Running Down A Dream

Ch. 24
Running Down A Dream
December 31st dawned bright, cold and clear.
Emmeline and Alice stood on the platform of Pankhurst station awaiting the 9 o'clock train. To say that they were abit keyed-up was putting it mildly...as if one could claim two cats being chased by a pack of rabid hounds were also 'abit keyed-up'... But at last they heard a familiar whistle blow and now as they made out a line of steam from the smokestack in the distance, their anxiety grew less to view their means of escape on the way.
Boarded finally and situated at a rear car next to the baggage car, they found two seats together, not an easy maneuver on a New Year's Eve run to the City, and sat and sighed with some small relief, as the train began to pull away from town and headed west at last.
'Goodness, but it's more crowded than I've seen it aboard here in awhile!' Alice remarked, 'But that's a good thing, probably.
More crowd to be lost in,'she finished sotto voce.
'I'm thinking they'll have to add another car somewhere along the line,'Em agreed.'Probably, at the next stop.'She looked at Al meaningfully. The next stop was where they were to pick up Aleister, Jack and the 'Cargo'.
The train sped along the flat landscape leaving the miasma that had been Pankhurst of late. It wasn't long before they both craned to look out the window for the next stop, hoping to see Jack and Al, et al. 'I think that's them!' Em pointed to a cart hitched to, she believed, Jack's bay, Trotsky, as the train slowed to a halt at the depot. As Em thought, they felt the car jerk from the uncoupling as they added cars. This may take awhile, she thought, frustrated with more waiting.And where were the men, then? She hadn't been able to see much beyond a brief glimpse of horse and cart...
Some minutes went by, and then she and Alice watched, wondering, as a young lad leapt upon Aleister's trap, and taking Troktsky's reins in hand, turned about and proceded away from the railyard. Em and Alice looked at one another.
'Ladies, I believe you have the wrong seats!' A familiar voice greeted them from behind.
They jumped.'Oh! Jack, Aleister! You gave us a start!' The girls' hearts were in their throats then. Mercy, didn't they know they were nearly ready to leap out of their skins with anxiety? Men...!
'Sorry, ladies!' Jack smiled, probably not sorry in the least and thinking it good fun. 'Let us make amends for startling you both...we have secured a private compartment, and would be 
pleased if you would join us for coffee!'
                          . . . . .
Seated then in a comfortably appointed space with cushioned seats on either side and a small table between them, the ladies did indeed feel kinder toward the gentlemen and with the door shut against the outlying crowd, they began to relax slightly for the first time that day. Jack poured hot coffee for all and passed a plate of scones.
Must be nice...being one of the 'haves', Em couldn't help but think. Being charitable goes both ways, though, so she put her good face on it and had to admit it wasn't all that hard to do, really.
'Mercy, but we've been in a state!' Alice allowed, shaking her head. 'So,'she continued quietly, 'Our cargo...?'
'Is safe and secure, and in the baggage compartment. Yeats has special permission to sit with the...trunk in back. He's made himself comfortable enough there and can keep an eye on things,' Aleister handed Alice a pot of jam.'We're well on our way, my dears. they'll be fine you'll see.'
As this was the first time that Alice and Aleister had seen one another since their...travels...they both sat back and each regarded the other appraisingly.
'Thank you, doctor, for your help in this matter,' Alice began.
Al looked at her, brows raised,'It's Aleister, please!--and we're happy to lend a hand, my dear Alice, and Emmeline!'he declaimed.'Good to see you both again, and fear not, this adventure should end better than the last .'
Jack spoke then, 'I hope we've earned your trust, somewhat at least! Let us try to ally any remaining fears that you may still have, please.' He looked so earnest, leaning toward them over the table that they smiled a little, relenting.
'Our...cargo, is comfortable?'Em asked.
'As comfortable as 'cargo' can be,'said Aleister. 'It is cold back there, but Yeats can pop them both out of this ah, era, shall we say? ...And then back again to this time and space, before we disembark. And, whilst here,  they're both well wrapped! Even found some old fur coats in the attic when we dug out the trunk!'
'Oh, Lev in a fur coat!' Em smiled wryly and put a hand to her forehead, 'He'd have to be well-sedated to get him into such a bourgeois rig!'
'He is that,'the doctor agreed. 'Had to be, for the trip. Even
a groan could give him away at a wrong moment. But never fear,
it's neither too much or too little. He'll be himself again, sooner than you think.'
'And breathing free air again will be the best restorative!' Jack declared, downing his coffee and pouring more. He and Al both seemed unconcerned and in fact, rather eager. An adventure, then, for them. Well, thought Em, they could always just...evaporate back to the future whenever they felt like it, couldn't they...? She did feel grateful for their indispensible
aid of late. Well, if they got a sense of fun out of their exertions, so be it.
'We're all here, safe, thus far, and on our way,'she decided,'That's the main thing.'
'Agreed.' Aleister joined Jack in pouring another round for all.
'Excellent coffee, by the way!' Alice had to exclaim.
'Yeats,'Jack and Al said together. 'He fixed us up a carafe to go...'
'...a thermos!' Emmeline remembered.
'That's right!'Aleister smiled at her memory.(Jack meanwhile had flashbacks of 'The Jerk' with Steve Martin.)'As well as a picnic basket to see us to the City.'
'I know we have a right job ahead of us,'Emmeline took a bite of currant laced scone,'But, it is rather an adventure, I suppose!' She sat back and gazed out the window at the approaching Coast Range, now quite near.
The company watched the scenery awhile in amiable companionship and soon Alice began to hum as was her wont on long trips.  To their surprise Aleister soon joined her in his low bass. They began then to sing the words together...'Corrina, Corrina...I bid you fare thee well, when I'll be back dear, nobody can tell...'
they smiled at one another.
'One of my favorites...'Al admitted,looking into his cup.Alice, too was lost in her thoughts.
'Mine also!'Em chimed in.'And you know, when I went to the music shop and asked for the sheet music, they'd never heard of it! In fact, only you, Alice, and now Aleister--are the only people I know of who have also heard that song!'
'Oh, dear...'Alice smiled sheepishly.'I didn't realize you were that fond of it, Em! Ah...it's an old favorite of Frank's you see--'she flicked a glance at Aleister then,'it's by Big Joe Turner, circa 1950-something.'Alice sighed. 'Frank's a big jazz and blues fan...it rubbed off on him during his, travels...and rubbed off on me, as well! Once it gets in your blood...'
'...there's no escaping!'Aleister laughed. 'Quite right! Ah, my, my...so we've all abit more in common then! Jack here is quite the jazz junkie...'
'A, what?' enquired Em.
Jack cleared his throat, looking hard at Al, 'He means I can't get by without it. It's so, though,'Jack sighed, thinking back. 'Whenever we'd travel, I always had a hard time relaxing unless I could hear or play some jazz. It gets in your blood, truly. I eventually learned a little guitar, just so I wouldn't feel so bereft, when we were in jazz-deprived countries.'Jack harkened back to those traveling days of his youth and began to feel rather...excited, really. Well, it's a risky business ahead...and a risky one looking back as well.
'Well!That explains it!'Em knew now.'Oh,  Alice, I suppose Roll Out the Barrel, and The Song Has Ended But The Melody Lingers On...?'
''Fraid so, Em, guilty as charged...I've been playing music not yet composed...'
'Oh my. Mr. Zappa at the music shop always thought I was just making trouble for him when I asked for these non-existent songs!'
'Ah Emmeline...soon!'Jack warmed to the subject,'You are a mere breath away, from Ragtime!' He leaned forward and his boot slunk
suddenly up and down her leg, like a python! 
'What marvels you've yet to hear! Irving Berlin was a Tin Pan Alley genius, if you like his Melody Lingers On...wait til you hear Gershwin, Cole Porter...Louis Armstrong...'he got a faraway look in his eyes...'Ella Fitzgerald.'he said it as a final statement.
Em meanwhile was suddenly enthralled. What was that all about?She couldn't believe Jack just...played footsie with her? Or was it bootsie? Just what was this Ragtime?! Nooo, surly she was mistaken. A movement of the carriage caused it.
Right.
Aleister took up the tune again, and glancing at Alice with a grin began to sing:'Corrina Corrina, be a pal of mine...you got me walkin' just to keep from cryin'...'
The rest joined in, encluding Jack and Emmeline:'I love Corrina, tell the world I do...just a little more lovin', let your heart be true...'
And as the engine steamed west carrying it's varied passengers and cargo (and passengers AS cargo)along with all their divers hopes, dreams and wishes for the New Year, the company relaxed somewhat and sang on to the accompanying clickety-clack of the
train car on track: 'Corrina Corrina where you been so long? I ain't had no lovin', since you been gone...'
                            . . . . .
As the train passed over the bridge spanning the Straits, there was a lull in the songfest for a moment.
'So, what is jazz, really?' Em asked. 'Where did it originate?'
'Ah! Glad you asked, Em!' Jack was in his element now. 'Actually it is particular to the U.S.-- however, it's roots are in Afrika, and from there,to the Caribbean as well as South America.'
'Indeed, Jack...'the doctor added,'I noticed that you didn't appear to be 'deprived' of jazz when you were dancing with the
Condomble' practitioners in Brazil!'
'Aleister!'Jack warned. He couldn't believe that Al brought that up! What would the ladies now think? (On top of all his other...idiocyncrasies...what was going on with him?)
Al may as well have broadcast:
'Yes, Jack used to dance with the Voudouns in Haiti,' (he did, -- that came much later-- but still, one doesn't pop out with that upon a oh, 3rd date? was it?)...and to think they used to live together...the thought made Jack about mad with longing...it all seemed so right then.
Except for the abduction part. Of course.
He sighed, thinking: 'Merde...'
But although Alice and Em were on the alert, they didn't appear to be discomfited by this revelation.
'You...practice Condomble', Jack?' Em enquired, with a sideways glance.
'Emmeline...I...well, not exactly. I have studied, with fellow adherents there in Brazil, but, no, I'm not a practitioner, as such. I've made it a point to study the culture, the music, the spiritual beliefs of any country I've visited.'he looked at Em,
hoping she was 'still with him' on this. 'The Yoruba in Afrika,
the Berbers in the desert;I've sat zazen with Buddhist monks in Japan, although as my sensei unceasingly remindes me, I've not kept up my practice...and yes, with brujas and curanderas in the Americas...everyone everywhere has a puzzle piece of wisdom and knowledge. I try to be open, and to learn from all.'
Well, best to be honest,at least, he thought. She can't fault me for not being forthcoming.What have I to lose now? I can't have lost her already...it seems I've lost her so many times...Jack frowned then, what am I thinking? It's the lack of sleep and too much caffeine, he decided.
Em and Alice were looking at each other, and both thinking the same thing then. Alice sighed at last. 'We may as well tell them all of it. Possibly, these gentlemen could aid us in this.'
Jack and Aleister sat up, each wondering what Alice could  mean by this intriguing statement.
'Puzzle pieces.' Em said. 'Yes.' She leaned forward and clasping her hands together upon the table, looked at the gentlemen across from them. 'Well...you're not going to believe this, but...'and she and Alice then launched into their tale of Frank's problems with the military, his disappearance, and subsequent reappearance in spirit only through the efforts and kind acquiescence of Mr. Orez, the Captain's First Mate, a Condomble' devotee.'So, you see, we're meeting up not only with the Captain, and Mr. Orez, but just possibly, with Frank as well,'ended Emmeline, her eyes searching theirs for some hope of understanding.
Al and Jack understood all too well. 'Alice...'began Aleister,'My dear Alice...how you have managed all this, is a miracle. You are an incredible woman.' he gave her an open look free of anything but utmost admiration. His features hardened then and he turned to Jack. 'Anything we can do to help you and Frank,' he paused and Jack nodded,'We will, and I know Yeats would be pleased to offer any assistance as well.'
Alice and Em sighed then, relieved to have that in the open at least, and amazed that they found such ready accomplices. As the train passed beyond the bridge and entered into the winding bayside terrain, all was quiet in the car then, as they grew closer to their destination. 'There is...something else.' Em ventured, looking to Alice.
'This one's all yours, Em. Up to you.' Alice conceded.
'More surprises, Em?' Jack was constantly amazed by Emmeline. Any previous notions he'd had of a 19th century womans' experience as constrained by society's conventions 'back then'were fast flying from his fancies.(Was that Em's foot he'd been tackling? What was he thinking? He'd just felt so...jazzy at that moment.)Jack felt increasingly...drawn somehow...as though something was calling to him...
Emmeline took a deep breath,and figured it was best to just come out with it. 'We...we believe we've found...Morgana Carlysle.' She paused. 'And, we plan to meet and talk with her, later tonight.'
No sound was heard then, but the train's motions and wheels on track. Aleister and Jack were both staring at her as though
she'd just announced that she actually hailed from Venus. At last Jack stirred.'Ah. And, just how...? What...? Where...did this notion come from?' He seemed rather befuddled.
Understandably.
Alice took up the narrative: 'Well, when we arrived back at the theatre, you know, when we...'
'...when you left Van Horn's?' Aleister supplied, helpfully.
'yes, exactly.'Alice continued,thinking it best not to just say 'escaped'; 'We arrived in Jacky's dressing room, on the other side of the mirror, and as we exited through the lobby...'
'--I saw her!' Em jumped in. 'Well, not her, in person, but we saw her picture on a poster announcing her upcoming play at Mendation's, 'direct from Paris'...she is now playing in 'Orpheus' on New Year's Eve. Tonight.' she finished.
                          .........
Em let that sink in for awhile.
Neither Jack or Al seemed to know quite what to think.
"Here's the plan then:' Em continued: 'We offload the cargo, at your warehouse. When we return with the Captain, we'll knock once. Then twice rapidly. So you recognize us.'
They nodded.
'So then, from the warehouse we head on to the ship. 'Em paused, 'Then, at last,when we reach the Lady Liberty,  Lev can embark. On his new life.' Emmeline leaned back against the seat and looked tired then.
 This had been a trial for her, and Alice...one thing atop the other,this horror with Lev coming on the heels of Alice's setup thought Jack, as he listened, amazed at thier perserverance.
'Who knows...'she said, as she gazed, abit wearily across the blue-grey bay, 'Perhaps Frank...'but she didn't finish her thought.
Despite the coffee, Em's head was sideways now and lay upon Alice's shoulder. 'She's just exhausted, poor lamb,' Al put an arm about her. 'Let her rest til we're at the ferry landing. Not far now...'
The train whistle blew as they barreled down the straightaway headed to the east bay.As the party neared their destination,
a pensive mood came upon them. They gazed out the windows as Em slept on, and to the rocking of the coach and the cadence of the wheels, Jack glanced at Emmeline occasionally, wishing that it was his shoulder bearing that scarlet burden.He felt an odd stirring...why did he feel this strange hunger within? He freed his gaze from Em and looking out over the bay, began to softly sing then,almost to himself:
'I'm old fashioned...
I love...the moonlight...
I love...the old, fashioned things...'
                               . . . .
Best read while listening to 'I'm Old Fashioned' by Chet Baker, whilst imbibing a hearty strong brew'd coffee, be it Arabica, Sumatra .Java, Columbian, Yerba Mate or Chicory, whatever floats your regional boat...
High Water risin' risin' night and day
All the gold and silver been stolen away
Big Joe Turner lookin east and west
From the dark room of his mind...

Dylan: High Water