INSTALLMENT 6

Luigi's Italian Restaurante
 
 

   "I am having such a wonderful evening, Dale!" Gillian exclaims as she sips
her white zinfandel wine.
 
   Dale stares into Gillian's eyes from across the table. "It isn't everyday a couple 
celebrates seven wonderful months together.  I wanted to make this evening
special to make up for the last few times when I had to cancel our dates.  I was 
hoping you would enjoy coming here."  he said.     
 
   Gillian laughs with glee and silently berates herself for ever listening to her sister's
views about Dale. She couldn’t believe she doubted he was the right guy for her.  
Leave it to her sister to make her doubt her feelings.  However, she had to admit she 
was surprised when Dale called her and asked her out to celebrate their 
seven month anniversary and didn’t cancel.
 
   Staring around her, she knows this is a very romantic upscale restaurant and 
she relishes being there. The Tuscan decor makes her feel like she is in Tuscany 
and the Italian music playing in the background makes her feel like she is in another 
world.  She starts to take a bite of her chicken marsala and melts inside from Dale's 
warm smile.
 
   "So how was your day today Dale?” Gillian asks.  But before he can 
answer she continues to talk. “My day was pretty boring, although my boss
informed me that a potential art gallery might be moving into the area and use 
our agency. I hope I get first dibs on showing the owner the sites of Hope Falls. 
It could be a nice commission check if it goes well!"  
 
   "Well, I am glad to hear that things are starting to look up for you.  I just 
hope you don't get your hopes up, because with all the economy 
uncertainties right now, perhaps this owner is just looking around for the 
future."  Dale unknowingly deflates Gillian's secret fantasy.
 
   "Yeah, you're right.  However, if it does come true, I will dazzle and
impress this guy to buy one of our properties for his art gallery." Gillian 
states and continues to enjoy her meal.
 
   "Can I say again how beautiful and sexy you are when you have that win
at all cost attitude?" Dale asks then leans over to kiss Gillian.
 
   "Who do you think you are talking to?  Of course, you can! I can never 
get enough compliments especially when they’re the truth." Gillian replies.
They continue kissing while Italian music plays in the background.
 
 

Richardson Living Room/Kitchen
 
 

   The door slamming brings Chase out of his nap and he quickly tries to 
straighten up the living room.  He turns around to see Lillian home from the 
newspaper and looking tired.
 
   "Tough day at the office?"

   "Well, I’m just glad that it’s Friday and the end of my first official week 
working full time at the Chronicle.  I swear between answering phones, 
fetching my boss Malcolm’s coffee, and getting everyone’s lunches, I’m
a secretary instead of a writer."  Lillian muses as she puts her briefcase 
down on the dining room table. 
 
   "It gets easier. You are just in transition from working part-time to 
working full-time.  I am sure in a month's time, you’ll be an ace at your job.
Maybe your boss is easing you back into the work environment
again." Chase suggests as he pours Lillian a cup of coffee.
 
   "I know you’re right dear.  I’ll give it one month to get used to working 
again.  I just realized that I was so busy at work yesterday that I didn't buy
you a proper Valentine's Day gift yesterday."  Lillian states as she hands 
Chase a red gift-box.
 
   "Wow! I love these new cufflinks but I don't need these." Chase says 
realizing that he didn’t have anywhere to wear them.  "However, I will 
definitely wear them the next time we go to Luigi's.  I also picked up 
something for you as well." 
 
   "Chase, I can't accept these!  It must have cost a small fortune for you 
to buy this." Lillian exclaims as she opens up her gift to reveal a sapphire 
necklace. 
 
   "Nothing is too expensive for you.  It is just my way of saying how 
wonderful it is to have you in my life and supporting me.  It is a symbol of 
my everlasting devotion to you and the promise that I will be there for you 
through thick and thin."  Chase states as he kisses Lillian on the lips.
 
   "Well, I guess I could wear this the next time we go to Luigi's together 
as well.  How is the job search going?"  Lillian asks.
 
   "Honey, let us not think about jobs or what the future will hold for tonight.
Let us just be together and remember the over twenty five years we have 
been together."  Chase replies and he kisses his wife again with such passion 
that Lillian's overwhelmed with surprise.
 

 
Foxy's Diner:
 
 

   "Why won't you tell me about this new guy you are dating Katie?  Is there 
something wrong with him?" Nina Richardson asks as she puts her history 
book down to focus on her best friend, Katie Mitchell.
 
   "You always assume the worst Nina.  I just started having fun with him 
not too long ago and don't want to jinx it.  It could just be a harmless fling 
or something more but only time will tell!  Although, he did take me to Harry 
Carey's for Valentine's Day and I had the best time!" Katie replies and 
pushes her dark hair back from her face.
 
   "Just be careful!  I never understood the whole idea of Valentine's Day 
anyway.  It seems like a commercial holiday set up to make people spend 
more money,  Include sweetest day in that description, too!"  Nina grumbles. 
Katie rolls her eyes and prepares for another speech from her best friend of twelve years.
 
   "Spoken like someone who isn't in love or deep lust with a man!  Trust 
me, when you start dating someone again, then you are going to love 
those holidays. Mark my words!" 
 
   The two start laughing and continue studying for their history 
test.  It was hard to pinpoint why they had become such 
good friends since the two were as different as night and day.  If each were
asked, both would give a different answer.   Nina would answer it was when she 
was asked to show the new girl around in 3rd grade, but Katie would say
it was when Nina stood up to a bully picking on her at lunchtime that same 
year.  Even so, the two had stayed friends from grade school all the way 
into college with just a few fights here and there to make things interesting.
 
   "Well, until that day comes, I will continue to rant about those holidays.  
You can't even tell me just a little of what this new guy of yours is like? 
Not even his favorite candidate in the upcoming presidential election?"
 
   "Number one, the primaries are still going so we haven't discussed who 
we are voting for in the election but I will say he is a great kisser and has loads of money!"
Katie answers and laughs at the thought of a rich man.

   "Gosh, I swear you and my sister Gillian are so alike. I often wonder if 
perhaps you and I were switched at birth.  It could explain why she and I 
are so different from one another." Nina teases.
 
   "Nah, you are her sister, Nina.  Besides, if it were true, then you couldn't 
be making eyes at my brother because that would be a crime.  Now, don't 
deny it I know you like Wally." Katie counters noticing Nina's face growing red.
"I swear I'm getting tired waiting for you two to act on your feelings for 
one another.  It has been like this since high school, so just date already!"
 
   "Katie, I am not interested in Wally in that way.  He is a good friend and I 
would never ruin that just to go out for three or four months.  Friends are 
forever, boyfriends are just short term diversions from life."

   "My, we are a bit cynical about love aren't we?  What have got you 
against love?  I mean your parents have been married forever, your sister 
is dating some bigwig financial planner, and your brother seems ok with the
idea of love.  I just can’t figure it out."  Katie lectures Nina.   "Just think
about at least going out with someone before you turn twenty one, ok?"
 
   Nina nods her agreement and the two resume studying for their test. Nina 
doesn't understand her cynical attitude about love either. 
 
 



Falmont Enterprises:
 
 

   George Falmont is finishing up some proposals given to him 
when he receives a cryptic e-mail from an unknown user.  It read:  

   Do you know everything there is to know about your new employee 
Thomas Norris?  If not, then ask him!   

   An intrigued George realizes that he hadn't really gotten any sort of 
straight answer from Thomas about why he had left California suddenly.  
He finishes up his work then picks up the phone and starts dialing.
 
"Hello, could you give me a listing for Kenneth Norris in San Francisco, 
California?"  George asks the operator. It had been
a long time since he had spoken to his old college frat buddy.  Perhaps, he 
could shed some light on what was going on with his son Thomas.