Steampunk'd

by Jean Rabe

  The part that allows him to be multi-functional is a sliver of Mation’s Opal that you gave to Sir Gregory Cheekbalm. I acquired the item, as Cheeky is horrid at cards.

  The sliver’s abilities intrigued me, and after some years, I’ve mastered its unique properties. I desire to make multitomatons to sell, and with your help I could succeed.

  I am writing to inquire about purchasing the entire Mation’s Opal. If that is out of the question, perhaps we would enter into a business partnership where your opal is used to make additional slivers. As partner you would share in the profits of such an endeavor.

  Please let me know your level of interest in my proposal. All is, of course, open to negotiation. I merely wish to open communication.

  Sincerely,

  Jonathon Q. Plebeman”

  Toiter flung down the letter onto the desk with disgust. “YOU can’t be serious!” He rolled his eyes. “The man doesn’t have the decency to find out that Lord Espear passed three years ago! He writes to a titled position with the familiarity he would use to address a drinking buddy! Then to assert that a parlor trick of temporarily animating things is useful to science . . .” He squared his shoulders and peered down his ample hooked nose at the offending letter. “That proves he’s a few sails short of sane wouldn’t you say?”

  Lady Espear stood. “No, I wouldn’t.” She gestured at him with a full cup of tea. “Go ahead, take it. I’d dare say after the indignation you just suffered you need it.”

  Sydney’s deceased husband’s dream of multitomatons doing unpleasant tasks to free humanity for enlightened pursuits was one she shared. If the odd properties of the Mation’s Opal could do that and produce a profit, all the better.

  She strolled to the case where the opal sat as a glowing bauble of decoration in the shelf-lined office. Colors radiated from the white orb and were softly reflected in the polished teak paneling.

  “You know of David’s dream for multitomatons.” She opened the case and picked up the large stone with both hands. “I think it’s only proper we investigate the possibility this man has succeeded.” She smiled at the prickly tingling sensation that radiated from the opal. Its internal fire began to burn more brightly. “If this beautiful trinket can do that, then why not? It’d be a profitable expansion for the company. Airshipping is picking up, and seafaring ships are being used less. It would be good to have another market.”

  Toiter stood rigid as if at attention with his tea cup daintily held in front of him. He took care in choosing his words. “I don’t think a multitomaton is possible, much less with a stone used for parlor tricks. Lord Espear tried to use that opal on something larger than a cigar box but that failed. How could it work in an automaton?”

  Sydney shrugged and put the opal against the small statue of Neptune on the guest table. “I know, but if this man has found a way to harness this, it would be worth seeing.”

  The orb dimmed, and the small Neptune stretched from his pose and began to walk around the table, taking stock of the items stored there.

  “I want to see what he’s done, what this Tom of his can do. I’ll take along Mation’s Opal to see if the effect is repeatable. If he’s on to something then we may both benefit from a deal.”

  Toiter sighed as Neptune scratched his nether regions inelegantly and poked open a book with his trident. “Let’s hope he’s done something that could improve the manners of things such as Neptune here.”

  Sydney laughed as she picked up the opal and returned it to the case. “I hope he doesn’t deanimate in that position. It’ll be most upsetting to Mrs. Barkley, who already doesn’t like dusting the nude male form no matter how classically tasteful it is.”

  They both watched the little figure scratch his back with his triton as he attempted to make sense of the color plate in the book he opened. He froze with a quizzical look on his face.

  “I leave the arrangements of our trip in your most capable hands.” Sydney put on her hat, and Toiter rushed to assist her with her cloak.

  Toiter made the arrangements with Mr. Plebeman’s people. A personal airship would be provided from the Plebeman Estate near Asheville, North Carolina. Once the trip was scheduled, preparations on the Espear end began.

  On the morning of departure, Sydney climbed the metal stairs at the airship docking station. She marveled at the copper and teak gondola of the private ship. The interior was bedecked in plush Asian carpets and highly polished cherry furniture. The colors were green and black and reflected the Plebeman family heraldry prominently displayed over the red glowing heater disguised as an ornately carved fireplace.

  “My, what a lovely custom zeppelin.” Sydney commented as the airship’s Captain shook her hand.

  “Why yes ma’am. The Plebeman family has manufactured fine airships for two generations now. However, with Mr. Johnny at the head this doesn’t get used the way it did.” He looked a bit wistful as he tugged the hem of his green uniform coat. “I’m Captain Aphram Opram. I’ll be in charge of your flight today.”

  “Oh, thank you.” Sydney turned to allow Opram to assist with her cloak. “As a matter of curiosity why doesn’t the ship get as much use?”

  “Well,” Opram looked taken aback. “Mr. Johnny. . . doesn’t fly as much as his brother and father did.” He turned to hang up her coat and latch the closet. “Our flight time will be just under two hours depending on the winds around Mount Pisgah.”

  Sydney settled herself in her seat and shifted so that her bustle was comfortable on the horsehair chair. The furnishings were designed for male travelers, not women’s attire. “I’ve never been to the Appalachian Mountains. I understand they are lovely.”

  “Yes, ma’am they are. Nothing like the Alps, mind, you but more forested and gentler.” He nodded to Toiter, who was settling in the chair opposite Sydney. Then he smiled at Beatrice, Sydney’s Lady’s maid, who made herself comfortable on a settee. “If you need anything to make your trip more comfortable, just let Ashley know. She’ll be tending to your needs.” Captain Opram took his leave and departed toward the front of the cabin.

  Sydney looked out the thick purplish glass and watched the distorted view of tarnished automatons loading her luggage into the cargo hold of the gondola.

  “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could do more than one task?”

  “Yes, it would. Woulda saved my poor daddy’s back in them mines.” Beatrice held her ribbon embroidery in her lap as she looked out the window on the other side.

  “No, it wouldn’t.” Toiter glanced out and then back to the ledgers he was putting on the table. “Then they’d want a wage, I’d suppose, for oil and such. Show up all rusty and do poor work but expect the same pay.”

  Sydney watched the familiar steeples of Charleston fade away to the rolling land of the Piedmont then finally to the rounded lumbering mountains of the Appalachians. Beatrice sat spellbound, her embroidery unattended in her limp hands. Even Toiter quit grumbling over his ledgers and watched as the gently rolling ridges and valleys of the chain became more dramatic.

  A large castle-like home with manicured gardens and vineyards surrounding it came into view. The ship began to descend near the southwest side of the house. Soon automatons dressed as gondoliers were running out to take the guide wires that whirled down from their remotely controlled spools. The landing was gentle with a soft bump as the base of the gondola nudged the immaculately trimmed turf.

  Soon Opram entered and bid them welcome to Plebeman Estates. He graciously took Sydney’s hand and escorted her to meet Mr. Johnny Plebeman.

  Mr. Plebeman was a man of medium build. The most striking thing about him after his black goatee and mustache was a generally rumpled look without being able to point to any article of clothing actually being rumpled. His hair had been combed and pomaded, but a strand fell forward giving him a disheveled look. His glasses had tortoise shell frames of the finest quality, but were perched a bit too far down his nose, as if they’d slid there of their own accord and he was to
o engrossed in what he was doing to notice. As Sydney approached, he smiled broadly. A flash of two gold teeth on the back left gave the feeling of a lothario, but the sparkle in his eye and the handsomeness of his face softened it with boyish charm.

  Sydney was taken with the man. He was interesting and definitely more entertaining than any company she’d kept since David’s death.

  “Mr. Johnny, I’d like to introduce Lady Sydney Espear.” Captain Opram graciously indicated Sydney on his arm. “Madam, this is Mr. Johnny Plebeman head of Plebeman Estates.”

  “I’m pleased . . .” Sydney was cut off by Johnny.

  “Yes, yes thanks. Opie, once all the guests get off that contraption take it away will you?” He extended his hand to Sydney, taking his searching eyes off the airship and putting them on her. “Welcome Lady Espear. It’s good to . . .” He raised an eyebrow, as if first noticing her, and then rakishly glanced up and down before smiling again and returning his attention to the airship over her shoulder. “. . . welcome you to my estate.”

  “Thank you. That is a lovely zeppelin you have there.” Sydney took his arm and stood beside him as he strained to look over his airship.

  “Airship, rigid airship or dirigible if you please. Zeppelin is a rival German company,” he replied in an offhand manner.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. My father or brother might have been offended, but I’m not.” He glanced at her with an indulgent smile. “I hate flying. Hate those contraptions.”

  Sydney looked perplexed. “Hmmm. Mr. Plebeman . . .”

  “Johnny. Call me Johnny, everyone does.” He squeezed and patted her hand on his arm as he again leaned from side to side watching his airship.

  “Yes. Well then, Johnny, what are you anxiously looking for?”

  He stopped and turned to face her ice blue eyes. “Why, the arrival of your husband, Lady Espear.”

  “My husband?” She looked at Toiter coming off the airship with a chatty Beatrice following him. “Well, that would be shocking considering he passed three years ago. I can see why you are anxious.”

  Johnny turned to look at her. “I. . . I thought he was coming to see the multitomaton.”

  “No, that would be me. I now handle all the affairs of Espear Imports and Exports. You have been corresponding with Mr. Toiter, my personal secretary.” Sydney said Toiter’s name loudly as he approached and indicated him with a wave of her hand. “I take it he didn’t adequately inform you of the situation.”

  “No, no he did not.” Johnny dropped her arm and looked around nervously. Then, gathering himself, he buttoned his long coat. “However, I don’t see a problem. A quick retooling of the weekend plans and all should be fine.” He turned and proceeded toward the marble staircase that led to the house.

  Sydney glared at Toiter, who took her arm.

  “If he wasn’t going to do his research why I should I do it for him?” Toiter glanced down uneasily then back to their host, who was talking to a servant as he led the way. “Be wary of him. Before his father and brother were killed in an airship accident he was quite the philanderer.”

  “Now you tell me.” She cocked her head. “Likes women but won’t do business with one eh? I’d swear you love to stir up trouble and then just watch what happens, don’t you?” She glided up the wide steps.

  He suppressed a grin. “No ma’am, just doing what you requested—setting up a meeting with the lunatic.”

  They followed Johnny through two large wooden doors and across a portico of Portuguese tile, entering a large hall. The winter garden to the right included a domed glass ceiling held in frames of mahogany. It featured an indoor jungle of palms and a quietly bubbling fountain. Surrounding the fountain, positioned to catch the sun streaming in the glass dome, were chairs and settees of bamboo. A brandy service had been set up to welcome the guests.

  Johnny turned and smiled. Another piece of pomaded hair had fallen downward, framing his face in a parentheses. “Ma’am, it’s not that I mind doing business with a lady.” He gestured to the brandy service. “It’s just I’d planned the weekend to engage a potential male business partner.” He pushed one of the errant strands behind his ear. “Things may be on the masculine side, but adjustments can be easily made. Would you like a brandy or something else to refresh you after your travels?”

  Sydney looked over to the offerings as she removed her gloves. A footman in black and green livery took them and her cloak.

  “The Gaston de Casteljac cognac will be excellent.” She took a seat on a settee and admired the tropical scene embroidered on the cushions.

  Johnny poured the drink and took it to her personally. Turning to Toiter, he nodded. “So what will it be my man?”

  Toiter stumbled with his answer. “I’ll have. . . uh . . .” He looked to Sydney for guidance. She sipped her cognac and raised an eyebrow as if to tell him to do his own research.

  “I’ll tell you what. Leave it to me.” Johnny turned, letting the uncomfortable man off the hook. “Try this one. It’s not as sweet as Lady Espear’s choice but not as coarse as those our brothers from Kentucky prefer.” He poured a red-gold liquid into a snifter and brought it to Toiter. “Taste it and give me your verdict.”

  Toiter sampled a rich flavor without the stickiness of excessive sugar. A pleasant warmth followed the swallow down his throat. “It’s wonderful, thank you.”

  “Excellent! It’s one of my favorites too.” He poured himself a glass.

  At Sydney’s request Johnny led his guests on a tour of the hall’s art.

  After inspecting a hippogriff on a table from a medieval monk cloister Sydney asked, “So when do we get to meet this wonderful Tom of yours?”

  “Before dinner I’ll introduce him. You can then observe as he assists in the service.” He handed off their empty glasses to a maid without looking at her.

  “I’ll bring Mation’s Opal at that time.” Sydney looked up the grand spiral staircase.

  “I’m anxious to see and discuss its properties. We’ll take the appetizers in the tapestry room.” He turned to her with the roguish smile flashing the gold teeth again. “That’s if you don’t mind finger foods for appetizers, as I said I’d planned a gentleman’s weekend.”

  “I don’t mind at all” Sydney nodded. “Now if you don’t mind I’ll go freshen up. Will this attentive footman show me to my room?” She gestured to the footman who was pleased to be acknowledged directly.

  “Yes, he will.” Johnny indicated the stairs with a wave of his hand. “I believe your lady’s maid should have things in order, but if anything isn’t to your liking or you have need of something, just let us know. Call buttons are labeled on the brass plates in your room.”

  “I’m sure everything will be perfect.” Sydney glided up the stairs, quietly engaging the nervous footman in polite conversation.

  Sydney was given the south tower room, a large round room decorated in a subdued neoclassical style. The soft pastel colors and dainty floral prints were complimented by ivory trim.

  A wide-eyed Beatrice greeted her. “He sure ain’t courtin’ you fer your money, is he? Just look at this place. I bet this is how royals live!”

  “No, money isn’t something I believe Johnny needs. He needs my opal.” Sydney flopped down on a pale blue silk tufted sofa. “I’ve yet to see much regular automation, here much less innovation. I can’t help but wonder if my expectations were too high.”

  Beatrice began taking down Sydney’s hair and brushing out the curls. “I can tell you that downstairs there’s much automation. Stuff I’ve never see afore. There’s a switchboard that don’t just do calls but sends moving pictures with them. That’s if the other party has one of those devices, too.”

  She put down the brush and picked up a slim box the length of a cigar box but the thickness of a cigarette case. She opened it to show a round black portal that illuminated, presenting a stylish woman in a headset. “Yes, Lady Espear, may I assist in placing your call?”


  Sydney took the wireless box from Beatrice. “No thank you. I was just inspecting this astonishing device. I don’t wish to place a call at this time.”

  “Very well, ma’am. If you do just push the green button to buzz me. I’ll be glad to assist.” The woman vanished from the portal.

  Sydney looked over the numbered ivory buttons, the aforementioned green button made of jade, and a red one of coral just below the portal. “This is amazing. So light and wireless too! Where is the lens that sees me?”

  Beatrice shrugged as she watched over Sydney’s shoulder. “Dunno ma’am.”

  Sydney spotted the small lens hidden in the ornate carving of the dark wood. “There it is! You say Johnny created this?”

  “Yes, ma’am. That’s what Rocco told me. He’s the technical assistant here for all the inventions Mr. Johnny has installed. The goal of the estate is to have all the modern conveniences without them intruding on the mountain retreat feel.” She recited the last bit as if she’d put it to memory. “Oh, Mr. Johnny invented special goggles to let people see at night. That way the gardeners can tend the grounds without guests seeing such things as fertilizer carts. Rocco said they make everything look green because you look through an emerald!”

  The two women continued to chat about the estate and the unique items it contained while they prepared Sydney for evening dinner. They chose the pearl gray dinner dress with a short train and a square neckline that wasn’t as plunging as some of her other evening gowns. Sydney thought it best to err on the side of conservatism given her host’s reputation.

  “Now, go be comfortable with the wonderfully dark Italian Rocco.” She smiled leaning forward a bit coquettishly.

  “Oh, missus! It ain’t like that.” Beatrice waved off her employer. Then pausing, she blushed and smoothed her skirt. “But I’d not be against it if it was done properly.”

  There was a soft knock on her door. “There’s Toiter to take me down to dinner. This should be interesting.” Sliding her wrap onto her elbows, she picked up Mat-ion’s Opal as Beatrice opened the door. “I wish you luck with your new friendship.” She patted Beatrice’s arm as she passed to greet Toiter.