Afternoon at the theatre.
London is dirty. Very dirty. And on the new Monument Street, not far from the shop, the air carries a bit of dust from carpentry and stonecutting. But that's the way Jack knows how to get to Drury Lane, and he and Alison -- the dress suits her just as well as he thought it would -- manage just fine and don't get dirty themselves.
Walking along the Thames, discussing some of the buildings in the distance, Jack notices a few people staring. It doesn't take long to know why, and understandable as it is, it's still rude. He hope that it doesn't bother Ali. He soon realizes that it doesn't, although she does look at him with some concern. He smiles and says honestly that he's fine.
Arriving at Drury Lane with, of course, plenty of time, they go first to the bakery. Ali wants muffins. Jack's incredibly fond of muffins himself. These are the English sort, of course. From the Nexus, it sounds like other places use the term for a variety of cupcake. Ali seems fairly unfamiliar with paying 5d and a farthing.
And then to the theatre. Four shillings. The first gallery's a good view, and the tradesmen and their wives are a little less noisy than those behind them or the Quality, interestingly enough. Jack does ovehear a few things, though. Dress envy. The chatter of the theatre dulls down a bit eventually as things get started.
He's never seen Midsummer performed before, though he's read the Folio. It's very well done. Amusing. But between thoughts on the Puck and on love-potions, he gets into a very reflective mood.
After the flamboyant final monologue and a great deal of applause, Jack turns to Alison as the theatre begins to empty. "Well, that was very amusing, I thought."
Walking along the Thames, discussing some of the buildings in the distance, Jack notices a few people staring. It doesn't take long to know why, and understandable as it is, it's still rude. He hope that it doesn't bother Ali. He soon realizes that it doesn't, although she does look at him with some concern. He smiles and says honestly that he's fine.
Arriving at Drury Lane with, of course, plenty of time, they go first to the bakery. Ali wants muffins. Jack's incredibly fond of muffins himself. These are the English sort, of course. From the Nexus, it sounds like other places use the term for a variety of cupcake. Ali seems fairly unfamiliar with paying 5d and a farthing.
And then to the theatre. Four shillings. The first gallery's a good view, and the tradesmen and their wives are a little less noisy than those behind them or the Quality, interestingly enough. Jack does ovehear a few things, though. Dress envy. The chatter of the theatre dulls down a bit eventually as things get started.
He's never seen Midsummer performed before, though he's read the Folio. It's very well done. Amusing. But between thoughts on the Puck and on love-potions, he gets into a very reflective mood.
After the flamboyant final monologue and a great deal of applause, Jack turns to Alison as the theatre begins to empty. "Well, that was very amusing, I thought."