Surprised, the cast gathered on the set.
“I thought we were doing a straight run-through” Alison complained crossly. “I need it, Chuck, to get a feeling of the continuity!”
“I know, Alison,” Chuck said, “I’m sorry. But something’s come up that you’ll all know about tomorrow, and it might ruin opening night. I’d rather tell you now so you can work it out during rehearsal. Better a bad dress rehearsal than a dreary opening.”
“What now?” Peggy wondered. She had never seen Chuck so depressed or listless. All his energy seemed to have left him as he walked forward and looked up at everybody.
“You’re all wonderful,” he said slowly, “and you’re doing a job that’s worthy of Broadway—honestly, you are.” He watched Alison closely as he spoke, letting the words sink in. “Now, I don’t want this to throw you. Just hear it quietly, and then we’ll finish rehearsal. Aunt Hetty dropped in a minute ago—she’d been in town and happened to drive past the movie house. She saw the advertisement for the new bill which opens tomorrow night.”
“Oh, no!” Chris broke in with instant comprehension.
“I’m afraid so, Chris,” Chuck said quietly. “They are showing the movie of Angel Street this week. Under another title, of course, but everybody knows it’s the same play. The story’s too famous. Slade is counting on the stars of the film to draw audiences away from our production.” Chuck tried to think of something else to say, but it was no good. Everyone recognized the seriousness of this move, and what it could mean. “I—I’m sorry.” Chuck concluded lamely.
Alison was standing stiffly, her hands clenched and her mouth tight as she tried to control her tears. But then she broke. “I told you it wasn’t worth the effort,” she sobbed. “I’m not going to ruin my health and nerves doing this part and then have nobody in the audience! They can all go to the movies as far as I’m concerned! This whole theater has been a fiasco from the beginning, and the sooner we close the better. You can give the part to somebody else—I’m through!” She ran off the stage and to the dressing room as the rest of the cast looked after her unhappily.
Rita started to follow her, but Chuck shook his head. “Let her go,” he said. “She doesn’t really mean it, and she might as well get it out of her system. The part is a terrific strain, and I’m not surprised at her reaction!”
Peggy dropped onto the couch beside Howard Miller, who was sitting there twirling his hat thoughtfully. “I had a feeling something was going to happen,” Peggy said sadly, “but I never dreamed it would be this. Guess I really was all wrong about Bill Slade. If he didn’t make an effort to stop his brother this time, I guess he never will. Maybe he’s just as opposed to the theater as Max.”