Exclusive Interview!
Richard and Jane Brown: "We Just Want Our Daughter Back!"
Our Town landed an exclusive interview with Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brown, parents of local hero Sammy Brown, just hours after their daughter was announced dead.
Interview by Katherine Mills, Our Town Staff
Our Town: How are you both holding up?
Richard Brown: We're obviously both very upset. Is my ad going to run in today's edition or tomorrow's?
Jane Brown: Richard...
OT: I'm not sure. When did you submit it?
RB: Like two hours ago.
OT: Well, you know what, let's check. I'll just call the office...it's ringing. Hi, Steve? Yeah, I'm with the Browns. His dealership ad. When's it running? Yeah, he's right here. Uh-huh. Okay. Got it. Thanks. Yeah, 7:30 is fine. Yep. Okay, see ya.
RB: What'd they say?
OT: It'll be on the website today, print edition tomorrow.
RB: Great.
OT: So tell me, what was running through your head this morning when you received the call?
JB: Shock. Just shock.
OT: And?
JB: And I couldn't believe it. My little girl...gone. I turned to Richard and said, "Honey, it's Samantha..." And then I just broke down.
OT: Did you cry?
JB: Of course...it felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest.
RB: Our chest. Today, it's our chest.
OT: I have a son, Eric. He writes for the paper. He's a great kid.
JB: I see...
OT: I don't know what I would do if he was killed in such a horrific manner. He writes really well.
JB: Oh...
OT: So are you upset?
JB: Yes. Very.
OT: Uh-huh. Tell me what you'll be thinking at the funeral.
JB: I don't--how can I possibly answer that? I'll be devastated I'm sure.
OT: Will you cry there?
JB: What kind of question is that?
OT: Will you allow photographers at the funeral?
RB: We really haven't thought that far ahead...although if you want to have someone down at the dealership for our Grief Sale that'd be fine... Might open some doors for you.
OT: The big question seems to be, What was Sammy doing out at such an hour?
JB: I just don't know. I know that she was interested in trying out for cross-country this year and had been running a lot. It's very possibly that she was running.
OT: Do you think it was anything sensational? Like drugs, or some sort of explicit sex thing?
JB: I know my daughter very well--
OT: Knew.
JB: Knew... Right... Knew... My daughter very well and that just wasn't her. Besides, where would kids get drugs in this town?
OT: You don't think I could get drugs now if I wanted to?
RB: I don't think my wife's saying that you couldn't...
OT: Because I could. I'd just make a few calls. The guy who does the home delivery stuff knows a guy.
RB: Okay.
OT: I don't know what he could get, but I mean, it's gotta be like weed or something. Maybe coke. Probably not heroin though. That's pretty extreme.
JB: Well if that's all, I think my husband and I would like some time alone.
OT: Do you think you'll cry during this alone time? Will you be upset?
JB: Why do you keep asking that? We're upset, yes.
OT: Then why aren't you crying now?
JB: Honestly, we're just a little tired and stunned. I'm grieving, okay?
OT: It'd make a really great photo, that's all. The two of you crying, like, 'Ah! Our little girl is dead!' You know?
JB: I--
OT: I mean, we have our photographer here and everything. So far it's just been the two of you sitting there looking serious and dignified. For all the viewer knows, you two could just be two people who are trying to solve a hard math problem.
RB: Okay that's really inappropriate.
OT: Crying is inappropriate? What are you people hiding?
JB: Just please leave.
OT: So you're not going to cry, is that right? I can write that down? 'Parents refuse to cry?' That would look pretty horrible in a big font. You know what I'm saying?
JB: Are you threatening us?
OT: Just saying, people don't like to buy cars from a callous prick. One who can't even cry when his daughter dies.
RB: If we cry, I want that ad blown up to a full page, free of cost.
JB: Richard...
RB: No, honey, this is good. It's called haggling. It's not my fault I went to business school.
OT: I think we could work something out. I mean, after all, you're grieving for chrissakes! Let's do this.
JB: Honey--
RB: Look, if we do this, she'll leave. Plus, she's right, it could be huge for the Grief Sale. Think about the dealership.
JB: Fine. Do we have to actually cry or can we, you know, pose?
OT: Whatever works. Mike, did you get that? Okay, just one more. Okay, great. Christ, it's like pulling teeth... Richard, Jane, thank you so much for taking time to speak with us today. You're in all of our thoughts.
JB/RB: Okay.
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