INSTALLMENT 24
 
 

Falmont House:


   The afternoon lull greets Jonathan Falmont as he makes his way toward 
the study to greet Elizabeth.  

   “Sorry to interrupt you, but I figure I’d tell you how my visit with Thomas
went.”  Jonathan announces realizing that his words are in poor taste.  

   “I didn’t know that you visited him.  How is he doing?  He seems to be 
doing much better at work; in fact, he is actually meeting the new 
photographer I recently hired.”  Elizabeth states as she resumes her work.

   “That’s good to hear.  He and I hung out and talked about random things.  
Including what motivated him to move to Hope Falls.”  Jonathan casually 
answers knowing this would grab his sister’s attention.

   “What did you find out?  It isn’t anything horrible is it?”  Elizabeth asks 
throwing her storyboards behind her to give her older brother her full 
attention.  She realizes this is the reaction her brother needed.  She didn’t 
like that her brother could read her so well.

   “He didn’t kill anybody if that’s what you are thinking.”  She just rolls her 
eyes.  “He blames himself for his ex-boyfriend’s suicide.  I tried to tell him 
that it wasn’t his fault.”  

   “I guess that would explain why he is hesitant to start dating anyone.  Did 
he happen to mention anything else?”

   “I guess his ex-boyfriend’s sister was into him and there was some 
situation that happened that caused him to kill himself.  Thomas won’t 
admit this to me, and probably doesn’t even realize it, but he’s afraid 
history will repeat itself with both of us.”  

   “I can understand why he would have those fears because of his 
interactions with us.”  Elizabeth ponders.

   “There is one major difference between them and us.”  Jonathan notes 
Elizabeth is waiting for him to continue. “In their case, both of them were in
to him but that isn’t the case with us.”

   Elizabeth nods as she waits for Jonathan to continue.  However, the 
silence between them is noticeable.

   “You aren’t into Thomas, are you?”  Jonathan asks realizing that he didn’t
even entertain the idea that his sister is interested in the same guy he is.



Falmont Enterprises:



   “Louise! Where is my coffee?”  George Falmont yells into the intercom 
as he tries to compose himself.  “I can’t believe that he’s late.  I can’t even
yell at my daughter for hiring him since she’s off today!”

   “Mr. Falmont, it’s going to be ok.  You know how the artistic types are. 
They have their own schedules; it is just the way it’s done.”  Thomas Norris 
interjects while noticing that his words are not calming his boss down.  He 
stares at Chase Richardson, seating next to him, and just shakes his head.

   “If Mr. Rawlins doesn’t grace us with his presence in the next five minutes, 
he won’t have to worry about keeping a schedule because he will be fired.”
George bellows.

   “I don’t mean to be rude but I was wondering why my presence was 
requested.”  Chase asks very calmly while realizing that the ill timing of the 
question.

   “Very good question, the reason I summoned you here was in regards to
possibly expanding your role in the real estate division.  I was thinking since
we’re looking to expand into modeling, you would be interested in helping 
with the launch.”  George offers to Chase, who just nods.

   “With all due respect, I know very little about the modeling world.  My 
main function has always been in real estate and the financial aspect of 
real estate.  What asset would I be in the modeling world?”

   “You know that starting up any business costs money and with the 
current economic situation, that isn’t feasible.  However, there are a lot of 
modeling agencies and modeling schools that are ripe for being bought.  I 
am suggesting that you expand into acquisitions to help jump start the 
modeling division.”  George suggests while Chase thinks about it. “I am 
glad to hear that we are on the same page, now we already have one 
photographer and that has caused us great expense already.  So I figured 
instead of building up a modeling agency, I figure why not buy one!”

   “I would be very happy to assist you in that realm Mr. Falmont.  My 
daughter is in real estate and would be perfect for scouting out properties.  
If you decided to relocate some of these acquired businesses to Hope Falls,
she could help with securing properties.”

   “I like the way you think!  With the shaky real estate market, we would 
be stupid not to pick up some properties at a low cost.  Now, where is that
new photographer!  My watch states that his job will be terminated and-“ 
George looks up and notices Nico Rawlins at his office door.

   “I assume you weren’t talking about terminating my job!”  Nico exclaims
while sitting down next to Chase.  “Sorry, I’m late but I was up all night 
trying to help coordinate all the photos we took last year.  Did I miss 
anything important?”



Mitchell House:


   “How long are you going to be on the computer for?  I have important 
matters I need to attend to.”  Katie Mitchell demands.

   “It’s nice to see you too sis.  I don’t think I’ll be much longer on the 
computer.  There is only so much ancient Greek history I can absorb in one 
setting.  Why are you in such a big hurry to use the computer?”  Wally starts 
to log off the computer as he asks.

   “Let’s see I have finals to study for, a job to find, and a whole bunch of 
messages to reply to on Myspace.  I swear that there aren’t enough hours
in the day for me to get everything done.”  Katie sighs.

   “You haven’t found a job yet?  You do know that it’s almost May and 
that most of the summer jobs have been taken?  Does our sister know 
about this?”

   “NO!  She isn’t going to know about this because that would just prove 
that she is right about me not being responsible.  Now move!”  

   “Gees, I would certainly hate to get on your bad side.  How are things 
between you and your love Henry?  I assume you have been spending a 
lot of time with him, am I right?”  

   “Man, did Melinda grab a hold of your brain or what!  I’m surprised that 
you aren’t losing your scholarship as well with all the struggling you faced 
this semester.”  Katie states as she starts to log onto her account.  “What 
was your secret for escaping that fate?”

   “I got a tutor to help me when I realized I was struggling.  Now I’m 
passing with all B’s.  Plus, I wasn’t dating a wealthy guy with a reputation 
that leaves a lot to be desired.”  Wally states while Katie just glares at him.  
“Listen, I don’t want to be like our sister but you have to admit the facts.  
You spent more time with this guy then even your best friend at times.”

   “Ok, who are you and what have you done with my brother?  You usually 
are so serene and in your own little world sometimes.  What’s changed? 
Have you met someone?” 

   “Only you would think a person’s change in attitude would have 
something to do with dating someone.  No, I haven’t met anyone. I just 
have been doing a lot of thinking this semester.  I guess I should mention 
that I will be working at the university this summer tutoring.”

   “Oh!  Well I am happy that you have something to do this summer.  Let 
me first quickly check MySpace to see if there are any new messages for 
me or not.”  Katie states while logging onto MySpace and noticing some 
interesting ad’s in her inbox.  “Interesting, I think I might have a lead on a 
job.”

   “Where at?  I didn’t know Myspace had job listings in our area.”  Wally 
asked sitting down next to his sister.

   “It’s a link to a site on Myspace where they are holding casting calls for 
models in the Chicago area.  Wally, I think I’ve found my calling, I’m going 
to be a model!”  Katie exclaims as her brother shakes his head in disbelief.



Falmont Enterprises



   “Well, I am so glad that you decided to grace us with your presence Mr. 
Rawlins.  To answer your question, we were actually talking about our 
branching out into the modeling world.  I figured with your “vast” 
experience in photography, maybe you would have some insights into what 
agencies would be available to acquire.”  

   “I mostly shot freelance so I didn’t form any close alliances with any 
particular agency.  However, I do hear that there is several agencies right 
here in the Chicago area, have you thought about just hiring some models 
for advertising?”  Nico asks

   “If you had bothered to show up earlier, you would know what we had 
just discussed.  I was looking to start our own modeling agency but with 
the economy being the way that it is, acquiring a modeling agency might 
save on some expenses.”

   “I understand what you are trying to say Mr. Falmont.  However, I am 
just a photography sent to create and not to worry about the whole 
business thing.  Elizabeth and I also started to put out word that we were 
looking for some fresh new faces for this agency.”  Nico replies.

   “Interesting and where are you trying to find these fresh faces?”

   “On the internet, Sir.  In fact, we posted casting call notices on both 
MySpace and Facebook.  That is where everyone under the age of thirty 
frequents on a daily basis.  Your daughter is very astute at business and 
figured that fresh faces would also cut down on expenses.”

   “I’ll speak with my daughter in more detail about this, but for right now, I
want you to just concentrate on taking photos for our new brochures and 
employee manuals.  Then I want you to meet with Thomas before we send 
the items to print.”

   “Ok, Mr. Falmont”  Nico answers while eyeing Thomas before he gets up.
“Now, I must get going because I have a photo shoot that I can’t miss.”

   He  gets up and confidently exits the office.  Both Chase and Thomas just 
stare at George waiting for his reaction.

   “I noticed that both of you were pretty quiet during Mr. Rawlins 
performance.  What did you guys think of our new photographer?”  

   “He certainly is confident; I don’t think you need to worry about his style
conflicting with the company image.  He is just a freelance photographer, 
right?”  Thomas asks George.

   “According to my daughter, he is.  I think I’ll have a little talk with her 
when she comes into the office tomorrow.  Now what were your 
impressions of him, Chase?”

   “I think he will be an interesting to have around.  I don’t think I’ll interact 
with him all that much but he seems interesting.”  Chase replies  

   “Very PC… I don’t know if people still use that term but I think you gave 
a very PC answer.  Anyway, both of you guys can go.  I have a conference
call in about five minutes.  I just wanted you both to see what I was talking
about.”

   Both Thomas and Chase retreat back to their respective areas while 
George just leans back in his chair.  He thinks to himself that it’ll only be a 
matter of time before he ends up firing Nico.



Falmont House:



   “Of course I don’t have feelings for him.  What would make you think 
that?”  Elizabeth replies defensively.

   “I was just checking.  Thomas is freaked out that he moved here and ends 
up befriending a brother and sister duo.  You can’t blame the guy for being 
a little paranoid.”  

   “To change the subject, I hope our father doesn’t throw a gasket over 
my latest hire.  He said he trusted my judgment but you know how dad 
can be.”

   “If you are having second thoughts about this guy, you can choose not 
use him.  He is just a freelance photographer, right?”  Jonathan asks while 
Elizabeth doesn’t answer. “Tell me that I am wrong when I say that you 
hired this guy full-time?”

   “I thought he had excellent potential so I hired him full-time.  Father wants 
to branch out into modeling so why not keep a photographer in-house.”  
Elizabeth suggests while her brother just shakes his head.

   “I don’t know all that much about the business world but something just 
doesn’t seem right.  Are you sure you are being honest and upfront with 
your big brother?”  

   “Yes, I am being upfront with you.  Not to be rude, but I have to be 
somewhere.  Talk to you later.”  Elizabeth says as she leaves suddenly.  
Jonathan is left to wonder what is bothering his sister.  He knows 
something isn’t right but doesn’t want to push her.