Chapter 42 move

Munich, April 1895 When the circus came to Germany, Mr. Dyson's native country, he was always happy.The location of the circus is quite close to Munich this time, and he doesn't have to book accommodation in other cities, so he is very happy. Celia.Bowen also agreed to come and visit.Although he had corresponded with her for many years but had never met, she said that if he didn't mind, she would be very interested in visiting his workshop. Frederick replied that of course he did not mind and that she was always welcome. For all their correspondence, each letter carefully filed in the office, he had no idea what it would be like when she arrived.

He was taken aback when he found that the woman standing at the door was the one he thought was an illusionist. She was right, though she was wearing a dusty rose dress instead of the black and white designs he was used to seeing.She had a warmer complexion, her hair was slightly curled, and she wore a hat that was very different from the silk top hat that stood out on stage, but he knew her face everywhere. What an honor.He used this sentence as a greeting. Most people wouldn't recognize me as soon as I stepped outside the circus.Celia said as he took her hand. Then most people are fools.He said, lifting her slender hand to his lips and kissing the back of her glove lightly.But I never knew who you were, and I felt like a fool.

I should have told you earlier, Celia said: I'm so sorry. There is no need to apologize.From the way you write about circuses, I should have guessed that you were more than just dreamers.You know every corner, way more than most. I'm familiar with many corners, but not all. Even for a circus illusionist, are there still mysteries yet to be solved?It's really admirable. Celia giggled, and Frederick showed her around his workshop. The front space of the workshop is mostly occupied by blueprints and sketches, followed by a long table covered with various parts and a lot of sawdust, and the drawers are full of gears and tools.When he described the entire production process, Celia listened happily and attentively, asking questions on the technical and creative levels.

He was surprised to find that she spoke German fluently, although they had always corresponded only in English. I can speak several languages, and speaking is easier than reading and writing. She explained: It has something to do with the sense of pitch.I could try putting them down on paper, but I'm sure the result would be scary. Despite his graying hair, Frederick looks younger when he smiles.Celia couldn't take her eyes off his hands as he showed him the detailed clockwork.She imagined the same fingers engraving every letter she had received before, and she had read those letters so many times that she could recite them backwards.She found it strange that she still felt shy in the company of people she knew so well.

He watched her with the same concentration as they traversed the racks of clocks in varying degrees of finish. can i ask you somethingHe said she was looking at a collection of finely carved figurines waiting patiently among the sawdust rolls to fit into their proper clocks. sure.Celia said that although she was worried that he would ask her how to perform magic, she was even more afraid that she would have to lie to him. You have been in the same city as me several times, but this is the first time you have asked for a meeting, why? Celia looked back at the statuette on the table before responding.Frederick reached out and straightened the little ballerina who was leaning to the side, allowing her to regain her balance on the moccasins tied with ribbons.

Before, I didn't want you to know who I am, Celia said: I thought if you knew who I was, you might have a different view of me.But after all this time, I don't think I've been honest enough.I've been wanting to confess to you for a while now that I couldn't resist the chance to visit your studio.I hope you can forgive me. You did nothing to be forgiven, said Frederick: A woman I thought I knew quite well was actually the same woman I had always considered a mystery.This is surprising, but I don't mind the nice surprise.However, what I am curious about is, why did you write your first letter to me in the first place?

The circus article you published made me read it with gusto. Celia said: I can’t observe the circus from that angle, because I understand it in a different way.I love seeing it through your eyes.When she looked up at him, the afternoon sunlight through the window made his soft blue eyes sparkle, and also reflected the little sawdust in the air. Thank you, Miss Bowen.Frederick said. Just call me Celia.She corrects. He nodded thoughtfully at her before continuing to show her around. The back walls are covered with finished or nearly finished clocks, waiting for the last few coats of paint or minor details to be added.The clock nearest the window was already ticking.Each clock moves in a unique way, but maintains the same harmonious rhythm, forming a carefully arranged symphony of ticking.

The clock that caught Celia's attention was sitting on the table, not a work hanging on the wall or on a shelf. That piece is quite beautiful, more like a carving than a clock.While many clocks are made of wood, this one is oxidized metal in mostly dark tones.It is a large round cage on a wooden base, and the base is engraved with vortex-shaped white flames.Inside the cage, overlapping metal hoops marked with numbers and symbols hung from the ceiling between clearly visible gears, and a series of stars fell from the filigree ceiling. But the clock sat still and did not move. This reminds me of a campfire, and Celia said: Isn't it done yet?

No, it's done, it's just broken, Frederick replied: This is an experimental work, and the components in it are difficult to get the right balance.He turned it so that she could see the mechanism extending in all directions throughout the cage.The structure is quite complicated, because it also tracks astronomical dynamics.I should have removed the base and disassembled the whole thing to get it working again.I haven't had time to deal with it. can i touch itCelia asked, reaching out to touch it.When he nodded, she took off one glove and pressed her hand to the metal bars of the cage.

She just looked at it thoughtfully, without attempting to make it move.To Frederick, her eyes looked like they were looking through the clock, not just casually. The mechanism inside kicks into motion, the gears slide with the pinion gears, and the numbered hoops rotate into place.The pointer slid up to indicate the correct time; the alignment of the planets was also adjusted. Everything in the cage turned slowly, and the silver stars shone brightly in the sunlight. Once the slow steady tick sounded, Celia moved her hand away. Frederick didn't ask her how she did it. He takes her to dinner.They did talk about the circus, but most of the meal was spent discussing books, art, wine tasting and their favorite cities.There may be pauses between the conversations, but the atmosphere is not awkward, but they try to find a sense of rhythm in the conversation that appeared in the correspondence between the two, often switching between different languages.

Why didn't you ask me how I did the trick?Once the two chatted to a certain stage, Celia was sure that his attitude towards this matter was not just based on politeness, so she asked. Frederick thought the question through before responding. Because I don't want to know, he said: I'd rather remain uninspired than enjoy ignorance. That feeling made Celia's eyebrows happy, and she couldn't respond properly in any language that the two of them shared, but just smiled at him over the wine glass. Besides, Frederick went on: You must be asked about these things all the time.I found myself more interested in getting to know you personally than the magician.I hope you can accept this statement. Perfect.Celia said. After dinner, the two walked together to the circus, passing by the red-roofed buildings faintly shining in the fading light, and they went their separate ways when they reached the atrium. Frederick was puzzled by the fact that no one seemed to recognize her as she moved among the crowd incognito. When he watched her perform, she only met his eyes with a faint smile once, and showed no other signs of recognition. Then, long after midnight, she appeared suddenly as he was strolling, in a cream coat and a dark green scarf. You should wear a red scarf.Frederick commented. I'm not an orthodox dreamer, Celia said: It doesn't feel right.But while she was speaking, the color of the scarf was gradually adjusted to a rich dark red like wine.Are you better? Perfect.said Frederick, still looking intently into her eyes. She hooked his outstretched arm, and the two strolled along the winding walkway, through the fading crowd of customers. For the next few nights, they maintained this fixed itinerary, but as soon as the news came from London, the circus would not stay in Munich any longer.