Friday, February 10, 2017

28. A Play and Words

Anne Kingsbury
                             

“Linda!  I’m so surprised to see you here.  We keep running into each other lately,” said Lorraine as they air-kissed each other’s cheeks.
“Yes, I must be intuiting your whereabouts.  I’ve always thought that I was a bit psychotic,” said Linda fluffing up her faux fur wrap.
“More than most people I know.  Did you enjoy the show?”
“Oh yes, very much.  I just love the theater.  And Shakespeare.  “The Tempest” certainly has its share of twists.  But someone with my background doesn’t have trouble following along.  After all, I was a showgirl for years.”
“They don’t call you a ‘thes’pian for nothing!”
“Thanks!  And did you like it?”
“Oh yes, “ said Lorraine smoothing back her favorite wig.  “Stories based on magic are so entertaining.  There’s no end to the possibilities for plot development.”
“Yes, and it sure can take the story in all sorts of directions,” said Linda, wagging her finger in the air.  “That smart Bill Shakespeare was some impertinent thinker.  Who would believe he didn’t go past grammar school?”
“I do love a comedy,” said Lorraine.  “I just love a good opportunity to laugh.”
“And it’s obvious you laugh a lot by those puckers by your eyes and the smile corrugations alongside your mouth.  It suits you,” said Linda.
“Oh, huh, mmm,” said Lorraine as she patted her face with her fingertips.
“Too bad there was only one woman in the whole play,” said Linda.
“The actress who played Miranda portrayed her as such a sweet girl.  She didn’t seem to have much in the way of smarts though,” said Lorraine with an emphatic nod at Linda.
“And Ariel, Prospero’s familiar spirit just fascinated me.  I’m a maniac for nymphs.”
“I don’t doubt it. Who could blame you?” said Lorraine with a laugh.  “Did you notice the little mistake they made on stage?”
“No, what?” asked Linda.
“The props manager goofed in the scene where Ferdinand and Miranda are supposed to be playing chess.  I could see that it was a set of checkers.”

“Oh, a little malapropism never hurt anybody!”

(351 words)

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