Intro music.
Fades to: Sounds of a party or gathering.

Narrator: Hi, I’m John Templeton, late of PreRetiree Lane. I passed away at my neighbors Stu and Marta Hunter’s anniversary party. But I remained behind to watch over the retirement planning not only of the Hunters, but of my other neighbors as well.

Right now, I’ve taken a little road trip to follow Ava Maynhard to her family reunion. I know she wanted to talk about finances with her mother. She’s such a sweet girl…I wanted to follow her progress.

Ava: Thanks, mom, I knew you’d understand.

Ava’s Mom: Ava, honey, I know you and Ron have to get your financial house in order. Dad and I will help where we can. We want you to have the business. I’m so glad you’re planning ahead. So many people don’t, you know.

Ava: Mom, you’re wonderful—

Ava’s Mom: Ah, that’s what I love about family reunions. Hugs!

Austin: Can I get one too?

Ava’s Mom: Austin Bryant! How did you get here? Of course you can have a hug!

Austin: I’m visiting my folks. Saw all the decorations in your yard—and well then, I saw Ava, and I just had to come over and say hello. It’s been too long, Ava.

Ava: Yes…you look—

Ava’s Mom: —As handsome as ever, Austin. Would you like something to drink? I’ll get you some punch.

Ava: It is good to see you, Austin. What have you been doing with yourself? Must agree with you.

Austin: Thanks. Well, you know I was a professional surfer. And that was great. It only lacked one thing. Money. I’ve discovered I like money.

Ava: How unusual.

Austin: No, really. I like working with it, all the ins and outs. So I became a Certified Financial Planner. I build portfolios, help people make their financial dreams come true. It’s fun and very rewarding.

Ava: That's funny, my husband and I were just discussing our financial plans and goals. We want to get our financial house in order. Retirement without money can be a scary thought.

Austin: Husband?

Ava: Ron. He’s working.

Austin: Maybe we could get together…um, with Ron...and take a look at you…I mean your plans. I may be able to help.

Ava: Sure, that would be nice. And I have a friend, Mercedes, who you might be able to help, too. I’ll just give you my address…

Voices fade, party sounds come up. Then party sounds fade.

Narrator: Welcome back to PreRetiree Lane. It’s been a few days since Ava’s party. I’ve been keeping my eyes on Stu Hunter. That’s him over there, outside his garage cleaning his golf clubs. Looks like Ron Maynhard’s wandering over. Neither one of them looks too happy.

Ron: Nice set of clubs, Stu. Pings? I’d love to play with those. Must have cost a bundle.

Stu: Yeah. Wanna buy them?

Ron: Sure, but I can’t afford it.

Stu: Neither can I.

Ron: Something wrong, Stu?

Narrator: There sure is. C’mon Stu, talk.

Stu: I don’t know where to start. My company’s declared bankruptcy. We’ve got our jobs but our pension was a defined benefit plan and was seriously under-funded. There’s not much there now.

Ron: Man, that’s tough. You got a 401(k), IRAs, emergency savings?

Stu: A 401(k), but…I haven’t put that much into it.

Ron: That’s not so bad then, you can just bump that up, plus, there’s always the 401(k) catch-up rules for people over 50—

Narrator: Stu, I told you to max out your 401(k) 15 years ago. Invest it in a mix of growth stocks, reliable bonds, let it compound and grow. You’d be feeling a lot better right now if you had.

Stu: Sure I suppose. But—

Sound of door opening.

Marta: Stu, come in and say hello to Grace, will you? Oh, hi Ron.

Stu: Ron and I are about to hit the links, Marta. You say hi for me. Come on Ron, let’s get going.

Marta: Stu?

Narrator: He’s leaving, Marta. I think Stu’s really having a hard time dealing with this situation. What if I just peek in on Marta quick through the window—

Sound of door closing.

Marta: He’s avoiding me, Grace. He’s had some bad news from work recently.

Narrator: That’s Grace Ramirez, a friend of Marta’s. Grace is a close work friend, and active with Marta in their church.

Marta: Well, that’s neither here nor there. We’ve got work to do. Let’s figure out who’s doing what at the bake sale Sunday— 

Narrator: Marta is generous with her time and effort. But I think she’s avoiding Stu and his retirement concerns, too.

Sound of a car rolling by.

Narrator: Now who’s that rolling by—in a big black SUV, too. What’s that license say? Money man? He’s stopping at Mercedes’ house.

Sound of car door opening and closing.

Narrator: Now he’s getting out of the car. That’s not her boyfriend, Bob. I can’t quite make him out—good grief, who’d think ghosts still need glasses? I’m going to pop in on Mercedes and investigate.

Sound of phone ringing.

Mercedes: Hello? Well I’m talking to you now, Bob. I answer the phone when I hear it ring….I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just on edge…my ex-in laws, that’s who. We had a meeting today. They offered me a lot of money to sign a partnership agreement to stay in the business…No I didn’t sign! There’s something going on, Bob, something fishy. I think they’re stealing—

Doorbell rings.

Mercedes: Someone’s at the door. Stay on the line, okay. There’s been some suspicious people driving around this neighborhood lately.

Door opens.

Austin: Hello, um… I was looking for Ava? Did I get the wrong address?

Narrator: Not by the look on Mercedes face. I think you rang the right bell, son.

Mercedes: Um…I’ll call you back. Hi, I’m Mercedes, Ava’s neighbor. Who are you?

Austin: Austin. Austin Bryant. I was a friend of Ava’s growing up. I’m going to be her financial planner, check her out…I mean check out her financial plans.

Narrator: Look out, here comes Ava on the run—

Ava (a little out of breath): Austin, I … I wasn’t expecting you. Ron isn’t home.

Austin: I was thinking since you mentioned a few days ago that you paid the bills that it might be a good idea for us to get together ahead of time and see what you’ve got as far as financial assets, income and savings.

Narrator: Well, isn’t this an interesting little trio? I can’t wait to see how this works out.

END