Content Feed

Discover interesting content about books and writing

Classics Now Feb 13, 02:30 AM

Hamlet's Mousetrap: The Group Chat That Broke a Kingdom

Classics in Modern Setting

A modern reimagining of Β«HamletΒ» by William Shakespeare

πŸ“± WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT: "Elsinore Fam πŸ‘‘πŸ°"

Members: Hamlet πŸ–€, Claudius πŸ‘‘, Gertrude πŸ’…, Ophelia 🌸, Horatio 🧠, Polonius πŸ§“, Rosencrantz 🀑, Guildenstern πŸƒ

---

**Claudius πŸ‘‘** created the group "Elsinore Fam πŸ‘‘πŸ°"

**Claudius πŸ‘‘** added Hamlet πŸ–€, Gertrude πŸ’…, Ophelia 🌸, Horatio 🧠, Polonius πŸ§“, Rosencrantz 🀑, Guildenstern πŸƒ

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** Hey everyone! πŸŽ‰ Just a reminder that tonight's entertainment will be a lovely play organized by our dear nephew/son Hamlet! Dress code: royal casual. Starts at 8pm in the Great Hall. See you there! 🎭❀️

**Gertrude πŸ’…:** Wonderful darling! So proud of Hamlet for finally showing interest in something other than wearing black and staring at walls πŸ₯°

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Thanks mom. Really appreciate the support. πŸ™ƒ

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** *stepmom

**Gertrude πŸ’…:** Hamlet.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** What. You married my uncle two months after dad's funeral. I'm just being accurate.

**Polonius πŸ§“:** Let us all look forward to a wonderful evening of arts and culture! I myself was quite the thespian in my university days. Did I ever tell you about the time I played Julius Caesar?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Yeah you got killed in the Capitol. Brutal. πŸ’€

**Polonius πŸ§“:** It was a very acclaimed performance!

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** I'm sure it was. Bravo. πŸ‘

---

πŸ’¬ PRIVATE CHAT: Hamlet πŸ–€ β†’ Horatio 🧠

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** bro

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** tonight's the night

**Horatio 🧠:** You sure about this plan?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** 100%

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** I rewrote parts of the play so it basically shows exactly how my dad was murdered

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** poison in the ear while sleeping in the garden

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** then the murderer marries the queen

**Horatio 🧠:** That's... not subtle at all

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** it's called ART, Horatio

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** I need you to watch Claudius's face the ENTIRE time. Don't blink. Don't check your phone. WATCH HIM.

**Horatio 🧠:** What am I looking for exactly?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** guilt

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** panic

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** maybe sweating

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** basically any reaction that screams "I DEFINITELY MURDERED MY BROTHER"

**Horatio 🧠:** And if he doesn't react?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** then I guess the ghost of my dead father was lying and I've been having a mental breakdown for nothing 🀷

**Horatio 🧠:** Cool cool cool cool cool. Normal Tuesday.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** the play is called "The Mousetrap" btw 🐭πŸͺ€

**Horatio 🧠:** Why

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** because we're catching a RAT πŸ€πŸ‘‘

**Horatio 🧠:** I'm going to pretend that wasn't incredibly corny

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** just watch his face bro. That's all I need.

**Horatio 🧠:** I got you. Always.

---

πŸ’¬ PRIVATE CHAT: Rosencrantz 🀑 β†’ Guildenstern πŸƒ

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** dude did hamlet seem weird to you today

**Guildenstern πŸƒ:** hamlet seems weird every day

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** yeah but like EXTRA weird

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** he was practically skipping around the Great Hall humming to himself

**Guildenstern πŸƒ:** maybe he's actually happy for once?

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** that's what worries me

**Guildenstern πŸƒ:** should we tell the king?

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** tell him what? "Your nephew is suspiciously cheerful"?

**Guildenstern πŸƒ:** fair point

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** let's just go to the play and keep our mouths shut

**Guildenstern πŸƒ:** that's literally always our best strategy

---

πŸ“± GROUP CHAT: "Elsinore Fam πŸ‘‘πŸ°"

⏰ 7:45 PM

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Everyone almost here? Show starts in 15! 🎭

**Ophelia 🌸:** I'm here! Got a great seat 😊

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Ophelia! Come sit by me 😏

**Ophelia 🌸:** Um ok?

**Polonius πŸ§“:** Ophelia, remember what we discussed.

**Ophelia 🌸:** Dad please don't do this in the group chat 😩

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Don't worry Ophelia, I'll be on my best behavior

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Or my worst. Depends on the scene 😈

**Gertrude πŸ’…:** Hamlet come sit with me!

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** No thanks mom I'd rather sit with someone who hasn't made questionable life decisions in the last 3 months

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** 😐

**Gertrude πŸ’…:** 😐

**Polonius πŸ§“:** 😬

---

⏰ 8:02 PM - Play begins

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** 🎭 SHOWTIME 🎭

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** This first part is a dumb show - no words just acting. Watch closely everyone!!

**Ophelia 🌸:** What's happening? A king and queen are being very affectionate?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Yeah they're super in love. Cute right? πŸ₯°

**Ophelia 🌸:** Oh wait now the king is lying down in a garden...

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** He's taking a nap. Classic king stuff.

**Ophelia 🌸:** And someone is pouring something in his ear??? 😨

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Interesting plot twist wouldn't you say?? πŸ€”

---

πŸ’¬ PRIVATE CHAT: Hamlet πŸ–€ β†’ Horatio 🧠

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** STATUS REPORT. WHAT'S HIS FACE DOING

**Horatio 🧠:** He shifted in his seat during the poison scene

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** SHIFTED? LIKE UNCOMFORTABLE SHIFTED?

**Horatio 🧠:** Could also be the chair. Those things are hard.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** IT'S NOT THE CHAIR HORATIO

**Horatio 🧠:** Just reporting what I see. Keeping watch.

---

πŸ“± GROUP CHAT: "Elsinore Fam πŸ‘‘πŸ°"

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** Interesting choice of play, Hamlet. What's it called?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** "The Mousetrap" 🐭

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** And the plot is...?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Oh you know. A king gets murdered by his nephew in Vienna. The nephew pours poison in the king's ear while he sleeps. Then the nephew seduces the queen and takes the throne. Standard European drama. πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ή

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Totally fictional though

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Obviously

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Why do you ask? πŸ™‚

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** No reason.

**Gertrude πŸ’…:** The actress playing the queen is a bit over the top with her promises. "I'll never remarry! I'll be loyal forever!" A bit much, no?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Idk mom. Do YOU think it's too much? Do those promises mean something to you? πŸ€”πŸ€”πŸ€”

**Gertrude πŸ’…:** The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** WOW WHAT A LINE. Someone write that down. πŸ“

---

**Ophelia 🌸:** Hamlet you're being really weird tonight

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Am I? Or is the play just making everyone UNCOMFORTABLE because it hits a little too close to HOME? 🏠πŸ”₯

**Ophelia 🌸:** I think you're just being weird

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Fair

---

⏰ 8:28 PM - THE KEY SCENE

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** OK EVERYONE PAY ATTENTION

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** This is the part where Lucianus - the king's nephew - approaches the sleeping king

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** He's got a vial of poison...

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** He's leaning in...

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** 🎭 "Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit, and time agreeing" 🎭

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** AND HE POURS THE POISON IN THE KING'S EAR!!! πŸ‘‚β˜ οΈπŸ’€

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** JUST LIKE SOMEONE WE KNOW MIGHT HAVE DONE, RIGHT @Claudius πŸ‘‘ ???

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** @Claudius πŸ‘‘ you good bro? You look a little pale 😏

---

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** πŸ”¦

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** GIVE ME SOME LIGHT

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** LIGHTS

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** TURN ON THE LIGHTS

*Claudius πŸ‘‘ has left the group*

---

**Polonius πŸ§“:** The king is unwell! Stop the play! Everyone stop!

**Gertrude πŸ’…:** What just happened??

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** uhhhhh

**Guildenstern πŸƒ:** that was intense

**Ophelia 🌸:** Is the king okay?? He literally ran out screaming??

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Interesting reaction to a FICTIONAL PLAY, don't you think? πŸ€”πŸ€”πŸ€”πŸ€”πŸ€”

---

πŸ’¬ PRIVATE CHAT: Hamlet πŸ–€ β†’ Horatio 🧠

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** DID YOU SEE THAT

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** DID

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** YOU

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** SEE

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** THAT

**Horatio 🧠:** I saw it.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** HE RAN. HE LITERALLY RAN OUT OF THE ROOM.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** SCREAMING FOR LIGHTS.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** DURING THE EXACT SCENE WHERE THE KING GETS POISONED THROUGH HIS EAR.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** WHICH IS EXACTLY HOW THE GHOST SAID IT HAPPENED.

**Horatio 🧠:** Yeah. That was... not the reaction of an innocent man.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** HORATIO

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** I WOULD BET A THOUSAND POUNDS ON THE GHOST'S WORD

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** THE MOUSETRAP WORKED 🐭πŸͺ€βœ…

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** WE CAUGHT THE RAT πŸ€πŸ‘‘

**Horatio 🧠:** So what now?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** ...

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** honestly I didn't plan this far ahead

**Horatio 🧠:** You orchestrated an elaborate theatrical sting operation to confirm your uncle murdered your father and you didn't think about WHAT COMES NEXT?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Look the play thing took a lot of creative energy ok

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** I had to rewrite dialogue and direct actors and do a whole dramatic commentary

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** I'm EXHAUSTED

**Horatio 🧠:** Hamlet. Your uncle, the KING, just realized you KNOW he's a murderer.

**Horatio 🧠:** You are in danger.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** right

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** yeah that's

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** that's a good point actually

**Horatio 🧠:** 🀦

---

πŸ“± GROUP CHAT: "Elsinore Fam πŸ‘‘πŸ°"

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** Hey Hamlet, the king is really upset. Maybe you should go talk to him?

**Guildenstern πŸƒ:** Yeah the queen wants to see you too

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Tell me something. Do you guys actually care about me or did Claudius send you to spy on me?

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** What?? We're your friends!

**Guildenstern πŸƒ:** Yeah totally just friends checking in!

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** You know what you remind me of? A recorder. 🎡

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** A what?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** A recorder. Simple instrument. Anyone can play it. You just cover the holes and blow, and it makes whatever sound the player wants.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Claudius is playing you like recorders.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** You think you can play ME? Figure out my stops? Pluck out the heart of my mystery?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** You can't even play a recorder and you think you can play ME? 🎡🚫

**Guildenstern πŸƒ:** That was weirdly specific

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** And kind of hurtful tbh

---

**Polonius πŸ§“:** Hamlet, your mother would like to speak with you in her chambers. Immediately.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** My mother. Right. πŸ™„

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** I'll go. But I'll be honest with her. I'll speak daggers but use none.

**Polonius πŸ§“:** Please be gentle with her, she's very distressed.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Whose fault is that πŸ€”

---

πŸ’¬ PRIVATE CHAT: Hamlet πŸ–€ β†’ Horatio 🧠

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Mom wants to see me. This is gonna be fun.

**Horatio 🧠:** Please don't do anything rash.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Me? Rash? When have I EVER been rash?

**Horatio 🧠:** Do you want the list chronologically or alphabetically?

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** 😀

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Fine. I'll be careful.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** But the ghost was right, Horatio. My father was murdered. By his own brother. And my mother married the murderer.

**Horatio 🧠:** I know. And I'm sorry.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** "The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king." And we DID. We absolutely did. 🎭

**Horatio 🧠:** Just... be safe tonight. The walls have ears in Elsinore.

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Ironic choice of words considering how my dad died πŸ‘‚β˜ οΈ

**Horatio 🧠:** Oh god I didn't meanβ€”

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** Too soon? It's been like 4 months

**Horatio 🧠:** DEFINITELY too soon

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** lol

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** ok heading to mom's room. If I don't text back in an hour send help

**Horatio 🧠:** Please tell me you're joking

**Hamlet πŸ–€:** 50/50 πŸ™ƒ

*Hamlet πŸ–€ is typing...*

*Hamlet πŸ–€ went offline*

---

πŸ’¬ PRIVATE CHAT: Claudius πŸ‘‘ β†’ Polonius πŸ§“

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** He knows.

**Polonius πŸ§“:** My lord?

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** That play. That wasn't about Vienna. That was about ME.

**Polonius πŸ§“:** Surely it was just a coincidenceβ€”

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** A king murdered by poison in his EAR, Polonius. In his EAR. While sleeping in a GARDEN.

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** And then the murderer marries the queen.

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** And Hamlet was NARRATING it. Looking right at me. SMILING.

**Polonius πŸ§“:** ...Oh.

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** Yes. "Oh."

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** I need to deal with this. He's dangerous.

**Polonius πŸ§“:** Let me hide behind the curtain in the queen's chambers when she talks to him. I'll report everything back to you.

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** Fine. Do that.

**Polonius πŸ§“:** I'll be perfectly hidden. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

**Claudius πŸ‘‘:** Good. Go now.

---

πŸ“± GROUP CHAT: "Elsinore Fam πŸ‘‘πŸ°"

⏰ 9:15 PM

**Ophelia 🌸:** Is anyone going to explain what just happened tonight or are we all just pretending the king didn't sprint out of his own theater screaming for lights??

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** I think we're pretending

**Guildenstern πŸƒ:** Definitely pretending

**Ophelia 🌸:** Cool. Cool cool cool. Everything is FINE at Elsinore. 🏰πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

**Ophelia 🌸:** This is fine. πŸ•β˜•πŸ”₯

**Horatio 🧠:** For what it's worth, I don't think anything is fine.

**Ophelia 🌸:** THANK YOU Horatio. At least ONE person here is honest.

**Ophelia 🌸:** My boyfriend is acting insane, my dad is hiding behind curtains, the king ran away from a play, and the queen is "distressed"

**Ophelia 🌸:** I should have gone to a convent like Hamlet suggested honestly

**Horatio 🧠:** He said that?

**Ophelia 🌸:** "Get thee to a nunnery" was the exact quote

**Horatio 🧠:** Yikes.

**Ophelia 🌸:** YIKES INDEED

**Ophelia 🌸:** Anyway goodnight everyone. I'm going to go arrange some flowers and try not to think about how this royal family is a complete dumpster fire 🌸πŸ”₯

**Rosencrantz 🀑:** Goodnight Ophelia!

**Guildenstern πŸƒ:** Night! πŸ‘‹

**Horatio 🧠:** Stay safe, everyone. I have a feeling tonight is going to be... eventful.

---

πŸ”” NOTIFICATION:
πŸ“° Elsinore Castle News Alert
"King Claudius cancels all theatrical performances indefinitely. No official statement given. Prince Hamlet unavailable for comment."

---

*Read by everyone at 9:22 PM* βœ“βœ“

---

[END OF CHAT LOG]

*Narrator's note: Things at Elsinore were about to get significantly worse. Polonius should not have hidden behind that curtain. But that's a group chat for another day.* πŸ’€πŸŽ­

Classics Now Feb 6, 02:37 AM

Mr. Darcy Left You on Read: The Netherfield Ball Group Chat

Classics in Modern Setting

A modern reimagining of Β«Pride and PrejudiceΒ» by Jane Austen

**πŸ“± BENNET FAMILY CHAT πŸ’•**

**Mrs. Bennet** created group "NETHERFIELD BALL EMERGENCY 🚨"
**Mrs. Bennet** added Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, Lydia, Mr. Bennet

**Mrs. Bennet:** GIRLS

**Mrs. Bennet:** GIRLS WAKE UP

**Mrs. Bennet:** THIS IS NOT A DRILL

**Lydia:** mum its 7am 😴

**Mrs. Bennet:** MR BINGLEY IS COMING TO THE BALL TONIGHT

**Mrs. Bennet:** AND HE HAS 5000 A YEAR

**Mrs. Bennet:** 5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣

**Mrs. Bennet:** A YEAR

**Kitty:** we know mother you told us 47 times

**Mrs. Bennet:** AND HE'S BRINGING A FRIEND

**Mrs. Bennet:** MR DARCY

**Mrs. Bennet:** TEN THOUSAND A YEAR

**Mary:** Material wealth is but a fleeting comfort compared toβ€”

**Mrs. Bennet:** MARY NOT NOW

**Elizabeth:** Good morning to you too mother

**Mrs. Bennet:** Lizzy you need to do something with your hair today I'm begging you

**Elizabeth:** My hair is fine

**Mrs. Bennet:** Jane you're our only hope

**Mrs. Bennet:** Smile a lot tonight

**Mrs. Bennet:** But not too much

**Mrs. Bennet:** But enough

**Mrs. Bennet:** You know what I mean

**Jane:** I'll just be myself, Mama 😊

**Mrs. Bennet:** NO JANE

**Mrs. Bennet:** BE BETTER THAN YOURSELF

**Mr. Bennet:** I see we're having a calm morning

**Mrs. Bennet:** Oh you're awake??? Maybe you could actually PARTICIPATE in securing futures for your daughters???

**Mr. Bennet:** I participated. I visited the man. My job is done.

**Mrs. Bennet:** You have no compassion for my poor nerves

**Mr. Bennet:** On the contrary, I have the highest respect for your nerves. They have been my constant companions for twenty years.

**Lydia:** LMAOOO dad woke up and chose violence πŸ’€

**Elizabeth:** ☠️☠️☠️

**Mrs. Bennet:** I am SURROUNDED by ungrateful children

---

**πŸ“± LIZZY & JANE PRIVATE CHAT πŸ‘―β€β™€οΈ**

**Lizzy:** you ready for tonight?

**Jane:** Nervous actually πŸ˜…

**Lizzy:** why?? you're literally the prettiest person in hertfordshire

**Jane:** You're biased because you're my sister

**Lizzy:** I'm biased because I have EYES

**Lizzy:** also mother will actually combust if you don't secure at least one dance with bingley

**Jane:** Don't remind me 😫

**Lizzy:** just be your sweet angelic self and he'll propose by the second set

**Jane:** LIZZY

**Lizzy:** I'm manifesting ✨

---

**πŸ“± THE NETHERFIELD SQUAD 🎩**
*(Private group)*

**Members:** Charles Bingley, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Caroline Bingley, Mr. Hurst, Mrs. Hurst

**Bingley:** Tonight's going to be amazing!! Can't wait to meet everyone πŸŽ‰

**Darcy:** I'd rather not.

**Caroline:** Same tbh. Country balls are so... provincial.

**Bingley:** Come on you two!! It'll be fun! New friends! Dancing!

**Darcy:** You know I don't dance.

**Bingley:** You literally know how to dance. You're excellent at it.

**Darcy:** Knowing how and wanting to are different things.

**Caroline:** At least we'll suffer together, Mr. Darcy 😏

**Darcy:** πŸ‘

**Bingley:** You're both impossible. I'm going to dance with EVERYONE.

**Mr. Hurst:** Is there food?

**Mrs. Hurst:** There's always food, dear.

**Mr. Hurst:** Then I'm satisfied.

---

**πŸ“± HERTFORDSHIRE GOSSIP NETWORK πŸ’…**
*(Local group chat - 47 members)*

**Charlotte Lucas:** They just arrived omgggg

**Maria Lucas:** THE CARRIAGES ARE BEAUTIFUL

**Lady Lucas:** Maria. Composure.

**Charlotte Lucas:** @Elizabeth you need to see this

**Elizabeth:** I see them

**Elizabeth:** The tall one looks like he stepped in something unpleasant and blamed the shoe

**Charlotte Lucas:** SCREAMING

**Charlotte Lucas:** That's Mr. Darcy btw. Ten thousand a year.

**Elizabeth:** He could have twenty thousand a year and that face would still say "I'd rather be literally anywhere else"

**Charlotte Lucas:** To be fair... same

**Mrs. Long:** Mr. Bingley just smiled at me!

**Mrs. Long:** Wait no he was looking past me

**Mrs. Long:** At Jane Bennet obviously

**Mrs. Bennet:** πŸ‘€πŸ‘€πŸ‘€

**Mrs. Bennet:** @Jane don't look now but HE'S LOOKING

---

**πŸ“± LIZZY & JANE PRIVATE CHAT πŸ‘―β€β™€οΈ**

**Jane:** Lizzy he's so handsome 😭

**Lizzy:** I KNOW I see him looking at you

**Jane:** He asked me to dance!!!

**Lizzy:** JANE

**Jane:** I said yes obviously

**Lizzy:** AS YOU SHOULD

**Lizzy:** Go secure that bag sis πŸ’°πŸ’•

**Jane:** It's not about money!

**Lizzy:** I know I know true love etc

**Lizzy:** but also 5000 a year doesn't hurt

**Jane:** ELIZABETH

**Lizzy:** I'm just saying mother has a point sometimes

**Lizzy:** once every seven years

**Lizzy:** like a cicada of wisdom

**Jane:** I'm going to dance now goodbye πŸ˜‚

---

**πŸ“± THE NETHERFIELD SQUAD 🎩**

**Bingley:** DARCY

**Bingley:** DARCY COME HERE

**Bingley:** Why are you standing in the corner like a Victorian ghost

**Darcy:** I'm fine here.

**Bingley:** You need to DANCE

**Darcy:** I really don't.

**Bingley:** Jane has a sister!! She's sitting right over there! She's very pretty!

**Darcy:** Which one? The one lecturing someone about Fordyce's sermons?

**Bingley:** No that's Mary

**Bingley:** Elizabeth! The one with the fine eyes!

**Darcy:** She's tolerable I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me.

**Darcy:** I'm not in the mood to give consequence to young ladies slighted by other men.

**Darcy:** Go back to your partner and enjoy her smiles. You're wasting your time with me.

**Bingley:** Wow

**Bingley:** That was unnecessarily harsh

**Caroline:** 🍿

---

**πŸ“± LIZZY & CHARLOTTE PRIVATE CHAT πŸ«–**

**Charlotte:** Lizzy

**Charlotte:** LIZZY

**Charlotte:** Please tell me you didn't just hear that

**Elizabeth:** Oh I heard it

**Charlotte:** "Tolerable"???? "Not handsome enough to tempt me"????

**Elizabeth:** I WAS LITERALLY RIGHT THERE

**Elizabeth:** He didn't even lower his voice

**Charlotte:** The AUDACITY

**Elizabeth:** You know what

**Elizabeth:** I'm not even mad

**Charlotte:** You're not?

**Elizabeth:** I find it genuinely hilarious

**Elizabeth:** Imagine being that rich and that rude

**Elizabeth:** Pick a struggle sir

**Charlotte:** πŸ’€πŸ’€πŸ’€

**Elizabeth:** Also "not handsome enough to tempt me" is going to be my new bio

**Charlotte:** PLEASE

**Elizabeth:** I'm owning it

**Elizabeth:** Certified Untempterℒ️

---

**πŸ“± BENNET FAMILY CHAT πŸ’•**

**Lydia:** GUYS MR DARCY JUST INSULTED LIZZY

**Kitty:** WHAT

**Lydia:** He said she wasn't pretty enough to dance with!!!

**Mary:** Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18.

**Mrs. Bennet:** WHAT DID HE SAY

**Lydia:** He called her "tolerable" πŸ’€

**Mrs. Bennet:** That HORRIBLE man

**Mrs. Bennet:** I don't care if he has 10000 a year

**Mrs. Bennet:** He could have 50000 a year

**Mrs. Bennet:** We don't want him

**Elizabeth:** Honestly mother for once I agree with you

**Mrs. Bennet:** See?? I told you he had a disagreeable look about him

**Mr. Bennet:** You told us he had ten thousand a year and we should pursue him relentlessly

**Mrs. Bennet:** I NEVER

**Mr. Bennet:** [Screenshot of previous message: "MR DARCY TEN THOUSAND A YEAR"]

**Mrs. Bennet:** THAT WAS BEFORE HE INSULTED MY DAUGHTER

**Elizabeth:** Can we focus on the positive here

**Elizabeth:** Jane is dancing with Bingley and they look adorable

**Mrs. Bennet:** JANE 😍😍😍

**Mrs. Bennet:** My beautiful Jane

**Mrs. Bennet:** Unlike SOME people who insult young ladies at public assemblies

**Elizabeth:** Mother please let it go

**Mrs. Bennet:** I will NEVER let it go

**Mrs. Bennet:** My nerves Lizzy

**Mrs. Bennet:** MY NERVES

---

**πŸ“± HERTFORDSHIRE GOSSIP NETWORK πŸ’…**

**Charlotte Lucas:** Update from the ball: Mr. Darcy has danced with exactly 0 people

**Mrs. Phillips:** My niece Elizabeth was SNUBBED by him

**Lady Lucas:** How shocking. How completely unexpected. Howβ€”

**Mrs. Bennet:** Lady Lucas I hear your tone through the text

**Charlotte Lucas:** Mother behave

**Sir William Lucas:** I tried to introduce myself to Mr. Darcy! Very noble looking gentleman!

**Charlotte Lucas:** Dad what did he do

**Sir William Lucas:** He looked at me like I was a particularly uninteresting piece of furniture

**Charlotte Lucas:** Sounds about right

**Mrs. Long:** Mr. Bingley has danced TWICE with Jane Bennet

**Mrs. Bennet:** Twice!!! 😭😭😭

**Mrs. Bennet:** My beautiful girl

**Elizabeth:** Update: Darcy is still standing in the corner looking pained

**Elizabeth:** He keeps glancing this way though

**Charlotte Lucas:** Maybe he's reconsidering his assessment of your tolerability

**Elizabeth:** I'd rather he continued to ignore me honestly

**Elizabeth:** Less effort for everyone involved

---

**πŸ“± THE NETHERFIELD SQUAD 🎩**

**Bingley:** BEST NIGHT EVER

**Bingley:** Jane is an absolute ANGEL

**Bingley:** She laughs at my jokes Darcy

**Bingley:** She actually laughs

**Darcy:** Most people are simply polite.

**Bingley:** You wound me

**Caroline:** What did you think of the local society, Mr. Darcy?

**Darcy:** I found little to interest me.

**Bingley:** You barely talked to anyone!

**Darcy:** Exactly.

**Bingley:** What about Elizabeth Bennet? You could have danced with her. I told you she was pretty.

**Darcy:** I believe I expressed my opinion on that matter.

**Caroline:** I couldn't help but overhear... and I must say she DID have a sort of... country freshness about her

**Darcy:** She had fine eyes.

**Bingley:** ???

**Caroline:** ???

**Darcy:** I said what I said.

**Bingley:** You literally said she wasn't handsome enough to tempt you????

**Darcy:** Her eyes are fine. That's a separate observation.

**Caroline:** This is fascinating character development

**Darcy:** I'm going to bed.

*Darcy has gone offline*

**Bingley:** Did he just...

**Caroline:** He did

**Bingley:** Interesting πŸ€”

---

**πŸ“± LIZZY & JANE PRIVATE CHAT πŸ‘―β€β™€οΈ**

**Jane:** Home safe! Tonight was magical ✨

**Elizabeth:** For one of us at least

**Jane:** Lizzy don't let that horrible man ruin your night

**Elizabeth:** Oh he didn't ruin it

**Elizabeth:** He provided excellent entertainment value

**Elizabeth:** I dined out on that story all evening

**Jane:** You told everyone?

**Elizabeth:** Charlotte and I have been laughing about it for hours

**Elizabeth:** "Not handsome enough to tempt me" like sir your personality is the real 4/10 here

**Jane:** You're terrible πŸ˜‚

**Elizabeth:** I'm honest

**Elizabeth:** Anyway tell me everything about Mr. Bingley

**Jane:** He's wonderful πŸ₯Ί

**Jane:** He's kind and funny and easy to talk to

**Jane:** And he seems genuinely interested in what I have to say

**Elizabeth:** That's the bare minimum but I'm glad he meets it

**Jane:** LIZZY

**Elizabeth:** I'm happy for you truly

**Elizabeth:** Just... be careful okay?

**Jane:** Careful?

**Elizabeth:** Rich men from London don't always stay in the country

**Jane:** I know

**Jane:** But I think... I really think he likes me

**Elizabeth:** Of course he does. You're perfect.

**Jane:** He asked if we'd meet again soon 😊

**Elizabeth:** JANE

**Elizabeth:** That's basically a proposal in Bingley language

**Jane:** Stop 😭

**Elizabeth:** I'm manifesting for you so hard rn ✨✨✨

**Jane:** What about you? Any prospects?

**Elizabeth:** After tonight? I think I'll focus on my reading

**Elizabeth:** Men are temporary

**Elizabeth:** Being "tolerable" is forever

**Jane:** Goodnight you ridiculous person πŸ’•

**Elizabeth:** Night Jane πŸ’•

---

**πŸ“± BENNET FAMILY CHAT πŸ’•**

*The next morning*

**Mrs. Bennet:** GOOD MORNING TO EVERYONE EXCEPT MR DARCY

**Mr. Bennet:** Ah. We're still doing this.

**Mrs. Bennet:** We will be doing this FOREVER

**Mrs. Bennet:** Jane how are you feeling this morning my love

**Jane:** Very well, Mama 😊

**Mrs. Bennet:** Of course you are!!! Mr. Bingley danced with you TWICE

**Lydia:** When's the wedding πŸ‘€

**Jane:** LYDIA

**Kitty:** I heard Mr. Bingley's friend Mr. Darcy has a house in Derbyshire that's worth 10000 a year

**Mrs. Bennet:** We don't speak of him in this house

**Elizabeth:** The house itself is worth 10000 a year? That's not how houses work

**Kitty:** You know what I mean!!

**Mary:** Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain.

**Lydia:** Nobody asked Mary

**Mrs. Bennet:** Children. Focus. Mr. Bingley.

**Mrs. Bennet:** We need a STRATEGY

**Mr. Bennet:** Heaven help us.

**Elizabeth:** I'm going for a walk

**Mrs. Bennet:** Lizzy you WILL participate in family discussions about your sister's romantic prospects

**Elizabeth:** I support Jane unconditionally from a distance

**Elizabeth:** Specifically the distance between here and Oakham Mount

*Elizabeth has gone offline*

**Mrs. Bennet:** THAT GIRL

**Mr. Bennet:** She gets it from you, my dear.

**Mrs. Bennet:** She absolutely does NOT

**Jane:** I'll talk to her when she gets back 😊

**Mrs. Bennet:** You're my favorite Jane

**Lydia:** MUM

**Kitty:** Rude!!

**Mary:** Favoritism breeds resentment andβ€”

**Mrs. Bennet:** BREAKFAST. NOW. ALL OF YOU.

---

*To be continued... maybe. If Mr. Darcy ever learns social skills.*

*Spoiler alert: He doesn't. But somehow that works out anyway.*

*#Pemberley2024 #TolerableAndProudOfIt #NotHandsomeEnoughToTemptMe*

Nothing to read? Create your own book and read it! Like I do.

Create a book
1x

"You write in order to change the world." β€” James Baldwin