A/N- Okay so thanks for reading and reviewing...readers get cookies and a nice cuppa!!! Any other time I'd offer alcohol but this is keeping to the tradition of the british and what they drank and still drink! (just I don't think nearly as much) so if you review you can have a nice cuppa! You can choose the flavor!!!
XX
Chapter 2
"Bloody hell! How are we supposed to live in here?" Jack Phillips cried as he looked around the tiny operating room.
He glanced into another room which was covered by just a curtain. A bed was stuffed in there with a small space to stick a suitcase or two. He then glanced back at the other Marconi Operator, Harold Bride.
"I suppose we'll just have to make do," he said slowly.
"Harold, we're going to be on this ship for at least a week or so, you honestly think this will be liveable in? By Friday, if not sooner I'm going to have cabin fever!" Jack cried.
Harold shrugged then pushed past Jack into the small room, he put his little suitcase in the corner at the end of the bed and then walked back out.
"What is most important, who is going to work when? We need to figure out a working schedule," he said.
Harold sat down at the little table with all of the equipment, "You have a piece of paper on you?"
Jack searched his pockets and then pulled out a scrap from his pocket.
"Here," he said as he handed the paper to Harold.
Harold pulled a pencil out of his pocket and drew up a plan.
"Right I'll take the eight a.m. to two p.m. shift and the eight p.m. to two a.m. shift. That leaves you with-"
"Two a.m. to eight a.m. and two p.m. to eight p.m.," Jack finished and then paused, "But I don't like that."
"Well, it works, just go with it," Harold replied.
"But I don't want that, why can't you take that? I'm not a night person. I work better during the day," Jack said.
"Jack, the plan works. Now, please, lets just stop arguing," Harold looked at Jack, pleading with his eyes.
The older man let out a sigh, "Fine... you win this one!"
Harold smiled, proud of himself and then he turned to explore for the short while that he wouldn't be working.
XX
That night Harlean stood in her bedroom as she was tied into her corset, her mind raced through the days events. After the ship departed her Uncle gave her a small tour but then he had to leave her on her own because he had to get some work done in the bridge, but he had promised he would pick her up for dinner to escort her. From the bridge Harlean wandered aimlessly, but finally she returned to her room to dress for dinner.
So here she was, being tied into a corset that was becoming tighter by the minute.
Finally Holly stepped away from the girl, "Very pretty miss, now just to get you into your dress," she commented.
Harlean turned around and watched as the girl before her pulled out a long satin black dress with pink little flowers embroidered onto it, all over. The dress had black chiffon sleeves, and some jewel studs were in random places around the bust. Once she had stepped into the gown, placed her arms in the proper holes and Holly had it fastened in the back Harlean walked carefully to her full size mirror.
"You look as pretty as a painting miss," Holly commented.
"Thank you," Harlean replied, a smile caressing her features.
She then put on her long black gloves and before stepping into her shoes her hand went to her hair which was sitting up on top of her head neatly. A ruby and black onyx jewel which was in the shape of a lady bird was placed by the crown of her head. It was rather childish but it had been Harlean's favorite clip since her Uncle had given it to her four years ago.
Just then there was a knock on the door, "That'll be your Uncle," Holly said.
Harlean nodded and followed Holly out of her bedroom, Holly went to the door and opened it, on the other side was indeed the Captain, his hat was under his arm. He walked in and looked at Harlean and smiled.
"Harlean, you look beautiful," he stated with a smile.
"Thank you, Uncle," she said with a smile.
He glanced at his pocket watch, "It's nearly time for dinner so we should be on our way."
Harlean nodded, "Thank you, Holly, I will call for you when I return," she said.
"Very well miss," Holly said with a polite curtsy.
Harlean linked arms with her Uncle and they walked out of the room.
The girl was silent as she looked around the interior of the hall, the pristine white walls, the plush red carpet, beautiful ornate sconces lit up, lining the walls.
"What are you thinking of my dear girl?"
Harlean looked to her the smiling man beside her, "Oh I don't know just everything I suppose? The letter I plan on writing to mother tomorrow, what I should like to do for the few days we are in New York," she bit her lip as she thought and then went on, "How very much I should wish that if I were to ever marry I would hope he was a sea fearing man so that I may be able to go on ships and also should the man that I marry work on a ship I would always have something I could talk about with him," she explained, half guessing as she went along.
"If you should ever marry? Harlean Grace Noel Carpenter, I would expect that being my only niece you should marry. I would like to see you married off and happy before I die," her Uncle replied.
"Well I shall only marry if I love the man Uncle, you must understand my point for saying that. I can only hope that if I do decide to marry I will be with a man who loves me for me and I him," she said simply.
"Well that is all I want for you child, for you to be happy."
Harlean smiled as he then placed a kiss to her temple. A moment later they walked into the dining saloon, people were sitting at tables, and some were still standing, mingling and being seen.
"Ah Edward! Just the man I wanted to see."
Harlean looked at the man who had called her Uncle's name. He was taller than she was, but just a bit shorter than her Uncle. He had slicked back greasy brown hair, and a handlebar mustache. He walked over to them smiled briefly at her Uncle and then his gaze fell on her.
"Ah Edward, such a lovely and enchanting young lady you have on your arm tonight. May I ask who she is?" the man with the handlebar mustache inquired.
"Bruce this is my niece, Harlean. Harlean this is Bruce-"
The man known as Bruce cut the Captain off, "Allow me, I am J. Bruce Ismay, president of the White Star Line, and one of the few people who envisioned Titanic for what you see before you right now. Comfort and grandeur, only the best for the passengers and workers on the ship."
Harlean had pasted a smile to her face, but it was fake. She disliked the man from the minute that he had interrupted her Uncle.
"Well the ship is beautiful sir, I have read about the ships that the White Star Line have come out with in the past, and this one truly is a work of art," Harlean said.
"But of course dear, I can not take all of the credit," and with that Bruce pulled Thomas Andrews into the mix.
"Thomas here was the brains behind this beautiful ship. We down at the offices like to make fun that he knows every rivet in the ship and has a name for all of them, isn't that right Thomas?" Bruce asked.
He blushed slightly, not liking the spot light to be on him. "Indeed, I named them before they were placed into the ship," he said, trying to go along with his boss's idiotic joke.
Harlean laughed politely and smiled at the ship builder, "How very lovely to see you again," she said.
"Ah, Miss Carpenter, it is very lovely to see you again as well. You are looking very lovely," Thomas replied.
She smiled, "Thank you sir."
"You are most very welcome, now if you will excuse me. I am going to go sit down, I noticed something that I must put into my note book before I forget about it."
Thomas bowed slightly and then went over to the table closest to them.
Harlean watched the man for a moment with amusement as he began to scribble some words into a little black notebook.
"Harlean darling let us sit." She turned to see her Uncle pointing to a chair which he then pulled out for the girl.
"Thank you," she replied simply before sitting down.
She glanced around the room and to her utter dismay Bruce Ismay sat on her other side, so she was in between the President of the White Star Line, and her Uncle.
Harlean took a sip of her champagne as she looked around at the arrangement of guest seated at the table.
There was of course Thomas Andrews, her Uncle, Bruce, then there was a woman who she soon learned was the Countess of Rothes, and Colonel Gracie.
"What is this?!" came a cry of aggravation from her left.
Her head turned to see Bruce pointing to a black spot on his plate, on the White Star Line logo.
"It would appear to be a spot Mr. Ismay," she said simply.
"Yes I can see that! But what is it doing on my plate?! On the White Star Line logo?!" he cried.
At this point everyone in the dining hall had their gazes on him.
"You sir! Come here at once," he called at a waiter.
A young man, no more than but a few years older than Harlean came hurrying over, he looked terrified of his employers wrath.
"Y-y-yes sir?"
"Young man there is a spot on my plate! My plate is filthy and what's worse the stain was on the White Star Line logo!" Bruce cried.
Harlean noticed out of the corner of her eye Thomas Andrews stand up. He pocketed his black notebook and approached Bruce and the waiter.
"Bruce, Bruce! Calm down," Thomas said.
"But Thomas look! There is a spot on the White Star Line logo!"
"Bruce...I see the spot, and I know it's White Star Line, you know it's White Star Line, we all know it's white star line! Just step back, take a deep breath, and calm down," Thomas said.
Harlean let out a chuckle as Bruce took on the expression of a wounded puppy.
"I'm so sorry sir about your plate, I will bring out a new one right away," the young waiter said.
He took the plate and rushed away with it.
"Harlean."
She turned her head to face her Uncle.
"Yes?" she asked, still not trying to laugh as she could still hear Bruce who was yelling at anyone who would listen about what had just happened.
"Harlean, do not laugh, just...just please don't. Just...act like nothing is going on and drink your champagne," he answered.
"I'm sorry, Uncle, but it is...funny," she replied in between giggles.
He tried not to smile at his niece, "Yes I know just...please don't. Bruce is already blown a gasket, we do not need him to get upset about you laughing at his hissy fit," he whispered back.
Harlean sobered up at once and calmly took a sip of her champagne.
"Thank you."
"Of course Uncle," she whispered, while glancing at the menu.
A moment later the waiter returned with a pristine plate.
"Here you go Mr. Ismay," he said, fumbling with his words.
Bruce snatched the plate from the young waiter and set it down onto the table.
"Don't let a mistake like that happen again! If it does I will have your job!"
The waiter gulped as the color drained from his face.
"Y-y-yes sir, Sorry sir," he stuttered.
Harlean watched the man as he rushed off, she couldn't help but feel some pity for the young fellow...
XX
A/N- Well Bruce has had his hissy fit, had to put it in there! Thanks to Miss Gina for helping me! The ending wasn't that great but I thought it was getting long!