Ship of Fools…

*

“That scroll in your hand, pray tell, what is it,” asked the gentleman standing beside me?

We had just completed the final ritual of Jewel in the Claw, a five-act workshop set in Elizabethan England.

As is customary, we were gathering on the staircase.

Being amongst the first to leave the Temple, I was in prime position at the head of the stairs and could command attention when all were assembled.

Drawing myself grandly to my full height, which still left me a foot or so shorter than my companion, I brandished the sealed and be-ribboned scroll…

“I have written a sonnet for the Bard…”

“Ah, more mischief,” twinkled the gentleman, “but you do it so well…”

*

Ship of Fools

The tale is over, and to playwright’s pen

Must we, in fairness, offer recompense,

To he who wrote this tale of maids and men

(And into five acts neatly did condense).

That, travelling through time and inner space

Where wonders wait, and wondering we play

With human nature writ upon our face

Upon a temple floor of night and day.

Within this Ship of Fools we caught the tide

And, floundering, revealed the sailor’s star

That shines within each heart and does not hide

Unless perception dims it from afar.

So, though the play is done, we will not grieve,

In joyous knowledge now we take our leave…

*

***

Down the Corporal Udder Teigue-the-Fool sighed and ordered another beer…

A loud cheer erupted in the back room so he sidled over, pint in hand, to investigate.

An already unsteady Big Bee was holding court.

“First I told ’em the jib-jabs don’t prevent infection, nor transmission, and then I told ’em to get another one because they’re really jolly effective!”

The back room erupted once again…

“One can always rely on the word ‘jolly’. In my experience, it never fails!”

The room erupted again.

“Way-Hey-Errr – the Jolly Ro-o-gerrr,” sang Teigue-the-Fool over, and over, above the raucous hubbub…

The back room eventually became uncomfortably quiet.

“Say what,” asked Big Bee eyeing Teigue warily?

“Skull-and-Cross-Bones,” said Teigue, “The flag of pirates.”

“What of it,” asked Big Bee?

“Just saying,” said Teigue.

“Well, don’t,” said Big Bee, “What are you doing here, anyway?”

“Oh, merely dropping off my old gear,” said Teigue, indicating his bag full of costumes.

“Let’s see,” said Big Bee…

A dozen mitts began to paw, and grapple, over the now redundant garments of state contained in Teigue’s hold-all, as he turned, left the room, and headed for the door…

“Ship of Fools,” laughed the barman waving Teigue off the premises.

His un-supped pint was eventually sunk… by someone.

***

***

SPENDYKE

1022, a fugitive from planet Spendyke holes up in the bowels of the Rubicon library. There he discovers ancient accounts of the reasons for his planet’s current plight. Further research uncovers practical solutions to the dire world situation in the prevailing views of State Philosopher Hux. As the global government crumbles around him the fugitive embarks upon a journey into his own past in order to pull Spendyke back from the brink. But will he be successful?

Front and Back Cover artwork by Sue Vincent

Available now in Amazon Paperback