“That’s Gerard Bartholomew,” Katherine said, salivatingly looking at the old man.
“Should we know who he is?” Peeter asked.
“Well, duh!” Katherine said, giving Peeter a dressing down with her facial expression. “He was, well, I guess is, only one of the most celebrated music directors in Broadway history.” She listed the litany of shows Mr. Bartholomew had run music for over the years. “He retired years ago. How did we get him?”
“I’m sure like everything else,” Peeter said, “Rebekka Eldridge bought him. Let’s face it, if the amount of money she is clearly throwing at this production could win a Tony, they’d be measuring me for my tux.”
I hated to admit it, but as soon as Bartholomew started playing the piano, he elevated the experience of the show. Eugene had been an amazing pianist, but Bartholomew was on a whole other level. Even without having seen the show, Bartholomew directed us in a way that Eugene never could.
I got to my quick-change moment, and I dashed off stage right, down the stairs, and across the underground tunnel. To make sure I could make the run, the stage manager assigned stagehands to direct traffic and ensure no one would be in my way. Lachtna was always stationed at the base of the stairs on stage left. As I passed Lachtna, he didn’t look at me, but I could still smell alcohol on him. I didn’t have time to worry about him, so I dashed up the stairs. I was getting faster. I wish I knew how long this would take once we got the costume here.
During one scene, I had a few minutes of downtime with the elves as the happy couple sang a sappy love song. I motioned with my head for Katherine to join me.
“Have you noticed the cold shoulder Lachtna’s giving me? I can’t figure out what I did wrong.”
“Oh, yeah, he was beyond pissed after you left. I don’t know what you said or did—“
“I said I wouldn’t go home with him last night because we had work today,” I spat out. “What the elf!” Katherine’s eyes grew as soon as I’d said it, but then she started laughing and had to throw a hand over her mouth to keep herself from being heard on stage. I shook my head. Part of me was frustrated, and another part was thankful I’d dodged whatever bullet Lachtna was.
A large crashing sound and a scream from the stage jolted us out of our merriment. Without thinking, we raced to the stage to see what had happened.
Maeve McKenna was splayed across the stage.
I looked around and noticed Caiden and Tabatha standing there wide-eyed and shocked. “What happened?” Katherine asked.
“We were coming off—“ Tabatha squeaked out.
“The set, it just…” Caiden tried to take over. “It came flying in when it wasn’t supposed to. It lifted her off the ground and tossed her like a rag doll.”
I didn’t need to know anything else. I knew who oversaw that set piece. I’d watched him manage the piece every day.
The EMTs showed up and wheeled off a rather fragile-looking McKenna from the stage. Almost immediately, people from the union, along with safety inspectors, were in the theater, trying to find out what had happened. I needed to tell someone, but I didn’t know who I should tell. I didn’t know if what was running through my head was real. The group of newcomers had a face I recognized. Jeremy McCartan, from Equity, walked into the theater in a suit. He talked to the San Nicolás and Serafina. I needed to get his attention.
Wait!I know someone who knows McCartan. I pulled out my phone and shook my head as I texted Asher. I wasn’t sure if he had the same number from when we were together, but I hoped he did.
Erika: Do you have McCartan’s number?
I was on the other side of the auditorium, so I could see Asher as he leaned back against the chair so he could pull his phone out of his pocket. He looked at the message. Asher’s fingers flew over the device.
Asher:Who is this?
Erika:Wow, thanks. I totally feel the love.
Asher:Erika?
Erika:Who else? Anyway, I need McCartan’s cell.
Asher:Why?
Erika:I have information he needs.
Asher:Then go tell him.
Erika:Asher, just give me the number.
Asher:Whatever.
Erika:It’s important.
