all for show [arc] blitz

[THE LIGHTS ARE DIM.
ALEX, a local actor and theatre connoisseur,
is sweeping the stage. He is the only
person in the building. Their last show was four
weeks ago. But he does not care. The only other signs
of life include the rat family that lives in the rafters.
It seems they just welcomed a new litter with the new
sounds of high-pitched squeaks.]

ALEX is wearing a simple black shirt and jeans. His coat is placed neatly in one of the audience seats. His blonde hair is unkempt.

ALEX: It does not make sense. I need this stage - it was built for me. Why do they not see that?

[ALEX waves his hands around, giving a twirl with a broom in hand.]

ALEX: Hell, we could even do that one musical - Dogs. It ain't good, but it's somethin' for the new year. We could even do some stupid arena reenactment.

[Pause.]

ALEX: I wish Jane came sometimes. But she doesn't even like it here. Makes sense. She's never going to be as good as me.

[ The theatre is empty, and ALEX grows tired of speaking to himself.
He goes back to sweeping. For a while, he's in a zone, but he's snapped out of it by the sound of a closing door. ]

ALEX: Jane, I'm shocked you-

[Another voice, KIARA (unknown to ALEX), speaks up]

KIARA: Hello?

[ALEX whips around and drops his broom, shocked to hear a voice that wasn't Jane.

ALEX: Oh. Hi!

[ALEX waves frantically, a wide smile on his face]

ALEX: Can I help you with something?

[ ALEX has never seen this face in the theatre before. Did she think there was a show happening? Did she want lessons? Maybe she came and saw a show. He was so good that she hoped he would provide an autograph. Hopefully not. He doesn't have a pen on him, and he doesn't want to disappoint a fan. ]