Chapter 2
Hopkins Theatre
The next morning, Krista woke up to the sound of the hair dryers blowing, the chattering of her sisters, and mom talking on the phone. She got out of bed, took her shower, blow-dried her hair, and went back to her room to her closet, filled with the latest fashions. She took out her white T-shirt with the blue A, her favorite pair of jeans, and her black semi sweater coat. Then she slipped her feet into brown leather boots and went downstairs to join her family. She went to the cabinet and grabbed apple cinnamon cheerios. She sat at the table with her sisters planning a shopping trip after school. Krista joined in the conversation talking about buying cute miniskirts at Macy's. The bus horn honked startling the sisters. They got up quickly and took their backpacks from the door, and ran out into a misty morning, boarding the bus to school.
The bus drove up to the school and the four sisters got off. Krista decided to go ahead into the school rather than having hundreds of boys eying all four of their goddess like bodies. She headed to the office and saw how many people signed up for Hopkins theatre. Tons of people, especially guys, signed up, with Krista's name on the first line. They probably signed up because I signed up she thought giggling, and went on to class.
Thursday finally came. Ever since she signed up to be an actress at Hopkins theatre, she's seen rick more often, talking about what working there will be like. She was happy she could spend more time with him. Today, she drove down to Hopkins theatre with Rick. She heard Hopkins theatre was getting in worse and worse condition because of a few pranks from some gangs around town. She shook her head and giggled to herself. Rick looked at her confused but gestured to him that it was nothing. They pulled into the Hopkins theatre parking lot, parked the car, and slammed the doors behind them.
Hopkins theatre was a large, box like theatre on the outside with glass doors leading to the inside. The roof was 15-20 stories high with at least 4-5 gargoyles. It was around a long time, since 1891, which is why it looked like something from a Victorian movie. Krista and Rick walked to the double glass doors. Inside was decorated with an intricate red carpet. On the walls, electric candle light bulbs stood with flowery like wallpaper covering the wall. The foyer was filled with students from Krista's and Rick's school. This is the first time Krista has been in Hopkins theatre, and already Krista feels something lurking within it.
Suddenly two men came through the door leading to the theatre inside. One man wore a baggy, chest revealing shirt with designer jeans, while the other man wore loose jeans with a tight blue T-shirt. Krista guessed they were gay. The man with the baggy shirt stepped forward and announced "Hello everyone, I'm Jocq, and this is my partner Chad. We're in charge of the theatre and we'll also be introducing you to the theatre, showing you the people in charge of the cast and crews, and giving you a complete tour of the theatre. Then by the time we're done showing you around, we'll give each of you a packet that has a schedule of when you are needed here. Now follow us!" Jocq told them, leading the group of students into a massive theatre capable of fitting up to 600 people. The seats were wooden with dusty red cushions and two sets of stairs leading to the stage on either side. The owners walked up on the stage and gestured the students to quiet down and take their seats. Krista sat in the second to first row of the stage near the aisle, next to rick who was talking to his guy friends. Chad suddenly appeared on the stage and told us to be quiet again, and it became dead silent. Jocq said "Welcome Jefferson High students! And thank you for taking your time to help our theatre. So to start things off, let's start introducing ourselves." No one raised their hand, and a few girls giggled to the silence. Then Jocq pointed to Rick asking him to introduce himself. His friends snickered playfully at him and he rolled his eyes saying "I'm Rick Leverte" Jocq studied his face and asked him to sit down. Then he turned to Krista and asked her "Won't you introduce yourself miss?" Krista nodded, stood up and told him "I'm Krista Chagny" Jocq suddenly became quiet, still looking at her as if she was a ghost. Jocq shook himself and stuttered "C-c-Chagny? W-what a pretty last name…" Then he pushed Chad up to the stand to take his place and told her "Welcome to Hopkins theatre miss Chagny, we hope you enjoy yourself here at our theatre." Then he looked away to the walls, and Krista put on a puzzled face, and sat down.
Soon after everyone introduced themselves to the gay managers, they divided into 2 groups. One for the actor's and actresses', and another for crew work. Krista stood next to her best friend Rick in the actors/actresses group as Jocq led them thorough the theatre halls. He showed the group backstage, the dance room, the actors and actresses hallway, and lots more. During the tour Krista felt like she was being watched. She didn't like it so she clung to her friends sleeve tighter and tighter as it got worse. At the end of the tour, she received her packet for when she needs to be here. But the managers asked Krista to talk to them in their office.
Chad and Jocq sat together behind a large desk with letters and paper forms scattered around it. Krista took the seat in front of the desk and waited for what they wanted to say to her. Chad and Jocq talked together quietly so she couldn't hear. Then Chad spoke"There's something that you alone should need to know about the theatre miss Chagny…" Chad looked down pondering if he should even tell her, then continued "There's…something in this Theatre that you should be careful of my dear…" he paused again and continued "You see, we tend to have some problems with very certain people, and we don't want you to be caught by them. So be on the lookout if you notice anything strange" Chad sat back in his chair sweating as if he had been running for miles. Krista asked "Are you okay Mr. Chad?" Chad nodded and dismissed Krista from the room.
She got up and left the building with an impatient Rick outside "About time Krista, why'd you take so long?" Krista told him "The managers had to tell me something…important" Rick rolled his eyes and took Krista's hand. She pulled it away, not knowing why. Rick looked up at her, and Krista shook her head telling him it was nothing. Rick raised an eyebrow and Krista shook again. They got into the car and shut the doors behind them, leaving the almost deserted parking lot under the watch of the looming theatre.