The week had flown by, and I had spent most of my time helping Cindy make last minute arrangements for our performances.
The theatre where we were working was a new addition to an already impressive community college. Unlike the Royal in New York, everything in this theatre was brand new and meant to look that way. This college theatre had state of the art lighting and sound systems and spacious dressing rooms with showers and make-up rooms. It also had two lounges. One with comfortable furniture, the other with a kitchenette, tables and of course, vending machines. It may have lacked the elegance of the Royal, but it was impressive, in its own comfortable way.
About three in the afternoon, Cindy and I were situated on the stage in the midst of piles of paper. Most of it was public relations information for the local newspapers, radio and TV stations.
She sat cross-legged while I stretched out on my stomach and propped myself up on my elbows. I examined the pile in front of me “Let’s see,” I mumbled to myself. “Radio PSA’s”…Looking at the next sheet, “Video spots, local stations, sixty and thirty second scripts”…the next sheet… “Ticket info, check seating charts.”
“Any sheets that have duplicate copies put in this pile. All media info, put over here.” Cindy pointed to yet another pile of paperwork. I have to remember to take it with me. I need to deliver it to the local stations ASAP.
All of a sudden, the door to the back hallway flew open. Jim burst in with an extremely enthusiastic “Hi! Bet you thought we’d never get here.”
“There’s always hoping.” Cindy called back without looking up. That was Jim and Cindy’s usual banter. People may have thought they hated each other. My thought, however, was that it was quite the opposite.
“Would you two be kind enough to open the back doors so we can unload our precious cargo?”
Rising from my semi comfortable spot on the stage, I answered, “Sure Jim.” I started toward the doors, then looked back at Cindy. “Are you coming?”
“Yeah, I’ll be right there.”
The back of this theatre had a set of extra wide doors and a loading dock with a garage door. This modern facility was well constructed and able to handle the needs of traveling shows. As we opened the doors, the warm California air hit and mixed with the air-conditioning.
Everyone grabbed something and began unloading the trucks. It had become a system by now. Jim picked up a box with make-up and other items for the dressing room. “Here we go, sweetie.” He moved with the strength and energy of an Olympic gymnast. He pretended he would throw the box from his standing position in the back of the truck.
Then, he gently lowered the box to me so I could reach it. “How can you be so peppy after such a long trip?” I questioned.
“Coffee, babe, lots of coffee.” He must have had caffeine running through his veins instead of blood.
I took the box and made my way back to the bright, clean dressing rooms. They were so new, I thought we might have been the first to use them. I sat the box on one of the chairs and started unloading its contents. For now, I was just stacking items on the long, wall length table.
“Hey, Penny.” I was so startled I actually jumped. I hadn’t noticed that someone had walked in behind me.
“Oh Denny, it’s you. You scared me.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” His tone was gentle and sincere, not like that cocky, then creepy attitude he gave me when we first met in New York. This time when I looked at him he seemed more like a frightened little boy.
He paused for a second and then spoke. “Hey, I’m really not much more than an extra in this show. I don’t have a whole lot to do. If rehearsal goes okay tomorrow morning, Peter said we could take off and do some sightseeing.” He stopped for a few seconds, then continued, “Would you want to come to the Museum of Natural History with me?”
I stopped unloading the make-up and looked over at him. “Um.” I hesitated. Why not? His seemingly sweet, gentle side was winning me over. “Okay, sounds like fun.” I may have gotten the wrong idea about him earlier.
“Well, I better get out there to help before someone gives me hell. I’ll meet you in the parking lot after rehearsal, okay?”
“Okay.”
Our smooth running team continued to unload our adaptable set and all the accessories.
* * *
When we walked in bright and early the next morning everything was in place. The crew must have stayed late to get everything done so they could sleep in while we rehearsed.
Our production here was Forbidden Love, Peter’s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. It should go over well with the college crowd.
Rehearsal went well. We had begun blocking rehearsals for this show earlier in the tour. Now it was time to refresh our work and make any changes needed for this particular space.
For some reason, this production seemed rather easy to put together. Our previous time was well spent and we were easily able to pick up where we had left off.
“Alright, everyone, calm down now.” Peter got our attention once we completed our second run. We had been working for hours with only a short lunch break.
“You did a very nice job today but I want you to go over the notes I gave you before tomorrow’s rehearsal. And, I want everyone off book. You should’ve had most of your lines down before we got here.” I knew he wasn’t referring to me; I don’t think I’ve ever had my lines down so perfectly.
Bobbi added, “Call for tomorrow is one o’clock. We’ll be running it once and then that evening we’ll be having a preview performance for the faculty and staff of the college.”
The murmuring from the cast prompted Peter to speak again. “I know that wasn’t in our regular schedule, but they asked if it was a possibility and I’m sure we’ll be ready. Take the rest of the afternoon to relax a bit, get some sleep so we’re ready to go tomorrow.”
Everyone spilled out of the auditorium through various doors. They were all off to enjoy some personal time.
I gathered my bag and the lightweight sweater I brought with me and headed toward the doors that led to the back parking lot.
Once out the door, I looked around and then heard a horn honk. There was Denny in one of our tour vans. He pulled up to where I was standing, his arm propped on the open window. “Hop in.”
I walked around the front of the van and got into the passenger seat. “Quite a vehicle you have here.” Our vans were large and sturdy and not terribly stylish or comfortable.
“Yeah, I almost had to sell my soul before Cindy would let me sign out the keys. All set?” He looked over at me.
“I guess so.” We pulled out of the theatre parking lot and into the city.
The scenery on the way to the museum was beautiful. Palm trees lined the streets. As the roads became quiet, the greenery moved in. Cypress trees with twisted trunks bent toward the road as though they were trying to gently touch us. The sunlight flickered through a roof of leaves and branches.
A warm breeze blew through the van’s open windows as we passed one of California’s many missions. The peacefulness of that quiet, meditative space contrasted Denny’s changing mood. His hands clutched the steering wheel tighter and he rolled his head from side to side as though he was trying to loosen tight neck muscles. Without taking his eyes from the road, he blurted out, “You really should watch out for Peter.”
“What do you mean?”
“He seems to be getting a bit chummy with you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’ve seen him do it before. Keep your distance, Penny.” His tone became so intense I decided to stay quiet for the rest of the drive. Thankfully, it wasn’t a long one.
We heard the tires crunch on the gravel parking lot as we pulled off the paved road. I got out of the passenger’s seat, locked and shut the door and headed around the back of the van. Just as I got to the corner, Denny startled me, again. “Hey, come on,” he said as he grabbed my hand and pulled me. His tone had gone from unexplained anger to an almost child-like lightness. “Isn’t it beautiful?” He asked.
“Yes, it really is.” I answered, feeling rather confused. Despite the distraction of Denny’s quick mood shifts, I felt pulled into the calm beauty of our surroundings.
Lush trees and colorful flowers grew around the authentic Spanish building. English ivy crept up the stone walls adding to the cool, lush atmosphere. Deep yellow-gold blossoms lined the walkways and the sun sprinkled its warmth and light gently over this little paradise.
Most of the wings of this museum met in the center at a beautiful open-air courtyard. After examining the stuffed and/or live flora and fauna of the area, we found ourselves relaxing on one of the benches in the garden.
Denny was in such a good mood, I thought it might be the right time to ask him a few questions. “Denny, you said you’ve been with the group for a long time.”
“Yeah.” He looked at his feet, not at me.
“How long? I mean, I’m trying to find someone who may have been with this group even before Peter took over as director.”
“Why?”
“I’m just trying to figure out some things. Things that happened back when I was a teenager traveling with my mother.”
“How long ago was that?” He sounded irritated again.
I tried to joke, hoping to keep his mood light. “I get it, playing it safe. Never guess a woman’s age. That doesn’t bother me. It was about eight or so years ago.”
Denny got up from the bench and paced a bit, fingering the beautiful plants and flowers that grew in the center of this bright sunlit space. “I’ve been with the group, but not for that long.” He stopped at that and came back to sit next to me.
“I want to ask Lindsay if she knows anything, but I’m afraid to even look at her sometimes.”
He laughed. “Yeah, she’s pretty intense.”
“You’re not kidding.” It was quiet once again. In our silence, you could hear the birds and insects that were lucky to reside in this charming locale. I waited a few seconds, hoping he’d say more. He just sat there looking down at his worn tennis shoes. I wondered how such a backward and moody person got into acting. Once I thought about it for a bit, I realized that could be a really dumb question.
Well, I guess that’s all I’ll get from him, at least for now. I looked around the courtyard one more time, then at my watch. “We better get going. We’ve got rehearsal at six.”
“Yeah, I have such a huge part in this show, they won’t be able to go on without me.” The sarcasm in his voice was obvious. He finally looked at me and his mood changed once again. “But you’re the star in this one, they really couldn’t get by without your talent and beauty.”
I started to laugh. I thought he was still being sarcastic until I looked back at him. His gaze was intense and serious. Now it was my turn to feel awkward.
The ride back to the college was quiet and only slightly uncomfortable. As we pulled into the back parking lot, I saw Peter pacing back and forth in front of the loading dock. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw us.
“I wonder what’s wrong. I’m sure we’re not late.” I said checking my watch.
“Maybe we left part of the set in New York.” Denny added smartly. “I don’t know what’s wrong, but remember what I said about keeping away from him.”
Peter stormed over to the van as we were getting out. I could see his attempt to keep in control as he said, “Where in hell have you been?”
Denny gave me an “I told you so” look. “We went to the museum,” Denny told Peter rather condescendingly.
“You’re supposed to sign out.”
“We did. I told Cindy where we were going when I signed for the keys to the van.”
Peter came over to me, put his arm around me and began walking me quickly through the back doors. “You really carry this show and I want to make sure you’re ready.”
Denny said to be careful. I know Peter could have a temper, but he seemed okay, now that we were back. Anyway, what could he possibly do with so many people around?
I looked over my shoulder right before Peter and I turned the corner. Denny stood at the door, his arms tightly crossed with an odd look on his face.