50 Word Thursday #13 — Panic in London

50 Word Thursday is hosted on alternating Thursdays by Kristian and Teresa. This week, Kristian says:

The rules

1 The completed piece must be in multiples of 50 words – a maximum of 250 words. Anything is acceptable – poetry, story, anecdote.
2 There will be a photo and a random phrase that I will take from the current book I am reading – you can use either or both
3 Please pingback and tag 50WordThurs so I can do a summary.

So here is the picture for this week:

And here are the words:

“How could anyone be tired of London?” – Bizarre London by David Long

Harry and Minerva had lived in Chicago all of their lives and had never left the United States. Both of their ancestors were from the U.K. It was their dream that once they retired they would visit the towns and villages where their ancestors had come from; if blessed, they might even find still living relatives.

Retirement came and soon they were en route to the U.K. The first week of their month-long vacation would be in London, riding the double-deckers around the city, seeing live performances, and checking out museums and fashionable shopping addresses for souvenirs. The remaining three weeks would be caravanning to the villages.

Their third day in London they went to the Royal Albert Hall for Proms concerts. The place was packed. The music was magnificent! The intermission was about to end so they were heading back to their seats when all of a sudden they heard a shrill voice behind them screeching, “Get me out of this town!” repeatedly. It was a woman who looked to be about fifty; her eyes were darting her and there, her hand was on her chest, and she was opening and closing her eyes over and over again. Minerva whispered to Harry, “What’s wrong with her? How could anyone be tired of London?”

After the woman was carried out on a gurney, Harry asked the usher what happened. The usher said the woman had recently gained sight and had developed claustrophobia. The crowded music hall triggered a panic attack.

[250 words]