Frieda was just leaving here second period class when she got a text on her phone. Heading to the girls bathroom she looks at the message and is surprised at what she sees. The message was from one of the servants. It reads:
‘Frieda; parents are having a big fight. Your father knocked out Jeffrey. The staff is afraid.’
Frieda was floored at what she read. While here parents treated the staff with the barest of civility; not even they would be stupid to risk harming them for some petty slight. ‘Job termination maybe; but assault?’ Frieda thinks. Not caring that she missed the bell starting for her third period class, she launches a text to the staff that contacted her.
‘Get Jeffrey to safety. If the situation is as unsafe as you say, then get out of there. If need be, Contact the Sheriff. Your safety is more important then your job.’
Frieda hits sends and leans on the bathroom counter to think; ‘would this have anything to do with me texting Eric that dad was trying to take over Tachiabna Industries?’ Frieda’s thought is interrupted when her phone get another text message. It’s from the same staff member;
‘Staff had a meeting. We are all walking out. John is taking Jeffery to the hospital. Best of luck with you Miss Frieda.’
Frieda breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing that Jeffery will get medical attention; she still wonders how her parents will react when they find out that there is no staff to wait on them.
*****
Back at the Knight estate; Amanda and Benton are arguing. She knows Benton rages when plans don’t go his way. Usually she was able to calm him down from doing something truly foolish. But after finding out that this fit is a result of trying to pick a fight with Daisuke and loosing; between Benton’s swearing, drinking and throwing objects about; it is clear that the only thing that will calm him down is time alone. Since Benton is clearly enraged and drinking like a sailor fresh into port; she knows that Benton will be unable to calm down and sober up in time to pick Frieda up from school. Amanda leaves the study and looks for a staff member. Not finding any she tries calling for Jeffrey. Not getting a reply, Amanda tries to call John the family chauffeur.
“Mrs. Knight.” John responds while driving.
“Where are you and where is everyone?” She asks worriedly.
“I am driving Jeffery to the hospital. I do not know where the rest of the staff is.” John comments on the phone.
“You’re taking Jeffrey to the hospital? What happened?” Amanda asks.
“You don’t know?” John responds. “Benton decked him shortly after arriving home.”
“Oh shit,” Amanda sits down with her head hung low. “Will you be able to pick Frieda up after school? Benton is clearly not in any shape to perform that function.” Amanda cringes as she hears something break and a guttural growl in frustration.
“I would love to ma’am,” John continues. “But after what Benton did to Jeffery; the staff had an emergency meeting. All agreed that they can no longer work for a man that shows little regard for the well-being of those under his employ and thinks it’s acceptable to physically harm them. Please give my love to Frieda and tell her I’m sorry it had to come to this.” John hangs up.
Amanda is stunned. A husband who is drunk and angry. Frieda coming out as Bi-sexual; and now no servants because Benton knocked out their butler without cause. Amanda wonders if the other elite have to deal with all this. Looking at her phone, Amanda texts Frieda; “Your father is mad over some issue regarding Tachibana. The staff has all quit. I’ll pick you up after class. Hopefully your father will have calmed down by the time you come home. Love you.”
Amanda hits send and then immediately gets a hold of the family attorney to hopefully get things fixed with Benton not facing possible charges.
****
Back at the washroom Frieda was in, she sees the text her mother sent. Thinking of replying, Frieda instead texts both Eric and Spencer; “Father won’t be picking me up after class. Mom will instead. The entire staff quit.” Frieda hits send and then decides to leave the bathroom. She walks to the library to spend the rest of third period in a far more comfortable room then on a toilet. Entering, she finds the library unoccupied. Grabbing a teen fashion magazine that was left on one of the tables; Frieda sits in a chair to wait out the time till freshman lunch.