The Night
Masks of plastic, metal, and ambiguous material were worn. Practiced players hid in anonymity as night lights shown. A nod here, a throat cleared there. On came an actor with a mask of blue, walking with courage and portrayed frustration. “Boatswain!” He cried to another.
The color of this other’s mask was washed out by a near streetlight shining gold. “Here, Master: what cheer?” And the show had begun.
No names were called, no pamphlet distributed. Performers came together in a masked performance charming strangers and passersby. The masked Ferdinand wooed the hearts of all the Mirandas-- those unmasked and the masked one alike. Laughs were shared at the dramatics of masked butler, jester, and monster.
And Ariel enchanted the hearts of all, anonymously dancing, charming, shocking curious members of an inconsistent audience.
When the show was done and stranger audience applauded the stranger performers. And then, like the nymphs of the island, the performers separated and disappeared into the open night.