Jazz Age Wednesdays ― Hullaba Lulu 10.1

Posted on by Teagan R. Geneviene

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Lulu Valentino chaos outside train Arrival 1
Lulu & Valentino see chaos outside the train when it passes into a Pittura Metafisica, by Rob Goldstein

Welcome back to Jazz Age Wednesdays, Sheiks and Shebas!  I’m happy to see you here at the station for this diesel-punk, pantser story.  Artist, Rob Goldstein  created a new video that serves as a visual recap for the series up to this point.  Rob’s post, Hullaba Lulu: The Music Goes Round talks about what he did.  If you want a more comprehensive review, he generously made a post with links to all the past chapters. 

(Click here for Rob’s entire collection of videos.)

This time I didn’t even make it to the first of the three things Rob sent for our tenth chapter… but I’m still calling this episode Chapter 10.1.  It wasn’t an official “thing” but as I was writing, I realized that I needed an electromagnet. So that’s my title for this segment.  The action picks up where Chapter 9.3 stopped.

Previously with Hullaba Lulu

Valentino told Gramps and Lulu that he is connected to the train and can’t be separated from it.  Worse, he said he doesn’t have long to live.

“I have kept the knowledge to myself, because you did not share it,” Moon began.  “But I know that your connection to the train has deteriorated.  I think the damage to the Tesla coil slowly eroded as your condition became worse.” 

Cotton Club Valentino on Car
Valentino reclining atop his Rolls-Royce outside the Cotton Club, by Rob Goldstein

Valentino’s train was out of control and headed straight for the Cotton Club.  However, instead of crashing into the nightclub, the train traveled into a Pittura Metafisica mural on the outside wall of the club. That created a strange vortex, pulling the Rolls-Royce and all the angel-bots into the painting along with the train.

Do you hear Valentino’s trumpet? 

All aboard!

Hullaba Lulu

Chapter 10.1

Electromagnet

Rocking horse bot pulled after train The Pyramid 1
Things being pulled behind the train as it passes into a Pittura Metafisica

As the train went into the Pittura Metafisica of the bizarre Egyptian scene, I was mortified.  Valentino couldn’t be physically far away from the train.  Worse he said he didn’t have long to live.  So, I had to think that any separation at all would be more than he could take.

Yet I didn’t have time to focus on that thought because as the train charged into the painting it pulled the Rolls-Royce, the clockwork angel-bots, and a few nearby objects into the painting with it.

Colors whirled outside the vehicle’s windows.  Valentino grew pale and his hands shook.  He was telling Gramps something about “vortex” but I could barely hear them over the noise Rose and Pearl made. 

General vortex Flight to Egypt-5
Vortex, by Rob Goldstein

Giving a girlish scream wasn’t something I was likely to do, not after what Valentino said about dying back at the Cotton Club.  That weighed too heavily on my mind for me to have half a thought about being pulled inside a painting. 

Besides, it all happened so fast, there wasn’t time to divide one thought from the other.  My pals had not been at the table.  They didn’t know about Valentino.  There hadn’t been time to tell them, but I figured that wasn’t mine to tell anyway.  I didn’t know whether or not Valentino meant it to be a secret.

Our immediate peril became clear.  Outside, two angel-bots seemed to lose their hold on the vehicle.  When Ginger cried out I knew one of those bots was Dynamite.  By his blueish coloring the other bot had to be Moon. 

I gasped in consternation as they tumbled away from the Rolls.  Then I realized that they let go of the Rolls deliberately in a rash attempt to reach the train.  As Dynamite hurtled forward he grabbed hold of the railing on the train.  He caught Moon’s arm and the two of them gradually climbed onto the train and hurried inside.

Bot Valentino Lulu inside train windows Flight to Egypt-4
Train entering Pittura Metafisica

Soon all the angel-bots had made a chain, in much the same way that people would make a human chain to rescue a skater who fell through the ice.  Although I had only seen that done in pictures.  Clumsy as I was, that was one calamity that had never befallen me.  But then, I had never been ice skating.

Dynamite and Moon emerged from the train and wheeled out a machine about the size of a Victrola cabinet.  It was topped with a cylinder and a lot of wires, and the cabinet had a bunch of knobs and even more wires.  Valentino muttered the word electromagnet.

Moon twisted the knobs.  I heard a loud hum.  The automobile surged forward, connecting itself to the train.  The angel-bots gathered to make sure it was firmly attached.  Then they helped Pearl, Rose, Gramps, and me get on the train.

Briefly I wondered why the angel-bots weren’t stuck to the electromagnet.  I supposed they really were made from gold, rather than from some fake metal.  Before I could be astonished by that fact, a question from Pearl caused me to whirl away from the machine and the bots.

“Where is Valentino?  Is he still in the Rolls?” Pearl asked.

Valentino Bots Green Metropolis 6
Valentino with Angel-bots, by Rob Goldstein

There was commotion around the automobile.  Valentino had collapsed.  So many of the angel-bots surrounded him that I couldn’t tell whether he was even conscious.

I tried to follow the clockwork figures who carried Valentino, but there were so many that they blocked the corridor.  I could see my grandfather’s hat.  He was taller than the others.  I was relieved that Gramps was with him.

Suddenly Dynamite and Ginger were beside me.

“Moon is quite skilled.  He can’t cure Valentino, but I know he will help,” Dynamite said in a comforting southern drawl.

“You should get some rest,” Ginger added.

I hadn’t noticed we were right outside my sleeper car.  Ginger opened my door and motioned me inside.  She plumped the pillows on my bed.  Next thing I knew, Dynamite handed me a snifter of brandy.

Lulu towel Bots Metropolis 4
Angel-bots looking after Lulu, by Rob Goldstein

I stood motionless, gazing in fascination at the chaos that fled by my window.  Wildly shifting scenes rushed past. 

Then, strangest of all I saw a vast multicolored wing.  Whatever it was must have been flying directly above the train. 

***

The End

***

Holly Hannah! I’m glad everyone is back on the train.  But applesauce!  Lulu has no idea whether Valentino is okay, but I’m glad it looks like Gramps is with him.  I wonder what the Sam Hill has “vast multicolored” wings?  Tune in again next week to see if the “things” answer any of those questions!

Real World Notes

Westinghouse surgical electromagnet 1915
Westinghouse surgical electromagnet 1915

Ectromagnet. A device in which a magnetic field is produced by an electric current.  William Sturgeon invented the electromagnet in 1825.  Sturgeon’s device came a mere five years after a Danish scientist discovered that electricity emitted magnetic waves. Sturgeon harnessed this idea and conclusively demonstrated that the stronger the electric current, the stronger the magnetic force.

His first electromagnet was a horseshoe-shaped piece of iron wrapped with a loosely wound coil. When a current was passed through the coil the electromagnet became magnetized, and when the current was stopped, the coil was demagnetized. It could lift nine pounds with a seven-ounce piece of iron wrapped with wires through which the current of a single cell battery was sent.

I hope you’ll click over and check out Rob’s blog.  You’ll find more fabulous images there, and terrific blog posts too. 

Stay tuned for more spontaneously written fun.  The things Rob sent to drive Chapter 10 are The Theremin, Wave Frequency Machine and Hidden Door.  Your guess is as good as mine for what I’ll do with those things. 

I hope to see you will be at the station again next week to catch the diesel-punk train.

Thanks for visiting.  You’re the berries!

***

Now some shameless self-promotion for my other 1920s books — the original “three things” stories about Paisley Idelle Peabody, aka Pip, and her friends.

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.

Artwork Copyright © 2018 by Rob Goldstein

Copyright © 2018 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

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.

92 thoughts on “Jazz Age Wednesdays ― Hullaba Lulu 10.1”

  1. Pingback: Catch-Up Saturdays — Hullaba Real World Tech & Review | Teagan's Books
  2. Pingback: Jazz Age Wednesdays ― Hullaba Lulu 10.2 | Teagan's Books

  4. I didn’t think it was possible, but it seems you’ve pushed us a bit closer to the edge of the cliff than we were in the last episode!!! I’m trying remain optimistic that Valentino and everyone aboard the train will be ok. Let’s hope those wings are friendly and not more trouble!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. So much action packed into this episode, Teagan. It was a roller coaster of a ride. The train seems to have entered a strange world. Those multi-coloured wings are intriguing. I just hope that whatever is attached to them is not taking everyone and everything to its nest to feed its chicks. 😱
    Hugs to you.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. I love how you are sharing the science that goes with the train. I did some extensive research on electricity and believe or not, piston engines for my second book in Wisp series. I am worried about Valentino, as usual, the pace is frantic and the suspense is amazing Teagan. xxx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Why thank you so much Adele. I was worried about the pace… I hope you still feel that way after next 10.2… because I’m even more worried about the pace there. o_O
      The innovations of that era amaze me. I think most of us see it as a rather primitive time, yet so much was going on! Wishing you continued success with the Wisp series. Such wonderful characters and stories there. Hugs on the wing.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I was thinking something similar a few hours ago — remembering you describing your grandmother and our first exchanges as we brainstormed for this story. I hope you’re over the food poison, Rob. Although I know too well how draining that is. Have a fabulous time at the Pride celebrations. Hugs on the wing!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Pingback: Hullaba Lulu: The Dance of the Bots – Art by Rob Goldstein

    1. Hi Robbie. I’m so glad you’re feeling better and on this diesel-punk train. Yes, I’m hoping for a “thing” to bring me a way to cure Valentino, but only the “things” know for sure. 😉 Thanks for visiting. You’re the cat’s pajamas!

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

    1. Hi Jennie. Those wings flew into my research, and I had to put them in the story. That’s the fun part of pantsering — it’s okay to grab something totally unplanned and unexpected. Thanks for being on this train. You’re the oyster’s earrings!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  16. Just wow,Teagan, your imagination has no bounds and Robs graphics and that video are just awesome you compliment each other so well. I am loving this and the inclusion of science..I was just reading about a scientist who is using chemical neurons to imitate the way and eel moves so it can travel the body and give medicine where needed a fantastic read…Looking forward to the next installment 🙂 xx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Carol, with this marvelous comment, I’m having a thriving Thursday! Thanks so much.
      I’m also glad you like the science bits. I’m a research geek, and I couldn’t resist sharing them. It’s amazing to me how many discoveries were done back then.
      The eel/neurons article sounds amazing.
      Next time will be a little more about Lulu as a person, but I still give you a fun “Real World” note. Thanks for visiting. You’re the cat’s pajamas!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Thank you, Teagan and you are welcome…I love science as well and some of the inventions are just freaking amazing 🙂 I always look forward to your next installment 🙂 xxx

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply

  18. Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    Here is the second reblog… The train and the rolls the party is traveling in is heading towards the Cotton Club but between them and the club is a mural on the wall…. unknown forces are pulling them into a vortex…. Valentino is struggling to stay with them.. will the angel bots manage to find a hail mary rescue? Will everyone in the Rolls make it to safety, and will Valentino survive the rescue… you will have to head over to read the post to find out.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  19. Breaking for lunch early today. I am so glad to see that no one was left behind, although where they are and where they’re going seems to be a mystery. I like the notion that a plump pillow and a snifter of brandy might be just the thing that is necessary between now and the next episode. I liked the video recap, and I have a fond memory of someone singing, in a highly animated fashion, “The Music Goes Round and Round” so that was a special nice feature.

    I hope you and Rob both have a great rest of this week and a wonderful weekend. I’ll try to be patient, thinking about what you’re going to do with The Theremin, Wave Frequency Machine and Hidden Door. I had to do some googling, but I am not thoroughly intrigued.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Dan. It was good to spend a virtual lunch-break with you.
      Rob will be happy that you liked the song. He put a lot of thought into that one.
      Yeah… I could do with a plump pillow and a snifter of brandy myself!
      The Pittura Metafisica and the multicolored wings are clues about where they’re going.
      I seem to have to do a lot of storytelling lately to reach a “thing.” Next week is no exception. The only “thing” I got to was “The Theremin.”
      Thanks so much for being on this train. You’re the berries!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. Hi Olga. I seen to have a lot of blah-de-blah before I get to “things” lately. Next week is no exception — I only made it to “The Theremin.” But it was fun research — and we get to see into Lulu’s thoughts a bit.
      Thanks for sharing on Facebook — and for visiting. You’re the kitten’s ankles!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  21. Oh, thank goodness they all got back on the train!! And now I’m as sad as Lulu. I don’t want to see Valentino perish. But, perhaps the Angel Bots can do more than just “help” him. I’m hoping. This was another fabulous episode, Teagan! And, yes, what is that flying above the train with multi-colored wings??? My imagination is working overtime!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Jan… I want some multicolored wings. 😉 I’ll be curious to see where your imagination goes with that. For once I have some idea where mine is headed. But as for the rest of the story — your guess is as good as mine! Thanks for being on the train. You’re the cat’s pajamas!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. Hi Brad, good to see you. Mmmm no… the Avengers weren’t in the Roaring Twenties, so they’re not on the train. But Gramps is a secret bad ass, so you never know what he’ll do. 😉 Thanks for visiting. You’re the caterpillar’s kimono!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  24. I’m worried about Valentino and highly curious about that multi-colored wing. This is so good Teagan! I’ve become quite attached to the Angel-bots, too. Rob’s artwork is great for bringing the scenes to life and he did an excellent job with the new video. I always love seeing what he comes up with.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Mae, I couldn’t agree more about Rob’s work. It really is an honor for me to share it here. And he’s terrific to work with too.
      That multicolored wing came up in my research, so it had to fly into the story!
      I’m happy the angel-bots have a friend in you. I have to watch out that they don’t take over the story! Thanks so much for being on this train. You’re the kitten’s ankles!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. Hi Cindy. First I have to say, your Paradise Lost post is marvelous. That the images were unexpected made it that much more powerful.
      I’m glad you’re on this train. Thanks so much for taking time to read and comment. You’re the caterpillar’s kimono!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Hi Jacquie. Yes, I’m worried about Valentino. I don’t know of anyone on the train with medical skills or healing gifts. Moon seems special, but he’s an engineering bot. Gramps was a glass blower and a speakeasy owner, but he might have hidden talents. A little more on that next time.
      Ah those multicolored wings… we shall see.
      I’m so glad you’re on this train. You’re pos-i-lutely the cat’s pajamas!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. Many thanks for reblogging, Dyanna. I appreciate you spending time here.
      I ran across multicolored wings while I was researching something else. How could they not make their way into the story?
      Rob seems to be having a good time with the illustrations for this set of “things” so he will be happy about your comment.
      Thanks again for being on this train. You’re the caterpillar’s kimono!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  35. Pingback: Jazz Age Wednesdays. Hullaba Lulu 10.1. – The Militant Negro™

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Google photo

You are commenting using your Google account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.