Sitting on a dingy green sofa, Epps watched as the head nurse switch
channels on the television in the community TV room.
Click: A racy video on MTV.
Click: A Saturday Night Live rerun.
Click: A news conference.
Click: A soap opera.
Click: A made-for-TV action movie.
Shocked, Epps called out for the nurse to go back to the news conference. What Epps saw made her stomach turn. Oh my god! She thought, distressed. The news conference was taking place on Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. The man speaking was dressed expensively; he was none other than Jack Ferriman.
"I was asked to speak today of my plans for the only cruise ship to embark on the Great Lakes, the Corona." Jack paused and smiled graciously. He noticed the multitude of media and press swarming his stage.
"Now that you've heard a brief history of the ship, I want to share my vision with all of you today. As of right now, Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry's curators are working on restoring the Corona to its original splendor. Everything will be exactly the way it was in 1954- without the disappearance of course." Everyone chuckled; he knew how to work his audience.
"After its restoration, I will set sail with one hundred and fifty passengers. Fifty years after the ill-fated Corona was launched from Chicago, it will launch again with a more successful outcome." Jack paused for several photographers before continuing on, "The ship embarks from Chicago and lands on Mackinac Island in Upper Michigan. The ride takes approximately twelve hours. The Corona will be launching at nine a.m. and will be arriving at nine p.m. During the trip there will be two luxury meals, dancing, card playing, shuffleboard and many other activities that would be present in 1954. After arriving on Mackinac, each guest will be roomed at the Grand View Hotel for six days and on the seventh, the Corona will return home to Chicago where it will be donated to the Museum of Science and Industry." The audience applauded approvingly.
"Any questions?"
A tall, attractive female reporter sporting a light blue suit yelled above the others, "Mr. Ferriman, how much will this little trip cost its passengers as well as yourself?"
Jack took a sip of water and cleared his throat, "To restore an entire ship to its initial 1954 motif will cost me several million dollars. The passengers, I assure you, will not pay as much." The crowd chuckled again. "The cost for the trip, the two meals, and room and board for six days will amount to roughly five thousand dollars." Jack could sense the crowd having mixed feelings about the price as he knew they would. "Of course," his voice rising above the chatter, "fifty percent of the total cost for each person will be donated to several different charities and organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a general cancer research foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House charity."
Another reporter spoke up, "Mr. Ferriman, how did you decide whom to invite on this journey?"
"I made my guest list specific. I've invited several personal acquaintances as well as recently-met friends and colleges. I've asked each one of them to bring along a couple of their friends and relatives to...fill the ship."
A male reporter questioned, "Aren't you worried that the Corona might go missing again? Some might say you're tempting fate, especially since the launch date is same day it disappeared fifty years ago."
Jack laughed quietly and replied, "There is nothing to worry about. In fifty years technology has come a long way. The engines onboard currently are not from 1954. The only things that won't be authentic are the engines, the passengers and crew." This drew a large laugh from the crowd. "Furthermore," Jack looked straight into the camera, "I guarantee the Corona will make the entire trip in one piece safely and without getting...lost."
Epps sat in shocked horror at what she just heard. The nurse changed the channel to appease a restless patient. I have to get out of here and stop him! That's why I've been having those dreams lately! Jack must be stopped! Quietly, Epps got up from the couch and hurried down the white hallway to her room. Once there, she devised a plan to break out of the hospital and take her revenge on Jack once and for all.
Hamilton sipped his usual morning coffee as he continued reading Alexis' report. Grunting in agreement with certain parts and pursing his lips together at others, he finally put the report down on his desk. Alexis looked at him expectantly.
"Well...good job." was his only reply.
"Thank you sir." Silently, she exhaled. Whew! Michael did an excellent job, Alexis thought, I'm just glad Hamilton thinks its mine.
"Now Alexis, I need you to continue to work on the restoration project while I work on the proposal. I had Sylvia print out a copy of the list of what I need to have done on the restoration," Hamilton said, handing her a piece of paper, "It must be completed as soon as possible. I want that finished before the dinner on Saturday."
"Will I be at the dinner?" Alexis asked meekly.
"Yes, Mr. Ferriman called me this morning to see how I was coming along with the proposal," Hamilton paused, eying her warily, "He also requested your attendance at the dinner."
Alexis managed a small smile and replied, "It's a very nice gesture, but I don-"
Hamilton roughly cut her off, "If the multimillion dollar benefactor wants you at the dinner, then at the dinner you shall be."
"But-"
"End of discussion. I believe you have some work to do." Hamilton swiveled his chair around, his back facing Alexis as she walked out of the office.
"Oh, hey Alexis! Wait!" Sylvia called from her desk.
Turning, Alexis came back to the secretary's desk.
"Looks like you've got a secret admirer!" she said, handing Alexis a long white box.
She undid the crimson ribbon and lifted the top off. Sylvia sighed and put her hand to her chest.
"God, what I wouldn't give for my boyfriend to do something like this once in awhile."
Alexis stared at the most perfect long-stemmed roses she had ever seen. They were tied with a beautiful white silk ribbon. Attached to the ribbon was a small red card. Detaching the card from the ribbon, Alexis read the message to herself.
'Alexis-
I had a fantastic night. I'm sorry it felt like I wasn't completely there with you. I must admit I've been having some problems with my company back home. Please allow me to make it up to you. If you're still interested, meet me at the Galileo Restaurant on 5th and National at eight tomorrow night.'
"Well? What does it say?" Sylvia pleaded.
"Read it for yourself." Alexis said, giving her the card.
She read it and gave a long sigh, "You are so lucky! Who's the guy?"
Alexis gathered up the box and headed out the door replying, "Someone who has...eyes for me."
Click: A racy video on MTV.
Click: A Saturday Night Live rerun.
Click: A news conference.
Click: A soap opera.
Click: A made-for-TV action movie.
Shocked, Epps called out for the nurse to go back to the news conference. What Epps saw made her stomach turn. Oh my god! She thought, distressed. The news conference was taking place on Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. The man speaking was dressed expensively; he was none other than Jack Ferriman.
"I was asked to speak today of my plans for the only cruise ship to embark on the Great Lakes, the Corona." Jack paused and smiled graciously. He noticed the multitude of media and press swarming his stage.
"Now that you've heard a brief history of the ship, I want to share my vision with all of you today. As of right now, Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry's curators are working on restoring the Corona to its original splendor. Everything will be exactly the way it was in 1954- without the disappearance of course." Everyone chuckled; he knew how to work his audience.
"After its restoration, I will set sail with one hundred and fifty passengers. Fifty years after the ill-fated Corona was launched from Chicago, it will launch again with a more successful outcome." Jack paused for several photographers before continuing on, "The ship embarks from Chicago and lands on Mackinac Island in Upper Michigan. The ride takes approximately twelve hours. The Corona will be launching at nine a.m. and will be arriving at nine p.m. During the trip there will be two luxury meals, dancing, card playing, shuffleboard and many other activities that would be present in 1954. After arriving on Mackinac, each guest will be roomed at the Grand View Hotel for six days and on the seventh, the Corona will return home to Chicago where it will be donated to the Museum of Science and Industry." The audience applauded approvingly.
"Any questions?"
A tall, attractive female reporter sporting a light blue suit yelled above the others, "Mr. Ferriman, how much will this little trip cost its passengers as well as yourself?"
Jack took a sip of water and cleared his throat, "To restore an entire ship to its initial 1954 motif will cost me several million dollars. The passengers, I assure you, will not pay as much." The crowd chuckled again. "The cost for the trip, the two meals, and room and board for six days will amount to roughly five thousand dollars." Jack could sense the crowd having mixed feelings about the price as he knew they would. "Of course," his voice rising above the chatter, "fifty percent of the total cost for each person will be donated to several different charities and organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a general cancer research foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House charity."
Another reporter spoke up, "Mr. Ferriman, how did you decide whom to invite on this journey?"
"I made my guest list specific. I've invited several personal acquaintances as well as recently-met friends and colleges. I've asked each one of them to bring along a couple of their friends and relatives to...fill the ship."
A male reporter questioned, "Aren't you worried that the Corona might go missing again? Some might say you're tempting fate, especially since the launch date is same day it disappeared fifty years ago."
Jack laughed quietly and replied, "There is nothing to worry about. In fifty years technology has come a long way. The engines onboard currently are not from 1954. The only things that won't be authentic are the engines, the passengers and crew." This drew a large laugh from the crowd. "Furthermore," Jack looked straight into the camera, "I guarantee the Corona will make the entire trip in one piece safely and without getting...lost."
Epps sat in shocked horror at what she just heard. The nurse changed the channel to appease a restless patient. I have to get out of here and stop him! That's why I've been having those dreams lately! Jack must be stopped! Quietly, Epps got up from the couch and hurried down the white hallway to her room. Once there, she devised a plan to break out of the hospital and take her revenge on Jack once and for all.
Hamilton sipped his usual morning coffee as he continued reading Alexis' report. Grunting in agreement with certain parts and pursing his lips together at others, he finally put the report down on his desk. Alexis looked at him expectantly.
"Well...good job." was his only reply.
"Thank you sir." Silently, she exhaled. Whew! Michael did an excellent job, Alexis thought, I'm just glad Hamilton thinks its mine.
"Now Alexis, I need you to continue to work on the restoration project while I work on the proposal. I had Sylvia print out a copy of the list of what I need to have done on the restoration," Hamilton said, handing her a piece of paper, "It must be completed as soon as possible. I want that finished before the dinner on Saturday."
"Will I be at the dinner?" Alexis asked meekly.
"Yes, Mr. Ferriman called me this morning to see how I was coming along with the proposal," Hamilton paused, eying her warily, "He also requested your attendance at the dinner."
Alexis managed a small smile and replied, "It's a very nice gesture, but I don-"
Hamilton roughly cut her off, "If the multimillion dollar benefactor wants you at the dinner, then at the dinner you shall be."
"But-"
"End of discussion. I believe you have some work to do." Hamilton swiveled his chair around, his back facing Alexis as she walked out of the office.
"Oh, hey Alexis! Wait!" Sylvia called from her desk.
Turning, Alexis came back to the secretary's desk.
"Looks like you've got a secret admirer!" she said, handing Alexis a long white box.
She undid the crimson ribbon and lifted the top off. Sylvia sighed and put her hand to her chest.
"God, what I wouldn't give for my boyfriend to do something like this once in awhile."
Alexis stared at the most perfect long-stemmed roses she had ever seen. They were tied with a beautiful white silk ribbon. Attached to the ribbon was a small red card. Detaching the card from the ribbon, Alexis read the message to herself.
'Alexis-
I had a fantastic night. I'm sorry it felt like I wasn't completely there with you. I must admit I've been having some problems with my company back home. Please allow me to make it up to you. If you're still interested, meet me at the Galileo Restaurant on 5th and National at eight tomorrow night.'
"Well? What does it say?" Sylvia pleaded.
"Read it for yourself." Alexis said, giving her the card.
She read it and gave a long sigh, "You are so lucky! Who's the guy?"
Alexis gathered up the box and headed out the door replying, "Someone who has...eyes for me."