Janet Weber interview #3

Sunday, October 31, 2021 – 10:35 a.m.

Janet Weber is a Yoknapatawpha Players actress.

Detectives Beckwith and Magee talked to her again at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants

• Detective P. Beckwith
• Detective J. Magee
• Janet Weber

Detective Magee: Do you understand your rights as they've been read to you?

Janet Weber: No.

Detective Magee: You don't understand your rights?

Janet Weber: Oh, sorry, I understand the rights. I don't understand why I'm arrested.

Detective Beckwith: You're not arrested. You're being held for questioning. Can we proceed with that now, or do you need further clarification?

Janet Weber: As long as I'm not arrested. That really scared me, though. If it's just questions, then I'm good. I understand my rights. You can go ahead and ask questions.

Detective Magee: So, Janet, to be clear, it wasn't in the script to lock Heath, or any other actor or audience member, in the quarantine room, correct?

Janet Weber: I was supposed to quarantine someone, and it turned out to be Heath.

Detective Magee: But you weren't supposed to lock anyone in there and leave them in there, right? That was outside of the script Denis wrote, outside of the actions Anna directed, and outside of what you rehearsed?

Janet Weber: Yes, but ––

Detective Beckwith: Tell us again why you decided to lock Heath in the quarantine room and leave him in there?

Janet Weber: I've told you, it was an accident! Heath was stoned out of his mind, and he was a danger to us and to himself. I couldn't open the door. It was stuck or something!

Detective Beckwith: Anna was on your team. Wasn't she right there? Couldn't you have asked her what she thought the best action was under those circumstances?

Janet Weber: I don't think she realized how serious it was, detective.

Detective Magee: So you took it upon yourself to decide?

Janet Weber: I didn't decide anything. I mean, Heath was really stoned, and the door was stuck. I told him to sit tight, that I was going for help.

Detective Beckwith: Did he hear you?

Janet Weber: I guess not. I mean, I kinda spoke through the crack between the wall and the door, like down where the doorknob was, and I told him to calm down and sit tight and wait for someone to let him out. But he was out of his mind, and he went crazy and knocked the wall over! I regret what happened, but that just shows how far gone Heath was that night.

Detective Magee: Was your concern for everyone's safety your only motive for locking Heath in the quarantine room?

Janet Weber: What? Of course! What other reason would I have?

Detective Beckwith: Did you recently become friendly with Cherie?

Janet Weber: Recently? No … I mean … we've … I've always been friendly.

Detective Magee: And social? Like meeting for cocktails?

Janet Weber: Well, yes … Cherie and I have socialized outside of the theatre … you know … just getting to know each other better.

Detective Beckwith: Recently?

Janet Weber: Yes.

Detective Magee: Why now?

Janet Weber: No particular reason. Just … she's making an effort, I think, because she's active on the board now … I guess.

Detective Beckwith: How often?

Janet Weber: Um … I … uh … a couple of times … I guess.

Detective Magee: You're guessing a lot, Ms. Weber. I suggest you get a little more precise with your answers. So, a couple of times, meaning two times?

Janet Weber: Or more, if you count the times we hung out at the theatre.

Detective Beckwith: Alone?

Janet Weber: Sometimes, I guess. Sorry, it's just that I didn't expect to be interrogated over how many conversations I've had with Cherie. We've talked at the theatre after rehearsals a few times. We've gone out for drinks.

Detective Magee: Do you recall when these drink dates happened?

Janet Weber: Uh, no, not really. I mean, it was one time, within the last few weeks, but the actual date I don't remember because it was just casual, you know?

Detective Magee: No, I don't know.

Janet Weber: We just met for a drink! What is the big mystery?

Detective Beckwith: Where was that? Do you remember?

Janet Weber: Yes, we met at the Vine and Swine.

Detective Beckwith: Do you have a receipt, maybe? Something to pin down when that was?

Janet Weber: No. Cherie paid.

Detective Magee: Could it have been, say, a few days before the final dress rehearsal?

Janet Weber: Uh, yes, okay, now that I think about it, yes.

Detective Magee: What did you talk about?

Janet Weber: Just … stuff. Personal things mostly.

Detective Beckwith: Such as?

Janet Weber: She told me how she hopes she's doing a good job on the board and how she thinks Glenn would be proud of her. How she's trying her best. How misunderstood she is. It was a little embarrassing for me.

Detective Magee: Why?

Janet Weber: Because I wasn't very supportive when she got involved after Glenn died. I mean, I wasn't openly critical or anything, but I did feel like she was a joke. So when she was sharing those things with me, I felt kind of guilty. I never realized she cared what we all thought.

Detective Beckwith: Is that all?

Janet Weber: Basically, yes. Cherie's kind of narcissistic, so she mostly talked about herself.

Detective Magee: Did you two discuss the theatre at all?

Janet Weber: Not really. Cherie's not shy about sharing her opinions, and she's been very vocal at the board meetings. We all know where she stands on anything theatre-related.

Detective Beckwith: Was it an enjoyable conversation?

Janet Weber: It was … okay …I guess. Why?

Detective Magee: Would someone observing the conversation get the idea you were enjoying yourself?

Janet Weber: I just told you I was uncomfortable, detective.

Detective Magee: No, you said it was a little embarrassing. I'm just trying to get an idea of how friendly you and Cherie have been. You say the two of you have socialized, that you've always been friendly with each other. But someone who saw you two together at the Vine and Swine didn't get that impression.

Janet Weber: Well, I'm not sure who you mean, so…

Detective Beckwith: We spoke with someone who saw you and Cherie together. That person didn't see you two as a couple of friends having a friendly chat.

Janet Weber: We're just getting to know each other. Cherie has a strong personality and a large inheritance. She's outspoken. That can be awkward for me, but I'm trying to give her a chance.

Detective Magee: Did you discuss the play?

Janet Weber: A little, but we didn't spend much time on it. Like I said, we all know Cherie's opinions about the theatre. She's not shy about sharing them and doesn't care what anyone thinks.

Detective Beckwith: What do you think?

Janet Weber: Truthfully? I don't disagree with some of Cherie's opinions, but I just like to lay low. I'm not comfortable getting involved in all the politics. So yes. I may have looked uncomfortable at times.

Detective Beckwith: Okay, Janet. Hang tight, won't you? We'll get you out of here as soon as we can.

Interview ended – 10:52 a.m.