Diary of Myra Bruhl

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

Upcoming Events