Artie Meets the Alchemist Conclusion — #GetCaughtReading 2018

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Hello, everyone!  I’m back for more Get Caught Reading Month festivities.   Chris Graham – the Story Reading Ape and I collaborated for a mini-series in honor of this event.  

Artie Meets Alchemist promo 1

But first…

Odd Job Girl Sally Cronin

You caught me reading another great book.  This week, you’ve caught me reading one of my favorites by Sally Georgina Cronin — Just an Odd Job Girl.

Read the reviews of Sally’s books (and buy them) via a number of distributors. However, for my convenience in creating this post, here’s Amazon (click here), and Amazon UK (click here).

***

Now back to the 2018 Get Caught Reading mini-series…

Previously in Artie Meets the Alchemist…

Artie was testing how fast his motor cycle/time machine could go down Route 66.  Meanwhile Cornelis Drebbel was taking his road locomotive down to investigate, because the civilization alarm in the alchemist’s dirigible went off…

Over to Chris Graham…

Artie Meets the Alchemist

Conclusion

Artie Portable Time Machine cycle
Artie’s portable time machine, image courtesy Chris Graham

Using all his strength, skill and a sizeable amount of good luck, Artie managed to avoid a collision with the rapidly approaching road locomotive.  He basically ran off the road, over an embankment, somersaulting, while doing a 180 horizontally, and abruptly stopping on top of an unfortunate bush, (the only one for miles in any direction), miraculously still on his seat and gripping the handlebars…

From his vantage point, now facing the road, Artie watched the road locomotive stop with much clanking, squealing and copious clouds of steam.  A tall man in formal attire, complete with top hat, and impressively bushy eyebrows, stepped down and hurriedly walked towards him, appearing to be asking questions.  What the questions were, Artie didn’t have a clue at that time — he was still deaf and dazed by the unexpected acrobatics and abrupt stopping manoeuvres…

640px-Road_locomotive__John_boy__(5605531950)
Wikimedia Commons

Then, the man disappeared as the embankment quickly rose.  In fact, the bush had decided it had had enough and collapsed, depositing Artie and the time machine back onto the ground.

The man scrambled over the embankment and after a quick check for broken bones (there were none), helped Artie remove his safety helmet.  He barely paused at Artie’s simian features.

“Are you injured old chap?” he inquired in quaintly polite Teutonic English.

Artie shook his head, wondering at the stranger’s lack of reaction. 

“Yes, I’ve met chimpanzees similar to you before.  I’m terribly sorry to have suddenly materialised in front of you, old boy.  You did a terribly good job avoiding a collision.”

Artie grinned his appreciation of the compliment.

“Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Cornelis Drebbel, and you are…?”

Cornelis Drebbel Alcmariensis
Cornelis Drebbel

Artie put out his gauntlet clad paw, “Aristotle, but please just call me Artie.”

”Your machine looks quite impressive Artie, some kind of motorcycle, but not one I’ve seen before, did you build it?”

”Yes, I did, and your road locomotive is the best I’ve ever seen.  Regarding your sudden appearance, may I ask if you are a time traveler too?”

(Back to Teagan)

“A time traveler?  Oh, my goodness no.  Or well, I suppose you could say that I am.  My companions and I were out for a jaunt in my dirigible and it came to my attention that they had not brought any books along.  The jackalope has some but they were only about weather and empirical data.  So, I set the civilization alarm in hope of finding a library.  Do you happen to know of one?”

Artie sketch thinking color steampunk
Artie, courtesy of Chris Graham

Artie ponderated for a moment, thinking it was good that they had both landed in that world and time.  He gave Cornelis a big toothy grin.

The genius chimpanzee showed the alchemist an app specially adapted for his mobile time machine. 

“This will show us the libraries around the world,” Artie told him.

Library map

“Oh, that’s quite amazing.  Why there are more than two million libraries!  We should find mechanical engineering periodicals for Copper, and weather science volumes for Jack, and romance novels for me,” Cornelis enthused.  “Erm… I mean, history and science books for myself.”

“Indeed!” Artie agreed with a wink.

Then the very remarkable chimpanzee zoomed away on his converted motorcycle / mobile time machine.  With a burst of rainbow colored light, he disappeared.

Cornelis Drebbel shook his head in admiration.

“Copper will never believe this,” the alchemist murmured to himself as he turned on his communication device.  “Jack?  Copper?”

“Yes, Alchemist?” the jackalope answered.

“I’m ready to bring the road locomotive back up to the dirigible.  Could you give me a hand, old thing?” Cornelis asked.

Atonement Airship
Image by Chris Graham

“Of course, Alchemist.  Were you able to find a library?” Jack eagerly inquired.

“Millions of them!” Cornelis cried.

“Conrelis Drebbel,” Copper began.  “Why do you need help getting the road locomotive back up?  You better not have damaged it again.  I only just finished the repairs to it.”

Cornelis cringed momentarily.  He really didn’t mean to abuse Copper’s mechanical talents, but it was certainly a relief that she was so capable.  Besides, the main thing was he had found millions of libraries and there would be no shortage of reading material.

“Dear girl, you are going to be astonished at all the books you’re going to get,” he told her instead of answering.

“You wrecked the locomotive again, didn’t you?” Copper said in a resigned voice.

Cornelis wriggled his bushy eyebrows and smiled to himself.

***

The End.

Who won the drawing for a book from Teagan?

This month is all about encouraging people of all ages to read.  Last week I offered a Kindle version of one of my books to the winner of a random drawing.  I asked anyone who wanted to participate to leave a comment with the title and author of the book I’ve caught you reading.  And the winner is… (drum roll…) Viv Drewa the Owl Lady! 

Viv chose my 1920s stories.  Since The Three Things Serial Story is only a dollar, I threw it in with Murder at the Bijou — Three Ingredients 1.  Thanks to Viv and everyone who came out to play.

Next weekend I’ll show you all the books I’ve caught people reading.  Meanwhile, ankle over to Jazz Age Wednesdays for my current Roaring Twenties serial.  

Just because I can’t resist, here’s Rob Goldstein’s latest video for my Jazz Age Wednesday series, Hullaba Lulu.  

Thanks for visiting.  Mega hugs!

***

Now, promoting my “partner in crime” Chris Graham.

My Vibrating Vertabrae cover
A lovely book of poetry by Chris Graham’s mom

Amazon

Amazon UK

***

And now my own shameless self-promotion…

Atonement Video Cover copy

Atonement, Tennessee

Amazon UK

Bijou front only 2

Murder at the Bijou — Three Ingredients I

Novel-book-The Three Things Serial Story-Teagan Riordain Geneviene-The Writer Next Door-Vashti Q-spotlight-author

The Three Things Serial Story: A Little 1920s Story Kindle 

 

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2018 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene and Christopher Graham

All rights reserved.

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.

67 thoughts on “Artie Meets the Alchemist Conclusion — #GetCaughtReading 2018”

  1. I just reread part 1 and then came over to part 2 ~ Yup, I’m behind but writing like this is timeless!! Great collab, Teagan and Chris 🙂 Also congrats to the Owl Lady for winning the book ❤ I'm all about that libraries of the world link – checking it out – I adore libraries.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Great conclusion to the story, Teagan. I’d take a dirigible to a few libraries with Cornelius and Copper, thanks to Artie and his app. 🙂 I also got a kick out of The Odd Job Girl. And congrats to Viv on winning a book!

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    1. You can be sure of that, Jan — and they’ll listen to the beautiful song on your Mother’s Day post too. 😀 I’m happy you enjoyed this humble offering for Get Caught Reading month. Thanks so much for visiting. Hugs!

      Liked by 1 person

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  17. I’m amazed Cornelis could remember where all those libraries were located! But then, he IS a genius alchemist. ‘Ponderated’ gave me a chuckle. And Artie must be Mr. Gumby 🙂 Another entertaining episode, Teagan and Chris ❤️❤️

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  18. Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    It is Saturday and time to drop into the world created by Teagan Geneviene originally as the Three Things Serial.. with Copper and Cornelis Drebbel with the addition in this episode of Artie the Chimpanzee (courtesy of Chris, The Story Reading Ape). Who whilst driving his motorbike has a near miss… head over and Get Caught Reading this terrific chapter….

    Liked by 2 people

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  19. Your imagination knows no bounds Teagan …Reading your comments I really need to set aside more time for reading I am put to shame by some of your readers 🙂 x

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Hi Carol. You are so kind — thank you.
      I feel the same way… I have so very little time for pleasure reading. Plus I’m not a fast reader. I am definitely put to shame.
      We have a hot, humid day, and the sun finally came out. Any of your wonderful recipes would be delicious here today. Thanks so much for visiting. Hugs!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  23. A marvelous episode, Teagan. I do like Artie. I shared my review of Circumstances of Childhood by John Howell today and am reading Ludwika by Christof Fischer and The Sedan chair caper by Jim Webster. Next on my list is Just an Odd Job Girl by Sally Cronin and your very own Three Things Serial Ballerina, Fireman, Movie Star. Oh, and I am reading Versions of the Self by Christy Birmingham (I always have a poetry book on the go).

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Thank you kindly, Robbie. Artie always wins hearts when he visits.
      John is such a marvelous writer, friend, and mentor. I’m glad you could review his book. You are such a voracious reader — I so admire that. I hope you enjoy my little novela. It’s just whimsical fun. I remember Olga suggested people give themselves the exercise of imagining what they would do with each set of 3 things. Anyway, I’m honored to be among such marvelous writers in your TBR list. Happy weekend hugs!

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  24. You guys make a great pair, as do Artie and Cornelis. I’m picturing that meeting – “I’m Cornelis Drebbel, and you are…?” I was thinking about how, for the two of them, nothing would really come as a shock. That’s the benefit of an active imagination. I know, it’s a little off the path of this story, but that’s my take-away. An active imagination prepares you for anything!

    Thanks for the peek at Rob’s video – it’s so cool – I love the silent movie look and feel and how well it goes with the music. You guys 9all three of you) are an awesome combination of talent.

    Have a great weekend, Teagan!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Well Dan, I will certainly have a great weekend now! Thanks so much. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the story and the video too.
      Loved your Train Day post today. Cornelis and Valentino will never let me hear the end of not telling them about it! 😉 Happy weekend hugs.

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  26. Fabulous, Chris and Teagan! I’d love to see Artie’s acrobatics live! And I’m happy Cornelius and his team will have plenty of books to read. Never enough books! ♥

    Liked by 2 people

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