Will’s eyes narrowed, as he watched up at the stage, standing on the ground, mere meters from the actors. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, shaking his head; something was wrong, but he just couldn’t place what…
It was said to be that the great Queen herself would be here to see this performance — but then, t’was said she would be there for many-a-play, and did she ever turn up? Not to his knowledge, at least.
But this time, the actors were aware of the rumour, and their anxiety was showing, blatantly so.
The play-write’s stomach lurched, as he heard footsteps behind him. The audience could not be arriving yet, no, for the stage was not set, and the lines were being read. But no, as the single set of footsteps fell, it occurred to him that this was not a crowd entering the theater. It was just one.
Will turned to face the stranger, bowing in greeting, before starting off in an apologetic tone, “Greetings, fair stranger — what business doeth thou hath here? My name is William Shakespeare, but please, do call me Will. Unless, you’re already aware of that, in which case I may have to inform you that tonight’s performance does not begin for another two hours, at least that. But do feel free to head to the local tavern — t’is a mere five minutes from this place.”