(Untitled)

[_heather_v]

I can't believe it! Today Principal Emerson told me that the play is canceled. Completely, utterly canceled. I tried to assure him that the production could be salvaged, but he was adamant. Now, I know that some really shocking things have gone on with several of the performers. For instance Sophie--I would never have imagined her depressed enough

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[stefan_d]

Sometimes a beer's just what you want after a day doing construction work. I'm beginnin' to have my doubts whether or not the school will ever be finished, but hey, it's a living, ya know? I push through the door at Willy's, throwing up my hand at Astra, who's bussing tables. They must be short-handed again.

Moving over to the bar, I see that Heather's sittin' there, looking extremely bummed. I slide onto the stool beside her, saying, "Hey. Long time no see."

[_heather_v]

I glance at him. "Hello, Stefan," I say. Seeing him cheers me up for a minute. I mean, we did have a really nice time the one night we were together. But then I remember Taffy threatening me about him and wonder again if he's worth the effort. "How've you been?"

[stefan_d]

I order a beer from Willy and say, "Pretty damned good. How about you?" I tap my fingers on the bar, assessing her. "You look kinda on the unhappy side tonight."

[_heather_v]

I sigh. "Yes, the play has officially been canceled. After all the work everyone put into it, it breaks my heart. I don't know if you heard about the student fight last week, but several of my leads were involved, and well--" I spread my hands out in a gesture of helplessness. "That's that."

[stefan_d]

I prop one foot on the rungs of my barstool. "That's a tough break, Heather, but I heard a kid died and another one made a suicide attempt. I can understand how people wouldn't be in the mood to put on a play."

I take my beer when Willy hands it to me and sip from it. Mmm, hits the spot.

[_heather_v]

"I know, and I feel awful that I didn't see there were problems with the students. They seemed perfectly fine during rehearsals. And poor Eric, he really did have such a lot of talent." I take a sip of my drink. "Maybe you're right, maybe it would be better for the students to put all of this behind them. I was thinking of all their hard work and enthusiasm going to waste, but that IS a valid perspective."

[stefan_d]

"I know you worked hard on it, too," I tell her. "I can see how you'd be bummed about not bein' able to actually have the show go on. It's a bad sitch all the way around."

I finish up my beer and order one more. That should keep me well under my limit of intoxication.

[_heather_v]

I venture a slight smile at his understanding tone. "Yes, a sad situation all around. It's this town, I think. When I went to school here there was forever one catastrophe or another at school functions. Why, the year after I graduated I heard the old school blew up right during the graduation ceremony! Can you imagine?"

I sigh again. Maybe it had been a mistake to come back here at all. Things had a way of getting out of hand in this town, even a harmless little spell like I'd done on the play.

[stefan_d]

"And I thought New York was weird," I say, smiling at her. "It's got nothin' on this place." I pause. "How many times has that school blown up, anyway? Damn."

[_heather_v]

I order another drink, glad that we've found a subject besides the play to talk about. There are still loose ends that need tying up on that score, but it's nice to forget about it for a little while.

"Just the once, that I know of, although there were all sorts of more minor disturbances when I was there. I remember the library especially always seemed to be torn up. So stick around,if the new school is true to form you'll never be out of a job," I quip.