Act X - INTERLUDE
"Well this is it, I've been planning for this day to come." thought Kelly Halligan as she got herself dressed in a casual blue shirt with matching jeans along with sandals on her feet for her book presentation at the Pauley Pavilion (the same arena that Janice graduated at). "I hope my partner Gibson would come back from her vacation on time so she could help me have my last minute preparations for my presentation". After she finishes her thought, Gibson texted Kelly telling her that she'll be on her way to the arena momentarily and that she'll be waiting for her. Kelly is relieved to learn about the news from her business partner. "Kelly, are you almost ready to go? Both Amber and Richard are anxious to get out of the house. They're really looking forward to your presentation and so am I" said Dominic standing with his niece in law and their child. Dominic is dressed in a dark blue suit and tie with Richard dressed in a similar attire. Amber is dressed in a bright pink dress with matching sandals on her feet. "Coming down in a jiffy, can't keep you all waiting guys" said Kelly as she joins the rest of the family on their latest trek! After the Halligans packed in their vehicle, they are ready to go to Kelly's book presentation. "So Richard, what are you hoping to get from my presentation today?" asked Kelly "I'm hoping that you'll teach us how to be business people and not have much fun at work" sarcastically replied Richard. "Well in the business world there's a concept or philosophy if you will that tells us that whenever we work hard, we also PLAY hard as well. Trust me on this one Richard, even though I predominately play soccer for my team, there's a 'business' side to it as well during which I attend lots of team meetings as well as my sponsors" replied Amber patting Richard on the shoulder. "Amber's right son, sooner or later for whichever goal you want to be when you grow up, you have to always be willing to go the extra mile by any means necessary" said Dominic. "Your father's right Richard, to get where we're at right now at this point, it's sometimes easy and it's sometimes hard. But what matters is HOW we reach the mountaintop and that way our hard work pays off! Am I right or wrong?" said Kelly "Right on!" replied Richard with him giving his mother a hi-five to show off his newfound enthusiasm. After the conversation, Kelly started to feel something a little bit strange going on inside of her. "Kelly, are you feeling ok?" asked Dominic feeling justified concern regarding his wife and mother of their child. "I'm ok for the most part, just feeling a little bit tired or something. Might need some water." replied Kelly. 15 minutes later and after a couple of sips of water by Kelly, the Halligans have made it to the Pauley Pavilion safe and sound. "We're here because we're here! Let's go see the Woman of the Hour do what she does best!" said Dominic enthusiastically to his family. After they parked their vehicle, they're on their way to the presentation. Inside the Green Room, Kelly's business partner Ms. Yvonne Gibson was waiting all morning for Kelly Halligan-Antol to arrive for the presentation. Ms. Gibson was dressed in a long-sleeved gray and black split-neck bowknot top and a long black skirt as well as matching boots on her feet. "Took you guys long enough, I was worried that you're not gonna show up for your presentation. And I see you brought along company as well!" said Ms. Gibson playfully while greeting the Halligan clan by giving them handshakes and hugs. "Well, I guess we're fashionably late than Ms. Gibson. Thanks for holding down the fort for us until our arrival" said Kelly feeling ready for her presentation. "I'm glad you feel that way, and I see your little soccer player is excited about the show today am I right or wrong on that one youngster?" asked Ms. Gibson addressing Richard "You betcha!" said Richard giving Ms. Gibson a high five with a smile. "I see that he's very excited today and I think the presentation is about to start" said Amber checking the time. "I think you're going to do a great job with the presentation Kelly, I know you've rehearsed this several times during the week and you're going to knock it outta the park this morning. That's a guarantee." assured Dominic as he gives Kelly a good luck kiss on her lips. "Let's do this!" said Kelly as she makes her way out to the stage in front of 10,000 people in the stands. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the author of her bestselling book 'How To Make Your Business BLOSSOM', the wife of soccer legend Dominic Antol, and the hero to all aspiring workers, Ms. Kelly Halligan-Antol!" blurted the PA announcer. From there Kelly came on the stage podium with a thunderous ovation from the crowd who's ready to learn a thing or two about business! "What's up Los Angeles?!" asked Kelly "I bet you're wondering how I got to this stage in my life. Having a brand that you own, being able to work with your coworkers as well as your friends. And most importantly, having a great and loving family who has the same enthusiasm as you. Let me let you in on a little secret, getting to where I'm at is not that easy. During our path, we often….often…." said Kelly as she began to feel woozy and later collapsed on the floor to the audiences' horror. "Kelly! Kelly! Are you ok?!" asked Dominic after dashing to the stage. "Someone get an ambulance!" "Mom?!" cried Richard while Amber began to come out and meet the family "Is she going to be ok?" "I don't really know…" replied Amber also feeling concern. Afterwards, the EMTs came up and proceeded to take Kelly to the hospital and the Halligans would join Kelly in the ambulance, giving the presentation an abrupt ending. A couple of hours later in the hospital, Kelly is resting in her quarters while her family is in the waiting room waiting for the results of her tests. "Where am I?" asked Kelly waking up from her unwanted slumber "You've taken a pretty bad fall during your presentation" said Dr. Zachariah Rogers "Well, I thought I drank lots of water to keep myself hydrated and I did feel a little bit woozy during my ride to the arena earlier today." replied Kelly who's resting on her bed. "Let me ask you a couple of questions meanwhile, did you have trouble sleeping?" asked Dr. Rogers. "I admit, I did have some trouble sleeping from time to time, I worked long hours on my presentation and my business." replied Kelly. "Have you lost your appetite on more than one occasion?" asked Dr. Rogers "I think I have at least once in awhile" replied Kelly. "Okay, have you ever have nauseating experiences in the last couple of weeks?" asked Dr. Rogers. "I might have every once in awhile." replied Kelly. "Okay, right now, we're going to do some tests on you and find out what's causing you to be in this situation" said Dr. Rogers as he begins to do a series of tests. After the tests, Dr. Rogers would explain to Kelly that she has a kidney failure in her system. "I'm really sorry that you have to hear the terrible news." said Dr. Rogers dejectedly. Understandably, Kelly was shocked and saddened because now she faces the prospect of losing her life because of her kidney failure. After the bad news, Dominic, Amber, and Richard visited the quarters where the Doctor and Kelly were having a conversation. "What's the scoop Doc?, is Kelly going to be ok?" asked a concerned Dominic. "As I've told her moments ago, she has a kidney failure in her system. The only way she's going to survive this is that she's going to have to get a kidney transplant from a donor who has a matching type" said the Doctor. "Dominic, Richard, Amber, we're going to win this battle. We've been in similar (un-related) situations before and we got this" said Kelly trying to lift up their spirits. "I don't want to say goodbye to Mommy" said Richard as he began to tear up "Its going to be okay Richard, your Mom's a brave warrior who loves us dearly. The last thing she wants is for her to leave us. We're gonna pray for a miracle to happen for as long as she can hold on…." said Dominic while they give a great big hug to Kelly.
END ACT X