The Wickedest Showman

by Lotta Smith

  “Fine, but don’t even think this is over. I’ll find whoever did that to me and get them back in spades!” His face was turning really red, like someone about to have a stroke.

  When the curtains closed for good, the lights went on in the whole theater.

  The cast and crew congratulated each other for finishing the night’s performance without any major mishaps or injuries.

  After a while, Rick came back with a young crewmember wearing washed-out jeans and a black T-shirt with the Magic Lane Theater logo. Karina scurried over.

  “What happened? Did you find anything?” she asked, looking like the head of the theater company and the chief producer.

  The young guy shook his head. “I don’t know. I was up there the entire time. If anyone came close, I would have noticed.”

  “He’s right,” Rick interjected. “I’ve looked into the grid myself, and everything seemed normal. I couldn’t find any signs of foul play.”

  “Okay. Thanks for checking.” She nodded and turned to Timothy. “You see? It was just a coincidence.”

  “No way!” Timothy shot back. “If that wasn’t intentional, then this program is haunted for real! Since opening night of Hamlet, weird things just keep happening daily. I won’t be surprised if we end up with a dead body or two.”

  Rick and I exchanged glances while Jackie muttered, “Hmm… he’s such a drama queen. But I’m not surprised. Guess what? Stage people tend to come with that trait. It’s almost like an occupational hazard.”

  I bit my lip to keep from bursting out laughing.

  “Someone’s attempting to screw with me, I know it!” Timothy shrieked.

  “Tim, everything will be okay. Take a deep brea—” Karina reached for him with open arms, apparently trying to soothe him, but the actor wasn’t ready to calm down.

  “I’m done! So over with this fucking project!” he shouted, then turned on his heel and stormed into the corridor where the dressing rooms lined up.

  Robert whistled as the sound of the door slamming shut boomed. “I bet this is more drama than you’d expected to see, huh?”

  “Well, sort of,” Rick commented. “Is he always like that?”

  “Yes, he is.” Robert shrugged. “Every night something happens, Tim gets upset, declares he’s quitting, and Karina later consoles him. And miraculously he reconsiders. We repeat the whole processes again, and again, and again….”

  “Wow,” I muttered.

  “I liked his Hamlet, but I don’t fancy working with him.” Jackie shrugged.

  “Did you find any menacing ghosts trying to sabotage the show?” Robert asked Rick.

  “It’s hard to say yes or no at the moment,” he replied smoothly.

  “My grandma always tells me that the scariest monsters aren’t things like ghosts. It’s always the living people.” Robert chuckled lightheartedly.

  “His grandma is half right, but there are menacing ghosts out there,” Jackie commented. “Mandy, you’re lucky to have a good ghost like yours truly.”

  I tried to keep my face straight. Karina knew I was the one who talked to dead people, but that was kept secret, and Rick was still playing the psychic-like role.

  “She’s right,” Rick agreed. “Most of the time, living humans are more dangerous than the dead ones.”

  Robert turned to me and casually asked, “Hey, do you want to go for a drink?” Turning red, he quickly added, “Sorry, that was inappropriate. Of course you can’t go for a drink. You’re expecting. I’m a little too excited about having a day off tomorrow. Forget I said that, will you?”

  “Don’t worry, Robert. It’s okay.” As I spoke, my stomach growled. “Well that was embarrassing!”

  “So, Mandy’s hungry,” Rick chimed in. “Hey, Robert, how about grabbing a bite instead of a drink? There’s a nice bistro close to here.”

  “That’ll be great, but you’re sure you don’t mind if I join you? I mean, I don’t want to intrude on you two lovebirds.”

  “No way, you’re not.” Rick chuckled, shaking his head. “I was hoping to talk to you and learn a little about my wife’s high school days.”

  “Hey!” I smacked his arm. “Guess what? My high school days were truly, seriously boring. You’re gonna be so bored you’ll drop on the floor sleeping.”

  “You’re kidding, Mandy,” Jackie commented. “Or else lying.”

  “Really?” Robert wiggled his eyebrows. “I was determined to make him roll on the floor laughing.”

  Turning to Robert, I warned him, “You’re not talking. Focus on eating, okay?”

  “Whatever.” He snapped his fingers. “I need to wash off the makeup and change. Can you wait here?”

  “Sure,” Rick assured him.

  I pulled Rick’s sleeve to get his attention when Robert was out of earshot. “Look, I haven’t tried to milk info from Brian and Meredith, have I?”

  “You haven’t, and that’s one of many reasons that I love you so much,” he said nonchalantly, kissing the top of my head. “Don’t worry, I was just kidding. So far, we’ve just talked to Karina, but I want to hear his side of the story about the weird incidents.”

  “Hmm, okay.” He had a point, but I still warned him. “Don’t ask him too many questions about my high school days. In case you haven’t noticed, high school is full of embarrassment and humiliation as a way to prep for life.”

  CHAPTER 5

  As we waited in the backstage corner, the cast disappeared to the dressing rooms and all the hustle and bustle backstage ceased. The staff in the theater company’s T-shirts were working to clean up all the artificial snow scattering the stage. The lights went off and the theater felt deserted.

  Jackie let out a deep sigh. “I always hated watching the crew tidying up after the show was over.”

  I was about to ask why and comment on how lonely the place felt but someone interrupted us from behind.

  “Hello,” she said sheepishly.

  As Rick turned and greeted the newcomer, I stood up from the chair and apologized for blocking her path.

  “Oh no, you weren’t,” she said hurriedly, shaking her head. “Please have a seat.”

  “Thank you,” I said and sat down again.

  “When is your due date?” she asked me, offering a friendly smile. She was a tall, slim redhead with dashing violet eyes.

  “According to the doctor, we’ll get to welcome the baby somewhere between late October and early November,” I said.

  “Wow, isn’t that exciting?” She beamed and then cleared her throat. “I’m Suze Collins, currently working as the prompter with this program. You must be Mr. and Mrs. Rowling, am I correct?”

  “Yes, you are,” Rick replied. “But we’re more accustomed to Rick and Mandy. Nice meeting you, Suze.”

  “Nice meeting you too. So, you’re the guy Robert was talking about.” I noticed she became slightly breathless when she uttered his name. “The security company executive who’s married to Rob’s high school classmate. Not only that, you talk to ghosts. Wow… I saw that TV show when you cornered the killer by talking to the ghosts of three missing girls.”

  “She’s beautiful but you don’t need to worry about her, Mandy,” Jackie told me, shaking her head and throwing her long hair back. “She’s just interested in chatting with someone who speaks to people like me.”

  Without replying to my guardian ghost, I said, “I told you, Rick. Rob is such a blabbermouth.”

  “Yeah.” He chuckled. “I’m that ghost whisperer guy.”

  “Oh my….” Suze’s eyes blinked rapidly. “What does it feel like to be able to talk with ghosts?”

  “Well, it was just shocking, bordering on traumatizing at first,” Rick said, glancing at me. “But it’s not that bad.”

  “I think he has a slightly sharper sixth sense compared to others,” I interjected.

  “I can imagine that.” Suze nodded. “What can you say about me?”

  “That’s a good question,” Rick said. “Though I don’
t know you very well, I can say you have a huge crush on Robert.”

  “Sorry? Oh… no.” She shook her head, her face and ears turning crimson. “I mean yes, but….”

  Rick winked at me. “Am I a mind reader or what?”

  “Hey, anyone could have figured that out.” Jackie shrugged, prompting me to laugh.

  Suze lowered her voice. “Don’t tell anyone about that, please?”

  “No worries. My lips are sealed.” Rick made a gesture of silence.

  “So are mine,” I chimed in.

  “Thanks.” Suze let out a sigh, suddenly looking sad. “You know, Robert is with Karina. I know I’m like algae compared to her….”

  “Oh yeah? I think Robert is one of her temporary romances.” Jackie tilted her head. “In my opinion, her acting career is what she’s married to. She’ll refocus on seasoning her talent sooner or later. Mandy, can you relay my words to the girl?”

  “I have a friend who’s a theater aficionado. According to her, Karina’s number one priority is and will always be her acting,” I said.

  “Hmm, I don’t know. The rumor is they’re seriously thinking about marrying.” Suze crossed her arms, but then someone yelled.

  “Hey, Suze, can you help me here?”

  “Sure!” She waved at us before turning away. “Gotta go. Work to do.”

  “Isn’t it sweet to be young?” Jackie said longingly.

  “Yeah,” I agreed. “Still, please don’t say you’re feeling like a granny. I’m the one who’s going to get old while you stay young and fit.” Then I turned to Rick and added some explanation for my comments.

  Rick chuckled, then looked at his watch. “How long does it take to wash off makeup?”

  Robert seemed to be taking a while.

  “I don’t know. Jackie?” I looked to the ghost with an acting background.

  “When you go up on stage, you’re wearing a ton of makeup, which takes a little skincare to keep your skin looking flawless,” she said. “Hey, why don’t we crash his dressing room? You can tell a lot about an actor by scoping out his dressing room. It’s such a personal space.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Rick said after I relayed her words.

  “Let’s go.” I stood up.

  Arm in arm, we slowly proceeded down the corridor to the area where doors lined up, gawking at some of the dressing rooms with the doors open. As we went by, some of the actors were leaving with plain clothes and freshly washed faces.

  “How long does it take Karina to freshen up and come out?” said a guy pacing in the corridor.

  I looked back. He seemed to be talking to himself, and I wondered if he had a ghostly pal like I did.

  He was in his late fifties, average height, heavyset, and had a receding hairline.

  Our eyes met, and he glared at me. “Are you deaf? When is Karina coming out?” he demanded.

  Rick turned back. “She’s in the dressing room, I guess.”

  “Tell her to come out quick!” the man demanded.

  “Who does this guy think he is?” Jackie narrowed her eyes. “Hey, why don’t you stop acting like the king of this theater? Nobody bothers to come and see your ever-expanding forehead.”

  The way she delivered those words tickled my funny bone, prompting me to snort.

  “What’s so funny?” he demanded.

  “I’m sure Karina will be out when she’s ready,” Rick informed him, then looked at me. “Let’s go.”

  “Wait. You’ve got to tell her to stop being a prima donna and hurry up,” the guy commanded.

  “Seriously?” Jackie rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you do that yourself?”

  “Oh, really?” Rick raised an eyebrow. “Based on what reason?”

  His tone was half sarcastic and half amused. Rick was scarcely at the receiving end of commands.

  The balding guy’s face turned red. “Are you…?” He seemed ready to yell, but then he stopped. His mouth opened and then shut. “Oh my God, you’re the COO of—”

  “USCAB?” Rick helped him finish the sentence. “Yes, I’m Rick Rowling. And this beautiful lady here is my wife, Mandy.” He patted my arm. “Meet Mr. McMillan. He runs an advertising agency, and he often takes care of our TV commercials.” And he didn’t forget to add, “For now.”

  I muttered, “Oh really.”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Rowling, my sincerest apologies for my rude behavior. I don’t know what has gotten into me,” Mr. McMillan said hurriedly, now turning white and profusely sweating.

  “It’s okay,” Rick said nonchalantly. “It’s a small world, isn’t it? If I recall it right, you’ve been an active patron of theatrical arts. I’m assuming it’s one of your many projects, am I correct?”

  “Oh, yes… sure.” Mr. McMillan offered the most awkward smile. “I happen to be an investor of this theater company. And as a business partner, I need to see her.”

  “This guy is so lying!” Jackie declared. “He’s after Karina’s body. Some investor! Believe me, he’s sleeping with her. That explains his jitteriness. He can’t wait for her to finish her business. I really hate this kind of shark, using every opportunity to take advantage of us, the artists.”

  I tried hard not to roll my eyes and gag. Jackie was so right. He was an arrogant and obnoxious man, who completely changed his behavior the moment he’d found out that he was yelling at one of his clients.

  “I see. Will you be having a business meeting or something like that with her?” Rick tilted his head.

  I glanced at his face and noticed the corner of his lips was slightly trembling, threatening to break into a wide grin. I knew him well enough to assume that he wasn’t imagining Mr. McMillan comparing notes and discussing numbers with Karina when he mentioned a “business meeting.”

  “Exactly.” Mr. McMillan nodded. “It really sucks when things don’t go as scheduled. Don’t you think so?”

  “Hmm… I guess so.” Rick crossed his arms. “Still, Karina’s running late because she was working on what’s good for the business. That guy starring as Hamlet—what was his name?”

  “You mean Timothy? What about him?” Mr. McMillan furrowed his caterpillar-like bushy eyebrows.

  “Oh yeah. Timothy. He kind of had a meltdown, and she was working to talk him into changing his mind about leaving the show,” Rick explained.

  “Oh… okay.” Mr. McMillan’s frown deepened. “I hope she’ll manage to persuade him. How did it go?”

  “I don’t know.” Rick shook his head. “Still, having him quit won’t be in her best interests since the show will be going on for a while.”

  “Right,” Mr. McMillan agreed. “I think Timothy is smart enough to understand the situation.”

  As if on cue, Robert came from one of the doors close by. He was sans makeup and in a casual shirt and trousers.

  “Hey, Mandy, Rick. Sorry for keeping you waiting.” He raised his hand, and then he noticed the presence of an investor. “Oh hello, Mr. McMillan.”

  “Hi, Robert.” McMillan’s face perked up. “Congratulations! The critics are loving your performance so much. Also, I read this nice review that mentioned your Horatio as the most memorable as Hamlet’s sidekick.”

  “Why, thank you.” Robert offered a smile, but his cheek muscles looked tight. “Excuse us, Mr. McMillan,” he said and turned to us. “Mandy, Rick, let’s go.”

  “Sure,” Jackie said.

  “Good night, Mr. McMillan.” Taking my hand, Rick turned on his heel and nodded at the ad agency owner.

  Robert stalked off with long strides, and we followed him.

  “You don’t like him, do you?” I said when we were outside.

  “Personally, I’d be surprised if anyone likes him,” Jackie chimed in. “He was obnoxious.”

  “Yeah, right,” I replied to her.

  “What? I didn’t say anything,” Robert said, puzzled.

  “Never mind,” Rick interjected. “Lately, she often talks to herself. Are you talking to our baby, darling?” Wrapping his arm a
round my shoulders, he raised an eyebrow.

  “Oops, my bad.” Jackie put her hands on her cheeks. “He doesn’t know you can talk to me.”

  “Sometimes I can’t help but feel like I have invisible company,” I said, forcing a chuckle. “Isn’t that funny?”

  “So, does that McMillan guy crash the backstage often?” Rick asked.

  “Yeah.” Robert grimaced. “Unfortunately, he happens to be the biggest patron, and he’s the one who keeps the Magic Lane Theater afloat.”

  “He treats Karina like some kind of a mistress, doesn’t he?” I said.

  “Exactly. She’s sleeping with him to facilitate the cash flow.” Robert shrugged.

  Jackie made gagging sounds. “So gross! I just had a really disgusting image of them in bed. If only I could undo my memory!”

  “Wow, I can’t believe Karina allows him to come into her bed,” I muttered.

  “Anything goes. That’s the life.” Robert snorted. Apparently, he didn’t like her sleeping with McMillan.

  “By the way, Robert, Suze Collins seems to have a huge crush on you,” Rick said, totally breaking the promise he’d just made to her minutes before.

  For a moment, I was tempted to smack him, saying, “Jerk alert!” but then I thought about the possibility that he was trying to see Rob’s reaction by bringing up Suze.

  “Suze? Really?” Robert chuckled. “She’s a nice girl, but she needs a little bit of boldness to get herself in front of the crowd.”

  “Hmm, he has a point. You’ve got to be aggressive to be seen as an actor,” Jackie commented.

  “By the way, why did Karina call the two of you?” Robert tilted his head.

  “She’s concerned about the series of weird incidents happening to Magic Lane Theater lately,” Rick informed him.

  “I thought Karina already told you about that,” I chimed in.

  “No, she hasn’t. Okay, the ghost issues.” Robert nodded. “Well, we theater crowd tend to see the invisible where there’s nothing but hollow spaces and little, harmless pranks.”

  “Like that snow falling?” Rick said casually.

  “Right.” Robert let out a hearty laugh. “That was weird, but it was just a prank. Nobody got hurt.”