BACK HOME
We’re in the receiving area of the Smoothie King Center. A long van pulls up near the back entrance, and after a few minutes a man gets out the driver’s seat.
Who is he? I dunno. He’s not part of the story. Let’s just say his name is Frank.
Frank walks around to the side door of the van and presses a button and the door slides out. After a moment, a ramp descends from the side door and Frank steps aside to let a wheelchair roll down.
Inside the wheelchair? Well, he is part of the story. He’s Jonathan Rhine.
RRRAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
The New Life (does that nickname even apply anymore?) thanks Frank, who silently goes back to the driver’s side of the van and drives away. Then Rhine wheels his way towards the back entrance, stopping to stare up at the arena.
Jonathan Rhine: God it’s good to be here.
He wheels his way through the back entrance but doesn’t get far before he wheels into Lindsay Troy, who greets him with a smile.
Lindsay Troy: Hey there, stranger. It’s good to see you.
She looks past him briefly, as if waiting for someone else.
Lindsay Troy: Shweta coming? Or are you flying solo tonight?
Jonathan Rhine: Solo. Shweta had a lot of things going on. She’s gotten a lot of calls about running businesses over the past few months. People were so impressed with the Foundation that everyone wants her. So yeah, she was too busy to…
Lindsay Troy: You wanted to come by yourself to prove you could, didn’t you.
Rhine laughs and looks down at his lap.
Jonathan Rhine: Am I that predictable?
Lindsay Troy: A little bit. That’s not a bad thing, though.
She extends her arm forward.
Lindsay Troy: Shall we?
Jonathan Rhine: Let’s go.
They make their way down the hall, Jonathan wheeling a little slowly as he looks around the backstage hallways.
Jonathan Rhine: That stuff I said about Shweta being a hot commodity wasn’t the real excuse, but it is true. Speaking of…thanks for reaching out to her for a spot here. She’s flattered, and she’s thinking about it.
Lindsay Troy: Do I need to turn on the charm to make her say yes?
Jonathan laughs.
Jonathan Rhine: Probably not. She loves you, and loves it here…just like I do.
He stops suddenly, looking down at his lap again. After a moment of closing his eyes, he sighs and starts to roll forward.
Lindsay Troy: All good?
Jonathan Rhine: Yeah. It’s just…it’s great to be here. But it’s also hard to be here.
Lindsay Troy: Whatever you’re feeling is alright, y’know. And whatever you need, even if it’s just a sympathetic ear, just say the word.
Rhine looks up at Lindsay and smiles. Then he nods.
Jonathan Rhine: I appreciate it. But at the end of the day…
He continues to wheel forward, the smile never wavering.
Jonathan Rhine: I know I’m going to be okay.
They continue to travel together as we go elsewhere.