A Midsummer Night's Scream

improvising. There were no breaks, and the first two acts were done by the time the caterers arrived.
    Tazz, who had clearly taken a strong dislike to Imry, sat at the table questioning him as they ate. “So there isn’t a police officer. When I read the script, there wasn’t any explanation of why the butler murdered the younger son, either.“
    “That’s for the audience to decide for themselves,“ Imry said smugly.
    “Oh, like sophisticated artsy novels that leave the ending unresolved? That’s plain lazy writing and too pretentious for the likes of me. I hate books like that,“ Tazz commented as she wolfed down her snack dinner. She appeared to be anxious to get on with the measuring.
    “I read a book like that recently,“ Ms. Bunting chimed in. Her nap seemed to have completely revived her. “I threw it in the trash.“
    “Did you throw my script in the trash, too?“ Imry asked, obviously looking for an argument.
    “I know which side my bread is buttered on,“ Ms. Bunting said with a wicked smile. “I simply memorized it. That’s my job.“
    “I don’t read many books,“ Joani put into the conversation, looking around for someone to express admiration of her view. Everybody ignored her.
    “This is good food, ladies,“ Jake, who played the younger son, said to Jane and Shelley, apparently eager to start a harmless discussion.
    Both the first two caterers ‘had made sure to provide for hungry vegetarians, which Shelley was pleased to note in her files. The caterer last night had provided raw vegetables with several dipping sauces. Tonight the vegetables were lightly sautéed and served in one large bowl with a heating element under it. The dressing was a bit bland and could have used a good dose of fresh pepper, Jane whispered to Shelley.
    Tazz took her empty plate and glass back to the catering room and lurked until John Bunting had finished eating. She snatched his plate to return as well and said, “Come on, Mr. Bunting. I need to measure you.“
    He leered at her.
    Jane sat down with Ms. Bunting. “Tazz is one of the people in the needlepoint class. You’ll see her again tomorrow morning.“
    “She’s a strong-minded girl. I’ll be curious to see what kind of sampler she’s doing.“
    “Have you started yours yet?“ Jane asked.
    “Barely. I had such fun putting those pretty colors in the jewelry thing you girls bought me. I’ll treasure it forever. I’ve done only one square. I’m sticking with simple squares for my first effort.“
    Tazz gathered all the men in one large dressing room. “We’re not having any witty remarks about inseams or dressing left or right. Got it? Just tell me the size of your trousers and jackets. I will measure across your shoulders and get the correct arm length. You’ll all wear casual trousers circa 1930, shirts, and either jackets or sweaters for the first two acts. The third act will be formal wear. White starched shirts, white formal jackets, black trousers with a silk stripe down the sides.“
    She finished this process quickly and efficiently, noting all the measurements in a notebook she carried.
    Then she cornered Ms. Bunting to try on both of the dresses Tazz had selected for her. Holding the dress bag, Jane was present as well. The everyday one for the first two acts was a drop-waisted pink silk dress with a long string of fake pearls. It had three-quarter-length sleeves. “Other jewelry will be decided on later,“ Tazz told the actress.
    Tazz then called in Imry to approve it. He even managed to eke out a compliment for Tazz on how well it suited the actress and the play.
    “The formal dress will be along the same lines, but with black sequins. Don’t dare let anyone who smokes near you, Ms. Bunting,“ Tazz warned, “or the sequins might catch fire—they’re notoriously flammable. Even though the sequined one is supposed to have been sprayed with a fire retardant. I haven’t chosen jewelry because I don’t think it’s needed. Just wear your own wedding ring and maybe a pair of smooth silver bracelets.“
    “You look like a queen,“ Jane said.
    “I feel like one,“ Ms. Bunting said, pirouetting in front of the three-sided mirror in her dressingroom. The skirt flared nicely. “I’ll have to find an occasion to do this, just to show off.“
    “I don’t think the director will object to this,“ Tazz said. “We won’t bother getting his approval of this one.“
    The next morning, Jane called Ms. Bunting at her