Meg Mackintosh and the Stage Fright Secret: A Solve-It-Yourself Mystery (Meg Mackintosh Mystery series)

and

The Stage Fright Secret

A Solve-It-Yourself Mystery by Lucinda Landon Secret Passage Press Tucker Hollow North Scituate Rhode Island

Books by Lucinda Landon: Meg Mackintosh and The Case of the Missing Babe Ruth Baseball Meg Mackintosh and The Case of the Curious Whale Watch Meg Mackintosh and The Mystery at the Medieval Castle Meg Mackintosh and The Mystery at Camp Creepy Meg Mackintosh and The Mystery in the Locked Library Meg Mackintosh and The Mystery at the Soccer Match Meg Mackintosh and The Mystery on Main Street Meg Mackintosh and The Stage Fright Secret American History Mysteries Copyright © 2004 by Lucinda Landon All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. For information, please visit www.megmackintosh.com

First Edition The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Landon, Lucinda. Meg Mackintosh and the stage fright secret: a solve-it-yourself mystery / by Lucinda Landon. – 1st. ed. Summary: While the school mystery club performs a play, a real mystery occurs and detective Meg is on the scene to solve the case. A five scene play is included within the book. The reader may search the pictures for key clues. (1. Mystery and detective stories. 2. Children’s plays. 3. Literary recreations)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2004094076 ISBN 1-888695-07-2 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

For Sydney, Lynette, and Sara Trick or Treat!

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“Meg, look!” Liddy pulled her best friend over to the school bulletin board. “The Mystery Club is having a play! We’ve got to try out. I bet you’ll get the lead part of Detective Sureluck House. It’s perfect for you. You’re such a good detective.” “The Trick or Treat Mystery,” Meg’s eyes widened as she read the title. “Hmm, that sounds like an interesting case to solve. Sureluck House must be based on the great detective, Sherlock Holmes. And you’ll have to get the part of his partner, Dr. Witson!” “Here’s a page of the script for the try-outs,” said Liddy, handing one to Meg. “Come on. Let’s go practice!” 1

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The Mystery Club met after school in the auditorium. Ms. Morse, the advisor, spoke excitedly. “When I wrote my play, The Trick or Treat Mystery, I combined a Halloween story with a bit of Sherlock Holmes, quite cleverly I might add.” She waved her arms dramatically. “You were right,” Liddy nudged Meg. “The performance is on Parent’s Night, which is only a few weeks away, so we have lots of work to do,” Ms. Morse continued. “And don’t worry if you don’t get a speaking part. There are plenty of exciting jobs in the theater.” She handed them a list. “I’ll be the director, of course.”

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“Now let’s get started with the auditions. How many of you would like to try out for the part of Sureluck House?” Ms. Morse asked. Just about everyone raised a hand. Liddy elbowed Meg. “Look, even your brother Peter wants to be Sureluck.” “I noticed,” Meg gave her brother a competitive glance. Ms. Morse scanned the room with her eyes, then stopped at Meg. “Meg, would you please go first? Just get up on the stage and start reading at scene one.” Meg looked up in surprise, clutched the script, and hurried up the stage steps. She read the lines well, but much too fast, and she could feel her legs wobbling a bit. Before she knew it, she was back in her seat. “You were great,” Liddy whispered. “I was okay,” said Meg. “That was nerve-wracking.” The audition seemed to take forever. When it was finally over, Ms. Morse told the club, “Good work everyone. Let’s take a break. I’ll be back in a while to announce the cast members.” 3

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After another long wait, Ms. Morse returned to the stage with a bag of hats and wigs. As she announced each of the cast members, she gave them part of their costume.

“Sureluck House — Simon”

“Dr. Witson — Liddy”

“Old Jane — Carmen”

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“Pirate — Peter”

“Witch — Rosie”

“Mummy — Nick” “Let’s give our mystery cast a round of applause,” Ms. Morse said cheerfully. Everyone applauded, but not everyone was cheerful. Meg couldn’t help feeling disappointed. “If only I didn’t have to go first,” she thought to herself, “maybe I would have read the lines better.” “There are also some non-speaking parts as ghosts, bats, and black cats for anyone who wants to volunteer,” Ms. Morse called out. “Your job is to run across the stage scaring the cast and the audience! It will be so exciting!” 5

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A few minutes later, Liddy consoled her friend. “Meg, I can’t believe you’re not Sureluck!” “It’s okay, really. I’m glad you got the part of Dr. Witson,” Meg congratulated her. “And Peter is a perfect pirate,” Liddy added. “Yeah, he’ll be great.” Meg took a deep breath. The fact that her brother got a part didn’t make her feel much better.

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Ms. Morse handed out maps of the stage so everyone could learn theater direction. “Oh, Meg, I’ve decided I’d like you to be the announcer. You’ll stand downstage left — in front of the curtain — and speak to the audience before every scene.” “Thanks, Ms. Morse.” Meg grinned as she accepted her new job. Then she studied the map. “This could be a setting for a mystery,” she thought.

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Over the next couple of weeks, everyone brought in Halloween costumes and decorations and began to set the scenes for the play. While groups built sets and gathered props, the actors tried on their costumes and rehearsed their roles. “I have so many lines to memorize as Old Jane,” Carmen said nervously, “I don’t know if I’ll ever remember them all.” “You’ll be fine,” said Simon as he tried on his fake beard. “What about me? I’m Sureluck. I have the most lines to learn.”

Rosie pulled something out of a paper bag. “Look at the incredible raven my mom made! She even sewed on feathers and fake eyeballs that glow in the dark!” Rosie showed the detailed prop to the cast. 8

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Carmen admired the raven. “The mysterious stolen object.” “That’s so awesome looking,” said Nick. “Can I have it after the play?” “No way,” said Rosie softly. Simon grabbed the bird. “Ah ha! The famous stolen Raven,” he said as he dramatically rubbed his beard. “You know, Simon, Sherlock Holmes doesn’t have a beard.” Nick told him. “I’m not supposed to be Sherlock, I’m Sureluck,” Simon replied. “Besides, the beard makes me look older.”

Ms. Morse called them over, “Come on, kids. It’s time to rehearse. Let’s go over the scene in the cemetery. That includes you, Sureluck. You still haven’t memorized scene four. You must get that done, it’s almost opening night!” 9

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Meanwhile, Meg was busy preparing for her job as announcer of the play. She got out her detective notebook and copied the elements of a mystery onto the ‘clue cards’ that she would show the audience at each scene. She also wrote some questions to ask them, so that they could try to solve the case as it was acted out.

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As Meg worked on the clue cards, she could hear the actors rehearsing nearby. Sometimes she secretly wished she had a real part in the play. “I would have been a great Sureluck,” she muttered under her breath. “I heard that.” Peter peered over her shoulder. “Peter! Don’t tell anyone I said that,” she pleaded.

“Don’t worry, I won’t.” He paused for a second, nervously twitching the fake hook on his hand. “Listen Meg, you’ve got to help me. Don’t tell anyone, but I have stage fright. Every time I think of going in front of all those people, I forget all of my lines. What am I going to do?” Meg actually felt sorry for her brother. “Peter, you’ll be fine. Pretend that you’re home, practicing in front of the mirror like you always do.” “I tried that, but I still keep messing up the words.” Peter shook his head. “I’ll help you rehearse tonight,” Meg promised. “Thanks, keep it a secret, okay?” asked Peter. “Don’t worry,” Meg nodded back. 11

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The days flew by, and before they knew it, it was the night of the performance. Ms. Morse called the cast and crew together behind the curtain. “Break a leg everyone! Don’t think I’m crazy, but I have to tell you that. It’s an old superstition in the theater. It’s bad luck to tell an actor” she spelled it out, “G-O-O-D L-U-C-K.” Everyone shouted, “Okay, break a leg!” Simon and Nick hobbled around as if they had broken legs.

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Then Nick spied Peter writing something on his sleeve. “Peter, you still don’t know your lines? You only had to memorize about three sentences.” “You don’t have stage fright, do you?” Simon teased him. “I heard that sometimes as soon as the stage lights go on, an actor might go completely blank and forget everything!” “Gee, thanks for the encouragement, mates.” Peter flashed his hook. Meg heard what was going on and pulled Peter aside. “Don’t worry, Peter. I’ll prompt you. I’ve heard the play so many times in rehearsals, I know everyone’s lines by heart. Now go out there and break a leg!” 13

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The ushers handed out programs to the audience as they entered the theater. Once everyone was seated, the lights dimmed and the crowd hushed. Meg took a deep breath and walked on the stage. The spotlight was on her as she greeted the audience. This time her legs didn’t wobble.

Meg:

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Mystery Club Theater. Our advisor, Ms. Morse, wrote tonight’s play, The Trick or Treat Mystery. We begin in the library of Detective Sureluck House and his partner, Dr. Witson. Please watch carefully for key clues, to see if you can solve the case along with us. (Curtain opens)

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Scene One: The Library of Detective Sureluck House Sureluck: Witson, what is it? You’re squirming like a weasel! Witson:

Look here, Sureluck. A messenger has just delivered a mysterious letter. (Hands Sureluck envelope)

Sureluck: (Examines envelope) Pay attention, Witson. Watch me use my powers of observation. The envelope has candle wax dripped on it and it smells like burnt wood. The author probably wrote by candlelight and was sitting near a smoky wood fire.

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(Excitedly) Good job, old chap!

Sureluck: (Hands envelope back) Please read it out loud. Witson:

(Opens envelope and gazes at letter) Quite right you are, Sureluck. The letter is from Old Jane, the woman who lives in the cottage at the edge of the woods. She definitely writes by candlelight.

Sureluck: Ah, the place by the cemetery on Bad Luck Lane. Witson:

That’s the one, a creepy old cottage.

Sureluck: Witson, just read the letter!

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I don’t see what we can do, Sureluck. These children sound treacherous.

Sureluck: Surely we can do something. No one out-foxes Sureluck House! Quick, what time is it? Witson:

Why it’s seven o’clock, All Hallows’ Eve! The night of Ghosts and Goblins, Tricks and Treats!

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Sureluck: That’s enough babbling, Witson! It’s Halloween and we have a case to solve. Fetch your detective kit and make sure you have the proper tools. Witson:

(Showing items in detective case) Let’s see, I’ve got my magnifying glass, tweezers, notebook, pen, pencils, and flashlight. It’s all here, Sir!

Sureluck: Very well, Witson. Now, let’s be off to Bad Luck Lane to help Old Jane!

(Curtain closes)

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Scene Two: Old Jane’s House (Sound effects of a scary Halloween night) Meg:

Observe the mysterious setting — Old Jane’s cottage. This is where our investigation begins as the detectives look for clues.

Witson:

(Scared) Sureluck, what was that?

Sureluck: The scream of a bat, the screech of an owl, the howl of a wild cat. Witson, haven’t you ever been out on Halloween before? Witson:

Of course, but it was never as scary as this! (Opens detective kit and fumbles for items)

Sureluck: Don’t be silly, Witson. Now let’s get to work.

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(Examines porch railing) Observe these bent nails. I detect that this is the spot from which the raven was stolen. It looks like our thief used something sharp to pry it off. Witson:

Sureluck! Here’s a muddy footprint. It looks like it came from a hiking boot. And next to it there’s a dark smudge on the step. I bet it’s blood!

Sureluck: (Examines) Not so, Witson. It’s chocolate, deep dark chocolate. The culprit left some very careless clues. Witson:

Hmm, a candy wrapper. (Picks up with tweezers) The label says black licorice. (Suddenly the sound of a cat screeching, Sureluck and Witson jump)

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(A cat rushes out the door followed by Old Jane) Old Jane: You fools! What took so long! Witson:

Here, here Jane. No one calls Sureluck House a fool. He’s already found several clues.

Old Jane: Fine, fine, fine. But lets get going, before it’s too late to catch the thief. Here, I drew you a picture of what my raven looks like.

Witson:

I say, that’s a pretty scary-looking creature.

Old Jane: It’s supposed to be scary. It’s Halloween!

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Sureluck: (Gets out notebook) First, you must tell us exactly what happened. Old Jane: Oh all right. There were three trick-or-treaters who came knocking at my door. Strange, they came one at a time. I should have known they were up to mischief. Let’s see, first there was a witch, then a mummy, and the last one was a pirate. They said they were trick-or-treaters, but I could tell they were a trio of tricksters. I gave them old hard gum!

Witson:

Which one was wearing hiking boots?

Sureluck: (Annoyed) Witson, don’t interrupt. Jane, was one of them wearing hiking boots? Old Jane: How should I know? It was pitch black out! While the last one was here, one of my little kittens slipped out the door and I had to go chase her. When I came back, I saw that my raven was gone! One of those schemers took it and ran into the cemetery. I bet they’re hiding in there. (Points to cemetery. Witson shines flashlight. Figures are seen darting around tombstones.) (Curtain closes)

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Scene Three: The Cemetery (More scary sound effects) Meg:

In Scene Three, the detectives search for the suspects and ask them questions. See if you can deduce which clue points to which suspect?

Sureluck: You there halt! Witch, Mummy, Pirate, show yourselves! It’s Detective Sureluck House, and my partner, Dr.Witson. We’re on the case of a missing raven and you three are acting suspiciously. Witson:

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What he means is, come out so we can see you.

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Mummy: I can’t believe it. It really is Sureluck House and Dr. Witson. Is there really a mystery to solve? Witch:

We didn’t do anything, honest. We were just trickor-treating.

Pirate:

Yeah, we were just back here…um… um…

Meg prompts: (Whispers) We were counting our candy bars. Pirate:

We were counting our candy bars. (Smiles broadly showing teeth)

Old Jane: You can’t fool me. One of you took my raven! Where is it? All three: We didn’t take anything!

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Sureluck: (Holds magnifier in front of Pirate’s mouth) Hmm, let’s see. Pirate, I deduce that either you have rotten teeth or your favorite candy is black licorice. Which is it? Pirate:

Black licorice is my favorite! How did you know?

Sureluck: The evidence is stuck to your teeth! And Mummy, I see you’re wearing hiking boots. Mummy: Yeah, I like hiking. But that doesn’t mean I stole her raven. Sureluck: Quite right. Now, Witch, would you please empty your bag of goodies? (Witch dumps out trick-ortreat bag)

Witson:

Sureluck, look at all the chocolate candy!

Witch:

So, I ate a bunch of candy bars. I happen to love chocolate. You wouldn’t want me to throw the wrappers on the ground, would you?

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Sureluck: No, I think you might have accidentally dropped a piece of chocolate on the porch step, but I don’t think you would have littered on purpose. Besides, you could have easily swept up the chocolate with your broom. (Chuckles) Witson:

Very clever, Sureluck — this idea of the witch sweeping up clues with her broom. Well, I have an idea. The Pirate could have picked up the licorice wrapper with the end of his hook. (Fumbles trying to put wrapper on the end of Pirate’s hook) Or could he?

Pirate:

Hey, what are you trying to do?

Witson:

Sureluck, look! The Pirate’s hook is bent on the tip!

(Suddenly there is a crack of lightning. Witson and Jane hug each other in fear. The suspects run scared into the cemetery. Sureluck stands under the old tree.) (Curtain closes)

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Scene Four: Under the Spooky Tree (Thunder and lightning are getting louder.) Meg:

In Scene Four the detectives begin making their deductions. Do you see anything suspicious?

Old Jane: Sureluck, you’re not afraid of lightning? Sureluck: Of course not. Old Jane: I certainly wasn’t scared. (Lets go of Witson) Witson:

(Shaking) Neither was I.

Sureluck: Witson, pay attention! We must make our deductions before the storm comes. A clue points to each suspect, did but some …um… but some…um…

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Meg prompts: (Whispers) “Some of the clues could be red herrings.” Sureluck: Some of the clues could be red herrings, or fake clues that lead us off the path. Witson:

You’re right, Sureluck. At the scene of the crime, the clues were the dropped chocolate, the footprint, and the licorice wrapper. But one other clue seems very important.

Sureluck: Good deducing Witson. One other clue does point strongly to our culprit. I think it was… (Crash of thunder drowns out Sureluck’s deduction)

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(Loud thunder and lightning storm arrives. Witch, Pirate, and Mummy scream and jump out of cemetery. Mummy runs around scared. Witch tries to pick up spilled candy. Pirate races towards porch. Witson and Jane run offstage. Bats, cats, and ghosts run across the stage. The loudest crack of lightning hits. Sureluck falls to the ground.

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Lights flash on and off, then go completely off. There is chaos on the stage.) (Curtain closes) (Meg goes backstage. There is confusion behind curtain.)

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(After a few minutes, the lights go on and the curtain reopens.)

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Scene Five: Porch, Tree, and Cemetery Old Jane: Sureluck, old man, are you all right? Witson, he won’t wake up! Was he struck by lightning? Witson:

(Suddenly bravely taking over the case) He’s probably just fainted from fright. He’ll be all right. Finally, I, Dr. Witson, get a chance to solve a mystery! Jane, quick, bring me my detective kit.

Old Jane: (Grabs detective kit, brings to Witson) Which trickster do you think stole my raven? Witson:

I have a good hunch. (Speaking to audience) Who do you think stole the raven?

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Audience: (Some kids may be seated in the audience to encourage answers) The Pirate! The Witch! The Mummy! Witson:

I think most of you suspect that the Pirate did it, and I agree. Although each suspect left a clue at the scene of the crime, the most convincing evidence was against the Pirate. His hook was bent at the tip. I deduce that he pried the raven off with his hook and stole it.

Old Jane: (Goes over and gets clue card and asks the audience) Where is my raven?

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Audience: Behind the tombstone! Witson:

Right you are! I think it’s behind one of the tombstones. I saw two small lights glittering there.

Old Jane: My raven! His eyeballs glow in the dark! (Old Jane and Witson carefully approach the tombstone and shine flashlight behind it. Mummy, Witch and Pirate creep out from behind.)

Witson:

It’s not here! (Accusingly) Okay Pirate, we know you took the raven, now where is it?

Witch:

(Nudges Pirate) Go on, you’d better tell them where it is.

Pirate:

Oh, all right. I took it, but it was just a Halloween trick. I’m sorry. I did hide it behind the tombstone for a while, but I put it back. It’s on your porch.

Old Jane: On the porch? (Jane walks over to the porch. She acts confused, as if something is wrong) It’s not here!

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Pirate:

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It’s not? I put it back during the storm! Honest!

Old Jane: (Loudly whispers to Ms. Morse offstage) The raven’s not here! What do we do?

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(Searching, confused) Where is it?

Witson:

(To the audience) Hmm, this really is a mystery. We’ve been tricked! We really don’t know where the raven is. Has anyone seen it?

Audience: Maybe the announcer took it! Witch:

Where is Meg?

Mummy: Both she and the raven are gone! Pirate:

Meg stole the raven?

Old Jane: Is someone trying to ruin the play? (Tombstones fall over) (Ms. Morse whispers loudly from off stage: “Flash some more lightning until we think of something!!!” More lightning flashes)

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Sureluck: (Abruptly sitting up) You can’t be serious! I know where the raven is and I know who put it there. All:

WHO?

Sureluck: You have it Witson! Witson:

Me? I didn’t take it!

Old Jane: Sureluck, have you lost your senses? Sureluck: Witson, the raven is in your detective case! Open it up and see for yourself. Witson:

(Bewildered) I can’t believe it. (Opens case and pulls out raven) Sureluck, you’re right. Here it is! How did it get in here? How did you know?

Old Jane: MY RAVEN! (clutches raven)

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Sureluck: It’s elementary, my dear Witson. I made observations and deductions. The Pirate did put the raven back during the thunderstorm. I saw the eyes glowing on the porch rail. But he didn’t have time to nail it back on tightly, and in all the chaos it must have fallen. I thought about your big, open detective case sitting underneath the rail and deduced that the raven must have fallen into the case. I figured it all out while I was lying on the floor. Witson:

Once again, Sureluck solves the case. (Gives him a suspicious look) (Audience cheers. Pirate shakes head, confused)

Old Jane: (To audience) But what happened to Meg?

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Sureluck: (Sureluck pauses for a second, stands up, and pulls off beard. It’s Meg in the Sureluck costume!) I’m right here. Sureluck had stage — (stutters, almost says “stage fright”) Sureluck couldn’t finish his part, so I took over for him. I knew all of his lines from rehearsals. Then, when a real mystery happened, I just had to solve it. Old Jane: Thank goodness, you saved the day. Witson:

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Meg — our real detective — saved the play!

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(Comes on stage with the rest of the cast) “The Trick or Treat Mystery” is solved!

(Mummy hands her a bouquet of flowers) Cast:

Thank you for coming to Mystery Theater! (Everyone bows)

Cast:

Treats for everyone! (Witch and Pirate toss candy to the audience) (Curtain closes)

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Behind the closed curtain, the cast congratulated each other. Ms. Morse gave Meg a hug, “I’m not sure what happened out there, but thank you, Meg. You saved the play!” “Yeah, thanks Meg,” Simon whispered to her. “Thanks for keeping my stage fright a secret. I completely forgot my lines at the end.” “That’s okay,” Meg replied. “I’m just glad I could solve the mystery in the mystery play!” “I agree, Meg,” said Ms. Morse. “In fact, I think I’ll rewrite the play to have it end exactly the way it did tonight. It was so very mysterious! Now, let’s take another bow.”

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Learn more about Meg Mackintosh at: www.megmackintosh.com

About the author

Photograph by Ned Landon

Lucinda Landon has always loved mysteries. She has also always loved to draw. After studying art at the Rhode Island School of Design, she illustrated The Young Detective’s Handbook, by William Vivian Butler. That book received a special Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America and it launched Meg Mackintosh, who soon starred in her own adventures. The Meg Mackintosh Mystery series is now eight books strong, all published by Secret Passage Press. Meg and her brother Peter also appear in American History Mysteries, which Ms. Landon wrote and illustrated. Lucinda Landon lives in Rhode Island with her husband, photographer Jim Egan, and their sons Alex and Eric, three dogs, two cats, and two horses. Their 1700’s home has a hiding place behind the chimney and several trap doors leading to a secret passage.

Lucinda Landon at about the same age as Meg Mackintosh.