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CHAPTER FOUR
The next morning Eddie called the drama department at the high school to see if the stagecraft class could build a coffin for Count Dracula.“ We may have one in storage. It may need re-painting and the lining may need to be replaced, but that will be a great project for my for my students tomorrow,” the director said thoughtfully. Eddie took careful notes on with whom he spoke and what they were able to provide. Tanya was a little surprised at his organizational skills. She had never seen him quite this animated and his next week at work flew by.
During the week he received a call from the school’ s science teacher. The new teacher heard that one of the ideas depicted a demented scientist and he wanted the part.“ I have beakers, pipettes, everything a..., when Miller said crazed laboratory his enunciation of‘ laaboorratry’... Eddie knew the kids were in for a real treat.“ I’ ve been wanting to do this for years. My girlfriend works in a department store in the merchandising department. I can get broken mannequin parts, and I can set it up on my own time. I’ m here every day,” the young man said over the phone.“ Take the first classroom,” Eddie laughed, crossed that off the list and wrote the name“ Miller” next to“ Mad Scientist” in his book.
The weekend had Eddie in the garage building prison bars from wooden dowel rods. The neighbor came from across the street.“ What are you building?” Bill asked, offering Eddie a cold beer. Popping the top on the can, Eddie explained his project.“ I have an old garage door opener that still works. The bars could move.” Bill joked.“ No. No. That’ s a great idea. May I borrow it?”“ Sure. I’ ll help you put it up,” Bill said, heading home and returning a short while later pulling a wagon with the unit and a cold six-pack along for the ride. He also found heavy-duty roller casters and thought of an idea that might be useful. Together they built a moving wall of bars, complete with a hook up for a strobe light.
Justin and Ryan, recently declared bfftp( best friends for the present), were discussing a substitute teacher, Ms J., as they arrived home from school. " I thought she was going to hit her head on the door.' She definitely played basketball.' One of the guys asked if she wanted to play some one-on-one after school. She said most young men hate losing to girls,”“ I’ ll bet that got a rise out of the guys,” Eddie added.“ She said if we would behave all week, she would meet us in the gymnasium, Friday, after school.” " Sounds like you guys have a challenge on your hands." Eddie liked what he was hearing about this Ms. J. The school was happy to leave a message for Ms. Jorgensen. When she returned his call, Eddie asked if she might be interested in helping with the haunted house.“ Why me?” she asked.“ I need a tall actress.”“ I’ m not an actress and I don’ t think I would be up for an audition,” she said, flatly.“ Can we meet anyway? This is pretty informal, and if you’ re not interested after we speak, I will understand,” Eddie said, turning on the charm.“ If you want to stop by the school, I will be here until five.”“ I’ ll be there.”
Eddie whipped into the parking lot five minutes late. There were few cars left and he hoped he had not missed the meeting as he headed toward the building. A tall blonde woman, wearing a tailored, navy skirt and matching blazer, exited. She wore low heels and Eddie wished he had worn his cowboy boots. The added height would have put them, almost, at eye level.“ Ms. Jorgensen?” Eddie asked.“ Mr. Dodge, I presume.”“ Sorry I’ m late. My day job held me up a little. And please,“ call me Eddie.”“ Kate.”“ My son Justin said you were tall...”“ Six-three and a half, to be exact,” she said, looking down at Eddie.“ He mentioned you might play some one-on-one with some of the boys.”“ It helps keep the class under control. I don’ t have a permanent position yet.”“ How many takers?”