A New Fate
Okay, so this one is going to be very different (and similar to the movie) and very weird. So, FilmTheory just recently (in the AWESOME year of 2020, lol) released a new video about a theory involving Titanic and the character of Jack. I personally don't believe the theory is true. However, after being inspired to rewatch Titanic after seeing the theory (twice in 24 hours), I was inspired to write a story that just popped into my head.
And this was what was born of it.
Again, this is going to be different and will be more adventure-like. I will be trying to focus more on side characters I really liked in the movie but never got to see much screen-time of. I will try to recapture the tragedy and hardship of the Titanic event from the film, but that depends on what direction I will go in planning the story ahead.
Enjoy my newest story, "A New Fate"!
Chapter One:
Change of Plans
Three men approached a small table in a crowded pub in Queenstown.
"Jack, why are you doing this?"
One of the three turned around to address him.
"Because I want to," Jack Dawson smiled, taking his seat at the small table with two Swedish men, Sven and Olaf.
The man sighed, "Fabrizio, help me out here."
"Sorry, you know what he is like when motivated," the Italian man next to him shrugged and took a seat next to Jack, who was lighting a cigarette.
The man sighed and rubbed his forehead, "I knew you would do this! We agreed to search London, then go West."
"Yeah, I thought about that last night and I changed my mind," replied Jack as he began a game of poker. "I wish to see my hometown again."
"After all these years?"
"Yes, I want to see it again before… well…"
The man sighed again, "Okay, fine, how about this? You win the game; you can head to Chippewa Falls."
"Sounds good to me."
"However, if you lose, we head to London. If my research is correct, Prometheus might be heading there."
Jack turned to him and smirked, a trademark of his that said everything about his confidence, "Deal!"
The man pulled up a seat next to Jack, though just a little behind him as all four corners were taken.
"What's the name of the ship these two have tickets for?"
"Titanic," one of the men of the opposing team answered.
The man's eyes widened, alarms going off, "Oh."
"What?"
"Let's just say that on my world, Titanic is well known for different reasons. And I don't wish to be near so many important figures."
"It's only a week at worst, what could go wrong?"
"My presence is a threat to the natural order here. We are barely keeping to the rules of predestination. You know what will happen if we change anything big, especially involving the First Class."
Jack scoffed, "Like they would ever let us interact with them."
"My mission is to find Prometheus before he does something major. Plus, I am still trapped here until we find him and stop him."
Jack turned to him and placed his hand on the man's shoulder, "He's done nothing to change anything, he won't even leave Europe. Which, in turn, means that we have time to go to America and come back."
"This is reckless!" the man moaned. "You're seriously doing all of this just to take a trip down memory lane?"
"I'm going too," said Fabrizio.
"Of course, you are! Because anywhere Jack goes, you go too!"
"And I want to see America."
"We can do that once this is all over."
"Sure, let's take a risk that Prometheus won't escape again and you won't take us on another wild chase. Like it or not, I'm going."
"Me too!" cried Fabrizio.
The man moaned, frustrated, "Fine!"
Jack sighed, "Taylor, just go to London yourself and search for him. We will rendezvous back here with you once we are done."
Taylor shook his head, "Fine, I'm coming too. Assuming you win this!"
"Taylor, calm down!" Jack patted my shoulder, smiling. "I've got this."
The two Swedish men chuckled, catching his attention as the game continued.
About fifteen minutes into the game, Fabrizio leaned next to his friend, "Jack, maybe Taylor is right. If finding Prometheus is this important and if he is in London, we should search there."
Jack turned to him, "Life is full of chances, my friend. And right now, I have the chance to go see my hometown."
"Just don't do anything stupid," said Taylor, crossing his arms.
"Taylor, I'm not giving up. I'm just taking an overdue vacation."
"By going to America to see Chippewa Falls?"
"Yes! If you've taught me anything, it's that life is a gift and I do not intend on wasting it chasing after a madman. Just because you lost your way home does not mean our lives should be placed on hold. Now, if you excuse me, I have a game to finish."
Taylor nodded, "You do know that I have the means of purchasing our tickets, correct?"
"Yes, I do. But I feel like beating these two at a game of poker for these tickets."
Last night slowly came back to him, despite the hangover he suffered earlier, "Oh, so it's because Olaf stole your girl last night."
Jack glared at him, "No, it's because I'm in the mood for a poker game."
Taylor raised his brow, smiling, "Sure, sure. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be securing myself a ticket will quick, assuming only two are available in this game."
"See you on the ship."
As Taylor rose from his seat and waved his two friends off, he picked up a briefcase and exited the pub, making a long walk to the docks for the ticket facility. Sneaking his way inside, he found the printer for the tickets for the RMS Titanic and opened his briefcase to take out his hybrid gun and began the process of creating his own ticket, one for the First Class. Once done, he then created two more. As a precaution.
Hearing noise from outside the room, he put the hybrid gun back into the case and tucked the tickets into his pocket, quickly exiting the room and passing two people with their backs to him.
Smiling, he walked through the crowd and toward the Titanic, preparing to board.
An automobile pulled up to the loading dock of where the Titanic settled, coming to a stop as the driver got out and opened the back door, offering his hand to the female one that reached out. He helped the young woman out of the car as she looked up towards the enormous ship before her. She dressed in fancy clothing and a large hat that kept the sun from shining on her, a noble of royalty birth.
A man got out behind her, while an older woman from the second car was let out by the bodyguard. The man and older woman looked up at the great ship in amazement, opposite of the younger woman.
"I don't know what the fuss is all about," the young woman said, turning to the man. "It doesn't look any bigger than the Mauretania."
The man laughed and smiled, "You can be blasé about some things, Rose, but not Titanic. It's over a hundred feet longer than Mauretania… and far more luxurious."
The young woman turned away and began to walk towards the steps, while the man turned around to address the older woman behind him.
"Your daughter is far too difficult to impress, Ruth."
Ruth laughed and began to follow her daughter, "So, this is the ship they say is unsinkable."
"It is unsinkable," the man cried out.
"Sir!" an officer approached him.
"Even God himself couldn't sink this ship-"
"Sir!"
"What?!" the man angrily turned to the officer who interrupted him.
"Sir! You have to check your bags through the main terminal. It's round that way, sir."
The man reached into his pocket and pulled out cash, putting it into the officer's hand, "I put my faith in you, good sir. Now kindly see my man."
The officer's eyes widened for a second before recovering himself and putting the money in his pocket, "Yes sir. It's my pleasure, sir. If I can do anything at all-" he was interrupted by the bodyguard grabbing him by the shoulder and dragging him back to where the luggage was being unloaded by the servants, giving him instructions.
Meanwhile, the man, known as Cal Hockley, heir to a rich steel fortune back in the United States, followed the two women up the ramp to board the Titanic, followed in turn by servants and those carrying their luggage.
The young woman, Rose, kept a neutral face the whole time while controlling her body from shaking.
Unknown to them, a man in a fancy suit followed, presenting his ticket to the officers as he was let on board.
Meanwhile, back at the pub, Jack and Fabrizio continued their game of poker for the Titanic tickets. At first, it seemed like they were going to lose, with Fabrizio expressing his concern, though Jack reassured him that even if they lost, Taylor would have them covered.
However, Jack smiled at his friend and revealed his hand, winning the game as he and Fabrizio cheered.
Olaf, angry about losing, grabbed Jack by the shirt and formed a fist with his free hand. While Jack closed his eyes and prepared to be struck, Olaf was instead struck by Fabrizio, sending him into Sven and onto the floor.
Before the two could get back up, Jack immediately began to collect the money and the two tickets, then making a run for the door of the pub with Fabrizion. They barely heard the two Swedish men cry out at them in anger.
"Thanks for the save!" Jack cried out.
"No problem! Let's get out of here before they catch us!"
"No need to tell me twice!"
They didn't need to look behind them to know that the two were already charging out of the pub in hot pursuit, fueled by anger and rage. Thankfully, they just had enough fear of imagining what they would do to them to stay ahead and outrun them. The moment they turned a corner, they saw the ramp just head and the ship that would carry them to America.
From high above, amongst the crowd on the deck of the Titanic, Taylor smiled as he drank a glass of wine, which he took from the kitchens undiscovered.
Running up the ramp and ignoring the protest of the officers, as well the two Swedish men from afar, Jack and Fabrizio made it to the loading doors, presenting their tickets to the officers.
"Have you been through inspection?" one asked.
Jack nodded, "Yes, of course! Anyway, we don't have any lice! We're Americans! Well, he's part America and Italian, but born American! We're just looking to get home!"
"Yes!" Fabrizio panted.
The man frowned and sighed, waving them through, "Right, come aboard."
As the ship started to move slowly away from the ramp, the two jumped aboard, laughing as they ran through the halls.
The two Swedish men ran up the ramp, cried out as the door closed and officers came to pull them back, watching as their ride took off without them.
As Jack and Fabrizio ran through the halls in search of their room, they came to stop at the sight of their friend, Taylor, who was standing in the middle of the crowded hall.
"I see the game went well."
"Well, I won, didn't I?" Jack smiled.
"Yes, and barely made it just in time. However, no need to worry about your room. I secured us one a lot nicer."
The two smiled and followed him up the stairs. Taylor presented papers to secure them access to the 1nd Class, where a more luxurious room was waiting for them. The room was not huge, but it was a lot bigger than the ones down below. The windows were more inviting, and the view of the sea was breathtaking.
Once putting their bags on the floor, they immediately ran for the deck and waved to the people on the docks along with the other passengers.
"See somebody you know?" Fabrizio asked.
Jack shook his head, "Of course not. That's not the point. Goodbye!"
"Goodbye!"
"I'll miss you!"
"I'll never forget you!"
Taylor rolled his eyes at the two as they waved at the crowd below, feeling the raw strength of the Titanic as it began to pull away from the dock of Queenstown. Even from where they stood, they could feel the propellers begin to spin.
As the ship got further away, the crowd started to disperse and go about their business.
Meanwhile, the young woman and her mother joined Cal in the main suite that had been reserved for them on the highest part of the 1st Class floor, one of the best rooms available. As they began to settle in and began to unpack with the help of servants, the young woman focused on her art collection to help brighten up her room.
The young woman was Rose DeWitt Bukater, the only heir to a now fortunate-less family, with the family name holding any value to it. A mask to the debt that her father had left behind after he had passed away. Now it was falling on her to fulfill her mother's wish to restore the family's former glory. Cal was to be her husband in the coming months, a final resort to restoring the wealth they had lost.
Cal criticized Rose's collection of art and even the name of the artist, Picasso. A criticism that seemed to increase their friction. But one she took with silence all the same.
On the bridge of the ship, Captain Smith approached First Officer William Murdoch.
"Take her to sea, Mr. Murdoch," he said with a hint of pride, hands on the railing as he smiled. "Let's stretch her legs."
"Yes sir," Murdoch smiled back before going to fulfill the order.
Jack, Fabrizio, and Taylor stood at the forehead of the ship, watching dolphins as they swam in front of the ship and leaped into the air. They could feel the chill of the wind on their skin as the ship began to travel faster.
"I can see the Statue of Liberty already. Very small, of course."
Jack laughed.
"I'M THE KING OF THE WORLD!" Jack shouted as he stood on the first level rails, arms stretched out.
Fabrizio laughed, while Taylor rolled his eyes but ultimately couldn't help to smile, as they stared out towards the horizon.
Rose sat at a table of six, amongst her mother, Cal, Molly Brown, Bruce Ismay, and Thomas Andrews, while trying to entertain herself.
Except for her and Molly, all of them were discussing Titanic's origins and structure.
Rose eventually resorted to smoking, which her mother disapproved of, forcing Cal to intervene and take it from her, which earned a glare from Molly, one of the newest first-class members who had recently found wealth.
After ordering their meals, or rather Cal ordering for the both of them, Rose evenually grew too bored and got up to leave, but not before insulting Ismay for his arrogance, which earned a smile from both Molly and Andrews.
On the front deck of the ship, Jack was drawing pictures of the people around him in his notepad, currently focusing on a father and his young daughter, Bert and Cora.
Meanwhile, Taylor and Fabrizio were deep in discussion.
"It's not that I'm against taking a vacation and going to revisit old homes, but we are putting a lot of distance between us and Prometheus."
"Will you stop whining about this?" Fabrizio moaned. "You're the one who decided to come."
"Only because I'd rather not lose contact with you guys."
"It's been a year since we last saw him! He clearly isn't leaving Europe."
"That's what worries me. I'm lucky to even know about his rogue status. I need to find him in order to go home.""
"My friend," Fabrizio put his arm around his shoulders. "We're on a journey for America, the land of opportunity and freedom. Can't we just enjoy a week of relaxation and take Jack to his hometown one last time? Then we can make our way back to London and find Prometheus. Let's just take a little bit of time to ourselves and have some fun."
"A businessman, yeah?" a voice called out.
The two turned to find an Irishman leaning against the rails with a smoke in his hand, smiling.
Fabrizio smiled, "Good afternoon, I'm Fabrizio. You are?"
"Tommy Ryan," the man replied, reaching out with his hand. "Got a last name?"
Fabrizio shook his hand and nodded, "De Rossi."
"And you?"
Taylor stared at him for a moment, "Taylor Huston."
"American?"
"Born and raised."
Tommy nodded and as some first-class folk walked right past them with their dogs, "Typical! First-class walking their dogs to take a shite."
Jack heard him as he turned away from his drawings and said, "To make sure we remember where we rank in the grand scheme of things."
Tommy laughed, "As if we could forget?"
Jack, Fabrizio, and Taylor laughed.
"I'm Tommy Ryan," he shook Jack's hand.
"Jack Dawson."
"You American as well."
"Just like him," he nodded towards Taylor.
"Do you make money with your drawings?" Tommy motioned towards his large notepad.
Jack nodded, "Not as much as I would like, but it's far more than just something to make money. It's a passion and I don't wish to turn it into a job."
"Well spoken."
Suddenly, Jack's attention was pulled to the upper deck across from them, his eyes fixated on a young woman who was walking towards the railings and leaning against them, staring out into the horizon.
Tommy, Fabrizio, and Taylor turned to see what he was looking at.
Tommy laughed and turned back to him, "Ah, forget it, boyo. You're more likely to have angels fly out of your arse than you'll ever get to being next to the likes of her."
Jack didn't hear him as he continued to stare directly at the girl. Everything fell away, like as if the ground had opened and there was nothing but the girl in front of him. Time itself had no effect on him.
Taylor continued to look at the girl, feeling something very familiar about her.
The girl felt his stare and turned to him, quickly glancing away, though she looked back a few seconds later. She seemed uncomfortable about the way he was looking at her. But whatever she was feeling quickly vanished the moment a man approached her and took her by the arm, whispering into her ear. Whatever it was, it wasn't friendly, as it made her moan and move away from his grasp, walking away. The man looked frustrated as he followed.
As Jack watched her go, Fabrizio waved his hand in front of his face, making him and the two laugh at how oblivious he was.
In a first-class room, a man began to set up shop, putting up equipment and a series of notes. He checked his watch and began to sort out everything he needed. Taking a briefcase, he set it on the bed and opened it, reaching inside for a device within.
There will not be any present-day/future scenes in this story. Like the summary says, this is an AU story and probably will be short, depending on how big the story will be. Sorry if I'm skipping through scenes and not developing them like the movie did, I just wanted to move past those and focus more on trying to get to the good stuff.
I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far. I already have a lot of the plot figured out, just trying to figure out how the rest of it will go in terms of an 'endgame'.
Please review and express your opinions.
Thank you for reading and I'll see you in Chapter 2!