The Blue Carbuncle: Our Footfalls Rang Out

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

Canon story: The Blue Carbuncle
Title: Our Footfalls Rang Out
Author: impulsereader
Rating: G
A/N: A proper 60 plus a 100-word ‘extended play’ version. I was inspired by the gorgeous description of Holmes and Watson’s journey through London that night. As presented by ACD: It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of the streets which runs down into Holborn.

*****

Despite the bitter cold of the night there was no thought of a cab. It had been too long since they last paced the streets of London side by side. The pleasure was not to be given up this evening.

“I began to think you would not remember me in your holiday rounds.”

Watson turned his head, startled. “Never, Holmes.

*****

Despite the bitter cold of the night there was no thought of a cab. It had been too long since they last paced the streets of London side by side. The pleasure was by no means to be given up this evening.

“I began to think you would not remember me in your holiday rounds.”

Watson turned his head, startled. His companion’s profile was in shadow, the gaslight doing more to conceal his expression than illuminate.

“Never, Holmes. Still, I did not expect you to value such a visit overmuch.”

“Dear fellow, it matters not why you visit Baker Street.”

Comments

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

Beautiful! I don't imagine Holmes to value any holiday very much, but for his best friend's visits. It's a nice story that way, and you captured the atmosphere perfectly.

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I wasn't entirely sure about letting Holmes express that sentiment aloud, but I think in the end it works.

[debriswoman]

An affectionate look at the simple pleasures of life:-)

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

Indeed. Yuletide at its best is simply making a point of touching base with friends. :-)

[debriswoman]

Absolutely:-)

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

That is such an evocative piece of text, isn't it? And I love your take on it -- well, both of them!

It's always terrific to compare a 60 and a longer piece to see what is preserved, what is lost, and what that all means for the impact of the story. The longer piece here is interesting to me in that even more than the miniature, it leaves a question of what happens next. Did Holmes elaborate? Or just turn his back and walk away, embarrassed by too much of an admission? What did Watson say then?

Delicious.

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

It is. A local theater does a charming faux radio show version of it for the holiday. It proves itself quite adaptable. Also, thank you - twice over!

I tried to leave the 60 intact and simply add to it - the exception being that I allowed a few more words to add to the texture of the declaration that the shared walk should not be given up. (I was very amused when I looked up the Granada episode and Watson didn't seem keen on walking in the cold!)

Hm. And here is where I'm not sure what might happen next. When I wrote it I was feeling quite daring because I realized that the inclination would be to have Holmes voice this uncharacteristic sentiment only inside his own head.

I wanted him to say it aloud - perhaps a whimsy of the season? In the story itself he does allow for it. I imagine Watson isn't sure what to say in response to this whimsical declaration and Holmes uses his hesitation to move the conversation along.

Or perhaps there is more to the story...(when isn't there more to the story?...)