REQUIEM FOR A FRIEND

CAST:

Sheriff Bill Gillespie

Harriet DeLong Gillespie

Hampton Forbes

Virgil Tibbs

Allison Tibbs

Jhourdhaun Gillespie-Skinner

Bubba Skinner

Lonnie Jamison

Angela Jamison

Lana Farren Gillespie

Hayley Banham

Bobby Gillespie

Eric Gillespie

Zachary Gillespie

L.J. Jamison

SECONDARY CAST:

Parker

LuAnn

Dee

Everett

J.D.

Tully

Reese Banham-Scott

Terry Scott

Asheria Banham-Scott

Eugene Glendon

Reporter

Dr. Shephard

Minister

Two Nurses

ACT ONE, SCENE ONE

SETTING: The Gillespie kitchen. Harriet and Angela are placing bowls and cookware on the various cabinet tops and the cooking island.

ANGELA: (Removing ingredients from the cupboard) I do believe this was a good idea.

HARRIET: I agree. (Putting out various utensils) Who says we should mope around on a perfectly glorious day and wait for the menfolk to finish with their stuffy trial.

ANGELA: (Cracking up) Menfolk! I haven't heard that term used since I visited Great Aunt Tallulah when I was ten!

HARRIET: (Laughing as well) I know, but somehow it seemed appropriate. I couldn't help myself.

A very handsome little boy runs into the room and up to Harriet.

ZACHARY: (Pulling on her outfit) Mommy, up!

HARRIET: (Bending over and picking up her son) You must think you have me wrapped around your little finger, young man! (Tickling him) You're right; just like the rest of your brothers.

ERIC: (Walking into the room) Well, if that's the case, Mom, can I go on the wilderness trip Sunday?

HARRIET: No, you have church. Besides, you know your dad, Bubba, and Lonnie are going to take you and Bobby camping.

ERIC: (Rolling his eyes) Yeah, but that won't be until they know what's up with Jhourdhaun. (Hitting the countertop) With my luck, I'll be an old man by the time those babies are born. It's not fair!

HARRIET: Eric! You know that was uncalled for. Jhourdhaun goes out of her way to help you out all of the time, and just because you can't get your way, you badmouth her. (Turning away from him) I hope you don't show that attitude when your sister gets here.

ERIC: (Contrite) I won't. You know I didn't mean it, anyway.

HARRIET: (Smiling) All right. (Hugging Zachary) I'll tell you what. You keep Zach occupied for an hour and the slate's clean.

ERIC: (Smiling as he takes his little brother) Okay. (They leave)

ANGELA: It's amazing how good they are with each other. I would have thought since Eric was the baby up until Zach was born, he would have been jealous. But, I've never seen it.

HARRIET: (Shaking her head) In this family! There isn't any time to be jealous! (Pouring something in a bowl) It's just a simple matter of making everyone feel special because of who they are. (Tugging at her sister's hair) Even the big kids.

ANGELA: (Hugging her) Well, I just hope that Lonnie and I do as good a job with our kids as you and Bill do with yours.

HARRIET: Kids, as in plural? There isn't anything you should be telling me, is there?

ANGELA: (Laughing) Not yet, but maybe in the near future. (Smiling) Neither Lonnie nor I want L.J. to be an only child. And now that we know we've escaped the Banham Baby Curse, we're just waiting until L.J.'s a little older to try again.

ALLISON: (Walking in with a small bundle in her arms) Speaking of the young Master, I think he would like something that his Aunt Alli just can't give him.

ANGELA: (Taking her son) I guess it probably is lunchtime according to his clock.

ALLISON: So that's what you call it when he starts pounding on your chest like an old timepiece getting ready to go off. (Nodding) That would go with why my upper body feels like a Timex that has taken a licking and kept on ticking.

HARRIET: (Moaning) That remark definitely earned you some groaner points.

ALLISON: (Picking up a bowl and stirring) Speaking of groaning, is Jhourdhaun really going to lug herself over here for this cook-fest? I would think at this stage, she'd just want to stay planted in a comfortable place without even thinking of movement.

ANGELA: Yes, but at eight months pregnant with triplets, I don't believe there is a such thing as a comfortable place. Take it from me with just my one, I felt I'd never sleep on my back again.

ALLISON: (Stirring) Well, that's one thing I wouldn't know about, and, thank God, Virgil has no desire for me to learn. You don't know how lucky I am to have found a man who is perfectly satisfied with his children from his previous marriage.

ANGELA: I see those cravings to procreate haven't kicked in.

ALLISON: And they probably won't, either. (Walking closer to Angela) You see, I am legally and morally the twins mother; I don't need the physical thing.

HARRIET: I'm glad to know you know what you want. (Taking something out of the refrigerator) Getting back to Jhourdhy, Tully and I both agreed that she's been very good and stayed in bed just like the doctor ordered. So, we consulted her doctor and we were given permission for Jhourdhaun to attend this little get- together. As long as she rests, she should be fine for tonight.

ALLISON: That's good. I know she'll be glad to be with everybody, especially tonight.

ANGELA: (Puzzled) Why especially tonight?

ALLISON: (Shrugging) I don't know. I just have a feeling that this is a night that none of us will forget.

ACT ONE, SCENE TWO

SETTING: The Sparta Courthouse. Hampton, Virgil, the Sheriff, and Bubba are standing around talking when Lonnie and Terry walk up.

HAMPTON: (Grinning) Well, it's about time you two showed up. We were about to tell them to start without you.

LONNIE: Yeah, like without our testimony you guys would have anything. (Looking at Bubba) Nice to see you without that nervous father-to-be look.

BUBBA: I still think that only someone who had the look would be able to recognize it.

LONNIE: (Laughing) I don't deny that I had it; I just deny that I had it so bad.

VIRGIL: You probably should lay off of him. (Chuckling) As a father of multiples, I know for a fact that my anxiety was naturally doubled, and in his case it's tripled.

GILLESPIE: (Shaking his head) Leave it to my daughter to want to try something new.

HAMPTON: Oh stop that, Bill. You know that you are tickled purple at the thought of your first grandchildren. (Cracking up) Even if Jhourdhaun and Bubba had to go overboard on their first try.

BUBBA: (Holding up his hands) Don't look at me; blame that switch in her medications. I was definitely not anticipating more than one.

TERRY: Ya'll should really stop. (Looking at Bubba) You don't want Bubba to be so embarrassed that he can't help convict Scobie. (Sobering a little) I don't know about you, but I would love to see that guy away for life, so that he won't be a threat to my little girl.

HAMPTON: (Sobering) I agree, even though I don't have or am expecting any mini- Hamptons.

TERRY: (Breaking down and laughing) I probably could have stayed serious if you hadn't said "mini-Hampton's." That sounds like an off-the-road vehicle or something.

HAMPTON: (Hitting his friend) I'll show you off-the-road.

LONNIE: (Looking beyond them) They're signalling for us. (Turning) I don't know about the rest of you, but I want to get this over with. The sooner I get back to my wife and son, the better I'll be.

ACT ONE, SCENE THREE

SETTING: The Gillespie house. A very pregnant Jhourdhaun and Tully are being escorted into the kitchen.

JHOURDHAUN: Hey, hey! The whole Skinner family is here.

HARRIET: (Coming up and rubbing her belly) In one neat package, no less. (Hugging her) How you doing, Baby?

JHOURDHAUN: (Easing herself into a chair) About as good as anyone with a thirty pound weight on her bladder.

TULLY: (Putting down her supplies) I'm still not convinced that is enough weight. (Talking to Harriet) I've tried to get her to eat more, but she won't listen to me. She's nothing but babies.

JHOURDHAUN: Speaking as the one in question, I feel like it's enough and that's all on that subject.

ANGELA: Here, here! (Talking to Jhourdhaun) All the while I was carrying L.J., Reese and Harriet kept bugging me about how much I was eating, what I was eating, and if I was exercising too much. They were royal pains in the ...

REESE: (Walking in with Asheria) Did I hear my name being taken in vain?

ANGELA: (Moving to hug her sister) You better believe it. We were just discussing your and Harriet's need to nag.

JHOURDHAUN: (Laughing) Let's not forget to lump Tully in with that group.

HARRIET: Okay, that's enough you two. (Moving closer to Tully) This younger generation just won't listen to what's best for them. I think we should just stop trying to help them.

TULLY: I quite agree.

ANGELA: And I think you guys are full of ... it ... (Disoriented) I mean ... completely ...

HARRIET: (Moving to her side) Honey, are you all right?

ANGELA: (Shaking her head) I just got the weirdest feeling. It was like someone had ...

REESE: Had what?

ANGELA: (Rubbing her arms) Like someone had torn a piece of me away. (Moving into Harriet's arms) Something's not right.

ACT ONE, SCENE FOUR

SETTING: The Backyard. Eric is playing with Zachary on a blanket when Eugene walks up.

ERIC: (Freezing over as he pulls his little brother closer) What do you want, Gene?

EUGENE: What kind of greeting is that, little cuz?

ERIC: The kind of greeting that says don't hurt Mama this time. The kind of greeting that says I like the way things are, don't mess it up. The kind of greeting that you've been giving me lately. Take your pick.

EUGENE: Hey, that's not fair. You know how it's been.

ERIC: (Standing up) Life's not fair, Gene, but most of us deal. (Picking up Zachary) The only thing Mom wanted was a little happiness for half of the stuff she did for us. What was wrong with that? (Pausing) You know it wasn't easy raising you alone and then getting stuck with me and all of the stuff with V.J. and my mom. It had to be tough on her, but she still did it. And you gave her grief. (Shrugging) I don't know about you but that kind of stuff makes me pretty darn grateful, not angry.

HARRIET: (Moving to take Zach) Eric, you go on and see if they need anything in the house.

ERIC: Are Jhourdhaun and Lana and Bobby here?

HARRIET: Jhourdhaun is and she brought you something. (Smiling) You go on in.

ERIC: Okay. (Remembering Gene) If you're sure you'll be all right.

HARRIET: I will. (Watching him leave) So, what brings you to this neck of the woods?

EUGENE: (Shaking his head) You and Eric sure sound alike.

HARRIET: (Hugging Zach) I'm sorry about what he said. I didn't know he was even aware of what was going on between us.

EUGENE: I don't see how he couldn't know especially with how I've been behaving. (Thinking) He really has grown up, hasn't he?

HARRIET: (Agreeing) He sure has. We're very proud of him.

EUGENE: We?

HARRIET: No matter how hard you find it to believe, Bill loves Eric like he was his own son and Eric's thriving because of it.

EUGENE: (Quietly) I can see that.

HARRIET: (Shocked) What did you say?

EUGENE: I said I can see that. (Looking around) Look, I'm not saying I've seen the light or anything like that, but I can see that things are good for you. And, I have to admit ... you deserve it.

HARRIET: (Tears streaming from her eyes) Thank you. (Wiping the tears) We're having a little family get-together, if you want to join us, you'll be more than welcome.

EUGENE: Maybe later. I promised Dad I'd visit with him and Cheryl.

HARRIET: (Nodding) I understand.

EUGENE: No, I don't think you do. (Walking up and hugging her and Zachary) I'll be back later, so that we can talk. I'm not making any promises, but we can't keep on like this. (Moving away) I'll see you.

LANA: (Coming outside) Are you okay, Harri?

HARRIET: (Smiling) Couldn't be better. (Focusing on the girl) When did you get here?

LANA: (Hugging her and taking her brother) Bobby and I just got in. (Hugging Zachary) How's my special boy?

HARRIET: (Walking with them into the house) Getting bigger every day.

LANA: (Standing behind her sister) Just like someone else I know. How you doing, Sis?

JHOURDHAUN: How do I look?

BOBBY: (Shrugging) Ok.

JHOURDHAUN: Well thank you, little brother. So, how's freshman life?

BOBBY: (Shrugging) Okay, I guess. I know it would be a lot worse if my sister wasn't a big-shot there.

LANA: (Laughing) Hardly. I am just a lowly T.A. on a big university campus. (Nodding at Bobby) He's such a good student, I don't have to do much.

BOBBY: (Standing and kissing Lana on the cheek) Thanks, Sis. (Looking back at Jhourdhaun) So, how are you really?

JHOURDHAUN: (Laughing) How do I look, really?

BOBBY: (Chuckling) Beach-bally, but beautiful.

JHOURDHAUN: (Raising her hands) Okay, that's enough about my advanced size. The next person who brings it up, will force me to waddle myself out of here. (The doorbell rings) You'd better warn whoever that is while I'm in the bathroom. I'd hate to leave on account of something they said. (Laughing as she leaves the room)

LANA: I'll get it. (Leaving and returning with Parker) Look who I found hanging around the door.

HARRIET: Did you sense that Lana was here or did somebody tell you?

PARKER: (Nervous) Uh, ... no Ma'am. I ...

ALLISON: If you came for the food, it's not ready yet.

PARKER: No, that's not why I came by.

HARRIET: (Chuckling) Then what's going on?

ANGELA: (Walking into the room with her son in her arms) I think the better phrase would be, what's wrong, Parker? I know something's wrong.

PARKER: (Unhappy) I wish I wasn't having to tell you this, but, I thought you should hear this before it came out on the news. (Pausing) It looks like Scobie's group has taken over the courthouse and has several people as hostages.

ANGELA: When you say people, you mean our guys.

PARKER: (Nodding) As far as we can tell, Hampton, the Sheriff, Virgil, Lonnie, and Bubba are all in there.

REESE: (Upset) What about Terry?

PARKER: He had just left out when they started sealing up.

HARRIET: Do they know if they're all right?

PARKER: We're assuming that they are.

ANGELA: You're assuming, but you don't actually know, right Parker? (Looking around) What aren't you telling us?

PARKER: Nothing. (Extremely nervous) I ...

HARRIET: If there's something that we need to know, I think it would be best if you told us.

PARKER: (Sighing) We don't have any confirmation of injuries, but we do know there has been a lot of shooting inside.

BOBBY: (Shaking his head) Oh, man.

HARRIET: (Getting herself under control) Like Parker said, we don't know if anything's happened to them, so we shouldn't think the worst. (Thinking) We have to stay positive. (Remembering) Oh, God, Jhourdhaun. How are we going to tell her without getting her upset?

TULLY: May I suggest that we not tell her until we know something definite.

JHOURDHAUN: (Walking in) Not tell me what? (Turning to the man) Hello, Parker, what brings you here? (Looking around when he doesn't answer) Okay, what's going on, everybody?

HARRIET: (Moving to the young woman's side) Jhourdhaun, honey, why don't you sit down and relax, and we'll tell you. But, you've got to stay calm.

JHOURDHAUN: I promise, just please tell me what's going on.

ACT TWO, SCENE ONE

SETTING: Outside of the courthouse. Parker is coordinating the rescue efforts. There are ambulances and police everywhere.

PARKER: (Speaking into a phone) Yessir, that's right. (Sighing) I know that. We're doing everything in our power to ... (Frustrated) Sir, if you just give us a chance, we can ... yessir. (Closing the phone) Damn!

EVERETT: No luck, huh?

PARKER: (Hitting one of the cars) Who elected that pompous ass! (Turning back) Do you know what he said. (Pointing) He told me that we, as the very heart of America, will not bow to terrorist actions. It is up to us to set the example of non- compliance even at the risk of a few casualties. (Angrily) Doesn't he realize that our friends are in there!

J.D.: I'm sure he knows that. His hands are tied too.

TERRY: (Walking up) What's the status? Any word?

LUANN: Not from inside, but the governor has turned down any bargaining on our part.

TERRY: I was afraid he'd do something like that. (Sighing) So, what are our other options?

DEE: We are going to check out our other options. I'm not sure what you're going to do.

TERRY: (Surprised) You mean they don't know?

LUANN: (Confused) Don't know what?

PARKER: I got so busy, I forgot. (Motioning for the other officers) I'm going to say this once and only once. (Sighing) Special Agent Scott has full clearance and access to any and all information pertaining to the case.

DEE: (Extremely confused) Wait a minute. I thought you were some bigshot v.p. at Banham's.

TERRY: I am, but I wasn't always married to Reese or in such a cushy position. (Looking around) So, what are our options?

ACT TWO, SCENE TWO

SETTING: The Gillespie house. Everyone is obviously upset. Angela is just sitting and rocking L.J. Lana and Tully are trying to keep Jhourdhaun calm.

REESE: (Walking into the room with a tray of coffee) I made some coffee if anyone wants some. (No response) Well, it's here. (Moving to Harriet) How's Angela?

HARRIET: (Shaking her head) I don't know. (Looking at her youngest sister) She's just been sitting there and rocking. I just don't know.

REESE: Jhourdhaun, you, and Allison all seem to be handling this in stride. (Curious) What makes her situation any different?

HARRIET: I wish I knew, but I don't think it's anything good.

TULLY: (Walking over) Lana and I have convinced Jhourdhaun to go up to her room here and wait for news.

HARRIET: How is she?

TULLY: She seems to be in a lot better shape than your sister.

REESE: We were just discussing that and the fact we don't know why she's so unresponsive.

ALLISON: (Coming back into the room with Terry and Parker) Look what I found walking up when I came from picking up the twins.

REESE: (Walking into her husbands's arms) Oh, thank goodness you're here.

HARRIET: Has there been any word?

PARKER: (Nodding) None. We were hoping that they would contact us after the initial demands, but we haven't heard anything.

TERRY: We were just checking in so as to keep you posted.

ALLISON: Sorry we're not bursting with displays of gratitude, but we are thankful that you thought to come and tell us.

PARKER: No matter what happens, we'll keep you informed.

REESE: (Watching them leave) Why didn't I like the sound of that?

ACT TWO, SCENE THREE

SETTING: Same only later. Most of the adults are sitting and listening to the television and waiting for the phone.

REPORTER: (On television) Our sources tell us there have been no new developments in this situation. But, we do know that since the siege began, several rounds of gunfire have rang out. Efforts have been made by the local police and FBI units to get the hostages released but there has not been any information on whether they were successful. We promise to keep you informed of any new developments as they occur. This is...

HARRIET: (Standing and turning off the TV) Well, that probably didn't do any of us any good to hear.

REESE: Angela, you need to eat. This could go on for hours.

ANGELA: (Shaking her head and looking forlorn) No, it won't be too much longer.

ALLISON: What do you know that we don't?

ANGELA: Too much.

HAYLEY: (Rushing in and moving to hug Angela) Oh, Sweetie. I got here as soon as I could.

ANGELA: (Breaking down) Oh, Hayley! He's not coming back! (Crying) He's not ever coming back!