AND SO, @employed427 BESTOWED UNTO NARRATOR A QUESTION : / [ dance ] for your muse to dance with mine.
ONE DAY, STANLEY IS INVITED TO DANCE, in the ever-sprawling, desolate office of his ー
( Dance with me! This dashing young man says, nothing but countless mouths across his face ) ー and soon Stanley is whisked away to another world; a world much more exciting than clunky computers and uncomfortable metal chairs.
( How about a ballroom, Stanley? Let’s get you in a suit, too, to boot ー dressed in fine garment; silken ascot and a dark velvet suit, with dress shoes to match! ) Stanley arrives at the ball, dressed finely in an evening tailcoat, a silk ascot adorning the collar, and the man arrives in an intricate mask, feathers and jewels decorating the rims. ( Isn’t this exciting, Stanley? Let’s have a ball! Let’s talk to the multitude of guests that’ve come, intriguing guests from all over the world, let’s shovel chocolate in our mouths, enjoy the drinks of the hour ー talk to our beloved guests of honour! But before that, let’s dance, shall we? )
Stanley curiously places his hand on this mysterious man, and he places his own on Stanley’s waist.
It’s awkward, at first ー Stanley’s steps are timid, not wanting to step on any toes ー ( they will be fine, Stanley; live a little, step a bit further back, let go of him with one hand, step to the side ー a dance is a splendid thing, Stanley; it’s one of the many things you can do for fun or for sport, this specific dance we’re doing is called a waltz, did you know that, Stanley? The 1826 waltz, I heard it’s called! ) slowly, but surely, he grows more confident in his steps, his tiptoe strong and sturdily, spinning around not quite gracefully, but enough to know that he’s having fun. Stanley’s actions match with the young man in perfect synchrony; though he occasionally stumbles, doesn’t notice his partner ( Watch it, Stanley. ) quick enough for him to prevent fumbling a few moves, and the man has to strain to be dancing height ー but, with two best friends together, they could handle anything! A mystery at the office, a secret brainwashing conspiracy, the abandonment of the body; the soul dissipating from the hollow chest, the betrayal of an omnipresent narrator, the destruction of happiness and hall that is holy, the cat-and-mouse game that the play; but how are they to stop playing when the two had never enjoyed themselves as much as they have been? ー they could handle a simple ballroom dance, no problem!
And it is proven, time and time again, with teamwork, and patience, and maybe a little drink in their system ー soon, Stanley is dancing like a pro with his long-time friend, and though you can’t hear the laugh that reverberates around the room... ( I’ve never had more fun than this ー maybe this should be our new story, dancing the night away ー a night of splendour, of scandal, of dance! ) they, truly, are happy. ( What do you say for one more? Quickly, I don’t want to go back without at least one more! )