The Stalker (Elvis Presley Story)

Chapter 20

Stan, Melissa thought as the curtain closed for the last time. Her stammering, blushing, blue-eyed fan.

Melissa dropped Michael's hand and pushed her way offstage into the wings. Stan's shy act was just fake. He had followed her here. It was him, all the time.

I'm closer than you think, he'd written on the mirror.

And I'm closer, too, stan, Melissa thought.

Much closer.

You're in for a suprise, stan.

Because I'm going to get you!

Past the laughing faces of the cast members, Melissa hurried through the wings. Pushed through a door that opened onto a side hall. Still in her Bobby socks and pink-and-green plaid fifties dress with the puffy crinoline, she ran down the hall towards the lobby.

Audience members were spilling out of the auditorium doors, and the lobby was packed. The people milled about happily, greeting each other and chatting about the show.

Melissa stopped at the edge of the crowd. What colour was stan's hair? Brown, like his girlfriend's. And he was tall. Taller than average. Melissa ought to be able to spot him.

She craned her neck, her gaze roving swiftly over male heads. Blonde. Reddish. Black. A dozen shades of brown.

No Stan.

Had the coward left already?

There! Way across the lobby, near the outside doors. A tall guy, his back to her. Light brown hair. Thin neck. Yellow collar.

Melissa plunged into the crowd. "Excuse me. Excuse me, please!"

Faces turned towards her. Startled at first, annoyed as she pushed her way through. Then smiling when they noticed her costume and makeup.

"Great show," someone said.

"Thanks," Melissa murmured automatically. She didn't stop. She couldn't lose him now.

"Excuse me," She said again. "Coming through!"

He was still there. His backwash still turned, but she could see more of him. A yellow sport shirt, jeans. Tall. Brown-Haired. Hands in his pockets.

He looked young from the back. And he seemed to be alone, staring at the framed Grease poster just inside the door.

Got you, Stan, Melissa thought. Got you now. A couple of more steps and she was there. Right behind him. She grabbed his arm.

"What the hell are you trying to do to me?" She screamed loudly. "Get out of here! Just Get out of my life!"

Melissa spun him around to face her.

And found herself staring into the Gray eyes of a total stranger.

"Whoa!" The young man pulled his arm free and backed up a step. "Are you crazy or something?"

"I...." Melissa stammered. "I....I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else."

"Yeah, well, if you ever find the guy, tell him he has my sympathy." Shooting her an angry look, the man left the theater.

Melissa turned around and faced a thousand eyes, all shocked. All staring at her like she was crazy.

The lobby was totally silent.

Then someone coughed. Someone else laughed a little too loudly. Finally, people started talking again. Her face was flushed with embarrassment, Melissa made her way back through the crowd.