Book 9 Read online

  Samson bounded down the stairs; the sound of his nails mixed with the clomping of Bill’s boots off of the red brick walls of the enclosed stairwell. At the bottom, Bill retrieved the key from around his neck and opened the heavy steel door and both stepped out into the club’s garden of 1958.

  DATELINE: AUGUST 2, 1958, PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB’S, GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY

  As it was August, the entire garden was a riot of color both from the plants, butterflies and birds that flitted about. Bill stopped by a small pond knowing that Samson liked to sniff around the rocks for the scent of the occasional cat that tried in vain to catch a goldfish.

  Finally, he urged the dog towards the iron-gate that marked the end of the club’s property. Using the same key that opened the steel door, Bill opened the gate and smiled as he looked at the Ford sitting right where he left it the last time he was back in 1958. No alternate parking rules yet, he thought as he tied Samson’s leash to the radio antenna and went and opened the hood. First he made sure that the leash was long enough for Samson to walk around but short enough to keep him out of the street. Satisfied, Bill opened the trunk and took out a small tool bag, removed a socket wrench and ten minutes later had pulled the old sparkplugs out of the eight-cylinder, flathead engine and replaced them with the new ones. He started the Ford up and was pleased with the mellow sound of the twin glass-packed mufflers.

  Three teenagers walked by and hearing the rumble of the muffler, smiled and gave him the thumbs up as one said, “Cool, man, real cool.”

  Bill was pleased.

  He put Samson in the car and drove to Brooklyn as he listened to Allan Freed, the man who brought Rock & Roll to the world, being interviewed by a local newsman. After the interview, they played a few songs from Fats Domino, The Platters and The Harp-Tones. He took the turnoff for the Belt Parkway and soon was driving along the water view side of the road that led him to Nelly Bligh’s’ Drive-in and he pulled in.

  There were at least a dozen other cars there and Bill was taking it all in as young girls waited on them. No roller skates? he thought as they walked from the drive-in to the car and back with the order. Finally, one came to him.

  “Good morning, sir, what can I get you?”

  “Hi, I’ll have a burger with cheese and pickles and for my dog another with no roll. Then before I leave I’ll need another burger with onions and pickles.” She wrote it down and went back inside to have it made.

  Ten minutes later Bill and Samson ate their lunch and the girl came back with Matt’s order. Bill paid, pressed the ignition, stepped on the clutch and rolled back onto the highway in first gear. As he drove back home he saw that he was down to a half tank of gas so he pulled into a Shell gas station and was pleased to see an attendant top his tank off for 22 cents a gallon. These are great times, he thought as he resumed his trip home. He was back in his parking spot in Manhattan in twenty-five minutes.

  DATELINE: OCTOBER 6, 2013, PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB, NEW YORK CITY

  Bill opened the door to his den and Matt joined him immediately. The time traveler handed him his hamburger and said, “A hamburger straight from a Brooklyn Drive-in.”

  Matt did a small bow as he accepted it and said, “Thank you, sir. It was, rather, it is, one of the better eating establishments. Now, sir, to business.” He held a hologram in his hand and said as he passed it to Bill, The bell in your den rang and I found the hologram with this note.”

  Bill opened a small piece of white paper and read it out loud: Dear Bill. We of the Time Watcher’s Group bid you good tidings along with a most urgent mission. So urgent that we bypassed the usual way we send you the hologram and I personally delivered it. Please respond as soon as possible. Thank you, Alexis Shuntly.

  Boy, said Bill putting the note down, She dropped this off herself instead of giving it to the usual messenger, my grandson, Edmund. It must be a hot one.” He pushed some paperwork to the side of his coffee table as Matt poured hot chocolate into his Donald Duck mug and Bill activated the hologram. He sat back on his soft leather couch and, finding that Samson had claimed that spot for himself, Bill grinned and shifted just as a six-inch tall Alexis Shuntly appeared on his coffee table.

  “Greetings from the Time Trackers Group, Bill.” She stopped and opened up her own hologram and continued as it played out.

  “Bill, what you are going to see is a British battleship that gets torpedoed by a German U-Boat. All aboard perish along with Winston Churchill.”

  Bill recoils at that: “Winston Churchill?”

  Shot from above, the British Battleship could be seen as it charged across the coffee table chasing a German submarine. Bill watched as the submarine slowly opened the space between them and when she had enough distance, dived beneath the dark waters. The battleship went right over the spot that the sub had dived hoping to ram her conning tower, but it was too late and she missed. She then started to turn back when there was a brilliant flash of light followed by an explosion that rocked the heavy table as the submarine torpedoed her. She broke in two and sank with all hands . . . including Winston Churchill.

  Alexis continued in a low voice, “Now as you know this is not the history we know and we must send someone back to prevent it from happening. Not just because Winston Churchill dies but all those other men won’t go on to do all that history said they did. We will lose future doctors, teachers and just plain everyday people who lived, married and raised their own families. Families out of which came more doctors, lawyers, teachers, artist and everyday folk.” She shook her head as she looked down at her feet a moment before looking back at the oil and debris in the hologram, “We simply must stop this from happening.” The small figure took a few steps, ran her fingers through her hair and went on. “Bill, this is not the worst news. The worst news is that because Churchill perishes while aboard this ship, he never becomes Prime Minister during the war and Hitler threatens England with an atomic weapon. Also on this hologram is information on a certain, Charles Algernon Parsons whom we believe is the reason for this sinking. Thank you and as usual, should you need anything, just call. Good luck.”

  Bill lit a cigar and listened to the entire story and then replayed it again.

  The grandfather clock struck three and Bill’s coffee table was full of balled up paper as he rejected plan after plan. He grabbed another blue lined pad and wrote down: Charles Algernon Parsons!

  Puffing his stub of a cigar to life, Bill circled the name on the pad and said, “Alexis is right, Parsons seems to be the key. Prevent him from falling off the dock and he tests his boat before showing the world what a revolutionary engine he has invented by showboating in the naval review. The Royal Navy has him develop engines for their fleet and the battleship with Winston Churchill aboard sinks the sub and all should be right in the history books again.” Bill turned off his laptop and lay down next to his beagle.

  It was the aroma of coffee that usually awoke Bill, but this time it was by sizzling sausage. He slowly sat up on his couch to see the slim figure of Matt setting the coffee table up for breakfast.

  “Good morning, sir.”

  “Good morning to you Matt.” He rubbed his eyes and went on, “Guess I overslept.”

  Matt poured coffee and said, “I took the liberty of walking Samson and purchasing some foodstuff.”

  Bill lifted the cover and grinned, “I’d say that you walked him on Worth Street, down by a certain store around 1956 or 57?”

  Matt did a small bow at the waist as he said, “Very good, sir. Mac Dills carried the very best black sausage and potato scones back in the spring of 1956” He raised an eyebrow and went on, “Oh, and they had fresh Scotch Pies in stock as well.”

  Bill’s eyes opened wide, “Matt, please say that you bought some.”

  “Of course, sir. But as we are expecting club guests this evening I placed them in the freezer for another night.”

  “Matt you just made my day.”

  Matt took out a small pad and pen, “Shall we go over your needs for this trip, sir?”

  Bill sat back on the couch and started his breakfast. “Good a time as any, Matt.”

  “Very well, then, what date?”

  “I have to be on the Isle of Wight, England on June 25, 1897.”

  Matt took notes as he said; “Of course in1897 you must take a steamship from New York to London and travel from there by train and carriage. The steamship trip will take you eleven to twelve days and for the trip from London to the Isle of Wight I would guess two days should do it.”

  Bill shrugged and answered, “Sounds right to me, Matt.”

  “And, sir, when would you like to depart from our time?”

  “Tomorrow morning, if possible and I’ll be needing about five hundred dollars in various denominations.”

  Mat said as he walked to the door, “I will return with your needs shortly. Meanwhile may I ask about tonight’s newspaper?”

  Bill nodded at his laptop, “Working on it.”

  “Very well sir,” Matt said as he headed towards the door, “Enjoy your breakfast.”

  Bill noted Samson sitting next to his leg hoping for food to drop. “Here,” he said passing the dog a piece of black sausage, “now go sit on the couch.” Bill went to Google then typed in: Activities and inventions of 1865. Within five seconds, the screen was filled with possible answers to his query.

  An hour later Bill sat back and perused the newspaper that the club members would be reading this evening. When printed out on a stiff, slightly yellow paper, it strongly resembled a typical 1865 newspaper and Bill filled it with copy that appeared on June 5, 1865. He loved to find the little gems that usually took a back seat to the war news and place them on the front page of the four-page periodical. He gave a quick glance to three of them.

&nbs
p; Free Flights From Central Park, New York City

  Ballooning is a luxury few can afford and it requires great nerve and a love of danger. However, everywhere Mister Thaddeus Lowe sets up his flying orb, lines of people appear almost instantly! His instructions are few: no smoking, no knives, and no tobacco chewing (for there are no spittoons in the passenger basket of the vehicle.) The price for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the fair isle of Manhattan from the heavens is fifty cents a person. The liftoff time is ten o’clock in the morning and the location is at the main entrance of Central Park. Losing one’s hat is the fault of the person who wore it and not the aeronaut.

  Breakfast Cereal

  Breakfast cereal is a packaged food product intended to be consumed as part of a breakfast. The first breakfast cereal, granola was invented in the United States in 1863 by James Caleb Jackson, operator of the Jackson Sanitarium in Dansville, New York. As the heavy bran nuggets need soaking overnight before they are tender enough to eat, the meal must be well planned.

  Six Hundred Released Union Officers

  Annapolis, Md., Monday, March 6, 1865.

  The Steamers Fairbanks, Utopia, Thames, and Cumberland arrived here yesterday from Wilmington, N. C. loaded with released Union prisoners, recently exchanged. Others are hourly expected.

  These prisoners tell the same sad tale of privation, exposure, filth and wretchedness of the Southern prisons. But they are generally in much better condition than those who have come home before them, and after a thorough wash and renovation of clothing, present quite a lively and cheerful appearance. Their fresh blue uniforms and overcoats give to the camps and hospital grounds quite an animated aspect.

  Bill nodded in respect as he pressed the ‘send’ button on his laptop and said, “Done!” He pressed the intercom and Matt answered: “Sir?”

  “Matt I just sent you the copy for tonight’s newspaper.”

  “Thank you, sir. I’ll have it proofed and printed for this evening’s dinner. Meanwhile, I have your needs for the upcoming trip ready. Shall I come up with them?”

  “Sure.” Bill removed some papers from on top of a hassock that Matt usually used to put a valise on.

  Matt opened the door and Samson’s nose quickly checked for food. Catching no whiff of food, he went back to his reclining position on the couch. Matt carried a brown valise, placed it on the hassock and opened it. He took out five suits and laid them on the back of a chair.

  “Five suits of various colors, sir. Although they resemble the heavy cotton and wool clothing of the time, they are all ultra light weight for comfort.” He placed two pairs of shoes and continued; “Two pair of dress shoes, sir, one black the other brown. Both are water resistant and once again, ultra soft for comfort.” He took out one white shirt and said, “Five white shirts with stiff collars and two cravats, one black and the other brown plus two blue heavy-knit turtleneck sweaters.” Matt lifted a pair of suspenders and went on, “Black suspenders, one pair will suffice and there are also two vests, one black and the other brown. Six pairs of socks, six undergarments and your toiletry.” Matt took out a billfold and said, “Sir, as you requested here are five hundred dollars of that time period, however, I also added another one hundred in emergency funds and inserted it in the hidden slot of your black suspenders.”

  “Good thinking, Matt. Never can tell when things go wrong.”

  “Now,” added Matt as he placed three tickets on the coffee table, “a first-class round trip ticket on the British passenger liner SS Majestic which should cross the Atlantic Ocean in eleven days. I picked her because she offers cleaning services and that means that you can carry fewer clothes and simply have them cleaned as needed. Before you leave, sir, I’ll have the latest headwear for you: a stylish fedora.”

  Bill nodded, “As usual, Matt, you are on the ball.”

  Matt shrugged off the compliment and continued, “The Majestic is a fast ship just completed in 1889.” He picked up another ticket and said, “This is for a room at the London Savoy Hotel. Its about one mile from the London dock and the ticket is ‘open’ in case the ship docks earlier or later than scheduled.” Matt picked up a black jacket and paired it with a pair of brown pants and said, “As you will be on-deck many times during the trip, I made sure that the cut of the suits allow you to use a brown jacket with black pants and vice versa. This way you can be casual yet dressed for any occasion.” He lifted a pair of low, black canvas shoes out of the valise and said, “Last but not least, sir, a pair of deck shoes. Quite the rage of the sailboat set: comfortable and almost non-slippable and lastly, a set of gym clothes.”

  Bill shook his head in amazement as his right-hand man repacked his valise. “Outstanding, Matt. Simply outstanding. What time does the Majestic leave New York?”

  “She leaves New York at the thirty-second street dock at 4 p.m. on June 13 and arrives at dock 14 in London about noon, June 23. That is sir, if all goes well with the voyage.”

  “Once again, Matt thanks.” He looked at the grandfather clock and said, “Seven o’clock. I’m going to take a shower and change into period clothes.” He snapped his fingers as he remembered to see if two members were going to be at the diner. “Matt, do you remember if John Brand and Rocko Perna are going to be here this evening?”

  “I shall check the responses and let you know immediately, sir.” He left the packed valise next to Bill’s bedroom and exited the door.

  Bill picked up Samson’s water and dinner dish and washed them in the bathroom sink as the beagle followed excitedly. He filled both bowls and placed them on the floor just as the buzzer sounded.

  “Yes, Matt?”

  “Sir, both gentlemen are scheduled to be here this evening.”

  “Thanks again, Matt.

  It was 7:25 as Bill buffed the tip of his highly polished black high-buttoned shoes. He fixed the spat and then stood and looked in his full-length mirror. Looking back at him was a gentleman from 1865 wearing a dark gray three-piece suit with a three quarter jacket unbuttoned. His white shirt was buttoned and ended beneath a black cummerbund that he chose to wear rather than a vest. At his neck was a stiff collar and black ascot, which was held close to his chest by a pearl stickpin. The creased slacks ended at the top of his shoes.

  “Quite the dapper one, aren’t you Mister Scott?” His reflection answered by doing a slight bow just as Matt tapped upon and opened the door. Bill stood up fast, embarrassed that he got caught. If Matt had seen his playacting he said nothing about it, instead he said, “Sir, all of the guests have arrived.”

  “Uh, be right there, Matt.” He went and patted Samson on his head and said, “You stay right here and relax, little one. I’ll be back in a few hours.” The beagle fluffed up the non-existing grass on his couch and settled down for a nap.

  Bill walked along the carpeted hallway towards the stairs that would take him down to the great hall where the guests sipped wine and chatted about the latest news provided by the club’s newspaper. The soft murmur and laughter along with the clink of glasses told Bill that the club members were deep into their playacting. He stopped at the door and picked up a newspaper from a small 19th century table and tucked it under his arm as he perused the room.

  Groups of comfortable chairs were set to form semi circles as small groups chatted amongst themselves while others stood around the fireplace. Although not lit this time of the year it naturally became a meeting place for many. The ten-foot high walls were just redone in a light blue, flocked wallcovering that was the rage in the homes of 1865. The many candles and oil lamps reflected off the highly polished wood floor, as well as the wall, mounted mirrors and coffee tables situated around the large room. Bill looked up at the ceiling and thought as he saw a cloud of gray smoke, Mmmm. From the amount of cigar smoke, I’d say that they started entering the club forty-five minutes ago.