The Investigation: Part Three

 Picture day at Barbieville High.  

Gabriella: So then Charlotte tells my mom she's a bad sister!  Because she won't lie on the stand! 

Taylor: Will Charlotte leave town when this custody thing is over?  Please say yes. 

Gabriella: Probably not.  Mom thinks her real reason for coming back to town was revenge.  She wants to make this town pay for whatever she thinks it did to her.  

Phoebe: Looks good to me, but you're the photographer. 

Kenna: (to Samantha, who just sat for her photo) You can head back to class now.  Thank you.

Phoebe: Granger, Hermione. (looks towards the assembled students)  

Draco: She and her boyfriend are at home crying because his mommy died. 

Kevin: She's his stepsister, you moron, not his girlfriend. 

Ron: Losing your parent is horrible.  Of course they're sad. 

Draco: Oh, that's right!  You're an orphan, so you know all about what they're going through, don't you? Maybe you'll run over there after school and give them all hugs.  Have a giant pity party. 

Phoebe calls Alex Russo next, but Kenna turns to Draco. 

Kenna: Young man, your lack of sympathy is disgusting.  What I just overheard will be reported.  

Draco: Big deal.  

Kenna: Barbieville has some pretty strict anti-bullying policies.  I'm sure you just violated several. 

Draco starts to reply, but the intercom drowns him out.  He's being called to the office. 

Kevin: You know you're an ass when you get called to the office before they even know you did anything.

Draco: You look like a pimp. 

***** 

Mayor's office

Midge: It's the same person, I'm sure.  Both victims were hit at high speed by a large vehicle.  The same vehicle, or a very similar one.  Our second victim was thrown across the narrowest section of the inlet, from the park.  

Lynch: Your report gives a tentative make and model of the vehicle.  It's a very common vehicle.  

Rose-Grace: My family has three of them.  

Midge: Yes, but your vehicles don't match the paint transfer we found on the victims.  (weak smile) I think you're cleared. The question now is - Do we talk to the media again and how much do we tell them?  

Lynch: We don't want to create a panic. 

Rose-Grace: I'll put together a statement.  Dealing with the media and the public comes with being the mayor.

Midge: I'll practice my "no comment".  

Lynch: And my refusal to discuss an ongoing investigation. 

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.  

New Folks In Town

I did something yesterday and then promptly hid my credit card from myself.  I decided to use my monthly Barbie budget toward said credit card until it's paid back down, and go ahead and get the Harry Potter dolls.  My local Wal-Mart didn't have Ginny in stock, but she's on order.

Imagine my surprise when I saw these!  I didn't even know they were making a Draco Malfoy!  I put the school uniform Harry back on the shelf and got the Quidditch Harry.  

Draco is all done up in his gear and ready to catch the Golden Snitch!

Harry:  Not while I'm around.

Draco:  Joke's on you.  We each came with a Snitch.

Harry: Bummer.

I made them trade clothes.  They are mad at me now.  

The pants and shirts are separate pieces.  The Quidditch boots were really hard to remove, mainly because they go around both ankles and knees, but how often do my dolls even wear shoes? 

Hermione, McGonagall, and Ron.  I'm not going to go into great detail as far as a review goes - lots of those floating around the Internet, but I'll sum up.  They have the five standard points of articulation, as well as knees, elbows and wrists. The vest/shirt/tie combo is one piece but the britches and skirt are separate.

I also found  Fashionista 110 and nabbed her.  After I dragged my 14 year old minion out from under the nearest display, we came home and I head-swapped her.  The donor body is a Liv from the body drawer.  (Let the bodies hit the drawer!  Let the bodies hit....  No? Be that way.)

Nova:  I'm shorter and can't wear my shoes now, but I can move! 

McGonagall will be the matriarch of our beloved Pike family.  This means a Star Wars character and a Harry Potter character spawned a Star Trek character!  (Sounds like a bad fan fiction.)  

The blended Potter-Granger family.  James (a thrift store find) stands behind his sons Harry and Dan.  PJ sits behind younger daughter Emma with older daughter Hermione.  James, of course, shares the name of Book Harry's dad. I've not decided his vocation yet.

Nova and Mariko Nakano.  Nova is Mariko's aunt.  Stay tuned for more details on them.

Ron waits for his sister to arrive so they can join the fun.  Draco wonders what fate has in store for him.  So do I, Draco.  So do I.  Your existence surprised me.