Front Row at the Encore

The park bandstand erupted into glowing neon light just as the evening show kicked into high gear. Perched quietly on the side of a backstage equipment crate, I watched the colorful spotlights paint the wooden floorboards in vivid magenta and teal. When the drummer finished a roaring solo, one of their spare wooden drumsticks rolled near the crate's edge. I stepped forward with steady footing, gripped the smooth hickory stick between both paws, and rolled it back safely behind the crate rim. Resting my paws on the weathered wood, I took in the final chorus under the neon glow.