Eva has always been a sweetheart as well as the most beautiful woman in Espela. Her smile is addicting, and she gently cares for everyone who crosses her path. Everyone was surprised when she turned down the king in order to marry a man who works for the railroads, but the GreenBean man understood why when he saw Eva with the railroad man, Emmanuella’s father.
Emmanuella’s father’s kindness can rival his wife’s if it weren’t for him being protective. Emmanuella shares the sweetness of her parents. She’s just as beautiful as her mother, but her beauty is always hidden behind oil from an invention, frizzy hair, or something. The girl definitely gets her curious and hardworking nature from her father.
The ship gently rests on the lab floor as the dome closes. Emmanuella turns off the engine then jumps from the top of the ship to the floor. Quickly, she straightens her body like a gymnast while holding her hands in the air.
“Dun-nuuuu,” she sings with pride.
“Congratulations my girl. You drew a lot of attention.” Mr. GreenBean declares, “Have we planned our first expedition yet?”
“Your first expedition is the new world,” the deep commanding voice of Commander Ferrari carries all the way from the sliding doors deciding what Emmanuella should do with her ship.
Five soldiers accompany Commander Ferrari on each side. He walks over to Mr. GreenBean and Emmanuella examining Emmanuella closely. Emmanuella wipes the oil off her cheeks, brushes back her coyly hair held down by a headband.
“You built this ship?” Commander Ferrari’s tone is menacing as he passes the GreenBean man a death glare.
“Actually, Emmanuella built the ship, and Kwame assisted with the execution. Emmanuella is good at inventing things.” Mr. Greenbean proudly announces then ceases talking when the grim face of the Commander shows disinterest. Commander Ferrari peers at Emmanuella who keeps her eyes on the ground. When she finally looks up to him, he frowns heavily.
“Emmanuella, daughter of a railroad man and a saleswoman. Reaching the end of her twenty ninth year soon. Has been inventing contraptions since she was ten years old. Lost youth, unmarried, unladylike, unfit to be a wife, mother, or even a solterona.” His glare pierces through to her heart. His words make Emmanuella’s eyebrows furrow deep. She sneaks a peek at Mr. GreenBean, the soldiers, and last, Kwame who mouths it’s okay. Emmanuella nods then looks directly at the commander holding her shaking hands behind her back.
“Your mother is looking for you.” Commander Ferrari informs. When he sees Emmanuella’s hesitation to leave, he speaks with assurance, “Mr. GreenBean will make sure your ship is well taken care of.”
Emmanuella freezes. Mr. GreenBean is an amazing person, but he does not speak for Emmanuella or her ship. However, Commander Ferrari seems like a man who would slaughter anyone who utters the word “no” immediately.
Awkwardly, Emmanuella abandons the lab. Outside of the lab, Emmanuella immediately whistles and waves until a man dragging a three wheeled taxi with a man on an attached bicycle in front driving. She hops in hoping the driver will get her far away from the commander as soon as possible, but someone grabs her hand.
“Be safe tonight. You don’t have to do or be anything you don’t want to be.” Kwame says.
“What about the ship?” Emmanuella asks, “GreenBean—”
“I know he doesn’t speak for you, but you can trust him. I’ll be there too.” Kwame assures.
“What if I need the ship to get away?”
“I’ll be here to help you build a new and better one.” Kwame squeezes her hand then pays the taxi driver. The driver speeds off pedaling like no other. He passes horses with and without carriages with no problem at all.
They rush passed restaurants with pretty girls passing out samples; many probably have no tongue because they’re solteronas, women who did not find husbands before they turned thirty. At the end of every year, women who have turned thirty within the year either become solteronas, cocotte, or a body at the bottom of the ocean. Sadly, Emmanuella is in her twenty ninth year, and she’s never even had a prospect.