“Nothing really.” I let out a breath, picking it up from the floor. “I actually haven’t touched it in a while. But there’s this film scholarship I’m applying to. You have to submit a short film.” I leave out the part where I told Jasmine I already made it to the next round.
“What’s it about?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” I admit. “But I have a few weeks to figure it out. I was thinking about getting shots of the theater. But I can do that another time.”
Haru shrugs. “Why not tonight?”
“Because you’re here. I figure you want to see more of the city.”
“We have plenty of time,” Haru says. “Besides, you promised to show me the theater.”
I consider this. “I guess I can give you a tour.”
The lobby is practically empty, making it a good time to show him around. I could get a few quick shots while we’re inside. I glance around for security guards. Then I lead Haru through the entrance doors, making a sweeping motion with my hand. “Welcome to the Chicago Theater,” I say in my tour-guide voice. “This is the grand lobby, modeled after Versailles.”
Haru looks around, appearing impressed by the architecture. “Imagine working in here, instead of that little box.”
“Don’t remind me.” I shake my head and sigh. “Anyway, this is the main box office. And on the opposite side is where you get refreshments.” I continue walking, motioning him to follow along. “See the grand staircase behind me? It’s a replica from theTitanic.I learned about it during training.”
“That’s a bit dark, don’t you think?” Haru asks me. “Modeling something after a tragedy.”
“Some of the best love stories are born out of tragedies,” I say.
Haru runs a hand along the wooden rail. Then he continues up the staircase. “And what’s up here?”
“The mezzanine,” I say, following him upstairs. The marble balustrade wraps around the entire floor, giving us a full view of the main floor. It feels like we’re standing on a palacebalcony, glancing down at an empty ballroom. This would be a great place for a scene in a movie. A princess observing her guests from above, wondering who her prince is.
While Haru is looking around, admiring the paintings on the walls, I take out my camera. I play with the settings, adjusting a few things before I hit record. The lights are dimmed, offering a moodier effect. Someone is wiping down the counter, giving some life to the shot. I move around the mezzanine, trying out different angles, getting a shot of the stained-glass windows. One of the sconces is flickering, adding drama to whatever this will be. This is just practice, getting me back into the swing of things. I only film a few minutes’ worth of video before putting the camera away. That’s when I notice I’m alone.
“Haru?”
I’m about to call out again when I hear his voice.
“Over here.”
It doesn’t sound like he wandered too far. I follow his voice, hoping I don’t run into anyone. Thankfully, no one else is around when I find him. He’s standing beside the entrance to the theater.
“They left it open for us,” he says.
“What do you mean?”
Haru smiles as he turns the knob, pushing open the door. Looks like they didn’t lock it properly.
“We can’t go in there,” I whisper.
“But you promised a tour…”
“I’m gonna get in trouble.”
“You won’t get in trouble.”
I fold my arms. “And what makes you so sure?”
He smirks. “As long as no one finds out. We can do anything.”
We can do anything.Someone else said that to me before. In this very theater, right? Then my mind flashes to Jasmine. The two of us running up the staircase as children, hoping to sneak into the show. Too bad we never made it inside. “Alright, a quick look,” I say. “But we have to make it fast, okay?”
Haru holds opens the door, letting me go in first. It’s very dark inside, making it hard to see the seats in front of me. A single beam of light shines from the stage.
