Journey's Endings
Part Two: Dolley's House
Author's Comments: So, Kim, Ron, Rufus, the Doctor and Oscar Diggs have to find a legitimate way of getting inside the White House in August 1814. Of course, Kim seems to have an idea on how it can be done.
My thanks go to all those who read the first chapter, particularly Cajunbear73, who supplied a comment within a few hours of the chapter's posting. And to all who read this chapter, please feel free to offer comments. I'll do my best to reply, and I don't bite. Really!
KPDWKPDWKPDW
For a full minute nobody said anything; they just stared at the famous building. But then Oscar broke the silence.
"Are you sure that's the White House, Miss Kim? It does sort of look like it, but it's different from what I remember seeing."
"You know what happened after we lost the Battle of Bladensburg, don't you?" Kim asked.
"The redcoats marched into Washington, an' they burned the capitol and the White House," the boy promptly replied. "Grandpa used to talk about that a lot."
"Well, after the war the White House was rebuilt, and some things were added to it in the next forty years," Kim explained.
"What do we do, Kim? We can't just walk up there and go in," Ron said.
"Why not? People go to see President Lincoln all the time," Oscar protested.
"They go to see President Lincoln in your time," Kim replied. "But James Madison is President now. Even though I don't see any, there must be a few guards around here. We can't just barge in and tell them, 'Don't mind us, we only want to look around in the basement for a while.'"
Ron looked up at the Doctor, who was frowning in thought as he swung the sonic screwdriver back and forth. "How do we get in, Doctor?"
"Are we to get in at all, Ronald?" the Time Lord asked. "That's the first question, you know."
Rufus stuck his head out of his usual pocket, gazed at the building and gave a squeak of dismay.
"Oscar, do you remember anything your grandfather said about what the President did on the day of the battle?"
"Well, Miss Kim, he always said the people in Washington thought the British would get beat an' go back to their ships," the boy replied. "They planned a victory dinner at the White House for that evening, and the President's wife was there almost to the last minute."
Kim nodded and turned to the Doctor.
"You mentioned a mechanical duck that was built in the eighteenth century that could act like a real duck. Could it walk around and fly?"
Oscar looked bewildered, while Ron and Rufus traded puzzled expressions.
"No, Kimberly. It just stood on top of a small cabinet and when it was started it would shift its feathers, preen itself, flap its wings and quack." The Time Lord frowned. "But in the fifteenth century a gentleman supposedly built a wooden eagle that flew out from the city of Nuremberg to greet the Holy Roman Emperor when he visited the city."
"My father saw a machine in New Orleans that looked like a man, once," Oscar volunteered. "He said it played chess, and nobody who played against it ever won."
Kim smiled and turned back to gaze at the White House. "If we could get K-9 inside the ground floor, could he look for the stolen TARDIS by himself, Doctor? In the dark?"
"Oh, certainly. K-9 has excellent sensors. But how do you propose we get him inside?''
"Let's go back to the Patent Office; I'll explain on the way. Come on Ron, it's mission time!"
Followed closely by her partner, Kim started walking back along Pennsylvania Avenue.
The Doctor and Oscar exchanged puzzled looks, and then followed them.
"To start with," Kim said to Ron, "I think we'll need a wagon, and a horse to pull it . . . "
KPDWKPDWKPDW
Once they were back at the Patent Office Kim and Ron helped K-9 out of the TARDIS and down the stairs to the lobby. Once they were outside, they found the Doctor and Oscar had located a horse and wagon, and with their aid they loaded the robot dog in the wagon box. Oscar took the reins and they started back to Pennsylvania Avenue.
"I locked the door of the TARDIS after we left, Doctor," said Kim, "and here's the key you gave me."
"Thank you, Kimberly. Did anyone see you while you were inside?"
"We never saw anyone in the building the whole time," Kim answered. "By the way, how did you find a wagon so quickly?"
"It was behind a house over there," Oscar remarked, pointing to his right.
"The gentleman who lives there was concerned about his family and property," the Doctor explained to Kim and Ron. "He was going to load a few things and his family on it and leave the city." He grinned thoughtfully. "He was worried that British soldiers might start looting if they win this afternoon's battle and then enter the city. I merely pointed out that British troops are highly disciplined, and that as long as he, his wife and their two sons did not fight them, they would not be harmed. And he couldn't take all his things with him in any case."
"The money must've helped, too."
At Oscar's words the Doctor frowned. "Well, yes. That's why I offered it to him." He looked at Kim. "Twelve English gold sovereigns, Kimberly — more than a fair price, I assure you."
Kim made no comment. She remembered how the Doctor had had American money of the period at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, as well as a yo-yo during the Civil War.
"You can find an answer to anything, Doctor," Ron remarked in an admiring tone.
"Well, finding the answers, that's easy," the Time Lord replied. "Finding the right questions, now . . . that's where it gets difficult."
"Here we are," said Oscar as he reined in the horse. "What now, Miss Kim?"
Kim gazed at the rutted path up to the White House for a moment, and then looked at Ron, Rufus, the Doctor and K-9.
"Does anybody have any questions?" she asked in her 'mission mode' voice. "We all know what to do?"
"All set, KP."
Rufus made a 'thumbs up' gesture.
"I'm ready, Miss Kim."
"Affirmative!"
"I'm always ready, Kimberly," said the Doctor. "This should be a fascinating experience."
"Oscar, take us up to the entrance," Kim ordered. The boy flicked the reins and the horse started up the driveway. At the same time Kim mused, I never thought I'd have to trick my way into the White House!
The wagon rolled to a stop at the flight of steps that led up to the door. Kim and the Doctor got out. He winked at Kim and softly said, "As you like to say, Kimberly: It's mission time!" They went up the steps and the Doctor knocked on the door.
There was a short wait and then the door was opened by a man in a uniform that wasn't military but suggested that he was of some importance. Perhaps he's the official doorkeeper? Kim thought.
"My good man, I understand that preparations are underway for a special dinner by President Madison and various officials. I have brought a device here that should amuse them after they have dined. May I bring it in?"
The doorkeeper looked skeptical. "Who are you, Monsieur. And do you have anything to support this claim?"
Kim noticed that while he spoke good English there was a touch of a French accent in the doorkeeper's voice.
"I am simply called 'The Doctor,' and I believe this letter from Thomas Jefferson will vouch for the truth in what I say." The Time Lord pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to the doorkeeper, who drew a sheet of paper from the envelope and quickly scanned it.
"I see!" Kim thought that the man sounded impressed. "And what is the nature of your . . . 'device,' Doctor?"
"My creation is a wonder that combines and surpasses the works of both Vaucanson and Offyrreus! A mechanical dog that moves about on its own and responds to vocal commands. Would you please tell the President about it? S'il vous plaît," he added in French.
"The President is not in at the present time, but I will pass your message to his lady. Attendez ici jusqu'à ce que je revienne." He closed the door and the Doctor smiled at Kim.
"A letter of introduction from Thomas Jefferson, Doctor?" Kim asked in a wondering voice.
"While I rarely use written identification, Kimberly, if necessary I could prove that I am anything from a member of the Long Parliament to a inspector for the Boston, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Transit Authority."
Kim was silent for a moment, mentally digesting this. Then she said, "I didn't know you spoke French, either, Doctor."
"Oh, many languages both from this planet and others. We Time Lords are versatile."
Kim nodded. "That doorman . . . he said we should wait here until he comes back, right?"
"Exactly. I take it you have some ability in the French language yourself, then?"
"Two semesters of it," Kim replied.
About a minute later, the door opened again. The doorkeeper was there with a young black man who looked to be about Ron's age.
"The President's Lady will see you, Doctor. Paul will take you in." He indicated the young man and then stood aside, opening the door wide.
"Right this way, sir," said the boy, and led them into the entrance hall. There they met a slim woman in a voluminous dress of the sort that was fashionable in 1814. The boy informed them that this was the President's wife, Dolley. She gazed at Kim's simple blouse-and-skirt attire and smiled when she noticed the Doctor's extraordinary scarf.
The Doctor bowed and introduced himself and Kim, explaining that she was his niece.
"Well, sir, I understand you have a machine that looks and acts like a dog and comes when you call it. Is that right?"
"It is, ma'am. A most ingenious device that surpasses every mechanical wonder of the past, or in the world today. Hearing of the plans for a special dinner here tonight, I thought that after the meal the President and his guests might be amused by a demonstration of my mechanical canine."
Kim had seen the Doctor in action in 1893 Chicago and the Civil War in 1862, but she hadn't realized how well he could play the part of a showman promoting his attraction. At the same time she noted that Dolley Madison seemed to be a very pleasant person, but there was an aura of strength and self-assurance about her as well.
"Just what does your mechanical dog do then, Doctor?" Dolley asked. "Can it fetch, sit up and roll over?"
"Let me bring it in, ma'am, and show you. It will only take a few minutes," the Time Lord replied. "I can operate it briefly by way of a demonstration."
Dolley Madison smiled. "All right, Doctor, bring it in. Paul, you go with him and give him any help he needs," she added to the young black man.
"Yes, ma'am." Paul nodded politely and then led the Doctor and Kim back to the door and down the stairs.
"Will you need someone to carry this 'dog' inside, sir?"
"I think that with Kimberly and her friends Ronald and Oscar I can manage," the Doctor answered. "But there's the question of this wagon. If we leave it unattended someone might take it without asking."
"I can have it put in our stable, sir, if that would be all right."
Kim wondered if this young man was a slave. He certainly acted in a very deferential way toward the Doctor.
"Thank you, Paul, that would be most helpful," the Doctor answered, as he, Ron and Oscar began to get K-9 out of the wagon.
Kim and Ron took one side of K-9 while the Doctor and Oscar took the other, and together they carried the robot dog up the steps and into the entrance hall. Once inside they put K-9 down and Dolley Madison came over to inspect him. A black man who appeared to be about thirty was with her.
"It does look something like a dog, Doctor. Is that the name on the side: K-9?"
"Correct, Ma'am. One moment, please, while I get the mechanism operating . . . " The Time Lord knelt and slid open a small panel on K-9's left side, close to the floor. He reached in and appeared to turn a crank several times. There was a sound like clockwork being wound up, and then a mechnical hum.
"There! Now we can demonstrate. Kimberly, if you please . . . ?"
Kim stepped forward, looked down at K-9 and said, "K-9. Do a left turn."
K-9 silently did a ninety-degree turn to his left.
"K-9. About face." At Kim's command the robot dog made a further turn one hundred and eighty degrees to his left. Then he moved forward, and back, and went in a circle, following Kim's orders perfectly each time.
"Well, I'm impressed!" said Mrs. Madison. "Does your 'dog' do anything else beside move at your orders, Doctor?"
"Oh, yes," the Doctor replied with his usual grin. "He can sing as well as move. K-9! Please sing a patriotic song for us."
K-9 began moving backwards and forwards, turning some each time so that he seemed to be dancing, and at the same time he sang.
"The Constitution long shall be the glory of our Navy,
For when she grapples with a foe, she sends him to old Davy.
Yankee Doodle, keep it up! Yankee Doodle dandy.
We'll let the British know that we at fighting are quite handy."
It took Dolley Madison a full minute to find her voice. Then she said, "Doctor that is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I wish the President were here to see it."
"He will be back this evening, will he not?"
At the Doctor's question Mrs. Madison frowned, and a faint look of uncertainty came to her face. "I hope so. He went to see General Armstrong this morning about the defense of the city."
"I see. Perhaps my friend here should be put some place where he'll be out of the way until it is time for dinner." He gestured at K-9 as he spoke. "If there's a storage room on the ground floor, perhaps?"
"Certainly." She turned to the black man and said, "Jim. Show the Doctor and his friends to the ground floor and help them find a suitable spot to store their machine for a time."
"We could let him roll to the stairs," said Kim, pointing at K-9, "couldn't we, 'Uncle?'"
"A good idea. Where is the staircase, Jim?" the Doctor said to the black man.
"This way, sir." At his direction Kim gave K-9 a series of 'orders' and the robot dog dutifully rolled out of the entrance hall and over to a staircase that Jim said led to the ground floor. Ron, Oscar, the Doctor and Kim carried K-9 down the steps and when they reached the bottom, Jim brought two lighted lanterns to show them where K-9 could be stored for a time.
As they parked K-9 in a small room, Oscar tugged at Jim's sleeve and asked him, "Excuse me, but, are you . . . a slave?" Kim flinched mentally, hoping the man didn't take offense at such a personal remark.
The black man just shook his head and smiled.
"No indeed, son, I'm as free as any man. Nobody owns me!"
"That's good," said the boy. "My father always says that slavery is wrong."
"I'd better make sure he's shut off properly," said the Doctor, pointing at K-9. "You can go back upstairs if you like, Jim. Just leave us a lantern, and we will be up in a few minutes."
"Very well, sir. Just turn right from the door and then left to the stairs." He picked up one lantern and went out while the Doctor knelt and opened K-9's side panel again.
As soon as the light from Jim's lantern had vanished, Ron knelt and whispered, "Hey, Rufus; are you okay, buddy?"
The mole rat looked out of the compartment, grinned and gave a 'thumbs up' gesture.
Kim spoke to Oscar in an exasperated tone, "Oscar, I don't like slavery either. But remember this is fifty years ago! A lot of people felt differently about slavery in 1814, so play it safe. Don't ask questions like that, please and thank you." She gave the boy a mild version of the 'Puppy-dog Pout' that made him wriggle with embarassment.
"I'm sorry, Miss Kim. I won't do it again."
Having checked on the welfare of his pet and friend, Ron turned his attention back to the mission. "Can you find the stolen TARDIS, Doctor?"
"I believe so." He swung the sonic screwdriver in a circle and then nodded. "Yes! Our quarry is about twenty feet in that direction!" The Doctor pointed at a wall that had no door in it.
"There should be a door from this hallway," Kim said softly, stepping out of the room and looking to her left.
Closely followed by Ron, Kim moved along the corridor while Oscar held up the lantern and the Doctor took a small device from one of his coat pockets and showed it to Kim.
"Let me go first, Kimberly. This will neutralize the beam from his knock-out ray."
Kim nodded and stepped aside so the Time Lord could enter the next room first. But as the Doctor turned the handle on the door, they all heard a familiar whooshing-rumbling-wheezing sound. The Doctor swung the door open, and Oscar let the lantern-light shine into the store-room. In it they saw a collection of wooden boxes and pieces of furniture, in the middle of which was a box about six feet high and three feet square.
Before anybody could say or do anything, the tall box faded and winked out of sight.
Once again the Empath and the stolen TARDIS had slipped away into time!
TBC . . .
Author's Disclaimer and Notes:
The Disney Company owns the Kim Possible concept and characters.
The British Broadcasting Corporation owns the Doctor Who concept.
The term TARDIS is also copyright by the BBC.
The plot of this story is my responsibility.
The Doctor is referring to an automaton created by Jacques Vaucanson (1709 - 1782), a French inventor and mechanical engineer who built life-size mechanical figures that duplicated the actions of living creatures. Two of these were "The Flute Player," which could play twelve different tunes on a flute, and "The Duck," which could quack, flap its wings, preen itself, eat grain and drink water. He also built a full-size carriage that was powered by clockwork.
The chess-playing "automaton" Oscar's father saw was actually a clever device with a man concealed inside it who made the figure move and play chess. It was built by Wolfgang von Kempelen in about 1770. In 1818 the "automaton" was purchased by Johann Maelzel who toured Europe and America exhibiting the chess-player along with other, genuine, automata, until he died in 1838.
Johann Bessler, who called himself "Offyreus," built several wheels in the eighteenth century that spun steadily without any detectable external power source.
The song that K-9 sings was actually written soon after the U. S. Navy frigate Constitution returned to Boston, Massachusetts, on August 30, 1812, and the ship's success in battle against the British frigate Guerriere was announced.