TWENTY FIVE & SIX
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Two lines of characters, stood along the walls inside the building, one waiting for a seat and one for interviews. Tracy was given charge of a masked giant with a double edged axe courtesy of Rodney. The cattle call went as smoothly as possible. Her usual efficiency was bolstered by a formidable ally who’ s occasional loud clearing of his throat brought quiet when the din became annoying for Tracy. A wink and a smile kept him on his toes. There was still a line at four o’ clock when Rodney had to leave.“ I’ m going to need your place. I don’ t think I am getting out of here anytime soon,” Eddie said.“ Cool.
The maid asked me when I was going to be there. She feels like I’ m paying her for no reason. I stop in at least once a week, take a nap and leave a couple of dirty dishes,” he said with a shrug of his wide shoulders. Eddie took a moment to call Tanya and explain what was happening. She understood perfectly, and asked if he would be home tomorrow.“ Rodney turned away a bunch who are supposed to come back in the morning. We have a lot of positions to fill,” he said. The exhaustion in his voice came through.“ I’ m pretty beat with the new school year starting. I just want to curl up with a good book,” she said. They exchanged“ good nights” and ended the call. An hour later Sam bailed leaving Eddie with half a dozen interviews before he could close up shop. His cell phone chimed and he glanced at the tiny, lighted window.“ Hey Frank,” Eddie answered.“ Shows you exactly how fucked up caller ID can be.” Eddie recognized the gravel and ground glass voice.“ Hey George. How are you doing?” Eddie asked.“ Allergies are a real bitch. What do you suggest Doc?”“ Two Benadryl and call me in the morning.”“ I suppose you are going to send me a bill.”“ You are my pro-bona for the month,” Eddie quipped.“ Ain’ t you a nice guy.”“ Yeah us nice guys gotta watch out for each other.”“ Actually that is what I’ m calling about. Kim asked why you haven’ t been back. Me and Frank explained what a busy guy you been. She and one of her friends want to help. Frank told me you needed a couple of greeters.”“ Well, they need to be in costume...” Eddie started.“ No shit. Are you still at the building.”“ I have a few more interviews before I can close up.”“ They’ re on their way. Tell me you ain’ t gonna leave before they get there.”“ I’ ll wait. You have my word,” Eddie said, and heard the door to George’ s office open and close. The volume of the background music increased dramatically for just a moment and he knew George was waving the girls away.“ You’ re alright kid,” George said and hung up.
Standing at the door, Eddie watched two cars pull into the lot. He recognized Kim immediately. The other girl could have been her, slightly taller, sister. Both wore jeans and baggy sweatshirts.“ Hi Eddie. This is Lee,” Kim said. Eddie noticed the whiskers carefully painted on both girl’ s cheeks.“ Come on in and show me what George sent,” He escorted them inside. Kim had cut her long black hair to a pixie cut that just covered her ears.“ Where would we be working?” Kim asked, excitement creeping into her voice as she looked around the darkened interior of the haunted house. Eddie showed them the zoo cage with the huge tree limbs that ran from one side to the other in irregular patterns. Flood lights over head cast the room in an eerie glow. The walls were a dark jungle of painted vines and thick leaves.“ How do we get in there?” Kim asked, peering through the, purposely, wide gaps between the bars.