more as well. Nathan, Elliot and Julian had adjacent first-
class cabins on the promenade deck. The around the clock
social atmosphere, uninterrupted entertainment, and the
gaming rooms that never closed (at least until the three-
mile territorial line of demarcation had been crossed), all
conspired to conceal the nocturnal nature of the three
guests.
With their normal sleeping quarters securely crated and
stowed below decks with the rest of the freight, they had
purchased oversized steamer trunks which, once emptied
of the clothing they held when brought on board, would
serve as tight but adequate sleeping chambers. On the
three nights they spent in Liverpool prior to the Olympic’s
setting sail, they had fed lavishly. They shared the blood of
numerous victims each evening, gorging themselves
shamelessly. They knew that the oceanic crossing,
dependent upon weather, would take between twelve to
fourteen days. With their hunger for blood well satisfied
before boarding, they might last the entire voyage without
the need to feed again. But, preparing for all contingencies,
the three friends knew that, even though great pains were
taken by the crews of these monstrous ships to maintain
complete separation of the different classes of travelers,
they were quite sure that they would be able to sneak away
to the steerage compartments below decks for a late night
snack should it become necessary. Very rarely did the
ship’s manifest accurately represent the number of
passengers travelling in steerage.
On the evening of the thirteenth day, the three stood side
by side along the starboard rail gazing in awe at the city
into which they glided. They were momentarily struck
dumb by the magnificence of New York City all alight.
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