“It’s hideous,” Julie looking at the dress set aside for her last night. Freshly Iron and looking plain; Julie’s facial expression soured when in her bra and panties, watches as her mother comes in and places it on her bed.
“You’re wearing it for today,” Melissa Stovall looks at her daughter without a hint of pity; “be lucky you’re not wearing an orange jumpsuit, because you could have been made to wear that while in jail!”
“Pftt,” Julie scoffs as she glares at her mother; “like they could make me wear something like that.”
“PUT ON THE DRESS JULIE,” Melissa losing all patience with her petulant daughter; Melissa slams the door behind her and stomps down the stairs.
Martin Stovall, who was wearing a simple checkered grey suit, was sipping his coffee when he heard Melissa screaming. Seeing her march down the stairs, mad as hell; he just sighs. ‘Glad it’s not me that flipped Melissa’s bitch switch,’ Martin thinks to himself. Going back to reading the Moon lake gazette; he pays particular attention to the article regarding his daughter’s legal troubles. Knowing that the article is just rehashing what is already a fact; Martin puts down the paper.
“Anything good” Melissa huffs as she sits at the table looking at the paper Martin just put down.
“Nothing good,” Martin grouses; “the only good thing is the paper makes no mention of Statue 1A charges.”
“Can’t say the same of that jack ass DJ on KPXX,” Melissa scowls; “why do you set your alarm radio to that station?”
“I like the music,” Martin answers; “but I do agree. DJ Woof went too far there; hopefully Lance Knight will finally kick that were-rat’s ass to the curb.”
“A Were-rat that thinks he is a dog,” Melissa chortles; “now I’ve heard everything.” Reading the paper she sees an article that peaks her interest. “Far Houjin and Kai Wu Wang president and CEO of the Wang Technological Consortium vanish for one of their many spiritual retreats.”
“Already read it,” Martin sipping his coffee; “read the last bit in the story.”
Melissa reads the final paragraph aloud; “Rumors and speculation abound as to the present whereabouts of Far and his grandson Kai. While none have been either confirmed or denied, the heads of the Wáng Technological Consortium have been known to go on unannounced spiritual retreats before, but always leave the company in good hands during their absence.” Melissa looking up, “okay; what is so special about that?”
“It’s a load of crock,” Martin answers; “those two must have done something to piss off the Chinese government and are now in hiding. What’s interesting is why is Knight Media reporting a story regarding a company based in Shanghai?”
“You picked up on that just from that last paragraph,” Melissa putting down the paper; “What are you thinking of?”
“I’m thinking,” Martin getting up to put his coffee mug in the sink; “that Lance Knight is helping Benton out with something. This article has the two were-panther’s paws all over it.”
Melissa looks at her husband and just shrugs her shoulders; getting up to grab a bottle of apple juice. Being pregnant; Melissa didn’t want to jeopardize her future child by drinking coffee. Sipping the bottle of juice she looks at Martin, “you mind going up and checking on Julie? I need to make a phone call to my office. Let them know I won’t be in today.”
Martin rolls his eyes as he heads to the stairs; “Julie Stovall! You better be dressed and ready to go by the time I get to your door!” Ensuring he wasn’t bluffing; Martin walks up stairs and is about to open Julie’s door, when Julie rips it open and leaves her room in a huff.
“Now that I put on the stupid dress,” Julie looks angry; “let’s head to the stupid court so we can get this stupid day over with!”
“You want to have some breakfast first;” Martin looking at his daughter.
“Unless it’s the heart of a couple of particular were-panthers or their hybrid slut,” Julie stating with murderous intent in her eyes; “I’m not interested.”
“Now that’s enough little girl,” Martin losing all patience with Julie; “you march into the kitchen get some breakfast and loose the attitude.”
“I’m not hungry,” Julie seethes; “and I’ll drop my attitude when I crush those that have wronged me, you and mom if necessary!”
“How dare you,” Martin clearly angry; “you think you can threaten people and not expect them to lash out back at you? Do you think I’m going to put up with this anymore?” Martin clearly losing all patience with his daughter, “I have had it with your insolence, your constant scheming, lying and outright hostility. You better smarten up little girl, because I’m this close to giving up on you.” Martin places his thumb and index finger an eighth of an inch apart from each other.
“And what are you going to do,” Julie not caring of the consequences; “because frankly all I hear from you is all talk and no action!”
“Oh just you wait,” Martin using every ounce of strength to not strike his daughter; “just you wait.” Martin walking away to his study to cool off, leaving Julie alone.
Julie smirking as she watches her dad leave; ‘just as I thought’, Julie thinks to herself, ‘your all talk, Martin.’
Martin slamming his study door closed; he just stands their seething. Balling his hands up into fists and unclenching repeatedly; Martin calms down enough and heads to his laptop sitting on the desk. Logging back into his account and rereading the application for reform school he was mulling about with Melissa last night.
“All talk and no action,” Martin still mad; “you are about to eat those words daughter.”
Martin fills out the application to begin the process of enrolling Julie Stovall into a reform school located in another country. Reviewing the site last night and noticing the small ‘w’ and paw within the logo; Martin knew this was a school dedicated to dealing with troublesome adolescent weres. Finishing the application and hitting the submit button; Martin gets up and leaves his home office. Looking at Melissa and silently nodding to her, he signals that it is time for all of them to leave.