The Rose & Crown

Chapter Seventeen

New York City, 1893

The scent in the air on the corner of South William Street was thick with the fragrance of coal fires and freshly laid mortar between the bricks of each new building that cast their shadow upon the dark alleyways. A symphony of bells and whistles from passing cable cars and nearby locomotives settling themselves onto the newly constructed tracks were accompanied by the trumpeting calls of steamboats traversing the surrounding sea. The paved streets were crowded with the hustle of motor cars and horse-drawn vehicles competing for the right of passage. An abundance of canopy shops lined the lower exterior of nearly every building as merchants sold and bartered their provisions away to passing customers. Those privileged enough to afford to look towards the future did so as long as their fortunes held out against the downfall of the country's withering economy. Those who were less fortunate had no choice but to live each day in the present as if it were their last.

A harsh breeze wafted through the dark underbelly of the expanding city, bringing with it the unmistakable perfume of sweat and desperation as its occupants struggled to survive within the epidemic that had brought them to their knees in despair. The working class was suffering a new spiral of unemployment. The streets were littered with the destitute and penniless victims of the newest depression to have swept the entire nation. Vagabonds and beggars outnumbered the highly prized members of wealthy New York society by an alarming majority. As businesses and banks fell into bankruptcy, soup kitchens had arisen in their place to provide what little nourishment they could offer to the poorest of patrons lining up in droves around every corner. The halt of imported goods by train and the weathering threat to crops had caused significant famine and starvation. Gone were the gilded days of prosperity.

In front of a newly renovated bronze-coloured building stood a grey-haired man, his observant eyes fixed upon the tall triangular-shaped structure's columned entrance. Above the door to the establishment, the name Delmonico's had been painted in gold lettering to welcome the most prestigious frequenters of fine dining. The man cautiously stood with his hands tucked into the pockets of his trousers. The passing breeze rustled his coat to reveal its red interior lining concealed underneath. He waited patiently, mentally preparing himself for what was to happen once he finally stepped through the threshold of the infamous lion's den.

A sound nearby forced the Doctor's focus to shift towards the weakened cries of a hungry infant being soothed in her mother's arms. Beside her sat a young boy of no more than four, desperately clinging to her torn skirt. His clothes were dishevelled and soiled. In his hand, he presented a small cap in which he held in front of him beseechingly. His tearful eyes scanned each passing citizen in search of contribution to his family's withered state until they met the Doctor's own. The sight of them tore the old man's hearts. His stomach turned at the thought of what the future would hold for them. His mind filled in the blanks of their story with the assistance of each clue provided by their disadvantage and appearance. He couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the father. Had he succumbed to some sort of unfortunate demise, or simply abandoned them to their fate? All he knew was that humanity was notorious for turning a blind eye to the repercussions of their greed. Why would he expect them to behave any different? The Time Lord hung his head in sorrow, knowing there was little to nothing he could do to spare them from the debilitating grip the panic had placed on the country. As unbearable as it was to relieve his mind of the suffering all around him, he had no choice but to remind himself of the fact that he wasn't there for them. Ignoring the pressing desire to offer his assistance to the sea of unfortunate souls surrounding him, he returned his gaze to the building and removed himself from his stagnant position on the street. Each step towards the structure's entrance caused him to become even less sure of what he hoped to accomplish on this task he so determinedly set out for himself.