It had seemed only fitting to Leodora that the first story recited should be “The Tale of the Two Brothers.” Bois and Glaise strode out upon the boards, took their bows, and then, as she recited from within the booth, pantomimed the tale as they had done with her earlier. Accompanied by Diverus’s score, their movements seemed more fluid and precise. The graceful music carried them along, and punctuated each step deeper into cruelty and greed.
Soter stood beside Hamen in one of the stage balconies. He was edgy and complained unhappily about this unprecedented change in how they did things, until Orinda entered the balcony. She moved between the two men and said, “Your Jax does us great honor by letting them perform the first story. They’ve waited so long. Mr. Burbage would be elated.” He knew from her tone that she believed he’d had a hand in the decision and he did not attempt to dissuade her, but allowed her to kiss him on the cheek.
When she leaned over the rail to watch, Hamen edged close beside him again and said, “Don’t worry it, your secret’s safe with me.” He winked.
Soter replied, “Why am I not comforted, knowing that?” If Hamen heard him, he gave no indication.
The recitation of “The Two Brothers” ended. The two figures, wrapped about each other, seemed to have melted together into the great worn sandstone lump that Baloyd had become. They held their positions as Leodora emerged from the booth. For effect she wore her trademark mask, black silk stitched with a diamond pattern, covering the top of her head to just above the tip of her nose. But now her thick red braid swung behind her, and the loose-sleeved red bodice she wore removed all doubt as to her sex.
The audience uttered not a sound, as though uncertain if the play was finished, or what their role was supposed to be in response.
Then the governor stood and began to clap enthusiastically, and like a lead bird drawing its flock into the air, his applause brought the rest of the audience to its feet. The din of approval surged until the half-empty theater shook with clapping and calls of “Jax!” Leodora swept off the black mask as she bowed. The footlights flashed over her copper hair. As had happened on Hyakiyako, the audience shouted louder. Those nearest the front of the stage reached toward her, tried to touch her feet. She knelt and squeezed their hands, gestured Bois and Glaise up beside her, and although they were known to everyone in the pit, the hands reached for them as well. They met her gaze, eyes full of wonder, but no more than her own. The charge from this audience crackled through her, made her heart pound, her brain spark. She arose, took one more bow, and then retreated behind the booth again. Diverus stared at her as if in wonder, and she said, “Oh, Diverus, come out,” and took him by the hand. At the last moment, she seized upon an idea and drew her domino mask over his head, tying it quickly behind him. He carried the theorbo in one hand, following along as if in a daze. She told him to bow and remove his mask, too, and he did as she ordered, if uncertainly.
The noise must have spread through the streets and alleys, because more people were pushing through the doors, as if they’d been waiting for the signal the applause represented. They entered and marched up the aisles. Even when the ovation died down, more people continued to enter.
Bois and Glaise ran to the side of the stage and began dragging the sections of the booth out into the center. First came the giant screen and, behind it, the tall lens that would enlarge her puppets so that even those at the back could see. Once that was set up, Diverus hauled his instruments behind it and then helped Leodora move the cases from the booth, which the two wooden men would carry. The poles and screens weighed next to nothing. Meanwhile the audience milled about, chattering, imbibing.
From the balcony, Hamen spotted his comrades seated together in one of the front rows. He thanked Orinda for her kindnesses, and she invited him to sample them another night. Soter scowled at the exchange. Hamen saw the look and winked at him again, then walked down into the theater as Leodora came up the stairs and joined them in