stepping through the door

The elegantly clad group of young men and women folded their umbrellas and stepped through the dark wooden revolving door.  Out of the rain and into the grandeur and historical elegance of one of the city’s famous social clubs. 

After checking their umbrellas and coats, they were directed upstairs to the library.  Stepping off the elevator the smell of old books, fresh fruit and aging cheese and wine greeted them.  Men and women, comfortable and familiar with such settings, chatted quietly with old friends.  Small tables tucked between shelves full of classic books from the past few centuries, welcomed those weary from a long day’s work, to sit, sip their wine and talk about all manner of things understood only by those long accustomed to such gatherings. 

The group of young men and women were far from comfortable, familiar or accustomed to such a setting.  They joined the queue and filled plates with a few crackers, a bit of cheese and a piece or two of fruit.  Some asked for a glass of wine while others, unsure if they should since they were after all under twenty-one, took ginger ale.  They stood together, trying to gather courage to mingle and network but feeling almost awkward and a little bit unsure of themselves.  A few of the more courageous ventured forth while the rest enjoyed each other’s easy and comfortable company. 

The program, to which these young journalists in training had been so graciously invited to attend, started.  The host of this most extraordinary event put everyone, including the young journalists, at ease with his warm and genteel manner and jokes that mixed just the right amount of humor and intellect.  He introduced the evening’s speaker, not in the usual dull recital of accomplishment, but through wit and a long trail of references to the current and some former speakers’ alleged appearances in major motion pictures.  Oddly enough, apparently all of them appeared in roles in which they were seen handing a main character an item.  This recital elicited not just smiles but plenty of laughs from the generally intellectual looking audience. 

When the host eventually released the podium to the speaker billed for the evening, there was almost a sense that those gathered did not want him to leave.   His departure, however, was quickly forgotten, as the man now behind the podium began to speak.  Although his topic was one that could easily slip beyond the grasp of even the well educated, he so well explained his topic in such an engaging manner that even those completely unfamiliar with it should have been able to understand much of his speech. 

All too soon, it was over, leaving the crowd with a taste for more, seen by the numbers who crowded around the book table to buy his book on topic of the evening’s lecture.  He said just enough, revealed just the right amount of information to spark the listener’s curiosity and inspire them to learn more on their own. 

Those privileged and wealthy enough, retired to the upstairs dining room for what must have been stimulating conversation and hopefully wonderful food.  The rest collected their umbrellas and made their way home under the glow of the streetlights. 

Part 2 is coming soon: check back to find out more about the story you just read.