Chapter 3: Dares & dancers
Eventually, the bar quieted down and it was time to leave. Michael parted with Eddie but Jonathan, Jeremy and I staggered through the streets. Laughing and joking.
As our shoes trudged through the damp street ( I only noticed now that I had been wearing shoes in the bed ), and our whistles formed into a weird mishmash of melodies, Jeremy had an idea.
"Hey Jonathan, I dare you to finish this bottle in one sip, then spin around ten times and dance for us".Before Jonathan had time to be baffled I grabbed the bottle out of his hand and pressed it tightly against my chest.
"No way! Why does he get the rest? That's not fair! Hic! I want-"
The cold bottle left my grasp before I could finish my sentence. Jeremy had the cool object, whom I held only seconds prior, once again in his possession. Like some kind of tutor, he shushed me. For a second I harboured the thought of bitting his finger off, which was just in reach.- A bite away…-
"no, no, no I think you're already drunk enough. Your tolerance should not be strained even more"
"I agree" Jonathan interjected " you're lucky…" he took a deep breath, and you could tell that he had a slight sniffle " to have found US gentlemen as your drinking companions. Yes, yes"
While stemming my hand onto my waist I made a face, that showed clearly what I thought about the word "gentleman" in combination with these two drunkards (while myself not being the most clear-minded at the moment).
"Also" Jonathan wrapped his arm around Jeremys' shoulder " I wish to accomplish the dare". The bottle once again changed its owner. And my eyes watched greedily how the warming liquid sank inside the green pristine glass. Followed by Jonathans' swallowing it disappeared, and soon the bottle was empty. As he took it off his lips he started laughing.
"Ahaha that was good, Hic!, now then what was next again?" he said while turning to Jeremy. Then he looked at me, well not really, but the gaze at least pointed in my direction.
"Spin around and then dance!" Jeremy answered. Then he locked one arm of his with Jonathan "here I'll help you".
They started slowly, and then Jonathan accelerated on his own. If Jeremy wouldn't have been there to stabilize him he would've crashed into a wall already. It was a wonder alone that both of them hadn't slipped and fallen into a puddle yet. Participating, and therefore encouraging the act, even more, was dangerous. People could get seriously hurt, especially when they are drunk and don't have good control over their bodies. So obviously I participated as well, laughing while spinning around together, I even skipped partially and both of them went along.
"Now!" the clear voice of the singer ordered and I followed. Then we let go of Jonnathans's arms …
Imagine yourself sitting in a theatre. It wasn't cheap but it's important to treat oneself from time to time. So you paid for the ticket and bought a cool refreshing drink. Lucky you found the seat in no time, you even got a good one. All the tall people are behind you and it's too late for kids to be noisy and disturb the experience. The lights dim, the curtains open and the play begins. It's time for the first dancer to make their entry, and as she steps onto the platform the music accompanies her. It doesn't take long and her moves coordinate with the rhythm. Elegantly her foot moves forward and quick but delicately her body follows along. As she reaches the middle of the scenario the music stops and only plays a long note to emphasise the durance of the moment. The dancer looks down and bows, next she straightens, the light causes her tutu to sparkle and mist surrounds her. She gently rises her arms, and without a hint, she bursts into rapid movements, the music does so too. Using your confusion the colours, sounds and ballerina grasp you into an unknown world you never knew existed. The melody reaches its climax and once again the fairy prepares herself for her grand finale. She starts to swirl, at first tenderly, parting the blue mist with the tiniest movements. And as she begins to skip, her dress flatters and reflects the light in a glamorous way. Now she accelerates even faster than before, her posture is firm and elegant. She spins around the scenario, focused. With her whole focus on what she is doing. Hard work and dedication brought her here and you know she won't stop now -No one will get in between her and her dreams.
Imagine that… but the warm theatre is a street, narrowed in by grey houses, a pile of straw, a barrel filled with water, and mouldy or broken fences. The scenario this play takes place in is that paved street. Apart from the protagonist of our play other two silhouettes are also present, one man and one woman, but they aren't our focus for this story, the one you have to keep your eyes on is our beloved dancer. Like everything else, she has also changed.
She is hairier than before and the once neatly tied up hair has more volume, it also stands out a bit. Instead of a tutu, she wears greyish long trousers, a blouse that has been tucked in messily and a moss green jacket, with a few flicked holes. Once graceful enchanting movements are now sloppy, uncoordinated and floppy. It seems that she no longer has control over her movements. Approaching the pile of straw she eventually gets her foot caught and stumbles, while spinning, into the hay.
It seems that the end of our play ended more tragically than expected, not because of the failure of a dance performance, its failure was predictable from the moment the dance lost its professionalism, but because we will never be able to see that ballerina ever again. Because it never was real, to begin with, it was all a big metaphor to represent a lovelier version of what Jonathan was doing. It had to break into reality eventually, it was unavoidable, too bad for her. Well, luckily for her she won't truly disappear until she is forgotten. And I hope to think that the tale of her transforming into who she was representing, Jonathan, left an impression, preventing her vanishing.
And now the curtains close, it's time to continue with the story you came for.