"Power outage?"
For a moment Joy wasn't sure she had heard right. After all, she'd been putting in some really long days and it was early in the morning. She hated being up early in the morning. If she didn't love her job so much she would have hurled the alarm clock/radio across the room when Terry McLeod, sounding far too perky, had jarred her out of a dream talking about - what had he been talking about? Something to do with a quarter of the downtown being affected by a....
"Yes, a power outage," the theatre manager was looking at her funny while she held the door open for Joy to walk through into the lobby. She glanced around at the obvious lack of lighting. God, she needed some coffee.
"So, ok. We have no power. Excellent. Any indication of when we might have it back on?" Where the hell was her assistant? Sheila always brought coffee for her. Every morning. Without even being asked to because, of course, Joy wasn't the kind of person who would ask her assistant to get her coffee. But Sheila brought it anyways. Joy made a mental note to review the budget for next year and see if maybe a raise wasn't in order.
"Well, we've already got Hydro here," the theatre manager's voice had this calm, soothing tone to it. She was used to having to give people bad news in her job. Something always went wrong with any show. It's part of the fun. "They said it should only be about 10 minutes. And the alarm systems company is already here, ready to lift the fire doors as soon as power comes back on so...."
"Oh god, the fire door...." Joy glanced over automatically to where the heavy metal door had evidently slammed down when the surge had triggered the alarm. Thankfully this was happening now, if it had to, when they weren't open to an audience yet. Imagine if people had been milling around, admiring the venue's gorgeous architecture and kablam! Massive steel door comes crashing down. That would have been bad.
"Yes, they'll be back up as soon as we get electricity. This one here, " she nodded towards where Joy was still gaping, "and the one back stage."
"Oh jeez, right...that one too." Ok, now she knew they were lucky. A vision of actors, stage hands, technical crew all milling around in the wings, the flurry of activity that always seems to be happening backstage no matter how calm it might be past the footlights, just flashed into her mind. Along with another steel door suddenly crashing down. Evacuating people in the dark. Ok, it could be much much worse. The manager had said something about 10 minutes.
"So, just so I know, how confident are you that 10 minutes is an accurate estimate?"
"Well," the theatre manager paused and, with alarming frankness, finally continued. "They said 10 minutes about an hour ago so..."
"Right. Gotcha. Ok then, I guess we...wait." Joy inwardly screamed for Sheila to get there, get there, get there now. With coffee. It was quickly becoming her new mantra.
"You're taking this very calmly," the manager offered.
"Yeah, well, what are you going to do, right?" Joy was anxious inside, it was opening night after all, but having a fit wasn't going to put the power back on. She'd better serve herself and the company if she spent the time coming up with various possible scenarios for the power coming on later in the day, how that would set them back, action plans just in case. "I think I'm going to pop back outside for a moment. Would you excuse me?"
"Oh sure, Joy," the manager smiled at her. "Thanks for being so understanding."
"Hey, it's not your fault. Unless...there's something I don't know and you're like, a renegade hydro saboteur." Joy's eyes twinkled a little bluer whenever she teased.
"Ha! Now that would make for an interesting hobby. But no," the manager was heading off, getting ready to explain the lack of power to the next person. "I'll find you as soon as we're up and running again with an update."
"Great. Thanks." Joy was already half out the doors to the courtyard in front of the theatre. She headed over to one of the flowerbeds and sat down on the edge, being careful to gather her skirt up so the wind didn't surprise her. She really had to remember not to wear a full skirt on a windy day. It was awkward trying to keep it tucked around her legs, the fabric bunched and wedged behind her knees as she shielded the lighter and the cigarette with her free hand. It took her about three tries - the wind really was tricky today - but finally she got it done.
She thought to herself for the thousandth time that she definitely had to quit smoking this year. After the run's over. It would be far too Machiavellian to try to quit smoking in the middle of a show. With the promise to quit smoking immediately after this run made, the ritual was complete. Now she could just sit back and enjoy the cigarette. Worry about feeling guilty another time. After all, she'd already had that first drag. Damage was done. May as well finish.
It's amazing what you can justify to yourself, sometimes.
Her thoughts freed to roam, Joy turned towards her analysis of possible scenarios and back up plans to deal with them all. They'd have to get the power on within the next two hours if they weren't going to cancel outright. They could still get the circuit boards for the sound and lights rebooted in the time remaining, so long as everything went smoothly. The performers would have a little less time for hair and make up but the show had to go on. Maybe she could find some portable mirrors. It was sunny enough they could do some of their make up out here.
She butted her cigarette, and headed back inside where she was greeted by the beatific sight of Sheila walking towards her, arm outstretched, with a venti something from Starbucks. Joy felt the usual momentary pang of guilt over her glee in such an object of westernized capitalist over-consumption, but it was quickly displaced as her fingers felt the familiar coarseness of the warm, cardboard sleeve.
"Here you go, Joy. Sugar-free hazelnut latte." Sheila was practically laughing. She had already been made aware of the power outage situation and knew how badly Joy was probably jonesing for some java right now.
"You are an angel." Joy barely finished her sentence before filling her mouth with ambrosia.