Loose Ends

Doll County Paranormal has a final meeting about the Witch's Cove investigation before turning the job over to a video production company.  

Jeremiah: Let's go over the data from the Raging Rapids area.  Diana's data tells us this land was originally owned by a farmer named Schmidt, and remained in the family until bought by Kida.  

Nova: Lottie reported it as a sad place and we got the photos of the white shape and the vortex of lights in this area.  The best guesses on the single EVP are "leave me alone" and "repeat the note".  There are records of several deaths, as we can expect with a multi-generational family farm in the days before hospitals.  

Esperanza: "Leave me alone" and the sadness Lottie sensed makes me wonder if there were any suicides.  But nothing on record supports that.  

Nova: We do have a few questionable deaths, but nothing so obvious as a note days after being left at the altar.   The strange thing, in my opinion, is this:  We got the photos, which indicate something very strong there, but none of the witness reports were on this side of the park.  

Kenna: It hides from the living, but can't hide from the camera.  It really does want to be left alone. 

Hagrid: Definitely more sightings at the grove by The Overlook.  Kids, mostly. 

Peeta: We ran the movement patterns through a comparison program.  Closest matches were small animal activity and children running.  And by children, the computer specified ages three to five.  

Hagrid: Them EVPs sure sound like kids laughing.  What did we decide they say? 

Jeremiah: First one is "Can't catch me", "Fantasy", or "Don't touch me".  The first and last ones seem very fitting for kids at play.  Second one is probably a response to our asking for a name.  "Antonio." But others heard "Float my boat", "Broke my nose", and "Don't I know".  

Diana:  Well, what I found in the archives fits almost perfectly.  There was an orphanage in the area.  (reads from tablet)  Hillcrest Children's Home, managed by two spinster daughters of the Chase family.  A tornado took it out in 1959.  

Lottie: It must not have been like the orphanages I read about in stories.  None of them are happy places.  

Diana: The ladies who ran the place must have been very nice.  (refers to the tablet again)  Census records list a few boys named Tony - some with Latin last names, so possibly short for Antonio.  One Antonia, in 1930.  And "broke my nose" is a fairly common complaint among rowdy children.  

****

While they talk ghosts, the Pike women enjoy the newest luxury at Windu Acres.

Morgan: I could've used a hot tub back when I was digging up bones for a living.  Academic life is making me soft.  (pokes at her belly)  I've been slacking off on workouts since Candy left.   What is with her, running off to war zones and disaster areas every chance she gets?

McG: She always had an overdeveloped sense of adventure.  I'm pleased that Rose-Grace is more of a homebody. 

Rose-Grace: Hey, don't put the mothers of your grandchildren into competition!  (they all laugh)  She's not comfortable staying in one place long - that's why she divorced Pike when he left the military - but I wish she'd satisfy her wanderlust by selling her photos to travel magazines instead of news magazines. 

Morgan: Probably the result of growing up in foster care.  They move kids around so much. 

Rose-Grace: You'd be amazed how many of those moves are for the kid's safety.  The screening for foster parents is nowhere near as good as it should be.  (pointedly changes the subject)  I heard a rumor that you were applying for Mrs. Moneybags.

Morgan: Mom wishes.  You'd think after getting eight grandchildren out of my brother, she'd leave me alone, but no.  My biological clock is driving her nuts.  

McG: I just mentioned the idea.  As a topic of idle conversation. 

 

Memories and a Mask

Jeremiah and Nova work on Doll County Paranormal's report for their Witch's Cove project. 

Nova: I think we can edit out the bit where Frodo and Peeta are talking about Peeta being a fairy.  We all know that's playful banter, but if this is going into a video for Pocahontas to sell in the park, that could cause problems.

Jeremiah: Not sure how you can do that without editing out the problem with the sensors falling over.  

Nova (listens to the audio): Wait, Peeta calls himself a fairy.  I think we can safely leave it.  

Lottie:  Daddy, I want to be in the video.  Maybe I can get famous.  

Jeremiah: I don't know about that.  Our medium being a little kid, that might open a whole can of worms.  Not to mention the way you'd get teased at school. 

Lottie: I already get teased at school.  And you can put one of them misclaimers Nova was just talking about. Tell watchers that I got all them eighty million tests and stuff. 

Nova: She has a point.  You really can't use a medium without showing her, not with any credibility. 

Jeremiah: Nova, you're not helping! 

Lottie:  Oh, how about a special features called meet the medium! That'd be a big misclaimer! 

*****

Later, they record some footage for the video with Diana and Pocahontas.

Jeremiah: You don't need to introduce yourself, we'll put your name and credentials across the bottom of the screen. 

Diana:  Okay, then, I'll dive right in.  Barbieville was founded as part of the early 1800s Utopian Movement.  The land that eventually became Witch's Cove Amusement Park was divided into farm plots by the founders. 

Diana:  Only the hills directly bordering the stream were known then as Witch's Cove. The roads leading into the property from the north still bear the names of Hadley, Carson, and Handler.  The Carson and Handler families intermarried and it was their joined land that became the original park.  I'll let park owner Pocahontas Smith take it from here. 

Pocahontas: The land had been farmed poorly and the crops were failing.  My grandparents, in danger of losing the property, agreed to host a traveling carnival.  Their daughter Kida, my mother, fell in love with the owner of the carnival and with the idea of owning a permanent park.  Despite being left to raise two daughters on her own, Kida succeeded. 

Pocahontas: The area in the northwest corner was recently added to the property and we're currently rebranding.  We changed the name to Witch's Cove, a traditional name for the area, and the spinning barrels are now cauldrons.  We bought more land and installed the Windigo, with plans for more rides to come.

Pocahontas: The stars on the 1812 map indicate areas of note to the medium, Lottie Russo, who has consented to help me point them out on a modern map.  Lottie? 

Lottie climbs onto a chair to reach.  

Lottie: The grove in front the Overlook.  People see children in old-fashioned clothes playing here, but when they look closer, the kids vanish.  I felt like this was a happy place. 

Pocahontas: The only other location in the park Lottie sensed spirits was here, near this curve on the Raging Rapids ride.  Lottie, is this also a happy place?

Lottie: No, it felt sad.  But no place in the park felt mean, and that's very good.  We're going to find out who your spirits were when they were people and maybe help them go wherever they're supposed to go.

****

Albus gives an account of his own experiences in the park.

Albus: I've been here since the start.  Came with the carnival and never left.  My official title is Head of Ride Maintenance, but I do a little bit of everything.  The girls couldn't run the place without me.  It'd all just fall apart.  (laughs) Anyway, about the ghosts.  I have seen children in the off-limits areas, but when I go to run them out, no kids are there.   I never noticed how they were dressed, though.

Albus:  I was out by the log ride earlier and found this mask.  Just in case it comes up in any of the pictures.  

 

Ghosts and Gold Diggers

 Diana is finishing up her first day teaching at the college when a man enters. 

Jeremiah:  Diana Prince?  

Diana: Yes.  Can I help you with something? 

Jeremiah:  I hope so.  I'm the president of Doll County Paranormal.  We investigate claims of hauntings, with a scientific focus, and our current project is at Witch's Cove.  Are you familiar with this area at all? 

Diana: I graduated with Pocahontas.  And I believe you graduated with my brother Severus.  

 

Jeremiah (chuckles): Small world.  Anyway... we're putting together a video of this particular investigation, to sell in Witch's Cove's gift shops, and hoped to have an actual historian present the -- well, the history of the place.

Diana:  I hate to be rude, but it's been a long day and I just want to get home to my son.  Can I give you my card and we'll make arrangements? 

****

At The Point, a motel and campground on the south shore of Muneca Lake

William: I've been considering your proposal.  I'm sorry, but I just can't condone gold digging. 

Charlotte: It's not gold digging if it's honest.  I know many people look down on me, but Billy knew the entire time that I wouldn't have been with him if he was broke.  And Rayshawn isn't looking for that type of girl, anyway, they'd all be eliminated quickly. 

Rayshawn: Right.  You see those shows on TV, it's all hot tubs and cocktails, but my elimination criteria is gonna include working on renovating The Point and getting along with my kid.   Gold-diggers ain't into that kind of thing, are you, Charlotte? 

Charlotte: I prefer the term social climber, thank you very much.  

William: Wait.  You want to bring in a bunch of women with the marry a millionaire concept and then make them do manual labor?  

Charlotte: He's following my example.  This way he can focus on compatibility without wondering if she's faking interest to get at the money.  Rayshawn envies us because our marriage isn't based on deceit.  

William: I'm beginning to see some merit in this idea.  Would the child have a say in the matter?  Perhaps even act as one of the judges? That's an angle we haven't seen.  Father and son decide the elimination.  

******

Friday afternoon, DCP meets at the Overlook in Witch's Cove.

Jeremiah: OK, y'all, we need to get coordinated for this weekend's investigation.  HQ will be here, in the event venue, but of course we'll be spread out over the entire property.  But before we get started, Phoebe Guinness has news.

Phoebe:  I've submitted my paperwork for my doctorate.  Accredited schools don't have one for parapsychology, so it's actually in plain ole psych, but with a heavy focus on the para!  

Jeremiah: And welcome to the team Diana Prince and Esperanza Hernandez.  Diana is a history professor and will be acting as team historian, but Esperanza will be out in the field with us.  Remember, everyone, we do not scoff at rookie mistakes.  We once made them ourselves.  

Diana: May I say, whoever did the research for this specific project did an excellent job.  

Nakoma: That would be Phoebe.  She's currently employed in the park and therefore not allowed to take part in the field work.  Jeremiah's rules, not mine!  (To Jeremiah)  I'm here as park owner, to protect our legal interests.  

Diana (to Esperanza): That's Pocahontas?  She looks so young. 

Esperanza: Nakoma.  The younger sister.

Diana: Wow.  I'm really behind on my hometown gossip.

Kids These Days

 Snape and Diana, moving her into her new home, take a lunch break.

Whitney: Well, hello, Mr. Snape.  How have you been? 

Snape: Quite well.  Have you met my sister?  Diana, this is a former student of mine, Whitney Darling.  I imagine she's a student of yours now.  

Whitney: Oh, you must be the new History instructor.  

Diana: Yes, I am.  

Whitney:  I guess I'll see you this evening, then.  I'm in the eight o'clock class. 

Snape: Whitney's an excellent student.  (to Whitney) Have you decided on a major? 

Whitney: Not yet.  My father wants me to go into broadcasting, my boyfriend's aunt wants me in paleontology, my daughter wants me to be a doctor... 

Snape: No pressure from Tanner to go into animal husbandry? (To Diana) Whitney is dating the heir apparent of Windu Acres.  Rose-Grace's stepson. 

Whitney: I should have a career of my own, so I can take care of myself if...  you know, if anything happens. 

William: You flirt with men old enough to be your father?  

Whitney: He's a teacher at the high school.  And what you call flirting is part of my job description.

William: When are you coming into the studio?  

Whitney: I'm not.  I told you, broadcasting doesn't interest me. 

Charlotte: You should treat your father with more respect.  

Whitney: I don't believe politely declining a job offer is disrespectful, Mrs. Jackson.  

Charlotte (to William): My own children are disrespectful as well.  They rarely check in on me or their father, who is hospitalized.  Our generation -- 

William: This is a business lunch.  I prefer not to discuss personal matters. 

Charlotte: I understand.  Since Rayshawn is running late, I suppose I could summarize for you what we have in mind. 

*** 

Whitney rushes to class after work. 

Nakoma: There you are!  I was getting worried. 

Whitney: I met our new prof today.  She's Snape's sister.

Nakoma: Oh, dear.  I hope she's nicer than him.  

Esperanza: Who's Snape?  Your ex?

Nakoma: Chemistry teacher at the high school.  I don't have an ex. 

Ken: Did you hear that?  We're getting a female Snape!  

Frodo: Chill, man.  Mom met her when she was enrolling her little boy at school.  Mom said she's really nice.  Great sense of humor. 

Ken: She must have gotten all the sense of humor genes in the family.  

For The Children Part Two

 At Sulu's Greenhouse 

Mattie: What happened at the lawyer's?  We all but ran home from school.  Almost forgot to get DD from the daycare, even!  

Bobby:  Is it a brother for me?!  Is it?! 

Sulu: I told Lynch she shouldn't make you go to school today, that you'd be too excited. (dramatic pause)  We're adopting a boy about Anakin's age.  His name is Rayford.  Bobby, he'll have to share your room, but I think you're close enough in age for that to work. 

Vivica: Me and Mattie could share.  Mattie even said it's okay. 

Sulu: You'll share with DD once she starts sleeping through the night.  No need to cram three people in one room.

Bobby: YAY I gots a new brother! 

Vivica: He's my new brother, too, you poopy head! 

Bobby: You already gots a brother - me! 

****

At The Tor, Charlotte and Batgirl are relaxing on the penthouse balcony.  Batgirl is telling her sister about a new cashier at the grocery when Charlotte's phone goes off.

Charlotte: I don't believe it!  Kayden agreed! 

Batgirl: He's giving you custody? 

Charlotte: Oh, no, I made an offer I thought he'd never accept.  My children can't get their money until they are 21 if I relinquish custody.  Well, if Billy passes away before then, you know.  I thought for sure he'd decline and my lawyer could use that against him as we went forward. 

Batgirl: I guess he does have motives besides the money.  

Charlotte: He's going to brainwash them and get the money then.

Batgirl: I know you were never particularly maternal and you only had them for Billy's sake, but you're so... distant.  With the internet and telephones, there's no reason you can't be part of their lives even from here. 

Charlotte: I don't know how to deal with kids.  You've seen me with yours. 

Batgirl: I can help you with that.  Just sign custody over and follow my advice.  By the time they're grown, Mary-Kate and Max will at least like you.  You don't want to end up like our mom, do you? 

Charlotte (angry): Don't you dare compare me to her.  She deserved everything she got.  Or didn't get. 

*****

Airport, somewhere west of Barbieville.

Malachi: Are you waiting for the Barbieville plane?  Me and my mommy are going to live there.

Rafe:  Yeah, I'm getting adopted by a family there. Do you know anyone there? 

Malachi: Just my grandparents and my uncle.  Are you an orphan?

Rafe (reading from his tablet):  Not no more.  I've got a new dad, a new mom, a brother, and three sisters. 

Malachi: Mommy!  This boy is going to live in our town!  Can he sit with us on the airplane? 

Diana: The plane has assigned seats, but maybe someone will trade if you ask nicely.  

Malachi: He said his new family is named Sulu.  Do we know anybody named Sulu? 

Diana (to Rafe): Adoption? (He nods) That's probably Hikaru - I can't imagine the parents adopting at their age.  They have to be in their sixties by now, if not older.  As I recall, they are very nice people.  

Malachi: Rafe's mommy and daddy went to heaven, just like my daddy, so he had to go live in the orphanage til somebody bought him. I'm happy this guy did, cause now I'm gonna have a friend as soon as we get there. 

Rafe: That's not really how it works, but I'm happy, too.  (winks at Diana) It sucks at the orphanage. 

Note to readers: Charlotte's kids live on Facebook page Our Toy Story - album Nearly Famous