To Frame A Slave
Posted on Sun Apr 24th, 2016 @ 5:51am by
Edited on on Thu Jun 2nd, 2016 @ 11:37pm
Mission:
Time and High Society
Location: London, England
Timeline: March 21st, 1896
[ON]
As fatigued as she was from the stress of walking on proverbial eggshells, Monday Starr slept precious few hours after Mr. Bailey's dinner event. Up well before the dawn, she worked in Herbert Wells' workshop. Scans of his time capsule, scans of the strange beacon stone, analysis of tricorder readings made during temporal transit; she strove to find some sort of energy fluctuations by which she could accurately navigate back into the future.
Amy Wells brought a tray with light breakfast shortly after dawn, "Any success, Monday?"
She sighed wearily, "Possibly. I will need to conduct a short test flight in order to verify my hypothesis, but I think I might be able to identify temporal landing points made near the beacon stone. From there, I should be able to land as close as anomalies will allow."
"Test flight?"
"Only a few days into the past. I dare not try future days with all the attention we've been getting."
"I have some clothes laid out for you for this morning's soiree in the markets."
Monday slumped with pleading expression, "Must I go?"
"Can you keep pushing yourself like this?"
The Herisian closed up her wristbook and switched off her tricorder. The silence shouted at her, "No. My mind is fogging up."
Amy sat by for a moment, "Just be careful what you say and enjoy the morning. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful one."
Monday nodded, picking up a cherry tart. She made no comment, but it had too much sugar.
Later that Morning, Mr. Wells took Miss Riquee San Louie and Miss Monday Starr to the Bailey estate via carriage. Apprehensive about leaving them unescorted, he promised, "I shall be here at 1pm sharp."
"Thank you, Mr. Wells." Ricki put her arm around Monday, "Come. Local market and customs should be interesting."
Mrs. Bailey brought them into the parlor, "The other ladies should be joining us any time, now. I cannot imagine what is keeping them! "Whoever invented fashionable lateness should be scolded!"
Ricki wasn't familiar with the culture, but something about her behavior seemed contrived. "It is not a problem, Mrs. Bailey."
"Oh! I almost forgot. My husband wanted a word with you, Miss San Louie. If you would come this way." She looked to Monday, "I promise to return her straightaway."
Ricki was escorted to and shown inside Mr Bailey's study. Puffing away on a cigar, he dismissed his wife and invited his guest to join him. "I am so glad that you were able to join us last evening. You were positively the life of the party! I'm sure that it will be the topic of social gossip for days!"
"I hope that I didn't make a spectacle of myself, Sir."
"Not at all! Not at all!" He smiled and leaned as though to confide, "Although, a substantial number of women are probably jealous of your magnetism with young men! Come! Sit with me!"
Ricki returned a nod and sat down in a posture demonstrated to her by Mrs. Wells.
Mr. Bailey's behavior also seemed contrived, a false casualness. "I am particularly curious about a most remarkable story. Do you know that people are claiming that you miraculously healed a little girl of a dangerous fever?" He studied her carefully for reactions.
Ricki purposefully under-reacted, "My people know a few helpful things about the healing arts."
"Oh, come now! You're being modest!" His smile had a predatory air about it, "The house servants very clearly heard you claim to be a doctor!"
"People in my land consider me to be such."
"A woman? You're joking! Surely not in the sense of formally educated man here in civilized England?"
"Without familiarity with your medical society, I'm afraid that I'm at a loss to make a comparison."
"Well said. Well said." His voice lowered, "Still, I'd be very interested in hearing about what tricks you used on the child."
"Tricks, Sir?" Ricki smiled pleasantly, "I synthesized pathogen-specific countermeasures, simulated her immunological system, and alleviated metabolic stress on her metabolism."
"Good heavens! What strange words are those? I've never heard them!"
"My apologies, Sir. Those are the closest words I can find in your language."
"Do you mean to say that English is not your primary dialect?"
"I do, Sir."
He tapped off his ashes into a tray, "You are an unceasing fountain of surprises, Riquee San Louie. I do so very much look forward to getting to know you much, much better... especially about your miracle arts." He got up to walk around, "In fact, I was of a mind to invite a friend of mine, a physician, to come hear you share your methods. I'm... sure that he would find it to be a quaint experience."
Ricki employed a trick that she had learned from Amy, "I shall most assuredly present your offer for Mister Wells' consideration."
"Of course, of course." His predatory smile returned, "Although your submissiveness surprises me. You're not nearly so bold as last night."
"It was the wine, no doubt. I overstepped."
He betrayed traces of frustration, "No hints or clues you can share with me about your healing secrets?"
She looked aside, "Hmmm, I'm quite sure that the names given to herbs and medicines are not the same in your language. I would need to study what you call them before being able to conduct a common conversation."
"Yes indeed, indeed!" He sighed deeply and raised his volume, "Well! I won't keep you from your wonderful morning of shopping." He scratched at his cheek for a moment, "Oh dear, I did not consider. I how frightfully embarrassing it would be if you came shopping without a coin purse for purchases! Might I be of assistance?"
"Thank you, Sir but Mr. Wells very kindly provided a modest allowance."
"Wonderful!" He gestured toward his wife who entered on queue, "I'll let you be on your way." His tone lowered, sounding more threatening than cordial, "You and I will speak later."
Ladies of Mrs. Bailey's social circle arrived with all the lively flutter of butterflies. After numerous flattery and entirely trivial discussions, the group set off for the day markets. Ricki used her synapses to command and read her tricorder in silent mode. The brainwaves of a few of the female servants were a sharp contrast to the ladies of society. They were calmly fixed in their focus upon Monday.
Per Mrs. Bailey's careful plan, select women in the group continuously worked at separating Ricki and Monday at the markets. Distractions, questions, marveling at local products; all were orchestrated to isolate the younger woman. "Oh Monday! Do look at this wedgewood trinket box! Isn't the design simply amazing?"
Monday courteously examined it. It looked crude and imperfect in manufacture. "It is beautiful, indeed."
The woman shook her head, "It would be a crime to let such a treasure get away! Do allow me to purchase this for you?"
"I..." Monday didn't get the chance to protest. The woman hurried to the proprietor and handed him the correct change for it. He carefully put it into a protective box and she brought it to her, "Here, don't drop it!" She then pointed, "Oh, look!"
Monday was beginning to feel bewildered by the frivolity. She searched for Ricki in order to rejoin her. A commotion quickly welled up, however. Several shopkeepers approached her, "Miss! A word!"
"Yes?"
One of the men confronted her as others surrounded, "I'm sorry, but an accusation of shoplifting has been made against you."
She shook her head, "'Shoplifting'? What is that?"
"Theft, Miss."
"All I have is this box. A woman purchased it for me."
"May I see it?"
"Of course."
The man removed the trinket box and opened it. Inside was a ring. People around her yelled, "Thief! Thief!"
Alarmed, Ricki shook her head, "What do you mean?"
The merchant's expression melted into that of anger, "What do you mean, 'what do you mean'? The evidence is right before you! You stole this ring!" He announced to the crowd, "And it is an expensive one at that!"
"Sir, I was not even aware that it was inside the box!"
"Not aware? What kind of fool do you take me for? It just magically dropped into a trinket box which was buried inside a package? You're coming with me!" He grabbed her wrist.
Not knowing what he intended, Monday spun her body, putting the man off balance. She then torqued the other way and broke free of his grasp. Becoming angry, the man lunged for her. Using his own momentum against him, she slipped into a judo throw. He crashed into a market stand. "Get her!"
More men rushed her, and more men stumbled into boxes as she adroitly evaded and pushed. Finally, one man came at her, fists swinging. "I don't care if you are a girl!" She recognized him as one of Mr. Bailey's servants. She leaned back to evade the swipes, bringing a snap kick into his face. Now enraged at having been humiliated in front of a crowd, he drew a small knife. Monday tried to run, but someone pushed her to the ground as she passed by. As Bailey's henchman dived upon her, Monday could think of one move to stop the knife.
There was a brief flash, after which the man backed away screaming at the top of his lungs. He grasped his wrist, staring in horror at the severed hand laying on the ground.
People in the crowd screamed, "Call the constable! Call the constable!"
Ricki finally caught up and rushed to Monday, "What happened?"
"That man attacked me with a blade!"
A police whistle blew. Somehow, an officer had been coincidentally nearby.
She lowered her voice, "What did you do?" She noticed the No. 3 laser probe. Thinking quickly, Ricki discretely reached, "Give it to me." She poked it up inside her long sleeve.
The constable arrived, to which Ricki gestured out a hand, "Please! This man attacked her!"
Someone in the crowed yelled, "Be careful! She's a savage! Don't let 'er fool you!"
"I'm afraid you're going to have to come with me. I am placing you under arrest."
Monday felt panic, "Arrest?"
Ricki put her hand on her shoulder, "Listen to me. This is a local police officer. There has been violence and his job is to keep order." She looked to the constable, "May I accompany her?"
His answer was measured according to her apparent status, "You may."
"All right, Monday. Come on. We'll get word to Mr. Wells. He can help us."
Two hours later, the summoned Herbert Wells arrived at the police station. Taking her leave, Ricki had Amy drive her to the Bailey estate, "Wait here."
"Ricki!"
"No, Amy! This was planned. I want you out here in plain view." Ricki stormed her way inside to Mr. Bailey's study.
He happily gestured, "It's alright, Margaret. I'll deal with this. You may go."
After the door closed, he poured himself a bourbon, "I told you that we would be speaking later."
"This was planned! Monday was set up!"
"What? I have no idea what you're talking about." He took a sip, "Ohhh! I see! You cannot bring yourself to accept the fact that Miss Monday committed theft!"
"She would have no interest in any of your market baubles!"
His brows raised, "And maimed a man. Cut off his hand, did she? That's attempted murder. He could have bled to death!"
"No he couldn't. The wound was heat cauterized!"
"Now how on Earth could she have accomplished that? There was no iron nearby buried into hot coals." He nodded, "It seems that you're not the only one who is able to affect the body with fantastic speed."
"That ring was planted inside the trinket box."
"Oh please, Riquee! Now who could possibly have reason for doing that? I certainly hope that you acquire proof before spreading such a slanderous claim!"
Ricki shook her head, "Are you people that vicious and spiteful?"
He set his drink down and drew near to confront, "You should focus upon what you can now do to help your unfortunate friend."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"It means, my dear, that I am offering my fullest personal assistance in this tragic situation!" He smiled and paced about, "I have considerable influence in this town. With my help, Miss Monday needn't go to prison."
Ricki stared warily, "Your help."
He smiled through a fierce stare and spoke in threatening tone, "My help, as purchased by your cooperation."
She realized, "This isn't about Monday. It's about me. I'm the one you're after."
He returned to his desk and picked up the servant call bell. "We'll speak again tomorrow, after you've had a chance to calm down."
[OFF]
Ricki St. Louis
Monday Starr
Mr. Bailey
Starbase 332 Twilight Zone
Pegasus Fleet
