It shouldn’t be taking this long. He’s been gone for two hours. The train must be late! That’s the only
rational reason for being gone so long.
But then, it’s been 18 years. Eighteen long years since “The Murder Game” became a hit. And 11
since we married. The last few have been embarrassing for him, living off a woman’s money. What would my dear Sidney do to have another hit, to see his name in lights again?
I think he’s sick of teaching those darned seminars. Every
six months, another group of socially awkward twerps
with no more talent than a typewriting monkey pay a few
hundred dollars to badger him for writing tips. They all
expect to be the next Ira Levin or George S. Kaufman. Their
plays are abysmal, and Sidney gets ornery, and I can’t stock
enough scotch!
But this one, this Clifford Anderson character, is different.
Sidney doesn’t even seem to know who he is, but he is so
affected by his play. It came in the mail only today, and
already he’s off picking the boy up at the train station and
bringing him here. At least, that’s what I hope he is doing.
He hasn’t been himself in a long time. Distracted, it
seems. He’s never really done well with writer’s block,
always pacing and brooding, but I’ve never seen it last
this long. Eighteen years since his last hit. Even dull Portia
Milgram is beginning to noticed his ruminations, and she’s
dimmer than most lawyers.
Why doesn’t he just write a play about Helga Ten Dorp?
A thriller in two acts, five characters, one set. It couldn’t
miss! He could include her dotty accent and her pointing fi n
ger. Maybe base it in London. Open at the Criterion Theatre
Oh how I miss London … and New York … and anywhere
with society people. People who remember the name Sidney
Bruhl.
Mr. Anderson should jump at the chance to work with
Sidney. With all of his years of experience and the success of
“The Murder Game,” he’s the perfect person to mentor this
young man, to sharpen this play and turn it into something
that would run for years and years. They could make plenty
of money for all of us. It would take some time, and a lot of
effort on Sidney’s part, but he could do it.
Or maybe Mr. Anderson will leave tonight and take his
play with him. He’ll come into our home, hear Sidney’s ad
vice and walk out with a production-ready script. He’ll walk
right out the door, knowing he has the next big hit. What
would my Sidney do? Would he let him leave? Could he?
Of course. He could never hurt anyone, and he would nev
er stoop so low. Not for a smash play or a Broadway production. Not for the notoriety and the fame.
Not for the millions this play could bring us!
But then, having a housekeeper again would be nice.
Myra’s journal entry was written by Allison Carter, who will perform as Myra in the Arts Center of
the Ozarks production of “Deathtrap.” Marshall Prettyman is Sidney Bruhl; Doug Robinson is Clifford
Anderson; Margaret Rutherford is Helga Ten Dorp; and Janis Duley is Portia Milgram.
FAQ ‘Deathtrap’
WHEN - 7:30 p.m. today & Satur
day; 3 p.m. Sunday; and 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 14-15
WHERE - Arts Center of the
Ozarks, 214 S. Main St. in Spring
dale
COST - $20 for nonmember
adults; $10 for nonmember
students; $16 for member adults;
and $9 for member students
INFO - 751-5441 or artscenteroft
heozarks.org
Whats Up, Pages 27 on 02/07/2014