Everyone's Talking About Phoebe

 The management of Witch's Cove and Doll County Paranormal finally meet about the postponed investigation.  

Jeremiah: Of course, any current employee of the amusement park that is also on my team will not be a part of the on-site work.  That's to protect everyone involved from accusations of staging.  Phoebe did do the research into the history of the park, collection of lore, but she will not be here for the active investigation.

Pocahontas: I'm curious about how this actually works.  I've watched the TV shows, of course, but they seem to skip a lot of detail work.  Fill me in. 

Jeremiah: I'm sending you a detailed list of our techniques, but I can give you an overview.  For one thing, we use scientific methods to do this.  No spirit boards or seances - those are largely for show and very hard to analyze the results of.  The closest we come to any of those things is the use of a medium.  

Pocahontas: That was my next question.  Your medium is a child? 

Jeremiah: My daughter Lottie.  Her gift is what got me into all this in the first place.  Now, let me qualify this by saying she doesn't actually talk to the spirits or get possessed or any of those kind of things.  Her great-grandmother explained it to me as seeing a silent movie, except it's based on feelings instead of actually seeing anything.

Pocahontas: Kind of like how you can sense a person in the room without seeing or hearing them?

Jeremiah: That's a good comparison.  One very important aspect of our method is that no one on my active investigation team will know what Phoebe's research turned up.  That way we know our observations aren't tainted.  We compare all that after the fact.

Pocahontas:  I noticed that on one of those shows - they got an EVP that they decided was "he killed me" when it sounded to me like it said "leaking".  

Jeremiah: Exactly.  They probably knew it was a murder site, and were expecting it.  We go in without expectations.  

*******

A few miles away, at Barbieville Middle School.

Guinness: Since we've finished with this unit early, I'll give you the rest of the class time to study or talk quietly.  We'll have the unit test tomorrow. 

He ignores the quiet scraping of desks being pushed closer.

Courtney: Any drama at your house this weekend?  We just had the usual with Charlotte.

Wendy: Whitney and Dad got into a big screaming match.  He's still after her to come work at the station and she doesn't want to.  Even if he hadn't been such a jerk when she had Wilma, Whitney just doesn't have an interest in broadcasting.  

Courtney: I understand he's mad at her for getting pregnant so young, but really, Whitney's a grown woman now.  And he had nothing to do with her or Wilma for years. 

Wendy: He's still got nothing to do with Wilma.  I wish he'd just go back in the hole he crawled out of. 

Ginny: That brother of yours ever gonna ask Becky out?  

Claudia: I wish he'd date somebody.  He spends way too much time parenting me!  He works, and goes to those Kin As Parents meetings, and that's it.  I mean, I get that he wants to take care of me, but he acts like I'm six.  

Nikki: I thought he was still hung up on Phoebe?  That him and Becky are just friends? 

Ginny: I told Becky to ask him out, but she's like Nikki.  Thinks he wants Phoebe back. 

Claudia: Becky, Phoebe, I don't even care at this point.  I just want him to find someone else to hover over. 

Spring Has Sprung

The last nine weeks of school begins with a new student coming to Barbieville Middle School.

Claudia and Moana wait for the bus outside Lake Shore Townhomes.

Claudia: I guess it's kind of like any public school.  Some good teachers, some bad ones.  Same with the kids.  

Moana: Thanks for offering to help me out.  Jason promised me we won't move.  Well, I won't have to change schools.  Obviously, when he gets a job, we might have to move out of this complex. 

Claudia: Ben wouldn't qualify to live here if it wasn't for me.  Kids are expensive. 

Ron: Watch out for Draco, though.  He don't like you poor folk and those of us who slum with you.

Moana: Us poor folk?  Dude, you live here, too. 

Ginny: We're independently wealthy, or will be when we're old enough to get our trust funds.  I guess we are technically poor right now...

Ron: Our cousin is the manager here and she's got custody of us.  We picked her because she was the only one who cared more about us than the money.

Ginny: Took a while to convince the courts, though. 

*****

At the high school, McG begins a long-term substitute position in the Language Arts classroom.  

Raven: That's the twins' grandma?  

Tris: Four says she's really strict but otherwise cool.  Hey, did I tell you Zenobia and I decided to find a bigger apartment?  Where should we look?

Raven: How would I know?

Tris: Aren't you and your mom looking for a place?

Raven: Oh, that.  She's been seeing Dean, like, forever.  They decided to get married.  Just a mayor's office thing, though, since Mom isn't Jewish.  I get to share a room with his thirteen year old. 

McG:  Miss Prior, Miss Baxter.  Would you like to share with the class, since your subject matter is clearly more important than mine?  (waits a moment)  As I was saying, Miss Jones left me with instructions regarding your course of study.  It appears that the final exam is to be a stage production of one of the books reviewed this term.  

Raven (whispering):  Please let it be Gone With The Wind.

McG: Given the subject matter, some things have to be changed for a school production, but Miss Jones had a script nearly finished at the time of her accident.  Please consider what roles you'd like to audition for on Friday.

  

Raven (whispering):  Gone With The Wind  please please please

McG: I'm sorry, Miss Baxter, but it will be Jane Eyre.  

*****

After school, at the hospital. 

Tanner:  You aren't Whitney, but you're a lot prettier than Frodo.

Nakoma: Thanks, I think.  The Language Arts play this year is Jane Eyre.  Want me to put you down for any roles? 

Tanner: There's only one guy in that whole book!

Nakoma: You must not have been paying much attention when we read it. And you should be out of the hospital in plenty of time.

Rose-Grace: Marcus was just here.  Tanner is going home tomorrow.

Nakoma:  That's great!  I can't wait to tell the gang! 

Rose-Grace: And I think you should put him down to play Mason.  

****

That evening, KAP (Kin As Parents) welcomes a new member to the support group.

Becky: Guys, this is Jason Fly.  He just moved here, has custody of a seventh-grader, and is looking for work.  

Jason: Anything will do.  I hate being unemployed but don't have much by way of qualifications.

Nova: You're in good company, then.  Both Ben and I work at places that are almost always hiring and Pocahontas owns the amusement park.  We'll see what we can do for you.  

Ben: Jason has quite a story about his charge.  He doesn't even know how she's kin.

Jason: It's kind of a long one, but here goes.  I was DNA matched with Moana.  I have several brothers and uncles who might be the father.  So Moana is either my cousin or my niece. 

Pocahontas: Wow. 

Jason: Moana's mom died in a car accident and the foster care system has just implemented a system of DNA matching.  They contacted all of us and I was the only one willing to take in the child.

Pocahontas: Can't they tell how closely related you are?  Or is cousin and niece the same degree of relation?  

Jason: I'm not sure.  All I know is, she's my blood and she needed me.  

Ben: Maybe Pocahontas should do that.  See how many more Anakins are out there. 

Pocahontas: I wouldn't dare.  Anakin already thinks I don't believe he's really my brother.  

Aftermath and Beginnings

Rose-Grace comes home early to find Pike and the three youngest in her bedroom.

Rose-Grace: What is that?  And why are the kids half-naked?

Freddy:  We played in the mud and Daddy had to bath us.  Then the mailman brought me a dino!

Pike: The mailman brought you a dino poster and the little twins some wall art.  Auntie said you had to share, remember?

Freddy: Auntie is a dino scientist, Step-Mommy.  Did you know that?

Rose-Grace (chuckles):  Yes, and apparently she isn't going to rest until one or more of Pike's children follow in her footsteps.  

Freddy: You look like you're getting one of your headaches.  Are you all stressed out?

Rose-Grace: Very stressed out.  (To Pike)  They determined the fire was arson.  Neither Midna or Violet can settle with the insurance company.

Pike: Say no more.  We'll clear out and let you take a nap.

Rose-Grace (already crawling into bed, fully dressed):  Thank you, honey.  

Tanner:  Oh, man, that sucks.  I remember all the hassle after our fire, and that was proven to be totally not arson.  I wonder who did it.

Samara:  Fick!

Finnick: Hush, Samara, you aren't supposed to tell anyone.  (laughs)  Take her, somebody.  I'm gonna help Fred with his poster.

Fred:  Are you mad Auntie didn't send you a dino something?

Finnick: Well, she kind of did, since we all share this room.  

*****

At the elementary school, a few days later.   

Stacie:  Roxy, this is Dan and Emma.  They just moved into my neighborhood.

Roxy: I wondered why you and Anakin came in here during third grade. 

Anakin: We met them on the Sledding Hill Of Doom.  Told them you'd help them like Stacie did me.

Emma: Maybe we can all be friends.  

******

At the middle school

Kevin:  This is the social studies room. Both eighth and seventh grade use it. It's also our home room.

Hermione: Thanks for showing us around, Kevin.  

Kevin:  No problem.  When your mom mentioned...

Kevin:  Hi.  Are you new here, too? 

Ron: Yeah.  I'm Ron Weasley.

Kevin introduces himself, Hermione, and Harry.  Then he starts telling them about their classmates.

Draco:  Oh, look, more peasants.  Probably from the Welfare Arms out by the lake. 

Charmaine: The redheaded boy got on the bus there.  I don't know who the other two are.

Draco:  You ride the bus?

Taylor: Look, Sam, if that's how she's going to be, you're better off without her.

Samantha: She's just acting like that to impress Draco.  She thinks he's cute.

Alex: No boy is worth stabbing a good friend in the back for.  Especially not the way she did.  What she called you is -- 

Samantha:  She didn't say it.  He did. 

Gabriella:  That's just as bad.  She didn't defend you.

*****

  Nikki and Claudia find a moment to welcome Ginny after lunch.

Nikki:  How are you liking it here so far?  

Ginny:  I like it, but it's going to take a little getting used to.  I tried to look like I'm in a uniform, and everyone is so casual.  Did you two twin on purpose? 

Claudia: Yeah, we do that sometimes.  She's my bestie. 

Weasleys and Woes

Snow day continues for the residents of Barbieville.  Fred is sledding with Stacie and her friends when Mace shows up in the sleigh.  As children tend to do when Grandpas arrive, they flock to him.

Mace: Rosie send me out to find y'all.  Time for that family meeting to name those new pets.

Stacie: Hi, Grandpa!  These are my new friends Dan and Emma.  They just moved into the house where Mary Ann Bright used to live.

Mace: I know you, Dan.  Your daddy is my horse's doctor.  And Emma's mother is my dentist.

Dan: Yes, sir.  Emma is going to be my stepsister soon.  

Emma:  She's pretty much the whole town's dentist.  Can you give us a ride, just to our house?  (points) It's right over there.  

Stacie volunteers to sit on Silver Stream and give the rest some elbow room.  

James: Thanks for giving my kids a lift.  They've never had a sleigh ride before. 

Fred (amazed): Never?  

Mace: Pike told me you checked the horses. I haven't gotten a bill yet, though. 

James: Pike paid it.  

Mace: I keep telling him that the horses are mine.  They just stayed there when I moved out.

James: Well, that's a family matter.

Rose-Grace assembles the family while Mace puts away HIS horses.  

Tanner:  Why are Anakin and Nakoma voting on this?  Did I miss a couple of weddings or something? 

Rose-Grace: They're not voting.  Did you miss the part where both Finnick and Stacie are too young to get married? 

Finnick: Dad got married at my age. (Nakoma elbows him)  

Rose-Grace: I did remove some of the names from the running.  I am the mayor and have to think about how certain names might appear.

Tanner: There go all my suggestions.

Taylor: Can we remove the human names from the running as well?  I hate when animals have people names. 

Nikki: Remember when you tried to change Max's name?  That was funny.

Finnick: One of your dogs has a people name.  Ash is the dude with the chainsaw hand in those zombie flicks.  Yeah, we know she was born in a fireplace and is the same color as ashes, but still.

Nakoma: And there's a Pokemon trainer named Ash, too.  

Rose-Grace: I'm afraid you're outvoted on the human name issue, Taylor.  Most of -- (Her phone goes off)  I better take this call.  It's the fire chief.  

*******

Several days later

Zenobia:  Welcome to Zenobia's Vlog, the only openly biased news source in Doll County.  Today I've got some good news and some bad news.  We'll start with the good, and satisfy a lot of my viewer's curiosity in the process.  Becky?

Becky:  I made a previous visit to this Vlog and mentioned being part of a hush-hush custody battle.  A lot of you out there have been asking, and now I can tell you.  (Collects her thoughts) If you've seen the news recently, you'll know that millionaire real estate mogul Ronald Weasley Sr and his wife recently died.  They left everything to their two children, and a huge extended family started fighting for guardianship.  

Ron: Of the money.  Most of them didn't care about me and Ginny.  Becky wasn't even in on it til we asked her to take us.  

Ginny: I asked her, you mean.

Ron: Fine, til Ginny asked her.  Most of the family were trying to get us to buy mansions and yachts and stuff.  

Ginny: And then ship us off to boarding school. 

Ron:  Ginny, I'm telling this!

Ginny: Then get it right.  They wanted the money, not us.  

Ron: Becky was the only one who respected what Dad wanted.  We got real used to hearing her defend him.  Everyone else thought he was nuts.

Becky: Ronald was my favorite uncle.  He believed in a modest lifestyle and giving back to the community.  The bulk of his money has been divided in half and put into trust.  I have no intention of touching it.

Ron: We start school at Barbieville Middle School on Monday.  

Zenobia:  Now we move on to the bad news.  A fire late last week took out two local businesses and left the owner of one homeless.  With me are Midna Sunburst, owner of the Sunburst Diner, and Violet Baxter, owner of American Splendor printing.

Violet: I was watching television when Raven came out of her room and said something about a dumpster fire.  I thought she was speaking metaphorically at first, but no.  The dumpster was on fire.  

Midna: The dumpsters and my grease bin are far enough away that the buildings shouldn't have caught, but they did.  Once it got inside and hit my cooking oil...  (tears up)

Violet: I had a lot of flammable chemicals, as well.  The sprinkler system simply couldn't keep up with the spread.  (To Midna) They're down there right now.  They will find out what happened.

Zenobia: Was anything salvageable?

Violet: The first floor of my building was gutted and Midna's diner burned to the ground.  We may be able to save personal items from my apartment, but we've not been able to get back in there.  Arson is suspected and right now it's basically a crime scene.

Zenobia: Is it too early to ask if you plan to rebuild?

Violet: For me?  Yes, it's too early.

Midna: I was getting ready for a renovation.  (laughs weakly) I guess it's going to be a bigger job than planned.  But, yes, I'm absolutely rebuilding.  

Zenobia: Contact me for information if you want to donate things like clothes for the Baxters.  I hope next time, I'm giving nothing but good news.