by Grant Eagar
“Well done Henry, I thought jumping into the river was quite heroic. You acted like some adventurer from a novel,” said Sophie. She smiled and asked, “So what are your plans for the remainder of the day?”
He went pale. “I-I was supposed to meet Tessa at her father's estate. Today is her wedding; I need to activate her wedding gown. She had quite a unique idea for a wedding dress.”
“Henry, you’ll never learn will you. I’m sure this is just another trap; why all the work to keep you alive when you insist on ending it all.”
He smiled at her and said, “If you come with me my chances of survival will increase dramatically.”
She touched his cheek. “I may assist the enemy. Be careful whom you trust.”
CHAPTER 9
The Wedding Dress
Sophie dropped him off at the grounds of the Pembroke Estate. There were twenty carriages already there. He strode into the great room, bowed to the Butler and said, “I'm here for the fitting of Miss Tessa’s dress.”
The butler gave him a wide eyed look. “Dress fitting? They are all at the church for the wedding. The chapel is at the crest of the hill yonder. You had better hurry, it is scheduled to start any minute.”
He ran up to the chapel and walked inside. The pews were already full of family and friends. She sat in a chair next to the altar.
Upon seeing him she yelled, “He’s here everyone, take your places!”
The crowd rose and the organ played a wedding march. As Henry walked down the aisle he looked around and there didn’t appear to be a groom in sight. For the love of god, where is the groom?
He swallowed and approached the girl. “Good afternoon Tessa, I'm here for the activation of your dress.”
Tessa had to be helped to her feet by three brides’ maids since her elaborate dress was so heavy. “Henry, it’s good of you to come, we're now anxious for you to perform your magic.”
He stepped around her and pulled a small handle out of the back of her dress and inserted it into a fitting between her breasts. He began winding the dress up. Her expression became a bit confused. “What is all this winding supposed to accomplish?” she asked.
For the love of god pray there is a groom. When the groom finally showed up Henry wiped some sweat off his brow which was more from worry than from the winding. The dress weighed eighty pounds so Henry had lined it with hollow tubes of dark matter which when activated would make the dress much lighter and would fill out like a great swan. The dark matter would also power a series of light bulbs in the dress.
He wound and wound and wound her up like she was a Victorian player. He stepped back and smiled with anticipation. Nothing happened. He dabbed at sweat on his brow with an encouraging smile. He grabbed the handle and wound it another thirty times and still nothing.
The audience began to murmur and Tessa's parents gave him murderous looks.
He rolled up his sleeves and wound the dress ninety more times as he wound the crank he started to hear a high pitch whine which become louder and louder. His eyes widened and he went pale.
“What is that noise?” the father of the bride asked with a scowl on his face. “It sounds like it’s going to explode?”
Henry frantically felt around in the back of the dress and found a lever. He pulled on it and there was a loud pop and the dress expanded and lit up like a Christmas tree.
Tessa’s face brightened and her father said, “Finally, Henry I must confess the wait was well worth it. Well done. I daresay my daughter has the most extraordinary dress in all of England.”
There was widespread applause and oohs and aahs Tessa turned to her father. “See daddy he wasn’t a quack after all.” She then turned to Henry and kissed him on the cheek. “Henry, I always had faith in you. She beamed as she approached the minster. He said, “We are gathered here in the sight of almighty god ...”
Tessa’s eyes widened and Henry noticed she was now as tall as the groom. He quickly made his way up to the alter and put his arm around her waist and held on firmly.”
“What are you doing?” whispered the groom.
Henry said, “I would encourage you to do the same: the dress is taking flight.” He then rolled his hand to make the proceed gesture. “Carry on just a simple unexpected problem, carry on carry on.”
The minister continued. “Do you Jonathan Alsop take Tessa-” He looked up just in time to catch the groom who dropped into his arms from Tessa who was now ten feet in the air and Henry was still holding onto her for dear life.
“Just a small miscalculation, continue my dear sir. Hurry if you would!” yelled Henry. He had untied her sash and tied it around his own waist then sat on the great bustle like it was a seat and he had his arms around her waist. He smiled and waved at the parishioners. He and Tessa were now bouncing off the ceiling.
Tessa's grandmother fainted. Tessa and Henry continued to frantically bob along the ceiling until they flew through an open window and sailed off into the sky.
As they looked down at the frantic group following after them falling far below them. Henry asked, “Is this not a glorious day for a weeding?”
The bride, who was crying, covered her face with her hands. “Henry, it’s tragic, how can you be so optimistic? Do you not realize you'll be beaten to a pulp then shot at least twenty times once we land?”
He patted her back then raised an eyebrow. “I'm feeling quite lucky; I've already been shot at several times today and not a single hole in me. May I ask who is to do the shooting?”
After she wiped the tears from her eyes her eyes narrowed. “If my father and my fiancée don't shoot you, I'll do the honors myself. You have ruined the most important day of my life.”
They moved higher and higher in the air like a very large deranged swan, Henry regarded her and said, “I may be shot, but what a glorious way to go. You paid for an experience like no other and is this not like any other wedding? It wouldn't hurt for you to show a little appreciation. You would have been up here with the groom if he had held on. You’ll remember this experience all the days of your life. You’ll tell your children and grandchildren about this glorious event.”
“Oh don't worry, I’ll be showing ample appreciation once we land. How long will we be staying up in the air anyway? We are bobbing around like a wounded dodo bird.”
Henry said, “Okay let us see, thirty cranks plus fifty cranks, plus ninety cranks ... I daresay about forty-five minutes. We should start descending in about twenty minutes.”
“What possessed you to crank this contraption until it was ready to explode? Don't you think these things through?”
Henry readjusted himself so he was more comfortable. “Unfortunately Tessa thinking things through is a common failing in all my inventions. How is the dress holding up? Are you comfortable?”
“I'm quite comfortable thank you.” She reached for the sash and started fiddling with the knot. “I think if I undo the sash and watch you fall I'll be even more comfortable.”
“There is no need to be hateful. Well I can understand the temptation, but I hope you would be in the forgiving state of mind rather than the vengeful mood. It’s your wedding day after all, show a bit of charity.”
They slowly drifted across the plain with a collection of carriages and people on horseback following them.
Henry said, “I think we’re slowly descending.”
She glanced down at the entourage then said, “I feel much better, sometimes it’s better to only worry about those things you have control of. Considering how you are going to be killed when we land also gives me something to occupy my mind.”
“Since we’re getting lower, why don’t you relax and spread your hands out like a swan. The dress will billow out behind us. You can either look ridiculous or fashionable; it’s all in how you command the moment.”
She smiled. “Command the moment? Well the dress does look beautiful up here with the breeze billowing through it. I may not kill you after all; maybe some simply maiming will
suffice.”
Henry gave a forced laugh. “I have learned it’s good to laugh a bit when one is in these situations, which is much better than the alternative.”
Twenty minutes later she smiled and a mischievous look played in her eyes. “Since I'm not officially married, would you consider a kiss for the bride?”
Henry looked at her directly and smiled. “A moment ago you were considering how to kill me and now you want to kiss me? It’s good to see you heart has softened and you’re feeling better. I suppose a kiss for the bride would be appropriate. Considering the fact I’m most likely to get a beating when we land, I just as well enjoy the time we have together.”
She nodded and wrapped her arms around him then they kissed and kissed. He remembered the last time he had kissed a girl while up in the air and realized how much he had enjoyed that moment as well. When they parted she blushed and smiled. “Considering what you have done, I should be mad, but being up here in the sky, what the hell. It just feels right for some reason.”
“Tessa, you make a beautiful bride, Ronald is a lucky man.”
“His name is Richard if you must know, boy you’re adorable.” She wrapped her arms around him again and kissed him fully on the mouth as they went through a cloud bank. When they came out the other side they were much closer to the ground and dropping fast.
Henry gave the ground a look and yelled,” We are falling too fast we need to lose some weight or we'll be planted in the church cemetery.”
He removed his shirt, his pants, his shoes, her shoes, and the lights from the dress and dropped these. She said, “What the heck.” She removed her corset and dropped it as well. “Now that is more comfortable.” When they finally landed they tumbled for a ways then she sat astride Henry. She smiled at him then gave him one long last kiss and untied the sash which held them together. Then she stood in her petticoat and he in his drawers. They were mobbed and a robe was thrown around the bride and her mother took her arm berating her as she pulled her away. Tessa winked at Henry then allowed herself to be led away.
The groom and the bride’s father both approached Henry with faces purple with furry. Her father took Henry's arm. “You-you fiend! You made my daughter look ridiculous.”
“You slimy three legged dog! Be prepared to die!” yelled the groom.
Henry gave them a wan smile. “I felt the flight was a memorable experience. No extra charge for the flying lessons. Well to be honest I think she gave me the lesson, she was quite good. You’re a lucky man to have her.”
What remained of the dress was torn to shreds and the pieces of if drifted off in the wind. “Y-you will not be paid a nickel. Does anyone have a brace of pistols? I desire satisfaction,” said her father.
The groom slapped Henry with his gloves and said, “No sir, I must be the one to fight this rascal. When the pistols are found I’ll be the one to kill the vermin. He or I will die this afternoon.”
Henry said, “I feel it will annoy Tessa if both her father and her husband are killed in the same day. I don’t think she’ll ever forgive me. First finish the wedding before you begin the reckoning. I suggest making this a day of joy and happiness rather than a day of vengeance. Most marriages are a bit of a farce, just go with it I say.”
`Her father ignored what Henry said and yelled, “I say does anyone have a brace of pistols handy! It is I who must be satisfied. I intend to kill this yokel this instant.”
Henry noticed Sophie gesturing to him from her carriage. He turned and sprinted away from the arguing pair then climbed into the moving carriage and they rode away. They soon heard “Stop and come back here you yellow dog coward we have not had our satisfaction yet!”
Sophie grinned at him. “Henry, you’ve had quite the adventurous day. I would feel sorry for you, but you don’t appear to have suffered as much as you deserve.” She then ran her hand over his bare chest. I would offer you a robe to wear, but I feel this is much more enjoyable. I’ll do what I can to keep you warm. I can't let Tessa have all the fun. She then embraced Henry and put her head on his chest.
Later when they arrived at his home he sat up and smiled at her. “Thank you for saving my life twice in one day, it was greatly appreciated. He stepped out of the carriage then turning he said, “Sophie, I just remembered I'm in a small magic show tomorrow evening at Mum's theatre, I would appreciate it if you would attend and be my assistant.”
She rolled her eyes. “What is it now? I seriously doubt you could top what you’ve done to me so far. I would be happy to attend. What else could go wrong?”
CHAPTER 10
Fun at the Magic Show
Henry had given thought about what his mother had said and instead of having a play they would try a variety show of sorts. The show was set in the theatre she usually used for her penny operas. They had put an advertisement in the newspaper and received a strong response. Assorted contestants would get up on the stage and perform flower tricks, card tricks, sword swallowing, and juggling acts. There were mimes and clowns as well.
Henry was a bit hesitant since he was not certain his picture taking machine would work, but he thought he would enter it into the competition anyway. The disasters his inventions generated entertained after a fashion if he could get past the abject humiliation.
His was the last act, he wanted it that way, go out with a bang and make his trick the climax of the evening. His stomach felt like it was full of butterflies, finally after a dancing juggler had finished juggling plates and cups, having broken only two of them he was the benefactor of polite applause and a few jeers.
Henry wheeled his booth out onto the stage and offered a tentative smile. “All ye folks ... I-I the great Henry David do propose to create a likeness-”
He was interrupted by a fat woman who yelled, “Get on with it!” this was accompanied by laughter and some boos.
Henry continued a little louder. “I-I, the great Henry will create a likeness of a person. I just ask for a volunteer. Who would like a life size portrait of themselves?”
An old woman said, “It is painful enough to look in the mirror every Sunday when I takes my bath, the last thing I wants is to see myself every day.” This was accompanied by ruckus laughter.
“I'll give your picture box a go,” said a familiar voice.
Henry turned and there stood Sophie in a blue velvet dress with black gloves and her hair done up in a bun. He gave a small sigh at her striking appearance. He had once again the wonderful, terribly, awful sensation her presence produced.
She gave him a conciliatory smile and walked up to him and asked, “So Henry, how exactly does this thing work?”
With increased confidence he smiled and said loudly, “You go into this side of the booth and take the amber bar into your hands and I’ll turn the generator and we’ll create a fine portrait on the opposite wall.”
She offered a brave smile. Then through clenched teeth she whispered, “Henry, maybe we should have taken the time to test this thing out; I’ve been a good sport, but there are limits.”
He tried to appear confident and through a forced smile he said, “Don't worry my dear there will be no repeating of the plant disaster. You’re the one who insisted I concentrate on the flying machine?”
“Whenever you use the term my dear I know you’re up to no good.”
After she entered the booth he leaned inside the booth and kissed her. “This is for luck.” He closed the curtain and wound the generator until the black energy gel started to glow a bright blue then it became translucent.
SOPHIE'S PULSE QUICKENED and her hands shook. Henry’s inventions had always done something to her, there was excitement and also something else, a girl could never quite guess what the outcome would be. Her superiors had wanted her to keep an eye out for what Henry invented. The assignment had been interesting, but at times her nerves had been sorely tried. Her eyes widened as she noticed a picture of herself beginning to take shape in the opposite chamber. The fool has finally invented something w
hich works. This will do wonders for his confidence.
She felt a tingling sensation throughout her body which became stronger and stronger by the second. She then became noxious and felt faint then her eyes widened as she gazed at the picture in the opposite chamber. It was exquisite; more detail than any painting she’d ever seen and life size. She could not quite make out how the machine worked since she was looking through some translucent blue gel, but something was happening.
The gel glowed brighter and brighter until there was an intense flash which momentarily blinded her. When she opened her eyes the gel was gone and a perfect likeness of her stood in the opposite chamber.
Is this supposed to be a statue? I thought I was standing for a picture. Bloody-hell, why does my likeness have nary a stich of clothing on? Henry, you have gone too far this time, you’re not going to see me naked. That fool has created a statue of me somehow. She was both mortified and enthralled at the same time. Then the statue winked at her and she put her hands to her mouth and screamed and screamed.
HENRY STOPPED CRANKING the wheel and quickly threw back the curtain and pulled Sophie out. The crowd was mesmerized. “Sophie, are you all right? Has something happened to you?”
She grabbed onto him to avoid fainting and turning to the crowd she waved and forced a smile. “Oh it’s nothing, just a little confusion that's all. I'm sorry to have alarmed you all.”
Her naked doppelganger stepped out of the other chamber and with real confusion stood behind her and Henry and stared at the crowd as well. The crowd started to scream. What has he gone and created another girl, this is of the devil. They started pressing forward. Henry turned around there stood the new girl.
“Oh, you are rather unexpected,” he said as he quickly removed his jacket and helped her put it on. “Welcome to the world of the living my dear, I'm sorry for the rude awakening.” He then glanced at the angry mob. “I think we’d better depart before they get their hands on me.”
