Kristi’s eyes narrowed on other attendees. A number of her teachers had shown up as well, a regular Who’s Who of the English Department. Dr. Natalie Croft, head of the department, was seated next to both a man Kristi didn’t recognize and Dr. Preston, who still looked as if he were ready to catch the next big wave. He, in turn, was seated next to Professor Senegal, Kristi’s journalism instructor.

Didn’t these people have lives?

Or was this a command performance?

In the dark, she pulled on the chain around her neck, lifting it upward so that the vial was now on the outside of her sweater. It was still partially hidden by her jacket, but when the houselights went up, she planned to talk to a few people and see if anyone commented or noticed. The play went on, with only minimal flubbing of lines, and the guy in front of her who reeked of musk and weed started to snore. His head was bent forward and the woman next to him jabbed him in the side.

He snorted himself awake, sounding like a ripsaw, and the woman shushed him but good.

Kristi sat on the edge of her seat. Nervously she waited, and when at last the play was over and the cast had come out for a group bow, she was ready. As the applause died down and the lights went up, she stepped around the snorer and caught up with O as she filed out.

“You’re O, right?” Kristi said, as if she’d just seen her that second. “I think we have a class together.”

O rolled one bored eye at her. “Which one?”

“Maybe Shakespeare…or…Grotto’s vampire class.”

“Yeah. Well, maybe.”

“I’m looking for a study partner.”

“I’m not.”

“Do you know anyone who is?”

O turned to face Kristi as they reached the doorway to the anteroom. “Do I look like a fuckin’ counselor?” she demanded. Then her gaze landed on the vial at Kristi’s neck. “What the hell are you doing?” she said, blanching. “Hide that thing.”

“Why?”

“Why?” O repeated. Her eyes narrowed. “You are part of…” At that moment Father Mathias began heading their way and O widened her eyes in silent appeal.

Kristi quickly tucked the vial under her shirt again.

“Enjoy tonight’s performance?” the priest asked.

“Immensely,” O said, though it was an obvious act.

“Good, good!”

“Father Mathias, congratulations!” Natalie Croft made her way through the crowd. She was beaming at the priest. “Job well done,” she said, though Kristi disagreed. No one in the cast of tonight’s performance was going to make any Academy Award thank you speeches anytime soon, or probably in Dr. Croft’s lifetime.