A Midsummer Night's Scream

'Do you think it will be?'

'At least it's a better name than 'The Ultimate Snack.' '

The rehearsal that evening was a brief walk-through. The main purpose seemed to be to work out details of the play with the two young volunteer art school students who were preparing the

single background set, the professional prop master (who was probably being paid), and the costumer (also paid, Jane and Shelley speculated), who needed to measure the actors. Apparently lighting would come later.

'And maybe a sound person to mike the actors,' Shelley commented idly.

'I thought real actors had to have the voices to project without a mike?' Jane asked Shelley.

'I guess so, at least this time. If it was something like a musical review, I imagine they would need microphones.'

Jane grinned. 'Thank goodness that we don't have to learn all about this. All you and I need to consider is food.'

As the actors were walking through the first scene again, Bill Denk said, 'Madam and sir, Cook says luncheon will be ready at one o'clock.'

'I asked her to be ready at quarter to one,' Ms. Bunting said in the haughty voice of Mrs. Edina Weston.

'I'll remind her, madam,' he said and turned briefly to the audience and said, 'The old trout' 'What did you say?' Imry asked.

'Said? Nothing,' Bill said.

Jane thought it was funny but also a bit spooky that Bill Denk could cast his voice to the audience but not be heard on stage.

There was no need for Jane and Shelley to be introduced to the newcomers, but they were sur?

prised to see one familiar figure. It was Tazz from the needlepoint lesson they'd taken the day before.

Tazz greeted them after putting a dress bag over an adjoining chair with great care. 'I didn't expect to run into you two here,' she said with a smile as she sat down in the back row of the theater, where Jane and Shelley had taken refuge until the caterers arrived.

'Nor did we expect you,' Jane said with pleasure.

'We're here to test out caterers for my husband's business dinners,' Shelley explained. 'They're just making snack suppers for the cast and crew. And you, Tazz? What's your role here?'

'I do the costumes for most of the local productions, and a few costume parties. Mostly around Halloween.'

'How did you happen into such an interesting job?' Jane asked.

'I was studying accounting, and decided I'd probably slit my throat from sheer boredom if I had to be an accountant. So, since I'd always sewed my own clothes, I started sewing for other people. Word got around that I was good at period stuff. So — here I am.'

'Do you make all the costum'es for every play and party?' Shelley asked.

'No. Only special things I don't already have warehoused. When I can, I build in extra hemroom, and bosom room in the women's clothes in particular. Sometimes I rent from other costume places if something is too elaborate to use often.'

'I just love hearing about other people's jobs,' Jane exclaimed. 'I've never met anyone who does what you do. I'll bet you have good stories. Sometime when we're all free of this job, I hope you'll have more time to tell us about your experiences.'

'I'd be glad to. Now I need to snag everyone for measurements. I guess I'll see you two at tomorrow's needlepoint class.'

'Yes, and Ms. Bunting is joining us as well.'

'I thought the class was limited to five students,' Tazz replied.

'We got her in because she was once in a play with Sylvia Sidney,' Jane explained.

'Oh, that makes sense. I have a copy of Sylvia Sidney's needlepoint book,' Tazz said. 'I'd love to hear what she was really like, aside from acting and needlepointing.'

'I probably have the same book,' Jane said. 'Did she do more than one?'

'I have no idea,' Tazz said.

'I'm sure we would all like to hear what Ms. Bunting knows about her,' Shelley agreed. 'What's in the dress bag?'

'Ms. Bunting's dress for the first act. I already met with her at her hotel, and it was easy to size her up without taking all the measurements.

Later, we'll try it on and get the director's approval. And he better approve it. It's going to look grand on her.'

As she spoke, Bill Denk, using his old-man voice, returned to the stage. 'Madam, Cook says she will have luncheon ready at a quarter before one.'

'Of course she will. That was what she was told,' Ms. Bunting, as Edina Weston, replied.

'Bossy broad could have thanked me,' he said to the theater.

Again, Imry questioned him. 'Did you say something not in the script?'

Denk shrugged. 'I don't think so.'

'All right. I'll play along,' Professor Imry said condescendingly. 'But don't you try to get away with snide asides when we do this play for a real audience.'

Bill just smiled.

Jane nudged Shelley and said quietly, 'He's the only thing that might save this awful play.'

Shelley nodded. 'I wonder how he does it? I've never seen anyone who could throw his voice so well.'

'And we both know he's going to keep doing it,' Jane said.

Six

Tazz asked Jane to keep an eye on the dress bag and walked up on the stage. 'Forgive me for the interruption, Professor Imry, but I'm the costumer, Tazz Tinker, and I have things I need to tell the cast. Are they all here?'

'We're missing a few still. Denny's not here yet. And the prop person will be fifteen minutes late.'

'I don't need to dress the prop person.' Imry gave an embarrassed fake laugh.

'Okay, listen up, actors,' Tazz went on, 'I'll be measuring all but Ms. Bunting today. I've already found two dresses for her, providing the director agrees. When the measuring is done, I'll find the right size and period clothing for day wear and formal evening wear for the last scene. When each costume is ready to be worn, it will be signed for by the actor who wears it. You will all wear underarm shields that I provide for free. Both perspiration and deodorant are the worst

enemies of fabric. If you sweat on the fabric or get makeup on the collar, you will be asked to get it dry- cleaned. If I rent it from a supplier, the college will pay for cleaning and laundry. If it belongs to me, it will be at your own cost. If the stain process doesn't work, you pay for the garment.'

'I don't think this is the usual way costumers deal with cast clothing,' Imry claimed.

'It's the way I work. Take it or leave it,' Tazz said. 'If you'd done your homework, you'd have known my conditions of providing costumes. I sent you a copy of my rules and you signed them. Now, Professor Imry, I read an early version of the script and didn't notice a police officer as a member of the cast. Has that been fixed?'