THE ONE

A ray of sunshine shone through the window; but a cloud of gloom lay heavy all around.

Although everyone was on; at least; nodding terms; no one spoke; but just gave a brief sign of recognition.

No sparkle of eyes, just a glazed; resigned stare. No smile; just a tautness of the lips that said it all. A shuffling of feet and crossing and uncrossing of legs were the only sign of life; apart from the occasional nervous clearing of the throat.

Above the rustling of turning pages and the ticking of the clock; could be heard a dull; monotonous sound and the occasional murmur of voices; followed by the closing of a door and the fading footsteps of someone in a hurry.

Then; all at once; without warning; the door opened. All eyes turned and looked fearfully to the apparition that stood there. The apparition spoke; in a soft but authoritative voice; the words that no one wanted to hear, and an audible release of the breath in relief could be heard from all but one. The "one" stood; on legs that seemed not to belong to him; paused for a second; looked around with watery eyes seeking solace from all around him. No solace came; for all other eyes were busily seeking out scratches on their owners shoes.

The "one"; seemingly all alone in the world; walked unsteadily; with shoulders drooped; out of the door never to be seen again.

Still the sun shone through the window, but the cloud of gloom lay more heavily now than at any other time, for now you are the "one".

And then; for the last time; the door opened and the apparition said
" the dentist will see you now".