"Dawn"

by

Sabine Clement
(pierre@hhipe.uia.ac.be)

The day slowly dissolves the night. The sky is no longer pitch dark, but a bottomless blue. In the east, dark grey-purplish clouds glow deep red underneath. The two people stand motionless, watching the dawn approach.

The colours of the heavens keep changing. Slowly, oh so slowly, barely noticeable. But when Fran closes her eyes and opens them a minute later, the mauve has become purple, the blue has adopted a greenish tint, and orange and peach have joined the play. About half the sky is now coloured in delicate tones.

"Like an impressionist's pastel painting", Maxwell thinks. He shift his weight on his other leg, unaware of the fact that he's been standing there forever.

The ever-shifting display now shows a range of colours even Fran can no longer name. The purple clouds near the horizon are outlined by firing flames. Just above them, orange becomes yellow, or is it the other way 'round ? A second cloud layer separates the yellow-orange from an area in mint green and pink. And then, when she puts her head way back in her neck, her eyes meet the blues.

They should both be moving. They should get on with whatever life wants from them. But they can't. They keep waiting, knowing that something very special is waiting for them. Something that is nearing the horizon, lurking out there. Playing with them. Something so close they can almost touch it. Something inevitable.

Suddenly, rays shoot from the horizon. Yellow, orange. The clouds are no longer burning, but are covered in gold.

Then the gigantic orb lifts itself from the horizon. An enormous ball of copper slowly makes its way up to the heavens, firing rays of pure light in all directions, chasing away the night for good.

Fran sucks in her breath in awe.

"Marvelous...", Maxwell whispers.

"Magic", Fran utters.

The long, dark, cold night of waiting is over. The dawn to a brand new day beckons them both.

Maxwell lowers his eyes and grabs the railing. Well, no need to stand here any longer. Time to move on. So much to do today... He really shouldn't be wasting time, watching the sunrise. Good heavens, what was he thinking ? With this new show coming 'round the corner, the backers' party tomorrow. And then there's still the dilemma with the children...

He walks into his office and closes the doors to the terrace. Not a minute too soon. The second he puts himself down in his chair, he hears C.C.'s. familiar "Hello, hello" coming from the living room. And he sighs anew.

Meanwhile, Fran studies herself in the mirror, adjusting the fur collar of her new coat. She sighs. She still needs a good opening line... Well, she could think about that later, it's time to leave now. She shivers, uncertain what to expect.

"I'm off, Ma !", she yells, and she picks up a pink, metallic suitcase.

She leaves the building and looks up at the sky. The sun is shining down on her. Greeting her warmly, encouraging her. She smiles thankfully. Today is her first day as a cosmetics sales girl. Today sees the dawn of the rest of her life.

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