INSTALLMENT 8 
 




Richardson Kitchen:
 


   Chase Richardson pours himself a cup of coffee to calm his nerves. He scans
the want ads and discovers that he’s either overqualified or not qualified 
enough for jobs.  He hears the front door opening and takes his coffee out to 
the living room.   It's Gillian coming home from work.  He recalls his struggles at his old job and
he sympathizes with her job struggles.
 
   "You’re home early, how was your day?"  Chase asks as he hugs his 
daughter and walks with her to the kitchen.  "Would you like a cup of coffee?
I just finished brewing a fresh pot and you look like you could use a cup."  
He pours her a cup not bothering to wait for her answer.  
 
   "This totally hits the spot, Dad!  You certainly know what I need to feel 
better.  It is really slow down at my office, I haven’t been able to sell a 
house.  I am thinking of getting a part-time job just so I can have a 
paycheck.  Is there anything good in the want ads?" Gillian asks as she
reaches over for the classifieds.
 
   "Perhaps you will have better luck with them.  It seems like every job is 
just not compatible with my job skills.  I am starting to think about 
getting a job at a fast food restaurant if this continues for another few 
months."  He takes another sip from his cup and hands the
classifieds to Gillian.  Just then he hears someone coming down the stairs and 
knows it is Nina.   
 
   "How is everyone?" Nina pops into the kitchen to grab an 
apple for a snack.
 
   "Oh, just job hunting.  I figure if I can't find a job, I might be getting a job 
in the food industry."  Chase replies.  Nina raises her eyebrows and frowns. 
"Now, don't worry. Your old man won't embarrass you if I do decide to work 
at Foxy’s.  Besides, I can always work the night shift."
 
   "If you want to work there then who am I to stop you, Dad.  I don't 
mean to change the subject, but I have finally decided on my major."  
Nina bites into her apple and looks pleased.  "I guess you want to 
know what my chosen major is, right?"
 
   "Well, of course we do, don't we Gillian?" Chase turns to Gillian who nods 
and continues to read over the want ads.
 
   "I have decided to major in journalism!  I took two courses last semester
and found myself interested in the whole subject.  Besides, mom has 
become a writer for the Chronicle and she would be able to give me 
advice on breaking into the field." Nina looks over at her sister 
Gillian. "Why are you looking through the want ads, Gil?"
 
   "Just checking for a part-time job to help generate some income until the 
real estate market picks up.  My possible art gallery owner 
decided to go with another real estate company and it is back to the drawing 
boards." Gillian replies and circles a possible lead in the newspaper.  “Now,
if you'll excuse me, I have some job applications to do.  Don't hold dinner for me
because I have a date with Dale tonight."  She finishes her coffee and 
heads upstairs.
 
   "I have to get back upstairs to study but please don’t give up and 
apply to Foxy’s.  Just have faith that something will come your way!" Nina 
hugs her dad and goes upstairs to study.
 
   Chase knows that Nina is right, but he's afraid he isn't living up to his bargain
of providing for his family.  He finishes his coffee and heads to the cupboard to 
start dinner.  After over a week of cooking, he finds he isn’t too bad in the kitchen.  
He starts to prepare hamburgers and hopes things will get better. 



Hope Falls Chronicle
 
 

   "You wanted to see me Malcolm?"  Lillian asks than notices her new boss
on the phone barking out orders.  She takes a seat across from Malcolm
and looks around his unkempt office.   She's heard stories about 
reporters being very messy but understands that they are driven to get the
story without worrying about housekeeping skills.  She wonders why her boss wants to 
see her.  Finally, he puts down the phone and stares right at her.
 
   "Richardson, I was wondering if you felt you were ready to write your
first feature with us.  I know we have been running you around like a gofer 
but we do that with all new employees."   Lillian realizes while looking at him that he reminds 
her of a younger Lou Grant from Mary Tyler Moore.
 
   "I came here to do a job and I want to prove my potential with 
anything thrown at me."  Lillian replies glad she was being given a feature to
write.  "What is my first assignment?"
 
   "I don't know if you have been keeping up with the current events in Hope 
Falls.  There is a big charity event being held on the 29th of February at 
the Country Club.  Generally, we send someone in to cover the 
event and this year I have decided on you."  Malcolm pauses.  "You 
can begin with interviewing the organizers. I was told that you can even 
bring your husband as well."
 
   "That’s great Malcolm.  I have read about this charity event the 
country club holds and I would be honored to go.  Who is organizing this 
year's charity event so I can do a little research?"  Lillian has plans for
googling the names after her meeting with Malcolm.
 
   "I am so glad you are totally pumped to do this and learn 
some background on the organizers as well.  I can see I was correct 
in listening to my instincts about you, Richardson.  Let me find the names of 
the organizers. Just give me one second." Malcolm fumbles 
around his desk for the names.  "They are Misty McDonnell and Lenore 
Falmont."  
 
   "I’ll begin doing research on both of them.  I thank you 
again for giving me this opportunity."  Lillian gets up.  "I 
promise I won't disappoint you."
 
   "See that you don't, Richardson.  If this feature is as good as I think it’ll be, 
than I see a bright future for you here at the Chronicle."  Malcolm states as
Lillian walks out of his office. 
 
   Lillian returns to her desk wishing she hadn't heard the names correctly. 
She was blown away hearing Lenore’s name because it had been so long since the
she had contact with her. She settles down to start her research 
on the event and prays that Lenore won’t recognize her.
 
 

Falmont Living Room:
 
 

   Jonathan Falmont makes his way into the living room angry that his new 
real estate company was coming up short on properties.  He pours 
himself a glass of sherry and notices his younger brother, Henry, hurrying into 
the living room.
 
   "Dad isn't here, just in case you're wondering." Jonathan drinks his sherry 
and makes his way to the sofa.  Henry sits down next to him. "Ok, I 
guess that wasn't going to be your question.  What is wrong with you?"
 
   "I think I have run into a little situation involving the girl I’m seeing."

   "What exactly is this little situation you have run into?"  
Jonathan asks. "Don't tell me you got her pregnant."
 
   "It would be easier to fix if that were the case, but no, I think she is 
starting to view us as more then casual.  I can’t put my finger on it but I 
can sense when a girl wants something more then just sex."  
 
   Jonathan laughs at Henry's remarks, "Yes, I am well aware of your 
ability to sense those things.  This explains why you are running around 
all frantic.  Imagine, the thought of a girl possibly wanting to settle down 
with my little brother.  What’s wrong with that?"  Jonathan asks.
 
   "Nothing, except I don't think I like her in that way.  We have 
a blast together and she is wonderful company but she's not someone I 
want to spend the rest of my life with. You understand?"  Henry  
makes his way toward the bar then stops when he realizes that Jonathan 
is watching.
 
   "I am curious about this sudden change in attitude.  When we talked over
a week ago, you were saying how much fun you were having.  You were both
having a grand old time together.  What's changed between now and then?" 
 
   "Yesterday, I was at Foxy's and I met this most intriguing girl.  I had
seen her around a few times but hadn't met her.  I literally ran 
into her." Henry replies and Jonathan laughs.
 
   "I assuming by that statement that you think this 
girl is intriguing because she isn't into you, right?"  Henry nods that he is correct. 
"I guess you asked her out and she turned you down flat, am I right?"
 
   "Yeah, that has never happened to me before in my life!  Actually, I never
asked her out on a date per se, just out to dinner to make up for running 
into her and causing her to be late for her study group."
 
   "Well, no wonder she turned you down.  Henry, when you accidentally 
run into someone, you usually apologize and then make sure they are ok 
before going your separate ways.  I am guessing you are suffering 
from the grass is greener on the other side mentality."
 
   "Oh, why am I even talking to you about this?  You haven’t dated anyone
seriously in a long time."  Henry replies hoping to change the subject.
 
   "Well, let's just say that I haven't met the right person to share my life.
I think that’s clever of you changing the subject.  I wish I could 
talk to you about this in fuller detail but I gather you aren’t receptive right 
now."
 
   "Yeah, especially since you want to analyze me like I’m some mental 
patient.  If you see dad, could you let him know that I have 
returned to my prison of solitude after school so he doesn't freak out?"  
Henry is still feeling the effects of the punishment handed down by both 
of his parents for missing classes.
 
   "Sure, why not.  Besides, if I didn’t, then dad would kill you and I like 
having a brother.  Most of the time that is." Jonathan laughs. He ducks 
to avoid being hit by the pillow Henry throws as he heads upstairs.
 
   Jonathan continues drinking his sherry and ponders why he hasn’t met anyone to 
date.  He figures that it’s the stress of owning his own art gallery but knows 
that something else is preventing him from finding that special someone.