one match made

[mis_match]

[accidental voice post]

Really, Father, you must let the children have some of the cake! It's a wedding! I'm sure they do not normally eat cake at home. Look at what fine, healthy young children they are.

[silence]

Father?

Father!

Mr. Weston!

Miss Taylor?

[A longer silence as Emma thinks.]

When did I fall asleep?

Comments

[misterblackbird]

Miss? Are you all right?

[mis_match]

How kind of you to inquire. I am quite well, thank you. I'm simply...waiting to wake up.

[misterblackbird]

Then I think you may be waiting quite a while.

[mis_match]

Oh really?

[misterblackbird]

Yes, because I'm afraid you're not asleep.

[mis_match]

So I have been told. I suppose that is the way of dreams. How else would a nightmare be a nightmare, if you were not convinced it was real?

[misterblackbird]

Yes, that is quite true about dreams. But I'm afraid that this isn't even a nightmare.

[mis_match]

Then please, enlighten me.

[misterblackbird]

You're in a place called 'The City'. And, yes, I know it isn't a very good name, but it's the only name we have for this place.

[mis_match]

And what do you call the next town over? The Second City?

[misterblackbird]

I'm afraid there isn't another town anywhere near here.

[mis_match]

A lonely place indeed! Even Highbury is but 16 miles from London.

[misterblackbird]

You know of London?

[mis_match]

An apt way to put it, indeed. I do know of London; indeed my sister and her husband and children live there. But I have never been.

[misterblackbird]

It's a shame you've never visited, if only because I'm from London.

[mis_match]

I've no wish to see London. I've never had a desire to travel, odd as that may seem.