Scenes From A Lockdown

From the outside, Barbieville looks like a ghost town.  But there is lots of activity.

Fred: How long you gotta work from home?

Rose-Grace: I don't know.   The scientists are working hard to find a cure, though.  We just have to be patient and deal. 

Fred: What if they don't never and we end up like on Nikki's show?

Rose-Grace: Well, we won't have to worry about zombies, at least.  (chuckles)  Barbieville actually has a plan for that.  About twenty years ago, people thought all the computers would stop working, so they made a plan.  

Fred: Kin I help build the walls?

Speaking of Nikki's show... 

Taylor: So, if I do decide to watch, I'm going to need to know who all these people are. 

Nikki: You agreed to watch the first season and give it a fair chance.   Most of these characters aren't even in the first season.  

Taylor: And you'll do the same for my show?

Nikki: That's the deal.  

But they have to keep the volume down because Dad is sleeping.  Like most "essential employees", Pike is putting in long hours.

Others are getting aquainted with new friends over social media. 

Iggy: We sure picked a great time to move to a new town, didn't we? 

Rupert: At least you have a lot of siblings.  I just have one sister here and the cousins are still giving me the side-eye.  

Iggy: What's their problem?

Rupert: They think I'm sucking up to them because they're rich.  When their parents died, the whole family fought over custody, but most of them were just after the money.  Becky put it in a trust fund til they're 21.  

Iggy: Good thing for you we met on the plane, huh? 

Rupert: You have no idea.

And let us not forget the volunteers at the food pantries.

Ryan: Setting up here so people can drive through was a great idea.  Pocahontas is a genius.

Albus: She is pretty bright, isn't she?  

Draco: Seriously?  You two enjoy this? 

Ryan: Well, I'd rather be on a beach in Hawaii drinking out of a coconut and looking at girls in bikinis, but that's not real likely any time soon.  Why are you here, if it makes you so miserable?

Albus: His mother is trying to teach him a similar lesson to the one you recently learned.  (Notices a car approaching.) Get on your gloves and masks.  You know the routine by now. 

Best Laid Plans

Barbieville High School, 8 am

Cho:  Two new guys on the same day?  Do you suppose they're brothers? 

Belle: I know they aren't.  The brunette is my stepbrother Iggy.  He's moved in with Mom and James, too, but I'm not sure why.  I know his mom wasn't deployed!  

Belle: Who's your friend, Iggy?  

Iggy: This is Rupert.  We met on the plane.  

Rupert: Yeah, it was weird to be seated next to a guy heading to the same little town!  

Cho: Oh, you're a Weasley!  I see the resemblance to Ron now!  (laughs at the surprise on all three faces.)  Everyone in Barbieville knows everyone.   You'll get used to it.

********

Barbieville High School, 10 am 

Whitney: I know Mariko has to work after school.  What are you doing, Nakoma?

Nakoma: Fittings for the wedding.  You can tag along if you want. 

Whitney: If you're sure it's okay.  I'll have Wilma.

Mariko: You always have Wilma.  It's like you gave birth to her or something.  (they all laugh) I'm glad Nova and Jeremiah aren't going all fancy.  We'll just be in old prom dresses. 

Nakoma: Pocahontas isn't going near as fancy as she could.  She's decided the wedding colors are shades of blue and "precious metals" rather than spend a bit extra.    

Whitney: She's smart.  Saving money, time, and stress.

Nakoma: Weddings are supposed to be expensive and stressful! 

****

Mayor's office, 1 pm

Rose-Grace: I know you're trying to finish up your work for the day, but you need to see this. 

Kyra: What is it?  Oh, the people who got into the empty downtown buildings.  (Murmurs as she reads over the list of names, then stops in horror.)  That can't be right.  He can't be... 

Rose-Grace: I double checked everything.  Unless there's another guy of the same name and the same background, it's him.  

****

The Malfoy Residence, 7pm 

Paris: I don't see any harm in letting him drop the class.  If he isn't comfortable, why make him?

Helena: You never see the harm in giving him what he wants, and life is full of uncomfortable situations.  After his brush with the law, I am done looking the other way while you spoil him.  He is not in charge! 

Paris: When he inherits everything, he will be. 

Helena: Everything?  That's ridiculous.  You have a wife and three other children!

Paris: Not everything, of course.  You and the girls will be provided for.  But the bulk of my estate will go to my male offspring.  That's Draco, since you have failed provide me with more. 

Helena: Look, we agreed that the child-rearing was to be my domain.  

Paris: You are the mother. 

Helena: Draco will remain in that class, and he will do any charity work I decide to volunteer him for, and he will learn to at least pretend to have some respect for his fellow human beings.