Chance Encounter

 Barbieville Grocery.  The store's pretty empty, considering it's stop-after-work time. Rose-Grace is eyeing the produce in clearance aisle. 

PJ: How's Candy?  

Rose-Grace: Well, she's back on her feet, but pretty depressed about the possible permanent damage to the knee.  So much of her career is built on going into war-torn areas or jungles, places a bum leg can get you killed. 

PJ (winces in sympathy):  My knees give me trouble, and I'm just a dentist.  In a handicap-friendly building.  How are the kids holding up?  James's boys are a mess.

Rose-Grace: I don't think we should be discussing the case, not with the trial pending.  But we're all just grateful Candy survived.   

PJ: I've always envied you about her.  You make co-parenting look so easy.  Charlie - well, the less said there the better.  

Rose-Grace:  That's all Candy.  She accepted when they divorced that he, as custodial parent, would be calling the shots.  Sometimes we have to badger her just to get input. 

PJ: Boudicca took a leave of absence from the hospital.  I wish I could tell her we don't hold any of this against her.  

Rose-Grace: Zenobia has been very quiet when she comes over for rehearsal. The band finally decided to take a break until all this passes.

PJ: Probably for the best, really, at least as far as the trial is concerned.  We don't need that lawyer accusing us of plotting together. 

Digging For Clues

 The investigation continues.

Iggy: I tagged along with PJ to tell you about this guy Mom dated.  He's the main reason I moved in with Dad, and then Mom got smart and dumped him.  Apparently, she thought I was the problem but after I was gone, she realized it was all him. 

PJ: That guy would have no reason to kill Helena, though.

Iggy: Unless she was a witness.  

Lynch: Anything's possible.  I'll take a formal statement from you after I clarify a few things with your stepmother.  (To PJ)  You mentioned that Charlie took issue with some of your parenting methods? Was that a problem? 

PJ: Charlie had a right to say something about the boys, being their mother, but I felt she over-stepped when my girls were concerned.  For example, I was arguing with Belle about dating.  I think she's too young, but Charlie recited that vulgar rhyme that starts "old enough to bleed".  

Iggy: But dad backed up PJ on that one.  In their house, we can't date until we can drive.  

PJ: It's nothing unusual for a blended family.  Surely you don't think I killed her over that?

******

Across town, Jimin is dealing with his most troublesome client.

Jimin: Mrs. Jackson, I don't understand.  Why do you think Miss Carson is needed?  She knows little or nothing about your family situation. 

Charlotte: Not for the custody thing.  For this ridiculous claim that I killed Helena Malfoy and Charlie Lake.  Bonnie has insight into that, since she is the Malfoy boy's parole officer. 

Bonnie: Probation officer.  Parole is an entire different thing. 

Charlotte: Whatever.  Tell him how nice and civil we all were.  

Jimin: Mrs. Jackson, I do family law, not criminal law. You'll have to retain a different lawyer if you're concerned you might be charged.  (To Bonnie) Unless you can contribute to the custody matter, I'm afraid we've wasted your time.

Charlotte: Seriously?!  It's all connected, can't you see?  Whoever killed them is working for either Billy's sons or for this damn town.  I'm not sure which bunch hates me more.  Hell, maybe they're in it together!  (Eyes Bonnie suspiciously) Come to think of it, the Carsons are one of the founding families of  Barbieville... 

Bonnie: Well, I  think I've heard enough.  Jimin, I'm sure I'll see you in Family Court.  (Shakes his hand)  Maybe we can get dinner sometime?  

Jimin: That would be nice.  (Raises his voice to be heard over Charlotte) I'm sorry about this.

Bonnie: Never apologize for your clients, Mr. Rhee.  You aren't responsible for their behavior. 

****

At Doll County Museum

Carol: Mr. Patrick, you are a hard man to track down. 

Coby: I keep busy, that's for sure.  What can I do for you, Agent Danvers? 

Carol: I wanted to speak to you and Ms Pike about Helena Malfoy.  You were the last to see her alive.

Morgan: Dr. Pike.  I have a PhD in paleontology.  

Coby: I don't think I'd be much help.  Helena works with the university, having permanent exhibits here that connect to our disciplines.  I've recently taken charge of Gender Studies and met with Helena about my own exhibit.  But that's the only time I ever met her.

Carol: Did she mention any problems?  At home or professionally?

Coby: She did mention that her husband clings to old-fashioned gender roles, much to the detriment of their daughters.  An older daughter even left home because of it.   But nothing to indicate she was in any danger. 

Morgan: Did she mention that her son is an entitled little shit? 

Coby (chuckles): She didn't phrase it that bluntly, but yes. 

Morgan (to Carol): I was here helping plan Coby's space, more out of boredom than anything else.  Helena mentioned that she was going for a jog along Hawthorne.  She liked it because the hill made it a challenge, but the shade from all the trees kept it cool.  I guess that's when she was hit. 

  

Battle Lines

Early morning.  PJ Granger sips a hot drink at the Doll County bus depot.  

PJ: I hope my receptionist is dealing with the canceled appointments okay.  Good thing most of my patients like to sleep in.  

Belle:  Who are you talking to, Mom?  

PJ: Myself.  It's a bad habit, I know.

Belle: It's quite common, actually.  Just frowned upon, so most people don't admit to it.

PJ: How was your trip?  Are you hungry?  

Belle: I'm starving.  I hope James is cooking up a huge country breakfast for us! (They both laugh, knowing James can barely boil water.)  Dad said to apologize for the last-minute notice. 

PJ: He doesn't need to apologize. It's not like they gave him decent notice that he was being deployed into a war zone.  

********

Back in Barbieville, at the Mayor's office.

Rose-Grace: How long has this been going on?  Why wasn't I, as the mayor, notified of it?!  His very presence in this town is a threat to my citizens...  (takes a moment to calm down)  I guess I need to yell at the Feds for that part, don't I?  Your hands were tied.

Lynch: I wasn't even aware of most of the details, myself.  I just knew he was allowed to relocate here under certain conditions.  But now that he's messed up so royally, they've just dropped him in our laps.What do we do? 

Hank: I swear, none of this is my fault!

Rose-Grace: Don't hand me that crap!  I've got an eight year old at home with a better understanding of personal responsibility!  You made the choices that put you here!  (Turns to Lynch) Well, I guess we should get this over with.  (Buzzes Kyra to let in Pern.)

Pern takes one look at Hank and lunges across the room, clearly intending bodily harm.  

Hank: Pern, calm down so I can explain.

Pern: Oh, hell, no.  You don't talk to me.  You don't come anywhere near me, or my boy, or even the cat he got for Christmas!  I'll kill you!

Lynch: The mayor and I will handle this, Hank.  You stand there with your mouth shut.  (To Pern) I'll let go if you can control yourself.  

Pern: HANK?!  (starts laughing bitterly) OK, Chief, I'll behave.  I wouldn't want to hurt Hank.

Rose-Grace: Mr. Higgins came here as part of the Witness Protection Program.  Although he'd been strongly advised that a return to a previous home was a bad idea, it was the only way they could get him to cooperate.  

Lynch: He was confident that he wouldn't be recognized by anyone here and agreed to avoid all members of the Nedakh family, but we still had a few incidents of people thinking he looked familiar.  Albus even confronted him once, but...   

Pern: He had his face rebuilt after a car wreck.  (to Hank) That and a couple decades of aging was enough, wasn't it?  None of them knew you.

Rose-Grace: Don't talk to him, Pern.  Talk to us. 

Pern: I guess y'all want me to keep my mouth shut.  If he's involved in something that bad, I'll do it, but not for him.  For this town, because it's been so welcoming.  For my boy and his sisters.  But not for Hank.  Never for Hank.  

Lynch: Pretend he's a guy you just met.  If you can't hide the anger, write it off as bad vibes.  Hell, make up a lie that he called you ethnic slurs at work if you want.  (Hank mutters something.)  Didn't we tell you to keep your trap shut? 

Pern (slyly): He bolted from Sunburst when he found out I was cooking because I'm a junkie.  He didn't want me putting AIDS or Hepatitis into his taco plate.  (If looks could kill, Hank would be dead.)  Way to undermine my sobriety, jackass.

*******

And at the Medical Center: 

Marcus: First of all, I want to tell you that you've done nothing wrong.  Your work is superlative.  But we have to remove you from the team caring for Billy Jackson.

Boudica: It's his wife, isn't it?  Because of my mother locking horns with her? 

Marcus:  The reason she gave was tensions between your families. She claims not to believe he is aware of us, but every time you work, there's a clear improvement in his vital signs.  Simply put, you're good for his morale, but I can't convince her of that. 

Boudica: Isn't there anything we can do?  She's undermining his care.

Marcus: There's no obvious abuse or neglect, so I'm not sure.  I've got a call in to the legal department.  We'll do what we can. 

Saturday In Barbieville

Rose-Grace hurries to the store after getting a call from Pike. 

Rose-Grace:  What is it?  You sounded like you were crying.  And why did you...  (looks in the big box on his desk)  Oh.  It was your allergies.  

Pike:  Garbageman found these two in the dumpster.  Batgirl cleaned them up and fed them.  

Rose-Grace:  We can't have a cat, honey.  You're allergic. 

Pike:  Didn't you make Ash and Soot a temporary home in the horse trailer at some point?   We can get them checked by a vet and go from there.

Rose-Grace:  I suppose we could use a barn cat.  If she's well.

Mariko works the early shift at the diner.

Mariko: Sorry about the wait.  Our fryers weren't quite ready when you ordered.

PJ:  No problem.  Mariko, this is my daughter Emma.  We're house hunting today. 

Mariko: I didn't know you had a daughter.  Nice to meet you, Emma. 

Emma: She has two.  Me and my sister. Do you have any sisters?

Mariko's reply is drowned out by shouting from the next table.

Clara:  You said you wouldn't give my information out!

Violet: Those kids didn't have a court order.  The police did.

Raven: Hey!  Don't be jumping on my mom! 

Clara: Mind your own business, Hoops!  

Violet: Raven, keep out of this.  (to Clara)  Can we discuss this like adults?

Mariko, recognizing Clara from the previous incident, hurries into the back.  Midna bursts out of the kitchen and confronts Clara. 

Midna:  This is the second time you're created a disturbance in my diner.  Get out and stay out.

Clara:  This is a public place, Red.  

Midna: This is a privately owned business.  I have a legal right to protect it, and to protect my customers.  

Clara: You're gonna call the cops over a little yelling?

Midna: I already have.

Back home, Finnick and Fred join the animals in checking out the new arrivals.

Finnick:  If they couldn't keep the pets for some reason, why do something so cruel?  

Rose-Grace:  You'd think taking them to a shelter would be obvious.  Your dad said the security camera got a good look at the woman who did it.  

Fred: Kin we call them Brownie and Whitey? 

Finnick (laughs): I can see it now - the black mayor in her yard yelling Whitey.  

Rose-Grace (wistfully): To be four again and have no clue about the political climate.  (to Fred)  We aren't going to worry about naming them just yet, sweetheart.  But you can be in charge of collecting suggestions.

Kin As Parents holds its first official meeting at The Overlook.

Ben: Nova's our only other official member, so we've got a 75% turnout.  Not bad for the first meeting.

Pocahontas: Growth takes time.  Anyone got any news?

Becky:  I have news!  I got custody of my cousins, a job, and a place to live.  

Ben: Wow.  You've been busy. 

Becky: Well, the home and job are connected.  I'm going to be the residential manager for those new townhouse apartments on the Beach Highway.  

Ben: What about school? 

Becky: It'll be tricky, but I can stay in school.  Might have to do some classes on line.

Ben:  Aren't those income based?  Can you get me an application?

Doll Envy

One of the bloggers I follow shared a picture of the dolls she'd bought in 2018 - it was more than Barbieville's entire population!   I can't do that.  I'm on a very limited income, and so have to be very choosy.  That said, I do have some plans for Barbieville.    

Lots of my fellow Internet Doll People are reviewing the Team Stacie dolls right now.  I've even posted about the boy in the line, mistakenly thinking he had the exact same head as the Babysitter Inc boy.  Of this line, I'm eyeballing the scientist, the gamer, and the artist.  I plan to call them Janet, Layla, and Todd - after past friends of Stacie.  But they aren't a priority because they aren't very well articulated.  Just the standard five points.

The ones I'm prioritizing are the new Harry Potter line.  Articulation, check.  Kids, check.  Elderly folks, check.  Well, one elderly folk - I'm not charmed by Dumbledore's beard.  It's hard plastic.  If you look up under it, it's not touching the chin at all.  It's like they molded it separately and glued it to his top lip.  I'll only get him if he's ridiculously marked down and then likely use him as a donor body.  I planned to start slowly buying this set in January.  But then I saw...

  

...these two on eBay.  The seven inch, fully articulated Harry Potter dolls from the 1990s.  Got them both for less than one of the new dolls is priced at and both are in excellent shape!  I'm saving the names Hermione and Harry for the new line, though, so these two are Emma and Dan after the actors who played the roles in the movies.  There is a Ron, also, but he seems to be rare and therefore expensive.  I doubt Rupert will ever live in Barbieville.  

Since the Grangers in the books were dentists, I've decided PJ is Dr Granger, mother of Hermione and Emma.  Dan and Harry will be siblings. Ron and Ginny will remain the siblings they already are.  The family make-up of the Potters and Weasleys in Barbieville is undetermined at this point.

Another one I want is Fashionista 110.  I just love her face and that green and black hair!  She isn't a priority because of articulation.  I do have donor bodies, though, so she's ahead of Team Stacie.  

Of course, there's always room for a bargain, but as it stands right now, these are my only planned purchases.  If Publisher's Clearing House shows up at my door, though, I'm gonna be the one giving Doll Envy! 

PS: None of these photos are mine.  They're mostly from Amazon.  Emma and Dan are the pictures from the actual eBay listings where I bought them.

Story 17: Election Day

The main polling place in Barbieville is The Overlook, a reception hall in the amusement park.  Voters can gather in the front room and socialize before and after casting their ballots.  The park closes for the winter after the Halloween Haunt, but for this one day a skeleton crew is working as security.

Finnick, Nakoma, and Anakin staff the ticket booths between the parking lot and the park entrance.

Anakin: Come help me take down the Halloween decorations.

Nakoma: The guys who repaint the wall during the off season take them down.  But go for it, little brother.  You've been bored silly all day.

Finnick: Poor kid doesn't know to bring something to entertain himself. Rookie mistake.  (To Anakin) Hand me that end and go take down the other.  We can pull it in through my window.

Nakoma watches them work.  She'd tell them how sweet they are, but that would just embarrass both of them.

Rose-Grace is near the entrance doing a bit of last minute electioneering.  Across the way, a group is discouraging support for one of the issues.  Tris comes over to talk to them. 

Tris: I'm so glad you aren't making your kids help.  My folks...  

Mace: Fred was here, but he kept crossing the invisible line.  (Points toward the "No electioneering beyond this point" sign.)  His daddy took him home.

Rose-Grace: He didn't cross the line.  He just yelled after people who had.  I'm not sure how the law works in that case, but we're not taking any chances.  

Mace: Forcing a kid to do anything is bound to backfire on you.  We don't want them to hate voting when they're grown.

Tris: I wish you could talk sense to my folks.  I find this whole thing humiliating.

Brent is doing his electioneering nearer the parking lot.  PJ has joined him.

PJ: I hope you win this election.  Rose-Grace Pike needs to go.

Brent: It's up to the voters at this point.  

PJ: Do you have any idea how much trouble she caused me by taking my building from the owner?  I had to join the Medical Center.  Relocating alone cost me as much as a year's lease in the old place! If she gets re-elected, that land will end up the property of that damn amusement park.  

Brent: (Thinks her concern is groundless, but remembers how convinced he once was.)  It's up to the citizens of Barbieville now.  You seem to be taking it personally, but a lot of people were inconvenienced by that entire situation.  

Inside The Overlook

Pocahontas: There doesn't seem to be a lot of demand for a support group, Ben.  

Ben: I've had a good bit of interest from people on campus.  

Roxy:  Hi, Pocahontas!  I saw Anakin at the gate and he -- 

John (across the room):  Roxy, let her be.  I already told you no.

Sulu: Now I get it.  You don't want me to set you up with anybody because you're chasing the one that got away.  Are you nuts?  She's never gonna give you a second chance.

Pocahontas: Go on, Roxy.  If your dad said no to whatever it is, then that's final.  

Ben (watching Roxy walk away): Cute kid.

Pocahontas: Her father was my high school sweetheart.  

Ben: The one you told me about?  

Pocahontas: The only one.  How many high school sweethearts did you have?

John: You're way off base, man.  Roxy is friends with her little brother, that's all. 

Sulu: That's why you can't take your eyes off of her?  Dude, I was there when she busted into second period history and beat the crap out of you.

John: Which I deserved.     

Clara: What are you doing here?  

Becky:  Voting, and talking to Violet. 

Clara: Trying to turn Violet against me, more like. 

Violet: We weren't talking about anything related to you.  I don't know what adolescent drama you two have going on and I don't care.  We have a business relationship, no more and no less.

Clara: Why'd you warn us about those kids, then?

Violet: It's good business to let a client know if someone is snooping.  

Evening falls.  Whitney's shift at the diner over, she and her mom are walking home.  They come across Brent Spiner.  

Brent: Hello, Ms Darling.  I was hoping to run into you. 

Kyra: Um, hi? 

Brent: I just called Rose-Grace and conceded the election. 

Kyra: And you felt the need to hunt me down and tell me in person?  I work for the town, not for her.  If you had won...

Brent: But she's also your friend.  And if I had won, my asking you out would be quite inappropriate.  Tell me, was losing the election a blessing in disguise? 

Story 14: Lessons Learned

Mr. Guinness addresses the seventh graders before they make their presentations.

Guinness: Today we're finishing with the section on the Great American Melting Pot.  Your assignment was to bring us your family's personal stories that relate to the topic.  My own story is a fairly simple one - I was born and raised in the United Kingdom, moved here because I had a splendid scholarship from an American university, and met my wife there.  

Wendy: My mom says we're good old American mutts.  Most of my heritage is European, but it's all mixed up.  The best way I can think of to explain the Melting Pot is to just look around.  Even just here in Barbieville, we've got so many different kinds of people.  My house is a Swiss chalet, our car is Italian, and my favorite food is Chinese.

Ricky:  I like that term, American Mutt.  That's what my dad is, but my mom's family came here in the 1940s because of Hitler.  Technically, I guess we're Romany or Rom, but most people know us as Gypsies.  My grandparents travel and take manual labor jobs, like the old days, but they do it in a camper instead of the little wagons we see in movies.  

Claudia: My grandparents on Mom's side are super traditional.  They got mad at my parents for not giving us Japanese names, even. But they're first generation Americans.  Dad's side of the family was in one of FDR's camps during World War 2, even though two of the sons were in the service.  I'd call that a Melting Pot Fail!  

Courtney:  A lot of people think we're Hispanic because our name is Montez.  We aren't.  Dad is a Navajo and Mom's a white girl of mostly Irish heritage.  Dad's not real traditional, though.  His family left the Southwest back in the 1950s as part of a government program.  I think that was one of the last-ditch efforts to do away with tribal governments.  

Claudia: Another Melting Pot Fail.

Courtney: The Melting Pot is an ideal and people fall short of ideals all the time.  Dad says we should work for a better future instead of dwelling on the past. 

Nikki: Speaking of Melting Pot Fails...  my ancestors were slaves.  My father's people were part of a famous slave uprising in Haiti, even.  My house is a kind of melting pot, though.  My step family are white and the new twins are biracial.  

Skipper:  Wow.  I just realized that me and Wendy are way outnumbered.  People talk like most Americans are white, but look at us.  Us pure white girls aren't even half the class!  (Stops for a moment)  I didn't mean that the way it sounded.  I just never realized how melted our pot is, if you know what I mean.  Even me and Wendy are a mix of different European groups.

Guinness: You just summed up the lesson for me, Miss Roberts.  This nation was never meant to be anything but a cultural stew.  

While the presentations are being made in her daughter's class, Rose-Grace meets with Pocahontas.

Pocahontas: If you look at old maps of the town, the area of the park was called Witch's Cove.  Mom didn't want people to think it was only open in October, so she called the park Nedakh's Amusement Park.  

Rose-Grace: She was a simple woman.  You're thinking of changing it to Witch's Cove?  What about backlash from people who find that offensive? 

Pocahontas:  Believe me, I've thought of that. (laughs) I've seen the fuss over sports teams called Redskins.  I've got people working on that, playing up the historical aspect and even my own paganism.  I'm aiming for minimal backlash. 

Rose-Grace's reply is interrupted by a knock at the door.

Marcus:  Sorry to barge in on you like this, but my wife has been up to some shenanigans.  You need to hear about this. 

Pocahontas: Sounds urgent.  I'll go now and file the paperwork we were discussing.

Esmeralda: No, you want to hear this, too.  

Two hours and several phone calls later: 

PJ: Do you have any idea what this is all about? 

John: Judging by who is here, my guess is Keep Barbieville Virtuous.  But the mayor's office wasn't acting on that, so I'm as confused as you are.  Who are the girls talking to Esmeralda?

Rose-Grace gets every one's attention and introduces Clara and Becky.

Clara: I'm a political science major and Becky is a journalism major.  We recently conducted a project you might recognize as Keep Barbieville Virtuous.  It was meant to show how easily public opinion can be swayed, usually by things unrelated to the issue at hand. 

Becky:  We didn't realize we were hurting anyone.  Stupid, I know, considering the entire point of the project.  Of course people were going to be hurt.  We speculated about things that we should not have, things that cost some of you professionally.  And maybe personally.

Clara: We've sent a statement to the local media outlets, refuting all the allegations and apologizing for any harm done.  We're hoping this sets things straight. We did not expect the campaign to be as successful as it was.

Becky and Clara hang their heads, ashamed of themselves, as the group grumbles its way out.  They wait a few minutes for the halls to clear before leaving.

Rose-Grace: So you were Brent's contact, Esmeralda?  You tracked them down using questionable methods and bullied them into confession? 

Esmeralda: Damn straight.  

Rose-Grace:  Marcus, did you know anything about this?

Marcus (laughs):  No, I didn't, but I'm not really surprised.  Esmeralda sees something that needs dealt with, she deals with it. 

Esmeralda: Violet can press charges against me for snooping in her files.  I honestly don't care.  

Rose-Grace:  You'll care if your boys have to visit you in jail. 

Esmeralda: They'd be proud to visit me in jail.  (To Marcus) Wouldn't they? 

Marcus: Despite my best efforts to make them follow the rules, yes, they would.