Those of you who are or have been musicians or actors or other stage-familiar people -
Remember what it feels like to be on a stage in the late afternoon after a matinee performance, when everyone is out of the auditorium, and the few people left cleaning up are backstage or in the reception room? You've kicked off your shoes, and are standing in your finery in this big empty space. It's not that fancy, when you're up there. Paint is missing from some surfaces that the audience couldn't see. It's quiet, and there's a drowsy amount of sunlight coming from the open doors at the back of the hall, along with echoes of laughter from some girl who has a crush on one of the other musicians and is trying to hold his attention as he's trying to leave.
The stage floor is dusty, and you don't like dust on the bottom of your feet, but it feels so good to be barefoot that you don't really mind at this point. If you sit down, you can see the dust filtering through the coppery light and landing on seats and floors, or your arm. Someone walks by the doors and calls congratulations to you on your fine performance. You smile and nod, but are glad when they keep walking, because right now, you don't really want to be anywhere or have anything happen.
All my RAs went home today. I feel a little lonely without them.