The Form of Things Unknown by Robin Bridges

Author:Robin Bridges [Bridges, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2016-07-01T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Two days before the dress rehearsal, Mrs. Green meets the cast and crew with a disgusted look on her face. Those baroque, golden cherubs decorating the proscenium above the stage do not look like they’re smiling, either. They look downright malicious.

“Before we get started, I have a few short announcements to make. The Civic Arts Council has expressed concern about the safety of this building. I wanted to let everyone know . . . well, they are having a meeting tonight to decide whether or not to cancel the play.”

There’s a ripple of noise in the audience. “Oh, that bites,” Starla says, kicking the seat in front of her with her boot. Maizy turns around and glares at her.

“Mrs. Green, what about the fund-raising planned?” Raine asks. “Don’t they need this performance in order to receive the state grants?”

Mrs. Green sighs and shrugs helplessly. “The council is well aware of that. But I guess they’re more worried about lawsuits from parents.”

I look around the dim theater. Is this what the ghosts want? Are they trying to get rid of everyone?

“Now, I know a lot of parents have called me in the past week after the lighting accident.” Mrs. Green sweeps an arm across the cluster of us sitting in the cold, blue cushioned seats. “Several of them have already pulled their children out.”

“What is she going to do about that?” David whispers. “We’ve lost like five people just from Cast One alone.”

“If anyone with a minor part is willing to take on a second role, please see me,” Mrs. Green is still talking. “Also, anyone willing to perform their part on a second night, or even a third, as we are now down two Egeuses, I’d be forever in your debt.”

Maizy snorts. “She wants us to memorize more lines? As if.”

Raine raises her hand. “Hippolyta’s only got a few lines. I could pick up another part, and I could do both the Wednesday and the Friday night performances, but not Thursday.”

“Thank you, dear. Now, for the wedding scene in the end, we can place large mirrored panels across the back of the stage to give the effect of having a larger crowd onstage. But honestly, looking at these numbers and given the wishes of the council members, I don’t know whether it even makes sense to carry on or not.”

“Mirrors onstage?” Starla whispers. “Isn’t that like major bad luck?”

“Let’s take a vote on it,” Colton says, standing up. “Who wants to see this thing through to the end?” He raises his own hand high. David, Starla, Raine, and I raise our hands. As do Lucas, Ferris, Peter, and several others.

Bethany and her friend Alicia are the only two who don’t. With a scowl, Bethany finally raises hers and elbows Alicia into going along with it.

“See, Aunt Carol?” Colton says. “We’re all in this together, and we’ve come this far. We can all handle one more week.”

Our director begins to clap her manicured hands slowly. “Bravo, my dears. You are all stars in my book.

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