Synopsis: After having visited Elizabeth at the hospital, Realtor Joy Willow and Mayor Nicole Hester get together at Joy's office to discuss options regarding the aquisition of property by the city to build a new art center upon. While discussing the subject the two notice young Lynn Bridge getting off a bus and persuade her to chat with them. Lynn Is told the news and seems quite shaken up by it. After Lynn heads for home, the ladies seem concerned a bit at how hard she seemed to take the news, but are sure that she will be as cheerful as the rest of the townsfolk once she sees how well Elizabeth is doing.
Setting: Sunday December 1st, 2002: A bit after 3pm: The real estate office of Ms. Joy Willow, near the Jasonville bus station.
Characters: Joy Willow (LydJoy), Nicole Hester (Ugottafriend4life) and Lynn Bridge (Rebecca)
Open on a view inside the real estate office of Ms. Joy Willow, where she and Mayor Nicole Hester sit across from one another in conversation at Ms. Willow�s desk, placed in front of the main window. Outside the window, beyond the desk and ladies can be seen the Jasonville bus station across the street from the office. The occasional pedestrian walks past as well as cars on the street.
Nicole: (In a friendly, but businesslike tone) �Joy, Thank you for taking time on a Sunday to do this. I am so glad you are helping me in this matter. Finding just the right location for the City�s new Center for the Arts has turned out to be a bit more of a task than I thought. I don�t know what I would do without your aid.�
Joy: (Equally cheerful and professional) �Don�t mention it Mayor, it�s just as much a pleasure as business. I am so very glad to help out. This is an important project for our town and we need to plan effectively for all foreseeable factors, including location, parking facilities, proximity to local business and so many others. Together I think we will find just the perfect solution.�
Nicole: (Smiles) �Now you see, I had overlooked some, but not all of the possibilities regarding local economical impact and the best access to public transportation. I�m so glad you are here with your knowledge and insights to help me sort it all out. In fact, I really wish you would consider running for a seat on the town council next election.�
Joy: (Muses a moment) �Well, perhaps I will give it some thought. Though I know very little about running for office and such matters.�
Nicole: �Well, if you are indeed interested, I�m sure you can speak with Paul Woodland up at the Ridgetop Inn. I understand he is somewhat of a political wizard in his own right.�
Joy: (A bit surprised) �Really? Well, I must look into that then and discuss the matter with him. Thank you for the advice mayor.�
Nicole: �My pleasure. [looks down at a city grid map on the desk] So, back to our task at hand.�
Joy: �Yes, of course. [Points to a spot on the map] If we decide on the block right here, close to my office, it would not only satisfy transportation access, but it will be good for downtown businesses and there is a parking garage just down the street as you know. In fact, you can see that from here, and the bus depot is right there [looks up and points across the street] so you can see how everything just falls into place.�
Nicole: �And it�s wonderful as there are no zoning problems either.� (Squints a bit as she looks across the street at a bus that just arrived) �Is that Lynn Bridge getting off the bus from Chatland?�
Joy: (Looks over to where Nicole indicates) �Why yes, I believe it is Lynn. She went to visit friends over there for the weekend didn�t she?�
Nicole: (Getting up from her chair to head to the door) �Yes, she did. In fact, she left before Ms. Springer was abducted and may not be aware of what has transpired.�
Nicole opens the door to Joy�s office just as Lynn begins to hastily cross the street, seeming a bit nervous and heading presumably for home.
Nicole: (In a loud calling voice) �Oh Lynn! Lynn Bridge! Can you come over here dear?�
Lynn looks over to where she hears her name being called and sees the mayor smiling and waving at her. She hesitates for a moment, looking around, then timidly walks over to Ms. Willow�s office.
Nicole: (Smiling graciously) �Lynn child, please come here for a moment. There is something I wanted to discuss with you.�
Lynn: (A bit on edge) �Yes Mayor Hester? C��can I help you with something?�
Nicole: (Notes Lynn�s edginess) �Yes, could you come in here for a moment please? [with a concerned look] Are you all right dear? You look as though you�ve seen a ghost.�
Lynn: (Making an effort to calm her nerves) �Umm��Yes Ma�am, I�m fine. Probably just too much caffeine or something.�
Nicole: �Oh, all right then. Please come in and join us for a moment.�
Nicole holds the door open for Lynn who gingerly steps inside and takes a seat at one of the chairs in front of Ms. Willow�s desk.
Joy: (Smiles warmly as Lynn sits and Nicole closes the door) �Hello Lynn, How are you? Did you have a nice time this weekend? You didn't get into any trouble I hope!�
Lynn: (Distracted) �I�m sorry?��Umm��What do you mean?
Nicole: (Taking her seat next to Lynn) �Why, she means your trip Lynn. Didn�t you go to Chatland to visit friends?�
Lynn: (Seeming relieved a bit) �Oh!��Yes, of course! I had a great time. [smiles quickly] I just have so many things running through my mind. A lot has happened this weekend.�
Joy: (Takes a more serious tone) �Yes, here too. I�m afraid it was not quite so pleasant as your weekend was, I�m sure.�
Nicole: (Also more serious) �Yes, that�s why I wanted to talk to you. Seeing as you were away this weekend, I wasn�t sure if you had heard the news about Elizabeth Springer.�
Lynn: (Looks nervously between the two ladies and swallows) �Elizabeth?��Umm��what about her?�
Joy: �Oh my, then you haven�t heard? Well, it seems that while she and Laura Lynn were hiking up by the Ridgetop Lodge on Saturday she was abducted.�
Nicole: �Yes, the poor dear. It must have been awful.�
Lynn: (Physically begins to shake as both ladies relate the news to her) �Y��you� d...don�t say.�
Nicole: (Showing concern) �Oh don�t you worry Lynn dear, It�s all right now! She�s been found and she�s safe.�
Joy: (In a comforting tone) �Yes sweetie, it�s fine now. She�s safe and sound at the hospital. They found her this morning. In fact, Nicole and I just got here from visiting her about a half hour ago. Please don�t fret so. She was just fine and in good spirits when we spoke with her.�
Lynn: (Still visibly shaken) �You�.you spoke with her?�
Nicole: (Putting her hand on Lynn�s shoulder to try calming her) �Sure! She�s fine, I promise. The poor dear though. It must have been very traumatic for her because Dr. Route says she�s suffering from some form of amnesia and can�t seem to remember anything about it.�
Joy: �Yes, poor dear. It�s just too bad though because whoever abducted her has gotten away!�
Nicole: (Adding with concern) �Yes, that�s also why I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to warn you to be careful since the kidnapper is still on the loose. Be careful and whatever you do, don�t walk around alone until the kidnapper or kidnappers are caught! I would hate to see anything happen to our dear sweet Blessed Lynn!�
Lynn: (Still shaken, but suddenly calmer) �You say she can�t remember anything��but she�s all right???�
Nicole: �Yes Lynn, she�s fine. The doctor says her memory should return at some point, but it could take some time in counseling to face the trauma of the event. But otherwise she is just fine. You should really stop by and visit her before visiting hours are over.�
Joy: (Chiming in) �Yes, I think they end at 7pm, so you still have a few hours. I�m sure she will be glad you stopped by. She has had so many visitors already but can use all the support we can give her.�
Lynn: (In a low tone) �O.k. I umm�I�ll go see her soon. [pauses, then continues as a thought comes to her] By the way, do either of you know if Lynden has stopped by to see her?�
Nicole: (With a look of puzzlement) �Why no in fact, he hasn�t. Noelle told us that Wayne and Eileen went out to find him because Elizabeth wanted specifically to see him, but he was not home or at his office. Very odd, it being Sunday and all. But he probably had some special business to attend to out of town or something. The poor man works too much.�
Joy: (Stifling a chuckle) �Look who�s talking! You and I, here on a Sunday afternoon!�
Nicole: (Chuckles as well) �I suppose you�re right!� (Smiles, then looks back at Lynn Warmly) �Anyway Lynn dear, I just wanted to let you know what�s been going on and warn you to be careful out there, o.k.?�
Lynn: (Starts to get out of her chair, still shaking a bit) �O.k. Mayor Hester. I will be careful. I need to get home now so I can change and go visit Elizabeth, all right?�
Nicole: �Yes, of course. Thank you for sitting with us. [smiles] Now run along now and be a good girl.�
Lynn: (Hurriedly exiting) �Yes Ma�am, I will.�
Joy and Nicole watch as Lynn exits and quickly heads towards home, obviously shaken up at the news.
Joy: �The poor girl! She certainly seems to have taken the news pretty hard!�
Nicole: (Compassionately) �Yes, the dear. She has such a big heart and seems so easily swayed by emotion. I�m sure she�ll be fine once she has a chance to see how well Elizabeth is doing though. That should put her mind at ease.�
Joy: �Yes, you are probably right. She did get pretty shaken up. But one reassuring hug from Elizabeth should help.
Nicole: (Her face brightening as an idea strikes her) �Hey, what do you say we finish up here and go out for an early supper?�
Joy: �That�s a wonderful idea! I�m famished. Let�s get to it then, shall we?�
Ms. Willow begins going over points on the map as the scene fades out.
End of scene 6
