As my audience desires!
*Monologue*
I close my eyes and let him kiss me.
It's not a passionate kiss.
Though it
is my first one. I'm a bit clumsy... So much so that John starts to laugh.
John
Tell me, is this your first kiss?
Heileen
Yes, but...
John
<laughing loudly> I see!
*Monologue*
That's right. He was trying to seduce Lora...
Heileen
I'm sorry for not being good at this.
I think you should try with Lora, surely she's more experienced than me!
John
I---
Heileen
Thank you for my first kiss!
Goodbye, John!
*Monologue*
I run out crying too...!
I have to find Marie...
Marie? Where could she be...
Crying? I hear crying... behind the corner...
Marie and Otto! What're they--...
I should stay and listen for a bit.
Marie
Yes...
Otto
That's impossible! All that time I've spend, and for what?
*Monologue*
What're they talking about?
Otto
And she falls in love with the first uncouth sailor she meets?
She's really out of her mind!
I'll take care of her myself!
*Monologue*
Now it's clear what they're talking about... Marie talked about John and I... Sigh...
Marie
knows that Otto wants me to marry a noble or at least a merchant like him!
An obvious choice I'd think. The alternative is the primary source of "So awkward it's both funny and unbearable" style comedy I'm not that fond of.
*Monologue*
Let's see what else they say...
Marie
I... I'm not really sure, honestly...
Otto
What! What
exactly did she
do?
Marie
She moved close to John... And she massaged his arm...
Otto
And then? What else?
Marie
...
Otto
Marie, I thought you were smarter!
That's all?
Stupid woman! Don't waste my time with such nonsense!
A massage! Like it was something...
Marie
...
*Monologue*
...She was talking about Lora!
I
must talk to Marie!
I wait for Otto to leave and step forward.
Marie seems quite surprised to see me.
Heileen
...What do you mean?
Marie
I thought you wanted to stay with John...
*Monologue*
A tear rolls down her cheek as she says this.
Heileen
No, I'm not interested in him anymore. At least, not now.
That man really is a womaniser.
Marie
Really?
Heileen
Yes, and... There's also another thing you must know...
Marie
I'm aware. I'm aware that he doesn't like me.
Heileen
...?
You know?
Marie
Well, I'm not as stupid as your uncle suggests.
I had my suspicions, but now that you tell me, I'm absolutely positive.
I believe you. It's not hard, nobody likes me.
Heileen
What are you saying?! That's not true!
Marie
Yes, it is.
I'm that archetype.
The polite girl that everyone likes only as a friend...
Marie
...
Marie
<sobbing> Do you like me at least?
Heileen
I... What do you mean?
Marie
We're still friends?
Heileen
Of course! You shouldn't ask!
*Monologue*
If she squeezes me any tighter, I'll only be able to support her in the afterlife.
Funny, wasn't she supposed to support
me during this long journey?
Marie puts her arms around my neck, staring into my eyes.
Staring into my eyes!
Nonplussed, I can only stand still.
She slowly moves her head close to mine...
She kisses me
on the lips.
Gently...
...Absurd... My first kiss with a man, and shortly after, another with a woman! Truly a record!
Marco
Wow! I
never see that in either old country, new country, or on ship!
*Monologue*
We both start to laugh.
Marie
Where are you going, Marco?
Marco
I have a critical mission.
Heileen
And that would be...?
Marco
To peel potatoes. Accurately, a basket of potatoes.
Marie
Okay, I'm helping.
What I mean is, I'll be sitting next to you and watching, faithfully boosting your morale.
At least she's back in the kitchen!
Marco
Well, I could not hope for anything better! Follow me, dear one.
*Monologue*
Marie waves to me goodbye with a smile.
Marie is leaving, with a man. I feel relieved.
For a moment, I was thinking strange thoughts about our "friendship"!
Thinking about it, I realise how close I was to ruining my long friendship with Marie, for... nothing.
Exactly. John is nothing to me in this moment.
A bastard womaniser, ignorant without hope.
Oh, come now! We have no proof that he's a bastard, for all we know his parents were married!
*Monologue*
...Even if I have to admit that he kisses well. Thinking about it, I don't have many other boys to compare him to.
Though he's better than Marie for sure.
*Monologue*
I can't wait to sleep!
*Monologue*
Several weeks have passed since I last talked with John.
The ship is on open sea. Sometimes, we pass through a small storm. It's happened a few times.
Each time, I get scared out of my wits.
John and I ignore each other.
Or at least we try, even if we meet on the ship inevitably.
I don't know what to say...
I
am sorry, in a way, but thinking about it, we're probably better off this way.
Though Marie almost never leaves me alone!
Luckily, she helps Marco out in the kitchen.
I wonder if...
Heileen
Hm, I don't know... It's windy outside today.
Marie
Come on, it's nothing!
Heileen
I just woke up...
Marie
I see!
That's a really nice dress...
*Monologue*
She's looking at my body in an odd fashion... Better dress up and follow her outside!
*Monologue*
I dress hastily, After that, she practically frags me out of my cabin.
Resisting...
I don't see anything wrong in resisting, but I don't see any good it in, either...
Yes, they had "in," and "it" swapped around
Burt
Hello there, girls!
Marie
Uh... Who are you?
Burt
My name's Burt! Pleased to meet you!
Heileen
Ehm, my pleasure...
Burt
I thought they were joking when they said there were some beautiful women onboard!
Heileen
...
...
Burt
What do you think of going inside where it's warm, and showing me around your cabins?
Marie
...
Burt
Eh? Wonderful idea, isn't it?
For you perhaps.
Heileen
To be honest...
Adam
Burt! come 'ere! Finish cleaning the deck, you dog!
Burt
Okay, okay. I understand! I'm coming!
See you, ladies!
Heileen
Ugh... I really hope I never see him again!
*Monologue*
We go up to the stem to better admire the sea.
Waves are either swept beneath the waters or to the horizon.
It's windy and chilly. Not my kind of weather.
Marie turns her head to me and starts looking at me carefully.