The Bay Horse Leaves For A Different Story

Chapter 25
The Bay Horse Leaves For A Different Story
San Francisco, Neptune's Palace Restaurant:
Em and Al were early. They were to meet the Captain and Mr. Orez for a late luncheon, but they were too nervous to do ought until they could speak with those worthy gentlemen concerning the matter of a certain trunk...
They sat at 'their' table which had been reserved for four, nursing their coffees for some time. Somehow, despite her nerves, Emmeline felt exhaustion creeping up on her again, and it was to be a long evening.Wondering if she'd become immune to caffeine, she signaled the waiter for refills.
As fresh courage arrived via a hot carafe of Columbian, the much-anticipated gentlemen also came on the scene at last.
Emmeline was so relieved, she actually stood and grasped the Captain's big hand in both of hers, smiling up into his handsome and so-very-welcome features.
Captain Keithcliff was somewhat taken aback by her enthusiasm.
He smiled and squeezed her hands in return, pulling the chair out for her. 'My dear girl!' he began as he and Orez took their places, 'How good to see you - both!- as well!'
Orez and Alice meanwhile, were simply staring into each other's eyes, their hands entwined. Words weren't enough. For them, it was a mind-meld.
Em and the Captain were well used to that. The waiter took their orders, but the ladies surprised their escorts by sticking to water and coffee, refusing wine for a change.
'But, ma chere','the Captain objected,'Tis New Year's Eve! Time to celebrate, what!' He himself had ordered a local ale much favored by him and hard to find outside of the City, and red wine for Orez as per usual.
'We have something to discuss with you both,'began Emmeline,
her hand shaking a little as she took her cup, the men noted.
They were on the alert now, sensing an edge to this particular reunion.
'Of course, you have our undivided attention, my dears!' the Captain leaned forward as did Orez, as Em and Alice quietly outlined their plan.They had just gotten to the information about the cargo that was awaiting pickup, and hoping that said cargo could be transported aboard the Captain's boat, the Lady Liberty, when the waiter reappeared with their luncheon.
For a moment, nothing was said. The women hadn't touched their salads, hearts pounding with the stress of waiting so long to see what this moment would bring. The Captain was staring into his ale with serious introspection. He then leaned over to Alejandro and whispering in his ear, the two quietly conferred for a moment. Alice and Emmeline looked anxiously at one another, Em had wadded her napkin into a tight ball on her lap and had a death-grip on it.
At last the Captain downed his ale, and signaled for another round. '...As luck would have it, it does seem as though we could make a short voyage, ah, south...' The Captain nodded as the waiter left another frosty glass;Keithcliff, like most Englishmen, had a good head for ale and had probably been raised on the stuff. His acumen and dexterity wouldn't be compromised in the least. In fact, he was feeling a second wind coming on...'We shall wrap it up here, and then get your cargo aboard ship forthwith. Alright, then?'
Emmeline and Alice almost passed out with relief.'Thank you, Keithcliff!' Emmeline was near tears she was so grateful that this question had at last been resolved. The high-strung state of the ladies was not lost upon their companions, though, and as the girls relaxed abit finally, and began to tell of their plans for the evening, Alejandro leaned over and whispered in the Captain's ear.
'Excellent idea, mate!'the Captain agreed and presented this plan in turn:'How does this sound, then, eh? When we deliver the cargo on board, you two will come also, AND you will sleep awhile,in my cabin, alone and undisturbed for some hours. At 6 bells, we shall wake you for dinner, and then it's off to this play of yours! Agreed?'
'Oh, Captain...my Captain!' Em looked at Keithcliff, her eyes becoming misty. He knew it was nerves and exhaustion on her part, but still it made him feel warm inside.
'There now, kitten...'He patted her hand with his big one, long elegant fingers sporting a new obsidian ring she noticed.'You have both had quite the time, haven't you, then?'
'You don't know the half of it, yet...'Alice couldn't help adding.
'Hmmm...'Alejandro held her hand as well. 'I know you both need rest! We shall catch up on things, and you may tell all of your tale, and we shall share our own, but first, you must feed, and then get some sleep! A long night is ahead!'He took note, as did his captain, of the girls' pale, wan faces and the deep dark circles under  their eyes.
Em sighed then, her hand shaking as she tried to spear some salad. 'I hope I can sleep! We've been pumping coffee into ourselves since dawn...it certainly would be the best thing, though. We need to be alert before we...'she looked around,'before tonight...'
'Eat up, my girl!' The Captain insisted.'And, I am ordering wine. A glass or two will help you relax, on top of a good meal, no? Then sleep. We have the entire evening, my dear...'
and taking charge of the situation, the gentlemen had a carafe of wine sent to the table, and buttered hot rosemary rolls for the ladies and plied them with food and drink and their own stories of their travels of late, 'But, it's good to be in port and to see you two again. Always some bit of intrigue going on with you girls!' The Captain shook his head as he twisted a rope of linguini around his fork and spearing some Portobello, fed it to Em.'I suppose, it's just possible that...it's part of your unique charm.' He smiled at her, and she was thankful for that. What a  relief to  feel as though she had come to safe harbor at last!
--If only for a short while...
                           . . . . . .                        
After luncheon, the party then strolled along the waterfront til they came upon the warehouse, which, as Jack had said, wasn't too far from dockside and the address was fairly easily accessed. Em went to the small side door and gave her secret knock, which was promptly answered by Yeats, who nodded and Jack and Aleister showed up then, ushering her inside where she quickly explained the plan.
They loaded the trunk onto the waiting cart, which Jack had hired for the day and fetched from the ferry terminal earlier. All boarded then with the Captain and Yeats on the driver's seat; Yeats drove the big Clydesdale whilst Keithcliff gave directions to his ship.
As the masts of the Lady Liberty came into view, Emmeline got the same thrill she always did to see the fine lines of her Capitan's other lady love...
',...Sail and steam, screw-prop sloop!'the Captain announced as they approached. 'Nothing too fancy, but she gets the job done!' he said, muting his obvious pride with practical observations. Jack and Al were completely enchanted, like most men they became boys again when out among ships with romantic tales of pirates and sea-battles dancing in their heads.
The cart lumbered up on wooden planks of the dock and
drew up close beside the sloop. The men disembarked and carefully unloaded the trunk, carrying it up the gangway, as Emmeline and Alice followed.
Em ran her hand along the polished, smooth wood of the ship's railing, always charmed by her sharp lines and her tight rigging;it bespoke a world made ship-shape of necessity. To Em it was a world free of the moorings of convention; once away from land, one could make a world of one's own,Nemo-esque, away from the squabblings and petty autocratic power games proliferating landside.Or so she imagined...
The ladies followed the cargo below to the hold. Yeats opened the trunk to find Lev slumbering oblivious, like Snow White in the glass coffin after swallowing the witches' bit of poisoned apple, still ensorcelled. So peaceful he seemed, the company just stared awhile, bemused.
'Well, well...' the Captain merely said. 'Let's heave him up  here, then.' The lads heaved-to,carrying both the injured man and his bedding beneath, and a muffled grumble escaped from Lev as they deposited him gently on a pallet. A sailor's hammock wouldn't do til his ribs healed; he needed a flat bed for now.
'He seems to be coming round abit,' the doctor observed,
as he checked Lev's pulse and vitals,and nodded then,satisfied.
'Good.'Keithcliff commented, hands in pockets. 'I've a couple of the crew here on watch, they'll be relieved soon...'he consulted an ornate silver pocket-watch,'and then take their shore-leave as the others return. He won't be left alone.'He then ushered the party up the stairs and on deck.
'Remarkable ship!'Aleister exclaimed, looking around and smiling like a contented cat.
'Indeed, Captain, she is a beauty...' Jack rejoined, placing a hand on the mast, displaying a face utterly lost in fancy.
Emmeline took her captain's arm and made belated introductions then,'Captain Keithcliff Omen, Mr. Alejandro Orez, please allow me to introduce my dear friends from Pankhurst--'she rather surprised them by introducing first: ' Mr. Yeats,' then, 'Jack Van Horn, and Doctor Aleister Parsons....and our sleeping cargo below is Lev Kopalski.'
Handshakes all around then. 'Pleasure, gentlemen!' the Captain
replied. 'Well, it's a fine day for such an enterprise!' He glanced about, sniffing the sea air, noting the wind's direction and eyeing the sky. 'For this time of year, a fine California day! And it should be well, heading on south now, too. I foresee fair sailing ahead.'
'Would you gentlemen be interested in a tour of the ship, perhaps?' Alejandro asked, noting the poking about of Aleister and Jack, who responded with an emphatic 'Certainly!' And as they scuttled off then, Em could hear the doctor and Jack peppering Orez with questions about the ship and her crew, her boiler, etc., while Yeats strolled amiably behind.
The Captain turned to Em and Alice. 'Now, my girls! Let us get you settled in then! This way!' and he led them below deck by a different hatch and to the Captain's quarters, which though necessarily smallish, still was neatly appointed with a wide feather bed, a large barren desk, a fine heavy wooden Spanish-style wardrobe in one corner, and a matching heavy table ringed with the same heavy Castilian chairs, and a large trunk made up the total furnishings, along with a heavy rug with Inca-style designs depicting the legend of Kukulkan.
Keithcliff went to the wardrobe and rummaged about, bringing forth at last, a couple of nightshifts in plain muslin for the girls. 'These should do you for now, I think! One size fits nearly all!' Smiling he lay them upon the bed and pointed to the lamp hanging over. 'If you waken at dark, here is the lamp. But we shall call for you, never fear! Emmeline has stayed here before, and she can show you any further details you may wish to know...So! Rest well, sleep deep! Your journey has been a successful one, my dears!' He turned then to Em and taking her into his arms, 'There, now, kitten!'said he,' You see? All is well.' He kissed her gently on the lips once. 'Rest up, Em. A New Year is come!' And with that, he nodded to the women and headed up on deck.
                            . . . .
The December sun had sunk into the western bay and bare traces of crimson still showed as Alice and Emmeline stirred below at last and began dressing for the evening.
'Feeling more the thing now, Em?' asked Alice as she buttoned up, gazing out the stern windows from the Captain's cabin, and trying to judge the time.
'Oh, yes, Alice! And you?' Al nodded. Em sighed and shook her head slowly, drawing on her shoes, 'This is the first time I have felt at all human in...oh, I can't recall -- days at least. There!' She stood. 'Shall we head up? Goodness, although I am rather anxious about what we may find up there...' She paused at the stairway, glancing at Alice.
'What do you expect to find?' Alice enquired.
'I don't know!' Em looked at her, blinking. 'I just hope, you know, that everyone is getting along alright...'
Alice smiled and patted her shoulder, then nodded to her to head on up.
To the ladies' surprise, the gents were all seated along the bow, staring at the last vestiges of sunset and smoking and chatting amiably, encluding -- 'Lev!' Em exclaimed, and went directly to his side. 'Lev...how are you, now?' she asked, solicitous.
Lev smiled, or tried to, wincing abit at the still rather fresh bruises and cuts. 'I think I'll live.' He took Em's hand in his. 'Thanks to you, and Alice, and the help of good friends.'
He looked at the surrounding company.
Em smiled back, her eyes watering anew. 'I'm so glad! You'll be fine, now Lev! It really wasn't safe for you, back in Pankhurst.'
'So I gather!' Lev turned seaward then, leaning on the railing.
'I'm ready for this journey, though, Em, and a new chapter in my life. This, this voyage ahead, is really the answer to a prayer!' He turned back to them all. 'I couldn't have hoped for a better end to the old year!' he heartily declaimed.
Emmeline smiled, and shivered abit as she took her shawl from her bag, which the Captain helped to drape about her shoulders. 'We're up before 6 bells, Captain!' she declared.
'What is the time, I wonder?'
'Nearly that,'answered Aleister. 'We must be getting on. It's past time we returned that cart...'
'But we will meet you by showtime at Mendation's,' Jack added and turned to Lev, extending his hand,'Good luck to you, Lev, and keep up the good fight,comrade.' Lev took his hand in both of his with a firm clasp. 'That I will, comrade!'
'And remember to take it easy for awhile!' Aleister admonished,'No climbing the rigging til you've healed-up now!'
Lev nodded, shaking his hand in turn.Yeats then sidled up to Lev, put a hand on his shoulder and murmured in his ear, then slipped something into his hand, which Lev pocketed with a nod and a small grin.
The Captain turned to Lev then. 'Mr. Ali here will be keeping watch as well as Mr. Salazar the cook below. They'll be excellent companions. The rest of the crew should trail in at odd hours thereafter... And although you do seem to be getting on well enough, I've had enough broken ribs of my own to know you must take care in order to heal proper!Captain's orders!' he finished with a small smile.
'Aye, aye!' Lev saluted, and sat back down with a grunt. 'I'm not all that inclined to do much else, I have to admit. And yes, Ali and I have plenty to talk about...'
'Don't let him or Salazar talk you into a poker game!They're both rapacious cheats!' Orez wagged a finger at Ali who leaned against the mast, calmly tying knots, looking the picture of innocence.Alejandro turned to the ladies then, 'Shall we?'he asked, offering Alice his arm, which she took and after giving Lev a small kiss on the cheek farewell, they and the Captain walked on down the gangway, as Emmeline stayed behind to have a moment with Lev.
Ali wandered off amidships and the two were alone. Em sat beside Lev and took his hand in hers. 'Lev, I...'she began.Lev patted her hand and held it,'Emmeline, what I said is truth, verily,'he looked out over the placid bay, now an obsidian mirror of the night sky. 'This is the best course I could take now!' He sighed, 'I have been at loose ends for some years ...no, no--it isn't because of you, not entirely anyway...' he said when she made a small exclamation. 'I've wondered lately if all my efforts have done any good...'
'Lev! Don't even think that way! Of course they have!' She gently touched his still-swollen cheek and gazed into his eyes then,'You know you're the reason that I became involved in social and political struggles! You're my inspiration, Lev,'she finished, and kissed his cheek tenderly. He winced, but smiled.
'That's certainly not effort wasted then, if not altogether true...I know you were a crusader for human rights long before we met Em. Do you recall our first meeting? At the women's suffrage rally...' He turned to her and shyly kissed her on the lips, but it was rather a chaste kiss, 'Go on, now, Em. We'll see each other again, sometime, I'm sure of it, lass!' He stood, pulling her up toward him. Emmeline blinked away tears, as she held him close but ever so carefully. 'Take care, Lev,'she whispered in his ear,'You've no idea how I've missed you all this time!' she looked at him then, smiling. 'Promise, we'll see each other again!'
Lev raised a fist in salute. 'Comrade's Honor.Get going, now, Em, I have some money to win in a poker game...'
Em shook her head as she parted from Lev,choked up and unable to speak; both holding hands til their fingertips finally brushed apart, and sniffing back her tears, she hurried down the gangway to where the others stood waiting.
                         . . . .
As the California Street cable car reached the top of the hill,
the party disembarked and strolled down the avenues filling now with holiday revelers. The odd sounds of tin horns and whistles filled the air along with the occasional popping of firecrackers.'Happy New Year!' people called, waving from windows of painted ladies, as San Franciscans called their early Victorian row houses.
'Where to, ladies?' asked the Captain as they passed by several restaurants all filled to the brim with holiday partiers.
'Goodness, I don't know!' Em looked in at all the steamy windows and inhaled the scents of cooking. 'I must admit, I could certainly eat a bite or two though!'
They turned the corner down a quiet street where they could make out the haunting strains of a violin, following the sound to a cheerily lighted cafe where, although not lacking in customers, there seemed to be a few tables still unoccupied. They paused, gazing through the window bearing the name of Het Vezer -- Eastern European Cafe. At that moment, a zaftig woman appeared from the kitchen,bearing a large tray laden with a goose, it seemed, to the delight of those waiting at the table beneath the window.
'Het Vezer...the Seven Chieftans!' said the Captain. 'Good enough for them and us, I'll reckon!' The others heartily agreed, as they entered the warm and welcoming house.
They were shown to a nice corner booth and began to peruse the menu whilst a violinist wandered among tables playing tunes familiar to many there, who joined along in song.Although the menu read mostly in Czech it seemed, there were also English translations. The company finally decided upon borscht to begin, with Csirke Paprikas, (Chicken Paprika),Holishkes (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls), and Magyar Gulyas, of course, (Hungarian Goulash), finishing with Almasretes (Apple Strudel.)
'...and Pilsener!' the Captain exclaimed, delightedly, to which all agreed would go well with the meal.'At least, to begin...
there will be champagne later!'he winked.
                         . . . .
...And there was. Delightfully contented and nearly surfeited by their delectable feast, the party was 'filling up the corners' with champagne and nibbling on the toothsome strudel whilst their fellow diners did the same and had settled into singing soft melodies of Old World origin to the tune of the violin and
now, someone with a guitar had joined them from the kitchen, which lent a rather relaxed and homey ambiance to the evening.
'Pfennig for your thoughts?'asked Keithcliff as he took Emmeline's hand and sat back, satisfied.
Em sighed and leaned against her chair as well. 'I haven't any!' She smiled at him,'It's such a relief! I believe I am too full to cogitate.'
'Coffee, perhaps?' asked the Captain.
'NO!!!' Emphatically answered both Alice and Em, earning wide grins from the gentlemen.
'Ah, well then...'Keithcliff began, taking out his pocket watch,'...it seems we've still some time yet...!'
'How is the time keeping, then?' Em enquired, giving his hand a squeeze. The watch had been a Solstice gift from her, engraved
within was the sentiment: 'To Keithcliff from Emmeline, With Love Eternal As The Sea'and, naturally, a fine sailing ship gracefully detailed the watch cover.
'She runs like...clockwork, Em!' the Captain kissed her forehead as she playfully smite his shoulder. 'Ah! Alright, enough of that then!' And, reaching into his pocket, brought forth a small black velvet box and set it upon the table before Em.'Perhaps this will make up for my bad jests.'
A similar box, slightly larger, had also appeared before Alice.
Alejandro was gazing softly her way, as her eyes locked with his.
'Oh, Keithcliff!...a New Year's gift? It's so unexpected!' Not entirely true, as the gents had intimated they might be bringing a wee sommat back from their travels, (as they usually did)...
Em kissed her captain on the cheek and slowly lifted the lid, to display a pair of beauteous emerald earrings worked in delicate silver filigree. 'Oh, my dear...!' Em was entranced. She was indeed, speechless. She touched Keithcliff's cheek and gave him such a heartfelt smile, then. 'Thank you, my darling-- stalwart Captain of my heart!' and kissed his neck then, just below the ear...
'Glad you find them agreeable, luv!' he was gruffly pleased. 'Well, Alice, what have you there?' he asked, pouring the last of the champagne all round.
Alice looked at them all, smiling, then took up her box and opened the cover. 'Oh! How lovely!' she said, as she then extracted a round ornate silver and glass box. 'Tis a music box!' she exclaimed, and as she lifted the lid, the tinkling sound of 'Claire de Lune' filled the air. Only then did they realize that the tables all about them had become curious and were watching the unfolding tableau when folk all round them uttered appreciative 'Ahhh's!' The guitarist wandered over and joined in with the music box's delicate tune, to the delight of all.
Alice was only slightly embarrassed but mostly thrilled by it all. 'My darling...' she breathed to Alejandro, kissing his cheek. That worthy gent was grinning ear to ear to have found such favorable, -and far-reaching!- approval of his efforts.
'Such gallantry deserves a reward, no?' asked the guitar player, motioning his partner, the violinist over their way. The cafe wholeheartedly agreed with applause. The guitarist spoke softly in his friend's ear a moment, and then striking a chord, they began to sing a new tune...'This, is the niiight...it's a beauuutiful niiight...and they callll it Belllla Notteee!'
Enchanted, the girls and their gentlemen joined in as well, til the entire cafe was united in this time-honored paean to love...
for 'tis true: the whole world loves a lover...
Outside, the ubiquitous fog began to roll in, wrapping the city in a sheltering cloak, the pops and whistles of the evening's celebrations somewhat muffled now. A New Year was edging closer
on time's infinite wings.  Whatever was to come, hung in the balance for now. For this was a lull, a winterlude, in time's inexorable march;and this was a night...'it's a beautiful night...'--a night just made for love...
                           . . . . .
...One may of course, read whilst listening to 'Claire de Lune' and partake of champagne and strudel! Perhaps a review of 'Lady and the Tramp' would make a nice fit as well, sharing, perhaps, a plate of pasta, with a willing partner...Salud!