**Special Note:** PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO NIFTY ARCHIEVES! It costs money to operate this site, so if you can afford to do so, please donate so the site can keep operating. Go to:
http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html **Additional Note:** There will be sexual scenes throughout this story, but it won't be predominately sex. If that's the type of story you are looking for then make another selection.
by
Erastes
Copyright 2017 by Erastes
Chapter
12 - The Play's the Thing.
There would be two practices this week, but we'd rehearse the entire play both times, complete with set changes and using all of the props. I wanted the actors to get used to what the actual performance would be like, so they wouldn't be surprised by anything when we put the play on in front of an audience.
Before we started Monday's rehearsal, I told the actors that I wanted them to bring in whatever they'd be wearing in the play when we met again on Thursday. I would lock their costumes in the storage area until they were needed, because that way no one would discover they'd forgotten something at the last minute, when there was no time to retrieve or replace it. Next week we'd only have one rehearsal, and that would be on Wednesday, and I was planning on having them wear their costumes during that rehearsal, but we wouldn't use any makeup. That wouldn't happen until Friday when we had our formal dress rehearsal in front of the student body.
Jon was smiling at me as we got ready to begin, and although he'd always been a sweet, friendly kid, he had never been this attentive to me before. I had a feeling it had something to do with our running into each other at the theater on Saturday, and surmised that incident had somehow changed our relationship. I just didn't know if it was because I had offered him some of my popcorn, or because we'd seen each other's penis in the restroom, but he seemed to be happy about our new connection either way.
The rehearsal went quite well, and I was pleased with the way the kids performed. I didn't have to stop the action to correct them about anything, and I only had to offer a single prompt, when Chloe momentarily forgot her character's next line in one of the final scenes. I did, however, offer a few suggestions before letting them go, but they were only little changes that I thought would make the final production even better.
Jon smiled at me after the practice ended too, and then he gave me a coy little wave as he left. I'm not sure what it meant, but I had a feeling I might be seeing more of him in the future, and that didn't necessarily mean naked either. It just seemed that he had imprinted on me in a sense, so I was going to make sure I acknowledged his little gestures so he wasn't disappointed or didn't get upset.
The next two days went by quite smoothly as well, and I was able to concentrate on my classes. On Thursday we had our next full rehearsal, and this one went even better than the last. I was really psyched by how well the kids were doing and was no longer worried that we only had one rehearsal left. That would happen the following Wednesday, shortly before the dress rehearsal in front of the entire school on Friday. The final performance would be for the parents and other relatives on Saturday.
When I signed in at school on Friday morning, the secretary told me that Mr. Baldwin wanted to see me in his office. I was more than a little nervous, because I wasn't sure what he wanted. He had a smile on his face when I entered his office after knocking on the door, and he stood up to greet me.
"Marshall, I just wanted to make sure that you and the drama club are all set for next Friday afternoon. I've scheduled the assembly for the last two periods of the day, and I've asked one of the aides to cover your classes after lunch so you can help the actors get ready."
"Thanks. There will only be two classes before the assembly, and I'll make sure the kids have something to work on so the aide will be able to handle things for me. I'll need that time to make sure the kids are looking good in their costumes before I add the makeup. That will take some time too, but Gina Atkins has offered to help, so we should be fine."
"Yes, I've got someone covering her classes before the assembly too, once she explained that she would be assisting you."
"Yes, she's going to help the girls get dressed, and then she'll assist me with applying the makeup."
"So the students are all ready to do this?"
"Yes, our last two rehearsals went very well, so I'm confident they'll do fine."
"I'm glad to hear that."
The rest of the school day went very well, and then I rushed out of the building after my last class ended. I decided to stop and eat at a local diner, rather than going home and fixing something. When I finally arrived at the apartment, I crashed on the sofa, relaxed and thought ahead to the following week. It was going to be a very busy time for me.
The weekend turned out to be a repeat of the last one, with the boys dropping by on Saturday afternoon, and then again after we went swimming together on Sunday. We did the same things in the bedroom as well, and the only major difference that weekend was that I didn't go to see a movie on Saturday.
The school week got off to a fairly smooth start, although nothing of consequence happened until Wednesday. The rehearsal we held that afternoon went extremely well, and the kids looked great in their costumes. Although the clothes they were wearing might not have been period specific for the timeframe the play was set in, the things they had on would let the audience know that the play wasn't taking place in a modern setting.
Chloe looked really cute in the dress she'd picked out, and she had a plain white apron that she'd put over it, along with wearing an old fashion bonnet, whenever they were working in the garden. Mrs. Medlock wore a dark blue skirt that went well below her knees and a white blouse with ruffles, which made her look very matronly. The boys all looked sharp in a pair of slacks and button-down shirt, but they definitely weren't identical.
Tucker was wearing a pair of wool trousers and a plaid shirt, since his character worked outdoors, and Jon had on a pair of khaki colored slacks and blue dress shirt. Someone had also made an old fashion nightshirt that he would slip over the other garments whenever his character was in bed. Wayne, who played Jon's father, wore a pair of dark slacks, a white shirt with a scarf wrapped around his neck, and a vest. I would also attach a moustache above his upper lip for the next two performances, and I was convinced the combination would make him appear to be a stern, older gentleman.
Now that the final rehearsal was behind us, there was only one more day before we went live, and although the last three rehearsals had all gone very well, I still had a very restless slumber Thursday night. I was still quite nervous when I got to school on Friday morning, but fortunately I didn't have to actually teach. I had given each of my classes a reading assignment to work on to free me up, but it would also make it easier for the aide when she covered for me.
I didn't have much to eat for lunch that afternoon, partially due to my nerves, but it was also so I'd be there when the boys showed up to change. They would start arriving right after the lunch period ended, and I would let them into the storage area off the stage to change, while Gina was helping the girls get dressed in the nurse's office. I'd taken the girls' costumes there before I went to lunch, so they would have everything they needed to get ready.
Once the boys got to the storage area, they stripped down to their underwear and began to put their costumes on. No one seemed shy about doing this, and I got a kick out of seeing the different types of underwear they had on. I think Will, Tucker, and Jon were going out of their way to make sure I noticed the bulges in their underwear too, although Jon's wasn't quite as noticeable. I'm sure Gary and Nolan would have done the same thing if they had to change as well, but that wouldn't happen until we performed the next play.
Once the boys were dressed and I'd checked to make sure they looked good, I began adding the makeup. We weren't using much, and other than Wayne's moustache it was just enough to highlight their facial expressions so the audience would be able to see them better. I also added some 'age lines' to the kids playing the older roles, and I even brushed some powder into their hair to make it appear as if it was streaked with white. Then, I helped Gina do the same with the girls, after she'd helped them apply their lipstick and eye shadow.
Once everyone was set, I glanced out of the opening in the house curtains and watched briefly as the other students were taking their seats. Mr. Baldwin had advised me earlier that there would be a few parents in attendance today as well, because they had explained they wouldn't be able to make it on Saturday, due to various other commitments.
A couple of minutes later, I turned to give a little pep talk to the kids before the curtain opened. In addition to giving them a confidence boost, I advised them that I'd be in the wings so I could prompt them if they needed help, but I was certain they'd do fine and wouldn't require assistance. After Mr. Baldwin issued a greeting to those in the audience and explained a little bit about the play, I tugged on the ropes and opened the curtain for the first time.
The kids did a wonderful job, and that included Gary, Nolan, and their crews too. They did an exemplary job of changing sets and making sure all of the props were in place before the curtain opened for each scene. I was extremely pleased and very proud of each of them when the performance ended, as I led them out to take their final bow.
Mr. Baldwin also praised the kids as they were leaving the stage, and then he came up to me before I disappeared, so he could speak with me alone. "Congratulations, Marshall. You did an amazing job with the students, and that was one of the finest performances I've ever seen at this level. Tom Chang will be here tomorrow to see how you do, and I'm sure he will be just as pleased as I am. He certainly picked the right man for the job."
After I thanked him, I went back to make sure the boys were changing into their school clothes to go home. They were all partially undressed and talking excitedly when I reached the storage area. They were thrilled about how the audience had reacted to the job they'd done, and they were also congratulating one another. After I helped them remove their makeup, I also praised them and stated that I thought they'd all done a wonderful job as well, while also passing along what Mr. Baldwin had told to me in private.
They were all pumped up as they were getting dressed and preparing to go home, and before they left I reminded them that I'd see them at 10:30 the following morning. I wanted them to have plenty of time to get dressed, so it wouldn't cause me to have to rush while applying their makeup. Tomorrow's performance wasn't scheduled to start until noon, so I felt I would have enough time to do everything.
When I caught up with Gina and the girls a few minutes later, I told them the same things. After the girls left, Gina congratulated me too. "Great job! I'm thrilled that you're going to be helping me with the musical this year. If that was an example of what you can do, then I'm sure this year's performances will be among our very best!"
"Thanks for adding more pressure to my job," I joked. "I appreciate everything you did to help me too, but most of the credit for today goes to the kids. They were absolutely terrific."
"Yes, they were, but they also had a great director. Don't sell yourself short."
"Hey, I just had an idea. How would you like to join me for dinner, my treat. I've decided that I don't feel like fixing anything this evening, so I'm going to the Rusty Hammer for a bite to eat." The Rusty Hammer was one of the most popular casual dining spots in the area.
"I'd love to join you, but you don't have to pay for my meal."
"I insist. It will be my way of thanking you for your help."
"In that case, I'll meet you there. That way you won't have to drive back here so I can pick up my car later."
"Ok, that works for me too."
I knew Gina was currently unattached, so I figured she didn't have to rush home to have dinner with someone else. This would be my way of showing her my appreciation for her assistance, since she didn't have to do this and had merely volunteered to help. She was only doing it because I'd be working with her on the musical later, but I'd be getting paid for that, where she was doing this for free. I wasn't worried that she might think this was a date or that there was any romantic overtones either, because I'd made certain that she knew it was just my way of thanking her for everything she'd done.
We had a wonderful and relaxing dinner, and we not only discussed today's performance, but we also talked about the other play I'd be putting on, along with the musical. She offered to help with Tom Sawyer too, so I gratefully accepted and thanked her again.
After I'd paid the bill, I walked Gina out to her car and told her I'd see her in the morning. Then, we both drove home, ready to rest up before we had to do this all over again. I was emotionally drained by the time I got to the apartment, so I turned on the TV and sat down on the sofa to take it easy. I didn't really watch what was on the screen and merely thought about today's performance instead, as well as thinking ahead to tomorrow. I did that until 9:00, when I decided to turn in early for the night.
I was very well rested and totally pumped when I woke up the next morning. I decided to delay eating breakfast, though, and waited to do that until just before I left for the school. I figured that way my stomach wouldn't start grumbling before the play ended, and then I'd be able to grab a quick bite afterward.
I left the apartment at 10:00, because I wanted to be there before the kids started showing up. I'd told them to just have their parents drop them off and then come back later, since I didn't feel they'd want to sit in an empty auditorium for an hour and a half waiting for the play to begin. It would take time to make sure everyone was dressed and looking nice, but it would take even longer to apply the makeup. This way we wouldn't have to rush and we'd be able to adjust for anyone who overslept or merely showed up late.
We were all set by 11:45, so I peeked through the house curtains to see how many people were already seated in the auditorium. I was surprised and pleased, because there were a lot more people out there than I'd expected. From the look of things, in addition to the parents there were also a few grandparents and some of the actor's siblings, as well as other family members. I also noticed Mr. Chang sitting in the front row.
After I'd given the kids another quick pep talk, I walked out on the apron of the stage to greet the audience and thank them for coming. After I finished doing that, I walked back to the wings and tugged on the ropes that opened the curtains to get things started.
The kids did an even better job today and I was extremely pleased with their effort. Those in the audience must have been equally impressed, because they gave the kids a standing ovation when they came out to take their final bow. I could tell it was very difficult for the kids to maintain their composure at this point, because they were all so excited about how the audience was reacting that they just wanted to jump up and down to celebrate. However, they remained in control until I closed the curtain for the final time, but as soon as we were alone on the stage, they began dancing around and congratulating one another.
"Wow! That was incredible," someone yelled, although I wasn't sure who had said it.
"Man, I hope I'm in the next play too," someone else chimed in. I had a feeling a few of them had caught the acting bug, just like I had after my first performance.
When they finally calmed down again, Gina and I congratulated them too, because we knew that not all of them would be changing before they left. Some would just grab their clothes and go home with their parents, so we went back to make sure everyone retrieved what they had been wearing when they first arrived. I went out to talk to the parents after one of the kid's sister came on stage to let me know there were people waiting to speak with me. When I went out to see them, Tom Chang was the first to greet me.
"You did an incredible job with this group. I'm very pleased and impressed. Since I know some of the parents want to speak with you too, I'll cut this short. I'll drop by after school on Monday so we can talk more, but great job!"
After thanking him for his kind words, I began to chat with the parents next, starting with one of the mothers. "We had to do a lot of running around so Chloe could be in this, and it interfered with my making dinner on more than a few nights too, but it was well worth it. I don't think I've ever been more pleased about anything she's done before, than I was as I watched her perform on the stage today."
"She did an incredible job, so you should be pleased and proud." Shortly after saying that, I turned to see who was next.
"Mr. Roberson, I want you to know that Tucker thinks the world of you, and we do too," his mother confessed. "I'm glad he was able to be part of this extraordinary experience."
"Thank you, and I think the world of him too. He did an awesome job, both yesterday and today."
Several other parents spoke to me as well, including Jon's parents. It seemed that he'd been talking to them about me at home, and they said they hoped I would be able to spend more time working with him on other projects. I saw Jon nodding in agreement, but I wasn't sure if he and his parents had the same idea about what it might include.
As soon as I'd finished speaking with everyone who had stayed around to talk to me, I went back to help a few who had waited to change. They wanted me to remove their makeup before they changed, because they didn't want it to get on the clothes they had worn there. I didn't have a problem with doing that for them, as long as their parents didn't mind waiting for us to finish, but the kids kept assuring me that wouldn't be a problem.
Once the last of the group had taken off, I checked to make sure everyone was gone and nothing had been left behind, and then I locked up and exited the building. Mr. Baldwin had given me the key so I could do that again, and now I headed back to my apartment to relax and savor this triumphal moment.
The first thing I did was to fix myself something to eat, and then I sat down to relax and enjoy it. I hadn't even been home for an hour when there was a knock on my door. I immediately concluded it must be one of the boys, so I hurried over to open it. It wasn't one of them, though, but all four, and they rushed past me as I stepped to one side.
"What a rush," Will said as he came inside. "My parents wouldn't stop talking about the play, even after we got home. They said you did an awesome job with us and that we were all great! I don't think my parents have ever been so excited about anything I've done before. They also kept saying how proud they were of me too."
"I'm glad, and I'm proud of all of you too. You and Tucker did really well with your parts, and Gary and Nolan did a terrific job making sure the sets and props were in place quickly, so we didn't have to delay any of the curtain openings."
We talked for a few more minutes before Gary changed the subject. "That was fun, but we want to do something now that's even more fun. Right, guys?"
"Yeah, let's go back to your bedroom," Tucker urged.
I agreed and led them back to get started. Since they were all excited about the play, it didn't take any of them very long to get off today. We did the same things as the last time, with everyone but Tucker using the blue dildo, and then they all worked on me together too. It was a very enjoyable experience, and then we sat around naked as we talked about everything again. Eventually, the boys wanted to talk about something else.
"Will we be able to come over here during Thanksgiving break?" Nolan wanted to know.
"I'm afraid not. I'm leaving to go home after we get out of school on Wednesday, and I don't plan on returning until Sunday. I'm looking forward to seeing my parents again!"
"That sucks," Will replied. "Not that your gonna see your parents, but that we won't be able to do anything with you."
"You can always get together for a little fun with each other."
"We don't have any place where we can do that. Our parents will be home too, so we won't dare do anything at one of our houses."
"Won't your parents be going shopping?"
"My dad always stays home, because he doesn't want to miss any of the football games," Gary stated.
"And your mom let's him get away with that?"
"She says she can do a lot more shopping if she doesn't have to listen to him complain or have to go looking for where the TVs are in each store so she can find him."
"I see, but how about your mother, Will?"
"She hates shopping on the weekend after Thanksgiving because it's so nuts. She orders most of the stuff she buys online and only goes to the stores before Thanksgiving, or she waits until December."
"I'm sorry you won't be able to get together, but I don't want to disappoint my parents either."
"That's ok. We'll just miss you, though," Tucker added.
"Can't you come back early on Sunday so we can spend some time with you?" Gary followed.
"I can try. I suppose I could tell my parents that I have to get back so I can work on my lesson plans for the week. Nolan, why don't you call me around 2:00 or 3:00 to see if I'm back yet."
"Ok, I can do that, and then I'll call the others if you're here."
"Sounds good to me."
"Are you gonna go swimming with us tomorrow?" Will asked next.
"Sure. I don't have anything else to do, and I need to go because I missed my workout today."
"And then can we come back here and do like we did today?" Tucker continued.
"Yes, as long as your parents don't catch on to what you're up to, and no one sees you coming here."
That seemed to please them, so after they got dressed and left, I sat down to make my list of who would be playing which characters in the next play. There were fifteen parts for the boys this time, and eleven for the girls, so everyone would be able to have a speaking role by the time we finished the second play. It might not be a large part, but at least they'd have at least one or two lines to say.
When I finished doing that, I decided to go to a local bar for a couple of drinks to help me unwind. It was also karaoke night, so I was looking forward to listening to the entertainment as well. Hell, I might even get up and take my turn at the mic, as long as I had enough to drink first.
Even though I'd only had a couple of drafts, the crowd was small and just a few brave souls had gotten up to sing, so I decided to give it a try. I was pleased when I received a small round of applause after I finished the first number, because most of those who'd gone up on the small stage were usually ignored. It was enough to give me the courage to sing another song, though, and I got a similar reaction this time as well. Even though I'd been successful twice, I decided to leave the stage at that point and give another person the chance to perform.
I was very careful driving home, because I didn't want to be stopped and charged with DUI. When I got back to the apartment, I grabbed a quick snack and then got ready for bed. It had been a long and exhausting day, and the drinks had made me drowsy, so I opted not to fight it.
When I got up the next morning, I took my time going through my normal routine, and then I headed out to meet the boys at our usual time. As soon as they arrived, I explained that I wanted to switch between swimming laps and spending time with them, since I hadn't been able to workout the previous day. I was really glad that no one complained, but that was probably due to the fact that I hadn't worked out because of the play, so they were willing to allow me the chance to do it now.
I was surprised when the other two boys showed up again, but it also gave me a chance to swim laps without anyone else bothering me. The boys were too busy chatting and horsing around with their old friends, and then they brought them over to introduce me when I stopped to take a break.
"Mr. Roberson, I know you saw these two here before, but this is Nigel and Rory Carmichael," Nolan stated. "We told them about you and the drama club, so we thought we'd let them meet you too."
"We wish our school had something like that," Rory added after we'd exchanged hellos.
"Yeah, at our school we can join the band, chorus, or sports teams, but that's all," Nigel added.
"We've got those things at our school too," Gary responded, "but this year Mr. Roberson started the drama club and it's been great."
That was basically the end of my conversation with them, because I started swimming laps again, but when I stopped and got ready to leave later, they followed us into the locker room to change. After we all took off our swimsuits, we hit the showers together as well. Once again, Nigel and Rory didn't bother checking any of us out, although the rest of us took the opportunity to get a good look at their junk. I think Tucker was intrigued with their uncircumcised penises, because he couldn't seem to stop staring at them.
Once I'd finished washing up and changed, I said goodbye to all of the boys, although I knew I'd be seeing my group again a little later. I drove back to the apartment and left the door ajar again, as I waited for the boys to show up. They arrived nearly an hour later.
"I hope you're not mad that we told Nigel and Rory about you," Gary said after the door was closed.
"No, they'd obviously seen us together both times, so it probably helped that they knew who I was."
"Yeah, and they came back today hoping we'd be there again," Nolan added. "They wanted to know if we swam there every Sunday, so we could spend more time together. We haven't seen each other since the summer before last."
"It's nice that you guys are still friends."
"Yeah, all of us used to be really close," Will explained. "We were in the same classes at different times, at least until their parents bought a new house and they moved."
"When people move it often takes a toll on old friendships, so I'm glad you guys still feel close to one another."
"That's enough talk about those guys," Tucker urged. "Let's get started on the other stuff, cuz I can't stay long."
"Yeah, let's go back to the bedroom," Will agreed.
Since they were so eager, I led them back to the bedroom and we had a repeat performance of the day before. After I'd taken care of each of them, they returned the favor and got me off as well. Then, all four boys left and headed home, after telling me they'd see me again at school.
* * * * * * * *
E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions, or other 'constructive' comments or advice may be sent to: ErastesTouch@aol.com - but please put the story title in the subject line, so it doesn't get deleted as junk mail.
My other stories:
http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/different-points-of-view/
http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/a-throw-away-kid/
http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/the-guardian/
http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/chance-of-a-lifetime/
* * * * * * * *
Although the boys in these stories sometimes have unprotected sex, I strongly urge all of you out there to be smart and protect yourselves from various sexually transmitted diseases by using taking appropriate precautions before engaging in sex.