PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook
i.
Locals learned historical context of the rubble in grade school. As adults it meant a draw for a dependable stream of tourists who came to visit, gawk, selfie-snap, overeat, and buy made-in-China souvenirs to take home to their envious families.
Woke marketing recast it in an ugly, oppressionistic light. The stream trickled; then stopped.
ii.
July’s Tourism Board meeting is grim; haggard faces wreathing the table. Mira reads today’s agenda, which includes a special guest: Gerald, who left as a lad and got trained as a scientist. Mum’s letter had fueled his train ride home.
Gerald’s specialty: chiropterology.
[99 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the rambunctious host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Perhaps Gerald will help the situation?
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I think he will, Sadje. Thank you :)
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You’re welcome!👍🏼
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Vampire tours! Brilliant!
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LOL!
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Plenty of bats in my village, might I time travel a few in your direction.🙂
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Mike, you are blessed if your village has plenty of bats. Where do they sleep? Send some my way, please!
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I’m not sure Gerald is going to lighten the mood. Great characters in a few words.
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It’s all about the marketing. Marketing is magic — it can make something great or turn something into junk.
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For sure, Tannille. Thanks!
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They need a new approach and Gerald might just provide it!
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I was thinking of what Austin, TX did with their bat “problem.”
Thanks to Merlin Tuttle and Friends:
https://www.austinbats.org/
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Time for a new strategy! This was an excellent take, Lisa :)
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Thanks much, Dale. Exactly :)
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Pleasure is mine, Lisa.
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I wonder if Gerald has returned as a Vampire and brought his night time furry friends with him. That should spice up the tourist trade.
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James, you could be right. Maybe “away becoming a scientist” is just a cover story! Time will tell…
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Mostly Mexican free-tails around here. They hang in some caves and under bridges. Mum is right. Gerald knows what to do. :-)
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:)
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I’m not sure bat colonies will recover such an ailing tourist trade, but it’s worth a try!
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Hahah, I’m all for the bats. They do need better marketing though, past horrors usually draw people, too. It’s not that romantic though. But linking the bats to vampires may be… Great story, Lisa.
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Gabi, thanks. Maybe have dinner theater with Dracula and other vampire-themed productions and “sightings” (e.g. actors hanging upside down from trees.) Hoping the Tourism Board can get creative with it :)
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Intrigue to know how he will help the town, which I hope he does. :) Very creative story!
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Brenda, I hope he does also. Thank you :)
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I learn something new every day!
That’s certainly a different kind of tour. But yes, times are a changing and for paying customers you gotta give em what they want.
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Thanks for reading and your comment, Laurie :)
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That was a very different take. I like a resourceful community. Well done.
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Sandra, thank you, and thank you for showing us the wonderful place you live in. Do you visit the castle??
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I do, quite often. Visitors always want to go there, and the views across the Isle of Purbeck are spectacular. I feel very fortunate to be here.
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You are so right about the tourist thing. You said so many things in little words.
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Vartika, thank you very much.
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