The tires squealed and for such a tiny car, it certainly made quite a bit of noise. People and animals like leapt to the sidewalk and wondered if the driver was deranged. He certainly seemed to be, but if you asked him there was only one force in the world which was more crazy, more insanely frightening and dangerous. His boss. And she was sitting in the backseat with his associate.
The driver hit the brakes as hard as he could, narrowly avoiding overshooting and driving off the harbor into the water. He was able to save them from a sudden swim, but flew forward into the steering wheel, nearly breaking his nose in the process.
"Jasper! What the devil are you doing? I told you to drive us to the ship, not kill us!"
The driver cringed at the sound of the female voice screeching from the backseat. "Sorry about that ma'am!" he called back. "We've arrived."
"So I see," she snarled. "Horace, open the door. My legs are cramping and poor Tiger needs a breath of fresh air."
A second later, the backseat door burst open and the associate fell out onto the ground. Unlike Jasper, who was tall and lean, Horace was short and stout and it was for that reason that the boss kept him backseat with her when they traveled. A second after he hit the ground, a high heeled shoe came out and ground itself into his back as he gave a gasp of pain. Shortly after, the shoe was followed by the rest of their boss as she stepped down to the ground from her favorite footstep.
Cruella D'Ville swept her black and white-streaked hair from her eyes and surveyed the scene with distasteful joy. "Look at this tub. Stuff to the brim with wealthy idiots just desperate to try out the 'Ship of Dreams'. Titanic, huh?" She turned to her assistants. "There's gonna be plenty her to keep us busy boys. Shake a leg, get the luggage." She laughed evilly and turned to board the ship. "Tiger! Come on baby, Mommy's got a job to do!"
A pathetic black Chihuahua crawled out from under the driver's seat where it had taken refuge during the perilous trip, partly for safety and partly because there wasn't room for it anywhere else. It stumbled out, disoriented and blinking rapidly in the sunlight. After several breaths however it seemed to recover and its confused expression melted into one of arrogance, surprisingly like the one its mistress often wore. Perhaps it was Cruella who grew to look like her dog or perhaps having a dog that looked like her appealed to her narcissistic side. How it got the name "Tiger" was anyone's guess. Jasper and Horace secretly thought that Cruella actually had set out to purchase a cat but couldn't find one to suit her strange tastes, forcing her to settle for the pedigree pooch.
Jasper struggled with the driver's door before deciding that it just was not going to open. Perhaps the latch broke when he crashed during their last getaway. With a sigh, he rolled down the window and slipped outside. He glanced down at Horace, who was able to sit up and now testing to see how well his knees worked.
"Why do you put up with her?" Jasper asked curiously.
"Why do you?" Horace retorted, able to get up at least without falling.
"I don't know," sighed Jasper as the pair took the luggage and stumbled to the ship.
"Well me neither," said Horace, hobbling after his associate.
If you were to ask the longest-employed sailor to work at the docks, he would tell you that never before had things been so busy. Dogs barked, children shrieked with laughter, and sailors shouted orders to one another. Passengers boarded, searched for friends and family, and tried to locate their luggage.
There was a crowd of people on the stairs to enter the Titanic and among them were the Tremaines, in a worse mood than usual because of the wait.
"Mummy, I want to go in now!" cried Hortense. "We've been waiting for hours."
"Waiting for hours!" Bernice whined in agreement. For whatever reason, it seemed that neither of the girls ever had original thoughts at the same time. Almost always, it was one who stated the original thought and the other who repeated it. Perhaps it proved the theory that simple minds think alike.
"Hush now my pets," said Lady Tremaine. She was far too well-bred to whine like her daughters, but she too was displeased with the crowd. She decided to let her let out her anger at the closest and most opportune target. "Anastasia! Careful with the luggage now! And where's Azreal?"
Poor Anastasia had her arms full with the luggage and with all of the other cats running amok, finding one specific cat would be nearly impossible, even if it were an orange, striped, and exceptionally fat one.
Fortunately, Azreal had grown to develop tastes quite similar to his owners and found tormenting Anastasia to be just as much fun as they did. From his nearby hiding place, he darted out brushed past her ankles.
"Azreal! Stop that!' cried Anastasia.
"Anastasia, it's time!" called Lady Tremaine as the crowd began to move forward. "Bring the luggage and Azreal now!"
"Yes, I'm com - ah!"
As Anastasia tried to step forward, she stumbled over Azreal. As she tried to regain her balance, she fell sideways into a young blonde man. Her grip on the luggage was lost and it all fell to the ground.
"Idiot girl!" shouted Lady Tremaine as Hortense and Berniece shrieked with laughter. Azreal cackled as well and darted up the stairs, past his mistresses and onto the ship.
"I'm sorry," whispered Anastasia and quickly began gathering the luggage. Hortense's bag, Bernice's, Lady Tremaine's, her's…
"I'm sorry, does this belong to you?"
Anastasia looked up, surprised by the voice. Standing next to her was the young man she fell into. In his hand was the box she kept her locket in. She found herself blushing with embarrassment. "Oh yes…I mean, I'm very sorry I fell into you like that."
The young man chuckled. "Think nothing of it," he said kindly. "It's hardly the first time someone's bumped into me in a crowd like this, though I've never been bumped by such a charming lady before."
She was blushing again, but suspected that it was for a different reason. "I'm no lady," she said quickly "I'm just...me". She shoved the box into her bag and stood up so suddenly that she nearly dropped all the luggage again. What was wrong with her? "Thank you for returning my box. I must board now."
"Oh dear, your family seems to have already boarded," murmured the man, looking genuinely concerned. "Will you be able to find them again?"
"No. I mean yes. I mean, we're not…never mind," said Anastasia quickly. "Goodbye!" And with that, she ran onto the Titanic as quickly as she could while carrying all of the luggage.
The young man stared curiously after her - such a strange girl - but was dragged from his thoughts at the sound of a girl calling out. "Ernest! Get down from there!" she cried. The man could see the girl was about seven. Her brother Ernest, no older than four or five, was busily climbing onto the handrail of the stairs and ignoring his sister.
"Here now, there's enough of that," said the man, pulling Ernest off.
"Thank you sir!" said the girl. "The little nitwit never listens."
"It's quite alright," said the man with a smile. "You're traveling on the Titanic as well?"
"Mhm!" said the girl looking pleased. "Mummy and Daddy left for America years ago. Now they've saved enough for us and Granny to come also!"
"Catherine!" An elderly woman's voice cut through the sounds of the crowd.
"Ah, that's Granny," said the girl. "Come now Ernest!"
The man smiled as he watched Catherine lead Ernest away, before he remembered that he too had to board. He scanned the crowd carefully before finding his companion. Though she was only in her forties, a hard life had left her with graying hair and a lined face. He saw that she was carrying all of the luggage and he ran to help her.
"Nanny, I told you I would get this," he scolded gently.
"That's quite alright Master William," she said. "I'm perfectly capable."
"As am I." He managed to take the luggage from her and smiled. "Remember, you're on vacation like the rest of us."
There was never a moment in his life when William could recall being without Nanny. She had raised him since infancy. Now he was too old for a nanny but never sent her away. He knew that she was alone in the world. She had always been there to care for him. Now he cared for her.
"We'd better board soon," Will muttered, noting the crowded stairway to the ship.
"Where is that secretary of yours?" Nanny asked. "I haven't seen him around. He is coming, isn't he?"
"Yes of course," sighed William. Gaston was quite capable as an assistant - when he was around. The man was quite hedonistic however and thought nothing of wandering off to pursue some newfound pleasure. "He was with me when we got here," Will added, glancing through the crowd. "Now where would he…"
"Ah, Master William!" came a heavy French accent unexpectedly from behind.
Will jumped. "There you are Gaston," he said, waiting for his heart to stop pounding. "Where the blazes were you? It's time to board!"
"I waz never far sir," said Gaston. "Ah could zee you every minute. Like when zat beautiful young lady fell right into your arms. Romantic, no?"
"She tripped and fell against me," sighed William. "It was an accident."
"It looked like destiny to me," Gaston replied with a shrug. "But now, we must board you zay?"
"Yes. Take some luggage."
"Ah, but of course."Gaston took the two lightest bags there were and followed his master and Nanny to the ship. He had not gone two steps before a glint caught his eye.
"Is everything alright back there Gaston?" called William, noticing his secretary standing up awkwardly.
"Ah, oui, oui, yes of course," he quickly called. He shoved his newest find into his pocket. What a prize! He would think about what to do with it when they had boarded.
It was a lacquered locket, with blue gems and a fine gold chain.
As the humans boarded the Titanic, a second group of passengers were climbing on as well. They had not bought tickets and they took up relatively little room. They needed no formal lodgings and had no class systems.
They were the animals.
"Fivel, shake a leg already," Mr. Mouskewitz called over his shoulder. His son was trailing a good half an inch (to a mouse, an inch would be look a foot), his sack of possessions weighing him down.
"Heinrich, why you let him bring all of his toys is a complete puzzle to me," Mrs. Mouskewitz complained as the hurried along.
"Quit kvetchin' Gretchen. He promised to carry them himself," her husband replied gruffly.
The three mice knew of course where their entrance to the Titanic was. No one expected them to sneak in the human way like thieves. Instead, a secret passage was constructed which led directly to the bottom of the ship, where the cargo was held and they would stay for the entire journey.
"What on earth do you have in there boy?" Mr. Mouskewitz asked irritably as they finally reached the entrance.
"Things that might be useful to me on the journey," Fivel panted. At last, he too made it in.
The Mouskewitz family was hardly the only animals boarding. Shortly after, they were followed by three geese in bonnets, who chattered wildly.
"Come now, hurry along," called the black Scotty dog who was overseeing all animals boarding. "There are others waiting to get on."
"Oh yes of course," said one of the geese. "I was just saying to Abigail the other day…"
"No you weren't dear," said Abigail. "It was Amelia who told you…"
"Quite right," agreed Amelia."Just board," growled the Scotty and the geese moved along, followed shortly after by a squirrel, a traveling salesman sewer rat from Paris, and a large squirrel.
A black and white magpie flew down almost noiselessly behind the squirrel. Just before passing him, the magpie noticed a gleaming hatpin in the squirrel's hat. Carefully, the magpie leaned forward and pulled the hatpin out without making a sound. All worked perfectly until the squirrel thought to feel his hat before boarding.
"Give it back!" he told the magpie.
"I don't know what you're talking about," said the magpie innocently.
"Listen pal, I just want to get back to the Appalachians peaceably. That doesn't include getting' robbed. Now give it back or - "
"Or what furball?" asked the magpie. It was a peculiar viewpoint of his, once he had stolen something he saw it has his own property.
"Come now, break it up!" barked the Scotty. "You there, magpie. What is your name?"
"Hector."
"Well Hector, give back whatever you took."
"I won't," said Hector stubbornly. "It's mine!"
"Forget it," snapped the squirrel impatiently. With a glare at Hector, he bounded past and into the ship.
Hector tried to follow but was blocked by the Scotty. "Listen here," said the dog severely. "My name is Fritz and I am in charge of the animals on this ship. Therefore, I must insist that you curb your sticky beak. Break the habit if only for this voyage."
"No problem," said Hector. "Can I get on now?"
"I believe you're all that's left," said Fritz with a nod. "The Spaniel, Dalmatians, Chihuahua, and cat are all on board. No, after you there's just one left."
"Yeah? Who's that?" asked Hector curiously.
"The Rapido Raton Band," replied Fritz. "I believe that's them now."
"So I see," said Hector, taking in the three mice approaching. They were obviously in show business, with guitars strapped on their shoulders and large sombreros almost completely obscuring their faces. The fattest one carried a set of drums under his arm.
"Hola señor. This ees the Titanic, yes?" asked the leader.
"It is," said Fritz. "And you are the band I presume?"
"Oh si señor," the mouse replied. "I am Gonzales, with my cousin Rodriguez and Pedro. We were just on tour and now cannot wait to get home to Me-hi-co."
"Well all aboard then," said Fritz. "The ship will be setting sail any minute, whether we're on or not. Best hurry."
And with that, he turned and trotted inside the ship. With cries of "¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!" the mouse band followed after leaving Hector to bring up the rear.
"Hold it! Hold it please!"
The shout took the Captain by surprise, however he signaled for the sailor to reopen the door. It seems that someone was a bit late. Perhaps they overslept.
The door swung in causing the man behind it to nearly fall over. Apparently he came at the door at a run with the intent of ramming the closed door with his shoulder and the door was opened just before the anticipated collision.
"Ticket?" asked the Captain, trying his hardest not to laugh.
"Ah, yes," said the man, rooting through his pockets. "Here it is."
"You just made it I see," the Captain commented mildly as he inspected the ticket. That was in order at least.
"Ah now that was a part of my plan," said the man cunningly. "You see, I'm no ordinary passenger. Detective Sam Bradbury to my friends, a threat to my enemies, you can call me Sam." And he pulled out a large pipe, not unlike the one smoked by Sherlock Holmes, and began to puff away.
"I see," said the Captain, hoping his confusion wasn't showing too much on his face. "And you are here because?"
Sam glanced around the room and leaned towards the Captain, dropping his voice. "Sir," he whispered dramatically, "I have reason to believe that there is a notorious ring of jewel thieves hidden away on this ship!"
The Captain gasped. "Who? I must warn the passengers!"
"Oh no sir," Sam insisted. "You see, I've been tailing them for years. This very well be my best chance to trap 'em. They're stuck, you see? They can't exactly run away on a ship in the middle of the ocean. Even if they do strike, the suspects are limited and with my superior detective skills, I will certainly catch them and have them in jail the instant we set foot in America!"
The Captain tried not to cough from the vast amount of thick, smelly smoke gushing from Sam's pipe. He wondered if it was part of the detective's disguise, surrounding himself with a cloud of noxious fumes. He also wondered if he could fan the smoke from his face without offending Sam. "Shall…shall I show you to your quarters then?" he asked the detective, chocking back the coughs.
"Ready the starboard!"
"Set out slowly now!"
"We're off lads!"
Ropes were untied and gangplanks were removed. Coal was shoveled into the furnaces.
The passengers gathered on the deck to wave and shout their goodbyes. At the docks, friends, family, and sightseers called out and waved. Cheers were cried. There was laughing and crying. All watched in amazement as the magnificent ship finally set sail on her maiden voyage.