Outside Derbion Shopping Centre

Welcome to ‘Sorry, I Disappeared’ - part of the ‘Walk This Play’ series by ThickSkin.

For the next forty-five minutes or so, you will walk and listen to a story unfold. If you look at your phone, you will see an orange line and a marker that shows your position. To stay on track, just follow the line. The orange line will pass through a number of zones. When you walk into a new zone, the next part of the story, or an instruction, will play.

If you follow the directions, you will end up back at Derbion Shopping Centre.

While you walk, the regular rules of the road apply. Be safe, be aware and use crossings where you can.

If the character tells you to stop or wait, find a safe spot until they give you the next instruction. Take in the sights and look around you. The story will wait for you, and you can travel at your own pace.

You are standing under the metal hoops outside the shopping centre in the circle on the map. Wait there, and the experience will start shortly.

Official Derby Walk: Welcome to Derby! Don’t be fooled by those yellow cabs over there, it’s not New York City, it’s the UK’s most central city, Derby. A great place for Culture, (a crackle of interference) home to Derby County Football Club – ‘The Rams’, (more interference) and one of the birthplaces of the industrial revolution

Elle Hello?

Official Derby Walk: We’re going to spend the next 40 minutes or so introducing you to/

Elle Hello?

Official Derby Walk: …this beautiful asset to the United Kingdom. I’ll take you through its key landmarks and the industrial and cultural heritage/ of this fantastic city.

Elle Surprise! It’s me.

Official Derby Walk: We want you to make yourself at home here, you’re welcome.

Elle I’m not there. Not right now. I had no way of knowing when you’d turn up. I really hope this is working. But If you’re listening to this – then it’s working, I knew you’d be enough of a geek to do the walking tour. It’s what we always did wasn’t it. New place, new tour, try and settle in. Don’t worry, it’s just for you this. Basically, I’ve hacked into the walk, completely overwritten it actually. But only for you. I hoped you’d try and track me down. And you did, you made it. Sorry I disappeared like that. It was just terrible timing you showing up on that day. You know I’d do anything for you (Of course I would, what are big sister’s for?) but I just couldn’t stay. This is where I’ve been posted and I wanted to introduce you to it. Show you it my way. You said you needed a new start… So this is it, Derby, an alternative history.

You’re under the sort of slinky structure right? So, put your back to the taxi rank and the zebra crossing, keep the gym on your right and walk along the high street down the hill.

I’ve kept some of the official walk but only a few interesting tit bits otherwise I’ve reimagined it, it’s my own take on things.

You always loved it when I told you stories. Made you feel safe when mum and dad weren’t around. So here are your stories.

I’ve been very… creative with the truth. Hope you like it. Fun right? I thought that would be fun. Like an easter egg hunt or a trail of breadcrumbs. Retracing my steps. Seeing it through my eyes. I know it can be frustrating starting again in a new place but- I’m here. I’m here with you. You’re not alone.