Written for OLWG# 362
I started to write this about the first prompt (the part that you don’t see) and the way things work. The way folks communicate their expectations without explicitly telling you what they want and the way that Kindred Robillard lost her freedom. Somewhere along the way, the story took on a life of its own. As Kindred lost her life, I lost my control. This is what appeared on the page.
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Claire Arne, the headmistress, was meeting with Miss Kindred Robillard to discuss the teaching position for grades 1 through 6 at the Three Rivers School in Westerbarrow. Miss Robillard leaned forward, paying close attention to Ms Arne as she listed the expectations and rules for the successful candidate.
“Now, Miss Robillard, you need to pay attention to what I am about to tell you. There are rules to be followed at all times now that you work at Three Rivers School. I assume that you are an unmarried woman.” Ms Arne paused, and though it wasn’t a question, she seemed to be awaiting a response.
Kindred nodded her head, “yes, ma’am,” she intoned.
“Very well,” Ms Arne continued, “You understand that you may not marry and that you are not to keep company with men during the term of your employment. You can secure lodging at the Oak Hotel on High Street. You are responsible for negotiating those terms with Mr Campos directly. The last unmarried teacher did laundry and other odd jobs for Mr Campos. I would expect you should be able to reach a similar agreement with him.”
She paused again, and Kindred nodded and wondered what had happened to the last teacher.
“We expect you to be in your room at the Oak between eight PM and six AM, unless you are attending a school function. I do not have to tell you that it is forbidden to loiter downtown in the ice cream store. Or to linger too long when shopping.
“You may not ride in carriages or automobiles with any man except your father or brother. “There will be no smoking of cigarettes or drinking of alcohol. You should never dress in bright colours or dye your hair. You must always wear at least two petticoats, and your dresses must not be any shorter than two inches above your ankle.”
Kindred had been nodding with Ms Arne the entire time, so she waited.
“It is your responsibility to keep the schoolroom neat and clean. You are to sweep the floor at least once daily, scrub the floor at least once weekly with hot, soapy water, clean the blackboards at least once a day and light the fire at 7 AM so the room will be warm by 8 AM when instruction begins.
“Is all this clear? If so, you can find your way to the Oak, just a short walk south of here, and I will instruct Thurman to fetch your trunk and bring it to the Hotel straight away.”
Again, Kindred just nodded her head. She stood and found herself at a loss. Should she bow, curtsy, or shake hands? She was unsure. She settled for a curt, “Thank you Ms Arne. I hope I can live up to your expectations.”
She turned and made her way to the door. On the street, she stopped an urchin running past, “Which way is South?” She asked, “How do I get to the Oak Hotel?”
The boy pointed over his shoulder and continued to scamper North.
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This week’s prompts were:
- the part that you don’t see
- in the backseat of my car
- Liberté toujours (freedom forever)