Book VII Page 4

  Bill slapped him on his back, “Yep! Not only that but we are going to Iping too. Looks like you are stuck with us.”

  “Then,” said Thomas with a smile, “it shall be a happy voyage.”

  He opened his pocket watch and said, “I must beg good evening, gentlemen. I have neglected Samson for too long and must see to his needs.”

  Bill tilted hid head and looked questionably as he asked, “Samson? Are you traveling with another friend, Thomas? Why not have him join us?”

  “Ahhhh, my friends. Did I not tell you of Samson? Only the best friend I’ve ever had. And all he asks is that I scratch his stomach after he feeds.” Thomas laughed at the faces his three new friends suddenly had.

  “You see, Samson is my Beagle, and by now he must be in need of a walk and some food.”

  “Your Beagle?” asked Rocky, “You have your dog with you?”

  Thomas nodded and his eyebrows furrowed as he said, “But, of course! He is my sole companion and looks upon me to provide for him. He almost never barks else you would have heard him as I am in room 145, just three cabins away from you, Rocky.”

  “But,” asked John in a low tone of voice, “Where, ah, where does one walk him for his, ahh, his, . . .”

  Thomas smiled as he answered, “For his visits to the lavatory?”

  “Yes, the lavatory.”

  “Simple, my friends. The ship offers a small section in the bottom of the ship for passengers who choose to bring their pets. It’s quite normal. And, perhaps tomorrow we four and Samson will walk the deck together for his exercise?”

  “That would be outstanding,” said Bill for the three of them as he patted his stomach. Thomas stood and said goodnight and headed towards the door. Bill stretched and yawned as he checked his pocket watch, snapped it closed and said, “Guys, I think I’m going to turn in. I want to take a nice bath in that claw-footed bathtub and read some of the breaking news.” He made make-believe quote marks in the air as he emphasized the word ’breaking.’ The other two agreed and all returned to their respective cabins.

  Bill soaked in the hot water as he smoked a cigar and went through the events of the day. Hope this mission really does turn out to be just a vacation. He blew a big, round ring of smoke towards the ceiling and watched as the overhead fan dispersed it. Wonder if the folks in the future would approve of me taking John and Rocky on a jaunt in time? He mentally shrugged his shoulders as he thought, Oh well. They picked me and said completing the mission was the most important thing, so how I get the job done is my call. Besides the guys deserve this trip, they completed some outstanding missions for the club.

  He stood and wrapped a large, terrycloth towel around himself and extinguished his cigar in an upright, very ornate ashtray. The time traveler dressed for bed then took a few newspapers from the stack on the night table. He selected The New Jersey Cardinal, unfolded it and sat in one of the easy chairs and put his feet up as he scanned the headlines.

  TIRED OF WALKING UP AND DOWN STAIRS?

  Mister Jesse Reno of Massachusetts was tired of doing so and he put his mind to this tiring necessity by inventing a moving staircase. It is a conveyor type transport with steps that stay horizontal as they move a person up or down. The secret is a conveyor belt and tracks working in harmony, which swiftly and safely allows a person to go up or down a staircase at a twenty-five degree angle. The Inclined elevator, as Mister Reno has called it in his patent, was first seen in Brooklyn’s Coney Island as an amusement ride. This reporter must admit to temporarily having a dizzy spell when asked to ascend on it. However once back on the firm second landing I quickly returned to my normal self. One would imagine this device being used in large department stores to swiftly take shoppers from one display to another.

  MARK TWAIN IS ALIVE AND WELL!

  On January 2 of this year Mister Mark Twain received news that made him re-read the article placed in a London, England newspaper that he had passed away. As he stated to his friends as he read the story and patted himself, “Why I feel perfectly fine and the report of my death was an exaggeration!” It is believed that the rumor of Mister Twain’s death started when it was reported that his cousin became ill.

  Bill laughed as he remembered the time he spent with the great writer and how Twain’s eyes’ would become two slits when he laughed. I need to take another trip back to New Orleans and see my old friend someday, he thought.

  Another article caught his eye.

  CHILDREN OF TODAY WASTE THEIR TIME ON FRIVOLOUS GAMES.

  It is a well known fact that children of today would rather spend their time kicking cans, playing tag and generally wasting their time. This habit, which the good Doctor Ernist T. Bumberty says will be the downfall of our great society, must come to an end! Children of other countries work side-by-side with their parents while ours wile their lives away. We, the editors of this great newspaper believe we have the solution: Caroling! Yes, it is a well known fact that caroling develops the lungs and gives a person the feeling of goodness needed in today’s world. Also, the long standing times needed to perfect this sport strengthens their legs and gives a stiff and regimental bearing to one’s self. Yes, caroling is the answer and at this very moment this newspaper is allowing caroling groups to meet in our vast basement for a very modest fee. Please have the head of your caroling group contact Mr. Evens Deritive by asking at our front desk. Carol for the future of our children!

  Before he knew it, the tap on his cabin door woke Bill up. The sun streamed through the cabin window and he looked at his watch as he rubbed his eyes. Before he could make out the numbers on the face of his watch he heard John’s voice outside the door.

  “Hey, Bill. You awake? It’s breakfast time.”

  Bill opened the door and waved his time-traveling cohorts into the cabin. “Sorry guys I overslept. Give me fifteen minutes and I’ll be ready.”

  Twenty minutes later they were seated at their table ordering coffee as they perused the menu.

  “Eggs for me, sunny side up” said Rocky as he patted his trim stomach, “And lots of ham with them.”

  “Sounds good to me, and maybe some bacon” quipped Bill as he closed his menu and looked questioningly at the third time traveler.

  “Hope they’ll scramble a few for me,” John said as he closed his menu and poured three cups of coffee.

  “Ahhh, coffee. I’m just in time,” said Thomas Griffin as he took his seat. “Good morning, gentlemen, sorry I’m late. Have you ordered yet?”

  “Good morning Thomas, and no,” answered Bill as he passed him a menu. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Just wonderful, as I usually do when I travel by ship. And you?”

  “Oh, he slept real well too,” said John with a smile.

  Bill grinned sheepishly as he explained, “So well, in fact, that I overslept.”

  “Well, my Samson is my wake-up call. He lets me know when he wishes to stroll and today he wished to stroll longer than normal, and thus my tardiness in arriving.”

  Bill stirred his coffee and asked, “How is the little fellow and when do we get to meet him?”

  “Well,” said the beaming dog owner, “After breakfast I like to stroll the deck and get fresh air and Samson accompanies me on these jaunts. Do you wish to stroll with us?”

  “Indeed I do,” said Bill as he turned to John and Rocky. “What do you say guys, up for a stroll?”

  “Sure,” said John as Rocky nodded yes. Bill turned back to Thomas, “Well, Thomas, you may be starting a pet walking group.”

  “Excellent,” answered Thomas, “Just excellent.”

  After breakfast, and before many of the passengers lit up cigars, the four men left. It was a clear day with high, white puffy clouds and an almost flat, glassy ocean disturbed only by the ship’s wake.

  “Here’s my cabin gentlemen,” said Thomas as he took a key out of his pant’s pocket. The jingling of the keys was met with a yelp from inside the cabin. He opened the door and quickly walked over to the dog’s cage followed by the three time travelers.

  The black, brown and white Beagle howled when he saw his master and when Thomas opened the cage, Samson leaped into his arms licking his face.

  “Samson,” admonished a visibly proud Thomas, “we have company. Please behave.”

  “He’s beautiful!” exclaimed Bill as the three men kneeled and started petting Thomas’s dog.

  “I had a dog once,” said Rocky. “It was a mutt, but boy, I sure loved him.”

  “I have two cats,” put in John as he rubbed Samson’s ears, “but I love dogs too.”

  Thomas took a leash from on top of the desk and addressed his dog, as many owners do. “Shall we stroll?” Samson immediately sat and allowed his master put the leash on him. In a moment, the four men and Beagle started to stroll the decks.

  As they walked, Thomas, John and Rocky were amazed to see that Samson kept walking close to Bill, even jumping up on his rear legs as he sniffed him.

  “Well, my friend,” said Thomas, “It seems as though Samson agrees with my judgment of character. He seems smitten with you.”

  “Shucks,” said a smiling Rocky with a wink, “everyone likes Bill. Right John?”

  John answered him with a smile of his own. “Yep! ‘Ol Bill is a natural leader of men, . . . and now Beagles.”

  “Aww,” said Bill, “You guys are just jealous.” He looked at Thomas, “Can I take the leash, Thomas?”

  “Why, most certainly my friend. Most certainly.” He passed Bill the leash and Samson walked obediently beside him.

  That evening as Bill, John and Rocky had a nightcap at the bar, Bill said in a serious voice, “Guys, I have something to tell you.” Both John and Rocky eyed their leader and waited to hear what he had to say.

  “You have
already noticed how, as a natural born leader, even animals follow and respect me?”

  Both men slowly nodded, as it seemed Bill was going to say something profound.

  “Well,” he continued, “the reason Samson spotted the natural leader in me and not in either of you, was, . . . well, maybe it had something to do with the bacon I had in my pocket from breakfast and was slipping it to him as we walked.”

  Both John and Rocky broke up at Bill’s prank.

  Every morning after breakfast the four men and Beagle could be found walking the decks, the men smoking cigars and chatting until lunch. They became known affectionately by the passengers and crewmembers as the ‘Beagle and its entourage of Four.’

  Three days before they were to dock, Bill, John and Rocky were at their table selecting their breakfast when the ship’s captain and two officers approached them.

  The captain, a tall, well-built man with pure white hair and large mutton chop sideburns, held his cap in his hands as he clicked his heels and did a slight bow at the waist.

  “Good morning, gentlemen. I’m Captain Francis Loiacono and,” he said pointing to his two officers, “these are Lieutenants’ Grill and Fortuna. May we sit a moment?”

  Bill automatically became the spokesman for the table as he answered: “Of course Captain.” I am, . . . “

  With a smile the captain interrupted, “Mister Scott, . . . and your two companions are Mister Brand and Perna. I took the time this morning to gather as much information about you and your friends as I could.”

  “Well,” quipped a still smiling Bill, “is this something you do with all of your passengers?”

  “Actually, no,” answered the captain as he his ran his fingers through his thick white hair. He sat close to the three men and said in a low voice, “My friends, I have a problem on my hands and some bad news for you. You see the gentleman that you walk with each morning, Mister Thomas Griffin, went overboard last night.”

  The three time travelers sat momentarily stunned until Bill asked, “Thomas? Overboard? Are you sure?”

  “Yes, sir,” answered Lieutenant Grill as he studied a notebook in his hand. “The officer of the deck stumbled upon his clothing at four-twenty a.m. and sounded the alarm. We turned about and searched for him with no success.”

  “His clothes were on the deck?” asked John. “How do you know they are his?”

  “His wallet contained his identity and he had the key to his cabin in his trousers.” He closed the notebook and said, “I’m sorry, but it most definitely was Mister Thomas Griffin.”

  The three men shook their respective heads as Bill muttered, “But, why?”

  The captain waved a passing waiter over and asked him to serve coffee. After the waiter left he said in a low tone of voice, “Why, you ask? My friends, I have been at sea for fifty-two years and have seen this happen fifteen times. I feel that if a person is distraught, lonely, or has other problems, the sea at night, with the moonlight reflecting off of her, offers rest and understanding that they can get nowhere else. It is at times like this that such a person is drawn to her bosom much easier than most.”

  “Sirs,” said Lieutenant Fortuna, “It is our duty to open Mister Griffin’s cabin and we would like to have you there to watch us catalogue his possessions.”

  Bill nodded, “Yes, of course. Now?”

  “Yes, now. If you are up to it, sir?”

  Bill looked at his two friends and all nodded in agreement.”

  Five minutes later Lieutenant Fortuna opened the cabin door and jumped aside as a Beagle bounded past and leaped into Bill’s arms.

  “Hey, Samson. Boy, I bet you’re hungry,” said Bill as he scratched the dog’s head.

  “And,’ added John as he opened his arms, “I bet he needs a walk. Want me to do the honors, Bill?”

  “Thanks,” answered Bill as he passed the dog to his traveling companion, “I’ll grab his leash for you.”

  After passing John the leash, Bill entered the room with Rocky, Captain Loiacono and his two officers. He watched as they methodically checked the cabin’s contents and the captain entered them in a notebook.

  “Now,” said the captain to Bill, “I have a request of you, sir. Would you take care of Mr. Griffin’s dog until we get to port? If that’s inconvenient for you, I’m sure another passenger would take him in.”

  Bill shook his head as he stuttered, “Ah, no. I mean, no problem, I’ll gladly take Samson in. My friends and I are going to the same town Mr. Griffin lived in so we’ll just drop him off with his family.”

  “Thank you, Mister Scott. And perhaps you will present the family with an official letter from my company letting them know where they can pick up his belongings?”

  “Of course, captain.”

  Captain Loiacono sat on the bed, removed his hat and wiped his forehead. “Many think that being a ship’s captain is all fun and frolic. They don’t realize that we must constantly keep our passengers foremost in our minds and losing one in this manner is a crushing blow that overrides any pleasure that we may have had on the trip. It is a black cloud on the horizon that every captain wishes to sail around.” He stood and as they left the cabin Bill could see he was drained.

  “This cabin will be locked until we dock.” He offered his hand to Bill and Rocky as he continued, “Thank you gentlemen for your time and I hope you didn’t miss breakfast.”

  The two time travelers watched as the captain and his officers walked back to their respective posts.

  “Boy,” said Bill as he leaned on the railing, “I’m not really hungry now.”

  “Me neither,” said Ricky joining him at the railing as both men watched the ocean go by.

  A low woof announced Samson’s return as he strained on the leash to get to Bill.

  “Boy Bill,” quipped John, “looks like he’s claiming you.”

  Bill kneeled down and scratched the Beagle behind his ears as he said, “Yeah, well I’m not going to get attached to him just to have to leave him with Griffin’s family. But it’ll be fun having a dog for a bit.”

  That evening the three men sat at a table in the ship’s lounge sipping wine and smoking cigars as Samson slept under the table his head resting on Bill’s foot. The stares and nods of understanding from the other passengers became the norm and more than one murmured their condolences as though Thomas Griffin was a part of their family.

  “Well,” said Bill in a low voice, “in a sense we were family of sorts. We were the four people everyone saw eating, strolling and have drinks together every day.”

  “Wonder why he did it?

  Bill and John nodded in agreement at Rocky’s question.

  Bill shrugged his shoulders. “Really doesn’t make sense. He seemed to be looking forward to traveling with us all the way home.”

  “And,” added John as he swished his wine in his glass, “he left Samson. I can’t understand that. I mean, he loved this Beagle and I can’t see what would make him cut out on him.”

  “Hey,” said bill at Samson’s name, “I have to go back to his room and get Samson’s food.” He looked at his watch. “Boy, it’s after eleven. Wonder who has the key?”

  “Ah,’ chimed in Rocky, “not to worry boss, they haven’t made a lock yet that I can’t pick.”

  Both Bill and John looked at Rocky with their eyebrows arched in surprise. Bill responded first by saying with an approving smile, “Well! And just where did you learn that?”

  “My cousin is a magician and he taught me how to open locks. I guess I didn’t mention that in my resume.”

  John flicked an ash into the huge glass ashtray in the center of the mahogany table and said, “Rocky, have you really looked at the cabin doors on the upper deck? They are made of steel to keep out gale force winds and I have to believe the locks are pretty strong too.”

  Rocky sat forward and answered, “It’s not the door nor the lock that matters, it still must have a keyhole and that’s the weakest part of a door.” He sat back and did a deep pull on his cigar as he went on. “I’ll probably need a few minutes and a, . . . “ he pulled the stickpin out of his cravat and held it up as he continued, “stickpin.”