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Stories are a wonderful thing, are they not? It's simply marvellous how - with a twist here or a spin there - you can create something brand new with the same foundations. That's what we all do, in a way. Isn't that how there are so many "reimagined" tales, or stories set in another time or place through Alternate Universes? And with the knowledge of multiple timelines… it certainly makes things far more interesting.
I've always found the best 'tweaked' tales come from the magical "what if?". Plant a question in the mind regarding a plot point, a character or a moment; and watch how the pebble in the water sends new ripples out. No one change occurs with no consequences. A simple question can force you to stand back and see what else that one change affects. From all my years acting on the stage I have found such scenarios to be the best source of improvisation. There is the safety net of something familiar and recognisable, but the thrill of finding something special about it. No true actor ever backs down from the challenge of “what if?”.
Sorry, getting a little carried away with my own ramblings.
I bring this up because I wish to bring one such ‘alternate’ tale to your attention. It has the same cast of doomed souls you are familiar with, and follows a story you know rather well. But in this timeline, things are a little different as our dear Mayor loses his grip on reality instead of the Colonel. I believe some of you would call this a "role reversal", but I would hasten to disagree. Instead, it is more akin to a "role swap": where the gear was twisted once more in error, giving different conclusions to some characters.
Before I draw back the curtain to allow you to view this tale, allow me to bring the vital 'what if?' that caused the initial timeline split to centre stage:
What if Damien also went to fight in the war with William?