On the stage, the heavy curtain dropped for a brief second to change the scenery. When it rose again, the setting had completely changed.
The painted wooden backdrop now showed a small, highly peaceful country cottage. It had a painted thatched roof and bright painted flowers growing near the wooden front door. The stage crew had lowered a large, painted orange sun in the background to simulate a beautiful evening.
The actress playing Miss Clara was lounging comfortably on a wooden bench outside the cottage. She was looking at the painted sunset, looking completely happy and entirely at peace with the world. She let out a long, dramatic sigh that carried across the quiet theater.
