Intro music.
Fades to:

Narrator: Welcome. I’m John Templeton. It’s a beautiful afternoon here on PreRetiree Lane. As it happens, you’ve joined us in the middle of a celebration.

Background party noise rises, talking, laughing come up.

Narrator: I’m retired. Go south for the winter now. But I always come back here for the summers. This is home. And today, well, just look around: a tent, tables, food, and smiles shared by friends and family. Close to idyllic. Oh yes, there’s the sign: Happy 25th anniversary Stu and Marta. That’s Stu and Marta Hunter, our hosts. Stu works in management…

Stu: John, so wonderful to see you! We should hit the links soon. Bet you’re loving retirement!

Narrator: What he manages, I couldn’t tell you. I’m not sure he could, either. But he’s winding down, almost 60.

Marta: Yes, John, so nice. There’s plenty to eat and drink.

Narrator: Marta, she’s a high school principal. A handsome woman, always so well-dressed. I suppose that goes with the career. She’s gotta be 60, too but, unlike her husband, she’s not ready to slow down.

Party noise rises, and then fades down again under the dialog.

Narrator: Let’s see who else is here…ah yes, there’s Mercedes Walczak. She’s a spitfire. In her mid-40s. And smart. In the property title insurance business with her ex-in laws. I’d pay to listen in on those staff meetings.

Mercedes: John! Come over here and meet our new neighbors: Ron and Ava Maynhard. Ava’s an old friend of mine.

Narrator: Ron’s a big, burly guy, around 40. Calloused hands and sun tanned face—Ow! MAN, he’s got a firm grip.

Ron: Hello. Nice party, huh? Must have cost a few bucks. I’m in construction. That tent had to be $500. When I’ve been on crews puttin’ em up they were at least that much. And the insurance, we do that too. And that’ll cost you. Figure liability, property—

Ava: Ron, honey, stop. It’s not the time to talk money. Hi, I’m Ava. We’re just thrilled to finally be living here on PreRetiree Lane. Everyone is so welcoming.

Narrator: Ava’s kind of bubbly, isn’t she?

The tinging of glasses sounds in the background—followed by more and more.

Mercedes: I think they’re getting ready to cut the cake.

A few "shushes," background noise settles down.

Narrator: It’s just like a time warp from Stu and Marta’s wedding reception. The happy couple holding a knife together, ready to cut their beautiful cake. A symbolic gesture reflecting the dreams they share for their future—

RING!! A cell phone ringer breaks the mood. It rings again.

Marta (whispers): It’s mine, hon, I have to get it.

Stu (whispers): Now? Why do you even have that thing on? It’s our anniversary! You don’t have to work 24/7.

Narrator: I’m not sure which was sharper, the knife in their hands or the daggers in Stu’s stare as he watched Marta go for her cell phone.

Ava (whispers): She’s going to take a call now? I’m not one to judge, but that seems…odd.

Ron (whispers): Must be more important to her.

Mercedes (whispers): She wants to be school superintendent. You have to sacrifice to move up in your career. And sometimes that means taking a phone call.

Ava (whispers): Aren’t they thinking about retirement?

Mercedes (whispers): She’s not! That’s not even on her radar.

Ron (whispers): Does Stu know that?

Narrator (whispers): I’ll tell you what Stu thinks about retirement…Ow!…oh. I feel…not so good.

The dialog cuts off with the sound of someone falling…gasps from the guests

Ron: (shouts) Call 911!

Narrator: It’s me! I’m having a heart attack! This is permanent retirement. Someone save me…I’m not ready!

Stu: What’s wrong?

Mercedes: John’s having a heart attack!

Ava: The man’s dying! Someone … help!

Narrator: (soft, pained): Retire…not ready.

A SIREN sounds in the background. Fade to quiet.

Sound of crickets softly chirping fades in.

Narrator: Everything was too late. I died right there. And now it’s evening and here I stand, back on PreRetiree Lane—like a man waiting for an appointment he never made. I can see and hear Stu and Marta, Mercedes, Ron and Ava. But they can’t see me.

Stu: It’s a heck of a thing. Just like that. John’s gone.

Ava: I can’t get over his last words: retire…no plan. His last thoughts were about retirement.

Ron: The Lord will take care of his retirement now.

Mercedes: That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be planning now. You want to work forever?

Stu: Marta, don’t answer that.

Marta: Retirement is a silly concept. Why would you want to drop out of life when you’re just getting to where you want to be?

Stu: That’s not the case for everyone. John had a great retirement plan, rest his soul. He’d saved in a 401(k), he had a pension, a personal IRA, some CDs. He was set. I admired him. I bet he’s left a nice estate for his kids.

Narrator: Thanks, Stu.

Ava: I hadn’t thought of retirement before, not really. I mean, we’re still pretty young. But now, you think, everything is so fragile.

Mercedes: I was on my way. Then I got divorced … and I want to have my own business. I won’t ever be able to retire.

Marta: Good for you. We don’t all want to be lazy lumps like my husband.

Stu: You never want to talk about retiring. I do all of the saving.

Marta: Not again—

Stu: If you don’t care about what I want, then why are we celebrating?

Sound of footsteps walking away.

Narrator: Stu, come back… But of course he can’t hear me. And Marta, well, she leaves, too.

Ron: They’ve got issues.

Ava: They do? We’re in the same boat! We haven’t put anything away. You keep thinking your parents’ farm is our retirement savings. But what if they have a crisis? Need nursing home care? Then where are we?

Ron: My folks are fine.

Ava: It’s no use talking to you!

Narrator: There goes Ava—

Mercedes: Nice, Ron.

Narrator: Mercedes, too.

Ron: Retirement? I gotta buy out the insurance business from her folks … and I’ve got a 17-year-old to send to school. I hope. I’m never going to be able to retire.

Narrator: Bye, Ron.

Sound of crickets fades.

Narrator: I don’t know why I’m still here. But I think these people need my help. None of them will make their retirement goals if they keep going the way they’re going. I don’t know what I can do, but I’ve got to try.