by Phil Walker
“Humble,” said Cary, “I had to beat 25 people in the martial arts ring for the privilege of getting to do this. I hear congratulations are in order.” He shook hands with Herbert and gave Andrea Marie a little hug. “Best of everything to both of you,” he said.
“His Majesty, Leopold of Belgium tells me his fellow Europeans have a parting gift for us. He says that it is uniquely American, as it should be,” said Gallagher.
Leopold jumped to the stage, and spoke into the mike. “Fellow members of the United Nations, places please.”
The Europeans jumped to their feet and took their positions on the ballroom floor. Leopold jumped down to his spot. The quartet of singers came to the stage and the musicians took up their instruments. The opening bars rocked the room, then on cue, the Europeans began their line dance. All 320 of them began dancing in unison, with a single plop of shoes, clapping of hands and Yehaws. None of the Americans had seen this before and they cheered and clapped their hands with the music. After dancing furiously for ten minutes, the song came to a melodic stop, and the Americans fairly mobbed the Europeans in appreciation and joy.
48
London, England
Leaving America was a sad experience. The Gladstone’s gathered up their luggage, now filled to overflowing with practically nothing European. Their shoulder bags, once flat and nearly empty were just as full. They wandered around their rooms, fingering all the wonderful devices they knew were not yet a part of life in Europe, and looked out at the city of Washington on the verandas for the last time. Then they took the elevator to the lobby and slowly walked to bus #2. Cary was there to meet them. He was wearing his green fatigue uniform with a beret. He put their luggage in the bus bay and got on with them. The buses pulled out in convoy and headed for the airport.
The big plane was sitting there waiting for them. The group had time to say their goodbyes to their guides while the luggage was being loaded on the plain.
“This has been a wonderful experience, the best of our lives, of course,” said William. “We could not have managed without you Cary, uh Sergeant.”
“Just Cary, William,” said the Ranger. “It’s been quite an adventure. I hope this isn’t the last time I ever see you.”
“We’re coming back as special representatives of England, as soon as we can,” said William. “How do we find you?”
“I’ll find you,” said Cary. “I’ll take Herb to his room at the University. “I guarantee it’s not as swanky as the Resort.”
“Thank you, I’m sure he’ll manage.” William turned to his son, “It’s a strange thing leaving you this way, but I’m happy for you. Charlene hugged her son and Henry did the same. “Take care, brother. I wish I were staying here with you.”
Then the family turned and walked up the stairs. Herb and Cary waved goodbye as they disappeared into the plane.
It was late at night when the plane landed in Normandy. There were many coaches and carriages waiting as the plane taxied to a stop on the tarmac. The group had said their goodbyes on the plane and now just walked down the stairs and on to their carriages. Gladstone recognized the American Ambassador, and went over and shook hands with him. “I must say,” said Gladstone, “if I ever needed a spy who could keep a secret, I would want you.”
The ambassador laughed, “You wouldn’t have believed me if I had told you.”
“Good point,” said Gladstone,” now we have a whole country to tell.”
The trip back to London was tedious and tiring. First the bumpy ride in the carriage to Calais with the smell of sweating horses, then the crossing of the channel, which was rough and choppy, then the ride through the streets of London to the Gladstone residence. London was more crowded and grubby than Gladstone remembered. The soot from the East end factories filled the air and the whole city had an unpleasant odor about it.
The house was musty from being closed for over a month. The servants had been given a month off, with pay. They had only returned that morning to put the house back in order.
As they came in the housekeeper greeted them and asked, “Where is Herbert?”
“He stayed in America,” said Gladstone.
“My goodness,” said the housekeeper, “who would want to live in that backwater frontier.” All three of the Gladstone’s laughed.
“Matilda, you have quite an education ahead of you,” said Charlene, “America is the best kept secret in the world, as you and the rest of the country is about to learn.”
Everything about his previously comfortable home was a pain. No switches to turn on lights, no refrigerator to keep drinks cold, no radio, no television, no phone, no beautiful view. When they went to bed that night, Charlene said, “I can’t imagine us sleeping in this little, lumpy bed all those years.” Gladstone just grunted and fell asleep dreaming of America.
The following morning Gladstone really missed his shower. He didn’t even have running water in the house, just a hand pump from the well in the kitchen, and he was considered fortunate. He put on clean clothes and had his carriage take him to his office. His arrival was jovial by his staff. It was a good staff and he liked and trusted them all. The problem today was they all smelled. Gladstone had never noticed it before, but he didn’t let on there was anything wrong. He just greeted his people and sent messengers off to get an appointment with Queen Victoria, contact his parliamentary whip, and send for a reporter from The Times.
On the way back from France, Gladstone, and the ambassador made their plans. He learned, at great expense and moaning and groaning, the ambassador had booked Prince Albert Hall for three months, beginning in three days. He said the techs were moving the equipment and the enormous big screen into the Hall that day and would be ready for screenings on Friday night. The program was just under two hours long.
The messengers came back. The Queen could see him that afternoon. The Whip came back with the messenger. Gladstone took the Whip into his office and closed the door. “Jack, I don’t really have time for a lot of chit-chat. I want you to get in touch with every member of parliament, both houses and tell them I have just returned from America and have a vital message to show them on Friday night 7 PM at Prince Albert Hall. Nothing is at stake here, Jack, just the future of the entire British Empire.”
“Good Lord, William, did something happen in America?”
“I wouldn’t know where to start,” said Gladstone, “but yes more happened than you can possibly imagine. You’ll have to wait and see for yourself Friday night. Go get started.” The Whip left.
A secretary put his head in the door, “The reporter from The Times is here Prime Minister.
“Send him in,”
The reporter who came in was the senior writer for The Times. That suited Gladstone. He knew him pretty well, and he was a friend to the Party.
“Come in, Alex,” said Gladstone, coming around his desk to shake hands with the reporter. “Thank you for coming so promptly.”
“Prime Minister, I would have brought the entire newsroom here if I could have. Your sudden disappearance for over a month has caused quite a stir.”
“I announced that I would be on Holiday in June.”
“Yes, but you seemed to vanish and none of our contacts anywhere in Europe could find you in the places you normally go.”
Gladstone had to chuckle, “That’s because I wasn’t in Europe. We went to the United States.”
“I don’t understand Prime Minister, “said Alex Hawkins, “an ocean voyage would have taken you at least a month to make the round trip.”
“Yet it only took eight hours to reach Washington, D.C.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You do recall I announced before I left that the government had received a message from the United States with an invitation for all the heads of state to come to America?”
“That was well known,” said Alex, “and that is the strangest thing of all. None of the European leaders have been seen for a month. It’s caused something of a s
ensation throughout the continent.”
“Then I would imagine every other leader in Europe is sitting in front of a befuddled newsman at this moment.”
“The subject of the United States has been one of the greatest mysteries for many years. They send amazing products to every country in the world, at bargain prices, but nobody has ever been able to find out any substantive information about that large, dark continent. The fact, Alex, is the United States has been reinventing itself for the last hundred years and chose this time to drop the mask of secrecy. For example, our passage to the United States for my family and over 300 other European leaders and their families actually did take eight hours, because we didn’t sail on a ship, we flew on an airplane.”
“That’s preposterous,” sputtered Alex.
“It’s nevertheless true, as the continent is finding out today.”
“America is a place of such wonders, I can’t even begin to describe it. However, I can prove it.”
“How are you going to do that,” asked Alex?
“On Friday night at 7 PM, the members of Parliament and the press, including you, are coming to Prince Albert Hall, where you will see, with your own eyes, the stunning world of the United States.”
“Is there going to be some demonstration of products, or a representative of the United States to give a speech?”
“In a manner of speaking,” said Gladstone. “I’m sorry, Alex, I’m not being secretive or purposely concealing anything from you, it’s just the story is so big it will be the only topic of conversation in Europe from now on.”
“I must say,” said Alex, ‘you certainly have my attention.”
“We’ll have the attention of everyone starting Friday night. After you’ve seen the two-hour presentation, Prince Albert Hall will be open 24 hours a day for the next three months for everyone who is interested in seeing America for themselves. That is what I want you to print. Make you headline something like, ‘Astonishing America Revealed’, or words to that effect. Report everything I’ve said here, and tell all of London from now on, our lives will be forever changed, and changed for the better.”
“That’s quite a bold statement to make without any facts to back them up.”
“Trust me, my friend, if you don’t cover this story in exactly the way I’ve described, you will be playing a game of catching up with every other paper in Europe. I’ve just handed you the biggest story in history.”
Hawkins left the Prime Minister’s office very confused. Gladstone had always been very frank and honest with him. He was certain that Gladstone was sincere. He couldn’t see he had any choice but to do as the Prime Minister had said.
Gladstone had much the same conversation with his Parliamentary second in command. He said he would get right to work in getting the word out. Gladstone was glad he didn’t have to try and give more detail. He didn’t think that approach was going to work with the Queen.
He arrived at the palace 15 minutes before his appointment and waited half an hour. Then was ushered into the familiar office where he and Victoria had enjoyed many good conversations. He approached and bowed politely, “Your Majesty.” He said.
“Good afternoon, William,” said Victoria, “Please make yourself comfortable.”
Gladstone sat in his favorite chair and looked at the queen. “Ma’am, I hope you have some time. I’m going to tell you a story that will simply amaze you.”
“I’m not easily amazed after all these years, but go ahead,” said the Queen.
Gladstone started at the beginning with the invitation from President Gallagher. He’d brought it with him and he handed it to her.”
She read it, and looked up, “I take back my doubts of being amazed. Tell me everything.”
For over an hour Gladstone spoke rapidly and sincerely about what he had experienced in America. Victoria interrupted him several times to ask more about some specific instrument or technology. She seemed moved by Gladstone’s description of the Sabbath in the United States.
When he was finished with the detailed description of America’s titanic industrial strength and their wiliness to share it all under a set of controls, he pulled out his copy of the United Nations Charter and handed it over to her.
“Are you of the opinion that all of this is in the best interests of the British Empire, William?”
“I am, ma’am,” he said. Then he told her about the fabulous big screen he was installing at Prince Albert Hall, and said, “Just the demonstration of the technology to show these images will confound every scientist in the country. The content of the video, as it is called, will create a storm of debate throughout the realm.”
“When can I see it,” asked Victoria?
“Our first showing is Friday night at 7 pm. It’s for Parliament, the major departments of government, and the press.”
“No,” said Victoria, “When can I see it?”
“If you will just give me a minute, I can answer that question.” Gladstone pulled his phone out of his bag and dialed the ambassador, who answered immediately. “Ambassador, I’m with the Queen and she would like to know the earliest moment in which she can see the video.”
“It’s ready now,” said the ambassador. “We just finished testing the picture and the sound.”
“Hold on,” said Gladstone. He turned to the Queen and said, “You may see the video at your convenience, ma’am. It’s ready to go.”
“Then we shall go straight away,” said the Queen. She rang a bell, and a butler came into the room. “Get my carriage ready to go to Prince Albert Hall, immediately.”
Gladstone picked up the phone and said, “The Queen and I are leaving now. We will be there in half an hour.”
“You got it, William,” said the Ambassador,” we’ll be ready.”
“That instrument you have there, is that another piece of American magic.”
“It is,” said Gladstone.
“Who can you speak to?”
“Anyone who has a phone like it,” he said.
“Could that possibly include the President of the United States?”
“Yes ma’am it could.”
“Then contact him, I wish to speak to him.”
Gladstone pushed the buttons for the President and in a moment the phone rang, “Gallagher here, what’s up William?”
“Mr. President, I am with Queen Victoria, alone in her office. She wishes to speak to you.”
“No kidding,” said Gallagher, “is that a good thing?”
“I sure hope so,” said Gladstone and handed the phone to the Queen.
“President Gallagher,” said the Queen, “what time is it in Washington?”
“It’s just past 11 in the morning, “said Gallagher. “There’s a six hour difference between Washington and London. I gather William has told you the whole story and you have some questions.”
“I’m going around to Prince Albert Hall to see this video of yours, in a few minutes. I think your presentation will only cause me to have even greater curiosity. As the Queen of my people, I think I should be able to speak about your wonders with some first-hand authority. Do you think it would be safe for me to come to the United States?”
“Excuse me for asking, ma’am, but do you have any medical conditions that might be aggravated by a change in altitude? Or any medical conditions at all?”
“I’m an old woman,” said Victoria, “but I still go riding every day.”
“In that case I don’t think an airplane flight will harm you,” said Gallagher.
“Then by all means send one of your contraptions.”
“Madam, the only airstrip we have in Europe right now is in Normandy. The trip to catch the airplane might be more dangerous than the flight.”
“I can endure a channel passage,” said Victoria. “Can you manage by next Monday? I have to smooth some ruffled feathers Friday night and could not leave London before Saturday morning.”
“Then let’s say Monday morning at 10 AM. I will come m
yself and escort you back to Washington.”
“That is most kind of you, Mr. President. Goodbye.”
She handed the phone back to Gladstone, who was looking at his Queen in wonder.
“Don’t slouch, William. What did you expect the Queen of the British Empire to do after hearing such news?”
“I’m very happy for you, ma’am. I can’t begin describe what a wonderful experience this is going to be for you. Are you taking any one with you?”
“Do I need to?”
“Not at all, the Americans are wonderful hosts.”
“Then the fewer who know about this the better. Now let’s go see your presentation.”
When the final notes of the closing music ended, Victoria had tears in her eyes. “Unbelievable, simply unbelievable,” she said. “I really must see those geysers.”
“They are beautiful,” said Gladstone. “The whole country is beautiful.”
“I will be the hostess for the Friday night showing of this video,” she said. “You are right about one thing, William, the technology just to make this presentation boggles the mind. I can’t wait to see the looks on the faces of Parliament and my very egotistic Minister of Science.”
“I’ll tell the press,” said Gladstone. “You being here is bound to bring out the most skeptical Member of Parliament.”
“Now that I have seen this, with its countless marvels, I am more anxious than ever to make the trip. By the way, William, I’m proud of you. It looks like you have found a way for all of us to live in peace from now on. That’s a great achievement for any man.
49
London, England
With the arrival of Friday night came the simultaneous arrival of 5,000 people. The news the Queen was serving as the hostess, swelled the ranks of those who were anxious to see this oddity from their Prime Minister. It must be worth seeing if the Queen herself was coming.
When everyone was in their seats, Gladstone stepped onto the stage with a microphone in his hand. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” he said. Of course, the state of the art sound system amplified his voice to the farthest corner of the big building. It caused every person to jerk. No one had ever heard an amplified voice before. “As you have read, I spent the last month in the United States. I am back today to show you the America hidden behind the veil of secrecy for over a hundred years. Their emergence into our world is going to change our world in profound and stupendous ways. We are going to show you that country tonight. The very technology used to make this presentation will be a mystery to you in itself.”