"Waterworld" by P.J Palmer (1895): A Short Story

            Alice had always dreamed of seeing Waterworld, the most amazing theatre attraction in London. She had read the advertisements in the newspapers, seen the posters on the walls, and heard the stories from her friends. They said it was like nothing else in the world, a place where you could forget your troubles and marvel at the wonders of nature and imagination. 
 
Alice had saved up enough money to buy a ticket, and she was determined to make the most of her visit. She arrived at the warehouse early, before the crowds, and joined the queue of eager spectators. She felt a surge of excitement as she handed her ticket to the attendant and entered the building. 
 
She gasped as she stepped inside. It was like entering another world. The ceiling was painted with a blue sky and white clouds, and from it hung ropes and wires that supported sailing ships and winged creatures. They moved slowly and gracefully, as if carried by the wind. Alice could hear the sounds of water and birds, and she smelled the fresh air and flowers. 
 
She followed the signs to the river, where she saw people in rowboats gliding on the water. She rented a boat and joined them, feeling the gentle breeze on her face. She looked across the river and saw the pagoda, a tall and elegant structure that seemed to touch the sky. She noticed the stairway that wound around it, and the glass-enclosed viewing platforms near the top. She wondered what the view would be like from there. 
 
She decided to find out. She rowed her boat to the other side of the river and docked it at the pier. She climbed out and walked towards the pagoda. She saw a sign that said "Climb at your own risk". She shrugged and started to ascend the stairs. 
 
She soon realized that it was not an easy climb. The stairs were narrow and steep, and there were no railings or guards. She had to be careful not to slip or fall. She also had to dodge the other climbers, some of whom were faster or slower than her, and some of whom were rude or pushy. She felt her legs and lungs burning, and she wondered if it was worth it. 
 
She kept going, motivated by curiosity and pride. She wanted to see what Waterworld looked like from above, and she wanted to prove to herself that she could do it. She reached the first viewing platform and looked around. She was amazed by the sight. She could see the whole river and the boats, the ships and the creatures in the air, and the people and the buildings on the ground. She felt a sense of awe and wonder, and she smiled. 
 
She decided to go higher. She climbed to the second platform, and then to the third. Each time, the view was more spectacular and the climb was more challenging. She felt a thrill of adventure and achievement, and she smiled. 
 
She reached the fourth and final platform, the highest point in Waterworld. She looked around and felt a surge of emotion. She could see everything, and everything was beautiful. She felt like she was on top of the world, and she smiled. 
 
She stayed there for a while, enjoying the moment. She felt happy and proud, and she thanked Mr. P.J. Palmer for creating such a wonderful place. She wondered if he ever climbed to the top himself, and what he thought of his creation. 
 
She decided to go down. She climbed down the stairs, feeling more confident and relaxed. She returned to her boat and rowed back to the other side of the river. She exited the building and joined the crowd of people on the street. She felt a pang of sadness as she left Waterworld, but she also felt a sense of satisfaction and gratitude. She had seen and done something amazing, and she would never forget it. 
 
She walked home, humming a tune and smiling.

Taken on: January 6, 2024

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