Chapter 32
The Live Stream
Danguole wakes on the morning of the live stream presentation, rehearses one last time, and meets the team at the Cultural Centre. She delivers her talk with honesty and grace, drawing on the stories of the focus group and the support of the Practical Idealists. After the presentation, she receives a message from Councilwoman Petraitytė hinting at a broader partnership, ending the chapter with a sense of cautious hope.
The morning of the live stream arrived with a pale sun and a knot in my stomach. I had barely slept. The alarm clock read 6:14 when I finally gave up on rest and padded to the kitchen. I made coffee, drank it standing by the window, and watched the city wake. The Cultural Centre stood six blocks away, its glass facade catching the first light. In a few hours, I would stand on its stage and speak into a camera that would broadcast my words to the Ministry, the council, and anyone else who cared to watch.
I had rehearsed the talk so many times that the words felt worn, like a path walked too often. But this was the actual performance. No do-overs. No edits. Just me, a microphone, and the story of why the youth track mattered.
I dressed carefully—a dark blouse, a blazer, sensible shoes. Laura had texted me the night before: "Wear something that makes you feel like you belong on that stage." I didn't own anything that felt stage-worthy, but the blazer was clean and pressed. I hoped it would do.
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