Knowing You

Chapter Nine - SCAMPERING

On their way to the exit, Carlyn suddenly stopped. A brilliant idea just came into her mind and she can’t wait to propose it to Louis.

“Louis, we’re still looking for a place to practice and perform, right?”

"Yes…”

“And once we’ve established our company, it will eventually grow and we’ll have more recruits. So, I figured maybe we could use this place. It’s old and abandoned which makes it much more easier to negotiate for sale.”

“Uhmm…I’m not so sure about that. I don’t think Mr. Gibbs is likely to sell it after all these years.”

“What makes you so sure that this Mr. Gibbs won’t open this place for buyers? Just because you don’t see any singages outside does it mean that he is letting this place rot. Sometimes, a seller is just waiting for an interested buyer. Louis, this place is perfect!” her eyes wander around and finds Louis who is still half convinced.

“I can see your point Carlyn but as you know…” he motions closer to her, “…we are broke.”

“Plus, you don’t know Mr. Gibbs as much as I do. And believe me he is not the nicest old man you’ll meet.”

Carlyn shrugs it off and goes on. “This is a great deal. Everything we need to house our new company is here. This might not be the biggest theatre in town but this is Burrow Theatre. People know this place. If we could buy this theatre, it’s a plus to our marketability.”

“You are one stubborn lady. And how do you propose we come up with the right amount of money? This place could be worth hundreds of thousand or even millions. That amount is not a joke and where are we from that goal?”

He gestures his hand above his head with his palms facing down his other hand is just below his waist. He is emphasizing the gap between where their financial status is and how much they still need to achieve to get to the target price which is very much unachievable at the soonest time.

“We are here at the bottom. It’s very far from there Carlyn.”

“Then we have to work double time. We could have more presentations to raise more money.”

“Are you planning to put pressure on everybody in the company? If that’s what you are intending to do, I’m very sorry but I can’t agree with you. I’d rather prefer to rent different theatres that are currently open than to put up with a place that is about to fall apart.”

Carlyn wrinkles her forehead and frowns at Louis’ objection.

“We should go. It’s getting dark, c’mon.” He waves Carlyn to come.

When they were about to open the door, old man Rusty called their attention.

“Did I just hear you fight about buying this place? ‘Cause if you are, I heard Mr. Gibbs is planning to put this place in auction. Not just the building but all the stuff inside the dressing room as well. Louis, if you want to save this theatre and all the memories in here, maybe you should reconsider Miss Carlyn’s proposal.”

Carlyn gives Louis a knowing look and he is silent.

He did not say much since they left the theatre. Carlyn is starting to get worried. She doesn’t know if he is angry or just upset. She clears her throat loud enough to let him hear it just to break the silence.

“You might wanna say something. You’ve been very quiet since we left the theatre. I don’t wanna harass you or anything. You don’t have to decide now.”

As the car slows to a stop due to the red traffic light, Louis manages to smile and turns to Carlyn.

“I was thinking about what you and Rusty said a while ago. I’ve reconsidered it and…”

“You agree?”

The traffic light turns green and Louis has to steer again before he responds.

“Not that I agree but this is a major step and I think we should hear what everyone else has to say.”

“Fair enough. But I’m telling you right now, they will all agree with me.”

“Hah!…I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”

The next day, Maggie called everyone to join the meeting. The table is set and all six of them sat in their places. Both Louis and Carlyn had their chance to share their proposal. Carlyn went first to inform everyone about the Burrow Theatre. When they heard the name, they recognized it immediately. The history of the disbanded company is not a secret at all. Carlyn went straight to the point stating that it would be in their convenience to have their very own place.

“Burrow Theatre is The-Perfect-Place for our company.” said Carlyn.

Then it’s Louis’ turn to make a speech to convince his colleagues to put such plans on hold.

“For a start, I would like to affirm something of what Carlyn just said a while ago. It is true, Burrow Theatre is the perfect venue for our shows. It’s easy to find, its structure is perfect and sturdy even if it’s obviously ancient and it’s already known to majority of our patrons. The problem comes with the buying part. You are all aware that as of the moment we barely have any funds. Once the theatre will be put on auction we will need at least half a million just for a start but I’m telling you, half a million pounds won’t be able to wager against hundreds and thousands of millions when other buyers will compete which is highly possible considering the value of the theatre.”

“And your point is?” inserted Carlyn.

“My point is, our chance in the competition of buying Burrow Theatre is ultimately zero unless if we could find millions of money within a month or two.”

Murmurs started to surround among the members. Some are doubtful, some suggestive while some are clueless and helpless. Carlyn couldn’t stand the disorder so she rushes to Louis and pounds the table hard enough to regain control and the attention of the restless crowd.

“What is this noise all about?! It seems you are forgetting something. How many times have you performed on stage? How many productions have showcased your talents?”

Everyone is silent and all their eyes and ears are set on Carlyn.

“Let me remind you then. Countless. Tony saw every single one of us as his treasure and I want all of us to believe that. What is a million pounds to a basket of treasured talents like us?!”

They all looked at each other, confused. Hadji leaned closely and whispered, “Carlyn, we don’t get it. How can millions of pounds be compared to a bunch of broke actors?”

Carlyn’s gaze goes to Louis and everyone follows her. They are all looking at him, waiting for an answer while he is still processing what Carlyn said and what he is supposed to say. Carlyn pinches him on his side and he withdraws in pain.

“Of course…the fund raising must be started the soonest possible. We need to scout for more events and perform more on the streets, parks or anywhere we can get funds. We just need to work double time. I think that is what Carlyn was trying to say.”

“Louis and I will oversee everything. We will give our very best to find opportunities for all of us.” added Carlyn.

“One month? Are you sure we can achieve that in one month? And how many are we? We don’t have enough manpower. Plus, we need to get paid here as well. This isn’t volunteer work.” grumbled one old crew.

Carlyn and Louis exchanged a knowing look as though an answer suddenly leaped in front of them and they were thinking in unison. They smiled and confidently turned to the old crew.

“Sponsors!” they both exclaimed.

Every face in the room lightened up in affirmation and a light of hope finally flooded through them. The following days have become extremely hectic as each member is working double and triple time from practicing to scouring for potential sponsors. The first week is promising with a lot of audiences regularly in attendance in all their shows though all they were able to achieve with their search for sponsors is a list of referrals and suggestions. Letters of request have been sent on the second week but no response came. The flow of crowd in their nightly shows is steady which means that their funds could only raise so much with such little time they have. On the third week, two sponsors finally raised to the occasion. One was an owner of a costume shop who refused to offer financial support, he could only vouch for the costumes and props which is unfortunately insignificant at the moment since they still don’t have a decent dressing room. Yet, such an offer could never be refused. The other sponsor was a casual businessman who was a patron of the companies a few years back. In raising fund for Burrow Theatre, their only source so far is the returns from the shows and the one from their sole sponsor. The fourth and final week came and one sponsor was added. The owner and director of Saint Caroline have stepped into the place and is willing to give as much as he can but emphasized that the school will always be his top priority. As the last date of the month is fast approaching, Carlyn and Louis sat to discuss how much they have achieved so far in a month. With Maggie laying down all the actions they’ve taken and carefully taking into consideration every bit of amount of cash, anticipation and anxiety started to arise. They could only hope they have enough. Maggie on the other hand was serious and not in the least hyped up about everything at that instant, making both Carlyn and Louis more nervous by the minute.

“Our latest sponsor from the academy gave a hundred thousand and that is the last source of the funding the last time I checked. All in all we…um…” Maggie stopped and looked at them with teary and apologetic eyes.

“What is it Mags?” asked Louis worriedly.

“Spit it out, you’re killing us.” Carlyn said as gently as she could, not giving away with her emotions.

“Our total fund is only six-hundred and fifty-five thousand pounds. We just barely exceeded half of our target. I…I don’t think we can make it. The auction will be next week. We did all we could. I’m very sorry…”

“Mags, no…” Louis said as he took Maggie’s hand and gently squeezed it.

“You shouldn’t apologize for any of this. You said it yourself, we did all we could and that’s what matters most. The fund, it’s a miracle we even got that much for just a month.”

Maggie’s tears finally trickled down her cheeks and Louis wiped it with his thumb and said with a smile, “Thank you Maggie.”

Carlyn was silently contemplating about the disappointing turn of events when suddenly an idea sparked in her and her eyes widened. She quickly leaned forward to Maggie and Louis who we’re both surprised at her sudden intrusion.

“That’s it! I know what we can do.” Exclaimed Carlyn

“What do you mean? What can we do?” asked Louis with clear confusion and curiosity.

“The fund we got isn’t so bad. We have at least two sponsors and we can still gather more in the following weeks. We only have to do one thing.”

Both were silent in anticipation as Carlyn spoke, “Negotiation.” and confidently leaned back to her seat.

Louis immediately got her point and is already shaking his head in disagreement.

“I don’t like that plan of yours. No. I won’t do it.” Louis protested.

“What is it Louis? I don’t have the slightest idea.” asked Maggie

“What Carlyn is saying is that we need to negotiate with the owner of the Burrow theatre.”

Maggie took a deep breath and said, “Mr. Gibbs?”

“Exactly! And I completely disagree. We’ll find another way just don’t make me face that devil again.”

“Why not?! It’s worth the try. We can convince him to lower the price or give the payment in installment as long as we can start using the theatre. Funds won’t be that hard to get plus the venue is there. There is a decent dressing room and people will be comfortable. Our regular patrons will return. It’s practically the solution to everything. ”

Louis stood and walked out the door without saying a word.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Carlyn was about to stand and run after Louis when Maggie stopped her from doing so.

“Just leave him be for now. I’m pretty sure he’ll understand and he’ll see through reason. I agree with you and I believe deep down Louis believes that as well. He just needs time.”

She sighed and her gaze dropped to the floor. Although she did not know what exactly Louis and Mr. Gibbs went through in the past, she knows Louis would have to face him eventually and she will be there right beside her friend.