As they stood on the pier, Niles stared at the Siren Cruise ship in awe. It wasn't merely large, it was gigantic. It was, in fact, the biggest boat he'd ever seen. The entire population of Puget Sound could have easily fit inside and he couldn't help but wonder how such a monstrosity could possibly stay afloat. It was even bigger than the Titanic!
Immediately he regretted the thought, shuddering as he recalled all of the PBS programs about the Titanic that he'd seen in his lifetime. He wondered if such a disaster could happen today. Certainly the ships were safer in the 20th century; there was no doubt in his mind. But one could never be too careful.
Every day on the news or in the newspapers, there were stories of tragedies on land and sea. There was no escaping it. But he could make his own escape. Frasier and his father were engrossed in conversation, and from where Niles stood he could see his brother's car in the adjacent parking lot, plain as day. Perhaps if he just quietly walked away, no one would notice. He took a few steps backward and when he was certain that no one was looking he turned and-
"NILES! Are you coming? The ship certainly isn't going to come to us!"
His brother's harsh tone stopped Niles in his tracks, foiling his plan at once and he looked up in annoyance. It was bad enough that he didn't want to be here in the first place, but did they have to treat him like a child? He was a grown man and he certainly-
"Come on, Niles! Now!" His father ordered.
With a reluctant sigh, Niles picked up his luggage and followed his father and brother down the excessively long pier. And once they arrived, they were forced to stand in a line appeared as though it stretched all the way to Spokane. Had these people no shame?
And to make matters worse, the people in line behind him were obviously s delusional or at least overly-medicated, given the way their cackling laughs were grating on Niles' nerves.
Dear God, must he endure this torture for an entire week?
As soon as he sat foot on the ship, he was going directly to his stateroom and staying there for the duration of the voyage. With any luck he'd at least be able to get some peace and quiet. He'd brought enough books to fill a library and-
"Your ticket, sir?"
"What?"
"Your ticket. For the cruise, Sir." The crew member said.
He looked up, suddenly aware that they were now at the front of the line and that nearly an hour had passed. He reached into his shoulder back and unzipped the front pocket, producing the slim blue envelope, which he handed to the crew man. The man smiled and marked Niles ticket before returning it to him.
"Thank you." Niles said with a mock smile. Eager to get inside, he pushed his way toward the entrance but the task was daunting. Scores of passengers around him were also eager, pushing and shoving. The actions reminded him of the insanity of the day after Thanksgiving where shoppers rose at 3am for the so called bargain of a lifetime. Why anyone would feel the need to shop so early was beyond him. But then again that's what personal shoppers were for.
It was nowhere near Christmas but he really should go to his favorite men's store and inquire about-
"NILES! Come on, let's go!" Martin shouted. "The buffet line is calling our names! Oh, I wonder if they have one of those chocolate fountains!"
With an even bigger sigh, Niles followed Frasier and Martin though the enormous ship, passing through what felt like an entire city before they even came to the state room wings.
Perhaps he had been a bit hasty in worrying about a re-creation of the Titanic disaster during this voyage. For he was certain that he was about to endure something much worse.