I do own the copyrights to So Weird.

*Sorry for the title change for a second time, but my muse would not pestering me.

Putting Things in Order

Scene 3

Questionable Reenactment

"I've heard of reenactments, understand being authentic; this is going too far." Charly heard Jack grumble as he tacked on there was no electricity and no tv. "What am I supposed to do?"

"I suggest reading a book?" Charly's tone held a trace satirical tone to it; it was all Fi could do not to bust a gut as her brother growled and said since it wasn't nighttime, he was going to take a walk.

"Keep your mouth shut." Fi pointed to Charly.

"I didn't say a word."

"You thought it." Fi gave a half smile when her friend admitted Jack - to some degree- had a point.

Charly saw a similar sign on the desk that had been downstairs. Her mind had been racing over her budget. She sighed admitting, this time it wasn't Jack that was bothering her; it was her cash flow and conscious. "I thought I wanted a room and can handle these accommodations just fine, but I'd feel guilty paying such a low price it."

"Me too. But I doubt Mom is going to argue, until she gets paid for the gig we're strapped for cash."

The ladies talked some more and left the room. It would be great to sleep in bed rather than the bus. However, Fi was correct, until after the show was paid for their budget was tight. They'd only taken a few steps when Molly practically bounced up the stair with a mile wide grin.

"What's up, Mom?" Fi hadn't seen her mother's face shine so bright in a very long time.

"Our rooms have been paid for the duration of our stay; the same with our meals."

"By whom?" Charly was floored.

"I don't know. All I know is I told the gentleman downstairs why we were here. That's when he told me everything was covered. However, when I asked by whom, he wouldn't tell me."

"Let's go talk to him." Carly bounded down the stairs only to be disappointed when Ned and Irene, both informed them the stranger had left.

"However; he was very kind and gave us a map of the town." Irene held up a paper.

"So, where do you think we are?" Fi asked as she came out and joined Charly once she had a copy of the map and the rest took their own separate ways. "This climate doesn't feel like California."

"I'd say England, but your mother's right; no bus can cross the Atlantic Ocean."

Fi and Charly began to walk around knowing rehearsal for the band wouldn't start for another hour. People passing by - not saying hi back to their greetings bothered both Fi and Charly, but they kept quiet. A cat raced by followed by a barking dog. Their feet stopped by a shop holding mannequins in Victorian clothing. Fi would have begun walking again only Charly tapped her shoulder.

"What in the blazes is going on? Fagin was an old man, Dodger was a skilled pick pocket, so why did that lady with call Fagin call him by the wrong name?" Again, as if on cue the lady in reference began addressing the older fellow by the correct name.

"Okay..." Fi started replying as the two began walking around the corner only, once again, Charly was dumbfounded when she saw Ebeneezer Scrooge carrying a small, crippled boy but calling him Fred.

"Grrr." Charly threw up her hands. "So much for accuracy in reenactment; Fred is his nephew, the little boy was Bob Cratchit's son, and he was named Tiny Tim." Yet again, things were switched, only this time Ebeneezer turned, gave them a smile, nodded and then left.

"That's so weird." Both girls turned to go and were horrified to see a lunatic with a firm hand on a knife coming towards them. Neither could tell whether it was female or male by the hood worn, coming at them.

"Let's go, I am not dying by Jack the Ripper's hand." Carly grabbed Fi's arm prepared to run when two gentlemen stepped out of an alley and grabbed the would-be assailant, covered his mouth and nose and drug them back to the alley.

"Who was that? And how did you know who was welding the knife?" Fi whispered.

"By the clothing they wore, and cap on the one gentleman's head, I'd vote for Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. As to the other, call it gut instinct." Charly shook her head and suggested they go find Fi's mother. "I'm sure rehearsal has started."

"Probably. I wonder if they have been seeing what we have been witnessing."

"Wouldn't surprise me. These people, at best, have a questionable reenactment; I've never heard of one put together so poorly, and with so many wrong facts. Let's get to the theater." Carly didn't have to ask Fi to open the handmade copy of the map given to the group back in the tavern for it had was already being pulled out.