Chapter Five: Part Two
Still six long blocks away, the theatre came into view in the distance. Kate’s eyes went wide, seeing its entrance already awash with lights, reporters and camera flashes. With a vulnerability that nearly broke Dom’s heart, she said to herself but aloud, ‘I so don’t want to make a fool of myself.’
‘Kate, I will not put you in a position of ridicule, just be yourself. When we are inside, keep your hand on my arm and just follow my lead.’ Seeing the look of hope in Kate’s eyes, he added, ‘It will be a fun and memorable evening. You’ll be fine and we’ll all make sure of it, okay?’
Controlling her breathing, she nodded, realising how much she trusted him.
Harold turned the car away from the theatre and drove two blocks further before navigating a long loop back, delivering them to the stage-door entrance of the theatre after squeezing through a narrow alley. Standing next to the car, Kate straightened Dom’s bow tie after he donned his jacket. Harold wished them a beautiful evening and waited to see them safely enter the building. A non-descript side door opened as they neared it, and an usher showed them silently into the rear of the large foyer. The theatre’s entrance was a cacophony of TV crews, reporters and their subjects, all competing to be heard.
‘No red-carpet after what you spent on me today?’ Kate asked, the relief in her voice clear.
Recognising her actual question, he smiled at her. ‘The red-carpet is for those who seek assurances of their own importance. The least elegant image one can ever offer is that of getting out of a car. Eschewing the Peacock’s Walk places you automatically on the to-be-respected list. Self-promoters are taken far less seriously and are subjected to a far more invasive experience from the press. We, especially you, will be noticed soon enough. Subtlety is a highly prized but much under-expressed quality in this modern-day Temple of Narcissus.’
Dominique nodded a discreet smile to the city’s soon-to-be new mayor and his wife, who were entering with another couple through the same rear entrance they had just used themselves. ‘There is a man who well understands the value of subtlety in the public arena, Catherine,’ he said as the candidate nodded and winked back at them in friendly acknowledgement before heading in another direction.
Kate squeezed his arm in understanding. She had noted how similarly he and Dom worked during their functions. She said, ‘I have seen him in action and I’m surprised your paths don’t cross more.’
Dominique leaned in close and said, ‘We each have our roles to play and subjective impartiality is a valuable commodity. Were we to appear too obviously familiar with each other, certain assumptions could be made that might prove counterproductive to our common goals.’
Kate processed the depth of his statement and recognised how much trust he had just demonstrated with his disclosure to her. She said with a cheeky inflection, ‘Would it be inappropriate to mention how hot you are when you talk like that, my lord?’
His happy laugh caught her by surprise. ‘Thank you for your kind compliment, Catherine. Most glaze over.’
‘My goodness, Catherine! You look like you should be on the arm of some dashing young leading man, not this old rogue!’ Turning, she saw Edison standing there, beaming at her. On his arm stood a woman of striking beauty in a gown of royal-blue. Two crossed scars marred her otherwise perfectly balanced features and light-olive complexion. One ran from near the top of her head and passed through the outer corner of her right temple; the other extended from the hairline above her temple to just above her right ear. Kate noted that she wore her hair drawn away to the other side of her head, showing them instead of hiding them. Both would clearly have been dire injuries.
‘Catherine, may I present the love of my life …’ started Edison, only to have Dom say, ‘The love of our lives …’ After a moment of almost ritualistically deep meaning passed between the three, Edison continued, ‘Catherine, this is my wife, Juanita.’
Catherine looked into the most complex eyes she had ever seen. Eyes that held history and depth, but right now, they sparkled in a decision made. In a clear alto voice, Juanita said, ‘Catherine, we have talked on the phone so often, it’s a pleasure to meet you in person. You do know how beautiful you look, don’t you?’ Another smooth one! Another smooth and genuine one, she thought. Kate gave in and found herself instantly liking Juanita.
‘Thank you, Juanita. It’s great to finally meet you too, and you look amazing. I love that colour.’ Kate said, her hand still on Dom’s arm. A new face materialised briefly, his features a perfect blend of both Edison and Juanita. His serious young eyes flashed in a direction before he vanished again. Edison and Juanita turned and drifted away as Dom’s elbow tightened around her hand, lifting her straighter and turning her slightly just as a photographer came into view.
‘Hello, David. Are you freelancing tonight or on the clock?’ Dom asked, halting the camera half way to the photographer’s face.
‘Freelance tonight, Mr Savagewood. May I?’
‘Of course,’ Dom said, looking around and selecting a nearby spot with far more complimentary lighting. Kate felt his elbow locking her hand in place, offering her his lead as if they were dancing. Leaning in close to her ear, he said, ‘Think of watching two kittens playing tag and Grace Kelly’s calm smile.’ Kate squeezed his arm in thanks, standing as the couturier had made her practice.
The photographers quickly grew in number until more than a dozen jostled for their attention. Dom’s pressure through his elbow guided Kate. They looked to the far left of the group and they pirouetted slowly, followed by a wave of flashes until running out of cameras to look at.
Kate saw the serious young man guiding another couple towards them. Dom looked up as if surprised, greeting Mason and Madison with well-rehearsed spontaneity before drawing them into the group photo opportunity and another wave of flashes. Juanita and Edison appeared to their left, triggering a third choreographed sweep of the flashing cameras as Kate just followed Dominique’s lead. The three men took a half step back to feature their ladies, setting off a final wave of flashes.
‘Thank you, folks. Have a wonderful evening and enjoy the show,’ Dom said to the assembled paparazzi. Under the same hypnotic suggestion as everyone else, Kate watched them disperse to seek new targets. She watched them passing by Edison, who was handing each of them a small card.
‘He’s making sure they get the details correct,’ Dom explained quietly as her gaze broke from the group around Edison. A few more flashes went off nearby as those who had missed Mason and Madison by themselves quickly corrected their oversight.
Juanita appeared at Dom’s side, his free arm wrapping respectfully around her waist as Kate asked him, ‘Do you manage everyone so easily?’
Juanita answered in a teasing tone, ‘Ha! Yes, he does!’
‘No, for the most part, all I do is give them a conveniently acceptable measure of controlled access in exchange for being left alone most of the time. In that lighting, you ladies shone. Now that we have all been seen and captured in our various combinations, we’re essentially old news for the evening. Aside from one or two possible sound bites, the rest of the evening is mostly ours. That we are easy to deal with, avoid gossip, and do not seek the limelight generally ensures that we are treated with a certain level of respect, meaning that we are not inviting targets for unflattering stories or pictures.’
Dom released Juanita and performed a half pirouette, turning Kate to meet the radiant smiles of the couple now rejoining them.
‘Catherine, it is truly a pleasure and delight to meet you under more suitable circumstances. I am Madison and this gentleman is my dearest friend and husband, Mason.’
Mason smiled at Madison before beaming at Kate. ‘My wife is as eloquent as she is beautiful. I am very pleased to meet you, Catherine.’ They both kissed Kate’s cheeks in greeting, their warmth, genuine and comfortable.
Feeling willingly helpless, Kate found herself liking these people as well. Standing in their circle, she felt totally included. She looked to the couple and said, ‘Madison, Mason, on behalf of our company, I want to say thank you…’
With a courteous wave of her hand, Madison said, ‘Think nothing more of it. Now, tell me how someone as lovely as you ended up on this rogue’s arm?’
Edison chuckled and said, ‘I asked the very same thing only moments ago.’ Kate found herself warming to Edison even more in this context.
Kate smiled at each in turn whilst saying, ‘Dominique hypnotised me and abducted me into a world where everyone is simply beautiful and lovely.’
Kate watched ‘Young Edison’ brush past, barely touching Mason’s arm. Mason said, ‘That explains it then!’ The group turned to face another reporter in time to present a perfect picture for the TV camera and a ten-second sound bite with one of the many reporters in attendance. Edison passed over a note when they’d finished and the young journalist nodded to him before seeking new targets.
Kate was surprised when she tasted her Champagne. In their glasses, it looked the right colour, but tasted only of sparkling apple juice and soda water. Juanita caught her eye and toasted her, taking a slight sip. ‘Message received and staying sober,’ said Kate’s answering toast as the pre-show gala became a carnival of meeting this person and that person.
A subtle tone played and they were ushered into their stall. Until this evening, Kate had not experienced live opera, and it exceeded her every expectation within the first few minutes. It was far more than she ever imagined it could be. Carried by the power of the amazing voices and Puccini’s evocative score, Kate visited new realms of musical experience.