Are you lonesome tonight...

There was a shuffling sound at the makeshift stage and soon the mic switched on. Someone strummed his guitar for a bit, cleared his throat and in a deep resonating voice began Elvis’

'Are you lonesome tonight..'

Josephine's cigarette slipped from her fingers on to the red-checked table cloth. She put down her wine glass and turned her head slowly. James meanwhile was continuing to speak urgently,

“Then my ship docked in Bali. What a pretty palm-fringed place I tell you..”

But Jo was lost. That haunting voice was pulling her attention; she was straining now to make out the figure on the stage but the lights were dim. All she could make out was a tall, bent guy with a guitar slung across his shoulder with flowing long hair. That Elvis song was like a magnet, she could not resist getting up from her table.

“..and you should have seen the beautiful girls running the curio shops in the main street.. uh Jo? Are you ok?” James realised that she had got up.

'Does your memory stray to a bright, sunny day,
when I kissed you and called you sweetheart..'

Jo was standing now and squinting her eyes, her heart had begun beating real fast now, her head was throbbing but she was still unable to break through the mist of age, time and memories.

'Is your heat filled with pain, shall I come back again,
Tell me dear are you lonesome tonight'

She was now walking towards the stage from the back of the restaurant. The light chatter on other tables too quitened as people stopped to look at the frail, graceful lady in her seventies, her eyes transfixed to the dim-lit stage moving, as if in a trance.

‘You know someone said that the worlds a stage
And each must play a part.
Fate had me playing in love you as my sweet heart.
Act one was when we met, I loved you at first glance'

She was now moving quickly and tripped over someone's shoe and quickly righted herself. Her eyes sparkling now and a strange smile on her face. ‘Ch..Charlie?' she whispered to herself hand quickened her step

'Honey, you lied when you said you loved me
And I had no cause to doubt you.
But I'd rather go on hearing your lies
Than go on living without you'

'Oh Charlie, Charlie, Charlie..' She was panting and talking to herself as she passed tables of diners who had all stopped their forks and knives over their plates. Dozens of heads were following her. They could now hear her too 'Charlie, Oh my God'.

'Now the stage is bare and I’m standing there
With emptiness all around
And if you won’t come back to me
Then make them bring the curtain down'

She was now standing next to the stage, her face bright from reflected floor-light, tears streaming down her cheeks. Charlie extended his hand and pulled her up to him and both finished the song in a chorus of sobs and tears, while everyone in the restaurant stood up and clapped.

'Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again?
Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?'