal and her own mother showed up to take her back to their rooms, where they'd be preparing for dinner tonight for the upcoming few hours.
And Rose was actually looking forward to it, because she'd have dinner with her new friend. Perhaps this trip wasn't so bad. Perhaps she just had to try to see the best in Cal…
That Night:
Rose was angry, and rightly so. Cal had been treating her like a possession all night, like she was a damsel in distress, needing him. And what was even worse, was that he'd told everyone how he was glad that he'd be her first.
Neither of the adults seemed to mind that, it was like she was standing in the middle of a crowded room, screaming at the top of her lungs, but nobody even looked up, except for Regina, who had been treated much the same, even though Regina's mother seemed even worse than her own.
Where Ruth, her own mother, was mostly just talking to the others, Cora constantly had an eye on her daughter and scolded her for God knew why.
Leopold had an arm around her friend at all times, and she felt sorry for Regina.
But Regina's sympathetic looks at her made her even feel worse.
Leopold had been bragging all night about how lucky he was to have Regina.
Even though she didn't always listen to him. He mostly described her as a
pretty porcelain doll that needed taking care of.
That made Rose even angrier, and as soon as the men left the table for their nightly 'meeting' in the smoking room, with brandy and cigars, Rose excused herself from the table and started running.
Out of the dining room, and all the way to the stern railing, where she looked down at the black waters. She then realized, that now was not the time. Not yet. They still had to stop at Queenstown the following morning. Tomorrow night. Tomorrow night, she would do it. All of the sudden, Regina showed up behind her, startling Rose. "Rose… you ran off so all of the sudden. Why? Are you alright?"
Rose nodded, "I'm fine, just angry, and I thought that looking at the sea would help me calm down…" Regina frowned, "why are you angry?" Rose sighed at that, "It's silly…" Regina chuckled, "no, you're silly if you think you can get out of telling me. Go on, what is it? You can tell me…"
"It's just… they treat us like we're their possessions, and our mothers don't even mind… that makes me angry… how Cal bragged how he was going to be my first and all that, it just… it made me mad… he drives me mad, as does my mother…and then the way your mother treats you… I don't want this life…"
Regina sighed, and hugged Rose, albeit a bit stiffly, "oh Rose… I'm so sorry…"
Now it was Rose's turn to frown, "why are you sorry? You didn't do anything wrong?" Regina smiled, sadly, "well, I'm sorry for their behavior, for the way they make you feel…"
Rose nodded, "it's alright. It's not your fault… Cal just drives me crazy, I can't help it. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but then…", "he starts bragging about being your first… I understand…" Regina added.
"Not just that, but in front of the whole group… how dare he put me on display like that…? Have you and Leopold ever… uh… you know?" Regina just chuckled, "you mean, have Leopold and I ever had sexual intercourse? Yes, we have, but only a few times. Most of the times, I came up with an excuse, but now I can't anymore… not until we arrive in New York anyways… why do you ask?"
"Well, because I think Cal might want to tonight, especially after he bragged about it at dinner… and I guess I was hoping you uh, could help me out a bit…"
Regina chuckled, "you mean, do I have any tips for you? Yeah sure… you're 17, right? And you know how this works?" Rose rolled her eyes, which Regina of course couldn't see, as it was dark outside, "of course I do… just, what part do I play in all this? What do I do?"
Regina took her hand, smiling softly, "you? You just lay still, and let him have his pleasure. If it hurts, which it might, as it's your first time, don't bat an eye. Just don't look away, keep your eyes locked. It's as if facing your fears head on.
And the more times it happens, the easier it gets. By the way, you shouldn't forget about thinking of something nice, because you have to keep smiling, and pretending you're happy… now come, let's go back inside, it's way too cold out here."
Rose nodded, and they headed back inside, where Regina made sure to deliver Rose back to Cal. She could only hope he'd be gentle with her friend. Then she made her way towards the suite she shared with her mother and Leopold, and prayed, not for the first time that she didn't have to tonight, either. But something told her that she would, anyways.
She knocked on the door to their suite, and was greeted by Leopold, as he opened the door. He looked something between concerned and angry.
"So, Honeybee, where have you been?"