Page 11 of The Silent Appeal

Detective Sergeant Penny

Has a notebook.

If you want to read for a specific part, then let me know. Otherwise, I’ll consider you for any and all parts in your playing-range. 7:30 p.m. on Monday, folks. Let the adventure begin.

Kevin MacDonald, Committee cochair and director

To: Kevin MacDonald

From: Celia Halliday

Date: January 4, 2025

Subject: Re: Character breakdown

This script is full of people smoking! There are laws about lighting cigarettes in enclosed areas, i.e. the church hall. Vapes are just the same. You can’t cut the smoking out, because if no one smokes, then Veronica can’t ask to borrow matches and thus rekindle her affair with John.

Props are a nightmare! You’ll need an Edwardian moletrap, a cooked lobster, and no fewer than TWO specific sculptures (and I haven’t even read to the end yet!). You won’t get away with something nice from John Lewis this time, because the sculptures must depict the actress playing Gerda.

As for cousin marriage, I’m assuming Angkatell is a foreign name. If the Fairway Players have to black-up then I’m sorry, Kevin, but the Hallidays can’t be involved. Beth works at the council and she’d have to resign.

You failed to mention in your email exactly why Nicky-Rose is back. I’m sure that’s an oversight rather than a deliberate attempt to withhold relevant information from the group. Celia

Message exchange between Sarah-Jane and Kevin MacDonald on January 4, 2025:

8:16 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

It’s her manner, that’s all. Everyone is wondering about Nicky-Rose, Celia is the only one with a thin enough social filter to mention it.

8:17 a.m. Kevin wrote:

Pisses me off that she’s right about the bloody sculptures. For once we don’t know any local groups who’ve staged the play to borrow their props.

8:19 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

Emma studied sculpture. I’ll check with John, but I’m sure our budget will stretch to some clay.

8:23 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

Don’t piss off the Hallidays, we need them for set-building, box office, and admin.

8:24 a.m. Kevin wrote:

It’s no good. I have to reply or I won’t sleep tonight.

8:28 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

This is not my circus. I am a calm sea. Grounded by peace. May the wind be my guide. Breath simply is.

8:29 a.m. Kevin wrote:

Have you been hacked?

8:31 a.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

Relaxing mantras from the AI affirmation app I’m working on a pitch for.

To: Celia Halliday