September 25th, 883.
Poul Nielsen and Jonathan Axelsen stepped out of the horse-drawn carriage and onto the cobblestone streets of the Port of New York. They had come to the city from their hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, eager to explore new business opportunities and expand their enterprise, the Axelsen & Nielsen Air Brake Company
Beside them walked Amelia Weiss, their trusted secretary, and confidante. She had traveled with them to New York to help with the negotiations and to ensure that their journey went smoothly.
Together, the three travelers made their way through the crowds, their senses overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells of the bustling port. They dodged carts laden with cargo and shouted to be heard over the din of the steam whistles and the clanging of metal against metal.
As they approached the entrance to the port, Poul paused and turned to his companions."Well, lady and gentlemen, who are excited to see Berlin for the first time?"
Jonathan raised his hand, grinning broadly. Amelia, on the other hand, didn't raise her hand.
Poul wondered. "Oh, you are not excited Ms. Weiss?"
"It's not that I am excited, Mr. Nielsen, it's just that I have already been to Berlin six years ago with Lady Caroline," Amelia said.
"That makes sense," Jonathan chimed in. "If her company is based in Paris, Germany it's like a hundred or thousand miles away. It would be easy for her to expand her enterprise there since basically every country in the continent is close to one another, compared here in the United States where you have to cross the Atlantic."
"That's true," Poul concurred.
"Speaking of Ms. Dupont, I heard that she'll be seeing us here before we depart, any news on how we will rendezvous with her?" Jonathan asked, his eyes lit up with excitement and his heart racing."She should be in here right now, Mr. Axelsen," Amelia said, looking over at her pocket watch.
"Where?" Jonathan swiveled his head, looking for Caroline.
As they searched the bustling port, their eyes landed on a familiar figure. It was Caroline Dupont, a noblewoman, and entrepreneur, dressed in a stylish gown that reflected the fashion of the late nineteenth century. The gown was made of a deep blue fabric, adorned with delicate lace around the collar and sleeves. Her light blonde hair was pulled back into a neat bun, held in place by a silver hairpin. In her hand, she carried a small, ornate purse, the intricate beading, and embroidery on it matching the elegance of her attire. Despite the late hour, she exuded an aura of grace and sophistication, catching the attention of passersby.
"There she is," Amelia said, pointing to Caroline. "Over by the customs office."
Poul and Jonathan made their way toward Caroline, their faces breaking into broad smiles at the sight of her. She greeted them warmly, exchanging pleasantries and small talk.
"I'm sorry I couldn't meet you at the hotel, but I'm glad we caught each other before you departed," Caroline said, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "I wanted to wish you a safe journey and a successful trip."
"We appreciate that, Caroline," Jonathan said, taking her hand in his, and planting a kiss on it. "And we're grateful that you could spare the time to come and see us off."
Poul nodded in agreement. "Yes, thank you for the thoughts."
Caroline smiled at them both. "Of course, gentlemen. You're embarking on an exciting venture, and I have no doubt that you'll succeed. Well, if you ever need help, I do have a branch in Berlin…" she paused as she pulled out something from her purse. "Here, take this card, that's the address to my Berlin branch. Ask them anything and they will provide you, free of service."
Jonathan eagerly took the card.
"Thank you, Caroline," Jonathan said, tucking the card safely into his pocket.
Caroline turned her attention to Amelia, giving her a warm embrace. "And how are you, my dear?" she asked, stepping back and smiling at her.
"I'm well, thank you, Lady Caroline," Amelia replied, returning the smile.
Caroline turned to Poul and Jonathan. "Well, I don't want to keep you any longer. I'm sure you have a ship to catch and a long journey ahead of you."
"Yes, we do," Poul said. "But thank you for coming to see us off."
"It was my pleasure," Caroline said with a smile. "Take care, gentlemen. And you too, Amelia."
Jonathan looked around the bustling port, his eyes catching sight of a photographer who was approaching them, offering his services.
"Excuse me, sir," the photographer said, tipping his hat. "Would you like to take a photograph before you depart?"
Jonathan turned to his companions, his face breaking into a grin. "Hey, guys, do you want to take a photo together before we leave?" he asked.
Poul, Caroline, and Amelia exchanged a smile, nodding in agreement.
"That's a great idea, Jonathan," Poul said, patting him on the back. "Let's do it."
The photographer positioned them in front of a large stack of wooden crates, gesturing for them to stand close together. Poul and Jonathan flanked the two ladies, putting their arms around their shoulders, while they smiled for the camera.
The photographer adjusted his camera, checking the settings before taking the shot. The camera clicked, and the three of them held their pose, waiting for the photographer to finish.
After a few moments, the photographer pulled out a small glass plate, examining it closely before showing it to them. "There you are, sirs and madams," he said, handing them the photograph. "A fine memory of your time in the Port of New York."
The four thanked the photographer, admiring the photograph.
"Thank you, it's a beautiful photo. Can you have that delivered to Pennsylvania? We will give you a tip," Jonathan asked.
"Of course sir, just give me the address and I will deliver the photo there," the photographer said.
"How much for your service?" Caroline asked as she opened her purse.
The photographer smiled, revealing a missing tooth. "My fee is one dollar for the photograph and delivery, madam," he replied, extending his hand to receive the payment.
Caroline handed him a dollar bill, her expression one of satisfaction.
"Thank you, fine lady," the photographer said, tipping his hat to Caroline. "And safe travels to you all."
With that, Caroline bid farewell to the group once more before she left. As Caroline made her way back through the crowded port, Amelia turned to Poul and Jonathan.
"That was kind of her to come and see us off," Amelia said, her voice soft and thoughtful. "As expected of Lady Caroline."
"Yes, it was," Jonathan agreed, his eyes fixed on Caroline whose figure had already disappeared.
"Well, shall we go and board our ship?" Poul asked.
"Yes, let's go," Jonathan said, and the three head towards the ocean liner that will take them to Hamburg. As they walked through the entrance, they gazed up at the four-masted barque-rigged steamships. The ship was a majestic sight, towering over the port with its four towering masts and steam pipes puffing clouds of smoke into the air. The deck was bustling with activity as sailors scrambled to load the cargo onto the ship. The trio weaved their way through the commotion and were greeted by the captain, a grizzled man with a salt-and-pepper beard and piercing blue eyes.
"Welcome aboard, gentlemen and lady," the captain greeted them with a nod. "I'm Captain Wilhelm, and I'll be your captain for this voyage. We're due to depart in a few hours, so please make yourselves comfortable."
"Thank you, Captain," Jonathan replied, shaking the captain's hand. "We're looking forward to the voyage."
Poul, Jonathan, and Amelia boarded the ship and made their way to their first-class cabin. Each of them had their own room, complete with a comfortable bed, a writing desk, and a small closet. The cabin was elegantly decorated, with plush carpeting and intricate woodwork. Large windows offered a breathtaking view of the port as the ship pulled away from the dock.
"Poul settled into his room, unpacking his belongings and stowing them away in the closet. He surveyed the tastefully furnished space, appreciating the comfortable bed and the warm lighting that bathed the room. Outside, the sounds of the bustling port drifted in, but Poul found the gentle rocking of the ship to be a calming presence. He closed his eyes, letting out a deep breath and relishing the anticipation of the journey ahead."
Jonathan, on the other hand, was exploring the ship, taking in every detail of its grandeur. He marveled at the opulence of the dining room, with its crystal chandeliers and fine china. He strolled through the ballroom, admiring the intricate murals and gold leaf decorations.
Meanwhile, Amelia sat at her writing desk, meticulously going through their itinerary and making notes for their meetings in Berlin. She had always been a diligent worker, and she wanted to make sure that everything was in order before they arrived.
