Mirror

"'Look into the mirror.' Shari Brownsworth told herself, as she stared in the bathroom of her apartment. Glaring eyes, slumping posture, and an unhappy disposition. She frowned, not sure of what to do next. She looked good, but something was missing. Her husband Daniel bounded into the room, anxious to show his approval. Daniel made an encouraging remark, then left her in the bathroom as she studied her appearance once more.

All she had was this upset look on her face, disappointment in her cartoon of a husband, and nothing else. She felt unhappy and didn't know what to do next. She and Daniel were leaving for a very important formal for his work, and she wanted everything to be just right that night.

Daniel yelled from the other room, inquiring as to if she was ready or not. Shari frowned again, irritated by him, and noticed it affect her look in the mirror. She immediately put on a more placid face. Much better.

She sighed to herself wistfully. Why did she have to do that? This life, it just seemed so fake, and obedient, and happy all the time. Staring into mirrors and practicing adequate personalities, for Christ's sake. A smile, a handsome expression, or even a voice. Creating new people that weren't really them, staring right back at them in the mirror...

It was insane.

Shari clicked off the light with great melancholy and gathered her things. She called Daniel, and he walked into the hall in his tuxedo and smiled at her, anxious to get to the formal. The look on his face was the same, smiling and unbothered, as she ignored his demeanor and prepared to leave. She walked past the hallway mirror, saw herself shakily looking back, and wondered again. Why are we like this? Is anyone their true selves?

They arrived at the formal in Daniel's SUV, after a long quiet ride to their destination. The mansion gleamed in the distance, flickering lights and music wafting through the night. Shari was starting to question things. It wasn't so simple anymore.

Was Daniel a real person, she wondered. Why was he so unconcerned with her, or with anything besides fitting in and attending this party? The car door slammed shut, as Shari caught herself ignoring the occasion. They trudged up the walkway and entered the party, a bevy of smiling, confident faces waiting for them at the door.

Shari excused herself right away, went to the bathroom, and locked the door. This wasn't okay. Something was wrong with these people. It was like a charade, watching them laugh and smile at each other as she arrived. She looked into the deluxe mirror and saw something. Emotion. Her true self. Something's wrong with Daniel. Something's wrong with all of these people.

Satisfied, she returned to the party, a new wisdom now born upon her. She smiled and waved at Daniel, the schizophrenic hallucinations of imaginary people echoing around her infinitely into the night."