Calla's Bedroom (Evening)
(Selby and Talia enter Calla's bedroom. Books and papers are scattered across her desk.)
Calla:
"Heyy, girls!"
Selby:
"Hi!"
Talia:
"Hoii!"
Calla:
"How was your exam, Sel? And how's the pain now?"
Selby:
"Oh, the exam went really well. And the pain's much better — I feel okay now."
Calla:
"That's good."
Talia:
"Cal, show us the thing you found!"
Calla:
"Yeah!!"
(Calla opens her cupboard and takes out an old book.)
Selby:
"What is this?"
Calla:
"This is what I found."
Talia:
"What do you mean? Is that… is that a Cookbook?!"
Calla:
"No, Tal, it isn't a Cookbook."
Talia:
"So… are there magical spells inside it?"
Calla:
"Talia, stop asking questions and listen to me first."
Talia:
"Oh oh, sorry!"
Calla:
"Sorry, Tal. But please let me explain so you can actually understand what it is."
—right from when the school started—who have a first name starting with R, a middle name starting with C, and a last name starting with H.
Selby (typing fast):
"Okay, I'm searching for all names where the first name starts with 'R,' the middle name with 'C,' and the last name with 'H.'"
Calla:
"That's possible?"
Selby:
"Yeah, it's just filters. Let's see who matches."
(A few names appear on the screen…)
Selby:
"See, a few names are appearing."
Talia:
"They're not few, though."
Calla:
"There are fifty."
Talia:
"Rebecca, can we take these names and their info on my mobile?"
Rebecca:
"Yes, wait. Let me do that — give me your phone."
(The files with names and information start uploading to Talia's mobile.)
Rebecca:
"Done. Take it."
Talia:
"Ohh, thank you so much, Rebecca!"
Rebecca:
"Ah, yes, for sure. And Calla — best of luck with your author project."
Calla:
"Ohh, yes yes, thanks!"
(The three walk out of the school building.)
Selby:
"You know what? There are so many names. How could we ever find the right one?"
Calla:
"We can find it. You know in the library, there's a list of every author and how many books they've written."
Talia:
"Are you serious?! And you're telling us this now?"
Calla:
"Yes! What do you think? That I haven't tried already? I asked the librarian if I could check the list, but she just said, 'No, you can't.'"
Selby:
"Ohh, okay… but now what? How do we get in there?"
Calla:
"Look, she's seen me around too many times. But I've got a plan — and I need you both for it."
Selby:
"Wait, are you actually serious right now?"
Calla:
"Yup, you'll keep the librarian distracted. But first, Sel, you'll go to her and take one book with you. Talk about the book — keep her engaged. Then Tal, you call her.
When she leaves the reception and goes to you, Sel, just text me, and I'll enter the library. We'll go inside the storage room and search for the folder. Okay?"
Talia:
"Can't we exchange roles?"
Calla:
"Huh, Tal?"
Talia:
"Nothing. I'll try my best to keep the librarian distracted."
Selby:
"Okay, that's risky, but I'd love to do it."
Talia:
"Woah, I thought you'd say no to it — but cool." (laughs)
Calla:
"Okay, guys, so tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the library."
Talia:
"Mission R.C.H!"
Calla and Selby (together):
"Yeaah!"
NEXT DAY AT 1 P.M.
Calla:
"Heyy, Sel."
Selby:
"Hi. Where's Tal?"
Calla:
"I don't know. I've called her but she's not picking up. I even texted her — nothing."
Talia:
"Hey girlss!"
Calla:
"Where were you? And why weren't you picking up the call?"
Selby:
"And why are you dressed like that??"
Talia:
"Ohh wait, wait — lemme tell you! So, since we're doing a detective-type task, this is the costume. And I silenced my phone so no one would disturb me in the library."
Selby:
"Huhh?? Leave it, let's go."
Calla:
"Yes. First you, Tal — just go inside and take a seat nearby. Then Sel, you go."
Talia and Selby:
"Yess."
Talia:
"Wait, wait! First, let's get on a call so we can communicate. Everyone brought their AirPods, right?"
Calla and Selby:
"Yess."
Selby:
"Okay, call me. I'll add Calla."
Talia:
"Okay, done."
Selby:
"Done."
Calla:
"Now let's go."
Talia:
"Wait — Mission R.C.H.!"
Selby and Calla:
"Yeaah!"
Selby:
"Now is everything set, or did we forget something?"
Talia:
"Hmm… let me think… ahhhh, nothing!"
Calla:
"Ohk, so now Talia, go."
Talia:
"Yes!"
(Talia enters the library and takes a seat as close to the reception as possible. After some time, Selby enters, picks up a book from the shelf, and walks to the reception.)
Librarian (Mrs. Morris):
"Oh, hi Miss Thorn. So, which book did you take today?"
Selby:
"Nothing much, just a novel. Mrs. Morris, you know I have a project related to old authors — like how many books they've written and where all that information is stored in the library. Can you tell me about that?"
Librarian (Mrs. Morris):
"Ugh, why is everyone suddenly getting this type of project? A few days ago, a girl came asking the same thing. She even started arguing with me! I had to push her out of the library — aggressively, I might add.
But yes, I can tell you. All that information is stored in the storage room — in folders. We used to have it all in the computer too, but that thing broke down. Something's seriously wrong with it. We're supposed to get a new one and re-enter all the old records again… hah! It's driving me mad."
Selby:
"Oh yes, that's frustrating. Ahh, Mrs. Morris… where's that computer now?"
Librarian (Mrs. Morris):
"Oh, it's in the storage room."
(Talia walks toward the reception desk.)
Talia:
"Ma'am, can you help me find a book?"
Librarian (Mrs. Morris):
"Yes, Miss Caldwell. Well, Selby — stay here, I'll be back."
Selby:
"Yes, yes."
(Mrs. Morris leaves. Talia turns, shows a thumbs-up to Selby, and smiles.)
(Selby and Calla are on a call.)
Selby (on call):
"Hey Cal, can you hear me?"
Calla:
"Yes, I can."
Selby:
"Come now."
(Calla enters the library.)
Calla:
"Let's go inside."
Selby:
"Yes."
Calla:
"Oh no… it's locked."
Selby:
"I know, I guess the key will be here somewhere. You check that desk, I'll check here."
(Selby puts her hand in her pocket and pulls out a key.)
Selby:
"Hey, look! I got the key!"
Calla:
"Okay!"
(Selby closes her eyes and puts the key in the lock — click — it opens.)
Calla:
"Well done! Let's go inside, fast."
Selby:
"Yes."
Calla:
"Where could that folder be?"
(Selby looks around and spots the broken computer Mrs. Morris mentioned.)
Selby:
"You check over there, I'll search here."
Calla:
"Okay."
(Selby goes to the computer, does something — and it turns on.)
Selby:
"Calla! Come here!"
Calla:
"Oh yes!"
(On the other side, Talia was not able to engage Mrs. Morris any longer.)
Talia:
"Ma'am, do you love detective books? I love them so much!"
Librarian (Mrs. Morris) (getting annoyed):
"Miss, please! I have work pending. You can find detective books over there — go and check."
Talia:
"Ahh ma'am, listen to me, please…"
Librarian (Mrs. Morris):
"Have some discipline! Or I'll have to throw you out of the library."
(Talia switches to call with Calla and Selby.)
Talia:
"Girls! The librarian is coming — go fast!"
Calla:
"Oh no!"
Selby:
"Cal, listen — you go out of the library. She already threw you out once. I'll find the name and info and then come. She knows me, so it won't be a big issue. Now go — quick!"
Calla:
"Okay, okay. I'm going. Be careful, please."
Selby:
"Don't worry. I got this."
(Calla exits the storage room and the library.)
Calla:
"Talia! Come out now!"
Talia:
"Okay."
(As Talia is leaving, Mrs. Morris stops her.)
Librarian (Mrs. Morris):
"Hey, you! Where are you going?"
Talia:
"Oh yes, I changed my mind. Now I'm craving ice cream — so I'm leaving. Thank you, though!"
(She exits. Mrs. Morris mutters…)
Librarian (Mrs. Morris):
"Weird girl."
(Inside the storage room, Selby finds the folder with the author info. She takes photos.)
(Outside the library…)
Talia:
"Where's Sel?"
Calla:
"She's in the storage room."
Talia:
"What?! Then why are we out here?"
Calla:
"She told me to leave. You remember Mrs. Morris already threw me out once."
Talia:
"Oh right! But what did you even do?"
Calla:
"Ahh, nothing much. She said no, and I told the girl behind me that this woman is rude and harsh. So she got mad and threw me out."
Talia (laughing):
"Were you mad or what?"
Calla:
"What else could I do? I was really angry!"
Selby:
"Hey guys!"
Talia:
"Oh, you're back! Did you get it?"
Selby (pretending to be sad):
"Ahh… Mrs. Morris caught me, and then…"
Talia:
"What?!"
Selby (grinning):
"Nothing! She just asked if I took any book — and I said no."
Calla:
"Oh thank God! And what about the author?"
Selby:
"Oh yes, I got the information. His name is Richard Charles Henderson"
Calla: Tal, that list.
Talia:
Oh yes, Richard Charles Henderson… Ohh, look here! Yes, he lived in Hoxine only…