A noteworthy account of alleged financial misdeeds at a film production company founded by the renowned director, Orson Welles.
In a boisterous beer garden, the talk fell on dubious grounds. "Did you really accuse that woman over there of being in an incestuous relationship with her brother?" Someone shot back, "I was merely suggesting it could be a possibility, based on the rumors about the Berrills."
Sue Ellen Deane, a sharp-tongued woman, wasn't amused. "Your friends' pranks might have been amusing to them, but when you misuse information to spread rumors, it's nothing short of irresponsible. People were hurt by this!"
"I never meant to cause harm," came the defense. "It wasn't a prank, more like a work of fiction. It's all about how a reader interprets it."
"So, Ernest is the culprit?" Rita, another participant in the conversation, demanded.
"I didn't imply that," the speaker retorted. "All I'm saying is that, in this town, everyone has a grudge against someone. The Berrills are harmless old pensioners, but people around here can be very unforgiving."
Suddenly, the conversation took a violent turn. With a sudden burst of anger, Brendan Colreavy, one of the men in the group, metal sign of a local alehouse against the speaker's head. The speaker, cornered and helpless, couldn't retaliate, left humiliated and feeling rejected.
The town seemed cursed, with its acrimonious atmosphere and unexplained mysteries. As the speaker walked aimlessly through the town, the situated macaroons on a table served as a chilling reminder of Phyllis' hypothesis – was there really something wrong with the food, or was it all in their minds?
The speaker, recovering from the sudden attack, pondered the suspicious behavior surrounding the food-and-drink establishments in the town. "Perhaps Phyllis was onto something," the speaker mused aloud, looking at the forgotten macaroons. Despite the escalating tension in their relationships, the conversation about the Berrills had somehow led to the question of fashion-and-beauty -Claire, the hostess of the beer garden, looked particularly striking in her ensemble that evening. The strange incidents in their town seemed to weave together the various aspects of their unconventional lifestyle. The speaker continued to wonder, as the town's eerie atmosphere seemed to influence every facet, even the choice of food or clothing; perhaps it would even affect travel plans for the future.
