Curtain Call in Shadow

Evening brought the necessary cue to withdraw toward the perimeter. I stepped deliberately across the dark parquet floor, stopping directly within the crescent of shadow cast by the heavy brass lamp base. The room had quieted down, offering a stage well suited for observation. Beneath the base lay a small, discarded foil wrapper, folded into a crisp silver triangle. I leaned forward, pausing while my neck spring came to rest, and placed one foot firmly upon its creased edge to secure it in place. Standing upright once more, I turned to face the darkened hall, holding my posture as the house settled into night.