Dubliner was excited. This moment was what he had been practicing weeks for. Few people actually knew about the overgrown stage that sat atop a hill just 2 miles or so outside of town. If you could really call it a "stage"... It had been 5 decades since the last play was performed on it. The 1880s weren't kind to it, either. Vandals constantly desecrated it and southern supporters in the small town tore it down as a foolish show of 'strength' towards to town mayor who was pro-union even though it had been just under 2 decades since the last battle occurred in the War of Brothers. Young kids will do anything to stick it to the man... 

It was a charming little thing, the stage. It stood a mere two feet off the ground. It was really just an elevated plot of land surrounded by a stone wall. Bushes lined the front of the stage separated by a space where stairs led from the ground onto the stage. It really did take Dubliner a lot of work to restore it, seeing as though no one else really cared or had just plain forgotten it through the many decades without use. But Dubliner viewed it as a part of the town's history. And in an effort to bring Glory back to the forgotten plot of land, Dubliner had planned to tell a story from the stage to anyone who wanted to listen. Just a nice narrative story to allow people to lose themselves for a few minutes. 

Everyone always seemed so busy, so stressed, so uptight. He wanted to provide everyone a moment to relax... 

6 p.m rolled around. Spectators began showing up and Dubliner greeted each one of them. A total of about 50 spectators, not to shabby for Dub's first story... Everyone began filing into the rows of benches that sat facing the stage. The sun was beginning to go down providing perfect lighting onto Dub as the orange rays of light shone on his face and casted dramatic shadows... He had his hair combed back and a full beard. His vest was a light brown with overalls coming over his shoulders and resting on his white undershirt. The only blemish on him was some clay that had gotten on the ankles of his pant legs providing a orangish hue contrasting on the jet black dress pants he was wearing.

Dub stepped up to the front of the stage and looked out into the sea of blank faces that were staring right back. The silence overcame him. The weight of the peoples' eyes were falling on him and he could feel it. He was never quite the speaker, but could create some good stories. It was time to overcome his fear of speaking and time to take everyone into another world...

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Good evening everyone, welcome to our event, "Lose Yourself for a Few Minutes". In order to bring attention back to this amazing public area and hopefully fully restore it and have more events and shows on this fine piece of land, I have decided to share a story with you all. Hopefully to be followed by others who have creative narratives who wish to share with whomever will lend an ear to them... I want to thank you for coming. But I am sure you're not here to hear me ramble on, so without further ado, here is tonight's story titled, "Two Love Birds". 

Enjoy.

The young man runs around his home frantically searching for something. He rushed through a bedroom door and ripped open the door of a chest that sat in the corner of the room. He searched through the chest throwing different clothes, bills of money, and old pictures behind him and onto the glossy wood floor. Dust flew up from the clothing that flew through the air and was swirling around in the late-afternoon sunlight that was breaking through the window and past the hanging curtains. He stops for a moment. He reaches into the chest with his left hand and uses his right hand to support himself. He feels around for a moment inside the empty chest as a young woman walks into the room behind him and stands in the doorway.

"What are you looking for?" she says as she looks at the seemingly insane man digging around an empty chest.

"Nothing, nothing... It's not here anyways."

"What isn't there?" she asked, quite perplexed at the clearly distraught man who sat defeated in front of the old chest.

"My lucky charm. A four-leaf clover I had... I guess I forgot to pack the thing when we bought the place..."

The young woman smiles as she steps up to the man who still sat on the dusty floor. She runs her hands under his arms and tries to pick him up onto his feet. The man eventually humors her and stands up and faces the beautiful woman who stood before him.

"It's just dinner, hun. You don't need your lucky charm for dinner." She winks and smirks as he chuckles and looks down at his feet. She puts her hands on each of his cheeks and kisses him. "I'll be in the car." She turns and walks out of the bedroom with her dress flowing in the swirling dust and air in the room.

The young man straightens his bowtie and turns back to the chest. He reaches down and to the right back corner and pushes against the wood which releases and pushes backwards. A small compartment opens up in the bottom of the chest. He reaches down and pulls out a small black box. He opens the tiny, black velvet container revealing a diamond ring standing upright shimmering in the light. He quickly puts the small box into his front pocket and follows the young woman out to the car.

Dimly lit. Candle light flickers and reflects a redish hue from the bouquet of Red Roses onto the white table cloth that was covered in wine glasses, fine china, and lavish Italian cuisine. The young man looked up from his plate and into the eyes of the angel that sat across from him. The candle light sparkled in her eyes as she gave a teasing half-smile when she noticed the distracted young man. She looks absolutely stunning in her white dress and red lipstick. Her hair was curled, she rarely ever curls it. Cut short, down to around her jawline and----he couldn't wait any longer. The original plan be damned, he was becoming so anxious and it was becoming quite hard to hide his excitement. 

He stood from his seat in front of the young lady and held her hand as he knelt down on one knee. Attention was immediately drawn to the young couple as he whispered words inaudible to the customers who watched the body language waiting for a sign as to how the woman would respond... He said words like 'Forever', 'Always', and 'Love'. The young woman couldn't hold back tears as they began streaming down her cheeks. The young man took time to pause what he was saying just to wipe away the cascading tears that rolled down her face. She smiled as he finally reached the question.

"Will you marry me?" He looked at her and love filled his eyes and she could see it.

"Yes. Of course!" He stood to his feet and she jumped up and hugged him. The onlookers began clapping as wine was being sent to their table, each bottle paid for by different customers around the building. Their check was paid for and gifts of cash were given to the couple throughout the night as customer after customer left the restaurant after witnessing the event. Each one telling them how beautiful the scene was and that they wished the young couple good luck in their future together. 

They both sat at the table for a couple hours and the restaurant had emptied completely... A waiter finally came to the table and told the couple that they were now closing. The young couple stood together and exited the restaurant holding hands. They got into their car and the young woman began counting the cash that was given to them.

"We got a solid $3,000. Not to mention the free meal and dessert. Quite romantic, wouldn't you say?" She looked over at the young man who was only half paying attention. His bowtie was already stripped off of him and thrown into the back seat with several other pieces of clothing; enough clothing to make at least 10 different outfits... He rubbed his eyes and glanced over to the woman.

"A few more of those and we'll be set for the year. The rest would be pure profit..." He runs his fingers through his beard and sighs, "Really is kind of amazing how gullible people can be. The people in that restaurant don't even know us, yet they are so wiling to shell out thousands of dollars for some love story..."

The young woman looks over to the young man and sets her hand on his leg as she rolls her eyes, "Oh, My Romeo," she said mockingly, "I love you so!"

Fin.

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Dubliner lifts his head up and stares out to the audience signalling the end of the story.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you once again for coming out tonight! I would love to do this some more in the future and perhaps have other members of this fine community share some of their own short stories as well!

Goodnight!

Dubliner steps off the stage and shakes hands with a few of the audience members before they left the show.