INSTALLMENT 12 
 
 

Hope Falls Country Club-Banquet Room
 
 
   Melinda Mitchell is hurriedly preparing drinks as fast as the orders come in
while crowds of people are intermingling as they await the start of the 
benefit.  Just as she serves a gin and tonic, another couple comes up 
eagerly wanting another drink.  As she looks at her watch, she notices that 
it’s just after seven PM and dreads the evening.  Just then, she notices a 
somewhat familiar face coming upon the bar.
 
   “What can I get for you tonight?”  Melinda asks awaiting his answer.
 
   “I guess I’ll take a Tom Collins about now.  Wait, you look familiar, have 
we met before?”  Thomas Norris asks as Melinda begins to prepare his 
drink. “I swear we have met before, I just can’t quite recall where.”
 
   “Yeah, now that you mention it, we have met.  I served you once or 
twice at Oleary’s Steakhouse not too long ago.  We didn’t chat about 
anything of importance except for that time when Elizabeth Falmont 
bought you a drink.  Whatever happened with that anyway?”  Melinda asks
as she finishes preparing the drink and is overjoyed when her supervisor 
motions for her to take a ten minute break.
 
   “Well, I haven’t ever gotten to meet her personally.  She has been away 
on business for the last few weeks so I figure it wasn’t meant to be.  The 
name is Thomas Norris, in case you might have forgotten.”  He states 
while taking the drink and taken aback when she comes around the bar to 
talk to him.
 
   “I have a ten minute break and it seems like you are a little lost.  Besides,
I have to find my sister anyway so I can meet her new boyfriend.  By the 
way, in case you forgot, my name is Melinda Mitchell.  Actually, this might 
be your lucky night pal.”  Melinda replies staring off in the distance.
 
   “Why do you say that?”
 
   “Because it appears as if your dream girl has returned from her trip if I 
am not mistaken.” Melinda points out to Thomas, who follows her finger 
to Elizabeth Falmont entering the banquet room.  “Listen, I seem to recall 
that you were a little shy talking to her and she ended up leaving so let me 
help you out this time.”  Thomas has a look of panic as Melinda leads him 
to where Elizabeth is talking to an associate of hers.  
 
   “Elizabeth?” Melinda says to her while Elizabeth turns around to face 
Melinda and the guy she had bought a drink for in front of her. “I didn’t 
know that you were back in town.  I hadn’t seen you at Oleary’s for awhile
so figured you were on a business trip.  I have someone for you to meet.” 
She pulls Thomas toward Elizabeth who seems surprised.  “Thomas Norris,
this is Elizabeth Falmont, now I am sure you two will want some time to 
talk to one another so I’ll leave you alone.”
 
   Melinda states as she walks back toward her post at the bar while 
wondering if she did the right thing or not.
 
   “Well, so we officially meet.” Thomas states as Elizabeth just laughs and 
nods. “So your father mentioned to me that you were away on a business
trip.  How did that go?”
 
   “The trip went well, had to secure some advertising space at some 
magazines and took a little longer then I had expected.  In fact, I just got 
back this evening.  So how is Hope Falls treating you? More especially 
Falmont Enterprises?  I hope my father isn’t working you too hard.”  
Elizabeth asks.
 
   “No, not at all, your father is a great person to work for.  I just hope that 
I can learn everything he is willing to teach me.  You must have learned a 
lot since you are head of the advertising division at Falmont Enterprises.”
 
   “Well, it’s a good job, but I do sometimes wonder what it would be like 
to actually work for a company that isn’t run by my dad.  I mean Tori 
Spelling acted on her father’s show but also did other things as well not 
associated with her father.”  Elizabeth answers. “I also started at the 
bottom of the advertising division, and worked my way up for the last 
three years while obtaining my degree at Northwestern.  I know that was 
a long answer but it’s the truth.” She laughs while noticing from the other 
end of the room that her father and mother have arrived.
 
 

Hope Falls Country Club: Other End of the Banquet Hall
 
 

   “I can’t believe that you dragged me here tonight dear.”  George 
grumbles as he helps remove Lenore’s coat. “I had a dozen things to do 
at the office and really didn’t have time to come to your function.”
 
   “I’ll remember this the next time you want me to be a gracious hostess 
for one of your obnoxious clients.  Besides, think of the PR that Falmont 
Enterprises will be getting from contributing to this worthy cause.” Lenore 
states while scanning around the room.  “I haven’t seen Misty yet so I 
figure she is either talking to that new features writer or she is late as usual.”
 
   “Well, I am sure everything will be fine tonight dear.  Look Elizabeth is 
already here and talking to Thomas Norris as well.  I guess it didn’t take 
long for those two to meet.  Let’s go over and say hello.”  George suggests
while Lenore doesn’t seem so happy with the idea. “Don’t tell me you and 
Elizabeth already got into it.  For heaven’s sake, Elizabeth hasn’t even been 
back for a day and you two are already sniping at each other.”
 
   “I can’t help it, you know she and I have never gotten along.  I guess the
old cliché of mother’s and daughter’s really is true.” Lenore says while 
kissing her husband on the cheek. “Go over to Elizabeth since you haven’t 
seen her since she got back.  I have to find my co-chair before she has too
much to drink.”  Lenore finishes before heading over to one of the other 
guests to inquire if Misty was there yet or not.
 
   George finishes his drink while walking around the banquet hall casually 
saying hello’s to some of the fellow guests.  As he continues to walk 
around, he accidentally run’s into Gillian Richardson as she had makes her 
way around the party.  
 
   “Excuse me miss.  I am terribly sorry for bumping into you; I guess I 
wasn’t looking where I was going.”  George remarks feeling he 
has met her before, but he can’t put his finger on where.
 
   “Don’t worry about it; I guess I was just distracted waiting for my date 
to arrive.  I guess there is no harm done.”  Gillian replies starting to 
turn around but stops when she realizes who she is talking to.  “You’re 
George Falmont, aren’t you?”
 
   “Yes, I am and who may you be?  I have a feeling that I’ve met you 
before but can’t place where.” George replies. 
 
   “You know I have gotten that question before.  I guess I have one of 
those faces. The name is Gillian Richardson and I am pleased to meet you.” 
Gillian says. 

   “You had mentioned waiting for your date to arrive, why didn’t he pick 
you up?  Call me old fashion but I believe a gentleman always picks up his 
date and doesn’t allow her to come alone.”

   “Yes, well my date is running a little late because of all the evening traffic 
from Chicago.  He should be here at any time.”  Gillian replies while feeling 
someone’s hands on her shoulders.
 
   “Did I hear my name because my ears are certainly burning.” Dale states
as he kisses Gillian on the lips. “Sorry about being a little late but traffic is 
unbearable this time of evening.  I’m glad I took off early from work or else
I’d never get here on time.  How are you?” Dale asks both Gillian and 
George when he notices him beside Gillian.
 
   “Oh, doing just fine honey.  Dale, this is George Falmont, and Mr. 
Falmont, this is Dale Atkins, my date and boyfriend.” Gillian explains while 
both Dale and George shake hands with one another.  She notices that 
both are sizing each other up which she thinks is most amusing.
 
   “Soon to be fiancé, right honey?” Dale remarks as he stands next to 
Gillian.  “So Mr. Falmont, this is quite a wonderful event being thrown 
tonight.”
 
   “Well, if the evening is a success, you are going to have to thank my wife
Lenore since she is the brains behind this. I just donated to the organization 
so my part is minute compared to hers.”  George replies while noticing his 
son Henry with his date Katie entering the room.  “If you excuse me, I do 
believe I see my son over there, but it was nice meeting both of you.”  
 


Hope Falls Country Club- Waiting Room
 


   Lillian Richardson is outside of the banquet hall nervously preparing to 
enter.  Chase has told her over and over to face her fears, but she didn’t 
have any idea how nervous she truly was until entering the club.  Someone
taps her on the shoulder and she spins around to see Misty McDonnell 
waiting behind her.
 
   “I don’t believe we’ve actually met.  The name is Misty McDonnell and I 
am one of the co-chairs/organizers of this charity event tonight.  Who 
might you be?” Misty asks noting to herself that she has never met this 
woman before.
 
   “I’m Lillian Richardson, features writer for Hope Falls Chronicle and I 
guess you are the person to interview about this event.  I am very pleased
to meet you tonight.”
 
   “Ah, yes Lenore and I were talking about the new features writer coming
to the party tonight.  I am glad to be making your acquaintance.  Shall we 
start the interview or did you just want to mingle a little bit?” Misty asks 
excitedly. 
 
   “I guess we can do the interview whenever you are ready, will your 
co-chair Ms. Falmont be joining us for the interview?”  Lillian asks hoping 
that the answer is no.
 
   “No, she told me to handle all the questions about the event, which is 
par for the course.  Are you sure you don’t want to mingle a little bit, 
perhaps talk to some of the guests who are contributing?  I know Falmont 
Enterprises was a big contributor for the event this evening, in fact, the 
whole Falmont family is contributing in numerous ways.  Perhaps I can 
introduce you to some of the family.”  Misty suggests while Lillian is glad 
to see her husband coming up behind Misty.
 
   “Well, perhaps after we are done with the interview, Misty this is my 
husband Chase Richardson.”  Lillian states suddenly changing the subject.  
“Chase, I am actually going to be doing an interview with Misty so why not
go inside and I’ll meet you inside.”
 
   “Ok, but just remember what we talked about earlier ok?” Chase reminds
his wife as he makes his way into the banquet hall after extending polite 
goodbye’s with Misty.
 
   “Your husband is quite an attractive man, where do you find someone 
that nice to look at?”  Misty asks with sudden interest. “My three 
ex-husbands were nothing but low-life jerks so seeing a nice guy is certainly
refreshing in my book.”
 
   “Well, I guess I got lucky, shall we find a quiet place to do the interview? 
I promise it won’t take too long and we’ll be done before you know it.”
 
Lillian and Misty head to another part of the country club to get some 
privacy,  Lillian is hoping beyond hope that she doesn’t encounter Lenore.