[The scene opens to the parking lot of the TCBY building in Little Rock as Simple Simon Terry's bus pulls up. After a few sputters and backfires, the bus comes to a stop, the door opens, and out steps Simple Simon Terry and his newest sidekick Wolfgang. They walk up to the front door where a black ribbon in tied on the handle.]

Simon: What's up with this?

[Wolfgang shrugs his shoulders.]

[They continue through the door and up to the receptionist's desk.]

Receptionist: Can I help you gentlemen?

Simon: Well, our bus broke down in this deadend town outside of San Antonio last week, and it took some inbred repairman almost three days to get it repaired. We finally make it to San Antonio for Firefights and the place is abandoned. Some security gaurd said the show had been cancelled, but he didn't know why. It's really urgent that I speak to Mr. Reeves.

[The receptionist become very flustered and redfaced. She pauses for a few moments and wipes her face.]

Receptionist: Mr. Terry, I don't know if I should be the one telling you this, but Mr. Reeves, ummm, well Mr. Reeves, ummmm. Hold on a second and I'll let you talk to somebody else.

[The receptionist picks up her reciever and punches a line to one of the offices.]

Receptionist: Rob, Simon Terry is in my office and he's looking to talk to Mr. Reeves.

[Short pause.]

Receptionist: No, he doesn't know. He says that his bus broke down somewhere in Texas and he's been on the road for a while.

[Another short pause.]

Receptionist: Yes sir, I'll send him up.

[Puts the reciever down and looks back up at Simon and Wolfgang.]

Receptionist: I'm going to let you talk to Rob Whitespoke. He's one of the acting consultants right now. He'll give you a few more answers. His office is on the third floor.

Simon: Thanks.

[Simon gives the receptionist a not and he and Wolfgang step onto the elevator.]

Simon: Man, people are acting wierd around here today.

Wolfgang: People always act wierd around here.

Simon: Yeah, but this is wierd even for NEW.

[The elevator door opens and the two make their way down the hall to Mr. Whitespoke's office. Without knocking they both just walk in.]

Whitespoke: Mr. Terry, Mr. Griffin, come in. Have a seat. Would you guys like a cup of coffee or a muffin or anything?

Wolfgang: After riding in that smelly bus for the last four days, I've lost just about all of my appitite.

Simon: No thanks.

Whitespoke: So what brings you guys to Little Rock?

Simon: We're here to see Reeves, and it feels like we're getting the runaround. Look, I know that Old Man Reeves thinks that I've got a grudge against him, but that was a long time ago. I promise to be civilized.

Whitespoke: Mr. Terry, ummm, Mr. Reeves died last week.

Simon: Well damn, that's one of the lamest excuses I've ever heard. Really, I'm not going to cause any violence. I just want to know why Firefights was cancelled last week on "SBK day", and I wanted to see what was on scedule for the next show.

Whitespoke: It's not an excuse, Mr. Terry, Mr. Reeves died of heart failure.

Simon: Jesus man, I'm sorry. You know I respected Reeves, and in a way I even kinda liked him. He wasn't an evil man or anything. Ummmm well not completely anyway, he was just a businessman.

Wolfgang: So that's why everybody's so strange?

Whitespoke: There's been a will reading and it's going to go public sometime soon. It's going to explain everything that's going to happen to the state of NEW. Who's in charge, etc...

Simon: Well, I guess we've missed the funeral huh?

Whitespoke: Yes sir.

Simon: Tell the family that I send my condolences. I'll have my assistant send some flowers to their house.

Whitespokes: There was a big turnout for the funeral Mr. Terry. I'm sure the family will understand why you were not there.

Simon: Anyway, thanks for your time. I've really got alot to deal with now.

[On that Simon and Wolfgang walk back to elevator and begin descending.]

Simon: Wow, Old Man Reeves is dead. NEW may not survive this. The shows are going to need alot of envelope pushing now.

Wolfgang: Especially if your friend Shawn doesn't hurry up and make his comeback.

Simon: I think it's time for a little surprise.

Wolfgang: Like what?

Simon: Like maybe the o....oh nevermind.

[Fade.]