THE MEAL

"Jackie was very thoughtful and protective of Ari and her idea of inviting Pierre was perfect." On one occasion the guests dined ashore because Jackie and Onassis had made it clear tha they wanted to be alone together. 'When we came back,' Solang said, 'it was wonderful to see the two of them dining downstairs in very romantic setting. It was a touching scene. But afterwards he turned..."

(However, this is a very American way of looking at the situation)

 Jackie sits down for dinner in the dining room of The Christina. The candles flicker, there is soft music playing, the wine bubbles as the crystal glasses sparkle. But the room is big and is more suited to big formal dinners. It seems empty and awkward with the two of them. 

Once again, Jackie has been late. Ari has been drinking before she arrives. He's not drunk, but he's beligerent.

The waiters put their meals down before Ari and Jackie. The wine is left in the ice bucket. The waiters retreat, leaving them alone. 

- Ari asks if "your guests" are gone? Jackie replies, "Yes, our guests have". His irritance is palpable, but she doesn't get it. Ari is master of this ship, the guests are his, and she is there to act as hostess whether she likes it or not. He is growing irritated with having to play host to her artsy friends, with whom he has very little in common, other than money. 

- Ari stabs at his food. Jackie can tell he is angry. She mentions, nonetheless, that she will be flying to New York in a couple of days as there is a Kennedy birthday. This does not please Ari. 

- "And when, Jackie, do you intend to spend any time with me?" He feels that this meal on this cruise, is the only time she has paid any attention to him so far. She doesn't seem to realize that as the wife of a Greek man, this is what he expects. Jackie tries to explain that they have guests, he once again reinforces that they are "her guests". There is a moment of silent awkwardness, and he then asks when she will be back from New York? She says she won't be for at least a couple of weeks, her children go back to school, and she wants to be there. Ari says she spends enough of his money, surely she can find a governess to do it. Jackie will not trust her children to a stranger. He misses the point and says she can know this person beforehand, she doesn't need to hire anyone without seeing them.   

- Ari wonders out loud if he is second or even third place in her life. Jackie explains that she cannot simply just send the children back to school, and not be there. Ari, who has never seen his own children this way, does not understand. 

- Jackie mutters that he has been drinking, and there is no talking to him when he's like this. Ari looks at his glass, and asks why they are drinking French wine, when he wanted Greek. Is it because of Pierre? He's being difficult. She is too much of a lady to argue with him, especially when he is drunk. 

- Jackie says that she arranged this dinner for him, and she is sorry that he doesn't like it. He ignores her, and ring for the waiter. He wants Greek wine. Ari says he's sick of eating French food on his own ship. He wants Greek. There is a subtle hint in this, as it was with Maria that he had a Greek meal on that infamous cruise in 1959. This is probably lost on Jackie, but the threat is there.    

- Ari outlines (or perhaps once again reiterates) his expectations to her of her being his wife. He should come first, and she should not spend so much time away. He sees her as part of his possessions, whereas she considers herself an independent woman.

- In the end, with the guests now returning, Jackie gets up and walks away, she tells him she will not speak to him when drunk. The door closes, and he is left alone at the table, drinking his wine as the waiters start clearing the table.

Other dialogue to use

- "There are expectations. I expect you to be here, with me. Are the Kennedy's really that important?" - Ari

- "You are Mrs Onassis. Not Mrs Kennedy. Do you realise that, or rather, when will you realise that?" - Ari

- "We're together now..."/"But you wanted them here…" - Jackie

- "Your guests. They are always your guests."

- "I thought we were simply enjoying the company of friends."

Other notes

- Clattering of cutlery. 

- Onassis is not just a man seeking love and companionship, but also one who derives pleasure from control and manipulation.

- Candles, soft music, and sparkling crystal create a romantic facade, but the reality is strained.

- The awkward silence after Ari says, "Your guests. They are always your guests." 

- The music continues, a hollow soundtrack to the emptiness left behind.