Synopsis: Noelle has just gotten word from Nicole of what has transpired. Wayne and Georgina have just arrived for a supper invitation when Noelle tells them the news. After discussing the tragedy that has befallen their beloved neice the three decide to go immediately down to see her. On the way, they plan to consult Jasonville's best defense attorney, Lannie Ross, to be prudent and advise them of the possiblities.
Setting: Saturday November 30th, 2002: around 3pm Royalton Manor, the home of Ms. Noelle Royalton and the largest estate in Jasonville. Ms. Royalton is from the deep south which is apparent by her perfectly intoned southern accent. She comes from a long and extensive line of Louisiana/Alabama old money which have strong ties to the town of Jasonville and Guy County. The town and county were established by her ancestors. She now lives primarily in Jasonville.
Characters: Noelle Royalton (MelodyNoelle), Wayne Byron (Pyraxus) , Georgina Doe (Jennie) and Andrew (Noelle�s butler).
Open around 3pm into the main foyer of Royalton Manor as the butler has just escorted Wayne and Georgina in for a dinner party with Ms. Noelle to discuss matters of interest for the town. The butler has just taken their coats as Ms. Noelle begins to approach them.
Wayne: �Thank you Andrew�
Georgina: �Yes Andrew, thank you.�
Ms. Noelle approaches with a deeply concerned look on her face.
Noelle: (With utmost poise and grace, despite her obvious concern) �Welcome to my home once again Wayne, Georgina. If you would be so kind as to join me in retiring to the library, there is a matter of extreme importance I wish to discuss with you. [Turning to Andrew] Andrew, please inform us in the library when supper is prepared.�
Andrew: �Yes ma�am.� (Exit Andrew)
The trio begin to head toward the library on the second floor, up the grand staircase.
Wayne: (Cordially) �Lovely to see you again Noelle. Thank you for the invitation. I must say however, you appear as though you are pondering a matter of concern.�
Georgina: (In concurrence) �Yes Noelle, has something happened? Is there something we can help with?�
Noelle: �Yes indeed. This is a matter of extreme implication. I just received a telephone call from Ms. Ridgetop at the lodge concerning our darling niece Laura and her friend Elizabeth.�
The three arrive in the library each taking a seat in finely crafted imported French chairs in the library lounge.
Georgina: (Taking from the coffee table a beverage which has been laid out) �Good heavens! What is it Noelle. They aren�t hurt are they?�
Noelle: �Well, according to Ms. Nicole Laura is fine, though badly shaken. But her friend Elizabeth most disturbingly has come up missing while they were walking up in the hills by the lodge.�
Wayne: �What? That�s terrible news! When did this happen!�
Noelle: �Apparently early this morning. Laura made her way to the lodge after having passed out on the trail, only to awake hours later with Elizabeth nowhere to be found!�
Georgina: �Oh My! That IS terrible news!� (Puts her beverage down) �Have the police been notified?�
Noelle: �Yes, it is terrible, but it is much worse than that! [Frowning with distaste] The Sheriff just happened to be having lunch at the lodge.�
Wayne: (Puzzled) �But that�s good news, isn�t it?�
Noelle: �You would think so, but that horrible man immediately set in to questioning our dear sweet Laura, practically accusing her of foul play!�
Georgina: (Shocked) �Why,��That�s simply preposterous! Our sweet Laura could never be involved in any nefarious activity!�
Wayne: (Equally shocked) �Not our Laura! What could that man be thinking!?�
Georgina: �And what of dear Elizabeth? Aren�t they searching for her?�
Noelle: �Yes, thank God for that! He did have enough sense to send up a search team from the town. I understand they have detective Wise leading the search and investigation.�
Georgina: (A slight sigh of relief) �Well, thank heavens, Detective Wise is the best in her field. If anyone can find out what happened it is her. But what of poor Laura? Where is she now?�
Noelle: (Her concern deepens) �That idiot sheriff has taken her down to the police station to interrogate the poor girl!�
Wayne: �Imagine our poor Laura. She must be terrified! We must do something to help her.� (Pauses in thought) �I think we should all go down there right now. The sweet child needs our support.�
Georgina: �Yes, we must! But if they believe she has something to do with Elizabeth�s disappearance then it will take more than moral support to help her through this.�
Noelle: �Then we should act now to protect her as quickly as possible. Come, let us go down to see Lannie Ross on our way to the police station.�
Georgina: (Quizzically) �Lannie Ross? The Defense attorney? Do you think it will come to that Noelle?�
Noelle: �I certainly hope not, but we must be prepared. We should leave right away!�
Wayne: (Gets up from his chair) �I will have Andrew get the car.�
As Wayne moves toward the door, the butler enters to announce that supper is ready. The ladies both rise and move toward the door.
Noelle: �Oh Andrew, good. Please cancel supper and prepare the car for the three of us. We have urgent business to attend to for now. And please make haste.�
Andrew: �Yes ma�am. Right away!�
Andrew hastily departs as Noelle, Wayne and Georgina head toward the main foyer to await the car.
Noelle: (Concerned still) �I certainly hope we are in time to avert any disaster for poor Laura. I can only imagine that poor girl, scared to death right now!�
Wayne: �Yes, and Elizabeth too. I pray to God she is all right!�
Georgina: �Heaven protect them both.�
Fade out with the three descending the grand staircase.
End of scene three
