Where the Heart Lives

“Miranda!”

She turned to see Zack waving from mid-auditorium. “Come on up … want to show you something!”

Zack Calvin watched her climb toward him. She looks great … that long glossy hair, the tight jeans. He kissed her on the cheek when she arrived, inhaling her fresh, spicy scent. “I see you found it okay.”

“Yes! I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered the L.A. freeways, but I’m managing to get around.”

“So you met Keith Knudsen.”

“Had my own private concert.” She giggled. “Very nice of him.”

“Nothing like an appreciative audience. So this is what I wanted to show you.” He pointed to the middle row of seats where lighting technicians had established a temporary control center, electrical conduit and a maze of wires draping across seats, lighted panels glowing across a complexity of dimmers and sliders. “Thought we’d show you some of the lighting effects we’re going to be using.” Zack nodded to a lighting tech. “Of course, you can’t see it clearly until it’s dark, but this will give you some idea.”

She looked toward the darker inner portion of the band shell. “Oooh!”

“Bring it up a little brighter on the Cyc, Brian,” Zack asked.

“What’s a Cyc?” Miranda asked.

“It’s short for psychodrama,” replied Brian, “which is what I’m about to be starring in, if I don’t get this thing working.”

 Miranda stared at him, confused.

“No, actually it sounds like ‘psych’ but it’s short for ‘cyclorama,’” the technician corrected. “It’s the wall all the way upstage—at the back of the stage, that is.”

“It’s a canvas,” Miranda said, “and you paint with light.”

“I like that. Hey, man, where’d you find her? This one’s a keeper.”

Zack chuckled and saw Miranda blush. Remembering her strong aversion to attention, he quickly made their excuses. “Look, Bri, are you okay for a few? Rune should be here any minute, but call me if there’s a disaster. I’m on the two-way.”

“Rune’s around here somewhere, and I’ll do what I can, but don’t wander off too far, even if you do have a beautiful date.”

Zack looked at Miranda. “Shall we?”

He led her on a short walking tour of the Bowl’s vast backstage area. Hope she’s not bored. Hard to tell, she’s so quiet. “So that’s about it as far as the sight-seeing goes. Rehearsal should start in a couple of minutes. Want to stay?”

With a huge smile, she answered, “I wouldn’t miss it!”

Miranda Jones followed Zack, resuming her original spot mid-audience. He seems kind of formal today, like he hardly knows me. Well, that’s true, he doesn’t. And I imagine he’s got a lot on his mind with the rehearsals, the shows, moving from one venue to the next.

“I apologize,” he said, “for being, well, distracted. Enjoy the rehearsal, and I’ll find you afterward to say goodbye before you take off.”

She looked up at him as he paused for a moment, noticing a shift in his expression. Wistful? Worried? “It’s okay, Zack. Don’t be concerned about me.” She thought for a moment he  might lean down to kiss her, but instead he turned to go.