Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club

Bill & Shirley’s Excellent Adventure

The continuation of the Winston Churchill Mission

Robert P. McAuley

DATELINE: OCTOBER 4, 1897  PLACE: 221B BAKER STREET, LONDON

The apartment was on the dark side as the Victorian style of dark wood floors with scattered dark area rugs drained any light that came in through the two windows. The heavy, deep red drapes blocked out more of the sunlight as they tended to settle in the center of the slightly bent brass rods. The room was full with over-stuffed furniture and toss pillows. Two of the walls were floor-to-ceiling bookcases filled with scientific, medical and other books with the names covered over with tape. A large, cherry wood coffee table was close to the couch and everyone who visited commented that it looked like a coffin. The two gas lamps affixed to the walls sputtered and fought against the breeze that entered the room but Mrs. Hudson, the landlady, swore that they were fighting for their life against the darkness of the room.

A long envelope slid under the door followed by a soft tap at the door. Dressed in men’s clothing, including a Deerstalkers hat, Shirley Holmes picked it up as she called out, “Thank you Mrs. Hudson.” She smiled as she heard the shuffling of feet as the landlady walked away.

From the United States, she thought as she slid a long knife between the lip and envelope . . . she found her hands starting to tremble, “Perhaps Bill?”

She removed a letter and a ticket for an ocean trip aboard the SS Majestic. She removed her hat and sat on a footstool near the window and allowed the morning sunlight to illuminate her letter.

‘Dear Shirley. Inside you’ll find a first-class, round-trip ticket for an Atlantic crossing on the SS Majestic. The date she leaves the London Docks is Saturday, October 19 and as she takes about ten or eleven days to cross, I shall meet you there. As I explained just wear your everyday clothing, as my club will supply you with all you need. I’m glad that we made this trip happen and will love showing you around in my time, as I am sure you can handle it. As I said when the ship docks I will be standing at the foot of the gangway.’ Best, Bill.

DATELINE: OCTOBER 29, 1897,  PLACE: 39^TH,  STREET DOCK, NEW YORK CITY

It was two-thirty in the afternoon and Bill stood at the foot of the dock and watched as a young lady dressed in a long red dress with pinched waist and short matching jacket walked down the wide gangway, one hand holding her wide brimmed red hat whose white feather seems to be trying to fly away, and a valise in the other hand. She stepped on the wooden dock and seeing him, ran to him. They hugged as she turned the same color as her dress. Getting her composure, she said, “Is this 2013?”

Bill laughed, “No, we are still in your time. Come, I have a carriage waiting.” They entered a waiting cab that took them to the 1800 Club. Bill paid the driver, grabbed her valise and as the cabby drove off, took a key from around his neck and opened the iron gate of the 1800 Club’s garden.

Shirley stepped inside and stopped in awe as she inspected the grounds. “Simply beautiful,” she said as she sniffed a red rose. “Do you do the gardening, Bill?”

He smiled, as he shook his head, no, and said, “If it were me doing the gardening there would be nothing growing here as I seem to under or over-water them. Luckily the club has an outstanding gardner.”

Using the same key, he opened the steel security door and held it as she entered. She took the hem of her long dress and held it as she ascended the stairs. She came to the second floor landing and stopped.

“This door?” she asked.

“Yes,” he answered as he stood next to her. As he was about to put the key in, a sudden sound came from the other side of the door followed by scratching. Shirley grabbed Bill’s arm and said in a whisper, “W-What is that, Bill?”

By the light of the gas lamps she saw that he smiled as he said, “That is my guard dog.” He swung the door open.

DATELINE: OCTOBER 29, 2013,  PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB, NEW YORK CITY

“It’s a beagle! Oh Bill, you have a beagle. I simply love them.”

Samson was torn between greeting his master or seeing whom the new person was. Deciding that because she smelled like flowers with her perfume, she might have food on her so the beagle gave her the sniff over and waited until she sat on the leather couch before he leaped up onto her lap.

“If he is bothering you, Shirley, I’ll put him out.”

“Absolutely no. He is too cute to bother me.” She looked around his den and shrugged her shoulders, “Bill, this is 2013?”

“Yes, are you disappointed?”

“Well, I don’t now, everything looks like-well, like the 1800s.”

He shrugged, “I really love this time period and my predecessor filled the den with mid-1800 furniture. If you think it looks like the 1800s in here, wait until this evening as tonight my club has a dinner date right here in my home and as I explained tonight is 1865 as far as the members are concerned. I’m sure you can handle it.”

She pouted slightly and said, “But I have no clothes for 1865.”

“Worry not, for we have an entire wardrobe just for you.” Bill pressed a button on wall next to the couch.

“Sir, you called?” answered Matt, Bill’s right-hand-man and friend who kept the club up and running as he kept inventory on anything the club needed in order to be operational.

“Hi Matt. I’m back with Ms. Holmes. Can you outfit her for this evening’s dinner party?”

“Certainly, sir. I shall be right there. Shall I bring up some refreshments?”

Bill looked at Shirley and asked as he rubbed his hands together, “Do you like chocolate?”

“Ever since I was a little girl.”

“Matt, two of my special drinks, please.”

Five minutes later there was a light tap at the den’s door followed by Matt entering carrying a silver tray with two mugs of hot chocolate. One mug was Bill’s favorite Donald Duck mug; the other was a Daisy Duck Mug.

Bill laughed as he saw it and asked, “Matt, when did you get the Daisy Duck mug?”

“Once as I was walking through Coney Island in Brooklyn, sir. I saw her and decided that should your Donald ever get cracked or something, we would have Daisy to replace him.” He put the mugs on the coffee table, turned to Shirley and bowed slightly. “Good day, Madam. Would you be wanting something to eat?”

“Gracious, no,” she said as she put out her hand, “I’m Shirley Holmes. Pleased to meet you, sir.”

Not quite sure what to do, he shook her hand and said, “Pleased to make your acquaintance. Do I detect an English accent?”

“Yes, I have a flat in London. I also detect an English accent.”

“Yes, London also. After you have finished your drink, I shall escort you to our wardrobe.” He turned to Bill, “Will that be all, sir?”

“Yes, Matt. And thanks for the mugs.”

Matt left and Bill told her about his club and the reason it existed. “Tonight you will meet twenty-seven members of the club. There are more but like any dinner party some had to cancel.”

“Have they all made a ‘trip’ as you call it?”

“No. Maybe half of a dozen. But, as I said, don’t . . . “

“Slip,” she said finishing the sentence for him.

“Correct. Most have no idea of the club’s ability to time travel.”

“She smiled warmly, “Then you trust me?”

“Absolutely!”

“Remind me, Bill, what is the date that we cannot speak past?”

“Today’s date, October 29, is the last date that we can speak of and the year is 1865.” Bill smiled and said, “How do you feel? Overwhelmed or anything like that?”

She shook her head, “I feel absolutely fantastic! I must pinch myself periodically so as to make sure this is real and I am not sleeping.”

“Well, don’t get yourself black and blue because the fun is about to begin.”

She put her mug down and said excitedly, “I’m ready to be fitted.”

Bill summoned Matt and in a few minutes he arrived and led her away.

On the top floor he put the overhead lights on and she involuntarily flinched.

“Must get used to that,” she said as she entered the large room.

Matt pointed to a buzzer and said, “Ms. Holmes, I shall leave you here and when you have made your selections, press this buzzer and I shall return.” He turned and left.

There were racks and racks of women’s clothing. One section had only dresses from almost every time frame right up to today. Hanging on wooden hangers were gowns; mini, ankle length, calf length and the type she was most familiar with, long. Another had only coats, from cotton to fur, long and short, light and heavy for the various seasons. Skirts: long and short, slacks, jeans, shorts and more. On the floor beneath each dress were shoes of the same time period as the dress. There were high heels, low heels, slippers, cowgirl boots, rain boots and much more.

“This is nothing but fantastic!” she whispered to herself as she picked out a dress, shoes and accessories from the 1865 section. She spotted the changing room, entered and flinched again as a light came on illuminating the room. The soft leather seats and stools were of the mid 1800s style and the door had a drop latch on it. She dropped the latch, thus securing the door and saw a full-length mirror on the back of the door.

Well, Miss Holmes, she thought nervously as she unbuttoned her dress, I do hope you know what you are doing. Looking in the mirror she answered her thoughts, It’s like mother always said, some women just turn a corner to find a husband and some have to climb a mountain to find theirs . . . so always be ready to climb. Not saying that I’m looking to get married yet, but mother was one smart woman.

 Finished she pressed the button that Matt had pointed to and in a few moments she heard him say, “Wonderful selection, Ms. Holmes. You shall be the belle of the ball this evening.”

She turned and with a smile asked, “Matt, please call me Shirley.”

He nodded and said, “If you are happy with your outfit, Ms. Shirley, please follow me.”

He took her to Bill’s den, knocked on the door and said, “Sir, I am here with Ms. Shirley.”

Bill opened the door and his eyes went wide as she entered the room.

Shirley had her long brown hair up and held in place with small white flowers made of linen. Rather than simply circle her head she had them gather on the left side of her head and swing around the back and almost complete the circle at the front, which gave the impression of a flock of tiny white birds joining up in flight.

The pink and gray dress was formfitting from the shoulder to her slim waist and then went out in the shape of a bell. The top of the dress was white and clung to the lower parts of her shoulders and curved down daringly to the top of her bosom. This part of her dress rose and fell gently as she breathed. Short thin tassels of white silk hung from the slightly puffed sleeves at the shoulder. At her waist the dress was gray and flowed down and out while two dark gray bows at knee height pinned it so as to have a gathered look giving all a peek of the white crinoline cover beneath it. The dress allowed the tops of her soft white low heel shoes with a gray bow at their tips to be seen. She carried a closed fan.

Bill had dressed as an old favorite, Rhett Butler, from Gone With The Wind. He wore a black three quarter jacket cut with wide lapels. His slacks were gray and draped slightly over his black button shoes with gray spats. His shirt was white and his gray vest was double breasted which held a gold pocket watch in the small right hand pocket as the gold chain draped across the vest to end up in the left hand pocket. But the clincher of his outfit was the much wider than usual cravat. It was black and white checked and spread out across his chest then tucked under his vest.

“My Lord,” Shirley said as she flipped open her fan and fanned herself for a moment.

Bill slowly shook his head, “You look beautiful, Shirley.”

She covered her face with the open fan and Bill gently closed it to look into her eyes. “You shouldn’t cover such a beautiful face. It’s against the law.”

“Whose law may I ask, sir?

He grinned, “The law of nature.”

She blushed and said, “This-This is silly. I just blushed like a little schoolgirl. I’ve inspected dead bodies looking for a clue and thought I was above all those little girl traits.”

Both went quiet and looked into each other’s eyes. The reflection of the flickering light of the oil lamp set the scene and they stepped closer only to be shaken out of the moment by a tap on the door.

“Sir, the club members have all arrived.”

Now a blush came across Bill’s face and he stepped back slightly and answered, “Uh, yes, thank you Matt. We’ll be right down.”

Shirley grabbed his arm and with slightly pleading eyes said, “Bill, you must promise me that you will not leave my side. I’m so afraid that I’ll say or do something silly.”

He looked down and smiled, “I have no intention of leaving your side for as long as you stay here and when you do leave perhaps I’ll follow you.” He tilted his head towards the door, “Shall we?”

At her nod he opened the door and they walked down the long carpeted hallway. At the stairway she turned and asked, “Bill, what if someone asks if I am related to Sherlock Holmes?”

Bill grinned and patted her arm, “They won’t. They can’t because Sherlock Holmes won’t be around until 1887 and as every club member knows this is only 1865, so because nobody in 1865 can know what happens in 1887, they can’t ask.”

“So, “ she asked, “even though they really know of me, they can’t say anything about me. Why?”

“Club rule number one: ‘No speaking out of club time’, and speaking of anything after 1865 is considered a no-no.”

A big smile came across her face, “Then I am just another visitor to the club?”

He grinned, “Yes, but you just happen to be the most beautiful visitor.”

She squeezed his arm as they started down the stairs. Once at the bottom, the usual murmuring could be heard from the great room. Bill skipped taking one of the club’s newspapers that were on the small round table outside of the door to the room. He looked at Shirley and offered her his arm. As she slid her arm in his, he asked, “Ready?” Her smile said yes and they entered the great room.

As usual all the guests were in the clothing of 1865. Shirley saw soldiers, sailors, nurses, business men, policemen, firemen, an American Indian and many others dressed as the club members ancestor’s did back in the mid 1800s.

Some club members stood in a circle and chatted as they sipped wine and blew cigar smoke up to the ceiling while others gathered around the huge fireplace and spoke of the news of the day.

The conversations came to a gradual halt as everyone in the club came to realize that the president was in the room. Bill saw their smiles and smiled back as he waved for them to carry on. Their conversations started up again but most looked at Shirley as she walked arm-in-arm with President Scott.

Carrying a tray of glasses of wine, Matt made his way through the crowd to Bill and Shirley. “Sir, Ms. Shirley, would you care for a glass of wine?”

Bill took a glass of red and she did the same. “Matt, have you seen John Brand or Rocko Perna?”

“Yes sir, they are standing near the far window over my left shoulder.”

Bill spotted them, “Thanks, Matt. I think I’ll go and visit them.” He walked towards his two friends and fellow time travelers but had to stop a few times to shake someone’s hand and introduce Shirley.

John saw him coming first and alerted Rocko. He put out his hand and said as they shook hands, “President Scott, so nice to see you again, sir.”

Rocko did the same next and Bill did some introductions. “John, Rocko, this is Shirley Holmes. She is visiting the club for a few weeks.” He turned to her and went on, “John and Rocko have helped the club out a few times in the same capacity as you.”

“Oh,” she said.

“However, as I said, it’s just for us to know.”

John looked at Shirley and asked Bill: “Shirley Holmes? Sort of a play on the other Holmes of history?”

“You could say that,” answered Bill, I’ll tell you both more in a couple of weeks.”

The tinkle of a bell sounded as Matt stood by the door and announced: “Dinner is served.”

The crowd slowly exited the room and entered the dining room. As there were no seating arrangements, Bill placed Shirley to his right with John to his left and Rocko next to him. After all were seated Camille Cerise pushed back her chair and asked with a smile and a wink, “Mister President, I for one would love to be introduced to the club’s newest guest and I’m sure that all the other members feel the same.” The clapping and shouts of ‘here, here’ proved her right and Bill stood and said, “Fellow 1800 Club members, please forgive me as I’m trying to keep her all to myself. However, seeing that Miss Cerise has such backing, I relinquish.” He looked down at the seated girl and offering his hand had her stand.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is Shirley Holmes and although this is her first visit, I’m hopeful that it will not be her last, perhaps even joining our august club.” Bill gestured for her to address the others and she looked at him and shrugged her shoulders.

He half mouthed and half whispered, “Stay in club time, and enjoy it.”

Shirley smiled and said, “Hello. I’m Shirley Holmes and am so grateful to President Scott for inviting me here for a spell. This club is unique and I do wish there was one in Britain because the commute is terrible.”

The club members broke up at that and their clapping made her feel relaxed. She sat as they all returned to their conversations.

Bill beamed proudly, “Not bad, Shirley, not bad at all.”

The meal was served with the club’s usual touch of the early days.

Homemade soup with chopped onions, baby carrots, diced celery, baby peas and diced apples. The main course was Roast beef with a line of garlic pieces down the length of the meat. Mashed potatoes, squash, red cabbage and a light or heavy brown gravy with small white buttered biscuits for dipping. The meal was followed by Apple turnovers with a scoop of vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream, coffee or tea.

Shirley turned to Bill, “Do you eat like this all the time?

“No! Absolutely not!”

After dinner they all went back into the great room and enjoyed brandy and cigars. Shirley was surrounded by most of the female members near the fireplace as Bill, John and Rocko stood near the window.

John shook his head, “You mean Shirley was, ah, I mean, is Sherlock Holmes?”

Bill nodded, “Yes, and she saved my life along with the life of the man I was supposed to save on my last mission.”

“Wow,“ added Rocko. And do the people in the future know that she traveled to our time?”

Bill shrugged and with a grin said, “No. I don’t think they even care what I do as long as the mission is successful.”

John matched Bill’s grin, “Nice gig! Date a chick back in time and if she presses for more, just keep the door locked! Ha, Bill, you’ve got it knocked.”

The three men laughed and Bill said, “Naw, it’s not like that. I mean she is beautiful, but the time thing . . . well I don’t even know what could happen.”

Rocko chimed in, “Bill, I know John is fooling around but here’s what I think: If you want to marry her, just bring her here to our time and do it. If she wants to go and visit her mom, take her there on a holiday of sorts. Sound right?”

Bill was quiet as John said, “Sounds right to me, Rocko. What’s to stop him?” He looked at Bill and went on, “Bill you once told me that one of our female members went back and married Bat Masterson. How did that turn out?”

“Actually it went well. They’re happily married and I never heard anything from our friend’s upline about it. Of course I never even told them about it either. But, who says I’m looking to get married?”

Rocko laughed, “Are you kidding us? We see how you look at her. Even now while she’s cornered by the ladies she keeps peeking over here and you keep looking back. You got it bad, man.”

It was eleven-thirty before the club emptied. Bill walked her upstairs to his den and they both collapsed on the large leather couch. Almost as though he knew something was going on, Samson jumped up and lay between them. On the coffee table stood two mugs with hot chocolate in them.

“You were the belle of the ball,” Bill said as he brushed a stray lock of her hair back.

“What wonderful friends you have, Bill. I’m jealous.”

“No need to be. Just plan on coming back a lot.”

“Will you also come and visit me in my time?”

“If you wish, I’d love to.”

“Well, I do wish it. In fact I wish it a lot.”

Bill stretched over Samson and picked up the two mugs. As he passed

one to Shirley he said, “Lets have some hot chocolate and call it a day.”

“Call it a day? My word, Bill, you people say the funniest things.”

 He grinned, “Well tomorrow is going to be another day of showing you some of the things that were invented just a few years after I left England.”

They finished their drinks and she said, “Bill, I’m not sure what to do . . . am I to sleep on the couch?”

Bill stood, “No. Don’t be silly. Come with me and I’ll show you your room.”

She followed him out the door and two doors away in the long hallway he stopped and opened one of the doors.

“Gas or electric light?”

“I’m not sure.”

Taking a wooden match from a tin match holder, Bill lit the gaslight then walked across the room and lit another, illuminating the room. He turned to her and saw that she was looking around the room. It was a room right out of the eighteen hundreds with a thick brown runner going from the door to the side of the high bed. The dark brown wooden floors seemed to give off heat and indeed they did as the club had heating elements in the wooden floor. The bed was a four-poster but without mosquito netting. It was high but although the mattress was thick as were they were in her time, the filling was modern and kept it firm yet soft and warm. A thick, white terry cloth robe was lying across the foot of the bed. The wainscoting was mahogany and stopped at the height of the back of a chair. The walls were white with Robin’s egg blue, five-inch wide stripes going from the wainscoting up to the brown crown molding that surrounded the room. The ceiling was white matching the white stripes of the wall. She saw that her valise was set on a steamer trunk at the foot of the bed. A tall eight-drawer dresser stood next to the door while a closet was behind a door near the window, which had it’s drapes open showing her for the first time the skyline of New York, 2013.

Bill just stood still as he watched this beautiful women who was someone to be reckoned with in her own time, as she gazed at everything through wide open eyes. He opened the door to the bathroom and lit another gaslight. As though drawn like a moth to a flame, she entered the room. Once again her breath was almost taken away as she saw the modern toilet, sink and bathtub with a shower. The floor had black and white hexogen shaped tiles while the walls were a soft beige color. Thick white towels were stacked high on a white three-legged table in a corner. A small white round rug was next to the bathtub.

Bill broke her train of thought as he said, “Allow me to show you how the shower works. One lesson and I leave you alone in here. Okay?”

“What does ‘okay’ mean?”

He grinned, “It means that you agree with me leaving the room.”

“Okay, but as you said, show me how to use these gadgets.”

He turned the water on and showed her how to adjust the hot and cold and then pointed out the soap and shampoo and made his exit.

“Good night, Shirley. I’ll see you for breakfast. Sleep well.”

After taking a bit of a cold shower before getting the hang of it, Shirley opened the bottle of shampoo and was surprised at how much lather came from the seemingly small amount she used. She took her time, enjoying every moment of the shower. How I’d love to bring this back home, she thought. Finally done, she reached for the thick towels and dried off before putting on the fluffy white terry cloth robe. Shirley lay back on the bed and felt a huge mix of emotions flow over her all at once.

What am I doing? Is it ethical to travel in time? If I stay here, I shall have to wear the clothing of the time, which I saw in the room that I picked these clothes out of. Am I ready for that? How dare I allow men to see my calves? She rubbed her eyes, Bill is a fantastic man but am I falling for him because he is so different? I must remember that although he is different to me he may not be so different to others of this time. Then again, he is the most appealing man I’ve ever met . . . and I do believe that he feels something for me. Do I let this continue? How can it go from here, I mean I am from his past and I am dead in his time. She stopped and her eyes went wide as she thought again, Lord! I’m dead! I must have died years and years ago . . .at least to him. Panic gripped her and she jumped out of bed and tried to open the door, which at first refused to open adding to her anxiety. Finally it opened and with tears running down her cheeks she ran into the hallway and tried another door until Bill opened his to see her in a panic. He ran to her and she clung to him.

“Shirley, what happened? Did you get burned from the shower?” He patted the back of her head as she sobbed in his arms. “Shhhh, come with me.”

He took her into his den and they sat on the couch. Samson jumped up on an easy chair.

“What happened? Can you tell me?”

Through her sobs, she answered as she clung to him, “I-I’m dead. It’s 2013 and I’m from 1897. I-I died years ago. This is wrong. I shouldn’t be here with all of these people. They’re so happy and smiling all the time and I can’t help but think what would they say if I told them that I was dead?”

Bill sat back a bit and stroking her hair, he pushed it back, took the end of his terry cloth robe and dried her eyes.

“Look into my eyes, Shirley.”

She slowly lifted her head and wiped a tear away as she looked through watery eyes into his.

“Listen, the thoughts you are having are the same thoughts that each club member goes through. More than once I was back in time and after making friends with someone I remembered thinking, ‘they’re dead! These wonderful people are dead hundreds of years before my time. It was awful and I really wanted to just leave. But then I remembered what my predecessor told me: ‘when you are back in their time, they are as alive as you are. They are breathing and having the same good and bad times that we have. It is you that is out of place. By going into their time it is you who have not been born yet’. He wiped her eyes again.

“So you see you are here and as alive as any of us and when you go back you are still the same person living out your life. It’s not what time period we’re in; it’s how old we are. Does that make sense?”

 She nodded with a sniff. “Can I sleep here on the couch with you and Samson, just for tonight?”

“Better than that, you take my bed and I’ll take the couch.”

She was about to protest when he held up a hand and said, “You are my guest and I insist that you take the bed.”

She gave in and he took her to his room. That night he slept on the couch with Samson and found out that his dog snored.

The next morning they both sat on the couch dressed in their robes and eating the breakfast that Matt had brought up.

“Sir,” Matt said, “I thought perhaps I would take Samson out for a walk this morning.”

“That’s fine, Matt. After breakfast I’m going to put the television on and show Shirley some things she’ll see on the street.”

Matt put the leash on Samson, took the large umbrella from the umbrella stand and headed towards the door when Bill asked,

“Is it raining out today, Matt?”

“Um, not here, sir but in 1950 it is and I do want to pick up some knishes for lunch and Kahaines Grocery Store carries the very best knishes.”

Bill turned to Shirley and asked, “Have you ever had a knish?”

“Actually, I’ve never even heard of one.”

Bill licked his lips and rolled his eyes as he said, “Warmed up with butter and mustard . . . fantastic!”

Before he left, Matt said to Shirley, “Ms. Shirley, should you decide to change into something more up to date, please feel free to visit the wardrobe.” He opened the door and him and Samson went out to 1950.

“Just like that he goes back to another time?” asked Shirley in disbelief.

“Yep! Just like that. And after you change we are going to step out to the world of today.”

“But, how do I know what clothes to pick out?”

Bill stood and grabbed the television remote and asked as he sat back down next to her, “Are you ready for the world of today?”

“I believe so,” she answered with crossed fingers.

The TV came on instantly and she sat wide-eyed as Bill turned on Channel 13 and a large yellow bird stood talking to a group of puppets.

Shirley gasped! “What is that?”

“Sorry. That’s Big Bird, a puppet from a children’s channel. Let me pick another.” He went to a tennis match and looked at Shirley who had a hand over her mouth.

“Am I to wear an outfit like that,” she asked pointing at the two women dressed in very short white skirts and sleeveless blouses.

Bill shook his head, “No. Another poor selection on my part.” He smiled and said, “I’ve got it.” He brought his laptop to the coffee table and powered it up. The screen glowed, as did Shirley’s face in amazement. Bill brought up Google and then entered, Women’s clothing 2013. The pictures and film clips showed women of all ages dressed in the many outfits that were available in 2013.

Shirley was blushing and covered her eyes every now and then as the scenes changed. “Have they no shame? Why one can see their knees!” She turned to Bill, “Bill, I don’t know what to say.”

Bill almost pleaded, “Shirley, remember, ‘When in Rome do as the Roman’s do’.”

She looked him square in the eye and with a big smile said, “Oh, I feel that you have me wrong, Bill. I am truly looking forward to trying on some of the outfits in the room that Matt brought me to. Finally, a time where women are allowed to do as they please and are not held back by some stuffy old men. No, I am ready.” She stood. “Shall I dress in a gown or perhaps a tennis outfit like those two women?”

Bill turned his laptop off and said, “No, today we are going to just walk around so just wear a casual outfit. And maybe bring a jacket in case it’s chilly out.” He watched her walk away.

One hour later there was a knock on the door and Bill opened it to see a totally transformed Shirley standing before him.

“What do you think?” she asked nervously.

She wore a black silk blouse and black linen skirt. Around her waist was a wide, red belt with a large gold buckle. The dress ended at her knees. Her shoes were low heeled, black pat and leather. Over her arm she carried a light red jacket and a small red handbag. She had her long brown hair down and it framed her face while hanging over her shoulders. Bill noted that she wore minimal makeup and still looked beautiful.

“I think it’s perfect. How do you feel wearing it?”

“Embarrassed! Why, if I were to wear this in London, I’d be quickly covered with the blanket from the nearest horse and jailed as a sick woman.”

Bill grinned and added, “Yes, London of your time. But in today’s London you would fit right in and perhaps be seated in a pub sipping hard cider.”

Gathering confidence she stood before the full-length mirror and turned, looking at herself from every angle. She pointed at Bill who was still in his robe, “And are you going out dressed in your robe?”

“No,” he said smiling, “I set out a few outfits and waited to see what you wore so I wouldn’t be dressed much differently than you. I’ll be back in a second.” He went into his room and ten minutes later came out wearing black slacks and shoes and a black linen pullover. He had a light black windbreaker over his arm.

She smiled warmly as she looked him over. “I do prefer you in the clothes of your time rather than mine, Bill.”

“Then you’ll just have to come up to this time more often.”

She smiled, “This could become addictive.”

“And fun! If you’re set, shall we step out?”

They went out the door, down the stairs and as Bill did not use his Time Frequency Modulator, they stepped out into the garden of October 30, 2013.

“Shirley, just remember that everything you see is real and should you start to get upset or have some sort of an anxiety attack, close your eyes and I’ll take you back.”

“I think I’m set, in fact I can’t wait.”

As he opened the gate that enclosed the garden a group of young ladies walked by. They were carrying brown paper bags and Bill figured they had their lunch with them. He turned to Shirley who was just staring after them. “Are you okay?” he asked as he held the gate for her.

“I-I tried to wear the high heels like they are wearing but I couldn’t stand, never mind walk in them.”

She’s all right, Bill thought with a grin, she’s checking out other women. He put his hand out and rather than walk arm-in-arm as men and women do in her time, they walked holding hands.

At the corner, a car turned up their block and he felt her hand tighten. “That’s a car. Sort of a carriage without a horse pulling it.”

“Do you ride in one of them and where are the horses?”

“Whoa, one question at a time. Yes, I ride in them, in fact I drive one of them and inside the car is an engine that replaced the horse. Can’t you smell the difference without all of those horses around?”

She sniffed and nodded as she said with sad eyes, “Are they all gone?”

Bill shook his head, “No, in fact I’ll take you for a ride in one of these cars and then in a horse and carriage.”

She turned to him with eyes glowing as she asked, “When? When can we ride in one of these, these cars?”

“Right now,” he said flagging down a cab that cut off a car as he pulled over to the curb. Bill opened the door and seeing her reluctance, got in and offered her his hand. She entered carefully as her skirt rose a bit and she did her best to cover her knees. The cab pulled away from the curb and she almost jumped into his lap with fright.

“Where to, mister,” asked the cab driver.

“Central Park near the horse and carriage area.”

The cabby drove fast and hit the brakes just as fast while she tried her best to keep her knees covered, hold onto Bill’s arm and look out the window at the same time. More than once she uttered the word, “Blimey.”

Once at the park-side Bill had to urge her out of the cab as so many people stood there waiting for the cab to empty. She was mortified that all these people could see her legs as she exited the taxi.

Bill paid the man then joined her on the sidewalk. Recognizing her predicament, he walked with her over to a tree and said, “Shirley, please don’t take this wrong but here in my time seeing a lady’s knees is an everyday thing.”

She nodded, “I know. It’s just that . . . well, I never . . . “

“Shhhh, you don’t have to say anymore. I understand and just want you to feel comfortable, that’s all.” He snapped his fingers, “Hey, I’ve got it. Tomorrow you wear slacks.”

Her eyes opened wide, “Men’s clothing?”

“No, women’s clothing. They all wear slacks, look,” he tipped his head towards a group of young women in pants and jeans walking along the sidewalk.

She smiled. “This is ironic indeed. Back in my time when I am working with Scotland Yard, my friend John has me dress in men’s clothing and of course I resent it, and here I am about to dress up in men’s pants to hide the fact that I’m a woman.” She seemed to have suddenly come to a decision, “No! No pants for me! I will be seen for what I am, a . . . “

Bill cut in, “Beautiful woman whether dressed in women’s or men’s clothing.”

She blushed, “Bill you make it seem so easy.”

“I know it’s not easy. I just want you to feel at home no matter what you wear.”

“You once said, ‘When in Rome do as the Romans do’, well I’m going to remember that any time I feel like blushing.”

He offered his hand and they walked towards the horse and carriage and ten minutes later they were being driven through Central Park.

When they were passing an exit Bill called out to the driver, “Excuse me, friend, but can we get off here?”

The man stopped the horse and as Bill had paid up front, he stepped down and helped Shirley down.

The horse and buggy rode off as Bill explained his reason for getting off early, “I know this great place for lunch. It’s around the corner from here.”

A short walk later and Bill opened the door for her to enter. She tried to act like this was something she did every day: enter a crowded diner and slide into a booth. “Bill, what sort of material is this?” she said as she pressed down on the booth’s seat.

“Plastic.”

“And this?” she asked touching another piece of material.

Bill laughed, “That, my dear, is duct tape. Something you’ll see in almost every diner in New York City.”

Looking at the menu she said in a whisper, “I don’t recognize anything on this menu. Will you order for me?”

“Do you eat beef?”

At her nod he read on.

The waitress came over and asked what they wanted and Bill answered, “Two burgers, medium with tomato and pickles on the side with Cole slaw and two cokes.”

They sat facing each other and Bill smiled, as she looked everything over and especially the perplexed look when he dropped a quarter in the small jukebox selector on their table. He played ‘Time is on my side’ by the Rolling Stones. Fifteen minutes later the waitress returned and Shirley just looked at the burger on her plate.

“Do this,” Bill said as he put the tomato and pickle on the bun, poured on some ketchup, put the top on and took a bite.

She mimicked him and the look on her face was priceless as she rolled her eyes at the first taste. “This is delicious! What is it known as again?”

“A hamburger.”

“It seems that I have heard of it but tasting it is different, indeed. This is delicious!” She took a sip of the coke after Bill put the straw in and once again she smiled. “Lord! Do you have one of these every day?”

“No, they’re fattening.”

She looked as an overweight couple walked by their booth, “I do believe that many of the folks I see here today enjoy this drink no matter what the consequence.”

Bill laughed, “Well said.”

They finished lunch and walked the streets back to the subway station. She tried to keep the ‘stiff upper lip’ but going down a hole in the ground made her uneasy, “Bill, where is it that you are taking me? Hades?”

“Just a short subway ride. Strictly for your enjoyment.” He purchased a Metro Card and after almost forcing her into the turn style, swiped the card and gently nudged her through. Once on the other side Bill grinned as her eyes went wide as she realized she was on the opposite side of the gate and they were separated. He relieved her anguish by swiping for himself and going through to her side.

“Please don’t ever do that again,” she pleaded.

Seeing the sudden fright Bill held her close and said, “I’m sorry. I was just fooling around . . . I’ll never do anything like that again.” He kissed the top of her head and she looked up and they kissed in the middle of the train station as the crowd of New Yorkers suddenly applauded and whistled. They both blushed and hand and hand ran down the steps to the train going to downtown Manhattan.

She gripped his hand tightly once again as the train flew into the station with a screech, rattling everything on the platform. The hiss of its air brakes was deafening but seemed to be ignored by the New Yorkers reading their newspapers until the last second, then hustling into the crowded interior to continue reading. Bill held onto an overhead handgrip while Shirley held his arm as she tried to adjust to the sway of the train.

They got off the train close to the club and walked in the still warm afternoon sunlight. As they crossed the street a passenger plane that was landing at La Guardia Airport flew over and hearing the sound of its engines she looked up and once again gripped Bill’s hand tightly.

“W-What was that? It was in the sky! What was that?”

Once on the curb Bill calmed her, “Shhh, that’s an airplane. One of the things I forgot to tell you about. When we get to my place I’m going to play some CDs for you that’ll answer many of your questions.”

“You mean questions like: What’s a CD?”

He laughed, “Shirley, at least you have a sense of humor.”

Back up in the club, Bill set up his laptop and showed her how to operate it. “I have to put a newspaper together for the next club meeting. You watch all you want and I’ll be right here. Okay?”

“Okay,” she said nodding. Samson jumped up on the couch with her and promptly took a nap.

One hour later after hearing many, ‘ohhhs and ahhhs’, Bill buzzed Matt and in a few minutes both Bill and Shirley were sipping hot chocolate from their Disney mugs.

“Are you enjoying the CDs?”

“Yes! Tell me, would it be hard to fly in an aeroplane?”

“These days they are known as ‘airplanes’ and no, it wouldn’t be hard to get a flight in one. Are you interested in doing that?”

“Yes,” she answered shaking her head vigorously, “but not the big ones. I’d love to fly in one like the Wright brothers flew.”

Bill took a book out of the bookcase titled, ‘Dare Devils of Early Flight’. He put it on the coffee table and opened it. They both went through the book and finally she said, “Bill, why are we looking through a book with pictures of old airplanes? Shouldn’t we be looking through a newer book?”

“Because,” he said as he pinched her nose, “the airplanes that you want to fly in don’t exist in our time. We have to establish where and when one of these airplanes were in the New York area and go there.”

Her eyes lit up, “You mean take a trip back in time?”

“Sure! No problem. So, lets find a good time and place.” He suddenly sat up and snapped his fingers, “John Brand. He’d know where and when.”

She asked, “John Brand, the fellow we sat in the dining room with last evening?”

“Yep! He knows aircraft inside and out plus all of the history of aviation. I’m going to call him now.”

Three hours later Matt had set up a dinner for three in the alcove of Bill’s apartment. The three windows that surrounded the dinner table faced out at an angle that allowed them to see lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty along with one of the tallest buildings in Brooklyn, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank. The evening was warm for October and heat lightning was seen around lower New York. The three sat and sipped wine after a dinner of Chinese food that was delivered when Shirley expressed an interest in eating something that she had never had before.

“Bill,” asked John in a whisper, “is Matt okay with us ordering in?”

“Sure! He just thinks he could whip up the same order in his kitchen, that’s all.”

John turned to Shirley, “So, you would like to take a flight in an early bird?”

Shirley looked perplexed at him then at Bill who interpreted. “What John means is you would like to fly in an early type of airplane.”

“Oh,” she answered, “Yes! An early bird. That’s what I’d love to do: fly in one of them.”

“Well, he said, “There was an affair that honored veterans of the all-black 369 Th Infantry Regiment of World War I. It was held at Curtiss Field on Long Island, close to New York. There were eight World War I pilots there and all did aerial displays. But the star of the show was Bessie Coleman or ‘Queen Bess’ as she was called. She flew an early Jenny JN-4 two-seat biplane. The show was on September 3, 1922. Now, I know she gave flying lessons to some people but if I were you I’d just ask if you could take a hop with her when she tests her plane before the show. Not many people know but she was the first African-American woman to earn an aviation pilot’s license.”

Shirley shrugged her shoulders, “World War One? Bill is there a war coming to my time?”

Both Bill and John cringed as she went on.

“And World War One means that there was at least one more world war. How many were there?”

Bill answered, “Yes, Shirley, there is a war in 1914 and ends in 1919.” However another follows it in 1939 and ends in 1945.”

She looked stunned and said, “Is England involved?”

Bill nodded and said, “Shirley, there is nothing we can do to prevent the wars and although it is in my past, it is in your future and England comes through both wars in good shape.”

Shirley nodded and turned to Bill with her hands clasped in front of her and said, “I must keep a stiff upper lip about things that are inevitable and which I can do nothing about, so, can we go see Bessie Coleman and can I fly with her?”

“No problem. But I suggest we go tomorrow.”

She got up and hugged him as John grinned at his friend’s embarrassment.

“Ah . . . hey, John, do you want to go back with us?” asked Bill.

John grinned, as he answered, “No, not this time, my friend. As much as I’d like to meet her, I can do that another time.”

After coffee John said good night and Bill asked Shirley, “Would you like to go out and take a ride in my car?”

“Yes! That would be fantastic! Must I change clothes?”

He shook his head, as he said, “No. We’ll stay in the car and nobody will see what you’re wearing.” Bill stood and got the car keys and said, “I’m ready if you are.”

She stood and grabbed her purse. “I’m ready as well. Lead on, sir”

At the door he entered 8 p.m., July 4th, 1959 into his Time Frequency Modulator snapped it closed and opened the door as he put it away.

“Shall we?” They went down the stairs and as the door opened she noticed that the sun was still up.

DATELINE: JULY 4, 1959  PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB’S GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY

She smiled excitedly as he walked to the gate and opened it.

“After you,” he said.

She stepped outside of the gate and Bill stepped to the curb and opened the door of a red, 1950 Ford two-door coupe, turned and faced her, “Ready?”

She slid in and he went around to the other side. She watched as he inserted a key into a round, chrome fitting, turned it and pressed a chrome button next to it. She held tight as the motor roared to life. She faced him and saw that he had the same excited look on his face.

“Do you operate this car often?”

He shook his head, “Not as much as I would like to. I sneak out of my time period as often as I can to take her for a ride.”

“Her?” she asked with raised eyebrows.

Bill simply patted the dashboard as he responded, “She’s my baby!” I purchased her from a man who bought a new car and I keep her parked here in 1958. He stepped on the clutch, put her in first gear and slowly pulled away from the curb. Bill glanced across to see her looking all around as they drove up the block. Just like her to be a typical time traveler: constantly looking around in awe.

“Bill, I have not seen one horse since we left the park.”

“And doesn’t the air smell much better?” he quipped.

“Are you going to teach me to drive?”

He laughed, “Drive a car, and fly a plane, anything else?”

She crossed her arms and with a determined look said, “I’m sure there will be more.”

Bill put the radio on and the Allen Freed show came on with a strong rock and roll beat. He looked at Shirley who was moving to the music.

Seeing him looking at her she said, “Bill, I love this music! It’s so alive!”

Bill smiled as he thought, Boy, do I have a surprise for her in a few days.

He pulled his Ford off of the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn’s Coney Island. He found a parking spot and exiting the car with her, headed to Nathans Famous Hot Dog stand. “Hope you’re not full.”

“Everything smells so good.”

She stood looking at all the colored lights of Coney Island. The music came from so many open-air stands that she didn’t know where to look first.

“Bill, I have never, ever seen anything like this! Your time is so exciting! I truly envy you.”

He smiled and handed her a hot dog, “Would you like mustard on it?”

“Whatever you do is fine with me.”

He put mustard and sauerkraut on hers and her eyes showed what her taste buds were experiencing as she took the first bite.

“Pretty good, huh?” he asked.

“I can’t describe it . . . it’s delicious!” She smiled and added, “Of course it’s not fish and chips.”

Bill asked as he led the way to one of Coney Island’s iconic rides: the Cyclone, “We have a saying that you really haven’t been to Coney Island until you take a ride on the Cyclone Roller coaster.”

“Shall we, then?” she asked.

“Yes, we shall.”

He purchased two tickets and as the five, wooden roller coaster cars stopped in front of them letting the people off, Shirley noticed that most were wide-eyed and unsteady. I wonder what I’ve gotten myself into, she thought. Then she saw a young girl and her mother get out of one of the cars. Well, if a young girl and elderly woman can ride on this-this contraption, I can! 

Bill insisted that they sit in the first car rather than any of the other cars as the first gave the rider an unobstructed view forward. They sat in the first one and Shirley was happily surprised when a steel bar lowered across her lap. Much better, she thought and as Bill grasped the bar with two hands she did the same. A man shouting over all of the noise that the other rides made told them all to sit tight and not stand during the ride. He pulled a long lever and the car jerked forward as the one and one half minute ride began. It slowly climbed up a high wooden trestle and the closer they got to the top, the louder the others riding behind them became. It was then that Shirley realized that she was screaming as loud as any of them, much to Bill’s amusement.

The top was reached and all could see that the car was going to race down a sharp incline. Once again the screams increased as the car they were in shook from side-to-side as it picked up speed and plummeted down and once at the bottom curved sharply to the right and climbed another upgrade. Not as high as the first but at the top of it the car seemed to leave the tracks as the tracks dropped out from beneath them. Another curve and a dip followed by another sharp curve then they entered a wooden tunnel and quickly slowed down as they reached the place where they got on. Another crowd of people stood waiting their turn. Bill hopped out and she found that she was a little weak kneed as he took her hand and they left the screaming behind them.

He turned to her and she hugged him. “That was the most dangerous thing I’ve ever rode on or in. But it was also the most fun!”

“If you liked that then you’ll love the Parachute Jump.”

“I guess,” she answered with a shrug. “Lead the way.”

Twenty minutes later they were strapped into a steel seat for two, not unlike a ski chair, with a leather belt across their lap. Shirley got the first hint that the ride was more than it looked like when the operator asked her to remove her shoes.

“Why would he ask me to remove my shoes?” she asked a smiling Bill as she stuck them behind her.

“Because ladies shoes tend to fall off when the ride is released at the top and a falling shoe could hurt someone.”

As they looked around there was a scream as one of the parachutes landed next to them.

“What is it that this ride does? Just go straight up and then back down?”

Bill grinned as he held the vertical support bars on the seat. “Yep! Straight up and then back down. Shouldn’t be too scary, right?”

She shrugged, “So why are they screaming?”

“Because the ride up is slow and every second you think that the mechanism that releases us at the top is going to release us, it doesn’t. It never drops you when you are ready and the sudden drop is fast.”

She grinned and suddenly they were on the way up. The view got better with each minute that they ascended and they could see where the bright lights of Coney Island ended and the darker residential section began. Higher and higher, and Shirley asked in a calm voice, “Are we close to the top yet?”

Bill shrugged, “The beauty and the fear factor of this ride is that you just cannot tell when you are going to be released.”

Thirty seconds later she said, more to herself than Bill, “We must be at the top. Look how high we are.”

Thirty seconds later she said in an excited voice, “Bill, it must have broken! We must be . . .” There was a sudden loud crack as the mechanism released them and, true to its name, they floated down fast as a parachute billowed above them. Both Bill and Shirley couldn’t help but scream a bit, both before and after their seat hit the springs at the bottom that made them bounce up a few feet before settling down.

“Please don’t offer me any food for awhile,” she said as they walked away and left the screaming behind with the seemingly unexciting ride.

“Lets go up on the boardwalk,” he said taking her hand.

Suddenly it seemed that everyone was going in the same direction. Bill maneuvered her so that they could lean on the iron railing facing the ocean.

Looking at the crowd, she asked Bill, “Why is everyone looking out at the ocean? I mean it seems to be too dark to see anything.”

“Wait five minutes,” he said as he looked at his watch.

She stood with him as they leaned against the railing and suddenly the sky turned a brilliant red with yellow sparks shooting out of the middle of an explosion. She looked at Bill and was going to say something when the sound of the explosion reached their ears and she jumped. “Bill, what’s going on?” Before he could answer another explosion sounded followed by more even larger and louder explosions.

She now realized that the oooohs and ahhhhs of the crowd were for the beauty of the Fourth of July fireworks show. She felt Bill’s arm slip around her waist and she allowed her head to rest on his shoulder. She felt safe.

As they drove back to the club Bill explained that the Fourth of July is celebrated every year with fireworks and in Brooklyn the favorite place to watch them was Coney Island as there are no obstructions between the firework’s barge in the ocean and the people standing on the boardwalk. A content Shirley leaned against Bill as she drifted off in a nap.

There are some benefits of not having seatbelts, Bill thought as they pulled up at the club’s garden.

 DATELINE: OCTOBER 30, 2013,  PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB, NEW YORK CITY

As he opened the door, Samson ran to Shirley. His nose told him that she was carrying no food so he shifted his attention to Bill.

“So, I’m second, now?”

“He’s a smart dog,” Shirley teased as she sat on the couch and scratched his ears.

“Did you enjoy yourself today?”

She smiled warmly, “You could never imagine how much I enjoyed myself. It’s just so strange walking about the streets knowing that I’m sort of an alien who is trespassing on their territory.” She shook her head and her long dark hair whipped back and forth, “It is so hard to explain.”

“You have no need to explain to me, I know exactly what you mean. I’ve been there more than once.”

The grandfather clock struck one-fifteen.

“You must be tired,” Bill said kicking off his shoes. “When one is on a time travel trip they tend to stay up as long as possible and try to do everything at once. I suggest you turn in and tomorrow we start out fresh. Sound good?”

She nodded and with a smile, jumped off the couch and before he knew what happened she kissed his cheek, ran to the door, and said as she posed at the open door, “Sweet dreams . . . about whomever you wish.” She closed the door behind her and went to her room leaving a flushed Bill behind.

The sun was trying to warm up New York City but was having a hard time as a cold front from Canada kept the temperatures in the low forties. Both time travelers sat in the alcove eating a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and buttered toast.

“I thought that perhaps today we would go and see a Rock and Roll show. Many of the songs you heard yesterday will be performed by the original singers.”

“Oh, what a great thought! Yes! I would love it.”

“Then perhaps you would want to wear jeans as that’s what most of the women will be wearing.”

“Pants? Oh my, I’d love to try some on.”

“After we eat, you go change and I’ll do the same. The time period we will be going to is Christmas, 1958, so bring a winter jacket.”

Thirty minutes later she stood in front of a full-length mirror. She wore form-fitting blue jeans; a white silk blouse, Hush-Puppy shoes and three-quarter black leather jacket that zippered up and had a hood. She removed the jacket and unbuttoned her blouse, Silk is nice but not for cold weather. Better that I wear this, she thought as she put on a black, thick turtleneck sweater. Much better, she thought, Lord, how am I ever going to go home after all of this freedom?

Bill opened his door at her tap and said, “Come on in.”

She noted that he wore jeans and a turtleneck too but had a motorcycle jacket and boots.

“You look dazzling!” he said.

She blushed and said, “How am I ever to go home after all of this flattery?”

He stood straight and with an important sounding voice said, “As president of the 1800 Club, I say to you that you have just to make it known that you wish to visit for any amount of time in said club and your wish will be done.”

She looked at both of their reflections in his mirror, “Very tempting.”

Bill held her two hands and in a soft voice said, “I mean it.”

“I know you do. It’s just so overwhelming. I need to think.”

“Well, if you must know there are close to sixty stories written about the exploits of Sherlock Holmes. And that says to me that you are going back.”

“Sixty? Lord, I must have lots of cases in my future.” She turned to him and said, “However, that means nothing as you have said that I may visit any time I wish, which also means that I will be able to go back whenever I want. Does that stand?”

“That stands.”

She smiled and hugged him. “Lets do a day at a time. Okay?”

“A day at a time is fine with me. Now lets go see a rock and roll show. Shall we?”

They went down to the garden.

DATELINE: DECEMBER 21, 1958,  PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB’S GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY

They stepped out of the door and were greeted by two inches of snow. The walkway was shoveled and after opening the gate, Bill stamped down the snow to the car. They got in and as soon as his V8 engine warmed up he put the heater on, hopped out and brushed the snow off of his ’50 Ford.

Finally the defroster was warm enough to melt any snow that landed on the windshield. His wipers hefted the thick snow to the sides of the window as he drove downtown and over the Brooklyn Bridge then up Flatbush Avenue. On a corner not far from the movie house he couldn’t believe his eyes as a car pulled out of a spot right in front of him. He parked and they walked head-down towards the Brooklyn Paramount movie house on Flatbush and De Kalb avenues. She held his arm as they joined groups of young couples heading towards the same show. Seeing that most held hands as they trotted through the snow, they did the same. Finally there, they got on the end of a long line.

“Go stand under the marquee and I’ll keep the place in line,” he said.

She started to say no, when he said, “Please?” She walked down the line and joined a large group of women under the marquee. They all did the same thing: stomp their feet and hunch their shoulders as they put their hands as far into their pockets as they could to fight off the cold wind. Spotting a stack of brochures she took one and read it. Although she didn’t know one group from another she loved how The Flamingos sang, ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’ and her finger ran down the brochure as she looked for them. She read the copy,

Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Allan Freed’s fifteenth Rock And Roll show. Our Christmas Jubilee has the pleasure of bringing you:

The Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Frankie Avalon, Jimmie Clanton, Harvey and the Moonglows, Jackie Wilson, Johnnie Ray, JoAnn Cambell, Bo Diddley, Eddie Cochran, The Flamingos, Baby Washington, The Crests, The Nu-Tornadoes, The Cadillacs, Dion and the Belmonts, Inga, Ed Townsend, Gino and Gina, Sam (The Man) Taylor, King Curtis, Georgie Auld, Earl Warren, Richie Vallens.

She was as excited as any other female under the marquee.

“Shirley,” she heard and then saw Bill coming through the crowd.

“I have the tickets, let’s go inside.”

They sat in the tenth row and as it was Bill’s habit they sat at the end of the aisle in case a mission message came through.

The red curtain opened and a slim, wavy-haired man in a scotch-plaid jacket and dark pants came out wearing a checkered bow tie. He tried to speak for five minutes but was lost in the applause and whistling from the crowded movie house. Finally they stopped and he said loudly, “Welcome to Allan Freed’s Christmas Jubilee Rock and Roll show!” Once again Freed had to wait a time before he could be heard over the crowd.

“Guys and gals, tonight’s line up will rock the house and I suggest we put our hands together for The Everly Brothers.” The curtain behind him opened to show two teenaged young men with guitars.

As the sounds of ‘Wake Up Little Susie’ drifted through the movie house, Shirley turned to Bill and had to shout, “They’re great, but when do the singers that I like come on?”

Bill’s answer was a shrug followed by, “Not sure, but they will be on because they are one of the best groups around today.”

The singers came on and did their latest songs followed by their earlier hits and the crowd roared with delight each time they started another song. Fans stood and sang along causing the others behind them to stand in order to see the group that was performing. Bill smiled as Shirley stood and clapped along with the pounding beat of the music. There were couples dancing in the aisles and Bill was glad that Shirley didn’t know the dance steps.

After an act went off the curtain closed and once again Allan Freed appeared and asked, “Hey, guys and gals, are you enjoying the show?” The screaming, clapping, shouting and whistling gave him their answer.

“Alright, alright, now lets hush it down and enjoy the beautiful harmony of The Flamingos!”

The lights went low and the curtain opened to show five black young men dressed in gold double-breasted suits. The band started and they sang, their latest hit, ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’. Their beautiful harmony drifted across the entire movie house and the crowd was silent. Shirley slid her arm under Bill’s and listened to the words of the song. Bill looked down at her and she looked back as she sang the title, “I only have eyes for you.”

Once the show was over they went out into the still falling snow. Back in his car she leaned close and said as the engine warmed up, “This has to be the finest thing that has happened to me.”

Bill grinned as he pulled out of the parking spot and drove over the Brooklyn Bridge. He was happy to see that his parking spot in front of the club’s garden was still empty. After parking and locking the doors they walked head down to the club’s iron gate, opened it and walked to the large security door. He opened it and as they quickly stepped in out of the snowstorm, Bill used the TFM again and entered 8 p.m., October 30, 2013. 

 DATELINE: OCTOBER 30, 2013,  PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB, NEW YORK CITY

  He opened the door to his den and once again Samson greeted them with yelps and sniffs. Bill buzzed Matt, “Hi Matt. We’re back. Any calls from our friends upline?”

“No, sir. All has been quiet. If you wish I can have an Italian dinner ready in forty minutes.”

Bill looked at Shirley who smiled as she nodded.

“That’d be great, Matt. See you then.

Shirley quipped, “I shall be quite a large woman when I return to my time.”

“Your time? I think you have to accept the fact that you sort of have dual living quarters: one in 1897 and the other right here in 2013.”

She grinned and followed it with a yawn that she tried to cover.

“I feel the same way. I think that after dinner, we have some wine and turn in early so you can really enjoy your flight tomorrow.”

Shirley’s face filled with a smile as she said, “Are we going to meet Miss Coleman tomorrow?”

“If you feel like it we will.”

“Oh, I very much feel like it.”

After dinner Bill poured two glasses of wine and as they sat on the couch, both fell asleep on each other’s shoulders.

After breakfast the next morning, Bill suggested that she wear pants with a long coat, “Leather, if there is one. You’ll be surprised at how cold it is up the sky.”

Thirty minutes later she stood in front of him feeling quite self-conscious as he checked out her outfit. She wore tan jodhpurs, a white turtleneck sweater and a pair of calf-high brown leather boots. Over her arm she carried a long brown leather coat.

“Fantastic!” he said, “It looks like you are ready to take off.”

Bill wore a pair of tan slacks, a dark brown pullover shirt and brown shoes. He carried a sweater over his arm.

“Shall we go flying?” he asked as he gestured towards the door in his den. She led the way. Once down at the bottom of the stairwell he typed into his TFM the coordinates, ‘9, a.m., September 3, 1922’ and opened the security door to the garden.

DATELINE: 9 A.M.  SEPTEMBER 3, 1922  PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB’S GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY

  Once again both stopped momentarily as the garden’s sweet fragrance washed over them. Even though it was still warm out, Bill was surprised at seeing butterflies flitting around and after one landed on Shirley’s head, he quipped, “Looks like you’ve been chosen for something special today.”

He opened the gate and walked to a car parked at the curb and opened the door for her.

“Is this yours too?”

“Nope! Matt came out earlier and rented it for us. It’s a Chevrolet Series 490 two door roadster quipped with a 26 horsepower engine and if you wish, we can lower the top as it’s a convertible.”

“Oh,” she answered with excitement, “lets do that.”

Bill knew how excited she was because he always felt the same excitement taking a trip back in time. “Okay, take a seat and I’ll unlock the top and fold it back.” He had the top down in five minutes, started the engine and turned to Shirley who was smiling ear-to-ear. “Ready?” Bill shifted into first gear and they slowly accelerated. The four-cylinder engine gave the car a rocking feel and the chatter from the overhead valves added to their fun.

Bill had traced out the best way to get to the field over morning coffee and after thirty minutes they were still on schedule.

“Glad there’s no traffic to speak of,” he shouted over the engine noise.

He watched as Shirley nodded and tried to look at everything at the same time as she became addicted to time travel. I know how she feels, he thought.

Thirty-minutes later he pointed to a spot in the sky and she looked hard to understand what it was. Suddenly she exclaimed, “A plane! An airplane. Is that where we are heading?”

“Yep!” he said checking his watch, “We should be there in ten minutes.”

Seemingly out of nowhere traffic increased and fifteen minutes later they were in a line of cars and trucks along with an occasional hose drawn wagon, all heading to the field.

Finally at the gate a man tipped his hat and said, “Two dollars, friend.” Bill passed him the admission and got a ticket to put in the windshield as proof of payment. He asked him, “Can you tell me where the hangars are located?”

“Don’t ya want to see the show?” He said as he pointed to the right where there were many cars parked, “Lots of seats over there, friend.”

“We’re supposed to meet someone by the hangars.”

“Suit yourself,” he said with a grunt, “Hangars are to the left just over that hill.”

Bill thanked him and drove towards the hill. As he swung around it the hangars came into view. They were canvas, portable hangars: the type that a show breaks down and takes with them after the air show. Bill drove along the hint of a road that was nothing more than flattened grass and peered into each hangar looking for the JN-4 that he knew Bessie Coleman flew. It was all the way down the end and he turned towards his goal as though he was expected. He parked behind her hangar and turned to Shirley, “Ready?”

She shivered, “I am. I truly am.”

Grinning he said, “Lets go.”

As they approached the hangar, Bill said, “Remember, walk and act as though flying was your one and only dream.”

They entered the hangar and as it was empty, they walked around the double winged airplane.

A sound came from the rear cockpit and both looked up as a female voice said, “Are you here to help me roll her out?”

Before they could answer a pretty dark complexioned young lady easily climbed out of the cockpit and slid gracefully along the wing until her feet touched the flattened grass. She approached them with an outstretched hand, “I’m sorry, I thought you were part of the ground crew. Bessie Coleman.”

Shirley shook her hand and said, “Miss Coleman, it’s so very nice to make your acquaintance. I’m Shirley Holmes and this is Bill Scott.”

Bill shook her hand next and said, “We were just admiring your airplane. If she’s as fast as she is pretty, you could win every race.”

Bessie smiled and said as she looked at Shirley, “English?”

“Yes, visiting and when I heard that you were going to fly in a show today, well, I just had to see you. I am but one of the many thousands of women who thank you for showing that we can do things that men can do. To fly: why that must be the best feeling ever. I envy you and thank you for opening another path for the women of the world to go down.”

Bessie smiled and walked back to the plane, climbed up and took something out of the aircraft and then returned to them. She handed something to Shirley and asked, “Have you ever flown?”

“N-No!”

The aviatrix put a leather-flying cap on and clipped it closed beneath her chin and asked, “Would you like to take a short hop? I have to do a pre-show flight.”

Now Shirley realized what Bessie had given her: a leather-flying cap like hers. She quickly put it on and smiled as she said while pushing her long hair under the cap, “Yes. I’d love to take a ‘hop’ as you say.”

Just then four men entered the hanger. One stopped in front of Bessie and said as the other three went to the rear of the wings and wheels, “Miss Coleman, we’re here to roll you out. Are you set?”

“I sure am. Come on Shirley and you too, Bill, lets shove my Jenny out to the grass runway.”

With seven people pushing the aircraft out, it stood in the sunshine in a few minutes. On the ground next to her airplane were two yellow wooden wheel chocks with long ropes attached to them.

 “Thanks, men,” she said as three of the four men walked back to the main hangar. The fourth man placed the two wooden chocks in front of her tires so that it wouldn’t roll forward when the engine started.

“Now,” she said turning to Shirley, “Ready for your first flight?”

Before waiting for her answer, Bessie once again climbed up and took a large square object out of the front cockpit and returned. “This is a parachute. If you hear me yell, ‘jump’ release the belt buckle that I’ll show you in your cockpit and just climb out. When you are clear of the aircraft pull this handle,” she showed her the ‘D’ ring that would release the parachute to save her, “And I’ll meet you on the ground.”

“Don’t you have one?” asked Shirley.

“Ohhh, don’t worry about me, honey, my parachute is sitting on my seat waiting for me to buckle it on. Now,” she said as she helped her put the parachute on, “Tight is the answer, believe me.”

“Do I do anything while we are flying?” asked Shirley.

“Nope! All you need to do is sit back and enjoy it.” She looked in her eyes and asked, “Do you have a fragile stomach?”

Shirley shrugged.

“Well, we’ll find out soon enough. Lets go.”

Bill watched as she escorted Shirley up and into the front cockpit.

She pulled the seatbelt tight and pointing at the quick-release buckle, said, “Now remember, if I shout, ‘jump’, release this buckle and jump. When you are clear of the aircraft, pull this ‘D’ ring and enjoy the ride down.” Now Bessie waived to the fourth man who had helped pushed the Jenny out. He waved back and walked to the propeller and grasped the top of the two-bladed prop. She threw the magneto switch on, pumped a bit of fuel and said loudly, “Contact, switch on.”

The man pulled down on the propeller and there was a belch of blue, black smoke from the engine exhaust as the OX-5 inline engine came to life with a roar. The man grabbed the two ropes attached to the two chocks and pulled them away from the Jenny.

Shirley sat and held onto the only grip she had, the wooden rim around her cockpit. The aircraft belched smoke at first but then settled down to a smooth roar although the shaking didn’t slack off one bit. She looked forward but could only see blue as the airplane’s nose pointed up into the sky because the plane had a tailskid and the tail sat low. She looked and saw Bill watching her. He waved and she momentarily gave up her grip on the cockpit rim and waved back.

He blew her a kiss and she blushed. Then she thought, as she blew one back to him, Shirley, when in Rome do as the Romans do. You are your own person and it’s wonderful to see that women have come so far since my time. She shook her head, How can I spend any more time in my time after seeing all of this? I want to be one of these women and, well, and maybe throw kisses around as I see fit without fearing that some stiff nosed man or woman will call me loose.

Bessie pushed the throttle forward slowly and the engine responded by turning faster giving the propeller more air to bite into and pull the airplane down the grassy field.

Shirley felt the slight bump as the wheels went over a slight dip in the field and gripped even tighter to the wooden bracing. Oh, she thought, “Why did I want to do this? Oh yes, I wanted to do this because nobody in my time has done anything near as frightening while exciting. Alas, I feel that doing something like this to spite people who will never know of it is quite stupid on my part. Although Bessie did say, ‘enjoy it,’ so let me do that, if possible.

The airspeed indicator hit twenty-five miles per hour as the tailskid lifted off the ground and when Bessie gently pulled back on the control stick the bumpy ride ended, as suddenly there was air between the ground and the airplane’s wheels. They were airborne!

Shirley insisted that the ‘Shirley of today’ take over the fears of ‘Shirley of yesteryear’. She started to feel as one with the airplane and as the bumpy ride along the grass field stopped she felt a rush flow through her.

Bessie looked around and seeing no other airplanes in the sky, banked left and saw Bill waving up to them. She pointed the nose of the aircraft up and once at eight thousand feet, did a few barrel rolls followed by a loop and a short flight of flying upside down as she practiced for the air show.

Shirley was caught off guard at the barrel rolls, but then was relaxed, as Bessie seemed to be flying down rather than doing any more acrobatics. She was caught off guard again as Bessie, after picking up some more speed by diving slightly, suddenly picked up the nose and did a complete loop. The time traveler was glad that she was buckled in as Bessie turned and flew for two minutes upside down. Finally she flew upright and the roar of the engine lessened as Bessie cut the throttle back. The grass seemed to be rushing up at them, and once again Shirley held tight to the wooden bracing. There was a slight bump followed by a few more than a continuous bumpy ride as she stopped the aircraft next to where Bill was standing. He put the chocks in front of each wheel as the prop stopped spinning. Bessie hopped out and helped Shirley unbuckle and get down.

They stood next to the Jenny and Bessie said, “Not one word did I hear from this brave gal. Shirley, you can fly with me anytime.” The two ladies hugged and Bill and Shirley drove off in the car.
 DATELINE: OCTOBER 31, 2013,  PLACE: THE 1800 CLUB, NEW YORK CITY

That night after dinner, Bill and Shirley sat curled up on the floor in front of the lit fireplace in his den. Although it wasn’t cold yet, Shirley said that she wanted to sit with him in front of the fireplace and sip hot chocolate in their mugs. Bill had to admit that the reflections given off by the fire in the dark room were romantic.

He offered a toast as they touched mugs, “To the past few days.”

“Cheers,” she said.

They took a sip. The fire crackled and she said, “Bill, I don’t know what to say.”

“About what?”

“No, I mean I’ve never been with a man before and I really don’t know what to say.”

“Maybe you mean that you know what you want to say but find it hard to say it?”

She shrugged. “I mean this is all so new to me. I mean wearing short skirts, hugging, throwing kisses, flying, driving in cars, this is all so new and wonderful to do that I might confuse any feelings I might have for you with the excitement of doing these things. Do you know what I mean?”

He nodded. “I guess. I mean, I find myself looking at you instead of the things that I used to watch while we are back in time. It’s like I’m getting a kick just watching your expressions as I show you something new.”

She leaned against him, “I’m so confused. In this time period I see women making love to a friend and I think, ‘well that’s not right’ then I have these feelings for you and I wonder if it’s you and me or is it my wanting to be so up-to-date rather than an uptight prude.”

“I could never think of you as an uptight prude.”

She shook her head and said in a low voice, “I think it’s best that I leave. I have to think.”

“Listen, I’m not good at this either but I feel for you too and although I want you to stay here with me, I understand your thoughts.”

The fire cracked a log and she got even closer to him and he held her close. She put her head on his chest and hummed ‘I only have eyes for you’

Bill held her tightly against him as they both embraced the moment.

She ran her hand along the muscle of his arm as she said, “In my time a woman is spoken for and never allowed to be alone with her intended but in your time the woman may say and do as she pleases . . . even being alone with a man, as I am right now.”

“Times are different, but you are here in my time so perhaps you could get to like it here.”

“That’s the problem: I do like it here. The excitement of me being, me is addictive indeed. In fact, right now I feel that I need a kiss!”

Bill smiled as he looked down at her. They kissed a long lingering kiss. The clock struck eleven-thirty and she whispered, “It’s late. We should go to bed.”

Bill nodded, I’ll get an oil lamp and escort you to your . . . “

“Shhh, kiss me again. We are staying here tonight.”

DATELINE: NOVEMBER 15, 1897  PLACE: 40TH STREET DOCK, NEW YORK CITY

The two weeks seemed to fly by for both of them and soon Bill and Shirley got out of a taxicab at the 40th street dock in Manhattan. He stepped down and helped her out. She fluffed up the dress she wore, a light blue dress of silk jacquard with a high neck of off-white linen that buttoned at the rear. Around her waist she wore a white, wide silk belt with a large buckle that enhanced the look of her small waist. Peeking out beneath the dresses’ darker blue, silk trim were white silk and leather low-heeled shoes. She reached back into the cab and retrieved the hat that kept hitting the cab’s ceiling, a white flat top hat with a light blue silk band and artificial red and yellow flowers surrounding it. She had a mischief grin on her face as she said, “Lord, I do miss the short skirt already.”

Bill took her valise from inside the cab, paid and tipped the driver.

“I’m going to miss you so much, Shirley. It was fun just watching you as you experienced the decadence of the future.”

“Oh, Bill, me too. But just knowing that I can come back means so much to me.” She giggled as she went on, “I do wonder how I’ll feel knowing that just recently I wore a dress that showed my legs. Absolutely shameful!”

They both laughed.

“You will be back for the Christmas holidays, won’t you?”

“Believe me, nothing can stop me. You have the date to meet me, right?”

“Yes. I’ll be right here when your ship docks on December 20th. You are going to love the way the big stores of 2013 decorate their windows for the holidays. I promise.” He leaned over and kissed her and she kissed him back. “I really wish you would stay.”

They hugged and she said, “We can . . . can’t we? I mean, can’t something go wrong if we decide . . . to, well, you know?”

Bill shrugged his shoulders and said, “I really don’t know. I mean as I said I had a club member go back and stay there and she got married. But I don’t know what would happen if someone came up to my time and stayed.”

“Maybe I could just come and stay for longer and longer periods of time and we can see what happens?”

Bill squeezed her tightly, “That’s a wonderful start.”

She held him tightly and said, “And Christmas is coming fast.”

The ship’s whistle sounded and they went to check in arm-in-arm.

In a time travel story saying, ‘The end’ is silly as who can say it is the end when it could be the beginning of the next adventure? Bill may bring her on a mission to use her power of deductions on a future trip back in the past, so I prefer to end by saying . . . The beginning.

New book: SkyShip

Picture "Die Hard" in a Zeppelin! This high-action adventure takes place on the greatest zeppelin ever created: Sky Ship! This marvel of ultra-modern technology and luxuries has been taken over by terrorists set to unleash a terrible weapon on the U.S. with security man, Dan McKee and his wife the only persons who might stop them. High-action right from the very start!

Other TIME TRAVEL books by Robert P. McAuley:

A New Jersey Yankee in King Arthur’s Court

A group of teenagers from a New Jersey orphanage are struck by lightning while wearing medieval armor in a local museum, sending them back to merry old England of Camelot time. Led by Arty from the 21 st century, they soon meet up with teenagers of the period and become a threat to the local top dogs, who set out to destroy them. It soon becomes apparent that Arty will become the one person that will unite England along with his girlfriend Guinevere, his best friend, Merlin and the rest of the gang who sat at the large round table with him.

The Dripping Sands of Time

This book contains three time travel stories: One in the future, the second in the present and the third in the past. The Aviator is about a fighter pilot from the future who wishes to go back to World War One and prove himself against a real fighter pilot rather than the computerized pilots of his time

The second story, A Captain Of Industry, shows what happens when a greedy businessman travels to the future and returns with the winning lottery numbers. The third story, Visions: Past, Present and Future, tells of a family in the 1700s whose young son claims he saw a ghost in the basement of their home. 

Romance in a Ghost Town

A young man from Brooklyn, New York, purchases a recently discovered ghost town in the Nevada badlands and the local people wonder what the city-bred fellow is going to do with it . . . especially since he has a serious limp from an accident as a child. The young man intends to open it up for tourists and when a busload of them arrives in a rare storm one night, his dream seems to be coming to fruition. However, after awhile things just seem too good to be true and after meeting a local newspaperwoman, they join forces to look deeply into this group of tourists.

Vampire’s Bloodline

Do vampire families smile, laugh, get married and have children? What do they eat when they can’t feed in their ‘normal’ way? Must they sleep in a casket when a bed is available? Have they any mortal friends? How do they tackle the every-day problems of raising a child . . . especially if the child is not a vampire? What if someday in the future they are offered the chance to return to the old days and prevent themselves from ever becoming a vampire: Do they take it?

These questions are answered in ‘Vampire’s Bloodline’ as the history of the Duke and Duchess of Stone Castle reveals a few closely guarded secrets.

Other books by Robert P. McAuley:

Aviation Facts & Rumors: Book 1 (Free!)

Aviation Facts & Rumors: Book 2

Romance in a Ghost Town

Vampire’s Bloodline

The Dripping Sands Of Time

A New Jersey Yankee In King Arthur’s Court

Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book I (FREE!)

Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book II

Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book III

Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book IV

Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book V

Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book VI

Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book VII

Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book VIII

Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book IX
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book X
Time Travel Adventures of the 1800 Club: Book XI
Time Travel Adventures of The 1800 Club: Book XII