Houdini was born in Budapest, Hungry, but had moved to Appleton, Wisconsin with his family as just an infant.  Being new to Philly, he decided to take the recommendations of his Crew Leader, Raphael and his Right Hand Man, SelfMadeMan, and tour the city.  Unsure where to start, he went to the library near the center of town.  Unfortunately, reading and spelling had never been important to Houdini in the past and therefore, the skills needed to look up books and research the city were well above his abilities.

After an hour of frustration, he gave up his search and headed down to a little coffee shop that was only a block away from the library.  Seeing an open spot at the counter next to an elderly man, he slid onto the stool and motioned to the waitress to bring him a cup of “Joe” and some eggs. 

Completing the order, he noticed the old man staring at him and rather than being coy, said “Well, good morning sir.  How are you on this grand morning?”

As if a light switch had been switched, the man’s face lit up and a conversation started about anything and everything that was right or wrong in the world.  Houdini sat and conversed with the old man for nearly two hours before he realized he needed to get back to headquarters for a meeting.  Paying his tab, the old man asked “By the way, what brought you to this side of town anyways?”

Houdini quickly explained what he was doing at the library and the struggles he had begrudgingly ran into in trying to do some research.  With a smile, the old man said “Hold on a minute Son.”  Pulling a pen from his breast pocket, he began to write on a napkin several words.  After a short time, the old man handed the napkin to Houdini and said “Here is a list of sites I would highly recommend in Philly.”  Just ask a patrolman for directions and if you can’t read it, ask them to read it for you and they will assist.  Now get to your meeting and hope to see you again some day!”  Houdini shook the old man’s hand, the rushed out the door and in the direction of headquarters.

The following day, Houdini stood in front of the Philadelphia Zoo, founded in 1859.  He had heard of zoo’s while in school, but had never explored one before.  Paying his entrance fee, he followed the path with the masses.

One of the first places he visited was the Aquatic Center.  Tanks of fish lined the wall and were of every size, shape and color.  Then in the middle of the room was a large shallow tank that had a sign on the glass that said “Do no touch the turtles….they will bite!”  Looking inside, he saw several Red Ear Slider Turtles swimming around and instantly thought of his Crew Leader, Raphael.  They definitely have the right idea about biting.

Continuing on with his journey, he saw a large crowd of people standing in front of a fenced enclosure.  Working his way through the crowd until he could see, he found a Chimpanzee standing on a log, taunting the crowd.  While the crowd found the acts entertaining, Houdini could see that the ape did not.  The primate would rush toward the screen, then jump up, slamming his feet against the mesh violently, before pushing off, launching himself backwards only to land back on his feet in a practices routine.  Out of curiosity, @Houdin kept pushing his way forward until he was directly in front of the mesh, watching the frustrated Chimpanzee.  For some reason, his Right Hand Man, SelfMadeMan, came to mind when he watched the irritated monkey.  Just then, the primate reached his arm behind his back, crapped into his hand, and flung the feces out in the crowd.  Looking down, Houdini saw that a small chunk of the shit had landed on his jacket and as he looked back up, the Chimpanzee was smiling.  Yes, this definitely reminded him of SelfMadeMan.

The clinking of a bell made Houdini look up from his newspaper, more out of curiosity than anything else, to see a young couple walk through the door of the small diner.  He could smell the smoked bacon cooking on the flat top in the kitchen as he picked up his cup to take a sip of coffee.  Family business had kept him extremely busy for the last few weeks, but with the unexpected tragic deaths of three of his closest friends surrounded by suspicious happenings, he had decided to take the day off to just get away and clear his head.

As he continued reading down the paper, a small news story down in the corner caught his attention.  “Betsy Ross House now open for visitors”.  Houdini had developed a strong interest in the history of Philadelphia now that he called this his home.  Continuing to read, he found that it was already open for the day and an address was included.

Filled with excitement, he took a final drink of the warm coffee in his cup and pulled change from his pocket to pay for his meal and also a generous tip.  Folding up his paper and slipping it under his arm, he headed out the door, ready for a new adventure.

A half hour later, Houdini stood in front of a small home that appeared to have doubled as a business.  Stepping up onto the porch, he read a large placard that said “Betsy Ross Home, Birth Place of the American Flag, Constructed in 1790.”  Filled with curiosity, he stepped forward and opened the front door.  Once inside, he noticed familiar machines from his youth.  His grandmother had run an upholstery shop in Wisconsin after their move from Hungry while his grandfather assisted with wood related repairs to the frame of the chairs and sofas that were brought to her business.

The house was small and the room he entered was cramped with various tables and stacks of fabric.  A small sign with an arrow pointed him up a set of stairs and said “Bedroom”.  Heading in that direction, he stepped into a simple bedroom with a double bed.  Off in the corner, near a window that allowed the morning sun, sat a rocking chair with an American Flag draped across the arms.  Walking over to the chair, he read a small sign that pointed out this was the favorite working location of Mrs. Ross and it was believed that this was the exact location where the first flag was sewn.

Continuing his tour, he read information about the one of one visit from George Washington himself, requesting her service.  He also read a memoir in the Parlor where she had received the Flag Committee and design elements were finalized.  Then, taking a winding set of stairs to the basement area, she found various tools and storage containers where she had made musket cartridges for the Continental Army.

Houdini had not been sure what to expect, but seeing how she had put herself at risk for potentially treasonous flag making and supported the Continental Army in the only way she could, he had developed a significant respect for what may be considered a National Hero.  While not a hero in the way we tend to think, she put herself in peril to support a movement that shaped our history and our future.