Tickets for Two

Posted on Tue 28th May, 2019 @ 7:41pm by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Eberstark

823 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: A Diplomatic Affair
Location: Kirk Theater, Deck 636
Timeline: MD 5, 1830

"I appreciate your making an effort to get tickets to Phantom," Serena said, tucking her hands around Andrew's elbow as they walked through the crowds toward the Kirk Theater. "I've heard of it, and I know the music, as well as the story, but I've never seen it performed. Caroline Post damned it with faint praise, but I imagine her experience and taste are more educated than mine, and I expect to thoroughly enjoy my evening. So thank you for sitting through it with me, and I hope it doesn't turn out to be torture for you."

Andrew chuckled as he lead her to the entrance, "My pleasure. Actually, my sister made me sit through some version of this story multiple times growing up, so while I can see where Miss Post is coming from with her review, something tells me I won't be as harsh when it comes to them taking liberties. After all, there are just some parts both visually and from a story standpoint that you have to update. As long as it respects the original story."

Approaching the theater entrance where the attendant was verifying tickets, Andrew asked, "So if you know, and I assume like, the music, how have you not actually seen it performed?"

"Oh, yes, I like the music, alright. I simply don't seem to have ever been in the same place where anyone was performing it before this cast." They followed the attendant's directions to the second door on the right where another attendant looked at their seat numbers and then led them about half-way down and to two seats on the left side of the aisle. "Andrew, you must have splurged to get seats this close to the middle in all directions! It really better be good now," Serena laughed, scooting in to take the inside seat.

"Not only have I not seen this performed before," she said looking around at the lavish theater done in tasteful cream colors, "but I've never been inside the Kirk Theater, either. It's quite astonishing. I wonder if the chandelier up front is part of the play, or whether it's part of Kirk Theater."

Smiling, Andrew answered as they sat down, "Splurge may not be the right word. I just called in a favor...or two. But all that matters is we have a good time, which I have no doubt we will." Following her eyes around the theater, he added, "The theater is quite beautiful. It's nice to see they've taken the time to make it as authentic and opulent as theaters from the past. At the very least, it should enhance the performance of the cast."

"Maybe. It must be nice to play in a theater like this. I don't suppose the audience is the most educated they've come across, but that could work in their favor. Are you familiar with the music and the story?" Alia asked, focusing on him instead of their surroundings. Seats to the right and left were already filled, so there wouldn't be anyone coming to distract them.

Raising an eyebrow, thinking back to a few childhood memories and grinning, Andrew responded, "Familiar? You could say that. It was one of my sister's favorite novels growing up, for some reason I still couldn't tell you, and she became partially obsessed in watching every film adaptation of it, whether it be a movie or a play. I tried to avoid it as long as I could," he shrugged, "but eventually I was coerced into watching some of the iterations. I guess it grew on me more than I thought, because I'm actually excited to see this performance," pausing to smile again, looking at her, "Or maybe it's because I'm seeing it with you."

"Ah, silver-tongued devil," Serena teased, taking his hand. "It's really a romance, from all angles. I always felt sorry for the Phantom. All he wanted was someone to love him, to see him for who he was inside, and be able to ignore the outside." Seeing the look on his face, she added, "Yeah, yeah, I know he was a little crazy, but still. He wanted her to love him, and she wouldn't, she couldn't. Her heart was already engaged."

Keeping her hand in his, Andrew shifted to get more comfortable in his seat and teased back, "If I didn't know better, I'd think you're an expert on this play. But spot on evaluation. Some sort of iteration of the story of a forbidden or impossible love has endured in so many cultures' entertainment for centuries," continuing matter-of-factly, "I guess there's something poetic and appealing to people watching this emotional tragedy be performed."

Andrew noticed the volume of the theater's audience get significantly lower, signaling the imminent start of the play. He leaned closer to Serena and lowered his voice accordingly, "I don't think I would want any part of this story to play out in real life though."

 

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