Iain Kelly

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

The lights go up, the cast take their bow.

Silence greets them from the empty auditorium.

They keep going because there is nothing else to be done.

Night after night, show after show, repeat and repeat. Bereft of enthusiasm they go through the motions, a ghost-like shadow of their former ardour.

Delirium set in weeks ago, around the time of the first death. The understudies have all now been promoted.

No one says anything to Reilly, but they all cast spiteful looks at his back. He was the one who coughed first.

The lockdown is indeterminate, the show must go on.

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Copyright Dale Rogerson

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

My first two novels are now widely available from several online stores. Just click on the appropriate link to have a browse and find out more:

A JUSTIFIED STATE – THE STATE TRILOGY BOOK ONE

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PAPERBACK:
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STAT OF DENIAL KINDLE COVER v12

STATE OF DENIAL – THE STATE TRILOGY BOOK TWO

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eBOOK:
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Iain Kelly

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85 responses to “THE SHOW MUST GO ON”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Clever story, Iain. A Marie Celeste, fully crewed, but with nobody to find them

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Neil

      Like

      Reply
  2. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    Topical and tragic.
    And the worst may be yet to come.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It seems to be heading that way. Fingers crossed there is some relief.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Susan A Eames Avatar
    Susan A Eames

    Oh, liked this! Very topical. Great take on the photo prompt, Iain.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Susan

      Like

      Reply
  4. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    At least they have something to do. Wait until cabin fever sets in…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Trying not to imagine being stuck in my work for a month…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Tannille Avatar
        Tannille

        All sharp objects would need to be hidden…

        Liked by 2 people

  5. Colline Avatar
    Colline

    A scary scenario.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Hopefully one that won’t happen to us all.

      Like

      Reply
  6. quiall Avatar
    quiall

    Let’s hope it is not prophetic!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Indeed! Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    That took a frightening twist at the end. Well written misdirect and scary, given the possible pandemic sweeping the globe.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m just imaging being locked in my work building for a month…!

      Like

      Reply
  8. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    Topical, but hopefully not prophetic! Good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you. I think the show may well stop in a few places before this is over.

      Like

      Reply
  9. Sadje Avatar
    Sadje

    Great story woven around the photo.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    Out for coffee this morning I observed when any body coughed, those around them looked worried.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yep, the paranoia is setting in. Soon follows the panic.

      Like

      Reply
  11. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    Brilliant story, Iain. I liked the spiteful looks directed at Reilly. And the idea that actors would perform every day with or without an audience seems spot on. You’ve written this with great fluency; super.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Penny, great comment to receive 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    It must so be the case in theatres…

    Like

    Reply
  13. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    I didn’t see that coming.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Liz

      Like

      Reply
  14. trentpmcd Avatar
    trentpmcd

    I think that is happening somewhere today, perhaps in Iran…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yep, I imagine the show will be stopped in quite a few places before this iver.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Anita Avatar
    Anita

    Show has to go on.
    Coronavirus has the world worried.
    Coughing is viewed with suspicion.
    But, this is serious. Many are getting affected day by day…
    Where is our world heading?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It isn’t going to go away anytime soon and will get worse before it gets better.

      Like

      Reply
  16. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Even worse than that which might occur by uttering the name of The Scottish Play. Soon the only event safe to attend will be a masked ball!

    Like

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m waiting to be told I can stay in my house and not come out until the summer is here!

      Like

      Reply
  17. robbiesinspiration Avatar
    robbiesinspiration

    Oh my, this is the third story I have read for this prompt where some of the cast dies, the world is obsessed with coronavirus.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s hard to avoid with the headlines. Still not reached Scotland, but it seems it is only a matter of time.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. pensitivity101 Avatar
    pensitivity101

    Another good tale Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Di

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. notestowomen Avatar
    notestowomen

    There was a possibility that the Olympics would have been postponed but apparently, a spokesman for the Japanese government said the International Olympic Committee and local organizers are going ahead as planned despite the threat. Today I heard on the News that a 60 something year old woman here in Toronto has the virus. She recently returned from Iran. There are cases in Italy as well. WHO says that Covid-19 is not yet a pandemic. Very effective topical take on the prompt, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you. I think it is very fluid and decisions will change on a day by day basis. I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets worse that the Olympics are cancelled.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. notestowomen Avatar
        notestowomen

        If the Olympics are cancelled, I feel sorry for all those athletes who worked so hard to get to that point but it’s best to be safe rather than sorry.

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
    Na’ama Yehuda

    Oy vey …. this does take “the show must go on” to its very extreme, doesn’t it? Yikes!

    Like

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    Feels like purgatory. Aha! Now I see where those who fail the audition go 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Oh yeah, a theatre for rejected actors!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. magickmermaid Avatar
    magickmermaid

    A super story after hearing the news about the corona virus this morning. Hopefully this will not be the case 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Let’s hope they can keep it under some sort of control, I think it will go on for quite some time now.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    it looks like fear of the virus is affecting everything. hopefully, it’ll be resolved soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I wouldn’t get your hopes up, looks like it will get a lot worse before it gets better.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. JoHawkTheWriter Avatar
    JoHawkTheWriter

    One more reason I want to become a recluse. Great take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s the safest option.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Now that’s professionalism. Poor Reilly. It does seem like everyone’s watching everyone else closely these days for any sign of a cough or a sneeze.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      We’re all going to get more and more paranoid for a few months…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Innerdialects Avatar
    Innerdialects

    Ah that deadly boredom cough in any theatre….love the ambience of your writing

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Innerdialects Avatar
        Innerdialects

        🌻

        Liked by 1 person

  27. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Oh brilliant and utterly terrifying

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Laurie

      Like

      Reply
  28. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    Groundhog day in the time of the corona…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Much like the news headlines each day.

      Like

      Reply
  29. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Iain, this is a great combination of real life events and the prompt. Good writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Linda

      Like

      Reply
  30. Russell Avatar
    Russell

    No wonder they can’t get an audience. They should perform in those little blue masks, maybe. Great take this week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, that’s true. We might all be wearing them soon!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Russell Avatar
        Russell

        True, but I sure hope not.

        Liked by 1 person

  31. susanmehr Avatar
    susanmehr

    Scary and so true. It’s sad that this might actually happen. Let’s hope not. Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think the theatres may have to close if it spreads much further.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. The Writer's Village Avatar
    The Writer’s Village

    Ugh.
    Coronavirus be damned.
    Won’t stop us or the show!!!!!

    Good story.

    Randy

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m sure we will all carry on somehow. Thanks Randy

      Like

      Reply
  33. James McEwan Avatar
    James McEwan

    Just one little cough and a hurricane arrives – how shocking.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Feels like that at the moment, every cough is suspicious now!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  34. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
    Alicia Jamtaas

    Oh! This is grand. An interesting way to avoid the tedium of being in confinement. And poor Reilly. It wasn’t his fault that he coughed first. But, that is the way of the world.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Everyone is suspect now, but at least they have each other for the duration!

      Like

      Reply
  35. David Stewart Avatar
    David Stewart

    You gave this a great sense of spiraling madness, I really like it. I’m wondering if this was inspired by recent quarantines.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks David, much appreciated

      Like

      Reply
  36. anthonynorth Avatar
    anthonynorth

    I like it – topical indeed.
    My first time here – and rather late.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  37. subroto Avatar
    subroto

    Scary and topical. On a lighter note Google has reported an increase in online searches for “corona beer virus” and “beer coronavirus” .

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      The brewers must be making money out of it 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  38. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    It could be worse. I thought they were just really bad actors.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      They are getting better with all the practice time they now have.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  39. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
    Dawn M. Miller

    Very timely!
    I love the line: ” He was the one who coughed first.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  40. michaelwynnauthor Avatar
    michaelwynnauthor

    Very on trend and up to the moment, Iain. We’ve just been discussing such possible scenarios at work. Well done

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yes, my work is similar, not sure what will happen if we have to stop altogether!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  41. joyroses13 Avatar
    joyroses13

    Oh you are good!
    I think I will need to sign up for your posts again, for they aren’t coming to my email.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks, hope you manage to get signed up. I’m pretty sure I haven’t changed anything at my end!

      Like

      Reply
      1. joyroses13 Avatar
        joyroses13

        I think its just a glitch. Having the same problem with another blogger. I will figure it out. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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