I yawned, and stretched in my bed. I glanced around the cabin, and
threw back the sheets that covered me. I went about my morning routine...
dressed, shaved, and other unmentionable things.
I had been on the ship but a few days, and hadn't left my cabin yet. It must have seemed odd to the other passengers, but I had my orders. I lifted my trunk key out of my bag, and opened my trunk. I looked through the documents left for me, for possibly the forth or fifth time. Then I mounted the cone onto the phonograph in the corner, and wound the crank.
"His majesties government has assigned an agent of the crown to rendezvous with you onboard the Titanic. Remain in your cabin until your contact gives you further instructions. After completion of all your assignments onboard, book passage to remain on the ship and return to South Hampton for your next assignment. For a more in depth report on the international situation in the spring of 1912, please review the white paper included as part of this briefing. That is all. His majesties government has-"
I shut off the phonograph as it began again. I hadn't done much since I had arrived. I had experienced only a slight bit seasickness, and had hated every second of it. I wandered around, and pulled open a drawer. A flash of white paper, with a hand written note caught my eye.
"Meet me tonight on deck. Tell no one! -Georgia."
I ran my finger over the name, as if remembering her all over again. The way her perfume smelled, and the way she had felt in my arms. Georgia and I had dated once. I had heard that she had gotten married, but never knew for sure. I lifted my pocket watch, and put it in the inner pocket of my coat, as a firm knock sounded at the door. I stuck the note back inside the door, and answer the door. A tall balding man in a white suit stepped inside.
I extended my hand, and we shook. "I'm Carlson. Nice to meet you."
"Good Evening, I am Schmedles. Your steward, and if I may say so, it is good to see you up and about. You've been in your cabin the whole voyage. A touch of the Mal de mer, was it?"
"Yes just a touch. Thank you for your concern." I eyed the man, curiously to how he had known that.
"Sea sickness can be quite unpleasant. Especially if it's ones first crossing. Since you haven't been out of you cabin, may I instruct you on how to get assistance while aboard the Titanic?"
"No I don't need any help." I smiled, knowing that I could always ask my contact it I needed help at all.
"Very well, your correspondence." He held out a note that said: "Meet me at the electric camel now! P.P." While I read, he continued to speak softly, seemingly to himself. "Two-thousand two-hundred on board, and they all want messages delivered. Promptly. Even if it is 1912, and the Titanic has the most advanced form of communication, I still have only two hands." I finished reading.
"Thank you. I'll be sure to get to the electric camel right away." I smiled, wondering if he had read it. He tilted his head, and gave an odd smile. He handed me a rolled up piece of paper.
"Here, a map of the ship for you, compliments of the White Star Line. I have taken the liberty of indicating your cabin, C-73, of course on a Sunday night at this hour there won't be many people out. Will there be anything else?"
I shook my head, as I began to search the map for the electric camel. "No that will be all. Thank you, for the map."
"Have you unpacked? You'll find your trunk key in your bag, on the bed. And remember your personal effects, your watch, and handbag. If you need additional assistance, please ring the bell by the door. Good night." With that, he shut the door, and was gone.
As for me, I scooped op my bag, and hurried down the hallway. I climbed the Grand Staircase to the very top, where I found a door. It went to the boat deck, or gymnasium. I wanted badly to see Georgia, but I decided that work would have to come first. I stepped inside.
Near the maps on the wall, and a whole bunch of confusing machinery stood a woman. For a moment, I wasn't sure if I had come to the right place, but she spotted me, and came over.
"Glory be! It's about time! You're late!" She preceded to waggle her finger at me, and then place her hands on the hips of her fancy dress. "Another five minutes, and I'd have canceled your mission."
I sighed, not in the mood to be bossed about by some stuck up agent. "What did you want to tell me?"
"Look at this..." She held out a photo of a German looking man. "A German Cornel named Zeitel. He's inspecting their embassies in Havana, New Mexico, and Washington. Ten days ago the bureau got word that Zeitel has in his possession a priceless copy of the Rubaiyat of Omar Kyam. Stolen Two months ago in Paris after its purchase by a very highly placed member in his majesty's government!" I took the photo and studied it, before handing it back.
"Is this my mission?"
"Of course! Didn't they tell you anything? His Lordship's watching this very closely... very closely indeed. I wouldn't fumble this chance either. Unless you fancy spending the rest of your career in a grotty Midland office shuffling papers about."
The thought of it made me grimace. So I decided it best to smooth things over, and get more details. I extended my hand.
"The name's Carlson, by the way. Is Zeitel traveling alone?" She shook my hand hesitantly.
"Penny Pringle, and no, he's with a protégé'. Name of Haderlitz, I believe. The two spend a great deal of time in the Cafe Persian... nibbling pastries." She rolled her eyes as if she was appalled by the very idea. "Get inside the wireless room, I don't know or care how. Officer Morrow wouldn't let me in. See if Zeitel's received or sent any telegrams about the Rubaiyat. You've got a cryptograph in your trunk; it'll unscramble the German codes, for you. You use the brains God gave you! Watch people... listen. When you find the Rubaiyat, knock on my door. You should be set..." She turned her head to see if anyone was listening, adjusting the wide rimmed hat that perched up there. Looking as if she was ready to dart off at any moment.
"Wait, what cabin are you in?"
"Cabin F... 34. Use the second class stairs. This is your big chance... Don't fail! Off with you know... Go!" She glanced around again, before returning to her position near the electric camel.
I headed out onto the boat deck to find Georgia. I spotted a woman in light blue with soft feathers lining her neck. Her hair was pulled back elegantly, and her eyes bore into me. I walked over with a smile.
"Carlson! You came! After all this time. It's Georgia. Why didn't you tell me you were on board?" I eyed her curiously, she had changed.
"I was detained." I said half-heartedly, knowing something was wrong by the flustered expression on her face."
"It's been five years. I'd have waited a lot longer to see you again. Why didn't you tell me where you'd gone? Deana hadn't a clue, nor did Jack. My letters were returned! Just like you to show up now, with everything such a beastly mess. You must help me."
"Help you?" I was suspicious to hear her plan. Of course, I hadn't been able to tell Deana or Jack about my new career, it was all forbidden. What kind of mess was Georgia in?
"You've no doubt heard the rumors. I won't deny most of them, I cant."
"What rumors?" I took her hand in mine, hoping to calm her down.
"Even if the money's gone, I won't give the diamonds to Charles, never!" She lifted a sparkling diamond necklace from her bra. "These are all that remain. My insurance, for a new life, without Charles. Or Sasha."
"Who's Sasha?"
"Sasha? The owner of the Barbican Gallery? We're friends... of a sort. He's sailing on the Titanic, taking some paintings to New York to sell." Georgia looked around nervously; almost looking as if talking to me was a scandal of some sort. "We mustn't talk any longer! Here... take it for me." She placed the necklace in my hand, and pulled my other hand over the top of it. "It's my only chance now. Keep them it for me, and don't tell Charles you have it. You can't know what he's like." She rolled her eyes, and walked off.
I lifted the necklace in the air, and let the pale ship lights catch on it. It sent soft glitter across the deck. I looked towards Georgia once more, and stuffed it into my pocket. I had a lot of work to get back to.
I had been on the ship but a few days, and hadn't left my cabin yet. It must have seemed odd to the other passengers, but I had my orders. I lifted my trunk key out of my bag, and opened my trunk. I looked through the documents left for me, for possibly the forth or fifth time. Then I mounted the cone onto the phonograph in the corner, and wound the crank.
"His majesties government has assigned an agent of the crown to rendezvous with you onboard the Titanic. Remain in your cabin until your contact gives you further instructions. After completion of all your assignments onboard, book passage to remain on the ship and return to South Hampton for your next assignment. For a more in depth report on the international situation in the spring of 1912, please review the white paper included as part of this briefing. That is all. His majesties government has-"
I shut off the phonograph as it began again. I hadn't done much since I had arrived. I had experienced only a slight bit seasickness, and had hated every second of it. I wandered around, and pulled open a drawer. A flash of white paper, with a hand written note caught my eye.
"Meet me tonight on deck. Tell no one! -Georgia."
I ran my finger over the name, as if remembering her all over again. The way her perfume smelled, and the way she had felt in my arms. Georgia and I had dated once. I had heard that she had gotten married, but never knew for sure. I lifted my pocket watch, and put it in the inner pocket of my coat, as a firm knock sounded at the door. I stuck the note back inside the door, and answer the door. A tall balding man in a white suit stepped inside.
I extended my hand, and we shook. "I'm Carlson. Nice to meet you."
"Good Evening, I am Schmedles. Your steward, and if I may say so, it is good to see you up and about. You've been in your cabin the whole voyage. A touch of the Mal de mer, was it?"
"Yes just a touch. Thank you for your concern." I eyed the man, curiously to how he had known that.
"Sea sickness can be quite unpleasant. Especially if it's ones first crossing. Since you haven't been out of you cabin, may I instruct you on how to get assistance while aboard the Titanic?"
"No I don't need any help." I smiled, knowing that I could always ask my contact it I needed help at all.
"Very well, your correspondence." He held out a note that said: "Meet me at the electric camel now! P.P." While I read, he continued to speak softly, seemingly to himself. "Two-thousand two-hundred on board, and they all want messages delivered. Promptly. Even if it is 1912, and the Titanic has the most advanced form of communication, I still have only two hands." I finished reading.
"Thank you. I'll be sure to get to the electric camel right away." I smiled, wondering if he had read it. He tilted his head, and gave an odd smile. He handed me a rolled up piece of paper.
"Here, a map of the ship for you, compliments of the White Star Line. I have taken the liberty of indicating your cabin, C-73, of course on a Sunday night at this hour there won't be many people out. Will there be anything else?"
I shook my head, as I began to search the map for the electric camel. "No that will be all. Thank you, for the map."
"Have you unpacked? You'll find your trunk key in your bag, on the bed. And remember your personal effects, your watch, and handbag. If you need additional assistance, please ring the bell by the door. Good night." With that, he shut the door, and was gone.
As for me, I scooped op my bag, and hurried down the hallway. I climbed the Grand Staircase to the very top, where I found a door. It went to the boat deck, or gymnasium. I wanted badly to see Georgia, but I decided that work would have to come first. I stepped inside.
Near the maps on the wall, and a whole bunch of confusing machinery stood a woman. For a moment, I wasn't sure if I had come to the right place, but she spotted me, and came over.
"Glory be! It's about time! You're late!" She preceded to waggle her finger at me, and then place her hands on the hips of her fancy dress. "Another five minutes, and I'd have canceled your mission."
I sighed, not in the mood to be bossed about by some stuck up agent. "What did you want to tell me?"
"Look at this..." She held out a photo of a German looking man. "A German Cornel named Zeitel. He's inspecting their embassies in Havana, New Mexico, and Washington. Ten days ago the bureau got word that Zeitel has in his possession a priceless copy of the Rubaiyat of Omar Kyam. Stolen Two months ago in Paris after its purchase by a very highly placed member in his majesty's government!" I took the photo and studied it, before handing it back.
"Is this my mission?"
"Of course! Didn't they tell you anything? His Lordship's watching this very closely... very closely indeed. I wouldn't fumble this chance either. Unless you fancy spending the rest of your career in a grotty Midland office shuffling papers about."
The thought of it made me grimace. So I decided it best to smooth things over, and get more details. I extended my hand.
"The name's Carlson, by the way. Is Zeitel traveling alone?" She shook my hand hesitantly.
"Penny Pringle, and no, he's with a protégé'. Name of Haderlitz, I believe. The two spend a great deal of time in the Cafe Persian... nibbling pastries." She rolled her eyes as if she was appalled by the very idea. "Get inside the wireless room, I don't know or care how. Officer Morrow wouldn't let me in. See if Zeitel's received or sent any telegrams about the Rubaiyat. You've got a cryptograph in your trunk; it'll unscramble the German codes, for you. You use the brains God gave you! Watch people... listen. When you find the Rubaiyat, knock on my door. You should be set..." She turned her head to see if anyone was listening, adjusting the wide rimmed hat that perched up there. Looking as if she was ready to dart off at any moment.
"Wait, what cabin are you in?"
"Cabin F... 34. Use the second class stairs. This is your big chance... Don't fail! Off with you know... Go!" She glanced around again, before returning to her position near the electric camel.
I headed out onto the boat deck to find Georgia. I spotted a woman in light blue with soft feathers lining her neck. Her hair was pulled back elegantly, and her eyes bore into me. I walked over with a smile.
"Carlson! You came! After all this time. It's Georgia. Why didn't you tell me you were on board?" I eyed her curiously, she had changed.
"I was detained." I said half-heartedly, knowing something was wrong by the flustered expression on her face."
"It's been five years. I'd have waited a lot longer to see you again. Why didn't you tell me where you'd gone? Deana hadn't a clue, nor did Jack. My letters were returned! Just like you to show up now, with everything such a beastly mess. You must help me."
"Help you?" I was suspicious to hear her plan. Of course, I hadn't been able to tell Deana or Jack about my new career, it was all forbidden. What kind of mess was Georgia in?
"You've no doubt heard the rumors. I won't deny most of them, I cant."
"What rumors?" I took her hand in mine, hoping to calm her down.
"Even if the money's gone, I won't give the diamonds to Charles, never!" She lifted a sparkling diamond necklace from her bra. "These are all that remain. My insurance, for a new life, without Charles. Or Sasha."
"Who's Sasha?"
"Sasha? The owner of the Barbican Gallery? We're friends... of a sort. He's sailing on the Titanic, taking some paintings to New York to sell." Georgia looked around nervously; almost looking as if talking to me was a scandal of some sort. "We mustn't talk any longer! Here... take it for me." She placed the necklace in my hand, and pulled my other hand over the top of it. "It's my only chance now. Keep them it for me, and don't tell Charles you have it. You can't know what he's like." She rolled her eyes, and walked off.
I lifted the necklace in the air, and let the pale ship lights catch on it. It sent soft glitter across the deck. I looked towards Georgia once more, and stuffed it into my pocket. I had a lot of work to get back to.