Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, the streets of Berlin took on a different character. The hustle and bustle of the daytime rush were replaced by a slower, more relaxed pace. The glow of the streetlamps and the faint hum of distant music lent an air of romance to the city, and Poul, Jonathan, and Amelia strolled through the streets, taking in the sights.

The city was a curious blend of old-world elegance and modernity. The buildings ranged from towering stone structures, reminiscent of an earlier era, to sleek and modernist edifices that spoke of the cutting edge of contemporary design. The streets were alive with the sound of footsteps and the hum of conversation, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter or the strains of music from a nearby café.

Poul paused in front of a storefront, peering into the window. Inside, he could see a display of intricate clockwork devices, ticking away in perfect synchronicity. He turned to his companions, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Shall we go inside? I've always been fascinated by clockwork."

Amelia smiled. "Of course, Mr. Nielsen. Lead the way."

Poul pushed open the door, and the trio stepped into the shop, the tinkling of a small bell announcing their arrival. The air was heavy with the scent of oil and metal, and the walls were lined with shelves, each filled with an array of intricate mechanisms and gears.

A middle-aged man, dressed in a long apron and sporting a bushy mustache, looked up from his workbench and smiled. "Good evening, sirs and madam. How can I assist you?"

Amelia stepped forward, his eyes alight with curiosity. "My superiors are fascinated by clockwork. Do you have anything you can show us?"

The shopkeeper nodded, his mustache twitching. "Indeed, ma'am. We have a wide array of timepieces, from the simplest pocket watches to the most complex automata. Is there anything in particular that interests you?"

Amelia turned around and faced Poul and translated. "He is asking if you have something that interests you?"

Poul gestured towards a display case, and the shopkeeper unlocked it, carefully removing a small brass pocket watch. He wound the mechanism, and the watch sprang to life, ticking away with a soft, precise rhythm.

Poul and Jonathan leaned in, marveling at the intricate design and the precision of the movements. Amelia stood back, her eyes taking in the entire scene, her lips curving up in a slight smile.

"I think I'm going to buy this, Jonathan. What do you think?"

"But didn't you just receive a pocket watch from Amelia as a gift?"

Poul looked at Jonathan, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Yes, but this one is quite different. Look at the craftsmanship and the attention to detail. It's a thing of beauty."

Jonathan nodded, his eyes fixed on the pocket watch. "You're right, Poul. It's a work of art."

"Ms. Weiss, ask how much is this pocket watch," Poul said.

Amelia turned to the shopkeeper and asked him in German, "Excuse me, sir, may I know how much this pocket watch costs?"

"The price for this pocket watch is 84 Goldmark," the shopkeeper responded.

Amelia nodded and translated the price for Poul and Jonathan.

"84 Goldmark? How much is that in dollars?" Jonathan asked.

"It's about 20 dollars, Mr. Axelsen," Amelia answered.

"Okay, we'll take it," Poul accepted.

The shopkeeper nodded and carefully wrapped the pocket watch in a soft cloth before placing it in a small box.

"Excellent choice, sir," he said, handing the box to Poul. "It's a piece that will serve you well for many years to come."

Poul thanked the shopkeeper and paid for the pocket watch, carefully tucking the box into his coat pocket. As they stepped back out into the cool evening air, Amelia pointed to a nearby café, the warm glow of its interior inviting them in.

"Shall we stop for a drink?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.

Poul and Jonathan agreed, and the trio made their way to the café. Inside, the air was thick with the aroma of coffee and baked goods, and the murmur of conversation filled the room.

They settled into a cozy corner booth, and a waiter approached them, taking their orders for coffee and pastries. As they waited for their drinks to arrive, they chatted amiably.

"So, tomorrow, we will meet the officials from the Imperial Railway Office who had visited us from Pittsburgh," Poul said. "I don't know the contents of the meeting as it was not stated in the letter. But it is most likely an offer."

"You are right," Jonathan nodded agreeably. "The Imperial Railway Office has been endorsing our technology to their railway companies, and thanks to that, we are getting flooded with orders."

"Whatever would be the agenda for tomorrow, I believe it will be a fruitful discussion," Amelia added, "Our work has been gaining recognition, and I have no doubt that we will continue to make great strides in the field of railway technology."

Poul smiled, feeling a sense of pride in their accomplishments. "Yes, we've come a long way since we first started working together."

As they were having a discussion, the waiter arrived with their drinks and pastries. Poul took a sip of his coffee and savored the rich, velvety flavor. The pastries were flaky and buttery, and the trio enjoyed them in silence.

After that, they left the café.

The night was still young, and they decided to take a leisurely walk through the city. They strolled through the historic Brandenburg Gate, marveling at the grandeur of the monument. The night sky was clear, and the stars twinkled overhead, casting a soft glow over the city.

As they walked, they came across a group of street performers, their lively music filling the air. The trio stopped to watch and soon found themselves swaying to the rhythm of the music. They clapped along with the crowd and even joined in a traditional German folk dance.

As the night wore on, they made their way back to their hotel, tired but content. Poul and Jonathan bid their secretary goodnight and retired to their room. As they settled into their bed, their mind was abuzz with thoughts of the upcoming meeting with the Imperial Railway Office.

Would they receive another contract again and finally set up a branch in Germany? Who knows? They can only find out about it tomorrow.