Can You Solve This Two-Minute Mini Mystery? ‘Shamrock & Roll Shenanigans’
Grab your magnifying glass and channel your inner Sherlock Holmes to crack the case!
Woman’s World readers are entertained each week with a two-minute mystery story in every issue (and have special Mini Mysteries magazines devoted to cracking even more cases!) — from whodunits to who-stole-its to who’s up to no good — and we’re sharing those stories here each week to bring more laugh-out-loud fun to our readers.
Read on for the newest installment!
Shamrock & Roll Shenanigans by Janice Curran
The tempting aromas of shortbread and Hot Not-Toddies wafted from the lobby snack bar. But I had to focus as my job was to monitor the line of people entering the small theater and the activity at the will-call table.
The table was where prepaid tickets for the Shamrock & Roll Concert were held for patron pickup. It was also where anyone hoping to score unclaimed seats for the sold-out St. Patrick’s Day event, featuring wildly popular Dorian Green, congregated. That included would-be resellers who could reap, with a wee bit of criminal effort, big rewards.
“If there’s trouble,” my now-boss warned during my employment interview, “the will-call table is the likeliest place. The assistant manager handles trouble. Can you, Limerick Harp?”
Judging by my current observations, my affirmative reply was about to be tested.
Clover Gold, whom I recognized from a playbill extolling her magic act, had been sitting at the table, distributing tickets. I assumed that, like other showbiz wishfuls, she needed supplemental income while awaiting her big break.
Then Stone Blarney and Emerald Wake, both of whom I remembered as delinquents during our high school days, crowded forward.
Words were exchanged. Stone pounded his fist on the table. Clover dabbed her eyes with one of her long, white bell sleeves. Emerald, flinging angry words, lunged for the file box of tickets.
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Add to the scene angry patrons delayed from entering, and melee threatened.
I waded into the chaos. “May your days be many and troubles, few. Can I help?”
All activity ceased. That was until Emerald pointed at Clover. “She says she doesn’t have Stone’s tickets. I know he paid in advance. Green is his favorite performer.”
His favorite color too, evidently. He wore a kelly green leather jacket fitted to accentuate his strapping form. Emerald also had her green on in her namesake gemstone, set in earrings, pendant and bracelet.
“Clover is holding back the tickets to punish me for never asking her out,” Stone said. “Can I help she’s not my type?”
“That’s a lie!” Clover exclaimed, hugging her arms tightly to her body. She turned to me. “The file box contains no tickets for Stone. He probably snatched them himself for a laugh at my expense.”
“Who are you calling a liar?” Stone shouted with enough vigor to propel him backward onto the toe of the next in line.
The guy with the crushed toe squawked. I apologized on the theater’s behalf. Unfortunately, the episode wasn’t over.
“I’ve made mistakes; now I’m blamed for everything,” Stone said, shaking his head. “Why not suspect Emerald of snatching the tickets to resell? Everyone knows it costs to keep her Irish eyes smiling.”
I could’ve easily checked with Sales regarding the tickets in question. But I had to be sure violence wouldn’t ensue. Luckily, I didn’t step away.
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Succumbing to temper, Emerald gripped the file box with the intent, I feared, of upending it. My counter-grip kept that from happening.
“There’s nothing so bad it couldn’t be worse,” I said between gritted teeth. “Give me time, and I will make this right.”
The patrons behind in line cheered. Someone even spouted, “Erin go Bragh!”
Emerald released her grip. So did I—cautiously—while considering all I’d heard and seen.
Suddenly, the hocus-pocus came into focus.
My boss could toast himself for hiring Limerick Harp and, if I was lucky, reward me with a raise. Because, thanks to yours truly, the villain’s luck had run out.
Who stole the tickets?
Clover took the tickets. To make life difficult for Stone, who chose Emerald over her, and Emerald, who won over Stone, Clover borrowed a sleight-of-hand technique from her magic act to hide the tickets up her sleeve. There, she held them fast by hugging her arms to her body. Although the pair were majorly inconvenienced, they eventually got to enjoy the show. Clover, however, was out of a job and a showbiz gig for some time to come
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