From cc4cfa3efa778c21b69bb32dfc66e8e06c46e43d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Matěj Cepl Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2021 09:20:58 +0200 Subject: Initial commit --- 04-TheOutingPart1.rst | 1278 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 1278 insertions(+) create mode 100644 04-TheOutingPart1.rst (limited to '04-TheOutingPart1.rst') 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 `__\ .’ +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 `__\ \ ’ +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 `__\ 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 `__\ 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?” -- cgit