AllTheWorld

    All the world's a stage, but they wouldn't let me into the theatre.

     "Sorry, Miss, I can't let you in here," the large man at the door said gruffly to me.

     "Why not?" I inquired.

     He folded his arms across his broad chest, blocking my way with his impressive bulk. "You need a ticket to get in."

     "So how do I get a ticket?" I asked politely, trying to stay on the good side of the imposing doorman.

     "Sold out," he replied.

     "Oh. Can I get a ticket for tomorrow?"

     "No."

     "Why not?" I asked. His monosyllabic answers were annoying. I was beginning to think he was stupid.

     "Sold out then, too."

     "How about the next day?"

     "Then, too."

     I asked again and again, going through weeks fo shows, getting the same reply every time.

     I sighed. One final query.

     "Can I ever get tickets?"

     "No."

     I walked away, dejected. Other people, people with tickets, waiting in a ragged line for their turn to enter the theatre, stared at me as I walked past. I thought about sneaking in the back, but dismissed the idea out of hand. Finally, the undeniable truth sank in. All the world's a stage, and I couldn't get tickets.