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Chapter Four

"Attention please, may I please have your attention," cracked a voice over the ship's intercom. "This is Captain Anderson speaking. I would like to welcome you aboard the Sunbeam. It is the endeavor of the crew and me to make your cruise a most pleasurable one. We offer a wide variety of activities and delicious food cooked by our French chefs, all for your pleasure and enjoyment. Each day, you will be given a calendar of events to help you plan your day.
"Also, our cruise director will announce, in advance, all upcoming events. On behalf of Windsor Cruise Lines, myself, and crew members, I want to thank you for selecting a Sunbeam Cruise for your vacation holiday."
Tug boats aided in maneuvering the big ship from its mooring to open waters. Within the first hour, tug lines were released and the Sunbeam was on its own. Forty-six thousand tons of mass, sleekly contoured, and brightly colored in blue, red, and white with a silver hull, the Sunbeam was one of the most magnificent ships afloat on the Pacific Ocean. Three thousand people (more than a third of them officers, staff, and crew members) mingled about this small city on water. The Sunbeam offered all the human comforts of home and more.
The sea was calm that day. Its glassy surface willingly yielded to the ship's sharp silver bow. The ship's speed began to accelerate as it glided by a lonely lighthouse perched at the end of the San Pedro side of the breakwater.
The Sunbeam would wind a path down the Southern California and Baja coasts while guests enjoyed seven days of fun and frolic. And, without a doubt, a taste of the unexpected would be in order somewhere along the way. Stops at the port cities of Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta would offer opportunities to shop, dine, and experience a sample of Mexican culture.

Monday-Cruising all-day Sunday and throughout the night brought the Sunbeam closer to the equator. The weather was getting noticeably warmer.

Ben and Louise sat at one of the many patio style tables that adorned the upper Fan Tail Deck. Ben was wearing brown street shoes, baggy knee shorts, and a faded Hawaiian shirt. Louise had on a blue polka-dotted polyester dress and plain white shoes with laces.
"Ben, keep your eyes in your head," snapped Louise, her voice audible to such degree that heads from neighboring tables turned in her direction.
"Whatta ya mean? I'm just looking at the beautiful ocean. What's wrong with that?"
Louise, resigned to the fact that Ben was a harmless gawker, continued to chomp on a hamburger. Ben, sporting a new pair of sunglasses, hadn't interrupted his supposed viewing of the ocean over an array of scantily clad sunbathers lying on deck chairs strung around the Lower Fan Tail Deck.

Ricky Colletti, attempting to appear nonchalant, intentionally selected a pool side lounge chair next to an attractive lady he judged to be in her mid-thirties and potentially well to do. She was tall (about five-foot-seven) and wore a light blue, one piece bathing suit that complemented her striking red hair.
Ricky glanced at his Rollex watch, "Excuse me, Miss, do you have the time? I think this watch is going on the blink." He snapped at the glass dial face with his finger.
"It is exactly twelve-thirty," replied Sharlet Latamier.
"Thanks."
Sharlet took a few moments to examine the younger man while he was occupied with setting his watch to California time.
Ricky then settled himself in his lounge chair and proceeded to read the Wall Street Journal (strictly a prop, as he knew little of financial matters). In reality, his mind was churning out a scenario of conversation he would try to engage in with Sharlet.
Under the pretence of attempting to get a second look at someone who had passed in front of her on the other side of the pool, Sharlet abruptly sat up. Spinning in Ricky's direction, she purposely knocked over a drink that had been sitting on a small table located between them. Some of its contents splashed on Ricky's bare chest.
"Ohhh-I'm sorry, how clumsy of me," she apologized with an embarrassed expression on her face.
"That's OK...just an accident."
Ricky took charge. "Oh, waiter," he called out in a commanding voice. "We've had a little accident here. Would you please bring us a damp towel to clean it up? And bring us two more drinks, too."
Naive Ricky was the one being pursued. His handsome face and masculine body, the Rollex watch, and the Wall Street Journal didn't go unnoticed by Sharlet. She also found his soft-spoken voice appealing, as did most women. She was a clever lady, but by no means a "woman of the world"-especially insofar as men were concerned.
It was one of those days when time got lost in the present, as did the evening, which quickly escaped, as Sharlet and Ricky sipped Martinis and danced. Consciously, there was mutual attraction. Deeper than that, there was a subconscious link to another place, in another time. The hour was approaching 2:00 a.m. when Ricky held Sharlet in his arms and kissed her.
"Well...it's been fun. So, I guess I'll see ya later," said Ricky. He looked into Sharlet's eyes, half expecting an invitation to come in. But it wasn't to be. Sharlet was from the old school and, tonight, Ricky respected that.
"Good night, Ricky...and thank you for a wonderful time."
She shut the door and approached the vanity mirror. Staring at her reflected image, she felt a stranger to herself. "Who am I? What do I really want? Why is my mind already thinking about letting him go before I even know him? I haven't given myself enough time to make a judgment, yet, apparently out of habit, I seem to have already made up my mind. Do I, again, want to repeat mistakes of the past?" A few minutes later, she went to bed. She lay there, wondering, attempting to question her heart. She touched the lips Ricky had kissed and let sleep subdue her confused mind.

Monday night was Lisa's debut. A variety of entertainment was provided each night in the ship's main lounge. There were normally three performances each night in order to accommodate all passengers.
Lisa shared the stage tonight with a dance group, a stand-up comedian, a juggler, and a five-piece instrumental group that would provide accompaniment for Lisa and music to dance by. Lisa captivated her audience with her soothing, yet enthusiastic, and expressive voice.
Ben and Louise thought she was sensational and were delighted that theirs was one of the tables she chose to visit during intermission.
While singing her last song, Amazing Grace, which Louise had requested, Lisa sadly remembered that it was also Granny's and her mother's favorite. A trickle of tears came up from an empty heart. This emotion-charged performance climaxed with a standing ovation from an appreciative audience.

Tuesday-It was Lisa's day off and she decided to take advantage of it by sleeping in. In a half awake state, memories of her former habit pattern (before alcohol and drug rehabilitation) of drinking a Bloody Mary for breakfast, occupied her mind. Fear of the recurrence of a painful ulcer condition and again living under the subjugation of cruel guardianship, or on the streets, was all that kept her straight.
Despite the fact that she was very talented, as evidenced by the previous night's accolades, she had lost all hope for the big break that would bring her fame and wealth.
Cultivating these negative thoughts removed all possibility of sleeping in as planned. She was now fully awake. Feeling trapped and depressed, she pushed her head into the pillow. Exasperated, she cried. Oddly, this short period of self-indulgence did offer some comfort. She had room service deliver breakfast and stayed in her stateroom until performance time that evening.

It was mid-afternoon and the sun was beginning its slow descent into the sea. Bernice Chandler stood clinging to the railing as the majestic ship cut its way through the now aqua sea. The otherwise calm waters erupted under the dynamic force of the powerful vessel, slapping angrily at its bow and then rhythmically relenting. Huge swells rolled off the brilliant silver surface, slowly smoothing back into their original glassy form.
Though not consciously aware of it, Bernice was at peace, for her mind was absent of thought.
"Hello, there."
"Oh, why hello," replied an annoyed and startled Bernice.
"Sorry, Miss, I guess I caught you off guard. I was just taking a walk and saw you standing alone here...and, well... my name is Ricky-Ricky Colletti." Ricky felt his ears get red, a sign of embarrassment for him. 'Damn, I sure blew this one,' he thought. Ricky's clumsy approach and obvious embarrassment only served to amuse Bernice. She was impressed by his good looks and, for some reason, liked the younger man.
Ricky had been watching Bernice from an upper deck. He had seen her on a couple occasions before and her manner, dress, and mild display of egoism led him to believe she was a rich widow worthy of his pursuit. Ricky knew it was a long shot-after all, it's not often that wealthy women of Bernice's age fall prey to twenty-seven-year-old charlatans, but it does happen. He figured it was worth a try but now had a sneaking suspicion this was one lady he should have left alone.
In a futile attempt to get out of his predicament, Ricky again put his foot in his mouth. "I noticed you out by the pool today and you seemed depressed. I thought maybe you were going to...you know..."
"Mr. Colletti, you actually thought I was going to jump?"
Ricky's jaw tightened. He was totally embarrassed and decided not to say another word.
As he turned to walk away, Bernice touched his shoulder. "Ricky, thanks for the thought." Based on painful past experience, she certainly did not trust Ricky, and yet, she felt he posed no threat. "I am ready to go back in now, are you?"
Surprised, and relieved, Ricky whirled around while replying, "Ahh-yeah, I mean, sure."
The Comfort Room Lounge was one of six on the ship. Comfortable swivel type arm chairs surrounded smoked glass-top drink tables that lined the lounge walls. There was an array of couches and love seats strategically placed, with end tables and tables in front. All this provided easy viewing of the stage. A dance floor, adjacent to a half-moon shaped bar, would later be occupied by folks dancing to the music of the ship's band and Lisa's songs.
Ricky and Bernice chatted away the better part of the afternoon in the Comfort Room as the coast of Baja slipped by in the background. Ricky did most of the talking, revealing credibility gaps in his story line. Bernice was strangely attracted to the younger man despite his shallow personality. An early dinner, followed by private time in her stateroom to read and sort her thoughts, capped off the day for Bernice.

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