From cc4cfa3efa778c21b69bb32dfc66e8e06c46e43d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matěj Cepl <mcepl@cepl.eu>
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2021 09:20:58 +0200
Subject: Initial commit

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+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.'
-- 
cgit