Week #94- Theater
Title: Robin shall restore amends
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: L, Wedy, Watari, and Aiber
Warnings: I recommend an open mind about what L might be capable of
Word Count: 2,470
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Ohba and Obata. Lines used from William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Robin shall restore amends
The owner and founder of a small yet affluent Shakespeare company in Soho had been funneling the proceeds for years. A handful of presales would go into his account long before the show opened; tickets at the door would have a small percentage of credit card sales transferred to a private account and he would skim the cash later. In the past 10 years that the theater had been open, £55,000 had gone into his accounts. The theater appeared to remain afloat, though the theater manager was getting nervous and contacted a small time private investigator to look into the matter.
Wedy had no clue how the hell L got involved. Apparently word of the case must have leaked through the detective pipeline in London and L used a few different aliases to snatch it up.
A case like this was like a world class bullfighter working on puppy training. Those who worked with L long enough knew if it didn’t involve more than 10 people of more than the equivalent of $1 million American he wouldn’t touch it. On those rare occasions he went outside these parameters, the stakes were still high.
There was something more to this, that was painfully apparent. Maybe he needed an easy case to charge his batteries, maybe he just enjoyed theatre. The maybes were endless and pointless.
The fact she even knew about this without being retained, the mere fact Watari was the one who told her about it in a casual conversation were huge red flags.
Watari served her some tea sandwiches before giving her information or compensation for more pertinent missions, casually dropping little word about the case as if in idle conversation. She hid her amazement behind a cool expression and went about the rest of her business.
The fact Watari mentioned anything about it in the first place was another alarm. Watari didn’t walk about L’s cases unless Wedy was involved or it was a particularly huge case that would be spattered all over the media in time. Something was at work here, though Wedy had a feeling all would reveal itself in time.
Another six weeks passed and she practically forgot about the case Watari mentioned amidst a near endless flow of more important business. L then retained her services for another case involving the UN ambassador for a small African nation who was allegedly involved in human trafficking; a nice juicy investigation and an uplifting process of putting a monster before a human rights tribunal.
Wedy reported to Watari as usual to confirm the fat amount of cash deposited in her Swiss bank account, though was a little surprised at her next assignment.
“L would like you to stay in London,” Watari said. “An arrest will be made in the Stratford upon Soho case this Saturday night. L is working undercover and would like you to act as backup. Matters could get messy and some extra support will be needed.”
She didn‘t know if she heard it correctly; L was directly undercover on a small time embezzlement case involving a local theater company. Wedy politely accepted the case, though wondered if this was a practical joke.
No, L didn’t operate like normal people even normal detectives. No matter how bizarre some of his methods could be, they always produced amazing results and a huge paycheck for her. The thought crossed her mind that this could be a suicide mission, though she could think of no reason why L would want her eliminated.
L gave recorded instructions over a computer; go to the theater that night like any other patron. L will be there though working in a different location. He will make himself known to you and you are to sit and watch the play, paying attention to your surroundings and not making a move until L makes specific instructions for you to follow his lead. Watari will be there as well in the background and the is a possibility Aiber will be there to assist.
Apparently this seemingly small case was a lot more dangerous and a lot more involved than she suspected. She almost felt silly questioning the case, though something still seemed out of place; there was more to this than L was telling her.
Regardless, Wedy reported to the Newport Street Theatre that Saturday night; filing into the crowd in a sophisticated yet casual sweater and slacks ensemble with the rest of the crowd for the performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
She took her seat in the small, theater-in-the-round venue; regularly scanning the audience of 300 people for her contacts. Watari arrived shortly after she did and took a seat in the third row. Aiber shuffled in a few minutes before showtime and sat on the direct opposite end of the theatre by the exit doors. L was placing his operatives in strategic locations.
She hadn’t noticed L himself yet, though he was probably keeping a lower profile; he was probably somewhere else in the building, like the offices or backstage with the police.
The show started with the usual house announcements from suited representative on stage; exits located here and here, no smoking, turn off all cell phones, no photography or recording devices, tonight the role of Puck will be played by understudy Louis Larson.
The representative left stage as the lights dimmed. Wedy honed her sight to adjust to the low light and take another sweep of her surroundings. She then looked back on stage to see the actors playing Theseus and Hippolyta in their positions and beginning the first act. Watari stayed in his seat, eyes trained on the stage and looking more like a man sitting back and watching a play than an operative getting ready to move. Aiber maintained his usual cool demeanor, though Wedy could see him looking around as well.
Eventually Wedy relaxed and started paying attention to the play. This was a little lower on the scale for London theatre though an impressive overall display. The acting was a bit ham handed by some performers and brilliant for others. The costumes looked like they had been sewn by someone’s grandmother yet were fanciful enough to be eye-catching.
Bottom and Quince’s play company scampered off the stage and the lights dimmed for the transition into the second act. Stagehands moved a set of bushes and trees on stage for the beginning of the forest scenes. The lights rose and a young woman in colorful robes and tulle wings ran on stage, face heavily painted in colorful flowers with pointed plastic ear tips.
A young man hopped up from the other side clad in a pair of fur leggings and pointed-toed green shoes, a long green scarf dangling around his neck and across his toned shoulders. A crown of plastic leaves blended into his wild black hair and around his own pointed ear tips. An array of green, Celtic designs were painted over his face and slightly seeping into his thin goatee. A pair of horns tied around his head added to the look.
This must have been the understudy who snagged the performance as Puck tonight. It wasn’t an actor she had heard of or recognized, but then again the lights were low and she was sitting far enough back. Somehow he started to look familiar, though the thought vanished with the sound of a bubbling brook and birds over the sound system.
“How now, spirit, whither wander you?” Puck said.
Wedy’s politely amused smile dropped at the sound of his voice.
No, there was no way.
The Fairy gave her speech with exaggerated hand movements, though Wedy’s eyes were glued to Puck. Same prominent nose, same pointed chin, tone muscles yet looked like he hadn’t eaten well in years.
Pure coincidence. She was looking too hard for L and mistaking an actor for him.
“The king doth keep his revels here tonight;” Puck said, starting his next set of lines. “Take heed the queen come not within his sight; for Oberon is passing fell and wrath…”
No. It was the same voice; significantly projected and more dramatic than the usual thoughtful monotone but that smooth, deep tone wasn’t easily forgotten.
The longer he stayed on stage, the more obvious this became and the name given for the actor practically screamed it; that was L on stage.
The heavy makeup and costume concealed any specific features and be probably grew a goatee to blend in a little more. Ushers regularly walked through the theatre and scanned the audience, probably looking for cameras and it would have been easy to instruct them to be more vigilant. Even if a few photos snuck out, the make-up and costume concealed any features. Even Wedy had a hard time recognizing him and she had spent quite a while in his presence; the perk of being his most skilled and reliable outside operative or so she wanted to think.
Here he wasn’t acting like L. He was poised and animated; his tone muscles flowing with the performance, hands acting on cue and not habit, no hint of any slouch. He was the picture of theatrical grace; a young man dedicated to a performance and not a man-child hunched over in a chair.
The transformation was mind-boggling yet made sense somehow. Performances had a way of changing people; bringing out talents and qualities a person might not have in everyday life. Sometimes the shyest of people could be the most dramatic and the quietest mice could be the loudest stars.
Wedy was nearly hypnotized by what she was seeing, though vigilance had to be kept. Her eyes wandered to Aiber. His expression remained cool though she could see those well groomed eyebrows furrow as if he made a similar realization.
Watari was now sitting up in his chair; a wide smile visible to her as his eyes were glued to the stage. He was watching this like a proud parent.
The play continued, interested eyes and ears in the room glued to every line and movement from Puck. Gradually the fairies would leave the stage and the other actors would have their scenes.
The lights rose after the second act for Intermission. Wedy stayed in her seat as did Aiber and Watari. She looked over her program as a black uniform came into her view from the side of the house. She looked up to see three police officers skirting the crowd through the open doors to the hallway lead by another man in a blue turtleneck. Wedy glanced at Aiber, who didn’t make a move but also indicated he saw something going on. Watari occasionally glanced over though continued reading through his program.
No one was making any moves and Puck certainly wasn’t out there to lead them.
The police appeared again through the side doors, this time walking out with an elderly man in a green suit. He wasn’t handcuffed and no one was dragging him out, though the stance and the grim expression told everything.
That was likely the theatre owner and the arrest had indeed been made…without any assistance by any of them and no sign of L. Wedy tried to keep a calm expression, though was more than a little irritated. Why the hell had L called them out there if none of them would have any role in the arrest? Did he just want them to see him perform?
Wedy smiled a little at the realization. The answer to that question was a resounding yes.
This was L’s way of inviting them to see him. He likely took on the case as a way to get close to the production and probably get a role in the play without bringing attention to himself. It would have been easy to persuade Puck’s credited actor to take the night off through inconspicuous means; after all this was the fifth performance in a 12 show run. Maybe L had arranged for an actor to get cast who would cooperate with him, or even who was an operative himself; sometimes actors made the best spies. No one was allowed to have a camera and on the fifth performance all press photos and critics reviews would have been done by now.
The bell rang in the hallway indicating the approaching end of Intermission. Patrons filed back into their seats. Wedy looked at Aiber and he gave her a smile and glance that was the equivalent of a shrug. At last the houselights dimmed and Bottom and Quince’s crew were on stage for the third act.
The most mischievous part of Puck’s appearances soon followed. L played off the other actors excellently, every move appropriately comical or serious. It was truly a brilliant performance. Wedy relaxed, having more of an idea of her part in this yet remaining attentive to any changes.
The play continued, running through to the fifth and final act. Puck made his last appearances in the final scene.
Titania and Oberon left the stage, leaving Puck for his final lines to the audience.
“If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:”
Hand gestures demonstrated his point. He made eye contact with several members of the audience.
“And, as I am an honest Puck,“
Those gray eyes gradually fell on Wedy and she saw an extra little smirk.
“If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.”
L hopped off stage and the lights rose to loud applause.
The fairies swirled onstage and did their curtain call, followed by the other actors. At last Puck came out, bowing dramatically to applause. L looked like he was having a blast.
The principal characters came out, sending the audience on their feet as all actors linked hands and gave a simultaneous bow. Aiber rose too and clapped politely. Watari was practically beaming, clapping with great enthusiasm.
The company left the stage, the applause died down, and eventually the audience filed out.
Wedy slowly followed the rest of her row out, keeping an eye to see what Watari did. Watari simply rose and went out with the crowd, passing her a small nod before leaving. This was her cue to leave.
She went into the hallway, seeing some of the costumed actors greeting patrons. Unsurprisingly, Puck wasn’t part of that group.
Odds were L was removing his make-up, putting on a set of regular clothes, and slipping out with the crowd.
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: L, Wedy, Watari, and Aiber
Warnings: I recommend an open mind about what L might be capable of
Word Count: 2,470
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Ohba and Obata. Lines used from William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Robin shall restore amends
The owner and founder of a small yet affluent Shakespeare company in Soho had been funneling the proceeds for years. A handful of presales would go into his account long before the show opened; tickets at the door would have a small percentage of credit card sales transferred to a private account and he would skim the cash later. In the past 10 years that the theater had been open, £55,000 had gone into his accounts. The theater appeared to remain afloat, though the theater manager was getting nervous and contacted a small time private investigator to look into the matter.
Wedy had no clue how the hell L got involved. Apparently word of the case must have leaked through the detective pipeline in London and L used a few different aliases to snatch it up.
A case like this was like a world class bullfighter working on puppy training. Those who worked with L long enough knew if it didn’t involve more than 10 people of more than the equivalent of $1 million American he wouldn’t touch it. On those rare occasions he went outside these parameters, the stakes were still high.
There was something more to this, that was painfully apparent. Maybe he needed an easy case to charge his batteries, maybe he just enjoyed theatre. The maybes were endless and pointless.
The fact she even knew about this without being retained, the mere fact Watari was the one who told her about it in a casual conversation were huge red flags.
Watari served her some tea sandwiches before giving her information or compensation for more pertinent missions, casually dropping little word about the case as if in idle conversation. She hid her amazement behind a cool expression and went about the rest of her business.
The fact Watari mentioned anything about it in the first place was another alarm. Watari didn’t walk about L’s cases unless Wedy was involved or it was a particularly huge case that would be spattered all over the media in time. Something was at work here, though Wedy had a feeling all would reveal itself in time.
Another six weeks passed and she practically forgot about the case Watari mentioned amidst a near endless flow of more important business. L then retained her services for another case involving the UN ambassador for a small African nation who was allegedly involved in human trafficking; a nice juicy investigation and an uplifting process of putting a monster before a human rights tribunal.
Wedy reported to Watari as usual to confirm the fat amount of cash deposited in her Swiss bank account, though was a little surprised at her next assignment.
“L would like you to stay in London,” Watari said. “An arrest will be made in the Stratford upon Soho case this Saturday night. L is working undercover and would like you to act as backup. Matters could get messy and some extra support will be needed.”
She didn‘t know if she heard it correctly; L was directly undercover on a small time embezzlement case involving a local theater company. Wedy politely accepted the case, though wondered if this was a practical joke.
No, L didn’t operate like normal people even normal detectives. No matter how bizarre some of his methods could be, they always produced amazing results and a huge paycheck for her. The thought crossed her mind that this could be a suicide mission, though she could think of no reason why L would want her eliminated.
L gave recorded instructions over a computer; go to the theater that night like any other patron. L will be there though working in a different location. He will make himself known to you and you are to sit and watch the play, paying attention to your surroundings and not making a move until L makes specific instructions for you to follow his lead. Watari will be there as well in the background and the is a possibility Aiber will be there to assist.
Apparently this seemingly small case was a lot more dangerous and a lot more involved than she suspected. She almost felt silly questioning the case, though something still seemed out of place; there was more to this than L was telling her.
Regardless, Wedy reported to the Newport Street Theatre that Saturday night; filing into the crowd in a sophisticated yet casual sweater and slacks ensemble with the rest of the crowd for the performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
She took her seat in the small, theater-in-the-round venue; regularly scanning the audience of 300 people for her contacts. Watari arrived shortly after she did and took a seat in the third row. Aiber shuffled in a few minutes before showtime and sat on the direct opposite end of the theatre by the exit doors. L was placing his operatives in strategic locations.
She hadn’t noticed L himself yet, though he was probably keeping a lower profile; he was probably somewhere else in the building, like the offices or backstage with the police.
The show started with the usual house announcements from suited representative on stage; exits located here and here, no smoking, turn off all cell phones, no photography or recording devices, tonight the role of Puck will be played by understudy Louis Larson.
The representative left stage as the lights dimmed. Wedy honed her sight to adjust to the low light and take another sweep of her surroundings. She then looked back on stage to see the actors playing Theseus and Hippolyta in their positions and beginning the first act. Watari stayed in his seat, eyes trained on the stage and looking more like a man sitting back and watching a play than an operative getting ready to move. Aiber maintained his usual cool demeanor, though Wedy could see him looking around as well.
Eventually Wedy relaxed and started paying attention to the play. This was a little lower on the scale for London theatre though an impressive overall display. The acting was a bit ham handed by some performers and brilliant for others. The costumes looked like they had been sewn by someone’s grandmother yet were fanciful enough to be eye-catching.
Bottom and Quince’s play company scampered off the stage and the lights dimmed for the transition into the second act. Stagehands moved a set of bushes and trees on stage for the beginning of the forest scenes. The lights rose and a young woman in colorful robes and tulle wings ran on stage, face heavily painted in colorful flowers with pointed plastic ear tips.
A young man hopped up from the other side clad in a pair of fur leggings and pointed-toed green shoes, a long green scarf dangling around his neck and across his toned shoulders. A crown of plastic leaves blended into his wild black hair and around his own pointed ear tips. An array of green, Celtic designs were painted over his face and slightly seeping into his thin goatee. A pair of horns tied around his head added to the look.
This must have been the understudy who snagged the performance as Puck tonight. It wasn’t an actor she had heard of or recognized, but then again the lights were low and she was sitting far enough back. Somehow he started to look familiar, though the thought vanished with the sound of a bubbling brook and birds over the sound system.
“How now, spirit, whither wander you?” Puck said.
Wedy’s politely amused smile dropped at the sound of his voice.
No, there was no way.
The Fairy gave her speech with exaggerated hand movements, though Wedy’s eyes were glued to Puck. Same prominent nose, same pointed chin, tone muscles yet looked like he hadn’t eaten well in years.
Pure coincidence. She was looking too hard for L and mistaking an actor for him.
“The king doth keep his revels here tonight;” Puck said, starting his next set of lines. “Take heed the queen come not within his sight; for Oberon is passing fell and wrath…”
No. It was the same voice; significantly projected and more dramatic than the usual thoughtful monotone but that smooth, deep tone wasn’t easily forgotten.
The longer he stayed on stage, the more obvious this became and the name given for the actor practically screamed it; that was L on stage.
The heavy makeup and costume concealed any specific features and be probably grew a goatee to blend in a little more. Ushers regularly walked through the theatre and scanned the audience, probably looking for cameras and it would have been easy to instruct them to be more vigilant. Even if a few photos snuck out, the make-up and costume concealed any features. Even Wedy had a hard time recognizing him and she had spent quite a while in his presence; the perk of being his most skilled and reliable outside operative or so she wanted to think.
Here he wasn’t acting like L. He was poised and animated; his tone muscles flowing with the performance, hands acting on cue and not habit, no hint of any slouch. He was the picture of theatrical grace; a young man dedicated to a performance and not a man-child hunched over in a chair.
The transformation was mind-boggling yet made sense somehow. Performances had a way of changing people; bringing out talents and qualities a person might not have in everyday life. Sometimes the shyest of people could be the most dramatic and the quietest mice could be the loudest stars.
Wedy was nearly hypnotized by what she was seeing, though vigilance had to be kept. Her eyes wandered to Aiber. His expression remained cool though she could see those well groomed eyebrows furrow as if he made a similar realization.
Watari was now sitting up in his chair; a wide smile visible to her as his eyes were glued to the stage. He was watching this like a proud parent.
The play continued, interested eyes and ears in the room glued to every line and movement from Puck. Gradually the fairies would leave the stage and the other actors would have their scenes.
The lights rose after the second act for Intermission. Wedy stayed in her seat as did Aiber and Watari. She looked over her program as a black uniform came into her view from the side of the house. She looked up to see three police officers skirting the crowd through the open doors to the hallway lead by another man in a blue turtleneck. Wedy glanced at Aiber, who didn’t make a move but also indicated he saw something going on. Watari occasionally glanced over though continued reading through his program.
No one was making any moves and Puck certainly wasn’t out there to lead them.
The police appeared again through the side doors, this time walking out with an elderly man in a green suit. He wasn’t handcuffed and no one was dragging him out, though the stance and the grim expression told everything.
That was likely the theatre owner and the arrest had indeed been made…without any assistance by any of them and no sign of L. Wedy tried to keep a calm expression, though was more than a little irritated. Why the hell had L called them out there if none of them would have any role in the arrest? Did he just want them to see him perform?
Wedy smiled a little at the realization. The answer to that question was a resounding yes.
This was L’s way of inviting them to see him. He likely took on the case as a way to get close to the production and probably get a role in the play without bringing attention to himself. It would have been easy to persuade Puck’s credited actor to take the night off through inconspicuous means; after all this was the fifth performance in a 12 show run. Maybe L had arranged for an actor to get cast who would cooperate with him, or even who was an operative himself; sometimes actors made the best spies. No one was allowed to have a camera and on the fifth performance all press photos and critics reviews would have been done by now.
The bell rang in the hallway indicating the approaching end of Intermission. Patrons filed back into their seats. Wedy looked at Aiber and he gave her a smile and glance that was the equivalent of a shrug. At last the houselights dimmed and Bottom and Quince’s crew were on stage for the third act.
The most mischievous part of Puck’s appearances soon followed. L played off the other actors excellently, every move appropriately comical or serious. It was truly a brilliant performance. Wedy relaxed, having more of an idea of her part in this yet remaining attentive to any changes.
The play continued, running through to the fifth and final act. Puck made his last appearances in the final scene.
Titania and Oberon left the stage, leaving Puck for his final lines to the audience.
“If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:”
Hand gestures demonstrated his point. He made eye contact with several members of the audience.
“And, as I am an honest Puck,“
Those gray eyes gradually fell on Wedy and she saw an extra little smirk.
“If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.”
L hopped off stage and the lights rose to loud applause.
The fairies swirled onstage and did their curtain call, followed by the other actors. At last Puck came out, bowing dramatically to applause. L looked like he was having a blast.
The principal characters came out, sending the audience on their feet as all actors linked hands and gave a simultaneous bow. Aiber rose too and clapped politely. Watari was practically beaming, clapping with great enthusiasm.
The company left the stage, the applause died down, and eventually the audience filed out.
Wedy slowly followed the rest of her row out, keeping an eye to see what Watari did. Watari simply rose and went out with the crowd, passing her a small nod before leaving. This was her cue to leave.
She went into the hallway, seeing some of the costumed actors greeting patrons. Unsurprisingly, Puck wasn’t part of that group.
Odds were L was removing his make-up, putting on a set of regular clothes, and slipping out with the crowd.