Prompt: Omens, good or bad
Irish Omens [source IrishCentral.com]:
If you see a black cat you will be lucky
If a scissors falls on the floor you will get a disappointment
If you see a tea-leaf floating on top of your tea, it is a sign that you will get a letter
If you hear ringing in your right ear they say that the souls in Purgatory are calling for your prayers
CIARA
Gran always said, if you hear ringing in your right ear you better get to praying because the souls in Purgatory are asking for you. I didn’t necessarily believe her, but taking the time to say the Our Father isn’t that much of an inconvenience and, you know, better safe than sorry. Want some good karma in case I end up in Purgatory, ringing at some little girl’s ear for a prayer.
[lights up on a cottage. the hearth is warm. CIARA sits at the table with a cuppa staring off.]
RIAN
[entering from the kitchen]
What’s got you all dreamy eyed.
CIARA
I was just thinking about all the stories gran used to tell us. All the superstitions.
RIAN
Oh, yeah, being back here’s got me thinking about that too. I half jumped out of my skin when Maureen dropped a pair of scissors yesterday.
CIARA
And were you disappointed?
RIAN
More like she was disappointed with me. “Why are you wasting time relaying some old fairy tales, you know sure those were just ghost stories to keep you in line as wanes.”
CIARA
Sounds like maybe you were disappointed she didn’t see your side.
RIAN
Funny, sounds to me like maybe you’re trying to fit the situation to meet the superstition.
CIARA
If the shoe fits-
RIAN
The trick is, it’s got to fit without you cutting off the toes.
CIARA
She always was lucky though. And she said it was because she always made sure one of her barn cats were all black. “I see that Dubhbeag and I know it’s going to be a good day.”
RIAN
I don’t think dying at 86 is all that lucky.
CIARA
Maybe she didn’t see her little black cat that day.