Room For Improvement.

The Blinds

“Nervous?”  My mother fussed.

“A little, it’s only natural I suppose.” I told my mother as I gently swatted away the hands that had been sorting my hair. “Stop fussing!” I giggled.

“I’m allowed, I am your mum!”

We had been sitting in the same room for nearly three hours now, waiting to be called for my shot to audition. It was a nice room of course, comfortable and there wasn’t a shortage of people to talk to, a handsome ginger haired guy winked at me as he walked by and I grinned back at him.

“Alyssa Reid?” A woman’s voice asked and she sat down beside mum and I.

“That’s me.”

“Hi, I’m Emma. I’m just here to have a quick chat because you’re up soon.” Emma smiled warmly at her and shot into question mode. “So how old are you?”

“I’m 21.”

“And you’re from Penicuik, right?”

“Yep.”

“So what’s your story, what brought you here today?”

“Well I grew up around music and around great talents. My dad was in a band when he was younger and my mum used to sing for Broadway. My uncle is a DJ and between them all, I learnt to sing. When I was younger I wasn’t much good at singing but I wanted to be just like my mum so my uncle started to teach me. He taught me rock and roll, classical, pop and country. My dad taught me almost everything in between. Unfortunately last year my uncle died of stomach cancer and in his honour, I decided it was time to do something with all that he taught me.”

“Wow. I’m sorry about your uncle, that must be a difficult loss.” She said, a comforting hand was laid on my shoulder.

“It is but c’est la vie. He would be pretty disappointed in me if I just moped around and did nothing day in and day out because of it.”

“Well I think he’d be proud of you for doing something with your talent. It’s been lovely talking to you and get ready you’ll be called in about fifteen minutes.” And with that she was gone.

After Emma left mum and I got excited. Well… She got excited I just got more nervous.

When my fifteen minutes were up I was called backstage and my mum went with Marvin to watch my performance from the little family room they have. I was asked more questions before I was patted on the back by one of the production crew and wished luck. A few agonising minutes more and I was given the signal to head onstage.

The stage was all I could focus on, The stage and the microphone. There was no audience and no coaches waiting to evaluate my performance.

The drummer counted me in and I let the music carry me away like it had so many times before.

“Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation.

 Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.

Silently the senses abandon their defences.

Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendour.

Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender.

Turn your face away from the garish light of day.

Turn your face away from cold, unfeeling light.

And listen to the music of the night.

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams.