Kurt narrowed his eyes at the bulky man across the table from him. Their voices were barely audible grumbles in a language that he didn't understand, but it wasn't hard to figure out that they were arguing.
He eyed the two shiny tickets in the center of the pile of worn out bills, "Hit me again" he said, taking a small drag of his cigarette. One of the men across from him handed him a card, and Kurt slips it into his hand in one fluid motion, his eyes not betraying anything. His friend Mercedes sat to his left, and shifted uncomfortabaly in her seat.
Outside the pub's window, a loud whistle rang out from the giant navy ship docked a few blocks away.
"The moment of truth boys," Kurt grinned and looked around the table, "Someone's life is about to change."
Mercedes gave him a wary look and laid down her cards, as did the two men across from them, but Kurt still held his close to his chest.
"Let's see... Mercedes has got niente. Azimio, you've got squat. Karofsky, uh oh...
two pair... mmm." He sighed and looked over at his friend.
"Sorry, Mercedes..."
Her eyes widened. "What? What have you got! You better not have lost my money!"
Kurt bit his lip and his gaze shifted to the ground.
"Sorry, you're not going to see your mom again for a long time."
A huge grin broke across his face as his hand smacked the table "Because you're going to America! Full house!" Karofsky and Azimio stared in disbelief at the cards and Kurt clapped his hands in triumph.
Mercedes jumped up and grabbed Kurt's laughing face in her hands, a huge smile on her face as well. "Oh- Oh my god! We're going on the Titanic!"
Then, a loud crash echoed through the pub, snapping them out of their excited reveree. The other two men were standing up shouting foreign profanities at them at the top of their lungs. Kurt completely ignored them and stooped down to rake up their winnings.
"Sorry boys!" Kurt held up the two gleaming tickets "Three of a kind and a pair. I'm high, you're dry... And we're going to America!"
Karofsky balled up his fists angrily and glared at the two bouncing in front of them. Then without warning, forcfully punched Azimio in the face, sending him crashing to the floor.
Kurt slung his leather satchel over his shoulder and grabbed Mercedes hand. Both teens dashed out of the smoky pub laughing and shouting happily at each other.
"We're going to America! I'm going home! To the land of the free! Home of the brave! On the Titanic!" Kurt declared happily, kissing the two tickets in his hand. He turned to Mercedes, she was smiling from ear to ear, her dress bouncing up and down as the two ran towards the giant ocean liner.
"We're riding in high style now 'Cedes! We're practically godamned royalty!"
They were getting closer, the enormous vessel loomed over them nearly blotting out the sun. Kurt kept a tight hold of his friend's hand as they weaved through the crowd. A few well dress men shouted things at them along the lines of "Watch where you're running!" or "Rude peasants! Learn your place!"
The crowd of rich and wealthy passengers thicked the closer the two got to the ship. Skillfully dodging bags of luggage and mobs of women Kurt was able to make out the entrance to the ship.
"They're closing the door! Come on Mercedes!" Kurt tightened his hold on her hand and picked up the pace.
"Wait! Wait we're passengers! Hold it!" he waved the two tickets as they reached the ramp. They slid to a stop in front of the officer, flushed and struggling for air.
The uniformed officer took their tickets and eyed them suspiciously.
"Have you been through inspection?" he asked, visibly annoyed.
"Why of course." Kurt stood up straight and added "Anyway, we don't have lice, we're Americans." he glanced over to Mercedes. "Both of us"
The officer raised and eyebrow, and sighed. "Right... Come aboard." he halfheartedly gestured to the small bridge. Kurt looked at Mercedes and they both started across towards the entrance. They were met by a woman who took both of the tickets to add to the passenger's list.
"Okay. David Karofsky, and... Azimio Adams?" the woman looked up at Mercedes suspiciously.
"My parents thought I was going to be a boy." she supplied quickly. "I was named after my grandfather."
With one last skeptical glance their (fake) names were added to the log and their tickets handed back to them.
Kurt thanked her and grabbed Mercedes' arm. "Come on Azimio!" They both grinned and took off down the sheek white hallway, whooping loudly. "We are the luckiest bitches in the world!"