Lurking on the High Wire

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"Give me a hug," Rosemary Teagan said, greeting Pari on the terrace of a Spanish luxury hotel in Waikiki on the island of Oahu. "We are going to grow so close."

Pari embraced this cheery woman who instantly put her at ease. She was joining Rosemary for breakfast under a cabana along the oceanfront. The Diamond Head tuff cone, across the beach, reached into a brilliant blue and cloudless sky. Rosemary was trim, in her late fifties, well-dressed, and adorned with a stylish emerald necklace and complementary earrings. She wore her rose-gold hair in a pixie cut and the exaggerated curves of her penciled eyebrows accentuated her sea green eyes and pleasant face. Rosemary, the director of research and development, as well as the leader of the retreat, had invited Pari for lunch and conversation before the commencement of the trip into the preserve's canyon.

"I am delighted with you," Rosemary began. "You are not at all what I expected. I think you can fit in with us."

"Thank you," Pari replied. "What were you expecting?"

"You never know, of course, with security staff. That is what Nathan called you. Is that correct? Anyway, maybe I imagined someone humorless and uptight. Maybe someone stodgy or judgmental. Look at me ramble! I love that you don't wear makeup. I wish I could do that. Oh boy, no, that cannot happen! Once upon a time, maybe. But the applied color is my armor, so to speak, and I like having the protection of armor in public. Does any of this make sense? If it doesn't, then good for you! May you never stress or strain about your appearance the way my generation does."

"Your candor is refreshing. You seem to have no filter. You speak what crosses your mind, no matter the consequences."

"Don't get me started on the trouble my mouth has gotten me into! You are correct. There is too much to do. Always. I have no time to reflect and obsess before the words escape my lips."

"Do you feel my presence among your group will be awkward?"

"No, dear, not unless you exude an energy of fear," Rosemary answered. "There is no need for anxiety. It's an open environment. That is why we are meeting this morning. There are things I must impart to you so the experience is smooth for all of us. Trust me when I tell you that it is important you understand that you are welcome. You can be a positive force, though temporary, in our troop."

As they ate, Rosemary told Pari about the company, its background, and its current performances. She emphasized that there was no "secret sauce" for creating new shows. Sometimes seeds of inspiration came from one person or one idea. But her instinct, in line with the company's philosophy, was to foster a combination of viewpoints and visions that speak to the universal truths and feelings inherent in the human condition.

"In other words, there should be no mystery why someone smiles," Rosemary said. "Why someone expresses kindness. Why someone is frightened. Why someone is jealous or forlorn. I do believe in challenging audiences, but pick your battles and goals. Expressing and interpreting emotions is the means, not the end, to what the show conveys. The worldwide appeal and simplicity we strive for is a major factor in this company being beloved by virtually every culture. So what does all this mumbo jumbo mean to our discussion? It means that our group effort to create the upcoming show will far exceed what could be accomplished by locking one genius in a room with a paper and pencil!"

After their meal, Pari and Rosemary approached the beach. Rosemary kicked off her heels and ran barefoot on the shoreline, running with her arms lifted outwards to her sides, enjoying ocean breezes gliding around her and whipping against her face. Pari followed suit, catching up with her and laughing.

"I needed this," Rosemary confided. "Our headquarters is landlocked in Columbus, Ohio. I have been dreaming of the beach for a long while now."

"Running along the beach never gets stale," Pari responded. "It's a joy every time."

Rosemary gave Pari the rough structure of the show the company had entrusted her to form. "They want a blend of tropical magic, psychedelia, and earthiness." The funding for the show was already secured, thanks to reacquiring Bruno Dover, an idolized writer, director, and conceptual artist. Bruno was credited with the company's past shows that had lifted its productions to fame and glory. Immediately upon completion of the retreat, Rosemary would formalize the proposal for the company's approval and put the show in pre-production.

"How would you like me to participate?" Pari asked.

"Step up for the eighth spot on our team during the trip," Rosemary answered. "Don't question your place at the table. Though only with us a short time, you can contribute. There are activities that require eight people and all of us need to be involved. Besides exercises, you may have thoughts or suggestions or ideas. Anything you say that is positive, truthful, and creative will be received with utmost respect. Do you understand what I am trying to convey? Sometimes, I add too many words. This is a point, however, that we need full clarity on. Ridicule cannot be tolerated, not to any degree."

"Yes, I believe I understand. You are looking for purity. You are challenging me to discard any artificial or cliche contributions. Anyone speaking openly and truthfully will be shielded from scorn."

"Oh, you do speak my language! Hallelujah! We could have hardly found a better replacement."

"Who am I replacing?" Pari asked.

"Our marketing director," Rosemary answered. "She took ill. But her second in command is no less talented and he is ready to be integral to the new show. His names is James Williams. He is wonderful. Just don't ask him about politics! That man can get on a roll. We must keep the political arena out of our forest retreat, okay?"

"I have no interest in arguing politics with people hosting me as their guest. But I do have a question, Rosemary. For the eighth spot on your team, why didn't you choose someone else from your company to replace the marketing director?"

"That is not going to result in a tidy answer," Rosemary said, stopping their walk in the sand and facing Pari. "We have performers and designers, myself and Bruno, plus James in Marketing. It's the troop I want. A good mix. I could have altered the dynamic by inviting another performer or designer, or musician even, but I was satisfied with the balance. This is it. There are no more delays. I know this troop will succeed this time. Come hell or high water, the concept for this show is going to be presented after this retreat. I could not gamble with the outcome. I have my team, my balance, and tremendous pressure, to tell you more than you want to know."

"It is a great privilege to be included. I will participate in whatever way you choose, though my assignment is also for the protection of the heiau. The ancient temple."

"You can juggle both. We won't bother with the temple at all. Not up close, anyway."

"A moment ago you said your troop will succeed this time," Pari said. "Does that mean you were on a previous retreat with the same group of people?"

"Yes, but we were in stale hotel rooms and a dull conference room. All the distractions of Chicago did not help one bit, either, I have to add. No, looking back, that trip was doomed. But viewing everything through my rose-colored glasses, I didn't see a problem at all until it was too late. Then there was the sickness of our marketing director. And she was suspicious about another unfortunate matter. Kaboom, a big mess!"

"The other unfortunate matter?"

"Someone rifled through her purse in Chicago. Don't think anything about it, however. That is all in the past now. We have a big show to create and less than three days worth of time to conjure up splendid enchantment!"

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