{ Video; UN: potentia.regere }

[earlofphantoms]

{ Vincent is in the theater and the ballet is in full costume, practicing one Act or another. They are lovely to see - full of bright colors, like proud, graceful birds. This might be an archaic art to some, but, as the camera turns, the Earl is beaming. }

Well worth an hour or two, I assure you. The full-length numbers are considerably longer, but amendments can be made and stories can be told over several nights. We're not going anywhere, after all.

{ He rises from his seat and paces towards the stage. Thankfully he stops before he ends up in the orchestra pit. That would be embarrassing. }

Tell me your favorite story, hm?

Comments

[somakemelaugh]

Terrible screenplay, my life. You've something of interest there on stage. Why not lose yourself to it instead?

[earlofphantoms]

I do have a personal investment in your screenplay. { Just a bit. }

[somakemelaugh]

[This again?] Wouldn't worry about it. The one on the stage looks like it would hold audiences for you.

[earlofphantoms]

{ Always. } I asked for my sake. { But so be it. } This one we are doing is a tragedy. Everyone likes those.

[somakemelaugh]

[Phantomhives.] Ah, yes. The ones where the most important characters suffer the greatest before their death. I may even watch it myself.

[earlofphantoms]

This one features most of the cast dying and those who survive are likely left with a terrible burden. { It's fun! And totally not like what happened to him and Rachel and Ciel and everyone else involved... }

[somakemelaugh]

Isn't that how it goes? [The apple didn't fall too far from the tree on that bit.] I think they'll be able to relate, your audience. The closer to home it hits, the more they'll like it.

[earlofphantoms]

Plays or life? { That is answer enough. } Why is that? You'd think people would want to escape reality; not have it thrust into their face.

[somakemelaugh]

People want to escape from reality, but consider that they dream their own reality could be changed. The closer they feel to the situation, the closer it draws them in. [He shrugs again.] Just my take on it. I'm not a normal audience member.

[earlofphantoms]

You have been in the audience of many plays on many stages. I am almost jealous! { Except he knows it's probably seriously sad. }

[somakemelaugh]

[He might be surprised.] Not so many as you might think. Half of the performance is in the detail of it all, and my eyesight has been ruined for far too long. Expressions on the actors and actresses, gestures, quirks of the costumes. All of it lost on me, sadly. But I do enjoy the music and the dance.

[earlofphantoms]

Would glasses be of aid? Surely we could get you something. { Eyesight is important! Think of all he could enjoy with sharp sight. } I could get a place on stage during the performance. You would be surrounded by the dance and music, then.

[somakemelaugh]

Once upon a time, I'm sure, but I'm quite used to it by now. [He does! And then he remembers what a pain in the ass it was to lose those glasses in the middle of a fight. He's a stubborn old man!] That's very kind of you though. Would you have me be one of the performers, or just to view the play from backstage?