The Shakespeare Stealer

Chapter 14 opens with Widge surrounded by thieves, who have cornered him at knife point. Suddenly, someone startles the thieves from behind. Widge seizes the opportunity to run away. He continues running until he realizes that someone is calling his name. Panicked, Widge assumes it is the thieves, but he pauses long enough to realize that it’s Julian. After getting Widge to calm down, Julian explains that the area of London they are in is where he grew up. People know him here, which is why he was able to call off the thieves. The boys begin the walk back toward the city, and Julian accompanies Widge until he can make his own way back to Mr. Pope’s.

When Widge arrives at Mr. Pope’s, Sander asks him why he ran off so abruptly, Widge, realizing that telling the truth about Falconer will reveal his intentions to copy Hamlet, speaks coldly to Sander. He tells Sander that he “never asked you to be my friend” (102). Sander is hurt by Widge’s rebuke and leaves him alone.

The next day, Widge and Sander are tasked with the job of whitewashing the theatre. Their job is to paint the thatch roof white to prevent it from catching fire again. Widge drops his paintbrush, which lands on Shakespeare, who happens to be walking below. Widge worries that the man will have him dismissed from the company, but Sander assures him that is unlikely. The boys’ morning continues with their lessons—fencing and painting faces for the stage.

Nick, the oldest apprentice, fails to show up in time to perform his part, so Sander is asked to step in for him. This switch leaves only Widge left to hold the playbook for the evening’s performance of Hamlet. The chapter ends with Widge, amazed at his good fortune, holding the entire script in his hands.

While Widge is inwardly debating whether or not to steal the playbook, his thoughts are interrupted by Sander, who is now costumed for Nick’s role as Hamlet’s mother. Widge is holding the book, but he has to help the actors learn their lines and is not able to whisk the book away.

After the performance has already begun, Widge is still holding the book when Nick bursts into the theatre. Nick demands his costume from Sander, who refuses to give it to him. Sander tells Nick, “You’re in no shape to go on. You’ve got a bit of a beard […] and, from the smell of your breath, I’d say a bit of beer as well” (111). Nick shoves Sander, knocking him down, and Widge intervenes by hitting Nick with the playbook. The fight is broken up by Jack, the company’s cannoneer, and Mr. Armin. Mr. Armin sends Nick home, telling him, “You’re obviously not fit to perform. We’ll discuss your fine later” (112). Nick responds that he lost all his money playing dice, and Mr. Armin retorts that the fine can be taken out of his future wages.

After all the commotion, Jack notices Widge holding the playbook and snatches it from him. The chapter closes with a disappointed Widge cursing himself for not escaping with the script when he had the chance.

Relieved of his playbook duties, Widge wanders around the backstage of the theatre, trailing after Sander. Sander introduces Widge to Chris Beeston, a former apprentice who is now a member of the company. Conversing with Beeston, Widge learns that Simon Bass used to be a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men before leaving them to run his own company. Widge starts to panic and redirects the conversation, fearing that he will be found out.

Over the next week, Widge thinks of Falconer and Simon Bass less and less. Instead, he begins to throw himself into his tasks as an apprentice. To his astonishment, he is given a small part—The Messenger—in the company’s upcoming performance of The Spanish Tragedy. Sander helps Widge memorize his one brief line, and Widge nervously continues to practice it into the night.

The next morning, Widge oversleeps. When he wakes up, Sander has already left for the theatre. Widge eats a quick breakfast and then sets out for the Globe, only to be attacked as soon as he leaves the house.