Orphan Train. The Novel. By me. Age 11. – Chapter 5

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6

Now. Chapter 5. Even though all of this is rather silly – and I am 11 years old, writing about things I don’t understand – AND writing out a television movie from memory – I think Chapter 5 is not half bad. hahahahaha I’m serious! I re-read it just now and thought: Well. That’s pretty good. And I think the “frozen fountain” line is pretty good, and since it’s a description – and not PLOT – I came up with that myself. So I think that’s pretty good. And please notice that I utilize “Little did he know” – the third-person omniscent form – which becomes so important in Stranger Than Fiction. Ha!!

And the way it ends. I admit. I need to know what happens next.

Here we go. Oh, and once again, I lose count of how many times “Miss Sims sighs”. That’s all the woman does. Sighs. It is her #1 defining characteristic.

CHAPTER 5

“But don’t you understand what I want to do?” Miss Sims looked around at all of the old people’s faces.

An old woman nodded. “We all understand. It is a very noble plan but where will you get the money to buy the coach and it would be a very long ride with all of those orphans.” Her voice showed exactly what she thought of the orphans.

Miss Sims sighed. “I know. I know. I know what you think but I can do it. All I need is a bit of money. I saved up a lot myself but not enough to buy a coach and supplies–”

“But madam,” an old man offered. “If you want this journey to be successful then you should pay for it. I admire you for wanting to do this but we cannot give you such an immense amount of money.”

Miss Sims sighed and stood up. “This journey is going to be made. No matter how hard it is. I am not giving up hope.” She walked in a dignified manner out of the room.

*************************

“Well, Gloria, what do you think of my plan?” Miss Sims took a sip of her tea.

Her friend looked at Miss Sims in a puzzled way. “It is a wonderful plan but hardly for a woman to take up. I never expected it of you but as I know you well, I feel you will make it.”

Miss Sims sighed and placed the cup on a tray with a dainty “Click”. “There’s one problem, though, Gloria.”

“Yes? You know you can tell me anything.”

“Well, it’s the money situation. I have put away quite a lot but not enough to buy a coach and clothes and food and all the supplies we need.” Miss Sims said.

“I wish I could help you on that score but as I am a married woman I also have to support my family.” Gloria stated.

Miss Sims sighed. “I know. No one wants to give me money because they are afraid I will not make it. I have asked around if people have old clothes that I could have. I have collected quite a pile and they are stored at the kitchen.”

“I could bake you some loaves of bread for some food,” Gloria offered.

“Oh, thank you, Gloria! Thank you! That would be a great help. I will make it. I’ve got to! Someone in this city must feel sorry for the orphans as I do. Someone must.”

*****************************

Miss Sims was going to the last person she could think of. Mr. Gobel, the well-known political man who also was well-known for his tremendous amount of money. He had known Miss Sims’ father but Miss Sims still felt a little shy as she walked up the tons and tons of steps to the heavy brown doors.

She reached up and knocked the heavy brass door knocker. It was a few minutes until a man, all dressed in black, opened the door.

“Hello? Mr. Gobel?” Miss Sims inquired eagerly.

The man looked surprised. “I am not Mr. Gobel. I am the butler.”

Miss Sims flushed. “I am so sorry. May I please see Mr. Gobel?”

“I am sorry, Miss, but he is now engaged with an interview from the newspapers.”

“I am willing to wait.” Miss Sims said, determined not to go away.

“Just one minute, ma’am,” the man said.

He departed, leaving the door open. Miss Sims stepped in and looked around. “Goodness, Mr. Gobel must be rich! Surely he can spare something for me.” She gazed up at the extravagant chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It looked exactly like a frozen fountain.

The butler came back and said that Mr. Gobel told her to go away and come back tomorrow.

Miss Sims’ voice was firm. “Well you tell him I will not go away. This matter is very important and it cannot wait. Even until tomorrow.”

The man sighed and went back to report to Mr. Gobel. In a minute he came back saying that Mr. Gobel also said that his matter could not wait either.

Miss Sims sat down on a green couch. “Well, you tell Mr. Gobel if he does not see me I will sit here until he will.” She folded her arms and looked off into space.

“Yes’m.” The butler walked off, a little afraid of what Mr. Gobel was going to say to that. He came back with the news that she could go see Mr. Gobel.

Proud that she had won that argument she followed the butler to Mr. Gobel’s private office.

It had shiny shelves, covered with pictures with gold frames. The floor was carpeted in a soft rust color.

A cameraman was taking a picture of Mr. Gobel standing in front of one of his shelves.

When the picture had been taken, the cameraman started to get ready to go.

Little did he know what a big part he would play in Miss Sims’ journey.

Mr. Gobel sat down behind his large oakwood desk.

“You are rather a determined young woman, don’t you think?” he said in a deep voice.

Miss Sims nodded. “Maybe so, but this is extremely important.”

“Yes? Go on?”

“You have heard, I suppose, about my plan of taking all of the children West to find them homes and families?” Miss Sims inquired.

Mr. Gobel nodded. “Yes, yes, I have, as a matter of fact. I think it is very brave of you.”

“Yes, well, I don’t have enough money to buy a coach. I already have gotten food and supplies but if you could just lend me a little bit of money to rent a coach, I –”

Mr. Gobel interrupted. “Miss Sims, I am a very busy man. I do not have time to waste all of my money and thoughts on dirty little orphans. I admire you greatly for wanting to take this up but I cannot lend you any money.”

“But it’s just a small amount!” Miss Sims persisted.

“How much?” Mr. Gobel looked her in the eye.

Miss Sims gulped. “Uh – 200 dollars?”

“200 DOLLARS!” Mr. Gobel boomed. “I am sorry Miss Sims I do not throw my money around. Especially for little orphans I have no use for.”

“But –”

“Good day, Miss Sims,” Mr. Gobel said firmly.

Miss Sims, almost on the verge of bursting into tears, got up and left. As she walked across the echoey front hall she heard footsteps behind her. She turned and found the cameraman running up to her.

“Miss Sims,” he said, rather out of breath. “You want to take all of those kids out West?” When Miss Sims nodded he clapped his hands. “What an excellent story!”

Miss Sims was puzzled. “Excellent story? For what?”

The man said impatiently, “Why, for the newspapers! I’m Mr. Carlin. I take pictures for the newspapers and write articles for ’em.”

Miss Sims sighed. “Well, it looks like we’re not going.”

“Oh, you’ll go, all right.”

Miss Sims was puzzled. “But the coach –”

“I’ll get you on that train. This story is a good one. I’ll get a lot of money for it. I’ll get you your own coach.”

“You will?” Miss Sims was overjoyed even though Mr. Carlin was not her favorite person.

“Sure! If you make it, it’ll be good for the papers. If you don’t make it,” he shrugged. “That’ll be good for the papers, too.”

Miss Sims looked at him in astonishment. “I don’t like you, Mr. Carlin.”

Mr. Carlin shrugged. “You don’t have to like me but you’re gonna be on that train.”