Chapter 7

As we rose up the staircase, I looked down at the people below. I have never thought of myself as someone special, but for this one night, at that one precise moment, I felt like I was a movie star, or a Princess maybe, or heaven above the Queen herself. I was brought back to earth as we reached the top and were ushered into another smaller foyer with people mingling around, talking in hushed tones. The sign above the doors stated that this was in fact the ‘Mezzanine’. My heart slumped for a minute; we had gone from the ‘de lux Royal Reserve’ to the Mezzanine. I felt a little flat for a split second, then not.

Paul guided me to one side where there was another staircase, roped off and an Usher and Usherette standing there taking tickets, Paul handed ours to the Usher. Who immediately took the rope from the entrance and asked us to follow the usherette. As we climbed the stairs, I couldn’t stop myself from looking at the backside of the young Usherette just two steps in front of me, her backside was almost eye level. I looked and I swear I could see the outline of her garter belt as her uniform was so tight and a little shiver went through me. Paul looked at me and smiled. He asked, “A little excited are you.” Was my shiver that noticeable? If he only knew what really went through my mind at that point.

We arrived at a small landing and the Usherette open the door for us to the Dress Circle. I was taken aback. Oh my, as I looked back to the small mezzanine foyer, remembering the enormous ground foyer with that chandelier. I wondered if there were any more stairs to climb. We were presented with a glass of wine, later I learned it was champagne, again it didn’t thrill me, and I took just small sips every now and again.

There were only about a dozen people including ourselves, and for the first time, no one was smoking. I looked around and noticed where the ladies’ room was located and was about to excuse myself when there were chimes ringing, gradually getting louder. The Usher announced that we should take our seats and opened the doors to the theatre.

The theatre was dimly lit and there was a buzz coming from the front of the theatre, a large red curtain stretched across the entire front of the auditorium from the top of the ceiling to the stage floor. It was truly impressive. This was indeed like a wild dream for an innocent young lady from the boondocks.

What on earth was Paul up to, he didn’t need to treat me like this, oh I loved it, but he didn’t have to do it. We were seated in our very spacious seats, normally I am cuddled up to Paul in the front seat of the Holden when we go out to the movies, but this was something beyond my expectations.