Margarita had left her home in the small city of Campeche in Mexico for what she thought would be an exciting life in New York City.
However, the drudgery of life as a chambermaid, working in a third-rate hotel on 9th Avenue, proved to be a depressing experience.
She felt so depressed that one night she found herself standing on Brooklyn Bridge, contemplating throwing herself into the East River.
At that moment, a Good Samaritan came walking across the bridge in the shape of a handsome young man, named Tom.
“Hello, I’m Tom,” said the young man. “Please tell me what’s troubling you, mam.”
“Life in Manhattan, working as a chambermaid, it is so hard,” Margarita responded. “I wanted so much more. And I can’t go home now, so I have nothing to live for.”
“Look mam, the world is full of opportunity,” said Tom. “Hey, I’m a sailor and tomorrow we’ll be sailing to London, England. You could come too. I could stow you away on the ship and take care of you. I’ll bring you food each day and keep you happy.”
Margarita thought about it momentarily and she realised that she had nothing to lose, so she accepted Tom’s offer.
That night, Tom took her aboard the ship and hid her in a small, but surprisingly comfortable, compartment in the hold.
From then on, each night Tom brought sandwiches and some red wine and after they’d eaten, he’d make love to her.
A few days later, during a routine inspection, the Captain discovered Margarita.
“What are you doing here?” asked the Captain.
“Sir, I have an arrangement with one of your sailors,” replied Margarita. “He brings me food and he’s taking me to London, England on your ship.”
“Really?” the captain responded.
“Yes sir,” said Margarita. “He’s been taking advantage of me too, sir.”
“He certainly has, mam,” replied the Captain. “This is the Staten Island Ferry.”