The Night of the Victorian Plot – Part 2
Welcome to America
Chapter 1
The City of Berlin
This is a sequel to TNOT Victorian Plot. I guess this has become an AU story as I am now moving the boys from England to America where there is no other Artie and Jim. I'm hoping to have some fun with them as they come up against their arch-enemy Herr Lieblosen for a second time. Once again I am forced to apologise for my shaky knowledge of history and geography, domestic and American, and also because I have made some things up for the sake of the plot.
As James West and Artemus Gordon of the British Foreign Office disembarked in New York from the steamship The City of Berlin they were met on the dock by a representative of the United States Government.
Colonel Richmond recognised the two Englishmen from their appearance but felt it necessary to confirm his conclusion. He approached the two men who were standing on the dock with their luggage.
"Mr West, Mr Gordon?" he asked.
"Yes," Jim replied, holding out his hand.
Richmond shook it and that of Artemus Gordon as well. "I'm Colonel Richmond of the US Treasury Department and on behalf of President Grant I would like to welcome you to the United States of America," he told them. "I have a carriage waiting. If you would like to come with me I will take you to your hotel."
"Thank you," James said.
"Tomorrow, once you have rested from your journey, we will travel to Washington DC where you will meet with President Grant."
James and Artmeus exchanged a look. The business they were engaged in must be really important if it involved the President of the United States.
"All I can say is that I hope there's a cup of tea waiting for us at the hotel," Artemus said.
Richmond smiled to himself. These two have a lot to learn, he thought.
Colonel Richmond left the two men at their hotel with a promise to meet them again at nine o'clock the following morning. Having booked in at reception Artemus asked if they could have some tea sent to their room.
"What do you mean, you don't serve tea?" Artemus almost choked on the words.
"Tea is served on Sunday afternoon only, Sir," the waiter told him, letting them know they were not staying at one of the better hotels. "Coffee is available or I have some 'erbal tea if you'd like."
"Do you mean herbal tea?" Artemus queried.
"And no, we wouldn't like any, thank you," James added after taking one look at his friend's face. "Just bring a pot of boiling water and two cups up to our room, if you wouldn't mind."
"Did I forget to mention that there is no room service?"
Artemus growled.
"In that case we'll have the water brought to our table in the dining room," James said.
"Very good, Sir. Will you be having dinner now?"
"Yes," James replied, taking Artemus' arm and leading him in the direction of the dining room.
"What was all that about the boiling water?" Artemus queried once he was seated at a table.
"I have some Earl Grey stashed in my hand luggage," James revealed. "I'll just go up to our room and fetch it. I won't be a moment."
"Good man!"Artemus told him.
James returned to the dining room just as the hot water and the cups arrived at their table. He poured some of a packet of tea into the pot and then produced a silver tea strainer from his pocket.
"You think of everything," Artemus smiled.
"This is not the ideal way to make tea," James apologised, "but we've drunk it in worse circumstances than these," he added, instantly taking Artemus' thoughts back to the Crimea.
"Beggars can't be choosers," he agreed.
After they had drunk two cups each of the bergamot-flavoured tea, the two Englishmen ate a dinner of steak and potatoes, drank more tea, and then decided to call it a day and went up to their room. They had already accepted that the US Government was not prepared to waste any money on their accommodation and so after undressing down to their long-johns they made no complaint, except for a loud sigh from Artemus, as they both climbed into the bed they were expected to share and slept on dry land for the first time in a week.
James and Artemus ate a hearty breakfast of cinnamon pancakes, eggs and bacon. The meal was accompanied by several cups of bitter-tasting coffee.
"We really have to buy some lighter-weight underwear," was the matter uppermost in Artemus' mind as he tucked into the delicious food.
"I agree. The weather here is much warmer than at home and I've noticed that people here dress more casually as well."
They were packed and ready to go when Colonel Richmond arrived with a carriage to take them to the railroad station.
"The journey should take about four and a half hours," Richmond told them as they took their seats. Artemus and James sat side by side while Richmond sat opposite them.
"Are you going to take that time to tell us something about the assignment you have for us?" James asked.
"I could but I would rather wait until we are with the President. Also I believe there are more important things to discuss."
"Such as?" Artemus asked, curious.
"I think we should start with your clothing."
"What's wrong with tweed?" Artemus asked, looking down at his grey, three-piece suit.
Richmond gave him a pointed look.
"What are you getting at?" James asked. "You're not expecting us to wear those newly invented blue denim reinforced trousers are you?"
"No," Richmond replied with a smile. "But you need to blend in more with the men you'll meet on your assignment, something suitable for when you're on horseback."
"Horseback?"
"Yes, that's mostly how you'll get about while you're here. Isn't that how you do it when you're in England?"
"In London we use hansom cabs," Artemus said.
"And when you're not in London?"
"We hire a dog cart."
"A dog cart – drawn by a dog?"
"No, a horse," James said with a grin.
"But you do know how to ride a horse?" the Colonel asked anxiously.
"We've ridden in the army and at weekends, in the park," Artemus said.
"Then you'll be all right," Richmond said, relieved. "Look, don't worry about buying new clothes. I'll arrange for suitable items to be delivered to your quarters when we arrive in Washington."
"There is one thing," James said, looking pointedly at Artemus.
"What? Oh yes, in the matter of underclothes," Artemus said.
"What is it?" Richmond asked, intrigued.
"We're going to need something a little less heavy than the long johns we brought with us," Artemus said.
Richmond laughed. "Don't worry, I'll deal with that too," he said.
"Do you think he's laughing at our long johns?" James whispered to his partner.
"He'd better not be," Artemus whispered back.
For the rest of the journey they talked, among other things, about the journey from England – not as fast a crossing as when the City of Berlin won the blue ribbon the previous year – the differences in the weather, and if it would be possible to get a cup of tea whilst on the train.
They arrived in Washington in time for a late lunch before heading for the White House and their meeting with President Grant.
To be continued