  The rest of the week slipped away quickly. The harrowing experience in Little Deer valley became a memory and the seniors concentrated upon winning rÔles in the class play. By Saturday morning the snow had vanished, the temperature was above freezing and the grass was starting to turn green—such are the miracles of the early spring. Janet and Helen rehearsed their tryout parts so many times that Janet found herself mumbling her lines in her sleep. Most of the seniors assembled promptly at 9:30 o’clock that morning for the tryouts. A few of them, feeling that they had no chance, did not come, but Janet noticed that Margie and Cora were well to the front of the room where Miss Williams would be sure to see them. “I want you to do your best this morning for on your work now depends whether you will have a place in the play,” she warned them, and Janet felt a little twinge. School was near an end and the senior play was her last chance. Of course it wasn’t as important to her as it was to Helen, but it would be nice to have the part of Abbie, for Abbie was such a delightfully irresponsible character. Miss Williams called for tryouts for minor rÔles first and Helen sent an anxious glance toward Janet and nodded toward the hall. They slipped out of the assembly quietly and Helen voiced her fears. “Perhaps I’d better try for one of these minor parts as well as for the lead. Then if I don’t get to play Gale Naughton, I may win another rÔle.” “I wouldn’t,” counseled Janet. “Concentrate on the main part. I think you’ll make it all right.” “I wish I had your confidence.” “I’m not confident about winning a part myself, but I’m sure you will,” replied Janet. “Let’s go back and watch the tryouts.” “Perhaps I ought to go over my lines again?” “Nonsense. You can even speak them backwards. If you work on them any more you may do that, which would be fatal. Let’s see the mistakes of the others and then we’ll know we aren’t the world’s worst actresses.” Miss Williams was conscientious. She wanted every boy and girl who felt he had a chance to have the utmost opportunity and she worked with them carefully. At noon she was fairly well down the cast, but the four major rÔles remained, two for the boys and two for the girls, including the parts of Gale and Abbie Naughton which Helen and Janet sought. “We’ve been at this long enough,” announced Miss Williams as the noon whistles sounded down town. “Everyone take a rest, have lunch, and be back here at one o’clock. Then we’ll go on until we finish. For those who have been assigned parts, the first rehearsal will be Monday night at 7:15 o’clock. I’ll expect you to have your first act lines memorized.” The group broke up, some of them going home to have lunch and others stopping at the luncheonette of a nearby drug store. Janet and Helen were among this group, which included Cora and Margie. The latter, seated with two companions, appeared confident that they would win the leading rÔles, but Janet overheard a spiteful remark by Cora. “Of course, I haven’t the pull Helen has, for her father’s a famous director,” she said, and Janet saw Helen’s face flush. “That’s isn’t fair,” said Helen. “You know Dad wouldn’t use any influence to get a part for me.” “So does Cora. She’s saying that just to be mean.” When they reassembled it was a small group, Jim Barron, Ed Rickey and two other boys who were trying for the male leads, Cora, Margie, Helen, Janet and Miss Williams. The instructor worked with the boys first and it was evident that Jim and Ed were to have the major parts. In less than half an hour they were assigned, Ed getting the lead and Jim the second rÔle. If Janet won the part of Abbie, Jim would be playing opposite her. That would be fun, for Jim was wholesome and pleasant. After the boys had departed, Miss Williams turned to the girls. “Now we’re down to the two major parts, for the play hinges on the characters of Gale and Abbie.” She looked at the four hopeful, anxious faces. “I want Cora and Margie first. Take your places and give me an interpretation of the action you think should go with the lines you have memorized.” Cora, dark-eyed and confident, stepped to the platform. Margie, a wispy, blonde girl, followed. Both girls used excellent diction, spoke clearly and with feeling, but somehow Cora’s work lacked a convincing touch. Perhaps she was trying too hard and Janet felt her spirits rising. Helen should walk away with the rÔle unless she got scared when she stepped on the platform. But Janet was more than a little concerned about Margie. The blonde senior was doing an excellent job, putting just the right amount of enthusiasm into the rÔle. There was nothing forced. Every word and gesture seemed spontaneous and lines that had sounded silly in their own rehearsals were very logical and convincing when they came tumbling from Margie’s lips. Janet smiled grimly. Of course she wanted the part, but even more, she wanted Helen to win the rÔle of Gale. Cora and Margie finished the part Miss Williams had assigned, and looked anxiously toward the dramatics teacher. “That was very nicely done,” said Miss Williams. “Janet and Helen next and put plenty of feeling into your interpretations.” From the platform Janet could look down on Cora and Margie. There was a thin sneer on Cora’s lips and Janet felt Helen, standing close beside her, tremble. “Ready?” she asked. Helen nodded. Janet’s lines opened their brief tryout rÔles. She spoke them clearly, but somehow the spark needed to add vigor and brilliance was lacking. She was thinking too much about Helen. The lines and action snapped to Helen and she picked them up instantly. Janet thrilled. Helen had forgotten Cora and Margie. She had forgotten even Miss Williams. She was living her part. She was Gale Naughton, the dark, lovely heroine of “The Chinese Image.” The lines came smoothly and without effort. Then they were through, a little breathless, their hearts beating rapidly. Janet was the first to turn toward Miss Williams and before the instructor spoke, she knew Helen had made a deep impression with her interpretation of Gale. “Splendid. I liked that very much,” said Miss Williams, who was not given to compliments. “If you’ll be good enough to wait a few minutes, I’ll be back.” “Will you announce the winners then?” asked Cora, her dark cheeks flushed with excitement and her brown eyes glowing. “Yes,” promised Miss Williams, hurrying from the room. “Why do you suppose she left to make her tabulations?” asked Helen, her voice low. “Probably didn’t want us to know just how she rated us. She’s got a percentage system all her own she uses in casting parts. It won’t be long now,” said Janet. “The sooner the better. I’m all fluttery inside.” “Maybe you think Cora and Margie aren’t. They can’t even sit still.” Which was true. Cora and Margie were walking restlessly up and down the far side of the assembly, looking anxiously toward the double doorway through which Miss Williams would return. Five minutes slipped away. Then another five and it stretched out into fifteen minutes before the quick footsteps of the dramatics instructor could be heard in the hallway. Involuntarily Cora and Margie joined Janet and Helen at the front of the large assembly room. Miss Williams came in briskly, a slip of paper in her right hand, and Janet, who was nearest, saw two names written on the slip. “Sorry I kept you so long, but I’m trying to be very fair in making the final selections,” explained Miss Williams. “Go on, go on,” burst out Cora. “Who won?” Miss Williams frowned. “Well, I’m sorry, Cora.” The dark-haired senior interrupted her sharply. “You mean I didn’t win?” “I mean that Helen gave a more convincing interpretation of the part. She gets the leading rÔle.” Cora’s eyes flashed. “I might have known that. Too bad I don’t have a father with some influence.” Cora picked up her coat. “Come on, Margie. We’ve just wasted our time.” “I’d stay if I were you, Margie,” said Miss Williams. “What I have to say should interest you.” And in those words Janet knew the decision. Helen had the lead and Margie was to get the second rÔle. She was out, but at least she could take it without creating a scene like Cora. |
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