So It Begins

Halfsies Sewing and Alterations, late afternoon.

Iris:  Taylor, what do you think?  Should we have a display of accessories for sale?  Or just focus on the clothing itself? 

Taylor: It's not a bad idea.  Make a little extra money with inexpensive things, but not have a full-on jewelry depart -- ow! 

Iris: What is it? Are you okay? 

Taylor: Yeah, just a little twinge here, in my side.  Comes and goes. 

Dawn: Cramps?  Is it that time of the month? 

Taylor: I wish.  Mom says I'm a late bloomer.  If I've not started by my sixteenth birthday, I'm going to the doctor.  (rubs the spot)  This doesn't feel like a muscle cramp, anyway.

Dawn:  Remember the days when we wished for that, Iris?  

Iris: I didn't start til eighth grade and thought there was something seriously wrong with me.  

Taylor (laughs):  I've kept Mom busy with all the old wives' tales I've fallen for. Anyway... I'll get back to organizing the fabric in the work area.

Dawn: Customers.  Did we have anyone picking up an order today?

Iris: No.  I hope it's not that Jackson woman again.  She drives me nuts.

Tierra (confused): We were told this is a boutique? 

Seven: I told you it wasn't.  (To Dawn and Iris) The airport lost our luggage.  We just need a couple changes of clothes, to get us through til the luggage is found. 

Iris: Well, we do have a few pieces that our clients rejected.  They're quality work.  (uses intercom to ask Taylor to bring in the rejects)  Come to think of it, Dawn, we could display the rejects along with accessories.

Iris: Might want to call them something besides rejects if we do that.  

Tierra: We met on the plane.  We're both here for Mrs. Moneybags.  I always made fun of the women on those shows, and look at me now.

Iris: It's not typical, from what I hear.  More old fashioned helpmeet stuff, less champagne and caviar.  He's redoing The Point, and from what I've seen of that place, it's not going to be easy.

Seven:  That's what got my attention.  Part of the application packet focused on interior design and landscaping.  Are either of you ladies participating?

Iris: I'm happily married.

Dawn: I've met Rayshawn.  He's not my type. Besides, it'd be hard to run this place and The Point. 

Seven: Oh, you have?  What's he like?  What about his children? 

Iris: I'm going to go see what's keeping Taylor.  

Iris finds Taylor on the floor, gripping her belly and whimpering.

Iris (shouting):  Call an ambulance!  Call Taylor's parents!  Something's wrong with her! 

 

Meanwhile...

 Candy and Dawn meet at Sunburst to catch up on the last few years.  

Dawn: These are all your kids?  You've been busy. 

Candy(laughs): No, the big twins, the girl in camo, and the little boy are mine.  The other two girls are Pike's stepdaughters and the babies are his with Rose-Grace.  

Dawn: So your ex is married to the mayor?  Do you two get along?  There's no bad blood?

Candy: We had a amicable divorce.  He wanted to put down roots, I didn't.  We do a pretty good job of co-parenting - none of that playing the kids against each other crap.  

Dawn: You know I was in and out of the system because my parents proved each other unfit?  Well, Dad's other wife said she'd take me and raise me.  I'd met her and Iris a few times and we always got along great.

Candy: I do remember your Dad was a bigamist.  What's the age difference with you and Iris? 

Dawn: Just a few months.  I met a little boy the other day who told me all about how he and his sister are the same age, but not twins, because they're both adopted.  

Candy: That had to be Bobby.  Were you at the greenhouse? 

Dawn: The day care.  We're opening up shop in the same building, just a floor above.  

Candy: I hope John rescued you before Bobby could tell you his life story. 

Dawn: He did.  Handsome fellow. 

Candy: Happily married fellow.  What kind of shop do you have?

Dawn: Tailoring by Halfsies.  Because we're half-sisters.  

****

At Doll County Correctional, Paris Malfoy meets with his lawyer. 

Andre: I'm afraid I don't have good news, Mr. Malfoy.  The case against you is solid.  

Paris: How?  They don't have the vehicle, any fingerprints or DNA, not even a witness. 

Andre: They have video.  Candy Pike was wearing a GoPro, and from the video they tracked the license plate and identified you as the driver.  I've had the video sent to an independent lab to see if it's been tampered with, but this does not bode well.  The car belongs to your daughter and was reported stolen years ago. 

Paris: Zenobia can't press charges against me.  I'm her father.  And there's plenty of men around who could be mistake for me in a blurry GoPro video. Hell, even the first victim's husband looks so much like me it's rumored that he's my bastard brother. 

Andre: Zenobia can and probably will testify against you.  It's entirely possible you'll be charged with car theft on top of everything else. James Potter has an alibi for all three incidents, and the video is very clear - Ms Pike is a professional photographer and uses top-of-the-line equipment.   Now, you can come clean with me and we can work out a defense, or I collect for the time I've wasted here and move on to my next case. 

*****

The Montez Contracting crew meets in the park for work.  They're installing playground equipment. 

Gabriella: I'm going to hit the restroom before we get started, Dad.  I'll meet you at the site. 

Joe: Okay.  (teasing) Don't be slacking off just because it's your last day on the job. 

Ryder: Why's it her last day on the job? 

Joe: Back to school tomorrow.  

Tate: Oh?  What's her major? 

Joe: Major?  She's in high school, she doesn't have a major. 

Ryder (amazed): High school?  She's underage? 

Tate: We though she was just petite. 

Joe (chuckles): I'm not sure if I should be complimented on my parenting or angry that you two were apparently lusting after my daughter.  She is very mature for her age, but yes, she's underage. Wait a few years before asking her out. 

Gabriella sprints across the park, shouting.  

Joe: What is it?  

Gabriella (panting): There's a car in the water, down behind the restrooms.  I think it's the one the cops are looking for.  Green SUV, right? 

A Reunion (Or Two)

 Sunburst.  Zenobia hurries in after her meeting with the lawyer. 

Iris: Casey, stop playing on your phone and eat.  

Casey: I'll have plenty of time to eat when Dawn gets here.  You two are gonna go blah-blah-blah til bedtime. 

Iris: We aren't going to be here that long.  We're going to the shop and make plans.  

Zenobia: Welcome to Sunburst!  I'm Zenobia.

Dawn: I'm looking for... oh, there she is.  (waves to Iris)  I'll just have some coffee, please.  

Zenobia: Cream and sugar? 

Dawn: No.  Just strong black coffee. 

Zenobia: It'll be a few minutes for the coffee.  I started a fresh pot.

Dawn: Excellent.  I'll also have this taco thing Iris is eating.  (Stops Zenobia when she moves away.) I hate to sound like some kind of stalker, but who is that woman over there?  In the wheelchair? She looks very familiar. 

Zenobia: That's Candy Pike.  She's a pretty well known photojournalist, so you've probably seen her work, but it's odd that... 

Dawn (excited): Was her maiden name Barr? And no, I'm not being a smartass.  I actually once knew a girl named Candy Barr. We were in a couple of foster homes together.

Zenobia: I believe it was.  I can ask her, she won't mind.  I'm friends with her sons. 

Dawn: Please do. My name's Dawn Lung. 

Zenobia: This is going to sound really weird. 

Candy (laughs): Most of the things you say are weird, Zenobia, but that's why I like you. What's up? 

Zenobia: The lady sitting with Iris Patrick?  She thinks you two were in a foster home together as kids.  Her name's Dawn Lung. 

Candy (thinks for a bit): There was a Dawn.  We ended up in the same home twice, once when I was ten or so and then when I was a teenager. (scrutinizes Dawn from across the room, then smiles broadly)  That is her!  

Candy:  It's me, Dawn!  (To Zenobia) Oh, I hate this wheelchair.  Help me get over there.  

Zenobia: I have to put in her order and get her coffee.  I'll ask if they mind you joining them. 

Candy: Oh, yeah, I guess I shouldn't just horn in on them.