Swamped

It's the distinctive roar of a muck beast. At first you wonder if it's part of the show - perhaps they've got someone who can mimic its call - but the screaming a moment later suggests otherwise.

"Now!" someone shouts. "Before that damn thing gets us!"

The voice sounds very close. It's somewhere backstage. Which means you might just be able to stop whatever's about to happen, if you act fast.

You see a door open a crack, and you hear another voice.

"This stuff takes time before it's potent, and there's nothing I can do about that. I'm a chemist, not a magician. Maybe if we could use the kitchen instead of a damn dressing room..."

"Well, can't we do something? If the muck beast scares everyone off, it could mess up the whole scheme!"

"It'll be ready in three minutes. Find a way to stall until then."

"Easy for you to say! What am I supposed to do, tell them it's part of the show? They've already started running off!"

"I'm sure you can figure something out. Anything you do is bound to be more useful than distracting me."

"Fine! But you'd better not waste any time releasing it once it's done."

Oh dear. Whoever that is, they're probably heading your way.