Nancy Drew: Rehearsing For Romance

Nancy Drew Files # 114

"I wouldn't mind kissing a handsome leading man," Nancy Drew admitted as she maneuvered her blue Mustang onto the highway. "But I couldn't do it in front of a whole audience."

"Well, I could," Nancy's friend Bess Marvin declared, "especially if the leading man happened to be a hunk like Jordan McCabe."

Nancy flashed Bess a quick grin, then eased the car into the fast lane.

"It's great that you're coming to watch the rehearsal, Nan," Bess went on. "I mean, Mystery Loves Company could be the hottest thing around. It was a huge Broadway hit and Carlos -- he's our director -- thinks it'll be a hit in Chicago, too. I'm so psyched about being in a thriller, even though I only play a small part -- Hayley Karr, maid and amateur detective."

Nancy smoothed back her strawberry blond hair and laughed. "You're calling the role of an amateur detective a small part?"

Bess giggled. "Whoops. All I meant was, I don't have too many scenes."

"I'm sure you're going to add a lot to the role," Nancy told her friend in a more serious tone. "And besides -- you're the understudy for the lead, too. That's a big deal."

"I guess so," Bess agreed. "But there's no way I'll ever get to take over for Zoe Adams. She'd go on if she were at death's door -- acting is that important to her. You should have seen her at our first read-through. We were all reading from our scripts, but she already had her lines memorized."

"She sounds like a pro," Nancy said.

"She is -- and she's used to getting what she wants. When she doesn't, watch out!"

Bess shook her head, then went on cheerfully. "You're right, though, Nance. I'm thrilled to have this part. I wish George could be here to see me."

George Fayne -- Bess's cousin and Nancy's other best friend -- was out of town participating in a track-and-field meet.

"We'll call her when we get home from Chicago," Nancy said. "After the rehearsal, we can grab a quick lunch and get back to River Heights late this afternoon."

"Sounds great," Bess agreed.

"By the way," Nancy said, "you still haven't told me the deal with Jordan McCabe. He's the star of that hot TV soap, Heartbeats. So why did he join the cast of Mystery Loves Company?"

"Jordan's trying really hard to prove he's a stage actor, too," Bess explained. "I think he's fantastic -- really versatile."

"Well, I'm sure you'll impress him," Nancy said. "If you don't, it's his problem." She merged into the right lane, preparing to take the next exit.

"Thanks, Nan," Bess said. "When you meet him, you'll see exactly what I'm talking about -- he's a hunk and a half!"

Nancy smiled to herself, mentally counting the number of times Bess had had crushes. Bess was almost as interested in romance as she was in theater.

Bess chattered away for the rest of the trip. Nancy felt glad for her friend -- landing a role in a professional theater production was a big break. And for Bess, a dream come true.

Nancy and Bess drove through downtown Chicago to the western edge of the Loop. When Nancy parked the Mustang outside the Remington Theater, it was 10:15 -- fifteen minutes before Bess's rehearsal was due to start.

"Great building!" Nancy exclaimed, admiring the broad marquee and ornate trim.

"It used to be a vaudeville theater," Bess told her. "Then it became a movie house. Now it's used for theater productions."

Bess slung her duffel bag over her shoulder. "Hi, Tim, hi, Hugh!" she called to two men standing in front of the theater. Nancy could see that they were mounting photos of the actors in one of the glass cases flanking the theater's entrance. A glamorous-looking head shot of Bess -- showing off her pale blond hair and her pretty face -- was among them.

"Tim Talcott is the theater's landlord -- he's really got the acting bug, and he hangs out here when he's not selling property," Bess told Nancy as they approached.

Hearing her, Tim chuckled. He had long brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard. A cellular phone stuck out from one of his pockets. "I may be a businessman, but I'm an artist at heart," he told Nancy. "I love the theater -- see as much as I can. I even like watching rehearsals. I'll see you girls later."

Bess turned to the taller man, who'd been standing beside Tim. Nancy guessed he was part of the crew, judging from his strong-looking build and clothes: blue jeans, work shirt, and work boots.

"Hugh, I'd like you to meet Nancy Drew. Nancy, this is Hugh Lundy. He's our stage manager. It's up to him to make all the technical elements of the play come together -- the scenery changes, the sound, the lighting. He's got to know this theater inside and out."

"Sounds like a huge job," Nancy commented.

"I have lots of backup." Hugh shrugged. "We've got a bunch of college interns helping out and they're terrific."

"So are you," Bess offered.

The young man flushed as he ran his fingers through his blond hair. "Thanks, Bess," he said shyly.

Hmm, Nancy thought. Bess may have a crush on Jordan, but it looks like someone has a crush on her!

Nancy's hunch was confirmed a minute later when Bess looked around eagerly and asked if Jordan had arrived yet.

Hugh's face fell at the mention of the star's name. Before Hugh could answer, Bess whirled around and called out to another man hurrying past them. "Carlos, have you got a minute? I want you to meet a friend of mine."

Carlos appeared at Nancy's side.

"Nancy," Bess said, "meet the director of Mystery Loves Company -- Carlos Perez. Carlos, Nancy Drew. She's the friend who's been helping me with my lines."

"Well, you're obviously a very good acting coach," Carlos said to Nancy. "Bess's performance just keeps getting better and better."

As Carlos grasped Nancy's hand warmly, she couldn't help noticing his striking features. Carlos had wavy black hair, velvety dark eyes, and smooth, olive skin. He wore a crisp white shirt with smooth-fitting black jeans.

Just then Hugh turned and began to walk away. Quickly, Carlos grabbed Hugh's arm. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

Hugh looked away for a second before he answered. "That new sofa is being delivered this morning, and I was just -- "

"The sofa can wait," Carlos said firmly.

"Rehearsal starts in seven minutes, and I need you to check the hand props."

"Fine," Hugh said. He hurried off.

Nancy was a little startled by Carlos's sharp tone. Is he being harsh? she wondered. Or just taking charge of his crew?

"I'm glad you'll be in the audience today," Carlos said, turning back to Nancy. "I'd love to know what you think of the performance. "

"I'll let you know," Nancy said. "But I warn you -- I can be a tough critic."

"I think I'm up to the challenge," Carlos said, smiling broadly. "See you later."

As Carlos walked through the theater's entrance, Bess caught Nancy's arm. "He certainly noticed you, Nan." She giggled. "Maybe you could play a big role in his next production."

"No thanks, Bess," Nancy said with a laugh. "I'm not interested in an acting career."

Bess nodded. "I knew you'd say that. This may be Carlos's last production anyway."

Nancy was surprised to hear that. "What do you mean?"

Bess glanced at her watch and spoke quickly. "Carlos's last play was a flop. The critics loved it, but it never really took off. In the end, the production lost money. If Mystery Loves Company doesn't fly, he could be painting sets instead of directing actors." Bess opened the front door and motioned for Nancy to go ahead of her.

"On stage, everyone!" came the call from backstage.

"I've got to run," said Bess. "I'll find you later."

Nancy walked through the lobby and into the theater's auditorium. She admired the intricately carved balconies, the proscenium stage, and the plush red seats. Nancy noticed Carlos sitting in the center of the house. With a legal pad and pen in hand, he was poised to take notes during the rehearsal.

Nancy sat closer to the stage, settling herself one seat away from a young woman with shoulder-length auburn hair. When Nancy introduced herself, she was greeted with a limp handshake.

"I'm Kate Grenoble," the woman said haughtily.

With her flawless skin and elegant features, Kate struck Nancy as being an actress. "Friend of the director's?" Nancy asked.

"Friend of Jordan's," the other woman said pointedly, keeping her eyes focused on the stage.

Nancy followed Kate's gaze. The actors were assembling onstage. Jordan McCabe stood to one side, looking calm and composed -- and even more handsome than Nancy had remembered from Heartbeats. No wonder Bess was excited about working with him.

"We're going to do a complete run-through today," Carlos called from his seat. "If you mess up a line, just keep going. I'll be timing the run-through, focusing on pacing to make sure there are no slow spots. Ready? Act one, scene one."

Nancy took in the lush-looking set -- a drawing room paneled in dark wood. At center stage were twin love seats upholstered in green crushed velvet. An enormous framed portrait of a man dominated the wide fireplace mantel against the back wall.

The play opened with Jordan McCabe reading the paper while Bess dusted the room around him. Nancy was pleased to see that the gestures she had helped Bess work out were smooth and natural-looking on stage. And her dialogue with Jordan moved along nicely.

When Zoe Adams made her entrance a few minutes later, Nancy immediately felt the leading lady's presence. Zoe was statuesque -- nearly six feet tall. Her thick raven-colored hair fell to her waist, contrasting with her white dress. Entranced, Nancy watched the scene unfold.

"Xena! What are you doing in town?" Jordan said indignantly.

"I was passing through on my way to Eden Prairie," Zoe answered. "Aren't you glad to see me?"

"Of course." Jordan arched his eyebrows. "What man wouldn't be glad to see his ex-wife?"

Nancy chuckled. Jordan had a good sense of comic timing, and he seemed equally at ease in the play's more serious moments. A quick glance to her left let Nancy know that the other woman was also rapt; Kate seemed to hang on every word that Jordan spoke.

On the stage, Zoe arranged herself on a love seat. "Remember how happy we once were?" she said. "I would read down here while you were upstairs working. Whenever I got lonely, I would take the broom and tap out our special signal. Then you'd come down to keep me company." Zoe grasped a broom that Bess had left in the corner and tapped a few times on the alcove ceiling.

"I remember as if it were yesterday," Jordan said, moving closer.

As the play progressed, Nancy pieced together the story: Zoe arrives in town, hoping for a reunion with Jordan, her ex-husband. But the local woman Jordan had recently been seeing has just been found murdered, and Zoe becomes the prime suspect in the investigation. The evidence against Zoe mounts, but the real culprit turns out to be Jordan himself:

He killed his girlfriend because she was trying to blackmail him, having discovered a secret about his past. When Zoe learns the truth, Jordan tries to get rid of her, too.

Before Nancy knew it, the play was close to its final moments. The two characters edged toward each other on the love seat and embraced. Jordan leaned into Zoe, and the sultry leading lady prepared to be kissed.

Suddenly Nancy heard Kate stir in her seat. The young woman, rattling her shopping bags, got up noisily. Then she pushed past Nancy and marched up the aisle. When she reached the exit, she turned back for a moment to glare at the actors on the stage. As she walked out, she let the auditorium door slam behind her.

On the stage Zoe was stock-still, Jordan's hand on her shoulder.

"What's wrong -- why are you stopping?" Carlos's voice rose from his seat.

"How am I supposed to concentrate with all that noise?" Zoe said, pulling away from Jordan and crossing her arms angrily.

"It was a little distracting," Jordan said calmly. "But why don't we just go on?"

Zoe ignored him. "Carlos!" she demanded. "Why can't you keep that woman out of here? Every time she shows up she causes trouble."

"I thought you liked an audience," Carlos said with a chuckle. His mild joke was obviously an attempt to lighten the mood, but it had the opposite effect.

"I don't want anyone -- especially some overpaid soap star -- to interrupt me." Zoe rose from her seat and began to pace the stage.

Jordan stood up as well. "Hold on a second. I apologize for Kate -- okay? Now, can we please just finish this play?"

Zoe whirled toward him. "You'd rather be doing this scene with her, wouldn't you?" She spat out the words at Jordan. "Is that why she comes to every rehearsal? To learn my lines?" Zoe crossed the stage to the hearth and stood in front of the fake fire.

"Well," Jordan said, losing control of his temper, "at least she knows how to play a love scene."

Even from her seat in the audience, Nancy could see the sparks flash in Zoe's eyes. The actress suddenly turned and grabbed a ceramic vase from the mantel. "I finally know what you think about me, Jordan. Now let me show you how I feel about you."

Then, in one fluid motion, Zoe hurled the heavy vase -- directly at Jordan's head!