On stage, Benny was having trouble controlling Watch. The dog kept running to Jessie who stood in the wings waiting for her cue to come on. Watch wouldn’t pay any attention to Sarah.
Jim was shaking his head. “This may not work,” he told Benny. “Take him off the stage so we can get on with this.” He looked at his watch. “Maybe, if we finish rehearsing early, you can take him outside with Sarah so he can get used to her.”
Benny nodded and grabbed his dog’s collar. As he walked Watch backstage, Benny did a little dance similar to the one he’d just seen the Munchkins rehearse. He didn’t know that Jim was watching, smiling.
“Okay,” Jim said, turning to the Munchkins on stage. “Why don’t you start again from the beginning?”
The Munchkins began their little dance welcoming Dorothy to their country. Jim watched them for a few moments. “No, stop. You’re not in step with one another.” The director shook his head and climbed up on stage.
“Look,” he said taking one of the Munchkins by the hand. “You need to start by raising your left foot, then the right. Now, start again.”
The Munchkins obeyed. Jim seemed deep in thought. “Stop,” he called again. “We need another Munchkin to fill out this middle row. Benny, where are you?” Jim looked around.
Benny stood in the wings holding Watch by the collar. “Sit, boy,” he said before he went on stage.
“You seem to catch on quickly,” Jim said, smiling at Benny. “I’d like to give you a small role as a Munchkin. Would you like that?”
Benny nodded, pleased.
“Okay,” Jim said. “Stand here, Benny. Now take it from the top,” Jim called to the others.
“What?” Benny whispered to the Munchkin girl next to him.
“That means start at the beginning,” she whispered back.
Just then Nancy came out to talk to Jim. She looked terribly upset.
“What?” Jim almost shouted after Nancy said a few sentences. “Ask everybody to come out on stage!”
Jim paced until all the cast and crew members had assembled. He told them about the missing props, the ripped costume, and the note written on the board yesterday.
“Are you suggesting one of us is responsible?” Richard asked.
“I’m just trying to get to the bottom of this.” Jim sounded very angry. “I will not have the show ruined by a lot of nonsense!” Jim did not look at Melody when he spoke, but several others did.
“We’re not blaming anyone,” Nancy said. “But if you have any idea who might be responsible, please come talk to Jim.”
“Yes, please,” Jim pleaded. “I’ll keep whatever you tell me in confidence.”
“What does that mean?” Soo Lee tapped Violet on the arm.
“That means he won’t tell anyone,” Violet answered.
“All right. Go back to your jobs backstage. Rehearsal’s over for tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll have a piano player here. I want you to have your lines memorized by the end of the week.” Jim sounded very tired.
As the cast and crew scrambled off the stage, Jim suggested that Benny and Jessie take Watch out with Sarah. “Get Watch used to her,” he advised.
The sun was setting when Watch led Sarah, Jessie, and Benny to the stone benches near the school. “He wants to chase squirrels,” Jessie explained to Sarah. Sarah laughed and stooped down to pet Watch who was straining his leash. Jessie looked at Sarah in surprise. It sounded good to hear her laugh for a change. She usually looked so serious.
“Let’s find a stick before we let him loose,” Jessie suggested, running ahead.
“Good idea,” Benny said, hurrying to keep up with the dog. “Maybe he’ll play catch with us.”
Sarah threw her big shoulder bag on one of the benches and raced after the Aldens. They played with Watch until it became dark. Jessie and Benny had Sarah give Watch commands so he would become used to her voice.
“I think we’re ready to go inside and tell Jim you two are getting along fine.” Jessie smiled at the sight of Watch obediently trailing Sarah.
“Yes, it’s getting cold out here,” Sarah said as she stooped down to pick up her big shoulder bag from the bench. The bag was on its side and when Sarah reached for it, a large manila folder fell out.
Benny started to pick it up, but Sarah quickly snatched it from him. “Don’t touch that,” she said.
“What is it?” Benny asked, pointing at the folder as Sarah quickly shoved it in her purse.
“Oh, nothing, nothing at all,” she said quickly. Without another word, she turned and hurried toward the Playhouse.
Jessie and Benny exchanged glances and followed Sarah inside. Jim was waiting for them on stage. “How did Watch do?” he asked, patting the dog on the head.
“He’s really getting used to Sarah,” Benny said, smiling proudly at his dog. As if in response, Watch went over to Sarah and wiggled his body. Sarah forced a smile and stooped down to pet him.
“Good,” Jim said. “Watch, it looks like you still have a job.”
Watch sat down by Jim’s feet and wagged his tail. “He’s happy,” Benny said, translating for his dog.
“I’m glad someone is,” Jim said. “See you tomorrow. By the way, the rest of your family has already gone home. Better hurry to be in time for your dinner.” Jim actually smiled.
“Would you like to come to our house for dinner?” Jessie asked Sarah as they were all walking out the door with Watch.
Sarah looked down at the ground and played with the purple belt on her wool coat. “No, thank you,” she mumbled, shaking her head. “I have to go.”
Jessie was very puzzled by Sarah’s behavior. She’d seemed so friendly only a few minutes ago.
“I wonder what Sarah has in that envelope,” Jessie said thoughtfully as she hurried home with Benny. She wrapped her red scarf more tightly around her neck.
“Maybe it was the missing script,” Jessie said. “Maybe Sarah hadn’t really lost it.”
“I don’t know,” Benny said. “But whatever it was, it was addressed to New York City and she sure didn’t want us to see it.” |