Persian Rug Tale

Oliver Mayhorn was walking back to his cottage after seeing a most wonderful play: a musical in which two star-crossed lovers are torn apart by their families AND zombies. These days the classics are always infiltrated with either zombies or vampires. Who decided that made any sense? The star of the show was Oliver’s favorite singer, Ralphio Antonio. When Ralphio sang, Oliver felt the heavens inch a few feet closer to the earth. In the last act of the play Ralphio turns into a zombie and in his zombie trance attacks Adette the fair maiden (his one true love). In order to save herself Adette is forced to kill her one-true-love Ralphio---who, in his last moments of life, remembers who he used to be as a human and how he loved Adette and leaves the world with an achingly beautiful last song as he dies in her arms. Oliver was so moved by Ralphio’s performance and his final song that he wept in the audience. They even made a Persian rug out of the story.

This was not a dignified single tear. Nor was it a subtle stream of tears that could have passed unnoticed. Oliver Mayhorn was full-on-grab-your-mama-talking-to-Oprah-on-the-Oprah-Winfrey-Show weeping. Hysterically! People were staring. One elderly man offered his handkerchief to Oliver right after he had finished a fine display of blowing his nose with it. It was a disgusting offer and Oliver declined politely. But the point is, Oliver Mayhorn was deeply and unashamedly moved. Deep in his heart, Oliver wanted nothing more than to be Ralphio Antonio.

When Oliver reached his home, still fantasizing about the night and picturing himself on stage in Ralphio’s role, he found a letter on his doorstep. It was a long scroll of parchment and it read:

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

The Queen is declaring a contest in order to find the best singer in the land. The winner will be named The Official Court Singer and will sing for the Queen whenever she desires.

Auditions will be held in two weeks hence.

Sincerely
Harold, the royal messenger