Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 244 Do you want to sit on it and try?

As Lionel and Sophie left the "Du Pré Office Art Gallery," the brass bell on the door rang out again.

This time, the boss personally escorted them to the door, bowing repeatedly and promising to deliver the printer to 117 Saint-Germain-des-Prés today, until the two figures disappeared into the crowd on Rue de la Récher.

Sophie's eyes were full of curiosity and pride: "Leon, you were just... amazing! How do you know so much?"
The boss's expression, going from looking down on people to utterly admiring them, was truly hilarious!

Lionel chuckled and squeezed her hand: "Just a little... knowledge from afar. Now, I still have a 'movement problem' to solve."

Sophie took his arm: "The hassle of moving? You mean the carriage? I've heard that owning a carriage is very expensive and troublesome."

Lionel nodded, counting on his fingers: "A good horse and a two-wheeled convertible would cost at least three or four thousand francs."

The annual stable rent, feed, maintenance... add another one or two thousand francs, and it also requires a lot of effort to manage.

If you don't want to manage it yourself, you have to hire a coachman, which will cost you another 1200 francs a year..."

Sophie seemed to have guessed something: "So you want to..."
Lionel stated his thoughts: "I want to buy a bicycle."

Sophie's eyes widened: "A bicycle? You mean, this kind?" She pointed to the street as she spoke.

A "high-wheeled vehicle" was seen driving past them, with the rider sitting on a giant front wheel that was taller than a person, and a small wheel behind, like a person performing acrobatics.

Sophie covered her mouth: "Leon, this is too dangerous! Let's buy a carriage instead..."

Lionel laughed. “That’s not what I want. Sophie, I remember the first time I went to the Orby Trading Company, I saw someone promoting a new type of bicycle.”

Designed by the British, the front and rear wheels are the same size, the height only reaches my waist, and the rear wheel is driven by a chain and sprocket. It looks... well, safer.

Sophie frowned, trying to recall: "It seems... there was something like that. A strange-looking two-wheeled vehicle, supposedly a 'safety bicycle'..."

But my colleagues all said it was too expensive, and the design was strange, not as impressive as a high-wheeled vehicle… and then it seems like we lost touch with it.”

Lionel's heart leaped with joy: "Yes, that might be it! What happened to that car? Did Orby import and sell it?"

Sophie shook her head: "I'm not sure, but I can ask my colleagues in the purchasing or sales departments for you."

Lionel exclaimed excitedly, "Great! If that car were still around, I'd buy it!"

Sophie smiled and said, "Then on Monday when I go to work, I'll ask for you... is there anything else you need to buy?"

Lionel shook his head: "No, let's go back."

Sophie blushed: "Go back where?"

Lionel tugged at her hand and whispered, "Let's go back to using 'sheep intestines'..."

The 'rubber' invented by the Americans is too thick; it's only suitable for covering bicycle wheels..."

Sophie was surprised that Lionel would say such things in the street, and her face turned even redder. She punched Lionel in the chest hard.

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On Monday at noon, Sophie met with Lionel at the "Sunset Café" near the "Orby Trading Company".

As soon as she sat down, she took the hot coffee that Lionel pushed over to warm her hands: "I found out! There really is that car! It's called the 'Rover Safety Model'."

The company imported five vehicles on a whim, but... they couldn't sell them at all!

She couldn't help but laugh: "Everyone thinks it looks strange, lacks the grandeur of a high-wheeled vehicle, and isn't as fast—because the wheels are smaller."

Moreover, the price was 600 francs, more expensive than some decent high-wheeled vehicles. Those five vehicles had been sitting at the back of the warehouse, gathering dust. The sales manager was having a headache over it; he'd heard that headquarters was already considering returning them to the British manufacturer or disposing of them at a discount.

Lionel quickly said, "Help me, what price are your salespeople willing to offer?"

Sophie couldn't help but smile, although she didn't quite understand why Lionel was so enthusiastic about such a "failed" product.
"I've already checked, 400 francs! It also includes a basic repair tool kit! As long as I pay and pick it up today, I can go to the warehouse immediately!"

Lionel almost wanted to pick up Sophie and spin her around! 400 francs was a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of maintaining the carriage!
After lunch, he took Sophie to the finance department to pay the money and complete the formalities.

The sales manager was indeed efficient; he quickly prepared the invoices and sent a handyman to lead them to the warehouse to pick up the goods.

In a corner of a warehouse filled with various imported goods, they found the five dusty "Rover Safety" bicycles.

Lionel examined them carefully and chose the one that looked to be in the best condition.

The frame structure is basically intact, and although the style is old-fashioned, it already possesses the rudiments of a modern bicycle.

The bicycle features a diamond-shaped frame, two wheels of roughly the same size, chain drive, a simple saddle, and even a very rudimentary "brake" device.

However, without a front fork fork and the wheels don't look like they use ball bearings, so it probably won't be very stable to ride.

Even so, Lionel was already satisfied and quickly pushed the car to an open space outside.

Sophie circled it curiously, still unable to understand its advantages: "It looks...it is indeed much shorter than a high-wheeled vehicle, but...can you really ride it? How do you maintain your balance?"

Lionel didn't answer, took a deep breath, and climbed onto the seat.

The seat height was just right for him, allowing his feet to rest firmly on the ground.

He recalled the feeling of riding a bicycle long ago, first pushing off the ground to get the bike moving, then finding the pedals and trying to pedal.

At first, the car body was a bit shaky, the front of the car seemed a bit stiff, and the steering was not flexible enough.

The solid rubber tires rolled over the gravel on the ground, producing a distinct bumpy sensation...

But it wasn't long before he found his balance!
He gripped the handlebars firmly and began riding around the open space.

The speed gradually increased, and the sound of the wind rang in our ears.

Although the riding experience is far from comfortable and smooth, it is much, much more stable and safer than high-wheeled bikes!
This familiar yet strange feeling almost made him want to cheer!

Sophie watched in stunned silence.

She watched as Lionel adapted to the strange vehicle for a few moments, then skillfully rode it around in circles in the open space, his movements fluid and natural, as if he had been doing it for many years!
This was completely different from the people she remembered who fell and got bruised and battered while learning to ride high-bikes!
She exclaimed in surprise, "Leon! You...you can actually ride! When did you learn? This...this is simply amazing!"

Lionel rode around a few times, then stopped steadily in front of her, supporting himself on one foot.

His face was flushed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead: "Perhaps, like a typewriter, some skills... are innate?"

However, this car is far from perfect; there are still many areas that need improvement… I want to buy another one!

Sophie quickly waved her hand: "Buy another one? Are you giving it to me for free? Women can't ride these things, it's too unseemly and inconvenient..."

Lionel chuckled: "You can't ride it now, but you can later! There's a back seat here, would you like to try it?"

Sophie blushed again, seemingly lost in thought, and punched Lionel hard.

(End of this chapter)