80 Days


I was shocked that this is how they greeted visitor in England; straight and direct. The funny thing was, the person behind the door sounded like a female, which is worrying because a person named Hiroshi Sato could not be a female. Then again the sound was muffled by the door.

Green eyes peered through the peephole demanding an answer. I must've looked like a fool, standing in front of the door all shocked and whatnot. I straightened up and cleared my throat; just like you rehearsed Jack.

"My name is Jack Rusco sir, at your service."

I wished I did better at my introduction; first impression was important in this work. However, it was very difficult to keep your cool when under an intense gaze, especially from your current employer. My master did not responded, still scrutinizing me with those eyes and the fact that the person was behind a door somehow makes me more nervous. I couldn't decide what to do ─ did he forgot that he hired me or should I say something else? The tension was so thick it weigh me down, and to my relief my master finally speak up.

"Did you just call me 'sir'?"

Before I could asked my master what was that supposed to mean, the peephole was closed, and there was a solid click as my master unlock the door. As it swung open I finally be able to see Mister Sato for the first time…

Hold on a second.

The figure that stands on the doorframe just took my breath both literally and figuratively speaking. She was a young lady perhaps in her twenties, with the smoothest ivory skin I've ever seen. She was beautiful, though I found the word 'beautiful' didn't do her justice. My eyes looked straight to the green eyes that a minute ago nerved me, then I started to notice small details, like her green eyeliner and light purple mascara. My eyes travel downward to her ruby lips and it took me awhile to finally look at this person completely. Her long black hair cascade perfectly to frame her sharp figures, every curve of her body was a delight to see. She wore a red buttoned up shirt and a strapped blue jeans, the kind that worn by a miner. Tools like hammer, plier, wrench, and something else I didn't recognize lined inside the numerous pocket sewn on the front of her jeans.

I admit I was mesmerized and perhaps stared her a bit too long to be considered as 'polite' anymore, so I tore my gaze and looked at her with a much clearer eye. She had an annoyed expression on her, her hand crossed in front of her chest.

"Oh! I'm so sorry I thought you were my master," I fumbled around my travel coat to show the maid ─ at least I assume she is the maid ─ the letter that I kept. "You see, my name is Jack Rusco. I'm a valet to Mister Hiroshi Sato. Here," I gave her the letter. She reached out tentatively, and as she open and read it, anger flash through her eyes for a brief second.

"If you would be so kind and give this to your master; well, I guess he will be our master now…" I laughed a bit at my lame attempt at joke. I mean, if I had to work with another female assistant like I did before with my previous master, might as well as befriend her right? Well, all hopes were shattered as she crumpled the letter and threw it away behind her back with disgust. If at first she looked annoyed, now she was definitely furious though she masked it well.

"How much did he paid you to bring me back?"

"Wha-"

"Don't play fool!" she raised her voice, whatever that was holding her temper now seems gone. "You think I would fall for this…" she gestured at me as if she was accusing me of something, "valet trick! I thought my father would be smarter than that!"

"Wait, your father?"

"Enough of your act!" she looked at me like she didn't believe the confusion etched on my face right now. "Why would I need a human valet when I can just make one myself?!"

"Wait a minute… what?"

She pressed on not giving me a chance to defend myself, "I see that now since he can't convince me to go back to him, he sent someone to keep an eye on me?" with every word that came out of her mouth, it gave me a glimpse at what's going on between Mister Sato and his daughter and in turn, shed a light at the mysteries surrounding the circumstances of my employment. However, I still needed to prove my innocence; in no shape or form I was a part of their conflict.

"Look ma'am, I have no clue on what you're talking," I started slow, and seeing that she didn't make an argument, I proceed cautiously, "all that I know was my previous master asked me to pack my bag, said that I no longer worked for him, and the next thing I know I got a letter from Mister Sato."

She raised her eyebrow either from shock or disbelief. Sensing that she wanted to hear more from me, I continued. "You already read the letter; in there it was only said that I worked for him, that he arranged my transport to London, and once I got here I had to go to this place," I closed my eyes trying to bring up the address of the place that was mentioned in the letter, "Strand Street number 32. I never know that I had to work for his daughter or even the fact that he had a daughter in the first place."

The lady pinched the bridge of her nose in irritation. She was deep in thought and for seconds there was a tense silence. I opened my mouth but she raised her finger, silencing me. "I… I need you to leave this house, right now."

At the mention of that, I felt like a bottomless pit formed inside my stomach. The feeling of rejection was the worst I ever felt; let alone the fact that I got nothing. I had no money, no place to stay, and worse ─ I was without a master. This cannot do.

"Please no… I can't go back to America. I don't have any money and I need the job…" I hated the fact that I plead; papà never taught his son to be that low. If you ever read this papà, please forgive your son, but this desperate times called for desperate measure.

"I'm sorry."

Cazzo! She's about to walked inside the house and I swear that times slow down. Quick, think of something! Use that brain of your; how can you convince her? The mention of Mister Sato seems to aggravate her, so maybe I should stop said that. Also, she seems to dislike anything related to her father which technically including me. Dear me, what did I have gotten myself into? She already made it clear she didn't need a human valet because…

That's it! She had to be an Artificer. That would explain her tools and the fact that she mentioned that she could have make her own valet herself ─ she makes automata!

"Wait!" I was surprised at how loud I shout but I did get her attention, so there's that. "Maybe I can help you."

She stopped and spun around, a sigh of frustration escaped her lips. She had her hand on her hips as she regarded me, "and what do you mean by that?"

"You said you rather make your own valet right?"

She seemed unsure on what I was saying. "True."

"Well as it happens, I know a thing or two about automata," smooth Jack, keep it up and play your card right. "My last master used to… tinker with objects before, so I know a lot about… you know… assembling and stuff."

It was somewhat true; well actually more of half-lies. He referred to it as 'doing the thing', which basically me and his house maid making thing from his deranged gentleman's fantasy. Come to think of it, she was usually the one 'doing the thing' while I watched, but I'm pretty confident that some knowledge must have stuck in my head.

"So you made automata before?"

I flashed her a smile that said 'yes I had', but I think fell somewhere along 'if I say yes, would you hire me?' narrative. As I silently prayed to Lord Almighty that she do believe in me, she had a challenging looks on her face, and I wished I could prepared myself for the question she asked me.

"What do you know about crystal shard's engraving?"

Maladetto diavolo! I feared this scenario ever since I said those accursed word. I was wrecked; mentally that is, trying to found a way out of this predicament I got myself into. I'm not sure why, but from the smug smile that was etched on her face, or her hands on her hips; I knew she set me up.

I stammered a reply as best as I could, "Well, I-I think that is um… difficult?"

Obviously she wasn't satisfied. She tapped her foot impatiently, raised her eyebrows; yet her mischievous smile never gone, as if she was enjoying this. After about a dozen of 'um' and 'uh' I shrunk in defeat as my answer escaped my lips. "Pass…?"

"I figure so." She then raced inside her house, or she was about to, had I not stop her again. This time I reactively grabbed her hand; the recoil stopped her and spun her whole body to face me. Goodness me! I shout at a lady and improperly grabbed her in span of about 20 minutes. As soon as I did that I let go of her arms and set myself straight.

"I'm so sorry about that! But, I think I could help you with something else."

"In what ways does a valet that clearly knows nothing about constructing or carving an instruction to an automata, help me with my work?"

"By being a model for your automata." I said matter-of-factly, though in reality I was grasping for any idea sounded plausible for this person. "You want to make an automated valet that can cook, clean, cut, and… generally follow your order. Well, what better way than to based it on an actual living valet?"

I struck her cleanly with my words, as she tapped her chin with her fingers perhaps sensing something true with my word. "That is indeed true."

"Of course it is!"

"But what arrangement do you purpose? I assume you wanted something from me?"

"Nothing but a place to stay and a person to serve," I tipped my hat and bowed low to emphasize my word, "at least until you finish your work, perhaps?"

Seconds that was spent waiting for her verdict was the most brutal of my life. I carefully scanned my soon-to-be master face for any sign ─ positive sign I pray ─ as she let out a tired sigh. At the same time, I also released my breath I hadn't noticed I held.

"I'm not so sure about hiring anyone…" she began, and I already felt a pit forming in my stomach, "however, I did need a model for my automata and, as much as I hate to admit, someone to take care this house."

I couldn't believe my ears! I felt elated, even better than elated. It took a lot of willpower to not run and hugged Master Sato ─ should I called her that? I think I should from now ─ and ruined everything I did to convinced her. But judging from my beaming smile, she must've had another thing to say. "That doesn't mean I trust you; I wouldn't pay your salary for certain, that is for you and my father to take care of. Understood?"

Still better than nothing, no? "I understand it completely, Master Sato."

She flinched; that is, she closed her eyes and sharply inhale, before releasing it slowly. Something that I said had cause her discomfort. Exactly what? I have no clue, as she stayed silent and parted way to let me in. I saw how empty this house was. It was almost… barren. The wall was painted maroon red and empty; no paintings, family picture, or anything. In fact in that room, the only piece of decoration was a mahogany table and a flower vase. A normal person wouldn't have seen it, but a person well-versed in the art of domestic maintenance like me could see a layer of dust gathering on the marble top. There was a stair, and beyond it was a hallway leading to the back of the house. I also saw what appears to be a kitchen on the room left of the stairs and a drawing room of sorts across it. As she led me along the short hallway, I noticed a metallic grandfather clock, six feet tall and imposing, with what appears to be cylinder pipe in the middle of its body instead of a pendulum. It had three display; one showing the time of the day, on the side of that was for month, and a smaller display with images of moon cycle. I wouldn't called it a piece of art, though, whoever designed this must be a fiend for accuracy. I wonder…

She stopped at the back of the stairs in front of a rustic wooden door that looked out of place on this house. She opened it and stepping inside, I saw what looked like a storage room that has been modified as a servant quarter. It was cramped with boxes and unused furniture covered in white sheet that was also covered in thick layer of dust. The only piece of accommodation I saw was a single wardrobe and a bed buried beneath a stack of old newspapers. The only source of lighting for this room was a single gas lamps hung at the ceiling and a small windows that pointed outside to the back garden.

It looked… normal, surprisingly; most servant quarter in typical houses were all the same like this one. Of course having worked at a great house before, there was a considerable drop in accommodating quality, but nothing I couldn't handle. Yes… I could see it already; some sweeping here and there and I would call this home.

"Sorry that you had to sleep here," said my master that was leaning on the door frame, "the previous owner didn't exactly had a second room for guest. The wardrobe and the bed were from a room upstairs that I converted to a study room." She shot me an apologetic smile, her fiery eyes before had gone soft.

I replied it with a smile of my own. "I've been through a worst sleeping arrangement than this, Master Sato." I assured her.

"I cannot imagine any sleeping condition worse than this."

"Well, how about sleeping on a fishing trawler, accompanied by an Irish captain who only spoke about his blind third wife?"

I earned a chuckle from her, the sound rings clear in my ear. "Did you made it up?"

"I wish I could," I followed suit, laughing lightly as I was washed away in nostalgia. Suddenly, she tensed up and stand rigid on the doorframe, rubbing her arm nervously as she cast her eyes downward. Thing turned awkward quickly and I found myself looking everywhere that is not Master Sato. She spoke up, her voice brimmed with uncertainty. "There is a toilet near the kitchen. I'll be upstairs if you need me."

I was surprised by how quickly her mood changed, but I stayed silent. I need to win my master's trust first and maybe then she will open up to me. "Of course Master Sato."

She flinched again, just as she was about to walked away. "Please… just call me Asami." And with that she left off, leaving me wondering about the mysterious figure that is my current employer, Asami Sato. With time, I guess, with time. Right now, I had to unpack my stuff and sorted all this mess.

"A fresh new start again, I guess."


The past three days were uneventful. Not that it was a bad thing; matter of fact, I kind of enjoyed it. It was a nice change of pace. With my previous master, every day was a misadventures full of twist and turn, I am surprised I live through it. Don't take it wrong; I respect him, I do. It's just felt… different working with Master Sato. Her life was scheduled to the second and I mean it literally. She always woke up at eight, took a bath and went to work on her study till lunch, where she would read a book ─ also in her study ─, then she continued to work until eight when she went to sleep. In fact for the past three days she never ate anything; I prepared her breakfast but she didn't showed up. Same with lunch and dinner; in fact I stopped cooking altogether. I could spent the entire day sweeping the first floor without seeing her. She was a recluse ─ same trait that she shared with my previous master ─ but I wasn't perturbed by it. The fact that she… ignored me… the fact that she somehow managed to live her days without even interacting with a human being, currently living downstairs of her own house; that's disturbing. Maybe she was busy working on my replacement? Perhaps she wasn't even a human but an automata. Perhaps that's why she wouldn't even need nourishment or human contact. Or perhaps, she was so used to living alone?

Thinking is tiresome, especially after a hard day working. Master Sato was asleep, bound to repeat her day again and again for who know how long. It feels good to have a day without dealing with your master's weird antic. But after a while I was worried that something was wrong with Master Sato. No human being could be this monotonous right?

I should stop here. My eyes are heavy and I can't hold another yawn. A sleep is all I need right now.


A/N: I was out for a long time, was I? I hit a major writing block right about the time I was enrolled to university and it hadn't left me till now. Also, being a fiend for accuracy myself, I did a lot of research about life in 19th century Europe and all the historical background. So, in the future, I can't really promise a regular update; it depends on the difficulty of the road ahead and, um, whether or not I can tame the spirit of procrastination in me.

Yes, the introductory part is about to end and I think it have drag long enough. Be patience, one more chapter and our adventure begins!