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Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 99
TRUMMERKIND
Art instructor Michael Townsend agonized over where he and his friends would go when developers tore down the abandoned warehouse the collective called home.
Michael told them about a space he’d seen on one of his runs by Providence Place Mall. “There’s a gap between the walls. It’s an odd space but it could work. Artistic justice.”
Eight artists moved lamps, furniture and electronics into their clandestine accommodations.
After four years, mall police discovered the apartment and Michael was taken into custody.
The criminal court judge, impressed by Michael’s sheer audacity, handed him a mere misdemeanor charge for trespassing.
*Trummerkind – Children of the Ruins
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
What a fascinating story. I had to click on the link to see exactly how they managed it! In these days of growing homelessness and cost of living crisis, you do wonder if this could actually be part of the solution. Good on them! 🙂
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Dear Iain,
I love it when I’m following a thread for a story and come across something random like the artists’ story. I’m glad you clicked on the link. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the idea of the secret space between the walls, a parallel world
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Dear Neil,
It was a great idea. Amazing they carried it off for four years. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A story of audacious adventure
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Yes indeed. Thank you, Sadje. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re most welcome
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The sheer audacity… yep. I watched the news clip. It is pretty fun to think of all of those thousands of people walking by his “apartment” without knowing that it was there.
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Dear Trent,
There was another video that went into great detail. I couldn’t help but share it. 😀
Thank you for coming by. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful story. I liked his idea.
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Thank you, Vartika. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Subversive and inspirational! I’m so glad the judge saw the case as most of us would – hardly criminal, just daring and aspirational. Thanks for sharing this story, Rochelle
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Dear Lynn,
No doubt the prosecution was disappointed in the outcome of that trial. Of course Michael’s banned from stepping foot inside the shopping mall for life. It was a story begging to be shared. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s fascinating it carried on for so long before they were discovered.
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I’m glad Michael was let off with a misdemeanour charge.
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Me, too, Penny.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amazing story, Rochelle. Art will survive! or find a way.
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Thank you, Sascha.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this. The will to survive is strong.
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Thank you, Linda.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very cool story! Also, it is maddening sometimes to see empty buildings standing abandoned, rotting with loneliness, while there are those who need a roof over their head. There has to be a better way to manage this reality than to have empty shelters while humans seek shelter. …
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I agree. Something needs to be done. Letting abandoned buildings rot is wasteful. I wonder if we’ll ever figure it out. Thank you ie my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I would like to hope that one day we will figure it out. The kids seem to know how to do it, but then by the time they grow up they seem to forget … Perhaps we’ll have the opportunity to evolve to keep common sense, sensible. 😉
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What a fabulous, creative individual, a person whose creative spirit is strong. This guy inspires me. Thank you for highlighting him in your story, Rochelle.
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Dear LIsa,
No one can say this man doesn’t have chutzpah, can they? Glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, indeed. You are most welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I can almost see the judge smiling to himself as he left the court! A delightful story, Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
I can see the judge smiling, too. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a crazy story! I love it. I literally have long, detailed dreams about finding secret rooms and passageways, which are probably inspired by the Winchester House.
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Dear Nobbin,
It’s funny that Michael Townsend didn’t really consider the hidden space as living quarters until developers tore down his. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I so love that they were able to live there for four years. I kinda wish the mall police had turned a blind eye… ‘course that would never happen. But still!
Love how you got to this story from my photo! Wonderful that we learn in such a pleasant manner.
Shalom and lotsa free love while it lasts,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
It is a shame the mall police couldn’t just let it go. Ah well. Dem’s da breaks. At any rate, I’m always happy to pass along trivia as it comes my way. 😉 Glad you enjoyed. Thank you for your inspirational photo.
Shalom and lotsa free hugs while we can give (and receive) them,
Rochelle
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We love that you do 🙂
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I remember seeing a video about this. Very innovative. It was hard to believe lived “rent free” for so long without discovery. Good story.
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Daer Jan,
Truth certainly can be stranger (and more entertaining) than fiction. 😉 Thanks m’luv.
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An interesting story, Rochelle.
As always, well done.
Peace,
Bill
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Many thanks, Bill. Happy to have you along for the read.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Works for me, Rochelle. 🙂
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What a fascinating and inspirational story. And high five to that judge!
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Thank you, Gabi. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I admire those many talented people, who for many reasons, adopt a kind of vagabond lifestyle.
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Dear James,
The world is full of free spirits. Would that we could appreciate them more.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Audacious indeed! Good on the judge.
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Dear Ali,
If the judge were here I’m sure he’d say thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yea
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😀 Happy to see you here, Ted.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Fascinating video by M.Townsend. Thanks for adding it.
It helps to see how and what his thinking was. A true starving artist on display.
Abrazos y carino,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
Mil gracias para tus palabras amables. 😀 It’s always fun to find those hidden stories and bring them into the light.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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I love this. A great use of unused space. I’m glad he got away with only a trespassing charge…for four years. Amazing! Thanks for sharing this story. Interesting and entertaining as always.
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Dear Brenda,
At least he came away with a misdemeanor. However he is banned from that mall for life. Glad you enjoyed the story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sure it was difficult for him to be banned. A very creative soul!
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in the u.s. so many folks are homeless while more than 16 million homes remain vacant according to the 2020 census. what gives?
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Sad but true, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A cool idea to use up spare space and a great solution to the housing crisis! Shame that the fairy tale had to end. I have joined in for the first time. I just pinged you, as I am not sure I can add the linky tool. Thanks for the opportunity to practise and share my writing.
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Dear Amanda,
Welcome to Friday Fictioneers. I see that you’ve successfully added yourself to the inLinkz. 😉 I found the story of the artists in their hidden space intriguing and had to share it. 😀 Glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I have managed to sort the linky tool. I wanted to add the tool on my site but that seems to be only if you host the linky party. Is that right?
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A simple way to add the link to your page is to copy and paste the URL for the inLinkz page into a link. https://fresh.inlinkz.com/party/2a10506196494ea0a425bbd672700bb6
Hope this helps.
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Aha! Yes, that clarifies, thanks.
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What a great, inspirational story. Loved this story!
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Many thanks, Neel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m so glad it was a group of artists hiding out in there and not a drug ring or criminal gang. Fascinating story and I echo the comments about homelessness and the current housing crisis, which is happening in my country too. Someone needs to apply some of Michael’s creative thinking more widely.
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Dear Margaret,
It’s a shame they couldn’t have kept the place going even longer. I, too, would love to see a solution to homelessness. There but for the grace of God go I. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, this is an amazing story. I love the idea of a secret artists’ hideout. Amazing they got away with it so long. Good for them
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Dear Laurie,
Glad you enjoyed the story. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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