Ruth shifted uncomfortably in the chair; she felt as though she were in an interrogation. "What is it you wish to offer, Mr. Hockley?" she stared at him coldly.
Cal smiled slyly, as he began his proposition. "We are both aware of your late husband's gambling debts, and that to pay them off will pretty much leave you in ruin. I am prepared to pay off those debts, providing you are willing to pay the price. The only thing it will cost you is your silence. That is not an unreasonable method of payment, is it Ruth? I am only asking you to pay with something you can afford to give me. All you have to do is say nothing to Rose, and I will consider this whole incident a thing of the past."
Ruth shook her head; she spoke with an air of self-control, "You know I can't do that—"
"What choices do you have Ruth?" Cal interrupted angrily. He was too close to victory and was not about to let it slip through his fingers. This called for a desperate ploy, one that he would carry out if need be. "You either accept my help or Jack...well, he is not in the best of health, now is he?"
"You wouldn't dare—" she gasped.
"I tire of having to compete and lose to some common… swine." He sputtered "swine" like it was a bad word. "Besides, with the trauma he has already endured, who is to assure his survival…." Cal shrugged apathetically.
"Only you would be so vile." Her words did not hide the hatred brewing inside her. She would hear no more of this nonsense.
Cal leaned over Ruth, blocking her from getting up. "To win Rose's affections, I am capable of anything…anything." He was seething; his face had turned a beet red, his nostrils flared, and his mouth twisted until it revealed a sinister frown.
"If you cause Jack harm, I will ensure that you pay for your crime." Ruth stated with determination.
Cal laughed sardonically, "Who would the courts believe? Certainly not you. A mere vagrant woman, bent on seeking vengeance on her daughter's ex-finance? Think about it Ruth…I can make things extremely difficult for you and Rose."
Ruth considered Cal's words; he would indeed make life impossible for Rose and her. There was no understatement in his threat; he would not stop interfering in their lives until Rose surrendered and agreed to marry him. She could well imagine how malicious he would be; the misery he would place them under until Rose conceded.
Ruth did not want Rose to suffer from Cal's spiteful mannerisms, nor did she wish to endanger Jack's life. She was in a dire dilemma: caught between her daughter's welfare and Jack's life. She closed her eyes and contemplated what must be done. She finally decided that what she required was time to develop a plan to escape Cal's tyrannical grasp; for until Rose and she could be free of Caledon Hockely, all efforts would prove futile.
She bowed her head as she gave her answer, "Very well, Mr. Hockley, you have my word. I will not tell Rose that Jack is alive." She tried to sound brave, but deep inside she was ripped apart by having to keep this vital information from her only child. She hoped desperately that Rose would understand the reasons behind her vow of silence.
Cal spied a small vile on the table next to him. He glanced at the label and a small crooked smile made its way to his lips. He noticed that Ruth was not paying him any particular attention, and he took the opportunity to snatch up the glass bottle and slip it in his pocket.
Cal exited the doctor's cabin confident that his secret was safe. Straightening out his jacket, he patted the outside of his coat pocket that held the vile. Yes, this will come in handy if Ruth decides not to cooperate, he assured himself.
The arrogant smile dropped from his face as he witnessed Rose opening the door to the cabin that Jack occupied. He silently damned ettiquette and rushed over to her.
"Rose! Darling!" he said as he grabbed her hands, prying her away from the door and slamming it shut with his other free hand. "Have you forgotten where our room is?"
Rose tried with great effort to push Cal away, "Let go of me, he's here…he survived…" her voice sounded raspy and weak.
"No one is in there, sweetpea." Cal tried to assure her as he led her down the open hallway.
"Let go of me! Jack is alive! I heard him…I heard him! He called me!" she squirmed futilely against Cal's iron grip.
Cal was trying to save face, since he was very conscious of the stares they were beginning to accumlate; he continued with his farce, "Oh, I see you are still in a state of shock. Come, let me escort you back to our room."
Rose pushed against him trying to break free, while tears of frustration spilled down her face, "No! Jack! Jack!" she tried to shriek, but the words came out muffled. Cal felt his heart being ripped apart each time she uttered Jack's name. Damn him! Cal thought to himself. One way or another, Jack Dawson would leave their lives…permanently.
Rose tried to writhe out of his grasp, but his hold on her was like steel. She wanted to scream, but her mouth was dry, and it felt like there was a huge lump in her throat.
"Sweetpea, you are making quite a spectacle of yourself. Now I assure you, that cabin over there is not our room..." he forced a smile for appearance's sake as he dragged her further down the hall.
Rose turned to face him; her head spun viciously, her vision began to blur, and everything around her seemed to slowly go out of focus. With a look of pure abhorrence, she stared into his eyes. Rose conjured up what little strength she had left; wriggling one hand free, she lifted it and proceeded to slap him hard across the face. "Bastard…." Was all she could muster before she collapsed in his arms.
Ruth paced back and forth inside the cabin; she had not yet left the doctor's quarters. Her thoughts were occupied by what she could do to help her daughter. Finally, an idea surfaced and disclosed itself to her; it would not be a permanent solution, but it was a start. She quickly scribbled something on a piece of paper and peeked outside the door to double check that Cal was nowhere to be seen.
Satisfied that the coast was clear, she hurried over to Captain Rostron's quarters.
Ruth composed herself as she arrived at the captain's cabin. She had to make her story believable, and in order to do so, she must collect her thoughts and act confident so that her words would sound natural and not rehearsed. Inhaling deeply, she knocked on the door.
He answered almost immediately, his brow creased in confusion.
"I hate to disturb you Captain, but it is urgent that I speak with you," she stated.
"Of course Madam; how may I be of service?" he replied as he held the door open for her.
"Thank you, Captain. Let me begin by introducing myself. I am Mrs. Ruth DeWitt Bukater. I have a rather delicate matter to discuss with you."
He nodded as he closed the door behind him and motioned for her to take a seat. Ruth politely declined the offer. "I am unsure as how to ask you my request…therefore, being forward may be the best avenue to approach this subject."
Her voice shook a little, but not enough for Captain Rostron to take notice. Ruth was determined to help her daughter in any way possible and would not allow for Caledon Hockley to make Rose miserable for the rest of her life. And if the captain conceded, it would mark her first victory in her battle against Cal.
She took in silent deep breaths before she continued. You can do this, she told herself firmly. "That young man in cabin four…has anyone come forward claiming to know him or claiming responsibility for him?"
"No one has reported the identity of that young man. You know him I gather?"
Ruth continued, "Indeed, I do sir. He is a close friend of my family… someone of grave importance to us…" she paused under the captain's curious stare. Jack was obviously a third class passenger, and Ruth didn't fit the description of someone from third class. "Believe me, sir. He is a dear acquaintance. I want to make arrangements to have him taken, once we dock, to my personal physician at this address." She handed him a small piece of paper.
The captain took the paper, and glancing down at it, noticed a note written underneath the address.
"It is imperative that he be taken in private, as his condition is delicate. I, and only I, shall be notified of his arrival to the address mentioned." She motioned toward the note then quickly added, "Due to the tragedy we have all endured, I believe it to be in better taste to acquire the facts of his health beforehand and not alarm anyone unnecessarily."
"I understand," he replied solemnly. He could only imagine the pain and suffering she must have gone through.
"And please Captain, this point is crucial…do keep this matter confidential. You understand, of course."
The captain nodded in agreement, "I will honor your decision to be discreet, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater."
Cal was growing restless; it was nearly ten at night and they were still not allowed to leave the forsaken ship. He was certain that the registry would blemish his good name with the name Carpathia attached to it. The ship was hardly a luxury liner and to be noted that he arrived in such a ship would be the subject of minor jokes in his close circle of friends.
His thoughts dispelled as Ruth entered the room. "Where the devil have you been?" he snapped as he gulped down some bourbon.
"I was on deck…you should see the crowd that has gathered at the pier, it is—" she stopped because she noticed Rose sleeping comfortably on the bed; she glared over at Cal.
He ignored her look of detest, "Yes, a bunch of people lolling about. I hope our chauffer is able to greet us promptly, but with that mess out there, it seems doubtful."
She lowered her gaze; her voice sounded dry as she spoke. "I see you wasted no time in acquiring Rose."
"Umm…it would seem she is not well," he said trying to hint at something.
"What do you mean?" her voice filled with concern.
"You should have seen her… she was ranting like a mad woman when I found her." Cal savored his little ploy before he continued. He wanted to keep Ruth in suspense a little while longer, before disclosing his alternate plan. "The nurse told me, in strictest confidence, of course, that Rose may be suffering from trauma due to the tragedy she has undergone."
Ruth narrowed her eyes, "What are you getting at, Mr. Hockley?" she was growing impatient with his innuendos.
"I spoke with the nurse earlier…" he shook his head slowly, "and she suspects that Rose may be going mad."
"What!"
"Yes, you should have heard Rose. She was muttering nonsense about Jack being alive… it really is tragic." He spoke with a forged sorrowful tone in his voice.
"You know that's not true! You know very well that Jack is—" she ranted desperately.
Cal slammed his glass on the counter, "Do not say his name in here!" he said through clenched teeth, motioning to Rose asleep on the bed.
Ruth flinched at Cal's reaction. He looked at her intently and collected himself before he continued. "The doctor thinks Rose may have to be hospitalized in an asylum... that would be a shame..."
"Stop it!" angry tears spilled out of Ruth's eyes, "You know she's not crazy."
"Oh, I know Ruth...however, let this be a reminder to you if your conscience irks you into revealing the truth… not a word to Rose, remember?"
Ruth shook from rage; Cal was such a monster! "I already promised you I would not say anything."
"And this is my insurance that you won't."
Ruth could not believe what she was hearing. Cal was slick, she would give him that… but she too was resourceful and had already set her plan in motion. One day Mr. Hockley, your narcissistic plans of having Rose will come crashing around you, she thought to herself.
Cal continued his speech, "For if you do, I will have Rose put into an asylum. It will cost you a pretty penny to get her released… oh, wait …I forget …you have no means of paying that fee. You have no money…" a wicked grin spread across his face. "Are we in agreement?"
Ruth buried her head in her hands and cried openly; she nodded letting Cal know she understood his threat.
"You bastard..." she sobbed.
"I do believe that means 'yes'." His plan had worked. For now he could rest assured that Ruth would honor their agreement. Of course, he could not hold this threat over her head forever, but he had means of ensuring her silence.
"There, there, it will be all right. Here, let me fix you something." Cal poured her a drink. He glanced over to see if she still had her head bowed in her hands… she did. Slowly, he took the small vile from his pocket and let a few drops fall into her beverage.
Cal offered her the drink, "Here, it seems you need this more than I."
Ruth was physically and mentally exhausted, the events of the last few hours finally catching up with her. She accepted the drink from Cal and swallowed its contents.
The night Carpathia pulled into New York was frigid. A luminous thunderstorm raged overhead; lightening cracked the sky and rain poured down heavily onto the anxious crowd that waited nervously in the hopes that their loved ones had survived the tragedy of Titanic. The ship docked to a stream of flash photography, eager reporters, and a desperate crowd that numbered in the thousands on April 18, 1912. Captain Rostron ordered for the lifeboats to be unloaded first.
There was a spectral silence that enveloped the crowd, as the first of the lifeboats was unloaded. A unified gasp erupted from the swarm of people, which slowly crescendoed to a mournful cry. The captain watched with great sorrow, from his lookout point on deck, at the grief stricken faces of the crowd below him. Calling a steward over, he gave instructions for him to ready the injured and the ill.
"As soon as the gangway is in place, we will allow only doctors and nurses on board to tend to those wounded. The young man in cabin four should be one of the first to be taken; a confident of his has already made arrangements to have him transported to this address. Make sure the lad is delivered there safely and notify me the moment he arrives. I will then contact his benefactor."
"Yes sir!"