Jack and Jill: The Voyage

BERSI

Copyright © 2014 Robert M. Bersi.

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ISBN: 978-1-312-26164-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-1617-5 (e)

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Rev. date: 08/28/2014

Contents

PROLOGUE

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

EPILOGUE

We are all pilgrims…

PROLOGUE

J ack Stark, a Fellow at the prestigious Hoover Institute at Stanford University has a chance encounter with beautiful, wealthy Jillian Spencer Tang, an Oxford trained anthropologist. In Jack and Jill, their peppery, unconventional relationship evolves into a thrilling international escapade to determine the fate of Jillian’s missing father, Sir Royale Spencer. While in San Francisco recuperating from their harrowing adventure they are offered an opportunity to sail with a handful of privileged passengers on a newly commissioned premier cargo vessel bound for Hawaii, the Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, and other South China Sea ports of call. Their benefactors reluctantly request only one small favor: that Jack keep an eye on their grandniece, a capricious young heiress and her university professor who have eloped and are booked on the same cruise. Apparently her older lover has a history of failed marriages, some under suspicious circumstances. It is October 21, 1971.

ONE

W ow… that is really one pissed off woman." Jack leaned over the Main Deck rail of the towering merchant ship President Van Buren to get a better look at the altercation taking place near the boarding gangway on the dock below.

Careful, darling, curiosity drowned the cat. Jillian grasped Jack’s belt with her free hand. It’s a long plunge to the water; don’t expect me to hang on if you go over.

What’s that she’s shouting? Jack hooked his foot on the lowest rung of the rail and raised himself to better follow the action below.

It’s French dear, and it’s not very complementary. Now, stop being such a nosy neighbor and get down from there!

They’re loading the guy’s luggage back into the limo, and she’s marching up the gangway. He dropped back to the deck as the woman, trailing a red feather bolo, stormed on board. She paused to look back disapprovingly at the steward struggling with her luggage.

Why don’t you give the poor man a hand, Jillian teased. You might make a new friend.

She’s not my type.

There are only nine passengers, dear; we’ve got to meet sooner or later. Go on, now, do what you do best.

Jack stepped forward and helped the hapless seaman lift a large steamer trunk onto a waiting baggage dolly. Turning, he extended his hand to the woman. Welcome aboard, mademoiselle.

It is madam, she responded, ignoring his hand and tossing the bolo over her shoulder instead. But such is of no consequence. You are of the ship?

No, we are passengers. Jack nodded towards Jillian who smiled but kept her distance. Jack and Jillian Stark.

The woman’s demeanor softened. She drew herself up, elevating her chin and smiling. I am Simone Lamolier. You must forgive my untidy arrival.

Not at all, Jillian stepped forward. Jack, surely you recognize Madam Lamolier, the famous film actress.

Jack stood speechless as the two women engaged in an animated exchange of courtesies in French before finally parting with smiles and kisses.

What just happened? Jack asked as Madam Lamolier followed the seaman across the deck and disappeared into a passageway.

We made our first acquaintance of the cruise. Jillian straightened Jack’s collar. She’s quite the celebrity in Europe and British Hong Kong, of course. My mother adores her films. I’m not surprised that you drew a blank; she’s never co-starred with John Wayne.

Jack shrugged off Jillian’s barb. You want to circle the main deck with me?

You go ahead, darling, Jillian answered. I’ll hang here in case Nell’s grandniece comes aboard with her latest infatuation. Don’t rush. I know this boat must be the biggest toy ever for you.

It’s not a boat, Jillie, it’s a ship.

Thank you Jack; I wouldn’t want to insult the crew. Go… go explore. I’ll be right here.

The President Van Buren had been out of the yard for less than three months, and she was at the head of her class in every way. A 17,000-ton marvel of modern technology, she boasted the latest in navigational gear, a full stabilizer system, forward sand aft thrusters, as well as a fully automated engine room. A crew of less than forty seaman and officers managed the entire operation.

As he circumnavigated the six hundred foot length of the ship, he craned his neck to gain a view of the upper level known as the ‘house’. The bridge from which the Captain commanded his ship appeared to be unoccupied. The lower deck was a frenzy of activity as the time for departure approached. Fuel was still being pumped; food, potable water and a host of other necessities were being hoisted aboard. He finally rounded the bow to the dockside mooring and spotted Jillian leaning against the gangway rail engaged in conversation with a young man wearing khaki pants, matching short-sleeve shirt, and a long billed baseball cap. They were both holding what appeared to be mugs of coffee. As he drew closer, Jillian waved.

Here he is now. Jack, come say hello.

Welcome aboard, sir. The young man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties thrust out his hand. Second Engineering Officer Ted Bayer.

Ted’s going to give me a tour of the engine room during the crossing.

Well ma’am that depends on the watch I draw and, truth be told, the engine crew doesn’t favor it much, but I’ll try.

Jack smiled at Jillian. Maybe when Diana gets settled the two of you girls could persuade Mr. Bayer. I know how much you love giant engines, dear.

Diana, Bayer asked with obvious interest, is she the pretty blonde girl who just boarded with her father as I was walking over, ma’am?

That’s the one, Ted. Jillian took Jack’s arm. I’ll take that walk with you now, darling. Our engineering officer has more important things to tend to. She handed over the empty coffee mug to Bayer and smiled. See you at dinner, Ted.

They walked silently toward the fantail of the ship and paused to look out over the harbor. So you saw our runaway couple… what’s your take on them?

Well, he’s an overbearing, pompous ass… had a full case of reserve scotch whiskey with his luggage.

Jack shrugged. So he’s a boozer. What about her…Was she cute?

I guess… in a bubble-headed baby-doll blonde sort of way. Nell has a right to be concerned.

Well, Jack said, that young officer seemed to like what he saw.

Now darling, the 2nd Engineer is only a boy himself. You can’t blame him for being attracted.

Jack gave Jillian an accusing glance. You didn’t bother to correct young Bayer about her relationship, did you? He shook his head. I know you, Jillie, you’re up to something.

Just the germ of an idea, dear. She leaned into him and took his arm.

A commotion behind them caught their attention and they turned to see a man in a wheelchair being pushed and pulled up the gangway and onto the deck by two uniformed attendants. A woman dressed in a bulky grey tweed jacket and mid-calf skirt followed shouting cautions and directions. An attractive, well- dressed couple had paused midway up the gangway and stood anxiously watching.

Bit of a cliffhanger, wouldn’t you say? The young woman, wearing a pleated navy skirt, double breasted blazer, and navy and white spectator heels, stepped off the gangway onto the deck. Her male companion was dressed in white suede bucks, white slacks, and a brass-buttoned blue blazer and open collar shirt. The wheelchair and company had disappeared into the main passageway.

What would you have done, Jack asked, if they had lost control of that chair?

Jumped! the pair shouted in unison. Jillian held a white cork life preserver aloft as the four broke into laughter and exchanged introductions. Kate and Jason Ballenger explained that they were finally off on the quiet honeymoon they’d pledged to one another three years earlier. Kate, an effervescent red-head in her mid-thirties struck an immediate chord of friendship with Jillian, and the two went striding off together chatting and laughing like re-united sorority sisters.

I guess we’re left stuck with one another, old boy. Ballinger, who appeared to be in his forties, followed the girls with his eyes. There’s not much to do on these freighters. Do you play cards?

I hate bridge. Gin rummy or five card stud is more my speed.

Damn, Ballenger slapped Jack on the back, We’re going to be great shipmates.

- - - - -

The Chief Steward handed Jack the keys to stateroom 1A and politely declined Jack’s offer of a gratuity. At the end of the cruise, sir; I’ll have earned it by then. He spoke with a slight Irish brogue.

Different customs aboard a merchant vessel, then. Jack observed as he pushed the last of Jillian’ luggage into the suite.

In every way, sir. We’re a working ship as you can see, and things are a lot more informal. I’m a baker most of the time, unless, of course, there’s an unforeseen need for more hands on deck. In any case, you’ll not be seeing much of me. Passengers aboard a merchant ship do well by doing for themselves and avoiding contact with the crew The steward smiled. But then, of course, that’s why you’re aboard sir, isn’t it… privacy and relaxation? He moved into the passageway. You’ve checked in with the Purser, sir, and you’ll be dining in the officers’ salon at 18:00, that’s…

Six o’clock. Jack completed the sentence with a smile and a handshake. Will the Captain be joining us?

First night out, sir, you can never be certain which officers will show, or when. It all depends on conditions at sea.

Jack entered the stateroom to find Jillian already filling clothes lockers with her items.

Did you check out the room?

Oh yes, I love it. She continued to unpack. The bathroom is a bit cramped, but everything else is great. Take a look at that cute balcony, Jack!

I’m looking at the twin beds.

Jillian paused and placed her hands on her hips. Forget the twin beds; we can make that work. She grasped his shirt sleeve and pulled him onto the small railed balcony. This is going to be such a great vantage point. Sit for a moment.

Jack grasped the chair but it was tethered to the deck, as was a small round table and second chair. He slid onto his seat from the side.

I noticed that as well, Jillian settled in and angled her long legs away from the table.

You never sailed an ocean before, have you babe?

Jillian shrugged. No, who takes the time these days? I always flew. That’s why this is so exciting.

Indeed. Jack nodded and gazed out at the harbor.

You’ve sailed the Pacific, haven’t you Jack?

Yes, twice.

What was it like?

Sixty re-con Marines crammed for twenty-one days in a smelly forward compartment of a ship half this size… and when you got where you were going there were people waiting to kill you.

You were seventeen years old, right?

Yeah.

Someday you’ll tell me the whole story.

I just did.

Well, Jack, this trip is going to be different… starting right now. She rose from the chair and pulled him back inside the stateroom.

Later that afternoon they sat on a bench bolted to the forward bulkhead of the upper ‘house’. This is a great spot, Jack. We can see everything that’s going on.

And we’re out of the way and out of sight; that’s the most important thing. Just look at what’s happening below. Jack pointed at the furious activity which marked their eminent departure. Crewman were scurrying in every direction; outboard cranes were raising the last of loaded pallets to the main deck; fuel lines had been disconnected and stored. It looks chaotic but it’s all choreographed. Look, they’re hoisting up the gangway… that means the pilot’s aboard.

The pilot?

Jack leaned out and pointed back and up to the bridge. He’s probably in there now with the captain. All ships depart and enter a port under the command of a local ‘pilot’ responsible for navigating a crowded, often unfamiliar harbor. The captain takes over when we clear the port and head out to sea. Jack stood. Here, I brought our windbreakers and caps. We’ll watch the entire show from here. Jillian slipped on her jacket, turned the collar up, and scrunched close to Jack. Loudspeakers crackled: Cast off forward. Cast off aft. Whistles sounded. The ship shuddered as the massive propeller turned slowly and a forward thruster blasted a stream which pushed the bow slowly away from the dock. As the huge vessel moved into the harbor lanes, a powerful tugboat churned abreast providing a secure escort as they moved through the crowded waters towards the bay.

My gosh, Jack, this is exciting! All the sounds and smells… it’s so different, so other world. She gripped his arm with both hands. Are we even supposed to be up here? Where are the others?

Don’t worry about it, babe. We’ve got the best seat in the house and everyone who matters is too busy to care. Look, there’s the Golden Gate Bridge. We’re on our way to the open sea.

It just lit up! We’re passing right under… oh my god!

Look back, Jillie… the city lights are coming on. Say farewell to San Francisco, to the continent, and to the familiar world you know and take for granted. Soon we will be alone, a tiny speck tossing beneath the stars on an unforgiving ocean. Surrender to it and embrace it; or it will scare the hell out of you.

They sat watching in silence as the pilot descended a swaying rope ladder, boarded his own small craft and returned to the harbor. It’s after six, shell we go below to the officers’ salon?

The ship had begun to plunge directly into the offshore swells as they entered the salon which also served as a dining room. Three or four officers dressed in casual khakis were present and chatting with a handful of passengers. Ted Bayer broke away when he saw Jack and Jillian enter the room.

Hi guys; Captain’s not in the salon tonight and I’m headed below. He held up a sandwich wrapped in a cloth napkin. Spectacular departure, wasn’t it? Winds are whipping up some heavy swells right now. He turned to look at some of the passengers bracing themselves against the rise and fall of the bow and shook his head. "We’ll be quartering into the trough and setting course in about thirty minutes. Take my advice and grab some sandwiches and coffee and