Chapter 10
The next rehearsal was awkward and none of the 'red hot seven' were into the production. Hank understood very well their mood and knew that something needed to be done. After taking the time to look at the confused faces of their supporting cast, the choir and the Orchestra. Hank knew canceling the production wasn't the right answer.
"Guys can we take a fifteen minute break? Me and my men need a few minutes." Hank called out and the rest of the cast gathered around the snack bar that the committees had so generously provided for all of the cast members with a special emphasis on young Cindy's diabetic needs.
Hank then gathered his men and Brice, in a quiet corner of the auditorium and had them sit he then found the back of a chair in front of them and leaned against it facing his men.
"Men," Hank began to talk with his head hung low, "I know how you feel, I feel the same way, whoever asked our fellow firefighters to protect us was out of line, they have reason to be angry and we're the only ones they know to be angry with. We've all talked about canceling this, this, whatever pronoun you want to call it in order to get back to the work we've chosen and the jobs we love. But I've just been watching a hundred and six people, counting the rest of the cast, choir and the orchestra, not to mention all the behind the scenes people who have been working on advertising, costumes and keep us feed so that we can keep dancing, who have worked on this thing as hard or harder than we have and it's not fair to them for us to quit now, not with only two weeks to go before the curtain goes up. We need to give this project the best we have and see it through. I'm sure the Chief will come through for us and help us work things out with the rest of the department.
"Are we in agreement?" Hank ended and watched as his men plus one looked behind him at all the nervous people milling around the stage.
"You know I'd been thinking that this was all about us doing what the Chief asked us to do," John was the first to speak up. "But Cap's right, it's grown to be a lot more than that now. We don't have a choice we have to see it through."
"The show must go on," Mike echoed.
"Yeah," Marco agreed.
"This is really going to be an amazing production," Roy added, a hint of pride leaking from his eyes, "There are people who are buying tickets expecting us to make fools of ourselves that are going to be amazed."
"That they are," Craig added.
"I say let's get this show on the road," Chet added with determination in his voice.
"Second Star to the right," Hank started.
"And on till morning," the rest of the crew joined in and called out in unison.
The seven men then returned to the stage as six of them lined up behind Captain Stanley. Hank picked up a mic and tapped it to make sure it was on before addressing everyone that was there.
"On behalf of me and my men I would like to apologize for the way we've acted so far today. Our only defense is that we had a rough last shift and we're having trouble getting it off our mind. One thing we have realized thought is that all of you have turned this production into something far grander than we ever dreamed of. We may be thought of as the leads in this production but none of us would be anything without all of you and we want to thank you for all that you have done and are doing." Hank then looked at the committee members who were working with them. "But I still have to ask you to keep all dealing with this production away from the fire station. It could be a matter of life and death if we were distracted from our work."
Hank let out a sigh then raised his head once again. "If it's alright with the rest of you we'd like to start again from the beginning and we promise you, that this time we'll get it right."
The seven firemen were greeted with smiles from nearly everyone and several women from the choir put on their motherly tendencies and stepped forward to give each of the men hugs. If they had any doubts that they'd made the right choice they were gone with the hugs.
They did begin again and Hank found a smile for his engineer as he rolled over on his back with feet and arms in the air at his feet.
The wire or rope mechanics needed to simulate flight were still in the process of being installed in this particular auditorium So the actors who were supposed to fly away simply jumped and then they moved on to the next scene. Johnny, Chet and Kristen had been practicing at another site and felt comfortable with the flying movements the mechanics to do that at the current location would be ready by the next week giving them only week to spare before the curtains went up for real.
Over the next two hours then made it from beginning to end with only needing to stop three or four times to work through a few problems. Most of them associated with the part of Tiger Lilly. They still could not decide whether to leave that part out all together or just cut it back.
When they might have made their final bow but chose not to grandstand for an empty auditorium they heard applause from the darkness in the back of the seating. It was only the applause of one person and as they looked to see who was applauding a shadow began to move from the darkness and then Chief Houts was seen moving forward continuing to clap until he reached the rim of the orchestra pit.
"Bravo, Bravo, Bravo," the Chief spoke with emphasis as he slowed his clapping and then stopped. "When I asked six men to step outside of their comfort zone and show what they could, do I had no idea things would become this grand, nor had I any idea how high and graceful these men could step. Well done. Well done and well done.
"Now if the majority of this cast wouldn't mind me taking these seven men aside for a few moments. I need to talk with them privately, but I will likely need to talk with the rest of you once we are finished so if you wouldn't mind hanging around. I'd really appreciate that."
With a nod of the Chief's head seven men found the corner stairs that led down from the stage and followed their high leader to a distant corner of the auditorium where they could talk and not be heard. With a wave of his hand the Chief gave the motion for them to all sit and then like Captain Stanley had done before he leaned on the back of a chair facing them.
"I've heard what you men were put through on your last shift and I assure you measures are being taken to resolve that situation. I also understand your wish not to know about the ticket sales and I admire you for your dedication to duty. You are truly firemen first and performers only because of my request. I personally will see to it that your fellow firemen understand that. However there is a matter I have to talk with you about even though I know you really don't want to hear it."
The chief paused and it looked as if he was waiting for someone to object to him saying anymore but when the men remained silent he continued.
"I'm sure you'll be surprised but all three of the performances you had scheduled have been sold out. The committee in charge of advertising and ticket sales has also sold the remaining seats from the invitation only matinee performance your doing for the children. And the phones are still ringing. It is believed that tickets can be sold to fill this auditorium for three or four more performances than are currently scheduled. What I need to know now is if you're willing to take on the extra performances."
"They're only coming to see us make fools of ourselves." Roy voiced his concern.
"When are we going to find time to be firemen?" Chet spoke up.
"Chief, in all due respect this is not the career of our choice." Hank added.
Chief Houts folded his arms across his chest and smiled. He then placed both hands on the seat he was leaning on and spoke up.
"If they are coming to watch you make fools of yourselves their going to be very disappointed. This is a wonderfully comical production but it is also the most professional presentation I have ever seen. As for finding time to be firemen; I am going to propose that all of the performances be in the same week, with a second matinee on Saturday. I am also proposing that this be a Temporary Duty Assignment and that you be paid for the time away from the station. Hank do you think you can keep your guys in the right mind set for two more shifts and then we'll put you all on TDA through the duration of this project you've taken above and beyond?"
Before he answered Hank turned to his men. "It's up to you guys, it always has been."
"You men are really binging in the funds for the two charities you've chosen to represent," The Chief tried to add a little persuasion. "However because of some of the issues that have presented themselves, time off work and interruption of the teamwork in the field to name just a few, I'm sure you can understand that I will not be making this an annual performance."
Slowly and subtly each man turned to their captain and gave an approving nod, then Captain Stanley turned and officially stood before his Chief. "We'll do it Sir. Of course we only speak for ourselves and not the rest of the cast. I also add that there are several firemen in both the choir and the Orchestra who will need to have their shifts covered as well."
"That is why I've asked them to stay while we had this little conversation. If you men don't mind I would like to make the offer to them and then I'd like to talk with you seven a little more about the 'safe duty only' situation."
"Thank you sir we'd love to have that conversation and we can wait till you've talked with the rest of the cast." Hank Stanley spoke for all of his men. "Chief Sir." Hank spoke again. "Might I ask how long you've been sitting in the shadows tonight?"
"Oh I got here just as you stood in front of your men and offered and apology for being in a funk after last shift." Chief Houts responded with a smile, "So for pretty much the whole night."
Of course the rest of the cast agreed to the extra performances, a greater compliment could never have been given.
The next morning when they arrived for rehearsal they noticed the posters on the doors of the school they had all had Sold Out banners taped across them covered by Held Over banners showing the new performance dates and times. The men began to feel butterflies dancing around in their stomachs.
"Two more sifts Cap?" Chet was the one to ask.
"Can you hang in there that long Chet?" was Cap's thoughtful response.
"I hope so. Somebody's got to keep Gage out of trouble or I'm going to end up in green tights swinging from the rafters. And I do not want to shave off my mustache."