Sing for Their Supper - 57

 

The applause was still ringing in the actors' ears as the curtain fell for the final time on opening night.

 

As the cast came off stage, Tuck stood in the wings, listening to their reactions.

 

"We did it!" Evie exclaimed, throwing her arms around DJ's neck to kiss him enthusiastically.

 

"Mmph," he managed to get out, giving her an equally spirited kiss in return.

 

Not to be outdone, Tuck thought, Ricky kissed Sam. He got a bit of Fagin's beard in his mouth in the process, pulled away, then smoothed it down and tried again. "Better," he said with a grin. "No beards for you in real life."

 

"But, but… I was thinking of growing one just like this."

 

"Uh-huh. Hadn't better or" —Ricky made a production of whispering— "you're cut off."

 

"I don't know what Ricky said," Tuck heard Dena tell Jolie. "But it sure had Sam turning red."

 

Mace, who was right behind them, put his arms around the girls, saying, "Three guesses and the first two don't count."

 

Tuck whistled to get everyone's attention. "Ladies. Gentlemen. Let me be the first to say congratulations on a job well done. Feel like celebrating?" From the cheer that went up, he knew the answer to that. "Then go get out of costume and makeup. I'm taking everyone out to dinner." He glanced at Andy and Norm. "That is, if the two of you are going to be available to help drive the natives to the restaurant."

 

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Norm said, to which Andy added, "Me and Fran, either."

 

A while later, several cars—Peg's and Archie's among them—pulled into the lot of a restaurant a couple of miles from the theater. The still-elated cast members piled out, following Tuck and the other adults inside.

 

The host took one look at them then said to Tuck, "You must be Mr. Williams. Your table is ready." He took them to a long one in the middle of the room.

 

After everyone was seated, two waitresses took drink orders and passed menus around.

 

"We're the center of attention," Sam said, watching the other restaurant customers watching them.

 

"Maybe we should sing 'Food, Glorious Food'," Jolie told him. "It would be appropriate."

 

"Um, no?" Mace replied.

 

"No singing for our supper," Tuck said sternly. Then he grinned. "Well, maybe after we eat."

 

Drinks arrived—sodas or coffee, as the adults tacitly decided not to imbibe in alcohol.

 

Tuck stood, raising his cup. "To the best group of actors it's ever been my pleasure to work with," he toasted. All of them clinked glasses and cups.

 

Then Brent said, "To health and happiness and many more productions," and everyone cheered.

 

"We'll drink to that," a man at a nearby table called out. "We saw your show. You kids did a fantastic job."

 

"Thank you, sir," DJ replied, his words echoed by the rest of the cast.

 

The waitresses returned to take the group's dinner orders. Laughter and teasing ensued as the younger contingent debated what to eat.