Fifteen minutes later, the crew had changed into their costumes.

Carmen motioned for Ivy, Zack, and Mortimer to go on stage.  "Perform the Mad
Tea Party scene. I'll keep watch for Lee and Maelstrom.

"This is still a stupid plan!" Ivy complained.

"Nah, it's perfect," Zack assured. "They think we're the other actors. And
who could turn away an Alice like you?"

Ivy groaned. "Zackary, have you ever seen me like this?" She paused. "Don't
answer that."

The three actors set the stage and began to perform.

Meanwhile, Carmen, still dressed as the Red Queen studied the auditorium. She
heard a voice she recognized as Maelstrom's: "Look at Alice. See the red hair
under the wig?"

Carmen turned toward the stage. Ivy's blonde wig had slipped just a quarter
of an inch. A few red strands were visible.

Maelstrom and Lee were seated in the stands.

"It's Ivy, isn't it?" noted Lee. "And if that's her, the other three must be
nearby." He thought a moment. "That means Mortimer survived the asthma
attack."

"He didn't beat the trap,"Maelstrom replied calmly.

"What do you mean by that?" Lee demanded angrily.

"If it was impossible for him to beat the trap, you didn't set it right,"
Maelstrom shot back.

Carmen crept back to the stage.

Zack pointed off-stage. "Carmen, you're not in this scene."

Carmen quivered. "They know we're here. We need backup."

The four started for the side door. Just as they reached the emergency exit,
a spotlight turned on directly overhead. "Uh oh," they said in unison.

"Leaving?" Maelstrom teased.

"We hoped we'd get the trial scene," added Lee sarcastically.

"You can come out, boys,"called Maelstrom. "It's all over now."

"Aw, gee whiz, I was havin' fun," mumbled the Mock Turtle, who was really
Eagle Eye.

"It's getting hot in here," complained the White Rabbit.

"Watch it, Bilge! That's my feet you're stepping on!"

Maelstrom ignored them and sneered, "You Acme detectives have bothered me for
the last time!"

The partners in crime ordered the two henchmen to tie up Carmen, Zack,
Mortimer, and Ivy in the center of the stage. Lee then struck a match and
threw it in a cardboard box of old papers. "Oh, and if it's any consolement,
you'll all die of smoke inhalation before the flames ever reach you," he
called tauntingly as he and Maelstrom left the theatre.

To be continued...