Jamie sighed and placed his head in his hands. He leaned forward, over the desk in the tiny room where he did his thinking as of late, and sighed again. He leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling, sighing with exasperation. He had only been the town's theater director for two days, and he already felt like his life was ending.
"Why can't I think of anything good to show..?" he thought to himself out loud. He ran a hand through his luscious hair and watched his digital clock change the green numbers to read seven pm. It was already seven in the afternoon, when the dusk was casting its glow all over the town, shades of orange and red dimming the quiet atmosphere of the beachside neighborhood. Everyone was either kicking back after another perfect beach day or enjoying their favorite ice cream down by the docks. At least, that's what Jamie dreamed of as he sat at his desk, reading through a list of his favorite plays and performances and making notes beside every title. The play he featured, the first with himself as the official director, had to be perfect. He couldn't let down the people of Beach City with something second-rate, so he'd looked through many classics he was familiar with, to no avail.
He glanced at the clock again, then hung his head with a final, heavy sigh, before he stood up and marched toward the door.
"Maybe a walk will do me some good. After all, a mossy rock gathers no...wait." He locked his door and shoved his hands in his pockets as he started walking down the side of the street, looking up at the colorful sky frosted with clouds. The air had a muted warmth lingering in it, but a cool wind breezed between the buildings, signaling the start of a chilly night. No cars passed Jamie on the street, but he waved to a passerby or two as they walked in the other direction. In a small town, everyone knows everyone. No one was forgotten about here, and the only people who kept themselves isolated were always the most exciting and couldn't stay hidden for long. Maybe that's what Jamie liked about living here: there was always something to talk about, something new to discover every day.
He turned the corner to head for the beach, enjoying the hypnotic atmosphere. He really needed to take walks like these more often.
"Hey, Jamie!" a familiar voice called.
Jamie smiled and turned towards the source, lifting his hand as Steven came running to hi-five him. "Hey, Steven! How's my star performer doing?"
"Great!" The boy grinned, holding up a greasy paper bag. "I was just gettin' some fry bits. You gotta love the bits!"
Jamie nodded wisely. "The bits must be loved, as we all should be."
They both shared a laugh.
"So, what's up, Jamie? I haven't heard from you in a few days. Is being theater director really that busy?" Steven asked, looking up to his friend.
Jamie shrugged with a quiet laugh. "Well, you know, it's a tough business, but I'm getting the hang of it." He closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly. "If only I could accomplish this one task…"
"What task?"
"The task of bringing Beach City a new play, one that will bring them to their feet in awe and emotion!" He raised a clenched fist into the air as he spoke with newfound intensity.
Steven's eyes sparkled. "Woooaah… That sounds awesome! I can't wait!"
Jamie sighed quietly. "It would be great, if I could only think of something appropriate."
The magical boy tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"I mean it has to be charming, spectacular, and witty, but it has to appeal to the audience, and...and…" Jamie dropped his hand, frowning with disappointment. "And it has to be magical… After all, it's what the people of Beach City are used to. I have to make a fantastic first impression, and I can't do that with a regular old play that has no fantasy qualities." Jamie made an uncertain, disgruntled expression as he recalled the last title on his list, still sitting at home. "A Midsummer Night's Dream might do, but honestly, I didn't want to be four different lovers at once. Even with shadow puppetry, the feat is just too great." He held his hands to his chest. "If only I could find something worthy of this city…"
"Hmm…" Steven tapped his foot, holding a finger to his chin. "A magical play… Why not make one like the play we had?"
"I would if I could, but I just can't think of anything! I was made for acting, not writing stories," Jamie explained forlornly.
"Well, then, you just need someone who can write stories! Pearl is smart, maybe she can help," Steven offered with a smile, which was quickly replaced with a frown. "Oh, but, she's kind of busy right now with gem stuff. It may be a while before we catch Peridot."
"Thank you, Steven, but a director must make do with what he has," Jamie responded with a dramatic tone, his expression serious. "If I can't find a writer in Beach City, I may have to look for one...elsewhere."
"Elsewhere?" Steven questioned wonderingly.
"Elsewhere," Jamie whispered mystically.
"Well, good luck!"
Jamie smiled and nodded. "Thanks. You, too, with your magical gem adventures!"
"Thanks!" Steven continued on his walk toward the temple, and Jamie continued on his aimless journey through the town. Perhaps Steven was right; a play about the gems would be a step in the right direction, but he couldn't rely on their stories forever. Besides, they probably had bigger things to worry about than Jamie's career...
The bus pulled to a stop, wheezing as the doors hissed open. A thin woman wrapped in a dark brown cape thanked the driver and stepped off, hefting her pink suitcase down to the concrete with her. She watched as the bus pulled away, and she took a moment to admire the scenery before her. The wind picked up slightly, blowing some petals past her face. They were bright pink, perfectly matching the shades that the evening sun were painting the ocean. The town itself was small, but neat. She could already smell the grease of fast food, and her stomach growled for it.
The woman took a deep breath, exhaling as her tired gaze wandered down the road that would lead her to her new home. Her hands, covered with worn white gloves, clutched the handle of her rolling suitcase as she started off for the town, her steps short and quiet in her grey flats. She pulled the cape over the shoulders of her baby blue dress and searched for any sign of a hotel or motel as she wandered down the hill.