Revival

Entry for https://ecency.com/category/@daily.prompt/mariannewests-freewrite-writing-prompt-day-2076-revival

Prompt: revival

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I was surprised. Instead of trucking in with a bunch of loudspeakers and a huge tent, this revivalist had come on foot. And not wearing a squeaky clean white dress either. If dress is the correct name for what those women-hating preachers wear. Still, it was a very recognisable revivalist way of dressing, and therefore demanding respect.

This one came on foot as I said, with a small back-pack over the shoulder, and the dress was more brown and dusty than white. Still the same shape though. Walked right up, and into, the best pub in town. Dusty feet and all. Sat down at the bar, asked for a gin-and-tonic with extra lime. And then said, conversationally "You need any change around here? Maybe going back to old values?"

Those of us who wanted change, going back to when everyone was equal in worth and dignity, averted our eyes, and the others frowned and glared. The bartender was the only one who spoke: "I think you've had enough after this one, please drink up and leave." That was his job, after all.

And the revivalist meekly answered: "I'm sure you are right!" and left. Without even finishing the drink. How's that for showing you have money enough and to spare?

Then - this is hearsay, I wasn't there for all of it - this was repeated at the next-best pub, and the next-next-best and all the way down. All the way down to my aunt's little drinking hole. Oh, I should have said. I wasn't at the first pub as a customer. I was mopping the floors. But when the revivalist asked aboot change and values at my aunts place, I was there.

The whole place fell silent. We all know that the right answer is "No, Sir, everything is fine!" but none of us feels like saying it. And bless the children... one of them spoke up: "Can you really change things? For true? Make it back like it was?"

And the revivialist said "No, I can't. Not alone." And told us her plan.

That's how it all started.

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Thank you for the prompt. Revival can mean more than religion, of course. A way of life, a music style...