who could still manage a tray with four teapots and a three-tier sandwich server balanced on one hand without breaking a sweat. Or a teapot. Hmm. Orbra would be an interesting Mrs. Potts too…or even the Witch in Into the Woods.
“Doug Horner’s going to play Teddy Brewster. And Vivien said Ricky could be in it, too,” said Juanita, eyeing a thumb-sized currant tart. “Just a small role, but since Clara died a few months back, you know he’s been a little lost with nothing to do.”
“Clara? Why, it’s been over a year since she died—” Of course Maxine had to argue.
Before Juanita could jump in and bicker back, Vivien spoke up. “That’s right—Ricky is going to be Mr. Gibbs. The Presbyterian who runs away before he drinks the elderberry wine.” She grinned. “I’ll have to get his full name for the program and press releases, but anyway, Orbra, it’s a semi-professional, semi-amateur production. I wanted Maxine and Juanita to be the Brewster sisters because everyone in town knows them—”
“Being expert murder-solvers and all,” Maxine said.
“Murder-solvers? I don’t think I’ve heard about this,” said Vivien, giving her friend the cop a curious look.
“Please don’t encourage them,” Helga replied under her breath, then went on, loud enough to drown out Maxine, “Do tell us about the rest of the cast—not that I care, because I’m not going to be playing a dead body. I don’t care who’s going to be pulling me—it—out of the window seat.”
“Not even if it’s Roger Hatchard?” Vivien said with a smirk.
“Did you say Roger Hatchard?” Helga clapped a hand to her chest, her blue-brown eyes going wide. “Roger Hatchard? For real?”
“The one and only.” Vivien sat back, folding her arms over her middle.
“Wait—I thought you said Baxter is playing Mortimer.” Helga looked skeptical but also slyly interested.
“He is. But in act two, the character of Jonathan Brewster—the villain—also has to help move Mr. Spinalzo—the other dead body—into the window seat.”
“That’s a lot of dead bodies being schlepped around,” said Orbra, watching them with her hands on her hips.
“Jonathan Brewster—that’s the role Boris Karloff played,” announced Maxine. “Not that any of you young chickens even know who Boris Karloff—”
“Of course I know who Boris Karloff is. I watched The Grinch, didn’t I? Anyway…Roger Hatchard?” Helga repeated. “He’s going to be in your show? VL, how could you not have—”
“Who is Roger Hatchard?” asked Juanita in a prim voice. “Some of us older ladies don’t know all of the newfangled stars—”
“He was only the best center for the Pistons in the early aughts,” said Helga with a dreamy sigh. “Six foot eight inches of deliciousness, not to mention being brilliant on the court. His footwork in that playoff game against the Lakers…mmhmm.” She did a French-chef sort of kissy thing to express her appreciation for either the man’s playing or his so-called deliciousness; Vivien wasn’t sure which. “Even I could have worn heels if I wanted to date him—and would still have to look up to kiss the guy.”
“He was a little old for you at ten, Helga,” Vivien teased.
“So how did you manage that?” asked Helga, still moony-eyed. “Getting a basketball player to act?”
“Well,” Vivien replied slyly, “it could have something to do with the fact that I’ve been sort of seeing his son…”
“What?” Helga was nearly out of her seat. “VL, I swear I’d kill you if I didn’t want to make sure this production goes off! How could you not tell me?”
Vivien gave a little snort-laugh. “Well, I’m telling you now, aren’t I?”
Helga swatted her with a napkin and called her an unflattering name.
Maxine had pursed her lips so they stuck out in a massive pout. “What’re you talking about? You got a baseball guy playing in the show? Why, I ain’t ever heard of anything so ridi—”
“Basketball,” said Orbra firmly. “He played for the Detroit Pistons. He’s originally from Lansing, so he’s kind of a local boy. Now he’s an ESPN sportscaster, isn’t he?”
“He is. And yes, he can act—at least enough to play Jonathan Brewster—which isn’t a very demanding role. He’s just sort of hulking and mean,” Vivien said, looking at Maxine. “I wanted to—er—support the hometown actors in the cast by having some local celebrities to round things out. It’ll help create a draw for the show and we’ll raise more money for the renovations.”
“Celebrities?” said Helga.
“Yes…well, Dr. Einstein is going to be played by Michael Wold—you know, the actor who did LeFou from Beauty and the Beast in the national tour last