Catt Dahman
TITANIC QED
Chapter One: Titanic: Boarding Call
The Titanic was a colossal sea creature that breathed dark soot from her four smokestacks as she towered high in the water. Howard, clutching his leather satchel close to his chest, took his first up-close look at the ship and saw her as a leviathan, ravenous and grotesque. Passengers entered her sinister labyrinths to find themselves a part of the mystical, Bacchanalian voyage, or so he thought.
If asked to describe the Titanic, he would use those exact words, and he sighed as he turned his eyes away, shivering.
“You are fretting again, Howard,” Delora said. Her skirts rustled lightly, and she turned her face to the sun, her hat shading her face. The weather was glorious for sailing.
“She is so big. What secrets does she hold?”
“Of course, she is big; that is the point, dear. This is the most fascinating ship on earth, and we are going to be on her maiden voyage. This is exciting, Howard,” Delora said.
She had concerns for her nephew; he was handsome with pleasant features and large, brown eyes, was brilliant of mind, but was always overly anxious.
“And she is a luxurious ship. I understand the furnishings are French and quite opulent,” his other aunt, Annie, added. She patted her hair back into place, straightening her hat, as she made sure she was well turned out for the boarding.
“Once we are upon her, she is in control, Auntie. Is she not a frightening beast? Such power. La belle dame sans merci.”
Annie shook her head, becoming angry at his histrionics, “Stop right now. She is a marvelous ship, and I cannot wait to enjoy every amenity available. You are being petulant and ridiculously morbid,” she told him before pausing to take a deep breath. Howard was prone to these moods, and it was not something he could control. She tried again, “Dear, enjoy this. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance and you, above all, should enjoy something unique.”
Howard took Annie’s elbow as they walked around a family who had stopped to let the little ones have a look at the majestic Titanic. The ship was almost nine hundred feet long, over ninety feet wide and almost three hundred feet tall. Although she was one of the three biggest ships ever built by the White Star Line and was set up as a fine hotel and devoted to luxury, Howard shuddered with a bit of revulsion as he watched her become bigger and closer as they walked in her direction.
It was to this steel giant that they were surrendering themselves.
“Does she not seem… foreboding?”
“Not at all,” Delora said.
“Are we early?” Howard asked.
“We are just on time. All the third class has been loaded, and the second class, and now it’s our turn. Isn’t that tidy? Oh, there is Mr. Astor and his new wife… ummm… provide introductions, Howard, please?” She refused to see anything malignant in her path, but saw the ship and the colorful passengers as one of the greatest adventures of her lifetime.
A grandiloquent trip abroad, full of rich food, lovely fashion, interesting people, and exquisite sights had only been a prerequisite to this voyage. The European tour was only an appetizer, and here was her main course; she was excited.
Howard made the formal introductions for his aunts and himself, and they shared niceties and formalities. He was very excited to meet Mr. Astor as the wealthy businessman had written a book some twenty years earlier about trips to other planets, and Howard enjoyed tales of the stars. Jupiter’s terrible monsters in the book were interesting, but Howard dearly wanted to ask more about Saturn’s dark, quiet spirits that gave travelers to the planet a foresight into their own deaths. How had Mr. Astor imagined such beings, and what were the origins of the spirits?
Having reread the book many times, Howard could not wait for the chance to expound on the possibilities of other, old beings on other planets. He hoped Mr. Astor would explain some finer points of his literature. He wanted to ask how a writer just opened himself up to imagination.
Mrs. Astor was shy and spoke in a soft voice, often looking to her husband for reassurances. “Are you acquainted with many people, dear?”
“More than I care to acknowledge,” Astor said, “and more than I would share a drink with.” He smiled at his new wife.
Madeline Astor adjusted her sleeve as she bit her lip. She did not know what that might mean and did not want to ask him here with others around.
Delora Phillips patted her arm comfortingly, and Maddy Astor thought the other woman looked to be a woman to whom she could ask questions, perhaps.
With John Astor her husband, Maddy had found that many only wished to be acquainted with her to be around them for financial or social reasons, to better themselves. Many of her husband’s colleagues were much older than she was, with grown children older than Maddy.
Besides her maid, there wasn’t a female she knew well enough to talk with. Just thinking about it made her want to cling to John’s arm or fade into the shadows. Who wanted to talk to her when John Astor, handsome and smart, was around?
“Over there… that’s Dorothy Gibson. I have seen her movies. Isn’t she lovely, Maddy?” John Astor asked.
“Oh… why, yes….” Maddy automatically agreed although she did not think the actress was particularly stunning. She blushed, realizing she had thought jealously.
“Your skin is much finer,” Annie told Maddy, “and with a touch of rouge upon your cheeks, you’d positivity glow.”
“I think so as well,” John Astor said. He suddenly noticed Howard’s melancholy. “Do you get ill aboard ships, Sir? Pardon my rudeness, but I noted your dismay. I have been told that a little mint with your tea is very soothing although I have never suffered the affliction.”
Delora laughed lightly, “He’s a little disquieted. He is convinced the ship is some kind of beast, waiting to gulp us down. It’s but anxiety and his nerves.”
Astor and his wife, Madeline, both laughed compassionately although her eyes looked troubled. Maddy whispered, “I’ve a bit of nerves as well though I can’t imagine why. Perhaps… so many people and so many strong voices, and our voices so quiet within our own thoughts… oh, forgive my silliness.”
Astor raised an eyebrow as he patted her, “It’s common with maiden voyages and superstitions, especially of the sea. Everyone fears and is fascinated by the oceans. Mint tea will help.
Maddy giggled a little.
“That is so true,” Howard agreed, “Mrs. Astor, I hope you will feel calm once we are underway and will have a wonderful voyage.”
John Astor smiled but tilted his head conspiratorially, “I heard that JP Morgan himself cancelled at the last moment, and so did several others. Do not let the tales and the much-ado disturb you. It is only last minute trepidations.”
“Exactly as we have said,” Annie said, unruffled. She and Mrs. Astor walked together to the ship.
“After all, it is not as if we are going aboard Callisto,” Howard slipped in slyly.
John Astor laughed heartily, “I see you have read my little story? Did you enjoy the adventure?”
“I found your ideas of faith and technology much more significant, Sir. It is a brilliant commentary upon the nature of the unknown and was a wonderful story.”
“Then we shall plan an evening of cigars, brandy, and intellectual debate, yes? I should like it if you joined me for that.”
Howard said he would be honored. He had never imagined the wealthy gentleman would be quite so gracious.
“Welcome aboard the RMS Titanic, ladies and gentlemen. I am Captain Edward Smith at your service.” The captain stood poker stiff in his uniform; his hat sat firmly upon his head with gold braiding and metal shining brightly on his it, and epaulets on his shoulder boards. His grey hair, beard, and moustache were neatly trimmed, and his blue eyes twinkled with excitement and pleasure as he greeted each guest with a handclasp.