After looking over my map, and determining the location of the
Turkish Bath, I decided it was time to visit it. To see why Zeitel and his
pipe had been there.
I walked down the E deck stairs and found myself on F deck. In front of me was a very foreign looking door. I opened it up, and sure enough I followed the short hallway to a moist room. There was steam coming up from the sink where the water had obviously been turned on.
I turned the knob on the faucet and the room began to fill with steam. It was actually quite soothing to me. I glanced around, about to turn it back off when I noticed the mirror fogging up, and little spots that were not fogging.
I walked over to the mirror and looked more closing. It was a message! It read: "Sasha, left the Rubaiyat in Boiler Room Three, Chute Four. Will send my man for the Painting. -Zeitel" I couldn't help but grin at this breakthrough! Now I had the location of the Rubaiyat... now all I had to do was figure out how to get there. I looked at the other half of the message. What painting? Oh, and what Sasha doing with Zeitel? Wasn't he the one Georgia had an affair with? I wiped the mirror off with my sleeve, so this intended Sasha wouldn't be able to beat me to the book.
With the vital information swimming circles inside my head, and hurried down the hallway. Unfortunately I had to go up, and then back down a few sets of stairs to get to Penny's room from there, but I had to tell her. I knocked on her door and waited impatiently.
"What are you doing here?" Her eyes grew angry, and she threw up her hands. "You're supposed to be working!"
I took her by the shoulders and pushed her into the room shutting the door behind me. She was about to persist, because her face was growing red, so I began to talk as quickly as I could.
"I met with Zeitel and his associate, and got his pipe. I showed the pipe to Trask and found a secret message in the Turkish Bath. The Rubaiyat is in Boiler Room 3, Chute 4. How's that for work?" I crossed my arms and eyed her, challenging her to get after me now. I almost had to laugh as the anger drained from her face and was replaced by pure joy.
"Brilliant!" She exclaimed her eyes sparkling. "You've got the drop location!" She grinned at me as if I maybe were lying and would crack. Suddenly her face fell with concern. "Blast. The boiler rooms... The entrance to the lower decks is around here somewhere." She opened the door, and practically shoved me out, her face now stern. "Get a hold of the Rubaiyat before it changes hands!"
I chuckled as she slammed the door, and shook my head. I glanced around, and headed down a hallway I hadn't been down yet. What luck! Stairs headed downward! I followed the stairs for flights... figuring I must have gone down a few decks.
At the bottom there was a heavy metal door. I pulled the latch, and looked around the vast Turbine Room. I glanced down through the rusty steel bridge, and noticed a lot of valves and gages, and hoped I wouldn't have to figure those out. I followed the bridge around and through onto the Engine Room... where I ran into trouble.
"What? A passenger!" A man in a navy blue R.M.S. Titanic uniform stepped in front of the door blocking my way.
"Hey... I need to go through there. Could you please stand aside?" I attempted to step around him but he gave me a shove.
"I can't regulate the steam for boilers one and two. So I haven't got time for you, you're where you shouldn't be!" He glared at me, daring me to try to get past again. "Now get back up top. 'Fore you're kicked up there."
Now, I took that personally. I considered challenging him to a fight, and whoever won got rights to passage. But since I didn't want to start trouble, I tried to remain as tranquil as possible.
"Perhaps I can help you. What do you need to do?" I glanced around, once again seeing a bunch of valves. I looked back at him hoping that the offer would get me through.
"Oh I doubt it. She's really acting up." He rolled his eyes. "I've had it. See?! Still working the bugs out of her." He shrugged, and pointed to the dreaded valves. "See for yourself. There's a gage showing the Turbine's power output. The needle's got to move into the green zone." He took me by the arm, and showed me to the valves. "Over Here."
So, there I was. I looked up at the valves, and the needle with the different colored zones. I took hold of one valve, and turned it until the needle moved towards the green a little bit. I kept doing that until the needle had scarcely inched into the green zone and then turned back to him.
"Right smart you were. She's running much smoother now." I smirked to myself, hoping this guy had his fill of humble pie. I may have been just a passenger, but I wasn't stupid. "Say, since you was so interested, have a- have a peek in the Engine Room." He opened the door for me. "She's quite a sight."
I stepped in and looked around. "Yeah she sure is... excuse me." I shut the door, and hurried through, hoping that the boiler rooms were someplace around here. I considered going back to ask the seaman, but I found one of the boiler rooms behind the next door. I went through the first, and second and then came to the third.
This one was different. The other two had been empty, except for the seamen, and this one had a gruff looking man standing at the top of the stairs. He stepped in front of me, blocking my way.
"You are a passenger, excuse me I'd like to speak with you." The man had a strong Serbian accent. I sighed, and my shoulders sagged. So many people had gotten in my way, and now another.
"Fine. What do you want? I'm trying to check out the boiler room... maybe talk to the seamen." He nodded.
"Forgive me, I am sorry to intrude on you... a person of such high station. I am Vlad." He extended his hand and I shook it.
"Carlson. What are your troubles?"
"I have many." He said, his eyes seemed to glow with a sort of hatred. I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk with someone like that, but he continued. "I am leaving my home. I am a Serb and they have killed my wife. My children. The Austrians." When he said 'Austrians' his voice filled with extremely bitter hate. "For that they will pay. But I do not want to bother you. Please, I need a favor." He paused and I shrugged. "I've a friend in first class. In cabin A-14. Mr. Barbicon has a package for me. Can you bring it here?"
I watched him curiously. All I wanted to do was get the book... why couldn't I just complete this mission and have time for other things? "Why can't you get it yourself? And why are you down here?"
"Enter first class like this? No! I am a stole away! If I get caught, maybe they throw me overboard! Please! I've eaten nothing since we left. Except for a rat that was not so fast..." I looked him over, and noticed that his clothes were all grungy and he did look awfully hungry. I sighed, and nodded.
"What's your friends name again? I'll get it after I look at the boilers."
""Sasha Barbicon, in A-14. I wait here for your return. Your assistance will be repaid manifold." He stepped away and began to pace like a caged animal.
I began to walk down the steps when the name 'Sasha' struck me. Vlad was most likely Sasha's contact. I gazed up at him and saw that, thankfully, his back was turned. I had to get the book and hide it. I couldn't risk getting caught with it, and lose it.
I examined the forth chute, and noticed a little door. I opened the door, and took out an old book. It was the Rubaiyat! I looked around frantically for a place to stash it, and noticed that all of the chutes had a little door. I put it in the fifth chute, knowing that Vlad would only be checking the forth, and then hurried back up the steps.
I nodded to Vlad as I passed, and then headed for room A-14. When I reached the door and knocked, a man with a goatee opened it.
"Yes?" He asked me, but he acted like he didn't want to be disturbed.
"I am looking for Mr. Barbicon." I answered hesitantly, wondering if Vlad had sent me on a wild goose chase.
"You found him. Shasha Barbicon, of Barbicon Galleries. Now what is it that can help you with?" I paused, and wondering if I should find out what I could about Georgia.
"Hello, I'm Carlson. Do you happen to know Lady Georgia Lambeth?" I studied him carefully. Every visible muscle in his body seemed to tighten when I said her name.
"Yes, I do. Why do you ask? If your wondering whether or not it is a good idea to get involved with her, it's not." His jaw was clenched, and he seemed uncomfortable. I laughed.
"I dated Georgia awhile back, before she met Lord Lambeth. I had just heard that you were a... friend?" He practically glared at me. "Can she be trusted? I haven't seen her in quite some time."
He shook his head. "No she cannot. Now, are you here to insult me; or have you another motive for your presence."
I smiled with a chuckle. "Actually I come from Vlad. He wanted me to get a package for him." At that, Sasha's entire demeanor changed.
"For Vlad? He's onboard?" He grinned, and opened his door. "Please come inside." After he shut the door he chuckled. "He did it. I told him not too. I told him I'd pay his ticket but he was too proud." He paused thoughtfully. "Such a tragedy about his family... they were with my mother's people."
"What happened to his family?" I asked curiously. If this was one of the men Penny and I were after, I might as well find out as much as I can.
"When Austria took Bosnia they were killed. Many were. With his family dead America seems as good of a place as any for Vlad." I nodded, and now realized why Vlad had so much hatred in his eyes and voice.
"What will he do in America?"
Sasha shrugged. "I don't know... ask Vlad." He handed me a parcel wrapped in brown paper. "Here, his things. He'll be glad to get them. It's rather late..." His voice trailed off in an eerie way, but I tried not to look as troubled by it as I felt.
I looked at my pocket watch, and nodded. "Indeed it is. I better get Vlad his things before he suspects I forgot about him. Goodnight." I opened the door, and Sasha followed me.
"Goodnight, then. Oh... and don't believe a word Lady Georgia tells you. She's not well." After having said that, he shut the door.
I shivered, despite the warmth of the deck I felt something big was about to happen. I returned to the third boiler room where Vlad was still pacing. Now he looked worried though. I handed him his package.
"Here are your things."
"Thank you. I must see Mr. Barbicon. I have bad news. He will not be happy." He glanced around nervously. "I am looking for something. Something very important. But it is not here." I tried my best to hide my smile, knowing I had outwitted the man, and now we would win. "You have seen a small- it is of no importance. Goodnight." I watched him hurry towards the second boiler room, and then retrieved the book.
I clutched it to myself for a moment before stuffing it into my handbag. What a relief to finally have the book! I half-ran back up the stairs to Penny's room and was panting by the time she opened the door.
I could tell by her face that she was surprised to see me again.
"Did you get it? Did you find the Rubaiyat?" She asked, placing her hands on her hips. I couldn't help but grin as I held it firmly in my hands without a word. "Let me see!" Her eyes widened with excitement as she grabbed the book from me. "That's the Rubaiyat all right! Well done!" Now Penny too, was grinning as I was. We must have looked impractical standing there like that. "Leave it with the Purser for safekeeping. It shall be undisturbed there."
"Good. I had to go through a lot to get it. The message was right though. It was in boiler room three, coal chute four."
"I was wondering how you got so dirty. You've got a spot on your cheek." She pointed to me cheek, and I fumbled for a handkerchief. She sighed, "Don't worry I've got it." With the end of her sleeve she wiped it away. "There..." I looked down at her now with interest I'd never had. She looked at me in the same way, but quickly looked away and snapped back into business mode.
"So, what else have you learned?"
I cleared my throat. "Zeitel's exchanging the Rubaiyat for a painting he will pick up later. The message in the Turkish bath said that he would be sending his man to get it."
Her brow furrowed suspiciously. "More art... Zeitel's no connoisseur. No there's something about that painting of interest to the German high command. Anything else?"
"I met a stole away. I suspect he was Sasha's contact because he was looking for the book."
"Did he say that?"
"No, but it easy enough to figure out."
"I don't have any information about Vlad, but the other fellow... look here." She took out a photo of Sasha that I recognized right away. "They say he smuggles art, and he's not above selling stolen merchandise. The files say he's Serbian, with links to some shady Balkan group." She put the photo back into her purse.
"Well that's defiantly Sasha. What should I do now? Go after Sasha?"
Penny shook her head. "No, the painting's what Zeitel's really after. You must secure it. Where or how I don't care. Just find it and bring it back here." She paused as if someone could be listening and leaned in closer. "Remember; leave the Rubaiyat with the Purser for safekeeping. He might also have information of the paintings where abouts. Sneak a peak at the cargo manifest. That should help you out. The cargo is stored somewhere beneath the forecastle deck." She grinned, and stood back up straight. "Things are thickening up quite nicely. We've got to get our hands on that painting. Good luck." She smiled and then turned back into her room and shut the door.
As for me? Well, I was going to follow her orders to the letter from now on. Well, at least close.
I walked down the E deck stairs and found myself on F deck. In front of me was a very foreign looking door. I opened it up, and sure enough I followed the short hallway to a moist room. There was steam coming up from the sink where the water had obviously been turned on.
I turned the knob on the faucet and the room began to fill with steam. It was actually quite soothing to me. I glanced around, about to turn it back off when I noticed the mirror fogging up, and little spots that were not fogging.
I walked over to the mirror and looked more closing. It was a message! It read: "Sasha, left the Rubaiyat in Boiler Room Three, Chute Four. Will send my man for the Painting. -Zeitel" I couldn't help but grin at this breakthrough! Now I had the location of the Rubaiyat... now all I had to do was figure out how to get there. I looked at the other half of the message. What painting? Oh, and what Sasha doing with Zeitel? Wasn't he the one Georgia had an affair with? I wiped the mirror off with my sleeve, so this intended Sasha wouldn't be able to beat me to the book.
With the vital information swimming circles inside my head, and hurried down the hallway. Unfortunately I had to go up, and then back down a few sets of stairs to get to Penny's room from there, but I had to tell her. I knocked on her door and waited impatiently.
"What are you doing here?" Her eyes grew angry, and she threw up her hands. "You're supposed to be working!"
I took her by the shoulders and pushed her into the room shutting the door behind me. She was about to persist, because her face was growing red, so I began to talk as quickly as I could.
"I met with Zeitel and his associate, and got his pipe. I showed the pipe to Trask and found a secret message in the Turkish Bath. The Rubaiyat is in Boiler Room 3, Chute 4. How's that for work?" I crossed my arms and eyed her, challenging her to get after me now. I almost had to laugh as the anger drained from her face and was replaced by pure joy.
"Brilliant!" She exclaimed her eyes sparkling. "You've got the drop location!" She grinned at me as if I maybe were lying and would crack. Suddenly her face fell with concern. "Blast. The boiler rooms... The entrance to the lower decks is around here somewhere." She opened the door, and practically shoved me out, her face now stern. "Get a hold of the Rubaiyat before it changes hands!"
I chuckled as she slammed the door, and shook my head. I glanced around, and headed down a hallway I hadn't been down yet. What luck! Stairs headed downward! I followed the stairs for flights... figuring I must have gone down a few decks.
At the bottom there was a heavy metal door. I pulled the latch, and looked around the vast Turbine Room. I glanced down through the rusty steel bridge, and noticed a lot of valves and gages, and hoped I wouldn't have to figure those out. I followed the bridge around and through onto the Engine Room... where I ran into trouble.
"What? A passenger!" A man in a navy blue R.M.S. Titanic uniform stepped in front of the door blocking my way.
"Hey... I need to go through there. Could you please stand aside?" I attempted to step around him but he gave me a shove.
"I can't regulate the steam for boilers one and two. So I haven't got time for you, you're where you shouldn't be!" He glared at me, daring me to try to get past again. "Now get back up top. 'Fore you're kicked up there."
Now, I took that personally. I considered challenging him to a fight, and whoever won got rights to passage. But since I didn't want to start trouble, I tried to remain as tranquil as possible.
"Perhaps I can help you. What do you need to do?" I glanced around, once again seeing a bunch of valves. I looked back at him hoping that the offer would get me through.
"Oh I doubt it. She's really acting up." He rolled his eyes. "I've had it. See?! Still working the bugs out of her." He shrugged, and pointed to the dreaded valves. "See for yourself. There's a gage showing the Turbine's power output. The needle's got to move into the green zone." He took me by the arm, and showed me to the valves. "Over Here."
So, there I was. I looked up at the valves, and the needle with the different colored zones. I took hold of one valve, and turned it until the needle moved towards the green a little bit. I kept doing that until the needle had scarcely inched into the green zone and then turned back to him.
"Right smart you were. She's running much smoother now." I smirked to myself, hoping this guy had his fill of humble pie. I may have been just a passenger, but I wasn't stupid. "Say, since you was so interested, have a- have a peek in the Engine Room." He opened the door for me. "She's quite a sight."
I stepped in and looked around. "Yeah she sure is... excuse me." I shut the door, and hurried through, hoping that the boiler rooms were someplace around here. I considered going back to ask the seaman, but I found one of the boiler rooms behind the next door. I went through the first, and second and then came to the third.
This one was different. The other two had been empty, except for the seamen, and this one had a gruff looking man standing at the top of the stairs. He stepped in front of me, blocking my way.
"You are a passenger, excuse me I'd like to speak with you." The man had a strong Serbian accent. I sighed, and my shoulders sagged. So many people had gotten in my way, and now another.
"Fine. What do you want? I'm trying to check out the boiler room... maybe talk to the seamen." He nodded.
"Forgive me, I am sorry to intrude on you... a person of such high station. I am Vlad." He extended his hand and I shook it.
"Carlson. What are your troubles?"
"I have many." He said, his eyes seemed to glow with a sort of hatred. I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk with someone like that, but he continued. "I am leaving my home. I am a Serb and they have killed my wife. My children. The Austrians." When he said 'Austrians' his voice filled with extremely bitter hate. "For that they will pay. But I do not want to bother you. Please, I need a favor." He paused and I shrugged. "I've a friend in first class. In cabin A-14. Mr. Barbicon has a package for me. Can you bring it here?"
I watched him curiously. All I wanted to do was get the book... why couldn't I just complete this mission and have time for other things? "Why can't you get it yourself? And why are you down here?"
"Enter first class like this? No! I am a stole away! If I get caught, maybe they throw me overboard! Please! I've eaten nothing since we left. Except for a rat that was not so fast..." I looked him over, and noticed that his clothes were all grungy and he did look awfully hungry. I sighed, and nodded.
"What's your friends name again? I'll get it after I look at the boilers."
""Sasha Barbicon, in A-14. I wait here for your return. Your assistance will be repaid manifold." He stepped away and began to pace like a caged animal.
I began to walk down the steps when the name 'Sasha' struck me. Vlad was most likely Sasha's contact. I gazed up at him and saw that, thankfully, his back was turned. I had to get the book and hide it. I couldn't risk getting caught with it, and lose it.
I examined the forth chute, and noticed a little door. I opened the door, and took out an old book. It was the Rubaiyat! I looked around frantically for a place to stash it, and noticed that all of the chutes had a little door. I put it in the fifth chute, knowing that Vlad would only be checking the forth, and then hurried back up the steps.
I nodded to Vlad as I passed, and then headed for room A-14. When I reached the door and knocked, a man with a goatee opened it.
"Yes?" He asked me, but he acted like he didn't want to be disturbed.
"I am looking for Mr. Barbicon." I answered hesitantly, wondering if Vlad had sent me on a wild goose chase.
"You found him. Shasha Barbicon, of Barbicon Galleries. Now what is it that can help you with?" I paused, and wondering if I should find out what I could about Georgia.
"Hello, I'm Carlson. Do you happen to know Lady Georgia Lambeth?" I studied him carefully. Every visible muscle in his body seemed to tighten when I said her name.
"Yes, I do. Why do you ask? If your wondering whether or not it is a good idea to get involved with her, it's not." His jaw was clenched, and he seemed uncomfortable. I laughed.
"I dated Georgia awhile back, before she met Lord Lambeth. I had just heard that you were a... friend?" He practically glared at me. "Can she be trusted? I haven't seen her in quite some time."
He shook his head. "No she cannot. Now, are you here to insult me; or have you another motive for your presence."
I smiled with a chuckle. "Actually I come from Vlad. He wanted me to get a package for him." At that, Sasha's entire demeanor changed.
"For Vlad? He's onboard?" He grinned, and opened his door. "Please come inside." After he shut the door he chuckled. "He did it. I told him not too. I told him I'd pay his ticket but he was too proud." He paused thoughtfully. "Such a tragedy about his family... they were with my mother's people."
"What happened to his family?" I asked curiously. If this was one of the men Penny and I were after, I might as well find out as much as I can.
"When Austria took Bosnia they were killed. Many were. With his family dead America seems as good of a place as any for Vlad." I nodded, and now realized why Vlad had so much hatred in his eyes and voice.
"What will he do in America?"
Sasha shrugged. "I don't know... ask Vlad." He handed me a parcel wrapped in brown paper. "Here, his things. He'll be glad to get them. It's rather late..." His voice trailed off in an eerie way, but I tried not to look as troubled by it as I felt.
I looked at my pocket watch, and nodded. "Indeed it is. I better get Vlad his things before he suspects I forgot about him. Goodnight." I opened the door, and Sasha followed me.
"Goodnight, then. Oh... and don't believe a word Lady Georgia tells you. She's not well." After having said that, he shut the door.
I shivered, despite the warmth of the deck I felt something big was about to happen. I returned to the third boiler room where Vlad was still pacing. Now he looked worried though. I handed him his package.
"Here are your things."
"Thank you. I must see Mr. Barbicon. I have bad news. He will not be happy." He glanced around nervously. "I am looking for something. Something very important. But it is not here." I tried my best to hide my smile, knowing I had outwitted the man, and now we would win. "You have seen a small- it is of no importance. Goodnight." I watched him hurry towards the second boiler room, and then retrieved the book.
I clutched it to myself for a moment before stuffing it into my handbag. What a relief to finally have the book! I half-ran back up the stairs to Penny's room and was panting by the time she opened the door.
I could tell by her face that she was surprised to see me again.
"Did you get it? Did you find the Rubaiyat?" She asked, placing her hands on her hips. I couldn't help but grin as I held it firmly in my hands without a word. "Let me see!" Her eyes widened with excitement as she grabbed the book from me. "That's the Rubaiyat all right! Well done!" Now Penny too, was grinning as I was. We must have looked impractical standing there like that. "Leave it with the Purser for safekeeping. It shall be undisturbed there."
"Good. I had to go through a lot to get it. The message was right though. It was in boiler room three, coal chute four."
"I was wondering how you got so dirty. You've got a spot on your cheek." She pointed to me cheek, and I fumbled for a handkerchief. She sighed, "Don't worry I've got it." With the end of her sleeve she wiped it away. "There..." I looked down at her now with interest I'd never had. She looked at me in the same way, but quickly looked away and snapped back into business mode.
"So, what else have you learned?"
I cleared my throat. "Zeitel's exchanging the Rubaiyat for a painting he will pick up later. The message in the Turkish bath said that he would be sending his man to get it."
Her brow furrowed suspiciously. "More art... Zeitel's no connoisseur. No there's something about that painting of interest to the German high command. Anything else?"
"I met a stole away. I suspect he was Sasha's contact because he was looking for the book."
"Did he say that?"
"No, but it easy enough to figure out."
"I don't have any information about Vlad, but the other fellow... look here." She took out a photo of Sasha that I recognized right away. "They say he smuggles art, and he's not above selling stolen merchandise. The files say he's Serbian, with links to some shady Balkan group." She put the photo back into her purse.
"Well that's defiantly Sasha. What should I do now? Go after Sasha?"
Penny shook her head. "No, the painting's what Zeitel's really after. You must secure it. Where or how I don't care. Just find it and bring it back here." She paused as if someone could be listening and leaned in closer. "Remember; leave the Rubaiyat with the Purser for safekeeping. He might also have information of the paintings where abouts. Sneak a peak at the cargo manifest. That should help you out. The cargo is stored somewhere beneath the forecastle deck." She grinned, and stood back up straight. "Things are thickening up quite nicely. We've got to get our hands on that painting. Good luck." She smiled and then turned back into her room and shut the door.
As for me? Well, I was going to follow her orders to the letter from now on. Well, at least close.