Never Let Them Define You

BACKSTAGE CONVERSATION

"Scarlet."

She turns back while adjusting the laces on her magenta dress and greets her with a tender smile. "Cassandra! How are you, my dear? I hope you're well."

"I'm well enough...how are you?"

"Quite splendid, actually, and very excited; I have a great feeling this whole operation will go down unbelievably well."

"Thanks for the confidence."

"Can you help me zip this up?"

"Sure." She reaches down and pulls up the zipper, making the dress look seamless. "Fits you perfectly."

"Thank you, dear, I do believe the costume designer did a fabulous job."

"Me too." She sits down on the bench next to her. "Can I ask you something?"

"Ask away!"

"What do you think of me?"

"You? Oh, why I just absolutely love you; a brilliant one, you are."

"Why's that?"

She tilts her head and looks up. "Well, you stand up for yourself in a way no woman is expected to, and you don't apologize for it. You don't just move a crowd, you move people...I know that sounds whimsical and meaningless, but I truly believe you have a unique and powerful heart. Yes, you are powerful, that's the only word that can describe you."

"What's the use of being powerful?"

"Hmm...well, I could give you a story, but I think you'll see after the show is done." She winks and stands up. "You want to practice lines?"

"Good idea." She gets up as well, then clears her throat and speaks in a defiant tone, "How dare you?"

"How dare I what?"

"You think you're better than me!"

"I've thought no such thing! What brings you to this?"

"Well, well, you're...you wear that striking dress!"

"What strikes you about this dress and what makes it such a grave offense?"

She begins to sing longingly, "I just wish I had what you had..."

She sings reassuringly, "You don't look like you're off too bad."

"Oh, this life is so sad and my shirt is so plaid."

"If you knew what mine's like, then you'd think twice."

"Oh, how could it be? You're perfect, but me?"

"Perfect? No, you don't see..."

"What don't I see?"

She clenches her heart and looks up.