# VII: Rehearsal explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman.

## What happens

The chapter details the rehearsal of Lord Byron's play 'Ruthven' on a narrow, deep stage. Varduk directs the cast, including Gilbert Connatt as Aubrey/Swithin, Sigrid Holgar as Malvina/Mary, and Martha Vining as Bridget. During a sword-fighting rehearsal, Connatt accidentally stabs Varduk, but Varduk reveals it was a trick with false blood. The rehearsal continues until a dispute arises over a scriptural error in the Lord's Prayer, leading to tension between Connatt and Varduk, which Varduk diffuses by ending the rehearsal early.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Power of Belief and Ritual

The rehearsal of 'Ruthven' involves ritualistic performance and the superstition about not speaking the last line, highlighting the power of theatrical and superstitious beliefs.

### Evil and Moral Corruption

Varduk's manipulation of the rehearsal, the trick with the sword, and the disputed sacrilegious script error suggest underlying moral corruption and deceit.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Connatt

Plays Aubrey and Swithin; accidentally stabs Varduk during rehearsal; disputes the script's wording of the Lord's Prayer.

### Varduk

Director and actor playing Ruthven; reveals the stabbing was a trick; ends rehearsal after a dispute.

### Miss Holgar

Plays Malvina and Mary; performs well but notices the script error in the Lord's Prayer.

### Martha Vining

Plays Bridget; cracks her voice for the centenarian role; reacts with horror to the stabbing.

### Jake Switz

Present at rehearsal; reacts with an oath when Connatt stabs Varduk.

### Elmo Davidson

Varduk's subordinate; fetches the sword and chairs; defends Varduk against Connatt.

## Key lines

> I faced them, and who seeks my face seeks death.

I confronted them, and anyone who looks at me will die.

_Ruthven's line delivered by Varduk during rehearsal, emphasizing his commanding and deadly presence._

> It does not pierce—indeed, it rather weighs, Like lead, upon the face where it is fixed.

His gaze doesn't stab; instead, it presses down heavily like lead on the face it looks at.

_Aubrey describes Ruthven's glance as heavy and oppressive, not sharp._

> I don't like sacrilegious mistakes, and I don't like being snubbed, sir.

I dislike blasphemous errors and being treated dismissively.

_Connatt's defiant response to Varduk after questioning the script's wording of the Lord's Prayer._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/vii-rehearsal
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters