The theater empty. No more cheers echoing from the balcony, no more excited conversations of those leaving. Simply, silence.

The young woman peeked out from behind the heavy red curtain. Her childhood dream had been accomplished, but it had disappeared too soon.

She had finally gotten to experience being on stage in front of hundreds of people, singing and performing her heart out. Yet, it was all over in a matter of hours. It was only a one time show; she had no idea if she would ever have the opportunity again. She asked herself if this is what she wanted her life to consist of, brief moments of ecstasy, followed by the crushing weight of reality.

She wasn’t sure, but she had no time to ponder it, for she was being called by her costar to hurry up, they had a party to attend.

She stepped back from the curtain, watching as it shut out her view of the stage, and left for the party celebrating the end of her dream.