April 2nd, 893.
Poul and Sara stood near the entrance of the main office, observing a Model J Duesenberg as it pulled up to the curb.
From the car, a well-dressed man in a black three-piece suit emerged. He adjusted his black top hat, casting a brief glance in their direction before offering a polite smile.
"Jonathan," Poul said, acknowledging his arrival.
Jonathan circled around the car and opened the passenger door, extending his hand to assist the lady inside.
The lady who emerged from the car was none other than Caroline, Jonathan's wife. She wore a stylish, ankle-length dress that flowed gracefully as she stepped onto the sidewalk. Her hat matched the ensemble, adorned with a ribbon that fluttered in the light breeze. With a graceful nod of gratitude, Caroline accepted Jonathan's hand and stepped out of the car, her eyes lighting up as they met Sara's.
"Sara!" Caroline exclaimed, her voice warm with familiarity as she embraced her friend.
Sara returned the embrace, her face breaking into a radiant smile. "Caroline, it's been too long!"
Jonathan closed the car door and joined the group.
"How's it been, Jonathan?" Poul said as they bumped their fists in a friendly greeting, the camaraderie evident in their laughter.
"Same as always," Jonathan replied with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Hello, Poul," Caroline greeted, giving Poul a friendly peck on the cheek.
Poul chuckled, returning the gesture with a warm smile. "Caroline, you look as elegant as ever."
"I am elegant. Anyways, why don't we get inside? We have a lot of catching up to do."
Poul nodded and together, they made their way inside the main office and up to their office.
On the eighth floor, they ran into Amelia.
"Mr. and Mrs. Axelsen," Amelia gasped. "You just arrived?"
"Yes, I was wondering why we didn't see you down there," Caroline said, pulling Amelia into an embrace.
"I was sorting some documents so I wasn't able to join Mr. Nielsen and Ms. Olsen," Amelia explained. "I'm so happy to see you again…"
"Me too," Amelia replied.
"You know you can join us, Amelia," Jonathan said. "It's been months since the five of us had a proper sit-down. This is an order from your boss."
Amelia chuckled nervously. "Well, if it's your order then I'll have no choice but to join you. Can I get you something to eat? Cake or pies and drinks?"
"Hmm…I see, how about some apple strudel and an iced tea?" Poul suggested with a smile.
"I'll tell the chef. Why don't you settle inside the office?" Amelia suggested and the group nodded.
The four entered the office and took their seats on the sofa.
Jonathan walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at the bustling company town below. "Oh, this view never fails to mesmerize me," he remarked, his eyes scanning the cityscape with a sense of nostalgia.
Caroline, seated on one end of the sofa, and crossed her legs. "It's a testament to how far we've come, isn't it? And we could grow even further as I heard that Sara developed a penicillin."
Poul and Sara exchanged glances and smiled proudly.
"I'm considering the idea of starting a pharmaceutical company," Poul said. "But of course, we can't just establish a company solely to produce one product. We must make different drugs. Like…hmm…I can't name a single one."
"I have theoretical knowledge about streptomycin, tetracycline, and erythromycin but to produce them is something beyond me. But if we dedicate a talented team of scientists who major in medicine, we might be able to make it. Aside from antibiotics, we can also introduce insulin. As you can see in this era, diabetes is a growing concern."
"Do you know how to make insulin?" Poul glanced at Sara
"Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels in the body. It's primarily produced in the pancreas. To create it outside of the human body, we'll need a source, and the most common source is the pancreas of cattle or pigs. We'll extract and purify the insulin from these animals, and then standardize the production process to ensure consistency and safety. It's a complex process but it can be done."
Poul nodded in understanding. "So not only do we need to start a pharmaceutical company but a farm as well huh?"
"We are going to need a lot of cattle or pigs," Sara said, chuckling.
"Well, we have the means necessary to start another enterprise and I'm loving it," Caroline said. "Let's have a serious discussion about that after the World's Fair, Speaking of which, what's the progress of installing the bulbs on the site?" Caroline asked.
"Timothy is in Chicago supervising the installation," Poul said. "He assured me that everything will go into operation before the World's Fair, which is on the twenty-fifth."
"I can't wait for it," Jonathan finally joined the conversation, sitting next to Caroline and placing an arm around her shoulder.
"How about you Jonathan?" Poul asked. "How's the Empire of State Building faring?"
"We are just starting Poul," Jonathan said. "As for the timeframe, we can finish it in two years. It's going to be the tallest building in the world and an iconic symbol of United States capitalism."
"Great, can't wait to move our main office there," Poul said with a grin, clearly excited about the prospect of their company having an office in the iconic Empire State Building.
"How about the oil mining operation in the Middle East?" Jonathan inquired again. "I was told by Morgan that you demanded he call off the congressional hearing?"
"Yeah, we are getting serious this time, Jonathan. I'm tired of all the politics when we are contributing so much to the country. I haven't heard from him yet, I hope he can give me an update at the World's Fair."
"What technology are you going to display at the World's Fair?" Caroline asked.
"The penicillin, new electrical appliances, automobiles that a middle class can afford, the electric trams and locomotives, and the aircraft," Poul said with a sense of pride in his voice. "Thirty million people are going to attend that fair, free for our products, meaning more profit to our company."
As they were having a joyful conversation, Amelia entered the office, carrying a tray of refreshing iced tea and delicious apple strudel, which she carefully set down on the coffee table before the group.
"Here you go, everyone," she said with a warm smile. "Enjoy your snacks."
The group graciously accepted the refreshments, and they indulged in the sweet pastry and sipped their tea.
"Oh, Amelia, could you tell us the update about the Josean-Japanese war?" Poul said.
"Not much, Poul. But based on the latest newspaper covering the war, the Japanese are nearing the capital. It's only a matter of time for the Joseon Kingdom to sue for peace. On the business side, the Japanese seemed to have liked our weapon and are placing one hundred thousand orders."
"Thank you, Amelia," Jonathan said. "Well, the only thing that we need to do is to prepare for the World's Fair."
"You are right," Poul said.
Caroline noticed a somber expression on Sara's face, affected by the news of the war.
