A Conversation with George Malloy
Act Three
Scene One: Cabot Mansion, 1955 Ebbets Way, Midvale, N.Y., 6:57 P.M., Thursday, June 4th.
We see a somewhat large mansion – along the lines of the now-abandoned Whirlwind Mansion in Anderson County, Tennessee; we now see into the office in this mansion, where we find Josie, Alexandra and George; Josie is wearing a light blue, short sleeve pullover blouse, blue denim shorts and gold gladiator sandals; Alexandra is wearing a black, short sleeve sport shirt, black denim trousers and black ballet flats; George is wearing a dark blue University of Michigan t-shirt, blue denim trousers and white New Balance shoes; Alexandra is seated at the desk, while Josie and George are seated facing her.
Alexandra: So, George, this contract should be much better, because this is a personal services contract – which means I'll be paying you directly, no matter what. (She hands the contract to George.) Tell me, George, do you think this is sufficient?
George (Looks at the contract.): I think this should do me for a while; what do you think of this, Josie? (He shows her the contract.)
Josie (She takes a good look at the contract, then hands it back to George.): This is a very good deal for you, George; a contract this good will provide stability on the financial side of things.
George: Very well, Josie – I'll sign.
(He then removes a pen from the collar of his shirt and proceeds to sign the contract.) Here you are, Alexandra. (He then hands the contract to Alexandra, who examines it, then notarizes it.) Let me make a copy of this for you. (She then goes to the copier, makes said copy, the hands the copy to George while keeping the original.)
Alexandra: You'll be okay, George – just trust in Providence, and your friends, and you'll be okay.
George: Thank you, Alexandra, and thank you, Josie. I will be good to your trust.
Josie: We know you'll do fine, George. You'll see.
George: Very well, ladies – and I'll have my stage pass at the ready.
Scene Two: Midvale Arena, 2757 Stetser Drive, Midvale, N.Y., 7:03 P.M., Saturday, June 6.
We see a small arena in Midvale; the interior has a somewhat cozy feel, as the seating capacity of the arena is 3,760; in the center of the arena is a large stage, set up for the benefit show; we now see the tunnel to the locker rooms – where we find Josie and Valerie in stage wardrobe; Alan is also in the tunnel – he is wearing a dark grey suit, white dress shirt, navy blue tie, white socks and brown shoes; the Cabots are also in the tunnel – Alexander is wearing a dark blue sport shirt, navy blue trousers and dark grey sport shoes, while Alexandra is wearing her familiar light blue, short sleeve button up shirt, blue denim trousers and brown boots up to the knees with the denims tucked in. There is some concern amongst our team.
Alexandra: I can't believe that Jessie and the Rippers cancelled at the last minute; this may be an embarrassment for the station.
Josie: Not to mention for us, Alexandra – even Mystik Spiral may end up looking bad.
Alan: That's true, Josie – I just hope we can do well enough to help the station.
Alexander: Has anybody seen where George went? Gordon wants to introduce him to open the show.
Valerie: I believe he went to the restroom, Alex.
At that moment, George arrives in the tunnel; he is wearing blue denim trousers, grey athletic shoes and his Midvale Mustangs football jersey.
George: Hello, everyone; I hope I didn't take too long.
Valerie: No, George, you're right on time; in fact, Gordon is looking for you.
George: Okay, Valerie – I just hope that Melody shows up.
Melody: Here I am, George. (She steps out of the locker room; she is wearing a white, short sleeve, pullover blouse with yellow stripes on the shoulders, navy blue Capri trousers and white ballet flats.) I was wondering if you would show up; all we need now is for Gordon to bring us on stage.
Right then, Gordon comes down the tunnel to the locker room; he is wearing a forest green short sleeve, button up shirt, black denim trousers and maroon athletic shoes.
Gordon: There you are, you two – come on, let's get this show underway.
Alexander: Hold on, now, Gordon – have you found a substitute for Jesse and the Rippers?
Gordon: Yes I have, Alex – the band in question arrived at Midvale Borough Airport not more that seventeen minutes ago; they should be here in the next ten to twelve minutes; the contracts are being drawn up even as we speak.
Alexandra: Good work, Gordon; the lineup for the show may change, but we're still headlining, right?
Gordon: That's correct, Alexandra, Josie and the Pussycats are still the headliners.
Josie: Fantastic!
Gordon: One more thing, you guys; there's a 32-track recording truck at the back of the arena, so this will be recorded for CD, digital download and vinyl, in addition to the live broadcast of the show.
Alan: That'll be great, Gordon – we'll be covered at all angles!
Gordon: Okay, now that we've got that all settled, I'll go out on stage and introduce George and Melody. (He looks over to the duo.) Come on, you two, let's get this party started.
George and Melody: Let's do.
Scene Three: Midvale Arena, 9:04 P.M., Saturday, June 6.
We see George and Melody on stage; they are dressed as before; Gordon comes onto the stage; he is dressed as before; he has a wireless microphone with him; he starts to speak to the audience.
Gordon: Alright, everybody, one more round of applause for the Soggy Bottom Boys. (There comes another round of applause.) Now, ladies and gentlemen – the group you're about to see and hear were called in earlier tonight, as one of the announced artists cancelled at the last minute.
At that moment, the band Gordon refers to, dressed in street clothes, comes out onto the stage.
Gordon: This group carries on the music of the legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival – and among the members of the group are a couple of guys you may know. I speak of Stu Cook on bass – and on drums, they call him "Cosmo", Doug Clifford; let's give it up for Creedence Clearwater Revisited!
There is a smattering of applause.
Doug: Hello, Midvale – are you ready for some Creedence? (There is a strong round of applause.) Okay, let's get this started with "Travelin' Band"! (The band starts playing at a moderate-fast speed.)
Doug: "Seven thirty seven comin' out of the sky/won't you take me down to Memphis on a Midnight run/I gotta move – hey, I'm in a travelin' band – yeah/well, I'm flyin' cross the land/tryin to get a hand/hey, I'm in a travelin' band."
George shakes his head to the music, while Melody joins in – and as such, the audience are getting into the show; Alexandra watches from the tunnel, dressed as before; she turns to Josie, also dressed as before.
Alexandra: This is turning out to be a pretty good show tonight.
Josie: How true, Alexandra – I just hope we can do this well.
Alan also takes a look, dressed as before.
Alan: Well, if the reactions of George and Melody are any indication, we're all going to be a big hit.
Alexandra: That's what I'm hoping for, Alan, a big night for all of us.
Scene Four: Midvale Arena, 10:01 P.M., Saturday, June 6.
We see George and Melody on stage, dressed as before; Gordon comes on stage, dressed as before – he has his wireless mic with him.
Gordon: Thank you, Creedence Clearwater Revisited. (There is a good round of applause.) And now, ladies and gentlemen – we come to the main artists on the program; you know them very well – Midvale is their home, if you catch my drift; please welcome – Josie and the Pussycats!
At that moment, Josie and Valerie come out onto the stage – dressed as they were in scene two; they are joined onstage by Liberty DeVito; he is wearing blue denim trousers, navy blue athletic shoes, white socks and a white, short sleeved, checkered shirt; Josie takes to the mic.
Josie: Hello, Midvale! (There is a tremendous burst of applause.) Tonight, we are joined by an extra musician – please welcome, working the drum kit tonight, substituting for Melody Valentine, Liberty DeVito! (The applause continues.) As many of you know by now, Melody is recovering from food poisoning – but not to worry, friends – Melody is on stage with us; joining her is our friend, George Malloy! (The applause starts to subside.) All right, let's get it started with a Billy Joel classic, "Only the Good die Young"! Liberty, count us off!
Liberty counts off, and the musicians launch into the venerable song with enthusiasm; when the instrumental bridge, George starts to wobble – then, the wobble turns into a stagger, and then, he collapses to the stage floor – there is an audible gasp from the audience; the band stops; Josie puts her guitar in its holder, then hurries over to check on George; she kneels over him, placing two fingers on his wrist.
Josie: I'm just barely getting a pulse!
There are gasps and sobs from the audience; within ten seconds, medical personnel arrive and administer aid; fifteen seconds later, George is placed on a stretcher and is taken out of the arena; silence settles in.
Josie: Ladies and gentlemen, let us pause for a moment of silence for George Malloy.
The audience rises, then bows their heads; Melody starts to weep, then falls to her knees, face in her hands, sobbing.
Scene Five: Emergency Room, Midvale Community Hospital, 11:19 P.M., Saturday, June 6.
We see Alan, Melody and the Cabots in the waiting area; all are dressed as they were at the benefit show; Alexander is pacing, Alan is standing, Alexandra and Melody are seated; Alexandra is consoling Melody.
Alexandra: Melody, you've got to be strong – that's what George would do.
At that moment, Doctor Kelley emergences from the E.R. – he is wearing his now-familiar light blue hospital scrubs, and purple New Balance shoes.
Kelley: This is getting to be a habit with you and I, both.
Alexandra and Melody rise from their seats; Alan and Alexander walk over to where Alexandra and Melody stand.
Alexandra: What is his condition, Doctor Kelley?
Kelley: Well, Alexandra, he collapsed due to a low sodium count – we've placed him on a five percent sodium saline I.V. drip, and he's been admitted as a patient; he's in room 514; he's not out of the woods yet.
Alexandra: In what way, if I may inquire?
Kelley: Well, Alexandra, we're concerned in regard to his heart rate – we'll be performing an echocardiogram on his heart tomorrow morning, and we'll be notifying you with the results in the next forty eight hours, at the earliest.
Alan: Okay, Doctor Kelley, we'll be waiting for the results.
Kelley: Thanks, Alan.
Alexander: Thank you, Doctor Kelley.
Kelley: My pleasure.
The team turns to leave.
Alan: I don't know what to think in regard to George now; first, he suffers a small stroke, now this.
Alexandra: We've got to do something to help George somehow.
Melody: Well, why don't we issue that a Capella recording of "Amazing Grace" we did recently? We could offer that as a digital download or as a CD issue – maybe even on vinyl.
Alexandra: And set aside a portion of the money raised to pay for his medical bills? Melody, you demonstrate wisdom and intellect, and I like where this is leading.
Alexander: Yeah, Sis, that's a great idea! We better get started on this on Monday at the earliest.
Alexandra: Then it's settled – we'll get this mastered and released on CD and digital download and also on vinyl as a single.
Alan: Can do, Alexandra!
Scene Six: Producer's Booth, Studio Two, Laurel Recorded Music, 2:38 P.M., Monday, June 8.
We see Alan, Alexandra and Josie in the booth; Alan is wearing his now-familiar throwback New York Knights home baseball jersey, dark blue long sleeve t-shirt, blue denim trousers and white athletic shoes; Josie is wearing a heather grey, short sleeve t-shirt with the logo of the athletic teams at Fordham University on the front, white Capri trousers and brown gladiator sandals; Alexandra is wearing a white, long sleeve button-up blouse, black dress trousers and black ballet flats; the trio are listening to the now-mastered recording of "Amazing Grace", as performed by Josie and the Pussycats; the recording ends.
Alan: This is truly one of the best recordings you've done, Josie. This will do George a world of good – both emotionally and financially.
Josie: I think this will do everyone a world of good – especially George.
Alexandra: May God have mercy on us all – especially George Malloy. (She starts to weep.)
Josie: We are all humbled.
Scene Seven: Alexandra Cabot's office, Laurel Recorded Music, 3:13 P.M., Monday, June 8.
We see Alexandra in her office, dressed as before, seated at her desk; the phone rings; she answers.
Alexandra: Alexandra Cabot, speaking.
Kelley: Alexandra, this is Jackson Kelley at Midvale Community Hospital – I need to speak to you and your friends concerning George Malloy; I think you need to know what I've told him no more than ten minutes ago.
Alexandra: When do you want us there, Dr. Kelley?
Kelley: Within the next five to ten minutes, please.
Alexandra: We'll be there, Dr. Kelley, ASAP! (She hangs up the phone.) We must all know.
Scene Eight: Office of Dr. Arn Willoughby, Midvale Community Hospital, 3:35 P.M., Monday, June 8.
We see the team, assembled together in the office; Josie, Alan and Alexandra are dressed as before; Valerie is wearing a navy blue, short sleeve button-up shirt, maize Capri trousers and white ballet flats; Melody is wearing a light red hockey jersey with a white, Old English letter "K" on the front, blue denim trousers and white pumps; Alexander is wearing his now-familiar lavender t-shirt, white linen suit and white loafers with no socks; Josie, Melody and Alexandra are seated; Valerie, Alan and Alexander are standing.
Alexander: I wonder where Dr. Kelley is; he's usually not late.
Alexandra: Maybe he has a pressing case in the emergency room.
Josie: I'm just hoping to hear something on George's condition; it doesn't make any sense to keep us in suspense in this manner.
At that moment, the door to the office opens, and in steps Dr. Kelley in his usual light blue hospital scrubs and purple New Balance shoes; he is accompanied by a somewhat younger man, somewhat stocky in appearance, with short brown hair and a beard; he is wearing a light blue, long sleeve dress shirt, dark brown dress trousers, dark brown dress shoes, a red-and-white striped necktie and glasses; in addition to this attire, he is also wearing a white lab coat, with his name sewn in on the upper left front: Arn Willoughby, Chief of Cardiac Care.
Kelley: Hello, everyone – this is Dr. Arn Willoughby, Chief Cardiac Specialist.
The team offers simple "Hello" greetings.
Willoughby: I've been going over the tests we've run on your friend, Mr. Malloy – and his situation is rather serious. (He removes his lab coat, places it on a nearby coat rack, then sits down at his desk.) As it turns out, an ultrasound we've performed on him shows him to have the heart rate of a galloping horse – we've also run an echocardiogram on Mr. Malloy; this echocardiogram shows his heart is enlarged to almost twice its normal size.
Melody: Oh, God, no. (She starts to weep.)
Alexandra: Dr. Willoughby, this sounds serious – very serious.
Willoughby: Indeed, it is – your friend, Mr. Malloy, has what we believe to be idiopathic cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle; the only thing that can help him now, we believe, is a heart transplant.
Alan: Has he been placed on a waiting list, Dr. Willoughby?
Willoughby: Indeed, he has, son – and he's been given priority status; however, the current list here is, by our estimation, four months long at the outset.
Alexandra: Doctor, I assure you, Cabot Enterprises will cover his hospital bills, his medications, the whole enchilada; if necessary, we will move him to Cabot Mansion.
Willoughby: Very well, Miss Cabot – he should do well in your home, however, Midvale Community Hospital isn't truly equipped for such surgery; the nearest hospital for this procedure is Isaac Memorial Hospital in Syracuse.
Alexander: Now that you mention this, we have a spare home there, Dr. Willoughby.
Willoughby: Good, Mr. Cabot; we've notified Isaac Memorial, you'll be alerted by them.
Josie: Thank you, Dr. Willoughby.
Willoughby: Thank you, my friends.
Scene Nine: Room 514, Midvale Community Hospital, 6:37 P.M., Monday, June 8.
We see Josie, Alan and George in the room; Josie and Alan are dressed as before, while George is in a white hospital gown; Josie and Alan are standing, while George is sitting up in his hospital bed.
George: The benefit show was, truly, a success, as it were.
Alan: Yes, indeed, George – the benefit show raised a total of thirty nine thousand, one hundred seventy nine dollars and fifty three cents for WMCR Radio – a very good job, I'll admit.
George: And the whole show was recorded?
Josie: It was, George, even where you collapsed.
George: It must have been tough to continue after that.
Josie: Well, George, it was tough to continue – but we did continue, and we finished the show on an upbeat note, with everyone thinking of both you and WMCR.
George: That's good, Josie; the station will remain on the air, yet I have the sense that I may be living on borrowed time.
Alan: Don't think that way, George – you'll be all right, you just have to have hope; you've had hope for others, now, you have to have hope for yourself.
George: I don't know about that, Alan – I've been through quite a bit in life; I just don't know how much more I can take.
Josie: George, from what you've told us about you and your life's history, we believe in you – we're hoping for the best for you!
George looks at Josie and Alan, then turns his head, takes off his glasses, and then starts sobbing.
Josie: You are a humble man, George.
At that moment, Doctor Kelley enters the room; he is dressed the same as in scene eight.
Kelley: Well, George, your discharge went through – your discharge time tomorrow is 9:10 A.M., so you've been given enough time to arrange transportation.
Alan (Turns to face Dr. Kelley.): That settles the matter, George – I'll come by out front, in the 503; you can't miss the 503.
George: That should be good, Alan.
Josie: You'll be all right, George – you're humbled by chance, and in the words of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, chance is that pseudonym for those occasions God chooses not to subscribe to with his own signature.
George: I suppose that does hold up after a given period of time.
Kelley: That it does, George, it most certainly does.
George: Thank you, all – I'll be sure to remember this.
Kelley: Very well, George – I'll see you with your discharge papers tomorrow. (He turns to face Josie and Alan.) I wish you all only the best.
Alan: Thanks, Dr. Kelley.
Kelley: Thank you. (He turns and leaves.)
Alan: There goes a wonderful person.
Josie: Wonderful person indeed, Alan; George, Alan and I had better go – you'll be needing your rest.
George: Very well, then, you two.
Alan: Certainly, George – be seeing you.
Josie and Alan leave; George waves, then picks up the remote switch, and turns on the television, switching the channel to WMCT-DT, channel seven; the program airing is a sports talk program; the host, John Dexter, is in his mid-twenties, with blonde hair and slender build; he is seated on the left side of the screen; he is wearing an ice blue, button-up sport shirt, navy blue trousers and navy blue athletic shoes; John's guest is Dave "Chico" Vanderslice, head coach of the Midvale Mustangs indoor football team; he is in his late thirties and is of medium build, with black hair; he is seated on the right side of the screen – he is wearing a light purple, button-up short shirt with the name and logo of the Midvale Mustangs sewn on the upper left chest, white denim trousers and brown shoes.
John: Even though you'll be opening the season on the road, you're quite certain that your team will go undefeated at home in this, your inaugural season?
Dave: Yes, John, I believe that going undefeated at home will bolster our club's confidence.
George (Seated in bed, watching.) Dear God, please help me through this situation.
Scene Ten: Front entrance, Midvale Community Hospital, 9:13 A.M., Tuesday, June 9.
We see George standing outside the main entrance of the hospital; he is dressed as in scene four; he looks around for Alan's car.
George: I just hope Alan gets here soon.
At that moment, what appears to be a police car enters the front parking area, and stops where George is located; the vehicle is a 1971 Ford Custom 500 four-door hardtop, white with black hood and trunk lid; the vehicle has a flush-mounted single red beacon on the roof; along the sides of the vehicle are painted the likeness of the Midvale Police badge and the words, "Police Department, Midvale, N.Y."; on the left side of the trunk lid, the number "503" is located; Alan is driving the vehicle; he is wearing a royal blue sport shirt, black denim trousers, and white athletic shoes.
Alan: Here I am, George, go ahead and get in.
George: Thanks, Alan.
George gets in the front seat of the vehicle, shuts the door and fastens his seat belt.
Alan: Here we go.
Alan steers the car through the parking area, then out onto Gloversville Street.
George: This must be the 503, Alan.
Alan: You bet it is, George – this once belonged to my uncle Cephas; he bought this car with some of his police pension money, which he earned from thirty two years of service.
George: He must have loved this car.
Alan: Indeed, he did; he was the only member of the Midvale Police Department who favored it, as it's equipped with the 429 Super Cobra Jet V-8 engine – it was too powerful for patrol duty, hence, it was the primary pursuit car used by the police service; when he retired, he made a deal to purchase the car, in this form.
George: That's some history, Alan.
Alan: Yes, George, quite a history - he bequeathed it to me in his will, and I took possession of it when he passed on five years ago.
Alan steers the car into the turn lane, switches of the left turn signal, then slows the car – making the turn onto Front Street, then onto the access street and to the front entrance of the Midvale Towers apartments.
Alan: Well, George, here we are.
George unbuckles his seatbelt, then opens the door.
George: Thanks, Alan, I appreciate this, I really do.
Alan: Anytime, George.
George: Be seeing you, Alan.
Alan: Okay, George.
George shuts the door, waves, then goes to the front entrance.
Alan: We'll all help you through this, George – bet money on it!
Alan then steers the car out of the parking area, then onto the access street, then onto Front Street.
Scene Eleven: Open living area, Apartment 611, Midvale Towers Apartments, 2:18 P.M., Friday, June 12.
We see George in his apartment; he is wearing an Atlantic Schooners t-shirt, faded denim trousers and white athletic shoes; his apartment is a shambles – and he's doing as best he can to clear out the garbage.
George: Let me take care of these, and I'll then remove those two larger bags of garbage to the dumpster. (He places empty soda cans, empty sports drink bottles and empty microwave dish trays in used plastic shopping bags.)
At that moment, George's cell phone comes on, with the shimmer ring tone; he answers.
George: Hello, George Malloy.
Alexander: George, it's Alex; my sister wants you in her office within the next ten to fifteen minutes – in fact, she's on her way to pick you up.
George: I'm not in any serious trouble, am I?
Alexander: I don't think so, but she did mention obtaining your permission to release a recording to help you.
George: I'll be waiting in that span of time, Alex – thanks for the heads-up.
Alexander: Anytime, George.
George switches off his cell phone.
George: I'd better take as many of these bags of garbage down to the dumpster as possible before Alexandra shows up.
Scene Twelve: Front entrance, Midvale Towers, 2:30 P.M., Friday, June 12.
We see George at the front entrance; he is dressed as before; he looks toward the entrance to the parking area.
George: Ah, that must be Alexandra now.
At that moment, a maroon 1957 Chrysler 300C convertible pulls into the parking area and stops at the front entrance; the top of the convertible is down; Alexandra is driving; she is wearing a purple, short sleeve button up shirt, navy blue trousers and black ballet flats.
Alexandra: Here I am, George.
George: Thanks, Alexandra.
George opens the door and enters the car; he fastens his seat belt, then shuts the door; Alexandra steers the car through the parking area, then onto the access street and onto Front Street.
Alexandra: I felt that I had to bring you into the studio personally – it's that important.
George: This must be pretty important, Alexandra, since my presence is required.
Alexandra: That's why I'm doing this – I want you to hear a special recording for you; your presence is required for clearance.
George: Very well, Alexandra.
Scene Thirteen: Alexandra Cabot's office, Third Floor, Laurel Recorded Music, 2:35 P.M., Friday, June 12.
We see Josie, Alan, Alexandra and George in the office; Alexandra and George are dressed as before; Josie is wearing a grey t-shirt with the name and emblem of Swansea City A.F.C. on the front, white denim trousers and white New Balance Shoes; Alan is wearing his replica Easton High School home baseball jersey, navy blue trousers and blue suede athletic shoes; the foursome are seated around Alexandra's desk, listening to the digital recording of the band's a Capella rendition of "Amazing Grace"; Alexandra lets a tear fall at one point; when the digital recording is finished, Alexandra switches off the recorder.
Alexandra: George, the funds raised from the sale of this recording will benefit your funding for your impending transplant, and for quite a while thereafter.
George (Looks at everyone, then starts to weep.) Do you really mean that, Alexandra?
Alexandra: Yes, George, we really do; all we need is clearance from you. She places the contract in front of him on the desk.) Go ahead and review it, George – we know this is right and good.
George takes the contract, reads and reviews it, then shows the contract to Josie and Alan – who look the contract over, then look at George.
Alan: Your best interests are at heart here, George; Alexandra and I have set the terms stated here, and Josie gave her okay as well.
Josie: The Pussycats and I wouldn't have performed this rendition if we weren't concerned about you, George.
George weeps more so; Josie returns the contract to George.
George: Okay, I'll sign it.
George is given a pen by Alexandra, then signs the contract; he then hands the contract to Alexandra, who then signs and notarizes the contract, then makes a copy of said contract.
Alexandra: This contract now authorizes us to offer the recording on CD and digital download. (She hands George his copy of the contract.) There will be mercy shown in this matter.
George looks at Alexandra, then looks over to Josie and Alan.
George: Thank you – thank you all.
George allows another tear to flow.
Alexandra: Come on, George, let's go home.
Scene Fourteen: Open living area, Apartment 611, Midvale Towers Apartments, 3:13 P.M., Monday, June 15.
We see George in the apartment; he is wearing a dark maroon polo shirt with the logo of the Hershey Bears minor league hockey club on the upper left chest, blue denim trousers and white walking shoes; he is, once again, working on cleaning his apartment; there is a knock at the door.
George: Coming, coming. (He goes to the door and opens it; Alan and Alexander are at the door; Alan is wearing a black, short sleeve t-shirt, black denim trousers and white basketball shoes; Alexander is wearing a wine colored short sleeve sport shirt, blue denim trousers and blue suede athletic shoes.) Hello, fellas – what's going on?
Alan: Alex and I are here to help you with your apartment, George – may we come in?
George: Sure, fellas, come on in. (The two of them enter the apartment, and George shuts the door.) Well, guys, as you can see, the apartment is somewhat of a shambles, but I think we can make something of the clean-up.
Alexander: I think we can do this.
Alan: We can handle this, George – and we know that you're with us in this action.
George: Yes, indeed, Alan – I'll be taking part in this clean-up; together, we'll get this taken care of.
Alexander: Great! Let's get it started!
Scene Fifteen: Open living area, Apartment 611, Midvale Towers Apartments, 7:22 P.M., Monday, June 15.
We see Alan, Alexander and George in the apartment; all three of them are dressed as before; they are in somewhat of a state of fatigue; the apartment is much cleaner.
Alan: Those last two bags of excess paper we took to the dumpster were quite heavy, George, but it was well worth the effort.
George: That's true, Alan – I'll admit that I've had so much paper in this joint that it isn't even funny; still, we've gotten rid of quite a bit of paper, and that makes things much better here. (He pauses, then turns toward Alexander.) Say, Alex, how was the toilet?
Alexander: Well, George, the toilet wasn't as bad as I first thought; true, there were some spots of trouble – especially concerning the bowl itself, and also the toilet floor, but the facility is much better now.
George: Thanks, to the both of you. You're really true friends.
Alan: We appreciate that coming from you, George – we really do. (He then looks a bit pensive, then looks over to George.) Say, George, do you have your season ticket book for the Mustangs?
George: No, Alan, I can't say that I've received it yet.
Alan: Well, George, I believe your ticket book is at the studio; I'll try to get it to you in time for the home opener; the Watertown Wildcats will be in town – and considering that we opened the season with a loss at Southern Tier, we should be up to the challenge in this game.
George: Okay, Alan, I'll be at the ready for the ticket book. Be sure to call beforehand – I believe you have my cell number.
Alan: I have it on file at the studio, George; I'll call before I bring it.
George: Thanks, Alan.
Scene Sixteen: Johnny Wood's Market, 825 South Batavia Street, Midvale, N.Y., 3:24 P.M., Wednesday, June 17.
We see in what is a traditional neighborhood grocery store – fresh fruits, fresh produce, loaves of bread on the shelves, what have you; George is standing at the checkout counter; he is wearing a black, short sleeve t-shirt, faded denim trousers and white athletic shoes; he has placed four bottles of a sports drink with the brand name of Anfield on the counter – two are of the mixed berry flavor, while the remaining two are of the white cherry flavor.
George (Looks over to the coolers.) Johnny, are you okay back there?
At that moment, Johnny Wood, a somewhat portly man with a height of five-feet-eleven-inches, emerges from the cooler, walking to the checkout counter; he is balding, yet robust; he is wearing a maroon, short sleeve button up shirt, navy blue trousers dark blue shoes and a dark blue apron with the name, "Johnny", sewn in white thread on the front.
Johnny: Yeah, I'm okay, George – I've been going over the inventory in regard to that sports drink, Anfield, and I have quite a load of that particular brand still in the cooler.
George: Which flavors, if I may inquire?
Johnny: Let's see now. (He removes an order sheet from a pocket of the apron and unfolds it.) Ah, yes, I have two cases each of orange and lemon-lime flavors, one case of the fruit punch and half a case of the grape flavor – I'll have to notify the distributor for some more of the mixed berry and white cherry flavors.
George: Sounds to me like the Anfield brand could use a bit of decent promotion here in Midvale, Johnny.
Johnny: Yes, George, they certainly could.
At that moment, Josie comes into the market; she is wearing a dark blue, short sleeve, pullover blouse, white denim trousers and brown sandals; she looks pleasantly surprised.
Josie: George! I didn't expect to see you here today; you must be getting some of that new sports drink for yourself.
George: Ah, yes, Josie, I just came in here to get a few bottles of Anfield for myself, and if someone comes by, I'll offer one or two bottles of this to them.
Josie: That's awfully good of you, George; have you made payment yet?
George: I was just about to pay for this, Josie; how much is the bill, Johnny?
Johnny: Let's see, now. (He runs the codes on each bottle past the scanner.) Four bottles of Anfield at ninety nine cents each, with state and local sales taxes adds up to four dollars and thirty one cents, I believe. (The register beeps the results.) Yes, indeed, four-thirty-one.
George: Okay, Johnny, here's the debit. (He removes from a front trouser pocket his debit card and inserts it into the card reader; the reader gives the "approved" signal, followed by two beeps; he then removes the card.)
Johnny: Let me get this for you, George. (Johnny puts the bottles of Anfield and the receipt for them into a blue canvas bag George brought.) There you go, now, George – you take care now, please.
George: Thanks, Johnny, and you also take care. (George turns to leave.)
Josie: George, my car is unlocked, and you can get in – I'll be out in a few minutes, as I'll be getting a bag of apples.
George: Thanks, Josie. (George leaves the store and goes into the parking spaces at the front of the store, where he finds Josie's car; he opens the front passenger side door, gets in, sets his bag on the floorboard, shuts the door and fastens his seat belt.) This shouldn't take too long. (He waits thirty seconds, then sees Josie exit the market.)
Josie is carrying a one pound bag of apples to the car; she gets to the car, Opens the rear driver side door, places the bag in the floorboard, shuts the door, opens the front driver door, obtains the keys from her purse, gets in, shuts the door, puts the key in the ignition, fastens her seat belt, and starts the car.
George: Tanks, Josie, I really appreciate this. I sincerely mean this.
Josie: Well, George, anytime I can help, just let me know – and if I should see you out like this, I'll be glad to help.
George: That's awfully good of you, Josie; thanks again, friend.