“Keep your eyes open.” I hear a whisper at my ear and I open my eyes. Doll #73b smiles at me and I suddenly, I don’t mind keeping my eyes open as I stare into his flaming orange eyes.

I tear my gaze away from his smile and look around without moving my head. I knew what would happen if I stepped out of line. I had been trained to perform these dances perfectly and the music was part of some elaborate and highly scientific mind control that made me dance anyway. I noticed that everyone was wearing shredded, torn, or otherwise ruined clothing. The outfits must have cost a fortune.

The couples were all matching in color this time. I glanced back at Doll #73b and noticed his rust colored tuxedo suit that was missing both sleeves. His pants were shredded up to his knees.

I spied the Duke lounging on his satin couch on his platform with his friends as they stared at us down below. The only sound was music coming from somewhere unseen.

We glided and twirled across the floor of cracked mirrors without choice.