Office Hours

This time of year is usually pretty slow at Witch's Cove, but not today.  Pocahontas has a full agenda.

Pocahontas: It looks like your reservation for The Overlook is all set.  Albus will meet your contractors at the gate, at eight am, so they will have plenty of time to set up.

Nova:  Excellent.  We did have one more, slightly odd, request before signing anything.

Jeremiah: I want to bring my younger daughter up there.  She's extremely sensitive to spirits -- 

Pocahontas: That's not even close to the oddest request I've had.  You bring Lottie by any time during business hours and I'll escort you myself.  In fact, since I have decided to play up the witch aspect, I was considering hiring your team to do an overnight.  

Jeremiah: We can do that.  Tomorrow after school?  

Pocahontas: We'll sign on the wedding and work out the details on the overnight after Lottie approves the venue.  I'm sure she will, by the way.  If we have ghosts, they're pretty mellow. 

Nova: We were worried.  Some people...  well, I'm sure you know. 

Pocahontas:  Even if I didn't agree with your beliefs, I'd respect them.  I want my clients comfortable.

Her next meeting is with Rayshawn Lucas, new owner of The Point. 

Rayshawn: I'm planning to reopen later this week.  When Charlotte shut the place down, all she really did was lock the doors.  Everything is still in place and most of the employees came back to work for me.  They're doing a clean up even as we speak.

Pocahontas: Have a seat, Mr. Lucas.  I can't tell you how relieved I am that The Point will be -- Wait.  Did you just call Mrs. Jackson by her first name?

Rayshawn: I've been doing business with the Jacksons for years.  Charlotte made a big mistake with The Point and I saw a chance to both grab a prime business opportunity and help out an old friend.  

Pocahontas: What did you want to see me about?  

Rayshawn: As I understand it, you had a deal with The Point.  Lower admittance fees for your park, perhaps a shuttle bus?  I'm not clear on the details. 

Pocahontas: Oh, that.  It was ten percent off admission for your guests.  There should be coupons in the rooms.  Our people mover isn't street legal, so there's no shuttle bus, but parking is free.  Most of our profits come from admission and in-park purchases.  

Rayshawn: We can just continue with the existing arrangement, if that's good for you? 

Pocahontas: Perfect.  And thank you.  There's not a lot of exaggeration to people calling you the economic savior of the town. 

Albus: Who was the guy I passed in the lobby?  

Pocahontas: New owner of The Point.  Seems like a decent guy, even if he is a friend of Charlotte Jackson's.  

Albus: Very easy on the eyes.  (Gets out a laptop.)  Anyway, I wanted to go over-- 

Pocahontas:  You?  You have a laptop? 

Albus (slightly embarrassed): Well, the Pike boys convinced me to give it a go.  I have to admit, it's easier than toting around a clipboard and file folders.

Pocahontas: Before we get into boss and employee mode, I need to talk to you about Anakin.  You're the closest thing to a father I ever had and I'm really struggling with this whole Pern situation.  I really can't refute that it would be the best thing for Anakin, but what about Pern?  I'd hate to undermine her sobriety by stealing her baby.   All she will say about it is that it's up to me and John.

Albus: She'll never be mother of the year, but there is no denying her love for Anakin.  If you take full custody she'll know her boy is safe, and that's really all a mother's love requires.  It's not like you'd refuse her access to him.  

Pocahontas: As long as she stays clean.  

Albus: Talk to her, Pocahontas, and let her know these things.  The poor girl is woefully ignorant and has been used badly all her life.  She's family and it's time you let her know that. (chuckles) As long as she stays clean.