It was a warm evening; the full moon rode up from the horizon giving the fairgrounds an icy blue hue as the couple walked. The Renaissance Faire was nearing its conclusion: the gates were closed for the last time that season, and all that was left was preparations for departures and last celebrations of community among the players. Mistress Atherby was wearing a loose fitting white blouse, brown skirt and black boots; Brother Adelbert a brown habit with a simple cord around his waist. "Whew, I feel much better out of that damn corset," she said.
"I hardly understand why women ever wore the things," he replied. "Except they present the breasts so well."
"That's probably why," she giggled.
"How were your takings this day? Did you came about ahead after all?"
"Fair, fair. I made enough to come back. Yours?"
"It's been a good fair. Lots of kids mean lots of stories. I can take some time off. Looking forward to a break before we all go to Michigan."
"I am as well. Have you any plans for the interim?"
"I have some thoughts," he said, giving her hand a squeeze, "and some hopes for the near future, yea, even this very night."
They went through the deserted shops, freshly cleared of their wares. In the distance, the sounds of the wrap party wafted their direction: the cast of the Faire were singing and drinking around a huge bonfire. The pair were holding hands as the crossed the huge fairgrounds looking for a secluded spot.
At the top of a little rise was the jousting run, and next to it a huge crane. A set of stocks two levels were there: one for adults and one for children. She giggled and went over: "I don't know how many pictures I took here; wish I had a quarter for each one."
"It's a popular spot. Much more than in the olden days."
She went over behind it and looked through the holes at him. "What did people do to get here?"
"Usually smaller stuff, stuff that didn't get you hanged. Sexual indiscretions, petty theft, being a shrew to your husband, those kind of things, I guess. It was public humiliation; locked in here, people could throw trash at you, ridicule you, abuse you in different ways. You were also stuck in the rain and whatever the sky dumped on you."
Putting her head and hands through the holes, she looked at him and smiled: "All kinds of things could happen here."
He flipped a catch and locked her in place. "Yes, all kinds of things."