Tags: interracial romance, lesbian romance, high-class prostitution, career prostitution
Emily, Amy, Sansa, Sushila, Achara and Nilesh are taking morning coffee together in the dining room. Emily has been encouraging Achara to accompany her when she has the time and the inclination, but not to feel any pressure to do so. Achara is grateful to be seen socialising with the great ladies but feels out of her depth. Emily tells her that she understands and is helping her to 'fit in' as an essential and important person in Emily's business life. She will keep the offer open for her, in case she has a change of mind. While they are talking, a member of the security staff approaches Nilesh and begs the ladies' pardon but the Captain has asked if Emily is available to meet with him privately in his day cabin at her earliest convenience. Emily excuses herself and goes to meet with the Captain.
Seated in the Captain's day cabin, he apologises for presuming to summon her, but there is an urgent and serious matter he needs to discuss with her. Emily smiles telling him that they are both on the same team and asks him to describe the nature of the matter. He thanks her for her understanding and tells her that it concerns her colleague and friend Sansa. Emily feels her heart pumping hard in her chest and apprehensively asks what has happened. The Captain tells her that he has received a telephone call from the Police Commissioner in Kolkata who had obtained the ship's number from the Harbour Master.
Sansa's father has been shot in an open street of Kolkata. The assailant was not careful and carried out the shooting in front of many witnesses who descended upon him to give him a thorough beating. The police and an ambulance arrived and Sansa's father and the assailant were taken to the emergency hospital. Sansa's father was pronounced dead on arrival and the assailant, accompanied by 2 police officers, was taken to the emergency room.
Emily's face is ashen as she struggles to cope with the news, the Captain pours her a glass of water which she gratefully sips while she recovers her composure. When she asks him to continue, he tells her that on hearing the news, Sansa's mother appeared to have fainted and by the time assistance reached her, the paramedics found that her heart had stopped. They tried to resuscitate her all the way to the hospital, where she too was pronounced dead on arrival. Emily gasps at the awfulness of the double tragedy and again sips water from her glass which the Captain refills for her.
When she asks him to finish his account she wonders what other awful thing might yet be revealed. Fortunately there is nothing more, other than the witnesses to the shooting have all come forward and made statements to the Police. The Police Commissioner made a statement to the press that the assailant has been apprehended at the scene of the crime while still holding the weapon he had used to murder his victim. Also that there were numerous witnesses who came forward to provide statements which are likely to provide enough evidence to convict the man of murder. The Police are asking for the sentence, on the inevitable verdict of guilty, to be one of capital punishment, i.e. death by hanging.
The Captain offers her a glass of brandy which she accepts and takes a large sip. The strong spirit acts on her like a mild version of smelling salts and her ability to think clearly and express herself begins to return. She thanks the Captain for undertaking such a difficult task and the consideration he has shown. The most important person now is Sansa and looking to the Captain she asks their position and options. He puts a chart on the table and shows her their current position, about 12 miles offshore from the nearest port of Srikakulam which has a port accessible to Bangkok Girl, he says that including the river stage is it likely to take 2 hours or so to get there. He consults a book and says that a car could manage the trip to Kolkata in about 14 hours and be more comfortable than a bus that is likely to take 2 to 3 hours longer.
He goes on to explain that Visakhapatnam, the first port of call on their itinerary, could be reached by early evening but that it would substantially increase the length of the road journey to Kolkata. Emily asks if there are any issues he knows regarding Bangkok Girl diverting to Srikakulam so that Sansa, her PSO and A/PSO may disembark there. The Captain selects a book titled 'Pilotage: NE India' and studies it for a few minutes before announcing that, like any port there are challenges but the way into Srikakulam looks straightforward enough if undertaken prudently, which he jokes is his middle name. Emily is grateful for his joke which helps her to deal with the pressure of the moment: "I think putting into Srikakulam to disembark Sansa and her aides is my preferred course of action, but as the Captain of Bangkok Girl, what is your opinion?" He tells her that he concurs and after the disembarkation Bangkok Girl can put straight to sea again and arrive on schedule at the port of Visakhapatnam.
Emily drains the rest of her brandy from the glass, thanks the Captain for his assistance and must now go to break the terrible news to Sansa, so that she and her aides will be ready for disembarkation in Srikakulam. Emily asks Nilesh to secretly bring Sudesh to the vicinity of Emily's cabin and then returns to the dining room by way of the lounge where she finds they have moved to. She takes Sansa aside and taking her hand, whispers that she has to tell her something and asks whether she would like to hear it privately in Emily's cabin or with her friends about her. Sansa is naturally alarmed and not knowing what it is, chooses to receive the news privately. Emily asks the ladies to excuse them, then holding hands, she leads her to the lounge of her cabin suite. Emily notices that Bangkok Girl is changing course.
Sansa sits and Emily pours 2 generously filled glasses of brandy then sits with Sansa and hands her one of the glasses. They touch glasses together and Emily says that what she has to tell her is the hardest thing emotionally that she has ever had to do. Taking the Captain's short, factual but sensitive approach she tells Sansa the story, almost the same as it was told to her, all the time holding Sansa's free hand in hers. Tears fill her eyes on hearing how her 'not so beloved' father died, she takes several large sips almost draining the first glass, but when she hears about her dear loving mother her whole body shakes with her sobbing. When her glass is drained, Emily takes it from her and gives her the other glass. Emily puts an arm around her and tries to comfort her with a supporting hug.
Sansa asks what is to happen now. Emily tells her that her father's murderer was set about by many witnesses and is now in hospital under police guard. The Police Commissioner has told the papers that they are seeking a death sentence for the murder. Sansa nods and takes another sip of brandy and manages to say: "I must go home". Emily tells her: "Bangkok Girl is changing course and should dock at the port of Srikakulam in 2 or so hours. If you send me a copy of your advance bookings, I'll explain that you had a family emergency and had to go home. I'll also reimburse them on your behalf and you can pay me back when things have settled down for you. Sudesh is standing by, but doesn't yet know why, he and your A/PSO will disembark with you".
Emily continues: "Kolkata is about 14 hours away by road and I'd suggest on hiring a comfortable car to make the journey. Bhubaneshwar, the state capital of Orissa is about halfway to Kolkata so you can stop in the penthouse of that branch of the Best Erotic Marigold Hotel if you'd like, if there's any difficulty just get them to call me and I'll authorise it, alternatively you can phone me and pass the manager your phone and I'll fix everything for you. The only thing you need to do is ask Sudesh to have your A/PSO pack your things and their own, to be ready to disembark, with their weapons, in about 2 hours".
Emily asks her to keep in touch so she will know how she is and if Emily can do anything for her. Sansa realises how much Emily has done for her and hugs her tightly. Emily asks: "Shall I ask Sudesh to step in and would you like to tell him you are leaving Bangkok Girl to return to Kolkata and the need to pack all belongings for the 3 of you, or if you wish I will do it for you?" Sansa says she would prefer to do it and Emily goes to bring Sudesh into the lounge. Emily sits beside Sansa as she talks to him and gives the necessary instructions. Sudesh offers his condolences and accepts his instructions then goes to find his assistant so they can get packing straight away.
Sansa remains with Emily in the privacy of her cabin while her staff ensure all her belongings are packed and then attend to their own packing. In the meantime land has been sighted and Bangkok Girl is making way at 20 knots towards Srikakulam when her average speed on the cruise so far has been barely 10 knots providing a comfortable ride for everyone on board. A light lunch is served and Sansa forces herself to eat something to keep up her strength. She is so impressed with her care and attention and thanks her profusely.