"What Music They Make

“They were drawn to it as creatures were unto the Ark, some of every kind, as they were from different walks of life, different cultures, and different races; though surely, as they boarded, they knew not that they were as sheep being driven to the edge of a cliff, nor that, they would be lambs being led to slaughter. Yet, at this hour, the flock found itself upon the brink of an analogous bluff.”

““AHHWWAA!,” the blood curdling bleating rang out as the Promenade have begun to be devoured by the deep. “LÁGRÉN!” “BODARK!” The alarm pronounced that the massacre had begun, and so too, the orchestration of a new composition.” ““OWHOLLRRWAAAL!” “OH GOD!” “AARRAAHH!””

“The Corp’s ensemble was comprised of the game and the pack. Soloist would emerge from amongst the chorus, often giving response to one another, which were always followed by responses from a principal. Memorable performances such as …

“NO! NO! JACK!!!,” shrilled a soloist, to which another replied, “I GOT YOU ROSE! GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER YOU DAMN DIRTY DOG!!!,” he bellowed as he ferociously swung an axe at the mongrel, who, in turn, caught it with his left paw and backhanded Jack’s head from his neck with his right, as another beast sunk his canines into the back of Rose’s skull.

… would transport what unfolded that evening from the realm of the surreal to reality for all those who were present.”

“Though millions of twinkling eyes gazed down upon the ballet that had ensued, Phoebe's orb was not in attendance, and her lack of presence added to the chilling ambiance of the production. Yet, as it was unscheduled, why would have Luna been present for the performance that unfolded that night. You see we usually did not put on such production in her waning hour, but rather, reserved such acts of grandeur for when she presented herself in her heavenly fullness.”

“It was at that hour, when the symphony was approaching its climax, that I took my leave from my brethren, as they danced around in their coats of black, white, and gray, baying at the celestial mistress, as if, they were pleading with her to come watch them play. I did not look back, but pressed forward towards the last vessel departing from the once majestic lady, whose life has been cut short all too soon; yet, even if she had reached the destination of her maiden voyage, she still would have been associated with tragedy, for I had composed and was to conduct my opus, starring myself as the lead and my troupe of brethren in supporting roles, as our sanguinary performance was to have taken place fifteen miles from where, at journey’s end, the fair lady was to have docked.”

“You see, this cage that they have locked me in and of which they claim to have thrown away the key shall only a hold me as long as I allow, as no construct of man can hold me for time itself has no hold on me, as the last hundred and ten years have been a testament to that truth; yet, Comrade, for you, much liken to those whom my brethren dined upon that night, this is the moment your journey comes to an end. Fret not, as ye shall not be forgotten, for ye shall be the foundation of my next tour de force, as twelve years has been long enough for me to appear silent. I am a child of the night, and it is unnatural for me to be imprisoned; thus, this be the hour I make my departure from these walls, and once more the masses shall cower when they hear the name Mikhail Popkov for “The Werewolf of Angarsk” will have to re-entered the world.”