The Priest – Prologue

Depeche Mode – The Delta Machine Tour

The gates sprang wide open and the crowd flooded in. The ceremony was due to begin hours later but they could not wait any longer. No, they had to get in, feel the vibe, peep at the sacred place where the Ceremony was to be performed.

Ceremonies happened randomly in time, were performed by various priests and were announced in the public square. Each Priest had its own way of addressing the crowd, which included clothing, message and tone of voice. Music was the only element common to all the ceremonies.

Tonight’s crowd was an accurate reflection of tonight’s Priest. Men and women, they  all wore something black. A scarf, eye make-up, a blouse or denim pants. Some of them – the true, authentic, believers had the Priest’s face imprinted on their t-shirts.

They had entered the sacred premises abiding by certain rules because abiding by the rules was what they knew best. They scattered around the venue, the devotees stoping in front of the shrine. And the waiting – last part, continued.

Time went by. Second after second after second. Dusk turned into darkness. And suddenly, it was light. Blinding light. It was music! Mesmerising music! The Priest erupted on stage, accompanied by his retinue. His voice rose high above the flock of believers, deep and enchanting.

A long howl broke out from the chest of thousands of humans and a forest of hands raised up in the air. All of the sudden, there was no rule anymore. All of a sudden, people felt alive. Life was running through their veins, making them shout, sing, dance, clap their palms.

As long as the Ceremony went on, they felt utter joy! They felt alive. That’s why, they worshiped the Priest. That’s why, they needed him!

To be continued…

The Priest