*Where are we going today, Mentor?*

  Not very far.

  It had been a while since Ever had just sat back and let Death transport him to his next reaping. He would have actually preferred to sit back and enjoy the view like when his mentor took him all the way to the mountains to meet Miller the climber, where he got to see the steady change from metropolis to nature. Still, that didn’t stop him from looking around now. Death had actually ‘picked him up’ from the alley around the corner of the Pagoto’s. He was travelling a lot slower than before. Lygon Street led back directly into the Melbourne Central Business District and that was exactly where he was headed.

  It was a Thursday week night. He passed through a number of cars heading out of the city, driven by tired office workers, wishing it were Friday. Gradually, he stopped in front of some long steps that stretched thirty feet across. Atop the steps and further in was a brightly lit entrance. He looked up at the building and saw the sign name of the building: Regent Theatre. All along the windowed doors were posters for Swan Lake.

  *A theatre? We’re going to watch a performance?*

  Why not?

  *You never struck me as the type to appreciate the performing arts, Mentor.*

  I’m not watching it, you are. Now go in, otherwise you’re going to miss the best part.

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  Could Death could see through Ever’s eyes? He wasn't sure but there was an urgency in his tone that made him think that he wasn’t coming to the theatre purely to reap a soul.

  Ever floated in through the closed doors into the main theatre. He was immediately shrouded in darkness, little more than a shadow even with the scythe in hand.

  Get closer.

  Ever floated forward through the stalls, staying along the path towards the left. The audience members were riveted, eyes transfixed forward as if in a spell.

  *Am I looking for a soul sitting here?*

  Look towards the stage!

  Ever did as he was told. He’d floated all the way to the first row of the stalls. There was an orchestra playing in front of the stage elevated behind them. Lights beamed down on male and female dancers. The scene they were acting in had one of the female dancers collapsed in the arms of the male dancers, who himself was on his haunches.

  *What’s happening?*

  Sssssshhhhh!

  Ever kept quiet, letting the scene play out. The curtains drew and there was rapturous applause.

  Bravo! Bravo! Death was clapping enthusiastically, his bony fingers and hands clicking and clacking against each other. Ever stood there, watching the show draw to a close. The performers came out, bowed, then retreated behind the curtains once more. Audience members started filtering out, exchanging satisfied murmurs.

  *Is there going to be someone here to reap, Mentor?*

  For someone who’s trying so hard to be human, you don’t have much appreciation for the finer things in life, you know? Watch and wait.

  With nothing else better to do, Ever stood there and waited until everyone had left. Eventually, a grand piano was wheeled out. From the corner of his eye, he saw a ghost gliding over the empty stalls towards the stage.