by Rayna Morgan
"Creative side?"
"For most of us, our childhood dreams reflect that side of our nature. Unfortunately, creativity is suppressed and dreams are preempted by responsibilities of a demanding world. I've had people tell me when they're expressing their creative side, even in a small way, they feel the most alive, more true to themselves. It gives them a way to expand beyond their small structured existence in the material world into a world of unlimited imagination."
"What a lovely way to put it."
"What most people fail to grasp is we're all born artists. Sadly, many people disassociate themselves from that side of their nature, opting for a reality-based foundation. They become afraid or unwilling to attempt to explore and experience their creativity."
"Most people are probably like me," Lea suggested. "We think we've strayed too far or too long from our creative gifts to be able to express them again, or we mistakenly believe art is for the greatly gifted or for the professionally trained."
Art nodded in agreement. "That's why I'm so committed to community theatre. It gives people an opportunity to let their creative nature rise to the surface."
"I'm proud of my sister for giving it a go. She's braver than I am. I'd be terrified."
"She speaks of you often, you know, in the most glowing terms. It's nice to see such a loving sibling relationship. They seem harder to come by these days with family members living so far from each other."
"Believe me, we have our moments, just like all siblings, but it's nice to hear our relationship described in glowing terms."
"Are you here to encourage her?" Art asked, gesturing with a thumb toward the circle of actors surrounding Maddy.
"Yes. She told me she's a bit nervous, but I can see my sister is getting plenty of support."
"Everyone's relieved and grateful to have found a replacement so we can open on time. You can rest assured; they will treat her like royalty."
"She told me her part is small. Will she be able to handle it with so little rehearsal?"
"I have every confidence your sister will shine. But don't worry; even if Maddy completely forgets her lines, the rest of the company will cover for her." His eyes twinkled as he grasped Lea's hand. His kindness touched Lea. "We won't let your sister know that. It will be our little secret. Come in and meet the others," he said, pushing through the foyer doors.
Lea's eyes swept over the auditorium. The stage extended so the audience would surround it on three sides, enhancing the emotional exchange between the performer and the audience. Glancing over her shoulder, she looked up and noted the benches added in the balcony which she knew brought the seating capacity to three hundred.
As they approached the people milling around the stage, it wasn't difficult for Lea to pick out her sister. With an infectious laugh accenting a bubbly personality, Maddy stood out in any crowd.
"There's your sister, the center of attention already. As usual, the rehearsal is a little late getting started. I'll ferret the Director out to get things going. Enjoy the rehearsal."
As she and Art approached the group, a man walked into the room clapping his hands loudly.
"Alright, everyone. Let's get started. Let's go from the top of Act One."
Art touched Lea's sleeve. "That's my cue. I'll see you later."
Three people walked up the stairs to the stage and the rest moved to the audience section or exited through the doors leading backstage. Maddy came over and grabbed her sister, giving her a quick hug and pulling her down beside her in the front row.
"I had the most exciting gruesome experience last night." She spilled out the details as quickly as she could. "I'm going in tomorrow to look at mug shots. If his picture's there, I'll find it. It's a face I'll never forget."
"Quiet everyone," called out the Director aiming his glare in their direction.
Maddy clapped her hand over her mouth and the sisters sat back to enjoy the scene being played out in front of them.
"When do you go on, Sis?" Lea whispered.
"Not until the second act."
"In that case, I'm going to the restroom. I'll be right back."
• • •
She moved as quietly as she could to the door leading downstairs to the restrooms and offices. Midway down the stairs, she heard loud male voices coming from a room on the right.
"I'm sorry, Chad, but you won't be in the next production."
"I know what play you're planning on doing, Barrett. I'd be perfect for the romantic lead."
"Oh, you're good in the romance department, Chad; I'll give you that. You play Casanova to almost every woman who crosses your path. It's your acting ability that's in question here."
"Who are you to criticize my acting ability, you over-the-hill has-been. You should have limited your energies to directing years ago."
"Your judgment of my acting hardly offends me. If anything, it's an endorsement since you couldn't recognize true talent if it were right before your eyes."
Lea heard the sound of metal legs scraping against concrete and the crash of a chair hitting the floor. She walked past the door glancing in quickly where saw a young man picking a chair up before planting his hands on the older man's desk and leaning over it. "Don't think you're doing me any favors by giving me parts," he shouted. "It wouldn't bother me one bit if I never played this hick venue again. I only do it because my agent wants me to get publicity and to add credits to my resume. Acting in your pathetic excuse for a theatre is only a step on my way to stardom. The sooner I can put this backwater town behind me, the happier I'll be."
"I wouldn't want to get in the way of your meteoric rise to stardom," the older man replied sarcastically, "so I'll make sure you don't waste any more of your precious time with us in the future."
"We'll see who plays the lead in the next production. Or have you forgotten my ties with the Director? He's very supportive of me and helping with my career any way he can."
"I'm well aware of your ties with the Director. He's the only reason you're here. I never agreed with his decision to use you in a leading role, but I let my directors make their own calls when it comes to casting since they have to work with the actors."
"And that Director will always use me,” Chad insisted.
Lea peeked through the slit in the door. The producer's face remained composed, but his eyes narrowed to slits. He snapped a pencil with his thumb.
"I'm the sole voice in choosing which Director we use for each production. I'll make it inherently clear to this Director if he and you come as a package, there won't be another time for either of you in this playhouse." The older man rose to his full height, head erect and breathing steadily. "Return to the rehearsal, Chad. This discussion is over."
The actor hesitated before retreating, but he stopped at the door to look back over his shoulder. "You'll regret this, Barrett. You're making a big mistake."
Stomping out of the Director's office, he collided with a young woman who seemed to appear out of nowhere. "Get out of my way," he yelled, pushing her roughly and causing her to fall to the stairs. The clipboard she was carrying rattled down the steps, papers flying in all directions. "Are you ever anything but in the way?"
He brushed past Lea as though she didn't exist.
Hurrying over to help the young woman to her feet, Lea asked, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"No problem. I'm fine." The young woman looked down to straighten her skirt or to hide embarrassing tears.
"I'm Maddy's sister." Lea extended her hand to the younger woman whose short brown hair was straight, framing plain features and a dull complexion, the kind of face you pass on the street without noticing. Her slightly wrinkled white blouse was tucked into an ill-fitting brown skirt. The tan sturdy walking shoes were practical but by no means stylish. She had a shy smile and a faintly worried look in her eyes. Compared to the rest of the entourage, she looked young and vulnerable.
"I'm the Director's Assistant, Dianne Thomas," she answered, leaning over to pick up the
papers strewn over the stairs.
Lea wrapped her arm around the young woman's shoulder, steering her toward the water dispenser. "Let's get you something to drink." Filling a paper cup, she complained, "What an incredibly rude young man."
"Oh, it's alright. That's just Chad," Dianne responded, coming to his defense. "You know how actors are, temperamental and all."
"That's no excuse for his behavior," Lea insisted. "Being a temperamental creative artist is one thing. As far as I can see, he's no more than an arrogant, insensitive brute."
The girl smiled shyly, taking the water Lea offered. "He's right about my being in the way, you know. In my position, I'm required to be in all places at all times. I'm sure it seems to the actors like I'm underfoot at times."
"You're only doing your job," Lea assured her. Glancing toward the Producer's office, she said, "I couldn't help overhearing the argument those two were having."
"They're always going at each other. Mr. Mason objected to Chad's being chosen for the part from the beginning but the Director is friends with Chad's father and has pledged to help Chad get his acting career started."
"From the statements the Producer was making, it doesn't sound like Chad's acting abilities are commensurate with a successful career in acting."
"I think he's wonderful." The adoration shone in her eyes. "His reviews haven't been the best, but I think the critics have it in for Chad because he's handsome and comes from a wealthy family. They seem to feel anyone who hasn't had to struggle to succeed in the business isn't worthy of accolades."
At that moment, a stately, attractive man came through the doorway of the office and glanced in their direction. He approached them, appearing slightly red-faced. "I hope you weren't startled by Chad's rantings and ravings. Dealing with actors' temperaments is the least favorite part of my job." He extended his hand to Lea. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure. Barrett Mason, producer of this merry band of thieves."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Lea Austin, here to watch my sister Maddy."
"Ah, yes; the stand-in. Please excuse me but I'm due on stage to go over my lines. Enjoy the rehearsal."
Watching him go up the stairs, Lea asked, "He has a part in the play?"
"Mr. Mason can do everything. He's directed a lot of plays himself but when he's not directing, he usually takes a role. When he plays the lead, he gets rave reviews and standing room only crowds."
"What character is he playing this time?"
"He only has a minor role, one the Director had a hard time filling so Mr. Mason stepped in."
"How do Mr. Mason and Chad act together with so much friction between them offstage?"
"Mr. Mason is a consummate professional. He'd never let anyone or anything diminish his on-stage performance. I can't say the same for Chad. As much as I like him," she said looking down at her hands and fidgeting with her skirt, "he can be petulant. He's fed Mr. Mason the wrong lines during a couple of rehearsals, forcing Mr. Mason to create new dialog on the spot to cover. He did it so skillfully, it came out better than how the original script was written. The cast applauded him." She smiled slightly. "Chad was infuriated and humiliated; everyone laughed at him."
Looking at her clipboard, she said, "I've got to get moving. Thanks for your concern. I'm fine." She hurried off.
Lea returned to the main stage area and found her seat beside Maddy. "I just encountered the rudest man," she whispered.
"Who?"
Lea looked toward the stage and pointed. "Him, the one speaking."
"Oh, Chad; the flirt. He hit on me five minutes after I walked in. You better be careful, Sis. He hits on anything in a skirt."
"He didn't hit on the Director's Assistant, and I think she would have wanted him to. In fact, he knocked her down."
"You mean the little waif who sort of floats around everywhere? She'd be pretty easy to knock over."
"He did it after a confrontation with Barrett Mason."
A loud voice on a microphone caused the sisters to jump in their seats. "Miss Conley. Would you be so kind as to grace us with your presence on stage?"
Maddy hurried up the side stairs to the stage, flustered. Lea giggled, sitting back to enjoy the remainder of the rehearsal.
• • •
Lea felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Margaret Patton gesturing her to move to the back of the Theatre where they could talk without disturbing the actors.
The diminutive woman was impeccably dressed as always, makeup perfectly applied, and hair styled as though she had just come from a beauty salon. "I bet you're here to watch your sister. My husband told me he talked Maddy into filling in. How's she doing?"
"She's always been a bit of a ham. It comes naturally to her, unlike me, terrified at the thought of speaking in front of people."
"If you want to know the truth, I'm afraid of public speaking myself." The woman wrapped her arm in Lea's and walked her through the door to the reception area.
"Surely not you, Margaret." Lea's eyebrows arched in surprise. "You're a City Councilwoman. The City Hall meetings are televised every week, and I know you've given speeches in front of hundreds of people."
"Yes, and I get backstage jitters every time," Margaret confessed. "If you want to know a bigger secret, Art has the same jitters and so do a lot of other actors. They find ways to overcome their fears so they aren't prevented from doing what they love."
"I saw Art before rehearsal started. He's wonderful on stage, as always. Are you here to watch him?"
"No, I'm here on business of my own. Barrett and Julia are the first clients for my catering business." Lea knew as soon as the Councilwoman finished her term, she planned to resign public service and start her own catering company. "I just finished a meeting with Julia to go over the menu. I'm on my way to the Wine and Pastry Shoppe at the Landing to pick up Art's favorite pie so he can have a slice when he gets home. If you're through watching the rehearsal, would you join me for a glass of wine and a slice of cheesecake?"
"I'd love to. I'll give Maddy a wave and meet you at the Pastry Shoppe."
Driving across the road to the Landing, Lea thought about how much she had enjoyed working with the City Councilwoman on promotional material to promote City Hall as one of the city's major tourist attractions. Now that Margaret has started her own catering business, Lea hoped they would be working together again soon. She would never be able to think of Margaret Patton or her husband without remembering the sisters' adventure investigating the murder at the Pier. Things were much calmer now, more to Paul’s liking but somehow disappointing to her.
• • •
Parking in front of the blue and gold awning next to the carousel, she breathed in the saltiness of the cool ocean air. Walking into the Wine and Dessert Shoppe, she was intoxicated by sweet smells of chocolate, strawberries, burnt sugar, and lemon zest. The large glass case displaying cakes, pies, and other mouth-watering pastries set off her taste buds.
Margaret was seated at a high-topped pub table perusing the wine and dessert menus. Sliding onto a padded bar stool across from her, Lea gazed around admiring the beautiful hand carved wine casks and rows of bottles, each with a distinct label. "I love this place. It always makes me feel cozy, and a little decadent."
"Like being luxuriously self-indulgent?"
"Exactly."
After the waitress lit the candle at their table and took their order, Lea asked Margaret. "So you'll be providing the goodies during the intermissions of the play?"
"Yes. I'll also be doing the dinner party Opening Night and the cocktail party at the end of the run."
"I've talked Paul into going to the Pre-Opening Dinner this time. I hear it’s quite entertaining."
"They're always crowd-pleasers; an opportunity for the patrons to meet the actors, the director, and the producers."
"I met one of the producers, Barrett, this afternoon," Lea informed her.
"What did you think of him?"
"Unfortunately, I didn't s
ee him in the best of circumstances. He'd been arguing with Chad Stewart."
"Did you meet Chad as well?" Margaret asked.
"Hardly. He ran the Director's Assistant over after his scene with Barrett and brushed past me like I didn't exist."
"That sounds like Chad. Being dramatic isn't acting on his part; it's part of his personality. He's an immature, spoiled brat in my opinion." Margaret paused as the waitress delivered their wine and pastries. "His father supports his acting ambitions to keep him out of his hair and out of his house. He uses his checkbook to avoid admitting to himself he feels no parental love for the young man."
"Does Chad realize that?"
"He not only knows it; I think he uses it to his advantage by feeding his father's guilt trip."
"Barrett made it patently clear he's not impressed with Chad's acting skills."
"Neither is Art. My husband feels anyone who encourages the young man to pursue acting is doing him a disservice. He won't succeed, but exposure to the entertainment industry can lead someone with that amount of money to spend into some dangerously bad habits with unsavory bedfellows."
"I'm surprised if you were meeting with Julia Mason in the office next door you didn't hear the ruckus."
"I was wrapped up in sorting out the menu. If Julia heard, she paid it no heed. I think she stopped worrying about Barrett's goings-on a long time ago. She's only interested in running the business side of the Theatre; she leaves Barrett well enough alone to deal with personnel issues."
"She's not sociable?"
"Not that so much as simply no longer interested. After this many years, I think Julia would like to get out of the Theatre business. It's a lot of hard work with few rewards if you aren't on stage every night receiving the applause of an appreciative audience and adoring fans." She paused, running her finger around the rim of her glass. "As a matter of fact, Barrett mentioned to Art a few weeks ago they've received an offer to sell. Barrett, of course, wasn't interested so I don't think anything came of it, but it may have started Julia thinking more seriously about it.”
