Keep Your Nerve..

Ah yes, this was the place, the number on the door was correct, this was where the 'happening' was going to be held...It looked a gigantic dark building... Knock on the door, go on....knock...So said the voice inside her head, whilst her hand, almost of it's own accord, raised itself, lifted the large brass Lions Head, and let it drop..."Bang" it went, almost startling her in it's loudness... She took a step backwards, almost ready to run should the knock not be answered...Her nerves were bad enough as it was, thinking of what lay ahead tonight... But no, the doorknob started turning, then the massive door creaked open, to reveal a shape, a very large shape blocking out the light from within... "You knocked?"  the voice queried..."Yes" she squeaked nervously, and managed to ask..."Is this the Martins Residence?"...

The figure moved slightly so she now had a better view from the light shining from the lamppost on the street, ...My goodness, he was tall...6' 6" if she was a good judge..... "You're slightly early?"...the man almost accused..."Weren't you informed of the change to the starting time?" She stared, open mouthed, "but surely?...it can't be much later than this?"...They needed to start now, as soon as possible...or else it'll be much too late... He kept his darkly brooding eyes staring directly into her startled gaze, almost considering her statement, then, as if making his mind up, suddenly stepped aside and beckoned her to enter the abode.... She could hear the excited voices within, eager voices, voices suddenly high pitched, almost squealing...Voices which chilled her to the bone... Her heart beats quickened, it was nearly time, she had been readying herself for this moment, this stage in her life, almost before she could remember. She need to do this, and yes, she had tried to once before, but her nerve had given out. He ushered her into the first room off the massive hallway, it was a sumptuously decorated room, empty though, except for the one table, topped by lighted mirrors and a couple of chairs set near the wall, just to the left of the large un-curtained double windows...

'Do you have everything you require?'  his deep voice questioned behind her...She jumped, as her thoughts had turned inwards, thinking about what she had to do, 'Yes, thank you, ' she replied,  always polite, always ready to respond to friendly overtures. Although, looking at him, friendly wouldn't have been the first word she'd have come up with to describe him. She placed her bag on the chair, turned to look at him and firmly repeated ' Yes, thank you, I'll be fine, I have all I could need'.... He gazed at her for a couple of seconds, even that was almost too long a time.  He seemed to soften his attitude slightly, looking down at her from his lofty heights, was that pity in his glance?  'You'll be fine'...Then abruptly left the room, almost as if regretting his kind words...

She sat in front of the lighted mirror, attending to her makeup, then finally put on her costume, all the while thinking as if almost trying to comfort herself...'It won't be like the last time, I mean it's not as if they could kill me or anything...now could they?' The sudden appearance of the figure at the door startled her again and the voice stated blandly..."You ready ?...They're all waiting for you,"

She straightened, stretched her arms out wide and took a steadying deep breath, trying hard to calm herself. She followed him to the door of the next room, where they halted a second or two, listening, as the voices seemed even louder, frantic almost, surely they wouldn't harm her?...

'In you go' he said, as with a push to the small of her back, he almost threw her past the opened door,  threw her to the mercy of................

a room full of screaming children, various ages by the look of things, as her startled gaze tried to figure out where to stand..., “ Heaven help me, “  she thought, “being a Children's Entertainer really took it out on your nerves...Ah well....The show must go on.....”

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