Read Online The Hamlet Trap by Kate Wilhelm - Free Book Online

apologetically.
    â€œThat woman’s out there hanging on every word,” Ro said in an icy tone.
    â€œWell, let her hear!” Ginnie yelled. “Let everyone hear! What do you think it’s going to be like around this place when she starts doing tarot readings for the cast? Can you imagine it? ‘I see a catastrophe, a terrible accident. Avoid dark men.’ Bullshit!”
    She suddenly passed William and Ro and yanked the door open and screamed, “Get the fuck away from this door! Get out of here and let us have some privacy!”
    â€œI wouldn’t say anything like that,” Sunshine said, smiling gently. “I told you I don’t say when things look bad.” She smiled at the men vaguely and turned, wandered slowly down the narrow hallway toward the costume room. Her shopping bag clinked and clanged as she moved.
    â€œShe minds you,” William said doubtfully to Ro. “Order her not to read the cards.”
    â€œThen she’d turn up with chicken entrails or a crystal ball or something,” Ginnie snapped. “You can’t think of all the things you’d have to order her not to do. It’s don’t-put-beans-up-your-nose time with her.”
    â€œSimmer down, honey,” Ro said then. “How long do you need with her?” he asked Gray.
    â€œAnother week at least. She’s doing good work right now. It’s just that she has to wander about and think from time to time. Maybe I can keep her confined to the office when she’s here.”
    â€œMaybe you can make time move backward,” Ginnie muttered.
    â€œMaybe you’ve got some kind of personal problem you’re taking out on her,” he shot back at her.
    â€œAnd after you’re through writing her play for her, what then? You know damn well she’s not going away until it’s staged and she plays prima donna at opening night. If you order her to stay out of the theater, she’ll hang out at the door smiling at everyone who comes in. My God, she’s an albatross!” She pulled the door open. “I’m edgy, and bitchy, and tense, and mean as hell, buster, and it’s not because I have a problem. It’s because I have work to do and want to do it and this is how I get. I don’t need you, or your discovery, to add to any of those things. I’m going home and I won’t be back until she’s gone. Call me when it’s over.” She slammed the door behind her.
    Gray sank back into his chair and expelled a long breath.
    Ro went to the door. His face was composed, his voice flat as he said, “This is your problem, Gray. Solve it before tonight.” He left.
    â€œWe’d better have a little talk,” William said. He pulled a chair around to face the desk and sat down. “There are a couple of things that I don’t think you understand yet. One is that Ro won’t put up with a lot of hassle where Ginnie’s concerned. And less where the theater’s concerned. That’s just how it is with him. Now what are we going to do about Sunshine?”
    Gray shrugged helplessly. “God, I don’t know. Laura won’t let me take her to the house. We can’t work in that room she’s renting. I tried and it’s hopeless.”
    â€œThere are several possibilities,” William said slowly. “One’s here, and that’s out. Believe me, Gray, that’s really out. Ro knows how Ginnie works. She prowls backstage, out in the auditorium, in the light box, out in the shop, and then she settles somewhere drawing like a maniac. And up again. She walks miles in this stage, and she lied when she said she gets mean. Usually she won’t even see you or say a word to anyone. And we’ve all learned to leave her alone. She’s too good to upset, you see, and Ro knows that. He won’t let you, or Sunshine, or anyone else upset her. It’s not even a choice between her and Sunshine. No