Chapter 2. Rehearsals and leading men

Sarah and Linda entered the theater from the rear with the rest of the cast members. Linda introduced Sarah to the actors she knew and to the theater staff as well. The actors all took seats on the stage floor. It looked more like a revival meeting than a play rehearsal. Jeremy sat behind Linda, his arms folded over her and his legs stretched out along hers, marking her as his and his alone. Sarah sat beside them; she found on her other side was a young man who could have passed for Jeremy's younger brother.

"Robin Hayden." He offered her his hand. "You're Sarah, yes?" His hand was smooth and soft, and he didn't quite look real. She nodded, and thought to herself what a pity it was that this beautiful man was gay. He could read her thoughts and leaning closer whispered in her ear, "I swing both ways, darling." Sarah's face blushed new rose pink. Hayden smiled disarmingly.

Jeremy glanced over at the younger man and growled; "Back down Hayden."

The young man sitting next to Sarah smiled; "Yes, sir." Giving Jeremy a faux salute, he nudged Sarah and whispered, "I must keep the old guard happy." His accent was the same wonderful accent as Jeremy possessed.

Sarah giggled, feeling a bit unsure as to why.

The room went suddenly very still, as if they were in a church awaiting the preacher. A lone figure entered the staging area and moved to the center of the circle. He was very lean and looked taller than he actually was. He moved like a cat, graceful and totally relaxed. Dressed in dark Haggar trousers, a cream colored shirt, and a pumpkin colored cardigan draped casually over his shoulders and tied in a sporty style, he looked more like an uptown millionaire than a director of Avant-garde plays. His wonderful wavy hair had once been dark brown, mistaken for nearly black by some. Now there were sliver threads here and there in the dark locks. His eyes were brown, dark rich chocolate brown pools that one could drown in gladly. His was a face that commanded attention, and his voice matched. "Good morning, children." He addressed the group in a resonant baritone. He looked at the eager faces and smiled wistfully. His hands were tucked lightly into the pockets of his trousers as he walked in an ever growing spiral. "I want to thank you all for joining our little family. And that is exactly what we will become in the course of this play. You will all come to think of me as the, Papa." Again the wistful smile appeared. "Some of you have worked with me before; it will be good to work with you again. Those of you, who are new to working with me, take out life insurance." His humor touched everyone and the group laughed softly. He was enjoying this, and it showed. "As you all know, the plays of the Bard are my forte. I've been blessed with having had some success at presenting those works. This production of Midsummer Night's Dream will my last as some of you are aware, I'm, retiring." His tone became softly somber for the briefest of moments before he turned upbeat again. "I intend to go out with a bang. And all of you wonderful children are going to help me do just that."

Sarah noticed an unspoken agreement between Papa and some of the actors. There was more to this than meets the eye, and they were all keeping mum. Even actors who'd not worked with the man seemed to be part of the unspoken conspiracy. She glanced about the room, saw the change of the faces from congenial to determined. Even the handsome young Mr. Hayden was wearing a countenance of purpose, fortitude and resolve. Looking back at the director, she wondered what was really going on here.

"Tomorrow morning we begin our work. We've got six week before dress rehearsal, and then we open on June the Twenty first… Midsummer Night by the old calendar." Again the wistful look, "I look forward to this venture, children. I hope you do as well."

Everyone applauded, and the ring of performers began disperse. Linda felt Jeremy's hands under her arms as he lifted her gently off the floor. They moved toward the director who was surrounded by well wishers, Sarah moved behind them with Hayden following her. As the crowd around the director lessened he noticed Jeremy and Linda. Reaching out his hands he clasped the hands of the actress, bending forward to kiss her cheeks, each one in turn; "Linda darling! I was so pleased to hear you're going to be my Hippolyta," seeing Jeremy with her he grinned. "And you, my Theseus. How perfect, don't you agree?"

Linda squeezed his hands, "I wouldn't have missed this for the world, Papa."

The director looked at the girl standing behind the pair. "My God, is this really little Sarah? All grown up," he dropped Linda's hands to move toward the younger girl. He smiled at her like an old friend. "I doubt you remember me, but I have met you once before, young lady."

Sarah offered him her hand, "I remember, it was when Mother played Helena and Jeremy played Demetrius about six years ago."

"That's right," agreed the man now slipping Sarah's hand into the crook of his elbow and leading her off the stage. "And now, you will be my Tatiana, I'm so pleased to have you as part of our company, child. Your mother told me you actually have played Tatiana before, last year in a school play. I'm sure you'll find this experience even more exciting."

"Thank you, Mr..." She paused.

"Papa, if you will Sarah," the man coaxed. "You're part of my 'family' now."

"Papa," she blushed.

"Charming," he said over his shoulder to her mother, then seeing Hayden following he raised a brow. "Is there something you want, Hayden?"

"Yes, and she's on your arm, Papa." Hayden quipped. "I want to introduce Sarah to Kevin, as he's to play Bottom. And her Fairy Court awaits her inspection." He held out his hand and beckoned gently. "Come thee now, proud Tatiana."

Papa raised the hand from his arm, placed a kiss in the palm and sent the girl off with her co-star to meet the other cast members she'd be working with closely. He looked at Linda who was still standing with Jeremy, both now at his side like guardian angels. "She's wonderful…" He whispered.

"Yes, she is." Linda agreed before looked at the man with concern. "Are you really up to this?"

"No." Papa sighed, and pulled her close to his side. "But when did that ever stop me?"

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Hayden led Sarah to a group of young performers, the young men who would play Nick Bottom, Quince, Flute, Starveling, and Snout and lastly Snug. "Miss Sarah Williams, this odious character is Kevin Turner; he's playing Nick Bottom to your Tatiana. Kev, Sarah." He mad the introductions.

"Hello," Sarah offered her hand.

Kevin dropped his jaw, gasping. "She's gorgeous!"

Sarah giggled.

Hayden rolled his eyes. "Just remember, she's my Queen." He pointed to some young women and children. "And that my dear, Sarah, is your Fairy Court."

One young woman, moved toward them. "Hayden, aren't you going to introduce us?" her voice was cool, her eyes were not.

"Claws in Kat," Hayden quipped. "This is Linda Williams' daughter, Sarah. She is the one who got the part of Tatiana." He crossed his arms looking extremely arrogant. "Sarah this creature is Kat Harper. Don't turn your back on her," he warned.

Kat pursed her lips, "I see; mommy got you the part?"

"No," Sarah returned fire for fire. "Talent did," looking appraisingly at the other girl, Sarah batted lashes innocently. "And what part are you playing, dear?"

Kat's face went sour, "I am Helena for your information."

"Of course you are." Sarah agreed. "Right down to the…"

Hayden placed a hand over Sarah's mouth. "Now girls, be nice." He held his hand in place over Sarah's mouth until Kat had walked away. Taking his hand down, he sighed. "I meant it when I said watch her…"

Kevin joined the conversation, "I say why don't we go to the Bistro down the block and get to know each other over bowls of bouillabaisse?" He was pulling on his jacket. "I'm starving."

"I don't think so," a voice said over them. It was Jeremy coming looking for Sarah. "No commandeering the girl." He held his hand out to Sarah, expecting her to instantly obey him. He saw hesitation in her eyes and he snapped his fingers. "Come along Sarah."

"Oh come on Eden!" Hayden bellowed. "It's just soup."

Sarah pleaded with Jeremy with her big green eyes as she'd seen her mother do from time to time. Jeremy groaned. "Oh fine, but your mother and I will be coming along to chaperon."

Sarah looked over at the two young men who shrugged. Half an hour later they were all seated in the back of a friendly little Bistro with a continental flavor to it.

"This place started out as a little French place," Hayden began to explain.

"Take over by an Italian joint," added Kevin.

"Then it went Greek for a while," Jeremy chimed in. "And now, it servers a bit of everything."

"And an outstanding bouillabaisse," Linda said sipping a glass of Cassis, a light fruity white wine that would not over power the bouillabaisse, she clinked glasses with Jeremy.

Hayden smirked, "And it's not hard on the pocket book, hence it's a favorite with struggling actors."

Sarah sipped the soft drink her mother had ordered her; "Are you and Kevin struggling actors?"

Kevin snickered, "I'm not, I happen to be a very well to do young man. Good family, good background, excellent education, a trust fund not to be sneezed at," he teased; "Just not a very good actor. I have no idea how I won this part, but I'm glad I did. I've always wanted to work with Papa."

"I not struggling as much as I was at one point," Hayden said buttering a slice of fresh bread. "I'm more selective, but I suppose if I were struggling I'd be less selective. I passed, for instance, on a role in an English period flick to work with Papa."

Sarah looked at the sad faces of the actors she was keeping company with and said what no one else would. "How sick is he?"

Linda answered. "He's dying." She put her wine glass down; "Cancer." Her eyes were serious, full of anguish at the thought of losing her long time friend and patron.

Everyone went quiet, until Jeremy raised his glass; "To Papa."

"To Papa," they all responded with raised glasses and reverent voices.

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The next morning the cast assembled on the empty stage. Papa was the last to come to the stage. He watched as they each received their own copy of the play. "Good morning, children."

"Good morning Papa." They answered in unison.

He took a seat and placed glasses on the bridge of his nose, "I would like to start with a read though of the play. You all know your parts, so be prepared to read." Papa turned his eyes to Jeremy and nodded.

Jeremy looked at Linda, smiled like a man in love and began without opening the script

Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour
Draws on apace; four happy days bring in
Another moon: but, O, methinks, how slow
This old moon wanes! she lingers my desires,
Like to a step-dame or a dowager
Long withering out a young man revenue.

Some of the young female cast members sighed deeply at his delivery. Sarah wanted to giggle, but held herself back. Hayden whispered in her ear that Jeremy and her mother should get a room. Kevin Turner watched carefully, trying to find some spark to follow. Only Kat Harper seemed discontented, upon closer inspection, Sarah noted it was only Sarah that Kat seemed to be discontented with. The girl playing Helena was staring daggers at Sarah.

Papa's eyes were closed, as he listened to the words. When the young fellow playing Puck spoke his last lines, the chocolate eyes opened. "Not bad for first reading children," he commented, as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "I have A few suggestions and comments." He looked at the young Puck, "I suggest you make the part your own stop trying to emulate some other actor's Puck. Look to the inner Puck inside you, don't think about how he's been played by others. Make him your own," He turned to the children in the Fairy Court, "You should study your lines, and commit them to memory." He looked at Jeremy, "A little more projection, Eden. I know you know how." Everyone including Jeremy chuckled. He looked at Linda; "Try thinking like a warrior queen not a milkmaid." Linda rolled her eyes, but nodded.

Papa looked at Sarah, "You were perfect." He looked at Hayden. "You need work." He looked at Kat, "You seemed distracted, and Kevin you also need to project a more gregarious manner. Be bold and expressive, it will come in handy when they fit the donkey head on you. You have to be heard clearly, you're muffling now, what's it going to be like when you've got the head on?" The director stood up, continued giving suggestions and comments until he came to the last of the cast. "All in all, not bad children, not bad at all;" he looked at his watch; "Tomorrow at nine." Waving a hand he shooed them. "Be gone."

Jeremy picked up his gym bag and Linda's as well. "Sarah, we've got class in half an hour."

Hayden followed them toward the stage door. "What kind of class."

"Dance," Jeremy called over his shoulder. "Want to come, pansy?"

"Stuff it!" Hayden called back chuckling.

Sarah whispered to her mother, "He called Hayden a pansy…"

Linda nodded. "I know."

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Sarah's first day as a stage actress had ended, and she was so glad of it. Her entire body ached from the workout with the dance instructor. Many of the actors took classes when ever they could, and the school of dance was accommodating to its students in the theater. Sarah had watched as Jeremy and her mother warmed up together, as a synchronized unit. Once more she wondered why it was they had not married. Sitting on her bed, massaging her feet, she was too tired to even try to eat.

Linda appeared in the door with a pair of mugs filled with warm soup and a half of a chicken salad sandwich for each of them. "You look done in." Her mother commented.

"How do you do this?" Sarah moaned. "You're still… mobile. I'm half your age and I'm shot!"

"Years of practice." Her mother winked. "You get use to it over time, build up a tolerance and learn to roll." The older woman sat down and handed a mug to the girl. "Don't kid yourself Sarah, I hurt too. It's hard work." She sipped the soup. "But so worth it come opening night."

"If I live that long," moaned the girl.

Linda giggled, nodding in agreement. "Tomorrow will be better, I promise."

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When Linda and Sarah arrived at the theater there was already a crowd gathered at the stage door. Linda frowned, it was not like the stage hands to be so late in opening. Moments later the doors opened and the throng of actors in the chilly spring air rushed to enter the warmth of the building. Linda was still frowning when she saw the reason they'd been kept out. There was a gaping whole in the glass roof vent as if something had crashed though it. And the stage was covered in glass and water from the early morning rain that had greeted them.

Jeremy came over to Linda and Sarah, "We're not going to be allowed to work today." He sighed. "They have repairmen coming in to fix the hole in the vent cover."

Sarah was looking at the stage. "How much damage was there done to the stage?"

"Not as much as feared," Jeremy announced.

Sarah looked at the seating area. "Why can't we just break off into groups and work in teams to read and get lines down?"

Hayden snickered, "Because this is not high school, Sarah, this is off Broadway."

"I like her idea," Jeremy, listening in on the fringes announced. "I like the idea of working."

"Working?" Papa appeared out of nowhere. "Working how, Eden?"

The actor grabbed Sarah's hand and dragged her over to the director. "Sarah has a suggestion." He looked at the girl. "Go ahead and tell him." He coaxed.

"I wondered why we couldn't break up into little groups and work on line delivery." Sarah said softly, feeling foolish now.

Papa, looking at the seating smiled. "Good thinking young Miss Williams. Children gather round. I'm going to assign you to small groups and areas. You will work on your lines. House lights up please." He called out and the lights became brighter. "Lovers," he called out and the four gathered before him, he motioned them to where he wanted them to work.

Hayden kissed Sarah's cheek. "My brilliant Queen," he praised, though it didn't sound really very sincere. Blushing and feeling a bit off balance she looked at him, he held his book up. "I say we practice the King's beseeching of the Queen for the changeling boy."

Sarah looked at Kevin who was frowning at them. "I say I practice with Bottom," she pushed the script held in front of her out of her path. "Kevin, want to practice with me?"

Kevin Turner was still frowning, but only at Hayden. "I'd be delighted, Sarah." He said as they wondered off to find a place to read their scene.

Hayden murmured to himself; "You can run, but you can't hide, and I've got time."

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Unseen and ever watchful in the rafters the eyes observed the girl. He had traveled long and far to find the prey. He had waited for her in the park of her youth and when she did not come to answer his call he went in search of answers as to why. He had listened in to her father conversing with the woman he was now wed to. He listened too to the prayers of the boy before he journeyed to this house of make believe.

She was as defiant and as bewitching as she had been when first he'd set eye upon her. The years had done her justice; she was blooming into a rose worth plucking. Appealing to his sense of priority was the fact that she still held such innocence in her bewitching eyes of emerald green. Innocence that he felt belonged to him, and was his to dispel and his alone. The one who'd held his script out to her was disappointed, but not discouraged. The watcher understood this drive, and pitied the young man for he was going to have to learn to live with disappointment and even rejection when it came to the girl. He observed the object of his quest cast the man aside in favor of one who did not desire her being, only her voice. He nearly fell out of the shadows where he'd hidden when they approached, in an effort to find a place to work on their scenes. He listened to their worlds, and his plan began to form. Eyes that were filled with comprehension beyond the human condition, whirled as the seeker, the hunter, listened to the voice of his prey. He knew the story, who in the Fae Realm did not? He began to form the plan of using the story to punish his own Queen. His eyes rested on the girl speaking the words of Tatiana so fervently. Much had changed in the years that had passed, he mused, for now the girl was no longer too young to keep.

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Sarah and Kevin took a break at noon along with the others; hot soup was being given to the actors, ordered by Papa to keep his actor's from catching a chill from the cool spring air pouring in from the hole in the skylight. Papa was praising the work going on as each actor came forward to receive a bowl of soup. Kevin whispered. "Hayden's pissed. He wanted you to work with him."

"Hayden's too sure of himself." Commented the young woman as they took seats and sipped their cups of warm soup. "He reminds me of another man who was far too sure of himself, and made the mistake of underestimating me."

Looking over at the sulking actor seated beside the young actor playing Puck, Kevin warned. "Sarah, Hayden can take your career places. He's going to be big! Bigger than Jeremy even! I'm not… I'm not as dedicated. If you want to go places in this business, hitch your star to him."

"If I ever hitch myself to a star," Sarah said calmly, looking at Kevin with bliss. "It will to a star that outshines even Robin Hayden." She smiled, "I'm looking forward to this play, Kevin, but once it's over I'm going back to school. A life chasing parts is not what I want, not any more. Maybe once when I was a kid, but not now, I want something more permanent, some thing secure."

Kevin glanced over his shoulder to where Jeremy was teasing Linda. "Have you told her yet?"

"No," Sarah admitted.

"Don't, not for a while." Kevin advised as he looked at the third person sitting with the plays older leads, Papa. "Hold off if you can."

Sarah leaned on his shoulder; "As long as I can." She promised. Someone moved behind them and Sarah shivered. She turned and sniffed the air lightly. "Do you smell that?" she asked Kevin. "That spicy scent of," she fumbled looking for words. "That scent?"

Smelling nothing, Kevin shrugged.

"Odd," she murmured looking back at her mother; "So familiar."

A figure now stood in shadows, waiting. A young actor was moving past when his head cocked to one side, "How now, good master?" the boy-like figure whispered.

"How now, knavish sprite?" the voice was rich and accented with a touch of irony. "How come you here?"

"One might as thee the same," quipped the merry maker.

Eyes that were like storms at sea gazed upon the creature, seeing it without its glamour; "Sweet Puck, do the Hobgoblins no longer bow to their King?" His voice held amusement but also an unspoken demand.

"Forgive me, Sire," the creature that was parading about in mortal form bowed to the Fae King. "I am in the company of mortals and do tend to behave as they."

"What thinks thee of this band of mortals?" The king looked about, knowing his state was invisible to all but the most discerning eye.

Curling to the side of the Goblin King, Puck whispered. "What I think is not of importance, I was sent here to keep the peace by one who has a vested interested in the telling of this tale."

"Oberon sent thee?" a long finger tapped a chin. "He cares so much about this production?"

Puck nodded a note of sadness come to his face he pointed toward the director; "Oberon is silent patron to that mortal, and he is near passing the veil."

Jareth moved in the shadow to look upon the man who was sharing a bowl of soup with Sarah's mother and her lover. "Oberon is his patron; does the good High King intend to attend the opening night?" When Puck nodded again Jareth cocked his head to one side. "Puck, would you be up to some… merriment at the expense of one, or two mortals?"

"Which one or two?" a wicked gleam entered the Hobgoblin eye.

The king drew the iniquitous sprite closer, "I've a score to settle with one, and a lesson to teach another, care to join me?"

The face of the Hobgoblin twisted in joyous conspiracy, "Waited until the corpse gone cold have thee, will visit thy wrath upon thy beguiling and winsome girl? And how will you achieve this settled score?"

The King knelt at the side of the youthful figure. "Where the bolt of Cupid fell: upon a little western flower. Before milk-white, now purple with love's wound, maidens call it love-in-idleness. Fetch me that flower;"

"Like father, like son?" mused the Hobgoblin with high spirits. "And once you've enchanted the young lady? Will you have her love also an ass?"

The King stood up, "Indeed I will." He saw they were looking for Puck. "Go now, but make haste to complete the task I ask of thee." He sent the Hobgoblin in mortal glamour back to the cast members awaiting him. He waved a hand and walked up to an assistant. "I'm sorry to be so late, I'm J.G. King." He offered his hand. "I've just arrived in town; I believe you were expecting me?"

"Oh yes, our understudy for Bottom," the assistant looked about wildly. "Ah there's Papa, talking with Linda Williams and Jeremy Eden. Come along, I'll introduce you."

The understudy followed quietly, thinking what fun was to be had.