Rome (short story)

"Rome" is a short story that was posthumously published in Sucker's Portfolio in 2013 and reprinted in the collection Complete Stories in 2017.

Plot Summary

Single father Fred Lovell, facing a "big sorghum and oil scandal" in his home of Barbell, Oklahoma, sends his 18 year old daughter Melody to live with her aunt in North Crawford, New Hampshire. She joined the Mask and Wig Club, an amateur theatrical society, playing the part of Bella, a prostitute, in Arthur Garvey Ulm's only play, Rome, which lasted one night on Broadway. Playing Ben, a young, poetic American soldier, is Bryce Waremergran, the son of a lumber company owner who's visiting for the summer. John Sherwood, a local womanizer noted for his acting, plays Jed, a crass American soldier. Problems immediately arise when Melody refuses to kiss either actor which would violate the strict Christian upbringing her father provided, who she says has "the highest morals in Oklahoma." Eventually, Melody agrees to kiss the actors, but only during the actual performance. During rehearsals, it's clear Bryce is smitten with Melody. Being the first amateur production of Rome, the publishers are interested in the production which is terrible since Melody lacks any understanding of her character.

At the final rehearsal before dress rehearsal, Fred Lovell shows up drunk, which Melody attributes to him having "too much aftershave lotion on again." He is followed by a young stranger in a trench coat. As the rehearsal continues, Lovell is outraged at his daughter's role and hauls her back to her aunt's, followed by the stranger who appeared to be crying. The next morning's newspapers reveal that Lovell was a fugitive from justice who fled to Brazil with his mistress. At that evening's dress rehearsal, which the stranger is again attending, Melody barely arrives in time, costumed and made up perfectly. She gives a stunning performance, overwhelming both actors with her first kisses. Afterward, Melody declares herself "trash" who should be with someone like John, but the young stranger, playwright Arthur Garvey Ulm, comes in professing his love.