Ruby Rose
Location: Canadian Prairies
‘Tis a bit of a fairy tale . . . but, on a ship! I give you:
If the window of memory opens but an instant – when we’re trapped by time and fate – the glory of that instant is worth remembering and rejoicing over.
It was November, the dreariest month of the year, or so Elena and Leroy – two very ordinary people in their late sixties – believed as they walked their lonely separate paths, alone with their individual thoughts – down one street and up another in their neighbourhood in the city of Montreal, Quebec. The trees had now completed their strip-tease – having shed their leaves everywhere shamelessly and the city now appeared bare, cold, and dismal.
Other than both having lost their mates of many years and presently living alone, Leroy and Elena came from different worlds – having lived different lifestyles.
Elena still maintained residence in the family home in spite of now living alone. Elena’s two children presently lived on the West coast and communication was minimal. Common to her age-group, Elena now had a dowager’s hump on her back which was unsightly and unladylike in her eyes. Consequently, Elena now felt unloved, lonely, and ugly.
Leroy dwelt in a bachelor-style apartment, and missed his only son who had recently moved to New Brunswick. Leroy was a rather thin man – almost emaciated in appearance – slightly stooped in posture and with a slight limp in evidence. He, too, felt lonely, unloved, and unsightly.
As Elena walked down Rue Ste. Catherine, a neon sight on a travel agency beckoned and as she approached the window, the only words she saw were the lovely words “Goede Reis” – as the Dutch say, meaning “Bon Voyage” – flashing on the window. She entered the agency. The agent in attendance advised her that the S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam – one of the most luxurious and beautiful ships afloat, built prior to World War II – would be leaving soon on its journey to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. There were only two vacancies left, he said, and these could be obtained at a cheaper rate seeing the ship was so close to sailing. Elena’s funds were rather limited. She had entered the travel agency merely to dream a little but when she heard of the discount on the fare, she quickly impulsively booked a return trip. She was told the ship would spend many days at sea rather than cruising from port to port daily but there would be a variety of entertainment available on board ship.
About hour later, Leroy also found himself walking aimlessly down Rue Ste. Catherine, and he too was beckoned by the lovely words “Goede Reis” on the travel agency window. He entered the agency and was fascinated at the suggestion of a cruise. And he purchased the remaining available vacancy.
Upon embarking the ship, both Elena and Leroy – arriving at the same time – were welcomed on board and then they were both taken in hand and advised of the location of their cabins and time of meal reservations and such. Their cabins were very small but adequate.
In spite of “To-Day’s Program” sheets slipped under their cabin doors early each morning, Elena and Leroy’s days were spent alone either in the court lounge sitting and listening to the music being played daily by the ship’s orchestra or walking – weather permitting – along the promenade deck. One could dance every night to the music played. The orchestra tended to play a large variety of classical music as well as old favourites dating back to the 1920s and 1930s – perhaps directed by the average age of the passengers on this particular trip.
On the seventh day, an announcement was sent around advising all the passengers that this night – the last night at sea – would be their Gala Night. The suggested dress code was formal for both the Gala Dinner and a gala night of dancing to enchanting and memorable music in the court lounge.
The farewell dinner consisted of a multi-course menu – the cuisine of which could only be described as exquisite and delicious. Then all the passengers in their finery, to include Elena and Leroy drifted on to the lounge.
Elena and Leroy sat at tables across the floor from each other and waited for the music – a continuation of nostalgic ‘20s and ‘30s big-band themes – to begin. The instrumental music combined with the gentle swaying motion of the huge ship created a soothing consonance enjoyed by all. The lovely music of long ago drifted in the air and the people all danced . . . except for Leroy and Elena who sat alone at separate tables and merely listened and watched.
The Social Directress had attempted to help them, introducing them to other passengers but they still remained alone – seen . . . yet unseen.
Suddenly the music segued into a tune reminiscent of a romantic period in time long ago to both Leroy and Elena. They were drawn hypnotically to the centre of the floor by the haunting music of the past. Reaching each other, Leroy saw a tall graceful elegant lady – as slender and straight as the stem of a flower – in an exquisite ball gown and Elena saw a tall, slender handsome man in a stately tuxedo bowing and requesting this dance. Both had been transformed into beautiful people in their eyes. And they began to dance to the memorable music. Leroy gently held Elena as they danced like lovebirds making love set to music . . . but they were really stranger sharing an instant on a ship at sea. They had the whole dance floor to themselves as the other passengers had seemingly stopped to gaze. In reality, the passenger were giving them space so as they would not be jostled or injured. They could not see the beauty of Elena and Leroy – only two elderly people depicted with the ravages of time – he with his limp – in his thread-worn suit and she with her hump – in her one and only party dress that had seen many years.
There was a moment of timelessness as the couple – akin to Cinderella and her Prince Charming – danced. Their faced elucidated such joy as on a rosy haze of music, they floated with beauty and grace with their arms around each other whirling and stepping in pace with the haunting music of the past. They wafted as light as butterflies – two spirits adrift on the floor.
Then the musical piece of long ago finished. And in the pause, one could hear the swish of the waves – as the wind whipped the tide in a soporific rhythm – splashing on the rocks as the ship neared the shores of Rotterdam.
The spell was now broken. Leroy and Elena drifted back to their respective tables, he with his limp and she with her hump once more. They were merely two strangers amongst many. But the memory of the joyous interlude would transgress and haunt their remaining dreams forever.
“The Interlude”
by Ruby Rose
by Ruby Rose
If the window of memory opens but an instant – when we’re trapped by time and fate – the glory of that instant is worth remembering and rejoicing over.
It was November, the dreariest month of the year, or so Elena and Leroy – two very ordinary people in their late sixties – believed as they walked their lonely separate paths, alone with their individual thoughts – down one street and up another in their neighbourhood in the city of Montreal, Quebec. The trees had now completed their strip-tease – having shed their leaves everywhere shamelessly and the city now appeared bare, cold, and dismal.
Other than both having lost their mates of many years and presently living alone, Leroy and Elena came from different worlds – having lived different lifestyles.
Elena still maintained residence in the family home in spite of now living alone. Elena’s two children presently lived on the West coast and communication was minimal. Common to her age-group, Elena now had a dowager’s hump on her back which was unsightly and unladylike in her eyes. Consequently, Elena now felt unloved, lonely, and ugly.
Leroy dwelt in a bachelor-style apartment, and missed his only son who had recently moved to New Brunswick. Leroy was a rather thin man – almost emaciated in appearance – slightly stooped in posture and with a slight limp in evidence. He, too, felt lonely, unloved, and unsightly.
As Elena walked down Rue Ste. Catherine, a neon sight on a travel agency beckoned and as she approached the window, the only words she saw were the lovely words “Goede Reis” – as the Dutch say, meaning “Bon Voyage” – flashing on the window. She entered the agency. The agent in attendance advised her that the S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam – one of the most luxurious and beautiful ships afloat, built prior to World War II – would be leaving soon on its journey to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. There were only two vacancies left, he said, and these could be obtained at a cheaper rate seeing the ship was so close to sailing. Elena’s funds were rather limited. She had entered the travel agency merely to dream a little but when she heard of the discount on the fare, she quickly impulsively booked a return trip. She was told the ship would spend many days at sea rather than cruising from port to port daily but there would be a variety of entertainment available on board ship.
About hour later, Leroy also found himself walking aimlessly down Rue Ste. Catherine, and he too was beckoned by the lovely words “Goede Reis” on the travel agency window. He entered the agency and was fascinated at the suggestion of a cruise. And he purchased the remaining available vacancy.
Upon embarking the ship, both Elena and Leroy – arriving at the same time – were welcomed on board and then they were both taken in hand and advised of the location of their cabins and time of meal reservations and such. Their cabins were very small but adequate.
In spite of “To-Day’s Program” sheets slipped under their cabin doors early each morning, Elena and Leroy’s days were spent alone either in the court lounge sitting and listening to the music being played daily by the ship’s orchestra or walking – weather permitting – along the promenade deck. One could dance every night to the music played. The orchestra tended to play a large variety of classical music as well as old favourites dating back to the 1920s and 1930s – perhaps directed by the average age of the passengers on this particular trip.
On the seventh day, an announcement was sent around advising all the passengers that this night – the last night at sea – would be their Gala Night. The suggested dress code was formal for both the Gala Dinner and a gala night of dancing to enchanting and memorable music in the court lounge.
The farewell dinner consisted of a multi-course menu – the cuisine of which could only be described as exquisite and delicious. Then all the passengers in their finery, to include Elena and Leroy drifted on to the lounge.
Elena and Leroy sat at tables across the floor from each other and waited for the music – a continuation of nostalgic ‘20s and ‘30s big-band themes – to begin. The instrumental music combined with the gentle swaying motion of the huge ship created a soothing consonance enjoyed by all. The lovely music of long ago drifted in the air and the people all danced . . . except for Leroy and Elena who sat alone at separate tables and merely listened and watched.
The Social Directress had attempted to help them, introducing them to other passengers but they still remained alone – seen . . . yet unseen.
Suddenly the music segued into a tune reminiscent of a romantic period in time long ago to both Leroy and Elena. They were drawn hypnotically to the centre of the floor by the haunting music of the past. Reaching each other, Leroy saw a tall graceful elegant lady – as slender and straight as the stem of a flower – in an exquisite ball gown and Elena saw a tall, slender handsome man in a stately tuxedo bowing and requesting this dance. Both had been transformed into beautiful people in their eyes. And they began to dance to the memorable music. Leroy gently held Elena as they danced like lovebirds making love set to music . . . but they were really stranger sharing an instant on a ship at sea. They had the whole dance floor to themselves as the other passengers had seemingly stopped to gaze. In reality, the passenger were giving them space so as they would not be jostled or injured. They could not see the beauty of Elena and Leroy – only two elderly people depicted with the ravages of time – he with his limp – in his thread-worn suit and she with her hump – in her one and only party dress that had seen many years.
There was a moment of timelessness as the couple – akin to Cinderella and her Prince Charming – danced. Their faced elucidated such joy as on a rosy haze of music, they floated with beauty and grace with their arms around each other whirling and stepping in pace with the haunting music of the past. They wafted as light as butterflies – two spirits adrift on the floor.
Then the musical piece of long ago finished. And in the pause, one could hear the swish of the waves – as the wind whipped the tide in a soporific rhythm – splashing on the rocks as the ship neared the shores of Rotterdam.
The spell was now broken. Leroy and Elena drifted back to their respective tables, he with his limp and she with her hump once more. They were merely two strangers amongst many. But the memory of the joyous interlude would transgress and haunt their remaining dreams forever.
THE END
