Page 61 of Sweet T

Evan said nothing, also awaiting an explanation.

“It’s all good,” Tucker said. “I wouldn’t have kept it from you for long, anyway. It’s just... Evan was hurt badly when we found him. I’m worried the guy responsible may live in Spoon or nearby. I think it’s smart for him to lie low, just in case. So, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention that he’s working here. Juanita too. At least for a while.”

Sebastian nodded. “The better part of valor is discretion.”

“That’s Henry IV as well.” Evan smiled. “Part 1.”

“Yes, it is.”

“It’s so wonderful to find someone I have this in common with,” Evan said.

“You’re so young. Tell me, where have you been learning your craft?”

“In Augusta. Disgusta is more like it. The Garden City Players.”

“I know them. I saw God’s Favorite there years ago. How do you like them?”

“I don’t. It’s very cliquish.”

“Troupes often are.”

“I did mostly summer stock. My friend Tyke Bower was contracted for the off season.”

“Whew. Boot camp. How many shows a summer?”

“Five.”

“That’s hard work, five shows in three months. You must be talented.”

Evan didn’t mask his confidence. “I’ve been told,” he said.

“Ever done Shakespeare?” Sebastian asked.

Tucker saw where this was going, but had been completely removed from the conversation. He felt helpless, isolated.

“I’ve played Puck, Banquo, and Tybalt.”

“I’m impressed. A comedy and two tragedies. Tybalt is a villain, no less.”

“He’s no Iago. I would kill to play Iago.”

“Are you familiar with the Fool?”

“Lear? Of course.”

Sebastian raised a hand to his mouth in thought. His eyes darted to Tucker’s.

“No,” Tucker said. “Absolutely not. Being on stage in front of an audience is not lying low.”

“You’re so defensive,” Sebastian said. “I’ve never seen you so worked up.”

“It’s just... I—”

Both Sebastian and Evan awaited Tucker’s response. Tucker succumbed to his stammer, raising his hands again in defeat. “Never mind. I give up. If you want to get your face smashed in again, who am I to stop you?”

“Tucker, my good friend,” said Sebastian. “Do you really think that a thuggish brute would attend a community theatre production of King Lear?”

“He wasn’t a thug,” Evan said. “Kinda hot, in a nerdy sort of way.”

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