Narrator: Hello again. I’m John Templeton. It’s been awhile since we first got together at Stu and Marta Hunter’s 25^th wedding anniversary—where I died. But I’m still here in spirit on PreRetiree Lane, seeing how my neighbors are doing with their retirement planning. Someone who’s been having some trouble is Mercedes Walczak. She’s meeting right now with Austin Bryant, a financial planner and friend of another neighbor, Ava Maynhard. 

Austin: I understand that you want to start your own business, Mercedes. You’ve done a nice job laying out your options.  

Mercedes: I’ve been attending seminars at the credit union to learn what I can about financial matters. Things like organizing my records, basic investing strategies--even how to buy a house before I bought this place. 

Austin: That’s a great start. Have you considered what else you need to do to take care of yourself? I believe Ava said you weren’t married. 

Mercedes: No one ever mentions taking care of me. I need someone around me who thinks of that. 

Narrator: Is she flirting with him? What about Bob, her fiancé?  

Austin: I’m sure we can figure out a way to put some money to work for you so that you’ll have a comfortable retirement to look forward to. 

Mercedes: Are you and Ava close? 

Austin: We were friends years ago. I worked for her parents for a while. But people go their own ways. It’s a coincidence that I ran into her again at her family reunion back in the old neighborhood and she needed financial advice. 

Mercedes: Lucky for a lot of us. 

Narrator: She is flirting with him! Oh well, I never had a problem mixing business with pleasure.

Doorbell rings. Door opens. 

Mercedes: Ava? 

Ava: Hi, Mercedes.  I was going shopping and wondered—Austin? What are you doing here? 

Austin: You did ask me to get together with Mercedes and discuss her financial situation. 

Ava: Well, yes, I thought we both would— 

Mercedes: It’s fine Ava, really, we work better when it’s just the two of us.  

Ava: All right…you two, don’t work too hard then. Austin, before you go, stop by my house, would you? Ron’s got a couple of questions for you. 

Austin: Sure. 

Narrator: Get going already, Ava! Let these two get to know each other, they’re kind of cute together.  

Door slams in the distance. 

Narrator: That’s coming from Stu and Marta’s. What’s going on over there?  

Marta: We’re going to talk about it now, Stu. I can’t believe you would suggest not taking the very best care of my parents.  

Stu: Everything has to be looked at, Marta. We’re 60 years old, and we have no real retirement plans, and not enough money. We have to take some hard looks and make tough decisions. I’m not working forever. 

Marta: That’s all you really care about, isn’t it? Yourself. We’re supposed to be a partnership. But you’ve been making your own decisions for a long time, like that 401(k) loan— 

Stu: I don’t want to hear about that again. It’s over and done with. I’m tired of you caring more about your career, about church activities, than me. Maybe if I would just get sent to detention, I’d get you to pay some attention to what I want. 

Marta: It’s always about you. You sound as immature as the kids in detention at school. 

Stu: Who supported you? Understood about your time away from home? Who’s paid for the kids’ school? How has any of that benefited me? 

Marta: Benefited YOU? Can you hear yourself? Sounds like you just resent being a husband and father now, too! 

Stu: Yes…maybe I do. Your husband anyway. 

Narrator: No Stu, don’t go down that road— 

Marta: I’ve had it with you and your lies and your...your..Just get out! I don’t need this anymore.  I want a divorce! 

Narrator: No! Marta, no! 

Stu: You think that’s a threat? That’s a relief. 

Narrator: There he goes, out the door…ooooh, this is bad. This is very bad. Watch out Stu, don’t bump into…Austin. Ouch, they almost tripped over each other. I guess Austin’s headed over to Ron’s. Now Mercedes is chasing after Austin. 

Knocking on door. Door opens. 

Ron: Hello…oh, Austin. 

Austin: Hello, Ron. Ava said you had a couple of questions for me. 

Ron: Sure, yes come in…and Mercedes, you too, I guess. 

Mercedes: Thanks. For just a minute,  Austin you forgot this folder. 

Austin: Thanks…no need to bother— 

Mercedes: It’s no bother. 

Phone rings. 

Ron: Hello. Yes, this is Ron Maynhard. (pause for a moment). No, that can’t be right…no, no…that can’t be right. Mercedes, here, take this. Tell them they’re wrong. 

Mercedes: Wrong about what? Yes, hello. What?…No!! When?…yes, he’ll be there right away. Right away. Ron. That was the police. You need to go down to the hospital.

Mercedes begins to cry. 

Ron: So it’s true. Ava’s dead. 

Mercedes (through her tears): Yes, her car was hit. She’s …gone. 

Narrator: Ron’s taking his keys and going. I can’t believe this, such a young, wonderful girl. Gone. Austin’s holding Mercedes. 

Austin (choked up): I’m so sorry, Mercedes.   

Narrator: What a tornado of a day this has been! Stu and Marta coming apart, Mercedes and Austin coming together … and now poor Ava. What’s Ron going to do? I hope they had a will or this is going to be very complicated. What can possibly happen next? 

END 

Published April 7, 2008

1