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[hafl]

Title: A Joke, Chapter One
Original work: Malory Towers
Pairing: None yet
Rating: PG


„Alicia that would be just mean. Not to mention it would ruin the entire pantomime,” said Darrell.
“Nonsense,” said Alicia, “It would make it better and not only that, it would also teach Gwen a lesson.”
Darrell sighed. It was just like Alicia, to wait for a day when Sally was busy coaching the lower forms, and then start persuading Darrell to rewrite the pantomime completely. She just didn’t understand how much had Darrell already given to the script.
“Don’t you think we would all have a splendid laugh over it?” continued Alicia, “and not only because of the pantomime.”
“No, just no,” said Darrell, “I’m not rewriting the script entirely to make it a comedy, not to mention giving Gwen the lead role.”
At that moment, the door opened and Sally entered the room. “Oh, hello Alicia,” she said.
“Hello, Sally,” said Alicia and turned to Darrell, “Think about it a little and you’ll see that I’m right.” After this, she walked around Sally and left.
When the door closed, Sally took a seat next to Darrell. “What did Alicia want?” she asked.
“She had some ideas about the script,” said Darrell, “I told her no, since it would mean rewriting it entirely.”
“Did she want a bigger role for herself?” asked Sally.
Darrell shook her head. “No, nothing like that. Don’t worry about it, Sally. I’d tell you if I wanted to change something.”
“I know, so why don’t you tell me what it was,” said Sally, “Maybe it was a good idea.”
“Well, she wanted me to rewrite the script to be a pure comedy,” said Darrell, “and then to give the role of Cinderella to Gwen, without telling her it was a comedy.”
Sally laughed, but stopped almost immediately. “Wouldn’t that be splendid, having the entire audience laugh at Gwen? It would serve her right.”
“Maybe,” said Darrell, “But knowing Gwen, she would break down in tears and run from stage at the first opportunity.”
“You’re right,” said Sally, “But just imagine it. Gwen, dressed in a beautiful costume, walks on the stage, all proud and pudgy and then declaims some ridiculous lines she can’t even understand, since she is just so besotted with the idea of playing a Cinderella.”
When she pictured this, Darrell had to laugh. Still, the script, even after all the work put into it, was far from finished and there was no time to waste. There was certainly no time to think about Alicia’s idea, so she and Sally settled down to write more of the script in what little time they still had before dinner.

-

Meanwhile, Alicia was looking for Betty to share the news of her meeting with Darrell. This big trick on Gwen may not have been Betty’s idea, but it was Betty, who persuaded her to try and convince Darrell to change the script. Sadly, Betty was nowhere to be found. She even asked Catherine about her, but Catherine, being a North Tower girl, had no knowledge about Betty’s whereabouts.
In the end, Alicia just waited until dinner to tell Betty. Alicia’s account did not surprise Betty and she told Alicia so. After all, it was unreasonable to expect Darrell to change the script just to accommodate Alicia’s idea.
However, Alicia knew Darrell much better than Betty did. She knew that Darrell, when properly led, would never decline a chance to play a trick and this one was so ambitious, that Darrell might be tempted even with Sally’s influence. Alicia did not tell this to Betty, so her friend considered the matter closed, but Alicia was determined to make Darrell see things her way.
Next day, just after the classes ended, Alicia sought out Darrell. Sally was with her, but Alicia did not mind, Sally’s presence was to be expected.
“Did you think about my idea?” she asked.
“I did,” said Darrell, “It is a good joke, but it would ruin the pantomime for everybody, since Gwen would just break down after the first laugh.”
“So you no longer mind the extra work it would take?” said Alicia.
“I do, but the work is not important, when the idea itself is impossible,” replied Darrell.
Alicia was expecting this, so she pulled out her trump card, an expression borrowed from one of her brothers. “Gwen running away can be part of the play too. After she does, someone else can take her place, someone who would be in on the joke.”
Darrell herself appeared to be almost convinced, but Sally had decided to enter the conversation, “But that would mean extra costume and we would be taking someone’s chance to have a role, if they were to be Gwen’s understudy.”
“Do you really trust Gwen that much?” asked Alicia.
“No, I do not,” admitted Sally.
“See?” said Alicia, “If you’re worried that much about the extra work, I can help. Besides, didn’t someone say that writing a great comedy is a much bigger achievement than writing a great tragedy?”
Darrell nodded slowly. “One condition: We must first tell everyone about it and see if they agree. If they do not, there won’t be any changes. Do you agree?”
“I do,” said Alicia, “And since Sally’s already here, let’s ask her. What do you think?”
Sally was quiet for a moment, her eyes looking from Darrell to Alicia and then back again. Then she spoke, “I’m for it.”