“well done, hermann!“

“this is indeed an increadable machine, mr. scherbius!”

“it is. and can you imagine the potential of it?“

“tell me!”

“in war, with a device like this, we could communicate with great protection. and in business. imagine a world where we could indeed communicate freely, without fear of espionage from competitors, and perhaps even governments. who knows? i’d say that there are a lot of people who might be interested in an easy way of secret communication. but the device has to be easy to operate and with just one key, and portable as well.

“do you really think that it could turn the tide of a war?”

“indeed! information is always a weakness for those who need to know and war is dependent on long range communication. as big a weakness for those who need it, as big a strength it is for the enemy if they know it.“

“hence the secrecy?”

“hence the secrecy. i need to patent it in its final form. then i imagine it will change the world. hopefully not in the way wells suggest, but rather like the vision your father and i share.“

“let’s hope that, mr. scherbius!”

“yes, let’s hope that indeed. now. wasn’t there a book you needed to collect and a wife home waiting?“

“yes, there was. thank you for showing me, and a good night to you, mr. scherbius!”

“and a good night to you as well, young hermann. see you tomorrow.“

“see you tomorrow.”