The Ring of Truth

by Vicki Weisfeld

About the Author: Vicki Weisfeld’s short stories have appeared in leading mystery magazines and various anthologies, winning awards from the Short Mystery Fiction Society and the Public Safety Writers Association. She’s a reviewer for the UK website, crimefictionlover.com, and blogs at www.vweisfeld.com. In April 2022, her first novel is expected from Black Opal Books.

Excerpt

Opening night in less than 48 stomach-fluttering hours and the rehearsal for Sweetwater Community Players’ new production had come unglued. Set in an ancient Rome ruled by the gods of Farce and Slapstick, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum presented difficulties that were, our director said, “legion.” Chief among them was Kayla Burch, the high school senior playing Philia, the romantic lead.

She kept stepping on the lines of the lead actor, who hoped his Pseudolus would brighten his star in the University of Texas Theater Department and had invited people up from Austin for opening night.

The other actors complained she stood behind them fussing with a prop or shuffling her feet, anxious sounds as distracting as mice scrabbling in the walls. She’d sneak friends backstage. She’d break character and laugh. Amos Franks, our director, got good use out of his lecture on professionalism.

New to this small Texas town, I’d volunteered to stage-manage, thinking I’d meet some interesting people. Possibly Amos took me on in case my job as a reporter for the Sweetwater Register would generate extra publicity. Or soften the coverage when the Baptists inevitably protested. Courtesans and cross-dressing were sure to set someone off.

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