Chapter 2 - Sea legs

The sunrise was even more beautiful than May had expected. She had never really seen one before, living in a city with very tall buildings and all. She had found it very hard to get to sleep, with the steamer always in constant movement. So she ended up reading one her books she had brought along, for most of the night, after finding a gas lamp.

Not long after sunset, the sounds of men talking loudly to one another, and heavy footsteps on the deck could be heard from her cabin. So she decided she should probably get up and try to find something to eat.

May put on a white dress that reached just below her knee, and her old grey jacket. She took out her brush and got all of the knots out before deciding that she looked decent enough to leave her room.

She grabbed one of her camera cases and exited that cabin, making her way clumsily to the end of hallway. 'I'm going to need to get use to the movement of this ship,' She told herself, right before falling flat on her butt.

"Ow," She whined quietly, before noticing a hand stretched out in front of her.

May looked up to see a friendly looking man, his skin was very dark and by the way he was dressed she could tell that he was one of the men working on the ship.

She grabbed his hand, and he helped her up off the ground, "Do not worry, you will get use to it after awhile," He gave her a small grin, he seemed quite friendly.

"Thank you," She said shyly, "Um, you wouldn't happen to know where the galley is would you?"

"Yes, of course, follow me," The man exclaimed, "Try not to hurt yourself," He chuckled as he walk down the long hallway.

Finally he stopped in front of a door, "I must get back to the captain," He said kindly, nodding his head in goodbye.

"Thank you Mr...um," She said nervously.

"Hayes," He smiled brightly, "And yours?"

"May Beaulieu," May offered kindly, "Thank you very much."

"No problem, please enjoy your breakfast," He said once more before walking back down the hall.

May took a deep breath before opening the door.

"May! I've been looking for you!"

'Kill me now.'

Carl was sitting at a small table with Preston, his personal assistant and Mike, the sound recorder, she had met him a couple times before. At another table was Thomas, sipping a cup of coffee, and reading over some of the completed script. Sitting beside him was Herb, an older man who was very sweet, he was the cameraman.

"Good morning dear," Herb welcomed, smiling kindly to her.

"Same to you Herb," May returned gently, "I was in my cabin, any idea where I could get some breakfast?"

"Of course!" Carl stated, pointing to a slightly strange looking man who was wearing a dirty apron, one of his eyes was slightly squinted. He stood over a a big pot of bubbling goo, and suddenly, she wasn't so hungry anymore.

"Porridge aux walnuts?" The strange man offered, with a wide grin on his face.

May looked back to Carl with a slightly disturbed look, "Um, so... where are the stars of your film?"

Carl opened his mouth to say something, but stopped when he heard the door open, "Speak of the devil! Ann come on in! Let me introduce you to the crew! This is Herb, our cameraman."

Ann reached out and shook Herbs hand lightly, "Delighted to meet you ma'am, and may I say what a lovely dress!" Herb complimented.

"Oh! This old thing? I just threw it on," She chuckled nervously.

"Isn't that one of Maureen's costumes?" Preston asked Carl, with a confused expression.

"What does a girl have to do round here to get some breakfast?" Ann asked, changing the subject quickly.

Lumpy looked over to her this time, "Fancy some of me... Porridge aux walnuts?"

Ann, looking just as scared as May did, looked up to see her chuckling quietly, "I'm May, the photographer." She introduced, and that's Thomas, he also helps with photography," She pointed to him and he smiled kindly to Ann.

"Ah, well it's nice to know there's another woman on this ship," Ann exclaimed, "Although you don't look quite old enough to be a photographer."

"She's only eighteen! Started when she was just a little girl! More experienced than any old geezer in New York," Carl said dramatically.

"Now, now, don't go acting like you know my whole life story," May growled.

"And I don't believe you've met-" Carl began, looking down to Mike, but Ann interrupted him.

"That's alright Mr. Dehnam, I know who this is..." Ann was staring wide-eyed at Mike.

May gave Carl a strange look, since when did Ann know Mike? Sure he worked in movies, but sound recorders usually weren't very well known.

"It's wonderful to finally meet you. It's an honor to be a part of this," Ann exclaimed nervously.

"Gee thanks," Mike blushed; May was trying hard to keep back a very un-ladylike snort.

"Actually, I'm quite familiar with your work." Ann gushed.

"Really?" Mike said, almost in disbelief.

"Yes, what I most admire is the way you capture the voice of common people." She continued on in awe.

"Well, that's my job," He explained, still not exactly following. Meanwhile Jack had entered the room, a book in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other.

"I'm sure you've heard this before Mr. Driscoll, if you don't mind me saying, but you don't look at all like your photograph." She explained. Jack looked alarmed, taking in what exactly was happening around him.

'Carl had never said she had vision problems.'

"Wait a minute Ann!" Carl interrupted suddenly.

"He's so much younger in person," She whispered to Dehnam, "And much better looking."

Jack sighed and began to walk over to the table, while May was trying hold back her fits of laughter.

"Ann... Ann! Stop right there-" Carl tried again.

"I was afraid you might be one of those self obsessed literary types. You know the tweedy twerp with his nose in a book and his head up his -"

Jack snapped his book shut, echoing through that now silent room. Ann turned slowly, her face dropping, and a look of mortification apparent.

"It's nice to meet you too Ms. Darrow..." Jack smiled as politely as possible.

May couldn't hold it in any longer; she let out a loud echoing laugh, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. Carl glared evilly at her, while the others just stared at her like she was crazy. Deciding she not longer wanted to be in the room; she put a comforting hand on Ann's shoulder and walked out of the room.

'I'll let them deal with it themselves.'

"We're shooting in thirty, May!" Carl called out before the door swung close.

After returning to her room to retrieve her camera case, May went up to deck to prepare for the filming of the first scene. Carl explained what kind of shots he wanted and they began.

The scene was between Ann, and Bruce Baxter, some 'big time actor', although all she knew was that he was self-absorbed, and a bit of an ass.

She took photos from different angles, sure to stay out of the film's camera.

"Okay, let's take a 20 minutes break!" Carl called out after about an hour of shooting various scenes.

May laid her camera down on a large crate and sat down, enjoying the cool breeze. Jack took a seat beside her, proof-reading one of his scripts.

"How's the script writing going?" May asked, attempting at conversation.

"Fine," He muttered.

May sighed, "Don't be angry at Ann, she means well. She's a big fan of your work you know."

Jack looked up, only to see Ann staring at him across the set, she looked away quickly.

"I know, I know, I'm not angry." He assured her.

"Good," May laughed, hopping up from the crate, "Gotta' go find my other lens, I'll seeya later."

She hopped up and walked happily in the warm sun towards the other side of the deck.

When May approached the door to below deck, she noticed two of the ships crew blocking the door. They seemed to be fighting over a carton of cigarettes.

"Okay May, just take a deep breath and say 'excuse me', it's not like they're going to punch you in the face."

They were both grabbing an end of the cigarette carton, using their strength to win it over.

"Excuse m..." But May was cut off when one of the men suddenly lost hold of the carton, his elbow flying backwards and hitting May straight in the face.

She swore she actually saw stars for a moment.

"Oye! Look what you made me do!"

"It was your fault you moron!"

Then, well, everything went black.