Chapter Three

That morning, directly after breakfast, Rose slipped away and headed down to the third class area of the ship.

The first place she searches for Jack is in the third class social center. She shifts uncomfortably as she feels the stares on her. It’s like no one ever saw a first class lady before. Finally she spot Jack sitting with Tommy and Fabrizio and playing with a little girl named Cora. She nervously approaches him, unsure of what his reaction will be in seeing her down there. Tommy and Fabrizio’s mouth falls open as they watch her approach Jack. It’s Cora that finally announces Rose’s presence.

"Jack there’s a princess standing behind you," the little girl giggled, causing Rose to blush and smile shyly. No one has ever called her a princess before.

"Oh really," Jack smiled at the little girl, thinking she was joking.

"Really. See," Cora points and turns.

Jack smiles and decides to humor the little girl. He turns and his eyes widen to see Rose standing before him. He immediately stands Cora, Tommy and Fabrizio suddenly forgotten. "R-Rose. Hello again."

"Hello Jack," Rose smiled, once again being taken into his beautiful blue eyes. "Can I speak to you…in private?"

"Sure," Jack smiles and turns back to his friends. "I’ll see you guys later."

"Jack!" Cora runs up to him.

"Yes Cora?"

"Remember you promised me a dance at the party tonight!" Cora grinned.

"I’ll remember,"Jack smiled, ruffling the little girl’s hair. It was obvious he had a soft spot for children. Rose was certain he would be a great father someday. She just hoped that the mean girl wasn’t a part of his life in that way."

They walk in silence. Finally, when they’re at the first class gate, Rose speaks.

"Mr. Dawson…"

"Jack."

"What?" Rose asks nervously.

"Call me Jack. Mr. Dawson was my father," Jack smiled.

"Ok. Jack," Rose smiled, loving the sound of his name on her lips. "Call me Rose."
"Ok Rose," Jack smiled. She had obviously forgotten that they were already on first name basis.

"Jack…" Rose is nervous. She feels like she should explain her actions the night before. But she wasn’t ready for that yet. Instead, she wanted to know a little more about her savior. Where was he from? What did he do for a living? Who was that woman who was so mean to him last night? Was she someone of importance to him? "So Jack. Where are you from?"

Jack looked at her in surprise. By the way she sounded she was going to tell him about what happened last night, but instead she’s asking him about himself. Well he was just going to have to be patient. She obviously wasn’t ready to tell him what was behind last night’s suicide attempt and he wasn’t gonna push her. She’ll tell him when she was ready.

"Well, as you already know, I’m from Chippewa Falls Wisconsin. I lived there for the first fifteen years of my life. When I was fifteen, my parents died in a fire and my sister had ran away from home with some guy my parents didn’t like two years back, so since I didn’t have any other family there except Caroline…My fiancée…you met her last night…well we lit on out of there. You can say we’ve been a couple of tumbleweeds blowing in the wind ever since."

"Caroline…she doesn’t strike me as a very nice person," Rose replied rather bluntly.

"She’s ok. She’s just a little uptight," Jack shrugged. "But she is quite pleasant at times."

A little uptight? Rose thought to herself. The girl was a younger version of her mother. She had belittled Jack in front of complete strangers. The girl was flat out horrible and Jack deserved better. He was too nice and way too handsome to be treated in such a manner. He deserved a girl who adored him and would never belittle him. A girl like…stop it Rose. You hardly know Jack and yet you’re here determining what he needs. It’s obvious that he cares for this Caroline. But does he love her? Does he truly love her and want to spend the rest of his life with her or is he still with her because he thinks he can’t get any better.

"You’re quiet all of a sudden," Jack smiles, interrupting her inner dialogue.

"Oh I’m sorry. I guess I got a little lost in thought."

"Oh," Jack nods.

"Jack…I know what you must be thinking. Poor little rich girl. What does she know about misery."

"No. No that’s not what I was thinking at all. I was thinking what could have happened to this girl to make her think she had no way out," Jack stopped and stared into her eyes. Looking into his eyes, Rose felt like she could trust him with the truth.

"Oh Jack it’s my mother. She hates me!" tears begin to flow from her eyes. "All she does is stand there and tell me what a horrible daughter I am and how stupid I am. That she wished someone else was her daughter, not me!" Rose covered her face, embarrassed that she was getting so emotional in front of a man she didn’t even know.

"Rose…" He puts a secure arm around her shoulder and they begin walking again. "Don’t cry Rose."

"Last night I just couldn’t take it anymore. I wanted to end it all right there and then, but when you came up to me and began talking to me, I realized I’d be giving her what she wanted and I shouldn’t do that. That instead I should prove her wrong. Prove that I wasn’t unlovable and that I was worthy of the best life has to offer."

"That’s right Rose. You are worthy of the best life has to offer. And you’re not unlovable. I bet a lot of people love you and you don’t even know it," Jack turned her to face him.

Rose looked into his eyes and was tempted to ask if he loved her, but she didn’t dare. Besides, Jack wasn’t free. He was already taken and he couldn’t possibly love her. They had only just met.

"Thank you Jack," Rose smiled. You’ve done so much for me," Rose smiled.

"Well I’m glad,’ Jack smiled.

"So Jack…tell me more about yourself."

It’s lunchtime and Caroline is pacing the dining saloon. Where was Jack? He had never missed lunch before and here he was late and just when she needed to talk to him. She had to coach him on how to behave in first class. She had looked all over for him, but there was no sign of him anywhere. He wasn’t even with Fabrizio and that was a first. Ever since they boarded this ship, Jack and Fabrizio had been inseparable. But now she finds Fabrizio with that Irish lout and that girl Helga.

This is when she notices Helga and a couple of other girls staring in her direction and turn back giggling. She wondered what was up with those girls, why did they find her so amusing all of a sudden. She was going to go over there and find out.

Helga’s eyes widen as Jack’s fiancée approach. She definitely didn’t like Caroline Simmons. She was mean and rude and a social wannabe. Neither Helga nor her three companions at the table thought Caroline was worthy of such a sweet and handsome guy like Jack. That’s why they were so pleased to see a real society girl come down to third class that morning and walk out with Jack, who didn’t seem to mind the company. In fact, if they didn’t know better, by the way Jack and the girl was looking at one another, one would have thought they were engaged. Yes, Caroline was getting what she deserved.

"What’s so funny?" Caroline narrowed her eyes at the girls.

"Well we were just wondering," Kate, one of Helga’s friends answered, "What Jack and that girl from first class was talking about this morning."

"Girl from first class?"

"Yes. Some red head dressed real fancy came down here this morning looking for Jack. He left with her and hasn’t been back since," Another girl with the name Kate replied. "What can they possibly have to talk about."

"Perhaps they’re not talking at all," another Kate laughed.

That did it. Caroline’s anger reached sky high. How dare these girls insinuate that Jack would cheat on her! He would do no such thing! She was going to put a stop to this rumor mill and she was going to put a stop to it now. She turns on her heels and head for the first class area of the ship. It was about time that her and Miss. Dewitt Bukater had a long talk about keeping their hands off other people’s fiancées.

Jack and Rose are now in first class setting in a couple of deck chairs. Rose is leafing through Jack’s art portfolio.

"Oh Jack," Rose breathed. "This is exquisite work."

"Thanks, Caroline and the critics in ole Parie don’t seem to think so," Jack looks down at the ground.

"Well Caroline doesn’t know true art when she sees it and…wait a minute. Did you say Paris?"

Jack nods.

"Why you do get around for a p…a person of limited means," Rose catches herself before she offended Jack.

"It’s alright, a poor guy, you can say it," Jack laughed good-naturedly.

"Well well well," Rose comes across a group of nude drawings. "And these were drawn from life?"

"Yeah. That’s the good thing about Paris. A lot of girls willing to take their clothes off." Jack reaches over and turns a couple of more pages to a lady with sad eyes wearing a moth-eaten fur coat. "And this is a lady that sat in this bar every night waiting for her long lost love. We used to call her madam Bijoux. See how her clothes are all moth-eaten?"

Rose nods and looks deeply into Jack’s eyes. "You have a gift Jack, you do. You see people."

"I see you," Jack said, looking at her seriously.

"And?"

"You wouldn’t have jumped."

Rose looks at him in awe. He really did see people. He read her like a book.

Caroline stood far enough away she wouldn’t be seen, but close enough to hear and see what was going on between Rose and Jack. Right now Rose was and Jack are leaning against the rail looking out at the ocean.

Jack had just gotten through telling her about the time in Santa Monica where he had drawn pictures for ten cents apiece.

"Oh why can’t I be like you Jack? Just head out for the horizon when ever I feel like it?" Rose waves her hand out towards the ocean. "Say we go there sometime to that pier…only if we ever just talk about it…"

"No we’ll go," Jack smiled. "We’ll drink cheap beer. Ride the roller coaster ‘til we throw up. And ride on the beach, right in the surf. But you’ll have to do it like a real cowboy. None of that sidesaddle stuff."

"You mean one leg on each side?"

"Yeah."

"Can you show me?"

"Sure. If you like," Jack nods.

Not if I can help it, Caroline thought to herself.

"Teach me to ride like a man," Rose smiled.

"And chew tobacco like a man," Jack said in a country accent.

"And spit like a man!" Rose laughed.

"What? They didn’t teach you that in finishing school?"

"No," Rose shakes her head.

"Well then come on. I’ll teach ya now," Jack takes her hand.

"What? Jack no! No Jack!" Rose pulls back, but Jack pulls her over to where they’re staring straight out over the ocean.

"Now watch this." Jack hocks it back and lets it fly out over the ocean. Rose twists up her nose.

"That’s disgusting," Rose exclaimed.

"Your turn. You try it," Jack turns to Rose.

Rose simply spits and watches it just fall into the ocean.

"That was pitiful. You do it like this!" Jack describes what to do while he does it and lets another one fly into the ocean.

Rose does as he says and spits. This one better than the last.

"That’s better, but you really gotta hock it up," Jack demonstrates again. "See. Now you try."

Rose is hocking it back just as her mother and Aunt Molly come strolling up to them.

"Rose what in heavens name are you doing!" Ruth exclaimed in disgust. "Get over here right this instant. Disappear for hours on end and I find you doing this!"

"Jack there you are!" Caroline makes her entrance and immediately grabs his arm tightly and pulls him away from Rose, who glares at her. "I’ve been looking all over for you. You missed lunch and now it’s time for supper. Whatever are we going to wear?"

"Don’t worry dear," Ruth comes up and takes Caroline’s arms. You may wear one of Rose’s fine dresses. She doesn’t mind. Ruth takes Caroline’s arm and leads her to their stateroom. Rose looks after Ruth and Caroline, a strange expression in her eyes that doesn’t go unnoticed by Molly.

"Jack," Molly turns to the young man who was looking at her niece. "What do you plan to wear?"
"Isn’t what I have on ok?" Jack asked.

"Oh boy. I’m telling ya Rose, it’s a good thing that your friend Jack is the same build as your older cousin or we may have a catastrophe on our hands," Molly laughed, taking both Rose and Jack by the arm and leading her to the staterooms.

Molly smiled with pleasure. Jack sure did make a handsome picture in that tux. If only she was thirty years younger…

"I was right. You are the same size as my son," Molly laughs.

"Almost," Jack grinned, looking at himself in the mirror.

"You shine up like a new penny," Molly nods.

"My dear you look absolutely gorgeous!" Ruth exclaimed as she entered and saw the petite blond setting next to her daughter. "They’ll all be staring at you tonight. Jack sure is a lucky fellow."

"Thank you Mrs. Dewitt Bukater," Caroline blushed.

"Doesn’t she look lovely Rose?" Ruth turns to her daughter.

"Yeah," Rose flatly replied.

"Poor Rose Caroline. She’s just not the classic beauty like you. I’m gonna have hard time finding a husband for her. But hopefully some rich fellow will feel sorrow for her and take her as his bride," Ruth sighed.

"I think I’ll head down now," Rose pushed back the rising tears. She wasn’t going to cry. She wasn’t going to give her mother the satisfaction. "I’ll see you down there mother and Caroline."

With that Rose darts out the door. Caroline looks after her with satisfaction. Now if only she can ruin Rose in Jack’s eyes. That is going to be hard since Jack always sees the good in everyone. But she’ll find a way. She knows she will.

Rose sees Jack at the bottom of the grand staircase pretending to shake hands with an imaginary person. She had to smile. He was so adorable and in that tux…she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Jack looks up and sees her descending the stairs. He couldn’t resist. It was too perfect. He approaches the stairs, not taking his eyes off her the whole time. When she reaches him, he grabs her hand and lightly kisses it.

"I saw that in a nickelodeon once and I always wanted to do," He smiled, his eyes shining with laughter. He offers his arm and she accepts. She giggles as he sticks his nose up in the air. Then she spots her mother and Caroline; both escorted by Mr. Andrews, the ships builder.

"Why hello young Rose," Mr. Andrews smiled widely at her.

"Hello Mr. Andrews. I’d like to introduce Jack Dawson. He saved my life last night," Rose greets.

"Hello Jack," Mr. Andrews nods.

"Why Jack, you almost look like a gentleman," Caroline replied in surprise.

"Almost," Jack smiled.

"How extraordinary," Caroline smiled at Jack, but her smile fades as she sees Rose on Jack’s arm. "Hello rose," Her voice is cold.

"Caroline," Rose nods.

As they enter the swirling throng, Rose leads Jack over to the side of the staircase and points out some faces she recognizes

"There’s the countess of Rothes….and that’s John Jacob Astor….the richest man on the ship. His little wifey there Madeline is my age and in the delicate condition. See how she’s trying to hide it? Quite the scandal. And over there is Benjamin Guggenheim and his mistress Madame Aubert. Mrs. Guggenheim is home with the children of course. And over there is sir Cosmo and Lady Duff-Gordon. She designs naughty lingerie, among her many talents. Very popular with the royals."

"Hey got room for a lady?" Molly appears beside Jack.

"Why certainly," Jack offers his free arm.

"Ain’t nothing to it is there Jack?"

"Yeah, you just dress like a pallbearer and keep your nose up," Jack smiled, looking at Rose who once again laughed.

"Now remember, they love money. So just act like you’ve won a gold mine and you’re in the club," Molly nods. "Hey Astor!" Molly leads Jack and Rose over to Madeline and J.J. Astor.

"Molly," J.J. smiles.

"J.J., Madeleine, I’d like you to meet Jack Dawson.

J.J. shakes Jack’s hand. "Good to meet you Jack. Are you of the Boston Dawsons?"

"No. The Chippewa Falls Dawsons actually."
"Oh yes," J.J. nods as if he’s heard of them, but it’s obvious that he hasn’t.

"Very handsome Rose," Madeleine leans over to Rose. "Where ever did you find him?"

Rose just smiled shyly and tightened her grip on Jack’s arms. She can’t help but be pleased that Madeleine thought that they were a couple.

As they moved to their table, Jack was indeed nervous, but he forced himself to keep cool. Pretend that he won a gold mine and couldn’t care less. So far he was a success. When they reached the table, Molly sat between Jack and Rose and Caroline sat between Rose and Ruth.

"Tell us the accommodations in Steerage Mr. Dawson. I hear they’re quite good on this ship," Ruth smiles over at Jack.

"The best I’ve seen mam. Hardly any rats," Jack smiled, causing the table to laugh at the joke. Caroline was not laughing of course. She was hoping to avoid the topic of steerage. She wanted the people to think that they were at least second class if not first, but that was all blown now. She’ll just have to work with what she got.

"Mr. Dawson was some assistance to my daughter last night," Ruth replied.

"It turns out that Mr. Dawson is quite a fine artist. He was kind enough to show me some of his work today," Rose smiled at Jack.

"If you can call what my fiancée draws fine art,’ Caroline laughed. "I try to discourage him, but he refuses to give it up."

She glances at Rose and sees her motion for Jack to take his napkin off his plate. A sear of jealous once again goes through her, as she notices how Rose and Jack aren’t taking their eyes off one another.

"How do you take your caviar sir?" a waiter comes up next to Jack.

"No caviar for me thanks," Jack looks at Rose. "Never did like it much."

Rose smiled at his joke, knowing that most likely he’s never had caviar before.

"So where do you live Mr. Dawson?" Ruth asked, taking a bite of her caviar-laden cracker.

"Well right now our address is the R.M.S Titanic. After that we’re on God’s good humor."

"And how do you have means to travel?" Ruth asked with a condescending tone in her voice, causing Molly to glare at her.

"We work our way from place to place, tramp steamers and such. But I won our tickets here on Titanic with a lucky hand of poker," Jack smiles at Rose. "A very lucky hand."

"All life’s a game of luck," Colonel Gracie nods.

"A real man makes his own luck Archie. Right Dawson?" Mr. Andrews smiles at Jack.

Jack only smiled and nods.

"Mr. Andrews, what are you doing? I see you everywhere writing in this little book," Rose grabs the book and reads, "Increase number of screws in hat hooks from two to three. You built the biggest ship in the world and this is what preoccupies you?"

"He knows every rivet in her, don’t you Thomas?" Mr. Ismay smiles with pride. "She may be mine on paper, but in the eyes of God she belongs to Thomas Andrews."

"Your ship is a wonder Mr. Andrews. Truly."

"Thank you Rose," Mr. Andrews nods.

"And you find that sort of rootless existence appealing do you?" Ruth brings the conversation back to Jack.

Jack hesitates for a moment then replies, "Yes mam, I do. I have everything I need right here with me. I have air in my lungs and a few blank sheets of paper. I love waking up in the morning not knowing what’s going to happen or who I’m going to meet. Last night I was sleeping under a bridge and now here I am, on the grandest ship in the world, having champagne with you fine people. I figure that life’s a gift and I don’t intend on wasting it. You never know what hand you’re going to be dealt next. I believe in making each day count," Jack again looks meaningfully at Rose, as if sending her a silent message.

"Well said Jack," Molly nods.

"Here’s to making it count," Rose lifts her glass in a toast.

"Making it count," the table also raises their glasses.

Neither Rose nor Jack notices Caroline glaring daggers at Rose.

Two hours later…

"…So Mr. Brown comes home as drunk as a skunk and not knowing that I hid the money in the stove, he lights a fire," Molly laughs as she ends her story, causing the table to laugh along with her.

Dessert has been served and a waiter arrives with cigars in a humidor on a wheeled cart. The men start clipping ends and lighting.

Rose leans over towards Jack and whispers to him, "Next it’ll be brandies in the smoking room"

Colonel Gracie stands up. "Well, join me for a brandy gentlemen?"

Rose surpresses a laugh and again whispers to Jack. "Now they retreat into a cloud of smoke and congratulate each other on being masters of the universe."

"Joining us Dawson?" Gracie turned to Jack.

"No thanks. I have to be getting back," Jack looks at Caroline for the first time that night. "Shall I escort you back too Carly or do you want to stay here?"

"I’m staying here. Mrs. Dewitt Bukater wants to discuss a job in the states with me," Caroline looks at Jack.

Jack just nods and turns to Rose, causing Caroline to watch the scene.

"Jack, must you go?" Rose asked, wanting to spend more time with him.

"Time for me to go row with the other slaves," Jack smiled. He takes her hand and quickly slips a folded piece of paper into her hand. "Good-night Rose." He kisses her hand and walks away, turning back once to see if she reads the note, then he’s gone.

Rose keeps her back turned from Caroline so she doesn’t see the note and reads: Make it count. Meet me at the clock.

Rose slowly approaches the grand staircase as she finds Jack standing with his back to her. Taking a deep breath she ascends the stairs. Jack turns to her and smiles.

"Want to go to a real party?"

The third class social center is crowded and alive with Music, laughter and dancing, Rose sits at a table with Tommy Ryan and one of the Swedes that Jack had met aboard the Titanic. Tommy hands Rose a pint of stout and she hoists it. Jack mean while is dancing with little Cora Cartmell. As the tune ends, Jack turns to Rose and leans down to the little girl.

"I’m going to dance with her now," Jack points to Rose. Cora just nods as they both turn to Rose. "Come on," Jack beckons to Rose.

"What?" Rose asks, her eyes growing wide. He couldn’t possibly expect her to dance with him.

"Come on. Come with me," Jack grabs her hand and pulls her to the dance floor.

"Jack wait," Rose protests. "I can’t do this."
"We’re going to have to get a little bit closer. Like this," Jack pulls her a little closer to him. He looks over at Cora and notices she looks a little sad. "You’re still my best girl Cora."

The little girl just smiles and continues to watch Jack and his princess.

"I don’t know the steps!" Rose exclaimed as they begin to move to the music.

"Neither do I!" Jack yells over the music. "Just go with it! Don’t think!"

Rose screams no with almost every step and stops uselessly as she laughs as Jack whirls her about on the dance floor. Suddenly he stops and Rose thinks it’s to catch their breath, but it’s not. Jack suddenly pulls her onto a podium and he goes into a complicated dance step. Watching him closely rose laughs and tosses her shoes to a woman standing to the side. She imitates his movements step by step. Soon they link arms and turn about with each other, and then Jack grabs both her hands and turns her around and around, causing her to get dizzy. But she’s having so much fun that she doesn’t notice nor does she care.

"Jack no!" Rose laughs.

After the song has ended, Rose and Jack make their way back to their table to find it occupied. Jack looks at Rose, shrugs and reaches over the men to get their drinks. Jack takes a gulp from his beer and stares at Rose in amazement as she drinks all the beer in her glass nonstop. She looks at him and smiles.

"What? Didn’t think a first class girl could drink?"

Jack laughs until a man bumps into him, forcing him to spill his beer all over Rose.

"Hey get out of here," Jack pushes the man back into the crowd. He turns to a laughing Rose. "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine," Rose laughed, then she spots Tommy and his Swedish friend arm wrestling. The Swede wins.

"Again!" Tommy demands, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.

"So!" Rose loudly interrupts, the beer causing her to be quite tipsy. She grabs Tommy’s cigarette from his mouth and takes a drag from it. "You think you’re big tough men. Let’s see you do this." Rose picks up the train of her dress and hands it to Jack. "Hold this Jack. Hold it up."

To everyone’s amazement, Rose stands on the very tips of her toes. After ten seconds her mouth opens in pain and she falls into Jack’s arms, laughing the whole time.

"Are you okay?" Jack asks, holding her in his arms.

"I haven’t done that in years," Rose laughed.

Neither noticed Caroline glaring at them on the stairs. She knew it was time to have that talk with Jack. She was going to put an end to this.

Suddenly the Ad hoc band starts up another song. And people are linking hands and dancing in a line through the room.

"Good time!" Fabrizio laughs, grabbing Rose’s hand who automatically grabs Jack’s. For just those couple of hours she had completely forgotten about her troubles. She no longer cared that her mother hated her and that she may never find someone to love her enough to marry her. All that mattered was having fun.

Later that night Jack is walking Rose back to her room. They are both still giddy from the party. They walk along row of lifeboats and are singing a popular song "Come Josephine in My Flying Machine".

"Come Josephine in my Flying Machine and it’s up she goes! Up she goes! In the air she goes. Where? There she goes!" Both Jack and Rose sing. Soon they fumble the words and break down laughing. They have reached the first class entrance, but don’t go straight in. Neither of them want the evening to end. Through the doors the sound of the orchestra wafts gently. Rose grabs a davit and leans back as she stares at the stars.

"Look Jack. Isn’t it magnificent? So grand and endless," Rose sighs and goes to lean on a rail. "They’re such small people, Jack…my crowd. They think they’re giants on the earth, but they’re not even dust in God’s eye. They live inside this little tiny champagne bubble…and someday the bubble’s going to burst."

Jack leans on the rail next to her, his hand just touching hers. It is the slightest contact imaginable and all either one of them can feel is that square inch of skin where their hands are touching.

"You’re not one of them. There’s been a mistake," Jack looks squarely into her eyes.

"A mistake?"

"Uh huh. You got mailed to the wrong address."

Rose laughs. "I did didn’t I? Look! A shooting star!" Rose points to the sky.

"That was a long one. My father use to say that whenever you saw one, it was a soul going to heaven."

"I like that," Rose nods. Aren’t we supposed to wish on it?"

Jack looks at her and finds that they are suddenly very close together. It would be so easy to move another couple of inches, to kiss her. Rose is thinking the same thing.

"What do you wish for Jack?"

After a second, Jack takes a step back. "Something I can’t have." He smiled sadly, looking into her eyes one last time. "It’s getting late. I better go."

"Thank you for the wonderful evening Jack," Rose smiled, stepping towards the entrance but not going in.

"No. Thank you," Jack smiles. Then he turns and walks away, leaving Rose to look after him, wishing that she could leave with him. Sighing one last time, Rose returns to her world with nothing but Jack Dawson on her mind.

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