We were dressed to the nines, as people should be when attending a fashion show.
It looked to be a spectacular turn out and as the limo stopped the door was opened.
We exited.
She first and then I.
I had imagined us walking together but she instead, walked ahead and I two paces behind.
Basquing in the lime lite of phtotgraphers, journalists and autograph seekers she took it all in as though she were born for it.
I however wasn't nearly as enthusiatic for all the fanfare and attention, so I tried not to think too much about walking behind instead of side by side, considering that it might have been the better of the options in a certain sense.
When we finally escaped the mayhem of the crowd and got inside we were lead to a prominently positioned and elegantly decorated table at the front of the room right next to the catwalk.
Of course, she was seated first as protocol would dictate, or so I thought.
As it it turned out she was seated only, while I was whisked away to what seemed to be a green room back stage without a word from her.
It was obvious that my presence would not be missed nor was it expected, as though this were an intentional and normal course of events.
I have to admit that I was confused at first, being seated alone in such a small dank room.
A few minutes later though another gentleman was also lead into the room as well to share what would seem to become our cell over the course of our evening.
So I assumed something I was unaware if was being played out.
This is so often the case in my life I hardly thought anything of it and took it at face value.
So we waited for a while, this odd man and I both of us in our tuxedos.
The room seemed to grow hotter, more humid and somehow seemed to be closing in on us little by little.
After a little small talk and a lot of awkward silence I began to wonder what was going on that warranted us being back there.
To the other man's mild protest, which I easily disregarded, I opened the door to see if anyone was around that I could ask.
Someone who might know what was going on and might let me in on this grand secret plan that had kept the two of us cooped up.
I managed to catch the eye of the man who had originally lead us both into the room.
As he tried to shush me back into the sweat box, I managed to inquire about or situation. I was simply told that we would be sent for at the appropriate time and would be directed to where we should go from there.
The answer sufficed for now, I supposed.
I was pacified for a while at least and assuming then that there was in deed a plan I continued my wait, patiently...
...at first.
But then...
20 minutes...
30 minutes...
40 minutes...
...and still
nothing.
As the room seemed to grow hotter still I grabbed one of the room temperature waters that looked like it had been left from some previous event long ago and opened it.
The dusty bottles of water were clearly not intentionally left behind or even meant for us specifically but I didn't care.
It was hot and I was thirsty.
I had also arrived hungry knowing there would be culinary delights awaiting us. By now I could smell the food we weren't eating that I imagined everyone else was enjoying in, if not good company certainly plenty of it.
I figured a water was about the least of the accomodations they should afford us at this point.
As I drank I began to take off my tuxedo, piece by piece.
Drenched in sweat by that point I looked like hell and felt almost as bad.
Both actions were vocally and urgently protested with by the previously timid man who was my fellow prisoner it seemed by this point.
But I had no regard for the consequences he seemed to fear so desperatley.
I continued to drink the water and disrobe. I gave no thought (and probably wouldn't have cared at all if I had) about what anyone might think or do as a result of my actions spurned by extreme discomfort and growing impatience.
At about the one hour mark I had completely removed my tuxedo and somehow managed to find myself in a tee shirt and a pair of khakis. Both neatly pressed.
A very full 90 minutes after having been led to our cell our que came.
Finally the plan would be revealed.
As we were escorted out, I could hear the roar of the applause signifying that the show that was ongoing while were removed, was by this time clearly over. So much for my first fashion show.
I was ushered onto the stage where she was standing in the spotlight.
I looked at her for a moment, before going out from the wings to join her as directed.
There she was, radiant, emotionally adrift on a sea of admiration.
It seemed to be a glorious moment for her and she was glowing with pride.
Both of us unaware that I was about to end all that glory simply by my presence.
As I finally stepped out onto the stage to be by her side for the first time all evening, without warning, immediatley the mood of the room changed and the audience began to protest my presence with booing and yelling eventually throwing things at me.
I was at a loss for what I had done to incur this hatred... swayed by opinion perhaps, I don't know, but she was clearly incensed and scorned me as well.
