Zenobia's Vlog: Summer 2019

Zenobia:  Welcome to another, long overdue, edition of Zenobia's Vlog.  We're the only openly biased news source in Barbieville, Doll County, and possibly the universe.  First I want to apologize for the long absence -- we were moving into the new place.  It doesn't help a lot that it's been a slow news day since the arrest of our arsonist... but today I've got three guests and a new set! Let's jump right in with Marcus Eaton, about a new resident to town.

Marcus: I can't tell you a lot.  Doctor/Patient Confidentiality, you understand.

Zenobia: Of course.  Local girl Charlotte Jackson, nee Gordon, has returned with her billionaire husband.  William Jackson is in a coma, is that correct? 

Marcus: I feel safe confirming that since it's been all over the press.  It's my understanding that Mrs. Jackson feels our facilities will provide the best possible care for her husband.  Mr. Jackson is not expected to recover, so she probably takes some comfort in coming home during his final illness.

Zenobia: Does his family visit frequently? 

Marcus: I can't really comment on that.  I try to focus on his medical care only. 

Zenobia: Boo.  You aren't much help on the gossip front, are you?

Marcus (laughing): I told you I wouldn't be.  I can tell you, though, that your roomie's boyfriend has gone for the summer to finish his apprenticeship with his grandfather.  When he returns in the fall, he'll be a licensed tattoo artist.

Zenobia: My next guest is Pocahontas Nedakh, owner of the local amusement park, which has gone through some changes recently.  

Pocahontas: Just a name change and a new coaster.  Well, and the fire that took out our haunted house.  But I guess considering Mom didn't change a thing since opening the place thirty years ago...

Zenobia: What's the story on the coaster?  My sister was very upset that she didn't get to ride it yet. 

Pocahontas: She isn't the only one.  We had it scheduled to open for Independence Day but the train was late in arriving and does not meet my specifications.  Albus wants to open with the train we have - it's perfectly safe - but I'm a perfectionist.  

Zenobia: Are you rebuilding the haunted house?

Pocahontas: Actually, we're going to turn the wild west railway into a spooky railway.  Maybe combine the two concepts.  That one's still in the planning stage.  The original structure was too damaged by fire to be salvaged.

Zenobia: You got any good gossip for me?  How's your love life?

Pocahontas blushes and declines to comment.

Zenobia: Last but never least, our beloved mayor, Rose-Grace Pike. 

Rose-Grace: Thanks for having me on.  I'd like to address complaints in the media about Barbieville's lack of a Pride event.  Many people out there seem to think we did not host one because we're not supportive of that community. 

Zenobia: Which is just nonsense.  If I were so inclined, I could name several members of that community who love it here.  I'm bisexual, myself, and have never had an issue in or from this town.

Rose-Grace: Frankly, we did not sponsor a Pride event because of the behavior of many participants, sadly the majority.

Zenobia: Could you be more specific?

Rose-Grace: I'm not sure how to phrase it in anything close to family-friendly language.  (Thinks for a moment.)  Simulated sex acts.  Adult toys worn as fashion accessories.  That sort of thing.  Since none of those behaviors actually break the law, we are powerless to stop them, but the movement isn't about those things. It's about love.

Zenobia: Would a private citizen be welcome to host one?  Because a private citizen can dictate rules of behavior that the town can't?

Rose-Grace: I don't see why not.  A lot of our homes and businesses had smaller events, or even just flew the rainbow flag.  We had one at City Hall. A flag, that is.

Zenobia: I might throw something together next year.  You in? 

Rose-Grace: Absolutely.  Are you gonna ask me for gossip now?  Because all I have for you is that the Darlings are taking a trip to meet Brent Spiner's family -- he's been dating Kyra since shortly after the election -- and my girls are going to a family reunion with their father's people.

Zenobia: Everyone already knows all that.  Well, maybe not my subscribers in Timbuktu. 

The Hazy Days Of Summer

The heat wave has forced Pike and Mace to drag Lee, kicking and screaming, away from his home renovation project.  The three of them sit on the deck for a little male bonding.

Lee: Oh, for crying out loud.  I'm not trying to widow your mother.  In my day -- 

Mace: In your day, you weren't an old man.  Besides, the weathermen are even telling youngsters to take it easy in this heat.  Me, I wanna live to see Samara's children born, so all I did today was put the horses in the back paddock.  Lots of shade and access to the pond for them.

Pike: Nikki and Stacie got mad at him for not mucking out their stalls, but he promised to do that this evening when it cools off.  

Mace: I'm so glad some of my grand kids are showing an interest.  

Lee: Speaking of our grandchildren, why are Taylor and Nikki going to a Baptiste family reunion?  They're Pikes now.

Mace: Don't be like that, man.  Pike promised when he adopted Taylor and Nikki that he wasn't gonna cut them out of the girls' lives. 

Lee: Then why adopt them at all?  Why not simply be their stepfather? 

Pike: I adopted them as a means of streamlining the legal situation.  I hate to say it, but my insurance as a grocery manager is better than what they were getting as the children of a man killed in action.  There were other things, too, but the insurance was the main issue. 

*****

Across town, Midna and Pocahontas meet after work for a bite and some girl talk. 

Pocahontas: All these delays on the Windigo are driving me nuts!  I'm starting to understand why Mom was always opposed to adding new rides.  It's a royal pain. 

Midna: I know I was reluctant to upgrade the diner, but that fire turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  Even if it was a nightmare while it was in progress.  It'll be worth it, I promise.

Pocahontas: Enough about work.  I wanted to talk about John.

Midna: Be still, my heart.  Are you finally coming around?

Pocahontas: Sulu and I have been tutoring him for his GED and the other night, while John put his girls to bed, Sulu told me some things.  John's point of view.  It really got me to thinking.

Midna: There's no excuse for John stringing you along when he was with Albion.  Please don't tell me you've fallen for some stupid excuse like he was drunk.  I know I've been telling you to give him another chance, but not at that cost.

Pocahontas: No, he totally deserved the beating I gave him that day.  He cheated on her emotionally and on me physically.  But then he ended up forced into a marriage with that empty-headed bimbo.  I thnk that was punishment enough.

Pocahontas: You know if it happens, it's going to be fast.  It's not like we need to get to know one another.  We have to consider the kids... if we got together, the most logical home is his.  Since he's moving the day care and using the whole house now.

Midna: And you don't know if you want to live in her house.

Pocahontas: Exactly.

There's a brief lull in the conversation as they both think about the situation.

Pocahontas: Change of subject.  Who is Lottie Gordon and why is her moving back to town such a big deal?

Midna: Batgirl's sister.  The crybaby who left town three seconds after graduation?

Pocahontas: I don't remember her.  But Batgirl was a couple years ahead of us and I wasn't exactly a social butterfly.

Midna: Lottie's her older sister.  They were really poor and got bullied a lot, but Batgirl learned to rise above.  And by the way, she's (adopts a snooty tone for the name) Charlotte Jackson now.  Her old man - and I do mean old man - is comatose in the medical center and she's flaunting his money all over town.

Pocahontas: A gold digger, huh? I guess I should be glad I'm not a man.  Or gay.

*******

Just on the other side of Sunburst's parking lot, in the park.

Lynch:  You and me are gonna tangle, Mr. Higgins, if you continue to go to over my head.  You know perfectly well that I'm your liaison with the program.

Hank: You don't do anything but tell me I'm screwing up.

Lynch: You are screwing up.  For one thing, you're supposed to be keeping a low profile but half the town thinks you look familiar.  And you aren't allowed to relocate at the drop of a hat.

Hank: Look, it wasn't at the drop of a hat.  I made a mistake in coming ba...  I mean, in coming here.  There is nothing here for me.

Lynch: There's safety, you idiot, which is why the program exists.  

Family and Flowers

Pike and Rose-Grace get a few moments alone, not an easy task with two careers and eight children.

Pike: How was your day?

Rose-Grace: That's the best line you have?

He goes in for the kiss... and her phone rings.

Pike: Ignore it. 

Rose-Grace: That's my Baptiste ring tone.  They only call for emergencies.

Rose-Grace: What's happened?  

Man on the phone: Baptiste Family Reunion this summer.  Can you bring Orlando's girls? 

Rose-Grace: I can't, but if you can arrange a ride from the airport and a couch to sleep on, I don't see why they can't go on their own.  E-mail me the details and I'll book them a flight.

Man: Aren't they a bit young for that? 

Rose-Grace:  They're in their early teens now.

Man: Damn, time flies.  You okay with them crashing at my place?  A single man and all? 

Rose-Grace: If I didn't trust you, we wouldn't be having this conversation.  

*****

One floor below

Tanner: So this dude sent "My Bad" flowers? 

Nakoma: Actually, the card said it was a case of mistaken identity.  

Finnick: What does that mean?  He meant to send them to you?  Or Pocahontas's secretary?

Nakoma: They were addressed to the owner of the park.  Pocahontas thinks they might have been meant for Mom.  But she's been dead for over a year.  

Finnick: Weird, but I'm kind of glad.  Anyone with half a brain knows Pocahontas should be with John, if anybody.  Now that he's working at the park, she can't avoid him, and I'm picking up some vibes.

Tanner: We keep inventing reasons to send him to her office.  Yesterday Albus sent him to get some paperwork from her that he already had.  (pretends to be embarrassed)  Oops. 

****

And half way across the county

Charlotte (into phone): He's been admitted to Doll County Hospital until it's over.  Send an e-mail updating his children.  

Hank walks by, headed for the sushi bar, and catches Charlotte's eye as he passes.  

Charlotte (into phone): I don't pay you to moralize.  My dinner companion just joined me at the table and she'll do enough of that for both of you.

They don't settle in to talk until they have food and drinks.

Batgirl: What brings you back to town?  I thought you were never coming back.

Charlotte:  Don't be stupid.  The goal has always been to return and make this town pay for what it did to me. To us, but you certainly seem content as a day laborer's wife. 

Batgirl: We struggle financially sometimes, especially with three kids, but we're happy and that's my priority.  Joe's never been what the rest of the family thinks he is. 

Charlotte:  My reasons for disapproving of Joe are nothing like Mom and Dad's.  I'm no racist. 

Batgirl: If you were a racist, I wouldn't be sitting here.  (pause) Are you the widow Jackson now?  

Charlotte: Not quite yet.  I've brought him to Doll County for the end. 

Batgirl: Is he taking too long?

Charlotte (ignoring that): I've taken the penthouse apartment at The Tor.  Splendid location with a lovely view of the lake.  

Batgirl: I'll bring the girls by.  They'd love to meet their cousins. 

Charlotte: Mary and Max are summering with their brothers before going to boarding school.  (Points discretely at Hank.) By the way, who is that man?  He looks so familiar to me. 

Batgirl: Hank Higgins?  He just moved here, but a lot of people have said the same thing.  I even keep thinking I should know him. 

Finally!

I am so excited about new doll lines coming out!  For so long, we've had not much variety in the doll world - at least not the kind that appeals to me.  Barbie, of course, had the Made-To-Move line and sometimes a moderately articulated one would come along but lately the Standard Five have been, well, the standard.

That's not to say I've been languishing.  I've been able to find action figures in the right scale for Barbieville, or dolls from previous lines at places like yard sales and flea markets. Sometimes the Made-to-Move are on sale. There are even a few that have been around, but not in my area or price range.

All the dolls I'm talking about here have The Standard Five (neck, shoulders,hips) as well as elbows and knees.  Some of them have even more -- Made To Move Barbie has 22! 

I'm going to start with these handsome fellows.  The Fresh Squad is the male counterpart to The Fresh Dolls, who I'll talk about in a minute.  My favorite is Malik, the one with the braids.  Since they are fairly new and come with extra clothes, they cost a little more than most, but not ridiculously so.

The Fresh Dolls are a line designed (obviously) for girls "of color".  Even after all the progress we've made, there are still issues getting dolls that are anything but a brown-tinted but otherwise what designers call white-coded. The Fresh Dolls are an excellent way to fill that market gap. Some of these gals can be had for less than ten dollars!  

Bonus points if you can identify Froggy.

The WWE Superstars are Barbie-scaled versions of female wrestlers.  I've managed to get my mitts on Becky Lynch and Eva Marie.  Neither cost me more than fifteen bucks.  There are lots more in the line than pictured here and I love them!  They remind me of the Wonder Woman dolls... a line I neglected to mention in my opening.  I apologize, Amazons.

The Wild Hearts Crew.  These just hit the shelves!  They're carrying on the Monster High "Be yourself" credo, but with relatively normal size noggins. You can even find the Skullette hiding in the fashions.  Each gal has a distinct personality and there is a variety of body shapes. I think my favorite is Charlie Lake, she of the Pegasus shirt, followed closely by UFO chaser Kenna Roswell.   

The Comfy Disney Princesses from Ralph Breaks The Internet.  Articulation and the clothes more than make up for the unfortunate Disney tendency toward Vapid Face.  My favorites here (because of their clothes, frankly) are Tiana and Pocahontas.   

Last but not...  well, honestly...last and least.  The Disney Descendants.  I've gotten two on sale and used them for donor bodies.  That noggin is just a bit too big for my tastes, although a face with enough personality might make up for it.  

None of the photos in this post are mine, all came from the Internet.

The Lazy Days of Summer

Leia: Can we ride this?  

Sylvia: Sorry, but no.  The opening of the Windigo has been delayed.  (Surprised, to Zenobia)  Holy cow, is that your little sister?  She's grown.

Zenobia: That's her.  She and Draco are both nearly high school age, can you believe it?

Leia: Draco can't stay in one school long enough to learn anything.  We're in the same grade now. 

After they've gotten their tickets, Zenobia leads Leia toward the gate.

Leia: I'm pretty sure Draco was the jerk commenting on your vlog that only your white friends could be bothered to help you move. 

Zenobia: I don't know who makes me madder, the ones accusing me of racism or the racists defending me.  Besides, Nakoma is an Indian and the Eaton boys are Gypsy.  

Leia: That boy Peeta was really cute.  Is he one of the Eatons?

*****

As they walk away, Nakoma arrives to relieve Sylvia at the ticket counter.  

Nakoma: Anything interesting?

Sylvia: Not much.  Except the boss says not to sit on the counter.

Nakoma: What's she gonna do?  Fire me? 

Sylvia: She'll put you on janitor duty.

Nakoma recoils at the thought and hops down as Sylvia leaves.

Nakoma (teasing): What's this?  You're slacking off while Sylvia does all the work?

John: Taking advantage of a little down time to do some studying.  Sylvia didn't mind.

Nakoma: Me, either.  I'm glad for you - not glad that you made the mistakes that put you in this position, but glad you get the chance to fix them. 

John: It was only one mistake, but she was a huge one.  If it weren't for Roxy and Kelly...

He's interrupted by Pocahontas bringing the lunchbox Nakoma forgot.

Pocahontas: Please don't finish that sentence, John.  

**** 

McG has fled the noise of Lee's home restoration, but her quiet time with a book gets interrupted.

Fred: Grandma, can you find us some ghost videos?  

Kelly: Ghosts are pretend!

Fred: No way, she lives in a ghost house, don't you, Grandma?

Nikki: Have you seen anything, you know, ghostly?  They say renovations can stir spirits up.

McG: Nothing of consequence.  Movement in the edge of my vision, perhaps.

Taylor: Alex's dad is part of a ghost hunter team.  I bet they'd come check it out for you. 

McG: I'll keep that in mind in case our cabinets start opening themselves and spewing their contents.

*******

Brent relaxes after a long day at work by video chatting with his sister and her family.

Brent: Good news.  The Tank is ours for the week, but we are bringing along another driver.  One of Whitney's friends, a real nice girl.  Where's Esper?

Esperanza (stepping into frame): I'm here!  Rehearsal ran over and then I got stuck behind a granny with no gas pedal.

Daisy: Sit down.  We don't want to look up your skirt and neither does Uncle Brent.

Esperanza: Shove over.  The camera range is only so big, you know.

Daisy: Sorry, Brent.  You know how teenagers are.

Brent: Well, she's right.  I can't imagine if we all crammed into view on my end like you suggested.

Bertie (laughing): The little one could sit on your lap.  That only leaves, what, four of you? 

Daisy: Why isn't Whitney's boyfriend driving?  His parents own the thing, right?