| Presents Mediterranean Cruise - Part 2 |
| THE CAPTAIN’S COCKTAIL PARTY The Wheaten Princess was now well on her way to Sunny Italy. All the passengers and crew were preparing for the Captain’s ‘Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party’, and the girls had made appointments at the ship’s Beauty Salons so that not a hair would be out of place when they met Captain Guiness. Inspector Griffin and Major Sydney had been keeping an eye on two shifty looking human passengers whom Griffin felt were up to no good! His suspicions were confirmed when he followed them from the dining room after breakfast, and saw them lurking again outside the cabin of Professor Boomer. Of course, he could prove nothing, but it seemed very strange to him that these two people were taking such an unhealthy interest in the cabin of an Egyptologist. He wondered if he should approach Professor Boomer and Dr Kelsie to see if they were carrying any valuable documents with them, and to at least warn them. “I think we should wait a little longer Griff,” said Sydney with shake of his head. “We don’t want to start a panic!” “That may be so my friend,” replied Griffin disarmingly, “but surely it is better to be warned, and to prepare the learned gentleman for possible trouble, than to wait until it is too late!” “Hrumph!” snorted Sydney with his English Public School expression of disgust. “Well, hmmm, do go ahead old boy, but I still think you are acting rashly.” Griffin smiled patiently at his friend. He was just about to go on his way when he saw Professor Boomer and Dr Kelsie coming towards them. It seemed to him to be providential, and a clear indication that he was meant to give warning. He stepped up to Boomer and extended his paw in polite greeting. It was firmly clasped by the tanned Egyptologist and his face was friendly and smiling. “How’d you do, Sir?” asked Griffin. “My name is Griffin, and this is my friend, Sydney. We wondered if we might talk with you privately?” “Certainly,” replied Boomer. Come on in?” Boomer produced a key and invited Griffin and Sydney into his cabin. He introduced Kelsie to them both, and they all sat down to talk. “Kelsie, get the gentlemen something to drink!“ He gestured to the mini bar. “What’ll it be?” he asked. Griffin asked for Brandy, and Sydney asked for Gin. Soon they were comfortable sipping their drinks, and Griffin introduced himself, and explained the reason for their visit. After Boomer had heard all the details, it was obvious that he was very disturbed by this news. “Yes,” he said softly. “I believe you may be right.” He looked at Kelsie and gestured to the briefcase. “Kelsie, show Inspector Griffin the documents.” Kelsie reached for the briefcase and took a key from around her neck to unlock it. Then she handed Griffin the contents. There were a few minutes of silence as Griffin studied the documents. At last, he looked up and twirled his moustache, making at the same time, a little ‘clucking’ sound with his tongue. (Something that had always amused Sydney!) “Professor Boomer, - Doctor Kelsie,” he began in the solemn tone he always employed when ‘on the scent’ of something suspicious. “You are in grave danger my friends!” He paused to allow those words to sink in. “The two men I saw were obviously looking for these documents. It is my deduction that they desire to find this treasure before you!” They may already have someone in the area, and intend to send this information on ahead of you.” He handed back the documents and leaned over, tapping his temple with his paw. “If I were you,” he continued, “I would have this briefcase under lock and key in the Safe at the Purser’s Office. It is not safe here!” Boomer took the warning seriously and agreed to take the Inspector’s advice. It was true. Any criminals would have ample time to get the information to someone in Egypt before they themselves arrived, because Egypt was their final port of call. Kelsie immediately went with Boomer to the Purser’s Office and had the briefcase locked up in the safe. They breathed a sigh of relief. Now, they would not have to worry. They hoped! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE PASSENGERS ARRIVE FOR THE PARTY. Everyone who was anyone was gathering at the Neapolitan Lounge for the Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party. All drinks and refreshments were free, which was in itself an invitation that could not be refused! The two Nuns decided that it couldn’t do any harm to attend, so they dressed in their formal habits and were on their way to meet the Captain when they saw the great Tuckerotti and his Manager, Mr Brady. Sister Killian was overjoyed! She had been a great admirer of Tuckerotti ever since she heard him sing in Carnegie Hall in Midtown Manhattan, New York, before she entered the Convent. Sister Ella rolled her eyes and said in an exasperated exclamation: “The Saints preserve us!” Captain Guiness was a fine looking man, and Lt. Abby was there also, greeting the passengers with her winning smile. She ventured to ask the great singer if he might grace them with a song later in the evening, and to her delight, he cheerfully agreed. Sister Killian who had overheard, tugged excitedly at the sleeve of sister Ella and said in a stage whisper: “Did you hear THAT? Tuckerotti is going to SING for us later!” Ella heaved a sigh. Yes. Now it was on – and no doubt she’d have Killian’s raptures (musical ones) to deal with for the remainder of the Cruise. What a prospect! (What a cross to bear!) She cast a sideways glance at Killian and said dryly: “As long as you don’t jump up on the stage and start singing a duet with him!” Killian just gave her friend a gentle shove and laughed liltingly. She was used to Ella’s dry humour. As seems to happen at all cocktail parties, passengers and crew formed little groups and chatted over drinks. Lexi and Tess, the two dizzy blondes of the Cruise, had met up with some of the Champion Swimmers, and Tess got the autographs she had been hoping for. They were ecstatic to be meeting Rudy, Murphy, Finnegan P, Riley and Bailey Beachboy in the flesh. Tess couldn’t stop herself from blushing, and Lexi had a permanent grin on her face! In another part of the lounge, Tobey, Finnegan S and Oscar, who were Ancient History Students, were introducing themselves to the lady Swimmers, - Reilly Girl, Bella Beachbunny, Shana, Sweetie and Maeve. (Bella Beachbunny was still in a rosy haze after meeting Captain Guiness!) The remainder of the History Students were standing in a shy little group – watching everyone else arrive. Most were not drinkers and felt a little out of place at their first Cocktail Party. Duffy didn’t want to spoil his brain with alcohol but Buttercup seemed willing to give it a try! Besides, the best fun at a cocktail party was watching all the other guests! Soon, some of our more mysterious passengers entered the room after having met the Captain. Seamus, who was the New York Banker who was putting up the prize money for the Championship Swimming Contest, was accompanied by Bailey, the Art Dealer, Dasher the FBI Agent (though no one knew this except Seamus) Boogie and Mia, who were the appointed judges of the Swimming Competition, and last but not least, the magnificent Miss Queenie, (who believed she was of Royal Blood! After all, hadn’t Madame Stella, the Gypsy Fortune Teller told her so?) In the course of conversation, she happened to bring up the subject of how she was trying to trace her Egyptian Ancestry. Dasher was most helpful, and informed her that a well-known Egyptologist and his Assistant were travelling with them, and he pointed them out to her. After that, Queenie kept an eye on them and waited for a convenient opportunity to approach them and ask their expert advice. Grateful to have been able to attend the Party, some of the Officers were mingling with the guests. The ship’s Medical Officer, Doctor Charlie and his Nurse Assistant, RN Scooch were having a stimulating conversation with Inspector Griffin and Major Sydney when they were joined by Jimmy, the Ship’s Lifeguard, and Madame Stella, the Fortune Teller. [Some of the crew had made up a poem about Stella, and it went like this:] Madame Stella, the fortune Teller Will tell you true, and tell you all. Cross her palm with a silver dollar And she’ll look into her crystal ball (And tell if your fella’s short or tall!) [Oh dear!] The ships Band was playing and the Passionate Pooches were singing well-known Italian songs. Everyone thought that the Band’s pianist, Shadow, could have passed as a double for Beethoven! Finnegan B, on guitar, also played Trumpet and Saxophone; Kramer was the best Drummer in Wheatenville, and Sadie managed very well on the Bass Fiddle, as well as being a good singer. The Passionate Pooches had performed all over the US and Canada and were paid well to perform on this Mediterranean Cruise, on board the Wheaten Princess. Reese was the Lead Tenor, and Nicky had a beautiful rich Baritone voice which gave depth and colour to the unique sound of the ensemble. The two girls, Punky and Bristol, blended beautifully with the boys. Bristol’s clear Soprano voice and Punky’s smoky Alto made the group a delight to listen to. Queenie had noticed that professor Boomer and Dr Kelsie were alone, so she glided over and introduced herself. ‘What a charming man the Professor was’ she thought, as she engaged him in conversation about his work, and gradually worked up to her own situation. To her delight, he seemed fascinated, and very keen to help her in her research. He suggested that she accompany them on their own quest to the Valley of the Kings. The Students were coming along too, so he saw no reason why Queenie should not join them. He showed a great interest in the papers that Queenie had, which showed the extent of her research. He felt sure that they could locate the place where her ancestors were buried. LATER THAT EVENING…. After Dinner, our two ‘would be’ con artists had finally caught up with the two dizzy blondes. The girls had changed into something more glamorous for Dinner, and it was obvious to the boys that these girls had plenty of money. Jethro and Harry thought they were onto a good thing, for sure! They learned that the girls were from Boston and came from rich families there. What more could two aspiring ‘gold diggers’ ask! They presented themselves as experts in the Stock Market, and were trying to persuade the girls to invest their money in what they assured them was a secure business investment. The dizzy blondes were impressed! Then came the moment they had all been waiting for. There was a buzz as the Band re-tuned its instruments, and then Abby announced that Tuckerotti, the famous Operatic Tenor, would sing for them. She stood aside with obvious admiration as he approached the stage, - whispered to Shadow at the piano, - nodded his handsome head, and then announced that he would sing a selection of Italian songs. He began with Come Back to Sorrento, after which the audience gave him a standing ovation. His second selection was Funiculi Funicula followed by Three Coins in the Fountain and Come Prima. His final encore was the beautiful Anima e Cuore. (This had Sister Killian almost swooning, and Sister Ella just about ‘swooning’ herself – out of sheer embarrassment! Nuns were NOT supposed to go into raptures over men in tuxedos with superb vocal talents singing Italian love songs!) Killian was humming the lovely romantic tune to herself for the rest of the evening, and poor Ella said in exasperation: “I KNEW we shouldn’t have let you watch that movie ‘The Sound of Music’ when that kind person loaned us the video! NOW you seem to think you’re MARIA!” That put an end to the humming! ======================================================================== The Miss Wheaten World finalists had gathered at the Neapolitan Lounge and bar for a nightcap before retiring. Morgan was keen to meet Cody, the Bar Attendant, again. She rather hoped he might ask her to go ashore with him in the morning. They all looked so glamorous in their gowns, and the only thing Morgan was afraid of, was that he might ask one of the other girls! However, she need not have worried, because Cody soon showed very clearly that he only had eyes for her. Also present at the Neapolitan Bar were Finnegan S and Jimmy. Jimmy was showing quite an interest in Nelly, and young Finnegan S was apparently smitten with Jynx – who seemed to have hardly noticed the poor boy! Well, it was early days and Finnegan S was not the type to be easily discouraged. What a wonderful close to the evening. The next day they would be arriving in Naples and proceeding from there to Pompeii, then on to the Amalfi Coast and finally Rome – the Eternal City. Some were too excited to sleep that night. The thought of going ashore the next morning was all they could think about, and soon the new day dawned and the Wheaten Princess had entered the beautiful Harbour of Naples. END OF PART TWO |
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