Applause
-Sasaki-
I have never been here before.
It's bright in here. The red light is hurting my eyes. I tried to shield my eyes but I didn't move. I was just sitting in a theater chair, facing forward. Sitting there like I was waiting. There is no one else around. I am alone again. I got a good look around me.
This theater...It looks like it has seen better days. Despite how bright it was here, everything looked like it was falling apart. The paint chipped off the walls. When was the last time anyone swept the floor? The stage looked somewhat decent. I thought moths ate through the red curtains. I was amazed that they were still hanging on. The red lights weren't helping its looks either. I felt like I was sinking into my seat. Would I be able to get up if I tried? The rest of the seats looked just as bad. Am I sitting on something sticky? I didn't want to know.
I faced forward to an empty stage. Was it supposed to look so small? I half-expected it to look bigger somehow. I feel like I am waiting for something to happen. Something told me it wasn't. Why would I think otherwise just looking at this place? When was the last time anyone came here? I think this place was supposed to be due to be torn down. Or that might have been another building that I am thinking about.
I shut my eyes tightly. I can't think straight right now. There's too much going on in my head. It didn't used to be like this. It's gotten worse lately. Was it because I met that boy? Wait... How was I able to remember that so clearly? I tried to see what else I could remember about him. I couldn't draw much. I can't see his find or where we were. There were fish for some reason. I am not sure why I am thinking of this. I drew open my eyes. That stage still stood small and empty, waiting to fall apart.
Sitting here waiting would be a waste of time. Still, why aren't I getting up? Why was I still sitting there?
Another thought came into my mind.
What am I doing here?
Someone used to go here when they were younger. I tried to remember who said it. There's nothing coming to me. Why can't I think of anything? My mind goes blank when I try to connect the dots. Wait, what was I thinking about again? I thought I was frowning for a moment. Why did I do this to myself? Do I think about these places and end up there? That can't be right. I have never been in this theater. Why would I come here? Who told me that they used to come here?
I think it was a woman who talked about this place. What did she say about it? I want to say that she was happy to come here. She might have come here all of the time. That sounded right. But I'm not so sure. That woman wouldn't be so happy if she saw what this theater has become. Maybe she doesn't know it's like this. Was it bad that I hoped that was the case? I stared at the stage but nothing was coming. Why can't I just get up? I can picture it in my head. I could see myself standing and walking out the door. But where would I go? I don't know where I am. I could be back in the old place or in the city. And I don't even know where those are.
I shut my eyes again.
I sat in the middle front. There were seats to my left and seats to my right. If I listen really closely, I believe that I could hear people clapping. But there's nobody else here. How old is this building? I opened my eyes. There was nothing coming.
My eyes trailed up to the ceiling. Why does it look so blue? It looks chipped too. I noticed that some of the paint chips were missing. That chandelier looked like it was going to fall on me at any time. That would not be good. No one would be here to help me. I would stuck in my seat pinned under a chandelier. I couldn't take my eyes off the fixture. It looked kind of heavy. Would I even feel it? I don't think I can feel anything right now. I am... just... here.
My eyes turned back to the stage.
I think there was supposed to be a show today. That seemed about right. I don't know. I don't know what's supposed to be showing today. Though I don't think it's safe to be here. One of the actors could fall through the stage. Someone could get hurt. Come to think of it, I could sink into the floor if I'm not careful. I probably should leave.
My body won't listen to me.
I think about getting up but I haven't tried. Why won't I try to move? I'm not being forced down. I'm not tied up in any place. I never am. But I never try to get up and leave.
I paused.
Wait. What was that? I tried to listen in. It sounded like someone was walking around outside. But how was that possible? It's usually me who is here in these places. How did someone even know to come here?
Hello? Who's there? Can you hear me? Hello? Hello?
Why did I think that would work? I couldn't scream out. I can't get my mouth open. What made me think that they would hear my thoughts? What else could I do? I want to get out of here. I want to stand up. I want to go home.
The applause started ringing in my head again. I felt like I was in a sea of an invisible audience enjoying a really good play. I kind of envy them in a way. I wished that I could see something, anything. I kept my eyes forward and tried to focus.
That's when I heard it again.
The footsteps were back. This time, they were walking into the theater. My heart pounded against my chest. Are they really coming in here? It's then I realize that I don't know who's coming toward me. Maybe I just thought this person up. What if I didn't? Was it even possible for anyone to show up here? I didn't want to find out. But I just had to know.
I looked out of the corner of my eye.
I sat at the table as Mom looked through the newspaper.
"Aw," she said. I lifted my head.
"What?" I asked. She looked up with a disappointed look on her face.
"They tore down an old theater that I used to frequent when I was in middle school," she said. I sat up with a curious look on my face.
"Theater?" I asked.
"Yeah," Mom said. "I was into acting and drama when I was a teenager. I went to a drama summer camp when I was fifteen and we stayed in apartments above that theater." I tilted my head to the side.
"Did this theater have a blue ceiling, an old chandelier, and red lights?" I asked. Mom looked confused.
"Iori-chan, how did you know about that?" she asked. I slowly shook my head. I didn't have an answer for her.
