Curtain Call

The scandal was the talk of the season.

* CRITIC ARRESTED FOR DRUNKEN BRAWL AT QUEEN’S GALA,* the headlines read. Mr. T. Seuss had been found unconscious in the maze, raving about bull-men and knitting needles. He was currently enjoying the hospitality of Bedlam Asylum.

Back at the Royal Olympus Theater, things were returning to normal. Or, as normal as they could be.

Penny sat at her desk, filing a new stack of fan mail.

"Miss Pringle!" Julian’s voice boomed from the dressing room. "Come in here! Emergency!"

Penny sighed, grabbed her file, and marched in.

Julian was standing in front of the mirror, wearing a new smoking jacket—this one deep purple.

"What is it?" Penny asked. "Did you eat the chaise lounge again?"

"No," Julian turned. He looked nervous. He was twisting a ring on his finger. "I have a proposition."

"If it’s about filing your hooves, not until Tuesday."

"It is not about hooves," Julian stepped closer. He towered over her, smelling of lavender and old books. "It is about... tenure."

"Tenure?"

"I wish to offer you a permanent position," Julian said. "Lifetime contract. Significant raise. Full dental."

"I accept," Penny said. "Is that all?"

"No." Julian hesitated. He reached out and took her hand. His thumb brushed over her knuckles. "I also wish to inquire if the position could include... additional duties."

Penny’s heart skipped a beat. "Such as?"

"Dining with me. Walking in the park without disguises. Perhaps... holding hands during scary parts of plays."

Julian looked down at her. "I have spent centuries hiding in mazes, Penny. Real ones and ones I built myself. But you... you walked right in and dragged me out. I find I do not want to be in the dark anymore. Unless you are there."

Penny looked at this ridiculous, vain, wonderful man. She thought about her scrapbook, full of cigar bands. She thought about the way he looked at her when she scolded him.

"Well," Penny said, her voice trembling slightly. "I suppose I could fit that into the schedule."

Julian beamed. It wasn't his stage smile. It was real.

He lifted her hand to his lips. He didn't kiss it like a gentleman. He pressed his cheek against her palm, closing his eyes.

"You are my Ariadne," he whispered. "Only better. You have better wool."

"And better aim," Penny added.

She reached up with her free hand and straightened his crooked cravat.

"Now," she said softly. "Act One starts in five minutes. Go break a leg."

"For you, my dear," Julian said, his eyes shining. "I would break them all."

He swept out of the room, his cape billowing. Penny watched him go, smiling. She took out her pocket watch and made a note.

* 11:00 AM: Accepted proposal from Minotaur. Schedule revised.*

She closed the book. It was going to be a very busy season.