Thunder rumbled in the sky as Dr. Albert Timmons stepped away from the engineering wing of the University. Each of his students demanded his attention. Part of their final grade, some of their laboratory projects were not going well. A couple of the students turned dramatic and screamed. He calmed them down, showed each a few tweaks on their designs, and they went back to work. After the challenging day, Albert looked forward to a quiet, hot meal and his new trade magazine that arrived yesterday. His university-furnished housing was within walking distance, so he used the exercise to clear his head.

He strolled along the sidewalk and tapped the ground with his folded umbrella. A slight limp caused him to occasionally use it for balance. Although his hand was healing nicely, the crushed toes would probably never be totally mended. The doctor wanted to remove them, but Albert refused and demanded each be bandaged. He soaked them every night in some concoction his medical friend from South America recommended. Hopefully, the broken bones will fuse.

His brother had called him ‘stubborn’ and shook his head in disgust.

“Hello,” an acquaintance called out.

Albert waved back and continued down the sidewalk. In the distance, two carriages sat parked at his front door. He paused to study them. One belonged to the Admiral, his father. Did he forget an appointment with him? Not likely. Albert limped up the steps to his house. Stopping at a statue of the real Napoleon (a new addition to his porch), he turned the metal bird perched on its hat. The front door swung open with a release of steam. His hat and gloves were pitched onto an extended platter held by a mechanized servant standing inside. Their weight activated the opposite hand and sent it up to catch his coat. As the arms dropped from the extra weight, the mechanical man bowed.

Albert watched with a smile. The device worked smoothly, but there was one little catch in the movement. He bent forward to make an adjustment.

“Ahem,” a man stood in the hallway and waited.

“Hi, Henry. How’s the Admiral today.”

“In good form.” Henry was the Admiral’s driver and bodyguard.

“I didn’t remember he was coming tonight.” Albert wiped his hands on a handkerchief and straightened his coat.

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The driver gave a solemn nod. “It was not planned.”

“Quit dallying and get in here,” a querulous voice called from the sitting room.

Albert opened the French doors and paused. A short oriental man sat in one of his overstuffed chairs. He entered and bowed to his glaring father. Henry closed the doors quietly behind him. The admiral sat with stiff military posture in a chair near the fire.

“Sir, it’s good to see you.”

“You’re late,” was his caustic comment.

As usual, father could reduce him to a schoolboy. “I was working on a project with my students.”

“I brought this gentleman here at Teddy’s request. Not polite to keep him waiting.”

Teddy, of course, referred to Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt. The admiral name dropped to command attention. Albert cleared his throat to cover his amusement. His face quickly took on a grave expression. “Yes, sir.”

“Mr. Sumko Tamako is the Japanese Emissary to the United States. He is here on behalf of Emperor Meiji.”

The short man nodded at the introduction but did not rise from his chair. “It is an honor to meet you, Dr. Timmons.”

“Thank you,” Albert responded with a duplicate nod.

His father commanded, “Sit, so we don’t need to crane our necks talking with you.”

Military rules were always followed in the admiral’s presence. Albert sat stiff at attention on a straight-backed chair. One was never allowed to slouch. But a curious glance around the room was allowed. Two misshaped forms caught his interest. Women dressed in traditional Japanese Kimonos kneeled in the shadows. They were Geishas if his memory was correct. Each bent form held a large, folded fan laying across their open palms. The women looked calm and submissive, but something about the position of the fans cautioned him.

Never trust a woman with a fan. His Great Aunt Gertrude taught him that as a young child. Each way the fan was held indicated a certain emotion. Open and gently waving, eyes barely showing was her flirty position. Rapid waving meant anger. But when the fan snapped shut in displeasure, she struck with rapid and painful accuracy. He learned to respect the fan and stay out of its reach.

A third form stood immobile in the corner. The man, Albert assumed, was dressed in black and almost invisible.

Multiple clocks in the quiet room chimed six o’clock.

His toes choose that moment to shoot out a jab of pain. Albert gave no indication of his discomfort except for a twitching finger.

The Japanese Emissary’s scrutiny was more than casual. He noticed the reaction and made eye contact with Albert. Their mental communication turned the meeting from informal to business.

The Admiral rose and reached for his cane. “Must go now. I have a dinner appointment. Albert will help you with whatever you need, Mr. Tamako. I’ll let the President know you met.”

Albert rose to walk him from the room. He shook his father’s hand and whispered. “What is this all about?”

“Don’t know, Teddy just said to do whatever is needed.”

On cue, Henry opened the door and handed the Admiral his top hat.