1. Arrival
It was 9:00AM, and the usually punctual Mary hadn't arrived, yet.
This concerned Murray, a little. He watched the front door for her. Finally, at 9:15, he went into Lou's office.
"Mary hasn't shown up, yet. She's usually here, by now."
"Give her a few more minutes, Murray. If she doesn't come by 9:30, call her home.
"Right, Lou."
2. Investigation
9:30 came—but Mary didn't. Murray called her house, but the phone didn't answer. He went into Lou's office, again.
"She's still not here. And her phone didn't answer. I'm a little worried."
"Hmm. . . Maybe Sue Ann knows something. Or Georgette, perhaps."
"Right. I'll got in touch with them."
He made calls to both women, and they promised to look into it.
3. The News
At 10:30, Murray got a phone call.
"Newsroom. . . Oh, hi, Georgette. . . What's wrong, you're crying. . . WHAT?!. . .Oh my God!. . . That's horrible!. . .Yes, I'll tell the others. . . OK. Thanks for telling me. . . Bye."
He stayed at his desk for a bit, sobbing. Ted came out.
"Hey, Mur, Mary's not here, yet."
"Ted, something terrible has happened!"
"It has?"
"Yes. HEY, EVERYBODY! COME OUT, FOR A MOMENT!"
The others came out, including Lou. "What's up, Murray?," he said.
"Mary's dead!"
"DEAD?!," Lou and Ted said, together.
"She was on her way to work when a truck plowed into her. She was pronounced dead on the scene!"
The men sobbed—even Ted. The other workers also sobbed quietly. All was silent, for a couple minutes.
"Murray," Lou finally said, "how did you receive the news?"
"Georgette called and told me."
"Did she have all the details?"
"No, just the basic facts."
He nodded. "OK, I want you to find out the full details of what happened. Then I want you to write up a special bulletin for Ted to read, tonight."
"Right away, Lou."
"I'd like to write the story myself, please," said Ted.
"YOU?," Lou and Murray said, together.
"Look, I know I'm not the greatest news writer. But I'd like to write this story myself. I want to express my own feelings that I have for Mary. Please, Mur? I'll never ask this again, I promise."
Murray nodded. "OK, Ted. But I want to read it, first."
"Sure, Mur."
Lou nodded. "OK, let's all get back to work, now."
The guys went back to their desks. Lou went back to his office, and Ted went to his dressing room. Murray looked sadly at Mary's desk, and sat at his.
4. The News Report
This is Ted Baxter with the 5:00 news.
Before I begin, I have some very sad news of a personal nature to report: WJM's news programming director Mary Richards his died.
She was on her way to work when she was struck by a truck at 8:15, this morning. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Miss Richards joined WJM in September of 1970. For the last seven years, she performed her work magnificently. Not only that, but she was a warm, cheerful, understanding person who was well loved be everybody here—including me. All of us here was miss her greatly. Rest in peace, Mary. We all love you.
And now for the news. . . .
5. Leaving
The guys were on their way home.
"Hey, Ted," said Murray.
"Yeah, Mur?"
He put his hand on Ted's shoulder. "That was a great news report you wrote for Mary. I couldn't of written it better myself."
"Thank you, Mur."
They looked at Mary's desk one last time. Then they left.