He hadn’t seen the performer for years
so planned accordingly.
He arrived early
during the act three prior to the one he came for
and parked himself in his desired spot
and then
he waited.

This artist had a devoted following
he remembered
so he had to outsmart them
out-prepare them
set himself up for success
and he was in a good space
figuratively/literally/spiritually
until a few minutes after projected showtime
and he found himself alone in the room.

Had the gig been cancelled?
Had the artist’s career been cancelled?
Was the artist not half the man he used to be?
Was the artist going to be performing to an audience of one? Was he going to be that awkward audience of one?

Shit.

He had prepared so well
except he didn’t anticipate at all
the vagaries of time.