5 – Connie – Then
I honestly couldn’t remember the set. It’s like I was in such a flow, completely lost in the music and the songs I was singing. I was mildly aware of the crowd jamming out with us, of Lilli and I bowing as they roared for an encore.
We were on cloud nine as we exited the stage and returned to the lobby to gather our guitar cases. There, another staff member told us we were free to explore the other presentations and exhibits.
“Results will be posted on the door between 5 and 7 P.M.,” he said with a genuine smile. “Anyone who makes it to the final performance will receive their feedback after the show with the judges. Everyone else will get their score sheets tonight.”
We thanked him and went to check in to our hotel room. After we checked in, took our luggage to the room, and changed clothes, we decided to wander around the festival. There were art displays, theatre scenes, and short films—today was all about performances.
“I kind of want to see the films,” I said. “I want to just sit and relax.”
The short films were being presented in an auditorium at the university campus, and when we arrived, there were somepeople complaining about how using a projector wouldn’t be the best way to show the use of color and editing. A staff member looked panicked as she explained that those decisions were above her pay grade.
We sat in the front left as they argued. “I wish we had popcorn,” Lilli said. “I’m hungry.” I pulled out a bag of dried apple chips from my bag. “Oh my God, you’re a lifesaver,” Lilli said.
“Trust me, it’s self-preservation. You’re a pain when your blood sugar is low.”
She nudged me playfully as the lights dimmed. An older gentleman came on stage framed in a spotlight, followed by about ten young adults.
“Thank you all for being here for the presentation of the second group of the short film category,” he announced. His voice resonated through the building, his ease of projection making me think of an actor playing a general or something. “We have ten fine films to show you today. The directors are up here with me, and they will stand at the end of their film for the judges so you can see their badge numbers. Reminder to please silence your cell phones. If you need to leave at any time, we ask that you wait until the short film ends. Without further ado, let us begin!”
We started clapping as the lights went dark and the first short film began. It was horror-esque, about a girl being haunted by her boyfriend’s ghost, only to find out that she was the ghost all along. The second was a found footage-style video about finding an ancient scroll, full of action and adventure.
One was really introspective about working as an online sex worker and the life of the creator when the camera was turned off. Another was a twist onThe Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy brings her Aunt and Uncle to Oz trying to save them from poverty.
“I liked that one,” Lili said as it ended.
“Me too, but I liked the sex worker one a lot too.”
She nodded. “I was surprised the Wizard one was directed by a guy. It was very ‘pro-matriarchy’.”
“He was cute,” I said, staring at the director on stage as he sat, clearly more relaxed than the others.
The speaker returned to the stage and dismissed the directors and thanked the audience and judges as I watched the cute guy walk off stage.
“I’m gonna talk to him, see if we’re in any workshops together,” I told Lilli.
6 – Eric – Then
Bars had never really been my scene. I used to frequent gay bars with my ex-boyfriend, or I would go to sports bars with my brother and his friends where they’d all drink and yell, but I never really had a good time either way. It wasn’t that I didn’t drink—I just didn’t overindulge. I didn’t like the feeling of control slipping away, and after all the ways my friends had embarrassed themselves, I was good.Someonehad to keep a level head.
Tonight, a bunch of the artists had wanted to hit the local spots before the tourists arrived, which was why we had been at the Lemon Drop, a hole-in-the-wall gay bar, for two hours already. I was with one of the actors in my short film, Frankie, who had played The Wizard. I didn’t really want to direct—I wanted to write, but our Dorothy, Christina, had an idea and wanted me to help her write it. Directing just kind of happened because we had to hurry and get it done.
Frankie was on a date with a friend of my ex, Zach. He was a few drinks in and was already spewing his bullshit.
“Eric, it’s seriously exhausting being around you. You’re never any fun at bars,” he taunted.
“I don’t really like bars,” I told him, although he already knew that.
“I think you’re just not comfortable at gay bars. I think you have internalized homophobia.”
I rolled my eyes. Zach was a real piece of shit. I looked over at Frankie with puppy eyes for an assist.
“Youarekind of a downer,” Frankie agreed.
This guy.
“And you’ve always been this way, even with Howie,” Zach continued. “By the way, you should call him and apologize. Dumping him was kind of fucked up.”
