“Shakespeare’s stories bring in real hardships, real emotions, not just factory endings. It’s real life,” she said. “And for us here, it’s good to be around. It’s good to spend the afternoon thinking about fantasy.”

Blackthorne paused to pick her words carefully.

“Homelessness is isolating,” she said slowly. “The longer you’re isolated, the more lonely you get, the more sensitive you are to what people say. What’s wonderful about Shakespeare is the community something like this brings.

“I like the happy endings most of all.”