LOST OPPORTUNITIES (III)

Frederick is in the park.
“Edith, darling.” He says. “Come away with me. I have some money from my mother. We have the chance to go away together. We can go to Paris, or to Rome. It’s spring… and I love you.”
“Sweet Frederick… it’s a lovely idea, but I can’t possibly. You know I can’t.”
“But why not?” He kisses Edith’s small white hand.
“My dear! You’re very young and… I’m not,” says Edith. “I have a husband. He wants to take me away on holiday.”

“Leave him! Get a divorce! We can have a wonderful life together!”

“Give me time to think, darling boy. I must go home now – I’m sorry.”
“But I love you…”
“I know,” says Edith.

“No!” shouts Harriet father. “NO! NO! NO!
“But father, please…”
“You want to be a waitress on a ship? My only daughter? Never!”
“Not a waitress, Jack dear,” says Harriet’s mother. “A singer.”
“A singing waitress! No! And that is my last word. Go to your room!”
Harriet goes to her room. She lies on her bed. Se wants to die.


“No!” says Edward. “I must go now! Next week is too late.”
“I’m sorry,” says his mother. “You can’t leave on Wednesday.
Your grandfather is coming from Scotland to talk about your future.”
“But mother…”
“We are dependent on him for everything, Edward. Your education, your clothes, your job with Mr Harding – they all come from him…”
“I know, I know. But don’t you see, mother, This is the chance of a lifetime! They want me to design their hotel… They want me! ME!”
“If that’s true, my son,” says his mother, “they can wait for a week.”
Edward goes out of the room – out of the house. Spring is in the air, but he doesn’t feel it. He hates life. He doesn’t want to live.

“Oh no,” says Frederick. “It can’t be true!”
He looks again at the letter in his hand.
“… so, darling Frederick, I’m going to New York with my husband on a wonderful new ship. We’re leaving tomorrow. Don’t be sad, my darling. I hope you find a new love soon. Edith.”
Frederick’s heart is broken. He wants to die.

“Goodbye, goodbye! Bon voyage! Have a good journey!”

The ship begins to sail from Southampton. It’s Wednesday 10 th April 1912. The Titanic and her two thousand passengers are starting on their journey to an appointment with destiny. In the cold waters of the Atlantic, an iceberg is waiting…

Evening News

LOST OPPORTUNITIES (II)

Edward is in his boss’s office.

“Ah, Edward! I have some very good news.

This is a message from our New York office.”

“Oh,” says Edward. He is very excited. Is this his big chance? His chance of a lifetime?

“They like your work. They want to meet you.”

“That’s wonderful, Mr Harding,” says Edward.

“I’m … very happy.”

“Well, Edward?” asks Mr. Harding. “Are you ready to leave?”

“Oh … Yes!” says Edward. “When?”

“Wednesday. New York on Tuesday. It’s a wonderful opportunity, and great honour to be travelling on this ship. It’s a historic occasion.”

“I know,” says Edward

LOST OPPORTUNITIES

Harriet Frazer is at the piano.
"...goodbye, my love...goodbye!" She sings.
Then she waits. This is her big chance.
"Good - very good," says one of the men.
"Well, Moss?" says the other man. His name is Coe and he is American
"This is our girl! But she's very young..."
"How old are you, Miss Frazer?" asks Coe.
"I'm twenty-four". It's not true. Harriet is eighteen. Coe looks at Moss. He knows that it's lie.
"What do you say, Miss Frazer? Are you ready to leave?" he asks.
"Oh...yes! Yes!" answers Harriet. "Thank you... When?"
"Wednesday", says Moss. "Six, or seven days at sea. A week in New York. Then the return yourney. Home at the end of the month."
"Two concerts every day," Coe adds. "Three on Sunday. The salary is five pounds. You travel second class. And, Miss Frazer...no social life with first class passengers..."
"Of course not," says Harriet.
This is a wonderful opportunity, Miss Frazer", says Coe. "This is a historic ocasion, a yourney that everybody wants to make..."
"I know," says Harriet

DOMINGO DE PALMA 2009