"Good evening," she replied warmly.
Her voice was calm.
She smiled.
"Thank you."
She entered the lobby.
For a moment, she simply stood there and looked around.
Her eyes moved toward the chandeliers.
Then toward the stage doors.
Then toward the rows of red velvet chairs visible beyond the lobby.
There was something unusual about the way she looked at the theater.
It wasn't the expression of someone seeing the place for the first time.
It looked more like someone returning to a home she hadn't visited in many years.
Daniel noticed her.
He smiled.
"Good evening. May I see your ticket?"
The woman handed it to him.
Daniel looked down.
Then he looked up.
"Mrs. Eleanor Whitmore."
The woman nodded.
"That's right."
Daniel checked the seating information.
"You have a VIP seat tonight."
She smiled.
"I believe so."
"Row three. Seat twelve."
"Thank you."
"I can show you where it is."
"Oh, that's very kind."
Daniel stepped around the desk.
Before he could walk away, Victor Hale appeared.
"Daniel."
Daniel stopped.
Victor's eyes were fixed on the elderly woman.
"What's going on?"
Daniel answered politely.
"Mrs. Whitmore has a VIP ticket. I'm taking her to her seat."
Victor frowned.
"VIP?"
"Yes."
Victor looked at the woman from head to toe.
The cream sweater.
The modest shoes.
The small handbag.
Then he looked at Daniel.
"Are you sure?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Yes. Her ticket is valid."
Victor lowered his voice.
"That isn't what I asked."
Daniel understood.
Victor was questioning whether she belonged there.
The elderly woman heard him.
She didn't react.
She simply stood quietly.
Daniel looked at Victor.
"Her ticket is valid, sir."
Victor sighed.
"Fine."
He turned away.
But then he stopped.
"Actually, wait."
Victor walked closer to Eleanor.
"Mrs. Whitmore?"
"Yes?"
"Where did you get this ticket?"
She looked surprised.
"I purchased it."
Victor's expression tightened.
"From the theater?"
"Yes."
"Online?"
"No."
She smiled slightly.
"At the box office."
Victor looked toward the ticket.
Then back at her.
"Interesting."
Eleanor didn't answer.
Victor continued.
"Because these seats were reserved for special guests."
"I understand."
"So I'm trying to understand how you ended up with one."
Eleanor calmly replied.
"I was invited."
Victor's eyebrows rose.
"By whom?"
She looked at him.
There was a long pause.
Then she said,
"I received an invitation."
Victor almost laughed.
"I see."
Daniel felt uncomfortable.
"Mr. Hale, the ticket is valid."
Victor turned sharply.
"Did I ask you?"
Daniel became silent.
Eleanor noticed the young man's discomfort.
She gave him a reassuring smile.
"It's all right."
Victor folded his arms.
"Mrs. Whitmore, tonight is a private event. We have a very specific guest list."