Shoes

Pretty much everyone knows I'm not a fan of shoes.  Unless the law or weather requires it, I'm usually barefoot.  The same applies to my dolls because, frankly, I'm too lazy to mess with it.  The only ones who wear shoes on a regular basis either have them molded on or simply have no feet.  (Anakin's molded on boots made it impossible to change his britches.  Good thing he likes My Life Mini shoes.)

My last story presented me with a problem - to fit everyone in the shot, they needed a taller background. Or shoes.  So I said a few bad words and got out the shoe bin.

And was met with this.  Almost five years worth of just tossing them in, whether they came with a doll or an outfit.  Some of these might have come home in a yard sale assortment.  I finished the story, posted it, and resigned myself to the dreaded Shoe Purge.  (Yes, there are also hats and belts in there.  Pay them no mind.)

Two kinds of shoe I detest are the ones that fall right back off and the stiletto heel.  I have a name for stiletto heel, but it's not PG13.  The other name I have for them is Ankle Breakers.  Really wanna grind my gears?  Be a stiletto that falls off!  

The keepers for the Chelsea/Kelly size dolls.  I decided to keep these in the Tot Wardrobe with the clothes - easier to find.  Bobby complained about me trying girl shoes on him, but I told him "I only have three of you boys and Fred arrived barefoot."   Besides, DEATH TO GENDER ROLES. 

Chunky heels are way more my style.  Obviously, these are for the big girls.  Or boys with small feet, if they're so inclined. 

Big girls' casual shoes.  Can you tell I like the ballet flats a little?

Big boys' casuals.  Someone asked me once why Anakin always wears blue - apparently, that's the only color I have his shoes in! 

Boots, boots, and more good boots!  

Suzie, Nakoma, and Zenobia model the exceptions to my stiletto rule.  I just couldn't... maybe I'll turn them into flats.  They just have too much character to give them up!

And now I have roughly half the number of shoes I started with.  

WHEW!

Beginnings

When Albus reports for work early Friday morning, he finds his boss on her phone.

Pocahontas (Waving him into the room): I'll make some calls and everything should be in place by the time she arrives.  I have a lot of connections in this town.  

Albus (once she hangs up): What in the world is going on?

Pocahontas: Anakin's mother relapsed.  She spent the night in the hospital and now she's on a bus to Barbieville.  The judge was happy to pass her on to the system out here.  Apparently that area's been hit hard by the opioid epidemic.

Albus: How did the boy take it?

Pocahontas: He doesn't know yet.  I saw no reason to upset him when everything was still being decided.  

Albus: They've simply released her into your care?  What about all those rules regarding her being an unfit mother?

Pocahontas: As long as she doesn't live in the same house as Anakin and has supervised visits, it isn't a problem.  I do have to find her a job and a place to live - not with you, pothead.

Albus: I was going to say... Can she work for you?  

Pocahontas: No, but I'm sure I can call in some favors.  And there's always Midna.

*****

 Zenobia's studio is bursting at the seams.

Zenobia: Today we start the Openly Biased series on bullying.  I'll let each of you introduce yourself.

Suzie:  I'm Susannah Dean, elementary school phys ed teacher.

Dean: Dean Mellark, principal of Barbieville High.  Go, Spiders!

Nancy: Nancy Guinness.  I teach Sex Ed on the Middle and High School levels.

Guinness: I'm Alec Guinness, Middle School Social Studies.  I'm related to Nancy by marriage - namely our own.

Zenobia: Strangely, only the local public schools seem willing to admit bullying happens on their campus.  Several others refused to consider allowing faculty to appear on my program. (Snicker from off-camera.)  Including the one attended by my camera operator.

Guinness: Your camera operator attends a private school.  To admit such a thing could hurt the image and, frankly, income of the institution.  Of course bullying happens there - it is ubiquitous. 

Nancy: One thing that comes up often as a means of preventing bullying is the adoption of school uniforms.  I speak from experience when I say uniforms won't stop bullies.  A bully will always find something. 

Dean: Another problem in defining the term.  Where does peer pressure end and bullying begin?  My son can ignore obvious bullies, but some of his peers crumble at a passing remark.  

Suzie: Yes.  There are so many variables at play, it's almost impossible to know.  I have a group of friends in my classes who show affection by insulting one another.  The days of the obvious "Give me your lunch money" bully is ancient history.

Zenobia: And bullies are slick, too.  They don't walk up in front of the teacher and call you names - they do it away from adults and cry victim when you take a swing at them.  The one who retaliates gets in trouble. 

Nancy: I once had a student who was instigating every one of the incidents that she reported.  We only caught on when she was overheard.  She all but confessed, not knowing there was a student teacher standing right behind her.

Zenobia: So you, at the school, are powerless?  

Suzie: Of course we aren't powerless.  We just can't do it alone.  Parents undermine us all the time, usually by refusing to believe their little angel could do such a thing.  Adults don't always treat others with respect, and children mimic adult behavior. It really is an uphill battle.

Guinness: Nancy and I recently had to deal with learning that our own son was a bully.  We, and the other adults in his life, made it clear that his behavior was not acceptable. It took a united front to show him the error of his ways.  

Zenobia: And he's agreed to guest on the Reformed Bullies segment of this series.  Viewers, feel free to ask questions in the comments section.  If I must, I will have guests return to explore the issue as completely as we can. 

The outro plays over footage of Zenobia and her guests chatting.

******

Early evening, back in Pocahontas's office.

Bonnie: I'm Bonnie Carson, probation officer for Doll County.  I'll be handling Pernilla Nedakh's case now.  Do you have all the paperwork ready for me? 

Pocahontas: Bonnie, you don't need to be so formal.  We graduated together.  (Both women laugh.) I've found her a hotel room until she gets on her feet - the judge said that would be acceptable - and she'll be cooking at Sunburst. 

Bonnie: Sunburst?  That's not far removed from being in your employ, but I guess it will do.  Midna makes her employees toe the line.  (She leaves after reviewing the paperwork.)

Pern:  Thank you so much!  All the things you've do for me.... 

Pocahontas: I haven't done anything for you.  This was all for Anakin.  That boy loves you so much.  More than you deserve, from what I can tell. 

Pern (blinking back tears):  You are so right - I don't deserve his love, he's such a wonderful boy.  Will you help me be strong, for him?  Will you help me like my so-called friends back home didn't?  

Pocahontas: Of course.  But fair warning... I'm the queen of tough love. 

Pern: Tough love is probably exactly what I need. 

Recover, Register, Relapse

On one of the rare days that both Zenobia and Tris are off work, Tris finds her stressing in the studio.

Tris: What's wrong? 

Zenobia: I've lined up guests for the Openly Biased series on bullying, but can't figure out how to get them all within camera range.  There's too many for swapping them out and I want them to be able to interact.

Tris: I keep telling you, put this wardrobe in front of the extra bathroom door.  If you open it, you'll double the seating area. 

Zenobia: I don't want my viewers looking at this!  I've had it since I was six and it looks like it!  The back lining... well, look at it.

Tris:  We'll go see Joe Montez.  I bet he's got discarded wallpaper we can recover the interior with.  Something not so juvenile and less distracting for your audience.  Buy Four dinner and he'll even do the work for you.

Zenobia: I suppose it's worth a try.  And we'll need Four either way because this thing weighs a ton. 

Later.

Zenobia: Four, I've got your payment ready.  Lasagna and garlic bread, as requested. 

Tris: But first we show you the results.  

Four: We didn't change much on the front.  Covered the logo on bottom so you don't get hit with a copyright violation, but the rest is the same.

Four: But when you open it up, it looks fun but not juvenile. I'm especially partial to the Route 66 sign on the door. 

Tris: What do you think, Zen?  Acceptable?

Zenobia: Even better.  I love it.  I swear, Tris, someone up there blessed me when we met.

Tris: They blessed me just as much.

Four: Oh, get a room, you two.

*****

At the college, Early registration for the Winter Quarter has opened.  Surprisingly few students take advantage of it, but the Barbieville residents do.  The guidance counselor at Barbieville High trained them well.

Phoebe: You look like you just survived a tornado.  

Sylvia: I put the top down.  It feels like summer out there! 

Phoebe: If you've got a science elective, take Intro to Paleontology.  The two o'clock class, so we can ride together. 

Ben: I'm taking that, too.  Just as a random elective, to fill a gap in the schedule. 

Becky: Pike?  Is this instructor kin to your boss?

Ben: His sister.  I haven't met her, though, except in passing.

Phoebe: Hi, Ben's friend that we've never been introduced to even though we see you with him all the time.

Ben: Sorry.  Becky Weasley, these two troublemakers are Phoebe and Sylvia Guinness.  I graduated with them.  

Sylvia: We should all take this class together, even if it doesn't fit our major.  Do you need an elective, Becky? 

Becky: I don't need one, but why not?  We've got a built-in study group right here!

******

Pocahontas comes in after a very long day - John and the kids are already in bed.

Pocahontas:  I'm so glad today is over with.  If it could go wrong, it did.

John: Everything all right now?

Pocahontas: Once I helped Albus get rid of that Jackson woman.  She kept harassing him to drop the charges against Draco Malfoy and he had to call me in because I actually own the property the trailer is on.  She refused to leave until I started dialing the police.  I swear, if one more thing...  (her phone rings)

Pocahontas: Yes, this is her.  What's happened?  (Gives John an alarmed look)  She's safe for the night?  All right, I'll contact you in the morning and we'll make a plan.  (Hangs up the phone and sits in troubled silence)

John: What is it?  Who is it? 

Pocahontas: Anakin's mother.  She's relapsed and overdosed. (Crying)  That poor boy has been through so much, John, why can't he catch a break? 

John: He has caught a break, sweetheart.  He's got us.

Wedding Plans

Responding to a call from her sister, Nakoma hurries to Wedding Belles, in downtown Barbieville.

Nakoma: Have you seen her in it yet? 

Midna: No, she refused to come out of the fitting room until you got here.  Said it was bad enough you  have to miss the parts you do.  

Nakoma: Well, you're the Maid of Honor.  Besides, I have a boatload of homework!

Pocahontas steps out of the fitting room, feeling a bit silly in all the frills and furbelows. 

Nakoma: Uh... wow? 

Midna: John insisted she get what he called a "real bridal gown".  It was all she could do to talk him out of white. 

Pocahontas: I love this veil, the roses.... but it's not very fancy.  (switches veils)

Pocahontas: This is the one they're selling with the dress, but it doesn't cover my face.  What do you guys think? I like both.  

Nakoma: Both.  You can more than afford whatever the alterations would cost.  Don't be your normal stingy self about your wedding!

Pocahontas: The reason we can afford it is my normal stingy self, Nakoma. 

Midna: Nakoma's right. Your wedding is a big deal and you should splurge at least a little.

Pocahontas: I can ask about the cost of alterations and, if it's less expensive to just buy both and alter it ourselves, we can do that.  Looks like it'd be a simple enough job.  

Nakoma: Let's try with some bobby pins and see how it looks. 

Midna: I take it back.  Maybe instead of a wedding planner, you should be dress designer.

Nakoma: I wouldn't desert Mom's dream any more than my sister would.  We're gonna run the park together.  

Pocahontas: Mom would come back and haunt us otherwise. 

*****

After leaving the dress and veil(s) for alteration, the three shop for bridesmaids' gowns and tuxes.  They retire to Sundance, famished, shortly before closing time.

Nakoma: You should see her dress!  It's crazy fancy, but somehow still fits her personality.  I think it's the colors...  Sky blue with silver.

Whitney: Blue?  Not white?

Pocahontas: After John married Albion and I went off to college, I went through a party girl stage.  I wouldn't feel right wearing white.

Whitney (covering her surprise): You don't have to be a virgin.  

Pocahontas: You don't, but I do.  Maybe I'm just more old-fashioned than you are. 

Tris joins them from the kitchen.

Tris: Back of the house is clean.  Whitney, can you start the washer when you toss your smock in? 

Nakoma (indicating the bandage): That looks painful.  What happened?

Tris: My fake tattoo is finally a real one. Four did it.   (Pulls over a chair from another table)  Are we talking wedding?  Spill. 

Moving Out, In, and On.

Moving day for the Smith-Nedakh family. 

Tanner:  No place on the Jeep for the trailer to connect.  Fin?

Finnick: Nothing on the golf cart, either.  We're gonna have to use The Tank. 

Albus: Neither SUV has a trailer hitch?  

Tanner: The Tank's the only one with a hitch.  Grandpa Mace's truck had one, but Dad gave him a free pass to use The Tank for horse shows.  He sold the truck when Grandma got sick. 

John: Wish we'd known this before.  We could have made the move in one trip, using that beast. 

Nakoma meets them in the driveway of the new house. 

Nakoma: Change of plans.  One of the bunk beds goes into Anakin's room.  He's giving Roxy the lounge thing, since she's shorter.  Also it's pink. 

Albus (chuckles): I wonder what he'll do if they decide to have a pink wedding.  

Tanner:  Same thing I will.  Grin and bear it.

Nakoma: You're in the wedding party?

Tanner: No, but I'll have to look at y'all. 

*****

Meanwhile, at the police station.

Helena: Thank you, Chief Lynch, for driving Draco.  

Draco: Why did you have her do that?  It was humiliating! 

Helena: That's exactly why I asked her to do it.  If I had my way, you'd be in Juvenile Corrections until your trial.   

Draco:  TRIAL?!  You can't let this go to trial! 

Helena: I can and I will.  

Draco: What does Dad have to say about this? Where is he? 

Helena: Your father has protected you with his influence for the last time.  

Helena: Until your trial, you can consider yourself under house arrest. You will go nowhere but school.  Your phone will be taken and I've already changed the Internet password at ho --

Draco (stops suddenly): I need to use the restroom before we go. 

Helena: I've already seen the woman.  You are not going to avoid her. 

Charlotte: Well, fancy meeting you here.  Come to pick up your little angel? 

Helena: There's no need to be catty.  

Charlotte: I hope you don't think you can convince me to drop the charges.  

Helena: I wouldn't dream of trying.  Come along, Draco. 

Charlotte watches them go, thinking: She doesn't want me to drop the charges?  Or is this a reverse psychology thing?  What kind of mind game is Helena playing?  I wonder what she'd do if I did drop the charges?  If I convinced that old hippy to do the same?  

The Point And The Cove

Zenobia: Welcome to Openly Biased.  I'm your host, of course, Zenobia!  Today we're talking to a representative from Save The Point, a local initiative to block the destruction of a Barbieville landmark, and to someone from Witch's Cove to talk about changes to the park next summer.  My first guest is Helena Malfoy, director of Barbieville Museum.

Helena: Thank you for having me.  It is vital to this community, for many reasons, that The Point be saved.  We may think an RV park and campground is an eyesore, but it is an integral part of Barbieville and Doll County's economy.  

Zenobia: And not just the economy.  Almost everyone in this town has fond memories of The Point.  One of our local characters lived at the point for decades and had to find another home.

Helena (glances off-camera):  Yes, Albus Dumbledore is as much an institution in this town as any of the businesses. The community rallied to help him, even those who disapprove of his lifestyle, and he's recovered nicely from the blow.

Zenobia: I have to wonder.  Why would a person do this?  It can't be a sound business decision - nothing they put in is going to bring in more revenue for either the owner or the town.  

Helena: I'm reluctant to discuss this, so all I will say on the matter is this:  I have it on good authority that she is motivated by revenge.  She was badly bullied in school.

Zenobia (to camera): And this, kids, is why we don't bully.

Helena: I hope you're trying to inject a bit of levity, Zenobia.  

Zenobia: Yes, I am. Of course, being bullied is not a free pass for being a jerk.  The new owner of The Point is the sister of Batgirl Montez.  Batgirl was bullied just as badly and she's a sweetheart.

Helena:  I just had an excellent idea!  You could do an entire series about bullying, look at all the different perspectives.  I was guilty of bullying in my youth and would be willing to discuss the matter on your program.

Zenobia: That is a good idea.  

Helena: Back to the subject at hand.  Save The Point is taking action - several of the local business owners have filed to block a zoning change.  We can't legally do anything to stop her purchase and closure of  the business, but we will not sit idly by. 

Zenobia: Can a citizen file?  From a sentimental standpoint? 

Helena: Many have done so because their jobs are in danger - closing The Point is going to harm almost all the local businesses - but sentiment is a valid reason to oppose the zoning.  I urge every adult citizen of Barbieville to do just that. 

Zenobia: I know I'll be making a trip to City Hall soon.  (To the camera)  Even those who don't live here can help.  Contact the zoning office using the information in the video description.  

Helena (to the camera): Now that I've said my piece, I'll give my seat to Zenobia's next guest.  Albus Dumbledore, Head Ride Technician at Witch's Cove. 

Albus: Actually, my job title is Director of Ride Maintenance.  (laughs) Something like that, anyway.  I do a lot of odd jobs, too. 

Zenobia: I know a lot of us were disappointed when the Windigo failed to open this year.  What's the news on that? 

Albus: Pocahontas specifically wanted safety features allowing older children to be able to ride, but the cars delivered were designed only for adults.  I tried to convince her to use them in the meantime, but she's a stubborn gal.  She returned them to the manufacturer.  The correct cars are in place, but the park has already closed for the season.  We will open next year with the Windigo running. 

Zenobia: What about the haunted house?  Was anything salvageable after the fire? 

Albus: The building itself was not, but we're using some of the elements from it to update the wild west train.  Not a lot of people cared to ride a wild west train, but the haunted house was very popular.  We're hoping that combining the two will be a win-win.  

After signing off, they visit.  

Albus:  They signed on the house yesterday and can move in next week.  The kids are thrilled - the property backs on Windu Acres.  Nakoma is driving Pocahontas nuts, bringing wedding planning books home from the library.  

Helena: Nakoma might have found her calling.  (her phone rings)  Yes, what is it?  I'm at Zenobia's apartment.  (gasps)  No, no, absolutely not!  You leave him there and I will deal with this!  (hangs up, crying)  Albus, I am so sorry.  I'll do anything I must to make this right.

Zenobia: Mom, what's happened?

Helena: Draco's been arrested.  He was the one that destroyed Albus's camper.