Pillow Talk

Salem or Bust - B

Snuggling close to each other Jamie and Eddie strolled towards the center of the town. Near one of the museums they could see a small gathering of people most in regular clothing, some in period dress. One of the older ladies, a rotund woman in her fifties approached Jamie and Eddie, "Did ye hear?"

"Uh, no," said Jamie, a little bit confused.

"Oh ye haven't!" she squawked. "Well they've finally done it. Bridget Bishop is about to be arrested for witchcraft. The devil is lurking in Salem."

"Really?" said Eddie. "That's a frightening thought."

"Come this way...there's the magistrate now!" the woman said and began to walk towards the center where indeed a man dressed in 17th Century Puritan clothing was binding the hands of a woman in her fifties and announcing to all that she, Bridget Bishop, had been named a witch.

Eddie snuggled closer to Jamie as the watched this take place.

"This looks interesting," said Jamie. "Think so?"

"Uh huh, what are we supposed to do?" Eddie asked watching the cattle cart begin to roll down the cobblestone street. "Follow?"

Eddie and Jamie followed the crowd listening as the costumed actors cackled and belittled the prisoner. As they walked Eddie looked about taking in the surroundings, she gave a small shiver and her step faltered on one of the stones.

"You okay, babe?" he asked, helping her catch her balance.

"I think so" Eddie replied. "I'm not used to these kinds of streets in sandals."

"Yeah" he said "Not exactly easy to walk on."

"You doing okay?" she asked as the continued to follow the crowd.

"Mm-hmm," he answered. "That little nap did me good."

"I'm glad," Eddie whispered as they approached a restored building and one of the costumed interpreters began to explain what was about to take place. "Welcome to 1692. It is April and Goody Bishop of Salem has been accused of witchcraft and the affliction of Mercy Lewis and Anne Putnam. As we step inside, her accusers will give evidence and she will be tried by a jury according to English law and the laws of Massachusetts Bay Colony. If she is found guilty, she will be hanged. If she is found innocent, she will be set free. Ladies and Gentlemen, you are Goody Bishop's jury, her lawyers, and her accusers. You may in an orderly fashion question Goody Bishop and those who give evidence against her. Once the examination is concluded, you will be asked to vote and determine Bridget Bishop's fate."

"Oh boy," whispered Jamie to Eddie. "This should be very enlightening."

"You want to go in or just walk around?" Eddie asked. She didn't want him to do anything he didn't want to, but this whole idea intrigued her.

"Let's go in," he said. "We're in law enforcement, it'll be very interesting to see how different things are now versus then."

Eddie and Jamie followed the crowd up a long winding staircase. The large room was set up like a 17th century English courtroom. There was the witness box and a roped in area for the accused to "stand" trial. There was a bench for three judges and seats where the "afflicted" girls should be seated. "Can you sit on these benches?" Eddie asked seeing the long white backless seating in the room.

"Yeah," he replied. "For a little while anyway; if I get to hurting, I'll just stand up in the back."

Eddie nodded and the pair took seats near the back so if he did have to stand, he wouldn't be far off from her. Once everyone was settled the woman they'd seen arrested in the square was brought inside. As soon as she was visible to the girls they began to writhe and act out, screeching and yelling and moaning. "Sounds like some of Nikki's friends."