Dan was concerned by Loni's need to talk to him seriously and he thought about it for the rest of the afternoon. In between shows they joked and chatted with everyone backstage as they normally did, but the nagging reminder of the needed talk kept invading his mind, but he didn't let it show.The last fashion show was standing room only and the crowd was very responsive. All too soon five thirty arrived signaling the end o...

Her leg was broken, there was no doubt about it. She cursed herself for ignoring the warnings of attempting to climb that mountain and explore that old castle. She remembered telling those that were concerned for her safety that she was an expert climber and hiker.When she was told that the mountain was cursed and repelled any and all visitors she laughed at these silly stories and superstitions. This was 2016, and she co...

Loni took a seat and moved closer to the table. There was an uncomfortable silence as Brad's parents surveyed the way she had dressed and the amount of makeup she wore. "My, that's an interesting ensemble. Is it new?" his Mom finally stated in carefully chosen words. "No. It's been hanging in back of my closet for too long and I decided to wear it," she answered. The waiter almost dropped his tray of water glasses and hot...

Loni questioned her motives a dozen more times as they walked across the parking lot to their parked cars. She was used to acting on impulse from her younger and carefree days, so this behavior was out of character for her. Was she not older and wiser than she was back then? So why was she acting like a love sick horny teenager?As she followed his dark SUV through the city and into the suburbs, the mature portion of her b...

Loni could not recall the last time she had enjoyed herself this much. She was able to be totally herself and not receive raised eyebrow looks from her fiancée or his parent because of her speech or mannerisms. She laughed loudly at the X rated jokes and told a few of her own. She joined in many conversations and people were surprised that she could talk on a variety of subjects. Due to her looks and poise, many believed...

When Loni arrived home the first thing she noticed was the red light on her answering machine blinking, it told her she had some missed calls. The small light was flashing with the speed of a strobe light, she didn't need to wonder who the calls were from.Without bothering to listen to the messages, she simply picked up the phone and dialed Brad's number."Hello? his voice said when he picked up."Hello yourself," she respo...

Loni glanced quickly at her watch and true to his promise only half an hour had passed since they parted company, but then he was always a man of his word. He stopped at the bar long enough to place his drink order before he slid into the booth from the opposite side. He then slid himself around until he was next to her.Then without warning, he placed one arm around her shoulder and pulled her in closer to him and kissed...

It was the longest and warmest hug she had gotten in a long time. The moment he wrapped his strong arms around her she felt safe and happy. When he slowly relaxed his grip, she stepped back, and he drank in the figure before him."Wow, you look great," he finally said."Me? You're the one that looks really great."They stood there staring at each other for the longest time, both unsure what to say."Can you join me for a drin...

Two days later the Baroness summoned her staff to her private sitting room after breakfast and gave them all explicit instructions."I have a guest staying in the room across from mine. She is the daughter of an old friend of mine and she is not to be disturbed for any reason.""How long will she stay?" one of the maids asked."As long as she wishes.""What about meals and cleaning her room?" another inquired."Not necessary f...

Loni was walking through the mall with Phyllis, her mother-in-law to be. She kept her eyes forward and refused to look in to the display windows because the reflected image in the polished glass of the display windows made her feel old and very unattractive. "Do I really look that bad? I'm only thirty and look a lot older," she said to herself. It was Springtime and the mall was hosting their annual bridal and fashion sho...

The Baroness led her ancient Grandmother into her spacious marble bathroom where she drew her a bath. She took the gown the Queen had worn and carefully folded it before placing it in up in a large plastic bag. She would find a master tailor to see if it could be cleaned and repaired.While the Queen soaked she fetched a bathrobe from her closet for her to wear. She returned and showed her how to use the handheld sprayer t...

Vince stood up on shaky legs and shook his head trying to clear it. Had he triggered another booby trap? It wouldn't surprise him. How long was he out? The powerful work lights were very dim and that meant that "Buddy's" battery was low so he switched them off and dug out his flashlight and peered into the stone box. The box was empty save for a few pieces of jewelry.Was this a joke? All that labor for an empty box? Vince...

It is the things that go wrong during a performance that usually make the best stories. These occurred the year I was doing Wait Until Dark. I, ouf course, was the villain tormenting the blind girl in her apartment. It was a thriller but also a very physical play as the actors found out. There is one scene where the heroine knocks me out and then drags me off stage and into her bedroom. She was almost back on stage and be...

I didn't always land a principal role, I've been in plays where I have had less than ten lines, and sometimes I didn't get a part at all. It doesn't matter, theater is theater. I've been a stage manager, assisted with props and worked the spotlight.After Dracula closed, I auditioned at another theater for their Winter show, it was a musical comedy set in a retirement home. Allan, the actor who played Renfield, showed up a...

Had it not been for the rope attached to the safety harness he wore Vince would have fallen about twelve feet, but the sensors detected a free fall and applied the brakes stopping him about one foot from the stone floor, but he still bumped his head and lacerated his forehead.  He discovered that he was bleeding and went for the small first aid kit he carried in his vest and managed the stop the flow of blood. Flashing th...