Glass Cathedral by Andrew Koh

Author:Andrew Koh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Epigram Books
Published: 2017-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

6

THE DARKNESS WAS broken by myriad bright spots; red, blue, green and yellow emanating from rotating silver balls. The rapid flashes of powerful strobe lights framed the young dancers in truncated movements, the illusion of a silent movie. Large video screens mounted on metal structures encouraged narcissistic performances of heady gyration, relieved occasionally by clips of idolised men and women whose actions and accents were studiously followed by their fans below.

The music, tuned to the level of organised noise, was presided over by a disc jockey who rode the waves of a conscious collective hysteria and punctuated the score with instructions to scream and shout, or croak refrains. It was effortless to submerge one’s individuality in the group, a sense of familial belonging easily achieved by those who allowed themselves to succumb to the entrancing motion of sweaty bodies and smoke-filled air. It would be a miracle to hear oneself think.

Nevertheless, the disco was not without humour or a dignified sense of self-mockery. Sometimes, a video screening meant to be watched, was followed by a nineteenth century military fanfare convoking the eagerly awaiting clusters of men and women to the centre stage, the dance floor, where the vortex of life would be shipped up in a matter of seconds and the charismatic circus continued—till closing time.

James, as before, knew some people in the discotheque. I tried not to pout and pretended to enjoy the public party. With much reluctance, I had agreed to go to the discotheque with him. Our life together over the past two months had been filled with visits to lounges and discos for evening entertainment, and for the day, we looked to the beach to give us some respite.

“You might at least try to dance,” James raised his voice above the cacophony.

“But I can’t dance and it’s embarrassing,” I protested for the umpteenth time.

“That’s what you said on the last few occasions. Well, I’m not letting you off this time round. Come on.” And he dragged me off the seat.

On the congested floor, James guided me in the simple moves of swaying one’s hips and shifting one’s feet. In truth it was not difficult but it was the crafted un-self-conscious state of the disco that put me ill at ease. Yet, seeing James making the effort to include me in his activities spurred me to break through my inhibitions. Disco dancing was one activity we could share.

His friends were another. I wasn’t uncomfortable with them but I did not fit in. Most of them were from the same social circle. Their conversations ran from the latest holiday expedition to the latest cars. I had never been as far as Johor Bahru, and the latest mode of personal transport I had was still my feet. Their hobbies were beyond me as well: scuba diving, yachting, mountain climbing. The only sports I had in common with James and some of his friends were jogging and swimming. What was good, however, was that they did not openly flaunt their wealth.

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