Neither Socio nor the crowd take any notice of the band, for he is theirs already and they are already his. Pausing at mid-stage, he beams at his audience, selecting various individuals randomly, pointing at them, and mouthing warm salutations, as if he knows them well. In so doing, he happens to notice that people are still streaming in from across the countryside from points unknown, which only serves to bolster his already inimitable aplomb. Relishing the acclamation, he intentionally takes his time, giving his onlookers ample opportunity to look him over and size him up; and after another moment or two, he pulls out what everyone assumes to be some prepared remarks. But the parchment is blank, and this is no accident. He remains poised there, further milking the moment, until the applause at last begins to abate. He then graciously bows and makes his way to the podium at center stage, where he spreads out his empty oration, carefully flattening it out with the palms of his hands. Almost on cue, the sun briefly breaches the clouds, sending down a shaft of light that highlights the stage and him in particular, as if the Signs had chosen to single him out. Seeing this, his admirers let out a collective gasp and erupt in even more rambunctious applause. Elated by what appears to be an inscrutable bit of fortune, the opportunistic Socio looks up at the sky and playfully points at himself; then looks back at the crowd and shouts out with a laugh, “Carpe diem! Carpe diem!”¬a gesture which sends everyone reeling with laughter and ignites still more applause.
“Socio! Socio!” a young women clamors, and before long the still-gathering throng was crying out in unison: “Socio!...Socio!...We want Socio!”
Exuberant, Socio continues to smile and nod, his arms raised over his head with fists clinched, to acknowledge their cheers; bringing them down only to point at still more individuals and lip sync his gratitude and recognition.
Eventually the tumult dies down again, and while his captives shift and stir and politely clear their throats, he deliberately remains"¬still beaming while he slowly scans his onlookers from side to side and up and down, as if to make sure one and all get the best possible profile of him. It is a mutually engaging and gratifying moment, one that neither he nor they will soon forget; for as he calmly moves from eye to eye, they, too, remain hushed, fully participating and fully mesmerized. Socio himself is almost over-awed, realizing for the first time the power he commands with his mere presence. It seems incredible, but there they are¬transfixed; gaping up in awe and adoration at him, almost as if he were a Sign incarnate. Now in complete command, he is the one to take every advantage of it; they will hear his voice, when and only when he decides the moment is right.
