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Chapter Six

Thursday-Before most passengers were awake, the Sunbeam had docked at Puerto Vallarta. Here, guests would have the opportunity to visit yet another Mexican city.

Perhaps the highlight of the cruise is the Captain's Ball. It would be a black tie affair featuring a personal introduction to the Captain and ballroom dancing. A twelve-piece band hired out from one of Puerto Vallarta's exclusive resorts, with Lisa's accompaniment, would provide the entertainment.
While guests were jaunting around the cobblestone streets of Puerto Vallarta, the Comfort Room Lounge was being readied for the gala affair.

Ben laid on the bed staring out the window while Louise dressed for the Ball. Trudging around town all day, watching Louise barter with the Mexican merchants, had not been his idea of a good time.
However, his spirits lifted and he was just as impressed as Louise was by the formal event. Women were dressed in their finest formal attire, their hair freshly groomed and styled.
Ben and Louise joined Mrs. Chandler who was sitting at one of the small, smoked glass cocktail tables, sipping complementary champagne. From across the table, Ben was first to speak.
"Good evening, Ma'am. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ben O'Reilly and this is my wife, Louise."
"Bernice Chandler, so nice to meet you." Bernice extended her hand across the table to shake theirs. "Are you enjoying the cruise?"
"Yeah, we're having a great time," replied Ben.
"Such a lovely necklace you're wearing, Mrs. Chandler," commented Louise. If they were genuine diamonds, Ben estimated them to be valued at two or three hundred thousand dollars. It was an exquisite piece of jewelry, surely one of a kind. Louise couldn't take her eyes off it.
The three exchanged small talk for awhile. Bernice was asked to dance a few times, but Louise could not get Ben out on the dance floor.
About 10:00 p.m., Mrs. Chandler excused herself and left. Ben and Louise both wanted to stay and listen to Lisa's last song. Ricky, who was standing at the half-moon bar, followed Bernice from the lounge.
In the meantime, Sharlet spent most of her night chatting and dancing with Harold, an unlikely suitor. She wondered why she was even there. Her mind was mostly on Ricky, but shadowed, also, by thoughts of the bleak future in real estate that awaited her at home.

Bernice Chandler quickly changed into more comfortable clothes and proceeded toward the elevator: destination, Discotheque. In reviewing the ship's agenda of activities that morning, she was intrigued by the thought of loud rock music and strobe lights, a new experience for her.
She found a seat at one of the small tables that surrounded the dance floor. Flashing, pulsating waves of assorted mauves intermixed with yellow and blue lights provided the only light in the room. The colorful lights were presented with a strobe effect illuminated from under the transparent dance floor as well as from the ceiling. It seemed dark at first, but Bernice's eyes soon adjusted.
Casually dressed men and women, wearing pantsuits or short miniskirt dresses, were either dancing or occupying bar stools or tables, some in couples, some alone.
Bernice sat sipping a margarita, fascinated by the spectacle. Again, her mind was absent of unhappy memories. Sheer enchantment had replaced active thinking.
Bernice was unaware of Ricky's gaze as he observed her from the other side of the room. He decided to wait awhile before making his move. More people began to crowd in and the dancing frenzy picked up.
"Excuse me, Ma'am. This drink comes from the gentleman over there." The waiter pointed at Ricky.
Bernice looked at Ricky and nodded her head and moved her lips, mouthing a "thank you."
Ricky nodded back, picked up his glass, and wiggled his way between tables to where she was sitting. "Hi. I see you are alone. May I join you?"
"That would be nice. Please sit down."
Their discussion continued where it had left off early Tuesday evening. Enough information had passed for Ricky to conclude that Bernice was undoubtedly wealthy, even though she didn't say or imply such.
Also he, and many others, could not help but notice the diamond necklace she wore to the Captain's Ball. Bernice still thought she had Ricky pegged and considered him a soft hearted guy, posing no threat to her. She did, however, decide to put him on the spot.
"Ricky, why aren't you attempting to get acquainted with some of these lovely young girls?"
Expecting the question sooner or later, he replied, "Well, to be honest, on these cruises, most of the young, single ladies are here to let their hair down and party most of the time. I want more than that, like just sitting around talking like we did the other day and right now."
Bernice was again amused yet couldn't help but like the younger man.
"I do like to have some fun, though, so let's dance," said Ricky as he grabbed Bernice's hand.
"No, I have never danced like that before."
"Just look at these people, Bernice. Everyone is doing their own thing and no one is paying attention to anyone else. Come on."
After several "I can'ts" by Bernice, and an equal number of insistent gestures on Ricky's part, she reluctantly allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.
A few more Margaritas and continued dancing put Bernice in an intoxicating state. They were both laughing and genuinely having a good time. Suddenly the lights blurred for Bernice, she felt dizzy and had to sit down. Her experience with alcohol was limited.
"Ricky, could you please help me to my stateroom? Suddenly, I don't feel well."
"Sure, I'm sorry, this is my fault."
"No...no, its OK. Please, just take me," she insisted.

Having arrived at her room, Bernice fumbled through her clutch purse for the card key to her room.
Juan, the cabin boy, rounded the corner from his linen closet and approached the pair. "Mrs. Chandler, I have your key. It was in your door. Maybe you left it." Juan quickly turned and left Bernice with an embarrassed half smile.

Ricky guided her into the room and laid her on the bed where she immediately went to sleep.
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