Author's note: I know, Molly Brown had lost souvenirs from Egypt on the Titanic. $500.00 worth. But I made up what the items were. So sorry if I'm incorrect.
*Fourteen*
The Afternoon With Molly Brown
Zipper followed Molly out to the Grand Staircase. Molly was blabbing away about Mr. Brown. But Zipper couldn't concentrate.
"Hey, girl, you ever been to Egypt?" Molly asked.
Zipper shook her head. "I've always wanted to. But haven't gotten around to it."
"Well, I was just there. Let me tell you something, when you go, dress simply. Cause it's hot. Believe me. But, I still bought some lovely souvenirs. Would you like to see them?" Molly offered.
"Sure. I'd love to." Zipper smiled. She knew of the souvenirs. She had read about them in Molly's claim against White Star Line.
Molly led the way to her cabin. She poured them both some champagne. Zipper sat politely in the chair. She held the wine glass, but didn't drink, she was actually growing tired of drinking champagne all the time.
Next, Molly brought out a small box. It was silver, with hieroglyphics carved into it. "I got this in a small shop in Cairo."
Zipper ran her fingertips over the details of the box. "It's very pretty."
"Well, I'll show you the piece I love the most." She opened the box, and pulled out another object. She handed it to Zipper.
It was very beautifully carved. A jeweled scarab beetle. Rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds encrusted it's entire shell. "It's beautiful." She said looking at Molly.
"Yeah, I spotted it in Giza." She laughed. "It was the only one, so I had to get it. It's one of a kind."
"Just like you." Zipper smiled.
Molly laughed. "Well, I don't know about that."
Zipper looked at the jewel one more time before replacing it in it's box.
"Only five-hundred dollars for both of 'em." Molly said proudly.
Zipper was a bit shocked that anyone would pay so much for these two things. But when she thought about it, she realized in 2003 they'd be worth a hell of a lot more.
After a few hours, they had talked about everything imaginable. The weather, Titanic, and yes even the future. But not that Zipper was from another time, only what she hoped would happen in her's and Officer Lowe's life together.
"Say, you wouldn't be, by any chance, nervous like that man of yours are you?" Molly laughed. She kept noticing Zipper trailing off in mid-sentences. And staring off into oblivion.
"No! I'm totally prepared." Zipper said stubbornly. Though, she knew she was getting nervous as well. She had even drank two glasses of champagne, which she didn't want, just to calm her nerves.
"Really? I don't think so." Molly said sternly.
"No, I am, Molly. Got everything. My dress is already picked out, my jewelry. Got everything."
"You still need something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue." Molly laughed.
Zipper hadn't thought about that. Mainly because she never really heard that custom in the future. Marriages of her time were usually quick, and not thought out at all.
"Here I think I can help ya out." Molly said. She reached into her handbag. She pulled out a bracelet with blue stones around it. "There's something blue."
Zipper smiled, as Molly handed it to her.
"And something old…" Molly thought for a moment. "I have just the thing."
Molly exited the sitting room. Disappearing into her bedroom. Zipper sat there, amazed that Molly would do all this for her.
A knock came at the door. "Can you answer that, darlin'?" Molly called from her room.
"Sure." Zipper said. She stood and walked over to the door. It was Frank her guard.
"Come in, Frank. I'm sure Molly won't mind." Zipper said.
Frank stepped inside. Then took a seat in the chair, across the room from where Molly and Zipper had been seated.
"Ah, Mrs. Brown. Might I say you look lovely this afternoon." Frank said as Molly reentered the room.
"You old fool." Molly laughed. She turned to Zipper, handing her a very pretty lace ribbon.
"It was my grandmother's so it's pretty old. You can tie it around your ankle or somethin'." Molly said. "And for something borrowed…"
She handed a butterfly hairclip to Zipper. She traced the detail with her fingernail. It was very pretty. She knew it was valuable. She looked at Molly. "Thank you." She said. She hugged Molly.
Molly only laughed. "Well we still need something new… let's see."
"Already thought of that." Frank spoke up. He stood and walked over to Zipper. "I bought this for you just a few moments ago. From the jeweler downstairs." He held out a jewelry box.
Zipper looked at him a long moment, then slowly took the case and opened it. It was a very pretty diamond necklace, on a thin gold chain. The stone was a bit smaller than she was now used to. But, Frank's salary wasn't the highest, she was sure of that.
She hugged Frank, almost tearing up again. They had been so nice to her.
The moment was ruined by the bugler sounding in the distance.
"Heavens it's already dinner time." Molly announced.
Zipper had to laugh a bit. She had forgotten about the iceberg all afternoon. It was the first really great day she had had in a long time. But, the time had passed by too quickly.
"I'll see you at dinner." Molly said, heading off to her room again. Changing into another dress for dinner no doubt.
Zipper on the other hand didn't have time. She needed to talk to Rose. Make sure she was still going to Jack that night. She may have changed her mind because of the wedding.
"I'll just be a moment." She said to Frank. "I have to go speak with Miss. DeWitt Bukater."
"I'll meet you in the dining saloon then." He said. He walked off towards the lifts. While Zipper walked to Rose's room.
Ruth and Cal were gone again. Probably already mingling with the other rich passengers. She politely knocked on Rose's door.
"Come in." Rose said. She was just finishing her hair, with a little comb. The same one Zipper recognized from the movie.
"Did you talk to him?" She asked.
"How did you know he would be there? At that gym?" Rose asked seriously.
"I already told you. I'm from the future. Everything I've told you is true. And Jack really does love you." Zipper said. "Look, you have to go to him. I know you will anyway. But, I want you to believe me."
"Believe you? You're crazy." She said. She wasn't sure if she should believe Zipper or not. "Zip, I love Cal. I'm going to marry him. He loves me too. It would never work with Jack."
"What makes you think Cal loves you so much?" Zipper questioned. "Is it because of that damned Heart of the Ocean?"
Rose directly turned her attention to her. No one knew of the rare blue diamond. She hadn't spoken to anyone of the gift. "Who told you about that?"
Zipper only looked at her, allowing her to see the truth to her story. She didn't take her eyes from Rose's.
Slowly Rose's hand went to her mouth. "Well what does it look like?" She managed to ask. She wasn't giving in that easily.
"It's a rare blue diamond. 56 carets. Worn by Louis the XVI. It's cut into the shape of a heart. With smaller clear diamonds around the stone, and along the chain." Zipper said. Describing the gem perfectly.
Rose pushed past her and went into Cal's wardrobe. Quickly spinning the combination lock. "Cal must have shown it to you." She was saying though she knew Cal and Zipper weren't the greatest of friends.
Zipper stepped up to her. Rose pulled out the blue and black case, and opened it. Of course it was still there. Not stolen. Not moved. She looked back to Zipper.
Zipper looked at the diamond. It was so much more beautiful in person than on the movie screen.
"My God, you're telling me the truth, aren't you?"
Zipper nodded.
"But, Cal has to love me, he never would have purchased such a gift, if he didn't." Of course Rose was just making excuses. Her mind raced. She couldn't allow herself to believe any of this.
"Rose, I think you should know, part of the reason Lowe and I didn't get together again right away was he didn't want to forgive me… or Cal." Zipper started. "I uh- slept with Cal. I'm sorry. But Rose, listen to me. Jack loves you. And whether you like it or not he does love you."
"You're lying about all of this." Rose said accusingly.
"Look, I know the truth, it's fine if you don't see it right now. Ruth has littered your mind. You feel responsible for you family. Rose! It's not up to you to save your family. All you are responsible for is yourself. And this life isn't for you. You've wanted out for a long time. Jack is your escape." Zipper said.
"Get out. Okay, I know you- you have to be lying." Rose's eyes filled with tears.
"You love him. Admit it. Stop lying to yourself. You'll destroy yourself if you keep this up." Zipper said.
Rose looked away, then back to Zipper. She sat down in the chair. "Oh my God. Zipper, I know you're right. But- but how can this be? How can you know all of this? And the ship? How do you know?" Rose said.
"Just trust me." Zipper said.
"Well what will happen to all of us?" Rose asked.
"I don't know. Things are changing. I don't think I was supposed to be here at all. I'm changing this with every action I take. I just don't know what will happen anymore." Zipper trailed off. "Oh I know how the ship will sink. But I don't know who will survive…" She trailed off again.
"What's wrong?" Rose asked when she saw a sadness come over Zipper.
"I don't think I do… I've never seen my name on the passengers lists." She paused. "I think…I'm going to die."
Rose sat back shocked. Had she heard her right? This couldn't be happening. It was impossible.
