儿童英语读物 The Mystery at the Alamo CHAPTER 2 Trouble on the Movie Set

I’m sorry about Roger’s behavior,” Claire said to the children. “This Texas heat has made him a little irritable 1. I’m sure you’ll do a good job.”



“Of course they will,” said a young man with dark hair.



“This is Bob Branson,” Amy said. “He’s Roger Martin’s stand-in. Bob’s been acting 2 since he was young.”



“He sure is cute,” Jessie whispered to Violet.



“Well,” Amy said. “Now that everyone knows each other, let’s get you kids into your costumes. Follow me to the costume tent.”



“That Roger Martin seems unfriendly,” Henry whispered to Jessie.



“He does,” Jessie agreed. “But everyone else seems nice.”



“Mary,” Amy called as they neared the costume tent. “Are you in there?”



“Come on in,” someone called from inside the tent.



“This is Mary Jenkins,” Amy said. An older woman who was surrounded by clothes, hats, and shoes looked up from her sewing machine with a smile.



“Mary, these are our extras,” Amy said as she introduced the children.



“Glad to meet you! I think I have something for everyone,” Mary said as she looked through the racks of clothes that lined the wall of the tent. She quickly found long cotton dresses for the girls and shirts, pants, and hats for the boys.



“Mary keeps track of every hat, wig 3, shoe, and piece of clothing we use on the set,” Amy explained.



“Everyone has to check costumes, wigs 4, jewelry 5, and props 6 in and out every day,” Mary said. “It’s very important that you write down the time and date every time you take something. Then sign the check-out sheet by your name.”



“We will,” the children promised.



“When you’re all dressed, we’ll get started,” Amy said. “Just meet me back on the set.”



“Let me give you a tour,” Mary said. “It will help when you come in to check out your costumes.”



She showed them the collection of hats the actors used. There were hats in every shape, size, and color. Mary pulled out rack after rack of shoes and purses. Then she opened up a velvet-lined box.



“Jewels!” Violet said.



“It looks like a treasure chest,” Benny said.



“They’re all good fakes,” Mary said, laughing. “Most of the rings are gold-plated and most of the diamonds are really just glass and rhinestones 7. But when the actors wear them, it’s hard to tell that they’re not the real thing.”



“I guess that’s why they call it ‘movie magic,’ ” Henry said.



“Exactly,” Mary said. “We try to make everything look as real as possible, but it’s not.”



“I guess we’d better get ready now,” Antonio said. “I think I heard Amy telling everyone to take their places.”



“The men’s dressing 8 room is on the right,” Mary said. “And the women’s is on the left.”



In no time at all, the children were dressed in clothing similar to what was worn in the 1800s.



“You two look really pretty,” Antonio said to Jessie and Violet.



“Thanks,” Jessie said. “But I’m glad we don’t have to wear long skirts like these anymore.”



“Me, too,” Violet said.



“This hat is pretty neat,” Antonio said as he looked at himself in the mirror.



“I’m glad you like your costumes,” Mary said. “But make sure you turn everything in as soon as you’re finished for the day. Now you’d better hurry. I’m sure Amy is ready to get started.”



The children thanked Mary and rushed over to the movie set.



“There you are,” Amy said. “Those costumes are perfect!”



“I feel like it’s Halloween time,” Benny said.



“Well, you are wearing a costume,” Violet agreed.



Amy handed each child a script to read. Then she carefully explained what each one would be doing in the movie.



“It will take a few minutes to set up the lights,” Amy said. “Then Jessie will do her part.”



“Great,” Jessie said. Jessie loved her part. In the first scene, she was supposed to hand a bouquet 9 of Texas wildflowers to the leading lady, Claire LaBelle.



“Okay, places everyone,” Amy yelled. “Action!”



Claire LaBelle looked beautiful in her long dress. She smiled as Jessie handed her the flowers. Claire held them up to her nose to smell the wonderful fragrance 10. Then, before she could say her lines, she began to sneeze uncontrollably. She struggled to speak, but she could not stop sneezing.



“Cut! Cut! Cut!” Amy shouted. “Claire! Are you all right?”



“I don’t know what happened,” Claire said. “I did my part just the way you told me to. But those flowers made me sneeze.”



“Let me take a look at them,” Bob said quickly. Claire handed him the bouquet of flowers.



Bob checked the flowers carefully while everyone looked on.



“Do you see what I see?” Violet whispered to Henry.



“The only thing I see is some pretty flowers. What do you see?” Henry asked.



“There’s ragweed in that bouquet,” Violet said. “Ragweed will make you sneeze if you’re allergic 11 to it.”



“Maybe you should tell Amy about it, Violet,” Henry said.



“Excuse me,” Violet said softly. “But there are some sprigs of ragweed in that bouquet.”



“Why, she’s right,” Bob said. He pulled the ragweed out of the bouquet and threw it away.



“How did that get in there?” Claire asked. “Everyone knows I have severe allergies 12.”



“I’m sorry, Claire,” Amy said.



“I’d be happy to film that scene for you,” Janice said. “I don’t have any allergies.” Janice was dressed exactly like Claire.



“Thanks, Janice,” Amy said. “That’s very thoughtful of you.”



“I can do it,” Claire wheezed 13. “Just give me a second to catch my breath.” She took a deep breath and tried to smile. “I think I can go on now.”



Janice looked disappointed.



“Now everyone back to your places,” Amy said, clapping her hands.



Claire and Jessie finished filming their part without any more interruptions. At the first break, Claire strolled over to the children.



“How would you all like to have a snack with me?”



“I’d love a snack,” Benny answered quickly. “I mean, we’d love to have a snack. Thank you.”



“Good!” Claire said with a smile. “I’ve got a surprise treat I want to share with all of you. Come with me.” Then Claire led them over to her trailer, which was small and cozy 14, just like the Aldens’ boxcar.



Jessie couldn’t believe it. “Benny, doesn’t this trailer remind you of our boxcar?” she asked.



“Yes, but Claire’s trailer has steps and our boxcar has a stump,” Benny said, smiling.



“Please open up those folding chairs and have a seat,” Claire said. “I’ll get the surprise.”



“What do you think the surprise is?” Antonio whispered.



Before anyone could answer, Claire turned around with a tray full of cookies and a pitcher 15 of milk. Each cookie was shaped like the state of Texas.



“Oh, how cute!” Violet said. “There’s a little bluebonnet on mine.”



“What’s a bluebonnet?” Benny asked.



“That’s the state flower of Texas,” Antonio said.



“Grandfather showed us some when we were walking over to the Alamo,” Jessie said. “Don’t you remember, Benny?”



“He was probably too busy looking at all the food stands to notice the flowers,” Henry said, smiling at his little brother.



Claire poured glasses of milk and handed out napkins.



“May I take a few cookies with me?” Benny asked. “For later, I mean.”



“Of course, Benny,” Claire said, laughing. “Take as many as you want.”



“Thank you,” Benny said happily. He wrapped a few of the cookies in a napkin.



“Well,” Claire said as she glanced at the clock. “I think we’d better get back to work. If we leave now, we’ll be on the set in plenty of time. I hate to be late.”



As soon as they reached the set, Amy called the children over to explain the next scene. A fake house front had been built especially for the movie. The front of the house was complete with a roof, windows, and several small wooden steps leading to a porch. Boxes of flowers and an old-fashioned rocker were on the porch. But if you opened the front door, there was nothing behind it but a small platform. Claire stood on the platform, waiting for Amy’s cue to come through the door.



“That house looks real, until you look at the back of it,” Jessie whispered to Violet.



“It sure does,” Violet agreed.



“Listen up, everyone,” Amy shouted. “In this scene, Claire will open the door and walk down those steps, carrying some books about the Alamo. After she says her lines, Antonio and Henry will walk over to her, take the books, and exit. Does everyone understand?”



“Yes,” Henry said. “That’s easy.”



“Great,” Amy said. “Okay. Action!”



Claire opened the door and smiled. But as she started down, the second step broke with a loud cracking sound. Splinters of wood flew into the air, and Claire stumbled. The books sailed out of her hands and slid across the grass. She landed in a heap near the bottom step.



Amy ran to help Claire, followed by the children. The actress sat at the foot of the steps and rubbed her ankle.



“What happened?” Claire said, moaning. “I stepped down, and the stairs just caved in!”



“Are you hurt, Miss Claire?” Benny said.



“I think I’ll be all right, dear,” Claire said.



“Let me look at your ankle,” Janice said, rushing through the crowd of people who had gathered around Claire. “I know first aid.”



“Thank you, Janice,” Claire said. “You’re so thoughtful.”



“I’ll take a look at that step,” Bob said. “One of the supports under the step probably came loose. I’ll fix it right now.”



“How can you tell?” Henry asked. “You can’t even see underneath 16 that step unless you rip out the top board.”



“I just know about these things,” Bob said.



“We have someone who can fix that, Bob,” Amy said. “But thanks anyway.”



“I want to fix it myself,” Bob said. “That way I’ll know Claire won’t fall again.” Bob looked over at Claire and smiled.



“Did you see that?” Violet whispered to Henry and Jessie. “I think he likes Claire. Isn’t that sweet?”



“Yes,” Henry agreed. “But don’t you think it’s kind of suspicious that all these strange things keep happening to Claire?”



“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” Jessie said. “I heard one of the crew members say they’ve had a lot of things go wrong since they arrived in San Antonio.”



“I think we should keep an eye out for any more accidents,” Violet said. “We might have a mystery on our hands.”



While the crew worked to redo the set, Henry, Benny, and Antonio walked over to watch Bob repair the step.



Jessie and Violet helped Claire hobble over to the cast members’ chairs. Janice and Roger watched her as she slumped 17 down into the chair that had her name stenciled 18 on the back. Violet went to get Claire a glass of water.



“I’m so tired of this place,” Claire said sadly. “Nothing seems to be going right. I’d do anything to get back home to California.”



Jessie and Violet looked at each other. They really liked Claire and felt sorry for her.



“Claire,” Roger said impatiently. “When do you think you’ll be able to go on? I want to wrap this scene up as quickly as possible so I can film my scene. I’m more than ready to get out of this heat!”



“I don’t think I can walk, Roger,” Claire said. “And besides, Bob is still working on the steps.”



“There’s no rush, Claire,” Janice said quickly. “You know I’ll be glad to fill in for you.”



“Roger,” Amy said as she waved him over to her chair, “could I speak to you for a minute?”



“What is it now?” Roger asked, walking closer to Amy.



“I’ve been looking over the script and I think we need to cut some of your lines from this scene. Claire needs to say more about the history of the Alamo.”



“Claire, Claire, Claire. That’s all I hear,” Roger shouted angrily. “We’re never going to complete this film if we’re depending on her to carry the lead.”



“Roger,” Amy said quietly. “I’m trying to be fair to everyone. Claire has the lead role and it’s important that she say these lines about the Alamo — ”



“You’re reducing my part to almost nothing!” Roger interrupted. “You won’t get away with this!”



Roger walked away, muttering angrily to himself.



“Okay everyone,” Amy said, throwing her hands into the air. “It looks like we’re finished for the day. We’ll start again tomorrow.”



Jessie and Violet went back to the house front, where Henry, Benny, and Antonio were helping 19 Bob repair the steps.



“The supports underneath the steps were cracked,” Antonio explained to the girls. “Just like Bob said they were.”



“It was a lucky guess,” Bob said quickly.



“We helped him fix it,” Benny said. “I handed him the nails.”



“You did a great job,” Henry agreed.



“Wait a minute, children,” Amy called. “I need to pay you before you leave for the day.” She handed them ten dollars each.



“Wow,” Benny said, thinking of what he would use the money for.



Violet smiled at Benny. “Why don’t you save your money and buy a cowboy hat?”



“That’s a good idea,” Benny said as he put the money into his pocket.



“Please turn in your costumes before you go,” Amy said. “I’ll see you back on the set at eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”



“We’ll be here,” Henry said.



The children quickly turned in their costumes to Mary at the costume tent. Mary carefully checked off every item and hung the clothes up.



“Everything is present and accounted for,” Mary said. “I’ll pin your names on your costumes so that you can get them yourselves tomorrow.”



“I need to go now,” Antonio said. “I’m sure my mother can use some help at the lemonade stand. I’ll stop by the hotel tomorrow and we can walk to work together.”



“That’s a good idea,” Henry said. “We’ll see you in the morning.”



The Boxcar Children waved good-bye to Antonio as he left to join his mother.



“Grandfather should be here soon,” Jessie said. “He said to wait for him on this bench.”



“I’ll be glad to sit down for a while after the day we’ve had,” Violet said.



“I think that someone is deliberately 20 trying to keep this movie from being made,” Henry said.



“Roger said he was going to get even,” Jessie said. “Do you think he’s the one who has been making all these accidents happen?”



“He could be,” Henry said.



“Or it could be Janice,” Violet said. “She really wants Claire’s part. She always offers to fill in for her.”



“Well,” Jessie said, “that is her job. But it’s true that if something happened to Claire, Janice would get her part.”



“We should keep an eye on all of them tomorrow,” Henry said. “Maybe we can figure out who’s behind all this.”



“Hello, there,” Grandfather called out to them. “How are my movie stars?”



“Working on a movie set is fun, but it makes you really tired,” Jessie said.



“And hungry!” Benny said. “Are we going someplace good to eat?”



“The hotel has a wonderful restaurant,” Grandfather said.



“Then let’s go to the hotel right away,” Benny said. “I’m a little hungry.”



“A little hungry?” Violet said, smiling.



“Okay. I’m big hungry,” Benny said as he rubbed his stomach. “As big as Texas!”



“Well, we’d better be on our way, then,” said Grandfather.



They all laughed as they walked to the hotel.