The Costume Pocket

Victoria and Patrick are getting ready for a school play. Victoria wears a long coat for her part. Patrick gives her a small envelope to use on stage. She slips it into a pocket.

When they practise the scene, Victoria reaches for the envelope. Her pocket is empty. “I put it right here,” she says. Patrick looks on the floor, but he cannot find it.

Victoria checks the other pocket. There is nothing inside that one either. Patrick notices a corner of paper below the coat. The envelope is caught in the lining.

A small hole in the pocket has let it slip through. Victoria takes off the coat and lifts the envelope out. Their teacher puts the coat aside to mend. She finds another coat for the play.

Before trying the scene again, Victoria checks both pockets. There are no holes in the new coat. She puts the envelope in the right pocket and practises taking it out. This time it works.

On stage, Victoria finds the envelope at the right moment. Patrick carries on with his lines. After the play, they thank their teacher. “A pocket can hide a surprise,” says Victoria. “But I prefer one without a hole!”