Jack & Rose were never real.

A father and his two girls come in; the amount of personality at this table could knock-out a server on the other side of the restaurant -- a BIG restaurant.

The trio had just arrived from NBC's Titanic Exhibit in Times Square. The girls were excited to show me their 'boarding passes' -- which consisted of real passengers' names who were once aboard the historic vessel. 

For the sake of this story, I introduce Girl1, Girl2 & Cool Dad. 

Cool Dad hands me a Titanic boarding pass. Girl1 & 2 shriek with excitement. 

Girl2: "... and then, and then, after you start going through the exhibit, about half-way through, you find out whether you get to live or not."

I wanted to see this exhibit before today... but the pressure is mounting, now knowing there's the added bonus of who gets rescued and who sinks. 

Girl2, adds: "Don't worry; I know the name on your boarding pass -- you live."

I love this family. 

After talking about everything but food and frozen lemonades, I'm able to grab some orders. Conversation is extremely interesting. My other tables are staring. I'm okay with this.

Then the bomb drops: 

Girl2: "Did you know that Jack and Rose aren't real?"

Girl1: "Yeah, like, they weren't real."

NYC W: "WHAT?!"

Girl2: "Yeah, I know."

Girl1: "Yeah. Not real."

Girl2: "... we almost cried. I think we did a little, actually."

Sadness crawls from my insides-out; did I truly waste eight months of my seventh grade youth in AMC movie theaters, indulging in a FAKE love story? All the Titanic books I checked-out at the library. The playground role-playing: "Jack, never let go!" I even closed my eyes every time the infamous "car scene" steamed in.

Cool Dad hands me a napkin for tears, just in case. He tells me that he used to be a school counselor. I feel validated.

At least four parties would come and go at this very table after Cool Dad & the girls leave. There are more refills, noted special orders, polite conversation, but... I couldn't shake it. 

Jack & Rose were never real. I've been living a lie since seventh grade. Thanks for nothing, James Cameron.

Can I get you a fictitious love story topped with 11 oscars? No, I'll just have the fictional love story, please.