[Tyr Zalo Hawk]: 712.Random.The Unfavorable Crowd

Enter

A group of people slowly enter into the darkened seating for a late night broadway performance, shuffling to find their seats at first, but quickly settling down. Light pleasantries and discussions about the evening's performance are hot on the lips and minds of nearly everyone present. Soon, the lights dim further and the play begins. Less than a minute into the first scene Kenneth, a freshman college student attending the play for a class, begins to rock back and forth in his chair causing a rather painfully unbearable squeaking sound. After the first few squeaks ring through his ears, another student named Ahmad gets a bit impatient.

Ahmad: Excuse me, sir, but could you please stop that?
Kenneth: Oh, ya, sure.

Kenneth stops immediately, and the play is once again an enjoyable experience for all. However, restless as ever, Kenneth soon sets his feet up on the stage to relax. Once again though, Ahmad comes to the rescue of those in attendance.

Ahmad: Hey, don't do that. That's rude.
Kenneth: Eh? Oh, okay then.

Ahmad and Kenneth exchange smiles, Ahmad's being a bit strained. Soon after though, it appears that Kenneth hasn't learned a thing, and he resumes his initial habit of rocking back and forth which, in turn, rereleases a horrible squeak into the air. By now, a slight twitch of focus can be noticed in the eyes of the actors, but they continue onwards. Ahmad, however, has had his patience snapped by the echo of the siren squeaking. He stands up and starts to speak rather loud unpleasantries in Arabic, his native tongue. Gabriel, having the unfortune to be placed next to Ahmad immediately reaches up, grabs Ahmad and pulls him down. The actors onstage all take breaths and pauses that are a bit longer than the usual.

Gabriel (in a loud whisper): Dude, do you want to get kicked out?
Ahmad: But he is ruining the show with his squeaking!
Gabriel: Ya, and so are you with your shouting. Chill.

Gabriel leans forward and lightly backhands Kenneth's shoulder.

Gabriel: And just sit still, it's not that long of a play.

A bit embaressed by their actions, Kenneth and Ahmad silently apologize before resuming their observance of the play. Gabriel sighs tiredly and fumbles around in his pockets for a few seconds to find a cigarette and lighter. He has either failed to notice the dozen or so notices that prohibit such an action, or is too apathetic to obey said notices. Just as he is about to light up, Celene snatches the tobacco roll from his fingertips.

Celene: Are you an idiot? There's no smoking in here.
Gabriel: Whoa, jeez. Sorry.

Celene eyes him for a moment with contempt before reverting her gaze back to the actors, who now seem to have developed harsher stares. The play continues, uninterrupted for another whole minute and the glares begin to die down when the incalculably horrid ringtone of Celene's phone brings them back in full swing, along with a few stumbled words. She quickly answers and begins to yammer away, apparently unaware of those other signs and people who mentioned something about cell phone usage during shows. Kenneth, springing at the chance to shoot down someone and reclaim his lost honor turns and gives Celene a death glare. When his glare along with the whispered curses of the actors fails to grab her attention, Kenneth uses an age-old tactic.

Kenneth: SHHH!!!

Suddenly recalling the previously unmemorable classes about audience etiquette, she says goodbye, hangs up, and turns off her cellular device in a few quick instants. The night, still young, appears to have been rescued just in the nick of time for an important monologue. A young actor takes the stage and begins to deliver his solo speech, keeping one eye on the four troublemakers in the front. As if planned, the four simultaneously pull out bags of assorted snack goods and rip open the packages. The resulting noise is the very last straw.

Entire Cast and Audience: WILL YOU FOUR JUST BE QUIET?!

End


© Tyr Hawkaluk (2004-Present)