The Rangers Are Coming (56 page)

              “I beg your pardon?”

              “You do recall I announced before I left that the government had received a message from the United States with an invitation for all the heads of state to come to America?”

              “That was well known,” said Alex, “and that is the strangest thing of all.  None of the European leaders have been seen for a month.  It’s caused something of a sensation throughout the continent.”

              “Then I would imagine every other leader in Europe is sitting in front of a befuddled newsman at this moment.”

              “The subject of the United States has been one of the greatest mysteries for many years.  They send amazing products to every country in the world, at bargain prices, but nobody has ever been able to find out any substantive information about that large, dark continent.  The fact, Alex, is the United States has been reinventing itself for the last hundred years and chose this time to drop the mask of secrecy.  For example, our passage to the United States for my family and over 300 other European leaders and their families actually did take eight hours, because we didn’t sail on a ship, we flew on an airplane.”

              “That’s preposterous,” sputtered Alex.

              “It’s nevertheless true, as the continent is finding out today.”

              “America is a place of such wonders, I can’t even begin to describe it.  However, I can prove it.”

              “How are you going to do that,” asked Alex?

              “On Friday night at 7 PM, the members of Parliament and the press, including you, are coming to Prince Albert Hall, where you will see, with your own eyes, the stunning world of the United States.”

              “Is there going to be some demonstration of products, or a representative of the United States to give a speech?”

              “In a manner of speaking,” said Gladstone.  “I’m sorry, Alex, I’m not being secretive or purposely concealing anything from you, it’s just the story is so big it will be the only topic of conversation in Europe from now on.”

              “I must say,” said Alex, ‘you certainly have my attention.”

              “We’ll have the attention of everyone starting Friday night.  After you’ve seen the two-hour presentation, Prince Albert Hall will be open 24 hours a day for the next three months for everyone who is interested in seeing America for themselves.  That is what I want you to print.  Make you headline something like, ‘Astonishing America Revealed’,  or words to that effect.  Report everything I’ve said here, and tell all of London from now on, our lives will be forever changed, and changed for the better.”

              “That’s quite a bold statement to make without any facts to back them up.”

              “Trust me, my friend, if you don’t cover this story in exactly the way I’ve described, you will be playing a game of catching up with every other paper in Europe.  I’ve just handed you the biggest story in history.”

              Hawkins left the Prime Minister’s office very confused.  Gladstone had always been very frank and honest with him.  He was certain that Gladstone was sincere.  He couldn’t see he had any choice but to do as the Prime Minister had said.

              Gladstone had much the same conversation with his Parliamentary second in command.  He said he would get right to work in getting the word out.  Gladstone was glad he didn’t have to try and give more detail.  He didn’t think that approach was going to work with the Queen.

He arrived at the palace 15 minutes before his appointment and waited half an hour.  Then was ushered into the familiar office where he and Victoria had enjoyed many good conversations.  He approached and bowed politely, “Your Majesty.”  He said.

“Good afternoon, William,” said Victoria, “Please make yourself comfortable.”

Gladstone sat in his favorite chair and looked at the queen.  “Ma’am, I hope you have some time.  I’m going to tell you a story that will simply amaze you.”

“I’m not easily amazed after all these years, but go ahead,” said the Queen.

Gladstone started at the beginning with the invitation from President Gallagher.  He’d brought it with him and he handed it to her.”

She read it, and looked up, “I take back my doubts of being amazed.  Tell me everything.”

For over an hour Gladstone spoke rapidly and sincerely about what he had experienced in America.  Victoria interrupted him several times to ask more about some specific instrument or technology.  She seemed moved by Gladstone’s description of the Sabbath in the United States. 

When he was finished with the detailed description of America’s titanic industrial strength and their wiliness to share it all under a set of controls, he pulled out his copy of the United Nations Charter and handed it over to her.

“Are you of the opinion that all of this is in the best interests of the British Empire, William?”

“I am, ma’am,” he said.  Then he told her about the fabulous big screen he was  installing at Prince Albert Hall, and said, “Just the demonstration of the technology to show these images will confound every scientist in the country.  The content of the video, as it is called, will create a storm of debate throughout the realm.”

“When can I see it,” asked Victoria?

“Our first showing is Friday night at 7 pm.  It’s for Parliament, the major departments of government, and the press.”

“No,” said Victoria, “When can
I
see it?”

“If you will just give me a minute, I can answer that question.”  Gladstone pulled his phone out of his bag and dialed the ambassador, who answered immediately.  “Ambassador, I’m with the Queen and she would like to know the earliest moment in which she can see the video.”

“It’s ready now,” said the ambassador.  “We just finished testing the picture and the sound.”

“Hold on,” said Gladstone.  He turned to the Queen and said, “You may see the video at your convenience, ma’am.  It’s ready to go.”

“Then we shall go straight away,” said the Queen.  She rang a bell, and a butler came into the room.  “Get my carriage ready to go to Prince Albert Hall, immediately.”

Gladstone picked up the phone and said, “The Queen and I are leaving now.  We will be there in half an hour.”

“You got it, William,” said the Ambassador,” we’ll be ready.”

“That instrument you have there, is that another piece of American magic.”

“It is,” said Gladstone.

“Who can you speak to?”

“Anyone who has a phone like it,” he said.

“Could that possibly include the President of the United States?”

“Yes ma’am it could.”

“Then contact him, I wish to speak to him.”

Gladstone pushed the buttons for the President and in a moment the phone rang,  “Gallagher here, what’s up William?”

“Mr. President, I am with Queen Victoria, alone in her office.  She wishes to speak to you.”

“No kidding,” said Gallagher, “is that a good thing?”

“I sure hope so,” said Gladstone and handed the phone to the Queen.

“President Gallagher,” said the Queen, “what time is it in Washington?”

“It’s just past 11 in the morning, “said Gallagher.  “There’s a six hour difference between Washington and London.  I gather William has told you the whole story and you have some questions.”

“I’m going around to Prince Albert Hall to see this video of yours, in a few minutes.  I think your presentation will only cause me to have even greater curiosity.  As the Queen of my people, I think I should be able to speak about your wonders with some first-hand authority.  Do you think it would be safe for me to come to the United States?”

“Excuse me for asking, ma’am, but do you have any medical conditions that might be aggravated by a change in altitude?  Or any medical conditions at all?”

“I’m an old woman,” said Victoria, “but I still go riding every day.”

“In that case I don’t think an airplane flight will harm you,” said Gallagher.

“Then by all means send one of your contraptions.”

“Madam, the only airstrip we have in Europe right now is in Normandy.  The trip to catch the airplane might be more dangerous than the flight.”

“I can endure a channel passage,” said Victoria.  “Can you manage by next Monday?  I have to smooth some ruffled feathers Friday night and could not leave London before Saturday morning.”

“Then let’s say Monday morning at 10 AM.  I will come myself and escort you back to Washington.”

“That is most kind of you, Mr. President.  Goodbye.”

She handed the phone back to Gladstone, who was looking at his Queen in wonder.

“Don’t slouch, William.  What did you expect the Queen of the British Empire to do after hearing such news?”

“I’m very happy for you, ma’am.  I can’t begin describe what a wonderful experience this is going to be for you.  Are you taking any one with you?”

“Do I need to?”

“Not at all, the Americans are wonderful hosts.”

“Then the fewer who know about this the better.  Now let’s go see your presentation.”

When the final notes of the closing music ended, Victoria had tears in her eyes.  “Unbelievable, simply unbelievable,” she said.  “I really must see those geysers.”

“They are beautiful,” said Gladstone.  “The whole country is beautiful.”

“I will be the hostess for the Friday night showing of this video,” she said.  “You are right about one thing, William, the technology just to make this presentation boggles the mind.  I can’t wait to see the looks on the faces of Parliament and my very egotistic Minister of Science.”

“I’ll tell the press,” said Gladstone.  “You being here is bound to bring out the most skeptical Member of Parliament.”

“Now that I have seen this, with its countless marvels, I am more anxious than ever to make the trip.  By the way, William, I’m proud of you.  It looks like you have found a way for all of us to live in peace from now on.  That’s a great achievement for any man.

                                                         
49

London, England

With the arrival of Friday night came the simultaneous arrival of 5,000 people.  The news the Queen was serving as the hostess, swelled the ranks of those who were anxious to see this oddity from their Prime Minister.  It must be worth seeing if the Queen herself was coming.

              When everyone was in their seats, Gladstone stepped onto the stage with a microphone in his hand.  “Ladies and Gentlemen,” he said.  Of course, the state of the art sound system amplified his voice to the farthest corner of the big building.  It caused every person to jerk.  No one had ever heard an amplified voice before.  “As you have read, I spent the last month in the United States.  I am back today to show you the America hidden behind the veil of secrecy for over a hundred years.  Their emergence into our world is going to change our world in profound and stupendous ways.  We are going to show you that country tonight.  The very technology used to make this presentation will be a mystery to you in itself.”

              “Now it is my distinct honor to present to you, our beloved Queen Victoria.  She has already seen what you are about to see, and has something she wants to say about it.”

              The Queen walked out on the stage and all stood and bowed in respect.  Victoria took the microphone from Gladstone and said, “Please be seated.”

              “My fellow countrymen, in England in the past 20 years we have seen great changes and the introduction of modern equipment in our Age of Industry.  We can be proud of what we have accomplished.  We can also appreciate improvements in technology when we see it.  Tonight, you are going to see what the United States has been up to the last 100 years.  I believe after you see it, you will begin to understand the significant changes in store for us.  With this technology will come a new political age for Europe and the world.  I’m sure you are going to enjoy this, and am honored to be the first to share it.  Thank you, enjoy the show.”

The lights went down and the curtain parted.  On the stage was a huge silver frame.  Music began to play.  It was rich and triumphant music.  Suddenly the screen lit up and the picture of a great mountain range with snow-topped peaks came into view as the music rose to a crescendo.  Every person in the room jumped when the music started, and then grabbed their seat arms when the picture came on.

For the next two hours, Londoners were spellbound by the scenes they saw, the incredibly sophisticated technology displayed, from the huge streams of molten steel pouring from huge cauldrons, to trucks and trains running across the wide plains of the mid-west with thousands of miles of lush crops, with huge machinery harvesting it.

When the show was over, there was no applause, just the soft sound of humbled feet as they exited the theater.

Even the newspapers the next morning were somewhat subdued.  The show at Prince Albert Hall was the greatest thing anyone had ever seen, all right, but the British ego was severely damaged.  To have been bested in such a spectacular way, brought grudging admiration for the Americans and a deep hunger for the United States to keep its word and start bringing this world to the English countryside.  Only the members of Parliament truly understood the price this glittering world would cost.  On the surface, the United Nations looked like a concept that would work, as long as America let it work.

The reaction in the other capitals of Europe was much the same.  Otto von Bismarck was dumbfounded that his Kaiser knew his plans in detail and even more perplexed when the Kaiser produced a completed agreement between France and Germany.  “No sense in wasting lives, when a little diplomacy works as well,” said the Kaiser, and laughed when Bismarck left the room.

As it turned out, Queen Victoria’s visit to America was more than just a great thrill and wonder for her.  President Gallagher had the foresight to bring along a couple of doctors, nurses and a lot of medical equipment. 

After they were in the air, Gallagher mentioned as gently as he could that it was important the Monarch of the greatest empire on earth be kept in perfect medical condition and got her approval for a fairly extensive examination.  A doctor gave her a shot with a mild sedative and the Queen slipped off to sleep.  The doctors went to work.