July 19, 1870
The Mighty Richardson
Richard Glotnik
c/o Rigby's Amazing Circus
Box 7
Coram, NY USA
Rich,
There have been so many things happening here in Europe that I don’t know where to begin. Watching after the good Dr. and his rocketry gadgets is as troublesome as ever. I wish that I could tell you more, but I’m already telling you too much if I point out the British government is more involved in this lunacy than just rockets. Forget that I mentioned that.
The most extraordinary news is that I have seen several of the old gang here in Brussels lately. Unfortunately, I found Stinky first. He is living up to the expectations most of us had in him, currently being a lackey for a horrible little man named Dr. Fate. I find it odd that most of the firework tinkerers that I meet all want to call themselves “Dr.” I think that there should be more that are as firmly practical and grounded as Dr. Wilson’s associate. Even worse is the fact that Dr. Fate appears to steal Dr. Wilson’s designs for his rockets. Let me tell you friend; after seeing the result in action, it is as smart of a decision as it is scrupulous.
Later on, I saw Obidiah and I knew that one of the Gallants had to be nearby. Sure enough, the next day Les Jr. sends me one of his flowery messages asking to meet. I never thought I’d see the day that any woman wouldn’t swoon for an opportunity to talk to the younger Leslie, but you wouldn’t believe how hard I had to dig in to convince anyone else that he was worth talking with. Apparently, from what he was telling me, our own government is interested in what is happening here.
I probably should not have mentioned that.
I know that you are a little doubtful of such things, Rich, but now I have seen magic directly. There was an incident involving ------ something I shouldn’t mention, and just as the armory was exploding I saw a chariot of fire flying up into the sky. I know what you’re thinking, and I hadn’t yet touched a drop.
I wish that Madam Mu-Shu1 were here. She had always told me that there were things she could teach me if I were one of the few that actually saw magic. I will still try to grasp some greater understanding of this. There are two people here that seem particularly knowledgeable in this area, one of whom has already appreciated my interest in this subject. But since both are women without husbands, both with at least one suitor that I’m aware of, the stiff, backward social conventions of this country’s upper class make any extended conversation with either impossible or misunderstood at the very least. And these rules do not appear to suit them, either. Each of the women that distinguish themselves in this band seem, in their own way, to share the fire I remember of Mrs. Katherine O’Flaherty. Woe to any man that crosses them.
Not that there be any lack of wagging tongues outside this group about the big Irishman anyway, I’m certain. I should learn by now that there is little I can do about that. At least I feel confident that the shysters over there will get my name out of the shilling shockers over here. That’s right, Rich. Stop laughing, I can hear you all the way out here. “Atlas” is back, and is just as big of a stuffy do-gooder as ever. Only this time, it appears he owes a debt of honor to a certain “Kid Rocket” and takes opportunities to lecture the former outlaw about clean living between near escapes with death. Bah!
I hope all is well with you. I was thinking the other day that when I come back that you and I should get together, find the best restaurant in town, buy the biggest steaks there, and tie them on Old Man Rigby and let him play with King Henry and the rest. Ha ha.
Yours truly,
Seamus
Curator’s note: Although no one can determine the true origin of certain slang terms in the wizarding community, the life of performer Margaret Muggleston (a.k.a Madam Mu-Shu) has been tied to one particular term by different apocryphal stories.
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