I swallow nervously as I look over my Titanic model for the last time. I have tested it in the sink in the bathroom and it definitely floated, at least, I think it did. The model was a little too big for the sink. But the half of the ship I managed to get in the water seemed to float straight! Suddenly there is a knock at our stateroom door and the delinquent is there, with James Cameron. I am slightly shocked by her appearance, she's wearing an evening gown! Like the ones she wore on the original Titanic!
She smiles brightly "Alright boys, you ready?" she asks. I certainly am, I turn to look at Jack. He's pacing the floor uneasily, dressed in his Marconi uniform. He stops and looks up at her "I'm ready!" he says. I can tell he's nervous, I'm nervous too! But it'll be alright, it shouldn't take that much time! And besides, this is absolutely necessary! As Titanic victims ourselves, we both need to honor our fellow passengers who went down with the ship alongside us!
Jack holds out his arm for the girl to take and she takes it, smiling up at him reassuringly "It'll be alright Jack" she tells him. I can't help but think he's still a little on edge after the fight they had earlier. I pick up my Titanic model and tuck it under my arm carefully before following James out towards the bow of the ship. When we get there, there's a large crowd of people standing around. To my pleasant surprise, most of them are in the correct clothing they would have worn in our time period! Only this time, nobody smiles at us as we pass, nobody begs for an autograph or picture. They all stand silent, as though they're attending our funeral. I suppose they are aren't they?
They make us stand in the front, in front of everybody. There's a priest who says a few words before some people begin tossing rose petals into the water. A few people in the crowd make their own pilgrimage to the railing, tossing over flowers they'd brought. The last thing to be put in the water is my Titanic model, before I put it in though the delinquent stops me, tying a ribbon to one of the funnels. I don't understand why she finds it necessary to tie some random ribbon onto my ship, but I allow it anyway. Jack already tossed a flower over the railing, he seemed rather misty eyed. I hope this all isn't too much for the poor lad!
As they lower my little model over the side of the ship, the orchestra begins playing 'Nearer my God to Thee'. I bow my head quietly and stare at the deck I'm standing on. I know we have to do this, but it hurts a great deal. It's all my fault, I should have fought harder for more lifeboats, for higher bulkheads and for her double hull. I should have, but I didn't. And it cost 1500 people their lives, it cost me my own life! A sob breaks breaks me out of my thoughts and I look over to see Jack crying. I feel even more guilty as I watch the delinquent try to calm him down. My ship cost Jack his life!
It occurs to me now just how traumatizing dying must have been for Jack. I died twice, I knew exactly what was going to happen and when, and I accepted it. Jack didn't know what would happen, he like everyone else thought the ship was unsinkable. And then he froze to death in the Atlantic, a slow and painful death. He must have been terrified, and though he hasn't showed any signs of how badly it affected him before, I'm sure hearing this song and standing here with all these people must be bringing back bad thoughts.
Finally the song ends and the priest says a final prayer to all who perished. Slowly and quietly people begin filing back into the ship, I turn to Jack to find he's still trembling and crying. I rest a hand on his back "Jack, it's over" I tell him quietly "Are you hungry? Do you want some dinner?" I ask him. Nothing works better than food to get all those bad thoughts out of his head! He nods through his sobs "Yea" he replies shakily. The ruffian kisses him softly, by now we're the only ones standing on deck "Jack are you gonna be alright tonight?" she asks him softly "We can just stay in your stateroom tonight if..." he cuts her off, shaking his head "No no! I want to go to that ball! It's just" he sniffles "dying was so terrible! To think, that song they just played was the last song I ever heard! I was so scared" he admits to us.
"We're not going to think about it anymore. Alright? We're not ever going to mention that night again. For your sake, Thomas', and mine" she tells him. I find myself nodding in agreement, for all our sakes let's just forget sinking! Finally Jack managed to get himself together, and he takes a deep breath, smiling "Do I still look ok?" he asks me. His eyes are red from crying, but otherwise I suppose he looks alright "You look great!" I tell him. Before we head inside I peer over the railing to see my little Titanic bobbing up and down in the waves. She floats! "Gabby, why did you tie that ribbon to my ship?" I ask her as we begin heading in. She smiles "It was a ribbon I wore in my hair, the night the ship sank. It fell out while I was helping load the boats, and I didn't know what to do with it, so I tied it around my wrist and I've had it ever since".
There are many people waiting to greet us as we make our way down the grand staircase. We have to go down it a few times before we reach the reception area on D deck, which is where we're having this ball. There's a man standing at the top of the landing and he asks us for our tickets, but we don't have tickets do we? The delinquent reaches into the top of her dress and pulls them out, I roll my eyes. I forgot she liked to store things there! The man lets us in and Jack asks her what that was all about. She shrugs "You had to buy a special ticket to get in here. And there are rules, they wanted everybody in period dress!" she tells us.
James Cameron meets us at the bottom of the stair "You made it through the memorial in one piece Thomas!" he says enthusiastically, casting a pitying look towards Jack who is busy examining the fancy carpet. I chuckle "Yes I made it, not sure if that's exactly something to be proud of though" I tell him. He shrug "Think nothing of it! Anyway, I got you a little something to thank you for letting me work with you" he tells me, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a black leather notebook and hands it to me "Look in there, recognize that?" he asks. Opening it up, I can't help but be incredibly touched. I know this notebook! This was mine! This was my notebook I kept for the Olympic while she was being built!
I ask him how he got my notebook and he chuckles "Your living family very graciously gave it to me while I was making the movie. Reading that notebook though, I must say you were a little obsessive compulsive about your ships weren't you?". I can't help but smile proudly as I slip the notebook into my pocket "Still am sir! Still am!" I tell him. Finally it's time for dinner and we all head into the dining room. We manage to get away from everyone and so it's just the four of us at one table. Jack and the ruffian on one side, James and I on the other side.
While they look over the menu quietly I can't help but look over at the orchestra playing in the corner not far from where we're sitting. They're quite good, if I were to close my eyes I'd think I were on the original Titanic. They play all the same songs that were popular back then, but they throw in a few ragtime tunes which I know for a fact did not fly with the first class at dinner! Not at all! Oh they loved dancing to it, but at dinner it was inappropriate. The piano player is particularly good, I happen to notice. And not only are they good, but it's a female! There were no female musicians on the original Titanic, but in the modern day woman can do whatever they want. I suppose that means they can play piano on the replica of the grandest ship ever built!
A hand waves in front of my face and I look over at James "What are you looking at?" he asks me. I shake my head "N.. Nothing" I reply. He gives me a funny look before telling me it's time to order. I look up at the waiter before looking back down at the menu and going over it quickly. The first thing that catches my eye and looks appealing is what I order. I sigh and I'm incredibly thankful it's only going to be a 1 course meal tonight! James spends most of the time talking with Jack for a change, and I find myself watching that piano girl again. I don't know why I find myself drawn to her, but I could watch her play that piano all night. Perhaps I might go talk with her after dinner, find out her name.
Dinner is going by so slowly! I do everything I can think of to keep myself occupied. I pick at my food, I write in my Titanic notebook. And yet I still can't stop myself from stealing glances at that girl! I need to stop this! Finally everyone begins heading into the reception room to start the ball. The orchestra moves as well, but the girl stays and plays piano. Everyone at my table stands up "Come on Jack!" he tells him, they look at me "Are you coming Thomas?" she asks. I nod, pulling out my journal "I just thought of something I have to write, go ahead and I'll be there in a moment!" I manage to lie. They shrug and leave, and now it's just me and that girl.
I don't think she notices me sitting here, watching her. She switches from playing the music they were playing before and plays a very gentle, floating melody. It's as though she's talking through that instrument, expressing her every emotion through the lofty melody. I finally stand up and begin making my way to her slowly. I can't help it, it's as though I've been caught under some sort of spell! Now I'm standing right behind her, I feel myself trembling as I clear my throat. She stops immediately and looks up at me, her eyes wide in shock "M... Mr. Andrews!" she stutters "Oh, I didn't know you were still in here!" she tells me. Now I feel slightly bad to have startled her so much, I smile reassuringly at her "I'm sorry if I took you by surprise. I just couldn't help but stay and listen to you play, you're very good you know" I tell her.
She blushes "Well, thank you Mr. Andrews! I'm honored that you'd think so". I take her hand and kiss it, tonight is going to be my night! Tonight is supposed to be just as it was in 1912, and therefore I'm going to just be myself! All the way, every gesture and every word! I don't have to worry about modern things tonight, don't have to worry about Jack or that delinquent causing trouble! I believe she turns an even brighter shade of pink after I kiss her hand "You... you're such a gentleman!" she tells me. I thank her for the compliment "Would you like me to play something in particular Mr. Andrews?" she asks me, turning back to the piano.
I shake my head and smile "No, and please call me Thomas" I tell her. She looks up at me and smiles "I'm Madeleine" she replies. Ah, what a beautiful name! But I believe I've heard it before, yes indeed I have! "You wouldn't happen to know of a Madeleine Astor would you?" I ask her, she laughs "Haha I've never talked to her like I'm sure you have. But yes, I know about her. Some of my band mates tease me about it". I feel very relaxed in her presence, I haven't felt this way in a long time! Not since leaving Belfast that's for sure! I can hear the music in the other room and I swallow "Well Miss Madeleine, I know I just met you and this might sound crazy. But I was wondering if perhaps you'd like to go to the ball with me, since I don't have anyone else to go with" I tell her.
How can she keep blushing brighter and brighter? It's amazing! She smiles and begins playing with the cuff on her uniform jacket "Oh Mr. Andrews, I mean Thomas. I'd like to really but I don't have an invitation to go to that and I'm still in my uniform because I have nothing to wear and..." I hold up my hand to stop her "You're my guest, you're allowed to go to the ball with me if I say so. After all, Titanic is my ship!" I tell her. She stands up and brushes out her skirt before taking my arm "Well alright Thomas. I just hope we don't draw a lot of attention, I'm not good at talking to people" she admits as we begin heading for the door. I reassure her by telling her that I'm not very good at talking with people either.
When we get into the reception area, all the chairs have been cleared out. The violins are all sitting in the corner, playing away while couples dance on the floor. Another piano player has taken her place and I ask her about it. She chuckles "Oh, I play the piano all day down in third class and at first class dinner. So he takes on all the other piano things" she replies. Her answer relieves me, if she were to tell me she wasn't good enough to play this I'd have to find whoever was in charge and give them a stern talking to about musical talent. Not that I know much about it, being a shipbuilder. But I think the girl is good and it's my ship anyway!
A few people are staring at us, but I ignore them! I can be with whoever I want! James spots me and looks as though he wants to approach me, but when he sees Madeleine he gives me two thumbs up, smiling brightly. I blush slightly at that, I can't believe I've just taken that man's advice! The band begins playing the Gold and Silver Waltz and Madeleine pulls me towards the floor "Come on, you said you wanted to dance!" she tells me. I thought she didn't want to draw attention? I take her hand and straighten myself up, I wonder if I can still dance. It's been 100 years after all, and even more than that! I can't remember the last time I danced, must have been back when I was still courting Nellie!
We start slowly at first, as I try to find my ground. She laughs gently at me and teases, but I don't mind at all! I thoroughly enjoy her company! The longer I'm with her, the more I find myself just relaxing and having a grand time! Finally I manage to find my ground and I waltz with her easily. After a few songs though she looks at her wrist and sighs sadly "Oh Thomas, I'm having such a wonderful time! But I can't stay. It's almost midnight, and I have to be up playing on the third class deck by 9 tomorrow morning!" she tells me.
I take her aside and kiss her hand "Thank you for dancing with me tonight, will I see you again?" I ask her. She giggles "If you really want to, I thought I was boring you" she admits. I shake my head "Oh no, you were a pleasure! I quite enjoyed your company which is a high honor, most girls of the modern day aren't really" I swallow, trying to find the right words "Well I'll just say they aren't really my type". She smiles and nods "I understand. And I'm sure you miss your wife too, that must be hard. I know how you feel. My husband died in Afghanistan 5 years ago and we hadn't even been together that long". My heart both leaps for joy, and is incredibly pained by her words. Finally someone who understands me!
Suddenly an older gentleman approaches us "Madeleine what on earth do you think you're doing here?" he asks. She shutters to reply but I come to her defense "I invited her here, I didn't know that would be a problem" I tell him. He doesn't seem to care, does he know who I am? Madeleine finally managed to get out "I was just leaving anyway! Goodbye Thomas!" she tells me, before running up the grand staircase and disappearing out of sight. I sigh sadly and find a chair to sit down in. A few other girls approach me and ask to dance, but I politely decline. I can't get that Madeleine out of my head!
They begin playing Alexander's Ragtime Band and I watch as Jack dances with the delinquent. She is slightly lost in the fast paced music but he patiently shows her how to dance and she follows his examples. Ah to be young, and happy and in love too! I may not be young, or very happy, but dare I say it I think I might be in love! But that can't possibly be! That's the thing fairytales are made of! You can't just meet someone and fall in love with them on the spot, you have to get to know them! Oh but I feel as though I've known her a lifetime!
What about Helen and Elba? I can't just abandon them can I? The more I think about it, the more frustrated and confused I get with myself. Suddenly the delinquent picks up a device and taps it, the noise resounds throughout the room "Heyya everybody! I'm Gabby and this is Jack Phillips! Now we wanted to sing an extra special song to our friend Thomas Andrews! He's been kinda down on this voyage, so this song is dedicated to him!" she says. Oh no! What song could she possibly have in store that's for me? Everybody's looking at me too and I find myself growing fidgety under their stares.
Finally the band begins playing and their attention is drawn back to the delinquent and to Jack. "Where is the moment we needed the mooost? You kick up the leaves and the magic is looost! They tell me your blue skies fade to grey, they tell me your passion's gone away! And I don't need no carryin' oooooon! You standin in line just to hit a new looow! You're fakin a smile with the coffee to goooo! They tell me your life's been way off liine! You fall into pieces every time! And I don't need no carryin ooooooon! BECAUSE YOU HAD A BAD DAY! YOU'RE TAKIN ONE DOWN! YA SING A SAD SONG JUST TA TURN IT AROUND! YA SAY YOU DON'T KNOW, YA TELL ME DON'T LIE! YOU WORK ON A SMILE AND YOU GO FOR A RIDE! YOU HAD A BAD DAY! DA CAMERA DON'T LIE! YOUR COMIN BACK DOWN AND YA REALLY DON'T MIND! YOU HAD A BAD DAAAAAY! YA HAD A BAD DAAAAY!" they sing, almost drunkenly. But they haven't had any alcohol have they?
I feel a migraine coming on, but their song just keeps going and going! Honestly, the words of the song describe exactly how I feel about this time period! Every day, is a bad bad day! When their song is over there are hoots and hollers from the crowd, and then they're back to their calm first class act. Jack and the ruffian run up to me, jumping in place "Did you like the song? We've been practicing it since the first day of the voyage!" they announce proudly. I nod and sigh "It was splendid" I tell them. Gabby yawns and takes my hands, pulling me up "Can I have a dance! Just one? And then we're gonna head back to the stateroom" she tells me. How can I deny her just one dance?
The band begins playing Valse Septembre and I take her hand gently, waltzing with her around the floor. She looks up at me "I saw you with that piano player, do you like her?" she asks. I might as well be honest, there's no hiding anything from this girl "Yes I think I do" I admit. Her eyes light up "Oh Tommie I'm so happy for you! You've been so down on this trip, it makes me feel terrible!" she tells me.
As we dance I notice the delinquent growing more and more exhausted. I don't blame her, it's been a long and emotional night for all of us. A glance over at Jack shows he's asleep in the chair I'd been sitting in. The ruffian rests her head against my chest and says something I can't quite make up. I sigh "You have to stay away just a little longer" I tell her as the song ends. I have her take my arm and I lead her over to where Jack's sleeping. She yawns "Jack come on we're going!" she tells him. He looks up at us exhausted before stretching and standing, stumbling up the staircase in an exhausted haze.
We make it back to our stateroom, and Jack kisses his fiance before trudging into his stateroom and closing the door. I am about to bid the girl goodnight when I notice she has laid down on the floor and has fallen asleep. Oh no! She's not sleeping on the floor of our sitting room! I try to get her to wake up but she shakes her head "Too tired!" she mumbles. Even with Killian jumping on her and nipping at her ears she is unresponsive. Sighing, I gather her in my arms and pick her up, she's lucky I know where her stateroom is or she'd be sleeping in the hallway outside!
My shoulder aches as I carry her through the hallways. How can she sleep through all of this? Finally I make it to her room, but I don't have a key! She has a roommate though doesn't she? Oh no, that's right, she doesn't! Because he roommate missed the boat according to the delinquent! I nudge her "Gabby, where's the key?" I ask her. She buries her face in my jacket and I huff "Come on, I'm not standing here with you all night!" I tell her. She finally reaches up into the top of her dress, pulling out the key. How much does she keep in there?
Once we get into her room I turn on a light and sit her down on the bed. I'm going to have to treat her like a child, I'm going to have to do everything for her "Come on, get changed!" I tell her. She has her eyes half closed and she reaches around the back of her dress to untie it, but doesn't even come close. She flops over and buries her face in her pillow "Nope, can't do it" she mumbles. I sigh and pull her to her feet, having her lean against the wall as I untie the back of the dress, and the corset underneath. Although thankfully for both of us, she didn't tighten it very much.
The rest of this I'm not doing though! I locate her nightwear and press it into her arms "Come on now, go into your bathroom and get changed!" I tell her, pushing her towards the bathroom. I can only pray she doesn't fall asleep on the tile floor! Because I am not going to go in there to help her no matter what! It wouldn't be proper, not at all! After about 2 minutes she finally stumbles out, collapsing on the bed. But she doesn't even her her whole self on it! Rolling my eyes, I pick her up and lay her down properly before pulling the covers over her "Where would you be without me?" I ask her. I only meant it as teasing but she actually answers "Nowhere worth being at".
I leave the key on the table next to her bed before turning out the lights and returning to my stateroom. When I get there I check in on Jack, only to find the exact same situation as with the delinquent. He didn't make it to his bed, he fell asleep on the floor. I get him in bed as well, but luckily I don't have to pick him up, I just have to continually nudge him to keep him awake. Finally everyone's in bed and I can go to sleep myself. As I settle down I can't stop thinking about two things. First of all, I can't stop thinking about Madeleine and Nellie, and second, I can't stop thinking about the delinquent's reply. Nowhere worth being, had I changed her life that much?
Um, Jack! Jack am I doing this right?
I think so, I mean, Gabby is the one who breaks the 4th wall. I don't know how to break it!
I think we're breaking it right now Jack! Look! I see a person!
*Gasps* Bloody hell I see them too! That must be the reader *Leans in close to the screen* Hello Reader!
Stop it Jack! We're supposed to inform them of why we're doing the author's note!
That's boring, they don't care about that. *Taps the screen* Hey! Hey you! Yea! I'm talking to you! Over here! Wanna see me do a magic trick? Ok, here it goes... POOF! I have a line under my writing now!
Phillips stop that! What's the delinquent going to say when she reads this? Anyway, it is my job to inform all you readers that the ruffian and author of this story is incredibly cross with you, and she called you um *Pulls up a piece of paper* Bunch of lazy bums. Whatever that means. Do you know what that means Jack?
Oh! Oh! I'm gonna get rid of the line! Ready? ... 1... 2... 3... POOF! No line! :D OH MY GOD THOMAS LOOK! I made a smiley face
That's brilliant Jack. I think my line is broken though. Some of my writing has it and some of it doesn't for some strange reason! Alright focus! We have to close this off now. Aren't we suppose to offer them something to get them to review?
Nah, they ain't reviewin anyway. Besides, I just did a magic trick for them! They should be happy! OH! But you should probably tell them the other news
Oh yes! I almost forgot! The delinquent is leaving on vacation on Thursday, and won't be back until... *Looks at the calender* The 23rd. But then on the 24th she's going to the state fair to judge chickens
Chickens?
Yes, Chickens Jack. You know, the white birds that they serve up fried now a days?
Aw I love that stuff! Especially when it's extra crispy! YUM!
Well we have to go now Jack. We have to report back to the ship. Say goodbye to the reader now!
*Waves enthusiastically* GOODBYE READER!
Alright, I suppose I'll have to thank you all for reading this chapter. And I must thank you for your continued support, even though you haven't been reviewing. But that's alright in my personal opinion. No feedback is better than negative feedback right?
OH MY GOD THOMAS! PEOPLE REVIEWED WHILE WE WERE WRITING THE AUTHORS NOTE! WHAT DO WE DO?
Don't panic! The ruffian will be happy! But we still have to wrap this up ourselves! So let me say goodbye already!
Say it then! Mr. Grouchy Pants!
Fine! Goodbye Reader! And thank you for, you know, reading. And don't forget to review! Or all of this trouble Jack and I just went through will be for nothing. Won't it? Yes, it will! So please review!