Chapter One
Jessica Fletcher sat at her kitchen table drinking a cup of tea and perusing the Cabot Cove Gazette. There was a community bake sale taking place next Saturday and they were looking for donations. She thought she might offer up a blueberry pie or two. They were popular among the citizens of the town.
She sat up suddenly. Open auditions were about to begin at the Cabot Cove Theater. She didn't have much acting ability but she was trying to step out of her comfort zone. She was in a rut and Seth kept reminding her to get involved with something that wasn't the library or the school. He was always at the theater for one reason or another. She didn't tell him but she was missing him more than usual when she went away. Maybe this will be an opportunity to see a little more of him.
She couldn't stop the warmth spreading through her body at the thought of Seth. Was she becoming attracted to him? After all these years? She always had fond thoughts about him when she was traveling or just in New York. She considered him her best friend so maybe it was normal to think about the times they laughed together or the way he grumbled about things that made her smile. It was normal to check out his physique, wasn't it? He was losing weight and exercising more so she had to notice and compliment him.
He grew his hair out and the wavy pattern was very handsome on him. His bowleggedness was adorable when they walked. She didn't acknowledge checking out his behind when he bent over to pick up a coin while walking. She was above such things. Physical attraction was never the driving force of her interest in someone, not that she had potential lovers lining up for her, but lately she had some pretty vivid dreams about Seth that awakened something inside.
Seth liked to try out for small parts in the plays the theater put on and she had to admit, she wouldn't mind a small part even if there weren't many lines. She has narrated before so a few lines to memorize shouldn't be difficult.
The play was based on the Canterbury Tales and there would be music although not a musical play.
She read the rehearsal dates and times and thought she could do it. If Seth was in the play they could travel to and fro together. She began fantasizing about Seth and her having leading roles where they had to kiss before laughing at herself. She was acting like she had a schoolgirl crush. She shook her head and finished reading the paper.
That evening she researched the play trying to decide for which part she would like to audition or does the casting director decide? She wasn't sure. The first tale looked promising but could she portray someone that had five husbands? It seemed a little bawdy but still she thought it might be something she'd like. She thought about other women in town that might audition for the part and could only think of Eve Simpson. Of course, with all the men she dated, having five husbands wouldn't be much of a stretch for her. Still, no harm in trying out for it.
Roger Mosely was the director of the play. He didn't know how he got stuck in Cabot Cove. The theater gave him a small stipend to put on three plays a year, one of them must be at Christmas. When he wavered they included a small two bedroom cottage at the beach and he decided it was worth it. The fact that the town only had enough talent to almost make a dozen people was disappointing. He also worked at the community college as an assistant to the drama professor to make ends meet. The plays were well attended and everybody complimented them. He had to admit it was a nice ego boost but he wanted to direct larger plays in larger cities. He was thirty now, he was ready for more.
Seth Hazlitt was one of only a few physicians in town. The specialists remained in Portland for the most part. A town with fewer than four thousand people would only support three or four doctors at best. He was usually swamped during flu season, and then during spring when the allergies took hold, and September when school is back in session. The rest of the time he saw patients mornings or afternoons and did rounds at the small hospital in town when necessary. It was April so hay fever was well established and he was seeing patients most mornings. His schedule was flexible however and he was going to be in the next play unless something unforeseen happened. He wasn't in the Christmas play, he never was as it was one of the busiest times at the hospital, so he hoped to nab a part this time. Sure, he helped where necessary, painting scenery or setting up the audio system but he wanted to act. There was a starving artist inside of him. Literally because his diet was killing him.
It wasn't a difficult diet. Lean meats, lots of vegetables, fruit instead of dessert except on Fridays when he ate with Jessica. He smiled when she entered his mind once again. He was motivated with his diet because she was so complimentary. Last Friday he was joking around about having three servings of vegetables and she told him he was going to catch all the women's eyes if he kept it up. He laughed then told her one eye was enough. The comment flew right over her head but she did give him a hug and squeezed him tight so he didn't blow away. She told him all he needed was an umbrella, in reference to Mary Poppins.
The rehearsal schedule was tight, they wouldn't have as much time together but he had a huge appetite for acting and he really wanted to be a part of the play so badly he could taste it. Maybe she could come to a few rehearsals or help with the scenery or costumes. He walked into the theater and took a seat near the front row. Since it was open auditions, he expected a fair number of people to try out.
Reading his lines, he felt he nailed the part. He had a booming voice when he wanted and the director had been shouting for louder voices all night. Eve Simpson tried out and once again she was very good. He just hoped she wasn't going to get the part of his wife.
Jessica entered the theater early but stood in the balcony listening for a while. She stepped into the shadows when Seth was auditioning so he wouldn't see her. Nearly everyone had read lines before she approached the stage.
"Jessica?" called Seth. He hoped he wasn't needed anywhere.
"Hello Seth," she nodded at him then turned to the director. "I was hoping to try out."
Roger's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. Jessica Fletcher wanted to be in his play? She was famous. She was newsworthy. She would be his star. His shows would be sold out. He would get more notice. He eagerly handed her a script and had her read a few lines. Her voice was solid. She could project it. As with everyone he had her sing a few lines of the one song the entire cast had to sing, she had a lovely voice. One of the best ones he heard all night.
Auditions were finally over. Most people hung around to listen to others and were disappointed when the announcement came that the list of cast members would be posted the following week.
Seth grabbed Jessica's arm and held it as they left the theater together.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going to try out?" asked Seth. "We could have come together."
"I didn't want to be nervous, Seth." Jessica patted his hand. "If I don't get a part it's no big deal, just a small disappointment."
"Which part do you want?" he asked as he opened his car door and helped her in.
"I don't really care." She waited for him to get inside before continuing. "It's my first play. I can have one line or fifty and still be happy."
Seth began telling her of the different roles and the one he wanted most followed by his second choice, his third choice, and fourth choice.
"Breakfast tomorrow?" he asked.
"Only if we can go walking first. I need to start focusing on my breathing if I'm needed for the play." Jessica took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
Seth watched her chest rise and fall before jerking his head away. She should warn him before calling attention to her bosoms.
"What about breakfast at the diner at seven tomorrow morning then taking a two mile walk?" he suggested. "I'll even drive over and walk with you to the diner before breakfast."
"Well, that's an offer I won't refuse." She looked at him slyly. "But no pancakes. Oatmeal, fruit, a poached egg, and coffee and if we do three miles you can have a muffin for energy."
"A blueberry muffin?" he asked hopefully.
"Any kind you want, Seth."
The drive to her house only took minutes but Seth asked her if she wanted to read lines of the play together, just to practice.
"It's a two hour play, Seth."
"Well, just the parts we want the most," he pleaded. "I haven't wanted to be in a play so much before."
Jessica agreed and they spent an hour reading lines together. She made note of his suggestions about exaggerated expressions and her stance. His hands on her hips as he positioned her caused her heart to flutter. It grew late and she thanked him for the help, kissed his cheek, and said goodnight.
True to his word Seth arrived the following morning and they walked to the diner. Jessica cheerfully ordered for both of them and Seth grudgingly ate his meal without complaint. He perked up when Jessica noticed how firm the muscles in his arms were becoming. She noticed when he reached across for the sugar for his coffee.
Seth begged off to see if Caleb had time to go out on the water so she went to Loretta's Beauty Parlor after their walk. The usual gang was there, Phyllis, Eve, Ideal, and Audrey. They caught her up on the gossip she usually missed somehow while her hair was drying. It wasn't until Loretta was combing out her hair that the theater play was brought up.
"Jessica, I didn't know you were a budding thespian," mentioned Eve. "Which part are you hoping to get?"
Jessica smiled at her friend. "Eve, I'll be happy with two lines. I've never been in a play so I'm not expecting much. I'll hopefully be in the chorus if I can't get a part in the play."
"I think Roger loved my audition." Eve batted her eyelashes. "He is so dreamy.
"And half your age," put in Phyllis drily.
"You were very good, Eve. You'll probably get the lead," agreed Jessica. The other women nodded along with her. Eve was talented. They also agree Jessica would get some kind of part too. Buoyed by all the well wishes, Jessica left to run the rest of her errands.
Once home she went over several pages of the play. She didn't want to get her hopes up but she also didn't want to look foolish if she did get a part. She had a whole week to get familiar with all of the female parts. She practiced most of the smaller female roles to see if any of them felt like something she could do.
She didn't realize how anxious she was becoming over the play until she caught herself pacing in her kitchen while reciting lines she already memorized. She decided to invite Seth over for dinner and a game of chess that evening. It might take her mind off the play until she knew if she had a part she would impatiently await the results.
Seth helped her clean up after their meal. He cooked veal parmesan which had turned out quite well and she added vegetables and a salad to round out the meal. She had set up the chess board earlier so it wasn't long before the game began.
"Seth, how do we find out if we have a part in the play?"
"They post the results on the board in the lobby of the theater. Once it's posted, it only takes about fifteen minutes before the word is all over town. Sometimes the director calls the main actors personally before it's posted as a sort of warning before the phone calls start." Seth made a move on the board that had Jessica focusing on the game again.
"Will there be understudies?" she asked.
"Definitely. All the principle roles have them and usually for the minor roles one person has several of them just in case someone falls ill or can't make it." Seth glanced up at her. "You seem to be really interested in the play, Jess."
"I am, Seth." She colored a little. "I haven't been this excited in a while. I usually help paint sets or something but I'd like to try it at least once."
"You'll do great, Jess," he assured her. "Taking it seriously always helps."
Jessica smiled. She was taking it seriously alright. "The first rehearsal is next Friday night so we should know by Wednesday I would think."
"I remember not hearing until the morning of the first rehearsal once," remarked Seth. He noticed her face fall. "But that was a long time ago and our new director puts out the information much sooner," he said hastily. "We might even know Monday or Tuesday."
Jessica gave a sigh of relief. She should be able to wait two or three more days.
Twenty four hours later she was beginning to think she had been too optimistic. She was pacing again. She had reread the play several times. She found a video of it on her computer and it showed another community theater putting on the play. The video must have been filmed by a relative of the lead actor because it was focused on the actor even when they had no speaking lines so she listened along without looking and practiced speaking the lines of the female roles. Maybe she should look into an acting coach. She laughed at herself. An acting coach! She didn't even have a part yet.
Tuesday morning the director, Roger, called her.
"Mrs. Fletcher, Roger Mosely here. I just wanted to let you know I appreciated your auditioning for our play."
Jessica felt her heart drop in disappointment. This was a courtesy call thanking her for trying out and maybe they could find a role for her in the next play.
Roger was still speaking. "I know you're a newcomer but sometimes someone fresh can add a new dimension to a play so I'm offering you the role of Wife of Bath." He paused waiting for a reaction. Hearing none, he continued. "You know we're only telling five of the tales, your's will be the first one."
"Oh, well, I'm surprised, Roger," she stammered. "I've never been in any play. I hope I can do it justice."
"Not to worry, Jessica. I'm sending over a copy of the revised version of the play today so you can begin memorizing your lines. Your understudy will be Mavis Brown who will work with you. Her role will be the wife of one of the other pilgrims so she will still be in the play. First rehearsal is Friday night at seven, expect it to last until ten or so." He begged off having to make several more phone calls before posting the entire cast in the lobby of the theater.
Jessica had to sit down. She didn't get a small role. She got a major role and was in the opening Act. She felt giddy with joy and fear. Wait until Seth hears. She hoped he got one of the parts he wanted as well.
