I’ve been absent from this challenge for too long, and I’m thrilled to be back again, albeit a day late, with my Friday Fictioneers story of Alice Pendragon and her adventures with her family and friends, thanks to the photo prompts and inspiration provided by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields at Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to Roger Bulltot for today’s photo prompt. Check out this weekly challenge and other entries here.
An Open Air Theatre
We rushed into the ruins and sat in the shade by the east wall. I bit into my apple. ‘I heard my dad say they should tear this building down.’
Billy frowned. ‘That would be a pity.’
‘They could rebuild it as a museum in memory of the victims.’
‘What victims?’
‘The smallpox patients.’
‘What were they doing here?’
‘It was a hospital. The sick were brought here to die in isolation with no hope of recovery.’
‘It should be an open air theatre.’ He climbed up to the top window and shouted down. ‘Juliet, wherefore art thou? Climb up!’
****
All my ‘Alice’ flash fiction written for the Friday Fictioneers Challenge can be read as standalones, but if you’re interested in reading previous stories of Alice’s adventures, here they are!
Rereading Jane Eyre 
What an interesting idea, Luccia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Neil. I love open air theatre, although unfortunately I haven’t been for a long time. Old buildings and real, open places add more to the viewing experience than a stage ever could.
LikeLike
I love the idea of a theatre space in an old ward.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jake. As soon as I saw the picture I looked up at the windows and thought of the balcony scene in R&J.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A unique idea, Lucie, not so much walking the boards as climbing the stones. Great stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kelvin. Glad you liked it. Well, they’re young kids. They would think of climbing walls!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You give us an interesting take on the prompt, and tell the story well. I can just imagine Billy scrambling up and shouting down!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂 That’s what I imagined when I first saw the prompt.
LikeLike
Ideal for medieval plays, would make an atmospheric setting. Nice idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Iain:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
And why not re-purpose it? Lovely idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoyed your take on the prompt. Actually when I read the stats given for that place, I was amazed what’s small percentage actually did die.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂 glad you liked it, although i didn’t get my facts right. I didn’t look into the place as thoroughly. Thanks for letting me know.
LikeLike
Dear Luccia,
It’s good to see you and your precocious little friend back amongst us. good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! I love this challenge 🙂 Thanks for hosting❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely story, and good to see you (and Alice) back. I’m sure an open air theatre would bring more people to the place, and educate them, than a museum might.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved the Romeo thrown into this creepy truth. But, of course, that one ends in death, too, doesn’t it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yes, so it does. Fortunately Billy is no brooding, depressive Romeo 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s an interesting take. Good read! http://www.lavmuses.com
LikeLiked by 1 person