Read A Midsummer Night's Scream for Free Online Page B

“I’ll be measuring all but Ms. Bunting today. I’ve already found two dresses for her, providing the director agrees. When the measuring is done, I’ll find the right size and period clothing for day wear and formal evening wear for the last scene. When each costume is ready to be worn, it will be signed for by the actor who wears it. You will all wear underarm shields that I provide for free. Both perspiration and deodorant are the worst enemies of fabric. If you sweat on the fabric or get makeup on the collar, you will be asked to get it dry-cleaned. If I rent it from a supplier, the college will pay for cleaning and laundry. If it belongs to me, it will be at your own cost. If the stain process doesn’t work, you pay for the garment.“
    “I don’t think this is the usual way costumers deal with cast clothing,“ Imry claimed.
    “It’s the way I work. Take it or leave it,“ Tazz said. “If you’d done your homework, you’d have known my conditions of providing costumes. I sent you a copy of my rules and you signed them. Now, Professor Imry, I read an early version of the script and didn’t notice a police officer as a member of the cast. Has that been fixed?“
    “No. The script doesn’t call for one.“
    Tazz looked at him with raised eyebrows. “This is a murder mystery script. In it the butler kills the younger son. You don’t need a police presence?“
    “That’s assumed to take place after the play is over,“ Imry said, clearly uncomfortable with her question.
    Tazz turned to Jane and Shelley, who had brought along the dress bag and were now sitting in the first row of audience chairs, stage left. Tazz rolled her eyes at them, then turned to Imry. “I see,“ she said in a flat, calm voice. “I’ll measure the male actors first, since there are only the maid and Joani I need to get sizes for. Ms. Bunting’s costumes are already fitted. Now tell me your real names so I can draw up the contracts.“
    “We’re using the actors’ stage names,“ Imry said.
    “I don’t contract with fictional characters,“ Tazz said with a loud laugh. “Now, I recognize Mr. Bunting. Tell me who the other men are.“
    Imry was forced to forgo his rule. He introduced all the actors by their real names.
    “And the man standing just off stage?“ Tazz asked. “Is he a backstage worker?“
    “No. He’s just here to observe.“
    Jane whispered to Shelley, “Maybe he’s a reporter and Imry doesn’t want anyone to know it.“
    “He’s not taking notes,“ Shelley replied.
    “Maybe he has a tape recorder in his pocket,“ Jane responded. “Or...“
    “Or what?“
    “Never mind. It was a silly idea. If I turn out to be right, I’ll tell you what it was.“
    Just then, Denny arrived, flustered. “I had an exam that ran late. That’s why I couldn’t get here till now. I’m sure I aced it.“
    The first walk-through rehearsal went well, as far as Jane and Shelley could tell, except for Bill Denk’s improvising. There were no breaks, and the first two acts were done by the time the caterers arrived.
    Tazz, who had clearly taken a strong dislike to Imry, sat at the table questioning him as they ate. “So there isn’t a police officer. When I read the script, there wasn’t any explanation of why the butler murdered the younger son, either.“
    “That’s for the audience to decide for themselves,“ Imry said smugly.
    “Oh, like sophisticated artsy novels that leave the ending unresolved? That’s plain lazy writing and too pretentious for the likes of me. I hate books like that,“ Tazz commented as she wolfed down her snack dinner. She appeared to be anxious to get on with the measuring.
    “I read a book like that recently,“ Ms. Bunting chimed in. Her nap seemed to have completely revived her. “I threw it in the trash.“
    “Did you throw my script in the trash, too?“ Imry asked, obviously looking for an argument.
    “I know which side my bread is buttered on,“ Ms. Bunting said with a