Deep Shadow

II

 One of the rules of the Dell’Artes is complete and total anonymity. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, someone is always watching. As a thief or a pickpocket, life is always a notch riskier. I climbed down from the roof of a nearby building and, still standing in the long shadow cast by the sun, took a quick look around. No one was being blatantly obvious about surveying the area, but then again, who would actually be conspicuous? Pulling the hood down lower over my face, I walked quickly from my spot to the Theatre, crouching down by some dying bushes to retrieve my mask from where I’d stashed it. As a Dell’Arte, masks are required. Even if you’re inside your own home, you never know where spies could be lurking.

My mask was custom made by an old friend, molded out of leather and hand-painted. To my request, it was colored silver with swirls of gold. Braided trim ran around the perimeter, and a band of elastic would keep it affixed to my head. The shape itself was ugly, with narrow eyeholes, puffy cheeks, and a rather large nose. It was a half mask, allowing me to speak freely. It was molded after the mask of Il Capitano, the commedia dell’arte character. The inspiration for my role.

It suited me well, as the Capitano of the Dell’Artes.

Once my mask was on, I could relax. No more worrying about enemy surveillance. I brushed the dirt off my knees, stood up, and rapped twice on the aging wood doors of the Theatre. Nothing sends one into quite a panic as unexpected visitors. No sense getting them worked up. Before walking in, I looked up at the two symbols carved into the doors. Each was a mask, one was smiling, the other was frowning. It was our symbol, our mark of possession, claiming our territory. I reached up and gently touched each, a habit I’d developed in hopes it would bring me luck.

We were going to need it.

In the Theatre, there were only a few people lulling around. Three of them were in the midst of what looked to be a rather intense card game. Two others were pretending to sword fight on stage, using brooms. Only one looked up when I entered. He wore a half mask, so it was easy to see as he smiled at me. It didn’t reach his eyes, which stayed firmly planted on the cards in his hands.

“Capitano,” he said, greeting me, as I walked over to the table and patted him on the shoulder. His mask was the color of jade and wrinkled, especially around the eyes, like he was always smiling at a private joke.

“Brighella,” I replied. Two kings and an ace. I suppressed a smile. No one plays cards like Brighella. “Any news?”

He shook his head. “Our good friend is hiding behind the curtain.” Our eyes met, bringing a moment of understanding. My pulse quickened. He was already here, but for how long? How long had I kept him waiting?

“Grazie.” I turned on my heel and took a deep breath. Naturally, upon hearing that someone was “hiding behind a curtain”, one might make their way to the stage, where the actual curtains were. I walked to a supply cabinet, pushed aside a few of the props, and stepped inside, closing the doors behind me. Once darkness concealed me, I felt around along the back wall until my fingers found the switch. With a click and a whoosh, the false panel slid back to reveal a door. I opened it.

Backstage was what we called the secret room we used as our home. It was where we could live, unmasked, and enjoy ourselves without worrying someone might catch us. There were no back doors, no windows, only a small entrance on the roof that no one would dare use, even if they were somehow able to get past the advanced biometric security system on it. Backstage provided us freedom, the freedom we didn’t have anywhere else to be ourselves.

This was where the heart of the commotion was. The other twelve members of the ring were keeping themselves busy here. Some were cooking in the small kitchen we had, others were playing games, reading, or engaged in some amusement. There was only one who didn’t appear to be having fun, and he was deep in conversation with a man who looked quite out of place among the youth.