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remarked.
    â€œI’ve noticed that,” Henry said. He poured himself some water from the pitcher. “That talk with Jim must have really scared her.”
    â€œYou really think she’s the one who made the phone call, wrote the note, and took all those props?” Jessie asked.
    â€œDon’t forget the ripped costume,” Benny reminded her.
    â€œI don’t know what to think,” Henry said slowly. “At first I thought Melody wanted to give Sarah a bad time for getting the lead, but now I’m not so sure.”
    â€œI know what you mean.” Jessie played with her spoon. “Melody seems really scared when anything bad happens, and lately she’s tried to do her best.”
    â€œI don’t think she wants to hurt the show,” Violet agreed.
    â€œThen who does?” Benny wondered.
    â€œThat’s what we have to find out.” Henry said.
    As the Aldens drove home from the restaurant, they passed the Community Playhouse.
    â€œHey, look!” Benny shouted. A bright light shone from the second floor.
    â€œThat’s where the stage is. Maybe someone is practicing,” Soo Lee suggested.
    â€œSo late?” Grandfather asked, looking at his watch.
    â€œWe saw Jim turn all the lights out after rehearsal. He even locked the door. No one’s supposed to be in there,” Violet pointed out.
    â€œNo, but someone is,” Henry said.
    Grandfather stopped the car and the Aldens got out. Henry tried the door, but it was locked.
    â€œThat’s funny,” Violet said.
    â€œMaybe Jim or Nancy came back to check on something and forgot to turn the lights off,” Jessie said.
    â€œWell, there’s nothing we can do now,” Grandfather said.
    â€œWe’ll tell Jim in the morning,” said Henry.
    â€œHe’s not going to like this,” Benny added.

CHAPTER 7
    Problems on the Set
    â€œS omeone noticed a light on in the theater late last night,” Jim announced to the cast and crew the next day. He paused to nervously pull up the collar of his faded blue shirt.
    â€œAre you sure it wasn’t the janitor?” Richard asked.
    â€œI was the last one in the building. I turned out all the lights and locked the door,” Jim said as he paced up and down the stage.
    Violet was worried about Jim. He looked paler and thinner than ever.
    â€œOkay, let’s get started,” Jim called. He suddenly seemed in a hurry to begin rehearsing. “I want Sarah, Jessie, Melody, Harold, and Richard on stage.”
    As Benny made his way backstage, he noticed Sarah in the wings. She had a large manila folder tucked under one arm. When she noticed Benny looking at her, she quickly stuck the folder in her script.
    â€œDid you ever find your script?” Benny asked, trying to sound friendly.
    â€œUh, yes. I mean no. Nancy found an extra script.” Sarah seemed anxious to get away from Benny.
    â€œI really think there should be a softer light on me in this scene,” Richard was saying loudly to Henry and Jim on stage. “I see no need for a green gel.”
    â€œA what?” Benny asked Jessie.
    â€œIt’s a piece of thick plastic you put over a stage light to make it change color,” Jessie explained softly.
    â€œYou have to look green.” Jim tried to sound patient with Richard. “We need to have green lighting in this scene. The Wizard does live in the Emerald City.”
    â€œWhy can’t there be a soft, white spotlight on me?” Richard demanded.
    â€œLook, I give the lighting directions here,” Jim said firmly. “Now, please take your positions so we can get on with this scene.”
    â€œCome on, Benny, you should be backstage,” Henry called softly. He pulled one of the levers on the lighting board down to low.
    â€œI’m going,” Benny said. He did a few dance steps from his Munchkin routine.
    â€œYou’re showing off,” Henry teased him.
    â€œNot as