‘The Projectionist’ by Lisa Alo Seaman

Lessons in Celluloid

When night falls, the city gathers to glean what information Lisa Alo Seaman‘s ‘The Projectionist’ has to offer.

Learn from this story with this excerpt from Issue 44, Autumn 2024.

The Projectionist

by Lisa Alo Seaman

It was nearly dark when Boris left his lodgings near the city centre and headed to the auditorium. The blast of frigid air that hit him in the face never failed to shock his system with its intensity, and he tightened the scarf around his neck, knowing the gesture was useless. The cold always found a way to seep into the smallest opening and spread to his bones. He was always cold and would be close to numb by the time he arrived.

The walk was a long and solitary one. The high-pitched squeal and rumble of the monorail were the only sounds in the night. The ghost train. Screeching through the city with its passengers, who could only be seen in shadow as dark, lifeless shapes. He’d never taken that train, preferring to have his feet firmly on the ground. The train  afforded him no protection. One of them was on board. They were always watching.

So he made his nightly trek on foot, past the steel-and-glass buildings that emanated only darkness. The warm amber night-time glow from lights usually visible inside  buildings was absent. Past the open park area with its cold steel benches and tables. No trees. No semblance of life. Past the observation booth — empty now.

As if summoned by his thoughts, one of them was just around the corner. His heart beat harder and faster with each step, the anticipation of the encounter fuelling his flight response. Tonight, just a nod from the man. An acknowledgement that he was there but would allow Boris to continue on his way. 

As he passed the man, Boris dared to look up and meet his eyes. Not a friendly face, but not menacing either. So Boris reciprocated with his own nod. He was useful to them now. His nightly newsreel presentations and lectures provided them with information they wanted.

Find out what happens next, in Issue 44, Autumn 2024!

Lisa Alo Seaman lives in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains with her husband and spoiled golden retriever. A voracious reader who dreams of days filled with long country walks, reading, writing, good movies, and buttered popcorn, she is currently working on two novels, one of which will be her first. ‘The Projectionist’ was shortlisted for the 2023 Raven Short Story Contest.