by Jean Rabe
The tapestry room was a long room containing two large soapstone fireplaces with flues painted in the Flemish style to accentuate the room’s three large silk tapestries. The modern dark green English club furniture gave the room a welcoming feel. In the far corner a quartet softly played chamber music. Luxurious Persian rugs muffled their steps as they entered. Mr. Johnny, in stylish evening attire, stood with hands behind his back as he gazed into the fire.
“What a breathtakingly beautiful home you have.”Sydney extended her hand in greeting as she approached.
Johnny stirred from his contemplation. “I have to admit I had nothing to do with it. My mother was a woman of impeccable taste. I only strive to maintain it for my own comfort.”
“You have succeeded gallantly.” Sydney sat near the fire. The large elegant home was like her host—dressed to party but sadly melancholy.
Toiter placed the case with the opal on the table and opened it. The stone glowed brightly in the firelight. “This is Mation’s Opal.”
“Ahh, yes, it’s lovely.” Johnny flipped his coat’s tails as he knelt to look at the opal. “I hadn’t realized it was so large. I think I’ve come up with a way to make slivers without damaging the original.”
Sydney chuckled. “David would just place smaller opals in the case with it. After a time they would take on the same properties.”
Johnny turned. “Exactly as I’d supposed. Does the whole opal animate objects larger than those it can charge?”
“Oh yes. Go ahead and use it on that statuette there.” She motioned to the small black statue of a rhinoceros.
Johnny took the opal out of the case. His eyes widened at the sensations. “Yes, it feels strong.”
Toiter put the case under the table out of the way. “Sometimes things can run about.”
Johnny touched the opal to the rhinoceros. The stone dimmed as the statuette came to life. The animal charged out onto the polished table. Toiter grabbed the opal as the little beast threw its armored head to and fro. The creature huffed about for the five minutes until it became listless, freezing in a pose with its head hanging down in a manner of defeat.
Johnny rocked back on his heels as he intently watched the display. Sydney, an excellent judge of character, watched Johnny. His reaction had been one of boyish pleasure and amazement. There was no guile or conniving about his manner.
“That was amazing!” Johnny picked up the rhinoceros. “The effect lasted a full five minutes on this heavy specimen. It’s all I thought it would be and more.” He turned excitedly. “I’m sure you’re anxious to meet Tom and see how this can be used.”
Pushing the butler call on the brass panel, he continued, “I can see why selling it would be out of the question for you. However, if we go into business I’d like to have time to study the properties of the original opal.”
“If we become partners that only seems reasonable.” Sydney stopped when she heard the whirling and slight hydraulic hissing of an automaton approaching.
Tom entered the room carrying a tray of champagne glasses. He was brightly polished brass and wearing a dark black jacket with green lapels. The details of his styling reflected elements of a butler’s uniform. Above his speaker was a full brass mustache. Above his eyes were full brass eyebrows. His chest was in the fashion of a brass waistcoat complete with buttons.
“Greetings Lady Espear and Mr. Toiter. Would you like some champagne?” Tom approached Sydney, leaning down with the tray.
“Greetings, Tom. It’s nice to meet you.” Sydney took a glass. “Thank you.”
Toiter accepted a glass as he skeptically watched the butler. “What’s different from any other automaton that serves drinks?”
“I have many other functions,” Tom replied. The butler’s voice had a mellow hollowness to it, as if he was speaking into a bucket.
Johnny grinned broadly, showing his gold teeth. “Tom’s right. He’ll answer questions. He organized our menu tonight and will see to its proper serving, adjusting the flow of the courses to meet our needs.”
“Sir, speaking of courses.” Tom tucked the tray under his arm after Johnny took the last glass. “May I bring out the appetizer?”
“Yes, by all means do.” Johnny sipped his drink.
Tom turned to address both Sydney and Toiter. “Tonight’s appetizer is Oysters Katharine on the half shell.”
“Can you describe the dish for us?” Toiter continued to inspect the machine skeptically.
“Yes, sir.” Tom turned to face his guest. “Chef Weir has created a baked dish of oysters on the half shell. The oyster is topped with a sautéed mixture of onion, garlic, pimento, mushroom, and parsley. This is crusted with a topping of grated parmesan cheese mixed with specially seasoned breadcrumbs. It is then baked on the shell until golden brown. The dish is one of delicately balanced flavors of the savory crust complimenting the firm ocean flavor of the roasted oyster. If you like, I can have the chef alter the recipe to suit your gastric needs.”
“No, that won’t be necessary.” Toiter no longer looked skeptical. “It sounds wonderful.”
Just prior to sitting down for dinner, Johnny placed several opal slivers in the case with the Mation’s Opal. At Toiter’s request, Tom politely opened his chest to show the sliver that animated him in its electrically charged setting. The opal was fiery with flashes of colors. Johnny offered to remove the opal, demonstrating how Tom regressed to a regular automaton. Sydney, horrified at the idea, waved it off.
The trio enjoyed a Chablis as they adjourned to the dining room. There the tooled Spanish leather wall covering glowed from the incandescent lights.
“The nights here can get quite chilly.” Johnny held Sydney’s chair as she took her seat in front of a roaring fire in the Wedgewood fireplace. “We have central heat, but nothing knocks the chill of the mountain away like a fire.”
The meal progressed through six more courses, each announced and described by Tom. The food was impeccable. Sydney complimented each dish. Toiter lost all form of etiquette and cleaned his plate at each course.
“I have already built two other multitomatons that I call Dick and Harry. I intend to have Dick train as chef and Harry as gardener.”
“Tom, Dick, and Harry. How original. Like naming cats Puss and Boots.” Toiter hefted his claret that had been served with the beef au bordelaise.
“Not really. I did imagine that selling the trio would go something like—no home is complete without Tom, Dick, and Harry.” He chuckled to himself. “But they are prototypes. We might decide my humor isn’t as good as the concepts of advertising professionals.”
“It is amusing, but I’m not sure it’s the image we’d want to project. I’m glad you are open to discussion on the matter should it come to production.” Toiter took another bite of the beef. “This is marvelous. Why you’d want to replace this chef with a machine is beyond me.”
“I don’t want to do that.” Johnny placed his folded napkin on the table and leaned forward solemnly. “I envision chefs, such as Chef Weir, train the automations in making such fine dinners possible at homes that can afford a multitomaton but not a full staff.”
Sydney suggested training a multitomaton to fill multiple staffing positions, thus expanding the market. Her business prowess and insight were invaluable as they made plans. By the time the demitasse was served, all assumed a deal would be done and a project outline had been sketched out.
The trio retired to the tapestry room. The opal sat in its case, dimming and brightening. The slivers placed against it had begun to slowly increase their own illumination.
“Do you know how long it’ll take to charge these?” Sydney was intrigued by the process, having never seen it herself.
“I’m guessing only a few more hours.” Johnny again knelt to better view the stone. “Did your husband ever have any theories as to how the opal gained this?”
“No, nothing more than it was used in ancient rites.” Sydney knelt. “I suppose it’s something esoteric or
mystic.”
“That’s my interest, Lady Espear. Understanding and utilizing the esoteric, mystic, and all things paranormal. I think all can eventually be explained scientifically.” He turned to face her as he spoke in earnest. “My father thought my collecting such items was a folly.” He looked down at his manicured hands. “I have many faults and made many mistakes, but this isn’t one. I want to understand how our universe works.”
Sydney felt the sincerity of his words. “I believe you, Johnny. It sounds like a most worthwhile endeavor. One I’d be intrigued to investigate myself. What an adventure to be on the cutting edge of new inventions and discoveries!”
He smiled, but his delight faded quickly. “It can be all that, but it’s dangerous too. I’ve dealt with some very contemptible characters to acquire items. I fear it led to the death of my brother and father, who took the flight that day instead of me.” He hung his head. “I was quite a profligate in my youth. I was to enter the family business and gain respectability. The day of the flight I was ill from too much of that lifestyle. In such a condition I couldn’t travel. My brother and father took on my trip at the last minute.” He sat back on his heels he stared into the fire, his face a mask over pure pain. “Their airship crashed due to an explosion that was never explained. I am sure it had to do with the Claw of Destiny, a relic I’d recently gained that the Kismet Cult wanted returned. There was no proof, and no one took me seriously because I’d never acted seriously. Eventually my gambling debts came to light and some assumed that was motivation to kill my family. They didn’t take into account that I had money, I made and paid such debts regularly. They just assumed I wanted money more than I wanted family, and had them killed to gain an inheritance.” He turned to rub his face and collect himself.
Sydney glanced at Toiter, who was glumly standing by the cheerful fire. His eyes met hers. Both better understood their eccentric host.
Sydney placed her hand on Johnny’s arm. “For what it’s worth, I believe you. I know the danger of exporting exceptional items. Still, I’d like to assist in the investigation of your family’s demise and your exploration of the mystic.”
Johnny sighed. “That is kind of you, Lady Espear, but I couldn’t allow you to put yourself in danger. I will bring those who killed my family to justice and vindicate my name. However, you could assist my study in two ways-first by informing me when your company locates such fantastical items, and second by performing lab work.”
“I’d be pleased to do both.” Sydney stood, smoothing the silk of her dress.
“It’s getting late. We’ll discuss those projects over breakfast in the morning.” Johnny took her hand in his. “Thank you for your kind offer. It’s been some time since I’ve had a real friend.” The evening complete, they all retired to their rooms.
Later that night Sydney couldn’t sleep. She tossed in the oversized. She looked for something to read, but only found an estate guide for guests. It was obvious that at one time the home had been a place alive with visitors. It was now occupied by a melancholy man trying to regain his family honor and prove his innocence.
The guide indicated a discrete stair to the library for guests to retrieve reading material. Deciding to leave her hair down, Sydney pulled on her riding trousers and uncollared shirt. The galleasses caused the shirt to blouse about her waist, but she didn’t care, thinking it was sufficient for a quick run to the library.
The staircase came out in the library from behind the flue of the fireplace on a balcony. She felt on the wall for a light switch. Just as she pressed it, she noticed Johnny standing on the main floor. He was staring out the French doors, wearing green goggles, and holding a large gun.
He wheeled around to see her and shouted “GET DOWN!”
Sydney froze for a moment before throwing herself on the floor. The room filled with brilliant white light, and the balcony pitched from the percussion of an explosion. She squeezed her eyes shut and clung to the carpet. Once the light faded she raised up on her elbows.
“Are you all right?” Johnny called from the floor as he staggered over stone rubble that had once been the wall. He shoved the goggles up onto his head. “I can’t see yet. Are you all right?”
His voice was faint in her ringing ears. “Yes, yes I’m fine, but you’re bleeding from your head!” Scrambling to her feet, the rush made her ill. She assumed Johnny was both temporarily blind and deaf because he kept calling for her despite her answering.
“SYDNEY, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?” he desperately shouted as he struggled over another stone.
Before she could descend the stairs a group of men wearing clockwork armor and carrying various armaments entered through the hole in the wall. They quickly grabbed the dazed Johnny.
Sydney crouched low, peering through the brass railing of the balcony. Her heart pounded in her throat.
Johnny struggled against his captors, flailing blindly. One placed a device at his neck that emitted a blue arc of electricity. Johnny shrieked, and then went limp. The men dragged him through the blast opening.
Silently, Sydney struggled for control as her reaction dithered between hiding in fear and retrieving Johnny’s gun to run out and rescue him. Regaining her focus, she came up with a plan to rescue Johnny without placing more people in danger.
Once she was sure the kidnappers weren’t returning, she dashed down the stairs and into the tapestry room. She hit the butler call, and then dropped to her knees at the table where Mation’s Opal sat with its charging slivers.
Tom arrived. “May I be of assistance, ma’am?”
“Take me to Dick and Harry.” She stood, holding the newly charged slivers. “Your master has been attacked and I need all of you to rescue him.”
Tom’s head cocked to the right as his eyes opened wide. “Then that noise was not one of his experiments.” Tom’s eyebrows clicked as they furrowed. “Yes, ma’am, follow me. It appears time is of the essence.” He turned on his heels and hastened at a pace. Sydney had to run to keep up with him.
They took the grand staircase down into a tiled hallway. Sound reverberated from the tile, the click of Sydney’s heels rang out over the hiss of Tom’s hydraulics. Once arriving at a large door with ornate brass hinges and locks, Tom stopped. One of his fingers opened and a key appeared that he used to unlock the door. “My brothers are there.”
Sydney rushed in, seeing two automatons similar to Tom. Large black cords came from the ceiling and plugged into their heads.
“They are fully charged and programmed.” Tom opened their chests to reveal the holder for the opals. “They were only waiting for the slivers to awaken them.”
Sydney placed an opal in the first one and a shudder ran through the machine.
“I’ll activate Dick while you prepare Harry.” Tom pulled the large black plug from Dick’s head, and the wire retreated like a cobra into the ceiling. He snapped the portal closed and Dick whirred to life. Sydney quickly copied the motions after placing a sliver in Harry.
Once both multitomatons were activated, they settled their gazes on Sydney. “We are here to serve.” Their voices were similar to Tom’s though slightly lower.
“Mr. Johnny is in danger.” Sydney rushed with an explanation of the events. “You must rescue him and capture his kidnappers. Tom will direct you.”
“We need to secure weaponry and night vision,” Tom said. “Proceed to the armory and wait for me there.”
“We will proceed to the armory.” Dick replied.
“We will wait for you there.” Harry’s voice was a pitch different. “Then we shall rescue our master.” They departed.
Sydney turned to Tom. “Mr. Johnny’s injured. His head is bleeding. I will instruct the housekeeper to prepare to treat his wounds and I must summon the authorities and a doctor.”
Tom took two of the wireless picture phones from the work bench and handed one to Sydney. “We can communicate with these. You can also call authorities outside the estate.” Tom bowed. “Thank you for your promp
t assistance.”
“Stay safe, Tom, and bring back Johnny.” Sydney whispered the words as she clutched the phone.
“We will endeavor to do just that, Lady Espear.” Then he left.
Sydney raced upstairs to the second floor living hall where she rang for the housekeeper. Closing her eyes for a moment, she gathered her thoughts. She tried hard not to see the blinded and bloody Johnny stumbling over rubble, calling out to her and disregarding his own safety. She was on the phone with the police, who apparently also had one of Mr. Johnny’s picture phones, when the housekeeper, Mrs. Potts, arrived.
Mrs. Potts went into action. She sent a maid to fetch medical supplies and set up a ward. She placed a call summoning Dr. Chickering. Another maid roused the men of the estate to protect the home and await the return of Mr. Johnny and the multitomatons.
Beatrice arrived in her dressing gown, face stern and ready to assist. “Toiter’s gone with the men, and they gave him a gun. I worry that—”
The rest of her words were drowned out by a loud crash as the front doors were thrown open. Tom entered, carrying an unconscious Johnny. Dick and Harry followed, each dragging two unconscious men in black suits covered with gears obviously intended to strengthen them beyond normal human capacity. Dick and Harry stayed on the main floor, dropping their charges onto the carpet. Tom ascended the stairs with Johnny.
Mrs. Potts directed him to the makeshift ward. Beatrice guessed that Johnny had a slight concussion, nothing serious, but he would require a few stitches once the doctor arrived. Smelling salts brought him round.
Sydney entered in time to hear Tom’s report to his master.
“They are members of the Kismet Cult from which the Claw of Destiny was originally obtained before you purchased it. They were seeking to get it back and punish you. We took this from them.” He unclipped from his waist the electrical device that had knocked Johnny unconscious. “We used it on them after they admitted their group had sabotaged the airship that killed your father and brother.” Tom nodded with a hiss. “You are now proven correct, sir. Everyone will know of your innocence.”
