Janet
(trying to make the best of it)
…meaning that we cannot allow individual gifts to be donated to a specific program or…
Arthur
(interrupting)
Yes, I know what “unrestricted” means. (pause) Well, I’ve come all this way and, of course, I want to honor Lydia’s memory – for Rose as well as myself. So, of course I’ll make an unrestricted gift – if it helps the Center. (He hands the check to Janet which he has been writing during this conversation, filling in the gift amount last. It is for $50.)
Janet
(glancing briefly at the check)
Thank you so much, Mr. Brown, both for your gift and for the trouble you’ve taken to get here. Look, if you can spare a few more minutes, perhaps I can find one of our program staff who would have known Lydia personally. I am sure she would love to meet you.
Arthur
(getting up)
Actually, I should be on my way. It’s a bit of a trip home, but thank you for your time.
Janet
Let me see you to the door.
(Arthur is already independently mobile; Janet walks along beside him to the exit.)
(Scene shifts to the Executive Director’s office. Janet has paused in his doorway.)
Janet
Bob, you got a minute?
Bob
(looking up) Sure, Janet, what is it?
Janet
A gentleman that I’ve never met before just came to see me. But I had an opportunity to do a little research on him before our appointment. He’s a major donor to both Memorial Hospital and City Opera Company, and he used to own Brown & Benjamin before he sold it and retired.
Bob
the Advertising Agency?
Janet
(nods)
Bob
Nice going.
Janet
He wanted to make an in memoriam gift to honor a family friend. She was a member here and she died last week.
Bob
So, did you get it?
Janet
Yes, but…
Bob
(interrupting)
Well done. How much?
Janet
Fifty dollars…but I think we could have got a lot more.
Bob
So, where did you go wrong?