Munro had been contracted to deliver a series of lectures to the franchisees of "International Computer Centers" that was holding its annual convention in Halifax. Over the years, he had established himself as an expert in the field of franchise development and operations. Companies throughout North America paid rather substantial fees to have Munro deliver seminars to their franchisees regarding the business of local operations, sales and marketing.

This trip to the jewel of Canada’s maritime provinces was but one of 20 such excursions, to clients based across North America, he had made this year. Over the next two months, he was contracted to present seminars in a host of cities. There had also been inquiries from a number of European based firms, interested in utilizing his services, but he was still in negotiations with them and no contracts would be forthcoming until the middle of next year.

As the 6’1", well built and ruggedly handsome sales professional thumbed through a stack of papers on the desk, he let out a sigh and thought, "I really need to work on this material tonight, but, ah, I’ll get to it in the morning." Rory reached for a glass, stripped the paper covering from it and walked over to a credenza where he had placed a bottle of fine Scotch. He poured a shot of the exceptional single malt treasure into the glass and raised it to his lips. As the powerful warmth of the alcohol tantalized his throat, he turned and headed over to the huge bed.

As he silently begged the woman, he had shared love with for so very long, to allow him to finally recover from the torturous despair of their recent break-up, memories of Cynthia played havoc with his heart.

The soothing effects of the Scotch were unable to combat Rory’s journey back to the moment when his lover had stammered out the words Munro would not, could not erase from his soul. "Rory, I care for you, but can no longer be a part of your life. I’ve found another, someone who will be with me for more than a few days every two weeks. He loves me, Rory, and I am in love with him."

It had been 10 months since his love for Cynthia had been summarily rejected, but Rory had not found relief in that time. He had accepted speaking engagement contracts which were not ones he might have agreed to in the past, but at least they kept him out of Chicago, away from where Cynthia also resided with her new lover. He could leave the city behind, but memories of what had been, traveled with him and stabbed daggers into his heart no matter where he went.

It was only when he was on stage, delivering dynamic seminars to throngs of elated franchisees, that his pain subsided and he could concentrate on his work. Upon returning to his hotel room at night, however, the searing pain of his assaulted heart would return with renewed force and he’d endure yet another dream shattered sleep.

In the morning, after the nightmares of his tortured sleep had exhausted his mind and body, he’d awaken and desperately try to prepare himself for another day of presenting superbly confidant and brilliant speeches to thousands of admiring convention attendees. They’d applaud the talents of this perfectly composed franchise expert who commanded their attention from the stage of power, fully controlled by Rory David Munro.

To the polished speaker, it was all theater and he was the accomplished director and actor of the play. In the stark loneliness of his hotel room, memories of Cynthia took control and, every night, produced the despair ridden script of his pain.

He dragged himself from the bed and walked over to the oak desk where a shaded lamp cast a subtle glow on the first page of a speech entitled "Local Marketing Plans and Procedures." Rory settled into the green suede covered chair and began to study his notes.

For over an hour, Rory poured over his speech, rehearsing the material he’d presented at least 100 times during the past few years. The words were as familiar to him as the final pleas he had deluged Cynthia with two months ago when he had made one last effort to coax her return. "Hi, this is Rory. Um, Could we get together for lunch and talk about.." Cynthia had interrupted his offer with a chilling reply. "Rory, it’s over and I’m going to marry Peter. Get on with your life."

As Rory closed his eyes and began to once again try to push thoughts of Cynthia from his mind, the telephone on the desk rang with a chiming retort that caused him to instantly pick up the receiver and bark "yes, who is this?"

"Mr. Munro, good evening, this is Victoria calling from the concierge desk," responded the exceedingly pleasant sounding young lady.

"Oh, uh, yes, Victoria," answered Rory, immediately softening the gruffness of his voice. "How are you this evening?"

"Quite well, Mr. Munro, and I’ve got good news for you!"

"Oh," replied Rory while rubbing his eyes and trying to settle his nerves. "What would that be?"

"The other night, when you checked in, Mr. Munro, you asked if there was anything special that might be going on, this evening, in the city? Well, there is and I’ve got a ticket to a play, if you’d like to pick it up and attend the 8pm performance."

Rory thought about the offer for a moment and responded, "thank you, Victoria, but I’m a little tired and will probably go to bed early tonight."

"I understand, Mr. Munro, but the show will only last two hours and the theater is right around the corner. I really think you’d enjoy it, sir. It is a production of "Brigadoon" and is being put on by a very accomplished local group. In fact, my friend, Shona MacKenzie, is the lead actress and she obtained this ticket for me. And guess what? She’s offered it at no charge. We go back a long way and she’s very kind to me."

"That was good of her, Victoria," answered Rory. "Give me a minute, would you?" Rory cupped his hand over the receiver, took a deep breath and considered the offer. He really didn’t want to go out tonight, but the prospects of remaining in his room and getting an early start at enduring another night of painful memories regarding his break-up with Cynthia was much less enticing.

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Munro. I know you’ll enjoy the production. Shona is absolutely wonderful and plays Fionna even better than Cyd Charisse did in the movie! Mind you, I’m rather biased about my friend! Oh, and by the way, the dress attire is casual, so don’t bother putting on a suit. I’ll see you shortly."

Rory put down the receiver and stretched back in the chair. He had spent last evening attending the gala for the franchisees and had returned to his room well past midnight. Following today’s series of seminar presentations, he was exhausted and should probably try and get some rest rather than attending a play. He knew, however, that thoughts of Cynthia, tonight, were even stronger than they had been recently. There was no question, in his mind, that he’d not enjoy a pleasant evening in his hotel room, thus it made sense to venture out and try to relax.

Rory undressed and headed for the bathroom, stopping along the way to check the time. He had one hour to shower, shave, throw on a sweater and pants, pick up the ticket and get to the theater.

He grabbed a luxurious, white towel off of the rack and threw it on the gleaming countertop. Then he stepped into the shower, adjusted the hot and cold spigots and instantly felt the soothing jets of water massage the muscles of his arms, legs and back. He raised his face upwards and allowed the dancing waters to coat his features in a downpour of energy revitalizing power. Rory covered himself in a foam of soap suds and then quickly rinsed off while feeling the final remaining effects of the Scotch evaporate from his senses.

Rory reached for the blow dryer and began to groom his dark brown, wavy hair which was sprinkled with just the right amount of gray. He then brushed his brilliant white teeth which were very healthy, courtesy of the six month checkups performed by his dentist. Yes, everyone admired Rory’s appearance and he knew it was important to keep it that way if he was to continue presenting himself as a very professional and self confidant speaker.

He returned to the bedroom and put on a white, Scottish wool sweater, brown dress pants, socks and shoes. After briefly checking his appearance in the mirror, he pocketed his key, turned off the light bar over the bed and left the room. After walking down the plush carpeted hallway, he rode the elevator down to the main floor and then stopped at the concierge desk.

"Oh, Mr. Munro," smiled the sparkling eyed and very attractive young lady. "The pleasure is all mine. I just know you’ll enjoy the play and, of course, the talents of my friend, Shona MacKenzie. She is simply wonderful along with being THE BEST veterinarian in town!

She’s been acting with our top rated local theatrical group for many years and is renowned from here to Cape Breton. And…hmm, look at the time! You’ve only got about 15 minutes so I’d better quit rambling on and let you go. The theater is right around the corner. Take a left out of the main entrance, walk a block and turn to your right. You can’t miss it. It is called The Royal Haligonian Theater. Here is your ticket. Please have a great evening!"

After standing in line for not more than a minute or two, Rory presented his ticket to a formally attired usher who then guided him into the dazzling and cavernous theater. Along the way, the usher pressed a glossy program into Rory’s hand and showed him to his assigned place in the middle of the fourth row.

After settling himself into a dark blue crushed velvet-like upholstered seat, Rory allowed his eyes to survey the auditorium. As he gazed skywards, at least ten majestic crystal chandeliers greeted his eyes in a blaze of light, against an ebony ceiling, blanketed with mirrored tiles.

For a few minutes, the fifty piece orchestra went through its warm-up procedures, complete with a vigorous plucking of violin and cello strings, polite and somewhat muffled poundings on a variety of percussion instruments, a tinkling of piano keys and somewhat annoying bleats of numerous horns. Rory patiently arose from his chair and allowed a couple to pass by on the way to their seats.

Having decided to spend the remaining moments, prior to the overture being introduced, Rory thumbed through the program that had been presented to him. He scanned the front page, virtually covered with a slew of credits. Then turning to the cast section, he read the brief biography of the actor who would play "Tommy" in the production. "Trevor Sinclair," the program read, "is based in Saint John and has appeared in numerous plays presented throughout the maritime provinces as well as in the eastern United States. This accomplished performer…" Rory quickly lost interest in reading any further and began to turn the page.

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Brigadoon Chapter Two.