Meetings

 KAP  (Kin As Parents) has its first meeting since the disaster, welcoming new members.

Ken:  We don't know what we're going to do.  Peeta's dad pays his tuition, but with Mom and Bonnie gone and having the care of Tommy as well as Ox, I may have to drop out of college. 

Pocahontas: I'm always hiring, but during the off season... 

Tony:  What's your business?   

Pocahontas:  My sister and I own Witch's Cove.  She graduated with Ken and his husband.  I also have custody of a brother the same age as his Tommy and your Marty.  How is Marty?  Any news about his father?

Tony:  Rayshawn might be one of the John Does found, but they aren't ready for identification.  Marty's doing about as well we should expect.  His mother's flying in tomorrow.  

Nova:  How are you and Luna holding up? 

Gwen:  We're a mess.  Neither of us has even gone into Rallee's room, not even to get her work things for the new superintendent.  Guinness is starting the job without a lot of vital paperwork because I can't...  I don't even know if I should be here.  

Midge:  If you need us, you should be here.  I was totally lost when Kamala fell into my lap. 

Gwen:  Yeah, but I've been as good as her parent Luna's whole life.  That part isn't a big transition for me.  I thought about grief counseling instead of this, but I know you people.  That makes it better somehow. 

Ben:  Maybe we shouldn't tell them.  Seems mean. 

Becky:  Yeah, we should wait.

*****  

At the mayor's office, Rose-Grace discusses the dam sabotage with federal agent Carol Danvers.

Rose-Grace:  What do you mean, this might not be related to Hank Higgins?  You have other people in my town in Witness Protection?  And that PI is snooping around about Cash.

Carol:  To the best of my knowledge, Hank was the only person here with ties to organized crime.  But then I found out about Maisie Barnes's birth family.  What do you know about them? 

Rose-Grace:  Maisie?  Dionne's friend?  She has no contact with her birth family.  Hates all their guts.

Carol:  Possibly with good reason.  I have an even thicker file on them than I do on Hank-used-to-be-Cash.  Maisie isn't even her birth name, she legally changed it when she got married.  Presumably to dodge them and any of their associates. 

Rose-Grace:  Well, if you're investigating her, you shouldn't talk to me about it.  Conflict of interest - Maisie's been practically family since junior high.  

Carol: We'll move on to the seismologist that tipped off the saboteurs. 

Mrs. Moneybags: Dinner, Dancing, and a Dropout

 Rayshawn takes each of the three remaining competitors out for a night of dinner and dancing, testing the chemistry between himself and each of them.  The two others will stay with Marty so he can do the same (clearly on a different level).  

Gwen: I was beginning to wonder if we were going to get to the man/woman thing.  So far, it's been more about The Point and Marty. 

Rayshawn: Well, there's a method to my madness, you know.  I have to filter out the ones who want caviar and private jets because I'm just not that kind of guy.  Been there, done that, with Marty's mom.   What I've exposed you ladies to is pretty much what life as Mrs. Lucas would be like. 

Gwen: You don't just toss the money at an investment and expect it to grow, you get in there and get your hands dirty.   I'm the same way, kind of, but my investments are teenage brains. 

Rayshawn: What's important to you?  In the big picture? 

Gwen: My students, my sister, and my niece.  Not always in that order, but those are the top three.  Teachers can change the world, if the world would get out of our way and let us!  I bet you have some teacher in your past who impacted you and helped shape the man you are today. 

*******

Doreen takes in the luxury of the five-star restaurant with childlike wonder. 

Doreen: I hope you don't think I'm an idiot.  I've just never been in this kind of place before. 

Rayshawn: Never? 

Doreen: Well, maybe my Prom.  And thanks for helping me decipher that menu.  I would have never guessed that description was a pot pie!  

Rayshawn: They have to make it as pretentious as humanly possible.  (rolls his eyes)  I've never been a fan of all this frou-frou stuff, but I thought this would be a good way for us to talk relatively privately.  

Doreen: I figured it was needed sometimes, in your work.  You don't want your wife to embarrass you at important functions.  

Doreen: Sorry, I'm not a very good dancer.  

Rayshawn: Out of practice, all those years of being a mom and teaching kindergarten. 

Doreen: Oh, my husband was never much of a dancer.  We met at a college dance his friends had badgered him into attending.  He decided to chat up the wallflowers.

Rayshawn: I find it hard to believe you were a wallflower. 

Doreen: I never was the tall willowy type that gets asked to dance.  If I was in a movie, I'd be the gregarious friend of the tall willowy girl. 

******

Seven tries to pretend she isn't impressed by the glamor around her, but she is.

Seven: I have to ask, it's been driving me crazy.  Who is Charlotte? I thought she was a producer of something, but... 

Rayshawn (chuckles):  Once upon a time, there were two wealthy men, Billy and Rayshawn.  Billy was Rayshawn's mentor, both in and out of the office.  They met Charlotte Gordon, who flat-out told them that if they weren't rich, she'd have no interest.  Billy eventually married her.  Rayshawn married a gal who swore her undying devotion, rich or poor.  Fast forward a few years... Rayshawn lost a lot of money in his divorce and Billy's still married even though he's in a coma.  

Seven: Charlotte is your mentor's gold-digging wife? 

Rayshawn: She prefers the term social climber.  I butt heads with Charlotte a lot, but she's honest and she really does honor her vows.  She's never cheated, she's given him everything he asked for, and makes sure he has good medical care.  

Rayshawn:  Wow, you are an excellent dancer. 

Seven: And no lessons!  Well, not formal ones.  I had a school friend that took lessons and she taught the whole crew.  Once upon a time, we were going to be the next Destiny's Child.   Then teenage drama happened and the band broke up. 

******

Elimination time. The Lucas fellows have conferred, tallied up the points, and now they face the ladies. 

Rayshawn: There's been a bit of confusion among the viewers about the prizes.  When I give the thousand dollars for each week you made it and air fare home, I'm not actually giving money for air fare - it's a plane ticket.  Just want to clarify that before we get started.

Marty: I was confused, too! 

Rayshawn: Seven, you get a one from Marty.  He says you're still trying too hard.  Just relax, girl.  Be yourself. You got a three from me.  I felt our date was a big success.  And those dance moves!  That brings you to a total of 31.

Rayshawn: Doreen, you got a three from Marty.  He says you're great fun but also make him behave.  I gave you a two.  I found you to be good company, even if you were a bit intimidated by the atmosphere.  Your new score is 38.

Gwen: Before you say anything, I need to -- I can't do this.  I volunteer to be eliminated.  

Doreen: Gwen, what are you doing?  Why? 

Seven: Wait, what? 

Gwen: Look, when  I started this, a friend of mine compared it to prostitution.  I entered anyway, honestly hoping that if I won, there'd be at least a spark between us.  But there isn't.  You have a spark with Seven.  You have a spark with Doreen.  But if I continue, if I win... I'm afraid my friend was right.  It would feel like prostitution because, frankly, there's no spark between us.  

Rayshawn: What do we do now? 

Charlotte: Well, there is a clause that lets her drop out, but if you continue the scoring the way you have, Seven's going to be too far behind to catch up.  

Marty: Last round ain't by points anyway.  Points are just up to this round. 

Charlotte: Well, I guess I don't need to print out a plane ticket then.  Gwen doesn't need one because she's a local. 

Rayshawn: Well, Gwen, I can't argue with your spark comment because that's why you only scored one from me.  Except I was going to use the word "chemistry".  I've enjoyed your company, and you sure made an impact on Marty's vampire pirate. 

Marty: He's a zombie.  And so is the chicken. 

Gwen (chuckling): Oh, lordy, I've created a monster.  

Mrs Moneybags: Day at the Park and Fourth Elimination

 

Rayshawn:  Today, take any concerns you have to Anna - Sally will be here, but she's basically a trainee.  

Joe: Sally's not going to the cove with the rest of you? 

Rayshawn: She opted out since she can't ride anything.  That's gonna work against her come time to tally the points, but I'm not going to force her.  

Joe: Yeah, with that attitude, she'll ruin the whole day for the rest of you by complaining.  I made that mistake once with a cousin... expected everyone else to not ride because he couldn't. 

*****

Witch's Cove entrance gate

Doreen: Let me get a picture of you two!  

Seven: This coaster looks wild.

Doreen: I've not had the chance to ride it.  It was put in since the last time I was here.  

Gwen: I can't wait to check out the Haunted Railway.  (to Seven) It was a wild west train, but there was a fire in the Haunted House and the train was changed to house the salvaged ghouls and ghosts.  I bet some of those costumed characters Tierra talked about will be there. 

Marty: Hey, Anakin!  I didn't know they made you work here!

Anakin: They don't.  Someone called in sick and Mommy offered to fill in since she was off work today, so I'm just hanging out with her.  Where's the cowboy lady?

Marty: She can't ride so she ain't coming.  She's not much fun, anyway. 

****

Back at The Point....

  

Sally: Why are you making girls do men's work?  I should report you to the Better Business Bureau! 

Joe: Both Jessie and Gabriella are legally employed.  In fact, Gabriella may well run the business someday.  She's a Montez.  

Sally: That's your daughter?!  Good lord, I might have to report you to CPS as well! 

Joe:  You report me to whoever you feel the need.  Just get out of our way and let us do our job, please.

*****

At Witch's Cove

Marty: Thanks for watching all our stuff while we rode, Gwen.  That was really nice of you! 

Gwen: You're welcome.  Before my accident, we always waited until the end of the day to play games or buy things.  Too much risk of losing things on the ride or having them stolen if we left them with the attendants.  

Doreen: We always wait til the end of the day, too.  Even when I was pregnant with Tommy, we did it that way out of habit.  It's so much easier than lugging giant stuffed animals all day! 

Seven: With so many of us, we couldn't afford to go except for Dad and Mom's company picnics, so we enjoyed the rides while we had the chance.  We never bothered with the games or shops much!  

Doreen: I might be getting too old for this. 

Seven: I just love the old fashioned wooden coasters!  Rattle my bones! 

****

The group gathers in the office for this week's tally.

Marty: Why is the zombie pirate so big and his ship so small?  It's dumb. 

Gwen: I don't think you're supposed to play with them together.  The ship might have smaller figures that go with it. Unless he became a giant when he got zombified?  

Rayshawn: Look at this.  Three way tie, at least for this round. 

Charlotte: Especially after you saw that e-mail from Joe.

Rayshawn:  What e-mail from Joe?  Why are you looking at my e-mail? 

Charlotte: He's my brother-in-law, remember?  I was visiting with Batgirl, Joe came home livid, and she told him to e-mail you right way. (She waits while he checks his e-mail.)  By the way, I do not read the private correspondence of adults.  

Rayshawn (reading the email):  Yeah, just kids, cuz they got no rights. 

Rayshawn: Gwen, I gave you four points for gallantly tagging along despite your limitations.  Marty gave you two, mostly because you couldn't ride.  So you get six, bringing your score to 33.  

Gwen: Fair enough. 

Rayshawn: Doreen, you get the opposite - four from Marty and two from me.  He was impressed with your riding despite being - in his words - pretty old.  I had to dock you because you got a little snippy at the end of the day.  Six points brings you also to 33. 

Doreen (laughs): Probably because I'm pretty old. 

Rayshawn: Seven scored three from each of us.  Your riding wasn't impressive because of your youth, and you didn't get snippy.

Seven: Again, because of my youth.  (elbows Doreen playfully) 

Rayshawn:  Sally, you scored two.  One from each of us.  Your refusal to even attempt a day at the park worked against you big time, and the harassment of my contractor did not help. That brings your score to 18.  You're going home. 

Sally: I didn't harass anyone.  I called him out for poor business practices, that's all. 

Rayshawn:  Here's your four thousand dollars prize money and air fare home.  I've enclosed a list of agencies that can help you find employment or training to that end. 

Sally: Thank you.  Best of luck to all of you.  

Mrs. Moneybags: Third Elimination

 After the day at Zenobia's pride event, the group gathers in the office of The Point. 

Rayshawn: Well, ladies, it's time.  Marty and I have made our decision.  

Rayshawn: Doreen, you're this week's high score.  Fives from both of us.  You and yours are very compatible with the Lucas men.  That brings your total to 27. 

Doreen (claps her hands): I'm so glad! 

Rayshawn: Gwen, I gave you a three and Marty gave you a four.  We liked your family, but frankly, we just liked the Carsons better.  Your total is also 27.

Gwen: I'm not complaining.  I figured Doreen would take this one, with Tommy existing and all. 

Rayshawn: Sally, I'm sorry to say that you scored lowest this time.  One point from each of us.  From what you tell us of your family, it doesn't seem as if they'd be compatible with us at all.  We don't do gender roles and we certainly don't cast out people for things beyond their control. 

Sally: Nobody cast me out.  I chose to be here and do this. 

Rayshawn: You clearly feel that you had no better option.  Your total is sixteen. 

Rayshawn: Seven, you get four points form me and three from Marty.  From what you tell us, your family seems like our kind of people.  Your total is 21. 

Seven: Excellent. 

Rayshawn: Esperanza, you score two from each of us, despite the fact that we did find your mothers to be good people, bringing your total to thirteen.  You're going home.  

Esperanza: Yeah, I figured. 

Rayshawn: A parting gift of three thousand dollars.  No airfare home, since you live here in Barbieville.  

Esperanza: It's been quite an experience.  Thanks for the consideration.  (shakes hands and leaves)

Rayshawn:  Next week, we're relaxing more.  Just pulling our shifts in the front office, hanging around The Point, and at the end of the week....  (gestures to Nakoma)

Nakoma: For those of you who don't know me, I'm Nakoma Smith, one of the owners of Witch's Cove.  On Friday, we've reserved admission tickets for all of you.  Nothing like the pleasant exhaustion from a day at the amusement park to bring... 

Sally: I can't go to an amusement park!  With my health issues, I won't be able to ride anything!

Seven: There's lots to do besides ride.  Midway games, eating, shopping... even just people watching.

Gwen: Yeah, I can't ride much because of my back, but it's still a fun day. 

Doreen: See there?  Gwen can stay with you while we ride the things you can't.  

Sally: No, thank you.  (To Nakoma) I respectfully decline your offer.  I'll just stay here at the motel while they go. 

Nakoma: I did not expect that.  

Rayshawn: It's cool.  We'll just need one ticket less.  

Charlotte: Seriously?  You should make her go!  It's part of the deal! 

Rayshawn: I'm not in the habit of making people do things they don't want to.  (To Nakoma) Don't worry, you'll still get your money's worth in free advertising.  

Mrs. Moneybags At Pride

 Rayshawn hosts a day at the privately funded Pride Event, held for the second year by Zenobia Malfoy.  This gives him a chance to get acquainted with the families of his prospective brides... at least, the ones with family in town.  Doreen's goes first.

Tommy: It will be so cool if we end up being stepbrothers!  Do you think your dad would adopt us?  Can you adopt grownups? 

Marty: I'd get two brothers and a sister just like that - BAM.   

Tommy: And Peeta.  Someday he's gonna be a brother in law.  Not sure about Jimin, he's pretty new. 

Rayshawn: If your mom wins this thing, would any of you be interested in going to work at The Point?  She says she intends to continue to teach, but her weekends and summers are negotiable. 

Bonnie: Absolutely not.  I have a career at the Probation Office.  

Ken: I don't see why not, if it doesn't get in the way of school.  I plan to be a teacher like Mom.  

Peeta: Does that offer include in-laws?  (To Doreen)  Yes, we're finally getting around to planning a wedding.  

*****

Next, he meets Gwen's sister and niece.

Rallee: Before you ask... no, I will not work at The Point.  I busted my butt to be Superintendent of Schools and plan to stay on track to better education for as many kids as possible.  

Gwen: She's gonna be Secretary of Education someday, just watch.  If not President.  

Rallee: President?  (laughs) Can you imagine?

Rayshawn: Actually, I can.  Gwen speaks very highly of you, and so does almost everyone else in this town.  

Rallee: Well, I speak just as highly of her.  Gwen's been my rock, all my life.   

Marty: So you might be my cousin soon.  I don't know what to do with a cousin. 

Luna: Neither do I!  (both laugh) It's always just been the three of us, ever since I can remember.  My grandparents died when I was a baby and my dad ran off before I was born.  

****

After lunch, it's time for the Hernandez clan. Charlotte shows up with them, having taken Esperanza under her wing.

Daisy: We wouldn't come to work for you, no.  Bertie is an anchor on the local news and I'm happy at the grocery store.  Besides, we wouldn't want to meddle in Esper's marriage.  

Rayshawn: That's not a bad policy, generally speaking.  My first marriage was a disaster because meddling is all her family did.  They're having fits now because I kept Marty for the summer, said I should just do this on my own and Marty would have to live with my choice. 

Bertie: As unorthodox as this is, I applaud your including the boy.  He's going to have to live with the woman, he should have some say in the matter.  

*****

Rayshawn takes Esperanza on a carriage ride, as he's done with each lady after meeting the family.  Charlotte's sister finds her sitting alone after Bertie and Daisy leave.

Charlotte: Why are you carrying that child?  Her legs work.

Batgirl: She's exhausted.  If I stood her up right now, she'd just crumble to the ground.

Jenny: Wainbow Day makes me sweepy. 

Batgirl: I saw the camera crew following the carriage.  Mace didn't look happy about it.  

Charlotte: I really don't understand Rayshawn's priorities.  For one thing, why is Martin getting a vote?  He's a child!  And there's been no romancing of the women... it's almost like he's interviewing them for a job. 

Batgirl: Well, I imagine it's hard to romance anyone with a camera crew over your shoulder.  And in a sense, courtship is a job interview.  If Joe hadn't met my requirements for a husband, I wouldn't be with him now. 

Charlotte: You and I have very different requirements for a husband, clearly.  

******

Rayshawn joins Charlotte before his time with Sally and Seven.

Rayshawn: What do you think?  

Charlotte: I'm still stuck on Rallee Jones as a government figure.  With her half-shaved head and bastard daughter?  Seriously? 

Rayshawn: You have a bastard of your own, if memory serves. 

Charlotte: I do not!  Billy adopted Christopher! 

Rayshawn: What about the Carsons?  The only one of them unwilling to help was Bonnie, and she had good reason. Marty's already friends with Tommy, too.

Charlotte:  Dullest family ever.  And I don't even think those boys are really gay - they certainly don't act like it. Holding hands... big deal.

Rayshawn: Well, your pet's mothers weren't exactly slobbering all over each other, and none of them want to work at The Point.  Not even Esperanza - she thinks she's going to be a star.  (melodramatic gesture) I'm not even sure how that girl came from Bertie and Daisy, honestly, they're so grounded.

*****

Since neither of the two remaining ladies have family nearby to meet, Rayshawn takes each of them on an extra long carriage ride and discuss the matter.

Marty: Hey, look, Sally, we match! 

Sally: Yes, we do.  (To Rayshawn) Honestly, I don't understand.  You allow him to play with girl toys and wear girl clothes and now we're at a Pride Rally.  Is he gay?  Do you want him to be? 

Rayshawn: Do you have a problem with gays?  

Sally: It's just not natural.  If men were intended to be with men, children would result.  It's like a cat mating with a dog or something. 

Marty: Boys and girls do lots of stuff that don't make babies.  (starts to list them, beginning with condoms, but Rayshawn hushes him)  So, Sally... do you come from a big family? 

Sally: I do.  We all work with livestock, in some form.  None of them would be willing to confine themselves to living or working in town like this, but I can't do that anymore and must find something! 

Rayshawn: None of your family can take you in? 

Sally: No one has room for dead weight. Why, I can't even work as a flag girl at the rodeo anymore, not with my face disfigured.  My only option is to find a husband who doesn't mind that. I'm a great cook.  I'll make a good wife. 

******

Seven's turn!

As they start out, Tierra runs over.

Tierra: Thank you so much, Rayshawn!  I got the best job from your friend!  (to Seven)  She owns an amusement park and wanted to bring in costumed characters, maybe a little show or two... and I'm totally in charge of that!  

Rayshawn: I hoped you could work with them.  Not exactly Broadway, but it pays good and you can keep your dignity. 

Tierra: Yes! Some women like (glances at Marty) exotic dancing, but not me.  The theater I was interning at got mad when I said I was staying in Barbieville, but I gotta do what I gotta do! 

Seven: I'm so happy for her!  And you - a lot of men would've just rejected her and shipped her off. 

Rayshawn: I rejected her as a wife, not as a person.  Remember, I did ship off Reggie V.

Marty: She was so stuck up, she probably thinks she rejected you. 

Seven:  Well, I guess you want to hear about my family, since that's today's focus.  I've got 3 siblings. We've all got diplomas, but there was no money for college. We all went right to work.  Some of us even worked before graduating.  We're all single, no kids. 

Rayshawn: What about your parents? 

Seven: Nasty divorce, a long time ago.  None of us have much to do with either of them, honestly, because it's constant rant about how horrible the other parent is.  Just toxic. 

Marty: Do you like gay people? 

Seven: I would have refused to come here today if I had a problem with anyone represented by this festival.  (glances at Rayshawn) Is that part of today's test? 

Rayshawn:  It wasn't originally.  I made the mistake of assuming anyone who participated in something like this was pretty open-minded.