You took this in a different direction, that’s for sure! I did read the wikipedia entry on radium girls, so I get this, but it doesn’t yet explain why Doris is a crook and why she went to prison. :) I hope there is a sequel.

Yes I knew about the Radium Girls (it’d make a great band name too). I know that Doris is a crook because it is her nature.

@Elsha, the last two paragraphs deal with the theft of the Radium paint, and the story ends with her boss preparing to investigate.

Also, for some people, exposure to Radium causes mental illness (dementia)

I learned years ago, that most demented people really aren’t that demented. If you take the time to listen to their stories, truth can be found. So Doris really isn’t lying when she says she knew “The Earl of Essex”, it’s just a riddle.

Watching the direction that other people take the germ of an idea is always fascinating- both your story and Jim’s original bespeak your unique styles, attitudes and experiences. Some sort or round-robin scheme, where successive people create a serial story, would be an interesting exercise.

Frenchly is my new favorite adjective.