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plays off Broadway. Almost a year ago, when he needed a quiet place to write, Ted and Vicki had offered the use of their upstate home. Eventually, Marc, who was growing weary of pounding the pavement in search of the next role, decided to take advantage of the opportunity. He joined Ethan upstate and pursued his passion for cooking by applying for admission to the Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, just a few miles from the McDowells’ home. Now all of them, Ted, Vicki, Ethan, and any guest lucky enough to be invited up, got to enjoy Marc’s “homework.” The arrangement seemed to be working out splendidly for everyone involved, and Vicki kept her fingers crossed that it continued to do so.
    “ Dirty with two olives, just the way the lady likes it,” Marc said, handing her the drink. “And just so you don’t get plastered, I’ve made those little sandwiches with the cucumber, feta, and fresh dill spread you like.”
    “ This is wonderful.” Vicki sat down in one of the wicker chairs, leaned back and took a long sip of the martini. “I think this is the first time I’ve relaxed since I went to the theater last night.”
    “ Obviously, Vic, we want to know everything, but only when you feel like talking about it,” Ethan offered. In truth, Marc had been chomping at the bit all day to badger Vicki with questions, but Ethan’s cooler head had prevailed, and he persuaded his partner to let her tell them the story in her own time. Ethan could see that she was upset when she arrived in the afternoon, and he didn’t want to add to her distress.
    “ You’ve been very patient, Marc,” Vicki said, smiling. “I expected you to grill me right away.”
    “ Ethan wouldn’t let me,” Marc said, giving Ethan a shove. “Some nonsense about giving you your space and not being pushy. As if! I told him it might actually do you good to talk about it. So talk about it. Talk about it, and don’t leave out a thing.”
    So Vicki talked about it, and she left nothing out - well, almost nothing. She left out the part where Rosamund confessed to some monstrous action that may or may not have triggered last night’s events. Granted, this was the key part of the story and she wanted to share it with the couple because they knew Roz and might be able to shed some light on the situation. Still, she didn’t feel right about divulging that information, just yet. Marc, who had a knack for knowing things no mere mortal should know, wasn’t completely satisfied with her account, and she knew it. He sensed that she was holding back. For now, the fact that she was being a trifle mysterious was interesting enough to keep him from pressing her further. Besides, he could make two, maybe three phone calls and discover most of the truth anyway.
    “ What about the weekend? Are we proceeding as planned?” Ethan asked.
    “ Yes we are. Roz wouldn’t hear of canceling. Which is great, since we’ve got a lot to accomplish before rehearsals start, and this weekend is when it is all supposed to happen.”
    “ Has the guest list changed any?” Marc asked in a way that informed Vicki that there was only one right answer to his question.
    “ Well …” Vicki said with all the courage she could muster, “Phoebe will be joining us.”
    “ Does that mean Vincent, as well?”
    “ Yes, I’m afraid it does,” Vicki answered, apologetically.
    “ Then it’s fine, “ Marc pronounced in a way that indicated the subject was closed.
    “ It is?” Vicki asked, incredulously. “Marc, I’ve just told you that I’ve added to a guest list with only three days’ notice. I was expecting more of a reaction.”
    “ Apparently, Vincent is always welcome,” Ethan explained with an amused air. “He could show up with a bus full of chimpanzees on speed and it would be okay.”
    “ Vincent is proving to be a hit with just about everyone.” Vicki winked at Ethan as she took another sip of her martini.
    “ Does that mean Phoebe has softened to