Of Lakes, Mysteries and the Odd Lunatic

Chapter XX: In which fortunes are revealed

Chapter XX

In Which fortunes are revealed

Lawrence slotted the crowbar into the seam and levered it open, wiggling the bar from side to side. With a slight grating noise, the panel popped off revealing the interior workings of the machine. Lawrence and Mason, the only two people in the room, bent down and looked inside.

A mass of spindly cogs, wheels, pistons and other mechanics surrounded a capsule-shaped glass chamber in the center of the machine. A small collection of fine, opaque blue crystals were collected in the bottom of the glass capsule, where it came to a drawn out point. The two men gazed in wonder at the intricate workings, wondering how they could possible all move, how they affected each other, and their purpose.

Many of the workings were made of silver, with the bands of metal that held the cylinder in place composed of copper. Lawrence ran his finger along a ratchet, and found the metal to be smooth and cold to the touch. Although the exterior of the Machine was rusted and degrading, the interior had not due to the rust-proof qualities of the metals it was made from.

Thomas must have known this when he dropped it in the lake, thought Lawrence, I suppose he didn’t anticipate anyone finding it again.

“So, sir, what are we going to do with it now? Break it up and sell the metal, or some other plan?”

“No, there is a Science and Mechanical museum in the city. I will go there and see if they have any interest in it.

“Mason, if any men come to the door asking to see anything at all relating to the laboratory or the Machine, do not let them in. Tell them the floor’s been patched up and there is nothing to see. And put a bed sheet or something over the Machine so as to make it less obvious. In fact, if we moved it across to the wall and placed a vase upon it, I do believe it would pass as a table.”

And so it was that the next day Lawrence travelled to the city by hired cart carrying a document case and his lunch. The bustling, perpetually moving mass of humanity was at odds with the peaceful countryside that it resided in, but its citizens seemed to be completely oblivious as they busied themselves with work, meetings, social events and contemporary distractions such as the moving picture house just opened on the main street.

The Museum of Science and Mechanics was large and imposing, with a set of Greek columns guarding the open doorway behind them. the facade was composed of a mixture of black and white marble, representing the combination of the two ideas that the museum contained.

The lobby was sparse but not utilitarian, with various busts of famous scientists and engineers upon plinths of white and black marble respectively. Behind the desk was a man in formal attire.

“May I see the director of purchases? I’m afraid I do not have an appointment; I apologise.” Lawrence asked the man.

“If you have not made a prior arrangement, you are required to wait until Mr. Bridges has his next time for meeting unscheduled persons. This will occur in twenty minutes.” The man smiled an obligatory smile necessary for a full and satisfying customer experience.

“Thank you.”

“You name, sir?” The clerk looked and Lawrence with a somewhat bored expression on his face. “Every person meeting with an employee of the Museum must be logged for security reasons. We’ve had a spate of anti-technology riots recently, and this is an extra layer of protection.

“Lawrence Alan Baker.”

“Thank-you, sir. And who are you meeting?”

“Mr. Bridges, I believe.”

“Thank-you once again. He’s down the left corridor.”

Lawrence made his way down the corridor indicated, looking at the name plaques on each door as he passed. Promptly, he came to that of Mr. Bridges, Purchasing Director for the Mechanical and Scientific Collections.

He knocked on the door, waited for a reply, then entered. The walls were of two similar shades of green in vertical stripes, and the floors a pale wood. The desk was wooden and dark, almost black, in contrast with the white pages upon it.

The man behind the desk was what you would expect of a seasoned banker, fairly thin, but well dressed. He had the look of someone who had been in the business for a while, comfortable with his working environment and confident in his job.

“Can I help you, sir?” the man spoke.

“Yes I am looking for a Mr. Bridges.”

“That is myself. I trust you are an unscheduled appointment?”

“That I am.”

“I should have you know I frown upon such things, but the regulations of the Museum require me to allow them. Right, onto business. What have you got for me?”

“I have recently come across what I believe to be a scientific relic from around the year 1808. I have brought photographs so you can see it for yourself.” Lawrence opened his document folder and brought out a selection of black and white photographs printed on thick paper. “I think you’ll find this very interesting...”