Walking Shadow

Chapter 1 - Captain's Report

Walking Shadow School for Screen and Stage was an enormous and rambling building. The old, heavy, buildings sat, glowering in an ancient knowingness at the ants that scurried frantically through the grounds. The newer buildings towards the front formed the hub activity on a daily basis, opening glittering mouths to the busy ants at the beginning of every day and spewing them out in endless streams as the sun went down.

Among the scurrying mass, were a chosen few- those selected to participate in final production. And it was in those corridors of those gleaming glass and metal structures that this decision would eventually be reached.

Headmistress, Lillian Shakespeare was sitting at the head of just such a panel when Jamie Captain, Head of Choreography stumbled into the room.

“Late again,” tutted Lillian, tapping her watch.

“I-I’m sorry,” stammered Jamie, grabbing a seat, to hide his trembling legs under the table.

“May I ask, why?” asked Lillian, her voice tinged with a threatening innocence, tapping her red long fingernails menacingly on the mahogany board table.

“Well actually, it’s something rather exciting!” exclaimed Jamie. “I’ve just come from rehearsals for the Junior Winter Show, and I have to say, that Ian Mair is one of the most exciting young performers I think I’ve ever seen at this school. I mean, he has strength and power and…”

At this, Lillian slowly rose to her feet, casting a horrific and looming shadow over the entire table, blackening the room. It was even worse considering she had high heels on, making her seem even more intimidating as she stared at Jamie, not even blinking, as her eyes pierced holes in his skull. “But we’re not here to talk about juniors, are we?” she said almost softly, and Jamie felt his knees begin to tremble again. “We’re here to talk about final production, as you well know.”

 Jamie stared into the “O” of her mouth, with its sharp little white teeth. But, despite the images of sharks and vampires which flashed across his mind, he knew he simply had to speak up.

“He’s outstanding – I mean, awesome! His dancing is something new, something unique, and something we’ve never seen before. I think we need him in the final show.”

Lillian Shakespeare moved languidly towards the huge picture windows, and looked out into the grounds below. She surveyed her kingdom, the world in which she ruled, her school. She watched the children scurrying around, enjoying the last few minutes of lunchtime, of freedom, before those great doors swallowed them up again, and she would have total control of them all. She had them all in the palm of her hand.

She lifted one sharp nail, and tapped the window. “But you see that’s where you’re wrong, Mr Captain. We don’t need anyone in here. This world is bigger than any of their egos, and I’m not about to go changing or bending rules for some little jumped up ant.

At that moment, Kirsty Small spoke up. “It’s true though” she said “I’ve seen him. He’s young, he’s a junior, but he would blow Hollywood away. You know I’ve done well in the past, and Jamie really knows his stuff – we should do this.”

It was true, Kirsty did know her stuff and she had sent many young hopefuls off to Hollywood over the years. Miss Shakespeare contemplated her, with glittering eyes. “I’m not having some junior heading up my final show. It’s unheard of, unthinkable, OUT OF THE QUESTION!”

Just then, a deep voice, full of gravitas, broke the tension. It was William Shakespeare, Lilian’s father, who, for many years now had only sat in quietly at meetings, never giving a word of advice. “Do it, Lillian” he said. “Don’t give him a principal role, but put him on that stage, and see what happens. See what fate throws our way.”

Lillian stared into his creased old face and somewhere, in the darkness, of an old dressing room, someone smiled.