Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World

Seven hours later, the three arrived at the ferry station in Paulus Hook in a community on the Hudson River waterfront in Jersey City, New Jersey. It is located one mile from Manhattan, New York.

The three walked out of the dock where they waited for the ferry that would get them across the Hudson River.

Amelia looked up and saw the darkened clouds and the flash of lightning streaking and arcing across the sky.

"I don't like the look of that cloud," Amelia said.

"Let's just hope that the ferry will arrive within fifteen minutes, otherwise there will be a huge chance of our schedule being delayed," Jonathan said.

"You are right," Poul agreed.

Four men approached Poul from behind. "Si, the luggage and the wooden crate are here, please check if there is something missing."

Poul took a quick glance at the luggage and the wooden crate behind him and nodded. "They are all accounted for. Thank you for getting it out, may I ask to get them on the ferry the moment it arrives?"

"No problem, Sir. It's part of our job," the man said as he bowed courteously.

Amelia glanced at their things as well and asked. "If I may ask, what are you doing here in New York?"

"We are on a business trip, my lady," Poul said. "Our primary investor wanted us to come here and witness the new opening of the company which I am afraid I'll have to omit as they asked us not to disclose anything about it. Though it didn't say I can't give a hint."

"What's the hint then?" Amelia asked.

Poul smiled slyly before answering. "Humanity has been progressing unprecedentedly since the start of the industrial revolution. The company that will open in two days will revolutionize our way of living. It will be a huge announcement in New York and I'm sure you won't miss it."

"I am looking forward to it," Amelia said as she gazed at the distance, watching the ferries sail to and fro on the river. She hoped that one of the steamboats currently sailing along it was their ferry.

"Uhm…before we part, can you tell me the address of the place you are going to stay so that I can deliver the money?" Amelia said as she looked at Poul, who was still smiling.

"Uhm…miss, I actually do not mind. Consider it as a gift from a stranger," Poul said.

"Poul is right, Lady Amelia. You don't have to pay us," Jonathan added.

"I appreciate the kindness you are showing to me, kind sirs but I'm not accustomed to owing someone else, especially in money. So please, I insist, give me the address of the hotel you are staying at so that I can give it back."

Jonathan looked at Poul as if asking if they should give up on this idea. Poul gave an almost imperceptible nod. Jonathan turned to Amelia.

"Okay, we are staying at the Astoria Hotel on Fifth avenue. We don't know what the room number is going to be but I believe you can ask the receptionist about that."

"Thank you, Sir Poul, Jonathan. Without you, I wouldn't be here. And I hope everything works out for both of you." Amelia said, giving them a warm smile.

Poul returned her smile, then looked into her eyes and offered her his hand. "Lady Amelia, I have enjoyed meeting you. Oh…good luck with your presentation to your boss."

After Poul shook her hand, Jonathan did the same thing.

As they bid farewell to one another, the porter in the dock announced the arrival of the ferry with a loud voice.

"Desbrosses Street ferry coming in! Desbrosses Street ferry coming in!"

The steamboat whistled, announcing its arrival to the passengers who were at the dock.

"I think that's us," Poul said. "Shall we go?"

They boarded the ferry, sat next to each other, and waited for the ferry to disembark. They waited for thirty minutes as the passengers boarded the ship and their things were loaded. After that, the ferry left the dock as scheduled and made its way to the Desbrosses Street Ferry Station.

On their way to the ferry station, the sky let out a thunderous roar, heralding to the passengers that the storm was indeed approaching. Two minutes later, the rain started falling heavily.

The drops pelted down on top of the ferry, producing a cacophony of noise. But it was relaxing.

Fifteen minutes later, the ferry arrived at the Desbrosses Street Ferry Station. The passengers of the ferry got off the ferry one by one on the gangway carefully so as to not slip. The porters and other workers on the ferry raised an umbrella above their heads to prevent the passengers from getting wet

One of the porters came over to Amelia, Jonathan, and Poul "If you may, ma'am, sirs."

Amelia went under the umbrella and started walking along the gangway. Poul and Jonathan followed but due to the size of the umbrella, they got their shoulders wet. They quickly reached the end of the gangway and waited in the station for the porters to get their things.

It was a waiting game again. Due to the inclement weather, it was taking as long as usual. An hour later, the porters delivered their things to them and escorted them to the cab, or the horse-drawn carriages.

Poul and Jonathan took the stagecoach-type horse-drawn carriage while Amelia took the Brougham-type horse-drawn carriage. But before they hopped into their respective carriages, they waved hands at one another, saying goodbye for one last time.

Then, they hopped on their carriage.

Inside the brougham-type carriage, Poul muttered. "Amelia…Amelia…have you ever seen a girl so beautiful before, Jonathan?"

"Hearing you ask that question makes you unfaithful to your partner."

"What do you mean?" Poul raised a brow.

"I thought you only had one girl in your life, Sara? Don't tell me you forgot about her."

"I didn't. Though I still have feelings for her, it is gradually fading. It's just impossible for us to meet anymore if you know what I'm saying. She's in our original world while we are here. After living in this world for about seven years, I can say that this life of ours is a restart. The past is already behind."

"You are just saying that to make yourself good when you praise Amelia's beauty."

"It doesn't always mean like that," Poul rebuked. "Well, you are partially right, I'm just a man who was charmed by her beauty. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing?" Jonathan said and continued. "We should get going now," he knocked the ceiling of the carriage with a stick and the carriage started moving. Looking out of the window, they gaze at the streets and the buildings of New York. And one thing they notice is the huge difference between modern and Victorian-era New York. Their buildings on the street are just three to four stories tall while in the modern age, New York is filled with skyscrapers.

"Fifth avenue, I believe is the place where the Empire State Building was built. Yeah, I'm certain of it. After all, my dissertation was all about it."

"Can you build it in this era?" Poul asked.

"I know everything about the Empire State Building. It is possible but there are going to be challenges along the way, mostly from nature and foundation. New construction techniques and new technology are needed to build it."

"Then once we have become a true millionaire, we should build that building as a symbol of our success," Poul said.

"I'm looking forward to it," Jonathan smiled.