Chapter 47
Blackswan Theater’s performance ended with a massive round of applause… While the drapes lowered slowly to mark the end of the show, many in the audience stayed in their seats, hoping to catch another glimpse of the Flower of Farucci.
Professor Salinya sat in the VIP area and listened to the thunderous applause. As the manager of Norland National Theater, he was very happy with the performance and also with Blackswan Theater. As expected of the number one troupe from Farucci, the Nation of Arts, everyone was enraptured by the Flower of Farucci’s charisma.
“Professor, the coach is ready. Will you be heading out now?”
“Of course, it’s time to say goodbye to our old friend.”
Professor Salinya raised his wine glass, finished the drink in one gulp, and returned the glass back to the table.
Unfettered by traditional constraints of what constituted good wine, he only cared about how the wine tasted in his mouth. It was with that same approach that he managed his theater. The content and aesthetics of a show were secondary to how interesting and enjoyable it was to the audience…
The way he saw it, it was the only way for a theater to survive. Nevertheless, his old friend failed to understand that as the man insisted on preserving his own pitiful version of performance art.
That obstinance had led to his friend’s misery. It was time for him to let Norland National Theater become the only theater in the country.