From cc4cfa3efa778c21b69bb32dfc66e8e06c46e43d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Matěj Cepl Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2021 09:20:58 +0200 Subject: Initial commit --- 11-MakingChoicesPart2.rst | 1242 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 1242 insertions(+) create mode 100644 11-MakingChoicesPart2.rst (limited to '11-MakingChoicesPart2.rst') diff --git a/11-MakingChoicesPart2.rst b/11-MakingChoicesPart2.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1efb868 --- /dev/null +++ b/11-MakingChoicesPart2.rst @@ -0,0 +1,1242 @@ +Episode 3.11, Making Choices, Part 2 +------------------------------------ + +At Home + +When Adam drops her off, she gives him a quick kiss, “I’ll see +you in a little while.” She walks into the house and quietly +closes the door behind her. She then explodes into a dance, +strutting and twirling and singing, “I did it, I did it, I did +it, did it, did it…” She dances through the kitchen, twirling +with her mother, twirling with her father, and even twirling with +Luke. She struts through the den, and then twirls back into the +living room, still singing, “I did it, I did it, I did it, did +it, did it…” She twirls with Lilly and finally she sits on +Kevin’s lap, where he twirls them in his wheelchair. As she made +her tour through the house, her family began to follow her. They +are now all in the living room, wondering if she has completely +lost her mind, “ Adam and I are getting back together!” + +Everyone can see that she is insane, insanely happy! They all gather +around and begin to hug her, but Helen has concerns, “What do you +mean by, ‘I did it’?” + +Joan – “Oh, I don’t mean that. I just mean that Adam and I are going +to try to be together again. I’m so happy!” + +Helen hugs her, “We’re all happy for you, too.” + +Joan tells her family a modified account of her day. She talks about +watching the leaves float down the creek, planting Judith’s crocuses, +playing catch with Pax, how Adam apologized, and how they talked for +a long time. “Now, Adam is still on probation. He has to prove he can +be trusted. So, when he gets here, act normal. I don’t want him to +know that I’m this excited.” + +She goes upstairs and takes a shower. She stands in front of her +closet, shuffling the hangers back and forth, trying to choose what +to wear. She was originally going to wear pants and a blouse, but a +dress catches her eye. It’s light brown with little dark brown +rectangles spread throughout. She holds it up and looks at herself in +the mirror, “Yeah, that looks unurbanish.” She puts on her makeup and +finishes dressing, adding jewelry and her watch. When she notices the +time, she rushes downstairs, “Where is my purse? Has anyone seen my +purse?” + +Luke points, “It’s over there. What’s your rush? Glynis and Alice +don’t play until seven.” + +Joan – “Adam and I are having dinner first.” + +Luke grabs her, “Breathe through your nose.” Then he demonstrates, +“Remember?” + +Joan – “You’re right.” She breathes slowly a few times, but then the +doorbell rings. She rushes to the door, finishing the last few steps +in a slow, calm walk. She picks up her coat, smiles, and waves as she +walks through the doorway. + +Will pulls the curtain aside and watches as Joan and Adam walk away, +“Would someone explain to me what just happened? I know they’re back +together again, but I still don’t know why they broke up.” + +Luke – “I know.” + +Helen – “And Joan told me this summer.” + +Kevin – “I made Luke tell me, but she didn’t tell Lilly and me until +just the other day.” + +Will – “ How come everyone knows except for me?” + +Helen – “Because, there are some things a girl just doesn’t want to +tell her father.” + +Luke – “I still don’t get it. If Grace did something like that to me, +I don’t know if I could ever talk to her again.” + +Helen – “And that is what Joan tried to do, but she couldn’t keep it +up. Her heart was telling her to do the opposite. She couldn’t stop +loving him.” + +Kevin – “That’s pretty much what she told me. It was driving her +crazy.” + +Lilly – “I don’t know Joan as well as you, but when she came back +this afternoon, you could see it in her eyes. I’ve never seen her +happier. I hope it works out for her.” + +Helen – “Well, like she said, it’s up to Adam. We’ll all have to wait +to see what happens.” + +Will – “Okay, so no one is going to tell me the whole story, but +everything is good now, right?” + +Helen – “Yeah, I believe it’s going to be.” + +At the Unurban + +Joan and Adam find a table and Joan begins to talk, “I don’t know +why, but I really like this place.” + +Adam – “It does have a really relaxed atmosphere. It’s comfortable.” + +Maliyacomes over to take their order, “Hey Snow White, whatcha want +today?” + +Joan – “Oh gosh, how have you been?” + +Maliya– “Pretty good, just going to school and still jumpin’. Who’s +your friend?” + +Joan – “This is my boyfriend, Adam.” Joan and Adam both smile, +pleased that she can say that again, “Have you heard from Casper?” + +Maliya– No, not a word. Nikki hasn’t heard from her either.” + +Joan – “I sure hope she’s all right.” + +Maliya– “I’m sure she is. Hey, my shift’s about over, and I have a +date tonight. What would you two like?” + +Joan – “I know what I want, a hamburger, fries, and a chocolate +shake.” + +Adam – “I’ll have the same, but make mine a cheeseburger.” + +Joan – “Maliya, it’s good to see you again.” + +Maliya– “Thanks, I’ll place the order and Sandy will bring it when +it’s ready.” + +Joan and Adam talk for a while about her bittersweet memories of +Casper. Sandy brings their order and they begin to enjoy their meal. +Someone puts a coin in the jukebox and a song begins to play. Joan +finds the lyrics and melody pleasing. + +*Love is but a song we sing +*And* fear’s the way we die. +You can make the mountains ring +*Or* make the angels cry. +Though the bird is on the wing +*And* you may not know why. +C’mon people now +Smile on your brother +*Ev’rybody* get together +Try to love one another right now…* + +Adam has been quiet for some time, just listening to the song and +watching Joan eat her sandwich, “I was wondering, can I call you Jane +again?” + +Joan puts her sandwich down and puts her hand over his, “My name is +Joan. Don’t you like my name?” + +Adam – “Yeah, sure, but being able to call you Jane has always been +special to me.” + +Joan – “I know, and it’s sweet, but I like my name and I want you to +like it too.” + +Adam gets a dejected look on his face and pulls his hand away, “Okay, +I’ll call you Joan.” + +Joan – “Adam, don’t be hurt.” She proposes a compromise, “How about +if you call me Joan most of the time, but you can call me Jane on +occasion. Would that be okay?” + +Adam perks up with a smile, “Yeah, I can do that.” + +Grace and Luke arrive and sit with them. Joan asks, “Where’s +Friedman?” + +Luke – “We saw Glynis and Alice unloading their equipment. Friedman +went to help them. He’ll be here in a few minutes.” + +Within a few minutes, Kevin and Lilly also come in. Kevin rolls up to +Joan, “I have a surprise for you.” He pauses, watching the puzzled +look develop on her face, “Doctor Dan is parking the car. He’ll be +here in a few minutes.” Kevin relishes the horrified look that paints +across Joan’s face. Then it changes to half a smile, “Which Doctor +Dan?” Kevin gives her the gotcha point and says, “It’s the good one.” + +Joan – “What are you doing here?” + +Kevin – “We really hadn’t decided where we were going to have dinner +yet, so when Luke told us about your plans to be here, we decided to +come check it out.” Dan and Rebecca come in, and Kevin introduces +everyone, ending with “and of course, you know Joan.” + +Dan – “I’m glad to see you are looking so well. How are you doing?” + +Joan – “My knee gave me trouble for a long time, but now I’m doing +yoga and dancing. Thank you for taking care of me.” + +Dan – “It was my pleasure.” + +Joan – “Would you guys like to join us?” + +Kevin interrupts, “No, we’ll get our own table. We just wanted to say +hi before we settle in.” Kevin and the others find a table a little +ways away and begin to enjoy their evening separately. + +A woman walks on stage and turns on the microphone, “Hi, my name +is\ `Tara Stewart `__\ . I would +like to recite a poem I wrote while the band sets up. It’s called, +“Night of the Hunter’s Moon.” + +*Hunter’s moon +*Sends* silver crystals +Through the frosted pane +Onto my face +As I wait in the shadows +For White Wolf to carry me +To dreams of love and freedom.* + +*My nightscape is perfect +As I expand beyond +The body of pain, +Dreaming of death as an exquisite friend +Never to be feared.* + +*Hunter’s moon +Across a hill of grass painted silver. +The angel lands gently, pauses, +Frees the bird to circle silently above, +Then tips her wing +To say goodbye* + +The audience gives her a round of applause, and she leaves the stage +for the band. + +It’s an all girl band, which is fine, but it is not what they had +expected. Each of them is wearing a nice dress, certainly out of +character for most of today’s bands. And to Joan’s delight, Alice is +wearing her hat. You know, the Dr. Seuss hat with super powers. The +others are wearing hats too, but each one is different. Glynis is +wearing a bonnet that looks very much like Sarah’s. + +Joan – “Grace, is that your mother’s hat?” + +Grace – “Yeah, she let Glynis borrow it. Glynis just found out this +morning that she needed a hat to blend in, so I persuaded my mother +into letting her borrow hers.” + +Joan smiles, puts her hand on Adam’s, and returns to watching the +band. Luke told Grace what happened this morning, but she is still +thrilled to see her two best friends back together again. + +Alicesteps up to the microphone, “Hi, I’m Alice.” She introduces the +rest of the band while pointing each one out, “We call ourselves ‘The +Quaker Sisterhood’. You will find flyers on the counter. If you like +our music and have an occasion, please give us a call. The lyrics for +our first number are from an old Beatle song entitled, ‘I’ve Got a +Feeling’. However, the music is our own.” + +They begin to play and the music is unique, nothing like they have +heard before. It’s reminiscent of some Australian bands they have +heard, but blended with jazz, and some other flavors they can’t name. +Alice begins to sing. + +*I’ve got a feeling, a feeling deep inside, oh yeah. +Oh, yeah, that’s right +I’ve got a feeling, a feeling I can’t hide, oh no no. +Oh no, oh no. +Yeah, yeah, I’ve got a feeling, yeah.* + +*Oh please believe me, I’d hate to miss the train. +Oh yeah yeah, oh yeah. +And if you leave me, I won’t be late again, oh no. +Oh no, oh no. +Yeah, yeah, I’ve got a feeling, yeah. +I’ve got a feeling…* + +Grace – “I have no idea what to call this music, but it is so +twisted!” + +Joan – “Yeah, I’m really glad I came.” Adam doesn’t speak, but thinks +to himself, ‘I’m glad you came, too.’ + +*…I’ve got a feeling that keeps me on my toes +Oh yeah, oh yeah +I’ve got a feeling that everybody knows +Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah +Yeah, yeah +I’ve got a feeling, yeah +Yeah…* + +Friedman – “Glynis says they call it alternative something. They +don’t have a name for it either.” + +The band finishes the song and the audience gives a long round of +applause. Alice again speaks, “Our next song is our instrumental +version of We’ve Only Just Begun, by the Carpenters.” + +Joan – “Oh, I know this song! Dad has it on a record.” As the band +begins to play, Joan sings the words. + +*We’ve only just begun to live, +White lace and promises +A kiss for luck and we’re on our way…* + +Adam - “Maybe this should be our song, Jane?” + +Joan leans toward him and gives Adam a quick kiss, “I would like +that.” + +Kevin is doing a masterful job of engaging in conversation while +keeping one eye on Joan. He smiles after seeing her kiss Adam, +knowing that this is a special night for her, and he is thrilled to +see that she is enjoying herself. + +The band performs several more numbers, and before they know it, it’s +eight o’clock. They all go up and congratulate the band for a job +well done. Before they leave, they say goodbye to Kevin and his +group. Friedman decides to catch a ride with the band, and the four +of them walk home together. At the door, Joan gives Adam a nice, but +short, kiss, “Thank you for a wonderful day.” + +Adam – “Can I see you tomorrow?” + +Joan – “No, tomorrow is a ‘Grace day.’ We need it. I’ll see you at +school.” + +Adam and Grace leave and talk on the way home. Grace comments, “So, I +guess you had a good time at Mercer Creek today.” + +Adam – “Yeah, I’ve dreamed and prayed this would happen, but I never +expected it would.” + +Grace – “Most people would not have given you a second chance, not +after the stunt you pulled.” + +Adam – “Yeah, and I’m so afraid I’m going to do something wrong. I +feel like I’m walking on thin ice.” + +Grace – “You are, and you will be for quite some time. But if she +didn’t love you, you wouldn’t have this much. Just don’t blow it this +time.” + +Adam drops Grace off at her door and goes home. + +At Home + +It is an early start for the Girardi’s. Will and Helen leave to +participate in the funerals for Officers Garcia and Turner. Luke goes +over to Friedman’s, and Grace arrives at eight. Kevin goes to church +with Lilly, and they go to a movie afterward. + +Joan and Grace have a good day. They mostly talk, but they do other +things, too. Joan finally gets Grace to join her while she does her +yoga exercises, and Grace brings over a wonderful movie called The +Notebook. Although Grace is reluctant to admit it, she loves a good +tearjerker just as much as Joan does. Joan’s hours at the bookstore +are quiet, which gives her time to finish her essay. After work, Joan +plays another game of chess with her father. Joan loses this game in +fifteen moves. This time, Will kisses her on the cheek and thanks her +for the game. + +At School + +Joan makes copies of everyone’s essays before they are handed in. She +then makes even more copies, and they all begin passing out the +flyers in between classes to whomever would take them. Adam made some +new posters for Brian, and he puts them up in several places around +the school. Sally Thornton has a contingent of supporters, but not +nearly as many as they have. Jim Barlow has the support of the +cheerleaders. Joan laughs after purposely putting her finger in her +mouth and pretending to puke as the cheerleaders prance by. + +At the Police Station + +Carlisle– “Will, I really think you should let me do this. It’s my +case now.” + +Will – “I know, but it was my case. I just need to finish it. It’s +personal.” + +Carlisleagrees, and Will enters the conference room where Ryan Peters +and his lawyer are already seated, “Good morning. I have a few more +questions about the night Judith Montgomery was murdered. Who invited +Judith to come along with you that night?” + +Lawyer – “You don’t have to answer that.” + +Will – “Come on, it’s a simple question. Someone had to have called +her. She no longer went to your school. Who was it?” + +Lawyer – “My client refuses to answer on the grounds it might +incriminate him.” + +Will – “That’s okay, we already know it was you. The question is why? +Why did you call Judith? Why not call one of your other friends, +those you still had regular contact with? + +Lawyer – “Chief Girardi, my client isn’t going to answer any +questions. You are wasting our time.” + +Will – “Was it Teddy Marks or Joey Edwards who offered you free drugs +to lure Judith there that night?” + +Lawyer – “Don’t say anything.” + +Will – “Did you know he was going to kill her?” + +Ryan – “No, he wasn’t sup…” + +The lawyer places her hand over his mouth, “This interview is over.” + +Will – “I’ve learned what I wanted to know. Thank you for your time.” + +At School + +After last period, Joan, Grace, Luke, Glynis, and Friedman meet up +and find Adam at his locker. He is listening to Elizabeth, “I’m +actually glad that I didn’t run for Student Council President again +this year. I have so many other things going on. Adam just agreed to +be on the semi-formal dance planning committee. Would any of you like +to join?” + +Glynisvolunteers, “Yeah, I think it would be fun.” Then Friedman +offers, “Sure, I’ll help, too. The others shake their heads ‘no’ in +unison.” + +Elizabeth– “Great!” She hands them a flyer. “The first meeting is +tomorrow after school.” She turns to Joan, “Hey, I have some new CD’s +I can bring over on Saturday. Well, they’re not that new, but I think +you’ll like them. And we can dance again. That was fun last time.” + +Joan – “That sounds great.” + +Elizabeth– “Well, I have to go. I’ll see you all later.” + +Adam asks Joan, “So, do you have dance tonight?” + +Joan – “Yeah, I have to catch the bus in a little while.” + +Adam – “I have a project I’ve been working on, too.” He gives her a +quick kiss, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” + +Grace – “Would you like us to hang around until the bus comes?” + +Joan – “No, I’m just going to sit at the bus stop and work on my +calculus. You go ahead.” The rest of them depart. + +When Joan transfers to the + +7th Street +bus, she once again sees Roger, and sits beside him, “Hi.” Joan +notices the notebook on Roger’s lap, “Whatcha working on?” +Roger – “Oh, I have an assignment to bring in several examples of +poetry in music from the last 20 years. Here’s one I found. + +*My love is the evenin’ breeze touchin’ your skin +*The* gentle, sweet singin’ of leaves in the wind +The whisper that calls after you in the night +And kisses your ear in the early moonlight* + +What do you think?” + +Joan – “It’s beautiful, what’s it from?” + +Roger – “It’s from a song called Crazy on You, by Heart. But enough +about this, how has your life been?” + +Joan – “Well, Adam is my boyfriend again. It’s a long story, but we +worked things out, and I think it’s going to be okay.” + +Roger – “Great! I only met him that one time, but I don’t think he +liked me much.” + +Joan – “He was jealous. He’s really a nice guy. How have you been?” + +Roger – “Pretty good, but it’s been really busy. There’s a lot +homework in college. Cee-Cee and I spent the weekend together, but it +was all at the library working. Be forewarned!” + +Joan – “I’ve decided that I want to go to college, but I don’t know +what I want to take. How do you figure out what you want to be?” + +Roger – “That’s a tough one, but you might start by asking yourself, +‘How can you do the most good?’ That should provide you with some +ideas.” + +When the bus arrives, they go inside and get their name tags. The +first part of the class is spent practicing the waltzes and jitterbug +dances that they learned last time. Joan once again makes a bee-line +to the water cooler during the short break. Afterward, Sister Sarah +teaches them the tango. Joan enjoys learning the dance, but she can’t +keep from laughing periodically. It’s just too much like the Addams +family moment her parents had not long ago. However, her perfect +evening is shattered when she turns around to see Ryan Hunter +standing there, “What are you doing here?” + +Ryan – “It’s nice to see you, too.” Roger is standing next to Joan, +so Ryan asks, “Who’s your friend?” + +Roger begins to answer, but Joan interrupts him, “His name is Allez à +l’enfer.” + +Ryan – “Joan! Such language, but your French is excellent.Aucun amour +toujours pour l’ennemi, je vois.” + +Joan gives him a look that could kill and grabs Roger’s arm, “Come +on, we’re leaving.” + +Joan and Roger go out and sit on the bus. Roger sits quietly while +Joan mutters expletives to herself. + +Roger – “You obviously don’t like this guy. Who is he?” + +Joan – “His name is Ryan Hunter, evil incarnate. Stay away from him, +he’s bad news.” + +Roger – “What did he mean by, ‘No love for the enemy’?” + +Joan gives him a surprised look, “So, you speak French, too?” + +Roger – “It comes in handy.” + +Joan – “It’s hard to explain and you probably wouldn’t believe me +anyway. He is not what he appears. Just stay away from him.” + +Joan decides to look out of the window and watch the others as they +get on the bus. Just as the driver is about to leave, she sees Ryan +come out of the building. He is walking with Sister Sarah, but she is +now in civilian clothes. Joan is stunned to realize that the same +cute blonde-haired woman that she saw Ryan with in Millersville this +summer was Sister Sarah! The driver pulls away and Joan watches until +they are out of sight. + +At Home + +It’searly Wednesday morning when the phone rings. Will looks at the +clock as he picks up the receiver. It’s four a.m. “Girardi residence, +this better be good.” + +There is a momentary silence, “Mr. Girardi, this is Friedman.” + +Will – “Why are you calling at four o’clock in the morning?” + +Friedman – “I’m sorry, but this is important. I hacked into Hunter’s +computer last night and I found some things that really scare me. +I’ve e-mailed everything to Luke. You need to get him up and take a +look.” + +Will – “What’s it about?” + +Friedman – “It’s about Joan.” + +Will goes upstairs and gets Luke out of bed. Luke checks his e-mail +and proceeds to print out everything Friedman had sent. They spread +everything out over the bed and on the floor, and become more stunned +as they view each document: Joan’s school schedule, work schedule, +dance schedule, the buses she takes, addresses and phone numbers of +everywhere she goes, names and address of all of her friends, and on +and on and on. + +Luke – “Dad, he’s watching her or having her watched.” + +Will – “I see that.” Will thinks for a few minutes, “We could keep +her at home.” + +Luke – “There’s no way she’s going to agree to that.” + +Will – “I’m her father. I can make her.” + +Luke – “If you do that, she’ll probably just sneak off, and then we +won’t know where she is.” Will is still mulling it over when Luke +continues, “Can we make sure that she’s never alone?” + +Will – “I can get some volunteers, but I wouldn’t be able to cover +every minute.” + +Luke – “Why don’t you call Rabbi Polonsky? He helped us hack into +Ryan’s computer. Maybe he can help us with this.” + +Will ponders Luke’s idea for a few moments, “Yeah, that appears to be +our best option. Actually, I’ll do both.” + +Luke – “Are you going to tell Joan?” + +Will – “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about that.” + +They go downstairs and Luke finds Joan has beaten him into the +bathroom. He continues down to the kitchen to have breakfast. + +When Joan comes down, she whispers into Helen’s ear, “Bathroom’s +empty.” + +Helen gets up and hurriedly goes upstairs. With just Luke and her +father left in the kitchen, Joan says, “I’m not crawling under a rock +for Ryan Hunter.” + +Will looks at her, “You heard?” + +Joan – “Yeah, part of it, but I already knew Ryan was up to +something.” + +Luke – “How?” + +Joan – “I have dreams, remember?” + +Will – “Joan, you need to start telling me about your dreams. Now, +there are a lot of names listed in the printouts from Ryan’s +computer. Fix yourself some breakfast, and then you are going to tell +me who they are and how they connect to you.” + +Joan – “Dad, I deserve some privacy. You’re beginning to sound like +big brother!” + +Will – “Hunter already knows everything you are doing. He is big +brother. I’m your father. I need to know so I can help you.” + +At School + +The special edition of The Eagle is handed out in homeroom. By +lunchtime, there’s a lot of buzz about Brian’s ideas. Joan takes her +campaign to phase two. She and the others pass out copies of Brian’s +mission statement. “Get the whole story here.” Towards the end of the +day, they run out of copies. They continue the campaign by handing +out flyers and telling everyone, “Get all the details. Check with Ms. +Schmidt in the library.” + +At the Synagogue + +Will walks in to see Rabbi Polonsky, “Rabbi Polonsky, I’m glad you +could meet with me on such short notice. You have done a wonderful +job restoring the Synagogue. It’s really beautiful.” + +Rabbi Polonsky – “Thank you. You can call me Jakob. What can I help +you with?” + +Will – “We’ve learned that Ryan Hunter has been following Joan or +having her followed. We don’t yet know what he plans to do, but we +want to make sure that she is never alone. I need help finding people +to watch her. Is this something you can help us with?” + +Jakob– “Sure, I could probably find some volunteers. How many do you +need?” + +Will gets out copies of Joan’s schedule, “The bus from home to work +is a straight shot, but she has to walk two blocks to the bookstore. +I would like to have someone there on Sunday and Tuesday afternoons. +The bus arrives at…” + +At School + +After school, Joan and Brian check with Ms. Schmidt, “They’re all +checked out. Take a look around.” Joan looks around and is pleased to +see students gathered around several tables talking about Brian’s +ideas. Joan and Brian roam around, asking if anyone has questions. +Brian does a good job of answering everyone’s questions. + +By the time she leaves the library, she has missed her friends. She +goes out to the school steps to wait for the bus. As she sits down, +she notices Adam and Elizabeth walking away from school – together! +She begins to cry, “Yeah, I see your project.” After the bus comes +and goes, she walks home. + +At Home + +Helen is reading on the love seat when Joan walks in the door and +plops herself down beside her. “Joan, what are you doing here? I +thought you had dance tonight?” + +Joan – “I don’t feel like dancing.” She begins to cry again, “Adam is +such a lying bastard! It hasn’t even been a week and already he’s +cheating on me. I hate him!” + +Helen – “Tell me what happened.” + +Joan explains that she has caught Adam and Elizabeth together several +times, but thought it was just a coincidence. However today, she saw +them walking home together. “There’s no reason for them to walk home +together. Adam’s house is in the other direction.” + +Helen smiles and makes Joan look at her, “Adam isn’t cheating on +you.” + +Joan – “I saw them together.” + +Helen – “When June and I paint, we talk. She has told me about all +the time Adam and Elizabeth have been spending together. It’s not +what you think.” + +Joan – “Then what are they doing?” + +Helen – “Dancing.Adam is learning how to dance. He joined Elizabeth’s +dance class, because he wants to dance with you.” + +Joan – “Really?” + +Helen – “Really.He wants it to be a surprise. He plans to ask you to +the semi-formal dance.” After they hug, Helen continues, “Now, dry +your eyes and get ready to dance. I’ll drop you off.” + +At Saint Mary’s Convent + +Joan arrives just as they are beginning. She quickly signs in and +leaves her donation. Sister Sarah again assigns her to Jamie. They +practice the tango. Joan isn’t as giddy about it today as last time. +The tango is followed with more practice of the jitterbug and +waltzes. After class, Joan approaches Sister Sarah, “Hi, I’m sorry I +was late. I missed the bus.” + +Sister Sarah – “That’s okay, I’m just glad you made it.” + +Joan – “Can I ask you a personal question?” + +Sister Sarah – “I suppose, what is it?” + +Joan – “I was wondering how you know Ryan Hunter?” + +Sister Sarah – “Oh, Ryan and I have known each other since high +school. How do you know him?” + +Joan – “Oh, I initially met him through a friend, but Ryan and I +pretty much disagree on everything. We don’t get along.” + +Sister Sarah – “I’m sorry to hear that, he’s a good man. I almost…” +She stops herself and then continues, “Never mind, you don’t want to +hear about me.” + +Joan – “Actually I would, but I don’t want to be nosey. I have to +catch the bus now. Maybe we can talk some more next week?” + +Sister Sarah – “Yes, that would be nice.” + +Joan – “Bye.” + +When Joan gets on the bus, Roger begins the conversation, “I’m glad +you finally showed up tonight. I have something to ask you.” + +Joan gives him a smirk, “I have plenty of questions, but few +answers.” + +Roger – “Have you told Adam that we are in dance class together?” + +Joan – “No, that’s a bridge I haven’t crossed yet. I’m afraid he will +make more of it than what it is.” + +Roger – “Well, I told Cee-Cee, but now there is this thing hanging +out there. I believe she is wondering the same thing Adam would. I +would like for us to get together some time. Maybe the four of us +could have lunch or dinner together. What do you think?” + +Joan – “I should probably tell Adam about us anyway before he finds +out, but here’s the problem. My dad has me on a short leash. I’ve +gotten myself into a bit of trouble, and he won’t let me go anywhere +unless he knows exactly where I’m going in advance. I’ll have to tell +him our plans. Also, he will insist upon meeting you and Cee-Cee, and +I’m sure he will put you through the third degree. Do you and Cee-Cee +really want to go through that?” + +Roger – “No, not really, but I think it’s important that you and +Cee-Cee meet, and it might help you if Adam and I have a talk. Why +don’t you talk to Adam and then call me? Maybe we can do it this +weekend.” + +Joan – “I’ll talk to him and let you know.” + +Joan gets off the bus and transfers to the bus for home. She sees +Rahav and sits beside her, “Thanks for the tip about Pax. I would +hate for anything to happen to her.” + +God – “You’re welcome. Do you remember when you thought Adam was +cheating on you with Judith?” + +Joan – “Yeah, but I was wrong.” + +God – “And how about this morning with Elizabeth?” + +Joan - “Okay, I was wrong again, but it sure seemed like they were +together.” + +God – “In many ways you are very perceptive, but in others, you are +nearly blind. We need to work on that.” + +Joan – “An assignment?I thought we were past that, you know, the +‘like minded’ thing?” + +God – “It’s a process, Joan, something you will have to work on for +the rest of your life. You will continue to make both right and wrong +choices. I can only help you along the way.” God pauses for a moment +to let it sink in, “But back to your perceptions, what about how you +see Ryan Hunter?” + +Joan – “He’s evil! That’s all I need to know.” + +God – “But Sister Sarah sees him as a good man. How can that be?” + +Joan – “She’s blinded by his charm. He has a lot of people fooled.” + +God – “Is it she who is blinded or is it you?” + +Joan – “Are you saying that he’s not evil?” + +God – “Like most people, Ryan is a mixture of both good and evil. You +need to be able to see both sides.” + +Joan – “You actually want me to get to know him better? It makes me +sick just to be in the same room with him. And what about the dream? +He’s planning to hurt me in some way, I can feel it.” + +God – “I already told you, it’s only a possibility. It still depends +upon choices yet to be made. You have an opportunity to affect those +choices. Talk to Ryan.” + +Joan – “What happened to ‘trusting my instincts’? Every bone in my +body tells me to stay away from him.” + +God – “That’s where the ‘have faith in yourself’ part comes in. There +is still light there. Help him find it.” + +Joan sits stunned, not able to believe what God is asking her to do. +She wonders if this is the test that Judith had talked about or the +one God had mentioned before. When the bus arrives at home, she gets +up to leave, “I’ll try, but what if I fail?” + +God – “I’ll always be here for you, Joan.” + +At School + +In the morning, Joan and friends again hand out flyers for Brian. +Fewer kids are taking them, but many are saying, “I already read it, +I plan to vote for Brian.” + +At lunch, Joan and Adam sit off by themselves. Joan begins by asking, +“Do you remember Roger, my tutor?” + +Adam – “Yeah, but I thought you got rid of him.” + +Joan – “I did, but he attends my dance class now. I want you to know, +so you don’t worry.” + +Adam – “But you kissed him! How am I not supposed to worry?” + +Joan – “I already told you, it was a mistake. And besides, he kissed +me. He has a fiancee now and would like us all to get together this +weekend. Roger is a really nice guy and I think you’d like him, if +you gave him a chance. I was thinking maybe lunch on Sunday. Will you +come?” + +Adam would rather not, but he finally agrees, “Yeah, sure.” He begins +to feel guilty, so he continues, “I have something to tell you, too. +I have been dancing with Elizabeth.” + +Joan smiles, “I know, but it’s because you love me, right?” + +Adam is caught off guard, surprised that she knew, “Yeah, I’m only +doing it for you.” + +Joan – “That’s why it’s okay.” + +Adam moves in to give Joan a kiss, but she stops him, “There’s +something else we need to talk about. I was going to mention it at +Mercer Creek, but we had to leave.” She is obviously uncomfortable +saying this, but continues, “I need to know why you had sex with +Bonnie.” + +Adam – “I told you, it was just a stupid mistake.” + +Joan – “And how many times did you make that same mistake?” Adam +doesn’t know what to say, because with any answer, he loses. Joan +continues, “I don’t want an answer now, but I want an honest and +complete answer. You owe me that.” + +Adam – “Okay, you’re right. When DO you want to talk about it?” + +Joan – “How about Saturday, in the morning?” + +Adam – “Okay, I’ll come over and be ready to talk.” + +Joan – “All right.Let’s go sit with the others and finish lunch.” + +At the Police Station + +Brother Jimi arrives to meet with Will again. After they have a seat +in his office, Will begins speaking, “I’ve gone through your list of +members, and there is only one that I have concerns about. His name +is Melvin Thompson. He’s an ex-con, and I was wondering why you chose +him.” + +Brother Jimi – “Melvin has paid his debt to society. He’s a good man +and is very much interested in improving the community.” + +Will – “Okay, his parole officer gave him a good report, so I’ll take +your word for it. I do have another concern. All of your members live +in the west or west central part of town. That’s a pretty narrow +representation of the city.” + +Brother Jimi – “I had to choose people that I knew. That’s where I +live.” + +Will – “I understand, but I would prefer for there to be members from +all parts of the city. Would you consider adding or replacing some of +them?” + +Brother Jimi – “I feel the size of our committee is about right. Tell +me who you have in mind, and I’ll consider your proposals.” + +Will – “I’ve contacted Rabbi Jakob Polonsky, Father Ken Mallory, and +Reverend Anthony Sharpton. Each has expressed an interest in either +becoming a member or sending a representative. Would you consider +including them?” + +Brother Jimi – “I’ve met Rabbi Polonsky and Father Mallory. Both are +fine men. I’ll gladly talk to them and Reverend Sharpton, and +consider including them as part of the committee.” + +Will – “Great, thanks for your willingness to compromise.” Will +provides their phone numbers before Brother Jimi leaves. + +At the Newspaper + +Rebecca – “Hey, I need to ask you something.” + +Kevin – “Just a sec.”He finishes typing on the computer, then he +continues, “Shoot.” + +Rebecca – “I’ve invited Lilly to my church’s rummage sale on Saturday +morning. Is that all right with you?” + +Kevin – “Sure, but you don’t need my permission. If you haven’t +noticed, Lilly pretty much says and does what she pleases. That’s one +of the things I love about her.” + +Rebecca – “Good, I just wasn’t sure about your relationship, and I +didn’t want to interfere.” + +Kevin – “I kind of like the idea that you and Lilly have hit it off. +Have fun.” + +Rebecca – “Oh, it’s not going to be too exciting. I enjoy picking +through the rummage, but being able to chat with Lilly will be the +best part. We have a lot of common interests. I just wanted to make +sure it was okay with you.” + +Kevin – “Like I said, go for it.It’s fine.” + +At School + +After the last class, Joan and Grace walk back to their lockers. Joan +reads a flyer Grace gave her after lunch. + +Grace – “So, what do you think? Luke wants me to go, and I thought +you and Adam could come, too.” + +Joan – “Haunted Hayride, sounds like fun. Orban Farm, I wonder if +it’s Alice’s?” + +Grace – “It’s her uncle’s farm. She says the ride lasts about 45 +minutes, and ghosts and goblins sneak out at you on the way.” + +Joan – “Do you think Alice wants to come?” + +Grace – “She’ll already be there, but she won’t tell me as what. What +do think, an Alice ghost or goblin?” + +Joan – “She’d make a good zombie.” + +Grace – “So, what do you want to be?” + +Joan – “I don’t have a clue. Let’s go to the thrift shop. It’s half +price today. Maybe I can find something there.” + +They meet up with the others and they all decide to go to the thrift +store. + +Glynis– “I already have my costume. I’m going to be Kimberly the Pink +Power Ranger. She’s so cool!” + +Friedman – “Wait until you see it. She even has the phaser thing.” + +Glynis– “It’s called a Blade Blaster, silly.” + +Joan – “Oh, I have to make a few calls. I’ll catch up with you in a +minute.” + +The others go ahead and Joan makes the call. The operator answers, +“Arcadia Herald. How may I direct your call?” + +Joan – “May I speak to Ryan Hunter.” + +Operator – “Who may I say is calling?” + +Joan – “Joan Girardi.” + +After a few minutes, the phone transfers her and Ryan picks up, +“Joan, this is a surprise. What’s the occasion?” + +Joan – “We need to talk. Will you be there tomorrow at about 4 +o’clock?” + +Ryan – “Let me check.” He pauses for a moment, “Yeah, I can be here. +You still haven’t told me why.” + +Joan – “I’ll tell you tomorrow. Bye.” She hangs up and calls Roger. +She gets his voice mail, so she leaves a message about lunch on +Sunday. “Call me back and let me know if that’s okay.” + +At the Thrift Shop + +Joan – “I love this place. There’s a lot of junk, but you can also +find some really neat stuff.” + +Grace – “Hey, Luke, I just figured out what I’ll be. Remember that +awful green outfit I wore to your house that one time.” + +Luke – “The valley girl preppy thing?” + +Grace – “That’s it. I still have it. I’ll be a valley girl. That was +good, wasn’t it?” + +Luke – “Yeah, as long as you only wear it on Halloween.” + +Friedman rushes over, “Hey Luke, come see what I’ve found.” + +They go over to a rack of suits and Friedman pulls one off down. He +holds it in front of him, “What do you think?” + +Luke – “Okay, I give up, what are you?” + +Friedman – “A gangster.” + +Luke – “You mean gangsta?” + +Friedman – “No, gangsta’s only think they look cool, but they dress +like crap. At least the old gangsters knew how to do it with style. +They also have those old style hats over there and some machine guns +in the toy section. We could be the Gambino brothers.” + +Luke pulls out another suit and looks at himself in the mirror, +“Pinstripe, not bad. We look like roaring 20’s something.” + +Friedman changes his voice to sound like a gangster, “That’s the +ticket. Come on, let try on these new threads.” + +Adam hasn’t found anything and joins Joan in the women’s section, who +hasn’t found anything either. They are about to meet up with the +others when Adam spots a cape, “Ooh, look at this. It’s great!” + +Joan – “So, what are you gonna be, Harry Potter?” + +Adam – “Yeah, exactly.This is just like what he wore in the movie, +and it even has a hood. I can make an emblem thing and a wand, and +I’ll be set.” + +Joan – “Once again, everyone finds what they want except for me. +Let’s go over to Luke and Friedman and see what they’ve found.” + +They walk over to the men’s department and Joan sees a suit. It’s a +god-awful looking reddish-orange suit. She takes it off the rack and +checks the size, “This might fit.” She holds it up to herself and +asks Adam, “What do you think?” + +Adam – “It’s definitely ugly. Who will you be?” + +Joan – “Napoleon Dynamite, didn’t you see that movie?” She makes a +stupid expression and imitates his voice, “Yeah, hold on… I forgot to +put in the crystals.” Then she shakes as if she’s being electrocuted, +“It was so funny!” + +Adam – “Yeah, I saw it, but I didn’t think you did. You were in crazy +camp.” + +Joan – “Oh, Kevin brought it home for movie night when I was grounded +last summer. Anyway, what do you think? Isn’t this just like his? It +has the vest, too.” + +Adam – “But you’re a girl. How are you going to pull that off?” + +Joan – “I’ll be Napoleonette. I can pull my hair to the side like his +girlfriend, Deb.” + +They all gather and show each other what they have found. + +Glynis– “I’ve been wandering around just looking at stuff. You are +all going to need ties, and Joan and Adam, I saw some glasses that +would be perfect for you.” + +They are all able to find most of the accessories that they need. +They leave the store happy with what they have found and even happier +that everything was half price. + +At Home + +After dinner, Joan sits down to talk to her father, “Dad, I have a +couple of appointments to tell you about. The first one is with Ryan +Hunter.” + +Will – “Are you insane? I’m trying my best to keep him away from +you.” + +Joan – “I know, but I have to talk to him, and no, I can’t tell you +why. We will be meeting tomorrow after school at the Herald. The +appointment is at four o’clock. There will be plenty of people +around.” + +Will – “Have you told Kevin about this?” + +Joan – “I will be meeting Kevin before I talk to Ryan, and he will be +giving me a ride home. Adam will be with me too, at least for +everything but the meeting. I’ll be fine.” + +Will – “I really don’t like these short notice changes of plans.” + +Joan – “I know, but I’m telling you now. Isn’t that what we agreed +upon?” + +Will – “Yeah, okay, I’ll take care of my part. What’s the other +appointment?” + +Joan – “Adam and I are having lunch on Sunday with a friend. His name +is Roger Worthington. He was my tutor last year for a while. He’s +bringing his fiancee. Her name is Cee-Cee Lin. Both Roger and Cee-Cee +attend Dawson State. They will be coming by about 10:30 and you and +Mom can talk to them before we leave.” + +Will – “Where do you plan to have lunch?” + +Joan – “Cee-Cee’s family owns Lin’s Family Restaurant. We’ll have +lunch there.” + +Will – “Okay, I’ll check them out. Would you like to play a game of +chess?” + +Joan – “Not tonight, I have homework. We can play tomorrow after +dinner.” + +At School + +It’s election day and all are involved with heavy campaigning near +the poll, “Vote for Brian Beaumont, he has the ideas!” “Vote for +Sally Thornton, she’ll listen.” “Vote for Jim Barlow, he’ll… ask +questions, rah rah.” Scott Brooks’ poll showed Jim Barlow in the +lead, but that was taken before all the essays were published. No one +really knows how the election will turn out. + +At lunch, everyone is eagerly waiting for the results to be +announced. Brian has joined his group of campaigners, “I want to +thank all of you for your help, especially Joan. You all did a great +job and I really appreciate your support.” As Brian is finishing, the +announcement comes over the PA, “We have the totals for the election. +Brian Beaumont is the winner for Student Council President with 517 +votes. The treasurer is Jackie…” Everyone at their table cheers, +along with quite a few others in the cafeteria. + +Joan – “Congratulations Brian, I hope you can make all of your ideas +come true.” + +Brian – “I couldn’t have done it without you; those essays are what +made the difference.” + +Joan – “Well, you deserve the job.” + +At the Herald + +Joan and Adam arrive at the Herald and meet with Kevin. + +Joan – “Kevin, did you find out anything?” + +Kevin – “Just that you were right. How did you figure it out?” + +Joan – “I’ll explain later. Adam, will you show me the way to Ryan’s +office?” + +Adam takes Joan to Ryan’s office and Joan goes inside alone. + +Ryan – “So Joan, what brings you here?” + +Joan – “God. He wants me to talk to you. Why else would I be here?” + +Ryan – “Okay, then what does his almightiness want us to talk about?” + +Joan – “Oh, how about for starters, why do you do the evil things +that you do?” + +Ryan – “What evil things? I’m a nice guy.” + +Joan – “Cut the crap, Ryan. We both know what you have been up to. +Why did you reject God? I mean, in the beginning, didn’t you listen +to what he asked you to do?” + +Ryan – “Yeah, I did the little missions like you, but there was never +anything in it for me. And while I was doing his work, he was busy +stealing… well, never mind.” + +Joan – “Stealing Sarah McCauley?”She can see now that she has just +struck a nerve with Ryan, “God didn’t steal her from you. She chose +God.” + +Ryan begins to lose it, “Sarah and I were engaged, and then she +decided to become a nun. What if Adam decided to become a priest? +Wouldn’t you see it the same way?” + +Joan – “I would probably be hurt too, but I would also be happy for +Adam. Becoming closer to God is a wonderful feeling.” + +Ryan – “You’re being brainwashed, Joan. God doesn’t care about anyone +but himself. The sooner you learn that the better off you will be. +And what about Kevin?” + +Joan – “What about Kevin?Are you saying that what happened to Kevin +was an act of God? Kevin got hurt because he got in a car with a +drunk. Choices, it’s all about choices, and God doesn’t make our +choices for us. We need God, especially when things go wrong. I have +seen how God has helped everyone in my family deal with the pain of +Kevin’s accident. That’s what I call love, L-O-V-E.” + +Ryan – “I don’t need God’s love. I’m doing just fine on my own.” + +Joan – “No, I don’t think so, and if you ever decide to be honest +with yourself, you’ll realize that too.” + +Ryan – “I don’t need to be psychoanalyzed by a seventeen year old. +You have no idea what you’re talking about.” + +Joan – “I believe I just hit the nail on the head. Can we talk again +next Friday?” + +Ryan – “No, you’re wasting my time.” + +Joan gets up to leave, “I’ll call you later. Bye, Ryan.” + +At Home + +After dinner, Joan and Will play another game of chess, “Dad, how are +you doing now?” + +Will – “Oh, I’m okay. Things are pretty much the same, which is +weird. That’s actually good, I suppose, because everyone needs to +move on. Dwelling on the past and why things happen… well, it doesn’t +change anything.” + +Joan – “Yeah, I’ve been thinking a lot about Judith lately. I still +miss her.” + +Will – “She was a sweet kid and a good friend. Sometimes, we just +have to accept that we’ll never understand why things happen.” + +Joan – “Checkmate. Yeah, I know what you mean.” -- cgit