Test Drive

"First we are going to need to load this thing up with fuel," Matthew said, and beckoned the workers to carry the barrel that has a refined gasoline, which Matthew had been refining meticulously over the past few weeks. 

The barrel was wheeled over to the car, its contents sloshing faintly as the worker steadied it near the vehicle's rear end.

Matthew took a funnel and inserted it into the fuel tank opening, then carefully poured the gasoline, watching as the liquid flowed smoothly. "This," he began, gesturing to the fuel, "is what gives life to the engine. When it ignites, it causes controlled explosions within each cylinder, pushing the pistons down and generating power."

As he finished pouring, he capped the tank, securing it tightly. He moved to the driver's seat, placing his hand on the ignition lever. 

"Now, let's bring this machine to life." With a slight push, he engaged the starter motor, allowing the dynamo to provide an initial spark.

The engine sputtered for a moment, a rough growl that soon settled into a smooth, rhythmic hum as the V8 came to life. 

Matthew revved the engine lightly, and the entire automobile seemed to pulse in response.

"Okay the panels and gauges are working perfectly fine," Matthew said, gesturing to the dashboard in front of him. The simple setup included a speedometer, a fuel gauge, tachometer, and an oil pressure gauge, all carefully calibrated.

"Let's take her out for a test run," Matthew announced, his voice brimming with confidence. "Now who would want to ride in a journey with me towards the future?" 

Ben and almost all of them raised their hands. Matthew chucked as he rubbed the back of his head. He is having a hard time choosing who is who. 

"Well, Ben, you come to the front while you, you, and you, at the back," Matthew said, pointing to three eager workers who had their hands raised the highest. They quickly climbed into the vehicle, wide-eyed and grinning with excitement. Ben settled into the front passenger seat, his hand gripping the door, still looking slightly skeptical.

As they got situated, Ben looked at Matthew, raising an eyebrow. "So, how does this thing move without a horse or ox pulling it?" he asked, clearly fascinated but puzzled.

Matthew smiled, eager to reveal the answer. "Watch and learn." He pressed down on the clutch pedal with his left foot, shifting the gear into first, then eased his foot onto the gas pedal. The engine roared slightly as the car jerked forward, then smoothed out as Matthew controlled the throttle.

The workers in the back let out surprised gasps as they felt the car move under its own power. Ben's eyes widened as he clutched his seat tightly, feeling the sensation of forward motion without any animal leading the way.

Then they got out of the factory, trailed by the workers behind. And suddenly, people walking along the road, shopkeepers, and even children playing in the snow stopped dead in their tracks, their mouths agape as they watched the massive, gleaming machine move without any horses pulling it. 

The rumble of the engine reverberated through the air, unlike any sound they'd ever heard. It was deep, steady, and powerful, a controlled growl that seemed to command respect. Some townsfolk stepped back, wary of the strange contraption, while others leaned forward, eyes squinting in disbelief, trying to understand what they were witnessing.

Ben glanced over at Matthew, still in awe despite being inside the vehicle. "They look like they're seeing a ghost," he murmured, barely able to suppress his own amazement.

Matthew chuckled, keeping his eyes on the road as he expertly maneuvered the car around a turn. "This is the future, Ben. They're looking at the dawn of a new era." He shifted gears, the engine responding smoothly as the car picked up speed. 

"It's fast!" 

"It's faster than the horses or the trains," Matthew said with a grin. 

As they were enjoying the ride, a horse-drawn carriage suddenly crossed an inter

section ahead of them. The driver of the carriage, startled by the sound and sight of the approaching vehicle, froze mid-turn, his eyes wide with shock. The horse reared up, spooked by the mechanical beast, and the driver tugged at the reins, struggling to calm it.

Matthew's hands moved quickly and instinctively. He pressed down on the brake pedal, and the hydraulic brakes engaged smoothly, slowing the car to a stop just a few feet away from the carriage. The workers in the car braced themselves, amazed by the vehicle's ability to halt so effectively without the screech of metal or the rough jerk they had expected.

The driver of the carriage regained his composure, though he continued to stare, bewildered.

"What the heck is that?!" The driver of the carriage exclaimed. 

Matthew breathed a sigh of relief, he thought he was going to crash the vehicle they painstakingly made for the last four months. Not to mention, the carriage in front of them looked expensive as it was very ornate and decorated with intricate carvings and polished brass accents. The driver himself seemed to be dressed better than most, suggesting he was employed by someone of status in town.

Ben, still wide-eyed from the close call, looked over at Matthew and whispered, "Careful there, boss. We don't want to make our first impression with this thing by running over a rich man's carriage."

Matthew nodded, a slight smirk on his face. "That would be one way to get their attention, but not exactly what I had in mind."

He exited the vehicle, still the attention was around them, and spoke. 

"I'm sorry, didn't see you coming." 

"What is that?" the coachman asked again. 

"It's an automobile, an invention of mine. I am taking it on a test drive," Matthew answered. 

"It moved without horses?" 

"Yes it moved without horses," Matthew repeated as he smiled politely to the coachman. 

"Amazing..!" the coachman said in awe. 

"Well…I guess that we have to move now, we are building traffic," Matthew said with a chuckle, gesturing toward the growing crowd that had gathered to gawk at the strange vehicle. Townsfolk surrounded the automobile, some daring to reach out and touch the polished metal, others whispering in hushed tones about the "mechanical horse."

Matthew climbed back into the driver's seat, glancing over at his passengers. "Ready to keep going?" he asked with a grin. The workers in the back, who had been holding their breath through the encounter, finally exhaled and nodded.

As Matthew eased the car back into motion, the engine rumbled to life again, and the crowd parted, allowing him to maneuver down the main road. People continued to follow, some jogging alongside to keep up, others waving in astonishment. Children pointed with wide eyes, and elders shook their heads, unable to believe what they were witnessing.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, someone was following the movement of the vehicle with their eyes.

"Milady, that was an interesting piece of contraption there," said by a woman retainer who was dressed in a deep green dress with a fitted bodice and modest high collar, her hair pulled back in a neat chignon.

She sat beside a young woman whose attire, while elegant, was notably more luxurious—a velvet coat with silver buttons, a wide-brimmed hat adorned with an ornate feather, and gloves of fine leather. 

"Yes, it was indeed fascinating," replied the young lady as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "I should tell father about this discovery."