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“Let’s gooo!” She scampered off, and when she looked back at me, I trotted on after her.
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When we got into the venue, it was filled with noise.
I could hear expectant whispers, loud and excited chattering, and unfettered yelling. Even in the dark with all the lights off, you could sense the anticipation.
It wasn’t long before the show began and the excitement in the hall came to a head. Heck, people were yelling and waving their penlights at the promotional video playing on the big screen.
The front was dominated by hard-core fans of the participating artists and idols, so we automatically took up position in the rear. But you get the best view of the overall buzz of a concert hall from the back. I wasn’t really interested in the show to begin with, but standing in the middle of the audience got even me excited.
Eventually, the background music of the hall slowly faded out, and the video on the screen disappeared, too. In inverse proportion, the expectant yelling got even louder.
It was just about to start.
Standard protocol for a concert would be for the general notices to come next. Depending on the show, they might gear it toward the event itself, like having the CEO or the staff make announcements for the producers.
Well then, I wonder what general notices this fest will have, I thought, listening for the announcement.
Then, mingled in the murmuring behind us were some familiar voices.
“So this is the venue for the fest today…”
“We’ve gotta hurry, or it’ll start without us!”
“Of course! Let’s go, go, go!”
I heard a particularly composed voice offering commentary, then suddenly a cheerful voice urging her on, followed by a cunning yet charming voice.
But then the first one kept the others from rushing in. “Wait right there. Don’t run in the venue. Also…they’re about to make the general announcements, so be sure to listen.”
“Absolutely!”
“Whoa, she’s reeeally into this…”
I overheard an energetic response and a weirded-out reaction, and following a light clearing of the throat, the composed voice continued dispassionately, “‘During the performance, either set your cell phones to silent or turn them off. Photos and video and audio recordings are also forbidden. Those who engage in this behavior and fail to heed warnings by staff will be asked to leave the venue, and the event may be interrupted, so we please ask for your cooperation. Furthermore, please be aware that this event is being recorded for video.’ That’s what it says; do you two understand?” The composed tone went on at length with what sounded rather like the general notices.
“Yep, yep! Follow the rules and enjoy the fest!” the cheerful voice replied brightly, but I had a sneaking suspicion she didn’t really get it. That was followed by a quiet, resigned-sounding sigh.
The voices and the conversation sounded so familiar, it made me wonder, Do I know them? Though I turned halfway back to get a look, the crowd blocked my view, and I couldn’t quite see.
But even within the throng, that cunning-cute voice, the cheerful and cute laugh, and that calm, beautiful tone reached my ears with near-perfect clarity.
“…Then let’s have some fun!”
“Whoooo!”
“…Oh, it’s about to begin.”
I looked toward the front of the venue to see fog wafting up from the stage and a spotlight jumping around.
Finally, the festival begins…