Sunday Afternoon

 Whitney starts her shift at Sunburst.

Jessie:  Hey, Whitney.  Did Tris tell you my brothers were moving to town? 

Whitney: Yes, she did.  She also told me about her parents leaving town.  Good riddance, if you ask me. 

Jessie:  They're actually leaving?  I thought that was a ploy to make her feel bad for marrying badly.  Anyway, this is Ebenezer in the orange and Khalil with all the braids.

Ebenezer:  Nice to meet you, ma'am.  

Whitney:  Ma'am?  I like you. 

Khalil: Hey, little man, don't be macking on all the women before I get the chance.  (To Whitney)  I understand your police chief has a zero tolerance policy for racism. 

Whitney:  She doesn't have much tolerance for any bigotry.  If it's actual bigotry and not a misunderstanding.   Like sometimes people are just ignorant but well-intentioned. 

Jessie:  Khalil, back off.  You sound like a fanatic. (To Whitney) He starts duty tomorrow, but he's never actually met Lynch.  Phone interviews, e-mails.  When she found out he was a Cooper, she snatched him right up. 

Khalil: You'd sound like a fanatic, too, if you'd been turned down for several jobs because your dad's Rom and your mom's black.  

Jessie (sarcastically): Like that's never happened to me.  Try being a woman on top of being a black Rom. 

Whitney: Well, on that note, I'll let you look over the menu and take care of  my other table. 

Whitney goes to the kitchen and brings out the food. 

Whitney: Can I get anything else for you?

Carol: No, thank you. 

Paige: Mom, we would like to be introduced to the people in this town.  We're going to be working and living here, and we'd like to make friends.  You might like being a hermit, but we don't. 

Paige: My sister and I will be working at the medical center.  I'm an optometrist and she's an ophthalmologist.  

Ellie: She's Paige, I'm Ellie.  You know our mother? 

Whitney: Yes, I know Agent Danvers.  I'm Whitney Darling.  I work here and I'm majoring in Undecided at the local college.  

Carol: Whitney's future mother-in-law is the mayor.  And her father owns the local TV station.  (To Whitney)  False modesty doesn't suit you. 

Whitney (offended, but polite): I don't define myself through Tanner, his stepmother, or Dad. 

Paige (as Whitney walks away):  What the hell was that, Mom?  

****

Once the Coopers have ordered and Whitney serves their food, Jessie returns to gossiping with her.

Jessie:  We told Khalil to try getting a job here because, like he said, there's still a lot of bigots in the system.  He's got a stellar resume, but... 

Ebenezer:  They keep using his hair as an excuse.  Girl cops don't gotta have short hair, so why should guy cops? 

Whitney:  I'm pretty sure BPD's policy is just that it be tidy.  Lynch has longer hair than me and she  just pulls it beck in a ponytail most of the time.  (To Khalil)  But if your hair has religious or cultural significance, they legally can't make you cut it.  

Khalil: They legally can't refuse to hire me because of my ethnicity, either, but they sure have been doing it.  Not all of them, but enough of them that I got fed up. 

Ebenezer: But then Jessie and Bapo told us this town has a black lady mayor and Khalil decided to send Barbieville a copy of his resume.  Next thing he knows, he's got a job offer!  And since Jessie's roomie moved out, we can live with her and I'll have my own room. 

Whitney: I wonder what it's like to have your own room?  I share with my little sister and my daughter.

Pikes' Addition - Conclusion

WARNING NUDE DOLL CARNAGE AHEAD

LEAVE NOW IF YOU'RE A GIANT PRUDE

With the dollhouse done except for touches like wall art, the next step was reorganizing the bins.  This one even reached the closet where I keep things like wrapping paper and holiday window clings!

This set of drawers came out of the holiday closet.  It previously held flat wrap, scraps for padding, and to/from tags.  They've all moved to new homes to make room for (top to bottom): Beach, Sunburst, and Playground.  I had room in the bedroom closet for it because of all the free parking created elsewhere!

Bins for Shoes, Day Care, Food, and Work are smushing the Weapons!

Bins for Barn, Sports equipment, Cutie Reveal heads/hands, and one for Hats Bags Glasses Belts.  Beside them are a few empties.

Only that one wheelchair is really out of place, believe it or not. 

The Mother of The Boy gave me this nice sorting case for the shoes.  The Shoe bin is now the Boot bin.  This is great because, since my dolls rarely wear shoes, they tend to just get tossed in the bin and it takes me forever to find an actual pair.  (I pose the photos so y'all can't see their feet.)  This way, I can find pairs when needed and avoid having a surplus by sending extras to my dolly friends. 

The Mother of The Boy also gave me a doll.  Since I got some orphan heads for Christmas, it was time to sort through the donor bodies.  One of the donor bodies was a Rainbow High - which doesn't work with Barbie type noggins - and Carol Danvers stole the hands.  They're a little small, but she prefers them to the gloved fists she came with.

I managed two matches.  The Belle doll will be Paige, for the cartoon's voice actress. The other needs a name.  I keep trying to call her Gabrielle for some reason, but we have Gabriella Montez! One of these ladies will be an eye doctor, since I got appropriate equipment in the box from Goodwill. 

Not bad for a mere fortnight's work, if I do say so myself.

 

Pikes' Addition - Part Three

Time to put views in those rear windows.  I got out all my scenery pictures from magazines and books, sorted them all over my bed, and decided against all of them. 

I ended up using the sky posterboard.  It doesn't look much bluer than the wall would have, but I'm hoping when I do photo stories, the details will show up.

I decided to keep the big "hot tub" and put the telescope on the deck.  I also moved "wardrobe" and my laundry into the corner.  The big hot tub touches both houses and makes them feel more connected, somehow.  Nice view of the barn from the hot tub.  

The black shelves have been switched around a bit.  On top, the Smiths and Witch's Cove sets await their next curtain call.  Below it, we have Sarcastic Fringehead's studio (needs wallpaper).  Then Sulu's greenhouse with the whole fam damily in it.

The Eaton/Cooper clan hangs out in the new Medical Center space.  One side will serve as various exam rooms and the other as a waiting room.  Below it is the grocery's Aisle of Value and checkouts.  On bottom, the folding dollhouse sets and the sauna. 

The remainder of the sky posterboard will serve for daytime shots on the deck.  This is where I hit a stopping point - I needed "wallpaper" and human-size trash bags.

The wallpaper.  One is for the bathroom and studio, one for kitchen and bedroom. 

Starry sky!  Now they have something non-stalkerish to look at with the telescope!

The kitchen is done.  Trimming around those arched windows was hard.  Swearing happened.

Bedroom.  Clearly, Pike is secure in his masculinity.

Bathroom was easily the most difficult.  Built in fixtures, arched window.  That pattern does have a greenish cast to it, so it works with the teal window.  Added a marble border to hide a totally mismatched seam.

The studio.  Zenobia and Whitney wanted the flowers, but Tanner and Finnick vetoed that.  I guess they aren't as secure in their masculinity as their father.

The house is pretty much done.  But reorganizing the doll storage and cleaning the rest of my apartment after doing all this remains.  That should be fun.  NOT! 

 

Pikes' Addition - Part Two

The work continues.  The walls have been stripped down to the plastic.  Working around the built in plumbing was quite a challenge - at least I managed to swivel the shower!  

 I tried to do the bathroom with a tropical green leaf border, using some of the contact paper I used to redo Sulu's Greenhouse.  I'm not happy with it, but I'm letting it sit for now.  

The hearth room got white marble.  A television inside that fireplace pops up when I hit a button.  Seriously?!  I know people put TVs over the mantel, but not if there's a window there! 

I tried to make the bathroom look better by painting the window in a tropical green.  Definitely gonna have to find some "wallpaper" that features pink, burgundy, and green.  This is just hideous as is.

Work moves into the bedroom.  All the assorted things displaced by rearranging furniture get crammed into the big dollhouse.  I had to move the tall bookshelf that houses Sulu's Greenhouse, the barn, and the grocery store to fit the coffee table in there - I want height for my play, because the dollhouses aren't the only things affected by aging.

Coffee table provides the height and a nice parking garage beneath!  My doll clothes bin and laundry basket fit nicely in the space between, although I might move them over by the closet. The addition has a tiny hot tub on that deck, but I'm partial to the big one I repurposed from an LOL playset. 

Day three.  I tossed all that stuff onto the bed and started moving rooms around.  Just outside of the picture is the foot of my bed - you can see it in the earlier picture.  This means the height isn't really an issue, because I can use the bed to be up and down, but getting decent lighting is a challenge. 

Notice I removed the attic bathroom - which I think I've used in one story post this entire time.  Mace and the littles have a bedroom there now.  (In-universe, Joe just took down the wall between rooms and repainted.  The slope is totally the underside of basement stairs.) 

Since the parents will be moving into the (very small) bedroom in the addition, I moved the twins into the attic bedroom.  The girls moved into the former kitchen, but in-universe they just redecorated.  More garage space and storage will go into vacated spaces.  

With that all squared away, I started sorting.  Pike and Rose-Grace's bed didn't fit, so they traded with Mace.  At least for now.  Experimenting with the placement of furniture in these rooms.  In universe, they've just remodeled the kitchen. 

Gonna have to purge some of this furniture, even with my plans to make some more sets on the tall bookshelf.  My purple bin just can't hold all that!  

Pikes' Addition - Part One

 Went out to hit the after-holiday markdowns and, as usual, stopped at Goodwill.  They had a huge (for them, anyway) assortment of dolls and doll stuff.  I was picking through, tossing things in my cart or back on the shelf, when I spotted it.  A 2011 Barbie Dream Townhouse, with a box full of furniture taped securely to the roof.  For 16 dollars. 

This is the official Mattel photo.  Well, one of them... 

The major draws for me are the affixed kitchen and the fireplace.  As my Wicked Cool Toys dollhouse ages, the floors have begun to sag.  Which means the large appliances like to fall on the dolls while I'm setting up a scene.  And the fireplace speaks for itself.

Also, the dollhouse my sister got me from a yard sale is breaking bit by bit, which will leave Mace and the littles without bedrooms and Sarcastic Fringehead without a studio.  

I argued with myself for a bit, knowing what a major project getting this into Barbieville would be, but I decided the Pikes are going to build an addition!   So I put back all the other doll stuff (except the donor bodies) and got the house + box.

Here it is, taunting me from the center of my living room. Those walls are cardboard glued to plastic, and all kinds of "personalized" by the former owner.  Those of us who rescue orphan dollhouses are familiar with the problem.

First order of business, because it's the easiest, is to sort and clean the contents of the box. This thing is blurry because it fainted while I was taking a picture.  The parts that snap together to hold it upright have failed me.  Further research is required. 

Looks like Barbieville will be getting an eye doctor.  

Assorted food items, dishes, and cookware.  I'm loving the Thanksgiving turkey, giant salad, and huge banana split.  

A couple of beds, a fridge, things to sit on, a desk/shelf of some sort, a table and a small hot tub.  One of the things to sit on is a child sized eye exam station.  You know, the thing that Doc switched lenses around and asks "which is better" 500 times.  Definitely getting an eye doctor.

Back view of the house.  I'm not real concerned about how it looks, since it's going to be up against the wall.  the flower stickers in the window boxes fell off already.  Now the real fun begins.... 

Here Comes The Grooms

 Oksana hurries into the venue on a very important mission.

Oksana: Now, don't forget.  Grampy Dean and them got stucked in a blizzard, so they gotta watch on my tablet.  Make sure you got it pointed the right way and... 

Bonnie:  I'll take that, Ox.  Don't worry.  The Mellarks are in good hands. 

Oksana: OK.  Daddy P said he's gonna be really mad if you mess up! 

Bonnie: As he should be. 

Peeta and Ken come down separate aisles, Peeta accompanied by Oksana and Ken by Tommy.  

Wilma:  Oh, Mommy, look... 

Whitney (covering Wilma's mouth and whispering) This is why I had to talk them into letting you come.  You have to be quiet. 

Peeta spares a sad glance at the empty seats his family should be in, nearly stumbling over Oksana as he does.  He hopes no one noticed.  

Tanner and Finnick stand at the front, acting as Best Man for each of the grooms.  Mayor Rose-Grace Pike acts as officiant.   The ceremony is simple, an exchange of the traditional vows.  Oksana keeps a close eye one her aunt Bonnie, making sure Grampy Dean's family can see. 

Finnick:  Tanner designated me to make a speech for both of us, since I "do sappy stuff" better and since we have the same story.  Ken was the first person to befriend the new kids to town.  (pause) It was never a secret that Peeta was gay. Peeta says that's because he's Jewish and used to being persecuted, but really it's just that Ken's a bit of a wuss.  Took Ken almost three years to let us in on his secret.  He was afraid we'd run screaming for the hills, which was pretty stupid of him.

Ken:  Yeah, it was. 

Finnick: We were glad when  they finally hooked up after all the times we'd advised them to.  In the wise words of Frodo Dean (nods at Frodo) "You ain't gonna find anyone more compatible ever."   Some folks will say they're too young to marry, but those people do not know Peeta and Ken.  (toasts them)  Now, a few words from Miss Oksana Carson-Mellark.  Or is it Mellark-Carson?

Oksana: Just Carson.  My daddies decided that was easier.  (deep breath) The orphan house lady told me I was gonna have two daddies and I said "WHAT?" I didn't even know that sometimes boys marry boys!  Then my friend Vash got dopted by two mommies!  Anyways... I'm super happy to see my new daddies get married and promise to be a good daughter as much as I can.  Now it's Grammy Doreen's turn.

Doreen: I met Dean Mellark went he came to work at the school.  We bonded over both having been recently widowed and were happy when our sons became fast friends.  We were both delighted - if a bit surprised, to be honest - when they started dating and now I'm standing here making a speech for both of us at our boys' wedding. Now, let's stop talking and start celebrating! 

Catching Up and Getting Acquainted

Windu Acres: Candy has provided lunch for Mace and Tanner.

Candy: I'm surprised you're not taking courses in animal husbandry or something, given society's rejection of apprenticeships.  Unless you call it internship. 

Tanner:  Grandpa Mace found me some on-line courses.  I usually do that in the evenings while everyone else is fighting over the television. 

Candy: I see.  And Finnick is in trade school learning to fix roller coasters.

Tanner: Well, it's not that simple, but yeah.  Albus says he's looking forward to retirement, finally, but the guy's full of it.  Witch's Cove could've hired someone a long time ago if he really wanted to retire. 

Mace: Albus will retire when he's dead.  He's as much a part of the family as the park is.  Or maybe it's the other way around.  Ask Tanner about the wedding.  

Tanner: Grandpa!

Candy: Whose wedding?  Peeta and Ken's is the only one I know of.

Tanner:  Grandpa thinks it's funny that Whitney is...  well, she keeps fussing at Nakoma and Finnick that there is no reason to delay their wedding.  But me and Finnick want to have a double wedding.  There's no way me and Whitney are ready - I'm not gonna be the guy that moves his wife into his parents' house.

Candy: Maybe she's turning into a Bridezilla and doesn't want to share the glory.  Or maybe Ken and Peeta gave her wedding fever and it'll pass. 

Tanner: It better pass. 

******

Speaking of Nakoma, she's providing Maisie with a casual tour of the college campus.

Nakoma:  Most of your classes will be in this building, and I've never even set foot in here!  

Maisie:  Thanks so much for this.  They gave me a map and everything, but it always helps to have a flesh-and-blood person to ask. Where's the best place to study?  Besides the library.  (Her phone chimes)  Oh, that's my husband.  Let me take this real quick.

Husband: Who is Helena House and why are you using her phone?

Maisie: It's the group home's name.  Helena was the mother of the benefactors, and this is my new phone.  I get a company one as one of the founders.

Husband: She found you again, didn't she? Where'd she get arrested this time? 

Maisie: I don't know and I don't care.  Look, I'm kind of in the middle of something.  I'll call you tonight? 

Nakoma: Finnick told me what little he knows about your history when he asked me to show you around campus.  I'm sorry your birth family sucks.  

Maisie: Thanks.  I lucked out when I met Dionne, though.  The Baptistes welcome me to everything - and now the Pikes do! (gestures with the phone)  The military ever stops deploying my husband, I hope to start a semi-functional family of my own.