Passing Time
As the group left the ballroom everyone was commenting on arriving in America tomorrow.
"Georg, it seems like yesterday when I returned to the villa; and soon we will be in a new country."
"It really is incredible, Maria."
Franz then asked. "Georg, do you know anything about our arrival?"
"I can tell you."
"Hello Davy, please tell us."
"The ship will arrive at the Port of New York late tomorrow afternoon. Georg, your escape story was picked up by all the major newspapers. When it was read by people in the American government, I received a wire.
"Georg, a Navy Officer will be in the immigration office to meet you."
"I never expected your Navy to be interested in me. The Great War was a long time ago."
"I think you underestimate your abilities. One is the ability to build camaraderie among your crew which consisted of men from every part of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. America in now called the United States of America.
"The people in each state are also diverse. America has people from almost every country in the world. Each brought with them customs, their homeland's language and their way of worshipping God.
"I'm sure you remember what you did to help your crew become a team. You know very well this is important on any ship especially a submarine."
"I'm flattered, Davy. I'll help any way I can."
"Good, I'd like everyone to have dinner with me this evening. No need to dress up. Come as you are at six for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres."
"Thank you, we'll be on time."
Davy saluted Georg; he returned it and watched Davy return to the bridge.
"Dad, are you famous in America?" Brigitta asked.
"It seems like it. I'm really surprised. Now let's do something all of us can do."
"Maybe there's good movie we could all enjoy. We need to get today's activity schedule." Maria suggested.
They arrived at the ship's entrance to find a pile of today's schedule. Georg scanned it quickly.
"There's a movie being shown in the theater in thirty minutes. Its title is the Wizard of Oz, a movie for people of all ages. It's a fantasy story about a young girl who is magically transported to the Land of Oz."
"Dad, I think it will be good. Can we see it?"
"Yes, Louisa. You children should use the theater's bathroom before we take our seats."
The group found a crowd was gathering to watch this movie; still they found good seats so everyone had an unobstructed view.
When the movie began, they saw the screen turn from white to a brownish tint and all the characters in the movie were introduced. Now the movie sets the scene for telling about how a young girl, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, run away from their home.
And then a terrible storm, the movie calls a tornado comes. It's a terribly strong storm with swirling winds which takes Dorothy and Toto up in to the sky and they are deposited in the Land of Oz where Dorothy had been told lives a Wizard who could help her go home.
Soon she meets a Tin Man, a Straw Man and a Cowardly Lion. They each want something from the wizard too; a brain, a heart and for the lion, courage. Dorothy's friends receive their wish. And she is told by a Good Witch, to click her ruby red shoes together and she would be returned to her home.
The movie ended with Dorothy saying, There's no place like home.
There was huge applause from the audience. And most everyone left singing the theme song, Somewhere over the Rainbow.
"Dad, I really liked that movie. Will we be able to see movies in America?"
"It was good, Kurt. And yes, I'm sure you will be able see movies in America. I think it's also time for lunch. It's almost two o'clock."
"Daddy, can we eat at the All-American Restaurant?"
"Of course we can Marta. Follow me everyone."
Georg had learned the ship well; he easily led them there. Their favorite waitress was working this afternoon.
"Hello, everyone. Have you enjoyed your sail?"
"Yes Carol, it doesn't seem possible we will be in America tomorrow."
"Many passengers tell me that, Maria. Take your seats. I bet everyone already knows what they want to order."
She was correct. And after writing them down, the paper was clipped on the metal frame and turned so the chefs could prepare their orders.
When they were finished eating, everyone heard Kurt. "That will hold me until we have dinner with Davy."
Everyone had a quiet laugh about Kurt's announcement. Georg contained his before speaking.
"Let's go up to the miniature golf course and the shuffleboard court and play until it's time join Davy for cocktails."
Everyone except Georg and Maria played games. They stood together, as couples in love do; each had their arm around the others waist looking out at the ocean.
"Just think Maria. A whole new world waits for us; a place where everyone can live life to the fullest."
"I know. I wonder where our home will be."
"Since the Navy wants me, it could be somewhere along the east coast at one of their naval stations or maybe where they do official navy business. Tomorrow afternoon we'll find out."
The time had passed. It was getting close to six o'clock. Georg got everyone's attention by sounding a whistle noise with his fingers.
They gathered around him. "As soon as everyone uses the bathroom up here, we can walk to Davy's quarters."
It didn't take them long. Everyone was looking forward to the evening. As they walked that way, Liesl had a question for Maria.
"Mom, where did you and Dad get married?"
"On the bow of the ship, we have a photograph to help us remember the beautiful setting."
"Maybe we can see it. I'm sure it's lovely as the sun is setting."
"Perhaps Liesl, I see Davy is waiting to greet us."
"Good evening everyone. Like I told Georg, you will find my quarters are not in that Art Deco style of my ship. It's much too fancy for a military man. Please follow me."
Davy led them to small room with a large round table in the middle. On it were many trays filled with bit size small snacks and a large punch bowl filled with a non-alcoholic drink.
"Feel free to have a small snack and a glass of punch as I come around and chat with each of you."
Davy meandered around the room to speak to everyone, including all the children for about thirty minutes before he led them up a flight of stairs to his dining room which had a wall of windows.
"By the time you finish your dinner, you will be able to watch a spectacular sunset. It will be as beautiful as the sunrise rise was when I married Georg and Maria on the bow of my ship."
The meal they had was very similar to the fancy dining room's food. A small bowl of ice cream was served for desert.
As they finished eating the sun was already low in the sky. Everyone left their seat to stand in front of the large window. Although they had all seen their first sunset on the ship, this one was even more spectacular.
They saw the sky become ablaze with color; fiery orange, searing reds, hot as the sun yellow and yet the outer edges of the blazing sky began to cool as a lilac afterglow filled the night.
Everyone stood still; they were mesmerized. Davy broke their trance. "You can come up here tomorrow around three o'clock and watch the ship pass the first visible land mass. Have all your things packed. The stewards will bring them off the ship."
All the adults seemed to speak at once. "I still can't believe we will be in America tomorrow."