The Silent Appeal #7
My friend gave me his starter pistol. He says it’s an 8-shot cylinder revolver, and that we’ll need “.22 short blanks” and although he doesn’t recommend pointing it at anyone and pulling the trigger, he says if you do, it’ll probably be all right because it doesn’t actually fire anything, just makes a noise.
He’ll need it back Sunday morning for junior park run.
We’ve had blood onstage before. Marianne and I are old hands at washing it out and drying the costume before the next night’s performance. However, getting it out of the stage floorboards isn’t so easy because it soaks in, so perhaps we can try to avoid that this time? See you tonight! Denise
To: Kevin MacDonald
Cc: Denise Malcolm, Nicky-Rose Dearing
From: Joel Halliday
Date: June 2, 2025
Subject: Re: Bang bang, you’re dead!
The new light is a bit different to the old stage lights we’re used to. I agree, its output and reach aren’t as strong or wide as the previous light. I’m as frustrated as you, but Mark and I can have another jiggle about with it, so let’s see.
Re: the phone. We can have an authentic ringing phone, but the danger isn’t just the classic amateur drama howler.
Making one of those old phones ring on cue means touching two wires together backstage.
Whoever does it risks a nasty little shock if they touch the live one in the darkness. Your call.
Finally, I’ve got the 1940s-type stage gun we’ve used before.
That’s what the audience will see. Just to confirm what we discussed a couple of weeks ago: The actor holding it will have the starter pistol in their other hand and will pull both triggers at once.
That way we’ll get the bang and the authentic look. Win win. See you tonight, crew! Joel
To: Rev. Josh Harries
From: Fran Elroy-Jones
Date: June 2, 2025
Subject: Tonight
Dear Josh,
Please say we can meet tonight? We haven’t been together for a week and it’s killing me.
It’s the tech rehearsal and will be stop-starting all the way through, but we always have a tea break by 9 p.m. I’ll text when Kevin seems to be wrapping up the first half.
Can’t wait to be in your arms again. These stolen moments are so fleeting and precious, especially now Issy has discovered us, which is something else to play on my already frazzled mind.
Dreading going to the flat today to collect last week’s washing and put another load on. It’s so annoying that their machine here doesn’t work. When I mentioned it, Amelia more or less told me to get it fixed. Whenever I go to my own flat I feel less and less welcome.
And that’s not all. The bills are coming in and yesterday I spoke to Lucas about how we’ll settle it, seeing as he, his wife, and his cousin are using the electric, gas, water, etc.
that I’m paying for. He said, “Yeah, don’t know what to do about that,” and ran off to speak to Barry.
When I offered to swap flats I thought it would be just while Amelia had her leg in a boot.
But she’s still far from fully mobile and I don’t feel able to force them back to this poky fifth-floor cupboard.
Looking forward—in more ways than one—to when you and Elizabeth might separate: Could I be allowed to move into the vicarage before we’re married?
A divorce could take a year or more, but there are plenty of bedrooms to pass me off as a lodger.
It’s no one else’s business but you know how people talk.
It must be so frustrating for you, stuck in a dead marriage. More than for me here in this bedsit. Surely a love as strong as ours deserves to see the light? We’re on a long and difficult journey, but we’ll get there. Hoping and praying to see you tonight, with all my love, F xxx
Messages posted to Fran’s Hollow Play WhatsApp group on June 2, 2025:
5:44 p.m. Fran wrote:
I’m outside the flat. Where are you all?
5:44 p.m. Amelia wrote:
Don’t you have your key?
5:45 p.m. Fran wrote:
I forgot it, but one or other of you are always in. Where’s Georgia?
5:46 p.m. Georgia wrote:
Here with Lucas and Amelia having a smash burger.
5:46 p.m. Amelia wrote:
Lucas is treating us to dinner at Mirage before rehearsal
5:47 p.m. Fran wrote:
Can you pop back please and let me in. I need to collect last week’s washing and put another load on. If I don’t do it now I’ll have to do it tomorrow and Tuesday is our only rest day all week.
5:47 p.m. Amelia wrote:
Is our washer not mended yet?
5:48 p.m. Fran wrote:
I haven’t had time and don’t want to worry about that during play week.
5:51 p.m. Lucas wrote:
Ok, I’ll leave the girls here and come let you in.
5:52 p.m. Fran wrote:
Thanks.
To: Fran Elroy-Jones
From: Karen Payne
Date: June 2, 2025
Subject: Hi
Hi Fran,
Really hope you don’t mind me using your personal email address for a work thing.
Only, you know I’m friendly with Sue in your department.
Well, she knows we do Fairways together and today she asked me if you’re having any problems at home that might affect your performance at work.
I don’t think she wanted to raise it with you in case she made it worse.
I said you have a big part and that amateur drama is a lot of late nights and stress, especially during play week.
She gave me that look, you know the one: “So why do you do it? It’s supposed to be a hobby! ”
Only, I really hope it is just the play. If there’s anything else worrying you, you know we could always meet up and have a natter before rehearsals. Mark’s working until six tonight (I know, cutting it fine for the tech), so we could have a coffee in Squires? Let me know. Karen
To: Karen Payne
From: Fran Elroy-Jones
Date: June 2, 2025
Subject: Re: Hi
Really? Oh, that’s pants! I’m sorry Sue put you in that position. It’s not professional to ask a member of floor staff about my personal life, especially when we’re HR and should feel able to approach each other. Thank you for deflecting, not that there’s anything to deflect about.
You’re right about the play. This part is really taking a lot out of me.
An eccentric, psychopathic aristocrat thirty years older than me—I didn’t realize playing against type would be so draining.
I’m just putting a load of clothes in the wash, but yes, let’s have a coffee before tech.
I’ll be in Squires at 5:30 p.m. Thanks again, Fran
Message exchange between Carol Dearing and Nicky-Rose Dearing on June 2, 2025:
6:02 p.m. Carol wrote:
How’s Kevin?
6:02 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Why ask me?
6:06 p.m. Carol wrote:
You’re working and directing the play with him. You see more of that man than Sarah-Jane does these days. How is he?
6:06 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Fine.
6:07 p.m. Carol wrote:
What about Fran?
6:10 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Gone off the boil. Started out brilliant. Now her words are ropey, characterization so-so, energy low. Preoccupied.
6:10 p.m. Carol wrote:
I bet.
6:12 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
But she swapped flats with the Stibson couple and Georgia (weird threesome IYAM) after the accident. Probably not sleeping so well.
6:13 p.m. Carol wrote:
IYAM?
6:13 p.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
If you ask me.