Festival Day
Originally posted on May 30, 2009
Asher: Hey, Ben.
Ben: Jeremiah here?
Asher: Yeah, let me go give him a holler.
Jacie: Oh, Ben…..I was here once. When it was a run-down movie theater showing foreign films and Saturday kid’s shows; it must have been twenty-five years ago.
Jacie: The building was in awful condition then; it surely must have taken a fortune to renovate it.
Ben: Jeremiah’s brother thought it was worth saving, I guess.
Jeremiah: *entering* Yo, Bluefield!
Ben: Hey, Bennett. You ready?
Jeremiah: Ready enough.
Ben: Final warning – you’re the one who wanted to come along. So don’t get all whiny on us if you’re bored to death after five minutes.
Jeremiah: Nah, it won’t be boring. I’ve been listening to stuff I downloaded and it’s pretty cool. And I can always do some people-watching.
Jacie: *moving back beside Ben after wandering around the foyer* Fans at a Bluegrass festival are apt to be just as uninspiring as the music is to you, Jeremiah.
Ben: Jare, this is my Mom, Jacie MacOnochie. Ma, this Jer… oh yeah, you just said…. Guess you knew that already.
Jacie: I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Jeremiah.
Jeremiah: Good to finally meet Ben’s Mom.
Jacie: Ben has told me a lot about you.
Jeremiah: Oh great…. I swear I didn’t do it! He made it all up!
Jacie: Oh, so you aren’t “a right friendly kid considering where you moved from?”
Ben: Ma!
Jeremiah: *laughs* I dunno. *fake-glares at Ben* What do you mean, considering where I moved from? What’s wrong with Nooo Yawwk?
Asher: *coming up behind them* I lived in New York for almost two years, Jeremiah, and people are definitely friendlier here. *extends his hand* Hi there. Asher Williamson…
Jacie: * Jacie MacOnochie. I’m Ben’s Mom.
Asher: And this is Radley.
Radley: Pleased to meet you.
Jacie: Hello….. Radley…..It’s nice to meet……… you…….too…
Jacie: So you’re Jeremiah’s brother? The one who renovated the theater here? It’s beautiful….
Asher: That would be me.
Jacie: You’re younger than I thought.
Asher: Never too young to realize a dream, Ms. MacOnochie, and this place is mine. Glad you like it.
Jacie: I do – very much. What are the acoustics in the main theater like?
Ben: Ma! It’s a playhouse, not a music hall!
Asher: Not at all, Ben. We’re willing to host all sorts of performances here. So far we’ve only performed plays, but I’m open to booking musical entertainment in the future.
Jacie: My father was a festival promoter, before he passed. Lately I’ve been thinking that if I won’t be performing again, I might want to take up where he left off. This would be an absolutely lovely setting for those who don’t care for outdoor venues…
Jacie: Oh, gracious, I’m gettin’ way ahead of myself, and these two young men are impatient to get goin’.
Asher: It was nice meeting you.
Jacie: Nice meetin’ you, too…
Ben: Come on, Ma…..
Jacie: …And you as well, Mr……. Radley….
Asher: What was that about?
Radley: What was what about?
Asher: The way Ben’s Mom was looking at you. Didn’t you notice?
Radley: I noticed. I have no idea.
*Jeremiah returns late that night*
Asher: Nice hat.
Jeremiah: Thanks. They were sponsors.
Asher: No kidding.