INSTALLMENT 9
 




Luigi’s:
 

   Gillian Richardson looks around the restaurant for Dale. She notices him at 
the other end of the restaurant sitting alone at a secluded table.  She can’t figure 
out what was so urgent that he couldn’t tell her over the phone.  She 
makes her way towards Dale and sits down.  She is over the moon because of 
all the extra time she is spending with him and believes he is serious about 
making a better effort.
 
   “So Dale, what was the urgent news you had to share with me that just 
couldn’t wait?” Gillian asks and motions to the waiter for a glass of wine. 
He brings red and white and she chooses the White Zinfadel.
 
   “Well, actually there were two things I wanted to tell you and I figured a 
wonderful dinner at Luigi’s would entice you.  Was I right?” Dale asks as he 
reaches for the breadsticks.
 
   “Dale, you know I never turn down a wonderful dinner, especially if it is 
with you, but what if I was with a client?  Anyway, you do have me 
intrigued so what do you have to tell me?”  Gillian asks.
 
   “Ok, the first question should be an easy one to answer, I was wondering
if you would like to accompany me to the country club this coming Friday?  
My company is donating a lot of funds to the charity, which is for all the 
armed forces in the Middle East, and I get to represent my company.  
What do you say?”  
 
   “Well I would love to go with you!  All the girls at the office have been 
talking about it.  They’ll be so jealous next Monday when I tell them that 
I am attending with the finest man in Hope Falls.”  Gillian exclaims as she 
reaches over to kiss Dale on the lips.  “So what was the second piece of 
news that you wanted to share with me?”
 
   “I feel more confident now but a little embarrassed.  However, true love 
means having to be a little silly so here I go.”  Dale says as he gets up but 
Gillian sensing what he is going to do motions for him to sit down.  “What’s
wrong, Gillian?” 
 
   “I have a feeling you are going to propose to me but I don’t feel prepared 
at all."  Gillian nervously runs her hands through her hair and sighs.  "My
hair isn’t done, I don’t have my favorite dress on, and while I love
this restaurant I don’t see myself being proposed to here.  Was that what 
you were going to do, Dale?”  Gillian asks in shock.  “Listen, I don’t mean 
to sound picky but a girl always dreams about the time when she is 
proposed to.  That’s all.”
 
   “I want to offer this ring to you as a symbol of my love.  You have 
been there for me through thick and thin these past seven 
months and I would love for you to spend the rest of your life with 
me.  Before you answer, I understand that I have sprung this on you 
all of a sudden and I understand if you need some time to think.”  Dale 
shows Gillian the most magnificent ring she has ever seen.
 
   “Dale, this is a magnificient ring!  But you are right.
I need some time to think about this.  Now, let’s order because I am 
starving.”  Gillian exclaims. She picks up the menu and scans the choices.
She glances at Dale with a slight smile hoping he understands her need to 
change the subject. 

They both are unsure of what is going on.  Both are wondering what the 
next step will be in their relationship.  The question was out there and there
was no way to take that question back.  As they settle down to order, they 
look at each other in a new way as if this was the first meeting between the 
two of them.
 
 

Falmont Living Room:
 
 

   “What time is your guest supposed to show up Father?”  Jonathan 
asks as he enters the living room dressed in all black.
 
   “Thomas said that he would arrive around 7:30 PM
and he should be here any minute.  Before he arrives, I want 
everyone to be on their best behavior tonight.”  George makes the request
of his family and prays the evening will be a success.
 
   “Dad, you know that is a tall order with me.” Henry quips as he pours a 
glass of brandy at the bar. Lenore quickly walks toward her son and 
takes the drink from his hand.  “Why can’t we just be ourselves?”
 
   “Normally, I would agree but sometimes we have a tendency to 
scare people and Thomas seems on edge already.  I can’t put my finger on 
it but I think he is hiding something.”
 
   “Well dear, what do we know about him?  I mean we went to school with
his father but we lost touch with him in the 80’s.  Did you background 
check him before hiring him?”  Lenore asks. She takes a sip from her glass.
 
   “No, honey, I usually like to hire people based on a resume without 
verifying if the facts are true." George shot back."How else do you explain why
my company is quite successful?  Lenore rolls her eyes. "Which reminds me
has anyone heard from Elizabeth?”  George quickly changes the subject.

   “Actually, she called a little awhile ago and said she should be coming home 
from her business trip right before the charity event.”  Jonathan answers.

George seems happy with the answer.   Just then the doorbell rings 
and George motions for his family to behave.  Thomas Norris enters the 
living room looking like a deer caught in headlights.  
 
 

Richardson Kitchen:
 
 

   Lillian Richardson is washing dishes and trying to keep her mind 
off of the charity function she’s assigned to cover.  She attempted to request
a different story assignment but only received exasperated looks from her 
boss Malcolm.  A door slamming causes Lillian to fall out of her thoughts. 
She turns around to see Nina coming into the kitchen.
 
   “Late night studying dear?” Lillian asks as she goes to the cupboard to 
fetch some chocolate cookies.  “Perhaps you would like a snack before 
studying again?”
 
   “Hmmm, normally I would say that cookies are for kids, but I guess this 
one time, I can make an exception.”  Nina says noting that her mother 
knew her weakness was always chocolate cookies.  She places her books 
down on the table and sits down.  “Yeah, I guess you could say I was 
studying.  I mean when you are studying with your best friend, sometimes 
it’s hard to keep your mind on the books.”
 
   “Yeah, that is true.  You know we haven’t really spent any quality time 
together lately with your heavy studying and my new job.  Perhaps we 
should remedy that sometime, maybe even have lunch next weekend?”  
Lillian asks Nina. “If you have plans or something else going on next 
weekend then I understand.”
 
   “No, you know me, no dates for me!  Not until after college.  So how is 
the new job down at the Chronicle?”
 
   “So far, so good, but I hope that I don’t blow my first feature.  And I think
it is clever that you assumed I was asking if you were going on a date when
I was just asking if you had any plans.  Anyway, to change the subject 
because that can be discussed at a different time, your father tells me that 
you are interested in journalism.  What about journalism really interests 
you?”  Lillian asks.  “I mean I know you will do fantastic at whatever career
you choose, but it does my heart good to know that you would like to 
follow in your mother’s footsteps.”
 
   “Well, I have always been interested in the truth and I think journalism 
would be the best outlet for that.  And not to change the subject, but why 
are you afraid you’re going to blow your first feature?  I mean all you are 
going to do is attend a charity event at the country club and write 
an article on the event.  How hard can that be?’  Nina asks as she bites 
into another cookie.
 
   “It isn’t the actual event; it is the fact that it’s going to be at a 
country club.  I haven’t been to one since college.” 
Lillian answers.  Nina looks at her with disbelief.
 
   “Mom, you have told me to never be afraid.  If you opt out of this 
event because you think you don’t belong, won’t that contradict everything 
that you taught me?”
 
   “Yeah, I know.  I guess I’m just nervous about not fitting in and disproving
my boss’s instincts.  Besides, it is a good excuse to get your dad out of the 
house and get his mind off his job search.  What do you say 
about that lunch next weekend?”  Lillian asks as she gets up to clear the 
dishes from the kitchen table.
 
   “I would like to go to lunch with you next Saturday.  Perhaps, we can ask 
Gillian to come along and make it a girl’s day?”  Nina asks.  Lillian nods 
her head in agreement. “Besides, I have to get back to reading, but it was 
nice to have this nice little chat.  Love you mom.” Nina says and hugs her mom
then heads upstairs.
 


Falmont Dining Room
 
 

   “How are you enjoying Hope Falls?”  Lenore asks Thomas as she 
passes him some roast chicken.
 
   “I must say that the pace and lifestyle is very much different here.” 
Thomas replies while everyone at the table laughs.  “I admit that I haven’t 
really met a lot of people yet so I guess my opinion isn’t fully formed.”
 
   “That is the reason why I invited you to my house for dinner, young man.” 
George states.  “You seem very lost at work and I just wanted to 
help you break the ice with me.”
 
   “Oh, no I am not intimidated by you at all, Sir.  Don’t think that I am, I do 
apologize if I gave you that impression.”  Thomas replies. George 
sends a look towards Lenore.
 
   “Tell me Thomas, how is your father doing?  George and I were just
talking about him and we realized we hadn’t seen him in years.  I think it
was at a fraternity reunion, wasn’t that right George?” Lenore asks. George 
nods in agreement.
 
   “Oh, he is doing well.  As I told Mr Falmont, he is enjoying his bookstore 
and is very content in life.  I plan to call him later tonight and let him
know you were asking about him.”  Thomas replies then grows silent 
again.  Both George and Lenore are unsure of what to ask him next. They 
look to Jonathan and Henry for new questions.  However, Jonathan was taking
a business call. Henry is busily eating but realizes he is the one to try to talk to him.
 
   “Thomas, have you watched any television lately?” Henry asks politely. 
Thomas quickly shakes his head. “Well with the writer’s strike, I don’t blame 
you for not watching anything on television.  However, neither E! or VH1 can't be 
beat when it comes to reality shows!  I have to admit that I love the 
“Girl’s Next Door” especially all the visual appeal.”  Henry grins while getting
a kick from underneath the table from Lenore.
 
   “I’ve never caught that show.  When you work 
hellish hours, television is the last thing one wants to watch, at least for me.” 
Thomas replies and Henry backs off.   Just then Jonathan gets 
off his cell and realizes that it is his turn to talk to the guest.
 
   “Thomas, I understand working at a job one feels passionate about. 
Are you interested in art as a hobby?”  Jonathan asks and Thomas 
shows some interest.  “I own an art gallery in Chicago, but 
currently I'm in the midst of relocating the gallery.  Maybe, when I have found 
a new location, you could do some free-lance PR work for the gallery?”  
Jonathan suggests.
 
   “I would have to see if it’s ok with your father before I could agree
to that because of potential "no compete" clauses.  However, I would be
interested in checking out your art gallery.  I used to do some painting while
in college and found myself enjoying it immensely.  I admit loving to go to 
different art exhibits in different areas just to see if regional tastes dictate 
how art is done or presented.”  Thomas explains.   Jonathan looks like he is 
listening to what he is saying while the others just nod.
 
   “That settles it, you are coming to an art show at my gallery next 
weekend.  Don't worry, it won’t interfere with my presence at your charity event 
mom.  By the way Thomas, you are attending right?”  Jonathan asks.
 
   “Of course.  Mr. Falmont.. eh.. I mean George invited me to 
come.”  Thomas answers.  “Just look at the 
time, I think I need to be heading out.  It was quite an 
interesting dinner.”  He wipes his mouth with the napkin and 
gets up from the table.  “I definitely do want to go to your art show next 
weekend, Jonathan.  Here is my cell number. Feel free to give me a call.”
 
   Thomas hands his cell number to Jonathan and casually makes 
pleasant goodbye’s to the other members of the family.  He makes a 
beeline to the door and is glad to have survived this awkward dinner thrown
by his boss.  He hopes this doesn’t affect his position at his job but right now
he couldn’t really trust anyone.  Although, Jonathan might be another story. 
Hopefully, he’ll feel the same way about Elizabeth once she returns from
her business trip.
 
   After the door closes behind Thomas, George turns to his son Jonathan.
He marvels at how much his new employee opened up to his son.
 
   “It looks like my new employee opened up to you, son.  Perhaps, you 
might become friends and he could confide in you a little more about 
himself.”  George said as they walk back into the living room
with the rest of the family.
 
   “Dad, I am not going to pump him for information just because you are 
curious about his sudden departure from California.  Would you want 
someone pumping Christina about why she traveled to a different country 
to go to college?”  Jonathan asks which makes George become quiet.
“Besides, why does this matter to you anyway?  You did a background 
check him before hiring him, right?”

   ”Yes, to answer your question, I did.  I know there is something 
else he isn’t saying.  All I ask is that you be his friend and maybe it will 
help him relax. Ok?”  George asks.
 
   “Yes, but I will not spy on him for you.”  Jonathan states before 
turning to talk to both his brother and mother.
 
   George decides to let the topic go for tonight but decides to call his old 
friend Kenneth in California.