The Showstopper. Mary Casanova

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СКАЧАТЬ A kind of trick, I think,” Rebecca replied.

      “It’s like this,” Michael said. He pulled a penny from the pocket of his overalls and held it up. “Let’s say you give me penny.” He closed his fist around the coin, made a rolling motion with his hands, and opened his fist again. The penny was gone! He opened his other hand, and there it was.

      The girls laughed.

      “If I make your penny disappear and give it back to you, what you call that?” he asked.

      “Magic trick,” Ana said, beaming.

      Michael did the trick again. This time, both palms were empty. “But if I make your coin disappear and you never see it again, what you call that?”

      “Cheat,” Ana answered.

      “Swindle,” Rebecca said. “Flimflam.”

      Michael nodded. He reached into his pocket, pulled out the missing penny, and held it up. “I think Mr. Hammerstein like to keep other people’s money in his pocket. Believe me, I’m happy for job. But I feel better when he pay me the money.”

      Rebecca crossed her arms and whispered. “Michael, would you mind not saying anything about flimflams to our parents? This could still be a great chance for Ana and me to get onstage.”

      “Sure,” Michael said. “But if you get job, I say, keep one eye open.”

      chapter 2

      Surprise!

      REBECCA LOVED THE Sabbath, which began with a traditional family meal every Friday night. When the cousins arrived home, the table was set for dinner, and the two candles in their heavy Shabbat candlesticks waited to be lit. Mama was wrapping freshly baked challah in a cloth, and the braided loaves of bread filled the kitchen with a sweet, yeasty fragrance. Rebecca wanted a slice that very moment, but she knew that she must wait until dinner, when a prayer would be recited just before the loaves were cut.

      A knock came on the apartment door. Rebecca ran to open it. To her delight, Max and Lily stepped inside.

      “Room for two more?” Lily said, flashing Rebecca a smile and planting a kiss on her cheek.

      “Of course!” Papa replied. “Shabbat is for family.”

      As the family moved their chairs closer to make room for the latecomers and Mama bustled about adding extra plates, Max threw his arm around Rebecca’s shoulders. “I heard about the strike and your brave speech.” Then he whispered in Rebecca’s ear, “Those acting skills come in handy, don’t they?”

      Rebecca nodded, her cheeks growing warm. When she’d written a letter to the newspaper weeks ago, complaining about conditions at the clothing factory where her uncle worked, she’d never dreamed she’d end up reading it aloud to a large group of protesting factory employees. She’d acted confident and used a brave voice, despite feeling scared. She’d mustered that same confidence today at the Victory, hoping it might lead to new opportunities. She wanted to tell Max all about Mr. Hammerstein and the acting job, but she knew this wasn’t the time.

      The dinner table overflowed with Papa, Mama, Rebecca’s twin older sisters, her brothers, Bubbie and Grandpa, Ana’s family, and now Max and Lily. Rebecca lit the candles, Papa prayed a blessing, and then everyone sang “Shalom Aleichem,” a song about welcoming angels of peace into the home. Rebecca smiled. It was as if God had sent her angels in the form of Max and Lily. Who better to help make her case for acting roles at Hammerstein’s theater than two film stars?

      Through dinner, Rebecca couldn’t stop picturing herself on the rooftop stage. When she could eat no more and could no longer concentrate on the dinner conversation, she jumped in. “Mama? Papa?”

      “What is it, Rebecca?” Papa said. Suddenly everyone fell silent as they turned their eyes to her. Rebecca glanced at Ana, who gave her an encouraging nod.

      Rebecca took a deep breath and pushed ahead. “Ana and I were measured for costumes today at the Victory Theater, where Michael works.”

       “Costumes? Whatever for?” Mama said, eyeing Rebecca with curiosity.

      “We’ve been offered supporting roles onstage,” Rebecca said. “We’re even going to be paid for our work!”

      Mama’s gaze flickered over to Michael, who didn’t say a word, much to Rebecca’s relief.

      Ana and I are at least as sure about receiving payment as Michael is, she reasoned. The term flimflam fluttered through her mind, and she willed it to fly on by before turning back to her parents and pressing on. “The only thing we need, of course, is your permission.”

      She didn’t realize how much she had been holding inside until she exhaled loudly. There. She’d said it.

      She glanced at Max, who winked at her, as if reminding her that some things were still secret—like the film she’d played a part in, which was yet to be released. He rested his hand on top of Lily’s.

      Bubbie, her gray wig slightly askew, didn’t hide her feelings. “Those Ziegfeld Girls who dance in their underwear and stockings—is scandalous!”

      “Bubbie,” Max said, “not all roles on Broadway or in film are scandalous. Besides, the Ziegfeld Follies are in a different theater across the street from the Victory. Beckie and Ana aren’t being asked to be in the Follies, right?” He looked to Rebecca.

      Grateful for his help, she smiled. “No, a supporting role in…comedy acts, skits, maybe some singing—”

      “Vaudeville.” Bubbie spat out the word.

      Max leaned back in his chair. “There are respectable acts even in vaudeville. It’s not the same as performing in a Broadway musical or playing a part for the films, but it could be a start. A place to practice acting skills.”

      Rebecca shot Cousin Max an appreciative grin, and then turned her gaze to Mama and Papa. “Mr. Oscar Hammerstein himself sent us to be measured for costumes. He told us we could start work tomorrow,” she said. “It would be such a shame if the seamstress did all that work for nothing.”

      “Girls,” Uncle Jacob said. “You know the Sabbath is day of rest.”

      Ana nodded and finally chimed in. “Yes, Papa,” she said, “but we need money. And Michael already is working so hard.”

      Rebecca nodded. “Just until Uncle Jacob and Josef find jobs,” she chimed in. “Every dollar we make will go to help Ana and her family.”

      Bubbie pondered this for a moment. “I don’t like you work on Sabbath. But Ana’s family in such hard time now.” She looked to Michael. “You can look out for girls there?”

      Michael nodded. “Yes. The girls can come and go with me. I make sure that nothing bad happen.”

      Rebecca’s hopes rose as Bubbie looked to Papa. Papa and Mama looked to Ana’s parents.

      Things are turning in our favor, Rebecca thought as she and Ana shared a hopeful glance. The less I say, the better.

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