by Joanna Shupe
“Go, go, go!” Nora told them. Kathleen’s and Anne’s mothers grabbed their hands and began tugging the girls along to safety. Nora took Aunt Bea’s arm and the two women joined the stream of society men and women rushing to leave.
When they reached the mouth of the corridor they encountered a living nightmare. A sea of patrons stretched in front of them, leaving absolutely nowhere to go. People were shoving and yelling, climbing on top of one another, fear thick in the air as they debouched from the upper levels. Older women stumbled and risked being trampled before they were helped to their feet. The screams grew louder.
Nora blinked, the gathering smoke stinging her eyes. Soon it would be difficult to breathe. “We have to find another way out,” she yelled to her aunt.
Aunt Bea nodded, a lace handkerchief held over her mouth. Nora took her aunt’s hand and they started to push through the bodies back toward the boxes. “I think I saw fire escapes on the outside of the building,” she shouted.
The crowd thinned bit by bit as they moved away from the main stairs. The lights suddenly went out, the corridor engulfed in total blackness. Nora held tight to her aunt and felt her way along the wall. The other end of the corridor led out into an alley. There must be a way out at that end. Briefly, she wondered about Julius and whether he’d escaped the building. Hopefully he knew of a secret exit for the cast and crew.
She prayed he was all right.
As they rounded the corner, she spied a small gathering huddled at the end of the corridor. Because the stairs were clogged with patrons, the group was trying to force open a large metal door, likely one that led to the fire escapes. Oh no. If that door would not budge, they were all in serious jeopardy.
The door suddenly cracked open as if pushed on the other side. Everyone rushed forward to help, pulling it wide to allow access. Julius stepped into the smoky gloom, an axe in his hand. “Hurry, all. Go quickly and quietly. The fire escape is already in place.”
Nora hurried toward him. “Julius!”
His head snapped up and relief filled his eyes when he saw her. With both hands, he reached and pulled her close. “Christ, Nora. I am glad to see you.”
She buried her face in his dirty necktie, clasping him tightly about the waist. “You saved us.”
His lips touched the top of her head. “Almost, sweetheart. Hurry and take your aunt along the fire escape.”
Aunt Bea had already disappeared through the door. Nora grasped Julius’s hand and started pulling him. “Let’s go.”
He broke free and pushed her toward the opening. “Not yet. I need to turn on the sprinkler system.”
“No! Julius, no.” He was going into the theater? Everything was getting hotter, smokier. Soon, the air would grow toxic. Her fingers dug into his rumpled clothing. “You must come with me.”
“Nora, go.” He was gentle but firm. “I cannot allow anyone to die. I must go behind the stage and turn on the sprinklers in the basement. Go!”
“I don’t want to leave you here,” she nearly screamed, panic residing in her throat. “You’ll never make it out.”
“I will, I promise.” He smoothed her hair back. “I love you. Now go and get to safety, please.” Forcibly, he lifted her out onto the small platform leading to the fire escape. She grabbed at the rail to steady herself. When she looked over her shoulder, Julius was gone.
Tears sprang to her eyes. He will make it. He cannot die, not now. She drew in a deep breath and started forward. Her aunt had just reached the ground, a few gentlemen in the alley helping her off the fire escape. Unfortunately, not many people were on the ground, and she thought of those still struggling inside, the patrons on the main staircase who would never guess to come down the corridor behind the boxes to reach safety.
It was an easy decision, really.
Turning, she went back inside and ran toward the main staircase.
The air was hot, stifling, as Julius wound his way toward the side boxes. He needed to get backstage quickly but the staircases were too crowded. Instead he climbed over the railing on the box closest to the stage. Legs dangling, he let go and dropped more than ten feet to the floor. A sharp pain erupted in his ankle when he landed, as if a white-hot poker had been shoved under the bone. Gritting his teeth, he got to his feet, picked up the axe, and limped as fast as he could to the area behind the stage, feeling his way in the dark.
The valve for the sprinkler system was in the basement’s maintenance room. Julius knew this because the system had been tested recently when the crew refurbished the theater; he’d seen the sprinklers work himself. He had no idea why it hadn’t yet turned on, but he had to do something before the fire brigade arrived.
At least Nora was safe. No matter what else happened, she was outside and away from the danger.
The backstage area was quiet, the crew and actors having used their own exits in the rear of the theater. He coughed, the smoke seeping into his lungs. Withdrawing a handkerchief from his inner coat pocket, he covered his mouth and went as quickly as he dared in the pitch-black down the small stone stairs that led into the bowels of the building.
His ankle throbbed with every step. Probably no more than ten minutes had elapsed since he smelled smoke in the alley but a fire could spread rapidly. Add in the hysteria and the risk of smoke inhalation and none of them had much time.
Though he could not see, the basement was blessedly smoke-free, which meant the fire hadn’t originated down here. It also meant he wouldn’t instantly die of smoke inhalation while trying to find and fix the sprinklers. He turned the corner and pushed open the door that should be the maintenance room—and drew up short.
A lamp had been lit, casting a soft yellow glow about the room. Robert, Nora’s former beau, stood in the middle of the floor, his feet braced and his hands clenched, eyes narrowed on Julius.
“What are you doing in here?” Julius barked, striding forward. “This room is off-limits.”
“So was Nora, but that did not prevent you from stealing her.”
Julius knew better than to argue. He had stolen her, at least temporarily, and regretted nothing. He hadn’t lied when he’d told her he loved her a few moments ago. He merely wished he had told her sooner.
“Whatever you’ve done, Robert, we can undo it. People do not have to die.” He walked in briskly, cradling the axe in both hands. “No one has to die.”
“You are supposed to die. You,” Robert snarled. “And if you kill me, you’ll never learn where I hid the handle to the valve. That’s what you’re here to do, is it not? Save the day by turning on the sprinkler system.”
He’d hidden the handle to the valve? Sure enough, the pipe was missing the round wheel handle to manually engage the water. Without the handle, he’d need a pair of pliers to turn the valve. “Tell me where to find the damn handle. Now.”
A sneer emerged. “You would like to play hero. Save all these people and be able to brag about it. Get Nora back in bed with you—”
Lunging forward, Julius slammed Robert into the side of the ventilation system, his forearm in Robert’s throat. “There are hundreds of people fighting for their lives upstairs. You cannot let them die merely because she cast you adrift. Think, Robert. This is terribly cruel.”
Robert lifted his chin, anger flashing in his eyes. “I grew up with no one and learned to look out for myself. I feel sorry for those people up there, but they are a small price to pay to get what I want.”
“She won’t love a murderer. Give me the valve and let me turn on the sprinklers.”
“She won’t ever know. No one will suspect me. This’ll just be noted as a tragedy in which the theater owner lost his life, and Nora will return to me.”
Madness shone in his gaze and Julius believed this conversation had gone on long enough. He did not have time to argue. “I am giving you one more chance. Where is the handle?”
“Go to hell.”
Julius lifted the axe and brought the handle’s end down on the side of Robert’s sk
ull. Robert’s eyes fluttered closed and he sank to the ground, unconscious. Julius quickly checked the man’s coat pockets. Nothing. Craning his neck wildly, he searched the immediate vicinity for the handle or a box containing tools. Anything with which to turn the valve.
Sweat rolled off his brow as he checked the floor. Seemed logical that Robert would remove the handle and then toss it on the ground under the equipment. Nothing. Damn it.
Quickly, he leapt to his feet and began investigating the room. One of the workers must have left some tools behind; after all, Robert couldn’t have removed the handle without one. Behind the coal furnace he found a set of tools. Located the pliers and raced to the valve. It wasn’t an easy fit but he forced the mouth around the bolt and turned hard. The bolt shifted the slightest fraction, so he put all his strength behind it and yanked. It moved a bit more and Julius kept at it until he had the valve completely open and the sound of water rushed and rumbled through the pipe.
Leaning against the wall, he tried to catch his breath. Thank God. At least the flames could be contained until the fire brigade arrived, if they weren’t already here. The only thing left to do now was leave.
He stared at Robert’s prone form. “Damn it. I’m going to have to carry you out of here, aren’t I?”
Robert didn’t answer, of course, and Julius had no choice but to bend down and hoist the other man up as best he could with an injured ankle. He draped Robert over his back and shuffled out of the equipment room. The scent of smoke grew stronger as he continued along the hall, the heat nearly stifling, overpowering lungs strained from exertion. Each step on his bad leg was excruciating. His progress was slow and torturous.
When he turned the last corner, the stairs waited a few feet away. He could hear the water falling from overhead, smell the damp soot and acrid smoke. His leg muscles ached, his ankle pleading for a rest, but he trudged onward.
Less than two feet away from the stairs, an ear-splitting crack sounded above—and then the roof caved in.
Chapter Twenty
Nora stood at the fire escape, inhaling smoke and wiping sweat off her brow, and continued to help patrons safely out of the theater. She refused to leave. After Julius had disappeared, she raced to the main stairs and started leading a line of patrons to the fire escape off the boxed tier. She kept them calm and organized as they descended the iron ladder attached to the building’s exterior.
Every second that went by with the sprinklers dry and closed stole a tiny piece of her soul. Julius was inside somewhere, and the lack of water pouring from the ceiling meant he could be hurt . . . or worse.
She would not allow herself to consider the possibility of worse.
I love you.
Had he meant it? Her heart swelled with hope and fear. He had to live—if only so she could find out if he had been telling the truth.
The first fire brigade arrived a few minutes later, the bell clanging on the truck as it tore down Broadway, with a second and third truck right behind. The heat and panic inside the building had been steadily rising, and a cheer went up outside when help finally arrived. Still, she kept guiding a never-ending stream of patrons toward the fire escape. Each was rattled, scared, and, most of all, thankful to get out alive.
When the sprinklers overhead began to spew water, Nora nearly collapsed in relief. He had done it. Oh, thank heavens. With the sprinklers working and the fire brigades on the scene, this nightmare would soon be behind them.
Firemen appeared in the alley to assist the injured and elderly. One approached Aunt Bea, who merely shook her head and pointed up at Nora, presumably refusing to leave until Nora reached the ground. Nora continued shouting at the patrons waiting in the corridor to remain orderly, no pushing. Everyone who emerged was soaked, bedraggled, but not complaining. They would live.
Where is Julius?
She longed to find him, to see his impish grin once more. Those bright blue eyes that held keen intelligence and steely determination. Hear the low, teasing timbre of his voice. Had he already left the building?
“Miss, I can take over.” A fireman, in a long dark coat with shiny buttons and a tall hat, now stood next to Nora. “You should take the ladder out of the building before you are hurt.”
“Is the fire out?” she asked.
“They have the hoses pointed at the worst of it on the roof. The sprinklers appear to have taken care of the flames inside. Go on now, miss.” He nodded toward the door.
Nora didn’t want to leave but she knew it was foolish to try to do his job for him. Additionally, she was anxious to reach the ground and search for Julius. She nodded and started for the exit door. Then a huge splintering sound rent the air, as if the building were collapsing. She turned toward the noise and watched as a huge section of the roof collapsed behind the stage.
She gasped. “Oh, my God.” An ominous feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. Julius could be there somewhere.
“Go, now!” the fireman urged the patrons. “No pushing but step lively!”
“I cannot go!” Nora told him. “My fiancé, the owner, went backstage to the basement. He turned the sprinklers on.”
The fireman wrapped his hand around her arm and forced her onto the landing of the fire escape. “And if he is, you cannot help him. We’ll get down there as soon as we can.”
“Please, let me help. I cannot leave him!”
“Miss, the whole building is unsound. It could come down at any moment. You won’t help him if you’re dead.”
People behind Nora began pushing, urging her forward, and she had no choice but to start down the iron fire escape. “Please, find him!” she shouted as her feet moved woodenly, her chest feeling as if it were splitting in two.
“We will,” he yelled, not looking at her as he continued to hustle the patrons along.
Tears blurred her vision and she clutched the railing to keep from stumbling as she descended. When she reached the ground, Aunt Bea rushed over and enveloped Nora in a hug.
“Are you all right? What was that sound?” her aunt asked.
“The roof collapsed right over the stage.” She patted her aunt’s back and then pulled away. “I have to go around, see if there’s another way out.” She started moving farther into the alley, toward the back of the theater.
“Nora, wait!” Her aunt grabbed her arm. “We should go stand across the street, where it’s safe.”
Nora shook her head, fresh tears pooling on her lashes. “Aunt Bea, Julius could still be in there.”
“Oh, goodness. Well, let’s go.” She gave Nora a gentle shove and the two of them wove through the chaos in the alley. People were crying, yelling, searching for loved ones. The scene was heart-wrenching as more men and women spilled out of the theater via fire escapes and doors.
Behind the theater was equally disordered. Actors and actresses, stage crew, and patrons were sobbing, holding each other for comfort, while firemen soaked the theater roof as well as neighboring buildings with their hoses. Policemen were attempting to get the bystanders out of harm’s way. All the black exit doors were open . . . and no one was emerging.
Nora frantically searched faces. She did not see him. Please, please, please . . .
“Nora!”
Turning toward the male voice, she found Frank Tripp racing toward her. “Oh, thank God,” he said, grabbing her by the shoulders. “He’d never forgive me if something terrible had happened to you.”
The woman with whom Frank had just been speaking joined them. Nora immediately recognized Poppy Desmond, though her costume was soiled with dirt and soot. The actress’s brows were lowered in concern. “My lady,” she said with a curtsey that seemed out of place, considering the circumstances.
“Miss Desmond.”
“Have you seen him?” Frank asked. “Did he make it out?”
“I was about to ask you the same question. The last I knew, he went into the basement to turn on the sprinklers.”
Frank closed his eyes and pinched the bridge
of his nose. “Idiot.”
Nora didn’t have time to debate this. She turned to Poppy. “Is there another way out of the basement? The roof collapsed and I fear he may be trapped.”
The actress spun and studied the length of the building, squinting. “All these doors lead backstage. If he’s in the basement, the only other way out is the coal chute.”
Poppy grabbed Frank’s hand and they ran to a black cast-iron cover on the wall. They worked together to pry it open.
“Ladies, you need to step away—”
“There is a man trapped down there!” Nora shouted to the fireman. Not a lie; she could feel it in her bones. Julius was trapped inside—and she wouldn’t rest until she found him.
The fireman came forward, pushing her out of the way to help Frank secure the coal chute cover. “Hello?” Frank shouted into the basement. “Anyone alive down there?”
“Julius!” Nora yelled. “Come to the coal chute!” Please let him hear me. Please let him be alive.
The fireman bellowed for a ladder while Nora continued to call down the coal chute. Only silence answered. Nora was not ready to give up. She said to the fireman, “Lower me in there.”
“Absolutely not,” Frank said. “If anyone’s going in there, it’ll be me.”
“Nora!”
Julius appeared below, his handsome face covered in grime. He was carrying a man over his shoulders.
“Oh, thank God! Julius!” she said, her voice cracking. He was alive. Relief flooded her and she dropped to her knees.
His mouth hitched into a tired half smile. “I’m all right. Though I’m going to need some help getting out.”
Within seconds, a ladder arrived and the fireman placed it down the chute. He descended into the basement to help Julius and the unconscious man. Frank, along with several other strong hands, assisted in getting the injured man up the ladder. Nora didn’t take her eyes off Julius, however. The fireman ordered Julius to ascend and within seconds he reached the top.
She nearly tackled him, never so grateful in her entire life. “You scared the life out of me,” she said into his soot-soaked waistcoat.