Center Stage

 

Center Stage. 

She is siting in the middle with the spotlight on her. The rest of the stage is dark.

For the first time, the audience is much bigger than she thought.

It used to be 5 people in the past, it gradually got to 10 people... but today, there are 50 people in the audience. 

'How bizarre' - she thought.

She used to recognize those 5 people. She would talk with them briefly whenever she met them in town, but never actually spend a lot of time with them. They knew too much about her... You see, her art was the door to her soul.

Today however, is different and she is scared. 

'50 people? It must be a success, right?  Who wouldn't be happy having so many people in the audience?' - she thought.

She, however, was not... 

They knew too much about her. Her art betrayed her inner world, her thoughts, her worries, her opinions, her actions. They were sitting there waiting and waiting to hear something they could pass on to others. They were sitting there, not because they cared about her, or her art... They were sitting there because they knew too much... 

And they talked and talked and talked and talked...

'Where will this lead?'- she thought.

'Will this be a huge success or a downfall?'

She looked at the clock opposite her. She remained calm and seated.

She had no intention of moving except her eyes. Looking at the clock ticking and counting the seconds, she is hoping that no matter what, she will make it through. 

She will be able to finish her performance, stand up and bow, having a huge smile on her face, and as soon as the theater is empty, she will get back on to the stage and sit on the same spot. 

Alone and free, she will be waiting.

She will close her eyes hoping that when she opens them, they will be there. The 5 people that truly care about her will be seating in the audience, keeping out all of the pointless noise...

© 2021