8 All the World’s a Stage

CHAPTER EIGHT ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE Law (noun). In science, a law explains a cause and effect that is always the same under the same conditions. It is accepted as true. So if someone makes a goal every time they play soccer—that could be a law! "WHAT IF I DON'T GET assistant director?" I said. Birdie squinted at me as we sat together in the school auditorium a little over a week after we had decided to do drama camp. It was Monday morning and the first day of fall break. "You not get assistant director? Um. That's not possible. You really are the best one for the job." While Mrs. Hansberry had everyone audition for a speaking role on Friday, we wrote down our info on a sheet if we wanted to be part of the stage crew and what our qualifications were. I ended up needing a second sheet to explain why I thought I'd be a good assistant director. "I'm sure when Mrs. Hansberry heard me sing during auditions, she knew I couldn't be in the

第八章世界是一个舞台法则（名词）。 在科学中，定律解释了在相同条件下总是相同的因果关系。 它被认为是正确的。所以，如果有人每次踢足球都能进一个球——这可能是一条定律！“如果我没当上副导演怎么办？”我说。 在我们决定参加戏剧夏令营一个多星期后，我们一起坐在学校礼堂里，伯迪眯着眼睛看着我。 这是星期一的早晨，也是秋季假期的第一天。 “你没有得到副导演？” 嗯。那不可能。你真的是这份工作的最佳人选。” 当汉斯伯里太太让每个人在星期五试镜一个有台词的角色时，我们把我们的信息写在一张纸上，如果我们想成为舞台工作人员的一员，我们的资格是什么。 最后，我需要第二张表格来解释为什么我认为自己会成为一名优秀的助理导演。 “我敢肯定，当汉斯伯里太太在试镜时听到我唱歌时，她知道我不能参加

cast," I said, "but maybe she could just give me a different crew job." I was worried. "Nothing is for certain." In science, laws are widely accepted as true. And there was no law saying that I was going to be assistant director. "Look, Kate. It has to be someone organized. Check. Someone who doesn't mind telling other people what to do. Check. Someone who can keep track of many things at once. Check. The assistant director position has your name all over it. And you submitted such a good application!" "Seriously. What if I don't get it?" "Then you'll do something else," said Birdie, who sat next to me in the second row. In front of us sat Avery and Phoenix while Elijah sat with his friend Jeremy Rowe in the aisle across the way. We were all waiting for Mrs. Hansberry to announce who got what part or position for the musical. About two dozen other kids sat in the seats also waiting. I guess being prop master could be okay. That was my second choice. But it wasn't as good as assistant director. I glanced at the sleek leather backpack by my feet. My mom let me borrow her leather bag. I had packed an emergency theater supply kit so big I couldn't get my regular backpack to close. My emergency kit included thick rope, two

“演员，”我说，“但也许她可以给我另一份工作。” 我很担心。“没有什么是肯定的。” 在科学中，规律被普遍认为是正确的。 也没有法律规定我要当助理导演。 “看,凯特。必须是有组织的人。 检查。一个不介意告诉别人该怎么做的人。 检查。一个能同时掌握很多事情的人。 检查。副局长的职位上全是你的名字。 你提交了一份这么好的申请！”“严重。 如果我不明白怎么办？”“那你就去做点别的吧，”坐在我旁边第二排的伯迪说。 艾弗里和菲尼克斯坐在我们前面，以利亚和他的朋友杰里米·罗坐在对面的过道上。 我们都在等汉斯伯里太太宣布谁得到了音乐剧的哪个角色或职位。 大约二十几个孩子也坐在座位上等着。 我想当道具师也不错。 那是我的第二选择。 但还是不如助理导演好。 我瞥了一眼脚边光滑的皮革背包。 我妈妈让我借她的皮包。 我带了一个剧院应急用品包，太大了，我的普通背包都合不上了。 我的急救包里有粗绳子，两条

bottles of water, tape, glue, a measuring tape, and scissors. I wanted to be prepared. "I really hope we both get what we want," Birdie whispered. "You will," I told her. "You're an amazing singer. Even when you're upside down!" Birdie blushed. She's not very good at compliments. "Uh, thanks." "You deserve the lead unicorn. Seriously. There is nobody in the entire fifth grade who knows more about them. And if—" "Shhh," said Birdie, pointing to the stage, which was completely empty. "Mrs. Hansberry's coming. I heard her voice." "Right." Birdie has super good hearing. She can hear my dad snoring when she spends the night, even when we spread out in sleeping bags downstairs in the basement.

瓶装水，胶带，胶水，卷尺和剪刀。 我想做好准备。“我真的希望我们都能得到我们想要的，”小鸟低声说。 “你会的，”我告诉她。“你是个了不起的歌手。 即使你是倒立的！”小鸟脸红了。 她不太会恭维人。 “嗯,谢谢。”“你配得上领头的独角兽。 认真对待。整个五年级没有人比他更了解他们了。 如果——”“嘘。”伯蒂指着舞台说，舞台上空无一人。 “汉斯伯里太太来了。我听到了她的声音。” “对的。”小鸟的听力非常好。 当她过夜的时候，她能听到我爸爸的鼾声，即使我们睡在楼下地下室的睡袋里。

"Hey," I said, leaning over to look at Birdie's drawing. "Can I see?" She snapped shut her drawing pad. "Aw, c'mon, Birdie." All I caught a glimpse of was where she had signed her name—Brinda Bhatt. She always signed her art with her real name. Birdie was just a nickname. "I'm sure it's fantabulous and could be framed in a museum." She stuffed the pad into her backpack. "Another time." She was such an amazing artist. Every year since we were five, she had drawn me a handmade birthday card. I kept them all in a box under my bed. But sometimes she was private about her artwork. Kids murmured and pointed as Mrs. Hansberry made her way to the front of the stage. Like always, she was dressed dramatically. This afternoon, she wore a bright green shawl and long dangly earrings in the shape of theater masks. "I'm going to announce roles and positions," said Mrs. Hansberry, "so if I could please have your attention." Actually, Mrs. Hansberry didn't need to say that last part. The place was as silent as outer space. I couldn't wait to hear what she was about to say.

“嘿，”我说着，俯下身去看伯蒂的画。 “我能看吗？”她啪的一声合上画板。 “哦，来吧，小鸟。”我只瞥见了她签名的地方——布林达·巴特。 她总是用自己的真名在作品上签名。 小鸟只是个昵称。 “我相信它非常棒，可以装在博物馆里。” 她把笔记本塞进背包里。 “另一个时间。”她是一位了不起的艺术家。 从我们五岁起，她每年都会给我画一张手工制作的生日贺卡。 我把它们都放在床下的盒子里。 但有时她对自己的艺术品很保密。 汉斯伯里夫人走到台前，孩子们低声指指点点。 像往常一样，她穿着华丽。 今天下午，她披着一条亮绿色的披肩，戴着戏剧面具形状的长耳环。 “我要宣布角色和职位，”汉斯伯里太太说，“所以请大家注意。” 事实上，汉斯伯里太太没必要说最后那句。 这地方像外太空一样寂静。 我迫不及待地想听她要说什么。