Mask

Mask

Barbara knew she was going to make a breathtaking entrance. She always does. However, this time, she was a little sad. She knew it would be the last time. It always made her sad when it was time to go. Shes been Barbara for too long.

“Enough with the self pity! My fans await!” She chides, looking in the mirror one last time to make sure everything was perfect.

As usual, her fans and the press were yelling for her. Acting was definitely the right profession.

“Barbara! Can we get a shot?” The roar from the crowd is like music to her ears. She gives them a smile and blows kisses.

“It’s time.” The director calls her into the theater.

The play was fantastic. Her best performance ever. The crowd loves her! When it is over she slowly walks back to her dressing room, drinking in the place one last time. She runs her fingers over her nameplate on the door before going in.

She sat down in the chair at her makeup table and takes one last look. It would be the last time. She picks up her case and pulls out what appears to be a large cotton ball with some sort of liquid on it. She starts on her forehead and diligently wipes until her makeup is completely off her face, neck and arms. The woman looking back now is nothing like the woman she starts the night as. Before, she was a beautiful woman in her middle ages. Now she looks ancient, like a haggard old woman with a scarred face that is withered from time. She slowly stands and changes out of her elegant clothes into some tattered old rags.

She slips out of her room unnoticed. Barbara was no more.