INSTALLMENT 13 
 
 

Hope Falls Country Club: Banquet Hall 
 
 
   "Could I have a rum and coke?" Henry Falmont asks as he anxiously 
looks around to see if his parents are around.  Once he sees that they are 
both socializing at the other end of the room, he breathes a sigh of relief.
 
   "Sure, just as soon as you show me your ID Sir?" Melinda Mitchell states 
smiling as she watches him fumble for his ID before presenting it to her. 
"You know this says you are twenty one years old, too bad this isn't you 
in the picture."
 
   "What are you talking about? Of course it's me, I just wasn't feeling well 
that day.  Listen, you asked for my ID, I presented it to you so I should get
my drink."  Henry demands.
 
   "Listen, I am only going to tell you this one more time, I'm not serving 
you a drink!  You may have an ID stating you are over twenty one, but we
both know that isn’t the case.  You don't think I see this every night at my
job with guys your age showing fake ID's?  Let's do ourselves a favor and 
forget this happened, and I won't say anything."  Melinda calmly states 
while he quickly turns to walk away until he sees Katie coming up to him.
 
   "Hey, so I see you guys have met already." Katie states while both 
Melinda and Henry look at each other and then at her.  "Henry, this is my 
big sister Melinda and Melinda this is my new boyfriend Henry Falmont."  
 
   Both Melinda and Henry are surprised at the sheer luck at having a brief, 
negative first meeting with one another.
 
   "Well, nice to meet you Melinda.  No hard feelings, right?"  Henry quickly 
asks while Katie looks back and forth between the two of them.  "Oh, I 
tried to get a drink but your sister reminded me that I’m kind of underage. 
Ah, listen, I'll be right back, I think I see someone that I know."  Henry 
quickly heads off to talk to some random people in the crowd.
 
   "So that is the guy you have been sneaking around with.  Katie, I 
expected better from you.  I didn't expect you to be going around with 
Henry Falmont!  I mean the girls down at Oleary's state he is down there 
all the time drinking and as he stated, he's underage.  I hope you aren't 
joining him in doing those types of things, are you?"

   "No, you should know me better then that.  I apologize for Henry trying 
to pretend that he wasn't underage, he shouldn't have done that."  Melinda 
gives Katie a look like she doesn’t believe her.  "Really, I had no idea that 
he was doing that.  If you only got to know him a little bit better then just 
a two minute conversation, you'll see that he has good points as well."  
Katie pleads.  
 
   "Ok, I have to get back to work but I will agree to get to know him 
better before I make any judgments.  Perhaps, you could invite over for 
dinner some night so that your brother and I can get to know him better.  
How does that sound?"
 
   "Yes, I think that would be a good idea.  Perhaps, my brother will have 
someone to invite as well if all goes well tonight."  Katie says as she turns 
to go back to her date.  Melinda is left to wonder exactly what her sister 
means by that last statement as she returns to work.
 

Hope Falls Country Club: Other side of banquet hall
 
 
   Jonthan Falmont finally shows up to the event beaming with relief at 
surviving the I90 traffic from Chicago.  Despite the rigors of the traffic, he 
looks remarkable in his dark prada blazer and freshly pressed pants.  As he
enters the banquet hall, he is greeted by the warm embrace of his sister 
Elizabeth.
 
   "Hey there big brother, it is fancy seeing you here tonight!" Elizabeth 
exclaims as she releases her hold over her brother.  "I am so glad to see 
you tonight!"
 
   "Believe me, the feeling is mutual.  How was your trip to New York? Was 
it productive?" Jonathan asks while straightening his jacket out.  
 
   "Well, very long but very productive.  I think I was able to secure some 
more advertising for the business in some magazine layouts.  How are 
things going with you and the art gallery?  Managed to find that new 
property yet?"  Elizabeth asks while taking a glass of champagne from the 
waiter.
 
   "No, not yet, I think I am going to hold off on that till the economy picks 
up even though mom says I should be looking since properties are cheaper.  
By the way, I hear you and mom had the warmest of greetings for one 
another."  Jonathan remarks as Elizabeth makes a face.  "I am going to 
assume that it would be placed in the same category as Henry and Dad.  
Am I right?"
 
   "Says the golden child!  How did you hear about that anyway?" Elizabeth 
asks while catching sight of Henry at the other end of the room.  "Yeah, I 
knew the moment he left the room; he couldn't wait to call everyone.  
Anyway, changing the subject, have you met anyone special since I've 
been gone?"
 
   "No, except for a potential new friend who has expressed a love for art.  
Perhaps you've met him since he works with Dad, Thomas Norris." 
Jonathan replies.
 
   "Yes, we were just introduced tonight.  I actually bought him a drink at 
Oleary's a few weeks ago if you want to hear something funny.  I am not 
quite sure how to read him, to tell you the truth."  Elizabeth answers just 
as she notices Thomas coming over to them.  
 
   "Thomas, we were just talking about you!"
 
   "I hope all good things of course.  Jonathan, so glad to see you, I am 
excited for the grand tour of your art gallery this weekend.  I can hardly 
wait!"  Thomas exclaims while turning to Elizabeth.  "Perhaps we can also 
hang out at Oleary's again sometime."  He suggests.
 
   "Well, now that I'm back in town from business, I could spare a night or 
two out on the town.  Perhaps we all could go together." Elizabeth remarks 
turning to her brother Jonathan who just smirks.
 
   "Just let me know, I think I see your father beckoning for me.  Talk to 
you guys later." Thomas says as he makes his way over through the 
crowd toward George.  Both Jonathan and Elizabeth stare after him with 
interest while then turning to face each other.
 
   "What do you think big brother?" Elizabeth asks studying Thomas's profile. 
"Which side do you think he plays for?"
 
   "To tell you the truth Elizabeth, my vibes are not getting a clear read on 
the guy.  Perhaps, he plays for both teams."  Jonathan theorizes.  "Still it 
would be fun to find out. Maybe I will find out this weekend for you!"  He 
grins as he studies Thomas' profile along with his sister Elizabeth.
 
   "Do you think you'd hate yourself in the morning?  I mean he isn't ugly 
but I definitely wouldn't say that he was Justin Timberlake either."
 
   "Well, sometimes the average looking guys make the best partners in 
and out of the bedroom.  You would know that, right?"  Jonathan asks 
while Elizabeth remains silent.  "Still, we both can find out and report back 
to one another.  It'll be like high school all over again where you found me 
the guys and I weeded out all the losers for you."
 
   "Yeah, those were the good old days.  Can I say again how awesome it 
is to hang out with my big brother?"  Elizabeth remarks while grabbing 
another glass of champagne.
 
   "Of course, you can because it is the truth.  Now, let’s go mingle."  
Jonathan suggests and both siblings laugh then start to mingle.
 
 

Hope Falls Countryside: Lobby area
 
 

   Lenore Falmont is looking around for her co-chair Misty, anxious to begin 
the benefit.  She is praying that her co-chair has not overdone the cocktails 
and is happy to find her walking out of the ladies restroom.
 
   "Misty, where have you been all evening?  I have been looking for you 
everywhere; we have to start the benefit!"  Lenore exclaims while 
motioning for Misty to follow her.
 
   "I was talking with the features writer for the Chronicle.  She is a really 
lovely woman, a little in need of some sprucing up fashion-wise, but 
otherwise much better then the disaster from last year."  Misty explains.  
"Are you sure you don't want to talk with her?  I know you have this thing 
against talking to people, but she seems like a really lovely woman."
 
   "Perhaps another time when I'm not hosting a benefit, now let’s go."  
Lenore states pulling Misty along with her.  Just then the ladies room 
door opens again and out walks Lillian Richardson.
 
   "Lillian, come meet my co-chair for the benefit." Misty says as she 
notices Lillian.  "I think fate is saying you two need to meet.  Lenore, 
this is Lillian Richardson and Lillian this is Lenore Falmont."  
She says as Lenore turns around to face Lillian.
 
   Both Lillian and Lenore face each other and Misty quickly notes some 
underlying tension between the two women.  She doesn’t quite understand
but knows inside that she should make herself scarce. 
 
   "Well, I think I hear another cocktail calling my name!  I'll see you up 
front Lenore."  Misty remarks making herself scarce.
 
   "Listen, I had no idea that you were co-chairing this event until it was too 
late.  If you want me to leave then I will."  Lillian starts saying, dreading this
very moment.
 
   "No, you have a job to do and I can't make you not do your job.  
However, we will be talking again in a more private place because as my 
co-chair Misty stated, we were fated to bump into each other again.  
Actually, I am surprised we have gone this long living in the same town 
without interacting.  Of course, the guilt you must have felt over sleeping 
with my husband must be unbearable. Now, if you excuse me, I have a 
benefit to host, talk to you later old friend."  Lenore states while making 
her way back to the banquet hall leaving Lillian in complete shock.