The Further Adventures of Busterigo & Lucia: "The Cruise"

Images of Bella Lucia's beauty had haunted Buster since that breathtaking week in Salzburg.



It was a risk, but he calculated that his very soul depended upon it. He invited her to accompany him on a cruise.

Now, all the right people know this. When you go first-class, the prestigious White Star Line is the only option!

Thus, they set off from Southampton on the much-discussed maiden voyage of the White Star Line's newest and greatest vessel! Its sleek lines hinted at the grace of Lucia's cheeks; its accommodations were exquisite. And it was, of course, unsinkable. What could be better?

Lucia made una bella figura as she boarded the vessel in a suit so striking that the paparazzi swarmed to get photos.



Busterigo was dressed more casually, perhaps in tribute to his ignominious peasant origins. Nevertheless, the entire ship was abuzz with tales of incipient romance.

One starlit evening, Busterigo invited Bella Lucia to accompany him to his "secret place"--right up on the very prow of the flagship of the White Star Line!



It was an unforgettable experience. The song of the wind and Big Dipper low on the horizon. Lucia felt suddenly alive.

Later that evening, Busterigo surprised her by changing from his Italo-Irish-Peasant-Dog attire and greeting her upon the staircase of the Grand Salon for the Captain's Ball.

Who Knew?

But fate had other plans for our star-crossed couple.

It seems that 26,342 years ago, during a certain Glacial Maximum, a large ice-shelf had formed off the coast of what is now (aptly named) Greenland. During the ensuing years of global warming, pieces of this shelf had incrementally broken off, forming what mariners came to call "icebergs." Since the International Ice Patrol would not be formed for another year--precisely as a result of the adventure upon which Lucia and Busterigo were unwittingly about to embark--there was no way that they could have known that they were being stalked by a 26,000-year-old giant ice-cube.

Second Officer Lightoller ordered, "Airedales and Kerrys First!" in deference to that quaint Victorian belief that certain members of the species deserve extra protection and care. After Lucia and Busterigo boarded the first life-boat, the remaining craft were filled with human women and children. Busterigo commented a bit dryly, "I suppose this beats the dog-paddle...Don't you love that orchestra on the fantail?"

By dawn, the Steamship Carpathia appeared on the horizon to pick up our survivors.

As they climbed the Jacob's Ladder to the Carpathia's quarterdeck, Lucia asked, "Busterigo-- this was really exciting, but do you have any other great ideas like this?"

Busterigo, of course, had already made plans!

An exciting trip from Frankfurt-Am-Main to Lakehurst, New Jersey aboard the new, sleek, safe (because it is a triumph of German engineering) dirigible, Hindenburg!

(to be continued, after Busterigo recovers from his injuries...)