Michael Robinson sat on a cold metal stool with his back resting on the side of an old Victorian mansion. He was nervous and uncomfortable but knew he had no choice. They'd rehearsed this night too many times for him to back down now. He'd been irritated with the constant practices, thinking they weren't necessary, but now that the night had come, he wished he could have one last rehearsal.
He looked at the beautiful woman beside him. The tip of her heels were an inch off the ground as she strained her neck to peer through the tiny window. The room was filled with highly esteemed dinner party guests mingling over cocktails and finger food.
Her eyes looked past the guests and their self-embroidered business cards. She looked past the forced conversations of individuals eager to talk, but not wanting to listen. She peered all the way to the back corner of the room, where the stone wall met a large archway. She made eye contact with an older man standing under the arch. He had bright white hair that was neatly trimmed with every strand in its perfect place. His left hand clutched a glass of aged wine. He gave a mischievous grin and signaled five more minutes.
Katiella Bisset's heels touched back to the ground as she sat down onto the stool next to Michael. "Five minutes, are you ready?" She whispered.
Michael nodded unconvincingly as a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead and dripped onto his charcoal suit. His right hand fidgeted with his left wrist's cuff link snapping it open and closed quickly. Katiella placed her hands on his trying to get him to stop.
"It's going to be ok, you're going to do great." This time she didn't sound convincing. She unbuttoned Michael's suit jacket, pulled a handkerchief from his hidden pocket, and lightly dabbed his face.
Michael half-grinned as his knee began to bounce. He was trying to remember his lines. His mind raced, trying to remember everything that was supposed to happen. Kat leaned over, gave him a light kiss on his forehead, then stood back up.
Her heels came off the ground once more as she looked back through the window. The man gave the nod, and she immediately ducked out of the frame.
"It's time."
Michael gulped, his legs felt heavier than usual as he stood from his stool. He looked nervously at Katiella. Her platinum blonde hair fell just below her shoulders, her lipstick matched her bright red dress, her light grey eyes were wide and impatient.
"Well, let's go," Kat's voice was a little more hurried as she grabbed Michael's hand and pulled him towards the back of the house. He stumbled behind her, trying his best to feel as though he wasn't resisting.
Kat stood at the back door directly in front of Michael. He pulled a black cloth from his pocket. His hands were shaking as they reached around Kat's head and tied the cloth over her eyes.
"Is that too tight?"
"No I'm fine, just make sure we're on time."
Michael peered through the blurred glass. This was his grand entrance. Tonight fully came down to his performance. They'd all practiced together, but in reality, it was all up to him.
After a minute that felt like an hour, the lights inside the house suddenly shut off. They heard gasps from inside.
"Here we go," Michael whispered in Kat's ear.
"I love you," Kat whispered back.