HMS Marisa, 1990
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here to join this man and this woman in a holy estate of matrimony."
The man picked up a the pen and wrote in the ship's marriage book: William Darcy. He handed the pen to the woman standing next to him, wearing a simple white dress. She took the pen for him and wrote: Elizabeth Bennet.
The man and the woman sat at the table. A waiter uncorked a bottle of red wine and showed the label to the man. It read: Where Dreams Never End. The man approved the choice and the waiter poured the wine. Both young people picked up their classes and toasted each other. The ship's photographer appeared in front of them and asked:
"Would you like a picture?"
They both nodded in agreement.
The bus was slowly approaching the gate. Above the gate, there was a sign: CAMP WALDEN - USA. As soon as the bus stopped and the door opened, some 40 girls ran out of it. They have joined other girls who poured out of other buses. Soon the whole yard was full of noisy 10 to 12 year olds, looking for their bags, getting to know each other and trying to locate their cabins.
"Everyone!" a voice through a loud speaker called. "Welcome to Camp Walden. My name is Marve. Please get your bags and then go meet the Younger Marve. She will show you to your cabins.
Camp Walden was a well-known summer camp for girls. It was ran by a mother and a daughter both named Marve. They were experienced in their field and prided themselves that they could handle any number of girls you could imagine. They were in the summer camp business for many years and parents did not worry when their daughters spent 8 weeks in Camp Walden.
A slim, red-head was standing next to a pile of bags.
"I finally have it." She said to herself and when she was just about to grab her yellow bag, new bags were thrown on the pile covering the yellow bag.
"Just great!" called the girl.
"I can see you are new here." Said a dark hair girl.
"How do you know?"
"Because you didn't know that you have to pick up your bag before it is covered with others.
"Yeah."
"My name is Gina Franchi." Said the dark hair girl.
"Hi, my name is Jane Darcy."
"Hi. I'll give you a hand with your bag." Gina said.
At the very moment, on the opposite side of the pile of bags, a girl pulled out her bag as if it was on top of the pile.
"I just love this type of women." Said Jane.
"Hey, you!" called Gina, "Can you come over here and help us?"
"Sure." Said the girl. "My name is Tamara Eugel."
"Hi. This is Gina and my name is Jane." Greeted her Jane while Tamara pulled out Jane's yellow bag.
"Napa Cabin: Darcy, Eugel and Franchi." Called out a voice through a speaker.
"Hey, we are together." Called Jane. "C'mon, let's go."
A black limousine pulled down in front of the main building of the camp.
"Who is that?" called Gina but before anyone answered Jane pushed her towards the door of their cabin.
The door of the limousine opened and a man walked out. He was about thirty five with blond hair and slightly athletic figure. He held the door open for an 11 year old red-haired girl.
"Thank you, Charles." Said the girl with a thick English accent.
"You are welcome, Miss Maggie."
"Oh, Charles, don't start with this Miss-thing again. It was funny at the beginning but..."
"Very well, Maggie." The girl looked around, then turned to Charles and said: "I'm going to miss you a lot Charles."
"I will miss you too, Maggie. Are you sure you don't want me to fly here to collect you?"
"No, I'll be fine."
"I have a little present for you." He pulled out a package containing playing cards. "Maybe here you'll find someone who will beat you in poker."
The girl smiled and took the cards from Charles.
"Thank you. I guess I should be going. See you in eight weeks then."
"See you, Maggie." The man sat back into the limousine and directed the chauffeur: "To the airport." The girl picked up her two luggages and moved towards the table where the Younger Marve was directing girls to their lodgings.
Both Marves had each day of the 8 weeks organised in such a detail as to assure that the girls had no time for "stupidities".
Every day after breakfast, there was a list of activities available. For Jane the choice was obvious - fencing. She beat six girls yesterday and was the unbeaten.
"Is there a courageous fighter who will match Jane, our unbeaten fencing champion?" called out the Younger Marve.
"I will stand up to her." Called a girl with a thick English accent. She was wearing a fencing outfit, quite similar to that of Jane.
"Great! Maggie versus Jane. Girls prepare yourself."
It was a fierce duel. The swords twinkled in the air. Quickly, one after another the girls attacked each other. At first Jane was winning. Then it was Maggie's turn to be ahead. She pushed Jane out of the pad and the Younger Marve declared Maggie's victory. The girls pulled off their casks and looked at each other. To the amazement of all, they found out, they were... identical.