In an empty hall of more than 300 square meters on the west side of Versailles Palace, Joseph watched the craftsmen secure wooden frames of varying heights in place, nodding faintly without pause.
He walked over to a half-length "bed" covered in padding, lay down, raised a hand to take the barbell positioned above his head, and tried a few bench presses. After praising the craftsmen with satisfaction, he headed toward a seat beside it, hung with a string of "iron plates."
This was the Asclepius Hall still under preparation—essentially a royal gym.
There was everything from rowing machines and power racks to chest press machines. Though most were made of wood and looked somewhat cumbersome, they worked perfectly well. Joseph casually picked up a pair of dumbbells and was about to sit down and try them when Baron de Breteuil and Minister of Finance Gaudin appeared at the entrance. He let out a breath and motioned for them to come in.
The two bowed. Gaudin spoke first. "Your Highness, the site selected for the European Settlement Bank may need some adjustment." "What is the problem?"
The Minister of Finance produced a report and respectfully handed it over. "These are the results of repeated tests by the Preparatory Committee. As you know, the shops in the Royal Palace are becoming increasingly dense. If the settlement bank is placed in the East Hall, it likely will not be long before the area is choked solid with carriages sent by various countries to conduct business.
"And widening the roads would require demolishing a large stretch of garden in the middle, affecting more than forty shops."
Joseph rubbed his forehead. He had only thought that the Royal Palace was grand enough to give the settlement bank some prestige. He had not expected its