Shadowplay

2

The second day started out more interesting and improved as it progressed, especially after the girl began singing. He listened to that soaring voice, contemplated the shining youth of the singer, so sweeet, so tennnderand on the verge of ceasing to exist. Exquisite pathos. He could see his clients weeping at the sadness of her fate, reveling in every nuance of her pain. They were a sentimental lot. Which was just as well-if they were not they would not pay his prices.

In the early afternoon when the resonance was born between the singer and the pilgrims and began to build and build, he was elated; the charge coming through the EYEs was so strong it was close to blowing the circuits of the pathecorder. His connoisseurs of emotion would be ecstatic.

When he saw the giant Holos form, he laughed aloud and murmured encouragement, tender nothings, loving nonsense. "So good, so good, a phenomenal finale, blessed be the Lady for sending you to me…"