“The Kraken, Mr Dalrymple? Are you teasing me a little?” Grace asked.
She so wanted to believe his story, but was determined not to be taken for a fool.
“I assure you, Miss Templemann, I would not dream of doing anything so ungentlemanly. All I have told you is the truth. I was crossing the Northern Sea in my airship, when a huge green tentacle appeared from far below and, as I explained, rendered most of my arm useless.”
“So how did you survive this fearful attack?” she enquired, glancing at the mechanism which controlled his beaten copper arm.
A shadow crossed Jack’s face as he recalled the event and he gave an involuntary shudder.
“Fortunately it was only my left arm that was attacked. I took my knife and sliced through the beast’s appendage, which fell to the base of the gondola. The creature chose not to waste any more in a further attack.”
“You poor man!” Grace cried, staring deep into his eyes.
Jack flushed slightly at the attentions heaped upon him by the beautiful redhead.
“And what of you, dear lady? For I see that you, too, are waiting for a check-up with Oscar Kopp, the genius who fashioned my mechanical arm, and managed to save my hand. Is your enhanced arm also the result of injury or disaster?”
Grace gave a throaty laugh. “Good gracious no! I asked Oscar to build me this dart launcher so that I might protect myself from attack when I embark on my expedition to darkest Africa. One simply can’t be too careful. I’ve been wearing it for a month and he is due to make any necessary adjustments before my departure on Saturday. But tell me more about your device. It looks most tremendously complicated.”
“The mechanism is mainly to enable me to utilise my hand in a natural fashion, despite all the nerves and musculature having been destroyed,” responded Jack. “As for this chain -”
But he was unable to finish, since at that moment a door opened and Bjorn, Dr Kopp’s half-human, half mechanical assistant emerged, immaculately attired as always, and called, “Next.”
Grace rose to her feet. “It’s been delightful to meet you, Mr Dalrymple,” she smiled.
“The pleasure has been all mine, Miss Templemann,” responded Jack. “I wish you well in your African adventures.”
“This way, Miss,” said the assistant, and Grace was ushered through into Oscar Kopp’s laboratory.
To discover more about Jack, or even to purchase this unique, one-off 6inch tall model click on this link: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/490268411/steampunk-explorer-jack-dollshouse-scale?ref=shop_home_active_16
Grace is also available at the Steampunk Dolls House and can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/476764086/steampunk-lady-grace-dollshouse-scale?ref=shop_home_active_20
Dr Oscar Kopp and Bjorn – his assistant – will also find their way to the Steampunk Dolls House when time permits. Meanwhile, feel free to explore the other delights at the Steampunk Dolls House here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SteampunkDollsHouse
Steampunk - Shrunk! 