*Seven*
Announcements and The Dinner
After watching the waters for about a half-an-hour, she decided to go to the upper decks to mingle with the other passengers. She didn't really want to tell anyone of her engagement. But then again the wedding would be tomorrow.
She started aft, when she ran into Captain Smith. He smiled at her. He was just as kind as she had expected. She had respected this Captain for many years in her former life.
She assessed him quickly. White beard, that made him looked so loveable, so friendly. Eyes that seemed to know everything.
She realized he looked exactly as he did in the old photos she had seen of him. Not like the actor, Bernard Hill. Although James Cameron had done a good job in casting the part.
Captain Smith gave her the warmest smile she had ever seen.
"Captain, good afternoon." She said politely. He stood in front of her.
"Miss. Rosenberg, lovely to finally meet you in person. Might I say I've heard a lot about you." He laughed a little.
"And you, sir." She continued to smile. Back in the future she rarely smiled. She wasn't happy in that life. But she was here. Extremely happy. Despite all her knowledge.
"I heard the news, Lowe asked if I'd perform the ceremony." He said. His voice was so strict. She was afraid he was going to decline the request.
Then the sparkle returned to his eyes. "I'd be proud to do it." He chuckled a bit.
She sighed a bit out of relief.
"Um, Sir. I have a question…" She started bravely.
He looked at her, waiting for what she had to say.
"Why aren't you concerned about the ice-warnings?" She asked finally.
He lifted an eye-brow. Wondering what kind of question that was.
"Ah, I see Officer Lowe has been talking to you. Possibly a bit more than he should. Passengers really shouldn't know--"
"No. I didn't hear it from Lowe. Just please tell me. You need to pay attention to them." She said sternly.
"If not Lowe, than who?" He asked. Avoiding the subject clearly.
She couldn't very well tell him the truth. "I just know. Now please, sir, answer my question."
"It's perfectly normal for there to be bergs." He said. "It is rather cold you know."
Clearly he wouldn't listen to her. And history had already been written. So she accepted his answer.
"Don't worry so much on the day before your wedding." He said. "I'll talk to you later."
He left her standing there. She watched him disappear into the ship. Then she started her walk again.
She walked directly to the Marconi operators' cabin. When she came to the door. John Phillips was tapping away. Transferring a message to the United States from a passenger. There was a stack of messages to be sent sitting beside him on the desk.
"Excuse me." She said.
Harold Bride looked over at her. But Phillips just continued his duty.
"Um, I need to send a message." She said.
Bride picked up a pad of paper with the White Star logo on it. And a pencil. He handed them to her. "Please write who it's to, and where. As well. Thank you." Bride said. More out of routine then instruction.
She quickly jotted this message down. "Mother, Father, I have found someone I truly love. He's asked me to marry him. But of course I need your permission. Please try to understand. I love you - Michaela."
She handed the paper to Bride. Who placed it in the pile of papers.
"When do you think you'll be able to get it out?" She asked. Wanting it to be soon. But knowing that their job was strenuous and there were plenty of messages to be sent.
"Ah, should be tonight or tomorrow morning." Bride said.
"Oh, but I really need a reply by tomorrow afternoon." She pleaded.
"I'm sorry, miss. But there are hundreds of messages to get out." Phillips finally addressed her.
She looked at Bride, who only gave a sympathetic smile.
"But, I'm not sure how long I have…. I really will need a reply." She said.
"I'm sorry, miss. We're doing the best we can." Phillips went back to his tapping.
She was a bit angry and hurt. She wasn't sure if she'd survive tomorrow night. And she wanted to marry the man she loved.
"What's wrong, Miss? Why are you not sure of how long you have? Are you in trouble?" Bride asked, sounding very caring.
"Um-well. That one is hard to explain." She looked at him then back to Phillips. She knew the two different fates for these men. And she felt sick at her stomach. Her happiest day would be a nightmare.
The Captain stepped inside the cabin as well. "Go ahead, Phillips. Send her's next."
"Sir?" Phillips asked, wondering why the Captain would be unfair to the other passengers. Who had had their messages in long ago.
"That's an order." He turned back to Michaela. "I hope your family will be fine with this." He smiled.
She nodded. "Me too. Thank you, Captain."
She departed the room. Leaving the two Marconi operators to their work.
She walked up to the boat deck. She looked towards the stern, she was still on the starboard side. Which she mainly stayed on. In the distance she could see Rose and Jack looking through his brown leather binder of drawings.
She smiled, knowing that at this very moment they were falling for each other. Deeper with each passing sentence that would leave their lips. Everything was going exactly like she knew it would.
At least the disaster wouldn't be so terrible for her. She knew each shudder the ship would make. She knew each sound of cracking and groaning. She knew how the ship would eventually meet her icy grave. So she was prepared, or at least she kept reassuring herself.
She didn't want to disturb them, so she headed back to her suite. John Jacob Astor spoke to her as she walked down the hall.
"Hello, Miss. Rosenberg." As it turns out, the Rosenbergs were very wealthy as well. So Zipper was of the second wealthiest family aboard. The first being, of course, the Astors.
"Hello, Mr. Astor. Where is Madeline?" She asked, politely making conversation.
"She's lying down in our room." He replied.
Of course Zipper knew Madeline was pregnant. Everyone aboard knew this, even as she tried to hide it.
Zipper nodded, saying she understood. "Mr. Astor. I want to personally invite you to a celebration." She said. Not giving away the occasion just yet. She had always liked Colonel John Jacob Astor, so she wanted him at her wedding.
"Oh, well lovely. When and where is it? And what's the occasion?" He asked.
"Well it's on the RMS Titanic, tomorrow evening, in the dining saloon." She started.
He nodded, waiting for the occasion.
"And…it's for my wedding!" She exclaimed.
His mouth gaped open a moment. Then he smiled at her. "Well congratulations. Who might the lucky young lad be?"
She was a bit reluctant to tell him this. It wasn't that she was embarrassed by Officer Lowe. No, that wasn't the case at all. But Astor clearly wouldn't see the point in marrying an officer.
"Fifth Officer Lowe. Of this ship." She said finally.
Surprisingly, he only smiled and congratulated her again. Making a mental note with himself to visit the Officer to give his well-wishes.
"Well, I have to get going, Sir. I'll see you at dinner, I'm sure." She smiled.
He nodded.
She walked away from him, towards her staterooms. She quietly opened the door. In case Frank was napping or something. She really didn't know anything about him. And she didn't feel comfortable with him. But she had no choice. They were in the middle of the North Atlantic, it wasn't exactly like she could just get out and leave.
When she opened the door, two men sat in the sitting room. One of course was Frank. The other was Caledon Hockley. 'Is he like stalking me now, or something', she quietly asked herself.
Cal stood as she entered the room. She walked over to him, he lightly kissed her hand. "Good afternoon, Michaela."
"Same to you, Mr. Hockley." She politely replied. She liked him still. But, she assured herself that it was only her previous obsession that attracted her to him.
"Please, call me Cal." He said.
She nodded. "Alright, Cal. Will you please excuse us for a moment. I have something important to discuss with my valet."
"Certainly." With that Cal, being the gentleman that he is, stepped out into the corridor. Pulling the door closed behind him, but leaving it open a crack. To overhear the conversation, no doubt.
Frank looked at Zipper, a bit concerned. He thought she was in some sort of trouble. "What's wrong?"
"Frank, I just sent a telegram to my parents."
"Oh? Why?" He asked. Immediately thinking it was something against him. When he had served her family well for a long while.
"I'm getting married. I needed their permission. Now I'm afraid they won't give it to me." She said glumly.
"Why wouldn't they?"
"He's an officer. Not exactly 'our kind'." She emphasized the last two words.
He chuckled a bit.
"I don't find this in the least bit funny, sir. I am in love." She said, her voice rudely rising.
"No. No. Miss. I only meant it's silly to think they'd decline for that reason alone. You know they've always said, whatever makes you happy, go for it." He said.
Of course she didn't know her family was like this. All the while she felt she would be stuck with a father and mother like Ruth DeWitt Bukater. She was so relieved to hear Frank tell her this.
"When did you tell them it would be?" He asked.
"I didn't. But I hope they answer by tomorrow. Because that's when it is." She laughed.
He smiled widely, then stood and walked over to her. He hugged her. Obviously she should feel comfortable with this man. But she didn't. He of course was her guard. He wouldn't harm her. But she didn't know him. Or at least she thought she didn't. She knew she was in another person's life. She wondered it she could get through it.
"Which one is he?" He asked. He knew all the officers. He had spoken to them before boarding.
"Fifth Officer Harold Lowe." She announced proudly.
Cal was shocked and a bit angry at the same time. He was counting on Zipper as a 'back up', if things fell through with Rose. He was also disgusted to hear that a member of such a fine and rich family would marry some common, sea officer. It was simply unheard of.
He heard footsteps come towards the door. So he stood back, like he hadn't heard a thing.
"Mr. Hockley. You can come back in now, sir." Zipper said plainly. She didn't know why Cal was there in the first place. Neither did Frank. Cal had just shown up, and basically invited himself in.
Of course he wanted to befriend the Rosenbergs. Nearly everyone with money did.
Cal politely stepped past her into the sitting room. Frank had sat back down on the high-backed chair in the corner. Cal turned back to Zipper, who was just closing the door.
"I was wondering, Miss. Rosenberg. If you'd like to take a stroll on the boat deck with me?" He politely offered. Obviously there was nothing else to do. Dinner wasn't for at least another hour.
'Boat deck?!' Zipper panicked to herself. Jack and Rose were on the boat deck. She couldn't let Cal go there.
"Uh- actually. I just came in from the deck, Sir. The sun is a bit to bright for me today." She put on a fake but polite laugh.
He nodded. "Well I think I'll go." He said. Still wanting her to reconsider.
He started for the door. She stepped out in front of him. She saw Frank give her a strange look, then she looked up into Cal's eyes.
"I wouldn't mind just walking around though. I'd love your company." She smiled. She had to keep him from Rose and Jack.
Cal smiled down at her. "Good, then." He opened the door for her. And she gave one last glance to Frank. Who only sat, looking as strict as ever.
They walked arm in arm down the corridor. "So, Mr. Hockley. Why did you come to the cabin today?" She asked, trying to make conversation.
"Just wanted to see how you were." He said. Still trying to make a friend out of her, if not more.
"Well, sorry I was out so long. I was meeting with someone." She said.
"Officer Lowe?" Cal asked. They continued to walk.
"How'd you know?" She asked puzzled.
"Oh I heard from this person, who heard form that person. You know how it goes." He replied.
She nodded her head, believing him. "You're invited, you know."
Cal was glad to hear that, at least he was getting somewhere.
"Thank you." He smiled. Cal was so money hungry, it was a wonder he could even stand himself.
They wandered about the corridors for about thirty minutes, talking about a lot of things. She really liked him. He was great to talk to. But she knew what he would do to Jack and Rose. So she was torn between a love and hate of this man.
"Well I have to go dress for dinner. I guess, I will see you there?" He asked.
She nodded. "Yes."
"Good." He kissed her hand.
Then did something Zipper was not expecting, it was not like him. Was it to ensure his place with the Rosenbergs? Was it just a fleeting bit of passion? Who knows. But he pressed her against the wall. And kissed her deeply on the lips.
The kiss lasted longer than Zipper cared for it to. She loved Lowe. And Cal definitely was not acting like a gentleman. After the kiss was over he looked into her eyes a moment.
She tried to tell him with her eyes, that his actions had been uncouth and she was very uncomfortable with it. But he didn't seem to understand.
He only smiled. And said, "See you in a little while."
She was left leaning against the wall, a bit out of breath from the momentary passion expressed by Mr. Hockley.
Finally, she brought herself from her daze, and headed for the promenade deck. Where she knew she could find Rose and Jack.
She came up behind them. They were leaning over the water. She laughed to herself, as she remembered this from the movie. Only now she was here in it too.
"That was pitiful!" Jack exclaimed.
"Oh." Rose said, sounding a bit frustrated.
"Look, you really gotta hawk it up, ya know get some leverage to it.-" Jack started. But was interrupted by Zipper.
"Arch your neck!" She finished his line.
They turned to her. "Let me show you how it's done." Zipper said stepping up beside Rose.
She sniffed back a load of mucous then spit it out into the ocean. Definitely better than Rose had been doing.
"Nice…" Jack laughed a bit.
Zipper laughed too.
"But, I'm still the master. Anyway, Rose is catching on…" Jack said. Jack began to clear his throat to hawk up another one.
When Rose's mother, the countess, and Molly, stepped up behind the three of them.
"Mother!" Rose said astonished to see her mother, and embarrassed by what the three of them had been doing.
First, Ruth glared at Michaela. She just wanted her to leave Rose and Cal alone. Then she turned her attention to Jack, as Rose introduced him.
"May I introduce, Jack Dawson." Rose started. Zipper stood silently at Jack's other side.
"I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Dawson here assist me in a little accident last night. I surely would have gone overboard, had he not been there to save me." Rose finished her introduction.
"Well, Jack, sounds like you're a good man to have around in a sticky spot." Molly said.
Zipper silently wondered if Molly still thought she was crazy.
Jack smiled as he was getting all the attention.
A bugler sounded in the distance. Of course Zipper was expecting this. But she jumped a bit anyway.
"Why do they insist on announcing dinner like a damn Calvary charge?!" Molly exclaimed.
Rose faked a polite laugh. "Shall we go dress, mother?"
Ruth looked utterly confused for a moment. Then left with Rose and the Countess of Rothes.
Zipper and Jack still stood before Molly Brown.
Molly looked at Zipper. "Girl, are you feeling any better now?"
Zipper nodded politely. "I think I must have been coming down with something." She lied.
"Good. No more talk of the future then?" Molly questioned.
Zipper shook her head.
Jack was about to speak up, when he looked at Zipper. Who, with her eyes, and facial expression, told him Molly was the one that had made fun of her before.
He understood and turned back to Molly. Jack was the only one that believed Zipper. But now she wondered if she wanted anyone to believe her anyway. She had decided to announce her wedding at the dinner table. Since everyone there would be invited. Except of course, Jack. But that was not by her wishes. She wanted him to be there. And maybe some strings could be pulled. But she'd have to find all that out before the actual wedding ceremony.
Molly looked Jack over from head to toe. Jack had fallen into a state of deep thinking. This day with Rose, left him feeling even more attracted than he had been.
"Son." Molly said respectfully.
Jack wasn't roused from his thoughts.
"Son!" She repeated herself, louder this time. Jack finally came back to the real world.
"Hmm?" He asked.
"Do you have any idea what you're doing?" Molly asked.
Zipper stood back, practically able to mouth the words as they were spoken. She still insisted it was a dream.
"Not really." Jack replied with a smile that proved it.
"Well you're about to go into the snake-pit." She looked at his clothes one more time. "What are you planning to wear?"
He motioned to what he had on, with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Sheesh, I figured." She said. "Come on." She grabbed Jack by the arm, and drug him towards her cabin.
Zipper followed politely behind. Saying hello to many familiar and some non familiar faces along the way. As Molly took Jack to get him dressed, she walked on to her room.
Frank stood as she entered the room. "Hello, Michaela. Going to dinner now?"
"Yes, just need to dress." She said.
He nodded and watched as she entered her room. Closing the door behind her.
She walked over to the wardrobe. First she found a pure white dress, laced with pearls. It was so gorgeous. She almost cried, she never owned anything this pretty when she was home in 2003. She placed it back on the rack. Already knowing she would wear that one to be married in. She always wanted to be married in white.
She wore black all the time while with Dilemma, but now she had no category to fall under, like Punk, or Gothic. She was just Michaela Rosenberg, daughter of a very wealthy man. And now she would be the wife of a strong and caring ship officer. Her life was great now. Absolutely perfect.
She picked a dark red dress for dinner. It almost matched the one Rose would be wearing. Except it didn't have the sequins. It was still very lovely. She dressed quickly.
Wearing reddish-black shoes to go with the fine gown. She brought down her hair, and brushed it out quickly. Then pulling it back up with a silver hair clasp. She wore an emerald, embedded in silver, necklace around her neck.
She emerged from her room. Frank had ordered his dinner be brought up. He didn't like crowds much, so rarely did he go down to the foyer or saloon.
"You look stunning. That officer certainly is a lucky one." He stated, sipping on a glass of champagne.
"Why, thank you, sir." She said. She began to feel more comfortable with him. But to think in twenty-four short hours she would have no need for a guard. She's have a husband to handle that job.
She walked to the Grand Stair case alone. Every time she came here. She took in every small detail. Of course the movies and the pictures had shown her roughly what it looked like. They did amazing jobs in detail. But being there was somewhat different for her.
She slowly descended the stairwell. When she made it to the foyer, her hand was kissed by several gentlemen. She wished Lowe could come to dinner with her. But he was probably just waking up, to begin his rounds.
"Michaela, good to see you again." A woman whom she didn't know spoke to her. She tried to place her face, but she just didn't know her from any of her research. Of course there were many passengers she didn't know the faces of. But this one knew her, at least.
"Oh, it's great to see you again too! How have you been?" She said, making it sound like she knew exactly who the woman was.
"Oh you know, my husband's off swindling our money, my daughter is about to get married. Her fiancé had forgot the engagement ring, so I quickly slipped him a ring of mine. Since I was there when he asked. So we made a bit of a phoenix from the ashes." She laughed politely.
So did Zipper. Though, she still had no idea who the woman was.
"Well it was good to see you again, ma'am." Zipper said, and politely walked away.
She followed John Jacob Astor into the dining saloon. Finally he noticed her and turned to her.
"Michaela. I've just told Madeline of your wedding. I'm sure it'll be grand." He said.
Madeline looked from her husband to Zipper. "Yes, congratulations."
Zipper smiled and thanked them.
She looked behind her briefly to see Jack. A lady on each arm. Rose on the right, Molly on the left. Just as she had seen in the movie.
"Miss. Rosenberg. Won't you sit at our table again?" Cal offered, he pulled out a chair for Zipper. She politely sat down, and glanced around the table.
This should be interesting, she thought when she looked at Ruth, she felt threatened by both Jack and Zipper. Now, they would both be at the table.
Jack, Molly and Rose joined the table only moments later. Zipper sat on one side of Jack, Molly was on the other.
Only minutes after dinner started did Ruth start her bad-mouthing. It annoyed Zipper so bad. Why, back in her old life she would have walked right up to Ruth and punched her senseless. But she knew she couldn't do that here.
"Tell us of the accommodations in steerage, Mr. Dawson. I hear they are quite good on this ship." Ruth said, trying to embarrass Jack. But of course he was used to being tormented. Her insecurities didn't bother him in the least.
"The best I've seen, ma'am. Hardly any rats." He said sarcastically.
Everyone laughed a bit, including Zipper. Who had heard that line so many times, that it just wasn't funny anymore.
"Mr. Dawson is joining us from the third-class." Zipper took Cal's words from him. He glared at her, wondering how she had read his mind. "And I think we can all learn from him. And show great respect to him. After all he is a great artist. Isn't that right, Rose?"
Ruth glared at Zipper harder than ever. But Zipper was not going to let someone make fun of Jack, without her at least trying to have a comeback.
"Yes, it's true. He was kind enough to show me some of his work today." Rose said, secretly wondering when Zipper had had the chance to see his drawings.
Jack of course still believed she was of the future so her remark hadn't surprised him.
"Well, Rose and I differ somewhat in our definition of fine are." Cal said. "Not to impugn your work, sir."
Jack waved a hand saying it was fine. But Zipper had other things to say.
"Oh come on, Cal. You probably think Monet is a drink. And Picasso won't amount to anything. Well I can tell you, he will." Zipper spat at Cal, a bit angrier now.
"Miss. Rosenberg. I was simply stating an opinion." He said in a gentlemanly manner.
Whispers were heard around the group of Cal bringing Jack to the table. And of Zipper's attitude. She heard each and every whisper.
"Where do you live, Mr. Dawson?" Ruth asked.
"Well, right now my address is the RMS Titanic. After that I'm on God's good humor."
"How is it that you have means to travel?" Ruth asked, rudely, but in a polite voice.
"I work my way from place to place. Ya know tramp steamers and such. But I won my ticket on Titanic here in a lucky hand of poker. A very lucky hand." He looked at Rose. Who smiled bashfully.
"And you find that sort of rootless existence appealing, do you?" Ruth sipped her champagne.
"Well yes, ma'am, I do." He said.
"So do I." Zipper nodded.
Jack smiled, thanking her for backing him up. He was nervous in this environment. And Ruth was just so irritating.
"Yeah, I mean. I love waking up in the morning not knowing what I'm going to do. Who I'm going to meet. Where I'll wind up. Why, just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge. And now here I am, on the grandest ship of the world. Having champagne with you fine people." He said to the rude passengers. "I'll take some more of that." He lifted his glass for a refill. Everyone laughed a bit.
Zipper sat silently, listening. She loved this speech. It always made her feel better somehow. She couldn't explain it, it just did.
"I've learned that you have to take life as it comes at you." He noticed Cal searching his pockets for a lighter. He threw a box of matches at him. "Here ya go, Cal."
Cal looked surprised, but he caught them mid-air.
"I figure life's a gift, and I don't plan on wasting it. You never know what hand you're going to get dealt next. I've learned to live life to the fullest and make each day count." He finished the speech. Using the line Zipper had so often used in autographs.
"Well said, Jack." Molly said.
"Beautiful." Zipper added.
"Here, here!" Colonel Gracie spoke up.
"To make it count." Rose held up her glass.
Next was Zipper. Then the entire table, minus Ruth and Cal. Toasting, lifting their glassing in the air.
"To make it count!" They said in unison. Then drank from their glasses.
Cal finally toasted, but only after he felt he was behind, which was embarrassing to him. He hated that Jack was fitting in so well.
"See, I told you Jack was great to learn from. Now we know to make each and every day count." Zipper smiled at Jack. He returned the friendly gesture.
"Yes. Make each day count…" Ruth began. Glaring at Zipper.
Zipper quickly turned her attention to Ruth.
"So are you making it count tomorrow?" She asked.
Everyone at the table looked confused.
"Ah, Miss. Rosenberg is walking down the isle tomorrow." Cal explained.
"Splendid!" The colonel said, lifting a glass in Zipper's direction.
"Don't get so thrilled yet, colonel." Ruth warned. "Why don't you tell them all how low your fiancé is?" She emphasized the word 'low' greatly.
"He's not low at all, mother." Rose snapped.
Zipper held a hand up, silencing Rose. "No, Rose it's fine. I don't care what you all think of him. Or what you'll think of me after I marry him. You all seem so impressed with my money. Well money isn't everything. As Mr. Dawson here has pointed out. He leads a very happy life, without money. I don't need your crowd. And making jokes about someone's name is entirely immature, Mrs. DeWitt Bukater."
Everyone was speechless. Especially Ruth. She had never been so insulted in her life.
"So if any of you want to come, it'll be tomorrow evening. Our invitation goes to everyone at the table. With the exception of course to Ruth, since she claims my future husband is so low. When this ship couldn't even be operating without each and every officer. And my apologies to Jack, for having to witness this crowd. And for not being allowed to come to my wedding, because of a stupid thing called. Classes." Zipper said. She was so angry at Ruth. Never had she hated anyone so much. And it was all because of money.
"Who's the groom?" Benjamin Guggenheim asked absently.
"Haven't you guessed that by now, Mr. Guggenheim? He's so low. Of course it's Fifth Officer Lowe." Zipper rudely stated. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
She left the table with dropped jaws, but she didn't care. Ruth had pissed her off past any anger she had ever felt.
Zipper raced up the grand stair case to her rooms. Back at the table normal conversation still hadn't resumed.
"I do apologize for starting such and arrogant conversation." Ruth said, trying to bring the liveliness back to the table.
No one made a reply. Jack and Rose looked at each other for a long moment. Cal was becoming even more furious. He had invited Jack to dinner, not first take over the table. Then, make eyes at Rose.
Thankfully Molly Brown starting telling a story to lighten the mood.
"So Mr. Brown had no idea I'd hidden the money in the stove!"
She started laughing at her own story. The others politely laughed, while Molly's laugh was not held back in the least bit.
"He comes home one night, drunk as a pig, celebratin'. And he lights a fire!" She cracks up in laughter again.
After a few moments the laughter dies down. Rose leans in close to Jack. "Next, it'll be brandies in the smoking room."
"Join me in a brandy, gentlemen?" Colonel Gracie stood.
Cal nodded.
"Ladies, thank you for the pleasure of your company." Bruce Ismay said, trying to sound like a gentleman.
Rose laughs to herself, her crowd was just so predictable.
"Rose, may I take you back to the cabin?" Cal asked, leaning over her shoulder.
"No, I'll stay here." She whispered.
"Coming, Dawson?" The Colonel offered. "Well, you don't want to stay out here with the women, do you?"
"No thanks, I gotta be heading back." Jack said plainly.
The colonel nodded, and started off towards the smoking room.
"Probably best. It'll be all business and politics. That sort of thing. Wouldn't interest you." Cal said. Jack looked a bit pissed, but didn't turn to Cal as he passed. Then Cal threw the matches back to Jack. "Oh but Dawson, good of you to come."
Jack stared at Cal as he disappeared with the other men. He didn't like Cal. He wasn't sure how anyone could. But of course when you got money, it's like everyone wants to be your friend.
Well, Jack didn't need money to have friends. He had Fabri, his long-time friend, almost a brother. And Titanic had introduced him to Tommy Ryan who was also a great friend. Then, he had his two newest friends, Rose DeWitt Bukater and Michaela Rosenberg. No, when it came to friends, Jack Dawson didn't need money to get them.
He stood in front of Rose. Looking down at her. She looked lovely in her dinner gown. But he wondered how she'd feel in his world.
"Jack, must you go?" Rose asked quietly.
Ruth glared on from behind them. She was thankful that Miss. Rosenberg was getting married. At least she couldn't interfere any longer. But Jack on the other hand. Jack was a terrible threat to her.
A mother can tell what her daughter feels. And she knew Rose was falling for this third-class man. Who didn't have a dime. He could never support Rose and her.
"It's time for me to go row with the other slaves." Jack said, smiling.
Rose laughed a little.
"Goodnight, Rose." He leaned down and kissed her knuckles. Making sure she could feel the folded paper he had placed in her hand.
He walked away, looking back once to see if she got the note. She of course did.
Rose looked around cautiously, then quickly unfolded the little cream-colored paper.
"Make it count. Meet me at the clock." Jack had scribbled in pencil.
She looked up suddenly. She didn't know what to do. What was she getting herself into. Of course she didn't want to see Jack retreat so early. She'd love the chance to talk to him more. So she politely stood, telling her mother she was going to retire.
She slowly made her way up the grand staircase. At the top, facing the grand wall clock, Jack stood. He had his back to her. But when he heard her footsteps, he turned around.
He smiled at her, lovingly. "So you wanna go to a real party?"
