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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3726375" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-eighty-eight, “Petty Officer Roger Birch”, Friday, June 16th, 4:15 P.M.She stops suddenly when she finds them standing right outside a telegraph office. "We have a few minutes, right? I need to send a quick telegraph." They enter the office. The telegraph operator, an older tall thin man with busy sideburns, immediately stops working with a pile of papers and staring at Roger's uniform says, "Good afternoon. How can I be of assistance Petty Officer?" Roger smiles at the man and says, "This young lady needs to dispatch a telegram Sir." The man takes his pad of paper and fountain pen and awaits her dictation.Ruby reaches for the pad of paper, "You don't mind if I write it myself, do you? It's personal." Ruby sets about scribbling on the pad of paper. The quick note turns into a letter. Many emotions run across her face as she writes it. She reads it over a few times before sliding it back to the clerk. "Can you read it?"He replies, "I can. He looks at the address that she wrote out and then counts up the words and characters. He says, "This will be expensive to send due to the length, you may want to consider shortening it. At present it will cost you $ 3.75." Ruby reaches down the front of her bodice and pulls out a $5 bill. "It's worth it," she says, pushing the money across the counter, "It's important."She sighs and takes Roger's arm. She plasters a fake smile on her face and looks up at him. “Ready?"Roger escorts her back to the train depot. Richard is pacing on the train platform and exclaims, "There you are! I was beginning to worry, the train is about to depart!" "Aren't you sweet!" Ruby exclaims. She bounces over to Richard and kisses his cheek lightly. "I'm here now, you don't have to worry anymore." She hops up onto the train and looks for Josie. Josie now has eight of the sailors surrounding her and she appears to be actively involved in conversation with all of them, sharing the attention equally between her admirers.Ruby smiles and squeezes her way through the men, to get Jane's attentions. "Are you alright sweetie? These men aren't bothering you, are they?" she teases. She keeps eye contact with Jane to read whether she is comfortable or not. Jane smiles and says, "No problem at all, these men are devoted followers to the Greek and Roman Pantheon, although being sailors their devotions are to the deity they know as either Poseidon or Neptune, but they're open minded enough to be interested in what Aphrodite has to say." "Of course they are. And really, who doesn't want to hear what you have to say?" Ruby winks at he friend. "I'll be close if you need me."Ruby moves to the opposite side of the car and a few rows back and takes a seat next to the window. She chooses an empty row, leaving space for Roger if he chooses to join her. Roger indeed sits beside her. He asks, "So, where are you from Ruby? You said Arizona but that isn't a Western accent you are speaking with." She replies, "Right now I'm from Arizona. Promise City to be exact. That's where I live and work. Before that, all over. And before that, New York City." She crosses her legs towards Roger and shifts her body so she's facing him. "I grew up in New York. How about you?"He replies "The Island of Bermuda." "You're from Bermuda? That's very exotic. Tell me about it." Ruby looks at him with genuine interest. "I love to travel, although I've never been anywhere that exciting." She pauses then smiles. "Yet." Roger replies, "My father was an American Sailor, served with the American Navy during the Mexican-American War and then for a New England ship captain following the war. He met my mother there, she's a British citizen, works directly for the British Governor of the Island. It was a fun place to grow up but I had to leave shortly after I became a teenager due to the American Civil War. I was raised by my paternal Grandfather in Massachusetts after that until I was old enough to enlist in the Navy."Ruby smiles, "Is that what you plan to do too, Roger, follow in your father's footsteps? Fall in love with some exotic beauty in some exotic locale and make her your wife?" He replies, "Nah, too much work and effort. For now I will be happy to settle for the company of a beautiful woman who I met on at train in Albany." That's sweet." Ruby looks out the window and watches the green trees whoosh past. It was so different here than in Arizona, like it was another world. "Do you believe in fate then, Petty Officer Birch?""How could I not Miss West?" is his reply. She shrugs, "I don't know, some people don't. They believe our fate is completely in our own hands. I think sometimes there are just reasons for things happening. Right place and right time, all that." Her smile grows and she lets her arm fall between the two of them so they are touching, "I just have a feeling there was a reason we were supposed to meet today. The gods much have some devious plan we're unaware of."He answers, "Well, I believe that as gratitude for my service while at sea the great Poseidon allows for me to have enjoyment while I'm away on land. I would say that meeting you could very well lead to further enjoyment." The corner of her lip turns up just a little further. "Perhaps," is her only answer. "So, how come you're here with me and not being enthralled by my beautiful friend?" she nods towards Jane. "There are times when even I am enthralled by her."He replies, "Her type, I've met them before. They don't go for guys like me. I don't think I would ever be able to establish any kind of special rapport with her, which is what I need from a relationship no matter how short-term it might be." "And what is her type, exactly?" Ruby bounces her crossed leg up and down. "And more to the point, what's this special rapport you're talking about? I'm curious... as to why you think you and I have, shall we say, hit it off?"Roger says, "Her type? Why the person who not only wants to be a center of attention but has difficulty operating outside of that environment. I need to be able to relate to a person as an individual, to be able to know that for at least that one short moment in time the world comprises only of the two of us and nobody else." Ruby gazes into Roger's eyes and just smiles at him for a long moment. She could easily imagine it was just this handsome man and herself and all her troubles started fading away."I like that Roger, it's sweet. I'm done with completely meaningless interactions." She leans her head in a little closer to his. "It's very sweet." "I have my moments," he states softly. He leans his head against hers and says, "It's times like this that I miss most when I am at sea." Ruby answers, "Yes, I imagine it would be very lonely out there. I was lonely for a long time too, I know what it feels like." She gently puts her head on his shoulder. "I'm pretty tired, I was up late last night. How about you?"He says, "The lonely part is when you are far away at sea without any sight of land. Even with my friends with me it still feels like you are the only people in the world. I imagine that will be less of a factor on Great Lakes Duty, as either the Canadian or American shore will always be visible except on foggy days or when near the very center of Lake Superior." "I bet it's very dark and cold there in the middle of the ocean. But you could probably see the stars pretty good, no?"He replies, "Yes, but you can do the same in the middle of an empty field at night and the ground won't be moving beneath your feet like an ocean." "True," she smiles. "I'm currently having a love affair with the stars in the sky. It doesn't matter how I get to see them as long as I can." He replies, "I know all of the star constellations. Maybe we could find somewhere away from the city lights and I can point them out to you." She replies "That sounds exciting."She pauses and runs a finger very lightly across his thigh, "And romantic." He smiles and says, "There will be time for that later young lady, the train is almost to our next major stop. That'll be another forty-five minute layover while they change some freight cars if you want to stretch your legs again." She answers, "Well, Officer, in case you didn't notice, my legs are long and do get cramped easily. Perhaps I can be persuaded to go for a walk."He says, "Well, it's now 4:45 P.M. and we are approaching the community of Syracuse. About three blocks from the train station at the corner of Jefferson and Salina Streets is Dey's Department Store, which on Friday's is open into the evening hours. How about we wander over there and I'll buy you a present." Ruby picks up her head and excitedly says, "Oh I looovveeee presents! You know me well already. How do you know about this store? Been in Syracuse before?"He replies, "Around two years ago when we were between ships. We were part of a group sent to pick up some electrical equipment for the Navy from a local manufacturer. The shipment wasn't ready when we arrived so we had to stick around for a couple of days." She answers, "I see. You've been all over, huh? Have you been around the world or just the country?" He says, "I've been all over the Atlantic, never made it out to the Pacific.""I want to travel one day. Go everywhere I can. I long for adventure and romance." She laughs, "But you've probably already figured that out about me." "I imagine I still have a lot to learn," he states. The train comes to a stop at Syracuse station. They get up to leave with Roger telling Richard, "We're just stepping off to do some shopping, we'll be back before the train leaves."Richard looks to Ruby and asks, "Would you like me to go with you?" If it would make you more comfortable you can. But I think we'll be alright, we're just going a couple of blocks away. It's up to you." Ruby takes Roger's arm and follows his off the train. Richard stays on the train. Roger leads her directly to Dey's Department Store. Their destination is a large brick five-story building with "Dey Brothers" on the door in gold letters above the main entrance.They enter to see a building lit with electric lights and filled with hundreds of customers. A sign indicates which items are on which floor and in addition to the staircases up is also an elevator. "What would you like to look at?" Roger asks. She looks at the sign to what is on which levels. "I don't even know where to start. What do you suggest?" He says, "If we had time I would suggest a leisurely beverage and pastry at the Tea Room on the opposite side of this floor. But since we are pressed for time how about we buy you something from either the perfume counter, the jewelry counter or the unmentionables department."Maybe we can get the pastry to go, I hate to miss out on a good dessert." She grabs him by the hand and pulls him into the elevator. Once inside she announces, "Fourth floor, unmentionables please!" with a giggle. She looks up at him, "You make it very hard for a woman to choose you know. Who can turn down jewelry?" He replies, "Well, I am on a sailor's budget and we enlisted personnel aren't paid that highly. Far better to get a nicer item in a less expensive department than having to settle for a lower quality item in a high-priced section."The doors of the elevator shut and Ruby faces Roger. "You know, you really don't have to buy me anything. Maybe just a drink tonight. But you don't have to get me anything now." He says, "I don't have to buy you anything, but I want to. I'm just saying that a diamond necklace would have been out of my price range, while something black and lacy would probably fall within my budget." “Fair enough. Although...," She steps closer to him, "I suppose you buy something black and lacy for every girl you've got in every port?" she asks with a grin and a raised eyebrow.Roger says, "You must have me confused with my friend Carl, he's the one with a girl in every port. Bjorn also does well with the ladies. That's not my routine. I have usually had a steady girl in places where my ship was calling home for a while but I don't know any women at any of the Great Lakes ports where I'll be spending the better part of the next few years. It's too bad you're not staying in the area instead of heading back out west."Ruby answers, "You don't even know me Roger. How do you know it's a bad thing?" He replies, "Because I am a good judge of character and put great stock in first impressions." "And what was your first impression of me?" she asks with a flip of her long hair. He answers, "That you're like me. Fun-loving, wanting to put part of your past behind you and make the most of the moment. No great concerns about the future but surrounding yourself with good people to help bring you there."They arrive at the department in question where Roger gets the attention of a female salesperson. He slips the woman some money and says, "Please see that Miss. Ruby finds something nice." To Ruby he says, "I will wait for you out here." "Isn't he sweet?" she says to the saleswoman. Ruby stands on her toes and kisses Roger on the cheek. "I'll find something perfectly pretty, don't you worry," and she bounces off with the saleswoman."So... how much naughty can I buy?" Ruby asks with a smile. Ruby bounces from rack to rack, holding up all kinds of pretties. She knows she doesn't have a lot of time so she quickly chooses a few things to try on. After a few minutes she emerges from the fitting room with a smile on her face. She puts a sheer pink set on the counter and has the women wrap it. Finally she meets back up with Roger. "All done! Any time to grab that pastry?"He replies, "Should we pick one up for your brother too? I saw him spying on us from the street outside of the main doors." Ruby laughs, "He's not my brother. And I guess he's not a very good spy either, huh?" She takes Roger's arm and leads him towards the tea room. "He's my business partner. He was worried about his investment so he came along on the trip with Jane and I. Could you believe he figured the two of us would get into trouble?" Roger says, "Not your brother? I could have sworn that he was by the way that he acted and he doesn't appear at all interested in you romantically. Maybe he's after your friend Jane instead.""Oh," Ruby smiles as they walk to the bakery counter, "You can't imagine someone not interested in me, huh? Well, he's all business. We can barely get him to break a smile with our crazy escapades. And believe me, we've tried HARD." "Oh, I believe you," he states. He gestures to the various types of pastries before them and orders a strawberry tart for himself. Ruby orders an almond crescent. "So... are you a good dancer Roger?"He replies, "Not hardly, two left feet, but I try to compensate for that deficiency with other activities." Ruby laughs, "I wonder if I want to know what those other activities are...Don't worry, I'm an excellent dancer and have been told I can help even the most unsteady man look good on his feet. " She taps her lip, "Or was look good off his feet?" She giggles again and shrugs light heartedly. "I'm suddenly feeling rather silly." He laughs and says, "Uncoordinated feet, not unsteady, I've lived most of my adult life aboard ships at sea."She replies, "True... you must feel more at home on the water than you do at land, no? But you can't stay there forever. What do you plan to do?" Ruby nibbles at her pastry as the talk and walk back to the train. She peers around to see if she notices Richard. Roger says, "I plan to remain in the Navy until I reach my thirty years of service and quality for a pension, I'm almost half-way there now. Beyond that, well, that's too far off to think about.""Ah, a lifetime to the armed forces. It just seems so... lonely." Ruby shrugs. "It wasn't too long ago that I myself hadn't worried much about the future either. Things change though." They find themselves standing on the train platform. "I haven't been near the ocean in a long time. I think it's about time again." He replies, "Well, it will probably be a few years until I see the Ocean again myself. I imagine that Lake duty will be rather similar, although the water will be calmer except during storms." Ruby nods her head. "Well, I'm sure it won't be that different really."Ruby stands silently lost in her thoughts as she nibbles on her pastry, not really sure what other conversation to have with Roger at the moment. Roger and Ruby re-board the train with only minutes to spare before it leaves Syracuse station. Richard is sitting in the same seat he was in before reading a newspaper, with no outward indication that he has ever been elsewhere. "Did you have a nice walk Richard?" Ruby smirks as she plops down into the seat in the aisle in front of him. "You missed the delicious pastries."He replies, "I found what I needed, namely a newspaper stand that in addition to Syracuse papers also had the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. He had both today and yesterday's editions so I bought both. I plan to spend the final hour of this train journey familiarizing myself with what has been transpiring there recently." Ruby sits up on her knees and turns backwards. Leaning over the seat she asks, "Why do you need to know all that?"He lowers his voice so that Roger won't hear and replies, "My job is security and I take that job very seriously. I don't know Rochester, it's a place I have never been. I checked out what I could while in New York City, most particularly the road maps and train schedules, in the event that we have to make for a quick escape to get you away from your parents. The local papers clue me in to some of the local happenings and issues as well as the current gossip. If I have to fabricate any stories while we are there I will have the information needed to make it plausible."Ruby stares seriously at him for a moment before smiling again. "You DO take your job seriously, huh? Well, good job." She laughs and starts turning back around in her seat but stops. Her smile dies just a bit and she asks, "Am I making your job harder Richard?" He smiles and says, "Actually no, your new friend Roger helps to provide a viable cover that should prevent people taking any extra notice of you when we first arrive." "Hmruph, I don't like not to be noticed. I may have to lose him," she teases. "Well, I'm glad. I don't want to make your life harder. You would tell me, right? If I was?" He replies, Yes, unless it were necessary to keep you safer by your not knowing."Ruby pauses, "Do you think my parents are going to be a problem?" He answers, "A security mindset always assumes the worst-case scenario. We should be fine for the first twelve-hours of so as we now have a dozen military men to call to our assistance if needed. Once they're gone we'll have to play it by ear." Ruby nods. "I know you don't think so, but I'll be safe with George. I know it. But thanks for doing a good job anyhow." She smiles at him then turns around and sinks into her seat.The train pulls out of Syracuse station. Roger says, "I'm glad we got off to stretch our legs. One thing the Navy has taught me is that whenever you have an opportunity to get your feet on solid ground, even for only a few minutes, you should take it." "And I got this," Ruby holds up her bag from the department store before sticking it under her seat. "That makes it totally worth it too," she teases. "But yes, it gets hard to stay cramped up too long." Ruby leans her head back against the seat. She was tired and a nap would do her good. Plus she realized all her good intentions to figured things out for her upcoming visit were out the window. "You know Roger, I'm a bit sleepy. I think I'll rest my eyes if you don't mind."</blockquote>

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