Theatre of the Dead | Part 3 of 4 [a nightbb story]
"So anyways, these two performers leave The Rosary and build a new theatre called The Bell Theatre, to reclaim the space and honour the ghosts. Where The Rosary focuses on romance and love stories, The Bell Theatre focuses on ghost lore and pacifying spirits," Marina finishes, a bit abruptly, She too seems to have been quieted by the shrine.
"You should get a job as a tour guide," the dragon says absently, having resumed his juggling. "Especially with that spooky voice of yours."
Marina frowns at him and cleans her glasses. The magician throws his arm around her shoulders and grins widely.
"No no! She's ours!" he replies. "The finest storyteller we have."
"There," I say quietly.
Ahead the theatre sits silently, a structure of stone and stain glass windows surrounded by a wrought-iron fence and lush garden. Our movements are quieter suddenly, more aware. The dragon grins wickedly in anticipation. Even Miette's face has taken on a strangely intense look. I crush my last cigarette and come up behind Marina. I put one arm around her waist and smile as I feel her lean into me, quickly removing a decorative pin we chose earlier from her hair. The magician whistles as I quickly kiss her cheek and walk up to the gate. My cheeks burn a bit but I won't give him the satisfaction of responding. One by one we climb over the fence. I feel a surge of excitement as I look around the garden. It's a night garden of course, lush blossoms only open and sweet under the moonlight drawing the patrons into the myth of the place. It's intoxicating. I'm first to the shadow of the door with Miette right behind me and we let the others prowl around for any diligent workers.
On ghost night, most theatre workers like to give the spirits their space but it would spoil the game to be caught now so we’re careful. I ignore their movements as I concentrate on my task, feeling the door lightly with my fingertips. It's easy. I imagine it's what Marina feels like as she starts a new story or the dragon when he prepares himself for another dart in the back, or the magician when he picks up another deck of cards. It's a flow, the body responding to something that can't be touched or really named. Whatever it is, it's instinct and it works. The door clicks op and I pull the pin out, whistling to signal the others. Miette smiles, sudden and beautiful, and her uncanny eyes almost sparkle in the dark.
The magician is with us first and he touches my shoulder as praise. I smile. Once we're in and the door is shut behind us, we forget to be quiet and giggle like children. The dragon whoops as he bounds down the carpeted entrance hall and even cartwheels into the reception area. The magician is more sedate as he strolls about, escorting Miette, looking for the entire world like he owns the place. I help Marina put her hair back up and tenderly put the pin back.
"Why do you think those performers left The Rosary" I ask her.
"I don't know..." Marina says slowly. "There was a love affair between one of them and Luscinia, I think, but no one I've talked to really knows the whole story. I think fear of Luscinia keeps it rather under wraps. She's the head of one of the Four Moon families after all and one of the few people who can do magic...real magic in this City and not fall ill. I think few would want to be caught digging up that kind of history and end up on her bad side."
"I agree," I say, searching through my pockets for another cigarette. I stop when I remember I had my last one outside. Marina sighs and smiles. She takes one from her pack and tucks it behind my ear.
"You smoke too much," she says again before walking away to do her own exploring.
"I know," I say to the empty hall.
It might seem strange for a lock pick to run around with a group of performers, but I guess my talents are more subtle than the others. Marina is small, but can command a room when she tells a story. She has a roguish charm to her that seems at odds with her delicate exterior. The dragon does things with his body that no sane person would ever do. The magician, like all magicians, wants you to believe he is part of something beyond ordinary life and that he can take you there. Often, he succeeds. Me, I guess I bridge the worlds. Opening doors, reading the audience, little touches that help keep the illusion from falling apart. My voice is rarely heard but when it is, I know just what to say to tip the scales. I'm envious of brighter talents, so I guess I have something in common with the folks in Marina's story but most of the time I'm content to be quiet anyways.
My hands are feeling twitchy again and I contemplate going back outside for Marina's gift of a cigarette, but something catches my eye. To my left are the doors to the main stage and behind them, I feel something moving.
It fills me silently in a rush, a need to see what’s in there. The dragon grabs my hand but I pull away and rush towards the doors. They're locked and I pull frantically.
"Vee, what the hell?" he asks, coming up behind me. “Calm down.”
"Why are you making so much noise?" Marina says, reappearing.
“Door,” I say shortly. She blinks and hands me the pin from her hair. I get to work on the lock, ignoring them both. My hands feel hot and it takes me a few tries to get the lock. When it clicks, I feel a surge of adrenaline and shove it open. A chattering and hushing sound surrounds us as if we’re in the middle of an excited, anticipating audience.
“What the hell is that?” the dragon hisses.
“Ghosts,” Marina replies softly, looking around. She points to the stage suddenly. Slumped in a chair sits the magician, the spotlight illuminating him from above. Hovering around him are three, dancing lights. Miette is nowhere to be seen.
Hey! My name is Ciel Sainte-Marie (aka So Nefarious). I'm a writer and artist hanging out on Steem, writing stories, and studying games. You can read my previous short stories The Ghost at the Auction Party, The Unexpected Ghost, and House of Longing here on steemit. You can also support my work by contributing to my Patreon.