"Matthew?" Railmaster Stone uttered again, his voice rising in frustration. He hadn't expected the boy to actually step forward and approach someone like Hargrave. It was supposed to be a joke, a little push to motivate him—not for him to insert himself into a high-stakes situation like this.
"Get back here," Stone hissed, stepping closer to Matthew, but just as he was about to grab his arm, Hargrave's gloved hand shot up in the air, signaling Stone to stop.
"Railmaster Stone," Hargrave's voice was sharp, almost slicing through the tension in the air. "I didn't ask for your input on how I conduct my inspections, nor who speaks to me. If the boy has something to say, I'd like to hear it uninterrupted."
Stone froze mid-step, his expression shifting from irritation to bewilderment. He hadn't expected this reaction from Hargrave. "But Mr. Hargrave—" he began, only for Hargrave to cut him off with a stern glance.
"I said let him speak," Hargrave reiterated, his cold eyes turning back to Matthew.
Matthew felt the weight of every pair of eyes on him, but he steadied himself. This was his moment. He cleared his throat, standing straighter despite the pounding in his chest.
"I believe I can solve your braking issue, sir," Matthew began.
"I noticed the manual braking system you're using. It's dangerous and prone to human error—like what happened in Columbus. But there's a way to automate it."
Hargrave's gaze sharpened. "Automate it? Go on, boy."
Matthew felt the tiniest flicker of confidence. He had Hargrave's attention now. "In my studies, I've learned about a concept where you use a central air brake system. It uses compressed air to apply and release the brakes uniformly across the train—much faster and safer than relying on manual labor."
Hargrave's brows raised. "Where did you get that knowledge? Did you receive any formal education?"
"I have not," Matthew answered.
"Then how am I supposed to believe you when you don't have an educational background backing you? I have met a lot of scientists and engineers who spout scientific things that make it sound beautiful, but in application, it failed…"
"I understand you won't easily believe me without the credentials," Matthew replied, meeting Hargrave's skeptical gaze. "And I understand why. But that's the risk I'm willing to take. I know you don't see what I see, but without taking risks, well, you wouldn't be where you are now, would you, sir?"
Hargrave's eyes narrowed, his piercing gaze lingering on Matthew as he weighed the boy's words.
"You speak as if you understand what it takes to build an empire, boy," Hargrave finally said.
"Maybe not yet, but I understand enough to know that real progress means going beyond what others think is possible. I'm not asking you to take my word for it. I'll show you, if you'll give me the chance. Your engineers can test my idea, and if it doesn't work, then I'll walk away."
"And it's going to cost me money to test your idea, if it fails, the money is lost. How will you pay me for it?"
"I don't think you can ask me to pay for that because this is not a transaction, this is an investment, and an investment could either fail or succeed. I'm offering you something that could redefine your entire operation."
"How old are you?"
"I'm about 16 years old," Matthew said, though this was just a rough estimate because he didn't know how old his body really is.
"For someone your age and status, the way you carry and deliver yourself is… unexpected. You don't sound like any sixteen-year-old I've ever met."
"I've had to adapt quickly, sir. Life doesn't always give you the luxury of waiting until you're older to make something of yourself."
Hargrave's lips quirked slightly, as though mildly entertained. "A clever answer. And a bold one. I respect that. Very well, since you entertained and made my interest piqued, I will give you a chance. You will come with me back to Amsterdam where our research and development is located."
"Thank you, Mr. Hargrave."
Hargrave turned to Railmaster Stone. "See to it that he is ready for departure," he ordered.
Then, with a last scrutinizing look at Matthew, he adjusted his coat and walked away, his entourage falling in line behind him.
As Hargrave disappeared into the distance, Stone released a breath he'd been holding.
"You really went and did it, boy," he muttered, shaking his head. "I don't know what kind of fire you've got in you, but it's going to need to burn bright if you're following Hargrave to Amsterdam. That man isn't one to suffer fools or dreamers, Matthew. If you can't back up every word you said, he'll cut you loose without a second thought."
"I understand, Railmaster. I'll make this work."
Stone shook his head with a sigh, then nodded toward the station. "Well, you'd better start getting ready. If you're going to impress Hargrave, showing up with nothing but the clothes on your back isn't going to cut it."
Matthew looked down at his worn clothes, still faintly streaked with grime from the last week. He nodded, realizing he'd need to present himself in a way that matched the company he'd soon be keeping.
"I don't think I'd be able to afford a suit that would make me look like I belong in Hargrave's world," Matthew admitted, glancing at Stone. "But I'll make do."
Stone grunted, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Well, boy, you may not realize it, but you've earned yourself some favors here. Especially from me. Now, go to the haberdasher just down the street," Stone finished, still smirking. "Tell him Railmaster Stone sent you, and he'll get you sorted with something decent—nothing fancy, mind, but enough to make you look respectable."
Matthew's eyes brightened with gratitude. "Thank you, Railmaster. I won't forget this."
"Don't thank me yet," Stone replied with a gruff chuckle. "I'm still not sure if you're lucky or plain foolish going toe-to-toe with Hargrave like that. But if you're going to stand a chance, you'd better look the part."
Matthew hurried to the haberdasher, a small shop tucked between the baker's and the blacksmith's. The interior was packed with shelves of fabric, hats, and carefully pressed garments, each with an old-world charm that seemed to match his surroundings perfectly.
The haberdasher, a thin man with spectacles perched on the tip of his nose, looked Matthew up and down as he entered.
"Uhm, excuse me, boy. This is not the place where you belong," the haberdasher sneered, his gaze drifting dismissively over Matthew's worn clothes. "We serve customers with coin and class, not beggars wandering in from the street."
Matthew felt a flush of embarrassment but held his ground. "I was sent here by Railmaster Stone," he said firmly, keeping his tone steady despite the clerk's sneering expression.
The man's eyebrow arched in surprise, but his expression didn't soften. "Stone, you say?" He looked Matthew over once more, lips pressed together as if doubting whether such a scruffy boy could really be favored by someone of Stone's standing.
"Yes," Matthew replied, unwavering. "He told me to come here, said you'd help me get fitted."
The clerk huffed, adjusting his spectacles with a slight sneer. "Do you have some proof that you were really sent here by Mr. Stone?"
"Well, I…," Matthew hesitated, realizing he had nothing that would serve as proof. He hadn't thought he'd need anything more than Stone's word.
The clerk's lips curled in a mocking smirk. "Just as I thought," he scoffed. "Stone wouldn't send some street urchin with empty promises. I suggest you take your leave, boy, before you dirty up my shop any more than you already have."
"Then I'll be back," Matthew said, his tone steady as he turned on his heel and exited the shop without another word. He knew returning empty-handed wasn't an option, so he marched back toward the station, hoping Railmaster Stone was still there.
As luck would have it, Stone was overseeing the departure preparations near the platform. When Matthew approached, Stone looked up with a hint of surprise.
"Back already?" Stone asked, raising an eyebrow.
Matthew hesitated only a second before explaining, "The clerk wouldn't help me without proof that you sent me. Said I looked like… a beggar."
Stone's face hardened. "Did he now?" He muttered something under his breath, then nodded firmly. "Come with me."
They made their way back to the haberdasher's shop, and when they entered, the clerk's expression shifted from disdain to shock at the sight of Railmaster Stone beside Matthew. Stone wasted no time.
"So, it seems you have a habit of turning away people I've sent," Stone said. "This young man is about to accompany Mr. Hargrave himself, and you almost cost him that opportunity because of your… judgment."
The clerk's face paled. "My apologies, Mr. Stone. I didn't realize—"
"I don't care what you realized," Stone cut him off. "Just get him something decent, and make it quick."
"Yes sir!"