Where does inspiration come from? In this chapter dreams reveal ideas to Albert.In May 2015 I visited the Cathedral in Pisa where Galileo made his discovery of gravity. The bronze chandelier still hangs where Galileo watched it swing back and forth, proving time. The Leaning Bell Tower stands next to the Cathedral where Galileo dropped the first stones to prove his theory of gravity. Then I imagined Albert meeting the ancient astronomer who shows to Albert why he must include time and gravity in his theories. Dreams and imagination provide hope to Albert on his quest to know what is time and light. Last Saturday Einstein’s Compass celebrated its two-year publishing anniversary. #historicalfiction #timetravel #scifi #Fantasy Www.einsteinscompassbook.com.
Chapter 21
December 1894
New Beginnings
Albert collapsed wearily into the train seat and let out a long, heavy sigh. It relieved him to find that he was the only passenger in the compartment. Sinking into a daydream, he wondered what it would be like to see his parents again. Albert had no idea how they would receive the news about his leaving the Gymnasium.
A gray-haired porter shuffled into the compartment and said, “Tickets please.” Lost in thought, Albert didn’t respond. The porter tapped the troubled teen on the shoulder. “Sir, ticket please.” Albert started, then smiled sheepishly. “Sorry.” He reached into his pocket, then handed the clerk his voucher, which the porter punched, shaking his head, and ambled on to the next compartment.
As the train rumbled along, Albert closed his eyes and fell back into his reverie. He began composing his story so he could tell his mother all that had happened since she and his father had left. Absently the runaway tugged on the silver chain of his shiny brass compass, then pulled it from his tweed coat pocket. Still lost in his thoughts, he smiled as he thought of his childhood companion, Johann. The last time he saw him was at the farmer’s market. Well, physically, at least. The last time he had “seen” him was after the funeral in his friend’s bedroom.
Albert had been laying on Johann’s bed after dinner, grieving for his friend. He had pulled out his compass, finding a vague comfort gazing at the jewels on its lid. From out of nowhere, a shimmering light appeared above the compass and Johann had materialized, his form shining and translucent. He was smiling, and Albert sensed a warmth and love emanating from his friend’s eyes. The ethereal form just held, and a sense of peace had descended over Albert. Somehow, in his heart, he knew all was well with his friend. As that awareness presented itself to Albert, Johann had nodded, then slowly faded. From that time on, the pain of Johann’s loss had become manageable, and there was even a sense of joy, knowing Johann was just fine.
Morning sunlight shined through the train compartment’s window and glinted in the twelve brilliant jewels as Albert swung his treasure back and forth, then lowered it to his lap. The stones shimmered like stars in a rainbow of light. A spiral of light seemed to project from the compass, and Albert floated up into it and into another dimension of time. Mesmerized, Albert drifted off.
The smell of frankincense woke him. He saw enormous flying buttresses and realized he must be in a Gothic cathedral. Seated next to him in the pew was a bearded, balding gentleman. He stared at the man, watching the swings of a bronze chandelier that hung from the ceiling on a long metal chain and swung back and forth at regular intervals.
After a moment, the man spoke. It was not a language Albert knew, but he somehow understood. “Most interesting, don’t you think?”
“Uh, I’m not sure what I’m looking at, sir,” Albert responded respectfully.
The man nodded, then said, “Put your hand over your heart for a moment, then touch your wrist with your fingers.”
Albert complied. “Your heart goes bump, bump, yes?” Albert nodded. “And your pulse does the same.”
“It does,” Albert confirmed.
With his arm, the man mirrored the swing of the lamp. “Young man? I have observed that no matter how large or small the arc, the chandelier will complete its back and forth in the same time.”
“Really?” Albert asked, suddenly fully engaged in the conversation.
The man nodded solemnly.
As the subject of the discussion sank in, Albert suddenly had a sense of whom he was speaking to. Awed, he hesitantly asked, “Would you be, uh, Galileo, sir?”
With a twinkle in his eye, the man affirmed it. “I must admit, I am he.” Galileo leaned forward. “Now, we have established that we can measure time, correct?” Albert nodded. “Then remember that and come with me,” he said, setting down a prayer book and motioning for Albert to follow.
As they strolled outside to a leaning tower nearby, Galileo picked up two rocks, one twice the size of the other. With Albert in tow, he climbed the stairs to the top of the tower. Leaning over the edge, Galileo said, “Watch. I drop them at the same time.”
The rocks fell, and both landed together with a distant thump. “See, gravity! You must use gravity with time.”
Albert nodded thoughtfully, leaning further over the ledge to stare again at the rocks. Suddenly he was falling over the crowning ridge of the tower… He came back to awareness in the train car compartment with a jerk.
I have been with the father of physics! Albert thought with awe as he put the compass back into his pocket and absently gazed out the compartment window, considering what Galileo had said.
His thoughts were nearly enough to distract him from his worry about how he would be received by his family.
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That’s a good piece from your book, Grace. Do you have another book in your future, about Galileo? I’d certainly enjoy that.
Good idea Jacqui. Maybe I could do a Galileo Compass book.
Thanks for your question.
I am currently in research for my new novel, “Jesus Compass”. Joses and his Desposyni Brothers, descendants of Jesus are summoned on behalf of Emperor Constantine to Rome (318 AD) by Sylvester. The Brothers want Sylvester to revoke the Greek Christian Bishops in Jerusalem of their doctrine, money and power and return all to them. During the voyage the supernatural Jesus Compass from Atlantis is gifted to Joses to assist he and his Brothers to travel through time and space and find wisdom in other dimensions like the lost city of Atlantis but evil forces seek the power of the Compass including a monstrous shapeshifting dragon from a different age.