USS Apocalypse

Miami: Part Two

The first night on any cruise was the most important. Everything had to be perfect; one wrong move, and a guest would be stuck with a negative perspective the whole time.

For Mitch, it was even more important than usual. He had to prove that he was the best cruise director of all time, or else he was done for.

Currently, things were going great. After all the guests were onboard, the ship detached from the sick and sailed out into the Bahamas. This voyage was shorter than usual, with only four real days. None the less, Mitch was determined to complete his mission during that time.

At 6:00pm, dinner started. Guests streamed into the large dining room and sat, beginning to look over their menus. Sizing it all up.

"We have a long night ahead of us," Jordan said to Mitch, looking over his own menu at their table. It was just them and a few white-uniformed officers. "I have to do bingo at 8, and-"

"Parcheezi at 10," Mitch added with a smirk. Jordan nodded. "Right."

Suddenly, a new man approached the table. Mitch, Jordan, and the others immediately sat up straight, knowing exactly who it was.

Captain Zechariah was a tall, board man, emulating power. His uniform was spotless, his silver hair immaculate; the only weakness was the profound exhaustion that shown through his grey eyes.

"Captain," Mitchell greeted. "Please, sit down."

Zechariah nodded and sat down at his spot, not saying a word yet. Mitch could tell that he was tired. To be stuck up in the bridge all day, given such a daunting task... The Captain had a right to be tired.

"So, tomorrow I'm starting my Guess That Song Triva game in the atrium," Mitch said at last. He was really very excited about it. It was a sure way to have some real fun. "The first one is Movie and TV."

Jordan nodded. "I want to see that! It's gonna be crazy."

Mitch grinned. "I love crazy people. And just wait until the farewell show- The '80s! Who doesn't love the '80s?"

"Young kids," Zechariah spoke up, with a small smile. "They don't understand the appeal."

"Well," Mitch countered. "They will after this cruise!"

From a little ways away, Mitch could hear someone chanting "Shot, shot, shot!" He rolled his eyes, not surprised to see Kathan trying to sell drinks to the dinner goers. "Kathan, why are you chanting?"

"Did you join a cult," Jordan joked.

Kathan shrugged. "Isn't that a song? Shot, shot shot?"

Mitchell nodded. "Actually, it is! We played it at the sail away party earlier."

Kathan grinned. "At least you're on my side, Mitch! I'll be back with some champagne."

"Wow, thanks Kathan!" Jordan responded happily.

Five minutes later, each member of the table had a delicate glass of champagne in their hand.

"I propose a toast," the captain suggested. The table nodded in agreement.

He raised his glass high. The golden liquid caught the joyous light of the room.

"To Mitchell Caliendo, for all your service you have given our ship, for your whole life!"

"To Mitchell!"

Mitch stared at the glass, frozen in time.

Ever since he was a boy, he had wanted to travel the world. Unfortunately, his family was poor and working was the only option for him. No college. However, he found a line of work that suited his adventurous tastes... kind of. As soon as he left high school, he was hired as a dishwasher on a cruise ship.

No matter what the task was, Mitch put his whole heart and soul into it. No matter how unpleasant the job, he did it without complaint, because he knew he wanted to be part of this.

His enthusiasm did not go unnoticed. He was promoted from dishwasher to waiter to staff member to youth director, and finally, to cruise director.

Mitchell had been stationed on other cruise ships, but the Breeze was by far his favorite. It's gaudy decor delighted him, it's huge atrium astounded him, and it's sheer size amazed everyone. Mitch had indeed fallen in love with this ship.

But now, one damned email would take it all away.

It came three weeks ago. A mere three weeks to prepare to end a lifetime of a career. It simply read that, because of the new company leadership, they were transforming the style of the cruise line, and his services were no longer needed.

It stung. For days he moped around, emotion racing through his being. Doubt, regret... fear. What was he supposed to do? What would he be without this life?

He decided that he couldn't accept it. He wouldn't. So on this, his last cruise ever, he would fight until the end to save his life.

Mitchell finally smiled, and raised his glass with the others.

"To me."

To me, the greatest cruise director in the world.

~

Nobody came to Parcheezi night. No one but Jordan.

"You know, I'm being transferred soon," Jordan told Mitch, moving his piece across the board. "They want to promote me."

Mitch raised an eyebrow. "Really. Well, it's about time. You'll be a great cruise director... just not as great as me."

Jordan chuckled and sat back in his seat, lifting a cup of coffee to his lips. His eyes moved to the adjacent window, looking out over the dark sea. The library didn't have many books, but it was a good place to sit and enjoy the company of a friend.

"That's true... I'm going to miss you."

Mitch didn't reply, just took his turn silently.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Jordan asked quietly, looking at his friend. "I mean- you never talk about it. It's as if... Everything is normal."

Mitch kept his silence.

"I-I just want to help, if I can. I can tell that this is a big deal to you, even if you don't."

Mitch shrugged. "It really isn't, I guess." He didn't want to talk about his plan to stay just yet. As brilliant as it was. "Sometimes... you have to move on as things change."

Jordan nodded slowly. "So... where will you go? After this."

"I haven't really thought about it," Mitch answered. "Maybe..."

He managed to smile.

"Alaska."

Jordan raised an eyebrow. "I heard it's nice... but it's a bit different than the Caribbean."

"I know, but maybe I need a change," Mitch countered. "It's pretty, it's desolate, it's far away. It's..."

Before he could finish his thought, a group of small kids ran inside, followed by a tired looking Corrine. "Sorry guys," she panted. "T-that, they love being away from their parents."

Mitch smiled. "It's okay. Hey, kids, wanna play Parcheezi?"

They shook their heads and went to pull out some other game instead. Mitch sighed and grinned at Jordan.

"Your turn."