The New Year Brings Beginnings

At the local college, the winter quarter begins.  

Becky: Hey, study buddies.  Ready to start the new quarter?

Phoebe: Sylvia started hers this morning.  Crazy woman took an eight o'clock class. 

Sylvia:  It's a required class, you bonehead.  (To Becky)  How do you know Ben, anyway?  We thought you were another business major, but he said you're in journalism. 

Becky: We're in a support group together, Kin As Parents.  We'd met before that, but KAP was what really made us friends.  

Phoebe: Are you interested in being more than friends?  It's just us girls, you can tell us.

Sylvia: I hope not, because he's gay.  That's why -- 

Phoebe: Stop believing the crap your ex told you.  (To Becky) My sister recently escaped from a cult.  Oops, I mean a bad relationship that might as well have been one. 

Sylvia: Well, if he isn't gay, then why -- (Shuts up when she sees Ben enter the room.)

Ben (laughs at the awkward silence): Talking about me, huh?  Did you have anything juicy to say? 

Becky: You are pretty much the only thing we have in common at this point. 

Ben: Good point.  Besides, if you're talking about me, you're leaving someone else alone. 

Morgan: Welcome to Intro To Paleontology.  I'm Morgan Pike, your instructor.  Today we're just going to go over the syllabus and set some ground rules.

******

At Barbieville City Hall Complex, Rayshawn Lucas puts the next step of his plan into motion.

Rayshawn: Wow.  This is the most casual mayor's office I've ever been in. 

Rose-Grace:  I'll take that as a compliment.  Mr. Lucas, I presume? 

Rayshawn: Yes.  And you must be Ms Pike.  I wanted to discuss my plans for The Point.  Right now, there's an issue with the zoning? 

Rose-Grace: The previous owner was trying to have it rezoned and many of my citizens were against the move.  If you're planning to reopen the motel and campground as it was, zoning won't be a problem. 

Rayshawn: Excellent.  

*****

Jeremiah Russo is moving into his fiancee's rambling old farmhouse, which requires cleaning out unused rooms for his daughters.  Some of his co-workers volunteer to help after work Saturday.

Esmeralda: You're right.  She does look more like a Gypsy fortune-teller than I do.

Jeremiah: It's those earrings.  You don't do the big hoop earrings.

Esmeralda: I never did.  Anyway, put me to work! 

Nova: Neither of these women is Pern.

Jeremiah: Pern's coming.  (Points out his co-workers)  The gal with blue hair is Zenobia Malfoy and the other is Esmeralda Eaton. 

Nova: Zenobia's a Malfoy? Mariko never mentioned that part. 

Jeremiah: He's nothing like her dad, I promise.  How could she be, if she's friends with this bunch? 

Nova: Speaking of this bunch... you can probably guess who they are.  

Jeremiah: How do you tell the twins apart?

Zenobia: Someone got up to some kinky stuff in here.

Nakoma: You got kinky on the brain. When did Esmeralda and Pern switch bodies?

Zenobia: Hey, she volunteered.  Pern had to wait around for Frodo... he got a flat tire and was running late... but she's coming. She said Anakin asked Pocahontas to adopt him?  What's up with that? Your little brother will be your nephew.  

Nakoma: If Pern signs over total custody, it's about the same thing without an actual adoption.  He can even change his name to Smith if they want, but he won't legally be John and Pocahontas's kid. (shakes her head) Kind of hard to explain.  But if they do it, I'm considering asking to do the same, because I'm sick of carrying around Cash's name. 

Tanner: Hey, where's your lazy sons?  Get em in here!

Esmeralda: Only one of my sons is lazy.  

"Basement" Progress

If you'll recall, I recently started a bit of a reorganization project on my doll corner.  There are issues with rules set up by the Powers That Be.  I wrote it into the photo stories as a remodel of the Pike basement.  When we left the project, it looked like this:

I needed time and inspiration to finish the job.  I wanted to give the room a decent floor and a bit more height.  Just a bit, because I don't want to block the windows.  The makeshift garage here (cardboard box cut to size) is too short to pull The Tank into, which is one of the goals.  The Tank is almost the perfect height for the room to achieve maximum elevation.  

My public library has a shelf of books and other media, no longer in circulation.  You can pick up what catches your eye for a contribution.  They've had two laser discs on that shelf for quite some time.  While I have no laser disc player, I can certainly find use for those sturdy cases and the inserts.  The inserts are easy enough - posters for Doll County Museum exhibits!  

It was the cases that convinced me. Positioned correctly, they can provide exactly what I need.  And if not, I'm only out 57 cents.  (All the cash I had on me!)  Since I'd figured out a strong floor, that part wasn't needed. (I had a dismantled dollhouse wall awaiting permanent assignment as a backdrop.  It became a floor.) 

Height comparison between the laser disc cases and the vacuum box.  I used packing tape to create a stable three-sided riser.  I want need the front open for garage space.  The ultimate test, of course, was The Tank.  I can't back it in because of the rooftop deck, but it fits the other way! 

No, Wilma, I don't know what I'm gonna do with the discs.  You can use them as a mirror for now.

All the cars are out of the way, the room has a sturdy floor, and I'm not breaking my landlord's rules!  

Any Requests?

Rayshawn Lucas came to Barbieville with a business proposition for his old colleague Billy's wife.  She insists on the most casual meeting ever.

Rayshawn: Went by the hospital to check on Billy.  He's looking good, all things considered.

Charlotte: Yes, his care has been excellent.  I honestly didn't expect him to last this long.   How long will you be in town? 

Rayshawn: I hope to be here long-term.  I want to buy you out on that lake front property. 

Charlotte: The Point? Oh, no, it is not for sale.  That's the first of the nails in this town's coffin. 

Rayshawn: What you're doing with that property is undermining everything else you're trying to do.  Losing money hand over fist is not gonna convince anyone to give you custody of your kids - or their trust funds.  In fact, you could lose everything.  

Charlotte: How do you figure that? 

Rayshawn: According to my estimates, you've already lost half a million on it.  The legal fights over zoning alone ate up most of that.  Factor in loss of revenue from a functional RV park, property taxes, all those things...  You've got a very expensive millstone around your neck.

Charlotte: You have no idea what I'm trying to do.

Rayshawn: You're trying to crush this town for wrongs of the past and keep your pretty little hands on Mary and Max's inheritance.  You'll be much better off - and get a better revenge - if you act as a savvy and rational business woman.  But this thing with The Point is neither savvy nor rational. 

Charlotte: You may be right.  Buy up the town bit by bit...  they'd rent from me, work for me, everything.  Rayshawn, you are a genius!  I could own them all.  

Rayshawn: First step, sell me that property.  Spin the tale somehow to make you look good.  

******

A very different sort of meeting is happening at the county seat, in the probation office.

Draco: I did my community service.  Are we done here?

Helena: Apparently not, if that's all the respect you have.  (To Bonnie) It doesn't appear my son's learned his lesson, Ms Carson. Any suggestions? 

Albus: He's done what the courts said he had to, Helena, but certainly you can volunteer him for more.  I can get you a list of homeless shelters, food pantries... 

Bonnie: Albus is right.  Once I enter this data into the system, Draco's obligation to the courts is fulfilled.  However, a bit of volunteer work with the less fortunate would do him no harm.  (To Draco) You've been very fortunate.  Don't mistake that for anything you deserve. 

Draco: Look, you ginger bim-- (Helena claps a hand over his mouth, and not very gently.)

Bonnie: If you'll send my next appointment in, Mrs. Malfoy? 

Helena leads Draco out, hand still over his mouth.

Albus (pauses in the doorway): Doctor Malfoy.  She has a PhD. 

Bonnie's next appointment is Pern.  

Bonnie: Everything looks good.  You're working, attending sobriety meetings.  Even got a fellow from the group a job at Sunburst?  Very nice.

Pern: Turns out, his fiancee is the aunt of one of our servers!  You should have seen her face when she realized who the new day cook was! 

Bonnie: I do have to tell you, it's quite unusual for an adult to bring relatives in with her.

Anakin: Oh, that's my fault, Ms Carson.  I wanted to ask Mommy and Pocahontas something, but I want you to hear.  You can give us advice about it, I think.

Anakin (to Pern): I been thinking about what can help you get better and I think I know something that is best for everyone, but I'm scared you're going to get upset when I tell you.  I don't want you to think I hate you or anything like that. 

Pern: I promise to hear you out, even if it upsets me.  

Anakin: I want Pocahontas and John to adopt me. 

Openly Biased: Bullies and The Bullied

Zenobia: Welcome to Openly Biased.  Today we're continuing the series on bullying, focusing on why people bully and what can be done about it.  My first guest today are Ryan Guinness and Helena Malfoy, both former bullies! Kudos to them for the "former" part! 

Zenobia: Let's hear Helena's story first.

Helena: When I was a teenager, there was a pair of sisters that I targeted.  I did everything within my power to make their lives worse.  It wasn't until adulthood that I realized how wrong I had been.  

Zenobia: What did you have against them? 

Helena: Honestly, I think it was a case of tearing others down to build myself up.  I had incredibly low self esteem.  I had the power to make them cry and I reveled in it.  And they were easy targets - poor, unfashionable, all of that.

Zenobia: What made you see the error of your ways? 

Helena: As you know, I'm a historian.  In the course of my studies, I saw the harm done by mistreatment of the poor.   Also, in the course of simple maturation, I came to understand that the things I vilified those girls for were not their fault, that they didn't choose to be what they were.

Zenobia: Have you talked to them since?  How did that go?

Helena: One of them has forgiven me and moved past it.  The other, not so much. 

Zenobia: Ryan, what's your story? 

Ryan: If there was anyone around who wasn't obviously a white Christian heterosexual with a good job, or parents that worked, I hated them.  I got beat up at school, lost jobs, all kinds of stuff.  Slut-shaming, fat-shaming, you name it - I did it.  

Zenobia: Often, in a case like this, the bully has learned these things from his parents.  But that doesn't apply to you.  

Ryan: My sister blames her ex-boyfriend.  All I can tell you for sure is that when Dad figured out I was the one causing all the trouble, he hit the roof. Might as well have sent me off to military school.  Then Mom found out we have, like, one drop of black blood.  Seeing my sister treated the way she was, by a man she thought loved her...  That was the last straw.  I've been trying to make up for it ever since.

Zenobia: Next up, I have those who were bullied.  Three of them are peers of Ryan's and one is a former victim of Helena's.  That's not really on purpose, but Barbieville is a small town and I work with what I have.  

Zenobia: Peeta Mellark, Frodo Dean, Batgirl Montez, and Whitney Darling.  We'll start with Peeta and work our way across.  How did being bullied affect you, and do you have any advice for viewers?

Peeta: It was more like attempted bullying in my case.  I am Jewish, so I learned early on to deal with people who didn't understand.  In second grade, I remember a big scandal over my refusal to eat the pork and beans in my lunch. (laughs) Then word got out that I'm gay and people tried to give me grief for that, but it didn't bother me.  Bothers my boyfriend a lot.  He was never, you know, different.

Zenobia: I tried to talk him into being here, but he declined.  

Peeta:  Anyway, my advice to viewers is the same as I tell my boyfriend:  You aren't hurting anyone and these people have no power over you.  That second part isn't true when it comes to lawmakers and stuff, but it sure applies to that jackass who wrote gay slurs on your locker.

Frodo: Most of the bullying I've dealt with has been racial.  Mom's black and Dad's white, so I get it from both sides.  I just roll with it like my parents do. Getting mad is counterproductive, that just "proves them right".  Joking about stereotypes is a good way to show how dumb the whole thing is, though, so I do that a lot.  

Zenobia: I've heard it said the blacks can't be racist. But you said you get it from both sides?

Frodo: If you're talking actual racism, the stuff that's embedded in society, blacks can't be.  But plenty of us are...  We tend to assume the worst.  Like, say I'm wearing the saggy pants and your mom tells me to pull them up.  She doesn't realize it, but she's being racist.  Now, I could get mad and scream at her, but odds are she just thought it looked stupid.  

Zenobia: Because she doesn't understand that it's a big thing in black culture.

Frodo: Right.  The best thing to do is stay calm and give the lady the benefit of the doubt.  If she did mean to be racist, you screaming in her face is just gonna make her even more so.  

Batgirl: I can vouch for that.  Not so much on the race thing, but in general.  If people think you are trash and you don't behave like trash, it creates a chance to communicate.  I'm one of the sisters Helena talked about and, yes, we were trailer trash.  Everyone in town knew it.  We both left town upon graduation and I grew some self-esteem.  

Zenobia: You must have, if you chose to return and raise your kids in the town that treated you so badly. 

Batgirl: I realized then that most of what Charlotte and I went through was our parents' fault.  Kids, especially junior high kids, like Helena was during the worst of it, can't understand that children don't choose to live like we did.  I married Joe and brought him back here, we both work hard to support our family, and the worst my girls have gotten is an occasional comment about going back to Mexico, which they just find funny because they're Navajo. 

Zenobia: So you offer the same advice as Frodo and Peeta.  Roll with it, they mean nothing.

Batgirl: More or less.  

Whitney: I had what I thought was some harmless fun and Wilma came along nine months later.  Those nine months were a living hell.  Mom was there for me, every step of the way, but when you're thirteen, your peers are the most important people in your life. When I see the news stories about kids committing suicide because they've been bullied, I totally get it.  I thought about doing it, myself.  

Zenobia: But you got through it. 

Whitney: I had Mom.  She stood by me, helped me make my choices, even divorced my dad for me.  Held me when I cried, hid the cutlery when I was really down, everything.  But most parents are kind of oblivious to stuff like this. Maybe they aren't even capable of understanding. (Crying)  I think we need to be giving advice to everyone instead of just the kids getting bullied.   If you see someone being bullied, anywhere, any time, step in.  Don't mind your own business, don't make excuses for the bully.  Step in.  You might save a life. 

Zenobia: Everyone out there - don't be a bystander. If you have ideas, advice, anything constructive, tell us in the comment section. (Outro music plays over everyone gathering around Whitney.)

Evening at Windu Acres

Mace comes in from the barn for supper.  While he greets the dogs, he notices an unexpected guest.

Mace: Hey, Joe!  What are you doing here?  

Rose-Grace: Grab a seat, Dad.  I need to talk to you before I give Joe his orders.

Rose-Grace: We've decided to divide the basement into small rooms.  

Mace: Well, it's your house now, so go for it. You don't need my permission.

Joe: We've planned a nursery for those monsters on your lap and a small studio for the boys' band.  

Rose-Grace: Fred will be in the nursery, too.  He overhears way too much sharing a room with teenagers.  (to Mace) We want to you to take one of the rooms.  You've practically moved back in since Mom died, anyway.  But if you do, you need to get with Joe on details.

Mace: If you're keeping the cellar door, I can take that room.  Make it easier to slip out in the wee hours to care for the horses. But other than that, I trust Joe on the details.  Gonna soundproof the studio? 

Rose-Grace (laughs): Mostly, anyway.  Even if Sarcastic Fringehead ceases to exist, we've got six more possible musicians in the house.  Could be doomed to twenty years of garage bands. 

*****

Upstairs, Finnick and Tanner are hanging out with most of their friends.  

Frodo: Didn't you tell your folks that you pretty much gave up on making a career of the band?

Tanner: We did.  But Dad refers to it now as a serious hobby.  And we do make a little money at it.

Frodo: Well, you can make money with a serious hobby.  I'm jealous.  Can't even talk my folks into moving Ty outta my room and into the attic.  Hell, I even offered to take the attic! 

Whitney: I've seen your attic.  I don't blame them.

Mariko: Speaking of moving kids in and out of rooms, Nova's offering unlimited soft drinks and pizza to anyone that helps clear out two of the rooms in our upstairs.  She's finally marrying Jeremiah and we need those rooms for Alex and Lottie. 

Nakoma: I'm in.  I might have Roxy and Kelly with me, though.  Pocahontas is hauling the guys to the bridal shop for their suits.  

Mariko: We can always find smaller jobs for smaller helpers.  Anyway, I just stopped in for a few after work.  Whitney, need a ride the rest of the way home or you gonna get one of the guys to drive you? 

Nakoma (checks the time): Holy Smoke!  I better go, too! 

Whitney decides to go with them, leaving the guys to do whatever it is guys do.  

Frodo: What's the story with Mariko's house, anyway?  

Finnick: It was probably built for one of them old school farm families with ten or twelve kids, so there's a million bedrooms.  StepMom said the old man who lived there died and whoever inherited it auctioned it off with everything in it.  Mariko's folks were the highest bidders. 

Tanner: How do you go from that big a family to an old man living alone?  None of those ten or twelve kids wanted the place? 

Frodo: Happened to my great grandparents.  Grandpa was the youngest of thirteen, got the place by default, and Dad was his only kid.  When he died, there was a lot of debate, but they decided to move here and keep the place. 

Tanner: Your great-grandparents had thirteen kids in that house?  Where did they put them?

Frodo (laughs):  I have no idea!  

Monday, Monday

Very early Monday morning, Violet arrives at Sunburst to find odd activity.  

Violet: Did you fire me and forget to tell me? 

Midna: Don't be silly.  I,m just getting a head start for you on looking for a new day cook.  

Pern: We found a note taped to the front door when we got here. Apparently Jason got a really good job offer and had to go immediately. 

Violet (angry): He couldn't be bothered to call? 

Midna (to Pern): Is this your friend?

Pern: Yes.  And don't worry, he's been sober for fifteen years.  

Midna (reading the application): He worked at The Point almost that long.  Excellent references.

Pern: Charlotte Jackson did him real dirty.  No severance pay, nothing.  He's got two kids to support and is planning a wedding.  

Violet: I'm going to be insubordinate and order the owner into the kitchen.  Take Pern with you while I make the needed calls.  

*****
Early afternoon sees Joe Montez meeting with Pike.

Joe: You know, you keep giving me work, I might have to hire actual help instead of enlisting my children.  What do you have in mind now? 

Pike: We were having trouble fitting in that house before Orlando and Samara arrived.  We've decided to see what we can do with the biggest combo bathroom and laundry room on the planet.  I drew you a rough plan of our ideas.

Joe: I can already see a couple of issues we'll need to work around.  You just thinking more bedrooms? 

Pike: Actually, one of the things we'd like to do is put in a small studio.  The boys are still heavy into their band even if they do have more realistic career goals now. 

Joe: When can I come over, get a good look at the space?

Pike: If we aren't home, Mace is there.  He only goes back to his apartment to sleep.  Show up at dinner time and we'll even feed you.

****

Speaking of Mace.  

Mace: What are you doing here?  Come over to seduce me? 

Candy (laughs): You wish, old man.  (to Angus) Isn't it too cold out here for you? 

Mace: He loves the snow.  It is too cold for Silver Stream.  Her breed isn't as hardy as Angus's.

Candy: Speaking of breeding, you know the kids want a colt.

Mace: I've heard a rumor to that effect.  Seriously, though, why are you here?  

Candy: Came to see the kids when they get home.  I'm leaving on assignment this evening.

Candy is waiting inside when the kids get home and they gather around, even the ones that don't share her blood. 

Tanner: The Middle East?  Again?

Candy: I'm a photojournalist, son.  I have to go where the news is happening. 

Fred: Are you going where there's bombs, Mommy?  Dr. Marcus went to a bomb place and his leg came off.  What if your leg comes off? 

Candy: I'll be very careful.  And Marcus does okay without his leg. 

Fred: I will get Four to teach me how he helps his daddy, just in case.  

Stacie: Aren't you scared, Mommy?

Candy: True bravery is going on even though you're scared.  Gotta keep the world informed, right?

Nikki: She'll be okay, guys.  She always is. 

Finnick: That's the spirit.  

Problem Solved (Mostly)

A few things were bothering me about this arrangement.  Not the house itself - it's a cute thing and it was sweet of my sister to nab it from the yard sale for me - but my space is limited.

1. Making it the home of John and Pocahontas was stressing me out.  They need furniture!  Where do I put Anakin?!  Is this going to detract even more from the Pikes as the "main family" of my stories?!  I had made a fake doorway into a picture of a kitchen to dodge at least a bit of the furniture issue and managed cardboard box beds, but otherwise they had basically nothing.

2. I got in trouble before because my dollhouse was "blocking emergency egress".  Granted, that was my huge dollhouse that's taller than me, but my paranoia was setting off alarms.  Most of that third floor room is visible from outside.  That's how I got busted last time, they saw it from outside.

3. I know me.  I gotta keep it to one dollhouse for one family, at least until money falls from the sky and I can have an actual doll room.  Right now, I have a doll corner! 

But how to make this work as part of the Pike home?  How to work around that "emergency egress" thing?  Most of my doll corner is windows because I like the natural light for photo stories.  Finally, yesterday evening, it struck me.  The basement.  I've always said they had a second bathroom and laundry in the basement.  Why not have more rooms down there?

Swing it around sideways, remove the third story, and viola!  It's not as cute anymore, but it works.  Since I'm pretending these rooms are underground, it won't bother me (much) that the scale is off.  there's even space beside it for the third floor room to be used.  

The second story dollhouse window can still get good light in there.  The top of this section can be either a second deck or an area to set scenes.  I haven't really decided which, but I'm leaning toward the latter.  I'm very fond of the deck they already have.  

There is a problem with the first floor window, though.  But the kitchen was already a bit of a challenge anyway.  Not much sunlight gets down there!  I'll probably find a nice scenery picture and cover this up so no one has to look at at a hot pink wall during meals. That goes on my to-do list.

Fred and the baby twins get a nursery.  

Sarcastic Fringehead gets a tiny studio.  I had to redo these walls to cover up the fake kitchen doorway, but I still kept the coffee shop mural.  

I used a big cardboard box as a riser.  I will have to devise a sturdier floor for this room and hope to eventually find a small table to fit here.  I wonder what the Pikes will put in this room once it is ready.  My paranoia has calmed, I'm no longer stressing over the logistics of two houses, and I still found a way to use my sister's gift!  Yay for me!