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"Mr. Jericho Tibbs investigates newly discovered films from the Edwardian era, which were recovered from a derelict London shop's basement and they appear to show the impossible: Napoleon on the march, the Battle of Agincourt, Romans and King Henry VIII: is there a 'Time-traveller' operating in the early 20th Century who is collecting a record of their travels?"
Episode may contain the following warnings:
Alcohol - smoking - strong foul language [including historical language and opinions that are certainly not woke!] - sexual references [including sexual violence and BDSM] - Violence [including torture, combat, domestic and sexual] - references to prostitution, human trafficking, classic slavery and treating women as chattels - Supernatural & paranormal experiences - Horror - Terror induced fear and threats of violence. Reading about historical and past events which have NOT BEEN SANITISED in any way! Oh, and some episodes contain Nazi's; new and old.“All incidents and dialogue, and all characters with the exception of some well-known historical figures, are products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Where real-life historical figures appear, the situations, incidents, and dialogues concerning those persons are entirely fictional and are not intended to depict actual events or to change the entirely fictional nature of the work. In all other respects, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Author’s notes about this episode:
[1] A. This story is based – in part – on a true incident: the finding of the “Mitchell & Kenyon” Edwardian films in an old Chemist’s basement. For background information on this incredible discovery, please see the 'WIKIPEDIA' entry HERE.
B. Regarding 'The British Film Institute' [BFI] you can discover their wonderful work by visiting their website HERE. They have the 'Mitchell & Kenyon' film collection available to view on-line and it is well worth a visit!
[2]
The original Title for this episode was: ‘THE IMPOSSIBLE FILMS OF MISS
CHANNING.’
[3]
A ‘Jericho Tibbs’ original story.
[4]
There is No 'ALEXANDRA' series adult extended version currently available.
[5] "THE IMPOSSIBLE FILMS OF MISS STOCKYARD CANNING.” The original illustration for this episode was created by the author, as was this episode, which was also conceived and written by him. Copyright © 2011-2025 Stephen Williams. Please, no reproduction of any part without written permission.
[6] ***Plot spoiler***
A little extra warning: this episode contains descriptions of demonic assault and death.
Concept
date: 15th March 2017
First
published: 16th August 2017
Status: COMPLETED & PUBLISHED.
Location: BOOK SERIES 1 – EPISODE 5.
Revisions: 3 [last revised
November 2018]
Version:
Final.
Published
Episode No. 05
Previous
episode: “Doctor Alexander Harris and
his battle with God.”
Next
episode: “Betrayal at Gettysburg.”
Age
recommendation: 15+
Average
reading time: Approximately 75 Minutes.
Angel-in-charge: Margret
Team
Assigned: Team 74
Mission: 8 - 311871 – 3 – 1905
Human times:
Gregorian Calendar: MCMV
Muslim Calendar: 1322 - 1323 [AH]
Hebrew calendar: 5665 - 5666
Christian Calendar: 1905AD
Episode Preview:
Jericho was reading the New York Times, relaxed in his favourite armchair by the fireplace. He sipped whisky and smiled to himself; the paper was dated June 16, 1933, with President Roosevelt opening his 'New Deal' recovery program, signing bank, rail, and industry bills and initiating farm aid ."One for the history books." he muttered, looking up as the door opened into his study.
“I see you’re up to date with all the modern events!” Alex flopped into the chair opposite and smiled broadly – she knew that Jericho made a point of reading old newspapers, looking for anything reported that could be considered ‘out of the ordinary’. “I think you may want to read this interesting little article that I found in a copy of the London Times – just a few days ago.” Alex added, pulling the newspaper from her handbag and dropping it on Jericho’s lap.
Jericho picked it up slowly and glanced at the page Alex had opened the paper at – he quickly placed down his glass and read the article with great interest. It appears that four old film canisters had been found in the basement of a derelict shop in London, during building refurbishment and the films apparently date from the early Edwardian era – well the actual rolls of films were made at that time. But for their content; that was something else.
Jericho read that the films had been forwarded to the British Film Institute for study and restoration. Experts had concluded that the film reels were genuine, from around 1903/4 and they could even identify the make and model of the camera that was used – also from the early period of the Edwardian era.
But they were totally at a loss to explain the actual film content of all four films. One apparently showed Napoleon Bonaparte on the march with his troops in Belgium: in 1814. Another apparently covered the battle of Agincourt which took place in 1415, whilst the remaining two films showed Roman Galleys unloading soldiers and supplies from a Thames River landing stage in 19 BC and the other, final film purported to show a young King Henry VIII at a party in 1510, apparently held at a Tudor Hampton Court Palace.
All films held impossible content and the experts decided that these reels were very early ‘movies’ and they were catalogued as such. But there was one dissenting voice against this neat conclusion; a ‘conspiracy theory’ writer called Hoagy Treadwell had published several articles on various consiracy websites, claiming they were in fact; genuine.
Alex pointed out to Jericho, that Mr. Treadwell had quite a compelling argument for their authenticity and she tapped that part of the article which quoted Mr. Treadwell's evidence - Jericho read that part with real interest. "I like the quote from Professor Marks, the BFI's restoration expert; 'They appear totally genuine, but are completely impossible!' - Jericho nodded and rubbed his chin, adding; "Little wonder they classified them as early 'movies' or historical drama documentary's."
“Treadwell makes some superb points; especially the fact, that the four films needed hundreds of extras, hundreds of costumes and serious money just to stage them. He also points out that the film’s maker [whose name appeared on the faded canister labels] a ‘Miss Stockyard Canning’ has never been heard of in the Film and Photography industry; back then or even now; well not until these films were discovered!” She smiled broadly, especially when Mr. Harris arrived with a tray of tea.
Alex accepted a cup from the ever attentive Mr. Harris, adding; "Had such ‘movies’ really been staged in 1903 or 1904, there would be contemporary references all over the place; in papers, magazines and early books on the moving pictures industry – but there is absolutely nothing. Miss Canning would have been immortalised as one of the leading pioneers of the movie industry; particularly as a woman back then, but there is nothing about her or her films. Now that’s a real enigma, don’t you think?”
Jericho placed the paper on the coffee table and sipped his whisky; deep in thought. “Well, we can soon find out if they are real or just early movies. A trip to...” He picked up the paper and read the date: “Monday 5th July, 2021.”
The pair had ‘bumped’ into the young King Henry at the funeral and if the King had his way; English [and world history] would have changed – not the best outcome for Temporal Detectives sworn to maintain the ‘Time-Line’ of humanity!
Alex actually blushed a little, when she remembered how the young King had pursued her around the small Kent town and simply wouldn’t take no for an answer – he was totally besotted by her beauty and charm. He even told her that he didn’t mind that she was intelligent and educated!
“That could have been very embarrassing; trying to explain to Angel Margret how you became Queen of England and changed history.” Jericho allowed himself another chuckle, but dropped the subject when he saw the look upon Alex's face. Nevertheless, he smiled to himself and swallowed down the remains of the whisky as he recalled Napoleon had also taken a shine to Alex; but at least he took the hint that Alex was not interested in becoming his mistress or being made a Duchess for ‘services’ rendered!
Her husband; Count Henri Cappanni had been a very lucky man indeed to gain the love of such a woman Jericho mused and accepted a refill from Mr. Harris. Just for a moment, in his mind’s eye, the face of Elizabeth appeared; smiling with her sharp blue eyes shining and her little mouth creasing into a wide grin. Her dark hair curled around her face, as if pushed by a gentle wind and Jericho reached out to push it away.
“Are you alright Jericho? “ Asked Alex with a little concern in her voice, as she watched Jericho’s hand pass through empty air. He snapped back from the beautiful day dream and smiled.
“I’ll submit a report to Angel Margret and get Owen to look up the records for ‘Miss Stockyard Canning’ – which is a really unusual name for a woman in the early 20th Century.” Jericho tapped the glass with his finger and wondered why a Time traveller would film their visits and then hide the evidence away in some old shop’s basement. He already knew one fact; that they must be from the early 20th Century because they used its technology: But if they can travel through time; surely they would have used some modern form of video recording and not a cumbersome and indiscreet camera from the early days of film?
Does this mean they only have the ability to travel backwards? Having just the means to jump backwards normally indicated a natural tear in the fabric of time and such a portal would only be locked to one specific time and place. But according to the newspaper, the films had been shot in four different era’s. If they proved to be genuine, then a very rare thing had occurred; a natural portal that allowed multiple journeys and that would make it a priority to find and close. Jericho recalled that he had only ever heard of two previous occasions with such a phenomena and the Time-Line had been in serious danger of change with both. The most rational - and worse - conclusion was they possessed a time portal.
So it was agreed that Jericho and Alex would jump to 2021 and view the films which were apparently available on the ‘Internet’ at the time. A simple viewing would answer the really important question; was a time traveller operating in the early 20th century?
Mr. Parker emerged from beneath the coffee table and rubbed himself against Alex's ankle boots and received several strokes in return. "I see Owen has been grooming the cat again; he's fur is almost shinning." Alex commented and Jericho grunted in reply; his mind was elsewhere and seeing the cat with Alex; had bought back some unwanted memories of his Elizabeth and their cat: 'Wells.'
Copyright © 2011-2024 Stephen Williams. No reproduction of any part without permission.