THE TITANIC DIARIES
:Chapter Two- Era's First Entry:
April 10, 1912
Dear Diary,
Well, diary, It's me again. Remember? It's been so long since I've written in you. In case you've forgotten, my name is Era Johnson, I'm 15 years old, and I have dark blonde hair and green eyes. I believe I once described myself to you as a no-good street rat. Well, that's still kinda true, but today this street rat's traveling in 1st class on the grandest ship in the world, the Titanic!
It's so amazing here; I've never seen anything like it! All the beauty in the world could not compare with that of the Titanic. If only you had the eyes to see, Diary.
I bet your wondering how I went from living in that cardboard box by the church on 12th Street to riding in first class. Well, remember my friend Minnie? I believe I've talked of her before. She has short black hair and brown eyes. We've been friends for a while, I met her two years ago when I got arrested for pick pocketing, or was it for drinking? Oh well, that's not what's important.
You see diary, Minnie and I had been hoping for the past year to get out of England and go to America to live with her brother in New York. One day we heard about this great ship, the Titanic, that was going to set sail on March 20, so we decided to see how much it was for a ticket. As it turns out, later that night Minnie and I were playing poker and we had bet everything we had…we lost to a two pair. So there we were, penniless and hopeless.
But that only lasted until we discovered that the Titanic's voyage was delayed until today, April 10. This gave me time to think up a plan. Naturally, being so smart, I quickly got an idea. Minnie and I would hop a train to Southampton the day before the ship was to leave. We'd stay at my old friend Blind Mike's house and the next morning we'd go down to the harbor. Once we got there, we'd find two unattended luggage trunks in which we would stowaway in until we were on the ship. Aren't I brilliant, Diary?
So here we were around 11:00, standing in front of the most luxurious ship in the world, the Titanic! Minnie and I met up with several smaller kids who had come to Southampton with the same intentions as us, to stowaway on the ship. A very rude, and very rich, snobby girl that unfortunately looked a hell of a lot like me stepped on me and practically knocked me flat on my back as Minnie and I began searching for unguarded luggage trunks. A few minutes later I discovered the perfect one. It had just been set down by one of the moorings and was left unattended. Minnie and I agreed that I would take that trunk and she would continue searching for another. I hope she found one, because I haven't seen her since. I said good bye and good luck, and then headed over to the mooring.
As casually as possible, I sat down on it and stuck my hands behind my back to fiddle with the lock. The trunk must have belonged to a wealthy person because I could tell by how uneasily it opened that the lock was made for a very fancy skeleton key.
As soon as I was sure no one was watching, I popped open the trunk and began blindly tossing most of contents off the dock. When there were just a few items left, I climbed inside and piled the clothing on top of me. I then shut the trunk. That was when I realized I wouldn't be able to breathe so I took out my pocket knife and carved a few small holes in the top and sides of the trunk to let air and light in. After being in the trunk for a few minutes, I felt myself being lifted, carried, and eventually dragged across the ground and up the boarding dock onto the Titanic!
It was very cramped and uncomfortable inside the trunk, and the person carrying it must have been weak because they were more dragging it than carrying it. Just when I was about to get bored of being in the trunk, I heard two woman squabbling to each other about the weight of the trunk. That surprised me, seeing as I rarely eat and I'm as skinny as a stick. About five minutes later I was dropped carelessly to the ground. I think I'm getting a bruise from that one.
Guessing that it might be a while until the owners of my trunk left, I began examining the clothes above me. I had hit the jackpot, diary. Skirts made of satin and silk with glorious lace trimmings, a diamond coated jewelry box, and a blouse with buttons made of pearl. Seeing that I had nothing else to do, I decided to profit from being stuck inside the trunk. I took out my pocketknife again and cut off the lace trimmings of the skirts, sticking them inside my shirt. I was just about finished picking the pearl buttons of one of the blouses when I heard the lock on the trunk click open. I held my breath, praying my finder would be some kind old lady.
To my relief, I heard footsteps walking away from my sanctuary in the trunk. Carefully, I pushed open the trunk a few inches and peered out into the room. Jackpot again. The walls were made of beautiful mahogany, the fire place was pure marble, and practically everything was plated in gold! Suddenly, I heard footsteps again, this time approaching the trunk. I dropped the lid, making an unfortunately loud thump.
I held my breath again as the trunk began to open. I was buried under several things, but I was still able to see the same rude rich girl that had bumped into me earlier today. She took out a skirt, and then a blouse. She had uncovered my face, but still hadn't noticed me. She muttered something about the missing buttons on her blouse, but didn't seem suspicious yet. She reached down and, to my utmost surprise, grabbed my hair and attempted to pull me out. I screamed as loud as I could, this girl sure had a grip! I was then greeted by her scream as she realized she was holding a person.
"How did you get in there? Get your disgusting, diseased bottom out of here!" she shrieked.
