I've Been Shopping

NAKED DOLLS AHEAD

GO AWAY NOW 

Trader's World is one of those huge flea markets a person could spend an entire day in.  We went there before Christmas but, since I was shopping for Santa, I couldn't take advantage of the excellent deals I saw on dolls.  I've wanted to go back since, but it's nearly a two hour drive and I'm possibly the most nervous driver in Ohio.  Maybe even in America. 

I got my chance today!  The bargains weren't as plentiful this time of year, but I think I did all right. 

Becky Lynch.  She was new in box, so she's ready to play right now!  

I have a Becky, so she's going to go by Lynch. Pike does it, so can she!  I already did a review of these WWE Superstars (aka Wrestler Ladies) so y'all know I love the body mold.  Her hair's more orange than Morgan's (formerly Eva Marie) and I really like those steampunk britches.

Special Air Service GI Joe.  He's got a Union Jack on one sleeve and #13 on his back. The shirt is molded on, but at least it's a black T and not something hard to work with.  He was in a bin and badly needs a bath.  His noggin's skin doesn't quite match the rest of him, but I'm not sure if that's the plastic aging or if he's had a head transplant at some point.   

Topless Moana.  She was also in a bin and her hair is a mess.  Bath time for her.

This dude is wearing in this picture exactly what he had on in the box. I've been reading The Drawing of The Three and the scene where Eddie goes into battle stark naked was fresh in my mind.  Care to guess what I've decided his name is?

Since he's obviously not new in box, he'll be getting a bath before play.

When I took him out of the box, I found his uniform inside the bottom flap.  BONUS!  

Soapy bubbles and a scrub later, the men are ready for the dish doll washer.  Moana's hair rescued her from that little adventure.  It was here that I realized Lynch and both these guys are redheads.

Hand-washed and ready for the laundry basket.  Well... not the boots, gun, necklace and helmet.

Before making a decision on Moana, I compared her skin tone to Courtney Montez.  Not close enough for my comfort.  Courtney will get a new friend instead of working elbows and knees.  Moana's shorter than Skipper size dolls, but taller than Stacie size.  But she has breasts, so she'll be one of my middle school students.  She'll just be short, like Frodo. 

Moana, after a bath and hair styling, joins Lynch in waiting for the guys.  They're both glad they couldn't join the guys in that noisy machine.

All clean and ready for play.  Now to figure out what roles they will be playing in Barbieville.  Oh, yeah, and a name for #13.

Unwanted Family Reunion

It isn't until Tuesday afternoon that Pike is able to call home and update everyone.  Tanner's burns were badly infected and he had to be re-admitted to the hospital.  

Pike: Waiting on test results now, but if this is what Doc thinks it is, we need to launder and sanitize everything Tanner had contact with.  It's insidious - Doc's word, not mine.

Tanner (weakly): Hi, Step-Mom.  I guess it's a good thing I've been hiding in my room.  Less for you to deal with, right?

Rose-Grace: It's a big job, but we've got it well in hand.  McG took the big stuff to the laundromat and I'm washing what we can here at home.  I'll add wiping down everything in the Boy Cave and upstairs bathroom with antiseptic to my list.

Pike: What are you not telling me?  

Rose-Grace: Apparently Tanner leaked onto the mattress.  My dad and yours put their heads together and claim they have a solution.  I'm just trusting them on it, honestly, because I have my hands full.  They might have to revise the plan if it's that bad.

In a distant city, Candy is surprised to see a familiar face in the airport lounge.

Candy: Well, hello, stranger.  Are you coming or going? 

Morgan: Going the same place you are, most likely.  Have you heard anything beyond "waiting for test results"? 

Candy: No, I haven't. I shouldn't be surprised to see you, you're so devoted to the kids. (Changes the subject) How can this happen?  The burns were minor, they said, but now...  

Morgan: It's the infection that's major.  Sit down here with me and we'll wait together.  We have to be on the same flight, right?  How many planes are headed that way?

Lee: We looked into what it would take to clean that mattress properly and it was ridiculous.  I offered your aunt's old bed to replace the bunks, and your stepmother accepted.  I know you boys aren't keen on sharing a bed, but Mace has a solution for that.

Mace: You aren't comfortable sharing a bed with another young man. But Fred has a few years before he is a young man.  

Finnick: Yeah, those bunks took up half the room and the mattresses were crazy expensive, too.  I don't know why Dad bought them from Joe in the first place.  I do have a question, though.  

Mace: What's that?

Finnick: Is this bed red enough?

Rose-Grace hurries to the hospital as soon as she could, trusting her brood to the care of the grandparents.  She has only been there a few minutes when Marcus comes in with the test results.

Pike:  How bad is it?  Will he be okay? 

Marcus: It's very bad, but since you got him here so quickly, he will be fine.  But he'll be lucky to be home by Easter.  I've got to keep him on those intravenous antibiotics and under constant observation.  

Rose-Grace (relieved): We'll work out something for school. 

Tanner: Make Finnick do all my work.  He's smarter than me, anyway.

Pike and Rose-Grace call together everyone for updates, but ask Tanner's clique to only send one person.  They nominate Whitney, since she's now his girlfriend. 

McG: It's a shame we had to meet under these circumstances.  Tanner's told me a lot about you.  He's quite smitten, you know.

Whitney (blushes): It's mutual.  

McG: Would I be correct in assuming the Wilma that Fred asked about is your daughter?

Whitney (nods): I left her at home with my mom and sister, though, because I didn't think she and Fred could behave for the serious talking we'll be doing.  They tend to get rowdy. 

A car coming up the driveway interrupts the chat.  Even though everyone knows it's a taxi bringing Candy, Finnick and Whitney look.  

Whitney: Who is that with her?  Is that Midna? 

Finnick: Holy crap.  Dad, Aunt Morgan is here! 

Fred (runs full-tilt out of the house):  AUNTIE!

Fred: Not you, Mommy!  Want Auntie! 

Morgan: Sorry, kiddo.  My first hug is reserved for my big brother. 

Fred: Did you finally comed to meet the babies?

Morgan (laughs): Yeah, that, too.

Morgan: I took an emergency leave as soon as Mom called me.  How is he? 

Pike: Find a seat somewhere. I want to tell everyone at once.  That gal by Mom is Whitney, by the way.  Tanner's girlfriend. 

Morgan: We met at your wedding.  And I do keep up-to-date, you know. 

After the family hashes everything out, the grandfathers herd everyone to bed while Pike drives Whitney home.  The women take advantage of the chance for a "hen party". 

Rose-Grace: You know I love Lee, but he seems inconsistent with his attitude about our careers.  He supports mine, Morgan's, and McG's.  But gives Candy so much grief?

Morgan: I don't have children. Mom never put her career before me and Chris.  Your family is your first priority. He thinks Candy...  well, deserted the boys and Stacie. 

McG: Morgan and I know there's more to it than that.  Candy was fine as a military wife, the frequent moves satisfied her wanderlust, but then Pike left the service.  She felt trapped in a permanent place.

Candy: I love my kids, I love your kids, but... 

McG: I suspect it has to do with spending your childhood in foster care.  Stability feels abnormal. 

Candy: I just focus on the fact that the rest of the family accepts me.  My children are happy and healthy and that's what matters, right?  

They all think of Tanner in the hospital. Each, in her own way, sends up a prayer. 

Day Of Rest? Where?

Sunday in Barbieville, the day after the fire at Witch's Cove.  

Marcus: Hold your horses, Albus!  Even if your oxygen levels didn't need to monitored, I wouldn't let you go home until I know you're mobile on the crutches.

Albus (slightly breathless): I'm good, Doc.  Ask Pocahontas, she was down at PT with me.

Marcus: And she sees how short of breath you are.  You could pass out, fall down the stairs, and end up right back in here.

Albus: I don't have any stairs.

Pocahontas: Albus, unless you want to hobble across town on those crutches, you aren't going anywhere until Doc clears you.  

Albus: I'm telling you, I'm fine.  And what about my garden?

Pocahontas: Anakin is taking care of the garden.  He's there even as we speak. 

Albus: He is very good with the plants.  Told me his mother kept a garden.

Detective Spiro interrupts the Sunday yard work at the Guinness home. 

Detective: I understand you've had long-standing issues with Tanner Pike, Ryan.

Ryan: He kicked my ass once, if that's what you mean.  You think I started that fire at the park? That's...  I'd actually try to kill people just because Tanner can't take a joke? 

Guinness: The fire yesterday?  My wife, daughters, and I can account for Ryan's every moment in nearly a month.  He's been under house arrest. 

Detective: You mean grounded? 

Ryan: No, he means this place is practically a prison.  Even in the bathroom, I got one of them outside the door!  

Guinness: Prisons have communal showers, do they not?

At the Pike house, most of the family is sleeping in.  It was a late night.

Nikki: You're playing with the dollhouse?  Where's the real Stacie?

Stacie: I was gonna give them to Anakin.  He really likes dolls and his mom never let him have any cause he's a boy.  But look how much Samara and Orlando like this stuff!

Rose-Grace comes in, carrying a freshly bathed Fred.

Fred: You gits to put my clothes on! 

Nikki: Quiet.  Taylor's still sleeping.

Rose-Grace: I have to go to the office.  Finnick has gone to pick up Tanner at the hospital, Dad's still sleeping, and this one wants to be a nudist.  

Nikki: You have to go to the office?  On Sunday?

The twins are met in the driveway by Frodo and Four.  They settle into the Boy Cave before talking.

Four: A broken wrist and smoke inhalation was the worst of it?  I've been freaking out since I heard and that's all it was?

Tanner: No, my legs are all bandaged up.  Doc says they're minor burns, but they sure as hell don't look or feel minor.  And Albus broke his ankle.

Finnick: He had a flashback, too.  Nakoma said from the Vietnam War. Had to call us into his hospital room and apologize for the things he said, as if we understood that language.  He could've been telling us the password to Area 51 for all we knew.

Tanner: Whitney came to see me last night.  We're a thing now.

Frodo:  What?! (catches himself) That's great.  I guess you were the dude Nakoma mentioned.

Tanner: I know you liked her, man.  Don't play like this isn't gonna bother you. 

Frodo: My heart ain't broken.  Dented, maybe.  (Waves the issue away) I'm happy for you.

Tanner: Really?  You're okay?

Frodo: I will be.  

Four distracts Finnick, letting the other two talk. 

Four: You gonna let me sign that cast?

Finnick:  Why would I want "Four loves Tris" written all over my arm?  

Rose-Grace is surprised to see John Smith walk in with Detective Spiro.  

Detective: John caught our arsonist in the act, but he got away from him. 

John: My place was on fire!  I wasn't about to let it burn down with my daughters inside! 

Rose-Grace: He set fire to your house?  Not the day care? 

John: My house is the day care - we have an apartment upstairs like Violet did. I went out to warm up the car before church and saw somebody in the back, the playground.  He took off running when I yelled, but he'd already started the fire.  I grabbed the hose. I didn't even think about chasing him.

Rose-Grace: As you should have.  Don't let anyone tell you different. 

Detective: I'm having several suspects picked up for questioning.  Do you know of anyone who might want to harm the Smiths?

John: She thinks Pocahontas did this.  Like Pocahontas would set fire to her own place and damn near kill people just to throw cops off the scent.  Or burn down her best friend's diner.

Rose-Grace: There's no evidence these were all set by the same person, John.  Who is with your girls right now? 

John: They're at the park with some friends and their parents.  We saw them on the way here and I figured that'd be better than dragging them to this meeting.

Rose-Grace: Unless Detective Spiro needs you for anything, you can go ahead and leave.  Give them hugs from me.

The rest of the weekend passes uneventfully.  Monday is a Teacher In-Service, so there is no school, but late Monday night (early Tuesday morning), Fred rushes upstairs.

Pike (groggy): What is it, son?

Freddy: Finnick said get you.  Tanner is crying and his leg ouchies look like volcanoes. 

Not A Fun Saturday

After the fire at Witch's Cove, both twins were treated at Doll County Medical Center.

Pike: We weren't told both boys were hurt.  

Marcus:  We didn't know when we sent for you.  We only found Finnick's break because I insisted on him going into triage. 

Finnick: I didn't feel it.  Doc says I was probably in shock.

Tanner (struggling to a sitting position):  What about Albus?  Is Albus going to be all right?

Rose-Grace:  Honey, we love Albus, too, but...

Marcus:  Tanner inhaled a lot of smoke and has a few minor burns to his lower body.  The paramedics and ER got his oxygen levels up, but he's not out of the woods yet.  We need to keep him here at least twenty-four hours.

Tanner: Yeah, yeah, I'm gonna live.  What about Albus?  Did I get him out in time? 

Marcus: I'm not supposed to discuss other patients with you.  But I can't stop any of you from visiting him.  He's right across the hall.

Tanner:  Hey, where are my dog tags?  

A few minutes later, Marcus finds Pocahontas in Albus's room.  When he hesitates to share any information, she surprises him.

Pocahontas: I'm his medical POA.  You can check the records if you need to.

Marcus: Why am I surprised?  You've probably known Albus your entire life.  

Pocahontas:  He's doped to the gills. 

Marcus:  Pain medication.  His leg is badly broken.  He's got second degree burns.  The man's in a lot of pain.   (chuckles)  Besides, we both know this isn't the first time Albus has been doped to the gills. 

Finnick (entering): He ain't done the hard stuff in decades.  (looks at Albus)  Holy crap, is he on a respirator?  

Marcus: Just oxygen.  He inhaled a good bit more smoke than your brother did.  (To Pocahontas) Stop at the desk before you leave.  We've got some paperwork for you. (leaves)

Pocahontas: How's Tanner?  Is he all right?

Nakoma comes in as Finnick updates Pocahontas.  She holds up the phone so the group on the other end can see Finnick.  It's Zenobia, Whitney, and Mariko. 

Finnick: You guys look like you're crammed in one of them photo booths.

Nakoma: Midna won't let them go home until they find out if you're okay. 

Pocahontas: What happened, Finnick?   

Finnick: We were working on one of the cars for the haunted house and we smelled smoke, but before we even put down our tools, a wall collapsed on us.  Albus was stuck.  Tanner started throwing rubble off him while I pulled on him.  He was fighting us and talking some other language? 

Nakoma: Flashback.  He served in Vietnam.

Finnick: That makes sense.  Anyway, we finally got him out.  Albus was unconscious and Tanner was coughing so bad...  (Covers his face with his hands, too upset to go on.)

Nakoma (to the phone): I'll call you back. 

As Rose-Grace and Pike prepare to go home, Detective Spiro comes in. 

Rose-Grace: Arson again?

Detective: The investigator says it's even more obvious than before.  I need to talk to your sons, and since they're minors, one of you needs to be here.  

Pike:  I'll get Finnick, he's across the hall with Albus.

After finishing with the Pikes, the detective goes Albus's room.  Pocahontas is expecting her.  They've been in touch by phone all afternoon.  

Pocahontas: Did you find anything on the security feed?

Detective: We did, but it doesn't give us a lot to go on.  

They watch the recording in silence.

Pocahontas: Whoever this is, they're good. That looks like a professional demolition job. 

Detective: We'll be able to get an approximate height and weight from this.  Unfortunately, the clothes are loose enough that can't tell a sex and there's no visible skin or hair.  You don't recognize anything in the mannerisms, by any chance?

Pocahontas: I'm afraid not.  

Pike has told Finnick to be quiet when they go into the house, since the other kids will be sleeping, but they find this in the kitchen. 

Taylor:  Finally!  We've been so worried! 

Finnick: Hop up, brat.  I'm stealing your chair.  (lets Fred climb onto his lap)  

Fred: How come you gots your shirt on funny?  You look like you're feeding a baby.

Finnick: If I didn't, we would have to chop the sleeve off.  (To Pike) Didn't you tell them we were okay?  That I was coming home with you?

Pike: I guess they won't be happy until they hear it from the horse's mouth.

Fred (giggles): You're a horse.  Go live in the barn.

Tanner is reading a magazine when Whitney creeps into the room.  

Tanner:  It's way after visiting hours.  What are you doing? 

Whitney: This afternoon...  it was so scary... and I've never told you. 

Tanner: Told me what?  Whitney, you can tell me anything.  We're friends.

Whitney: That's just it, Tanner.  I want to be more than friends.

Tanner: I've wanted that for a while now.

Whitney: Why didn't you say anything?

Tanner: Wilma.  I didn't want you to think I was like them guys at school. 

Whitney: If I thought that, I wouldn't even want to be friends. (laughs softly) Funny, I thought Wilma was the reason you wouldn't want me.  You know, damaged goods and all that.

Tanner: You forget my dad's a grocer.  The damaged goods are the best values. 

They kiss. 

Open Interviews At Sunburst

Sunburst (usually referred to as The Diner) is nearly ready to open the new location.  Some of the employees have moved on to other jobs in the meantime and Midna plans longer hours, so she and Violet hold Open Interviews.

 

Violet: I liked that young man.  He's over eighteen, but he's still in school.  What do you think of him for evening cook?

Midna: Which young man?  

Violet (checks the computer): Ryan Guinness.

Midna: We can't hire Ryan Guinness.  Both my current employees will walk out.  

Violet: Really?  Why?

Midna: He sexually harasses Whitney at school, he's made racist comments that he claims were jokes, and he just got fired from the grocery.  He made a harsh assumption about a customer because she came in with a lot of kids and muttered something one of the kids heard.

Violet (taken aback):  He was so charming.  And he's from such a good family. 

Midna's reply is interrupted by Albus entering.

Midna: Albus?  I know you aren't looking for work.  You'll be haunting that amusement park a hundred years from now.

Albus (chuckles): Sooner than that, at my age.  No, I'm just collecting my recyclables.

Violet: You usually do that on Saturday.

Albus: The Pike boys are starting training as ride techs this weekend.  

Midna: Pocahontas did mention that.  She's worried that Finnick's already planning to marry Nakoma and join the family business.  

Albus: She should be.  The boy's been smitten since puberty.

Violet: I'm surprised you're interested in working for me again, Zenobia.  

Zenobia: I've got no hard feelings.  You did warn me.  

Midna: I have a face tattoo, so I have no problem with Zenobia's hair dye.  (To Zenobia) But I thought you were making a decent living off the vlog? 

Zenobia: I wouldn't call it a decent living, really.  It pays my rent, but not much more than that.  I signed up with a temp service, but all the jobs they send me to only last a few weeks.  I want something more stable.

After the interview, Zenobia is surprised to run into Tris.  

Zenobia: You're applying for a job?  I thought your parents didn't allow you to work.

Tris (tearing up): They found out about Four and threw me out.  Said no daughter of theirs was gonna consort with a filthy Gypsy --  

Zenobia: Stop right there before you really do cry.  Do you need a place to stay?  I've got a couch.

Saturday morning, Sunburst has an orientation meeting for the new and returning employees.  They're supposed to be reading over the new menus.  They're talking instead.

Mariko: You're day shift, you should go sit with Esmeralda.  Why are you slumming with us?

Zenobia: A lot going on for Tris, and Esmeralda's the closest thing she's got to a mom right now.  I thought it'd be best to let them talk.

Frodo: Four told us about it.  It's really cool that you took Tris in like you did.  You barely know her.

Zenobia: I know enough.  

Esmeralda: Bapo was upset that you're not going to be able to go this summer.  He was looking forward to getting to know you. 

Tris: I'm not happy about it, either, but what can I do? Zenobia's been great, helping me out, but I don't want to take advantage.  

Esmeralda: My boys can drive me up the wall sometimes, but I couldn't imagine throwing any of them out.  I'm hoping my working will force Ricky to be more responsible.  Marcus says I'm too soft on him.

Tris (laughs): I agree with Marcus.  

Midna: All right, folks, I'll assume I can move on since you're chatting now.  Esmeralda and Zenobia will be my day shift servers, Whitney and Mariko evening shift.  Frodo and Tris will be the evening cooks.  For the time being, I'll be the only cook in during the day.  

Violet: Day shift cook position is still open, if you know anyone who might be interested.  Ideally, we'd like to hire two, so Midna can be free to act as hostess.  (bashful) She's far better at customer service that I am.  But you all know that.

Zenobia: You're just not a people person.  Nothing to be ashamed of.

Frodo: I hope there's a big cookbook in the back, because I'm a little freaked out by this menu.

Midna: We'll have a few training sessions before I turn the two of you loose in my kitchen.  

They all pause and listen.  What sounds like the entire Barbieville Fire Department is roaring through town.  Midna takes out her phone - she has an emergency services scanner app.

Dispatch over radio: Working structure fire in Witch's Cove.  Two injured, a seventy year old male and a seventeen year old male.  Use the Hadley Drive entrance.