I kept to the river’s edge, trying my best to avoid the puddles of mud and piles of droppings. Snakes slithered across the dirt paths in unnerving numbers. From stripe design, I could make out several poisonous species. Watching my step, I clamored over fallen logs and massive boulders, eager to arrive at the lone source of knowledge in this backwater town. I can only imagine what the lab must be like. Images of shelves lines with native species, pickled and dissected, ran through my mind. The thought of unfolding schematics full of battery design and mechanical mechanisms sent tingles down my spine.
“Mr. Willy, about how much longer until we arrive?”
With no answer, I turned to see him hunched over the path, staring intently at a set of animal tracks.
“Mr. Willy?”
“Huh? Oh, sorry young master. I was just admiring these Forest Walker tracks.”
Forest Walker, huh? I’ll be the judge of that. “Hm, font paw pad is roughly 4 inches long and wide, hind tracks are 7 inches long and 5 inches wide, gape and spacing match the textbook description of the species Ursus Americanus. I’m sorry to dispel your excitement, but this track belongs to a black bear.”
“I suppose,” he mumbled. Picking up my luggage, he trekked down the path, a tinge of disappointment donning his inscrutable face.
A few more twists and turns later, we arrived upon the scene I have been longing to see for the past four days. The building was awe-inspiring, extending out over the river on wide copper stilts. A mechanical wheel scooped cooling mountain water into a massive furnace, sending plumes of steam hissing out into the air. The structure was a mix of stone and metal, standing out amongst the backdrop of pine and spruce dotting the mountains.
Taking in a deep breath, I let out a sigh. “Ah, now this is more like it!”
As I approached the stairs, Willy stood motionless, unwilling to take another step.
“Mr. Willy, my bags will not carry themselves in.”
“I’m sorry young master, but this is as far as I go. There are rumors about this place, about the experiments done on the locals.”
Then, setting the luggage down on the dirt floor, he sprinted away.
“Willy! Get back here…Ugg, You superstitious ninny. I suppose I will have to carry them up myself!”
Now up the stairs, I took time to admire the whirring gizmos interlocked with metal gears and cranks, moving about as they fulfilled their complicated tasks. Pulling my gloves tight, I raised my hand and knocked on the metallic door.
Thud, thud, thud.
No answer…
Thud, thud, thud.
“Hello! Mr. Winston! Anybody home?” I waited for a reply, but one never arrived. Turning the handle, I found the door to be unlocked. “I’m coming in, no need to be alarmed.”
Now inside, it was everything I dreamed it to be, and more. As thought, and endless array of specimen jars lines the shelves alongside anatomical books listing genus and species. Electrical gizmos lined the walls, sending out pressurized streams of burning steam into the humid, musty room. Dust piled high on the common room’s furniture, revealing the lack of guests the good doctor must receive.
A sound then broke the silence, a creaking originating from upstairs. “Hello? Doctor Winston, is that you?”
Slowly, I made my way up the old, wooden staircase, doing my best not to damage the army of trinkets shoved against the edge. Now at the top, I darted around, certain I saw a shadow scurry by. “It’s your new apprentice, Mr. Taylor. Sorry to intrude but there was no answer when I knocked.”
A vice gripped my leg, forcing me to fly backward and land forcefully on the ground. “What in the name of…” Wheezing, I looked up at a man clad in tribal hunting gear, a spear being held to my head.
“What is your purpose here!” The man shouted.
“Woah! Hold on a minute!”
“You another local? Trying to rob me?”
“No! I’m not a local! My name is Benjamin Taylor, I’m looking for Doctor Oliver Winston! I’m his new apprentice!”
Tilting his head, the man lowered the spear and grabbed me by my collar, lifting me off the ground. “Oh, well why didn’t you say so?” Then, lifting his mask back, he stated, “I’m Doctor Winston! Welcome to my humble abode.” He raised his hands in the air, moving them about as he stared off into space.
“Uh, Mr. Winston?”
He snapped his gaze back on me and dropped the tribal gear onto the floor. “Well, no time to lose young apprentice! Follow me and I’ll get you fitted in the proper attire.”
He walked away, leaving me alone in the hallway. “Uh, I’ll just leave my bags right here then…”
Following him down the stairs to a sub-level, I tried my best to get a word in. “Mr. Winston, I was hoping you could point me to what room I will be staying in. After almost a week of travel, I am a bit eager to clean up and get situated.”
“There will be plenty of time for that Mr. Taylor. For now, science awaits!”
Throwing a lab coat in my hands, he sprinted off, disappearing behind a curtain.
“I’ll just throw this on then, shall I?” Now donning the coat, Mr. Winston flew into sight holding a jar of animal droppings.
“Your first task is examining the nature of this scat!”
He dropped the jar into my hands, forcing me to grab hold. “Uh…seriously?”
Facing me with a manic scowl, he asked, “Why not? You are a scientist are you not?”
“Well yes but-”
“But nothing! No task is beneath a true man of the coat,” he announced as he adjusted his collar.
A looked down at the jar, then back at him. “Okay…What do you purpose I do with it?”
Handing me a pair of tweezers he commanded, “Sift through the waste and determine by its contents what animal it originated from.”
Oh father, you must be laughing yourself half to death right now, aren’t you? “Very well Mr. Winston. Whatever you wish…”
Plopping down at a metal desk, I emptied the container on a platter and began my examination.
Bone fragment, seed, bone fragment, seed, more bone fragments wrapped in a…cloth? “Doctor Winston,” I called out. “What do you suppose this is?”
He ran over to me station, his eyes full dilated like an owl. “Hm yes, very interesting.” Taking the cloth, he soaked it in water and cleaned it the best he could. With the excrement removed, the cloths appearance grew more detailed. It was a tan piece of leather, little studs jutting out along a seem.
“I suppose we know what happened to you Mr. Willows now don’t we?”
I turned my head to face him, concern growing in my heart. “What happened to Mr. Willows?”
“Hm? Oh, uh, perhaps he was eaten by a bear…yes, a bear, that would be the most believable theory.” Putting the cloth in a jar full of other bits of clothing, he shoved it up on a shelf and went back to his previous task. “Keep on sifting my perceptive apprentice,” He commanded. “I dare say we are hot on the heels of the grandest scientific discovery in the country, perhaps even the world!”
