Project Backwards; Chapter Nine

A Chapter by Michael Stevens

Chapter Nine:

“To be, or not to be; that is the question!” Steve woke from his latest time-jump to the sound of those words being spoken. So, he was back with Shakespeare huh? No, he saw seats, seats and the bodies filling them. A theater? Yes, his foggy eyes finally took notice of a stage, with an actor upon it. The man looked familiar, but he was seated too far away to place him. Then he noticed a handbill of some sort lying on the seat next to him. He picked it up and read,

“The Soaring Gables Theater is proud to announce, the great John Barrymore’s portrayal of Hamlet, in his classic play character, ‘Hamlet’!”

John Barrymore, a member of the world famous Barrymore family, along with sister Ethyl and brother Lionel. His attention was yanked back to the stage, almost as if John demanded it. As his eyes returned to the stage, he saw a gleam of light off something. It was a wheelchair; Lionel! Sitting beside him was a woman, almost certainly Ethyl. They were all here! He glanced around him at the audience, to see if they were aware they were in the presence of greatness. As he watched, a man attempted to walk by where Lionel’s wheelchair was parked, semi-blocking the row of folding chairs up front. The man was obviously drunk, as he was weaving terribly. As he attempted to walk behind Lionel’s wheelchair, he tripped, spilling his beer, or some other liquid, all over Lionel and Ethyl. Steve expected an apology was in order, but instead the man became outraged.

“Hey pops, you’re blocking the aisle!”

Lionel replied in the silent theater, “I’m sorry, I scooted my wheelchair as far forward as I could.”

“Bulls**t!”

Ethyl then said, “Well, there’s no reason for rudeness!”

“Eat it, lady!”

Then John, who was just standing and watching the exchange, gave an outraged roar and came flying off the stage and started beating on the guy.

The wailing of a siren sounded outside the theater, and soon after, the police burst through the doors. By this time, the ‘fight’ was long over. The unfortunate theater-goer who’d flipped lip to Lionel and Ethyl was lying unconscious in the middle of the aisle. John was sitting nearby, casually smoking a cigarette.

“What happened here?” asked a policeman.

After the unfortunate heckler had been taken to the hospital, and the police had issued a citation to John and gone, John addressed the audience.

“Ladies and Gentleman, I’d like to apologize; I’d like to continue the play, if I might.”

At the conclusion of the play, Steve hung around until everyone was gone, and he was listening to the silence of an empty theater. He wanted to meet theater royalty. He walked up on the stage, and looked out upon the rows and rows of empty seats. It must be exhilarating, yet terrifying, to see those same seats filled with people, all hanging on your every word. He wasn’t going to let this moment, meeting three acting icons, pass him by. He crossed the stage and walked behind it. There were cables, and empty pieces of set everywhere. He danced his way past them and came to several doors, which he took for dressing rooms.

He had been waiting for only a few minutes, and watched as every once in a while, someone walked past. My, how lax was security in days gone by. He might have been a stalker, and nobody gave him a second glance. Then John Barrymore stepped out of his dressing room door, looking very different from Hamlet. He wore a suit, and the confidence of someone who knows they’re good-looking.

Steve walked right up to the great actor, and blurted, “Might I say what a great honor it is to meet you, Mr. Barrymore. I’ve got every movie you ever made on DVD.”

“Well, thank you kind sir; it’s always nice to meet a fan, although I hope to continue making movies for a good while yet; and I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, sir; I’m not familiar with the term ‘DVD’ Is that some new kind of film?”

Steve mentally kicked himself; obviously, DVD’s hadn’t been invented yet; nor had videos. “It’s not important. Suffice it to say, I’m a huge fan!”

“Well, that’s awfully kind of you. I’m glad you like my movies, but I consider myself primarily as a stage actor. Did you catch the play?”

“Oh yes, you were quite good. Hamlet is one of your most famous roles.”

“Thank you again. Listen, I’m supposed to meet Ethyl and Lionel for dinner, why don’t you come too?”

“Why, that sounds great!”

Steve found himself seated at a restaurant table, sipping a drink, with John, Ethyl, and Lionel Barrymore, watching as John put away the alcohol.

“John, I haven’t thanked you for defending my honor,” Ethyl said.

Then Lionel added, “Yes, thank you John, for coming to my defense.”

“Oh, you’re both quite welcome. The guy was a bore!”

As much as he was enjoying the conversation, Steve’s bladder rebelled, and he found himself having to visit the restroom. “If you’ll excuse me? I have to visit the restroom.”

“Yes, of course,” replied John.

Steve reluctantly went off in search of a restroom. When he located the restaurant’s restrooms he entered, and took care of business, then washed his hands, and tried to open the door. He wanted to get back to the table, and carry on with their conversation, but the door seemed to be locked. Steve’s eyes sought out the door knob; not locked. He rattled the door knob, but it remained locked.

After a few minutes, John Barrymore’s concerned voice came through the door. “Everything all right in there? You’ve been gone a long time.”

“Yeah everything’s fine, except the door seems to be locked; I can’t get out of here.” Then his world went dark.

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