Synopsis: Having been brought safely to the Guy County hospital, Elizabeth Springer is kept for observation by Dr. Marie Route. Basic tests are done to ensure her well being and upon awaking she is found to be suffering from temporary amnesia. Dr. Route allows visitors as Elizabeth seems in high spirits otherwise, but warns not to press her on issues regarding her memories as it may cause psychological damage.
Setting: Sunday December 1st, 2002: Shortly after noon: A room at the Guy County Hospital
Characters: Dr. Marie Route (Melissa), Elizabeth Springer (Hopeless Grace), Noelle Royalton (MelodyNoelle), Laura Lynn (Nivyan), Wayne Byron (Pyraxus) and Eileen Wise (Magnadoodle).
Fading in, looking through the window of a hospital room door at Dr. Route who is approaching briskly. The steady beeping of a heart monitor can be heard as she gets closer to the door. She is flipping over some pages on a clipboard, her white doctor�s coat rustling at her pace. As she opens the door the view follows her to the bedside of Elizabeth Springer who seems to be sleeping peacefully. Dr. Route checks the monitor and it�s sensor clipped onto Elizabeth�s finger. Satisfied that everything is in order she puts the clipboard on the table next to the bed and begins speaking in a soft, gentle voice.
Dr. Route: (In a soothing tone) �Elizabeth��Elizabeth, can you hear me?� (She takes a pen light out of her pocket and gently opens Elizabeth�s right eye, shining the light for a response) �Come on Elizabeth, it�s time to wake up now.�
Elizabeth: (Begins to rouse, softly murmuring and shifting in her bed) �Hmm�mm��[her eyelids flutter as Dr. Route takes the light away]��Wha��What time is it?�
Dr. Route: (Still in a low, soothing voice, offering her hand for support as Elizabeth starts to sit up) �It�s all right Elizabeth. You�re safe now. It�s me, Dr. Route. How are you feeling?�
Elizabeth: (Becoming more alert, but also more confused) �Dr. Route? Whe��Where am I? [sitting up sharply, a bit alarmed] Wait! How��How did I get here?�
Dr. Route: (Placing a comforting hand on Elizabeth�s shoulder) �Everything�s going to be just fine Elizabeth. I can see you�re confused, but I promise that everything will be all right. I want you to try to remain calm, alright? Can you do that for me?�
Elizabeth: (A little more at ease now) �Y��yes, I think I can do that. My head�[putting her hand to her brow]�it�s so ��so fuzzy.�
Dr. Route: (Picking up her clipboard to record notes) �Yes dear, I�m sure it is. You have been through a great deal. But just you try to relax. Take a few deep breaths and try to clear your mind, alright?� (Pauses a moment as Elizabeth breaths and stretches a bit) �Elizabeth, I want you to try to think back to the last thing you can remember before waking up. If you can�t remember, that�s alright. I just want you to give it a try, alright?�
Elizabeth: (Her brow wrinkling as if struggling to recall) �It��It�s all just so fuzzy. [pauses with a bit of a frown etched on her face, shaking her head a bit]��Wait,��I remember the sound of the wind through the leaves. That�s right, Laura and I went hiking��It was a bit chilly and I thought it was so beautiful as the gentle morning breeze rustled the leaves, making some of them float softly to the ground.� (She pauses again as if having difficulty remembering)
Dr. Route: (Scribbling on her clipboard) �That�s very good Elizabeth. [Puts her pencil down to touch Elizabeth�s arm in a gesture of support] Go on dear, what happened next?�
Elizabeth: (Her brows still knitted in uncertainty) �I��I�m not sure. I think there�s a noise,��and��and then I feel scared! [The heart monitor beeps faster as Elizabeth�s pulse begins to quicken] I need to run! I��I don�t know!? It just seems to be dark after that! I��I feel so��dizzy, and frightened!�
Dr. Route: (Gently squeezing Elizabeth�s shoulder) �It�s o.k. Elizabeth. You�re safe now. That�s good for now. Just breath deep and relax. [the whole time in a soothing voice] That�s it, nice and slow. Breath in��and out��good. Now I want you to rest a bit. I�m going to go now to check some test results, but the nurse will be here shortly with your lunch. I want you to try and eat something and drink plenty of water, o.k.?�
Elizabeth: (Leans back into the bed which is in a reclined position) �All right Dr. I�ll do that. But please Dr. Route, tell me, is Laura all right? Has anything happened to her?�
Dr. Route: (Smiles warmly as she returns her pencil to the clipboard and tucks it under her arm) �Yes dear, Laura is just fine. In fact, her and a few others are waiting patiently to see you. Do you feel well enough for a visit?�
Elizabeth: (Sits up again, a bit excited) �Oh yes Dr.! By all means, please let me see them.�
Dr. Route: (Moving toward the door, speaking cheerfully but laced with a bit of concern) �All right Elizabeth. But I don�t want you to excite yourself too much. They can visit with you until the nurse brings your lunch, then they can come back after you�ve eaten, alright?�
Elizabeth: (Her mood seems heightened) �Oh yes Dr. Route, that sounds wonderful! I promise, I will try to stay relaxed.�
Dr. Route: (Opens the door to head out) �Very good then, I will send them right in, and I will be back later to check on you myself, o.k.?�
Elizabeth: �Yes Dr., thank you.�
Dr. Route: �You�re welcome dear. I�ll see you soon.�
Dr. Route leaves the room and enters the waiting room down the hall where Laura, Noelle, Wayne and Eileen are waiting to see Elizabeth. As she approaches through the swinging doors, the four gaze up expectantly, all with looks of concern.
Noelle: (Getting up from her chair at the Dr.�s approach, with a look of concern) �Dr., How is my niece? Is she alright? When can we see her?�
Laura: (Equally concerned ) �Yes Dr. Route, please let us see Elizabeth!�
The four visitor�s all look upon the Dr. with anticipation and concern as she lets out a bit of a warm, comforting smile.
Dr. Route: �Well everyone, I�m happy to inform you that Elizabeth is awake and alert, though she is a bit bewildered.�
Everyone begins asking questions at once but Dr. Route puts her hand up in a gesture meant to maintain a semblance of order to adequately explain the situation.
Dr. Route: (Smiling softly to ease the tension) �Now please, everyone. I know you are all very concerned, but please let me tell you the news.�
Wayne: (Moving over to Noelle and Laura, putting a hand on each of their shoulders) �Yes, of course Dr., forgive us. [speaks to Laura and Noelle] Ladies, why don�t we sit for a moment and listen to what Dr. Route can tell us.�
Everyone sits except Detective Wise while Dr. Route begins to explain.
Dr. Route: �Thank you everyone. Now as I was saying. Elizabeth is awake and is aware of her surroundings. [furrowing her brow a bit] She is however showing signs of mental stress, in this case manifesting thus far as having no recollection of the events which took place during her abduction. This may be her mind�s own way of dealing with the trauma.�
Detective Wise: �Are you saying she has amnesia, Dr. Route?�
Dr. Route: �Yes Detective, it would appear so, for now anyway.�
Concerned looks by all as Dr. Route continues
Dr. Route: �Now, the good news is that she is in good health and spirits and I can allow you to visit with her. But I must caution you that when I asked her to try and remember what had happened to her, she became agitated, which is not uncommon with such cases. Her subconscious is probably still struggling with the trauma of the event. [pauses briefly] She should, in time, recover her memory when she is able to face the events which took place, and I don�t expect it is a permanent condition.�
Noelle: (Looks questioningly at the Doctor) �So are you saying we shouldn�t bring up or ask her about what happened?�
Dr. Route: (Looks pensive for a moment) �Well actually you should let her talk about it at her own pace. She will naturally have questions, but rather than avoid them, we should encourage her to remember for herself without pushing her into anything she�s not ready to face.� (she looks directly over to Eileen, but addresses everyone) �It should be all right to answer any questions she may have or ask questions of her, but do not press the issue if she shows any sign of stress or anxiety. This may only serve to hinder her progress in dealing with her trauma.� (looks again at everyone) �If you can all do that then I will allow you to see her now, all right?�
Laura, Noelle and Wayne all agree, nearly in tandem and Detective Wise nods her understanding to the doctor.
Dr. Route: �Very well then, I will go to the lab to check on her test results. If she should become agitated and you need assistance then call the nurse right away. Remember to be positive and show support, not worry. She is in the room directly at the end of the hall.�
Wayne: (Getting up from his chair along with Laura and Noelle) �Thank you doctor.�
Noelle: �Yes doctor. Thank you.�
Dr. Route: �My pleasure. I�ll see you all soon.�
The four visitors move toward the swinging doors and down the hall as Dr. Route heads off toward the elevator and the lab one floor below. They reach Elizabeth�s room and Wayne gently knocks as they all look through the window and see Elizabeth who looks back at them and sports a huge smile. Wayne opens the door for the ladies and Laura rushes in first, giving her friend a huge, tearful hug.
Laura: (Trying not to be too emotional, but both a bit frantic and relieved at the same time) �Elizabeth! I�m so happy to see you! I�m so glad you�re all right!�
Elizabeth: (A bit perplexed) �Well of course I�m all right silly, why wouldn�t I be?�
Eileen looks over at Wayne, exchanging knowing glances as Noelle sits beside Elizabeth on the bed, opposite Laura.
Noelle: (Giving Elizabeth a hug) �Don�t trouble yourself with that now dear, everything is all right now.�
Wayne: (Comes over and gives Elizabeth a hug as well) �Yes, don�t you worry, everything will be fine, you�re safe now.� (moves back to where Detective Wise is standing)
Elizabeth: (Even more perplexed) �My goodness! You would think I fell of a cliff or something! [pauses then smiles] I�m fine everyone, really. I admit, I can�t seem to recall what happened on our hike Laura, but I couldn�t feel better, honest. By the way you are all acting, you would think you haven�t seen me for a week!�
Everyone looks at one another quizzically, uncertain what to say next, not wanting to upset Elizabeth.
Noelle: (Gently grasps Elizabeth�s right hand) �Sweetie, you honestly don�t remember anything after your and Laura�s hike on Saturday?�
Elizabeth: (Knitting her brow in confusion) �What do you mean �on Saturday?�? Isn�t it Saturday now?�
Laura: (Looks over at Noelle, who nods, then looks back at Elizabeth) �Elizabeth,��today is Sunday. It�s just after noon. Our hike was yesterday.
Everyone remains quiet as Elizabeth looks around the room at everyone, puzzled. The only sound being the steady beep of the heart monitor.
Elizabeth: (Looks to Laura) �I��I don�t understand Laura. [pauses] If today is Sunday, then what happened all day yesterday?�
Wayne: (Interceding with a calm, compassionate demeanor) �Elizabeth my dear, I want you to try to stay calm while I try to answer your question all right?�
Elizabeth: (A little concerned, but more puzzled than anything) �All right Uncle Wayne, I promise.�
Wayne: (Continuing calmly) �Apparently you and Laura were being followed while on your hike. Whomever it was, somehow managed to incapacitated the two of you. [pauses to gauge Elizabeth�s reaction] When Laura woke up, she was alone and desperately tried searching for you.�
Eileen: (Jumping in to continue the story) �When she couldn�t find you, she made her way back to the Ridgetop Lodge to get help. Sheriff Tarr was there and called ahead to me by radio to put together a search team. [paces a bit as she recounts the facts] When I arrived at the scene, I found evidence that you had been abducted by someone with an all terrain vehicle. I lost the trail however when the vehicle turned onto the paved road through the mountains.�
Elizabeth: (In a tone of utter disbelief) �I��I can�t believe it! Are you sure? How did I get here then?�
Eileen: (Without missing a beat) �Well the next day, this morning, I went back to the Ridgetop to go back over the scene but asked Paul and Nicole if they had noticed anything odd the day before. Paul told me he heard a noise down in the south canyon and we went to check out the old cabin down there. [quickens a bit as if a little excited] When we reached the cabin I searched the perimeter only to find smoke coming from the chimney and all the windows and door locked from inside. Upon knocking, Paul and I heard screams from within, presumably yours, and we managed to break the door down after several tries. In the meantime the kidnapper fled out a back window and escaped. Paul and I found you tied to a chair in a closet. You had passed out. When we tried to bring you to, you struggled a bit, then passed out again. We managed to get you out of the canyon and that is how you ended up here.�
There is a long pause as Elizabeth looks around at everyone, disbelief riddled across her face. Noelle firmly grips her hand reassuringly and smiles. Elizabeth seems stunned, but not overly excited as indicated by the steady beep of the monitor.
Elizabeth: (In an uncertain tone) �I don�t know what to say. [pauses as everyone remains silent] I��I just can�t seem to remember any of it!
Eileen: (Seeming a bit disappointed) �Are you sure Elizabeth? I mean, don�t try to force it, but are you sure there is nothing you can tell me?�
Elizabeth: (Wrinkles her brow in frustration) �No Detective, I�m very sorry. But nothing is coming to me. I still, simply can�t believe it!�
Noelle: (Gently strokes Elizabeth�s hair) �Well, what�s important now dear is that you are safe, and with those who love you.�
Elizabeth: (Putting her head on Noelle�s shoulder) �Thank you Auntie. [looks to Eileen] I wish there was something I could tell you Detective.�
Eileen: �Well Elizabeth, so do I. But I wouldn�t want you to upset yourself. If you happen to remember anything at all though please let me know. In the meantime, I will be returning to the cabin to search for more clues. I did find a water glass with some fingerprints on it while there though. We checked and the prints aren�t yours, so hopefully the database will come up with a match.�
Elizabeth: (Suddenly gets a far away look in her eyes and begins squinting, then puts her hands to her temples to rub them) �Oh, goodness.�
Laura: (concerned) �Laura, are you all right?� (everyone looks suddenly concerned)
Elizabeth: (A bit dizzily) �Y��yes, I think so. I just have a bit of a headache and feel a little dizzy.� (She suddenly looks up sharply at everyone) �Lynden!�� I need to see Lynden!�
Everyone seems a bit puzzled at Elizabeth�s sudden state of urgency
Noelle: (In a calming voice) �Elizabeth dear, it�s all right. I�m sure Mr. Dale will be by to see you soon. In fact, I�m sure you will have many visitors glad to see you safe.�
Elizabeth: (Still a bit excitable) �Yes, but��but I really need to see Lynden. Can someone please get him for me?�
Wayne: (Puzzled, but reassuring) �Certainly dear, I will go find him for you, but please try and stay calm. Why is it so urgent if I may ask?�
Elizabeth: (calming down a bit while trying to relax) �I��I�m not sure. I just feel concerned for him I guess. [pauses, trying to make sense of it] I�m sure he must be sick with worry. I guess I just want to make sure he�s o.k. is all.�
Eileen: (Raising one eyebrow in her classic detective style) �Well, if it�s that important to you Elizabeth, I will go with Wayne and we will find him for you.�
Elizabeth: (Seeming reassured) �Thank you Detective. And you too Uncle Wayne.�
Wayne: (Heads over and gives Elizabeth a kiss on the forehead) �Very well then. We will return shortly. [walks over and opens the door for Eileen] Try to relax and get some rest my dear. (looks to Noelle before exiting) Will you stay with her until we get back?�
Noelle: (Smiles back at Wayne) �Yes, of course. [looks to Laura] Me and Laura will be right here when you get back, right Laura?�
Laura: (Smiling at Elizabeth who smiles back) �Wild horses couldn�t drag us away!�
Fade out as Wayne and Eileen exit and Noelle, Laura and Elizabeth begin chatting.
End of scene 5
