The Greatest Supreme

All the worlds a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts,…

—

Creak.

A twenty-year-old man entered the dormitory room I was residing in. I didn make an effort to look at him and just laid most of my attention on what I was studying.

I was sitting on my bed with my back leaning against the headboard, reading a monologue when he suddenly grabbed the review paper in my hand and took it away.

This jerk…

My eyes looked at him disinterestedly.

”Hmm, ” he mumbled as he scanned the page.

He put his closed index finger at the top of his mouth and narrowed his eyes while silently reading the paper. Then he glanced sideways to look at me while maintaining those eyes and smirked. What was his deal?

He faced me and gently took a step.

And suddenly…

”All the worlds a stage! By William Shakespeare, fr-from As You Like It. Bow! ”

And he bowed with his right hand on his chest.

I closed my eyes and just lightly snickered at his childish stupidity.

He continued with his declaration.

”All the worlds a stage, and all… all the men and women merely the, uh merely players. They have their exits and their entrances. And one man in his time plays many parts… his acts being seven ages. At first, the infant— ”

”Rin, give it back. ”

”Hm, why should I? I am just teaching you the right way to recite a poem. You should be grateful, ” Rin replied with a teasing tone.

”Thats a monologue, not a poem. And also, Im not going to recite it. ”

”Mewling and puking in the nurses arms. And then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel… ”

Oh.

There was a wry smile on my face, and my mouth opened to spew some things I could think of.

”Do you know that this monologue inspired sociologist Erving Goffman for his theory of impression management, also referred to as the dramaturgical perspective? In this theory, he observed and analyzed the complexities of social interaction using a theatrical metaphor of stage, performers, and audience. According to this viewpoint, the self is made up of the different faces that individuals portray, and one of the primary goals of social performers is to display their various selves in ways that… ”

Yes, that was the reaction I was longing to see.

”Haaa, ” Rin sighed with a detached expression on his face. He gave the paper back and sat on his bed.

”Hey, enough with your nerd talk. Thats why you don have a lover despite your handsome face. ”

”Hm? Intelligence is sexy, don you know? ”

Rins right hand covered his face, then he glanced over the table stacked with piles of books and reviewers.

He asked, ”What are these for? The finals are already over. ”

”Ah. Im the representative of the United States and Im reviewing for an international event. A quiz show, in particular. ”

Rin had an impressed expression on his face.

”…Haha. ”

”Oh? You
e proud of me? ”

”Then, why are you reviewing the speech so earnestly? ”

”Hm, Im memorizing it. Maybe there will be fill-in-the-blanks in the actual quiz show? ”

”Haha, so hardcore. ”

”Who knows? ”

I could see him changing his clothes into a simple yet something quite grand attire.

”Where are you going? Its already late. ”

I opened my phone.

23:03

I put down the phone.

Rin then answered, ”To the club. ”

”Hm, okay. ”

”When and where will the competition be? ”

”Next month in Manila, Philippines. ”

”…Oh, you
e coming back? ”

”I guess, its been six years already. ”

Rin had already changed clothes. He approached the door knob then opened the door.

”I will be the one to lock the door with the key… so, sweet dreams, ” Rin mockingly smiled at me right after he said that.

I smiled back and replied, ”Sure, sure. Good luck, player boy. ”

”Shut up. ”

He turned his back, closed the door, and locked it.

I stood up from the bed. I straightened my back and stretched my arms.

So peaceful.

I went to the kitchen to prepare some tea. Afterward, I brought the tea to the table and sat on a swivel chair. I held the handle of the teacup and drank slowly.

I grabbed a random book and opened it arbitrarily. I scanned the page where my fingers landed.

— ”The Prince ” is a political treatise written by Niccolò Machiavelli. A work took inspiration from…

I turned the page while sipping the tea.

—Jeanne dArc is a heroine of France and is most famous for her role in the siege of Orléans. She is believed to be under divine guidance…

And I turned the page.

—Cleopatra VII is the last Pharaoh of Egypt. She is known for her irresistible appeal and charisma. Some people believe that her face is not her grandest and most seductive asset but her intelligence and power…

Then I turned the page.

—Hammurabi of Babylon is the author of the Code of Hammurabi, wherein its underlying concept of lex talionis or the law of retaliation, also known as the an eye for an eye principle made the king so well-known…

And I turned the page once more.

—Alexander III of Macedon is known for his supremacy in battles and wars. He is considered one of the greatest conquerors in world history, having no defeat in his conquests…

The tea ran out and I closed the book.

Boring.

I grabbed my phone. I opened the messaging app, and tens of unread messages sprung up on me.

The messages mostly came from group chats for subject performances and extracurricular clubs. There were also seldom messages from admirers and flirters; however I have no interest and energy to entertain them.

I typed on the search bar.

Search: Father

My mood right now has gotten slightly ruined. But I just gently smiled as usual.

I sent him a message.

Tap, tap.

—Me: Im returning to the Philippines for one month next month. Im all better now so you don have to look out for me for a moment. | sent a sec. ago.

I pressed the power button and left my phone on the table. I went to the bathroom to wash up to feel better and prepare myself for sleep.

Buzz, buzz.

[You have an unread message.]

Buzz, buzz.

[You have 2 unread messages.]

Buzz, buzz.

[You have 3 unread messages.]

Ringgg.

[Father is calling…]

Ringgg.

[You missed a call.]