February 21

 

Night of February 21

I am backstage at a show that my son has just been in. It’s a small area with an old wooden floor and it is packed with people. I am waiting to speak to him, but he is on the phone with his girlfriend. I am trying not to eavesdrop, but I can hear him saying things like, ‘No, don’t tell her that. She’ll think you’re serious. I am a safe driver, right, but she’ll think you’re serious.’ While waiting for him to get off the phone I see a woman I want to avoid heading towards me. She has a reputation for frequenting shows and hanging around to complain that she should have been cast, that opportunities were missed, mistakes were made, etc. I try not to make eye contact but since the space we’re in is so small, it’s hard to avoid her. She approaches me while seemingly talking to no one in particular about her dissatisfaction. She is wearing a feathered boa.