Characters are key to a good story.
And when one shows up unexpectedly, sitting in the corner, watching…it adds a little magic to the evening.
I went to my ballet class last night, brought a book (study, study, study) as I can’t NOT show up too early for some reason (bet my boss would appreciate if the same applied to my 8 AM work morning), rolled my ankles around and stretched a bit, and caught a glimpse of an old gentleman sitting in the studio watching the class before mine. He looked like he belonged – comfortably occupying the corner of a pew that appeared in the studio a month or so ago (a prop for one of the upcoming performances I suppose). When my instructor came out at the end of the class I inquired. “That’s Socrates. He’s been watching classes all day.”
I’d figured it was a student’s grandfather. Socrates? Socrates. In the flesh.
My instructor later elaborated – apparently he’d been in the heart of theater and dance scene in his heyday – in NYC of course. He loves ballet and wanted to watch. I don’t know more than that.
I know – it sounds like it could have a real creepster component. But…really not at all.
Socrates, I’m glad to have danced for you.
