“Mr. Hogan?” They turned to face him, backing up a few steps in the process.
“Julie?” Harry was puzzled. “What are you doing here?”
She stepped forward. “It’s okay, guys. I know him.”
“Yeah, he’s a cop, and we all know we don’t have permission to be here.”
“Knock it off, Pete.”
“Pete Robbins. That’s right, I know all of you. Now, someone had better start talking and explain what you’re doing here.”
“We’re making a movie, Mr. Hogan.”
“Susie Quinn, is it? A movie?”
“Yes, we’re hoping it will help us get into the schools that offer the courses we need.”
“Aren’t you already in school? All of you?” Harry asked. Seven heads nodded agreement. “Okay, Julie, explain this to me.”
“We’re all doing trades so we can support ourselves while we wait for the right opportunity, our big break, because we all want to work in the entertainment business. This movie we’re doing, we do the writing, acting, makeup, directing and filming. We hope it will prove that we’re sincere about this and that we know what we’re doing and that we’re willing to work hard.”
“How did you come to find this place?”
“My folks were talking about root cellars,” Susie said. “You know how old people like to talk about the past. Anyway, Grandma talked about this one with the secret tunnel and I thought it would be a perfect place for filming.”
“And why do you come at such late hours?”
Julie picked up the story again.”Because we all have part-time jobs, and the times we get together have to be scheduled around our classes and our jobs.”
“They sound like a pretty level-headed group and I don’t think they mean any harm.”
All seven heads turned sharply at the sound. They had not noticed she was there.
“Ms Harris,” Harry said, “meet Julie Carter, Susie Quinn, Marie LaMarsh, Pete Robbins, Carl Porter, Ben Martin and Sherry White; all children from good homes.” He cocked his head to one side. “Nevertheless, they are breaking the law by trespassing on private property. And you have every right to press charges.”
“I suppose so,” she said.
“Kids, this lady owns the house you are doing your project under and disrupting her life.” Heads hung as they mumbled apologies and Harry looked at Ms. Harris. “Your property, your decision,” he said.
“I think such dedication should be rewarded, not nipped in the bud, don’t you, Mr. Hogan?”
“Perhaps, but… apart from trespassing, coming in here like they did could be considered break and entry.” He could see the kids starting to look nervous, shifting from one foot to the other, huddling close together. “As I said, it’s up to you.”
“There would have to be no screams after midnight.” They all nodded agreement. “Nothing will ever be removed from this room.” More nods and she smiled at them. “You know, I have a few friends with connections who might be able to help with the schools.”
“Really?” Seven pairs of eyes opened wide, now focused on this lady as if she was the answer to their prayers.
Harry waved his hand at them and walked out. He got in the truck and scratched his head. He wasn’t quite sure what had just happened back there but, offhand, he’s say those kids had just met their mentor. And that wasn’t a bad thing at all.
