Theatre

Madelyn moved one of the two dozen roses to another location within its vase. Finally happy with her futzing, she bent over the bouquet and breathed in their sweet heavy scent. They’d arrived that morning and with delight she had put them in an old vase with a little plant food and a lot of water before placing them in front of the mirror. Looking them over one final time, she pondered who they could be from.

“An admirer, obviously,” she thought, “but whom?” She thought of the various men and women who had knocked on the dressing room door or schemed to get past security. They had all been excited star-struck fools. None of them seemed capable of such an expense. “Maybe it’s a more distant, refined admirer.” The though bemused her and she began to imagine what the man would look like.

She saw him, tall and athletic. Dark hair and glittering dark eyes enchanted her. He was the perfect tall, dark, and handsome specimen. In her imagination, he wore a tailored suit. His boring white shirt was set off by a brilliant red tie.  Reaching forward, she stroked the side of her reflection, pretending it was his. Madelyn giggled as if he said something funny and turned, flipping long golden locks she didn’t have over her shoulder.

She looked up. Carol was silhouetted in the doorway. She stepped in applauding Madelyn’s creativity, but the smile on her lips made it clear she was mocking her maid. “When you are done having your clandestine affair, make sure you tidy up my dressing room. “ As she spoke, she lifted the silk slip she wore as in the love scene over her head. Dropping it to the floor carelessly, she added, “and do make be sure that gets ironed before tomorrow night’s performance.”

Madelyn averted her eyes from the perfectly formed thin body as she scooped up the slip and rushed from the room, leaving her dream far behind her.

*** One Minute Writer ***