(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
Hello . . . and welcome to the Three Fifty-seven.
My name is William Spear and this is our series titled THE GHOSTLY GROOM. It is inspired by, and interpreted from, Washington Irving’s THE SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM. It was published in the same year as the Panic of 1819, the first major financial crisis in the United States.
Previously, Lenore Katzenellen and her family had left her seriously injured and heavily bandaged fiancé in an Odenwald, New Jersey hospital. Moments later they were told his body had been pulled from a crash site in Wurtzburg. They went back to his room and, except for a few bandages, it was empty. Her father and aunts were badly shaken and she took them home after.
Once home, an upsetting phone caller demanded from the aunts: “Is she there? I must talk to her.” Needing quiet to think, Lenore sent them to prepare a meal but they ran back when they saw the fiancé outside the window. She comforted them and walked to the kitchen. Much to their alarm.
And now Episode Four titled GONE.
(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
Lenore’s father and two aunts were terrified. “Come back,” they insisted. “What are you doing?” “Lenore!” “Dear Heaven, above, protect her!”
Silence like a funeral fell on them. Deafening, dreadful quiet. Shattered only by the clock in the hallway: tick-tock . . . tick-tock . . . tick-
“Ahhhhhhhhhhh!”
The father and aunts screamed back, “Ahhhhhhhhhhh!” They grabbed each other and fearfully sideways-scuttled into the kitchen expecting the worst. And there, in anguish and misery, was Lenore writhing with arms upstretched in agony.
“LENORE!” they shouted.
She whirled about and casually said, “Oh, hello.”
Her father started: “You saw Geoffrey’s ghost!” “What did he say?” demanded one aunt. “Where did he go?” insisted the other. The three looked at each other then her and trembled: “Is he coming back?”
Lenore smiled and assured them she had not seen her fiancé’s ghost and was merely frustrated by not having milk in the house.
The other three looked at each other as if she had uttered in a language last spoken by Diedrich Knickerbocker of Upper Saxony in the mid-sixteen hundreds.
The father started: “You talked to your dead fiancé and the police found his body in a ravine.” An aunt added: “I answered a call from his ghost.” The other aunt finished: “And you are in here screaming over milk?!”
Lenore innocently added, “I want hot chocolate. How about you three?”
The “you three” grumbled “Sure”, “Why not”, and “Maybe it will take the jagged edge off our nerves”.
Lenore promised to be back in five minutes and the family settled in to wait for her return.
The three praised Lenore for holding up so well under the circumstances. One aunt gushed her niece’s bravery. Her father added if her mother was still alive she’d be so proud. The second aunt confidently boasted Lenore could withstand ten phantoms like the fiancé’s ghost. “Not that he’s still in the area,” she quickly added.
The others looked at her and speculated: “You don’t think . . .” “He must be gone by now . . .” “What if . . .?” “Shouldn’t Lenore be back by now?”
Three slow knocks rattled the front door. No one moved. Three more knocks intruded. Louder and with more urgency.
The father felt drawn to the door. In actuality, the two aunts pushed him.
He crept to the door and his trembling hand turned the knob. There stood the same uniformed police officer from Wurtzburg who came to house hour earlier.
“Good evening. baron. Ladies. Lenore’s car has been found abandoned on the side of the road.”
(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
That was Episode Four titled GONE.
Theme music is through the courtesy of Nicky.
William Spear wrote and narrated the series and it was produced by The Three Fifty-seven.
THE GHOSTLY GROOM, Episode 03 – The Frightened Family
His altar was the grave.
(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
Hello . . . and welcome to the Three Fifty-seven.
My name is William Spear and this is our series titled THE GHOSTLY GROOM. It is inspired by, and interpreted from, Washington Irving’s THE SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM. It was published during the U.S. presidency of James Monroe. That’s 1819 for history fans.
Previously, Lenore Katzenellen’s fiancé suffered life-threatening wounds from an automobile accident. She and her father, the baron, and two aunts drove to the hospital and saw him heavily bandaged from head to shoulders to arms. Lenore held his hand and assured him he would get well for their wedding. The fiancé, Geoffrey Ochre, told her he was already a dead man. He wailed, “I died in the crash and the Wurtzburg cemetery is waiting for me. That is my only altar.”
Geoffrey’s doctor rushed her out of the room and she agreed to come back in the morning. Before she left, a police office from Wurtzburg approached her and expressed regrets. She thanked the officer and said everyone was focused on keeping Geoffrey calm.
“He is beyond calm,” said the officer. “His car and body were pulled from a ravine on Route Thirty-one near Wurtzburg. He was pronounced dead at the scene.”
And now Episode Three titled THE FRIGHTENED FAMILY.
(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
The doctor rushed into Geoffrey’s room and staggered back with impossible news: Too late. He’s gone.
The aunts wept loudly. “So young,” said one. “So handsome,” cried the other.
Lenore refused to believe the doctor. She was just talking with Geoffrey. He couldn’t have died.
The doctor was rattled: “Not dead . . . gone. Disappeared. Vanished.”
The aunts gasped. “We have been with a ghost,” said one. “He might come back at any time,” cried the other.
They collapsed onto a sofa.
Lenore told her father to tend to the aunts and went into Geoffrey’s room. Aside from a few bandages, there was nothing left. Not a trace that he had ever been there.
She walked around looking for an explanation, anything, but found nothing. Still, something was missing. Beyond Geoffrey, something was gone that shouldn’t be.
Lenore’s father wanted to take the aunts home and call it a night. She agreed. The four gathered and left.
For the entire ride, the aunts speculated Geoffrey was an angry spirit or a phantom. “Possibly even a specter that might come back for you, Lenore,” chimed in her father. All three vowed twenty-four hour vigilance for the widowed bride-to-that-never-was.
“No ghost would stand a chance against my three defenders,” said Lenore referencing her family. The mood lightened.
They arrived home to a ringing telephone. One aunt picked it up and heard a man asking, “Is she there? I must talk to her.” She slammed it down saying it was Geoffrey’s ghost. For the aunts and the baron, their night of fear was growing and growing.
For Lenore, the puzzle was becoming more and more interesting.
Needing a space to think, she sent them into the kitchen to prepare a meal. Alone, Lenore analysed the evening. Geoffrey seemed so alive even if he had been heavily bandaged. He couldn’t be a ghost. But the Wurtzberg police identified his body in the crash.
A piercing shriek came from the kitchen followed by her father and two aunts running to Lenore. “He’s here,” they chorused. “Outside.” “Bandages!” WE SAW HIM!.”
Lenore demanded they take a deep breath. They refused. She insisted on a calming breath or she would march them into the kitchen. They breathed in so deeply the curtains drifted toward them.
To their horror, Lenore walked into the kitchen. “Come back,” they insisted. “What are you doing?” “Lenore!” “Dear Heaven, above, protect her!”
Silence like a funeral fell on them. Deafening, dreadful quiet. Shattered only by the clock in the hallway: tick-tick-tick-tick-tick . . .
“Ahhhhhhhhhhh!” screamed Lenore.
(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
You have listened to Episode Three titled THE FRIGHTENED FAMILY.
Theme music is through the courtesy of Nicky.
William Spear wrote and narrated the series and it was produced by The Three Fifty-seven.
(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
Hello . . . and welcome to the Three Fifty-seven.
My name is William Spear and this is our series titled THE GHOSTLY GROOM. It is inspired by, and interpreted from, Washington Irving’s THE SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM published in 1819. That’s right; over two hundred years ago.
Lenore Katzenellen is the 45-year-old founder and president of a financial analysis firm in Odenwald, New Jersey. She, her father, and two aunts have been called to a nearby hospital to identify her fiancé, Geoffrey Ochre, who has been badly injured in an automobile accident. When they arrive, he is unconscious and heavily bandaged from his head to shoulders to arms.
While waiting to speak with him, she identified his billfold and mobile phone. Then the noises started.
And now the Second Episode titled HER SURPRISE.
(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
From inside Geoffrey’s room came thrashing sounds and screams. “I must speak with Lenore. Is she here? Lenore? Lenore! WHERE IS SHE?”
Lenore insisted she go to him but was asked to wait. Gesturing to the police officer, the doctor asked for possible assistance in restraining Geoffrey.
There were more calls for “Lenore” and “Why isn’t she here?” Also, “Mr. Ochre you must stay in the bed” and “If you calm down I’ll bring her.”
When the turmoil lessened, the doctor came for Lenore but warned, “Remember, he must be kept calm.”
The doctor escorted her in and she gasped at seeing him. She quietly leaned over and whispered, “Not to worry. I will stay by your side.”
Geoffrey went wild with protests,“No! No! I have an appointment later tonight.”
Lenore told him to send someone else.
Geoffrey insisted: “Only I can keep the appointment.”
Lenore patiently explained he had to get better for their wedding.
Geoffrey revealed his appointment was with the worms. The worms expected him. Lenore did not understand. “How could you have an appointment with worms?”
“I died in the car crash and the Wurtzburg cemetery is waiting for me. That is my only altar,” he wailed.
The doctor led Lenore and the Odenwald police from the room.
Everyone agreed it was best to keep Geoffrey calm. Lenore’s family would drive her home and come back in the morning. She, her father, and her aunts began to leave when police from Wurtzburg arrived and asked for her.
The Wurtzburg police expressed regrets about Geoffrey. Lenore thanked the officer and shared everyone’s efforts to keep him calm.
“He is beyond calm,” said the Wurtzburg officer. “His car and body were pulled from a ravine on Route Thirty-one. He was pronounced dead at the scene.”
The doctor rushed into Geoffrey’s room and a moment later staggered back with impossible news: Lenore’s fiancé was gone.
(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
You have listened to Episode Two titled HER SURPRISE.
Theme music is through the courtesy of Nicky.
William Spear wrote and narrated the series and it was produced by The Three Fifty-seven.
(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
Hello . . . and welcome to the Three Fifty-seven.
My name is William Spear and this is our series titled THE GHOSTLY GROOM. It is inspired by, and interpreted from, Washington Irving’s THE SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM published in 1819.
Lenore Katzenellen, the central character, is the 45-year-old founder and president of a financial analysis firm in Odenwald, New Jersey. She is engaged to Geoffrey Ochre who lives forty-five minutes upstate in Wurtzburg. Their wedding is being planned by more people than signed the Declaration of Independence. All of whom are staying the night at her place.
Geoffrey is returning from a lengthy business trip and has called Lenore from his car. He should be arriving in half an hour and she prepared him for an all-night session of wedding negotiations.
And now Episode One titled LENORE.
(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
Lenore ended the conversation with Geoffrey and returned to the spirited discussion of “Proper Utensil Placement for a Traditional Wedding Dinner.” This eleventh session of etiquette and protocol was presided over by her two aunts who repeatedly informed the assembled mass they have organized every family wedding since before Lenore’s birth.
Her father was Baron Katzenellenbogen whose service to various families in Europe resulted in his honorary title. Widowed since Lenore was a toddler, he repeatedly gushed “If only your mother were here to see this.”
At this point, permit a gentle detour. Astute readers and listeners who value good-for-nothing details will note Lenore did not use the centuries-old spelling of “Katzenellenbogen” in her last name. She discarded it for contemporary and professional purposes. However, with her tradition-steeped aunts building a wedding ceremony to be remembered for generations, she agreed the ancient family name of Katzenellenbogen could be used. Back to the story.
In the midst of debating which relations by blood and marriage should receive an invitation, and at which tables they should be placed, there was a knock on the door. It was a uniformed officer of the Odenwald police department asking for Lenore. She made her way to the door and was informed a man in critical condition was in a local hospital and needed her assistance.
What might an unfortunate, anonymous man possibly have to do with her? The officer responded there was reason to believe it was Geoffrey Ochre.
“Reason to believe?” she asked. “His face was badly damaged, ma’am,” said the officer. “Please come at once.”
This news caused a general uproar. Gasps and “Oh, noes!” were everywhere and a few younger family members fainted. The aunts determined they would drive to “reduce the stress on our poor Lenore.”
Their “poor Lenore” was ready before the aunts finished refreshing their appearances. To give them more time, Lenore offered to drive. They, the Baron, and Lenore piled into her car and followed the officer.
At the hospital, a doctor and another police officer met the family and more details were learned. A motorist found him lying on the side of the road unconscious and covered in blood. When paramedics arrived, he regained consciousness and repeated wildly, “Lenore. Lenore. Must speak with Lenore.” He had passed out again.
Lenore peeked in and winced at the bandaged face, shoulders, and arms.
“How will I recognize him?” she asked.
The police officer approached with an evidence bag and asked her to identify the contents. Inside were a billfold and mobile phone. She examined both and confirmed, reluctantly, they were Geoffrey’s. She touched his belongings to her forehead and breathed deeply.
The doctor continued: “The slightest shock could be fatal . . . but-“
“Go on,” insisted Lenore.
“He desperately wants to talk to you. Life and death he said. Calls your name over and over and over,” said the doctor.
“Such love and commitment can keep one from crossing the threshold of death,” cooed the aunts dabbing tears from the corners of their eyes.
From his room, Geoffrey yelled: “Is that her? Lenore? Lenore!”
(Theme for THE GHOSTLY GROOM plays and goes under)
You have read or listened to Episode One titled Lenore.
Theme music is through the courtesy of Nicky.
William Spear wrote and narrated the series and it was produced by The Three Fifty-seven.
A regular accounting of The Three Fifty-seven published on the first Monday of each month.
This is The Month Ahead for April 2024
Hello, All,
February’s recording experiments yielded a simplified and reversed process for editing audio. It also produced cleaner audio.
However, rather than shortening editing times, the new approach has encouraged longer recordings. Rest assured this is still short form audio fiction. But, for a channel that started with average run times of less than four minutes, we are comfortably exceeding five and six minutes per episode. This could come in handy in future shows.
Another outcome of fine-tuning is that writing is a couple of weeks ahead of audio. Is there any impact? I don’t know. Perhaps not. One more note: the intended recordings of Shakespeare’s love sonnets did not happen. Put those into the future projects column.
However, episodes five through eight of SEVENTEEN were published in March. Taglined “He’s dying to forget. She lives to remember.” these were the conclusion of Severin Vincent Tennyson’s story which started in March of 2023. Nicknamed Tenny, he is a sixty-four-year-old, non-verbal, cane-using janitor at Gunderson High School in central New Jersey. Seeing now-Superintendent Millicent di Stefano for the first time since high school forty years ago triggered a flood of memories that threatened his life.
THE GHOSTLY GROOM is inspired by, and interpreted from, Washington Irving’s THE SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM published in 1819.
For April, The Three Fifty-seven is pleased to announce THE GHOSTLY GROOM. It is inspired by, and interpreted from, Washington Irving’s THE SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM published in 1819.
With the tagline “His altar was the grave.”, we show a healthy respect for the original text while gently updating it. The story’s lead, Lenore Katzenellen, is the 45-year-old founder and president of a financial analysis firm in Odenwald, New Jersey. She is engaged to Geoffrey Ochre who lives forty-five minutes upstate in Wurtzburg.
A bad automobile accident puts Geoffrey in a hospital where he announces he is dead. Lenore sets off the solve the mystery. But what truth does she find? THE GHOSTY GROOM’s five episodes will answer the question.
One more detail about April: Ingmar Bergman’s THE SEVENTH SEAL (1957) continues to inspire. Fans of the movie will recall Max von Sydow playing a game of chess with Death (played by Bengt Ekerot).
Fast forward to 2024. Death is a subsidiary of The Four Horsemen, Incorporated collecting tortured and tormented souls. What would that story be and how would it unfold? In five minutes! As a comedy!
Until then, look for the first audio and written episode of THE GHOSTLY GROOM. We hope Mr. Irving approves. And, no matter what happens, please know The Three Fifty-seven remains committed to its core belief that “Stories are Everywhere”.
THE GHOSTLY GROOM is inspired by, and interpreted from Washington Irving’s The Spectre Bridegroom published in 1819
His altar was the grave.
In a few days, The Three Fifty-seven will start its new series titled THE GHOSTLY GROOM. It is inspired by, and interpreted from, Washington Irving’s THE SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM published in 1819.
Those familiar with the original text will recall the female lead: the unnamed daughter, and only child, of Baron Von Landshort from the Katzenellenbogen family in Odenwald of Upper Germany. She is described as a young women of prodigious talents and beauty. On the evening before her arranged marriage to young Count Von Altenburg of nearby Wurtzburg, her soon-to-be-husband arrives, announces he is dead, and rides off on his horse.
Such was romance in 1819.
In THE GHOSTLY GROOM, the female lead is Lenore Katzenellen, the 45-year-old founder and president of a financial analysis firm in Odenwald, New Jersey. She is engaged to Geoffrey Ochre who lives forty-five minutes upstate in Wurtzburg.
In the midst of the final preparations, she is called to a nearby hospital. A critically wounded, heavily bandaged man believed to be her fiancé is lying unconscious. The man’s billfold and cel phone are confirmed as Geoffrey’s. He starts ranting he is a dead man and must go to his grave then passes out. With everyone in the hallway discussing what to do, he disappears.
Over the course of five episodes, and to the discomfort of her father, family, and friends, Lenore pursues the mystery. Readers of Irving’s original work may think they know the outcome. Those from The Three Fifty-seven advise otherwise.
We look forward to telling Lenore’s story throughout April and invite you to return for THE GHOSTLY GROOM.
My name is William Spear and this is our series titled SEVENTEEN.
Severin Vincent Tennyson, a sixty-four-year-old non-verbal, cane-using janitor at Gunderson High School in central New Jersey, has spoken for the first time in over forty years.
In the basement of the high school, Tenny is reliving battles only he can see while struggling to deliver a decades-old message to Superintendent Millicent di Stefano from her deceased brother, Tony. He is surrounded by Di Stefano, Principal Baker, History Teacher Clarke Evans, and Jennifer Hargrove, Tenny’s job coach.
And now the Eighth, and Concluding, Episode titled . . . HIS FINAL MISSION.
(Tenny’s Theme plays and goes under)
Tenny was distracted by the approaching sounds of whirring and slicing helicopter rotors.
His basement rattled and locker fell over.
He shook Millicent’s shoulders and shouted, “Get out!”
Metal beams twisted, growled, and dropped from the ceiling. It was chaos for one.
He backed away from her, grabbed his head, screamed, and collapsed.
(Loud explosion sound comes up and goes under)
Forty years melted away and he was lying in the midst of a bombed helicopter. Ears ringing and body bleeding, he called out: “Tony? Tony. Tony!”
Smoke stung his eyes and combat deafened him but he looked for his colleague. “TONY!”
A whisper, imagined and real, begged, “Tenny.” The voice was under a pile of rotors and cockpit.
Tenny dug into the rubble, pulled off the metal, found his friend from high school, Tony di Stefano, and screamed for a medic. And screamed again: “MEDIC!”
Tony spoke: “Take this to Millicent.” Tenny refused explaining he would get well and deliver it himself.
Tony shook his head “No” and demanded his request be honored but again it was refused. He held out his hand and this time Tenny knelt and grabbed it with his. Tony whispered, “Be strong.”
Sounds erupted around them.
Tenny wept. As his tears fell so did one more explosion . . .
(Loud explosion sound comes up and goes under)
. . . And he drifted through his memories looking for his friend.
Sitting in his hospital room, and watching over him as she had since becoming his job coach in her sophomore year, was Jennifer Hargrove. She heard him call out: “Tony? Tony!”
She heard him plead, “Don’t leave. Come back!”
She also heard him cry. Deep, body-racking sobs.
She remained stoic. Her posture was as rigid as Tenny’s cane leaning against her chair. She waited. Hour after hour, waited until . . .
There! A soft metal click followed by padded footsteps coming closer. She closed her eyes and calculated the distance of the intruder. Not yet . . . don’t move . . . a little bit more . . . NOW.
With a lightning move, she grabbed the cane and swung it within an inch of the throat of . . . Millicent di Stefano.
Jennifer cut the distance between them in half and growled, “I thought it was your stench.” The swiftness of the cane and fierceness of the interrogation caught di Stefano by surprise.
Hargrove ordered di Stefano to leave and raised the cane to strike but-
He had never said her name and she smiled at the gesture. But she kept the cane aimed in di Stefano’s direction.
Millicent asked Tenny how he felt and Jennifer barged into the conversation: “How do you think he feels?” She turned to Tenny and said, “Say the word and I’ll throw her out.”
Tenny stared at Millicent and said, “She’s a fffriend.” Millicent told Tenny he was lucky to have such a friend.
Millicent spoke in a barely heard voice: “You said Tony wanted . . .” Tenny stared and Jennifer tightened the grip on the cane.
Millicent closed her eyes and steeled herself: “I am curious . . . curious to know what . . . if it is not going to upset you . . . what he wanted me to have.” When she opened her eyes, Tenny was offering three military dog tags. The first two were inscribed Anthony di Stefano and his enlistment date from forty years ago.
The third read: “Millie-You are always with me. Your loving brother, Tony.”
She sagged from the weight of delayed emotions and hugged Tenny. Jennifer lowered the cane.
However, Principal Baker entered and lacked any sentimentality. She strode to pull di Stefano off Tenny. Jennifer put up a hand to signal everything was okay.
Baker waited while the forty-year-delayed reunion played out. Millicent and Tenny separated and he spoke: “P-p-principal Baker, I’ve never p-p-properly introduced myself. I am Severin V-v-vincent Tennyson. Please feel free to c-c-call me T-t-tenny.”
They shook hands and Baker spoke: “It’s a pleasure to speak with you. While you were unconscious, doctors conducted tests and identified anomalies. Severe anomalies. Possibly connected to your combat service. They would like to discuss their findings with the possible recommendation of corrective surgery and related risks.”
He looked at Jennifer and said, “Maybe n-n-no more c-c-cane” and she smiled. He looked at Millicent and said, “You h-h-have everything f-f-from Tony” and she smiled.
He spoke to Principal Baker: “P-p-please ask the doctors to c-c-come in.”
(Sombre music plays and goes under)
Three months later, a sombre group gathered in a cemetery. Words such as “brave” and “courageous” were offered and acknowledged.
Chief of Staff Trace Jones, her missing puzzle piece restored, and Clarke Evans, history teacher at Gunderson High School, stood on the perimeter.
Jennifer Hargrove, job coach and soon-to-be-senior, was on the side of the grave. Next to her was Principal D.B. Baker.
Furthest from the headstone was Superintendent Millicent di Stefano. With her eyes fixed forward, she only glanced away to watch a wreath placed upon the grave.
Tenny struggled to stand and Jennifer instinctively stepped to his side. He thanked her and said, “Maybe getting rid of the cane was premature.” They smiled and leaned on each other.
Principal Baker stiffly asked the Superintendent to say a few words but she shook her head “No”.
Baker asked if Tenny might speak and di Stefano nodded “Yes”.
Tenny bowed his head, thought, then spoke to the headstone: “Anthony di Stefano served the country with distinction. With his final words, he launched me on a mission to deliver a precious gift.”
Millicent clutched the dog tags from her neck and stared at them.
Tenny continued: “But Tony’s gift went beyond that. As his life ended, he offered guidance that goes beyond the battlefield and echoes in every day moments. He said, “Be strong.” May each of us honor the memory of Anthony di Stefano and ‘Be strong’.”
Jennifer squeezed Tenny’s arm. Clarke patted his shoulder and Trace complimented his eulogy. The four walked away.
Principal Baker turned to join them but the Superintendent said, “Stay . . . Please.” The principal stayed. Reluctantly.
The Superintendent continued to stare at her brother’s headstone and spoke: “The Board wishes you to know it appreciates your return as Principal of Gunderson.”
Baker chose to say nothing.
The Superintendent went on: “The Board also acknowledges the outstanding work you have done with the school’s reduced budget.”
Baker screamed her silence through clenched jaws and gritted teeth.
The Superintendent took one more verbal step: “The Board-”
“-Has it ever occurred to you that I don’t care what you or the Board say or do?” roared Baker.
Di Stefano faced her detractor and resumed: “The Board appointed you as Superintendent of the district.”
She started walking to catch up with the others but Baker blocked her path and demanded: “What do you mean?”
Di Stefano sidestepped and tossed over her shoulder, “You got what you wanted.”
From behind her, di Stefano heard mocking laughter and cutting words: “Poor, poor Millicent di Stefano. Still running from the world.”
“Poor, poor Millicent” reversed course and Principal Baker braced for combat.
Di Stefano flashed bravado: “I submitted my letter of resignation.” “And?” prodded Baker.
“And told them you were better suited for the position,” alleged di Stefano. Baker bore down: “That’s not what happened.”
Di Stefano considered bravado or humanity and chose the latter: “I told them I needed time to grieve Tony’s death.” Forty years of denial fell from her.
Baker’s hostile tone relented but she maintained her intellectual distance. She walked by and offered a monotone: “That took courage. Compliments.”
Di Stefano delightfully switched gears: “However, I did recommend you for the Superintendent position.” She stared at the Principal, nodded her head up and down, and reiterated: “Yes, I really did.”
Baker did her best to fight back a smile but the corners of her mouth curled up. “Thank you,” she said then went on. “What are you going to do?”
The two walked toward the others and Millicent answered: “Travel the world. See where Tony died.”
Baker supported: “Let us know where you are. And, Millicent . . .”
They faced each other and Baker continued: “Take your Chief of Staff.” Di Stefano argued: “That was part of the deal.” Baker teased: “I’ll give you back the Super job.”
Millicent defended Jones: “She’s better organized than four of you and has more decorum than eight of you. Admittedly, a cactus has better decorum than you. Beyond that, she can navigate the Board blindfolded.”
Baker admitted better decorum alone was worth it. She offered her hand: “Deal.”
(Tenny’s Theme fades up)
You’ve listened to Episode Eight titled HIS FINAL MISSION.
Theme music is through the courtesy of Lemon Music Studio.
William Spear wrote and narrated the series and it was produced by The Three Fifty-seven.
The 3:57 by William E. Spear - a fiction channel 