Wilmington, NC 10 - Much Ado About Murder

Melanie asked everyone.
    When the curtain came down, the director stepped out and apologized for the interruption. He asked for our patience during a brief intermission while things got sorted out backstage. In about five minutes, the curtain opened again on the haystack scene. Apparently the correct prop knife had been located backstage, and the scene progressed as it was supposed to. Curly and Jud struggled with the prop knife and Jud played at being accidently stabbed. His death was declared an accident, and Curly and Laurie left on their honeymoon. The show closed to applause from a slightly puzzled audience.
    Dalton, whom Binkie had invited to join us, offered an explanation, “It’s always hectic backstage before the dress rehearsal. Somehow, the prop knife was mistakenly replaced with a real knife.”
    “So you think it was an accident?” I asked, wondering if Thomas who was playing Jud had any enemies.
    “Of course, it was an accident. Who would want to hurt Thomas? Everyone likes him.”
    The waiter came to take our orders. “Sorry for the delay,” he apologized. “Things are really busy tonight. The new play had their dress rehearsal. We always get a crowd when something is going on at Thalian Hall.”
    And then he added excitedly. “Word is someone almost got killed at the theater tonight. Don’t know the details yet.”
    So the rumors had begun.
    Cam spoke up. “We’ve all had earlier dinners so how about we order a variety of plates from the Tapas menu. And this dinner’s on me.”
    When protests began, he merely said, “I insist.”
    “I love the Thai chicken,” Melanie said. “Good idea, darling.”
    Ray said, “In that case, the wine’s on me.” And he turned to the waiter and ordered two bottles of chardonnay from the wine menu.
    I told everyone at the table, “It’s wonderful to be able to drink wine again.”
    The restaurant was indeed crowded. “Good thing we called ahead,” Jon said.
    With its brick walls and Twenties-style paintings, Circa 1922 was one of the most popular downtown restaurants.
    I whispered to Jon, “This is where we had our first official date. Remember?”
    “How could I forget?” His smile lit up his face.
    Dalton was saying to Scarlett, “Accidents on stage are not all that uncommon, don’t you agree?”
    “I haven’t personally experienced any accidents, but just think of what happened with ‘Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark.’ There were four accidents during preview performances. So yes, Dalton, I agree, accidents do happen in the theater. There’s so much going on at once, everyone is hyped up, it’s a wonder there aren’t more.”
    “My experience, as well,” Dalton said.
    “Dalton, we’re so glad you accepted our offer on the house,” I said. “I know it must be hard for you to give it up.”
    “Yes,” Jon echoed. “Your house will make a splendid home for our family. I can’t wait to get to work on the changes we want to make.”
    Dalton laughed. “There’s plenty of room for improvement in that house.”
    “I wanted to ask you about the oak tree in the back yard. We think it may be dying. We’ll probably have to take it down. We really hate to do that but we have children to think of.”
    “That’s an old, old tree,” Dalton said. “It was a mature tree when I was a boy. I’m not sure how old it is but I think I heard it was there when my fifth great-grandfather built the house.”
    The waiter poured wine for us all, and Scarlett proposed a toast. “To the theater,” she said. “And to actors everywhere.”
    “Here, here,” Dalton said.
    Scarlett continued, “I was especially impressed with the TACT production of Guys and Dolls . Ray and I went last month. Those kids were great. Absolutely talented. We really enjoyed the show, didn’t we, Ray?”
    “We did.” He smiled. “You’d think Scarlett would have had enough of Guys and Dolls but no, she wanted to see the children perform it.” Turning to Binkie , he said, “I understand you and Dalton were friends as boys. Grew up near each other.”
    “That’s true, Ray. Our parents were friends as well. Dalton’s parents and mine served on the Thalian Association board at one time or another.”
    “I’ve heard people say the Thalian Association might be the oldest surviving theater group in America,” Ray said.
    “That may very well be true,” Binkie said. “But as yet I’ve discovered no proof to substantiate the claim. Although it does seem likely