prologue:
I am going to ask that you turn your speakers to quarter volume, right now. You will come upon a link in the story, and I want you to middle mouse button click it just once, and keep reading. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Backlash (Your experience may vary)
words: 1291
Zieglers calloused hand brought the name of each paint can into focus, searching for the right color.
Gray Rock... Silver Duck,...Smokey Ashtray... Rustic Stone... Grimey Slate...
Ziegler paused before placing Rustic Stone in the cart with the rest of the materials to build a dragons keep. The cart stopped at the register, and Ziegler reached for his wallet, hesitating for just an instant.
Mrs. Gayle, one of the wealthy supporters of the theater had assured him he would be reimbursed, The check is on the way. Two-twenty five like you estimated.
Ziegler didnt necessarily mind covering the costs himself. He strove to impress with the sets he built. It was a cheap hobby, and he had donated materials and money before. And time. Zieger spent his life at the theater when opening night loomed ever closer.
Still, he didnt like to act upon a promise until the promise was fulfilled. And he preferred to not give people a chance to break their word.
Cool morning air streamed in from the open window, the motors pistons pumped in unison, Pink Floyd reverberated over the speakers, and Zeigler pulled his truck into the parking lot, stopping next to the overhead door. It would be at least the afternoon before anyone else arrived. He adjusted his ballcap and unloaded the materials. The overhead door hit the ground with a resounding thump once the materials were secure.
The dragons keep. A last minute addition that Zeigler assured the stage manager would be ready in time. Mrs. Gayle had asked if there was any way she could contribute and a grander set was just the thing. It would anchor the right side of the stage, balancing the turrets of the castle. It would be the largest production set yet.
Zeigler glanced at his sketches and set to work, power tools whined as wood was altered. He glanced at his sketches as the keep took shape. Nails joined the wood, while braces and sandbags ensured the wall would stand. Brads joined the battlements to the frame.
Strong enough to hold a dragon. He surmised as he surveyed the work. He couldnt imagine the stage without this Saturday addition. Pattern paper and some paint for effect and it would be done.
A backstage door broke his trance as door and frame met with a clang. The stage manager, Sedah, appeared moments later. Sedah circled the keep fully before commenting. Fantastic, just what we needed.
The back of Zeiglers hand wiped the beads of sweat from his brow as he gulped water from a nearby bottle. Came together pretty quick.
I would help, but I just stopped to grab some more tickets; the Chamber of Commerce is out. Sedah stroked his goatee as he spoke. If you need help tomorrow Ill be here anyway.
An empty offer. Sedah knew the set would be done tonight. Thanks. Well see. Zeigler coughed into the crook of his arm. I hope it wont take that long.
Sedah nodded called over his shoulder as he left, Fantastic. Great work all around.
Once the door latched into place, Zeigler resumed his task. He attached the pattern paper to the walls, wondering if he should have asked Sedah about the check before deciding there was no need to push the issue. People could get funny about money, and he wasnt in a bind.
A dinner break allowed glue to dry and afforded Zeigler an excuse to rest. Not bothering to heat the sandwich he retrieved from the cooler in his truck, he picked out the small blemishes on his set. A lesson for next time.
Close to midnight the dragons keep was positioned in its final resting place. Zeigler admired his work. It did look like a castle... as much as a fake castle scaled to fit in a theater could resemble the real thing.
Opening night came and went. Those aware of Zeiglers contributions commended him on the set, sending superlatives his way. Marvelous construction... just like the real thing... unsung hero.
In the back of his mind was the check. No one had mentioned it, and opening night was three weeks ago. Enough time had passed. He called Sedah. Sedah said he wasnt aware of any contributions that far into production. He assured Zeigler hed look into it.
Between Gayle and Sedah, Zeigler would bet on Gayle. There was nothing wrong with Sedah, he had worked hard to return the theater to prominence, if it wasnt for him Zeigler wouldnt have his hobby and the theater would be a parking lot now. Despite that fact, he still found Sedah too self absorbed; a second rate car salesman.
Zeigler dialed the theater front office, hoping to catch the secretary. After the message prompt started he hung up. She must not get in until three.
It wasnt that he needed the money, but that he had been promised the money and didnt have it. He couldnt respect someone who didnt keep their word.
Again, he dialed and counted each successive ring. Hello. Boydton Community Theater, how may I help you? Angela asked.
Hi Ang, I was wondering about a donation earmarked for the set.
Oh, hi. Sure. Do you remember when or how much?
Lets see, probably five weeks ago. Should be for two hundred twenty five. From Miss Gayle.
Zeigler could hear Angela thumbing through the ledger. He picked at a fingernail... waiting.
Here it is. She did donate, January seventeenth. Two twenty five, just like you said.
Was a check made out to me for that amount or something close to it afterwards. He asked.
Just a sec.
The sound of paper fluttering again emitted from the phone to Zeiglers ear.
Im not seeing anything. Was there supposed to be?
I thought so. Let me look into it. Thanks, Ang.
Zeigler hung up the phone. He closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair.
He called the theater again.
Hi Ang, sorry. its me again. He didnt allow her time to respond. Could you check to see if any checks were made to Sedah after the seventeenth?
For you? Of course.: Zeigler could picture the smile that must be on her face. Just let me check the ledger. Did you hear about the next production? Sedah wants to adapt a crime drama to the stage... uh, yeah. Here it is, two-twenty five to Sedah Asmodai on January twenty first. So, yeah. I cant wait to see your set for the new play.
Zeiglers mind was elsewhere. Yeah, me neither. Thanks Ang. Ill see you around.
There were other possibilities, but none as entertaining. Zeigler knew there was only one answer here. The more he thought about it the stronger his desire to blame. Money did funny things to people.
The bigger question was what to do. Sedah was a fixture in the community; everyone knew his passion for theater. Name recognition alone would be enough to cast doubt on Zeiglers claim. If the claim did come to fruition it assuredly meant the end of the Boydton theater.
Zeigler would have donated the money if asked. Sedah had no right to take that money.
But, Sedah had built the program from the ground up.
Zeigler shook his head. The bottom line was money meant for him had been subverted. He couldnt respect someone like that.
Zeigler tried to ponder the right answer to his moral quandary. Did he do the right thing, report a thief while jeopardizing the entire theater and his own hobbies, or did he carry on and suck it up. Letting an immoral man run free to take advantage of the next opportunity, while Zeigler ensured his own interests remained intact.
Zeigler knew what he had to do.
