The Opening Rehearsal

The Opening Rehearsal

1Nessa rubbed a thumb over the wooden case her class was building for its time capsule. The metal container inside would hold letters and small objects; the case would stand in the school office until opening day, twenty years away. Nessa had drawn the case and volunteered to lead construction. Now its smooth sides matched her drawing. Only the lid remained.

2Haruto set a packet of screws beside her. “We could fasten it through these corners.” Nessa moved the packet away from the photograph they would take that afternoon. “Glue would leave the top clean,” she said. Devika held up the paper model they had used to check the dimensions. “Before we decide, could someone try being the person who opens it?” Nessa glanced at the clock, then handed her the model. “Fine. Opening day starts now.”

3Devika turned the model slowly. Its folded lid was taped down on every side, copying the glued seam Nessa wanted. She ran a fingernail along an edge, then stopped. “Am I allowed to damage it?” Nessa laughed once. “It’s paper.” Devika kept her hands still. “I meant the real one.” Around the table, the scraping of sandpaper stopped.

4“They could pry it apart,” Nessa said. Haruto placed a spare wooden strip beside the model. “Then which edge should they break?” Nessa opened her mouth, but he waited instead of supplying an answer. She imagined a stranger lifting a tool toward the polished case. “Try the model,” she said. Devika pulled at one corner. The wall tore before the taped lid lifted, and the little paper letters scattered across the table.

5Nessa gathered the letters into a pile. She had expected the demonstration to settle the question quickly; now everyone was looking at the torn wall. “The metal container would protect the real letters,” she said. Devika nodded. “Probably. But your case would become the packaging they throw away.” Nessa turned the broken model so the damaged side faced her. Then she reached for the screws.

6Haruto slid over the drill, but Nessa did not take it. “You’re steadier at the corners,” she told him. “Would you show me where to mark them?” He laid a ruler across the lid. Devika began writing opening instructions on a card. “Put the card outside,” Nessa said. “Let’s not make finding the instructions their first problem.” She held the ruler while Haruto marked the first hole.

7When it was time for the photograph, the lid had four visible screw heads. Nessa brushed away the sawdust but left the screws uncovered. Devika reached for the torn model. “Scrap bin?” Nessa shook her head and set it beside the finished case. “Keep that in the picture.” Then she moved over so both of her classmates could stand behind the case with her.