to do with his death. It was when we were called to the stage for his farewell toast. I was standing back, behind the assembly, and I heard a soft rustling sound to my right, off stage, sounded like it was coming from the hallway, followed by a laugh. It was strange laugh – choked, eerie sounding. Curious, I peered into the hallway, but I didn’t see anyone. I swore that’s where the sounds were coming from. It may sound weird, but Sergeant, it’s the gospel truth.”
“There’s no need to bring God into it , Mr. Thompson. Did anyone else hear this laugh?”
God, this man is actually intimidating me; I haven’t felt this way since I was in middle grade. He thinks I’ve imagined the laugh .
He took a nother deep breath.
“No, not that I’m aware of, at least no one gave any indication they did by turning around, looking puzzled or whatnot.”
He glanced up at Withers and his voice trailed away. He left the room feeling like a schoolboy who had failed to pass a test.
Withers shut off the tape, walked down the hallway and signalled to Shirley he was ready for the next one.
***
Brenda Parsons came in the room, her face wreathed in smiles. Seated across from Withers, she listened to him explain the necessity of the interview being taped with all the intensity of a disciple, nodding and smiling in the affirmative.
Withers was puzzled. He was used handling belligerence, insults and attitude, dealing with the withdrawn and timid, but someone who radiated sweetness and light, threw him. Too many years working in the precinct, he thought.
“Ms. Parsons, how long have you been with the theatre company?”
“About a year and a half. Mr. Stone gave me my first break.”
“How did that come about?”
“He heard of me through one of his friends. My sister, who was living with my husband and I at the time, was in a high school production that wasn’t going well. She knew I loved to write and asked if I would re-work the screenplay she and her two friends had concocted. I did and it proved to be successful. From there, I moved on to writing the plays put on in the summer by an amateur acting group at Point Pleasant Park. On one of his friend’s recommendation, I can`t remember who now, Jeffrey came, liked what he saw, and invited me to join the company. ”
“What was your role on this production?”
“Mine was a multi-tasked role. I ran errands, helped arranged the sets, sometimes took over the props from Ed, and made coffee. I didn’t mind , the opportunity to listen and learn from a theatrical genius w as worth it.”
She reached in the pocket of her sweater, pulled out a Kleenex and dabbed at the single tear standing in the corner of her eye.
“What was Mr. Stone’s behaviour like on the set?”
“He did get out of sorts from time to time, but not without reason. I don’t think he always found it easy dealing with lesser talents.”
“He didn’t respect the company’s talent. Is that what you’re saying?”
“No, not at all. It’s, well, it’s just that he was, you know, different and it’s hard sometimes for people to accept different.”
“How did you get along with him?”
“Fine. There were no problems.”
“Would you say he had made some enemies on the set?”
“He bruised a few egos, but no, he didn’t make any lasting enemies.”
“So, Ms. Parsons, what happens to you now the play has wrapped?”
“I’m not sure. Mr. Stone had assured me I had a promising future in the theatre but now that he’s gone, I can only hope others will see something of what he saw in me.”
“That’s all for now Ms. Parsons. Thank you for your cooperation. We may call on you at some point in the future.”
“You’re welcome. I am only too willing to cooperate with this investigation. The theatre has lost a great light. I consider it my duty to help in any way I can.”
Withers nodded and watched her leave the room.
“There’s no need to bring God into it , Mr. Thompson. Did anyone else hear this laugh?”
God, this man is actually intimidating me; I haven’t felt this way since I was in middle grade. He thinks I’ve imagined the laugh .
He took a nother deep breath.
“No, not that I’m aware of, at least no one gave any indication they did by turning around, looking puzzled or whatnot.”
He glanced up at Withers and his voice trailed away. He left the room feeling like a schoolboy who had failed to pass a test.
Withers shut off the tape, walked down the hallway and signalled to Shirley he was ready for the next one.
***
Brenda Parsons came in the room, her face wreathed in smiles. Seated across from Withers, she listened to him explain the necessity of the interview being taped with all the intensity of a disciple, nodding and smiling in the affirmative.
Withers was puzzled. He was used handling belligerence, insults and attitude, dealing with the withdrawn and timid, but someone who radiated sweetness and light, threw him. Too many years working in the precinct, he thought.
“Ms. Parsons, how long have you been with the theatre company?”
“About a year and a half. Mr. Stone gave me my first break.”
“How did that come about?”
“He heard of me through one of his friends. My sister, who was living with my husband and I at the time, was in a high school production that wasn’t going well. She knew I loved to write and asked if I would re-work the screenplay she and her two friends had concocted. I did and it proved to be successful. From there, I moved on to writing the plays put on in the summer by an amateur acting group at Point Pleasant Park. On one of his friend’s recommendation, I can`t remember who now, Jeffrey came, liked what he saw, and invited me to join the company. ”
“What was your role on this production?”
“Mine was a multi-tasked role. I ran errands, helped arranged the sets, sometimes took over the props from Ed, and made coffee. I didn’t mind , the opportunity to listen and learn from a theatrical genius w as worth it.”
She reached in the pocket of her sweater, pulled out a Kleenex and dabbed at the single tear standing in the corner of her eye.
“What was Mr. Stone’s behaviour like on the set?”
“He did get out of sorts from time to time, but not without reason. I don’t think he always found it easy dealing with lesser talents.”
“He didn’t respect the company’s talent. Is that what you’re saying?”
“No, not at all. It’s, well, it’s just that he was, you know, different and it’s hard sometimes for people to accept different.”
“How did you get along with him?”
“Fine. There were no problems.”
“Would you say he had made some enemies on the set?”
“He bruised a few egos, but no, he didn’t make any lasting enemies.”
“So, Ms. Parsons, what happens to you now the play has wrapped?”
“I’m not sure. Mr. Stone had assured me I had a promising future in the theatre but now that he’s gone, I can only hope others will see something of what he saw in me.”
“That’s all for now Ms. Parsons. Thank you for your cooperation. We may call on you at some point in the future.”
“You’re welcome. I am only too willing to cooperate with this investigation. The theatre has lost a great light. I consider it my duty to help in any way I can.”
Withers nodded and watched her leave the room.
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