"Did you see that?" Matt whispered in my ear.
I wondered why he wasn't watching for the machete and rat poison, since Jay always tended to throw them too far.
"That was too close," whispered Ian coming up, behind us, "it changed as I was getting out."
"Mat, I thought you were going to watch for the stuff," I whispered to him.
"Guys, we have a little problem," Ian insisted.
"Yeah, you're in the way. Ken tell Abe the plant changed again and ask Ms. Ace what she wants us to do," I said, as Matt and I got ready to go on. Just then Jay pushed past Ian.
"We have a problem," he said to me.
"Why are you telling me?" I asked as I hurried on stage to make my quick scene change. Matt and I quickly moved the counter and then I moved the stool, box of pots, lab coats and took the watering can from Ian while Matt got the machete and rat poison.
"Matt, take my vine," I told him as we left the stage. "I have to go see what we're doing about the plant." He nodded and left. "Listen guys, watch the plant. We?re having a little trouble with it, again." I said before I too left. I didn't head for the catwalk like Matt. I went to the SM's desk where Ms. Ace was.
"I hear we're having a plant problem?" she asked me.
"Only if you want Jay to come out of the plant. We could just leave it for now and he could come from the wings like everybody else," I suggested.
"Can't you do something during the black out?"
"Not without looking really bad."
"I want it fixed before bows," said Ms. Ace.
I thought about it for a moment. "Have I got cart Blanc one this?"
"What do you mean?"
"I can fix it, but you may not like it. I'm going to have to go on stage, with the lights up." She didn't say anything, but she didn't look pleased. "Look you want Jay to come out of the plant you gotta let me do it my way." Finally she nodded. I grabbed the com off the table and started talking quickly to the light and sound boards. "Josh, we have a plant problem. I'm going to need you to not black out right after the finally. Sound, see the CD Ray's giving you" Play the 5th track when you're ready, just give me a few seconds to get to the other side of the stage. OK?" They both confirmed the change and I have back the com. Then I rushed over to the other side of the stage where Neil stood.
"Neil, I need you to ad lib in a minute, when I get on stage. Something about food should work. Plant problems." I turned to a surprised Ray, "tell sound Neil?s mike needs to be on and ask if Ms. Ace wants me on stage for final call."
He relayed the message as the song finished, the stage cleared and seconds later the first notes of Luke's theme from Star Wars started. I walked through the door onto the empty stage.
The thing I like about tech is that you ware black. And I just happened to be wearing my Jedi uniform that night. I was fortunate not to be wearing the same clothes I had been wearing two days ago. It had not been a good week. I had slept once in the past several weeks and that had been two days ago. And now I had a real live Audrey II to deal with as well.
I sealed my self for the bright lights and stepped forwards into the "store". "Hello?" I called using a trick of the Force to amplify my voice since I didn't have a mike. "Anybody here?" I walked towards center stage. "Well, well would you look at that wonder what planet you're from," I said to the plant.
"Feed me!" Neil said. The plant obediently moved.
"Is that so" Never heard of it."
"Feed me!"
"And what pray tell do you eat? Plant fertilizer, perhaps?"
"Must be blood."
"So you're a vampire plant. I don't suppose garlic or stakes work on you?" I moved until I was leaning against the plant and could see Neil through the "store" window.
"Feed me!" he said again.
"Let me think a minute. Now who could I . . . I've got it." I winked at Neil before standing back. "I've got just the thing. Open up and you'll get what's coming to you," I said. The plant opened of its own accord. In less than a second I had my red light saber activated and had cut the plant in half along the jaw line. When that was done I walked over to the refrigerator and remove an arrangement of flowers. I left some money on the counter and while walking out muttered, "what a girl has to do to get flowers for her mentors pyre these days."