Scene 6
(Scenery, Fizzy Shore Shop; Briar, Phil, Extra customers drinking soda and talking to each other, admiring photos and paintings on walls; Briar enters shop, Phil is selling someone a picture)
Phil
(Puts photo in bag) Here’s your fine piece of art, and remember we got new genuine works of art by locals artists every month. Have a goodun! (customer leaves)
Briar
(Walks over to Phil)
Excuse me, but might I speak to the manager? It is of the utmost importance that I talk with him.
Phil
You’re looking at’m. What can I get you for?
Briar
Oh, sorry, I guess I expected the manager to be in the back doing something managerial.
Phil
Listen little lady, if you want to talk to me you gotta order something. I got a business to run and paying customers to wait on.
Briar
(looks around, doesn’t see any paying customers)
Okay, give me the special. Now, I was wondering if you knew a woman by the name of Miss McCarthy?
Phil
Do I! She’s one of my best local artists! Why just a day or two ago, some feller bought all of her photos that we had in the store!
Briar
Wait, her photos?
Phil
Yea, didn’t ya know? We don’t just sell soda, we also got ambiance. We do our (pronounced are) parts to help broaden the mind, we have paintings and photos from the local artists (pronounced arteests) all over the place. People come here because of the atmosphere of fine art. If they like’m they can buy’m these works of art. The best part is I get a third of the money, the artists get the rest. She’s a very popular photographer, that Miss McCarthy.
Briar
Interesting. You say she did photographs?
Phil
Yea, of people around town. Bit strange y’know, I don’t know where she took those pictures…
Briar
Very strange, as there were no signs of any photography equipment at her house.
Phil
Say, why are you even asking me ‘bout her? She didn’t get herself into some kinda trouble did she?
Briar
Let’s just say, I don’t think she will be supplying you with any new photos.
Phil
… Meanin’…
Briar
Ms McCarthy was found dead in her home yesterday.
Phil
Yikes, just when I was goin to give her the good news and ask her to bring in some more of her pictures. She was one of the favorite artists ‘round here.
Briar
What can you tell me about Ms McCarthy? You said something about all of her photos being sold to some guy.
Phil
Yea, he seemed tak’n aback when he first saw them. Must be a big fan. In fact, he mighta been in one or two of them pictures
Briar
Interesting. Do you know who he was?
Phil
Nah, never seen him before in my life. Then again, lots of people come here when they’re just drivin’ through.
(Briar looks around)
Briar
(to self)
Still no paying customers…
Rugrat
(walks up, Talks with a lisp)
Excuse me, but could I have a Rainbow Fizzy? I was told it’s very delicious, and I’ve always liked trying new flavors!
Phil
Ugh! This is the 9th time! I told you little rugrats to stop askin’ ‘bout that “Rainbow Fizzy”! IT. DON’T. EXIST.
Rugrat
Does that mean I don’t get a Rainbow Fizzy?
(Phil’s face turns to annoyed expression, Random Kid leaves)
Briar
Actually, a Rainbow Fizzy does sound rather good. You may want to add it to your menu.
Phil
Lady, I gotta get back to work. I told you about Miss McCarthy and the guy that done bought her pictures. Now I really gotta get back to tendin’ to my customers.
Briar
Thank you for your time. I’ve got some leads to work with now. Let’s see if Detective Isle still thinks it’s a simple suicide now. (smiles, leaves)
