The Mint
Chapter One
Victoria twirled in front of the mirror, her dress swishing around her legs as she admired her reflection. “Tonight is going to be magical,” she hummed to herself, excitement bubbling in her chest. She checked her hair one last time, the soft waves framing her face perfectly.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. “Come in!” she called out. Diane burst into the room, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Victoria, you look absolutely stunning! That dress is to die for.” Diane’s enthusiasm was infectious.
Victoria laughed, the sound melodic. “Thank you, darling. Are you ready to dance the night away at The Mint?”
“Oh, I can’t wait! And Spencer promised me something special tonight.” Diane’s cheeks flushed with anticipation.
“Oh? What’s the big surprise?” Victoria leaned in, curiosity piqued.
“I think he’s going to propose, Victoria!” Diane’s eyes sparkled with hope.
Victoria squealed in delight, clapping her hands together. “That’s wonderful news, Diane! I’m so happy for you!”
The two friends shared a hug, their excitement palpable, before heading out to meet the rest of their group at The Mint.
The club was alive with music and laughter as they entered, the vibrant energy lifting Victoria's spirits. She made her way to the stage, ready to perform the Charleston that would captivate the audience. The music started, and Victoria moved with grace, her feet tapping out a rhythm that echoed through the room.
The crowd cheered and clapped as she finished, a blush spreading across her cheeks. “You were amazing, Victoria!” Diane rushed up to
her, eyes shining.
“Thank you! Now let’s dance!” Victoria grabbed Diane’s hand, pulling her into the crowd.
The night flew by in a blur of laughter and joy, but soon Victoria noticed Margret swaying slightly, her laughter turning into loud, unsteady giggles. “Margret, let’s get you home,” Victoria said gently, concern lacing her voice.
“I’m fine! Just a little tipsy!” Margret declared, her words slurring together as she tried to dance again.
“Margret, come on. I think you’ve had a bit too much to drink,” Victoria insisted, guiding her friend towards the exit.
“Okay, okay! You win,” Margret giggled, leaning on Victoria for support as they hailed a cab.
As they arrived at Margret’s place, she stumbled out of the cab, wobbling unsteadily. “Thank you, Victoria. I think I need to lie down,” she mumbled.
“Take care, Margret. I’ll check on you tomorrow,” Victoria said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her friend’s face.
With a sigh, Victoria left Margret’s place and headed back to The Mint, the night still young and full of possibilities.
Back at the club, the music pulsed like a heartbeat, the crowd swirling around her. Diane rushed up, her expression changing from joy to concern. “Victoria, have you heard from Margret?”
“No, I left her at home. Why?” Victoria’s stomach twisted.
“I just have a bad feeling, Victoria. We need to go check on her.”
“Let’s go, Diane!” Victoria nodded, urgency fueling her steps.
They hurried back to Margret’s place, fear gnawing at the edges of their minds. When they arrived, their hearts sank.
“Margret!” Victoria cried, rushing to her friend’s side.
Diane knelt beside them, panic in her eyes. “What happened to
her?”
“She’s alive, but we need to get her to a doctor,” Victoria said, her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her.
Diane nodded, trembling as they lifted Margret onto the bed. “I’m scared, Victoria.”
“Me too, but we’ll get through this together,” Victoria reassured her friend, her heart heavy with guilt and worry.
Chapter Two
The Mint was alive with a soft hum of laughter and chatter, the warm glow of vintage lamps casting a cozy light over the three friends huddled together in a corner booth. Diane leaned back, her petite frame relaxing as she took a drag of her cigarette, the smoke curling into the air like whispered secrets. “Thank you so much for doing this for me, girls,” she said, her eyes sparkling with joy.
“Of course we had to celebrate with you,” Victoria replied, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. “Hey, you’re all going to say I’m crazy, but have you ever thought about meeting your ancestors from the 1880s or 1890s?”
Diane chuckled, shaking her head. “You really are off your rocker sometimes, Vic.”
“Exactly!” Victoria laughed. “Imagine how different things were back then. Our parents and grandparents struggle to understand us because of that.”
Diane leaned in, intrigued. “What’s your point, Victoria?”
“Imagine if we could go back in time and tell our ancestors about things like Jack the Ripper. Maybe we could change history and save lives,” Victoria said, her voice rising with excitement.
Diane’s brow furrowed in thought, a flicker of skepticism crossing
her face. “It’s an interesting idea, but there are so many unknowns. How would we even find them? And would they believe us?”
Margret chimed in, a teasing smile stretching across her lips. “Having a conversation with an ancestor sounds too far-fetched. Next, you’ll be telling us Santa Claus is real.”
Victoria nodded, undeterred. “So, Margret thinks I’m mad, and Diane sees some possibility but doubts it could work. Am I right?”
Margret folded her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. “Even if we entertain the idea, how would you make time travel a reality, Victoria?”
Diane leaned back, crossing her legs, her curiosity piqued. “Do you have a time-travel device hidden somewhere?”
Victoria held their gazes, a playful glint in her eyes. “I just wanted to hear your thoughts. Is that such a crime?”
As they chatted, a tall woman with raven-black hair passed by, greeting them with a radiant smile. The moment Diane caught sight of her, her expression darkened. “I can’t stand that woman,” Diane muttered, her voice low and laced with irritation. “And why does she always say hello?”
Victoria exchanged a concerned look with Margret, both sensing the emotional storm brewing beneath Diane’s surface. Kate, the woman in question, had a striking beauty that was impossible to ignore, but for Diane, she was a source of turmoil.
“What’s her deal anyway?” Margret asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Diane scoffed, her fingers tapping on the table. “She’s just... there. Like a shadow I can’t shake off.”
Victoria bit her lip, glancing at the bar. “How about another round of drinks? Might help drown your frustrations.”
“Absolutely!” Diane and Margret said in unison, their eyes lighting up at the prospect of more drinks.
As Victoria rose, she caught a glimpse of Kate laughing with a group across the room, her laughter ringing out like a siren call. Diane’s jaw tightened at the sight. “I can’t believe she’s here.”
“Forget about her,” Margret said, waving her hand dismissively. “Let’s focus on you, Di.”
The dimly lit lounge buzzed with energy as Victoria returned with their drinks, laughter and chatter enveloping them again. Yet, as they raised their glasses in a toast, Victoria’s mind wandered back to the conversation about time travel. The idea of changing the past lingered, a daring notion that sparked her curiosity like a flame igniting tinder.
Little did they know, their evening of celebration would soon spiral into an adventure beyond their wildest dreams.
Chapter Three
Victoria sat in the study, her fingers trembling as she cradled the glass of wine. The rich aroma filled the air, mingling with the scent of old books and polished wood. Vera leaned against the desk, her arms crossed, curiosity glimmering in her eyes.
“I do not know why this happened, but it probably happened for a reason,” Victoria began, her voice steady despite the quiver in her hands.
Vera raised an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of her wine. “Go on,” she prompted, intrigued despite herself.
Victoria took a deep breath, her gaze locking with Vera’s. “Eight years from now, in the east end, there are going to be many women— five to be exact—mostly prostitutes, who will be killed by a murderer going by the name of ‘Jack the Ripper.’ No one ever caught him or could recall a full description of him.”
The words hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. Vera’s expression
shifted, her interest deepening. “Go on,” she urged softly, her skepticism wavering.
“He wrote letters to the London police,” Victoria continued, urgency creeping into her tone, “but others wrote phony letters as well, which made it hard to distinguish what was usable. Now that you know of this killer, you can mention it to the police in advance. If they do not listen, mention it again. I urge you to take this seriously, Vera.”
Vera’s eyes widened, her hand instinctively reaching for a pencil and paper. She scribbled down notes furiously, her mind racing. “This is—this is monumental,” she stammered, glancing up. “What else?”
“Also, in 1890, there will be another serial killer in America, in Chicago, Illinois. His name is Herman Webster Mudgett, but he’s known as Dr. Henry Howard Holmes. He will go on to be just as bad as Jack the Ripper,” Victoria pressed on, her voice urgent and unyielding.
Vera nodded slowly, absorbing the information. “It is rumored that Holmes killed and murdered fifty to a hundred people. It’s horrifying.” She paused, a thought striking her. “If you mention this and let’s say they try to blame you for Jack the Ripper since he’s very hard to find, well, you are not in America, so it would give you a huge alibi.”
Victoria’s gaze was piercing as she locked eyes with Vera. “Exactly. And Benz, the automobile company, is a great company to try and partner with. It’s just a year old today, but in my society, it’s a huge company with even more potential for growth. I would invest. It’s called Daimler-Benz.”
Vera leaned back, her mind swirling with the weight of Victoria’s words. “These are all great things to know and great information, so I thank you for enlightening me,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude. “But for now, we should rest. It seems like you have traveled very far...”
Victoria wished to delve deeper into her time-traveling journey, but the weariness in Vera’s eyes tempered her eagerness. “Yes, we should rest,” she agreed, setting her glass down, the clink echoing in the quiet
room.
Vera rose gracefully, her movements deliberate. “It has been a most... unusual evening, Victoria,” she said, disbelief and wonder lacing her words.
Victoria stood, determination flickering in her chest. “Thank you for listening, Vera. I will return in the morning, and we can discuss further what needs to be done.”
As Vera led her to a guest room, the weight of the knowledge she now carried settled heavily on her shoulders. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, she allowed the gentle sound of Vera’s humming lullaby to wrap around her, lulling her into a fragile sense of security.
Chapter Four
Victoria blinked at the morning sun filtering through the lavish curtains, the room around her a swirl of unfamiliar elegance. A small piece of aged parchment lay on the pillow, her fingers trembling as she unfolded it.
“Dearest Victoria. I am glad that we could cross paths in my time...”
Her breath hitched. “I’m back in 1920?” she whispered, her heart racing.
She leaped from the bed, the plush carpet sinking under her feet. A quick glance out the window revealed a shiny Benz parked outside. “We actually own it!” she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face.
Later that day, Victoria met Diane and Margret for lunch at The Mint. Laughter erupted as they settled at a corner table.
“How is Spencer?” Victoria asked, eager to catch up.
“Who is Spencer?” Diane replied, brows knitted in confusion. “Your fiancé, silly!” Victoria chuckled.
Diane's laughter faded. “I’ve been married to George for two years. Don’t you remember? You were my maid of honor!” A teasing glint danced in her eyes.
Victoria's stomach dropped. “What about Kate and Spencer?”
Diane's smile faltered. “Kate just got engaged to Spencer, but I don't think he’s ready. I saw him with another girl...”
“Invite her to our next gathering,” Victoria suggested, concern prickling her skin.
Margret, her voice soft, said, “Today is the anniversary of my grandmother’s passing...”
Victoria wrapped her arms around Margret, squeezing tight. “I’m here for you.”
As she pulled away, Victoria's mind raced. Each change seemed to come with a cost. The thrill of her accomplishments tangled with the weight of unintended consequences. “What have I done?” she murmured, her heart heavy with uncertainty.
