Hell over high water

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Reverend. Cain. I'm Clare Goldsmith. Nice to meet you." She extended her hand to shake it with the reverend, although most men she did that with ended up kissing her hand...

 

Pem leaned back in his chair and watched the two young people. He had seen that look before. The Reverend gently shook the young lady's hand. "A pleasure Ms. Goldsmith."

 

After the woman shook hands with the Rev, Cain extended his own hand, taking hers and kissing it.

"And what is your name, miss?"

 

"Clare Goldsmith. You may call me Clare." She smiled at Cain.

 

Cain was estatic. She seemed to like him well enough. But he knew he shouldn't try too hard at first.

"We were just talking about the book of Revelation, Clare. Have you ever read it?"

 

"Yes a fascinating book. So Clare, " said Pem, "may I assume you too recieved a mysterious invitation?"

 

"Of course. The last book of the Bible. Yes, you too received a letter with tickets?" She looked between the two men curiously.

 

Leon Jonas

Leon stroked his guitar again as if he were about to start singing another song, but an awful twang and a shocked jump from Leon ended it quickly.

"Well damnit," he said to himself. He hadn't thought to bring strings with him and he doubted there would be any on board this ship.

He instead occupied himself with watching the ongoings in the lobby. Not much more than he expected. There was a pious looking man at a table with a couple other people.

Leon sighed and tipped his hat down into his eyes. It was going to be a long day.

 

The Reverend simply nodded as he slid his bible inside his jacket. "The letter just showed up on morning."

 

"Yes, we did. I'm starting to think that everyone on this boat received these tickets."

 

Clare frowned very slightly, if that was so then why? "May I ask...what is the reason for you to have come to this ship?"

 

Pem looked towards the clear sky. "The Almighty works everything for his will. I needed a rest from church politics. This was just the excuse I needed to get closer to my god. Why are you two here?"

 

Cain shook his head. "I have no idea. I just got this letter and I decided to come."

 

"I guess I shouldn't lie in front of the reverend. I came to get away from school and my father..."

 

"Why would you want to do that?" I asked.

 

Clare frowned. "Personal reasons."

 

Pem smiled. "You should always honor your parents young lady, " he said with a chuckle. "Yet I remember my own father would try the patience of the Almighty himself. A break is often the best thing for such troubled relationships." Mordecai reached into his breast pocket and pulled out his flask again. "Well in honor of our new friendship, I think one more nip is in order."

He quickly filled Cain's glass and his own. "Clare?"

 

"Yes, please." Clare ordered a glass to be brought over for her.

 

The Reverend filled Clare's glass. "Would someone propose a toast?"

 

Clare cleared her throat. "For new friendship, new opportunities and new beginnings."

 

Pem quickly drained his glass and got up. "Well Cain, Clare it was a pleasure to meet you both. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to rest for a little while. I'm sure we will see each other later." The Reverend winked at Cain as he walked towards his room.

 

Clare nodded her head at the Reverend. "Have a good day, Reverend." She turned her head to smile a little at Cain.

 

A strange-looking man was playing a guitar in the corner. Cain gave Clare a sly smile.

He held out his hand. "Would you like to dance?"

 

Clare more or less blushed. "I don't think we're supposed to that here, but sure." She grinned and took Cain's hand, standing up.

 

Cain grinned. This was going better than he expected. He had taken some dancing lessons when he was younger, and led Clare through a series of simple, but elegant dances. When they past the singer, Cain tossed a 20 at the man. He grinned and tipped his hat.