POV : PLAYHOUSE

  Olivia sat in the VIP section, a knowing smile tugging at her lips as she thought about the play that had just unfolded. ‘That was perfect,’ she reflected, her mind replaying the vivid scenes of the action on stage. She mentally conducted a thorough review of the performance.

  The crowd’s reactions had been exactly what she’d hoped for—gasps, cheers, and even a few laughs. ‘That was just the right amount of propaganda,’ she mused. The way the actors had portrayed the skeleton horde as an unstoppable force, the desperation of the citizens, and the heroic fight of the new recruits—it had all been expertly crafted to pull at the audience’s emotions.

  Every time a new recruit had stepped onto the stage with shaky hands and uncertain eyes, Olivia had felt the pride swelling within the audience. ‘They’re seeing themselves in those recruits,’ she realized, remembering the expressions of the citizens around her. There had been something almost magical about how the play had turned those fresh soldiers into symbols of hope. Even the newcomers, who had barely been in Fort Bone for a day, had sat a little straighter, their heads held a little higher. ‘They’re proud to be part of Fort Bone now. This is exactly what we wanted.’

  The actors had marched valiantly across the stage, defying impossible odds. ‘This play isn’t just for entertainment; it’s fueling our army, giving them something to fight for.’ She had known it. The citizens had known it. Even the new recruits had felt it. The way they had cheered at every victory on stage—it had been more than just applause. It was a collective belief that they, too, could face impossible odds and win.

  ‘It also helps that everyone knows how this story ends,’ Olivia thought, her gaze softening as she remembered the brave recruits preparing for the final battle. Sure, the play had its somber moments, with the looming threat of death hanging heavily in the air.

  But in the real wasteland, the skeleton horde had been defeated, and the settlement had survived. That knowledge had taken the edge off the sadness in the play, allowing the audience to focus on the determination and courage of the characters rather than the doom and gloom.

  As the curtain had fallen and the crowd had erupted in applause, Olivia’s heart had swelled with satisfaction. This hadn’t just been a show—it had been a tool, a carefully crafted message to embolden their army, rally their citizens, and inspire the new recruits. The play had done its job, and she could already see the effect it was having.

  People had left the theater with a renewed sense of patriotism, their heads held high, ready to face whatever came next.

  ‘This is how we win,’ she thought, watching the crowd filter out, still buzzing with energy. ‘We give them hope, a reason to fight, and remind them that we’ve done the impossible before. And we’ll do it again.’

  ‘‘‘‘

  After the show, Olivia found Will lingering near the stage, basking in the post-performance glow. She strode over, her smile genuine and full of pride.

  “That was a great show, Will,” she said, her voice warm.

  Will grinned, a little sheepish, clearly enjoying the praise. “Thanks,” he replied, his shoulders relaxing. The energy from the play still buzzed in the air, and Olivia could see the excitement reflected in his eyes. She handed him the notes for the next arc—details to create the finale with the skeletons defeated.

  “This will be great,” Will said, flipping through the papers with an eager glint. “Is it okay if I keep interviewing people? I’ve got so many ideas.”

  “Of course,” Olivia nodded, her tone encouraging. She knew how much Will loved getting people’s stories, and it only added to the spirit of the settlement. “I love the song you guys wrote, too.”

  “Thanks,” Will beamed. The Pièce de résistance for the entire production had been the song—an anthem of Fort Bone’s resilience. It was catchy, patriotic and the hook was stirring. Already, Olivia could hear it being sung in clusters of people all around town. The melody had taken root, and it would be a long time before it faded from anyone’s memory. As they talked, people streamed out of the Grand Theater, their voices blending with the tune as they hummed and sang.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  ‘‘‘

  Outside the Grand Theater, a crowd of excited spectators milled around, discussing the play, the songs, and, of course, the larger-than-life figures of Fort Bone. Alexander stood tall amidst them, his hands resting on his hips, scanning the throng with a pleased grin. He’d spotted the actor who had portrayed him on stage, lingering awkwardly near the edge of the group, having a smoke. With a confident swagger, Alexander made his way over.

  “Well, partner,” Alexander drawled, giving the actor a hearty clap on the back. “You did a mighty fine job portrayin’ me up there. I reckon you got all the right moves.”

  The actor, a good looking guy with a manly charm, looked up at him with wide eyes. He stammered out a response, “Th-thanks! I hope I got your toughness and actions right. That’s what I was going for.” His voice wavered, and Alexander could tell he was more than a little nervous talking to the real deal.

  Alexander chuckled, crossing his arms and giving the guy an approving nod. “You did good, friend, you did good. But I reckon it must be hard for you.”

  The actor blinked, clearly confused. “Hard? Why’s that?”

  “Well,” Alexander said, leaning in a little closer with a mock-serious expression, “I mean tryin’ to play someone as good-lookin’ as me. That must be a tall order. Hard to capture all this,” he added, gesturing to his own ruggedly handsome face with a grin. Then he flexed with a classic bodybuilder pose.

  The actor stood there for a moment, speechless, before a slow smile crept onto his face. He laughed awkwardly and nodded. “Yeah, uh… I can see how that’d be a challenge,” he said, trying not to laugh too hard.

  But in his head, he thought, ‘Wow, it’s true. He really is as vain as they say.‘ The guy could barely contain his amusement as Alexander, completely oblivious, continued to praise himself. The actor had heard all the stories about Alexander’s vanity, but seeing it first hand was something else entirely. Still, he felt oddly proud that the legendary Portal Crusher had taken the time to chat with him. It wasn’t every day you got feedback from the person you were pretending to be on stage.

  “Anyway,” Alexander said, giving him another friendly pat on the back, “keep up the good work, partner. Just remember, you ain’t ever gonna look as good as me, but you’re doin’ your best. That’s what counts.” He winked, clearly pleased with his own joke.

  The actor smiled, still thinking to himself, ‘Man, the legend lives up to the hype. Gotta internalize that massive ego.‘

  ‘‘‘

  The crowd outside the playhouse was hopping around in excitement, especially the lucky newbies who had experienced their first day in the wasteland in such a grand fashion. Their faces were alight with a mixture of wonder and adrenaline, eyes wide as they chattered excitedly to one another. Johnny, a gangly boy with wide eyes and a mop of unruly hair, was chatting with another newcomer, Red, who was nervously biting his lip.

  “Can you believe it?” Johnny said, his voice bubbling with excitement. “This is our first day in the wasteland, we get to hang out with the Portal Crushers, AND we got to see that play. I don’t know what they’re thinking about on Earth, but I’m thinking it’s pretty awesome here in the wasteland.”

  Red looked at him, torn between awe and fear. “I miss my parents,” he admitted, his voice wavering. “And I know it’s going to be scary out here. What are you going to wind up doing?”

  Johnny shrugged, though his expression was one of determination. “I’m not sure yet. I’ve been chatting with Atlas.”

  Red’s jaw dropped. “Whoa, you chat with Atlas, like literally talk to him?”

  Johnny grinned, clearly enjoying the reaction. “Yeah, it’s not a big deal. He’s actually friends with my dad.”

  “Who’s your dad?” Red asked, curiosity piqued.

  “My dad’s Jim,” Johnny said proudly. “He used to be with the Portal Crushers, but he didn’t get sucked into the portal.”

  Red’s eyes went wide. “Wow, you’re like a big shot. Can you get me, like, a sweet gig here?”

  Johnny rubbed the back of his neck, unsure but eager to help his new friend. “I guess I can try. Although, I don’t really know what a sweet gig is.”

  Red chuckled. “I don’t either, but it’s gotta be something, right?”

  Johnny laughed along with him before asking, “What do you want to do?”

  Red’s face scrunched up as he thought. “I don’t know. I mean, obviously, I’d LOVE to be a fighter, but I don’t really fight so good.”

  Johnny’s eyes lit up. “Me too! I’d love to fight! I’ve been practicing with my dad at the SFB gym, but I don’t know if Atlas will let me fight.” His voice carried that mix of youthful ambition and uncertainty, as if fighting skeletons was both the coolest and scariest thing he could imagine.

  “For real?” Red’s eyes gleamed with hope. “Maybe we can train together.”

  Johnny’s grin widened. “That’s a deal.” The boys slapped their hands together in a triumphant high-five, the sound echoing in the night. They stood there for a moment, both lost in their own imaginations, humming the now-famous tune, "Brave Sons and Daughters of Fort Bone," as they pictured themselves in bone armor, swords flashing, arrows flying. The song stirred something deep within them, a sense of pride and manliness.

  They looked around at the other recruits, many of them already seasoned in combat, and at the army soldiers parading in their bone armor. Both Johnny and Red were green with envy, but also filled with a fierce determination. ‘One day‘, they both thought, they would be up there too—marching alongside the great warriors of Fort Bone, their names sung in the very songs they now hummed. For now, though, they were content to dream, the taste of adventure already on their tongues.

  ‘‘‘