glass doors separate the study from the family room. the ham radio is set on a dusty wooden desk. scotch-taped to the top of the radio is a diagram for the radio setup and "qsl" cards: certificates from around the world acknowledging "contact" with "wb2yxb" -- frank sullivan, bayside ny.
john enters, plunks the nightingale file on the desk.; he stares at the family photograph on the wall.
john collapses in the chair. stares at the words carved in the desk - i'm still here chief. he rubs his fingers over the smooth carving. his eyes going to the radio.
frank moves julia toward teh desk, lulling satch a moment, then quickly steps to the ham radio and hits the squawk bar.