Discharged

3

3

For the next half hour, I was escorted around some backstage offices to meet a couple of the other Theater of Electricity staff, including a stern woman later introduced as Frank's boss. After introductions, she essentially let me know that, while the show had wanted to bring in a volunteer for the cage section for a while, my participation in the show was strictly a special circumstance and not the beginning of a common event. She explained that if I hadn't known Frank, who had been incredibly responsible during his longtime employment, and had her complete trust, I would never be in this position, so I was to take the safety of the event very seriously. I nodded and bit back a snarky response that I technically only met Frank that day. Frank insisted that I'd be careful, and that with some guidance, I'd be completely safe. She nodded, and we then moved onto some waivers and other paperwork.

Eventually, after about fifteen minutes of signing wavers, Frank finally got me out of the office and back to the stage. The next step was to rehearse, going over what was and wasn't allowed for me in the cage. I felt a mix between nervousness and giddiness as we approached the cage for the first time. It was really happening.

The idea was I was to stay in the center of the cage, not touching the control panel inside as Frank would lift me up in the air and start the machine from the ground. Once in the air and the lightning started, I could begin to move around the cage, make a full cycle around interior of the cage, before touching the interior of the cage. "Do not stick your fingers through the holes of the cage under any circumstances," Frank warned over and over. "You could get shocked and seriously hurt. And worse, I'd get fired." I had to laugh at his sardonic joke, and he smiled knowing he was loosening any of the remaining tension. We did a run with the cage on the ground, and then later with the cage in the air, albeit without any electricity yet, we'd save that for the actual show. Being so high up in the air was incredibly nerve-wracking. I wondered if being in there with electricity loudly striking around me would make it easier to forget the height or add to the fear. As the cage lowered, a couple of younger onlookers tried to convince Frank for their turn in the cage, leaving Frank to explain that this was not actually open to the public. A couple of entitled parents began to argue, so I excused myself to the bathroom to avoid the absurdity.

I sat in the stall to close my eyes and take several deep breaths. This is terrifying, but so exciting. I can't believe I'm about to do this! My mind drifted to Lizzie, who fully planned to film the whole thing. I only imagined how excited she was going to be. I knew that, without her family's history, she'd be the one in the cage without a shred of hesitation. I was living her dream for her, and I wanted to make her proud. I also thought about Mom, and just how freaked she'd be if she found out what I was doing. I planned to send her the video someday down the line just to teasingly show her how much of a "big boy" I'd become.

My heartbeat slowed eventually, and I stepped out of the bathroom heading back to the theater. Frank awaited, holding a red lab coat. "I got a copy your size."

"It looks so ridiculous," I remarked with a laugh accepting it.

"It does, and that's why it appeals to the kids," he said with a wink.

"Thanks. And uh... thanks for giving me this opportunity. This is really cool."

His heartwarming beam was like a proud parent. "Anyone who treats my lovely niece right deserves it. She's bragged about you so much during our holidays together, you know that?"

"Does she?" I laugh embarrassed. "Honestly, I'm really happy to hear that. Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve her."

"Don't say that" Frank snapped. "From all I've heard from her, you're a catch and a half. And even in the brief time I've known you, you're already kind, considerate, daring, adventurous, witty, and of course caring. She warned me you don't take compliments well, but I can't help it, you're gonna take my support and like it."