My Clarity

Chapter five

The light of the sun had shone through Jack's porthole from six a.m., and he had risen with it, as intended. The ship was approaching the coast of Ireland to Queenstown by that afternoon, and using the hope that the closeness to land would assist in the sending of a wireless message to his friend in Boston, he left the note with a young steward at the Purser's Office along with a roll of money to ensure that the wire was sent promptly.

The corridors so early in a morning were almost eerie, as though he was floating through a derelict city, and it had only been six or hours previous that he had assisted Miss. DeWitt Bukater before returning her to a fiancé who was the most arrogant of mankind. Of course, that was no longer an issue for Jack to rectify; even though he had been invited to dine with them tonight, there was very little point of him attending. Instead, he focused on the voyage ahead; his own last bit of freedom before returning to Boston. Waking in the mood which had lingered over him for most of the last night was not a healthy one, but a dangerous one, one which was the cause of Miss. DeWitt Bukater's ploy to throw herself overboard. Heaven's sake, now perhaps, he almost understood her reasoning.

Turning his attentions back to the lovely interiors, Jack admired the craftsmanship of such a vessel. Titanic was the epoch of her era, a veritable city afloat and for many a wonderland to explore and enjoy on their first journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Crossing the Reception room, which was marginally quieter than the evening before when he had boarded, Jack found the bustle of passengers were taking breakfast in the Dining Saloon. Decorated in an array of white with wooden panels and blue linoleum with green and red, the area was ablaze with those breaking their fast early with their peers rather than within their staterooms. The excitement within the air lingered, and as exchanging of pleasantries began, with the smell of fresh brewed coffee and paint came to become a strange combination of scents. It was the start of a wonderful voyage for many; acquiring new acquaintances, renewing old and sampling the finest of foods and drinks.

A white paper menu was placed upon a nearby unoccupied table and Jack quickly eyed the contents.

Baked Apples Fresh Fruit Stewed Prunes
Quaker Oats Boiled Hominy Puffed Rice
Fresh Herring
Findon Haddock Smoked Salmon
Grilled Mutton Kidneys & Bacon
Grilled Ham Grilled Sausage
Lamb Collops Vegetable Stew
Fried, Shirred, Poached & Boiled Eggs
Plain & Tomato Omelettes to Order
Sirloin Steak & Mutton Chops to Order
Mashed, Saute & Jacket Potatoes
Cold Meat
Vienna & Graham Rolls
Soda & Sultana Scones Corn Bread
Buckwheat Cakes
Black Currant Conserve Narbonne Honey
Oxford Marmalade
Watercress

The extensive list was far too much to comprehend and so, he turned about to exit. After a restless night's sleep, Jack intended to take his sketch pad up on decks to catch some air and release the tensions of the day before. Not only had he failed to sleep, not for any other reason than his mind had been inhibited of images. Images of a certain woman, engaged to a certain man. Perhaps later, he could go in search of a physical pursuit in the gymnasium, rumour was the Titanic was in possession of the finest fitness machines currently available to work on the physique, and the anger which had somehow caused the tension in his body to return in a mass.

The day appeared to be clear, without a wisp of cloud in the sky, and as Jack was exposed to the fresh air upon the Promenade Deck, it was apparent that most other passengers would still be inside to eat breakfast. It was after all, only a few hours after dawn. The sea breeze welcomed him, and unlike last night, it wasn't laced with icy Atlantic chill. Over his left shoulder, land was clearer; the green mounds of Ireland standing out like the beauty that she was. Jack had travelled there more than once and for a second, a clench to return there was with him. Perhaps it was the freeing ethos of the people this side of the Atlantic which appealed to him the most; France, Italy, Ireland and even England in some parts. London had been full of the faces of Society, and had hardly changed since the regency era, one could assume.