Ten Minutes

The lights dimmed. The curtains opened. The play was just about the start when a scream was heard from behind stage. The audience felt a sense of fear and confusion as the lights turned back on and the director came on stage.

"We are sorry for the interruption, but we will figure out the problem shortly," said the director. "Please take a 10 minute intermission before the show actually begins. Thank you!"

The director then went backstage as the curtain closed. He went over to the stage cast already in costume.

"I am sorry, but what was that scream?" said the director to the cast. "Where did it come from?"

A woman in an old-fashioned dress ran towards the director.

"It was me," said the woman. "All my jewelry went missing! I can't play the part now!"

"Someone stole your jewelry?" said the director. "When did it go missing?"

"I don't know," said the woman. Her hands were wet at the time. "I leave my room for just a moment and then when I come back it's gone."

"Well, let's find it then!" said the director. "And if any of you did it, the understudy will take your place tonight. And, yes, that is a promise and threat to your acting career."

The director began walking around.

"We have less than 10 minutes and all of your are suspects," began the director. "But a few of you are more suspicious than others."

The director began to walk back and forth in front of the cast.

"Anna Portley... Jane Tembler... and Karen Stout," yelled the director. "Please come up front, because you are the suspects!"

"Why us... or me?" asked Anna. "I'm the lead after all. How could I ever steal my own jewelry? I was scheduled for stardom."

"For one, you did not want to play the part at first," said the director as he stopped and faced Anna. "You wanted a minor role, but we saw your talent and convinced you of it. You might have been so nervous that you might have hidden the jewelry yourself in hopes that the play would get cancelled."

"But all I did was go to the restroom for one minute!" cried Jane. "It wasn't that long at all!"

"And why me?" asked Jane. "I live for this play! It's my life and my passion. I am a born actress!"

"You wanted this part so badly," replied the director now facing Jane. "You were jealous, and that makes you an obvious suspect."

"Well, I'd never do that!" replied Jane. "Not ever!"

"And where were you at the time, Miss Tembler?" asked the director.

"I don't know," replied Jane. "Maybe on stage waiting to start."

"And the quiet Karen Stout," said the director now facing Karen. "You have a history of stealing jewelry. They said you came clean before your acting career, but I still can't believe you!"

"It was pretty but not that pretty," replied Karen quietly. "I didn't do it!"

"And you were where, Miss Stout?" asked the director.

"I was opening the curtain," replied Karen. "I wasn't anywhere near Anna's dressing room at the time."

"That's what you all say," said the director as he began to walk back and forth again. "But one of you is lying, and I know which one."

"And who might that be?" asked Jane. "It's certainly not me!"

"Let's take a walk to Anna's dressing room first," said the director. "And, yes, we have less than five minutes, so let's walk quickly."

So they walked over to the dressing room, where the jewelry box was found empty.

"See!" cried Anna. "It's all gone! Somebody stole it so I couldn't play the part."

"Now, let's go over to the restrooms, and I'll have Karen go in and test everything," said the director.

They then walked over to the bathroom, and Karen went inside. When she came out, she was appeared shocked.

"The toilet is clogged!" cried Karen.

"And who came in with wet hands?" asked the director.

"I... I... Oh, I give in! It was me!" cried Anna. "I made the whole thing up and flushed down the jewelry on purpose!"

"But that was real jewelry," said Karen. "Why did you do it?"

"Stage fright," replied Anna. "It was a last minute decision. I really didn't want to do it, but I did! I was just so scared! I'm sorry!"

"Can we go on without the jewelry?" asked Karen to the director. "I think she really was scared, and that's the only reason she did it."

"Uh, yes... no, well..." began the director. "Well, one minute until the show, so yes. But only for one night, unless she can find a replacement for the jewelry for the next day."

"Do you really mean that?" asked Anna.

"Yes. Now go back to your places!" said the director. "And I'll announce the beginning of the play! Places! Places!"