Synopsis: Nicole Ridgetop and Barbra Olstad are busy preparing for an annual festival when Paul Woodland bursts into the lodge with a badly shaken Laura Lynn. Everyone is concerned and compassionate toward Laura's dillema until Guy County's Sheriff, Michael Tarr shows up and begins badgering poor Laura. The Sheriff decides to take Laura in for questioning but promises to send a search team to look for Elizabeth. Nicole, stunned at the turn of events, calls Laura's aunt, Noelle Royalton, to tell her the news.
Setting: Saturday November 30th, 2002: around 2pm. The main lobby and ground floor of the Ridgetop Lodge in the mountain highlands above Jasonville.
Characters: Laura Lynn (Nivyan), Nicole Ridgetop (Xylia), Barbra Olstad (Hope 90), Paul Woodland (Rhode Island) and Sheriff Michael Tarr (Shawnm626).
Open in the early afternoon of the same day with Nicole and Barbra arranging the room in preparation of a coming event, the Hot Chocolate Festival which is celebrated by many in Guy County and held the first weekend of December at the lodge when the weather begins getting really cold!
Barbra: (On a step ladder putting up brown and white streamers in the main lobby) �Isn�t this exciting Nicole? I can hardly wait to try all the new and wonderful flavors being introduced this year!�
Nicole: (Touching up a floral arrangement) �Oh yes! Especially that Raspberry one! And there�s supposed to be a new mint flavored blend too!�
Barbra: �Oh I nearly forgot about that one! And speaking of forgetting, I musn't forget to call Lynn McKenzie with the details of the festival activities."
Nicole: �I think this is going to be the best festival yet Barbra! And I must say you do such a wonderful job with all the preparations. Your efforts really make the festival a big success.�
Barbra: (Pausing from her work to look towards Nicole) �Why thank you Nicole [smiling graciously], that is so kind of you to say!� �You know, I think you are right, this year���
Barbra is suddenly interrupted when the front door bursts open. It is Paul Woodland and Laura Lynn. Laura is obviously shaken and being supported by Paul.
Paul: (Moving Laura toward one of the sofa�s to sit her down) �Ladies, we need some help! Laura here came stumbling down the trail and is in quite a state!� (Sets her down gently on the sofa) �Here Laura, please sit and try to calm down. And when your ready tell us what happened.�
Nicole and Barbra stop what they are doing and move to help Paul with Laura.
Laura: (Tearfully and a bit frantically) W-we were in the woods,��hiking�Elizabeth and I.� (Clutches Paul�s arm and looks at him through teary eyes) �SHE�S GONE!! I couldn�t find her! I was feeling dizzy and I must have feinted and when I woke up, she was gone!!! �Please! We have to find her!�
Nicole: (Moves to comfort Laura) �Oh Dear! Please calm down Laura. Perhaps she just went to get help for you.�
Laura: (In a very concerned tone) �But she would have been back by now! We left early this morning! She would not be gone so long unless she got lost! She may even be hurt! We have to go look for her!!�
Barbra: (Gets up from kneeling by Laura) �You�re right, something must be wrong!� (A look of realization comes across her face) �Wait a minute! The Sheriff is here in the dining room having a late lunch! I�ll go get him now. I�ll be right back.�
Barbra leaves the lobby and goes into the dining room.
Paul: (Speaking tenderly) �Try not to worry Laura, we will find her.� (Gets up and looks to Nicole) �Why don�t you stay with Laura while I go get her something warm to drink.�
Nicole: (Sits next to Laura) �Yes, why don�t you get us all something. We�ll be right here when you get back.�
Paul heads for the kitchen, passing Barbra and Sheriff Tarr who head over to Nicole and Laura.
Sheriff: (Authoritatively to Laura) �Miss Barbra here tells me there is a problem young lady. I want you to tell me what happened.�
Laura: (Slightly intimidated and meek) �Well,��you see,��Elizabeth and I went for a hike early this morning��to see the view at Buena Vista��As we reached the overlook I began to feel dizzy and tired��Before I knew it I had passed out and��and when I woke up hours later she was gone!�
Sheriff: (Looks at Laura with a raised eyebrow) �Just the two of you?�
Laura: �Yes sir. I woke up and she was no where to be found." (Pauses slightly) "I called and called for her and there was no answer! I became worried and scared and thought she might have come back here.�
Sheriff: �Let me ask you something miss, aren�t you and her partners of a sort in that business for kids?�
Laura: (Puzzled at the question) �Well yes��the business belongs to her,��but we work very closely together.�
Sheriff: �And do you handle any of the financial aspects of the business miss Laura?�
Nicole: (Interjecting on Laura�s behalf) �What are you getting at sheriff? You aren�t suggesting that Laura here may have had anything to do with Elizabeth�s disappearance?!�
Sheriff: �Ma�am as a man of the law I can�t rule anything out. Now please miss Laura, answer the question!�
Laura: (Nearly in tears) �Y-yes sheriff, I often process community donations and balance the books for Elizabeth. She trusts me��we�re friends��best friends.�
Barbra: (In a tone denoting distaste) �Sheriff! This girl is obviously very worried and concerned for her friend! How could you even suggest what I think you are suggesting?!�
Sheriff: (A bit smug) �Well miss Barbra, as I see it, this little lady might have a whole lot to gain if her business partner were to disappear! And this show of emotion could just be to throw us off the trail!�
Nicole: (Obviously appalled) �Laura loves that girl! They grew up together and she would never do anything to���
Sheriff: (Rudely interrupting Nicole) �Perhaps Ma�am, but I am going to take her down to the Jasonville police department to answer some more questions. Meanwhile I will have some of their officers come up here to search around for the girl and examine the scene. I�ll send up Detective Wise too.�
Laura: (Hugs Nicole, frightened) �Nicole?! What should I do?!�
Nicole: (Gently strokes Laura�s hair) �Laura dear, go with the sheriff. I will call your aunt Noelle and she will help straighten this out. Don�t you worry dear.�
Sheriff: (Puts his hand out towards Laura) �Come along now missy. Let�s get to town.�
Laura and Nicole get up from the sofa and hug. Barbra gives Laura a hug too.
Barbra: �Don�t you worry Laura. Everything will be fine. Be brave. You�re aunt Noelle will know what to do.�
Laura: �Thank you Barbra, and Nicole. And please, look for Elizabeth! I�m so worried about her!�
Sheriff: �All right ladies, that�s enough. Let�s go Laura!� (Leading her out the door)
Just as the Sheriff and Laura are leaving, Paul walks in with hot tea. He watches the door close behind them, puzzled.
Paul: �Ms. Ridgetop, where are they going?�
Nicole: (With concern) �The sheriff is taking her to the police station for questioning. He�s sending the police to search for Elizabeth and investigate the trail near Buena Vista.�
Paul: (A bit alarmed) �Question her? For what?�
Nicole: I�ll tell you in a moment. First I have to make a very important phone call. Barbra, could you get me the phone please?�
Barbra: �Yes, of course Nicole�
Fade out focusing on characters with looks of concern.
end of scene 2
