TALL TALES

[Richie]

I'm easy about the narrative Craig,
[/QUOTE]
Too substantive that narrative Terry, need to simplify it. I like the idea of plumbing into Irish folklore and legend, whereas Jessica wants to be an orphan girl growing up in Ireland with her little brother. For the first time we three are not on the same page re our tall tale.

We can do something later about the papist rebellious Irish underfoot of the brutal British Empire. Some rebellion perhaps and we three lead it.

 

[Grier]

Hi Craig,
I was just musing about some of the goings on in Ireland during the 1850's as a backdrop for our story.
The Irish had a rebellion in 1798 and then the big one in1916.There were always tensions bubbling away just under the surface.

 

[Richie]

Hi Craig,
I was just musing about some of the goings on in Ireland during the 1850's as a backdrop for our story.
The Irish had a rebellion in 1798 and then the big one in1916.There were always tensions bubbling away just under the surface.

So what is your preference from my idea or Jessicas

 

[Grier]

I like both your ideas Craig. Can we thread them together somehow?

 

[Jessica 🤗]

You seem keen Jessica on the Ireland narrative so why not jot down a probable plot

I'm keen because I read a book that I found interesting that I'd like to base my character on. A young brother and sister have to flee their home in a slum part of Liverpool after their father was murdered.
I won't give too much away just yet as it'll spoil it

 

[Grier]

I like your story idea Jess of a young boy and you as his big sister abandoned on the streets of Liverpool.
In that context I'd play a Police man or a young Priest or a School Teacher ...

 

[Richie]

I like both your ideas Craig. Can we thread them together somehow?

Yes we can, simply by changing Liverpool to County Down where we either visit a country inn or buy one and encounter the ghosts of Jessicas characters. Does that satisfy you Jess. We can do the Irish folklore tall tale another time.

 

[Grier]

I like the idea of us all connected to an Inn in County Down in Northen Ireland. Whether as owners, workers, or as a local, a priest, cop, teacher ...
my preferred role would be the Publican.

But when? What year? 1850's I thought?
That's 70 years before the Irish finally suceeded in achieving true independence except for the six counties in the NE called Ulster, all about Belfast.
County Down was the jewel of the six counties, very loyal to the Crown, for centuries... even ...

There was always religious tensions, so that's a given.
I do like the thought of a Metaphysical undercurrent too with all the mystical Irish beings. I think we can drizzle in some of those Irish tall tales: Ghosts, little folk, fairies, ... mermaids, brownies, ... talking Ravens, ... as a side dish....?

I'm throwing out my thoughts here as possible scenarios and backgrounds ... ,

My old Mum told me about the Shellacapookies that only moved at night but looked like Hay Stacks during the day light hours. A Dr Who theme had similar with its stone gargoyles...weeping angels?...
My old Mum would laugh away all such tall tales, with embellishments galore...
Likewise my older sisters tried to fill my head with their tall tales too. A family trait as I did/do similar with my own daughters, nieces, nephew, grand kids, ... to give a healthy degree of scepticism and humour ... always encouraged.

How about this as a starting point:

Craig and/or I be the Inn's workers, owners, taking in Jessica and her younger brother after her having fled Liverpool on a boat to Belfast and taking the twenty mile southbound train to Donaghadee, Co. Down seeking anonymity...

Close to the train Station was a large Inn with a large sign called he "The Old Pier Inn", with a "help wanted" sign. "Accommodation available/provided."
Black sooty faced Coal men cradled their pints of Guinness as they hushed for a darts shot with monies on tables aplenty.

Please tweak and embellish that above as desired...

... was there a smuggler's tunnel from the Moat castle to the outer pier?

 

[Richie]

Craig and/or I be the Inn's workers, owners, taking in Jessica and her younger brother after her having fled Liverpool on a boat to Belfast and taking the twenty mile southbound train to Donaghadee, Co. Down seeking anonymity...

You happy with this Jessica. Expect two impoverished orphans could not afford boat and train fare, instead stowed away on the boat and walked to County Down.

I do like the thought of a Metaphysical undercurrent too with all the mystical Irish beings. I think we can drizzle in some of those Irish tall tales: Ghosts, little folk, fairies, ... mermaids, brownies, ... talking Ravens, ... as a side dish....?

I like this too Terry, combine the two narratives. Suit you too Jessica.

 

[Jessica 🤗]

Yes we can, simply by changing Liverpool to County Down where we either visit a country inn or buy one and encounter the ghosts of Jessicas characters. Does that satisfy you Jess. We can do the Irish folklore tall tale another time.

I want to base my character in Liverpool Ritchie, just like the book I read. I will then travel to Ireland with my young brother, and that journey will be eventful.

 

[Grier]

I want to base my character in Liverpool Ritchie, just like the book I read. I will then travel to Ireland with my young brother, and that journey will be eventful.

OK, that's a good start Jessica. Lead on and I'm happy to string along with colourful embellishments, even the odd pixie...or an even giant.

 

[Jessica 🤗]

Bridie stood in the doorway clutching the hand of her younger brother Patrick, at 13 she was only 2 years older than her brother, and now they both stared in shock at the remains of their father. He had been fatally beaten by people who he owed money to. Bridie had heard whispers of how vicious moneylenders could be and she knew they may come after her for her father's debt.
She had to think quick, they were now orphans after losing their mother when she fell under the hooves of a crazy horse, she knew they had to flee from these mean Liverpool streets and head for home, Ireland, where they once lived before uprooting and coming to Liverpool, they had a spinster aunt who would look after them.
She turned to Patrick and told him to pack what little clothing he had, she would do the same, and after smashing open the electric meter for the few pennies it held they would flee as soon as night falls......

 

[Grier]

Returning to Belfast by ship in 1850 from Liverpool was cheap enough, even for livestock. The crowded decks had a pungency rarely smelt.

On the crowded ship Jack Bacon, with his big nephew Liam, had found a good spot to retire for the voyage, giving him an eye and access to their three pigs.

 

[Richie]

Albert Lowery, Bert to his friends, was a thick set man with a ruddy complexion and looked younger than his 55 years. Lowery Piggery Ltd had been one of County Down's biggest pig producers for past 15 years and had a reputation for honesty, integrity and good business accumen. The bitterly cold winter had depleted their herd so he sent his younger brother/business partner and son to Liverpool for new stock. They would be back in the morning with three new sows for hopefully a better season than the last which saw many of his customers affected by the ongoing potato famine and struggle to put even the most meager of food on the family table, let alone fresh, prime Lowery pork....

 

[Richie]

Albert 'Bert' had a big family, three brothers and a sister, two sons, a daughter who was about to make him a grand father, a plethora of nephews and nieces, plus two distant relatives, boy and girl siblings named D'arcy, who he recalled had been orphaned then taken in by an orphanage somewhere in Liverpool or was it Chester, in any case in that general region of north west England. So as Jack was heading for Liverpool to buy the sows he asked him to inquire after the two siblings.

 

[Jessica 🤗]

The clock was ticking towards midnight, Bridie had cut some bread and cheese and wrapped them in newspaper for their journey. What little clothes they had were bundled up in a sheet and tied up. Patrick was shuffling his feet with nerves as they headed out into the darkness. Bridie had the pennies from the electric meter hidden inside her blouse.
They both stepped out into the pitch black yard, they kept walking until they were a good few streets away, and now they needed to hitch a ride out of this area to head towards the docks. A cart approaching them slowed down and Bridie offered a slice of bread and cheese to the driver in return for a lift to the docks, the driver agreed and they both climbed into the back of the dusty cart.

 

[Grier]

Jack was happy to have found and bought three big Sows in their Prime on his older brother Bert's instructions, Albert Lowery, the patriarch of his extended family.
Even asking Jack to look out for a pair of siblings.
"Will do of course" said Jack. "Some young girl and her younger brother .... "

Jack felt much safer with his big beefy nephew Liam watching his back, his older brother Albert's son.
They were seeking out a new bloodline of pigs for the family. Liam's brother Bert had financed the venture and adventure.

 

[Richie]

"Some young girl and her younger brother .... "

Yes Jack by the name of D'arcy, our sainted mother and grand mothers family name. They are the offspring of a niece of a cousin of our sainted mother who lost both their parents in a buggy accident when they were little more than tots. They may be distant relatives but are still family and I promised myself that one day I'd take them out of the orphanage and give them a proper life.

 

[Jessica 🤗]

Bridie and Patrick sat on a pile of old sacks in the back of the cart. It was dirty and very bumpy but they had to get to the docks.
Bridie produced some bread and cheese to eat on the way. It way past midnight now, they would have to find somewhere to hide when they arrived at the docks, they needed to somehow get on a boat to Ireland without being caught.
The cart seemed to be going downhill which meant they were approaching the docks. The siblings were feeling nervous. They got ready to jump out of the cart before the driver could stop them, Bridie didn't trust him, she thought he may demand more payment from her.

 

[Grier]

Jack and his nephew Liam had previously wandered the streets of Liverpool searching for Bridie and Patrick. Asking after them Jack was happy to give coppers to the street kids for information. One young girl May did know of Bridie and showed them where she lived. Jack gave her a silver sixpence for her help.

There was a policeman standing by the front door. May shied away into a shadow as Jack asked the Copper and neighbours what was up?
He was told of the murder of Mr D'arcy just yesterday and there was no sign of Bridie or Patrick.
"They'll have to be put into the Orphanage when they're found" said a neighbour.

On being quizzed Jack explained who he was, and that he and Liam were looking for the children to take them back to their Irish family. "Fair enough, good luck" said the Copper.

A small crowd was now present so Jack offered a silver Crown to anyone that could find the children. That sent the street kids into a frenzy of chatter and action. Two lads went running to check out the Orphanage, some to the markets, some to who knows where?

Jack and Liam headed for the docks to look about there and told all they could find him there loading up his three Pigs. Two boys and May went to the Docks with Jack and Liam asking as they went, and doling out more coins and mentioning the reward of a Silver Crown. One nasty looking fellow eyed off Jack with his coins with a cruel gaze until he saw big Liam.
The children laughed.

The Belfast bound ship would sail soon and Jack had to board in a little while, children or not.

Looking about Liam pointed out to Jack five children walking towards the ship. The two young lads, two girls and a little boy holding onto the hand of one girl. The other girl Jack recognised to be May, and she waved to him.
Jack ran down the gang plank to meet them.
"Bridie and Patrick D'arcy I presume" said Jack with a beaming smile.

Instead of one silver crown Jack gave each of the three children rescuers a half crown each.