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author | Matěj Cepl <mcepl@cepl.eu> | 2021-07-16 09:20:58 +0200 |
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committer | Matěj Cepl <mcepl@cepl.eu> | 2021-07-16 09:20:58 +0200 |
commit | cc4cfa3efa778c21b69bb32dfc66e8e06c46e43d (patch) | |
tree | 31fe8cb15fce4d9628c8e862011f96b4f94637da /21-TheMirrorBall.rst | |
download | joan-of-arcadia-season-3-cc4cfa3efa778c21b69bb32dfc66e8e06c46e43d.tar.gz |
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diff --git a/21-TheMirrorBall.rst b/21-TheMirrorBall.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a7ddab1 --- /dev/null +++ b/21-TheMirrorBall.rst @@ -0,0 +1,1976 @@ +Episode 3.21, The Mirror Ball +----------------------------- + +At Home + +Joan wonders, ‘Why did I ever buy this? This is just not who I am’. +She continues the “what-to-wear boogie” while rummaging through her +closet. She wants to look nice for Adam today, but she really doesn’t +feel like dressing up. She holds up another skirt and blouse to +herself, looks in the mirror, frowns, and tosses them onto the pile +of clothing already on her window bench seat. She glances outside for +a moment and smiles. No pervert today! She holds another outfit up to +herself and looks again in the mirror, “Yeah, this looks nice.” + +Her image puts her hand on her hip and with a crooked smile says, +“So, you like what you see?” + +Joan is stunned for a moment, but then she realizes to whom she is +speaking, “I think Adam will like it.” + +God – “What do you think the mirror sees?” + +Joan puts her hand on her hip, imitating her image in the mirror, “I +don’t know; you’re the one who’s in there.” + +God smiles, “It’s all about light, Joan. There are two ways of +spreading light. You can be the candle or the mirror that reflects +it. Which one are you?” + +Joan – “I try to be both.” + +God presses her nose against the inside of the mirror and scans the +room with her eyes, “Mirrors would serve you better if they first +reflected before sending back an image. This mirror is flat, but +there are others.” + +Joan – “Hah, you mean like those in a fun house? I like the ones that +make you look both really fat and really skinny.” + +God – “Focus, Joan, you are building a mystery. Learn to see from +both sides now.” + +Helen calls upstairs, “Joan, telephone.” + +Joan glances away for an instant. When she returns her eyes to the +mirror, her reflection is as it was before. Frustrated, she yells at +the mirror, “But I don’t know what you mean!” She walks to the door, +peeks out her head, and calls downstairs, “What’d you say?” + +Helen – “Emily’s on the phone.” + +Joan picks up the telephone, “Hi Emily, how is my favorite cousin?” + +Emily – “I am great! I’m better than great! I’m soooooooooooo +excited! Guess what?” + +Joan – “I don’t know, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.” + +Emily laughs, “You’re always so funny. But really, I get to sing at +the Inner Harbor on Christmas Eve… my first public performance. Isn’t +that awesome?” + +Joan – “Yeah, I’m really happy for you. I’m sure you’ll do well.” + +Emily – “I want you to come. I know it’s Christmas, but I really want +you to see and hear me. Pleee-heee-heeez!” + +Joan is hesitant, “I don’t know. I really enjoy spending Christmas at +home with my family and friends.” + +Emily – “We’re also going to be in the ‘Parade of Lights’. We +decorate our boats, and then we circle through the Inner Harbor. Two +years ago, we won the ‘Blinking Jesus Award’. Last year there were +more than fifty boats. It’s really a lot of fun.” + +Joan – “It sounds really neat. Blinking Jesus Award?” + +Emily – “Oh, that’s just what my mom calls it. It’s a prize for +having the best decorated boat.” + +Joan – “Let me talk to my parents, and then I’ll let you know.” + +Emily is disheartened, but happy that it is still a possibility, +“Oooh-kay.” + +Joan continues, “How is everything else?” + +Emily – “Oh, my friends Lauren and Kizzie are going to…” + +After Joan finishes talking with Emily, she walks downstairs, “Mom, +Emily wants me to visit during Christmas.” + +Helen – “I know, Trenna and I talked before she put Emily on the +phone. Emily being able to sing at the Inner Harbor is a Christmas +present that Trenna arranged for her. Emily doesn’t know.” + +Joan – “So this isn’t real?” + +Helen – “It is for Emily. The only thing that Trenna arranged was the +opportunity. Emily still had to audition, and the band agreed that +she was good enough. She will only be singing the last song.” + +Joan – “I would like to see her sing, but I also like spending +Christmas at home. What do you think I should do?” + +Lilly has been sitting quietly, feeling this is more of a +mother-daughter talk, but she can no longer resist inserting her +opinion. “No one really knows when Jesus was born. The celebration of +his birth on December 25th is just a tradition. There is really no +reason why we couldn’t celebrate Christmas when you return.” + +Helen – “Christmas is also about giving. Emily adores you and it will +mean so much to her to have you there. I think you should go.” + +Joan had already decided that she would go for the very reason that +her mother cited. She also wonders about the meaning of God’s message +relative to Emily’s call. Was it a coincidence? Lilly’s observation +shows her she doesn’t have to choose between the two. “Yeah, you’re +right. I’ll tell Adam when he picks me up for the movie, and I’ll +e-mail Emily from work.” + +At School + +When Grace arrives, Joan and Adam are amusing themselves by bantering +the dialog of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. + +Joan – “You’ve been sneaking second helpings, haven’t you?” + +Adam – “Well, you never know if your next meal’s going to be your +last… especially with your cooking.” + +Grace – “What are you doing?” +Joan smiles, “We’re packing food. You’ll thank me later. Adam gets +cranky when he’s hungry.” + +Adam – “I’m cranky now!” + +Grace – “You two are nuts! Where’s Luke?” + +Joan – “He should be here somewhere; he left before I did. How’s your +mom?” + +Grace – “She’s fine. You haven’t told him about Saturday, have you?” + +Joan – “No, that’s our secret.” + +Adam – “What’s your secret?” + +Grace deflects, “\ \ `The Secret of Roan +Inish <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_of_Roan_Inish>`__\ .” + +Adam – “Is this about Tima, because I was being nice to her? She is +your friend, right?” + +Joan smiles, “Adam, it’s okay.” + +Adam – “I don’t have a roaming eye, at least not anymore. I swear!” + +Grace – “Speaking of roaming, look who’s coming.” + +Joan – “Don’t worry about it, Adam. I believe you.” She smiles and +gives him a kiss, “My lips are selkied.” + +Grace – “Thanks, I want to tell him myself.” + +Adam – “Okay, just so you know.” He returns the smile, “Yeah, they +are like silk.” + +Luke, Glynis, and Friedman join them. Grace says to Luke, “We need to +talk, biology closet, three o’clock. Don’t be late.” + +Luke – “I don’t think you’re going to make it.” + +Grace – “Sure I will, that is if you let me read your biology notes +from Friday. When I take the test with everyone else today, I’ll be +caught up. No detention.” + +Joan chortles, “Ha, ha, I used his notes to study at work last +night.” + +Luke – “Okay, we’ll go over biology during lunch. How’s your mother?” + +Grace – “She’s fine. We’ll talk later.” + +Grace begins to leave, but Friedman says, “Wait, Glynis and I have +something to tell all of you.” Grace remains and Friedman continues, +“Glynis and I aren’t dating each other.” + +Joan – “You mean you broke up? I’m so sorry.” + +Glynis– “No, we’ve never been dating. It’s all been a ruse.” + +Grace – “Well, you guys are certainly not inept at subterfuge.” + +Friedman – “Though this be madness, yet there is method in it.” + +Adam – “And the purpose of this deception is?” + +Friedman – “Our parents would never approve of who we’re really +dating, so we’ve been pretending to date each other. After I pick up +Glynis, we pick up Sean and Mel, and we make it a foursome. We’ve +been doing it for months.” + +Joan – “Sean, from Judith’s party?” + +Glynis– “Yep.” + +Luke – “Mel? Um, are you telling us that you’re an elk?” + +Friedman – “No, her name is Jamel. Mel is her nickname.” + +Adam – “So why are you telling us this now?” + +Glynis– “Because you’ll find out on Saturday, anyway. We’re all +coming to the dance.” + +Grace quips, “We’ll continue with part two of ‘\ As the Mirror Ball +Turns\ ’ in just a moment.” + +At the Police Station + +Lt. Daghlian – “Peter Fyles will be released from the hospital at +noon. Your daughter sure did a number on him… gives ‘Bic Stic’ a +whole new meaning.” + +Will – “She was just defending herself.” + +Lt. Daghlian – “That’s not his story. He says she attacked him for no +reason.” + +Will – “He’s either delusional or a liar. We have two witnesses to +back up Joan’s story.” + +Lt. Daghlian – “Well, in any case, he’ll think twice about carrying a +pen again. How is she doing?” + +Will – “She’s fine; she just had a few scrapes and bruises. Were you +able to contact the other girls?” + +Lt. Daghlian – “Their parents have agreed to let them view a line-up. +I’ve set it up for four-thirty this afternoon.” + +Will – “Anything new on Armond Washington?” + +Lt. Daghlian – “No, just a few crank calls. Do you think Mayor +Doherty would consider shaving his beard?” + +Will smiles, “I’ll ask him when we have lunch today.” Lt. Daghlian is +surprised for a moment, then he realizes that Will is joking. Will +continues, “Just keep looking.” + +At The Herald + +Rebecca – “It’s too bad there wasn’t much to your Muslim story, but +it’s good that you were there for the attempted kidnapping. I wish we +could have interviewed the girls involved. It would make for a great +story.” + +Kevin – “I did interview them, but they are minors. Their parents +want their identities to remain confidential.” + +Rebecca – “But you know who they are, don’t you?” + +Kevin – “Yes, I know.” + +Rebecca gives Kevin a mischievous smile, “Some reporters would +publish that information anyway, feeling that it’s the public’s right +to know.” + +Kevin – “Well, we’re not The New York Times. We have ethics, don’t +we?” + +Rebecca, still smiling – “You could write the testimonies for them +and put their signatures on it.” + +Kevin – “Oh yes, creative journalism.” Using a good imitation of +Walter Cronkite, Kevin continues, “And finally, Dan Rather stands by +his story that Bush is a Martian. And that’s the way it is, Monday, +December 12, 2005.” + +Rebecca, also imitating Walter Cronkite, “And that’s the way the Dan +cookie Rather crumbles.” + +Kevin, now switching to imitating Arnold Horshack of ‘Welcome Back, +Kotter’, “Ooh-ooh-ooooh!And that’s the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, I like +it, uh-huh, uh-huh.” + +Both laugh. Rebecca asks, “So, what do you have in mind for your next +story?” + +Kevin – “Actually, I’m writing an editorial. I’ve been thinking of +using the title, ‘Illusions in Journalism’.” + +Rebecca – “Allusions, sounds interesting. What’s it about?” + +Kevin decides not to correct her error, “Well, it’s a sensitive +subject, some would even say taboo, but I feel it should be +discussed. It’s not finished yet, but I would like to hear what you +think about it.” + +Rebecca – “You’ve piqued my interest. Send it to me.” + +At School + +Luke – “Okay, you have to tell me about Mel. Where did you meet?” + +Friedman – “We met at the Southgate Mall. She had a Mount Rushmore +T-shirt on, and those guys never looked so good… especially +Washington and Lincoln. Kind of bloated, but happy, if you know what +I mean.” + +Luke – “Yeah, I get it, she has idyllic mammary.” + +Friedman – “The skirt she was wearing was so tight I could read the +embroidery on her underwear. It said, ‘Wash in lukewarm water and +spin lightly’. Such was great advice.” + +Luke – “This sounds like another Brittany story. Is that all she is +to you, a great body?” + +Friedman – “No, she’s also really smart. We talk about everything. +She’s a sophomore at Southside High School, and she’s on the varsity +diving team. I bought her a ‘Slippery When Wet’ T-shirt, and she +loved it. Oh, and guess what?” + +Luke – “What?” + +Friedman – “She likes Hamlet.” + +Luke – “She sounds perfect for you. What is it about her that your +parents wouldn’t like?” + +Friedman – “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” + +Luke – “Come on, there must be more to it than that!” + +Friedman – “This above all: to thine own self be true, for there is +nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” + +Luke – “Now that’s just wrong. Just because Shakespeare is famous +doesn’t mean that he knows what he’s talking about. Good and bad, +right and wrong, they all have demonstrable certainties.” + +Friedman – “Okay, but within those boundaries, there are shades of +gray. That’s what I mean.” + +Luke mimics Friedman, “So what doth thou feel is gray about the +lady?” + +Friedman laughs, “If she were gray, methinks my parents would not be +as concerned. You’ll find out at the dance.” + +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + +Joan – “So, tell us about Sean.” + +Grace – “Whoa, girl talk, I’m out of here.” + +Joan matter-of-factly states to Grace, “You are a girl.” Grace +begrudgingly remains, while Joan continues to query Glynis, “Come on, +tell us about him.” + +Glynis– “Well, he’s very handsome. You saw him at the party. Don’t +you think so?” + +Joan – “I saw him briefly between the lip-locks, but then again, I +was pretty drunk.” + +Glynissmirks at her remark, “Well, he is handsome, and he’s a great +kisser. He’s also really smart. I told you about his research at +Stanford. Last summer he got to work at Johns Hopkins doing AIDS +research. He’s majoring in biology at Dawson State. He’s…” + +Joan interrupts, “Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa. Sean goes to Dawson State? +How old is he?” + +Glynis– “Well, that’s the problem. He’s two years older than me. +That’s why I can’t tell my parents. They would never approve.” + +Grace – “And now you want us to become part of this adolescent +conspiracy?” + +Glynis– “No, you won’t have to do anything. Just don’t tell my +parents about it. That shouldn’t be too hard, since you don’t even +know them.” + +Joan – “What about me? I met your mother at parent-teacher night.” + +Glynis– “She thought you were nuts even before I told her about crazy +camp.” + +Joan – “Thanks a lot.” + +At Millie’s Restaurant + +Millie’s is a family-owned diner within walking distance of the +mayor’s office. It has become an Arcadia institution, having first +opened shortly after Arcadia became the county seat in 1856. Legend +states that both General Lee and General Grant have eaten there. +Although best known for its tenderloin sandwiches, Will’s favorite is +the barbeque pork, so that is what he orders. + +Mayor Doherty – “So what is it that you wanted to talk about?” + +Will – “I recently had a meeting with Brother Jimi’s committee, and +he brought up an interesting proposal. What is the status of the +warehouse at 1213 West Gilmore Street? You know, the one confiscated +during the drug raid last October.” + +Mayor Doherty – “It’s in limbo. We’ve been trying to find a buyer, +but no luck yet. Why are you interested?” + +Will – “Brother Jimi thought that it could be sold or leased to a +company with the condition that they hire employees locally. It would +help the unemployment situation in that part of town. Perhaps the +sale price could be discounted, the lease reduced, or the property +taxes lowered as an incentive. A manufacturing or a distribution +center would be ideal. If they were to offer a training package that +targets unskilled labor, it would have the best effect.” + +Mayor Doherty – “That’s a good idea; the black coalition will love +it. But so far, there has been little interest.” + +Will – “What does the black coalition have to do with this? Why can’t +we just provide everyone with an equal opportunity and leave race out +of it?” + +Mayor Doherty – “That’s not how the system works.” + +Will – “When will the system work that way or will it always be just +a dream?” + +Mayor Doherty frowns, “We need to insure that there is no +discrimination based on race.” + +Will – “The best way to prevent discrimination based on race is not +to discriminate based on race.” + +This time the mayor ignores him completely. Will moves on, “What +about Wallmans? I remember reading that they were looking to put a +distribution center in the area.” + +Mayor Doherty – “That idea was killed by the Maryland legislature. +They’re putting it in southern Pennsylvania instead.” + +Will – “Well, I really think that it is a good idea. Can you put +people to work on it?” + +Mayor Doherty – “I’ll see if they can put an incentive package +together similar to what you have proposed.” + +Will – “Thanks Max.” + +At School + +Joan – “I never know whether to pick up a Sloppy Joe or eat it with a +fork.” + +Glynismakes a joke, “Whenever I come to a fork in the road, I always +take it.” Everyone moans. + +Friedman – “Maybe they should call it Sloppy Joan.” + +Joan – “Thank you Friedman, a fork it is.” + +Alice and Tima arrive and ask to join them. After they are seated, +Tima asks Adam, “Mrs. Girardi has given us a really cool assignment. +Would you like for me to tell you about it or would you rather wait?” + +Adam – “If I say that I would rather wait, will you be able to stand +the strain?” + +Timasmiles at Adam’s joke, “Probably not.” + +Adam – “Okay, then tell me.” + +Tima– “She wants us to make something that displays an abstraction. +What’s really cool is that we can choose any medium, any subject, +pretty much whatever we want. She’s really going to let us express +ourselves. There is something I’ve been thinking about doing for a +long time, and this assignment is perfect!” + +Adam – “Something that displays an abstraction… I’ll have to think +about it.” After a few moments, Adam smiles, “Yeah, I know what I’ll +do. Thanks for the heads up.” + +Tima– “You’re welcome.” She notices their absence, “Where are Grace +and Luke?” + +Joan – “There off somewhere studying biology. How are the +preparations for the dance coming along?” + +Alice decides to answer, “Everything is nearly finished. Thank all of +you for helping. Can some of you help us put the decorations up on +Saturday morning? It shouldn’t take too long.” + +All agree to lend a hand. Glynis asks Tima, “Will you be coming to +the dance?” + +Tima– “No, I’m not allowed to dance with boys.” + +Joan – “You mean you did all of this work, and you’re not even going +to be able to enjoy it?” + +Tima– “I enjoy helping. I just want you to have fun.” + +Glynis– “That really doesn’t seem fair. Being a Muslim must be hard. +Do you ever wonder how your life might have been had your parents +chosen to raise you differently?” + +Timareflects for a moment before answering, “It is hard sometimes, +and I have wondered how my life might have been different. I ask +Allah for guidance almost every day.” She continues while looking at +each one seated at the table, “My beliefs are very important to me. +They define who I am and who I am not. This is how I choose to live +my life. Please don’t feel sorry for me.” She looks at her watch, “I +have to go; I have an appointment.” + +Joan – “Please say hello for me.” + +Timagives Joan a long stare of disbelief, much like the one that Joan +gave to God when he reminded her of her promise. She wonders how Joan +knows about her noon time excursions to the roof, but is pleased that +she has chosen to be cryptic, “Yes, of course. I’ll see you later.” + +After Tima leaves, Joan addresses her friends. “Hey, I have an idea…” + +At The Herald + +Kevin can see Rebecca working at her desk. When a frown furrows +across her brow, he knows that she has finished reading his +editorial. She briefly glares at him with\ `angry +eyes <http://dc35.4shared.com/download/18067188/7be86998/Loggins__Messina_-_Angry_Eyes.mp3>`__\ , +but quickly returns to viewing her computer. He decides to send her +an e-mail. + +*I can see that you’re upset, but this issue is important. We can’t +just sweep it under the rug. Let me show you what I’ve found. Can we +talk privately later?* + +*Kevin* + +After a few moments, Kevin receives her reply. + +*I can’t believe you wrote this! This racist is not talking to you, +fact-boy.* + +At the Police Station + +Sergeant Williams – “How was your lunch with the mayor?” + +Will – “The food was great, but I have mixed feelings about our +conversation. Has anything happened here?” + +Sergeant Williams – “We have Peter Fyles in lockup. He wants to see +you.” + +Will – “That’s not going to happen. I’m not going to allow him to +concoct some conflict of interest charge. Lt. Daghlian has complete +control of this investigation.” + +Sergeant Williams – “A Mike Trimble called. He said that it’s +important that he talks to you right away.” She hands him a post-it +note, “Here’s his number.” + +Will – “Thanks, just what I need.” + +Sergeant Williams – “Bad news?” + +Will – “Yeah, most likely. Is there anything else I need to know?” + +Sergeant Williams – “No, that’s all I have.” + +Will – “Thanks.” + +Toni leaves and Will calls Mike Trimble. He reviews paperwork while +he waits on hold. + +Mike Trimble – “Will, I just want to let you know that the ACLU has +filed suit in the federal court. A process server is looking for you. +I have to be in court tomorrow. Can we meet Wednesday morning?” + +Will – “I would like Mimi Rogers to be in on this. I’ll have to check +with her, but that should be fine.” + +After he hangs up, he calls Mimi and confirms their appointment. He +then calls Toni back to his office, “I’m going to take the rest of +the afternoon off. I’ll be at home if you need me but if anyone asks, +you don’t know where I am.” + +Sergeant Williams – “There’s a guy at the front desk asking to see +you.” + +Will smiles, “Give me about ten minutes and then let him know that +I’m not here.” + +At School + +Grace quivers, “Eeeuw, I still hate this place. I’m just waiting for +all of these formaldehyde darlings to pop their lids and slime us to +death. A day of the living dead! A mind is a terrible thing to taste, +but I only regret that I have but one brain to lose for my country. +Slither out you closet denizens, for…” + +Luke interrupts, “You’ve been hanging around Friedman too much. Are +you finally going to talk to me now?” + +Grace stops avoiding the issue, “Yeah, that’s why we’re here.” They +sit on the floor and Grace begins, “It’s just that when I lost the +baby, my life went to hell. I know at first, I was scared, and I +didn’t know what to do, but then I decided that I really wanted to +have it.” She thinks of Joan, “I mean, I wanted to have the baby. +Losing it… losing the baby really broke my heart.” + +Luke – “And your method for mending a broken heart is to cut yourself +off from those who love you? You should have let me in. It was my +baby, too.” + +Grace – “I’m sorry, but there’s more to it. I got mad at God and I… +well, let’s just say that I didn’t use any euphemisms. I thought that +He was punishing me and that’s why I lost the baby. Then when I +looked up the HCG hormone for class, I found out that I might have +cancer. I didn’t want…” + +Luke interrupts, “You have cancer?” + +Grace – “No, it turns out that I didn’t. In fact, the doctor doesn’t +think that I was ever pregnant, but I know I did those tests right, +and they were all positive. Life sucks, dude.” + +Luke pulls her in close and hugs her, “Yeah, but you didn’t die.” + +Grace – “So what do we do now, brain-boy?” + +Luke – “Just be here with me.” + +Grace – “I can’t stay long. I’m still grounded.” + +Luke – “I’ll take what I can get.” + +At Home + +Joan comes through the door singing along with her iPod, “Home, where +my thought’s escaping, home, where my music’s playing, home, where my +dad lies waiting, silently for me.” She removes her earphones, “Why +are you here?” + +Will – “Because I live here? Where’s Luke?” + +Joan – “He’s in the pet cemetery with Grace. Why are you really +here?” + +Will – “I took the afternoon off.” Will considers asking about the +pet cemetery but decides that he really doesn’t want to know, “I’ve +made cornetti. Hungry?” + +Joan agrees and sits at the kitchen table while her father prepares +her snack. Will asks, “How was school today?” + +Joan – “Good, I think I passed my biology test. I definitely wasn’t +looking forward to sitting in detention… the breakfast club it’s +not.” She pauses until he brings her snack and sits at the table with +her, “Dad, you don’t just take the afternoon off. Is something wrong +at work?” + +Will really doesn’t want to talk about it, but he decides that she’ll +find out soon enough anyway, “It looks like the white hat is going to +become Darth Vader… at least that’s how the ACLU will portray me. +It’s frustrating. You try to do what you think is best and no matter +what, someone complains. Do you like the cornetti?” + +Joan – “Don’t change the subject. Tell me what’s going on.” + +Will provides her with a synopsis of his case and what he expects the +ACLU will claim. “No matter what happens, there will be a lot of +publicity about this case.” + +Joan – “So this is kind of like a two-way mirror. You see yourself +one way, but the ACLU sees you another way, and you have to show +which one is real.” + +Will – “That’s a good analogy. Our court system is supposed to give +us truth, justice, and the American way, but you’re lucky if you get +all three.” + +Joan – “Yeah, all that stuff can drive you crazy. Just ask Grace.” +She stands up, puts her arms around his neck, and gives him a kiss on +the cheek, “Well, I know you still wear a white hat.” She takes +another cornetto, “I have to catch the bus for class. I’ll see you +later.” + +With Ole Pen + +Tuesday, December 13, 2005 + +Well, I am officially a computer geek! Luke has shown me a lot of +neat things that I can do with this computer, but the neatest thing +is that now I use it for writing my diary. It’s a lot easier to hide +a CD than a journal, and it’s even password protected! + +Dad and Kevin both took the day off. They said they just didn’t feel +like going to work. I know Dad’s reason, but I’m not sure what’s up +with Kevin. He seemed kind of moody today. + +They worked on the boat this morning. When I got home from school, +they showed me what they had done. It’s a Mary Kay boat! I was glad +when they told me that pink was just the color of the primer. We’re +going to have a family meeting to decide the final color for the +boat. I already know what color I want, and I also have a name. Now +all I have to do is convince everyone else. + +Mom asked me how I felt about driving to Baltimore. I told her the +truth. I’m not thrilled about it, but I’ll do it. She didn’t say +anything more, but I could tell that she was thinking, “Hmm.” I worry +when she does that. + +I’m still trying to figure out what mirror me meant the other day. At +work, I leafed through every book I could find that talked about +mirrors. Nothing seems to fit. I know it’s a metaphor, but when +monumentous interruptous actually tells me something, it usually +means more than or something different than what I think it does. +Will I forever be plagued with a failure of imagination? I’m going to +ask Mom. I sure hope she gives me more than just ‘Hmm’. + +I have a calculus quiz tomorrow. Does anyone ever need to know this +stuff after high school? Who cares if the angle of the dangle is +proportional to the dingle of the dongle? I have Luke to figure stuff +like that out for me. + +Dad and I played a game of chess before I came to bed. I really don’t +care about winning, but I don’t think I should let him win too often. +I beat him in twelve moves. I love the time with him and hug he gives +me, win or lose. That’s the best part. + +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + +At the Police Station + +Will – “No one called, so I assume everything has been quiet.” + +Sergeant Williams – “Well, not quiet, but mostly routine.Three of the +four girls picked Peter Fyles out of the lineup. The DA thinks we +have a good case to put him away. When he was arraigned yesterday, +the judge denied bail. He’ll be our guest until the trial.” + +Will – “We’re really not set up for long-term stays. I’ll see if +Sheriff Bristol can take him off our hands.” + +Sergeant Williams – “We received a tip that Armond Washington was +seen near ‘The Liquor Emporium’. We think he may have been casing it +out. Carlisle will be there when they open at 11 and I’ll take the +evening shift.” + +Will – “I’m glad we finally have something on Washington. Let me know +if anything happens. Oh, if that process server shows up again, let +me know. I’ll let him do his thing today.” + +Sergeant Williams – “I’ll let Sergeant Drake know.” + +Mike Trimble raps on the open door as Toni is leaving, “Good morning, +Will. I’m a little early. Can we start?” + +Will – “Sure, let me call Mimi…” + +At School + +Helen walks into the office, “Hi, Marlene. I need a red marker. Is it +all right if I take one?” + +Marlene – “Sure, help yourself. You know where they are.” + +Helen – “I miss working here. We never seem to have time to talk +anymore. Would you like to have lunch today?” + +Marlene – “Oh, I can’t. I have some errands to run. How about +tomorrow?” + +Helen – “That would be nice. How are the kids?” + +Marlene - “Oh, it’s a soap opera. To tell you the truth, my son has +married a real tramp! She doesn’t get out of bed until eleven. She’s +out all day spending his money on heaven knows what, and when he gets +home, exhausted, does she have a nice hot dinner for him? Hah! She +makes him take her out to dinner at an expensive restaurant.” + +Helen - “Oh, that’s a shame. I’m sorry to hear that. How is your +daughter?” + +Marlene – “Ah, now that’s a lucky girl. She has married a saint. He +brings her breakfast in bed, he provides her enough money to buy +whatever she needs, and in the evening he always takes her out to +dinner at a nice restaurant.” + +Helen gives her a confuzzled look. Marlene slowly cracks a smile. She +points at Helen and says, “Gotcha!” + +As Helen leaves the office, the bell rings. The halls fill with a +mass of moving students. Joan sees her and approaches, “Mom, are you +going anywhere for lunch today?” + +Helen – “Well, I tried to, but no luck.” + +Joan decides not to ask what that means and gets to her point, “I +really need to talk to you about something. Can we meet in your +classroom?” + +Helen – “Sure, but let’s go for a walk instead.” + +Joan – “Mom, are you nuts! It’s twenty degrees outside.” + +Helen – “It was nineteen degrees last year… I checked. It’s global +warming, you know.” + +Joan – “Who cares about one degree? It’s winter. Mom. Yes or no?” + +Helen is slightly frustrated with Joan’s response, because she wanted +to be able to say, ‘Gotcha’. Instead, she smiles and answers, “Yes, +I’ll be there.” + +At The Herald + +Kevin has decided not to bring up his editorial today. Instead, he +has been quietly doing his work. He does not plan to drop the issue, +but has decided that a breather for a day or two will be best. + +Rebecca feels awkward as she approaches his desk. She asks, “How are +you feeling today?” + +Kevin, realizing that Rebecca is trying to break the ice, responds +with, “I’m doing fine, and you?” + +Rebecca – “I’m okay. I was just wondering since you called in sick +yesterday.” + +Kevin – “I just wasn’t feeling well, but a moderate dose of pink +xylene cleared my head.” + +Rebecca – “I’m glad that you’re feeling better. I can’t use that +heavy-duty stuff. Sudafed works for me, and it doesn’t knock me out.” +She hands him a few papers, “Here are some stories I would like you +to check. I’ll have more later.” + +At the Police Station + +Mike Trimble – “So, that’s basically the ACLU’s case. I would like to +talk to all members of the committee. I expect the prosecution will +call some or all of them as witnesses. Can you arrange a meeting?” + +Will – “I’ll give Brother Jimi a call and let you know when we can +meet. Do you think we can win this?” + +Mike Trimble – “It really depends upon the judge. If he rules +according to what the Constitution actually states, we’ll win. If he +rules according to what he thinks it says, it could go either way.” + +At School + +Joan enters the classroom and closes the door behind her. She scoots +a stool up to the front of her mother’s desk and then places her +lunch tray upon it. Helen inquires, “What’s for lunch?” + +Joan – “Mystery meat.I suppose that’s appropriate for today. Would +you like some?” + +Helen – “No, I brought a sandwich. So what is it that you want to +talk about?” + +Joan – “God and his divine law against being direct.” Helen smiles +without comment, so Joan continues, “Last Sunday, just before Emily +called, God paid me a visit. We had this conversation, but his +responses were even more cryptic than usual. I really don’t know what +he means, and I need your help.” + +Helen – “Well, I’ll help if I can. What did he say?” + +Joan – “Actually, it was a she this time. In fact, it was me, which +made it all the more confusing. I wrote everything down after I +talked to Emily.” She hands Helen a sheet of paper, “Read it for +yourself.” + +After Helen reads what Joan has written, she looks up at Joan, “Well, +she seems to be trying to tell you something about yourself, +something she wants you to do better. Is there something new that she +has been asking you to do?” + +Joan hasn’t told her mother about her latest gift, because she’s +still pondering whether it is real. Has she interpreted the hints +correctly, or is she suffering from a failure of too much +imagination? Perception certainly isn’t her forte. Everything that +has happened has an alternate, more rational explanation. She +remembers, ‘Some things have to be believed to be seen.’ Is that it? +Is faith the key? She decides to cautiously confide in her mother, +“Well, there is something, but I need to understand it better.” + +Helen – “Well, I think God wants you to understand it better, too. +‘Focus, Joan. You are building a mystery. Learn to see from both +sides now.’ That has to mean something. If you are the candle, then +you are the source. I think the candle could be your behavior, +because your behavior will always display your true image.” + +Joan – “I had the same thoughts about the candle, but it’s the mirror +part that I’m wondering about.” + +Helen – “If you are the mirror, then you are not the source. If you +reflect upon the light before sending it back, then you are affecting +it in some way. Are you a flat, concaved, or convex mirror? Each +would affect the light differently, with concaved being the most +interesting. What exactly does God mean by light? That’s what you +need to figure out.” + +Joan – “That’s what I can’t figure out.” + +Helen wonders quietly for a few minutes, “What if I show this to +Lilly? I’ll bet she would have some ideas. We’ll be studying +catechism after work tonight. Why don’t I ask her then?” + +Joan – “Okay, but wait until I get home. I want to hear what she +says, and I’d rather she not know that we’re talking about me.” + +Helen – “I can do that. I’ll say it was a dream that I had. That +should work. What you tell me will always be our secret, until you +tell me otherwise.” + +Joan – “Good.” She smiles, thinking to herself, ‘Her lips are +selkied.’ She continues eating her lunch, “Would you like some of my +apple crisp?” + +Helen takes a spoon and begins to help herself, “They do make good +apple crisp.” + +At St. Mary’s Convent + +Joan is thrilled that Grace has finally come with her, and Grace is +wondering why she finally agreed to come. Both actually know the +reason. Sometimes you do things you don’t really want to do because +you are friends. + +Sister Sarah tallies the student head count and it is even this +evening. Normally, she just sits out when this happens, but tonight +she calls Sister Margaret. Sister Margaret has taught the class on a +few occasions when Sister Sarah was ill and when she was teaching +Joan separately. Sister Sarah announces the reason for the change, +“We’re going to start tonight’s lesson with the jitterbug. All of you +know it well, so we’ll be removing it from future classes. Let’s have +one last dance.” + +She starts a CD and the music begins to play. All commence dancing +with their partners. Joan and Grace dance like a matched set, each +predicting the other’s moves. While they dance, Joan glances over at +Sister Sarah and Sister Margaret. She remembers her dream, but +suddenly realizes her mistake. She was not laughing at them dancing; +she was laughing with them. For fun, Joan begins to mix the Lindy Hop +into their dance. Grace follows suit and together, they dance and +have a grand time! +At The Liquor Emporium + +Dan – “What kind of wine would you like?” + +Rebecca – “Red would be nice.” + +Dan was hoping for a more specific answer. He knows nothing about +wine and was hoping that Rebecca would make the choice. He decides to +admit his ignorance, “The only brand that I have tried is Boone’s +Farm. Thursday was a good year.” + +Rebecca smiles as his joke, “Well, we’re not in college anymore.” + +Toni Williams overhears their conversation. She asks Rebecca, “What +kind of wine do you like?” + +Rebecca – “I don’t like dry wines. That’s all I know.” + +Toni selects a bottle of Woodhall Party Garnet from the shelf, “I’ve +had this one before. It’s made here in Maryland. If you like a sweet +wine, this is a good choice.” + +Dan – “Okay, let’s party.” + +They begin to walk toward the register, but they are startled when a +man pulls a gun. He demands money from the clerk. They retreat back +down the aisle unseen. + +Toni recognizes the gunman as Armond Washington and observes him from +the end of the aisle. The clerk gives him the money from the +register, but Washington becomes belligerent about the sum. He +threatens to shoot the clerk if he doesn’t open the safe. Toni had +hoped to be able to wait to confront him until after he left the +store, but she feels that is no longer an option. She draws her +weapon and calls out, “Police, drop your weapon.” + +Washington turns and points his gun at Sergeant Williams. Shots ring +out. + +At Home + +The older Girardis are having a little party of their own. Lilly +brought snacks, and all have been enjoying talking and playing +Euchre. Will’s cell phone rings. + +Will – “Girardi… uh-hah… yeah, I know them… how bad… what hospital… +okay, I’m on my way.” + +Will hangs up and observes the puzzled expressions coming from his +family. They obviously could not help listening, “Sergeant Williams +has been involved in a shooting. I have to go debrief her.” + +Helen – “What was that about a hospital?” + +Will – “Toni shot a robber and the robber shot a customer… Dan +Thompson.” + +Kevin – “Dr. Dan Thompson?” + +Will – “Yeah. Why don’t you go to the hospital and call me when you +find out how he is. He’s at UMC.” + +Lilly – “I’m going with you. Has anyone called Rebecca?” + +Will – “She was with him when it happened.” + +Will leaves for ‘The Liquor Emporium’, as Kevin and Lilly leave for +the hospital. When Joan arrives home, she is in high spirits. It was +a fun night with Grace, and she is especially delighted to have +learned that her initial interpretation of her dream was wrong. She +is looking forward to learning if Lilly can make sense of what Mirror +God has told her. She asks her mother, “Where’s Lilly?” + +Helen – “She’s had to leave. Are you hungry?” + +Joan – “Yes, but did you talk to her?” + +Helen removes Joan’s dinner from the microwave and sits with her, +“Not really. She had to leave in a hurry. I just handed her your +paper and told her it was a dream that I had. I asked her to read it +when she got a chance. She read it quickly and initially rattled off +some possibilities, but then she stopped. Something else appeared to +come to mind. Then Kevin pressed once again for them to leave. She +said that she would have to think about it for awhile.” + +Joan – “So, when will she let us know?” + +Helen – “I’m not sure. I expect her to respond as soon as she’s had +time to collect her thoughts. Helen pauses as she changes the +subject, “I do have some bad news to tell you. Do you remember Dr. +Dan from UMC?” +Joan – “Yeah, what about him?” + +Helen – “He was shot tonight. That’s why Lilly and Kevin had to +leave.” + +Joan – “Will he be all right?” + +Helen – “I don’t know. I sure hope so. Your father, Kevin, and Lilly +have all mentioned that he’s a really nice man.” + +Joan – “Can you take me to the hospital?” + +Helen – “We won’t be able to see him; Kevin and Lilly are already +doing what they can for Rebecca. There’s really nothing for us to +do.” + +Joan – “I guess you’re right.” + +Helen sees that Joan is upset. She hugs her then takes her hands, “We +can say a prayer.” + +At Home + +Kevin stays with Lilly and Rebecca until Dan gets out of surgery. +After debriefing Toni, Will goes to UMC to find out about Dan and to +interview Rebecca. Will has decided to sleep in a few extra hours, +but Kevin has gotten up with the others, “It looks like Dan will be +okay. The bullet ricocheted off the wall before it hit him in the +shoulder. It only went in about an inch.” + +Joan – “Oh, I’m glad to hear that. Well, I mean, I’m glad it wasn’t +worse. When will he be getting out?” + +Kevin – “Rebecca was the only one allowed in to see him. He’s +scheduled for some tests today. I guess the bullet nicked his +axillary artery. The doctors want to make sure that an aneurysm +doesn’t develop before they let him go home.” + +Helen – “You look terrible. Why don’t you go back to bed?” + +Kevin – “Oh, I’d love to, but Rebecca asked me to make sure +everything keeps running at the paper, so I’m the editor for today. +It’s actually a great opportunity, but I wish the circumstances were +different.” + +Joan – “Do you think it would be okay if I visit Dr. Dan after +school?” + +Kevin – “I suppose, but you should call the hospital first to make +sure that he’s still there and allowed visitors.” + +At School + +Adam – “You don’t look very happy today. What’s wrong?” + +Joan – “Oh, a friend got hurt last night and I’m just worried about +him.” + +Adam – “Do I know him?” + +Joan – “Yeah, well, you’ve met him. He was with Kevin when we went to +the Unurban the last time. Dr. Dan.” + +Grace – “The knee guy?” + +Adam – “Oh, Ms. Askew’s boyfriend.” + +Joan – “Yeah, that’s him. He got shot.” + +Both Grace and Adam ask a flurry of questions, too many for Joan to +address. She motions for them to stop, “All I know is that he was at +a liquor store when he got shot. I’m going to try to visit him at the +hospital after school.” + +Adam – “Would you like me to come with you?” Grace immediately offers +the same. + +Joan – “No, I’ll just go by myself. Rebecca and Lilly will probably +already be there.” + +They arrive at Joan’s calculus classroom where they will part ways. +Joan says jokingly, “Is the angle of the dangle really proportional +to the dingle of the dongle?” + +Both Adam and Grace smile. Adam responds, “I think you overheard a +joke, but that’s not how it goes.” + +Joan – “Great, just what I need, another quiztastrophe. My grade +average in calculus is already a joke.” + +Grace – “I can help you with your calculus in study hall. It won’t +help you now, but maybe you’ll pass the test.” + +Joan – “And what would you like me to do for you? Do you have your +dress yet?” + +Grace looks around quickly, “Shh, don’t broadcast it! I’m covered. My +mom took me shopping.” + +At The Herald + +Kevin enjoys writing his second front-page story. Full control of the +content of his story and that of the other writers is something that +he has wanted for a long time. He is requiring rewrites and demanding +that some ‘facts’ be sourced or removed. He’s not making many +friends. + +While at the hospital, he had the opportunity to interview Rebecca. +As expected, his father wouldn’t share what Sergeant Williams told +him, but he has the facts from one point of view. He plans to use +Washington’s mug shot in the article, something he feels should have +been published long ago. + +Kevin watches the news as he works. He sees his father arriving at +the police station. A slew of reporters begin to ask questions. + +Reporter # 1 – “Chief Girardi, can you tell us the identity of the +customer who was shot during the robbery last night?” + +Will – “Yes, his name is Daniel Thompson. He is a doctor at UMC.” + +Reporter # 2 – “And what is his condition?” + +Will – “The last I heard he was in fair condition.” + +Reporter # 3 – “What is the status of the investigation into this +shooting?” + +Will – “Excluding Dr. Thompson, all the witnesses have been +interviewed. Today we will review the store’s security camera tape, +and we hope to be able to interview Dr. Thompson. Then we file +reports. The evidence will be turned over to Internal Affairs for +their review.” + +Reporter # 1 – “We have received an unconfirmed report that Sergeant +Williams fired first at Armond Washington. Can you comment?” + +Will – “I will note the key word in your statement, ‘unconfirmed’.” + +Reporter # 3 – “Mrs. Washington states that the killing of her son is +just another example of how the Arcadia Police Department routinely +victimizes the black community.Do you have a response?” + +Will – “I understand Mrs. Washington’s grief, but Mr. Washington was +shot during the commission of a robbery. Armond Washington is a +victim of his own criminal behavior. The only true victims are Dr. +Thompson and the others present during Mr. Washington’s unlawful +activities. I have no further comments.” + +Reporter # 2 – “Chief Girardi, just one more question. What is the +status of Sergeant Williams?” + +Will – “As is standard police policy, Sergeant Williams has been +suspended with pay until Internal Affairs completes their +investigation. Good day.” + +Kevin quickly edits his story to include some of the comments from +this interview. + +At the University Medical Center + +Rebecca and Lilly stay at the hospital until Dan’s parents and sister +arrive from Scranton, Pennsylvania. It wasn’t until then that Rebecca +realized that she had left her purse in Dan’s car. With no way to get +into her apartment, she accepts Lilly’s offer to sleep on Kevin’s +couch. When they return, Dan’s family graciously allows Rebecca and +Lilly to spend time with him. + +Although still in a lot of pain, Dan is in good spirits, cracking +jokes like, “This is why I didn’t try out for javelin catcher in +college.” + +A sonographer pulls the curtain aside and plugs in an ultrasound +machine, “I have to perform an exam. Would you mind waiting outside?” + +Rebecca – “Actually, I’d like to stay if it’s okay.” + +The sonographer considers her request and says, “Sure, but please be +quiet during the examination.” She addresses Dan, “Normally, this +exam doesn’t hurt, but I will be scanning near your wound. I will try +to be as gentle as possible, but I expect it may hurt while I do it.” + +Dan nods and prepares himself. When she places the transducer on his +shoulder, the shock of the cold gel startles him. He jerks, causing a +rush of pain in his shoulder. + +Sonographer – “I apologize, doctor. We warm the gel, but it always +seems to be a shock at first contact.” She moves the transducer +across his shoulder, looking for the axillary artery. Dan grits his +teeth but says nothing. Rebecca and Lilly can see the artery come +into focus on the monitor. The sonographer pushes a button and the +artery fills with color. It is completely red, except for a turbulent +area of yellow and blue. This, Rebecca surmises, is the nick that she +was told about earlier. When the exam is finished, the sonographer +cleans the gel from Dan’s shoulder and says, “I hope that wasn’t too +painful.” + +Her comment is more obligatory than meaningful, because it is obvious +that Dan is in a great deal of pain. He manages to give her a +Cheshire cat smile, “I’ll be okay, but could you ask the nurse to add +some joy juice to my drip.” + +Sonographer – “I’ll let her know.” She leaves, pushing the machine +down the hallway. Rebecca follows her. After they are a distance +away, Rebecca asks, “That turbulence isn’t good, is it?” + +Sonographer – “I am not allowed to discuss the results of the exam +with anyone, except for Dr. Thompson’s doctors.” + +Rebecca – “I’m no expert, but Susan Jordan has shown me enough to +know what I’m looking at. How serious is it?” + +Sonographer – “Oh, you know Susan?” She doesn’t wait for an answer, +“Well, the doctors will decide what needs to be done. Please, I can’t +say any more.” + +At School + +Ms. Lischak – “Let’s have a little review. Ms. Polk, please tell me +the definition of an enzyme.” + +Grace – “Enzymes are things invented by biologists that explain +things which otherwise require harder thinking.” + +Ms. Lischak – “That’s interesting, Ms. Polk. Do I need to explain why +your response will cause negative activation energy to be applied to +your grade for this class?” + +Grace reconsiders, “Actually, enzymes function as organic catalysts.” + +Ms. Lischak – “Better, Ms. Polk.LukeyG., define a catalyst.” + +Luke – “A catalyst is a chemical involved in, but not changed by a +chemical reaction. Enzymes function by lowering the activation energy +of reactions.” + +Ms. Lischak – “Mr. Friedman, what are the possible mechanisms for an +‘over the barrier’ catalyst?” + +Friedman doesn’t answer. To the class, he appears not to know the +answer. They begin to chant, “Brain freeze, brain freeze, brain +freeze…” + +Friedman interrupts, “No, no, I know the answer. It’s just that I +have been wondering why we never talked about the ‘through the +barrier’ mechanism.” + +Ms. Lischak – “Time constraints. We did mention it briefly during +physics, but quantum tunneling is too complex a subject to cover, +even in these advanced placement courses. If you choose to take +quantum mechanics in college, I’m sure you will have the opportunity +to investigate this matter further.” + +Friedman – “Well, I have already done some reading on my own. I was +just wondering what you thought about it.” + +Ms. Lischak – “Quantum tunneling requires negative energy, which is +theoretically impossible. Yet experiments have shown that photons can +just appear on the other side of an energy barrier. Either negative +energy is possible or some as yet unknown force is at work.” + +Joan – “Whoa, whoa, whoa. It took me a long time to understand this +activation energy stuff. Are you now saying that a catalyst can cause +a change involving no energy at all?” + +Ms. Lischak – “Negative energy, Ms. Girardi, which is a physical +impossibility, yet there is evidence to suggest that it exists… a +conundrum at our present level of science. That is why I decided not +to attempt to delve into the subject during this class.” + +Joan sits with a bewildered expression painted across her face. After +a few moments, she raises her hand again, “So, in layman’s terms, +we’re talking about magic.” + +Ms. Lischak – “Magic is simply alternative physics. As I stated +previously, I expect that one day, it will be found that some unknown +force is at work.” + +Joan whispers to herself, “God!” + +Ms. Lischak – “What did you say, Ms. Girardi?” + +Joan – “Never mind. Thank you.” + +At the Police Station + +Will says jokingly, “We’ve been spending a lot of time together. +Maybe we should start ‘\ Seeing Other People\ ’.” + +Mimi smiles, “Hah, hah, I’ve heard that one before, but I’d rather be +‘\ Dancing in Twilight\ ’.” + +Will smiles, “Oh, I haven’t seen that one.”Getting back to business, +Will asks, “So, what do you think? It looks pretty clear cut to me.” + +Mimi – “I agree, but let’s not make a public statement just yet. I +would still like to read what Dr. Thompson has to say. Any word on +when we can get his statement?” + +Will – “I had hoped to get it today, but his doctors have asked that +we wait. I’m told he is still in a lot of pain. I don’t expect him to +provide any information that we don’t know already.” + +Mimi – “I agree, but let’s get all the facts, then we’ll make our +conclusions.” + +Will – “Fair enough.” + +At The Herald + +Kevin has just sent tomorrow’s edition to print when Rebecca walks +in. He asks, “What are you doing here?” + +Rebecca – “I’m not staying. I just wanted to check how everything +went today.” + +Kevin – “Fine. I haven’t made a lot of friends, but it’s a good +edition.” + +Rebecca – “Okay, you’re in charge again tomorrow. I’ll be back on +Monday.” + +Kevin – “How is Dan?” + +Rebecca was already looking emotionally drained, but Kevin’s question +obviously disturbed her even further, “I don’t know. I think the +problem with his artery is more serious than we’ve been led to +believe. I’m really worried.” + +Kevin – “I’m really sorry to hear that. I’ll stop by after work.” + +Rebecca – “No, just go home. I’ll call you if anything changes.” + +Kevin – “Joan plans to visit after school. Can you arrange for her to +see him? She would really like to.” + +Rebecca – “Sure, I can make it happen.” She pauses then continues, +“About your editorial. Can you prove your accusations?” + +Kevin – “Yes, I have everything documented and cataloged. I can also +document a similar pattern for WGF-TV’s news program.” + +Rebecca – “Okay, I’ll be back sometime tomorrow. If you can provide +the proof, I’ll consider letting you run your story.” + +At the University Medical Center + +When Joan arrives, Lilly is the only one in the Intensive Care +waiting area. She motions for Joan to have a seat, “Rebecca called to +let us know you were coming. Dan’s parents are with him now, but you +can go in when they are finished.” + +Joan – “Thanks. How is he doing?” + +Lilly – “I’m not really sure. Rebecca is concerned about his artery. +I only know what she tells me.” + +Joan – “Tell me what you know.” + +Lilly provides Joan with the information she has been given. When she +is finished, Joan surmises, “So, the bullet wound isn’t that bad, +it’s just the nick in his axillary artery that has everyone +concerned.” + +Lilly – “That’s what I gather. Maybe Dan’s parents will have more +information when they come out.” Joan nods without speaking. + +Lilly reaches into her purse and pulls out the paper that Helen had +given her. She skims over it again, “This is your dream, isn’t it?” + +Joan hesitates, not sure what to say. She is surprised that Lilly +figured it out, but is glad that she believes it was a dream. She +answers, “Yeah, how did you know?” + +Lilly – “The dialog just wasn’t your mother. How long have you been +having dreams like this?” + +Joan – “Off and on all my life, but they just started to be regular +last summer.” + +Lilly – “Are all of your dreams like this?” + +Joan – “No, I dream about a lot of things. I don’t always understand +them, but this one seems important. That’s why I decided to ask Mom +about it.” + +Lilly smiles, “And so she asked me.” She gazes at Joan for a moment +before she continues, “I’ve always known that there was something +special about you. Like mother, like daughter.” She looks at the +paper and then back to Joan, “Do you know what a charism is?” + +Joan – “No, is it anything like grace?” + +Lilly – “Well, you do need grace to understand it, but no, it is +different. They are gifts from the Holy Spirit. There are several: +The word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, the grace of +healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, the discerning of +spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, and interpretation of speeches to +name a few. These dreams may be words of wisdom or knowledge.” + +Joan smiles, “Me discerning knowledge? You haven’t seen my calculus +grades.” + +Lilly – “There are many kinds of knowledge. Intellectual knowledge is +just one kind.” She briefly looks back at the paper, “This image of +you in the mirror is trying to tell you something, something you +should learn to do better. I don’t know what that is, perhaps you do, +but you need to learn more about it. ‘Focus, Joan. You are building a +mystery. Learn to see from both sides now.’ Does that mean something +to you?” + +Joan ponders it once again, but this time, its meaning becomes clear. +She had been ignoring the obvious. She responds to Lilly, “Yes, now +it does. Thank you for your help.” + +Rebecca returns slightly before Dan’s family come out from their +visit. Dan’s mother asks, “Are you Joan?” + +Joan – “Yes ma’am. How is he doing?” + +Mrs. Thompson – “Okay I guess, considering. I’m sorry you won’t be +able to talk to him. He’s fallen asleep, but he was looking forward +to your visit.” + +Joan says “Oh,” dishearteningly. “Can I sit with him for awhile?” + +Mrs. Thompson replies, “I don’t see why not. Go ahead.” + +Joan enters the room and sits beside the gurney. She glances around +at all the instruments displaying various waveforms and numbers. She +closes her eyes and prays, ‘God, please help me to do this right.’ +She opens her eyes briefly, finds Dr. Dan’s hand, and closes them +again. She visualizes his artery, the nick, and the turbulence, just +as Lilly described it to her. She concentrates on that spot. Then she +prays, ‘God, please heal Dr. Dan’s artery.’ + +After a few minutes, she returns to the waiting area. The Thompson’s +have gone to find a restaurant, and only Rebecca and Lilly remain. +Lilly says, “Come on; let me give you a ride home.” + +At Home + +When Joan opens her eyes, she is puzzled because she is unable to +sense her body. She realizes that she had forgotten to put on sports +cream before going to bed. She also remembers that she has gym class +today and bemoans having to exercise with bruises. + +Her body begins to tingle as it awakens. She sits up, expecting pain, +but there is none. She examines her arms and legs, nothing. She +stands in front of the mirror, examining her face and backside, still +nothing. No bruises! She smiles as she realizes what has happened. +Happy feet take control as she dances around the room singing, “I’m a +catalyst, whoaoo, a beautiful chemical reaction, yeah that’s me…” +After a few minutes, she darts out the door to be the first one in +the bathroom. + +At School + +As the students enter the classroom, Helen gets her first peek at +some of their projects. She observes Tima’s project and feels +disheartened. Tima seems to be a promising student; Helen is not +looking forward to having to scold her for not following +instructions. + +After they have all settled, Helen comments, “I’m glad to see that +all of you completed your projects. I’ll have each of you explain +your projects one at a time.” She looks at Tima, “That’s a pretty +picture, but the assignment was to make something that displays an +abstraction. Please explain your project.” + +Timastands up and holds +her\ `project <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/EulersRelation.jpg>`__\ in +front of her, “Shakespeare used the sonnet to capture the very +essence of love. In his painting, ‘\ \ `The Creation of +Adam <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/TheCreationofAdam.jpg>`__\ ,’ +Michelangelo brings out the beauty of the human form that is far more +than just skin deep. Euler’s equation reaches down into the very +depths of existence. It brings together mental abstractions with +origins in very different aspects of our lives, reminding us once +again that things that connect and bind together are ultimately more +important, more valuable, and more beautiful than things that +separate.” + +Helen is both surprised and pleased. Although her artwork isn’t +abstract, it does display an abstraction, so technically, Tima +followed her instructions. “That’s very insightful. Please write down +what you just told us and tape it to the back.” + +Tima– “Yes, Mrs. Girardi, it’s already there.” + +Helen – “Thank you. Lindsey, please explain your project…” + +At The Herald + +Kevin and Rebecca meet in the conference room. Kevin asks, “How’s +Dan?” + +Rebecca – “He’s doing really well. He had another test this morning +and his artery is healing. There’s no more turbulence near the nick.” + +Kevin – “That’s great news. When will they let him go home?” + +Rebecca – “They’ll do one more test in the morning, and if he passes +again, they’ll let him go home tomorrow.” + +Kevin – “Well, if I can help in any way, just let me know.” + +Rebecca – “I’m not sure how next week will pan out yet. I may take +you up on your offer.” + +Kevin turns his attention to the task at hand. Rebecca’s mood also +changes with the transition. Kevin says, “This will go a lot easier +if you have an open mind.” + +Rebecca – “I don’t like being called a racist!” + +Kevin – “I never said that, but my research does indicate that our +stories have a racial bias. I think that rather than it being a +conscious effort, it may be that our reporters have just become +conditioned to report stories that way.” + +Rebecca – “Can you prove this?” + +Kevin rolls back from the computer and motions for Rebecca to take +his place, “I’ve compiled links to all the stories reporting on +violent crime in Arcadia.” + +Rebecca – “What are the red links?” + +Kevin – “They are all violent crimes, but the red links are murders. +Click on any link you want and you’ll see what I mean.” + +Rebecca complies and reads from the story, ‘Mrs. Harrell was a black +single mother of three… Charles Stevenson has been arrested and +charged with her murder…’ “Okay, so what’s your point? Mrs. Harrell +is identified as being black.” + +Kevin – “Yeah, but Charles Stevenson isn’t. That’s part of the +pattern. If the victim is black, their race is usually provided. +However, if the criminal is black, their race is seldom mentioned. +It’s a lie of omission.” + +Rebecca – “Okay, maybe it happens once in a while, but I can’t +believe that it is as consistent as you say.” + +Kevin – “Click on another link.” + +Rebecca clicks on several more links and finds similar patterns. She +gets defensive once again, “Okay, so maybe you’re right. What harm +does it do if we don’t provide someone’s race in a story?” + +Kevin – “If race is relevant to a story in the first place, then it +should be equally relevant for everyone in the story. The harm is +that by being selective, we have created an illusion that there is no +black crime in Arcadia. The reality is that blacks were responsible +for 49% of all murders in Arcadia last year. Considering that blacks +make up only about 12% of the population, that is quite a statistic +being ignored.” + +Rebecca – “So, in that first story, you feel we should have provided +Mr. Stevenson’s race.” + +Kevin – “Or not have provided Mrs. Harrell’s. Would her death have +been less tragic had she been white, married, or not had children?” + +Rebecca – “No, of course not!” + +Kevin – “Then her race is irrelevant, unless there is another motive +for providing it.” + +Rebecca – “And that motive would be?” + +Kevin – “You know very well the motive. It’s the same reason that +Charles Stevenson’s race was not mentioned. Listen, all I’m saying is +that we should provide our readers with the facts, all of the +relevant facts, and let them decide what to do with them.” + +Rebecca – “Will that change anything?” + +Kevin – “Maybe, maybe not. The light of the truth can be harsh to +those who have been in the dark, but it will also set them free.” + +Rebecca – “Well, that’s very Platonic of you, but that doesn’t answer +my question. What good can come from this?” + +Kevin – “Okay, how about that the first step toward finding a +solution to a problem is to acknowledge that it exists.” + +Rebecca ponders their discussion for a few moments, and then she +responds, “Okay, I’ll think about it over the weekend and let you +know on Monday.” + +At the Police Station + +Carlisle – “I got Dr. Thompson’s statement. It agrees with the other +statements of those who were there. I’ll have it typed up in a few +minutes.” + +Will – “Good, send a copy to Mimi when you have it finished.” + +Carlisle – “Will do, boss.” + +Will – “Oh, are you still working as security for the dance tomorrow +night?” + +Carlisle – “No, Principal Chadwick decided that he didn’t want armed +security guards. The school is a gun free-zone, yuh know.” + +Will – “What if someone gets a weapon past the security?” + +Carlisle – “Then we’ll have shock and awe at Arcadia High.” + +Will – “That’s not a comforting thought!” + +Carlisle – “Those are the rules.” + +At School + +Students once again bring their projects into the classroom. Most +place them on their desks or against the wall. Adam brought an easel +with his and places +his\ `painting <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/MirrorBallAmbigram.jpg>`__\ prominently +near Helen’s desk. + +After allowing a few other students to show their projects, Helen +calls on Adam, “Adam, tell us about your project.” + +Adam – “Well, as you might have guessed, I made this for the dance +tonight. I have used an ambigram character set to write along each +side of the painting. An ambigram is an abstract letterform that +still produces a recognizable letter for each character. Each side +reads ‘Adam and Joan’ or ‘Joan and Adam’, depending upon how you look +at it.” + +The students begin to cock their heads from side to side, trying to +read the writing. Expressions like, awesome, that’s really cool, +radical, way to go space cadet, and even one nifty permeate the +classroom.” + +Helen – “Good work, Adam. I’ll let you take it with you, but I’ll +need it back to grade it.” + +Adam – “It’s no problem Mrs. G. I plan to let Joan take it home after +the dance.” + +At School + +The gymnasium is bustling with activity. More volunteers than just +the sub-defectives have arrived to help prepare it for the dance. The +gender is predominately female, some being old friends, others not so +much friends, and still others with faces only familiar from the +halls of Arcadia High. Some notables are Cheryl, Heidi, and Tracy, +three cheerleaders that Joan actually likes; skater girl, without her +skates; and Iris with her Eagle camera. Ms. Lischak is also present +to supervise. + +Several of the boys are working to hoist the mirror ball up to the +ceiling. Adam is assisting Clay Fisher who is integrating a CD player +into the gyms PA system. Clay will be the DJ for tonight’s dance. The +equipment is on ‘loan’ from Arcadia’s Mix-FM. +The girls are taking turns hanging decorations. They only have three +ladders and one is being used to install the mirror ball. All is +going well, so Ms. Lischak decides to visit the girl’s room. When she +returns, she finds that the cheerleader’s have begun using a human +pyramid to hang decorations. Ms. Lischak credits them for their +ingenuity, but she has also seen several of their performances during +this year’s football season. She offers this advice, “Please remember +that intelligent falling is no substitute for the law of selective +gravity: An object will always fall so as to do the maximum damage.” +She assigns two boys as spotters. + +Joan and Elizabeth set up a table with ice, a variety of soft drinks, +and sweet iced tea. Grace provides two sheets of carrot cake, both +iced with white frosting. Elizabeth is cutting them into portions for +the party afterward. + +After the mirror ball and lights are tested, the third ladder becomes +available. This speeds up the placement of the remaining decorations. +When finished, all stand to marvel at their creation. + +Joan approaches Tima, “We have one last thing to do. Come with me.” + +Joan leads Tima into the girl’s locker room. There they find Tima’s +mother waiting for them. + +Mrs. Fakiri has a large bag on her lap, “Here, put these on.” + +Tima– “Umm, why are you here?” + +Mrs. Fakiri – “Because Joan invited me. Just be quiet and put these +on.” + +Time – “Yes Umm.” + +The dress is similar in style to the ones she normally wears, but +this one is yellow, decorated with large beautiful white flowers. She +has also provided matching shoes. After Tima dons the new dress, Joan +brushes and places a matching silk flower in her hair. When finished, +Joan takes her hand and says, “Close your eyes and come with me.” + +Joan, Tima, and Mrs. Fakiri return to the gymnasium. When they +arrive, Joan says to Tima, “Open your eyes.” + +With the lights dimmed, the mirror ball rotates, reflecting +intermittent beams of light that are being flashed upon it. Tima +asks, “What’s going on?” + +Joan – “You said you couldn’t dance with boys, right?” + +Tima– “Yes, that is true. I’m not allowed.” + +Joan presents her arm to the room, inviting Tima to look around, “Do +you see any boys here?” + +All the boys have gone. A song begins to play over the PA. Tima looks +at her mother. Her mother answers her silent query, “Go have fun.” + +For the next two hours, Tima enjoys dancing and talking with her new +friends. + +At Home + +Helen – “Is everything ready for the dance tonight?” + +Joan – “Everything but me.Did you pick up my dress from the +cleaners?” + +Helen – “It’s in your room. Would you like some lunch?” + +Joan – “No, I had too much carrot cake. I’m just going to take a nap +so that I’ll be ready to dance the night away.” + +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + +Joan once again makes a staircase entrance, but this time, it’s +anything but glamorous. Judith pops in at the last minute to suggest +that she make some changes. Judith suggests that she wear a pair of +two-tiered +droplet\ `earrings <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Multi-coloreddropletearrings.jpg>`__\ that +Joan purchased on a whim several months ago. They were a thrift store +special that she had stuffed, bag and all, into her dresser drawer, +where they lay forgotten until now. Leave it to Judith to note that +the outer two stones perfectly match the color of her dress. Judith +also suggests changing the color of her eye shadow and lipstick. When +Joan looks at herself one last time in the mirror, she agrees with +Judith’s assessment, “That’s Joanith shining through.” + +Joan hurries down the stairs, “I know; I’m sorry I’m late. I had to +accommodate the spiritual realm before I could come down.” This just +adds wonder to the awe of her appearance. Their expressions prompt an +explanation. Joan laughs, “Judith paid me a visit.” + +Adam is mesmerized. Although it is a different color, the style of +her dress is nearly the same as the one she wore when she offered him +a gift. She has never looked more beautiful, but for Adam, that is a +daily occurrence. Ma and Pa Girardi are both clutching handkerchiefs, +each wondering which one will need to use them first. Kevin wonders +how he failed to notice when his little sister became a woman. Luke +is just a basket case, knowing that his turn is next. + +Adam offers Joan a wrist corsage. Both are pleased to see that one of +its wildflowers matches perfectly with her dress. Joan offers in +return a kiss, a thank you, and a boutonniere. + +Luke – “Come on, we’re late. Grace likes late, but only if it’s her. +Let’s go.” + +Just then, Joan’s cell phone rings. Grace queries, “Where are you, +Girardi?” + +Joan – “We’re on our way.” + +Grace – “Ripley’s been calling, wanting to get a picture of me in +this dress. Get your butt over here!” + +Joan – “We’ll be there soon. I’m sure you look beautiful.” + +Helen – “Go have fun. Be home by eleven.” + +Joan – “Mom, we might want to get something to eat afterward.” + +Will – “Okay, call us when you leave the dance.” + +Joan can see that Luke is a nervous wreck. She grabs the keys from +his hand, “Adam’s driving.” Luke surrenders without protest and they +scurry out to the car. + +At the Polonsky’s, they all walk up to the door together. Joan knows +that the parents will want to see all of them, not just Luke. She +also expects that he may need moral support. She remembers her +butterflies when she and Adam went on their first real date. She will +be there for him if he needs help. + +To Joan’s surprise, Luke does rather well. Grace is the only one who +appears nervous. She is self-conscious, but she and her mother have +done a wonderful job. There isn’t anything anti about her. Her skirt +is made of a pleated teal blue silk that flows down to about +mid-calf. The top of her gown has white silk crisscrossing her bosom +and puffy teal blue short sleeves. All of her accessories match, and +her hair and makeup are perfect. In Luke’s eyes, she is a goddess of +imaginary light. After they exchange flowers, all leave for the +dance. + +At the Mirror Ball + +As in years past, Mr. Price waits at the entrance, ready to pounce on +anyone that he feels deserves it. Fortunately, all are able to pass +without losing any miraculous things. + +Inside, the mirror ball reflects light like rain; its color slowly +changing from red, to green, then to blue, with all the colors in +between. Joan watches the array of stars float around the room, +giving a stillness that contrasts with the dancing teens. Friedman +approaches with a girl on his arm. Her green soul window eyes sparkle +as she smiles at him. She is about 4’ 9” tall and probably weighs +less than 100 pounds wet. She has a beautiful figure, with just the +right combination of muscle tone and curves. Imagine an ebony\ `Mary +Lou +Retton <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/MaryLouRetton.jpg>`__\ . +Friedman shouts, “Hi, this is Mel. Mel, these are my friends.” + +All greet her and provide their names, but shouting at each other +precludes a real conversation. Joan suggests that they get some +punch, sit, and talk, “Adam, would you go ask Clay to turn the volume +down a little?” + +Grace – “Hey, I’ll go with you. I’m anti-claymation.” + +Grace and Adam leave, and within a few minutes, the volume of the +music becomes tolerable. + +Joan – “Wow, that’s better. Now we can talk. I love your dress and +those earrings are amazing.” + +Mel – “Thank you. My mother brought them back as a gift from her last +trip to Jamaica. I love things that are handmade.” + +Joan – “Are you from there? I’ve only met one person from Jamaica. He +was a terrible singer.” + +Mel – “Me, no, I was born here… well, in Montgomery County. We moved +to Arcadia when I was five. My dad and uncle work for the community +center.” + +A slow melody begins to play. Joan feels a tap on her shoulder, +“Would you like to dance?” Joan is overwhelmed with a rush of déjà vu +as the dream she had discounted begins to play out. Adam, the room, +the music, everything is as she remembers. They walk out onto the +dance floor and begin a waltz. Elizabeth was right, but she totally +understated Adam’s ability. Time stands still as they float around +the room, much like the figurines on her music box, escaping into a +world of their own. + +After several numbers, the group gathers once again to rest. Ms. +Lischak walks over, “Greetings kinesiology specimens. I’m glad to see +that everyone is enjoying themselves.” + +Glynis– “Oh, we are, although Sean and I aren’t the best dancers.” + +Joan – “Sister Sarah has actually talked about that. When I’m +learning a new dance, I find it helpful, but if I think about it +while I’m doing it, I usually mess up. I just try to do what feels +right.” + +Ms. Lischak – “Whether it is cognizant or subliminal, all of you +participate.” She briefly looks out into the room and then back to +the group, “The ocular presentation that you have fashioned is quite +impressive. God’s eldest daughter rippling through space, +quaquaversally reflecting, refracting, focusing, and dispersing, all +in tune with the angular momentum of the sphere. The visual +consequence of the medium-energy gauge boson chains raining upon the +mirror ball is magnificent. Well done, photons.” + +Grace whispers to Luke, “There she goes again with her dirty talk. +Why can’t she just say that it’s pretty?” Luke smiles without +comment. + +Joan asks, “Um, Ms. Lischak, is your second best friend here?” + +Ms. Lischak smiles at her comment, “Yes, he’s here. He would actually +like to talk to you. Let us have a dance and then you two can talk.” + +Ms. Lischak walks to the other side of the gymnasium, and then onto +the dance floor with her significant other. Joan squints to see in +the dim light, ‘Yes, it is him!’ + +Joan feels another tap on her shoulder. Sean asks, “Would you like to +dance?” Mel then asks Adam, Glynis asks Luke, and so on. They all +return to the dance floor. It’s a fast song, so Joan begins to +integrate some of the square dance moves that Cee-Cee taught her. +Soon, they are dancing as a group, exchanging partners every few +seconds. + +The next song is a slow one for Joan’s dance with Mr. Tuchman. +Although there is not enough time for him to tell her everything that +has happened, she does learn that he has gone back to college. He is +about to complete another bachelor’s degree, this time in history. “I +will be Arcadia High’s history teacher beginning in the fall.” + +Joan – “Really, that’s great!” Joan considers what he has told her, +“Wait, what about Mr. Dreisbach?” + +Mr. Tuchman apologizes, “Oh, I’m sorry; I wasn’t supposed to let +anyone know. He won’t publicly announce his retirement until the end +of the year. When he told me of his plans, he did mention something +about starting a jazz band.” + +Joan smiles, “So he can play the saxophone. Good for him.” + +When the song ends, Joan returns to be with her friends. She takes +this opportunity to have another conversation with Mel. They seem to +be opposites in many of their likes and dislikes. Mel loves to dive +and Joan still fears it. Mel loves Koala bears and hats, and you know +Joan’s thoughts on that subject. However, Mel has a darling +personality and is a pleasure to talk with. With the experiences +Friedman has had with girls, Joan is pleased that he has found such a +jewel. + +The mirror ball seems to abate its rotation with the waning of the +evening. Joan wonders what song to choose for the last dance. A +melody begins to play in her head, one that she has heard on one of +her father’s records. Its lyrics resonate, not only for this evening, +but also for the events of this past week. After arranging it with +Clay, she pulls Adam once again out onto the dance floor. She sings +along as she and Adam dance to the music. + +*Do you believe in magic +In a young girl’s heart +How the music can free her +Whenever it starts +And it’s magic…* |