[✔️] Across The Years | Seulrene

Ch. 30 - Trouble in paradise

The Victorian patient would look through the books and Seulgi would explain what everything was. Irene politely noted each thing and did her best to keep it all straight. But with so many new facts, pictures and stories of the modern world, Irene felt even more disconnected and isolated. She however kept those feelings to herself as she could see Seulgi was trying hard. Though at times, the Latina-American felt as if she was trying too hard.

The only place Irene put down her ever increasing feeling of isolation and loneliness was in her diary. Even her "relationship" with Seulgi was being effected, as Irene just wasn't sure if she really knew who her lover even was.

The next day, Seulgi planned to demonstrate the tv and radio. She had brought in a small portable radio and placed it on the table next to her bed.

"Now Baechu, this is a radio. I told you that music and sound can be recorded, but it can also be transmitted over great distances through use of radio waves."

"Radio waves?" Irene asked, adding yet another thing on the ever growing pile of things she didn't understand.

"They are in the air and always have been. I don't understand how it works, but it does. There are lots of stations and each station puts out different kinds of programs. Some play music, some talk about sports and have people describe sports games, some have political shows where people discuss politics and other relevant topics of the day. Do you follow?"

She nodded and said yes, despite the fact that she really didn't.

"Here, let me show you," Seulgi said as she turned on the radio. "I put it on a station that tells you the news. It isn't a recording, it's broadcast live over the air."

Suddenly, a clear male voice came from the radio;

"Today in financial news; Stock of the Stromberg shipping line fell dramatically upon the breaking news of their newest supertanker— the Liparus, being lost at sea. The ship which was launched 8 months ago and was the largest in the world, was apparently lost with all hands in a yet to be explained mishap. All attempts to reach Karl Stromberg, the founder and head of the Stromberg shipping line for comment, were unsuccessful. The New York Stock exchange today, fell slightly in heavy Trading..."

The Korean-American then turned off the radio, as Irene began to look somewhat uncomfortable.

"What's wrong?"

"I do not understand how his voice could be coming from that. You said it's not recorded, but someone was saying that just now. It does not seem right."

Irene just wasn't used to such things and it seemed somehow unnatural. A similar demonstration of the television went just as well. Instead of being fascinated and in awe of the new technologies, the Victorian patient seemed extremely intimated by them. In fact, Irene was rather scared of them.

It was more than the technology, Irene felt so much stress and isolation from being thrust in her new world that she just seemed to slowly withdrawal. Seulgi would notice her getting quieter and less responsive, but hoped it would get better when she got used to things.

The next day came a bit of good news. The doctor said that Irene was well enough to leave the hospital. Mary had previously arranged for a limo to return her and Seulgi to Herford. Irene of course among her many worries was what she could wear as she had no clothes.

Fortunately, the Korean rebel was able to help Irene there and had bought her a simple but conservative dress.

Irene was put in a wheel chair and brought down to the entrance. She took her first elevator ride, but that didn't bother her all that much as she had seen a prototype elevator on display at the Crystal Palace in London in 1867. The Latina-American was dismayed to learn the wonderful Crystal palace, was destroyed in a fire in 1936. She explained of how her mother would take her there on Sundays after church sometimes.