I'm sitting on the sidelines with Adam, both of us half-dead on a stack of costume boxes, watching the chaos unfold.
Terrence claps once. "Places! Let's go!"
Marcus stomps dramatically to his throne—a chair we spray-painted gold few days ago. He spreads his cape and clears his throat.
The scene begins.
Marcus (as the Mouse King) leans over a table covered in maps and parchment.
"These new kingdom expansion plans are GENIUS," he declares in a booming voice. "Soon, all will bow to the mighty Mouse King!"
A rustling sound fills the air.
Then—a blur of wings swoops in from stage right.
Kyle, wearing bat wings made out of black construction paper, crash-lands directly onto the table, scattering the parchment everywhere.
Lucy's voice explodes from the house: "KYLE! The bat doesn'tbody slamthe table!"
Kyle pops his head up. "Sorry! I tripped over my own foot!"
Cami sighs. "Dude... you're literally playing a creature that flies."
Kyle shrugs helplessly. "Some bats have balance issues."
Terrence pinches the bridge of his nose. "Bat entrance—again. From the landing."
Kyle resets, flapping his wings in slow motion like he's warming up for takeoff.
Terrence points. "AAAND... go!"
Kyle hops, flutters, and this time lands gently on the edge of the table.
Marcus gasps, outraged. "Bat! Why do you enter my royal chamber uninvited?!"
Kyle straightens. "I—I bring news!" Then he squints. "...Actually I forgot what it was."
Marcus slams his fists on the table. "INCOMPETENT CREATURE! TELL ME OR I SHALL TURN YOU INTO—" he looks at Lucy for a cue.
Lucy mouthsa wooden chair.
Marcus snaps back into character. "—A WOODEN CHAIR! A very UNCOMFORTABLE one!"
Kyle holds his stomach dramatically. "I would remember... if I could have a snack. I feel faint."
Suzy loses it behind the prop tree.
Terrence barks, "NO improvised hunger monologues! Stick to the script!"
Kyle pouts. "But he's supposed to be dramatic!"
Terrence and Lucy glare at him. Kyle rolls his eyes and starts again. "Okay, okay. The news. Right. I saw the Nutcracker. He's back."
Marcus gasps loudly—too loudly.
"THE NUTCRACKER?" he bellows.
Terrence mutters, "Marcus, indoor voice."
