The curtain closed. I scrambled backstage, calling Marvin’s name. That’s when I felt the rush of cold air from the door and heard the traffic roaring by.
The stage lights flickered. I dragged myself back to the stage. The curtain swept open for the last time. Ms. Marzipan wanted us to take a bow. Then Boris was supposed to step forward to thank everyone for coming and invite them to have cocoa and gingerbread in the cafeteria.
Only Boris never stepped forward. We bowed again. We looked around. Ms. Marzipan’s smile started to get crooked. We bowed and bowed, and bowed again. Then Tonya curtsied and we all curtsied; even the boys wearing robes decided to curtsy. We didn’t know what else to do.
BAM!
The back door slammed. Boris ran up behind us and scampered to the front of the stage. He was out of breath and couldn’t talk for a few seconds.
And his stomach looked really big.
“Thank you,” he gasped. “Please join us in the cafeteria for refreshments.” And then his stomach started wiggling like crazy.