title: nanobots causing overwhelming depression not far off the end now
text: it seems there isnt going to be a halloween writing contest so i thought i would post the story i preemptively wrote for it i hope you enjoy it master of the estate this coach really is quite wonderful jonathan i can barely feel the bumps and i dont feel like im about to be thrown out the window eleanor exclaimed it is grand isnt it its all grand the trip our coachand you she said smiling and snuggling in closer to jonathan on the wide leather seat i could do without this fog though i would like to see the moon and stars later tonight he pulled the curtain aside slightly with a gloved hand and peered mournfully through the window at the white mist that nearly obscured everything he could hardly see the tops of the trees it was so thick just then a particularly large bump jostled them roughly followed closely by another oh squealed eleanor jonathans brow drew down driver he called out the window is everything alright beg pardon sir i fear i may have taken a wrong turn at that fork back a ways theres a house up aheadill check in with them and make sure sturbridge village cant be far now and were better safe than sorry with this fog rolling in if you take my meaning sir dont want to be out past dark in this soup jonathan looked at eleanor well it would be nice to stretch our legs for a moment she said she was not quite as cheerful as she had been just minutes ago the october afternoon was cooling off as evening approached and jonathan could see his breath the coach trundled past wellmaintained stone gables and a heavy wroughtiron gate standing open on one side oil lanterns hung from black hooks in the gables glowed dimly in the fog and additional lanterns spilled pools of yelloworange light on a cobblestone drive as they made their way up toward the house eleanor gasped as the massive shape of the house came into view its beautiful jonathan made a surprised hm but otherwise said nothing a welldressed footman dashed out to lower the stairs of their coach and open the door then offered a whitegloved hand to eleanor as she peered out with a flashed smile at jonathan she accepted the young mans hand and descended the driver was speaking quietly with another footman and an older man emerged from the heavy oak door of the house as jonathan descended the steps of the coach the older man  clearly the butler  bowed to eleanor and jonathan welcome to the anne union keyes estate i am mister walker and i am at your service the master of the estate has invited you in for the evening meal the butler spoke with some kind of british accent but beyond that jonathan not say from where exactly good lord man we just arrived unannounced yes sir but herr von graeff enjoys entertaining and was notified of your arrival as you drove up i would be honored if you would follow me he gestured toward the polished steps eleanor was the type of woman who once her mind was made up proceeded without hesitation she must have decided they were staying for dinner for with a delighted squeal she headed for the house they were greeted in the foyer by an elderly man jonathan estimated he was in his seventies hair fully white with deep creases in his face on age showing on his hands however the man was tall and straightbacked and he carried himself proudly there was a stiffness to his movements and he used a cane to walk but when jonathan shook his large hands the mans grip was as firm as a man half his age welcome he said warmly and with what jonathan thought was a german accent i am gottfried hansjürgen von graeff please be welcome in my home how may i call you the mans eyes were unusual but jonathan could not place what it was about them that seemed so he shrugged it off thank you herr von graeff i am jonathan rockport this is my fiancée eleanor harrington we really have only stopped to find our way back to the highway we are trying to get to sturbridge village to stay for the night before continuing on to fall river in the morning ah yes well you will not make it to sturbridge village in this fog herr von graeff pronounced the name of the town with a sh sound at least not before dark even if you left now it is fifteen miles yet why dont you join me for dinner stay here tonight and then resume your journey first thing tomorrow you are a generous host herr von graeff but i really would like to press on if possible i have business meetings in massachusetts and must be in fall river by tuesday  ah a wonderful town fall river yes tell me how is the new railway doing i understand the esteemed mr borden opened the branch line just last year yes indeed said jonathan slowly the railway has been a smashing success in fact it is mr borden i have an appointment to see i have a business proposition for him that i think he will be quite excited about an entrepreneur exclaimed herr von graeff excellent i always enjoy conversing with a businessman especially you americans always such big ideas yes please let us carry on our conversation over dinner mister walker he continued pronouncing the butlers name with a v would you lead us to the dining hall yes herr von graeff