The Magnificent Showboats (14 page)

Zamp lost interest in Gassoon’s remarks and examined
Macbeth
in greater detail. He was forced to admit that the work projected a weird unreal emotion which he thought he might be able to capture and recreate, with a few modifications and augmentations of his own.

Gassoon stopped in mid-stride, to frown down at Zamp. “I trust that these seven stipulations, or more accurately, strictures of interpretation, accord with your own point of view?”

“Your ideas certainly have merit,” said Zamp absently. “I notice, incidentally, that the musical accompaniment is missing.”

Gassoon peered down at the ancient volume. “It is so indeed! A pity.”

“No great matter; the concert-master will provide a suitable score.”

“Concert-master? Is such a functionary essential?”

Zamp gave a quizzical shrug. “No one is absolutely essential. A concert-master will release me from the responsibility of rehearsing the musicians.”

“The most competent of the musicians can take on this work,” Gassoon decided. “Or if necessary, I will do so myself — anything to avoid useless expense.”

“That idea, at least, has merit, and to this end, rather than waste money at an inn, I will take up residence on the new
Miraldra’s Enchantment
, as it now must be known.”

Gassoon reluctantly agreed to this proposal. Damsel Blanche-Aster said softly: “Perhaps there is an area of responsibility I might assume?”

“A generous thought,” declared Gassoon. “Still —”

“Damsel Blanche-Aster might supervise the steward’s department,” suggested Zamp. “The quality of the victualling, the comfort of the cabins, dormitories, saloons and other such amenities.”

“This task had better be left to me,” Gassoon decided. “I am an old hand at arranging economies. But why should not the Damsel Blanche-Aster play a part in the drama? Why not Lady Macbeth herself?”

“An excellent idea,” said Zamp.

Damsel Blanche-Aster made no objection. “I will do my best.”

“Tomorrow then,” said Zamp, “I will set about the task of assembling a troupe. I will naturally require an expense account.”

Only after twenty minutes of heated discussion was the matter resolved, to the full satisfaction of neither Zamp, who enjoyed good living, nor Gassoon, who disliked paying for Zamp’s self-indulgences. As they left the Mariner’s Rest Gassoon was further annoyed when he was presented the bill for Zamp’s beer and sausages.

At a dock near the Burse Zamp hired a green punt with a green-and-white-striped awning and was conveyed along the waterways of Coble; under four-storied structures of dark timber, beside moored houseboats, under overhanging plum willows and stern black lantans. At Tasselmyer’s Dock Zamp alighted and walked along the Street of Sounds, beside the small shops where musical instruments were fabricated for export across Surmise Bay to Leuland, and much of Lune XXIII.

At the ramshackle Musician’s Club, Zamp noted several performers from his old troupe, who evidently had not secured employment with Garth Ashgale. Paying them no heed, he posted a placard on the announcement board:

The new
Miraldra’s Enchantment
, managed by Apollon Zamp, winner at the Lanteen Competition, has openings for several excellent and versatile musicians, who play instruments of the following categories:

BELP-HORN, SCREEDLE, CADENCIVER, VARIBOOM, ELF-PIPE, TYMPANY, GUITAR, DULCIOLE, HEPTAGONG, ZINFONELLA.

Auditions will be granted aboard
Miraldra’s Enchantment
(formerly the
Universal Pancomium)
at Bynum’s Dock.

The orchestra ultimately selected will participate in an important and innovative program, to be presented before King Waldemar at the Mornune Festival.

Only dedicated and expert artists will be considered.

Remuneration will be in appropriate measure.

Even before Zamp had finished posting his notice, every musician present had come to lean over his shoulder and read the announcement, with the exception only of some of Zamp’s former employees, who showed disinterest or diffidence.

Zamp responded to the questions with brief remarks: “Employment is of long or indefinite duration.” “I can use no bagpipes nor water-organs.” “Living conditions are to be more than adequate.” “Yes, we definitely play at Mornune and I hope to win the grand prize.” “The treasure will be shared in some degree.” “Security? Safety? The ship will be equipped with effective and modern protective devices. I foresee no problems.” “Auditions will start today at the third gong of the afternoon.”

Zamp returned to his punt and was taken to the Entertainers, Mimes and Magicians’ Social Club where he posted a second notice and responded to a similar set of questions. As he departed the premises, he met Viliweg the prestidigitator face to face.

Viliweg, wearing a suit of black gabardine, a cape of mouse-colored taupe, a rakish long-billed cap and various items of jewellery, seemed nothing less than prosperous. At the sight of Zamp, he nodded curtly and would have proceeded past, but Zamp held up his hand. “A moment, Viliweg! I would like a few words with you.”

“I am somewhat pressed for time,” said Viliweg. “Unfortunately I cannot indulge myself in the pleasure of conversation.”

“The matter is of considerable importance,” said Zamp. “Would you care to step to the side of the verandah?”

Viliweg stamped his foot in annoyance. “I recall no matters of outstanding urgency.”

Zamp said gently: “I will refresh your memory.” He took Viliweg’s elbow and led him to a secluded area behind a screen of decorative ferns. “Apparently,” said Zamp, “you failed to secure a post with Garth Ashgale?”

“Bah,” grumbled Viliweg. “Ashgale, like many other ship-masters, is highly verbal but significantly less adept when it comes to action.”

“Still,” Zamp remarked, “you appear quite prosperous. This is surely a new suit, and new boots as well.”

Viliweg blew out his cheeks. “I have ample resources.”

“The valuable ornament you are wearing on your cap,” said Zamp, “may I examine it?”

“I do not care to disarrange my dress,” said Viliweg. “Now, if you will excuse me —”

“Not so fast,” said Zamp with a meaningful leer. “I am also interested in that clasp of topaz and silver which pins your cloak. Their familiarity haunts me, and not to make too large a matter of it, be so good as to return my property before I slash away your ears with two strokes of my sabre.”

Viliweg made the usual expostulations, but in the end Zamp recovered a number of his jewels, together with a pouch containing a hundred and twelve iron groats.

“Now to the other phase of my business with you,” said Zamp. “I am re-forming the troupe, and I direct your attention to the placard I have just now posted. I possibly may be able to write into
Macbeth
the part of an expert prestidigitator; if you are interested, please report to Bynum’s Dock tomorrow morning.”

“I have just lost the savings of a lifetime,” said Viliweg in a morose voice. “Now I must return to work. Ah well, at the very least I find a loyal employer who rises to the occasion when hardship threatens.” He tried to embrace Zamp, but Zamp stepped alertly back and, after verifying his pouch for the jewels, departed the premises.

In yet another quarter of Coble Zamp posted a placard announcing possible employment for a number of personable girls of good voice and nimble body, then in good spirits he returned to Bynum’s Dock. Perhaps the loss of his wonderful ship was not unalloyed tragedy after all. New challenges confronted him; if surmounted they would yield rewards greater than any he had ever previously considered. Life was too short for either pessimism or complacence!

At Bynum’s Dock he paused in surprise. Where were the carpenters, painters, riggers and victuallers, who at this moment should have been plying their various trades? He marched aboard the ship, ignoring Berard’s demand for an admission fee, and discovered Gassoon at his display of ancient garments with a party of sightseers. “— nothing more fascinating than style,” Gassoon intoned. “Of all the symbols by which men and women reveal themselves, none are more subtle, yet explicit, than the garments which they choose to represent their guises. Garments have a vitality — yes, Zamp?” This in response to Zamp’s signal.

“I would like a word or two with you.”

“Be so good as to await me in my office.”

Zamp, however, stalked out upon the foredeck. Twenty minutes later, Gassoon peered out the door, and, spying Zamp, joined him.

“I understood that you were to await me in my office,” Gassoon complained. “I have been to inconvenience looking about the ship!”

Zamp controlled his temper. “Where are the workmen? I expected activity; I find torpor.”

“For the best of reasons,” said Gassoon. “The project is beyond my capacity. I cannot afford to spend so much iron.”

Zamp gritted his teeth. “What of our plans; what of the great adventures we had promised ourselves?”

“In due course, and on a less extravagant scale. The Damsel Blanche-Aster and I will give readings to audiences along the Vissel; there is no need for vast exploits.”

“Aha!” said Zamp, “Damsel Blanche-Aster has concurred in these plans?”

“I have no doubt as to her acquiescence. She is a rare soul and shares my love for the rich, the real, the authentic.”

“We shall soon find out,” said Zamp, “because she is coming aboard at this minute.”

Gassoon strode off to greet Damsel Blanche-Aster, with Zamp coming behind.

Like Zamp, Damsel Blanche-Aster seemed puzzled in regard to the inactivity aboard the ship. Gassoon anticipated her question. “My dear young lady, it is always a pleasure to see you! I have formulated a variation of our plans which I know will please you. The way to Mornune is long; an extravagant production such as that Zamp proposes will cost a large sum, and in the last analysis we are interested in resurrecting classic art, not vainglory —”

Damsel Blanche-Aster asked in a cool voice: “You are bored with our glorious scheme?”

“Bored? Never! Still, I must reckon expense; the costs are exorbitant; I now envision a more modest program —”

Damsel Blanche-Aster handed him a pouch of embroidered green silk. “Here is two pounds of iron. Is that sufficient? It is all I have.”

Gassoon stammered and passed the pouch from hand to hand as if it were hot. “Of course; these are ample funds, but I conceived —”

“We have no time for indecision,” said Damsel Blanche-Aster. “The Mornune Festival is almost upon us, and we can’t delay. You are sure the iron will cover expenses?”

“In grand style,” said Zamp. “What with the iron Master Gassoon himself is prepared to spend, we can now mount a production not only to entertain King Waldemar, but to dazzle him!”

Throdorus Gassoon threw up his hands. “If this is the way it must be —” he drew a deep breath “— well then, I am the man for it! Berard! Summon the shipwrights! No more visitors to the museum! There is work to be done!”

Two weeks wrought significant changes upon the old
Universal Pancomium.
Gassoon had grudgingly yielded the forward area of his museum to a stage and the foredeck had been altered to allow the placement of benches. Blue, yellow and red trim enlivened the white and black; the masts had been scraped and varnished; gonfalons, banderoles, bunting and angel-traps had been lavishly affixed to stays and shrouds. All in all, the gaunt old vessel made a brave show at its Bynum’s Dock moorings.

Zamp had assembled a troupe which he considered adequate to his purposes, though Gassoon had made stentorian objections when six shapely mime-girls joined the company. “Where will we require six such females in our production? There is no mention whatever of such persons!”

“The ‘Dramatis Personae’ requires attendants,” replied Zamp. “Need they be old and lank and toothless?”

“Need they be pivoting red-haired maenads?” countered Gassoon.

“Such creatures decorate a production,” explained Zamp. “Additionally, I plan to make the most of those references to banquets and celebrations, naturally with due faithfulness to the text. These girls will augment the verisimilitude of such scenes.”

Gassoon had more to say but in the end walked away waving his hands in the air.

Damsel Blanche-Aster worked diligently at the part of Lady Macbeth, while Zamp himself performed Macbeth. Gassoon had agreed to act the part of Duncan, while Viliweg was cast as Banquo, and Zamp had in mind several innovations to take advantage of Viliweg’s special talents.

During rehearsals Zamp attempted to simplify and modernize certain obscure phrases, and again found himself in controversy with Gassoon, who insisted on fidelity to the original. “All very well,” cried Zamp, “but speech is spoken that it may be understood. Why present a drama which simply bewilders everyone?”

“Your mind lacks poetry,” Gassoon responded sharply. “Can you not imagine a drama of hints and dreams which totally transcends the animal titillations and spasms and hooting sounds upon which your reputation is based?”

“These qualities won me the invitation to play before King Waldemar,” retorted Zamp. “Hence, they must be accorded respect.”

“Very well! Play your vapidities before King Waldemar if you like, but for the rest, I refuse to compromise!”

The musical score to
Macbeth
posed a different set of problems. Gassoon contended that the drama could well be played without music; Zamp, however, cited references to music and song, as well as fanfares, flourishes of hautboys, gongs and the like, which Gassoon could not dispute.

“Authenticity must be our watchword,” said Gassoon. “Since the text specifies the music of hautboys, clarions and gongs, these instruments would seem to constitute the accompanying orchestra.”

Zamp refused to consider such a limitation, which perhaps prompted Gassoon to obduracy when it came to fixing upon a date of departure from Coble. “Our business is at Mornune,” argued Zamp. “Far better to arrive three days early with a makeshift curtain-drop than three days late with all working to perfection!”