Author's point of view
Lucien lounged in the velvet armchair of his dimly lit office swirling the amber liquid in its glass. The smell of aged whiskey mingled with the scent of old paper and wood polish that always hung in the air of his sanctuary.
He took a sip savouring the burn as it trickled down his throat.
Centuries had passed yet this taste this moment of stillness never grow old.
A soft knock interrupted his solitude without looking up he drawled .
"Come in."
The door creaked open and the young receptionist Ling stepped in she looked uneasy clutching her notepad against her chest as if it were a shield.
"What is it?" Lucien asked his voice laced with disinterest.
Ling hesitated "sir there are... Two matters you might want to know about."
Lucien raised a brow and set his glass down."Go on then don't keep me in suspense. "
"First,"she began shifting nervously."there is a new ghost that just came in. A woman. She is looking for something... Or someone. We are not quite sure yet."
Lucien nodded .'and the other?"
"The second ghost." Ling continued, " has refused to perform. He's been here for weeks now wandering the backstage corridors he says he doesn't belong here ."
A smirk played at the corner of Lucien's lips."Doesn't belong, how wonderful. Most of them thinks they own the place." He stood up adjusting his jacket."take me to them."
They walked through the winding corridors of the theater passed the frame portrait of past performers and huge curtains that adorned the walls.
As they reached the foyer, Lucien spotted the new ghost- an older woman in a tattered dress her eyes darting around the room with a mixture of confusion and determination.
Lucien approached are you with a casual elegance."welcome to our humble theater ma'am."he greeted."I am Lucien, the proprietor, how can I be of service."
The woman turns to him her voice trembling."I...I I'm looking for my son have you seen him?"
Lucien's expression soften slightly and at first it seems like he wanted to laugh at her question but then his tone remained calm." Many come here searching for those they have lost but to find him you must first perform what remains unfinished within you."
"I don't understand."she replied her brows furrowed.
Lucien gestured to the stage."perform the last moment you remember for the memory that holds you here, only then can you find peace- and perhaps your son."
The woman seemed unsure but Lucien's gaze was steady and unwavering ." Try," he urged gently .
Another slowly and with a deep breath began to move towards the stage the light shifting under her Lucian turns to Ling ."keep an eye on her she will either find peace or give us a show worth remembrance." .
Ling nodded and then gestured for Lucien to follow her ."Now for the other one."
They moved further into the depth of the theater to the shadowy backstage area where the atmosphere was thicker the air colder.Lucien could send the reluctance even before he saw the ghost- a young man lean with a hardened look in his eyes. He stood by the old props arms crossed clearly defiant.
Lucien approached with a faint smile."I hear you have been causing a bit of a stir."
The ghost eyes narrowed.
I don't belong here.
Lucien chuckled softly."I have heard that before many times in fact tell me why do you think that?"
"I am not dead," the ghost insisted."not really, I was taken before my time." He stuttered.
Lucien tilted his head intrigued by his explanation."Ah, and you think that makes you different from the rest?"Every ghosts believes they had unfinished business something more they were meant to do so what makes you special?"
"I am not like them,"the ghost muttered looking away as if he was already getting tired from arguing with Lucien." I..I didn't even know I was dead until I woke up here."
Lucien's expression grew so serious."then what do you remember? Hmmm."
The ghost hesitated for a few seconds."a bridge.. a but I don't remember the impact and the rest."
Lucien nodded thoughtfully."you have repressed it that is why you can't move on you are stuck between denial and the truth. You must face it relive it here on this stage."
The young man shook his head.
"No I can't."
Lucien's gaze hardened."you can and you will or you stay here forever trapped in this limbo of your own making this theater offers a chance to be free but only to those who dare comfort what haunts them."
There was a tense silence then with a resigned sigh the ghost spoke."fine but only if you promise to help me find out who...who pushed me."
Lucien exhaled, he knew that the ghost just wouldn't go without having a promise made to him.
Lucien smile returned a little more genuine this time. ."Deal. you now step onto the state and let's see what truth you have to perform for us."
The ghost hesitated but something in Lucien's voice compelled him forward. He moves towards the stage his form flickering slightly has a stepped into the spotlight .
Lucien watched intently,his arms folded across his broad chest . This was his theater is domain a place where the past dance to the present, where ghost could lay their burdens down,to find peace, to drop their grudge and resentment and be able to move to the afterlife.
And he has always will be there to guide or prod them along.
A scream echoed through the theater followed by a splash,then Lucien knew that the ghost memory was beginning to unfold.
He turned to Ling who was watching with wide eyes.
"Fetch me another glass of whiskey."he said calmly."this one is going to be a showstopper."
Ling hurried away and Lucien allowed himself a small smile has a watched the ghost's torment play out.
Another day another soul seeking solace in the shadows of his theater.
And Lucien would do what he had always done- offer just enough hope just enough guidance to let them find their way.
He leaned back against the wall, a faint chuckle escaping his lips .
"Oh the things we do to keep the lights on." He murmured to himself .
Ling return with a glass of wine accompanied by a middle age woman whose presents radiated quiet authority her dark hair was tied in a neat bun,she was Livia,the head of room service and her sharp eyes spoke of countless years spent within this walls.
Livia handed the wine flute to Lucien , she inclined her head with a gracious smile." Enjoy, sir."
Without hesitation Lucien brought the glass of his lips and gulped down the wine.
The rich liquid burned down his throat but is expression remain Stony ,his gaze fixed on the ghost performing on the stage.
Lucien leaned back his voice low but commanding cutting through the stillness like a blade." Why he was pushed and who pushed him off the bridge."And I want answers by morning."
And with that he turned sharply on his heels and strolled out of the room is full steps echoing down the corridor.
Livia turned around , she just remembered there was something she needed because with Lucien and she was on his heels till he got into his office.
He knew fully well that she was running after him and had even called him but he refused to answer.
" Sir Lucien." She said breathlessly." I-"
But he didn't let her finish when he asked."did you deliver the birthday present to her as I asked?"
She bobbed her head." Certainly sir , but she had refused to do as you asked."
He had his back turned to her as he picked up a book and flipped through its pages mindlessly.
" I will have to go and see her myself." He said abd Livia let out a gasp.
" But you had never left the theater in 200 y
ears."
He turned around slowly, pretending not to hear.
" If Numa comes here,tell her I went out."