by Lana Axe
“Here they are,” Porchester said. “Residents of the ancient world, preserved for their journey to the afterlife.”
Cali’s eyes scanned the row of mummies on display. There were ten of them altogether, but the condition of each was drastically different. One lay in a painted wooden casket; another was in a coffin so thin, it looked like hardened paper. Two lay in what appeared to be bronze, the lids removed for easy viewing of the wrappings. She examined the exposed skin of the nearest mummy. It had blackened with the ages yet still appeared soft to the touch. Not that she had any desire to lay a paw on this person. This area of the museum had a faint—but noticeable to her feline nose—scent of must and incense. The humans didn’t seem to notice.
One mummy especially caught Cali’s eye, as it was entirely unwrapped, lying on an aged cloth blanket. Its teeth protruded, its finger bones visible. Time had not been kind to this one. Several gashes were present in its skin, damage taken long after this person’s burial. The calico wondered if this mummy had been stolen from its tomb with little care taken. The thief’s only concern would have been for the money he could make selling it to a museum. Cali swallowed the comment, glad that humans could not understand her speech. Otherwise, she might have a thing or two to say to the museum’s director.
“I’ve seen them in pictures,” Florence began, “but it didn’t do them justice. They’re remarkably preserved.”
“Yes,” Porchester agreed. “Preservation of the body was of utmost importance to the ancients.”
“How did they do it?” Lionel asked.
“It was a long, complicated process that took months to complete,” Porchester said. “The short version is they were dried, oiled, and wrapped. Their organs were removed and placed in jars.” He gestured to a row of alabaster jars.
Taking a good look at the jars, Cali noted that each had a lid depicting the head of an animal. Among them were a monkey, a bird, and some sort of dog. Some had human heads, but they were less interesting to her. It was plain to see that the Egyptians revered animal life, much more than the people of Cali’s time. She wondered why the worship of animals had gone out of style. Then she realized that perhaps it had only changed, rather than disappeared altogether. After all, she was treated very well, and Lionel obviously cared a great deal for her. She might not be an exalted goddess, but she was happy with her life.
“Seems like they went to a lot of trouble to be buried in a certain way,” Lionel commented. “So why dig them up and move them? Shouldn’t you just leave them where you found them?”
Porchester’s face reddened. “Once we’ve learned all we can from them, that might be an option,” he said. He pursed his lips and said no more on the subject. Turning his attention to Cali, he said, “You’ll see there are many animal mummies as well.” He pointed to a case full of small bronze caskets shaped as various animals. Three cats, a monkey, a small crocodile, and a snake were among them. Cali mewed, happy to see her fellow felines and animal kin treated so well.
The group moved to the grandest mummy, a golden sarcophagus painted with shades of blue, red, and black. It had been polished to a high shine, giving it a luminous glow beneath the museum lights. It was a magnificent specimen indeed. Even Lionel seemed suitably impressed.
“This was a pharaoh,” Porchester said.
“Which one?” Lionel asked.
“Sadly, the outer paintings don’t name the man who rests inside,” the Egyptologist said. “The lid is secured in such a manner that it was impossible to remove without causing great damage. I refused to allow such mistreatment.” He lifted his head with pride. “These items are priceless, and harming them in any way is unacceptable.”
Cali respected the statement, but she hadn’t forgotten the damaged mummy she had seen. Someone had purchased it from a thief, she was certain of it. She didn’t know what role Porchester might have played in that, but he seemed genuine in his desire to protect the artifacts. Perhaps he had acquired the damaged mummy to protect it from further desecration.
“And now for the grand finale,” Porchester said, beaming. He led his guests between two grand statues, seated figures of a king and queen. They towered above the visitors, their painted eyes staring out toward oblivion.
Opening the door to the museum courtyard, Porchester led them outside. Centered in a circular bed of grass stood an obelisk, gleaming beneath the midday sun.
The sight of the massive stone structure nearly took Cali’s breath away. She could tell by the gasps from her companions that they were impressed as well. Standing sixty feet high, the obelisk reached proudly toward the heavens. Its granite surface was smooth, save for a few nicks and scratches earned from a lifetime in the desert sand. It had weathered the millennia well. Symbols carved on its surface stretched nearly the entire length, images meant to convey a message to onlookers. Though Cali could not read those words, she sensed their meaning. This was a tribute to the divine, and it was magnificent in her eyes.
“It’s nearly four thousand years old,” Porchester said. “Dedicated to the sun god Ra, it formerly stood outside his temple. Unfortunately it had fallen and been nearly buried by the shifting sands. But we were able to retrieve it, and just look at it.” He let out a long sigh as he marveled at the obelisk’s beauty. It needed few words of introduction. Everyone in the courtyard was understandably awestruck, including the Egyptologist.
“Look, Ms. Cali,” Porchester said playfully, “there’s a tasty falcon carved at the top!”
Directing her gaze skyward, Cali laid eyes on the falcon chiseled into the obelisk. She recognized it from the other items in the exhibit. Like the cat statue, the falcon was the representative of a god. It stood proudly, leading the way for the figures beneath it to follow as they ascended toward the heavens. She wondered if it was possible to climb the structure for a closer look, but she thought better of it. Her mechanical claws would damage the impressive artifact.
Instead, she zoomed in with the help of her mechanical eye, and took a good look at each figure. Not far below the falcon was the same dung beetle they had seen inside. Swishing her tail, Cali trotted forward. With a single claw, she traced its outline in the dirt at her feet.
“Clever girl!” Porchester said. “You’ve recognized the scarab.”
Grumbling, Lionel turned to Florence. “This guy is really taken with those little poop bugs.”
“As were the Egyptians,” she pointed out.
Lionel had no choice but to agree. Extending a hand to the Egyptologist, he said, “Mr. Porchester, I thank you for giving us this fine tour of your treasures. It’s been an honor.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he replied, grasping the tinker’s hand. “I’m delighted to have made your acquaintance.”
“About that job you mentioned you might have…” Lionel said.
“Ah, yes!” Porchester said. “A tinker of your caliber is no doubt good with locks.”
“He’s the best,” Florence said. “He’s designed half the locks in Ticswyk, including some here at the museum.”
“I do dabble a bit in lock-making,” Lionel admitted. “I’ve come up with some complicated designs that have yet to be cracked. You should see the one they’ve put on the bank vault.” He ran his fingers through his thinning hair. “I think that’s why I’ve lost so much of this.”
Porchester laughed heartily. “Any man who can craft a lock can surely figure out how to open one. You see, I found a small coffer that no one can seem to open. I’m quite eager to see what lies inside such a fancy little box. Do you think you can help?”
“I can certainly have a look at it,” Lionel replied.
“Fabulous,” Porchester said. Twirling a finger in his mustache, he asked, “Would you be available this evening?”
“Eager to get started, huh?” Lionel replied. He was impatient to get back to his own project, but it would require funds to move forward, so accepting work for hire was necessary. “My apartment is beside the gas-lamp factory,” he
said. “Come by this evening around sunset, and I’ll have a look.”
“Marvelous,” Porchester said. “I’ll see you tonight.” With a bow, he excused himself and returned inside the museum.
“Wasn’t that fascinating?” Florence said. “I’ve never seen such a fantastic collection. I’ll have to do some more reading about the ancient Egyptians. Their civilization is so intriguing.”
Lionel scoffed. “Ours is better.”
“How can you say that?” she asked. “Technology doesn’t make a society better.”
“I think it does,” Lionel argued. “Look at all we’ve achieved.” He thought a moment before adding, “Though I suppose all we have, we owe to them.”
“How do you mean?” she asked.
“Well, they came up with some pretty complicated mathematics and architecture, not to mention their advances in medicine. They were actually pretty innovative when you think about it. Our only advantage is that we perform the same tasks more easily with our machines.”
“I wonder what those ancients would have thought of Cali,” Florence said, smiling. Reaching down, she scratched at Cali’s ear.
Cali purred her approval. There was no doubt in her mind that the Egyptians would have thought quite highly of her. But she suspected some of them might have also feared her. Either way, she was sure the Egyptians would have been interested in her technology. For the tools they had available to them, they had accomplished amazing feats. Worshipping cats was the mark of a magnificent society. She would have to be sure to be present while Florence was reading so that she might learn more as well. A lap was a good spot to read alongside a human, and Florence always welcomed her company.
As they moved away from the obelisk and out the museum gate, Cali couldn’t shake the feeling she was being watched. Pausing for a look over her shoulder, she locked eyes with her observer. Low on the obelisk was a carved eye, identical to the eye she’d seen painted on the king. A sacred symbol to the Egyptians, it had been immortalized in stone for all time. The white eye, ringed in black, stared through the clockwork calico, seeing all the way to her inner workings. She felt exposed.
Gathering her wits, Cali forced herself to ignore the feeling. It was nothing more than a carving. She shouldn’t let it bother her. Without another glance, she trotted away from the obelisk at Lionel’s heels.
Lifting his arm and snapping his fingers, Lionel signaled for a carriage. Cali mrrowed at his feet, putting force behind her voice. When he looked down at her, she trotted along the sidewalk, her tail flipping back and forth. She hoped he would follow.
Lionel didn’t disappoint. “Where’s she going?” he wondered aloud.
Cali stopped beside a waiting carriage and greeted the black-and-white horse at the front. “Good day, Nellie,” she said.
“Hello again, Cali,” the horse replied, clicking her hoof against the cobblestones. “Did you see the exhibit?”
“Yes, it was wonderful,” the cat replied.
“I’ve heard all about it,” Nellie said. “And I can see the obelisk from the street.”
Cali wondered briefly if Porchester could be persuaded to let a horse inside but decided not to bother mentioning it. The aisles inside the museum were too narrow for a horse, and Nellie had no enhancements to boast of. Cali doubted any other animals would ever be allowed inside. She considered herself very lucky.
The trio climbed aboard the carriage and settled in for the ride back to the apartment. Florence chatted the whole way about the many items she’d seen on display. She couldn’t wait to return to the factory to let all the girls know how amazing the exhibit was. Lionel feigned interest as she carried on, but his mind was already back to gears and levers.
Cali curled her front paws under her body and watched the world go by. More and more carriages passed, heading in the direction of the museum. It was going to be quite crowded, and would probably remain that way for a long time. It was fine with her. She enjoyed seeing visitors in Ticswyk.
The carriage came to a halt outside the factory, and Cali hopped out first. “Thanks for the ride, Nellie,” she said “Have a fine evening.”
“You too, Cali,” the horse replied. “I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.”
Cali darted to the door and swished her tail as she waited for Lionel to open it. Bounding inside ahead of him, Cali sniffed at the air to make sure nothing had changed. It hadn’t. Content that all was right with her world, she sat back on her haunches and gazed up at her companions.
“I should be getting back to the factory,” Florence said. “Things tend to fall apart when I’m away too long.” Giving her brother a kiss on the cheek, she departed for the rear door. The sound of machinery echoed inside the apartment as she opened it, and disappeared when she closed it again.
“I’ll be in my workshop if you need anything, Cali,” Lionel said, mussing the fur on her head. “I’m sure you’ll let me know when it’s dinnertime.”
Cali watched him walk away, disappearing inside his sanctuary. She stayed only a moment, deciding what to do next. Sunlight on her windowsill tempted her back to her favorite spot. It was a good time for a nap.
A small figure moved slowly across the window, and she paused a moment to observe it. Realizing that it was on the inside rather than outside, she zoomed in and purred. A blue-gray mouse waved a tiny paw. Holding up a claw, she darted into the kitchen to retrieve a small bundle she had wedged behind the trash bin.
“Hello, Emmit,” Cali said. She dropped the bundle on the windowsill.
“Good afternoon, Cali,” he replied. Removing the paper wrapping from Cali’s gift, he laid eyes on the dark orange hunk of cheese inside. The aroma was pure heaven. “Thank you, Cali.” She brought him cheese on a regular basis, and he appreciated every bite. Though her portions were sometimes ridiculous, and a mouse would have trouble eating a hunk of cheese this size in less than a month, he would never complain about her gifts. “Where were the three of you?”
“We went to the museum to see the new exhibit.”
“The Egyptian stuff?” Emmit asked.
Cali nodded.
“I wondered when they’d finish putting it together,” he said. “They’ve been working on it for weeks. I didn’t want to go in until everything was in place.” He winked, adding, “It spoils the surprise.”
“I had no idea you were interested in antiquities,” Cali said. Though she considered him among her closest friends, she hadn’t known him long. There was much about his private life that she had yet to learn. “You’re turning out to be one interesting mouse.”
Their adventure together to protect a golden owl from Morcroft’s thieving automatons had sealed their friendship. Emmit was loyal and brave, not to mention clever. He made a perfect companion for an enhanced feline. She was proud to have him as a friend. In fact, he’d changed her entire perception of mice. Once a huntress and chief mouser of the gas-lamp factory, she now found herself bribing mice away from the factory with cheese. Her friendship with Emmit made it impossible for her to harm any mouse. Her solution allowed her to keep her title as mouser without actually chasing any mice.
“I never knew a thing about Egypt until the papers started talking about the upcoming exhibit,” Emmit explained. “Everywhere I went there were scraps of news, telling of the wonders of the ancient land. As the items were uncovered and packed onto a ship, I became only more intrigued.” He tapped his chin. “I suppose ‘addicted’ is a better word for it. Those writers really know how to sell papers.” The expression was figurative, of course. Emmit never paid for the news. He found discarded newspapers in the alleyways as he was foraging for scraps.
“I hadn’t noticed,” Cali replied. She only occasionally read the news over Lionel’s shoulder and listened as he and Florence discussed the hottest topics. Egypt had never been mentioned by either of them until the exhibit tickets went on sale a few days ago. Then Florence had gabbed about it nonstop, anticipating her first glimpse of the collection. Her exciteme
nt had rubbed off on Cali, who couldn’t wait to get a look at the ancient wonders.
“What was it like in there?” Emmit asked.
“It was marvelous,” Cali said. “You can smell the age of everything, and it’s beyond old.” She couldn’t find the words to describe it exactly, but it was like smelling the oldest thing she’d ever smelled, an antique volume of mechanical inventions by some Italian tinker, and then making it even older.
“Were there mummies?” Emmit asked, pressing his paws together.
“Yes,” Cali replied. “There were several.”
“Were there any mice?”
“What?” She wrinkled her nose and thought back. “No, I don’t recall any mouse mummies.”
“Oh,” he replied, disappointed. “I’d heard the Egyptians mummified animals.”
“They did,” Cali said. “There were cats, monkeys, and reptiles. There could have been more, but we didn’t see every single item.” To do so would have required several hours, and no cat could be expected to pay attention for that long. “A man named Porchester gave us a tour of the highlights.”
Emmit nodded enthusiastically. “Then maybe you didn’t see the mice. They’d be small, so they might not stand out like a human mummy. I’ll take a close look when I go. What else did you see?”
“There were giant statues of kings and queens, stone carvings lining an entire wall, cases full of jewelry and tiny statues—”
“I bet that’s where the mice are!” Emmit cut in.
“Maybe,” Cali said with a shrug. “The smallest thing I saw was a dung beetle.”
“What was the largest?” the mouse asked.
“Definitely the obelisk,” Cali replied. “It’s about sixty feet high and standing outside in the courtyard. You can’t miss it.”
“I’ve seen the top of it,” Emmit admitted. “I’ve tried to stay away from the area, but that thing is hard to miss. They used all these ropes and pulleys to put it in place, and I happened to be close enough to see the top of it.” Grinning, he added, “But I was a good mouse and didn’t go any closer, though I was dying to.”