Book VII Read online

  “I’ll let you in on a little secret, John,” answered Bill, “Whenever we need an article of clothing that we don’t have in stock, we send a text message up to the History Tracking Group and within an hour the needed article is delivered outside of the time portal door we just came in. After we use it, we clean and keep it in this room. It’s environmentally controlled and Matt has it all on his computer so he can just grab what he wants and accessorize the clothing too.”

  There were three large, leather-covered benches and each had an open valise on it. Matt had a notebook, which he referred to as he spoke.

  “Sirs, the trip will take eight days and for that I’ve supplied you each with three suits with all accessories. Seven sets of underwear and sox. Two pairs of dress shoes and one pair of deck shoes,” he looked up as he explained, “their version of today’s jogging shoes. There are three pairs of slacks, three shirts, sweaters and vests that may be mixed and used in many combinations. I imagine you will be supplying your own toiletries.” He handed them each a passport and an envelope as he went on.

  “In the envelope you will find a first-class, round-trip ticket aboard the liner, Britannic. She leaves New York at pier 40 on fortieth-street at the White Star departure dock at four o’clock in the afternoon of July 27, 1897, and docks in Portsmouth, England on the morning of August 4th. That will give you a full day to travel the sixteen miles to Iping.” He turned to Bill, “Sir, when you advise me of the amount of money needed, I’ll have it for you.” He then opened a wall safe and retrieved one of the hairbrush communicators and handed it to Bill.

  “I think we should each carry five hundred dollars. It’s much more than we will need, but, should something go wrong,” he looked at John and went on, “like the time John was stuck back in the Thirties, well, it’s always safer to have the extra cash on hand.” John nodded in agreement and noticeably shivered as he remembered the experience.

  “Matt,” said Bill, “as usual, you took care of everything. Now it’s just when do we go?” he looked at the two men and then at Matt, “I vote the four of us go back to 1897 tomorrow around eleven in the morning, have a nice steak lunch in Paddy Diamond’s Bar and Grill before we board the ship.”

  The smiles on the men’s faces showed their agreement in Bill’s plan of action.

  The next morning the four men went down the stairwell and entered the club’s garden.

  DATELINE: JULY 27, 1897 PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB’S GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY

  Matt opened the garden gate for the three men and closed and locked it behind them as they stepped off toward Diamond’s Bar and Grill for lunch. The four time-travelers all wore the same cut of clothes, just different colors. Their outfits consisted of a one-button jacket over a dress shirt with a tie at the neck and slacks that draped over well-shined shoes. The one color all wore was the white, straw boater on their heads to shield the sun as well as to stay in fashion.

  A few city blocks and they entered Paddy Diamond’s bar, Bill’s favorite watering hole. He stopped in Diamonds whenever he could and he got to know whichever Paddy Diamond was running the bar at the time period he was in. Because of his ability to travel in time, Bill got to know Paddy Diamond, his son and grandson and he thought it uncanny how all three of the Diamonds’ looked the same: Six-foot plus, two hundred plus pounds and all had a thick head of reddish blond hair that turned pure white at an early age. Bill was also careful to never be in the bar when two of them were present. The double doors at the front were open as was the single rear door, creating a soft breeze that swept down the long bar. Paddy was behind the bar as usual and spotting them, he waved them over to the middle of the wooden bar.

  The big man offered his hand to them and said as he shook their hands, “Gents! It’s good ta see yez. An’ all at the same time, too!” He looked up at the ceiling and said in mock prayer, “Saints alive, me sainted mother must be watchin’ o’er me this day ta be in the company o’ four gentlemen such as ya are.”

  The four time-travelers grinned at him as Bill said, “Paddy, there’s no blarney left in Ireland, because you have it all locked up.”

  Paddy arched his eyebrows as he shrugged his massive shoulders and quipped, “Me? Billy boy, are ya sayin’ I’m blessed with blarney?”

  All four men nodded yes, as Paddy wiped the bar in front of them.

  “Well,” he continued, “I’m sure ya didn’t come in ta jus be chattin’ with the likes o’ me, so, what’ll ya have?”

  “A large glass of beer for me, Paddy,” said Bill, “and a steak, medium rare.”

  John and Matt ordered the same while Rocky wanted his steak well done. Paddy placed four cold beers in front of them and put the order in for their lunches.

  Bill waited until the bar owner left and then raised his glass and said as they touched glasses, “To the 1800 club.”

  The other three time-travelers said together, “The 1800 club,” and they all took a drink.

  Turning to Matt, Bill said, “Sure wish you were going with us, Matt.”

  “Sir,” said Matt, “Someone must, as you say, ‘watch the store.’”

  “Aww,” said Bill, “next time we just put the ‘On vacation’ sign up.”

  “As you say, sir.”

  “So,” asked John, “do you have a plan, Bill?”

  “Not really. I figure we just have to be at the spot where young Sydney gets bumped into the street and grab him before he gets in harms way.”

  “Well, there’s enough of us on this trip to make sure someone grabs the boy,” said Rocky.

  “Right you are about that,” said John as he took a sip of his beer. “Bill, can you tell us who the other club member was that you took back with you?”

  Bill nodded and answered, “Sure, John. When there was a problem with President Roosevelt, I went back with Emma Walters to fix that glitch. But, as I said this is the first time three of us are going back on a mission. In fact, this is the first time four of us took a trip back together.”

  Rocky folded his arm on the bar and asked, “I imagine the Roosevelt mission turned out fine? And, is Emma Walters still with the club, I don’t recall ever meeting her?”

  “Yes, to the first question and, no, to the second, because just between us, she chose to stay back in that time period. When you have time, Rocky, I’ll let you read about some of the past missions. There are some great stories and they are available in what I call, The 1800 Club: Book One. When I wrote up the mission debriefings for the History Tracking Group, I kept a copy of all those missions and bound them in a book. There were many missions, and all are fantastic reading.” He looked at John and said, “You can ask John. He went on a few for me. Right, John?”

  “Darn right! And, boy oh boy, Rocky, they are great reading.”

  Paddy shuffled back, placed four hot dishes in front of them and asked as he collected the empty glasses, “Another, lads?”

  All four nodded and the bartender returned in a few minutes with another round of drinks.

  After lunch, they enjoyed cigars with their coffee. Finally Matt said as he checked his pocket-watch, “Gentlemen, I do believe it’s time for you to depart,” and he waved to Paddy for the bill.

  Once outside they hailed a large, four-seat, horse-drawn carriage and after shaking hands with Matt, told the driver to take them to pier 40 at Fortieth-street. The three men, although they resembled sophisticated gentlemen, playfully fought for the window seats to see New York City of 1897 go by during the bone-jarring ride on the cobblestone streets.

  Finally at the dock, Bill paid and they entered the red and white building with large white lettering stating that it was the ‘White Star Departure Facility.’ They joined the throng of other passengers and after less than an hour boarded the big steam liner, Britannic.

  All three were shown to their respective cabins on the upper deck, away from the business of the crewmembers as they went about their duties of loading a ship for a transatlantic crossing.

  Matt went top shelf f
or the three men as the cost of each cabin was three thousand dollars, a huge sum then, and it showed in the well-appointed cabins. Each of their living quarters had a double bed with silk, bed coverings and pillowcases, overhead reading lights and a round glass-top table with three plush seats. Opposite the bed was a leather-covered chair tucked beneath a writing desk complete with writing utensils and the latest newspapers. Next was a large closet with an overhead light and an angled brass rail on the floor to place shoes. The carpenters who did the woodwork seemed to have worked overtime on the moldings that gave the cabin an even larger look. Gold, red and blue, embossed wallpaper covered the walls and the plush, wall-to-wall carpeting gave the room a feel of a New York City, Fifth Avenue hotel. The red velvet curtains that framed the large, open window were tied back letting in the bright sunlight and soft sea breeze. Finishing the main cabin were two, over-stuffed leather and wood, easy chairs with foot stools. Next to the bed was an ornate door that led to a large, well-lit washroom, which contained a claw-footed porcelain bathtub, sink and an overhead-flush type toilet. The washroom was finished off with a dressing area complete with a three sided, angled, full-length mirror.

  Thanks, Matt, Bill thought more than once as he hung up his clothes, washed up and left his cabin. He walked to the next cabin and tapped on the door.

  John stood there drying his face and with a grin said, “Boy, Bill, this is great! These cabins are fantastic. C’mon in.”

  Bill entered as Rocky left his cabin located next to John’s. “Hey, guys,” he said and Bill held the door for him.

  Inside the three men were like little boys as they looked around the very plush cabin. “A bit over-done for me,” said Bill with the same grin the other two had, “but, ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Right, boys?”

  “Sauna bath, as fine as the best baths of Europe,” read John from the leather-bound folder placed in each cabin. “Swim in the best heated pool on the ocean; Shuffle board, when the weather allows such activities; Indoor gym for the athletic fellow, with such modern machinery as, The Rowing Machine, The Vibrating Belt to loosen one’s tense muscles and The Boxing Bag. Dine around the clock and ask your private servant for the beverage of your choice. Our chefs have been European trained for your complete satisfaction and breakfast, lunch and dinner is served at: 9 am, 12 pm and 7 pm.” He put the folder down and said, “Guys, this is the way to go out on a mission.”

  The ship’s whistle sounded and the time-travelers went out on the deck to watch as they started to go down the Hudson River. It seemed that all of the passengers were on deck to see the fairly new Statue of Liberty and none yet grasped the meaning of the lady.

  “She’s new to them,” said Bill. “She was just finished eleven years ago and really hasn’t had time to let the world know what she means to all.”

  Having had lunch at Diamonds, the three time-travelers skipped the meal and strolled the decks as they smoked cigars and enjoyed rich, European brandy. Later, they went back to their cabins, dressed for dinner and continued their stroll as the sun dipped lower in the evening sky.

  A young man dressed in a white uniform walked by ringing a small silver bell as he announced, “Dinner will be served at 7 p.m.”

  Rocky patted his flat stomach and said as he raised his eyebrows, “Boy, I’m not that hungry, but I have to see what they are serving.”

  “Me too,” answered the other two time-travelers almost simultaneously as they followed the man to the First Class dining area.

  Opening the large mahogany door it was obvious that the ship’s interior decorators outdid themselves with such grand touches as: floor-to-ceiling draped tapestry in brilliant colors; gold ornate tables and chairs with red velvet tufted seats held in place by gold-plated buttons; Wedgwood fine China, crystal glasses and highly polished silverware. The teakwood floor reflected the lights of the overhead, 1850s, 4-Light East Lake Gas crystal chandeliers and the setting sunlight flowing through the large open windows. The lighting was also reflected off the flocked, yellow and gold wallpaper and the white molding that surrounded the plush room.

  Although the three men were stunned by the lavishness of the room, Bill said in a low voice, “”Whoa! Hey fellows, we have to make as though we are used to this type of treatment all the time.”

  They took a table in a corner and draped their linen napkins on their laps as the room slowly filled. One of the last persons to enter the room was a tall, dark haired, middle-aged man who stood cross-armed as he looked at the available seats before coming to their table and asking, “Good day, sirs. Are you expecting someone or may I sit here?”

  “Please, sir,” answered Bill for the group, “I insist you join us.”

  The man’s big smile raised his dark brown, handlebar mustache almost to his ears as he took his seat. “Mister Griffin, sirs,” he said introducing himself.

  The three time-travelers introduced themselves and the new arrival suggested they open a bottle of champagne.

  “Fine with us, Mister Griffin,” said Bill as he waved the waiter over, “but as we three are traveling together and as you sat last, I insist we treat you.”

  Griffin once again gave a large smile as he spread his hands and said, “If you insist, Mister Scott.”

  The waiter stood by as Bill asked, “By any chance, do you carry 1825 Perrier-Jouet.”

  A slight nod of his head answered his question and the waiter left.

  “A very good choice, Mister Scott,” said Griffin. “Is it something you enjoy often?”

  Bill shook his head, no, and answered, “No, Mister Griffin, as a matter of fact, I’ve never tried it but have heard that the taste is unusually fine. Have you ever had the opportunity to try it, sir?”

  “No, not I, and I am looking forward to it. First, however, I propose that, should we all be seated at this table regularly, perhaps we should use our surnames? And, if so, I am Thomas.”

  Bill offered his hand followed by John and Rocky and after they introduced themselves, the waiter returned and opened the Champagne. He offered Bill a small taste and Bill responded by nodding his head and the man poured four glasses of the bubbly drink.

  Bill smiled as Rocky rolled his eyes and said, “Nice. Tastes like honey. Tell the waiter to send a case to room 142.”

  John laughed at Rocky’s quip as he added, “I’m getting a taste of mushrooms or a woody flavor.”

  “This is strange, but I’m tasting a Christmas type of mince-pie! But, from what I’ve heard about this brand,” said Bill as he swished his drink in its glass, “everyone tastes something different.” He looked at Thomas and went on, “And you, Thomas, what is it that you taste?”

  “Bill, I do believe that I taste all that you and your friends have described. And, perhaps that is the secret of its success, . . . we taste what others have said they taste.” He held up his drink as he went on, “However, it is a fine champagne, my friend, and I applaud your choice. Cheers!”

  They all cheered and then studied their menus.

  Bill smiled and thought as he read the menu; Boy the dinner menu is as lavish as our surroundings. Ham soup, chilled salad, large, baked pork chops or swordfish, applesauce, early peas and baby carrots. A choice of rolls, brown, rye or white bread, toasted if preferred and finished with apple, cherry or lemon pie with a scoop of vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream and coffee or tea. He grabbed the small amount of spare tire around his waist and thought; I really have to get back to the gym after this mission.

  Bill, John and Rocky had the pork chops while Thomas had the swordfish. Once finished, all had coffee and lit cigars, joining most of the other passengers as they turned the ceiling into a cloud of gray and white smoke which was dispersed when the waiters opened the large, sliding windows, allowing the evening air to flow through the room. After dinner, the four men retired to the lounge and played cards.

  “And,” asked Thomas, “what business are you three gentlemen about?”

  John and Rocky looked toward Bill fo
r an answer and he said, with a twinkle in his eye, “The business of vacation, my friend. We are three historians who have traveled different places over time and finally decided to vacation together.” Rocky and John had a hard time not laughing at Bill’s quip about traveling in time, as he continued, “And you, Thomas. What business are you involved with?”

  Thomas suddenly seemed stumped for an answer. “Uh, well, . . . actually, I’m a scientist. I attended a conference in Philadelphia in the United States to purchase some books and equipment I need for my experiments.”

  As a one-time flight engineer, John’s curiosity was piqued and he asked, “What type of experiments are you working on, Thomas?”

  “Light refraction. It’s a theory I have about using light in different ways to achieve various results.” Seeing blank stares, Thomas smiled and added. “Please excuse my seemingly evasive answers my friends, but as I’m not really sure what the results may be of my experiments, I don’t have the capacity to put it in words as of yet.” He removed a red, leather-bound pocketbook from his jacket pocket and said, “After each experiment, I write in my journal what transpired and after I reread the notes, I am almost always perplexed myself!” He placed the notebook back in his pocket and continued, “Perhaps I am chasing a rainbow, but it is my rainbow and I must find out if, at its end, a pot of knowledge sits, or a puddle of wasted time.”

  “Well,” said Bill, “I’m willing to bet it’s the ‘pot of knowledge’ awaiting you, Thomas.”

  Thomas smiled as he said, “I would be pleased to be able to mention my success to a few members of the Sussex School of Science and Technology.”

  Bill’s eyebrows arched as he asked, “Sussex? Are you going to Sussex?”

  “Yes. I have a cottage in Iping, in West Sussex.”

  “John smiled and sang the Disney ditty: “It’s a small world after all.”

  “Ahh,” quipped Thomas, “You gentlemen have some of the most quaint sayings. Pray tell, is Sussex your destination?”