4

“Hello, Wendy. Guess who?”

“Who?”

“Your friendly neighborhood pervert. No, it’s that clean-cut lad.”

“Marcus?”

“The one and only. You busy tonight? How’d you like to go to an audition with me?” He’d been sailing along on his own wind up to now, but now the wind died down. The last time he’d asked a girl to go out she’d said, Try again next year.

“A friend of mine is trying out for a part with the Down City Players. It’ll be interesting.”

“Well,” Wendy said, “I was going to wash my hair.”

“You can wash your hair another time.”

“I don’t know. I might have to go shopping with my aunt.”

“Look,” he said, “is it what happened today? Is that why you don’t want to go with me? You still sore about that?”

“No, I’m not. I’ve forgotten about that.”

“Good, then I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes.”

“Well, okay, make it a half hour.”

Marcus wore jeans, a blue turtleneck, and the same boots he wore everywhere. No affectation. He’d considered wearing a plain gold chain, but decided against it.

“Whose car?” Wendy said as she got in. She was all in green: green cords, a light green embroidered shirt, and a green Army fatigue cap. She was smiling, but he felt a little sweaty with her, unsure, and he started talking too much.

“It’s my mother’s car. I only got it after I told her who I was picking up. Otherwise, I could have hoofed it.”

“Your mother doesn’t like to lend you her car?”

“This is the way she thinks I drive.” He messed up his hair and stuck his tongue out the side of his mouth. He was sorry the minute he did it. He was acting like a juvenile. Off on the wrong foot again.

“So who’s this friend?” she said.

“Alec Canale, a terrific actor. Wait’ll you see. If he weren’t a damn good friend, I’d never show up for this audition. Our Town. I’ve already seen the bloody play four times. I saw it on TV, then when the junior class put it on, and over at the college once.”

“That’s only three times,” Wendy said.

“Picky, picky.” Was this the way it was going to be from now on, a dueling match? Wendy had given him that big smile when she got into the car, but now he wasn’t so sure. Was she one of those people who never forgot or forgave?

At Down City they found a seat in back in the old synogogue that had been turned into a theater. Pfeff was already there. Marcus whispered introductions. Wendy leaned forward with that big Barrett smile. Pfeff was wearing a No Nukes T-shirt, and she said she was against it too. Pfeff, who wore glasses and had a nose like a mole, gave her a pained smile. He didn’t have a good word to say for any girl. He sank back in his seat next to Marcus and muttered, “Marc-ass, you have hit rock bottom. Where’d you dig that up?”

Marcus gave him an elbow. “Don’t talk, you blind bat. It’s a friend.”

“You could use some enemies.”

The director, who was sitting in front, called for quiet, then started calling out the actors. Marcus leaned forward. The empty, poorly lit stage filled him with anticipation. Most of the people trying out were not half bad, but Pfeff was turning thumbs down on everyone. “Hand me a tomato, Marcus.” “Throw that one to the lions.”

Several girls tried out for Emily’s part. Terri was one of the last. When she came out on the stage, Pfeff started hopping around. “Oh, oh, look at those monuments. Capital, capital! She gets the part.”

Terri, playing Emily, looked around hesitantly, her hands clasped. “I just can’t sleep yet, Papa. The moonlight’s so won-der-ful.”

Marcus thought she was good, but because Pfeff was there he said, “A little overdone maybe.”

“What are you talking about?” Pfeff said. “I told you she gets the part. With an ass like that, who cares if she can act?”

Marcus glanced at Wendy, who was sitting with her lips pressed together. “Wait’ll you see Alec,” he said to her. Had he made a mistake bringing her? She wasn’t going to like anything. But when Alec appeared on stage he couldn’t help bragging. “That’s Alec. Now you’re going to see something special.”

Alec had parted his hair in the middle and hooked a pair of red suspenders to his white pants. “Emily, I’m glad you spoke to me about that—that fault in my character.” His voice, theatrical, rich, and resonant, sent a shiver down Marcus’s spine. “Do you like that?” he said to Wendy. “I told you he was good. You glad you came now?”

“Shh.” She folded her legs under her and leaned forward.

“I always made sure where you were sitting on the bleachers,” Alec-playing-George said, “and who you were with, and for three days now I’ve been trying to walk home with you.”

After Alec’s performance, they all three applauded loudly. People up front looked around. “I’m splitting,” Pfeff said. “Our buddy’s too good for this decrepit capitalist dream stuff.” He nodded to Wendy. “See you.”

“I don’t like your friend,” Wendy said after Pfeff left. “I don’t like his attitude toward women.”

“Yeah, well.” Marcus’s loyalties were divided. “He can be rough. Underneath he’s really shy.”

As they waited for Alec out front on the broad concrete steps, Marcus began to feel uneasy remembering how he’d told Alec about the girl he’d fallen on top of and here he was a few hours later with Wendy. Alec was going to put it together, and maybe say something, and then Wendy would really be convinced that Marcus was an all-American creep. But if Alec caught it, he didn’t say anything. He looked at Wendy, looked at Marcus, and then it was all Wendy. “So you’re coming to old Sherwood High?”

“Just this year.” Wendy twirled her cap. “Then I’m going to the Forestry School.”

“Really? Going to be a lumberjack? I’m joking,” he said quickly, and pressed her arm. “You don’t look like a lumberjack.” He really turned on the charm: a lot of eye and hand contact, interested, asking questions. Marcus felt around for his pipe. Alec could touch a girl without making a fool of himself.

“There’s more to forestry than cutting trees,” Wendy said.

“I know it. It was a callow remark. What aspect of forestry you interested in?”

“Basically, creating green environments in cities.”

“Super, that’s where we need it. I’m into that. The environment’s a mess. Look at this place.” He kicked a white plastic cup aside. “We could use a Green Tree demonstration project right here.” He snapped his silver cigarette case open and offered Wendy a cigarette.

“I don’t smoke,” she said almost regretfully. And then “Oh, why not?” She took a cigarette, but just held it. Her eyes lingered on Alec. “I’m sure you’re going to get the part. You’re so relaxed on stage, so natural.”

“Well …” Alec blew the smoke away from Wendy. “I hate tryouts. I feel like I’m on the block. Are you interested in theater?”

“I am now.” She was glowing.

Just then Terri and another girl came flying down the stairs. “We got it,” Terri screamed. “We got the parts!” She kissed Alec on the mouth. “You doll! We did it! I’m Emily and you’re George.”

Now the other girl kissed Alec. Marcus recognized her as one of the Emilys. “I’m sorry you missed, Pam,” Terri kept saying.

“I don’t care,” Pam said, “as long as I have a part. I don’t even care if I get to be the dead girl in the cemetery.”

The two girls pulled Alec back up the stairs. “Vanderhoff wants to talk to you.”

“Congratulations,” Wendy called.

Alec turned back. “Wendy, sorry I have to rush off. I’ll see you in school. Let’s stay in touch. I like talking to you.”

As they walked to the car Marcus said, a little gloomily, “You just made a friend.” Terri hadn’t even looked at him.

Wendy put her arm through Marcus’s. “Two friends. Met an old friend, and made a new one.”

“All’s forgiven?”

“Oh, that. Of course. I’m glad you called me. It’s been a super evening.” A flicker of a smile crossed her face. She rolled the cigarette between her fingers. “Alec’s got a girlfriend, I suppose?”

“Are you serious, Barrett? You saw those two girls. Alec can’t keep the girls off.”

“I’m not surprised.” She dropped the unlit cigarette into her pocket. “He’s such a powerhouse.” There was a faraway look on her face.

Marcus busied himself with his pipe. Jesus, he thought, Alec has made another conquest.