CRUISING

I have mentioned before that when I worked at the bank, I had been unsuccessfully trying to live on those meager wages banks called salaries. Though I loved the job of banking, I was always searching for something that might net me a few extras in life.

Luckily I am female so my entertainment and a lot of meals were taken care of by dating. We girls didn't have to split the tab in those days. But all the other little perks of life were denied me. I just squeaked by.

As I perused the want ads one day, an unusual job jumped out at me. It was a help wanted ad for a female crew to work on a 118' passenger yacht that was currently docked in Palm Beach. They intended to cruise the Caribbean and needed women for cooking and cleaning or at least that is what the ad indicated.

I had a few suspicions more was expected but the chance to see more of the world was a strong pull. That and the fact that I am totally at peace on the water, meant this needed to be checked out.

Not a picture of the ship but one similar.

A friend from the bank who was fresh from divorce and seeking something exciting in her life, went with me to apply for the job. Jeanne' was interviewed by the rather handsome captain while I was interviewed by the not so handsome, but much richer owner. That we were going to be expected to keep the passengers "happy" raised a flag. I was asked many things but the one that stuck out was when he asked me near the end of the interview, ”How do you feel about sex?”

By now I was pretty sure my duties would entail more than just making the beds. Realizing this just might be a floating brothel for rich dudes, I had pretty much decided it was not for me. I knew I wouldn't be going but wanting to appear cosmopolitan, my flip reply to his sex question was, "I think it is here to stay.”
I don't think he was impressed. Think he was looking for a lot more enthusiasm. "Insatiable" as an answer might have gotten me the job.

Jeanne' had a similar experience with the captain that we laughed about later. Our interviewers had let it slip that an infamous Palm Beach socialite had also applied for the job. This young, attractive heiress was constantly in the papers and had a well deserved reputation as a total wild child. Kind of the Lindsay Lohan of her day. "Insatiable" might well have been her answer to the sex question. She obviously didn't need the money and was probably more into the kinky aspects. Seriously doubt she knew how to actually make a bed.

While Jeanne' and I were a bit hurt that we never got the opportunity to turn down the job (no one called), we felt a bit better when we heard the socialite was also not offered a berth.

We had stopped by the lounge where I sometimes worked to have a drink one day not too long after we realized we weren't considered brothel material. We were laughing about our failed attempt and rejection when the bartender, who was a good friend, asked incredulously, “Why on earth would you even want to sail around the world as a glorified maid?” We hadn't mentioned the “extra”duties.

A few seats down from us, sat an attractive, much older woman waiting for dinner reservations with her date. She had quietly been listening to our story. She started to chuckle and answered his question softly, “So they can become interesting old bats like me.”

We fell off our stools laughing. Not mean laughter, but delighted laughter. Her date confirmed she really was an “interesting old bat.” She then proceed to regale us with all she had done in her life. She had actually worked for a legitimate cruise line as a singer, touring Europe. She had done a tour with Peace Corps, was currently CEO of a cosmetics firm in Paris, once was the muse of a famous painter and had married 3 times, not necessarily in that order.

We were so sorry when they were called to dinner and the stories ended. I never got her name, but whenever I feel uncertain about making a change of direction in my life that might take me out of my comfort zone, I think of her, that one phrase, start to chuckle and plunge ahead. Sometimes it only takes a few words to set us free of fear. Many thanks to that "old bat.”

Anyone like that in your life that very subtly steered you with just a few words?