2 Mr.Tesla's workshop

Chapter 2 Mr. Tesla's workshop Luke waved his hand in front of his face to clear some of the smoke in what looked like an old science lab. A man was doing something to a large piece of machinery that was banging and sparking. He was well-dressed in what Luke recognized from his work on the

costumes for The Time Machine as the latest in 1890s fashion: a suit with a boxy jacket and shirt with a high collar. "New York City, 1892!" said Sarah, staring at her Timekeepers watch. "Some of the greatest writers in the world lived and worked here then—Henry James, Edith Wharton...It's so great that we're here too!"

"Cuckoo!" said Tempo. Luke realized that he was wearing a shirt with a wide, stiff collar, a double-breasted jacket in brown tweed, knickers, long brown socks, and sturdy brown shoes. Sarah was wearing bloomers and a straw hat. She looked surprised and pleased. Women had only ever worn skirts and dresses before this time. Bloomers were a fantastic invention of the nineteenth century, designed so women could ride bicycles. Luke's bag had changed as well, to a neat leather satchel which safely held both pairs of rubber boots. He opened the bag and frowned at the bulky boots. They didn't go with

their outfits at all. Why had the History Hub provided them? There were more sparks, and more smoke. Then there was a different kind of bang as someone knocked at the door. "Keep the noise down!" roared an angry voice. "Some of us are trying to sleep!" Through the windows, Luke saw a dark sky patterned with a few dim stars. No wonder the room was shadowy. It was the middle of the night!

"Go away," muttered the well-dressed man, looking at the door. "I am busy. Can't you hear-" He caught sight of Luke, Sarah, and Tempo beside his workbenches. "How did you get inside here?" he said in surprise. He spoke with a strong European accent. "Is it you who is knocking?"

"They arrived a few minutes ago, Mr. Tesla." A young woman appeared from the shadows at the back of the lab, dusting down her clothes. She smiled at Luke and Sarah. "Can we help you?" "No one can help," groaned the man. He thumped his workbench. "No one!" "Don't mind him," said the young woman. "He can be a bit dramatic. I'm Bessie, and that's Mr. Tesla." "Yes, yes, Nikola Tesla, this is me," said the man. "And I am ruined. Ruined!" "I'm sure it's not as bad as that," said Sarah. "It depends on how you look at it." Luke introduced himself and Sarah as strangers who had been passing by.