Chapter 4 Chapter 4 "Quartet" Falling into the Fog
It's 11 and after such a long walk, it's time to be hungry.So our artists repeatedly offered to go and eat.Their stomachs growled and they protested in unison, and finally they agreed that they must eat anyway.
So did Callistus Membal.He was no stronger than the guests when it came time to deal with the five internal organs that had to be cleaned every day.Are you going back to the Caramel Hotel?
Yes, because it seems that there are not many restaurants in this city.People here undoubtedly prefer to stay in their own homes, and there don't seem to be tourists visiting the city.
A few minutes later, a tram took the starving ghosts to their hotel.Once inside, they sat down at a table with a sumptuous meal.These meals are very different from those American meals.When eating American food, there are many dishes, but the quality is not good.And what's on offer here is fantastic!Incomparable beef and mutton, tender and delicious chicken and duck, mouth-watering fresh fish.What was served afterwards was not the kind of ice water in American restaurants, but a variety of beers and wines produced in the French Medoc and Burgundy regions 10 years ago.
Pancina and Frascolin lived up to the delicious meal, eating at least as much as Sebastian Zorno and Yvernay.It goes without saying that during the dinner, Callistus Menbal repeatedly asked for food for them, and they felt that the hospitality was too much to refuse, and they felt sorry for not eating.
For some unknown reason, this Yankee who can't stop talking is always trying to show off his three-inch tongue.He talked about everything about the city except what the guests wanted to know-what was the name of the city.Why is he so evasive that he doesn't want to reveal the true face of this independent city?It will take some patience, and by the time the tour is over, he will speak up.So could it be that his intention was to delay the "quartet" so that they could not catch the train to Santiago? ... that's not okay!After the meal, however, everyone drank heartily... Finally, they drank some tea, coffee, and liqueur, and had some after-dinner snacks. When everything was about to end, there was a loud noise that shook the hotel windows.
"What is this?" Yvernay said, jumping up.
"Don't worry, gentlemen," replied Callistus Membal. "It's the gunfire from the Observatory."
"If it's just the afternoon gun, I'm sure it's late," said Frascorin, looking at his watch.
"No, Mr. Viola, it won't! The sun never moves slower here than elsewhere!"
At this time, the corner of the American's mouth showed a tricky smile, his eyes behind the pince-nez were shining brightly, and he even rubbed his hands back and forth.He looked almost as if he were complacent about "making an international joke."
Frascolin was not carried away by the hospitality which his companions had received.He looked at the American suspiciously, not knowing what he was thinking.
"Come on, friends! Allow me to address you so dearly." Callistus Monbal added in the most friendly manner, "Let us visit the second district of the city, even if you miss it." I would be very disappointed if I lost a small space! Time is running out, let's hurry up."
"What time does the train to Santiago leave?" Sebastian Zorno asked.He has been worrying about it, lest he be late and miss the appointment.
"Yes! What time does it open?..." Frascolan insisted on repeating the question.
"Oh! . . . only at night," replied Callistus Membal, blinking his left eye, "come, my guests, come . . . you will never regret having me as your guide. !"
Now that such a warm-hearted man has spoken, how can he go against his good intentions?So the four artists left the lobby of the Camry Hotel and started strolling along the road.It should be said that they drank too much alcohol, and now their legs are weak when they walk.Although they didn't walk on the movable sidewalks on both sides at all, the ground seemed to become light under their feet, and walking on it felt like riding on clouds and fog.
"Hey! Hey!...Steady now!" Pansina staggered and shouted.
"I think we've had too much to drink!" said Yvernay, wiping his brow.
"That's right, gentlemen from Paris," said the American, "just this one time, no violation of the law! This is how it should be done for you!"
"But we 'washed' all the water in the pot!" Pansina said, he just "washed" well, and he has never felt so happy.
Led by Callistus Membal, they walked along a street to a subdivision in the Second District.This place is a whole other scene with less rigid demeanor.They seem to have been brought suddenly from the northern part of the United States to the south.There are far more customers in the shops than in the West End, the houses are more tastefully designed, the family houses are more comfortably furnished, and the hotels are as grand as those in the Christian Quarter, but with a more welcoming appearance.There are also great differences in the appearance, manners, and demeanor of the residents.Think of it this way: this city is double like some planets, except that these two districts don't revolve around the other like stars, they are two parallel cities.
Almost in the center of the district, the group stopped short of the middle of Fifth Avenue.Then Yvernay suddenly exclaimed:
"Wow! Needless to say, this is a palace!"
"It's the Coverleys' palace," answered Callistus Monbal. "Nate Coverley, he's as good as James Tanken."
"More money than him?" asked Pancina.
"The two are exactly the same," said the American. "He used to be a banker in New Orleans, and his money, in billions, is more than the number of fingers!"
"One hundred million fingers is enough for a pair of beautiful gloves, my dear Monsieur Monbar!"
"You are right."
"So, James Tanken and Nate Coverly, these two famous people are naturally... at odds?"
"At least they are enemies. When discussing various things in this city, both of them want to overwhelm each other. They are jealous of each other..."
"If this continues, they will fight to the death one day!" Sebastian Zorno asked.
"It's possible...if one swallows the other..."
"That's enough to digest!" "Your Highness" said a wisecrack.
Callistus Membal could not help laughing out loud at the joke, which was too funny.
The Catholic Church stands on a large square, showing its magnificent scale, which is amazing to see.It is a Gothic building.You don't have to look very far to appreciate this style of architecture because its beauty is all in the vertical lines, features that are invisible from a distance.With its slender spire, delicate rosettes, flame-shaped pointed arches, and elegantly paired windows, St. Mary's Church is indeed worth admiring.
"Among the Gothic buildings built by the Anglo-Saxons, it can be regarded as an outstanding example," commented Yvernay, who loves architecture. The two districts have little in common and are as different as Christ Church and Catholic Church!"
"But, Monsieur Yverney, these two districts are born of the same mother." "But... not the same father?" Pansina reminded.
"No, a father, kind gentlemen, it's just that they were raised differently. They were adapted to the life that those who come here looking for peace, joy, and freedom from care. It is a life that no city in the Old World or New World can offer."
"In the name of Apollo, Monsieur Menbar," said Yvernay, "be careful, our curiosity is almost numbing you! This piece of music that one has long expected to hear, you Always sing only one sentence, which is tantamount to singing in vain!"
"And, in the end, the ears got tired of hearing it!" added Sebastian Zorno. "Well, you promised to tell us the name of this strange city. Now it must be all right?"
"Not yet, my dear guest," replied the American, adjusting his pince-nez on the bridge of his nose. "I'll talk about it when we're done. Now let's get on with it." "Don't be in a hurry," Frascolan said, feeling vaguely uneasy at the same time as he was curious. There is a suggestion."
"What advice?"
"Why don't we climb to the top of the tower of St.-Mary's? From there we see . . . "
"Don't climb!" cried Callistus Membal suddenly, shaking his big, disheveled head, "...not now,...later..."
"When can it be?" the cellist asked.Seeing the Americans delaying and delaying mysteriously, he became angry.
"Mr. Zorno, wait until we finish our tour."
"Did we come back to this church then?"
"No, my friend, our tour ends with the observatory. The tower there is a third higher than the spire of St. Mary's."
"After all," Frascolin insisted, "why not take advantage of the opportunity now?"
"Because... the effect I pursued is in vain!"
So far, no other answer can be obtained from the mouth of this unpredictable figure.
The best way is to do whatever you want.The streets and alleys of the second district were seriously visited.Then they visit the commercial area, which is divided by industry: clothing, shoes, hats, groceries, bread, fruit, butchery and other areas.Most of those who met Callistus Membal along the way greeted him.He exchanged pleasantries with a look of great satisfaction to his vanity.He looks like a juggler, with a glib tongue, fluttering lips, and his mouth is not idle for a moment, as if he can spit out lotus flowers.
About 2 o'clock, the "quartet" came to the edge of the city.It is surrounded by a beautiful fence, covered with climbing plants and interspersed with flowers.Outside the fence, a large field stretches into the distance, and an arc blends with the sky as far as the eye can see.
Here, Frascolan secretly noticed a strange thing, but he thought it better not to tell his companions.No doubt all this will be cleared up in the observatory tower.What made him suspicious was that the sun should be in the southwest at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, but now the sun is in the southeast!
This incident was enough to surprise a man as curious as Frascolin.Then he became "very troublesome," as he said, when Callistus Monbal, as if changing his mind, exclaimed suddenly:
"Gentlemen, the tram leaves in a few minutes. Let's get on and go to the port..."
"To the port?" Sebastian Zorno asked back.
"Ah! Up to 1 mile, you can enjoy our park along the way!"
If there is a port, it should be somewhere a little north or south of the coastal city of Baja California.Indeed, where would the city be if not somewhere along this coast?
The artists were so surprised that they got into the car before they could react.They sat down on an upholstered bench.The layout of this carriage is very elegant, and there are already many passengers sitting in it.They all shook hands with Callistus Membal (the queer guy everyone knew).At this time, the motor started to run, and the tram drove forward at high speed.
Callistus Membal is not without reason when he uses the word "park" to describe the stretches of fields that surround the city.What unfolds in front of you along the way is: trails that can’t be seen at a glance, patches of lawn like green carpets, painted fences with colorful colors, this kind of isolation called “fences” by the aborigines, sometimes straight, sometimes straight Winding; the reservations are surrounded by clumps of oaks, maples, beeches, chestnuts, hackberrys, elms, cedars, which are still very young, but have become the world of birds, a thousand Various types of birds inhabit it.This is an authentic English-style garden. There are many fountains in which the water column is high, and the flower beds are filled with gorgeous flowers full of spring. The clusters of plants are mixed with various flowers and trees. Geraniums as large as those grown in the Raw, citrus, lemon tree, olive tree, phlox, mastic, aloe vera, camellia, dahlia, Alexander white rose, hydrangea, white lotus and rose red lotus, South American Passionflower, bellflower, sage, begonia, hyacinth, tulip, crocus, daffodil, anemone, Persian buttercup, blue pansy, cyclamen, orchid, cattail flower, tree fern, and a host of tropical areas Endemic tree species: canna, palm, date palm, fig tree, eucalyptus, mimosa, banana tree, guava tree, gourd tree, coconut tree, in a word, a plant lover demands that even the most species-rich botanical garden should Yes, there are.
According to Yvernay's hobby of reciting poems and nostalgia, seeing everything in front of him, he must have thought that he was brought into the idyllic scenery depicted in the novel.Seriously, if there are a few sheep on this green grassy pasture, if there are a few brown cows grazing between the fences, if there are a few other slender forest quadrupeds running and jumping among the flowers and trees Animals, they become the shepherds described by Dulfie, but it is a pity that the charming shepherdess is missing.As for the "serpentine river" that meanders here, it can be regarded as replacing it.In the small river, the water flows happily through the rolling fields.
But there is only one thing: everything here seems to be artificial.
Pancina, who likes to be sarcastic, couldn't help shouting:
"Ah! You take this for a river?"
Unexpectedly, Callistus Membal replied:
"River?... What is the use of the river?"
"Obviously, there is water only when there is a river."
"Water? . . . that generally unclean substance, full of microbes and typhoid germs?"
"Even if it is, but it can purify the water."
"Since it is easy to produce clean water without any impurities, and you can even choose whether it is soda or iron-containing water, why bother?"
"You make your own water?" Frascoran asked.
"Of course, and we also divide the water into hot and cold, and send it to every house through pipes, just like light, sound, time, heat, cold, power, antiseptics and electricity by automatic conduction. Same."
"So," replied Yvernay, "you're making me believe that you also make rain to water your flowers and lawns?"
"Sir, you are right..." said the American, twirling his bushy beard with his jeweled fingers.
"Manipulating the rain!" Sebastian Zorno exclaimed.
"Yes, my dear friend, the pipes laid under our ground can spray rainwater as regularly, timely and effectively as required. Is it not better than to sit and wait and see the face of God, and succumb to the vagaries of the climate? Rather than helplessly Is it much better to curse bad weather, or long periods of wetness, or long periods of drought?"
"Excuse me, Monsieur Monbar, to interrupt you," Frascolin interrupted, "assuming you can make it rain at will! But can you stop what's falling from the sky?"
"Heaven?... What can there be in the sky?"
"In the sky, in other words, cumulonimbus clouds, with all kinds of atmospheric currents such as hurricanes, cyclones, squalls, gusts, tornadoes, etc. Therefore, in the season of bad weather, such as..."
"The season of bad weather?" repeated Callistus Membal.
"Yes, like winter..."
"Winter? What is winter?"
"Winter means frost, snow, and ice!" cried Sebastian Zorno.The Yankee's sarcastic question-and-answer made him very angry.
"We don't know!" answered Callistus Membal calmly.
The four Parisians looked at each other.Is this person they're dealing with crazy or just a bit of a cryptic?If it is the first kind of person, he should be locked up; if it is the second kind of person, then he should be beaten severely.
At this moment, the tram is running steadily through these charming gardens.Sebastian Zorno and his companions felt that outside this spacious park, patches of carefully cultivated and orderly land were paved with verdant greens, red flowers and green leaves, and mottled colors, just like the past. The colorful fabric samples displayed at the entrance of the tailor shop.Obviously, there were vegetable patches, with potatoes, cabbage, carrots, turnips, onions, in short, all the ingredients needed to make a good vegetable beef soup.
Still, they wanted to be out in the open fields as quickly as possible.There they could see if this strange region also produced wheat, oats, corn, barley, rye, buckwheat, and other grains.
But at this time, a factory appeared in front of him.Tin chimneys stand proudly above the low glass roofs.The chimney was held in place by some iron supports, like those of the steamer Great Eastern, whose mighty propellers had a hundred thousand horsepower.The difference is that the smoke from the chimneys on the ship is black smoke, but there are only a few wisps of light smoke from these chimneys, and the soot does not pollute the atmosphere.
The factory covers an area of nearly 10,000 square meters, or about one hectare.It was the first industrial building the Quartet had seen since their American-guided "tour" (forgive us for using that word).
"Hey! What kind of unit is this?" Pancina asked.
"This is a processing plant with oil distillation equipment." Callistes Membal replied.His piercing gaze almost pierced the glass of his pince-nez.
"What does your factory make?"
"Electricity, which is produced here, is sent to all corners of the city, to parks and fields, to provide us with the power and light we need. At the same time, it also provides electricity to our telegraphs and fax machines. , telephones, telephoto cameras, electric bells, electric kitchen ranges, machines, arc and incandescent lamps, aluminum moons, and our submarine cables, etc.
"Your submarine cables?" Frascoran noticed this immediately.
"Yes! It connects the city with the coasts of America."
"Is it necessary to build such a large factory?"
"I think absolutely. You don't know how much electricity we have to consume to replace manpower, ... and nature!" explained Callistus Monbal. It can be called a unique city in the world, and the amount of electricity that needs to be spent is innumerable!"
From this huge factory came the dull roar, the rapid panting of steam, the sudden start of the machine after a temporary pause, and the echo of the ground.All this shows that the mechanical power of the factory is greater than what modern industry has ever been able to give.Who would have imagined that so much energy is required to run the generator and charge the battery!
The tram passed by the factory.After another quarter of a mile the tram came to a stop at the harbor station.
The tourists got out of the car, and their guide kept boasting about his city.At this time, he led them to tour the pier, which stretched along a row of bonded warehouses and dock warehouses.The port is oval in shape, big enough to moor ten ships, but no more.This is more of a dock than a port.At the end of it are two iron plates supported by iron frames. Two lamps illuminate the pier brightly, providing convenience for large ships from the open sea to enter the port.
On this day, there were only six steamships in the dock, some carrying oil and others carrying daily necessities.There are also several small boats, all of which are equipped with electric equipment, and they are used for fishing in the sea.
Frascoran noticed that the entrance to the port was facing north, and from this he concluded that the port must lie somewhere on the northern side of the part of the coast of Baja California that juts into the Pacific Ocean.He also noticed that the sea was flowing eastward, and somewhat turbulently, for the water was rushing against the bow of the breakwater like a curtain of water cascading along the sides of a ship in motion, evidently caused by the high tide. , although the tides on the western coast of America are very average.
"Where is the river we crossed by ferry last night?" asked Frascolin.
"Behind us," the Yankee said only.
If you're going back to town to catch the evening train to Santiago, now's the best time not to delay.
Sebastian Zorno reminded Callistus Membal of this.And the latter said:
"Dear friends, don't worry... we still have time. We'll take a look along the coast and then take the tram back to town. Don't you want to see a panorama of the area? Well, in an hour, you'll be standing Wishes can be fulfilled on the observatory tower.”
"You promise?" the cellist insisted.
"I promise you, when the sun rises tomorrow, you will never be where you are now!"
Although the answer was vague, it was only agreed.Besides, Frascolan's curiosity, still stronger than that of his companions, was now stimulated to the climax, and he was determined to find out.He hoped soon to be on top of that tower, from which the Americans testified that he could see at least a hundred miles along the horizon.After that, if you're not sure where this incredible city is located, never wonder if it exists.
At the end of the dock is the start of the 2nd line of the coastal tram.The tram I took this time has a total of 6 carriages, and there are already many passengers on it.The carriages were pulled by an electric locomotive containing a 200 amp-ohm battery, which allowed them to reach speeds of 15 to 18 kilometers per hour.
Callistes Membal beckoned the "Quartet" to board the tram, which our Parisians might have thought was waiting for them, because the moment they boarded, the train moved away.
They found that the scenery of the fields here was not much different from what they had just seen when they came from the city to the port.Even the level of the land and the level of meticulous care are the same.There is no lawn here, only green pastures and fields. The fields are full of vegetables and there are no food crops.At this time, the artificial rainwater sprayed from the underground pipes is evenly sprinkled on the rectangular vegetable fields.These vegetable fields are as neat and regular as if they were drawn with a line and a ruler.
If it were God who made the rain, it would never be more even and timely than this.
The tramway stretches along the seashore, with the vast sea on one side and vibrant fields on the other.The tram traveled 4 miles (about 5 kilometers) in this scenery, and then stopped in front of a battery.The fort holds 12 large-caliber cannons.The entrance to the fort reads: Former Fort.
"They were all loaded, but never pulled and fired once! This is the case with many weapons in old Europe," reminded Callistus Membal.
In this place, the outline of the coastline is extremely sharp, and the entire seashore clearly shows the appearance of a very sharp promontory, which looks like the top of the draft part of the bow, or the bow angle of the armored ship.The sea water was divided into two halves here, and the white foam flowed against the shore.This was undoubtedly the effect of the tide, for the big waves coming in from the open sea were gradually weakening into long waves as the sun set to the west.
Here is the start of another tram line that goes all the way to the city centre.The original route still stretches forward along the arc-shaped seashore.
Callistus Membal called his guests to another route, telling them they would go straight back to the city.
The excursion is almost over.At this moment Callistus Membal took out from his pocket his expensive Sivan watch from Geneva, a kind of talking watch, a kind of gramophone.He pressed the button on the watch, and a clear voice came from the watch: 4:13.
"You haven't forgotten that we're going to the observatory, have you?" Frascorin reminded.
"Dear friend... oh... old friend, how could it be! Even if you forget my name, you won't forget this matter! Although I have a small name and a reputation. Four miles to go, We're right in front of that magnificent building. It's at the end of 1st Avenue. That road is where our two neighborhoods meet."
The tram moved on.In the field, which has been falling with what Americans call "afternoon rain", they saw the park surrounded by fences, the lawns, flower beds and bushes inside.
At this time, the bell rang at half past four.On a huge clock face, two hands are indicating the time.The clock resembles the one in the Houses of Parliament in London, and it rests on top of a square tower.
The observatory house was built at the foot of this tower.All houses are used for different purposes.Glass-paneled metal domes top several of the houses.Astronomers can observe the movement of stars inside.All the houses are arranged in a large ring, forming a courtyard in the middle, where the 150-foot-high tower stands.Looking out from the platform at the highest point of the tower, you can have a panoramic view of the scenery within a radius of 25 kilometers, because there are no tall buildings, hills and mountains around.
Callistus Membal went ahead of the guests, and the door was opened for him by a porter in a fine livery.There's an elevator in the lobby that stops there. The "quartet" sat in with their guide.The elevator ascended silently and steadily. After 45 seconds, at level with the platform atop the tower, the elevator stopped.
A flagpole was erected on the platform, and a large flag was hung on it, fluttering against the slight north wind.
Which country does this flag represent?None of our Parisians could recognize him.Seeing the red and white stripes on it, it should be the flag of the United States; however, there is only one star on the flag, not the one that shone in the sky of the United States at that time.This one is not so much a star as a golden sun.It shines against the flag's sky-blue background, seemingly rivaling the radiant sun in the sky.
"Look, gentlemen, here is our flag," said Callistus Monbal, taking off his hat reverently.
Sebastian Zorno and his companions had no choice but to follow his lead and take off their hats.Then they walked up the platform, all the way to the edge of the guardrail, bent over...
Immediately, they shouted from the bottom of their hearts, first they screamed, and then they turned into angry roars!
The whole land is exposed at a glance.It turned out that it was just a regular oval ground surrounded by vast oceans.It is so far away from the mainland, the vast sea is everywhere, and there is no trace of the land.
However, last night, after leaving the village of Frascher in an American car, Sebastian Zorno, Frascolin, Yvernay and Pancina were still following the land road 2 miles non-stop.And then...they got on the ferry on a scooter and crossed a stream.Then...they set foot on hard ground again.In fact, if they sailed anywhere off the coast of California, they would surely notice.
Frascorin turned to Callistus Membal and asked:
"Are we on an island?"
"You've seen it all!" replied the Yankee, with the kindest smile on his lips.
"Then... what kind of island is this?"
"Standard-Island."
"What about this city?"
"Billion City."
Notes:
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