Sing for Their Supper - 61

 

The flowers by the guys' cabin got planted on Sunday, amid much tomfoolery.

 

"They're having too much fun," Roma said to Vin. They were watching instead of helping with digging and moving the plants—leaving that to the youngsters, as Vin called them.

 

The flowers came from several small areas in the trees by the lake. After a brief discussion, everyone agreed they should only take a few from each spot this time, leaving the rest for anyone to enjoy who happened on them.

 

When they finished, they were dirt-covered from head to foot, so the rest of the afternoon was spent swimming before everyone had to be at the theater for that night's performance.

 

Monday the theater was dark. Tuck took advantage of that to call an afternoon meeting with his cast.

 

"What if he's decided this will be the only show?" Dena said with a worried frown.

 

Mace shook his head. "He didn't build all this," —he gestured to the theater and the cabins— "to be a one-shot deal."

 

"I guess not. But after this, he could decide to do plays that take experienced, adult actors."

 

"I don't see him dropping us," Jolie said. "Not after all he went through to get us together then teach us how to act."

 

"She's right, Dena," Ricky said as he and Sam joined them. "My bet is that he's got some ideas for what we'll be doing next."

 

Ricky was correct, as they found out once they'd all gathered in the auditorium.

 

Tuck sat on the edge of the stage, looking at them. "Stop worrying," he finally said, smiling. "I'm not firing you."

 

DJ grinned. "You can't. You're not paying us."

 

"That's one of the reasons for this meeting. Brent and I talked it over. We've got three more weeks before this show closes, and we're sold out every night." He held up a hand to stop them when they began applauding. "I told some of you when I asked you to join the company that we'd pay you if this venture began making money. It is, so, as of now, fifteen percent of the sales are being allocated to paying you. Split nine ways, you won't be making a fortune by a long shot, but it will be something. The rest, of course, will go into maintaining the theater and paying the staff."

 

"You're serious?" Roma looked at him in shock.

 

"Very. I know we're providing your food and housing, but you deserve more and you're going to get it."

 

"We can get new clothes," Evie said.

 

"A new guitar." That came from Sam.

 

"Books. A TV. A computer," others called out.

 

Tuck laughed. "You'll have to save for most of those things."

 

"We can do it," Mace stated. "Once we get past the 'I have money and have to spend it now'."

 

"Exactly," Tuck agreed. "As long as you understand that, you'll be fine. Now, on to the next item on the agenda."

 

"What show we're doing next?" Ricky asked.

 

"Yes. We've come up with three ideas—shows that have young people in them, as well as adults."

 

"Lay it on us," Jolie said.