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~Before the stroll with Jack~ |
**This scene instantly follows the one prior with Brock and Lizzy**
INT. IMAGING SHACK
Bodine starts the tape recorder. Rose is gazing at the screen, seeing THE LIVE FEED FROM THE WRECK-SNOOP DOG is moving along the starboard side of the hull, heading aft. The rectangular windows of A deck (forward) march past on the right.
ROSE
The next day, Saturday, I remember thinking how the sunlight felt.
EXT. B DECK TITANIC- DAY
MATCH DISSOLVE from the rusting hulk to the gleaming new Titanic in 1912,
passing the end of the enclosed promenade just as Rose walks into the sunlight
right in front of us. She is stunningly dressed and walking with purpose.
OLD ROSE (v.o.)
As if I hadn't felt the sun in years.
IT IS SATURDAY APRIL 13, 1912. Rose unlatches the gate to go down into the third class. The steerage men on deck stop what they're doing and stare at her.
CUT TO:
INT. THIRD CLASS GENERAL ROOM
The social center of steerage life. It is stark by comparison to the opulence of first class, but is a loud, boisterous place. There are mothers with babies, kids running between benches yelling in several languages and being scolded in several more. There are old women yelling, men playing chess, girls doing needlepoint and reading dime novels. There is even an upright piano and Tommy Ryan is noodling around on it.
Three boys, shrieking and shouting, are scrambling around chasing a rat under the benches, trying to whomp it with a shoe and causing general havoc. Jack is playing with 5 year old CORA CARTMELL, drawing funny faces together in his sketchbook.
Fabrizio is struggling to get a conversation going with an attractive Norwegian girl, HELGA DAHL, sitting with her family at a table across the room.
FABRIZIO
No Italian? Some little English?
HELGA
No, no. Norwegian. Only.
Helga's eye is caught by something. Fabrizio looks, does a take....and Jack, curious, follows their gaze to see...
Rose, coming toward them. The activity in the room stops...a hush falls. Rose feels suddenly self-conscious as the steerage passengers stare openly at this princess, some with resentment, others with awe. She spots Jack and gives a little smile, walking straight to him. He rises to meet her, smiling.
ROSE
Hello Jack.
Fabrizio and Tommy are floored. It's like the slipper fitting Cinderella.
JACK
Hello again.
ROSE
Could I speak to you in private?
JACK
Uh, yes. Of course. After you.
He motions her ahead and follows. Jack glanced over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised, as he walks out with her leaving a stunned silence.