The inspiration for this was: "This they now do." Again you'll either recognise the reference or you were born too late, sorry.
Person or persons unknown
I
The story so far...
II
Fleeing her parent's tiny lives in Bootle—
she meets a confidence man called—
which they steal from a warehouse behind—
they hot-wire a car and flee.
Years later, her humdrum marriage—
by strangely precise anonymous messages—
an embarrassing previous life. She panics and—
small room above a shop in Manchester.
Brooding over her predicament she flounders—
searching everywhere without—
in desperation turns to her former—
a dangerous last-ditch plan.
This they now do.
Chances upon a derelict—
sneaks past the elderly night-watchman—
to at length discover me, who she blames for—
She demands: Tell me now. What is my life about?
III
Clearing my throat, I explain:
Fleeing Bootle you left middle-class parents—
where you met an adventurer called—
which you acquired from a man in a pub—
you borrowed a car and left town.
Years later, with your husband—
disturbing anonymous messages—
an almost-forgotten previous life. Worried you—
a flat above a shop in Manchester.
Some time later you decide—
but were unable to find—
in desperation you turned to—
who hatched a plan.
This you now did.
You were able to find an abandoned—
avoided the caretaker—
so that you could meet me here—
But tell me in your own words, and maybe I can explain.
IV
Eyes wide, she licks her lips and speaks:
I was reluctant to leave Bootle, I missed my Mum and—
with a fascinating older man called—
which we found in sacks beneath the pier—
we bought a car and moved on.
Years later, I was happily—
wild and disturbing anonymous messages—
my exciting, early life. I had to investigate and I—
an apartment in central Manchester.
After some thought I resolved—
but careful investigation did not—
until, inspired, I looked-up my old—
I conceived a daring plan.
This we now did.
Painstaking research uncovered a late Victorian—
past the guards and tricked my way into—
to finally confront you.
Now explain! What is the meaning of my story?
V
She is ready. There is no choice.
Gesturing her to an armchair,
I compose my thoughts and prepare to recount...
VI
...the story so far.
