Meet: Olivia Carstairs
Occupation: Assistant to Professor Twitchet
Location: Texas and other?
Main mode of transportation: transmogrification machine
Genre: Steampunk, Novella, Romance, Science Fiction, Time Travel
As Olivia rides the Devonian Express, she sits with a warm cup of tea lost in thought.
She recalls another recent train trip...
by Pauline B. Jones
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There was, Olivia conceded to herself—since she was currently unattended and had only herself to concede anything to—something quite exhilarating about riding the El, as opposed to the streetcar or the more sedate Hansom cab. Riding along the tops of the tenements and buildings, well above street level, seeing Gotham pass like a flowing river, made her feel quite breathless. It was definitely worth the expenditure of ten cents.
Not only was she up above the street, she felt lifted above societal restraints and cautiously optimistic about reaching her goal. When O. Carstairs, Esq had opened a correspondence with Professor Emelius Twitchet, distinguished Professor of Sciences, just over a year ago, Olivia had nursed no expectation of meeting him. Had he known she was a “Miss” and not an “Esq,” he’d have cut the connection forthwith, nor would he have proposed the possibility of her working as his assistant in his researches. She didn’t have to peruse the communication currently residing in her reticule to recall its contents or the proposed appointment and possible offer of employment “if they found they suited.”
She should have penned a polite and regretful refusal, perhaps pleading previous and inescapable employment. She had instead, felt a tiny seed of hope give bud in a heart devoted to science. Surely, a proper application of scientific method could lead to a satisfactory resolution for both her and the Professor—who clearly needed her as his assistant.
She had given brief consideration to becoming a gentleman in every way but the anatomical. The idea intrigued, but was, in the end, illogical and impractical for any extended period of time. Her Mama would surely notice if her daughter became a son and could be counted on to respond badly.
In the end, the only truly practical way to secure the position was by persuading the Professor to alter his requirement that she be male. She had observed gentlemen responded badly to direct requests to alter a position. Outright requests did, in fact, make them quite immoveable. But there were more subtle ways to change a gentleman’s mind. Why just this week, quite without intending to, Olivia had convinced Mr. Lester Heplinger to propose, totally against the desires of his—or her-heart. Typically, he’d been both relieved and annoyed when she gave him the muffin.
The incident, upon careful review of the events leading up to it, provided her with a method of sound, scientific procedure that, if properly applied during her appointment with the Professor, could lead to a similar, albeit less permanent, result.
Olivia might have quailed at the boldness required to present herself at the Professor’s place of employment, minus that important Esq, but Mrs Pankhurst urged suffragists to “deeds, not words.” This was clearly the right moment for deeds.
Added to this was the unwelcome reality that—having giving Mr. Heplinger the muffin—her only other option lay in employment as a governess to—she gulped—seven boys, ranging in age from two years to ten. She positively paled at the thought.
“First time on the El, miss?” The cheery voice recalled Olivia to her surroundings.
Olivia smiled, despite their lack of introduction and the obvious inequities in their social status. The democratic nature of the El was to be admired, not deplored—her gaze inadvertently intersected the bold one of what her Papa would have termed a “spark.” She lifted her chin, grateful for the sharp point of her parasol if the young man felt inclined to move closer, and turned to the lady at her left.
“Is it so obvious it’s my first time?”
The amply formed female gave a half grimace, half nod and gathered up her various bags as the El reached her stop. “You gets used to it, dearie.”
Oddly warmed by the brief contact, Olivia nevertheless felt anxiety increase as the EL resumed its forward progress, decreasing the number of stops prior to hers. Success was possible, she reminded herself sturdily. Observation was a lifetime habit, and such observation had convinced her that success in any endeavor had as much to do with inner confidence and determination, as other factors. According to the Professor, she had a “fine, scientific mind.” She deserved the opportunity to use it in scientific endeavors.
Added to these bracing reflections was the fact that the Professor wanted to hire O. Carstairs as his assistant. His mind was set upon it, so all she really needed to do was keep him from changing his mind—something most men pursued as a lifelong goal.
Her stop approached. Steam hissed as brakes were applied. She retrieved her parasol and rose, twitching her skirt into place before disembarking. Noise and heat assaulted with equal force as she descended to a street level teaming with a mostly unwashed humanity. It was not unexpected in proximity to the East River. She snapped her parasol open, confident in its point—and her concealed derringer—as she turned toward the warehouse that housed Professor Twitchet’s laboratory.
Mrs. Pankhurst liked smashing windows, but today Olivia would be content with smashing one, small expectation. It was, she was quite sure, in both their best interests that she succeed.
The New York EL in motion:
Olivia’s Scientific “Method” by Pauline Baird Jones
Based on characters from Tangled in Time. © 2010. All rights reserved.
by Pauline B. Jones
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Tangled in Time
A Science Fiction/Steampunk Romance Novella
by Pauline B. Jones
ebook release date: December 2010
Romance steam gauge: light
Description from the author's site:Colonel Carey (from The Key and Girl Gone Nova) takes a test "flight" through the Garradian time-space portal, but an unexpected impact lands him somewhere and some when.
As he attempts to get to Area 51, he crosses paths with Miss Olivia Carstairs, who could be Mary Poppins' twin sister.
Or maybe her cousin. Olivia's got a transmogrification machine powered by steam and something more, and a mouth he'd like to kiss like it was his job.
Can he get them both to safety before the buzzard eats them or she shoots him with her derringer?
My two bits:
In-a-word(s): IDV - Individual Discovery Velocipediator
Loved this mix of present, past and future. I was very entertained with the current cultural references i.e. Alice in Wonderland, Wallace and Grommit, etc. The flickers of romance were fun to witness as well.
Alice sighting:
From the moment, she led him inside, reality checked out, leaving him in a fictional place, a Jules Verne versin of Alice Through the Looking Glass--with a weirdly sexy "Alice" as tour guide.
-Brae's thoughts, page 13 of review copy
*** steampunk ebook giveaway - courtesy of author ***
Sign up on one of the SteamPink giveaways to own this ebook.
*** steampunk bookmark giveaway - courtesy of author ***
Open to all.
-ends when I run out of bookmarks
If you like to collect bookmarks, I have some from Pauline.
Email me: vvb32 at yahoo.com
with Subject header: Pauline's Bookmark
include your mailing address
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Contest has ended - winner is here
and here for printed ARC
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* image source silhouette
