Synopsis: News travels fast in the close knit community of Guy county. Here we have some of Jasonville's residents struggling to deal with the recent abduction of Elizabeth Springer and how this event relates to each of their roles in the town. Though all in town feel concern for the renown and respected Ms. Springer they know that life must go on and each struggles to continue to keep Guy county the exceptional place it is while keeping hope in their hearts for the safe return of their friend and fellow Jasonite. This scene shows that undying spirit in the form of a group of Ms. Springer's students in rehearsal for an ice folley to be performed at the upcoming Hot Chocolate festival. The rehearsal is led by Marie Bouvier. Also involved are Karleen Euclid(the sports center's owner) and Jasonville high's Principal Ms. Joy Princess.
Setting: Sunday December 1st, 2002: 7:00 am: The Jasonville Sports Center
Characters: Karleen Euclid (Robster), Lisa Bouvier (LisaMarie), Joy Princess (Sunnid) and several children of varying ages.
Begin with the sound of classical music playing while fading in on a long shot of the Jasonville Sports Center ice rink where a lone figure glides effortlessly and gracefully across the ice. Slowly zoom in on the figure as she goes into a tight spin at the end of the piece playing. As the music ends we see that it is Lisa Bouvier, breathing a bit heavily at the end of her program. She takes a deep breath and pushes off toward the CD player poised on the edge of the rink�s wall as one of the doors opens and a group of children of varying ages is led in by Principal Princess and Karleen Euclid, the center�s owner.
Karleen: (Leading the group of noisy children and seeing Lisa approaching) �Lisa! I see you�re early and practicing as usual. I trust our arrival is timely?�
Lisa: (Smiling shyly) �Right on time as usual Karleen. I was just finishing my warm up routine.�
Principal Princess is directing the group of about 25 children. Many of them varying in age from 5 to 12 and a few which are high school age. She asks them to quiet down and to begin putting on their skates so they can begin practice. As the children begin to comply she moves over to Karleen and Lisa.
Joy: (Leaning on the edge of the rink wall next to Karleen) �Good morning Lisa, the children are getting ready for their rehearsal. Are you sure you want to do this today? I mean in light of everything that�s been going on with Elizabeth and all?�
Lisa: (A slight frown of concern crossing her face) �Yes, I�m prepared. It is a bit daunting with what has happened, but I believe she would want us to continue in her absence so that the children�s performance will be beautiful at the festival next weekend. [she checks her skates to make sure the laces are still secure] If I know Elizabeth she would not want to let the children down by canceling the show and I will continue to keep her in my prayers for a safe return.�
Joy: �Yes, as will we all. I do hope everything is resolved soon and she returns safely.�
Karleen: �Yes, hopefully detective Wise will find whoever is responsible for this, bring Elizabeth back safely and everything will return to normal, then the festival will be as festive as we could hope for. Oh, and I just spoke to my cousins Marie and Roxanne from California. They send their best wishes and good vibes and both have said they will be flying in later this week to attend the festivities as usual.
Lisa: (Her demeanor brightening a bit, but still filled with concern) �You mean I am finally going to get to meet the beautiful and talented actress, Marie Sunset?�
Karleen: (Seeming a bit befuddled) �Yes Lisa, but I must admit it�s a bit strange to me, the whole fame thing. To me they are my cousins first. I suppose I still don�t understand the whole fuss about Marie being an actress and all. I mean I know she is famous and has many fans, but I still remember the times growing up, before she became a big star.�
Joy: �Yes, I remember much of that too. But then Lisa, you were out competing all over the world when we were growing up here in Jasonville. Certainly you must be somewhat familiar with fame?�
Lisa: (Blushing a bit) �Well yes, but it�s a different sort of fame I suppose. Not nearly on the same magnitude of a movie star!�
The children begin entering the rink and skating around to warm up, led by the older high school kids. One little boy and girl come over to where Karleen, Principal Princess and Lisa are chatting.
Little Tommy: (Beaming with excitement) �Hi Miss Bouvier! Are you gonna show us a triple today?!�
Lisa: (Leaning down to look directly into Tommy�s eyes while smiling) �Well Tommy, that all depends on how hard you practice today. If you and the rest of the children do well, I may show you all the latest routine I am working on which has three triples!�
Tommy and little Sally: (together in chorus, excited) �Really!?�
Lisa: (Smiling warmly as she straightens out) �Yep!, but only if you all work really hard so that we will have a beautiful show for the festival. Promise?�
Little Sally: �Yes Miss Bouvier!, I�ll work really hard!�
Little Tommy: �Me too Miss Bouvier!�
Lisa: (Still smiling, stoops down to take each of their hands) �Very good you two. Now why don�t you both get started warming up and I will be there shortly, o.k.?�
Little Tommy: �O.K. Miss Bouvier.� (skates off to join the other children to warm up)
Little Sally: (Waits for a moment as Tommy skates off then looks at Lisa with questioning eyes) �Miss Bouvier? Where are Miss Springer and Miss Lynn? They promised they were going to be here this morning to watch us practice.�
Karleen and Joy both glance at Lisa with concerned looks. Lisa, not wanting to worry the children and spoil the day, pauses a moment in thought and then answers Sally.
Lisa: (In a gentle, caring tone) �Well sweetie, Miss Lynn is with her Aunt Noelle right now. She�s not feeling too well this morning and needs her rest. And Miss Springer���Um, �� well, I know she wanted to be here today but she can�t make it. (Feeling at a loss for words, not wanting to elaborate, yet wanting to remain honest)
Joy: (Also in a gentle tone) �Sally honey, we can�t tell you right now why Miss Springer can�t be here, but I�ll tell you what. Just think how happy and pleased she will be when she sees you children skate so beautifully at the festival because you all worked so hard. Don�t you think that will be wonderful to see a big smile on her face because of how proud she will be of all of you?�
Sally: (Getting a little excited) �You mean like we're gonna surprise her?�
Karleen: �Yes Sally, I�m sure she will be very pleasantly surprised when she sees how hard you all worked. In fact, I bet it�s going to be the best show ever!�
Sally: �Well then I�m going to tell everyone to work really hard so we can surprise Miss Lynn and Miss Springer!�
Lisa: (Smiles to Sally, but feeling a bit worried at the same time) �That�s wonderful to hear Sally. Why don�t you go tell them now?�
Sally: (Giddily) �I will!, Thank you Miss Bouvier, Miss Euclid and Principal Princess!� (Skates off toward the other children)
The three ladies exchange concerned glances, hoping again for the best but knowing that there is a possibility that Elizabeth may not be coming back, none of them daring to believe or voice it. There is a slight pause as this realization is at the forefront of their thoughts.
Lisa: (Seeming a bit dejected) �Well, I had best get started with the rehearsal.�
Karleen: �Yes, I have some other things to check on myself. I need to make sure the ping pong gear is all in good order for the tournament and that the seating will all be arranged appropriately. I also have to speak with Wayne Byron. He says he will send out his private jet to fly my cousins here for the Festival and we need to make arrangements for that.�
Joy: (Also a bit distracted and dejected) �I think I will go check with the police department and see if there is any further word. I will be back in a few hours to help take the children home after rehearsal, O.K. Lisa?�
Lisa: (Straightening her stance as if bolstering herself for the children) �All right Joy, I will see you then. Thanks for bringing the children Joy, and you too Karleen. I�ll see the two of you later.�
Karleen: �I�ll see you both later.�
Joy: �Goodbye ladies.�
Karleen and Joy depart as Lisa skates over to where the children are warming up. All three women are trying to keep busy, but are not fully able to escape the concerns which weigh heavily upon their minds.
End of scene 2
