TITANIC: A STORY TOLD
Chapter Eleven
The view of Titanic from the window of a pub,
several blocks away, towered above the terminal buildings like the skyline of a
city. The steamer's whistle echoed across Southampton.
The smoky inside of the pub was crowded with
dock workers and ship's crew.
Just inside the window, a poker game was in
progress. Four men, in working class clothes, played a very serious hand.
Jack Dawson and Fabrizio de Rossi, both about
20, exchanged a glance as the other two players argued in Swedish. Jack was
American, a lanky drifter with his hair a little long for the standards of the
times. He was also unshaven, and his clothes were rumpled from sleeping in
them. He was an artist, and had adopted the bohemian style of the art scene in
Paris. He was also very self-possessed and sure-footed for twenty, having lived
on his own since fifteen.
The two Swedes continued their sullen
argument, in Swedish.
"You stupid fish head. I can't believe
you bet our tickets."
"You lost our money. I'm just trying to
get it back. Now shut up and take a card."
Jack spoke up jauntily. "Hit me again,
Sven."
Jack took the card and slipped it into his
hand.
His eyes betrayed nothing.
Fabrizio licked his lips nervously as he
refused a card.
The stack in the middle of the table
contained bills and coins from four countries. This had been going on for a
while. Sitting on top of the money were two third class tickets for RMS
Titanic.
The Titanic's whistle blew again. Final
warning.
"The moment of truth, boys. Somebody's
life's about to change."
Fabrizio put his cards down. So did the
Swedes. Jack held his close.
"Let's see...Fabrizio's got niente.
Olaf, you've got squat. Sven, uh oh...two pair...mmm." Jack turned to his
friend. "Sorry, Fabrizio."
"What sorry? What you got? You lose my
money? Ma va fa'n culo testa di cazzo--"
"Sorry, you're not gonna see your mama
again for a long time..."
He slapped a full house down on the table.
Grinning, he continued, "'Cause you're
goin' to America! Full house, boys!"
"Dio mio, grazie!"
The table exploded into shouting in several
languages. Jack raked in the money and the tickets.
Olaf balled up one huge farmer's fist. It
looked like he was going to clobber Jack, but he swung around and punched Sven,
who flopped backward onto the floor and sat there, looking depressed. Olaf
forgot about Jack and Fabrizio, who were dancing around, and went into a rapid
harangue of his stupid cousin.
Jack kissed the tickets, then jumped on
Fabrizio's back and rode him around the pub. It was like they won the lottery.
"Goin' home!"
Fabrizio shouted to the pub keeper.
"Capito? I go to America!"
"No, mate. Titanic go to America. I five
minutes."
"Shit! Come on, Fabri!" Jack
grabbed their stuff. "Come on!" He shouted to everyone in the room,
grinning. "It's been grand."
They ran for the door.