pocket , pulled out his pipe. Jeffrey barked.
“I hope that thing isn’t lit, Henry. We don’t want any complaints from patrons about the smell of smoke, do we?”
“For God’s sake, Jeffrey, do you have to be so anal ? Have I ever actually lit the damn thing?”
“No, but I don’t trust anyone who has to resort to soothers”, he said.
“Not a lot of people you trust are there? You know my pet peeve, Jeffrey, people who parade their ridiculous, stupid, affectations in front of others in the hopes of squeezing out a drop more attention . ”
“What a sanctimonious, prissy little shit you are, Henry. I don’t know how I’ve put up with you all these years.”
Henry knew why he had.
“So, Jeffrey, who’s going to save your butt once you’re in New York? ”
Muscle twitching in the side of his face, Jeffrey ignored his remark but softened his tone.
“Okay. Down to business. I spoke with Andrew. Told him I wouldn’t be recommending him for the chair. ”
“How did he take the news?”
“He was upset but he won’t cause any trouble , not if he knows what’s good for his career . Board of Directors are in agreement. Congratulations, Henry. You got what you wanted.”
Henry looked in the mirror and raised the mug.
But you didn’t get what you wanted , did you, Jeffrey? Spasms, arched backbone, spittle and foam pouring out of your mouth , wasn’t what you were looking for.
Henry laughed and drank the rest of the whiskey in a single gulp. No sense in dredging up the shouted insults, vindictive, spit drivelling rot of the rest of their conversation. He popped a peppermint candy, brushed imaginary dust from his tailored suit, closed the door quietly and walked slowly down the hallway towards centre stage.
He met A ndrew and Eleanor at the doorway into the large common room. They didn’t exchange greetings but stood silently together listening to the snatches of conversation drifting into the hallway.
In all the years I’ve known him, I never suspected Jeffrey suffered from seizures.
Don’t be daft; the man was poisoned.
Who’s going to assume the Director’s mantle?
Why Andrew, of course, who else?
Poor Catherine, I’m glad she was spared the sight of her husband’s death.
Too bad, she wasn’t spared his infidelity.
Died in agony, you say? It was his body I heard thrashing round on the floor. I thought something let loose on the stage set, given all the mechanical screw ups over the past few weeks.
Henry took a deep breath, nodded to Andrew and Eleanor; the three entered the room and positioned themselves behind the drinks table. Gradually all conversation ceased as more and more heads turned towards them. He nry cleared his throat and waited for complete silence before addressing them.
“We’ve all experienced a terrible shock tonight and, as difficult as it might be, we need to keep a clear head. I ask each and every one of you to keep Jeffrey’s family - Catherine and their children - in your thoughts and prayers . The police have requested we do not leave the theatre before they’ve had the opportunity to speak to us. I would suggest you ease up on the drinks before that happens.”
The sound of a muttered ‘ sanctimonious shit ’ drifted up from the back of the room to the drinks table. Henry smirked, Andrew smiled, and Eleanor turned her head.
Another slurred voice was heard. “What’s going to happen to the next scheduled play, Henry? Are we going to be laid off? Should we start looking around for something else?”
“I can’t answer those questions. I have no idea; I will meet with the Board of Director’s as soon as possible. Now, good people, I suggest you get rid of the makeup and back into your street clothes.” He looked at his watch. “I have to meet with the police. Try to stay calm and for God’s sake, no dramatics.”
“ Theatre without
“I hope that thing isn’t lit, Henry. We don’t want any complaints from patrons about the smell of smoke, do we?”
“For God’s sake, Jeffrey, do you have to be so anal ? Have I ever actually lit the damn thing?”
“No, but I don’t trust anyone who has to resort to soothers”, he said.
“Not a lot of people you trust are there? You know my pet peeve, Jeffrey, people who parade their ridiculous, stupid, affectations in front of others in the hopes of squeezing out a drop more attention . ”
“What a sanctimonious, prissy little shit you are, Henry. I don’t know how I’ve put up with you all these years.”
Henry knew why he had.
“So, Jeffrey, who’s going to save your butt once you’re in New York? ”
Muscle twitching in the side of his face, Jeffrey ignored his remark but softened his tone.
“Okay. Down to business. I spoke with Andrew. Told him I wouldn’t be recommending him for the chair. ”
“How did he take the news?”
“He was upset but he won’t cause any trouble , not if he knows what’s good for his career . Board of Directors are in agreement. Congratulations, Henry. You got what you wanted.”
Henry looked in the mirror and raised the mug.
But you didn’t get what you wanted , did you, Jeffrey? Spasms, arched backbone, spittle and foam pouring out of your mouth , wasn’t what you were looking for.
Henry laughed and drank the rest of the whiskey in a single gulp. No sense in dredging up the shouted insults, vindictive, spit drivelling rot of the rest of their conversation. He popped a peppermint candy, brushed imaginary dust from his tailored suit, closed the door quietly and walked slowly down the hallway towards centre stage.
He met A ndrew and Eleanor at the doorway into the large common room. They didn’t exchange greetings but stood silently together listening to the snatches of conversation drifting into the hallway.
In all the years I’ve known him, I never suspected Jeffrey suffered from seizures.
Don’t be daft; the man was poisoned.
Who’s going to assume the Director’s mantle?
Why Andrew, of course, who else?
Poor Catherine, I’m glad she was spared the sight of her husband’s death.
Too bad, she wasn’t spared his infidelity.
Died in agony, you say? It was his body I heard thrashing round on the floor. I thought something let loose on the stage set, given all the mechanical screw ups over the past few weeks.
Henry took a deep breath, nodded to Andrew and Eleanor; the three entered the room and positioned themselves behind the drinks table. Gradually all conversation ceased as more and more heads turned towards them. He nry cleared his throat and waited for complete silence before addressing them.
“We’ve all experienced a terrible shock tonight and, as difficult as it might be, we need to keep a clear head. I ask each and every one of you to keep Jeffrey’s family - Catherine and their children - in your thoughts and prayers . The police have requested we do not leave the theatre before they’ve had the opportunity to speak to us. I would suggest you ease up on the drinks before that happens.”
The sound of a muttered ‘ sanctimonious shit ’ drifted up from the back of the room to the drinks table. Henry smirked, Andrew smiled, and Eleanor turned her head.
Another slurred voice was heard. “What’s going to happen to the next scheduled play, Henry? Are we going to be laid off? Should we start looking around for something else?”
“I can’t answer those questions. I have no idea; I will meet with the Board of Director’s as soon as possible. Now, good people, I suggest you get rid of the makeup and back into your street clothes.” He looked at his watch. “I have to meet with the police. Try to stay calm and for God’s sake, no dramatics.”
“ Theatre without
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