Tanya dawdled over her coffee rather than going to the auditorium. She knew her presence would cause the musicians to become tense too soon and there was plenty of time to look them over later. The conductor was professional and understood what he was doing and would certainly have them ready by evening.
Meche brought a tray to her table piled high with envelopes.
Tanya blinked. "There seem to be quite a few."
"This is the first batch only. Mail from Europa only now but there are several bags of local mail in the other room."
"It seems my destiny is to be chased by mail all over the world! I'm still getting letters that were sent before I left Europa." She picked one letter up, "Well, if one must be chased, better by the post than by bullets!"
As Tanya went through the mail, she was struck be a sense of deja vu. She frowned a bit and then realized. Didn't I do this in the Republic? And right around my concert there? After thinking for a few minutes, she had to laugh out loud!
"Ma'am?"
"I just realized that the only time I really stop long enough for my mail to reach me is when I have a scheduled event... like this concert." Something about that bothered her but her attention was distracted by a letter from Francois. The handwriting was elegant and... was that perfume? Even before she opened it, she suspected who it was from. Those girls have nothing better to do with their time and money? Still, it will be nice to see them again. I should meet them before the concert at least for a few minutes and maybe arrange for something later in the week. They are my only fans that have traveled so far to hear me sing, I should treat them well to show my appreciation.
She remembered a particularly annoying form of 'marketing' in her old world where entertainment producers would deliberately put things in their products to upset their viewers to gain 'buzz'. She despised that tactic and preferred the most basic form of signaling theory where you present yourself honestly and count on information presented. Is it so hard to just give people what they want, and giving back to your fans that pay your bills?
"I should make some time for them... I know! I'll meet them before the show and they can visit afterwards. I've never actually seen them outside of work, so it'd be a pleasant change of pace." She was finishing up her response and about to tell Meche to address and mail it when she stopped. A cold chill settled in her gut and her brain went into high gear. This letter can reach them because I know their hotel. My mail can reach me because they know where I'm at. The only place people know for SURE I'll be – and the precise time – is at the concert. That crazy bomber is still on the loose. I've gotten so rusty, I forgot something so basic!
She sent the letters off with Meche and then summoned her crew that had been relaxing with a new task to be completed immediately!
* * *
Tanya's people returned several hours later, sweaty and tired but confident. "We looked over the whole venue, President. The place is absolutely clean and there's no way they could plan anything before the concert. We'll be on full alert, of course, and will do regular scans."
"Good job and sorry for the short notice. Tell your men good job and let them rest. I want a rotating shift of mages keeping an eye on the venue and scanning the vicinity."
The man left and Tanya chewed on her thumbnail. "This would have been a perfect opportunity... what am I missing?"
* * *
Lucie stared at the box office clerk, thinking that her Anglish knowledge had failed her. "Excuse me, could you repeat that, s'il vous plaît?"
"Those tickets have already been picked up already. I'm afraid I can't help you." The harried woman, who had turned away thousands of people desperate for tickets, had little time for the foreigners. "Now can you please move away? You are holding up the line." She left, dazed and uncertain what to do.
Felite looked concerned as Lucie returned to their hotel, "Luci... what is the matter?"
"Our tickets are missing!"
"What, how is that possible?"
Isabelle frowned. "Some stole our tickets, pretending to be us."
Lucie, who had more time to think about it said, "Or maybe someone sold them because it was so close to the concert date and they were offered a lot of money. People were trying to buy the tickets I didn't even have when I was waiting in line."
"But, but what can we do now? We cannot buy any more... they are unavailable at any price!"
"What can we do, what can we do?" Felite was nearly in tears.
Lucie clapped her hands. "We will... not worry about it."
"What?" "Eh?!"
"Girls, we are not here to see a concert. That is nice but we are here to see Tanya, yes?"
The others nodded, visibly relaxing.
A knock interrupted their conversation. Isabelle walked to the door, still talking. "It's disappointing, but we don't have to see the concert." She opened the door to reveal a bemused Tanya.
"What wouldn't you see the concert?"
* * *
Tanya was visibly upset after she heard the story. "Well! Don't worry about the concert. I have a few tickets set aside for last-minute VIPs and you three certainly qualify." Bastards... scalping is just the free market in action but this is simple theft?!
"But... we are not nobles, or powerful or wealthy. Why are we important people?"
"You're important to me. Isn't that enough?"
Her words had unexpected effects as she was immediately surrounded and hugged by happy, crying, pleasantly-scented maids (on vacation). "Ack! G-g-girls!"
After calming them down, they sat down and enjoyed some pastries Tanya had brought with her (slightly damaged from the hug attack). "I can't stay long but how have you been? I've been rather too busy to keep in touch, I'm afraid."
They looked at each other and said, "We're so BORED!" "There's nothing to do!" And, slightly delayed, "Let us come work for you!"
Lucie clarified for everyone. "We appreciate TvD, you, paying us to take care of the Train but it requires no maintenance when you're not there. We just put dust-sheets on everything before we came and cleared out the consumables. You are supplying our salaries, so why not have us with you so we can work for it?"
What a great work ethic! And, it's true, they are on the payroll... I had forgotten about that. Well, if they want to be productive and earn their pay, that's fine. "You girls are certainly welcome to come to Chicago with me. You'll have to work on your Anglish, however."
"Of course! That is no problem at all!" Lucie pronounced firmly, ignoring the shocked looks of the others. She was the linguist of the three and was well on her way to being fully fluent; a situation which did not describe the other two!
"I think you'll find Chicago is quite congenial. My people have been working hard according to reports and it will be substantially complete when I arrive." She corrected herself. "When we arrive."
This set off another round of hugging!
* * *
The line of expensive cars outside the theater was eye-catching as the movers and shakers of New York arrived for what had become the event of the season. Tuxedos and tophats were in abundance and enough jewelry was present to stagger a good-sized afrikan elephant.
The foyer had champagne and wine available... actually it had sparkling and flat juices that had been imported from a former beer factory. There were also a variety of bottled soft drinks. Sharp-eyed imbibers would see that the "TvD" logo was on nearly every bottle. While the concert-goers were annoyed at the lack of alcohol, they found the replacements reasonably tasty.
Soon enough the head usher rang a handheld chime to announce that they could enter. A state senator and his 'assistant' and a major donor came in slightly late but well in time for the concert. The woman was all smiles. "I hear except for a very few songs, these are all original pieces. So exciting!"
"Only the best for you, m'dear." He, himself, wasn't a big fan of classical music, but he knew other people liked it so he, of course 'liked' it. "What do you think her rumored finish to the 9th, Robert?"
"Quite unlikely to equal the great master, I'd wager. Her jingles are entertaining but are they art? Still, we won't know until we hear it, eh?" As they walked toward the doors between the foyer and the auditorium, he said, "I say, Parker, how did you get these tickets? They've been impossible to find. I tried several times with no luck."
"Oh, I knew someone who owed me a favor." Or rather, I knew a ticket seller who was susceptible to a massive bribe. As long as the tickets weren't picked up today, they would likely not be used. And this order was from overseas... perfect! No one will come to pick them up and no one will be the wiser.
The head usher glanced at their tickets and waved over another usher to take them to their seats. The Senator was puzzled as he took them up the stairs as he thought they had rather less prestigious seats in the lower section. Did I get a bargain? To the bold goes the prize, as they say!
They were soon escorted to a closed booth. It was rather luxurious with a bottle what looked like champagne chilling next to a small tray of decoratively cut fruits and other snacks. The chairs had were not the rows upon rows of more industrial chairs that filled the rest of the venue as they seemed rather comfortable.
The backer guffawed. "This booth is quite amazing, Parker. You can count on my support in the next..."
An unexpected voice interrupted him. "You might want to reconsider that sentence in a minute." A somewhat short figure, that had been hidden by the high back of the chair. All three realized that it wasn't a short man, but an average-sized girl... nearly an adult. She was wearing a modified tuxedo that was mostly made of dull and glossy silk with black as the primary color other than the white silk shirt that was almost glowed despite the low lights. On her lapel was a war medal of some sort with silver wings prominent. In her gloved hand was a well polished cane and she wore a single-shoulder cape in black as well.
Finally... her face. She was pale but, on her, that looked quite normal and not a sign of ill-health. Her piercing blue eyes looked down on the three despite the fact she was several inches shorter than even the shortest among them and her golden hair was like a burst of sunshine brought indoors. She paused for two beats and then said. "These are not your seats. In fact, you don't have any in this theater."
Parker bristled. He wasn't going to let some snip of a girl order him around, no matter how oddly dressed! "They most certainly are! I'll have you know that I paid good money to be here tonight and if you interfere, the management will hear of this!"
She smiled, showing teeth that the woman could easily imagine tearing into a steak... or a throat! "Oh, I'm certain you paid money, but I doubt it was 'good' money. I just wanted to see who had the sheer gall, the utter audacity to try to steal from me or my friends."
Robert, quicker on the uptake, realized who she was immediately. This is she! Degurechaff! "Parker!" he snapped. "What's the meaning of this?"
"It's just a mistake, I'll get this cleared up immediately." He stopped when he realized that the girl was right in front of him and was tapping his chest with her cane handle. Each gentle strike felt like a hammer blow on his heart.
"Funny, that was my exact thought." She turned toward the other two and narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. "I gather neither of you had any idea?" They shook their heads hurriedly. "Excellent. You may stay in the seats on your tickets, however..." she looked back at Parker. "I'm afraid this fellow won't be joining you."
"Y-y-you can't do this!" I can't be seen being escorted out... my image would be in tatters!
"You have no idea what I can or can't do. You have two choices: walk out as fast as your flabby legs can take you or be kicked out using the much stronger legs of the ushers ready to deal with crashers."
The door opened then and two veterans pretending to be ushers stared down at the man. He ducked his head and hurried out.
"You two can stay or go, if you wish. If you stay, you'll be sharing this booth with my friends but it's a large one and they are worth meeting."
Robert didn't hesitate at all. "I'll be staying, naturally! I'm so sorry that you had to deal with less-than-honest people. I must say, I appreciate the offer and hope we can talk later."
"Certainly, Senator."
The woman looked at the exit door and then back at the stage before smiling and sitting down.
She did so love a good concert!
* * *
[24 hours earlier]
Eric was humming over a table of sketches with a very nice, very expensive, very illegal glass of wine. His companion was relaxing on a chaise lounge, obviously bored, drinking mineral water with a twist of lime.
"Eric... what on Earth is so engrossing?"
"Just the last touches on my next plan. There's someplace she HAS to be soon and that makes a perfect location. To avoid her sensing the explosives, I'm going to use the sewers underneath the concert hall as basically a giant cannon. It'll take just six hours to set the charges and timers and 'cap' the breach. Since I only need to use it once, I'll just bolt everything in." He grinned brightly and tapped a paper. "With this setup, she can't detect it, can't dodge it and it'll will hollow out that building like an express train through a gossamer curtain."
"That's a terrible analogy, darling."
"What can I say? I'm not a wordsmith; I'm an artist of a different sort." He cleared his throat and took another sip of wine. "You should really try some of this... it's quite exquisite."
"Perhaps later. I have a touch of head pain and will stick with my water for now."
"Your loss." He continued to plan and refilled his glass at least twice more and coughed lightly. "This damnable throat. I sincerely hope I'm not getting a cold just before the big event."
"Oh? What are the odds that you'd be that unlucky? I must say, I'm nervous about using these tickets I got. Will we be sitting over your petard?"
He stopped and then laughed! "Oh, ha ha! cough, cough! That's rich! No, we'll have to skip that night. The longer the plan is in place, the more chance of it being discovered. It should go off near the midpoint. Precise chronometers for detonation are deucedly hard to acquire."
"Oh, but you know how much of an art lover I am! Maybe just do it for the last night, hmmm? There'll be so many other days, don't you think?"
"No, no. cough, cough, cough It has to be the..." He started coughing violently into a handkerchief and was shocked it was red, but not with fine wine. "Y-you..." He struggled to breathe but his lungs failed to work and he couldn't even cough as he felt daggers of pain stab through his chest.
She sighed and emptied the last bit of wine into the fireplace. "Such a shame... this IS a marvelous vintage." She put the bottle, his glass and his handkerchief into a bag while he watched helplessly and spasmed on the floor. "You just couldn't take a hint, Eric. A quiet little assassination is why you were hired but, in the end, you just couldn't keep inside the very. Clear. Lines." She knelt down and stared into his eyes until his breathing stopped.
"You see, professionalism. I'd say you should learn a lesson from this but you can't hear me anymore, can you?" She tossed all the plans into the fireplace and she stirred the ashes with a poker. It only took her a few a minutes to clear all signs of her presence from the hotel room. No one had seen her arrive today and no one saw her leave.
Miles away, she called her employer. All he said was, "Has the loose cannon been tied down?"
"Yes sir. And all the evidence has been destroyed. It's a shame how even youngish people can die of odd diseases, isn't it?"
"Spare me." There was a pause. "Will you not reconsider taking this job?"
"I believe in odds and I don't believe in luck. Anyone who has survived as she has is a survivor. Good night, sir." A mean-as-hell bitch of a survivor that would burn cities to get her way. There's no chance I'm running face-first into a naked sword!
Chapter 77 - Joy
The audience was settling in for the start of performance. There was polite applause as the conductor stepped up to the podium. There was a low murmur as they looked at the orchestra... where was Degurechaff? A piano was available but no one was seated there. The program didn't list which pieces would be performed, just the names of the musicians and conductor. Her name was on there prominently...
As the whispers increased, the conductor raised his baton, the musicians also lifted their instruments. The comments stopped just in time for the shocking first beats of Degurechaff's March! The strings, horns and timpani were at the bottom of their range, darkly colored and ominous. The rhythmic militaristic sound, the emphasis on strong beats push the music forward, unstoppable, inescapable.
Just then, the lights were doused and red spotlights lit an entrance to the auditorium!
There, wreathed in smoke stood a figure, surveying the room as if she owned everything below. Strong, steady steps on highly polished boots reflected the red lights everywhere. Her billowing cape drew every eye as she slowly marched down the aisle.
The driving rhythm followed her causing some to hold their breaths as she walked past, but none could look away and none could ignore her. The dissonance of the minor chords might have seemed off for anyone else fit her perfectly. She climbed up the stairs along with the climbing strings of the final measure and she abruptly turned with the final coda when the theater was plunged into darkness!
One agonizing heartbeat later, the normal lights came on, dispelling what they had just experienced like a powerful dream still dragging on their consciousness. A perfectly pleasant young woman stood before the piano, her golden hair shining in the (now) white lights. "Thank you for coming tonight, one and all! I hope you enjoy the show!"
Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff had arrived!
* * *
Excerpt from a music review the following day
...and that makes it exceedingly difficult to give the concert an honest review. There are standards, of course, and they provide a comfortable guidelines. But what is to be done when you are confronted with something entirely new? Can you use the butcher's scales to measure the length of a rope? A thermometer to tell the brightness of the sun?
Despite the theatrics, Degurechaff's March was brilliant in all its confrontational glory. I had had the privilege of hearing it on a phonograph sent by a friend before the concert but it pales before an actual performance.
She followed this with a solo piano performance combined with her own vocals. It was soulful piece titled 'Piano Man' about people who are trapped in lives when they dream of being elsewhere. Solo performance? Vocals? This was only one of the ways she defies the standards. She did not knock politely at the doors of art and politely request permission to enter. She kicked in the portal and stormed in as if she was the owner!
Hearkening to the conventional, they performed Schubert's Lost Symphony but with a different orchestration, breathing new life into this old classic. Interestingly, Miss Degurechaff would provide commentary as each new piece was introduced. According to her, she only heard the complete version of this piece recently and wanted to share her love of it. To this listener's ears, she was also saying that all the music in the performance had her signature on it, even if she hadn't written it.
She followed this with the 'Sweet Talkin' Woman', a throwback, if one can use that phrase for someone whose career is so short, to her popular songs. It does raise a point that she is not at all uncomfortable singing the 'male' voice in the songs she creates. Some have theorized that her muse contains multitudes and is not so simply constrained and there may be some truth to this. Though this song doesn't have the power of Degurechaff's March, I predict it will be enormously popular.
The next song, however, will never achieve commercial success, in my humble opinion. Was it well done? Yes. Is it memorable? Also, yes, God help me. 'Veteran of the Magic Wars' will likely haunt my dreams for years to come, if not the rest of my life. One looks at the current songstress (and ambassador) and it is too easy to forget that she was once the most famous warrior of a conflict that shook the foundations of the world. But one can too easily forget the cost borne by those who have passed and also those who are still among us. As she says:
You see me now a veteran of a thousand magic wars
My energy's spent at last
And my armor is destroyed
I have used up all my weapons and I'm helpless and bereaved
Wounds are all I'm made of
Did I hear you say that this is victory?
She moves on from there to...
* * *
...Rainy Days and Mondays steps back, once again, from full orchestration to highlight the vocal power of the performer, only accompanied by piano, strings and, of all things, the harmonica. Despite her characterization as a soprano, Degurechaff is unafraid of the lower registers and has full mastery as an alto or even a contralto. Most women's range lowers somewhat when they mature it appears hers has merely broadened.
That brings us to the finale of the stow, and the most controversial. Before I describe it, you likely have come to realize that Tanya Degurechaff has little regard for the opinions of others. Or rather, she has a has a very high regard for her own opinions and invites like-minded people to come with her. If her first piece of the concert was a challenge, the last was a promise: there's so much more to come.
Like many others before her, she presented her contribution to the missing part of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. I must admit, as I listened to the first two parts, I was torn between regret and anticipation...
* * *
Most of the audience was likewise confused. The concert, while exceeding ambitious (and radical) was overall extremely enjoyable. By putting up what, by all odds, would be a crashing disappointment they felt their expectations were betrayed. As the movement was drawing to a close, the last part definitively created by Beethoven, curtains raised reveal an entire choir of performers. Four primary performers stood there, each with a cadre of behind them, with Tanya leading the sopranos.
One man couldn't help but exclaim as it started, "It's the song!"
His wife, listening intently, said, "Hmmm?"
"I've been hearing this snippet all week."
"Shhh! I want to hear it too!"
For twelve minutes and fifty-three seconds they listened. They ALL listened.
And, the second they were done, history was made.
* * *
...and so, I don't know if this is what the Great Master would have written had he survived, but I can say, without a doubt, it was the greatest piece of music I have ever heard and possibly ever will hear.
* * *
One reporter, rather than a music lover, was able to speak to her after a thirty-minute long standing ovation. Only one was allowed to interview her that evening to the frustration of many!
"I must say, Ms. Degurechaff, that was mighty fun! My music-loving friends tell me that you finished the famous Unfinished Symphony."
She cut him off flatly. "I didn't write that. Only Beethoven could have created the Ode to Joy."
Puzzled, he glanced at his notes as if he had misremembered something so basic. "Maybe I'm missing something, ha! You say that Beethoven wrote that piece."
"Of course."
"Not you."
"He was a singular genius; who else could write such a perfect ending?"
"But, and I ask this for my readers..." He trailed off, not sure HOW to ask the question. "How is it that you came to, errrr, perform it for us?"
"That's easy." She smiled oddly. "I listened to what had been written down and I heard the rest in my head."
The rest of the interview wandered over other topics because, for the life of him, the reporter could not figure out a single thing to ask about the concert after that.
* * *
There was not one, not two but THREE different parties going on after the concert and, somehow, Tanya was supposed to go to all three! What she did was casually visit two before retreating to her suite
The musicians were enjoying their own party that she had visited briefly to thank them for all their hard work. Though no alcohol was present (or at least not much), they all seemed to be drunk on the experience they had just shared. Her TvD employees joined this one as they found the atmosphere congenial (and the venue large enough to hold them!) It was only with great reluctance that she was allowed to meet the rest of her guests.
The second group was 'notables'. The mayor, the family she had rescued from the Lady of the Harbor, financial people, other politicians and so on. She made her greetings, strengthened connections and made future plans and meetings. Higgsbotham specifically got a promise to meet later the week.
Finally, finally she got back to her room. The three maids, FOUR maids actually were there getting treats available so she could finally relax. Oskar and Wilson were present, of course and they were speaking to Frau Seidel, having not had a chance to really interact before.
And then there was Helen.
Unable to resist, she hugged the younger woman! "Darling, that was magnificent! I knew it was worth it to come here!"
Tanya was barely able to extract herself thinking herself closer to death than in some battles on the Rhine. "I didn't think you'd actually make it when I sent the ticket."
Helen looked shocked. "How could I not come? I'm your friend and biggest fan! If I had missed your premier in the States, I would have regretted it forever!"
"Well, I'm glad you were able to come. It turned out pretty well, didn't it?"
"Naturally, I never had any doubts. Now, as busy as you are, you are still coming to my birthday, are you not?"
"Of course! It would be embarrassing to miss as I've been informed that it's being held on the embassy grounds," she said dryly.
"One never knows. You may have been seduces by the glamour and the lights of New York."
Tanya laughed! "This is just a sideline... a hobby to entertain myself. My real work is in Chicago."
"Perhaps, perhaps not. So, let me ask bluntly: is that the real work of Beethoven or did you imagine it?"
Tanya knew what she was trying to say. "It's as real as I could possibly make it."
Helen sucked in her breath slightly and then smiled. "Ah, good... good! We shall have much to speak of, darling!"
"I'm... sure we will." Definitely!
Gisela, like all TvD employees in Chicago, had plenty to do leading up to the grand opening. She was one of the 'front faces' for the consulate and also was one of the chief quality control personnel, so she was getting even busier than usual.
Ah, I'm not qualified to act as an ambassador and BOTH of them are in New York now! At least communications are good between here and there. Maybe Prince Oskar can come back early? The concerts are going well, there's no need for both of them, right? She made a mental note to send a quick telegram as they were rarely in their hotel rooms to receive a telephone call.
That reminds me... "Helena, any luck on hiring a phone operator?"
Another woman lifted her head from stacks of paperwork. "Not yet. We need at least two and the language requirements are extensive. I've looked through our employee files and I only came up with one perfect match."
"Oh, how lucky! Who's that?"
Helena gave her a tired look, "Tanya von Degurechaff."
"Well... good luck with that. Let's expand to four people and we'll bring more from Germania if we have to."
"We have to!" Helena said emphatically. "Our biggest issue is manpower. Reservations for our hotels and restaurants go out at least two months and some are a half year or longer."
"You can use locals for non-sensitive tasks." She glanced at the stacks of employee files, grouped by current job assignment. One of the largest stacks was for the brewery but they were all busy with their main employment, of course. "Vetting them is the hardest part. Keller's people are fine, I trust his judgment. Why not see if any of the wives of the brewery workers wants to pick up some extra money? They are unlikely to be agents or be tempted by outside money. Not if their husbands work for us and their kids go to our school. With the new conveniences, one even said she was a little bored."
"The president does like to keep things inside 'the family' if at all possible. How about kids?"
"I know we are a bit desperate..."
"I mean OLDER kids, plus odd jobs for the youngsters. Paperboys and so on."
"Do that. You can post bills at the brewery."
"I think we'll have better chances at the Markt."
"Both then." She kept talking while she ducked into an attached bathroom but she left the door open. "Give them B2 wages for part time and B3 for full time and raises as soon they prove their worth."
"What? You're not going to process them?"
Gisela came out wearing a cute dress with a hemline an inch shorter than before and a new hat and shoes. "Sorry, I have a date today."
Helena nodded knowingly. "Oh-ho! Mister großer Bär again?"
"Naturally, who else?"
"That's beginning to sound a little serious, hmmm? Will the honeymoon be in the Americas or Europa?"
"Nothing like that!" She turned and smiled on her way out. "Not yet."
* * *
The secondary market for concert tickets had reached a fever pitch in New York but, paradoxically, the attempts at counterfeiting plummeted. There were some unsavory rumors of scammers being threatened, robbed and even physically assaulted by their competitors making it a dangerous way to try to make money. Those with legitimate tickets kept them close, some even going so far as to store them in vaults or at their bank.
Of course, the rumors that there a mysterious 'Phantom' that targeted those fake tickets sellers were pooh-poohed by everyone.
* * *
Degurechaff was being hailed as the "Second Beethoven" in the popular press though this was objected to strenuously by nay-sayers among music critics and, with no small measure of irony, by Degurechaff herself. She adamantly and paradoxically insisted there was only one Beethoven and he was, indeed, the composer of the 'Ode to Joy'.
Music lovers, who simply enjoyed what they were hearing, mostly discussed it among themselves with those who hadn't yet seen the concert staying quiet.
Mostly.
But there was a definite hierarchy forming. Those who had been to a concert were, of course, top tier. Just behind them were those who had tickets to future shows. Tied with them on tier 2 were musicians who had access to the music (mostly sourced from musicians who had been to the concerts trying to 'reverse engineer' the performance). Lower still were critics who were only speaking from their experience with no other data.
The lowest tier was for those who were not critics, not musicians, without tickets... just music lovers in general. They were expected to just be quiet and listen to their betters.
Madelyn, well aware of her position on the bottom simply nodded and sighed. Her husband was an importer and had been out of town when he was supposed to get her her ticket to the show. He had been extremely apologetic and she was planning on forgiving him in a few days. In the meantime, she was cut out of the conversation with her music-phile friends. Her get-together tonight was supposed to let her talk about her own visit to the show but she was now a wallflower at her own party!
"Well, I think it's what Beethoven would have written. It fits perfectly with the original movements and the sheer magnificence of it!" A woman fanned herself as if just remembering it were causing her to overheat.
"Her claim it was actually written by him is deucedly odd, though. Did she find some manuscript? Have a vision? Did his ghost come and write it for her?" He snorted at the last thought even as some people nodded in agreement with it.
"It sounds like modesty. I've always thought that she wrote it but feels it would be unseemly to take credit for it. The great composer deserves the credit, in her eyes, and her addition was done with grace and humility."
"But is it a true completion? It's different in several significant ways from the first movements."
A musician snorted. "That's been the flaw with most people who have tried to complete the 'Unfinished Symphony'. They have just been lifeless rehashes of what he had already written. Beethoven was an innovator... a rebel! This was to be his magnum opus only stopped by death itself!"
A man who was going to the concert tomorrow weighed in. "She's an enormously talented musician, right? There were tiny clues left in his notes. A single word, 'Joy'... If she could feel what the great man felt when she was writing it and realized that he meant to use 'Ode to Joy' as an inspiration for the last movement, then perhaps she is right. She might feel that she was simply finishing the labor he had started and felt that she didn't deserve the accolades." He laughed wryly! "She could easily release 'Ode to Joy' on its own and had been lauded by all but she refuses!"
"You make a good point. It's a clue only a Germanian musician or poet would have been able to decipher. Rumor has it she is widely read in matters military, but not so much in the finer arts."
"Other than music," someone interrupted drolly.
"Yes, and that's important! She might have heard about 'Joy' and knew about that poem as part of a limited set of poems she was familiar with."
"So you are saying it wasn't her breadth of knowledge that allowed her to do this, but her lack?"
"Exactly! It's the only thing that fits the facts!"
Just then, Madelyn's husband came in carrying an awkwardly-sized crate. "Ah, sorry to interrupt darling." He kissed his wife's cheek, ignoring her chilly lack of response. "I had a present for you that your friends might be interested in."
This did get a reaction from her. "Oh?"
"Indeed!" He pulled off the top of the crate (the nails had already been removed) to reveal an odd-looking phonograph player. Other than the unusual styling, there wasn't anything particularly noteworthy about it. He chuckled as he put it on the table. "Looks just like a phonograph player, right? And it can function like one, top of the line. But it has an additional feature... it can play magically recordings as well and if you have even a trace of magical ability, anyone can put enough magic in to play most songs."
"Goodness!" She felt her ire toward him start to thaw a bit.
Sensing that things were going his way, he pulled out a pulled out a highly polished wooden case from an inner pocket. It was sleek and black with the TvD logo embossed in silver. "My suppliers managed to get the first run of the magigraph player and, as a bonus, the first run recording of Beethoven's Finished Symphony." He opened the case and pulled out a very specialized computation jewel. It was sealed without any moving parts and he put it into the player. Already having practiced, he put magic energy into the magigraph player and the unmistakable sounds of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony filled the room with unparalleled range and fidelity. The music lovers sat raptly and listened to all seventy minutes of it and barely breathed during the Ode to Joy movement.
Madelyn, having forgiven her husband entirely whispered in his ear while the others applauded, "You have earned quite the reward, my love!"
The tiers were about to get re-written!
* * *
Tanya read the telegram from the consulate and grinned at Oskar. "Well, you are quite popular... apparently they are desperate to have you back."
"Or you, I must point out." He sipped his coffee (dash of cream, no sugar).
"Since it's self-evident that I can't leave now, this is obviously aimed at you. Now that the concert has successfully started, it would make sense for you to return. There's probably some ambassadorial duties that need to be resolved."
"Like I'd have time for that. They'll probably have me repairing trolleys or sampling a new kuchen recipe as soon as I arrive."
She laughed! "I can't think of a better man for the job. And the consulate duties, of course." It's great to have subordinates that I can joke with and understand what I mean. I miss Visha and Salamander, but good people can be found anywhere. He can just relax until I get back.
"Of course," he repeated dryly. What an interesting leader! She is giving me free rein to carry forward the mission of Germania in her absence. No, she's challenging me to show what I can do. "I'll leave tonight, then. Everything is going well here and there are undoubtedly many trolleys to repair that await me."
"I look forward to returning in awhile and not having anything to do. Don't work too hard, however."
Hmmm... obviously she's saying to throw everything into high gear. She's been a driven figure even when she was just ten years old. I guess nothing much has changed on that front. "Consider it done, Ambassador!"
* * *
Back in Germania, new products were coming out of the labs at a record pace. A magnified version of the 'Dream List' was on the wall and they were working toward bring those things to reality, even if it wouldn't be for decades to come. Of course, in the here and now, they had other projects to work on.
Lange hated that he had to 'manage' people or budgets at all but Degurechaff's managerial style had cut back the time he had to waste on such nonsense so that he could maximize his creativity and production time. Money and materials were just fuel for inventions, in his mind.
Thus he was annoyed when a machinist was bothering him about both money AND materials. "What's the problem, then?"
The man grimaced. "The cost of grit has increased dramatically. We use a lot of it in polishing and shaping components, especially since we increased our orb production so much. I can't tell whether the cartels are actually running out of supplies or whether they just want to make more money."
"They are based out of where?"
"The Commonwealth."
"I wouldn't put it past them to try to keep our industry down. We're making inroads into their markets even now and that trend is going to continue. Can we replace it with corundum powder?"
"Not efficiently. We'd have to replace the cutters at least twice as often and that shuts down our production in nothing flat. Polishing would take be longer, too."
"Schiesse. What a mess." He thought about for a few minutes. "You know, there might be a solution to your problem. Wait a minute." He dug around for far longer than a minute and pulled out a single sheet of paper labeled Konzept 71. "See what you can do with this. Talk to the materials team and maybe they can make it work."
"Thanks, Sarge, I'll look into it!"
"Do that." And stop bothering me, I have more important things to deal with!
Lukas did as he was told and visited the chief. "Hey, can you help me with this?"
"What do you have? Oh, is it one of Degurechaff's idea papers? Hmmm..." He read over it and suddenly sat down. His agile brain went over the chemistry of what was proposed there and didn't see anything inherently impossible. "We'll need to investigate this, Lukas, thanks for bringing it by."
"Glad to help. I'll be even happier if you can help me with my supply issues!"
"Not immediately, but maybe soon. We'll let you know."
He took the paper to his team and started talking. "Okay, we have a priority project here. If it works, it'll change everything we are doing." He took a deep breath before diving into the topic. "It involves depositing carbon atoms to the surface of a diamond seed to 'grow' diamonds at relatively low temperatures and pressures..."
Chapter 79 - John Henry, your ride is here
Chapter Text
The same business partners that were selling (and pressing) Tanya's albums in the Unified States were helping her spread her new phonographs. Most were non-magical but their were of a much higher quality than their competitors. The Magigraphs, though, were the talk of the town. The fidelity was on another level entirely with the only downside that it required a mage to operate them. Pleasantly enough, though, many people found that they had at least the minimum necessary ability to power the device.
Oskar had arrived in Chicago safely and Tanya was wrapping up things in New York. "Just a few more and our entire supply of MagiGraphs will be gone. This little aside has paid for itself tidily, I'd say."
"Yes, President! The mayor has also approved your 'concert in the park'." He looked quite impressed, "How did you even think of that?"
Tanya shrugged. "It's not so unusual. The main problem with large outdoor events is actually hearing what is going on... they aren't conveniently designed like an amphitheater or concert hall. But we have magical amplifiers and speakers instead of having to somehow get electricity and conventional equipment to the site. Standard technology will someday broadcast to entire stadiums filled with tens of thousands of spectators watching sporting events or listening to concerts."
The ex-soldier was picturing it as well but the image was a bit different. He rather imagined it like the old Romana stadiums in Ildoa with Tanya in her military gear giving speeches rather than just for music. Hmmmm... so inspirational! Maybe we could have a parade too? I hear the Colonel wanted at least one parade for the veterans but was turned down. "That... will be quite a sight, President!"
"True, true. Never underestimate simple largeness when you want grandeur. The Pyramids, the Grand Canyon, the Great Wall... even if objectively useless, they don't fail to impress." Sigh... I miss my tall former body. Even now, at the cusp of adulthood, people still look down on me. Literally! Possibly figuratively as well, but fewer every day.
"I think things that are truly valuable are more impressive. You may go to see the Grand Canyon once or twice but how often do people go to see the Mona Lisa?"
"You have a point. At any rate, the final concert is a free one and we'll leave immediately afterward. I have a meeting after the concert and then we'll be off by nightfall."
"Not going to spend any time sightseeing? New York is one of the big cities, after all."
She said drolly, "Unlike some, I'm not impressed by sheer size." I've been to modern Tokyo... 1920s New York can't hold a candle to that! It was nice to see the Statue of Liberty, though.
* * *
The older Ispagnan woman was carefully lecturing the three maids from Francois. Though originally confrontational, they had reach a position of amity with shocking speed as they recognized a kindred spirit in the woman.
"You see, to serve, one must look beyond the surface. Each thing has a life, which means a death but also a birth. To reach a higher level of competence, a higher level of thought must be employed."
All four were working on their Germanian and Anglish so they were using those languages exclusively. Lucie was far and away the best at Germanian, followed by Mercedes with Anglish and Felite and Isabelle much further behind but learning as quickly as possible.
Felite cocked her head to one side and asked, "Can you give us an example?"
"Let us say you have served biscuits that were not to your lady's liking. What do you do?"
"Remove them immediately," Lucie said promptly.
"And replace them with something better!" added Isabelle
"Good, but that is only the most basic of responses." She held one palm at the level of the tabletop between them. "That the first level... how do you take it higher?" She held her other hand about six inches above the first.
Felite said cautiously, "Not serve them again?"
"Correct." The girls looked pleased. "But that answer is only worth half credit."
"Whaaaa?" the three said as one.
Meche nodded sagely. "What you do next is find out why they unacceptable. Were they too dry? Not sweet enough? Too sweet? This requires subtlety! Tact! Stealth!"
"Stealth?"
"Of course! The perfect service is never visible."
"Oh, like that novel by Wells, the Unseen Man."
"Exactly. Once you have determined what was displeasing, you can eliminate it. Was it a bad batch? The wrong flavor? Too old? When you have the cause, then you also have the solution."
The nodded in sync as this all made perfect sense. Then Felite piped up. "What if the bakery just doesn't do a good job sometimes? And that's the kind of treat that Tanya wants?"
"Ah, then you have to use other measures." She leaned closer, causing them to do likewise. "Can you imagine a finer client than Miss Degurechaff?"
They shook their heads. "No, no of course not."
"Then you inform the baker that she was most displeased with the quality of their goods and that she will have to take her business elsewhere and inform her friends of this. No matter what, you make sure they know that her needs are top priority. Top priority." She beamed at them. "It becomes simple, no?"
The three maids were enlightened but their thinking may have gone done a very odd path after that meeting.
* * *
The park concert was extremely well-attended. Due to the arrangements, fifty times the audience of the concert hall could attend and many others could hear it clearly not much further out. At Tanya's suggestion, many vendors were available to sell refreshments which put a smile on the face of the park manager who looked forward to a healthy increase in funds even accounting for the setup and cleanup afterward.
Another novelty is that even before the concert began, they were broadcasting Tanya's songs using Magigraph players to get people into the mood. Even to the untrained ear, the recordings were better than some live music they had heard over typical loudspeakers.
Before the concert began, they started playing Beethoven's Ninth from a recording. This is exactly what most people had been waiting for even if there was some disappointment that this wasn't the live version. That is, until the curtains lifted from around the stage revealing the orchestra and choir performing the Ode to Joy movement in person!
A cheer went up but was quickly stifled by the music lovers in the crowd. When it was finally done, the cheer was much longer and louder for having been suppressed for so long! Tanya walked to the front and spoke into the microphone. "Hello, everyone! Welcome to our concert today! I know you're not here today to listen to me ramble on, so let's get to some more music, hmmm?"
More cheers ensued and she went directly into a rousing rendition of 'Here Comes the Sun'.
One of the audience was sitting on a picnic blanket with her boyfriend and looked frankly puzzled. "Her Anglish is perfect and her singing is divine. Are we sure this is the terrible Devil of the Rhine they kept warning us about on the newsreels and papers?"
He shrugged and said, "She matches all the pictures we have, though a bit older now." He paused, "There were rumors, very quiet rumors mind you, that the threat of Germania was being overblown to guide public opinion."
"What, really?"
"Oh, yes. For every person that wanted to avoid the war, there was one who wanted to join in. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and we avoided that mess but it was touch and go for a few months. Well, we did officially supply munitions to most of the fronts, other than the Russies."
"You say officially like there was another story there."
"Yeah, I heard from my boss that we sent actual troops over to gather intel and to provide more direct support. All with decommissioned troops and 'volunteers' but no one really believes that. Our department handled logistics and I know what was sent out and it was not a small amount." He didn't mention that the numbers that came back were considerably smaller than what had left... at least among those who encountered Degurechaff in battle.
They listened to a few more songs and he asked her, "What do you think of her?"
She looked at the young woman singing her heart out on stage, a model of innocent beauty. She said very slowly, "I'm very, very glad she's doing this rather than that. I think, in the best interests of everyone, we should do everything we can to encourage this."
He laughed and agreed with her! "I knew you were a smart one! Actually, I knew you were the right one for me, my love." She turned to him and saw that was holding a ring and smiling at her.
It was not the only proposal that beautiful day in the park... nor the only acceptance.
* * *
Tanya was pleased with the results of the concert and was humming happily as she went over the accounts in her head. With our share of the concessions and future sales of TvD technology, we'll do quite well today. Anyone hearing our equipment will find whatever they are using listless and flat at best. Right now, we have 10,000 rabid fans of hi-fi gear just in New York alone. Not to mention this is a public-relations boon that can't be discounted. If music lovers were the only voters, I'm sure the American president would lose in a landslide against me!
Ella noted the President's cheerful mood and recalled a conversation with Vice President Serebryakov weeks ago. Something you'll probably notice the longer you are with Tanya... she's happiest after she's done some act of charity or given a free concert or helped a large number of people. She runs TvD to make money, true, because she was entrusted to do so by our investors and employees but she's never truly HAPPY unless she is doing good works. If you look for opportunities to help her with this, that would be a worthy service.
Ella pondered this and finally had an idea. "Hmmm... President, I had an idea. The park concert was a great success but why not do a mini concert over the radio? Perhaps as a farewell to the city where most everyone could hear, not just those who can make it to the park or theater?"
Tanya's eyes practically glowed with excitement. "That's brilliant! I should have thought of it myself. That's exactly the kind of thinking that will make TvD successful!" This is great... the best free advertising ever. I'm glad that everyone is beginning to understand how important that is and getting outside of their old habits.
Ella, see the flush of joy on her face was delighted! The Vice President was so right! I've never seen her happier. I better go arrange things immediately!
The radio broadcast was set for the evening during when most people listened in after dinner. It was mostly Tanya talking followed by some music, both live and recorded. She finished with a powerful rendition of Sinatra's New York, New York that caused applause to ring around the city!
* * *
Across the Atlantic, a completely different sort of meeting was taking place. One of the chief tax auditors for Berun and his team was grim-facedly sitting across a table from Serebryakov and their head accountants. Unlike many in her situation, she appeared entirely unconcerned as if there was no way that anything amiss could be found.
Or manufactured.
Herr Jäger was puzzled by this, to say the least. He had the power to cripple even the most innocent organizations and he was sure that he could find something here to shut them down for weeks, perhaps months. The Political Office had given him carte blanche to do his worst, indeed, they implied strongly that was their desire.
"I find it quite disrespectful that the President isn't here. This is quite the serious matter!" He found that an attack from the start put the audit in the right framework for the rest of the process.
Visha, apparently unconcerned, merely responded, "Oh, Herr Jäger, perhaps you hadn't heard that von Degurechaff is now an Ambassador to the Unified States. Even though she is retired from the military, she continues to serve the Empire. Don't you find that admirable?"
Thrown off his game by the perfect retort, he couldn't answer immediately. He naturally couldn't say that working for the government was no excuse. He, himself, was also a government servant! "Ahem! I'll need to see your books, ALL of your books immediately." This was his second salvo. Taking their books would throw their operations into shambles and might even let him catch an innocent mistake and turn it into a criminal offense. One could also make selective edits indicative of fraud if one was having problems uncovering the fraud easily.
"Is that all?" She lifted her hand and workers came in wheeling many, many large accounting books. "We took the liberty of making a copy of all our books so that we could comply with such a request." She smiled innocently. "Did I mention these are PERFECT copies made with magical photolithography? We, of course, need them for our day-to-day operations and we also deposit a copy to a secure repository in case of fire or other disasters. Naturally, you have the originals." Cart after cart came in... enough to swamp even an army of auditors for many weary days. "We've prepared a room for your team to work in. We normally use it for large meetings so I hope you don't mind the magical recording orbs we've installed. They make it SO much easier to create minutes afterwards and prevent misunderstandings."
"Ahem, ahem! We'll also need an accounting of all your stockpiles of gold bullion. In fact, we'll need to freeze those supplies as part of the audit." He gave a thin smile. "I'm sure you'll understand that due to the laws that have gone into effect, possession of such is strictly regulated."
She looked puzzled. "I'm afraid that won't be possible."
"Ah! Do realize what a breach of national law this is! Do you know what punishments are levied against those who break it?!" This was his most powerful attack... he rather hoped to save it until later when it would have more impact but he was running out of options.
"Oh, you don't understand. The reason I can't give you an access is that we have no stockpiles. All the hard currency we take in is immediately deposited in state-supervised banks as a deposit against our taxes." She shook her head sadly. "The reparations have hit Germania hard and we want to do our part to help with that. So we made arrangements that any such funds are directly sent to them so that they would have access as soon as possible so the Empire can avoid penalties for late payments. In fact, by our current accounting, we have pre-paid our likely tax burden for at least three years."
"T-t-three years?! A business this size had that much available capital?!"
"It's been a good year, we are very happy with our sales." She glanced at a wall clock, "In fact the heads of those banks will be here in a few moments to collect the gold. Naturally, since it's already been assigned to them, it doesn't count as 'our' gold anymore but you are welcome to look at the boxes if you wish."
"Yes, we should do that." His mind was dizzy with the implications. Every avenue of attack was being closed off in front of his eyes. No, not closed off, slammed shut!
He mutely followed Visha to another room with a walk-in vault. In front were several obviously well-to-do gentlemen standing around, chatting amiably. Though fierce competitors on the surface, their visits to TvD were quite amiable as the influxes of hard currency helped keep their institutions afloat and they are were all beneficiaries.
Visha smiled and quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry for this delay, gentlemen! I'll get the bullion and receipts prepared immediately. I see your auditors are ready to receive it."
"No harm, my dear Vice President! Rarely do we get the chance to talk in such pleasant circumstances these days." He glanced at Jäger, but looked away discounting his presence.
"Goodness, now I have to apologize again! This is the chief auditor for the tax bureau. He's taken time out of his busy schedule to, errr, look over our books for us."
The room became noticeably chillier. The oldest banker said flatly, "I hope this won't delay this transfer. We, and the Empire, have many obligations and these funds are vital to that. I trust there is no problem at all, is there?"
The auditor began to sweat. Any company, even a large one, would quiver under his authority but he was faced with the combined displeasure of the chief financial institutions of Berun! "N-no, not at all. Just a standard inquiry."
"Excellent." He waved and the auditors moved in to confirm the quantities of gold and the matching receipts.
Jäger's eyes nearly bulged out when he saw the quantities of gold being transferred. But it was obvious not a particle of gold dust was left behind when they were done.
"We'll see you in a week, gentlemen?" Visha asked after the vault was secured again.
The bankers, all smiles again, nodded. "Of course, of course! Always a pleasure doing business with you, Vice President." Hats were tipped and everyone exited with boxes in tow.
She turned back to the auditor. "Shall we return upstairs?"
"Ahem! No need. I'll let my people conduct the audit. I see no reason for my presence here." I almost put my head in a gold-plate vise just then! One wrong move and it would've been twisted off! I don't care what the Political Office wants, this is one company I can't afford to interfere with!
Weeks later, they discovered the books were in perfect shape. It was a model audit from one end to the other (perhaps to the relief of Herr Jäger most of all)!
For now, however, Visha saw him out the door and breathed a sigh of relief (once she was out of sight.) Once again, Tanya's prescience has saved us! It was like she could predict every dirty trick they might try. I wonder, though, who was pulling his strings? She shook the thought out of her head. It didn't matter in the end only that this threat had been thoroughly squashed!
* * *
Tanya's meeting was with an interesting selection of people. Originally it was just to be between her and Helen and Mayor Hylan. But, Robert (the financeer she had met on opening night) was invited quickly as he seemed interested in business opportunities. Once again, she went over the shipping container concept but elaborating further for Helen and Robert as they weren't experience in rail matters like the mayor. This time, she had excellent diagrams available that really brought the concept to vivid life even for the layman.
"My apologies for the lengthy description of 'what', let me go on to the 'how' and they 'why'. How this improves things is it makes everything flow more smoothly, more cheaply, more reliably. That much is self-evident even if the numbers aren't perfect. They question isn't IF it will save money, just how much and how fast. It does involve an up-front cost but the payoff time for the investment is measured not in years, but months."
Robert, with his keen nose for profit was practically quivering with excitement. "You say you are already instituting this in Germania?"
"TvD is, most certainly, and we are the ones making the rails and the cargo containers. Our rail standards are quickly becoming universal in Europa. But the standards and designs for the containers we intend to make freely available and, in fact, mandatory to qualify to be used on cargo ships. It wouldn't do to have some slipshod container collapsing and sending a shipment into the sea!"
Mayor Hylan nodded. "We are going to convert one section of docks as soon as possible to accommodate the change. There's nothing like success to sell a product. The only issue is which dock? I don't want to cause unnecessary disruptions during the transition."
Tanya smiled. "That's easier than you might think, Mayor. Isn't there a section of land that already has rail access that is currently not being used right now?"
"Well, damn me for a fool. Black Tom! The army is dragging their feet on the money to fix the damage but storing munitions so close to the city is likely to be outlawed soon, they may appreciate money coming IN rather than going OUT for this project."
Helen, always proper, had not bothered to interject herself in matters that didn't concern her. Now, however, she had a reasonable point to make. "And what about the 'why', dear Tanya?"
"Ahem. Yes. While I don't strictly believe the writings of Kant and Paine that constitutional republics won't make war on each other. I do believe nations with strong economic ties will avoid it if at all possible, assuming they are republics and not the various forms of monarchies, dictatorships and so on." She shook her head and continued, "Europa has proven time and time again that ties of family won't stop war. But a constitutional republic is the servant of the people and the people care a lot more about putting food on the table than matters of pride or treaties signed in smoky rooms on another continent." She looked directly at Helen and said. "You asked why? I think this will be a way to stop senseless wars in the future. At least some of them. At least the worst of them."
Helen smiled and put her gloved hand on Tanya's. "That's the right answer, I think. You have my support. I think I have a few million in my capital reserves but I'll encourage my husband to move some investments over."
Robert, as if sensing that an opportunity was escaping, chimed in. "I can provide at least that amount, if not more. I'll need to talk to my partners but this is very close to a can't-lose plan... especially if Europa is already moving ahead of us on this."
Hylan nodded. "We can have the basic port ready in not more than three months. Really, it's just a specialized gantry and if they can't throw one of those together given these specifications, I'll fire them and hire people who know how to build things!"
Just then, his assistant poked his head in. "Sir, there's a visitor here for you."
The Mayor trusted his aide not to disturb him for something unimportant. He got up with an 'excuse me'. In a minute he came back in with a grey-haired gentleman. "I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Mr. Huntington. I think he'd be very interested in what we are talking about."
The older man glanced at the displayed diagrams, understanding their contents in mere seconds. "I most certainly am!"
Tanya asked, "Henry E. Huntington?" Can I be so lucky? He's one of the titans of rail in North America.
He smiled and gave a slight bow of his head, "At your service, Ambassador!"