The following week Adam found to be very frustrating. He was finding out what it was like to be in charge of such a production. It was much harder than organizing round up. He was auditioning everyone for the parts. There were far more girls auditioning than required after the dance. But, he was falling way short with the amount of men he needed.
He'd decided to take of the role of Mercutio himself despite his already busy schedule. It was easier with one less person to teach Shakespeare to.
He also needed someone convincing and commanding to play Capulet, Juliet's father, which posed a deeper problem. He was at a loss as to whom would be suitable, until Ben walked in from a day with the cattle and shouted in his booming voice for everyone to come to dinner. Adam smiled as the idea hit him. It wouldn't be too hard to convince his father to be in the play, surely. He just had to flatter him the right way. At dinner that night, Adam tossed over in his head different ways to ask Ben.
'Say, Pa. I'm having trouble with a passage from the play. Think you can give me a hand after dinner?' Adam looked innocently at Ben who shrugged his shoulders, in a 'why not' reply.
'I don't see why I can't play a part, Adam.' Joe looked mean as he pushed the peas around on his plate. He'd figured he'd be able to talk his brother into letting him in the play, but Adam hadn't relented.
'There aren't any characters in the play young enough for you Joe,' Adam said for the tenth time that day.
'That ain't fair.'
'Isn't.' Adam corrected and turned his attention back to his father.
Little Joe stewed for the rest of the meal. Adam just wasn't being fair. He had a list of props to make but that wasn't exciting at all. Then, a thought occurred to him on how to get Adam back. He smiled deviously as a plan hatched.
Meanwhile, Adam was still trying to hatch a devious plan of his own. 'Now, Pa, about that part.'
'I'll help you read, but that's all.' Ben narrowed his eyes guessing what his eldest son had in mind. So Adam retreated from his attack and spent the next few minutes planning a new strategy. He'd have to try after dinner, when he got his father alone.
'I heard Hoss had a pretty good time at the party last night.' Ben looked up from his chair later in the night.
Hoss had retired to his room to rehearse and Joe was upstairs, hopefully studying.
'Yeah. He had a good time,' Adam mumbled. He was still trying to think up a way to get his father to act in the play.
'Adam, in all seriousness, if this foolish play acting actually gets Hoss to be more confident in public, then I think it's a good thing, even though your work is suffering.' Adam looked cautiously at his father. This was a great reason to pitch his idea of Ben joining the company.
Adam sighed dramatically, and put on a sad face as he leaned back into the blue chair.
'You're right, it's been wonderful for him. But, I fear he's not going to get his chance after all.'
'Oh?' Ben answered cautiously, with his brow raised and his pipe poised. Adam was moving in for the kill again. He could feel it.
'Yeah, Pa. I've got a real problem filling a couple of the major roles. I think I'm going to have to call the whole thing off. Such a shame too. Hoss really was getting a lot more confident.' Adam tried to remain cool, but he quickly glanced to his father checking his reaction. Ben, a more experienced campaigner, was cooler than his son was.
'I've got every confidence in you, Adam. I know you'll find someone.'
Adam tried again.
' But I've tested all the men who were willing to be in it, and there's just nobody with enough presence, education or charisma to fill the part.'
Ben couldn't help himself. "And what part is that?'
Adam heard the reluctant interest in his father's voice. 'Oh, it doesn't matter now. He left a minute of silence before he continued. 'Capulet, Juliet's father. He's got to have a powerful, deep voice. A commanding presence. I just can't think of anyone.' Adam glanced up and Ben narrowed his eyes.
'That is a problem.' Ben sighed as Adam pretended he'd just thought of the solution.
'Oh, that's it. Pa, you'd be perfect! How about just try it?'
'I told you all ready, I don't have time for this foolishness.'
'But you said it's good for Hoss. Would you do it for him? For Hoss?' Adam's eyes pleaded with him and Ben knew he was getting suckered.
'Where's the book?' Ben said with resignation. 'But I'm only doing it for Hoss!' he added.
Adam smiled in triumph and got his copy of the book. 'Okay, Pa, page three and take it from the top.' Adam retrieved his stick and tapped it in time to his father's voice.
Adam smiled to himself as Ben soon got involved in his character. His father's voice was loud and clear and would give a professional polish to the production. He just had to arrange rehearsals to fit around his father's busy schedule.
Joe meanwhile, actually appeared to be behaving himself by working on props and staying out of the way. Adam had given him a list of things to find or make which kept him occupied on the first afternoon of rehearsal. Adam should have been suspicious, but he was too involved in trying to get everyone in the same room at the same time to start practising to keep a close eye on Joe.
The first night after rehearsal, Adam had nightmares! Most of the volunteers were terrible, but how could you tell friends that without offending them? The only two that were halfway decent was Hoss and his father. He also included himself in that list.
Megan was ghastly. She obviously thought she was something special, but she didn't have any feeling for the part at all. Besides that, she criticized everyone else.
Ross, Adam's best friend, was playing Montague; Romeo's father. Ross had bucked at the idea to start with, but Adam insisted. He had a quiet chuckle to himself later at the irony of it. Sally ended up playing the nurse after all, and a spinster called Kathy who'd been interested in Ben for some time, took on the role of Lady Capulet when she heard he was in the play.
Most of the others were cow hands or miners from town who thought it sounded like fun, but didn't have the slightest idea about Shakespeare. Adam found himself having to explain the play to most of them as well as try and organize them to work together. He got writer's cramp doing copies of the passages for everyone, as well as extra notes in the margins. He sure hoped it was all going to be worth it in the end. At least Hoss was enjoying himself.
When he eventually got to bed in the small hours of the morning, he tossed and turned. At least Miss Jones, Joe's teacher, hadn't got wind of it yet! That would really be a nightmare if she did. Adam had a terrible feeling that she was kind of sweet on him. Unfortunately the feeling was not mutual.
Adam figured that Abigail Jones must have been born old. She was only a few years older than him, but she was so strict and straight laced. He had to hope that Little Joe behaved himself during the next few weeks to keep her out of his hair.
'Hey, Adam. I got a note for you from Miss Jones!' Joe came running into the house the next afternoon after school. Adam was finishing the scripts for everyone before they arrived to start rehearsal. He sighed from his place at his father's desk.
'Joe, what have you done this time?'
'I ain't done nothing, Adam. I swear! Adam rubbed his tired eyes before raising his eyebrow at his little brother.
'She just done told me to give ya this note.'
Adam frowned as Joe handed over a crumpled lump of paper that was once a crisp, neat letter. He kept a suspicious eye on his sibling as he unfolded it and read the flowing handwriting.
'Dear Mr Cartwright,
It is with deep admiration that I give my congratulations. Your endeavor to stage what must be the most romantic play ever written is truly admirable. Little Joseph has told me that you plan to allow him to help by making props and backdrops. I would consider it an honor for you to allow all the school children to help with this task.
Please come by the schoolhouse at your earliest convenience to discuss your proposal on what you would like me to do for you. I would also like to say, it's wonderful to find a young man in this town who is willing to share great literature with the world. I look forward to discussing your thoughts on the play.
That I shall say goodnight, till it be morrow.
Abigail Jones, Schoolmistress.'
Adam moaned and let his head fall rather heavily onto the desk. Joe jumped at the dull noise. His plan had obviously worked. He knew Miss Jones would be tickled by the idea of Romeo and Juliet. Adam was now in the thick of trouble, as he'd intended when he'd let slip details of the play. There weren't many people that scared Adam, but Joe knew his teacher was one of them. Not that he blamed Adam; she scared him too!
'Adam, I'm sure sorry if I've done something to get you in trouble with Miss Jones again.'
Adam sighed. He was 24 years old, a college graduate and second in command on the Ponderosa, but still Little Joe's teacher could frighten the daylights out of him.
'Adam?' Joe looked concerned for his own safety as Adam raised his head, cradled by his hand.
'You might have kept the play details to yourself at school. You know how Miss Jones loves romantic stories. Now, she wants to . . . help.' Adam almost choked on the word.
He always felt uncomfortable when he had to go see her about Little Joe's behavior. Since coming back from college, Ben had sent him down on several occasions. He had a feeling his father was all too happy to have Adam go in his stead.
Trouble was with Adam having completed a college degree, Miss Jones was always wanting to discuss it with him. She liked a man with education, and Adam again came to the conclusion that she'd fixed her sights on him. If he weren't careful, he'd be backed into a corner from which he'd find difficult to escape.
'Oh shucks, Adam. I cain't make all them props on my own. You should be happy she wants to help. And I'm sure she'll love to discuss them romantic scenes with you,' Joe snickered.
'Yeah. Now, you can just get to your homework! I'm not going to allow her any reason to hold me in debt, understand?'
Joe knew when to act agreeably. He dutifully nodded his head and went to work on his English grammar. Watching Adam squirm around Miss Jones was worth doing some homework.
'Oh, Mr Cartwright. I'm so pleased you could come.'
Adam's pale face smiled a nervous greeting at Miss Jones as the children prepared to go home after their school day.
'That's quite all right, Miss Jones.'
'Children. Mr Cartwright is going to ask our help in making props for Romeo and Juliet. All next week, I'm going to read the play to you, so you'll know the story.'
A chorus of moans filtered up through the class. Adam smiled apologetically as the children aimed their grouchy expressions at him.
'Now children, you all should appreciate Shakespeare. I'll see you all tomorrow. I have to discuss details with Mr Cartwright.' The children giggled this time as they saw the dreamy far away expression on their school marm's face. She always got that way when she spoke about romantic books.
Adam looked increasingly uncomfortable as the children poured past him and out into the afternoon sunshine. As Joe passed, Adam reached out like a bear catching a salmon with his paw and pulled him back by the collar.
'Oh no you don't. You're staying right here!'
'But Adam-' Joe shut his mouth as his brother gave him a chilling look. 'Boy, and I didn't even do anything wrong,' Joe grumbled as Adam pushed him in front like a guard as he approached Miss Jone's desk. This was a new low, needing his twelve year old brother for protection.
'No, no no! They're swords, not guns!' Adam cradled his head in his hand and sighed. Rehearsals were still not going well. He finally had enough volunteers, but they were more like a saloon rabble than a theatre company. He opened one eye and looked at the pathetic sight of twelve tough cowboys and miners trying to stage a convincing sword fight.
'Well, what we supposed to do, Adam? I ain't never used one of these toothpicks before.' George, one of the Ponderosa hands, screwed up his face with distaste. A couple of them had the real epees and the rest had either sticks or broom handles to use as swords.
'That's right, Adam. These are little kid's toys,' Hoss piped up from the back where he stood swatting at a fly that buzzed in the door. 'I mean, Little Joe plays with 'em, not grown men.' Adam's temper grew shorter and shorter as all the men started to groan and moan.
'If Little Joe can used 'em, you lot should have no trouble! Adam threw his hands in the air, then smiled as an idea came to him. Joe had been complaining bitterly that he didn't have enough exciting stuff to do for the play. He was sick of making props and was at this very moment sulking upstairs because of it.
'Joseph!' Adam called up to his little brother. 'Little Joe, I've got something special for you to do!' Adam crossed his arms with satisfaction and waited for his brother to appear.
'What?' Joe peeked around the corner of the upstairs landing.
'How would you like to be my fight co-ordinator?'
'What's that mean?' A curious look crossed the boy's face.
'Come down here and teach this mob how to use a sword.'
'Hot diggity!' Joe bounded down the stairs two at a time. A huge grin split his face from ear to ear.
Little Joe finally felt included in the fun as he swash buckled around the room with his epee. The men in the play were hopeless, but they were determined not be beaten by a kid. So, they improved greatly. By the end of the week, they were doing quite well. From a distance, Adam admitted, they almost looked realistic.
'Oh, Ross, you are so bad. Your diction is terrible and you couldn't be more wooden if you tried!'
Everyone looked up at Megan, who was playing Miss high and mighty yet again. Ross became angry. She was such a snooty, stuck up girl. They all thought so, but Ross was ready to tell her just that, when Adam pulled him to a corner and calmed him down.
'It's okay, Ross.'
'But Adam, she's a witch,' hissed Ross.
'I know it, you know it and everyone here knows it, but right now we have to get along. Tell you what, I give you permission to dump her into the water trough in town straight after the play's over, deal?' Ross scratched his chin and looked over to when Megan was preening her dress.
'Deal.' Everyone sighed and they battled on.
Adam chuckled when he went to collect the costumes Sally made for the play. A dozen sets of men's tights lay out waiting. Adam had a feeling that none of the volunteers had really thought about what they would be required to wear. The tunics that accompanied them were also had a feminine edge to them. Hardened miners and cattlemen would surely balk at donning the costumes. Another battle loomed in Adam's way.
He got the cargo home and called on Joe to help him carry them inside. He didn't want Hoss and the others to see them just yet. He had to pass the point of no return before that happened. Joe burst into laughter when he saw the costumes.
'Adam, you don't mean Hoss has to wear these?' He held up a pair of flimsy tights as they set the bundles of costumes on Adam's desk.
'Yeah, that's what he'll wear, but don't you tell him! No point worrying him yet.'
Joe just burst into high-pitched laughter.
'Little Joe, you promise not to say anything, or I'll string you up, understand?'
S . . .sure Adam!' Joe continued to giggle hideously for the rest of the afternoon.
Hoss lay awake in his bed that night. The final production was getting closer and closer. He felt his performance was improving thanks to all the coaching Adam was giving him, but he didn't like Megan. After trying to impress her, now that he knew her he didn't think it'd been worth it.
She was self opinionated and very critical of everything Hoss and the others did. He much preferred to talk and practice with Sally, but Adam was counting on Hoss to work with Megan. He had to admit, he was feeling much less shy and was actually enjoying the experience more and more.
He'd found his big voice and if nothing else, he knew that people would be able to hear him from the back of the hall. As he drifted off to sleep, he recited his favorite lines from the end of the balcony scene.
'Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!
Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest!
The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night,
Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light,
And darkness fleckled like a drunkard reels
From forth day's pathway made by Titan's wheels.
Hence will I to my ghostly Friar's close cell,
His help to crave and my dear hap to tell.
'Joe, what's the story really about?' Hallie looked up at her friend as she helped him nail together a fake window frame.
'Heck, some guy and girl fallin' in love. Everyone know's that!' Joe smiled cheekily at Hallie's blue eyes and almost missed the nail and hammered his finger.
'I know that, but I don't understand what they're sayin'. And when Miss Jone's talks about it, I just almost fall asleep.'
'Yeah, I know. It's kinda dull, ain't it?' Joe frowned for a moment. He couldn't see anyone actually wanting to watch this stuff, let along like it. What it needed was some comedy relief. If only he could find a way to make it more enjoyable. As he nailed into the pine, the frame moved and fell in two. Joe huffed in frustration and Hallie laughed.
'What's so funny? I almost hit my thumb,' Joe complained.
'I was just thinkin', wouldn't it be funny if the window fell down during the play? Or, if a frog suddenly turned up near that awful Megan's feet just when she was doing a dramatic speech?' Hallie's blue eyes glinted with mischief, as did Joe's green ones. 'What a great idea! Some of the props were just begging to be tampered with.
'Little Joe, I'm assigning you a very important task.'
'Yeah, sure Adam. Whatever.' Joe was totally bored by all the 'important tasks' his brother had made him perform up to now. He was looking forward to the few surprises they'd worked out for the live performance, but that wasn't enough to hold his interest for the remaining two weeks.
He was thinking about going to the river with Hallie. He'd helped Hoss with the balcony scene and although he didn't quite understand the meaning, he knew girls found it very romantic. He was dying to see Hallie's reaction.
'Now, Joe, we need to sell over a hundred tickets to the play so we can help the church with the new roof.' Adam continued to talk while Little Joe daydreamed about kissing Hallie's hand and reciting poetry just like Adam did with girls when he thought Joe wasn't spying on him.
'We need to make up posters. Something eye catching. Something that will grab the attention of the theatre going public!' Adam walked around the great room, deep in thought.
'I'm going to let you devise something, Joe. This is your chance to show your entrepreneurial skills.'
'Huh?' Joe, still only half listening, wondered what Adam was really talking about.
'Do you understand Joe?'
'I have to sell all the tickets by Thursday? Oh, come on, Adam. How am I gonna do that? Talk about unfair.'
'I think it will be good for you. It will be character building.'
'Oh, boy!' Joe whined, then he suddenly got a brilliant idea. He knew how to promote the play. It was simple.
'Okay, Adam. I'll do it. All I have to do is sell all the tickets, right?'
Adam, about to reprimand him for not listening and complaining again, stopped in mid word. 'Well, yes. That's what you have to do.'
'Fine, no problem.' Joe said as he pulled an apple from the fruit bowl. A devious smile played on his lips.
'You understand about the posters? And that you have to advertise the play and come up with something good enough to tempt people along?'
'Yeah, don't sweat it, Adam.' Joe smiled smugly and lay back on the couch, propping his feet up as his father wasn't home. Adam looked at his little brother suspiciously. 'You sure you under-'
'-I told you, I'm gonna do it. I might sell even more than one hundred. How would you like that?'
'Okay, just don't get too smug about it. And Joe?'
'Yeah, Adam?'
Adam looked down and caught the reprimand just before it slipped out. There was no use telling Joe to get his feet off the furniture any more. His father hadn't succeeded with any of them on that issue. And, although Ben would still attempt to cure his youngest of the habit for several years to come, Adam knew it was a lost cause all ready.
'Oh never mind. I'll check with you Sunday to see how you're doing with the tickets.'
That night, Adam walked up the stairs feeling defeated. Megan was a nightmare in the play. Everyone was complaining about her. The men didn't want to wear the costumes that he'd presented. Hoss refused to kiss Megan in the important scenes. And, to top it all off, nobody was probably even going to show up to watch it. After all, what tough miners wanted to watch Romeo and Juliet anyway? He should have done Macbeth.
Early on Sunday morning, Adam readied the buggy for church. He'd worked on the fencing all day Saturday to try and make up for the lost time they'd spent on the play. Work was falling behind and he knew his father was getting frustrated at the lack of progress. He too, wanted the nightmare to be over.
As he hitched the buggy, he remembered to check with Little Joe to see how many tickets he'd sold. Perhaps, if he'd sold none, Adam could call the whole thing off without much harm done. The reverend was looking forward to some proceeds to fix the roof of the church, but surely he'd understand if nobody was willing to support the production.
Adam watched Joe as he came out of the house. He was dressed fairly neatly, although his too long hair flopped into his eyes.
'Little Joe, I forgot to ask. I've been up at the south line for two days. How did you go with the ticket sales?'
'Oh, you'll be real pleased with me, Adam.' Joe grinned like a loon. He walked confidently over to his big brother and puffed out his chest with pride. 'I done sold ALL the tickets and even made up and sold another 30 more on top.'
'What?' Adam, stunned, stared at his sibling.
'Yup, I done sold them all. I could'a raised the price too. Folk's was fightin' over 'em.'
'You mean you didn't have any trouble? People just handed over their money?'
'Sure! O'course, I came up with a great poster, Adam. Just like you told me to. I made it eye-catchin' and interestin'. People can't wait to see the play!' Joe smiled with pride, and jumped up onto the buck board's seat.
Adam couldn't believe it. 'You're not joshing me, are ya Little Joe?'
'Nope. I gave the money to Pa last night. He's got it in the safe. You can count it if you want.'
'No, no.' Adam, surprised but delighted by this unexpected turn of events, let a broad smile break out on his face. 'That's wonderful, Joe. I'm proud of you.'
'That's what I like to hear.' Ben came out of the house and overheard Adam's praise.
'Did you believe it, Pa? Joe sold all the tickets to the play.'
'Yes, wonderful, isn't it? See, I told you that your little brother could help if only you'd give him a chance.' Ben patted both his sons on the shoulder.
They all waited patiently for Hoss who was probably reciting Shakespeare into the mirror as he dressed. He was doing that a lot lately. They were all beginning to wish for the play to be over. There was only so much more of Hoss and Romeo that they could take.
The church service was pleasant enough, and Adam even agreed with the sermon as he was in a good mood. However, during the morning be became curious about some of the glances he and his family were getting from the other parishioners. The looks were ones of interest and sometimes amusement.
He could only gather that the word about the play was well and truly out and people were looking forward to his brilliant directing skills. He'd make a point of talking about it when the service was over.
Then, as everyone trailed out into the summer sunshine, Adam heard a series of snickers and whispers. He smiled at a few of the people he knew, then got more and more suspicious. He walked over to the Devlins.
"So, looking forward to the play?"
Mitch's parents started to grin then held it. 'Oh yes, Adam it should be a riot . . . um, very cultural!' replied Mr Devlin.
Adam nodded slowly with increased suspicion.
'I hear Hoss is Romeo.' Mrs Devlin's face was turning red and Adam could have sworn that she was about to burst into laughter.
'That's right! And he's going to do a good job, too.'
Adam left them and looked around. It seemed everyone was snickering. Just what was going on? Where was Little Joe? He could see Hoss looking uncomfortable as he talked to the minister. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spied one of the posters Little Joe had nailed up to the side of a building. Just how had he advertised the play, and why was he getting such amused reactions?
He walked over to the building and studied the poster. Adam went red and puffed up like an enraged bull. Pulling the poster down in a fit of anger, he strode back to the church to find his little brother. He was going to get a lecture and a tanning after this!'
Adam found Little Joe behind the church, giggling, with Hallie and Mitch. Joe turned and saw his brother bearing down on him with a screwed up poster in his clutches.
'Uh oh.' Joe backed up against the wall. Hallie and Mitch scattered like field mice in the path of a barn cat.
'Just what do you think this is?' Adam thrust the crumpled paper into Joe's face.
'Um, a poster?'
Adam breathed heavy and shot his brother a look that would have scared off the devil. He tried to keep his voice under control.
'I know it's a poster. What I'm concerned with is what's written on the poster.'
'Well, it's telling everyone about the play, Adam. Like you said. Find something eye catching. Something that would make people want to pay good money to see.'
'Read it!' Adam unfolded the poster and displayed Joe's handiwork.
'Um, it says; COME ONE, COME ALL. SEE HOSS, BEN AND ADAM CARTWRIGHT IN TIGHTS! Only a dollar per person. Friday night 7pm. Get there early to get a good view...' Joe's voiced trailed off and he swallowed deeply. It did sound bad, now that he thought about it.
'Joe, I told you to advertise the play, not humiliate your brothers and your father!' This is terrible!'
'B . . . but Adam, I did sell all the tickets. That's what you wanted, wasn't it?'
Adam caught his breath. How could you argue with that? He should have known that Joe always required specific word for word instructions otherwise you had to take the consequences.
'All right. You get away with it this time. I'll fix it with Hoss, somehow.' Adam calmed and screwed the poster back up. 'Now, you get those friends of yours and scoot around town and pull down all those posters before Hoss and Pa sees them and blames me!'
'Yes, sir.' Joe, happy to be off the hook, ran away at lightning speed. Adam moved over to Hoss to keep him occupied until the job was done. Hoss's new found confidence would soon crumble if he thought folks were going to the play to laugh at him for wearing tights. Only a week to go, thought Adam, as he steered Hoss away from the gathering crowds.