8. Bulls, Friends, and the ladies room.
I awoke the next morning to Drake banging into my room. I wasn't too happy about that, but at least he didn't kick me like Karl used to.
"This way," he grunted.
I quickly climbed out of bed and followed him down the hall and into a small bathroom. A tub was sitting there, steam rising from it. A hairbrush was sitting beside it, as well as a bar of soap and some hair cleanser.
"Wash. Then put these on." Drake pointed from the tub and then to some clothing hanging up on the wall.
I nodded sleepily, and he walked out of the room. The tub was beckoning to me, but before I even dared un-dress, I propped a chair up against the door. I wasn't about to risk having a man barge in while I was naked.
I quickly climbed into the tub and the warm water began relaxed my stiff body. I hadn't had a real bath for a long time, let alone a warm one.
I scrubbed myself good and hard knowing that I was supposed to be a spotless rich lady. I dried myself on a towel that was laid out, and then slipped on the dress.
It was a warm navy blue fabric, and looked very expensive. Nobody in my true stature would ever dream of wearing anything so fine.
After admiring the dress, I picked up the brush, and pulled my hair into a bun. A few wisps of my blonde hair fell out and curled around my face. I decided that this was a nice effect, and left them as they were.
That done, I looked down and found a fancy pair of boots sitting on the floor. I pulled them and some stockings on and then searched the room once more.
On the bathroom counter was a bottle of perfume and a few different cases of makeup.
I had never used makeup before, but I had watched the rich people and knew what it was meant to look like.
I put the least amount of makeup on, but enough to make me look wonderful. Some ladies put too much on and they looked disgusting. When I watched them I used to wish that I could show them how it was done, and now was my chance.
I was now complete, so I threw my old dirty clothes in the corner and walked down the stairs.
Jim had been giving orders to Drake, but when I stepped into the room, his mouth dropped open, before turning up into a wonderful smile.
"Loraine, you look wonderful today!" he exclaimed with a rich accent. He walked over and inspected me in my outfit. He had obviously decided I would be Loraine instead of Petunia, I guess it worked better if he was caught calling me Loki.
"You look wonderful yourself James," I said, trying hard to also put on a clean, fake accent. Jim was also dressed in sophisticated clothing and looked quite handsome.
"Didn't I pick out the poifect size?" he asked, speaking normally again.
I fingered my perfectly fitted dress. "How did ya knows me size?"
"I just told the store owner to get me two dresses for a petite young lady."
"Ya gots me two dresses!" I exclaimed. I was getting really excited now.
"Yea I did. The second one is packed in yoah bag. You may pick outs the rest of yoah wardrobe when we reach our destination."
Well at hearing this, I was elated, and ready to face on anything for my new clothes.
"Now my dear, Loraine, shall we head to the train station? I will have our manservant Drake follow with the bags."
I glanced over at Drake who didn't look too happy about being called 'manservant'.
I giggled and gave me skirts a swish before slipping into the wonderful winter coat Jim was holding for me.
"Thank you James," I said taking his extended arm. I lifted my head regally as the rich did and together we exited the building.
I was very surprised to see he had a carriage waiting for us. I had never ridden in one before, and I was so excited I could barley sit still.
Jim watched me the whole ride to the station with a grin on his face. He was obviously enjoying my happiness.
When we got on the train, we were given a private booth.
Excitement shot throughout my entire body as the train pulled to a start; I had never been on a train either.
After awhile, I began to get a little bored
. Drake wasn't in our compartment incase the bulls were around and suspected them.
I looked over at Jim who was reading a newspaper. I wondered where he got it from and if he bought it from a newsie.
They would be heading to Tibby's around this time. I shook thoughts of my old life out of my head, and I raised my head in pride.
"So wheah we goin Jim?"
"Washington," Jim stated, not even looking from his paper.
"Washington! Why theah?"
"Well it ain't fah from New Yawk foah one. I was thinking of goin to Mane, but theah ain't enough big cities theah. Washington is big enough."
In the first hour, Jim fell asleep, slouched down in his chair. To my fear, a bull walked in and looked at us.
"Hello officer, may I be of assistants to you?" I asked. I decided that it would be best to let Jim rest.
"Sorry to disturb you ma'am, but we are looking for two criminals. They both have brown hair and are rather rough looking.
I brought a hand to my throat, as if scared. "Why no officer we haven't seen them. Quite frankly I'd rather die than see one. I am so thankfull to God that my dear husband, James, is here to protect me." I brought my hands together as though in prayer.
I smiled sweetly at the bull and put my hands down on my lap. "Do sit down, I would love to chat."
The bull looked at my flirtatiously, and began to take a seat across from me. Unfortunately for him, his commanding officer came up to the door.
"Officer Jordan, continue your search immediately. This is no time for pleasure."
Both officers tipped their ugly hats at me and walked away. As soon as they were out of view, Jim sat straight up in his chair.
" I am thankful to God that my dear husband, James, is here to protect me," he mimicked good naturally. "Yoah brilliant Loki, but why did you ask him to stay?"
" Because it would make us even less of a suspect to him you dummy."
"Whatever," laughed Jim. He leant back again and began to read from his newspaper. After about half an hour I decided I had to go to the bathroom, but there was no way I was asking Jim for directions.
I left our compartment and wandered carefully around the train, but with no luck.
I was getting worried and beginning to wish that I had gone before I had left, when a hand touched my elbow. I spun around and let out a sigh when I saw that it was only Drake.
"I...I was," I stuttered, looking embarrassed.
"Its down that hall." Drake pointed down a hall, and is saw the words 'ladies' written on the door.
"Oh...than-" I turned back to Drake, but he was already walking away.
When I stepped out of the washroom and into a conjoining powder room, there was a hoity toity looking woman looking in the mirror.
"Hello," she greeted me.
At first I didn't think that it was me she was talking to, but I quickly realized that I looked just as hoity toity as she did.
"Hello," I replied, feeling shy suddenly.
"I'm Madeline Straus, what's your name?"
"Loraine Farthing. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
I shook hands with Madeline, and sat down next to her on the powder room bench.
"So miss Farthing, where are you heading?"
"My husband and I are going to Washington."
"Oh so you are a Missus. But you look hardly sixteen."
"I'm almost nineteen!" I exclaimed. As Jim had said before, I was a petite girl and looked young for my age. I got pretty insulted when people called me young.
"I'm sorry if I insulted you my dear. I am seventeen myself."
"So where are you going?" I asked, changing the subject.
"My father and I were in New York on a business trip, but I couldn't stand the place. I found it scary and big. So Father is sending me back to our house in Washington. Did you get aboard in New York as well?"
"Yes I did, I grew up there." Madeline sat up in her chair, her eyes going wide.
"Oh my! However did you survive?"
" I was used to it," I said with a shrug.
"Have you ever been to Washington?"
"No."
"Oh its great! There are so many great shops, I must take you too and..."
I don't even know how it happened, but Madeline and I chatted for the next hour in the bathroom. After we parted, I realized that I had never enjoyed talking to a girl before. When I thought about it, the truth really was that I didn't talk to my own sex unless I was fighting with them.
"Where have you been?" snapped Jim when I entered.
"I was in dah ladies room."
"For a whole hour?"
" Yea, well I met dis goil who was really nice an' we'ze got talking," I replied, glad to be speaking 'properly' again.
"I don't want you talking to other-"
" Madeline! Do come in." I had looked up to see Madeline walk by, then look in the window. When I beckoned to her, she smiled and quickly bounced in.
"Madeline, meet my husband James Farthing. James this is my new friend Madeline."
Madeline and Jim shook hands and she turned back to me.
" I was walking back to my seat when I decided that you may need some female company."
" Indeed I do. James was being a bore," I said glaring at Jim.
Jim groaned and stood up. "That is my cue to leave. Have fun ladies." Jim nodded his head to us then left. As soon as he was gone, Madeline turned to me.
"Oh Loraine, you husband is so handsome!"
" I know. So do you have a man in your life?"
" No. I have many." Joked Madeline. I giggle and leaned closer, both of us talking about men.
I didn't know why I was acting like such a ditz. Maybe it was my true self coming out...I defiantly hoped it wasn't. But soon I figured that I might as well have fun while I was acting.
"I am so hungry!" I wonder if there is a place to eat here." Exclaimed Madeline, some time late.
"I don't know, lets go and find out." I grabbed Madeline's hand and together we rushed through the train.
Madeline and I talked as we went, and when I was looking back at her I walked into a passenger.
"I'm sorry si...oh hello Drake."
"I suppose yoah looking foah a place tah eat?"
"Yes, know of any place?"
"Yeah, yoah husband is dere right now." Drake turned and led us through the train to a dining room type place. He then walked quietly off again.
"Why didn't you introduce me to him? He is so handsome." Whispered ,Madeline, in my ear.
"He's our servant, I wouldn't want you mingling with him." I felt bad for saying that, but after all, I was acting a part.
Jim was sitting at a table reading a paper. He saw us and beckoned us over.
" Welcome ladies. Come. Sit." We sat down and he handed us a menu. " Pick whatever you want, its on me."
Not only did I have new clothes, but I was also allowed to eat anything I wanted! I tucked away my excitement and copied Madeline's actions, looking as though I did this every day. But secretly, I was floating on cloud nine.
another chapter! I'm so happy. But for anyone who still is reading this, do not despare this will not turn into a soppy little mary sue story things can't go from terrible to wonderful in a night and then stay that way. Please review!
Shouts outs
Koodles4you: Welcome back from your trip. What kind of Missions trip was it? Or is that dumb question. Hey i feel i bit of a writers block comeing on so if you have any great ideas please email me because i'd love to here from you. Thanks for reviewing this story.
Shrieksy: Yes i like Anders too. But in A matter of life and death, he and Karl leave so i could make him stay could i? And as i continue to tell you, this story isn't all about which man Loki ends up with! Whether it is Jack or Jim or even the freaking king of candy land its up to me;) (i ment that in the nicest way possible.)
...and thats the only reviewers i got for this chapter so if you arer reading this and wishing your name was in a Shouts out thinger, all you gotta do is review my story:D As wasy as that!