“Ring down the curtain is a theater phrase, Freddy.” Tory did her best to modulate her voice, but she still sounded angry. “All it means is to close the curtains so the audience can’t see the actors.”

“And the actresses?”

“Yes, and the actresses, too.”

“Oh. Okay. I can do that,” Freddy said, sounding eager to please the famous actor-director. “I’m sorry I got it wrong, Miss Bascomb.”

Irma York, who was acting as one of Tory’s assistants, leaned over to whisper something in Tory’s ear. Tory nodded, and cleared her throat.

“It’s okay, Freddy. Irma’s going to come backstage right before the play ends, and she’ll tell you when to ring down . . . er . . . never mind. Bonnie will tell you when to close the curtains.”

“Gee thanks, Miss Bascomb!” Freddy said, sounding greatly relieved. “I like Irma. She’s a friend.”

“All right. One more time, people. Let’s take it from Mrs. Cratchit’s entrance.”

Irma climbed the four steps at the side of the auditorium that led up to the stage level and ducked behind the velvet curtains. The actors maintained the places, and the final moments of the play were repeated. Tiny Tim spoke his line, five seconds passed, and then the curtains closed.

“Perfect!” Tory called out. “Good job, Freddy! I’m going to let Irma stay back there and cue you for our Santa and Mrs. Claus appearance. Irma? Can you hear me?”

“Yes, Miss Bascomb.”

“We’ll open the curtains right after the actors clear and the stagehands dress the set for Santa. Cue Freddy when it’s time, will you?”

“Yes, Miss Bascomb,” Irma answered, sounding every bit as muffled as Freddy had earlier.

“Sound? Listen up. We’ll need the sleigh bells. Make them soft at first and then gradually louder until they reach a peak.”

“Got it, Miss Bascomb,” someone said from backstage.

“Stagehands?” Tory raised her voice so that the crew could hear her backstage. “I’ll need you to move the table to the back of the set just as soon as the actors clear. Then bring in the tree and light it. Set Santa’s rocking chair next to the tree.”

“Yes, Miss Bascomb,” another male voice answered.

“Irma? Just as soon as the stagehands are clear, cue Herb and Phyllis to take their positions in the wings. Then cue Freddy to open the curtains to the dressed, but empty, set.”

“Empty, Miss Bascomb?” Irma asked.

“Yes. And the moment the curtains are open fully, the sleigh bells will begin to ring to announce the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Does everyone have that progression?”