The Butler Didn't Do It

It's Over When the Ghost Sings

“I can’t believe this is plan A,” Tanya said, tugging at her costume, which was a tad too small for her.

Brett, also playing with his costume as once buttoned, the collar proved a trifle too tight, said with some grumpiness. “I didn’t hear you complaining earlier.”

“Oh, I believe I did.”

“Well, in that case, I didn’t listen.”

Tanya hit him but her heart wasn’t in it. She was right to be nervous if the plan would work. He was as worried as the rest of them. When he’d told them the plan they had all trusted him. So, now, if it didn’t work he felt like he’d let them all down. And my feelings are the least of it. Gregory will pay a heavier price than I if this doesn’t go down as predicted.

Tanya’s voice whispered in his ear bothered. The preparations for the performance were underway and there was so much commotion backstage that no would hear her. Didi was yelling that someone had stolen her diamond barrettes; Paul was loudly commenting how fresh Samantha’s face looked even without the aid of make-up like some people. Brett guessed that Audrey must be within earshot. Overall though they were in a crowded room, they were alone.

“Have you figured out a plan B? Just in case.”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“To make plan A work.”

“That’s it?”

“I think we’ve got a shot.”

“You’re sure it’s not too….”

He knew what she wanted to say. “Corny?”

Tanya nodded.

Brett ran a hand through his hair. He didn’t need her adding the to the doubt that was already building up in his own mind. “I don’t know, but we need to get a confession, and it worked it---“

Before he could finish he was cut off by Davidson’s booming voice. “Places everyone! The audience is ready.”

The room descended into quiet hushed voices as the stage door opened and the guests filed into the actual backstage area. Davidson stood at the door giving everyone who passed a nod of encouragement. When Tanya and Brett passed him he varied from the pattern. In a low voice, he said, “Are you ready to give them a show?”

Tanya and Brett turned to each other. They knew he wasn’t talking about the farce they were about to perform. He didn’t know anything besides that Brett had a plan. And, he’d made it clear, he would go to the police after the final festivities of the performance were done if they hadn’t any proof of Rodger’s guilt.

“Yep.” Brett was determined. “We are going to give them something they’ll never forget.”

As they passed him Brett realized Davidson didn’t acknowledge the fact that two of the extras were missing. Max and Lucy, per the plan, couldn’t be backstage for all of this too work.

Brett peaked around the curtain. The audience was full. Lord Quincy, who had refused to be a part of the performance and the rest of the staff who hadn’t been roped into roles were sitting dutifully in their seats, ready to bear the slog of an overwrought turn-of-the-century play. Rodgers sat in the front row, smiling and ready to see his guests perform. He might have been the best actor in this whole room. Brett felt cold. For all Rodger’s knew Gregory was in the attic slowly dying, or already dead. And yet here he was, his solid frame almost disappearing into the darkness with his choice of dark suit, smiling and laughing with the staff and extras who were hired to be the audience and attend the after party in character. Brett thought of the repercussions that would occur if Gregory were blamed for all of this. Besides jail time, for Brett and Gregory, the worst part of all of this would be that a real killer, a psychopath, would be free to keep destroying lives.

Then the lights came on. Showtime.

Oh, my god, this play is the woooorst!

It was pretty difficult to stay awake through the play. A story of ingénues, false loves, overbearing parents, broken hearts, jealousy, and reputation, it was completely on trend with so many things happening at the manor. But in the play, it was pretty apparent that it was completely the women’s duty to protect themselves or bear the weight of what the world around them thought. Finally, Brett heard Veronica say, “Good sir, I would thank you to not walk so close to me. People are bound to talk and there is already enough of that nonsense going around.”

That’s me.

Brett walked onto the stage wearing his embarrassing beggar's garb, including the too tight collar.

“Please miss,” the audience laughed at his exaggerated cockney, “ Spare a penny for a lad down on his luck.”

Veronica gave him a haughty glare. Brett actually wasn’t sure she wasn’t doing it for real. He’d come to realize, after hanging out with people who, though they were tough on him, actually were his friends, that Veronica had never been fully…there. Sure she had always been a leader of their pack. She could suggest a myriad of fun things to do. But her favorite form of entertainment was going after others. Including those in her group who displeased her. She had a serious ego problem. Brett was glad to be rid of her and her high and mighty attitude. But a divine power could have made her less beautiful, then hating her might be easier.

“I don’t give to beggars,” she said with a huff, turning her body in an exaggerated S shape (thanks in great part to the corset she wore) away from him.”

Jeff’s character gave him a shove. Or Jeff did, it was in the script but the shove was real.

“Don’t you know when you’re not wanted? Go back to the trash heap that you call home.”

“Well sir, you would know about being trashy.”

There was a gasp from the audience. A real burn in this play was a rarity. He thought he heard some go, “you tell him!” But Brett didn’t stay to gloat. Nor did he wish to fight anymore. Those two were not worth it. Smiling, Brett exited left.

Backstage Tanya and Brett continued to listen to the play, waiting anxiously for the moment of revelation. Tanya was suddenly jostled.

“Hey watch i---“ Did started to say nastily. But she froze when Tanya gave her a chilly stare. Didi didn’t have any fight left after their previous confrontation. She wasn’t’ big enough to admit she was in the wrong, but she wasn’t silly enough to get into another altercation that would destroy her sense of self. She took the middle ground and marched off without apologizing.

“Was that a win?” Brett wasn’t sure what the whole exchange actually meant.

Tanya beamed at him. “For a girl like me, yes.”

Finally, it arrived. Veronica was on stage with Didi. It was the scene in which Veronica tried to save Didi, her sister, from the life of scandal.

“Quick! I hear someone coming, if they find you in this room they will assume the worst.”

Now she opens the closet door

Tanya and Brett heard Veronica opened the closet door----

And then Wen turned the lights out. The light went out.

There was a scream. Veronica stumbled away from the closet. Brett and Tanya watched the scene from the side of the stage where other horrified cast members cowered.

An apparition emerged from the closet. An unearthly, ghostly wail came from its throat. Though it was shrouded one could easily make out the necklace it wore prominently; A silver L. The figure pointed a trembling and dripping finger toward Rodgers who now would be so scared that he’d confess.

Except Rodgers wasn’t scared. Brett saw Rodgers stand up and walk confidently toward the ghost. It shrieked louder. People in the audience screamed, as did the other guests. They all drew back from the ghost.

Not so with Rodgers. In a moment he had ripped wig and shroud Lucy had been wearing off.

She stood there, covered in white make-up, her hair mussed.

“Boo—,“ she said weakly

Max cried from his spot in the audience, “Oh no! It is she! Lynn has come back for revenge!”

Brett slapped his hand against his face. Oh for God’s sake! Why had Max never taken acting lessons?

Rodgers looked around, care to tell me what’s going on here and why you felt the need to ruin our play

No time like the present.

Brett lept out on the stage. From the lighting booth, Wen turned on the lights in the whole room. “The jig is up.”

Oh, wait, that’s really stupid to say. Brett tried again. This time he didn’t use any old language to soften his accusation.

“You’re a murder! You killed Oscar, the professor, Martina, Lynn, and you would have killed Gregory.”

Rodger’s raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Do you have any proof of anything you say.”

“Should I tell them?” Brett waved his hand at Quincy and his officers who were looking far more interested in the play then they had earlier. “Should I tell them how the notes were in code? Should I tell them how the code led us to a secret attic where we found Gregory, tied up and almost dead? Should I tell them of the horrible things you’ve allowed to happen to your staff here? Oh!” Brett added for emphasis. “Should I tell them about the body in the lake?”

Now the audience was talking loudly to each other. Some were wondering if this was part of the play. Others were talking about the lake and suggesting they go look. The police were talking to each other but Quincy was staring hard at Brett. Trying to figure out if the butler was telling the truth.

Please believe me.

“Butler, “ Rodger’s said coldly. “Your wish to protect your friend is admirable. But this goes too far. You’re fired. You should leave the premise, along with your friends, immediately.”

Oh no! If we leave now he’ll convince the police that this was all a lie.

“We won’t just leave!” Lucy spoke up, her ghost makeup making her look terrifying. “Not until you pay for what you did to Lynn! And Gregory.”

“And what did I do to Gregory exactly.”

“Well,” A voice from the back of the hall caused everyone to turn. Gregory walked up the aisle. His face still pail and cheeks still hollow from his days of hunger. But his eyes had a fire that promised trouble. “You drugged me, beat me, kept me in an attic and left me to die until all the festivities and investigation were done.” Gregory continued to make his way to the front of the room, toward Rodgers, who looked horrified. Quincy and his men stood up finally, forming a wall between the boss and employee.

“Is there any truth in what he says?” Quincy was staring at Gregory but talking to Rodgers. “If there is you should say something now.”

Rodgers was furious that his honor was being brought into question. “Don’t believe that killer! He’s tried to run several times! I caught him myself---“

“When?”

“What do you mean when?”

“I mean you caught him but didn’t tell the police?”

“Well, I wanted answers. I was curious what happened to the girl after all.”

“You said she ran off after she left here. Why were you suddenly curious?”

“I—“ Rodgers was thrown off his story. Confused, Rodger's was making mistakes. Now all the police were turned around as if they were protecting Gregory from his boss. “I mean I was ri—“

“If you don’t mind,” Quincy said smiling. “I think I would like to talk to you more. While we do so, I’ll send my men to search the lake.” Quincy turned to the crowd. “The rest of you can go. The show is over. I think you know the ending anyway.”

“I really will never understand you,” Brett said to Gregory who was studying he tie.

Gregory turned away from the mirror where he was fixing suit. “What’s there to understand? I need a mirror to make a decent knot.”

Had they been in Brett’s room he would have thrown a sock at his friend but in Gregory’s immaculate space there was no stray laundry around. Brett settled for a loose piece of lint that had snuck into the space.

“You know what I mean. Your name’s been cleared. You’ve avoided a life in prison or an untimely death. But now…”

“Go on.”

“Why would you still want to work here?”

Gregory thought for a moment and then he smiled. “I don’t hate this place. I love the history and the acting. And now that I’m a manager I’ll be adding more security for the employees. We’ve done well here, we have helped Lynn’s spirit find peace. Now I’m going to make this place better. ”

Brett thought Gregory might be right. He hadn’t seen that pale figure since they’d rescued Gregory.

“And now that Davidson and Sylvie are key owners they’ll use their knowledge of how it was to keep things moving forward. Adding cameras for one thing. Although that means no more sneaking about at night.” Gregory winked at Brett.

“In that case,” Brett said smiling, “Butler, I’d like a soda.”

Brett ducked as Gregory threw a tie at him.