Donna Dunnigan: 40, mother of four
Lorna Fitzbaugh: 40, Donna's best friend, mother of three
Lulu DeLong: 33, OTR (over the road) truck driver
"Magic" Moreau: 28, OTR driver, part of Lulu's gang
Donna Dunnigan & Lorna Fitzbaugh huddle in a corner of the chilly, dimly-lit room they'd been brought to a few hours earlier, crying softly and trying their best to comfort one another. On their way to New Orleans for a two-week vacation, they're run-off the road by a tractor-trailer and "doolie"-type pick-up truck, pulled from their rented SUV, and tossed-into a waiting van. Their hands are bound, and their mouths gagged, and after a bumpy, seemingly-endless ride, their eyes are covered and they are deposited in a room in the kidnapper's hide-out, scared out of their wits wondering how in the world they've ended-up in such a hopeless situation.
"Lorna, Please try to be quiet" Donna begs, hugging her friend of 20 years a bit tighter. "Try to calm down; I promise we'll figure something out. We just have to get hold of ourselves, and think calmly and rationally."
Sniffling, the mother of three tries to do as Donna suggests. " You don't t-t-think they'll k-kk-kill us, do you?" she whispers.
The question sends a fresh wave of despair through the brunette, which she quashes with a mighty effort. "I think they would have done it by now, if that was their plan" she whispers back, hoping her voice sounds convincing. " I think I heard them talking about ransom money; hopefully, they've already contacted Bill and Lou and it won't be much longer before they get whatever they want and let us go"
Lorna brightens a bit. "Yes, that's right! Neither should have much trouble raising enough money to buy our freedom; we might even be free by tomorrow morning!"
"Don't get too excited, honey" Donna warns. "Let's just sit tight and wait to see what happens when they come back. I'm sure they'll be in before long to check on us"
Comforted, the two friends manage to doze a bit, holding hands and huddling together for warmth.
"WELL, WELL, WELL...AIN"T THIS SWEET!"
The women are roused from their fitful nap by the loud, derisive taunt of Lulu, the apparent leader of the small gang. Lorna's arms tighten around her friend as the near-debilitating fear she has managed to quell. "What are y-y-you going to dd-do with us?" she quavers.
"Don't worry, sweets, you're about to get some answers to your questions" She crooks a finger at the cowering blonde. "Let's go; we're gonna have a lil' talk"
Lorna is frozen in place; she can't move.
"NOW, BITCH! GIT THEM TITTIES MOVIN' OUT THE DOOR!" Lula yells.
Lorna is out the door like a shot, stumbling in her haste. Lulu catches up with her and steers her down the hall through another door, which is much better lit and appears to be a living room, which opens into a small dining room and smaller kitchen.