Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World

A month and a half later, the month of December arrived. It was the late autumn season in the United States of Avalonia at Pittsburg. The temperature every day is gradually decreasing as the winter is coming in.

Poul and Jonathan could feel the chilling temperature permeating their bedroom. They share a room with each other to save space and reduce costs. It was no big deal for them to share a room as they have been doing it for seven years. But since the company is growing rapidly, eventually, they'll be forced to make a new building that will serve as their main office and home.

Jonathan opened the window and the morning breeze greeted him with a gentle blow. He stood there and took a deep breath of the chilly air and sighed contentedly. "Poul, wake up now, we have a train to catch," Jonathan said from his spot while glancing over his shoulder.

Poul was sleeping soundly, his limbs splayed around the bed. His silver hair sprawled out on the pillow and his chest was moving up and down with each breath he let out.

Jonathan rubbed the bridge of his nose as he sighed again. "I knew it. I should have told him to sleep early…Poul…Poul!" he called again but the only response he got was Poul turning onto his back and raising the quilt above his head. He then proceeded to roll away toward the opposite side of the bed. Jonathan groaned, exasperated. "Poul…" he muttered under his breath, annoyingly.

"Well, looks like I'll have to take drastic measures," Jonathan walked over to a drawer located by the bed. On top of it was a pitcher of water and poured himself a glass. The water was cold, with an approximate temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. He then approached the sleeping Poul.

"This is your last warning, are you going to wake up or not?" Jonathan demanded as he shook Poul's shoulders.

Poul groaned. "Five…more…minutes…" he whispered as if he didn't want to be disturbed.

"Okay, you left me with no choice," Jonathan tilted the glass of water and the water poured out and fell on Poul's head.

Poul jerked awake. "AHH WHAT THE HELL!?" he shrieked loudly before he realized what was happening. Then he noticed how wet his face was. "WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM MAN? You know the person is sleeping right?" he berated but Jonathan was unfazed by his outburst.

"You are aware that we have to leave early in the morning right? It's December fifteen, eighteen hundred eighty-one. We have two days to get to New York. You promised me you are going to wake up in the morning, and you said that before midnight. But, looking at the droopiness of your eyes right now, I can tell that you slept late."

"That was because I was working on something important!" Poul shot back defensively. "You know that I had to draw fifty schematic diagrams of motorized tools and equipment that we will be presenting with Mister Morgan and Russel."

Jonathan gave him an unamused look. "You had one and a half months to complete that. It's your fault for working on it last week. Come on, we are adults, we should get procrastination out of our system."

"Well, sorry because you can't run the company alone. You needed me for the clerical work," Poul sighed deeply. "We should really get a secretary to ease our burden of paperwork."

"Get up now, Poul. We have a train to catch at eleven-thirty in the morning. It leaves strictly on schedule."

"I'll go take a shower then," Poul got up from his bed and headed towards the bathroom. "Make sure there's breakfast."

Jonathan nodded. "What am I, your maid?"

"Oh give it a break, Jonathan. You have been cooking for us together for seven years, why are you still bothered about it?" Poul's voice rang outside their bedroom, the sound decreased as Poul neared the bathroom.

It took Poul ten minutes to take a bath. Jonathan wondered why he took long when usually you only need at least three minutes. Maybe he is doing something mysterious inside and he doesn't want to know.

He used that time to make a simple breakfast, a scrambled egg sandwich, and coffee. He made four scrambled egg sandwiches and two coffees, and After Poul got out of the bathroom, Jonathan went and told him that the breakfast was on the table.

Twenty minutes later, they are dressed in a spiffy yet sharp three-piece black suit with a complementing burgundy tie. They both checked their reflection in the mirror several times to make sure everything was just right. It was good but it can be perfect by adding an overcoat and hat.

"This era's style of fashion is sleek I must say," Poul commented. "I look handsome in this suit though."

"Any man wearing a suit can look dashing," Jonathan remarked as he combed his hair to a side parting, giving him a simple yet dignified look. For the final touch, he placed a black top hat on his head.

They were ready to leave. Jonathan closed the door behind them. Then before leaving the headquarters, they made a quick detour to the main office where the engineers are working.

"Mr. Axelsen and Nielsen. Are you going to leave now?" Walter asked politely as he placed his hand on his chest.

"Yeah, we'll be in New York for a week. While we are gone, I want you to watch over the company for us. Don't worry, we have done all the paperwork," Jonathan said.

"If there is a special guest who came uninvited, tell them that we are away and give them this number," Poul handed Walter a calling card.

Walter received it and took a quick glance at it. "Astoria hotel? You two are staying at the Astoria Hotel? Isn't that the luxurious and exquisite hotel in New York?"

"Morgan arranged it for us. He is a generous man. He even bought us a first-class ticket to our trip to New Jersey."

"New Jersey?" Walter tilted his head, confused. "I thought your destination was New York?"

"Well, there is no direct line to New York Manhattan. We have to get to New Jersey first, and take a ferry that will take us to Manhattan," Poul explained and glanced around. "Where is Timothy?"

"I'm here!" Timothy said with a high voice as he entered the drawing room.

"Perfect timing," Poul winked. "So did you already finish what I ordered you to do?"

"The direct current electric motor is already packed and ready for shipping," Poul said. "I made sure that the parts were working properly before putting them into a wooden crate.

"Good," Poul smiled in satisfaction and turned to every engineer in the room who was busy experimenting and working. "May I have your attention please!"

The engineers paused what they were doing and looked over to their boss who was standing at the center of the room.

"As you may all probably have learned, our company is growing at an unprecedented rate. From a small company to a big one. It's a huge leap. And we couldn't do it without you and the workers working their asses out day and night to make air brakes, draft gears, and signaling equipment. For that, we have decided that we will increase your salary. Your current salary was 100 dollars per month correct? we will make it 150 dollars."

Hearing the announcement, the engineers erupted in cheers, claps, and whistles.

"That's all, everyone. We'll see you at Christmas. We'll announce the salary increase to the workers at the factory too when we return so keep quiet. That's all for today, goodbye."

"Take care sirs!" The engineers shouted as they exited the building.