The rain came down on his city. Not hard and angry but soft and constant. It came down on everything, the negress with the dyed purple hair. The sidewalk chalk drawings of horses. The ancient Cadillac with to many years behind it. He was in an office building. The stairs were narrow but homely. The floor was newly renovated hardwood. It obviously used to be an apartment building. He rapped sharply on room 103, the office of the theatre's administrator. He thought he heard, "Come in" but it was muffled by two women's chatter as they passed. He considered just walking in, imagining a busy theatre administrator at her desk surronded by papers, grant applications and gas bills. He imagined her frustration as she had to get up from her desk becuase the deaf imbecile at the door didn't just come in. He considered just turning the handle but thought he would wait. Besides the hallway was filled with every kind of harsh beauty. He'd been watching one to many romantic movies so he wandered to the window. He considered for a moment removing the dead bolt and stepping out onto the small balcony but it was jammed and he considered it a sign from the gods so contenented himself just to watch. He watched the homeless man with the plaid jacket bother the construction worker in his blue safety coveralls for a lighter. He saw the truck with "We sell houses for cash" emblazened on the side drive up. He saw the driver hop out and start fiddling for change for the meter. Another sign of the end of the world. Buissness start being built soley around the idea of capitilizing on people's financial ruin. His gaze fell on the thosuands of stories being told in the street below him. Stories of love, stories of the everyday, stories of everyday love. He rapped again on the door.
"Andrew?"
A voice cut through the silence ussually only punctated by passing diesel engines. Down the hallway she stood. Approaching quickly.
"I'm sorry I'm late. I hope you weren't waiting long."
"Not at all" He said.
"All right." She said "Let me show you the theatre."
They went back down the stairs. Through a side door and into the main lobby. They talked about simple things, the weather, the school he goes to, the school she went to. The moment looking on the street was gone though.