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+Episode 3.01, Lunch
+-------------------
+
+This story begins with the last scene of Something Wicked this
+Way Comes (2.22).
+
+Joan watches Ryan leave. She remembers what God told her about evil,
+how it's a broad spectrum from darkness to light. Or was it shadows
+and light? Whatever. Ryan is everything she is not, a mirror of Joan.
+But what she hates most are the feelings he causes to boil up from
+within her. “Use the force, Luke.” But if she ventures into the dark
+side, he wins.
+
+Joan turns and walks back to her friends. She loves them like a rock,
+but her army, hah! Scooby and Friends is more like it.
+
+Joan – “Okay, let's scram.”
+
+Grace smirks – “So Girardi, are you sure you're not going to wander
+off with Marilyn again?”
+
+Joan – “Grace, isn't it you who's always saying that anarchy is about
+shedding false conceptions? So shed! Light is a broad spectrum,
+right? Let's do physics.”
+
+Grace decides to drop the subject. Even she can see that Joan is in a
+mood. She has learned sometimes it's best to just let her work it
+out.
+
+Joan spends the rest of the day barely talking. Oh, the meaningless
+conversations continue, but inside, she is trapped in an endless
+cycle of evaluation and reevaluation of her situation. Even God seems
+to have thrown her to the wolves. She could only be lonelier without
+the loneliness. Every potential move seems to end with the same
+result - Checkmate.
+
+That evening, Joan desperately tries to study. Luke and Grace are
+working like ding and dong, but all Joan can do is twang! Physics
+requires too much brainpower, and she just can't concentrate. Can a
+head actually explode? She excuses herself to go to bed. She will get
+up early and study in the morning.
+
+In the bathroom cleaning up, she sees her reflection in the mirror.
+‘Who am I?’ she wonders. ‘I'm just a kid, a seventeen-year-old girl.
+Am I really supposed to be Wonder Woman?’ Her eyes begin to tear up,
+‘God help me.’
+
+And from the aether comes the voice of God. This little prayer
+becomes a catalyst for events to come. Joan, his instrument, is in
+desolation. He answers silently, “I am here.”
+
+She leaves and enters her bedroom, “Jammies, polka dots, love ‘em.”
+Her head hits the pillow and the night begins.
+
+Joan – “Come on Judith, get in the mood! It's Saturday, we're free,
+and it's a beautiful day.”
+
+Judith – “You know I'm not the outdoorsy type.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, but can't you feel it? Look at me. You know how I hate to
+drive, but Mercer Creek is calling. Look at the colors painting the
+trees and the ground, the reds, the yellows, and orange. Fall is the
+best time of year.”
+
+Judith – “I brought something to read while you commune with nature.”
+
+Joan gets even more excited, “Oh, here it comes! Get ready to wave!
+Hello, Ole Paint!”
+
+Judith – “You know that's really lame.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, lighten up. It's fun. Besides, I told you how it all
+started. When Adam and I first saw this metal horse on top of the
+stable, it was so sad. He must have been so beautiful once, a
+majestic Northern Dancer. Now he is faded and has rust spots all
+over. We just had to give him a name. Ole Paint was my idea. Get it?”
+
+Judith – “That's even more lame.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, we're here. Grab your stuff, and I'll get the picnic
+basket and blanket. The trail starts just over there.”
+
+Judith – “It looks like it's going to rain.”
+
+Joan – “No, those are just puff clouds.” She remembers, ‘Hmm, that's
+another one for Grace.’ “There definitely won't be rain today.”
+
+They find a spot near the creek and have lunch. Joan had her father
+fix one of his masterpiece sandwiches, so they each could only eat
+half. Topped off with chips and cans of Mug Root Beer, they are both
+pleasantly full. Joan lies down on the blanket with her arms behind
+her head. She stretches out, and then relaxes.
+
+Joan – “Ah, I could stay here forever. Listen to the leaves rustling,
+the water rippling, it's just so perfect.”
+
+Judith – “You can have the whole blanket. I fit nicely into the wedge
+of this tree. How long will we be staying?”
+
+Joan – “Not long, just let me soak this in for awhile.”
+
+Judith watches her friend fall asleep. “Joanith? Earth to Joan.
+Anybody home?” What level of consciousness is achieved when one falls
+deeper into a meditative state while already sound asleep? “Okay,
+listen up Jo-Jo. It's time for me to read. Let's just skip to Chapter
+2. Motion in One Dimension...”
+
+Joan opens her eyes to see the clock. It reads 4:59. She reaches and
+turns off the alarm before it sounds. “That has never happened
+before!” She rolls out of bed and gets ready for school. For some
+reason she really feels great! This is certainly not what she
+expected after getting up an hour early. She sits down with her
+physics book and begins to study, while enjoying her bowl of Fruit
+Loops. “Wow! A good night’s sleep really can make a difference! I
+actually know this stuff!” She moves on to study trig. “Okay, not
+everything has changed.”
+
+Later at the Sheriff's Station
+
+Toni enters Will's office carrying a folder. “We got the initial
+forensics report on the Synagogue fire. Roebuck did this one
+personally.”
+
+Will – “So, what's it say?”
+
+Toni – “You mentioned that all of those explosions seemed to be a bit
+odd. Well, you were right. There was nothing in the Synagogue before
+the fire to account for them. He found traces of glass that didn't
+come from the windows. They were in patterns emanating from five
+different locations. He believes they were gasoline bombs. He has
+sent samples of the glass off to be analyzed. He is hoping there will
+be something unique about the glass that can help us.”
+
+Will – “How long will it take?”
+
+Toni – “He wasn't sure. The state crime lab in Bakerstown will
+provide the in-depth analysis. He has asked them to give it
+priority.”
+
+Will – “Waiting is always the hardest part. Tell him good work!”
+
+Carlisleknocks and pops his head in the door. “Hey Will, Helen's on
+line two.”
+
+Toni leaves and Will answers the phone. “Hi Hon, what's up?”
+
+Helen – “You have time for lunch today?”
+
+Will – “I thought you only got half an hour.”
+
+Helen – “Ah, but there are no art finals.”
+
+Will – “Come on over. Is Jerry's okay?”
+
+Helen – “See you in a bit.”
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Rebecca – “Kevin, I'm going for coffee, would you like a cup?”
+
+Kevin – “No thanks, I'm all coffeed out. But a cup of water from the
+cooler would be nice.”
+
+Rebecca – “Back in a minute.”
+
+After their breakup last year, Kevin and Rebecca had a difficult time
+working together. However, as time went on, they were both able to
+make the adjustment, and they work well together again. Oh, and it
+has actually been three minutes, but Kevin isn't counting.
+
+Rebecca – “Here you are. So how is it going today?”
+
+Kevin – “Not bad at all! Actually, it's been going pretty quick. I
+just have two more articles to check.”
+
+Rebecca – “Well, I'll have more for you in a little while.” She
+returns to her desk.
+
+Kevin skims the article for facts, ‘Arcadia Citizen's Watchdog
+Committee Meets Sunday... starts at 7:00 PM... first time the meeting
+will be chaired by the new president, Ryan Hunter... former
+president, Michael McCauley, died at his Millersville home two months
+ago...’ Kevin thinks to himself, ‘Time for the fact checker to go to
+work.’
+
+At the High School
+
+Joan has turned in her physics exam and is waiting for the bell to
+ring. She is excited! She wants to tell the whole world, but wants to
+tell her brother first. He will understand.
+
+When the bell rings, she scurries over to him. “Wow, that was
+awesome! Luke, remember how you were at the Tri-math-a-thon thing?
+Well, that's how I felt doing the physics test. It was surreal!”
+
+Luke – “I wouldn't get your hopes up. You've never gotten better than
+a ‘B' in physics.”
+
+Joan – “I know, but I really think I did good on this one.”
+
+Luke – “You want me to calculate the odds?”
+
+Joan – “Spare me.”
+
+Luke was just being Luke, but this one hurt. She really thought he
+would understand. He is left baffled when Joan storms out of the room
+for her next class. Grace, who had observed the conversation, walks
+out with Luke. “Don't try to figure it out, brain boy. You'll blow a
+fuse.”
+
+Lunch at Jerry's
+
+Will – “So what looks good to you?”
+
+Helen – “Oh, how about the deli club.”
+
+Will places the order with the waitress. “Make that two with one Coke
+and one Diet-Coke.”
+
+Will – “So how is your day going?”
+
+Helen – “Pretty slow. I have all of the projects graded, and now I'm
+pretty much twiddling my thumbs.”
+
+Will – “It's been kind of slow for me too. Oh, we got a forensic
+report back on the Synagogue fire. We're running down a lead.”
+
+Helen – “That was so terrible! Did I tell you I dreamed about it?”
+
+Will – “More clowns?”
+
+Helen – “No, but it was weird. First it was like being in a
+sprinkler, and then it turned into fire. Grace was there, too.”
+
+Will – “So what did it mean?”
+
+Helen – “I don't know. Maybe nothing, I'm still trying to figure it
+out. Lilly thinks it may be a charism.”
+
+Will – “Do I want to know what that is? Is she really good for you?”
+
+Helen – “Well you better get used to her being around. I think our
+son is in love with her.”
+
+Will – “I only met her that one time, and we just talked about you
+and religion. Well, she talked, I yelled. She sure can be
+frustrating. Looks like I need to get to know her better. I'll bring
+it up at dinner.”
+
+At the High School
+
+Adam – “Well that was fun. So how did you do?”
+
+Joan – “Don’t ask. I've never been good at math and trig is just out
+there!”
+
+Adam – “Ms. Barr said she'd have the results for us tomorrow.”
+
+Joan – “We get the results for everything tomorrow dunderhead. I
+wonder what kind of night I'll have tonight.”
+
+Dinner at the Girardi House
+
+Helen speaks to Joan. “Dinner's ready. Go call Kevin and your
+father.”
+
+Joan calls up the stairs. “Dad, Kevin, dinner.”
+
+Luke comes in with Grace and surprises Helen, “Oh Grace! Luke, you
+should have told me. I'm sorry, I don't remember. Is it Okay for you
+to eat pork?”
+
+Grace – “That's fine, don't worry about it Mrs. Girardi.”
+
+Helen to everyone, “Have a seat.”
+
+Helen directs her question to Grace. “We have recently resumed a
+tradition of saying a prayer before our meal. Would you do us the
+honor?”
+
+Initially, a smart-aleck prayer pops into her head, but Grace can see
+this is important to Mrs. Girardi. She responds. “Yeah, sure, ah...
+Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who brings
+forth bread from the earth. Amen.”
+
+Helen – “Thank you.” She pauses while they serve the food, “Joan.
+Tell us about your day.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I had finals all day, as you know. I think I did good
+on the physics exam, okay on the others, but probably not so good on
+trig.”
+
+Helen – “Luke?”
+
+Luke – “Not much to tell, pretty much the same as Joan, except I'm
+sure my grades will be to the 10th power.”
+
+Helen – “Grace?”
+
+Grace – “Oh, ah, well the same as Luke and Joan. I should do better
+than last year. I temporarily suspended the laws of anarchy and
+actually studied this time. My father has enough on his mind with the
+Synagogue being a pile of rubble and all.”
+
+Helen – “Kevin?”
+
+Kevin – “Pretty much same-o, same-o.”
+
+Helen – “The highlight of my day was having lunch with your father.
+We just had sandwiches at Jerry's, but it was nice to have lunch
+together. We don't get to do that often. Will?”
+
+Will – “Of course, the highlight of my day was lunch as well.” True
+or not, he knows if he says anything else, Helen may kill him in his
+sleep. “For the most part, it was a pretty slow day. Oh Grace, we got
+a forensic report back on the fire. Don't know anything for sure yet,
+but we are working on some leads.”
+
+Grace – “Thanks, Mr. Girardi.”
+
+Joan replies angrily, “I already told you who did it.”
+
+Will – “Ryan Hunter is an upstanding citizen! We got nothing.”
+
+Joan – “Have you even looked?”
+
+Kevin interrupts. “You know, I checked an article that mentioned him
+today. He replaced the former president who died two months ago -
+Michael McCauley. The article said he died at his home in
+Millersville, which didn't make sense. Why would he be president of
+the Arcadia Citizen's Watchdog Committee if he lived way over in
+Millersville? Turns out, he died at his daughter’s home, a Mrs. Anna
+Finnegan. His obituary said he died in a fire. Maybe you should call
+the Millersville police tomorrow?”
+
+Will – “Thanks Kevin, I'll do that. Hey, your mother tells me you
+really like her catechism teacher – Lilly?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, she's really something. Not like anyone I've dated
+before.”
+
+Will – “Well, I have met her, but I really don't know her. Why don't
+you invite her to dinner this Saturday or Sunday?”
+
+Kevin – “Okay, I'll see if she can make it.”
+
+After Dinner
+
+Joan – “Kevin, you busy?” He actually is, but he closes the lid on
+his computer and tells her to come in. “I have a favor to ask.” Kevin
+doesn't speak, but nods for her to continue. “I know Dad said he
+would call the Millersville police, but I'm not sure he will. I
+really don't like this Ryan Hunter guy, and I'll bet he is involved
+somehow.”
+
+Kevin – “Sounds to me like you're getting a little paranoid.”
+
+Joan – “I know what it sounds like, but would you please call them
+anyway?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, sure. Anything for my kid sister.”
+
+She gives him a kiss and leaves the room. Kevin opens the lid on his
+computer and the display lights up showing the website for the
+Millersville Police Department.
+
+The Next Morning
+
+Joan – “Mom, look.” She pulls up her pants to reveal her leg.
+
+Helen – “What?”
+
+Joan – “No disease! Remember last year? Last day of school, party in
+the quad?”
+
+Helen – “Oh, right. Well, I'm still Amish that way. At least you're
+wearing a long skirt.”
+
+Joan – “They're culottes Mom. Anyway, this time, I'm going to have
+fun. I'm going to tie myself to Price and we are going to win that
+egg-and-spoon race.”
+
+Helen – “Are you sure you're not sick? I thought you hated Price?”
+
+Joan – “I do, but I have him figured out. He's like a vampire. He
+sucks the life out of people. Now that I know that, he can't get to
+me.”
+
+At the High School
+
+All of the students' grades have been sent to their homeroom. Those
+who have questions can visit their teachers after the bell. The bell
+rings.
+
+Grace – “So how'd you do?”
+
+Joan – “It's like extra icing on a cupcake! I got an A+ on the
+physics final! Can you believe it? I got a C- on the trig final, but
+at least I passed. I was really sweating that one. The rest are all
+B's.”
+
+Grace – “I got all B's, some plus, and some minus. Makes a difference
+when you study. I'll have to work the whole summer to get my father's
+expectations back down again. So Luke, do I need to ask?”
+
+Luke – “Nope, A's across the board.”
+
+Joan – “Come on, let's head for the quad.”
+
+Grace – “What's with the perkiness, Girardi?”
+
+Joan – “I don't know. I'm not going to try to know. I just feel
+good.”
+
+At the Sheriff's Station
+
+Toni – “Good morning, Will. I picked up the dockets from last night.
+They are on your desk.”
+
+Will – “Anything interesting?”
+
+Toni – “The Liqueur Mart on 5th got robbed again and there was a
+mugging in Meadow Park. Oh, and yesterday afternoon, there was an
+attempted child abduction near Southside High School. Well, maybe. It
+really wasn't clear. The call came in just after you went home.
+Officer Garcia's report is there also.”
+
+Will – “Thanks Toni.”
+
+In the Quad
+
+Luke and Grace decide to watch, but the others go off to do different
+things. Joan finds Mr. Price is once again the victim of the water
+balloon toss. A devilish grin paints across her face.
+
+Mr. Price – “So Miss Girardi, do you have a good arm?”
+
+Joan – “Kinetic energy is my thing.” She throws and misses.
+
+Mr. Price – “You'll have to do better than that.” She throws again,
+but this time she hits her target.
+
+Mr. Price – “Well, you got lucky Joan.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, but I get one more!” She throws the last one and hits him
+again. “Gotcha! And when they do the race, you're mine.”
+
+Mr. Price – “You didn't fare too well last time... Hornsby has to go
+down this year!”
+
+Joan – “We'll get it done.”
+
+Laura Eason brought a Frisbee today and is playing catch with her
+friend Patty. Patty throws and it sails over her head. She runs to
+get it. As she is picking it up, she notices a white van driving
+slowly down the street. She turns, throws the Frisbee, and continues
+the game.
+
+Joan turns away from the booth and sees Ryan in the distance. She
+wonders what kind of slimy thing he is up to. She stops and thinks
+about what Kevin told her. “Am I really just being paranoid?” She
+remembers what God told her. “Whatever you do, don't play the other
+person's game. Play your own.” She decides she's not going there
+today. She walks over to Luke and Grace. “Why aren't you guys doing
+anything?”
+
+Grace – “Participating in this totalitarian regime's party games is
+not my thing, but I did see you clobber Price. That was priceless!”
+She laughs.
+
+Joan – “Wasn't it though! We're going to do the egg-and-spoon race in
+a few minutes.”
+
+Grace – “Are you sick again, Girardi?”
+
+Joan – “No, no, today I'm just going to have fun.”
+
+Joan and Mr. Price are tied together, in a line with the other
+contestants. The eggs are locked and loaded. The starter-gun fires.
+All of her friends are cheering and making a ruckus. She and Mr.
+Price hobble along inching ahead of the pack.
+
+Mr. Price – “We're doing good. Keep it up.”
+
+Joan doesn't respond, but continues to hobble and concentrate. Out of
+the corner of her eye she sees that Mr. Hornsby and Elizabeth
+Goetzmann are neck and neck. She tries to move faster. As they cross
+the finish line, Mr. Price trips slightly and drops his egg. Hornsby
+wins again.
+
+Mr. Price – “Sorry Joan, we almost had it.”
+
+Joan – “That's okay. We have one more chance.”
+
+Mr. Price is momentarily surprised, but then says, “It's a date.”
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Kevin is talking on the phone. “So you can't tell me anything?”
+
+Officer – “The fire is still under investigation.”
+
+Kevin – “Do you suspect it was arson?”
+
+Officer – “We don't know.”
+
+Kevin – “Do you have any suspects?”
+
+Officer – “I said we don't yet know the cause of the fire. I do know
+Anna personally. She adored her father, and her husband was at work
+when the fire started.”
+
+Kevin – “Can I talk to her?”
+
+Officer – “If you want. She's living there in Arcadia. She's staying
+in her father's house while hers is being repaired.”
+
+Kevin – “Thank you. You have been very helpful.”
+
+At the High School
+
+Joan is leaving the Girls’ room. She felt she needed to freshen up
+the ole paint after the race. She sees Cute Boy God leaning against a
+pillar. “I haven't seen you in awhile. Have I done something wrong?”
+
+God – “No, you are doing just fine.”
+
+Joan – “So what's the occasion?”
+
+God – “Does there have to be an occasion?”
+
+Joan – “There has always been one before.”
+
+God – “Well this time it's different. I'm going to take you to
+lunch.”
+
+Joan – “You're going to what?”
+
+God – “We are going to have lunch. Today is about having fun,
+recreation, right?”
+
+Joan pauses. She now realizes why she has felt good today, or as
+Grace called it, perky. The emotional roller coaster ride she has
+been on has leveled out. She smiles and takes his arm. They leave the
+school for the bus stop.
+
+In the Quad
+
+Grace – “So where's you sister? She said she'd be back in a few
+minutes.”
+
+Luke – “I don't know. Why don't you go check?”
+
+Grace – “Come with me, dog boy.” They go into the school and Grace
+checks the Girls’ room. Helen is walking down the hall. “Mrs.
+Girardi, have you seen Joan?”
+
+Helen – “She was outside a little while ago.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, we'll check the quad.”
+
+Helen speaks to Luke. “You having fun today?”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, fine.”
+
+They go back outside. They look everywhere but don't see Joan. Grace
+is becoming a little concerned. She knows Joan is flighty, but her
+disappearance seems a little odd, even for her. Just minutes ago,
+Joan was excited about trying more of the events. Now she can't be
+found.
+
+On the Bus
+
+God – “So where would you like to have lunch?”
+
+Joan – “Wow! I wish I were more hungry.”
+
+God – “Why don't we ride the bus for a while? We can watch out the
+windows and chat.”
+
+Joan – “God chats?”
+
+God – “Actually, today is a special occasion. There are things I want
+to tell you.”
+
+At the High School
+
+Grace and Luke have collected the others. They have scoured the
+school, inside and out. Grace calls Joan's cell. It rings unanswered
+on her nightstand. She had forgotten it today. A feeling of panic
+begins to settle in. They seek out Helen. They all speak at once.
+
+Grace – “Mrs. Girardi, Joan is missing.”
+
+Luke – “Mom, we have looked everywhere.”
+
+Adam – “Mrs. G., something is wrong! She just disappeared!”
+
+Helen – “Hold it, calm down. Tell me what is going on.”
+
+Grace explains how Joan had been enjoying participating in the
+events. She repeats what Joan had told her, that she was looking
+forward to trying more of the activities after her visit to the
+Girls’ room. And now she has disappeared. It just doesn't make sense.
+She also details their previous searches. Helen assembles some of the
+staff, and together they search the school again.
+
+At Lunch
+
+Joan – “Okay, I'm ready, but just someplace to get a sandwich.”
+
+God – “I know just the place.”
+
+They get off the bus and walk down the sidewalk.
+
+Joan – “Wow, the Unurban. I had a strange time here my last visit.”
+
+God – “I know.”
+
+Joan – “But you weren't here!”
+
+God – “Omniscient Joan. You still haven't looked it up.”
+
+Joan – “Right. So what are we having?”
+
+God – “It's your choice, Joan. It's always your choice.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, how about a burger and fries?” The waitress comes over.
+It is the same woman who took her tea order during her last visit.
+“Hi, do you remember me?”
+
+Waitress – “As a matter of fact, I do? Would you like tea today?”
+
+Joan – “No, no thank you.” Joan turns several shades of red.
+
+God – “We'll each have a burger and fries with your ultimate
+chocolate shake.”
+
+Joan – “Oh good, I hadn't thought of that.”
+
+God – “Of course you did.”
+
+She offers him a manufactured smile. She knows he is right, but she
+is really not sure what to make of God's sense of humor.
+
+At the High School
+
+Helen calls Will. “Will, Joan is missing.”
+
+Will – “What do you mean missing?”
+
+Helen – “She's gone. She was at school and she just disappeared! We
+have searched everywhere.”
+
+Will – “Did you call her cell?”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, twice, no answer.”
+
+Will – “Well, how long has she been gone?”
+
+Helen – “I don't know, a couple of hours.”
+
+Will – “Don't…” He stops and remembers Officer Garcia's report. “Just
+a minute, Helen.” He quickly reads it again. “Has anyone seen a white
+van near the school?”
+
+Helen moves the phone away from her face and yells the question.
+Laura responds. “Yeah, I saw one earlier. White, with 'Delivery
+Service' written on the side.” Helen relays the information back to
+Will and she adds, “Will, I have a feeling.”
+
+Will remembers how Helen somehow knew to go to the hospital when Joan
+was sick last year.
+
+Helen – “Will, you need to do something.”
+
+Will – “Okay Helen, I'll take care of it.”
+
+At the Sheriff's Station
+
+Will sits stunned, shaken by what he has just heard. Normally, he is
+as steady as a rock, but the policeman and the father in him are at
+war. The Garcia report stated the suspect drove a white van with
+‘Delivery Service’ stenciled on the side. Images of Steve Ramsey fill
+his head. He summons Toni to his office, “I'm issuing an Amber
+Alert.” He hands Toni a picture of Joan and tells her to get it to
+the TV station. “Tell them she may have been abducted from Arcadia
+High School. Have someone call the radio station. Put out an APB for
+the van in the Garcia report.” He hands her the folder, “Have a unit
+meet me at the school.”
+
+At the High School
+
+Elizabethis walking home, now about a block away from school. Like
+Joan, she has been having a good day. She won the egg-and-spoon race,
+and she did better than she had expected on her finals. In fact, she
+is singing. She will be playing the part of Mary Magdalene in the
+summer production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
+
+I don't know how to love him.
+What to do, how to move him.
+I've been changed, yes really changed.
+In these past few days, when I've seen myself,
+I seem like someone else.
+I don't know how to take this.
+I don't see why he moves me.
+He's a man. He's just a man.
+And I've had so many men before,
+In very many ways, He's just one more...
+
+A white van slows to a stop. Man – “Hey, can you tell me where
+
+Green Street
+is from here?”
+Elizabeth– “Sorry, I don't know.”
+
+Man – “I'm supposed to make a delivery. It's supposed to be near
+here.”
+
+He starts to get out of the van, but stops when he hears sirens
+approaching. He closes the door and speeds away. Elizabeth sees the
+event as a little odd, but dismisses it. She continues walking home,
+singing her song.
+
+At Lunch
+
+Joan – “That was good. I was hungrier than I thought. And the shake
+was sooo good!”
+
+God – “I'm glad you enjoyed it.”
+
+Joan – “And it was really nice to just talk. You have given me a lot
+to think about. But I knew you would get around to an assignment
+eventually. All of this reading? And yoga?”
+
+God – “Take a closer look at the list Joan. Every one of those books
+is one your mother had you buy for her. And for the yoga, check your
+cable listing. You will find you receive the Yoga Channel.”
+
+Joan – “But this is going to take a lot of time. It's summer!”
+
+God – “Trust me, you will have the time, but don't worry about it
+now. Today was about having fun. We better get you back to school.”
+
+Joan – “Oh no! I forgot about Grace! She is going to kill me. I'll
+call her.” She checks her purse and sees her phone isn't there. She
+tries, but she can't remember Grace's number. It has been on speed
+dial for too long. “I have to get back. Can you just beam me there?”
+
+God – “We have talked about this before. You know it sets a bad
+example if I break the rules.”
+
+Joan – “Rules? God, you have been talking to me for almost two years
+now. Isn't that breaking some kind of rule?”
+
+She stands up and in one motion, her purse is secure with the strap
+across her chest. “I have to go. God, thanks for lunch.” She darts
+out of the cafe.
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Rebecca – “Kevin, you have to go home.”
+
+Kevin – “I'll be going to lunch soon. I just have a few more articles
+to check.”
+
+Rebecca – “Kevin, your sister is missing. She may have been
+kidnapped.”
+
+Kevin looks at her in disbelief. Is this a cruel joke? This is almost
+word for word!
+
+Rebecca – “The police have issued an Amber Alert.”
+
+He now realizes this nightmare is real. “I have to go.”
+
+At the High School
+
+Will and the first police unit arrive. Two more also respond. Will
+has been talking to Grace, since she was the last one to see Joan.
+She tells him the same information she gave to Helen earlier. Will
+also questions Laura, hoping to get more details about the van and
+its driver. Brian Beaumont has organized students to conduct a
+door-to-door search.
+
+Brian – “No smaller than groups of three.”
+
+More police units arrive to search the streets surrounding the
+school. Helen is a basket case.
+
+The party is canceled. Those students who are not participating in
+the search are sent home. The faculty closes down the school. Many
+join in the search.
+
+On the Bus
+
+Joan is watching out of the window. The trip back to school is taking
+a lot longer than it normally would have. The traffic is backed up
+everywhere. The police are stopping everyone, looking for something.
+At least they wave the bus on through.
+
+As they approach the school, Joan sees flashing lights and wonders
+what is going on. The bus reaches the school, and she steps off. The
+school seems deserted. A girl is getting on the bus. “Hey, what's
+going on?”
+
+Girl – “I heard someone got kidnapped.”
+
+Joan – “Who?”
+
+Girl – “Don’t know.”
+
+Joan goes into the quad to look for Grace. No one is there. She goes
+inside to look for her mother. The art classroom and office are
+locked and empty. She cleans out her locker and prepares to go home.
+She'll have to apologize to Grace later.
+
+The search pattern has been progressing in ever-wider circles from
+the school. The students are now knocking on doors blocks away. When
+Joan comes out of the school, the flashing lights are gone. She
+catches the bus for home.
+
+At Home
+
+Kevin arrives home from work. He tries to call Helen but keeps
+getting a busy signal. He knows not to bother his father now. He
+turns on the television. Joan's picture is on the news. A helicopter
+is showing images of the ground search in progress. He reads the text
+scrolling across the bottom of the screen, ‘The police are looking
+for a white van seen near Arcadia High School earlier today. It has
+Delivery Service stenciled on the side.’ Kevin begins to cry.
+
+On the Bus
+
+Joan is thinking how glad she is the school year is over, but what a
+wonderful last day it has been. Her parents won't believe she got an
+A on the physics exam. And her mother will love that she hit Price
+not once, but twice with a water balloon. She really doesn't like him
+either.
+
+The bus arrives and she goes inside. “Anybody home?”
+
+Kevin can't believe what he hears, “Joan? Where have you been? The
+whole world is looking for you!”
+
+That Evening
+
+Joan is lying in bed thinking about the events of the day. Her
+friends, family, and everyone in Arcadia is mad at her. She is
+grounded for life. But she remembers that some of the most beautiful
+flowers grow out of the ashes of forest fires. That must be it. That
+must be why she cannot remove the smile from her face. Okay, so it
+was only lunch, but the fact remains, she had a date with God.
+
diff --git a/02-LArmeedeJoanPart1.rst b/02-LArmeedeJoanPart1.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2fb6da2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/02-LArmeedeJoanPart1.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1474 @@
+Episode 3.02, L'Armée de Joan, Part 1
+-------------------------------------
+
+It has been a long three weeks. At least I was allowed to keep my
+job. Straight to work and straight home, but four hours out of the
+house a week was a godsend. The reading has been pretty dry, but it
+has been making me think more than anything else. The best part is
+Mom. It really hurt her when we couldn't talk after my concert trip.
+Even after I apologized, it still seemed a little awkward to sharing
+things at times. And when I refused to tell her why I broke up with
+Adam, that started the whole thing over again. All along, she never
+said a word
+
+Now that we are reading many of the same books, we talk about them. I
+feel our talks are helping her in her journey back to the church,
+even though my questions always seem to add more confusion. But, that
+is what she wants, and I want that for her. She seems to become
+happier every day, and that I can be a part of it really pleases me.
+
+And, Dad and Kevin are being affected too. Well, not so much Dad, but
+he is listening. Kevin is struggling like Mom. He wants to learn
+because he is in love with Lilly. Her extremely strong religious
+beliefs are very much a part of her. It's not that Kevin is trying to
+convert, but rather that he feels he needs to at least try to
+understand Lilly's passion for the Church.
+
+Grace came over yesterday. We had a good time. It seems she spends
+all of her time with Luke now. It was good having just her and me.
+She worries about me though. I keep telling her I am fine, but she
+doesn't believe me. Okay, so I do yoga now. Is it really that
+strange? At first, I didn't like it. I hurt everywhere. But now that
+I have it figured out, I feel good when I'm done. It's calming. I'm
+going to keep bugging her to join me.
+
+But the dreams are what worry her most. Yeah, I told her about some
+of them. I probably shouldn't have, but she is my best friend, and
+I'm so lonely carrying all of these secrets. It's like, I see a
+place, but I don't know how to get there. I don't even know where
+there is. But, I know it is some place that I want to be. Strange!
+
+Last night’s dream was one of the weirdest! I was in a convent. No, I
+wasn't a nun, but there were a pair of nuns who were dancing. Are
+they supposed to do that? Anyway, they were doing a waltz, I think.
+They did other dances too, but the neatest dance was the jitterbug.
+Can you imaging two nuns jitterbugging? It was hilarious! I was
+laughing so hard when I woke up that I almost wet the bed.
+
+When I told Grace about the dream, she laughed. We laughed together.
+But, she wonders if I'm heading back to crazy camp. I reassured her
+that I wasn't, but truthfully, I wonder myself. The dreams are no
+longer sporadic. It's almost every night. I started writing them
+down, as much as I can remember. If Mom ever finds my journal, it's
+back to crazy camp for sure.
+
+Well, one more day of prison. I'll spend tomorrow night at Grace's,
+and then we'll go on vacation! I'm so excited! Good night ole pen.
+
+Joan drifts off into another adventure in sleeping. After she is
+asleep, God pays her another visit. He sits on the bed beside her and
+speaks to his sleeping child, “You're doing good, Joan. The yoga is
+beginning to tune your mind and body. You are slowing becoming aware
+of the gift that I gave you, the gift you asked for so long ago. In
+time, you will understand.” He runs his fingers across her forehead,
+like he has done so many times before, and leaves.
+
+When Joan wakes up, she remembers it's a new day. The last day of
+being grounded! But still, she has a lot to get done before she
+leaves. She makes her bed and gathers up her dirty laundry into a
+pile. She makes herself a breakfast of eggs and toast. While she
+eats, she struggles through the last few pages of St. Augustine's
+Confessions. Then back up to the bedroom to pack.
+
+Usually by now, she has acquired at least some new summer clothes,
+but being grounded at the beginning of summer squelched that custom.
+So she sifts through last year's clothes to see what can still be
+worn. Nothing really, but she places what she has in the suitcase
+anyway with the swimsuit on top. All she has to do now is put her
+toiletries in later, and she'll be ready to go.
+
+She enters the bathroom to begin the morning ritual of cleansing.
+Helen hears the shower running as she walks out of her bedroom. She
+notices Joan's suitcase on her bed and decides to take a peek. She
+browses through the clothes that Joan has packed for the trip. A
+smile paints across her face and she heads downstairs to start the
+coffee.
+
+After her shower, Joan gathers up her laundry and takes it down to
+the washroom. She begins sorting, filling the washer with a load of
+whites. Helen quietly walks in with her coffee and watches by the
+door.
+
+Joan – “What?”
+
+Helen – “Nothing, I was just watching.”
+
+Joan – “I'm doing it right. You only had to teach me once.”
+
+Helen – “That's not why I'm watching. I know you'll do it right. You
+have been doing it right for three weeks now.”
+
+Joan – “Then what?”
+
+Helen – “I have a surprise. Let me get my shower then I'll tell you
+what it is.”
+
+She makes a second cup of coffee and heads back upstairs. “Will,
+honey, I brought you some coffee.”
+
+Will – “Thanks Hon. So what's on the agenda for today?”
+
+Helen – “You are going to have a quiet morning, and I am taking our
+daughter shopping.”
+
+Will – “Should we be rewarding her so soon? We already knocked off a
+week from her punishment.”
+
+Helen – “It's not a reward. I just saw what she has packed for her
+trip. She needs new clothes.”
+
+Will – “What about Luke?”
+
+Helen – “I took him shopping last week. He's fine.”
+
+Will – “Well, enjoy your shopping. You're right, I would rather let
+you two take care of that on your own. This will be our last dinner
+with Joan and Luke for awhile. What sounds good to you?”
+
+Helen – “Surprise me.”
+
+She gets cleaned up and returns downstairs. Joan has finished dusting
+the living room furniture. She has the vacuum poised to be used as
+soon as the others wake up. She is watching a video she recorded
+earlier and is practicing her yoga.
+
+Helen – “When you're finished, I have another job for you.”
+
+Joan stops her routine and looks at her mother, “Mom! Don't I already
+have enough chores to do?”
+
+Helen – “You'll like this one. Grab your purse.”
+
+Joan – “Purse? Where are we going?”
+
+Helen – “Shopping.”
+
+Joan doesn't know what brought this on, but she's not going to argue.
+She quickly follows her mother out to the car before she changes her
+mind.
+
+Will finishes his shower and calls Kevin and Luke, “Get up
+sleepyheads. I'm making pancakes.”
+
+In a short while, Kevin and Luke arrive in the kitchen. Will serves
+up the pancakes, and they sit down to have breakfast.
+
+Will – “Luke, what are your plans for the day?”
+
+Luke – “Friedman and I are going to spend time at the arcade. That's
+about it.”
+
+Will – “Why don't you pack for tonight before you go?”
+
+Luke – “It's already done.”
+
+Kevin – “I proofed a story about that whole area a few weeks ago.
+There are lots of things to do. I'm sure you will have fun.”
+
+Will – “So what's on your schedule today?”
+
+Kevin – “Lilly is cleaning St. Peter's again. They have to finish up,
+so they can have Mass in the morning. She's going to come by when
+she's done, and we'll figure out something to do.”
+
+At the Store
+
+Joan – “Mom, this is so wonderful! Jeans, shorts, shirts and...” She
+lowers her voice, “Even new bras and panties! And, the swimsuit is
+gorgeous!”
+
+Helen – “Is there anything else that you need?”
+
+Joan says no, but she has never been good at lying. Helen can see it
+written all over her face. “What is it?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, it can wait.”
+
+Helen – “Tell me.”
+
+Joan - “Okay, Sammy placed a special order for Joan of Arc, by Regine
+Pernoud and Marie-Veronique Clin. He should have let me do it. He put
+the number in wrong, and the copy we received was in French. He told
+me to send it back, but I didn't. I started reading it. Mom, I would
+love to take it with me to read at the lake. I can pay you back. I'll
+have a check waiting when I get home. Please!”
+
+Helen – “Ok, we'll stop at the bookstore on the way home.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, Mom.”
+
+At Home
+
+Will has decided what he wants to make for dinner. It's Luke's
+favorite and he hasn't made it in awhile. He has been searching
+through cupboards and finds that he is missing some of the key
+ingredients.
+
+Luke has gone out with Friedman, and Kevin has settled in the living
+room. He is quietly reading Helen's catechism book.
+
+Will – “I have to go to the grocery to pick up a few things. Would
+you like to come?”
+
+Kevin – “No, I'll stay here.”
+
+Will – “Can I get you anything?”
+
+Kevin – “If they have Snapple Kiwi Strawberry, pick me up some.
+Otherwise, I’ll drink what we have here.”
+
+Will writes it down on his list. “I'll look for it.” He leaves for
+the store.
+
+Helen and Joan return home from shopping. Kevin is still on the
+couch. Joan says excitedly, “Look Kevin, new clothes!” She pulls out
+her swimsuit and a brassiere falls out onto the couch beside him. She
+quickly grabs it and puts it back in the bag, “See my new suit?”
+
+Kevin – “Very nice, and I'm sure Dad will like it too.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I know, he's Amish too. But, it's still pretty.”
+
+Kevin – “You don't wear blue very often. It looks good on you.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, I really like it.”
+
+Kevin – “So, does this mean you're out of the dog house?”
+
+Helen – “Not yet.Joan, you still have to finish your chores.”
+
+Joan – “I'm on it. I'll have everything done before I leave.”
+
+And off she goes. She puts her new clothes into the wash, and then
+she begins the Indianapolis 500. She has had three weeks to get this
+routine down to an art form. How does she vacuum the entire house in
+an hour and fifteen minutes? The trick is imagination. But for
+Larry's sake, it really is a good thing that he ran away.
+
+Joan finished up the vacuuming just in time for lunch. Will picked up
+a variety of lunch meats and some Roman Meal bread. He was also able
+to find Snapple Kiwi Strawberry. This turned out to be the drink of
+choice for lunch.
+
+At the Arcade
+
+Luke and Friedman are disappointed the new game promised won't be in
+until next week. They play some of the familiar games, but soon
+become bored.
+
+Luke – “This is no fun. Maybe I should go home and finish getting
+ready to leave?”
+
+Friedman – “I sure wish I was going. If I have to go on another
+cruise, I'm going to puke even more!”
+
+Luke – “Grace will never invite you anywhere as long as you keep
+calling her Marge.”
+
+Friedman – “That's her name, Margaret Grace Polk.”
+
+Luke – “We all know that's not what you mean. Besides, you know she
+likes to be called by her middle name. What if we start calling you
+Alfred? Alfred E. Friedman. What if I let that get around school?”
+
+Friedman – “You wouldn't dare.”
+
+Luke – “Watch me. Stop calling her Marge or I'll do it.”
+
+Friedman is about to refuse, but then he begins to believe that Luke
+might actually do it. “Deal, but you sure are pussy whipped.”
+
+Luke doesn't get mad often, but he is this close to decking his
+friend. He decides it's time to leave, “Hey, I have to go. I'll call
+you when I get back.”
+
+At Home
+
+After lunch, Joan rotates the laundry once more. She then decides to
+endure the most vile chore of all, cleaning Luke's fish tank. At
+least there is one consolation. She will never, ever clean it again,
+even if Luke does offer to explain the unified field theory.
+
+Next, she cleans the bathroom. She wipes down the shower, tub, and
+all of the porcelain. Mrs. Clean! She unstreaks the mirror and
+streaks the floor. She kicks her father out of the kitchen long
+enough to do the same there, and she's done. Whew! She flops down
+beside her brother on the couch, “ Whatcha reading?”
+
+Kevin – “Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica.”
+
+Joan – “Is it any good?”
+
+Kevin – “It's kind of dry, but interesting.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, well that's next on my list, but I'm taking a break. I
+bought the story of Joan of Arc to read. She was really cool.”
+
+Kevin – “Let me read it when you're done.”
+
+She smiles. “Sorry bro', you'll have to learn French first.”
+
+Joan repositions the tape to where she left off, and again begins to
+practice her yoga.
+
+Kevin – “You really like doing that, don't you?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I do. At first it was really hard. In fact, I still
+don't think I'm doing it right, but I'm going to keep practicing
+until I get it.”
+
+Kevin goes back to his reading, keeping one eye on his sister. He
+doesn't know anything about yoga, but it looks like she is doing it
+right to him. For Joan, it is graceful. She's no longer that pudgy
+6-year-old busting out of a tutu. This seems to suit her. Briefly,
+the thought crosses his mind of how he would like to be able to join
+her. He quickly begins to read again to clear that thought from his
+head. He wonders, ‘What's keeping Lilly?' He expected her to be here
+hours ago.
+
+Joan finishes her routine and rotates the laundry one last time. The
+last load is now in the dryer. She begins the task of folding and
+hanging up the clothes. She puts on her headphones and begins singing
+along with the music, while also doing a little dance. Will and Helen
+hear her fractured singing and can't help but go look. They both peek
+around the corner and watch for a moment. They smile at each other
+and return to the kitchen. Joan is completely oblivious to the event.
+
+Luke arrived home with Lilly. She had seen him walking home from the
+arcade and gave him a ride the rest of the way home. Lilly sees Kevin
+on the couch and goes to him, “I'm so sorry. When we were almost
+done, one of the slimes I brought with me to help spilled a whole can
+of paint. It took us forever to get it cleaned up. Then I found out
+Margaret from the Ladies Auxiliary has been sick, and no one made the
+arrangements for the ‘Coming Out Party.' That's what we are calling
+the party tomorrow after Mass. Funny, huh? I thought of it. So what
+would you like to do now?”
+
+Kevin – “There's no more time left. It's almost time for dinner. Then
+Joan and Luke are leaving for a week, and I want to see them off. My
+day has been totally shot! And now you tell me that after Mass
+tomorrow you are going to a party. I have been trying to be
+understanding about your passion for the Church, but where is your
+understanding for me? There are other things in life than the
+Church.”
+
+Lilly knows she has stepped in it. She has seen Kevin upset before,
+but never this angry. She is used to doing the yelling, not the other
+way around. Although she knows Kevin has a right to be angry, she's
+not in the mood to deal with it, “Ok, I'm sorry, but there are things
+that I just have to do. I'll call you in the morning.” She gets up
+and heads for the door.
+
+When Luke comes in, he smells the garlic and heads for the kitchen.
+As he passes the laundry room, he notices Joan. Yeah, she was still
+in there folding laundry, listening to music, and dancing about. He
+stopped to take a look. Joan noticed him standing there and takes off
+her headphones just as Luke says to Helen, “Look at this weirdo!”
+
+Of course, Joan had to respond, “Why, can't you dance, dog breath?”
+
+Helen arrives just in time to put an end to the crisis, when she sees
+Lilly heading for the door, “Lilly, are you staying for dinner?”
+
+Lilly – “No thanks, Helen. Some other time.”
+
+Joan grabs her dad's folded laundry and hang-ups, and heads for the
+stairs. Helen calls out, “Come down and set the table as soon as you
+have that put away.”
+
+She puts her dad's things nicely away in the drawers and closet and
+comes down and sets the table. She decides she has time for one more
+trip before dinner. She takes Luke's clothes up to his room and
+throws them on his bed.
+
+Will – “Dinner is served!” He brings out the pan of lasagna and Helen
+brings a large bowl of salad. Helen returns to the kitchen and brings
+back a freshly made loaf of garlic bread.
+
+Will – “Bon appetite!”
+
+They serve the food and everyone begins to eat.
+
+Helen – “Oh, wait! We forgot the prayer. Joan, would you do us the
+honor?”
+
+Joan – “\ Bénis, ô Dieu, et ces ton des cadeaux que nous nous
+apprêtons à recevoir de ton.\ *Par le Christ notre
+seigneur.*\ *Amen*\ .”
+
+Helen – “Joan!”
+
+Joan – “I did it right. It was just in French. And before you ask,
+you already know how my day was – work, work, work, shopping,
+shopping, work, work, work, work.”
+
+Helen – “Well, thanks for the prayer, even if no one but you could
+understand it. Kevin, you don't look too chipper. Shall I ask?”
+
+Kevin – “You don't want to know.”
+
+Helen – “Luke?”
+
+Luke – “I almost decked Friedman today.”
+
+Will says, satirically, “Isn't this a wonderful dinner I made for us
+tonight?”
+
+Everyone responded with the appropriate compliments, and then
+continued to enjoy the meal quietly.
+
+Joan finishes eating first and excuses herself. She takes her
+mother's laundry upstairs and puts it nicely away in the drawers and
+closet. She makes another trip and does the same with Kevin's
+laundry. As she is returning downstairs, she passes Luke on his way
+up. “Bite me!”
+
+She returns with her laundry and places it on the bed. From Luke's
+attic bedroom she hears, “Mo-om!”A smile crosses her face, “ Les
+services vous le droit, l'haleine de chien!”
+
+Helen calls up the stairs, “You two stop your fighting. Joan, you
+need to come down and do the dishes.”
+
+Joan knew she had to do the dishes, but was hoping to be able to
+finish packing first. She returns down to the kitchen and does the
+chore. Lasagna sure is good going down, but it's a pain to get off
+the pan. She gets the worst of it off and into the dishwasher it
+goes. That's it! That's the last chore to be done. She skips back up
+to her room.
+
+She removes the clothes from her suitcase that she had put in earlier
+and replaces them with the new ones she bought today. Then she
+returns a few items of her old favorites for good measure. A couple
+of brushes, a zip-lock bag of makeup, and of course Jeanne d'Arc. A
+trip to the bathroom and she returns with her toothbrush, toothpaste,
+a few odds and ends, and of course a fresh Oil of Old Lady Bath Bar.
+Joan borrowed it from her mother years ago, and she hasn't used
+anything else since. A quick shower, a change of clothes, and she's
+ready to go.
+
+Joan begins to lug her suitcase downstairs and meets Luke doing the
+same. They exchange glares, and then they both notice their father is
+standing there, “Come on you two. You are going on vacation. Whatever
+it is you are fighting about, get over it. Have fun.” He grabs both
+of their bags and takes them down to the car. He opens each one and
+slips an envelope inside. He returns inside and gives Helen a knowing
+nod.
+
+Helen – “Okay, are you sure you have everything you need?”
+
+Joan – “Mom, I'm seventeen. I don't need to be babied anymore.”
+
+Luke – “I made a list and cross-referenced everything. I have
+considered every variable.”
+
+Helen – “I guess that means you're ready too. Your father and I have
+put a little surprise in each of your suitcases. Look for it later.
+Come give me a hug.”
+
+Joan gives her mother a hug, “I love you Mom.” She turns to Kevin who
+is sitting there with open arms. She leans over and gives him a hug
+also. Kevin grabs her hips and swings her into his lap, “Why don't I
+give you a ride to the car?” Luke finishes hugging his mother and
+turns to see Kevin and Joan are now beside him. Kevin raises his fist
+as if to give him a shoulder punch, but changes his hand to a finger
+gun, “ Gotcha. See, I'm learning.” He shakes Luke's hand, leaving
+Luke both happy and surprised. They all go out to the car, and Helen
+and Kevin wave as they drive away.
+
+At the Polonsky's
+
+When they arrive, they exit from the car and Will places the
+suitcases on the sidewalk, “Now it's my turn.” He gives Joan a hug
+and sees Luke's outstretched hand. He takes it and pulls him in for a
+hug also. They walk up to the door and ring the bell.
+
+Sarah answers the door and invites them in, “You must be Will. It is
+nice to finally meet you.”
+
+Will – “It's nice to finally meet you, too.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky approaches and Sarah begins an introduction, “This is
+my husband...”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky interrupts, “Jakob Polonsky.It is very nice to meet
+you. Would you like to join us? We were about to have a snack.”
+
+Will – “No, thank you. I have to go, but Helen and I really
+appreciate you inviting Joan and Luke to vacation with you.”
+
+Jakob– “It is our pleasure. They are such fine children.”
+
+Will shakes the Rabbi's hand and also bids Sarah farewell. Grace
+directs Joan to her room and Luke to the guest room where they leave
+their suitcases. They return to the dining room where Rabbi, Sarah,
+and Adam are already seated.
+
+Adam – “Hi Joan… Luke… Mrs. P has made Rugelach.”
+
+Joan – “Hi Adam, how's work?”
+
+Adam – “Good, I'm just doing ad layouts, but Mr. D. says I'll be able
+to do more in time.”
+
+Joan redirects the conversation to Grace, “I have some new songs on
+my iPod. You'll have to listen to them later.”
+
+Luke – “To which she can't dance.”
+
+Joan gives him a glare and mouths the words, ‘Bite me, dog breath.'
+Sarah and Jakob exchange glances and smile.
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “It would appear you have brought with you a
+confrontation. Let us pray that this can be resolved, and we have a
+happy vacation.” He prays silently.
+
+At Home
+
+It's 5 AM. Helen has been tossing and turning in her sleep. She can't
+shake the feeling that she should not have allowed Joan to go with
+the Polonsky's. Maybe it's the over-protective mother in her. Maybe
+it was the idea that Joan still had one week left of her punishment.
+But, the real reason is because, when she believed Joan had been
+kidnapped, she feared that all of the horror from that night in
+college would now be her daughter's fate. She springs up in bed with
+her heart pounding and her eyes flooding with tears, “My baby girl!”
+
+Her sudden movement makes Will stir. He sits up beside her and gives
+her a hug, “Honey! Shhh… Shhh… what is it? What's wrong?”
+
+Helen – “It's... it's nothing, nothing, really. I'm just being
+silly.”
+
+Will – “No, Honey, tell me what's bothering you.”
+
+He puts his arm around her shoulder, and she melts into him, sobbing.
+A few moments of his comfort helps her calm down, and she is able to
+talk to him, “What if something terrible happens to her when we're
+not around?”
+
+Will – “That won't happen. Joan is a smart girl.”
+
+Helen – “Who sometimes gets into trouble.”
+
+Will – “I'll grant you that, but I think this time she's really
+learned her lesson.”
+
+Helen – “I hope you're right.”
+
+Will – “I know you're worried. I am too, but we have to let her grow
+up and just trust that we raised her right.”
+
+Helen – “I know, she's a good kid. It's the other people in the world
+that I'm worried about.”
+
+They settle back down into bed and Will goes back to sleep. Helen is
+only able to doze.
+
+On the Way
+
+The highway is surrounded by heavy forest cover, cut in the side of a
+mountain pass. The terrain steeps up on the right and continues down
+on the left in the same manner. Ahead is a brown 8-passenger van
+whose driver must not understand the meaning of the word
+‘accelerate'. In the back of their mini-van, the kids are laughing
+their way through ‘99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall’.
+
+Rabbi Polonsky is driving, with Sarah in the passenger seat. They are
+both wearing typical weekend summer clothes, but Sarah's summer dress
+is outstanding. It is pale yellow with a faint flower pattern
+throughout. And, of course, she has a matching bonnet. They are
+carrying on their own conversation in spite of the munchkin singing
+coming from the back seats.
+
+In the middle are seated Grace and Luke. Although wearing seat belts,
+they are turned towards Joan and Adam in the rear seat. All of them
+are smiling and laughing and sometimes messing up by singing the
+wrong number. But, the deathblow to their singing finally occurs when
+Luke sings, “49 Bottles of Bears on the Wall.” This sends them all
+into a chorus of laughter, effectively ending the song.
+
+Grace – “I'm really glad your folks let you out of your jail cell.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah,” with a little laugh, “time off for good behavior I
+guess.”
+
+When Grace invited Joan to join her on this trip, she was devastated.
+She wanted so badly to go, but she knew she had over a week left of
+being grounded. Then on her 19th day of life in prison, Homeless Man
+God nearly scared her to death. He popped out from behind a can when
+she was taking out the trash. He suggested that she take a break from
+her punishment and go on vacation. “Duh! Grounded, because of you I
+might add.” But he told her that she should ask her parents for
+permission, and it worked!
+
+She really isn't sure why her parents let her go. Sure, for three
+weeks, she was a princess. She did all her chores, plus Luke's and
+Kevin's, without complaining. But she still had one week left. She is
+certain God had something to do with her parents' decision.
+
+Luke – “Good behavior or begging? You must have bargained with
+everything but your new iPod to get permission to go out of town.”
+
+Joan – “You would have done the same thing, brain boy. Chores for
+three weeks. I'm just glad it worked.”
+
+Luke will never tell his sister that it was he who actually did the
+begging. He put his logic into overdrive and convinced his parents
+that Joan had to be allowed go. Why? Let's just say that he didn't
+want to lose his favorite flavor of lip-gloss.
+
+Adam, in the shy quiet voice he has used on many occasions before he
+and Joan became an item, agrees, “I'm glad too.”
+
+Joan smiles at him, sees him smiling back at her, and then quickly
+turns away. She's still not ready to completely forgive him for what
+he did last April. The hurt is still too fresh. On the other hand,
+she misses him terribly. It's a conflict within her that she really
+wishes she could sort out. But the healing of a heart takes time.
+
+Luke – “I think this time out of Arcadia will do us all some good.
+Being at the lake, away from all the drama about the fire…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “And the ‘run away high school student' crap the
+Arcadia Herald has been printing lately. Andy Reese is such a jerk!”
+
+Luke – “And that, too.” Luke is a little annoyed that Joan is still
+dwelling on this.
+
+Joan glares at Luke who glares right back. It's a brother-sister
+thing, but Grace, being an only child, doesn't understand that they
+are only joking around and are not really fighting. She‘s right to
+question it though, because they had been fighting before they left
+Arcadia.
+
+Grace intercedes with a motherly tone, hoping not to have to hear
+Joan mope all week long, “Okay, no fighting, children.”
+
+Adam also tries to lighten the mood. He doesn't understand it's just
+a sister and brother thing either, “So, um, Grace, do you still have
+that tire swing out by the lake? I haven't taken a dive off that
+since we were eight.”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, it's still there, but you may need to spend a few
+hours cutting your way through the overgrown bushes. The path hasn't
+been taken care of since we stopped coming a few years ago.”
+
+Joan – “Speaking of which, how come you guys stopped taking a
+vacation out here? It's such a pretty place.”
+
+As Joan is talking, the trees give way to show the amazing view. The
+sun is shining, leaving sparkles and reflections on the smooth
+surface of the lake. Around the edge are families getting into canoes
+with children bundled up in life jackets that are almost bigger than
+they are. It looks like a picture from a ‘wish you were here' post
+card.
+
+Grace – “That was around the same time that…” Grace trails off. She
+is talking about her mother's drinking problem. She doesn't want to
+bring it up, not now. Her mother has been sober for almost six
+months. This is their first family vacation in a long time. Luckily,
+a voice from the front seat ends the awkward silence.
+
+Sarah – “We're almost there kids. We're going to stop at the grocery
+store in town to pick up some supplies. Then we'll head back to the
+lake.”
+
+The kids all sigh and begin to stare out of the windows. As they
+approach the town, they pass a large sign adorned with flags and
+yellow ribbons. It reads, ‘Welcome to Millersville.' Joan is shocked.
+She had no idea this trip would bring her here. The others are
+oblivious to the significance, but Joan remembers the house fire. You
+know, the one with a connection to Ryan Hunter. She never did hear
+anything back from Kevin on the matter. She turns and watches the
+sign leave her view as they go around another curve in the road.
+
+At Home
+
+Will's cell phone rings. They both know from experience that when his
+phone rings on the weekend, there is no good news on the other end.
+
+Will answers the phone, “Girardi... okay... okay... all right, I'll
+meet you at the Crime Lab.”
+
+Will hangs up the phone and looks sadly at Helen, “So much for a
+peaceful morning. I'm sorry, that was Roebuck. He wants to go over
+some information about the Synagogue fire.”
+
+Helen – “I understand. Go catch the bad guy.”
+
+She gives him a swift kiss, and he gets up and readies himself to go.
+
+Helen reaches for the phone and calls Lilly, “Lilly, this is Helen.
+I'm not feeling good this morning. I'm going to have to pass on Mass
+and the party. I'm really sorry.”
+
+Lilly responses with the appropriate disappointment and wishes Helen
+to feel better.After the call, Helen goes back to sleep.
+
+In Millersville
+
+The Polonsky vacation party pulls into the parking lot of Finnegan's
+Grocery Store. It is a typical grocery store, with large glass
+windows lining the front, and signs advertising their sale items of
+the day: ‘2% milk, $2.75 gallon', ‘All Pepsi 12 packs, 3/$8'. Joan
+remembers the name and wonders how many Finnegans live in
+Millersville. She notices that the prices in this town are much less
+expensive than in Arcadia. Or maybe it is just that she never really
+paid attention to the prices at home. After all, she has only been to
+the grocery store on a few occasions and rarely needed to pay for
+anything using her own money.
+
+The six of them exit from the van with sighs and stretches. They make
+their way to the automatic doors that still open using a pressure mat
+in front of the door. No fancy motion sensors in this small town.
+Joan looks around. She notices that the people walking on the street
+seem to know each other. There is a mother pushing her baby in a
+stroller, an elderly couple sitting on a bench, and with a double
+take, a young couple she could swear included Ryan Hunter as the male
+half. She rubs her eyes. Maybe she was seeing things. Maybe her
+obsession with Ryan is playing a trick on her now. She looks back
+down the street and the couple is gone. Relieved, she follows Grace
+into the store.
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “We are just going to pick up a few things here for
+the week, and then we'll be on our way. We shouldn't be too long, so
+don't go far, okay?”
+
+He and Sarah head to the back of the store toward the bread, while
+Grace, Luke, Adam, and Joan mill around the front entrance. Adam
+notices Joan's frequent glances towards the street outside.
+
+Adam – “What's wrong, Joan?”
+
+Adam startles Joan back into reality, “ Noth... Nothing, Adam. I'm
+fine. I think I'm just tired from the drive.”
+
+Adam – “Okay, if you're sure.” He knows her well enough to know that
+she's lying to him, but he doesn't want to press the issue.
+
+Luke – “Hey Grace, why don't I get some chocolate, graham crackers,
+and marshmallows?”
+
+Grace – “ Don't tell me you want to make s’mores.” Luke looks at her
+with a ‘what's the problem' look on his face. “You can't be serious?
+That's so 5th grade.” Luke gets a dejected look on his face, so Grace
+gives in, “All right, let's go find the stuff.”
+
+Grace leaves and Luke follows her. Adam decides to go with them as
+well, leaving Joan alone at the front of the store.
+
+Joan walks back outside. She searches down the street in both
+directions. Ryan is nowhere to be seen. The mother and her baby, who
+Joan had seen a few moments ago, stop and smile at Joan. Joan smiles
+back and suddenly gets the ‘Oh No, what now' feeling. You know, the
+one that happens when God pops out of the blue. But, she has learned
+that not everyone she suspects is God, really is.
+
+Joan – “Awe, what a cute baby.”
+
+Woman – “I know, isn't she? I'm just caring for her until her new
+parents arrive tomorrow. Have you ever saved someone's life, Joan?”
+
+Joan sighs, “You know the answer to that. No, unless you count
+Dylan.”
+
+God – “Oh, it's such a wonderful feeling, knowing that you've helped
+someone.”
+
+Joan – “I feel a suggestion coming on.”
+
+God – “Just keep your eyes open for your chance to make a difference
+in someone's life.”
+
+Joan – “Don't I do that every day?”
+
+God – “Yes, but today is most important.”
+
+God straightens the baby's hat and strolls away, giving a wave as she
+turns the corner.
+
+Joan yells down the street after her, “I've been doing everything
+you've asked all month, the yoga and all of the reading. Didn't you
+tell me to go on vacation? What happened to that assignment?”
+
+Joan stomps back into the store with a frown on her face. Adam
+returns and assumes it's still the same frown from before he left.
+
+Adam – “So, now that everyone is gone, you can stop lying and tell me
+what's wrong.”
+
+Of course, Joan can't tell him that she's getting tired of having to
+work for God on her down time, “Okay, if you must know, I could have
+sworn I just saw Ryan Hunter.”
+
+Adam – “Why does he bother you so much?”
+
+She lowers her voice to a whisper, “He's evil Adam. Evil!”
+
+Adam – “ Come on, Jane. How much time have you spent with the guy?”
+
+Joan – “Enough.And Adam, please don't call me Jane anymore. I want
+you to call me Joan. My name is Joan.”
+
+Joan's request causes Adam to lose his train of thought, “Ah, yeah,
+sure, I'll try.” There is an uncomfortable silence. Adam looks out
+the window following Joan's gaze. He decides to change the subject,
+“I can't wait to get to the lake.”
+
+Joan is also relieved to get off the subject of Ryan, but she still
+can't stop herself from looking for him, “I know. It looked so
+beautiful. I can't believe they stopped coming up here.”
+
+Adam – “I used to visit the cottage with Grace every summer. All that
+stopped when we were eight.”
+
+Joan – “Can you blame her? I wouldn't want my friends to spend a week
+with my mother if she was always drunk either.”
+
+Adam – “It made a big difference in our friendship. I can mark the
+time we started to lose track of each other starting from the summer
+before 4th grade.”
+
+Joan – “Maybe we shouldn't bring it up this week. They seem like such
+a happy family now.”
+
+Joan hears the sound of a woman crying. She tells Adam, “Wait here,
+I'll be back.” She walks over to the corner of the store and finds
+the woman seated behind the counter, “Can I help you?”
+
+Woman – “No, I don't think anyone can help. I have really made a mess
+of everything.”
+
+Joan – “What's the matter? Maybe I can help.”
+
+Woman – “It's my sister. I didn't want her to become a nun, and now
+she hates me. Our father supported her decision, and now he's dead. I
+love her so much, but I don't know how to fix it.”
+
+Joan – “Well, you have answered your own question. Tell her how much
+you love her. That's how you can fix it.”
+
+Woman – “You make it sound so simple.”
+
+Joan – “Sometimes the answer is simple. Talk to her. Tell her how you
+really feel.”
+
+Woman – “We are meeting for lunch later. I'll think about how to tell
+her and do it over lunch. I sure hope it works!”
+
+Joan – “Trust me. It will work.” Joan thinks to herself, praying that
+she is right. She is certainly no expert on fixing relationships!
+“Tell her that you love her?” How corn ball is that? But, this is
+what God asked her to do, so she has given it her best shot.
+
+Woman – “What is your name?”
+
+Joan – “Joan, Joan Girardi.”
+
+Woman – “Anna Finnegan, it was nice to meet you.”
+
+Gears begin to grind as Joan recalls that she is Michael McCauley's
+daughter. She is tempted to ask a ton of questions, but decides that
+this is not the time, “It was nice to meet you, too. Good luck with
+your sister.”
+
+Joan returns to the front of the store, somewhat amused by the
+accidental pun she just made. She meets the others as they are
+leaving the checkout lane. She grabs a bag and follows them to the
+van. They pile the groceries into the back on top of the piles of
+luggage and duffle bags. As Joan is taking her seat in the back, she
+again sees Ryan talking with the cute blonde she had seen him with
+before. It looks like they are arguing now. She puts her hand on the
+window to stabilize herself and whispers so that only she can hear,
+“It was him!” As Rabbi Polonsky drives them away, Joan watches until
+they are out of sight.
+
+At the Sheriff's station
+
+Will arrives at the Sheriff's office. The crime lab in Bakerstown has
+finally sent back the results of the tests on the glass from the
+Synagogue fire. Will is anxious to hear the results. It has been 3
+weeks, longer than he had expected for a case that had been marked
+‘priority.' But, the crime lab also had evidence from several
+homicides to analyze. This bumps their need to be next in line.
+
+Roy– “We just received the report.”
+
+Will – “And?”
+
+Roy– “You're not going to be happy.”
+
+Will – “Spill it.”
+
+Roy– “There was nothing unique about the glass. Its composition is
+common to many types of glass containers.”
+
+Will – “Is that it? You called me in on a Sunday for this?”
+
+Roy– “Well, there is more, and this is why I asked you to come in.The
+bottles were approximately 1 gallon in size made of thick clear
+glass. There were five bottles altogether. Engraving on some of the
+glass pieces survived. They could make out the letters ‘I', ‘V', ‘L',
+and ‘O'. Although they don't know the order or how long the original
+word or words may have been, it's something.”
+
+Will – “So we have five gasoline bombs with four letters to identify
+the bottles. Why can't we get some answers? These are just puzzle
+pieces!”
+
+Roy– “Well, I have some more pieces for you. We also sent paint
+samples from the Catholic Church vandalism. The paint used was a
+marine paint manufactured by Hacket Paint Industries. It was easily
+identifiable due to its copper content. They provided the address and
+phone number of the company. You can get a list of their local
+distributors. That might lead to something.”
+
+Will – “Like I said, puzzle pieces. Roy, thanks for your hard work.”
+He heads home to try to enjoy the rest of his day off.
+
+At Home
+
+When Will left, he closed the door just loud enough to wake Kevin up.
+Kevin quietly got cleaned up and went down to the living room to
+read. Lilly said she would call, and he hope she will keep her
+promise.
+
+A little later, Helen finally gives up trying to sleep. She takes the
+back stairs down to the kitchen. She makes herself a bowl of tomato
+soup and toast. Despite sleeping in until 9 a.m., she is still very
+tired. She puts her elbow on the table and rests her chin on her
+palm, propping up her head like so many school children do during a
+boring history lesson.
+
+She tries to stay awake, but is too exhausted. She falls asleep there
+at the table. She starts to dream, but this dream is unlike any other
+dream Helen has had in the past. It's like she is viewing the scene
+from a hidden camera. She is in the Synagogue again. This time she is
+inside the building, but there is no fire yet.
+
+Helen has never been there, but she can see exactly what it looked
+like before the fire. She turns around towards the back of the aisle
+and sees Ryan walking in carrying two large boxes, one on top of the
+other. They must be heavy, because he is straining, and Ryan is in
+pretty good physical condition. He walks past her but doesn't notice
+her standing there. She is mesmerized and can't take her eyes off
+him.
+
+He begins to empty the contents of the boxes. He takes out large
+jars, half filled with liquid. He places each one in different parts
+of the room. Then he pulls out a gas can and begins spreading
+gasoline everywhere. He repeats the procedure using a second can of
+gas. Then he walks to the door, turns, and throws a match.
+
+Helen is suddenly engulfed in an inferno. The shock is so great that
+it pushes her back into reality. She wakes up with a start and spills
+the bowl of soup, now cold, onto her lap. The phone is ringing. Kevin
+answers it.
+
+Lilly – “Are you still mad at me?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, a little.”
+
+Lilly – “Tell you what, why don't you come pick me up at the church,
+and the rest of the day is yours. We'll do whatever you want.”
+
+Like he said, he is still mad at her, but he can see that she is
+trying to make it right, “Okay, see you in a bit.”
+
+Helen was so tired when she came down earlier she didn't even think
+about Kevin being home, “Who was on the phone?”
+
+Kevin - “It was Lilly. I am going to take her to a movie.”
+
+Helen – “Okay, have fun.” She heads back upstairs, again using the
+back stairway. She doesn't want Kevin to see the soap on her shirt.
+
+At the Cottage
+
+They are all relieved to finally arrive at the cottage. Joan steps
+out of the van and gets her first look at the house. She stands there
+dumbfounded. She has the, ‘I just saw Rocky' look all over again.
+Grace can't help but notice the expression on her face, “Hey Girardi.
+What's with the look? Your warranty already ran out once this year.”
+
+Joan – “I've been here before, in a dream!”
+
+Joan has told Grace about some of her dreams, but not about this one,
+“Come on! This is summer vacation, not crazy camp. Get a grip!”
+
+Joan – “No, I mean it. It's been a few weeks, but I remember it all.
+Inside, there are four rooms, a living room, the kitchen, and two
+bedrooms. Okay, five counting a bathroom. There is a couch in the
+living room with faded yellow fabric. Over the back is draped a
+patchwork quilt, with designs on it like...” She pauses for a moment,
+“Like your necklace! There is another stuffed chair and a rocker. All
+are placed around a coffee table. The bedrooms each have a queen size
+bed with a pair of dressers. The kitchen has a table and chairs, and
+the counter is lined with an assortment of appliances.” She pauses
+again, “And the cupboard under the sink is open. There is a toolbox
+open with some tools lying on the floor. That's what I saw.”
+
+Now Grace is dumbfounded and so are the others. Joan hadn't noticed
+them gathering around her. Grace knows Joan has never been here
+before, but she doesn't believe all of this mumbo jumbo stuff, “Come
+on in. Maybe you should take a nap before we go swimming.”
+
+They all grab grocery bags and luggage and carry them into the
+cottage. As they enter the kitchen, they see the open cupboard and
+the toolbox there, just as Joan had described. They all begin to
+stare at Joan, wondering how she knew. The toolbox belonged to a
+plumber who was supposed to be finished already. He must have left it
+here by mistake.
+
+Joan found her way to the couch and sat down. She is still in awe of
+what she is seeing. Grace comes back from the kitchen and sits next
+to Joan, “Come on. You really do look like you need a nap.” She
+escorts Joan to the rear bedroom where Joan lies down.
+
+After Joan is asleep, the conversations ensue. Luke and Adam just
+observe, but Rabbi and Sarah Polonsky are full of questions. They
+directed them all at Grace: “How did she know that? Why haven't you
+told us about this before? How long has she been able to do this?”
+Grace has no answers, at least none that make any sense, “Dreams, she
+has dreams. That's all I know.”
+
+At Home
+
+Helen has changed her clothes and is back sitting at the table when
+Will arrives.
+
+Helen – “Hi, Hon, can I make you some lunch?”
+
+Will – “No, sit tight. I'm going to make a masterpiece sandwich with
+the Italian salami that came on Thursday. So, are you feeling
+better?”
+
+Helen – “Yes and no.”
+
+Will loves that kind of answer. It usually means that whatever
+follows, he won't understand, “Okay, tell me about it.”
+
+Helen – “Finish making your sandwich, and then we'll talk.” Helen
+waits while Will finishes and sits down at the table, “I've had
+another dream.”
+
+Will has become accustomed to Helen's dreams, but is still not
+comfortable with them, “What was this one about?”
+
+Helen – “The Synagogue fire.I saw who set it.”
+
+Will – “Clowns?”
+
+Helen is becoming a little annoyed with his clown remarks, “No, it
+was Ryan Hunter.”
+
+Will – “Have you been talking to Joan?”
+
+Helen – “No, but I will when she gets home. I saw it clear as day. He
+carried in two large boxes. Then he took out large jugs half filled
+with something, probably gasoline. The tops were sealed with wire
+wrapped around the top and the neck. There were five of them. He
+placed them in different parts of the room. Then he took a gas can
+and sprinkled gas all over. Then he got a second can and did the same
+in a different part of the room. Then he walked to the door and lit a
+match. That's what I saw.”
+
+Will doesn't know what to think now. There was no way she could have
+known there were five gasoline bombs, but he is still leery of her
+dreams. “What am I supposed to do, arrest Ryan Hunter, because you
+had a dream and Joan thinks he's guilty for whatever reason?”
+
+Helen – “I know what I know, and it's up to you to decide what to do
+about it. But if you ever want to catch who set that fire, you had
+better start looking harder at Ryan Hunter. That ‘upstanding citizen'
+notion of yours is crap!”
+
+Will – “Okay, Helen, I don't want to fight with you today.” He pauses
+for a moment, “Tell you what. Tomorrow, I promise, I'll start asking
+questions about him. Fair enough?”
+
+Helen is still mad, but doesn't want to fight with him either, “Fair
+enough. I'm going to take a shower, and then we are going out. I'll
+decide where while I'm in the shower.”
+
+At the Theater
+
+Kevin – “Okay, looks like there are two movies that will start in ten
+minutes.” He directs her attention to the movie posters on display,
+“Which of these do you want to see?”
+
+Lilly looks them over and points, “How about that one?”
+
+Kevin glances at the poster, but then does a double take, “Wow! You
+know, that one actress sure looks a lot like Joan. This is going to
+be weird.” Kevin buys the tickets, and they enter the theater, “Okay,
+pants it is.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Joan is awakened by the sound of a lawnmower. Adam is clearing a path
+down to the tire swing. Joan comes out to the kitchen to find the
+Polonsky's sitting at the table, “Mrs. Polonsky, do you have anything
+for a headache?”
+
+Sarah – “I have some aspirin in my purse. Would that be okay?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, that will be fine.” She sits down at the table,
+obviously not feeling well.
+
+Sarah makes a glass of ice and brings a drink with the aspirin, “We
+bought Mug Root Beer. Grace tells us it's one of your favorites.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, Mrs. Polonsky.I should be okay in a little while.”
+
+They engage in chitchat, specifically avoiding what happened earlier.
+After a little while, Joan begins to feel better.
+
+Grace – “Come on, let's see you in that new swimsuit! I have a new
+one too.” They both go into the bedroom to change.
+
+Joan actually bought a skirtsuit. Just like it sounds, it looks more
+like a short dress than a swimsuit. It's one piece with attached
+panties. The background is varying shades of light blue with dark
+blue and white daisies in the foreground. Very pretty!
+
+Grace's swimsuit is a two-piece, but very conservatively styled. The
+top is styled like a sports bra and the bottom is more like
+short-shorts. The color is light green with small dots and half-moon
+shapes printed throughout the fabric. Again, very pretty.
+
+Joan and Grace come out and model their swimsuits for the Polonsky
+parents. They receive the appropriate compliments and head down to
+the lake. While Adam was mowing, Luke was inflating the inner tubes
+and a huge beach ball. All of the fun is prepared by the time the
+girls arrive.
+
+Joan and Grace both grab an inner tube and take them to the end of
+the dock. They drop them into the water and slip inside. Luke and
+Adam begin taking turns on the tire swing. As they swing out over the
+water, they jump. Remember the image of Will Ferrell falling out of a
+plane? Well, imagine it even funnier.
+
+After awhile, Luke and Adam become bored with the swing. They pick up
+their inner tubes and join the girls. They also bring the beach ball.
+A game of volleyball ensues. Perhaps volleyball isn't the correct
+word. They bat the ball around playing catch. Whatever you call it,
+they all have a lot of fun.
+
+At Home
+
+Helen has finished her shower and is reading the newspaper. She
+remembers seeing something earlier, but needs to refresh her memory.
+As she reads, she thinks to herself, ‘Great, a one o'clock showing’.
+She hands Will the paper and says, “This is what I want to go see.”
+
+Will reads the article, “\ Jesus Christ Superstar? Didn't that come
+out in the 70's?”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, but I never got to see it. They are a group of amateur
+actors, but I think it would be fun. I know you enjoyed Zombies
+Arise.”
+
+Will – “That's because Joan was in it. Can't you think of something
+else?”
+
+Helen – “Please.”
+
+Will relents, “Okay.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Sarah calls the kids in for lunch. She has prepared Kreplach, which
+is a Jewish ravioli. She has also set the table with Jewish Rye
+bread, peanut butter, and an assortment of homemade preserves.
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “Out of habit, this morning, I said the prayer in
+Hebrew. I should have been more considerate of our guests. For the
+rest of our time together, I will recite the prayers in English.” He
+asks for them to remain quietly seated while they wash their hands.
+
+When they did this at breakfast, Joan thought it was kind of strange.
+They had all just washed their hands! But, Grace explained that it
+was religious ritual, not about cleaning their hands. She remembered
+what God had told her about religions, “People need different ways to
+relate to God, and religions are just different ways to share the
+same truth.”
+
+The Polonsky's walk over to the sink and pour a little water over
+each of his hands three times and say a blessing while drying his
+hands, “ Praised be to God, Ruler of the World, who blesses us with
+the commandments, commanding us to wash our hands.”
+
+When they return, Rabbi Polonsky recites a prayer, “Blessed are You,
+Lord, our God, King of the Universe who brings forth bread from the
+earth. Amen.”
+
+Adam – “Wow, Mrs. P., it has been so long since I had this. Thanks!”
+
+Joan – “What is it?”
+
+Sarah – “It’s called Kreplach. It’s similar to ravioli, try it. You
+can make sandwiches if you prefer.”
+
+Luke – “Well, I'm starving. I'll try it.”
+
+They pass their plates around and Sarah places a serving of Kreplach
+on each plate. They also pass around the bread, peanut butter, and
+the preserves.
+
+Joan – “This is the first Jewish food I have ever eaten, except for
+at Grace's Bat Mitzvah. It tastes just like the ravioli we have at
+home. It's really good!”
+
+Sarah – “ Thank you, Joan. Have all that you want.” The conversation
+ceases while they eat, “What do you kids plan to do after lunch?”
+
+They all look at each other. They have had enough swimming for now.
+Then Joan speaks up, “I would like to go for a walk. It's so
+beautiful here.”
+
+Grace – “Hey, let's go see the toboggan slide.”
+
+Adam – “Isn't that for in the winter?”
+
+Grace – “Usually, but not this one. You ride the sled down, and it
+shoots you out over the water. It's really a lot of fun.”
+
+Luke – “I'm in.”
+
+Joan – “Is it anything like the high dive? Because if it is, I don't
+know if I can do it.”
+
+Grace – “Let's just go look now. We can wait until tomorrow to
+actually decide.”
+
+When the meal is finished, Rabbi Polonsky again recites a prayer,
+“Blessed are you, LORD our God, master of the universe, Who nourishes
+the whole world in goodness, with grace, kindness, and compassion. He
+gives bread to all flesh, for His mercy endures forever. And through
+His great goodness we have never lacked, nor will we lack food
+forever, for the sake of His great Name. For He is God, who nourishes
+and sustains all, and does good to all, and prepares food for all His
+creatures which He created. Blessed are You, LORD, who nourishes all.
+Amen.”
+
+When the prayer is finished, the gang goes strolling out the front,
+and Grace leads them to the right down the road. The whole area is
+heavily wooded, and the trees have an abundance of wildlife living in
+them. The birds are making a ruckus because two squirrels are chasing
+each other, jumping from limb to limb, and the birds don't like them
+invading their space. They all stop to watch the entertainment.
+
+They continue walking along, when they come upon a ditch on the side
+of the road. A patch of cattails and wildflowers catches Joan's eye,
+“Black-Eyed Susans! I love ‘em.” She walks down into the ditch to
+pick a bouquet. She caresses each plant as she gently breaks the stem
+about six inches down from each flower. She collects them all. There
+were only about a dozen flowers blooming, “Grace, let me put one in
+your hair.”
+
+Grace – “No way!I don't want people to think I'm a flower girl.”
+
+Joan – “This is a flower and you are a girl. Come on.”
+
+Grace again refuses, but Joan quickly slips the stem of the flower
+down the front of her blouse, “Ok, wear it there.”
+
+Grace is about to remove it when Joan also slips a stem down the
+front of her blouse, “There, now we are both pretty.” Grace decides
+to let it go and leaves the flower in place.
+
+Luke has enjoyed Joan and Grace's exchange, and is doing everything
+he can to keep from laughing. He knows how uncomfortable Grace is
+with girlie things. Adam is also amused, but limits himself to a
+smile.
+
+When they reach the slide, Luke is really impressed, “Wow, look at
+that! It must be 30 feet high.” His estimate was accurate, with the
+base of the slide being about a foot above the water. Joan thinks to
+herself, ‘Not me’. Adam is just mind-boggled. Grace is also thinking,
+‘Not me’, but pretends to be impressed as well. The slide is fenced
+off, so they walk over to the entrance to see the rates published on
+a billboard.
+
+Adam – “Tomorrow is going to be fun!”
+
+Joan – “We'll see, let's head back. My flowers need water.”
+
+Adam – “There was this movie called Bed of Roses. Christian Slater
+delivered flowers. Anyway, he said if you put Seven-Up in the water,
+the flowers will last longer.”
+
+Joan cracks a smile, “Do you think Mug Root Beer might work?”
+
+Everyone gives her the kind of smile you give when someone tells a
+stupid joke. They continue their stroll back to the cottage, when
+Adam again breaks the silence, “Joan. When are you going to tell us
+about what happened earlier?”
+
+Joan, hoping this conversation would wait, returns, “I don't want to
+talk about it now.”
+
+Adam – “But we all want to know how you did that.”
+
+Joan – “I don't understand it myself, and I'm not sure if I'm ready
+to devolve from a sub-defective into a freakazoid. Just drop it.”
+
+They can all see she is starting to get angry, but Luke can't resist
+adding one more comment, “But you are already there.” Joan and Luke
+exchange cutting glares, and the walk back to the cottage continues
+in silence.
+
+At the Community Theater
+
+Helen and Will arrive and find perfect seats near the front and
+center of the stage. Helen begins to read the synopsis of the play,
+more just to kill time than anything else. It's not like either of
+them doesn't know what the play is about. Helen puts the flyer in her
+purse and looks at Will, “I'm so excited.” Will looks back and gently
+takes her hand. There are a hundred places he would rather be, but
+none of them are without her. He has decided to try to enjoy the play
+and let whatever happens, happen.
+
+As the play progresses, Helen is drawn toward the character of Mary
+Magdalene. She looks familiar, but Mary's long brown hair is
+confusing. She continues watching, enjoying the play immensely.
+Finally, Mary becomes the center of attention. She begins to sing.
+
+I don't know how to love him.
+What to do, how to move him.
+I've been changed, yes really changed.
+In these past few days, when I've seen myself,
+I seem like someone else.
+I don't know how to take this.
+I don't see why he moves me.
+He's a man. He's just a man.
+And I've had so many men before,
+In very many ways, He's just one more...
+
+Helen realizes, ‘That voice, I know that voice.' She leans over in
+the seat and pulls out the flyer form her purse. She reads it with
+the penlight on her key chain, ‘Mary Magdalene... Elizabeth
+Goetzmann.' She sits back up, pleased with herself that she has
+figured it out. She plans to congratulate Elizabeth after the show
+for a fine performance.
+
+At the Theater
+
+Kevin – “Well, that was a good movie. Kind of a chick flick, but I
+enjoyed it. What did you think?”
+
+Lilly quotes from the movie, “You are really good with that thing!”
+
+Kevin answers, quoting from the movie as well, “Yeah, well we all
+have our little talents.”
+
+Together, “And then she shot a price tag onto her forehead!” They
+both start laughing.
+
+Lilly – “So, what would you like to do now?”
+
+Kevin – “I need to go home and change clothes and clean up. Then we
+can think about dinner.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+When they arrive, Joan takes the flowers to Mrs. Polonsky, “Do you
+have something I can put these in?”
+
+Sarah – “How pretty! I don't have any vases here, but let me look.”
+She finds a quart-size canning jar, “This is about the right size.”
+Joan puts the flowers in and Sarah fills the jar with water.
+
+Joan lowers her voice almost to a whisper, “Do you happen to have any
+Seven-Up?”
+
+Sarah – “No, I'm sorry. Are you thirsty?”
+
+Joan – “No, never mind. Thank you.” She takes the flowers with her
+and places them on the coffee table as she sits down.
+
+Adam and Luke are already seated when Grace joins them with a box of
+cards, “Have you ever played Skip-Bo?” Everyone shakes their heads,
+“Me neither.” She reads the rules and they begin to play the came.
+They quickly get the hang of it. The smiles appear on everyone's
+faces as they are able to play or foil another's chances of victory.
+Luke is especially intrigued. No special effects, no monsters to
+shoot, how can such a simple game be so much fun?
+
+At the Community Theater
+
+Date Line Arcadia is small segment of the local evening news. It
+covers events of local interest such as this one, the opening
+performance of a new play. The crew plans to interview patrons as
+they leave the theater.
+
+Inside, they are most of the way through act two. Most of the cast is
+on stage singing Could We Start Again Please?. Suddenly, there is an
+explosion. The curtains on the left side of the stage become engulfed
+in flames. Flames also spew out over the cast, catching some of their
+costumes on fire. The audience immediately begins to flee. Will
+escorts Helen to an emergency exit to the right of the stage. He
+pauses and looks at her, “Go, get out!” He leaves her and jumps up
+onto the stage. He joins others who have begun to help the injured
+entertainers. Half of the stage is now on fire, and all but three of
+the performers have been able to flee. The other men tear down the
+curtain from the right side of the stage and use it as a blanket to
+put out the flames on two of the performers costumes. Will's victim
+only had her brown wig on fire, and he was able to pull it off and
+cast it aside. They each carry their charges to the exit.
+
+The news crew is filming when Will and the others bring their victims
+out of the theater. Will lays the girl he has carried down and begins
+to check her condition. Helen joins him as he comes out of the
+theater.
+
+Helen – “Elizabeth, are you all right?”
+
+Elizabethresponds by coughing, “I'm not sure. I think so.”
+
+Will looks her over and sees that her most serious injury appears to
+be her lack of hair on one prominent spot on her head, “You look like
+you will be okay, but we'll let the paramedics decide.”
+
+Helen – “I'm so glad you are okay. Your performance today was
+marvelous!”
+
+Elizabeth– “Thank you, Mrs. Girardi.”
+
+Will realizes that they obviously know each other, “Hi, I'm Will
+Girardi. Nice to meet you.” He pauses for a moment, “And I think your
+performance was wonderful too.”
+
+Elizabeth– “Thank you, Mr. Girardi.” The conversation ends as the
+paramedics take over.
+
+At Home
+
+Kevin goes upstairs to change and get cleaned up. Lilly waits
+downstairs. There are some things Kevin prefers to do in private.
+
+As Lily waits on the couch, bored, she begins to look around. She
+notices the open newspaper on the coffee table with something
+circled. It is the schedule for the play Helen had circled for Will.
+She thinks to herself, ‘Hmm, maybe this is something Kevin and I can
+go see.'
+
+She notices the remote and clicks on the television. The reporter is
+talking about the fire. “Just moments ago, fire broke out in the
+Arcadia Community Theater. Our reporters were on the scene when it
+happened.” They begin to show the footage shot of Will carrying
+Elizabeth out of the fire. They also pan over to show Will, Helen,
+and Elizabeth talking. The reporter comments during the footage, “The
+fire was quickly put under control and the damage is limited to the
+stage area. The man you saw is Detective Will Girardi of the Arcadia
+Sheriff's Department. He was one of the patrons at the play. The
+performer he carried out is Elizabeth Goetzmann who played Mary
+Magdalene. Both have been transported to University Medical Center
+for treatment of burns. Two other…”
+
+Lilly yells, “Kevin, your Dad's been hurt!” She runs up the stairs,
+pounds on the bathroom door, and yells again, “Kevin, your Dad's been
+hurt in a fire. He's at UMC!”
+
diff --git a/03-LArmeedeJoanPart2.rst b/03-LArmeedeJoanPart2.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eae81a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/03-LArmeedeJoanPart2.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1474 @@
+Episode 3.03, L'Armée de Joan, Part 2
+-------------------------------------
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Sarah calls everyone for dinner. She has had a pot roast cooking in
+the crock-pot, becoming tender all day. She finished it off in the
+oven by adding carrots, onion, garlic, tomatoes, pitted prunes,
+apricots, and raisins. She also prepared chicken soup, a vegetable
+salad, roasted potato wedges, and a Jewish tart.
+
+Rabbi Polonsky recites a prayer. “Blessed art Thou, Lord our God,
+King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”
+
+Joan – “This meal is so good, I feel bad that you had to work all day
+to make it.”
+
+Sarah – “Don’t worry about it, Joan. It is my pleasure.”
+
+Joan – “No, really. I make a pretty good meatloaf. Why don’t you let
+me make that for tomorrow’s dinner?”
+
+Sarah is somewhat surprised, but pleased by the offer. “Thank you,
+Joan. That would be nice.”
+
+They commence with the meal and engage in chitchat about the day’s
+events and tomorrow’s plans.
+
+At the Hospital
+
+Kevin and Lilly arrive and inquire about Will’s whereabouts. The
+nurse informs them that he is in being treated by the doctor. Kevin
+asks about his condition, but the nurse refuses, stating privacy
+laws. “Just have a seat over there. We will let you know.”
+
+Will’s burns are confined to his hand. He was so caught up in the
+rescue that he hadn’t realized he had burned his hand when he pulled
+off Elizabeth’s wig. It was only after getting outside that he became
+aware of the pain.
+
+The doctor treats the wound by applying a salve and a dressing. Will
+is released and he and Helen head out to the waiting area.
+
+Kevin – “Are you all right? How bad is your hand?”
+
+Will – “It’s nothing, just first degree burns.”
+
+Helen – “Second degree burns!”
+
+Will – “Ok, one blister, but mostly first degree.”
+
+Lilly – “I saw you on the news carrying out that girl. They just said
+you had burns, but didn’t say how bad.”
+
+Helen – “It was on the news?” She pauses for a moment. “Oh my God!
+What if Joan and Luke see it? They will be scared to death!”
+
+Will – “I’ll take care of it.” He pulls out his cell phone, but sees
+there is no signal. “I have to get outside. Why don’t you take us
+back to the theater. I have to pick up the car anyway.”
+
+Once on the way, Will makes the call, “Millersville Police
+Department, non-emergency number please.” The operator connects him.
+
+Officer – “Millersville Police, Detective Anderson, may I help you?”
+
+Will – “This is Detective Girardi from the Arcadia Sheriff’s
+Department.”
+
+Detective Anderson interrupts, “Are you the one who rescued that girl
+from the theater fire?”
+
+Will – “You know about it?”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Yeah, it was on the news. Well done!”
+
+Will – “Thank you, but I have a favor to ask.”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Sure, what is it?”
+
+Will – “My children are staying with the Polonsky family at Lake
+Nashman. I’m afraid if they have seen the news they will be worried.
+They don’t have a phone, but can you get a message to them that I am
+all right?”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Sure, we have a patrol in that area now. Give
+me the address.”
+
+Will provides the address and asks one more thing, “Tell them my wife
+and I will come by to visit tomorrow afternoon.”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Got it. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it.”
+
+Will ends the call and Helen inquires, “We are going to Lake Nashman
+tomorrow?”
+
+Will – “I have to show Joan and Luke that I am okay. I’m taking
+tomorrow off.”
+At the Cottage
+
+Joan has used guilt to convince the others that they should do the
+dishes. Rabbi and Sarah Polonsky are out front enjoying the night
+air. A police car pulls up the driveway.
+
+Officer – “Mr. and Mrs. Polonsky?”
+
+Sarah answers, “Yes, I am Sarah and this is my husband Jakob
+Polonsky.”
+
+Officer – “Do you have the children of Will Girardi staying with
+you?”
+
+Sarah – “Yes, Joan and Luke.What is this about?”
+
+Officer – “I have a message from their father. May I speak to them?”
+
+Sarah – “Maybe you should tell us first. What’s going on?”
+
+Officer – “There has been another fire in Arcadia. Have you heard
+about it?”
+
+Sarah – “No, we don’t have a radio or television here. Where was it?”
+
+Officer – “It was at the Community Theater. Detective Girardi was
+there when it happened. He was hurt, but he wants his children to
+know that he is all right. He was afraid they might have heard about
+it on the news.”
+
+Sarah – “How bad is he hurt?”
+
+Officer – “I don’t know, ma’am, but he said he and his wife would
+come to visit tomorrow afternoon.”
+
+Sarah – “Thank you, officer. I will tell the children.”
+
+Jakob and Sarah wait until the officer leaves and then go back
+inside. They can hear the children carrying on and laughing while
+they finish the dishes. Sarah is thinking, trying to figure out the
+best way to tell them. She pulls the coffee table out of the way and
+pushes the stuffed chair so it is facing the couch, “Joan and Luke,
+come here, please.”
+
+Joan and Luke enter the living room, both tugging on the same
+dishtowel, trying to dry their hands. With a laugh, Joan replies,
+“Yes, Mrs. Polonsky.”
+
+Sarah – “Please have a seat.” She directs them to the couch and sits
+in front of them in the chair. The others have also quietly come into
+the room, now wondering what is going on, “First of all, your father
+is fine.”
+
+It doesn't matter what she just said. Joan and Luke both become
+filled with panic.
+
+Joan – “What do you mean fine? What happened? Did he get shot?”
+
+Sarah – “No. There has been another fire in Arcadia. This time it was
+at the Community Theater. Your father was there when it happened. I
+guess it was on the news. He was hurt, but he sent a police officer
+here to tell us that he is okay.”
+
+Joan – “Hurt! How bad?”
+
+Sarah – “I don't know, honey. I just know that he is okay, and he and
+your mother will be visiting tomorrow afternoon.”
+
+Joan doesn't know what to believe. Is her father okay or is he really
+hurt, and they don't want her to know about it? She begins to cry.
+
+Sarah – “Honey, he's fine. There is no reason to cry.”
+
+Joan – “I know, I just can't help it.”
+
+Sarah comforts her until she regains her composure. She comforts Luke
+as well, but he is more reserved about revealing his emotions.
+
+At the Community Theater
+
+Will – “I'll get the car and be home in a little while. First I need
+to check and make sure everything is being done right.”
+
+Helen – “See if you can get my purse while you're there. It'll be
+where we were sitting.”
+
+Will – “I'll try. See you in a little while.”
+
+Kevin drives away and Will walks into the theater.
+
+Toni – “Will, how is your hand?”
+
+Will – “It hurts, but I'll be all right. The doc says I should take
+some time off, so I won't be in tomorrow and maybe Tuesday. What's
+the status here?”
+
+Toni – “Roebuck is down by the stage doing his investigation. I have
+acquired the surveillance camera video for that last 24 hours.
+Officer Osborne is cataloging the items found in the seating area.”
+
+Will – “Where's Carlisle?”
+
+Toni – “He went to visit his mother this weekend, remember?”
+
+Will – “Right, okay, good work.” He walks over to where Officer
+Osborne is working.
+
+Officer Osborne – “Hi Chief, ah, I mean Detective Girardi.”
+
+Will – “How are you doing with the inventory?”
+
+Officer Osborne – “I have most everything catalogued. There are a few
+odd pieces, but mostly they are women's purses.”
+
+Will – “My wife's purse is there.” He points to the evidence bag, “I
+would like to take it.”
+
+Officer Osborne – “But I'll need the Fire Department to sign off on
+its release also.”
+
+Will realizes that he is right and remembers scolding him once before
+for not following proper procedure. “Fill out a removal form. Take
+the driver's license out of the wallet and I'll sign for it.” Will
+knows it will be an inconvenience, but it is the only thing Helen
+really needs for the next few days.
+
+Officer Osborne – “Yes sir.”
+
+Will walks down to the stage to talk to Roy, “Roy, how is it going?”
+
+Roy – “Slow and steady.”
+
+Will – “Do we know anything yet?”
+
+Roy – “Too soon to tell.”
+
+Will – “A guess?”
+
+Will knows that Roy does not like to give preliminary reports until
+the investigation is finished, but this one is personal. He and Helen
+could have been killed.
+
+Roy relents, “Looks like it might be the same perp, but I need to do
+more tests.”
+
+Will – “Thanks, Roy. I'll leave you alone to work.”
+
+Will returns up to where Officer Osborne is working, “I have it ready
+for you to sign.” Will reaches for the pen and realizes he can't pick
+it up. He signs the form with his left hand and thinks to himself,
+‘This is going to be fun.' He returns to the car and drives home.
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Joan has retired to the bedroom, wanting to be alone. She is still
+terribly worried about her father. She wonders about her situation,
+‘The dreams, what to do about the dreams? Ryan Hunter, that S.O.B.
+I’m sure he is also behind this latest fire. But I’m alone. I can't
+do it alone! Need a plan.' She remembers what God told her, “You have
+everything you need, Joan.” ‘Yeah, right!' Then a collage of thoughts
+and ideas begins to coalesce. ‘That's it. I'll have to tell them.'
+She rolls over and enjoys one of her first dreamless nights in weeks.
+
+At Home
+
+Will has had a restless night. No matter where he laid his hand, it
+hurt. When Helen got up, she changed his dressing and applied the
+salve the doctor had prescribed. She also gave him a painkiller. It
+was just extra-strength Tylenol, but she gave him three pills instead
+of two. Will went back to sleep as soon as she was done.
+
+Helen went out to the garage, retrieved a suitcase, and laid it open
+on Joan's bed. Then she quietly made trips into the bedroom and got
+them each a change of clothes for the trip. She also packed the
+toiletries they might need. She knew they are just supposed to be
+going and coming back, but she decided she'd have it in the back of
+the car just in case.
+
+At Lilly's Apartment
+
+Kevin and Lilly have both had a good night's sleep. Lilly has
+purchased a nice plush couch for when he spends the night. Kevin
+knows Lilly's views on this matter and is actually happier this way.
+It makes things much less complicated.
+
+The alarm sounds and Lilly quickly turns it off. She scurries into
+the living room, “Time to face the grind, handsome.”
+
+Kevin – “I know. Bummer!”
+
+Lilly – “Well, we all have our little talents to fulfill.” She laughs
+at her joke.
+
+Kevin – “I'm going to have to take you to the movies more often.” He
+gives her a kiss, “You or me first in the shower?”
+
+Lilly – “You go first. I'll iron my blouse.”
+
+Kevin – “Can you take a look at my pants and shirt?”
+
+She jokingly says, “You're pushing it! Get in the shower.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Joan wakes up to see that Grace is still sleeping. She quietly slips
+out of bed and heads for the bathroom. Grace opens her eyes to see
+the polka dots passing through the door. She wonders, ‘God, I love
+her! But, sometimes I just want to knock her up side of the head. Let
+me in! Secrets. Too many secrets.'
+
+Joan finishes brushing her teeth and begins to wash her face. She
+sees her reflection in the mirror, ‘Okay, so now I know who I am.
+But, what I am is still the question. Freakazoid! Yeah Luke, I am
+already there. God, why can't I just be normal?' But she knows God's
+answer, ‘Yeah. I am who I am. Well, God, I hope this is what you
+want.' She returns to the bedroom.
+
+Grace – “Good morning, princess, are you feeling better?”
+
+Joan – “Sure.I now know what I have to do.” She sees the puzzled look
+on Grace's face and realizes that she wasn't privy to her thoughts in
+the bathroom, “I have to go down that slide. Face my fears. Do what
+I'm most afraid of. Might as well start with the slide.”
+
+Grace is used to Joan's cryptic remarks, but has decided to go down
+the slide herself. “Yeah, I've been thinking about it too. We can do
+it together.”
+
+Joan – “You saw those sleds. There is no way Adam and Luke are going
+to squeeze together on one of them. You go with Luke, I'll go with
+Adam.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, you're right, but we are going down together at least
+once. Luke and Adam can just sit one out.”
+
+Joan – “Works for me.”
+
+Joan takes her shower followed by Grace, then the others. Sarah has
+placed a variety of cereals on the table: Rice Krispies, Raisin Bran,
+and Frosted Flakes. She has also placed a bowl of peach slices, a
+gallon of milk, and a pitcher of orange juice on the table. They sit
+down for the meal.
+
+Joan – “So Luke, are you ready to face the toboggan slide today?”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, it looks like a lot of fun!”
+
+Joan – “You're not afraid?”
+
+Luke – “Sure, a little, but I'm going to do it anyway.”
+
+Joan – “Adam, how about you?”
+
+Adam – “I'll do anything you… you guys want to do.”
+
+Adam's little slip did not go unnoticed, but she ignores it and
+continues, “Well, I'm going too. I'm scared to death, but I'm going
+to do it anyway. Grace is going too.”
+
+Grace – “Mom, Dad, you wanna come?”
+
+Sarah – “I believe we'll pass. You kids go have fun.”
+
+After breakfast, Rabbi Polonsky recites the ‘Grace after meal.' The
+kids don their suits and head for the slide. The trees are quiet this
+morning. There are just a few chirping birds. Luke and Adam are
+wearing sneakers, but Joan and Grace are wearing flip-flops. When
+they reach the slide, Joan pays for renting the sleds. The others
+offer to share, but she insists that it is her treat. She is really
+glad that her parents not only let her come, but also gave her
+spending money.
+
+Adam and Luke are given charge of carrying the sleds. They are made
+of wood and are rather heavy. The climb up the steps to the top of
+the slide is tiring, but the moment has arrived. The attendant
+explains how it works and the safety precautions, “When you hit the
+water, don't let go of the sled. Hang on to it until you stop. That's
+how you keep from getting hurt.”
+
+Adam and Luke wax up the rails and they position themselves on the
+sleds. They are paired Adam and Joan, and Luke and Grace. Joan and
+Grace exchange glances. They are a combination of both afraid and
+excited. Adam and Joan push off first. As they speed down the slide,
+Joan closes her eyes and prays for it to be over. Her hair blows back
+into Adam's face. The smell of Joan. This is something he has missed
+terribly. He hasn't been this close to her in months. Last night,
+when she started crying, he wanted so much to take her in his arms.
+He misses her so.
+
+When the sled hits the water, they skip and skip again, and then
+ker-splash! They swim to the side and begin the trek back up the
+slide. Joan is now excited, ‘I’m still alive!’ She’s ready to do it
+again.
+
+The routine continues over and over again. They keep their pairs,
+except for a couple of times when Joan and Grace go down together.
+After several hours, they begin to tire. It's not the sliding, but
+the walk up the slide that has worn them down. They return the sleds
+and walk back to the cottage.
+
+At Home
+
+Will is awakened by the phone ringing, “Hello, Girardi residence.”
+
+Man – “Hello, may I speak to Will Girardi?”
+
+Will – “This is he. How can I help you?”
+
+Man – “My name is Wayne Goetzmann. Are you the man who saved my
+daughter's life?”
+
+Will – “Well, I wouldn't say that.”
+
+Wayne – “Come on, we both know what you did. I can't thank you
+enough. She means the world to June and me. We want to meet you. Can
+you and Helen have dinner with us tonight? And Joan, too? Elizabeth
+tells us she and Joan are friends.”
+
+Will – “I'm sorry, we can't tonight. We have other plans and Joan is
+visiting friends. Can we get together this weekend?”
+
+Wayne – “We’ll be looking forward to it.”
+
+Will – “How is Elizabeth?”
+
+Wayne – “She's fine. We brought her home last night. She just has
+minor burns and a few bruises.”
+
+Will – “I'm glad to hear that. I'll have Helen call June later this
+week.”
+
+Wayne provides his phone number and address, and they bid each other
+farewell. Will looks at the clock and decides it’s time to get up
+anyway.
+
+At the Cottage
+
+They arrive back and change out of their swimwear. It's still too
+early for lunch, so Grace and Joan decide to take a walk. Luke and
+Adam want to come, but Joan insists, “She's mine for an hour. Find
+something else to do.”
+
+They again head out the front, but this time they go left down the
+road. The scenery is pretty much the same, with small- and
+medium-size homes lining the lake.
+
+Joan – “Do you remember the movie The Matrix?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, sure. I never saw it, but you have talked about it
+enough.”
+
+Joan – “In the movie, Morpheus offers Neo two pills. The red pill
+will answer his question, ‘What is the Matrix?', and the blue pill
+will allow him to simply carry on his life as before. Which one would
+you choose?”
+
+Grace – “I would choose the red pill. Curse the totalitarian regime
+of the Matrix.”
+
+Joan – “But, what if the truth is harder to bear than not knowing?
+Would you still want to know?”
+
+Grace – “Truth is a precious commodity. It's hard to find. Yeah, I
+would want to know. So what is this about?”
+
+Joan – “I was just wondering what you thought. It's nothing.”
+
+Grace – “So, you're not going to tell me?”
+
+Joan – “Tonight, maybe tonight.”
+
+They come upon a house with broken yellow police tape lying about.
+The mailbox says “Finnegan.” Joan is compelled to go look.
+
+Grace – “Wait! Where do you think you're going? Come back here.”
+
+Joan – “I have to see. It's important.”
+
+Grace – “Important?How? You don't even know these people?”
+
+Joan - “I do, well sort of. Just stay there, I'll be back.”
+
+This house is bigger than where they are staying. It has two stories.
+She walks around back to find there is a porch lining that side of
+the house. This is where the fire was. There is a pile of burned
+lumber and plasterboard. She can see there are still burn marks
+outside of the bottom floor window. She looks through to see workers
+have already done a lot of repair. Grace is still calling, so she
+begins to leave, but she notices a gleam of light from the pile. She
+walks over and finds a bottle. She picks it up and reads the
+inscription. Grace calls again, so she puts the bottle down, “Coming,
+I'm coming.”
+
+On the Way
+
+Will and Helen have left Arcadia.Helen is driving, which is a rare
+occurrence when the two of them are in the car. Will can hardly move
+his hand, so to let Helen drive seems the sensible thing to do.
+Still, he feels at a loss of what to do with himself in the passenger
+seat. He considers the call that he received this morning, “Remember
+when we first moved here, you were concerned about us not having a
+lot of friends to socialize with?”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, and then you arrested Tommy Wyatt.”
+
+Will – “I know. That didn't work out so well, did it? I know nothing
+about Wayne Goetzmann, but he sounded like a real nice guy. I'm
+really looking forward to meeting him. And if June and you hit it
+off, they will be our first friends outside of your work or mine. I
+just feel this could be a great opportunity for us.”
+
+Helen – “I haven't really thought about it yet, but yeah, that would
+be good. And Joan does like Elizabeth. She told me Elizabeth really
+helped her to remember her lines.” She laughs, “Remember in the play
+when Friedman came on stage when he wasn't supposed to?”
+
+Will – “Friedman was the soldier, right?”
+
+Helen – “Right. Anyway, when Elizabeth left the stage after him, she
+gave him a right hook. I know the play wasn't supposed to be a
+comedy, but I sure would have loved to have seen that!”
+
+Will – “That would have been funny.” He pauses while his thoughts
+return to other matters, “So what do you think I should do about the
+Chief's position?”
+
+Helen – “That's totally up to you.”
+
+Will – “Yeah, but you made a point of being involved the last time.”
+
+Helen – “That was different. That involved the whole family. We had
+to move. We had to leave friends. Joan was especially heartbroken
+when she had to leave Cory. They were like sisters. On the other
+hand, it was a job you had always wanted, and the doctor said it
+would probably be good for Kevin to move to a new environment. There
+was a whole host of things to weigh and consider. This time, whether
+you take the job or not has little effect on us.”
+
+Will – “But, I just can't seem to make up my mind. I keep running in
+circles.”
+
+Helen – “Do what Luke did. Make a list and cross-reference
+everything. Consider all of the variables. Make columns of pro and
+con and see which side is longer. There is a pen and notepad in the
+glove compartment. Get it out and start writing.”
+
+Will – “You want me to do it now?”
+
+Helen – “You have something better to do?”
+
+Will sees her point. It will still be quite awhile before they
+arrive. He begins to scribble on the page using his left hand, “I
+hope I can read this when I'm done.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Grace and Joan return from their walk. Sarah has prepared chicken
+salad and was just waiting for them to return, “Good, you're back.
+Did you have a nice walk?” Both Joan and Grace say yes. Sarah asks,
+“Joan, please call your brother and Adam.”
+
+Joan – “Yes, Mrs. Polonsky.”She goes outside and finds them skipping
+stones across the lake, “Lunch!”
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Rebecca – “Kevin, how is your father?”
+
+Kevin – “He has second degree burns on his hand, but he will be
+okay.”
+
+Rebecca – “I saw it on the news. It was amazing that the camera crew
+was there when it happened. My TV died and I was shopping for a new
+one when a bunch of the TV's on display started showing your father
+carrying that girl out. He's a hero.”
+
+Kevin – “Is that what you are going to write about him?”
+
+Rebecca – “Well, yeah, sure. What's wrong?”
+
+Kevin – “It just seems that sometimes you have an agenda when it
+comes to my father… my whole family for that matter.”
+
+Rebecca – “I know I've crossed the line a few times in the past, but
+I've tried to be fair since then. You should know. You read almost
+everything that goes to print.”
+
+Kevin – “You're right, but here is Andy again doing the ‘runaway high
+school student' bit. The first time was funny. The second time was
+annoying, but I let it pass. But this time, there isn't even any
+correlation to the story. Enough already! I'm going to word-check it
+out.”
+
+Rebecca – “Let me see.” She leans over his shoulder and reads the
+article on his computer, “I see what you mean. Kevin, you are a fact
+checker, but that doesn't just mean spelling and correct definitions.
+It also includes the content in relation to the story. From now on,
+when you see something like this, tell me. We may not agree, but I'll
+at least listen. Fair enough?”
+
+Kevin – “Okay, fair enough.”
+
+Rebecca – “Flag that comment and move on to something else. I will
+speak with Andy.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+After lunch, Joan feels like being alone. She reads Jeanne d'Arc for
+a while and begins to wonder, ‘Is she about to do the right thing or
+is she having a failure of imagination? How else can she convince
+everyone to help her? What to do?' She lays the book down and
+continues evaluating her situation.
+
+Adam – “Why don't we go out and sit with Joan?”
+
+Grace – “No, she wants to be alone. She needs time to think.”
+
+Adam – “Think about what?”
+
+Grace – “I think she is going to tell us something later.”
+
+Adam – “About what happened yesterday?”
+
+Grace – “Maybe, maybe more.”
+
+Luke – “What do you mean, ‘more'?”
+
+Grace – “Luke, there are things about your sister that you don't
+know. She is full of secrets.”
+
+Luke – “Secrets? She's just Joan! What are you talking about?”
+
+Grace – “Luke, all you see is your weird sister. But Joan has reasons
+for the weird things she does, and that is what she hasn't been
+telling us. That is what I hope she is going to tell us tonight.”
+
+Adam – “She's going to tell us something?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I believe she is, but don't say anything. Let's just
+see how this plays out.”
+
+On the Way
+
+Will – “I have a pretty good list now. The columns are about even,
+but I think I can cross out a lot from the “con” column. With a new
+city council and mayor coming, things will be different. What do you
+think?”
+
+Helen – “I think you have made your decision.”
+
+Will – “Okay, I'll tell Joan and Luke when we arrive. That will make
+them happy.”
+
+Helen – “No, this is a family matter. We should do it when everyone
+is there, including Kevin.”
+
+Will – “You're right. We'll keep it a secret for now.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Joan approaches the group, “I'm in the mood for a game. You want to
+play Skip-Bo again?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, we could do that. Grace, do you have any other games?”
+
+Grace – “Ah, well, we have UNO, regular playing cards, chess,
+checkers, and…” She pauses for a minute, “Go fish.”
+
+Joan – “You play chess?”
+
+Grace – “No, my father does.”
+
+Adam – “ Go fish?”
+
+Grace – “I left it here years ago. You wanna play?”
+
+Joan – “Excuse me.” She departs.
+
+Luke – “Go fish?”
+
+Grace decides not to wait for an answer, “I'll go get it.”
+
+Joan – “Rabbi Polonsky?”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “Yes Joan, what is it?”
+
+Joan – “Grace tells me you play chess. Would you like to play a
+game?”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “Joan, you are full of surprises. You really play
+chess?”
+
+Joan – “I'm no master, but I play a pretty good game. I've had a good
+teacher.”
+
+Of course Rabbi Polonsky does not pick up on the significance of her
+remark. He replies. “I'll go get it. It will be fun.”
+
+Joan and Rabbi Polonsky are playing chess, while Sarah is reading,
+and also watching the game. The others are playing ‘Go fish' when
+Will and Helen arrive. Helen toots the horn as they come up the
+drive. Joan jumps up, jarring the table and knocking over the chess
+pieces, “Sorry, Rabbi Polonsky.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “That's okay, I was losing anyway.”
+
+Joan darts out of the cottage to meet them, followed shortly by
+everyone else, “Dad, are you all right?” She sees his bandaged hand,
+“How bad is it?”
+
+Joan was there even before the car stopped moving. Will gets out of
+the car, “Joan, I'll be fine. It’s just a minor burn.”
+
+Helen gives him a little eye, but decides not to correct his white
+lie this time. She concurs, “The doctor says he will be fine.”
+
+Joan – “I was so scared when Mrs. Polonsky told us about it. I'm so
+glad you're here.”
+
+Will – “That is why we decided to come. We knew you would be worried,
+and we wanted you to know that I was okay.”
+
+Luke – “It doesn't look too okay.”
+
+Will – “I'm fine, really.”
+
+Helen approaches Sarah, “You must be Sarah. It is great to finally
+meet you.”
+
+Sarah – “I have looked forward to it. Please come in.”
+
+They gather around the kitchen table where Will and Helen recount the
+evening of the Community Theater fire.
+
+Helen – “They were all up there singing, and then the left part of
+the stage just burst into flames. It was horrible!”
+
+Will – “I got Helen to the exit and went to help the people on the
+stage. I carried a girl out, and it turns out being Elizabeth
+Goetzmann. Your mother tells me that she is a friend of yours.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, she is. We're not close, but I like her. She is really
+nice once you get to know her. Was she hurt?”
+
+Will – “A little, but she's at home now.”
+
+Helen – “We are planning to have dinner with them this weekend. They
+would like you to come.”
+
+Joan – “Sure, okay.”
+
+Luke – “Do they know how the fire started?”
+
+Will – “It's still under investigation.”
+
+Luke – “Come on, you were there, a guess?”
+
+Will – “It was certainly no accident. Whoever did this knew what he
+was doing. The explosion went off when most of the cast was on
+stage.”
+
+Adam – “Do you think it was the same guy who set the Synagogue fire?”
+
+Will – “It might be, but it's too soon to tell.”
+
+Joan – “Maybe for you.”
+
+Helen – “Joan!”
+
+Joan – “Sorry, Daddy.”Joan decides to change the subject, “I'm making
+meatloaf for dinner tonight. Sound good?” Everyone says it does.
+
+Helen – “I would like to help.”
+
+Sarah – “I would like to help, too.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, but I'm doing it.”
+
+Joan, Helen, and Sarah get up from the table and Joan starts giving
+instructions on what she would like them to do. Grace watches. She
+and Sarah have never done this together. Okay, so it was her fault.
+She refused Sarah's offers before, because she was always drunk when
+she made them. However, since Sarah has been sober, the offer hasn't
+been made again. Grace really would like to help, but she will not
+ask.
+
+Joan glances over toward Grace and sees her watching, “Come join us.
+You'll have to learn how to cook some day.” This was just the excuse
+Grace needed, “Sure, why not.”
+
+Luke – “Looks like they have it covered. There is no need for us to
+help.”
+
+Will – “Adam and you will be doing the dishes. That is how you will
+help. I have an excuse and I'm sure Rabbi Polonsky will also be
+busy.”
+
+Luke was hoping he was off the hook, but Will certainly put that to
+rest. “Come on, Adam, let's go outside.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “Your daughter is very skilled at the game of chess.
+She told me she had a good teacher. Would you like to play a game?”
+
+Will – “Joan plays chess? And she's good? I didn't know that!”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “Oh, I assumed she was referring to you as her
+teacher. She is very good. If our game hadn't been interrupted, I'm
+sure she would have won. She does seem to be full of surprises.”
+
+Will – “I guess so.” He turns around to look at Joan then turns back,
+“I haven't played chess in years, but yes, I would love to.”
+
+Outside, Adam and Luke begin to talk, “Looks like we get the dishes
+tonight.”
+
+Luke – “I really didn't expect not to have to do them. I was just
+hoping.”
+
+Adam – “Are you ready for the big whatever tonight?”
+
+Luke – “Whatever is right. I have no clue what Joan is going to say,
+but whatever it is, I'm sure it will be funny.”
+
+Adam – “It's not going to be funny. Joan has been hiding something
+from all of us for years. I know it and Grace knows it. In fact, I
+think Grace knows what it is, but she won't tell. I am hoping tonight
+we will all finally learn what that is. You are her brother. She is
+going to need your support.”
+
+Luke is taken aback by what Adam has just said. He and Joan fight all
+of the time, but that is just brother-sister stuff. This sounds like
+it's crunch time, “Yeah, sure. I'm here.”
+
+Dinner is in the oven and Joan decides she needs some time alone.
+This is the last time she will have to think about what she plans to
+do. She asks Helen to watch the things on the stove, “I'm going for a
+walk. I'll be back in a few minutes.”
+
+She walks down the road a little ways and stops to sit on a stump.
+She's afraid. What if they don't believe her? If they don't, it's
+Gentle Acres for sure! ‘I can't go back there, and I never want to
+spend another minute with Dr. Dan!'
+
+Voice – “But sweetheart, you don't have to do this.”
+
+She looks and Old Lady God is sitting beside her, “If I don't, how am
+I going to convince them to help me, your almightiness?”
+
+God – “You know this will change your life forever.”
+
+Joan – “Don't you think I know that! Why can't I just be normal?”
+
+God – “Normal is a relative term, but you know you have always been
+special.”
+
+Joan – “Well I never asked for it. I don't want it.”
+
+God – “That is always your choice, but every choice causes a ripple.
+Some futures are opened while others are closed.”
+
+Joan – “Like knitting my life?”
+
+God – “Precisely.You are reading about the other Joan. She was a
+peasant girl, younger than you, whose entire world was the village of
+Domremy in the Meuse River Valley. You have already read enough to
+know that she would have rather had stayed at home. However, like
+you, she could see the ripples. She made the hard choices, and that
+is what I am asking of you.”
+
+Joan - “But which ripples do I choose?”
+
+God – “You have already made your choices.”
+
+Joan wonders for a moment, “The dreams?”
+
+God – “Yes, follow your dreams. I have told you before that you have
+everything you need. It's all within you. You just need to reach down
+and bring it to the surface. Have confidence in yourself. I do.”
+
+Joan – “So you think I should do this?”
+
+God – “That's still up to you, but maybe you should reconsider your
+analogy to The Matrix. Is your choice only to give them the red or
+blue pill?”
+
+Joan considers her question for a moment, “Give them half a pill?”
+
+God – “You can always give the other half later if you choose.”
+
+Joan gives God a hug, “Thank you for the advice. Well, at least I get
+to have a last meal.”
+
+Joan returns to the kitchen where Helen has been tending in her
+absence, “Everything is ready. I put the rolls in, and they are ready
+to come out. This is quite a meal you have prepared. Meatloaf, mashed
+potatoes, mixed vegetables, and dinner rolls. Let's eat.”
+
+Joan calls everyone to dinner. She, Helen, and Sarah bring the food
+to the table. They all have a seat. Joan knows that Rabbi Polonsky
+often begins a meal with a prayer, “Rabbi Polonsky?”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “It is our custom to say grace after meals, but
+sometimes it is appropriate to also say a prayer before the meal. Mr.
+Girardi, would you do us the honor?”
+
+Will is totally taken off guard. He thinks for a moment and recalls
+the prayer Helen has said before meals. No, that won't do. That is
+definitely a Christian prayer, and he is in a Jewish home. He digs
+deeper and remembers a prayer he learned as a child, “Our Father, who
+art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be
+done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
+Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against
+us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “Thank you, Will.” He pauses for a moment, “This is
+such a wonderful meal. Thank you, Joan.”
+
+Joan – “You are welcome, Rabbi Polonsky.”
+
+Helen – “You will all love the roasted garlic in the meatloaf.”
+
+Joan smiles at the compliment. For the moment, Joan forgets about
+what will come later and just enjoys the meal and being with her
+friends and family. She looks at her mother and is thankful for the
+closeness they have come to enjoy in recent weeks. Her father, whom
+she loves dearly, and who she knows loves her. Grace, one of her best
+friends ever! Adam, the hurt is there, but she remembers the love
+they once shared. Luke, her sparring partner, but whom she loves
+dearly. And Rabbi and Sarah Polonsky, who are such good people. She
+wishes she could just put this in a bottle and keep it forever.
+
+After dinner, while Luke and Adam do the dishes, the others pair off,
+Helen and Sarah, Will and Jakob, and Grace and Joan.
+
+Grace – “You said earlier that you were going to tell us something.
+Are you still going to?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, unfortunately, I have to.”
+
+Grace – “Joan, you don't have to say anything. I will be your friend
+no matter what. You know that, right?”
+
+Joan – “Yes, I know, and thank you. But things need to happen, and
+for them to happen, I have to do this. I can see that now.”
+
+Grace is once again baffled by Joan's cryptic remark, but has become
+accustomed to them. She decides not to pursue it further. Adam and
+Luke finish the dishes so Joan decides it is time, “Everyone, please
+come sit at the table. I have something to tell you.”
+
+Most of them know that Joan is about to tell them something
+important, except for her parents. It is for them that she is most
+worried, “There has been something happening to me, and it's been
+going on for a long time. There is no easy way to say it, so here it
+is: I have dreams. At first, I believed they were just that, but now
+I know they are more, much more. They are images of things to come.”
+
+Helen is amazed. She has never told Joan about her more recent
+dreams. She has only told Will, “What are the dreams about?”
+
+Joan – “I can't tell you. If I tell you, then they may not come true.
+The future is not fixed. It can only be steered. That's why I need
+you to trust me.” She pauses for a moment, “But there's more. Rocky
+and Judith have been coming to visit. Rocky only a few times, but
+Judith comes a lot, especially when I'm at home. They have told me
+things, things about what has happened and what will happen. That is
+why I need your help.”
+
+Everyone is spellbound, but Helen is listening in awe. She told Lilly
+about seeing Judith, but has never told anyone else.
+
+“Rocky told me there's been a disturbance in my magnetic field. Then
+Judith started talking about fragments of the electromagnetic
+spectrum. I don't understand all of that science stuff, so I tried to
+have Luke explain it to me. I still don't understand, but I know it
+is not good. And I also know that it all centers around Ryan Hunter.”
+
+They all begin to interrupt with questions. “Wait… wait… let me
+finish!” She pauses for a moment, “Mom, you once told me that evil is
+not ugly and grotesque, but charming and beautiful. This is Ryan
+Hunter. He has everyone fooled. I know he vandalized St. Peter's and
+set fire to the Synagogue. And I'll bet he had something to do with
+this latest fire. He hates God and anything that represents God. And
+he has only just begun. He has to be stopped!”
+
+She stops talking and again, everyone starts asking questions at the
+same time, “Hold it, one at a time!”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “So, this Ryan Hunter, he hates Jews?”
+
+Joan - “Jews, Christians, Muslims, it doesn't matter, he hates them
+all.”
+
+Will – “Okay, I can see your connection to the Catholic Church and
+the Synagogue, but why the Community Theater?”
+
+Helen – “Will, it was the play, Jesus Christ Superstar! You should
+have seen that!”
+
+Will – “Okay, you're right, but what am I supposed to do. I can't
+arrest a man just because my wife and daughter have dreams!”
+
+Joan asks her mother, “You have dreams?”
+
+Helen – “Huh!Like mother like daughter. I've talked to your father
+and Lilly about them, but I didn't want to bother you with my crazy
+dreams. Why didn't you tell me about your dreams?”
+
+Joan – “Crazy Camp!I didn't want to go back there.”
+
+Helen – “Will, I never told you, but I have seen Judith, too! And
+Joan, just yesterday, I had a dream about the Synagogue fire. I saw
+Ryan setting it. It was as clear as I am sitting before you now.
+Honey, I believe you.”
+
+Will – “Even if all of this is true, Ryan or whoever is behind this
+is a dangerous man. Joan, I don't want you to have anything to do
+with this!”
+
+Joan – “I'm already in it and Ryan knows it. The only choice I have
+is to fight back.”
+
+Helen – “What does Ryan know?”
+
+Joan – “I can't tell you that, but there's more, a lot more. You just
+have to trust that I know what I'm doing.”
+
+Will – “This is police business. You need to let me handle it.”
+
+Joan – “What do you know so far, nothing, right? Ryan is evil, but he
+is very smart. You are not going to catch him without help. We are
+going to be that help.”
+
+Will – “We have leads we're working on. They are not much, but we
+haven't given up.”
+
+Joan – “I'll bet that all you have are little puzzle pieces, and
+nothing seems to fit together. Am I right?”
+
+Will – “No, we have letters…” Will trails off. He knows he shouldn't
+be talking about this.”
+
+Helen – “Tell her, Will!”
+
+Will – “There were glass jars used in the Synagogue fire. They had
+writing on them. Some of the letters survived. They were, ‘I', ‘V',
+‘L', and ‘O'. We don't know the order or how many other letters might
+be missing. I really shouldn't be telling you this.”
+
+Joan considers the letters for a moment. She walks over to the
+counter and writes on a napkin. She returns and hands it to her
+father, “Elverson's Dairy. That's what it said. I saw it on a milk
+bottle at the Finnegan house.”
+
+Will – “The Finnegan house?”
+
+Joan – “Michael McCauley's daughter, the former president of the
+Arcadia Citizen's Watchdog Committee. See the connection?”
+
+Will sits in stunned silence. He vaguely remembers Kevin's
+conversation, “I assumed you were just pulling at straws! You really
+think there is a connection?”
+
+Joan – “I know what I know. You just have to figure out a way to
+prove it. That's where the rest of you come in. We need a plan. We
+need to create a watchdog committee to watch Ryan's watchdog
+committee. He is planning more attacks, and we need to find a way to
+stop him. Will you help me?”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “Joan, it is amazing what you have told us, but I
+will need some time to think. Let me tell you tomorrow.”
+
+Grace – “I'm in, you know that.”
+
+Luke – “This is all so weird, but you are my sister. I'm in.”
+
+Joan looks at Adam awaiting his response, “I have to think. I will
+tell you tomorrow with Rabbi Polonsky.” Joan is disappointed. She had
+really hoped he would already be on her side. “Mom, Dad, you had
+better leave. It's a long drive home.”
+
+Helen – “I packed an overnight bag. We could stay.”
+
+Joan – “No, Dad needs to get back to work, and both of you need time
+alone to think about what I have told you. I'll see you in a few
+days. I love both of you.” She gives them both a hug.
+
+They all head out to the car and Luke says goodbye to his parents as
+well. They all wave as Will and Helen pull out of the driveway. The
+drive home is long and quiet. Both are thinking about what happened
+and are trying to make sense of it. As they near home, Will breaks
+the silence, “I will start checking into Ryan Hunter tomorrow. I
+promise.”
+
+The others return inside the cottage and Joan announces, “I think I
+have said enough for one night. I'm going into the bedroom to read.
+Goodnight.” She retires to the bed and continues reading Jeanne
+d'Arc.
+
+After Joan is asleep, Grace comes to bed, “Joan, are you awake?”
+
+Joan is really not awake, but enough to respond, “Yeah, what do you
+want?”
+
+Grace – “Thank you for telling us what you did tonight.”
+
+Joan – “You're welcome.”
+
+Grace – “But that wasn't all of it, was it?”
+
+Joan pauses for a moment, “I gave you half a red pill. Goodnight.”
+
+At Home
+
+The alarm goes off, and it's time for Will to get ready for work.
+Helen removes his bandage, “I'll put a new one on after your shower.
+I'll bring up some coffee in a few minutes.”
+
+Will proceeds to get cleaned up, and Helen goes downstairs to make
+the coffee. She finds Kevin is already in the kitchen, “Coffee's
+ready, aren't I a good son?”
+
+Helen – “You sure are. I'll be back in a minute.” She takes a cup up
+to Will and returns. “Can I make you some breakfast?”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, but just a small one. How about a couple of eggs and
+some toast?”
+
+Helen – “Okay, coming up.” She makes the meal and hears Will
+finishing up in the shower. She goes back upstairs. “Ready for a new
+bandage?”
+
+Will sits down on the bed and Helen puts it on, “It still looks
+pretty bad. Maybe you should stay home from work today?”
+
+Will – “No, I have to go in, at least for a while. I need to get
+things rolling. I'll come home early if it gets to hurting too bad.”
+
+Helen – “I think we should wait to tell Kevin about Joan.”
+
+Will – “I agree that she probably wants to keep it a secret, but
+Kevin is her brother.”
+
+Helen – “That's what I mean. I think she might want to tell him
+herself. Let's just wait until she comes home, okay?”
+
+Will – “Okay, we'll keep Kevin out of the loop for now.” He pauses
+for a moment, “I want you to call around today and get the best deal
+you can on an alarm system for the house. I want it in by the end of
+the week.”
+
+Helen – “You really thinks that’s necessary?”
+
+Will – “I'm not taking any chances.”
+
+They both go downstairs where Kevin is finishing his breakfast.
+
+Will – “Kevin, I would like you to do me a favor.”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, what is it?”
+
+Will – “I would like you to search the newspaper database and copy
+everything you find on Ryan Hunter. And I need you to do it quietly.
+No one is to know.”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, what is this about?”
+
+Will – “I can't tell you yet. Will you do it anyway?”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, I'll bring everything I find home tonight.”
+
+Will – “Thank you.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Joan wakes up early, showers and dons her swimsuit. She makes herself
+breakfast and heads out to the dock. While reading Jeanne d'Arc, she
+sits in an inner tube and watches the sunrise.
+
+A little later, Rabbi and Sarah Polonsky get up, followed by Grace,
+“Have you seen Joan?”
+
+Sarah – “She's out by the dock, reading. Can I make you some
+breakfast?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, sure, that would be nice. I'll be back in a few
+minutes.” She walks out to talk to Joan, “Hey, what are you doing?”
+
+Joan – “Reading, watching the sunrise. I'm still on vacation. Aren't
+you?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, but I thought…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “Ryan Hunter can wait. We can talk later. Let's go
+swimming.”
+
+Grace – “Sure, let me get some breakfast, change, and I'll be back.”
+She goes back inside.
+
+Sarah – “What did she say?”
+
+Grace – “She wants to go swimming. I will never figure her out.” She
+goes to change into her swimsuit and returns.
+
+Sarah – “Here is your breakfast. Joan was very brave to do what she
+did last night, and now she wants to have fun. Can you blame her?”
+
+Grace – “No, now that you have put it that way. All of that other
+stuff can wait.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “Your mother and I have been talking about what Joan
+told us last night. If it is true, it is very disturbing. She is your
+friend. What can you tell us about her?”
+
+Grace thinks for a while, “Joan is flighty on a lot of things, but
+one thing has always remained consistent. She does not lie. I believe
+what she has told us. And what is really frightening is that she has
+only told us half of what she knows.” She pauses for a moment, “Dad,
+think about what is written in the Torah. There were Sarah, Miriam,
+Devorah, Esther, and many others. If you believe in them, then
+believe in Joan.” She clears her plate and heads down to the dock.
+
+Joan – “Ready?”
+
+Grace – “Let's do the swing.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah!”
+
+At the Sheriff's Station
+
+Will arrives and goes into his office. He writes a note and calls
+Carlisle to come in.
+
+Carlisle – “Yes, boss?”
+
+He hands Carlisle the note. It reads, ‘I want this place swept for
+bugs, now!’
+
+Carlisle looks somewhat surprised at Will, “On it, boss.”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Luke and Adam finally wake up. They come to the table and Sarah fixes
+them breakfast. They can hear Joan and Grace laughing and splashing
+outside. Luke comments, “Did last night not happen?”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “You are still on vacation, are you not? Go have
+fun! We'll talk about these other matters later.”
+
+Luke goes down to the dock and joins Joan on the swing. Adam joins
+Grace who has decided to float in the inner tube. Adam and Grace
+float out onto the lake.
+
+Grace – “So what are you going to do?”
+
+Adam – “I really don't see Ryan Hunter the way Joan does.”
+
+Grace – “Charming and beautiful?”
+
+Adam – “Well, I wouldn't use those words, but yeah. He saved my life
+and got me my job. Would someone Joan is describing do that?”
+
+Grace – “Does he know how you feel about her?”
+
+Adam – “Well yeah, we talked that night in the woods.”
+
+Grace – “Then he's using you to get to her.”
+
+Adam – “Maybe.”
+
+Grace – “Joan has drawn a line in the sand. You know that, right?”
+
+Adam – “Oh yeah, she has made that quite clear.”
+
+Grace – “Then what's your problem?”
+
+Adam – “Do you think I have a chance of ever winning her back?”
+
+Grace – “You have none if you go against her on this.”
+
+Adam – “Answer the question, please.”
+
+Grace – “There's a chance, but it's not going to be easy.”
+
+Adam – “Nothing is ever easy with Joan.” He pauses for a moment, “I
+still love her. I'm in.”
+
+Jakob and Sarah have decided to go for a walk. They have walked down
+the road some distance from the cottage. The squirrels are at it
+again, jumping from limb to limb, and the birds are again upset with
+their presence. They are enjoying the show.
+
+Sarah – “So, what do you think about what Joan has told us?”
+
+Jakob – “I think I believe her, and it is not only due to her
+performance last night. Grace, for as long as I can remember, has
+always been against everything. She didn't want to do the studying
+for her Bat Mitzvah. She didn't want to learn how to cook. When we
+have talked about politics, she is against both parties. And there
+are so many other things that she is just against. But this is the
+first time I can recall her ever being for something. She believes in
+Joan. I think that is significant.”
+
+Sarah – “I see that, too. When do you plan to tell her?”
+
+Jacob – “Today, sometime today.”
+
+While they were talking, they have been strolling down the lane. They
+come upon a ditch on the side of the road.
+
+Sarah – “Oh, look! Look at all of the flowers. They are so beautiful.
+There must be hundreds of them. This must be where Joan picked the
+flowers the other day.”
+
+Jakob – “Would you like me to pick some for you?”
+
+Sarah – “No, Joan's flowers are still on the coffee table, maybe when
+they begin to wilt.” They turn around and head back to the cabin.
+
+At the Sheriff's Station
+
+Carlisle – “We're clean. They found five bugs.”
+
+Toni – “What made you think about checking?”
+
+Will – “Toni, please close the door.” After it is closed, he
+continues, “The bugs were just a hunch. Any idea where these bugs
+came from?”
+
+Carlisle – “Off the shelf hardware.Could have been bought at any
+number of online spyware sites.”
+
+Will – “Carlisle, what's on your schedule for tomorrow?”
+
+Carlisle – “Just coming to work.”
+
+Will – “Keep it open.” He pauses once again, “I have two sources that
+have provided information that connects Ryan Hunter to the St.
+Peter's vandalism, the Synagogue fire, and the Community Theater
+fire.”
+
+Toni – “What's the connection?”
+
+Will – “God.”
+
+Carlisle – “God is our perp?”
+
+Will – “No, they all have something to do with God. The church and
+the synagogue are places of worship and Jesus Christ Superstar was
+playing at the community theater. Our perp hates God, and they tell
+me so does Ryan Hunter.”
+
+Carlisle – “That's pretty thin, boss.”
+
+Will - “Thin, maybe, but wrong? I don't think so. Anyway, we are
+going to find everything we can on Ryan Hunter and see where it
+leads.” He pauses for a moment, “Have you two had a chance to read
+Roebuck's report on the Synagogue fire?”
+
+Toni – “Read it yesterday, the letters, ‘I', ‘V', ‘L', and ‘O'. I
+love you. They could say I love you.”
+
+Carlisle – “And there's also, ‘Vaseline', ‘volatile', ‘Ovaltine', and
+‘jovial'.”
+
+Will – “Those are good ones! Here is another possibility.” He hands
+Toni the napkin Joan had given him, “Elverson's Dairy. Put them all
+in the report.”
+
+Toni, I want you and Carlisle to work together on this. Find out
+everything you can on the Arcadia Citizen's Watchdog Committee and
+Ryan Hunter's connection to it.
+
+Carlisle, Ryan Hunter told me he was rich, something about stock
+market investments. Find out where he gets his money, and what he's
+doing with it. And both of you, do it quietly.”
+
+When they leave, Will looks up the Millersville Police on his
+computer. He goes through the menus until he finds him, ‘Detective
+David Anderson.' He makes the call.
+
+Receptionist – “Millersville Police, how may I direct your call?”
+
+Will – “Detective Anderson, please.”
+
+Receptionist – “One moment, please.”
+
+After Detective Anderson answers and identifies himself, Will says,
+“Hello, this is Will Girardi. I want to thank you for getting the
+message to my children. It really helped.”
+
+Detective Anderson – “No problem, glad I could help.”
+
+Will – “The reason I am calling is because of a fire you had there a
+few months back where Michael McCauley died. Are you familiar with
+it?”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Yes, I am in charge of the investigation.”
+
+Will – “Is it still open?”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Yes, why?”
+
+Will – “We have had some fires in Arcadia that I believe might be
+connected. I would like to send a detective with our files and have
+you two compare notes. Would that be okay?”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Sure, when do you want to get together?”
+
+Will – “Tomorrow, if that's not too soon. Say, after lunch, about one
+o'clock?”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Okay, that will be fine.”
+
+Will – “The detectives name is William Carlisle. I hope your meeting
+is fruitful.”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Me, too.”
+
+Will calls Carlisle back to his office, “How would you like to drive
+to Millersville tomorrow?”
+
+Carlisle – “Puff duty, I like it.”
+
+Will – “There was fire in Millersville a few months ago. Make copies
+of the St. Peter's and Synagogue files and compare notes. Your
+contact is Detective David Anderson. The meeting is set for one
+o'clock. You can leave from home.”
+
+Carlisle leaves and Will gets on the phone once again, “Victor! Will
+Girardi. It's been a while. How have you been? …Great… great to hear
+that. I have a favor to ask…”
+
+At the Cottage
+
+Sarah has fed them lunch, and they are all sitting at the table.
+Rabbi Polonsky begins to speak, “Joan, Sarah and I have talked about
+what you have told us. We believe you. We are willing to help. What
+would you like us to do?”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, Rabbi Polonsky.” She redirects, “Adam, have you
+made your decision?”
+
+Adam – “I'm still not sure you are right about Ryan, but I will help
+you to find the truth. I'm with you.”
+
+Joan smiles briefly, “Thank you, Adam. Rabbi Polonsky, we need to
+learn more about Ryan. There are a lot of members of your Synagogue.
+Can you ask them what they know about him?”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “I can do that. I will let Grace know what I learn.”
+
+Joan – “Again, thank you.” She pauses for a moment, “You know you
+have to keep me a secret. I mean, I still want to go to school and
+have friends and do everything a normal teenager does. If everyone
+knows about my dreams, I won't be able to do that.”
+
+Sarah – “We understand; we will keep your secret.”
+
+Joan looks around at the others. They also agree. “Well, we have
+three more days left, and I plan to enjoy it.”
+
+Joan and Grace relax on the recliners while Adam and Luke continue to
+have fun on the tire swing. Joan is sort of reading Jeanne d'Arc and
+watching the boys.
+
+Grace – “Do you still love him?”
+
+Joan – “No… yes… maybe. I'm still mad at him.”
+
+Grace – “I know that, but do you still love him?”
+
+Joan - “I don't know.” She continues to watch Adam as he and Luke
+horse around on the swing. A smile paints across her face as she
+thinks to herself, ‘But my God, it's so beautiful when the boy
+smiles.'
diff --git a/04-TheOutingPart1.rst b/04-TheOutingPart1.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0145c9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/04-TheOutingPart1.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1278 @@
+Episode 3.04, The Outing, Part 1
+--------------------------------
+
+Dark ominous clouds layer the sky as bolts of lightning strike the
+ground far and near. An evil creature is approaching; dressed in
+reflective armor, deflecting every photon bolt that is lunged at him.
+His eyes glow, pulsating from red to purple and back again. Saliva
+drips from his rimless lips, causing puffs of green smoke to rise
+from the ground as it pulverizes matter back to its basic elements.
+All that is holy curses him, but no one has been able to defeat him.
+He is a phantom, elusive to every kind of attack. The people, the
+lowly peasants across the land, have given him the name, Phantom
+Warrior.
+
+Other creatures, perhaps innocent bystanders, run to save their
+pathetic lives. The attack continues to stop this demon from reaching
+Grom City. For this is where Phaylor has made his last stand, and you
+know he must be saved. For he, along with Duchess Maron, are the only
+hope, the last chance to stave off a universe of darkness.
+
+The soldier fires continuously from his photon cannon, and his
+comrade is firing his as well, but nothing seems to affect this
+creature. Do we have other weapons? Yes, but they are in the armory,
+and to get there, you must cross the river of molten zornite. This no
+human has succeeded in doing without losing his life. But you have to
+try, it’s our only hope. Use the force, Luke. What… what force? Then
+a korsite bomb explodes nearby, temporarily blinding them both. As
+the fog clears from their eyes, they see the most terrifying image
+flashing before them… Game Over.
+
+Luke – “That was really cool! Where did you get this game?”
+
+Friedman – “I hacked it off the Microgames website. The released
+version will be out in a few months.”
+
+Luke – “I really want to play this again, but we should get to doing
+what we came here for. Do you really think you can do it?”
+
+Friedman – “Piece of cake!No matter what security is in place, there
+is always a way around it. I have been doing this as a hobby for a
+couple of years now. Remember Angela’s diary?”
+
+Luke – “Yeah and that didn’t work out so well, did it?”
+
+Friedman – “How was I to know? I just saw her talking about her
+breasts and thought, ‘Cool!’ I didn’t read the whole thing either.”
+He pauses for a moment.
+
+“But I have done some good things. I kept Judith from failing trig.
+Every time she would fail something, which was almost always, I would
+boost it up to a C. No one knew, not even Judith. She just thought
+she faked her way through it. Always guessing c or c on an exam
+really doesn’t work.”
+
+Luke – “Have you done that for other people… yourself?”
+
+Friedman – “Judith’s grades are the only ones I’ve changed. I have
+been tempted to change some of mine, but it didn’t seem right.”
+
+Luke – “I really liked Judith, too. We all miss her. But, I know you
+and Joan miss her most of all.”
+
+Friedman – “Yeah, my luck with women can be a testament to mankind of
+what shouldn’t happen. Maybe I’m destined to become a lonely computer
+geek.”
+
+Luke – “No, you have to stay in the game. Things will turn around,
+you’ll see.”
+
+Friedman – “It’s a game? Well, it hasn’t been a game for me.”
+
+Luke – “Maybe ‘game’ isn’t the best word. How about love is a
+never-ending pop quiz? You never get all of the answers right, but
+even the wrong ones prepare you for the final exam. The next time it
+will be better. You’ll see.”
+
+Friedman – “A pop quiz?That’s funny. You’ll have a good career in the
+fortune cookie business. But hey, I can only go up from here, right?”
+
+Luke – “Trust me, I’m right on this, but back to the task at hand.
+Can you do this?”
+
+Friedman – “Sure, let’s just start with their website. What are we
+looking for?”
+
+Luke – “Anything and everything. Grab whatever you can and we’ll sort
+it out later. Knowledge is power, but don’t worry about what’s
+publicly available. That is what Ryan wants us to see. We need to
+find out what he is really up to.”
+
+Friedman – “Wow, they have some heavy security in place. How can a
+volunteer organization afford security like this?”
+
+Luke – “Joan says Ryan is really rich. He probably paid for it
+himself. Are we finished?”
+
+Friedman – “No, let me bring up Whisker and see what we can learn.”
+Mumbling to himself, “Windows XP, Dell Dimension 4700, Whoa!”
+
+Luke – “What happened?”
+
+Friedman – “It kicked me out! I’ve never had that happen before. This
+is going to be more work than I thought. I know some hacker sites
+where I can get some more ideas, but it will take time. You wanna
+play the game again?”
+
+Luke – “No, I told you that I couldn’t stay long. I have to help Joan
+with a project. I’ll call you later.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan wanted to tell Kevin last night, but he was out with Lilly when
+she got home. The hours dragged on and on. Finally, she just couldn’t
+stay awake any longer, and she had to go to sleep. It’s a good thing
+because he spent the night at Lilly’s.
+
+Kevin called this morning and said he would be home for lunch. That’s
+why when Friedman asked Luke to come over, he told him that he
+couldn’t stay long.
+
+Joan has been in her room most of the morning trying to figure out
+the best way to tell Kevin. She is happy that the other night went
+well, but she feels she should tell Kevin in private. He’s her big
+brother, and although she loves Luke too, Kevin has always had a
+special place in her heart. However, she can’t decide how to do it.
+Should she just blurt it out or should she work her way into it? This
+is so important to her that she is even wondering if she should not
+tell him at all. At least with a blue pill, there is no chance of his
+feelings for her changing. What to do is tormenting her.
+
+She hears Kevin come in the front door and can hear him talking to
+the others downstairs. Then she hears the hum of the chair lift
+bringing him upstairs. The bathroom door closes. She walks into his
+bedroom, sits and waits.
+
+Kevin comes in and sees Joan, “Joan! What are you doing here?”
+
+Joan – “I have to tell you something.”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, shoot!” Kevin has the cocky, cavalier attitude he gets
+sometimes.
+
+Joan – “This is hard. There is something about me that you should
+know.”
+
+Kevin – “I already know you’re a sub-defective.”
+
+Joan – “It’s not that. Well, maybe it is. I don’t know, but something
+has been happening to me for a long time.”
+
+Kevin – “Like what?”
+
+Joan – “I have dreams.”
+
+Kevin – “So do I.”
+
+Joan – “No, mine are different. Mine come true.”
+
+Kevin – “Oh, I see where you’re going. This is a joke.”
+
+Joan – “No, really, I see things, and then they come true.”
+
+Kevin – “Right! You know, I believed that psychic for the longest
+time. Now, I’m seriously thinking about asking Lilly to marry me. Do
+you really think there is a chance in hell I’ll be dancing at my
+wedding?” He slaps his legs.
+
+Joan – “No, Kevin, I’m trying to tell you something.”
+
+Kevin – “Come on, April fools is already past and this isn’t funny.”
+
+Joan – “No, Kevin, please.” She now realizes she has failed. She runs
+into her bedroom, locks the door, and begins to cry on her bed.
+
+Kevin has no clue what just happened, but it still breaks his heart
+to see his sister cry. He knocks on her door, “Joan, I’m sorry, come
+out.” She doesn’t respond. “Joan, I’m sorry I didn’t laugh at your
+joke, come on out.” Of course, this just causes Joan to sob even
+more.
+
+Kevin gives up and goes back down stairs, “What’s with Joan? I didn’t
+laugh at her joke and now she all crying. I don’t get it.”
+
+Helen – “Oh God, what did you say to her?” She doesn’t wait for an
+answer. She runs upstairs and begins knocking on Joan’s door.
+
+Luke – “Hey, big bro. You have really stepped in it now.” Kevin gives
+Luke and Will that puzzled look. He still doesn’t realize what just
+happened.
+
+Will recounts the story of the other night, and Luke supplements
+parts that he misses. Between the two of them, they reproduce the
+conversation pretty well. Helen comes back down. She is furious, “She
+won’t come out of her room.”
+
+Kevin – “I’m sorry, I assumed she was joking.”
+
+Helen – “Do you know who your grandmother is?”
+
+Kevin – “Ah, yeah, Catherine Brodie.”
+
+Helen – “Well, you’re right, and you’re wrong. She has been a
+wonderful mother to me, but she didn’t become my mother until I was
+nine. My other mother, the one who gave birth to me, had dreams too,
+only they locked her away in an insane asylum until the day she died.
+I was so afraid that I never told anyone about my dreams. It was
+years before I was even willing to tell your father. Now, your sister
+is having them. You had better get used to the idea if you ever plan
+to have a daughter.”
+
+Kevin – “Wait a minute! If you knew about this, why did you let them
+send Joan away to Gentle Acres?”
+
+Helen – “Oh, you better believe I thought about it, but that was
+different. She was sick and we could all see that. We decided to let
+the doctors try to help her. However, even if they hadn’t been able
+too, Joan was coming home no matter what.”
+
+Kevin considers her response and agrees with her argument, “Well, Dad
+and Luke already told me what happened last Tuesday.”
+
+Helen – “Well, there’s something else we need to talk about. It’s
+Lilly.”
+
+Kevin – “What does she have to do with this?”
+
+Will – “You can’t tell her.”
+
+Kevin – “Why not?She’ll keep it a secret.”
+
+Helen – “It’s not that. What do you suppose Lilly will do when she
+learns it was Ryan Hunter who trashed her church?”
+
+Kevin – “She’ll probably go beat the crap out of him.”
+
+Will – “That’s why you can’t tell her. We’ll find a way to get Ryan
+Hunter, but none of us want Lilly ending up in jail or worse doing
+it.”
+
+Kevin considers Will’s argument for a moment, “Yeah, I guess you’re
+right, but I have never lied to her, and I don’t want to start now.”
+
+Helen – “You won’t have to. As long as she doesn’t know, there will
+be no reason for her to ask.”
+
+Kevin looks at Helen, and without saying it, she can see that he
+agrees.
+
+Helen – “Now, you’re going back upstairs, and you are going to talk
+your sister out of her room.”
+
+It took awhile, but Joan finally let Kevin in. He apologized again
+and allowed her to explain what she has been going through, “So, do
+you think I’m crazy?”
+
+Kevin – “Earlier today, I would have thought yes, but now, I’m not so
+sure. You certainly have been able to convince the others.”
+
+Joan – “Do you still love me?”
+
+Kevin – “Of course I do. Why would you even think otherwise?”
+
+This is what she wanted to hear. She sits on his lap and gives him a
+hug.
+
+Kevin – “Come on downstairs. We still haven’t had lunch, and I’m
+starved.”
+
+They go downstairs where the others have also been waiting for Joan’s
+arrival. Helen fixes soup and sandwiches.
+
+Kevin – “So Joan, you look like you need a nap. Is there any chance
+of getting next Wednesday’s lotto number?”
+
+She gives him a smirk, “It doesn’t work that way.”
+
+Kevin – “Don’t get mad. So, you have these dreams about different
+places, but you don’t know why.”
+
+Joan – “I just know it is someplace that I want to be, someplace that
+I will be.”
+
+Kevin – “So, how do you connect the dots?”
+
+Joan – “I haven’t figured that out yet.”
+
+Helen decides to change the subject, “Why don’t you wear your blue
+dress to the Goetzmann’s tonight?”
+
+Joan – “Mom, no, I want to wear normal clothes. Elizabeth won’t be
+dressing up.”
+
+Helen – “This will be the first time your father and I have met them.
+I want to be sure to make a good first impression.”
+
+Joan – “You and Dad can dress for the prom if you want, but I’m
+wearing jeans.”
+
+Helen – “Well, at least wear your new red pair. I washed them and
+they’re in the laundry room.”
+
+Kevin – “So, how did this come about, because of Elizabeth?”
+
+Will – “Wayne Goetzmann called me last Monday and invited us over. He
+wants to thank me for helping Elizabeth at the theater.”
+
+Kevin – “For saving his daughter’s life?”
+
+Will – “Yes, but all of this hero stuff is too much. There were two
+other men who helped out too. They were barely mentioned by the
+Herald. A simple thank you was enough and Elizabeth has already done
+that.”
+
+Kevin – “Then you might not like what Lilly and I made for you.”
+
+He motions for Will to look in the pouch on the back of his
+wheelchair. Will pulls out a brightly wrapped package with bows and
+ribbons. There is a little card. It reads, ‘To my Dad.’
+
+Kevin – “Open it.”
+
+He opens the package and pulls out a large varnished plaque with the
+newspaper article from the Herald decoupaged to the front. It has the
+picture of him carrying Elizabeth out of the theater followed by the
+entire article.
+
+Will – “I don’t know what to say. This is wonderful.” He holds it up
+for the others to see, “Thank you, Kevin.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, Lilly did the decoupage. I enlarged the picture and
+reformatted the article so it would fit nicely on the plaque.”
+
+Helen – “It’s so beautiful. It almost looks like a painting. I have
+decoupaged before, but I have never gotten results like this! Lilly
+and I will be having a talk.”
+
+Joan leaves and in a few minutes, they hear pounding. She comes back
+and takes the plaque from her father, “I know just where to put this,
+come on.”
+
+They all go into the living room and Joan places the plaque on the
+nail. It is prominently centered above the bookcase, “There.” She
+steps back to look at it with the others. She gives her father a kiss
+on the cheek and says, “You will always be my hero.”
+
+Later, they have all gotten ready to leave. Joan has on her jeans,
+but they are actually burgundy in color. She chose a dark blue knit
+top that has ‘Breathe’ in white decal across the chest.
+
+Helen – “Well, you look nice, even though it’s toned down a bit. I
+saw that when you bought it. What does it mean?”
+
+She turns around to show Helen the back of the shirt. It also has a
+white decal that says ‘2 AM’. “It’s a song by Anna Nalick. I love her
+music.”
+
+Will has chosen black dress pants with a light gray dress shirt,
+matching belt and shoes, but no tie. Helen is wearing a summer dress
+similar to what Sarah bought, except Helen chose it in brown tones.
+She also bought the matching bonnet, but will not be wearing it this
+evening.
+
+Kevin and Luke are ready to go as well, but not to the Goetzmann’s.
+For them, this will be a boys’ night out. They haven’t done this in a
+long time, and this is the perfect opportunity.
+
+Luke – “So, when are you going to tell me what we are doing tonight?”
+
+Kevin – “It’s a surprise. Trust me, you’ll like it.”
+
+At the Goetzmann’s
+
+Will is driving again. His burn is not completely healed, but well
+enough to permit the use of his hand. He still wears a bandage, but
+just to keep it from being bumped.
+
+They ring the bell and June answers the door. Wayne and Elizabeth are
+also there. She invites them in, “Hi, I’m June. This is my husband
+Wayne, and of course, you know Elizabeth.” They exchange greetings.
+Helen offers the lime and carrot Jell-O she has made for dessert.
+June excuses herself to put it in the fridge. Wayne begins to offer
+his hand, but retracts it. He then offers his left hand, “I am really
+glad to finally meet you. I hope to be able to do this the right way
+soon.”
+
+Will – “It’s nice to meet you too. The hand is almost healed.”
+
+Will turns and Elizabeth is there. She gives him a big hug, “I just
+needed to do that. Thank you, Mr. Girardi, for saving my life.”
+
+Will – “It was my pleasure. I’m glad to see you are looking well. It
+is certainly a change from the last time I saw you.”
+
+Elizabeth – “Well, it’s all because of you.” She looks at Joan, “Come
+on, let’s go up to my room.”
+
+At the Restaurant
+
+Kevin has decided to take Luke to Lin’s Family Restaurant. He has
+eaten there on several occasions and enjoys the food. It has always
+been for lunch, but the dinner menu is the same. Actually, it is
+buffet style with a bounteous selection of Chinese food. He has never
+had a problem with finding something good to eat.
+
+When they arrive, Chun Chen, known by all as Cee-Cee, escorts them to
+their table. She is an exquisitely beautiful young woman and would be
+enough to cause the men to come visit, even if the food was lousy.
+She welcomes them and takes their drink order. Kevin and Luke both
+order sweet tea.
+
+Kevin and Luke go and fill up their plates with a variety of foods.
+Kevin suggests that Luke try the sweet and sour chicken. When they
+return to their table, Kevin begins to speak, “Let me tell you
+something about Cee-Cee. It’s a story the Herald was going to run,
+but pulled at her request. You’ve heard about the bombing in Atlanta
+during the Olympics in 1996?”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, Eric Rudolph, everyone knows about that.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, here is something you don’t know. Cee-Cee was an
+athlete for the Chinese team that summer. She was only one of the
+alternates and never actually performed. She and some of her
+teammates were in the park when the bomb went off. They all ran along
+with their burly escorts, you know, their protectors, although
+everyone knows their job was to make sure they didn’t get away.
+However, when everyone ran, Cee-Cee kept running. You see, she was an
+alternate for Women’s 100-meter event. She took advantage of the
+confusion and escaped. This was an embarrassment for the Chinese
+government and there was a deal made to keep the story from the
+press. That’s why Cee-Cee didn’t want us to run the story. Her family
+is still in China and she fears for them. The owner here, Mr. Lin, is
+a distant cousin, and he took her in.
+
+Luke – “How did you find out about it?”
+
+Kevin – “One of her younger cousins blabbed the story and somehow
+Andy Reese found out about it. I just think it is awe-inspiring. When
+you look at her, you would never imagine that is her story.”
+
+At the Goetzmann’s
+
+Elizabeth – “I like your shirt.” She puts in a CD and Anna Nalick
+begins to play. She turns the volume down low so they can talk, “Do
+you like my hair?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, it looks fine, but I heard some of it got burned off.”
+
+Elizabeth – “It did, this is a wig. I’m glad you couldn’t tell. This
+wig is a little more blond than how I usually wear my hair. It’ll be
+months before my real hair grows back long enough. Will you keep my
+secret?”
+
+Joan – “Sure, I’m good at keeping secrets.”
+
+Elizabeth – “So, whatchabeen doing since you got kidnapped?”
+
+Joan gives her a look, because she can see she is smiling,
+“Housework, mostly. I got grounded for three weeks, but I spent this
+last week at Lake Nashman. I had a wonderful time.”
+
+Elizabeth – “You had everyone worried for awhile. Mom was watching
+the news when I got home. I’ve never gotten a hug like she gave me
+when I walked in the door.” She reconsiders for a few seconds, “Well,
+except for last Sunday. That was a biggest ever.”
+
+After the girls went upstairs, Wayne asked if anyone would like a
+drink. He and Will have a Sam Adams, and June and Helen drink
+homemade lemon-limeade. Helen has gone into the kitchen with June
+while she tends the stove. Wayne and Will are still in the living
+room.
+
+Wayne – “I already know a lot about you. I’ve seen you on the news a
+few times. Let me tell you about myself. We are originally from Fort
+Wayne, Indiana. We moved here about 10 years ago. I own a small
+business on South Clinton Street. We sell mobile homes and, more
+recently, modular homes. As you probably know, Arcadia doesn’t allow
+mobile homes within the city limits, so I built a mobile home park
+just east of town. It’s called Sandalwood Estates. Have you heard of
+it?”
+
+Will – “Yes, I’ve driven by it a few times.”
+
+Wayne – “Good, well, here is the part of the story that I assume you
+will like.” He pauses for a brief moment, “About two years ago, they
+annexed us into the city limits. Then I started receiving notices
+that I was in violation of this and didn’t have a permit for that and
+just everything you can imagine. I had all of my permits. They were
+registered with the county, but the City of Arcadia didn’t seem to
+care about that. The fines kept accumulating, and I refused to pay.
+It went on and on until finally, I reached the point where I was
+about to give up. I couldn’t afford to pay my lawyer anymore. Then
+guess what happened?”
+
+Will – “I don’t know, what?”
+
+Wayne – “You toppled the Arcadia City government, and the whole
+problem just went away. I thought about calling you then, but I put
+it off and never got around to it. I wish I had called. But at least
+you know the story now.”
+
+Will smiles. “Well, it is my honor to protect and serve.”
+
+Wayne – “Well, you sure did. I have two other parks, but they are far
+enough outside of the city limits that I shouldn’t have any trouble
+for years.” He pauses while he takes a drink of his beer, “Now, about
+me. Well, there’s June and Elizabeth. I know that sounds boring, but
+that’s all I care about. I play a little golf occasionally, and I
+enjoy playing Euchre, but that’s about it.”
+
+Will – “My son and I play golf occasionally. Maybe we could get
+together sometime.”
+
+Wayne – “That would be great! Elizabeth mentioned Joan had a brother
+after we talked. Luke is it? It will be fun.”
+
+Will – “I have another son. His name is Kevin. He’s the one who plays
+golf.”
+
+Wayne – “Oh, sorry, I didn’t know about him. Do you have any other
+children?”
+
+Will – “No, just Kevin, Joan, and Luke. What is Euchre?”
+
+Wayne – “It’s a card game my family has played for years. I was going
+to ask if you would like to play later, but it just kind of popped
+out now.”
+
+Will – “Yeah, sure. It has been quite a few years since Helen and I
+have played cards with friends, but you’ll have to teach us the
+game.”
+
+Wayne – “It’s not hard. It is sort of like Bridge.”
+
+June calls from the kitchen, “Wayne, it’s time to finish the steaks.”
+
+Wayne – “We are having porterhouses. I’ve cooked them all to
+medium-rare. They have been keeping warm in a warmer-steamer next to
+the grill. How would you like yours done?”
+
+Will – “Medium, with just a little pink in the middle.”
+
+Wayne excuses himself to finish the steaks. Helen and June have been
+talking in the kitchen, mostly about the meal that is being prepared.
+June mentioned that she works part-time helping with the
+administrative tasks of Wayne’s business. Just after she calls Wayne,
+she mentions she has another part-time job, “Go take a look at the
+painting in the living room.”
+
+Helen had noticed the painting before, but is now getting her first
+close look. She studies the painting and absorbs its beauty. Then she
+begins to look closer, examining the technique, the strokes, the use
+of blending, and other characteristics. She realizes and exclaims,
+“This is by Thomas Gainsborough!” She calls out to June, “Is this an
+original?”
+
+June enters the living room, “No, it’s a reproduction. It’s titled
+‘\ \ `Rocky Landscape with Hagar and
+Ishmael <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Gainsborough-RockylandscapewithHaga.jpg>`__\ .’
+That’s my other part-time job. I do contract work repairing and
+reconditioning paintings through the Arcadia Museum of Art. This one
+was damaged at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art in Tennessee in 2000.
+When I finished the repair, I painted this copy.”
+
+Helen – “You do such marvelous work! Why haven’t I heard of you?”
+
+June – “Oh, I don’t get to put my name on them. The paintings still
+belong to the original artist. There is a sticker on the back with my
+name and the date restored, but that’s it.”
+
+Helen – “But you are so good, why don’t you do your own work?”
+
+June – “I get to duplicate the masters. I am happy doing that.” .
+
+At the Restaurant
+
+Luke and Kevin are on their last serving of food. Kevin continues,
+“When Joan told me about her dreams, it reminded me of Cee-Cee. Both
+Cee-Cee and Joan have secrets that if revealed, would radically
+change their lives. In Cee-Cee’s case, maybe, maybe not, but she
+believes it. Cee-Cee just wanted to be free; and Joan, she just wants
+everyone to think she’s normal. They both just want an opportunity to
+live a normal life. So they carry their secrets. Now we have to carry
+their secrets, and I haven’t even mentioned Mom. All of those years
+of being afraid to tell anyone about her dreams. I just wonder how
+many other people there are like Mom, Joan, and Cee-Cee.” Kevin
+really wasn’t looking for Luke to answer. He was more thinking out
+loud. Kevin hands Luke a page from the newspaper, “Hey, here’s what
+we are doing next.” Luke unfolds it and Kevin points, “Read that
+article.”
+
+Luke reads the headline, “Local Inventor Sells Patent to Sealy Corp.”
+He reads on, “Dietrich Steinholz, a resident of Arcadia, recently
+sold his patent for a newly designed mattress coil system. A
+representative for Sealy Corporation stated ‘It will revolutionize
+the industry’. Dietrich Steinholz will be one of the featured
+speakers at the Arcadia College Science and Industry Fair on Saturday
+night. He will discuss his recent work, and also update his thoughts
+on String Theory since the 1975 publication of his book Positing The
+String Theory\ …” He looks at Kevin, “This is so cool! Is this where
+we’re going?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, I remembered you telling me that you had met him at
+the bookstore. Let’s head over to the college. I will probably be
+bored out of my mind, but I’m sure you will enjoy it.”
+
+Luke – “Thanks, Kevin.”
+
+At the Goetzmann’s
+
+Joan and Elizabeth are still talking. They have gone through quite a
+few subjects, from school last year to boys. The latter was a sore
+subject for Joan. Elizabeth had heard about Joan and Adam’s breakup
+with Bonnie as the other woman. Information like that always spreads
+like wildfire through a high school. She offered her condolences.
+
+Joan – “Adam and I are still friends, but it’s hard.”
+
+Elizabeth – “I really don’t know what to say. I feel bad for you.
+When Jim and I broke up, it was hard, but it was because he was a
+jerk and not because of someone else. I’ve been so busy studying for
+the play that I haven’t even tried to find a new boyfriend. Maybe
+when school starts we’ll both meet someone new?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, maybe, but I’m just not ready for anyone yet.”
+
+Elizabeth – “I hear you. You need to find something else to occupy
+your time. What do you like to do?”
+
+Joan ponders her question for a moment, “I recently started to learn
+yoga. I like it.”
+
+Elizabeth – “Then go for it. If you like it, then learn everything
+you can about it. It will give you something positive to pursue and
+keep your mind off the bad things.”
+
+Joan – “What would you like to do, other than sing and act?”
+
+Elizabeth – “I have started taking dance lessons. I’m not a bad
+dancer, but I’ve never had formal training. It’s just something that
+I want to learn because the day is coming when I’ll have to sing and
+dance, and I want to be ready.”
+
+Joan – “You really do love to perform.”
+
+Elizabeth – “That’s my passion. Isn’t it obvious?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah and you are good. Sometimes, I wish I had your ability.”
+
+Elizabeth – “You did good when you were in the chorus, and when you
+sang your song, it was beautiful. You have it. It’s there if you want
+it. You just need to tune it up.”
+
+Anna Nalick is on her second run through, so Elizabeth ejects it to
+change to something else, “Do you like country western?”
+
+Joan – “Not really. I like White Stripes, Mariah Carey, Kelly
+Clarkson.” She pauses to think, “I have actually been listening to a
+lot of old music lately. My Dad found a record/cassette/CD player and
+bought it. He has a lot of records that he hasn’t listened to in
+years. Anyway, I’ve been listening, too. Most of them are really
+awful, but some of them I like. He has an album by Bette Midler. I
+love her song, The Rose.”
+
+Elizabeth – “Sing it for me.”
+
+Joan – “No, I can’t.”
+
+Elizabeth – “Come on, it’s just you and me, I want to hear it.” Joan
+begins to sing.
+
+-----
+
+Some say love, it is a river
+that drowns the tender reed.
+Some say love, it is a razor
+that leaves your soul to bleed.
+Some say love, it is a hunger,
+an endless aching need.
+I say love, it is a flower,
+and you its only seed.
+
+*It’s the heart afraid of breaking
+that never learns to dance.
+It’s the dream afraid of waking
+that never takes the chance.
+It’s the one who won’t be taken,
+who cannot seem to give,
+and the soul afraid of dyin’
+that never learns to live.*
+
+*When the night has been too lonely
+and the road has been too long,
+and you think that love is only
+for the lucky and the strong,
+just remember in the winter
+far beneath the winter snows
+lies the seed that with the sun’s love
+in the spring becomes the rose.*
+
+Elizabeth – “That was really beautiful. See, I told you you could
+sing. I like the song too. My Dad has the album.”
+
+Joan – “Then why did you ask me to sing it?”
+
+Elizabeth giggles, “Because I wanted to hear you sing.”
+
+June calls up the stairs, “Time for dinner.”
+
+They all gather around the table.
+
+June – “Would you mind if we say a prayer before we begin?” Everyone
+gives their approval, “God is great, God is good, and we thank him
+for this food. By his hand we all are fed. Give us Lord, our daily
+bread. Bless our home with peace and love, and grant in Christ a home
+above. Amen.”
+
+Helen – “That was nice, do you belong to a church?”
+
+June – “Arcadia United Methodist.”
+
+Will – “Oh, I remember Reverend Yardley. That was so terrible. How is
+he doing?”
+
+June pauses before she responds, “Reverend Yardley never fully
+recovered from his injuries. He went to be with God last summer. We
+miss him a lot, but before he died, he found us a new minister. His
+name is Reverend Sharpton. He’s young, but we like him a lot.”
+
+Will – “I’m sorry to hear about Reverend Yardley.”
+
+June, wishing to change the subject, directs her question to either
+Elizabeth or Joan, “What have you two been doing?”
+
+Elizabeth – “Oh, just talking, listening to music. Joan sang me a
+song.”
+
+Helen – “What song?”
+
+Joan is totally embarrassed, “\ The Rose. I didn’t want to have to
+admit it, but I like some of Dad’s music.”
+
+Will smiles, “There’s nothing wrong with that. It just shows you have
+good taste.”
+
+Joan gives him half a smile, “ Well Elizabeth, you had better not let
+it get around school. I’m already a sub-defective. That’s your secret
+to keep.”
+
+Elizabeth – “I was about to tell you upstairs that I like all kinds
+of music. Well, except Rap. I just like real singing.” She pauses for
+a moment. “I listen to some of the old stuff too. I really like the
+Supremes, the Chilites, oh, and Lesley Gore, the Carpenters, Patsy
+Cline, the Everly Brothers, Peter Paul & Mary. I could go on and on.
+I’m not ashamed of it, but I’ll keep your secret if you want.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you.”
+
+Wayne has been sitting quietly, soaking it all in. He does that
+sometimes. He’s the kind of man who prefers to keep his mouth shut
+until he feels he has something worthwhile to say. “I don’t know what
+album you have, but I have Bette Midler’s Greatest Hits. There are
+other songs like From a Distance and Wind Beneath My Wings that I
+think you might enjoy as well. You are welcome to borrow it.”
+
+Joan – “No, I don’t think I should.”
+
+Wayne – “That sounds like a yes to me. I’ll get it for you after
+dinner.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, Mr. Goetzmann.”
+
+At the College
+
+Kevin and Luke arrive at the auditorium. There are not as many people
+there as they had expected. They are able to find seats near the
+front. A woman is speaking, but neither of them recognize her. Luke
+looks at the program. She is Susan Jordan. She is an ER technician at
+University Medical Center. She is explaining about the new medical
+equipment they have received and how it has improved medical
+treatment. Dietrich Steinholz is the next scheduled speaker.
+
+At the Goetzmann’s
+
+When dinner is over, Elizabeth and Joan help June and Helen with the
+dishes. Once they are nearly finished, June asks Elizabeth and Joan
+to finish up, “Come on, Helen. I have one more painting to show you.”
+She takes Helen up to her bedroom, “I like to see this one just
+before I go to sleep and the first thing when I wake up.”
+
+Helen – “You don’t have to tell me about this one. It is ‘\ \ `The
+Madonna and
+Child <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/TheMadonnaandChild-AndreaDelSarto.jpg>`__\ \ ’
+by Andrea del Sarto. How did you ever get the chance to restore this
+one?”
+
+June – “A buyer purchased it at Sotheby’s in January 2000. He kept it
+for a while, but then decided to have it restored. I bid on the
+contract, and I won! I really wasn’t expecting to win this one. Of
+course, this is another reproduction.”
+
+Helen – “It is just amazing! You have done such a wonderful job. I am
+so impressed.”
+
+June – “Thank you, Helen. Let’s go downstairs and play cards.”
+
+Helen is totally flabbergasted by June’s lackluster recognition of
+her own talent. She has only done one painting close to hers, and she
+turned that into ashes, “June, have you ever thought about teaching?”
+
+June – “I’ve tried, but I just can’t explain how I do it. Doing
+something and teaching others how to do it are two different things.
+Besides, I really enjoy the freedom to work when I want. That allows
+me to spend time with Wayne and Elizabeth.”
+
+Helen – “Well, the next time you decide it’s time to paint, let me
+know. I would love to watch over your shoulder. Maybe I can learn and
+pass it on to my students.”
+
+June – “I would enjoy that. Maybe you can put into words what I
+can’t.”
+
+At the College
+
+Dietrich Steinholz begins to speak, “I was asked to speak to you
+tonight about science and invention. Science is all around us. It is
+in everything we see and touch. Invention is just the application of
+science to create something new. Both are sometimes difficult
+concepts to understand and achieve.
+
+I am proud of my achievement with the new mattress design. Millions
+of people will now sleep better because of my invention. I know I
+have slept better since I started sleeping on my own mattress.
+However, there is also the practical side of the equation. In
+industry, for people to listen, there must be a practical application
+for your ideas. That is a hard reality that you must understand.
+
+There have been many times when I felt that I had a brilliant idea
+and nobody listened. That is the lesson I would like you to take away
+from here tonight. Never give up. Keep those ideas coming. Someday,
+somebody will listen. And when they do, then you will also have an
+opportunity to represent those ideas that were once ignored. I really
+do believe it all works out for the best in the end.
+
+The program says that I will also speak about string theory. The only
+new idea I have been pondering lately has been one presented by a
+young man I see in the audience tonight. We have a small group here
+tonight. For those of you who are interested, I will be in room 21b
+for a discussion of the subject after I leave the stage. Thank you.”
+
+After Mr. Steinholz leaves the stage, Luke and Kevin proceed to room
+21b. On the door they see stenciled, Professor Steinholz.
+
+Professor Steinholz – “Luke, it is great to see you again. Come have
+a seat.”
+
+Luke – “It’s good to see you again, too.” He ponders for a moment,
+“How did you know my name?”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “I will explain that in a minute. Who is your
+friend?”
+
+Luke – “This is my brother, Kevin.”
+
+Professor Steinholz offers a greeting, and they gather around a
+table, “After our meeting at the bookstore, I began to wonder about
+what you had proposed in your submission for the Hawking Award. I
+know a member of the panel, so I was able to get a copy of your
+submission. This is how I learned your name. Your hypothesis is
+brilliant, but I believe some of the assumptions used in your formula
+may need to be adjusted. I would like to discuss them with you.”
+
+Luke – “Great, which assumptions?”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “I don’t have my notes with me tonight. Perhaps
+we could get together tomorrow and discuss it. Are you free?”
+
+Luke – “Free as a bird.”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “Here is what I propose. We get together
+tomorrow afternoon and discuss your hypothesis and my concerns about
+some of the variables. Then we follow it up with dinner at Don
+Thornberry’s, my treat. You deserve it.”
+
+Luke – “That sounds great, but I’ll have to get my parents’
+permission.”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “I certainly expected that. Would you like me
+to call them or for them to call me?”
+
+Luke – “Why don’t I talk to them and have them call you.”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “Good.” He writes his home phone number on his
+business card. “I will be home tomorrow morning waiting for their
+call.”
+
+At the Goetzmann’s
+
+They started the card game by explaining the rules followed by a few
+hands played with everyone’s cards showing. That way, they could
+explain the different strategies available to them. Of course, Wayne
+and June were playing quite well, but Will and Helen quickly caught
+on to the game. It wasn’t long before they won their first set.
+
+Joan and Elizabeth are in the living room. Elizabeth found the Bette
+Midler album and Joan is especially enjoying the songs she hasn’t
+heard before. Elizabeth begins to do a warm up routine she learned at
+dance class. Joan observes that it is different, yet similar, to the
+exercises she does for yoga. She begins to mimic Elizabeth’s moves.
+Soon, they begin to chortle as they actually anticipate each other’s
+moves. Wind Beneath My Wings begins to play on the stereo. The living
+room becomes like a chorus of swans readying for a ballet. Outside, a
+man walks by the window with a herd of dogs. He stops and smiles for
+a moment. Then the tempo changes as Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy begins to
+play. They breakout into a makeshift swing dance. The laughing
+continues until the album reaches its end.
+
+Helen – “Well, it’s getting late, and I have to go to church in the
+morning.”
+
+June – “I’ve enjoyed our evening, but we have church in the morning,
+too.” They gather their things and collect by the door.
+
+Wayne – “I enjoyed our visit. Let’s do it again sometime soon.”
+
+Will – “I had a good time, too.”
+
+Elizabeth – “Oh, Joan, don’t forget the album.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks Elizabeth and Mr. Goetzmann, but I’ll be okay. I think
+I will have the music in my head for a long time to come.”
+
+They depart and the evening comes to a close.
+
+At Home
+
+Everyone is up early, even though only Helen and Kevin will be
+leaving. Kevin will be attending Mass with Helen and Lilly. He has
+decided to make this concession to take a look, but also because he
+knows that Lilly probably had an exciting evening last night watching
+reruns of T. J. Hooker or something. Kevin has been reading the
+newspaper, but also listening to the conversations. The weekend
+newspapers are the only ones Kevin bothers to read anymore. For all
+other days of the week, he has already read most of the stories.
+
+Luke has been begging to be able to go over to Professor Steinholz’s
+to spend the afternoon and dinner. Both Helen and Will are concerned
+because they know nothing about this man.
+
+Luke – “I really want to go. It’s a great opportunity to talk to a
+real scientist.”
+
+Kevin – “I met him, too. He seems like a real nice guy, and he is a
+professor.”
+
+Helen – “Well, Professor Rader seemed like a real nice guy too, until
+they found out he was the BTK killer. Luke, you can’t go.”
+
+Lilly has just arrived and she, Helen, and Kevin prepare to leave for
+the church. Before they leave, Kevin informs Joan of an article he
+just read, “Take a look at the Milton Library story in the Arts and
+Culture section.” They depart for the church.
+
+This seemed to put an end to Luke’s desires to meet with Professor
+Steinholz. Will can see the disappointment on his face and decides
+upon a compromise, “Why don’t you see if he can come over here? Let
+us meet him and if we think he’s okay, we’ll let you know about
+dinner.” Luke is thrilled. He is also looking forward to dinner, but
+being able to discuss string theory with Professor Steinholz is what
+he is looking forward to the most.
+
+Joan begins to read the article Kevin that alluded to, ‘Milton
+Library Selects Sculpture.’ She reads on, ‘Earlier this summer, the
+library staff solicited submissions for a new sculpture to be place
+outside of the entrance to the library. The theme was required to be
+in regard to reading. Adam Rove of Arcadia made the winning
+submission. Adam is a student at Arcadia High School. The piece is
+entitled, Mother and Child. Further details of the sculpture will
+remain secret until its unveiling in a few months’.
+
+Joan is happy for Adam, but she is also left to wonder, ‘Why hadn’t
+he mentioned his submission to her?’ This is something he would have
+told her in the past. Once again, the confused feelings of her broken
+heart versus the longing for the closeness they once shared begin to
+torment her. Should she call him or should she wait until she sees
+him again, whenever that is? Confusion reigns. She decides to
+practice her yoga. That always seems to ease her mind.
+
+Luke has been on the phone with Professor Steinholz. He has agreed to
+come there and will arrive about one o’clock. Luke gives Will the
+good news.
+
+Will – “Well, that gives me some time to listen to music.” He puts a
+record on the phonograph and
+a\ `song <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/51243773/c697fe78/Uriah_Heap_-_Rainbow_Demon__Clip_.%20mp3>`__\ begins
+to play.
+
+*There rides the rainbow demon
+*On* his horse of crimson fire.
+Black shadows are following closely
+*On* the heels of his desire…*
+
+Joan – “God, what is that?”
+
+Will – “Uriah Heep, great, huh? The whole album is mystical.”
+
+Joan – “Well, get rid of it! I’m practicing my yoga, and I was here
+first.”
+
+Will – “Why can’t you do that upstairs?”
+
+Joan – “I need to watch the tape. Put on something else or turn it
+off.”
+
+Will grumbles to himself, “Can’t even listen to music in my own
+home.” He leafs through the albums, finds another one, and
+another\ `song <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/13060793/6e7c91a0/The_Carpenters_-_Weve_Only_Just_Begun.%20mp3>`__\ begins
+to play.
+
+*We’ve only just begun to live,
+White lace and promises
+A kiss for luck and we’re on our way.
+And yes, we’ve just begun.*
+
+*Before the rising sun we fly,
+So many roads to choose
+We start our walking and learn to run…*
+
+Joan – “Okay, I can live with that.” She continues her routine. The
+yoga is having its usual calming effect, but the music is doing just
+the opposite. It’s making her sad. She decides it’s time to get
+cleaned up before Mr. Scientist arrives. Unfortunately, she finds
+Luke has beaten her to it, “Save me some hot water, Squidboy.” She
+sits on her bed and stares at the phone. Minutes seem like hours. She
+makes the call.
+
+Carl Rove – “Rove residence.”
+
+Joan – “Hello, Mr. Rove, this is Joan Girardi. May I speak to Adam?”
+
+Carl Rove – “Sure, it’ll be just a minute; I have to go get him.” He
+lays down the phone and in a few minutes, Adam picks up, “Hi, Joan,
+what’s up?”
+Joan – “I read in the paper this morning about you doing the
+sculpture for the library. Congratulations.”
+
+Adam – “ Thank, you. I was surprised that I won.”
+
+Joan – “Why didn’t you tell me about it?”
+
+He pauses before he responds, “I was going to, but…” He trails off.
+
+Joan – “But what?”
+
+Adam – “The Jane thing.That was the last thing we had that was just
+ours. It really hurt. I still…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “Wait a minute, you’re hurt? Hey, it wasn’t me who
+dipped the donkey with Bonnie. I spent all last week trying to ignore
+it, but it’s still there. How could you do that to me?!!! You are not
+the victim here! I’m sorry I called.”
+
+She hangs up the phone. Now she’s mad at Adam and even madder at
+herself, because she didn’t want it to go this way. The conflict
+within her is making her an emotional wreck.
+
+To the rescue, Luke finally exits the bathroom. Joan rushes in to
+hide her tears in the shower. ‘Olay your troubles away!’ If only it
+worked.
+
+Helen, Lilly, and Kevin return home. Helen is surprised to see Luke
+dusting the living room furniture, “What’s the occasion?”
+
+Luke – “Ah, Dad has something to tell you.” He scurries toward the
+kitchen with the cleaning supplies to put them away. He passes Will,
+who is walking toward the living room, “Did you have a nice service?”
+
+Helen – “Yes, it was good. What do you have to tell me?”
+
+Will – “Why don’t we go up to our room? We can talk while you
+change.”
+
+Helen takes the hint and knows that she is not likely to like what he
+is about to tell her. They head upstairs.
+
+Kevin and Lilly are curious, but know this is an occasion to keep
+their mouth shut. They sit on the couch and Kevin picks up the
+newspaper, “There are some movies we could go see, but I’m not sure
+there are any we would both like. There’s War of the Worlds. Looks
+like a lot of action and visual effects. Tom Cruise stars.”
+
+Lilly – “I don’t know about that one. I don’t like scary movies.”
+
+Kevin – “Okay, there’s…”
+
+Joan comes downstairs, “Hi Kevin, Lilly, whatcha doing?”
+
+Kevin – “Figuring out something to do today.”
+
+Joan – “Well, have fun. I have to work.” She begins to leave, but
+turns around and comes back, “Lilly, I need to talk to Kevin, and
+it’s kind of personal. Can I borrow him for a few minutes?”
+
+Lilly – “Sure, I need something to drink anyway.” She departs for the
+kitchen.
+
+Joan – “Kevin, I need some advice… help really. I’m all mixed up and
+I don’t know what to do.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, you’re going to have to be more specific than that.
+Let me guess… Adam?”
+
+Joan – “How did you know?”
+
+Kevin – “It was just a guess. I expected there might be trouble when
+I learned he would be there with the Polonsky’s.”
+
+Joan – “I thought I was over it, but it’s all come back now. I just
+hurt so bad. How did you make it through it after Beth?”
+
+Kevin – “I did what you suggested. I stayed in the game.”
+
+Joan – “I know I said that, but… I still love him, but when I think
+about what he did… it just tears me apart. I’m all mixed up, and
+don’t know what to do.”
+
+Kevin – “I can’t tell you what to do, but you have to find a way to
+get past this. It has to be your choice. I don’t know what else to
+say.” He takes her in his arms to try to comfort her. “Think about
+it. When you decide what you want to do, come back and we’ll talk
+some more.”
+
+Upstairs, Helen is changing, “What is it that I don’t want to know
+about?”
+
+Will – “I’ve invited Professor Steinholz to come here to meet with
+Luke.”
+
+Helen – “I thought we already decided Luke wasn’t going?”
+
+Will – “That’s because we don’t know him. Luke thinks he’s okay and
+so does Kevin. We’ll have him here and we can both talk to him. If we
+still don’t trust him, then dinner is off.”
+
+Helen is not happy. She almost always wins the arguments when it
+comes to the children, “Okay, but you are wearing your gun today.”
+
+Will almost laughs, but limits himself to a smile, “Okay, if it will
+make you happy.”
+
+When Lilly enters the kitchen, she finds Luke adding sugar to a
+gallon of tea, “Hey, can I have some?”
+
+Luke – “Sure, I have two more gallons in the works in the backyard.”
+
+Lilly – “Sun tea is the best kind. So what’s the occasion?”
+
+Luke – “Well, Dad let me invite Professor Steinholz over.”
+
+Lilly – “Yeah, I think I caught the tail end of that conversation.
+The BTK killer?”
+
+Luke – “No, he’s a real nice guy. They’ll see.”
+
+Joan comes into the kitchen, “He’s all yours, thanks.”
+
+Lilly – “Hey, if you ever want to talk about something, I’m here.
+Just want you to know that.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, Lilly. Did you bring Mom home with you?”
+
+Lilly – “Yeah, Helen and your father are talking upstairs. Ask Luke.”
+
+Joan – “Never mind, I know what they are talking about.”
+
+Lilly rejoins Kevin on the couch, “So, are there any other movies you
+would like to see?”
+
+Kevin – “Well, not really, but I have found something else. The Hogan
+County Fair opened yesterday. There are a lot of things to see and
+do. It’s been a long time since I’ve had funnel cake. You wanna go?”
+
+Lilly – “Sure, it sounds like fun.”
+
+Will and Helen return downstairs. Helen invites them all to lunch.
+Will put a deli ham in the oven earlier to heat for sandwiches. They
+all gather around the table.
+
+Helen – “Luke, your father and I have decided to talk to Mr.
+Steinholz, and if he seems okay, we’ll let you go to dinner.”
+
+Luke – “Thanks, you’ll see he’s a really nice guy.”
+
+Kevin – “Lilly and I are going to the county fair. We probably won’t
+be back for dinner.”
+
+Helen – “Will and I are going to the school board meeting, Joan is
+working, and if Luke has dinner with Mr. Steinholz, no one will be
+here anyway. There will be ham and other leftovers if anyone is
+hungry when they come home.”
+
+After lunch, Kevin and Lilly leave for the fair. When Professor
+Steinholz arrives, Luke introduces him to Will, Helen, and Joan. Joan
+almost immediately excuses herself, “I have to catch the bus. It was
+nice meeting you.”
+
+Will and Helen sit down and have a chat with Dietrich. They learn he
+has been an assistant professor at Arcadia College for many years. He
+has just received his full-time appointment. Until recently, he also
+worked part-time selling mattresses at Mattress World. He is a
+widower whose wife died in 1981. He spends most of his time with his
+work. He does have a longtime girlfriend. She is Susan Jordan, the
+one who was speaking before him last night.
+
+At the Bookstore
+
+Joan has been busy doing the inventory, boxing up the remainders, and
+unloading stock. There were quite a few customers when she first
+started, but there is no longer anyone else in the store. She is
+reading by the cash register, waiting for 7 o’clock to roll around so
+she can go home. The door chimes as a customer walks in, “Hi Joanie!”
+He continues walking back into the store.
+
+Joan drops her head into her hands, “Oh God!” She gets up to find out
+where he has gone.
+
+God – “I’ve been meaning to brush up on my Shakespeare. So many
+things to choose, so many words of wisdom, take this one for example.
+
+*Love is a smoke made with the fumes of sighs;
+Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes;
+Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers’ tears;
+What is it else? A madness most discreet,
+A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.*
+
+Isn’t that just so beautiful?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, just what I needed. So, are you going to lecture me
+now?”
+
+God – “That spiritual spinach has come back, Joanie. You need to
+clean it up.”
+
+Joan – “God, I’ve tried, but I just can’t get past it.”
+
+God – “What about your dreams?”
+
+Joan – “What about them? I haven’t had one, not one about Adam.”
+
+God – “That’s my point. Why do you think that is?”
+
+Joan wonders for a moment, “I don’t know.”
+
+God – “Your dreams are a result of choices you have made. You haven’t
+yet made one about Adam.”
+
+Joan – “What’s the hurry? I’m only seventeen. Am I supposed to be
+choosing a husband already?”
+
+God – “It’s not about marriage or even dating. I am talking about
+your feelings. You are letting your pain control your actions. It’s
+clouding your judgment. You need to learn to deal with pain. It
+affects a lot more than just you and Adam.”
+
+Joan ponders what God has said. She almost wishes he would make the
+decision for her, because it is torturing her so.
+
+God – “Changing the subject here, so don’t get confused. Do you
+remember our discussion after you first started AP Chemistry?”
+
+Joan – “Sort of, I won’t always know why you ask me to do things.”
+
+God – “And what else?”
+
+Joan considers God’s question, “I don’t remember.”
+
+God – “The smallest catalyst can set off the most mind-boggling chain
+reactions. This is not for now, it’s for later.” He hands her the
+copy of Romeo and Juliet, “Can you gift wrap this for me?”
diff --git a/05-TheOutingPart2.rst b/05-TheOutingPart2.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3027b71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/05-TheOutingPart2.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1179 @@
+Episode 3.05, The Outing, Part 2
+--------------------------------
+
+At Home
+
+Joan has been inquiring about yoga classes on the phone in her room.
+Elizabeth’s comment has really resonated with her, “If you like
+something, then learn everything you can about it. It will give you
+something positive to pursue and keep your mind off the bad things.”
+And of course, the bad thing is what God was talking about.
+
+Will and Lilly are finishing dinner preparations. The main course is
+Will’s calzone pie. He took today off from work and has been spending
+the day preparing it from scratch. Lilly has prepared her
+grandmother’s special seasoning mix and is making the salad.
+
+Will – “Helen, please call the kids for dinner.”
+
+At the table, Helen begins, “Lilly, would you say the prayer for us
+today?”
+
+Lilly – “Rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub, Yea God.” She pauses to
+check the expression on everyone’s face.
+
+Helen – “Lilly, please.”
+
+As she expected, everyone but Helen is smiling. Will is especially
+amused by the exchange. He has actually come to enjoy Lilly’s warped
+sense of humor. He was never keen on the resumption of the dinner
+prayer in the first place, but he agreed because, well, he had to.
+When he told Kevin that all you have is family, he meant it, and even
+though he enjoys his career, his family is his reason for living.
+Lately, Helen and Joan are always talking about God. Even Kevin is
+joining in, because he is in love with a former nun. What can he do?
+This is a freight train that he must either get on or be left behind,
+and being left behind is not an option. Is it sinking in? Is he being
+converted? Maybe, maybe not, but at least now he listens.
+
+Lilly - “What makes you think God doesn’t have a sense of humor?” She
+pauses for an answer, but there is none, “Okay, for real this time.
+Bless us Oh Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive
+through thy bounty through Christ Our Lord, Amen.”
+
+Helen – “Thank you.”
+
+Will stands up and proceeds around the table, pouring red wine into
+everyone’s glass. “Your mother has an announcement to make; and I
+believe you will all be pleased.” He returns to his seat.
+
+Helen – “As most of you know, the school board cut the funding for
+the art classes last year. I have really been upset about it. We
+never asked for that much in the first place. When they cut my
+budget, they increased the budget for the sports program. It just
+infuriated me with its unfairness. So last night, your father and I
+attended the school board meeting. When I got up to the podium, I was
+scared to death. I began by being very polite, explaining how art was
+an important subject for the students to learn. Then Ryan Hunter
+interrupted me, saying that sports were more important.”
+
+Will interjects, “And then she really gave them hell!”
+
+Helen – “Okay, I lost it. I told them just what I thought and
+threatened to quit if they didn’t restore the funding for art. The
+chairman thanked me and adjourned the meeting for a ten-minute
+recess. The members of the board all left for another room. I was so
+scared, because I have really come to love teaching art. When they
+came back, they called me up to the front. The chairman announced
+that they had agreed to restore 75% of the funding that was cut last
+year. It was also wonderful to see the disgruntled look on Ryan
+Hunter’s face.”
+
+Everyone begins to offer their congratulations, but Helen interrupts,
+“Wait, there’s more!” She pauses for a moment, “After the meeting, a
+woman came up to me. She said that she was a representative of the
+local 340 teachers’ union. She told me that I had stolen her thunder.
+She had planned to speak on the same subject. Art teachers everywhere
+in the county were upset. She congratulated me and said that now she
+would have to go back to picking on Gavin Price…”
+
+Joan busts out laughing. Everyone looks at her strange because it was
+funny, but not that funny, “I’m sorry, I know this woman. I met her
+once at school. And she really does love to pull Price’s chain!”
+
+Joan calms down and, once again, everyone offers their
+congratulations, but this time they follow it by clicking their wine
+glasses together.
+
+Joan – “Mom, congratulations, really. If I had known you were going
+to talk, I would have taken off work last night. I’ll bet Adam will
+be pleased when he hears about it.”
+
+Helen – “Adam already knows. He and Mr. Rove were at the meeting. We
+talked afterwards.”
+
+Joan is once again taken aback by learning something about Adam
+through someone else. Her inner turmoil continues.
+
+Luke – “That’s great, Mom. Grace will be impressed, standing up to
+the imperialist regime!”
+
+Lilly – “Well, I’m glad you’ve gotten past your martyr phase. Some
+things are worth fighting for.”
+
+Kevin – “That’s great Mom. Did we get a paper today? I’d like to see
+if they wrote about it.”
+
+Helen – “I think it’s in the living room. So Joan, tell us about your
+day.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I spent most of it in my room. I have been calling
+everywhere trying to find a cheap yoga class. I really like yoga now,
+but I want to learn more. I’m doing something wrong. I want to learn
+to do it right.”
+
+Helen – “I’ve seen you practicing. You seem to be doing fine to me.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I’m not. I’m missing something. I just can’t figure it
+out and that brings me to my next subject. I was going to wait until
+later, but now is as good a time as any.” She pauses trying to find
+the right words, but blurts out, “I need my allowance back! I just
+don’t make enough at the bookstore, and even if I find a class, I
+won’t have enough money to pay for it. Mom, Dad, pleee-heeez!”
+
+Will – “Your mother and I have already discussed it. I’ll give you
+this week’s allowance after dinner.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
+
+Helen – “Marlene from the office mentioned once that she takes yoga
+classes through her church… St. Michael’s Episcopal, I think. I’ll
+call her and find out more about it.”
+
+Joan – “Where’s St. Michael’s?”
+
+Helen – “It’s across town, but you can take the bus. I'm not even
+sure the classes are at the church. It was just something she
+mentioned in passing, and it was months ago. I’ll call her later and
+get the details.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, remember, cheap, cheap, cheap.”
+
+Helen – “Luke, how was your day?”
+
+Luke – “Friedman and I went to the arcade this morning and played
+video games. Later, we went to his house and played a new game that
+he downloaded from the Internet. It’s called Phantom Warrior… really
+cool! Then we just messed around with his computer and talked for
+awhile.”
+
+Helen – “Lilly?”
+
+Lilly – “Oh, I just worked with the slimes restoring a house on Fay
+Street. We just started this one. The plumbing is shot. We’ll have to
+completely rebuild the bathroom. But I found a plumber to do the work
+at cost.”
+
+Helen – “Kevin?”
+
+Kevin – “I took today off from work and went shopping. I needed some
+new clothes. I have to show you the shirt I found on sale. It’s
+Hawaiian-like. It’s white with big red flowers on it. I thought it
+would make a good golfing shirt.”
+
+Will – “We haven’t done that together in a while. Wayne Goetzmann
+plays golf. Why don’t the three of us set it up?”
+
+Helen – “Will?”
+
+Will – “I had a meeting with the County Commissioner a few weeks ago.
+The governor has authorized them to reinstate the Arcadia City
+Council. They have written a new city charter. There will be a
+referendum in September. City elections will follow.” He pauses and
+takes a drink of wine.
+
+“They are looking for a new Chief of Police, and he offered me the
+job. I was surprised, because I expected the job to be offered to Roy
+Roebuck, but Roy has decided instead to accept a newly created
+position as County Fire Chief. Roy and I talked later, and he is
+looking forward to his new position.” He pauses once again.
+
+“This left me really torn. Being Chief of Police wasn’t the most
+pleasant part of my career, but I have been giving it some serious
+thought. Now that the administration of the city has been cleaned up,
+I think things will be different. It will be as it should have been
+in the first place. I have decided to accept the position.”
+
+Everyone spontaneously cheers and offers their congratulations.
+
+Kevin – “It’s strange I didn’t hear something at the paper. Stuff
+like that is usually leaked.”
+
+Will – “I’m surprised you didn’t hear it either, but I’m glad I could
+make this a surprise. They will have a press conference tomorrow to
+make the official announcement.”
+
+Helen – “We have been bursting to tell everyone, but we thought it
+was best to tell you tonight along with the school news. Both make
+for a great celebration.”
+
+A sly grin forms across Joan’s face, “Let’s have some more wine to
+celebrate.” They all laugh and Will walks around the table filling
+everyone’s glass again.
+
+Will – “Celebrate indeed, but Joan and Luke, this is it for the
+night.”
+
+Later that evening, Helen talks to Joan, “I called Marlene. The class
+is at St. Michael’s, in their basement. It’s on Wednesday and Friday
+mornings at 6:30.”
+
+Joan – “Why so early? I’ll have to leave while it’s still dark.”
+
+Helen – “They do it early so people can still get to work on time. We
+can let you use the car if you need it, and the bus might run early
+enough. We’ll have to check.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks Mom, I really do want this.”
+
+Helen – “They don’t charge a fee. They accept donations. The
+donations go to the church and charity. Your father and I will give
+you an extra ten dollars with your allowance for the class. Oh, and
+your father thought he had cash for your allowance, but he forgot he
+used it to buy groceries today. I’ll go to a teller and give you your
+allowance in the morning.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, again thanks.” She gives her a big hug, “Well, I have to
+go to bed now. I think I’m drunk.” Helen tucks her in and gives her a
+kiss goodnight. Joan falls asleep within minutes.
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The next morning, Helen returns from the bank teller and from running
+other errands. Joan is on the couch, nursing a hangover and
+struggling through Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica. “Mom, I have no
+clue of what he’s talking about!”
+
+Helen – “What are you reading?” Joan flips over the book to show her
+the cover, “Five reasoned proofs for the existence of God. Let’s talk
+about it. I’ve had some difficulty with it, too.”
+
+Joan – “I kind of like that part of it the best. Hey, maybe we should
+have Luke read it. When I first started thinking about God, I asked
+Luke what he believed. He said it was logical to assume God existed.
+‘Nothing is too wonderful to be true,’ I’ll never forget that. This
+book is probably one that he would have no trouble understanding.
+Then he can explain it to us.”
+
+Helen – “Not a bad idea!I like talking about these books, too.” Helen
+thinks to herself about how she loves talking to Joan about anything.
+The reading binge that Joan has been on has really allowed them to
+get closer. And now, maybe Luke, too! She thanks God for that, even
+though she doesn’t know it was actually God who asked Joan to do the
+reading. “I have your allowance.” She hands Joan a teller envelope.
+
+Joan – “Mom, this is too much. You counted wrong.”
+
+Helen – “No, I didn’t. Your father and I also decided to give you a
+raise.”
+
+Joan – “Wow, thanks! I really need a new pair of sneakers. These are
+okay for around the house, but I need something better for in public.
+Wanna go shopping? We can go to the outlet mall and be back before
+Dad’s speech.”
+
+Helen – “I have laundry and dishes to do, we really shouldn’t.”
+
+Joan – “Come on, I can help you with that later. It’ll be fun, a
+mother-daughter outing.” Joan turns on her little girl look and gives
+Helen the sad puppy face.
+
+Helen – “Okay, I guess the laundry and kitchen can wait. Help me
+bring in the rest of the groceries.”
+
+At the Sheriff’s Station
+
+Will returns to his office to find Michael Daghlian is waiting for
+him. After they exchange pleasantries, Mike asks for his job back. He
+explains that he’s been working in Connersburg and that his police
+chief will give him a good recommendation, “Will, I know I screwed
+up, but I’m asking for another chance. I’ll make it right.”
+
+Will is torn. He knows Mike is a good cop, but he broke the rules.
+But with his coming promotion, there will be an opening in the
+detective bureau. It could take months to fill. “I’ll see what I can
+do. I’ll call you when I know something.” They again exchange
+pleasantries and Michael leaves. Will then calls Carlisle into his
+office for their scheduled meeting.
+
+Will – “Carlisle, tell me how your investigation on the paint from
+the St. Peter’s Church vandalism is proceeding.”
+
+Carlisle – “The paint balloons were probably homemade, filled with a
+quick drying marine paint and diluted with paint thinner. It’s odd
+that the perp used marine paint. It is twice as expensive as house
+paint and house paint would have done the trick just as well. I have
+checked all of the marine supply stores and body shops as far out as
+Millersville. No one can recall anyone asking for cans in all of
+these colors, and none can remember anyone asking for pink. There are
+a couple of stores near the marina in Connersburg, but that’s getting
+pretty far away.”
+
+While Carlisle is speaking, Roy Roebuck appears at the door. Will
+motions for him to come in and have a seat.
+
+Will – “Yeah, but Millersville is about halfway between here and
+there. Why don’t you give Mike Daghlian a call?” He gives Carlisle
+his cell phone number, “Ask him check it out.”
+
+Carlisle – “On it boss. Hi, Roy.” Roy gives a wave and Carlisle
+leaves.
+
+Roy – “Mike Daghlian? I haven’t heard that name in a while.”
+
+Will – “Well, he just paid me a visit. He wants his old job back”
+
+Roy – “He was a good cop. I never did learn why he was let go.”
+
+Will – “Well, that’s not important. I think I’m going to hire him
+back. I don’t think I’m likely to find someone else with his
+qualifications. What do you think?”
+
+Roy – “Hey, you’re the new chief. It’s your call.”
+
+Will – “I just meant that you have known him longer. I would like to
+hear your thoughts.”
+
+Roy – “Well, I was in Internal Affairs then, but I can tell you his
+name never crossed my desk, at least, nothing bad. He was clean.”
+
+Will – “I’ll call his police chief right away. Are you ready for the
+press conference?”
+
+Roy – “I hate giving speeches. At least it will be short. You?”
+
+Will – “Yeah, I’ve gone over what I plan to say.”
+
+At the Theater
+
+Luke and Grace are leaving the theater. Luke had to drag her to see
+War of the Worlds. Luke loved the book and the first movie and didn’t
+want to miss it.
+
+Luke – “That was so cool! The visual effects were fantastic, and I’ve
+always liked Tom Cruise. Who was that girl? I’ve seen her before.”
+
+Grace – “Dakota something. She’s been in a lot of stuff, but you
+remember her from that Taken mini-series.”
+
+Luke – “You’re right! I haven’t watched that in awhile. I have it all
+on tape.”
+
+Grace – “Don’t remind me, and don’t even ask me to watch it again.
+What was it, twelve hours?”
+
+Luke – “Closer to fifteen.Spielberg did that one, too.”
+
+Grace – “Well, enough aliens already. It’s my turn. Let’s go feed the
+ducks.”
+
+Luke – “I would never have imagined that this was something you liked
+to do.”
+
+Grace – “And if you tell anyone, I’ll kick your ass. I don’t want
+everyone thinking I’m this touchy-feely girl. Just keep your mouth
+shut and no one will get hurt.”
+
+Luke – “Grace, it’s okay, really. I like ducks, too.”
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Kevin is struggling through his fact checking. He’s just not in the
+mood today, but he knows that he has to get it done. Suddenly, Adam
+is standing there. He hadn’t noticed him approaching.
+
+Adam – “Hi, Kevin, do you have a minute?”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, I need a break anyway. What’s new?”
+
+Adam – “I need some advice.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, I’m not sure you have come to the right place. What
+about?”
+
+Adam – “It’s Joan.”
+
+Kevin – “Whoa!Let’s not go there. I don’t mess in my sister’s
+business.”
+
+Adam – “But I still love her, and I want to win her back.”
+
+Kevin – “Hey, when you cheat on a girl, you always get caught.”
+
+Adam – “She told you?”
+
+Kevin – “No, Luke did. Joan hasn’t said a word. In fact, she has
+refused to tell anyone. You hurt her Adam… really bad.”
+
+Adam – “I know, I just… I just wasn’t thinking straight. How can I
+fix this?”
+
+Kevin – “You may not be able to. When I cheated on...” He pauses to
+look around, “When I cheated on Rebecca, that was it. You and Joan
+may be the same.”
+
+Adam – “But if you really wanted to make it right, what would you
+do?”
+
+Kevin looks at Adam and can tell that he is sincere. He thinks for a
+moment, “Well, you need to show her you really care for her, but not
+in words. Take an interest in the things she likes. Make it so you
+have common interests. Things like that.”
+
+Adam – “She hasn’t been talking to me much. What has she been doing?”
+
+Kevin – “She’s into yoga now, and she’s been reading a lot of
+religious books. That’s all I can think of.”
+
+Adam – “What books?”
+
+Kevin – “Oh, there have been a lot. She read St. Augustine’s
+Confessions. She and mom talked about that a lot. I saw her with
+Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica when I left this morning.” Kevin
+pauses, “Tell you what. I’ll make a list and give it to you
+tomorrow.”
+
+Adam – “Thanks, Kevin.I’ll get copies of those first two books
+tonight.”
+
+At the Shoe Outlet
+
+Joan – “Look at these, they’re perfect!”
+
+Helen – “I thought you were going to buy sneakers?”
+
+Joan – “Mom, I just need them for walking. I’m not doing track. These
+are perfect!”
+
+Helen – “They remind me of a pair I used to have years ago… Keds, I
+think.”
+
+Joan – “Well, they are on sale, and I’m getting them. What do you
+think, plain white or white with little flowers?”
+
+Helen – “I would get the plain white, but the flowers are pretty.”
+
+Joan – “I think so, too. Flowers it is.”
+
+Joan pays for her shoes, and they head for home.
+
+Helen – “Are you hungry?”
+
+Joan – “Starving!I only had orange juice and a couple of Pop-Tarts
+for breakfast.” She looks at several of the restaurants in the mall
+complex, “Have you tried Chick Filet?”
+
+Helen sees the sign, “No, I haven’t. Good thing it’s not Sunday.
+Let’s get something for the drive home.”
+
+At the Duck Pond
+
+Grace – “Luke, we need to talk about something, and I need you to
+take this the right way.”
+
+Luke immediately becomes worried. This sounds like a break-up line.
+“Talk about what?”
+
+Grace – “I really like you, but we are spending way too much time
+together. I think we should cool it for awhile.”
+
+Luke is devastated now, believing that he knows what’s coming next,
+“But I really like you, too. What have I done wrong?”
+
+Grace – “It’s not you, it’s me. I need space in my life for other
+things … for friends.”
+
+Luke – “ Are you breaking up with me? Is there someone else?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, Joan.”
+
+Luke – “You mean you really are gay?”
+
+Grace – “No, Friedman is the only one who believes that. I’m as
+straight as you. But Joan, she’s my best friend, and I want to spend
+more time with her. I really miss that.”
+
+Luke is relieved. He thought it was over, “No problem, I understand,
+we can plan our days together and with friends. I can deal with
+that.”
+
+Grace – “ Thank you. I wasn’t sure how you would take it.”
+
+On the Interstate
+
+Joan is driving just below the speed limit in the right lane. The
+other lane is speeding by, since few people in Maryland seem to obey
+the speed limit. Occasionally, drivers grimace at Grandma Joan as
+they go by. Joan and Helen are talking and enjoying their sandwiches.
+
+A truck struggles ahead as it also climbs the incline in the road. It
+is carrying a load of bricks for a construction site just outside of
+Arcadia. As Joan begins to pass, a strap securing the load breaks. It
+slings like a catapult, sending its buckle crashing through the
+windshield. Joan swerves to the left, but the truck and car are now
+anchored. The jostling causes more straps to break and bricks begin
+pelting the car and the road. Debris slashes a tire and Joan loses
+control. As the car flips, Joan screams and the roar of the truck’s
+tires fades to silence.
+
+At Arcadia’s City County Building
+
+Will steps up to the podium, “It will once again be my honor to serve
+as the Chief of Police for the city of Arcadia. I do not take these
+duties lightly. Crime in our city has become an increasing problem,
+with acts of violence especially on the rise. I pledge as my first
+duty to find the criminals responsible, so they can be brought to
+justice. I accept this position knowing full well it is you, the
+citizens of Arcadia, that we are obligated to serve. Thank you.” He
+returns to his seat.
+
+At the Duck Pond
+
+Luke – “Come on, let’s go. We’re out of popcorn.”
+
+Grace – “But I like just watching the ducks, too.”
+
+Luke – “Joan was home when I left. Maybe she’s still there. If she
+is, you can spend the rest of the day with her. I’ll find something
+else to do.”
+
+Grace – “I said I wanted to spend more time with her, but I didn’t
+mean it had to be now.”
+
+Luke - “But you are right, my sister needs her friend, too. I’m
+willing to share.”
+
+Grace – “That’s sweet, dog boy. Let’s go see if she’s home.”
+
+On the Interstate
+
+Joan sluggishly regains consciousness. Her arms are dangling above
+her, since the seatbelt is still securing her to the seat. She
+glances over to see her mother. She is still unconscious. Some people
+are talking and banging on the doors outside of the car. They appear
+to be wedged beneath the trailer. She looks back and realizes she has
+the Rocky glow, “Oh God, I’m dead! Please, no... I’m not ready!” She
+grabs her mother’s arm, “Mom, help me!” The glow flows from her hand
+and spreads over Helen like syrup over a pancake. Helen begins to
+arouse. As the glow fades, so does Joan.
+
+Judith and another girl are walking toward her, “I met a friend of
+yours. You have a lot more friends than you know.”
+
+Joan remembers her. It’s Cory Callahan! Well, actually Corinth, but
+everyone called her Cory. She was the one friend Joan really hated to
+leave when they moved to Arcadia, “Cory! I’ve missed you so much. How
+is everybody back home?”
+
+Cory – “Everyone is sad. They miss me, too, but now I’m here with
+Judith.”
+
+Joan – “You mean you’re...”
+
+Cory – “Dead?Yes, but I came here with Judith to give you a message.”
+
+Joan – “What message? From whom?”
+
+Cory – “You know who it’s from. Do you see the clock on the wall?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, so what?”
+
+Cory – “What time is it?”
+
+Joan – “Nine minutes after twelve. And?”
+
+Another girl comes and takes Cory’s hand, “Come on, it’s time to
+play.”
+
+Cory – “This is my friend Raphaela. She’s a lot like you. I have to
+go now.”
+
+Joan – “But wait, what’s the message?”
+
+Judith – “You’ll figure it out Jo-Jo. See you later.”
+
+Joan hears another voice, “Joan, honey, can you hear me?”
+
+Joan - “Mom?” Joan slowly becomes aware, “Oh, God! Where am I?”
+
+Helen – “It’s okay, the men pried open the door. The paramedics are
+here to help you.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, I’m okay. I’ll get out.”
+
+Helen – “Joan, noooo! Stay there. You’re hurt and bleeding. Let them
+do their job.”
+
+Joan resigns and lets the men work. As she becomes more aware, she
+also becomes aware of the incredible pain in her head. She thinks
+about Judith, “What good are you? You give me this cryptic message
+and then leave me with a headache from hell.” She thinks about Cory.
+Tears begin to flow, “God, what did I do to deserve... ouch!”
+
+Paramedic – “Sorry.”The paramedic finishes securing her neck brace,
+“Joan, we are going to undo your seatbelt now, but don’t worry, we’re
+going to catch you.” Almost as soon as he says it, Joan feels herself
+being whisked onto a gurney and into the ambulance. Helen joins her
+at her side.
+
+At the Hospital
+
+Helen tries to call Will, but gets his voice mail. Will had turned
+his phone off for the speech. She calls the station and finds Toni.
+She relays the information about the accident and asks Toni to find
+Will.
+
+Joan is taken immediately into the triage area where the doctor
+examines her. The doctor cleans the dried blood from around her nose
+and ears. The bleeding has stopped. She examines the rest of her and
+can find no external bleeding. However, there is bruising nearly
+everywhere she has looked. A technician has been simultaneously
+hooking up an ECG and taking blood pressure. He reads off the stats.
+Everything appears normal. The doctor orders a full body CT scan. She
+sends for an orderly to take Joan to CT for the examination.
+
+At Arcadia’s City County Building
+
+When Toni arrives, Will is still seated, waiting for the other
+speakers to finish. Toni signals for him to come, but Will responds
+with a ‘No, it wouldn’t be proper’ look. Toni signals once again, but
+this time she gives him the mother ‘You will come here, now’ look.
+Will leaves the stage as inconspicuously as he can. When he reaches
+Toni, she simply says, “We have to go.” Once they are on the way,
+Toni tells him about the accident. UMC is only a few minutes away.
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Kevin looks up to see Rebecca standing there.
+
+Rebecca – “Kevin, I have to tell you something.”
+
+Kevin’s cell phone rings, so he motions for Rebecca to wait. Will
+tells him about the accident and that Helen appears to be okay, but
+Joan is hurt badly. He asks Kevin to find Luke and bring him to the
+hospital. He knows that Luke will probably be with Grace since they
+had planned to go to the movies today.
+
+After overhearing the conversation, Rebecca is relieved… well,
+somewhat. She had heard from Susan at the ER about Joan’s arrival.
+She was glad for once not to have to give Kevin the bad news.
+
+Kevin wonders how to find Luke. He calls the advertising department
+and asks for Adam, “Adam, does Grace Polk have a cell phone?”
+
+Adam – “Sure, but it’s not on half of the time. Why, what’s going
+on?”
+
+Kevin – “Luke is with her, and I need to find him. Joan has been in
+an accident.”
+
+Adam – “Joan? How bad?”
+
+Kevin – “I don’t know, but it’s bad. Do you know the number or not?”
+
+Adam gives Kevin the number. Kevin thanks him and hangs up.
+
+At Home
+
+Luke and Grace arrive at home to find no one is there. They fix
+themselves a sandwich, since the ducks ate all of their popcorn. Luke
+continues talking about the movie, comparing the differences between
+the new movie and the 1953 version, “In the 1953 movie, the aliens
+were from Mars. In this one, they never said where the aliens came
+from. In the original movie, they came down in cylinders. In this
+one, the aliens came down in the lightning, but the ships were
+already here. In the original...”
+
+Grace has been patiently listening, but has had enough, “Okay, enough
+aliens already. I went to the movie. Isn’t that enough? The corrupt
+human totalitarian regime is destroyed by a corrupt alien
+totalitarian regime and the world is returned to anarchy. That sums
+it up for me.”
+
+Grace’s phone rings, “Yeah, what do you want?”
+
+Kevin – “Grace, this is Kevin, is Luke with you?”
+
+Grace hands the phone to Luke, “It’s your brother.”
+
+Kevin tells Luke about the accident and learns that they are at home.
+He tells him he will be by to pick him up shortly. Luke and Grace go
+out to the front porch to wait.
+
+When Kevin hangs up the phone, he looks up to see Adam is standing
+there, “I want to come with you.”
+
+Kevin knows he can’t say no, “Let’s go.”
+
+At the Hospital
+
+Will and Toni arrive.Helen gives Will a big hug, and she proceeds to
+tell them about the accident.
+
+Will interrupts her, “Helen, your clothes are soaked in blood. Have
+you had someone check you out?”
+
+For the first time, Helen looks down at herself. She looks back up at
+Will, “I’m fine.” She breaks down and cries, “It must be Joan’s
+blood.”
+
+The doctor comes out to give Will and Helen a report on Joan’s
+condition. It is the same doctor who treated Joan for Lyme disease
+last year. She begins to speak with that beautiful Slavic accent,
+“Joan is suffering from a concussion. The bleeding from her nose and
+ears has stopped, but there may be other injuries. She has bruising
+on nearly every part of her body. I have sent her to CT for a more
+comprehensive examination.”
+
+Helen – “What does that mean? How serious is it?”
+
+Doctor – “She’s disoriented and complaining of a headache… and she’s
+babbling, talking to someone named Judith and Cory. She vomited on
+the way to CT. The full body CT scan will tell us more about the
+condition of her brain, but it will also tell us the condition of the
+other parts of her body.”
+
+The doctor looks at Helen, “I think you should let me take a look at
+you. You are covered in blood!”
+
+Helen – “I’m fine, it’s Joan’s blood.”
+
+Will – “Helen, will you please let the doctor look at you? For me?”
+
+Helen concedes and goes off with the doctor to be examined.
+
+Kevin, Adam, Luke, and Grace arrive. Helen returns and sits next to
+Will, “I’m fine.” Will puts his arm around her and holds her close.
+They begin to endure the unbearable waiting. Grace breaks the silence
+and asks, “Should we send for a priest? What are we supposed to be
+doing?” They all start looking at each other when Will surprises
+everyone with his response, “We pray.”
+
+The doctor returns once again to give a report on Joan’s condition,
+“Joan is doing better, but she’s still in a great deal of pain. The
+CT scan did not find any internal bleeding. However, her pituitary
+gland is enlarged. That is probably the cause of her delirium. I have
+given her medication, and she is now sleeping. I am transferring her
+to the ICU for observation.”
+
+Helen – “What a minute, enlarged pituitary gland!What does that
+mean?”
+
+Doctor – “The pituitary gland is at the base of the brain. Your
+daughter’s is swollen. The medication will reduce the swelling and
+also ease her pain. She will most likely sleep through the night.”
+
+Helen – “But, will she be all right?”
+
+Doctor – “I’m sorry, we won’t know until in the morning.”
+
+Joan is admitted to the ICU for monitoring. Will once again begins
+the overnight vigil, while the others go home. Helen rejoins him
+after taking a shower and changing clothes.
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+As the doctor had predicted, Joan did sleep through the night.
+Another doctor assigned to the ICU has been taking care of Joan. He
+reads her chart and examines Joan once again, “Your daughter’s vitals
+have remained stable during the night, but the bruising has become
+more pronounced. I have added a blood thinner to her IV. That should
+help. We are sending Joan to have another CT scan. After we see the
+results, I’ll let you know more.”
+
+They take Joan down for the exam, and after a few hours, she returns.
+The doctor returns shortly thereafter, “The swelling in her brain has
+decreased. I am reducing her medication. That should allow her to
+wake up. A large hematoma has developed behind her left kneecap. We
+are going to have to drain it, but overall, your daughter is looking
+much better. We’ll know more after she wakes up.”
+
+The doctor leaves, and after about an hour, Joan wakes up with a
+start. She looks around, but she has no idea of where she is, “Mom,
+are you all right? I’m sorry. I’ll never drive again.”
+
+Helen – “Honey, I’m fine, it wasn’t your fault. You just need to get
+better.”
+
+Joan – “My shoes! Where are my new shoes?”
+
+Helen – “We’ll get you a new pair. Don’t worry about it.”
+
+She collapses back down onto the bed, “God, I hurt everywhere!”
+
+Helen – “Everything is almost broken, but you are going to be okay.”
+
+Joan lays there while the feeling from different parts of her body
+returns to normal. It’s a mixed joy as she moves her fingers and toes
+and realizes that they are still there, but each movement comes with
+pain. The exception is her left knee. The throbbing pain from there
+is continuous.
+
+Over the next several hours, Joan is visited by a variety of doctors.
+Initially, she was shocked when a doctor introduced himself as Doctor
+Dan. She had been looking away toward her father and turned back
+toward the doctor with a start when he introduced himself. She was
+relieved to see he was a young man, actually kind of cute. He is the
+one who drained the blood from her knee. He tricked her. While he was
+explaining the procedure, he actually performed it. It only took a
+few seconds. While Joan was still waiting for it to begin, he
+announced that he was finished. The pain from that area was already
+beginning to subside.
+
+Other visiting doctors were a psychiatrist and a physical therapist.
+The psychiatrist asked questions from a form Will and Helen had
+filled out. It was just things like her name, birthday, address,
+stuff like that. He was evaluating her memory. She passed with flying
+colors, except for when it came to the accident. She remembers the
+car flipping, but nothing after that.
+
+The physical therapist takes her through a series of motions,
+wiggling her toes, lifting her arms and legs, to make sure that
+everything still works. Everything does, but not without a pain with
+each motion, and her left knee is still a source of great pain.
+
+Will and Helen have been periodically calling home.All have been
+eagerly awaiting the updates. Grace spends the night, and Adam
+returns in the morning. Lilly has taken over the kitchen duties and
+is keeping them well fed. All were especially relieved when Joan
+finally woke up, but they were disheartened to learn of her pain.
+
+When Adam returned, he brought with him a small sculpture. It was
+something he had been working on, and he spent last evening finishing
+it. He places it on Joan’s dresser.
+
+Just before dinnertime, Will and Helen receive a report from the
+doctor. Unless something changes during the night, Joan will be
+released in the morning, “She won’t be able to walk for awhile, at
+least not without crutches and a knee brace, but her bruising is
+fading remarkably well. It may only be a week or two before she can
+walk on her own.” Fortunately, the house is already prepared for
+Kevin, so it won’t be such a challenge for Joan.
+
+Grace, Luke, and Adam have been busy cleaning the house. Every room
+is spotless with everything in its place. When they receive the news
+of Joan’s return in the morning, they pay a visit to The Party House.
+They return with an assortment of balloons and banners. The living
+room and Joan’s bedroom are amazing sights to see.
+
+The next morning, Joan is ready to leave. She had wanted to go home
+the night before, but the doctors wouldn’t let her, and of course,
+her parents sided with them. However, when the time finally arrives,
+Will signs off on the paperwork and goes to retrieve the car. Helen
+and Joan head toward the entrance, with an orderly pushing Joan in a
+wheelchair.
+
+Will pulls up to the loading area in a royal blue 2005 Buick LeSabre.
+He and the orderly help Joan into the back seat. Helen joins her from
+the other side and Will drives them home.
+
+Joan – “Is this our new car?”
+
+Will – “No, it’s a rental. It’ll be a few more days before our
+insurance claim is processed.”
+
+Joan – “This is nice, but you can get whatever you want. I’m never
+driving again.”
+
+Will and Helen decide to let it pass without comment.When they arrive
+at home, Grace, Luke, and Adam are waiting at the curb with Kevin’s
+wheelchair. They get Joan into it and take her into the house. She
+sees Kevin on the couch and how wonderful the living room is
+decorated, “This is so beautiful. Thank you.” Her eyes begin to
+water, “But... but I have to go to sleep now. I’m just too tired.”
+
+She is still weak, but it’s the pain with every movement that wears
+her down the most. Will carries her upstairs, and he and Helen tuck
+her in bed. Helen gives her a painkiller the doctor had prescribed,
+and she goes to sleep within minutes.
+
+After a few hours, Joan wakes up and calls, “Mom… Mom.” Helen comes
+upstairs, “Mom, I haven’t had a shower in two days. I need you to
+help me.”
+
+Helen calls Will and they get her knee brace back on and help her
+onto her crutches. They walk on either side of her to the bathroom in
+case she falls. Will excuses himself once they arrive safely.
+
+Joan can wash herself while using Kevin’s bath chair, but she can’t
+raise her arms high enough to shampoo her hair. It is still matted
+with dried blood, and she can’t stand it. Helen washes Joan’s hair
+and her back. Helen dries her and helps her into a new pair of
+pajamas. Joan is exhausted from the ordeal, soWill carries her back
+to her bed.
+
+Once there, she begins to feel better. She looks around and notices
+the decorations and balloons. She also sees Adam’s sculpture on her
+dresser. Yes, she remembers now, but she hadn’t noticed the sculpture
+in her dream. She is pleased with the familiarity, “Are Grace and
+Adam still here?”
+
+Helen – “Yes, they are both downstairs.”
+
+Joan – “I would like to see them, but one at a time. Can you ask
+Grace to come up?”
+
+Grace comes in and pulls up a chair, “Hey Danica, how are you doing?”
+
+Joan – “Huh?Ah, not too good, but the doctors say I’ll be better
+soon. Thank you for all of the decorations. They’re really nice.”
+
+Grace – “Well, Luke and Adam helped too.”
+
+Joan – “Can you get that sculpture and bring it over here so I can
+see it?”
+
+Grace retrieves it and Joan begins to examine it, “This is so
+beautiful. I’ve never seen Adam make anything like this.”
+
+The sculpture is mixed media, an abstract with realistic flowers. The
+vase is completely silver except for the flowers Adam painted with
+realistic colors.
+
+Grace – “Yeah, this is a new thing for Adam. He’s mixing abstract and
+real. He knew you liked Black-Eyed Susans.”
+
+Joan – “I yelled at him the other day.”
+
+Grace – “I know, he told me about it.”
+
+Joan – “I didn’t mean to, I just got so mad.”
+
+Grace thinks for a moment, “You haven’t told me what you want to do,
+so I’m not getting in the middle of this, but if you want something
+with him again, you need to stop pushing him away.”
+
+Joan – “I still don’t know what I want, but I’ll apologize. That will
+help.” She pauses while her thoughts change, “Has there been anything
+else going on you would like to talk about?”
+
+Grace – “You have been the only thing going on, sister. But if you
+want a bit of news, you backed up the interstate for six miles.
+That’s quite an accomplishment.” They both smile.
+
+Joan – “You should go home. I’m going to have to take another pill
+soon and when I do, it’s lights out.”
+
+Grace – “I have already claimed the couch. I’m not going anywhere.”
+
+Joan laughs. “Who would have thought that the blue pill had a kick,
+too?”
+
+They both smile, “Will you ask Adam to come up?”
+
+Grace goes downstairs, “Adam, she wants to see you, but don’t stay
+long. She’s winding down.”
+
+Adam walks upstairs. He peeks into the room before entering, “Hi,
+Joan.”
+
+Joan – “Hi, Adam.Thank you for the sculpture and the decorations.
+There are both beautiful! I really like how the flowers look so
+real.”
+
+Adam – “I hoped you would like it. The ‘Mother and Child’ sculpture
+I’m doing for the library will be like that, too.”
+
+Joan – “You be sure to tell me when it’s ready. I want to see it.”
+
+Adam – “I will.” He pauses for a moment, “I’m sorry about the other
+day.”
+
+Joan – “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you… I just…
+remember when I smashed your sculpture?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, but I forgave you.”
+
+Joan – “I know, but before you finally did, Grace told me about your
+photographic memory, and how every time you thought you might forgive
+me, the image of me smashing your artwork would pop into your head.
+That’s how it is with me. I think I am almost there and then bam, I
+remember you and Bonnie and it all falls apart. I just need more time
+to sort it out. Do you understand?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I do. I’ll stay out of your way.”
+
+Joan – “No, I don’t want you out of my way. I just need you to be
+patient.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I hear you. Hey, I have to go. I’ll send your mother
+up.”
+
+Adam leaves and Joan lays there depressed. She clearly didn’t make
+things better with Adam, and her aches and pains are now back in full
+force. She is relieved when Helen comes in with her medicine, “Tell
+Kevin and Luke I’m sorry I haven’t spent time with them yet. I will
+as soon as I wake up.”
+
+Helen – “They understand, don’t worry about it. Get some rest.”
+
+After another two-hour nap, Joan wakes up actually feeling pretty
+good. But nature is calling, so she decides she’s going to make it to
+the bathroom on her own. She puts on her knee brace and gets up on
+her crutches. Downstairs, they hear the thumping as she heads for the
+bathroom. By the time Will and Helen make it up the stairs, Joan is
+already inside.
+
+Helen – “Joan, are you all right?”
+
+Joan – “I’m fine, I had to go.”
+
+Helen – “Do you need help?”
+
+Joan – “No, I can handle it on my own.”
+
+She washes her hands and looks into the mirror. This is the first
+time she has seen herself since the accident. She storms thumping out
+of the bathroom. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me about that huge bruise
+on my forehead?”
+
+Helen – “You have bruises everywhere. It doesn’t matter.”
+
+Joan – “Well, it does to me. Get me a mirror and my makeup.”
+
+Joan gets back into bed, and Helen helps her to conceal the bruise,
+“Mom, Kevin told me about what you said the other day. What was your
+mother like?”
+
+Helen – “I was mad, I should have never had brought it up.”
+
+Joan – “But I want to know.”
+
+Helen pauses while she collects her memories, “She looked a lot like
+your Aunt Olive, only taller and thinner. She took very good care of
+me and played with me all of the time. We would draw things together.
+She never painted, but she sketched the most beautiful drawings. Of
+course my drawings were in crayon, but she praised every one of them.
+I still have one she did of me. I’ll have to show it to you. She was
+the most wonderful mother to me.
+
+“She had told me about her dreams, but I didn’t really understand
+what she was telling me. But one day, she told me she had to leave.
+She was sick and needed to get help. I don’t think even she realized
+that she would never be coming home. Aunt Olive told me later that
+she was afraid she might hurt me. She could no longer tell the
+difference between her dreams and reality, and she was confused all
+of the time. They wouldn’t let me visit her, and I never saw her
+again.
+
+“I stayed with Reverend Thompson and his wife for a long time. Then
+your grandpa and grandma Brodie came and got me, and they became my
+parents.”
+
+Joan – “What was your father like? Why didn’t he keep you?”
+
+Helen – “I never knew him. Your grandmother never talked about him.”
+
+Joan thinks for a moment, “What was your mother’s name?”
+
+Helen smiles, “Agnes, her name was Agnes.”
+
+Joan ponders her mother’s bittersweet memories, “Thank you for
+telling me.” She sits up and slides to the side of the bed. She
+kisses Helen on the cheek. She would love to give her a hug, but that
+is not something she can do just yet. “Can you ask Kevin and Luke to
+come up?”
+
+Helen – “Luke went home with Grace to pick up some clothes. He’ll be
+back soon.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, I’m going downstairs.”
+
+Helen – “Are you sure? Kevin can come up here.”
+
+Joan – “The doctor says I should try to walk, and I feel pretty good
+now. Help me get the brace back on.”
+
+Helen helps her with the brace and gets her onto the lift. She begins
+to explain the control, “Mom, I’ve ridden this a lot of times when no
+one’s been home.” The lift hums to her as it takes her down the
+stairs. She smiles at her mother, “Free ride!”
+
+Kevin is on the couch, so she crutches over and sits beside him.
+“Thank you for all of the decorations.”
+
+Kevin – “I just supervised, but I’m glad you like them.” He reaches
+for a basket on the coffee table, “Here, you have mail.”
+
+She leafs through the envelopes and sees a lot of familiar names, the
+Goetzmann’s and one specifically from Elizabeth, the Polonsky’s, the
+Rove’s, “Gavin Price? How did he find out about me?”
+
+Kevin – “I don’t know. There was only a little blurb in the
+newspaper, mainly about the traffic jam you caused. Word of mouth, I
+guess.”
+
+She looks through some more, “Who’s Susan Jordan?”
+
+Kevin – “I have no idea, but there sure are a lot of people thinking
+about you.”
+
+Will comes in from the kitchen, “How are you feeling? Can I get you
+anything?”
+
+Joan – “I’m actually feeling pretty good now. Is there any tea left?”
+
+Will – “Coming up.”He returns with the tea.
+
+Joan – “When are you going back to work?”
+
+Will – “I’ve taken the rest of the week off.”
+
+Joan – “You don’t have to, I’m doing better.”
+
+Will – “I’m the only one strong enough to carry you. I’ll be here if
+you need me.”
+
+Helen comes in from the kitchen, “Dinner’s almost ready. Does roast
+beef sound good?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I am kind of hungry.”
+
+When Luke and Grace return, Luke sits beside her and Grace sits in a
+stuffed chair, “Thank you for all of the decorations.”
+
+Luke – “No big deal.How are you feeling?”
+
+Joan – “Pretty good, actually. I still hurt, but a lot less then
+before. In fact, if I feel this good tomorrow, I’m getting rid of
+these crutches. I only need them because of my knee.” She looks at
+Grace, “I’m glad you’re here, but you don’t have to stay.”
+
+Grace – “Don’t get too comfy, you’re sitting on my bed.”
+
+Will returns again from the kitchen carrying a tray with Joan’s
+dinner, “I hope you’re hungry.”
+
+Joan – “Dad, no, I want to eat at the table with everyone else. Just
+get me a pillow to sit on.”
+
+Luke interrupts, “I’ll go get it.”
+
+They all gather around the table and Helen recites a prayer, “God,
+thank you for our family and friends. Thank you for this wonderful
+meal, and thank you for bringing Joan back home to us. Amen.”
+
+After dinner, Joan retires to her bedroom. She is feeling better, but
+not that much better. She and Grace talk for a while, mainly about
+Adam, “I’m still mad at him, but it hurts to know he’s now mad at me.
+I still don’t know what to do. I’m such a mess.”
+
+Grace smiles, “Unchallenged! But once you decide what you want to do,
+I’m here for you.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, Grace.Can you get my journal for me? It’s under the
+magazines in the closet.”
+
+Grace – “Clever, can I take a peek?”
+
+Joan – “No, maybe some day.”
+
+Grace retrieves the notebook, “That’s a good place, but eventually
+your mother’s going to find it cleaning or something.”
+
+Joan – “I move it around. I don’t always hide it in here. No one but
+you even knows it exists. Thank you, I’ll see you in the morning. Can
+you have Mom bring up my pill?”
+
+Helen brings up her pill, and she sets it on the nightstand. Joan
+begins to write in her journal. She writes about her Dad’s promotion
+and Mom’s battle with the school board, about her outing with her
+mother and how wonderful it was up until the accident, how great it
+is to be home again, and how beautiful the living room and her
+bedroom are decorated. She describes the sculpture Adam made for her.
+She lays the journal down and picks up the pill and glass of water.
+She pauses and thinks about what God told her. She puts them back
+down on the nightstand. She decides to write one more thing to her
+journal, ‘I don’t even know if I should include this, because I was
+bonkers at the time, but here’s the dream. Judith - Cory Callahan -
+12:09 - Raphaela? I have no idea what it means. Goodnight!’
diff --git a/06-SummertimeandtheLivinisEasy.rst b/06-SummertimeandtheLivinisEasy.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a6c143
--- /dev/null
+++ b/06-SummertimeandtheLivinisEasy.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,681 @@
+Episode 3.06, Summertime, and the Livin' is Easy
+------------------------------------------------
+
+The band of clouds to the west faded from their red glory of a half
+hour ago. A patch of sky above them was an achingly clear blue, with
+two stars. Joan sat in the Adirondack chair, a lemonade and stack of
+books at her side. A large book was open on her lap, but she was
+watching the evening stars.
+
+Kevin rolled out onto the patio, with Lilly. "Where's everybody?"
+"Dad's working late. Mom is around somewhere. So is Luke."
+"That's helpful."
+Lilly eyed Joan and the book: "A hot Friday date with Summa
+Theologica. Been there."
+Kevin interjected "We're going for some ice cream and hanging out.
+Tell Mom and Dad I'll be back whenever."
+"Sure. Have fun!"
+As they turned to go, Lilly added "If you start fantasizing about
+Thomas Aquinas, give me a call. 'Lilly's Hot Line for Recovering
+Sisters,' call day or night."
+"Thanks for the warning. See you."
+
+Joan turned back to her book for a moment, then looked at the evening
+star again; the blue had deepened, and the star burned with white
+brilliance. Luke bounded through the door. "Where's everybody?"
+"Dad's working late, Mom is somewhere. As I just told Kevin. He and
+Lilly just left. I'm invisible."
+"Oooooh.... look at Venus. And Jupiter. They are wonderful tonight."
+Luke gazed at the sky. "They are getting closer together every night.
+Did you know that by the end of the month they are only going to have
+2 degrees of separation?"
+"Thank you for that priceless bit of information."
+"You're welcome. Anytime."
+After a moment Joan said, "Ummm, Luke... how 'bout a game of chess?
+If you're not busy or something."
+"That is pathetic. My sister. Friday night, and her idea of a hot
+time is playing chess with her kid brother."
+"Gee thanks."
+"Grace and I are going to hang out. I'm headed over there now."
+"Oh."
+"Uh.... Joan. You want to come along?"
+"And be the third wheel? No. That would be even more pathetic. But
+thanks for asking."
+"Another time on that chess game." Luke came over and kissed Joan on
+the forehead.
+"Bye. Be a good girl."
+"Like I have a chance to be anything else. Say hi to Grace, and
+remind her of the crab boil tomorrow."
+
+Joan was left to marvel at Luke actually showing some affection. That
+was frighteningly un-Luke. Was she becoming everyone's favorite
+object of pity? She stretched, wincing a little: she was still stiff
+and sore from the accident, and a long afternoon at the bookstore.
+She was still tired all the time. It felt good to sit out in the warm
+evening.
+
+She returned to Aquinas. Before she had gotten through a page, Helen
+came out. "Where's everybody?"
+Joan rolled her eyes. "This is a recording: Dad is working late,
+Kevin went for ice cream with Lilly, Luke is hanging out with Grace,
+and I'm having the exciting social life I dreamed of as a little
+girl."
+"Want some company? I brought one of my books out to read until it
+gets dark."
+"Sure."
+Helen sat in the other chair. They read in companionable silence for
+a long while, Joan sipping her lemonade. Helen had an iced tea. The
+evening breeze was soft, a silken pleasure after the hot afternoon.
+It grew dark; the fireflies were out, and cicadas buzzed in the
+trees. It was getting too dark to read. Helen laid her book in her
+lap: "Joan?"
+She looked up. "Umm?"
+"I've been wondering. You don't have to say, but.... what happened?"
+"What happened to what?"
+"You and Adam."
+"Oh."
+"Things were going along, you all were getting really serious, and
+all of sudden, boom. You clean your room like you're planning to
+serve dinner on the floor, you rip up his pictures and box up
+everything he ever gave you and out it goes, you dig him out of your
+life like poison ivy, you take up knitting. And you never really said
+why. You're sort of talking to him again, and you went on that trip
+with the Polonsky's with him, but it is Over. No more flowers and
+bunnies."
+"It's personal. Very."
+"OK. Sorry I asked."
+After a moment, "Adam had sex with Bonnie."
+"Oh. Oh my."
+"It sucks. It really, totally sucks. I trusted him."
+"Do you think that all night thing was part of it?"
+"Yeah. Maybe if I'd done it with him, we'd still be all right. But it
+just felt wrong."
+"You did the right thing, Joan."
+"If it was the right thing, why is everything screwed up now? No, I
+am NOT going to cry. It is over."
+Helen thought for a moment. "Adam introduced Bonnie to me, brought
+her to me so I could help her. I saw them work together; it looked to
+me like they were just friends."
+"Yeah, right."
+"Really. It was like Luke and Friedman get. They were two art geeks
+off in their own world. I didn't see anything romantic going on. They
+are my students, but I would have told you if I'd sensed anything."
+"He claimed he was working on some project; that was why he couldn't
+spend any time with me."
+"That part was real. He had some things he was doing for Michael, and
+after that was done.... did you see the mural under the overpass on
+32nd Street? It was only there for a few days before they painted it
+over."
+"Yeah, once. It was good. Kind of twisted and scary."
+"Adam and Bonnie."
+"They did that?"
+"Yes. Her idea mostly. She needed help to get it done before the city
+painted it over again. That's why she keeps getting community
+service; she likes to do 'guerrilla art.' Adam took pictures of it,
+and showed me."
+
+After a long silence, Helen said, "Joan, I'm going to tell you
+something."
+"Mom, I don't need advice. I'm surviving."
+"No, it's not that. This is... it is probably something I shouldn't
+be telling you. It's about your father and me."
+Joan looked up in the darkness, horror in her eyes.
+"Mom, please don't tell me you're cheating on him."
+Helen laughed, shaking her head. "No. Remember Lucy Preston? She was
+Will's boss, until she got promoted to the Justice Department in DC."
+"Yes. Kind of a businesslike lady."
+"She was making moves on Will."
+"Oh God."
+"They worked together. They enjoyed each other's company, at least at
+first. They ate lunch together. They worked late together. She wanted
+more. She set up that award thing for you at the school. And, umm...
+she did something that she thought would please Will, something big
+on a murder case, but it was very unethical, and she handed it on a
+silver platter to him. She expected a lot in return."
+"Did Dad...."
+"No. He was suspicious and dug into it. Once he figured out what
+happened, he was disgusted with her for being a bad cop, but he was
+stuck; he had to work for her, and I think she was using her position
+to lean on him. I didn't know all this, but I knew something was
+wrong. There were lots of late nights at work, a lot more than there
+needed to be. He said afterwards that he would never cheat on me, and
+I believe him. But... I think it could have gone the other way, if
+things had been just a little different."
+"Mom! What did you do?"
+"I cried a lot. When I started sensing what was going on, I would cry
+myself to sleep every night he was out, wishing he would just come
+home. That empty bed was an agony."
+"I'm so.... sorry. You could have told me."
+"No, I couldn't. You are my daughter, and that is one cross you did
+not need to carry. You just don't tell your children something like
+that. It is like things going on in your life -- do you always rush
+right home and tell me everything?"
+"No, of course not."
+"Joan, I'm on very thin ice here. My hunch -- call it a feeling -- is
+that in a way, Adam and Bonnie were the same sort of thing. They were
+working together, and things just happened, and he didn't know how to
+deal with it."
+"That's what he claimed. But this kind of thing doesn't 'just
+happen.' He said he loved me."
+"I am absolutely convinced of one thing about Adam Rove. He loves
+you."
+"Then why did he do it?"
+"He messed up. Badly. But 'let him who is without sin cast the first
+stone.'"
+"You want me to make up with him?"
+"I can't tell you what to do. You do what you want anyway, whether I
+tell you or not."
+"He hurt me. Mom, he really hurt me. I don't think I'll ever get over
+it, not entirely."
+"You won't. Some scars are there for life, and this is one of them.
+Come here; let me hug you."
+They stood up and hugged. Joan started to cry, Helen too.
+"I said I wasn't going to cry," Joan said, smiling a bit.
+"I won't hold you to that."
+"What do I do now? I'm so lonely."
+"Joan, I don't know. Just let it sit. See how you feel about him in a
+few months."
+
+Will leaned back in his chair. It had been a long day, and there
+would be many more during the transition period. "Chief of Police:
+Will Girardi," the sign said on the door. He had wanted to wait until
+it was official, but the guys in the department insisted. Carlisle
+and Williams had to physically push him through the door: "Girardi,
+this is YOUR office. Like it or not. You've belonged here all along."
+Arcadia was getting a fresh start, and they had to get it right. This
+department had forfeited the trust of the community, and they were
+going to have to prove themselves.
+
+Toni Williams walked through the door with a file. "You should go
+home. It's Friday night, for crying out loud."
+"Looks like you're still here, too."
+"Yeah. I guess we're gluttons for punishment."
+"What'cha got?"
+"Good news for once. This is Daghlian's file from Connorsburg." She
+read from one page: "'a first-rate officer, hard-working and honest
+to the core. He has my highest recommendation.' So he's really coming
+back here?"
+She handed the file to Will; he leafed through it, nodding his head
+and smiling. "Yeah. I'll call him now."
+
+"Daghlian."
+"Mike, this is Girardi. You're hired."
+"That's great! I guess the files got there and looked OK."
+"Yeah. They like you up there in Connorsburg."
+"It's been good here. But Arcadia is where I belong."
+"So when can you make the move?"
+"I'll have to give thirty days' notice; I'll turn it in on Monday."
+"Let's see... this is August 12, so how about Monday the 15th of next
+month?"
+"That works. And... Will, thanks for giving me another chance. You
+taught me a big lesson."
+"Yeah. The school of hard knocks is a first-rate teacher. We've both
+been there now."
+"While you're on the line, I talked with Carlisle about that paint
+and we may have something. A cashier at one of the marine outfitters
+here says she distinctly remembers selling the pink paint, and the
+other colors. She says they almost never sell any pink; that's why
+she remembers it."
+"Got an ID on it?"
+"Nope. The guy paid cash. But Carlisle is sending up a photo of
+someone he says might be a suspect. We'll mix it in with some other
+pictures and see if the cashier can pick him out."
+"Thanks. Let us know what you get. Oh, and Daghlian -- It'll be great
+to have you back."
+-------------------
+The morning sun streamed through the window as Joan sat crosslegged
+on her bed. She hesitated a long time, holding the phone, then slowly
+pushed the button.
+
+Adam's voice: "Hello."
+"Hi."
+"Ja... uh, Joan."
+"Yeah."
+"Umm... hi."
+"We're having crabs this afternoon. You want to come over?"
+Long silence.
+"Joan, do you really want me there?"
+"You're sort of.... kind of part of the family here, and this is a
+family thing."
+"You're sure about this?"
+"Yes. It's not like you haven't eaten with us before."
+"I'll be there. Thanks..... thank you."
+"Bring your dad. I think he'd enjoy it."
+"Sure. He loves crab. I do too. Tell you what, we'll bring some
+coleslaw."
+"Adam."
+"Yeah?"
+"I'm still mad at you."
+"Unchallenged."
+"See you later."
+"Bye."
+
+Joan came through the kitchen, headed for the door. "I'm going to the
+park for a while. I need some time to think," she said in the general
+direction of Will and Helen, who were sitting at the table. "Oh, and
+Adam and his dad are coming, They're bringing coleslaw."
+"Don't be long; there's a lot of setting up to do," Will said.
+"OK Dad. Bye."
+
+After she had gone, Helen said, "Honey, do you think we have enough
+for everyone? Adam and his father make two more."
+"I've ordered a lot of crabs. Roebuck is coming, and bringing extra
+ice and drinks."
+"I was thinking of this as a little family picnic. I didn't think
+you'd be inviting people from work."
+"Helen, guys like Roebuck -- he is like family to me. You know that."
+"Well, just so long as you don't start talking shop."
+"We'll be good. I promise."
+Helen smiled and said, "I guess it's all right then that I invited
+Father Ken to drop by after 5:00 Mass."
+Will laughed: "Fair warning. If you all start talking religion, I'll
+ask Roebuck how the arson investigation is going."
+Helen said, "I still wonder if we should have invited the
+Goetzmanns."
+"Weren't you the one that was just saying this is 'a little family
+picnic?' They are nice people and we'll have them over sometime soon.
+But not today; this is for us. Did you ask Sarah and Jakob?"
+"No. I figured they'd be busy, being Saturday. Grace is coming,
+though."
+-----------------
+Joan ambled along the sidewalk in the park. People were walking dogs,
+rollerblading, enjoying the fine sunny day. Children were on the
+swings, sweeping through the air. Four girls were preparing to jump
+rope. Joan hesitated, tempted to join them: no, these were little
+girls, maybe ten or eleven, and they didn't need a seventeen-year-old
+butting in. Her left knee twinged, reminding her that she wasn't up
+to it, anyway. "I'm turning into a regular old maid," she thought.
+The rope-jumping made her think of Casper, the homeless girl she had
+tried to help. "That seems like so long ago now. I wonder what ever
+happened to her: I hope she is all right."
+
+She had grown accustomed to hanging out with Adam: too accustomed.
+Maybe it was good that they had split up. "We were starting to act
+like a married couple that's gotten bored with each other. I need to
+remember how to have a good time by myself. I don't need him. I don't
+need anyone."
+
+Just then, a harsh guitar twang sounded from Joan's right. A man
+began singing
+"End this war
+Look upon your friends
+Don't you know the reason why
+You called us back again."
+Joan rolled her eyes, and walked up to the singer, a young man with
+dreadlocks. "You are butchering the song. Please!"
+He smiled at Joan and continued singing:
+"Night is long and getting longer
+There's darkness from above"
+Joan joined him, his singing a crazed counterpoint to her melody:
+"And hate is strong but love is stronger
+We are alive as long as we love."
+She gently pried the guitar from his hands.
+"Spare me. It's a nice song; can't you at least sing it in tune?"
+"Ya. Me jester dis way: "For every moon must have its shadow..."
+Joan put her hand over his mouth, muffling the last words. "God,
+you're embarrassing me."
+A jogger came by, turning and looking at them. Joan smiled awkwardly
+and waved; God said "Ev'rything cook and curry, mon."
+"OK. OK. Just.... don't sing any more. Please?"
+God smiled. He sat on the bench and began putting his guitar in its
+case, motioning for Joan to join him on the bench.
+"You forget dat song, na true?"
+"How could I?" Joan answered, shaking her head. "'Queen of the
+Zombies.' My moment of stardom. What a disaster!"
+"Sweet disaster, shorty. It make good ripples."
+"Let me guess. You are going to pick on me about Adam, aren't you."
+"We are alive as long as we love..." God sang softly, perfectly in
+tune.
+Joan smiled, surprised at the accurate singing. "I've got another
+song for you." She sang "I'm gonna wash that man right out of my
+hair..."
+"Not working, no?" God said with a smile.
+"No."
+"Me tell you how me handle forgiveness. When you hurt me and you
+sorry about it and change yourself and do it no more, me forgive you.
+What you done be gone, 'as far as east be from west.'"
+"We're not talking about you. I'm the one he hurt, not you."
+"Adam hurt you. Adam hurt Bonnie. He hurt me, he hurt himself, too.
+Me was dere. Every pain, every sufferation hurt me; I connected to
+all of you. If me forgive, you can forgive."
+"But that's hard to do."
+"Jah know. Me have da scars."
+Joan thought for a moment. "So you're like Mom; you want me to get
+back together with him."
+"Me no say dat, your mother no say dat. Me say dis: let it go. Adam
+and Grace be your best friends. You need dem both, plus your other
+friends and your family, and me. When the hard times will come, we
+stand by you."
+"Hard times. I don't like the sound of that."
+"Joan my friend, ease up: Today be good. Enjoy da bashment at your
+house today. Enjoy all your friends and family for who dey be.
+Cherish dis day; such days be rare."
+God stood, and began walking away. "Run a boat, sister," he said,
+giving Joan an over-the-shoulder wave.
+
+Kevin and Will were putting layers of newspaper on the assortment of
+card tables in the back yard. "Kev, are there liners in the trash
+cans yet?"
+"Yeah. I did that a little while ago. I brought out the paper towels
+too, the whole 12-roll package. And the pliers from the shop."
+"Crabs are messy, but they sure are good."
+"Right about that," Kevin answered. "I'm glad Joan is with us this
+year. It was kind of a shame to do this last summer with her off at
+Gentle Acres."
+"Yeah. That put a damper on the whole summer for all of us."
+"You know, she is my weird little sister and she drives me bonkers
+sometimes. But last summer taught me a lesson. God, I missed her."
+"Didn't we all. Looking back, I wish Helen and I hadn't sent her to
+that place. We thought it would help, you know, after the Lyme
+disease. I think it hurt more than it helped."
+"You still have your lamp?"
+"Both of them."
+"Me too. Oh, by the way; I've been meaning to tell you. I found out
+about Mr. Hunter's money."
+"Yeah? What did you turn up?"
+"Well, he has a lot of it. Mostly, it is from dot-coms in the 90's. I
+found a little article in Barron's back in 2001 -- 'Ten Young
+Investors to Watch,' and there he was, number two. Seems he played
+around with day trading when he was in high school, got together
+about 50 grand, and put it all on a tech IPO. It returned sixty-fold
+in about three months, and he sold just before it tanked. That made
+him a millionaire before he was eighteen. He turned right around and
+sank all of that into another IPO, and that one went forty-fold. He
+sold that one in January 2000, just before NASDAQ crashed, and put it
+all in long-term government bonds -- right as interest rates peaked.
+Now he's a player in the oil futures market; his name shows up in
+Petroleum Monthly now and then, and he's still making the right moves
+at the right time. He has an uncanny sense for what is going on. The
+guy's a genius!"
+"Or very lucky."
+"Yeah. One thing gets me, though."
+"What?"
+"Why is he so interested in Arcadia? He doesn't even live here. The
+article said he lives on some rural acreage west of Millersville. I
+checked it out, and that's still where he lives; an old farm house on
+a couple hundred acres. Hey, there's Lilly."
+"Thanks, Kev. That is a big help; hey, run printouts of what you have
+if you don't mind."
+"Yeah. Will do."
+Will finished spreading the newspapers, muttering to himself.
+"Millersville... There has got to be something solid..."
+-----------------
+"There you are, Joan," Helen said, as Joan came out into the yard.
+"You want to help me with this cooler?"
+"Yeah. Where do you want it?"
+"Right over there by the maple tree. Then we need to bring out the
+butter and lemon juice, and the Old Bay Spice -- Will dug it out from
+the back of the cabinet, and it is on the counter by the stove. He
+and Roebuck will be back any minute with the crabs."
+
+Luke and Grace were heating a blue graniteware pot of water on the
+grille.
+Grace said, "Is this thing never going to boil?"
+"Patience. You know how many BTU's it takes to boil a gallon of
+water? And this is a 33-qt. canner; we've probably got what, six or
+seven gallons in here?"
+"Where did you come up with this?"
+"It was grandma's canning pot, for boiling-water bath processing. You
+know, pickles, that sort of thing."
+"Yeah. Grandma Polk used to do that too. Kosher dills to die for."
+"Oh, there's Adam and his dad."
+
+Adam carried a huge dish covered with foil, and set it on one of the
+tables, as Mr. Rove followed. Helen came over to greet them. "Carl,
+it is good to see you. I'm so glad you all could come."
+"It was good of Joan to invite us. Adam and I brought a little slaw;
+it goes great with crab."
+"A little? You must have been shredding cabbage all morning."
+Adam laughed: "Unchallenged. It was fun."
+Joan came over: "Hi."
+"Hi."
+"I'm glad you're here."
+"Me too."
+Just then, Will and Roebuck came out, carrying a large washtub.
+"Ta-da! Here they are!" Will said, as they set the tub by the grill
+in the shade.
+Joan and Adam went over and looked inside:
+"Oh my God!!!" Joan said.
+"What?" Adam answered, grinning.
+"They're still alive!"
+"Cha. You'd better hope so; you can't eat them if they're dead before
+you cook them. You've never had crab?"
+"Well, yes. At a restaurant. We always go to a crab house when we go
+to Baltimore, or down on the eastern shore. But they're already
+cooked."
+-------------------
+"Joan, would you say grace?" Helen asked, once they had more-or-less
+assembled around the tables. Joan felt self-conscious with everyone
+looking at her. Grace looked like she was thinking about the "half of
+a red pill" and wondering when the other half would come. Luke looked
+like he was thinking "Well, say something. And not in French." Adam:
+"This girl is a mystery to me. But I love her anyway." The silence
+was becoming embarrassing. She might as well pretend that she was
+talking with God like she always did when she saw Her, and just say
+what she was thinking. "God, thank you for the food, even if it is,
+umm... still moving." That drew a giggle from Grace. "Thank you for
+my mom and dad, and my brothers." Looking around her, she said "Thank
+you for all the people here; thank you for bringing us together."
+Catching Adam's eye, "Thank you for love, and for putting up with us,
+no matter what." Smiling now, "Thank you for today. Amen."
+------------------
+Luke and Grace sat down across from Joan. Grace said, "How're you
+feeling? You're still sort of gimpy when you walk around. Not that
+totaling a car and spilling blood all over your mom could have
+anything to do with it."
+"I'm doing better," Joan said. "I tried my yoga stretches a few days
+ago and I still have aches in places I didn't know I had. But I think
+the yoga will help."
+"Well, you're alive, and not too much worse for the wear."
+Joan smiled, and hummed, half to herself, "We are alive as long as we
+love..."
+To Grace she said, "Yeah. It's good."
+Grace asked, "So what's with the yoga, anyway? Is this another one of
+your weird hobbies? Let's see... chess, boatbuilding, band, piano
+lessons, yearbook staff, the diving team, knitting, drama queen...
+And not to forget, cheerleading."
+"Please. I'd like to forget that one."
+Grace smiled, remembering. "You know, that day when you did the
+tryouts? That was when I knew you were an OK person. Strange, but
+OK."
+"Gee thanks."
+"So now it's yoga? At least you've stuck with it longer than some of
+the other stuff."
+"You should try it, Grace. It puts you into some kind of flow with
+the universe; very spiritual. And it feels good."
+Luke said, "Now you're sounding like Aunt Olive."
+Ignoring him, Joan said, "Yeah. The accident kind of put it on hold,
+but I'm going to be starting classes on Wednesday. That is, if I'm
+not in another car wreck between now and then."
+-------------------------
+Luke was showing Grace how to dissect the crab: "Once you've done the
+legs, you pull this little tab on the carapace."
+"Kind of like a soda can,"
+Luke said, "So you've really never had crab before?"
+"It's a regular item in all Jewish households," Grace said. "We keep
+it around for when we want something that totally breaks every Kosher
+rule in the book. Get a brain, Lukey."
+Ignoring the last, Luke said "Then you take out the gills and
+intestines, here, and the other internal organs, and the meat is
+underneath. But see this? That's the tomalley, or the liver. If you
+don't want it, give it to me; it is the best part."
+"What's this orange stuff?"
+"That's the roe; that's good, too. Just the females have it. Some
+people like the female crabs better, in general."
+Grace said, "Why do I think this conversation is about to go way
+downhill?"
+
+Lilly came over and sat by Helen. "This is great. It is good to see
+everyone so happy."
+"Yes. It is a good day."
+Looking over at Joan, Lilly asked "How is she doing? Is she getting
+over the accident all right? And how about you?"
+Helen said "Oh, I'm fine. I was hardly hurt at all. Joan is too,
+basically. She still says she is never going to drive again; we
+haven't crossed that bridge."
+"Yeah. She's going to have to get back on the horse."
+"We haven't pushed it. Yet. At least she's OK, thank God. But -- I've
+been meaning to ask you about something. I have vague pieces of
+memory about what happened, the windshield crashing and bricks
+falling in front of us and the car flipping over and Joan screaming.
+And... here's the point: I am sure that I was hurt. I remember
+thinking 'I am going to die,' just before I lost consciousness. But
+when I woke up later, it was as if there was... I don't know... it
+was like a warmth, like being at the beach in the sun or something,
+washing over me, and I could feel that it was coming from Joan, from
+her hand where she was touching me. And I was fine. They checked me
+out at the hospital: no injuries. None. And instead, it was Joan who
+ended up in ICU. But I have a fragment of memory that it was me that
+was bleeding, not Joan. And other fragments, like there were people
+outside the car trying to get in. I sort of remember one of them
+saying 'This looks bad. We've got to hurry,' and someone else saying
+'There's no way they survived that.' So here we are; me without a
+scratch, and Joan not hurt much, nothing really serious. Lilly, we
+were on the interstate, going 65. We flipped over. We should have
+both died. Are we talking miracle here?"
+"You're asking the wrong gal. No. Stop looking at me that way."
+Helen continued looking at Lilly.
+"Well, OK. There's your charism... when you start talking about that
+sort of thing... Well, miracle is a strong word. But it might not be
+too strong." Lilly looked over at Joan, who was laughing at something
+Adam had said. "I wonder about Joan, too. I've felt for some time
+that she must have some sort of spiritual gift. There is something
+uncanny about her, Helen. Not in a bad or spooky way, not in the
+least; it is almost like the old paintings, with the halos over the
+saints. They didn't know any other way to represent what was
+different about these people. And Joan is like that. Maybe."
+"Joan, a saint?" Helen shook her head, smiling. "Lilly, you know
+better. She is a teenager. Come by some morning when we're trying to
+get them to eat breakfast and out the door for school. Or when she
+and Luke are snapping at each other. Or... let's just say she's been
+grounded a lot this last year. More grounded than not since about
+March or so. For good reasons."
+Lilly grinned, "Yeah. I know. But still... people get the wrong idea
+about the saints. They aren't these holy people dressed up in
+bathrobes like you see in the stained glass windows. Nor are they
+people with some kind of weird 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' powers. No,
+it is like they are more 'normal' than the rest of us, more
+'natural,' like a tree or a sunset -- more true to their nature, to
+what God intends for them, if that makes sense. I see that in Joan.
+Not all the time, no. But sometimes."
+Helen shook her head again. "No. No way."
+"Think about it," Lilly said. "All the times she's done these oddball
+things, and somehow they have turned out right. More than right; like
+they have been healings for people, for situations. Maybe I'm wrong.
+It's just a feeling, nothing I can put my finger on. But I think
+there's something going on with that girl. Helen, saints do miracles.
+That is part of the definition. No, that's not quite it: saints are
+channels through whom miracles happen; it is God who does the
+miracles. I am so jealous. Here I was, doing the nun thing all those
+years and nothing happened. And here you and your daughter are with
+charisms I would have died for."
+Helen said, "I need a promise from you."
+"Yeah. What?"
+"Don't you dare tell Joan. She is insufferable enough already."
+----------------------
+Will, Carl Rove, and Roebuck were at the grill, boiling the crabs.
+Will said "Roebuck, you're an O's fan. You think they'll break .500?"
+"No. Not a chance. This has been the year from hell. Injuries, the
+whole bit. Sixty-two days in first place, then lose 16 out of 18 and
+no more Mazzili. He was a class act, I tell you. Deserved better."
+Carl said, "Aw, c'mon: they're just what, nine and a half back?"
+"Yeah, and in next to last place with a new manager."
+"Maybe Perlozzo will turn things around."
+Roebuck shook his head. "It'll take more than a new boss. Everyone is
+looking over their shoulder, thinking they might be the next after
+Palmeiro. Probably half the team is on steroids; Raffy's the one they
+caught."
+Carl said, "I bet they're not doing the steroids any more. They see
+the league means business."
+Will said, "Ten-day suspension? They should have axed him for the
+season. Maybe for life."
+Kevin had rolled over during the conversation. He said "Wait a
+minute. Here everyone is, ready to hang the guy. Like Mr. Roebuck
+says, half the team is probably doing it. More like half of the
+people in baseball. And three-quarters in the NFL."
+Will said, "Kev, steroids are against the law. Are you defending
+them?"
+"No. But what's a guy to do? Remember the district football
+championship my junior year, against South Park? Remember those big
+linemen they had? Word was, every one of them was juicing. And they
+are probably all playing Division One ball now. What was the score
+that day?"
+"Don't remind me. 46-14."
+"Yeah. They killed us. So if you're a kid, and you see that
+happening, and all you want in life is to play ball, what are you
+going to do? This is America; if you aren't number one, you're
+nothing."
+"You were good, and you weren't using steroids."
+"I was lucky. All of the coaches at the school had agreed on a
+zero-tolerance policy; if you were caught, you were out. Period.
+Besides, you would have locked me up and thrown away the key."
+"Right about that," Will said.
+"And I was good; I was able to be clean and still make it. What about
+the guys that are on the borderline; if they don't get that boost,
+they won't make the team, and they know it? I'm just saying don't
+blame Palmeiro when it is everywhere."
+Roebuck said, "Kevin, do you think the fans will forgive him?"
+"Yeah. Mark my words: they'll boo him for a game or two, but as soon
+as he gets a couple big hits, all will be forgiven. We shouldn't be
+blaming the players; we should be blaming the fans. 'Winning is
+everything.' The fans don't really care about the steroids, or what
+the players are doing to themselves by taking them. And there they
+will be, booing the guy for using a drug when half of them are up in
+the stands drunk as skunks. Which is worse, doing the steroids or
+DUI-ing after the game? You aren't going to kill people or turn them
+into gimps with a bottle of steroids. Hypocrites. Don't go blaming
+someone until you've looked in the mirror."
+Carl said, "Well, right or wrong, I'm afraid Raffy's going to pay the
+price. His rep will never be the same, and it might keep him out of
+the Hall of Fame. Congressional hearing. Yikes! Why can't they just
+play baseball?"
+Roebuck said, "Where's Cal Ripken when we need him?"
+Carl said, "Yeah. Things were a lot better in those days. I loved it
+when they had him and Cal Sr. and Billy. It was a special time."
+Roebuck said, "Senior was another guy they didn't give enough time in
+the driver's seat. Great baseball man, through and through..."
+Will said "Hey, there's the padre."
+
+Father Ken was carrying a two-gallon tub of ice cream. Helen said,
+
+"I'm so glad you could make it."
+
+"I love crab feasts. Nothing like it. Thanks for inviting me."
+
+"Here, I'll stick the ice cream in the freezer until after while.
+Still some crabs left. There's coleslaw over there, and drinks in the
+cooler, and iced tea."
+
+"I can tell I came to the right place. This is great!"
+
+------------------
+
+By now, the shadows were long. It had been a happy afternoon. The
+children were laughing and having the best time Helen could remember
+for a long while, maybe since Kevin's accident. Helen smiled: Adam
+and Joan had been together all afternoon, and they had that look in
+their eyes again. It wasn't going to be puppy love any more, but it
+might be something stronger, something that would carry them through
+the ups and downs of life. Helen got the ice cream from the freezer
+compartment of the refrigerator and set it on the counter by the
+sink, next to the chocolate brownies, already cut and on paper
+plates.
+
+Looking out the window, she saw that Adam had a few streaks of gray
+in his hair; he was as slim as ever. Running in merry circles around
+him were the twins, three-year old Elizabeth and Helen. Joan had cut
+her hair short, put on about fifteen pounds, and looked very happy.
+She was with Grace, who was nursing little 'Michael Faraday Girardi'
+-- Helen shook her head and smiled at the name Luke and Grace had
+given him. Then she saw Kevin, and grabbed the counter to hold her
+balance. He was standing! There was a tire swing on a rope hanging
+from the big maple tree, and Kevin was pushing little four-year-old
+Joan in the swing; she was laughing with glee. Lilly, her hair
+completely gray, was coming toward the door: "Helen, you need help
+with dessert?"
+
+Helen smiled, and blinked away the tears. Lilly was by her: "Are you
+OK?" Helen looked again into the yard, and all was as it had been
+before. "Yes. Yes, I'm OK. Everything is good." She smiled at Lilly:
+"It is good to be alive."
+
diff --git a/07-DanceofDesire.rst b/07-DanceofDesire.rst
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/07-DanceofDesire.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,2987 @@
+Episode 3.07, Dance of Desire
+-----------------------------
+
+PRELUDE: En una noche oscura. “On a dark night.” 3 AM. The soul’s
+midnight. Digital clocking. 3:00. Clouds envelop full moon and
+enclose reflecting light. “Here we go round the prickly pear, prickly
+pear, prickly pear. ….” Joan’s bedchamber. Prickly plant from
+Botanica Arcadia on nightstand. Window open. Cool breeze blows
+through inner room. All her senses suspended. Interior castle.
+Perfect equilibrium. Flow. Inside. Outside. Saturate permeable
+boundaries. Skin of the house. Breathe. Stilled. Estando ya la casa
+sosegada. “And the house being now at rest.” …
+Sleep sweet sister Joan. Beloved warrior. Perchance to dream. Such
+stuff we are made on. Taper inflames obscure night. Delve deep. Wake
+to worlds diverse and wide. There, little lambs dance and abide.
+Despite infernal designs. They do abide, strong and upright. In
+Rachel’s arms maternal.
+These transcendent forces do take a local habitation in mind and
+place. Reside among terminable forms with bicameral voices. And hold
+Arcadia in hand’s palm. Yet the play’s the thing, or rather the dance
+and fling, thence do implore Terpsichore, and so begin:
+
+**Part 1**\ : Locate Joan’s dream world and ambiance: Dim patterns of
+light afford little sight. Ballroom, with high ceiling, quite absent
+chairs or tables. Wall sconces with candles disperse limited
+illumination. And Joan’s there, walking slowly, looking ‘round,
+seeing no one. She pans the room’s large size. It invokes feeling
+thoroughly alone. Vast open space, yet enclosed. Nothing. Nada.….
+Well, not quite. There are pictures on the walls, barely seen because
+of distances in the room; the lighting’s low. The ballroom’s more a
+gallery of images, forms, and paintings. Artwork lines the space.
+‘Woman in flames’ (‘Anima Sola’) and Goya (‘Saturn devouring one of
+his children.’) paintings are prominent.
+Joan’s adorned elegantly, arrayed in all her glory, decked in finery
+of floor-length ensemble, gathered at the waist, with sequins.
+(Impressions float by: Strange armour? Senior prom dress? Graduation
+day? Or … wedding day gown?) She’s all dressed up, but without a
+beau, sin un amado (without a beloved). She’s got the place to go
+rather than no place at all, but …. where are the props? …. It’s all
+too much, and yet, vibrant. Teeming anticipation fills the space,
+saturating thought. Prelude to what?
+Joan looks ‘round the ballroom again, giving closer observation to
+the paintings and details. Hardly seeing, she wanders towards the
+images.
+The beginning notes of a song (Leonard Cohen’s ‘Joan of Arc’)
+reverberate. Joan stops before one painting, and visually glides her
+sight from that location to others in the hall.
+She moves closer to absorb that of ‘the solitary soul,’\ \ `Anima
+Sola <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/Lonelysoul-1.jpg>`__\ \ .
+It appears as a ‘woman in flames’ who is chained in her longing,
+yearning to rise out.
+The opening lyrics from Cohen’s song drone:
+“Now the flames they followed Joan of Arc
+As she came riding through the dark;
+No moon to keep her armour bright,
+No man to get her through this smoky night.”
+Joan is consumed in rapt attention to Anima Sola.
+
+The ballroom/gallery is filled with these icons of contemplation:
+
+Icon of\ `San Juan de la
+Cruz <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/SaintJohnoftheCross.jpg>`__\ ;
+Icon of\ `Sacred heart of
+Jesus <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/SacredHeartofJesus.jpg>`__\ ,
+heart encircled by thorns;
+Leonard Cohen’s ‘\ \ `Death of a Ladies
+Man <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/DeathofaLadiesMan.jpg>`__\ \ ’
+album cover as portrait;
+Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, ‘\ \ `Starry
+Night <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/VincentVanGogh-StarryNight.jpg>`__\ ';
+\ `Yogi Patanjali’s
+statue <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/YogiPatanjalisstatue.jpg>`__\ ;
+\ `Nataraja’s
+statue <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/NatarajasstatuedancingposeofLordShi.jpg>`__\ ,
+dancing pose of Lord Shiva;
+Mevlevi, '\ `Whirling
+Dervishes <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/MevleviWhirlingDervishesimage.jpg>`__\ \ ’;
+Portrait of\ `Baal Shem
+Tov <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/BaalShemTov.jpg>`__\ (Rabbi
+Yisrael ben Eliezer, (Besht);
+\ `Icons <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/IconofMansural-Hallaj2.jpg>`__\ of\ `Mansur
+al-Hallaj <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/IconofMansural-Hallaj.jpg>`__\ ;
+\ `Caryatid <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/Caryatidsculpture.jpg>`__\ sculpture;
+Auguste Rodin’s sculpture, '\ `Fallen
+Caryatid <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/RodinsCaryatidCarryingaStone.jpg>`__\ carrying
+her stone’;
+\ `Ester (‘Etty’)
+Hillesum <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/EsterEttyHillesum.gif>`__\ photograph;
+Portrait of\ `Simone
+Weil <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/SimoneWeil.jpg>`__\ ;
+Photograph of\ `Gandhi’s
+cremation <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/Gandhiscremation.jpg>`__\ ;/span>
+Photograph of\ `Black
+Elk <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/BlackElk.jpg>`__\ ;
+\ `Ghost Dance
+jacket <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/IndianCostume.jpg>`__\ ;
+Photograph of\ `Malcolm
+X <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/MalcolmXinprayer.gif>`__\ in
+prayer at mosque;
+\ `Wilfred Owen portrait with ‘Greater
+Love’ <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/WilfredOwen-GreaterLove.jpg>`__\ inscribed
+beside;
+Picasso’s painting,
+‘\ \ `Guernica <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/PicassospaintingGuernica.jpg>`__\ \ ’;
+Photograph portrait of\ `Ida B
+Wells <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/IdaBWells.jpg>`__\ ;
+Adam’s sculpture,
+‘\ \ `Ascension <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/Ascension2.jpg>`__\ \ ’;
+Willem de Kooning’s painting, ‘\ \ `Woman
+V <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/WillemdeKooningspaintingWomanV.jpg>`__\ \ ’
+Helen’s\ `painting <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/Helen5.jpg>`__\ from
+her trauma;
+Jan Van Eyck’s painting, ‘\ \ `The Wedding of Giovanna and Giovanni
+Arnolfini <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/JanVanEyckspaintingTheWeddingofGiov.jpg>`__\ \ ’;
+Giovanni Bellini’s painting, ‘\ \ `St. Francis in
+Ecstasy <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/GiovanniBellinispaintingStFrancisin.jpg>`__\ \ ’;
+Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel section painting of\ `St. Catherine of
+Alexandria <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/StCatherineofAlexandria.jpg>`__\ ,
+with the Catherine wheel;
+Goya’s painting, ‘\ \ `Saturn devouring one of his
+children <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/GoyaspaintingSaturndevouringoneofhi.jpg>`__\ \ ’.
+
+With Joan’s unrest rising to fever pitch at sight of this, her
+unsureness unsettles the surfaces.
+
+And as those first lines of the song end, Cute-boy-god (CBG), with
+gentle hand, taps Joan on the shoulder from behind. Joan turns
+around, a pleased glance reveals relief in recognizing him. She’s
+feeling not so alone. He’s ‘dressed to the nines’. In a tux.
+He engages Joan to dance. She gestures not-knowing-how. He encourages
+her anyway, beckoning … ‘Follow my lead. Join the flow.’ Joan’s heart
+starts to poun, her breathing becomes rapid, her lungs drawing deep
+breaths. He smiles comfort, gesturing ‘Go with me … Just breathe.’
+Joan’s awkward initially, but starts to get it. Before long, they
+seem to be gliding on air all about the room. Footfalls land silently
+upon hardwood floors that have a layer of ash-like dust upon them.
+And they flow together, breezily, dreamily, filling the space with
+the delicate design of their inscape. It’s delightful… all-consuming
+… ecstatic immanence… as they trip the light fantastic.
+As he swings low the sweet maid, the music envelops them, the
+ballroom, all their being and movement, playing off their meanings.
+And more of the images lining the room come into view. (The following
+lyrics from Cohen’s ‘\ \ `Joan of
+Arc <http://dc35.4shared.com/download/68951304/f6020608/Leonard_Cohen_-_Joan_Of_Arc.mp3>`__\ \ ’
+are heard as Joan and Cute-boy-god glide along ….
+‘She said, "I'm tired of the war,
+I want the kind of work I had before,
+a wedding dress or something white
+to wear upon my swollen appetite."
+La lala La lala La lala La lala La lala (CBG twirls Joan)
+La lala La lala La lala La lala La la la Lala la la la ….
+‘"And who are you?" she sternly spoke
+to the one beneath the smoke.
+"Why, I'm fire," he replied,
+“And I love your solitude, and I love your pride.”
+La lala La lala La lala La lala La lala (Joan is whirled by CBG)
+La lala La lala La lala La lala La la la Lala la la la …
+”Then fire, make your body cold,
+I'm going to give you mine to hold,
+And saying this she climbed inside
+to be his one, to be his only bride.”
+“And deep into his fiery heart
+he took the dust of Joan of Arc,
+and high above the wedding guests
+he hung the ashes of her wedding dress.
+La lala La lala La lala La lala La lala (Joan is whirled by CBG)
+La lala La lala La lala La lala La la la Lala la la la …
+“and then she clearly understood
+if he was fire, oh, then, she must be wood.
+I saw her wince, I saw her cry,
+I saw the glory in her eye.
+Myself I long for love and light,
+but must it come so cruel, must it be so bright?”
+La lala La lala La lala La lala La lala (CBG twirls Joan)
+La lala La lala La lala La lala La la la Lala la la la …
+At end, they’ve soared to a different place. Re-located. In a church.
+In the alcove is a statue of Michael the archangel, his foot on
+Satan. CBG looks deeply into Joan’s eyes …. A lingering gaze…
+Something rises from Joan’s core, her heart of hearts … The dance
+wakens a longing. She swells with excitement and distress, and tries
+to breathe, but can barely catch her breath. And … And …. Joan’s
+alarm clock flares out like a fire truck blaring its horn, striking
+her to wakefulness.
+
+**Part 2**\ : …. Startled into the cold current of the world’s flow,
+Joan rises from her bed early in the morning. It’s still dark …She
+quickly completes her morning routine and is about to leave when she
+moves to close her window. She sticks her head out. And then, leaning
+her elbows on the sill, she looks up at the night sky and sees the
+constellation Orion, dominating the kingdoms of stars. Her gaze
+slowly descends to the ground. In her backyard, she notices the
+Grecian urn, purchased this summer. Its form, that of a woman’s head,
+life-size, caryatid-like, and hollowed out for flowers or ashes, is
+now turned over, with a crack running down the length of its
+hairline… The lavender that surrounded it, trampled…She recalls
+gathering it, and drying it during the summer… for her hair, and to
+scent the room. The crushed lavender, its essence, that filled the
+urn … now spilled out… and strewn over the backyard. Its odor wafting
+up and above the house ‘til it seems to pervade it. A light drizzle
+has just begun to fall upon the ground, dampening it some. Joan muses
+over this, dropping it out of her mind for another day when she
+finally closes the window behind her. She goes to pick up her
+headphones, and is about to drop them back on the chair, but instead
+slips them around her neck. (“\ \ `Existentialism on prom
+night <http://dc35.4shared.com/download/68967627/393dd2d7/Straylight_Run_-_Existentialism_on__Prom_Night.mp3>`__\ ,”
+by Straylight Run plays out of the headphones, louder and louder
+until it surrounds the room. She carries the tune into the following
+sequence.)
+\ **Part 3**\ : (Joan stops in the kitchen … Helen’s there).
+Helen: Honey, what are you doing up so early? I thought you need more
+sleep, not less.
+Joan: (making a smart remark): Walking in my sleep. (closes her eyes
+and starts to traipse zombie-like, then whirls as in the dream, but
+abruptly stops, startled into inkling its meaning …it’s all so
+disturbing.) I told you. I’ve been getting up early for a secret
+rendezvous… with God, er… angels … you know, at St. Michael’s.
+(Joan’s again joking. But Helen’s a little confused. And Joan’s
+alarming herself as she reminds herself again unawares of images from
+her dream.) Ah! Ugh! (frustrated)
+Helen: Oh yeah, I forget these things as soon as you say them… (on
+second thought) Sometimes. …Not up early this week to see you leave.
+But I need to know these things…
+Joan: Mom! (whining)… Every little detail… 17 almost 18. Let’s see.
+(irritated and rattling off a list from her mind, almost ready to
+stomp her foot for emphasis)…Age of independence. Age of majority.
+Voting. Selective service. Join the army. Forming my own? (this last
+said almost as a question; she’s going a little too far so she tries
+to come back) No longer innocent! …. Do I have to put it in writing
+for you?… (wondering aloud) And what else? …Gone to college in a
+year. (and now getting to the point) So, how ‘bout some privacy? Hey,
+livin’ in my own private Idaho, here! (Another song has come out of
+the headphones around Joan’s neck: B-52s, '\ `Own Private
+Idaho <http://dc35.4shared.com/download/68968134/e403b4ff/B-52_-_Private_Idaho.mp3>`__\ ,’
+but she can barely hear it.)
+Helen: (feeling it’s all moving too fast and not following Joan’s
+last remark, but hearing ‘privacy’, Helen is about to say something
+when Joan interrupts)
+Joan: Oh yeah, I forgot: I listen to the music you didn’t listen to
+when you were young because it was way ahead of you. So that’s how
+far behind I am. Pathetic. Please don’t remind me.
+Helen: (disappointed in Joan’s unkind remark) Thanks. (Helen recovers
+enough to say something) Oh yeah, the privacy thing. Would you get me
+some while you’re there?
+Joan: (tired of where the conversation has gone, now going back) What
+are you up so early for?
+Helen: Making breakfast for your father … Something new (pleased with
+herself)… scrambled eggs with salsa. Caliente…. (now giving her
+reason) He has a meeting with the Citizens’ Watchdog Committee on
+crime in Arcadia. (Joan moves towards the skillet to get a taste.)
+They want a more aggressive approach with the drug dealers, vagrants,
+street level criminals in the neighborhoods. And you know how he
+doesn’t like being told how to do his job…
+Joan: With Ryan Hunter….? (worried and losing interest in the
+scrambled eggs that she picked up and dabbed with the salsa, but she
+samples anyways)
+Helen: I suppose… (Joan tried to keep her distress to herself,
+unsuccessfully. Helen noticed it.)
+Joan: (picking up the newspaper and pointing to the headlines of a
+story) Does he have to deal with them about this?
+Helen: He hopes not. It’s a mess. All that money and drugs missing
+from the police department. And who knows what else.
+(Will walks in, wondering if he missed something as both Helen and
+Joan clam up, not wanting to start Will’s morning off with bad police
+news.)
+Joan: (to her dad in an attempt at redirection) Ola.
+(Will decides to ignore his premonition, smiles at Joan, and, notices
+the eggs, and gives Helen a kiss, a more extended one than normal.)
+Joan: (grossed out, grimacing through the entire sequence that
+follows, thinks it uncouth …) Eyew. Eyew. Eyew! (with gradual
+increase in volume and emphasis that caricatures her response)
+Helen: What’s this (referring to the extended kiss)?
+Will: (speaking softly) I had a dream. Missed you when I woke up.
+Helen: Well (overwhelmed by the extended kiss, but tries to come out
+of it). Que es? (Spanish, ‘what is it?’ not quite the right Spanish
+for her question, but Helen’s not fluent, and it’s early morning. She
+meant ‘what was it?’)
+Will: I don’t remember…. but it was hot (Looking at the salsa, and
+realizing that Helen spoke Spanish, Will is set off into the
+following passionate sequence. He starts speaking Spanish himself,
+with a wild look.) Querida Mia (Will kisses Helen’s arm like Gomez
+did Morticia’s in ADDAMS Family. He tries to get her to dance as they
+would; she resists. There’s a mix of suggestion, resistance, and
+comic passion.)
+Helen: Will! (Not in the mood)
+Will: (disappointed look, but still hoping) …. Yada?
+Helen: Nada!
+(Kevin rolls in behind Luke, who walks into the kitchen. Noticing the
+end of the attempted dance by Will, Luke picks up a mophead near the
+counter and throws it over his head, looking like Cousin Itt from
+Addams Family.)
+Joan: Too much ADDAMS family. I’m outta here.
+Kevin: (missing what had happened) What’s with her? (They all look
+quizzical and go in random directions that appear choreographed into
+a fractal-like dance, ordered but not consciously or in obvious form.
+It’s a jazz-inflected dance troupe performance, accidentally done by
+the 4 Girardis, that plays off Will and Helen’s failed Morticia-Gomez
+skit. But this one is coordinated unawares by family Girardi, having
+learned one another’s rhythms and moves accordingly.)
+
+**Part 4**\ : (It’s still dark outside as Joan walks up to the bus
+stop. The moon is bright in the sky. Joan runs into Adam, who has an
+Arcadia Herald newspaper in his arms, and they start talking while
+standing there. The words mostly come slow and with difficulty.)
+Joan: What are you doing up so early? …(then qualifies it, not
+wanting to sound intrusive, but fails) ‘Round here?
+Adam: Getting a ‘moon tan.’ (thinking it might sound funny and light,
+but his heart’s not in it, so he shifts to where he’s really at) Just
+thinking. (feeling uncertain and hopeless.)
+Joan: Yeah …(ignoring the moon comment, and guessing) School’s here.
+The end…. Our last year. Then…. On our own.
+Adam: I know. (not enthusiastic.)
+Joan: Why the ‘long dog’ face?
+Adam: I don’t know what’s ahead….I want what we had before. I miss
+you. (being honest)
+Joan: Me too. …. Miss you, that is, not me. (trying to be clear, but
+sounding funny)
+Adam: What we had…
+Joan: Can’t be taken from us. (Joan finishes his sentence.)
+Adam: I know. But I want you back, J…. (Wanting to say ‘Jane’, he
+can’t bear having to say ‘Joan’.)
+Joan: I want to be back. (A moment of hope glimmers for Adam, but he
+resists and is glad he didn’t show it after he hears Joan’s next
+remark.) But it can’t happen. (Then she tries to be hopeful for Adam,
+not herself.) For now.
+Adam: Yes, I know. (returning to his sadness)
+Joan: Adam. (trying to be helpful) Just breathe. (She takes a deep
+breath and demonstrates. Then she takes another kind of breath, this
+time through her nostrils expanding her lower abdomen, and exhaling
+through her mouth pursed.) Everything …we (thinking, but unsure, so
+she just guesses) need? .. is in the present moment…..I think.
+(hoping she got it right)
+Adam: (he smiles, wanting to connect even if he doesn’t understand
+most of what she says, he softly agrees, though it’s more a question)
+Right.
+Joan: (seeing the bus pulling up) Gotta go.
+Adam: Me too. (though it’s not really so.)
+Joan: (The bus arrives and Joan is about to step up. She turns,
+looking back towards him) Hey. (feeling how much she really cares for
+Adam.) Take care.
+Adam: (Adam moves to give Joan a hug.)
+Joan: (resisting Adam’s overture, quickly suppressing his effort) Not
+yet. (She turns away and gets on the bus.)
+Adam: Bye, Joan. (Her name comes out more like a plaintive plea. As
+he ‘trembles with tenderness, lips that would kiss mouth unformed
+prayers to broken’… ness. And he watches her bus ride off west with
+the moon.)
+
+**Part 5**\ : Joan walks down the street, past storefronts, a few
+that are boarded up, and comes upon St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.
+Outside the building is a statue of St. Michael crushing the serpent.
+Joan enters with some anxiety and anticipation. She wonders what goes
+on here. She walks down into the basement.
+There’s another emblem of\ `St.
+Michael <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/StMichaelbyRaphael.jpg>`__\ ,
+a painting, on the wall.
+6:25 on the clock. A Gathering session. Yoga class in the church
+basement. The group looks more varied than is typical for Joan’s
+social group – a wide range of ages and people of African, Latina/o
+(Hispanic), Middle Eastern and Asian descent. There are about 15 to
+20 people. Joan has her own mat in the bag she’s carrying. She gets
+it out, and lays out a spot; she removes her shoes. Things haven’t
+yet started, but will momentarily.
+She starts her warm-up in the reclining position, lying on her back,
+supine, comfortably, with her arms at her side, doing breathing
+techniques to relax and prepare her concentration and attention.
+After awhile, she moves to ‘happy baby’ posture. While lying on her
+back still, she brings knees to her chest, widening her legs,
+gripping knees with her hands to assist gradually the widening….
+Breathing and concentrating for awhile…stretching muscles easily….
+and then fully extending her legs into the air, holding the arches of
+her feet with her hands turned in, not putting too much pressure on
+the extension, and stretching her hamstrings. Joan’s deliberative and
+conscious of her body already, while she’s breathing. A thought
+crosses by: Happy yet? And she lets go of it, coming back to … in…
+She then sits up with her trunk quite straight, her legs as far apart
+as possible, folding left leg against her right thigh and bends at
+the waist, her head to kneecap. It’s the preparatory exercise for the
+perfect posture (lotus); she follows with the right leg. She’s
+feeling loose, and her body is warming to movement, flexibility
+fanning out.
+As Joan begins feeling her body’s extension and presence
+simultaneously, the yoga instructor enters, greets everyone with
+‘Ola,’ and a slight bow as she brings her palms, hands, and fingers
+together in perfect symmetry. She is a lovely, fair Latina woman,
+strikingly attractive. Lithe, lissome, and comely. One could be
+absorbed in her appearance if the focus was on her, but it isn’t. She
+pulls out of her bag “the bell of mindfulness,” setting it nearby,
+and rings it, to bring all to attention. Waiting ‘til all become
+mindful, wakeful.
+She moves directly to modeling further warm-up postures. Standing up,
+Joan matches them. The yoga instructor begins in the mountain-solid
+posture, the basic standing pose, with lower back slightly tucked in,
+rounded. Finding the center of gravity for the body in relation to
+the earth, its location in the space-time continuum. The mind focuses
+on a distant still point, in perfect poise, a massive rock, or
+pebble. One could repose here or sway for eternity or as long as the
+mountains stand. Breathing-mantra … in … out … mountain…
+solid…..drawing oxygen into the expanded diaphragm, the lower
+abdomen. Silence reigns. All sense of sound suspended. Remaining.
+Abiding. Being.
+Then the move to Deep Obeisance…While standing aright, bend at waist
+and place palms on the floor outward near feet. Not yet reaching the
+ground, a breath release drops the trunk further to the floor.
+Deepening drawn down. And another breath release. Further. It
+stretches hamstring muscles beyond length; so very few complete the
+full extension, but the effort directs the mind and the body. And
+practice improves quality and experience quickly.
+Before long, a return to “ standing-mountain” relieves the tension
+and allows an easier return to the breathing-mantra and the now very
+remote point. All to deliver the mind from thought - overrated,
+over-identified, aspect of self. Too much thinking…Stop…. Breathe ..
+in… out … delivering non-self from too many thought-ings. Deep
+relaxation. Oxygenating… special delivery to all parts of the body.
+Rebirth. Rejuvenating… Now…. And now. …. And now…. Now-ing…….
+Joan goes through an additional set of poses: Warrior pose. Down-dog.
+Up-dog. Child’s pose for relief and repose.
+Slowly, thoughts and mind lose their puffiness, inflation, expansion,
+sliding down into the heart, where they reside as affordants to
+action, feeling.
+
+Yoga instructor: (ending the morning’s session with deep relaxation…
+‘corpse position’… preparing the last letting-go of self and
+non-self, joining That, which is This, all linked in communion until
+dissolution… in pain and sorrow that become inextricably and
+simultaneously pleasure and joy, yin and yang experienced in the
+moment, … latent and salient)
+Joan: (As Joan lies on her back, fully extended, concentrating on her
+breath, observing its rhythms of mind and absence, something’s
+happening… withdrawal of the senses….she’s starting to become fully
+conscious… awake….disturbingly awake…..seeing the world anew,….
+Noticing how it’s refreshingly askew… but aright for the first
+time…Is this what ‘looking deeply’ means?….. Let go even of this
+clarity…. She can’t bear that thought as it passes….back-ing to her
+breath-ing…..She’s feeling a whole ‘nother part of her ……. be-ing
+……em-body-ing.)
+(And …her thinking interrupts flow… faltering at returning to breath…
+Finally she looks around, mutters, can’t keep it to herself any
+longer) Wow, this is like …. floating on waves of ... or swimming in
+clouds of … where am I? (nowhere… u-topia)
+Yoga instructor: (slowly returning to the world in front of the eyes,
+she rings “the bell of mindfulness” once more, and she speaks softly
+after its resonance has faded out) Shantih. Shalom. Salaam. (and
+taking a final breath, the prana spreads throughout her body and
+being; she keeps it with her as she comes and goes through the day,
+dwelling in the rippling center of things that dissipates and
+gathers.)
+(As each person seems to have returned to ordinary time with her, and
+standing on their own, she speaks up.) …Pax Finis…Anyone who wants to
+stick around for more ….understanding, questions, do so… (Most people
+leave…Joan joins a group of 4 people. They all sit on the
+floor)…(instructing) Yoga is a tree with 6 branches. Each branch a
+path. Hatha yoga is all about …. Breathing. …Postures…. Deep
+relaxation… Meditation….and (leaving it open-ended)…All methods to
+yoking … holding the mind in its place ….a discipline of the body
+…..also a discipline of the spirit …. Practice at home…. Breathing
+from the abdomen. Inhale, filling the stomach. Exhale through the
+mouth, pursed. ….a technique. It’s for you to profit from, in your
+own way. (now developing the theme with more depth) In Vipassana …
+observing breath’s the primary method… insight ….or mindfulness
+meditation … to see clearly .. or ..to look deeply .. from .. the
+place where the heart dwells …thought arises out of the heart…. an
+ancient idea… not far from bhakti yoga, the branch of love.
+(taking a breath and moving on to another topic) Another branch is
+karma yoga. Gandhi practiced it. Action. Experiments with truth. All
+yogas are kin, from the same Teacher. (now sounding cute) Sorta
+kissin’ cousins.
+(Lastly, pulling from her bag some gifts, she passes out a long
+thread-like rope with 108 beads, a japa mala) The sutras passed down
+and then finally written down by Patanjali are … threads of a japa
+mala on which the words of direction, aphorisms, are strung like
+beads. These can be helpful guides for recollection. …. reminiscence
+… remembrance… to return to the present … like the bell of
+mindfulness. Enough then for today. (Joan slips the string of beads
+into her pocket.)
+…(Yoga instructor finishes and goes over to pick up her stuff to
+leave. Everyone’s finally gone, but Joan’s still on the floor
+lingering, thinking again.)
+Yoga instructor: (going over to Joan and starts talking) Joan, how’d
+you come up with this before I gave the assignment?
+Joan: What? (unsure whether it’s god)
+Yoga instructor: I was going to tell you to visit a church. And here
+you are already.
+Joan: (realizing it’s god) So, no assignment. Good deal. I have a lot
+on the front burner.
+Yoga-instructor-god: Nah, it just gives me the chance to go to the
+next card (pulls out a card, and pulls up a chair to sit in, next to
+Joan). Learn to dance…
+Joan: (uncomfortable, remembering the dream) Sure. (displeased, but
+trying not to show it.)
+Yoga-instructor-god: Oh you already got that one too (making Joan
+curious about her dream)… Well, take it anyway, ‘cause … I teach
+dance too … (Yoga-instructor-god’s pleased with her cleverness) Am I
+a party-spirit, fun or what? (Joan gets a bit irritated because
+Yoga-instructor-god’s enjoying herself, wiggling her body about the
+chair, playing her feet like notes on a beat, and Joan’s still
+preoccupied with herself and impatient) … This is the location where
+I teach (gives her the card; Joan notices on the card: ‘Oracles: any
+time, contact directly’; faith healing; trumping all other cards…call
+1800-028-2827 ext 9494; there’s also an icon of a giraffe on it)….
+Okay, now get thee to the Academy, where they have class of a
+different sort …you’ll be late …. You have plenty of assignments
+coming this year…. (Joan frowns knowing how much schoolwork senior
+year is. She rises peeved and preoccupied, stomping her foot,
+readying to leave.)
+(Joan gets doubly distressed by an odd occurrence: she notices Ryan
+leaving the basement of the church. How did she miss him? She turns
+to talk to Yoga-instructor-god, but she’s exiting the basement with a
+wave. Joan now hurries too. Coming out of the church basement, she
+sees the sun barely rising, and a star fading at the horizon. In the
+same direction, she observes Yoga-instructor-god hook up with Ryan
+who was waiting outside the church. They start to walk together. Joan
+would like to follow them but chooses to get to school on time. As
+she hustles, she looks ahead, noticing an old movie theater, the
+Rialto, that connects her to a memory of Adam. On one side of the
+marquee, there’s “Citizen Kane”. On the other side of the marquee,
+there’s ‘All the President’s Men’ … 2 weeks.)
+
+**Part 6**\ : (Helen & Lily arrive at Café Noir coffee shop, which
+has films playing in a separate room continuously. While they’re
+getting their coffee, they notice a film currently running: “The
+Nun’s Story” with Audrey Hepburn. Lily smiles to herself; she’s seen
+it several times. It is barely seen in brief clips throughout Helen
+and Lily’s conversation. They sit down at a table. Helen and Lily’s
+conversation begins as a quick exchange before it slows down.)
+Lily: So Helen, I gotta tell you, I’m falling deep into like with
+Kevin. It’s starting to really simmer. (looking at the coffee) …
+brew. (not liking the image)You know, a slow boil, here. (giving up)
+Whatever.
+Helen: (reacting with discomfort, but Lily goes right into…..)
+Lily: I just thought I’d start out with true confessions because
+today’s lesson is ….
+(Recognizing Helen’s distressed and over-interested, Lily
+reconsiders.) I’ll keep it to myself.
+Helen: Huh? (quizzical look) Wait, wait. Is that some kind of convent
+double speak? Deep into like? Gimme a break … (frustrated, not
+disgusted)
+Lily: (ignoring Helen’s remark) Blurting .. So …(returning to the
+planned purpose) Today’s lesson is sex and drugs and rock and roll
+…oh, and …God. Yeah, you know the Song of Songs. This incredible
+erotic poem to God in the Bible. (Lily’s quick intense voice is
+immediately recognized.)
+(Then Lily mumbles to no one in particular) I wonder what the music
+sounded like that goes with it …(Lily’s drifting for a second before
+returning, which allows Helen to say something and not interrupt.)
+Helen: Well, this is something they never told me in 12 years of
+Catholic schooling. They were all about getting us to unroll our
+skirts. You know, the ones we rolled up to show more leg.
+Lily: Yeah. Right. (Lily’s looking not interested, not connecting to
+Helen’s remarks because of its nostalgic reverb that’s a generational
+distance between them.) Well, anyway …
+(Lily spits the next lines out in rapid fire…) Yesterday. In church.
+We did this youth group service … with a kid playing the bass riff
+from Bob Marley’s EX-O-DUS. And the kids wrote their own praise
+refrain with this one kid singing the verses from the Book of Daniel
+. You know, where Rack, Shack and Benny are thrown into the fiery
+furnace for refusing to bow before NebbyNezzer’s pantheon. …(Lily
+gets tangential) Not unlike our own.. (has second thoughts)… Ok, I
+won’t go there. (going back to point) .. So, they’re like … untouched
+by these dancing flames …Wow! …. It was so cool. I mean. Really cool.
+For them. And me too. …And while this kid’s wailing the words
+unconsumed, I’m like transported. (she thinks twice.) Not into the
+fire, not for me. (going back to the mood) Me and God. And a choir of
+angels. In the heavenly court. We were rocking and rolling. (she’s
+moving, swaying) It was …so HOT (pronounced with extension, ‘H ahhh
+T!’) … Getting me all (Lily drags the ‘alllllll’ out) stirred up.
+(Lily now makes some movements to illustrate. She gets up and moves
+with flair. She jumps a couple times, including once in 180 degrees.
+It seems exciting, tantalizing. Into the fire or out? Nah. It’s as
+though she’s hearing the music all over again. People in the coffee
+shop look at her like she’s strange, but then they start to move in
+their chairs, almost like they’re caught up by her unbridled energy
+and enthusiasm as well.)
+(Finally Lily catches herself, takes a breath and comes back to
+earth.) And I won’t even tell you what we did with the Lord of the
+Dance!
+Helen: (listening to this as patiently as possible, Helen’s about to
+burst) Hold on. Hold on. You what! … What kind of church is talking
+about sex without abstinence? To kids? Too x-rated for this
+ex-catholic schoolgirl.
+Lily: Helen, how do we not bring our bodies to worship? Our souls
+into communion with the higher power? (Lily pauses, developing a much
+slower repartee, letting the question sink in and hit Helen strongly
+and preparing for the next words that have equal force) Sex does it.
+Or at least points there…. Rock and roll gets it going (Lily suggests
+her earlier movements with a gesture or two. Helen’s not getting it
+so Lily ramps it up more. ‘Armageddon Surfer Girl’ song plays
+counterpoint.)
+Helen, the kids are alright. They just learn by trial and error. We
+all do. Struggling with guilt and innocence. Nobody gets it right the
+first time or the second or …. But the kids need to know God loves
+their bodies,… their passions. The whole of them.
+It’s there in the Song of Songs … The mystics know this. It inspired
+San Juan de la Cruz to write these exquisite love poems of God.
+(Lily’s excited, and starts to wonder if Helen thinks she’s lost it
+or not. Lily goes on, even though Helen’s musing that Lily’s really
+off her rocker.) … Helen, you’re a married woman. You know how it is.
+Desire can’t be satisfied . Or can, only to rise again. (quoting
+something) “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.” Our
+bodies, too. (going on) Rest, from hard work, desire’s exhaustion.
+All in its place. …Oh, and what excitement! Finding their place,
+their order in the soul, the universe…(Lily realizes she’s come back
+from her rhapsodizing and suddenly tries to focus herself.) And their
+ordering… that’s the disciplines of prayer…. You see, you know we
+were going there. (Helen again displays a distressed reaction,
+exasperated one more time by Lily’s flight, her jumps in meaning.
+Lily hoped her refocusing wasn’t too abrupt, but she gets the
+distinct idea that she’s left Helen in the dust, or ashes as it were.
+Lily now puts it out there straight.) Helen, are you praying? (And
+then Helen feels ever so clearly again that she loves Lily, considers
+her a good friend, truly beloved of her. Lily doesn’t mince her
+words; she’s direct, spiritual, mixing a faith and lived experience
+in a vital way, but Helen is unable to let that feeling connect
+herself to Lily and asks a question, rather than kissing her.)
+Helen: I’m not yet Catholic again, so .. And …. how did we get from
+sex to prayer? This makes no sense. (Helen’s staying safe even though
+it would have seemed spent.)
+Lily: (Lily shakes her head in frustration and looks down to the book
+she had brought. It’s laying on the table and she’s about to read a
+passage. Helen gets up and begins to walk out. The truth will take a
+little longer to sink in. As Helen leaves, she hears distantly Lily’s
+reading from The Song of Songs) “Set me as a seal on your heart, as a
+seal on your arm. For strong as death is love. Relentless as the
+nether world is desire. Its flames are blazing fire, a flame of
+Adonai himself. Deep waters cannot quench love nor floods sweep it
+away. Were one to offer all he owns to purchase love, he would be
+roundly mocked.”
+
+**Part 7**\ : At the Arcadia Police Department
+Will: (to Carlisle as they stand outside near a conference room at
+the Police Dept., with Will pointing) You’re coming into this with
+me.
+Carlisle: (chewing on a breakfast fajita as he’s walking) Ok.
+(reluctant, but conceding )
+Will: (in a lower voice to Carlisle) Here’s the deal… some time after
+we get in there, you mention a case we have to follow up on,
+(thinking) …I don’t know… you think of one… and that we have to
+leave.. (getting to the point.) I don’t want to waste the whole
+morning with some advisory group…
+Carlisle: (shoving what’s left of the fajita into his mouth) Yeah.
+(with mouth full). Sure, boss. (With that last word, Will starts to
+feel the chasm that comes with chiefdom return.)
+(Will walks into the conference room; Carlisle follows. Ryan Hunter,
+president of the Citizens Watchdog Committee, is there with others
+from the committee. As Will walks in with Carlisle and Ryan gets up
+to shake hands, they all feel awkward because of the small conference
+room, and look like they’re doing some kind of dance, rather than
+just sitting down at their respective seats. Will finally sits down
+as the others do, and he collects himself.)
+Will: (to Ryan and the others) Detective Carlisle’s going to join us.
+(Initially Ryan has his hand out to shake Carlisle’s hand. But
+Carlisle is still gulping on the last bits of the fajita that he
+shoved into his mouth. As Carlisle wipes his hand from the fajita on
+his pants and then goes to shake Ryan’s hand, Ryan withdraws his
+hand, finally put-off by Carlisle’s uncouth manner.) Mr. Hunter, good
+to see you again. We need to stop dan- ….. (Will’s about to say
+‘dance’ as suggested by what they were just doing, but stops himself
+and says) … meeting like this. (Will was trying to be funny but it
+falls flat, and he realizes that. Ryan concedes his effort at humor,
+though the others don’t get it even remotely.)
+(Will then looks to the rest of the advisory group) I’m the Chief of
+Police, …again… Will Girardi. Pleased to meet you. (They nod.)
+Ryan: (getting started quickly) Chief Girardi, we appreciate your
+time and don’t want to keep you from your work. (Ryan is always on to
+Will’s issues, which relieves him, but there’s still a lurking sense
+of “dis-ease” for Will. He can’t put his finger on it, so he leaves
+it be for another day.) Let me introduce the other members who
+constitute the Citizens Watchdog Committee.
+(Quick introductions ensue.)
+Will: So … What can we do for you?
+Ryan: We’re having a Safety Summit this week and want you to attend.
+(on point) The councilman, district commander, local community
+development rep will be there.(still on point) It’s in the Central
+West End neighborhood. We need you there. (goes for the new twist)
+Will: If you have them showing up, you don’t need me.
+Ryan: Yes, we do. That’s the thing. (giving a list) The crime is out
+of control. The drug dealing. Prostitution. Petty crime. Panhandling
+… (and now the rationale) It’s a continual nuisance to the people
+living there. (and now the bigger picture) This neighborhood has the
+potential to be a premiere redeveloped renovated neighborhood in
+Arcadia. (These last words are given special emphasis by Ryan. The
+rest of the watchdog committee nod.) A mixed income neighborhood of
+choice. (sounding like a slogan from somewhere)
+Watchdog Committee member (African-American man): Chief Girardi. I
+live there. And without the police we’re going to find ourselves
+desperate (the plea playing on heartstrings). Here’s the invitation
+we sent the entire neighborhood. (passes a flyer with information on
+it to Will)
+Will: (as he continues to attempt to resist) I’m the Chief of Police,
+not a detective…. (waiting for acceptance from the group and getting
+none)
+Ryan: True, … but your presence sends a message.
+Will: (quickly realizes he’s again Chief of Police and anyway, it’s
+hopeless and relents) Okay. Okay. I’ll be glad to come. (providing
+limits) But I can’t commit to any other meetings. We’re (gesturing to
+Carlisle) occupied with all of Arcadia. (hoping Carlisle will get the
+clue, but Carlisle’s got his head downward, ignoring Will as though
+something else is on his mind. It’s humorous as Carlisle’s
+frustrating Will’s previous plan to exit.) Well, gotta go. (Carlisle
+perks up.)
+Ryan: Before you go, Chief Girardi. (the oh-by-the-way strategy that
+gets them every time) We need to know about this recent matter
+covered in the Herald. (pulling out the newspaper from his leather
+carrying bag, he reads) ‘Police Dept Loses Evidence.’ Please advise.
+Will: I don’t know anything other than what you’ve read. (matter of
+fact, but it’s a sore subject) We’ve lost $50,000. Confiscated from
+several street level dealers. From in front of a dance club. Meth.
+Some heroin from those cases … Well, … all the heroin, is missing.
+It’s a mess.
+Ryan: We agree. So …
+Will: So we’re doing an internal investigation … It’s not for me to
+interfere with …
+Ryan: True. …. But we need information …
+Will: (feeling hopeless immediately, but recovering) I can’t provide
+information about an ongoing investigation...
+Ryan: Certainly, … we know that… But we want the police reports,
+timeline, all the details that are already out there. That’s our
+(with emphasis) job, right? A citizens’ review.
+Will: I’ll see what I can do … but no promises … (quickly getting up
+and moving to the door, with Carlisle following)
+Ryan: Thank you, Chief Girardi. We trust you’ll do your job to the
+fullest, and demonstrate a talent for responsiveness to the citizens
+of Arcadia.
+Will: (nods goodbye) Mr. Hunter, citizenry (Odd term for Will, he
+wonders for a moment where it came from. As Will walks out, he
+realizes the answer and thinks about how he gets into these things,
+that Ryan Hunter is becoming ‘a bug up his …’ or is it ‘a fly in his
+…?’ It’s like this guy is some kind of ‘lord of the flies’ for Will
+and he wants to stop the buzzing in his ears, like maybe take a swat
+at it. Irritating the … out of him. With Will and Carlisle’s exit,
+Ryan, still sitting, smiles and nods to the Committee, satisfied, as
+if the outcome was just as he had predicted it to them.)
+
+**Part 8**\ : It’s the first day of school with Joan and Grace
+entering the school building, getting checked with a wand metal
+detector by security guard. Joan whirls around as she is wand-ed.
+Grace: Hey whirligirl. Looking for a partner? (Joan gets a look on
+her face, like don’t get smart with me or bring up a painful subject
+the first thing, but Grace wasn’t buggin’ at all)
+Joan: (moving on) Can you believe we’re gonna have ID cards for
+school and class!?
+Grace: Our illustrious school board president and his cast of lackeys
+… what kiss-ups!…couldn’t find some way to fill up their time this
+summer. …. Where’s the teachers’ union when you need them?
+Joan: My mom was all for it. (meaning the ID cards) But that’s where
+she draws the line… Ryan Hunter has video cameras on the front burner
+now too… for the hallways ... the parking lots. …the cafeteria… the
+teachers’ lounges?… But that’s stepping over the line for her.
+Grace: Gulag Arcadia. We’re gonna be the next public/private
+partnership. America’s private gulag…file import by way of the demon
+express. Just another brick in the wall… They’ve colonized our
+bodies, now it’s our minds, Girardi. We gotta bust this regime before
+they start stamping our foreheads with bar codes.
+Price: (noticing and welcoming them) Young ladies, Welcome to your
+final school year… Courtesy of Fortress Arcadia. (having overheard
+Grace, he chuckles as he repeats the refrain) Finally real security
+for the “school land.” God! We’re lucky to have someone leading our
+schoolboard down the road to eternal…(seeming to leaving it
+open-ended, but comes with a punch-line ) … Safety. Lights. Camera.
+Action. (he illustrates like a director giving direction) When we get
+those video cameras…ooh la la! We’ll zoom right in on our security
+threats! (putting his hands together like a camera and riveting on
+Grace’s head… he chuckles knowing it will get a rise out of Grace
+which it does, with a glare.)
+Helen: (walking up, hearing a bit of the conversation) There are way
+too many kids roaming the halls that I don’t know. An ID card with
+picture will immediately identify who belongs and who doesn’t ….and
+where they should be.
+Grace: Mrs. Girardi…. This will be my mission this year. Anonymity or
+bust. Suspend me, condemn me, threaten me, but I won’t entrust my
+identity to an emblem … You know who I am .. Card me if I’m going
+into a bar, but into class, come on!
+Helen: Well, many teachers don’t know you.
+Grace: So if I introduce myself to every teacher … you’ll stop this
+nonsense.
+Helen: (in a hurry, waves bye) Maybe. You have a point.
+Grace: (calling out so she can be heard) Hey, everyone, Grace Polk’s
+the name… radical’s my game... Going to the root of the problem.
+(checking back) Hey, if they don’t get it, well, …. I’ll just find
+myself the local chapter of the Hasidim… or move to Brooklyn… follow
+the tzaddik, quit school. Learning the way of the world is way
+overrated. If the mountain will not come to Mohammed, Mohammed will
+go to the mountain.(she smiles ‘cause she knows how much others at
+the synagogue will jump out of their skin the next time she tries
+those lines on them. She files it in her mental “jag cabinet.”)
+Joan: Grace! (surprised she could somehow link all that and not lose
+part of her brain to science)
+
+**Part 9**\ : (Joan and Grace join up with the rest of Arcadia High’s
+sub-defectives now maturing fully into defection, or is it
+assimilation?…Luke, Glynis, Friedman, Adam, are coming down the
+school hallway, before walking into Government class.)
+Adam: (to the whole crew) I am so not stoked! I’m like outta here
+already (shaking his head, suggesting his mind’s elsewhere). And we
+still have a whole year. Doesn’t senioritis set in ….like January?
+And it’s like ….September! How do I get my head back into all this ….
+STUFF? (making a gesture, waving at the hallways, all of it.)
+Friedman: Let’s set off a fire alarm to celebrate the opening of
+school. (Everyone’s been ignoring Friedman, so now he’s seeking
+attention, and he’s still not getting it.)
+Glynis: (oblivious to Friedman’s remark initially, mostly
+self-occupied) I spent 2 weeks at the Phoenix Music Institute. We
+made a CD of the stuff we wrote. Just a band of misfits. (coming up
+with an even better word) Or miscreants… playing dissonance… uh,
+chaos (smiles as she connects music and physics) It was very cool.
+(She says this last line sleekly to give weight and try to get others
+interested.)
+…..Yuh? (Friedman’s remark finally registering, then says to him)
+Grow up! (She initiates slapping Friedman in the head, which they all
+join in doing, in a ritualized, orchestrated form that’s over
+familiar.)
+Friedman: (He almost fights them off successfully, and then shakes
+himself, as though unruffling his feathers, ashes, phoenix-like,
+arising out of the flurry of slaps they throw his way.) The Friedman
+will consummate his future this year. I will find the perfect maid
+…maiden? (wonders aloud, then announcing to everyone) … Erotic
+fantasies no more … Well (He has second thoughts but proceeds) .. The
+goddess of my dreams … On a stone pedestal (waxing poetic, imagining
+her on the pedestal) … above all else …. Give her a magic potion …
+just in case (worried about his inadequacies)… (then, reflecting,
+with a change of demeanor, almost sadness) and I almost had her in my
+arms …(mumbling to himself) … Judith … (‘Love is the drug’ by Roxy
+Music plays to the thought.)
+Luke: (missing the Judith mention and irritated at Friedman) Get a
+life …. What romantic drivel? We’re taking AP Calc this year.
+Differential and Integral equations. Fundamental theorem here we
+come. (Friedman shakes off his previous reverie and totally changes
+his mood.)
+Luke and Friedman: (together, simultaneously) The dance of highly
+sensitive variables. (They high-five and do an in-tandem jump/kick
+dance while circling, that looks like they’re really skipping the
+light fandango)
+Glynis: (Hearing Friedman’s mention of Judith, and taken aback
+emotionally, she begins reflecting, oblivious to Friedman-Luke’s
+truncated dance) Some romantics grieved a lost loved one their entire
+life … unremitting … worshipping them as Aphrodite. (then wondering
+aloud) Pallas Athena?
+Joan: (listening to Glynis, but confused by the calculus excitement)
+Really? Glynis. I didn’t know … (and trails off surprised at Glynis’
+evoked sense of feeling.)
+Grace: (looking at Luke, but catching Friedman too) Shut it down, the
+high-octane surge, ‘boy-toys R us.’ (She really wants to put them in
+their place.) Sex, desire, is the politics of the bedroom, and
+subject to fetish, charm …. and loss of power. (Grace’s trying out
+some new ideas she’s come across.) Just like Arcadia High, you
+lap-dog teacher pets. (Now she’s trying to put it all together in one
+perfect equation.) Freud plus Marx equals Marcuse. Or the Frankfurt
+School. Or both. (slightly puzzled by the direction of her flight and
+momentarily uncertain) Whatever. (recovering) Now that’s a calculus
+for ya! (Grace is pleased with herself and chuckles, self-absorbed in
+her own way.)
+ALL: HUH! (Everyone’s irritated and dazed and confused as Grace makes
+her last remark). What!
+Grace: Don’t look at me. (satisfied that she made herself perfectly
+clear)
+Adam: (trying to change the subject, and speaking in a low voice tone
+to Grace specifically) Grace, should I get a dog? You know, a
+replacement for Joan? ‘Cause I’m lonely….(trailing off…)
+Joan: (overhears Adam’s remark anyway) Ahhhh…(Joan lets out this
+moaning-like sound of sweetness, a sigh of love) Adam …. (Realizing
+her old love is there and not-there for Adam. Confused emotionally,
+she just lets it hang out there revealed in the moment.)
+Grace: (ignores Joan’s moaning, and replies to Adam loudly so that
+everyone hears) Exactly, fetishee. (Adam gets this look on his face
+like ‘don’t tell Grace about these confused needs for connection.’
+Grace misses his look and goes back to her subject, winding up again,
+and getting into a rant) …You guys only read what they assign. Or do
+some bizarre calculations for the end of the world. (Grace is now on
+her soapbox. The others are restless as she’s gotten into this, but
+she waves off their interruption.) And live your life like some damn
+assignment. That’s crap and you know it. Get an education, right!
+Hmmph. Get a life! (sounding like someone she’s heard before) Drop
+out or … at least! … give the ‘powers that be’ hell….. It wakes
+others up … and you don’t lose your own head in the exchange. (Pulls
+out a dish from her bag. Everyone’s wondering … where that came from.
+She stops in her tracks… and everyone else stops too. She bends her
+head over the plate, Juan Bautista-like.) Chop it off! … Because
+that’s where we’re all going if we don’t do something different this
+year than following this fascist organization (waving her hands at
+security guard, hallway, and all of it).
+All: (Everyone’s overwhelmed by Grace’s rant, stunned)
+A Security guard, in uniform, from down the hallway has been walking
+towards them since Grace got a little loud the first time. He’s
+following them closer now that he’s heard more of Grace’s commotion.
+No one other than Grace has noticed him. She’s thinking he’s going to
+try and shut her down, but she’ll have none of it.
+Grace: (looking at Luke) And you dog-boy, you’re on notice. Get with
+the program or find another chihuahua. (she crouches down for a
+moment and makes like a petite little thing). Un poquito.
+Luke: (looking discouraged and at a loss)
+Adam: (mostly ignoring Grace’s remark to Luke, but he flinches a bit
+as it comes on so strong.)
+Cha …. ah (Adam notices that he’s about to regress to a previous
+expression of his from the past and starts to stutter) …Cha cha cha
+(and does a hand movement ‘cha cha’ to try to save it, finally coming
+up with …) Chuck! the whole college thing. I’m there. For the
+revolution. (Adam sounds lackluster in his support even though the
+right words are coming out of his mouth.) Che. Pancho. People unite.
+Organize. …Hey Grace, do they need the ‘artiste’ (inflected form,
+pronounced ‘arteest’)?
+Grace: (unbelieving, and snide) Well, Yeah! (duh … like) Didn’t you
+ever see\ `‘The Masses’ cover
+art <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/TheMassescoverart.jpg>`__\ …
+Art Young (e.g., Dec1913)
+– something you’d all know … if you weren’t so self-absorbed…
+(sounding disgusted) Blugh. ….. you know, loss of true love, now just
+cry…. cry … cry … over spilt milk (alluding to Joan and Adam’s split)
+… Oh, but go to college and join the corporate robbery of art, just
+the same.
+Joan: (finally at a loss to tolerate Grace any longer) Grace, what’s
+gotten into you?
+Grace: (ignoring Joan’s question, but eyeing her):
+
+Adam: (going back to Grace’s cant about art and revolution): Where do
+I sign up?….. (But actually not that interested, he comes back to his
+real question, dwelling on it) And … should I get a dog? (it being
+out there already anyway) I think I need a dog. What do you think,
+huh, huh? (nagging, dog-like) (Then he gets an idea about bugging
+Grace for payback.) Chihuahua, senorina?
+Joan: (more sure than she really is) Adam, you don’t need a dog.
+(Joan re-focuses herself to Grace’s rhapsodic bombast, trying to make
+funny and nice) Hee, hee, ha, ha, no revolution without breakfast,
+(pulls out a granola bar) and …. class warfare. Oops. (chuckles at
+her double meaning, as they all come to their class-room and are
+about to enter.)
+Security-guard-god: (overhearing the conversation, now speaks to
+Joan, but the others are in his sweep as well; he’s almost calling
+out to them as they walk into class) Hey, Joan, … buds, I’m tempted
+to fascism too (taps his club), but … how’s it go? Let a thousand
+flowers promiscuously bloom until …. Armageddon or the New Jerusalem.
+They’re all wide-eyed as they walk into government class.
+Security-guard-god turns around and walks down the hallway with a
+wave. And Joan notices Ryan walking down the hallway just behind
+Security-guard-god….. Adam waves … and Ryan waves back…
+
+**Part 10**\ : In government class
+Teacher: (lecturing and walking through the classroom, droning) The
+body politic is the term for describing the unity …and disunity, I
+suppose … of the voters … the community as a whole … the citizenry ….
+Individuals in their relationships to one another and their leaders.
+Vox populi means the voice of the people…. It was sometimes believed
+to be the voice of god. As though god and politics ….the polis …the
+state… had any connections. …..But how does the many speak with one
+voice? That’s a question with diverse answers … No wonder they wanted
+some word from on high. Because none of the answers satisfy…
+Consensus. Simple majority. Simple tyranny. (trying desperately for
+some rise or humor, failing miserably, and going back to the drone)
+…. Decisions, decisions…. Easy and complex …. Our democracy survives
+population increases, confused meanings, including women and former
+slaves in voting, and …. non…. (trailing off)
+The students in class are almost completely devoid of interest. Some
+are looking around; others have their heads down. Some are trying to
+appear like they’re taking notes, but they aren’t. Not a good start
+to the school year. Finally the teacher wakes from her lecturing
+reverie and notices Grace writing something in large letters in a
+notebook.
+Teacher: (going to Grace’s desk) Please share your notes with the
+class.
+Grace: (Grace stands up, and makes a big show of her notebook for
+everyone to see. In big red letters, taking up both pages of her
+notebook, Grace has written something. She shows it to the class as
+she says) If I can’t dance, it’s not my revolution. (everyone busts
+up or look quizzical)
+Teacher: Explain yourself. (Teacher’s not amused.)
+Grace: Emma Goldman had it right. You know, ‘Red Emma.’ (trying to
+get a rise from her classmates, but no one knows who or what’s she’s
+talking about.) Fall asleep. Anaesthetize our political wills with
+governmental drivel so we ignore what’s happening in our world. And
+just shop til we drop. (Ramones’ ‘Bop til you drop’ begins to play.)
+Consumption, consumption. Stuff and more stuff. .. and ..Sanitize our
+bodies. ‘Cause what else’s there to do? Oh …. take a cruise (looks at
+Friedman). Retire to Florida. Cheat on an election. Have the Supreme
+Court make the decision for you. Oh and die from old age. Or ….what?!
+… Take personal responsibility for what happens … don’t foist it on
+someone else to decide and do it for you.
+Teacher: Please?
+Alex: (African-American student sitting behind Joan, quickly jumping
+in) Didn’t Thomas Jefferson say we needed a revolution every 20
+years?
+Another student: (trying to make like he knows something) Yeah, and
+he wrote the Declaration of Independence.
+Teacher: (quickly tries to direct the discussion, focusing on Alex’s
+question) Yes. Not quite revolution. Actually, rebellion. Resistance
+to government. It’s healthy. But not overthrow it. Reform. Improve
+things, change them. Throw the bums out (teacher catches herself with
+last remark thinking it a little too cavalier) The electorate makes
+the changes in a democracy. A republic. You get to vote at age 18…
+Grace: (interrupting) Voting’s a sham. Choosing between
+puppet-meisters of the power elite. Gimme a break. They call the
+shots; control the media. Reduce education to multiple choice. Govern
+from on high. Oh yeah. .. and every 4 years they do a dog-and-pony
+show in front of the cameras.
+Teacher: Thank you, Grace, for that informative critique from the vox
+populi. (trying to make connections somehow, some way. Now returning
+to her agenda before class ends and speaking to all) Your assignment
+is written on the board. Go to a community meeting. See the body
+politic in action. Then, write your observations. Analyse it. As to
+how the world works. How we govern ourselves. How a democracy
+practices its principles. Res publica. Join the public conversation.
+And make the decisions. It’s your future.
+All: (irritated by the assignment and unbelieving)
+Adam: (finally thinking aloud) Hey, I wonder if there are any
+community meetings listed in the Herald. I’m gonna check with Ryan.
+(then starts to wonder)
+Joan: (responding to the assignment, ignoring Adam’s comment) What
+now? Another assignment that makes no sense. Vox non sensus. Where do
+they even have community meetings? Who comes up with this stuff?
+Alex: (responding to Joan’s remark, sarcastic) What’s the problem,
+little girl … big world just got a little bigger?
+Joan: (irritated by the callous remark, but speaking up anyway,
+rambling) What’s a community meeting? I’ve never been to a community
+meeting. There’s no community. Just cars, houses, malls, stores, my
+friends. You know, the world inside my head. Hey, livin’ in my own
+private Arcadia, here. (pointing to her head)
+Teacher: (overhearing Joan’s remarks, throws in a comment) You’re
+riding off into a limited horizon. This’ll be good for you. Expand
+connections, possibilities.
+Alex: (ignoring the teacher, responding to Joan) Hey, it’s where you
+live. And that ain’t in your head. … Or Idaho. (knowing the tune, and
+twisting back at Joan) … Don’t you talk about this stuff in your
+‘hood. Who lives on your street? Strangers? ….When somebody gets
+trashed, don’t you all get together? The pool gets rebuilt. Or
+repainted with a mural… (Joan is clueless and really uninterested,
+looking bored stiff at such mundane stuff that’s somebody else’s
+business, certainly not hers.)
+Joan: (now trying desperately to connect): Like community service?
+Alex: No. That’s what you get when you get arrested. I’m talking
+about living on the street. And organizing a gang. Or organizing your
+neighbors to take a gang on. A little alternative army. A punk
+brigade. And sending out invitations to the police to watch you get
+your ass kicked. (trying to be funny, but Joan’s really not getting
+it)
+Joan: (still confused, but hearing the army idea offering a glimmer
+of sense)
+Alex: (showing a more sensitive side and actually trying to be
+helpful) Okay, okay, you’re not going to get it unless you show up at
+one …. And I’m the guy who’s got one in his neighborhood next week.
+Adam: (and the others nearby, including Grace, who have been
+listening) Hey Alex, can I show up? (noticing the others listening)
+Them too?
+Alex: Yes, yes, yes. The whole army. Maybe we can make a gang out of
+you. Nah, nah. Just don’t embarrass me. Keep me off front street …
+it’ll be okay.
+Adam: How ‘bout some coordinates on the space-time continuum?
+Alex: (getting the message and answering) The basement of St.
+Michael’s Church, Dilcue Street near Walnot. 7pm. And don’t come
+early. Nothing starts on time.
+Joan: Where? I go there for yoga class. It’s out of my way (somewhat
+talking aloud to herself not realizing Alex’s not much interested) …
+I’ve been looking for a different location …. this was the first one
+I found, … I just tried it out and like it. But with school I figured
+to stop.
+Alex: (uninterested in Joan’s explanation) So you know where it’s at.
+Good. 7pm. (He heads off.)
+Joan: I’ll be there (realizing her schedule isn’t someone else’s and
+feeling she’s gotta get this assignment over). (Everyone wanders out
+of class and off.)
+
+**Part 11**\ : It’s early evening, Kevin and Lily are on a date.
+They’re about to enter a Labyrinth garden when they notice Luke,
+Grace, Adam, Glynis and Friedman, walking down the side of the street
+they’re on. On the other side of the street, a grizzled tall guy is
+hawking a newspaper. He’s got a dog with him and a grocery cart
+filled with stuff… and aluminum cans. A block down the street,
+there’s a movie theater with a marquee; it’s called the RIALTO
+ArtHouse. There are lots of other storefronts, too … A resale shop;
+bagel shop; coffee shop; tire shop; bicycle shop.
+Kevin: Hey, bro’? (gestures, wondering where they’re all headed)
+Luke: Off to glue our eyeballs to Celluloid.
+Grace: (Grace reacts to Luke’s slick statement; she gawks pleased.) I
+like it. I like it. (bobbing up and down)
+Luke: (Feeling that he wants to continue to impress Grace, Luke
+rattles off the following lines swiftly) Actually, processing the
+medium of film is a fairly complex (here Luke uses emphasis) and hot
+transformation. Gibson demonstrated experimentally that the ecology
+of perception, given from the surrounding patterns of light, a direct
+pick up from the Ambient Array, undermined the Cartesian bifurcation
+of nature and cogito. This .. wait .. Does that apply to film? What
+did Bateson say in ‘Ecology of Mind’? (trying to remember) The mind’s
+a plant, organic growth from compost, (quoting something) ‘a wild,
+where weed and flower promiscuous shoot’. Okay, a system, but not a
+computer or factory flow chart…
+Friedman: (wincing at Luke’s tangent, and butting in, telling Kevin)
+Enough already. I tried to convince them … Deep Throat …. so much the
+perfect movie. Passion nonstop (notices Lily’s curious)… (Friedman
+trying to score some points himself) Especially since Mark Felt’s
+been outted. Or … maybe … a tango in Paris. (Friedman tries to tango,
+but looks more like he’s twisting himself into a knot.)
+Glynis: (speaking up for herself) I refused to be subjected to two
+people itching themselves and one another for 2 hours. If it’s gonna
+be concupiscence, I want Tristan and Yseult, channeled through
+Einstein and his first cousin ….
+Grace: (interrupting Glynis before she goes on) Glynis, you’re
+getting’ weirder …by the day. You gotta stop reading the dictionary.
+And Feynman’s lectures. (Deciding to add something for humor) And
+playing your tuba at the same time. (Grace now starts to look at
+Glynis, actually concerned even though she sounds sarcastic) Have you
+been inhaling the wrong fumes?
+Glynis: (takes a deep breath) Just breathing freedom from the
+shackles of the body. It’s a knowledge of a different order. Once you
+start reading Byron’s Don Juan (The Overture from Mozart’s Don
+Giovanni starts to play), you’re whisked to Greece, Italy… . ah… Life
+is short (wondering how she’ll ever take it all in)…Especially for
+Byron and his coterie…..But art is eternal. (Friedman is absorbed in
+all things Glynis for a second.)
+Kevin: (realizing this crew doesn’t all know Lily, and interrupting
+before they continue off the deep end) Lily, these are my brother’s
+geeky friends. As you can see, … they don’t hide it. Glynis (she nods
+and each does on cue). The Friedman. Grace. You know Adam.
+Lily: By hearsay (thinking) ... or rather, hersay. (trying to sound
+cute)
+Adam: (ignoring Glynis’ earlier question about art as is everyone
+else and avoiding Lily’s comment. He wants to get to the movie.) I’d
+actually like to see the credits. We miss those. I’m walking out.
+(Adam’s announcement is ignored as they all continue to talk.)
+(The guy on the other side of the street trafficking in newspapers
+crosses the street, and is recognized as Homeless-man-god. He’s got a
+newspaper, ‘Personas sin Casa Grapevine’ (translated, ‘Homeless
+Grapevine’). He has a badge that identifies him as a vendor for the
+paper. He closes in enough to hear most of the conversation going on,
+but clearly outside the circle of words. He starts to sell his
+newspaper to passersby. The dog stays on the other side and sits
+attentive on the sidewalk, unobtrusive and not bothering anyone,
+keeping watch over the goings-on and the grocery cart full of stuff.)
+Kevin: (Picking up the movie thread) Lily’s been trying to get me to
+“All the President’s Men.” She thinks I could learn something. I
+wouldn’t fall for it.
+Grace: (to no one in particular, just dropping her comments like
+pronouncements or oracles) All the king’s horses and the all the
+king’s men couldn’t put humpty dumpty back together again.
+Lily: (tired of all the earlier gibberish and now more so, she stomps
+her foot and blurts out) What’s the flick already?
+Friedman: Citizen Kane…. That’s the problem. I said we could pick it
+up at the video store. Adam insists on the Rialto.
+Adam: (forgetting how impatient he’s been to get to the movie) The
+greatest movie ever made. Bar none. You gotta see it (stretches his
+arms out to give the idea of watching a big screen) to get the
+effect. (He starts to get animated) Working at the Herald will give
+me a whole new take on it. Political cartoons, photos ‘amping’ a
+story. (now thinking how he was lucky enough to be working at the
+newspaper) Ryan’s excited about my ‘concepts’. He dropped by Layout.
+I’ve been ‘jazz-ing’ some Ads. He’s been like an angel of light, (he
+softens as realizes what he’s going to say next) since my fall from
+heaven with Joan. (Adam realizes immediately he’s said more than he’s
+comfortable with, he short-circuits himself.)
+(Newspaper vendor’s ears prick up when he hears Adam mention working
+at Arcadia Herald)
+Grace: (still not really knowing what to do with Adam’s rumination of
+his ruin with Joan, she moves on to the movie-thing and beyond) I’d
+just as soon see Humpty Dumpty. Adam’s still into his artsy-fartsy
+scene. But I’m gonna fix that. (Grace thinks about what Adam might
+need, focusing on what she has in store for him) With the peoples’
+art. (She returns to what she’d really be interested in, but she
+can’t get anyone else on her wavelength.) American Splendor. Comic
+books, hospital orderlies, burning rivers. Harvey Pekar, persona non
+grata. Adam, we got a future.
+Kevin: (Kevin ignores Grace’s strange remarks, but picks up on the
+newspaper connection with Adam and Ryan Hunter. He notices newspaper
+hawker through the circle of conversation as he speaks directly to
+Adam, who’s become interested in what Kevin has to say.) Ryan’s one
+curious and … strange guy. (pauses before he adds) We had lunch last
+week. He actually (surprised) …was interested in what I thought. He
+knows all these meaningless details. The exact number of reporters.
+Their assignments. Our advertisers. Up to his eyeballs in every
+aspect of the paper. He’s got …. like a ravenous mind. After I told
+him I might go to ‘All the President’s Men,’ (expresses surprise
+again) … he went off and saw it … gave me a detailed capsule. It was
+like I didn’t even need to see for myself. He’s the fact-meister
+himself. I wouldn’t want to go up against him in a court of law or
+facts. … Well…. maybe, some day.
+
+Adam: (throwing this in) Joan’s definitely pissed about what’s been
+featured in the Herald …. all that money and drugs disappearing from
+the police dept …. She’d like to bite Ryan’s ear off … No love lost
+between them.
+
+Lily: (Noticing that Joan’s nowhere in sight with her group of
+friends, Lily speaks to Kevin) Where’s your sister?
+Luke: (answering Lily’s question as Adam can’t resist following
+intently) Sis is studying government. She’s all over her assignments
+already… I can’t believe it . Reading The Declaration of
+Independence, the Constitution, and commentary on the 14th amendment.
+(Luke goes into automatic here, like once he starts thinking, he’s
+got this whole string of information he can’t shut off until it comes
+to the end of the string) Which was set up to provide equal
+protection, due process. You know, all the rights of the
+Constitution; Bill of Rights should apply to African-Americans, too,
+but didn’t, ‘til after slavery. You know, an amendment just to make
+sure. But in 1886, the Supreme Court gave corporations ‘personhood’
+from it. Since then, like every case before the Supreme Court under
+this Amendment ….brought by Corporations, demanding their rights…
+giving them the power of the people, their own voice .. . So now
+they’re people too. Well, not like any people I know, but … So I’m
+wondering …. why not robots and clones too? Like what is a person,
+anyway? Cogito? (then remembering something about Bateson)
+Co-habitation of mind and place?
+Grace: (irritated that she didn’t know this stuff and pleased/angry
+with Luke’s information about corporations being persons, something
+she didn’t know before): Whoa, Cor-po-ra: Persona “non a wanna.” I
+shoulda stayed home (Grace would have actually liked doing this
+assignment).
+Adam: (Adam’s easily brought back to thinking of Joan, ignoring the
+content, but not the fact that it’s Joan he’s talking about) Didn’t
+she say she was headed off to some dance classes too? Tomorrow? She’s
+not letting me in on her plans. I wanted to go. My feet were nixed.
+They went a different direction.
+(There’s a brief lull. Adam now responds to Grace’s comment and tries
+to drop the question of Joan’s whereabouts … it’s too painful for him
+to dwell on it) Grace, you pump the same corrosive slurry to fire
+your engines. Mrs. G’s informed us that the Post post-industrial
+artist works with ‘found junk’. The refuse of the world. What’s left
+of our industrial wasteland. Its dead dinosaurs of rust … to make
+beauty, truth. She’s convinced me that ‘we’re saved by beauty.’ Not
+revolution, Grace. Well, (Adam’s not sure how ‘revolution’ fits in or
+not) maybe … I don’t know. I like making stuff … returning the
+smelted to impure mixtures …fissioning ..fashioning.. Welding ..
+(thinking of something, trying to put his finger on it) yin and
+yang…. Metallica ….transmogrification … Alchemical metamorphosis ..
+Fusing the distant constellations … iron and .… (drifting off, but
+then comes back to something important) But, what do people need?
+Grace: That’s why you want a dog, right? Beauty and the beast!
+Adam: (taken aback by Grace’s comment) No, that’s different.
+(Newspaper vendor starts to listen in more closely)
+Lily: (jumping in, ready to move on) We’re headed into the …. (Lily
+motions in the direction of the Labyrinth)
+Luke: (just now noticing the sign indicating such) Labyrinth. Very
+cool. (rambling) Video games, layers upon layers of hypertext. Higher
+slices of reality. Lara Croft. I’d like to try it.
+Friedman: (to Luke) … Another day, ill spirit. (making his own
+commentary) A complete rip-off of ‘Adventures of the Minotaur.’
+Lily: (Lily doesn’t realize Friedman’s remark is about a video game.)
+Nah, Chartres. (Now Lily tries to explain the Labyrinth.) Labyrinths
+evoke another center to the universe. … (Lily starts to focus; she’s
+quoting something she knows extremely well by heart, written thereon)
+… “I fled him down the nights and down the days, I fled down the
+arches of the years, I fled him down the labyrinthine ways of my own
+mind and in the mist of tears I hid from him, and under running
+laughter.”
+Kevin: Wow!….(curious) Who were you running from?
+Lily: God …. (and then pointing toward Kevin) … And you…
+Adam: (unable to bear waiting any longer, and getting agitated about
+Joan… Everyone has ignored Lily and Kevin’s exchange because they’re
+ready to leave) Time to go. (Adam walks away, assuming everyone else
+will follow.)
+Grace: (to Lily and Kevin regarding the Labyrinth, as she starts to
+move away) Good luck finding your way out … (Grace pauses for a
+moment and then adds) or in.
+Luke: (Luke’s been thinking about something while all this talk has
+been going on. As the group starts to walk away, Luke begins
+wondering aloud finally, including Lily and Kevin in his meaning.) Is
+it god or the devil that’s in the details? I’ve heard it both ways.
+(then he changes his direction, furrowing his brow, his curiosity is
+limitless) What kind of labyrinth is this?
+Grace: (shoots to Luke) Leave it alone, serpentine warrior. We’re
+late.
+(Homeless Guy/Newspaper Vendor can’t wait any longer and interrupts,
+sweeping his gaze to everyone, except Adam, who’s left.)
+Homeless-man-newspaper-vendor-god: ‘The Grapevine’. Get what no one
+else is willing to print. Find your way out of the maze of news. Hey,
+only a buck and it keeps me off the streets. Stories … from the
+streets, on the streets. (Headlines says, ‘City enacts panhandling
+law: It sucks’) (Arrested Development’s Mr. Wendall begins to play.)
+Kevin: (intrigued) Hey, I’ll take one. (Grace, Glynis and Friedman
+buy one too.)
+Homeless-man-newspaper-vendor-god: (asking a general question) Where
+you guys headed?
+Grace: To the outhouse (not sure if she’s being funny, or just a slip
+of the tongue, so she clarifies) …. ArtHouse. Rialto.
+Homeless-man-newspaper-vendor-god: Know anyone who needs a dog…
+(pointing across the street)?
+Grace: Not yet. (Grace is ready to leave.) Adios, amigo. (She waves
+as she leaves for the moviehouse; vendor waves back.)
+Homeless-man-newspaper-vendor-god: (to Lily, Kevin) What’s this? (and
+immediately adds) Can I join? (gestures as though he wants to come
+along into the Labyrinth.)
+Lily: (clarifies) Not a good time now…. (thinks twice) … No dogs
+allowed.
+Homeless-man-newspaper-vendor-god: True. (He walks off almost
+immediately.)
+
+Kevin: Where did that come from? … ‘I fled him’….? How’s that go?
+(remembering Lily quoting from something.)
+Lily: Reconciliation. It was an assigned penance. Pretty weak, huh? …
+Read this poem… Hound of Heaven. Repent of my sins. It was the big
+one. (It was THE Penance for Lily as her first confession after
+giving up her previous life and entering the convent) Creative,
+though.
+And it stuck with me … dawgs .. well, hounds me to this day.. so
+little, so small .… I still say it weekly. It’s the hound that Adam’s
+looking for, but he doesn’t know it (pauses) … yet … (adding as an
+afterthought) Grace … now she’s got a whole different klezmer tune to
+‘tantsn’(Polish, ‘dance’) to. (now readying themselves to enter the
+Labyrinth) Ok, back to our starting spot…
+Kevin: Which is….?
+Lily: (Realizing she’s been wanting, needing to say something to
+Kevin about their relationship before they enter the Labyrinth and
+then this other extended tangent occurred with Luke and his friends.
+She’s now irritated, and lost her mood for it, but goes ahead
+anyways.) If this …. (Lily searching for the right word) thing ….
+(stops and pauses for each phrase) we got … is going to work. (losing
+her patience) Okay, I’ll just say it straight, nonsense or not … I
+don’t know if want my mystical union with God to go through you.
+Kevin: (wondering what the heck she’s talking about) Lily, slow down
+some?
+Lily: (amused and distracted once more) Right. Fast Eddie, telling
+the ex-nun to take it slow.
+Kevin: You’re playing a whole different game here, but I’ll try.
+(Kevin starts to have his own revelation as he says what’s in his
+heart.) I want you. I want you …really (pausing, he can’t resist
+telling the truth too and saying it without eloquence) … and it makes
+me sick. Well, happy. (he’s losing his way already as he talks in
+both directions at the same time. He even rolls his wheelchair in
+different directions. Still he tries to say it out loud.) Well happy
+and sick. (He realizes it sounds funny, so he tries again, sounding
+sincere with something Helen once alluded to) Like some wounded stag.
+Heartsore troubadour. (There’s a lyrical, sweet tone to his voice and
+it’s directed to Lily. It’s a new way, other than charm and good
+looks. He’s trying something new … well, not so new. Then he takes
+off in his own direction) I want to catch a wind, exhilarated, and
+ride like some eagle, … or bat out of.. .. no …with my legs no longer
+dead, like …. (struggling to express his feelings) I’ve developed
+wings. It almost makes me forget these … these lifeless stumps (raps
+his dead legs). And I’m dancing a jig … well in my chair, that is.
+Lily: Don’t get all mushy with me. I’m talking meat and potatoes,
+here. Marriage, you know the whole 9 yards. Cake, ice cream, even a
+dress. Well maybe not a dress, maybe a surfboard….
+Kevin: We’ve been together like how long? (He pulls out a pencil that
+like looks like a twig that he might have picked up after he
+developed wings, and had flown off to see if he could find any trace
+of a new life for himself. He puts it in his mouth as a peace
+offering)
+Lily: Right! We’ve traveled to the moon already, at least this
+“Alice” has.
+Kevin: Hey, you’re leaving me in outer space, alone here.
+Lily: So… getting to feel what it was like for all those cheerleaders
+you and Andy hooked up with.
+Kevin: It’s ….
+Lily: (cutting Kevin off) It’s called repentance, but that’s none of
+my business. That’s you and your maker’s, and those who suffered as a
+result. You know, making amends wherever possible, blah, blah…
+(unable to let go of Kevin’s past exploits) What do you think you
+were doing then?
+Kevin: ‘Thinking’ … that’s a good one. … (going in a different
+direction) Doesn’t the same go for you?
+Lily: I had excuses. Even if they weren’t good ones. You didn’t
+Kevin: Get off of it. You suffered so…..I’m just getting my just
+dues. ‘fraid not. It ain’t fair to me; wasn’t fair to you. Who’s in
+charge? (noticing a recruiting station across the street) Uncle Sam?
+(wondering where that came from, no matter) Who’s responsible? No one
+but you yourself.
+Lily: ( tired of this jousting) We’re not ready for this (pointing to
+the Labyrinth). I’m all for dead presidents. (looking down to the
+movie theatre)
+Kevin: What do you mean?
+Lily: It’s prayer and healing, walking the Labyrinth. We’re not
+ready.
+(Silence now takes over between them. Lily grabs Kevin’s wheelchair
+and starts to direct it down to the Rialto’s other flick. He takes
+control of his chair from her and wheels himself alongside Lily.)
+Just before Lily and Kevin move along, Alex (from school) is walking
+with a group of friends and Homeless-man-newspaper-vendor-god tries
+to get their attention to sell them a paper, but they don’t even
+notice his gestures. Homeless-man-newspaper-vendor-god wanders into
+the RIALTO ArtHouse, without paying. He leaves the dog outside with a
+friend.)
+
+**Part 12**\ : It’s in the deep hours of the night, with the stars
+thrown starkly, diamond-like, against the celestial velour. The moon
+is a cold orb, burning the dark. It’s pitch black in Joan’s bedroom,
+though curtains flap occasionally from the cool breeze, ruffling
+uneven shadows upon walls. They seem to dance in some kind of
+orchestration of chaos… creating tones that are known only to the
+breeze and the prevailing winds aloft. Sometimes barely illuminated
+is a banner over Joan’s bed. She startles awake and upright to a low
+sound, wings beating the darkness, kissing the night. A winged thing
+in her bedroom? She scurries out of her bed, closing the bedroom door
+behind her. She’s agitated into thought: what was that? She goes into
+Kevin’s room and wakes him up.
+Joan: (shaking Kevin) There’s something flying around my room… I have
+no idea what ….a bat? … flapping wings (trying to communicate by
+making the gesture like she’s some kind of bird, but it looks
+thoroughly absurd and strange) …. I don’t want to wake anyone..
+Kevin: Except me? (not amused, trying to rouse himself through a
+clouded mind)
+Joan: (she smiles guiltily, but needful) What should I do?
+Kevin: Beats me. (still trying to wake himself up) …How’d it get in?
+Joan: I don’t know… through my window?
+Kevin: Your window’s open? (starting to come to consciousness,
+displeased by Joan’s responsibility for his midnight perturbance)
+Joan: Yeah. (almost feeling guilty again, sheepish)
+Kevin: A definite no-no… you know the air conditioning’s on.
+Joan: Hey, I close my door, close my vents so… no wasted energy…. And
+there’s a cool breeze coming in.
+Kevin: Can’t you live like the rest of us? You are such a doofus.
+Joan: Kevin, I need to be connected to the outside world, … even in
+my sleep…It puts me into a different state….
+Kevin: (ignoring her explanation… becoming concerned) A bat?….Did you
+get bit?
+Joan: No. I don’t think so… I ‘d feel it, right?…
+Kevin: Not necessarily…Turn on the light… (Joan turns on light, he
+observes no marks.) Nothing….Your door’s closed?
+Joan: (Joan nods, but needing to assure Kevin) I closed it when I
+left.
+Kevin: Go outside and turn the light on in the backyard… maybe it’ll
+leave, attracted or distracted by the light.
+(Joan leaves the room and goes downstairs. She steps out into the
+dark night, hearing the rustling of the leaves from the Roses of
+Sharon, its blossoms past bloom and littered, strewn, about the
+ground like gems for the taking, but the leaves still whisper to her
+nonetheless …She’s about to get some light on the backyard, but
+almost immediately her olfactory sense is taken by surprise. She
+drinks deep the sudden rush and is intoxicated by the pungent aroma
+of concord grapes ripe on the vine. She’s fixed in the moment. All
+her senses stimulated by her draught of its draft… She comes to… and
+realizes she needs to focus. Her next movements set off the
+motion-detector for the backyard outside light. She waits in patience
+and finally catches sight of some winged messenger flying out of her
+window… not seeing clearly what it was. She takes one last draught…
+and then hurries back into the house and upstairs.)
+Kevin: What took you so long?
+Joan: (ignoring the question) I saw it fly the coop
+Kevin: What’s with you? You look giddy. (irritated) Go and close your
+window before it comes back. … Get a screen or something… and go to
+bed. I’m tired.
+Joan: (Coming back to her room, she starts to feel sick, weak in the
+knees. Remembering Kevin’s admonition, she forces herself to the
+window, and closes it. She falls onto her bed and lies unsettled. She
+hears the wind and leaves rustling outside wanting in ‘til they fall
+strangely silent. She speaks softly to the darkness in sounds
+somnolent with no answer returned, and finally she washes up on the
+shore of sleep.)
+\ **Part 13**\ : (It’s the following week. Joan walks into Helen’s
+art class. No students are there so they have one another’s complete
+attention. Hanging on the wall is Picasso’s painting,
+‘\ \ `Guernica <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/PicassospaintingGuernica.jpg>`__\ .’
+Joan: Mom, I have to go out for an assignment next week. A community
+meeting. Oh, and I have dance classes tonight again. I’m going to
+miss dinner.
+Helen: (disappointed) Again? You’ve been missing in action every
+evening. In your room. Out for dance classes. And breakfast, too. I
+never see you anymore. What’s happening to us?
+Joan: I told you, “I could just die for this, to dance …. like no
+one’s watching.” (Joan’s take-off from ‘Existentialism on prom
+night’s’ “I could just die, to sing .. like no one’s listening”)
+Helen: What?
+Joan: Oh, just singing out loud …. a song in my head (pointing a
+finger to her head). Can’t get it out.
+Helen: Sweetheart, you gotta get a grip.
+
+Joan: Too much work, too many assignments. Too much too much. I want
+the kind of life I had before…. just a ki-..…. (before she spits it
+all out, Helen reacts)
+Helen: Oh, honey, it’s not that bad ….(not being as sure as she’d
+like to be) Is it? (pausing and trying to be hopeful) You were such a
+wonderful baby. Dada. Mama. Yaya. (Helen can’t resist telling the
+truth) When you weren’t spitting up food, and screaming, and crawling
+away where I couldn’t find you (Joan grimaces)… Well, you were …
+(Helen decides to just drop the ‘wonderful-ness’ of it all, but she
+can’t leave out this last one, which makes Joan wonder) Oh, yeah, …
+and almost being drowned by your father….(hoping this childhood
+incident would sound funny, but it falls flat)
+Joan: Oh. (feeling really sick now, but she tries again) No, it’s not
+bad. I’m really very happy…. I think. Therefore I am? Right? (Joan’s
+really lost so she quizzes Helen) When does it let up, mom?
+Helen: (Helen decides not to answer and make it worse for Joan. Joan
+realizes the point of her mother’s silence and accepts the painful
+truth)
+Joan: You see how I’ve matured. (drawing up breath from her chest,
+and putting out her chin, trying to put a good face on her trials.
+But she fails and starts to cry.)
+Helen: (Helen comforts Joan, hugging her)
+Joan: (pushing her Mom away and trying to be honest) I’m an emotional
+wreck. (Joan realizes it’s a painful image and tries to make it
+better.) …Feeling the weight of all of Arcadia on the top of my head.
+(Dramatizing her plight, Joan picks up an art book Helen has lying on
+the table nearby and puts it on the top of her head. She tries
+balancing it. But imagined as a huge slab of stone, her head
+collapses from the weight with the book sliding off. Joan falls to
+the floor, trying to catch the book before it hits the ground; she’s
+successful. She holds the book between her head and shoulder as she
+gets up from the floor, letting it fall back into Helen’s hands. Joan
+looks disappointed at her failure at balance, but tries to be
+reassuring.) I’m ok. Really. Thanks, Mom. (Joan walks out. Helen
+opens the art book which shows ‘The Fallen Caryatid’ by Rodin.)
+
+**Part 14**\ : (That evening, Grace and Luke walk into the Girardi
+kitchen. Helen’s making cookies. Grace is carrying a coffee mug, out
+of which she’s drinking some ‘joe.’ There’s a logo with a slogan on
+the mug… Equal Exchange… Fairly Traded Gourmet Coffee.)
+Luke: Hey Mom…You’re doing (light bulb going off) … I finally get it…
+The perfect demonstration experiment (running his hands over the
+cookie-cutters). Can I have these when you’re through?
+Helen: Sure. (but uncertain why Luke’s interested in the materials of
+the real, rather than just the thought-dreams of the virtual
+universe.) To make cookies?
+Luke: (thinking not, but reconsidering) Maybe…. (going on,
+explaining) This inspired Gibson to re-shape… (thinking Grace)
+revolutionize … (thinking mom) re-bake perception. He walked into
+Eleanor’s kitchen, …(walking now like he’s balancing on a tight wire)
+avoided her visual cliff, … and voila …. convection…. it’s not sense
+data but affordances… invariants…against the ambient array… to
+highlight the transitory flashes of the moment… He just needed to
+show how it’s done.
+Grace: Hey Mrs. Girardi (ignoring Luke’s reverie, and reaching for
+the cookie Helen’s offered her)… I prefer to eat my experiments
+(starts crunching, adding) in truth,… (stops crunching) or drink them
+… (showing her the coffee mug) unlike moon-boy, the Pillsbury
+doughboy himself, who’d like to think himself into reality….with his
+half-baked experiments of the mind…(she finishes off the cookie.)
+Luke: Exactly the opposite, my little mugwump. (trying to stand his
+ground) This cookie’s got a whole different recipe and batch in mind
+(sounding almost smug)….. Gibson knew that our senses are adapted to
+the physical world, not like glue on our eyeballs, but more like
+trees in soil, bats with their frequency/flight, (picking up a cookie
+and putting it in his mouth and starting to crunch it; now talking
+with his mouth full) cookie to mouth .. . it’s taste buds, (looking
+at Grace) Bud! …(finishes the cookie and picks up another
+contemplating it) Perception and reality are matched in some kind of
+imperfect dance … which allows for communion but not dissolution of
+one into the other …. Then change is what we attend to unless (now
+dropping the cookie to the floor, where it crumbles, getting Helen’s
+and Grace’s attention) …. Someone lights up the sky or … jumps off
+the spectrum entirely…
+Grace: (curious for a moment) Like off a bridge? ‘Cause I’m going to
+throw you off one, …. for that cookie crumbling.
+Luke: No … like a guru….or prophet. (Grace starts thinking Besht, but
+is quickly led elsewhere by Helen’s next comment.)
+Helen: (not following Luke, looking to Grace) You’re drinking coffee
+now? (noticing her coffee mug) Fair trade? That’s all they’re selling
+now at Café Noir.
+Grace: Exactly. I’m serving the real revolution (giving Luke a side
+glance), Mrs. Girardi.… Worker cooperatives… fair trade, not free
+trade…. Giving CAFTA the …. (suggesting something profane but not
+wanting to offend Mrs. Girardi) …. Coffee’s 2nd in volume of traded
+commodities in the world…. I won’t tell you what comes first….. but
+(dragging it out, ‘buuuut’) ……someone sold us down the Euphrates, and
+the Mississippi, for it…So in a world of injustice, identity theft
+and alienation.... the anarchist (sounding like she’s reciting some
+kind of manifesto) … refusing every rejection of responsibility for
+the present … takes personalist action… It’s the prophet’s stand…
+Helen: Prophet? ….Or profit? (playing off Grace’s remark, but not
+understanding what Grace has in mind at all)
+Grace: Right on, Mrs. Girardi. (thinking Helen’s got it perfectly and
+with humor, too) Sure… (making the earlier connection finally)
+Jeremiah… railing against the temple and the powers that be, the
+religious and political power brokers, that it was all coming down…
+not one stone left upon another after old Nebuchadnezzar got through
+with the Holy City… And what does Jeremiah then do? He goes off the
+deep end, like crazy, and buys a plot of land right in the middle of
+ground zero to be… Talk about location, location, location….How’s
+that? (chuckling) Some kind of sense of humor, right? Hey, you know a
+prophet who shouted the same message about 600 years later, no?
+Helen: I never knew. (feeling like she’s missed something growing up;
+she’s clueless, but afraid to let on.)
+Grace: Me neither.
+Helen: I need to ask Lily about the Prophets…. We haven’t covered
+them yet. (hoping a little honesty will help.)
+Grace: Well, I twisted Hebrew class to my own purposes, Mrs. G. …
+questioning in the Talmudic tradition …reading the Prophets for a
+profit (playing it back to Helen like it was played to her)… they
+helped Rabbi Heschel into the civil rights movement… For me, they
+raised more questions than gave answers … sorta trial and error…
+learn as you go ….fanning the flames of individual and collective
+responsibility for the state of the nation .. (starting to hear
+another voice of resonance) vox prophetos… like Art Young, artiste
+extraordinaire … So I’m making my own foray into the revolution… one
+cup of joe-joe at a time…
+Helen: Good for you, Grace. Maybe I should join this one… and not
+miss out.
+Grace: Yeah, it starts with employee-owned cooperatives, coffee being
+the biggest market. We can go to Central America next summer and
+visit one…. Alienation and injustice are the sources for prophetic
+rant… and “hesed” …. I ‘m working on that last one…. The master of
+the universe making your life miserable for seeing and speaking the
+truth….. to the people in power.. it got Jeremiah imprisoned… death….
+I can see the future, and it’s so bright I need sunglasses . ….and a
+motorcycle to get there..…. (leaving this all open-ended, with no
+final words or answers, they all start to munch cookies without an
+end in sight.)
+
+**Part 15**\ : (It’s early evening as Joan heads for dance class at
+yoga-dance-instructor-god’s studio. It’s several blocks down from St.
+Michael’s Church, on the second floor of a building that looks as
+though its first floor’s boarded up. All the windows have plywood
+over them, but they’re painted black and it gives the building a
+funky look that surprises Joan. There’s a mural on the outside wall
+of the building. It’s of a figure from a\ `Grecian
+urn <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/GrecianFigure.jpg>`__\ that
+merges with an image of\ `Whirling
+Dervishes <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/MevleviWhirlingDervishesimage.jpg>`__\ .\ `Joan <http://Joan>`__\ walks
+up the wooden steps and notices the railing’s weak. Outside the
+door’s a table with brochures, business cards and notices. One
+business card has: “Rahav’s Bed and Breakfast… close to downtown.”
+There’s also a flyer for some kind of DanceFest event. Joan walks
+through a door.
+There are lots of people and stuff inside. Joan notices statues that
+she thinks belong in the basement of St. Michael’s……a curious
+figurine, (\ `Yogi Patanjali’s
+statue <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/YogiPatanjalisstatue.jpg>`__\ )
+a statue (\ `Nataraja’s
+statue <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/NatarajasstatuedancingposeofLordShi.jpg>`__\ )
+and there’s a papier mache of a giraffe, about 6 feet tall, mounted
+on a cart with wheels, in the corner.)
+(The dance class is filled with a dozen people, mostly several
+couples, but a few single people as well. It’s an introductory class
+to several styles of ballroom dancing. A collage of images show
+Yoga-dance-instructor-god demonstrating the steps to do ‘salsa.’ And
+the people there in varying degrees of success in approximating the
+moves. Joan moves to the challenge and flow of her body to the
+wiggles and waggles of the ‘salsa.’)
+Yoga-dance-instructor-god: (to Joan) Hey, we’re going to learn to do
+it together soon. ….Oh, ever tried to moving to the ‘Lord of the
+Dance?’ (Joan nods to the first question and looks quizzical to the
+latter.)
+(At the end of the class, a large group of kids come in. They’re
+mostly in Joan’s age range, though some are clearly much younger and
+older. They greet yoga-dance-class-instructor, yelling out her name,
+‘Rahav.’ They start doing hiphop, b-boying (breaking), popping. They
+play a deluxe boom-box at top volume as they’re warming up.)
+Joan: (to Rahav, talking over the volume) What’s this?
+Rahav (Yoga-Dance-Instructor-God): My after-hours group. We’re
+cooking up something special. (‘special’ enunciated as ‘spatial’)
+Joan: Hmm…. different (trying to appreciate something she’s never
+seen before).
+Rahav: Yeah, well …. (trying to explain) we’ll be doing a performance
+next weekend. HipHop DanceFest Arcadia. Here’s a flyer. It’s a
+fundraiser for neighborhood programs. You should come. It’ll expand
+your horizon.
+Joan: Yeah, right. My horizon is endless, an open road that I’m
+barreling down at about 669 million miles per hour.
+Rahav: And we’re dancing together all the way? (Rahav grabs Joan by
+the hand and starts pulling her into the rhythms that are coming from
+the deluxe boom-box a la Prince, “Let’s Go Crazy.”
+Joan wiggles and waggles a bit lindy-like hopping before dropping out
+of the flow at the sight of Alex in the practice-group that’s just
+arrived.)
+Joan: (Leaving Rahav with her question, Joan lingers looking at the
+flyer and then starts looking again at the dance troupe, watching
+Alex as he’s surrounded by friends and other kids. Joan and Alex
+catch one another’s gaze. Alex quickly looks back to what he was
+doing, ignoring Joan. Joan’s curious about Alex’s life, yet she
+quickly drops her interest, letting it linger somewhere in the back
+of her mind.)
+(A collage of visual images ensue … kids practicing dance moves…
+(lotus-move; pile drive move)
+Finally, Joan’s seen enough and wanders out of the dance studio and
+heads home. Her mind filled with images she hadn’t fathomed. She
+looks luminous against the night sky.)
+\ **Part 16**\ : (Helen and Will are in their bedroom, getting ready
+for bed. Willem de Kooning’s painting, ‘\ \ `Woman
+V <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/WillemdeKooningspaintingWomanV.jpg>`__\ ,'
+hangs on the wall.)
+Helen: (mentioning something) Will, I have two free tickets to the
+Arcadia Symphonic Orchestra. I want to go. (Helen quickly gets
+excited by just mentioning it. She remembers when she first received
+the tickets she thought this was a great opportunity for her to make
+a new connection with Will. So she’s assertive about it.)
+Will: Helen, it’s not my thing. (Will’s missing the vibe and
+emphasizing his limits. He’s tired.)
+Helen: Right, that’s why you’re gonna go. Trying new things. An
+experiment. (Helen’s surprisingly hopeful about Will’s potential to
+adapt and respond to her requests. Or are they demands? Now she turns
+on the charm.) Please, Bubula.
+Will: (Will’s excited and enthusiastic because Helen’s said the magic
+charm word) Yes, yes, anything you want. (Will draws closer to Helen
+and starts kissing her with exaggerated passion.)
+Helen: (interrupting Will’s desire) Hold on, sweetie. (Helen goes off
+to bathroom and brushes her teeth.)
+Will: (collecting himself quickly and becoming curious who gave Helen
+the tickets to a concert he didn’t want to attend) Helen, where’d
+those tickets come from?
+Helen: (talking between brushing her teeth and not realizing Will’s
+investigating a crime against himself) Ryan Hunter, just elected
+president of the school board, the guy with lots of connections.
+(disturbed with his access and power)
+Will: But didn’t he just get elected to the board? (Will’s ever the
+detective, like he’s tracing a lead.)
+Helen: Yes, and he’s taking charge quick. He has ….something… I can’t
+put my finger on what it is… (wondering aloud) Some kind of drive.
+(Helen’s frightened, but enthralled, by his powerful and prominent
+emergence in Arcadia.) He’s making big things happen in Arcadia.
+Will: But why did you take the tickets from him?
+(Helen walks back and gets into bed. Lights are turned out..) Why
+not? He probably thinks it buys influence… he’s getting nothing from
+this perk…
+Will: Helen, (unhappy and concerned) there’s no such thing as a free
+lunch…. or a free ticket….
+(Helen leaves it without a response. She walks out of the bathroom
+and gets into bed. Lights are turned off. Hmm.)
+
+**Part 17**\ : (Will is at the police station with Ryan Hunter,
+getting ready to head to the community meeting that Hunter got him to
+commit to. Daghlian walks by and Will introduces Hunter to Daghlian.)
+Will: Detective Daghlian, you need to meet Ryan Hunter. He’s been
+making his presence felt in Arcadia.
+Daghlian: Sure, Chief. (Greeting Ryan) Mr. Hunter ….. (introducing
+himself) Detective Daghlian.
+Ryan Hunter: Detective, it’s good to meet you. Just trying to make
+the rounds. Being the president of the Citizens’ Watchdog Committee
+and now the school board brings responsibilities. Here’s my card.
+(handing it Daghlian.)
+Daghlian: (glancing at the card, Ryan Hunter) I’ve been gone for
+awhile from Arcadia. I look forward to helping out the committee and
+…. Would you like mine?
+Ryan Hunter. (taking Daghlian’s card) I’m sure we’ll find ways for
+you to make connections here again.
+Will: (trying to direct the implications) We’re trying to be
+responsive to community concerns on drug dealing, prostitution,
+street level crimes down at Dilcue. You’ll be involved at some point.
+(Daghlian nods, with a half-salute and walks away. Hunter and Will
+leave as well.)
+\ **Part 18**\ : (The following week at a community meeting in the
+basement of St. Michael’s Church. Glynis, Friedman, Luke, Grace, and
+Adam attend, taken by Joan. Joan and compatriots walk in together at
+7pm. They notice Ryan’s up at a table with a district police
+commander. Will’s there too. Others present: councilman, a
+neighborhood organizer, and a local community development
+representative. It’s a varied group. Some people are dressed in
+suits. There are mothers with their children dressed informally. The
+group is diverse, economically, ethnically, and age-wise. Citizens,
+community members, of African descent, Hispanic descent, Middle
+Eastern and Asian descent are in the room. There’s about 40 people at
+the meeting.)
+(Alex is already seated and notices Joan’s and her classmates’ entry;
+he acknowledges their arrival with a hand-gesture, but remains
+seated. They go and stand in the rear. Joan ‘eyes’ Ryan and gives her
+father a look which is reciprocated by him. It’s ‘what are you doing
+here?’ Joan and her army notice Denunzio and Bonnie sitting in the
+audience with Lily. They’re all curious what goes or already bored.
+Whatever.)
+Tim, Community development representative: (moves to the podium and
+starts talking) We have several things on tonight’s agenda. But first
+I want to welcome everyone and our special guests. (He points without
+giving their names.)
+Tonight’s Safety Summit is really part of a bigger drive from the
+city. There are big plans in the offing for this neighborhood. We’re
+all familiar with the real estate mantra… Location, location,
+location. Changes we have in mind will transform this place, this
+land, into the premiere location in Arcadia. There’s been a lot of
+redevelopment in this neighborhood and there’s a lot more coming.
+You’ve seen the new housing and new shops, businesses. And there’s a
+casino coming, a convention center, and more townhomes…. We hope. But
+all that’s for another day, another discussion. Tonight’s focus is on
+safety …. In our neighborhood. (pausing)…..Let me introduce Ryan
+Hunter, president of the Citizens’ Watchdog Committee. He’s here
+tonight to help the police do their job. (Will winces at this
+suggestion)
+Ryan: Thank you, Tim, I’m glad to be here. We all appreciate what the
+police do for us in our neighborhoods. We’re simply an extra set of
+eyes on the street. (Ryan says this to soften the previous remarks
+about helping the police. He knows you don’t say such things about
+the police; they don’t like it.) Like an extra video camera. Which we
+don’t have. But….our committee has recommended… to beef up safety.
+(Some people in audience look concerned.)
+Alex: (interrupts with a hand-jive) You mean you’re going to watch me
+strut up and down the street to Dave’s supermarket and whatever else
+I want to do on my pavement. (He gets out of his chair while he’s
+talking and does a brief strut.)
+Ryan: (surprised by the disruption, but pleasant, unflappable; he
+decides he can use the example) It’s for safety. And as long as
+you’re not doing criminal activity, there’s no problem. (Ryan goes
+back to his agenda.) But the issue is important. Thanks for bringing
+it up. (pauses for emphasis ) We need to keep our streets safe first,
+last and all the time. We need not just take a hard line, but the
+hardest line. The Police need to know that we want that kind of
+safety. No coddling. Because without that mandate, that mission,
+they’ll be looking over their backs, wandering how much support they
+have from us. Whether they’ll get slapped with some kind of
+harassment or police brutality. (Ryan starts to rev up some.)
+We’ve developed a serious problem with arson in this neighborhood.
+The video cameras will help. We’ll find out who’s doing the
+vandalism, who’s setting the new housing ablaze. ‘Cause that’s the
+opposite message we want getting out to the public, the media, the
+newspapers. We want to be a neighborhood of choice. We’re in
+competition and need to win this battle.
+(Ryan clarifies his committee’s direction) The Citizen’s Watchdog
+Committee has expanded its understanding of its responsibilities.
+Realizing safety is really part of an overall development plan for
+Arcadia. And we’re starting with this neighborhood.
+(Joan and her comrades have been listening to all this with little
+comprehension. Grace winces at the cameras and the coming of the
+fascist regime to the streets. She’s ready for a fight, but doesn’t
+know where to jump in.)
+(Ryan continues) I know many of you in the audience. We’ve talked.
+You’ve shared your ideas with me. What you want. And I think I speak
+for, am the voice of, the overwhelming majority of the people. All of
+you. That we want safety … safe streets. And we need the police to do
+their job with a free hand. Right, detective Girardi?
+(Will nods, but not entirely sure of the message. Will’s somewhat
+impressed, but also a little uncomfortable with Ryan’s hard-line
+message. He’s feeling Ryan’s got it right: ‘you can’t pull your
+punches,’ ‘coddle criminals’. Anyway, it’s not police business, but
+community attitudes. The police are there to do their jobs, arrest
+criminals or suspects, investigate, present the evidence, and let the
+justice system determine the outcomes, the results.)
+Alex’s mother (speaking up): My son here was picked up for no reason
+by the police. (with attitude) Because of so-called …safety concerns.
+I got a problem with that.
+Ryan: I got a problem with it too.(showing he knows how to make use
+of a challenging comment) That’s why we have a watchdog committee. If
+he’s a suspect, then it’s fair. If he’s not, then he shouldn’t have
+been picked up. Chief Girardi will help us with that. Thank you.
+Alex’s mother: (wanting to reply, but can’t use the opportunity
+before the next person chimes in)
+
+Homeless guy: (speaking out, rambling) You know, we homeless, ….
+persons not wanted anywhere…persona non grata and persona non a
+wanna… provide plenty of eyes on the street …safety for free … and at
+all hours of the day and night. It’s sorta like my job….Where’d you
+all be without us? (seemingly ignored by the audience, thinking it’s
+a strange idea, but… something seems to sit differently with everyone
+for a moment)
+Ryan: (jumping on it) Jobs are coming…. The casinos will provide
+that….enough to earn a good living. (looking at the homeless guy) If
+you want it. Work is good for the soul.
+Homeless guy: (interrupting) No way will I work at a casino. … The
+price is too high …I ain’t gonna sell my soul to the company or a
+casino… for a job… I’ll starve first. (People in the audience look at
+him and figure, “ What’d ya expect?” Ryan ignores this guy’s line of
+reasoning, surmising where it’s coming from.)
+Hunter: (redirecting) Hey, you don’t work you don’t eat. Unless
+someone gives you a handout. That’s the problem. Don’t give a
+panhandler money. It’s actually bad for him. He’ll drin…
+A man in the audience: (jumping in, Ryan’s accidentally lit some kind
+of fuse) It’s not that simple. My brother can’t get a job. No one
+will hire him. He’s an ex-felon. They even tried to keep him from
+voting.
+A person dressed in a suit: (ignoring the comment, trying to go in a
+different direction, emphasizing the positive) We live on the same
+street. We have a wonderfully diverse community. The new housing and
+restorations going on are bringing this place back to life. And my
+lofted …
+Hunter: (ignoring the second man’s comment, but conceding his
+interruption) Sorry. ….(responding to the first question, because he
+wants to shift the previous remarks) It’s hard work. No question.
+Rejoining society, …the body politic. But that doesn’t mean it can’t
+be done. Your brother needs help. People need to reach out to
+him….But if he chooses… And I want to emphasize this: We have
+choices. Always. And if he chooses to break the law, he needs to be
+punished to the fullest extent of the LAW. You make your choices. You
+pay the consequences. Get your due. It’s like any relationship. Tough
+love. Tough in that, if you fail to hold up your side of it….choose
+(with emphasis) not to work, ..you lose….(Homeless guy leaves, giving
+up on the conversation for now. Ryan uses the opportunity to
+emphasize the safety message one last time.) Thomas Hobbes believed
+the state of society was wrestled from a wild free-for-all. A state
+of nature. And… that only the strong arm of the law. Of power. Force.
+Really fear….could secure safety and sanity for us all. It’s a social
+contract. And like any contract, if it’s broken .. you sue… apprehend
+… punish … It’s a jungle out there …. And we need a Leviathan to
+control our world and manage it.
+Really, we’ve gone on for awhile. So ….
+(There’s a disruption in the room. Several police enter with women
+they’ve picked up on the street, likely prostitutes. The women enter.
+Joan notices the yoga-dance instructor is among them. She’s confused.
+God or not? There’s a sad and distressed look on the
+yoga-dance-instructor’s face.)
+Councilman: (comes forward) We’ve had problems with prostitution on
+Dilcue. We got people on it. These women were just picked up
+‘soliciting.’ They’ll be processed and held. The police are doing
+their job.
+(There’s rumbling from the crowd, accompanied by a low hiss, from
+several people at the meeting. A majority are angry at the
+prostitution happening on their streets. Some are uncomfortable,
+shifting nervously in the awkward situation. Someone speaks up after
+the initial disruption, breaking the silence.)
+Alex’s mother: You got no right bringing them in here. If they’re
+going to jail, take them. You got no right.
+Will: (Will’s not expecting this, but he’s ready to jump in, knowing
+it’s not right either. But he hesitates a moment and Ryan steps into
+the moment of Will’s hesitation.)
+Ryan: Ma’am, we have every right to bring criminals to account for
+their actions. … (shifting his attention) Thank you officers. You can
+take them out. (The patrolmen look to the nodding commander and they
+are rustled out. Joan watches closely and catches
+yoga-dance-instructor-prostitute leave. They meet one another’s gaze.
+There’s a connection of sadness, of distance, of wanting to help, at
+a loss of what to do, frustration at what’s going on.)
+(Will’s been observing this whole exchange between Ryan, the police,
+and the women hauled in off the street. And he’s upset. He doesn’t
+want to embarrass fellow police officers in public. He decides he’s
+going to take this up with them, tell them not to get leveraged into
+bringing suspects into a community meeting. He’s also going to take
+it up with the district commander.)
+Ryan: (trying to wrap things up) Thank you all. You’ve come out and
+made yourself heard. We’ll be sure to have regular meetings ….Good
+night ….
+Adam: (walks up to Ryan at the front of the room near the podium and
+says) Hey. I didn’t know you’d be here. (making a connection with
+Ryan)
+Ryan: Just doing my civic duty (trying to sound servant-like, but it
+comes off cavalier) … Listen, Adam, I’m parched. Would you get me
+some water? (and who becomes the servant?)
+Adam: Sure… (furrows his brow, sensing something’s not quite
+right…Still, he walks off to get Ryan some water. Ryan mills around
+at the front, talking with people in the audience and the other
+presenters. Will’s there.)
+
+(With Adam off getting Ryan’s water, Joan’s comrades stand in the
+back. Lily with her gang, Denunzio and Bonnie, walk up to Joan. It’s
+uncomfortable for Joan as she has difficulty looking Bonnie in the
+eye.)
+Denunzio: (greets Joan) Hey Princess, got a cancer stick? (Bonnie’s
+quietly distant.)
+Joan: (just smiles and looks smug, ignoring his request)
+Lily: Just wanted to say hi…. Hi. …We’re late for gettin’ outta here.
+(motioning like she’s already leaving)
+Joan: What just happened? (everyone’s clueless)
+Lily: (Lily speaks up first) Beyond me. Just helping them (looking
+over at Bonnie and Denunzio) get an assignment done by cutting
+community service time.
+Friedman: (noticing that Bonnie’s not wearing any shoes or socks)
+What’s this? “Hobbitses?” (‘hobbit zez’ sounding like Gollum from
+Lord of the Rings)
+Bonnie: (gives him a look that could kill)
+Lily: (coming to the rescue) Friedman. You’ll never get it. … The
+earth is sacred ground. So… take off your …frickin’ shoes… go down
+Moses…..burning bush… pan-located. A Lenape medicine man, prophet,
+helped her see .. (unsure herself, but trusting it to be a vision or
+something) …I don’t know what, but something…. So shut your trap. Or
+I’ll shut it for you.
+Friedman: (suitably subdued)
+Lily: (anxious to leave) Later.
+Others: Bye (Lily leaves with Denunzio and Bonnie.)
+Glynis: (giving her assessment to Joan’s question of what just
+happened at the meeting) It was awful.
+Friedman: It’s how the world works. Maybe awful, but just desserts.
+…But how the world looks…Ola … ooh la la…..
+Grace: How do you tell the dancer from the dance? (Grace speaks
+cryptically. She’s in some kind of other reality altogether for a
+moment. But she quickly returns to a typical mood.) I’m gonna get
+sick. Spout my coffee on that useless smuck of a citizen leading the
+charge. Citizen Kane indeed. Let’s get outta here.
+Joan: No. (resisting the movement to leave.) I have to understand ….
+Alex: (walking by, saying something to dig at them and then take off)
+Like your introduction to community meetings? Can’t wait to see your
+write-up. (challenging Joan) So, who’s gonna tell it like it is?
+(trying to goad something out of them, but giving up) Hey, I gotta
+‘book.’ (Alex walks away. He’s not telling them he needs to walk his
+mother home.)
+(Joan catches up with Alex as he takes off; the others follow her
+slowly)
+Alex: (to Joan) I said I had business. Adios.
+Alex’s mother: (walking up and hearing Alex) Alex. Are these friends
+from school? Introduce me.
+Alex: No. They’re not friends. (sounding rude) They just needed to
+complete an assignment. (just the facts) Let’s go. (Alex can’t wait
+to drop this encounter like a dead weight upon his spirit.)
+Joan: No, we’re friends (wanting something more, but realizing she’s
+overstated it). Well … acquaintances, ah, (not finding the right
+word) … strangers? (gives up trying to know what to say and falls
+back on the little she’s sure of) I need to understand. (Joan falls
+back on what she knows.) I’m Joan Girardi. (Joan introduces herself
+to Alex’s mom)
+Alex: This is my mom, Mrs. Villa. (begrudging)
+Joan: It’s nice to meet you. (Joan smiles and goes straight to her
+purpose.) Can you tell us what happened?
+Mrs. Villa: (smiles at Joan’s greeting, but answers her question
+enigmatically) I’m sorry. No. But .. maybe some day. Good to meet you
+Joan. (Mrs. Villa has a feeling about Joan, but doesn’t trust it.
+She’s been burned before.)
+(Alex and his mom leave.)
+
+**Part 19**\ : (Next evening, Joan goes to the dance studio to see if
+Rahav is there and discover what happened. While the building’s open,
+the door to her studio is locked; no one’s there. She leaves the
+studio. And as she enters the standing cloud of streetlife, she
+becomes aware of something arising, moving her to ‘walking
+meditation.’ She focuses on her breathing and lets her eyesight and
+body embrace, absorb the neighborhood she wanders through. Her vision
+and mind meld into the forms architectural, rigid, human and mobile
+she sees. Vipassana. The ambient array of shops, buildings, people on
+the street seep into her heart, gradually creating a wide opening.
+She walks by a Hispanic Pentecostal Church, next to a teen nite club
+with a Banner identifying it as ‘Speak in Tongues.’ There’s a health
+clinic across the street from it. There’s a bicycle shop, a tire
+shop, a bagel co-op, a coffeeshop, the Rialto, Villa y Zapata
+restaurant, San Miguel Botanica, a thrift shop. In the Revolution
+Books store, she sees some titles that register unconsciously, ‘Etty
+Hillesum… Diaries’ with a photograph on the cover; “Simone Weil … The
+Iliad: Poem of Force.’ Once a car stops, and calls through the open
+window… ‘Psst.’ She’s startled out of her sentience, then ignores it
+and keeps walking. When she finally completes her way through the
+labyrinth of streets and people, it’s late. She looks up, recognizing
+a constellation in the night sky. She’s now worried that time has
+passed and she’s feeling not safe, like she’s taken a risk and is now
+in a maze she can’t exit. She then sees Adam walking towards her and
+breathes a sigh of relief.)
+Joan: Hey. Que pasa? (trying to sound curious and cute, as though
+she’s unworried)
+Adam: On my way to meet Ryan. (Joan frowns, but hides it from Adam,
+‘cause she doesn’t want to go there.)
+Joan: It’s late. (instead of talking about Ryan)
+Adam: Yeah, I’m restless. I need something. I don’t know what. (Joan
+and Adam walk together down the street…and he continues) Something I
+can hold on to.
+Joan: (feeling pained at Adam’s last statement, she avoids the
+subject and focuses on herself) I’m tired. Can’t wait for dreamland.
+… But the hunter never sleeps (remembering the constellation Orion
+she saw one early morning while it was still dark, and now looking
+up, but not seeing it now). Whatever.
+Adam: (interested in something else) Hey, I want you to see
+something. (They stop in front of a storefront, with big glass
+windows.) Look here. (The shop has a high ceiling. And Adam points to
+a half wall-size mural that’s on one wall of the shop. The mural’s a
+picture of two guys, the owners, standing side by side with arms
+around one another’s shoulder. The mural’s cartoon-like because each
+guy has one of their eyeballs popped out above their heads to dot the
+first letter ‘i’ in the name of their shop,“ ike and ishmi’s Bagel
+Co-op.” It’s quite striking, funny, and warm.) I stop here before
+work. …Got to talkin’. …. They want me to touch up the mural. I’d do
+it free. They said, ‘Nah.’ Art’s work. So is food. Each take
+something from the pot. It’s good business. Cool, huh?
+Joan: Yeah. (Joan’s happy for Adam and starting to feel a lot more
+relaxed.)
+(They continue walking and run into Mrs. Villa (Alex’s mom) coming
+out of a law office, Goody’s Equity Law office, GELO, ( pronounced
+‘jello’).)
+Mrs. Villa: Joan Girardi. We meet again.
+Joan: Yeah. Hi. (glad and starting to think…) Good to see you again
+too. (needing to give introductions) Adam, this is Mrs. Villa, Alex’s
+mom. Mrs. Villa, this is my ex-boyfriend Adam. (Adam ouches at the
+mention of ‘ex.’ He thinks he really needs a dog now. Mrs. Villa and
+Adam greet one another.)
+Alex’s mom: Joan, good to see you out with your ex. I got an
+ex-husband. We get along, too. Can’t live together though.
+Joan: Well, yeah. It’s complicated.
+Alex’s mom: Probably not. Another woman. (Adam feels foolish at how
+she’s got it all mapped out so quickly.) It happens all the time. ….
+‘Til the lesson’s learned. (ominous) painfully…..One big soap opera.
+What? (trying to think of which one to name) General Hospital, right?
+Joan: I guess.
+Alex’s mom: Just like the Bible. Redux. From time immemorial. All
+those men cavorting. David and Bathsheba. Women haggling. Sarah and
+Hagar. And whoa, Jacob waiting for Rachel. That’s why I like good
+queen Esther. But don’t get me started. (not able to quit quite yet)
+God just can’t seem to get it to work out right sometimes. But I tell
+him to keep trying. (Adam’s at a loss to follow this, but Joan’s not
+cowed.)
+Joan: Yeah, right. (but curious) You talk to god?
+Alex’s mom: All the time. We got a regular conversation.
+Joan: Me, too. (Joan can’t hold back, just jumping in. Adam’s
+surprised by Joan’s forthright statement. But Joan quickly backs off
+into silence, thinking she’s said too much.)
+Alex’s mom: Well, that’s good. You just keep talking to him, honey.
+He’ll or (correcting herself) She’ll lead you.
+Adam: (a little uncomfortable, goes a different direction) Mrs.
+Villa, where you headed?
+Alex’s mom: Home. Waiting for Alex to come by. He picks me up after
+work.
+Adam: You’re a lawyer? (noticing she had exited the law office)
+Alex’s mom: No. Legal assistant. But I’m working on it. (Pride rises
+from her center of gravity.) It’s a long haul. Arcadia Community
+college for my associates’. Satellite courses there for my
+undergraduate degree. And now for my final sheepskin. (excited about
+her future) Juris doctor.
+Joan: (wanting to go back to the community meeting question) Mrs.
+Villa, that community meeting. What happened? I didn’t get it.
+Mrs. Villa: Don’t worry. You will, Joan. That was just a song and
+dance. They’ve already decided what they’re gonna do. They were
+processing us. (thinking about what she just said and amused) Due
+process; that’s exactly right. Powers and principalities hiding
+behind smoke and mirrors. Been there. Done that….Now substance that’s
+a different number altogether.
+Joan: That’s not right. (getting lost in the smoke, getting righteous
+...)
+Mrs. Villa: Yeah…. (Like what’s new?! But Mrs. Villa realizes she
+needs to help Joan understand more.). But we get what we deserve.
+(expanding Joan’s vision so she can see that it’s not so simple) We
+don’t hold them to the fire. But I have hope no one gets burned on
+this one. That old fiery furnace is heating up though. We’ll see. Got
+a fundraiser, rally, to start. Show’em we got a different vision of
+the neighborhood. We’re gonna be tried by fire on this one.
+Joan: Sounds hot… (like the furnace doesn’t sound inviting, but
+trying to sound hopeful about the fundraiser) And good! When?
+Mrs. Villa: This weekend, Saturday night.
+Joan: Can I help out? (initially eager ‘cause she’s looking for
+something practical to do, rather than figure out what exactly is
+going on; then starting to wonder if it’s the one Rahav mentioned to
+her earlier).
+Mrs. Villa: Rahav. She has the dance studio a couple blocks down. She
+organized it. HipHop DanceFest Arcadia. Next Saturday. (thinking …)
+Oh yeah. She’s in jail. Hold that…
+Joan: Where I just was. (pointing in the direction of the dance
+studio). She told me about it.
+Mrs. Villa: (thinking Joan meant jail and not the dance studio) Jail?
+Nah, I was there. Didn’t see you. (finally realizing that Joan meant
+the dance studio) Oh… You meant the dance studio. She’ll be out soon.
+Can’t hold her more than 72 hours. … strictly speaking. Though there
+ain’t nothing strict about the law, except when they choose to be
+strict…..
+Joan: Is she okay?
+Mrs. Villa: Oh yeah. Yeah. (reassuring) They’re just making her an
+example. (going back to thinking how Joan’s been doing her own thing
+and pleased) So, then you’re in the loop already. Networking. Good.
+Adam: (Adam’s been listening to it all, but with little interest
+until he hears Joan getting involved and now he’s wanting to get in
+on it.) I got experience in set design. I could help with lighting.
+(Mrs. Villa nods in agreement, picking up where Adam’s real interest
+lies.)
+
+Alex: Hey, mom (walking up and giving her a kiss).
+(He nods, uninterested, in Adam’s and Joan’s direction.)
+Alex’s Mom: Just talking to your friends, here.
+Alex: Yeah. (not excited about his mom thinking they’re his friends,
+but drops it, no point. They all notice a woman walking alone across
+the street. As they walk on down the street, Mrs. Villa makes a
+comment.)
+Mrs. Villa: It ain’t the oldest profession. Thought it was. ‘Til the
+preacher said ‘killing’ was (or murder). Got me to thinking.
+Joan: What’s the difference? (wondering what she’s talking about, the
+difference between murder and killing)
+Alex’s mom: None for the victim. (she lets that sit out there for a
+moment; then, sounding like she’s thought long and hard about what
+she says next) But there is. If you’re judging innocence or guilt.
+It’s not mine to judge. Not anyone’s.
+Ryan: (walking up) Mrs. Villa. … Joan. Adam. (looking at Alex) Alex,
+right?
+Alex: (not liking that this guy thinks he knows him or something)
+Adam: (Adam going right to it with Ryan) Hey. Startin’ to wonder.
+Maybe it was Mercer Creek and not Noir.
+Ryan: (speaking to Adam) Yeah, got held up. (smiling to Joan and Mrs.
+Villa) Ladies, (looking to Alex, with emphasis, picking up his vibe)
+Sir. I’m interrupting I see. So, just excuse us. We have a very
+important meeting. (sounding secretive so as to set up his next funny
+remark) Coffee, Citizen Kane, Ad-layouts. It’d put ya to sleep. But
+we’ll talk all night. Or until they throw us out. (leaving) Later.
+(and nods in their directions)
+Adam: Joan, you’ll be okay? (solicitous of her safety and well being)
+Joan: Sure. (reassuring Adam and looking with confidence towards Mrs.
+Villa) Sure.
+(As Adam and Ryan walk into the Café Noir, Ryan says to Adam,
+something barely heard, “I got this guy nailed. Dead on. Judge, jury,
+execution. All in one step. Too cool.” Playing in the film room of
+Café Noir is Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing.”
+Mrs. Villa: (talking to Joan as Alex wanders off a bit; none have
+heard Ryan) That man. Something’s not right. Can’t put my finger on
+it. But God’s got his on it. (quoting something) “Over again I feel
+thy finger and find thee.” (She breathes a deep relief and
+satisfaction as she feels a powerful presence wash over her being.
+Joan notices it and feels drawn to it. Joan hugs Mrs. Villa, which
+surprises Joan and upsets Alex who observes it.)
+Mrs. Villa: Thanks, Joan. That was sweet. I felt it too.
+Alex: (bent out of shape, and coming back towards them) Mom. Really.
+Time to go. (He starts leaving.)
+Alex’s mom: No, not until her bus comes. (holding her son off; just
+then Joan’s bus pulls up and Mrs. Villa calls out some advice as she
+goes) Joan, don’t give up on your sweetheart. (thinking she better
+qualify it) Ex, that is. (Alex’s mom waves as they leave. Joan looks
+in Mrs. Villa’s direction and waves back. Before she boards the bus,
+she takes a brief look into Café Noir coffee shop where Ryan and Adam
+are talking. She sees the movie playing. As her bus pulls away, Joan
+falls deep into thought of this place, imbued with the ambient array
+she’s thoroughly absorbed.)
+\ **Part 20**\ : (It’s Saturday night. Adam is walking down the
+street to the building where the evening’s event, HipHop DanceFest
+Arcadia, is being held. He’s arriving early to help with the set. As
+he nears its entrance, he runs into
+Homeless-man-newspaper-vendor-god.)
+Homeless-man-newspaper-vendor-god: Hey, I’m trying to find a good
+home for this dog that hangs with me… Interested? (pointing to the
+dog across the street with grocery cart full of stuff)
+Adam: Maybe. Why you getting rid of him?
+Homeless-man-newspaper-vendor-god: I’m going to be moving on soon ….
+I don’t think it’ll work out. … She’s a great animal… found her on
+the streets…. Loyal and friendly… faith and true…. and a good
+watchdog too…
+Adam: I gotta think about this… How can I reach you?
+Homeless-man-newspaper-vendor-god: On Dilcue any time…. Anywhere near
+the Rialto…. Just flag me down.
+Adam: Okay. (continues walking down the street and enters the
+building.)
+\ **Part 21**\ : (Same evening, Helen and Will are going to their
+seats at Arcadia’s Music Hall to hear the Arcadia Symphonic
+Orchestra. All of Arcadia’s movers and shakers are there. Will
+notices them sitting still and waves to them with a quick flick of
+the wrist, mostly out of obligation. Will thinks he’ll never live
+this down back at the Precinct. As he takes his seat, Will remembers
+to put his cellphone on vibrator to avoid a bad scene. Helen’s
+thrilled with the music hall, the whole experience she’s expecting.
+They take their seats and she starts to read the notes in the program
+to Will. The program lists Beethoven’s 7th Symphony as the evening’s
+featured piece.)
+Helen: (to Will) Listen to this. Wagner (pronounced ‘Vahg-ner’)
+called it: “The very a-poth (sounding out ‘apotheosis’, but gets
+stuck and starts again) a-poth-e-o-sis (getting it) of the
+dance.”(Helen’s intrigued. She pauses. Will hopes silence on her part
+means she’s done trying to instruct him on something he doesn’t want
+to know about. She frustrates his hope by jumping to another
+comment.) “But Beethoven’s impossible to choreograph.”
+Will: What’s ‘apoth ..’ (getting irritated) What’s that?’(hoping to
+get Helen to quit by asking her a dumb question that lets her know
+how uninformed he is.) Do I even want to know?
+Helen: I don’t know. This writer thinks it’s better described ‘the
+apotheosis of rhythm.’ (Helen says it more fluently this time and
+thinks she might learn something so she’s eager to finish. She
+rattles off more facts.) “Its premiere was a benefit concert for
+wounded soldiers from the Napoleonic wars.” (Helen’s jumping around
+in the program.) Oh, and “that Beethoven was ripe for the madhouse
+after writing the bizarre grinding bass of the 2nd movement.”
+Allegretto. “It builds enormous tension before the release in the
+final climax.” Hmm. (then becoming effervescent) I’m so excited,
+Will.
+Will: (looking like he’s swallowed a bug) Me too, Helen. Me, too.
+(saying it a second time, hoping he could convince himself. Not.)
+
+**Part 22**\ : (HipHop DanceFest Arcadia happens at an old ethnic
+community club building, which is a large 3-story structure, about 60
+feet high. On the 3rd floor, there’s a ballroom, now called the
+Beachland Ballroom where the event is held. Joan’s at the 2nd floor
+entrance door helping out, sitting at a table. She’s wearing a hat,
+a\ `fedora <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Dance%20of%20Desire/Fedora.jpg>`__\ …
+It’s a striking blow to her standard fashion…, looking so sharp or
+thoroughly foolish. …She’s wearing a dark blazer with gray pinstripes
+as well, so she looks like some Bogart character out of film noir,
+but without the gangster persona. She’s been taking money for the
+past hour. Mrs. Villa’s there with her, as well as another boy her
+age, Michael. She’s seen Denunzio and Bonnie come in together, which
+is quite a surprise and a distressing encounter, too. She greets them
+half-heartedly and uncomfortably. They look askance at her without
+words being exchanged. Lily follows shortly afterwards, saying she
+was some kind of chaperone. But Joan wasn’t buying it… Lily wanted to
+see the performance and probably couldn’t convince Kevin to come
+along. Inaccessible?)
+(Mrs. Villa tells Joan that the show will be starting in a minute or
+two and she doesn’t want Joan to miss the opening number and says she
+and Michael can handle the door…just come back later to relieve them.
+Joan hurries up the flight of stairs into the main ballroom. She
+checks the balcony near the entrance of the ballroom from where the
+stage lighting’s orchestrated. The ceiling of the hall is lined with
+different lighting schemes. She barely sees Adam moving about. He’s
+completely absorbed in preparation for the opening performance.
+Joan’s joined the moment, prelude to fullness, attentive with the
+audience. But this ain’t no standard performance and this ain’t no
+typical audience spectation. No innocent bystanders here.
+Participatory performance art. But Joan doesn’t know that yet, so
+without further a-do-ing: Let the terpsichorean shewing begin.)
+Master of Ceremonies: (walking out, excited, feeling the energy)
+People….HipHop DanceFest Arcadia…. Can it feel this good? Can you
+inhale this experiment in truth? Messengers from Heaven arriving on
+time… bringing dancing flames ... Are you ready?!!!!!! Bring it on.
+…Bring. It. On. (He exits the stage.)
+(THE SHOW:
+AN-TI-CI-PA-TION. You can feel the ENERGY about to be unleashed.
+Fusion imagining. Thick with electromagnetism. Stasis about to be
+disestablished. And THEN. The Force of Performance. The muse of
+solution. THUNDERBOLT. LIGHTNING. IT’S A-HAPPENING: Big monstrous
+speakers and sound system blare music as background for the dancers
+who prance onto the stage, wearing ghost-dance shirts and African
+masks. Guitar crashing chords up and down. Titillated by high hat
+a-tapping out the measure. ‘Ooh.’ ‘Ooh’ drawn out. The Cure’s hiphop
+version of “\ \ `Purple
+Haze <http://dc87.4shared.com/download/68998750/33e93c03/The_Cure_-_Purple_Haze.mpg>`__\ \ ”
+explodes from the Sound cavities.
+Jimi’s voice, alive and well. He’s calling from the grave, ‘Really
+gotta say. I did my thing. It isn’t a dream.’ …. Ah, the VIBE.
+KINESIS. And the beat being laid down and down and down. The bottom
+formed. On the one. On the One….on the ONE.
+The bass rocks the walls of the building. Strung out. Pounded upon:
+BA BUM BUM
+The visual-aural envelope of Sound sweeps the dust out of the
+ballroom and all spirits.
+A group of dancers take center stage, with synchronized moves.
+A-rocking and a-waving, with their bodies a-swaying. They lilt and
+lurch forward. Their entire amassed form pulsing. Draped with wings
+of fire. Dressed for flight. Hands and arms rolling, and a-rolling.
+Feet a-tapping, a-flying, dimpling waves of photons. Kinesthesia
+a-flaring. Hand motions slice the aire, riding them towards the
+heavens, fashioning shapes that reach out to…. almost touch the sky.
+Then a hiphop to kiss it. Jump. Jump up. Jump. Jump up. Freeze. Drop.
+Slip. Fall. Pop!
+And the audience wakens radiant to conjoin the dancers, the music,
+the place. Fusing.
+All bodies, of the heavens and earth, start ta’ movin’, a-shakin.
+And the drums, pounding out the BEAT, with a backbeat and quick
+release. And then the BEAT ‘poets’ even higher….. A primal force
+rising up from the floors. Inhaling the Room. Pervasion Equation.
+EarthEkstacizing.
+‘Purple Haze all in my brain….. actin’ funny .. ‘scuse me while I
+kiss the sky…’
+‘Don’t know if I’m coming up or down. Never happy or in misery …
+whatever it is, that girl put a spell on me..’ AH!!!!!!…
+And the bass guitar plucking 3 beats per measure: BA BOM BOM. With
+the drums pounding the pause between repeats. And feet kicking the
+air. A-hopping. A-hipping. The center among the circling dancers is
+expanded. And one dancer starts B-BOYING. BREAKING. Spin. Spin.
+Freeze. Jump. Drills head into hardwood floor. Opening up a direct
+line into the heart of the earth. Fissuring. Indeed.
+Bass guitar speeds… plucking 6 beats per measure.
+The drums keep feeding off that rhythm: DA DOO DOO DOO DOO DO
+Bass drum. Bass guitar. …BA BUM BUM rhymes the rim over and over and
+over…..
+Then BA BUM BUM BUM BUM BUM BAAH!
+Dancers soar, spin, as music does. Such Excess. TOV.
+The whole house ta’ shiftin’. Volume like a driving wind, riding high
+and diving low. Swirling. Rebuffing. EKSTASIS. And everyone in the
+audience. Up and moving. A-wigglin’. A-shakin’. Swelled with primal
+rhythms. Infectious beats. Primordial forces. Spasms in being.
+Ebullience. Boiling up. The EARTH opens a deep fissure, excavating a
+vast opening into its pulsating heart. The flow of fluid rock. Stones
+split. The curtain’s torn from top to bottom. Gaia. Up, a lifeline.
+The SKY kisses terra firma, and driving down deeper, licks the molten
+core. All merged into ONE … Audience. Dancers. Music. Ballroom.
+Apotheosis.
+Can it get any better?)
+(Joan’s joined at the hip to this lindyhop mosh popping.
+Fandango-ing. Not knowing who she was, or where, or what. Enveloped
+in bodies, surrounded in sound, permeated with rhythm. One vast ocean
+of human life vibrating. Grinding with the Bass. She’s been through
+an earthquake. And belched out of some kind of crypt. Spasmosis.
+Blown away by the show, carried into another frame of the time-space
+continuum. Transcendence translated. The ambient array embedded in
+her brain synapses. She tries to breathe deeply. And look. ….She
+realizes she’s got these happy feet that can’t stop movin.’ She’s
+tries to control them, but they have a life of their own now. And
+it’s affecting her hands and arms. They just keep ‘kinecting.’
+Feeling totally weird and free, she thinks… it’s a dream … as she
+merges into the stream… secret service, deeds, actions rippling
+beneath the moonlit night. Yeah. Right. She’s a-mused, be-mused, how
+things redound. Curiously sated. At the no-longer still and rhythmic
+point of saturation. Osmosis.
+With wings of fire, Joan goes back to the table to collect donations
+and monies for the fest.)
+
+**Part 23**\ : (With Joan back at the tables taking money, Joan
+questions Mrs. Villa about something. She tries to be casual, but her
+interest oversteps her effort at subtlety.)
+Joan: Was that Alex at the center of that circling .. (grabbing for
+the right word) hip….hop …scotch-ing? Whatever.
+Mrs. Villa: (humored by Joan’s attempt to describe) Yes. And I don’t
+know what to call it either.
+Joan: How could you miss it?
+Mrs. Villa: I didn’t
+(Joan’s not following this, but before she can say anything, Grace
+shows up with Friedman. A big surprise. There’s this buoyance to
+Joan’s being and yet a cathartic and confident completion that Grace
+is struck by.)
+Grace: Girardi, what’s with you? Seen the light? (has that look) A
+ghost dance? …The entire electromagnetic spectrum?
+Joan: I’ve been trans- … something … washed over by ‘I don’t know
+what’ … been to the mountaintop and can see something different …..
+by Alex and his hiphop skippers. I don’t know I’ll ever be the same.
+Grace: Whatever… close encounter of the third kind?…
+Joan: No, direct encounter…
+Grace: Weird and weirder…. Girardi.
+Joan: Spirits and spirit-er. (finally coming back to earth) Grace.
+Talk about weird? (pointing to Friedman). Napoleon Dynamite, without
+the dancing shoes…
+Grace: (missing the Friedman question… responding to what she thought
+was her presence at the DanceFest) Girardi, you’d think I’d miss
+something this real ….ars populist… This is where Rove and I are
+headed… high performance art… not some classical bourgeois
+dress-for-mass consumption purchase at the commodities market…like
+the Music Hall, (pulling out her chained wallet)… I’m blowing the
+whole wad (hands over a twenty dollar bill).. what’s left is for my
+new caffeine habit….
+Joan: Right!…(smiles) But you already missed the opening…(searching
+for the right word, before she quits, she blurts out) … combustion…
+alchemy…(moving on) Grace,…. This is my friend, Mrs. Villa… she
+helped organize the show. (motions to the boy next to Mrs. Villa)
+Michael.
+Grace: (excited about what she’s going to see, sounds like she’s
+almost singing) We’re having a party. Everybody’s dan…(interrupting
+herself, looking to Mrs. Villa) I’ve seen you in action…
+Joan: (going back to her curiosity about what’s Friedman doing with
+Grace; Grace finally picks up the vibe)
+Grace: Friedman … (wondering what answer to give… lands on the
+facts)…. He’s here because I promised to feed him to the sharks from
+one of his cruises otherwise… And there’s mucho opportunity for
+vicarious participation…..in the Saturnalia …as long as he arrives
+after the main course though….10 bucks… …(Grace puts her hand out,
+forcing Friedman to pull out a ten dollar bill)
+Friedman: (but holding the money in hand) Gracie, no filthy lucre
+until I know we’re getting inside … I don’t want to miss the
+inauguration. (explaining Luke’s absence) Cool hand Luke’s busy
+making cookies….coming late ‘s better than not at all ….
+Grace: He better make it.
+Friedman: Told him …. Find the heavy and labored breathing …. Follow
+the cooking smoke signals (He gives the money to Mrs. Villa who gives
+him a handstamp.)
+Grace: (finally getting to the fedora… noir-look, pointing) Girardi,
+you’ve been bogart-ed.
+Joan: I needed something different for tonight… The thrift shop has
+all this outlandish stuff.. for a few bucks.. ..the coat and hat, 8
+bucks… Half price on Thursdays.. What d’ya think?
+Grace: I’m not the fashionista police….do your thing or the right
+thing whichever comes first… I like it. (about to head off to the
+show.)
+Mrs. Villa: Enjoy the show.. . uh … the second course.
+Grace: Bye…(they walk off.)
+\ **Part 24**\ : (Rahav, Yoga-dance-instructor-prostitute-god,
+arrives coming through the doors where HipHop DanceFest is being
+held. She seems subdued… She pulls out $10. Mrs. Villa notices her
+and starts to get out of her seat at the table. Rahav greets Joan and
+Mrs. Villa and Michael.)
+Rahav: I’m welcome? (Mrs. Villa, coming from behind the table, hugs
+and kisses her; Joan’s surprised, but moved by the warmth and
+uncertainty of the moment)
+Mrs. Villa: (finally responding with words)… Yeah, right. That’s a
+question.
+Rahav: I don’t want to upset tonight’s show.
+Mrs. Villa: Too bad…We’ll deal with it….. Oh, …when do you not
+unleash coordinated chaos around here? …. jazz… miz.
+Joan: (finally speaking to Rahav) We need to talk…
+Rahav: I know. .. later, though. (Rahav walks up the steps slowly.)
+\ **Part 25**\ : (The MC (master of ceremonies) takes the stage and
+starts talking. He sounds inspirational. Grace and Friedman are in
+the audience wondering when the show’s gonna get back on track.)
+MC: (seems to be some kind of minister, but not identified as such)
+OK. OK. Okay. Brother Jimi, like brother Malcolm said, making it
+plain. (enunciating each word and with added emphasis) Making It
+Plain! (engaging the audience as though he’s talking to each person
+individually, as though they’re cradled in the crater of a volcano)
+Thank you. Thank you! (putting his hand on their hearts, as he lays
+his hand on his own) Say it’s so. (people nodding and saying ‘yeah,
+yeah’)
+I wanna thank everyone for coming out tonight to support this
+community event. (a lot of energy is in the crowd, so they’re all
+intently focused on the speaker) Your gifts make a difference here.
+Laid at the table of plenty. Abundance multiplied…. Look around and
+see.(sweeping his hands all around and coming to focus on the
+dancers) A harvest indeed. Sukkot. Hey, hey, …Hey!….Tonight’s talent
+has been supported and gathered by all of you. You’ve made this
+…happen! (taking them higher and further) And we have more on the
+horizon, the sun is rising tomorrow, indeed. But I’m talking about
+your hearts. Not just your dollars. How they have gone out to one
+another. (giving purpose) Sisters and brothers, we’re here to pass
+the message on of brotherly and sisterly love for one another. Care.
+We really are one body, one mind, one community. All from the same
+mother. Earth. Gaia. Can you feel it? (the whole mass answers… “YES,”
+bouncing and bopping with their answer) And we have lots of different
+parts. Oh, DO WE HAVE DIFFERENT PARTS AND PATHS! (audience
+participation… ‘yeah, yeah, we do’. It’s starting to be like a
+call-and-response revival. ) 84 thousand, maybe more (everyone
+wondering where that number came from; he moves on…)
+Here’s where it’s hard…whatever path we take, our hands and feet can
+lead us astray or they can lead us to do the work of the higher
+power. Which road are you on? (raising his hands in the air to
+illustrate two ways) The Way of love….. The Way of hate. And it’s a
+battle, a tricky one. A Dance. Really. And here are the first steps
+in that hiphop. (he illustrates with a drop and spin on his feet)
+The one person we most hate, least love, is …..our sister, brother.
+Yes, hear it. (rumbling in the crowd.. knowing it’s right, but
+finding it hard) I know it’s a hard one.. But hear it plain… We can’t
+be brought back to life, be safe, unless each one goes into \***\*
+and carries our brother or sister out with us. Sometimes we awake in
+our life’s journey and find that we’ve gone astray,…. are lost in a
+dark wood. Or walking alone on the streets. Go walking out there on
+Walnot or Dilcue and tell me it ain’t so… Lost. And someone comes and
+gets us out. ….(trailing off…..)
+
+**Part 26**\ : (Joan leaves the table again and goes up to the
+ballroom. She notices Ryan in the audience and goes up to him, upset
+that he’s here, but unable to hold herself from engaging him. She
+hadn’t seen him come in.)
+Joan: (going directly to the point) What’re you doing here?
+Ryan: What? No greetings … just account for myself. (Ryan plays it
+off well.)
+Joan: I don’t fraternize with the enemy. (Joan just about snarls at
+Ryan.)
+Ryan: I’m coming out to support the community I serve. Make a big
+donation to Rahav’s fundraiser. And this is what I get. (Ryan’s
+playing the public servant way over the top.)
+Joan: (Joan’s having none of it.) Yeah, like a slug that comes out in
+the aftermath of a bloodbath.
+Ryan: We’ll see who makes a bigger splash. (getting feisty, beginning
+to show his true colors.)
+Joan: (she makes like getting sick …)
+Ryan: (Ryan shifts gears.) No love for your enemy? (taunting Joan)
+Rewind Cain … and Adele? (twisting the ancient name of the victim;
+now goes on to goading Joan) He’ll just love that. Just the thing for
+the higher power to see multiplied by his children. (trying to get
+her to lose it one way or another. Joan’s played into his game …
+mimicking his moves.) I win. .. I lose. It’s all the same. You win
+only by losing. (Enigmatic: Ryan reasons: with no believing or
+trusting, there is only losing and/or dying. Joan doesn’t use her
+trump card!) Welcome to the world. (trying to teach her a lesson)
+Joan: Thanks? (doesn’t have a clue of what he’s saying) … for
+nothing.
+Ryan: So he/she/it hasn’t explained that one to you yet. (playing off
+how little Joan really knows about god, now rambling some) Arcadia or
+Green Town. It’s all the same. Dark Pandemonium. (Joan looks like
+she’s hearing an unknown ancient language) Ask him about it. .... You
+are so not ready for the hunting season! It’s my Night, Joan. Look
+here. (shows his knuckles of both hands with the letters ‘l-o-v-e’
+tattooed on the right one and letters ‘h-a-t-e’ tattooed on left.)
+This is just for you. (He twists a smile. Then his hands wrestle with
+one another as though ‘love’ and ‘hate’ are in a battle. When he
+stops the mock battle, ‘love’ is apparently winning. He wipes off the
+tattoos from his knuckles. Then Ryan appears to comment to himself on
+the battle of the hands.) Well, for now. (conceding only a momentary
+swing in the ongoing battle) We’ll see.
+(now turning to Joan) And so we continue the posturing? (noticing how
+overwhelmed Joan is) Joan, relax. Just breathe. (he chuckles, taking
+a breath himself as Joan tries to recollect herself. Ryan can’t
+resist commenting on Joan’s weaknesses that he can play off of, and
+continues the hunt, the most dangerous game). But I like your pluck.
+How is it? ….Have you ever seen a cat play with a caught mouse? An
+owl feast on a rabbit? Look away, Joan, fast. Because it’s how things
+work. Kill or be killed. A perfect universe. (going for the jugular)
+Bloodthirsty.
+Joan: (flustered, hoping to sound powerful, falling for his ploy) I
+understand suffering.
+Ryan: Oh, yeah. (He chuckles outloud.) I’ll keep that in mind. (Ryan
+reflects to himself that Kevin might understand, “He has a chance of
+getting it. The crux of Girardi truth. … Avoid that open wound, that
+broken-ness. …But Joan,… she’s a kept princess.” … He figures his
+line of attack… And amused, he starts playing with his prey.)
+Psychological suffering … it’s the hardest (almost smirking)… “Shall
+I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?” (quoting something
+Joan doesn’t know, prompting her to feel more inadequate) Ah yes… A
+new pair of shoes? You and Imelda! How many already in your closet?
+It’s tough. Tell me about it. Need a therapist? (Ryan rattles these
+off, needling her)… She/He’s just the perfect listener. (mocking)
+Joan: (trying to find her bearings) NO! you don’t know me or my life
+or family.
+Ryan: (indefatigable, undeterred, with the assurance that scares the
+living daylights out of Joan) That is true. … Not yet….We’ll see.(An
+ominous gust blows through the hall from the opening of a doorway.)
+(Just then, while talking to Joan, Ryan recognizes Rahav in the hall.
+He decides to take action, but first pauses before continuing with a
+casual tone.) Last piece of advice before I go… When he/she/it gives
+you that stuff about greater love. Ask him to recite Wilfred Owen.
+(Ryan now shifts gears) Excuse me. I need to take care of something.
+(Dropping that persona, he walks quickly to the exit of the hall,
+pulls out a card and his cellphone, and dials the number from it.
+Joan can be seen through the doors and windows of the Hall as Ryan
+makes his phone call.)
+\ **Part 27**\ : (Ryan gets Daghlian on the phone at the police
+station.)
+Ryan: Detective, we need a unit down at the Beachland dance club.
+Daghlian: (trying to sound cooperative, but a little put-off at
+Ryan’s assertive direction) Mr. Hunter, I’ll give a patrol car a
+heads-up.
+Ryan: (being assertive and used to having power to effect things)
+Detective, I don’t believe that will be sufficient. You’ll need
+several cars. There’s soliciting, drug dealing, vandalism going on as
+we speak.
+Daglian: (trying to explain) Mr. Hunter, it’s a busy night. I’ll do
+my best.
+Ryan: (he’s having none of Daghlian’s explanations, and ups the ante)
+Chief Girardi’s daughter’s here. I can’t guarantee her safety. I
+suggest you get on it.
+Daghlian: (frustrated, but now convinced he needs to act) Agreed, Mr.
+Hunter. I’ll request the cars. (the call concludes.)
+(From the police station, Daghlian immediately calls Will’s cell, and
+gets his voicemail, leaving a message.)
+Daghlian: Will, Daghlian. Call me ASAP.
+(At the music hall, the call comes during the grinding bass of the
+2nd movement, Allegretto, of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.) Will feels
+his cell’s vibration, and wants to answer it, but he stops himself
+and tries to listen to the music. Bum Bumbumbum Bum … His mind’s not
+on it, but he can feel it anyway. He slips his cell out of his pocket
+and notes that it’s from Daghlian.)
+(At the police station, Daghlian, anxious, calls Will again.)
+Daghlian: Will, Call me first. As soon as you get this. Now.
+(Daghlian decides to tell Will just to show up at the location, even
+though he has second thoughts about not telling Will that Joan’s
+there, not wanting to worry him.) I’m headed to the Beachland, on
+Dilcue Street. Come as soon as you get this.
+(At the music hall, Will goes through the same sequence of
+frustration. Really antsy. And he tries to smile towards Helen as she
+becomes concerned about what is going on with Will. The audience is
+in various stages of immobility, absorbed or nodding off; some
+sitting still, some asleep, some dozing, some enthralled like Helen.
+And one Will Girardi about to jump out of his pants.)
+(From the police station, Daghlian calls in a sweep, a couple patrol
+cars. He tells the units that he’ll meet them at the Beachland.)
+
+**Part 28**\ : (Having gone over to Rahav near the end of Ryan’s
+phone call to Daghlian, Joan starts a conversation.)
+Joan: We need to talk… Now! (Joan makes it clear how pressing it is.
+Rahav motions her up toward a doorway…toward which they walk. As they
+walk, another number for the HipHop DanceFest is about to begin. Joan
+is distracted and listens; Rahav does too.)
+MC (master of ceremonies): (coming out on the stage and talking at
+the same time) Brothers and sisters, we’ve got a special delivery for
+you tonight. Our own Rahav has arranged, in all its glorious array, a
+hiphop tribute to Beethoven, and his 7th symphony. (Rahav smiles)
+Well, roll over Beethoven. And stand up. We’re not stickin’ to no
+rhythm n’ blues tonight.
+Joan: (hearing Rahav’s name, Joan turns to her for them to stay, but
+Rahav waves her off.) No, we should.
+Rahav: I’ve seen it in my mind’s eye perfectly. Like the worker,
+demiurge, building a set, fashioning a bowl, grinding a tool, engine
+part, to spec. I know the end of the story. (Joan sees Alex waiting
+in the wings of the stage to perform this piece. She wants to see it,
+but they’re already on their way. As the ecstatic notes of the
+Allegretto resound, the grinding bass notes are laid down, they walk
+through the doorway, up a set of steps to a small upper chamber above
+the ballroom, with a single window; it’s like they’re at the apex of
+a castle. The Allegretto can be heard muffled, throbbing, like a
+heartbeat, up from the ballroom throughout their conversation.
+(Joan wants to go immediately to what’s pressing her, but attends to
+Rahav first.)
+Joan: What happened? You were… in jail. (telling what she knows) Mrs.
+Villa told me she visited. (hoping it will start to make sense if
+they talk.)
+Rahav: Yes. (Her words come weakly, so Joan starts to wonder how
+Rahav is.)
+Joan: Are you Ok? (worried, but also curious and disturbed by all
+these events.)
+Rahav: Time in jail? (thinking that’s Joan’s worry)
+Joan: (nodding)
+Rahav: 72 hours in the belly of the beast. Getting Out. Released from
+3 days in the heart of the earth makes you appreciate the light.
+Natural, that is. Its patterns. (looking at Joan as though she can
+see the patterns in her) And new life. (sounding mysterious) They
+usually let you out sooner. But you never know. 3 days this time. For
+effect. They had to make a show for the public servants and the
+people. All united in the prosecution of justice. All but one.
+Joan: There were more.
+Rahav: Yes, I know. I felt their hearts go out to us. But only one
+spoke up. (adding an enigmatic comment) Better than the first time.
+Joan: What first time? (Joan doesn’t let the curious comment slide
+by)
+Rahav: Not something to go into now. (There’s a silence, and Rahav
+realizes what’s coming.)
+Joan: Are you? (Joan can no longer hold off and decides to go
+immediately to the still confusing point. She’s needing answers, but
+can’t bear to say it. She thinks it’ll lead to understanding, but
+worries it’ll get worse before it gets better.)
+Rahav: (Understanding exactly Joan’s question, Rahav speaks directly
+to Joan, face to face, being honest and to the point. She amplifies
+the dance of empathy and honesty.) Yo soy. (Joan understands enough
+Spanish to know its meaning.)
+Joan: (Joan staggers back, stopped in her tracks, reels, and stumbles
+briefly before slipping to the floor. The chamber becomes thoroughly
+silent and darkened for Joan, though she doesn’t lose consciousness
+or awareness. She remains slumped on the floor, feeling her world
+collapse, like stones raining down upon her. She starts to weep in a
+somber tone. Rahav pulls over a chair to sit near Joan. Joan leans
+against it, comfortably at her feet. Joan collects herself after
+awhile and speaks honestly from the heart.) Who are you? (then
+thinking to add with emphasis) What are you?
+Rahav: Connect through all this, Joan. (Her arms sweep the darkened
+chamber, through the window that looks out over the neighborhood,
+high atop the building they’re in, illuminated by a harvest moon,
+Sukkot.) This is my home. (A coat of arms hangs on the wall with the
+motto, ‘cor ad cor loquitur.’ Next to the coat of arms is a portrait
+of a soldier in uniform from WWI. The name below it, Wilfred Owen,
+titled, ‘Greater Love”. Rahav points to the portrait.) This is my
+family. I am solidly (then reflecting)…bodily, here with those who
+are cut out. Anathema. (realizes this won’t hit the mark; Joan won’t
+know that word and she’s not going to ask her to look it up) The
+accused and accursed. A gallery of the ailing. (It’s not getting any
+clearer, searching for solid ground for a moment, but the earth is
+continually shifting, quaking.) I am … one among them. (sounding
+enigmatic) And the two shall become one. (becoming metaphorical) How
+do you join a person at the hip and not become what the other is too?
+Joan: (not following at all, though the last comment made the most
+sense, allowing Joan to speak up, almost irritated) Say what? Speak a
+language I know or translate, si?
+Rahav: Si. (Speaking again she tries to give an undistorted picture
+of her life on the pavement, concrete as can be) I walk the streets,
+Joan. Talk. Visit. Engage. Hang. Sleep. (sounding lyrical) Embrace,
+breathe in, draw forth the Ambient Array into me. (returning to the
+painful truths) And see within and without the people who hover over
+all for carrion. All sorts of names are given the inhabitants of this
+street, all sorts of pictures are formed. (wanting to give a human
+face to very specific people she cares for, not categories they are
+identified in, realizing it’s a failure of language, so she points to
+the picture on the wall) Persons with families, and children, and
+lives. Their failures multiplied like stones in the desert with no
+bread to sustain them. (But knowing what they are called, she can’t
+finally speak them.) I can’t call them these names. They’re my
+friends. Associates. (starting to name them) Madeline … Tamar …
+Madonna …Lilith…Simon … Harry (She takes a breath, and relaxes,
+trying to sound lighter.)
+Anyway, ‘prostitute’ should only be used as a verb. Did you submit
+yourself, your gifts, for hire, for ill purpose? It’s a good
+examination of conscience. Mantra. Koan. Test. An almost perfect act
+of disbelief in one’s self. Practice it daily.
+Joan: (Joan’s having no relief. Her heart’s breaking as she loses all
+balance again. She’s in a different place altogether than this
+conversation.)
+Rahav: (Realizing Joan’s lost, sitting on the floor, staring out into
+the void, Rahav leans over from her chair and kisses the top of
+Joan’s head. As her lips touch Joan’s hair, she releases her breath
+over Joan and a warmth spreads throughout Joan’s body. In Joan’s
+swoon, her words wash over Joan like salve. Finally, Joan begins to
+listen in rapt contemplation of that which she understands not. Rahav
+begins telling her what accompaniment’s like on the street.) Go to
+jail with them. Not fun. But quite the ambiance. Accommodations for a
+beast.. …(going on) To the hospital when someone’s sick. (commenting
+again) Another of my favorite hotspots…Location, location, location;
+it’s almost everything. ..(moving on to her true calling) Greet each
+with a kiss. We talk …. about their children. How all this happened.
+Their relationships. (Joan begins to see their faces in Rahav’s
+words.) Sex, too. Love can’t be purchased or sold. They know that.
+It’s a gift, huh? (Joan’s been hearing of Rahav’s instruction and
+care, but now she’s feeling it for herself.) The body’s a sacred
+temple. Quite the shack, true enough? (Rahav is now stretching Joan
+to reach into the ambient array with her.) I hold them in the light.
+Their innocence. And we take steps. Learn a new set of movements. One
+moment at a time.
+Joan: I know all about that (thinking of Rahav’s mention of sex;
+Rahav connects to Joan’s experience) …. And I’ve moved on .. or maybe
+I’m stuck. Sometimes, I don’t know anymore.
+
+Rahav: The past is a nightmare of judgement for some, Joan. It’s a
+daily practice, to trust, to forgive the past, even after it’s
+released. …especially sex… It’s a mystical union of two people. With
+a cloud of witnesses and … It’s a wedding made in bed, or a camper,
+in a place of worship or with a justice of the peace. In 15 minutes
+or a lot longer. A lifetime. Our deepest needs for union, communion,
+played out to see. A comfort to the long loneliness.
+Joan: (wants to leave, but can’t get up; she’s enthralled, still weak
+in the knees)
+Rahav: (Rahav moves to the hard, painful part) When I get picked up….
+an experiment in truth… With no guarantees. (gazing into Joan’s eyes)
+I look deeply. Vipassana. Into their eyes… And the world behind them.
+It’s hard. Avoid. Avoid. Avoid the light of the eyes. Where the
+soul’s first seen. They CAN’T look at me. Treat me persona
+non-existent. Brute….. Matter….Thing. … But they can’t …. not sense
+the gaze. Sometimes they get pissed off. Hit me….Conjoin….I don’t
+fight back. Or call the police. Carry the pack an extra block. A
+beast of burden. They get plenty disturbed. Imagine that. Looking
+deeply. It usually stops them in their steps. They think they’re
+gettin’ screwed. It’s not for me to judge. At least, for now.
+Joan: (Joan’s had enough. She walks out of the chamber as though on
+thin air, her mind in a cloud, her face radiant, aglow.)
+(Joan continues down the steps, returning through the doorway into
+the ballroom, finally collecting herself, mumbling something. The
+volume of sound in the hall is overwhelming after the encounter with
+Rahav. She goes up to the sound system guy who’s got a headset on.
+Joan sees an extra headset unattached, a sound muffler, and says to
+Sound Man, “I need this.” and just takes them. Removing her hat, she
+puts the headset on. She walks down the steps from the 3rd floor
+ballroom down to the 2nd floor main entrance. She looks like some
+kind of moonchild as she goes back to the table where she was
+collecting money. She starts counting it. Mrs. Villa looks at Joan
+like she’s just come back from the moon and speaks to her.)
+Mrs.Villa: We’re just about done here, Joan. And the DanceFest is
+too…. Follow me (looking to both Joan and Michael). (They leave the
+main entrance to complete a final count of the money elsewhere.)
+\ **Part 29**\ : (Just as Daghlian is about to arrive at the old
+community club building with the patrol cars, he calls Will one more
+time, hoping to reach him. But Will doesn’t pick up, so Daghlian
+makes a decision, telling Will what the situation is. “Will, your
+daughter’s at the Beachland where we’re gonna make a bust. Come now!”
+Will feels the vibrator go off again. Helen’s in rapt thralldom with
+the monstrous climax of the Final movement of Beethoven’s 7th. Will
+feels like he’s going to burst as he pulls his cell out and sees its
+Daghlian’s number one more time. The entire audience rises out of
+their seats with applause, some waking up for the first time since
+the second movement.
+(Before arriving, Daghlian also choreographs the raid, while alerting
+the cars that Will Girardi’s daughter’s at the club and to keep her
+out of harm’s way. When they pull up, Daghlian barks out directions,
+motioning uniforms on approaches to the club and who’s to enter with
+him.)
+\ **Part 30**\ : (The police observe kids outside with illegal
+substances. (smoking dope, snorting heroin, injecting meth. They’re
+arrested before they can get rid of the stuff. Woman outside
+appearing to be soliciting is also arrested. Police go in and see
+open beer containers and round up all involved. No liquor license for
+the event. A rapidly shifting sense of confusion comes over all of
+the evening’s festive spirit.)
+Police officer: We’re closing this show right now. The party’s over.
+(Police move to arrest stragglers; they go into restrooms, pull
+people out…sending them off or arresting them if suspected)
+
+**Part 31**\ : (Joan’s in a rear anteroom with Mrs. Villa and
+Michael, well cut off from the main entrance, in a separate section
+of the 2nd floor. They’re making a final count of the money. She’s
+taken the headset off, but leaves it around her neck. Mrs. Villa
+hears the commotion coming from the police entering the main building
+and gets up from the table to take a look at what’s happening.)
+Mrs. Villa: You two finish up… I’ve got to find out what’s happening.
+… Anyway.. we’re really done.. over $5,000. $5,238 to be exact.
+Official total. I just wanted to do a second tally. We need to get
+this to MC. .. I’ll be right back…Don’t let the money out of your
+sight.
+(Immediately upon walking out of the anteroom, she sees Alex through
+the doorway of a makeshift dressingroom. He’s taking off his wings of
+fire and putting on a t-shirt. She stops in the doorway, getting his
+attention.) Alex, whatever’s going on… stay out of it … Understand?
+You don’t have to solve the world’s problems…..
+Alex: (nodding, he walks out of the dressing room; Mrs. Villa
+leaves.)
+(Joan notices Alex through the anteroom’s doorway. Alex looks at
+Joan… Their eyes meet… transfixed on one another for the briefest
+time. Unsettling. Joan returns to her work as Alex turns away. But
+noise and crashing sounds bring her sight back to the doorway. She
+observes a police officer entering the outer room where Alex is
+standing. )
+Police officer: Party’s over…. Let’s go…. Now. (impatient with Alex’s
+slow movement)
+Michael: (hearing the police officer who’s entered calling out that
+‘the party’s over,’ he gets up to see what’s going on…he speaks out)
+It’s over anyways, pinhead. (then adding under his breath) Pig.
+(Alex’s stopped moving as soon as he heard Michael)
+Police officer: (inflamed by the remark, seeming a hothead himself)
+You want to say that again …I’ll arrest your ass. (Michael walks off,
+out of the area entirely.)
+Alex: (lingering, and hearing the exchange, gives the officer a dirty
+look and spits on the ground. The officer eyes Alex, who starts to
+walk away. Alex looks back, saying) Stop doggin’ me.
+Ryan: (arriving on the scene, seemingly out of nowhere, he walks into
+this part of the building and hears the sparring, intervening) Son,
+you need to apologize to the officer.
+Alex: I ain’t your son, you ain’t my daddy. (sneering and ready to
+attack)
+Ryan: (to Alex, almost condescending) It’s easier to beg forgiveness
+than go to jail. (being direct and authoritative) Apologize.
+Alex: (ignoring Ryan) They come in here thinking they own the
+(swearing) ….place, baggin’ us. … They can’t just do what they want.
+I’m a man. I got rights. (standing up for himself… he’s not takin’
+nothing from nobody)
+Ryan: You do (using reason like a knife)….Unless ….you lose them
+acting like this. (Ryan starts to walk away, realizing his
+conversation with Alex will only get worse. He stumbles on something,
+tumbling into Alex, who falls towards and into the officer, with
+strong force. It looks comic, like a comedy of errors, a cascade of
+mis-steps in a waltz of toreadors, stepping on feet, choreographed by
+some unseen power. The officer takes Alex’s tumble into him to be
+aggression, immediately leveraging Alex’s arms and body onto the
+ground, and putting his hands into cuffs. He seems to have Alex under
+control. Ryan gets up quickly.)
+Ryan: I’ll alert your backup on what’s transpired. (He leaves, but
+returns to doorway where he’s exited to retrieve something when he
+fell. He notices that Joan’s arrived on the scene and he observes
+until the explosion by Alex at which point he hustles out to find
+Daghlian.)
+Joan: Whoa. Whoa. Whoa! (Having seen what’s been happening, and Ryan
+leaving, Joan comes out of the anteroom, wanting to be a peacemaker.
+She enters the fray, presuming she can help to get the fracas under
+control before it spins completely out of orbit. She still has the
+headset around her neck, no longer over her ears, so she looks silly.
+Moonchild, indeed. Joan’s thinking she’s knows police business,
+police officers, and can help. Besides she knows Alex.) This is out
+of control here, fellas. (Joan speaks to Alex and the officer,
+sounding like she’s talking to little boys fighting on a playground.
+They don’t like the tone one bit. She realizes this almost
+immediately) Ok. Not helping. (About to give up, she decides to try
+again. She begins to speak with authority, like she’s settling two
+sparring footsoldiers or better a bull and toreador. ) I saw what
+happened. It was an accident. Just stumbling around like a couple of
+rolling stones. Or waltzing toreadors. No ill intent. None. No one is
+guilty. No one is innocent. …(now giving them advice and direction
+that fails miserably) Officer, now you take the cuffs off him…. And
+you, Alex, explain. You didn’t mean it.
+Alex: (screaming at her) Get outta here! (to the officer) Get off.
+I’m gonna mess you up.
+Officer: (ignoring Alex, and speaking to Joan) Back off! You could
+get hurt. I’ve got this under control. Backup’s on the way. (assuming
+Ryan will alert his backup.) Move on…
+Joan: (resisting both of them) No, No. Really. It was a mistake. An
+accident. You guys didn’t see how funny it was. Really. Falling over
+yourselves like a couple of idiots….(They’re having none of it as
+Alex, inflamed, ignores Joan and continues to resist. The officer is
+sitting on Alex, but having difficulty because of the force of his
+rocking opposition.)
+Officer: (trying to get him to concede the fight, not getting what
+set off Alex the first time) Son, just give up. You’re not gonna win
+this one.
+Alex: (exploding, with the officer falling off of Alex. As he’s
+thrown from Alex, the officer bites his tongue and lip, causing blood
+to spurt out over his uniform and Alex. This gets the officer
+incredibly angry. The officer grabs Alex’s head by the hair, but
+resists banging it with the force of his body because Joan’s
+watching. It’s getting uglier by the moment.)
+Joan: (not able to stand it any longer, losing control herself, she
+starts to scream at the top of her lungs, hysterically) Stop! Stop!
+Stop! This was not supposed to happen! Stop! Please!!!!! (she’s about
+to grab the officer herself, but just collapses, hopeless, sobbing.)
+(Her screams actually shock both Alex and the officer out of
+themselves and they suddenly become subdued, as though they’ve
+shifted to another place on the spectrum of light and darkness. A
+queer silence overtakes all of them. All seem to succumb to some
+other force working in their midst. And this seemingly little episode
+of trauma subsides.)
+(After awhile, Joan just walks away numb and dead to all feeling, all
+her senses suspended, seeming burnt out and through. She rises like
+an old weathered and burnt newspaper that crumbles to the touch, and
+is blown by the wind. She finally makes her way back to the anteroom
+and, in a state of deadness, she picks up the money and puts it into
+a bag, She sidles idly away, like she’s on automatic pilot, towards
+the steps to the 3rd floor and the main ballroom.)
+
+**Part 32**\ : (Daghlian arrives after Joan leaves. Ryan’s alerted
+him to what’s transpired and that Joan may be in danger there.
+Daghlian talks with the officer and feels that the whole raid has
+turned into a mess. No Joan Girardi and it’s escalating.)
+
+**Part 33**\ : (Joan walks into the main ballroom with the bag of
+money, wanting to turn it over to the DanceFest sponsors, organizers.
+She’s looking for MC, Mrs. Villa, Rahav, even Michael, with no luck.
+It’s over $5,000 and she doesn’t want to be left holding the bag with
+all the commotion going on. She’s worried. And she looks on, all
+about her. She sees Rahav being handcuffed and taken away, but what
+for, she doesn’t know. The DanceFest’s buoyant spirit has collapsed.
+And the audience, the organic unity, has been transformed into a
+crowd that’s becoming more and more volatile, like a contagion’s
+settled in. There’s yelling and arrests taking place seemingly all
+over. It looks riotous to Joan. The shifting mood of this mass of
+humanity has now been driven to the other end of its ebullience.
+Hellish. And she’s wanting it all to just stop, start over again from
+an entirely different place. A stunned stare of observation crosses
+her thoughts: How did this happen? Who got this so out of control?
+It’s like a demonic force; a dark angel’s taken over this vibrant
+evening, doing wanton damage to a fragile spirit of hope. She feels
+like crying again. But that’s been spent. She just wants her dad, but
+there’s no comforting face in the mass of human flesh before her.
+Just conflict, arrest, unmediated by kindness or …. Again, she wants
+to wail, ‘Get me outta here.’… ‘Somebody.’ But nothing comes out.
+Finally, she inhales the heaviness hanging in the heat of the crowd.
+Her lips start to mouth words unknown to her. Vispassana. A guttural
+sound, a groan, arises from the cavity of her abdomen. A lament. She
+releases a quiet breath into the aggregate of anonymity, almost
+dropping the moneybag from her hand.
+Revived, she raises her eyes to the balcony/lighting area, making
+brief eye contact with Adam. He and the crew are occupied with
+something, but he makes a connection with Joan. Joan then sees
+Michael and she walks towards him, offering the moneybag to him. As
+he’s about to take it, a chain of events takes over: just as the
+crowd seemed a leviathan, now too the safety force. A kid next to
+Michael, scuffling takes a swing at a police officer, who hits the
+ground. Several other police officers apprehend both Michael and the
+kid as a result, leveraging them to the floor. The moneybag falls to
+the floor. In the flurry of the scuffle, Joan’s unable to recover it
+immediately.)
+Shouting from kids in the crowd en masse: “Michael, we won’t let them
+trash you. They’re not getting out without a fight.”
+(The sheer confusion, riotous nature, gives the officers the impetus
+to want to pick up and leave with those arrested, hoping to dispel
+the confrontation with the crowd. The whole audience starts to yell
+at the officers. No one’s attuned to how to change the
+ill-spiritedness and the officers are not finding any easy exit.)
+Police officer: (trying to calm the crowd and leave) Okay, we’re
+leaving with those we’ve arrested, taking the proceeds with other
+evidence (picking up the moneybag and seeing its contents) until we
+can sort out what’s gone on here. (Michael sees the police officer
+pick up the moneybag and reacts with a vehemence that spurs the
+officer to assist the ones who are leveraging him and the other boy
+on the floor. The officer puts the moneybag down on the floor to do
+so.)
+(Joan hears the comment, ‘taking everything as evidence,’ and
+connecting the dots with,…… ‘money missing’… picks up the moneybag
+before the officer knows what’s happening. She abruptly throws it
+into the balcony where she had seen Adam and the lighting crew
+working. Adam’s seen her risky action and quickly drops down, picking
+it up the bag… invisible… He’s made the connection, too, and checks
+the bag’s contents quickly.
+Joan trusts, hopes for the best in the uncertain exchange. A
+last-ditch effort and offering. Foolhardiness and uncertainty
+abounding.
+No one in the balcony is visible from the ballroom floor. Adam,
+having heard the police’s statement about taking all the proceeds,
+keeps the moneybag and follows the guys he’s been working with into
+the deeper recesses of the balcony.
+They’re synchronized in reading the moment with assumed
+communication. Like lighting the dance of shapes this evening, they
+silently forge clear action in the spotlight of necessity. Their
+movements follow like a disciplined army that depends on intuitive
+strategy, a choreographed score with varied expression’s expected.
+Initiated by a sacrificial act with no confidence of effect, it could
+easily go up in flames of failure. Yet the longing remains.
+In the rear of the balcony, they quickly pull down from the ceiling
+high above them a barely visible trap door that has an attached
+ladder. It allows them to rise up easily to the next floor, out of
+peril. They pull the ladder up and trap door behind them, sealing it
+seamlessly back into the ceiling. On the next floor, Adam follows
+them into the chamber room and out the window. They close the doors
+and windows behind them and slip down a fire escape that’s in a
+distant corner of the building. The police arrive in the balcony and
+find no one; they’re frustrated, searching without result.)
+(Meanwhile Joan has been arrested for throwing the moneybag into the
+balcony, getting rid of evidence. She accepts the handcuffs. The
+headphones remain around her neck as she’s unable to remove them or
+even put them over her ears to drown out the night’s sirens that
+blare her away. (Sinead O’Connor’s song, ‘Feel so different’ plays
+over the moment.
+
+\ **Part 34**\ : (Will finally arrives at the Beachland dance club,
+only to see his daughter’s face in the back of a police cruiser,
+being driven away. He’s beside himself, angry, grinding his teeth,
+emotionally bent out of shape, worried out of his mind about Joan.
+What happened? He goes up to Ryan.
+
+Ryan: Just the wrong place at the wrong time. (Ryan’s trying not to
+sound cavalier or callous, but it fails. Dr. John’s song, “Right
+Place Wrong Time” begins playing to the end.
+(And Ryan adds) Just bad luck. She’ll be okay.
+
+Will: (He’s so stunned that it keeps him from grabbing Ryan by the
+lapel and punching him out, saving him from a worse fate.)
diff --git a/08-NightoftheHunterPart1.rst b/08-NightoftheHunterPart1.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ffbb39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/08-NightoftheHunterPart1.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1026 @@
+Episode 3.08, Night of the Hunter, Part 1
+-----------------------------------------
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Joan was scared to death, but she remembered what Grace had told her
+during one of her many rants, “When you hear, ‘You have the right to
+remain silent’, always say no when they get to the part ‘Do you give
+up these rights’.” She never thought she would be happy to see
+Captain Creepy again, but Mr. Kroner was there within minutes of her
+arrival at the police station. Will had neglected to remove his phone
+number from his cell phone and called him as she left the community
+club in the squad car.
+
+Mr. Kroner – “Hello, Joan, have they treated you okay? Considering?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I guess so. Can you help me?”
+
+Mr. Kroner – “That’s why I’m here. Your father has hired me as your
+attorney. My first job is to get you home. Now, tell me in your own
+words what happened.”
+
+Joan tells Mr. Kroner that she had a moneybag that held the proceeds
+raised for the charity event. She was afraid the police would steal
+it, like they did the money from the police station. She threw the
+moneybag up into the balcony to someone she knew would keep it safe.
+
+Mr. Kroner – “Who was in the balcony?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t want to say.”
+
+Mr. Kroner – “Joan, you have to trust me. I need to know.”
+
+Joan – “I’m not telling, not even if I have to stay here.”
+
+Mr. Kroner – “Okay, I know you are scared, but I’m going to take care
+of this. Are you hungry?”
+
+Joan – “No, but I’m a little thirsty.”
+
+Mr. Kroner – “Okay, I’ll get you something from the vending machine.”
+He departs and comes back shortly, “I hope you like Coke. I’ll be
+back soon.”
+
+Mr. Kroner walks into the police processing area, “I am the attorney
+for Joan Girardi. I want to know what my client is being charged
+with. Now!”
+
+The desk sergeant refers him to the arresting officer.
+
+Mr. Kroner – “So, what is my client being charged with?”
+
+Officer Garcia – “She was seen destroying evidence.”
+
+Mr. Kroner – “What evidence?”
+
+Officer Garcia – “She was seen throwing something up into the balcony
+of the ballroom.”
+
+Mr. Kroner – “And what was found when the balcony was searched?”
+
+Officer Garcia – “Nothing, someone up there must have taken it.”
+
+Mr. Kroner – “Okay, so the best thing you have is littering, but
+since you have no litter, you don’t even have that. I suggest you
+release my client immediately or the Girardi family will own half of
+Arcadia.”
+
+Officer Garcia leaves, and Detective Daghlian returns, “I think a big
+mistake has been made. I am authorizing the immediate release of the
+Chief’s daughter. I’m so sorry this happened.”
+
+Mr. Kroner – “Okay. My client will not be making a statement in this
+matter. If you want to talk to her, you call me first.” He hands Mike
+his card.
+
+Mr. Kroner returns with an officer, and Joan is released, “I have
+talked to your parents. I’ll be taking you home now.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, Mr. Kroner.”
+
+Mr. Kroner – “I don’t want you to talk about this to anyone, not even
+your parents. I’ll be by tomorrow afternoon to talk more.”
+
+Joan – “I have to see the unveiling of a sculpture at the Milton
+Library tomorrow afternoon. It is very important to me. Can we talk
+later?”
+
+Mr. Kroner – “Okay, I’ll have my secretary schedule an appointment,
+but no talking about this to anyone until after we talk, okay?”
+
+Joan – “Okay.”
+
+Mr. Kroner drops Joan off at home, and Helen immediately begins to
+inquire about what happened, “Mom, Mr. Kroner said I shouldn’t talk
+about it. I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not saying anything more.
+It’s late, I’m going to bed.”
+
+After she gets cleaned up, she slips into bed. She’s still quivering.
+Being in a jail cell is no big deal, unless you don’t know if you are
+ever getting out again. She grabs a teddy bear she has ignored for
+years and hugs it while she goes to sleep.
+
+She leaves make-up class all dolled up like Betty Boop. Walking down
+the hall, she flips her hair at a cute boy who is making eyes at her.
+She finds Adam standing by his locker, “Hey.”
+
+Adam – “Hey, I thought you’d already left.”
+
+Joan, with a fake, notice-me smile, “No, I’m here.” She flutters her
+eyelashes and tosses her hair.
+
+Adam doesn’t notice, “Oh! Oh! They’re showing\ \ `The Night of the
+Hunter <http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0048424/>`__\ \ at the Rialto
+Classic Film Noir with Robert Mitchum. Wanna go?”
+
+Joan sighs, “I don’t know, is it in black and white?”
+
+Adam – “Uh, yeah, yeah.”He finally looks up and Joan does the hair
+flip thing again. “It’s noir.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know, I have a lot of homework.” She presses her lips
+together so he can see her ruby red lipstick.
+
+Adam – “Are you mad at me ‘cause I wouldn’t go to the mall?”
+
+Joan – “No.” She smiles at him.
+
+Adam – “What?”
+
+Joan is really frustrated now, “Notice anything?”
+
+Adam looks at her and shrugs, “Uh... yeah. Jane.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, just wondering. Enjoy your noir.” She walks off with a
+sigh.
+
+Will finally arrives home to learn that Joan has gone to bed. He
+opens her door and enters without turning on the light. This is
+something he has done a thousand times before. He bends over to kiss
+her on the forehead.
+
+Joan is still walking down the hall at school and suddenly,
+everything is black. It’s blacker than black. She cannot see or hear
+anything. She becomes frightened. She begins to grope and feel for
+anything, but finds only empty space. Suddenly, a face flashes before
+her. It is Ryan Hunter with demonic eyes. His hands are on his face
+with L-O-V-E and H-A-T-E again tattooed on his knuckles like they
+were at the DanceFest. He reaches for her and touches her forehead,
+“I’m coming to get you my little pearl.”
+
+Joan begins screaming. She thrashes out, sticking him. He falls away.
+She continues screaming and thrashing wildly. There is now a little
+light, and she sees the silhouette get up and head for it. Suddenly,
+everything is bright.
+
+Will – “Joan, honey, it’s all right.”
+
+Joan continues screaming and thrashing wildly, still not knowing
+where she is. Will grabs her and hugs her, “Joan, it’s me, wake up.”
+
+Helen rushes into the room, “Joan, what’s wrong?”
+
+Joan stops fighting and begins to let Will hug her. Her heart is
+pounding, and her eyes are flooded with tears, “I… I guess I had a
+bad dream.”
+
+Will – “It’s okay now. You’ve had a bad night, but it’s over.
+Everything will be all right now.”
+
+Joan is still sobbing, “Did I hurt you?”
+
+Will – “No, no, I’ll be fine. You just need to go back to sleep.”
+
+Joan – “Sorry, Daddy.Can I speak to Mom? Alone?”
+
+Will – “Sure, I love you.” He gives her a kiss and departs.
+
+Joan – “Mom, I need clean sheets. Can you get me some?”
+
+No words are spoken. Helen begins to put new linen on the bed while
+Joan heads for the bathroom to wash up and put on clean pajamas.
+
+Joan – “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
+
+Helen – “It’s okay, accidents happen. Here, climb back into bed.
+Would you like to talk about anything?”
+
+Joan – “No, I’ll just go back to sleep. Thanks, Mom.” Helen gives her
+a kiss and begins to leave. She reaches for the light switch, “Mom,
+please leave it on.” Helen closes the door, leaving on the light.
+
+She returns downstairs to find Will with a bag of ice over his left
+eye, “Let me see. Oh, that’s gonna shine.”
+
+Will – “Our daughter has quite a punch!”
+
+The Next Morning
+It took Joan quite awhile to get back to sleep, so she wakes up
+pretty late this morning. She takes her shower, dresses for the day,
+and heads downstairs.
+
+Luke – “Hey, slugger, how are you doing?”
+
+Joan looks at him without a clue of what he’s talking about. Then she
+sees her father sitting in the breakfast nook wearing a pair of
+Foster Grants. She walks over to him and gently removes them, “I’m so
+sorry, Daddy!”
+
+Will – “It’s okay, it was an accident. I’ll be fine.”
+
+Joan – “I can get some makeup and cover that up pretty good.”
+
+Will – “No, it’s fine. It will go away on its own in a few days.”
+
+Helen and Lilly return from Mass and enter the kitchen. Helen gives
+Joan a hug, “Are you okay?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I’m fine, but look at what I did to Dad.”
+
+Helen – “I know, he’ll be fine.”Helen looks around, “Everyone hungry?
+We’re having an early lunch.”
+
+Joan – “Great, I’m starved!”
+
+Will – “Why don’t we have fried egg sandwiches?”
+
+Joan – “Eeeuw! Adam’s bloody brain on drugs. No thanks.”
+
+Helen – “Some people like them with ketchup, but with just mustard is
+much better. Why don’t I make us all some, and if you don’t like it,
+I’ll make you something else.”
+
+Helen makes up a massive serving of eggs and they all prepare their
+sandwiches. Joan prepares hers, “Mustard, huh?” She takes a bite of
+her sandwich, “Hmm, not bad!”
+
+Kevin – “Hey, I found out something at the paper on Friday. Do you
+know how much Adam is being paid for his sculpture?”
+
+Helen – “It really doesn’t matter. It is an honor his sculpture was
+selected.”
+
+Kevin – “I know, but aren’t you curious?”
+
+Luke – “I’m curious, how much?”
+
+Kevin – “Twenty-five hundred dollars!”
+
+Joan – “Wow! That’s quite a jump from five hundred!”
+
+At the Milton Library
+
+The Girardi’s decide that they want to arrive early to get a close
+position for the unveiling. They actually overdo it and arrive 45
+minutes early. Joan notices the library is open, “Why is it open on
+Sunday?”
+
+Helen – “It’s only open for three hours today, an hour and a half
+before and after the event.”
+
+Joan excuses herself and goes inside. She asks the librarian, “Do you
+have a movie called, The Night of the Hunter?”
+
+The librarian checks the computer, “Yes, it should be in the video
+section. I’ll go with you.”
+
+They walk to the rear of the library, and after a few minutes, the
+librarian finds a VCR copy of the movie. They return to the checkout
+counter and Joan provides her library card, “It’s due back next
+Saturday.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you.”
+
+Joan returns outside to be with her family. They are all standing out
+near the front of the sculpture. Well, at least they hope it’s the
+front. The sculpture is covered with a large canvas tarp.
+
+Carl and Adam Rove arrive, and they are followed shortly by Sarah
+Polonsky and Grace.
+
+Sarah – “Helen, nice dress.”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, we both have good taste.”
+
+A few more stragglers arrive. It is not a large group, maybe about 30
+people in all. Joan doesn’t recognize most of them, but there are a
+few familiar faces. Brian Beaumont and, she just can’t remember her
+name, but the girl she met in the locker room and later when she
+briefly played percussion… ism with the school band.
+
+The librarian who had just helped Joan comes out and joins Adam. She
+begins to speak, “We are very pleased to unveil this sculpture
+dedicated to the joy of reading and to all of our patrons. The artist
+is Adam Rove.” She gives him a brief hug, “And he will be available
+to answer questions about the piece after the unveiling.”
+
+Adam walks over and gently tugs on a cord that makes the canvas fall
+away. Ooh’s and aah’s come from throughout the crowd. Flashes from
+cameras begin to strobe the sculpture.
+
+The exterior of the sculpture is like a cage, shaped like an egg on
+its side. It is made of vertical strips of metal, about two inches
+wide and about four inches apart. They alternate brown and silver. In
+the front is a large oval shape cut out so the inside can be viewed
+unobstructed.
+
+Inside are a woman and a young girl, both sitting on chairs. The
+woman is looking down at the book the girl is holding and the girl is
+looking up at her mother. The girl is holding the open book with her
+finger pointing to something on the page.
+
+The woman and girl are both painted brown, except for their faces.
+The leaves of the book are painted white, with writing on the open
+face done in black.
+
+The faces of the woman and girl have the Girardi’s in awe. They are
+three-dimensional casts painted using semi-metallic paint. This gives
+them even more texture than the rest of the piece and is the only
+part of the sculpture that is completely non-abstract. But what is
+obvious to all, at least to the Girardi’s, is that the mother is
+Helen and the girl is Joan.
+
+Adam is busy for some time, answering questions for audience members.
+When he becomes free, he joins the Girardi’s. “Do you like it?”
+
+Helen – “It’s beautiful! Had this been a class project, you would
+definitely get an ‘A’.”
+
+Joan – “It really is beautiful! And the faces. This is such a
+wonderful gift.” She hugs him and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
+
+Adam – “I just couldn’t help using the faces of the two women in this
+world that I love the most.”
+
+No one knows how to respond, because they all can see that he truly
+means what he just said. Adam is forced away again to answer
+questions from others in the audience. When he appears to be done,
+Joan approaches him. “Adam, did you get that money?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, it’s safe, but what do I do with it now?”
+
+Joan – “We need to get it to Brother Jimi. How do we find him?”
+
+Adam – “We could ask Alex tomorrow.”
+
+Joan – “Good idea.”She paused briefly, “Can I ask you for a favor?”
+
+Adam - “Sure, anything.”
+
+Joan – “I have to watch a scary movie, and I don’t want to watch it
+alone. Would you watch it with me?”
+
+Adam – “Sure, what is it?”
+
+Joan – “It’s The Night of the Hunter.”
+
+Adam – “Wow! I didn’t think you wanted to see it.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t really, but I have to. I can’t explain. Will you
+watch it with me?”
+
+Adam – “Sure.”
+
+Joan – “Can you have dinner with us tonight? Then we can watch the
+movie after dinner.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, sure. What’s your mother cooking?”
+
+Joan – “It’s just spaghetti and meatballs, but you know how great my
+Dad’s sauce is.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I remember. I’ll be there.”
+
+It begins to rain so the group disperses for home.
+
+At Home
+
+Adam arrives just before dinner. He hangs up his poncho on a hook
+near the back door. He and Joan sit out on the couch for a moment,
+“Adam, can you help me with a calculus problem?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I’ll try, but where is Luke?”
+
+Joan – “Cleaning his fish tank, I hope. I just need to understand how
+to do it. I’ll figure out the answers on my own. They look over the
+problems and come up with the method to find the correct solutions,
+“Thanks, Adam.”
+
+Dinner is ready, so they all gather around the table.
+
+Helen – “Welcome, Adam.This is the first time in a long time that you
+have had dinner with us, except for the crab feast. We have begun to
+say a prayer before dinner. Would you do us the honor?”
+
+Adam – “Mrs. G., I don’t know any prayers. We don’t pray at home. I
+believe in God, but I just talk to him myself.”
+
+Helen – “Can you make something up? Sometimes those are the best
+kind.”
+
+Adam – “Okay, ah… thank you for letting me enjoy this meal with my
+friends.”
+
+Helen – “Thank you, Adam”
+
+Dinner continues with little additional conversation, except for a
+minor altercation between Joan and Luke. She is still mad that he
+wouldn’t help her with her calculus, “I’m not going to do your
+homework for you.”
+
+Joan – “I didn’t ask you to do it for me, I asked you to explain it
+to me, there’s a difference. And always expecting something in return
+is getting old.”
+
+Ultimately, Luke feels bad about the misunderstanding and agrees to
+help her in the future. In fact, Joan takes advantage of his guilt
+and convinces him to also read Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica. It
+is not something he would have done on his own, but when Helen and
+Lilly also chime in supporting Joan’s idea, he agrees. They just want
+him to read it and explain it to them from his point of view.
+
+After dinner, Will and Kevin go out to work on the boat. They have
+already cut and warped the next board for the skin of the haul. They
+hope to mount it in place this evening.
+
+Joan and Adam sit down on the couch to watch the movie. Luke is
+allowed to join them when he asks. Helen and Lilly take care of the
+after-dinner cleanup. And as if on cue, the rain outside is joined by
+thunder and lightning bolts every few minutes.
+
+As the movie progresses, Adam points out the visual techniques used
+during the creation of the movie. Joan pretends to be interested,
+even though that is not her reason for watching. She feels she has to
+learn why she would dream about a movie she has never seen, and
+probably would have never watched had it not been for her dream.
+However, Luke is finding Adam’s analysis interesting.
+
+The movie is scary enough on its own, but when Reverend Harry Powell
+shows up with the L-O-V-E and H-A-T-E tattoos on his knuckles, Joan
+begins to fall back into the terror of her dream. She subconsciously
+takes Adam’s arm and begins to hold it tight.
+
+Reverend Harry Powell – “I can hear you whisperin’ children, so I
+know you’re down there. I can feel myself gettin’ awful mad. I’m out
+of patience, children. I’m coming to find you now.”
+
+This scene strikes terror in Joan’s heart with its familiarity with
+what Ryan said in her dream and the knowledge that the name of the
+young girl in the story is Pearl Harper. She had hoped that by
+watching this movie, she would learn her dream was just a bad dream,
+but it is obvious to her now that this is a warning of some kind,
+‘Okay God, I have learned to deal with pain, but how does one deal
+with terror?’ By the end of the movie, Joan’s pounding heart is about
+to explode out of her chest. Adam’s arm is nearly senseless where
+Joan had been holding it so tight. Of course, Adam is just enjoying
+the opportunity to spend time with Joan, and he doesn’t care about
+the pain she has been leaving in his arm. He doesn’t say a word.
+
+The movie ends, and Will and Kevin finish their work on the boat at
+about the same time. Helen and Lilly have been playing
+double-solitaire at the kitchen table. They all congregate in the
+living room to close the evening, “Thank you Adam for watching this
+movie with me. It really helped having you here.”
+
+Adam – “I enjoyed spending time with you, too.”
+
+Lilly – “Hey, Adam.Can I give you a ride home?”
+
+Adam – “No, I brought my Dad’s truck.”
+
+Joan – “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
+
+Lilly and Adam depart, and the Girardi’s call it a night. In bed,
+Joan wonders about the movie. ‘Terror’ pretty much sums it up, but
+one part still has her baffled. Why was John upset when they put
+Reverend Powell in handcuffs, and why did he refuse to testify
+against him at the trial? It just doesn’t make sense! She remembers
+the lullaby and begins to sing it softly as she goes to sleep.
+
+*Hush, little one, hush
+Hush, my little one, hush
+Morning soon shall light your pillow
+Birds must sing in yonder willow
+Hush, my little one, hush
+Hush, little one, hush*
+
+*Rest, dearest one, rest
+Rest here on my breast
+Little child with heart so brave
+Angel hosts will keep you safe
+Rest, little one, rest
+Rest, my little one, rest.*
+
+At School
+
+Joan is coming out of Calculus class with a smile on her face. She
+had a pop quiz this morning and has learned that she only got one
+wrong, and it was just due to a stupid mistake. She sees Adam, “Hey,
+thanks for helping me last night. It really helped on the quiz I had
+today. Have you seen Alex yet?”
+
+Adam – “Great on the test and no, I haven’t seen him yet.”
+
+Luke, Grace, Glynis, and Friedman join them. Their next class is
+Government.
+
+Grace – “Why didn’t you tell me you got arrested?”
+
+Joan – “I didn’t. They just took me down to the police station and
+then let me go.”
+
+Adam – “You got arrested?”
+
+Joan – “No, they didn’t even question or charge me. It doesn’t
+count.”
+
+Grace – “You are going to have to tell me about this later.”
+
+Joan – “Luke.”
+
+Luke – “I just mentioned it to Grace. How was I to know you hadn’t
+told anyone?”
+
+Joan – “Duh!Maybe because I didn’t want anyone to know?”
+
+Friedman – “Great! Now we have a sub-defective with a record.”
+
+Joan – “There’s no record, none at all. Just drop it.”
+
+Luke – “This conversation is getting kind of marginal if you know
+what I mean.”
+
+Friedman takes the hint and drops the subject.
+
+Glynis– “Wow, someone as sweet as you being a jailbird. There has to
+be a song in there somewhere.”
+
+Joan – “There’s no jailbird, and there’s no song.Stop it.”
+
+They all enter the classroom, and there is still no sign of Alex.
+
+Joan – “Alex did get arrested. Maybe he’s still in jail.”
+
+Grace – “Oh, I can’t wait to hear about this.”
+
+Just as the bell rings, Alex flies through the door.
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will arrives and notices an envelope on his desk. He opens it. It is
+the resignation of Michael Daghlian. He looks around the office and
+doesn’t see him. He calls Carlisle to his office, “Have you seen Mike
+Daghlian?”
+
+Carlisle– “Yeah, he was here earlier cleaning out his desk. I told
+him he should wait to talk to you, but he said he couldn’t.”
+
+Will – “Do you still have that card with his cell phone number on
+it?”
+
+Carlisle– “Yeah, I believe so. I’ll have to dig around for a minute.”
+
+Carlislefinds the card and gives it to Will. Will just hopes he
+hasn’t had time to change his number yet. He makes the call. It rings
+and rings and finally, “Hello… Daghlian.”
+
+Will – “Mike, Will Girardi. Where are you?”
+
+Mike – “I just got on the interstate heading back to Connersburg.”
+
+Will – “Please come back to the office. I want to talk to you.”
+
+Mike – “What’s there to talk about. On my second day back, I caused
+your daughter to be arrested. How much worse could I have screwed
+up?”
+
+Will – “That’s what I need to talk to you about. It wasn’t your
+fault. Come on back. I don’t want you to quit.”
+
+Mike agrees to come back to talk.
+
+At School
+
+After class, Alex explains that he just had his bail hearing this
+morning and that’s why he was late for school. He hands Joan a note,
+“Mom got this from Rahav for you.”
+
+Adam – “Hey Alex, how can I get a hold of Brother Jimi?”
+
+Alex – “He’s usually at the soup kitchen on
+
+Walnot Street
+for dinner. He helps out there. It’s just around the corner from St.
+Michael’s.”
+Adam – “Thanks, is there anything I can help you with?”
+
+Alex – “No, I’ll take care of it.”
+
+Joan takes him aside, “I saw what happened. I’ll testify if your
+lawyer wants me too.”
+
+Alex – “Thanks Joan, I’ll tell him that.”
+
+Joan and Adam head for their next class. She reads the note, ‘I won’t
+be your dance instructor anymore. I have other things I need to do.
+If you want to continue dance lessons, call Sister Sarah at 555-1514.
+I’ll be in touch. Love you, Rahav.’ “No! Rahav can’t teach me dancing
+anymore. I’ll have to find another instructor.”
+
+Adam – “So, you really like to dance?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I never thought about it before, but now that I’m doing
+it, I love it.”
+
+Adam – “I wish I didn’t have two left feet.”
+
+Joan – “You are going to dance with me someday, so find a right
+foot.”
+
+Adam smiles, but decides to move on in the conversation, “I thought I
+would take the money to Brother Jimi after school. You wanna come
+along?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, sure. Looks like I won’t be dancing tonight.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Mike returns, and Will calls a meeting with Carlisle and Toni in the
+conference room. “Are we still doing weekly sweeps for bugs?”
+
+Carlisle– “Yeah, we haven’t found anything since the first sweep.”
+
+Will – “Good. Mike, you were conned. All of you. I know we still
+don’t have diddley squat on Ryan Hunter, but I know he’s our man.
+He’s probably the most cunning criminal we have ever faced. Trust me
+on this.
+
+“I talked to Brother Jimi Saturday night. He and someone named Rahav
+were the ones who helped to organize the charity concert. They had
+nothing to do with the drugs being sold outside and didn’t know that
+some of the kids had snuck beer into the concert. Had he known, he
+would have taken their beer and kicked them out. What happened
+Saturday night happened just as Ryan Hunter wanted it to. He
+distorted the facts and Mike, since you weren’t completely briefed on
+him, he was able to use you to his advantage. I have had enough of
+Ryan Hunter and his Watchdog Committee. I’m going to sever ties.
+Brother Jimi is creating an alternate organization with whom I think
+we can deal with in a much more cooperative manner.
+
+“Carlisle, is the meeting with Ryan’s committee still set up for
+tomorrow?”
+
+Carlisle– “Yeah, nine o’clock.”
+
+Will – “Okay, I’ll tell them. However, after tomorrow, we don’t have
+anything more to do with them, unless it is to put them behind bars.
+
+“Now, onto another matter.You are cops. That’s all I want you to be,
+but I am a cop and, unfortunately, a politician. It’s not part of the
+job of Chief of Police that I like, but it’s one I have accepted as
+part of the job. There will be a story published in the Herald on
+Wednesday that has connections to Ryan Hunter. When Ryan makes a
+stink about me severing ties with his group, this article should blow
+some of the wind out of his sails. You can all read the article when
+it’s published, then you’ll know what I’m talking about. I don’t want
+any of you to make statements to the press. I’ll handle it.
+
+“Toni, Carlisle, take time off from what you are doing and get Mike
+up to speed on Ryan Hunter. Mike, I’m tearing up your resignation.
+Get back to work.”
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Kevin – “So, we’re agreed?”
+
+Andy – “I still don’t like this. Holding the story until Wednesday
+might allow someone else to scoop me first.”
+
+Rebecca – “Yeah, that’s a possibility, but you wouldn’t have this
+story if it wasn’t for Kevin. I promise, if you hold the story, I’ll
+give you a byline on the second story as well. You just need to be at
+the police station between nine and nine thirty tomorrow. Deal?”
+
+Andy is still not happy, but he agrees, “Deal.”
+
+At School
+
+The whole gang is leaving AP Biology, “God, I don’t know if I can do
+it!”
+
+Adam – “Joan, they will be asleep. They won’t feel a thing.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, but I don’t like killing. Not even something as
+disgusting as a frog.”
+
+Luke – “It’s part of learning science. You have to do it. Besides,
+you eat meat. You even had crabs this summer.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I know, but I don’t plan to eat the frog.” She
+remembers something that she wants to ask Luke about, “Hey guys, I’ll
+catch up with you later. Come on, Luke.”
+
+Once they are alone, “So, have you and Friedman found out anything
+new?”
+
+Luke – “I gave what we had to Dad the other day. Friedman hasn’t been
+able to get back in. Ryan’s security is just too tight. We’re going
+to need something like a keylogger to get past his security.”
+
+Joan – “And a keylogger is that spy thing you told me about, right?”
+
+Luke – “Right, but I don’t know how we’ll ever get one installed.”
+
+Joan – “Leave that to me. Thanks, I’ll see you later.”
+
+Joan stops into Helen’s classroom, “Mom, I’ll be a little late for
+dinner tonight, maybe about six thirty. Adam and I have to run an
+errand.”
+
+Helen – “Okay, we’ll wait for you. I sure do miss you in class this
+year.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, I told you, art just isn’t my thing. I love what Adam
+does, but I’ll never be able to do that. Besides, I couldn’t take Art
+and AP French. You still have Adam.”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, but I want both.”
+
+Joan sighs, “I’ll see you later.”
+
+Grace and Joan are in study hall later. Grace inquires, “So tell me
+what happened the other night.”
+
+Joan – “I can’t, at least not yet, not until I talk to Mr. Kroner.”
+
+Grace – “Come on, I’m dying here!”
+
+Joan – “I’m sorry, you’ll just have to wait. Now, you told me that
+your dad knows someone who provides the janitor service for Ryan’s
+Watchdog Committee, right?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, he cleans their office on Monday’s and Thursday’s.”
+
+Joan – “Have your dad ask him if he would be willing to install
+something on Ryan’s computer. It will only take a minute. He could
+install it on Monday and remove it on Thursday. And no, it’s not
+legal, but the only danger will probably be when he removes it on
+Thursday. He just needs not to get caught doing it.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, I’ll find out.”
+
+After school, Adam and Joan go to his house. Adam is surprised to see
+the truck parked in the driveway, “Dad, are you home?”
+
+Carl – “Yeah, in here.” They find him sitting in a high back stuffed
+chair.
+
+Adam – “What are you doing here? I thought you would be working.”
+
+Carl – “Oh, I fell and bruised my butt. It’s nothing, but I decided
+to take tonight off.”
+
+Joan, who had intended to remain quiet, speaks up, “I know all about
+bruising. You’re better off breaking something.”
+
+Carl – “Oh, hi Joan. I didn’t know you were here. I guess I shouldn’t
+have said ‘butt’.”
+
+Joan – “It’s okay, Mr. Rove.”
+
+Adam – “Since you’re home, can I borrow the truck? I’ll be back by
+six to fix dinner.”
+
+Carl – “Yeah, keys are on the hook.”
+
+Adam – “Well, since we’re driving and not taking the bus, we have
+time. Can I get you anything?”
+
+Carl – “Yeah, a 7-Up.There’s a case in the fridge.”
+
+Adam – “Sure, Joan, you want anything?”
+
+Joan – “I would like a 7-Up, too. I need to see what the flowers are
+missing.”
+
+Adam comes back with the sodas, “Come here Joan, I want to show you
+something.”
+
+They go back to his bedroom. It’s somewhat dark because the huge oak
+tree outside perpetually shades the room. He walks to the corner of
+the room and turns on a light, “This is the scale model I submitted
+to the library. They let me have it back.”
+
+The model is identical to the one at the library, only this one is
+just slightly over one foot tall, “I love both of them. You are so
+talented.”
+
+Adam – “Well, as long as you were here, I thought I would show it to
+you.” He reaches under his mattress and pulls out the moneybag,
+“Let’s get this back to Brother Jimi.”
+
+At the Bateman Residence
+
+Kevin has thought for a long time about Lilly’s remark on how badly
+he treated girls when he was in high school. He has made a list and
+has been taking off early from work periodically. This is number
+three. Susan Berry, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, and now
+Mrs. John Bateman. He already called her and she begrudgingly agreed
+to a meeting. He is to pull up to her house, honk the horn, and she
+will meet him at the curb.
+
+She comes out of the house carrying her newborn son, “Make this
+quick, I have to feed him.”
+
+Kevin – “I have been thinking a lot about the way I treated you in
+high school. I was really a jerk. I just wanted you to know that I
+know that now, and that I am truly sorry.”
+
+Susan – “So that’s it? You want me to forgive you now?”
+
+Kevin – “No, I don’t expect forgiveness. I just wanted you to know
+that I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone now. I wish you all the best
+with your new family.”
+
+Kevin leaves and Susan is left to wonder. Did he really mean what he
+said or is this just another con? She goes back inside and tends to
+her son.
+
+On
+
+Dilcue Street
+As they approach St. Michaels, Joan notices a store with its services
+pasted on large banners just inside of the storefront windows. They
+proceed past and turn on
+
+Walnot Street
+. When they stop, Adam says, “Let’s go in and see if he’s here.”
+Joan – “You go in. I need to check something at the store we just
+passed. I’ll meet you back here.”
+
+Adam – “But Joan, this was all your doing. Don’t you want credit?”
+
+Joan – “I didn’t come with you to get credit. Just make sure the
+money gets back where it belongs. I’ll meet you back here in a few
+minutes.”
+
+Joan walks up and turns the corner back toward the store. She crosses
+mid-street and stands on the sidewalk, looking at the signs. She goes
+in and approaches the receptionist, “You teach karate, judo, and tae
+kwon do, which one is the fastest to learn?”
+
+Receptionist – “What’s your hurry? All of these disciplines take time
+to master.”
+Joan – “There’s a guy who I think is going to try to hurt me. I need
+to learn something fast.”
+
+Receptionist – “What is your name?”
+
+Joan – “Joan Girardi.”
+
+Receptionist – “Wait here.” She walks into the back and returns in a
+few minutes, “The instructor will see you now.” She escorts Joan to
+an office in the rear corner of the gym, “I was quite surprised when
+I heard your name. Come in Joan.”
+
+Joan – “Oh my God, Ms. Keady!What are you doing here?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “I work here part time. High school gym instructors don’t
+make much money. In fact, I make more here part time than I do
+through the school.”
+
+Joan – “Then why do both?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “I need the medical benefits through the teachers’ union.
+I have a daughter, but that’s another story. Is someone at school
+threatening you?”
+
+Joan – “No, it’s someone outside of school.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “We have a policy here that if anyone comes in with a
+story like yours, we try to help them immediately. Have you told your
+father? He is Chief of Police.”
+
+Joan – “This guy hasn’t actually made a threat. It’s just something I
+can sense between the lines.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “You know, the best way to win a fight is to avoid it in
+the first place. Is that a possibility?”
+
+Joan – “No, I think he’s going to come after me no matter what.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “What period do you have study hall?”
+
+Joan – “The last period of the day.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Okay, I’ll give you a recurring pass for the last
+period. Meet me in the gym. I’ll teach you what I can.”
+
+Joan – “Which one?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “None of them. I’m going to teach you hopefully to be
+able to thwart off an attack long enough to escape. That’s what you
+need.”
+
+Joan – “What is that called?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Street fighting.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Now don’t get to thinking you’re going to become Buffy
+the Vampire Slayer or something. That will get you killed. Survival
+and escape, that’s it.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, Ms. Keady.”
+
+Joan returns to find Adam is still sitting in the truck, “Did you
+give him the money?”
+
+Adam – “He’s not here yet. A lady inside is going to tell him I’m out
+here when he arrives. Have a seat.”
+
+Joan gets in, “So, where did you go?”
+
+Joan – “I did a little shopping. I just ordered something I needed.”
+
+Adam can see she doesn’t want to provide additional information. It’s
+just as well, because he sees Brother Jimi approaching, “I’m Brother
+Jimi. Are you Adam Rove?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I helped with the lighting last Saturday night. Can you
+tell me where the money for the charity was supposed to go?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Unfortunately, the money is missing.”
+
+Adam – “No, if it wasn’t missing, who was supposed to take it?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “That would have been me. I was going to divide it up
+among several charities.”
+
+Adam pulls the moneybag out and hands it to him, “Here it is, all of
+it.”
+
+Brother Jimi is quite surprised, “How did you get hold of it?”
+
+Adam looks at Joan. She motions for him not to say anything, “This is
+my friend, Joan Girardi. She took the money and gave it to me. We
+didn’t want the police to steal it.”
+
+Brother Jimi looks into the truck, “Thank you, Joan. God bless you.”
+
+Joan – “You’re welcome. Just see that it gets to where it belongs.”
+
+Brother Jimi leaves, and Adam pauses before starting the truck, “I’ve
+found a dog. I’m going to go get her.”
+
+Joan – “Come on, you don’t need a dog.”
+
+He looks at her and their eyes meld for a moment before he breaks
+away, “Yes, I do.”
+
+He starts the truck and begins to drive down
+
+Dilcue Street
+. Joan sits quietly thinking, not about what he just told her, but
+about the loneliness and despair she just saw in his eyes. She looks
+at him again and remembers. The world disappears and the words that
+have been struggling to escape from her heart flow softly from her
+lips, “I still love you.”
+Adam sees Homeless Man God and blurts out at the same time, “There he
+is!” He pulls over. “Come on.”
+
+Joan sits stunned, not believing that he didn’t hear what she just
+told him. She gets out and Adam is already petting the dog. She’s
+wagging her tail.
+
+Homeless Man God – “Does this mean you have decided to give her a
+home?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, if it’s still okay?”
+
+Homeless Man God – “Her name is Pax. She likes you.”
+
+Paxis a mixed breed, part German Shepherd, part Husky, and part wolf.
+She weighs about 60 pounds and has a white underside, a gray back
+with some black and brown, and a black face. Her tail has a black
+tip. Adam puts the collar and leash on her that he brought with him.
+
+Homeless Man God – “That’s not necessary, Pax will be with you from
+hereon.”
+
+Adam – “Well, I think it’s a good idea until she gets to know me.” He
+realizes Joan has been standing there quietly, “This is my friend
+Joan.”
+
+Joan – “We’ve met. Why don't you put Pax in the camper, and I’ll be
+there in a minute?”
+
+Adam – “But, I want her to sit up with us.”
+
+Joan – “Not until you give her a bath.”
+
+Adam leaves, and Joan asks God, “So what’s up with the dream?!!”
+
+God – “Not now, I’ll explain later.”
+
+Joan is frustrated, wanting an answer now, but she knows he will keep
+his promise. “Okay, then what’s with the dog?”
+
+God – “It’s like Adam said, he needs something.”
+
+Joan – “You have to know what I have been thinking. Won’t I be
+enough?”
+
+God – “Not soon enough. He needs to be able to share his love now.”
+
+Joan wonders about God’s comment, “You mean he’s been thinking
+about…”
+
+God interrupts, “Pax will be good for Adam. She’s a fine dog.”
+
+Joan returns to the truck. Pax is sticking her head through the
+opening in the rear window. Joan pets her and sees her for what she
+really is, a gift from God, “Adam, I’ve changed my mind. I think you
+and Pax are a good idea, but you still have to give her a bath.”
diff --git a/09-NightoftheHunterPart2.rst b/09-NightoftheHunterPart2.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c484f06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/09-NightoftheHunterPart2.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1177 @@
+Episode 3.09, Night of the Hunter, Part 2
+-----------------------------------------
+
+Adam drops Joan off at home, and then he and Pax return home as well.
+When Joan walks inside, she sees her father sitting on the couch
+listening to a record. She sits beside him.
+
+*…And, they’re coming to take me away, ha-haaa
+They’re coming to take me away
+Ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa
+To the funny farm
+Where life is beautiful all the time
+And I’ll be happy to see those nice young men
+In their clean white coats
+And they’re coming to take me away, ha-haaa…*
+
+“Thanks Dad, did you put this one on especially for me?”
+
+Will smiles, “No, this is a collection of one hit wonders. You just
+came in at the right time. Oh, you told your mother that you would be
+home by six thirty, so Chuck Kroner will be calling about then. He
+says it won’t take long, and he and you can just talk on the phone
+about Saturday night. That way it won’t be necessary to schedule a
+meeting.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, I hope it’s over.”
+
+Will – “I believe it is.”
+
+Helen comes in from the kitchen, “Joan, you’re home early! I thought
+you were going to be late?”
+
+Joan – “We were able to use Mr. Rove’s truck. That made the trip
+quicker than taking the bus. What’s for dinner?”
+
+Helen – “I picked up some salmon steaks on sale. Baked in lemon
+sauce, sound good?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, salmon sounds good.”
+
+Helen – “Good, it’ll be the five of us tonight. Kevin and Lilly
+should be here soon.”
+
+Mr. Kroner calls at six thirty on the dot. Joan takes the call in her
+room. “Okay Joan, I think it’s over. I agree that what you did was
+probably the right thing to do, but unfortunately, right and legal
+aren’t always the same thing. I would recommend that you not bring up
+the details of what happened to anyone. However, if you choose to,
+just tell family and friends whom you know you can trust. Good luck,
+Joan. Call me if you need me, but I hope we don’t have to speak
+again.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, Mr. Kroner, goodbye.”
+
+They gather around the table for dinner.
+
+Helen – “You know, I just realized that you have never said the
+blessing. Luke, would you do us the honor?”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, sure. Thank you for the universe to explore, my family
+and friends, and this meal. Amen.”
+
+Helen – “Thank you Luke. How was your day?”
+
+Joan interrupts, “Mom, I would like to go first, if it’s okay. Mr.
+Kroner said that I shouldn’t talk about what happened Saturday night,
+but now he says it’s okay. I want to tell you.” She looks at Luke and
+Helen, and then continues.
+
+“Rahav, my dance instructor, and Mrs. Villa, Alex’s mom, asked me to
+help at a fund raiser for their neighborhood programs, so I
+volunteered. Adam did, too. When we arrived, Adam went to help with
+the lighting for the show up in the balcony. They asked me to collect
+donations as people came in. When the band started to play, Mrs.
+Villa said that I could go watch. I have never heard that kind of
+music before or seen the kind of dancing they were doing. It just
+began flowing through me. I started dancing with everyone else. It
+was wonderful. After a little while, I returned to collecting
+donations. I was really happy when Rahav arrived. Everyone loves her.
+She is also the one who taught the dancers on stage. I went back up
+to the ballroom, because I wanted to talk to her.
+
+“Then I noticed Ryan Hunter in the crowd. He started talking about
+how he was doing his civic duty by supporting Rahav’s fund raiser,
+but that was all BS. He’s like a slug that comes out after a hard
+rain. Then he walked outside and I saw him get on his cell phone. I
+started to follow him, but I met Rahav. She is not only a great
+teacher, but she’s a wonderful person. We started talking.
+Afterwards, I went with Mrs. Villa into the rear anteroom to help her
+count the money that we had raised.
+
+“Then, all of a sudden, there was a commotion and police were
+everywhere. I saw a police officer come into the next room where Alex
+was. I saw Ryan bump into Alex, causing him to fall into the police
+officer. I’m sure he did it on purpose. The officer got mad and
+wrestled Alex to the ground. He put him in handcuffs. I tried to
+explain that it was an accident, but they wouldn’t listen. I went
+back down to the ballroom to find someone to give the money to, but I
+couldn’t find anyone. I finally found Michael and gave him the money.
+Then they arrested him and said they were going to confiscate the
+money as evidence. I remembered how they had stolen the money from
+the police station and… and this bad feeling just came over me. I
+grabbed the moneybag and threw it up into the balcony, hoping Adam
+was still there. Then they handcuffed me and sent me to the police
+station.
+
+“So, that’s what happened. I saw Alex in school today and told him I
+would testify to what I saw. Someone has to learn the truth about
+what really happened. This afternoon, Adam and I took the moneybag,
+and we gave it to Brother Jimi. Dad, I’m sorry I caused so much
+trouble, but I still feel like I did the right thing.”
+
+After a moment of stunned silence, Will finally speaks up, “I
+suspected that Ryan Hunter had more to do with this than he was
+saying. I’m glad that you’ve told me what happened. I don’t often get
+the opportunity to observe something from the citizen’s point of
+view. I will have a talk with Internal Affairs and see if they will
+open an investigation into this incident. But I want you to stay away
+from everyone involved until the investigation is complete.”
+
+Joan – “I guess that won’t be a problem. Rahav sent me a note that
+she won’t be able to be my dance instructor anymore. I’ll have to
+find someone new anyway.”
+
+Helen – “I have mixed feelings. I believe you did the right thing,
+but I don’t know if you should have been there in the first place.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, it was a charity fund raiser. None of this should have
+happened. It was all so insane!”
+
+Helen – “Well, just the same, I agree with your father. You should
+stay away from those people until he finds out the whole story. I
+just want you to be safe.”
+
+Joan decides they have talked enough about it, “Luke, don’t tell
+anyone, not even Grace. I want to tell her myself.”
+
+Luke – “Fine, I’ll just tell her you plan to talk to her if she
+asks.” He pauses, now feeling what he had planned to say is
+pointless, but he continues anyway, “Well, today I went to school. I
+have some homework tonight. That’s about it.”
+
+Joan decides to add more news, “Oh, and Adam got a dog today. Her
+name is Pax. I think it will be good for him, but there’s a problem.
+He’s not sure if someone else already owns her. He’s sending a
+picture to the animal shelter. This is going to be a long week for
+him, but I think it will be okay. I know the guy who gave it to him.”
+
+Helen – “Lilly and I will say a prayer that he can keep the dog.”
+
+Lilly – “Yeah, and maybe we can also pray that Denunzio someday gives
+me a compliment or even just says, ‘Glad to see you’.”
+
+Helen, a little annoyed by Lilly’s offhanded remark, replies, “We’ll
+pray for both.”
+
+Joan replies, ignoring Lilly’s comment completely, “Thanks, I really
+think Adam needs this.”
+
+Helen – “Lilly?”
+
+Lilly – “Well, as you might have guessed, today didn’t go well. A
+hundred little things kept going wrong. I received the list of slimes
+for next weekend. Denunzio and Bonnie are becoming like a cancerous
+growth that I can’t get rid of! I’m considering getting them both
+blue shirts and having their names embroidered upside down above the
+pocket. But, we are making progress. We are splitting this house into
+an upstairs and downstairs apartment. We are almost finished building
+the new outside stairway for the top floor.”
+
+Helen – “Kevin?”
+
+Kevin – “Well, it was pretty much the same as any day, but I’m doing
+a lot more research than I used to. We have recently become networked
+to a nationwide newspaper database. Nearly every major newspaper is
+online. I have access to stories as far back as the early 1970’s in
+some cases. It’s a great resource.”
+
+Helen – “Will?”
+
+Will – “Mike Daghlian almost quit today, but I talked him out of it.
+I won’t go into details, but it’s good to have him back. Other than
+that, it was a pretty ordinary day.”
+
+Helen – “Well, June Goetzman called this afternoon. She has won the
+bid on the restoration of another painting. She wouldn’t tell me what
+it is, but she has agreed to meet with me two nights a week at the
+Art Museum. It’s going to mean I won’t be able to cook dinners twice
+a week, but I really want to see what I can learn from her. We will
+start tomorrow evening. I hope none of you mind.”
+
+Everyone agrees that it’s okay. Will continues, “Hey, if I can get
+home early enough, I’ll cook something. If not, pizza, subs, or
+burgers won’t hurt us for a couple of nights a week for a while. You
+deserve this.”
+
+After dinner, Joan goes up to her bedroom to do her homework. It is
+done in a pretty short time, except for her reading for AP French.
+She not only has to read and understand it, but she is subject in
+class to have to recite and explain it orally. It’s challenging, but
+Joan has a secret reason now for wanting to excel in French. Kevin
+knows, but she doesn’t plan to tell the others until after the New
+Year.
+
+She finishes and sees that it’s still not too late. She calls Grace.
+She tells Grace what she told her family. Grace responds in typical
+fashion, “Subverting the corrupt totalitarian policía regime, and a
+cop’s daughter to boot! Way to go.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I know my dad’s a good cop. I just don’t know about the
+rest.”
+
+Grace – “Hey, my dad heard back from the janitor service guy. He’ll
+do it.”
+
+Joan – “Good, I’ll talk to you more about it tomorrow.”
+
+She walks upstairs to Luke’s room, “Where can I buy one of those
+keylogger things?”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will once again goes over the police reports from Saturday night. As
+he had remembered, it is completely one-sided. There is absolutely no
+mention of the citizen’s assertions that the police had no business
+shutting the show down. He jots down Joan’s version of events and
+mixes it with testimony he received from other witnesses. He adds
+their names and phone numbers, excluding Joan’s of course, and adds
+it to the file. He walks out to Jeannie, “Will you make a copy of
+this report and also type up this statement for me?”
+
+Jeannie – “Sure, Will, but I have a few things to do first. Would
+about an hour or so be okay?”
+
+Will – “Perfect, thank you.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan meets Adam at his locker and finds him talking to Elizabeth
+Goetzman, “Hi, I didn’t know you two knew each other.”
+
+Elizabeth – “Only through you.How is everything?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, okay I guess.”
+
+Elizabeth – “Adam told me that you might be looking for a new dance
+class. Would you like to come with me to mine?”
+
+Joan – “Maybe, but my former dance instructor suggested one, and I
+want to check her out first. I’ll let you know.”
+
+Elizabeth – “Okay, see you later. Bye, Adam.”
+
+Joan – “So, how’s your dad doing? How’s Pax?”
+
+Adam – “Dad’s back to work. He just needed a day to rest. Pax is
+clean, but I still need to get something for the fleas.”
+
+They begin to head for class, and meet up with Luke and Friedman.
+Glynis also joins them with ‘what’s her name’.
+
+Glynis– “This is Alice. Have any of you met her?”
+
+Alice remembers Joan, but realizes the others probably don’t know
+her, “Alice Orban, nice to meet you.”
+
+Joan is relieved not to have to admit that she never knew her name,
+“I saw you at the Milton Library on Sunday. Sorry we didn’t have time
+to talk.”
+
+Alice – “That’s okay, you looked busy.” She looks at Adam, “I love
+your sculpture. I read stories to children on Saturday mornings.
+Sometimes I just tell them stories that I make up. I already have a
+great one about your sculpture. You guys aren’t the only ones who
+recognized the faces.”
+
+Adam – “Thank you, I’m glad you like it.”
+
+Glynis– “I have decided to join the band this year. Alice tells me
+they can use some more low brass. I’ll play the tuba.”
+
+Joan – “Are you still in that other band too?”
+
+Alice – “Oh, that’s what we’re talking about. It’s a different band
+now, but I’m still blowing the tunes. I do a little singing, too. We
+play mostly for fun. We have a gig at the Unurban this weekend. Would
+you like to come?”
+
+Joan – “Wow, the Unurban has a lot of good memories for me. Yeah,
+what time?”
+
+Alice – “Seven to eight, Saturday.”
+
+Joan – “I’ll be there.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will enters the conference room where the Watchdog Committee has
+assembled. He is confident and sure of his purpose. He looks around
+at the faces, “I think most of you know me, but if not, I am Will
+Girardi, Chief of Police.”
+
+When he has a seat, Ryan immediately begins to speak, “I am really
+sorry about what happened Saturday night. Your daughter’s arrest was
+most unfortunate.”
+
+This played right into Will’s hand, “Mr. Hunter, I have been doing
+some investigation into what happened. I have concluded that what
+happened was no accident. Rather, it was purposely orchestrated by
+you to achieve those exact results.”
+
+Ryan objects, “Chief Girardi, I assure you that I had nothing to do
+with it. You are letting what happened to your daughter cloud your
+judgment.”
+
+Will – “No, I spoke with the people in charge of the fund raiser.
+They had nothing to do with the drugs being sold outside and no
+knowledge that some of the guests had smuggled beer into the concert.
+Furthermore, I believe you also knew this and called the police as a
+means to shut down the fund raiser. I cannot tolerate dealing with
+someone or an organization that practices such methods.”
+
+Ryan – “You are getting it all wrong!”
+
+Will – “I don’t think so. I have no intention of having further
+dealings with you or your organization. This meeting is over. Please
+remove yourself from my police station.”
+
+Ryan and the others begin to voice their objections, but Will ignores
+them. He stands up and leaves the room.
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Kevin has been working, actually enjoying finding the answers to the
+tasks he has been assigned. He notices a rather tall handsome black
+man talking to Rebecca. When they kiss, he realizes that this must be
+the boyfriend she has mentioned on occasion. Both approach his desk.
+
+Rebecca – “Kevin, this is my friend, Dan.”
+
+Dan – “Dan Thompson, nice to meet you.”
+
+Kevin – “Kevin Girardi, nice to meet you, too.”
+
+Dan gets a puzzled look on his face, “Girardi? Do you have a sister
+name Joan?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, why?”
+
+Dan – “I’m a resident at the University Medical Center. I treated
+Joan last month after her car accident. How is she doing?”
+
+Kevin – “She’s doing pretty good now. There don’t appear to be any
+more symptoms from the accident.”
+
+Dan – “I’m very glad to hear that. Please tell her hello from Doctor
+Dan.”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, I’ll do that.”
+
+Rebecca – “Dan just stopped by to say hello. He has two extra tickets
+to the UMC Charity Craft Show on Saturday. Then we plan to have
+dinner. We were wondering if you and Lilly would like to join us. I
+think it will be fun, and I have been dying to meet her.”
+
+Kevin – “That sounds like something Lilly might enjoy. I know she
+does some crafts. I’ll talk to her tonight and let you know
+tomorrow.”
+
+Dan – “Great. I hope it works out.”
+
+At School
+
+It is nearing the end of the class, and Joan has been struggling
+through the dissection of their frog. She has been taking the notes,
+but letting Grace and Adam do the actual cutting. However, Ms.
+Lischak has been observing Joan’s lack of hands-on participation. She
+insists that Joan do the next procedure, “But, Ms. Lischak! It’s hard
+enough for me just to watch. I don’t know if I can do it.”
+
+Ms. Lischak – “I want kinetic, not potential. Do it or you won’t get
+credit for the lab.”
+
+Joan takes the frog and turns it around to the correct position. It
+is cool and slippery to the touch. A silent ‘ick’ rumbles through her
+mind. She makes the incision and is startled when its leg twitches,
+“He’s supposed to be asleep!” Adam applies a chloroform ball again to
+the frog’s nostrils. Joan takes hold of the frog and continues. She
+exposes its beating heart and becomes filled with compassion for this
+disgusting creature. She grabs the frog tighter, closing its chest,
+not wanting to see its heart any longer. Suddenly, it jumps out of
+her hand and off the table. She screams! Grace, Adam, and Joan
+immediately begin to search for the fleeing creature. The rest of the
+class also becomes aware of the commotion. Joan gets down on her
+hands and knees to search for her runaway. She spies it under Luke’s
+chair. She begins to crawl and then jumps toward it, but the frog
+leaps once again just as she tries to grab it. Others in the class
+begin trying to capture the fugitive, but it proves to be too quick
+and slippery. It has now made it to the front of the classroom. It
+jumps onto Ms. Lischak’s desk and even she is startled by its sudden
+appearance. It quickly leaps again toward the window. Normally, they
+are kept closed, but Ms. Lischak had opened the front and rear
+windows to ventilate chloroform from the room. The frog reaches its
+target and out it goes.
+
+Joan is still sitting on the floor, amazed and not believing what has
+just happened. Others in the class sit stunned as well and begin to
+look at each other. Several students rush over to the windows, but
+the escapee can no longer be seen. After a moment silence, the class
+bursts into laughter.
+
+Joan stands up and watches her classmates. She doesn’t know whether
+to join them in their laughter or cry. She looks at Ms. Lischak, “Ms.
+Lischak, I tried, I really tried.”
+
+Like most of the others, Ms. Lischak is now amused by what just
+happened, “Joan, I cannot say I have ever had something like this
+happen before, but you will get credit for the lab.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will picks up the copy of the report and statement from Jeannie, and
+with it, heads up to Internal Affairs. The head of IA is now Mimi
+Rogers, who hates it when people make comments about an actress
+having the same name, “It’s by marriage, stupid!” However, she has
+gotten used to it and now just gives a fake smile when someone
+believes they are being clever. Fortunately, Will has never made the
+comparison, so at least for that reason, they are on fairly good
+terms. He knocks on her door and asks for a few minutes, “We had an
+incident Saturday night at the old community club building. The
+address is in the report. The statement is from me. I compiled it
+from statements I received from citizens at the scene. When you
+compare the two accounts, the citizens and the police see the event
+totally differently. I know sometimes that happens, but I really
+think there is more to this. I would like you to check it out and see
+if you come up with anything.”
+
+Mimi – “This could be an IA problem, or it could be something the
+detective bureau should investigate.”
+
+Will – “The problem is that many of my officers and detectives were
+involved. I need someone impartial to take a look. Will you do it?”
+
+Mimi – “Okay, but if I find it’s not an IA problem, it’s back to
+you.”
+
+Will – “Fair enough, thank you.”
+
+At School
+
+News of the frog incident spread throughout the school even before
+the class was over. As Joan tried to make her way to the next class,
+she is bombarded by jokes from students she didn’t even know, “Found
+Kermit yet?” “Lost your prince, huh?” Fortunately, Grace and Adam
+didn’t join in, but Luke and Glynis came up with a joke of their own.
+
+Glynis– “We were cheering for the frog all along, Hop-hop-hooray!”
+
+Joan is relieved when she is finally able to duck into AP French
+class.
+
+Madam Marks – “Joan, would you stand up and recite paragraph 3 from
+page 145.”
+
+Joan finds the page and stands up to read, “\ Pendant la deuxième
+guerre mondiale, les Français combattaient aux côtés des Anglais et
+quand le temps de prendre les repas était arrivé, les Français
+mangeaient des cuisses de grenouilles.” She pauses, now aware of the
+joke being played on her, “\ Et bien comme vous pouvez vous
+l’imaginer, ce n’était pas la sorte de repas que les anglais
+mangaient. Les Anglais ont donc commencés à nommer les Français les
+grenouilles.”Everyone in the class begins to laugh. Joan sits back
+down, now beginning to feel the weight of the humiliation.
+
+Madam Marks – “I’m sorry, Joan, it’s just so rare that I have an
+opportunity to bring humor into the classroom. Tell you what, I won’t
+call on you for the rest of the day.”
+
+Joan decides to let it pass. She remembers how rude she was to her
+when she first started taking French. She muses to herself, ‘Touché!’
+
+She was actually looking forward to study hall, a place where the
+students were supposed to remain quiet. This would allow her some
+relief from the frog jokes. However, when she arrives, the teacher
+calls her up to the front and gives her the pass from Ms. Keady. It
+had totally slipped her mind.
+
+She waves to Grace as she leaves the room, and of course, Grace
+responds with a ‘Where are you going, Girardi’ expression on her
+face. She’ll have to think of an excuse for this later.
+
+Joan goes to the gym and initially can’t find Ms. Keady, “In here,
+Joan.” Ms. Keady has laid down some mats in a small exercise room off
+the main gym, “I want us to have some privacy. I really shouldn’t be
+doing this at school, but it’s the best way to make our schedules
+match. Hmm, no purse. Do you carry a purse?”
+
+Joan – “When I’m not at school.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Good, bring it to school tomorrow. I want to see it.”
+
+Joan – “What does that have to do with anything?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Just do it, I’ll explain later. How big is this guy you
+are worried about? How does he compare to me?”
+
+Joan – “He’s taller, but…” Joan pauses, a little embarrassed to say
+it, “… but he weights less. He seems to be in good physical shape.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Good, I’ll teach you how to take advantage of his size
+and weight. We’ll have to make you slippery like a frog.”
+
+Joan eyes Ms. Keady. She remains straight-faced for the longest time,
+but then she finally cracks a smile, “I just had to get that one in.
+But really, I’m not being totally funny. I have a stack of books for
+you to read. Most are about avoiding rape, but the techniques are the
+same. You will be surprised how what clothing you are wearing at the
+time can be an advantage or disadvantage. Let me see your shoes.”
+
+Joan hands her the replacement shoes that Helen bought her after the
+accident. Ms. Keady examines them and hands them back, “These will
+give you good traction, but are useless as a weapon. See if you can
+find a shoe with a hard short heel and a reinforced toe. Something
+like that can be used for both.”
+
+Joan – “When do we get to the karate part?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “I’m going to start teaching you some moves, but the
+‘karate part’ as you call it is only part of it. Hopefully, you will
+never get to the point of needing it. Remember the goal, survival and
+escape.”
+
+After the lesson, Grace walks up to Joan at her locker, “So, where
+did you go?”
+
+Joan had forgotten to make up an excuse and now has to think fast,
+“Ms. Keady has some new ideas for things for us to do in gym class. I
+volunteered to be her guinea pig.”
+
+Grace – “What kind of things?”
+
+Joan – “It’s a surprise.”
+
+As Joan walks home, she realizes her arm hurts. She pulls up her
+sleeve to find a large bruise just below her shoulder. She is
+puzzled, because she doesn’t remember Ms. Keady hitting her there.
+She smiles and thinks to herself, “PFM, pure frogging magic!”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan arrives to find her father is home, “What are you doing here?”
+
+Will – “I still have plenty of vacation time left. I’m going to try
+to leave early Tuesdays and Thursdays until your mother is finished
+with her art thing.”
+
+Joan – “Right, that’s tonight. Well, I have to work. I just came home
+to change my shoes. I hope it’s not busy. I have a lot of reading to
+do.”
+
+Will – “I’ve made pizza for dinner. Why don’t I put one in the oven,
+and you can take a few slices with you?”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, I’m starving.”
+
+Will – “How was your day?”
+
+Joan – “A day to forget, but I’m sure Luke will tell you all about
+it.”
+
+Will takes the hint and goes into the kitchen without comment. When
+Joan comes back downstairs, she bags a few slices of pizza for her
+dinner. She empties what she doesn’t need from her book bag and puts
+in her dinner and a soda. As she prepares to leave, Helen returns
+home, “Joan, I heard about what happened today. I’m so sorry. Would
+you like to talk about it?”
+
+Joan – “No, absolutely not, I want to forget about it. I’ll see you
+tomorrow. Oh, have fun tonight.”
+
+Helen – “Thank you.” She gives her a hug and Joan departs for the bus
+stop.
+
+Will – “Okay, tell me what happened.”
+
+Helen – “Joan was dissecting a frog in AP Biology when it leaped off
+the table and jumped out of the window. It really sounds hilarious,
+but Joan was totally embarrassed. I was told that she chased after it
+and actually leaped at it once while trying to catch it. The rumors
+of what happened began to fly through the school, growing wilder with
+each telling, but I believe I got a pretty accurate description of
+what happened from Adam.” She tries to suppress it, but she begins to
+laugh, “Something like this could only happen to our daughter… or in
+a comic strip.”
+
+Will – “Well, I could tell that she was upset about something.” He
+begins to smile as the image of Joan leaping after the frog flashes
+through his mind, “I guess we’ll not bring this up at dinner
+tomorrow. I’ll bet she has had enough harassment about it already.”
+
+Helen – “From what I have heard, everyone has been making jokes.
+Maybe we’ll bring it up in a few weeks when she no longer so
+sensitive about it. What smells so good?”
+
+Will – “I’ve made pizza. Would you like some?”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, that sounds good. Let me change into some old clothes,
+and I’ll be back. I don’t want to get paint on my good ones.”
+
+At the Bookstore
+
+Much to Joan’s dismay, the store is busy. It is quite a while before
+it calms down enough for her to do her homework and reading. She is
+initially annoyed when she hears the door chime, but is relieved when
+she sees that it is Rahav who has come into the store, “What’s with
+the dream? Is something bad going to happen to me?”
+
+God – “It’s only a possibility. It still depends upon choices yet to
+be made.”
+
+Joan – “God, I’m scared! I don’t think I can go up against Ryan, not
+in a physical battle.”
+
+God – “Turmoil, conflict, chaos, it is all part of life. We have
+talked about this before. You can’t control everything. There will
+always be surprises, good and bad. However, you have made the right
+decision by contacting Ms. Keady. You would have made a good Girl
+Scout.”
+
+Joan – “This is no time to be funny!”
+
+God – “Have confidence in yourself. How many times do I have to
+remind you of that?”
+
+Joan can see that once again, God has avoided answering her
+questions, “Why can’t you teach me dance anymore?”
+
+God – “Because you don’t need me for that. Sister Sarah is an
+excellent dance instructor. Elizabeth’s instructor is also very good
+and there are others. It is up to you.”
+
+Joan – “How can anyone be as good as you?”
+
+God ignores the question, “Have you noticed anything happening over
+the last few months?”
+
+Joan – “Like what?”
+
+God – “The yoga class, the dance class, seeking out Ms. Keady, these
+are all things I would have had to tell you to do in the past. Now
+you are doing them on your own.”
+
+Joan – “Those are all things that I wanted to do, except for the last
+one. I felt I needed to do that.”
+
+God – “When I have given you assignments in the past, they have
+always been with your best interest in mind. Now you are beginning to
+see what needs to be done on your own.”
+
+Joan – “So now you’re beaming thoughts into my head?”
+
+God – “No, your thoughts and your choices have been and will always
+be your own, but more and more often, they are becoming the same
+choices that I would have made for you. Do you know what that is
+called?”
+
+God doesn’t wait for an answer, “It is not necessary that you
+understand it.” She strokes the hair out of Joan’s eyes and begins to
+leave, “Oh, think about what Ms. Keady told you yesterday. I’ll see
+you later.” Joan is once again left feeling that she has been given
+more questions than answers. She wonders for a moment about what God
+has told her and then decides to go back to her reading.
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Kevin and Lilly decided to order Chinese. Neither of them felt like
+eating out tonight. They are enjoying the variety of dishes that they
+ordered from Lin’s Family Restaurant.
+
+Kevin – “I met Rebecca’s new boyfriend today. He seems really nice.
+He’s a doctor at UMC and he knows Joan from treating her after the
+accident.”
+
+Lilly – “That’s quite a coincidence!”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, that was a surprise. He and Rebecca would like us to
+join them on Saturday at the UMC Craft Show. Then we can have dinner,
+afterward. I think we should go.”
+
+Lilly – “I don’t know. It’s not going to be easy for me being with
+Rebecca, knowing that you two were once an item.”
+
+Kevin – “I know, but that was a long time ago. She’s my boss and we
+are just friends now.”
+
+Lilly asks, “With her new boyfriend, right?” She’s not expecting an
+answer, just thinking out loud, “Okay, I’ll go. What kind of crafts?”
+
+Kevin – “I suppose all kinds. I really don’t know, but it’s something
+different to do.”
+
+At the Bookstore
+
+Joan is reading when suddenly, there is a brilliant flash of light.
+All of the lights inside of the store go out. She walks to the
+windows and sees the lights are out everywhere. The only light she
+can see are the brilliant sparks spewing from a transformer on a pole
+the next block over. She locks the door. She waits, hoping the power
+will come back on, but it doesn’t. She looks out again, but this
+time, as another round of sparks spew from the transformer, she sees
+someone. Perhaps it’s a man, she’s not sure, but someone is standing
+on the sidewalk about twenty feet from the store.
+
+She walks back into the store and lights a candle. She finds her way
+to Sammy’s office and calls him at home. She notifies him of the
+power outage, and that she plans to go home. He agrees to return and
+set the store alarm. She leaves the candle there and walks out to the
+windows again. There is no light to see by, but she strains to see in
+the darkness. Headlights from a turning car briefly sweep a path of
+light. Yes, he’s still there! Goose bumps begin to coat her arms.
+Prickly things begin to dance down the back of her neck.
+
+She returns to Sammy’s office. Her heart is now pounding, and she is
+becoming short of breath. She thinks about what Ms. Keady told her
+and of God’s reminder, “The best way to win a fight is to avoid it in
+the first place.” She makes the call and waits to hear the answer,
+“Girardi residence.”
+
+“Daddy,” she pauses, unable to make the words come out, “We’ve had a
+power failure at the store. It’s out everywhere.” She pauses again,
+not wanting to tell him about the man outside, “I’m afraid to walk to
+the bus stop. Will you come get me?”
+
+Will canhear the fear in her voice, “Just wait there. Stay in the
+store. Lock the door. I’ll be there soon.” He walks up to his bedroom
+and instinctively retrieves his badge and gun. It’s the years of
+being a police officer. He informs Luke he is leaving to pick up Joan
+at work.
+
+As he arrives, his headlights briefly illuminate a man standing on
+the sidewalk wearing a hooded sweatshirt. He places his police light
+on the dash and turns it on. After a few moments, the man walks away.
+Will walks to the door and calls, “Joan, it’s me. I’m here to take
+you home.”
+
+Joan blows out the candle and walks to the door where she has
+collected her things. She has had time to calm down, knowing that her
+father was coming to get her. They leave for home.
+
+Joan – “I’m sorry for being such a scaredy-cat.”
+
+Will – “You did the right thing.” He doesn’t want to tell her about
+the man he saw outside of the store, “Your mother has a sense
+sometimes of when things are wrong. You were right to trust you
+instincts.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan begins to head up to her room, but Will stops her, “I’ve made
+dessert. Why don’t you come have some?” Joan hesitates, not knowing
+for sure if she’s hungry, “Come on, it will do you good to have
+something in your stomach before you go to bed.”
+
+Joan agrees and Will heads for the kitchen. He cuts two portions of
+apple pie and places a slice of American cheese on each. He pops them
+into the microwave. When he removes them, he pours cinnamon sauce
+over them and adds a scoop of vanilla ice cream to each, “Voila!”
+
+When Joan returns, she and her father sit quietly enjoying their
+dessert, “Dad, what is it called when two people come up with the
+same idea? Is there a word for that?”
+
+Will considers her question for a moment, “The only thing I can think
+of is ‘like minded’. Is that what you’re looking for?”
+
+Joan – “I’m not sure. It’s just something I’ve been wondering about.
+Thanks.”
+
+Joan climbs into bed and begins to wonder about the man at the store.
+Was someone really there or did she imagine him? As she falls asleep,
+she remembers Rachel’s words, “It’s a hard world for little things.”
+
+Joan is drinking punch at a school dance, much like the Crystal Ball,
+but somehow different. Everyone is there, her friends, and the many
+kids that she only knows by sight. She looks around, scouring the
+crowd. She thanks God that Steve Ramsey is nowhere in sight.
+
+Someone taps her on the shoulder. She turns to see it is Adam, “Would
+you like to dance?” She is both puzzled and delighted. They walk out
+onto the dance floor and begin a waltz. She remembers her dream and
+the dance she had with Cute Boy God. As with him, she and Adam begin
+to dance as if on air. She’s in heaven.
+
+Joan smiles and opens her eyes. The room is dark, but she knows now
+that it was a dream. She thinks to herself, ‘This is not one for the
+journal. There is no way Adam could ever dance like that.’ She laughs
+and remembers what Mr. Tuchman said, “Yeah, I’m going to have to stop
+eating cheese before I go to bed.” She rolls over and goes back to
+sleep.
+
+The next morning, everyone is busy making breakfast. Helen is cooking
+eggs and hash browns, Joan is manning the toaster, and Luke is
+spreading butter and jelly on the toast. Papa Girardi is skating this
+morning. He’s sitting at the table, chuckling as he reads today’s
+newspaper.
+
+Helen – “Your father told me about you being frightened at the
+bookstore last night. Thank you for not knocking me across the room
+when I came to give you a kiss.”
+
+Joan smiles, “You’re welcome. How was last night?”
+
+Helen – “Oh, it was wonderful. I’ll tell you more at dinner tonight,
+but I have already learned a lot. June is restoring\ `The Garden,
+Epping <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Picture.jpg>`__\ ,
+by Lucien Pissarro. It’s a beautiful painting.”
+
+Luke has been quiet this morning. He finally speaks up, “You have to
+admit, seeing that frog jump out of the window was hilarious. But,
+when no IQ Beaterman came up with the ‘Frog from Nantucket’ joke, I
+knew things were getting out of hand. I’m sure there will be more
+jokes today, but I won’t be a part of it. You should probably just
+ignore them.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I’m sure the jokes aren’t over either. I’ll just grin
+and bear it. What else can I do? If I ignore them, maybe they’ll go
+away.”
+
+Luke – “Well, it won’t be for awhile. I heard Sally Thornton talking
+to people. I think there’s going to be something in The Eagle about
+it.”
+
+Joan – “No! That will start it all over again.”
+
+Helen – “I won’t be able to stop it, but I’ll make sure that it is at
+least accurate. I’ll limit their sources to only those who where
+actually in the classroom.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+When Will arrives at the office, he is surrounded by a slew of
+reporters.
+
+Reporter – “Roger Franz, BBY-AM.Chief Girardi, Mr. Ryan has made a
+lot of accusations about you and your police department. Would you be
+willing to make a statement?”
+
+Will – “I have read the newspaper this morning also. Mr. Hunter is
+good at making claims, but he has offered absolutely no proof to
+substantiate any of them.”
+
+Reporter – “Erica Stevenson, WGF-TV.Mr. Hunter stated that you have
+severed ties with his organization. Isn’t that in violation with the
+Arcadia City Charter?”
+
+Will – “Both the old and new city charters recommend that the police
+department engage in constructive communications with civic
+organizations such as Mr. Hunter’s Watchdog Committee, but they do
+not specify which organizations and leaves that decision up to me.
+Mr. Hunter and his organization have demonstrated that their agenda
+and the wishes of the people they purport to represent are not the
+same. The second headline in this morning’s newspaper further reveals
+Mr. Hunter’s agenda with his illegal campaign contributions to
+Councilmen’s Turner and Jarod’s election campaigns. I have every
+reason to believe I have made the right decision by severing ties
+with his organization.”
+
+Reporter – “Henry Taschen, Free Press.A witness at the HipHop Fest
+Saturday night stated she saw your daughter being arrested. Would you
+be willing to make a comment?”
+
+Will – “My daughter was taken into protective custody, but then
+mistakenly thought to be a suspect. The error was realized shortly
+after her arrival at the police station, and she was released. No
+charges were filed. That will be all, thank you.”
+
+At School
+
+As expected, the frog jokes were still flying. Joan’s smirk at each
+one seems to have the effect that she wants. She has mixed feelings
+when Sally asks her for an interview. She doesn’t know Sally well,
+but she seems to want to get the facts and not the rumors of what
+happened. “We thought we gave the frog enough chloroform, but
+obviously not. It jumped off the table, and we couldn’t catch it. The
+rest you know. I can’t explain it.”
+
+During lunch, she can hear the jokes whispered in the cafeteria, but
+at least none of her friends are telling them any longer. Joan
+finishes lunch early and decides to call Sister Sarah. She walks
+outside and sits on a bench to make the call, “Saint Mary’s Convent.
+Sister Rosanna. May I help you?”
+
+Joan – “Hello, may I speak to Sister Sarah?”
+
+Sister Rosanna – “I’m sorry, she’s not available right now. Can I
+help you?”
+
+Joan – “I’m calling about dance lessons.”
+
+Sister Rosanna – “Oh, I can help you with that.” She gives Joan the
+details of the nights and time and their address. She also provides a
+brief description of the dances they teach, “We ask for donations
+from the students. The proceeds go to support our order. Would you
+like to join us tonight?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, but I’ll have to check the bus schedule.”
+
+Sister Rosanna – “Oh, just catch the 7th Street bus. It arrives 10
+minutes before class and leaves 20 minutes afterward. We set up the
+class so people could use the bus. Just ask to get off at Holy Hill.”
+
+Joan – “Holy Hill?”
+
+Sister Rosanna – “Oh, that’s just what the neighbors call it. It’s a
+joke.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, Sister Rosanna.I’ll try to make it. Bye.”
+
+Later, when she meets with Ms. Keady, she provides her purse for
+inspection. “Binaca, good to freshen breath, but it is also very
+disabling when sprayed in the eyes. A pen and pencil, also good for
+jabbing. Not much else in here. I’ll give you a list of things you
+might want to add.”
+
+Joan – “Ms. Keady, I don’t know if I can fight like that.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “You don’t get it. If this happens, you are going to be
+fighting for your life. You can be Joan all the rest of the time, but
+during the attack, you have to become vicious. It’s the only way
+you’re going to come out of it alive. Have you ever been in a fight?”
+
+Joan – “Not many. I had a fight with Judith. I thought she was trying
+to steal Adam from me.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Good. Okay, I’m Judith, show me how mad and angry you
+are.”
+
+Joan – “But I was wrong, it was all a mistake.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “I don’t care about that. I want you to go back to those
+feelings you had when you started fighting. Fear is disabling. Anger
+and hate are your weapons.”
+
+Joan – “But that’s not me!”
+
+MsKeady – “It has to be you during your struggle. You have to learn
+to be able to turn it on. We are going to work on this until you show
+me you can do it.”
+
+After class, Joan has difficulty calming down. Ms. Keady had finally
+made Joan mad enough to strike back. She mumbles to herself, “Calling
+my mom stupid and ugly, and Judith was not a junkie, and slapping me
+for no reason.” She just couldn’t take it any more. “Good, good, you
+found it. Remember that place. You’ll need to go back there.” Joan is
+still mad, but is starting to realize why Ms. Keady did it. There was
+a power and a rage that came over her. Now she needs to find a way to
+turn it off.
+
+She meets Grace after class, “Girardi, you look like you could kill
+something. Too many frog jokes?”
+
+Joan – “No, it’s not that. It’s something else. I’ll be okay. I just
+need to be alone for a while. I have to go to the computer lab to
+check the bus schedule. I have dance class tonight.”
+
+Grace – “When are we going to go over our lab notes?”
+
+Joan – “I already answered the questions. We just need to make sure
+they’re right. I’ll call you later. No, why don’t you find Adam and
+meet me in the lab?”
+
+Grace – “I’ll go check. I hope he’s still here.”
+
+Joan – “If you don’t find him, meet me there anyway. You can call him
+later.”
+
+Grace goes to his locker, and finds Adam and Elizabeth talking, “Joan
+wants to go over our lab notes… now.”
+
+Adam – “I can’t, Elizabeth and I have to go. I’ll call you later.
+Just tell her I had something to do. Tell her I had to work.”
+
+Grace – “Dude, I’m not going to lie for you.”
+
+Adam – “You know she can’t find out about this, not yet.”
+
+Grace – “She’s going to figure out something is going on, it’s just a
+matter of time.”
+
+Adam – “If that happens, then I’ll tell her myself.” Adam and
+Elizabeth leave together.
+
+Grace is not happy, caught in the middle again. She goes to the lab,
+“I couldn’t find him. I’ll call him later.”
+
+Joan – “I got the bus schedule. We don’t have much of time. Here are
+my notes. I just had to guess on the last one, since we never did
+it.”
+
+Grace – “What’s your brother doing tonight?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know, he’s your boyfriend.”
+
+Grace – “Guess I’ll break out the lip gloss and pay him a visit. I’ll
+get the notes for the last one.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, if I don’t, tell my mom I had dance class and I’ll be
+home between seven thirty and eight.”
+
+Grace – “Don’t you know her number?”
+
+Joan – “It only works if she has her phone turned on. I gotta go.
+Maybe she’s still in the art room.”
+
+Joan checks the art room, but Helen has already gone. She tries her
+cell, but there is no answer. She calls Kevin and is in luck. Kevin
+will let everyone know that she has gone to dance class.
+
+Downtown, Joan transfers to the 7th Street bus and a familiar voice
+begins to speak.
+
+“\ She walks in beauty, like the night
+Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
+And all that ‘s best of dark and bright
+Meet in her aspect and her eyes.\ ”
+
+Joan walks down the aisle and sits beside him, “It still sounds so
+much better when you say it.”
+
+Roger – “How have you been?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, a lot of things have happened, but I’m doing okay. Where
+are you going?”
+
+Roger – “O send out thy light and thy truth that they may lead me,
+and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling. You?”
+
+Joan – “Me, too! Dance class?”
+
+Roger – “Yes.” He thinks for a moment, “I will never forget our last
+time together. You are such a beautiful and intelligent young woman,
+and I’m not sorry that I kissed you. But things have happened for me,
+too. I’m engaged!”
+
+Joan – “Congratulations! Tell me about her.”
+
+Roger – “Her name is Cee-Cee, and like you, I tutored her. I still
+tutor her, but now I do it because I love her. She is a year younger
+than me and attends Dawson State. She’s majoring in dance. That’s why
+I’m here. I want so much to be able to dance with her.”
+
+Joan – “Well, maybe we can practice together. I just love to dance,
+and I want to learn everything I can.”
+
+Roger – “That would be nice, but Sister Sarah has her own ideas. She
+usually pairs people with similar abilities. I’m a klutz when it
+comes to dancing, so you might be better off with someone else.”
+
+Joan – “We’ll see, but I’m sure we can squeeze in a dance from time
+to time.”
+
+Roger – “I would like that. We’re almost there.”
+
+The bus slows and turns to drive up the hill. Normally, they don’t
+service directly to the door, but for the sisters, they have made an
+exception. Walking up and down the hill was tiring for them and many
+of them use the bus to commute to the Catholic elementary and high
+schools. It was a small compromise.
+
+They walk inside and Joan enjoys the feeling of being home. The room
+is the same as in her dream. She signs the register and waits for the
+nun to finish talking to the man in front of her. She looks around
+the room some more, absorbing the details.
+
+Nun – “Hello Joan, I’m Sister Sarah, welcome.”
+
+Joan is brought back from her daydream. She looks at her. How did she
+know her name? Is she God? She does look familiar, but she just can’t
+place her. Was it from her dream or somewhere else? “Hello, it’s nice
+to meet you.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Is this your first time taking dance lessons?”
+
+Joan – “No, I have had a few classes.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Good. We’ll see who shows up tonight, and I’ll try to
+pair you with someone appropriate. Here’s your name tag.”
+
+Joan now remembers signing the register. She gives Sister Sarah her
+donation, “Thank you.”
+
+They begin by doing the jitterbug. She has seen it done in her dream
+and in movies, and even faked it with Elizabeth, but doing it right
+is something new. She is paired with a girl named Jamie. She is
+pleased when she finds she can pick it up quickly, but the rapid
+movements of the dance are exhausting. She is relieved when the short
+break finally comes. She feels much better after she drinks several
+cups of water from the cooler.
+
+Her mind wanders, and she thinks back to the cover story that she
+told Grace, ‘What if Ms. Keady had us start doing the jitterbug? That
+would be great exercise and fun too.’ She plans to mention it to Ms.
+Keady.
+
+They resume class by practicing a series of waltzes. Jamie is a great
+partner, but Joan decides to keep her promise of a dance to Roger.
+He’s not as bad a dancer as he thinks. But as they dance, they both
+drift off into their own worlds. Roger is dancing with Cee-Cee and
+Joan is dancing with Adam. She wants to dance with him, even if it’s
+only in her dreams.
+
+At Home
+
+Joan arrives at home to find Will and Helen sitting at the table,
+“Hi, what did we have for dinner? I’m starved!”
+
+Helen – “I’ll fix it for you, have a seat.”
+
+Helen goes into the kitchen and heats up Joan’s dinner in the
+microwave. She returns with it along with a glass of milk.
+
+Will – “Kevin told us that you went to dance class. Didn’t we ask you
+not to see those people until after the investigation is finished?”
+
+Joan – “I didn’t! I have a new teacher. I’m now taking classes at
+Saint Mary’s Convent.”
+
+Helen – “Okay, but you should have told us. Your father and I have
+been worrying about you for no reason.”
+
+Joan – “I’m sorry, I just called today at lunch and found out the
+class was tonight. I tried to tell you, but I couldn’t find you.”
+
+Will is now relieved to know that he was wrong, “How is the new
+class?”
+
+Joan – “Great! I loved Rahav, but Sister Sarah is good too. I like it
+there. Is Grace here?”
+
+Helen – “She was here earlier, but she’s gone home.”
+
+Joan finishes eating and quickly checks the five-day forecast in the
+newspaper before heading upstairs. She calls Grace and confirms that
+the lab questions are all complete and correct. She pauses to collect
+her thoughts before making the next call. She hears him pick up, “Hi,
+Adam. What are you doing?”
+
+Adam – “I’ve been playing with Pax in the backyard. I just came in.”
+
+Joan – “I was wondering, could you get your dad’s truck on Saturday?”
+
+Adam – “Hang on.” He asks his dad and then replies, “Sure, no
+problem. Where do you want to go?”
+
+Joan – “I would really like to go to Mercer Creek. The weather is
+supposed to be nice, and you can bring Pax. It’ll be fun.”
+
+Adam knows Joan too well and can sense she is holding something back,
+“Sure, no problem, but I get the feeling there is something else.”
+
+Joan hesitates slightly, “Judith and I went there about this time
+last year. I really miss her.”
+
+Joan doesn’t have to say anything more, “Sure, Joan, let’s go.”
+
+Joan tells Adam goodnight and begins to write in her journal. She
+writes about how crazy the last few days have been: being arrested,
+the dreams, the sculpture, the movie, Pax, the frog, the power
+outage, knocking Ms. Keady on her ass, and dancing. “Whew!” But she
+doesn’t write what is most on her mind, the other reason for asking
+Adam to take her to Mercer Creek. She’ll save that for later.
+
+Will and Helen are reading in bed. Helen is reading a novel and Will
+is chuckling once again through the stories on the front page of the
+newspaper. He lays the paper down and looks at Helen. He does the
+most remarkable Vincent Price laugh. “Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah ...
+Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah ... Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah ... Who is hunting whom?”
diff --git a/10-MakingChoicesPart1.rst b/10-MakingChoicesPart1.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..093ebeb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/10-MakingChoicesPart1.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1208 @@
+Episode 3.10, Making Choices, Part 1
+------------------------------------
+
+At School
+
+The frog jokes were almost over, but to Joan’s dismay, The Eagle was
+published today. ‘Frog Terrorizes Classroom,’ catchy title, so much
+for accuracy, and they just had to put in the observation that Joan
+had leaped after the frog while trying to catch it. Oh well. Joan and
+Adam talked before school about their planned Saturday trip to Mercer
+Creek, and she keeps her mind busy anticipating Saturday.
+
+Luke has been in a foul mood today. Grace’s mood hasn’t been much
+better, and Joan has been wondering why. Did something happen
+yesterday? She has been meaning to ask, thinking that she should mind
+her own business, and struggling with which one to do.
+
+In Government class, the teacher was discussing the 17th Amendment
+and the popular election of Senators.
+
+Grace – “That’s pretty much like what happens with the elections here
+at Arcadia High. It’s just one big popularity contest. I heard
+Britney Johnson say this morning, ‘Jim Barlow is so handsome, I’m
+going to vote for him’. Jim Barlow barely graduated last year. He
+should be a specimen in our biology class for exploratory brain
+surgery.”
+
+Joan – “Brian is running again. He has a ten-point plan this year.
+Some of his ideas are pretty good.”
+
+Grace – “He doesn’t have a chance of winning. No one listens to him.”
+
+Teacher – “Well, I’m glad at least some of you have been paying
+attention. Here is your assignment. Each of you will pick a candidate
+and write an essay on why you support him or her for Student Council
+President. It has to be at least two paragraphs long and no longer
+than about two handwritten pages. They are due on Monday. I will turn
+them over to The Eagle staff, and they will be published in a special
+edition on Wednesday. Here’s your chance to tell everyone what you
+think.”
+
+Almost everyone in class moans in unison as the bell rings.
+
+Grace – “So, what’s with you and Brian? You don’t even like him.”
+
+Joan – “He is a jerk sometimes, but sometimes he’s not. I heard how
+he organized a search party when everyone thought I was kidnapped. He
+didn’t have to do that.”
+
+Grace – “So, this is payback?”
+
+Joan – “No, it’s more than that. What he did showed leadership, and
+he’s the only one with a plan. He’s the only one who might make a
+difference.”
+
+Grace – “Does this mean you’ll be his campaign manager again this
+year?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, well, he asked me. Why don’t you get some more copies
+of his plan, and we can meet at my house after school. You can read
+it, we can do our homework, and then talk about our essays. If you
+decide you want to vote for someone else, that’s fine.”
+
+Grace – “Elmer Fudd still sounds good to me.”
+
+Joan – “Then you’ll have no effect at all.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will is in his office reading the background check he had done on
+Brother Jimi. ‘James Earl Johnson, born January 7, 1976 in Arcadia,
+MD, the son of James and Alma Johnson, both deceased. Enlisted in the
+Army on June 5, 1994. Wounded in action November 10, 2001, honorably
+discharged disabled January 25, 2002. Returned to Arcadia in February
+2002. Received his ministry from the Baptist Missionary Alliance in
+November 2003. He is presently the pastor at the Church of Hope on
+
+Broad Street
+. Other activities: Manages the Arcadia Soup Kitchen (ASK) on
+Walnot Street
+, and teaches basketball at the YMCA twice a week. Participates in
+numerous other charities.’
+Will greets brother Jimi when he arrives for their meeting, “Come in
+and have a seat.” Will closes the door and returns to his seat, “I
+had a background check done on you. You have had an impressive
+career.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Background check? I don’t know if I like the sound of
+that coming from the Chief of Police.”
+
+Will – “I just need to know who I’m dealing with. I was handed
+dealing with Hunter’s Watchdog Committee, and I want to make sure I
+am making the right decision by initiating dealings with yours. The
+report doesn’t indicate any problems. In fact, I was quite surprised
+to learn that you were in the army.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “That was a lifetime ago. I did my duty to country,
+now I’m doing my duty to God.”
+
+Will – “It says you were discharged disabled. You appear to be in
+good shape. Would you mind my asking why you were discharged?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “There was a bullet with my name on it. I truly
+believe that God was trying to tell me something. I lost a kidney,
+but God willing, I’ll continue doing fine on the other one.”
+
+Will – “Well, thank you for your service, both then and now.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “I have the information that you requested.” He hands
+Will a paper, “These are the proposed members of the committee. They
+are all fine men and women.”
+
+Will – “Thank you. I’ll get back to you as soon as my investigation
+is complete. Here is a background check done on me.”
+
+Brother Jimi looks at the report, “What was the information that has
+been deleted?”
+
+Will – “Information about my family. I don’t feel you need to know
+that.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “I met Joan the other day. She’s a nice girl. Is she
+your daughter?”
+
+Will – “Yes, she told me about returning the money from the fund
+raiser.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Well, tell her hello for me.”
+
+Will and Brother Jimi shake hands and Brother Jimi departs.
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Kevin asks Rebecca to come to his desk, “Why is this story flagged
+for deletion?”
+
+Rebecca – “Pressure from above. Hunter feels it would be seen as
+politically motivated.”
+
+Kevin – “Not running the story would be just as politically
+motivated. We both know why he doesn’t want it published.”
+
+Rebecca – “He has threatened my job. It’s just one story.”
+
+Kevin – “And what about the next one and the one after that?”
+
+Rebecca – “I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I can’t risk it.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, we can let this one go, but if Hunter keeps it up, we
+can’t continue to pander to his whim.”
+
+Rebecca – “I know, I have to do some more thinking.”
+
+Rebecca leaves and Kevin calls Henry Taschen with the Free Press.
+After he received assurance of anonymity, Kevin archives a copy of
+the story to CD. He will e-mail the story from home later.
+
+At School
+
+Grace – “Are you ready for the mystery meat today?”
+
+Joan – “No, I brought a sandwich. I’m going to eat it out on the
+bleachers.”
+
+Grace – “Split it with me, and I’ll join you.”
+
+Joan – “Not today, I kind of want to be alone. Besides, you need to
+find Brian and get more copies of his plan.”
+
+Joan leaves and begins to walk down the hall. Custodian God meets her
+and hands her a shovel, “You can bring it back on Monday.”
+
+Joan – “I know you know my thoughts, but this is becoming too weird!
+Next time, just let me come and get the shovel.” God smiles and
+departs with a wave.
+
+Joan walks out to the bleachers and sits to eat her sandwich. She
+wonders about Judith. It has been so long since she has seen her,
+dead or alive. Judith told her
+the\ `crocuses <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/CrocusJoanofArc.jpg>`__\ were
+a Dutch hybrid. The huge white flowers were so beautiful when they
+bloomed last spring, that is, until someone trampled them. That’s why
+she decided to return today.
+
+She finishes her sandwich and walks under the bleachers. She finds
+the red X she had marked under the bench, just above where the
+crocuses had bloomed. She starts to dig, ‘Five bulbs, not bad! Now
+I’ll take you to a good home.’
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Toni rushes into Will’s office, “We have shots fired and possibly two
+officers down in Meadow Park.”
+
+Will – “Do we know who they are?”
+
+Toni – “Not yet, it was just called in by a witness at the scene. A
+unit is on the way.”
+
+Will – “Have Mike and Carlisle get to the scene. Have the officers
+responding call me on my cell as soon as they can with an ID on the
+two officers and their condition.” Toni leaves and Will calls Helen’s
+cell. She doesn’t answer. He looks up the number for the school
+office and makes the call.
+
+At School
+
+Grace subjected herself to the mystery meat for lunch and went to
+find Brian afterward. She found him in the office, and they agreed to
+go to his locker to get more copies of his plan. As they were about
+to leave, news that two police officers had been shot came over the
+radio. She hears over the PA, “Mrs. Girardi, please come to the
+office for a phone call.” Grace assumes the worst and tells Brian to
+drop off the copies in the office. She’ll pick them up later.
+
+She goes out and meets Joan coming back from the bleachers, “I found
+five crocus bulbs. Isn’t that neat?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, great, we need to go to the office. You need to sign
+up as Brian’s campaign manager.”
+
+Joan – “Sign up, since when? It’s not like we’re a political party.”
+
+Grace – “Come on, don’t argue, just come with me.”
+
+When they arrive in the office, they see Helen finishing her call.
+Helen walks over to Joan and Grace, “Hi Grace. Joan, that was your
+father. He’ll be working late tonight, but he still wants me to go
+ahead and meet with June. I’ll leave money for you to order pizza or
+something. Will you tell Luke?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, sure, where do I sign up to be campaign manager?”
+
+Grace interrupts, “Never mind, we need to get to class.”
+
+Joan hands Helen the shovel, “Can you put this in your room? I’ll
+pick it up after school.”
+
+Helen thinks to herself, ‘I’m not going to ask,’ and simply responds,
+“Sure.”
+
+Joan and Grace leave, and Helen calls Kevin to let him know that Will
+is all right. As Grace and Joan head to class, they meet Luke
+hurrying toward them, “I just heard about the two police officers
+being shot. Do you know anything?”
+
+Grace – “Your dad is fine. He just called and said he’ll be working
+late.”
+
+Joan stands stunned for a moment and then realizes what Grace had
+done, “Thank you, Grace.” They continue to class.
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will’s cell phone rings, “Hello Chief, this is Officer Cheney.
+Officer Philips and I were the first on the scene here at Meadow
+Park. The two officers involved are Officer Turner and Officer
+Garcia. There were also two others involved, Anthony Rizzo and
+Theodore Marks. Officers Turner and Rizzo are dead. Officer Garcia
+and Theodore Marks have been taken to UMC with gunshot wounds.”
+
+Will – “Okay, call me back as soon as Detectives Daghlian and
+Carlisle arrive.”
+
+Will looks up Officer Garcia’s profile on the computer, ‘Married,
+wife Sophia, homemaker, three children…’ He prints out the
+information. He then looks up Officer Turner’s profile, ‘Single,
+parents are Luke and Cynthia Turner…” He prints out that information
+as well. He pauses for a moment as he prepares himself for the tasks
+he must now perform, telling Mrs. Garcia of her husband’s injuries,
+and notifying Mr. and Mrs. Turner of their daughter’s death.
+
+At School
+
+Grace and Joan are heading for their last period class, “So, when are
+you going to tell me what you and Ms. Keady have been up to?”
+
+Joan – “We are still working on it. It’s a surprise, I told you.”
+
+Grace – “It sure sounds clandestine! Oh, the keylogger is going in
+tonight. I got it from Luke yesterday and my dad is getting it to the
+guy today.”
+
+Joan – “Is that going to do any good? Do they even work over the
+weekend?”
+
+Grace – “Not normally, but the cleaning guy said they are having a
+big powwow this weekend, probably on account of what your dad did
+this week.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, now we hold our breath until Monday.”
+
+Joan goes to the gym and begins her warm up routine. She has created
+a blend of yoga, dance, and martial arts exercises. Normally, Joan
+does her routine silently, but today she decides to tell Ms. Keady
+about her idea, “I made up an excuse for why I am spending time with
+you. I told Grace we’re working on a surprise for gym class. I was
+thinking, what if we start doing the jitterbug in gym class? It’s
+good exercise and it would be a lot more fun than running laps. What
+do you think?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “I have heard of dance being used as an exercise in other
+schools. I don’t dance much, just some line dancing and slow dance
+from time to time. Is that something you can teach me?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I’m still learning, but I have it down pretty well. I
+think it is a good idea.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Okay, from now on, the last fifteen minutes of the
+lesson is jitterbugging.”
+
+Joan finishes up her routine and pauses to find her place. While she
+does, Ms. Keady circles, choosing a direction from which to make her
+attack. Joan can thwart some of them, but she eventually gets caught
+in a stranglehold. Ms. Keady explains what she did wrong, and they
+continue. Slowly, Joan is learning not to repeat the previous
+mistakes. However, this lesson ends with Ms. Keady dragging Joan
+across the floor by the hair, “Ouch! Oh! I’m still not cutting my
+hair!”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Yeah, I suppose my collection of Girardi hair is
+becoming too big. Tomorrow, I’ll show you how to use pressure points.
+Let’s dance.”
+
+After school, Joan meets her friends by her locker. They all agree to
+meet at her house to finish their homework and work on their essays.
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+When Joan was in the second grade, news of several police officers
+having been shot didn’t go as well. She found out by overhearing
+teachers talking about it as she walked past the teachers’ lounge.
+Kevin found her later, staggering down the hallway, crying
+uncontrollably. He spent the rest of the afternoon holding her until
+they finally received the news that their father was all right.
+
+There have been other incidents since then, and with each one, Joan
+has been able to handle it better, but Kevin decided then that
+whenever one occurred, he would make a point to be there for her.
+That is why when he heard the news, he announced to Rebecca that he
+would be leaving early.
+
+At School
+
+After dropping by to inform Lilly of their change in dinner plans,
+Kevin went to the school. Joan was not surprised to see him parked
+outside, waiting for her, “Thank you for coming. Dad’s okay. He
+called and talked to Mom.”
+
+Kevin – “I know, but I came anyway.”
+
+They wait a little longer for Luke to get in, and then head for home.
+On the way, Joan tells Kevin that her friends will be coming over to
+study. Kevin wonders if her decision to study tonight is because she
+really needs to study, or because she really needs her friends. He
+decides it doesn’t matter, “Tell them to come hungry. I’m going to
+order a variety of sub sandwiches from the deli.”
+
+When they arrive at home, Kevin asks both of them, “Would either of
+you like to talk about what happened today?”
+
+Joan looks at Luke for his response, “No, I’m fine. I’ll be up in my
+room reading.”
+
+After Luke leaves, Joan sits beside Kevin, “I would like to talk
+about something, but not about today. I would actually prefer to talk
+to Lilly first. Is she coming to dinner?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, she should be here in a little while.”
+
+Joan – “Good. We need to do our studying first. Can you and Lilly
+wait to talk until we’re done?”
+
+Kevin – “We’ll be here.”
+
+Joan gets up and grabs her shovel and bulbs and heads out to the
+garage. She takes the pot she found earlier and begins to fill it
+with a mixture of potting soil and compost. She looks at her bag of
+bulbs and wonders which one to plant. They all look the same, well,
+almost. One has a nick on it, probably made by the shovel when she
+dug it up. The cut looks like the letter J. She decides that means
+‘Joan’s,’ and places it in the pot. She finishes filling it, packing
+the soil as she goes. She then takes the pot into the kitchen and
+adds a little water. She smiles as she adds 7-Up for luck. In her
+room, she places the pot on the floor behind the stuffed chair under
+the window, “There, all ready for spring.”
+
+She gathers up her books and heads to the dining room. She is
+surprised to find Helen already sitting there, “Mom, aren’t you going
+to the museum tonight?”
+
+Helen – “I don’t know if I should. I’m really not in the mood.”
+
+Joan – “You should go. Dad wants you to go. Kevin’s ordering dinner.
+We’ll be fine.”
+
+Helen decides to take Joan’s advice. After she changes clothes, she
+says goodbye and leaves for the museum.
+
+Joan begins with her calculus homework, “A man wants to build a
+rectangular enclosure for his herd. He only has $900 to spend on the
+fence and…” The best answer is to call Home Depot, but unfortunately,
+that won’t do. She reads the rest of the problem. After some
+struggling, she finds the correct solution.
+
+As she begins the next problem, she hears the doorbell ring. She goes
+to the door and lets everyone into the foyer. However, when she
+begins to close the door, Lilly squeezes through, “Oh, sorry.” Joan’s
+eyes follow Lilly as she heads for the couch, “I’m really glad you’re
+here tonight.” She pauses, wondering if Lilly has met everyone, “Have
+you met Friedman and Glynis?”
+
+Lilly – “Yeah, we met the other day. I think you were at dance
+class.”
+
+Joan – “Okay.” She directs her friends to the dinning room table,
+“Have a seat anywhere. I’ll go get Luke.”
+
+Grace – “Sit tight, I’ll get him.”
+
+On the couch, Lilly wonders about Joan’s comment, “What did your
+sister mean by, ‘I’m really glad you’re here tonight?’”
+
+Kevin – “Remember when you told her that if she ever needed to talk,
+you would be there? Well, I think tonight’s the night.”
+
+Lilly – “Does she want to talk about the police shootings?”
+
+Kevin – “No, she heard about them at lunch. It’s something else.”
+
+Lilly gets a puzzled look on her face, “So, you don’t know about the
+others?”
+
+Kevin – “What others?”
+
+Lilly looks around to make sure they are alone, “All hell has broken
+out in Arcadia. There’s a big gun battle going on over on the west
+side. Two more police officers have been shot, and it’s not over
+yet.”
+
+Kevin thinks for a moment before responding, “Okay, no TV tonight, at
+least until Dad calls. There’s no need for Joan and Luke to know.” He
+leaves a message on Will’s cell to call home, then calls to order
+dinner.
+
+At the table, Joan finishes her calculus, and the others finish
+theirs. After they compare answers, Joan asks Luke to check her
+homework. Luke looks over her problems and answers, “You did good.
+They’re all right.”
+
+Joan smiles, pleased that she got them all right, but even more
+pleased that Luke is now willing to check them for her without giving
+her grief. They continue studying by quizzing each other on the names
+and locations of arteries for biology class.
+
+At the Art Museum
+
+Helen joins June, who has finished the repair of the original
+painting and is beginning to paint the copy. Helen looks over the
+original painting, “You can’t even see where it was punctured!”
+
+June – “I really enjoy being able to restore such a beautiful
+painting. Now comes the fun part.” As she begins to paint, she
+explains, “I examine a part of the painting, both actual size and
+magnified. Then I duplicate it on the new canvas and double check it
+under magnification. If I see a problem, I make touch-ups. That’s
+basically what I do, over and over again, until it is finished.
+Everything else is technique, which is just in my head.”
+
+Helen – “Can I ask questions as you work?”
+
+June – “Sure, that’s why you are here.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan begins the discussion of their essays, “I am supporting Brian
+again this year. Do any of you intend to support someone else?”
+
+Glynis– “I was actually planning to vote for Sally Thornton. She’s
+smart and says she will listen to what people have to say.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, if you want to support Sally, then go ahead. Is there
+anyone else?” No one answers, so Joan continues, “Brian has a
+ten-point plan this year. He is his worst enemy. He’s written 75
+pages. Most people are not going to read that much. There are five of
+us, so if each of us takes two points, summarize them in a few
+paragraphs, then all of them will be covered. People will read a few
+paragraphs. All we have to decide is which of us will do what. I
+would like to do the job fair, step ten. Brian wants it expanded, and
+I agree. There was no one from the medical industry or any fields of
+science last year, and he has mentioned several other fields. We need
+to know more about what our options might be. Why don’t all of you
+skim through and see if there are some that you support?”
+
+Joan walks out to the living room, “What are you guys doing?”
+
+Kevin – “Just talking. Dinner should be here soon.”
+
+Joan – “We’re almost done, thank…” The phone rings and Joan picks it
+up, “Hello.”
+
+Will – “Hi, Joan. How is everything there?”
+
+Joan – “Mom’s at the museum, Kevin and Lilly are here, and Luke and I
+are doing homework with Grace, Adam, Glynis, and Friedman. When are
+you coming home?”
+
+Will – “It won’t be until late. Can I talk to Kevin?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I love you. I’m sorry about your police officers.
+Here’s Kevin.” She hands the phone to Kevin. The doorbell rings, and
+Kevin gives her the money. She answers the door and takes dinner to
+the dining room table.
+
+Kevin – “I know you’re busy, but I just want to know that you are
+okay.”
+
+Will – “Don’t worry, I’m fine, and if your mother calls, please tell
+her I’m okay.”
+
+Kevin – “Can you tell me anything about what has been happening?”
+
+Will pauses, still trying to come to grips with what has happened.
+“The second officer from this morning died, but the two from this
+afternoon should be okay. I’m heading back to the hospital now. My
+cell doesn’t work while I’m inside, so don’t worry when it goes into
+voice mail.”
+
+Kevin – “Dad, I’m sorry about your officers. I’ll tell Mom you’re
+okay.”
+
+Kevin reports his conversation with Will to Lilly, who asks, “Are you
+going to tell Joan and Luke now?”
+
+Kevin considers it for a moment, “No, I’ll tell them after you and
+Joan talk. It’s important to her.”
+
+Lilly – “It must be important, otherwise she wouldn’t bother. I
+really would like to get closer to your sister, but I’m afraid I’m
+going to blow it.”
+
+Kevin – “You’ll do fine.” He pauses, “But not on an empty stomach.
+Why don’t you get us each a sub and something to drink?”
+
+At the Art Museum
+
+Helen – “You are doing such a marvelous job of duplicating this
+painting. I can see now how you are doing it, but I’ll need to
+practice your technique.”
+
+June stops for a minute and walks over to a nearby cabinet. She
+retrieves another easel and mounts another framed canvas, “Okay, time
+for you to practice.”
+
+Helen is thrilled. She lays the brush to the canvas and begins
+duplicating the procedure that June had used. She is pleased with the
+results, but she is not as skilled as June. The second duplicate
+progresses.
+
+At Home
+
+They all finish skimming Brian’s proposal and making a list of those
+items that they can support. Adam, of course, selects the math and
+science program, which now includes art and music. They compare their
+choices, and Joan is able to convince each of them to cover a
+different item in their essays.
+
+Glynisalso skimmed the proposal and found a few items she supported,
+“Tomorrow, I’m going to ask if I can support two candidates.”
+
+Joan – “The election is a week from tomorrow. I assume that’s the
+point of the essay, to make us make an informed choice. You need to
+pick one, then write your essay.”
+
+Glynisthinks for a moment, “I really like Sally better, but I like
+Brian’s ideas. I’ll let you know in the morning.”
+
+Joan – “Adam, can you make some posters again?”
+
+Adam – “I have two from last year in my portfolio. We can just make
+copies.”
+
+Joan – “Great.” That concludes their meeting, and Joan and Luke
+escort them to the door. After they leave, Luke goes upstairs, and
+Joan approaches the couch, “Lilly, can I talk to you for a few
+minutes?” Kevin reaches for his wheelchair and Joan quickly adds,
+“No, stay there. If you don’t mind, I would rather talk to Lilly in
+my room, privately.”
+
+Lilly joins Joan in her room, and Joan begins, “I have a question
+about having sex.”
+
+Lilly immediately responds, “Isn’t this something you should be
+talking to your mother about?”
+
+Joan – “I have already had talks with mom about sex. I know how she
+feels about it.” She hands Helen’s bible to Lilly, “I have heard both
+of you say that this is the word of God. What does he say about
+having sex?”
+
+Lilly looks at Joan for a long time without saying anything.Then she
+leafs through until she finds the page, “There are lots of places
+where the Bible talks about sex. Here is a passage, 1 Corinthians
+6:18 – 20…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “Say that again.” As Lilly repeats it, Joan writes
+it down on a piece of paper, “Okay, sorry, go ahead.”
+
+Lilly – “1 Corinthians 6:18 – 20, Shun fornication! Every sin that a
+person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against
+the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the
+Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not
+your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in
+your body.\ ” Lilly looks up from the book, “What this is saying is
+that if you have sex outside of marriage, it is a sin.”
+
+Joan thinks about it for a minute, “Okay, I’ve heard ‘the body is a
+temple’ part before. Is there more?”
+
+Lilly – “There is a lot more. I have a whole list at home, but I
+don’t know if this is the best way to answer your question. You want
+to know about having sex before marriage, right?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I have already decided that I’m not having sex without
+the white lace and promises. I was just curious what the Bible said
+his almightiness wants me to do.”
+
+Lilly – “When you have sex with someone, you become married. Okay,
+not literally, but you are forever linked with an intimacy of the
+deepest kind, and it will never be erased. The two of you become one
+flesh. God wants sex between a man and a woman to be both a physical
+and a spiritual joining. It’s better to get married in front of
+everybody, declare your commitment, and then run with your desires,
+because desire is what gets you married, but it sure isn’t what will
+keep you married.”
+
+Joan – “What keeps you married?”
+
+Lilly – “That’s a story for another day.”
+
+Joan – “So, I should wait, right?”
+
+Lilly – “Yes, but don’t think that not having sex will protect you.
+It will, but it has its own set of problems. Whatever journey you
+decide to take will have its pitfalls. It’s your call. It’s called
+moral judgment, discernment, are you up to it?
+
+Joan – “I guess I’ll have to be. I’ve already made my choice.”
+
+Lilly begins to wonder, and asks, “Was this your only reason for
+wanting to know what the Bible says? Would you like to join your
+mother during her catechism lessons?”
+
+Joan – “No, thank you. I respect what you and Mom believe, but I have
+my own way of relating to God. I do have another question. Is it
+okay?”
+
+Lilly – “Sure, what is it?”
+
+Joan – “I talk to God a lot, but I was wondering. If God already
+knows everything I’m thinking, what is the purpose of prayer?”
+.
+Lilly – “There are lots of reasons for prayer: people pray to discuss
+a problem, to thank God, or just talk to God. God is always there for
+us. The more we pray, the stronger our relationship becomes. I pray
+more times than I can count in a day. I thank God or ask for wisdom.
+I tell Him when I’m angry, sad, happy, or confused. God is a great
+friend and wonderful listener. However, the most important thing is
+that prayer is an invitation for God to become a part of your life.
+Prayer does not change God, it changes us. The more he is a part of
+your life, the more you will begin to think and behave as he wants.
+It helps us to grow closer to God.”
+
+Joan – “This growing closer to God, is that like being like minded?”
+
+Lilly – “Yeah, that’s a good way of looking at it, and prayer helps
+you to achieve that goal.”
+
+Joan sits quietly for a moment, now understanding what God had told
+her, “Thank you, Lilly. You have been a great help. It’s good to have
+a friend who knows so much about God.”
+
+Lilly – “I’m glad I could help, but don’t put me on a pedestal. I
+make plenty of mistakes.”
+
+Joan – “Come on, I need to talk to Kevin.”
+
+Lilly – “Are you sure? I can wait here.”
+
+Joan – “No, I want you to come. In case you haven’t figured it out,
+Kevin is in love with you. You’re family.”
+
+They go back down to the living room and Lilly sits beside Kevin.
+Joan pushes up a chair and sits in front of them. “Kevin, I know we
+have talked about my feelings for Adam before, but I never told you
+why we broke up.”
+
+When Joan pauses briefly, Kevin interrupts, “I already know. He
+cheated on you.”
+
+Joan – “Who told?”
+
+Kevin – “I forced it out of Luke.”
+
+Joan is disappointed that he knew, but she continues anyway, “Well,
+then you know it was about sex. I wouldn’t do it and he went
+elsewhere. It broke my heart.” Her eyes begin to water as she
+continues, “I have had some conversations with Mom and Grace, and why
+he did it isn’t as cut and dried as I thought it was. It wasn’t just
+about sex. There were other reasons, and that is where it may have
+been partly my fault. I will never forget what he did, but recently,
+I have been able to see that he broke his own heart just as much as
+he broke mine. Even with the pain this whole time, I still love him.
+That has never gone away. So, I have decided to forgive him. I want
+to try again. I plan to tell him on Saturday, but that’s where I’m
+stuck. I don’t know how I should do it. Can you help?”
+
+Kevin – “What do you want to happen? Do you want to just pick up
+where you left off?”
+
+Joan – “No, that’s not possible, and I know it’s not going to be all
+hearts and bunnies. There will have to be conditions. I can’t give
+him my heart back, not all of it, not until I’m more sure. But part
+of my heartache is missing him. I want him back. I need him back.”
+
+Lilly – “Maybe you should make a list. Write down what you would like
+to say to him, and what you would like to happen between you in the
+future. Think about your list and then throw the list away.”
+
+Joan – “Throw it away?”
+
+Lilly – “If you tell Adam something you’ve memorized, it will sound
+fake, and he’ll know it. Know what you want to say, but how you say
+it must be spontaneous. It has to come from your heart.”
+
+Kevin – “I don’t think I could have said it better.”
+
+Joan smiles and gives them both a kiss on the cheek. As she begins to
+leave, Kevin stops her, “Wait, I have something to tell you.” He
+looks at Lilly, “Will you call Luke?”
+
+After Luke arrives, Kevin continues, “Dad’s okay, but there are
+things you should know. You’ll find out about them anyway.” Both Joan
+and Luke remember the similar line from Mrs. Polonsky at Lake
+Nashman, “The second officer that was shot this morning died. There
+have also been two more police shootings, but Dad thinks they will be
+okay.”
+
+Luke – “Do you know who the police officers are?”
+
+Kevin – “I wish I knew more, but that’s all I know. The news will be
+on soon. Would you like to watch?”
+
+Joan says no, but Luke decides to watch. Then Helen walks in the
+door, “Hi. Joan and Luke, what are you still doing up? You should be
+in bed.”
+
+Kevin – “Mom, there is something you should know.” He tells her what
+he just told Joan and Luke. They all decide to sit and watch the news
+together.
+
+The reporter begins by talking about the shootings from this morning,
+‘Those involved in the shootings were Officer Hector Garcia, Officer
+Ashley Turner, Anthony Rizzo, and Theodore Marks. Officer Turner and
+Anthony Rizzo died at the scene, Theodore Marks died on the way to
+the hospital, and Officer Garcia died while in surgery. Details of
+the shootings are still under investigation.
+
+This afternoon, the police raided a warehouse at
+
+1213 West Gilmore Street
+. An exchange of gunfire occurred and continued for several hours.
+Officer Brian Walker and Officer Tyron Drake received gunshot wounds.
+Officer Drake is in stable condition and Officer Walker was treated
+and released.
+Two suspects were killed and three were injured. Fourteen others were
+arrested. Their names have not yet been released…’
+
+Helen – “I don’t think I have met any of them, but this has certainly
+been a terrible day for your father.”
+
+Joan – “Officer Garcia is the one who arrested me. I didn’t like
+being arrested, but he treated me okay. I feel bad for him and his
+family. And Teddy Marks hung around the high school a lot selling
+drugs. He was a real slime.”
+
+Helen – “You knew a drug dealer?”
+
+Joan – “I just knew who he was. I don’t do drugs.”
+
+Kevin – “I’ve met Officer Turner a few times at the courthouse. She
+seemed nice. And I think I’ve met Sergeant Drake a couple of times.”
+
+Luke – “I didn’t know any of them, either.”
+
+Lilly – “I knew Ashley when I was still a nun. She used to attend St.
+Peter’s. I haven’t seen her in quite a while.”
+
+Helen – “Well, Joan and Luke, it’s late. You need to go to bed.” They
+all get up, and Helen remembers something, “Oh, I’ve invited the
+Goetzmann’s to dinner next Saturday. Can you and Lilly come?”
+
+Kevin looks at Lilly, trying to sense her response, and then looks
+back to Helen, “Yeah, I think so. Wayne, Dan, Dad, and I are already
+set to golf in the morning. Dinner shouldn’t be a problem.”
+
+Helen – “Good. Joan, Elizabeth will be coming too. You still like
+her, right?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, she’s okay.”
+
+Helen – “Okay, off to bed.”
+
+Lilly goes home and they all go up to their bedrooms. Kevin e-mails
+the story to Henry Taschen and begins to wonder if censorship at the
+newspaper is just beginning. He goes to sleep. Luke thinks about the
+mess this police thing has been and falls to sleep thinking about
+chaos theory. Joan says a prayer for those hurt and killed, and she
+asks God to take care of them. She falls asleep. Helen lays in bed,
+worrying about Will. Finally, she goes to sleep as well.
+
+At about one thirty, Will opens the door to Joan’s room. He walks in
+and is about to lean over to give her a goodnight kiss when she says,
+“Dad, I’m sorry about all of your police officers. I said a prayer
+for them.” Startled to realize that Joan is awake, Will replies,
+“Thank you, Joan. I’m sure it will help.” He gives her a kiss, “Go
+back to sleep.”
+
+In the morning, the zombies arise. Not one of them has had a decent
+night’s sleep. Helen makes the decision, “I think we should all call
+in sick. Will and Kevin, why don’t you call in late? Then we can all
+go back to bed for some well-deserved sleep.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Prior to coming to work, Will stopped by the hospital to say hello to
+Officer Drake. Officer Drake was given the good news that he will be
+released today. He will be returning to work on Monday.
+
+Toni’s find at Anthony Rizzo’s apartment led them to the warehouse on
+the west side. The suspects were more heavily armed than they
+expected, but at least now, a major drug dealer in Arcadia has been
+shut down.
+
+Carlisle’s search of Teddy Marks’ residence brought little regarding
+drugs, but he found something even more interesting. “Will, I need to
+show you something.” He hands Will an envelope of photo prints, “This
+is a set of double prints taken from Marks’ home. We found it wedged
+between his desk and the wall. Take a look at the last three prints.”
+
+Will looks at the pictures and sits stunned. He looks up at Carlisle,
+“Why would Teddy Marks have pictures of Judith Montgomery?”
+
+Carlisle– “I don’t know, but there are two prints of each picture,
+but only one of Judith’s. The second copies of these prints have been
+removed.” He takes the envelope back and pulls out a photo from the
+pack, “Do you recognize this kid?”
+
+Will – “Yeah, but I can’t place him.”
+
+Carlisle– “He was the star quarterback on Arcadia High’s football
+team last year. His name is Lars Klosterman. I’m going to talk to him
+now.”
+
+Will – “Call me afterward. I want to know what he says.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan is pleased to see posters of Brian Beaumont all over the school.
+She and Luke find everyone in the cafeteria, “Thanks everyone for
+putting up the posters. Adam, they look even better than they did
+last year.”
+
+Adam – “When I got home last night, I decided to make new copies of
+them. I added some more texture. That makes them stand out more.”
+
+Grace – “I think we all know why you’re late today. Are you all
+right?”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, we knew my dad was okay, but none of us could sleep
+anyway.”
+
+Joan – “We knew some of the officers, and it’s hard when something
+like this happens.”
+
+Glynis– “Would it make you feel a little better to know that I’m now
+supporting Brian? Friedman and I are writing our essays tonight. You
+want to join us?”
+
+Joan – “I’m glad you’re supporting Brian, but no, I want to spend
+time with my dad tonight. I’ll probably write mine on Sunday.”
+
+Later, Grace and Joan are walking down the hall, “Adam told me about
+your trip to Mercer Creek. You’ve been spending a lot of time
+together lately. Are you two becoming an item again?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know, I’ll find out tomorrow. Are you still going to
+see Alice and Glynis?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, Luke, Friedman, and I are going together.”
+
+Joan – “Great! You’ll know then, and we can talk on Sunday.”
+
+Today’s lesson on pressure points was mostly instruction, but Joan
+and Ms. Keady did finish it with a practice. As a result, Joan leaves
+the gym with a slight limp, but Mrs. Keady won’t be using her right
+hand for some time. They decided to forgo the dance portion of the
+lesson today.
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Carlisleknocks on Will’s door, “Will, do you have a minute?”
+
+Will – “I thought you were going to call.”
+
+Carlisle– “This is big; I figured we needed to talk in person. Lars
+was very cooperative. Here’s what he told me.
+
+He and Teddy Marks were lovers. Judith took a picture of them kissing
+using her cell phone. They were both upset about it, but Teddy was
+really mad. Eventually, Judith agreed to delete the picture, and Lars
+saw her do it. He told Teddy, and he figured that was the end of it.
+Then, when Judith was murdered, Lars asked Teddy if he did it. Teddy
+told Lars no, but Lars wasn’t sure if he believed him. Then when the
+police said it was Joey Edwards who killed Judith, he figured Teddy
+was telling the truth. They broke up last January, and they haven’t
+spoken since.”
+
+Will – “Did anyone else know about the picture?”
+
+Carlisle– “Lars said he was sure no one else knew about it.”
+
+Will – “It sounds like Judith may have been set up. See if you can
+find out what happened to Judith’s cell phone. Also, look up that
+lawyer for Ryan Peters, Catherine something. I want him in here again
+for questioning.”
+
+At Home
+
+After dinner, Joan invites her father to play a game of chess, “You
+wanted a rematch. Come on, let’s play.”
+
+The game took longer than usual, but Will was finally able to
+checkmate Joan’s king, “Well, it’s good to know I haven’t totally
+lost my touch.” Joan gives him a hug and a kiss and congratulates him
+on his victory.
+
+Later, Will and Helen prepare for bed, “Did you enjoy your game with
+Joan?”
+
+Will – “Yeah, and it was great to finally win one.”
+
+Helen hesitates before responding, “She let you win.”
+
+Will – “What do you mean, I just played a better game tonight.”
+
+Helen – “She told me she was going to let you win before you started.
+She wants you to be happy again. She knows how bad you feel about all
+the shootings.”
+
+Will is stunned, disappointed that he didn’t actually win, but happy
+that Joan would do such a thing.
+
+Helen – “Don’t you dare tell her that I told you.”
+
+At Mercer Creek
+
+Paxis sitting between them, with her head on Joan’s lap. Joan is
+petting her and enjoying the view. The trees are a kaleidoscope of
+color, just like last year. She can feel Judith, which makes missing
+her a little easier. She remembers what’s over the next hill, “Are
+you ready, Adam?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I remember.”
+
+They crest the hill and Joan sees the stable in the dell. She puts
+her hand out of the window to wave, but is shocked by what she sees,
+“Adam, pull over.” She looks at the horse with amazement, “It’s so
+sad and wonderful at the same time. I can’t believe how beautiful he
+is.”
+
+Adam – “Whoever restored him did an excellent job. Every detail is so
+real, and the stable and the other buildings have been painted, too.
+I guess we can’t call him Ole Paint anymore.”
+
+Joan considers Adam’s comment for a moment, “No, he will always be
+Ole Paint to me.”
+
+When they arrive and begin to collect their things, Pax suddenly
+darts off. Adam calls her, but she continues running. She heads
+toward a new wooden play structure, and Joan and Adam quickly follow.
+When they arrive, they find Pax has pinned down a little girl. She is
+laughing and giggling as Pax relentlessly licks her face. Still
+laughing, she says, “Hi, Joan, is this your dog?”
+
+Joan – “No, it’s Adam’s dog. What are you doing here?”
+
+God ignores her question, “Hi, Adam, I’m Julie. I love your dog. Can
+I play with her?”
+
+Adam – “It looks like you already are. Her name is Pax.” Adam pauses,
+trying to decide what to say next. He doesn’t want to be rude, but he
+really wants to spend time alone with Joan, “Where are your parents?”
+
+God – “The camping area is just over there.” She picks up a stick and
+throws it. Pax darts off to retrieve it.
+
+Joan – “Maybe we should ask them about it first.” She looks at Adam,
+“Why don’t you get the picnic basket and blanket and take it to our
+spot. Pax and I will meet you there in a few minutes.”
+
+Adam heads back to the truck, while Joan and God walk across the
+field toward the camping area, “Please don’t tell me not to do this.
+I really want it.”
+
+God – “That’s not why I’m here. Besides, it’s your choice.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, but what about the like minded thing? I finally figured
+out what you meant. Is it what you want for me too?”
+
+God – “I just want you to be happy.”
+
+Joan – “God, I really need to know. You said that more and more
+often, I am making the same choices that you would have made for me.
+That implies that sometimes I don’t make the right choice. Is this
+choice the right one?”
+
+God – “I can’t make your choices for you. You have to follow your
+heart. What do your dreams tell you?”
+
+Joan – “They’re confusing. I don’t know if they’re dreams or just
+wishes. Are they my dreams or our dreams?”
+
+God takes the stick from Pax and throws it again, “Joan, you still
+need to learn to have faith in yourself. What did your father tell
+you the other day?”
+
+Joan thinks for a moment, trying to decide to what God is referring,
+“Trust my instincts?”
+
+God – “Bingo! I love that word. You already have more guidance in
+this matter than most people would have, but it has to be your
+choice.” She again takes the stick from Pax and throws it, “You know,
+Pax loves both Adam and you.”
+
+Joan – “Changing the subject, are we?”
+
+God ignores her, “Pax will do anything to protect you, even give up
+her own life.”
+
+Joan – “What are you saying?”
+
+God – “Dogs don’t have free will like you. You may have to make
+decisions for her. I have to go. Have fun today.”
+
+Joan – “Wait! What are you talking about?”
+
+God walks off with a wave, leaving Joan standing there with Pax. Joan
+takes the stick from Pax and throws it in the direction of the truck.
+
+At the Craft Show
+
+Kevin, Lilly, Rebecca, and Dan meet at the craft show. It’s not long
+before Lilly and Rebecca pair off, talking about the different crafts
+they see. Kevin and Dan sort of tag along, talking about places they
+would rather be; however, they come across a woodworking exhibit that
+catches both of their interests. Lilly and Rebecca continue ahead.
+
+Rebecca – “Now that we’re alone, I want you to know that there’s
+nothing going on between Kevin and me. That was a long time ago.”
+
+Lilly – “Well, I’m glad to hear that. How are you and Dan doing?”
+
+Rebecca – “We have only been dating a few months, but I like him a
+lot.” Then she adds, “But nothing serious yet.”
+
+Now that they have gotten that out in the open, they actually begin
+to connect with one another.
+
+At Mercer Creek
+
+When she arrives, Adam has already laid out the blanket. He has
+wedged himself in Judith’s tree, and the memory pleases her. She
+takes his hand and they watch leaves float down the stream for the
+longest time, “I so love this spot.”
+
+Adam – “Me too. What happened to Julie?”
+
+Joan – “I convinced her parents to take her on a nature walk. I would
+like to plant Judith’s crocuses now. Would you like to help?”
+
+Adam was hoping she would ask, but he didn’t know if she wanted to do
+this alone, “Sure, let’s go.”
+
+They walk a little way and find an open grassy area that doesn’t
+appear to be mowed. Joan sticks the shovel in the ground, “This looks
+like a nice spot.” However, Pax seems to prefer another spot. She
+digs a hole a few yards away. Joan decides to take Pax’s advice and
+places a bulb in the hole, and then Adam covers it back up. Pax digs
+another hole, and they repeat the procedure. After the fourth bulb is
+planted, Pax digs yet another hole. Joan looks at Adam, “How do we
+turn her off? I’m out of bulbs.”
+
+Adam picks up a stick and throws it toward the picnic area, “You
+distract her. It’s easy to do.” Adam covers up the hole, and they
+return to their spot by the creek, “What’s for lunch?”
+
+Joan – “I had Dad help me create these monster sandwiches: salami,
+lettuce, tomato, cheese, mayonnaise, olives, and I have pickles in a
+bag if you want to add them. They should be great.”
+
+Adam – “They sound good. Are you hungry yet?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I didn’t have much for breakfast.”
+
+She takes the sandwiches, sodas, and chips out of the basket, and
+they quietly eat their lunch. After they are finished, they lay down
+on the blanket and Pax parks herself between them. “Adam…” She
+pauses, trying to get her thoughts together, “I want to talk to you
+about something.” Adam doesn’t answer; he just gives her his
+attention, “Last spring when you had sex with Bonnie, it really broke
+my heart.”
+
+Adam – “I know, I was really stupid.If I could take it back, I would.
+I’m so, so sorry that I hurt you.” Adam looks deep into Joan’s eyes,
+“I love you.”
+
+Joan is pleased to have finally received a heartfelt apology, “I
+know, that’s why I would like to try again.”
+
+Adam – “You won’t be sorry. I promise, I’ll never do anything like
+that again.” Adam once again looks deep into her eyes, and she can
+see that he means it.
+
+Joan – “There is something else that you need to know. I’m not having
+sex with you! I’ll only give all of me, body and soul, to the man I
+marry. You’ll have to live with that. Can you?”
+
+Adam – “We are talking about sex, not marriage. I love you. Sex makes
+the connection.”
+
+Joan – “Lilly says that boys want sex and give love to get it. Girls
+want love and give sex to get it. His Holiness wants sex to be both a
+physical and a spiritual connection. I’m not some dog you can just
+hook up with.”
+
+Adam – “Joan, I would never think of you like that.”
+
+Joan – “Then why did you hook up with Bonnie?”
+
+Adam is startled by her question, “Well, I guess you are right,
+although I never loved Bonnie. It was just sex.”
+
+Joan – “Boys should be hosed down with cold water every hour.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, you’re right. It almost destroyed me, and it destroyed
+us.”
+
+Joan – “We’re destroyed?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, but something new can be reborn, right?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah.”
+
+Adam – “What you’re asking is going to be really hard. Do you have
+any idea how many times I have dreamed of making love to you?”
+
+Joan – “Adam, I know, and I have the same urges and dreams as you,
+but I believe this is what God wants me to do. If we have sex, I just
+know the ripples will be bad. I want only good ripples for us. This
+is not going to be easy for me either. I’m going to need you to help.
+You have to be with me on this.”
+
+Adam – “If I agree, you’ll let me have your heart?”
+
+Joan – “I will open my heart to you again, but you will have to earn
+my trust. And I can’t promise where it will lead, only that the
+opportunity will be there.”
+
+Adam takes a few moments to consider, “I want you to love me more
+than anything in the world. I’ll try not to push the sex-thing, but
+you have to remember the hose and to say no.”
+
+This time, Joan initiates the kiss, but they are interrupted. Pax has
+been quietly lying between them, but now she begins a low growl. Joan
+looks at her, “Don’t you like us kissing?”
+
+Paxrises up and continues to growl. She stealthily walks between them
+toward the bushes a few yards away. The hair on her back begins to
+stand up, and she growls and snarls even louder. Both Joan and Adam
+now realize that something is very wrong.
+
+Joan remembers what God told her, “Adam, call her back, call her
+back, now!”
+
+Adam decides to heed her advice, “Pax, come here.” Initially, Pax
+refuses to leave the proximity of the bushes, but Adam repeats the
+call until finally, she comes.
+
+While Adam was calling Pax, Joan was collecting their things, “Come
+on, we’re leaving.” They return to the truck and head for home.
+
+Adam – “What do you suppose was behind the bushes?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know, but I think we did the right thing by leaving.”
+
+Adam turns on the radio and the song “If” begins to play. He takes
+her hand and they quietly hold hands the rest of the way home.
diff --git a/11-MakingChoicesPart2.rst b/11-MakingChoicesPart2.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1efb868
--- /dev/null
+++ b/11-MakingChoicesPart2.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1242 @@
+Episode 3.11, Making Choices, Part 2
+------------------------------------
+
+At Home
+
+When Adam drops her off, she gives him a quick kiss, “I’ll see
+you in a little while.” She walks into the house and quietly
+closes the door behind her. She then explodes into a dance,
+strutting and twirling and singing, “I did it, I did it, I did
+it, did it, did it…” She dances through the kitchen, twirling
+with her mother, twirling with her father, and even twirling with
+Luke. She struts through the den, and then twirls back into the
+living room, still singing, “I did it, I did it, I did it, did
+it, did it…” She twirls with Lilly and finally she sits on
+Kevin’s lap, where he twirls them in his wheelchair. As she made
+her tour through the house, her family began to follow her. They
+are now all in the living room, wondering if she has completely
+lost her mind, “ Adam and I are getting back together!”
+
+Everyone can see that she is insane, insanely happy! They all gather
+around and begin to hug her, but Helen has concerns, “What do you
+mean by, ‘I did it’?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I don’t mean that. I just mean that Adam and I are going
+to try to be together again. I’m so happy!”
+
+Helen hugs her, “We’re all happy for you, too.”
+
+Joan tells her family a modified account of her day. She talks about
+watching the leaves float down the creek, planting Judith’s crocuses,
+playing catch with Pax, how Adam apologized, and how they talked for
+a long time. “Now, Adam is still on probation. He has to prove he can
+be trusted. So, when he gets here, act normal. I don’t want him to
+know that I’m this excited.”
+
+She goes upstairs and takes a shower. She stands in front of her
+closet, shuffling the hangers back and forth, trying to choose what
+to wear. She was originally going to wear pants and a blouse, but a
+dress catches her eye. It’s light brown with little dark brown
+rectangles spread throughout. She holds it up and looks at herself in
+the mirror, “Yeah, that looks unurbanish.” She puts on her makeup and
+finishes dressing, adding jewelry and her watch. When she notices the
+time, she rushes downstairs, “Where is my purse? Has anyone seen my
+purse?”
+
+Luke points, “It’s over there. What’s your rush? Glynis and Alice
+don’t play until seven.”
+
+Joan – “Adam and I are having dinner first.”
+
+Luke grabs her, “Breathe through your nose.” Then he demonstrates,
+“Remember?”
+
+Joan – “You’re right.” She breathes slowly a few times, but then the
+doorbell rings. She rushes to the door, finishing the last few steps
+in a slow, calm walk. She picks up her coat, smiles, and waves as she
+walks through the doorway.
+
+Will pulls the curtain aside and watches as Joan and Adam walk away,
+“Would someone explain to me what just happened? I know they’re back
+together again, but I still don’t know why they broke up.”
+
+Luke – “I know.”
+
+Helen – “And Joan told me this summer.”
+
+Kevin – “I made Luke tell me, but she didn’t tell Lilly and me until
+just the other day.”
+
+Will – “ How come everyone knows except for me?”
+
+Helen – “Because, there are some things a girl just doesn’t want to
+tell her father.”
+
+Luke – “I still don’t get it. If Grace did something like that to me,
+I don’t know if I could ever talk to her again.”
+
+Helen – “And that is what Joan tried to do, but she couldn’t keep it
+up. Her heart was telling her to do the opposite. She couldn’t stop
+loving him.”
+
+Kevin – “That’s pretty much what she told me. It was driving her
+crazy.”
+
+Lilly – “I don’t know Joan as well as you, but when she came back
+this afternoon, you could see it in her eyes. I’ve never seen her
+happier. I hope it works out for her.”
+
+Helen – “Well, like she said, it’s up to Adam. We’ll all have to wait
+to see what happens.”
+
+Will – “Okay, so no one is going to tell me the whole story, but
+everything is good now, right?”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, I believe it’s going to be.”
+
+At the Unurban
+
+Joan and Adam find a table and Joan begins to talk, “I don’t know
+why, but I really like this place.”
+
+Adam – “It does have a really relaxed atmosphere. It’s comfortable.”
+
+Maliyacomes over to take their order, “Hey Snow White, whatcha want
+today?”
+
+Joan – “Oh gosh, how have you been?”
+
+Maliya– “Pretty good, just going to school and still jumpin’. Who’s
+your friend?”
+
+Joan – “This is my boyfriend, Adam.” Joan and Adam both smile,
+pleased that she can say that again, “Have you heard from Casper?”
+
+Maliya– No, not a word. Nikki hasn’t heard from her either.”
+
+Joan – “I sure hope she’s all right.”
+
+Maliya– “I’m sure she is. Hey, my shift’s about over, and I have a
+date tonight. What would you two like?”
+
+Joan – “I know what I want, a hamburger, fries, and a chocolate
+shake.”
+
+Adam – “I’ll have the same, but make mine a cheeseburger.”
+
+Joan – “Maliya, it’s good to see you again.”
+
+Maliya– “Thanks, I’ll place the order and Sandy will bring it when
+it’s ready.”
+
+Joan and Adam talk for a while about her bittersweet memories of
+Casper. Sandy brings their order and they begin to enjoy their meal.
+Someone puts a coin in the jukebox and a song begins to play. Joan
+finds the lyrics and melody pleasing.
+
+*Love is but a song we sing
+*And* fear’s the way we die.
+You can make the mountains ring
+*Or* make the angels cry.
+Though the bird is on the wing
+*And* you may not know why.
+C’mon people now
+Smile on your brother
+*Ev’rybody* get together
+Try to love one another right now…*
+
+Adam has been quiet for some time, just listening to the song and
+watching Joan eat her sandwich, “I was wondering, can I call you Jane
+again?”
+
+Joan puts her sandwich down and puts her hand over his, “My name is
+Joan. Don’t you like my name?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, sure, but being able to call you Jane has always been
+special to me.”
+
+Joan – “I know, and it’s sweet, but I like my name and I want you to
+like it too.”
+
+Adam gets a dejected look on his face and pulls his hand away, “Okay,
+I’ll call you Joan.”
+
+Joan – “Adam, don’t be hurt.” She proposes a compromise, “How about
+if you call me Joan most of the time, but you can call me Jane on
+occasion. Would that be okay?”
+
+Adam perks up with a smile, “Yeah, I can do that.”
+
+Grace and Luke arrive and sit with them. Joan asks, “Where’s
+Friedman?”
+
+Luke – “We saw Glynis and Alice unloading their equipment. Friedman
+went to help them. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”
+
+Within a few minutes, Kevin and Lilly also come in. Kevin rolls up to
+Joan, “I have a surprise for you.” He pauses, watching the puzzled
+look develop on her face, “Doctor Dan is parking the car. He’ll be
+here in a few minutes.” Kevin relishes the horrified look that paints
+across Joan’s face. Then it changes to half a smile, “Which Doctor
+Dan?” Kevin gives her the gotcha point and says, “It’s the good one.”
+
+Joan – “What are you doing here?”
+
+Kevin – “We really hadn’t decided where we were going to have dinner
+yet, so when Luke told us about your plans to be here, we decided to
+come check it out.” Dan and Rebecca come in, and Kevin introduces
+everyone, ending with “and of course, you know Joan.”
+
+Dan – “I’m glad to see you are looking so well. How are you doing?”
+
+Joan – “My knee gave me trouble for a long time, but now I’m doing
+yoga and dancing. Thank you for taking care of me.”
+
+Dan – “It was my pleasure.”
+
+Joan – “Would you guys like to join us?”
+
+Kevin interrupts, “No, we’ll get our own table. We just wanted to say
+hi before we settle in.” Kevin and the others find a table a little
+ways away and begin to enjoy their evening separately.
+
+A woman walks on stage and turns on the microphone, “Hi, my name
+is\ `Tara Stewart <http://www.pocketsofpeace.com/tara>`__\ . I would
+like to recite a poem I wrote while the band sets up. It’s called,
+“Night of the Hunter’s Moon.”
+
+*Hunter’s moon
+*Sends* silver crystals
+Through the frosted pane
+Onto my face
+As I wait in the shadows
+For White Wolf to carry me
+To dreams of love and freedom.*
+
+*My nightscape is perfect
+As I expand beyond
+The body of pain,
+Dreaming of death as an exquisite friend
+Never to be feared.*
+
+*Hunter’s moon
+Across a hill of grass painted silver.
+The angel lands gently, pauses,
+Frees the bird to circle silently above,
+Then tips her wing
+To say goodbye*
+
+The audience gives her a round of applause, and she leaves the stage
+for the band.
+
+It’s an all girl band, which is fine, but it is not what they had
+expected. Each of them is wearing a nice dress, certainly out of
+character for most of today’s bands. And to Joan’s delight, Alice is
+wearing her hat. You know, the Dr. Seuss hat with super powers. The
+others are wearing hats too, but each one is different. Glynis is
+wearing a bonnet that looks very much like Sarah’s.
+
+Joan – “Grace, is that your mother’s hat?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, she let Glynis borrow it. Glynis just found out this
+morning that she needed a hat to blend in, so I persuaded my mother
+into letting her borrow hers.”
+
+Joan smiles, puts her hand on Adam’s, and returns to watching the
+band. Luke told Grace what happened this morning, but she is still
+thrilled to see her two best friends back together again.
+
+Alicesteps up to the microphone, “Hi, I’m Alice.” She introduces the
+rest of the band while pointing each one out, “We call ourselves ‘The
+Quaker Sisterhood’. You will find flyers on the counter. If you like
+our music and have an occasion, please give us a call. The lyrics for
+our first number are from an old Beatle song entitled, ‘I’ve Got a
+Feeling’. However, the music is our own.”
+
+They begin to play and the music is unique, nothing like they have
+heard before. It’s reminiscent of some Australian bands they have
+heard, but blended with jazz, and some other flavors they can’t name.
+Alice begins to sing.
+
+*I’ve got a feeling, a feeling deep inside, oh yeah.
+Oh, yeah, that’s right
+I’ve got a feeling, a feeling I can’t hide, oh no no.
+Oh no, oh no.
+Yeah, yeah, I’ve got a feeling, yeah.*
+
+*Oh please believe me, I’d hate to miss the train.
+Oh yeah yeah, oh yeah.
+And if you leave me, I won’t be late again, oh no.
+Oh no, oh no.
+Yeah, yeah, I’ve got a feeling, yeah.
+I’ve got a feeling…*
+
+Grace – “I have no idea what to call this music, but it is so
+twisted!”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I’m really glad I came.” Adam doesn’t speak, but thinks
+to himself, ‘I’m glad you came, too.’
+
+*…I’ve got a feeling that keeps me on my toes
+Oh yeah, oh yeah
+I’ve got a feeling that everybody knows
+Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
+Yeah, yeah
+I’ve got a feeling, yeah
+Yeah…*
+
+Friedman – “Glynis says they call it alternative something. They
+don’t have a name for it either.”
+
+The band finishes the song and the audience gives a long round of
+applause. Alice again speaks, “Our next song is our instrumental
+version of We’ve Only Just Begun, by the Carpenters.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I know this song! Dad has it on a record.” As the band
+begins to play, Joan sings the words.
+
+*We’ve only just begun to live,
+White lace and promises
+A kiss for luck and we’re on our way…*
+
+Adam - “Maybe this should be our song, Jane?”
+
+Joan leans toward him and gives Adam a quick kiss, “I would like
+that.”
+
+Kevin is doing a masterful job of engaging in conversation while
+keeping one eye on Joan. He smiles after seeing her kiss Adam,
+knowing that this is a special night for her, and he is thrilled to
+see that she is enjoying herself.
+
+The band performs several more numbers, and before they know it, it’s
+eight o’clock. They all go up and congratulate the band for a job
+well done. Before they leave, they say goodbye to Kevin and his
+group. Friedman decides to catch a ride with the band, and the four
+of them walk home together. At the door, Joan gives Adam a nice, but
+short, kiss, “Thank you for a wonderful day.”
+
+Adam – “Can I see you tomorrow?”
+
+Joan – “No, tomorrow is a ‘Grace day.’ We need it. I’ll see you at
+school.”
+
+Adam and Grace leave and talk on the way home. Grace comments, “So, I
+guess you had a good time at Mercer Creek today.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I’ve dreamed and prayed this would happen, but I never
+expected it would.”
+
+Grace – “Most people would not have given you a second chance, not
+after the stunt you pulled.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, and I’m so afraid I’m going to do something wrong. I
+feel like I’m walking on thin ice.”
+
+Grace – “You are, and you will be for quite some time. But if she
+didn’t love you, you wouldn’t have this much. Just don’t blow it this
+time.”
+
+Adam drops Grace off at her door and goes home.
+
+At Home
+
+It is an early start for the Girardi’s. Will and Helen leave to
+participate in the funerals for Officers Garcia and Turner. Luke goes
+over to Friedman’s, and Grace arrives at eight. Kevin goes to church
+with Lilly, and they go to a movie afterward.
+
+Joan and Grace have a good day. They mostly talk, but they do other
+things, too. Joan finally gets Grace to join her while she does her
+yoga exercises, and Grace brings over a wonderful movie called The
+Notebook. Although Grace is reluctant to admit it, she loves a good
+tearjerker just as much as Joan does. Joan’s hours at the bookstore
+are quiet, which gives her time to finish her essay. After work, Joan
+plays another game of chess with her father. Joan loses this game in
+fifteen moves. This time, Will kisses her on the cheek and thanks her
+for the game.
+
+At School
+
+Joan makes copies of everyone’s essays before they are handed in. She
+then makes even more copies, and they all begin passing out the
+flyers in between classes to whomever would take them. Adam made some
+new posters for Brian, and he puts them up in several places around
+the school. Sally Thornton has a contingent of supporters, but not
+nearly as many as they have. Jim Barlow has the support of the
+cheerleaders. Joan laughs after purposely putting her finger in her
+mouth and pretending to puke as the cheerleaders prance by.
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Carlisle– “Will, I really think you should let me do this. It’s my
+case now.”
+
+Will – “I know, but it was my case. I just need to finish it. It’s
+personal.”
+
+Carlisleagrees, and Will enters the conference room where Ryan Peters
+and his lawyer are already seated, “Good morning. I have a few more
+questions about the night Judith Montgomery was murdered. Who invited
+Judith to come along with you that night?”
+
+Lawyer – “You don’t have to answer that.”
+
+Will – “Come on, it’s a simple question. Someone had to have called
+her. She no longer went to your school. Who was it?”
+
+Lawyer – “My client refuses to answer on the grounds it might
+incriminate him.”
+
+Will – “That’s okay, we already know it was you. The question is why?
+Why did you call Judith? Why not call one of your other friends,
+those you still had regular contact with?
+
+Lawyer – “Chief Girardi, my client isn’t going to answer any
+questions. You are wasting our time.”
+
+Will – “Was it Teddy Marks or Joey Edwards who offered you free drugs
+to lure Judith there that night?”
+
+Lawyer – “Don’t say anything.”
+
+Will – “Did you know he was going to kill her?”
+
+Ryan – “No, he wasn’t sup…”
+
+The lawyer places her hand over his mouth, “This interview is over.”
+
+Will – “I’ve learned what I wanted to know. Thank you for your time.”
+
+At School
+
+After last period, Joan, Grace, Luke, Glynis, and Friedman meet up
+and find Adam at his locker. He is listening to Elizabeth, “I’m
+actually glad that I didn’t run for Student Council President again
+this year. I have so many other things going on. Adam just agreed to
+be on the semi-formal dance planning committee. Would any of you like
+to join?”
+
+Glynisvolunteers, “Yeah, I think it would be fun.” Then Friedman
+offers, “Sure, I’ll help, too. The others shake their heads ‘no’ in
+unison.”
+
+Elizabeth– “Great!” She hands them a flyer. “The first meeting is
+tomorrow after school.” She turns to Joan, “Hey, I have some new CD’s
+I can bring over on Saturday. Well, they’re not that new, but I think
+you’ll like them. And we can dance again. That was fun last time.”
+
+Joan – “That sounds great.”
+
+Elizabeth– “Well, I have to go. I’ll see you all later.”
+
+Adam asks Joan, “So, do you have dance tonight?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I have to catch the bus in a little while.”
+
+Adam – “I have a project I’ve been working on, too.” He gives her a
+quick kiss, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
+
+Grace – “Would you like us to hang around until the bus comes?”
+
+Joan – “No, I’m just going to sit at the bus stop and work on my
+calculus. You go ahead.” The rest of them depart.
+
+When Joan transfers to the
+
+7th Street
+bus, she once again sees Roger, and sits beside him, “Hi.” Joan
+notices the notebook on Roger’s lap, “Whatcha working on?”
+Roger – “Oh, I have an assignment to bring in several examples of
+poetry in music from the last 20 years. Here’s one I found.
+
+*My love is the evenin’ breeze touchin’ your skin
+*The* gentle, sweet singin’ of leaves in the wind
+The whisper that calls after you in the night
+And kisses your ear in the early moonlight*
+
+What do you think?”
+
+Joan – “It’s beautiful, what’s it from?”
+
+Roger – “It’s from a song called Crazy on You, by Heart. But enough
+about this, how has your life been?”
+
+Joan – “Well, Adam is my boyfriend again. It’s a long story, but we
+worked things out, and I think it’s going to be okay.”
+
+Roger – “Great! I only met him that one time, but I don’t think he
+liked me much.”
+
+Joan – “He was jealous. He’s really a nice guy. How have you been?”
+
+Roger – “Pretty good, but it’s been really busy. There’s a lot
+homework in college. Cee-Cee and I spent the weekend together, but it
+was all at the library working. Be forewarned!”
+
+Joan – “I’ve decided that I want to go to college, but I don’t know
+what I want to take. How do you figure out what you want to be?”
+
+Roger – “That’s a tough one, but you might start by asking yourself,
+‘How can you do the most good?’ That should provide you with some
+ideas.”
+
+When the bus arrives, they go inside and get their name tags. The
+first part of the class is spent practicing the waltzes and jitterbug
+dances that they learned last time. Joan once again makes a bee-line
+to the water cooler during the short break. Afterward, Sister Sarah
+teaches them the tango. Joan enjoys learning the dance, but she can’t
+keep from laughing periodically. It’s just too much like the Addams
+family moment her parents had not long ago. However, her perfect
+evening is shattered when she turns around to see Ryan Hunter
+standing there, “What are you doing here?”
+
+Ryan – “It’s nice to see you, too.” Roger is standing next to Joan,
+so Ryan asks, “Who’s your friend?”
+
+Roger begins to answer, but Joan interrupts him, “His name is Allez à
+l’enfer.”
+
+Ryan – “Joan! Such language, but your French is excellent.Aucun amour
+toujours pour l’ennemi, je vois.”
+
+Joan gives him a look that could kill and grabs Roger’s arm, “Come
+on, we’re leaving.”
+
+Joan and Roger go out and sit on the bus. Roger sits quietly while
+Joan mutters expletives to herself.
+
+Roger – “You obviously don’t like this guy. Who is he?”
+
+Joan – “His name is Ryan Hunter, evil incarnate. Stay away from him,
+he’s bad news.”
+
+Roger – “What did he mean by, ‘No love for the enemy’?”
+
+Joan gives him a surprised look, “So, you speak French, too?”
+
+Roger – “It comes in handy.”
+
+Joan – “It’s hard to explain and you probably wouldn’t believe me
+anyway. He is not what he appears. Just stay away from him.”
+
+Joan decides to look out of the window and watch the others as they
+get on the bus. Just as the driver is about to leave, she sees Ryan
+come out of the building. He is walking with Sister Sarah, but she is
+now in civilian clothes. Joan is stunned to realize that the same
+cute blonde-haired woman that she saw Ryan with in Millersville this
+summer was Sister Sarah! The driver pulls away and Joan watches until
+they are out of sight.
+
+At Home
+
+It’searly Wednesday morning when the phone rings. Will looks at the
+clock as he picks up the receiver. It’s four a.m. “Girardi residence,
+this better be good.”
+
+There is a momentary silence, “Mr. Girardi, this is Friedman.”
+
+Will – “Why are you calling at four o’clock in the morning?”
+
+Friedman – “I’m sorry, but this is important. I hacked into Hunter’s
+computer last night and I found some things that really scare me.
+I’ve e-mailed everything to Luke. You need to get him up and take a
+look.”
+
+Will – “What’s it about?”
+
+Friedman – “It’s about Joan.”
+
+Will goes upstairs and gets Luke out of bed. Luke checks his e-mail
+and proceeds to print out everything Friedman had sent. They spread
+everything out over the bed and on the floor, and become more stunned
+as they view each document: Joan’s school schedule, work schedule,
+dance schedule, the buses she takes, addresses and phone numbers of
+everywhere she goes, names and address of all of her friends, and on
+and on and on.
+
+Luke – “Dad, he’s watching her or having her watched.”
+
+Will – “I see that.” Will thinks for a few minutes, “We could keep
+her at home.”
+
+Luke – “There’s no way she’s going to agree to that.”
+
+Will – “I’m her father. I can make her.”
+
+Luke – “If you do that, she’ll probably just sneak off, and then we
+won’t know where she is.” Will is still mulling it over when Luke
+continues, “Can we make sure that she’s never alone?”
+
+Will – “I can get some volunteers, but I wouldn’t be able to cover
+every minute.”
+
+Luke – “Why don’t you call Rabbi Polonsky? He helped us hack into
+Ryan’s computer. Maybe he can help us with this.”
+
+Will ponders Luke’s idea for a few moments, “Yeah, that appears to be
+our best option. Actually, I’ll do both.”
+
+Luke – “Are you going to tell Joan?”
+
+Will – “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about that.”
+
+They go downstairs and Luke finds Joan has beaten him into the
+bathroom. He continues down to the kitchen to have breakfast.
+
+When Joan comes down, she whispers into Helen’s ear, “Bathroom’s
+empty.”
+
+Helen gets up and hurriedly goes upstairs. With just Luke and her
+father left in the kitchen, Joan says, “I’m not crawling under a rock
+for Ryan Hunter.”
+
+Will looks at her, “You heard?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, part of it, but I already knew Ryan was up to
+something.”
+
+Luke – “How?”
+
+Joan – “I have dreams, remember?”
+
+Will – “Joan, you need to start telling me about your dreams. Now,
+there are a lot of names listed in the printouts from Ryan’s
+computer. Fix yourself some breakfast, and then you are going to tell
+me who they are and how they connect to you.”
+
+Joan – “Dad, I deserve some privacy. You’re beginning to sound like
+big brother!”
+
+Will – “Hunter already knows everything you are doing. He is big
+brother. I’m your father. I need to know so I can help you.”
+
+At School
+
+The special edition of The Eagle is handed out in homeroom. By
+lunchtime, there’s a lot of buzz about Brian’s ideas. Joan takes her
+campaign to phase two. She and the others pass out copies of Brian’s
+mission statement. “Get the whole story here.” Towards the end of the
+day, they run out of copies. They continue the campaign by handing
+out flyers and telling everyone, “Get all the details. Check with Ms.
+Schmidt in the library.”
+
+At the Synagogue
+
+Will walks in to see Rabbi Polonsky, “Rabbi Polonsky, I’m glad you
+could meet with me on such short notice. You have done a wonderful
+job restoring the Synagogue. It’s really beautiful.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “Thank you. You can call me Jakob. What can I help
+you with?”
+
+Will – “We’ve learned that Ryan Hunter has been following Joan or
+having her followed. We don’t yet know what he plans to do, but we
+want to make sure that she is never alone. I need help finding people
+to watch her. Is this something you can help us with?”
+
+Jakob– “Sure, I could probably find some volunteers. How many do you
+need?”
+
+Will gets out copies of Joan’s schedule, “The bus from home to work
+is a straight shot, but she has to walk two blocks to the bookstore.
+I would like to have someone there on Sunday and Tuesday afternoons.
+The bus arrives at…”
+
+At School
+
+After school, Joan and Brian check with Ms. Schmidt, “They’re all
+checked out. Take a look around.” Joan looks around and is pleased to
+see students gathered around several tables talking about Brian’s
+ideas. Joan and Brian roam around, asking if anyone has questions.
+Brian does a good job of answering everyone’s questions.
+
+By the time she leaves the library, she has missed her friends. She
+goes out to the school steps to wait for the bus. As she sits down,
+she notices Adam and Elizabeth walking away from school – together!
+She begins to cry, “Yeah, I see your project.” After the bus comes
+and goes, she walks home.
+
+At Home
+
+Helen is reading on the love seat when Joan walks in the door and
+plops herself down beside her. “Joan, what are you doing here? I
+thought you had dance tonight?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t feel like dancing.” She begins to cry again, “Adam is
+such a lying bastard! It hasn’t even been a week and already he’s
+cheating on me. I hate him!”
+
+Helen – “Tell me what happened.”
+
+Joan explains that she has caught Adam and Elizabeth together several
+times, but thought it was just a coincidence. However today, she saw
+them walking home together. “There’s no reason for them to walk home
+together. Adam’s house is in the other direction.”
+
+Helen smiles and makes Joan look at her, “Adam isn’t cheating on
+you.”
+
+Joan – “I saw them together.”
+
+Helen – “When June and I paint, we talk. She has told me about all
+the time Adam and Elizabeth have been spending together. It’s not
+what you think.”
+
+Joan – “Then what are they doing?”
+
+Helen – “Dancing.Adam is learning how to dance. He joined Elizabeth’s
+dance class, because he wants to dance with you.”
+
+Joan – “Really?”
+
+Helen – “Really.He wants it to be a surprise. He plans to ask you to
+the semi-formal dance.” After they hug, Helen continues, “Now, dry
+your eyes and get ready to dance. I’ll drop you off.”
+
+At Saint Mary’s Convent
+
+Joan arrives just as they are beginning. She quickly signs in and
+leaves her donation. Sister Sarah again assigns her to Jamie. They
+practice the tango. Joan isn’t as giddy about it today as last time.
+The tango is followed with more practice of the jitterbug and
+waltzes. After class, Joan approaches Sister Sarah, “Hi, I’m sorry I
+was late. I missed the bus.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “That’s okay, I’m just glad you made it.”
+
+Joan – “Can I ask you a personal question?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “I suppose, what is it?”
+
+Joan – “I was wondering how you know Ryan Hunter?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Oh, Ryan and I have known each other since high
+school. How do you know him?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I initially met him through a friend, but Ryan and I
+pretty much disagree on everything. We don’t get along.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “I’m sorry to hear that, he’s a good man. I almost…”
+She stops herself and then continues, “Never mind, you don’t want to
+hear about me.”
+
+Joan – “Actually I would, but I don’t want to be nosey. I have to
+catch the bus now. Maybe we can talk some more next week?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Yes, that would be nice.”
+
+Joan – “Bye.”
+
+When Joan gets on the bus, Roger begins the conversation, “I’m glad
+you finally showed up tonight. I have something to ask you.”
+
+Joan gives him a smirk, “I have plenty of questions, but few
+answers.”
+
+Roger – “Have you told Adam that we are in dance class together?”
+
+Joan – “No, that’s a bridge I haven’t crossed yet. I’m afraid he will
+make more of it than what it is.”
+
+Roger – “Well, I told Cee-Cee, but now there is this thing hanging
+out there. I believe she is wondering the same thing Adam would. I
+would like for us to get together some time. Maybe the four of us
+could have lunch or dinner together. What do you think?”
+
+Joan – “I should probably tell Adam about us anyway before he finds
+out, but here’s the problem. My dad has me on a short leash. I’ve
+gotten myself into a bit of trouble, and he won’t let me go anywhere
+unless he knows exactly where I’m going in advance. I’ll have to tell
+him our plans. Also, he will insist upon meeting you and Cee-Cee, and
+I’m sure he will put you through the third degree. Do you and Cee-Cee
+really want to go through that?”
+
+Roger – “No, not really, but I think it’s important that you and
+Cee-Cee meet, and it might help you if Adam and I have a talk. Why
+don’t you talk to Adam and then call me? Maybe we can do it this
+weekend.”
+
+Joan – “I’ll talk to him and let you know.”
+
+Joan gets off the bus and transfers to the bus for home. She sees
+Rahav and sits beside her, “Thanks for the tip about Pax. I would
+hate for anything to happen to her.”
+
+God – “You’re welcome. Do you remember when you thought Adam was
+cheating on you with Judith?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, but I was wrong.”
+
+God – “And how about this morning with Elizabeth?”
+
+Joan - “Okay, I was wrong again, but it sure seemed like they were
+together.”
+
+God – “In many ways you are very perceptive, but in others, you are
+nearly blind. We need to work on that.”
+
+Joan – “An assignment?I thought we were past that, you know, the
+‘like minded’ thing?”
+
+God – “It’s a process, Joan, something you will have to work on for
+the rest of your life. You will continue to make both right and wrong
+choices. I can only help you along the way.” God pauses for a moment
+to let it sink in, “But back to your perceptions, what about how you
+see Ryan Hunter?”
+
+Joan – “He’s evil! That’s all I need to know.”
+
+God – “But Sister Sarah sees him as a good man. How can that be?”
+
+Joan – “She’s blinded by his charm. He has a lot of people fooled.”
+
+God – “Is it she who is blinded or is it you?”
+
+Joan – “Are you saying that he’s not evil?”
+
+God – “Like most people, Ryan is a mixture of both good and evil. You
+need to be able to see both sides.”
+
+Joan – “You actually want me to get to know him better? It makes me
+sick just to be in the same room with him. And what about the dream?
+He’s planning to hurt me in some way, I can feel it.”
+
+God – “I already told you, it’s only a possibility. It still depends
+upon choices yet to be made. You have an opportunity to affect those
+choices. Talk to Ryan.”
+
+Joan – “What happened to ‘trusting my instincts’? Every bone in my
+body tells me to stay away from him.”
+
+God – “That’s where the ‘have faith in yourself’ part comes in. There
+is still light there. Help him find it.”
+
+Joan sits stunned, not able to believe what God is asking her to do.
+She wonders if this is the test that Judith had talked about or the
+one God had mentioned before. When the bus arrives at home, she gets
+up to leave, “I’ll try, but what if I fail?”
+
+God – “I’ll always be here for you, Joan.”
+
+At School
+
+In the morning, Joan and friends again hand out flyers for Brian.
+Fewer kids are taking them, but many are saying, “I already read it,
+I plan to vote for Brian.”
+
+At lunch, Joan and Adam sit off by themselves. Joan begins by asking,
+“Do you remember Roger, my tutor?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, but I thought you got rid of him.”
+
+Joan – “I did, but he attends my dance class now. I want you to know,
+so you don’t worry.”
+
+Adam – “But you kissed him! How am I not supposed to worry?”
+
+Joan – “I already told you, it was a mistake. And besides, he kissed
+me. He has a fiancee now and would like us all to get together this
+weekend. Roger is a really nice guy and I think you’d like him, if
+you gave him a chance. I was thinking maybe lunch on Sunday. Will you
+come?”
+
+Adam would rather not, but he finally agrees, “Yeah, sure.” He begins
+to feel guilty, so he continues, “I have something to tell you, too.
+I have been dancing with Elizabeth.”
+
+Joan smiles, “I know, but it’s because you love me, right?”
+
+Adam is caught off guard, surprised that she knew, “Yeah, I’m only
+doing it for you.”
+
+Joan – “That’s why it’s okay.”
+
+Adam moves in to give Joan a kiss, but she stops him, “There’s
+something else we need to talk about. I was going to mention it at
+Mercer Creek, but we had to leave.” She is obviously uncomfortable
+saying this, but continues, “I need to know why you had sex with
+Bonnie.”
+
+Adam – “I told you, it was just a stupid mistake.”
+
+Joan – “And how many times did you make that same mistake?” Adam
+doesn’t know what to say, because with any answer, he loses. Joan
+continues, “I don’t want an answer now, but I want an honest and
+complete answer. You owe me that.”
+
+Adam – “Okay, you’re right. When DO you want to talk about it?”
+
+Joan – “How about Saturday, in the morning?”
+
+Adam – “Okay, I’ll come over and be ready to talk.”
+
+Joan – “All right.Let’s go sit with the others and finish lunch.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Brother Jimi arrives to meet with Will again. After they have a seat
+in his office, Will begins speaking, “I’ve gone through your list of
+members, and there is only one that I have concerns about. His name
+is Melvin Thompson. He’s an ex-con, and I was wondering why you chose
+him.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Melvin has paid his debt to society. He’s a good man
+and is very much interested in improving the community.”
+
+Will – “Okay, his parole officer gave him a good report, so I’ll take
+your word for it. I do have another concern. All of your members live
+in the west or west central part of town. That’s a pretty narrow
+representation of the city.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “I had to choose people that I knew. That’s where I
+live.”
+
+Will – “I understand, but I would prefer for there to be members from
+all parts of the city. Would you consider adding or replacing some of
+them?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “I feel the size of our committee is about right. Tell
+me who you have in mind, and I’ll consider your proposals.”
+
+Will – “I’ve contacted Rabbi Jakob Polonsky, Father Ken Mallory, and
+Reverend Anthony Sharpton. Each has expressed an interest in either
+becoming a member or sending a representative. Would you consider
+including them?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “I’ve met Rabbi Polonsky and Father Mallory. Both are
+fine men. I’ll gladly talk to them and Reverend Sharpton, and
+consider including them as part of the committee.”
+
+Will – “Great, thanks for your willingness to compromise.” Will
+provides their phone numbers before Brother Jimi leaves.
+
+At the Newspaper
+
+Rebecca – “Hey, I need to ask you something.”
+
+Kevin – “Just a sec.”He finishes typing on the computer, then he
+continues, “Shoot.”
+
+Rebecca – “I’ve invited Lilly to my church’s rummage sale on Saturday
+morning. Is that all right with you?”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, but you don’t need my permission. If you haven’t
+noticed, Lilly pretty much says and does what she pleases. That’s one
+of the things I love about her.”
+
+Rebecca – “Good, I just wasn’t sure about your relationship, and I
+didn’t want to interfere.”
+
+Kevin – “I kind of like the idea that you and Lilly have hit it off.
+Have fun.”
+
+Rebecca – “Oh, it’s not going to be too exciting. I enjoy picking
+through the rummage, but being able to chat with Lilly will be the
+best part. We have a lot of common interests. I just wanted to make
+sure it was okay with you.”
+
+Kevin – “Like I said, go for it.It’s fine.”
+
+At School
+
+After the last class, Joan and Grace walk back to their lockers. Joan
+reads a flyer Grace gave her after lunch.
+
+Grace – “So, what do you think? Luke wants me to go, and I thought
+you and Adam could come, too.”
+
+Joan – “Haunted Hayride, sounds like fun. Orban Farm, I wonder if
+it’s Alice’s?”
+
+Grace – “It’s her uncle’s farm. She says the ride lasts about 45
+minutes, and ghosts and goblins sneak out at you on the way.”
+
+Joan – “Do you think Alice wants to come?”
+
+Grace – “She’ll already be there, but she won’t tell me as what. What
+do think, an Alice ghost or goblin?”
+
+Joan – “She’d make a good zombie.”
+
+Grace – “So, what do you want to be?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t have a clue. Let’s go to the thrift shop. It’s half
+price today. Maybe I can find something there.”
+
+They meet up with the others and they all decide to go to the thrift
+store.
+
+Glynis– “I already have my costume. I’m going to be Kimberly the Pink
+Power Ranger. She’s so cool!”
+
+Friedman – “Wait until you see it. She even has the phaser thing.”
+
+Glynis– “It’s called a Blade Blaster, silly.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I have to make a few calls. I’ll catch up with you in a
+minute.”
+
+The others go ahead and Joan makes the call. The operator answers,
+“Arcadia Herald. How may I direct your call?”
+
+Joan – “May I speak to Ryan Hunter.”
+
+Operator – “Who may I say is calling?”
+
+Joan – “Joan Girardi.”
+
+After a few minutes, the phone transfers her and Ryan picks up,
+“Joan, this is a surprise. What’s the occasion?”
+
+Joan – “We need to talk. Will you be there tomorrow at about 4
+o’clock?”
+
+Ryan – “Let me check.” He pauses for a moment, “Yeah, I can be here.
+You still haven’t told me why.”
+
+Joan – “I’ll tell you tomorrow. Bye.” She hangs up and calls Roger.
+She gets his voice mail, so she leaves a message about lunch on
+Sunday. “Call me back and let me know if that’s okay.”
+
+At the Thrift Shop
+
+Joan – “I love this place. There’s a lot of junk, but you can also
+find some really neat stuff.”
+
+Grace – “Hey, Luke, I just figured out what I’ll be. Remember that
+awful green outfit I wore to your house that one time.”
+
+Luke – “The valley girl preppy thing?”
+
+Grace – “That’s it. I still have it. I’ll be a valley girl. That was
+good, wasn’t it?”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, as long as you only wear it on Halloween.”
+
+Friedman rushes over, “Hey Luke, come see what I’ve found.”
+
+They go over to a rack of suits and Friedman pulls one off down. He
+holds it in front of him, “What do you think?”
+
+Luke – “Okay, I give up, what are you?”
+
+Friedman – “A gangster.”
+
+Luke – “You mean gangsta?”
+
+Friedman – “No, gangsta’s only think they look cool, but they dress
+like crap. At least the old gangsters knew how to do it with style.
+They also have those old style hats over there and some machine guns
+in the toy section. We could be the Gambino brothers.”
+
+Luke pulls out another suit and looks at himself in the mirror,
+“Pinstripe, not bad. We look like roaring 20’s something.”
+
+Friedman changes his voice to sound like a gangster, “That’s the
+ticket. Come on, let try on these new threads.”
+
+Adam hasn’t found anything and joins Joan in the women’s section, who
+hasn’t found anything either. They are about to meet up with the
+others when Adam spots a cape, “Ooh, look at this. It’s great!”
+
+Joan – “So, what are you gonna be, Harry Potter?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, exactly.This is just like what he wore in the movie,
+and it even has a hood. I can make an emblem thing and a wand, and
+I’ll be set.”
+
+Joan – “Once again, everyone finds what they want except for me.
+Let’s go over to Luke and Friedman and see what they’ve found.”
+
+They walk over to the men’s department and Joan sees a suit. It’s a
+god-awful looking reddish-orange suit. She takes it off the rack and
+checks the size, “This might fit.” She holds it up to herself and
+asks Adam, “What do you think?”
+
+Adam – “It’s definitely ugly. Who will you be?”
+
+Joan – “Napoleon Dynamite, didn’t you see that movie?” She makes a
+stupid expression and imitates his voice, “Yeah, hold on… I forgot to
+put in the crystals.” Then she shakes as if she’s being electrocuted,
+“It was so funny!”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I saw it, but I didn’t think you did. You were in crazy
+camp.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, Kevin brought it home for movie night when I was grounded
+last summer. Anyway, what do you think? Isn’t this just like his? It
+has the vest, too.”
+
+Adam – “But you’re a girl. How are you going to pull that off?”
+
+Joan – “I’ll be Napoleonette. I can pull my hair to the side like his
+girlfriend, Deb.”
+
+They all gather and show each other what they have found.
+
+Glynis– “I’ve been wandering around just looking at stuff. You are
+all going to need ties, and Joan and Adam, I saw some glasses that
+would be perfect for you.”
+
+They are all able to find most of the accessories that they need.
+They leave the store happy with what they have found and even happier
+that everything was half price.
+
+At Home
+
+After dinner, Joan sits down to talk to her father, “Dad, I have a
+couple of appointments to tell you about. The first one is with Ryan
+Hunter.”
+
+Will – “Are you insane? I’m trying my best to keep him away from
+you.”
+
+Joan – “I know, but I have to talk to him, and no, I can’t tell you
+why. We will be meeting tomorrow after school at the Herald. The
+appointment is at four o’clock. There will be plenty of people
+around.”
+
+Will – “Have you told Kevin about this?”
+
+Joan – “I will be meeting Kevin before I talk to Ryan, and he will be
+giving me a ride home. Adam will be with me too, at least for
+everything but the meeting. I’ll be fine.”
+
+Will – “I really don’t like these short notice changes of plans.”
+
+Joan – “I know, but I’m telling you now. Isn’t that what we agreed
+upon?”
+
+Will – “Yeah, okay, I’ll take care of my part. What’s the other
+appointment?”
+
+Joan – “Adam and I are having lunch on Sunday with a friend. His name
+is Roger Worthington. He was my tutor last year for a while. He’s
+bringing his fiancee. Her name is Cee-Cee Lin. Both Roger and Cee-Cee
+attend Dawson State. They will be coming by about 10:30 and you and
+Mom can talk to them before we leave.”
+
+Will – “Where do you plan to have lunch?”
+
+Joan – “Cee-Cee’s family owns Lin’s Family Restaurant. We’ll have
+lunch there.”
+
+Will – “Okay, I’ll check them out. Would you like to play a game of
+chess?”
+
+Joan – “Not tonight, I have homework. We can play tomorrow after
+dinner.”
+
+At School
+
+It’s election day and all are involved with heavy campaigning near
+the poll, “Vote for Brian Beaumont, he has the ideas!” “Vote for
+Sally Thornton, she’ll listen.” “Vote for Jim Barlow, he’ll… ask
+questions, rah rah.” Scott Brooks’ poll showed Jim Barlow in the
+lead, but that was taken before all the essays were published. No one
+really knows how the election will turn out.
+
+At lunch, everyone is eagerly waiting for the results to be
+announced. Brian has joined his group of campaigners, “I want to
+thank all of you for your help, especially Joan. You all did a great
+job and I really appreciate your support.” As Brian is finishing, the
+announcement comes over the PA, “We have the totals for the election.
+Brian Beaumont is the winner for Student Council President with 517
+votes. The treasurer is Jackie…” Everyone at their table cheers,
+along with quite a few others in the cafeteria.
+
+Joan – “Congratulations Brian, I hope you can make all of your ideas
+come true.”
+
+Brian – “I couldn’t have done it without you; those essays are what
+made the difference.”
+
+Joan – “Well, you deserve the job.”
+
+At the Herald
+
+Joan and Adam arrive at the Herald and meet with Kevin.
+
+Joan – “Kevin, did you find out anything?”
+
+Kevin – “Just that you were right. How did you figure it out?”
+
+Joan – “I’ll explain later. Adam, will you show me the way to Ryan’s
+office?”
+
+Adam takes Joan to Ryan’s office and Joan goes inside alone.
+
+Ryan – “So Joan, what brings you here?”
+
+Joan – “God. He wants me to talk to you. Why else would I be here?”
+
+Ryan – “Okay, then what does his almightiness want us to talk about?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, how about for starters, why do you do the evil things
+that you do?”
+
+Ryan – “What evil things? I’m a nice guy.”
+
+Joan – “Cut the crap, Ryan. We both know what you have been up to.
+Why did you reject God? I mean, in the beginning, didn’t you listen
+to what he asked you to do?”
+
+Ryan – “Yeah, I did the little missions like you, but there was never
+anything in it for me. And while I was doing his work, he was busy
+stealing… well, never mind.”
+
+Joan – “Stealing Sarah McCauley?”She can see now that she has just
+struck a nerve with Ryan, “God didn’t steal her from you. She chose
+God.”
+
+Ryan begins to lose it, “Sarah and I were engaged, and then she
+decided to become a nun. What if Adam decided to become a priest?
+Wouldn’t you see it the same way?”
+
+Joan – “I would probably be hurt too, but I would also be happy for
+Adam. Becoming closer to God is a wonderful feeling.”
+
+Ryan – “You’re being brainwashed, Joan. God doesn’t care about anyone
+but himself. The sooner you learn that the better off you will be.
+And what about Kevin?”
+
+Joan – “What about Kevin?Are you saying that what happened to Kevin
+was an act of God? Kevin got hurt because he got in a car with a
+drunk. Choices, it’s all about choices, and God doesn’t make our
+choices for us. We need God, especially when things go wrong. I have
+seen how God has helped everyone in my family deal with the pain of
+Kevin’s accident. That’s what I call love, L-O-V-E.”
+
+Ryan – “I don’t need God’s love. I’m doing just fine on my own.”
+
+Joan – “No, I don’t think so, and if you ever decide to be honest
+with yourself, you’ll realize that too.”
+
+Ryan – “I don’t need to be psychoanalyzed by a seventeen year old.
+You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
+
+Joan – “I believe I just hit the nail on the head. Can we talk again
+next Friday?”
+
+Ryan – “No, you’re wasting my time.”
+
+Joan gets up to leave, “I’ll call you later. Bye, Ryan.”
+
+At Home
+
+After dinner, Joan and Will play another game of chess, “Dad, how are
+you doing now?”
+
+Will – “Oh, I’m okay. Things are pretty much the same, which is
+weird. That’s actually good, I suppose, because everyone needs to
+move on. Dwelling on the past and why things happen… well, it doesn’t
+change anything.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I’ve been thinking a lot about Judith lately. I still
+miss her.”
+
+Will – “She was a sweet kid and a good friend. Sometimes, we just
+have to accept that we’ll never understand why things happen.”
+
+Joan – “Checkmate. Yeah, I know what you mean.”
diff --git a/12-DevilsNightPart1.rst b/12-DevilsNightPart1.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c7129f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/12-DevilsNightPart1.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1130 @@
+Episode 3.12, Devil’s Night, Part 1
+-----------------------------------
+
+At the Lakeview Golf Course
+
+Will, Kevin, Wayne, and Don meet at the golf course. Tee time is 8:04
+a.m. They each introduce themselves, since this is the first time
+some of them have met. Wayne is surprised to see Kevin in a
+wheelchair, and is unable to prevent the shocked expression on his
+face. He wishes Will had warned him, “Kevin, it must be difficult to
+play golf from a wheelchair.”
+
+Kevin – “Oh, they have a single-rider golf cart that goes everywhere,
+including the greens. I’ve even taken it into the traps. They only
+have two, so as long as I reserve one ahead of time, I’m fine.”
+
+Wayne – “That’s great! What’s your handicap?” Wayne becomes
+uncomfortable with what he just asked and decides to clarify, “I mean
+in golf.”
+
+Kevin – “That’s okay, I knew what you meant. Mine is 18.”
+
+They each record their handicap and proceed to the first hole.
+
+At the Bethel AME Church
+
+The church is a beautiful wood frame structure, painted white with
+traditional stained glass windows. The cornerstone states 1891, but
+the building was rebuilt after a lightning strike in 1943 caused it
+to burn to the ground.
+
+The rummage sale is in a newer building, a nice activity center built
+on a lot behind the church. It is used for almost everything, except
+for Sunday services. The volunteers have done a good job of sorting
+everything, but it is still an adventure sifting through the piles of
+merchandise.
+
+Lilly arrives at 8 o’clock and meets Rebecca, who has been there
+since 6:30 a.m. Much of the merchandise has already been sold.
+
+Lilly – “This rummage sale is the largest I’ve seen in a long time.
+We could spend hours here and not see it all.”
+
+Rebecca – “That’s why it’s fun. I always end up leaving with a few
+things. What are you interested in?”
+
+Lilly – “You can’t come to one of these looking for something
+specific, but I always peruse through the books, and I like antique
+glassware and knickknacks.” They begin to browse.
+
+At Home
+
+Helen gets up with Will and Kevin and fixes them breakfast before
+they leave for the golf course. Joan and Luke have just gotten up,
+and they come downstairs with their stomachs grumbling.
+
+Helen – “Good morning!I have ham. Can I fix you some ham and eggs?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, that sounds good. An omelet would be even better. Do we
+have any hash browns or grits?
+
+Helen – “We have both. Which one do you want?”
+
+Joan – “Hash browns with an omelet.”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, that would be good. Make me one, too.”
+
+Helen – “You two can man the toaster. What are your plans for the
+day?”
+
+Luke – “Friedman and I are going over to the college to meet with
+Professor Steinholz. He has access to the school’s mainframe, and we
+are going to play around. He’s a computer geek, too.”
+
+Helen – “Just be home for dinner. The Goetzmann’s want to meet you.”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, yeah, I’m really looking forward to it. We can talk
+about the molecular structure of mobile home parts and acrylic
+paint.”
+
+Helen – “It’s only dinner. You’ll survive, and you’ll have Friedman
+here after dinner, so you can hide in your room.”
+
+Joan – “What are we having for dinner?”
+
+Helen – “We are having your Aunt Olive’s paella. I’ll make two of
+them, and that should be plenty for all of us.”
+
+Joan – “Can I help? I would like to learn how to make it.”
+
+Helen – “Only if you promise not to tell your father. Not knowing the
+recipe really annoys him, and I love it.”
+
+Joan smiles, “Yeah, okay.” The toaster pops and they put a couple of
+more slices in. “Adam is coming over in a little while. We’re just
+going to talk. I don’t know, maybe here, maybe we’ll walk over to the
+park.”
+
+Helen – “Well, have fun. It’s nice to see you two together again.”
+
+Joan – “Well, today won’t be fun, but it’s necessary.”
+
+Helen wants to ask why, but she can sense it’s not something Joan
+wants to expand upon. “If you would like to talk later, let me know.”
+
+Joan – “Maybe, I don’t know… yeah, probably.”
+
+At the Lakeview Golf Course
+
+The game has been progressing as expected, with everyone scoring near
+his handicap. Wayne and Dan are close to par, but Will and Kevin are
+behind. Will will be shooting his next shot from a sand trap.
+
+Dan smiles, “That’s a tough break, Will. If only that tree had been a
+little further to the left, it might have ricocheted onto the green.”
+
+Will – “Well, I’m still working on the angles. Golf is a lot harder
+than pool.”
+
+Kevin – “I’ve made a few beaver pelts, but at least I’m close to the
+green.”
+
+Wayne – “You guys are really doing well, considering you’ve been
+golfing less than a year. I stank when I first started playing. But,
+that last birdie was sweet.”
+
+Dan – “Hey, did you know the New England Journal of Medicine reports
+that nine out of ten doctors agree that one out of ten doctors is an
+idiot?” As he takes his shot, he calls out “Three!”
+
+At the Bethel AME Church
+
+Rebecca observes the collection of books Lilly has gathered,
+“Harlequin Romances and Bible study, an interesting mix.”
+
+Lilly – “Don’t tell Kevin about the romances. It’s my secret. The
+Bible and Nave’s Topical Bible are for Kevin’s sister, Joan. She
+asked me about the Bible the other day. I don’t know if she wants
+them, but they’re only a buck each, so I’ll get them for her.”
+
+Rebecca – “I read Harlequin Romances, and Regency Romances are good,
+too. I haven’t told Dan, just because it hasn’t come up, but I don’t
+care if he knows.”
+
+Lilly – “Well, I just feel a little guilty, so hush is the word.”
+
+They continue browsing and come upon several tables filled with
+dishware and knickknacks. Most of it is junk, but Lilly finds a
+statue of\ `Pallas
+Athena <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/PallasAthena.jpg>`__\ .
+It’s about a foot tall, made of green and bronze colored gypsum
+stone. She checks the bottom. It says made in Greece.
+
+Rebecca – “First Harlequin’s, now Greek mythology. You really are a
+former nun.”
+
+Lilly – “Oh, when I was young, we studied the saints in school. I
+remember Pallas Athena because Saint Barbara is often referred to as
+her Christian equivalent. Pallas Athena is the Goddess of Truth. This
+is such a pretty statue. I’m going to get it.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan has rearranged the living room so that a stuffed chair is facing
+the love seat. She wants to face Adam when he talks. She has moved
+the coffee table in and out between them three times before she
+finally decided to leave it in place. The initial bowl of potato
+chips has been changed to a bowl of pretzels. Two glasses of ice, one
+with a 7-Up for Adam, and a root beer for herself are also in place.
+A note pad and pen are on the table. ‘Should I get a tape recorder?’,
+she wonders.
+
+She walks to the window again and looks out for Adam. Helen walks
+into the room. “Mom, how do I look? Is my hair okay? Am I sweating?”
+
+Helen – “You look fine, but you are a nervous wreck. You need to calm
+down.”
+
+Joan – “I can’t. Why did I ask Adam to do this? I am so not signed up
+for this!”
+
+Helen – “Would you like to tell me what’s going on? Maybe I can
+help.”
+
+Joan – “No one can help.” She looks out of the window again and then
+back to Helen. “Ah… oh… Adam is going to tell me why he had sex with
+Bonnie. No matter what he says, it won’t be good.”
+
+Helen gives her a hug, “I know this will be hard for you, but I think
+you are doing the right thing. You and Adam need to talk about this.
+That’s the only way you will be able to move on.”
+
+Joan – “Well, that’s sort of why I’m doing it, but I still don’t want
+to.”
+
+Helen – “Hey, don’t you have some kind of yoga practice you could do
+to calm down?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I tried it. It didn’t work.”
+
+Helen – “Well, you and Adam will be better after you get this out in
+the open. Just keep that in mind.” She gives Joan another hug, “I’m
+leaving now. I have stitch witchery on the list for your costume. Is
+there anything else you need?”
+
+Joan – “A snack would be nice, something sweet. I really like those
+frosted oatmeal cookies. Oh, and some crackers, maybe Ritz or Chicken
+In A Basket, stuff for after dinner tonight.”
+
+Helen – “I already planned to pick up a few things. I’ll add your
+wish list. I’ll be back in a few hours.” Just then, the doorbell
+rings. Helen answers it, “Come in, Adam.” She looks back at Joan as
+she walks out of the door, “Bye honey.”
+
+Adam – “Bye Mrs. G.”
+
+Adam walks over to Joan, and they take their seats, “Are you ready?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I guess so.”
+
+Adam – “I have been thinking about it all summer long, so when you
+asked me to tell you why, it wasn’t hard to write everything down. I
+think my problem started when you got sick.”
+
+Joan – “Wait a minute! You had sex with Bonnie because I got sick
+over a year and a half ago?”
+
+Adam – “You said you wanted an honest and complete answer. I have to
+go back to when it started.”
+
+Joan is not happy, but she says, “Okay, I’m listening.”
+
+Adam – “Actually, it started just before that. Remember when you came
+to the hotel to see me?”
+
+Joan – “How could I forget that?”
+
+Adam – “Anyway, you came to have sex. Actually, you just wanted us to
+become closer. We didn’t have sex, but being closer to you is what I
+really wanted. You shared yourself with me, and I think that is the
+closest we have ever been. But then you got sick, and everything
+changed.
+
+I remember sitting in the waiting area while the doctor told us about
+your disease. She said you had probably been sick for a long time,
+but once the treatment was done, you would be back to normal. The
+problem is, I never knew you when you were normal.
+
+Your parents went in to visit with you, and after awhile, your mom
+came back out. She told us to go home, because you were too sick to
+see anyone. Luke asked if you were hallucinating like the doctor
+said. Your mom almost started crying when she told us that you were.
+
+Everyone else left, but I stayed. I just couldn’t leave, I had to see
+you. So, after a while, I went into your room. You were asleep, so I
+sat down and talked to your mom. When you woke up, we talked. Do you
+remember that?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I remember.”
+
+Adam – “Well, you told me you had been talking to God, and you talked
+about going some place in your head when we looked at that picture of
+Rodin and Rose. You still looked pretty sick, and the doctor and your
+mom had already told me you were hallucinating, so what was I to
+believe? The only thing I knew for sure was that you believed it. It
+really broke my heart when you told me that, because it meant the
+feelings you had for me on that day at the hotel were a
+hallucination. The Joan I fell in love with and who I thought loved
+me wasn’t real.”
+
+Joan – “Adam, that’s not true. I did love you.”
+
+Adam – “Maybe, but that wasn’t the real you. That wasn’t the ‘normal’
+you.” Joan sees his point, and Adam continues.
+
+“During the summer when you were at camp, I began to wonder about
+what you said. I started reading those books and realized that maybe
+you were telling the truth. I convinced myself that it was true,
+because if it was, then your feelings for me were also real. I was
+ready to tell you when we met in the park, but then you said it
+wasn’t true. When I brought it up again later, you refused to talk
+about it. Hah, I remember exactly what you said, ‘I just want to be a
+normal couple again. You know? You remember normal?’ We never had
+‘normal’ together, and that’s the point! And I realized then that the
+Joan I knew was gone.
+
+I didn’t know what to do. I wanted us to be together again, but you
+were different. I didn’t know how to connect with you. Then, Judith
+showed up. I know she was your friend and all, but she just took over
+your life. You didn’t have time for me any more.”
+
+Joan – “No, that’s not true. We talked and spent a lot of time
+together.”
+
+Adam – “You would only talk about the little stuff, and the only way
+you could find time for me was if we skipped school together.”
+
+Joan – “I invited you to Judith’s party.”
+
+Adam – “At the party, you spent the whole time with Judith. It was
+only when you got sloppy drunk that you decided you wanted to make
+out with me.” Adam looks sadly at Joan for a moment before
+continuing, “I’m sorry I got mad, but that wasn’t the real you. The
+real you just seemed to be closed off somewhere.”
+
+Adam stops for a moment, because Joan appears to want to say
+something. Joan just sits stunned, wanting to argue that he is wrong,
+but haunted by what he just said. She remembers how when she came
+back, God told her that she needed to reconnect. She thought he was
+just talking about to him. In addition, God recently told her about
+her problem with perception. Was he right? Could all of this have
+been happening to Adam without her knowing it? At least it appears
+that he believes it, and the truth is what she asked for. So rather
+than argue, she looks at him and says, “Okay, go on.”
+
+Adam – “At the hospital, we talked, and everything looked like it
+might get better. You promised we would spend more time together. I
+said we could go to Mercer Creek like you wanted. But that very next
+weekend, you and Judith went there together instead of us.”
+
+Joan – “Judith needed me. I thought you were okay.”
+
+Adam – “Well, I should have said something, but I didn’t. Anyway, I
+started getting jealous of Judith, and it made me mad the way she was
+treating you. That was when you were planting your garden, and I
+really hated feeling that way, but I couldn’t help it. We almost
+never got to be alone anymore.”
+
+Joan – “I knew you didn’t like Judith.”
+
+Adam – “At first, yeah, but that changed. Anyway, then you decided to
+get Larry the cat. I thought it might be a way for us to spend time
+together, but you didn’t want me to help. Then, when you had to get
+rid of him, I took him, hoping you would come to visit. You did, and
+I was really happy that you came, but still, nothing really changed
+between us.
+
+When you decided to help Brian Beaumont get elected, it was fun being
+able to help you, but you still spent most of your time with Judith.
+It did really make me happy that you were pleased when I got the
+internship at the graphics design studio. I thought that maybe we
+would be able to spend more time together, but again, you spent your
+time with Judith working on the clothing drive and getting yourself
+grounded in the process.”
+
+Joan gets angry, “Wait a minute! You’re making this sound like it was
+all my fault. If things were so bad, why didn’t you say something?”
+
+Adam – “It is my fault for not saying something. I was afraid of
+losing you. And our time together wasn’t all bad, but it seesawed
+back and forth, and slowly got worse over time. I kept hoping it
+would take care of itself, but it didn’t, and I let it go on too
+long.
+
+I decided that maybe the way to get closer to you was through Judith.
+We started talking, and that’s when I realized that she was really a
+nice person. What I liked most about her was that she loved you as
+much as me. I told her how I felt, that I wanted to get closer to
+you, but I couldn’t figure out how to do it. She is actually the one
+who suggested we go out on a real date, but then, you got jealous,
+thinking Judith and I were hooking up. In the end, you realized we
+weren’t, but it upset me that you were jealous of me spending time
+with Judith when you could never find time for me on your own.”
+
+Joan is getting madder by the minute, but she can see there is some
+truth to what he is saying. She bites her tongue while Adam
+continues.
+
+Adam – “With Judith’s help, we arranged our date, and everything
+turned out perfectly, except Judith was murdered that same night. I
+was really angry with Judith, mostly because of what she did to you.
+I knew how much you loved her and how bad you were hurting, but you
+closed yourself off completely.”
+
+Joan – “Adam, you’re right here. I really had a hard time dealing
+with Judith’s death. I’m still trying to deal with it.”
+
+Adam – “I know it wasn’t your fault, but still, I was once again on
+the outside looking in. I couldn’t even talk to you about it, because
+you would always change the subject. When people really love each
+other, and something terrible like this happens, that’s when they
+should be able to support each other to make it through their grief
+together. You wouldn’t let me in, and that was just another reminder
+that there was still very something wrong with us.
+
+You finally got through it, and things looked like they were getting
+better. When we worked on the play and began planning to go to
+college together, I really thought that maybe we had a future. But
+then, you decided that we shouldn’t even consider going to the same
+college. You said it was because you loved me, but it sure didn’t
+feel that way.”
+
+Joan – “Adam, you are so talented. You can go to any art college you
+want. I didn’t want to hold you back.”
+
+Adam – “What about what I wanted? Why would you think I’d want to go
+anywhere without you? It seemed more like you wanted to get rid of
+me.”
+
+Joan again wants to say he was wrong, but decides to let him
+continue.
+
+Adam – “Then you saved Dylan’s life. I’m glad you did it, but you two
+became like Siamese twins. We couldn’t even have lunch together
+without her butting in. I thought my work was going great, but it
+turned out to be a disaster. I wanted to talk to you about it, but I
+didn’t feel that I could.
+
+That’s when the hopelessness began to set in. I realized that I was
+never going to have you the way I wanted you. I really wanted you to
+need me. I thought that maybe if I made you jealous, you might
+change. But instead, you hooked up with Roger. It backfired, and
+instead of bringing you closer, I pushed you away.”
+
+Joan – “I told you, the kiss was nothing. It was a mistake. I was
+confused.”
+
+Adam – “Well, what you didn’t know was how totally confused I was.
+When we went to the concert, I thought that things could change for
+us. If we had sex, then maybe the rest would follow. But that didn’t
+work out either. It actually made things worse. Your mom… well… she’s
+like my mom, too. Now both of you were mad at me.
+
+My life seemed like it was totally destroyed, and when you meddled in
+Stevie’s life and destroyed it, too, it seemed like you were doing it
+on purpose. Why did you hate me so much?”
+
+Joan – “Adam, I didn’t mean to wreck Stevie’s life, I was trying to
+help her. It just all went wrong. And I didn’t hate you, I was just
+mad at you.”
+
+Adam pauses for a moment before continuing, “Do you remember that day
+you were framed for throwing eggs at Prices’ car?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, that was so wrong.”
+
+Adam – “Well, that morning, I told you I was tired because I stayed
+up all night studying. Remember?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, that’s also when you told me about your Rhode Island
+trip.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, well anyway, I lied. What really happened is I was out
+driving around. I wasn’t going anywhere; I just needed to think. Then
+I saw Bonnie painting a mural under the overpass on 32nd Street. I
+stopped to look, because it looked so incredible. We got to talking,
+and she asked me to help her finish it. It took us most of the night
+to get it done.
+
+While we painted, we talked. We talked about painting, and she told
+me about herself, and I told her about me. When I mentioned you, I
+found out that she already knew who you were, even though you had
+never met. When we finished, I gave her a ride home. She invited me
+in. She said she wanted to show me some of her paintings. Then it
+happened. I knew I shouldn’t, but she wanted me. I just couldn’t
+stop. I wanted to be needed so bad.”
+
+Joan – “Adam, you shouldn’t have. Didn’t you think about what you
+were doing to us?”
+
+Adam – “No, not at that moment, and besides, I didn’t know if there
+was an *us* anymore.”
+
+They both sit in silence for a while, then Adam continues, “Anyway,
+the Rhode Island trip, you were right, it was a lie. Bonnie and I had
+planned to spend the day together, and I needed an excuse. That
+morning, we painted a mural under the Clifton Creek Bridge. When you
+saw me later coming out of the music store, I was on my way to
+Bonnie’s apartment. You knew something was going on, and even though
+I lied, I knew you didn’t believe me. I felt guilty, so I went home
+instead of going to Bonnie’s.
+
+The next day, I met you at your community service, because I really
+felt guilty. I didn’t know what was happening to me, and I still
+didn’t want there not to be an us, but I was totally confused.
+
+I didn’t know Bonnie would be there. After you went back inside, she
+met me by the dumpster. She showed me the mural she had done. She
+wanted me to go with her to her house, but I really had to go to
+work.
+
+I felt bad about using her, so the next day, I took her to see your
+mom. I asked your mom to let her join her art class. I thought that
+might be a way to make it up to her.”
+
+Joan – “Art lessons in exchange for sex, sounds like a fair trade.”
+
+Adam – “I didn’t say it was right. It was just the only thing I could
+think of to do. You know, it isn’t easy for me to tell you this, so
+let me finish.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, go ahead.”
+
+Adam – “A couple of days later, you started talking about our
+anniversary. You wanted to celebrate, have dinner together at the
+Unurban. Once again, it looked like maybe we did have a future. I
+knew I had to end it with Bonnie. I was never in love with her
+anyway. It was just sex.
+
+I went to her apartment to tell her. She started crying. She begged
+me to have sex with her just one more time. I said no, but she… well,
+we ended up doing it anyway. I know I shouldn’t have, but it
+happened. I told her that I loved you, and that I wouldn’t be back.
+She tried to get me to stay, but I finally just left.
+
+The next day, she made that scene, and you figured out something was
+going on. The rest you know.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t understand how when you went to tell her it was over
+that you had sex with her again anyway. How could you do that?”
+
+Adam – “I don’t know. I made a mistake. I’ve made a lot of them, but
+I want this chance to make it right. You said you would give me
+another chance.”
+
+Joan – “That I did.” She pauses to think for a few moments. “I will
+need some time to think about what you have told me.
+
+I wish I hadn’t set up our lunch with Roger for tomorrow, but I don’t
+think we should cancel. Roger is a good friend, and he is in love
+with Cee-Cee. I want you to help me to let Cee-Cee know that I am not
+a problem for her. So tomorrow, let’s not make our problems their
+problems. Okay?”
+
+Adam – “Okay.”
+
+Adam gets up, and Joan walks him to the door. She kisses him on the
+cheek, “Thank you for being honest with me. I know it wasn’t easy for
+you to tell me that. We’ll talk more about this later.”
+
+At the Lakeview Golf Course
+
+Will has had better luck since chipping his way out of the sand trap.
+His and Kevin’s score are within a few points. Wayne and Dan’s scores
+are much better, but they have each been playing for several years.
+They are enjoying the challenge of each other, and each is struggling
+to win.
+
+Dan’s ball is four feet from the hole, “Hey, you know what I learned
+the other day? The limbic system of the brain controls the four F’s:
+Feeding, Fighting, Fleeing, and Reproduction.” He lines up and sinks
+his putt.
+
+Everyone gets a little grin, and Will comments, “Dan, you are quite
+the comedian.”
+
+Dan replies, “I try not to take life too seriously, because no one
+ever makes it out alive.”
+
+Kevin lines up his cart to the ball. He’s on the edge of the green.
+He shoots, and it rolls just of the left of the hole and stops a foot
+beyond. Everyone sighs for Kevin.
+
+Will – “Tough break! That was so close.”
+
+Kevin – “Maybe we should take up horse shoes.” He putts it in.
+
+It’s Wayne’s turn. His ball is still in the rough, but just outside
+of the green. He shoots and it misses and rolls past the hole about
+three feet.
+
+Dan – “Hey, you are losing your touch. You need to catch up to me.”
+
+Wayne – “I will, watch me.” He putts and makes par.
+
+At the Bethel AME Church
+
+Lilly found a wonderful\ `drawing of Joan of
+Arc <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Joan_of_Arc_Drawing.jpg>`__\ ,
+framed and everything, “This is really nice, and I love the quote.”
+Lilly remembers, “When I was in grade school, we had to write an
+essay on who we would most like to meet, if we could go back in time.
+I chose Joan of Arc. She was such an incredible person, and I really
+would have loved to have known her.”
+
+Rebecca – “Well, now you have this nice drawing to remind you of
+her.”
+
+Lilly – “No, this is for Kevin’s sister. She spent the summer reading
+a book about Joan of Arc. I’ll bet she would love this.”
+
+Rebecca – “Joan is cleaning up today. You must like her.”
+
+Lilly – “I do, I really do. She’s kind of hard to get close to, but
+I’m working on it. She reminds me so much of my little sister.”
+
+Rebecca – “Oh, you have a sister?”
+
+Lilly – “Had, she died when I was twelve.”
+
+Rebecca – “I’m sorry to hear that. What was her name?”
+
+Lilly – “Rose… our mom really liked flowers.” Lilly wishes she hadn’t
+thought about her sister, because now she feels depressed, “Hey, why
+don’t we pay for this stuff, and then we can have some of those
+brats. They smell so good.”
+
+Rebecca – “Yeah, sure, then we can come back and look around some
+more.”
+
+At Arcadia College
+
+Friedman has been logged into Ryan’s computer, browsing around. He
+begins reading his e-mails. He comes across one and asks, “Professor
+Steinholz, what do you think this one means?”
+
+Professor Steinholz takes a look and reads it aloud, “Hope will burn
+on Devil’s Night, followed by and Peter, Paul, and Mary.” He thinks
+about it for a few moments, “Devil’s Night is tomorrow. That’s what
+they call the day before Halloween. The rest, I don’t know. Hope will
+burn? The answer is Blowin’ In The Wind.”
+
+Suddenly, Luke has an insight, “Could ‘Hope’ be a place?”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “I suppose, that would make it likely that
+Peter, Paul, and Mary are places as well.”
+
+Friedman – “Peter and Paul are names of churches! Is there a church
+called Hope?”
+
+Professor Steinholz retrieves a phone book. He leafs through the
+yellow pages until he finds the directory for churches, “Church of
+Hope on Broad Street.” He continues to leaf through the directory,
+“St. Peter’s Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and . . .
+hmm, there’s no St. Mary’s. That kind of blows our theory.”
+
+Luke – “St. Mary’s Convent, that’s where Joan takes dance lessons.”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “I think you’re right. You should give your
+father a call.”
+
+At Home
+
+After Adam leaves, Joan picks up the notepad and pen and begins
+writing down everything that Adam had said. By the time Helen
+returns, Joan has everything written down, “Mom, how do you spell
+‘idiot’?”
+
+Helen – “Well, that depends upon whether you are talking about you or
+Adam.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know, maybe both. I don’t agree with all the things
+that he told me, but from his point of view, I think he was being
+honest. How could I not have seen it? Am I that blind?”
+
+Helen – “Blind, no, but self-absorbed, sometimes. It’s not uncommon
+for someone your age. It might help if you really start considering
+other people’s point of view. Take Grace, for example. She has some
+really radical ideas, but it’s good to at least understand them, even
+if you don’t agree with them. It will allow you to gain a better
+perspective of things. She is both your friend and Adam’s friend.
+Perhaps you should talk to her about what Adam has told you and get
+her opinion.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, that’s a good idea, but I don’t know if she’ll want to.
+Plus, I really don’t have time with Elizabeth coming over tonight,
+lunch and the hayride tomorrow, and Halloween on Monday. Do you think
+Adam will understand if I put this off for a while?”
+
+Helen – “I think Adam will be willing to give you a little time, but
+don’t put this off too long.”
+
+Joan – “I know, I have to deal with this, but I want to do it right.”
+
+Helen – “I’m going to leave you alone with this, but I’m here if you
+need me. If you want to talk or ask for some advice, just let me
+know. Why don’t you come help me prepare some of the ingredients for
+the paella tonight?”
+
+Joan – “Mom, I really want to learn how to make it, but I can’t do it
+now. I need to call Grace. It looks like now is the only time I have
+to do it.”
+
+Helen – “We can do it another time. Go call your friend.”
+
+Joan goes up to her room and calls Grace. Rabbi Polonsky answers,
+“Rabbi Polonsky, this is Joan Girardi, may I speak to Grace?”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “Grace is actually on her way over to your house.
+She’s rather upset now. I’m sure she’ll tell you about it when she
+gets there.”
+
+Joan – “What is she upset about?”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “I’d rather let her tell you that when she arrives.
+Joan, she needs her friends now.”
+
+Joan wants to ask what is going on, but decides to take Rabbi
+Polonsky’s advice, “Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”
+
+At the Bethel AME Church
+
+Lilly and Rebecca have resumed browsing through the rummage and have
+worked their way to the clothing section. They have both found some
+jeans and blouses in good repair. Lilly has found the most, “These
+are really great! I destroy so many of my work clothes by getting
+paint on them or snagging them, it’s nice to find some so cheap.”
+
+Rebecca – “Well, I won’t be wearing these to work, but they will be
+great for days like today. Dan wants me to start jogging with him.
+The pants are loose enough to work fine.”
+
+Lilly – “Let’s go pay for these, and then we can come back and check
+out the last few rooms.”
+
+At the Lakeview Golf Course
+
+Wayne is making a three-foot putt when Will’s cell phone rings. It
+startles Wayne, causing him to shank the ball, “I think this warrants
+a mulligan.”
+
+Will signals his approval as he answers the phone, “Will Girardi.”
+
+Luke – “Dad, we found something in Hunter’s computer. We think his
+group is going to burn down three churches and St. Mary’s Convent
+tomorrow. You need to warn them.”
+
+Will – “Which churches?”
+
+Luke – “The first will be Church of Hope on Broad Street, then St.
+Peter’s Catholic Church, and then St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. I’ve
+sent an e-mail with the information to your computer at work.”
+
+Will – “Thanks, Luke, I’ll take care of it.”
+
+At Home
+
+When Joan hangs up the phone, the doorbell rings.She runs downstairs
+to let Grace in, almost knocking Helen over as she leaps from the
+landing. Her heart drops into her stomach when she opens the door.
+This is the first time she has ever seen Grace cry. Both Joan and
+Helen give her a hug as she puts down her suitcases, “Can I stay here
+for a while?”
+
+Both Joan and Helen say yes, and Joan continues, “Why don’t you go up
+to my room? I’ll be there in a few minutes.” After Grace goes
+upstairs, Joan says to Helen, “Mom, Grace needs me now. I’m not going
+to be able to entertain Elizabeth tonight. Can you call them and
+cancel dinner?”
+
+Helen was really looking forward to this evening, but realizes it is
+necessary, “Sure, honey, I’ll take care of it.”
+
+Joan goes upstairs and the phone rings. Helen picks it up, “Hello.”
+
+Will – “Hi hon, I have a problem at the office and I’ll probably have
+to work into the evening. I’m sorry about dinner.”
+
+Helen – “Grace is here and she has some big problem at home. Joan has
+already asked me to not have the Goetzmann’s come over tonight. She
+wants to spend time with Grace.”
+
+Will – “Okay, I’ll tell Wayne. Why don’t you call June? I’ll see you
+later.”
+
+Helen – “Be safe.”
+
+At the Bethel AME Church
+
+Lilly and Rebecca have wandered into a room full of electronic
+devices, mostly kitchen appliances. Lilly finds a DVD player, “Do you
+know if this works?”
+
+Rebecca – “Yeah, it was donated by… ,” she thinks for a moment,
+“Marilyn Brown’s son. He bought a DVR and didn’t need it anymore.”
+
+Lilly – “Good!I have a VCR, but not a DVD player. It’s getting hard
+to find new movies on tape.”
+
+Rebecca – “It also plays CD’s, so you can use it for that, too.”
+
+Lilly – “Great!Last year I heard some Christmas music on the radio by
+Mannheim Steamroller, but when I went to the store, they only had it
+on CD. I love their version of ‘The Little Drummer Boy’.”
+
+Rebecca – “Well, it won’t sound as well in comparison to a real
+stereo. TV speakers usually aren’t that great, but it will work.”
+
+Lilly – “This will be fine. Today has been wonderful. I’ve found so
+many nice things, and I’ve really enjoyed your company. Hey, have you
+been to the flea market on South Clinton Street? It’s by the auto
+auction.”
+
+Rebecca – “I’ve driven by there, but I’ve never stopped.”
+
+Lilly – “Why don’t we go? There’s always a lot of neat stuff. I love
+browsing.”
+
+Rebecca – “Sure, it’s still early. It sounds like fun.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will gives Wayne the bad news about dinner, and both Wayne and Dan
+offer to take Kevin home after the game. Toni had duty today, and
+Will called her before leaving the golf course. The team is nearly
+organized by the time Will arrives.
+
+Toni – “I have been able to contact Brother Jimi and Father Mallory.
+Both have agreed to make sure their churches are empty and to lock
+the doors until we arrive. I’m still trying to get a hold of someone
+at St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s. We have two K-9 units ready to go and
+Roebuck has the bomb squad ready if it is needed.”
+
+Will – “Send patrol cars to St. Mary’s and St. Paul’s, and have them
+evacuate the buildings until we can get there. You have been doing
+this quietly, right?”
+
+Toni – “Yes, we have been using land and cell phones to keep the
+information off of the air.”
+
+Will – “Good, we don’t want anyone to know about it, in case these
+devices can be remotely detonated. Go ahead and dispatch the K-9
+units to the Church of Hope and St. Mary’s. When they are done, have
+them go to St. Peter’s and St. Luke’s.”
+
+Toni – “Carlisle and Daghlian are on the way in, and here is the
+roster of officers on standby for today and tomorrow.” She hands him
+the lists.
+
+Will – “Have Carlisle and Daghlian go directly to the Church of Hope
+and St. Mary’s. I’ll be in my office checking e-mail and making
+contingency plans for tonight and tomorrow.”
+
+At Home
+
+Grace’s sorrow has turned to anger, but Joan still doesn’t know
+exactly what’s wrong. However, she does know that it is something
+about Grace’s mother, and she has learned quite a few new expletives.
+“Grace, can you tell me what happened?”
+
+Grace – “I just can’t deal with it anymore. I’m tired of the
+promises. I’m tired of the lies. If she wants to kill herself, fine.”
+
+Joan – “Your mother is going to kill herself? Grace, you need to tell
+me what’s going on. Maybe, I can help.”
+
+Grace – “My mom has all the help she needs. She just won’t take it.
+She’s a drunk and will always be a drunk. I have enough problems of
+my own. I can’t deal anymore with hers, not if she isn’t even willing
+to try.”
+
+Joan – “I thought she quit! She was fine during our summer vacation.”
+
+Grace – “Well, she has been sneaking booze and I caught her. ‘It’s
+only one little drink.’ For an alcoholic, that’s all it takes. I’m
+not going back there… ever! If I can’t stay here, I’ll go to the ‘Y’
+or live on the street. Casper did all right.”
+
+Joan – “You can stay here as long as you want. I’m sure it will be
+okay with my parents, but you are still going to have to deal with
+your mother. What did your father say about it?”
+
+Grace – “He has always been a wuss when it comes to my mother. He
+knows what needs to be done, but he doesn’t have the guts to do it.”
+
+Joan – “What do you want him to do?”
+
+Grace – “For starters, get her into rehab, the real kind, not just
+‘AA.’”
+Joan – “Did you tell them that?”
+
+Grace – “She doesn’t think she needs it, and Dad won’t make her.”
+
+Joan – “I think we need to tell my parents about this. My dad should
+be home soon. Maybe they can have a talk with them.”
+
+Grace – “Do what you want, I’m through talking to them. Rehab is not
+a request, it’s an ultimatum. I’m not going to live with a drunk
+anymore.”
+
+At the Flea Market
+
+Lilly – “In the summertime, they have tents outside for the farmers’
+market. I buy most of my produce here. It’s fresh, and it’s usually
+less expensive than in the stores. Everything is inside now.”
+
+Rebecca – “This is a lot bigger that it looks from the street. Where
+do you want to start?”
+
+Lilly – “Let’s just start here and work our way to the back.”
+
+At the Church of Hope
+
+Lt. Daghlian and the K-9 officer arrive, and Mike is talking to
+Brother Jimi, “Nobody is in the church, right?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Yeah, it was empty when I got back from ASK. I locked
+the doors as soon as I was finished looking around.”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “Good, have you had anything delivered in the last
+week or so?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “When the officer called, I immediately thought of
+Mary, the Mother of Jesus. A statue was donated anonymously and
+delivered this last week. It’s really a beautiful statue.”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “Where is it located?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “It’s in the right front of the room, near the
+lectern. I plan to get a pedestal for it.”
+
+Mike talks to the K-9 officer, and he and his dog enter the building.
+He is only inside for a few minutes when he returns, “Sammy doesn’t
+like the statue at all. The rest of the building is clean. You need
+to call in the bomb squad.”
+
+At St. Mary’s Convent
+
+Carlisle and the patrol officer have begun the evacuation of the
+convent. The Sisters were preparing for afternoon vespers, so all are
+dressed in their traditional clothing. Carlisle and the officer stand
+in the parking lot and observe as the nuns leave the building in
+single file. Carlisle chuckles. He puts his hand over his mouth and
+chuckles again. The officer asks, “What’s so funny?”
+
+Carlisle – “I’m sorry, I just can’t help it. I took my niece and
+nephew to see\ `March of the
+Penguins <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0428803/>`__\ this summer.”
+
+The K-9 officer arrives, and together they meet with Mother Superior
+Sister Agnes.
+
+Carlisle – “Has anything unusual happened in the last week or so?”
+
+Sister Agnes – “No, not that I can think of.Oh, wait, we did receive
+a beautiful new statue of St. Mary. We receive donations of all
+kinds, all the time. The only thing unusual about it is that it was
+given by an anonymous donor.”
+
+K-9 Officer – “Where is the statue now?”
+
+Sister Agnes – “Right now, it’s in the rotunda, against the wall. We
+plan to replace the existing statue tomorrow. Father Mallory will be
+bringing the tools we need after Mass.”
+
+Carlisle – “Are all the doors unlocked?”
+
+Sister Agnes – “Yes, I think so.”
+
+The K-9 officer enters the building with his dog. He goes straight to
+the rotunda and checks the statue. His dog alerts immediately. He
+calls Carlisle, “This statue is hot. Better call the bomb squad. I’ll
+check the rest of the building.”
+
+Carlisle calls Will, “Will, we’ve found a device. We need the bomb
+squad here ASAP.”
+
+Will – “I’ll get them there as soon as I can, but they are still
+working at the Church of Hope. What did you find?”
+
+Carlisle – “There is something inside a statue of St. Mary. It was
+delivered last Wednesday.”
+
+Will – “Sounds like the same story as at the Church of Hope. Father
+Mallory has confirmed receiving a similar statue at St. Peter’s. Keep
+everyone out of the building.”
+
+Carlisle – “Everyone’s out except for Officer Cattrall. He’s checking
+the rest of the building.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan has convinced Grace to have lunch. Helen cooked a roast last
+night, and they have made sandwiches from the leftovers. Helen has
+joined them and the three are sitting quietly at the table eating.
+When they are finished, Joan tells Helen, “Mom, Grace needs to tell
+you something.”
+
+Grace – “Hey, I never said I would talk to your mother, you did. I’m
+through. I don’t care what they do anymore.”
+
+Joan – “Come on, you know it has to be you. I can tell her, but I
+only know part of it. You know everything.”
+
+Helen – “I don’t know what’s going on, but I would like to help if I
+can. Please tell me what it is.”
+
+Grace looks at Helen and then to back to Joan. Joan’s nearly
+nonexistent radar sputters on for a moment, “I have some poetry to
+read for English. Why don’t I go do that now? I’ll be in my room.”
+
+Joan leaves and Grace begins to tell Helen about her mother.
+
+At the Flea Market
+
+Lilly and Rebecca roam through the flea market, not finding anything
+they wish to purchase, but they find a woman with handmade quilts for
+sale. This sparks a conversation, and Lilly learns that Rebecca
+enjoys making quilts as a hobby. Quilting is something Lilly did
+years ago with her grandmother, before she lost her sight. They leave
+the market talking about some of the projects that they have done,
+and in Rebecca’s case, a project she is doing.
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Toni – “Our two-hour news blackout is not going to be long enough.”
+
+Will – “Yeah, I know. Give me the numbers, I’ll make the calls myself
+this time.”
+
+Toni provides the names and numbers, and Will calls the TV station
+first, “Jim, Will Girardi. I need an extension on the news blackout.”
+
+Jim – “But this is big news! The public has a right to know what is
+going on.”
+
+Will – “I know, but before, we only suspected the devices were
+planted. Now we have found two and are pretty sure of the locations
+of a third and fourth device. They have cell phones for remote
+detonation. We have only disarmed one of them. If news gets out
+before we are done, whoever planted them will likely detonate those
+that remain. Lives are at stake here.”
+
+Jim is stunned by the news and pauses before responding, “Okay, but I
+want a call from you as soon as the last device is disarmed. Deal?”
+
+Will – “Deal, and I’ll tell you as much as I can, without
+compromising the investigation.”
+
+Jim – “Okay. Hey, good luck.”
+
+Will – “Thank you.”
+
+At Arcadia College
+
+Friedman – “Okay, you see this other computer on the network? It’s
+receiving streaming data from somewhere. We need to find out what the
+data is and where it is coming from.”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “We can try a network capture and see if we can
+analyze the information. I have a program that will do that.”
+
+Luke – “Great! You take over, and let us know if we can help.”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “I have already figured out that what we are
+doing is not legal, but this guy is obviously up to no good. How did
+you two get involved?”
+
+Friedman – “The less you know, the better. Let me just say we are
+members of an organization called ‘AoJ,’ and leave it at that.”
+
+Luke thinks to himself, ‘AoJ, Army of Joan, cute, Friedman!’
+
+At Home
+
+Joan has been lying on her bed, reading her poetry assignment. She
+doesn’t mind this one so much, because Emily is still her favorite,
+“…and here they are, touching people 100 years later.”
+
+Grace comes in and sits beside her, “I told your mom everything.
+She’s on the way to my house.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, but I kind of thought my dad should go, too. He and
+your father are sort of friends now.”
+
+Grace – “Your dad had to go to work. Your mom said he probably won’t
+be in until late tonight.”
+
+Joan – “I was thinking about calling Adam. He is your best friend.”
+
+Grace – “Both you and Adam are my best friends, just in different
+ways, but I really want to talk to Luke. Where is he?”
+
+Joan – “He and Friedman are computer geeking with Professor
+Steinholz. He’ll be home for dinner.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, I really don’t feel good. Do you mind if I lay down
+for awhile?”
+
+Joan – “No, go ahead. Just come downstairs when you wake up.”
+
+At the Lakeview Golf Course
+
+Wayne, Dan, and Kevin finish their game of golf and eat lunch in the
+lounge. Kevin enjoys Wayne and Dan’s bantering back and forth. Dan
+beat Wayne by one stroke! Of course, Kevin is nowhere in their
+league, but they all had a lot of fun.
+
+Wayne – “It’s too bad your dad had to go to work. He missed a great
+game.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, at least he got to be here for the first part of it.
+Did you see that smile on his face when Dan goaded him about his
+ricochet shot?”
+
+Dan – “He’s a good sport. That joke he made just before he left was
+good, ‘Being a cop isn’t all bad, but I do wish they would have more
+music and less talk on the police channel.’”
+
+At the Polonsky’s
+
+Helen walks up the sidewalk and rings the bell. Rabbi Polonsky
+answers the door, “Helen? I wish I could say this is a surprise, but
+it is nice anyway.”
+
+Helen – “We need to talk.” Rabbi Polonsky invites her in, and they
+sit in the living room. “Where is Sarah?”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “She’s taking a nap.”
+
+Helen – “Sleeping it off?”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky ignores her remark, “Sarah has a problem, and she will
+deal with it.”
+
+Helen – “According to Grace, she hasn’t been dealing with it too
+well.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “This is just a little set back. I’m sure she will
+come to realize her mistake and everything will be okay again.”
+
+Helen – “An alcoholic will always be an alcoholic. She needs to
+understand that. I don’t think that Grace’s insistence that her
+mother get professional help is unreasonable.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “She refuses to go, and I can’t make her.”
+
+Helen – “Of course you can make her, and if you can’t convince her to
+go on her own, I think you should.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “You don’t understand the whole situation.”
+
+Helen – “I understand that your daughter is now living at my house
+and she belongs here with you. She can stay for a while, but this is
+not a permanent solution. You need to convince Sarah to get help or
+convince Grace that she doesn’t need it, but I don’t think Grace is
+going to budge on this issue.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “I will talk to Sarah when she wakes up. Thank you
+for allowing Grace into your home while we sort this out.”
diff --git a/13-DevilsNightPart2.rst b/13-DevilsNightPart2.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e57906
--- /dev/null
+++ b/13-DevilsNightPart2.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1108 @@
+Episode 3.13, Devil’s Night, Part 2
+-----------------------------------
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Toni – “The bomb squad is working on the device at St. Mary’s. A K-9
+handler has confirmed the device at St. Peter’s. We still haven’t
+been able to contact anyone from St. Paul’s.”
+
+Will – “Get a search warrant. Have the officers on the scene start
+knocking on doors. Maybe they can find someone who is a member of the
+church. Keep calling, but either way, we’ll enter the building when
+the bomb squad is finished at St. Peter’s.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan has completed her poetry reading and has written her analysis.
+She has even finished her calculus assignment. She begins to look at
+the list of things Adam told her earlier. Too much information! She
+walks over to her dad’s record collection and leafs through. She
+finds an album called “Grand Funk Railroad.” She remembers them from
+the “Behind the Music” marathon. She puts the record on and turns the
+volume down low.
+
+She picks up the list again and gets an idea. She goes out to the
+garage where she has hidden some of her journals and retrieves those
+from last year. She goes through them, comparing what she had written
+with Adam’s perception of the same events. They correlate, but with
+different points of view. Why didn’t Adam tell her about his
+feelings?
+
+She gets to the part with Roger. A few songs have played through on
+the record and a song called, “Heartbreaker” begins to play. She
+reads what God had told her, “Real love is hard work. You have to
+decide if you want it in your story. Or...if you’d rather just stay
+in the dream.” She begins to cry as she comes to the realization of
+what God was trying to tell her. She says to herself aloud, “I didn’t
+work hard enough!”
+
+Grace has come downstairs and hears Joan’s words, “Work hard enough
+on what?”
+
+Joan quickly closes her journal and tries to dry her eyes, “Nothing.
+How are you doing?”
+
+Grace – “I’m okay, but you’re not. Tell me what’s wrong.”
+
+Joan – “No, let’s talk about you. I was thinking, maybe you should go
+back to Alateen. I’m sure Luke will go with you again, and I’ll go
+with you if you’d like.”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I probably will, but no changing the subject. Tell me
+what is bothering you.”
+
+Joan can see that Grace isn’t going to drop the subject. She doesn’t
+want to burden Grace now, but she really wants to talk to her about
+Adam. After a pause, she responds, “I had a talk with Adam this
+morning. I asked him to tell me why he had sex with Bonnie. I really
+wasn’t expecting to hear what he told me.” She picks up her list and
+hands it to Grace, “This is what he told me. I’d like to know what
+you think.”
+
+Grace takes the notepad and reads through Joan’s notes. She thinks
+for a few moments and says, “Some of these points can be disputed,
+but I think Adam is telling the truth, from his point of view.”
+
+Joan – “I know and that’s what is so sad. Did you know he felt this
+way?”
+
+Grace – “We’ve talked about it, but it was something that you and
+Adam needed to work out.”
+
+Joan – “Grace, why didn’t you tell me?”
+
+Grace – “Because you wouldn’t have believed me, and then you would
+have gotten mad, and I didn’t want to lose you as a friend.”
+
+Joan – “But you should have told me because you are my friend!
+Friends do that.”
+
+Grace – “You know, I only have two real friends, and you and Adam
+have made me walk a tightrope between you. Don’t lecture me on what I
+should have done, because no matter what I did, I would have come out
+the loser.”
+
+Joan – “Wait, what about Luke?”
+
+Grace – “That’s different; he’s more than a friend.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t want to fight with you over this. What I want is for
+you to tell me these things in the future. Will you do that?”
+
+Grace – “Girardi, you just need to start paying attention and get
+your head out of yourself.”
+
+Joan – “I know I have zero perception on a lot of things, but I need
+your help. Tell me when I’m messing up.”
+
+Grace – “And I’m supposed to believe you won’t get mad when I do it?”
+
+Joan – “I promise. Please! I want to try again with Adam, but I want
+to do it right this time. Be my friend. Help me.”
+
+Grace reluctantly agrees, “Okay. First of all, after you came back
+from crazy camp, you picked up with Adam as your boyfriend, but you
+stopped being his friend. You need to be both…”
+
+At Arcadia College
+
+Professor Steinholz can’t execute the network capture until he logs
+into the other computer. Ryan’s bookmarks are the key. “Auto password
+fill-in is quite a convenience! The computer is monitoring Ryan’s
+stock investments. It could be legitimate, but it’s odd that he is
+streaming almost identical data back out to the same network address.
+We’re going to have to find someone who understands this.”
+
+Luke – “My dad has a friend in the FBI. He can probably figure it
+out.”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “Okay, I’ll write down all the steps to get
+there. You’ll have to give them Hunter’s log-on.”
+
+Friedman – “I’m having dinner with Luke tonight. We’ll talk to his
+dad after dinner.”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “Which reminds me, we skipped lunch. Shall we
+get something to eat?”
+
+At Home
+
+Helen and Kevin come in the front door together. Helen is carrying
+some of Kevin’s things.
+
+Kevin – “Hi Joan, Grace. I just hit a motherlode of a clothes sale.
+Let me show you what I bought.”
+
+Joan would rather continue her conversation about Adam, and Grace is
+dying to hear what Helen has to say, but they both act interested in
+Kevin’s purchases. Kevin begins to pull items out of the bags, “See
+this shirt? Only five dollars! He pulls out a pair of pants, “Only
+seven dollars!” This continues until he has shown everything he has
+purchased. Joan and Grace provide the appropriate compliments.
+
+Helen speaks up, “Grace, we need to talk, but it can wait until you
+and Joan are finished.”
+
+Kevin begins to leave as Joan continues talking to Grace, “Okay, so
+tomorrow, Roger and Cee-Cee will be coming by…”
+
+Kevin overhears Cee-Cee’s name and asks, “Are you talking about
+Cee-Cee Lin?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I’m having lunch tomorrow with Cee-Cee, her fiance
+Roger, and Adam. Do you know her?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, we are sort of friends. How do you know her?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t, I’ll meet her for the first time tomorrow. I know
+Roger. He was my tutor for a while last year.”
+
+Kevin – “She’s really nice. You’ll like her.”
+
+Kevin rolls into the kitchen as Helen prepares dinner, “Mom, are you
+planning to question Cee-Cee and Roger tomorrow?”
+
+Helen – “That’s the plan. We won’t be too hard on them. It’s
+something your dad and I feel we need to do.”
+
+Kevin – “Mom, please don’t ask Cee-Cee too many questions. Just keep
+them about the last few years.”
+
+Helen – “Does she have something to hide?”
+
+Kevin – “It’s nothing you need to be concerned about. Trust me on
+this.”
+
+Helen – “Okay, I’ll talk to your father and we’ll limit our inquiry.”
+
+Kevin – “Thanks. I need something to eat.”
+
+Helen – “We finished the roast beef, but I bought ham, bologna, and
+Swiss cheese.”
+
+Kevin – “I’ll pass on the bologna and go for the ham and cheese,
+please.”
+
+At Rebecca’s Apartment
+
+Rebecca wants to show Lilly the quilting project she’s working on, so
+while Lilly sits on the couch, Rebecca retrieves her project from the
+other room. She spreads it out on the carpet.
+
+Rebecca – “I’ve gone with a Maryland theme. This is the Naval Academy
+in Annapolis, and the boats represent the Chesapeake Bay. The Raven
+is for Edgar Allen Poe who lived in Baltimore. The black bear is for
+western Maryland. It was once near extinction, but hunting
+restrictions have allowed it to come back. The Blue Crab is for the
+bay, and the Old Bay® seasoning is for cooking them. The…”
+
+At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
+
+Lt. Daghlian has received the search warrant, and the bomb squad is
+on its way from St. Peter’s. They have determined that, if they enter
+using the service entrance in the rear of the church, they can do so
+with the least amount of damage. Mike orders his officers to break in
+the door.
+
+Just as they begin, there is an explosion. The interior of the church
+becomes engulfed in flames, and shattered stained glass flies in all
+directions. Although badly injured by flying glass, Mike makes the
+call for help.
+
+At Rebecca’s Apartment
+
+Rebecca finishes showing her quilt, and Lilly notices the VCR and DVD
+player attached to Rebecca’s television, “Can you show me how the DVD
+is hooked up?”
+
+Rebecca – “Sure, it’s easy. You know, I bought this TV the day
+Kevin’s dad saved that girl at the community theater.” She has Lilly
+look at the back of the TV and DVD with her, “See, there are just two
+cables. This one is the video, and this one is the left and right
+audio. They’re color-coded. You just plug them in the right spots on
+the back of the TV and DVD.” She picks up the remote to demonstrate
+how it works.
+
+When Rebecca clicks on the TV, they see “Special Bulletin” painted
+across the screen. A studio reporter begins speaking, “Moments ago,
+there was an explosion at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The police were
+on the scene, preparing to search the building for the bomb they had
+learned was planted there. Many of the officers at the scene were
+hurt in the blast. They are being taken to area hospitals. We have a
+crew en route to the scene and will provide on-site coverage as soon
+as they arrive.” She pauses to pick up some papers just placed on her
+desk. “The Arcadia police have been working most of the day disarming
+bombs they learned about from an anonymous tip. Bombs at the Church
+of Hope, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and St. Mary’s Convent were
+successfully disarmed. Unfortunately, it appears that the last bomb
+was detonated before they could disarm it. We will provide additional
+information on this unfolding story as we receive it.”
+
+Lilly grabs the phone and calls the Girardi’s home. Kevin picks up,
+“Girardi residence.”
+
+Lilly – “Kevin, turn on the TV. I’ll be there soon.” She hangs up and
+heads for the door.
+
+At Home
+
+Kevin alerts everyone and they gather around the television. “…the
+fire department has arrived on the scene and is working to contain
+the fire. University Medical Center has reported receiving three
+police officers and Arcadia General has reported receiving two. Their
+identities and conditions have not yet been released.
+
+To recap the events unfolding, the Arcadia police were preparing to
+disarm a bomb at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church when it was detonated. At
+least five of the officers at the scene were injured. The police have
+been busy during the day disarming other bombs located at the Church
+of Hope, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and St. Mary’s Convent. The
+last bomb was detonated before they could disarm it…”
+
+Joan – “Oh God, here we go again! Mom?”
+
+Helen is already dialing. When Will answers she says, “Will, are you
+okay?”
+
+Will – “Yeah, I’m fine. I wasn’t there. In fact, I’m on the way to
+UMC, and then I’ll be going to Arcadia General to check on the
+others. My cell phone never works once I get inside, so don’t worry.”
+
+Helen – “I love you.”
+
+Everyone has overheard Helen’s part of the conversation and knows
+that Will is okay. Lilly arrives, followed shortly by Luke. Both are
+given an update on what has happened. Luke wasn’t aware of the
+explosion, but obviously knew of its possibility. He does a good job
+of acting surprised, but he is only able to convince Helen and Lilly.
+The others plan to grill him later.
+
+Luke sits beside Grace, “Hi, I didn’t know you would be here.”
+
+Grace – “Well, I didn’t expect to be here, either. We need to talk.”
+
+Luke – “Ah, okay, let’s go up to my room.”
+
+Helen – “Grace, I’ll make an exception this time, but you know the
+rules.”
+
+Grace – “Got it, Mrs. Girardi.” Grace pushes a puzzled Luke toward
+the stairs, “Come on, brain boy, I’ll explain it to you.”
+
+Lilly sits down next to Kevin and says, “I guess this means your
+father won’t be here for dinner tonight.”
+
+Joan and Helen both begin to speak, but Joan lets Helen continue, “We
+have already canceled our dinner plans with the Goetzmann’s tonight.
+Will called earlier and told us he would have to work. Now, we know
+why.”
+
+Joan is relieved that Helen didn’t mention Grace’s problem at home.
+Lilly and Kevin will probably find out anyway, but she hopes it won’t
+be until after Grace is back at home.
+
+At the University Medical Center
+
+Will arrives at the hospital to find Carlisle is already there. He
+asks him, “What do we know?”
+
+Carlisle – “Mike is still in surgery. A shard punctured his carotid
+artery and they had to repair it. Now they’re repairing the smaller
+cuts.”
+
+Will – “Hmm… Blackburn, Lancashire. But he’ll be okay, right?”
+
+Carlisle – “The doctor said that he would be.”
+
+Will – “How about the others?”
+
+Carlisle – “Officer Cattrall received a lot of cuts like Mike, but
+none of them are life threatening. Darcy also got a lot of cuts, but
+she’ll be okay, too.”
+
+Will – “Darcy?”
+
+Carlisle – “Cattrall’s dog.The initial report was wrong. The third
+officer was Cattrall’s dog. Oh, and Officer Cattrall threatened to
+beat the crap out of the doctor when he refused to treat Darcy. A
+nurse, Susan Jordan, took Darcy and is treating her. I don’t know if
+the doctor plans to press charges. That’s a problem you may have to
+deal with.”
+
+Will – “I’ll have a talk with Officer Cattrall and then with the
+doctor. When I’m done, I’m going over to Arcadia General. Call me if
+there’s any change in Mike’s condition.”
+
+At Home
+
+Grace – “…so that’s what happened. She’s been lying the whole time,
+sneaking booze when no one was around.”
+
+Luke – “Are you sure? Maybe this was an isolated incident. A
+relapse.”
+
+Grace – “There is no such thing as an isolated incident for an
+alcoholic. Either you are or you aren’t. She has to stop or I’m not
+going back.”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, I remember that from one of the Alateen meetings. Do
+you want to start going back to them?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, but only if you go with me.”
+
+Luke – “Of course.”
+
+Grace – “Joan said she would go with me too, but I don’t know. It’s
+so personal and it was hard enough allowing you in.”
+
+Luke – “Whatever you decide, but you know Joan cares for you, too.”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I know. That’s why I might reconsider, but not yet.”
+
+Downstairs, Joan learns to make Aunt Olive’s paella as initially
+planned. It’s been such a confusing day, but Grace really helped to
+put things into perspective. She’s actually in a good mood now,
+feeling optimistic about the future. Helen begins to tell a story
+about Aunt Olive, and Joan roars with laughter when she gets to the
+punch line.
+
+In the living room, Kevin and Lilly hear Joan laughing in the
+kitchen. Lilly says, “Hey, I would like to show you some things I
+bought today.” She goes out to her car and comes back. “I bought
+these books for Joan. They’re not a present, just something I thought
+she would like, but this is what I wanted to show you.” She pulls out
+the drawing of Joan of Arc. “Do you think she’ll like it?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, she really enjoyed reading that book this summer.”
+
+Lilly – “That’s what I was thinking, too. I’ll give it to her on her
+birthday.” She places it back into the bag and pulls out the statue
+of Athena. “I got this for me. Do you like it?”
+
+Kevin – “It’s very pretty. Who is it?”
+
+Lilly – “Don’t you know your Greek mythology? It’s Pallas Athena.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, I remember the name, but I just didn’t recognize the
+statue. Isn’t that kind of paganistic?”
+
+Lilly – “I’m not going to worship her, I find her story interesting.
+It’s just something pretty to look at.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, again, it is very pretty. Let’s go up to my room. I
+want to show you what I bought today.”
+
+At Arcadia General Hospital
+
+Will arrives in the ER to find Officer Palmer sitting with his wife
+and daughter. “Hello Mrs. Palmer.” He directs his attention to the
+little girl, “And what’s your name?”
+
+Officer Palmer’s daughter – “Stacy.”
+
+Will – “You have a very brave daddy.”
+
+Stacy – “I know, he’s a politeman.”
+
+Will smiles, “Jim, how are you doing?”
+
+Officer Palmer – “I’m okay. I have a lot of little cuts, but only two
+required stitches. It just hurts like a million paper cuts.”
+
+Will – “Well, I’m glad to see you weren’t hurt worse. Any word on
+your partner?”
+
+Officer Palmer – “Greg got about the same amount of glass as me, but
+he got some in his left eye. They’ve called in a specialist.”
+
+Will – “Is his wife here?”
+
+Officer Palmer – “She’s in pre-op with him.”
+
+Will – “Can I arrange a ride home for you?”
+
+Mrs. Palmer – “No, I drove, but thank you.”
+
+Will looks at Jim, “Well, you take whatever time of you need.” He
+leaves to visit Officer Gleason and his wife.”
+
+At Home
+
+Luke calls to cancel his evening with Friedman. Friedman is
+disappointed, but he understands Luke’s reason for wanting to spend
+the evening with Grace.
+
+Helen calls out, “Dinner is served.” They all gather around the table
+and Helen asks, “Joan, would you say the blessing tonight?”
+
+Joan – “Okay. God, please take care of the policemen that were hurt
+today and thank you for my friends and family.”
+
+Helen – “Thank you.”
+
+They serve the meal and Joan comments, “Ha, ha, hahaha, I know how to
+make this now.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, I’m just as happy not knowing what’s in it. I’ll bet
+those seven herbs and spices include ingredients like essence of
+cricket, ground Amazon ants, and eye of toad.”
+
+Joan gives him a smirk, “Well, you’re close.” Lilly gets a horrified
+expression on her face, so Joan smiles and continues, “Okay, there’s
+no eye of toad.”
+
+Kevin looks at Lilly, “It’s okay, just eat it.”
+
+After dinner, Helen gives Grace a brief synopsis of her conversation
+with Grace’s father. Luke and Grace spend the remainder of the
+evening talking on the couch.
+
+Kevin and Lilly decide to go out for ice cream. Helen and Joan do the
+dishes, then retire to their rooms to read. Joan browses through the
+topical Bible, then puts it down on her desk. As she does, she
+notices the paper she had the left there the other day, “1
+Corinthians 6:18 – 20.” She remembers the dream, “Cory Callahan!
+Corinth… Corinthians.”
+
+She opens her journal from this summer and finds where she wrote
+about the accident. Judith - Cory Callahan - 12:09 - Raphaela? She
+then opens the Bible (NASB) and leafs through until she finds 1
+Corinthians 12:9. She reads the passage, “to another faith by the
+same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit.” She
+lays the book down and slips into bed. She wonders as she goes to
+sleep, ‘I do have faith. I’ve seen the ripples. God knows that, so
+why bother to tell me that in a dream? And who is Raphaela?’
+
+When Joan wakes up, Grace is sleeping beside her. She loves her, but
+she will never become accustomed to her snoring. Mental note: Always
+go to sleep before Grace.
+
+She quietly leaves her bedroom and goes downstairs. Luke is there
+having breakfast, “Whatcha eating?”
+
+Luke – “Coco Puffs, breakfast of champions.”
+
+Joan gets herself a bowl, spoon, and sits down beside him, “Well, I
+don’t know about champions, but for low blood sugar, it’s a must.”
+They eat quietly for a while, then Joan breaks the silence, “I have a
+name, but I don’t know who it is. Do you think if I put it in your
+computer it will give me an answer?”
+
+Luke – “It will probably give you more answers than you want. Google
+is a great search tool, but you’re not touching my computer.”
+
+Joan – “When we’re done eating, can we go up to your room and see?”
+
+Luke agrees and when they finish, they go up to his room, “Okay, what
+is the name?”
+
+Joan – “Raphaela. I’m not sure how to spell it. Try R-A-P-H-A-E-L-A.”
+
+Luke types it in, and starts reading through the responses,
+Raphaela’s Kaifuu, Saint Raphaela Maria Porras, Behind the Name: View
+Name: Raphaela, Raphaela Pope…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “How about the saint?”
+
+Luke selects it and it calls up a biography. Joan reads it through
+and sees that she taught children, but she’s not sure if this is what
+she is looking for. “Go back to that name thing.”
+
+Luke does and it gives some information, but nothing that seems to
+help. “Try adding ‘name’ to the search.” He does while Joan watches,
+“There, ‘Name Meanings,’ click on that one.” When the screen comes
+up, she reads the meaning, “Divine healer or healed by God.” Joan
+stands stunned, now realizing the connection to the Bible verse.
+
+Luke – “Earth to Joan. Is this what you were looking for?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I think it is. Thanks.”
+
+She leaves and walks downstairs. Grace is coming out of the bedroom,
+“Morning, Luke’s awake in his room.”
+
+Grace – “No can do, rule number one, Luke and Grace can never be
+alone together in the same bedroom. Mom’s orders.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I’m going to take a shower. Why don’t you go downstairs
+and fix yourself something to eat?”
+
+Grace rushes into the bathroom, “Nature first, then a shower.”
+
+Later, Joan, Luke, and Grace are in the living room. Luke and Grace
+are talking about what they might do this afternoon. Joan is still
+wondering about the dream. She thinks to herself, ‘This is insane and
+I was bonkers when I had the dream.’ She decides she needs to take
+her mind off it, if only for a little while. She walks over to her
+father’s record collection, and leafs through it. “Sounds of Silence,
+just what I need.” She puts the record on and it begins to play. She
+sits quietly listening, while Luke and Grace continue to talk.
+
+Will comes downstairs and hears the record playing, “Joan, what are
+you doing?”
+
+Joan – “I’m sorry, I’ll put it away.”
+
+Will – “No, you can listen to my records. I’m just wondering why?”
+
+Joan begins to blush a little, “Well, I… I like some of your music.
+Not all of it, but some of it.”
+
+Will smiles, “I told you that you had good taste.” He continues into
+the kitchen and Joan follows. “Dad, how are your police officers?”
+
+Will – “They’ll all be fine. Don’t worry.”
+
+Joan – “Hey, Cee-Cee and Roger won’t be here for awhile. Would you
+like to play a game of chess?”
+
+Will – “I’m fine, really. Besides, you are too good for me.”
+
+Joan – “No, you’ve won several games.”
+
+Will – “And I know why.” He kisses her on the forehead. “I love you,
+too.”
+
+Joan is both disappointed and happy that he knew, but she still feels
+she needs to do something, “Hey, why don’t I fix you breakfast? What
+would you like?”
+
+Will – “Oh, how about a ham and cheese omelet, with hash browns and
+toast.”
+
+Joan looks sadly at him, “I haven’t learned how to make that yet. Can
+you show me?”
+
+Will – “A father-daughter project. I’d love to.”
+
+After the meal is prepared, Joan sits with her father and watches him
+eat. “Are you going to have to work today?”
+
+Will – “Maybe, but I’m going to try to do it all over the phone.
+Right now, I just need to coordinate everything and make sure it all
+gets done.”
+
+Joan – “Do you like doing this better than being a detective?”
+
+Will – “Yes and no, but mostly yes. I’m finally going to meet the new
+mayor on Monday. I’m not sure how it will pan out.”
+
+Joan – “Max Doherty?”
+
+Will – “Yeah, he seems like a good guy. He only bent the rules once
+that I know of, but I may have done the same thing in his situation.
+Still, I have a bad taste in my mouth from the last mayor, so I’ll
+believe it when I see it.”
+
+Joan – “Some things have to be believed to be seen.” Joan pauses
+briefly, a little puzzled, wondering where that came from. “What did
+he do?”
+
+Will – “Never mind. Are you still going to the hayride tonight?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah and there’s a party in the barn, too. It should be a lot
+of fun.”
+
+Will – “And Luke and Grace are still going?”
+
+Joan – “Grace was not going to go, but I talked her back into it. She
+needs to have some fun.”
+
+Helen, Lilly, and Kevin return from church. Helen walks into the
+kitchen, “What smells good?”
+
+Will – “Joan cooked me breakfast.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I had a little help. Would you like an omelet?”
+
+Helen – “No thanks. I’ll wait and just have lunch… maybe leftover
+paella.”
+
+After a while, Adam arrives, and Joan meets him at the door. Instead
+of inviting him in, she walks outside with him. “We don’t have a lot
+of time, but I want to tell you something. Have a seat.”
+
+They sit on the step and Joan continues, “I’ve been thinking a lot
+about what you told me yesterday. I’m really sorry that I didn’t know
+how you were feeling, but you have to admit, having sex with Bonnie
+was over the top.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I agree. I shouldn’t have and I’m really sorry.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I forgive you, but that doesn’t fix everything. Why
+didn’t you tell me that you felt so distant from me?”
+
+Adam – “I was afraid. I loved you so much and I still love you. I
+just didn’t know what to do.”
+
+Joan – “What you need to do is talk to me. And not just about the
+little stuff, but the important stuff, like how you really feel. I
+will try to pay closer attention, but you have to be more open with
+me, too. I believe that’s the only way it’s going to work for us.”
+
+Adam – “I’ll try, but you know I don’t like to talk about myself that
+much.”
+
+Joan – “Then how am I supposed to know what you’re thinking? I’m not
+psychic!”
+
+Adam – “Okay, I’ll try.”
+
+Joan sees that he’s getting a little defensive, but she knows she’s
+made her point. She gives him a quick kiss, “Grace needs to tell you
+something.” They walk back inside, and Joan says to Luke, “Hey,
+square pants, kitchen! Grace and Adam need to talk.”
+
+Grace tells Adam about her troubles at home and that she has moved in
+with Joan’s family. As expected, Adam offers to do anything he can to
+help. They finish their conversation just as Roger and Cee-Cee
+arrive.
+
+Grace hurries into the kitchen, and Joan invites them in and
+introduces Adam. She shows them to the couch and goes to the stairs
+and calls, “Mom, Dad, Roger and Cee-Cee are here.”
+
+Will, Helen, and Kevin come down. Roger and Cee-Cee stand back up as
+Joan makes the introductions, “This is my dad, mom, and my brother
+Kevin.”
+
+Cee-Ceeimmediately recognizes Kevin and becomes uncomfortable, not
+knowing what Kevin will say. Kevin defuses the situation by saying,
+“Hi, Cee-Cee, it’s been awhile. It’s nice to see you again.”
+
+Will is speechless at first, overcome by Cee-Cee’s exquisite beauty.
+He’s married, but still a man, and he’s definitely not blind. Helen
+frees him from his stupor by commenting, “That’s a lovely dress you
+are wearing.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Thank you, Mrs. Girardi. It’s very nice to meet both of
+you.”
+
+They all have a seat, and Helen begins the conversation, “Joan tells
+me that you attend Dawson State and major in dance.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Yes, I love to dance. I actually have two majors. I am also
+studying American history. I love this country so much. I just can’t
+learn enough about it.”
+
+Will is impressed and is poised to ask, ‘When did you come to this
+country?’ when Helen elbows him in the ribs. She continues instead,
+“That’s really impressive, having two majors. That must be hard
+work.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “It is, especially with all the reading, but Roger has been
+helping me with that.”
+
+Will catches his breath and decides to join the discussion, “So
+Roger, Joan tells me you used to be her tutor.”
+
+Roger – “Yes, last year for awhile. She was such a fast learner that
+she didn’t need me for long.”
+
+Will – “And you attend Dawson State as well?”
+
+Roger – “Yes, I’ll graduate in the spring. I’m majoring in English
+literature and plan to write and teach.”
+
+Joan – “Roger is so good with poetry. He really helped me to
+understand what I was reading.”
+
+Helen directs her question to Cee-Cee, “You are having lunch today at
+your family’s restaurant?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Yes, my uncle has the finest Chinese restaurant in Arcadia.
+You should come by and try our food, if you haven’t already visited.”
+
+Kevin has been sitting quietly, but decides to comment, “I can vouch
+for that. I’ve eaten there many times.”
+
+Will – “Well, it was nice to meet both of you. You all have a good
+time today.”
+
+When Joan, Adam, Cee-Cee, and Roger leave, Will asks, “Why did you
+jab me in the ribs?”
+
+Helen – “Because I knew what you were going to ask, and because your
+tongue was hanging out. I told you, no questions about her past.”
+
+Kevin was still there listening, “Thanks for going easy on Cee-Cee.”
+
+Helen – “She seems like a very nice girl.”
+
+Will goes back upstairs and continues his phone calls. He calls Toni
+to check on her status.
+
+Toni – “We’re just about done. The K-9 handler has checked out the
+barn and along the route the hayride will take tonight. Nothing was
+found.”
+
+Will – “Good. I thought it would be okay, but I wanted to be sure.
+You’re still going to be there tonight, right?”
+
+Toni – “Yeah, I will be in the barn and be the substitute driver when
+Joan and her friends take their ride. I have my Jason mask and
+costume in the car. I’ll be back here about a half an hour before
+they arrive. I have even memorized a haunted story for the hayride.
+It’ll be fun.”
+
+Will – “Thanks for doing this.”
+
+At Lin’s Family Restaurant
+
+The waitress escorts them to their table, where everyone has a seat,
+“Hi, I’m China Faye, I hope you enjoy your meal. May I take your
+drink order?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “You don’t have to be so formal. You know Roger. This is
+Joan and Adam.”
+
+China Faye – “It is nice to meet friends of my sister.” Technically,
+China Faye is a cousin, as is her father, but ‘sister’ and ‘uncle’
+are the terms they have come to embrace to describe their
+relationship, and the technicalities are just that.
+
+Joan and Adam reply with the appropriate responses. Joan continues,
+“What drinks are available?”
+
+China Faye – “We have hot tea, sweet tea, Pepsi and Diet Pepsi,
+coffee, regular, and decaf, and we have just started offering sweet
+green tea.”
+
+Joan – “I would like the green tea.” The others order sweet tea.
+Music has been playing softly over the PA, but it suddenly stops. As
+China Faye leaves, she comments, “I’ll put another record on and be
+back with your drink order.”
+
+They all get up to fill their plates with a variety of food. When
+they return to their seats, they find China Faye has brought their
+drink orders, and they begin to enjoy their meal. Joan strikes up a
+conversation with Cee-Cee, “What kind of dance do they teach at
+Dawson State?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Actually, I was surprised that a state college offered such
+a fine program. We study all kinds of dance, classical, pop, ballet,
+Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, Russian, even belly dancing. It’s
+really a lot of fun.”
+
+Joan – “That sounds neat. What other courses do they offer?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I don’t know them all, but I can think of nursing,
+photography, geography, forestry, several courses in the sciences,
+mathematics and the arts, and of course, English literature. I know
+there are more, but I just can’t think of them all.”
+
+Roger – “The school’s web site has a listing of the available
+courses. I can e-mail you the link.”
+
+Joan – “That would be great! My email address is
+Joan1412@arcadia.com.”
+
+Adam – “We went there last year to take a look. They offered me a
+scholarship, but the art teacher just didn’t impress me. I’ve been
+seriously considering the North Carolina School of the Arts. Jason
+Welsh is the head instructor. Some of his work was put on display
+last year here at the Arcadia Museum of Art. He is a brilliant
+artist.”
+
+When they finish their meal, Adam and Joan begin to get money out to
+pay their part of the bill. Cee-Cee interrupts, “No, it isn’t
+necessary. My uncle wants today’s meal to be a gift, and he hopes you
+will choose to return.”
+
+Joan – “That’s very nice. Please thank him for us, but your sister
+still deserves a tip.” She and Adam both leave money on the table.
+
+They leave the restaurant and walk out into the mall. Cee-Cee asks
+Joan, “Come on, let’s go for a walk and look at some of the stores.”
+
+Roger asks Adam to join him, but Adam responds, “I really don’t like
+the mall.” Roger offers a compromise, “Okay, let’s take a walk
+outside.”
+
+Joan knows why Cee-Cee wants to talk to her alone, so she begins the
+conversation, “Okay, I kissed Roger once, but I was confused. I do
+like Roger, but I love Adam.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I know, Roger told me about it. I know he loves me, but we
+are both beautiful and intelligent women.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I’m nowhere as beautiful as you. And smart? You haven’t
+seen my report card.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Oh, but you are very pretty and intelligent. Being
+beautiful has always been a problem for me. In the past, my
+boyfriends seemed to be disappointed when they didn’t wake up next to
+Gilda. I know Roger loves me for who I am. That’s something I
+cherish.”
+
+Joan – “And I know he loves you, too. I’m sure you will be very happy
+together.”
+
+Cee-Ceepauses for a moment, “Joan, do you believe in God?”
+
+Joan – “Yes, I believe, with all of my heart.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I’m glad to hear that. When I was young, my mother taught
+me about God, but we had to keep our beliefs a secret. Just before I
+left home, my mother told me to always do what God asks me to do.
+
+Anyway, one day there was this big confusion and I heard God calling
+me. I ran to him. It changed my life.”
+
+Joan begins to wonder, “God talks to you?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Yes, but I just hear him in my head and I feel him like a
+warm blanket over me. That day, his voice was really loud, but
+usually, he just whispers. I’ve only told my mother, Roger, and now
+you.”
+
+Joan – “Why me?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “On the way to your house, I heard Him again, just two
+words, ‘Tell her.’ I know it was only two words, but somehow I knew
+what He meant. I don’t know why He wants you to know, but I do as He
+asks, because when I do, things always work out.”
+
+Joan – “But how do you know it’s really God talking to you?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Some things have to be believed to be seen.”
+
+Joan is speechless, amazed by Cee-Cee’s last remark. She simply
+smiles in agreement.
+
+Cee-Cee– “Let’s go find Roger and Adam.”
+
+When Adam and Roger are outside, Roger starts the discussion, “I know
+you don’t like me, but I hope that will change. I’m not sorry for
+what happened between Joan and me, but my heart belongs to Cee-Cee
+now. You don’t have to worry.”
+
+Adam – “Then why did you kiss Joan?”
+
+Roger – “For the same reasons you do. She is a wonderful person, so
+easy to fall in love with.”
+
+Adam – “But you don’t love her now?”
+
+Roger – “Love is something that never goes away, and I will always
+cherish the memory, but Cee-Cee is my life now. I can promise that
+Joan and I will just remain friends. You see, love is a decision, not
+just a feeling. I’ve chosen Cee-Cee. I’ve let go of Joan.”
+
+Adam – “So, I am to believe you won’t try to steal her from me?”
+
+Roger – “No one will steal her from you. You will have to lose her.
+Love is hard work. It’s your job to keep her.”
+
+With that, they turn around and head back into the mall. They meet up
+with Joan and Cee-Cee and Roger takes them home.
+
+At Home
+
+Luke knocks on his parent’s bedroom door and enters. Will is still
+talking on the phone, so Luke quietly takes a seat. When Will
+finishes, Luke says, “We discovered something else yesterday. Ryan
+has another computer that is monitoring stock investments. Professor
+Steinholz thinks it’s strange that it is also sending nearly the same
+information out again. Do you think your FBI friend could take a
+look?”
+
+Will – “I don’t know, but I’ll certainly ask.” Luke hands him the
+paper with the information. “Thanks, Luke. You and Friedman have been
+a great help.”
+
+Luke – “Friedman came up with something yesterday. He referred to us
+as AoJ, Army of Joan. I think that’s neat.”
+
+Will – “Catchy title, too bad no one but us will ever know about it.”
+
+When Luke leaves, Will calls Victor. When he picks up, Will says,
+“Victor, Will Girardi. Do you remember that fraud case involving Ryan
+Hunter you have been investigating?”
+
+Victor – “Yeah, how can I forget? It’s been a dead end for years.”
+
+Will – “Well, I think I have your smoking gun.”
+
+When Joan arrives home, she finds Kevin and Lilly sitting on the
+couch. Kevin asks, “Where’s Adam?”
+
+Joan – “Roger dropped him off at home. We’ll pick him up later for
+the hayride.”
+
+Kevin – “Lilly and I have been talking. Would you mind if we went
+with you?”
+
+Joan – “No, it’ll be fine. In fact, can Adam and I ride with you?”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, but what about Luke?”
+
+Joan checks to make sure Luke isn’t around, “Quite frankly, it scares
+me to ride with him at the wheel, and he always gets mad when I point
+out his mistakes.”
+
+Kevin – “Ah, the backseat driver. I’ve ridden with him. He’s not so
+bad.”
+
+Joan – “Just the same, I would rather go with you.” She pauses to
+think for a moment. “Friedman was going to drive, too, but with you
+going, he and Glynis can ride with Luke… or maybe Luke and Grace can
+ride with him. I’ll talk to Luke and we’ll work something out.”
+
+Lilly – “Great.I’ll run home and get makeup and mousse, and be back
+in a few minutes.”
+
+Joan – “Makeup?”
+
+Lilly – “In a past life, I was Goth girl. Kevin and I will be the
+Goth kids tonight.”
+
+Joan – “Wow!” Joan begins to wonder why the house is so quiet.
+“Where’s Grace?”
+
+Kevin – “Grace forgot to pack her hat for tonight, and Mom took her
+home to get it.”
+
+Joan – “I sure hope there aren’t any fireworks.”
+
+Lilly – “That’s why Helen went with her. They should be back soon.”
+
+Luke comes down stairs, “Hey, can you help me hem my pants?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I can do it. Mom showed me how to use the stitch
+witchery stuff.”
+
+Luke – “How was lunch? Wasn’t it great? Kevin took me there this
+summer.”
+
+Joan – “The food was delicious! And Kevin, you were right. Cee-Cee is
+a wonderful person.”
+
+Kevin – “I knew you would like her.”
+
+When Helen and Grace return, Joan asks, “Did everything go okay?”
+
+Grace – “They weren’t home. What do you think of my hat?”
+
+The\ `hat <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/john-lennon-hat.jpg>`__\ is
+from the early 60’s, similar to one John Lennon used to wear.
+
+Joan – “It’s kind of odd looking, but the color goes well with your
+outfit.”
+
+Grace – “That’s why I bought it, and because it’s radical, dude.”
+
+They have an early dinner, and Glynis, Friedman, and Adam arrive.
+Everyone is thrilled with Glynis’ costume.
+
+Glynis– “Hi, I’m Kimberly and I’m the coolest Power Ranger. Make fun
+of me and I’ll blast you.” Luke chuckles, so she pulls out her Blade
+Blaster and squirts him twice in the face, “That goes double for
+you.”
+
+Joan lowers her voice to imitate Napoleon Dynamite, “Ah, well, ah,
+yah know, that’s cool. Can I hold it?”
+
+Glynis– “Okay, but just this once.”
+
+Joan takes it and squirts Adam, “Hey, stop it, you’ll make my emblem
+fall off.”
+
+Joan – “Huh, some wizard you are.”
+
+Luke – “Hey bugsy, if you guys don’t behave, I’ll have to fill you
+full of lead.”
+
+Friedman – “Or we’ll make you cement overshoes for the evening.”
+
+Lilly – “Hey, Marilyn and I can think of a few worse things to do to
+you.”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, like I’ll make you wear this nose ring.”
+
+Will and Helen enter the living room.Helen observes the motley crew,
+“You all look wonderful tonight, a classic collection of
+sub-defectives.”
+
+Grace – “Oh, gee, no way, for sure, how could you ever compare me to
+them? They’re so yesterday!”
+
+Helen smiles, “And you’re all in character. I’m sure you’ll have fun
+tonight.”
+
+At the Orban Farm
+
+All of them, except for Lilly and Kevin, have prepaid. This allows
+them to go ahead of the line. It’s good that Grace read the fine
+print on the flyer.
+
+When they get up to the table, Joan asks, “My brother and his
+girlfriend have decided to join us. Can they come in too?” A rather
+tall person in a Jason mask gives a nod. “Thank you.” Kevin and Lilly
+pay the fee and they all enter together.
+
+The organizers have been controlling the entry, so there is a good
+size crowd in the barn, but it’s not overcrowded. There are a lot of
+children and adults. All are playing games and appear to be having a
+great time. Over the PA, a rather odd song is playing. Joan asks,
+“Hey, ah, that looks cool, does anyone want to play pin the electrode
+on the Frankenstein?”
+
+Grace – “No way, that’s so uncool. It’s for kids. Act your age.”
+
+Joan – “Not tonight. Anything goes.”
+
+Adam – “I’ll do it with you. I’ll wand you in the right direction.”
+
+The others join in and none of them gets the electrode in the right
+place. When Glynis finishes, she squirts the cardboard Frankenstein,
+blows the imaginary smoke of her Blade Blaster, and says, “So there.”
+
+They enter the dark room, which is used to store Frankenstein’s spare
+parts. They touch brains, intestines, eyeballs, and various other
+disgusting, slimy things. Eeeuw, yuck, and gross mix with laughs and
+chuckles.
+
+Joan has been struggling for some time, but finally must submit,
+“Hey, I’ll be back in a few minutes. I have to brave the Port-a-Potty
+outside.”
+
+She walks outside and stands in line. A man comes up behind her,
+“Don’t you just love long lines when you really have to go, Joan.”
+
+She turns around and lifts his mask. She then lets it snap back into
+place, “Don’t you think it’s a conflict of interest for God to dress
+like the devil?”
+
+God – “Why is it that no one will believe that I have a sense of
+humor?”
+
+Joan – “Well, I’m not in the mood to get it from you. What’s with the
+dream? Was it real?”
+
+God – “By definition, no dreams are real.”
+
+Joan – “Come on, Socrates, you know what I mean. Is that why you told
+Cee-Cee to talk to me? What does ‘Chun Chen’ mean in English? Is she
+come kind of healer? If so, what am I supposed to do with her? And, I
+thought you said no miracles?”
+
+God – “What, where, when, why, how, you know I don’t answer
+questions. And I didn’t say, ‘no miracles’. I said, ‘miracles happen
+within the rules’.”
+
+Joan – “So what are the rules?”
+
+God ignores her, “All you need to know is that both you and Cee-Cee
+are in the process of fulfilling your nature. Embrace it, and
+remember, some things…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “…have to be believed to be seen. Yeah, yeah, that’s
+the third time I’ve heard that today. What does it even mean?”
+
+God – “You already have faith, Joan. You’ll figure out the rest.”
+
+A woman next in line behind them speaks out, “Hey, if you’re not
+going in, I really have to go.” Joan can see this conversation is
+going nowhere, so she gets into the Port-a-Potty and slams the door.
diff --git a/14-DevilsNightPart3.rst b/14-DevilsNightPart3.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e9e0d56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/14-DevilsNightPart3.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1162 @@
+Episode 3.14, Devil’s Night, Part 3
+-----------------------------------
+
+At Home
+
+Helen – “When was the last time we had the house to ourselves?”
+
+Will – “I think it was sometime in the Dark Ages.”
+
+Helen – “You know, it’s going to be several hours before the kids
+come home.”
+
+Will – “Hmm, shall I take a shower first or would you like to?”
+
+Helen – “Why take turns?”
+
+At the Orban Farm
+
+When Joan returns to the barn, she sees Glynis chasing Friedman,
+squirting him mercilessly with her Blade Blaster, “Why did I agree to
+come with you tonight?”
+
+Friedman – “All I said was that you look pretty in pink!”
+
+Glynis– “It’s the way you said it, Duckie,” as she continues chasing
+him.
+
+Joan walks up to Luke, “What started this?”
+
+Luke – “Oh, Friedman’s love bite is still a bit too hard.”
+
+Joan – “You mean there’s something going on between them?”
+
+Luke – “I’m not sure, but it’s going to be fun to watch.”
+
+Joan – “Let’s see if we can rein these two in. I’d like to go on the
+hayride now. Where’s Adam?”
+
+Adam smiles, “Right here. I had my invisible cloak on.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I didn’t see you.”
+
+Adam – “I know. Isn’t it neat?”
+
+Joan smiles, “Okay, I liked your invisible cloak. Hey, I’m kind of
+getting tired of being Napoleon Dynamite. My throat’s getting sore.
+Can we just be us?”
+
+Adam – “That’s what I’ve always wanted.”
+
+Joan smiles again, takes his hand, and calls out, “Come on
+defectives, hayride time.” Everyone seems to be there, except for
+Kevin and Lilly. Joan walks through the barn calling Kevin’s name.
+Suddenly, Kevin rolls out of the dark room with Lilly on his lap. “I
+see you two like the dark room.”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, there are a lot of interesting things in there.”
+
+Joan – “I can see. Come on lover boy, your nose ring has jumped
+nostrils and your lipstick is smeared all over your face.”
+
+Lilly – “I told you it was supposed to go back in the right nostril.”
+Kevin and Lilly both begin to laugh.
+
+They go out to the wagon and are surprised to find no one is waiting
+in line. There isn’t even a driver. They all become disheartened,
+thinking that maybe they missed the last ride of the night. Everyone
+is relieved when the driver approaches to take them on the ride. It’s
+the person in the Jason mask they saw earlier.
+
+Toni – “Everyone aboard.”She looks at Kevin, “We have a handicap
+service. I’ll be right back.”
+
+Toni returns with two huge high school boys. They lift Kevin onto the
+wagon and help him get into place. She gets up onto the tractor and
+says, “Are you ready to be scared?” Everyone cheers and laughs as the
+wagon pulls away.
+
+Toni had talked to the organizers earlier and knew when and where
+every ghoul, goblin, and vampire would be approaching the wagon.
+She’s a cop, and although she is pretending to be just the driver,
+she is actually watching everything in sight. The wagon rolls along
+the path that follows the creek that crosses the farm.
+
+It’s a beautiful night. The sky is clear, the Moon is crescent, and
+Mars is bright in the east, providing a sky pumpkin for the occasion.
+Glynis pulls out a deck of cards, “This is a game I played last
+year.” She places the cards in four stacks between them, “There is a
+‘people’ stack, an ‘animal’ stack, a ‘things’ stack, and a ‘sounds’
+stack. The first one starts with a card from the ‘people’ pile. They
+start to tell a spooky story using the word that’s on the card. When
+they feel they are done with her part of the story, it is the next
+player’s turn. This player draws a card from the ‘animal’ pile and
+continues the story. The next player must pick a card from the
+‘things’ pile, and the player after that draws from the ‘sounds’
+pile. The play continues until someone draws a card that says, ‘The
+End’. The player who draws that card must end the story. Who wants to
+go first?”
+
+Joan doesn’t answer, but just picks a ‘people’ card. She looks at it
+and begins, “Once there were some boys and girls on a hayride, and
+the wicked witch of October came stealing. Okay, next.”
+
+Luke draws a card, “So, when she arrived, she found a cow, and she
+turned it into a wolf. Okay.”
+
+Toni is listening to the game and decides to forgo her story. She
+continues driving and keeping a lookout. Suddenly, a zombie appears
+at the side of the wagon and grabs Lilly’s hair. Lilly screeches and
+then begins to laugh. The zombie wanders off, giving up on its prey.
+
+Kevin takes a card, “She finds a stick and turns it into a wooden
+stake.”
+
+Glynistakes her turn, “And she sneaks up to the wagon and says, Boo!”
+
+Friedman draws a card, “Then, a mermaid comes flopping out of the
+creek.” Everyone boos and hisses at his story. “I’m sorry, that’s the
+word I had to use!”
+
+Adam draws his card, but before he can respond, a vampire grabs Grace
+and says, “I want to drink your blood.” Grace responds, using her
+warped sense of humor, “Oh, bite me.”
+
+The vampire wanders off, somewhat disappointed that he wasn’t
+successful in scaring anyone. Adam continues, “Then this beautiful
+owl starts hooting, and distracts the witch and the wolf.”
+
+Lilly draws her card, “And the witch gets mad and starts throwing
+apples at the owl.”
+
+Grace takes her turn, “And the tree limb brakes, and bang, it…”
+
+Everyone is startled, because as Grace spoke, a shot rang out. Toni
+draws her weapon and throws off her mask. She searches in the
+direction of the shot. Another shot rings out. Toni is hit in the
+arm, but she fires several rounds at the attacker. She quickly
+assesses the situation and realizes they need to find cover. She
+steers the tractor down the bank, but unfortunately, the bank is too
+steep. The tractor and the wagon topple into the creek.
+
+Toni loses her weapon and is pinned under the tractor. She manages to
+get her radio and calls for help, “Officer needs assistance, officer
+down, shots fired, Orban Farm.” She looks toward the wagon and sees
+Kevin and Glynis being carried out of the creek. “We have hurt
+children. Send ambulances.” She struggles, but she can’t free her
+leg. She calls out, “Somebody come here. I need your help.” Adam and
+Lilly come over. “Look for my gun. It’s in the creek. It can’t be far
+away.”
+
+Adam and Lilly begin to feel for the gun, but they can’t find it.
+Toni directs them, “Over there further.” Adam finds it and gives it
+to Toni. She hands it back to him, “I can’t shoot from here. You’re
+going to have to go up on the bank. Wait until you see a flash and
+then return fire.”
+
+Adam – “But I’ve never shot a gun before!”
+
+Toni – “Just point and pull the trigger.”
+
+At Home
+
+Will and Helen are reading in bed when Will’s cell phone rings. As he
+hears the news, he can’t hide the horrified expression from his face.
+Helen picks up on it immediately, “It’s the kids, isn’t it?”
+
+Will – “We don’t know anything yet. There has been some shooting, and
+Lt. Williams and some children have been hurt. We don’t know if it’s
+our kids. I’ll call as soon as I find out.”
+
+Helen – “Not this time, buster. I’m going with you!”
+
+Will knows that this is a losing argument, so they both quickly get
+dressed and head out the door.
+
+At the Orban Farm
+
+Adam has no clue of what he’s doing, but he does as instructed. He
+peeks over the bank and waits until he sees the muzzle flash. He
+points, shoots, and continues to fire. When the hammer strikes empty
+chambers, Grace voices the thoughts of all present, “And there goes
+the paddle.”
+
+Adam calls out to Lt. Williams, “Do you have any more bullets?”, but
+Toni has lost consciousness. The gunman begins coming toward them,
+firing repeatedly. Suddenly, there is a volley of gunfire from their
+right. Five, maybe seven people have come over the crest of the hill.
+They fire another round of gunfire toward the attacker. He begins to
+retreat. Some continue the chase, while others come to help.
+
+Alice – “Are you all right?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, everyone but Glynis and Lt. Williams. Lt. Williams is
+trapped under the tractor.” Of course, she has also been shot, but
+Joan doesn’t know that yet. Others go to help Lt. Williams and still
+others arrive to help.
+
+Alice – “This is my Uncle Charles.”
+
+Joan – “It’s really nice to meet you. You saved us.”
+
+Charles sees Glynis, “So what’s wrong with this little lassie?”
+
+Joan – “I think she hit her head when we fell into the creek.”
+
+Charles looks her over, “Yeah, I see. That’s quite a bump on her
+head…”
+
+Friedman interrupts, “But, she’ll be okay, right?”
+
+Charles – “I usually just treat animals, but I think she’ll be okay.
+An ambulance will be here soon.”
+
+Joan – “Can you look at my brother? His legs are paralyzed.”
+
+Charles – “That sounds serious.”
+
+Joan – “No, he was that way when we came, but since he can’t feel
+anything, he wouldn’t know if he’s hurt.”
+
+Charles examines Kevin, “There doesn’t appear to be anything
+obviously wrong. I’d better have a look at the officer.”
+
+He goes over to Toni, and several units from the sheriffs department
+arrive. Sporadic gunfire can still be heard in the distance. After
+the deputies secure the scene, the ambulances arrive to transport Lt.
+Williams and Glynis to the hospital.
+
+Will and Helen arrive just as the ambulances are pulling away.Will is
+relieved to see a familiar face. He and Helen approach Sheriff Mike
+Bristol, “How are our children?”
+
+Sheriff Bristol – “They’re fine. They’ll be here in a few minutes.
+They’re cold, but they’ll be okay.”
+
+Helen – “Who were in the ambulances?”
+
+Sheriff Bristol – “Lt. Williams and a girl named Glynis Figliola.”
+
+Will – “How bad are they?”
+
+Sheriff Bristol – “Lt. Williams has a flesh wound in the arm. Her
+ankle looked to be in pretty bad shape, and she has hypothermia from
+lying in the creek so long. Glynis Figliola got a bump on the head,
+but she came to as they were putting her in the ambulance. But like I
+said, your kids are okay. They just have a few cuts and bruises.
+Mainly, they’re cold. Mrs. Orban is gathering up dry clothes for them
+to change into, and she already has hot cider waiting. Tonight is a
+beautiful night, but not for swimming. Oh, here they come now.”
+
+The patrol cars come up the trail, but they pass the barn and
+continue on to the farmhouse. Will and Helen rush to follow. Hugs and
+kisses ensue. They all go inside. The boys who helped Kevin earlier
+carry him in and set him in his wheelchair.
+
+Mrs. Orban – “There are towels and dry clothes on the beds upstairs.
+Boys on the right, girls on the left.” She looks at Kevin and
+instructs her son, “ Go bring down a set of clothes and a towel for
+him.” She looks back at Kevin, “I’m sorry, what is your name?”
+
+Kevin – “Kevin Girardi.”
+
+Mrs. Orban – “Kevin, you can go into the dining room. We’ll just stay
+out of there while you change. Do you need help changing?”
+
+Kevin – “No, I’ll be okay.”
+
+Mrs. Orban calls upstairs, “I have hot cider, so come down when you
+are changed.” She looks back at Will and Helen, “We’ll all sit around
+the pellet stove.”
+
+Helen – “It’s really kind of you to help.”
+
+Mrs. Orban – “Oh, it’s nothing. The clothes are my boys’, so they
+will all be too big, but they are clean and dry. Have a seat.”
+
+The children change and return downstairs to sit around the stove.
+All welcome its warmth.
+
+Luke – “This is great! The creek water was so cold.”
+
+Mrs. Orban – “Charles installed this a few years ago. We actually
+burn corn. It’s cheaper than the pellets, since we grow it
+ourselves.”
+
+Will – “Clever!”
+
+Mrs. Orban and Alice bring hot cider from the kitchen. All are
+thankful to be warmed on the inside as well.
+
+Sheriff Bristol comes to the door and calls Will outside, “We found
+the guy. He’s dead. His name is Chester Logon. Do you know him?”
+
+Will remembers ‘ logonc’ in the return e-mail address from the
+message Luke had forwarded to him, “I think there may be a connection
+to the bombing yesterday. How long until your investigation is
+complete?”
+
+Sheriff Bristol – “We’ll be working together on this. His driver’s
+license shows an address in Arcadia.” He hands Will a note with the
+address, “You can do the search of his residence.”
+
+Will – “Thanks, Mike. I’ll get on this right away, and we’ll talk
+again tomorrow.” Will calls the office and starts the process to get
+a search warrant. After the call, he returns inside and sits with
+everyone for a few minutes. “Are you ready to go home?”
+
+No one wants to leave the warmth of the stove, but they all get up to
+leave anyway. All thank the Orbans for their kindness and head for
+home. After everyone is tucked into bed, Will and Helen go back
+downstairs. Helen has been sturdy throughout the evening, but now,
+she breaks down into tears, “We almost lost our children!”
+
+Will soothes her and holds her until she regains her composure,
+“Don’t worry. It won’t happen again. I’ll make it so Hunter will
+never show his face in Arcadia again.” He kisses her and then gets up
+to leave, “I’m going to check on Toni, and then I have some work to
+do. Don’t wait up.”
+
+The next morning, all are busy with the hustle and bustle of getting
+ready to leave. Helen observes the children are not much in the mood,
+especially Joan. “Do all of you feel okay?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, but I’ve been thinking. Maybe I should go visit Aunt
+Olive for a while in Sedona. She and I can explore the energy
+vortexes.” She smiles, “And maybe I’ll even see the Road Runner and
+Wile E. Coyote.”
+
+Helen – “What brought this on?”
+
+Joan – “I’ve just been thinking about her. She still owes me a hug.”
+
+Helen – “Joan.”
+
+Joan begins to cry, “You know why last night happened. I don’t want
+anyone to get hurt because of me. If I go away for awhile, then maybe
+he’ll leave you alone.”
+
+Helen – “Hunter? No, that’s not how he works. Your father and I have
+already talked about this. One way or another, Hunter won’t be
+bothering us anymore.”
+
+Joan – “Mom! Dad! What are you planning? You can’t become like him.
+If you do, he wins.”
+
+Will – “Hunter upped the ante last night. This is no longer just a
+police matter. He’s dealing with me now.”
+
+Joan – “No, Dad, please!”
+
+Will – “Joan, there are two things that matter to me, job and family,
+but not in that order. Family is everything.”
+
+Joan – “Dad, you are still the best man I know, and I want it to stay
+that way.”
+
+Will – “Don’t worry.” He kisses her on the forehead, “I’m still a
+cop. I’m just changing tactics. I’ve been trying to fight a big dog.
+Now, I’m going to poison his food.”
+
+With that, Will turns to Helen. “I’ll probably be working late all
+week. I love you.” He gives her a kiss. Helen whispers in his ear, “I
+think I’ll be staying home with them today.” Will nods, and as he
+leaves for work, he thinks to himself, ‘The Army of Joan will be
+getting a whole lot larger.’
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will – “Thanks for working an all-nighter. What do we have?”
+
+Carlisle – “I searched Logon’s house and found a computer with the
+‘Hope will burn’ message in his sent folder. He was definitely
+connected to the bombings. I also found some disposable cell phones
+like the ones used. I need to make some calls to try to find out
+where they came from. Roebuck identified the explosive used as
+Semtex. Semtex is made in Czechoslovakia, well Slovakia now, but it’s
+the explosive of choice for terrorists. I think we’re going to need
+help on this one.”
+
+Will – “Roebuck mentioned on Saturday that he thought it was Semtex,
+but he didn’t want to commit until his investigators knew for sure.
+Anything else?”
+
+Carlisle – “Yeah, the police artist did sketches of the two men who
+made the deliveries, and Chester Logon was definitely one of them. He
+is also a member of the Hunter’s Citizens’ Watchdog Committee. That
+might be enough for us to get a search warrant.”
+
+Will – “Yes! Okay, give me all of your notes, go home, and get some
+sleep. Call me when you wake up.”
+
+Carlisle leaves and Will calls the mayor’s office. When the secretary
+answers, Will says, “This is Chief Will Girardi. I know I have a
+meeting scheduled with the mayor at 11 o’clock, but I need to talk to
+him now. It’s urgent!”
+
+The secretary places Will on hold for a few minutes, then transfers
+him to the mayor, “Will, what’s up that can’t wait?”
+
+Will – “We’ve found evidence in the church bombings and the shooting
+this weekend that you need to know about. I think the County
+Commissioner should be there as well. Can you invite him to our
+meeting?”
+
+Mayor Doherty – “Sure.It’s kind of short notice, but I’ll try. Can
+you tell me more about what this is about?”
+
+Will – “I think I should tell both you and the commissioner at the
+same time. I’ll see you at eleven.”
+
+Officer Osborn arrives and knocks on Will’s door. Will had summoned
+him earlier. Will invites him in and he has a seat. “I suppose you
+are wondering why I asked you to come here.”
+
+Officer Osborn – “Yeah, have I done something wrong?”
+
+Will – “Not at all. In fact, I want to commend you on the work you
+have been doing. I have seen a great improvement since the first day
+we met.
+
+As you know, both Lt. Daghlian and Sergeant Williams will be out of
+commission for a while. We need help, and that is why I have decided
+to temporarily assign you to the detective bureau.”
+
+Officer Osborn – “Thank you, Chief, but I don’t have any experience
+in detective work.”
+
+Will – “Detective Carlisle and I will help you. What I need you to do
+first is to take this information about Chester Logon and get me a
+warrant to search the office of Hunter’s Citizens’ Watchdog
+Committee. Do you think you can handle that?”
+
+Officer Osborn – “Yeah, Chief, I know the procedure. I won’t let you
+down.”
+
+At Home
+
+Shortly after Will leaves, Adam calls. He wants to know if Joan is
+going to school. When he is told she won’t be going, he calls in sick
+as well and comes over.
+
+The realization of what almost happened last night has sunk in with a
+vengeance. Will’s words continue to resonate through everyone’s mind,
+and the petty little differences that at times seem to be so
+important, have all fallen away to the knowledge that they all love
+each other more than anything in the world.
+
+It wasn’t their intention to let Grace know just how involved Ryan
+Hunter was in all of this, but Will forgot she was present when he
+spoke earlier. Luke sits on the couch with Grace, tells her the rest
+of the story including details of what he and Friedman have learned
+from Ryan’s computer.
+
+Joan has worried herself sick, literally. Helen, Kevin, and Adam try
+to console her, but nothing seems to help. Finally, Helen takes her
+upstairs and puts her in bed. Helen makes a trip to the bathroom and
+returns with a blue pill left over from the accident. She makes Joan
+take one. As Joan falls asleep, she prays, thanks God for saving her
+friends and family, and asks Him to please continue to keep everyone
+safe.
+
+Friedman also calls in sick today and goes to the hospital to visit
+Glynis. Fortunately, she is doing much better and will be released
+later today. Friedman is another matter. He is still trying to deal
+with the knowledge that everyone he cares about dies, leaves, or gets
+hurt. It is a perceived curse, but it has been, and continues to
+affect his behavior.
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+After Joan is put to bed, Kevin decides he should check on Lilly. She
+seemed to be okay last night, but so did Joan. He calls and confirms
+that she is at home before he goes over.
+
+Kevin – “Hi, what are you doing?”
+
+Lilly – “Hooking up my new DVD player. Well, it’s not new, but it’s
+new for me. You want to watch a movie with me?”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, but I was wondering if you would like to talk first.”
+
+Lilly – “About last night?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, how are you doing?”
+
+Lilly – “I’m fine. We made it through it. It’s over.”
+
+Kevin is not convinced, but it appears she doesn’t want to talk about
+it.
+
+Lilly – “Come on, I bought my first DVD. It’s a classic.” She pushes
+the DVD into the player. They sit on the couch and begin to watch the
+movie. The\ `title
+song <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/13042969/d366d290/The_Sound_of_Music_-_The_Hills_Are_Alive__Julie_Andrews_.mp3>`__\ begins
+to play and Lilly sings along. In fact, it appears she knows every
+song. Kevin decides this is good therapy.
+
+At the Mayor’s Office
+
+Mayor Doherty asks County Commissioner Jenkins to attend the meeting,
+and they all have a seat.
+
+Will – “Mayor Doherty, let me first congratulate you on winning the
+election. I look forward to dealing with such a fine civil servant as
+yourself.”
+
+Mayor Doherty – “Will, when we’re alone, call me Max. Thank you for
+the compliment, but you are the white hat who cleaned up Dodge. It
+will be a pleasure for me to work with you.”
+
+Will – “Hello, Commissioner Jenkins. I don’t believe we have met.”
+
+County Commissioner – “Not in person, but I have heard of you. It’s
+William, but please call me Bill.”
+
+Will – “Well, congratulations on your victory in the election as
+well.”
+
+Bill – “Thank you.”
+
+Max – “So, what is this about?”
+
+Will – “As you know, we have had a string of arsons in Arcadia,
+starting last spring. Our investigation has indicated a lone
+criminal. We have a suspect but not enough evidence to make an
+arrest. Last Saturday, I received an anonymous tip that a series of
+bombs were planted, scheduled to go off on Sunday. We were able to
+disarm three of them, but the forth was detonated, destroying St.
+Paul’s Lutheran Church.
+
+On Sunday, my children were on a hayride at the Orban farm. An
+attacker, who we later identified as Chester Logon, tried to kill
+them. He was killed by members of the Orban family. When we searched
+his residence, we found on his computer a copy of the message about
+the bombings that started the investigation in the first place. He
+has also been identified as one of the two men who delivered the
+bombs to the churches and the convent. The e-mail was addressed to
+Ryan Hunter. Ryan Hunter has been our primary suspect all along in
+the arson investigation.
+
+The reason I needed to talk to you is because we have learned the
+plastic explosive used in the latest bombing is Semtex. This isn’t
+something someone can come by easily. It’s made in Slovakia and would
+have to be smuggled into this country. I no longer believe we are
+dealing with just a few criminals. I think this new evidence points
+to a terrorist cell.”
+
+Both the Mayor and Commissioner are stunned by the news. Max asks,
+“What would you like us to do?”
+
+Will – “The targets, so far, have all been religious institutions or
+places where religious activities take place. I think we need to
+guard all the places of worship, and at least the Catholic and
+Lutheran schools. I can only speculate why they went after my family,
+but it isn’t the first time children were targeted. All the cast of
+the play at the Community Theater this summer were children. I think
+it would be wise to protect all the schools in the county, just to be
+safe. Two of my three detectives are in the hospital and I have
+several other officers out with injuries as well. I just don’t have
+the manpower to do what needs to be done. I can call up the police
+reserve for the short term, but that won’t solve all of our problems.
+
+Max, I would like you to make a request to the governor for
+assistance. Specifically, we need manpower for security and handlers
+with explosive-sniffing dogs. Other police organizations in the state
+and the Maryland National Guard might be able to provide the
+resources.
+
+Bill, I believe you have the authority to raise the Terrorist Threat
+Level in the county. Is that correct?”
+
+Bill – “I believe so. I have read the action plan, but I don’t have
+it memorized. I’ll have to check.”
+
+Will – “If we do that in conjunction with a request for assistance
+from the Department of Homeland Security, we should be able to get
+the technical assistance we need. In addition to the extra manpower
+for security, we need specialists here to help us analyze the
+evidence. We can’t wait for a week or several weeks to get a response
+from Bakerstown. I think we have to move fast to prevent another
+attack.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan opens her eyes to see Grace’s face just two inches away. She
+scoots back slightly and asks, “What are you doing?”
+
+Grace – “Oh, just watching my best friend sleep. Do you feel better
+now?”
+
+Joan yawns and stretches, “Yeah, I guess I needed a nap. What time is
+it?”
+
+Grace – “Time to join the rest of the world in the hunt for Red
+October.”
+
+Joan – “Huh?”
+
+Grace – “Your father has been busy this morning. Just a few minutes
+ago, the mayor and the county commissioner announced the raising of
+the Terror Threat Level in Hogan County to Orange. They cited
+evidence your dad found. He is searching the office of Hunter’s
+Citizens’ Watchdog Committee now, and he has issued an all-points
+bulletin for their arrest. Erica Stevenson, with WGF-TV, said that
+Hunter has made this a ‘Red October’, and now everyone is using that
+phrase.”
+
+Joan – “Wasn’t that a movie?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah okay, so the analogy isn’t that great, but it sounds
+neat. Hey, it’s good we skipped school today. All the schools in the
+county are on lock down. I feel much better being on the outside.”
+
+Joan – “Let me go to the bathroom, and then you are going to fill me
+in on what’s been happening.” She pauses, thinking for a moment, “Is
+Adam still here?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, but after you went to sleep, he started having a
+fever. Your mom gave him something and he’s zonked out on your
+brother’s bed.”
+
+Joan – “I hope it wasn’t a blue pill.” She detours to Kevin’s bedroom
+and looks in on Adam before she goes to the bathroom. When she
+returns, she and Grace head downstairs. On the way, Joan notices
+Helen asleep on her bed. Grace comments, “Your mom has been a rock
+for us, but that’s just a show. I heard her crying when I came up to
+see you. She is as worried as the rest of us.”
+
+Joan – “Where’s brain boy?”
+
+Grace – “He’s in his room. With everyone asleep, we figured your mom
+would want us in different rooms. Of course, there was some heavy
+petting before that happened.”
+
+Joan – “Eeeuw! Too much information. As they take a seat, she clicks
+on the television. A commercial is on, so she asks Grace, “Does
+anyone know where Ryan Hunter is?”
+
+Grace – “No, they haven’t found him yet, but your dad has called up
+the police reserve, and there are rumors the FBI has joined in the
+hunt.”
+
+The commercial ends and they return to their news program, “We will
+return to our discussion of what citizens should do at ‘Terror Threat
+Level Orange’ in a few minutes, but first, a spokesman for the FBI
+has announced the issuance of an arrest warrant for Ryan Hunter and
+the freezing of some of his assets. He would not elaborate on the
+reasons, but speculation is that it has to do with Hunter’s
+involvement in the terrorist investigation here in Arcadia.”
+
+Joan sits quietly for a few moments. She then gets up and retrieves
+the car keys from Helen’s purse. She sits back down beside Grace and
+nervously plays with the keys, “I have to talk to Sister Sarah.”
+
+Grace – “You with car keys in your hand, it must be important!”
+
+Joan – “It is. Will you drive me?”
+
+Grace – “Hey, I got my license to please my father, but I don’t
+drive. I’ll go with you, but you’ll have to drive yourself.”
+
+Joan – “Come on, Grace. I need you to do this for me.”
+
+Grace – “I think it’s time for you to start driving again. I’ve seen
+you drive. You’re a good driver. You can do it.”
+
+Joan – “But I don’t want to.”
+
+Grace – “That’s the deal, unless you want to take the bus.”
+
+Joan toys with the idea of getting Luke to drive her, but she decides
+that is an even worse idea. She’s not mad at Grace, because she knows
+Grace means well, but she is still terribly afraid to get behind the
+wheel again. She picks up the phone and calls the convent. The
+receptionist confirms that Sister Sarah is there. She retrieves her
+purse from her bedroom and returns downstairs, “Okay, let’s go.”
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Lilly – “I have always loved this movie. I had it on VCR tape, but it
+jammed up in the VCR and I had to throw it away.”
+
+Kevin – “I enjoyed it too. I think I have heard about it, but this is
+the first time I’ve seen it.”
+
+Lilly – “It held the rating as the number one musical until Grease
+came out. I still think it’s the best musical of all time.”
+
+Kevin smiles and gives her a hug, “What would you like to do now?
+Would you like to watch TV?”
+
+Lilly – “No!I don’t want to know what’s going on outside of here. I
+just want to be here with you.” She walks over and retrieves a CD
+from a shopping bag, “I bought my first CD. Rebecca said this DVD
+player would also play CD’s.” She puts the CD in the player and it
+begins to play. She sits back down next to Kevin and they begin to
+cuddle. As they to listen to the music, Annie’s Song reminds them of
+how thankful they are to be together.
+
+At St. Mary’s Convent
+
+Joan is hesitant at first, but she starts the car and drives them
+away from the curb. As she drives, the anxiety of driving slowly
+fades to a tolerable level. Joan and Grace smile back at each other,
+and Grace comments, “I knew you could do it.”
+
+Joan – “Being able to do it hasn’t been the problem. I… I just…”
+
+Grace interrupts, “I know why, but this is something you needed to do
+again.” Joan just smiles in agreement and Grace continues, “There’s
+something about Rove you need to know.”
+
+Joan – “What?”
+
+Grace – “He hasn’t said anything, but I can read him like a book. I
+promised I would help you two, so here it is… He’s really upset about
+last night.”
+
+Joan – “We all are, but he seems to be okay.”
+
+Grace – “Well, he’s not. Before last night, could you ever imagine
+Rove trying to kill someone or even firing a gun?”
+
+Joan – “No, but he had to. That guy was trying to kill us.”
+
+Grace – “I know that and that’s why he did it, but that doesn’t mean
+that Rove can justify it in his own mind. We may never know if he
+actually hit the guy, but the idea of what he may have done is
+tormenting him, even if it was justified. When we get back, you need
+to talk to him about it.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, I will, but what should I say?”
+
+Grace – “You’ll have to figure that out, but somewhere in there, he
+needs to hear from you that you still love him.”
+
+When they arrive, an old man in a rather disheveled police uniform
+asks for their ID. Joan and Grace both provide their driver’s
+licenses, and the officer comments, “Girardi? Are you the chief’s
+daughter?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah and this is my friend, Grace.”
+
+Officer – “What is your business here?”
+
+Joan – “We have an appointment with Sister Sarah.”
+
+Officer – “Okay, you can pass.” He pauses before he goes to move the
+barricade, “Hey, please don’t tell your father about my appearance. I
+haven’t put this uniform on in several years.”
+
+Joan – “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.”
+
+When they go inside, a Sister informs them that Sister Sarah is
+praying in the chapel and does not wish to be disturbed.”
+
+Joan – “But it’s really important that I talk to her. Tell her I need
+to talk to her about Ryan Hunter.”
+
+Sister – “It’s that news that has her so upset. I think you should
+come back tomorrow.”
+
+Joan – “No, I have to talk to her now. Please, tell her it’s Joan
+Girardi who wants to talk to her.”
+
+The sister is hesitant, but agrees to ask her, “Wait here.”
+
+The sister leaves and Joan says to Grace, “Come here, I want to show
+you something.”
+
+Grace – “But the nun said to wait here.”
+
+Joan – “It’s okay, it will only take a minute.” Joan takes her into
+an adjacent room, “This is where we have dance lessons.”
+
+Grace looks around and comments, “It doesn’t look like much. It’s
+painted white like everything else here.”
+
+Joan – “I know, but I have had so much fun in the room. I just wanted
+you to see it. When I come back to class, I want you to join me.”
+
+Grace – “Dude, I’m not interested. I can dance just fine when I need
+to.”
+
+Joan – “At least just once.Please!”
+
+Grace says, somewhat condescending, “We’ll see.”
+
+They hear the sister walking back and hurry back into the waiting
+area. She directs her comment to Joan, “She will see you now, but
+your friend will have to wait here.”
+
+Joan looks at Grace and Grace comments, “I just came along for the
+ride. I’ll be fine.”
+
+The sister escorts Joan to the chapel and leaves. Sister Sarah is
+kneeling in front of the altar, deeply in prayer. She gets up and
+invites Joan to sit with her in a pew. “It’s nice to see you again,
+but today is not a good day.”
+
+Joan – “I know, but there are some things I have to tell you. I was
+going to wait until after our next class, but… well, you know what
+has happened.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Yes, I have heard the news. I still find it so hard
+to believe. That isn’t the man I know… the man I still love.”
+
+Joan – “I know it’s hard to believe, but I know that it’s true. When
+he lost you, he began to lose it all. He blamed God for taking you
+away from him. The arsons, the bombings, they were all to strike back
+at God. Can you see that now?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Yes, those thoughts have been tormenting me. But he
+used to love God as much as I do. I still don’t understand.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know if we will ever understand why, but it happened,
+and it’s so sad. I know there is still good in him.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “He was supposed to come by yesterday morning, but he
+didn’t show. It hurts me to know that I may never see him again.”
+
+Joan – “Well, that’s part of why I wanted to talk to you today. I
+think the bomb that was planted here was meant for you.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “No, not for me, but to hurt me.I was supposed to
+spend most of yesterday with him, so I wouldn’t have been here when
+the bomb went off.”
+
+Joan – “So at least part of you believes it’s true.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “More than I wish, and that means there is something
+else I have to do.” Joan gives her a puzzled look, wanting to ask
+what, but Sister Sarah continues, “Let me take you back to the
+waiting area. Thank you for coming. There will be class on Thursday.
+I expect to see you here.”
+
+Joan – “I’ll be there.”
+
+After Joan and Grace leave, Sister Sarah picks up the phone. She
+dials the number, “Millersville Police Department, Detective Anderson
+speaking, how may I help you?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Hello, Detective Anderson, uh, David… this is Sister…
+uh, Sarah McCauley. Do you remember me?”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Come on, Sarah, of course I do. We went to high
+school together. And I know you are a nun now. How are you?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “I have been better, but there is something I need to
+tell you.” She pauses and Detective Anderson is about to ask “what”
+when she continues, “Do you remember when I told you that Ryan was
+with me the night of my dad’s murder?”
+
+Detective Anderson – “Yeah, it eliminated him as being a suspect.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Well, I lied….”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will returns from the Watchdog Committee office to find Toni and Mike
+Daghlian waiting for him. “What are you two doing here? You look like
+warmed over death!”
+
+Mike – “We couldn’t sit around and let you and Carlisle do this
+alone. What do you have for us to do?”
+
+Will – “I want you to go home and get well.”
+
+Toni – “That’s not going to happen. Tell us what you’ve found.”
+
+Will gives them a long stare before speaking, “Well, I’ve learned
+that Hunter has an apartment here in Arcadia. It was listed under a
+bogus name. Officer Osborn is procuring a search warrant.”
+
+Mike – “Good. Toni and I will take care of it. Why don’t you go home
+and get some sleep?”
+
+Will is about to object again, but he really does need to get some
+sleep, “Okay, but call me, and tell me what you find.”
+
+Toni – “We’ll keep you informed. After last night, you need to spend
+time with your family.”
+
+Will – “Oh, some computer experts from the FBI will be here in the
+morning to examine Hunter’s computers. I’ll definitely be back to
+meet with them.”
+
+Both Mike and Toni respond at the same time, “We’ll see you then.”
+Will thanks them and departs for home.
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Lilly allows John Denver’s CD to play through several times. Although
+Kevin enjoys it, he has had enough. He is also still concerned about
+Joan.
+
+Kevin – “I would like to go home now. Joan broke down this morning,
+and I want to see how she’s doing.”
+
+Lilly – “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
+
+Kevin – “No, I want you to come, too. I don’t know if she will, but
+she might want to talk to you. In either case, I would like you to
+have dinner with us tonight.”
+
+Lilly – “Okay.”She straightens up a little and retrieves the CD and
+DVD.”
+
+Kevin – “Why are you bringing those?”
+
+Lilly – “Your parents and Joan might enjoy them. I thought I would
+let them borrow them if they want.”
+
+Kevin – “Okay, as long as it’s not for tonight.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan and Grace return home to find Luke and Adam waiting for them in
+the living room.
+
+Luke – “Hurry up and get back in your room. Mom’s in the shower. I
+told her you and Grace were still sleeping.”
+
+Adam – “Thanks for leaving the post-it note… on my forehead! ‘Gone to
+visit Sister Sarah. We’ll be back soon’.”
+
+Joan laughs, “I didn’t want you to worry.” They hear the water stop
+in the shower and Joan and Grace rush upstairs. Helen comes out of
+the bathroom to see Joan and Grace making their bed, “Did you have a
+nice sleep?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I feel a lot better now.”
+
+Grace – “I feel better now, too.”
+
+Helen feels that Joan and Grace are acting a little odd, but nothing
+about the last two days has been normal, so she lets it pass, “How
+about Galumpkis for dinner?”
+
+Joan – “What are Galumpkis?”
+
+Helen – “They’re Polish cabbage rolls. It’s a recipe that June gave
+me. It’s cabbage wrapped around spiced beef and pork, with a sweet
+tomato sauce on top. It sounds really good.” She pauses for a moment
+and then directs herself to Grace, “Oh, and I can make some with just
+beef for you.”
+
+Grace – “That’s okay. When I’m here, I’ll eat whatever you’re
+having.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, I’ll try it. Can Adam stay for dinner?”
+
+Helen – “Sure.It takes awhile to make them. Would you like to help?”
+
+Grace still has that not so secret desire to learn how to cook,
+“Yeah, I’d like to.”
+
+Joan – “Me too, but I need to talk to Adam first. I’ll join you in a
+few minutes.”
+
+They all proceed downstairs, and after Helen and Grace head for the
+kitchen, Adam sticks the post-it note back on his forehead, “You
+could have just woken me up.”
+
+Joan pulls it off and smiles, “But you were snoring. I didn’t have
+the heart to wake you.”
+
+Adam – “I wasn’t snoring. I have a cold, something about swimming in
+a creek in the wintertime.”
+
+Luke – “Well technically, winter doesn’t start until tonight.”
+
+Both Joan and Adam give him a ‘who cares’ look, and Joan says, “Well,
+thanks to you, we’re all still here to talk about it.” She directs
+herself to Luke, “Scram, Squidboy. Adam and I need to talk.”
+
+After Luke leaves, she continues, “I know what you did last night was
+really hard for you. My dad told me about a time when he had to shoot
+a bank robber. It has haunted him every day of his life, but he said
+he believed it was a righteous shooting.” She makes him look at her,
+“Sometimes it is all right to do something that looks wrong if you
+have a good reason. I remember from reading Thomas Aquinas’ Summa
+Theologica this summer that he said something like that when he was
+talking about purpose and actions. I’m proud of you, because you did
+what you did because you love us.” She hugs him and starts to give
+him a kiss, but she remembers the cold. She kisses him instead on the
+cheek. “I have a poem for you. It’s actually a song, but I only heard
+it once, and can’t remember all the words. I’ll sing what I remember:
+
+“\ Did you ever know that you’re my hero,
+And everything I would like to be?
+I can fly higher than an eagle,
+For you are the wind beneath my wings.”
+
+Joan hugs him again, and this time, Adam holds her tight. Grace was
+right. This is what he needed to hear.
+
+After a few minutes, Joan says, “I’m going to help Mom and Grace make
+dinner. Would you like to help?”
+
+Adam – “No, I’ll just stay here. Maybe I’ll watch the news.”
+
+Joan – “Come on. I know you cook for your dad and you. You might like
+it. It’s called Galumpkis.”
+
+Adam relents and joins them in the kitchen. Will returns and also
+meets them in the kitchen. Joan asks first, “What can you tell us?”
+
+Will – “We’re still looking for Hunter and his group. The FBI is
+looking for him, too. That’s about it. What are you making?”
+
+Everyone answers at once, “Galumpkis!”
+
+Will – “Looks good.” He gives Helen a kiss and says, “I’m going to
+lay down for awhile. Wake me for dinner.” With that, he goes up to
+bed.
+
+Kevin and Lilly arrive. Lilly started singing again on the way over,
+and Kevin is tolerant, but mildly annoyed. As they come through the
+door, Lilly is
+still\ `singing <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/13044457/324060db/The_Sound_of_Music_-_Do-Re-Mi__Julie_Andrews_.mp3>`__\ :
+
+“\ Do, a deer, a female deer
+Re, a drop of golden sun
+*Mi*\ , a name I call myself
+*Fa*\ , a long, long way to run
+So, a needle pulling thread
+La, a note to follow So
+Ti, a drink with jam and bread
+That will bring us back to Do oh-oh-oh…\ ”
+
+She finishes the last couple of lines just as she enters the kitchen.
+Helen, who also remembers the song, joins her for another run
+through. Kevin quietly sits and watches. Helen and Lilly finish the
+second round, by which time, the others have been able to pick up the
+words. Joan joins them for a third round, and even Grace and Adam
+join in, but only singing under their breath. All the while,
+Galumpkis are being made.
+
+Kevin observes what’s being prepared, shakes his head without
+comment, and returns to the living room. There he finds Luke sitting,
+just staring into space. Kevin asks, “Joan seems to be in a better
+mood. How is she doing?”
+
+Luke – “After her nap, she seemed to be doing much better. She and
+Grace went to visit Sister Sarah at the convent, but don’t tell
+anyone. Only Adam and I know.”
+
+Kevin – “What was that about?”
+
+Luke – “I don’t know and I didn’t ask.”
+
+Kevin thinks about it for a moment and then asks, “Do you mind if I
+watch some TV? I’m curious about what has been going on.”
+
+Luke – “Me too, but no one else wants the TV on.”
+
+Kevin – “Let’s go up to my room and we’ll close the door.”
+
+Upstairs, Kevin turns on the TV and they wait through a few
+commercials before the news starts. The anchors take turns summing up
+today’s events. Then the female anchor continues, “The latest
+development in this case comes from the Millersville Police
+Department. They have issued an arrest warrant for Ryan Hunter for
+the murder last March of Michael McCauley. Michael McCauley was the
+former president of Arcadia’s Citizen’s Watchdog Committee. The
+Millersville Police, in conjunction with the Hogan County Sheriffs
+Department, have begun a search of his farm just outside of
+Millersville. The search for Hunter, dubbed ‘Red October’ and other
+members of his committee, continues.”
+
+The male anchor continues, “In other news, the Mayor of Arcadia and
+the Hogan County Commissioner have asked that parents do not allow
+their children to trick-or-treat tonight. Rather, they recommend
+Halloween parties at home or at the homes of friends.”
+
+Luke – “What kind of candy did Mom get for the trick-or-treaters
+tonight?”
+
+Kevin – “I don’t know, but it’s party time at the Girardi house!”
+
+Everyone enjoys dinner because it’s something new and delicious.
+There is very little conversation. The traditional practice of asking
+‘what did you do today’ just doesn’t seem relevant. All just eat
+quietly and occasionally smile at each other.
+
+While they were making dinner, Lilly informed them that she had
+brought with her “The Sound of Music” DVD. Although not all of them
+are thrilled to watch it, the biggest one being Kevin, they still
+agree to watch it together. Together is the key here.
+
+During the movie, the doorbell rings. Joan grabs a bag of M&M’s from
+the candy pumpkin and answers the door.
+
+Little Girl – “Trick-or-treat, smell my feet, give me something good
+to eat.”
+
+Joan – “Didn’t you hear they canceled trick-or-treat? It’s too
+dangerous for you to be out.”
+
+God ignores her, “Do you like my costume, Joan?”
+
+Joan lifts her devil mask to verify who she is and then lets it snap
+back into place like before, “I should have known.” She steps out
+onto the porch and closes the door behind her.
+
+God – “That’s a wonderful movie… all the singing.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, great.Can we get to the part about me, my brothers, and
+my friends almost being killed?”
+
+God – “Almost is the key word here.”
+
+Joan – “You know, I talked to Ryan and it didn’t change anything. He
+still tried to kill us.”
+
+God – “Ripples. There are those that you can see, but there are more
+that you can’t see. You have to believe that you did make a
+difference.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, and I rippled myself into almost getting everyone I
+love killed.”
+
+God – “What if I told you that the bombs were originally scheduled to
+be detonated during Sunday services, but Ryan, after your
+conversation, decided to change it to be that evening. Can you see
+the ripples now?”
+
+Joan becomes weak in the knees and has to sit down. It’s a few
+moments before she can continue, “What about the guy who tried to
+kill us?”
+
+God – “Choices. He made his own choice, without Ryan’s knowledge. And
+the Orban family made theirs as well.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, that was quite a sight, Quakers coming over the hill
+with guns blazing.”
+
+God laughs, “Alice’s family are Quakers. Her uncle is not.”
+
+Joan – “So, where’s Ryan now?”
+
+God – “He’s so far away… You don’t have to worry about him again.
+Your father has seen to that.”
+
+Joan smiles, “Thank you.”
+
+God – “I have a surprise for you.” She pauses, but continues before
+Joan can ask what, “You are on vacation for the next couple of weeks.
+You will still have to go to school, but no assignments. Just enjoy
+yourself. Re-create.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t mind some of the assignments.”
+
+God – “Well, you can always make up your own.” She puts out her hand.
+
+Joan – “What?”
+
+God – “The M&M’s. Trick-or-treat, remember?”
+
+Joan gives her the candy and returns inside to be with her family and
+friends.
diff --git a/15-RemembranceDay.rst b/15-RemembranceDay.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..60823f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/15-RemembranceDay.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1239 @@
+Episode 3.15, Remembrance Day
+-----------------------------
+
+Saturday at last! Joan rummaged sleepily in the refrigerator: no
+milk. That's what she got for sleeping so late. She smiled,
+remembering last night; Grace and Adam had come over with some videos
+and snacks. Joan and Luke had commandeered the living room for the
+evening, built a fire to drive away the damp chill of the November
+evening, made popcorn, and the four of them settled in for an evening
+of "serious, thought-provoking and educational British television."
+Joan giggled as she remembered Luke saying that just before "Monty
+Python and the Holy Grail." Apparently Luke had seen it before, but
+Joan hadn't, and hadn't known what to expect. Joan giggled again.
+Later on, during the Flying Circus video, Grace had started a popcorn
+fight. It had taken them nearly an hour to clean the room up when
+they finally called it quits for the evening, about three in the
+morning.
+
+As Joan continued to look for something for breakfast, Will's
+minestrone soup simmered in the big soup pot on the back burner,
+filling the kitchen with its aroma and making Joan even hungrier.
+"Dad must have gotten up early and started it," Joan thought. "I
+guess I could raid the soup for breakfast." Her stomach growled. "No,
+better not. Too much junk food last night.
+
+The doorbell rang. "I'll get it," Joan said, to no one in particular
+-- was she the only one at home? She hadn't seen anyone yet, but
+she'd bet that Luke was still asleep. Opening the door, she found
+Friedman standing there. "Oh. Hi, Friedman. Come on in; I think Luke
+might still be asleep. Go dump a glass of water on him or something."
+
+Friedman stood there in the doorway, looking a bit embarrassed. "Uh,
+I didn't come to see Luke."
+"Well, who else? Like you came to see Mom? Dad? Kevin maybe?"
+"No. You."
+Joan stopped for a moment. "Friedman, if you're going to make a pass
+or ask me out, the answer is No. N-O."
+"No. No, that's not it. Although..."
+"Friedman!!!!"
+"Well, okay. It's about... Uh.. You know the 12th is next Saturday."
+"Oh. Yeah."
+"I was thinking... Maybe some of us could go out to the cemetery,
+take her some flowers or something. And you... You were Judith's best
+friend. I'm going to ask Adam and Grace and maybe Luke, but only if
+you're interested in going."
+"Yeah." Thinking about it, Joan nodded. "That would be great. Come on
+in for a minute, Friedman. We shouldn't be standing here with the
+door open. Mom is always on us about the heating bills."
+"Thanks." They stood there by the door. "You still miss her, don't
+you," Friedman said.
+"I'll never get over it, losing her like that," Joan said, almost in
+a whisper.
+"I won't, either," Friedman said.
+Joan looked at him intently. "It sure seemed like you got over Judith
+last fall. One week it was Hamlet and Ophelia, and the next week you
+are on the make again, like Judith never happened."
+Friedman looked down. "Yeah. I'm ashamed of that. I think I was
+running from it, from how I felt. I couldn't deal with it." Looking
+at Joan, he continued: "Judith didn't even like me. I know that. But
+I don't think I'll ever love anyone like I loved her. You, of all
+people; you know she was special. All that Shakespeare -- I really
+meant it. I still do:
+
+"Doubt thou the stars are fire;
+Doubt that the sun doth move;
+Doubt truth to be a liar;
+But never doubt I love,
+O dear Ophelia..."
+
+Joan smiled at him; he had tears in his eyes, and was even more
+embarrassed.
+"OK, I'm outta here," he said.
+"You sure you don't want to dump that glass of water on Luke?"
+"No. I've gotta go." Opening the door and stepping through, he turned
+back and added, "Joan.... Thanks."
+"See you around."
+With that, he closed the door and was gone. Joan stood there a
+moment, thinking of Judith. With a sigh, she walked back to the
+kitchen.
+
+Before she had opened the cupboard to see if there were any granola
+bars left, the doorbell rang again. Joan smiled: Friedman must have
+changed his mind about dousing Luke. She opened the door, starting to
+say "Come on in, Freid..."
+
+Standing there was a man in his late 50's. "Um... Excuse me, sir. I
+thought you were someone else." The man stood there for a moment. He
+was a bit under six feet tall, solidly built, with grizzled and
+dirty-looking hair, wearing filthy jeans and an old Packers
+sweatshirt, and a black knit ski hat. To Joan, there seemed something
+slightly "off" in his manner, perhaps in his eyes. He kept looking
+from side to side, as if he were afraid of something.
+
+"May I help you, sir?" Joan prompted.
+The man stood there, as if Joan's question had surprised him.
+Collecting his wits, he said "Yes. I'd like to see Will Girardi,
+please."
+"He's not here." With a sudden fear, Joan realized that except for
+the sleeping Luke, she was alone in the house. What did this man
+want?
+"Oh." He stopped for a minute, as if he hadn't expected that answer.
+"Umm... Just tell him that Billy Caruso came by. Tell him... Tell Mr.
+Girardi that I'll be back." With that, he turned and walked away.
+Joan shut the door as quickly as she could without slamming it. She
+bolted the lock, and leaned back against the door to catch her
+breath.
+--------------------------------------
+Kevin was in the garage, considering what to do next on the boat,
+when his cell phone rang.
+"Hello," he said.
+"Is this Kevin Girardi?" a woman's voice asked.
+"Yes ma'am, this is Kevin."
+"You probably don't remember me, but I am Louise Taliaferro. My son
+Ricky played baseball with you in high school. I called your house
+the other day and your mother gave me your cell phone number."
+"Yeah. I remember you, Mrs. Taliaferro. You used to sit in the third
+base stands with Mom. Yeah... Clear back to T-ball. Ricky and I used
+to end up on the same teams most years. How's he doing these days?"
+There was a moment's silence on the other end. "Kevin, that's why I'm
+calling."
+"What's wrong? Has something happened?"
+"I don't know if you heard, but Ricky enlisted a few months after you
+all moved away. He's... He's been hurt. He's lost both of his legs,
+over in Iraq."
+"Oh God."
+"They've taken very good care of him. He's back in the States. He's
+in Walter Reed Hospital."
+"I'm really sorry. That's terrible."
+"Kevin... This may be hard... Ricky is all right, as far as his
+physical health goes. They've done some operations and have all the
+shrapnel out of his intestines. He has a plate in his skull, and that
+is okay. And some other things, little things I guess in comparison.
+But he... He has given up. It's like he doesn't want to get well. He
+just lays there in the bed and won't talk to us."
+Kevin took a long moment and a deep breath. "Yeah, it's hard. Ricky
+was like me. He was always an active guy. And now... At least I still
+have legs, not that they do me much good..."
+"Could you go visit him? Talk with him?"
+"Well, yeah. Walter Reed is in DC. That's an easy drive from here.
+But... Mrs. Taliaferro, after my accident I was like that too. Mom
+and Dad tried everything and I didn't care. I'll go see Ricky, but it
+probably won't help."
+"Maybe seeing you, talking with you might help."
+"Because I'm a gimp? Dad tried that; he hooked me up with one of his
+old buddies that is in a chair and plays basketball. I walked out on
+him. So to speak."
+"Ricky always looked up to you."
+"I think it needs to be the other way around. I'm nothing compared
+with someone like him, someone that has put it on the line for his
+country."
+"Kevin, just go see him. Please."
+"Of course I'll go. I'll do whatever I can. I wish I knew what would
+help."
+"So do we, Kevin. So do we."
+
+Joan took her first sip of the minestrone. "This is scrumptious," she
+said, "Even better than usual."
+"Yeah, I love it when you fix this," Luke said.
+"Luke, don't talk with your mouth full," Helen said. Luke nodded, as
+he ate more of the soup.
+Will smiled, glad that his efforts were appreciated. "Mom used to
+make it a lot this time of year. You can still get good fresh
+vegetables for it in November, and it sure took the chill off rainy
+days."
+"Pass the bread, please," Kevin said. Joan handed the basket to him.
+"This is good, too," he said.
+Will nodded. "I thought I'd try this. It's from Mallory's Bakery. We
+like their cinnamon rolls; I think we'll have to add their Italian
+bread to the list."
+"It's good just to have everyone here," Helen said, smiling. "We've
+been so busy. We don't have the whole family to supper enough
+anymore." They ate in silence for a bit. Joan was the first to get a
+second bowl of the soup.
+
+Kevin asked, "Mom, did you talk with Mrs. Taliaferro?"
+"Yes. She called Thursday, said she wanted to talk with you about
+something. Something about Ricky."
+"Yeah. She got a hold of me this morning. Ricky joined the Army, and
+he got sent to Iraq, and his Hummer got blown up."
+"No!" Helen said. The others all stopped eating.
+"He's in Walter Reed hospital," Kevin continued. "Without legs.
+That's why she called. It sounds like he's taking it about the way I
+did -- badly."
+"I always liked Ricky," Joan said. "He was cute. Is he okay?"
+Kevin looked at her like that was a stupid question. Joan continued,
+"You know, other than the legs. Is he going to live?"
+"Mrs. T. says so. He's got some other stuff, but she says it's minor
+in comparison."
+"Pretty much anything is," Will said.
+"But he doesn't want to live. Just like I was. She wants me to go see
+him. I told her it won't help, but she's right; I need to go."
+"I'll go with you," Will said. "How about Saturday?"
+"No," Kevin said. "I need to do this myself."
+"Kevin, I don't think you should drive by yourself all the way to
+DC," Helen said, with a worried look.
+"Your car is old." Will said. "What if you break down on the
+Beltway?"
+"Dad... don't do this," Kevin said. "You're treating me like I'm
+helpless."
+Will said, "We'd both feel better if someone went with you. And it's
+not because you can't walk. I'd feel the same way if it was Helen
+going and not you."
+"It's not that far to drive. What's the big deal?"
+"Okay. Okay.... you're right. You're a grown up and we need to treat
+you like one," Will said, looking unhappy about it. "Do as you
+please."
+After a moment, Kevin said "Maybe I'll see if Andy can go. He knew
+Ricky better than I did. Yeah, that would be good. I'll call him
+after while."
+Helen said, "Please tell Ricky that we wish him the best. Maybe Will
+and I can go see him some other time."
+Kevin nodded, with a smile now that the situation was resolved.
+
+"Any other bombshells today?" Luke asked.
+"Luke, that is sick," Joan said.
+Looking embarrassed, Luke said "I didn't mean it that way. I meant,
+any other major occurrences we should know about?"
+
+"Will and I had a nice morning. The house was quiet when we got up,
+unlike how it was about 2 o'clock this morning"
+"Could you hear us?" Joan asked. "I'm really sorry. We were trying to
+be quiet."
+Helen laughed. "It's okay. We're glad you all were having a good
+time." She continued, "Will started the soup and we went to the
+grocery store, and had coffee at Mallory's, and a couple of their
+cinnamon rolls."
+"And you didn't bring us any?" Luke said.
+Ignoring that, she continued, "It was really nice to have a morning,
+just the two of us."
+
+Joan said, "I was up before sleepyhead," looking at Luke. "Friedman
+came by. He's organizing some people to go out to Judith's grave next
+Saturday."
+Helen reached over, putting her hand on Joan's; she looked at her
+mother quizzically. "I dreamed about Judith last night," Helen said.
+"Probably it was just that I was thinking about her yesterday, and
+how it's been a year almost since she died."
+"What did you dream?" Joan asked.
+"Oh nothing, not really. It was just you and her sitting here at the
+table in your pajamas like she had maybe stayed the night over here,
+talking and laughing and eating breakfast. It was really just a
+moment, and then it was gone."
+"I miss her," Joan said. No one else said anything. Joan toyed with
+her soup, no longer hungry. The others returned to eating.
+"Oh. I almost forgot," Joan said, the memory startling her out of her
+thoughts of Judith. "Right after Friedman came by, there was this guy
+that came to the door, looking for Dad."
+Will looked up and nodded, as if to say "Yeah, tell me more."
+"He was kind of creepy looking. Said his name was Billy Caruso."
+Will set his spoon down, exchanging a glance with Helen. "Yeah. I
+know the guy," he said.
+"I told him you weren't here. He said to tell you he'd be back."
+Seeing the look on her parents' face, she asked "Is something wrong?"
+
+After a moment's silence, Will said "Billy Caruso was in a liquor
+store robbery back in Chicago, back about the time Kevin was born."
+"Yes. I was still pregnant." Helen said.
+"He killed Mike Soucek. My partner."
+"Mary Soucek and I were in childbirth classes together. She lost her
+baby. I think it was the stress. That hurt her worse than losing
+Mike, I think. It would have been their first child and would have
+given her something. She ended up with nothing."
+Will said, "At the trial, after they gave the verdict, the bailiffs
+had to haul him out of the courtroom. He was screaming at me.
+"Girardi, I'll get you for this. I'll kill you, and your wife too.
+You just wait. I'll be back."
+"I'll be back," Joan said, looking horrified, "That's what he said:
+"Tell Mr. Girardi that 'I'll be back.'"
+--------------------------------------
+Adam was coming from the art room. Grace caught up with him in the
+hall: "You hear about Friedman?"
+"Something about Judith, and Saturday at the cemetary, right?"
+"Yeah. I thought Judith was ancient history for him."
+Adam nodded. "I'm glad he remembers her. I do too."
+"Yeah. Me too. But I hope he doesn't start spouting Shakespeare
+again."
+--------------------------------------
+The telephone rang. Again. On the fourth ring: "This is the Girardi
+residence. We're not available, so leave a message after the beep."
+"Ummm.... Billy Caruso. Mr. Girardi, I need to see you. Some place
+away from the station. I know where you live now, so I'll come find
+you soon. Oh, and your daughter is a nice girl."
+--------------------------------------
+"Anything for me today?" Luke asked, as he dropped his backpack by
+the door and saw Helen leafing through the mail.
+"Let's see... Penn State, and Princeton, and Dartmouth, and here's
+Maryland."
+"Again. This will be three catalogs they've sent me."
+"I don't suppose there's anything for me," Joan said.
+Helen ignored her, going on with Luke's mail.
+"A letter from Duke..."
+"Good basketball team, but not my thing."
+"Umm... here's a letter from MIT..."
+Luke grabbed it from her hand, tearing it open with trembling hands.
+
+Luke read: "We are pleased to invite you to register now for the fall
+of 2006 under MIT's early decision program..." With a whoop, he began
+dancing around the room, to Joan and Helen's amazement. "Yeah!!!!
+MIT, here I come!!!!!"
+
+"Already?" Joan said. "Aren't you, like, not old enough yet?"
+"Sure I am," Luke said, stopping his dance. "I'm graduating this
+spring with you guys, aren't I?"
+"Well yeah. But you're... you're just a kid. You're not even
+seventeen."
+"A week and a half short. Might as well be."
+Helen said, "Joan is right. Maybe you ought to wait for a year, maybe
+go to Dawson and live at home."
+
+Luke stopped short. "I don't believe this. MIT wants me, and you
+won't let me go."
+"It's not that," Helen said, searching for the right words, as Joan
+looked from her to Luke and back. "You're just... young. Too young to
+be that far away from home."
+"I'm way more mature than Joan," Luke said.
+"That may well be," Helen said. Joan's mouth dropping open, "Mom!!!!"
+"But you're still not old enough," Helen continued, "A year at Dawson
+would be a good transition..."
+Luke interrupted her: "I'm plenty grown up enough to do this, whether
+you like it or not. I have a full scholarship; I can move out and go
+on my own."
+Joan was trying to get their attention: "I'm almost eighteen. I'm a
+grown-up."
+"No you can't," Helen said to Luke, ignoring Joan. "They won't let
+you in until you're eighteen. Not without our permission."
+"What am I going to do at a 'podunk' college like Dawson? Twiddle my
+thumbs all year? Play rock-paper-scissors with Joan?"
+"We'll talk about this later," Helen said. "When your dad gets home."
+Luke turned and stormed off in tears, stomping up the steps.
+
+Will lay on the bed, still in his clothes. He watched Helen brush her
+hair, as she stood in front of the mirror in her nightgown. She was
+so beautiful! That was the least of it; she was honest, and strong,
+and she always understood what was going on, even with the kids, when
+they were being teenagerish like Luke had been tonight. And she was
+brave, with the special courage of a cop's wife.
+
+Helen lay down the brush, turned and saw Will looking at her. She
+smiled, and came over to her side of the bed. She lay on her side,
+looking at Will. "You're worried," she said.
+"I don't like people shooting at me. But that's my job. What I can't
+take is you and the kids being in danger."
+Helen nodded.
+"That creep. He comes to our house, talks to our daughter. Says 'I'll
+be back.' Leaves phone messages. Here, on our home phone, not at the
+station."
+"We'll be OK," Helen said.
+"He killed Mike."
+She said nothing; Will continued, "He was my first partner. My
+friend. We'd talk about the Bears, and the White Sox. And about you,
+and Mary. We were both trying to figure out you girls, and not doing
+very well."
+Helen giggled. "Mary was so sweet, really just a kid. She and I were
+trying to figure out you guys. We weren't making much progress,
+either."
+"He was maybe the only guy I ever knew that I could talk to about
+anything. Whatever was on my mind, he'd listen. He'd make me laugh
+about it, and it would be all right."
+Helen took Will's hand.
+"That day at the liquor store... we'd done all the training, but this
+was our first time with the real thing, someone shooting at us. I
+swung the squad car across the street to block it, facing the store,
+in case he had a car there and made a run for it. Mike called for
+backup and I got out and returned fire, taking cover behind the car
+door. As soon as he got off the message, Mike did the same on the
+passenger side. That Caruso slime had a Uzi; got it at a gun show and
+had someone modify it so it would shoot full automatic. Every time
+one of us tried to get off a shot, he'd let off a full burst. Just as
+the backup got there, he hit Mike, and he went sprawling into the
+street. He was gone. Just like that; some loser with a gun in a
+liquor store, and Mike was dead. I'd never seen anyone die before,
+and here was my best friend, splattered all over the street. Thirteen
+bullets in him, the report said. I was crazy mad; I wanted to rush
+the guy, and kill him barehanded. It was good that Otis was there; he
+saw what I was going to do and ran over and grabbed me, sort of
+tackled me into the car, when he could have gotten hit himself doing
+it. 'Girardi, do your duty. Don't think about it now. Just do your
+job.'"
+
+Helen spoke: "I rushed over to their house as soon as I heard. Mary
+was just sitting there at the kitchen table, not even crying. She
+wouldn't say anything, just kept, scrunching up one of the blue
+napkins and pulling it and wadding it up again. Her eyes... she died
+that day, just as much as Mike did. And then when she had the
+miscarriage... I wish I could have done something for her. Anything."
+
+"You stayed by her through the funeral. You took her to the hospital
+when the labor came. You stayed with her at night for weeks, until
+Kevin was born."
+
+"It wasn't enough."
+"It's never enough. There's no answer for something like that." Will
+continued, "You just have to go on. She has, you know."
+
+"She never married again. She takes care of her mother and hardly
+sets foot out of the house. She never really dealt with losing Mike,
+and the baby."
+
+"Don't blame yourself, Helen. You did all that anyone could do. You
+were a friend."
+--------------------------------------
+Luke slammed his locker door as Joan came toward him. He had not come
+down to supper last night. She had heard him and Dad shouting at each
+other last night when Dad tried to talk to him in his room. This
+morning he skipped breakfast; he tore through the kitchen, grabbing a
+couple of power bars from the cabinet and almost running out the door
+with his backpack.
+
+She rushed to catch up with him as he headed to class. "Luke, I'm
+sorry," she said, touching his arm. He brushed her aside. "Go away. I
+don't want to talk to anyone." She stayed beside him as he pounded
+through the hall. "Talk to Grace. Talk to someone," she said, as he
+ignored her and walked away. "Don't be like this," she shouted at him
+as he disappeared around the corner.
+
+Grace came up beside Joan, watching Luke go. "Been a long night,"
+Grace said. "We were IM-ing all night about it."
+"What are we going to do?" Joan asked.
+"Nothing," Grace said. "Nothing we can do. He's come up against a
+brick wall, and he's got to learn that there's some things you just
+have to live with."
+--------------------------------------
+The bookstore had been quiet all evening. Joan was checking over
+stock lists at the register. She looked up, hearing a customer
+approach the desk. She was an elderly Oriental woman, tiny and
+dignified. She could not have been any more than five feet tall, but
+she carried herself as if she were an empress. She wore a black
+raincoat, and had gray streaks in her short black hair. Her eyes were
+dark and solemn as she looked at Joan.
+
+"Ma'am, are you ready to check out?"
+"Yes, Joan. I found what I wanted."
+Joan grimaced. "Oh, it's you. Where have you been?"
+"Everywhere," the woman replied, smiling slightly.
+"Figures. You do get around."
+She smiled more broadly, now a wide grin. "Yes. Part of my job."
+"OK, what do you have today?"
+She laid a book on the counter: "Poems of the Great War." [use the
+URL to link to Amazon, and check the title...]
+"Cheery reading," Joan said. "Something lighthearted for when you've
+had a hard day?"
+"This one is good. It is by Wilfrid Owen," she said, opening the book
+and reading:
+
+Quote:
+What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
+Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
+Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
+Can patter out their hasty orisons.
+No mockeries for them; no prayers nor bells,
+Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, --
+The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
+And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
+
+What candles may be held to speed them all?
+Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
+Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
+The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
+Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
+And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
+
+"Mr. Owen wrote truly."
+
+"So what is it with you and war? Do you like death?"
+"Let me read you another one."
+
+Quote:
+Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
+Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
+Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs,
+And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
+Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots,
+But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame, all blind;
+Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
+Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.
+
+Gas! GAS! Quick, boys! -- An ecstasy of fumbling
+Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time,
+But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
+And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime. --
+Dim through the misty panes and thick green light,
+As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
+
+In all my dreams before my helpless sight
+He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.
+
+If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace
+Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
+And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
+His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin,
+If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
+Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs
+Bitter as the cud
+Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, --
+My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
+To children ardent for some desperate glory,
+The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
+Pro patria mori.
+
+The woman closed the book. "You really think I want these things to
+happen?"
+"You let it happen," Joan said. "You have let millions of people get
+killed in wars. Or crippled, like poor Ricky. Not to mention people
+like Judith. Or my Dad's old partner. He and Mom still hurt over that
+one."
+"Billy Caruso had free will. So did Mark Soucek. Their free choices
+brought their paths together that day. Mark chose to do what was
+right; your father did, too, even though it put both of them in
+danger. Billy chose to do what was wrong."
+"You're big on this free will stuff. What about Hitler? And all those
+people that died in the war he started, and in the concentration
+camps? Millions of them."
+"Yes. I was there. I have been on every battlefield since the
+beginning of your species. And in every prison camp and field
+hospital. And burial ground."
+"Couldn't you, maybe, zap some of these people, make them stop
+killing?"
+"Joan, you know better than that. I am all about free will. I can
+send people like you to tell them what they should do, and I have. Oh
+yes, I have sent many... But I am not going to 'make' them do
+anything. I choose not to be that kind of God."
+"What about death? Why do you let it happen?"
+"It's complicated."
+"Yeah. That's what you always say. Can't you elaborate? A little?"
+"Remember when Kevin used to play soccer?"
+"Yeah. He was good at it, like he was at everything. But it was
+sooooo boring. All those guys running up and down the field, and
+standing next to Mom on the sidelines, listening to her gossip with
+the other soccer moms."
+"What happens when a soccer player gets taken out of the game for a
+substitute?"
+"He goes to the sidelines, maybe sits on the bench."
+"But he's still there with his team, even though he can't go back in
+the game again."
+"Yeah."
+"He's watching the game, and cheering his teammates on. Right?"
+"Yeah."
+"He's still part of the team, just as much as anyone on the field."
+"Yeah."
+The woman laid a $50 on the counter, and picked up the book.
+"Keep the change, Joan. Put it in the till for Sammy."
+"So that's my answer?"
+The woman opened the door and walked out, waving over her shoulder as
+she came past the window on the sidewalk.
+--------------------------------------
+"This is the Girardi residence. We're not available, so leave a
+message after the beep."
+"Ummm.... Billy Caruso again. Mr. Girardi, I'm still looking for you.
+I'll come by next time I'm in town."
+
+Joan lay in bed Friday night, sleepless. She was worried about her
+dad; that Billy Caruso guy really had him shook up. And she was
+worried about Luke. And she missed Judith. "I'm lucky; I have
+friends. I wouldn't trade Grace and Adam for anyone. But Judith... it
+was like she was a part of me, like she could read my mind..." With
+such thoughts Joan finally drifted off to sleep...
+
+Joan and Judith sat at the Girardi kitchen table in their pajamas
+eating breakfast. The sun was up, shining brightly in the window.
+"How's my crocus doing?" Judith asked, taking a bite of a donut. "The
+one you brought home and put in your room."
+"It's growing. That's more than I usually manage with plants.
+"You do know what kind it is, don't you," Judith said.
+"I have no idea,"
+"Joan of Arc. I picked it out 'cause it made me think of you."
+"Uhhh... did you know about me and... uh... why I was interested in
+Joan of Arc?"
+"I didn't know you were interested in Joan of Arc. I just knew your
+name is Joan. That was enough connection to buy that kind at the
+store."
+Judith finished the donut, and reached across for another one. "So
+you and Rove are back together."
+"Yeah. You see all this stuff ?"
+"Be nice to the boy. He's OK, even if he did cheat on you. Typical
+male: guys are all worthless scum."
+"I thought he was better than that," Joan said, absentmindedly
+stirring her cereal.
+"Well, now you know. If it makes you feel any better, he hated
+himself for it."
+"Good."
+"Yeah. He was like a rabbit in a steel trap. He didn't know how to
+get out. You know how he is. He's helpless when it comes to dealing
+with people. Even with you."
+"So you watched all of this?" Joan said.
+"Well, some of it. I'm not God. I can only be one place at a time.
+But I do keep an eye on you guys when I can. Better than watching the
+soaps."
+"I don't think I want to know."
+"Relationships suck. But being alone sucks worse."
+"Yeah. Tell me about it."
+"Am I going to have to listen to more Shakespeare today?"
+"I don't know. Probably."
+"I still can't believe he memorized Hamlet. For me. That was insane."
+"He was in love."
+"Yeah. Right. All hormones and one kiss. Friedman is worthless scum
+like the rest, fickle as the wind. But... when all is said and done,
+my kind of guy." They both giggled at that. "Except he's still alive
+and I'm dead." Judith added, "That's a problem, but he'll get over
+it."
+"Won't we all," Joan said.
+"Yeah. 'Death and taxes,' my dad used to mutter. Trust me, death is a
+lot more sure than taxes."
+--------------------------------------
+"Andy, I'm glad you could come," Kevin said as his friend settled
+into the passenger seat and closed the door, which wouldn't latch.
+"It needs more of a slam," Kevin said. Andy slammed it this time, and
+it held. "The Gimpmobile has its quirks," Kevin added with a grin.
+"Yeah. I hope it gets us there. Have you ever driven it this far?"
+"Once. When I came out to see you."
+"Wonderful. We'll probably get on the Beltway and the transmission
+will fall out or something."
+"Life's an adventure," Kevin said as he pulled out and headed down
+the street to the Interstate ramp.
+"Right about that. Let's see... To turn the radio on, you give it a
+thump there?"
+"That's it. Hope you still like country. The tuner broke and it only
+gets one station now."
+"I can tell this is going to be fun."
+"Don't worry. The maintenance is up to date, and this baby runs like
+a top." The engine coughed, as if for emphasis. Kevin laughed: "Well,
+at least it runs."
+"Yeah. You're making me more confident all the time."
+--------------------------------------
+Friedman put on his best shirt and a tie, looking in the mirror and
+getting his hair just so. His hands trembled a little; this was
+almost like going to the funeral again. Picking up a paper from his
+dresser, he looked at it again, mouthing the words. It would have to
+do.
+--------------------------------------
+Kevin and Andy rolled through Rockville on I-270, staying in the slow
+lane. A sixteen-wheeler roared by after sitting on their bumper for
+over a mile. "Speed limit is 55," Kevin said. "What's his problem?"
+"They must think we're yokels from out in the country -- never seen a
+big city interstate before," Andy said.
+"Yeah. I'd probably be going 70 or 75 like they are, if the
+Gimpmobile could do it. Fifty-five is about it, unless it's
+downhill."
+They rode on, negotiating a busy set of interchanges.
+Kevin asked, "Did you know Ricky joined the Army?"
+"Yeah. He signed up the day he turned eighteen, a couple months after
+you guys moved away."
+"He was always pretty quiet. He just played ball and went on his way;
+never did all the crazy stuff we did. Never saw him at a party, not
+once."
+Andy said, "Most I ever got out of him was that Ben Franklin quote:
+'Early to bed and early to rise.' He said he was in bed by 8:00 most
+nights and up at 3:30 or 4, even on weekends.
+"Great on the field, though," Kevin said. "Not much got past him at
+short, and seems like he'd always scratch out a single when we had to
+have it."
+Andy said, "Never got any notice for it. Coach never gave him much
+credit, either. He was into home runs, and Ricky couldn't hit it out
+of the park if his life depended on it."
+"I wish I'd known him better."
+"Me too," Andy said. "Funny how you can go right on through with a
+guy, from T-ball and Little League on up, and sort of take him for
+granted, and never get to know him, not really."
+"Yeah. I'll say this for him. I never heard Ricky say anything
+negative about anyone."
+"He usually didn't say much, period."
+"His mom sounded pretty desperate on the phone," Kevin said. "About
+like my mom must have been."
+"He's their only child."
+"I don't think that matters. Mom and Dad have Luke and Joan, and they
+still were basket cases."
+--------------------------------------
+Joan watered the crocus in her room; today of all days it had started
+to bloom, despite the dismal day outside. She smiled, thinking of how
+Judith would like it that the flower picked today to start blooming.
+Joan was glad of the dream she'd had last night about her. "I guess
+there'll always be a connection," she muttered, looking up. "Just
+like You keep telling me." She looked at the clock; almost time to
+go. What on earth was she going to wear?
+--------------------------------------
+"Why are we stopping?" Andy asked, as Kevin signaled, slowed, and
+pulled onto the narrow shoulder.
+"Oil light's on."
+"Here? On the Beltway?"
+"Murphy's Law. It had to be here. Right where 270 joins the big
+dance, and just four miles or so to our exit." Kevin grinned at his
+friend, as he hit the button for the emergency flashers. "It does
+this sometimes. That's why I keep a case of 50-weight in the back.
+Glad you're here -- I can add the oil, but I have trouble getting the
+hood closed."
+Kevin started to open his door. A truck horn blared, as a
+sixteen-wheeler roared by. "Uh.... Andy. Maybe you should do the oil.
+I don't think I have enough room on this side to get out. Not without
+ending up as road kill."
+--------------------------------------
+Helen brought the coffee over, and refilled Will's cup and her own.
+He nodded his thanks, munching absentmindedly on his toast. She sat
+down, smiling as she smelled the hot coffee, and took a sip.
+"Why do I do this stuff?" he asked.
+"What stuff?"
+"Work. Being a cop. Chasing bad guys."
+"You're still thinking about Mike, aren't you."
+"Yeah. And that slimeball Caruso."
+"And?"
+"Maybe its time to quit."
+"Why?"
+"When it puts you guys in danger, that's it. I need to do something
+else. That creep has called four times this week and keeps saying
+he'll come get me. What if Joan answers the door again? Or Luke?"
+Helen sat down her coffee cup.
+"Honey, you know better than that."
+"Than what?"
+"We know there are risks. I know it, the children know it. Every day,
+in the back of our minds, we know that you might not make it home.
+That scares the crap out of me, and I know it does the children, too.
+But we all want you to be who you are. And that's being a good cop.
+If something happens to any of us because of that, that's OK too. We
+are sure going to stand with you, and if that means some danger, so
+be it."
+--------------------------------------
+"Is this the exit?" Kevin asked.
+Andy glanced again at the map. "Yeah, this is it."
+Kevin signaled and took the exit lane for Georgia Avenue.
+"Kev, I'm scared about this."
+"Yeah, me too."
+"Like, what if he doesn't want to see us?"
+"Could happen. We've come all this way. We'll just sit there if he
+ignores us. I did that to a lot of visitors when I didn't want them
+around. Everyone feeling sorry for me. I learned to tune it out."
+"I mean, Ricky is a disabled vet. A hero. And we're just old
+ballplayers. At least you have a connection."
+"The gimp thing, yeah."
+"I don't even have that."
+"Lucky you."
+"Yeah."
+
+By this time, they had reached the hospital complex. Kevin drove
+slowly, looking for a place to park. He had his handicapped permit,
+but all of the handicapped places were taken. He finally found a
+place, far out on the edge of the complex.
+"Guess we'll get our exercise today," he said.
+"Looks that way. At least it's not raining."
+"Not yet," Kevin said, looking at the gray overcast.
+--------------------------------------
+Ricky was in a ward with seven other patients. The room had large
+windows overlooking a courtyard, and would probably be cheerful on a
+sunny day. Today it was gray, and dominated by the fluorescent
+lights. Ricky was awake, and saw Kevin and Andy come in, but he
+turned his face to the wall. Kevin rolled up beside the bed, and Andy
+sat in the chair near the foot of the bed. They sat there in silence
+for a few minutes; Ricky continued to ignore them.
+"Kid, we're not going anyplace. In case you're wondering," Kevin
+said. No response. "Well, we're here, if you decide to notice us."
+They continued sitting there: five minutes. Ten. The ward was quiet.
+Several of the patients were asleep. A couple of the others were
+watching TV. There were the constant beeps and noises of the medical
+equipment, and voices in the hall as people came and went. Kevin and
+Andy sat, looking at one another and at Ricky. Andy made a motion as
+if to ask, "Should we leave?" Kevin shook his head, "No." Ten minutes
+became fifteen.
+
+Without looking at them, Ricky said, "Go away. I don't want to see
+anyone."
+Kevin said, "No."
+Looking at them now, Ricky said, "Mom put you up to this, didn't
+she?"
+"Yeah."
+"She thinks because you're in a chair that you and I might have
+something in common."
+"Something like that, I guess."
+"It sucks."
+"Yeah."
+"Now that we've covered all possible topics of conversation, you've
+done your duty. Leave. Get out of here."
+"No."
+"I could ask the orderlies to throw you out."
+"Yeah."
+"Just so you'll know, you are not going to cheer me up. I'm way past
+that."
+"So we figured."
+"Well, why are you here?"
+"We came to see you."
+Ricky smiled, bitterly. "And here I am, America's hero. Plate in my
+skull, sponges in here where I used to have guts, not even able to
+pee without a catheter. Just one hand that I can use, until they do
+another half-dozen operations. And no legs. In case you didn't
+notice."
+"Yeah."
+"Do you know any words besides 'yeah' and 'no?'"
+Kevin smiled; "A few." He continued: "Ricky, this sucks. I know that
+Andy and I, we can't do any good or change anything. But when we
+heard about you being here, we had to come. If nothing else, we'll
+just sit here."
+"Misery loves company."
+"Yeah."
+"There you go again; you need to enlarge your vocabulary, Kev."
+--------------------------------------
+Out in the garage, Adam finished packing his backpack, making sure
+there was plenty of padding around what he'd made. Last of all, he
+took a little box from the work table, and slipped it in his pocket.
+It was time to go; he'd better grab his coat. Maybe an umbrella too;
+it looked like it might rain.
+--------------------------------------
+"So we had patrol, 0600 hours, and we drew the one Hummer that still
+didn't have any armor. The mine was right next to the bridge. Ripped
+us apart. I'm the only one they drug out that still had a pulse.
+Lisa... And Ishmael and Freddy. They probably never felt a thing. I
+didn't either, not then. Didn't wake up until Germany, and I don't
+remember much of that." Kevin and Andy continued to listen. "They
+flew Mom and Dad over. They were by my bed in the recovery room,
+after they took the legs. That was when it began to sink in, when I
+saw their faces."
+"Yeah," Kevin said.
+"God, this sucks. I don't mind it so much about me. It's them. They
+don't need a cripple for their only child. I'm never going to be able
+to do anything, just lay around and cost lots of money and have
+everyone feel sorry for me, or pretend that I'm invisible."
+The three of them were silent. There was nothing to say.
+
+"Helen, go upstairs. Now."
+"What?"
+"Go upstairs. It's Caruso. Coming down the walk. No, I'm coming up
+too; I need my gun."
+Will hustled an unwilling Helen up the steps and into their bedroom.
+"Stay here. If you hear anything happen downstairs, call 911."
+The doorbell rang.
+"Be careful, Will."
+He had his gun now. "Always. I want to come home to you. That has
+kept me alive more than once."
+The doorbell rang again. Will walked down the steps, his gun ready.
+The doorbell rang a third time.
+Will stood to the side of the door, opened it quickly and took
+position, ready to shoot.
+Billy Caruso stood there, not moving, not saying anything. He was in
+a battered gray overcoat, hanging open over the old Packers
+sweatshirt he'd worn when Joan talked with him. His eyes were on the
+gun in Will's hands. "Go ahead and shoot. I deserve it," Caruso said.
+"What do you want?" Will said, still ready to shoot.
+"Oh, put that away. I guess it doesn't matter any more. It won't
+change things." Caruso held his hands out, palms up, as if to say
+"I'm not armed." Will lowered his gun.
+Caruso said "They let me out last month. 'Good behavior,' they said."
+Will said "Yeah. I checked with the Illinois corrections people. I
+can't believe they'd let a creep like you back on the street."
+"I've been looking for you," Caruso said.
+"So I hear."
+"You get lots of time to think when you're locked up. Lots of time.
+You remember things, lots of things you'd just as soon forget."
+Will waited, still alert for trouble. "And?"
+"Well, I had to face up to what I'd done. And I didn't like what I
+saw. No, not one bit."
+"You killed my partner."
+"Yeah. A guy with a pregnant wife. Doing time doesn't even begin to
+deal with it."
+"No. I wish they'd executed you."
+"Me too. It would have been easier than living with it."
+"So why are you here?"
+"I came looking for you, like I said. When I got out, my daughter
+said I could come live with her in Philly. She's all grown up now and
+has kids of her own, and a husband."
+"I don't really care," Will said. "You can live under a bridge for
+all I care."
+Caruso nodded, and continued: "I got a job now, washing dishes at a
+factory cafeteria. But that's not why I came here."
+"Well, spill it," Will said.
+"I know nothing I can do will change anything. Nothing can undo what
+I did that day. But I have do to what little I can." He reached
+inside his overcoat. Will raised his gun again. "Get your hand back
+out where I can see it," Will said.
+"Oh. Yeah. I guess you're right." Very slowly, Caruso pulled an
+envelope from an inner pocket of his coat. Will lowered his gun.
+"A couple of years ago, my mother died. I was the only child, so I
+got her estate. Quite a bit, actually, a couple million dollars.
+After I made sure my daughter and her family were set up all right,
+there's still a lot left. Can you... could you see to it that it gets
+to that woman, your partner's wife? And any family she has?"
+Will looked at the envelope as Caruso held it between them. "You
+can't buy your way out of what you did," he said.
+"I know that. I know it won't really change anything, but I have to
+do what I can. Here's the information, and the address of my lawyer
+in Chicago that has the money. I've told him to do whatever you tell
+him. He could put it in a trust to give her an income, or whatever."
+"Why didn't you just have him do it directly? Why come to me?"
+"I don't want her to know where this comes from. It would just open
+old wounds. And if you decide it is more than she needs, you probably
+know some other cops' families that need it. Just do whatever will
+help people, that's all I'm asking."
+He handed the envelope to Will, and turned to go.
+"Hey Caruso," Will said. He turned back, looking at Will. "Good luck.
+Good luck with everything."
+--------------------------------------
+Ricky smiled and said, "Guys, I'm glad you came."
+"Yeah, we are too," Andy said.
+"You especially," he said, looking at Andy. "I know Mom put Kevin up
+to this, but you -- you didn't have to come. You're not a gimp."
+"Sometimes I wish I was, instead of Kev. Or instead of you, now."
+"No you don't. Don't ever wish to be like this." Kevin and Andy took
+Ricky's good hand, held it, squeezed it hard. They began to leave.
+
+"Can you do something for me?" Ricky asked. "Yeah, anything," Andy
+and Kevin said at the same time. All three of them laughed at that.
+"Lisa... God, we didn't even get to that. Lisa was... well, sort of a
+girlfriend. Sort of. It was real on and off. And we'd had a fight the
+night before and she wasn't talking to me that morning. If only... if
+only I could take back some things, some of what I said."
+Andy sat back down. Kevin wheeled his chair back around.
+"She was a sweet girl, cute brunette from northern New York, a little
+town close Fort Drum. Her dad had been career army, clear back to
+'Nam, and she'd always been around military. He was so proud of her
+-- I went home with her on leave, the one time we had a chance. And
+now she's dead."
+By this time, Ricky was crying, the tears running down his cheeks.
+Andy reached across and got the box of tissues, and dried some of the
+tears; Kevin held Ricky's hand.
+"She's buried at Arlington. Could you guys go there for me? Take one
+of those Veterans' Day flags, maybe. And some flowers. She loved
+daisies. God, when she would put them in her hair... I can't believe
+she's gone."
+Andy was crying too. "Yeah. We'll do it."
+"Spc. Lisa Macmillan. She'll be in the new section, where they're
+putting the Iraq and Afghanistan people. Way off away from the
+tourists."
+
+They sat in silence for a while. Kevin asked, "Rick, you going to be
+OK?"
+"No," he answered, trying to smile.
+"We'll come back. Arcadia is not that far away. And call me,
+anytime." "Me too," Andy said.
+"Yeah. Thanks again. Thanks.... Don't forget about Lisa. Tell her..
+Tell her I love her. I always will."
+"No. We'll take care of it. We'll head over there soon as we leave
+here."
+--------------------------------------
+Joan stood by Rocky's grave. She had come early, so that she could be
+there for a few minutes alone.
+
+"Rocky," she said, "I only knew you for such a little while. I wish
+it had been a lot longer. You were... you faced death well. A lot
+better than I ever will. You saw it coming, and made it your friend."
+
+She looked around, half-expecting to see him the way she had at his
+funeral, but he was not to be seen. "It sucks that you died so young.
+I know you're OK now and everything, but I still don't like it. Your
+mom misses you. But I guess you know that."
+
+She sensed that someone had come up beside her. Turning, she saw that
+it was Adam. He was in a dark hooded raincoat, with his backpack.
+"Hi," he said.
+"Hi."
+"I thought you might be here."
+"Yeah."
+
+They stood there for a bit. "I wish I'd met him," Adam said. "He must
+have been a good kid."
+"Yeah, he was."
+"You okay?" he asked.
+"No. Are you?"
+"No."
+Joan began to cry. Adam shyly took her hand. She held it tightly,
+grateful for the contact.
+
+After a long while, he said, "Jane?"
+"Mmm-hmm?" Joan replied.
+"I was wondering, you know, if maybe... " Adam faltered to a stop.
+Turning to him, "Yes?"
+"I want to go over to Mom's grave."
+"Sure."
+"That's why I came out early. I went over there, and I couldn't do
+it, not by myself. Would you go over with me?"
+Joan squeezed his hand. "Of course I will."
+
+They walked hand in hand down the row of tombstones; Elizabeth's
+grave was not far from Rocky's. Joan and Adam stood at the foot of
+her grave for a long while. A cold drizzle began to fall. The bare
+limbs of the trees on their left rustled as the wind picked up.
+
+Adam spoke, so softly that Joan could not tell whether he was talking
+to himself or to her.
+"I remember when I was in kindergarten and we were supposed to draw a
+house. All the other kids drew a kid house, you know, a box with two
+windows and a door and a curl of smoke from a chimney. The teacher
+loved it, and told them how good they all were. My house was
+different. I got this idea that I'd show all the rooms at once with
+all the furniture and the plumbing and the electric wires, all kind
+of piled up in four or five dimensions, and all the people that had
+ever lived there before us. The teacher frowned at me when she saw it
+and said 'Now Adam. Be a good little boy and draw a house the way it
+is supposed to be.' I didn't know what to do, so I started crying,
+and the other kids made fun of me, all except Grace. She told them to
+shut up. She hit one of the boys, and the teacher made her go sit in
+the corner."
+
+Joan held Adam's hand. She was starting to cry again.
+"I took it home, all smudged where I'd cried on it. I didn't even
+have to tell Mom what it was. As soon as she saw it, she said 'That's
+our house, isn't it?' She hugged me, and hung it on the refrigerator.
+It stayed there for years."
+
+"I wish I'd known her," Joan said.
+"She would have liked you. She saw lots of stuff that other people
+can't see, and she would see what a good person you are."
+Joan didn't know what to say to this. Adam took his hand from Joan's,
+and reached into an inside pocket of his coat. He pulled out a little
+cardboard box, what might have once been a box for a ring. "I made
+this for you, Mom," he said. He opened it, and took out a tiny
+sculpture: a woman surrounded by a nimbus of bright wires, looping
+around her like ripples in a three-dimensional pond. Kneeling on one
+knee in the wet grass, he set it gently at the foot of the tombstone.
+"If there's ever any good ripples that come from me, you're the one
+who started it."
+
+Joan stood behind Adam, her hands on his shoulders. She was
+awestruck. The little sculpture was exquisite, like a tiny jewel, or
+a star in the night sky. Looking up, she saw that Grace was standing
+there. As Adam stood up, Grace came over and hugged him, hard,
+neither of them saying a word. Finally she spoke, "The others are
+here. We'd better go."
+
+The three of them walked toward the chapel, as the drizzle grew into
+a steady cold rain.
+
+"This is the third time we've crossed this bridge," Kevin said as
+they crossed the Potomac in heavy afternoon traffic.
+"I think we just need to get in that lane and we'll be able to get in
+the place this time," Andy said. "Yeah, there it is. There's the
+sign."
+--------------------------------------
+Friedman, Glynis and Luke stood inside the chapel waiting for them.
+Joan went to Luke, taking his hands in hers. "I'm glad you came," she
+said. Luke smiled, a little. "I'm sorry I've been such a grouch," he
+said.
+"It's OK. For what it's worth, I'm on your side. You would knock 'em
+dead at MIT, now or anytime."
+"Thanks. Thanks, Joan. That means a lot."
+"Tell her about the admissions guy," Grace said.
+"Oh yeah. I called the admissions office yesterday after school and
+told them the situation. He said that the scholarship still holds,
+even if I don't start until fall 2007. And he said I might as well
+get some general studies courses out of the way at Dawson. They would
+work with the Dawson people and make sure that the courses transfer."
+"Luke, that's great news!" Joan said.
+"I still want to go. It's not fair."
+"Unchallenged," Joan said. "Life's not fair, is it?"
+"No," he said, sadly shaking his head. "That's kind of what today is
+all about, I guess. Life is definitely not fair."
+
+The six of them walked down the drive toward Judith's grave. The
+little group huddled together against the wind, now blowing steadily
+as the temperature dropped. A few leaves, the last of the season,
+swirled around them. They saw two people standing by the grave,
+holding one another. "I wonder who that is," Grace said. The two
+people heard the group and turned to see who they were. "Look, it's
+Judith's parents," Joan said.
+
+"Mr. Montgomery. Mrs. Montgomery," Joan said, as the group gathered
+beside them. Seeming surprised that the young people had come, Mr.
+Montgomery said "It is a dark day for this sort of thing. I'm glad
+you came."
+"We had to," Joan said, finding herself the spokesperson for the
+group. "We haven't forgotten."
+"Nor have we," Mrs. Montgomery said.
+"We don't want to intrude," Mr. Montgomery said. "We've been here for
+a while, and I guess we'll go now."
+"Don't go," Joan said. "Stay here with us. We all cared about Judith.
+We ought to all be here together."
+Touched by Joan's offer, Mr. Montgomery said "Thank you. That is very
+kind."
+
+The tombstone read:
+
+Quote:
+Judith Montgomery
+Beloved Daughter
+March 9th, 1988
+November 12, 2004
+
+There were flowers on the grave, obviously from the Montgomerys. The
+eight of them stood in a little group around the grave.
+
+"We failed her," Mrs. Montgomery said. "We were so busy with our jobs
+that we didn't have time for her. She made it hard for us to try and
+get through, but that doesn't excuse us. We didn't try hard enough.
+If only we could start over..."
+
+Joan came over and hugged her. For a moment, Joan could think of
+nothing to say. Slowly, she said "Judith is all right now. Everything
+is all right."
+
+"I wish I knew that," Mr. Montgomery said. "God, I wish I knew that."
+Not knowing what else she could say, Joan kept her silence, and
+hugged him also.
+
+Grace spoke up. "Judith, you rocked. You broke every convention. You
+turned everything upside down. We miss you, girl."
+
+After a moment, Luke said "You have gone on into another continuum.
+You see things now that our eyes are too dim to see. You hear things
+our ears are too dull to hear. If there is a God, you must be seeing
+Him face to face, and you must know the things that still mystify us.
+We will come to you, but you can no longer come to us. Go gently and
+be at peace, friend."
+
+Glynis said "I didn't know Judith much at all. But I wish her well.
+And I'm here for all of you... all of you, my friends." She turned
+away, shy at having said what she said.
+
+Adam set his backpack on the ground, opened it, and pulled out
+something wrapped in a cloth. He motioned for Joan to help him, and
+the two of them unwrapped it.
+
+It was Judith, whirling on one foot in a wild dance, her arms
+outstretched and her hair flying about her. She had a huge smile on
+her face as she looked skyward, as if she were caught up in a moment
+of fierce joy.
+
+"Here. You should have this," Adam said.
+They looked at the sculpture, and at Adam. "We can't take this.
+It's... it is stunning," Mrs. Montgomery said. "You should sell this;
+it would be worth a lot of money."
+"No. I can't sell something like this. I made it for Judith. I was
+going to leave it here, but you should have it."
+
+Joan added her voice: "Yes. You should have it. I think Judith would
+want it that way." Adam pressed the sculpture into Mr. Montgomery's
+hands. Reluctantly, he took it, cradling it carefully in his arms.
+
+Joan began to speak. "You saved my life, Judith. Back there at crazy
+camp, I was losing it. I was going insane, and didn't believe in
+anyone or anything anymore. But you drug me back up and made me keep
+on living." Looking down at her feet, Joan continued, "I wish I had
+been there for you. I was too wrapped up in myself last fall, and
+I... I wasn't paying enough attention to you or to anything. I didn't
+see what was happening to you, not until it was too late."
+
+Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out three balls. "I still have
+the juggling balls. I... I try sometimes, for you. But I just can't
+do it, not without you." Sobbing now, she said "I miss you so much! I
+wish you were still here with us." Grace and Luke hugged her and held
+her as she turned away, trying to hide her tears. Mrs. Montgomery
+came over, shyly, and took Joan's hand. "Thank you for everything,"
+she murmured. "You were there for Judith when no one else was." Joan
+smiled through her tears and nodded.
+
+"I was crazy last fall," Friedman said, while this was going on. "No,
+I've always been crazy." The others smiled. "Judith, you were crazy
+too. You were a blaze of light, too bright to bear... I guess maybe
+too bright to last on this earth."
+
+After a moment he continued, "You weren't exactly falling for my
+boyish charm. Not even for my Hamlet. And that's OK. But I hope you
+realized that I really did love you."
+
+Looking at Glynis, who seemed uncomfortable with his remarks,
+Friedman continued, "I've moved on now. We all have, because we must.
+But we will remember you, always."
+
+Looking around at the group, as if unsure whether to say more, he
+continued:
+
+"Judith, now you sleep. 'Perchance to dream?'
+Or is it a formless night without morning,
+The end of a 'tale
+Told by an idiot,
+Signifying nothing?'
+
+Was I no more than a pest?
+Or do you dream of me, as I of you,
+Awaiting a morning where
+Even love stillborn
+is honored?"
+
+--------------------------------------
+
+There were rows of graves, some of them fresh, all in military
+precision with identical white markers. Many of them had little
+American flags from the crowd of visitors for the Veterans' Day
+ceremonies the day before. Kevin and Andy were alone in the cold
+rain, except for an old woman down the way in a black raincoat but
+bareheaded, kneeling in the wet grass and weeping silently by a fresh
+grave.
+
+Quote:
+Lisa A. Macmillan, Spc. U.S. Army
+Operation Iraqi Freedom
+August 18, 1984 - September 4, 2005
+
+Kevin rolled up to the marker, leaned over, and planted the little
+flag by it, next to one that was already there. Andy gently laid the
+little bouquet of daisies on the mound, where grass was just
+beginning to grow back.
+
+"Lisa, friend of our friend," Kevin said, softly. "We don't know if
+you can hear us, but Ricky misses you. I think he wishes he were
+dead, too."
+"He wants you to know that he loves you," Andy said. "He's a good
+guy, and we hope you'll think well of him."
+"We wish you well, wherever you are. May you have rest, and peace."
+
+The old woman stood, slowly and with effort, and with a last look at
+the grave began walking their way. She nodded to them as she passed,
+her black-and-gray hair soaking wet and plastered to her forehead,
+her face wrinkled, her Oriental eyes dark and sad, and red from
+weeping. They returned the nod and watched as she slowly made her way
+down the row, tiny and fragile-looking in the rain.
+
+--------------------------------------
+
+The rain fell steadily, harder now than before. Joan and Adam walked
+slowly along the sidewalk, holding hands and sheltering under his
+umbrella. Their breath was now making clouds of steam, as the
+temperature continued to drop. Each of them was lost in thought, glad
+simply to have each other's company. They were almost to the Girardi
+house before Adam spoke:
+
+"I was thinking... you know, the other part of a year ago."
+"Yeah. I was thinking about that too."
+"It was good."
+Joan looked at Adam, and smiled. He smiled back, his little smile
+that she loved. "You were so handsome. I thought my Prince Charming
+had come to sweep me off my feet."
+"You were beautiful. I've tried to draw you, what you looked like
+that night. I can't. I don't have any way to measure up to it."
+"That was such a good time," Joan said.
+"I really thought things were going to be OK," Adam said, softly,
+"Like I'd finally found someone, and we'd be together forever."
+"Yeah, like the old stories: 'And they lived happily ever after.'
+Hasn't happened."
+"No. I wish it had."
+They walked on a bit. Adam broke the silence: "I hate that I screwed
+things up."
+"You weren't the only one. We both screwed up. I sometimes wish we
+could go back a year, back to that night. And before Judith died. I
+wish we could bring her back."
+"I wonder if we'll ever be like we were a year ago. Seems like
+another universe or something."
+"I guess not," Joan said. "It's like being a child, maybe. We can't
+go back there again." She stopped and turned to Adam. "But we're
+where we are now. And we can go on from here, the best we can."
+"Unchallenged," he said softly.
+Adam kissed her, a shy little kiss on the cheek. "I love you."
+She smiled at him. "I love you too." Gently, she reached up and
+touched his face.
+
+They embraced in the cold rain, kissing tenderly and long as the
+early dark of November deepened around them.
diff --git a/16-AWonderfulGiftPart1.rst b/16-AWonderfulGiftPart1.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d08c037
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16-AWonderfulGiftPart1.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,2070 @@
+Episode 3.16, A Wonderful Gift, Part 1
+--------------------------------------
+
+With Ole Pen
+
+It’s been awhile since I’ve written. So much and so little has
+happened. After a week with no trace of Ryan Hunter and his group,
+the county lowered the Terrorist Threat Level back down to ‘Yellow’.
+I’m still trying to deal with the idea of life without Ryan. Yes, I’m
+thrilled, but I still think about him, and I often have to remind
+myself that he’s gone.
+
+Grace went home after her mother agreed to admit herself into rehab.
+Sarah is in Baltimore. I don’t know why she couldn’t do it here, but
+I guess this is a special Jewish center for that purpose. Rabbi
+Polonsky left today to join her, so Grace is back as my roommate
+until her mother returns.
+
+I told Dad that I knew Ryan was gone, but he said he still had to
+complete his investigation. He left this morning to consult with the
+FBI about it, and he won’t be back until Tuesday evening. I know it’s
+just a few days, but I’m still going to miss him. I like having him
+here every day.
+
+The Goetzmann’s finally came over the Saturday before last. Mom made
+her leg of lamb. Everyone enjoyed it. Elizabeth was glad that I found
+out about Adam taking dance lessons. She felt bad about deceiving me,
+but Adam wanted to keep it a secret. She said Adam is doing really
+well. We talked and listened to the CD’s she brought with her, and
+she showed me a few dances that she had learned. We had a good time.
+Yesterday was a struggle, but I feel better now, having said goodbye
+once again to Judith. The crocus is still blooming. The Herald had a
+story this morning. Visitors to Mercer Creek discovered the crocuses
+Adam and I planted. They have bloomed as well! I had Luke look up the
+‘Joan of Arc’ crocus for me. They’re not supposed to do that, at
+least not until the spring. Strange.
+
+I’m falling back in love with Adam. I guess I never really fell out
+of love, but it still scares me. I need to slow down. How do you
+control your heart? I should tell him how much I really love him. Not
+sharing our true feelings is what caused our breakup in the first
+place. Isn’t that what I demanded of him? God, please help me to do
+it right this time.
+
+Next week is Thanksgiving and my birthday, both on the same day. That
+happens every few years. At least I wasn’t born on April 1st!
+Everyone is trying to get hints of what I might like as a present. In
+years past, I’ve always given everyone lots of ideas, but this year,
+I can’t think of anything I want.
+
+I stopped taking street fighting lessons from Ms. Keady, except for
+once a week. She wants me to at least practice that often. She feels
+she knows the jitterbug well enough now, and tomorrow, we start
+teaching students. We are both amazed that we never got caught with
+what we were really doing in the gym. I asked Elizabeth to help with
+the teaching, and she agreed. Since I’ll be dancing so much during
+school, I’ve decided to skip dance class this week.
+
+Ms. Keady has made only one request, in addition to me helping to
+teach the other students. Her daughter wants to meet me. So, after
+school tomorrow, she and I will be visiting the Children’s Hospital.
+I hate it when anyone is hurting, but children are the worst. I
+started to tell my dad, but then I realized I didn’t have to. I told
+him anyway.
+
+Well, I have to go to sleep. It’s going to be a stressful next few
+days. I have built up my endurance, but jitterbugging is still a
+dance that’s quite exhausting, and I’ll be doing a lot of it.
+
+At School
+
+Joan and her army walk to class. Is it still her army, now that Ryan
+is gone? Good question. They come upon Alice posting flyers on the
+wall.
+
+Alice – “Would you like to come to the ‘Battle of the Bands’ on
+December 3rd? There will be five bands, including ours. It’s to raise
+money to rebuild St. Paul’s Church.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, it sounds like fun. Do they need help?”
+
+Alice – “Brother Jimi thought you might ask. He would like you to
+accept the donations.”
+
+Adam – “I’ll help with the lighting.” He smiles and continues,
+“Because Joan will need someone to catch the loot.”
+
+Joan – “Oh no, we’re not doing that again. I’ll talk to my dad and
+see if he can have some police officers there from the beginning.”
+
+Alice – “Brother Jimi has already seen to that. Don’t worry;
+everything will be fine this time.”
+
+Joan – “How did you find out about it?”
+
+Alice – “Brother Jimi called and asked me if we would play. He saw us
+play at a wedding reception, and he liked our music.”
+
+Joan wonders for a moment, “Friedman, where’s Glynis?”
+
+Friedman – “I don’t know. We went… we studied biology yesterday. I’m
+surprised she’s not here today, too.”
+
+Elizabeth walks past, “Hey, you need to get to the gym.” She winks,
+“I hope you dance.”
+
+Adam – “What was that about?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, it’s nothing. It’s a song from one of the CD’s she
+brought over the other day. But she’s right, I have to go. I’ll see
+you later.”
+
+At the Girardi Residence
+
+Richard answers the door, “Will, come in, I’m so glad you decided to
+come.”
+
+Will – “Well, I can’t make promises, but I have decided that it’s
+time we talked.”
+
+Richard – “Let me introduce you to my family. This is my wife Trenna,
+my daughter Emily, and my son Trevor.”
+
+Will initially extends his hand, but each pulls him in for a hug and
+responds with an appropriate greeting. Emily continues, “Uncle Will,
+tell me about Joan. I was so excited when Dad told me that I had a
+cousin. When can I meet her?”
+
+Will – “I don’t know just yet, but we can talk later.”
+
+Will and Richard go into the study alone.Richard begins, “I could
+tell you remember my mother’s name. Please don’t hold that against
+her. She’s really a sweet kid.”
+
+Will – “It was just the initial surprise. Don’t worry; I would never
+take our problems out on Emily or Trevor. In fact, that’s the main
+reason why I decided to come. I haven’t been fair to my children.
+I’ve been depriving them of knowing their uncle and cousins…”
+
+At the Herald
+
+Rebecca walks up to Kevin’s desk, “Here are some more stories I want
+you to edit.”
+
+Kevin – “Why don’t you just make your suggestions online, instead of
+hand carrying them?”
+
+Rebecca – “I like to write my notes by hand, but you still get the
+original stories.”
+
+Kevin – “Okay, but it seems inefficient.”
+
+Rebecca – “Well, I’ll consider changing. We are going to have to
+reduce our operating costs. With the FBI freezing Hunter’s assets,
+that puts us in a real bind. I’ll be at a meeting with them today to
+discuss it.”
+
+Kevin – “They just don’t want Hunter’s money to go to sponsoring
+terrorism.”
+
+Rebecca – “I know, but the government doesn’t have any more right to
+his money than we do. We are the victims here. We are going to get
+some of it released, while the lawyers fight it out.”
+
+Kevin – “Good luck with that!” Kevin has been enjoying Grace’s
+company at home for too long. He continues, “The fascist corporate
+state wants it all.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan and Ms. Keady are pleased with the response to the dance
+lessons. As expected, more girls join in than boys, but Ms. Keady
+decided not to make participation mandatory. All students have the
+choice of dancing or running laps. Given that, some of the boys
+decide to dance after all.
+
+Joan isn’t as tired as she expected. It must be the endorphins. The
+shower was wonderful, but it still didn’t wash off all the sparkle.
+It’s like being a little high, but it’s a natural high, and boy is
+she hungry. Lunch couldn’t come soon enough.
+
+It’sJoan’s turn in line and the lunch lady asks, “Whatcha want,
+sugar?”
+
+Joan leans over the counter and says softly, “I’m really hungry
+today. Can I have extra of everything?”
+
+Lunch Lady – “Sure you can, baby.” She fills the tray with extra
+large portions, “There you go.” She smiles and continues, “Have a
+good day, Joan.”
+
+Joan does a double take. Is she God or does she just somehow know her
+name? With Adam and Grace standing there, she can’t pursue it
+further, so she thanks her and continues to the table.
+
+Adam – “Wow, I’ve never seen you take so much food! You always eat
+like a bird.”
+
+Joan – “Can it! I’m a growing girl. I’m hungry.”
+
+Adam – “No, I didn’t mean it that way, I’m sorry.”
+
+Grace – “Children, please, not at the table.”
+
+Friedman – “I like girls with meat on their bones.” Both Grace and
+Joan slap him in the head, “Come on, stop it!”
+
+Joan smiles and looks at Grace, “We haven’t done that in awhile. Life
+is good!” The distraction offers an opportunity to change the
+subject, so Joan continues by asking, “Adam, are you ready to dance
+with me?”
+
+Adam – “That’s something we need to talk about, but later.”
+
+Joan – “What?”
+
+Adam – “Not now.”
+
+Joan – “You mean you don’t want to dance with me? Then what are the
+dance lessons about?”
+
+Adam – “I said, later.”
+
+Joan – “No, I want to hear it now.”
+
+Adam gets mad and leaves the table. Joan looks back at the others
+with a surprised look on her face. Grace comments, “You’re messing
+up.”
+
+Joan gets up to follow, but first says to Grace, “Don’t let anyone
+touch my lunch. I’ll be back.” She catches up with Adam in the
+hallway, “What’s wrong?”
+
+Adam – “I just didn’t want to talk about it there. It’s private.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, we’re alone now. What is it?”
+
+Adam – “I’ve been working really hard to learn how to dance, but I’m
+not that good yet. I want our first real dance to be special, not
+something in gym class.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, I’m sorry. I didn’t think about that. But I still have
+to help teach the class.”
+
+Adam – “I know, but I was wondering, could you and Elizabeth switch?
+I would rather you not see me dance until later.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know. I’ll have to ask Ms. Keady. But what if I
+can’t?”
+
+Adam – “Then I’ll run laps. I know you don’t trust me yet, but I have
+my reasons. I promise, I’ll tell you everything soon.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, I’ll see what I can do and I won’t bring it up again.”
+She pulls him in for a kiss, “Let’s go back and finish lunch. I’m
+still hungry.”
+
+At the Girardi Residence
+
+Trennahas laid out a selection of lunch meats, peanut butter, jelly,
+and bread. All have gathered around the table. Emily is rocking side
+to side in her seat, enjoying her sandwich, “Uncle Will, can you tell
+me about Joan now?”
+
+Will – “You know, Kevin and Luke are also your cousins.”
+
+Emily – “Yeah, but they’re boys. Tell me about Joan. How old is she?”
+
+Will – “Joan is almost eighteen.”
+
+Emily – “Wow! She’s exactly twice my age. I’ll be ten in January.
+What does she look like?” Will retrieves pictures of all three
+children from his wallet and hands them to her. “Wow! She’s pretty
+and she wears her hair long like mine. What does she like to do?”
+
+Trenna– “Emily, you’re asking too many questions. Your Uncle Will
+might not want to talk so much yet.”
+
+Will – “It’s okay, Joan likes to dance and she practices yoga. She
+likes music and she has a boyfriend named Adam.”
+
+Emily – “What kind of dance?”
+
+Will – “I don’t really know. She’s mentioned waltzes and the
+jitterbug. All kinds, I think.”
+
+Emily – “Mom, see? Joan dances. Why can’t I take ballet lessons?”
+
+Trenna– “We’ll talk about this later.”
+
+Will – “I’m sorry.”
+
+Richard – “That’s okay. Emily just has the attention span of a nine
+year old. We’ve just been waiting to see if this is what she really
+wants.”
+
+Will – “So Emily, tell me about yourself.”
+
+Emily – “Well, I want to be a ballerina.”
+
+Trenna– “Emily.”
+
+Emily – “Okay, and I like to sing. What kind of music does Joan
+like?”
+
+Will – “Mostly pop music, but she likes some of the music I have on
+records.”
+
+Emily – “I like country western the best. LeAnn Rimes is so hot!”
+
+`How do I live without
+you? <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/12889944/c7342f76/Leann_Rimes_-_How_Do_I_Live_Without_You.mp3>`__\ *\
+I want to know.
+How do I breathe without you?
+*If you ever go.*
+How do I ever, ever survive?*\ ”
+
+Will – “Wow, you’re really good. Have you ever thought about taking
+singing lessons?”
+
+Emily – “Mom, see?”
+
+Will – “So Trevor, tell me about yourself…”
+
+At the Children’s Hospital
+
+Joan is able to switch gym class with Elizabeth. The results are much
+the same as the first class. Elizabeth tells her that all of them --
+Adam, Luke, Grace, and Friedman -- joined in the jitterbug lessons.
+Joan would have loved to be part of that, but it was more important
+to avoid a crisis for Adam. She still wants Grace to come to one of
+her dance classes. Maybe this will do the trick.
+
+After school, Ms. Keady takes them to the Children’s Hospital. They
+talk on the way, “What is your daughter’s name?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “This week, she’s Ultra or Pearl. Her name is actually
+Zoe, but she likes nicknames, depending upon what she’s reading at
+the time. She’s been reading the ‘Ultra’ comic book series. Pearl
+Penalosa is the heroine.”
+
+Joan – “Can I ask why she is in the hospital?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Zoe has a brain tumor. It’s causing the symptoms of
+narcolepsy. Do you know what that is?”
+
+Joan – “Something about falling asleep?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Yes, but it happens unexpectedly. She may be talking and
+then suddenly, she’s asleep. She usually wakes up a few seconds
+later, but the periods have been getting longer, sometimes as long as
+a few minutes. The doctors haven’t been able to treat the tumor, so
+they’re trying a new drug to treat the symptom.”
+
+Joan – “Will she be okay?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Fortunately, there’s no pain, but my fear is one of
+these times, she just won’t wake up. My sister had the same thing.
+She died when she was nine.”
+
+Joan – “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Well, she wants to be treated like a normal girl, so
+please try your best to do that. She dreams of becoming a dancer.
+That’s why when I told her about our lessons, she wanted to meet
+you.”
+
+They arrive and sign in at the security station. The guard looks up
+Zoe’s name and responds, “Ms. Keady, they have moved Zoe to a new
+room. She’s now on the third floor, in the Harold Lloyd suite, room
+21.”
+
+They enter the room and Zoe immediately reaches for her mother with
+open arms. Ms. Keady melts into her with a loving hug. This is a side
+of Ms. Keady that Joan has never seen. The drill sergeant gym teacher
+she has known is now the most loving mother.
+
+Ms. Keady – “How are you feeling today?”
+
+Zoe – “Fine. Look! A doctor came by and gave me this book. He said I
+could keep it.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Let me see.” Zoe holds up the book so they can see the
+cover. “\ The World at Ripple Pond, sounds nice. I have to talk to
+Dr. Wilson, but I’ll be back soon. You and Joan can talk for awhile.”
+
+Ms. Keady leaves and Joan says, “That was nice of the doctor to give
+you the book.”
+
+Zoe – “Yeah, he comes by a lot. I don’t know his name. He’s a real
+nice man, but he talks kind of funny. Do you have a pen so I can
+write my name in my book?”
+
+Joan retrieves a pen from her purse and Zoe writes her name on the
+inside cover, “There, now everyone will know it’s mine.”
+
+Joan – “Can I see?”
+
+Zoe hands her the book and Joan leafs through, “This is really a nice
+book.” She returns to the front page and notices where Zoe has
+written her name, “Oh, Raphaela is your middle name. That’s a very
+pretty name.”
+
+Zoe – “Yeah, sometimes I like to be called Raphie. That was my aunt’s
+name, but I never knew her.”
+
+This whole experience is very unnerving for Joan, but she has
+promised to act normal for Zoe, so she says nothing. Zoe asks, “Tell
+me about dancing. What kind of dances to you like?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I like all kinds. I guess my favorite would be the waltz,
+but all are fun to do. Do you have a favorite?”
+
+Zoe – “I don’t know the names, but mom dances with me. She doesn’t
+like me to do it alone, but I do anyway, sometimes. I’m pretty good,
+except when I go sailing.”
+
+Joan – “Sailing?”
+
+Zoe – “When I go to sleep. Sometimes, I fall down. Will you show me
+the waltz dance?”
+
+Joan gets up and Zoe climbs out of bed. “Are you sure you are allowed
+to get out of bed?”
+
+Zoe – “It’s okay. They don’t start the medicine until tomorrow. Come
+on, dance with me.”
+
+Joan takes Zoe’s hands and walks her through the steps. Zoe is right,
+she is a quick learner. Soon, they are dancing around the room. Ms.
+Keady comes back and smiles while watching from the doorway. When
+they finish the dance, she comes in and makes a big to-do about how
+well Zoe dances. Joan, of course, provides the appropriate
+encouragement as well. Zoe climbs back into bed and picks up her
+book. She begins to read aloud, “Once upon a time, Princess Juliette
+was walking in…” Suddenly, Zoe is asleep.
+
+Joan looks at Ms. Keady, “So, I guess this is sailing?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Yeah, that’s what she’s decided to call it.”
+
+Joan – “What should I do?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Nothing, just wait. Soon, she’ll wake up, and if nothing
+has changed, she’ll continue reading, and she won’t realize anything
+has happened.”
+
+Joan waits for what seems like forever. Then just as suddenly, Zoe
+continues, “…the meadow. A handsome prince came by and offered her a
+ride on his beautiful horse. They rode all morning, and then…”
+
+At the Girardi Residence
+
+Will is in the basement with Trevor. Richard has built a marvelous
+train platform for him, actually for both of them, to play with.
+Trevor has two trains racing around the maze of crossings, bridges,
+and tunnels. Will is impressed with Richard’s craftsmanship. “You and
+your father have done a great job making this train set.”
+
+Trevor – “Yeah, we have a lot of fun with it, but sometimes it gets
+boring. Would you like to see something neat?”
+
+Will – “Sure!”
+
+Trevor moves a lever and both trains move onto the same track, “Watch
+this.” Trevor increases the speed and each train roars around the
+platform on a collision course.”
+
+Will – “Wait, they’re going to crash!”
+
+Trevor – “That’s the idea.” Within seconds, train cars and train car
+parts begin flying off the platform.
+
+Richard rushes down stairs to investigate the commotion, “What
+happened?”
+
+Trevor – “Uncle Will moved that lever. I told him not to.” A smile
+paints across his face.
+
+Will – “I… but I…” Will decides it’s pointless to argue. He gives
+Trevor a glare and agrees, “Well, I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting this
+to happen.”
+
+Richard is astute enough to know what really happened, but decides to
+let if go. “Will, I found some pictures that I think you might want
+to see. Let’s go up to the study. Trevor, please clean up this mess.”
+
+Trevor – “But Dad…”
+
+Richard – “And no more trains for a week.”
+
+At the Children’s Hospital
+
+Zoe – “…and they all lived happily ever after.”
+
+Joan – “Or they all moved towards spiritual growth and
+enlightenment.”
+
+Zoe – “What?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, never mind. That was a nice story. You read very well for
+your age.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “She has a good teacher. Mrs. Olg is retired, but she’s
+still the best teacher in Arcadia.”
+
+Zoe – “I like Mrs. Olg too, but I want to go to a real school
+someday.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “I know, honey. Maybe this new medicine will allow you to
+do that.”
+
+On the way home, Joan is quiet for a while, but she finally decides
+to speak, “Zoe is really nice. Would it be all right if I visit her?”
+
+Ms. Keady – “I put you on the visitor’s list, so you can visit
+whenever you like.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you.” She pauses before continuing, “I don’t know if I
+should ask this, but where is Zoe’s father?”
+
+Ms. Keady doesn’t respond immediately, but then says, “Zoran and I
+had planned to marry on Valentine’s Day. He had business in Tokyo, so
+we spent Christmas there. On the way back, our plane crashed. There
+were 393 passengers on that flight, but he was the only one who was
+killed. I will never understand why.”
+
+Joan – “I’m so sorry to hear that. I shouldn’t have asked.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “That’s okay, it was a long time ago. Please don’t tell
+any of your friends. At school, I’m still Arcadia’s army drill
+sergeant, and I want to keep it that way.”
+
+Joan – “Don’t worry; I’m good at keeping secrets.”
+
+At Home
+
+Grace and Luke are waiting for Joan to arrive. They agree to study
+biology and government together so Joan can catch up on the classes
+she missed today. While they wait, they play Skip-Bo at the dining
+room table.
+
+When Joan arrives, she sits with them and asks to be dealt in, “I
+need to do some mindless activity for awhile.”
+
+Grace – “I gather you don’t want to talk about your trip with Ms.
+Keady?”
+
+Joan – “Ms. Keady’s daughter is Zoe. She’s very pretty, and someday
+she will have all the boys chasing after her, that is, if she lives
+that long. It’s really heartbreaking. Why do bad things always seem
+to happen to good people?”
+
+Helen overhears Joan’s comment, “That’s a question that only God can
+answer. I’ll say a prayer for her.”
+
+Joan – “You know what she wants most?” Joan doesn’t wait for an
+answer, “She wants to go to school like a normal kid. That really
+makes me feel sad, because I know how much I complain about school,
+and that’s all she wants.”
+
+No one responds. They just begin to play the game, giving Joan the
+mindless activity she seeks.
+
+At the Girardi Residence
+
+For Will, going through the pictures with Richard is melancholy and
+cool, kind of bittersweet. It brings back some of the bad memories
+and some of the good times he had forgotten. Will is especially drawn
+to an 8X10 photo of his father in uniform. He remembers it from when
+he was a child, but he never knew what had happened to it.
+
+Richard – “I was thinking about having copies of this made. Would you
+like one?”
+
+Will smiles, “Yes, that would really be nice.”
+
+Richard packs up the photos, all except for one album and the photo
+to be copied, “These are some more recent photos I would like to show
+you after dinner.”
+
+Trennacomes in, “You forgot to get lettuce. I have dinner on the
+stove. Can you run to the store and get some?”
+
+Richard – “Sure.Will, I’ll be back in a little while.”
+
+Will – “I can come with you.”
+
+Richard – “No, you and Trenna haven’t had a chance to talk yet. You
+can do that while she watches dinner.”
+
+After Richard leaves, Will and Trenna go into the kitchen. Will
+comments, “What smells so good?”
+
+Trenna– “Spiced beef, it’s a recipe passed down through my family. My
+ancestry is Irish. My maiden name is Muldoon.”
+
+Will – “Well, it smells delicious.”
+
+Trenna– “I think you’ll like it. I’ve also made peach cobbler for
+dessert.”
+
+There’s a lull in the conversation, so Will asks, “How did you and
+Richard meet?”
+
+They sit down and Trenna smiles, “I was selling equipment for a
+medical manufacturer. We were demonstrating an ultrasound scanner
+where Richard was one of the resident doctors. Afterward, I invited
+Richard and the other doctors out for dinner. I was surprised when
+they all declined, except for Richard. It was intended as a business
+courtesy, but I found that I really enjoyed Richard’s company. I
+couldn’t stop thinking about him. Then a week later, I called and
+asked him out. We dated for a while, and then we fell in love. Well,
+I think I actually fell in love with him that first night. It’s not a
+Romeo and Juliette story, but it worked for us. I’m very happy.”
+
+Will – “No, it sounds like a nice story.”
+
+Trenna– “Tell me about Helen. How did you two meet?”
+
+Will – “Bailey’s Donut Shop. I was a rookie street cop then, working
+on the night shift. My partner and I made a habit of stopping in at
+Bailey’s after our shift. I noticed Helen was usually sitting and
+quietly reading in a corner booth. I didn’t say anything for weeks,
+but then I just had to say hello. She told me to leave her alone and
+she got up and walked out.
+
+I left her alone for a few days. Then I got my partner to talk about
+her with me, just loud enough for her to hear. She ignored us, but we
+kept it up for a few days. Then I caught the tiniest smile. I sat
+down with her, but this time, she didn’t leave. She still wouldn’t
+talk to me, but she let me talk to her. By the time she finally did
+talk to me, I think I had told her everything there was to know about
+me. It was still several more weeks before she would go out with me,
+and a couple of years before she would marry me. It was a challenge,
+but I finally made her fall in love with me.”
+
+Trenna– “That a nice story. I’m looking forward to meeting her. What
+else can you tell me?”
+
+Will – “Well, for years she stayed at home raising the children. But
+two years ago, she started working at the school office, while the
+kids were in school. Last year, she became the school’s art teacher.
+She really enjoys it. She also paints. I don’t know the first thing
+about art, but I know she’s really good. She’s even had her work
+shown at the Franklin Art Gallery in Arcadia.”
+
+Trenna– “That’s really impressive. I don’t paint, but I do love art.”
+She gets up, checks the oven, and turns down the burners on the
+stove. “I bought a painting a few years ago. Richard says I’m weird
+for buying it. Let me show it to you.”
+
+She takes him to the upstairs hallway where it is hanging, “It’s a
+reproduction of MC Escher’s ‘\ \ `Ascending and
+Descending <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/AscendingandDescending_MCEscher.jpg>`__\ .’
+What do you think?”
+
+Will looks at the painting for a while, “I don’t know. There’s
+something wrong with that staircase.”
+
+Trenna– “That’s the beauty of it. It’s impossible, yet there it is! I
+love it.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan, Grace, and Luke play cards until dinner, so the studies have to
+wait. Between Luke and Grace, Joan catches up. However, the physical
+and mental exhaustion of the day causes Joan to have to go to bed
+early. She lies quietly trying to make sense of the day, but she’s
+just too tired to think. As she falls asleep, she wonders, “Is this
+real or am I going crazy?”
+
+At the Girardi Residence
+
+After dinner, Will and Richard retire to the study. Richard shows
+Will the pictures in the last photo album. It’s a collection of
+photos from their wedding through the present. Richard turns through
+the pages, explaining each picture. As he turns the next page, a
+photo falls out. Will picks it up. It’s a picture of Richard and
+another man. Written on it is, “Thanks for the tip.” Richard can see
+Will is curious, so he explains.
+
+“That’s Frank Burns. He was the best man at our wedding. I first met
+Trenna when she came to show some equipment at our hospital. She was
+the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I knew she had planned to ask
+us all to dinner, so I paid the other doctors $50 each to decline.
+That’s what he means by ‘Thanks for the tip.’ I got to spend the
+evening alone with her. I wanted to ask her out right away, but I was
+broke. Then she called me. Trenna is happy believing that she seduced
+me. That’s why I’ve never told her what Frank meant by his remark.”
+
+Will smiles, “That’s a nice story.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan and Grace meet up with the others, and they are shocked to see
+Adam has a splint on his finger, “What happened!”
+
+Adam – “Elizabeth got mad at me last night. She slammed my finger in
+the car door, but it was an accident.”
+
+Grace – “Spill it.”
+
+Adam – “Well, I was trying to be funny and made the mistake of making
+fun of Jim Krosier. He’s in our dance class too. It appears Elizabeth
+has a crush on him.”
+
+Joan – “She mentioned him the other day. He’s her favorite dance
+partner.”
+
+Adam – “Well, he’s more than that. They are going out on a date this
+weekend.”
+
+Joan – “Well, you just need to learn to keep your hands out of places
+where they don’t belong.” She smiles and gives him a kiss.
+
+Glynis– “Oh, I’m so jealous. Huggy-bear, kissy-face.”
+
+Joan – “What’s your problem?”
+
+Glynis– “The reason I wasn’t at school yesterday. Apparently, I have
+mono. I’m not allowed to kiss for a while.”
+
+Luke – “Friedman! Have you had a fever or anything?”
+
+Friedman – “No, apparently, I was just the donor.”
+
+Everyone laughs, except for Glynis and Friedman.
+
+At Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
+
+Richard and Trenna send the children back to school. Trenna works
+part time selling pharmaceuticals, while the kids are at school.
+
+Richard decides he wants to show Will where he works. They enter the
+pediatric trauma center, and Richard introduces Will to some of the
+staff. He then begins to show Will some of the facilities and
+equipment that aren’t being used. Will can see that Richard is very
+proud of both his family and his work. He thinks to himself that he’s
+glad he decided to make the trip. He regrets not having gotten to
+know his brother, a good and decent man.
+
+Over the PA comes a message, “Code Yellow. All physicians and staff
+report to your stations.” Simultaneously, Richard’s pager goes off.
+Richard is initially annoyed, “Now what! I told them I was taking the
+day off.” He pulls out a card from his wallet, “I haven’t had this
+code before.” He reads the card aloud, “Code Yellow – Disaster.”
+
+Suddenly, the trauma center becomes a flurry of activity. Doctors,
+nurses, and other specialists begin arriving from other parts of the
+hospital. Richard and Will walk over to the nurses station where
+Richard asks, “What do we have?”
+
+Nurse – “A major accident on I-95, just north of the tunnel. Five of
+the vehicles were school buses. There are about 20 children on the
+way.”
+
+Richard looks sadly at Will, “I’m sorry, I have to go to work.”
+
+Will – “I understand, I’ll call you later.”
+
+Richard goes to work and Will makes himself invisible by standing in
+a recess in the wall. Children begin to be brought in and the hallway
+quickly becomes a triage area. A gurney with a girl a little younger
+than Emily is parked in front of Will. The girl is covered with cuts
+and scrapes. She cries while the doctor tends to her wounds. She
+reaches out her hand, “I want my mom. They said my mom would be
+here.” Will melts and takes her hand, “She’ll be here soon. Don’t
+worry.” He holds her hand while the painkiller takes effect. Her
+mother does arrive, just before they take her to the OR.
+
+At the Herald
+
+Rebecca returns from her meeting with the FBI. She hasn’t said
+anything yet, but the expression on her face indicates that it did
+not go well. She sits at her computer for a few minutes, and then
+walks to the center of the room, “Listen up, everyone.” She pauses
+briefly, and then continues, “I was at the meeting with the FBI to
+discuss the freezing of our assets. They want to search our database
+to ensure that no one was involved with Ryan Hunter. Although we
+would like to cooperate and get this behind us, this is a clear
+violation of the First Amendment. We had to refuse.
+
+The battle has gone to the lawyers. I don’t know how long this will
+last or how long this newspaper can survive without cash flow. I ask
+all of you to hang in there, and hopefully, this will be resolved
+soon.”
+
+Rebecca returns to her desk and Kevin notices that she appears to hit
+the ‘Enter’ key. A message pops up on his screen. It reads:
+
+*Kevin,*
+
+*That was my official statement. As your friend, I suggest you polish
+up your resume.*
+
+*Rebecca*
+
+At School
+
+The jitterbug lessons go pretty much the same as yesterday. Some
+students decide to join after watching for awhile. Adam is unusually
+quiet during lunch, and Joan wonders if he is still mad about what
+happened yesterday. She decides to strike up a conversation, “I
+haven’t heard you mention Pax recently. How is she?”
+
+Adam – “She’s fine. In fact, my dad is allowing her in the house now.
+We kept the shed heated, but she still got very lonely. She sleeps in
+my room now. She has claimed my bed, but begrudgingly lets me have it
+when I go to sleep.”
+
+Joan – “That’s good to hear that she can spend time with you in the
+house now. She’s such a great dog.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, and my dad likes her too. He takes her out for walks
+and plays with her when I’m not there. He’s not a dog person, so I
+never would have believed this could happen, but Pax has won his
+heart.”
+
+Joan – “Believing in things that you can see is easy. It’s the things
+you can’t see that I sometimes have trouble with.”
+
+Luke – “Well, you can’t see air, but we know it is there, even though
+we can’t see it.”
+
+Grace – “You mean like religion, because I know you believe in God,
+and you can’t see him?”
+
+Joan thinks to herself, ‘But I can see him!’ She leaves the thought
+there and replies, “I guess I mean, what if you discover that
+something you never thought could be true, actually might be true?
+What would you do?”
+
+Grace – “You’re being too cryptic, but if you know it’s true, then
+believe it.”
+
+Glynis– “I once believed that dogs were boys and cats were girls. I
+didn’t learn I was wrong until we got another cat.”
+
+Friedman – “Thank you for sharing that. Atem re’item, Exodus 19:4,
+You have seen. If you know it to be true, then you must believe it.”
+
+Adam looks at Joan, “I believe in things that I can’t see. When I
+told you I talked to angels, it wasn’t completely a metaphor. I
+believe in God and angels, and I talk to them all the time. I just
+don’t talk to anyone else about it.”
+
+Joan smiles, happy that Adam would share that with her, “Yeah, but
+what if this thing is so incredible, that you have only heard of it
+happening in legends. Would you still believe it?”
+
+Luke – “You really have only two choices; to believe it is true, or
+believe you are insane. I think the jury is still out.”
+
+Joan’s eyes become like daggers. “Thanks Luke, don’t you think I’ve
+thought of that?”
+
+Grace – “If you’re not going to tell us what it is, I don’t think we
+can help you. Maybe you should talk to a priest, or to Lilly.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, maybe. I don’t know. I guess I’ll just have to figure
+it out on my own. Thanks for the ideas.”
+
+Joan quietly continues eating and thinks to herself, ‘Believing in
+God hasn’t been a problem, because I can see God. But I don’t see
+this, I just think it might be true. Is that enough?’
+
+On the Way
+
+Will remained at the hospital until the backlog of children were
+treated and forwarded elsewhere. He had a similar encounter with a
+young boy and tried to comfort him. It was inspiring for him to watch
+Richard work.
+
+On the drive home, Will listens to the news. “Joppatowne Elementary
+School’s field trip to the National Aquarium turned into tragedy
+today. Their school buses were involved in an accident on interstate
+95, just north of the Fort McHenry Tunnel. Almost a 150 children were
+treated at area hospitals. Fortunately, there were no fatalities…” He
+searches the dial, but can’t find anything he likes. He resumes
+listening to the CD Lilly loaned him. He thinks about Helen and the
+kids, and how wonderful it will be to be\ `back home
+again <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/12899598/4f56cdc4/John_Denver_-_Back_Home_Again.mp3>`__\ .
+
+At the Bookstore
+
+Business has been light, so Joan has been able to do the reading
+Madam Marx gave her. She takes a tablet and begins writing things
+down: The passage from Corinthians; the meaning of Raphaela;
+Raphaela, Ms. Keady’s daughter; her being named after her aunt. Was
+the Raphaela in her dream Ms. Keady’s sister? *The World at Ripple
+Pond*. She checked. That was never a book the store had ever ordered,
+and as far as she could find, it has never existed. Yet, now Zoe also
+has a copy, given by a mysterious doctor who talks funny. The ‘Joan
+of Arc’ crocus. It had no business blooming until the spring. Oh, and
+the frog! We had it cut to pieces. How could it have jumped out of
+her hand and out of the window?
+
+She wonders for a few minutes, then continues writing. ‘I leave hints
+all over the place. I’m all about hints.’ Then she writes, ‘Some
+things have to be believed to be seen.’ She slowly begins to circle
+this last entry, over and over again. She misses the days when God
+would just give her assignments. ‘Sure, whatever you say.’ At least
+then, she knew what she was supposed to do, even if she didn’t know
+why. ‘God, why won’t you just walk through that door and tell me I’m
+right or tell me that I’m nuts?’
+
+The door chimes and she looks up, “Dad! What are you doing here?” She
+runs to him, and gives him a big hug.
+
+Will – “I looked at my watch as I was coming into town and realized
+it was about time for you to get off work. I decided to give you a
+ride home.”
+
+Joan – “I’ve missed you. I know it was only a couple of days, but I
+like having you home.”
+
+Will – “Well, I don’t have any more trips planned, so I should be
+home for quite a while. Are you ready?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah.”She gathers up her things and sets the alarm as she
+leaves. On the way home, she tells him about how much fun she has
+been having teaching the jitterbug. Then she continues, “So, how was
+your trip?”
+
+Will – “Good, it turned out better than I had expected. I’ll tell you
+about it after dinner tomorrow. I know you’ll probably beat me, but
+would you like to play a game of chess when we get home?”
+
+Joan – “No, not tonight, I’m too tired. I’m going to get something to
+eat and go to bed, but I would like to play again.”
+
+Will – “I’ll be ready.”
+
+They arrive home and everyone is glad to see Will. As they are
+getting ready for bed, Helen asks, “How was your trip?”
+
+Will – “Good, good, better than I had expected.”
+
+Helen – “So, does that mean we’ll be having company for
+Thanksgiving?”
+
+Will – “Yeah, I invited them last night.”
+
+At Home
+
+School was pretty much the same as the previous days. Elizabeth and
+Joan talked for a while and she apologized profusely, “I’m really
+sorry for breaking your boyfriend. It really was an accident.” Joan
+asks about Jim. “He’s really good looking and he’s a great dancer.
+I’ll let you have a dance at the ‘Battle of the Bands’ if you want.”
+
+After school, Joan and Will have their game of chess. Will is
+actually playing very good. Joan looks at the board and devises a
+strategy for him to win. She’s getting better at this. She only had
+to make one subtle mistake to insure her loss.
+
+Will – “Did you let me win again?”
+
+Joan – “No! You won fair and square. You’re getting better each time
+we play.”
+
+Will isn’t sure whether to believe her, but he decides that maybe he
+actually did win this one.
+
+Dinner is wonderful. Oh, it was just spaghetti and meatballs, but all
+of them being together again made it special. After dinner, they all
+gather around the table again.
+
+Will – “Earlier this week, I told you I had business with the FBI. I
+actually went to visit your Uncle Richard. I…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “That’s great! What made you decide to go see him?”
+
+Will – “Well, you kids almost getting killed reminded me about of how
+important you are to me. I got to thinking that I wasn’t being fair
+to you.”
+
+While her father is talking, Joan remembers what God told her. She
+smiles, pleased as she realizes that her father has decided to play
+his missing note.
+
+Will continues, “You should be able to know your uncle and
+cousins.So…”
+
+Joan interrupts again, “Uncle Richard has a family?”
+
+Will – “Yes, he’s married and has two children. His wife is named
+Trenna, and his children are named Emily and Trevor. Anyway, I
+decided to have a talk with him. It’s still going to be difficult for
+me, but I think I’ll be okay. It’s more important for you to be able
+to know him and his family.”
+
+Kevin – “When will we be able to meet them?”
+
+Will – “Next week. I have invited them for Thanksgiving.”
+
+Joan – “I remember that uncle Richard is a doctor. Do you know what
+kind?”
+
+Will – “He works at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. I saw him
+working. He’s really impressive. I’ll tell you more about that
+later.”
+
+Luke – “How old are his kids?”
+
+Will – “Emily is nine and Trevor is seven.” He looks at Joan, “Emily
+is dying to meet you. She will probably stick to you like glue. She’s
+quite a little pistol, but she’s really a sweet kid.” He looks at
+Luke, “Trevor is a handful. He probably should have been named
+Damien, but it will only be a few days. He will likely want to spend
+time with you.” He looks at Helen, “Trenna is a stunning strawberry
+blonde. She’s really nice, smart, and a great cook. I’m sure you’ll
+like her, too.”
+
+Luke – “What do you mean when you say Trevor should have been named
+Damien?”
+
+Will – “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m sure you two will get along.”
+
+Kevin – “It sounds like they are really good people. I have some
+news.” He pauses momentarily, “Things at the newspaper are not going
+well. Rebecca didn’t say anything specifically, but I think if the
+problem with the FBI isn’t resolved soon, there may be layoffs, or
+the newspaper may even have to close. It doesn’t look good.”
+
+Will – “How do you know this?”
+
+Kevin – “She told me to polish up my resume. I really like my job,
+but it looks like I may not have a choice. I have looked around and I
+think working as a paralegal would be interesting. It still involves
+research and I would have to do some writing with it. I’ve found a
+paralegal course and one in creative writing at the same place. Both
+courses are available on line. I’ve enrolled and will be starting
+them after Thanksgiving. So that’s the news with me.”
+
+Helen – “Kevin, I hope you are able to keep your job, but if you do
+get laid off, I’m sure you will be able to find something else. And
+if you can’t find something right away, you can try to finish your
+courses early. You never know. This may turn out to be a good thing.”
+
+Later that evening, Joan goes up to Luke’s room, “Can I look up
+something on your computer?”
+
+Luke – “You know I don’t let anyone touch my computer.”
+
+Joan – “Come on, you know mine died. I won’t hurt anything, I
+promise. It will only take a few minutes.”
+
+Luke relents, “Okay, but don’t close any of my windows and I’ll be
+back in a few minutes.”
+
+When Will told her that Richard worked at the Johns Hopkins
+Children’s Center, something resonated within her. She does a Google
+search and clicks on one of the links. She reads:
+
+*The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center is a full-service children’s
+hospital within the Johns Hopkins Hospital, with 160 inpatient beds
+on eight different units and a separate pediatric emergency
+department. Our pediatric nurses pride themselves on providing
+competent and compassionate patient-focused, family-centered care. If
+you want to be a pediatric nurse…”*
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+It’s nearly morning and Helen is finishing a good night’s sleep. In
+her dream, she is alone in the church. A handsome young man, whom she
+has seen before, steps up to the lectern. He has lost his brown
+corduroy coat and is instead wearing traditional clothing. “Father
+Mallory was feeling ill this morning. My name is Father Deus.” He
+begins to give the most beautiful sermon she has ever heard. It’s
+about believing in things that can’t be seen. When he finishes, he
+steps down and sits beside her, “That’s a pretty nightgown you’re
+wearing.”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, I try to dress well when we meet here. So, what’s the
+occasion? Is something bad going to happen?”
+
+God – “Why, is your life in desolation?”
+
+Helen – “No, but it always seems like I see you only when something
+bad is going to happen.”
+
+God – “Well, this time it is different. I want you to pay attention.
+You will be told something that you have been told before. You will
+know it when you hear it. I would like you to consider believing it
+this time.”
+
+Helen opens her eyes to see the clock reads 5:59 a.m. She turns the
+alarm off before it sounds. She lays and wonders for a while before
+getting up.
+
+At School
+
+Joan has gym class when she is usually taking calculus, but she
+doesn’t mind missing it at all. Everyone in this class has decided to
+join in. Many in this class have already talked to their friends
+about the dance lessons. Some have even been practicing with others
+who have already taken their first lessons. Only time will tell if
+dancing becomes a regular part of physical education, but the
+prognosis looks good.
+
+In government class, Brian Beaumont gives a brief presentation on the
+plans for this year’s job fair. He remembers Joan’s essay and asks
+her to help. Joan is reluctant at first, knowing that she already has
+herself spread pretty thin, but Grace razzes her, “Come on, practice
+what you preach.” When Grace agrees to help her, she decides to
+volunteer. This creates a conflict, because Joan really wants to
+visit Zoe after school.
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Mimi – “Thanks for meeting with me. We could have done this earlier,
+but with your terrorism investigation, I decided it could wait.”
+
+Will – “Well, I’m curious if the information I provided helped.”
+
+Mimi – “Yes and no.Officer Garcia was a suspect in the missing money
+and heroin from the evidence locker, so your request to investigate
+his involvement at the community center bust seemed warranted. Also,
+the fact that some of the money and drugs were found during the
+warehouse raid seemed to suggest his involvement as well, but even
+with all of that, there just isn’t enough evidence to go to trial.
+What we have could just be coincidences. I’m afraid we’re going to
+have to close the book on this one, unless some new evidence comes to
+light.”
+
+Will – “Well, the man’s dead. I suppose it really doesn’t matter now,
+no reason to soil his memory.”
+
+Mimi – “So, how is the Hunter investigation going?”
+
+Will – “Rapping up.We’re running out of leads. It’s a good thing he
+skipped town, because we don’t have as much evidence as I would like.
+If this goes to trial, I question if we have enough evidence to get a
+conviction.”
+
+Mimi – “Do you have any information on the murder charge by the
+Millersville police?”
+
+Will – “I had Carlisle talk to Detective Anderson in case there was
+any information related to our investigations. They only have a
+motive and no alibi, not a strong case, either. The FBI is another
+matter. They have him involved in manipulating stock futures. It
+appears that’s how he made his millions.”
+
+Mimi – “Well, he’s gone, and I think Arcadia will be better off
+without him.”
+
+Will – “On that, we totally agree.” As Mimi leaves, Will thinks to
+himself, ‘You may have been the most cunning criminal I have faced,
+but you sure don’t know how to play poker.’
+
+At the Herald
+
+Rebecca returns once again from a meeting with the FBI. She seems to
+be in a better mood than yesterday. There was a new agent present who
+wasn’t at the previous meetings. His name is Victor Delacruz.
+
+Rebecca once again takes center stage, “May I have your attention?”
+She pauses while people gather around, “We have reached a tentative
+agreement with the FBI. It will require some sacrifices on our part,
+but the plan will allow us to emerge as a stronger company than
+before. When the plan is finalized, it will be posted on our internal
+web site. All full time employees will be allowed to vote for or
+against the agreement. Thank you.”
+
+Rebecca walks over to Kevin’s desk, “Hey, have you had lunch? There’s
+a new street vendor selling Philly cheese stakes. Sound good?”
+
+Kevin can sense that Rebecca has an ulterior motive, so he goes
+along, “Yeah, it’s actually been quite awhile since I’ve had a cheese
+steak. Let’s go.”
+
+Once they have gotten their sandwiches, Rebecca begins the
+conversation, “When I said that all full time employees would be able
+to vote on the agreement, there was a reason. We are going to have to
+let go of all of our part-time workers and paid interns. Everyone
+left will have to take a 5% pay cut, but that will be offset by stock
+purchases. It’s not a great deal, but it may allow us to avoid
+layoffs of full time employees.”
+
+Kevin – “Adam is going to be heartbroken. He really enjoys his work
+here.”
+
+Rebecca – “I know. I like Adam too, but this is a business decision,
+nothing personal. Charlie in Ads told me he didn’t like being told by
+Hunter to hire him, but he has been very satisfied with Adam’s work.
+He will give Adam all the references he wants.”
+
+Kevin – “I’ll call Joan and give her a heads up.”
+
+Rebecca – “Adam won’t find out until he comes to work this afternoon,
+but yeah, I think you should tell her.”
+
+Kevin looks at his watch, “She’s in class now. I’ll call her after
+her last period.”
+
+At School
+
+During lunch, Joan contacts Susan Jordan at UMC. To Joan’s delight,
+she agrees to participate in the job fair. Adding someone from the
+medical industry to the job fair will be a lot easier now that she
+has a volunteer.
+
+Just before the meeting, Kevin calls to tell her about Adam losing
+his job. She considers not going, but Adam doesn’t know yet, so she
+decides to attend and rush things along.
+
+It turns out that Grace has her own agenda. She proposes inviting a
+union leader to explain the job opportunities in that profession and
+the trades. There isn’t any opposition to either of their proposals,
+since Grace has already lined up a volunteer as well.
+
+At Sal’s Arcade
+
+Luke and Friedman enjoy the new game that was months overdue. They
+have played it before, but the released version of ‘Phantom Warrior’
+has more features than Friedman’s pirated version.
+
+Glynis, along to watch, quickly becomes bored. She finds her own
+game, ‘Whack-a-Mole’, and becomes enamored with this decades old
+carnival favorite. She names each of them Alfred and calls out their
+name each time she whacks one. Friedman has been trying hard to
+ignore Glynis’ effort at anger management, but he finds it
+impossible. He and Luke join the crowd that has gathered around her.
+
+All activity in the arcade ceases and the crowd begins to chant along
+with Glynis, “Bam! Alfred. Bam! Alfred…” Excitement grows as she
+nears the record that has stood for over seven years. When she goes
+over the top, bells and whistles chime from the machine. She
+continues on, adding a substantial number to the original total, but
+alas, she misses one and the game ends. Many in the crowd offer their
+congratulations and as she types her name into the permanent record
+of the machine, she looks at Friedman and adds, “With a little help
+from Alfred.”
+
+At the Rove Residence
+
+After the meeting, Joan calls home to tell her mother that she will
+be late for dinner. She leaves school and walks over to Adam’s house.
+She finds Mr. Rove preparing to leave for work and tells him that
+Adam will be losing his job. Carl decides he will talk to Adam in the
+morning and allows Joan to stay with Pax.
+
+Paxis happy to see Joan. She retrieves a ball from Adam’s room and
+begins to taunt Joan with it. If Pax could talk, Joan knows she’s
+would be saying something like, “Come on, play with me. Bet you can’t
+take this. I dare you. No, you can’t have it. Oh, don’t give up so
+easily. If you promise to throw it, I’ll let you have it. Come on,
+please! Outside? Outside?”
+
+Joan has never had Kevin’s arm with a ball, so when she takes Pax
+into the front yard, she often throws and hits one of Adam’s many art
+pieces. Fortunately, she doesn’t break anything, but by the time Adam
+arrives, she and Pax have everything in the yard that will move,
+moving.
+
+Adam is in a moderately bad mood, but it pleases him to find Joan and
+Pax there. He is also astute enough to know there must be a reason
+for her presence. He takes the ball from Pax and throws it. “Kevin
+told you?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, he called me after school. I’m so sorry.” She gives him
+a hug, “I’m sure it won’t take you long to find something else.”
+
+Adam – “I think I already may have.” Joan gives him a surprised look,
+but he continues before she can speak, “Do you remember that mural I
+restored at Ike and Ishmi’s Bagel Co-op?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, over on Walnot Street.You did a beautiful job.” She
+pauses to throw the ball for Pax, “And funny! Those eyes were so
+cool.”
+
+Adam smiles, “Yeah, I liked them, too. Anyway, I ran into Mr. Zonker,
+Ike, the other day, and he told me that people have been asking who
+did it. He has a list of names if I want it. I wasn’t interested at
+the time, because I was busy with work and dancing, but I think I’ll
+pay him a visit.”
+
+Joan – “That’s great! You are so talented. Hey, can I come with you
+sometimes? You…” Pax demands her attention and get a ball toss “…you
+almost never let me watch you work.”
+
+Adam – “I usually like to do my art in private. You know what a lot
+of it means to me.”
+
+Joan – “I know, but do you remember what I said about us talking
+more, sharing our feelings? You need to let me in. Your art is a very
+important part of you. I’ll never be able to do what you do, but I
+want to understand it. If I can watch you work, you can explain what
+you’re doing and then I’ll understand. See?”
+
+Adam takes the ball from Pax and gives it a long throw. He then takes
+Joan in his arms and gives her a kiss, “Are you starting to fall in
+love me again?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, a little.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan has finished her reading and struggles to complete her calculus
+assignment. When she finishes, she goes to Luke’s room to have him
+check her answers, “Luke, can you check my homework?”
+
+Luke – “Just a minute.”
+
+Soon, Grace comes down, “We were just talking.”
+
+Joan doesn’t respond, but just goes upstairs and waits while Luke
+checks her work. He tells her that she has one wrong and explains how
+to find the correct answer. Joan thanks him and as she leaves, she
+wonders why he is being so nice.
+
+She goes back down to her room and talks to Grace, “You need to cool
+it, at least here. Mom has told you the rules.”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I know, but we were just talking.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, well no talking in bedrooms, okay?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I hear you.”
+
+Helen calls upstairs, “Joan, telephone. Grace, I need to talk to
+you.”
+
+Grace goes downstairs and Joan picks up the phone, “Hi, this is
+Joan.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Hello, where are we going tomorrow?”
+
+Cee-Ceedoesn’t have to identify herself. Although she speaks English
+very well, she still has a strong Chinese accent. “I don’t know.
+Where would you like to go?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I was hoping you would know. A voice in my head only
+suggested that I go with you.”
+
+Joan realizes she must mean her planned visit with Zoe. It also dawns
+on her that she still doesn’t know what God wants her to do with
+Cee-Cee. Could it be that all of these hints have really been about
+her? “Oh, I plan to visit a friend at the Children’s Hospital after
+school. Would you like to come?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Sure, I love children. Shall I pick you up at school?”
+
+Joan was going to say she would meet her there, but there is no sense
+in taking the bus, “Sure, that would be nice. About three thirty?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a pleasant night.”
+
+Grace comes back upstairs and calls up to Luke, “Luke, your mom wants
+to talk to you.” She goes into Joan’s bedroom, “Did you rat on me?”
+
+Joan – “You mean about being in Luke’s room?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I just got the third degree from your mother.”
+
+Joan – “No, I didn’t say anything, but you deserved it. You know the
+rules.”
+
+Grace – “Then if you didn’t tell her, how did she know?”
+
+Joan – “She’s a mom. She figures things out.”
+
+At the Children’s Hospital
+
+Cee-Ceepicks Joan up as scheduled. On the way, she asks, “Are we
+going to meet someone special?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, her name is Zoe. She’s really sweet. She’s the daughter
+of my gym teacher.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “How old is she?”
+
+Joan – “I’m not sure, but I think she’s about seven. Oh, she likes to
+dance. If she asks, maybe you can dance with her tonight.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Sure, I can do that.”
+
+As they approach Zoe’s room, Joan sees God walking toward them, “Hi,
+Joan.”
+
+Joan – “Hi.”She looks at Cee-Cee, “Cee-Cee, this is my friend, ah…”
+
+God interrupts, “May I speak to Joan in private for a moment?”
+
+Cee-Ceestands stunned for a moment, with a glowing expression painted
+across her face, but then she responds, “Sure, it’s very nice to meet
+you.”
+
+After Cee-Cee walks ahead, Joan says, “God, I have no idea of what
+I’m doing!”
+
+God smiles, “What are you expecting to happen?”
+
+Joan – “I’ve made a list of all the hints. You’re all about hints,
+right? I still don’t understand how this can be within the rules?”
+
+God – “You are an instrument of Me, bound by the limit of time and
+space. Perfect.”
+
+Joan – “But I don’t think I’m ready!”
+
+God – “There will always be another test that you’ll be afraid you
+will fail. You just need to remember what I have told you… three
+times now. And what is that?”
+
+Joan sighs, “Some things have to be believed to be seen. So how does
+Cee-Cee fit in?”
+
+God – “Cee-Cee has been asking that same question. She has already
+learned that the spiritual pathway to me is from within. You must
+learn it, also. Look inside your soul.” God begins to leave, but then
+adds, “You have known how it is to have an adversary. Enjoy having an
+ally.”
+
+God leaves, and Joan and Cee-Cee walk into the Zoe’s room together.
+Zoe – “Hi, Joan. You just missed Mrs. Olg. Who’s your friend?”
+
+Joan is speechless for a moment, realizing the connection, but then
+says, “This is Cee-Cee Lin. She’s a dancer too, and I met Mrs. Olg in
+the hallway. She is really a nice person.”
+
+Zoe – “Hi, Cee-Cee.I wish I felt better. I would love to dance with
+you.”
+
+Joan notices it right away. Zoe looks terrible. Her skin is pale and
+her eyes have dark circles around them. Her beautiful wavy black hair
+now looks dry and lifeless. “Well, we can just talk. I brought you a
+book. It’s kind of young for you, but I still enjoy it.”
+
+She hands Zoe the book and Zoe glows for a moment with excitement, “I
+haven’t read this one. I have ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ at home. I still
+like to read it. Thank you.”
+
+A nurse walks in, “Princess Julie, it’s time for your medicine.”
+
+Zoe – “It’s Juliette. Can you come back later? I want to talk to my
+friends.”
+
+Nurse – “Okay, but only for a few minutes. We have to keep to the
+schedule.”
+
+The nurse leaves and Zoe says, “I’m sorry. When they give me the
+medicine, it’s going to make me tired.” She pauses, thinking for a
+moment, “I really don’t think this stuff is helping me. I’m pretty
+smart, but I don’t see how a medicine that makes me tired is going to
+help me to stay awake.”
+
+Neither Joan nor Cee-Cee can think of anything to dispute her point,
+but Joan comments, “Well, we’ll stay here until you fall asleep.”
+
+The nurse returns and after Zoe falls asleep, Joan asks Cee-Cee to
+take Zoe’s hand. Cee-Cee does, but asks, “What would you like me to
+do?”
+
+Joan – “Pray with me that God will heal Zoe.” Joan takes her other
+hand and they both begin to pray silently. After awhile, Joan opens
+her eyes. She sees that Zoe is still the same. Nothing has changed.
+She stands up and kisses Zoe on the forehead, “I’m so sorry Zoe.”
+
+The drive home is in silence, because Cee-Cee can tell that Joan in
+not in the mood to talk. As Joan gets out of the car, Cee-Cee asks,
+“May I come by to visit tomorrow?”
+
+Joan – “Sure, in the morning or afternoon.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Good, I’ll see you in the morning. Have a good night.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan was quiet during dinner and went to bed early. In addition to
+feeling depressed because of her failure, she began to feel sore all
+over. Helen has observed that Joan is in a mood, so as she tucks her
+in bed, she asks, “What’s wrong?”
+
+Joan – “I’m just sad for Zoe. I think she’s dying.”
+
+Helen gives her a goodnight kiss, “I’ll say a prayer for your
+friend.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Cee-Ceearrives at nine and Helen answers the door, “Hello, Mrs.
+Girardi. I’m here to visit with Joan.”
+
+Helen – “Come in, Joan is still asleep. Can I offer you some coffee
+or tea?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “No thank you. Would you mind asking her if she will see me?
+I won’t stay long.”
+
+As Helen and Cee-Cee walk upstairs, they meet Grace coming down.
+Cee-Cee says, “Hello, I’m Cee-Cee. What is your name?”
+
+Grace – “Grace, Joan has mentioned you.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I didn’t know Joan had a sister. It is very nice to meet
+you.”
+
+Grace – “No, I’m not her sister. We are just friends.”
+
+Helen – “Is Joan awake?”
+
+Grace – “Sort of, but something is wrong. I think she’s hurting. I
+was on my way down to tell you.”
+
+Helen and Cee-Cee enter Joan’s room. Helen says, “Grace says you’re
+not feeling well.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I’ll be okay. I think all the dancing this week has just
+caught up to me.”
+
+Helen feels her forehead, “No fever, where does it hurt?”
+
+Joan – “Pretty much everywhere.After Cee-Cee leaves, I’ll take a
+long, hot bath. That will help.”
+
+Helen – “Okay, but let me know if you need anything.”
+
+Helen leaves and Cee-Cee pulls a pint-size canning jar from her
+purse. “I brought this for you. It will help.”
+
+Joan – “What is it?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “It’s Leopard’s Bane in a Witch Hazel base. I use it for
+bruises and aching muscles. It works really well.”
+
+Joan – “How did you know I would have bruises?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I didn’t know exactly, but for some reason, I thought I
+should bring it. Sit up and let me do your back.”
+
+While she applies the suave, Cee-Cee continues, “Do you remember when
+I told you that I can also feel when God is present?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, the warm blanket thing, right?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Yeah, it’s like that. Well, I also feel it when I’m near
+you. I can tell that you and God have a special connection. And after
+last night, well, it was so wonderful to finally see her!”
+
+Joan – “You knew?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Yeah, like I said, I can feel it. I just want you to know
+that if you ever need help doing God’s work, please ask me.”
+
+Joan – “Did God ask you to say that?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “No, not this time. This is my choice.” She finishes
+applying the salve and hands Joan the jar. She turns her chair around
+and sits looking away, “I would like you to do the rest of your
+bruises.”
+
+Joan looks at the canning jar, “This stuff must be home made. Where
+do you get it?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “ “My mother taught me how to make it. I was very athletic
+when I was young and I was always straining something. I ordered a
+Leopard’s Bane plant several years ago and my uncle already had a
+Witch Hazel shrub growing in his yard. Now we have the flowers
+growing on the side of our house. I just harvest the Leopard’s Bane
+flowers and Witch Hazel leaves and make up the mixture as I need it.”
+
+Joan finishes applying the salve, “You can look now.” Cee-Cee turns
+around and Joan continues, “Cee-Cee, why do you think God talks to
+us?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I don’t know. We are very lucky. But he does talk to
+everyone, even if it is just by leaving hints. The hints are
+everywhere.”
+
+Joan – “I think the hardest part is keeping it a secret. I feel so
+alone.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “The distance you feel, that cold isolation, you don’t have
+to live there forever. It’s a choice that only you can make. I never
+would have told you, a complete stranger, had God not asked me to do
+it. But as soon as I met you, I could feel it, and then I knew why.
+Unfortunately, you are right. If the wrong people learn of it, we
+could both end up committed somewhere.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I spent a whole summer in crazy camp. Brainwashing is
+what it was. They made me believe I was crazy, and they never let me
+consider the possibility that I was actually talking to and seeing
+God. It was so horrible!”
+
+Cee-Cee– “My mother told me to keep it a secret for that very reason.
+My uncle, brothers, and sisters are good people, but this is just
+something I can’t share with them. Have you told anyone?”
+
+Joan – “I almost have, I would like to, but no.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Your brother Kevin has kept a secret about me for years. I
+think you could probably trust him, and your mother seems to be one
+who could be trusted. How about them?”
+
+Joan – “Maybe, but it would be a burden for them to know. I don’t
+know if I want to do that.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I’ll tell you something else I have learned. Your mother
+also has a connection to God. It is not nearly as strong as yours,
+but it’s there.” She pauses and smiles, “Well, it’s up to you. I have
+to go. I have some studying to do and then Roger is taking me dancing
+tonight. This will be our first time since he started taking lessons.
+I’m really looking forward to it.”
+
+Joan – “Roger is a good dancer, but you must be so much better than
+him. Won’t it be awkward?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “The secret to being a good dancer is to make your partner
+look good. Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did,
+but she did it backwards and in high heels.”
+
+Joan smiles, “Well, have fun! I don’t think I’ll be dancing anytime
+soon. Thank you for coming by with the medicine.”
+
+Cee-Ceepoints to the jar, “Twice a day until they’re gone. See you
+later.”
+
+Will and Helen are sitting at the kitchen table discussing
+Thanksgiving dinner. Helen is telling Will about her conversation
+with Trenna, “We have worked out the menu. We are going to have a
+blend of both of our traditions.”
+
+Will – “Will we still have sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie?
+
+Helen – “Don’t worry, we’ll still have your favorites. We’ll just be
+adding some Irish dishes that Trenna likes to serve.”
+
+Will – “Great, then we’re all set.”
+
+Helen – “One more thing.Joan asked if she could invite Adam and Carl
+Rove, and I told her she could.”
+
+Will – “Okay, but I thought this was going to be a special family
+gathering this year.”
+
+Helen – “It will be, but Joan really wants Adam to be here, but she
+doesn’t want to leave Carl alone on Thanksgiving. It’s her birthday
+dinner too, remember.”
+
+Will – “Right! I knew that, I just forgot it was on Thanksgiving this
+year. Has she given any hints of what she might want for a present?
+
+Helen – “Not a clue.It was so much easier when she used to make wish
+lists, but I think she’ll like what we got her. That was a good idea
+getting Luke to tell us everything that he would want in a computer.
+That reminds me, I need to check on her. She’s not feeling well this
+morning.”
+
+Helen walks up to the bathroom. Steam is billowing from under the
+door. She knocks, “Joan, are you all right?”
+
+Joan – “I’m fine. I’m Olaying my troubles away.”
+
+Helen – “Save some hot water for me. I haven’t had my shower yet.”
+
+Joan chuckles and says to herself as she turns on the hot water, ‘No,
+it’s mine, all mine.’
+
+Kevin calls from his room, “Mom, can you help me with this?”
+
+When Helen enters his room, Kevin continues, “I need help getting
+this poster to lay flat while I put it in the frame. Can you hold it
+for me?”
+
+Helen looks at the poster, “You’re giving that to Luke?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, it’s hilarious!”
+
+Helen – “But their naked!”
+
+Kevin – “No they’re not. Besides, it’s not like he hasn’t already
+been looking.”
+
+Helen – “That’s what I’m afraid of. Have you shown this to Lilly?”
+
+Kevin – “She thought it was to risqué, but agreed that Luke would
+like it. We were going to give this together, but she didn’t want to
+have any part of it. She’s getting him a poster of her own.”
+
+Helen helps Kevin to put it into the frame anyway. She knows that her
+displeasure with it is mostly because it makes her realize that her
+baby boy is growing up.
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Joan comes downstairs, still sore, but feeling much better. She
+enters the kitchen to look for something to eat. Helen observes, “Is
+that a new perfume you are wearing?”
+
+Joan – “Do you like it? It’s Leopard’s Bane and Witch Hazel.”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, it really smells good.”
+
+Joan smiles, “It’s actually a sports cream. Cee-Cee gave it to me.
+Between it and the bath, I’m feeling a lot better.”
+
+Helen – “Can I make you some brunch?”
+
+Joan – “Decisions, decisions, breakfast or lunch.” Joan browses
+through the refrigerator and cupboards, “Aha! Pop-Tarts without
+Luke’s name on them. I’ll have some of these.”
+
+Helen – “Well, I think you could have picked something a little more
+nutritious, but okay. What are your plans for this afternoon? Will
+Adam be coming over?”
+
+Joan – “No, I have homework to do. I have a lot of catching up to do
+from missing so many classes this week, but I’ll get it done. Adam’s
+checking out some job prospects. He thinks he can get work restoring
+artwork.”
+
+Helen – “That would be a good job for Adam, something he loves and is
+good at.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, he’s actually excited about it. He was hurt when he was
+laid off, but I think he will enjoy this new opportunity even more.”
+
+Helen decides to change the subject, “I have been meaning to ask. I
+don’t mind that you have older friends, but I have been wondering
+about you and Cee-Cee. You seem to have gotten very close to her in a
+short period of time. What is it that you have in common?”
+
+Joan hesitates, trying to find words that won’t be too revealing, and
+decides to answer with a question, “You’ve talked to her. What is
+your impression?”
+
+Helen – “Well, she seems to be an intelligent and a very pleasant
+person.”
+
+Joan – “She’s is, but it’s more than that. She sees the world
+differently than most people. We share a connection that I can’t
+explain. I can talk to her about things. I just really enjoy spending
+time with her.”
+
+Helen – “It’s okay. Cee-Cee seems like a wonderful friend. I was just
+curious.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Will comes down stairs, now having taken a shower and changed
+clothes. He goes into the living room where Luke and Grace have been
+talking. “Are you two ready to go?”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, we’re ready.”
+
+Grace actually wants to go, but feels like she is intruding. “Mr.
+Girardi, this is a father-son thing. Are you sure you want me to go?
+I can stay here.”
+
+Will – “No, it’ll be fine. You’re part of the family now. Besides, I
+may need you to help explain some of this stuff to me.”
+
+Grace – “Hey, I can do science, but I’m not crazy about it like Luke.
+Maybe you two should go without me.”
+
+Luke – “Come on, we’ve already talked about this. Let’s just all go
+together and have fun.”
+
+After receiving these assurances, she relents and they leave for the
+show.
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Kevin comes down with his framed poster for Luke. He hides it in the
+den for later. “What’s for lunch?”
+
+Helen – “We have ham left over from last night. Would you like me to
+make you a sandwich?”
+
+Kevin – “No, I’ll do it. Whatchamaking?”
+
+Helen – “I’m not making anything yet. I’m just making sure I have
+everything for the lasagna.”
+
+Kevin – “Whoa, isn’t that Dad’s job?”
+
+Helen – “Your father just prefers to make it, but I know how to make
+it, too. If Luke enjoys himself today, your father will stay as long
+as he wants. It takes two hours to make, so if they don’t come back
+by 4:30, then I’ll make it. We just both want Luke to have his
+birthday dinner on time.”
+
+Helen continues to check for the needed ingredients while Kevin fixes
+his sandwich, “Where’s Lilly today?”
+
+Kevin – “She had some shopping to do and she wanted to do it on her
+own. She’ll be by later when she’s done.”
+
+At the Inventor’s Show
+
+The show, organized by Professor Steinholz for inventors to be able
+to demonstrate and hopefully find buyers for their inventions, offers
+a whole range of products, from the ever-improving salad spinner to a
+new x-ray transparent padding device that offers women some relief
+during mammography exams. There is something for everyone.
+
+Luke is intrigued with the variety of items on display. He remembers
+Professor Steinholz’s speech about the practical application of
+ideas, and here is a whole gymnasium full of them. Sure, many of the
+products are no more exciting than a Ginsu knife, but the inventors
+are here, showing their proud inventions, and courageously facing the
+risk of failure, a quality Luke has come to admire.
+
+Luke spots Professor Steinholz with Susan Jordan talking to an
+inventor and decides to say hello, “Hi, this is a great show you’ve
+arranged.”
+
+Professor Steinholz – “Thank you, I’m really pleased with the turn
+out. Have you met my fiancée, Susan Jordan?”
+
+Luke – “I have seen her and have heard you talk about her, but no, we
+haven’t met.”
+
+Professor Steinholz provides the introductions, and Luke introduces
+Grace and Will, for Susan’s benefit. Susan responds, “Oh Luke, your
+father and I have already met. Chief Girardi, how is Darcy?”
+
+Will – “I saw her with Officer Cattrall the other day and she’s doing
+fine. Thank you again for taking care of her.”
+
+Susan – “It was my pleasure, and thank you for chewing out Dr.
+Thomas. I couldn’t say anything at the time, but everyone loved
+watching you put him in his place.”
+
+Will smiles, “Well, I don’t often lose my temper, but he had it
+coming.”
+
+Professor Steinholz is called away, but Susan remains to talk. Luke
+asks, “My sister says you will be at the job fair, is that right?”
+
+Susan – “Yes, when she asked, I thought it would be a wonderful
+opportunity to explain the careers available in the medical
+profession. I’m really looking forward to it and to finally meeting
+her. Well, I have met her, but not when she’s been lucid.”
+
+Luke – “Fiancé, that’s new, isn’t it?”
+
+Susan – “Yes, just two weeks ago. We plan to marry on April 8th, and
+then we’ll take a cruise for our honeymoon. It’s been eight years in
+the making, but it was worth the wait.”
+
+Will – “Eight years, that seems like a long time.”
+
+Susan – “Dietrich really loved Abbey, his first wife. It was hard for
+him to let go and share is his heart with me. But I had to wait. I
+love him. What else could I do?”
+
+Will – “Well, I don’t know Professor Steinholz very well, but he
+seems like a nice man. I wish you two all the best.”
+
+Susan – “Thank you.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan finishes her homework and calls Adam. When he answers, she asks,
+“Where are you?”
+
+Adam – “Outside, I was about to knock.”
+
+Joan hangs up and goes down to let him in, “So tell me, did you get
+the job?”
+
+Adam – “I think I got two of them and maybe more later.”
+
+Joan – “Great, tell me about them.”
+
+Adam – “The Dumbar building downtown has a mural in their lobby.
+Settling has caused a crack to run through it. They will have someone
+else fix the crack, but they want me to restore the painting once
+that’s done.
+
+The other job is a new mural for the Hogan County Historical Society.
+They want scenes from Hogan County. They already have one with some
+of the more common scenes, but they want to add another one. I did
+this sketch and they loved it.”
+
+He shows her the sketch, “This is Ole Paint. They loved it when I
+told them how he got his name. This is Southern Junction, at the end
+of Shaffer road. This is the Allan apple orchard, and do you remember
+the old Nashman house at the lake?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, that was so pretty.”
+
+Adam – “Well, they thought so, too. They liked my idea, except they
+thought it would be better to have each one in a different season. I
+can do that, so now I just have to do the final sketch. If they like
+it, it’s a go.”
+
+Joan – “Great, I’m happy for you.” She gives him a hug.
+
+Adam – “Well, I’d better go. I’m driving up to Lake Nashman tonight.
+I’ll draw the sketch in the morning, and then come back.”
+
+Joan – “Why don’t you drive up in the morning?”
+
+Adam – “I don’t have anything planned for tonight and I’d really like
+to get it done. The other places are closer and I can do them after
+school.”
+
+Joan – “Where are you going to sleep?”
+
+Adam – “In the camper.I’ll be fine.”
+
+Joan walks him to the truck and kisses him goodbye, “Drive gently.”
+
+Adam smiles back, “Whoever thought of that stupid saying, anyway?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know, it was just in the driver’s manual.”
+
+At the Inventor’s Show
+
+Continuing on, all are enjoying some of the strange and creative
+inventions. They come across an interesting display and listen to the
+man give his schpeil, “What happens when you go to the bathroom in
+the middle of the night? Do you turn on the light and squint, open
+your eyes and blind yourself or poke around in complete darkness?
+Have you ever fallen into the toilet because the seat was up? Worry
+no more, because with\ `Toilet Landing
+Lights <http://totallyabsurd.com/toiletlandinglight.htm>`__\ , you’ll
+always know…”
+
+Grace reads the poster aloud, “Only $15.50 and they support the
+American Heart Association for Women. Yeah, I can definitely see that
+connection!”
+
+They continue on, stopping at every booth. The variety of inventions
+is quite amusing. There are the\ `Sponge Bob Foot
+Pads <http://totallyabsurd.com/spongbobfootpads.htm>`__\ ,
+the\ `Amazing FlyGun <http://www.amazingflygun.com/main.asp>`__\ ,
+a\ `Floating Shade <http://totallyabsurd.com/floatingshade.htm>`__\ ,
+and\ `Scooba <http://www.hammacher.com/publish/72736.asp?promo=homepage>`__\ ,
+like Roomba, the robotic vacuum, but for mopping tile, linoleum, or
+sealed hardwood floors. Numerous other inventions keep them
+entertained through the afternoon.
+
+At Home
+
+Lilly arrives from her shopping and Will, Luke, and Grace return from
+the inventor’s show at about five. Helen already had the sauce
+simmering and the noodles boiling. Will joins her and together they
+complete dinner.
+
+Dinner is wonderful for Luke. Lasagna is his favorite, and as is the
+tradition, dinner is followed by serving a double-decker German
+chocolate cake with chocolate milk.
+
+After dinner, it was present time. Luke was still hoping for a car,
+but did not have his hopes up. Kevin started first, “Well, we all got
+together and talked about what to get you. Since you spend so much
+time with Professor Steinholz and in your room, we thought your room
+could use some sprucing up. Here you go, happy birthday. I hope you
+like it.”
+
+Kevin hands Luke the poster that he framed earlier, “Wow,\ `String
+Theory <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/stringtheoryg.jpg>`__\ .
+Yeah, this is great. What’s not to like?” He looks at his mother, who
+responds, “No, I don’t approve, but it’s okay.” He then looks at
+Grace, who has a smirk on her face, “Okay, but put it behind your
+door.”
+
+Lilly – “Well, I don’t approve either, but he’s your brother, so I
+guess it’s okay. Mine is not so risqué. Happy birthday, Luke.”
+
+She hands him another framed poster. He unwraps it and smiles,
+“Great,\ `String Theory for
+Dummies <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/stringtheory3.jpg>`__\ .
+Thanks, Lilly.”
+
+Grace – “Mine are a little smaller, but I think perhaps more
+scientifically founded.” She hands him two smaller framed posters,
+“Happy birthday.”
+
+Luke opens one and smiles, “\ \ `Super Duper Symmetric String
+Theory <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Super_Duper_Symmetric_String_Theory.jpg>`__\ .”
+
+Grace – “You seemed to like Professor Farnsworth when we watched
+*Futurama*.”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, he’s pretty funny.” He opens the second one, “And of
+course, the\ `Alternate String
+Theory <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/string-theory.gif>`__\ .
+Thanks, these are great.” He tries to give her a kiss, but she shies
+away.
+
+Joan – “Well, I think you have enough posters. I hope you like this.”
+
+She hands him a rather heavy package. He opens it, “This sounds good,
+*Hiding* in the Mirror, by Lawrence M. Krauss. Thanks.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I hope you like it. I read it and I thought it was
+good. I remember you reading The Physics of Star Trek, so I thought
+you might like this one too.”
+
+Luke – “I will, thanks.”
+
+Will – “Your mother and I already agreed basically on what to get you
+for your birthday, but it was quite a struggle when it came to the
+particulars. I think you’ll like the compromise that we made.”
+
+Will stops talking and Luke wonders, ‘Okay, so what is it? Where is
+it?’
+
+Helen – “It’s parked across the street.” She hands him the keys,
+“It’s the blue Pontiac Vibe.”
+
+Luke jumps up and down and heads for the door, “Wahoo, I have wheels!
+Vaa-rooomm,::
+
+    Get your motor runnin\ ’,
+    *Burumbump* burumbump,
+    Head out on the highway,
+    *Burumbump* burumbump.
+    *Lookin*\ ’ for adventure,
+    *Burumbump* burumbump,
+    *In* whatever comes our way,
+    *Burumbump* burumbump.
+    Born to be wild…*\ ”
+
+All follow him outside. As they walk, Will whispers to Helen, “He
+must think you said Viper.”
+
+Luke walks around the car, looking at the exterior and into the
+windows. He opens the driver’s door and has a seat, “This is so cool.
+It’s definitely not hot, but it’s not bad.” He notices the gearshift,
+“Oh, this will be a challenge. Why did you pick a car with a manual
+transmission?”
+
+Will – “Your mother and I considered a lot of cars. This one was on a
+final short list that we came up with. I found this one for sale at a
+government auction. I got it for a really good price. It’s a 2003
+with only 12,000 miles on it. It’s in great shape and only has a few
+minor scratches on the outside. I can help you to learn how to shift.
+It won’t take you long to get the hang of it.”
+
+Luke – “I can figure it out. I know the theory of operation. I’ll
+just have to practice. Can I take it for a ride?”
+
+Helen – “Your father will take you out in the morning and show you
+how to correctly shift the transmission. Once he’s satisfied that you
+know how, then we’ll let you drive it on your own.”
+
+Luke – “Mom, I can do it!”
+
+Will – “I’m sure you can, but there are some other things we need to
+talk about. Let’s go back inside.”
+
+Once inside, Helen continues, “This is yours and your sister’s
+birthday present. It is for you to share, at least for now.” She
+directs herself to Joan, “Your father and I would like you to start
+driving again. What happened this summer wasn’t your fault. That’s
+why they call them accidents. You are a good driver.”
+
+Joan exchanges glances with Grace and Luke before responding, “I have
+driven, I just don’t like to. I’m doing fine taking the bus.”
+
+Helen – “When have you driven?”
+
+Joan – “A few weeks ago. Dad was working, you and Luke were asleep,
+and Grace wouldn’t drive me. I had to talk to Sister Sarah. It was
+important. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
+
+Will – “So, you are driving again?”
+
+Joan – “I’ll drive if I have to, but the bus still has my name on
+it.” She looks at Luke, “You can use the car most of the time. Happy
+birthday.”
diff --git a/17-AWonderfulGiftPart2.rst b/17-AWonderfulGiftPart2.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a009788
--- /dev/null
+++ b/17-AWonderfulGiftPart2.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1565 @@
+Episode 3.17, A Wonderful Gift, Part 2
+--------------------------------------
+
+At Home
+
+Prior to going to bed, Will taped a note to his door. It was short
+and to the point, “Not before nine!” Luke found it when he came to
+get his driving lesson.
+
+Luke goes out to his car to check its features. The ‘Neptune’
+exterior with a ‘Slate’ interior is a nice combination. He proceeds
+to read the operators manual, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed
+manual transmission, front-wheel drive, power steering, power sun
+roof, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, AM/FM Stereo/CD
+player, air conditioning, cruise control, anti-lock brakes, dual
+front air bags, roof rack, keyless entry, and alloy wheels. He thinks
+to himself, ‘I would still like to have a Viper someday, but for my
+first car, this is not bad!’
+
+When Joan and Grace get up, they see Luke outside with the hood open,
+drooling over the engine. They decide to join him.
+
+Grace – “Do you have any idea what you’re looking at?”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, it has a 1.8 liter engine.”
+
+Joan – “I can see that too, it’s written right there on the thingy.
+You should close the hood and leave it alone, and whatever you do,
+don’t let Dad in there. He knows even less than we do.”
+
+They go inside to find Will making breakfast, “French toast or
+pancakes?”
+
+It’s a rare occasion when all vote for French toast without descent.
+When Helen returns from church, they all sit down to have their meal.
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Kevin wakes up to find Ginger standing over him, “What is it?”
+
+Ginger mumbles, “Wom yur ake rum kak ras?”
+
+Kevin responds groggily, “Yeah, that would be nice. Is Lilly back
+from church yet?”
+
+Ginger mumbles, “Per kim ty sham umbrel sim.”
+
+Kevin – “Okay. Would you like me to help?”
+
+Ginger mumbles, “Nem.”
+
+By the time Lilly returns, Ginger has made brunch. They all sit down
+at the table and begin to eat. Kevin smiles and comments, “I think I
+have been staying here too often. I’m beginning to understand what
+Ginger is saying.”
+
+Lilly chuckles, but Ginger mumbles, “Kim und san per cap!”
+
+Lilly – “Oh, lighten up. He’s only making a joke.” She takes another
+bite, “This is really good. What did you put in it?”
+
+Ginger – “Sak ker pluk te barum.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, I didn’t get that one. Is it anything like the mystery
+ingredients in my Aunt Olive’s paella?
+
+Lilly – “No, don’t worry. Just eat it.”
+
+At Home
+
+Luke is quite pleased with his driving lesson. It doesn’t take him
+long to learn how to not grind the gears. Will lets him just drive
+for a while to get the feel of how the car maneuvers. When he’s
+satisfied, they return home.
+
+Joan and Grace are having their Grace Day. Joan jokingly calls it, “A
+day of Grace.” Although not every Sunday can be reserved for them to
+be together, it has become a tradition that they strive to keep.
+
+It’s mostly girl talk, as Joan talks about Adam, and suppresses her
+grimace while Grace talks about Luke. At Grace’s insistence, they do
+yoga exercises, but Joan can’t sustain them long. Although concealed
+by her clothing, the bruises are still fairly prominent and cause too
+much pain to continue.
+
+When Luke returns, Joan goes for a walk. Luke sits on the couch and
+banters back and forth with Grace about which movie they’ll go see.
+
+Luke – “I think we should go see the new Harry Potter movie. It’s the
+forth one, and it’s supposed to be the best.”
+
+Grace – “They’re okay, but witches and warlocks, it’s too much like
+aliens. I’d rather see ‘Chicken Little’. I can identify with that
+more.”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, but that’s a cartoon!”
+
+Grace – “And your point is?”
+
+Luke realizes that he has just stepped in it, “I mean, wouldn’t you
+rather see real actors?”
+
+Grace thinks to herself, ‘Great recovery Luke. Now I won’t have to
+beat you.’ She considers a compromise, “Okay, we’ll go see Harry
+Potter, but next week, we are seeing ‘Rent’. That will be some real
+acting.”
+
+Luke – “I don’t even know what that is.”
+
+Grace – “Good, it will be educational, too.”
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Kevin – “I’m really looking forward to tonight. I’ve never seen you
+wear a dress, except to church. I never thought I would see the day.”
+
+Lilly – “Well, you still haven’t, not until we leave for dinner.”
+
+Kevin – “Come on, let me see it.”
+
+Lilly – “No, it’s a surprise, and Rebecca has already made the same
+observation. I don’t need to hear it from you.”
+
+Kevin – “It’s just that you seem to be such a feminist, very strong
+and assertive, always ready to speak your mind. That’s part of what I
+love about you. I thought that’s why you rarely wear a dress.”
+
+Lilly – Well, part of that is true, but you’d better lose the term
+feminist.”
+
+Kevin is baffled for a moment, “I don’t get it. What’s wrong with
+‘feminist’? I meant it as a compliment.”
+
+Lilly – “At one time, being called a feminist was a term I embraced,
+but today’s feminists are anti-feminine. They berate the choice of
+becoming a homemaker, procreation and child rearing. They deny their
+maternal instinct and condemn the feminine urge to nurture and care
+for those they love. They abhor everything that is distinctive about
+our sex. No, I am a woman who is comfortable with who I am. I am not
+a feminist.”
+
+Kevin – “Okay, I won’t use it again.”
+
+Lilly – “You better get home. Your dad is looking forward to spending
+time with you.”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, he wants to start putting sealant on the hull.”
+
+Lilly – “You know that’s not what he really wants.”
+
+Kevin – “I know, it’s spending time together that’s important.”
+
+At the Park
+
+When Joan arrives in the park, she sees God sitting on a bench. She’s
+knitting as before, when she lectured Joan about her treatment of Mr.
+Dreisbach, “Have a seat, Joan.”
+
+Joan – “I’d rather stand if you don’t mind. So what’s with the
+bruises?”
+
+God – “What do you think?”
+
+Joan – “I failed with Zoe, so my reward is a pain in the ass?”
+
+God smiles, “Tell me what you remember about physics.”
+
+Joan – “Juxtaposed coherent aggregates vibrating in unison or
+harmonic ratio are mutually attracted.”
+
+God – “Attraction, one of my favorite laws. However, I was looking
+for a simpler definition of physics.”
+
+Joan – “Physics is the study of matter and energy, and how they
+interact.”
+
+God – “And how do they interact?”
+
+Joan remembers a lesson from Ms. Lischak, “Matter and energy cannot
+be destroyed, only changed from one form to the other, E=MC^2.”
+
+God – “Good, you did well, and I’m pleased that you are also doing
+well in biology.”
+
+Joan – “Changing the subject, are we?”
+
+God – “Actually no, because it’s all connected, but I do have a
+suggestion for you.”
+
+Joan – “Something else for me to mess up?”
+
+God ignores her, “When your cousins come to visit, I want you to pay
+attention.”
+
+Joan – “To which one, Emily or Trevor?”
+
+God – “Both actually, but especially to Emily.”
+
+Joan – “From what my dad says, I won’t have a choice. He said she
+will stick to me like glue.”
+
+God – “You are the big sister she’s never had. You can put up with
+being idolized for a few days.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I’ll be nice. Am I supposed to help her somehow?”
+
+God – “No, this time, it’s how she can help you.”
+
+Joan – “Can you be more specific?”
+
+The bus pulls up and stops. God gets up and starts to get on the bus,
+“I have to go. Seek what is hidden in plain sight.” She waves goodbye
+and Joan walks home, wondering about Emily.
+
+At Home
+
+When Kevin arrives home, he and Will go out to the garage. While Will
+reviews the directions, he asks, “How is Lilly?”
+
+Kevin – “She’s fine. She bought a dress for tonight.”
+
+Will gives Kevin a surprised look, “Lilly in a dress? How did this
+happen?”
+
+Kevin – “She has been acting kind of subdued lately. I think what
+happened at the hayride has affected her more than she’s letting on.
+She said she saw the dress at the thrift store and decided to buy it.
+How the dress fits in, I don’t know, but I’m sure she’ll tell me
+eventually.”
+
+Will – “I like Lilly, especially her warped sense of humor, but she
+is a hard lady to figure out sometimes.”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, but I’m enjoying the challenge.”
+
+Will – “I’ll tell you, when I first learned that you two were dating,
+I never expected it to last. She is so different from the other girls
+you have dated.”
+
+Kevin – “I really loved Beth, but a lot of the time, I never knew
+what she was thinking. With Lilly, if she has something to say, she
+says it. It’s really nice to know where I stand, even when she’s mad
+at me.”
+
+Will – “Well, I’m glad things are working out for you two.” He
+pauses, and then continues, “Richard told me that he would have a
+talk with Emily and Trevor about you being in a wheelchair. When they
+come, I don’t expect Trevor will say much, but Emily is a book of
+questions. I just want you to be ready, and remember that she’s only
+nine, because her questions never stop. She seems to want to know and
+do everything.”
+
+Kevin – “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”
+
+At the Bookstore
+
+Joan is enjoying the quiet evening. There are few customers, and she
+is leisurely putting new stock on the shelf. A new book, Wong’s
+Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, catches her eye. She thinks about
+Zoe, ‘Maybe it’s not Zoe in particular, but all sick children that
+God wants me to help.’ She begins to read and quickly becomes
+enthralled.
+
+At Don Thornberry’s Restaurant
+
+Kevin has dressed up for the occasion, wearing a sports jacket with
+matching dress pants. A dress shirt, tie, and dress shoes finish his
+attire.
+
+Lilly has styled a little curl in her hair, put on lipstick, and just
+a touch of makeup. She’s wearing a black\ `evening
+dress <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/St.jpg>`__\ ,
+with crocheted lace sleeves. With matching black high heels, she
+looks absolutely stunning.
+
+They both order the house specialty, a thick porterhouse steak with
+all the trimmings. While they enjoy their meal, Lilly decides to
+explain, “I know you have been wondering why I bought this dress. My
+mother had one exactly like it.”
+
+Kevin – “You have never told me about your family, except for your
+grandmother. I would like to know, if you don’t mind.”
+
+Lilly – “I had a great childhood, really I did, but everything went
+to hell when my sister died. Her name was Rose. I was twelve when it
+happened. Nobody knew anything was wrong, but she had an aneurysm in
+her brain. She was happy, talking about the fun she had that day, and
+then she just slumped over at the dinner table and died.
+
+None of us took it well, we all loved her so much, but my mom took it
+the hardest. She cried for months. Finally, after asking her a
+hundred times, my dad got her to agree to go with him to a VFW mixer.
+She put on this dress and I remember her smiling as she said goodbye.
+That was the last time I saw them.
+
+After my parents died, I went to live with my grandmother. So, when I
+saw this dress at the thrift store, I just had to have it. I miss her
+so much.”
+
+Kevin reaches across the table and takes her hand. They finish their
+meal in silence. When they are through, Lilly asks Kevin to join her
+on the deck, “When we were almost killed, it reminded me of how
+precious life is. I’ve been thinking a lot about it lately, what I
+want out of life, who I want to be, and I realized just how much I do
+love you. What I have decided is that for the rest of my life, I want
+to love God, you, and our children. Will you marry me?”
+
+At the Bookstore
+
+The evening passes quickly. It’s almost closing time when Adam walks
+through the door, “Hi, whatcha reading?”
+
+Joan shows him the cover, “It’s about helping children. It’s not too
+hard to read, considering it’s a textbook. I actually understand a
+lot of it.”
+
+Adam – “You have never mentioned an interest in nursing. When did
+this come about?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know. I don’t even know if this is what I want to do,
+but something about it feels right. How was your day?”
+
+Adam – “It was great! I asked this guy if I could go out on the end
+of his dock to draw the Nashman house, and he decided to go out with
+me. He told me a lot about the place and some things that were no
+longer there. Then he took me out on his boat, and I was able to
+sketch with a view directly from the lake. Here, let me show you.”
+
+He opens his sketchpad and begins showing his drawing, “See this
+well? It’s no longer there, but he told me about it, so I put it in.
+This boathouse is something that isn’t there anymore either, but
+thanks to him, I was able to recreate it.”
+
+Joan – “These are all so beautiful. I’m sure the historical society
+will love them.”
+
+Adam – “Are you ready to go home?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, it’s been a long day.” She closes up shop and Adam
+drives her home.
+
+At Home
+
+Joan’s bruises fade during the first part of the week, as does the
+soreness, but she still isn’t ready for physical activity. Helen gave
+her an excuse for PE, and she decided to skip dance lessons as well.
+However, by Wednesday, Joan feels almost back to normal. The
+three-day week is uneventful, except for the absence of Ms. Keady. A
+substitute teacher oversaw her classes. Helen was only able to learn
+that Ms. Keady was absent because of a family matter. No one answered
+the Keady home phone number, and the Children’s Hospital would only
+say that Zoe was no longer there. Joan is terribly worried about Zoe
+and carries this sadness beneath the joy of the next two days.
+
+Richard and family arrive after school on Wednesday. Richard attempts
+a formal introduction, but Emily decides to immediately introduce
+herself to Joan, “Hi, I’m Emily.” She spins around, “Do you like my
+outfit?”
+Emily is dressed cute as a bug’s ear. She is wearing a\ `cowgirl
+outfit <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/CowgirlOutfit.jpg>`__\ that
+her father bought for her. Before Joan can answer, Emily takes her
+hand, “Can I see your room? Do you like LeAnn Rimes? What kind of
+dances do you know?” As they walk upstairs together, Joan smiles back
+at the others, while Emily continues the questions as they go.
+
+Richard – “Well, that was Emily. She’s a little excited about meeting
+Joan. I’m sure she’ll introduce herself to everyone later.”
+
+Will helps Richard bring the Thanksgiving items in from the car that
+they brought with them. Then Richard, Trenna, Will and Helen sit at
+the dining room table and begin to talk.
+
+Trevor stays in the living room with Kevin, Luke, and Grace. He is
+being quiet, but Kevin notices that he seems to be interested in him.
+He asks, “Have you ever known anyone who was in a wheelchair before?”
+
+Trevor – “No.” He peeks around to make sure his father is still at
+the dining room table, “My dad told me not to say anything, but does
+it hurt?”
+
+Kevin – “The reason I’m in this chair is because I can’t feel
+anything below my waist. No, it doesn’t hurt.”
+
+Trevor – “Have you always been that way?”
+
+Kevin – “No, I was in an accident a few years ago and I hurt my back.
+That’s when I stopped being able to feel my legs.”
+
+Trevor – “Oh.”
+
+Luke – “What kind of things do you like to do?”
+
+Trevor – “I like trains. I have a neat train set at home. I like to
+play video games. I’ll play Tiger baseball again this summer. I like
+to play army with my friends. My great great-grandfather was in a war
+in Baltimore. He was at a fort and shot canons at a bunch of boats
+that came. My mom says they wrote a song about him.”
+
+Kevin – “Wow, do you know the name of the song?”
+
+Trevor – “No, but I know the words. Mom taught me.
+
+*Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
+What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?*\ ”
+
+He pauses for a moment, “Ah, I forget. Oh…
+
+*And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
+Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.*\ ”
+
+He pauses again, “That’s all I can remember.”
+
+Luke – “That’s really neat! It’s called the ‘Star Spangled Banner’. I
+like to play video games, too. Maybe we can play later.”
+
+Kevin – “I used to play baseball. Would you like play catch?”
+
+Trevor – “Yeah, that’ll be fun.”
+
+Luke retrieves the baseball mitts from the garage, and Kevin and
+Trevor go out back. Luke sits back down next to Grace, “What would
+you like to do now?”
+
+Grace – “I’m gonna go upstairs and see if Joan needs to be rescued.
+If she’s okay, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
+
+Grace walks upstairs to find Joan and Emily lying on the bed
+coloring. Emily is chattering away, “Eeeuw, I don’t like boys, not
+like that.” Emily looks up, “Who are you?”
+
+Joan – “This is my friend, Grace. She’s staying with us while her
+parents are away.”
+
+Emily – “Hi, would you like to color?”
+
+Grace – “No, thank you. What are you coloring?”
+
+Emily holds up the coloring book, “Ultra! She’s so cool.”
+
+Joan – “Zoe let me borrow it.”
+
+Grace doesn’t respond to this, because Joan has already told her
+about her concern for Zoe, “Well, have fun.” Grace returns downstairs
+to talk to Luke.
+
+Luke – “So, what would you like to do?”
+
+Grace – “There’s really not much we can do. I expect when Kevin and
+Trevor come in, you and Trevor will go up to your room to play video
+games.”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, I feel like I need to entertain him. Sorry.”
+
+Grace – “Don’t be sorry. I’m just going to try to fade into the
+woodwork.” She pauses as a new thought comes to her, “In fact, I’m
+going home to get Joan’s present. That way, I can give the woodwork a
+brake. I’ll be back in a little while.”
+
+Luke – “What did you get her?”
+
+Grace – “It’s going to humiliating enough. No previews.”
+
+In the dining room, the Girardi parents talk shop. All of them work,
+at least part time, and this seems like a good way to break the ice.
+Will praises Richard for his ability to save children. Richard
+confesses he’s searched of the Arcadia Herald to read about the White
+Hat that cleaned up Dodge. He professes equal admiration.
+
+Helen and Trenna share some interesting tales as well. When the
+conversation drifts into sports, the hot topics are the Orioles and
+the Ravens. To Helen’s surprise, Trenna leads the discussion, a local
+sports fan from birth. After relaying a tale of she and her father
+attending the last Colts game in 1983, Trenna notices that Helen
+isn’t participating in the conversation. Helen isn’t interested in
+sports, except when it came to Kevin, and that association isn’t
+something she wants to bring up now. Trenna changes the subject to
+art, and Helen is relieved. Will interjects his observations of
+Trenna’s ‘strange staircase’ painting. Helen remembers she has her
+copy of\ `The Garden,
+Epping <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Picture.jpg>`__\ in
+the garage, which spurs Will to remember the boat, and they all
+ventured out into the garage to view the treasures.
+
+In Joan’s room, after they each finished coloring a page, Emily
+decides she wants to do something else. Joan smiles as she remembers
+how short a nine-year-old girl’s attention span can be. Emily is just
+interested in everything. Whenever Joan answers a question, Emily
+comes up with two more. The only thing that is keeping Joan from
+becoming annoyed is the fact that Emily is so sweet.
+
+Joan decides to teach Emily some dance steps. It is, after all, one
+of the first things that Emily asked about. Like Zoe, Emily is
+interested in the waltz. She has already learned some of the more
+modern dances, but no one has taught her the older traditional ones.
+
+Joan looks through her CD’s and finds one she purchased in a moment
+of insanity, but secretly enjoys listening to on occasion. She finds
+the\ `track <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/12817695/e30e33d2/Enya_-_Floras_Secret.mp3>`__\ she
+wants and smiles, because it reminds her of her Cousin Florine. As
+she dances with Emily, Joan remembers her dance with Zoe and she
+feels a mixture of sadness and joy.
+
+Kevin and Trevor are having a good time playing catch. Trevor has a
+pretty good throwing arm for his age, but his ability to catch is
+even better. When Kevin asks what position he liked to play best, his
+reply is not a surprise to Kevin, “I like shortstop the best. I’m the
+best one. I’ve gotten more outs than anybody else by catching the
+ball and throwing it to first base. The coach said I can play
+shortstop again next year.”
+
+The parents watch part of their game, then go inside. In the kitchen,
+Joan peers into the crock-pot while Emily skips around, singing the
+words to Flora’s Secret.
+
+Will comes in with the others and stirs the pot a little. “Looks like
+it’s done. I’ll start the pasta. Why don’t you set the table, Joan?”
+
+Emily stops singing and watches Kevin roll into the kitchen. “Hi,
+you’re Kevin, right?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, that’s me, and I know you are Emily.”
+
+Emily gives Kevin a strange look and then she kicks him in the shin.
+
+Trenna– “Emily! Why did you do that?”
+
+Emily ignores her mother and asks Kevin, “Did you feel that?”
+
+Kevin – “No, I can’t feel my legs.”
+
+Emily sits on his lap, looks up at him, and pinches his thigh, “Did
+you feel that?”
+
+Trenna– “Emily, what has gotten into you?”
+
+Kevin chuckles, “No, I didn’t feel that either.”
+
+Emily – “Mom, see! You should have let me bring my spurs.” She looks
+at Kevin, “Come on, you can give me a ride anyway.”
+
+Grace returns at the same time Lilly arrives. As Kevin and Emily roll
+through the house, Kevin smiles at Lilly and says, “This is Emily.”
+
+Emily is a bit preoccupied with her ride and just continues singing
+as she slaps Kevin’s leg.
+
+*…Movin’, movin’, movin’,
+Though they’re disaprovin’
+Keep them doggies movin’, Rawhide…*
+
+Since Kevin is busy, Will makes the introductions, “This is Lilly
+Watters, Kevin’s girlfriend, and Grace is friends with Joan and
+Luke’s girlfriend.”
+
+After the introductions, Lilly notices Trevor’s fascination with her
+tattoo, “Do you like it?”
+
+Trevor – “I don’t know. I’ve never seen one up close.”
+
+Trenna– “Well, you can look, but don’t ever ask to get one.”
+
+Lilly – “It’s from my wet and wild youth. I have another one, but I
+can’t show you.”
+
+Trevor doesn’t understand her meaning and simply replies, “Oh.”
+
+Kevin and Emily pass through the kitchen again. Kevin quietly smiles
+as Emily continues to slap his leg while singing her latest tune.
+
+*…This old man, he played five,
+He played knick-knack on my hide.
+With a knick-knack paddywhack, give your dog a bone.
+This old man came rolling home…*
+
+Will places the crock-pot of sauce and the pasta on the table. Trenna
+brings the salad, and Helen brings the bread and milk. After everyone
+is seated, Helen asks Trenna to say the blessing.
+
+“May this food restore our strength, give new energy to tired limbs,
+and new thoughts to weary minds. May this drink restore our souls,
+give new vision to dry spirits, new warmth to cold hearts. And once
+refreshed, may we give new pleasure to You, who gives us all. Amen.”
+
+Helen – “Thank you, that was a very nice prayer.”
+
+Trenna– “It’s one that my family said often. We use a variety of
+prayers before mealtime.”
+
+They serve the food and begin to eat quietly. Emily, of course, can’t
+help but talk about something. “Joan, what are we going to do after
+dinner?”
+
+Joan – “I’m sure we can find something fun to do. Maybe we can just
+talk and I will ask some questions.”
+
+Emily misses the significance of Joan’s remark, but everyone else
+gets a smile from it. Lilly decides to comment, “If what I saw when I
+arrived represents your day, you have already been having a lot of
+fun.”
+
+Emily – “Yeah, but we’ll only be here two more days. I don’t want to
+miss anything.”
+
+Lilly – “I’m sure you won’t.” Again, Emily misses the significance of
+the remark, but everyone else gets a smile from it.
+
+Lilly rests her chin on her hand and begins to slowly rap her fingers
+on her cheek, “Kevin and I had a really nice time last Sunday. The
+dinner was wonderful and we talked about so many things. We thought
+that today would be a good time to tell you what we’ve decided.”
+
+Lilly stops talking and just continues to rap her fingers on her
+cheek. Joan notices it first, “Oh my God!” She jumps out of her chair
+and runs around the table. She hugs Lilly, “Congratulations! We’ve
+been waiting for this for such a long time.”
+
+The others still haven’t figured out what Lilly was trying to show
+them, so Joan explains. She takes Lilly’s hand and holds it up for
+all to see, “The ring, she’s wearing an engagement ring!”
+
+Dinner ceases and all get up to hug Lilly and Kevin. When they sit
+back down, Helen asks Kevin, “What took you so long? I thought you
+would never ask.”
+
+Kevin – “I didn’t ask. Lilly asked me.” Those who know Lilly aren’t
+surprised. Kevin continues, “I have wanted to marry Lilly for a long
+time, but I didn’t want to put pressure on her. I decided to wait
+until she was ready. It was worth the wait.”
+
+Will pours Emily and Trevor glasses of grape juice and the rest
+glasses of wine. He offers a toast, “I was mistaken earlier when I
+introduced Lilly as Kevin’s girlfriend. Let me instead introduce my
+future daughter-in-law.” He pauses while they click their glasses
+together, “La famiglia è tutto!”
+
+All – “Famiglia.”
+
+After dinner, Joan wants some fresh air. She walks toward the park
+with Emily in tow. Actually, Emily is skipping rings around Joan as
+she walks, still chattering away.
+
+Joan – “Can I ask you some questions now?”
+
+Emily – “Sure, what kind of questions? I like multiple choice
+questions the best, because they are easier to figure out the answer.
+Sometimes…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “What kind of things do you like to do?”
+
+Emily – “I like to do a lot of things. I like singing. Oh, Dad and
+Mom are going to let me take singing lessons! Your dad helped with
+that. After I’m good enough, the teacher is going to arrange for me
+to sing at different places. That’s why dad got me this outfit. I
+just wore it today, because I wanted to look my best when I met you.
+Mom says first impressions are very important.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I agree with your mom, but sometimes you don’t really
+get to know people until you spend more time with them.”
+
+Emily – “Well, I like you. You’re so cool! I wish you were my sister.
+Then we could talk all of the time. Why do you have to live so far
+away?”
+
+Joan smiles, “This is just where I live. We can still talk after you
+go home. There’s the telephone and e-mail.”
+
+Emily – “My dad won’t let me have e-mail. He says some bad people
+might talk to me. Maybe he’ll let me get it so I can talk to you.”
+
+Joan – “That would be nice. Hey, I heard you singing during your ride
+with Kevin. You’re pretty good.”
+
+Emily – “Yeah and your dad said so, too. What is your favorite song?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, that’s hard. There are so many good songs.” She pauses,
+thinking for a moment, “I guess my favorite is ‘The Rose’. I don’t
+know why, it’s just so beautiful. My dad has it on a record.”
+
+Emily – “I like country western the best. I’m not sure what my
+favorite is, but I love anything by LeAnn Rimes.”
+
+Joan – “I’ve heard a few of her songs. She’s pretty good.”
+
+Emily – “Have you had enough walking? I have a LeAnn Rimes CD in the
+car. Maybe we could listen to it.”
+
+Joan – “Maybe, but I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow. I haven’t
+spent any time with your brother and I would like to talk to your
+parents, too. Will you be mad if I spend some time with them?”
+
+Emily – “No, I guess not. Mom says I have to spend some time with
+Luke, too. I’ll do that tomorrow and then we can do something later.”
+
+Joan – “Well, let’s go back home. I need to call Adam, and then I’ll
+show you how to play a neat card game.”
+
+At the table, the adults gather to talk and play cards. Will and
+Helen thought it would be fun to play Euchre with Richard and Trenna.
+First, everyone wants to know more about Sunday night, the
+engagement, and Lilly’s ring.
+
+Lilly – “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, but I didn’t
+know how I wanted to do it. Proposing marriage is very special. When
+Rebecca and I were shopping, I found a dress just like my mother used
+to wear. That’s when it all came together.”
+
+Trenna– “I considered a ring similar to that when Richard and I
+became engaged. I love the princess-cut diamond with blue sapphires
+on either side. It’s such a beautiful ring.”
+
+Lilly – “I’ve always loved this ring. It belonged to my mother.”
+
+It wasn’t Lilly’s intent, but this put an end to the conversation. It
+was enough for them to know that the ring belonged to her mother. No
+one wanted to inquire further.
+
+When Joan and Emily return, they find Grace seated in the living
+room. Luke is up with Trevor playing video games. “Why don’t you sit
+with Grace while I talk to Adam. She can show you the card games. I
+won’t be long.”
+
+Joan makes her call. She doesn’t have anything special to say; she
+just wants to hear his voice and confirm dinner tomorrow. When she is
+finished, she finds that Grace and Emily are already playing ‘Go
+Fish’. Joan joins the game.
+
+After a while, Emily’s ceases her constant chatter. Grace says,
+“Emily, it’s your turn.” Emily doesn’t respond. Her eyelids have
+become heavy and Grace observes, “I think she’s winding down.” Joan
+removes the cards from her hand and she lays Emily across her lap.
+She strokes her hair and smiles, “A hundred and ten percent all day
+long, and then poof, lights out. That’s so cute.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Richard and family return early from the hotel, because Trenna wants
+to help Helen prepare the turkey. Emily and Trevor immediately go
+back to sleep on the couch, and Richard naps in a stuffed chair.
+
+Joan and Grace come down later and observe Emily and Trevor sleeping
+on the couch. Joan at first smiles, but then she thinks about Zoe,
+‘They’re both sailing.’ She then vows to only have happy thoughts for
+the rest of the day. After all, it is her birthday.
+
+Wonderful smells lure them into the kitchen, where Helen and Trenna
+are sitting at the table. Joan and Grace quietly snoop around,
+looking at all the goodies in the process of being made. Helen asks,
+“Would you like some breakfast, birthday girl?”
+
+Trenna– “Helen, why didn’t you tell us?”
+
+Helen – “Luke had his birthday last week and we didn’t want you to
+feel obligated to get Joan something.”
+
+Trenna– “Well, it’s a good thing we have gifts for Will and the kids.
+What we have wasn’t meant as a birthday present, but at least we’ll
+have something to give you today. Happy birthday. How old are you?”
+
+Joan – “Eighteen, old enough to vote.”
+
+Trenna– “Well, you be sure to learn about the issues, so that your
+vote will count for something.”
+
+Joan – “I’ve been involved with school politics. I’m sure Grace will
+help me out. She knows a lot of political stuff.”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I think the best thing we could do is to vote everyone
+out of office.”
+
+Trenna– “Ah, an anarchist. Well, sometimes the less politicians do,
+the better it is for everyone. But if you don’t participate, you will
+have no effect at all.” She redirects to both of them, “Why don’t you
+let your mother and I fix you breakfast? Would you like a bowl of hot
+oatmeal to start?”
+
+Joan and Grace both agree, and Helen starts the oatmeal. Trenna
+begins preparing the rest of the meal. When the oats are ready,
+Trenna adds brown sugar, and serves it to the girls. “This is very
+simple, oatmeal with brown sugar on top, but it’s good for you. It
+has a lot of fiber, vitamins, and protein. Some say that oatmeal can
+lower your cholesterol. If that’s true, it goes well with the next
+part of the meal.”
+
+Trennareturns to the kitchen, and after a while, she brings creamy
+scramble eggs, mixed with bacon and cheese. She and Helen have made
+enough for all of them, and they sit down together to enjoy the
+meal.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t normally eat a big breakfast, but this is really
+good.”
+
+Trenna– “Thank you. Actually, I’ve purposely made the portions
+smaller than usual. I think we’ll have a light lunch, so we’ll all be
+hungry for dinner. Your mother and I have already planned the menu,
+but is there anything special I can make for you?”
+Joan – “Dad mentioned your peach cobbler. Could you make that?”
+
+Trenna– “It’s already on the menu.”
+
+Emily and Trevor wander in from the living room. They both have a
+seat. Emily cuddles up next to Joan and groggily asks, “Who won the
+game?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, you did. Don’t you remember?”
+
+Emily smiles and rubs her eyes, “No.”
+
+Trennabrings Emily and Trevor bowls of oatmeal, and they begin to
+eat. She comments, “After you eat, you two stinkers need to have
+baths. We didn’t get them done last night.”
+
+Emily – “Did you bring my clothes?”
+
+Trenna– “Yes, your daisy shirt and jeans, just like you wanted.”
+
+Joan – “I like your jammies. I have a pair with polka dots, too.”
+
+Emily smiles, “We have good taste. Hey, your dad showed me a picture
+of you. You had your hair curled in front. Could you show me how to
+do that?”
+
+Joan – “Sure, it’s easy. I just use a curling iron.”
+
+After Emily finishes eating, she asks Joan to go up with her to the
+bathroom. Joan gets her a towel and shows her the soap and shampoo.
+“Is this the soap you use?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, Mom and I both use it. It’s called Oil of Olay.”
+
+Emily smiles and thinks to herself, ‘Great, Joan soap!’
+
+Joan starts to leave, “Call me when you’re finished and I’ll curl
+your hair.”
+
+Emily – “No, wait! I won’t be long. There’s not much of me to clean.”
+Emily slips out of her pajamas. Joan smiles, amused as she watches a
+sliver of white disappear behind the curtain. As soon as the water
+begins to flow, so does the singing.
+
+“…\ I’m a happy girl.
+Everybody knows,
+That the sweetest thing that you’ll ever see,
+In the whole wide world,
+Is a happy girl.
+
+*I used to hide in a party crowd,
+Bottled up inside,
+Feeling so left out.
+Standing in a*\ …”
+
+After Emily dresses, Joan blow dries her hair and puts in the curl
+that she wanted. As they head downstairs, they meet Trenna and Trevor
+as they head up for his shower. Joan escorts Emily to Grace and Luke,
+who are sitting on the couch, “Time to meet my brother.”
+
+Emily – “But…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “No buts, we already talked about this. I’m going to
+talk to your mother for awhile.”
+
+Emily frowns, “Okay.”
+
+Joan leaves and Emily sits down beside Luke, “So, what do you like to
+do?”
+
+Luke – “Joan calls me a science geek. I like learning about things.
+I’ve made Joan a neat birthday present.”
+
+Emily – “It’s Joan’s birthday?” Tears begin to fill her eyes, “But, I
+don’t have anything to give her. Nobody told me.”
+
+In an unusual display of affection, Luke begins to hug her, “We’ll
+think of something. Why don’t I make my gift from me and you?”
+
+Emily – “No, it has to be something from me, something special.” She
+begins to think, and then suddenly she has an idea, “Can you take the
+record player up to your room?”
+
+Luke – “Sure, it’s not that heavy. Why?”
+
+Emily – “I’ll tell you after we get up there. She flips through
+Will’s records until she finds the one she wants. Okay, let’s go.”
+
+After talking to Trenna about things they each like to do, Joan says,
+“I have no idea how to get to know Trevor. What does he like to do?”
+
+Trenna– “Trevor is all boy. I don’t suppose you want to play combat?”
+
+Joan – “Not really. Does he like to do anything that isn’t boyish?”
+
+Trenna– “He likes to read, but he still enjoys it when I read to
+him.” She retrieves a paperback book from her purse, “He likes short
+story science fiction. I’ve read the first three stories to him. Why
+don’t you two have a story time together?”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, I can do that.”
+
+Joan returns to the living room where Grace has been trying to
+entertain Trevor, “Hi, I’m Joan.”
+
+Trevor – “Yeah, I know.”
+
+Joan – “Your mom thought you might like me to read you a story. Does
+that sound like fun?”
+
+Trevor doesn’t seem too enthusiastic, but he agrees. Joan sits in the
+stuffed chair and pulls Trevor onto her lap.
+
+Grace – “I’m going to see if Luke needs rescuing.”
+
+Joan smiles as Grace leaves, “Let’s see what we have.” She opens the
+book. “The next story is called, ‘\ \ `The Last
+Question <https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzD_A1TK-sRLY3VJQWw0cFdmS28/edit?usp=sharing>`__\ \ ’.
+Is there such a thing? Let’s find out.”
+
+She begins to read, “The last question was asked for the first time,
+half in jest, on May 21, 2061, at a time when humanity first stepped
+into the light…”
+
+Joan finishes the story and Trevor asks, “So, AC became God?”
+
+Joan – “It’s just a story. You should ask your mom and dad about
+God.”
+
+Trevor – “What do you think?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t think anyone knows what God is. He’s beyond our
+experience, but I do know that he loves us. Come on, it’s time for
+lunch. Are you hungry?”
+
+When they gather at the table, Helen announces, “This is just going
+to be a snack. We want you all to be hungry for dinner.” She directs
+herself to Joan, “This is a treat with you in mind, birthday girl.”
+Helen leaves the room, not clarifying further. She returns with two
+plates of sliced cantaloupe, “I called your Aunt Olive and asked her
+to ship them to us. Arizona seems to be the only place that has them
+this time of year. She told me she kissed each one as she put them in
+the box.”
+
+Joan chortles, “Oh boy, thanks!” She looks around, but doesn’t see
+it. Then, Helen retrieves the shaker from her back pocket, “Salt,
+thanks, I needed this.”
+
+Helen – “I know.” She has a seat and asks, “So what have you men been
+up to?”
+
+Kevin – “Dad and Uncle Richard have been talking about Grandpa, and
+I’m been listening. We’ve also been sort of watching the parade. The
+M&M balloon committed hara-kiri on a lamp post.”
+
+Trenna– “Was anybody hurt?”
+
+Will – “They didn’t say. It happened just before we came down.”
+
+Trevor – “Uncle Will, Mom says you should talk to me.”
+
+Trenna– “What I said is that you should spend some time with your
+Uncle Will.”
+
+Will – “Sure, what would you like to do?”
+
+Trevor – “I don’t know.”
+
+Will doesn’t speak, but the expression on his face says it all.
+Trenna comes to the rescue, “Maybe your Uncle Will can tell you the
+story about that plaque in the living room.”
+
+Trevor – “Okay.”
+
+Joan – “Good, then I’ll steal Uncle Richard for awhile.” She looks at
+Emily, “Is that okay?”
+
+Emily – “Yeah, Luke and Grace and me have been having fun, but I get
+you later.”
+
+Joan – “Deal.”
+
+Trevor – “Mom, is God a computer?”
+
+Everyone’s jaw drops, but before anyone else can say anything, Joan
+speaks up, “It’s the story I read to him. It’s called The Last
+Question. The ending was a real surprise. Had I known, I would have
+picked another story. I’m sorry.”
+
+Trenna– “That’s okay. Honey, let me read the story while you spend
+time with your Uncle Will, and then we’ll talk.”
+
+After their snack, Will takes Trevor into the living room. He takes
+the plaque off the wall and has a seat with Trevor on his lap. “This
+picture is of me carrying a girl out of a fire. Her name is Elizabeth
+Goetzmann, but I didn’t learn that until later.
+
+Your Aunt Helen and I were watching a play. Then suddenly…”
+
+Joan decided to talk to Richard while they took a walk, “Why didn’t
+you tell me you had a family when you came the first time?”
+
+Richard – “I was hopeful but not optimistic that your father and I
+would be able to resolve our problems. Had it worked out differently,
+I would have told you. I never told Emily and Trevor about your
+family until just before your father came to visit. I felt it was
+better for them not to know then to have to deal with the pain of
+knowing you exist and regret not having the opportunity to know you.”
+He stops momentarily and smiles, “Can you imagine what a basket case
+Emily would have been had she known you existed?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, she does seem to idolize me.”
+
+Richard – “Trenna has two brothers who have children, but they are
+all boys. Emily has met your Cousin Florine, but they just didn’t
+seem to connect, not like you and Emily have appeared to.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, Florine is kind of strange with her talking to flowers
+and all.”
+
+Richard – “It does seem strange. She told me that she talks with
+them, not just to them.”
+
+Joan – “The flowers talk to her?”
+
+Richard – “That’s what she told me, but I have thought about it for a
+long time. Who knows, perhaps they do? How do you know they don’t,
+just because they’ve never spoken to you?”
+
+Joan doesn’t know what to say. Maybe that’s how God talks to Florine.
+This certainly changes her perspective of her cousin.
+
+There are a few moments of silence while Joan ponders this. Then she
+decides to ask Richard a question she’s been wanting to ask, “What do
+you think about nursing? I have just been wondering about it,
+thinking that it might be something that I want to do.”
+
+Richard – “Nurses are the backbone of medicine. They have one of the
+most important jobs. They are the ones who see the patients the most.
+I don’t know what I would do without them.”
+
+Joan – “But it’s hard, isn’t it?”
+
+Richard – “They do have to deal with a lot of stress. It’s especially
+hard when your patients are children. Not everyone can be saved, and
+it’s heartbreaking. But there are some who are healed, and that’s the
+focus. If you decide to make that a career, I for one will have the
+utmost admiration for you.”
+
+Joan thinks about what Richard has told her and smiles without
+comment. Richard continues, “Johns Hopkins has some of the best
+nursing programs in the country. If you attend, you can live with us
+while you’re in school.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, Uncle Richard. I might decide to do that, but
+there are courses offered here, too. I’m still not sure what I want
+to do, or even if nursing is the right choice.” She pauses and
+smiles, “Emily would love it, though.”
+
+Richard – “I’m sure she would.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Adam, Carl, and Lilly arrive at about four. Carl and Adam bring
+coleslaw again, but today’s batch is much smaller than what they made
+for the crab feast last summer. Lilly brought two pies. One is
+pumpkin and the other is lemon meringue.
+
+Will, Richard, and Trenna have been watching the Cowboys and Broncos
+game. Trenna has been cheering for the Broncos. Will and Richard are
+undecided about which team they want to win, but have been playfully
+annoying Trenna by cheering for the Dallas cheerleaders. Carl
+retrieves a beer from the fridge and joins them.
+
+To Emily’s delight, Joan has once again taken her under her wing.
+They have been watching `Miracle on 34th
+Street <http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0039628/>`__\ ’, a Thanksgiving
+tradition for a Joan. Joan is pleased to learn that Emily had never
+seen it, and that she still believes in Santa Claus. She treasures
+watching Emily sparkle as she watches.
+
+Emily chatters through the whole movie, about what is going on, and
+Christmases past. When they approach the part of the movie with
+Joan’s favorite quote, she makes Emily stop to listen.
+
+“Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to.” (Fred
+Gailey)
+
+Joan wants Emily hear this, since Joan has heard it almost verbatim
+from the utmost authority.
+
+It’s finally dinnertime and all are famished. They gather around the
+table and Trenna is once again asked to say a prayer,
+
+“Lord God, on this day of Thanksgiving, we ask your blessings on our
+family, our friends, our home, our health -- and on the food we are
+about to eat. We thank you for this time together and the many gifts
+that you have given us. Help us to remember in this time of bounty
+those less fortunate. And may your love consume us all that we might
+share in your glory. Amen.”
+
+Trennasmiles and holds up her glass, “And may we all be in heaven
+half an hour before the devil knows we’re dead.”
+
+After a little laughter, Trenna continues, “It is often taught that
+the Pilgrims invited the Indians to the first Thanksgiving to give
+thanks to them for saving their lives. That is not what really
+happened. The Pilgrims invited the Indians to join them in giving
+thanks to God…”
+
+Dinner was delicious and all leave the table having eaten more than
+they should have. When the kitchen is clean, they all return for the
+birthday celebration. Will relinquishes his seat at the head of the
+table and places Joan there. They open the gathering with the
+traditional Happy Birthday song.
+
+Unknown to Joan, the order of the gift giving has been decided in
+advance. Luke is the first to offer his gift. He hands her an oblong
+box, “Open it.”
+
+Joan removes the wrapping to find a\ `Drinking
+Bird <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/DrinkingBird.jpg>`__\ .
+She places it on the table and Luke brings a glass of water, “See,
+this is so cool. It’s actually a heat engine. The gas…”
+
+Joan interrupts him, “Great, thank you, Luke. I would rather just
+watch the bird drink and not know why.”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, but this is just to explain your other present. See…”
+
+Joan interrupts again, “What other present?”
+
+Luke – “Well, I’ve taken this concept, and employed laser and
+pneumatic technology to create a drinking bird on a much larger
+scale. It was fascinating when I discovered…”
+
+Joan decides to let Luke give his schpeil, since he seems determined
+to do it anyway. After a briefing of the technology behind his gift,
+of which only he understands, he goes into the other room to retrieve
+it. Grace has to help him tilt it through the doorway, because
+upright, it almost reaches the ceiling. “Unwrap it.”
+
+Joan – “Do you have a ladder?”
+
+Trennagets up and gives Joan her chair to stand on. Joan begins at
+the top and peels away the wrapping, “It’s Big Bird!”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, I thought I would jazz him up a little for you. Let me
+get the water and the plant, and then I’ll plug it in.”
+
+Joan steps off the chair and stands back. She wonders in the back of
+her mind if it will explode when he plugs it in.
+
+Luke – “The plant is a Bleeding Heart. It’s a perennial, so it’s
+perfect. There are three more pedestals, so you can have up to four
+plants in all. All you have to do is change this gallon jug of water
+when it gets low, probably once a week.” He plugs it in. A fan begins
+to whisper below and a laser flashes, illuminating the birds’ butt.
+Slowly, the bird begins to dip, and once down, it sucks water from a
+basin. When it rises, a little water flows into the plant below.
+After a few minutes, it repeats. “Neat, huh?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, it actually is. I’m always forgetting to water the
+plants in my room. This will come in handy.”
+
+Luke – “Well, that’s part of why I made it. I’m glad that you like
+it. If you want to know more about how it works, I’ve written a…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “No thanks, I would rather remain mystified.”
+
+Lilly – “Okay, it’s my turn. Mine isn’t as grandiose as Luke’s, but I
+think you’ll like it. Happy Birthday.”
+
+Joan opens the present to find the drawing that Lilly had purchased
+at the church rummage sale, “\ \ `Joan of
+Arc <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Joan_of_Arc_Drawing.jpg>`__\ ,
+how pretty! I love the saying.”
+
+Lilly – “I was hoping you would. I remember you reading the Joan of
+Arc book this summer.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you. I’ll find a nice place in my room to hang it.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, it’s my turn. I’ve worked a long time on this. I even
+made it rhyme this time. I hope you like it.”
+
+Joan opens the present to find a plaque. Decoupaged on the front is a
+poem. It reads:
+
+**Joan of Arcadia**
+
+**I want you to know,**
+
+ 
+
+**That I’m ‘anti’ all through.**
+
+ 
+
+**Except when it comes,**
+
+ 
+
+**To a friend such as you.**
+
+**Although sometimes you’re crazy,**
+
+**With the weird things you do.**
+
+**I love that about you,**
+
+**It’s what makes you, you.**
+
+**So for now and forever,**
+
+ 
+
+**I’ll be your best friend.**
+
+ 
+
+**Let’s walk the sewers together,**
+
+ 
+
+**And sail boats through the end.**
+
+Joan – “Grace, this is beautiful. Thank you.” She gets up and gives
+her a hug.
+
+Grace – “Lilly showed me how to do the decoupage.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, Lilly, for helping with this. It’s so beautiful.
+Another treasure for my room.”
+
+Adam gets up and retrieves his gift from the other room. He places it
+on the table, “Here, I made this for you. Open it.”
+
+Joan gently peels back the paper to reveal a sculpture about a foot
+tall. It is a hand on a platform, surrounded by little fiber-optic
+strands that point down toward it. Adam hands her a small figurine
+wrapped in paper. She opens it, “It’s a female dancer!”
+
+Adam – “Put it on the platform.” She does and then Adam adds,
+“There’s a switch on the bottom. Turn it on.”
+
+When Joan turns it on, the dancer begins to float around the
+platform. Color pads of light from the fiber optics paint the
+platform with changing colors. Music comes from the box, playing the
+tune, Tiny Dancer. “It’s beautiful! Thank you.”
+
+Joan chortles as she repeatedly turns the switch on and off. After a
+few moments, she realizes that she should continue with the gift
+giving and play with her music box later.
+
+Richard – “Well, we didn’t know it was your birthday until after we
+arrived, but we do have a gift for Will and you kids. He walks into
+the other room and retrieves four wrapped presents. He gives one each
+to Will, Kevin, Joan, and Luke, “Open them.”
+
+They each open their present to find a framed picture of their
+grandfather in his police uniform. “Will really liked this picture
+when he came to visit. We decided to make copies for all of you, so
+that when you have a home of your own, you’ll each have one.”
+
+All thank Richard and Trenna for their thoughtful gift.
+
+Kevin – “Mine is probably the smallest gift of all. It’s actually
+half of a gift. You’ll get the other half on Christmas.”
+
+Joan smiles and jokingly says, “I hate birthday-Christmas presents
+combined.” She opens the card and discovers the contents. It’s a
+record of certificates of deposit in her name. She exclaims, “Is this
+what I think it’s for?”
+
+Kevin – “Yep, and I have the other half put away for Christmas. Now
+all you have to do is convince our parents to let you go.”
+
+Helen and Will simultaneously ask, “Go where?”
+
+Joan – “I was going to wait until after New Years to talk to you
+about it. Our French class is taking a trip to Paris over spring
+break. There is also an excursion to Domremy, where Joan of Arc
+lived. I really want to go. Please!”
+
+Will and Helen look at each other, but Will decides to speak, “We’ll
+have to know a lot more about this trip, how many chaperones will
+there be, where will you stay, and answers to a hundred questions I
+can’t think of right now, but I think we’ll probably let you go.
+However, if these riots in France are not over with by when it’s time
+for you to go, the deal’s off.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, thank you, thank you, and thank you, Kevin.”
+
+Emily – “My turn, my turn!” She pulls her chair out and then stands
+on it. “Luke, will you start the music?”
+
+Luke uncovers a computer that has been hidden in the corner, “Ready?”
+Emily nods, and Luke pushes the enter key. When the music begins to
+play, Emily sings.
+
+*Some say love it is a river
+*That* drowns the tender reed.
+Some say love it is a razor
+*That* leaves your soul to bleed.*
+
+*Some say love it is a hunger
+An endless, aching need
+I say love it is a flower,
+And you it’s only seed.*
+
+*It’s the heart afraid of breaking
+That never learns to dance
+It’s the dream afraid of waking
+That never takes the chance*
+
+*It’s the one who won’t be taken,
+Who cannot seem to give
+And the soul afraid of dying
+That never learns to live.*
+
+*And the night has been too lonely
+And the road has been too long.
+And you think that love is only
+For the lucky and the strong.*
+
+*Just remember in the winter
+Far beneath the bitter snow
+Lies the seed that with the sun’s love,
+In the spring, becomes a rose.*
+
+Joan – “That was beautiful, and my favorite song. Thank you.”
+
+Emily – “Luke took the record player up to his room and let me listen
+to the song. I didn’t know until I heard it, but LeAnn Rimes does
+that same song, too. I just had to finish memorizing the words.”
+
+Luke – “And I downloaded a karaoke copy of the song.”
+
+Joan – “Well, thank both of you. Emily, you are such a talented
+singer. You will be great someday.”
+
+Helen – “And now, last, but not least, is our gift. Your father and I
+expected that you would refuse to drive the car, so we decided to get
+you something else for your birthday. We are happy you have agreed to
+at least drive sometimes.”
+
+Will – “The computer that just played Emily’s song, it’s yours.”
+
+Joan – “Really?”She gets up to go look at it. “Does it have e-mail?”
+
+Luke – “It has the complete Microsoft Office package. You are also
+subscribed to iTunes.”
+
+Joan – “Will you show me how everything works?”
+
+Luke – “That’s part of the deal.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, Dad, thank you. This has been such a wonderful
+birthday.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+It’s Friday morning, and although they stayed up late last night, all
+get up for breakfast at IHOP. Adam comes over at about nine, and he
+and Joan are talking. Joan admires her Tiny Dancer sculpture,
+enjoying the tune and watching the dancer move about on the platform.
+Adam comments, “I’m glad you like it. There is something I have been
+meaning to ask you.”
+
+Joan – “What?”
+
+Adam – “The reason I made this for you is because I know how much you
+love to dance. That’s why I decided to take dancing lessons, so I
+could dance with you. I was wondering, would you go with me to the
+Mirror Ball next month?”
+
+Joan – “I thought you would never ask? Of course I will.”
+
+Adam smiles, “Then I have something else for you.” He pulls an object
+wrapped in tissue paper from his pocket and gives it to her. Joan
+unwraps it to find a male dancer for her sculpture. She places it
+beside the female counterpart and turns on the music box, “Now, they
+can dance together like us.”
+
+As they kiss, Helen walks into the living room, “Oh, I’m sorry. I
+didn’t know you were having a moment.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, look what Adam gave me!”
+
+She shows Helen the music box now with the two figurines dancing
+together. “That’s really nice, and romantic! Does this mean…”
+
+Joan doesn’t wait for Helen to finish, “Yeah, he finally asked me.”
+
+Adams becomes puzzled, “How did you know I was going to ask you?”
+
+Telling Adam how they actually learned of it wouldn’t be any fun, so
+Joan says, “We’re women. We figure things out.”
+
+Helen continues, “Well, I just wanted to tell you help to yourself to
+lunch. Trenna and I have removed all the meat from the turkey, so
+there is plenty to make sandwiches.”
+
+Helen returns to the dining room where Will, Richard, Trenna, Kevin,
+and Lilly are once again playing Euchre.
+
+Emily and Grace come downstairs, “Come on, Joan. Your friend is nice,
+but I want to do something with you, and you can talk to your
+boyfriend after we leave.”
+
+Joan looks at Adam who returns an understanding look. He smiles and
+looks at Grace, “We haven’t had a ‘Day of Grace’ for awhile. I have a
+new project at home I’d like to show you. Let’s go.” Adam and Grace
+depart.
+
+Emily sits down next to Joan, “Would you like to listen to music?
+Then you can show me how to dance some more.”
+
+Joan gets up and leafs through the records, trying to find one that
+she thinks Emily would enjoy. She comes across one titled, “Snoopy
+Vs. the Red Baron.” She puts it one and they start to dance as the
+music begins to play.
+
+The doorbell rings, but neither Joan nor Emily care to answer it.They
+are having too much fun practicing line dancing. Helen answers the
+door to find a man and two women, one of them noticeably pregnant.
+
+Sister Sarah – “Hello, my name is Sarah McCauley, Sister Sarah, and
+this is my sister and her husband, Anna and John Finnegan. Are you
+Mrs. Girardi?”
+
+Helen remembers Joan mentioning Sister Sarah on many occasions, “Yes,
+it’s Helen, please come in. Joan has told me how much she enjoys
+taking dance lessons.”
+
+Joan notices them come in, stops dancing, and turns off the record.
+They all have a seat. After the introductions, Sarah begins, “You
+haven’t been to dance class in two weeks. I’ve been worried about
+you.”
+
+Joan – “I’m okay. I was dancing a lot at school, and I was sore from
+doing that. I’ll start again next week.”
+
+Sarah – “I’ll look forward to it. I’ve really missed you.” She
+glances at Anna and then continues, “We were talking at dinner
+yesterday and I mentioned you. I was surprised when Anna told me that
+she knew you. We decided to come visit to see how you were.”
+
+Joan looks at Anna, “The grocery store in Millersville, right?”
+
+Anna – “I’m glad you remember. Our chance meeting has meant so much
+to me. I really want to thank you.”
+
+Joan becomes a little embarrassed, “Oh, it was nothing.”
+
+Anna – “No, it was! I took your advice and now Sarah and I are
+sisters again. But there was something else that I didn’t tell you
+that day. The reason I didn’t want Sarah to become a nun is because I
+wanted her to marry and have the children that John and I couldn’t
+have. We had been trying for years, but it just never happened.” She
+looks down at her stomach and massages it with her hands, “But look
+at me now! We are twice blessed!”
+
+All offer congratulations. When they get up to leave, Sarah comments,
+“Well, we just wanted to say hello. We plan to spend the rest of the
+day with John’s family again. I’ll see you in class.”
+
+As they are leaving, Helen notices Roger and Cee-Cee coming up the
+walk. Cee-Cee pauses to talk to Sister Sarah. After a few moments,
+she continues up the walk with Roger, “Hello, Mrs. Girardi. May we
+come in to visit for a little while?”
+
+Helen – “Sure, come in.”
+
+They come in and have a seat. Cee-Cee continues, “Roger and I spent
+yesterday evening with his family. We will be spending this evening
+with mine. It is a custom in my family to visit friends on
+Thanksgiving Friday. I hope you don’t mind.”
+
+Helen – “No, all of this company today is quite a pleasant surprise.”
+
+Cee-Ceelooks at Joan, “How are you feeling?”
+
+Joan – “Much better, pretty much back to normal.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Good!I have been talking to my dance teacher and she would
+like you to audition for her class at Dawson State next year. Have
+you applied?”
+
+Joan – “No, I haven’t done that yet. I was going to wait until after
+the job fair this week. Do you think I can get in?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I know you can. That’s why tomorrow, we are going to start
+working on your routine. My house, 9 o’clock.”
+
+Joan’s excitement is written across her face, “That’s wonderful. I’ll
+be there.”
+
+Roger – “I have a bit of news. My English teacher will be retiring
+after this year. I applied for the position, and he has given me a
+great recommendation. I might be your English teacher if you go to
+Dawson State next year.”
+
+Joan – “That’s great news. I’m so happy for you, and for me. You are
+a wonderful teacher. Now, all I have to do is get in.” She pauses and
+looks at Cee-Cee, “Will you be okay with this?”
+
+Cee-Ceesmiles, “It will be fine. Well, we have to go. We have other
+friends to visit before dinner tonight.”
+
+Cee-Ceeand Roger get up, and Helen opens the door for them. As she
+does, Zoe darts through and plops herself onto Joan’s lap, “Look at
+this!”
+
+Joan takes the paper and Zoe points, “Read that part.” Joan reads,
+“Zoe R. Keady has been accepted into St. Paul’s Lutheran Elementary
+School as a second grade student. Please have her report to on
+November 28, 2005. Classes begin at 9 a.m.”
+
+Joan looks up and Zoe gives her a big hug. “I’m so excited. I get to
+go to a real school!”
+
+Joan – “But how did this happen? I didn’t think you could go.”
+
+While everyone was watching Joan and Zoe, Ms. Keady quietly came in
+through the open door, “It’s gone. The tumor is gone.”
+
+Helen – “Well, hello Ms. Keady. This is a nice surprise.”
+
+Ms. Keady – “Hello Helen, you can call me Carol. Anyway, the doctors
+didn’t expect the medicine to affect the tumor, only the symptoms.
+They were as surprised as the rest of us.”
+
+Emily – “Hi Zoe, I’m Emily. Joan has a coloring book of yours in her
+room. Would you like to color?”
+
+Zoe – “Yeah.”
+
+Zoe and Emily run toward the stairs. Joan then exchanges glances with
+Cee-Cee. Without saying a word, they both begin to glow, wondering
+the same thing. Zoe and Emily stop on the stairs, and then return to
+the living room. They each take one of Joan’s hands and coax her,
+“Come on, we want you to come, too.”
+
+Joan gets up and goes with them, still glowing with a smile painted
+across her face. Cee-Cee calls after Zoe, “It’s nice to see you again
+Zoe.” As she and Roger leave, she adds, “And it’s nice to meet you,
+Ms. Keady.”
+
+Helen has observed the exchange of looks between Joan and Cee-Cee,
+and becomes curious once again. On the porch, she asks, “Cee-Cee, may
+I speak to you for a moment?”
+
+Roger takes the hint and continues to the car. “What is it, Mrs.
+Girardi?”
+
+Helen – “It’s okay, but I have been wondering how you and Joan have
+gotten so close in such a short period of time. What is it that you
+two have in common?”
+
+Cee-Ceethinks for a moment before responding, “We both like to
+dance.” She laughs, “We have similar taste in men. We are able to
+talk about things, things that we can’t share with other people. But
+what I enjoy most is that your daughter has a very special connection
+to the universe.”
+
+Cee-Ceewaits for Helen to respond, but Helen is speechless. Cee-Cee
+continues, “But you already knew that, didn’t you?” Cee-Cee smiles,
+“Goodnight, Mrs. Girardi.”
diff --git a/18-TheChildPart1.rst b/18-TheChildPart1.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b4765b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/18-TheChildPart1.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,2190 @@
+Episode 3.18, The Child, Part 1
+-------------------------------
+
+At the Lin Residence
+
+Cee-Cee’shouse is larger than Joan’s, situated on a wooded lot in an
+upscale suburb of town. As she walks from the bus stop, Joan notices
+it is a quiet neighborhood, except for a man using a leaf blower
+across the street. She rings the bell, and China Faye answers the
+door. She invites her in, “Hello Joan, it’s nice to see you again.”
+
+Joan – “It’s nice to see you, too.”
+
+China Faye – “Cee-Cee is in her studio above the garage. Follow me.”
+
+As they walk through the house, Joan observes the furnishings. It is
+a mixture of American and Chinese decor. Although Joan’s house is
+clean, this house is spotless. You could probably eat off any surface
+without getting sick. Joan decides to comment, “You have a lovely
+home, and it’s so clean.”
+
+China Faye – “We share the chores, but with all of us working or
+going to school, we just couldn’t keep it up. My parents hired a
+house cleaning service. They do a very nice job.”
+
+A boy rushes toward them, “Do you have the keys? We’re going to be
+late.”
+
+China Faye – “I’m driving today. I’ll be there in a minute.” She
+looks at Joan, “This is my brother Hui Charles.” She looks back at
+her brother, “Hui, this is Joan, a friend of Cee-Cee’s.”
+
+HuiCharles – “Hi, it’s nice to meet you. Cee-Cee is in her studio.”
+
+China Faye – “You’re not wearing your name tag. Go find it.”
+
+HuiCharles goes off in a huff to find his nametag.
+
+China Faye sighs, “Boys!”
+
+Joan smiles and asks, “Do all of you work at the restaurant?”
+
+China Faye – “Yes, except for the little ones. It’s our family’s
+business. We all work, and we all reap the rewards. Besides, my
+father pays us very well.”
+
+Joan – “What about those in school, like Cee-Cee?”
+
+China Faye – “School comes first. Those of us in school only work
+once or twice a week.”
+
+China Faye stops at the stairs leading up to the studio, “Cee-Cee is
+expecting you. Have fun.”
+
+China Faye leaves and Joan walks up the stairs. She knocks and
+enters, “Cee-Cee?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Right on time. Have a seat.” Joan sits, and Cee-Cee
+continues, “Let me show you the routine that I did so you’ll have an
+idea of what they are expecting.”
+
+When the music starts, Cee-Cee begins to float around the room. Her
+routine is a blend of many dances, some reminiscent of those done in
+the movie *Flashdance*. Cee-Cee finishes as Joan sits in awe of what
+she has just seen. “I… I could never do something like that! It was
+so beautiful!”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Sarah seems to think you can. Oh, sorry, I should say
+Sister Sarah. Joan, have faith in yourself. I do, and so does Sister
+Sarah.”
+
+Joan – “You know Sister Sarah?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Sure, we met in class at Dawson State. Of course, she was
+just Sarah McCauley then. She dropped out in her second year to
+become a nun, but we’ve kept in touch.”
+
+Joan – “Have you two been talking about me?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Of course, and we have a plan. Now, show me some of the
+dances that you know.”
+
+Joan – “Wait a minute. What kind of plan? This is still my life. I
+may not want to become a dancer. I have actually been thinking a lot
+about nursing lately.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “And nursing requires college, right?”
+
+Joan – “Yes?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “So, we use dancing to get you into college, and then you
+take nursing, too.The point is to get you in. You can thank Roger for
+this idea. ‘There’s always a way to work the system.’”
+
+Joan ponders the scheme for a moment, ‘\ The Dancing Nurse, that
+would be an interesting twist!’ She responds, “I want to hear more
+about this plan, but okay for now.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Dance for me.”
+
+At the Park
+
+Luke – “Which college do you think we should go to next year, Arcadia
+or Dawson State?”
+
+Grace – “It doesn't matter to me; I'm not going to college.”
+
+Luke – “Come on, you have to go. Think of how much better you could
+be as an educated free radical.”
+
+Grace – “I've already had enough drivel shoved down my throat from
+the thought police. I'm doing just fine educating myself.” Luke tries
+to respond, but Grace is now on a rant, “And now we have the fat
+police. You heard Brian the other day, no more junk food in school
+vending machines. When did the school board become my parents? If I
+want to eat a candy bar, I'll eat one, and it's nobody's business but
+my own.”
+
+Luke – “But they say that kids are getting too fat. It's for our own
+good.”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, yeah, it's for the children. Like I said, when did
+they become my parents? It's none of their business what I eat. They
+are supposed to educate, period, not run my life. I'm sick of these
+high and mighty do-gooders interfering with everyone else's lives. I
+didn't hear him mention removing the coffee machine from the
+teacher’s lounge. Did I miss that? A lot of our teachers seem to be
+pretty wired by the end of the day. I think they should stop drinking
+coffee – for the children.”
+
+Luke – “Grace! You don't eat that much candy anyway. Why do you
+care?”
+
+Grace – “It's incrementalism. You lose a little freedom here, a
+little there, and soon, you have none at all. And don't get me
+started on politics. The hypocrisy is rampant! How come if I have a
+headache and want an aspirin, the school nurse has to get permission,
+but if I want to have an abortion, sure, no problem, parental consent
+isn't required. They'll even find me a doctor and provide
+transportation. What's wrong with this picture?”
+
+Luke – “I've never actually thought about it. Tell me what's really
+bothering you.”
+
+Grace – “Did you know that life is a four letter word?”
+
+Luke – “Grace, tell me.”
+
+Grace – “I'm late.”
+
+Luke – “Late for what?”
+
+Grace – “No, I'm late, late.”
+
+Luke – “Oh geese! You mean…?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, that kind. I don't know what to do.”
+
+At Home
+
+Helen – “I’ve been thinking about the story you told me of how
+Richard and Trenna first met. It’s really sweet, but why didn’t
+Richard tell Trenna about how he paid off the other doctors?”
+
+Will – “Richard told me that Trenna was happy believing that she
+seduced him, and that’s why he kept it a secret.”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, but don’t you think that Trenna would love him even
+more, knowing that he did such a thing?”
+
+Will – “Maybe, but she might become angry at him for deceiving her.”
+
+Helen becomes frustrated, realizing that this conversation is going
+nowhere, “Yeah, maybe you’re right. I’m going to get a shower.”
+
+Helen sprays her face repeatedly, trying to clear her head. She
+thinks to herself, ‘That went well! I still have no idea of what to
+do about Joan. A special connection to the universe? God almost flat
+out told her that it was true, but what does it mean? How does it
+manifest? Does Joan realize it? The dreams, they must be part of it,
+or are they all of it? Should she talk to Joan or just observe?’
+Since yesterday, she has been caught in this endless loop of
+questions. She wants to do what’s best, but she’s not sure what that
+is. ‘If there's a right thing to do, a right way to be, why isn't it
+obvious?’
+
+At the Lin Residence
+
+Cee-Cee– “That was really good! You know a nice variety of dances,
+but unfortunately, most of them require a partner. What we need to do
+is mix it up, modify them into just a series of moves. I think there
+are a couple more dances that you could also incorporate. I can show
+them to you. Then we need to make everything flow together. Does that
+sound like a good plan?”
+
+Joan – “The plan is great, but implementing it will be a problem.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Well, of course it will be hard work, but I know you can do
+it. We’ll get the basic routine down today, and then Sister Sarah
+will take over during your dance class on Monday and Wednesday. She
+is going to have another Sister take over the class and just work
+with you. I can work with you again on Thursday and Friday, and then
+you’ll be ready for your audition on Saturday.”
+
+Joan – “The audition is in one week? I don’t think I can be ready by
+then!”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Sure you can. You will blow their socks off.” She pauses,
+“Roger uses that expression. I think it means to impress them. Is
+that right?”
+
+Joan – “Yes, that’s what it means. You really think I can do it?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I know it. The greatest factor in achieving success is
+motivation. This is what you want, to go to college?”
+
+Joan – “Yes, I really want to.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Then let’s do it. Now, let me show you some other dances
+that I think would blend in well, and then I’ll show you the routine
+I have in mind.”
+
+At the Park
+
+Luke – “How could this happen? We used a condom.”
+
+Grace – “Well, brain boy, whatever made you think that you needed
+extra girth?”
+
+Luke – “I didn’t know. I’ve never bought them before. It only slipped
+off that one time. The statistical odds of you getting pregnant from
+that are astronomical.”
+
+Grace – “Well, apparently the little spermazoids didn’t get the
+memo.”
+
+Luke thinks for a moment, “What about the RU-486 abortion pill?”
+
+Grace – “I’m not sure if that’s what I want to do, and besides, have
+you read some of the possible side effects? Cardiovascular disease,
+high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack, and stroke are just a
+few. I’m not going to take the chance.”
+
+Luke – “Then, do you plan to keep it?”
+
+Grace – “I said, I don’t know. How do you feel about becoming a
+father?”
+
+Luke – “Scared to death! It’s something that I planned to do someday,
+but now? This really changes everything!”
+
+Grace – “Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other
+plans.”
+
+At Home
+
+Helen – “It’s too bad that Richard had to go home last night.”
+
+Will – “Yes, it would have been nice if they could have stayed
+another two days. He tried to get out of having to work this weekend,
+but he couldn’t find anyone who would trade with him. Joan and Emily
+seemed to have really hit it off.”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, she’s so sweet.” She smiles and laughs, “Do you
+remember Joan’s third birthday?”
+
+Will – “That was the balloons, right?”
+
+Helen – “We made her cover her eyes as we took her into the den. When
+she opened them, she saw all the balloons that we’d blown up for her.
+She was fascinated by them. She ignored all of her presents, and she
+and YaYa played with the balloons all day long. It was so cute.”
+
+Will – “I miss when they were young. I can’t wait to have
+grandchildren.”
+
+Helen – “Well, I’m looking forward to it too, but I can wait.”
+
+Will – “Well, me too. I’m just looking forward to having little ones
+again.”
+
+Helen – “I know what you mean. When did Joan stop talking to YaYa?”
+
+Will – “I’m not sure, but I think it was when she was four or five.”
+
+Helen – “That sounds about right. Are you ready for lunch?”
+
+At the Lin Residence
+
+Cee-Cee– “You’re doing well. I like some of the moves you’ve added.
+That was clever adding a herkie. What made you think of that?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, in my sophomore year I tried out for cheerleading. I
+couldn’t do it then. I just felt like putting it in.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Well, I think it works well there, but what were those
+moves you did after that?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, that’s part of an exercise routine I do with Ms. Keady. I
+think it's Karate or something.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Well, I like that, too. It makes that part of the routine
+very powerful, but you need to work on your facial expressions. I
+know you are concentrating, but you always need to keep a smile on
+your face. You have to appear to be doing your routine effortlessly.”
+
+Joan – “Got it, I’ll try. Are you ready for lunch?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Sure, I’m ready for a break. We have plenty of food in the
+kitchen.”
+
+Joan – “I brought sandwiches. My dad made them for us. His sandwiches
+are always so good!”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Okay, let’s go to the kitchen, and I’ll get us something to
+drink.”
+
+After Cee-Cee runs through the selections she has to offer, Joan
+chooses sweet green tea. They sit down and begin enjoying their
+sandwiches. Cee-Cee asks, “How long can you stay today?”
+
+Joan – “I told my parents I didn’t know how long I would be. They’re
+fine with me staying, as long as I keep my cell phone on.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “How tired are you?”
+
+Joan – “A little, but I feel like I have this energy that just wants
+to burst out.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I know that feeling. You’re really are doing well. I’m
+thrilled that we have the routine pretty much done. Now you need to
+work on the transitions between the dance moves. They need to flow
+from one into the next. That takes practice.”
+
+Joan – “This is going to be a busy week. I feel bad for Adam. I won’t
+have very much time to be with him. We were supposed to go together
+to the Allan apple orchard today. He’s drawing sketches for work.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I saw
+that\ `portrait <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/JoA_Portrait_Painting2.jpg>`__\ of
+you in your room. Did he do that?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I love it. I asked him if I could watch him while he
+works, but now I’m too busy to do it.”
+
+Cee-Cee–“I’m sure he’ll be fine. He seems like an understanding boy.
+After this week, things will calm down, and you can make it up to
+him.”
+
+At the Thrift Shop
+
+Kevin – “Hey, are we about done? I’m getting hungry.”
+
+Lilly – “Just a little while longer. I need to look at everything.”
+
+Kevin – “First the yard sales, and now the thrift shop, you know that
+shopping is a man’s least favorite thing to do.”
+
+Lilly – “Then be thankful that you get to do it with me. It’s only a
+month until Christmas, and I don’t have a thing for anyone.”
+
+Kevin – “After we get some lunch, we could go to the mall.”
+
+Lilly – “You know I don’t have much money. I can’t afford to shop
+there.”
+
+Kevin – “I have some extra money this week. I’ll pay for it.”
+
+Lilly – “No!After we’re married, the money will be ours, but not
+until.”
+
+Kevin – “You haven’t said yet when you want to get married. Have you
+decided?”
+
+Lilly – “June, I would like a June wedding.”
+
+Kevin – “Great, that’s fine with me.”
+
+Lilly spots an item, “Oh, look! This is a beautiful scarf. Joan
+always wears scarves. I’ll bet she’ll like this one.”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, it’s really nice.” Kevin continues to think to
+himself, ‘Come on, I’m starving!’
+
+Lilly can read his mind from the expression on his face, “Okay, just
+let me look at the jewelry.”
+
+Lilly paws through the items. Most of it is costume jewelry, but she
+finds a necklace. “Look at this, a\ `Fleur-de-lis
+Necklace <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/FleurdeLisNecklace.jpg>`__\ .
+Do you think Joan would like it?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, she used to have one like it, but she lost it
+somewhere.”
+
+Lilly – “Well, Joan’s done. Let’s eat.”
+
+Walking Home
+
+Grace – “So what do you think I should do, brain boy?”
+
+Luke – “Well, the logical thing for you to do would be to have an
+abortion. It would allow both of us to continue with our plans.”
+
+Grace – “Why does my decision have to be logical?”
+
+Luke – “Because I don’t believe that God endowed us with sense,
+reason, and intellect, just to forgo their use.”
+
+Grace – “Is that what you want me to do?”
+
+Luke – “I don’t know. I’m just saying that would be the easiest
+solution.”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, but when have I ever done what’s easy? I’m going to do
+what I decide to do. I just don’t know what that is yet.”
+
+Luke – “You know we have to tell our parents. They’ll find out
+eventually.”
+
+Grace – “You’re not telling anyone! I’ve only told you because it’s
+your fault.”
+
+Luke – “Wait a minute, we both decided to have sex!”
+
+Grace – “Listen horndog, I was never thrilled with the idea. The only
+reason I decided to let you put your pizzle in my vizzle was to find
+out what all the hoopla was about. Pregnancy was never part of the
+plan. Anyway, I’ll decide who to tell and when. I need time to
+think.”
+
+Luke – “Have you told Joan?”
+
+Grace – “Tomorrow. It’s my day and I’ll tell her then.”
+
+At the Lin Residence
+
+Cee-Cee– “Come with me. I need you to try something on.” Joan wants
+to ask what, but she decides just to follow. Cee-Cee takes her into a
+bedroom and pulls a dress out of the closet, “Try this on. I think it
+will fit.”
+
+Joan – “Whose is it?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “China Faye’s. She already said I could borrow it.”
+
+Joan – “Then why do you want me to try it on?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Because it’s for you. Put it on and I’ll explain.” While
+Joan puts on the dress, Cee-Cee continues, “Every one of the other
+girls there will be wearing tights. You are going to be wearing a
+dress. We want you to stand out. When the auditions are finished, and
+judges begin to make their decisions, I want the lady in red to be
+stuck in their minds.”
+
+Joan – “But this is so beautiful! What if I fall or something?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “That is not going to happen. Don’t even think it.”
+
+While Joan admires herself in the mirror, Cee-Cee starts rummaging
+through the dresser. Joan becomes concerned when she realizes, “What
+about when I do the herkie?”
+
+As soon as the words leave her lips, Cee-Cee holds up a pair of black
+short-shorts, “Got you covered.”
+
+At Home
+
+Grace and Luke arrive, and Helen asks, “Would you two like some
+lunch?”
+
+Luke asks sarcastically, “What kind of turkey surprise do we have
+today?”
+
+Helen smiles and sings, “Flaming turkey wings!”All get a laugh, and
+Helen continues, “We also have some ham and lots of sides. There’s
+pie if you eat something else first.”
+
+Luke – “Never mind, I’m not really hungry.”
+
+Grace – “Thank you, Mrs. Girardi. I’ll fix it.” She looks at Luke,
+“Come on, you’re eating too.”
+
+Grace fixes turkey for herself and ham for Luke, with the same sides
+for each. They sit down, and Helen asks, “Are you two having a
+problem?”
+
+Grace – “Luke and I have started a biology experiment. Now that it’s
+started, we’ve been debating whether we would be more satisfied with
+the outcome if we worked with biology or against it”
+
+Helen – “Joan and Adam are in your class. Maybe they can help.”
+
+Grace – “I plan to ask Joan what she thinks about it tomorrow.”
+
+Luke picks at his food for a while then decides he has had enough,
+“I’m going to get online and do some research on our biology project.
+I’ll be back down in a little while.”
+
+Luke leaves, and Helen comments, “I’m actually kind of glad that Luke
+left. I have a question to ask you. Has Joan ever talked to you about
+her dreams, other than that night at Lake Nashman?”
+
+Grace – “Mrs. Girardi, Joan has talked about them, but it was in
+confidence. I don’t know if I should be talking to you about them.”
+
+Helen – “Is she still having them?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I think so, but she usually doesn’t tell me the
+specifics. She doesn’t feel she should talk about them.”
+
+Helen – “What I really want to know is if there is more than just
+dreams and talking to spirits.”
+
+Grace really feels uncomfortable talking to Helen about this, but she
+decides to answer this question. She remembers Joan’s ‘half a red
+pill’ comment and responds, “Yeah, there’s more, a lot more. I’ve
+already said more than I should have. You need to talk to Joan.”
+
+At the Lin Residence
+
+Cee-Cee– “Okay, that is enough for today. I don’t want you to strain
+anything before your audition.”
+
+Joan – “I’m doing fine. I’m still working on the transitions.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “No, that is enough for now. I would like for you to
+practice some tomorrow, but not too much.” She retrieves a paper from
+a folder, “These are the courses in which I would like for you to
+enroll. All are required courses, except for ‘Modern Dance Techniques
+II.’ You don’t need to take the first course. I think the instructor
+will agree after she sees your performance. All you need to do is
+decide on the nursing class that you want to take. You need to be
+enrolled before the audition, so do it soon.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, I already knew about the required courses, but I
+wasn’t sure of which dance class to take. I plan to ask Susan Jordan
+about the nursing class at the job fair on Wednesday. Then I’ll go
+online and register.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Would you like something to drink while I take you home?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, you don’t have to, I can take the bus.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “No, I’ll take you. We don’t want anything to happen to your
+dress. You do need to find a pair of shoes to wear. Anything you feel
+comfortable dancing in will be fine, but definitely no high heels.”
+
+Joan – “I have a pair of sneakers with flowers on them. Some of the
+flowers are red.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Those sound like they will be perfect.”
+
+At the Flea Market
+
+Lilly – “Come on, this will be the last stop. Just think about your
+cousin Emily.”
+
+Kevin – “What does she have to do with this?”
+
+Lilly laughs and sings,
+
+“\ Rollin', rollin', rollin'
+*Though* the streams are swollen
+Keep them doggies rollin'
+Rawhide!\ ”
+
+Kevin gets a laugh, “She did enjoy the ride. If we hadn’t stopped for
+dinner, I think she would have ridden on my lap for the rest of the
+day.”
+
+Lilly – “Well, just imagine Emily is on your lap singing and
+chattering away. We’ll be done soon.” They continue looking at the
+variety of items on display. Lilly takes an interest in some of them,
+but passes them by. When they finish looking through all the items,
+Lilly asks, “There are a few things I think I will buy, but I want
+them to be a surprise. Wait here, and then meet me at the car in ten
+minutes.”
+
+At Home
+
+Grace walks upstairs and calls up to Luke’s attic bedroom, “You’re
+still taking me to see Rent. Get a move on it.”
+
+Joan arrives and meets Grace in the foyer, “Look at the dress I have
+to wear for my audition.”
+
+Grace – “That’s really nice. Where’d you get it?”
+
+Joan – “Cee-Cee let me borrow it. It’s actually her sister’s.”
+
+Grace – “Hey, Luke and I are going to see Rent. You wanna come?”
+
+Joan – “Sure, can I ask Adam?”
+
+Grace – “Make it quick. We don’t have much time.”
+
+Joan puts the dress in her closet and calls Adam. Adam is returning
+from the Allan apple orchard, and is only a few minutes away. She
+takes a quick shower, changes clothes, and is back downstairs by the
+time Adam arrives. As they walk out to the car, Joan decides she’s
+more afraid to ride with Luke than to drive herself. She asks, “Luke,
+would it be all right if I drive?”
+
+Luke agrees, partly because this is the first time she has asked, and
+partly because he knows that if he says no, she will be mad at him.
+He doesn’t say anything, just hands her the keys.
+
+On the way, Adam asks Joan, “How is your dance routine coming along?”
+
+Joan – “Great! We have it all figured out. I just need to practice.
+I'm so excited. This is my chance to go to college, so I'm going to
+grab it with both hands, and hold on tight!”
+
+Adam – “I'm really happy for you. Can I come and watch your
+audition?”
+
+Joan – “You can come if you want, but you won't be able to watch. The
+only ones allowed in the room are me and the judges. Cee-Cee says
+they will videotape it. I can ask for a copy.”
+
+Adam – “I would like to see it.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, this week I'm really going to be busy. I have dance or
+work every night. I won't be able to see you, except for at school.
+Will you be okay with that?”
+
+Adam whines, “No, I'll miss you.” Joan becomes concerned, but before
+she can say anything, Adam smiles and continues, “But I'll survive. I
+know this is important to you.”
+
+Joan – “After this week, I promise I'll make it up to you.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, now that's settled, do any of you know what this movie
+is about?” They all answer no, so Grace continues, “Well…”
+
+At Home
+
+Grace – “Did you sleep well?”
+
+Joan – “I always sleep good after a day of exercise. How about you?”
+
+Grace – “Not too bad. What are your plans for today?”
+
+Joan – “To spend the day with you, until I have to go to work. I do
+have to practice my routine, but that won't take long. Would you like
+to stay here or go somewhere?”
+
+Grace – “I would like just to stay here.”
+
+Joan – “Are you hungry?”
+
+Grace – “Starved!”
+
+Joan – “Me, too.”
+
+They proceed to the kitchen and find Will drinking coffee, “Can I
+make you some breakfast?”
+
+Grace – “I thought I would make it this morning. What would you
+like?”
+
+Will – “Well, I thawed a rib eye overnight. I was going to make
+steak, eggs, and grits.”
+
+Joan – “That sounds good. I haven't had that in awhile.”
+
+Grace – “I can fix it.”
+
+While Grace prepares breakfast, Will asks, “Did you enjoy your movie
+last night?”
+
+Joan – “It was okay. I really enjoyed just spending time with Grace
+and Adam, and even Luke was nice to me last night.”
+
+Grace – “The movie was just okay? It was fantastic! It was a message
+of friendship, tolerance, and living every day to the fullest. Lines
+of gender, education, talent, sexual orientation, and all-around
+stereotypes were totally erased. It exemplifies what life should
+really be about – love.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, you told me that before we went, and love is always
+good, but for once, I agree with Luke. They were all unhappy about
+their lives; the lifestyle they promoted was pointless, yet they
+whined instead of doing something about it. People need to take
+personal responsibility for their lives. They would have been better
+off had they gotten jobs, paid their rent, pooled their remaining
+money, and hired a real songwriter.”
+
+Grace – “You didn’t like the music, either?”
+
+Joan – “I liked the first song.”
+
+Will – “Did you two watch the same movie?”
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Ginger mumbles, “Can ar gapt sojwn?”
+
+Lilly – “Yeah, Extra-strength Tylenol, please.”
+
+Ginger mumbles, “Og. Krimwelat indefor.”
+
+Lilly – “Okay, send him in.”
+
+Ginger leaves and Kevin comes in, “Playing hookie from church today?
+That’s a first.”
+
+Lilly – “I don’t play hookie from church! God will always be first in
+my life and you know that.”
+
+Kevin – “Whoa!I was just trying to make a joke, trying to cheer you
+up, sorry.”
+
+Lilly begins to cough and doesn’t respond for a few moments, “Sorry,
+I just feel like Joan looked last summer. I must have the first US
+case of bird flu.”
+
+Usually, Kevin can tell what Lilly means by the expression on her
+face, but today, she just looks miserable, “Do you really think so?
+Do you want me to take you to the hospital?”
+
+Lilly – “No, I don’t really have bird flu. I do have something, but I
+just need to get some more sleep. Ginger is getting some medicine.”
+
+Kevin – “Are you hungry? Can I make you something? You should eat.”
+
+Lilly – “Not unless you want to clean the carpet.”
+
+Kevin – “Can I stay while you sleep? I’ll be quiet.”
+
+Lilly – “I’d like that.”
+
+Ginger returns with the medicine and a thermometer, “Pukem on meiat.”
+
+Lilly – “I don’t need a thermometer to tell me that I have a fever.”
+
+Kevin – “But we do. When I take your temperature later, I’ll need to
+know if you are getting better or worse.”
+
+Lilly relents and puts the thermometer under her tongue. When it
+beeps, Kevin reads the display, “102.3. Let’s see what the Tylenol
+does for you.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan – “Are you mad at me?”
+
+Grace – “No, just surprised. I thought you would like the movie.”
+
+Joan – “Maybe I should have, because I’ve been digging through the
+garbage, too. But I finally have found something that matters.”
+
+Grace – “Dancing?”
+
+Joan – “No, nursing. I want to help children.”
+
+Grace – “Then why are you dancing?”
+
+Joan – “To get into college. Once I’m in, I’ll take nursing, too.
+It’s a great plan. Roger thought of it.”
+
+Grace – “How do you know you want to be a nurse? Do your dreams have
+something to do with it?”
+
+Joan – “Partly, but there have been other things. I can’t explain,
+but I really feel this is the right thing for me.”
+
+Grace just sits for a moment, thinking about what Joan has told her.
+“It’s nice to have a plan for your future. I wish I was so sure about
+mine. I’m happy for you.”
+
+Joan – “Let me show you my routine.” She retrieves the CD from of her
+purse, grabs the boom box, and leads Grace out to the back yard. She
+puts the CD in the player and says, “When I’m ready, select track
+eight. This is a great dancing song. It starts off slow and ends
+fast.”
+
+Joan gets ready, but then she notices that Pallas Athena is still
+lying on her side. She motions to Grace, “Come help me with this.”
+Together, they lift the urn and place it back on its pedestal. Joan
+then rotates it until Athena is facing the yard, “Now you can watch
+me too!”
+
+After Joan prepares, Grace selects track eight. Joan runs through her
+routine. She does it almost flawlessly. When she finishes, she asks,
+“What do you think?”
+
+Grace – “It was great! Who was that singing?”
+
+Joan – “Someone named Donna Summer. I’ve never heard of her, but
+she’s good.”
+
+Grace – “Me neither. Are you done?”
+
+Joan – “No, I want to run through it two more times.”
+
+Joan repeats her routine, then they go up to the bedroom. This is the
+moment Grace has been dreading, but she needs to tell Joan. She
+closes the door, “I have something important to tell you.” Grace
+doesn’t continue right away, wondering if Joan will be mad at her, or
+worse, be ashamed of her.
+
+Joan – “Okay, what is it?”
+
+Grace – “I’m pregnant.”
+
+Joan’s jaw drops in disbelief, “Pregnant?” Grace’s revelation causes
+Joan to leap into her ‘fighting place.’ She becomes filled with rage,
+“Why that little frack!” She gets up, and as she passes through the
+door, she yells, “Luke!”
+
+Grace follows her, tugging on her arm, trying to stop her, “No, wait,
+let me explain.”
+
+Joan ignores her and yells again, “Luke, get your butt down here!”
+
+Luke comes down and Will comes running up the stairs at the same
+time, “What’s wrong?”
+
+At the last moment, Joan curbs what she really wants to say, “Your
+son is an idiot!”
+
+Grace doesn’t want to involve parents yet. She tries to defuse the
+situation by saying, “We’re just having an argument. It’ll be okay.
+I’ll take care of it.” She drags Joan back into the bedroom and
+closes the door.
+
+Will stands looking at Luke, “Would you like to talk about it?”
+
+Luke stands there, knowing the reason for Joan’s anger, but he
+doesn’t want to tell his father the reason either, “Maybe later.” He
+goes back up to his room, and Will returns downstairs.
+
+Joan is still furious, “How could he do that?”
+
+Grace – “But it wasn't his fault.”
+
+Joan – “Then who's the father?”
+
+Grace – “Okay, it's partly his fault, but I let him.”
+
+Joan – “He seduced you?”
+
+Grace – “Come on, think of what you're saying. You're talking about
+Luke. Besides, no one seduces me unless I want to be seduced. Please
+just calm down and let me explain.”
+
+Joan paces around the room a bit, and then she sits and does the
+exercise that Ms. Keady taught her. After a few minutes, she is able
+to continue, “Okay, tell me why I shouldn't blame Luke.”
+
+Grace – “Because I wanted it, too. Remember what Lilly told you?”
+
+Joan – “Yes, but you're not stupid. Why didn't you use a condom?”
+
+Grace – “We did, but something went wrong.”
+
+Joan – “I guess so. What…?”
+
+Grace interrupts her, “I wanted it, okay. All of that stuff that Luke
+has been saying about us having a relationship, well it's true. And
+you know what? He actually loves me and I love him. How weird is
+that? Anyway, it's a fluke and it's not something that is going to
+happen again. I just wanted at least once in my life to know what it
+was like, how it felt, to have someone who actually loves me, make
+love to me. Is that so bad?”
+
+Joan – “I have those same feelings, but I don't think God wants me to
+follow through with them, at least not yet.”
+
+Grace – “Well, you could have it if you wanted it, and if you and
+Adam don't work out, there will be a hundred boys standing in line to
+fall in love with you. I have Luke.”
+
+Joan – “No, that's not true. I'm sure there are lots of other boys
+for you.”
+
+Grace – “No, you know I'm right. Who else other than a science geek
+like Luke could fall in love with a free radical like me? And if it
+doesn't work out, there won't be another. That's why I decided to do
+it.”
+
+Joan – “Does he know you love him?”
+
+Grace – “I don't know, but the important thing is that he loves me. I
+don't think that is ever going to happen again. That's why it means
+so much to me.”
+
+Joan – “You saw what happened to Adam and me when we didn't share our
+feelings. You have to tell Luke how you feel.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, he knows, I just can’t say the words.”
+
+Joan – “What are you going to do?”
+
+Grace – “I don’t know.”
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Ginger – “Eeid eht weasd.”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, I know. I’m worried, too.”
+
+Lilly – “Are you talking about me?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, it’s time to take your temperature again.”
+
+Lilly – “Just let me sleep.”
+
+Kevin forces the thermometer under Lilly’s tongue, and she
+begrudgingly doesn’t resist. It beeps and he reads the display,
+“103.6, she’s getting worse.” Kevin looks at Ginger, and then back to
+Lilly, “I’m taking you to the hospital.”
+
+Lilly – “No, I’ll be fine. I don’t have the money to pay for the
+hospital. Just give it a while longer.”
+
+Kevin – “Okay.” Kevin and Ginger leave the room, “If I wasn’t in this
+wheelchair, I would drag her to the hospital, whether she liked it or
+not.”
+
+Ginger – “Teiee wimem que.”
+
+Kevin – “All right, I’ll check her temperature again in a little
+while.”
+
+At Home
+
+Helen – “Hi hon, where is everybody?”
+
+Will – “They’re upstairs. Joan is mad at Luke, and Grace is trying to
+calm her down.”
+
+Helen – “Do you know what it’s about?”
+
+Will – “No, but Joan is really upset about something. I can’t
+remember seeing her this mad since we wouldn’t let her go to that
+concert with Adam.”
+
+Helen – “Maybe I should have a talk with her.”
+
+Will – “No, I think we should just let them work it out for now.”
+
+Helen – “Can I fix you something to eat?”
+
+Will – “No, I had a late breakfast.”
+
+Grace – “Are you calmed down enough to talk to Luke?”
+
+Joan – “Now?”
+
+Grace – “Yes, I want the three of us to talk about it. I want to hear
+your ideas.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know. For a genius, he sure is stupid!”
+
+Grace – “Well, I won’t argue that. Can I go get him?”
+
+Joan doesn’t answer, but just gives her a nod and a manufactured
+smile. Grace goes out to the attic stairs, “Luke, come down. We need
+to talk.”
+
+Luke comes down with a handful of papers, and they join Joan back in
+the bedroom. Grace asks, “What are the papers?”
+
+Luke – “I’ve been doing research. I’ve printed out a lot of
+information on pregnancy and I have more about child rearing if you
+want it. There’s some good information here.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, educate us.”
+
+Luke – “Well first, an embryo is what they call the first eight weeks
+of life. Here’s a picture of
+an\ `embryo <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Embryo.jpg>`__\ .
+It looks the same as any other mammal. It’s pretty much just a blob
+of meat.
+
+Then, starting with the third month, they call it a fetus. This is
+when it begins to take human form. This is also when the brain begins
+to develop, between the eighth and fourteenth week. Here’s a picture
+of
+a\ `fetus <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Fetus.jpg>`__\ .
+
+The answer to if or when a fetus can feel pain appears to depend upon
+the agenda of the author. Logically, if something has a brain, then
+it must be able to feel pain. So, if you do decide to have an
+abortion, it would be best if you did it before the eighth week.”
+
+Grace – “Do you still want me to get an abortion?”
+
+Luke – “I never said that. I only said that it would be the easiest
+solution.”
+
+Grace looks at Joan, “What do you think?”
+
+Joan – “I can’t tell you what to do, but whatever you decide to do,
+you’re going to call it what it is. It’s not an embryo, a blob of
+meat, or a fetus, and it’s definitely not an it. It’s a child.”
+
+There is a long silence as Joan’s words resonate with Luke and Grace.
+Grace asks, “Will you stand by me no matter what I decide?”
+
+Joan – “Of course, I’ll always be your friend.”
+
+Luke doesn’t say anything, so Grace begins to glare at him. “Of
+course, I’ll always be here, too. You really didn’t have to ask.”
+After a few moments, he continues with his presentation, “Also during
+the eighth week, fingers and toes begin to develop…”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The phone rings, and Helen picks it up. Kevin’s voice is filled with
+despair. “Mom, how high can a fever get before it’s dangerous? Lilly
+is really sick, and she won’t let me take her to the hospital.”
+
+Helen – “What is her temperature?”
+
+Kevin – “It’s 104.1. I can’t get her to wake up. I don’t know what to
+do!”
+
+Helen tries, but fails to keep the alarm from her voice, “I’ll be
+there in a few minutes.”
+
+Will – “Were you talking about Lilly?”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, she’s really sick. We need to get her temperature
+down. Joan and I will have to get her into the shower.”
+
+Will – “I can carry her. Let’s go.”
+
+Helen – “No, but thank you. We’re going to have to remove her
+clothes, and I may need help while she’s in the shower. We want to
+help her, not embarrass her. This is a job for women.”
+
+Helen knocks on Joan’s bedroom door, “Joan.” She doesn’t wait for an
+answer and enters the room, “Lilly is sick. She needs our help.”
+
+Joan – “Ah yeah, sure.” Joan begins to leave with Helen, but
+remembers, “Oh, I’m supposed to be at work in a couple of hours.”
+
+Helen looks at Luke, “You’re working at the bookstore tonight.” Helen
+bags several cans from the pantry, and they leave for Lilly’s
+apartment.
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Kevin has started placing a cool towel on Lilly’s forehead. She’s
+awake, but delirious.
+
+Helen – “Can you walk?”
+
+Lilly – “I don’t know.”
+
+Joan and Helen lift Lilly out of bed. Fortunately, Lilly is able to
+walk with their help. They remove her clothes and sit her on Kevin’s
+seat in the bathtub. Helen starts the water, and when it is lukewarm,
+she turns on the shower.
+
+Lilly screeches, “Oww, that’s freezing!”
+
+Helen – “No, it’s warm. It only feels freezing to you.”
+
+Lilly shivers, but slowly becomes accustomed to the temperature. Joan
+and Helen also sponge her with the warm water. She remains under the
+shower until the water actually does begin to cool. Then Joan and
+Helen dry her, help her back into her pajamas, and get her back into
+bed. Helen, Kevin, and Ginger go to the kitchen, but Joan remains
+with Lilly.
+
+Lilly – “That was so mean.”
+
+Joan – “Mom thinks it’s what you needed, and she knows about such
+things.”
+
+Lilly – “Yeah, I know.” Lilly’s eyes become heavy, “Do you mind if I
+sleep for a little while?”
+
+Joan takes her hand in hers, “Go ahead. I’ll just stay with her and
+be quiet.”
+
+With that, Lilly dozes off, and Joan begins to pray. She prays
+silently until the others return.
+
+Helen – “Lilly, wake up. I have some broth for you.”
+
+Lilly – “I don’t know if I can eat anything.”
+
+Helen – “You’re dehydrated. You need liquids.” Lilly relents and sits
+up a little. Helen continues, “First, we need to take your
+temperature.” She places the thermometer under Lilly’s tongue. When
+it beeps, she reads the display, “99.1. Good, it looks like your
+fever has broken.” Helen puts the bowl near Lilly’s mouth, and begins
+to spoon-feed her the broth.
+
+At Home
+
+Luke is preparing to leave, “Are you sure you don’t want to come with
+me?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I’m going to go home for awhile. I have something I
+need to do.”
+
+Luke kisses her goodbye, and is pleased that she doesn’t resist.
+“I’ll be home about eight-thirty.”
+
+After Luke leaves, Grace walks into the kitchen where Will has been
+quietly paying bills. Will looks up and asks, “Hey, it’s just you and
+me kid. I don’t think we’ve ever had just the two of us. Would you
+like to talk?”
+
+Grace – “What do you want to talk about?”
+
+Will – “Anything you like.”
+
+This is too tempting for Grace. She thinks for a moment, and then
+begins, “Okay, the first amendment says that Congress shall make no
+law… abridging the freedom of speech. They are talking about
+political speech, so how could the Supreme Court decide that
+McCain-Feingold’s campaign finance reform doesn’t violate the first
+amendment?”
+
+Will is flabbergasted, “I don’t know. They must have had their
+reasons. They are the Supreme Court.”
+
+Grace – “Well, they need learn to read what the Constitution says,
+not what they would like it to say. I have some reading to do, too.
+Would it be okay with you if I went home for a while?”
+
+Will – “Sure. It might be just you and me for dinner tonight. Would
+you like anything special?”
+
+Grace – “Anything but turkey.”
+
+Will – “Sure, I’ll think of something.”
+
+Grace smiles as she leaves, pleased that she could razzle Mr.
+Girardi.
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Lilly is able to finish the bowl of broth. Everyone is pleased when
+she keeps it down. Helen gives her another dose of Tylenol and says,
+“I’ll give you a little while, and then I’ll make you some chicken
+noodle soup.”
+
+Lilly – “That sounds good, but I need to get some sleep.”
+
+Helen – “We’ll leave you alone.”
+
+They all go out to the living room and Helen calls Will, “Hi hon,
+Lilly’s doing better, but we are going to stay here for a while. How
+is everything there?”
+
+Will – “Luke went to work and Grace went to her house. I assume you
+won’t be home for dinner?”
+
+Helen – “No, I’ll have Joan and Kevin pick up something. Will you be
+okay?”
+
+Will – “Grace and I will be fine. I’m just going to run to the store
+and pick up some hamburger and buns. It’s not turkey.”
+
+Helen – “Well, I think we are going to have subs. I love you.”
+
+Will – “I love you, too.”
+
+At the Polonsky Residence
+
+In addition to wanting time alone to think, Joan’s comment caused
+Grace to want to review her notes from Hebrew class. Yes, she
+actually did take notes, even though she made it a practice of
+constantly giving her instructor grief. She often made smart-aleck
+comments, and on one occasion, she asked her instructor, “Why do I
+have to learn Hebrew, anyway? All of this stuff is already translated
+into English.”
+
+She had hoped to irritate her instructor, but instead he answered,
+“Because the true meanings of some passages are sometimes
+misunderstood after being translated from Hebrew into English.”
+
+Rabbi Gellman – “Grace, please open your Tanakh and read Shemot 21:22
+– 25.”
+
+Grace complies, “\ And if men strive together, and hurt a woman with
+child, so that her fruit depart, and yet no harm follow, he shall be
+surely fined, according as the woman's husband shall lay upon him;
+and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if any harm follow,
+then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth,
+hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound,
+stripe for stripe.\ ”
+
+Rabbi Gellman – “Who can tell me what this passage means?”
+
+Leah – “Well, ‘her fruit depart’ sounds like a miscarriage. So, if a
+man causes a woman to have a miscarriage, he should be fined.”
+
+Rabbi Gellman – “Some texts do translate this as a miscarriage or
+premature birth. Go to your Hebrew text and tell me what word or
+words this phrase derives from.”
+
+Leah looks it up, “\ v’-yats-u y’-la-dey-ha, which is a combination
+of the Hebrew noun *yeled* (yeh'-led, Strong 3206) and a verb
+*yatsa*\ ’ (yaw-tsaw', Strong 3318).”
+
+Rabbi Gellman – “Jeremy, look up those words in your dictionary.”
+
+Jeremy looks them up, “\ *Yatsa*\ ’ means ‘to come out’ and *yeled*
+means child.”
+
+Rabbi Gellman – “Good, now look up the word *nephel* (neh'-fel,
+Strong 5309).”
+
+Jeremy looks it up, “\ *Nephel* means miscarriage.”
+
+Rabbi Gellman – “Leah, *yatsa*\ ’ is used 1,061 times in the Tanakh
+and is never translated as miscarriage. Why should it mean that here?
+If Moses actually meant miscarriage, then why did he not use the word
+*nephel* instead of the words *yatsa*\ *’* and *yeled*?”
+
+Leah – “I don’t know.”
+
+Rabbi Gellman – “Let’s go back to the English translation. The phase
+‘yet no harm follow’, to whom does this refer?”
+
+Leah – “It sounds like it is referring to the mother.”
+
+Rabbi Gellman – “Does it? Read the whole passage again.”
+
+Leah reads it again, “Well, it really doesn’t specify whether it is
+referring to the mother, her unborn child, or both.”
+
+Rabbi Gellman – “Grace, please find Amos 1:13 - 14 and read it for
+us.”
+
+Grace finds the passage and reads, “\ Thus saith the Lord: For three
+transgressions of the children of Ammon, yea, for four, I will not
+reverse it: because they have ripped up the women with child of
+Gilead, that they might enlarge their border. So will I kindle a fire
+in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with
+shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the
+whirlwind.\ ”
+
+Rabbi Gellman – “Here, the killing of unborn children is done on
+purpose, but we can see God’s view of it. Let’s go back to Shemot
+21:22 – 25. Grace, if either the child or the mother dies, which law
+would apply?”
+
+Grace says this aloud in the present as she remembers her answer, “A
+life for a life.”
+
+Rabbi Gellman – “This passage means the very opposite of what some
+who support abortion profess. In this case, the woman is accidentally
+struck, but if she or the child dies as a result, then the guilty
+party could be sentenced to death. This is the only instance in the
+Torah where involuntary manslaughter calls for the death penalty.” He
+pauses and looks directly at Grace, “Do you understand now why you
+are learning Hebrew?”
+
+Grace begrudgingly answers, “Yes.”
+
+Grace has made a career of besmirching the dogma of her Jewish
+religion, but this has been mostly because of her resentment of
+authority. Only to Joan and her father has she confessed that she
+does believe in the God of Abraham and the major tenets of her
+religion. She ponders this discussion and makes her decision.
+
+At Home
+
+When Grace returns, Will makes hamburgers, and they quietly enjoy the
+meal. Although fearful after Grace’s last rant, Will once again asks
+if Grace would like to talk about anything.
+
+Grace – “How did you and Mrs. Girardi become parents?”
+
+Will – “Ah… Ah… hasn’t your mother talked to you about this?”
+
+Grace – “No, I don’t mean the plumbing. What I mean is, what did you
+do to get ready? How do people prepare to become parents?”
+
+Will – “Well, I think everyone learns from the experience with their
+parents. They embrace what they feel was good, and they try to avoid
+what they feel was bad. Helen also did a lot of reading. She read
+everything she could find about raising children, and then we talked
+about it. She also talked a lot to her parents, but it soon became
+clear that for every suggestion of what to do, there was someone else
+who suggested doing the opposite. When issues would arise, we would
+talk about them, but Helen seemed to have a better instinct of what
+to do. I usually ended up agreeing with her. You should probably ask
+her these questions.” Will pauses for a moment, “Why are you
+interested in parenting?”
+
+Grace – “It's just that, well, since I've been here, I've seen that
+you and Mrs. Girardi do things differently than my parents. I kind of
+wish some things were different at home.”
+
+Will – “Your parents are good people, and some things are not right
+or wrong, just different. You should talk to them about what's
+bothering you when they come home.”
+
+Grace – “I wish it didn't take so long. Most rehabs are only 28
+days.”
+
+Will – “I talked briefly to your father about that. There is a lot
+more spiritual training involved in her program than other programs
+like it. They are both hoping that with this program, she will not
+relapse again, and that's why they are in Baltimore instead of here.”
+
+Grace – “I miss them.”
+
+Will – “I know it's hard for you, and we are not here to replace your
+parents, but while they are away, you are part of our family. Is
+there something specific you would like to talk about?”
+
+Grace – “Maybe later. Thanks, Mr. Girardi.”
+
+At the Bookstore
+
+It is a quiet night, with few customers and little restocking to do.
+Luke is left with plenty of time to consider his predicament. Before
+he left home, he borrowed Joan's iPod and copied his favorite songs
+from CD. The music calms his fears, and he begins to accept his
+situation. He sings along with Norah Jones and thinks about Grace,
+how much she means to him, and what he must do.
+
+At Home
+
+When Luke arrives home, Grace is sitting on the couch watching TV.
+She turns it off as soon as he walks in. He sits beside her and they
+both speak at once, “I have something to tell you.” He lets Grace
+continue, “I've decided to have the baby.”
+
+Grace was expecting him to say anything but, “That's wonderful!” He
+continues, “I have our new song. I want you to listen to it.” He
+gives her the earphones, and once they are in place, “Come Away With
+Me” begins to play. When the song finishes, Luke slides off the couch
+onto one knee and asks, “Will you marry me?”
+
+Grace – “What, are you nuts?”
+
+Luke – “No, I looked it up this morning. Marriage without parental
+consent in Maryland is age 18. However, since you're pregnant, that
+age requirement may be waived for you. All we have to do is convince
+my parents to let me.”
+
+Grace – “Luke, use your logic. Neither of us is ready for marriage.
+And besides, if we ever do get married, it's not going to be due to a
+prenatal shotgun.”
+
+Luke – “Grace, I love you.”
+
+Grace – “And I love you, okay, there, I said it, but just forget the
+marriage idea.”
+
+Luke is disheartened by Grace’s rejection, but it is the answer that
+he expected. What was a surprise is that she finally did tell him
+that she loves him. He takes one of the earpieces, and they both
+listen to
+another\ `song <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/12740791/41c098e0/Norah_Jones_-_The_Long_Day_Is_Over.mp3>`__\ .
+They cuddle for a while, and when the evening fades, they each go to
+bed.
+
+At the Crime Scene
+
+Will knows he should get some sleep, but he just can’t until Helen
+and Joan are home. They all got a late start this morning.
+
+On the way to work, Will hears of the police investigating a
+shooting. The address is nearby, so he decides to stop. When he
+arrives, he finds Lt. Daghlian talking to a neighbor.
+
+Will waits for Mike to finish and then asks, “What do we have here?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “The victim is a Mrs. Carolyn Mitchell, gunshot wound.
+She’s at UMC in critical condition.”
+Will – “Why does that name sound familiar?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “We investigated her daughter’s murder a couple of
+years ago.”
+
+Will – “Oh yeah, I remember, her daughter went to AHS.”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “Apparently she surprised a burglar, a black male age
+18 to 25. A neighbor saw him speeding away in a white sedan. Not much
+to go on, yet. We’re checking for prints near the back window.”
+
+Will – “Where’s her husband?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “Out of town on business.Toni’s trying to locate him.
+Social services is making arrangements to pick up their children at
+school.”
+
+Will – “Well, good work so far. Keep me informed.”
+
+At School
+
+Helen and Joan arrive at school at about ten. Kevin took the day off
+to tend to Lilly, who is now able to have a small breakfast of solid
+food.
+
+After lunch, Grace asks Joan and Luke to join her privately. Once
+they are alone, she informs Joan of her decision, “I’ve decided to
+have the baby. I know it’s probably not the logical thing to do, but
+I feel it is the right thing to do.”
+
+Joan – “Well, we’ll be here for you.”
+
+Luke – “You didn’t say last night, do you plan to keep it?”
+
+Grace – “I haven’t decided that yet. I’ve just decided that I can’t
+kill it.” Grace thinks about what she has just said, and decides to
+clarify for Joan, “I mean, I can’t kill a child.”
+
+Luke – “When do you want us to tell our parents?”
+
+Grace – “I need some time to think about what I’m going to say. I’ll
+tell my dad next Sunday morning, and we can tell your parents after
+your mother comes home from church.”
+
+Adam walks up, “Hey, are you guys mad at me? What’s with all the
+secrecy?”
+
+Grace – “We just had some things to talk about. Have a seat, I’ll
+fill you in.” Joan and Luke leave, and Grace tells Adam about her
+pregnancy and her decision to have the baby.
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “We found some prints. Carlisle is running them now.
+Mrs. Mitchell is out of surgery. She lost her baby.”
+
+Will – “She was pregnant?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “Yeah, about five months. She still in critical
+condition and hasn’t regained consciousness.”
+
+Will – “Five months, that’s a shame. Let me know if we find a match
+to the prints.”
+
+At St. Mary’s Convent
+
+Lilly’s illness and her need for help comes at a bad time for Joan.
+This week Joan needs to keep in top physical condition, but what
+could she do? She had to try to help Lilly.
+
+Before going to bed, Joan applies a liberal portion of Cee-Cee’s
+sports cream everywhere she can reach. In the morning, she only has
+one small bruise on her hip. Only time will tell if proactive
+treatment actually works.
+
+As expected, Sister Sarah takes Joan into a separate room to practice
+her routine. Before they begin, Sister Sarah asks, “Please sign this
+for me.” She hands Joan a clipboard, “Sign here and also at the
+bottom of the second page.”
+
+Joan – “What is it?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Applications for Dance at Dawson State. You still
+need to apply online, but you also need these forms submitted. I’ll
+take care of submitting them. There is a registration fee of $40. Can
+you afford it?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I can ask my dad. I’m sure he will give it to me.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Good, bring it with you on Wednesday. Now, let’s see
+what you and Cee-Cee have come up with.”
+
+Joan runs through her routine while Sister Sarah watches. When she
+finishes, Sister Sarah doesn’t say anything. She appears to be
+thinking.
+
+Joan – “What do you think? Is it that bad?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “No, it’s actually very good, but there’s something
+wrong after your Karate moves.”
+
+Joan – “I know, I’ve been working on the transition, but it’s hard.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “It’s not you, it’s the routine. We need something
+different in there.” Again, Sister Sarah pauses to think, “Do you
+know how to square dance?”
+
+Joan – “No, I’ve never done that.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “I think that’s what we need. Let me show you.” She
+starts with the Karate moves, twirls, and does several square dance
+moves before continuing with the routine, “See, it works much
+better.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I like that, but you need to help me with those moves.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Sure, it won’t take long. Square dancing is easy, and
+the judges will love it. It is the Maryland state folk dance.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “We found a match for the prints. It's a Leroy
+Johnson. He has a juvenile rap sheet a mile long, but nothing since
+he turned eighteen.”
+
+Will – “Well, he might get off as a first offender on the burglary
+charge, but we still have attempted murder. Do we have an address?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “Carlisle and Toni are on the way there now. He also
+drives a white Pontiac Bonneville. I've put his plates out on the
+wire.”
+
+Will – “Find him.”
+
+At the Herald
+
+Rebecca – “Hey, I have a story for you if you want it. How would you
+like to go to the Anderson Clinic and report on the demonstration?”
+
+Kevin – “The anti-abortion demonstration?”
+
+Rebecca – “Yeah, you can try to interview the protesters and
+patients, and get both points of view.”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, I'd love to get out of here for a while.”
+
+Rebecca – “I'll want the story by the end of the day. Can you do it?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, I'll have it ready.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan – “I think I blew my calculus quiz today.”
+
+Luke – “What are you studying?”
+
+Joan – ”Lines, intersecting lines, and skew.”
+
+Grace – “Bless you.”
+
+Joan – “Ha ha, but I really do need help. Luke, can you help me after
+school?”
+
+Luke – “When?Don't you have to work tonight?”
+
+Joan – “Well, ah, maybe you could come with me. Did you see Sammy's
+new geek-a-palooza section?”
+
+Grace – “Never mind, Luke. In study hall, we do calculus, and at
+work, you teach me something. Deal?”
+
+Joan – “What do you want me to teach you?”
+
+Grace – “That you won't find out until tonight. Do we have a deal?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I guess so.”
+
+Glynis– “I love calculus. What is the first derivative of a cow?”
+
+Friedman – “Prime rib.”
+
+Joan – “Huh?”
+
+Glynisslaps Friedman, “Hey, you weren't supposed to give the answer.”
+
+Luke – “Shouldn't it be a porterhouse steak?”
+
+Adam – “No, T-bones would be the first derivative.”
+
+Glynis– “It's a joke, guys.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I get it.”
+
+Adam – “What are we supposed to learn in government today?”
+
+Grace – “Creative reading.”
+
+Luke – “I thought we were still doing the Supreme Court.”
+
+Grace – “We are.”
+
+At the Anderson Clinic
+
+Kevin is pleased to see the protest is civil. He interviews the
+protesters, and learns their views are pretty much as stated on their
+signs, “Abortion is Murder,” “Adoption is a better choice,” “No
+RU-486.”
+
+He tries to get a patient to talk to him as she was going in, but she
+ignored his advance. When she leaves, one of the protesters taunts
+her, “Abortion is Murder!”
+
+Woman – “Frack you!”
+
+Kevin tries again, “Can I ask you a few questions? I'm from the
+Arcadia Herald.”
+
+Woman – “I don't have anything to say to you.”
+
+Kevin – “Please! I have already talked to the protesters. I would
+like to get a patient’s point of view.”
+
+Women – “I'm a murderer. Can't you read the sign?”
+
+Kevin – “Do you really believe that?”
+
+The woman continues walking, but then she turns around and decides to
+talk, “My baby has Downs syndrome. Do you know what that is?”
+
+Kevin – “Yes, I've heard of it.”
+
+Woman – “But have you lived it? My brother has it. I love him dearly,
+but I can't knowingly bring a child into the world with that
+disorder. This pregnancy will be terminated tomorrow. My husband and
+I will try again, and when the test comes out negative, we will have
+our baby. Now leave me alone.”
+
+The woman leaves and Kevin considers getting lunch. Then he spots a
+woman he recognizes coming out of the clinic. A man is pushing her in
+a wheelchair.
+
+Kevin calls, “Teresa!” He rolls toward her and she recognizes him.
+She motions to the man pushing her to continue. Kevin forces his
+wheelchair in the way, “Teresa, I need to talk to you.”
+
+Teresa – “We don't have anything to say to each other. It's over.”
+
+Kevin – “That's what I want to talk about. Please, just give me a
+couple of minutes.”
+
+Teresa thinks for a moment, and then asks the man to leave. He asks,
+“Who is this guy?”
+
+Teresa – “An ex-boyfriend.It's ancient history. Don't worry about it.
+I'll meet you at the car.”
+
+The protesters become annoyingly loud with their chanting. Teresa
+says, “Okay, but let's get away from these maggots.” They roll up the
+sidewalk a ways and stop, “You know, I haven't thought about you in
+years, and I've been quite happy with that.”
+
+Kevin – “I know, you have every right to be mad at me.”
+
+Teresa – “You don't know the half of it. Why are you here, anyway?”
+
+Kevin – “I'm working. I work for the Arcadia Herald. Why are you
+here?”
+
+Teresa – “Why do you think?”
+
+Kevin – “No, I mean why are you in Arcadia?”
+
+Teresa – “I'll graduate from Dawson State in the spring.”
+
+Kevin – “I've been trying to find you, but all anyone knew is that
+you got married and disappeared. Is that your husband?”
+
+Teresa – “Fiancé. My marriage only lasted a year. What do you want
+with me? Haven't you done enough?”
+
+Kevin – “That's what I want to talk about. I'm really sorry about the
+way I treated you.”
+
+Teresa – “You think that makes it all better? What makes you think
+you can date someone until you have your way with her and then just
+dump her?”
+
+Kevin – “I know I did wrong. I just want you to know that I'm sorry.”
+
+Teresa – “Well, you can be sorry about this. This was my second
+abortion. The first one was during our junior year.”
+
+With that, she rolls herself toward the car, leaving Kevin with the
+realization of what she has just told him.
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Jeannie – “Will, Brother Jimi is on line two.”
+
+Will – “Thanks.” He picks up the phone, “Brother Jimi, I haven't
+forgotten, three o'clock Thursday afternoon.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Good, we are really looking forward to being able to
+tell you about some of our ideas. Have you considered our invitation
+to the fundraiser this Saturday?”
+
+Will – “Yes, it has actually turned into a family affair. Our
+children will be there for most of the evening, but Helen and I have
+decided we would rather only attend for a few hours. Will that be all
+right?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “That will be fine. We are just happy you will be able
+to come.”
+
+Will – “Great, then I'll see you on Thursday”
+
+Brother Jimi – “There is one more thing. I understand you are looking
+for a young man named Leroy Johnson.”
+
+Will – “Yes, he is wanted for burglary and attempted murder.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Well, I know where he is. He would like to turn
+himself in, but he's afraid. The reports have been saying 'armed and
+dangerous' and he is neither. Can you assist?”
+
+Will – “Where is he?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “At my house.Would you come and supervise his
+surrender? I've told him that you can be trusted.”
+
+Will – “All right, I'll be there with a couple uniformed officers
+shortly.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Thank you.”
+
+At School
+
+Luke – “Wow, that was quite a compelling argument you made, but I'm
+surprised you are even interested in the issue.”
+
+Grace – “I'm not really, it's hypocrisy I abhor. Limiting political
+ads prior to an election is obviously abridging the freedom of
+speech. A moron can see that.”
+
+Joan – “But isn't it a good thing that they are doing it?”
+
+Grace – “That's not the point. The Supreme Court is supposed to
+decide what is legal or illegal, based on the Constitution. If the
+people would rather the Constitution say something different, there
+is a process for amending it.”
+
+At the Herald
+
+Rebecca – “This is wonderful. You've managed to present most of the
+arguments for and against the issue. I especially like that part
+about the high school athlete who got his cheerleader girlfriend
+pregnant and then dumped her. I think everyone knows someone like
+him.”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, I knew someone like him, too.”
+
+Rebecca – “But you misspelled 'arrogant'.”
+
+Kevin looks at his article, “Oh yeah, 'errorgant'. I guess I was
+thinking of something else.”
+
+Rebecca – “Well, fix that and you'll have another Girardi byline
+tomorrow.You deserve it.”
+
+Kevin – “Thanks.”
+
+At the Bookstore
+
+With Joan taking care of the customers, and Grace restocking, they
+have free time in short order. When Joan and Grace return to the
+counter, Joan asks, “Are you going to show me what you have in that
+bag now?”
+
+Grace – “There's something I need to tell you first. I've decided I'm
+going to keep the baby.”
+
+Joan is surprised, “You are? That's great, but it's really going to
+change your life!”
+
+Grace – “I know. I'm sure they would find good parents to adopt her…
+ah, him, but I don't think I could deal with never knowing my own
+child. I can take care of it… sorry, him or her, and I have your
+parents and mine to help.”
+
+Joan – “Don't forget me, Luke, and Adam, but you can have all the
+poopy diapers.”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I've been practicing barfing the last few mornings.”
+
+Joan – “Are they going to let you stay in school when you start
+showing?”
+
+Grace – “Mr. Dingle is an idiot, but he does have access to a lot of
+information. They can't kick me out. I'm going to finish high school.
+I'll need that since I plan to home school.”
+
+Joan – “You really have this all planned out!”
+
+Grace – “No, not really, but I've decided that if I'm going to do
+this, I'm going to do it right.”
+
+Joan gets up and hugs her, “You will be a wonderful mother.”
+
+Grace – “I want you to teach me how to knit. I have everything we
+need in the bag.”
+
+Joan looks through the contents of the bag, “Wow, you sure do.
+Booties, great choice! Your baby's going to be born in the summer, so
+I'm glad you didn't pick a sweater. Babies can always use booties.
+This says it's a half-hour project, but forget that. Who knows how
+long it will take us to make them?”
+
+Grace – “I never thought I would be doing this.”
+
+Joan laughs, “And you're not even a hundred. Well, things change,
+they always do. This is actually fun, once you get the hang of it.
+It's relaxing.”
+
+Grace – “Relaxing I can use. This has been a stressful past few days.
+Hey, I need to use the restroom before we start, do you have one
+here?”
+
+Joan retrieves a key from under the counter, “It's in the back, just
+past Sammy's office.”
+
+After Grace leaves, Joan hears a noise. She calls out, “Is somebody
+there?”
+
+God – “I'm always here, Joan.”
+
+Joan peers around the bookshelf to see God with his mussed hair,
+black eye shadow and lipstick, and assortment of protruding hardware.
+“Oh, it's you. I haven't seen you in awhile.”
+
+God – “You see me as you want to see me.” He holds up a book,
+“Interesting reading, Whose View of Life?\ ”
+
+Joan – “Hey, you're a little late, Grace has already made her
+decision.”
+
+God – “And how do you feel about that?”
+
+Joan – “I think she made the right choice, but there are a lot of
+people who would disagree. What do you think?”
+
+God – “People make choices every day, good choices, bad choices,
+small consequences, big consequences. It's all a part of life.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, and life is the crux of the debate. When does it begin?”
+
+God – “When do you think life begins?”
+
+Joan – “That's just it, there doesn't seem to be an agreement.”
+
+God – “Do you remember when we first met at your school?”
+
+Joan – “How can I forget that? I thought you were a pervert!”
+
+God – “I told you a lot of things about yourself. What else did I
+say?”
+
+Joan thinks for a while, trying to remember the details of what he
+told her. After a few moments she remembers, “I've known you since
+before you were born?”
+
+God – “Hey, I love your dance routine.” With that, he smiles and
+walks toward the door.
+
+Joan – “Wait! What about nursing? Is that what you want me to do?”
+
+God doesn't answer. He just waves and continues walking.
+
+Grace – “Do you know him?”
+
+Joan – “Nobody really knows him. Hey, let's get to our knitting.”
+
+At School
+
+It's finally the day for the long-awaited job fair. Joan is one of
+the few students who are actually excited about it. Mr. Price is
+quizzing students as they enter the room.
+
+Mr. Price – “Mr. Friedman, what career field interests you?”
+
+Friedman – “I thought I would check out medicine, since Joan invited
+a rep. Maybe I'll become a doctor… Doctor Friedman, gynecologist and
+obstetrician, that has a ring to it.”
+
+Grace – “Well, now we know that Glynis isn't putting out.”
+
+Joan – “Friedman, you are determined, I'll give you that. This may be
+the only way you ever get into a woman's pants.”
+
+Everyone laughs, even Glynis, but excluding Friedman and Mr. Price of
+course. Mr. Price next queries Adam, “And how about you Mr. Rove?
+Mrs. Girardi has prepared a presentation.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I know, and I plan to talk to her, but Grace has
+invited people from the union and trades. I'm been thinking about
+brick laying. I thought I would follow in Rodin's footsteps.”
+
+Mr. Price misses the allusion and comments, “Well, I'm sure you would
+do well in that trade.” Mr. Price then directs himself to Luke, “And
+Mr. Girardi, what is your interest?”
+
+Luke – “I think I'll just browse.”
+
+Mr. Price – “Ms. Girardi?”
+
+Joan – “Nursing.I want to become a nurse.”
+
+Joan is pleased when Mr. Price responds, apparently sincerely,
+“That's a good choice. You would make a fine nurse.”
+
+Mr. Price – “Ms. Figliola?”
+
+Glynis– “I don't know. I guess I'll just browse, too.”
+
+Joan enters the job fair and finds that Friedman is already talking
+to Ms. Jordan. She decides not to join him, because she would rather
+talk to her privately. She begins to browse and spots Flight
+Attendant God.
+
+Joan – “Still flying the friendly skies?”
+
+God – “The most common reason why people choose a career is because
+they want to feel useful. Flight attendants are useful, especially
+when something goes wrong.”
+
+Joan – “I suppose, but wouldn't I be more useful as a nurse,
+especially with…” she looks around, “ah, you know what.”
+
+God – “Did you know your grandmother was a nurse?”
+
+Joan – “Grandma Alma?”
+
+God – “No, Agnes.She was very good, until she became ill.”
+
+Joan – “So, you do want me to become a nurse?”
+
+God – “The choice is yours. Oh look, Ms. Jordan is free. You better
+hurry.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Carlisle – “Mrs. Mitchell has regained consciousness, but her husband
+is refusing to let us talk to her.”
+
+Will – “We really need to know if she can identify her attacker.”
+
+Carlisle – “He says she can, but he doesn't want her to have to do it
+yet.”
+
+Will – “Well, it can wait for a while. We have the prints.”
+
+Carlisle – “Hey, tell Kevin I liked his article this morning. He's a
+good writer.”
+
+Will – “I'll tell him. He doesn't get to write his own stories often,
+but they are always good when he does.”
+
+Carlisle – “I just heard there's been an incident at the Anderson
+Clinic. There's a unit on the scene investigating.”
+
+Will – “Do you know what happened?”
+
+Carlisle – “Some kind of fight.”
+
+Will – “I'll have a unit stay there for the rest of the day.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan – “So, the programs are the same. If I go for two years, I can
+become an LPN, and if I complete all four years, I can become a RN.”
+
+Ms. Jordan – “Yes, the course is designed to allow you to achieve
+whichever goal you are seeking. Some choose to complete the four-year
+degree. Others choose the two-year degree, begin working as a LPN,
+and then complete their RN training part-time. Which is best depends
+upon your situation and your goals.”
+
+Joan – “This is going to be harder than I thought it would be,
+chemistry, biology, psychology, philosophy, public speaking, all in
+the first year!”
+
+Ms. Jordan – “It is hard work, but I'm sure you can handle it. It
+does seem to be what you want, and motivation can overcome many
+obstacles. There are also tutor's available for most subjects.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I already have one in mind. Thank you so much for
+explaining this to me.”
+
+Ms. Jordan – “It's been a pleasure.” She gives Joan her business
+card, “Call me if you have any other questions.”
+
+Joan – “There is one other thing. Do you know anyone at the
+Children's Hospital? I was wondering if there might be a job there
+for me.”
+
+Ms. Jordan – “I do know some people. I can make some calls.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you. I do have a good job at the bookstore, but I've
+been thinking that it might be a good experience for me to work
+there. I can start to learn how things work.”
+
+Ms. Jordan – “I'll let you know if I hear of anything.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will – “Are these the people from the Anderson Clinic?”
+
+Officer Gibson – “Yes Sir, Mr. and Mrs. Jamison, and Mr. and Mrs.
+Oglesbee.”
+
+Will – “Do we know what happened?”
+
+Officer Gibson – “I believe so, sir. I found two witnesses who tell
+the same story. Mr. Jamison was leaving the clinic, pushing his wife
+in a wheelchair. When they reached the protesters, Mrs. Jamison and
+Mrs. Oglesbee got into an argument. Mrs. Oglesbee threw some kind of
+red liquid onto Mrs. Jamison. Then Mr. Jamison hit Mrs. Oglesbee.
+Then, Mr. Oglesbee and Mr. Jamison began fighting. That is when we
+arrived to break it up.”
+
+Will – “Okay, who is charging what?”
+
+Officer Gibson – “Each is charging the other with assault and
+battery. Mrs. Jamison is charging Mrs. Oglesbee, and Mrs. Oglesbee is
+charging Mr. Jamison.”
+
+Will – “Do they want lawyers?”
+
+Officer Gibson – “The Oglesbee's lawyer is already here. The
+Jamison's is on the way.”
+
+Will – “Good, call me after each of them has had time to talk to
+their lawyers.”
+
+At School
+
+After Joan finishes talking with Ms. Jordan, she wanders over to be
+with Adam, Grace, and Luke. She begins to listen to the conversation.
+
+Luke – “How does someone learn to become a brick layer? Is there a
+trade school?”
+
+Tradesman – “There is technical training followed by apprenticeship
+training, which is typically about three years.”
+
+Adam – “Is there any way to accelerate it?”
+
+Tradesman – “There are courses offered online, and they can be
+completed at whatever pace you choose, but the on-the-job training
+must be on-the-job. That length of time is determined by the hours
+that you work and your proficiency.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, I assumed you were joking. Luke, you can't be
+serious!”
+
+Joan – “Adam, you don't need to follow exactly in Rodin's footsteps.”
+
+Luke – “I'm going to need to earn a good wage.”
+
+Adam – “I'm not going to be able to go to the North Carolina School
+of the Arts.”
+
+Joan and Grace drag Adam and Luke outside. Joan talks to Adam, and
+Grace talks to Luke, but each is listening to the other's
+conversation.
+
+Grace – “Listen brain boy, you are not becoming a bricklayer. You are
+going to college, and someday, you are going to figure out that those
+little string thingies are actually rubber bands.”
+
+Joan – “You were so excited about going to NCSA. What happened?”
+
+Luke – “But I'm going to need to support you and our child.”
+
+Adam – “I was accepted, but I won't get the scholarships I had hoped,
+and my college fund is not as large as I believed. I can't afford it,
+at least not until I can save up some more money. If I go to NCSA,
+I'll run out of money by the end of my second year.”
+
+Grace – “I don't need your support. My parents will take care of me
+and our child.”
+
+Joan – “Duh, haven't you heard of student loans?”
+
+Luke – “I need to do the right thing.”
+
+Adam – “I have this thing about going into debt. I won't do it.”
+
+Grace – “This is not up for discussion! If you don't go to college,
+we are through.”
+
+Joan - Okay, I know you're disappointed, but there are other options
+than bricklaying. You know that Dawson State has an art program. It's
+not NCSA, but it can't be that bad.”
+
+Adam – “I really didn't like the instructor there. I already know a
+lot more than he does.”
+
+Luke resigns to Grace's demand, and they stop their conversation.
+Joan and Adam continue.
+
+Joan – “But didn't you say they offered you a scholarship? With the
+scholarship, maybe you could go there for a few years and then finish
+at NCSA.”
+
+Adam – “Well, maybe. My dad and I will have to look at the numbers
+again.”
+
+Joan – “I really didn't like Mr. Dreisbach, but I learned that I
+didn't have to. All I had to do was allow him to teach me. Sure, it's
+nicer if you like your teacher, but you don't have to like him to
+learn from him. And you know what the best part would be?” She
+doesn't wait for Adam to answer, “Maybe we can go to college
+together!”
+
+Adam – “I have definitely been considering that, but that would be
+the only reason I would go there. Wasn't it you who said that I
+shouldn't pick a college just to be with you?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, but now you wouldn't be. You'd be going to Dawson State
+because that is what you can afford. Having me there too would just
+be a great perk!”
+
+Adam – “When do you find out if you're getting in?”
+
+Joan – “I'm not sure. I'll have to ask.”
+
+Adam – “Okay, I'll apply after school and we'll see what happens.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will – “What do they have to say?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “They both correctly detail the assault against them,
+but ignore the one they perpetrated.”
+
+Will – “Okay, let me speak to their lawyers.”
+
+After a few moments, Will and the lawyers meet in a conference room.
+
+Will – “Catherine, it's good to see you maintaining a high standard
+of clientele. Mr. Snyder, it's nice to meet you, too. Now, I have
+heard both accounts, but what you don't know is that I have two
+witnesses who tell the complete story.”
+
+Catherine – “Who are these witnesses?”
+
+Will – “We'll get to that. Anyway, no charges have been filed yet.
+We've only taken statements. It looks like both of you have good
+cases for assault and battery. So, you and your clients have a
+decision to make. You can both decide not file charges and go home,
+or we'll arrange for bail hearings. Let Lt. Daghlian know of your
+decision. Thank you for your time.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan is sitting at a library computer, logged on to the Dawson State
+web site. As she pecks away, she talks to herself, “And last but not
+least, Modern Dance Techniques II.” She pauses for a moment and then
+hits the enter key. A message appears, “Your application has been
+submitted to the registrar and copied to the email address provided.”
+
+She decides to check her email to verify that she did receive a copy
+of the application. She begins to read the subject lines and comments
+as she goes through deleting the spam, “‘Your PayPal account has been
+violated', no, you want to violate me, ‘Important Notice: SECURITY
+MEASURES', no thanks, I don't have an account with Wainwright Bank.
+Oh, there's one from the IRS, ‘You have a refund coming', fat chance
+of that, ‘From the desk of Mrs. Ali Musa', yeah, Nigerian scam, ‘Hi
+its me', who cares.” She begins to delete the message, but then she
+notices the return e-mail address, egirardi@jhmi.edu. She opens the
+message and reads:
+
+‘\ Hi Joan, I sure miss you. Good news! Dad let me have e male. Let
+me know if you get this. Heheeheh, let me know if you don't get it
+to. Dad says I can use the computer for school too – blah – and to
+talk to you and few friends. Hey, can you find out if Zoe has e male?
+He showed me Google and a cyclopedia. There really kind of neat. I
+think Google has a problem with it though. Every time I search for
+something, a place called eBay always says they have it. Strange. Not
+a lot else has happened. School is okay. My friend Lauren likes
+poetry, so I told her you liked Emily Dickenson. It's so cool that
+she has my name. Sorry, it doesn't take much to get me excited.
+Anyway, she got her book and has been reading her. We had her over
+for dinner and it was so funny. Mom asked her to say the prayer and
+this is what she said:
+
+*In the name of the bee
+And of the butterfly
+And of the breeze, amen*
+
+*After dinner, she showed me the poem. Isn't that awesome! Oh! I've
+been warring the scarf you gave me to school. Everyone likes it, but
+they think I'm wired. It's really not that cold yet, but I like to
+wear it anyway. It smells like you. What was that perfume again,
+leopards breath and which hazel? I get to go to singing lessons twice
+a week. Ms. Thatcher is great! She's been playing different songs for
+me, and having me try to sing them. She says that learning different
+kinds of songs is good, but I still like country western the
+best.\ *\ `Only
+Hope <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/12732264/a8d0a6d0/Mandy_Moore_-_Only_Hope.mp3>`__\ *\ is
+the song she had me learn yesterday. When I sing it, I can feel it.
+It's so cool! Your going to have to tell me how your dancing went
+with CC. Well, dad says its time for me to get off the computer. He
+just showed me how to use the spell checker and put the music clip
+in. Right me. Emily*\ .
diff --git a/19-TheChildPart2.rst b/19-TheChildPart2.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b2504fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/19-TheChildPart2.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,1778 @@
+Episode 3.19, The Child, Part 2
+-------------------------------
+
+At Home
+
+Luke – “Can’t you at least pay attention to the movie?”
+
+Grace – “I’m watching. I am able to multitask.”
+
+Luke – “Okay, what is the number that she doesn’t like?”
+
+Grace – “Five.Why did you rent this movie, anyway?”
+
+Luke – “Because she’s pregnant and I thought her experience might
+interest you.”
+
+Grace – “I’m not having my baby in a Wal-Mart.”
+
+Helen walks into the room, “Who’s having a baby at Wal-Mart?”
+
+Grace – “Nobody in her right mind.”
+
+Helen – “When did you take up knitting?
+
+Grace – “I had Joan teach me. What do you think?”
+
+Helen – ‘Booties, nice.” Helen pauses, trying to properly phrase her
+next question, “You know, if there is anything…”
+
+Grace interrupts her, “Do you remember Mrs. Finnegan?”
+
+Helen – “Joan’s friend with the twins.”
+
+Grace – “Joan and I are each making a pair of booties for her.”
+
+Helen is noticeably relieved, “Well, that’s really nice of the two of
+you.”
+
+Just then, Joan peeks her head through the door, “Come out here, I
+want to show you something.”
+
+When they walk out onto the porch, Joan clobbers Luke with a
+snowball.
+
+Luke – “Why did you do that?”
+
+Joan – “I’ve been needing to do something, seulement par Grace étiez
+vous avez économisé.”
+
+Helen – “Where did all of this come from? It was only supposed to be
+flurries.”
+
+Grace – “Look at those flakes, they’re huge!”
+
+Joan – “A guy on the bus said now they’re calling for three to eight
+inches.”
+
+As Luke throws a snowball at Joan, he says, “Ah, the butterfly effect
+and chaos theory. Why can’t they just say they don’t know?”
+
+Will – “Because then no one would pay them to make the predictions.”
+
+Helen – “Hi honey, see the snow?”
+
+Will – “How can I miss it?”
+
+Helen smirks, “That was a rhetorical question.”
+
+Will – “I know.” Joan throws another snowball at Luke, but misses and
+hits her father. “Oh, you want to play?” He joins her in the yard, as
+do the others. Soon, all of them are laughing, and covered with snow.
+
+They become tired and are about ready to quit when Joan is clobbered
+by a snowball from nowhere. She looks and sees Adam laughing as he
+walks across the street. “Guess what? No school tomorrow.”
+
+Joan – “Hi, well I’m glad you came over… you bum.” She gives him a
+kiss and smashes a snowball on his head, “Don’t you love snow?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, on the ground.”
+
+Helen – “Come on, everyone inside.” Joan and Adam are the only ones
+sensible enough to have coats on.
+
+Grace – “Wait! I need to do one more thing.” She walks out to an
+untarnished spot in the snow, “Joan, come join me.”
+
+Joan – “Snow angels?”
+
+Grace – “Yep, come here.”
+
+They join hands, and before they fall into the snow, Grace says
+quietly, “I need two angels, one for me, and one for you know who.”
+
+At Lilly’s Apartment
+
+Kevin had planned to return home, but was surprised by the unexpected
+change in the weather. Although his car handles ice and snow rather
+well, he really should have changed the tires several months ago. He
+and Lilly decide he should spend the night.
+
+It’s Ginger’s turn to be sick. Fortunately, she is not as ill as
+Lilly was, but she still does not have the energy to do anything more
+than lay in bed or sit in the living room. Lilly enjoys caring for
+her, because Ginger always does so much for Lilly. It’s going to be
+hard for Lilly to leave her in June, but she has already decided that
+she will find her an appropriate roommate before she leaves.
+
+Lilly – “Who’s ready for another movie?”
+
+Kevin – “We already watched the two that I brought, and I’d rather
+not watch ‘\ The Sound of Music\ ’ again.”
+
+Lilly – “Well, I have a surprise.” She directs herself to Ginger, “I
+have your Christmas present already. I know how you love to read
+romances and westerns, so I thought these would be perfect. It’s a
+movie with two sequels. Would you like to watch the first one?”
+
+Ginger – “eisom ccm etoyt.”
+
+Lilly – “Good, it’s called ‘\ Love Comes Softly\ ’.”
+
+At Home
+
+The ones who need to, change into dry clothes. Helen warms Joan’s
+dinner, and makes hot chocolate for everyone. Will starts a fire.
+
+Luke and Grace sit on the couch and watch their movie. Joan and Will
+play a game of chess, while Helen and Adam are at the dining room
+table looking over some of his recent sketches.
+
+Adam – “Has Joan told you about Ole Paint?”
+
+Helen – “Several times. She likes to wave to him on the way to Mercer
+Creek.”
+
+Adam – “That’s him. Anyway, they recently painted him and all the
+buildings. He really looks good now, but I want to paint him like
+Joan and I remember him. Have you ever seen him?”
+
+Helen – “No, I’ve never been to Mercer Creek.”
+
+Adam – “Okay, I’ll talk to Joan when she’s done. I feel like I’m
+forgetting something. What kind of paint do you think I should use?
+I’m not sure which would be best, acrylic or oil.”
+
+Helen – “What kind of surface are you painting on?”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Joan – “Oh, you shouldn’t have done that.”
+
+Will – “What? You don’t know what I’m planning.”
+
+Joan – “Nor you.” She moves her rook, “Check.”
+
+Will – “I’ll just take him with my pawn.”
+
+Joan – “Uh-huh, but what about my bishop?”
+
+Will – “Oh, I didn’t see that.” He looks over the board and decides
+the only thing he can do is to move his king.
+
+Joan moves her queen, “Check.”
+
+Will is once again stuck with only one possible move. He places his
+queen in the way and Joan promptly takes his queen with her rook,
+“Dad, you’re slipping. You should have seen that coming.”
+
+Will – “I guess I’m a little tired tonight.”
+
+Joan has been trying to decide whether to beat him or let him win.
+She decides she will win, gently.
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Grace – “There, I have one done. What do you think?”
+
+Luke – “It really looks nice, but have you been watching the movie at
+all?”
+
+Grace – “Americus is a stupid name!”
+
+Luke – “Okay, but ‘Brownie, Brownie, do not lasso your sister’ was
+funny.”
+
+Grace – “And there was Baby Ruth, Praline, Cherry, and was there
+another one?”
+
+Luke – “I don’t know, Twinkie or Pez, I lost track.”
+
+Grace – “Well, if you want me to learn something from this movie, I
+guarantee you…” She stops to look around. She lowers her voice and
+continues, “…that my baby will not be named after junk food. If you
+want a weird name, maybe it can go in the middle.”
+
+Luke – “You’re going to let me help pick the name?”
+
+Grace – “Your vote counts for a third, because I’m voting for two.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Joan – “Checkmate.”
+
+Will – “Well, that does it. Good game, but I still have to work in
+the morning.”
+
+Joan gives him a kiss, “Good night, Daddy.”
+
+Will – “Good night.”
+
+Joan walks out to the dining room, “Are you two done talking?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I just needed some pointers on painting the mural at
+the Historical Society.”
+
+Helen – “His sketches are really good. Have you seen them?”
+
+Joan looks at them, “No, not these.” She scans the drawing papers
+spread out on the table. “Oh, these are my favorites.”
+
+Adam – “Do they look right to you?”
+
+Joan looks closer, “Ole Paint had a rust spot on his chin.”
+
+Adam – “That’s it, I knew something was missing.”
+
+Joan – “Did you apply to Dawson State?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I submitted the paperwork after school.”
+
+Joan – “Good! Well, I’m going to bed. Can you come back tomorrow?”
+
+Helen – “Adam is sleeping on the couch. The wind has picked up and
+you can hardly see two feet in front of you.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, good! I’ll see you in the morning.” She gives Adam and
+her mother a kiss, and she goes to bed.
+
+When Joan’s head hits the pillow, sleep comes immediately. Tonight
+was a good night of dancing. Sister Sarah is thrilled with her
+performance and feels she has an excellent chance of being accepted
+into Dawson State’s dance program. “Change nothing, just practice
+until you can do it in your sleep. But smile, you need to smile. A
+smile is a whisper of a laugh. Show them the joy that you feel when
+you perform.”
+
+So, she dances in the dim light of the ballroom where she has danced
+before. China’s red dress swirls as she floats around the room. She
+is alone, but she can sense he is there. It doesn’t matter that she
+can’t see him. “Am I doing what you want?” There is no answer, just a
+hint of ‘\ Last Dance\ ’ playing low. She chortles, “Hey, Holey One,
+are you there?”
+
+She finishes her routine, and continues to turn slowly, gazing around
+the room. She sees a small white table, with two chairs. On the table
+is an arrangement of flowers with a candle burning in the center. God
+is seated and motions for her to join him.
+
+God – “Holey One?I have been called many things, but I think this is
+a first.”
+
+Joan – “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it, please. I won’t ever say it
+again. It was supposed to be a joke.”
+
+God – “Humor is good. It is always based on a modicum of truth.” God
+smiles, “Have you ever heard a joke about a father-in-law?”
+
+Joan gets a confused look on her face, “No.”
+
+God smiles again at her answer, “Well, humor is a healthy way to put
+distance from a problem, a way of standing off and looking at a
+problem with perspective. However, do you understand what is
+bothering you?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t have a problem. Everything is going great!”
+
+God – “Is it? Remember, I know what you are thinking.”
+
+Joan – “You have been wonderful to me. I have no right to complain.”
+
+God – “But there is something.”
+
+Her eyes begin to water. She doesn’t want to say it, because it’s
+such an ungrateful thankless feeling. But she realizes that she
+cannot lie to God, “Yes, there’s sadness, a little sadness beneath
+the joy, but you’ve given me so much. You have given me Cee-Cee.
+She’s a wonderful friend!”
+
+God – “Yet you’re still lonely, you feel isolated from those you
+love, but you worry about the burden.”
+
+Joan – “That’s what you told me, that it would be a burden for them
+to believe me.”
+
+God – “What about the ones who suspect or even know the truth? They
+know that you have not been honest with them. Is that not a burden
+for them to bear?”
+
+Joan – “Who knows?”
+
+She opens her eyes and sees Grace is beside her. As she wonders, she
+gets up to fix a cup of warm milk for herself.
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Adam is painting the mural at the Historical Society. He is working
+on the sixth grid, the last portion of Allan’s apple orchard.
+
+Joan – “That’s really beautiful! It’s amazing how you can do the
+apple blossoms from memory.”
+
+Adam – “Photographic, remember?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I remember.”
+
+Adam – “I’m glad you could make it. I was getting worried.”
+
+Joan – “It took me a little longer to finish up, but I told you I
+would be here.”
+
+Adam steps down from the ladder, and takes her in his arms, “And
+that’s the only thing that matters.”
+
+Joan – “There is something I need to tell you.”
+
+Adam – “Oh, more secrets revealed? What is it?”
+
+Joan – “Secrets? Well, in time, but there is something I need you to
+know now.” Joan stops talking, and they just stand in front of each
+other, each gazing into the other’s eyes. “I love you.”
+
+Adam – “I love you, too.”
+
+Joan – “No, I really do love you. I just want you to know that.”
+
+Adam opens his eyes and stares into the darkness of the living room.
+He calls out, “Jane?” He is alone, but then he hears the voice that
+he desires, “Go back to sleep, Adam.” He smiles and rolls over,
+snuggling back into the comfort of the couch.
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The morning news reports the main streets have been cleared, but it
+will be some time before the secondary streets can be plowed. Before
+leaving for work, Will instructs Luke on how to use the snow blower.
+“I’m glad I didn’t get rid of this. It will save you a lot of time
+today.”
+
+Joan awakens to the sound of the snow blower. Grace sleeps as Joan
+quietly slips out of bed and goes downstairs. She looks out of the
+window to see Adam brushing the snow off cars, and Luke clearing the
+driveway. She wanders out to the kitchen, where Helen is making
+breakfast, “Did you have a good nights sleep?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I guess so, but I had a weird dream.”
+
+Helen – “Is it something you would like to talk about, or is it
+private?”
+
+Joan – “Just weird.I don’t always know what they mean, or if they
+actually mean anything at all. I still have normal dreams like
+everyone else.”
+
+Helen – “I know what you mean, but there is something different about
+some dreams, a clarity that others don’t have, and if God is present,
+you can feel the difference.”
+
+Joan – “But what if I don’t get it right? I could be making a really
+big mistake.”
+
+Helen – “Your mind may be confused, but your heart will never lie to
+you.” Helen places the meal in front of her daughter.
+
+Joan – “Mom?”
+
+Helen – “I know, when you’re ready.”
+
+Joan – “I’m ready now.” Helen takes a seat and Joan begins, “Do you
+remember when I saw that pervert in the yard?”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will – “Hey, they were playing ‘Winter Wonderland’ while I was coming
+in to work this morning. Are they trying to tell us something we
+don’t already know?”
+
+Carlisle– “Storm Sheppard, the one who predicted flurries, has been
+calling everywhere trying to get his street plowed. It seems everyone
+is busy.”
+
+Will – “What kind of weatherman doesn’t own a snow blower?”
+
+Toni – “The kind who predicts flurries.”
+
+Will – “Do we have any situations that need to be dealt with?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “Nothing major. We’re helping with traffic and
+emergency transportation. The biggest problem is on
+
+Dilcue Street
+. They lost power last night, and there are so many wires down, the
+electric company won’t even predict when they’ll have everyone’s
+power restored. The plows can’t get in, on account of the downed
+wires. It’s a mess.”
+Will – “Oh, that reminds me. I have a meeting with Brother Jimi at
+three o’clock.”
+
+Carlisle– “I wouldn’t plan on it. They won’t have the secondary roads
+cleared until this evening, so I doubt if many people will be able to
+make it.”
+
+Will – “Do we know what’s going on in that area?”
+
+Toni – “Not really. Our patrol cars are getting stuck, and our
+four-wheel-drive vehicles are being used for emergencies. Most of the
+phones are out, too.”
+
+Will – “Has anyone heard from the mayor?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “He’s stuck at home, but he’s coordinating things by
+phone.”
+
+Will – “Send one of the four-wheelers into the
+
+Dilcue Street
+area just to take a look around. See if they can plow Chamberlain and
+Churchill. That will give everyone a way in and out. I’ll try to call
+Brother Jimi.” He begins to go to his office but stops, “Any word on
+the Mitchell case?”
+Lt. Daghlian – “I haven’t talked to her husband since yesterday.”
+
+Will – “Call him and see if his wife is ready to look as some mug
+shots.”
+
+At the Herald
+
+Lilly’s apartment complex has a private service to plow their parking
+lots, so it was cleared by the time they got up. Lilly brushes the
+snow off his car and Kevin is on his way. Lilly had already scheduled
+to take the day off to care for Ginger.
+
+Kevin has a few stories to check, but soon finds himself with nothing
+to do. He rolls over to Rebecca to chat, “Do you have any more
+stories for me?”
+
+Rebecca – “Not yet.The only story is the snow, but everyone is still
+collecting information. Would you like to work the tip line today?”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, I’d rather do that than be bored.”
+
+Rebecca – “Okay, just enter the information into the form and then
+post it. If you receive anything hot, call me.”
+
+Kevin – “I won’t let you down, Lois.”
+
+Rebecca smiles, “You better not or you’ll be working for Jimmy.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan – “…so I’m not as weird as you think. All of those things were
+assignments that he asked me to do.”
+
+Helen – “I’ve never thought you were weird… well, on occasion, but
+I’m glad you have decided to tell me. Can I ask you a question?”
+
+Joan – “You can ask, but I probably won’t know the answer.”
+
+Helen – “What is he like?”
+
+Joan – “He’s very elusive about himself, but he says I see him the
+way I want to see him. Lilly can probably tell you more about him
+than I can.”
+
+Helen – “But you talk to him! You must know him better than anyone.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, I can’t be your spiritual advisor. I need you to help
+me. I’m more confused than anyone. He almost never gives answers, but
+is great at providing more questions. When he talks, it’s about me,
+something he wants me to learn or do. I rarely know the reason for
+the things he asks me to do. I just do them, because I know that when
+I don’t, things always turn out badly. All I can say is that he does
+exist, and that he loves us.”
+
+Adam and Luke return from outside and Helen asks, “Can I fix you some
+breakfast?”
+
+Adam and Luke both say yes. Joan then says, “Mom, we can talk more
+later. I need to take a shower.” Before she gets to the stairs, the
+phone rings, and she decides to pick up, “Girardi’s party palace.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Hi bee’s knees, how are you doing?”
+
+Joan – “Fine, everything is fine. Bee’s knees?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I’ll explain later. Do you still want to practice today?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, but can we, with the snow and all?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Yes, my brothers have cleared our driveway, and I have
+four-wheel drive. I can pick you up, or we can practice there. Which
+would you prefer?”
+
+Joan – “I don’t care, whichever would be the easiest.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I would prefer for us to work in my studio. Since neither
+of us has school, we can do it at anything time. Do you have a
+preference?”
+
+Joan – “Oh, why don’t you pick me up in about an hour. Would that be
+okay?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “That will be fine. I’ll see you soon.”
+
+On
+
+Dilcue Street
+Officer Gibson and Swansiger are patrolling
+
+Dilcue Street
+, zigzagging across at the intersections that are passable. All seems
+quiet, until they come across several men pushing a car. Even with
+their help, the car’s rear tires continue to spin.
+One of the men approaches, “Can you help us? There is a woman inside
+who is having a baby.”
+
+Officer Swansiger – “Do we have time to get her to the hospital?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “I don’t believe we have a choice. I think the baby is
+breached.”
+
+Office Gibson calls on the radio, “Inform UMC that we are
+transporting a woman in labor. Her baby may be breached.”
+
+They get the woman and her husband into their SUV, and they prepare
+to leave. Brother Jimi asks, “Can you get a message to Chief
+Girardi?”
+
+Officer Swansiger – “Sure, what is it?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Tell him our meeting today is canceled, but I’ll call
+and we’ll reschedule for next week.”
+
+Officer Swansiger – “I’ll give him the message.”
+
+The woman cries out, “¡Ah Dios, por favor salve a mi bebé!” They
+leave for the hospital.
+
+At Home
+
+Joan returns downstairs, clean and ready to go. Helen is in the
+kitchen doing dishes, “Where’s Adam and Luke?”
+
+Helen – “Today, they are entrepreneurs. Several of the neighbors have
+asked them to clear their sidewalks and driveways. I’ll bet they make
+a bit of money today.”
+
+Joan – “Cee-Cee will be here soon to pick me up. We’re going to
+practice at her place.”
+
+Helen – “You can practice here. I would love to see you dance.”
+
+Joan – “Cee-Cee’s studio is actually better. There’s a lot more
+room.”
+
+Helen – “I know that Cee-Cee knows about you. Why did you tell her
+before telling me?”
+
+Joan – “I didn’t; she found me. I can’t say any more. I promised not
+to tell anyone about her.”
+
+Cee-Ceeknocks on the door, and Joan and Helen go to answer. “Good
+morning Mrs. Girardi. Isn’t it a beautiful day?”
+
+Helen – “Yes, it surely is.”
+
+At the Herald
+
+Kevin tediously enters the data from the tip line. It’s boring, but
+he’s glad to have chipped in. He enters the information diligently,
+then receives a call that sounds interesting. The caller reports
+hearing of a pregnant woman being taken to UMC with a breached baby.
+He calls Rebecca and tells her about the tip, “I’d like to go over to
+UMC and talk to this woman, and I can try again to see if Mrs.
+Mitchell will talk to me. I feel it would be a good follow up to my
+last story. What do you think?”
+
+Rebecca – “That sounds like a good idea. I’ll find someone else to
+take over the tip line.”
+
+At the Lin Residence
+
+Joan – “I told my mom.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “About God?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, at least part of it. I’m glad I did. I’ve wanted to
+tell her for a long time. I’ve really needed my mom… all of her.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I think she already knew.”
+
+Joan – “Why didn’t you tell me?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I did give you a hint, but it had to be your decision to
+tell her.”
+
+Joan remembers that conversation, “Does Kevin know?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I don’t believe so, but there might be another.”
+
+Joan – “Who?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “The one I thought was your sister.”
+
+Joan – “Grace?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Yes, I think that was her name.”
+
+Joan – “What makes you think she knows?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I said she might know. It’s just a feeling I get from her.
+She knows a lot more than people think.”
+
+They arrive at the studio. “Sister Sarah told me that she added some
+square dance moves to your routine. Show me those bee’s knees.”
+
+Joan – “What does that mean, anyway?”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Oh, it’s an old saying I learned from my dance instructor.
+It means you are a very good dancer. Dance for me.”
+
+At the University Medical Center
+
+Kevin arrives at the ER, surprised to see Friedman talking to Dr.
+Thompson, “Hi Dan. Friedman, what are you doing here?”
+
+Friedman – “I’ve been considering becoming a doctor. Ms. Jordan
+hooked me up with Dr. Thompson.”
+
+Dan – “Dr. Dan, I like that much better.”
+
+Friedman – “What are you doing here?”
+
+Kevin – “I’m trying to get a story. Was a pregnant woman brought in
+here a little while ago?”
+
+Dr. Dan – “Yeah, she’s in the ER.”
+
+Kevin – “How is she doing?”
+
+Dr. Dan – “She’s not my patient, but I couldn’t talk about her case
+anyway. You know the rules.”
+
+Kevin – “Can you see if she’ll talk to me?”
+
+Dr. Dan – “Her husband is in the waiting room. He’s wearing a red
+flannel shirt. Good luck.”
+
+Kevin – “Thanks.”
+
+Kevin enters the waiting room and introduces himself, “Hi, my name is
+Kevin Girardi. I work for the Arcadia Herald. May I ask you a few
+questions?”
+
+Man – “Ah, ah, ningunos reporteros.”
+
+Kevin – “Do you speak English?”
+
+Man – “Yes, sí, some.”
+
+Kevin – “Wait here, I’ll be right back.” He goes out and finds
+Friedman, “Joan mentioned once that you were taking Spanish. Is that
+right?”
+
+Friedman – “Sí, estoy tomando a españoles avanzados.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, I understand ‘sí’. Can you help me talk to a man in
+the waiting room?”
+
+Friedman – “Sure, it’ll be fun.”
+
+They return to the waiting room, and Friedman introduces himself,
+“Hola, estoy aquí ayudar a Sr. Girardi a comunicarse.”
+
+Kevin – “Ask him if he will talk about his wife.”
+
+Friedman asks and he responds, “Es una cuestión privada. No hablaré
+con los reportero.”
+
+Friedman – “He won’t talk.”
+
+Kevin – “Ask him if he will if I promise not to reveal their names,
+and… and I give him twenty dollars.”
+
+Friedman asks, and he reluctantly agrees, “Qué usted desea saber?”
+
+Friedman translates and Kevin asks, “It was reported that your wife’s
+child was breached. How is she doing?”
+
+Friedman has some difficulty translating the question, because
+‘breached’ just doesn’t translate correctly. After several attempts,
+he finds an alternate word. The man responds, “Sí, el bebé no saldrá.
+El doctor está intentando moverlo.”
+
+Friedman translates and Kevin continues, directing his question to
+the husband, “How…?”
+
+At Home
+
+Grace comes downstairs with bed hair adding an appropriate statement
+to how she feels.
+
+Helen – “Good morning.”
+
+Grace – “Hi! No school, it’s a good thing.”
+
+Helen – “Are you not feeling well?”
+
+Grace – “I just slept nine hours, and I’m still tired. Maybe I need
+to start taking vitamins with iron.”
+
+Helen feels her head, “You don’t seem to have a fever.”
+
+Grace – “I’m not sick. Where is everybody?”
+
+Helen – “Joan went with Cee-Cee to practice, and Adam and Luke are
+out making money.”
+
+Grace – “Oh yeah? How much snow did we get?”
+
+Helen – “About eight inches followed by freezing rain. Our street has
+been plowed and the rest are supposed to be finished by tonight. Can
+I fix you some breakfast?”
+
+Grace – “No, I’m just going to have cereal.” She rummages through the
+cupboard, “Ah, frosted shredded tweet!”
+
+Helen – “Boy, that’s an old joke!”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I don’t even remember what it means. I’ve just always
+called it that.”
+
+Helen – “Well, it has a lot of fiber and tastes good. Would you like
+anything else to go with it?”
+
+Grace – “No, thank you. I’ll be fine.”
+
+Luke and Adam return. They enter the kitchen and Luke asks, “What’s
+for lunch?”
+
+Grace – “I’m still working on breakfast.”
+
+Adam – “Hey, what’s with the Meg Ryan look?”
+
+Grace – “I couldn’t find my brush and I didn’t feel like brushing it
+anyway.”
+
+Luke – “Are you okay?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I’m just tired. Mrs. Girardi, would it be okay if I
+have a cup of that coffee?”
+
+Helen – “Sure, how would you like it?”
+
+Grace – “With just a little milk.”
+
+Luke – “Are you supposed to drink coffee?”
+
+Grace knows why he asked, so she tries to deflect, “Unlike you, I
+haven’t been prohibited from drinking coffee. I’m only having one
+cup, just to get me kick started.”
+
+Adam – “I wouldn’t mind some hot chocolate. Mrs. G., would it be okay
+if I made some?”
+
+Helen – “Sure, the can’s in the cupboard. I’ll start the water.”
+
+Luke – “Adam and I have made some good money. Where would you like me
+to take you?”
+
+Grace – “We’re still going to the ‘Battle of the Bands’ on Saturday,
+right?”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, but I thought we could do something else, too?”
+
+Grace – “You can buy me some treats from the bake sale and a raffle
+ticket.”
+
+Luke – “I was going to do that anyway. Lilly’s making a German
+chocolate cake.”
+
+Grace – “Why don’t you be adventurous and try something else? There
+will be all kinds of baked goods there. All the church groups are
+donating.”
+
+Luke – “We’ll try stuff together, okay?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, okay.” She drinks the last of her coffee, “Well, I
+have to go scrape the dirt off.” She imitates Arnold Schwarzenegger,
+“I’ll be back.”
+
+At the Lin Residence
+
+Cee-Cee– “It’s perfect and you’re smiling!”
+
+Joan – “I feel good about this, I really do, it’s perfect.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Well, I will take credit along with Sister Sarah for the
+routine, but you make it work. I want you to know something. You are
+a much better dancer than I was when I started college. I know you
+want to become a nurse, and that is fine, but you should really
+continue dancing as well.”
+
+Joan laughs, “I’ve already figured it out. I’ll be the Dancing
+Nurse.”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Let’s have a bite to eat. My uncle brought home a lot of
+food from the restaurant last night.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will – “Thanks for giving me the message.”
+
+Officer Swansiger – “You’re welcome, sir.”
+
+Officer Swansiger leaves and Lt. Daghlian approaches, “Mrs. Mitchell
+has agreed talk about what happened and to look at some mug shots.
+I’m heading over there now.”
+
+Will – “Good! While you’re there, check on a woman who was brought in
+with a breached baby. I’d just like to know how it turned out.”
+
+Mike – “Sure, do you have a name?”
+
+Will – “No, but I doubt there will be more than one with a breached
+baby.”
+
+Mike – “I’ll see what I can find out.”
+
+At the University Medical Center
+
+Kevin and Friedman continued their interview with the man. He refused
+to answer some questions, but answered others. The interview was
+finally interrupted when all heard the sound of a baby crying. The
+man stands up excited, and a nurse invites him in to see his wife and
+baby.
+
+After awhile, the proud father comes out to the waiting area carrying
+his baby. He shows it to everyone who was there. He dances, rocking
+his baby from side to side, as he goes from person to person. When he
+finishes, he holds his baby close in his arms and looks upwards to
+say, “Behold Leocadia, la única cosa mayor que usted mismo.”
+
+After he returns to his wife, Kevin asks Friedman what he said. “He
+named his daughter Leocadia, and he’s very happy and proud.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, I’m glad everything worked out for them. Thanks for
+helping me.”
+
+Friedman finds Dr. Dan, and continues his conversation. When Kevin
+sees Lt. Daghlian arrive, he asks, “Hello Lt. Daghlian, why are you
+here?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “I’m here to interview Mrs. Mitchell. Why are you
+here?”
+
+Kevin – “I’m here to do the same.”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “Well, you can come with me to her room, but our
+interviews will have to be separate. Hey, do you know anything about
+the woman who was brought in with a breached baby?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, they were able to move it and she had a baby girl.”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “Great! Your father will be happy to hear the news.”
+
+When they arrive at the hospital room, Mr. Mitchell comes out to meet
+them. He was expecting Mike, but he gives Kevin a questioning look,
+“Hi, I’m Kevin Girardi with the Arcadia Herald. I was wondering if I
+might speak to your wife about the shooting.”
+
+Mr. Mitchell – “Are you related to Chief Girardi?”
+
+Kevin – “He is my father, but like I said, I am a reporter for the
+Arcadia Herald.”
+
+Mr. Mitchell – “Lt. Daghlian, you can go in. Mr. Girardi, my wife
+doesn’t want to talk to reporters. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave.”
+
+Kevin – “Could you at least give me a statement?”
+
+Mr. Mitchell – “My wife is still in a great deal of physical pain
+from her wound, and emotional pain from losing our child. Good day,
+Mr. Girardi.”
+
+At Home
+
+Luke and Adam have gone to Adam’s house to clear his driveway. When
+they finish, they solicit work in his neighborhood.
+
+Grace has cleaned up and brushed her hair. She found her brush behind
+the nightstand. She is sitting on the couch, working on the second
+bootie. She has Luke’s Norah Jones CD in the player, wanting to hear
+their song again. ‘\ Come Away With Me\ ’ will always remind her of
+Luke’s marriage proposal. Misguided as it was, she will still cherish
+it forever.
+
+Helen comes into the living room, “You’re being awfully quiet today.
+May I join you?”
+
+Grace – “Have a seat, there’s something I want to ask you anyway.”
+Helen lays her book across her lap and listens, “You know that Joan
+has really become interested in working with children.”
+
+Helen – “Yeah, that’s what the nursing is all about.”
+
+Grace – “Well, I’ve been thinking about the little munchkins, too,
+although I don’t want to become a nurse. I’ve been considering
+something more like a combination of teaching and childcare. In a lot
+of ways, that’s like becoming a parent. How did you prepare to become
+a parent?”
+
+Helen – “I wish there was an instructor’s manual, but mostly it’s
+learn as you go. I did do a lot of reading, and I talked to my
+parents and others, but in the end, you just have to do what you feel
+is right.”
+
+Grace – “But what if you don’t get it right? I mean, messing up a
+child is very serious!”
+
+Helen – “I once stuck Kevin with a pin when I was changing his
+diaper. I cried almost as much as he did. Everyone makes mistakes. I
+just learned the correct way to do it, and it never happened again.
+
+And there are some situations when you really don’t know what the
+right thing is to do. Joan once had an imaginary friend she called
+YaYa. She really believed he was real. We decided to pretend and go
+along with her. I think now that we made the right choice, but at the
+time, we really weren’t sure if that was the right thing to do.”
+
+Grace – “Joan’s never told me about that.”
+
+Helen – “It was when she was very young. She probably doesn’t
+remember it.”
+
+Grace – “My parents have taught me about religion, since I was old
+enough to understand. What do you think about my doing that?”
+
+Helen – “During day care?No, I don’t think teaching religion would be
+appropriate, not unless all of your children are Jewish. The teaching
+of religion is the responsibility of parents. It should be left to
+them, or to those they designate. You must also respect the religious
+beliefs of the children, and that of their parents. Not doing so can
+have dire consequences.”
+
+Grace – “What if I were to teach just moral values, without religion?
+Do you think that would be okay?”
+
+Helen – “Moral values often derive from religious values. Even if you
+just taught Judeo-Christian moral values, there could be a conflict.
+What if one of your children is Muslim? It might be okay, but you
+would have to talk to the parents before hand, review what you plan
+to teach, and be in agreement before you proceed.”
+
+Grace – “I never thought that just teaching moral values could be
+such a problem.”
+
+Helen – “Not as a parent, but in your case, yes.Morals based on
+religious values do call for codes of conduct, that there are moral
+absolutes, there is good and evil, right and wrong, and that one must
+adhere, and in some cases, have blind faith. The other extreme is
+that there are no fixed truths, that morality is anything one wishes
+it to be, everything is morally relative, or blind feelings. Most
+people are somewhere between those extremes. Reason is the moderating
+factor. An individual’s life is the primary value. From that, it can
+be reasoned what mode of behavior is required to sustain that life,
+and the lives of others.”
+
+Grace – “That sounds like you’re talking about Luke.”
+
+Helen – “Luke is a good example of someone who has high moral values,
+but is not religious. He has reasoned his belief in God, and has
+modeled his behavior according to what he believes God would want.”
+
+Grace – “I want to do more than just change diapers and keep them out
+of trouble. I would like to be a positive influence.”
+
+Helen – “Reading to them and teaching them how to read is probably
+one of the best things you can do. Kevin, Joan, and Luke all learned
+how to read before kindergarten. Once a child has learned to read,
+they begin to teach themselves. You just need to make sure what they
+are reading is appropriate. Again, you should discuss what you plan
+to read or let the children read with their parents.”
+
+Luke returns, so Grace decides to end the conversation, “Thank you,
+Mrs. Girardi. You have given me a lot to think about.” She smiles and
+directs herself to Luke, “Have you finished giving your blow jobs?”
+
+Luke – “Hah hah.” He answers by paraphrasing the lyrics to a song,
+but I worked hard for the money. So hard for it, honey. I worked hard
+for the money, so you better treat me right. I just want to use the
+money to do something special with you.”
+
+Grace – “We’ve already talked about that. You should save your money.
+I’m sure you can find something more important to spend it on.”
+
+Joan returns, singing as she gracefully dances through the doorway,
+
+“\ Last dance
+Last chance for love
+Yes, it’s my last chance
+*For* romance tonight…
+
+Hey, whatcha doing?”
+
+Helen – “Just talking. How was your practice?”
+
+Joan – “Good, really good. Cee-Cee says I’m ready. We’ll practice one
+more time after school tomorrow, and then Saturday is the big day.”
+
+Helen – “I’m sure you’ll do fine.”
+
+Joan wonders, “Thanks, Mom. By the way, where’s Adam?”
+
+Luke – “Home.He decided Pax needed some play time.”
+
+Joan – “Mom, is it okay if I go over? I really haven’t had much time
+to spend with Adam this week.”
+
+Helen – “Go ahead, but I want you home for dinner.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks.” She pulls on her blouse because it’s sticking to her
+skin, “I just need to get the sweat off, change, and go.”
+
+Helen – “Girls don’t sweat, they glow.”
+
+Joan chortles, “Okay, then I must be radiant! I’ll just douse and
+stir the embers.” Joan starts to leave, but she notices Grace’s
+knitting, “Oh, let me see.”
+
+Grace shows her the bootie, “I’m going to have to pull a lot of this
+out.”
+
+She shows Joan her mistake, “That’s not so bad. It’s a Persian flaw.”
+
+Grace – “It’s a gift. I’ll do it over.”
+
+Helen – “That’s nice of you two to make booties for Mrs. Finnegan.”
+
+Joan – “Ah, ah, yeah, she’s a real nice lady. I still have to start
+my left one.”
+
+Joan and Grace exchange knowing smiles as Joan dances up the stairs
+to the bathroom, still happy from her practice with Cee-Cee.
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Much of the city is back to normal. The mayor is free from his home,
+and even Storm Sheppard finds his way back to the TV station. Most
+streets are plowed, except for parts of
+
+Dilcue Street
+. Electricians are still working to restore power lines; they plan to
+work through the evening to have all power restored by morning.
+Will is caught up on reports and listens to the tip line. One good
+thing about an unexpected storm is that the criminals have just as
+much trouble getting around as everyone else. At least for the day,
+no new cases have been reported.
+
+Lt. Daghlian returns from UMC and knocks on Will’s door, “Hey Chief,
+can I come in?”
+
+Will – “Sure, what do you have to tell me?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “Mrs. Mitchell picked Leroy Johnson from the mug shots
+I took with me. It looks like he is our man.”
+
+Will – “Did she agree to testify?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – “Yes, and she appears to have a clear recollection of
+what happened.”
+
+Will – “Good, write up your report, and we’ll send it to the DA this
+afternoon. Any word on the other woman?”
+
+Lt. Daghlian – They were able to move the baby, and she had a natural
+childbirth… a girl.”
+
+Will – “I’m glad to hear this one had a happy ending.”
+
+At the Herald
+
+Rebecca – “Did you have a good excursion?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, it was interesting, but I’m afraid I didn’t get much
+information. Just a few facts: the woman with the breached baby was
+able to have a natural childbirth, and I have a statement from Mr.
+Mitchell about his wife. It’s really not enough to write a story
+about.”
+
+Rebecca – “Perhaps we can still use it. We are collecting information
+about last night’s storm and the events of today for tomorrow’s
+edition. Send your information to Andy. He might be able to work it
+in.”
+
+Kevin – “No byline?”
+
+Rebecca – “Not this time.”
+
+At the Rove Residence
+
+Joan wants to surprise Adam, so she does not call first. When she
+arrives, she finds Mr. Rove there alone. She asks, “Where’s Adam?”
+
+Carl Rove – “You just missed him. He took Pax over to the park.”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, I’ll go find him.”
+
+Carl Rove – “Hey, thank your father for letting us use the snow
+blower. It really made the job easier.”
+
+Joan – “I’ll tell him. Bye.”
+
+Joan walks to the park, and finds Adam throwing a Frisbee for Pax.
+Adam is actually sitting on a bench, letting Pax do all the work.
+Joan sits beside him, “Nice lazy kind of day, don’t you think?”
+
+Adam – “Luke and I worked hard this morning. I really don’t feel like
+more exercise. How was your practice?”
+
+Joan – “Good, Cee-Cee says I’m ready. We’re still going to practice
+after school tomorrow, but Saturday is the big day.”
+
+Adam – “I was supposed to work at the Historical Society tonight, but
+they didn’t open today. I’m going to try to set it up for tomorrow
+after school. Would you like to come?”
+
+Joan – “Can we go after my practice?”
+
+Adam – “I have to get there before they close. Can you meet me there
+later?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I’ll figure something out, but I won’t be able to stay
+too late. I have to get up early on Saturday morning.”
+
+Adam – “I’ll get you home on time.”
+
+At Home
+
+Luke cleans up, shaves his peach fuzz, and puts on a touch of
+‘essence of pimp’ aftershave. He returns to the living room where
+Helen and Grace are still quietly sitting, “The movie starts in 45
+minutes.”
+
+Grace – “What movie?”
+
+Luke – “\ Chicken Little, you wanted to see it, right?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, but you don’t.”
+
+Luke – “Well, we’re going, my treat.”
+
+Grace decides not to argue, and just gets ready to go. Helen asks,
+“Will you be home in time for dinner?”
+
+Luke – “We’ll be here. We’ll skip the popcorn and be hungry when we
+get home. What are we having?”
+
+Helen – “I’m making beef stew in the crock-pot. Well, it’s half beef.
+I threw in the last of the turkey. It’ll be good.”
+
+Luke – “Great! The end of turkey surprise.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Helen – “Will you say the blessing for us?”
+
+Joan smiles,
+
+“\ In the name of the bee
+*And* of the butterfly
+And of the breeze, amen\ ”
+
+Everyone smiles, including Helen, but Helen adds, “I suppose Emily
+Dickinson is appropriate for a dinner prayer.”
+
+Joan – “Emily sent me an e-mail and told me about it. She thought it
+was so cute.”
+
+Helen – “How is Emily?”
+
+Joan – “She’s fine. She’s taking singing lessons. She really didn’t
+say a whole lot.”
+
+Helen – “Well I’m glad you two will be able to keep in touch.” She
+asks Grace, “How was your movie?”
+
+Grace – “I enjoyed it. It was good, but ‘\ Wallace & Gromit\ ’ it was
+not.”
+
+Luke – “I always thought Chicken Little was a girl.”
+
+Grace – “I guess they decided to change that. There were a lot of
+good jokes. I thought watching all the town’s people get zapped was
+funny, but I notice that some of the real little kids were scared to
+death. And what’s with Disney’s bizarre tradition of creating single
+father families? Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, all
+of their mothers were departed for the great unknown.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t know, maybe they’re trying to make up for the fact
+that in a lot of other movies, a father seems nowhere to be found. I
+like having both.”
+
+Will smiles, loving Joan’s comment, “Well, it sounds like we have
+another mixed review. Maybe we’ll rent the DVD for movie night when
+it comes out.”
+
+Helen – “How was your day, Lilly?”
+
+Lilly – “It was a good day. I didn’t have to work, so I took Ginger
+shopping. She doesn’t like to go out, but I talked her into it. I
+called the thrift shop and found out they were open. I figured there
+wouldn’t be many people there, and I was right. Both of us found some
+nice things, and it was half price today.”
+
+Helen – “It’s nice that you could get her out of the house for
+awhile. She seemed nervous when Joan and I showed up the other day,
+but that could have been because she was worried about you.”
+
+Kevin – “She does pretty well with people she knows. It just takes
+awhile.”
+
+Helen – “And how is the Herald?”
+
+Kevin – “Pretty slow today. I tried to get a story at UMC, but I
+wasn’t able to get much information. There was a woman with a
+breached baby. The doctors were able to move it and it came out all
+right.” Kevin smiles and chuckles at what he just said, “But Mrs.
+Mitchell, the one who was shot the other day, her husband wouldn’t
+let me talk to her. No byline this time.”
+
+Will – “One of our patrols took the woman with the baby to the
+hospital. I’m glad to hear everything worked out for her.”
+
+Kevin – “Her husband didn’t speak English very well, so I had
+Friedman translate for me.”
+
+Luke – “Friedman was there?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, he was talking to Dr. Dan when I arrived. They named
+their daughter Leocadia. I thought that was a rather odd name so I
+looked it up. She was a saint in the fourth century. Joan’s ‘\ Lives
+of Saints\ ’ has a write up on her.”
+
+Joan – “You went in my room?”
+
+Helen interrupts, “No, you put it on the bookshelf in the study.”
+
+Joan – “Oh sorry, I forgot.”
+
+Helen – “So, is everyone ready to go back to school?” All give a
+resounding “No.” “Well, I have projects due, and since everyone had
+today off, I shouldn’t hear any excuses for them not being done.”
+
+Joan – “Adam showed me his when we returned from the park. He calls
+it Pax Vobiscum, but he made her really goofy looking. Her eyes are
+bugging out and her tongue is so long, it lies on the floor. It’s
+really kind of neat!”
+
+Helen – “Well, the assignment was to make an exaggerated image of
+something you love. I guess his will pass.”
+
+Joan – “Can I be excused? I have calculus homework to get done.”
+
+Helen – “Go ahead.”
+
+Joan – “Can you check it for me when I’m done?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, but don’t be too long. My brain is already shutting
+down. I’m going to bed early tonight.”
+
+At the Historical Society
+
+Joan passes her calculus exam, and dance practice is as expected.
+Cee-Cee drops Joan off at the Historical Society when they finish.
+Joan calls Adam when she arrives, and he lets her in.
+
+Joan – “This is great. Everyone will see your painting as soon as
+they walk in the door. What are all of those boxes for?”
+
+Adam – “It’s a grid. Not all of my sketches are the same size. This
+helps me to make everything proportional.”
+
+Adam climbs the ladder and resumes painting. Joan quietly watches for
+a long time. Adam asks, “Do you have any questions about what I’m
+doing?”
+
+Joan – “No, this I can see. You’re turning white squares into an
+apple orchard. It’s so wonderful how you can do that.”
+
+Adam – “Your mom helped me to pick just the right paint. The blossoms
+really stand out, don’t you think?”
+
+Joan – “They’re beautiful.”
+
+Adam – “How was your practice?”
+
+Joan – “It was fine, but I’m still really nervous about tomorrow.”
+
+Adam climbs down from the ladder and gives her a hug, “You’ll do
+fine. Grace told me how good you are, a majestic Northern Dancer.”
+
+Joan – “Adam.” She pauses, looks deep into his eyes, “There is
+something I want to tell you.”
+
+Adam – “¿Usted me ama?”
+
+Joan smiles, “I’m French, you and Grace are Spanish.”
+
+Adam – “Ok, tell me.”
+
+Joan – “I love you.”
+
+As they begin to kiss, Adam says, “I love you, too.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan wakes up and notices Grace is not there. She looks out in the
+hall, and the bathroom door is open. A quick shower follows her dart
+into the bathroom. She puts her pajamas back on and goes downstairs.
+To her surprise, everyone is seated at the dining room table, ready
+to eat. Helen says, “Have a seat, breakfast will be ready in a few
+minutes.”
+
+Joan – ‘Why are all of you up so early?”
+
+Will – “We’re going with you.”
+
+Joan – “But you’re not going to be able to watch. I’ve already told
+you that.”
+
+Adam – “We all know how important this is to you.”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, we’re moral support. We’ll be there to cheer you on
+your way.”
+
+Luke – “And sooth your feelings if you fall on your butt.”
+
+Joan gives Luke a snarl, “Well, I might just do that. I’m so
+nervous!”
+
+Lilly – “You’ll do fine. Cee-Cee called to remind you that she will
+be picking you up at eight. I told her we were all going, so she’ll
+meet us there. Oh, she said she will be picking up Sister Sarah.”
+
+Joan – “Good, I was hoping she would come.”
+
+Kevin – “Where’s your dress?”
+
+Joan – “After breakfast, I’m not taking a chance of slopping
+something on it.”
+
+Helen returns from the kitchen with Joan’s breakfast, a bowl of
+granola with milk, a banana, an English muffin, and orange juice.
+
+Joan – “Wow, this is great! Not too big and it will get me through
+the audition. Thanks.”
+
+Helen smiles but doesn’t say a word. She and Will return to the
+kitchen, and over the next few minutes, they prepare everyone else
+breakfast.
+
+Will’s cell phone rings. He picks up and Carlisle speaks, “Hey boss,
+I’m sorry to bother you, but there’s a problem at UMC. Mrs. Mitchell
+is hysterical, insisting that you come talk to her.”
+
+Will – “What is she upset about, and why does she want to talk to
+me?”
+
+Carlisle– “Originally she wanted to talk to Mike, but he’s off today,
+and I haven’t been able to locate him.She’s upset about the charges
+against Leroy Johnson. She’s just learned what they are.”
+
+Will – “I just enforce the law, I don’t make it.” Will would rather
+not have to talk to her, but he agrees to visit the hospital. He
+looks at Joan, “Sorry, I’ll try to be there when you’re done.”
+
+Joan – “Dad, don’t worry about it. No one’s going to be able to see
+anything anyway.”
+
+Will gets up, hugs Joan, and kisses her on the forehead, “I wanted to
+go because I love you.”
+
+At Dawson State
+
+As Cee-Cee had predicted, all the girls and the few boys are wearing
+tights. Joan sticks out like a sore thumb. Cee-Cee and Sister Sarah
+meet them as they walk into the gymnasium, “I look like an idiot!”
+
+Cee-Cee– “No, you look beautiful. You do stand out, but that’s the
+point.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “You need to sign in. Come with me.”
+
+Joan goes with her to register and then returns. The other students
+appear to be practicing their routines. Joan asks, “Should I run
+through my routine again?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “No, you’re ready, but I do want you to do your warm
+up exercise.”
+
+While Joan is doing her exercise, a man’s voice comes over the PA,
+“May I have your attention please.” He pauses while the room quiets
+down, “Two of our judges have been unexpectedly delayed. The
+auditions will continue, but they will be delayed by about an hour.
+We are sorry for the inconvenience.”
+
+Joan – “An hour!I’m already going crazy!”
+
+Cee-Cee– “Just relax. The other students are nervous, too. Why don’t
+you walk around and talk to some of them?”
+
+Joan – “Should I? Isn’t that like consorting with the enemy?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “Many of these students will be your classmates. Wish
+them all luck. It will pay off in the future.”
+
+Joan begins to browse among the students, learning their background,
+hopes, and dreams. Many seem to be just like her.”
+
+At the University Medical Center
+
+Will enters Mrs. Mitchell’s room in the ICU. She appears to be
+resting, but awakes as he enters, “Hello Mrs. Mitchell, I’m Will
+Girardi.”
+
+Mrs. Mitchell – “You don’t remember me, do you?”
+
+Will – “Yes, I remember you. I’m so sorry for your loss. I have a
+teenage daughter of my own.”
+
+Mrs. Mitchell sits up a little, obviously a little groggy, “They made
+me take a sedative, but I still want to talk to you.”
+
+Will – “About your baby?”
+
+Mrs. Mitchell – “Why is Leroy Johnson only being charged with
+burglary and attempted murder?”
+
+Will – “I’m the Chief of Police, not a lawyer, but the law states
+that manslaughter or murder can only be charged if the fetus is
+viable. Your baby was only five months old.”
+
+Mrs. Mitchell – “But he was viable; I could feel him growing inside
+me. I already had a name picked out.”
+
+Will – “I understand your feelings, but I don’t make the law, I just
+enforce it.”
+
+Mrs. Mitchell lies back down on the bed in despair and begins to cry,
+“Well, when I bury Colin next to Lindsay, you can tell me again that
+no one has died here.”
+
+Will is nearly as heartbroken as Mrs. Mitchell, but he cannot think
+of anything appropriate to say in response. He just sincerely says,
+“I’m sorry, Mrs. Mitchell,” and leaves the room.
+
+At Dawson State
+
+Will arrives and sees Elizabeth and Mrs. Goetzmann in the parking
+lot, “Hello Elizabeth, June, are you here for the dance audition?”
+
+Elizabeth– “Yeah, I’m hoping to go here next year.”
+
+Will – “Joan is already inside. I’ll walk with you.”
+
+As they enter the gym, Joan is chatting with the other students. She
+sees Elizabeth and hurries over to greet her, “I didn’t know you
+would be here!”
+
+Elizabeth– “Yeah, me either. We haven’t talked in awhile. I’ve been
+so busy with the Mirror Ball committee. My audition is at ten-thirty,
+when’s yours?”
+
+Joan – “It was to be at nine-thirty, but they have all been delayed
+for an hour. Some of the judges are late.”
+
+Elizabeth– “What’s with the dress?”
+
+Joan – “It was Cee-Cee’s idea. I’m the sore thumb.”
+
+Elizabeth’s dance instructor approaches, “Hello Sister Sarah,
+Cee-Cee, it’s good to see you again.”
+
+Sister Sarah – “It’s only a few times a year, but it’s always a
+pleasure.”
+
+Elizabeth’s instructor – “Are you ready?”
+
+Elizabeth– “Ready as I’ll ever be, but now I have an hour to kill.”
+
+Elizabeth’s instructor – “Come with me and we’ll get you signed in.”
+
+Elizabethleaves, and Cee-Cee says to Joan, “I would like you to do
+your warm up routine again. It’s almost time.”
+
+Joan does her warm up routine again and hears her name called over
+the PA. All give her hugs and best wishes.
+
+Grace – “Break a leg, hah hah.”
+
+Adam – “Good luck, Jane.”
+
+Joan smiles and gives Adam a kiss. All of her anxiety melts away. She
+is ready.
+
+After Joan leaves, Cee-Cee says, “Come with me, but be quiet.”
+
+All are curious, but remain silent as requested. She takes them to an
+elevator, and then into a room with a large window. “This is a
+two-way mirror. We can watch from here.”
+
+Helen – “I didn’t think we were going to be able to watch!”
+
+Cee-Cee– “I decided not to tell her, because I knew she would be
+nervous enough already. We will tell her after it’s over, but we do
+have to be quiet.”
+
+Before Joan enters the room downstairs, she says a prayer to herself,
+“I don’t know if this is allowed, but if you can, please help me not
+to mess this up.”
+
+One of the judges explains the rules and instructs Joan to put her
+music in the player. Joan starts the CD at the end of the previous
+song and stands waiting for her song to begin.
+
+As described before, the song, ‘Last Dance’, starts out slow. She
+begins to float around the room, doing the slower dance moves she has
+practiced. Then, when the pace picks up, she erupts into the faster
+dances, demonstrating her versatility like the toe of a bird.
+Everyone, including the judges, are awestruck. It is rare that the
+judges see such a performance during an audition. They thank Joan and
+tell her she will learn of their decision when the evaluations are
+complete.
+
+When Joan returns to the gym, her family greets her and informs her
+that they were allowed to watch.
+
+Helen – “You were wonderful!”
+
+Grace – “Well, I wasn’t surprised. I saw her practice.”
+
+Adam – “They have to let you in, you’re so good!”
+
+Luke – “I’m proud of you. Adam is right, you are really good.”
+
+Will catches Joan’s eye. He’s just standing there, glowing at her. He
+gives her a hug and says, “Ginger Rogers, take note.”
+
+Joan laughs, “Yeah, but I didn’t have to do it in high heels or
+backwards.”
+
+Joan lets go of her father, “Thank all of you, but I was so scared.
+She looks at Sister Sarah and Cee-Cee, “I said a prayer before I went
+in. Was that cheating?”
+
+Sister Sarah – “No, not at all.All talent is on loan from God.”
+
+At Home
+
+They all sit down to lunch. While they eat, each of them comments on
+different parts of Joan’s routine. Joan is getting tired of all the
+“thank you’s,” but is still pleased with the attention. After lunch,
+she decides to take a nap. She bids Adam farewell, and she and Grace
+retire to the bedroom.
+
+Grace – “Do you want me to set the alarm?”
+
+Joan – “No, we’ll be fine. We’ll wake up before it’s time to leave
+for the ‘Battle of the Bands’.”
+
+At the Beachland Ballroom
+
+Joan has assumed her duties collecting money. She is happy to be
+working with Mrs. Villa again. Adam is up preparing the lighting, and
+Grace and Luke are setting up the refreshments.
+
+Mrs. Villa – “It’s nice to see you again. It’s been a long time,
+sugar.”
+
+Joan – “I know. When Rahav stopped teaching dance, she recommended
+that I go to St. Mary’s Convent. I just haven’t needed to come to
+this side of town.”
+
+Mrs. Villa – “That’s okay. I grill Alex occasionally to find out how
+you are. Going to college at Dawson State, that’s impressive.”
+
+Joan – “Well, it’s not for sure yet, but I have a good chance.”
+
+Upstairs, Grace, Luke, and Lilly are helping to place the baked goods
+on tables. There is actually more than they expected, and men are
+setting up additional tables for the goodies. Cakes, pies, cookies,
+cupcakes, tarts, if you can bake it, it’s there. Ladies from church
+groups all across town are present with their baked goods.
+
+People arrive, and as Joan asks for the donation, she also offers to
+sell a raffle ticket, “Would you like to buy a raffle ticket for
+baked goods? It’s only a dollar, and there are all kinds of goodies
+to choose from. There will be ten winners.”
+
+The ballroom is nearly full when the ‘\ Quaker Sisterhood\ ’ begins
+to play. They begin to play their unique style of music, and they
+have a new member, a pianist, adding another instrument to their
+sound. All, young and old, begin to dance and enjoy the music.
+
+Joan continues to greet the new arrivals and sell raffle tickets.
+Elizabeth, Jim, and her parents arrive, “The music sounds great! This
+is Jim.”
+
+Joan – “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”
+
+Jim – “Elizabeth wants us to have at least one dance. Will that be
+okay?”
+
+Joan – “Let me talk to Adam, and then I’ll let you know.”
+
+Will, Helen, and Kevin arrive. Joan goes through her sales pitch and
+is pleased when her father buys ten raffle tickets, “Thanks Dad, I
+hope you win.”
+
+Will – “It’s for a good cause. Actually, I hope I don’t win. I have
+enough trouble keeping my weight down as it is.”
+
+Joan – “I’ll come see you on a break later.”
+
+Mrs. Villa – “Why don’t you take one now. I know you want to talk to
+Adam.”
+
+Joan thanks Mrs. Villa and heads up to the balcony to be with Adam.
+
+Lilly sees Kevin enter the refreshment area. She announces to Kevin,
+Luke, and Grace, “It’s time to go to the ballroom.”
+
+Grace – “But we’re needed here.”
+
+Lilly – “Don’t argue with me, it’s a surprise. Come on.”
+
+Joan meets with Adam in the balcony, “Hi, oh you’re alone tonight.
+Would you like some company?”
+
+Adam – “Always, and you’re just in time.”
+
+Joan – “Time for what?”
+
+Adam – “Watch.”
+
+Will and Helen walk out onto the dance floor as Brother Jimi comes on
+stage, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention.” He waits
+for a moment until the commotion dies down, “I want to thank all of
+you for coming tonight, but I also want to take this opportunity to
+introduce an honored guest.” Adam turns the spotlight on Will and
+Helen. “Let me present Police Chief Will Girardi and his lovely wife
+Helen. If it wasn’t for Chief Girardi and the Arcadia Police
+Department, we wouldn’t be here tonight.” There is an uncomfortable
+silence as the crowd wonders what he will say next. “As you know,
+they were not able to disarm the bomb that destroyed St. Paul’s
+Lutheran Church. However, thanks to their great work, three other
+religious institutions were saved. Please join me in giving him a
+warm round of applause.”
+
+The crowd applauds, cheers, and whistles. When the noise dies down,
+Alice takes the microphone, “Mr. and Mrs. Girardi, would you do us
+the honor of beginning the next dance?”
+
+Alicesignals to her group, and they begin to play the song, ‘Don't It
+Make My Brown Eyes Blue’. Will and Helen dance slowly to the music.
+
+Elizabethenters the balcony, “Have you asked him yet?”
+
+Joan – “No, I haven’t had a chance. This is sooo cool!”
+
+Elizabeth– “Well, it’s not over yet. Adam, can Joan have a dance with
+Jim? I really want her to see what a good dancer he is.”
+
+Joan looks at Adam, “I won’t if it’s going to upset you.”
+
+Adam – “No, go ahead. We’ll have our dance at the Mirror Ball.”
+
+Elizabethtakes Joan down to Jim and continues to the stage. When the
+song ends, she takes the microphone, “Last summer, Mr. Girardi saved
+my life by carrying me out of the fire at the Community Theater. I
+only got to sing this song once. I would like to sing it again for
+him.” She nods to Alice, and she begins to sing the ‘I Don't Know How
+To Love Him’. All just watch and listen while she sings.
+
+When she finishes, Brother Jimi returns to the stage, “Thank you
+Elizabeth, that was beautiful. Our next group is from Charles Town,
+West Virginia. Let’s give a warm welcome to ‘\ The Southern Cross.’”
+The crowd applauds, and they begin to play their first number, ‘Sweet
+Home Alabama’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd. All begin to dance. Adam has fun
+with the spotlight, periodically spotlighting different people he
+knows. Joan and Jim, Grace and Luke, Kevin and Lilly, Rebecca and Dr.
+Dan, Glynis and Friedman, and Alice with someone.
+
+After this song, Joan and Lilly return to their duties. Luke walks
+with Grace to the restroom. As he waits outside, he hears Grace
+getting sick. He enters and finds her hugging the toilet, “It looks
+like I need to take you home.”
+
+Grace – “No, if you do, how will Joan and Adam get home?”
+
+Luke – “My dad can take them.”
+
+Grace – “Your parents don’t plan to stay that long. Adam needs to
+stay until the end of the show.”
+
+Luke – “I’ll have Kevin take us.”
+
+Grace – “No. Ask your dad if he’s ready to go home. I’ll go with
+them.”
+
+Luke – “I’ll go with you.”
+
+Grace – “No, you’re staying here. I want you to have fun. Besides,
+they haven’t had the raffle yet.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan goes to bed to find Grace sound asleep, purring with a soft
+snore. “Rats! I have to remember to get to sleep before Grace.” At
+least it’s not as bad as some nights. She lays her head on the pillow
+and thinks about how much she enjoyed the evening. Despite Grace’s
+song of saws, she falls asleep quickly.
+
+Judith – “Hey, I saw your dance routine today. You were fantastic!”
+
+Joan – “Thanks, I was so nervous. I’m really glad that I didn’t mess
+up. How have you been?”
+
+Judith – “Oh, just being me, a free spirit, playing with the angels,
+but this isn’t just a social call. I need to tell you something.”
+
+Joan – “What?”
+
+Judith – “Grace needs you.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I know. It’s going to be hard for her, now that she’s
+decided to keep the baby.”
+
+Judith – “You need to go to her, now.”
+
+Joan looks around, “Where is she? It’s just you and me here.”
+
+Judith – “She’s in the bathroom. WAKE UP!!!”
+
+Joan sits up in bed with a start. She looks around her dimly lit
+room. She’s alone. She slips out of bed and walks to the bathroom.
+She listens. She can hear Grace crying through the door. She quietly
+calls out her name, “Grace, are you all right?” Grace doesn’t answer,
+but Joan can still hear her crying. She turns the doorknob and finds
+it’s not locked. She walks in to find Grace sitting on the toilet,
+sobbing, “Grace, what’s wrong?”
+
+Grace looks up with tears still flowing from her eyes, “I… I lost my
+baby!”
+
+Joan kneels beside her and just holds her while she continues to sob,
+“Why did God do this to me? I didn’t want to get pregnant in the
+first place.”
+
+Joan remembers something she once heard, “The truth of God’s love is
+not that he allows bad things to happen. It’s his promise that he’ll
+be here with us when they do.” She stands up, “Come on, let’s get you
+back into bed.” Grace stands up, but she staggers slightly. Joan
+catches her, “Just lean on me.”
+
+Joan helps her back into bed. After Grace falls asleep, she takes
+her hand and prays silently. She then joins her in silken repose.
diff --git a/20-ADarkNightofGrace.rst b/20-ADarkNightofGrace.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e07b98d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/20-ADarkNightofGrace.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,2094 @@
+Episode 3.20, A Dark Night of Grace
+-----------------------------------
+
+Joan once again makes snow angels, but this time she is lying in bed.
+It will be nice having the whole bed again, but it will also be
+lonely. She has gotten used to having Grace sleeping beside her. Oh,
+but the song of saws will not be missed. Mixed feelings, but she
+realized that Grace needs her father. That’s why she made the call.
+Although she refused to tell him why, Rabbi Polonsky knew that Joan
+would not have called if it wasn’t necessary. He returned to Arcadia
+this evening.
+
+Rabbi Polonsky had plans to come home anyway, just not this soon.
+Sarah is progressing better than expected, and her release is already
+scheduled. Next Sunday is the big day. Grace and her father will
+travel to Baltimore and return once again as a family.
+
+Although Joan, Luke, and Adam all try to be supportive, Grace refuses
+to talk about it. Instead, she diligently works to finish the second
+bootie. Joan joins her and by late afternoon, both sets of booties
+are finished.
+
+Grace – “Can you get these to Mrs. Finnegan?”
+
+Joan – “We can give them to Sister Sarah tomorrow.”
+
+Grace – “No, I can’t, you have to do it for us.”
+
+When Joan returns from work, Grace is gone. A somber day fades as
+Joan
+joins\ `Annie <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/12577456/e6e81f74/Heart%20-%20Dreamboat%20Annie.mp3>`__\ on
+her ship of dreams.
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+At School
+
+Joan – “Hey.”
+
+Grace – “Hey.”
+
+Joan – “How’s your father?”
+
+Grace – “He’s fine; why did you call him?”
+
+Joan – “Because I thought you needed him.”
+
+Grace – “Well, now there’s this thing hanging out there. What am I
+supposed to say to him? ‘Dad, I accidentally got pregnant, I decided
+I wanted to keep the baby, and then I lost it.’ Which revelation do
+you think my father, the rabbi, would understand?”
+
+Joan – “All of them, because he is a rabbi, and mostly because he is
+your father.”
+
+Grace – “Yes, he’s my father, which is why he won’t understand any of
+it.”
+
+Joan – “So, you didn’t tell him? What about your mom?”
+
+Grace – “She has her own problems to deal with.”
+
+Joan – “Grace, you have to talk to somebody about this. Will you talk
+to Luke?”
+
+Grace – “Hey, I already have El Shaddai’s ear, and I’m not finished
+cussing at him yet. Just drop it!” She turns and darts off in the
+other direction.
+
+Joan calls after her, “Grace, wait! Who?”
+
+Luke walks up as Grace leaves, “What did she say?”
+
+Joan – “I’m not sure… something about yelling at some Spanish guy.”
+
+At 570 Elcaro Street
+
+Lilly – “Does that look clean to you? Never mind, it probably does.
+Listen up dregs, the new owners will be moving in tomorrow. This
+place must be clean before we leave, and I have plans for this
+evening. Get to work.”
+
+Homeless Man – “I’ve made some coffee. Would you like a cup?”
+
+Lilly – “It’s about time you learned how to make it. I don’t suppose
+you saved me any donuts.”
+
+He walks over to a toolbox and retrieves two donuts, “I hid some in
+there for you.”
+
+Lilly – “Thank God, I’m starving!”
+
+Homeless Man – “You’re welcome.” He lets Lilly enjoy her donuts, and
+then he continues, “Do you know who the new owners are?”
+
+Lilly – “I don’t have anything to do with that. I just make sure
+everything is repaired and ready to go. All I know is that this will
+be a store and four families will live in the apartments upstairs.”
+
+Homeless Man – “Urban renewal and you are an urban legend.”
+
+Lilly – “Yeah, right.If you ever decide you no longer want to be
+homeless, let me know. I know someone who will be needing a
+roommate.”
+
+Homeless Man – “No, thank you, I prefer to live everywhere.”
+
+At School
+
+Teacher – “Class, we have a new student today. Her name
+is\ `Fatimah <https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzD_A1TK-sRLeXVVNXBmRjJhU1U/edit?usp=sharing>`__\ Fakiri.”
+Fatimah whispers in the teacher’s ear, and then the teacher
+continues, “But apparently I have mispronounced her name. Would you
+say your name for us?”
+
+Fatimah –
+“\ \ `Fatimah <https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzD_A1TK-sRLYjNIQXlNY29RT2c/edit?usp=sharing>`__\ ,
+but I prefer to be called Tima.”
+
+Teacher – “Thank you, Tima. Please give her a warm welcome.”
+
+When the class claps, Tima shyly smiles. The teacher directs her to
+an empty seat next to Alice.
+
+Alice – “That’s a pretty scarf you’re wearing. I thought Muslim women
+were supposed to be plainly dressed.”
+
+Tima– “Oh, thank you, my mother made this for me. It’s called a
+khimar. We are required to conceal our beauty, but we are permitted
+to wear attractive clothing.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Jeanne – “Will, a Mr. Farrell from the ACLU would like to speak with
+you.”
+
+Will – “What does he want?”
+
+Jeanne – “He wouldn’t say. Shall I send him in?”
+
+Will – “Sure, why not?” Jeanne brings him in and Will greets him,
+“Hello Mr. Farrell. How can I help you?”
+
+Mr. Farrell – “Hello Chief Girardi. I’d like to speak with you about
+your association with Brother Jimi’s committee.”
+
+Will – “What is it you would like to know?”
+
+Mr. Farrell – “We have concerns that all of its members are
+affiliated with religious organizations.”
+
+Will – “Brother Jimi solicited the membership of his committee. A
+majority of the citizens of Arcadia belong to some religious
+organization. It is an efficient means to solicit input from our
+citizens.”
+
+Mr. Farrell – “His committee only represents citizens who are
+affiliated with religious organizations.”
+
+Will – “The committee is neither a religious nor a political
+organization. It provides a forum to present recommendations to the
+police department regarding how we can better serve the entire
+community.”
+
+Mr. Farrell – “Again, he only represents those citizens who have
+religious beliefs. This is a clear endorsement of religion and a
+violation of the separation of church and state. I must protest this
+association.”
+
+Will – “The last time I checked, people with religious beliefs are
+not barred from participating in civic activities. Would you like to
+recommend a representative from the Arcadia Association of Atheists?”
+
+Mr. Farrell gets angry, “There is no such organization. If you insist
+on continuing this association, we will file suit.”
+Will – “Well, Mr. Farrell, I guess we will see each other in court.
+Good day.”
+At School
+
+Just before the bell rings, the teacher asks the class, “Who has AP
+Calculus next?”
+
+Grace looks for someone else to respond, then slowly raises her hand.
+
+Teacher – “Good, please show Tima her way to class.”
+
+Grace gives the teacher a dumbfounded look, and then looks at Tima.
+“Sure, why not, just don’t talk to me.” Tima quietly follows.
+
+On the way, they meet Luke, “Who’s your friend?”
+
+Grace – “An acquaintance, Tima, Luke; Luke, Tima.”
+
+Tima– “Luke, it’s nice to meet you.”
+
+Luke – “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, this is the classroom.”
+
+Timathanks her and enters the room.
+
+Luke – “We need to talk.”
+
+Grace – “About what?”
+
+Luke – “You know what.”
+
+Grace – “Oh, about me leading Tima to the Promised Land? It wasn’t my
+idea.”
+
+Luke – “Huh?”
+
+The bell rings, and Grace says, “Never mind” as they enter the
+classroom.
+
+At The Herald
+
+Rebecca – “Here are five stories I want you to check, and I e-mailed
+links for three more.”
+
+Kevin – “Why didn’t you just e-mail links for all of them.”
+
+Rebecca – “I can’t go cold turkey. Deal with it.”
+
+Kevin – “No problem.Accept the good stuff and move on. That’s my
+motto.”
+
+Rebecca – “So, what are you going to write for your class tonight?”
+
+Kevin – “How did you know about that?”
+
+Rebecca – “Lilly and I are getting together tonight. We talked
+earlier.”
+Kevin – “Oh, it’s almost done. I call it ‘Floating Effortlessly Above
+the Masses’. Do you think the title’s too long?”
+
+Rebecca – “Yeah, it’s a little wordy. It sounds more like a title for
+one of your legal papers. Why don’t you try something shorter?”
+
+Kevin – “Any suggestions?”
+
+Rebecca thinks for a moment, “How about ‘Crowd Surfing’?”
+
+At School
+
+Ms. Lischak – “Greetings, hormonal units. This week we will be
+discussing human reproduction.”
+
+As the class grows silent, Grace whispers, “Just what I need!”
+
+Ms. Lischak continues, “You have all had how-to instruction in health
+class. We will be discussing the physical, chemical, and biological
+processes involved in reproduction.”
+
+Darlene raises her hand, “So, we’re not going to talk about
+premarital sex?”
+
+Ms. Lischak – “We will be discussing the hardware. For software
+support, please seek advice from your parents. Pay attention, because
+we will be going into great detail.” She flips a quarter in the air,
+“Lukey G., call it.”
+
+Luke – “Heads.”
+
+Ms. Lischak catches the quarter, “Tails, you lose. The hormone
+released by the area of the brain known as the hypothalamus begins at
+the onset of sexual maturity…”
+
+At 570 Elcaro Street
+
+Lilly – “No, get in here! You are not ‘Robin the Graff Wonder’ here.
+The last thing that I need is a mess to clean up on the sidewalk.”
+
+She closes the window and then releases two latches at the top of the
+windowpane, “See, they fold in, so you don’t have to hang out of the
+window to clean it.”
+
+Robin gives her a ‘who-cares’ look and returns to cleaning the
+window. She sprays the window with cleaner.
+
+Lilly – “No, not that one!” Lilly rummages through the supplies and
+finds a bottle of Windex, “Use this one. Scrubbing Bubbles is for the
+bathroom.”
+
+The homeless man calls from the doorway, “There’s a problem with the
+toilet on the fourth floor. It won’t flush.”
+
+Lilly – “Wonderful, and when did you learn that it didn’t work?”
+
+Homeless Man – “Well…”
+
+Lilly doesn’t wait for him to finish. She grabs a plunger and heads
+for the doorway. As she passes through, she gives him a tart smile
+and says, “Holy crap, Batman!”
+
+As Lilly disappears downstairs, the homeless man smiles and whispers
+to himself, “Batman?”
+
+At School
+
+After biology class, Glynis comments, “I think it’s fascinating.
+Human reproduction is an incredible process. It’s very important that
+we know how our bodies work.”
+
+Grace – “I think that health class was enough.”
+
+Joan – “It’s a miracle, that’s all I need to know.”
+
+Luke – “That really wasn’t as embarrassing as I thought it would be.
+Ms. Lischak is actually explaining how everything works. It’s
+science.”
+
+Adam – “Well, I really felt uncomfortable. Why couldn’t they separate
+us into classes for boys and girls? The stress has given me a
+headache.”
+
+Glynischuckles, “Hey, that’s my line.”
+
+Friedman glares at Glynis and then looks back to the others, “Glynis
+has a point. It’s important for each of us to know how our body
+works, and how the body of the opposite sex works. Do you think Ms.
+Lischak would give extra credit if…?”
+
+Grace interrupts, “I don’t think she’d even want to know what you
+have in mind.”
+
+Joan – “Am I the only one who noticed something different about Ms.
+Lischak today?”
+
+Luke – “She didn’t seem different to me.”
+
+Joan – “That’s because you’re not a woman.”
+
+Glynis– “Hey, I’m a woman, what did I miss?”
+
+Grace – “The rock on her finger the size of Texas.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will – “Good, I just wanted to make sure we had all of our ducks in a
+row.”
+
+Mimi – “Well, I’m glad you came to me when you first decided to deal
+with Brother Jimi’s committee. The City Charter gives you the
+authority to determine which civic organizations are associated with
+the police department. And as you stated, the fact that the members
+of the committee are also religious leaders is irrelevant, since the
+committee is neither religious nor politically affiliated. Do you
+know Mike Trimble?”
+
+Will – “We’ve met on a few occasions.”
+
+Mimi – “He’s going to handle the case. He’ll be by tomorrow at nine
+o’clock.”
+
+Will – “Don’t you think we’re jumping the gun a bit? The ACLU hasn’t
+filed suit yet.”
+
+Mimi – “Oh, but they will. They’ll sue even if they don’t think they
+can win. They win most of their cases out of court. People just can’t
+afford the legal fees involved, so even if they feel they are right,
+many agree to settle. They claim to be defenders of the Bill of
+Rights, but when it comes to the First Amendment, they choose to read
+it as freedom from religion. They want every aspect of religion
+removed from the public arena, especially when it comes to
+Christianity. It’s better for us to prepare now.”
+
+Will – “Thanks for your help.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan leaves French class looking at a photograph and talking to
+herself, “Est-ce le chemin vers l’église de Saint ‘Remy?Quand
+est-elle l’entrée permitted? Est-ce que je peux être seul dans
+l’église?”
+
+Grace approaches and asks, “What’s that?”
+
+Joan shows her
+the\ `photograph <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/St-1.jpg>`__\ ,
+“It’s Joan of Arc’s church in Domremy-la-Pucelle. I’ll be visiting it
+during spring break.”
+
+Grace – “Right, the French class trip. Has Adam said anything to you
+about it?”
+
+Joan – “Just that he’s happy for me.”
+
+Grace – “Don’t you think he would like to go, too? He would have a
+riot at the art museums.”
+
+Joan – “Yes, but I’m sure he doesn’t have the money. I wouldn’t be
+going if it wasn’t for Kevin. I don’t want to make him feel any worse
+than he already does.”
+
+Grace – “Ask him. Let him decline the offer.”
+
+Joan – “Maybe you’re right. How is it that you can see that I should
+talk to Adam, but you can’t see that you need to talk to someone,
+anyone?”
+
+Grace – “Maybe I’ll take Mr. Dingle for a spin during study hall.”
+
+Joan – “Come on, you know that’s pointless. He’s a moron with a PhD.
+You don’t have to go through this alone. Let us help you.”
+
+Grace – “Gotta go.” Grace turns and walks the other way. As she does,
+she begins to sing, “Dingle bells, dingle bells, dingle all the way…”
+
+At St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
+
+Brother Jimi – “Thanks for coming. I believe you know Father Mallory
+and Rabbi Polonsky.” They acknowledge one another. “Let me introduce
+the other members of the committee.”
+
+After Brother Jimi introduces the others, Will comments, “It’s nice
+to meet all of you. Reverend Sharpton, I have heard of you. Wayne and
+June Goetzmann speak highly of you.”
+
+Reverend Sharpton – “Thank you, I’m glad to hear that. Reverend
+Yardley was loved and respected by our congregation. His shoes have
+been difficult to fill.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Well, let’s get down to business. We really
+appreciate the extra security that you provided for the Beachland
+Ballroom during our last fundraiser. We wanted everyone who attended
+to know they would be safe during the event.”
+
+Will – “You’re welcome, and thank you for the surprise.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Well, we all felt that you and the Arcadia Police
+deserved recognition for a job well done. We are planning another
+event for New Years Eve. Do you think you could help us out again
+with security?”
+
+Will – “That may be possible, but I’ll have to wait until we are
+closer to New Years to know if I can commit the resources.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Fair enough. We have received some complaints about
+the situation at Meadow Park. Many of the residents are concerned
+about the number of people who hang around all night long. They
+believe drug deals are being made. They would like the ten o’clock
+curfew enforced.”
+
+Will – “We already have regular patrols through that area, but curfew
+enforcement is not something we are tasked to enforce. If the
+citizens can assist us with information on actual criminal activity
+going on, then I could justify doing a sweep of the park.”
+
+Reverend Sharpton – “I might be able to help you with that. I’ll call
+you later.” He pauses before he continues, “On another matter, one of
+our parishioner’s works for the zoning commission. She approached me
+with a concern. Are you aware that a mosque is opening on Elcaro
+Street?”
+
+Will – “No, this is the first I have heard of it.”
+
+Reverend Sharpton – “This city is still recovering from the attacks
+of Ryan Hunter and his group. Her concern is that this may mark the
+beginning of another wave of attacks.”
+
+Will – “We don’t know that! It’s only a small percentage of Muslims
+who are involved in terrorism.”
+
+Reverend Sharpton – “Yes, I know, but she came prepared with an
+alarming statistic. The fundamentalist Muslims, about five percent,
+are the ones who support the kind of terrorist acts of September
+11th. If only five percent of American Muslims are Fundamentalists,
+then America has 300 thousand potential terrorists living within our
+mists.”
+
+Will – “Well, I don’t know about those figures, but even if they are
+correct, it doesn’t mean these people are terrorists.”
+
+Reverend Sharpton – “I’m just relaying what she told me. I agree with
+you, but when the news of this becomes more widely known, people are
+going to start asking questions, legitimate questions. I’m only
+bringing it up to make you aware.”
+
+Will – “Has anyone talked to them?”
+
+Father Mallory – “A few of us are planning a visit. Their imam’s name
+is Fakiri. We were wondering if you would like to join us.”
+
+Will – “I don’t feel having the Chief of Police show up is a good
+idea. You should make your visit without me. As long as they are not
+breaking any laws, I have no reason to become involved.”
+
+Brother Jimi – “Well, I’m glad that’s out of the way. We have only
+two more issues to discuss…”
+
+At School
+
+Adam – “Hey, you want to go to the library and look up that hormone
+for biology?”
+
+Grace – “I already know the answer; it’s what is detected by a
+pregnancy test.”
+
+Adam – “Okay, but is that enough of an answer for Ms. Lischak? I have
+dance tonight, so I need to look it up now. I just thought we could
+do it together.”
+
+Grace – “This is just another ploy to get me to talk, isn’t it? Don’t
+you guys get it? I just want to be left alone!”
+
+Adam – “Friends don’t leave friends alone.”
+
+Grace glares at Adam and leaves without making a further comment.
+
+At The Herald
+
+Kevin goes to Rebecca’s desk, “Why do you have ‘Dar al-Islam’ circled
+in this story?”
+
+Rebecca – “That’s the name of the new mosque on Elcaro Street. Imam
+Fakiri wants to announce the opening and to invite everyone to noon
+prayer on Friday. Make sure it’s spelled correctly and find out what
+it means.”
+
+Kevin – “Is ‘Iman’ his name or should it be ‘Imam’ his title?”
+
+Rebecca wonders for a moment, “I don’t know, I didn’t take the call.
+It could be a typo. Find out and maybe you should insert his name
+somewhere in the text.”
+
+Kevin goes back to his desk and does several searches. He finds a
+variety of spellings, but the one provided seems to be the most
+common. It means, ‘House of Peace’. The task of clarifying whether to
+use ‘Iman’ or ‘Imam’ will require more research.
+
+At the Polonsky Residence
+
+Grace enjoys dinner with her father. While staying with the
+Girardi’s, she learned how to make one of his favorite pasta dishes.
+After dinner, she watches a little TV, and then finishes her
+homework. She looks up ‘human chorionic gonadotropin’ on her
+computer. She finds a website that confirms what she already knows.
+She then reads the following:
+
+‘\ HCG may also be produced abnormally by certain tumors. HCG levels
+may be elevated in women who have cancer of the ovaries…\ ’
+
+Grace wonders, ‘Could it be that she was never really pregnant?’ She
+cradles her head in her hands, “Okay, calm down and just breathe.”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan returns from dance class, “Mom, what did we have for dinner?”
+
+Helen – “I made a roast. I’ll fix you a plate. How was class?”
+
+Joan – “Great! We started learning the rumba, and Sister Sarah loved
+the booties Grace and I made for her sister.”
+
+Helen – “That was really nice of you two to make them for her.”
+
+Joan sits quietly at the table while Helen finishes warming her
+dinner. When it’s ready, Helen sits beside her.
+
+Joan – “Mom, I need some advice.”
+
+Helen – “About Grace?”
+
+Joan is astounded, “How’d you know?”
+
+Helen – “It’s a mom thing.” She pauses, cherishing Joan’s expression,
+and then she continues, “Actually, your father had a chat with Rabbi
+Polonsky today. He asked if we knew what was bothering her.”
+
+Joan – “Well, I know, but I can’t say. The problem is that she
+refuses talk to anyone about it.”
+
+Helen – “Does this involve Luke?”
+
+Joan – “He’s involved, but it’s not about him. How can you help
+someone when they won’t let you?”
+
+Helen answers with a question, “If this were one of God’s requests,
+what would you do?”
+
+Joan – “Ahhh, fail, fail, fail.”
+
+Helen – “No you wouldn’t. Remember the story you told me about
+Ramsey? Even though you thought you failed, it turned out that you
+didn’t. Maybe if we put our heads together, we can figure something
+out.”
+
+Joan – “If we put our heads together, you’ll just hear a hollow
+noise.”
+
+Helen – “Oh honey, just give it a little more time.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan – “Hey, where have you been?”
+
+Grace – “I had a thing with my uncle, and then I had to give blood.”
+
+Joan smiles, “Your uncle is a vampire?”
+
+Grace – “Did you know that you aren’t supposed to eat garlic
+twenty-four hours prior to giving blood?”
+
+Joan becomes perplexed, not knowing what to say. Is she serious? She
+decides to give Grace a tart smile and change the subject, “Which
+would you rather have, creamed chicken ala mush or a roast beef
+sandwich?”
+
+Grace – “We have a choice?”
+
+Joan – “You and I do. Come on, let’s go up to the roof and have
+lunch.” After they settle in, Joan says, “I know you don’t want to
+talk about what happened, so I’ve decided I won’t bother you
+anymore.”
+Grace – “Well, it’s about time someone decided to respect my
+privacy.”
+
+Joan adds, “But, I want you to know that I’m here for you if you
+change your mind.”
+
+Joan and Grace eat quietly for a while, and then Grace breaks the
+silence, “You know my mother’s coming home on Sunday.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, your dad told me.”
+
+Grace – “Well, that means we won’t see each other. What are you doing
+on Saturday morning?”
+
+Joan – “Nothing, I guess.”
+
+Grace – “Good, I’ll pick you up at eight.”
+
+Joan – “Where are we going?”
+
+Grace – “I just have a thing to do. I’ll tell you then.”
+
+A heat exchanger that had been running turns off. The sound of
+someone talking softly becomes apparent, and they realize they are
+not alone. As they quietly peer around a roof vent, they observe Tima
+kneeling on a prayer carpet, reciting her prayers. After a few
+moments, Grace gestures. They quietly go back down into the school.
+
+Joan – “Do you know her?”
+
+Grace – “Her name is Tima. She started here yesterday.”
+
+Joan – “She’s Muslim, right?”
+
+Grace asks sarcastically, “What, did the scarf give it away? Yeah,
+she’s Muslim.”
+
+Joan – “I’ve never met a Muslim.”
+
+Grace – “And you still haven’t. You’re better off staying away from
+her.”
+
+Joan – “Why?”
+
+Grace – “Because she’s probably praying that her suicide bomber vest
+arrives before Christmas.”
+
+Joan – “Grace, that’s not fair!”
+
+Grace – “Fair? Tell that to my Aunt Tirza. Thanks for lunch.” She
+darts off, ending the conversation.
+
+At The Herald
+
+Rebecca – “Hey, that was a nice touch adding that ‘Dar al-Islam’
+means ‘House of Peace’.”
+
+Kevin – “Thanks. I couldn’t find out Imam Fakiri’s first name, so I
+stopped by there after work. His first name is Iman! Imam Iman
+Fakiri, now that’s a tongue twister. At least his last name isn’t
+Saad! I put ‘Imam Fakiri’ in the story.”
+
+Rebecca smiles, “Saad, that’s the best you could come up with?”
+
+Kevin returns the smile, “Actually, I came up with a few more.”
+
+Rebecca – “Iman Woman.”
+
+Kevin – “Iman Uglay.”
+
+Rebecca – “Iman bin Laden.”
+
+Kevin – “Iman Assaf.”
+
+With this last one, they both start laughing. Rebecca regains her
+composure first, “Ahhh, okay, that’s enough. We really shouldn’t be
+doing this.”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, I know, but it is funny!”
+
+Rebecca – “I’m sure that Mr. Fakiri is a very nice man.”
+
+They look at each other and begin to laugh again. Rebecca returns to
+her desk, but she’s still carrying a smile. She chuckles as she hears
+Kevin continue to rattle off names, “Iman Idiata, Iman Oaf, Iman
+Evill, Iman Yosles…”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Carlisle – “Hey boss, have you read this morning’s paper?”
+
+Will – “No, I haven’t had time. Where have you been?”
+
+Carlisle – “One of my snitches called with some interesting
+information. Did you hear a mosque is opening on Elcaro Street?”
+
+Will – “Yeah, I’ve heard about it.”
+
+Carlisle – “Well, he overheard some guys talking in the bathroom
+about making trouble. I went to grill him for more information.”
+
+Will – “Do you have any IDs on them, what they’re planning to do?”
+
+Carlisle – “No, he didn’t see them, and they didn’t give specifics.”
+
+Will – “Can you trust this guy?”
+
+Carlisle – “I suppose it could be a stall tale, but he’s been pretty
+reliable in the past.”
+
+Will smiles at Carlisle’s bit of humor and then continues, “Okay,
+have everyone get the word out. I want to know if there is any new
+information.”
+
+Carlisle leaves and Will gets on the phone, “Brother Jimi, I’m glad I
+caught you. Have you met yet with the Imam on Elcaro Street?”
+
+Brother Jimi – “No, we plan to meet in the morning.”
+
+Will – “Good, I would like to come with you.”
+
+At School
+
+Adam – “Hey, Mrs. G., I’ve finished my distortion project. What do
+you think?”
+
+Helen – “It looks,” she pauses wondering, “interesting. I’ll let you
+explain it when the class begins.”
+
+While the other students continue to come in, Adam notices
+a\ `painting <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/catseye_hst_ripple10-Canvas.jpg>`__\ against
+the wall, “Whose is this?”
+
+Helen – “Oh, it’s Tima Fakiri’s. She painted it last summer. Isn’t it
+beautiful?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, it’s like, I don’t know, a stellar rose.”
+
+Helen – “She does call it, ‘The Rose’. It’s her distortion of the
+cat’s eye nebula. She’s added more ripples to it. The
+original\ `picture <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/catseye_hst.jpg>`__\ is
+taped to the back of the canvas.”
+
+Adam pulls the picture off and compares it to the painting. As he
+returns it, he notices writing on the back, “When the sky
+disintegrates, and turns rose colored like paint.”
+
+Adam – “Tima’s in my AP Calc class. I didn’t know that she took art.
+She’s really good!”
+
+Helen – “She told me she’s been painting since she was very young.
+She is talented.”
+
+Adam – “She blew us all away yesterday when she went up to the board
+and solved a problem using Euler’s method. She solved it, but she
+added some strange calculations. Even Luke was scratching his head
+trying to understand her solution. And then, she just walked back to
+her seat like nothing happened.”
+
+Helen – “Today was only her second day in class, but I can tell that
+she’s very smart. I’m going to have fun with her. Now, go to your
+seat.”
+
+At Home
+
+Helen – “Here’s your dinner. How was work?”
+
+Joan – “The same. Actually, it was pretty quiet tonight. I’ve been
+thinking about Grace. She really doesn’t like this new Muslim girl,
+and she doesn’t even know her.”
+
+Helen – “She seems really sweet, but the Jews and Muslims have a long
+and violent history. If everyone could just respect each other's
+right to believe as they choose, the world would be a much better
+place.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t think her religion is the issue. Maybe it’s part of
+it. I think Grace is angry and she’s taking it out on Tima.”
+
+Helen – “Perhaps you could find a way to show Grace that Tima is
+really a nice girl.”
+
+Joan – “Hah!Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to
+change Grace’s mind.”
+
+Helen – “Okay, it will be a challenge, but you can find a way.”
+
+Joan – “That’s what you said yesterday. I still have no idea of what
+to do.”
+
+Will comes into the kitchen and gives Joan a kiss, “How was your
+day?”
+
+Joan – “Fine, just more double, double, toil and trouble.”
+
+Helen – “Oh, Macbeth!”
+
+Joan – “No, Harry Potter.How was your day, Daddy?”
+
+Will – “‘Fire burn and cauldron bubble! Something wicked this way
+comes!’ Hogwarts, right?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, I’m surprised you remember.”
+
+Will – “Well, you did sing that song for weeks after we watched the
+movie.”
+
+Helen, talking aloud to herself, “Great, now I have my example of
+alternative education for the meeting!”
+
+Joan – “What meeting?”
+
+Helen – “Never mind.”
+
+Joan returns to her conversation with her father, “So, you had a bad
+day?”
+
+Will – “No, not really. I’m just trying to prevent problems when the
+new mosque opens on Friday. There’s supposed to be an article in the
+newspaper about it.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I’d like to read that.”
+
+Helen – “The paper’s in the living room.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan – “Hey, I got a B on my calculus test. Thanks for your help.”
+
+Grace – “No problem.Did you find the answer for Ms. Lischak’s
+prostate question?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, it’s ‘prostate specific antigen’, PSA. Just remember
+‘public service announcement’.”
+
+Grace smiles, “Or ‘Partido Socialista Auténtico’.”
+
+Joan – “What?”
+
+Grace – “Never mind, did you bring a lunch again today?”
+
+Joan – “No, I’m going to brave the mystery meat.” She smiles and
+adds, “I just hope it doesn’t have a collar.”
+
+Grace – “Good one, Girardi! I prefer to think of it as viscera-lite.”
+
+Joan – “Eeeuw, I think I lost my appetite.”
+
+Grace – “Oh, get over it.” They get their trays and sit down at a
+table.
+
+Joan – “Will you go with me on a little excursion during lunch this
+Friday?”
+
+Grace – “And to where would that be?”
+
+Joan – “Uh-uh, you don’t get to find out until we get there.”
+
+Grace gives her a disgruntled look. Joan isn’t supposed to play this
+game. Her initial impulse is to refuse; however, she agrees, because
+she really wants Joan to go with her on Saturday, “Yeah, okay, but
+only if we can be late getting back from lunch.”
+
+Joan – “I have it planned so we won’t, but perhaps I can oblige.”
+
+Adam joins them, “Hey, what is this stuff?”
+
+Joan – “Entrailles de chien, bon appétit!”
+
+Adam – “Wow, sounds good, thanks.”
+
+At The Herald
+
+Rebecca – “Hey, thanks for letting me have Lilly for the last few
+nights. We’ve been having a lot of fun.”
+
+Kevin – “And what have you two been up to?”
+
+Rebecca – “Oh no, don’t go there. Lilly made me promise that I
+wouldn’t tell. It’s a surprise.”
+
+Kevin – “Is this about Christmas?”
+
+Rebecca just ignores him and smiles, “Check your inbox. I sent you
+some more stories.”
+
+Kevin takes the hint, “I was wondering about the new mosque opening
+on Friday. Is anyone planning to be there?”
+
+Rebecca is startled by his question and pauses before responding, “I
+wasn’t going to say anything, but Iman Fakiri called. He was furious!
+He didn’t want his name put in the story.”
+
+Kevin – “Do you want me to call him?”
+
+Rebecca – “No, I’ve already apologized. What more could I do? We
+can’t unpublish the newspaper, and a retraction would just attract
+more attention to it.” She pauses and then continues, “Anyway, we
+don’t plan to have anyone at the mosque on Friday. It’s not the type
+of event we typically cover.”
+
+Kevin – “I would like to go to the noon prayers. I think there may be
+a story.”
+
+Rebecca – “Do you know Arabic?”
+
+Kevin – “No, but I have a tape recorder, and I’ve found a professor
+at Dawson State who will translate it for me.”
+
+Rebecca – “Okay, go for it, but if there’s a story, you’re working
+this weekend. I’ll want it for the Sunday addition.”
+
+Kevin – “Will I get overtime?”
+
+Rebecca – “Don’t push it! We’re still just barely keeping it in the
+black. Maybe I’ll give you a byline and a day off.”
+
+Kevin accepts the compromise and returns to work.
+
+At 570 Elcaro Street
+
+Imam Fakiri – “That’s why we are having an open house, so people can
+come to see that Islam is a religion of peace.”
+
+Rabbi Polonsky – “But most people don’t speak Arabic. They won’t know
+what you are saying.”
+
+Imam Fakiri – “The prayers must be spoken in the language of Allah.
+During your services, you recite the Torah in Hebrew. Do people
+accuse you of hiding a terrorist agenda?”
+
+Reverend Sharpton – “Jews and Christian’s have not been flying planes
+into buildings. They haven’t been blowing up passenger trains. And,
+in case you haven’t been paying attention, more Muslims are being
+killed by other Muslims than by anyone else.”
+
+Imam Fakiri – “But we don’t have anything to do with that! That’s why
+we moved here.”
+
+Father Malloy – “What do you mean?”
+
+Imam Fakiri becomes noticeably uncomfortable, “Never mind.”
+
+There is a short silence while the others wonder what he meant, but
+then Will continues, “It’s really not unfair for people to have
+trouble believing that Islam is a religion of peace, when all the
+evidence seems to point to the contrary.”
+
+Reverend Sharpton interjects, “Pay no attention to that man behind
+the curtain, Dorothy.”
+
+Imam Fakiri – “Okay, I see your point, but how can you prove a
+negative?” When no one answers, he continues, “Perhaps since this is
+an open house, we can make an exception. I will speak to my daughter
+when she comes home from school.”
+
+Will – “We have received unconfirmed threats against your mosque. I
+feel it would be prudent to have a police presence here on Friday.”
+
+Imam Fakiri – “No, that would not be acceptable. Who would people
+think you were protecting? And from whom?”
+
+Will – “The purpose is to protect all who attend. I think it is a
+wise precaution.”
+
+Imam Fakiri thinks for a few moments, “Okay, but plain clothes
+officers only, and I don’t want anyone to know they are here.”
+
+At School
+
+Leaving biology class, Glynis comments, “That picture of
+a\ `fetus <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Fetus.jpg>`__\ was
+so cute.”
+
+Joan – “I wish you wouldn’t use that word!”
+
+Adam – “Chill, Jane!She didn’t mean anything by it.”
+
+Grace – “I’ve seen it before. They use ultrasound and a technique
+called 3D surface rendering. Can we talk about something else now?”
+
+Friedman – “Her discussion of brain development will probably be a
+test question… starts between the eight and fourteenth weeks, got
+it.”
+
+Grace – “That’s a statistical average. In your case, pick ‘none of
+the above’.”
+
+Friedman ignores her comment and continues, “Ms. Lischak said that on
+Friday, we will finish with what happens during birth. That’ll be
+cool.”
+
+Glynis– “My mom told me that I was an easy childbirth, just a few
+hours of labor, and then boink, there I was.”
+
+Grace – “Boink? Isn’t that what started it all? Never mind, why did I
+sear that image on my brain?”
+
+Friedman – “Touchy today, are we? That time of the month?” All the
+girls slap him.
+
+Grace – “Friedman, have you heard of the term, ‘retroactive
+abortion’?”
+
+Friedman retorts, “Of course, that was the final solution to ‘\ The
+Butterfly Effect\ ’. Unbirth. To be, or not to be: that is the
+question. My name is I was, not I am. O, doth thou summon me to your
+temporal orb…”
+
+Grace interrupts, “Enough, already! When I was born, I was so
+surprised that I didn’t talk for a year and a half. Maybe you should
+try it!”
+
+Grace darts down the hall. Luke looks at Friedman and asks, “Why did
+you do that?”
+
+Friedman – “Hey, I promised I wouldn’t call her ‘Marg’ anymore. I
+never said anything about not pushing her buttons.”
+
+Luke hears Joan giggling, “What’s with you? You know why she’s
+upset.”
+
+Joan – “I’m sorry, but I can’t help it. What Grace said is actually
+kind of funny.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will ponders the conversation with Imam Fakiri. ‘That’s why we moved
+here.’ It was obviously a slip, but what did he mean? Is he a
+law-abiding citizen who just happens to be a Muslim, or has a
+terrorist cell actually moved into Arcadia? What is he hiding?
+
+Carlisle – “Hey boss, you wanted to see me?”
+
+Will – “Yeah. I want you and Sgt. Collins to attend the open house at
+the Elcaro Street mosque on Friday. Wear plain clothes, but something
+appropriate for church.”
+
+Carlisle – “We haven’t heard anything further about the threat to the
+mosque. This may not be necessary.”
+
+Will – “It’s just a precaution. Watch everybody.”
+
+Carlisle – “Will do.”
+
+Carlisle leaves and Will gets on the phone. It rings for a long time,
+but just as he thinks it’s going into voice mail, Victor picks up,
+“Will, how have you been?”
+
+Will – “Hi Victor, how did you know it was me?”
+
+Victor – “Caller ID, it’s a great tool. What’s up?”
+
+Will – “Well, it may be something or it may be nothing, but I would
+like you to get some information for me. A man named Iman Fakiri…”
+
+At 570 Elcaro Street
+
+Kevin – “Hello, my name is Kevin Girardi. I’m with The Arcadia
+Herald. Is Iman Fakiri at home?”
+
+Tima– “My father is working and cannot be disturbed. Did you say
+Girardi?”
+
+Kevin – “Yes, with *The* Arcadia Herald.”
+
+Tima– “Do you have a brother named Luke?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, do you know him?”
+
+Tima– “No, not really, but I have met him. What is it that you want
+with my father?”
+
+Kevin – “I just wanted to get some more information about the open
+house you have planned at your mosque.”
+
+Tima– “My father doesn’t talk to reporters, and he has asked me not
+to either. Just come on Friday and you can see for yourself.”
+
+Kevin – “May I ask just one question? Where did you live before
+moving here?”
+
+Timaignores the question, “I have to go. I’ll walk you out.”
+
+When the elevator stops at the first floor, it suddenly drops another
+foot. Tima looses her balance and falls against Kevin’s chair,
+spilling some of the contents of her purse. The elevator then slowly
+rises up to the threshold and the door opens.
+
+Tima– “This has gotten a lot worse. I’m so sorry. Are you all right?”
+
+Kevin – “I’m fine. Are you okay?”
+
+Timarubs her arm, “Yeah, I’ll be okay. I wish they would come and fix
+this. My mom is getting tired of calling them.”
+
+Kevin – “I know someone who can help.”
+
+Kevin collects her things and Tima puts them back into her purse,
+“Thank you. Good night.”
+
+At School
+
+A strange girl dressed like a Carollesque dormouse is reciting poetry
+in the foyer. Singing poetry, actually. She seems oblivious to
+everyone around her, but more bizarre is that everyone seems
+oblivious of her. Joan probably would have passed her by as well, but
+her voice is alluring. Joan stops to listen.
+
+*Dancing madly backwards
+Memories racing forward
+Tinsel showers from rainbow skies
+Protect the rose of vision
+Thought turns inward on a journey
+*To* see God in the mind’s eye*
+
+Girl – “What do you think? Am I real or am I Memorex?”
+
+Joan – “Surreal is more like it.”
+
+Girl – “Sir Real, I like that, Joan.”
+
+Joan – “Oh God!Where have you been? You know that I worry when you
+don’t come around. Have I done something wrong?”
+
+God – “I’m always here, in everything you see and everyone you meet,
+and no, you are doing just fine. However, I do have a suggestion.”
+
+Joan – “A suggestion?”
+
+God – “Today is half price day at the thrift store. You should go buy
+a couple scarves.”
+
+Joan – “I don’t need scarves! I’m all about scarves. I have tons of
+them.”
+
+God – “Head scarves. You and Grace will need them.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, I didn’t think about that. Thanks. Am I doing the right
+thing?”
+
+God – “You will have an effect.”
+
+Joan – “Come on God, a little guidance would help here.”
+
+God – “Hints, Joan, I leave hints everywhere. You should go or you’ll
+be late.”
+
+The bell rings so Joan rushes off to class.
+
+At The Herald
+
+Kevin – “I tried to get an interview with Iman Fakiri last night, but
+his daughter wouldn’t let me talk to him.”
+
+Rebecca – “You’re really into this story. I hope it’s worth your
+time.”
+
+Kevin – “Have you ever heard of an organization called Coexist?”
+
+Rebecca – “Not an organization, but a cause. Bono of U2 is big into
+it. It’s a plea for the people of the world’s three major religions
+to stop killing one another.”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, I’ve heard some of Bono’s quotes, ‘Jesus, Jew,
+Mohammed, it’s true… all sons of Abraham,’ but is there actually an
+organization?”
+
+Rebecca – “I don’t think so, at least not on a national or
+international scale. I have heard of some small groups on college
+campuses. Some clothing manufacture has grabbed the patent on the
+logo. Does this have something to do with Imam Fakiri, or did we
+change the subject?”
+
+Kevin – “I came across a variation of the more common logo and I was
+just wondering about it. It’s nothing.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will is watching the morning news and reviewing the logs from last
+evening with Sgt. Williams.
+
+TV reporter – “An Akron, Ohio, man has been arrested for plotting to
+stage a terrorist attack. He planned to place grenades inside
+trashcans at a local suburban shopping mall. The suspect also made a
+videotape in preparation for the attack.
+
+In other news…”
+
+Will looks at Toni, maintaining a serious expression, “I’ll bet he’s
+a Methodist. Those Methodists are always causing trouble.”
+
+Toni looks at him in disbelief, and then smirks, “Come on, Will, you
+know what he is.”
+
+Will smiles, “Of course I know. Why do they do that? Do they think
+we’re that stupid?”
+
+Toni – “Apparently so.A lot of the news outlets are doing it.”
+
+Will returns to reviewing the ledger, “Do we have an ID on the
+Liqueur Mart robber?”
+
+Toni – “Armond Washington. We have him on the security camera. We’ve
+put an APB out for him.”
+
+Will – “Wasn’t he a suspect in the Quickie Mart robbery? Black male,
+wears his hair in dreadlocks, right?”
+
+Toni – “Yeah, he’s out on bail.”
+
+The news once again catches Will’s attention.
+
+TV reporter – “In local news, the Liqueur Mart on 5th street was
+robbed again last night. The police have identified the suspect as
+Armond Washington. He is six feet tall and wears a beard. The police
+have asked for the public’s help in locating him.”
+
+Will looks at the television in disbelief and then looks back at
+Toni, “I’m not going to say it.” He returns to the ledger, “What
+about the mosque threat, anything new?”
+
+Toni – “Not a peep.Carlisle thinks it may have just been some guys
+blowing hot air.”
+
+Will – “Well, I’m still going to have him and Sgt. Collins on the
+inside.” He looks at his watch, “I have to go. I have an appointment
+with Mike Trimble. I can’t miss it again. I’ll be back after lunch.”
+
+At School
+
+Luke – “Come on Grace, you’ve barely talked to me all week. We can’t
+go on like this.”
+
+Grace – “I told you, I don’t want to talk about it. It’s all I can do
+just to sit through biology class every day. ‘Doth God pervert
+judgment? Or doth the Almighty pervert justice?’”
+
+Luke – “You’ve been reading the Torah?”
+
+Grace – “I memorized it, remember?”
+
+Luke – “So, you believe what happened is some kind of punishment?”
+
+Grace – “‘For we are consumed in Thine anger, and by Thy wrath are we
+hurried away.’ You don’t want to be near me, dude.”
+
+Luke – “Memorizing something and understanding it are two different
+things. I don’t know much about God, but I don’t think he goes around
+punishing people. People do that well enough on their own. You should
+talk to your father.”
+
+Grace – “My father will never know about this. Ever!”
+
+At The Herald
+
+Rebecca – “Is it all right if I borrow Lilly again tonight.”
+
+Kevin – “You’ll have to ask her.”
+
+Rebecca – “I already have. I just want to make sure it’s okay with
+you.”
+
+Kevin – “I have some class work I can do tonight. I’m actually
+surprised that you and Lilly have become such good friends, but I’m
+glad, too. She doesn’t allow many people to get close to her. Just
+let me have her once in a while.”
+
+Rebecca – “Come on, we don’t spend that much time together.”
+
+Kevin – “I was just kidding. It’s fine.”
+
+Rebecca – “I need to talk to Dan, but why don’t we all do something
+together this weekend.”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, that sounds good.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan arrives for biology class a little early and approaches Ms.
+Lischak at her desk, “May I ask you a personal question?”
+
+Ms. Lischak – “You know I don’t discuss my personal life with
+students.”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, but I was just wondering about your ring.”
+
+Ms. Lischak looks at her hand, “Carbon in transparent form, created
+under pressure, a girl’s best friend.”
+
+Joan – “Pressure, that’s good. Who is your second best friend?”
+
+Ms. Lischak pauses for a moment, just looking at Joan, “Will you be
+attending the Mirror Ball?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, Adam is taking me.”
+
+Ms. Lischak – “Sometimes the solution to mysteries just requires
+being in the right place at the right time. Go to your seat, Ms.
+Girardi.”
+
+At the Police Station
+
+Will is jotting down facts, working on a statement for Mike Trimble.
+He’s detailing everything he can remember about the events that lead
+to his association with Brother Jimi’s committee. His cell phone
+rings, “Will Girardi.”
+
+Victor – “Hi Will, I have some information for you…”
+
+Will – “Uh-huh… yeah… yeah… really!”
+
+At Home
+
+Helen – “It’s nice to have everyone at dinner, well almost everyone.
+Where is Lilly this evening?”
+
+Kevin – “She and Rebecca are doing something. It’s a surprise.”
+
+Helen – “Well, tell her we missed her. Luke, you haven’t said the
+prayer in a while. Would you say one for us?”
+
+Luke thinks for a moment, “Dear Lord, if I mix sodium with
+concentrated nitric acid, and add to it Plutonium, would you take
+care of me? Amen.”
+
+Everyone smiles.
+
+Joan – “You’re such a weirdo!”
+
+Kevin – “After dinner, go to\ `The Darwin
+Awards <http://www.darwinawards.com/>`__\ website. You’ll find your
+answer there.”
+
+Helen – “Ah hmm, well, it was a prayer. Let’s eat.”
+
+They pass around the food and everyone enjoys the meal.
+
+Kevin asks Luke, “Do you know a girl named Tima Fakiri?”
+
+Will’s eyes widen momentarily, but he returns his expression back to
+normal before anyone notices.
+
+Luke – “Yeah, she’s in my AP Calculus class.”
+
+Joan – “I know who she is, but we haven’t met.”
+
+Kevin – “I talked to her last night. I found one of her cards in the
+fold of my wheelchair this morning…”
+
+Helen interrupts, “How did that happen?”
+
+Kevin – “It’s a long story.” He hands the card to Luke, “Can you get
+this back to her?”
+
+Joan – “Let
+me\ `see <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/Coexist.jpg>`__\ it.”
+
+Kevin – “I looked up the area code. It’s the Buffalo, New York area.
+I’m guessing that’s where they came from.”
+
+Helen – “Tima is a very nice girl, and talented too. I have her in
+one of my classes. I wish I could show you the painting she made.
+It’s so beautiful. She calls it ‘The Rose’.”
+
+Joan – “Adam mentioned seeing it. He said there was something strange
+written on the back.”
+
+Helen – “It’s only strange to us. It’s a quote from the Koran.”
+
+Joan – “Grace and I saw her praying on the roof the other day. She
+must be very religious.”
+
+Luke – “What does this symbol mean?”
+
+Helen – “See the cross, the Star of David, and the crescent moon and
+star, they’re all religious symbols. It’s a desire, a hope, a vision
+that someday all the worlds major religions will peacefully coexist.”
+
+Will breaks his silence, “Why were you talking to Tima Fakiri?”
+
+Kevin – “I was trying to talk to her father, but she wouldn’t let me.
+I’m trying to get information for a story.”
+
+Will – “Well, there’s a story all right, but it’s not one that should
+be told, at least not in the newspaper. Do you remember Ben Pollack?”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, but what does he have to do with this?”
+
+Will – “Be careful what you write, son.”
+
+Joan becomes frustrated, “What’s with this Illya and Napoleon
+routine? Are you guys going to tell us what you’re talking about?”
+
+Will ignores her, “This steak is nice and tender!”
+
+Joan – “Dad!”
+
+Will – “Let’s just say that Tima Fakiri is a very special young lady
+and leave it at that.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Joan awakens, refreshed from her pursuit of rabbits. She stretches,
+yawns, and smiles at the new day. During her slumber, the
+significance of subtleties coalesced, and clarity of mind is now
+bestowed upon her. She speaks softly to herself, “Protect the rose of
+vision.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan arrives at her locker, still a little dazzled, and somewhat
+apprehensive. The whence, how, and what are still unknown. She finds
+Adam talking with Elizabeth, “Hi.”
+
+Adam – “Elizabeth wants me to help them finish the mirror ball.
+They’re having trouble cutting the mirrors. We’re going to meet
+tomorrow afternoon. Would you like to come?”
+
+Joan – “Um, I don’t know. Who else will be there?”
+
+Elizabeth – “There’ll be Glynis, Friedman, Alice, Adam, and me. Oh,
+and Alice has invited Tima Fakiri, so that’s six so far. Come on,
+it’ll be fun!”
+
+Joan – “I haven’t had good experiences with mirrors.”
+
+Elizabeth – “Oh, there’ll be other stuff to do. A lot of the
+decorations still need to be finished.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, I’ll come.” Elizabeth leaves, and Joan and Adam head to
+class, “Are you working tonight?”
+
+Adam – “No, I’ve finished the mural at the historical society and I’m
+taking tonight off. What would you like to do?”
+
+Joan – “I really don’t want to go anywhere, but I would like for us
+to do something. Can you rent some movies and we can vegetate at my
+house?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, sure, what do you want to see?”
+
+Joan – “I want to see the ‘\ Bad News Bears\ ’ and ‘\ Must Love
+Dogs\ ’. Can you get those?”
+
+Adam – “It’s a date.”
+
+At 570 Elcaro Street
+
+Lilly comes out of the elevator and knocks on the door. A man
+answers, and Lilly asks, “May I speak to Mrs. Fakiri?”
+
+Man – “Whom may I say is calling?”
+
+Lilly – “My name is Lilly Watters. I work for the Arcadia Urban
+Renewal Project. It’s about the elevator.”
+
+He shows her into the living room. After a few minutes, a woman in a
+wheelchair comes out to greet her, “Hello, I’m Fatimah Fakiri.”
+
+Lilly – “Hello, my name is Lilly Watters. I work for the Arcadia
+Urban Renewal Project It’s nice to meet you. I just wanted to let you
+know the elevator has been repaired. I’m sorry for the delay. I can
+see now why its repair is so important to you. My fiancé uses a
+wheelchair.”
+
+Mrs. Fakiri – “Thank you for having the elevator repaired. I do like
+to go outside. Is your fiancé the newspaper reporter who came by
+yesterday?”
+
+Lilly – “Yes, he called last night and I arranged for someone to be
+here today to fix the elevator. Again, I’m sorry for the delay. It
+was nice to meet you.”
+
+Lilly gets up to leave and Mrs. Fakiri comments, “We will be having
+our open house in a few hours. You are welcome to stay.”
+
+Lilly – “No, thank you. I am a Catholic and I will always be a
+Catholic.”
+
+Mrs. Fakiri – “Of course we hope that some who visit will become
+interested in Islam and decide to join us, but this is a gesture of
+goodwill to the people of all faiths in the community.”
+
+Lilly – “Again, thank you, but I really do have to get back to work.
+I’m starting a new project today.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan – “Where were you earlier?”
+
+Grace – “I overslept. My alarm went on strike. I didn’t miss
+anything, did I?”
+
+Joan – “No… oh, Adam and I are going to help with the decorations for
+the Mirror Ball tomorrow. Do you want to come?”
+
+Grace – “I don’t know. I’ll let you know tomorrow.”
+
+Grace notices Alice and Tima walking ahead of them, “Let’s slow down
+a little. I don’t want to get too close.”
+
+Joan – “Why do you dislike her so much? You don’t even know her.
+Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. When will you see we’re made of the
+same stuff?”
+
+Grace – “Oh yeah, your zombie song. That was almost as touchy-feely
+as ‘\ Give Peace a Chance’, but in the real world, it doesn’t work
+that way. ‘Why don’t you let us share your life?’ Okay, let’s suppose
+we agree to that. Who decides who must die in order for the undead to
+live, because I haven’t heard of anyone who has survived having their
+brain eaten?”
+Joan – “It was just a play.”
+
+Grace – “Words have power; we’ve been over this before. When good
+negotiates with evil, who always compromises? How do you negotiate
+with someone whose baseline for discussion is your death? The zombies
+would take the brains that are given, steal more brains anyway, and
+continue to demand more. No, in the real world, evil must be
+confronted and defeated.”
+
+Joan – “But zombies aren’t real, and people aren’t a bunch of bodies
+sharing the same head. My dad says that Tima is a very special young
+lady. I don’t know how he knows, but I know he wouldn’t say something
+like that if it wasn’t true. Can you at least give her a chance?”
+
+Grace – “See you at lunch.” Grace leaves, ending the conversation.
+
+At 570 Elcaro Street
+
+When the bus stops, Joan and Grace step off.Grace asks, “Now are you
+going to tell me where we’re going?”
+
+Joan points, “This way.” They begin to walk up the street and Joan
+continues, “I read about this in the paper. They are having an open
+house for noon prayers at the new mosque.”
+
+Grace interrupts, “You are taking me to a mosque? Are you insane?
+Don’t you listen to anything I say?”
+
+Joan – “Yes, no, and yes. I’m just curious. I want to see what they
+do, and I don’t want to go alone.”
+
+Grace – “So you invited a Jew to come with you?”
+
+Joan – “No, I invited my best friend. Come on, it won’t last long.
+They are noon prayers.” Joan reaches into her purse and retrieves the
+scarves she purchased, “Here, put this on.”
+
+Grace looks at the scarf, “I’m not wearing that; everyone will think
+I’m a Muslim.”
+
+Joan – “I wore a Kippah at your bat mitzvah, and I’m not Jewish. It’s
+just to show respect.”
+
+Grace – “You owe me big time!”
+
+Joan – “I’m already going with you tomorrow, remember?”
+
+They enter the mosque to find that several rows of folding chairs
+have been set up. Grace quickly pulls Joan into a seat in the last
+row. She bows her head, “What is my father doing here?”
+
+Joan looks and sees Rabbi Polonsky, Father Malloy, Brother Jimi, and
+several other religious leaders sitting in the front row, “I guess
+they were curious, too.”
+
+Father Malloy notices Joan and waves. Joan waves back.
+
+Grace – “What are you doing? I’m trying to be invisible here!”
+
+Joan points to Grace and then puts her finger in front of her mouth,
+“Shhhhh!” Father Malloy nods and gives the okay sign, “It’s cool, as
+long as your father doesn’t turn around.”
+
+Kevin comes up to them, “What are you two doing here?”
+
+Joan – “I just wanted to come see. And you?”
+
+Kevin – “I’m working.”
+
+Grace – “Go work somewhere else. You’re attracting too much
+attention.” Grace slouches down even further in her seat.
+
+Joan – “Grace isn’t here, okay?”
+
+Kevin – “Got it.” Kevin rolls a little farther toward the front of
+the room.
+
+Joan looks around the room and spots another familiar face. Carlisle
+returns the recognition with a nod.
+
+Joan whispers to Grace, “Hey, that guy is a cop. He works for my
+dad.”
+
+Grace quickly looks around the room, “He’s probably watching the guy
+behind us.”
+
+Joan turns around, looks, and then turns back, “What about him?”
+
+Grace – “Haven’t you ever watched CSI? He’s the middle-aged white guy
+with a ponytail.”
+
+Imam Fakiri steps to the front of the room, which is good, because
+Joan isn’t sure how to respond to Grace’s comment. He begins to
+speak, “Thank all of you for coming today. Normally, we say our
+prayers in Arabic, the language of Allah. We will do that today as
+well, but my daughter will offer an English translation as we pray.”
+
+He rolls out a prayer rug and joins the others in prayer. Tima steps
+up to the front and the Muslims begin to pray. They pause while Tima
+repeats the prayer in English. This continues until the prayers are
+finished.
+
+Tima– “Thank all of you for coming to our prayer service. I hope the
+English translation helps you to better understand how we praise
+Allah. If any of you would like to learn more about Islam, please
+speak to my father.” She pauses, looks at her father, and then back
+to the audience, “I truly believe the practice of Islam is the way
+Allah wants all men to praise him. However, I also know that forced
+belief does not persuade anyone to love Allah with all of their
+heart. How one worships Allah must be freely chosen. Allah has given
+humanity free will, with blessings and consequences for each choice
+made, but reserves the ultimate judgment for Himself. May Allah bless
+all of you.”
+
+With that, Grace whispers to Joan, “I’m out of here. Meet me in the
+parking lot.” She darts out of the room.
+
+Timawalks from the front and briefly stops to talk to Kevin. Then she
+continues and stops in front of Joan, “I’m surprise to see you here,
+Joan, but I’m glad you came.”
+
+Joan – “How did you know my name?”
+
+Tima– “I saw you talking to Luke and I asked who you were. Didn’t I
+see Grace with you?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, she’s waiting outside. I really have to go. We need to
+catch the bus.”
+
+Timajingles her keys, “I have my dad’s car. Let me give you a ride.”
+
+Joan – “Um, yeah sure, thanks.”
+
+Outside, Grace is standing, waiting for Joan. A van pulls up and a
+man steps out, “Hey, can you tell me where Green Street is from
+here?”
+
+Grace – “I don’t know. I don’t live here.”
+
+The man continues to approach, holding his hand up to his ear as if
+he didn’t hear her, “I’m supposed to make a delivery on Green Street.
+It’s near here. Do you know where it is?”
+
+Grace – “I said I don’t know.”
+
+Suddenly, he grabs her, covering her mouth and pinching her nose with
+his hand. She struggles, but she can’t break free. As Joan and Tima
+come around the side of the building, Tima sees what is happening.
+She screams, “No!” and begins to run toward them. Joan quickly
+follows.
+
+Timajumps on his back. She begins to gouge his eyes and bite his
+neck. He throws her off. Joan then jabs him in the larynx, knocking
+the wind out of him briefly, but he knocks her down. Tima begins to
+drag Grace from the van, but he grabs her. He slams her head against
+the side of van and she falls limp.
+
+Until now, Joan had forgotten her training, at least the part where
+she must become vicious. Seeing what he did to Tima changed that.
+Within a few moments, the man was on the ground, moaning in pain.
+Joan then walks over to Grace and Tima, her skin blood red and still
+breathing heavily.
+
+Grace – “Whoa Joan, think Bruce Banner. How the hell did you do
+that?”
+
+Joan is still too upset to talk. She begins to pace while she
+struggles to calm down. She looks up to see the pony tailed
+middle-aged white guy standing in front of her. She begins to attack
+him.
+
+Ponytail Man – “Hold it, wait, I’m a police officer. Sgt. James
+Collins. What happened here?”
+
+At Home
+
+Joan – “Mom, I’ve already told you, we were just going to watch them
+pray and go back to school. How could we know this would happen?”
+
+Will – “When we gave you your privacy back, that didn’t mean that you
+weren’t to tell us anything. You should have told us you were
+planning to go there.”
+
+Joan – “I’m sorry. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
+
+Helen – “Tima’s in the hospital, and you and Grace have cuts and
+scrapes everywhere. Thank God it wasn’t worse!”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, Tima’s in the hospital. I told you I would fail!”
+
+Helen can see that Joan is uncomfortable with her outburst. She
+replies, “We’ll talk about this later.”
+
+Will – “Well, at least we have that pervert behind bars. We’ve been
+trying to catch him for months.”
+
+Kevin – “Changing the decals on his van was kind of clever.”
+
+Luke has been listening to the exchange, and he finally asks, “I want
+to know is how you took that guy out? He was twice your size!”
+
+Joan – “I just learned how to sing.”
+
+Kevin – “You sang him into a puddle of moaning flesh?”
+
+Joan – “I learned it watching ‘\ Miss Congeniality\ ’. Solar plexus,
+Instep, Nose, Groin! S-I-N-G!”
+
+Luke – “Very funny.”
+
+Joan – “Nobody at school knows what happened, right?”
+
+Kevin – “There will be a story in tomorrow’s paper, but I said the
+names of the girls involve were being withheld at the request of
+their parents.”
+
+Will – “I’ve arranged for all your identities to remain anonymous,
+since two of you are still minors.”
+
+Helen – “I talked to Principal Chadwich. He will not mention why you
+missed school this afternoon, but you have detention until your class
+work is made up.”
+
+Joan – “Okay.” The doorbell rings. “Oh, I invited Adam over to watch
+movies. Not a word, okay?”
+
+She answers the door and lets Adam in, “Where were you this
+afternoon?”
+
+Joan – “It’s a long story and I just want to forget about it. Did you
+get the movies?”
+
+Adam – “The ‘\ Bad News Bears\ ’ was all checked out, and ‘\ Must
+Love Dogs\ ’ doesn’t come out until next week. I thought that maybe
+we could watch TV.”
+
+Joan is disappointed, but she agrees, “Okay, what’s on?”
+
+Adam – “I don’t know, but I’m sure we can find something.”
+
+Joan selects the television schedule channel and they watch as the
+programs scroll by.
+
+Adam – “Have you ever watched, ‘\ Spook Speaker\ ’?”
+
+Joan – “No, I haven’t watched TV in a long time. It really broke my
+heart when they canceled ‘\ Made of Lo Mein\ ’. How could the MED
+channel cancel such a wonderful show? Anyway, I just stopped watching
+TV altogether.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I liked that show, too.” He goes back to reading from
+the screen, “‘\ Zombie Humorist\ ’, can we watch it?”
+
+Joan gives Adam a nod and a tart smile, “Sure.” They begin to watch
+the program, but soon, Joan loses interest. She quietly begins to
+read, letting Adam continue to watch the show. During a commercial
+break, Adam notices that Joan is reading, “Don’t you like the show?”
+
+Joan – “It was interesting for about ten seconds.”
+
+Adam – “But it’s about ghosts, I thought that you would like it.”
+
+Joan – “Not ghosts like that! I like Judith, Rocky, and Casper.”
+
+Adam – “You’ve seen Karen Casper?”
+
+Joan smiles, “No silly, Casper the Friendly Ghost!You can watch the
+show. I’ll just read and watch occasionally.”
+
+Adam – “What are you reading?”
+
+Joan turns the book over and shows him, “\ The Chronicles of Narnia:
+The Magician’s Nephew.” I thought that we could go to a matinee on
+Sunday and see the movie about the next book. What do you think?”
+
+Adam – “Sure, we can go, the preview looked awesome.”
+
+The commercial ends, so Adam returns to watching the program. Joan
+reads, watches the show, but mostly watches Adam. She smiles and
+giggles occasionally. Adam notices, but he assumes that she is
+enjoying her book.
+
+There is another commercial break, so Adam returns his attention to
+Joan. She’s wearing a Cheshire cat grin that just barely hides the
+canary feathers. Adam becomes puzzled, “What?”
+
+Joan – “I can see why you enjoy this show.” She pauses, making Adam
+even more confused, “You’re counting the number of wardrobe changes
+made by Ms. Cleavage.”
+
+Adam begins to blush, “Me? No, I just like the show. It’s…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “The red top was very good. Now we know that ruffles
+do have ridges, but I think the best one was the black top. You know,
+the one she was wearing when she knelt down to clean up the coffee.
+That one was especially revealing.”
+
+Adam is now beet red. He takes the remote control to search for
+another program.
+
+Joan – “Oh, ‘\ The American President\ ’ is on at nine! I love that
+movie. I’ll go make popcorn.”
+
+At the University Medical Center
+
+Grace picks up Joan right on time. Initially she is quiet, but then
+she asks, “How did it go with your parents?”
+
+Joan – “Pretty good, actually, but we all have detention next week.”
+
+Grace – “I’m grounded until Wednesday, but it’s really not a
+punishment. I had planned to stay home with my mom anyway.”
+
+When Grace pulls into the hospital parking lot, Joan asks, “Why are
+we here?”
+
+Grace – “I have an appointment.”
+
+Joan – “At the hospital?”
+
+Grace – “No, at the clinic in the building next door. Just come with
+me.”
+
+They go up to a suite on the fourth floor. Joan notices the sign on
+the door as they enter, ‘Field & Katz OB/GYN’.
+
+Grace walks up to the receptionist’s window, “I’m Grace Polk. I have
+an appointment with Dr. Katz.”
+
+The receptionist finds Grace’s folder and reads from it for a few
+moments, “Looks like we have everything we need. The nurse will call
+you in a few minutes.”
+
+Joan – “When are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
+
+Grace – “You’ll figure it out. Just be here.” Joan is surprised when
+Grace reaches over and takes her hand.
+
+A nurse calls from the doorway, “Ms. Polk, will you come with me?”
+
+Grace stands up, still holding Joan’s hand.
+
+Nurse – “Just you.”
+
+Grace – “But, I want her to come with me.”
+
+Nurse – “We have some things to take care of first.” She looks at
+Joan, “I’ll be back for you.”
+
+Grace goes with the nurse and Joan sits back down. A very pregnant
+woman comes out and sits down beside her. She looks at Joan and
+comments, “It’s like carrying a ten pound basketball.”
+
+Joan looks at her and replies, “Ah, well, I wouldn’t know, but I
+guess so.”
+
+Woman – “You’ll know someday, Joan.”
+
+Joan – “Oh God!I’m so sorry I messed everything up. I really tried.”
+
+God – “What makes you think you messed up?”
+
+Joan – “I figured out the hint, ‘Protect the rose of vision’. Some
+protector I was! She’s in the hospital.”
+
+God – “Oh, but you did protect her.” Joan looks at God, wondering how
+that could possibly be true. God continues, “If you and Grace hadn’t
+gone to the prayer service, Tima would have been in that parking lot
+alone.”
+
+Joan wonders for a moment, and then she asks, “What’s wrong with
+Grace?”
+
+God – “Just be here for her.”
+
+The nurse calls from the doorway, “You can come in now, Ms. Girardi.”
+Joan looks at God and then she follows the nurse. The nurse leads her
+to a small room where Grace is lying on a gurney, “The sonographer
+will be with you in a few minutes.”
+
+Grace – “But I thought Dr. Katz was going to do the examination.”
+
+Nurse – “Dr. Katz had to deliver a baby this morning. He’s on his way
+and will be back before your exam is finished.”
+
+The nurse leaves and the sonographer enters, “Hello, my name is
+Julianne Marsh. I will be performing the exam. Has Dr. Katz talked to
+you about what will happen?”
+
+Grace – “Just that he was going to look at my ovaries.”
+
+Ms. Marsh – “Yes, the exam is in two parts…”
+
+At Home
+
+Luke goes shopping with his mother, and Will is at the kitchen table
+paying bills. Kevin comes in to talk, “Before Tima left the building
+yesterday, she asked me, begged me actually, not to tell anyone about
+the card. She said that she was supposed to have destroyed it. So, I
+took your hint and limited what I said about her. In fact, I didn’t
+even mention her at all. Now will you tell me why I passed up such a
+great story?”
+
+Will – “Just know that you did the right thing.”
+
+Kevin – “Dad, I want to know.”
+
+Will looks at him for a few minutes, making up his mind, “Okay, but
+this goes nowhere, got it?”
+
+Kevin – “I promise, I won’t tell anyone.”
+
+After a few moments, Will begins to tell the story, “Do you remember
+hearing about those terrorists who were arrested in New York some
+years back? The press called them the Buffalo Six.”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, I remember. They were actually from Lakawanna, a
+suburb of Buffalo. Was she one of them?”
+
+Will – “No, but do you remember what the most important piece of
+evidence was?”
+
+Kevin thinks for a few moments, “Something about e-mails.”
+
+Will – “Right. The FBI was already investigating them, but it was the
+e-mails that solved their case. Tima is the one who told the FBI
+about them.”
+
+Kevin – “That was really courageous. You’d think that she would want
+everyone to know.”
+
+Will – “Well, she didn’t. She only provided the information with a
+guarantee of anonymity. It makes sense if you think about it.”
+
+Kevin – “How?”
+
+Will – “Who has more to fear from radical Islamists, the infidels or
+a Muslim who turns in their own?”
+
+Kevin – “I see your point.”
+
+Will – “There’s more. Earlier this year, Mrs. Fakiri was shot. The
+shooter was never caught, but the FBI and the family believes the
+bullet was meant for Tima. It is unfortunate for Mrs. Fakiri that she
+and her daughter share the same name. Now do you understand why they
+don’t want their names in the newspaper?”
+
+Kevin – “They just want to live in peace.”
+
+At the University Medical Center
+
+After the exam, Joan and Grace return to the waiting area. The nurse
+calls from the doorway, “Dr. Katz will see you now.”
+
+The nurse guides them to an exam room, and Dr. Katz comes in shortly
+thereafter.
+
+Grace – “You told me you would do the examination.”
+
+Dr. Katz – “No, I said that I would examine your ovaries. I never
+said that I would actually perform the procedure. I would rather not
+have that kind of intimate knowledge about my niece.”
+
+Grace tenses up and takes Joan’s hand once again, “Okay, so what’s
+the verdict?”
+
+Dr. Katz – “You’re fine. I have reviewed the images and there are no
+signs of tumors, cancerous or otherwise. The only odd result was your
+blood test. Are you sure you did the pregnancy test correctly?”
+
+Grace – “I did it three times. They all said I was pregnant.”
+
+Dr. Katz – “If you had actually been pregnant, your hCG levels would
+still be elevated. They are normal.”
+
+Grace – “Well, then it’s a miracle, because I know what I saw.”
+
+Dr. Katz smiles, “Miracles are good. Go home, you’re fine.”
+
+Grace begins to cry. She stands up and gives him a hug, “Thank you,
+Uncle Hiram.”
+
+They leave the doctor’s office and enter the elevator. Joan asks,
+“Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
+
+Grace, still drying her eyes, says, “I really thought that I was
+being punished. I didn’t want to drag you down with me.”
+
+Joan – “Grace, you should have told me.”
+
+Grace acquires a crooked smile, “I’m sorry.”
+
+Joan – “Well, don’t be mad, but as long as we’re here, I want to
+visit Tima.”
+
+Grace – “I thought you had to work on the Mirror Ball.”
+
+Joan – “It can wait.”
+
+They leave the elevator and walk through the corridor to the
+hospital. They stop at the information desk and Joan asks, “We would
+like to visit Tima Fakiri, what room is she in?”
+
+The attendant looks at his computer, “We don’t have a patient by that
+name. I’m sorry.”
+
+Joan – “What does that mean? She’s supposed to be here.”
+
+Attendant – “I’m sorry, she’s not here. That’s all I can tell you.”
+
+Grace drives Joan home. When they arrive, Adam is waiting on the
+curb. After talking for a few minutes, Grace decides she will go with
+them.
+
+At School
+
+Joan, Adam, and Grace enter the art room. They approach Elizabeth,
+Friedman, and Glynis, who are working cutting mirrors.
+
+Adam – “Hi, sorry we’re a little late.”
+
+Elizabeth – “That’s okay, at least you’re here. We can’t figure out
+how to get this stupid glass-cutting tool to work. It keeps breaking
+the mirrors.”
+
+Adam – “I’ve used one like that. The trick is to…”
+
+Joan interrupts, “What would you like us to do?”
+
+Elizabeth – “Why don’t you go help Alice and Tima with the
+decorations?”
+
+Hearing her name, Alice pops her head above the table, “Over here.”
+They walk over, and Joan and Grace are both pleased to see the two of
+them working on the floor.
+
+Joan asks, “Tima, how are you?”
+
+Timalooks up, “I’m fine. How are you?”
+
+Grace – “We’re fine. We didn’t think you would be here after what
+happened yesterday.”
+
+Tima– “I promised Alice that I would come. I only have a slight
+headache. I’m okay.”
+
+Joan – “How can we help?”
+
+Alice – “We’re cutting out figures of dancing boys and girls. We’re
+also going to have some stars and other figures. Tima is painting the
+trim with phosphorescent paint, and then we will glue mirror
+fragments in various places. They will sparkle when they reflect the
+light from the mirror ball.”
+
+Timastands up to face Joan and Grace. “I brought some sweet tea.
+Would you like some?”
+
+Joan and Grace agree, so Tima prepares three cups of tea. Grace
+observes the cups and their contents, “Oh, I get it. We’re supposed
+to wonder if the cup is half full or half empty.”
+
+Timaresponds, “There is another way to see it. We can be thankful
+that we each have a cup.”
+
+Timaraises her cup, and Grace and Joan follow suit. They click them
+together, each offering a toast: “Fee sahitkum; L’chaim; À votre
+santé!”
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…*
diff --git a/22-DancingWithTheMoon.rst b/22-DancingWithTheMoon.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e75ae08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/22-DancingWithTheMoon.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,2616 @@
+Episode 3.22, Dancing With The Moon
+-----------------------------------
+
+At Home
+
+Joan – “Last night was fantastic! I haven’t had that much fun in a
+long time.”
+
+Grace – “You should have seen the expression on Clay’s face when I
+offered a demonstration of the bris. It was priceless. But I still
+don’t subscribe to the whole bogus dating ritual.”
+
+Joan – “Don’t give me that. You had a blast.”
+
+Grace – “But I would have had just as much fun meeting everyone there
+in jeans and a T-shirt.”
+
+Joan – “Didn’t you see Luke’s face when you came down the stairs last
+night?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, a typical male response to superficial matters of
+appearance. What ever happened to letting your true beauty shine from
+within?”
+
+Joan – “If there are places on your body where that actually happens,
+you’re not attractive, you’re leaking.”
+
+Both laugh at Joan’s comment. Grace says, “Girardi, you are more
+warped than I am!”
+
+Joan – “Miss Candy told us in make-up class that all humans have
+imperfections. We conceal them because we are girls. Everything is
+not a conspiracy, and disturbing the dating ritual only creates
+havoc. Besides, assuming that you are more enlightened than the
+millions of people who created a tradition is a bit arrogant, don’t
+you think?”
+
+Grace – “Why should I participate in the dating rat race? Even if I
+win it, I’m still a rat. You know I loathe hypocrisy, yet you still
+think I should continue with this ritualistic dogma.”
+
+Joan – “Yes, I do. Tell me, why did you go to dance class with me the
+other day? I know you really didn’t want to go.”
+
+Grace – “Because you’re my friend, and I know you really wanted me to
+go with you.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, so my brother is in love with you. Don’t you think he’s
+worth a little compromise?”
+
+Grace – “Whose side are you on?”
+
+Joan – “Both.Listen, contrary to popular belief, opportunity rarely
+knocks. You usually have to beat down the door. If you want to cause
+a different outcome, play your own game, then you have to be willing
+to play the game in the first place.”
+
+Grace – “Now you sound like my father. He won’t let up on me about
+going to college.”
+
+Joan – “I think you should go. You want to change the world, right?
+So who’s listening to your ideas now? Me, Adam, and Luke. Why be just
+one more person trying to change the world when you can write things
+to cause thousands of people to try? Do it! Shoot for the moon. Even
+if you miss, you’ll land in the stars.”
+
+Grace will not admit it, but she finds what Joan has just proposed to
+be an intriguing idea. She decides to change the subject, “Let’s do
+yoga.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The doorbell rings, so Helen answers the door, “Well hello Adam,
+Joan’s at work.”
+
+Adam – “I know. I wanted to talk to you.”
+
+Helen – “Has your father told you about my proposal?”
+
+Adam – “Yes, but there’s something else. I have a problem, and I
+don’t know what to do. Can we talk?” Helen invites him in and they
+sit in the living room, “My dad has a girlfriend.”
+
+Helen – “What has he told you about her?”
+
+Adam – “He’s been seeing her for several months, always on the nights
+that I had dance lessons or work. She wants to fix us Christmas
+dinner. That’s why he told me about her.”
+
+Helen – “You should be happy for him.”
+
+Adam – “She’ll never be my mom! I had a mom. No one can replace her.”
+
+Helen – “Joan told me once that you think of me like a mom. Why
+couldn’t she be one, too?”
+
+Adam – “Because I picked you. I don’t even know her.”
+
+Helen – “Adam, you’re agonizing over something that may never happen.
+Your mother will always have a place in your father’s heart, but it
+has been five years. If this woman makes your father happy, you
+should respect his feelings for her. Who knows, if you give her a
+chance, maybe you two can become friends.”
+
+Adam sits silently for a few moments before he responds, “But it
+hurts.”
+
+Helen gives him a hug, “I know, but life must go on.”
+
+Again, Adam sits quietly for a few moments before he responds, “Okay,
+I’ll be nice to her, but that’s it.”
+
+Adam gets up to leave and Helen walks him to the door, “Thanks Mrs.
+G.”
+
+Helen – “Well, I’m sorry that you won’t be able to come with us, but
+I understand. I’m sure this dinner is important to your father.”
+
+Adam – “No, I’ll be going. He postponed the dinner until after we get
+back.”
+
+Helen – “Well, that should tell you something about your father.”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Oh, don’t say anything to Joan. I
+haven’t told her yet.”
+
+Helen – “This is something that you should share with her.”
+
+Adam – “I will, just not yet. I’ll tell her after the trip.”
+
+At School
+
+Grace – “So, did you guys study for the tests?”
+
+All say that they had, and then Joan asks, “Why, didn’t you?”
+
+Grace – “If you haven’t noticed, studying always ends with dying. I
+can handle these corn tests, pizza tests, tater tests… betcha can’t
+eat just one!”
+
+Joan – “Tater tests, what are you talking about?”
+
+Grace – “It’s an allusion, Girardi, keep up. Would tater salad have
+been better?”
+
+Glynis– “Is an allusion still an allusion if no one understands it?”
+
+Grace – “The tree still makes a sound, Chateletness.”
+
+Joan – “What tree?”
+
+Friedman – “The one that fell in the hundred-acre wood.”
+
+Joan – “When did that happen?”
+
+Luke – “Yesterday, which is when the dog who traveled into the future
+and bit his own tail felt it.”
+
+Joan says to Adam, “The only dog I know is yours. Maybe he’s really
+Mister Paxbody.”
+
+Adam – “Could be. He was chasing a squirrel in the back yard when I
+left this morning.”
+
+Grace is not sure if Joan and Adam are actually believing this or
+just playing along, “It’s a joke, frellwits. Anyway, the point is
+that these tests are nothing but a pointless trivial pursuit. There’s
+no way a multiple-choice question can show what someone can do with
+what they know.”
+
+Adam – “Trivial Pursuit, like in Jeopardy?”
+
+Joan responds to the suggestion, “Ooh, ooh, I’ll take Laverne &
+Shirley for $800.”
+
+Luke – “I’ll take String Theory for $1200.”
+
+Glynis– “I’ll try Fractal Geometry for $900. They’re so pretty.”
+
+Adam – “Do they have a Dungeons & Dragons category?”
+
+Grace – “No, fire spear, try Abstract Art for $500. I’ll take
+Political Corruption for $1100.”
+
+Adam – “Sculpture.”
+
+Friedman – “Bzzt, you didn’t say for how much. I’ll take Human
+Reproduction for $1000.”
+
+Grace – “And Friedman sucks us into the black hole of reality.”
+
+Adam – “Can I still take a turn?”
+
+Joan smiles and gives Adam a kiss, “I’ll call your name later.” They
+each enter their classrooms to begin their first midterm exam.
+
+At The Police Station
+
+Will – “Are you ready?”
+
+Mimi – “I think you should do this.”
+
+Will – “I’ll make the opening and closing remarks, but it’s your
+testimony they want to hear.”
+
+Will steps up to the podium, “Good morning. We have completed our
+investigation into the shooting that took place at The Liquor
+Emporium last Wednesday evening. Lieutenant Rogers of Internal
+Affairs will give the briefing.”
+
+Will steps aside and Mimi begins to speak, “After reviewing the
+testimony and other evidence, we have determined that Sergeant
+Williams’ discharge of her weapon was justified. It is clear that Mr.
+Washington pointed his weapon at Sergeant Williams before the
+exchange of gunfire. Her action probably saved her life and the lives
+of others.”
+
+Reporter # 1 – “Was it determined who shot first?”
+
+Mimi – “It appears that they fired simultaneously.”
+
+Reporter # 2 – “Mrs. Washington is demanding an independent
+investigation in this shooting. Do you have a comment?”
+
+Mimi – “Internal Affairs is the independent investigation.”
+
+Will steps up to the microphone, “If the DA decides to conduct their
+own investigation, we will offer our full cooperation. However, we
+have not received such a request.”
+
+Reporter # 3 – “Chief Girardi, the ACLU has a filed suit in regard to
+your association with Brother Jimi’s committee. Do you have a
+comment?”
+
+Will ignores him, giving him his answer, “Sergeant Williams will be
+returning to active duty as of today. That is all. Thank you.”
+
+After they have returned inside, Mimi asks, “Why didn’t you answer
+his question?”
+
+Will – “I have dealt with him before. I would just be giving him
+something to take out of context. My concern is with federal court.
+I’m sure the press and talk radio will give full vent to the court of
+public opinion.”
+
+At the Herald
+
+Kevin – “Good morning, how is Dan doing?”
+
+Rebecca – “Pretty good. His sister is staying to care for him. I’ll
+help in the evening.”
+
+Kevin – “I’m glad to hear that. Would it be all right if I stopped by
+after work?”
+
+Rebecca – “I’m sure he’d like that.” She pauses briefly, “Um, could
+you do me a favor?”
+
+Kevin – “Sure, what is it?”
+
+Rebecca – “I would like to have a bottle of Woodhall Party Garnet,
+but I can’t bring myself to go back to get it. Would you pick one up
+for me?”
+
+Kevin writes down the name, “I’ll pick it up before I visit tonight.”
+Rebecca gives him a twenty-dollar bill, “That’s not necessary.”
+
+Rebecca – “I just want you to get it for me. I’ll pay for it. It’s
+for when Sergeant Williams comes over for dinner. Do you know her
+first name?”
+
+Kevin – “Toni.”
+
+Rebecca – “Thanks, now, about your editorial.”
+
+Kevin interrupts, “There’s something that I was going to put in that
+I didn’t mention on Friday. Did you know that 90% of black victims of
+murder and non-negligent manslaughter were killed by black
+offenders?”
+
+Rebecca – “I get your point. I don’t want you to publish it.”
+
+Kevin – “But, why? I have already shown you that everything in it is
+true.”
+
+Rebecca – “I just feel that it would do too much harm to the
+newspaper and to me personally, but I’m willing to make a
+compromise.” Kevin doesn’t respond verbally, but instead gives her an
+‘okay, what?’ expression. Rebecca continues, “I’m going to add
+checking stories for racial bias to your duties. That will have the
+same effect, won’t it?”
+
+Kevin has worked hard on his editorial and really would like to see
+it published, but he also can see her point of view. He counters,
+“How about political bias, too?”
+
+Rebecca – “Okay, but only outside of the editorial page.”
+
+Kevin – “No problem, that’s where opinions belong.”
+
+At School
+
+Joan – “My calculus teacher gave us a vote of confidence before the
+test. She said, ‘The Day of Judgment is upon us, and you will be
+judged. Those who fail to pass this test will be doomed forever to
+burn in an explicit differential ball of flame!’ She was joking, but
+I could sense a distinct burning smell when I left the room after the
+test.”
+
+Grace – “I’m sure you didn’t do that bad. You seemed to know it when
+we were in study hall. I should pass if the teacher uses the mean
+value theorem for grading.”
+
+Adam – “I’m not sure how I did. I could see the formulas, but I
+couldn’t figure out what to do with them.”
+
+Friedman – “Well, I’m sure that I aced it.”
+
+Glynis– “I am the calculus queen! Nature laughs at the difficulties
+of integration.”
+
+Luke – “As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are
+not certain, and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to
+reality.”
+
+Joan – “So who’s ready for Government?”
+
+Grace – “Nobody, that’s the problem. It’s just a self-licking ice
+cream cone.”
+
+Joan – “Eeeuw, that’s a disturbing image. I mean the test.”
+
+Grace – “Oh yeah, the cheese test. Hypocrisy is our current form of
+government. It is a representative republic where your neighbors
+elect someone to decide how much of your money will be given to
+them.”
+
+Luke prods Grace on, “Define the judiciary?”
+
+Grace – “The judiciary is a panel of unelected officials who impose
+laws on society that would never pass through the Congress.”
+
+Luke – “And the Congress?”
+
+Grace – “When explaining anything in Congress, always choose
+stupidity over conspiracy, incompetence over cunning. Anything else
+gives them too much credit. Congress is like looking at that Escher
+picture of the wild geese flying together. It makes absolutely no
+sense, but even they can occasionally manage to hit you with a load
+of crap.”
+
+Glynis– “Cute, Grace, but I don’t think those answers will fly on the
+test.”
+
+Grace – “And Counselor Troi once again states something that is
+blindingly obvious.”
+
+Friedman – “Grace does have a point. Whenever a politician wants to
+pass a useless piece of legislation, they always claim that it is for
+the children. It works every time. Nobody is against children.”
+
+Joan – “‘For the children’, that’s good. Isn’t it?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, that’s good. You really are an elegant moron. We’ll
+talk later.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+With the completion of the last class on Friday, a week of tater
+tests is finally over. Winter break begins for 20% of the students,
+while the remainder plans to enjoy their Christmas break. All leave
+the school in high spirits.
+
+At Home
+
+When Joan comes downstairs with her suitcase, she is expecting
+everyone to be there to bid her farewell. Instead, she walks through
+an empty house. She finally looks out a front window and notices
+everyone gathered around a large van. When she walks out to
+investigate, Adam peeks out from behind an open door, “Good, let me
+have your suitcase.”
+
+Joan – “What are you doing here?”
+
+Grace looks out from behind him, “A piss poor job of packing. We
+should start with the Van-Gogh carrier on top.”
+
+Luke – “Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the
+Starship…”
+
+Grace interrupts, “Minimize. Your mission, should you decide to
+accept it, is to figure out how to get all this stuff into the van
+without us becoming bubble wrap.”
+
+Joan – “Will somebody please tell me what’s going on?”
+
+Adam – “We’re all going to Baltimore, I think.”
+
+Joan – “When did this happen?”
+
+Grace – “It hasn’t, yet.”
+
+Will – “We decided that since Richard came to visit us for
+Thanksgiving, we’ll go there for Christmas. Surprise!”
+
+Joan – “Grace and Adam, too?”
+
+Helen – “You said that you liked to spend Christmas with family and
+friends.”
+
+Joan – “This is going to be fun! Where’d you get the van?”
+
+Will closes the side door of the van to reveal a decal, “Dunuelos
+Rentals, I got a great holiday rate.” When he actually turns to look
+at the van, he asks, “Hey, who added the extra artwork?”
+
+Grace – “I thought the van needed some sprucing.”
+
+Joan – “I love the wreath and holly, but what does Turk 182 mean?”
+
+Grace – “It’s a populist parable about a graffiti artist in New York.
+I thought the work needed a signature.”
+
+Adam – “Uh, wasn’t that Taki 183?”
+
+Helen – “Adam’s right. When Taki ruled magik kingdom…”
+
+Grace interrupts, “Whatever. The point is that he was a messenger for
+the oppressed who took up arms against the status quo.”
+
+Will – “Well, I think your father will see a different message when I
+send him the bill to have your liberation graphic removed.”
+
+Luke – “Don’t worry, Dad, I applied a coat of wax first. It’ll wipe
+off with a sponge.”
+
+Adam, Luke, and Grace return to packing the van, having their own
+conversation in the background.
+
+Kevin – “Lilly got us a great discount on the hotel.”
+
+Grace sings a motivational tune for Luke.
+
+*You put the big box in,
+You take the small box out,
+You put the big case in,
+And you shake it all about.
+You do the hokey pokey
+And you change the stuff around
+That’s what it’s all about*
+
+Lilly walks up, having only heard her name, “I didn’t do it. What did
+I do?”
+
+Adam grins and exclaims, “We’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
+
+Kevin – “I was just telling Joan about the discount you got us on the
+hotel.”
+
+Grace – “Never interrupt someone doing what you say can’t be done.”
+
+Lilly – “Oh, that. Well, God works in mysterious ways.”
+
+Kevin gives Lilly a ‘tell them’ look, “Okay, Father Mallory knew
+someone in Baltimore who owed him a favor.”
+
+Grace – “…Stay on target… Almost there… Stay… on… target…”
+
+Joan – “Ooh, I have to go get my other presents.”
+
+Grace begins to fling her arms up and down, “Danger, danger, Will
+Robinson. Critical mass will be reached in five minutes. Abort
+program, input data, recompute.”
+
+Luke – “Don’t have a short circuit. If all else fails, I’ll use the
+force.”
+
+At the Girardi Residence
+
+It begins to snow as they leave Arcadia. It’s a short-lived flurry,
+but still a nice gesture from Mother Nature as they embark on their
+Christmas journey. All are seated reasonably comfortable. Luke was
+instrumental in using the space available to accommodate both the
+luggage and passengers. Kevin is the only sardined passenger, but
+since he can’t feel his legs, it does not affect his comfort level.
+
+All engage in small talk for some time, and then Grace asks Joan,
+“So, where is it?”
+
+Joan – “Where’s what?”
+
+Grace – “The CD. You said that you were looking forward to listening
+to it during your drive to Baltimore.”
+
+Joan – “That was when I thought that I would be driving alone. It’s
+different now that we’re all here.”
+
+Grace – “You mean me? What, you think I’ll go postal if I have to
+listen to Christmas music? Put it in.”
+
+Joan – “Are you sure?”
+
+Grace – “Hey, you wanna know the truth? I actually like some of the
+songs. Let’s hear it.”
+
+Helen – “What did you bring?”
+
+Joan smiles, obviously pleased at receiving Grace’s permission, “It’s
+actually a two-CD set entitled, ‘WOW Christmas’. I really like it,
+because I’ve heard a lot of the singers doing regular songs.” She
+hands the first CD to Helen to put in the player. They sing along
+with some of the songs, but mostly they just listen. After listening
+to both CD’s, Lilly offers her Mannheim Steamroller CD for their
+enjoyment. The remainder of the drive is a Fresh Aire Christmas
+journey.
+
+Joan was able to avoid driving from Arcadia, but Helen made her drive
+from the hotel to Uncle Richard’s and Aunt
+Trenna’s\ `home <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/TheRichardGirardiHouse.jpg>`__\ in
+Overlea, a neighborhood in northeast Baltimore. When they arrive,
+Emily is in the front yard bouncing on her mother’s mini-trampoline.
+Trenna, being the shrewd mother that she is, placed it there this
+morning. She knew that Emily would not be able to resist using it.
+Trenna is hopeful that Joan will at least get a little sleep tonight.
+
+When Joan pulls in the driveway, Emily bounces off and runs toward
+the van. She continues to jump up and down, calling out excitedly,
+“You’re here, you’re here!” She bounces along side of the van as Joan
+pulls up the driveway, “Come on; let me show you my room. I want you
+to meet Pooka.”
+
+Joan puts the van in park, turns off the ignition, and opens the
+door, “Can I take my seatbelt off first?”
+
+In response to Joan’s wisecrack, Emily stops jumping. She puts her
+hand on her hip and gives Joan a tart smile. She then steps up on the
+running board, wraps her arms around her, and squeezes a hug, “I’ve
+missed you so much.”
+
+Joan melts into her and hugs her in return, “I’ve missed you, too.”
+They hug briefly, and then Joan asks, “Who is Pooka?”
+
+Emily – “You’ll see.” Emily takes Joan’s hand, “Come on, I’ve got my
+room all cleaned and ready for you.”
+
+Everyone in the van is amused and touched while observing the
+exchange. When Joan gets out, she smiles back at her mother. Helen
+comments, “Go ahead. We’ll bring in your things.”
+
+After Joan and Emily leave, Grace quips, “Tonight, Joan Girardi
+continues her lead on American Idol.”
+
+Helen – “We all knew this would happen. I think it’s wonderful.”
+
+Will – “Pop-Tart extraordinaire.”
+
+Adam – “Well, we won’t see Joan for a while.”
+
+Trenna, Richard, and Trevor come out as Emily leads Joan inside.
+Emily allows her mother to give Joan a quick hug before they go in.
+“I’m glad you’re here. We’ll talk later.”
+
+Joan – “It’s good to see you again too, Aunt Trenna.”
+
+They unloaded most of the luggage at the hotel. What remains are the
+presents, and Luke and Joan’s belongings. The Christmas tree seemed
+barren underneath, but now rests on a mountain of packages. Trevor’s
+eyes become aglow as he comments to his mother, “And Santa hasn’t
+even come, yet!”
+
+A poster of LeAnn Rimes adorns the outside of Emily’s bedroom door.
+The caption reads, “Crazy Blue.” Emily leads Joan in, but Joan has to
+stop, look, and smile for a moment. Emily’s room is larger than
+Joan’s, but just as cluttered. The first thing that catches her eye
+is a large net suspended from the ceiling. In it is a collection of
+stuffed animals of all shapes and sizes. Joan takes a few moments to
+scan the array. She smiles and comments sarcastically to Emily,
+“Looks like E.T. did go home.”
+
+Emily plops herself on the bed and begins to hug a rabbit nearly half
+her size, “But Pooka is still here. He’s been with me for as long as
+I can remember. I put everyone else in the net, but I really would
+like Pooka to stay. Is that okay?”
+
+Joan – “Sure, your bed looks big enough for the three of us. Can I
+see him?” Emily hands Pooka to Joan. Joan hugs him and strokes his
+worn fur, “He looks well loved.” She does a quick waltz with him
+before returning him to Emily.
+
+Emily – “I dance with him too, sometimes.”
+
+Will – “Knock, knock.” He enters through the open door, “I have
+Joan’s suitcase. Where would you like me to put it?”
+
+Emily – “In front of the chifforobe. I’ve cleared out my stuff, so
+there’s plenty of room.” Will delivers the suitcase, hugs his niece,
+and leaves.
+
+Joan looks at the mirrored cabinet where her father has placed her
+suitcase. She opens the door and inspects the inside, “This is nice,
+a clothes bar and 3 drawers down below.” She thinks to herself, ‘So
+this is a chifforobe.’
+
+Emily gets up from the bed and seats Pooka on the pillows, “After you
+put your clothes away, can you teach me how to rumble?”
+
+Joan is bewildered by Emily’s request. She doesn’t recall telling
+Emily about her street fighting lessons. Then she realizes what Emily
+is asking, “Oh, it’s called the rumba. It’s similar to a waltz, but
+with a fast beat.”
+
+After she puts away her clothes, Joan takes Emily’s hands and begins
+a slow demonstration, “Okay, you need to do the opposite of me. Put
+your right foot back --- one, two, then your left foot to the side
+--- three, your…” After they practice for a while, Joan speeds it up.
+When she feels that Emily is ready, she asks, “I’ll bet you have
+every song ever recorded by LeAnn Rimes.”
+
+Emily – “Almost. The only one that I don’t have is her ‘God Bless
+America’ CD. I’ve asked Santa to get it for me.”
+
+Joan – “Have you heard her Latino version of Can’t Fight The
+Moonlight?”
+
+Emily – “Yeah, Kizzie sent it to me. I like the original better, but
+it’s awesome that way, too.”
+
+Joan – “And it will be awesome for us to rumble to.”
+
+Emily smiles at Joan’s purposeful mistake. She finds the song on her
+computer, and cranks up the volume as it starts playing.
+
+Downstairs, Luke is outside playing catch with Trevor, the adults are
+sitting at the dining room table talking, and Grace and Adam are
+talking in the living room.
+
+Grace – “When I told my dad that I wanted to come on this trip, he
+gave me the whole rabbinical speil about the differences between our
+beliefs and those of Christians. Duh, like I didn’t know. Then, just
+as I was leaving, he gave me a Christmas present. Can you believe
+it?”
+
+Adam – “Maybe your dad just didn’t want you to feel left out while
+you were here.”
+
+Grace – “We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It’s
+run by a big eastern syndicate. Christmas is just the time of year
+when Christians indulge in material excess.”
+
+Adam – “It does seem that way, but there are those who do practice
+the true meaning of Christmas.”
+
+Grace – “And you know what that is?”
+
+Adam – “It’s a celebration of the birth of Jesus. For God so loved
+the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him
+should not perish but have eternal life.”
+
+Grace – “When did you start reading the Bible?”
+
+Adam – “I haven’t. Mom read it to me sometimes, and I remember
+everything that she told me.”
+
+Grace – “Did she explain the trinity to you?”
+
+Adam – “The Holy Trinity is a mystery. We’re not supposed to
+understand it.”
+
+Grace – “A mystery? An oxymoron is more like it. I believe in one
+God, not a committee.”
+
+Adam smiles, “Don’t you mean an elegant moron?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah, I hear you. Had Whiney known Joan, she would have been
+the riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. So, what do you
+believe?”
+
+Adam – “I believe that I don’t really know.”
+
+Grace – “Good answer.” She walks over to the Christmas tree and
+shakes her package again, “I still don’t have any idea of what’s in
+there.”
+
+Adam – “Well, then it’ll be a nice surprise on Christmas morning.”
+
+In the dining room, the adults have been catching up on what has
+happened since Thanksgiving. Richard turns the discussion to their
+plan for tomorrow, “We have the whole morning and afternoon free.
+There are lots of things to do and see, but I have picked two that I
+think everyone will enjoy. I thought that in the morning we could go
+to Fort McHenry. The tour doesn’t take long and there is a nice video
+presentation about its history. Then I thought we could visit Edgar
+Allan Poe’s grave at the Westminster Cemetery. Baltimore’s football
+team is named after his famous poem, ‘The Raven’.”
+
+Will – “That sounds like a fun morning. Is your ancestor’s name
+mention on a marker at the fort?”
+
+Trenna– “No, few names are actually mentioned. My fourth
+great-grandfather was Patrick Muldoon. He was only called up for
+active duty twice during the war. Both times he served at Fort
+McHenry. His brother served under General Stricker. He was killed at
+the battle of North Point. It’s long gone now, but Patrick owned a
+pub and restaurant called The Buck Stops Here. They served venison
+and the seafood catch of the day. Stout was on tap. It was down in
+Fells Point. I’ll be happy to show you where it was when we go into
+town tomorrow.”
+
+Will – “That’s an interesting story.” He continues asking
+sarcastically, “The Buck Stops Here? That sounds original.”
+
+Trennacounters, “It may have been in 1812.”
+
+Will smiles and uses hand gestures as if speaking to an audience,
+“Bambi: You’ve seen the movie. Now, eat the star!”
+
+Trennasmirks, “Very funny.”
+
+Will – “Seriously, I do enjoy history, especially when it involves
+family.”
+
+Helen – “I have mixed feelings about visiting Poe’s grave. I’ll bet
+it’s a popular Halloween attraction.”
+
+Richard – “The lines to get in wrap around the block on Halloween and
+on January 19th, Poe’s birthday. We’ll probably be the only ones
+there tomorrow.”
+
+Luke and Trevor come in from playing catch. Trenna says to Trevor,
+“Go tell your sister and Joan to come down. I need to talk to them.”
+When they come down, Trenna addresses Emily, “It’s time to take your
+shower.”
+
+Emily – “But Mom, we’re having fun. Joan was just…”
+
+Trenna– “No buts, shower, now. Besides, Joan needs some time to say
+goodnight to her friends.”
+
+Emily frowns, but obeys her mother. She runs upstairs to the
+bathroom. Joan then walks out to the living room to see Grace and
+Adam.
+
+Adam – “Hello stranger.”
+
+Joan – “I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t get away. She’s been having so
+much fun.”
+
+Grace – “No problem. We knew that she would be the center of your
+attention.”
+
+Joan – “Whatcha been doing?”
+
+Adam – “Just talking and listening to the discussion in the dining
+room. It sounds like we’ll all be spending time together tomorrow.”
+
+Joan smiles and sings, “Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow,
+you’re only a day away.”
+
+Soon the conversation in the house turns to the sound of yawns, and
+everyone separates to find their own places to sleep. They have a big
+day ahead of them.
+
+At Fort McHenry
+
+Emily straddles a cannon, “Joan, take my picture!”
+
+Joan takes out her camera and snaps a picture, “That’ll look nice
+with the harbor in the background.”
+
+Emily – “Now let me take your picture.” Joan trades places so that
+Emily can get her picture, “You have to send me a copy.”
+
+Joan – “I will.”
+
+Joan had noticed it earlier, but the giggling and laughing has become
+more pronounced now that she is closer to the edge. She peers over
+the rampart to the park below. There, she sees children playing with
+bubbles, dancing like fairies in pursuit of the shining orbs. She
+watches for some time, and then comments, “They really are having a
+blast!”
+
+Woman – “Oh, children go crazy over bubbles.”
+
+Joan is a little surprised, having expected Emily to answer. She
+hadn’t noticed the woman standing there. She is an attractive woman,
+similar in appearance and demeanor to Laura Roslin. She is wearing a
+full-length red coat, with matching low heel shoes. Her bonnet is a
+crocheted masterpiece of red and yellow yarns. Joan smiles without
+comment, then returns to watching the children.
+
+The children continue their play, giggling and frolicking as they
+pursue the empty planets on the run. Their glee is infectious and
+Joan can’t help but smile as she watches them, “Watching them puts a
+smile in my heart.”
+
+Woman – “Children are fascinating creatures. I mean, what’s so great
+about bubbles?”
+
+Emily – “They’re pretty, they float, you can chase them, catch them,
+pop them, I mean, they’re just totally awesome! They even have
+rainbows!”
+
+Woman – “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone had something they
+loved as much as children love bubbles? I can remember a child who
+had a similar fascination with balloons.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, but I hated it when they popped! That really scared me.”
+She begins to wonder, “Are you…?”
+
+Emily interrupts, tugging on Joan’s hand, “Come on, let’s go see what
+they’re doing over there.”
+
+The woman looks at Emily, and then back to Joan, “Children are the
+laughter of God, don’t you think? Cherish their innocence.”
+
+Emily objects, “Hey, who are you calling innocent? Even my mom knows
+that I’m usually guilty. You don’t know anything.”
+
+The woman looks lovingly at Emily, “Yes, you are guilty of pushing
+the envelope. It’s in your nature. You are becoming who you will be.”
+She looks back at Joan, “Remember what I told you before.” She smiles
+and walks away.
+
+Joan – “Wait! What did you tell me? When?” The woman continues
+walking away, waving over her shoulder as she leaves.
+
+Emily – “Come on, let’s go!”
+
+With Joan in tow, Emily catches up with the rest of the family. The
+others are looking down at the\ `Inner
+Harbor <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/InnerHarborfromFederalHill.jpg>`__\ from
+their vantage point on Federal Hill.
+
+Will – “What’s the name of the tall ship?”
+
+Richard – “It’s the\ `USS
+Constellation <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/USSConstellation.jpg>`__\ .
+It was the last all-sail ship built by the United States Navy. You’ll
+get a closer look this evening. Emily will be singing at the sidewalk
+theater beside the ship.”
+
+Grace – “Do these cannons still work?”
+
+Adam – “Why, do you want to shoot one?”
+
+Grace – “Yeah! You see those small boats going everywhere?”
+
+Trenna– “Those are water taxis.”
+
+Grace – “Well, imagine them scurrying to get out of the way of a
+cannon ball. It would be like watching water spiders scatter on a
+pond. Round shot ripples, now that would be a hoot!”
+
+Lilly – “I think a tour of the harbor would be fun, minus the cannon
+fodder.”
+
+Kevin – “I could go for that.”
+
+Trevor – “I would rather go see the fishes.”
+
+Luke – “Fishes?”
+
+Trenna– “See that building over there? That’s the National Aquarium.
+I haven’t been there in a few years, but it’s really pretty neat.”
+
+Helen – “I would rather do that than go see a tombstone. What do you
+think, Will?”
+
+Will knows that Helen’s comment is not really a question, but a
+statement permitting only one acceptable response. He asks Richard,
+“Do we have time?”
+
+Richard – “We have time to go to the aquarium or tour the harbor, but
+not both. So, Poe’s grave is out?”
+
+Will – “We’ll have to visit his tell tale heart some other day.”
+
+Helen – “Anyone else have an opinion?”
+
+Grace – “Yes, no, maybe, sorta, kinda; Hey, look over there!”
+
+Adam - “What kind of answer is that?”
+
+Grace – “The midterm elections are coming up next year, my first turn
+at bat. It’s never too early to start preparing for their politically
+definitive answers.”
+
+Luke squeezes a hug from Trevor, “Well, I think phishing can be fun.
+I like catching big phat fish.”
+
+Helen – “Then it’s settled. I’m glad we had this discussion.”
+
+After they finished their tour of the National Aquarium, the
+Girardi’s find a street vendor and enjoy a late lunch of Philly
+Cheese Steaks. It was a nice finish to a morning and afternoon of
+fun.
+
+On the drive home, Trenna detours to Fells Point. They stop at a
+charming gift shop called Zoe’s Garden.
+
+Trenna– “This is where ‘\ The Buck Stops Here\ ’ used to be.”
+
+All browse for a while. Although it wasn’t in her shopping plans,
+Joan couldn’t help but purchase a knickknack for someone special.
+
+At the Girardi Residence
+
+Trenna– “Emily and Trevor, time to take a nap.”
+
+Emily – “But Mom, I’m not tired.”
+
+Trenna– “Em-i-ly, we already talked about this. Go to bed.”
+
+Emily asks Joan, “Will you lay down with me?”
+
+Joan – “Okay, but just for a little while.”
+
+It isn’t long before Emily falls asleep. Joan had planned to slip out
+quietly, but she falls asleep as well. In fact, everyone decides to
+take a nap. When they meet up again later, all are refreshed and
+ready for the evening.
+
+Trenna– “…so you can park here or there’s another garage a block
+north. You do remember how to get there?”
+
+Will – “Yeah, I just take
+
+Belair Road south
+to
+Lombard Street
+and turn right.”
+Luke – “Not quite, Dad. Don’t worry; I made notes for you this
+morning.”
+
+Helen – “And I bought a map at the gift shop.”
+
+Grace – “A map! What a novel idea.”
+
+Adam – “If we can find that Bromo-Seltzer clock tower, it’s just a
+few blocks south of there.”
+
+Joan – “What is Bromo-Seltzer, anyway?”
+
+Richard – “It used to be a popular antacid. I’m not sure if they make
+it anymore.”
+
+Emily comes down stairs, twirls, and then strikes a pose, “Ta-dah!”
+She is beautifully dressed for the evening as one of
+Santa’s\ `elves <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/ElfCostume.jpg>`__\ .
+
+Helen – “This is wonderful! Where did you get it?”
+
+Trenna– “Lauren’s mother made it. She’s quite a seamstress.”
+
+Lilly shakes the jingle bell several times, “I love the hat!”
+
+Joan – “You look perfect for tonight.”
+
+Emily is already beaming, but with Joan’s comment, she begins to glow
+even brighter, “I have another surprise, but I’ll show it to you
+later.”
+
+Trenna– “Did you put your long johns on?”
+
+Emily – “Snug as a doodle bug in a rug.”
+
+Trenna– “Okay, then it’s time to leave. Everybody know the plan?”
+
+All agree. With that, they depart for their destinations of Middle
+River and the Inner Harbor.
+
+At Long Beach Marina
+
+The marina is a patchwork of docks offering over 300 slips for
+mooring boats. Richard keeps his boat in storage during the winter,
+except for the week of Christmas. He launched it and the family
+decorated it last weekend.
+
+The 36-foot cabin cruiser is something the family loves to take out
+during the summer. Richard bought it used several years ago. They
+have toyed with giving the boat a new name, but it still bears the
+name of Wind Mistress. It sleeps six, and they often take it out on
+the Chesapeake Bay for overnight excursions. Emily is always her
+daddy’s first mate.
+
+Luke – “I’ve never been on a boat this big. This is really cool.”
+
+Joan, running her hand along the trim, “This woodwork is beautiful.”
+
+Trenna– “It’s cherry. I love it, too. Let me give you a quick tour.”
+
+At the Inner Harbor
+
+Helen’s map, Adam’s clock tower landmark, and Luke’s notes from
+earlier make the four-mile journey from Richard’s house a success.
+Grace’s ‘Turn right here left’ call from the back seat causes its
+intended confusion, amusing all, except for Will. The detour makes
+the total travel time just slightly longer than planned.
+
+They find a parking garage across the street from Harborplace. Helen
+and Lilly persuade all to browse through the various shops. And
+browse is what they do; however, Will purchases a variety of treats
+from the Fudgery, both for themselves and for the Barnacle Bills.
+
+For dinner, they choose the *Tir* Na Nog, an Irish restaurant with a
+tavern atmosphere. Each chooses a different sandwich from the menu:
+Will, a crab cake; Helen, a club; Lilly, a vegetable pita; Kevin, a
+smoked turkey; Adam, a buffalo chicken; and Grace, a roast beef.
+After the meal, all give a satisfied sigh of relief.
+
+Grace wipes her hands with her napkin, “Well, I’ve done my part for
+global warming. This cow will never pass greenhouse gases again.”
+
+Lilly, smirking at Grace’s remark, “Well, I enjoyed my sandwich,
+too.” She looks at Kevin, “Did I ever mention that I was once a
+vegetarian?”
+
+Grace sarcastically asks, “Did you become a vegetarian because you
+love animals or because you hate plants?”
+
+In the Outer Harbor
+
+The boats gather near the base of the Key Bridge. While Richard finds
+their place in line, Luke, Emily, and Trevor tend to the Christmas
+decorations. They inspect all the trim and turn on the twinkling
+array of lights. Trenna and Joan finish preparing dinner, a beef stew
+that Trenna had begun at home. This isn’t just any beef stew, its
+Trenna’s family recipe. Beef, bacon, carrots, onions, potatoes,
+tomatoes, black olives, porcini mushrooms, and peppercorns are just a
+few of the ingredients, but it’s the brandy that gives the stew its
+unique flavor.
+
+The Girardi’s enjoy the warmth of the stew and the accompanying cup
+of steaming hot chocolate. Each begins to gaze into the night sky,
+dreaming through the noise of the waves gently lapping against the
+boat. The flotilla provides an additional collage of Christmas music
+to sooth the end of the day. As the last remains of twilight fade,
+the evening star sets, signaling the beginning of the parade of
+lights.
+
+At the Inner Harbor
+
+The sidewalk is bustling with people. Some are walking to and fro,
+while others are standing, listening to the music. The band is
+composed of three men and a woman. All are medical professionals by
+day, but at night, they entertain patrons of Baltimore’s nightspots.
+
+The band plays a wide range of music, but tonight, the theme is
+Christmas. They have prepared to perform enough traditional favorites
+so that none will need to be repeated. However, they do honor two
+requests to repeat songs.
+
+Kevin backs his wheelchair against a pylon and seats Lilly on his
+lap. The others gather on either side. As they listen, two young
+girls approach. One asks, “Hi, are you Kevin?”
+
+Kevin – “Yeah, that’s me, are you Kizzie?”
+
+Lauren – “No, I’m Lauren.” She points to her friend, “This is Kizzie.
+We’re here to sing with Emily.”
+
+Helen – “Joan has mentioned both of you. Come join us.”
+
+Lilly – “Your outfits are darling, similar to Emily’s, but slightly
+different.”
+
+Kizzie– “That’s how we wanted it. Emily is singing lead and we will
+be singing harmony.”
+
+Grace observes Kizzie’s unique accessory, “Those are pretty earrings,
+a sparkling star that embraces all the possible opposites.”
+
+Kizziesays thank you, but then she realizes that Grace has learned
+her secret, “Okay, so I’m a Jewish elf. Emily is my best friend. She
+asked me to be here.”
+
+Grace – “Hey, no problem, that’s why I’m here. It’s just kind of
+funny, don’t ya think?”
+
+Kizziesmiles, “Yeah, kinda.”
+
+A commotion begins as people call out, “I can see them! They’re
+coming!” The band ends their song and the crowd begins to drift south
+on the sidewalk to get a better view. Cheers erupt, and then all
+becomes quiet as the first boats come into view. The people aren’t
+sure how to respond. It’s the Lady D, followed by the Coast Guard
+LCM-8 involved in
+her\ `rescue <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4442/is_200408/ai_n16062106>`__\ last
+year. The crowd decides to give them a round of applause, recognizing
+the theme of tragedy and hope.
+
+Following comes a random mixture of sail and power boats, some large
+and some small. Among the boats are the Der Pelikan, Get The Net,
+Three Belles, and the *Seaheather*. The Wind Mistress has a position
+near the middle.
+
+Emily has been jumping up and down, waving at the people, and calling
+out “Merry Christmas” the whole way. The others have as well, but
+Emily is certainly the most exuberant. As they approach the wharf,
+she calls out, “I can see them! I can see them!”
+
+Joan scans the crowd, “Where are they? I can’t see them. There are
+too many people.”
+
+Luke points, “See the two guys in wheelchairs? Kevin is the one on
+the right.”
+
+Joan – “Oh yeah, the one with Lilly on his lap.” All of them return
+to waving and calling out, “Merry Christmas!”
+
+On the shore, the Girardi’s spot their seafaring counterparts. They
+wave and call out “Merry Christmas.” To the masses, this is just
+another decorated boat passing by.
+
+After they circle past the cheering crowd, Richard steers the Wind
+Mistress into the marina at Locust Point. There, he moors beside the
+USS Sanctuary. All climb the ladder to the dock, and begin the walk
+back to the theater where Emily will sing.
+
+When the last of the boats pass the crowd, the band begins to play
+once again. Emily sees Lauren and Kizzie and runs up to greet them.
+The band is playing Jingle Bell Rock so Emily, Lauren, and Kizzie
+hold hands and begin to circle dance. Joan, Grace, Adam, Luke, and
+Trevor also join in the horah. After a few more songs, the band sings
+Silent Night. This is Emily’s cue that her song is next.
+
+The female singer steps up to the microphone, “We hope that you have
+enjoyed the music this evening. For our last song, we would like to
+introduce a talented young singer.” She gives Emily a nod. After
+Emily, Lauren, and Kizzie come on stage, she continues, “Please give
+a warm welcome to nine-year-old Miss Emily Girardi.”
+
+The crowd applauds. Emily takes the microphone off the stand, “Hey,
+I’m almost ten.” After the crowd finishes laughing, Emily continues,
+“These are my friends Lauren and Kizzie.” Lauren and Kizzie take a
+bow, and then lower their microphone on its stand. Emily looks back
+to the band, nods, and returns to face the crowd. She begins to sing.
+
+*So this is Christmas
+*And* what have you done
+Another year over
+And a new one just begun...*
+
+After she finishes the song, the crowd gives her a long round of
+applause. She waits for them to quiet and then speaks, “Thank you,
+thank you.” She pauses briefly, “I’ve been looking forward to this
+for a long, long time. I love to sing, and I have been aching to have
+people to sing to. Being able to sing for you tonight is a dream come
+true.” She pauses once again, gives a sly smile, and then asks,
+“What’s my name?” The crowd roars, “Emily!” Emily responds, “Great,
+now I have one last thing to say.” She lowers the microphone to her
+belt buckle and presses
+the\ `button <https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzD_A1TK-sRLZEppemZXT0FIYUk/edit?usp=sharing>`__\ .
+As the crowd laughs, Emily and her friends wave and leave the stage.
+
+Trennahugs Emily, and then she hugs Lauren and Kizzie, “You were
+wonderful!”
+
+Emily – “They did seem to like me, didn’t they.”
+
+Joan – “You were fantastic. You get better every time I hear you
+sing.”
+
+The woman from the band calls over, “Lauren and Kizzie, stay where I
+can see you.”
+
+Lauren – “Mo-om, we’re right here.” The woman stops packing her
+instruments and walks over, “Mom, these are Emily’s cousins from
+Arcadia.”
+
+Trennamakes the introductions, “Sheila Morris, this is Richard’s
+brother Will, his wife Helen, their sons Kevin and Luke, and their
+daughter Joan. And this is Lilly Watters, Kevin’s fiancé.”
+
+Sheila – “It’s nice to meet all of you, but especially you, Joan. I
+feel like I know you. Emily talks about you all the time.”
+
+Joan – “Well, it’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Morris. Emily has told
+me how kind you are to her when she comes to play with Lauren. Thank
+you for making the costumes for tonight.”
+
+Lilly – “Yes, they were marvelous!”
+
+Sheila – “I know how special this is for Emily, so I was happy to do
+it.” She gives Lauren and Kizzie a little hug, “Well girls, we need
+to get Kizzie home. Come help me finish packing.” She looks back to
+the Girardi’s, “Again, it was nice meeting you. Perhaps I’ll see some
+of you tomorrow morning. Have a very Merry Christmas!”
+
+They part ways, each to begin their journey home.
+
+At the Girardi Residence
+
+The Girardi’s are happy to be home, as they wind down from a pleasant
+evening. That is, except for Emily. She is so high she may never come
+down, but exhaustion is beginning to take its toll. She allows Joan
+to cuddle with both her and Adam. She even allows them to smooch a
+little without protest.
+
+All are gathered in the living room, enjoying a dessert of whipped
+cream covered pumpkin pie. When they finish, Richard explains, “We
+have a tradition of letting the children open one present on
+Christmas Eve. Would you like to join us?”
+
+The older kids look at each other, unsure how to respond. Helen makes
+the decision, “I think we would rather just watch Trevor and Emily
+open a present. We can do ours tomorrow.”
+
+Richard continues, “Okay, which of you would like to go first?”
+
+Trevor – “I will, I will!”
+
+Trennadirects him to a couple packages under the tree, “Which one
+would you like to open?”
+
+Trevor looks back and forth between the large and small packages,
+trying to make a choice. Richard decides to assist, “Sometimes good
+things come in small packages.”
+
+Trevor retrieves the smaller package and looks at the tag. It reads,
+“From Luke.” He unwraps it, “Wow,\ `The Adventures of Sharkboy and
+Lavagirl <http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0424774/>`__\ ! Thanks Luke,
+let’s go watch this.”
+
+Before Luke can respond, Trenna interrupts, “Not tonight, it’s
+already past bedtime. You can watch it tomorrow after church.”
+
+Emily – “My turn, my turn!”
+
+Joan – “I got you something. It’s in the blue paper with snowflakes.”
+
+Emily looks and finds it. She sits beside Joan while she opens it,
+“\ \ `Ice Princess <http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0396652/>`__\ ? What’s
+it about?”
+
+Grace – “They should have called it Skating in the City or maybe
+Buffy’s Frigid Sister.”
+
+Joan gives Grace a smirk, “It’s actually a delightful story about a
+young girl chasing her dreams. She reminds me of you. We can watch it
+together tomorrow.”
+
+Emily gives Joan a hug, “Thanks, Joan.”
+
+This appears to be it, but then Trenna comments, “Grace, we made you
+a gift. It’s the small square package in purple paper. We would like
+you to open it now.”
+
+Grace is surprised, not expecting to be a part of this ritual of
+greed, at least not tonight. She retrieves
+the\ `package <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/blue-star-of-david-ornament.jpg>`__\ from
+under the tree and opens it. When she sees what they have made her,
+she is deeply touched and initially is not sure what to say.
+
+Emily boasts, “I helped to glue on the sequins!”
+
+Trennacomments, “Happy Hanukkah, Grace. We would be honored if you
+would hang it on the tree while you are here.”
+
+Grace walks over and hangs the ornament prominently on the front of
+the tree. She admires it as she backs away, and then turns to face
+the others. A hint of a tear is in her eye, “Thank you. This really
+means a lot to me.”
+
+Christmas Morning
+
+Trevor whispers to his father at a distance of about two inches,
+“Dad, wake up! Santa came. Can I go downstairs?”
+
+Emily is on the other side of the bed whispering to her mother, “Mom,
+time to wake up. Santa’s been here!”
+
+Richard opens one eye and looks at the clock. It reads 4:53 a.m. He
+repeats Trevor’s news to Trenna, “Santa came last night.”
+
+Trennamoans, “Go back to bed. We’re not opening presents until after
+church.”
+
+Trevor responds, now at full volume, “But there’s a new bike down
+there! I think it’s mine!”
+
+Emily also excitedly informs her mother, “And there’s a scooter that
+I think Santa left for me!”
+
+Trennamoans once again, realizing that there will be no return to the
+Land of Nod. She throws back the covers, “Okay, but nothing happens
+until I’ve had my first cup of coffee.”
+
+Emily and Trevor run back to their bedrooms. There, Joan and Luke sit
+groggily on the bed. Each had previously gone through a similar
+scenario. Their response was, “Go ask your parents.”
+
+After starting the coffee, Trenna steps out onto the porch. An
+overnight shower has coated everything with a thin sheet of ice. She
+observes, Well, I know why no one has ever written a song called,
+“I’m Dreaming of a Translucent Christmas.” It’s pretty, but you can’t
+do anything with it. There will be no bike riding outside this
+morning. She returns inside to watch the coffee maker fill ever so
+slowly.
+
+The older Girardi’s sit on the living room couch, each nursing a
+fresh cup of coffee. As in Joan and Luke’s house, a loop can be made
+through the downstairs. However, here there are no steps to
+negotiate. The young folks circle through the downstairs testing
+their new modes of transportation. When Emily passes, she smiles and
+continues to sing her latest tune. When Trevor passes, he rings his
+bicycle bell, an accessory Richard is beginning to regret having
+purchased. The wall clock chimes six times to remind them that they
+should all still be in bed.
+
+Trennaretrieves the phone and calls the hotel. When Helen picks up,
+Trenna just begins speaking, “You remember that eight o’clock Mass we
+were going to? It’s been postponed until twelve-thirty. Come on over
+anyway. I’ll make breakfast.”
+
+Helen is about to respond when she hears ‘brringg-brringg’ through
+the receiver, “What was that?”
+
+Trenna– “It’s something whose warranty is about to expire. Come on
+over.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+There was a doughnut shop across from the hotel, so Will stopped and
+picked up breakfast.
+
+Trenna– “I’m glad that Fred had time to make the doughnuts. Thank you
+for getting them.”
+
+Will – “No problem. Like a good neighbor, Dunkin’ Donuts was there.”
+
+Richard - “Doughnuts bring good things to life.”
+
+Kevin moans, “If any of you decides on a second career, donut
+consider a job in advertising.”
+
+Despite Kevin’s sarcasm, or perhaps due to it, the others decide to
+join in the fun.
+
+Adam – “I donut, they are the breakfast of champions.”
+
+Grace – “Better things for better living through chemistry.”
+
+Will – “Hey, everyone knows that Arcadia’s finest runs on Dunkin’.”
+
+Joan – “I donut believe I ate the whole thing.”
+
+Helen – “King Dunkin’ donut fair to well in Macbeth.”
+
+Lilly – “Maybe he should have taken a flying leap through a Dunkin’
+Donut.”
+
+Luke – “Marge dear, would you kindly pass me a donut?”
+
+Grace - “Donut? What’s a donut?”
+
+As Emily scoots by, she snatches another doughnut, “That’s what
+donuts are-are, mmm-mmm good.” All laugh, not because her comment is
+so funny, but because she has not been privy to their conversation.
+When she comes around again, she asks, “Can we open presents now?”
+
+A ‘yes’ from Trenna begins the unwrapping fest for Trevor and Emily.
+It’s a long process, because Trevor and Emily play with their new
+toys before opening the next gift. Trevor received a Hasbro ChatNow,
+so he and Luke talk and text each other from different rooms in the
+house. Emily received the Crayola Girlfitti, and she, Joan, and Grace
+colored and talked. Adam even joins them for a while, offering Emily
+some artistic advice. Before they know it, the morning is gone, and
+it’s time to get ready for church.
+
+Although Emily is old enough to attend Mass, Trenna prefers that both
+she and Trevor attend Bible study. The teacher has a talent for
+explaining the message of the Bible in a way that children can
+understand. It is a forum where questions can be asked, and Emily is
+always full of questions.
+
+Being Christmas, today’s lesson is the story of the birth of Jesus,
+as told in the books of Matthew and Luke of the New Testament. Those
+familiar with the story know about the wise men from the east who
+visited Jesus as a child. They presented gifts of gold, frankincense,
+and myrrh. Emily has, what in her mind is a perfectly valid question,
+“Why would a wise man want Jesus to smell like a monster?” The
+teacher always counts on an interesting Bible study class when Emily
+attends.
+
+Will, Adam, Grace, Joan, and Luke stay at home. Emily wants Joan to
+attend Bible study with her, but Joan persuades Emily that she should
+spend time with her friends. They consider opening their gifts to
+each other, but Will asks that they wait until everyone is present.
+
+What to do? Joan and Luke are about to fall asleep, so Adam suggests
+that they take a walk. It has warmed enough outside to melt the ice,
+but it is still cold enough to awaken anything warm blooded. Joan and
+Luke agree.
+
+They stroll down the sidewalk and talk about last evening. Joan and
+Luke share their experience on the boat, and Adam and Grace share the
+excitement of the Inner Harbor. Grace pulls out samples of the fudge
+that Will purchased, and all enjoy the treat. The sugar rush helps
+for Joan and Luke’s fatigue.
+
+Luke – “Mmm, this is sooo good! You know, chocolate has been shown to
+improve blood vessel function in healthy people.”
+
+Joan – “So, there’s no problem with renting space at the top of the
+food pyramid?”
+
+Adam – “Hey, at least it’s a balanced diet.” He rocks back and forth
+with a piece of fudge in each hand.
+
+Grace quips, “Save the Earth… it’s the only planet with chocolate.”
+
+Joan notices what’s across the street, “Hey, Saint Michael’s! Isn’t
+that their church?”
+
+Adam – “Yeah, I think that’s what your aunt said as they were
+leaving.”
+
+Joan – “Let’s go see.”
+
+Grace – “They’re busy doing their Christmas thing. We should leave
+them alone.”
+
+Adam – “We’re not dressed for church. I don’t think we should go in,
+either.”
+
+Joan – “They won’t mind. Come on, we can go in quietly and stand in
+the back.”
+
+Grace – “Can we dispense with the rumble afterwards?”
+
+Joan gives Grace a smirk, “You know that had nothing to do with the
+mosque. It could have happened anywhere. Let’s go in.”
+
+Joan walks up the steps, pulls the huge mahogany door open, and slips
+through. The others follow her inside.
+
+They congregate in the back of the church as planned. No one notices
+their entry, except for the priest and some members of the choir. To
+their delight, they do not give notice to the congregation.
+
+The priest steps up to the lectern and begins to speak, “Today, we
+celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. His birth should not
+have been a surprise, for it was prophesied in the Old Testament.
+Some of the passages are:
+
+*Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their
+brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he
+shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.*\ God would raise
+up a prophet like Moses.
+
+*Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
+Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his
+name Immanuel.*\ One would be born of a virgin as a special sign or
+miracle from God.
+
+*Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and
+the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be
+called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,
+The Prince of Peace.*\ This One, who was yet to be born, would have a
+special place in the hearts of all the people. This One, born of a
+virgin, would have Authority to reign over the world.
+
+*Genesis 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a
+lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall
+the gathering of the people be.*\ This One, who was yet to be born,
+would have a special place in the hearts of all the people.
+
+*Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among
+the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me
+that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of
+old, from everlasting.*\ This Son was to be born in Bethlehem.
+
+*Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my
+son out of Egypt.*\ This Son was also to come out of Egypt.
+
+In the New Testament, Mathew 2:14 & 15 states…”
+
+Joan motions for them to leave, and they escape as quietly as they
+entered. Once outside, Joan asks, “Is that true?”
+
+Adam – “Is what true?”
+
+Joan – “That part about the passages in the Old Testament.”
+
+Luke – “I don’t think that a priest would make it up.”
+
+Grace – “A few words can be disputed, but they are factually
+accurate.”
+
+Joan – “Wow, so maybe my mom and Lilly are right.”
+
+Grace – “Hey, I said that it was an accurate translation. I didn’t
+say that I agree with his conclusion.”
+
+Joan – “But don’t these passages support what Christians believe
+about Jesus?”
+
+Grace – “There are just as many other passages that tend to disprove
+that Jesus was the Messiah. I… Jews believe that Jesus was a great
+teacher, nothing more.”
+
+Luke – “This type of pseudo-science is a common occurrence. Take
+nine-eleven. As soon as it happened, people started quoting
+Nostradamus saying, ‘See, he predicted this.’ When Dan Brown
+published The Da Vinci Code, people started searching The Nag Hammadi
+library for proof, in support of a work of fiction! Even man-made
+global warming has all the characteristics of a religion. A consensus
+is not proof. A consensus is an agreement, an opinion, a belief.
+There was once a consensus that the world was flat, too. These
+scientists should be required to state the opinions upon which their
+facts are based.”
+
+Joan – “So, you don’t believe what the priest said, either?”
+
+Luke – “No, I didn’t say that. A true scientist must acknowledge how
+much he doesn’t know, leaving room for mystery, miracles, and the
+wisdom of nature. In these matters, everyone has to decide for
+themselves what they believe to be true.”
+
+Joan – “So it always comes down to faith. I know what I believe, but
+what if what I believe turns out not to be true?”
+
+Adam – “Jane, I don’t think we can ever know. The answer will always
+be bigger than the question. The best we can do is to try to ask the
+right questions.”
+
+Joan is taken aback, because she remembers being told this before.
+After a short pause, she answers, “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Let’s
+go home.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Richard walks in carrying Trevor and Kevin rolls in with Emily on his
+lap. The munchkins were too tired to walk home and are now sound
+asleep. This is another Girardi Christmas tradition, although it is
+seldom a planned event. Richard and Will carry the sleeping beauties
+upstairs and tuck them into their beds. As they return downstairs,
+each takes comfort in knowing that the most precious thing worth
+stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child.
+
+Trennaand Helen are in the kitchen making lunch when Will and Richard
+join the others in the living room. Will notices that Joan and Luke
+are once again falling asleep. He suggests, “Why don’t you two go lie
+down and get up with Trevor and Emily.”
+
+Both Joan and Luke feel bad, because they would rather spend the time
+with Adam and Grace, but they accept their father’s suggestion. It’s
+just too much of a struggle to stay awake. After Joan and Luke walk
+upstairs, Helen and Trenna bring out lunch trays prepared so everyone
+can assemble sandwiches.
+
+Trennaturns on the TV and selects a channel. Within a few
+minutes,\ `A Season for
+Miracles <http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0226418/>`__\ begins to play.
+All enjoy the movie while they eat.
+
+Toward the end of the movie, the four nodding hams stroll downstairs.
+Trenna retrieves the lunch trays from the refrigerator, and they
+enjoy a late lunch while watching the conclusion of the movie.
+
+Magical voices have been calling Trevor and Emily since they awoke
+from their nap. Both have been watching the packages attempt to
+jostle their way to the front, each calling out “Open me!” or “No,
+open me first!” or “No, I’m the prettier one, open me!” As soon as
+Alanna narrates the ending to the movie, Trevor asks, “Can we…?”
+
+Richard anticipates his question, “Yes, but let’s let your cousins
+begin.”
+
+Grace – “I have something for Luke.” She retrieves the package from
+beneath the tree and gives it to him.
+
+Luke – “Are you sure?”
+
+Grace – “No one has ever become poor by giving. Merry Christmas.”
+
+Luke accepts the gift and unwraps it, “Wow, thank you!” He holds up
+the book,\ `God at the Speed of Light: The Melding of Science and
+Spirituality <http://www.writers.net/writers/books/17653>`__\ .”
+Grace – “The first half is a bit heavy with physics, but the second
+half is an easier read. I think you’ll enjoy it.”
+
+Luke – “You’ve read it?”
+
+Grace – “Well yeah, I do come with a brain.”
+
+Luke – “No, I didn’t mean that. This just doesn’t sound like
+something you would be interested in reading.”
+
+Grace – “I read it to find out if you would like it. I didn’t say
+that I agree with it.”
+
+Joan – “Can I see?” Luke hands her the book. She looks at the cover,
+leafs through the pages, and then she gives it back, “I don’t think I
+would be able to understand this. Will you explain it to me when
+you’re done?”
+
+Luke smiles, “Still having personal issues with the electromagnetic
+spectrum? Okay, my fish tank can use cleaning when we get home.” Joan
+sticks her tongue out at him.
+
+Grace – “Every major religious text in the world metaphorically
+describes God using terms of light. Baumann theorizes that God and
+light are inseparably linked, being manifestations of the same thing.
+Now you know.”
+
+Trennadecides that it’s time to move on with the gift giving. She
+asks, “Joan, do you have a gift you would like to give someone?”
+
+Joan walks over to the tree and retrieves a package. She sits back
+down next to Adam and gives it to him, “Merry Christmas.”
+
+Adam opens the small box to find
+a\ `pendant <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/JMensPendant.jpg>`__\ ,
+“Wow, thanks… and the letter ‘J’.”
+
+Grace quips, “It’s a heart monitor, dude.”
+Joan smiles at Grace’s comment and further explains, “No bells or
+whistles, just a reminder of where my heart resides.”
+
+Adam understands the dual meaning of her comment. She is once again
+offering him a gift of her heart, but also reminding him of his
+responsibility by accepting it, “Thank you. I will wear this always.”
+He slips the chain over his head, puts the medallion in place, and
+thanks Joan with a kiss.
+
+Emily puts two fingers in her mouth and pretends to gag. This gives
+everyone a smile, except for Joan and Adam who are too busy to
+notice. She begins to fidget in her seat, looking excitedly at her
+mother. Trenna relents, “Emily, do you have a present that you would
+like to give?”
+
+Emily flies off the couch and retrieves a package from under the
+tree. She sits back down next to Joan and gives it to her, “Merry
+Christmas! I hope you like it. The man said it was their best movie.”
+
+Joan opens the package to find a DVD of the movie\ `Top
+Hat <http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0027125/>`__\ , staring Fred Astaire
+and Ginger Rogers, “Wow, thanks. My friend Cee-Cee thinks that Ginger
+Rogers is the best dancer ever.” She continues, still excitedly for
+Emily’s benefit, “And it’s noir!”
+
+Adam offers a correction, “It’s filmed in black and white, but it’s
+not noir.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, okay, well I like it anyway, thank you.” She gives Emily
+a hug, which Emily cherishes.
+
+Richard – “Lilly, do you have a gift that you would like to give?”
+
+Lilly goes to the tree and returns with a two-foot long cylindrical
+package. She gives it to Kevin, “Merry Christmas.”
+
+Kevin – “Hmm, let me guess, a swimsuit poster of Natalie Glebova?”
+
+Lilly – “Not a chance. Guess again.”
+
+Kevin – “Well, I guess we’ll have to see.” He opens the present,
+“Cool! Up to twenty feet! Go stand over by the wall.”
+
+Lilly – “Why, you’re not going to grab me with that thing.”
+
+Kevin – “I need to test it somehow. Oh, and face the wall.”
+
+Lilly gives him the evil eye.
+
+Kevin – “Okay, put your back to the wall. I can test it that way,
+too.”
+
+Lilly gives him a smirk, knowing full well what he intends to do. She
+crumples some wrapping paper and presses it into a ball, “You can
+grab this.”
+
+Kevin – “I like my idea better.” Lilly once again eyes him
+dangerously.
+
+Kevin relents. He inserts the batteries and presses the button. It
+telescopes out to its maximum length. He then releases the mechanism,
+pulls the lever, and grabs the ball of paper.
+
+Kevin – “Got it!” He gives her a mischievous smile, “Do you think
+Tippy would like to play when we get home?”
+
+Lilly takes the grabber tool and places it back into its box. She
+says with a slight smile, “They should have put a rating on this
+thing, not suitable for children under twelve.”
+
+Trenna– “Okay Trevor, you’re under twelve. Do you have a present that
+you would like to give?”
+
+Trevor scurries over to the tree and retrieves an oblong box. He
+gives it to Luke, “Merry Christmas.”
+
+Luke unwraps the present, “\ Where IS Moldova? I don’t know, Eastern
+Europe maybe? I’ve never heard of this game!”
+
+Trevor – “I don’t know where it is either, but my dad says this looks
+like a fun game.”
+
+Richard – “We went shopping to get you a video game, but we found
+this at the store and decided to get it instead. We hope you enjoy
+it.”
+
+Luke – “Yeah, this looks cool. I haven’t played a board game in a
+long time. Thanks.”
+
+Richard – “Do you have a gift that you would like to give?”
+
+Luke walks over and retrieves a small package from under the tree. He
+returns and gives it to Grace, “Merry Christmas, Grace. I’ve always
+known that you were special. This proves it.”
+
+Grace unwraps the package to find a homemade DVD. In black marker,
+Luke has written Grace – March 3, 1988, “You better not tell me that
+you’ve transferred a bunch of my baby pictures to DVD!”
+
+Luke – “No, although you could do that for me.” Grace gives him a
+‘not in your lifetime’ look, so Luke continues, “I discovered that
+something marvelous happened on the day you were born. I would like
+to show you.”
+
+Grace – “Now, with everyone here? No way, Dude!”
+
+Luke – “Trust me, it’s not embarrassing. You’ll love it!”
+
+Richard – “The DVD player is in the cabinet to the left of the TV.”
+
+Grace is reluctant, but she walks over and inserts the disk into the
+DVD player. Richard turns on the television and selects the video
+input. He then gives the remote to Grace.
+
+Luke – “Push play, and then replay. I’ll explain what you’re
+watching.”
+
+Grace complies. While
+the\ `video <https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzD_A1TK-sRLVExlTDFqSWN1UWM/edit?usp=sharing>`__\ plays,
+Luke narrates, “There was a lunar eclipse on the day you were born.
+It was unique, because it was the shortest partial lunar eclipse of
+the 20th century. It lasted only 13 minutes, 25 seconds. This video
+is time compressed to 18 seconds. Only three thousands of a percent
+of the Moon’s surface was covered by the Earth’s umbra.”
+
+Grace – “Great! I share a birthday with the most unimpressive eclipse
+of the century.”
+
+Luke – “No, not at all! This eclipse is actually quite extraordinary!
+Watch the video again.” After Grace plays it several more times, Luke
+asks, “Can you see it?”
+
+No one does. Everyone gives him a look of bewilderment. He takes the
+remote and plays the video again, “Okay, let me explain. The Earth’s
+shadow has two parts: the umbra, the darker inner part caused by the
+Earth totally blocking the light from the sun; and the penumbra, a
+lighter outer shadow caused by light from the sun only being
+partially blocked. The penumbra does cover the Moon, but watch the
+umbra.”
+
+After several more plays, Joan exclaims, “Oh, I see it!”
+
+Luke – “What?”
+
+Joan becomes a little self conscious, “Never mind, I’m probably
+wrong. I’m sure you’re looking for some scientific explanation.”
+
+Luke – “Not everything is about science.”
+
+Helen – “Joan, tell us.”
+
+With her mother’s urging, Joan continues. “Well, it’s sorta like a
+cosmic Fred and Ginger.”
+
+Luke – “Excellent!” Luke gives Grace an embrace while looking over
+her shoulder toward the TV. He clicks play once again, “On the day
+that you were born, the Earth’s shadow danced with the Moon.”
+
+Everyone is astounded as they realize what Luke has been trying to
+show them. Joan smiles, looks up, and then back to the group, “Grace,
+it’s a touch of truth that lets you see the world in a whole new
+way.”
+
+Kevin – “How did you figure this out?”
+
+Luke – “Well, I used this program called Starry Night and…”
+
+Grace interrupts him, “Don’t spoil it, space boy. You did good.” When
+Luke moves in for a kiss, Grace permits it.
+
+Helen – “Luke, I’m impressed. This is so sweet. You really can be a
+romantic!” She pauses for a moment, thinking about who has and hasn’t
+given a gift, “Adam, do you have a gift that you would like to give?”
+
+Adam walks over to the tree and retrieves a package. He sits back
+down and gives it to Joan, “Merry Christmas, Joan.”
+
+Joan gives him a smile and carefully removes the wrapping paper.
+Inside, she finds an envelope and a smaller wrapped package. Adam
+says, “Open the envelope.”
+
+Joan opens the envelope to find a letter,
+a\ `photograph <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/SnowflakeJoan.jpg>`__\ ,
+and a small vial. She reads
+the\ `letter <http://dc14.4shared.com/download/59268857/66be85d8/THE_OFFICIAL_CANADIAN_SNOWFLAKE_REGISTRY.doc>`__\ .
+
+Joan sits silently for a few moments, looking at the photograph. She
+then tilts the vial back and forth, watching the drop of water move
+from end to end.
+
+Emily – “That’s so cool, your very own snowflake!”
+
+Adam – “I wanted to get you something unique. What do you think?”
+
+Joan is torn, not sure what to say, “Adam, this is really sweet. How
+much did you pay for this?”
+
+Adam – “Just three easy payments of $19.95.”
+
+Joan explodes, “You paid sixty bucks for this? A letter, a picture,
+and a drop of water! What were you thinking! We could have had dinner
+at La Cachette or Don’s Steakhouse…”
+
+Grace inserts a comment while Joan is on her rant, “Or Adam could
+play a joke on you.”
+
+Joan – “… or you could have gotten me a…” Joan realizes what Grace
+has just said, “It’s… it’s a joke?”
+
+Adam smiles, “Jane, there’s another package there. Open it.”
+
+Joan removes the paper to find a jewelry box. She lifts the lid and
+views
+the\ `contents <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/SnowflakeEarRingNecklace.jpg>`__\ ,
+“Wow, these are beautiful!”
+
+She removes the earrings and puts them on. She then gives the
+necklace to Adam, “Will you put this on me?”
+
+Adam clasps the necklace around her neck. She then gets up and walks
+over to a mirror. She admires her gift for a few moments and returns.
+After giving Adam a kiss, she says, “These are wonderful! I’m sorry
+about before.”
+
+Adam – “It’s okay. We all had bets on how you would react.”
+
+Joan – “We?”
+
+Kevin – “It was risky. I mean, with Joan, you never know which home
+phone number you’re going to get.”
+
+Grace – “She is quasi-Sybilesque. I still can’t believe what she did
+to that guy at the mosque.”
+
+Luke – “That expression on your face was priceless, ‘Adam, this is
+really sweet.’ I thought you were going to kill him then!”
+
+Adam smiles, “I wasn’t worried.” He puts his hand on his chest and
+caresses the pendent that she gave him, “I know what’s in here.”
+
+Emily – “Can I have the picture of the snowflake?”
+
+Joan gives her the photo, the letter, and snowflake urn. Emily grins
+and whispers to herself, “Wow, Snowflake Joan.” Joan smiles and
+squeezes a hug.
+
+Will – “Kevin, do you have a gift that you would like to give?”
+
+Kevin uses his grabber tool to retrieve a package from under the
+tree. He gives it to Lilly, “Merry Christmas.”
+
+It’s a small package and Lilly is not surprised when she sees that it
+is jewelry. She is pleased with
+Kevin’s\ `choice <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/LilyCrossNecklaceEarrings.jpg>`__\ .
+It’s a sterling silver cross, entwined by a single vine which has
+captured a calla lily. There are also matching calla lily earrings.
+She puts on the earrings and then sits on Kevin’s lap so he can adorn
+her with the necklace.
+
+Kevin – “I thought these were a perfect way to demonstrate how you
+and your faith are intertwined. It’s you.”
+
+Lilly – “I love it.” She looks down at her necklace, and then gives
+him a kiss.
+
+Will – “Well, I have a gift that I would like to give.” He retrieves
+a package from under the tree and gives it to Helen, “Merry
+Christmas.”
+
+Helen opens the package to find a beautiful\ `red
+dress <http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mshaffer2/RedDressShaw1.jpg>`__\ and
+matching shawl, “Will, this is beautiful!” She leans over and gives
+him a kiss.
+
+Will – “There’s more.”
+
+Helen looks under the paper and finds an envelope. When she opens it,
+she finds two tickets for the play Hairspray. She looks closer at the
+tickets and exclaims, “Tomorrow!”
+
+Will – “The last time we went to a play, it didn’t turn out well. I
+thought we’d try it again.”
+
+Helen – “I’ve heard of this play. I’ve been hoping it would come to
+Arcadia.”
+
+Will – “I purposely avoided reading the details. All I know is that
+it’s a bright, colorful, tuneful musical comedy. At least the story
+will be a surprise.”
+
+Richard – “The play is at the Hippodrome downtown. It’s a beautiful
+theater. They just finished renovating the building last year. It was
+originally built in 1907.”
+
+Helen – “Maybe we can get some more tickets. Trenna, Lilly, I’m sure
+you would enjoy this play, too.”
+
+Will – “Perhaps another time. I would like this to be our night out.”
+
+Helen – “Okay, it’s my turn. She retrieves a package from under the
+tree and gives it to Will, “Merry Christmas.”
+
+Will opens the package to find a signed copy of William F. Buckley’s
+book, The Unmaking of a Mayor. Will caresses the slightly worn cover,
+leafs through a few pages, and smiles, “Thank you. I’ll enjoy reading
+this.”
+
+Helen looks at him for a moment, expecting him to say more, but he
+doesn’t. She then asks, “Richard, do you have a gift to give?”
+
+Richard retrieves a package from under the tree and gives it to
+Trenna, “Merry Christmas, Hon.”
+
+Trennaopens the package to find an assortment of nightwear. There are
+2 matching nightgown pajamas sets, and 2 robes. One nightgown and
+pajama set is royal blue and the other is white with a pink butterfly
+print. The robes are made of terrycloth, one pink and one blue, each
+matching a nightgown pajama set.
+
+Trennacomments, “Well, there is nothing sexy about these.” She
+pretends to read the garment tag, “Hmm, Melissa Gilbert Collection.”
+
+Richard smiles at her joke, “No it doesn’t. Besides, anything is sexy
+when you wear it.”
+
+Trennasmiles, “I love them. Sexy is the antithesis of comfortable.
+What do you think for tonight, gown or pajamas, pink or blue?”
+
+Richard – “How about the blue nightgown?”
+
+Trenna– “Ooh la la, royal blue dreams tonight.” She puts her
+nightwear aside and retrieves a package for Richard, “Merry
+Christmas.”
+
+Richard opens the package to find a copy of\ `The Limbaugh
+Letter <http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/pages/static/limbaugh-letter>`__\ ,
+“Great! Talent on loan from God. Now all I need is Rush 24/7.”
+
+Trenna– “The letter is a concession. You don’t have time for Rush
+24/7.”
+
+Richard notices there is also a bottle of British Sterling aftershave
+in the box. He opens it and puts a few dabs on. Trenna takes a sniff
+and begins to snuggle his neck, “I love that smell on you.”
+
+Richard smiles, “Ooh and I love it when you smell me.”
+
+Emily exclaims, “Eeeuw, da-ad, mo-om, cooties maximus!”
+
+Joan squeezes another hug from Emily, “Yeah, too much bedroom.” Joan
+whispers, “You may have cooties and not even know it. Would you like
+me to give you the cootie shot?”
+
+Emily – “Uh, I don’t know, does it hurt?”
+
+Joan – “No, let me show you.” She traces the motions with her hand as
+she sings the little song, “Circle, circle, dot, dot. Now you have
+your cootie shot.”
+
+Emily – “Show me that again!” Joan shows her again, after which Emily
+begins to practice on her own.
+
+The gift giving continues. However, the remaining gifts bear the
+label, ‘From Santa’, or ‘From Rudolph’, or from some other
+traditional holiday character. This was so Trevor and Emily would not
+believe that Santa had forgotten about their cousins.
+
+When all the gifts were unwrapped, there was still one package under
+the tree. This was Grace’s present from her father. Trenna asks,
+“Grace, would you like to open your gift now or do it later?”
+
+Grace answers by retrieving the package from under the tree. Her
+curiosity of what gift her father has given her for Christmas is
+finally quenched. She is pleased when she removes a Hanukkah Menorah,
+an eight candle candelabrum. There are also several boxes of candles.
+
+Trenna– “That’s beautiful! Would you like to light the candles?”
+
+Grace – “Yes, I would.” She glances out the window, “But it’s not
+quite time. Hanukkah begins at sundown.”
+
+Helen – “I know that Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday, but I really don’t
+know any more than that. Would you explain it to us?”
+
+Grace – “Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Jerusalem
+temple by Judah Maccabee in 165 B.C. It recalls the Talmudic story of
+the Temple’s one-day supply of oil miraculously burning for eight
+days. As part of the celebration, we light an additional candle for
+each day of the festival.
+
+Richard retrieves the newspaper and finds the page that gives the
+local weather forecast, “Sundown is at 4:34 pm.” He glances at his
+watch, “That’s coming up pretty quick. Is there anything that we can
+do to help you prepare?”
+
+Grace is surprised, but pleased by Richard’s offer. She is hesitant,
+but asks, “Well, after I light the candles, I would like to place the
+Menorah in front of the window. Would that be alright?”
+
+Trenna– “We can move one of the end tables under the window and place
+a cookie sheet on top of it.”
+
+Will – “How long do the candles stay lit? I mean, what if they’re
+still burning when it’s time for us to go back to the hotel?”
+
+Grace – “I think these candles will probably burn out on their own by
+then, but if they are still burning, I’ll blow them out.”
+
+Luke – “Isn’t there some ritual that goes along with the lighting of
+the candles?”
+
+Grace – “When I light a candle, I recite a passage about light from
+the Torah.”
+
+Joan – “Why don’t you write it down and we’ll say it with you.”
+
+Helen – “Yes, we would like to participate if it’s okay.”
+
+Will and Richard place the end table under the window and Trenna
+retrieves a cookie sheet from the kitchen. Grace writes down what she
+plans to recite during the ceremony, and Joan, Adam, and Luke help
+her to make copies.
+
+Grace strikes a match and lights the central candle. She then uses it
+to light the first candle on the right. She turns towards the group
+while holding the Menorah. Together they recite, “Creation - And God
+said: ‘Let there be light.’ And there was light. (GEN 1:3, JPS) Light
+was the first thing God created. All growing things depend on light
+for life. God is the source of all life.” With that said, Grace
+places the Menorah in front of the window.
+
+Helen – “That was very nice. Thank you for letting us be a part of
+your Hanukkah celebration.”
+
+Grace – “And thank you for allowing me to take part in your
+celebration of Christmas.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Helen, Trenna, and Lilly place the remaining dinner items on the
+table. The menu includes an Italian salad, stuffed mushrooms, roasted
+crab cake, lasagna, spiced beef, braised cabbage, yams, mashed
+potatoes, pumpkin and apple pies, and dinner rolls. Joan tastes one
+and says, “Mmmm, to die for!”
+
+Will and Richard are seated at opposite ends of the table, while the
+others are seated along either side. Richard fills everyone’s glass
+with a sweet red wine, excluding Emily and Trevor, who are given
+black cherry soda. He asks Will, “Would you like to offer a toast?”
+
+Will raises his glass, “To all the special ‘F’ words: Family,
+friends, fact, fiction, fate, freedom, faith, forgiveness, and
+forever.”
+
+Richard – “Hear, hear!” Everyone clicks their glasses together.
+
+Trenna– “I would like to say a Christmas prayer.” Everyone becomes
+silent and bows their heads.
+
+*May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half truths and
+superficial relationships - so that you may live deep within our
+heart.*
+
+*May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression and
+exploitation of people so that we may work for justice, freedom and
+peace.*
+
+*May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain,
+rejection, starvation and war, so that we may reach out our hand to
+comfort them, turning their pain into joy.*
+
+*May God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make
+a difference in this world, doing what others claim cannot be done.*
+
+*And, may the blessing of God, who creates, redeems and sanctifies,
+be upon us, and upon all we love and pray for, this day and forever
+more. Amen.*
+
+Emily – “Happy birthday, Jesus!”
+
+Trenna– “Grace, would you like to say something?”
+
+Grace – “God bless the cheese makers for they are the curds and the
+whey. Luke, pass the lasagna.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+After dinner cleanup, all gather back in the living room. Luke
+suggests playing his new board game, while Emily and Trevor would
+each like to watch their new movies. Helen settles the dilemma,
+“Let’s watch Emily’s new movie.”
+
+As Joan stated earlier, it’s a nice, feel-good movie. Everyone enjoys
+it, especially Emily. As soon as the movie ends, Emily asks, “Mom,
+can you teach me how to ice skate?”
+
+Trenna– “We’ll see.”
+
+Emily – “Pleee-heee-heeez!”
+
+Trenna– “Okay, there’s an ice-skating rink at Patterson Park. I’ll
+call them tomorrow.”
+
+Emily – “Yes!”
+
+Joan – “You are so spoiled.”
+
+Emily – “No I’m not!” She strikes a pose, “Besides, what’s wrong with
+wanting to feel strong and graceful and beautiful?”
+
+Joan – “Nothing, you already are.”
+
+Trenna– “Time to get ready for bed.”
+
+Emily – “But I’m not tired!”
+
+Trenna– “Bath, pajamas, and then you can come back down for awhile.”
+
+Emily rummages through her Christmas gifts to find her new pair of
+pajamas, “Kim Possible is awesome. She’s so wily.”
+
+Joan – “Oh, like you’re not? She’s perfect for you.”
+
+Emily – “Well, I for sure have some of her Kimness.” She glances at
+her family and then decides to whisper in Joan’s ear, “I still don’t
+understand why it’s usually easier to get forgiveness than it is to
+get permission.” She then darts upstairs, not waiting for an answer.
+
+The remainder of the evening is once again spent in the living room,
+but now there are several activities being pursued. Kevin, Adam, and
+Luke try to find Moldova. Will is reading his book and Richard is
+reading his Limbaugh Letter. Trenna entertains Trevor by
+reading\ `The
+Star <http://dc19.4shared.com/download/40935571/bc4c331f/The_Star.doc>`__\ ,
+the first story in a book of short story science fiction that he
+received from Santa. Helen and Lilly work on needlepoint projects
+that they received from each other (a.k.a. Santa). Grace and Joan
+spend their time with Emily adorning Barbie, Ken, Francie, and
+Poindexter with outfits both new and old.
+
+At Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
+
+The observance of Boxing Day is not a common practice in the United
+States. However, it is a custom that Trenna’s family has observed,
+and she persuades Richard to continue the tradition. A non-mandatory
+gathering has been scheduled at the hospital. Richard had planned to
+go alone, but he decides to invite Joan, “The meeting won’t last
+long. If you would like to come, I can give you a tour when we’re
+finished.”
+
+Joan – “I’d like that.”
+
+Emily – “No, I want you to stay here with me. We can watch The
+Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl with Luke and Trevor.”
+
+Richard – “You can watch that anytime. Why don’t you come with us?”
+
+Emily hesitates, perplexed while her mind deciphers the competing
+urges. She then takes Joan’s hand, “Okay, I’ll go.”
+
+Grace – “Ahem, may I come too?”
+
+Richard – “Sure.” He gives Trenna a kiss, “We’ll be back in a few
+hours.”
+
+JohnsHopkins Medical Centeris composed of a series of buildings
+joined by enclosed walkways, tunnels, and skywalks. The Children’s
+Center is located near the southeast corner of the main complex. When
+they enter the ward, Richard takes them to a reading room where a
+doctor is seated viewing patient images. Richard makes the
+introduction, “Dr. Simmons, this is my niece Joan and her friend
+Grace… and you know Emily.”
+
+Dr. Simmons – “It’s nice to meet you.” He addresses Joan, “Richard
+has told me that you want to become a nurse. Feel free to have a look
+around.”
+
+Joan – “Thank you, Dr. Simmons.”
+
+Dr. Simmons – “Richard, we received a new patient yesterday. Her name
+is…” He pauses to look at the chart, “…Judith Spiegel. She’s ten
+years old and has been comatose since a car accident yesterday
+morning. She sustained minor head trauma, but the CT and MRI scans do
+not show any anomalies. I’m at a loss to explain why she’s in a coma.
+After the meeting, I would like you to take a look at these images
+with me.”
+
+Richard – “Sure thing. Joan, Grace, we’ll be back in a little while.
+Emily, do what Joan tells you. April, our head nurse, is at the
+nurses’ station if you need anything.”
+
+After they leave, Joan picks up the chart the doctor left on the
+counter.
+
+Grace – “What are you doing? Leave that alone.”
+
+Joan – “I just want to have a peek.”
+
+Grace – “We can get in real trouble, you know, that hippo law.”
+
+Emily – “What’s a hippo law?”
+
+Joan – “It’s actually H-I-P-A-A. It’s a law about keeping medical
+information private. It’ll be fine, no one’s going to know. I think
+it’s kind of cool that her name is Judith.”
+
+Grace – “Judith is just as common a name as Joan.”
+
+Joan – “Maybe, but I’ve only known one. She’s in room 10B. Let’s go
+see.”
+
+Grace – “Are you nuts! We can’t go bothering the patients.”
+
+Joan – “The doctor said that we could look around. Besides, how can
+we possibly bother her? She’s in a coma.”
+
+Joan walks down the hallway with Emily at her side, and Grace
+reluctantly follows behind. When they reach the room, Joan leaves
+Emily with Grace and walks inside. She returns after a moment,
+“There’s a woman asleep on the couch. I’ll bet she’s her mother.
+We’ll have to be quiet.”
+
+Grace – “And it will remain totally quiet if we just go back to the
+reading room.”
+
+Joan – “You have to come see her. You won’t believe it.”
+
+Joan takes her by the arm and leads her into the room. When Grace
+sees the girl lying on the bed, she is astounded. She almost forgets
+to whisper, “She’s a ten year old Judith!”
+
+Joan toys with her, “Yes, the doctor did say that.”
+
+Grace – “No, I mean she looks like our Judith, only younger.”
+
+Joan – “I know, isn’t she beautiful!”
+
+They all just watch her for a while, not saying anything. Then Joan
+brushes Judith’s bangs aside, “The doctor says there’s no reason for
+you to be asleep. Time to wake up.” She motions to Emily and Grace,
+“Say a prayer with me.”
+
+Joan takes Judith’s and Emily’s hand. Grace walks around the bed and
+takes Emily’s and Judith’s other hand. They pray silently. After a
+few minutes, they hear the woman stir on the couch. Joan motions for
+them to leave and they exit back out to the hallway.
+
+Joan says to Emily, “You were so quiet in there. I’m amazed!”
+
+Emily – “It seemed important to you. I wasn’t sure what prayers to
+say, so I said some Our Father’s and Hail Mary’s. Was that okay?”
+
+Joan – “Those were good choices.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, no more Nancy Drew. I can’t deal with being George.”
+
+Joan – “All right, let’s go see who’s awake.”
+
+Grace – “Girardi!”
+
+It was no use. Joan had already started walking down the hallway with
+Emily, looking into the rooms. When they disappear through a doorway,
+Grace reluctantly follows. They visit with five children before
+Richard finds them, “I see you’ve met Nathan. How are you doing
+today?”
+
+Nathan – “Okay, I guess. Dr. Simmons said that I’ll be going home
+tomorrow.”
+
+Richard – “Yes, I know.” With a smile, he continues, “And I don’t
+want to see you again for a long, long time.”
+
+Nathan returns the smile, “Me neither. Thanks, Doctor Girardi.”
+
+Emily – “Did you know that Nathan has a train set like ours? And
+Julie likes to play ‘Go Fish’, and Elly likes LeAnn Rimes as much as
+I do, and Peter got a scooter from Santa, but his is blue, and…”
+
+Richard interrupts, “Wow, that’s really neat, but I have to consult
+with Dr. Simmons now. When we get home, I want you to tell me all
+about it.” He addresses Joan, “When we’re finished, I’ll try to
+answer any of your questions.”
+
+Joan’s interaction with children has not always been stellar. She has
+been observing Emily, and without exception, each child that she has
+talked to has become happier from the exchange. Joan is surprised
+when she realizes that this is what God meant when she said, “I want
+you to pay attention… this time it’s how she can help you.” Emulating
+Emily, she should patent the term as a powerful new puerile
+communication technique. “Thank you, Uncle Richard, but I think I’ve
+already found my answers. I’ll just visit with more of the kids if
+that’s okay.”
+
+Richard – “Okay, I won’t be long.”
+
+As he leaves, all hear a woman calling out, “Judith! Oh, my sweet
+baby, you’re awake!” Everyone congregates in and outside of her room.
+
+Judith – “Where’s the angel?”
+
+Woman – “You’re my angel, sweetie.”
+
+Judith – “No, the one who said I should wake up.”
+
+Woman – “Oh, you were dreaming, pumpkin, but I’m so happy that you’re
+awake.”
+
+Grace leads Joan away from the others, “How’d you do that?”
+
+Joan – “Do what?”
+
+Grace – “Cause her to wake up.”
+
+Joan – “What makes you think I did it?”
+
+Grace – “Because you told her to wake up… and then she did.”
+
+Joan – “When I tell Luke to wake up, he just ignores me.”
+
+Grace – “Well it certainly wasn’t me!”
+
+Joan – “Hey, you’re the one who had the dancing moon shadow at birth.
+When I was born, all it did was rain.”
+
+Grace – “Technically, it was an earth shadow, but it doesn’t mean
+anything.”
+
+Joan – “Of course it means something. I’m not sure what, but it means
+something.”
+
+Grace – “Your balloon never lands, does it Girardi?”
+
+Joan gives her a smirk, “Maybe it was the prayer that we said or
+maybe it was just time for her to wake up. The doctor did say that he
+didn’t know why she was in a coma. Anyway, I’m just glad that she
+woke up, whatever the reason.”
+
+Neither Joan nor Grace had noticed that Emily had quietly joined
+them, “Do you think that my prayers helped at all?”
+
+Joan gives her a hug, “Of course, that’s it! Yah know, that explains
+the whole thing, the power of three. We are charmed!” Emily glows as
+she considers Joan’s revelation.
+
+Grace – “We’re charmed, that’s your explanation?”
+
+Emily reaches a new high, almost as high as she was on Christmas Eve.
+She remembers a routine she did while playing Cheetah Girls with her
+friends. She sings an answer to Grace’s agnostic question, using hand
+motions during each line.
+
+(raises and lowers her arms while wiggling her fingers)\____\_
+Sometimes the snow comes down in
+June                                                                                                                                 (draws
+circles in the
+air)                                                              Sometimes
+the sun goes ‘round the moon
+(points her finger at Grace, using a circular motion)\____________\_I
+see the passion in your eyes
+(stretches out her arms)\________________________________\_Sometimes
+it’s all a big surprise
+
+Joan – “Good job!” She takes Emily with her to peer back into
+Judith’s room, “I think your dad and Dr. Simmons will be busy with
+her for a while. Let’s go visit with some of the other kids, and then
+we’ll come back and talk to Judith.”
+
+At the Girardi Residence
+
+Helen – “Did you have a good time?”
+
+Joan – “Yeah, it was great. There was a girl named Judith who was in
+a coma, and she woke up while we were there. She looks like our
+Judith, too.”
+
+Grace – “Totally different voice, though. She has a deep, throaty,
+genuine laugh, like the sound a dog makes just before it throws up.”
+
+Joan – “Okay, she did have an odd laugh, but she’s really a sweet
+kid. She and her mother are obviously close, but she really lit up
+when her father came in. Her parents own a horse farm. She actually
+has her own horse!”
+
+Emily – “Yeah, and she said that I could come visit. Can I?”
+
+Trenna– “I don’t think you’re old enough to ride a horse.”
+
+Emily – “Mo-om! Judith is my age. It would be so cool!”
+
+Richard – “I’ll talk to her father, and then we’ll see.”
+
+Joan – “Grace went to the gift shop and bought her a PEZ dispenser.”
+
+Grace – “Hey, you weren’t supposed to tell anyone.”
+
+Joan – “Oops, there goes my balloon again.”
+
+Luke – “You remembered.”
+
+Helen – “That was really a nice thing to do.”
+
+Grace – “A moment of inspired insanity.”
+
+Kevin – “Insanity or lunacy?”
+
+Grace snips, “Yo, Professor Xavier, don’t imagine that chair gives
+you special protection.”
+
+Joan – “Whoa, down Grace, he’s just making a joke.”
+
+Grace – “This Moon stuff is starting to rent space in my brain.
+Everyone just needs to knock it off!”
+
+Luke – “I thought you liked it.”
+
+Grace – “I did, but it’s growing on me like a colony of E. Coli. The
+eclipse was just a nascent fluke, not some prophetic celestial
+marker.”
+
+Helen tries to defuse the situation by changing the subject, “Trenna
+and I have made chicken salad. Who’s hungry?”
+
+Grace – “Not!” Grace storms out the door.
+
+Luke – “Maybe I should go after her. I’m the one who started this.”
+
+Joan – “No, let me. I think she’s really mad at me.”
+
+Adam – “No, I’ll go. I don’t think she’ll hit me.” With that, he
+heads out the door after Grace.
+
+When Adam catches up to her, she is still walking fast and uttering
+expletives under her breath. Adam just quietly walks beside her until
+she is ready to talk.
+
+Grace – “Do you remember when we talked about Joan and her secrets?
+Has she ever explained any of them to you?”
+
+Adam – “You were there when she told us about her dreams. I think
+that explains a lot.”
+
+Grace – “But not all of it. Don’t you think there’s more?”
+
+Adam pauses, thinking about what Joan told him in the hospital,
+“Yeah, probably, but she doesn’t want to tell us. That’s just the way
+she is.”
+
+Grace – “Wait! What was that?”
+
+Adam – “What was what?”
+
+Grace – “That pause. You know something, don’t you?”
+
+Adam – “I know there are parts of herself that she wishes to keep
+secret.”
+
+Grace – “How can you be in love with someone you don’t really know?”
+
+Adam – “I love what I do know. Hey, I’m just happy that she’s giving
+me a second chance. Maybe someday she’ll tell me about that part of
+herself, but I’m willing to wait until she’s ready.”
+
+Grace mulls over what Adam has said before responding, “I don’t know
+if I can wait much longer.”
+
+Adam – “Sure you can. I’m hungry, let’s go have lunch.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The conversation during lunch was primarily about the wonders of
+Sharkboy and Lavagirl. Joan and Emily both provided more tales of the
+children they met today, but they avoided saying anything more about
+Judith. Although quiet, Joan could tell that Grace was still upset.
+
+After lunch, Emily asks Joan to spend time with her listening to her
+new LeAnn Rimes CD. Grace interrupts, “Later, Mushroom, Joan and I
+need to talk.”
+
+Emily pouts, “Why do I always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop?”
+
+Joan kneels down in front of Emily and places her hands on her
+shoulders, “You know that’s not true. It’s okay, we’ll listen to your
+CD together in a little while.” Joan gives her a hug and heads out
+the door with Grace for another walk.
+
+Grace – “Is your entire family in on this conspiracy?”
+
+Joan – “What do you mean?”
+
+Grace – “This whole Moon thing is a deflection.”
+
+Joan – “A deflection? A deflection from what?”
+
+Grace – “You and your secrets?”
+
+Joan – “I told you about my dreams. Don’t you believe me?”
+
+Grace – “I do, but that’s not all of it. When are you going to tell
+me the rest?”
+
+Joan – “What rest?”
+
+Grace – “The other half of the red pill.”
+
+Joan is taken aback. She remembers having said that to Grace, but she
+believed that it was another one of her dreams. She just walks along
+with Grace and doesn’t respond for several minutes.
+
+Joan – “In the ‘Matrix’, do you remember me telling you about
+Cypher?”
+
+Grace – “Cypher’s the one who betrayed them.”
+
+Joan – “You’re right, but do you remember why?”
+
+Grace – “Because he regretted having taken the red pill.”
+
+Joan – “And at the beginning, do you remember what Morpheus asked
+Neo? Are you sure you want to know how deep the rabbit hole goes?”
+
+Grace – “Lay it on me.”
+
+Joan pauses for a moment, “Grace, the truth doesn’t always set you
+free. Knowing the truth can be a lonely place. You already have
+enough burdens of your own. You should think about this for a while.”
+
+Grace – “I’ve been thinking about it since last summer.”
+
+Joan – “You’ve waited this long, you can wait a while longer.” Joan
+turns around and walks back toward the house.
+
+Grace calls after her, “Girardi!”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+When they return, Joan goes to spend time with Emily as she has
+promised. Grace finds Luke sitting in the living room by himself. He
+is totally confused, believing at first that his gift was
+appreciated, but now has no clue of what went wrong. Grace decides to
+take her lost puppy for a walk.
+
+Grace – “I don’t think I’ve walked this much all year.”
+
+Luke – “I guess you’ve had a lot to think about.”
+
+Grace – “Okay, listen up. I’m not mad at you. I loved your Moon
+shadow. It’s just… well… there’s something else and your Moon thing
+caused it to reach critical mass.”
+
+Luke – “Okay, I can understand that.”
+
+Grace – “I purposely used geek speak.”
+
+Luke – “So, what is it?”
+
+Grace – “I don’t want to talk about it.”
+
+Luke – “Grace! We have to talk about it.”
+
+Grace – “Not this time, Moon Boy. All you need to know is that this
+isn’t about you.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+When the shadows begin to stretch across the floor, Luke asks, “Would
+you like us to make copies of what you plan to say tonight?”
+
+Grace – “No, this time I’m going to recite it by myself and everyone
+can just listen.”
+
+When the sun sets, Grace lights the central candle as before. She
+then uses it to light the first and second candles on the right. She
+turns towards the group while holding the Chanukah. She recites her
+passage, however this time, she maintains eye contact with Joan.
+
+“\ O send out Thy light and Thy truth; let them lead me; let them
+bring me unto Thy holy mountain, and to Thy dwelling-places. (PSA
+43:3, JPS) Our minds and hearts will be cleaned by the light of the
+Spirit of Truth and others can be cleaned from the overflow.”
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+What Grace is asking her to do frightens her. At least her mother had
+already figured out most of it on her own. Should she tell Grace
+everything or just provide another piece of the puzzle? Will Grace
+even believe her? Will it strengthen their friendship or destroy it?
+These are the questions that Joan ponders as they rock slowly on the
+glider.
+
+Adam shifts slightly, bringing Joan back from her mental torture. She
+takes a cleansing breath of cool night air, emitting a sigh with its
+release. Pulling the blanket tighter, she snuggles deeper into the
+comfort of Adam’s arms. A lone star catches her gaze, prompting her
+to make a wish before returning to her dark night of Grace. ‘Oh God
+of second chances and new beginnings, here I am again.’
+
+photobucket.com
+
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..302ec13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# Minimal makefile for Sphinx documentation
+#
+
+# You can set these variables from the command line.
+SPHINXOPTS    =
+SPHINXBUILD   = sphinx-build
+SPHINXPROJ    = JoanofArcadiaSeason3
+SOURCEDIR     = .
+BUILDDIR      = _build
+
+%.odt: %.rst
+	rst2odt -q -l cs_CZ $< $@
+
+# Put it first so that "make" without argument is like "make help".
+help:
+	@$(SPHINXBUILD) -M help "$(SOURCEDIR)" "$(BUILDDIR)" $(SPHINXOPTS) $(O)
+
+.PHONY: help Makefile
+
+# Catch-all target: route all unknown targets to Sphinx using the new
+# "make mode" option.  $(O) is meant as a shortcut for $(SPHINXOPTS).
+%: Makefile
+	@$(SPHINXBUILD) -M $@ "$(SOURCEDIR)" "$(BUILDDIR)" $(SPHINXOPTS) $(O)
+
diff --git a/conf.py b/conf.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ea82f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/conf.py
@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+#
+# Configuration file for the Sphinx documentation builder.
+#
+# This file does only contain a selection of the most common options. For a
+# full list see the documentation:
+# http://www.sphinx-doc.org/en/master/config
+import datetime
+
+# -- Path setup --------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# If extensions (or modules to document with autodoc) are in another directory,
+# add these directories to sys.path here. If the directory is relative to the
+# documentation root, use os.path.abspath to make it absolute, like shown here.
+#
+# import os
+# import sys
+# sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
+
+
+# -- Project information -----------------------------------------------------
+
+project = 'Joan of Arcadia, Season 3'
+copyright = '2007, JoA Writers Project'
+author = 'JoA Writers Project'
+
+# The short X.Y version
+version = datetime.date.today().strftime("%Y%m%d")
+# The full version, including alpha/beta/rc tags
+release = ''
+
+
+# -- General configuration ---------------------------------------------------
+
+# If your documentation needs a minimal Sphinx version, state it here.
+#
+# needs_sphinx = '1.0'
+
+# Add any Sphinx extension module names here, as strings. They can be
+# extensions coming with Sphinx (named 'sphinx.ext.*') or your custom
+# ones.
+extensions = [
+]
+
+# Add any paths that contain templates here, relative to this directory.
+templates_path = ['.templates']
+
+# The suffix(es) of source filenames.
+# You can specify multiple suffix as a list of string:
+#
+# source_suffix = ['.rst', '.md']
+source_suffix = '.rst'
+
+# The master toctree document.
+master_doc = 'index'
+
+# The language for content autogenerated by Sphinx. Refer to documentation
+# for a list of supported languages.
+#
+# This is also used if you do content translation via gettext catalogs.
+# Usually you set "language" from the command line for these cases.
+language = 'cs'
+
+# List of patterns, relative to source directory, that match files and
+# directories to ignore when looking for source files.
+# This pattern also affects html_static_path and html_extra_path .
+exclude_patterns = ['_build', 'Thumbs.db', '.DS_Store', 'original']
+
+# The name of the Pygments (syntax highlighting) style to use.
+pygments_style = 'sphinx'
+
+
+# -- Options for HTML output -------------------------------------------------
+
+# The theme to use for HTML and HTML Help pages.  See the documentation for
+# a list of builtin themes.
+#
+# html_theme = 'alabaster'
+
+# Theme options are theme-specific and customize the look and feel of a theme
+# further.  For a list of options available for each theme, see the
+# documentation.
+#
+html_theme_options = {}
+
+# Add any paths that contain custom static files (such as style sheets) here,
+# relative to this directory. They are copied after the builtin static files,
+# so a file named "default.css" will overwrite the builtin "default.css".
+html_static_path = ['.static']
+
+# Custom sidebar templates, must be a dictionary that maps document names
+# to template names.
+#
+# The default sidebars (for documents that don't match any pattern) are
+# defined by theme itself.  Builtin themes are using these templates by
+# default: ``['localtoc.html', 'relations.html', 'sourcelink.html',
+# 'searchbox.html']``.
+#
+html_sidebars = {}
+
+html_title = 'Joan of Arcadia, Season 3'
+html_short_title = 'JoA Season 3'
+html_show_sourcelink = False
+html_copy_source = False
+
+
+# -- Options for HTMLHelp output ---------------------------------------------
+
+# Output file base name for HTML help builder.
+htmlhelp_basename = 'JoanofArcadiaSeason3doc'
+
+
+# -- Options for LaTeX output ------------------------------------------------
+
+latex_elements = {
+    # The paper size ('letterpaper' or 'a4paper').
+    #
+    # 'papersize': 'letterpaper',
+
+    # The font size ('10pt', '11pt' or '12pt').
+    #
+    # 'pointsize': '10pt',
+
+    # Additional stuff for the LaTeX preamble.
+    #
+    # 'preamble': '',
+
+    # Latex figure (float) alignment
+    #
+    # 'figure_align': 'htbp',
+}
+
+# Grouping the document tree into LaTeX files. List of tuples
+# (source start file, target name, title,
+#  author, documentclass [howto, manual, or own class]).
+latex_documents = [
+    (master_doc, 'JoanofArcadiaSeason3.tex', 'Joan of Arcadia, Season 3 Documentation',
+     'JoA Writers Project', 'manual'),
+]
+
+
+# -- Options for manual page output ------------------------------------------
+
+# One entry per manual page. List of tuples
+# (source start file, name, description, authors, manual section).
+man_pages = [
+    (master_doc, 'joanofarcadiaseason3', 'Joan of Arcadia, Season 3 Documentation',
+     [author], 1)
+]
+
+
+# -- Options for Texinfo output ----------------------------------------------
+
+# Grouping the document tree into Texinfo files. List of tuples
+# (source start file, target name, title, author,
+#  dir menu entry, description, category)
+texinfo_documents = [
+    (master_doc, 'JoanofArcadiaSeason3', 'Joan of Arcadia, Season 3 Documentation',
+     author, 'JoanofArcadiaSeason3', 'One line description of project.',
+     'Miscellaneous'),
+]
+
+
+# -- Options for Epub output -------------------------------------------------
+
+# Bibliographic Dublin Core info.
+epub_title = project
+epub_author = author
+epub_publisher = author
+epub_copyright = copyright
+
+# The unique identifier of the text. This can be a ISBN number
+# or the project homepage.
+#
+# epub_identifier = ''
+
+# A unique identification for the text.
+#
+# epub_uid = ''
+
+# A list of files that should not be packed into the epub file.
+epub_exclude_files = ['search.html']
+
+# Cover page image
+epub_cover = ()
diff --git a/index.rst b/index.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c21cf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/index.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+Joan of Arcadia, Season 3

+=========================

+

+:author: Mark Shaffer (mshaffer), Melissa Biemans, Castanea_d, PHAEDRUS

+:URL: https://mshaffer.livejournal.com/767.html ...

+

+.. toctree::

+   :maxdepth: 2

+

+   01-Lunch.rst

+   02-LArmeedeJoanPart1.rst

+   03-LArmeedeJoanPart2.rst

+   04-TheOutingPart1.rst

+   05-TheOutingPart2.rst

+   06-SummertimeandtheLivinisEasy.rst

+   07-DanceofDesire.rst

+   08-NightoftheHunterPart1.rst

+   09-NightoftheHunterPart2.rst

+   10-MakingChoicesPart1.rst

+   11-MakingChoicesPart2.rst

+   12-DevilsNightPart1.rst

+   13-DevilsNightPart2.rst

+   14-DevilsNightPart3.rst

+   15-RemembranceDay.rst

+   16-AWonderfulGiftPart1.rst

+   17-AWonderfulGiftPart2.rst

+   18-TheChildPart1.rst

+   19-TheChildPart2.rst

+   20-ADarkNightofGrace.rst

+   21-TheMirrorBall.rst

+   22-DancingWithTheMoon.rst