The end of our work life is something we usually have some control over. Most of us plan for it.

 

Then we retire to live out our dreams. Our to-do list can be long and intriguing. We hope we complete it before . . .

 

 

The End Of Retirement

 

     It was a warm April day in Maricopa Village. At 2:00 pm, three males and three females gathered in a little theater, which would hold an excited crowd—128 men and women, all over the age of fifty-five. The six waited anxiously, in the seats facing the stage, for their director to enter the building.

     Suddenly the house went dark. Then lights sparkled throughout the venue, and . . . Julliette Cane stood before them, dressed in a lavish red dress and high heels. A beautiful woman, in her early-fifties, she knew how to impress an audience.

     “Close your eyes. Wish that everything you could ever imagine could come true. Feel the spirit resonate throughout your body. You have the power to perform amazingly,” she chanted.

     “What? Who do you think you are—the wise ass on the hill? You’re nothing more than our director of this godforsaken show we’re being forced to put on for a bunch of old codgers,” Michael moaned.

     “Hey man, sit down and shut up! She’s also our drama teacher. She knows what she’s doing. It’s what we need, faith in ourselves,” Andrea shouted.

     “Well, If you don’t have it already, you’re not going to get it from her,” Vannie stated, in an unbelievably strong tone.

     “Listen to Andrea,” Collette said. A teacher should be respected. So do it! And if you don’t realize how she just told us what we need to do to be successful today was a role she was playing, you missed the point completely, and you don’t belong here.”

     “Calm down everybody. We go on stage in twenty minutes. This is your chance to shine. They’ll love you,” Julliette said with a lilt in her voice.

     “Ms. Cane, do you really think these old folks are going to like six teenagers performing a play called “The End of Retirement,” Justin asked.

     “Justin, we’ve been rehearsing for six weeks. I’ve placed my magic touch upon you. The stars are shining and all of you will light up the stage.”

     “There you go again, Ms. Cane, with your wizardry gibberish,” Michael shouted.

     “But I am a wizard, young man. And all of you will rise to the challenge, for it is my wish for you to do so.”

     “Ms. Cane, I only have a small part. So may I be excused? I’m not an actor,” Seth muttered.

     “Oh yes you are. And every role, small or large, is an integral part of the play. So the answer is no, Seth.”

     “Okay, but I’m supposed to be seventy-five years old and I’m only seventeen. What’re they going to think?”

     “But you will become seventy-five. I will see to it.”

     “No costume is that good,” Seth replied.

     “Who said anything about costumes.”

     “We’re not going to be wearing costumes, Ms. Cane?” Vannie asked, confused by Julliette’s statement.

     “Well, not exactly, but in a way.”

     “Huh, what way?” Collette queried, somewhat perplexed.

     “Settle down, everybody. We go on in fifteen minutes,” Julliette gushed. “We’re going to knock their socks off. And maybe some other clothing, too.”

     “Those old people are going to be nude. I think I’m going to be sick,” Andrea screamed. “I’m out of here.”

     “You’re not going anywhere, Andrea. And you will be as old as they are,” Julliette stated. “Now everybody, go back stage. The house doors are about to open.”

     With that, the cast exited the seating area and went behind the curtain. Talking and laughing flowed through the crowd entering the theater.

     Jullette looked at her proteges and smiled. “Please sit. This is your big day.”

     “My what? Michael shouted.”

     “Keep your voice down. This is your debut and you’ll be great.”

     “You really think so?”

     “No, I know so,” Julliette replied confidently. “So go out on stage and let the audience know who you are, a seventy-year-old retiree who’s facing entering the next stage of his life, one from which there is no return, or is there?”

     “This is weird. So I’m dying, right?”

     “It appears you are?”

     “ But I’m just a kid.”

     “Not on stage you’re not.”

     “So where’s my costume?”

     “Just look in the mirror,” Julliette directed.

     “You’ve got to be kidding. That’s not me. It’s some old geezer.”

     “Look again, for that’s who you are, now and forever.”

     “What are you saying?”

     Staring at Michael, the other five teens cringed at what they saw. Andrea tried to get up from her chair, but her aging legs gave way and she collapsed onto the floor.

     Collette gasped and tried to help Andrea, but she couldn’t catch her breath. She felt like she was going to faint. She peered into the mirror on the wall and what she saw was unbelievable—an eighty-year-old woman looking back at her.

     Vannie and Justin, overwhelmed at what they’d witnessed, stood frozen in place. Looking at each other they began to shake uncontrollably. Their wrinkled faces and gray hair were unbelievable.

     Vannie began to cry, tears flowing down her aged face. Justin limped over to her and put his arm around her. Two people, now in their late-eighties, shared their dismay at what was happening.

     Seth looked at all the old folks around him and didn’t know what to do, for he felt young and full of energy. His skin was smooth and void of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Could he get out of here before he fell prey to the disaster he’d witnessed? he thought. Maybe having a small part was a blessing.

     Then his eyes started to water and his back felt like he’d been run over by a semi-truck. A voice he hadn’t heard before yelled, “I’ve got him. I’ll wheel him out.” And he pushed Seth, now an elderly man in a wheelchair, down the ramp on the side of the stage.

     On stage, Julliette sung out in glee, “This has been a marvelous improv performance,” as the audience applauded, for the curtain had disappeared and flew above to the heavens, making what should have been private a very public event.

     Now in a white gown and halo adorning her head, Julliette murmured, “Welcome my children to my heavenly stage, where you shall blossom in a way you may not have imagined. You are blessed to have been given this opportunity at ‘The End of Retirement.’”

 

 

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