{{Our episode title is also a great song by Buffalo Springfield.—tmw.}}
There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
With nothing else to do, especially considering they couldn't do what they really wanted to do (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) Eric Anderson and Frieda Knight sat in the library, put their heads together, and tried to come up with a plan to deal with the vengeful were-mermaid Julie Stovall now that she was a relatively "free" woman.
"Dealing with her would be no problem physically if the worst happened," pointed out Eric, "but Julie knows we'd make sushi out of her if she tried that, so she's going to be more sneaky."
"Like those phishing e-mails of late," remembered Frieda. "But what?"
"Wish I knew. What gets me is why she's so persistent? Julie's already lost. I'm a happy werepanther now and not some sad were-merman while she carves another notch in her bedpost, so what's the point?"
"Knowing Julie the way I do, it has to be her ego. She can't stand to have anyone best her. Not even me," said Frieda. "With my family's backing, I could of ruined her ten times over if I ever wanted to, and she knows that."
"But you're not like that honey," said Eric, giving her a quick peck on the cheek when the librarian wasn't looking.
"It's the power she fears, and what she craves as well," pointed out Frieda. "There was some with her social status as the daughter of the town's mayor, but even that only goes so far."
"Don't take this as an insult to your father, but maybe Julie's bi-polar too."
"Personally, I think she's just plain nuts. Her lawyer might have gotten her off on a technicality, but there's no way Julie's going to beat the rap against the Elders' Council, even if my uncle has to excuse himself because of my involvement."
"How long do you think this trial thing is going to last? Winter finals are next week before we get out of school for the holidays."
Frieda just shrugged her shoulders. "One of the many questions we can ask him when Lance picks us up after school today."
ELSEWHERE IN MOON LAKE HIGH...
The student body was abuzz with the news concerning Julie Stovall being declared innocent on a technicality.
What few friends she might still have remained silent except when amongst themselves, for most of the public opinion was the Stovall mistrial being a gross miscarriage of justice.
"I never knew so many people actually hated Julie," whispered one girl to another between classes.
"Well, Julie made this oyster bed, now she has to sleep in it. No matter what happens about the Statute 1-A charges, the school is never going to let her back in."
"Do you think we should 'disown' her like the rest of the classes are?" asked the first girl.
"For now I think we'll just keep our mouths shut and see what happens," advised the second girl. "After all, the last thing we want is for Julie to start trying to 'get' us too."
"Good point," agreed the first girl, as they went on to their next class.
I sense Eric and Frieda are all right for the most part, thought Spencer Lawson, feeling her friends and lovers through the special link they shared as she went on to her next class. Confused, uncertain, and a little horny too, being so close to each other with no release right now, as a slight smile crossed Spencer's face. Later my loves, Spencer promised herself, entering her next classroom.
MEANWHILE...
"So, my bi-polar testing is scheduled to start at 6 tonight," began Lance Knight, as the werepanther talked to Tachibana no Akane at her table, after the white weretigers Far Houjin and Kai Wu Wang politely excused themselves for their afternoon mediation session. "While personally I doubt I do have the disorder, better safe than sorry. I'll be out of the hospital around 7 tomorrow morning. A quick breakfast and I can be at the Elders' Council hearing by 9 at the latest."
"Good," said Tachibana no Akane, as the leader of the Skulk nodded her furry werevixen head. "Please be there as soon as you can so we can fully go over Elders' judicial proceedings, but I shall tell all parties involved 10 tomorrow morning to start, and then we'll adjust accordingly. Unlike regular court trials, Elders' hearings proceed from start to finish, without weekends off. Despite the seriousness of the charges against her, I cannot foresee Julie Stovall's hearing lasting longer than this weekend at the latest."
"I just thought of something. With my niece Frieda one of the witnesses testifying, will I have to excuse myself?" asked Lance.
"That remains to be seen. The Council requires all members present at such a serious matter, but when it comes to deciding guilt or innocence, we vote based upon seniority," explained Akane. "Therefore, yours shall be last, but I seriously doubt that by that point you will be the swing vote."
"So the other Elders are coming into this with their minds already made up on the matter?" asked Lance.
"No. It is just the seriousness of the charges facing Julie Stovall that makes me confident yours will not be any kind of deciding vote, for I cannot foresee us being deadlocked in a tie when it comes time for you to announce your decision."
ELSEWHERE...
The Stovalls were silent on their trip home.
Julie was happy as a clam at high tide to finally have that constraining ankle monitor removed.
Martin Stovall parked his car in the garage, but as the Stovalls went through the garage entrance into their kitchen, Julie suddenly started running away from them towards the back door!
By the time her parents got into the back yard trying to follow her, they saw a trail of clothes leading to their fresh water swimming pool as a naked teenager dove in.
"Martin, shouldn't we—" began his wife Melissa, concerned that their were-mermaid daughter was now displaying her full Stage 3 form, tail and all, in broad daylight as she swam along the bottom of the pool.
"Part of the reason why we have that high security fence surrounding the property. Remember?" he asked, putting an arm around her reassuringly.
It had been a trying time (no pun intended) for them, with no relief in sight with the Elders' Council hearing on the horizon.
Just then, they heard a knock on the back gate. Not knowing what to expect, Martin advised his wife to have her cellphone ready as he went to answer it, to see two men dressed in black suits enter.
"Mister Stovall. My name is Daisuke Tachibana. This is my brother Yamoto," he said, indicating the other man with him, as they bowed before the Mayor of Moon Lake. "We are here as part of your daughter's escorts until after the Elders' Council trial is concluded."
"What? Is Julie under arrest again? Should I call the Sheriff and her lawyer?" Martin demanded to know.
"No. You and your wife are free to come and go as you please outside of the trial. Your daughter can accompany either or both of you whenever you like when not before the Elders, but she is not allowed to be unchaperoned at any time. We, and the rest of our team, are here to ensure that Julie keeps her appointments with the Elders as scheduled," explained Daisuke, as he handed Martin Stovall a scroll with what he just said in greater detail.
"Team? How many of you are there?" asked Martin, while looking over the scroll.
"As many as necessary," replied Daisuke, as Yamoto nodded in agreement.