Space-Time of Death: an Al Squires of the Protectorate Novel

Ch.17.2: The Other Ghastly Affair at the World's Fair You Weren't Aware...Of

For about two and a half (subjective) hours, Norah and I had fun at the Fair. Naturally, we rode the Ferris Wheel and got some Cracker Jacks's, as well as caught a few of the exhibits.

Now, I'd give you the details of what exhibits we saw, dear Readers, but that'd make this chapter longer than it should. Instead, I dare you to go read a book or an article on the Internet about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and use your imagination to figure out what exhibits that Norah and I might have checked out. You don't have to do it of course. I'm not your teacher giving you homework. But it doesn't hurt to learn something new. Who knows, you might enjoy it.

I will give you this little anecdote for free, however: After we rode the Ferris Wheel, we went over to the Cracker Jack booth. Unfortunately, there was a line that could rival that of the one to the Ferris Wheel. I know Cracker Jacks were good, but I never thought they were queue-worthy. A funny thing happened while in line, however: Norah whispered to me that the guys a couple places ahead of us in line looked just like Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson. I casually looked to see if she was right. Sure enough, they looked just like the two actors; only wearing clothes that were era-appropriate.

Not being a believer of coincidence, I had a feeling that the real answer wasn't that simple. "Sure, let's go with that," I said in a soft and uncertain voice. "But, let's keep our distance from them, just to be on the safe side." Norah gave me an incredulous look, and I shrugged. "For the sake of future Loki-Lovers everywhere, at least," I added. This included Ky and, to a lesser extent, myself, but I didn't tell her that.

I saw Tom's double look behind us a moment after I had said 'Loki;' the way one does when you hear someone say your name. Just to be on the safe side, I suddenly told Norah, "Would ya 'loki' over dar?" much to her confusion. Tom's double bought it and turned around. We just let them get their Cracker Jacks, and discreetly avoided any eye contact. For obvious reasons (some of them legal), that's all I can and will say about the encounter.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Houdini. We were on our way to the tent that housed his show, when I got the call from Lady-Lane via comms that her and Mik had infiltrated the hotel with no trouble, and it was time for us to show up. Reluctantly, I turned off standby mode to communicate with her, and gave her our location so she could relay it to Gunnar.

"Sylvie is so going to owe me for this," I muttered as soon as Lady Lane signed off. I looked over at Norah. "Let's kick rocks," I said with a sigh.

We then went across three blocks to meet up with Gunnar, who welcomed us onto his carriage in that Scandinavian accent of his. Norah noticed that the luggage wasn't the same as what was on the carriage from before. She told Gunnar that, and he softly told her that, "One of the benefits of the Still is to get things done in 'relatively no time' at all." Norah simply nodded, looking as though she understood at least a little bit of what he told her. Without any more delay, she and I then climbed into the carriage. As soon as we were seated and the door closed, we felt Gunnar getting back on before he let out a 'hey-up!' to the horses.

As soon as we got moving, Norah switched off standby mode on her comms to speak with Lady Lane and Mik. "This is Agent Navarro, calling Lady Lane," she said professionally in a normal voice. "Come in, Lady Lane. Can you respond now or do Al and I need to wait until you're alone."

We waited for a moment before Lady Lane's voice came ringing in both our ears. "Lady Lane here," she said softly. "It's all right to talk presently. The bellhop just left my room. Mik is here with me, but ze's too busy respond presently. Ze's using hir magnificent Ruomalg abilities to find and disable any booby traps that might be in this room. Just as a precaution, you understand."

"Reasonable move," Norah agreed. "Even though your cover of a traveling English noblewoman should keep Holmes off your back. Plus, he preferred his female victims young, so there's the fact that you might too..." she trailed off just as she realized her faux pas.