Jackson Residence
June 27, 1982
9:oo PM
It was after 9 o'clock by the time Felicia got in after dropping Marie and Doreen off. Felicia debated for a brief moment if she should call Karen now or wait until tomorrow. However, she knew the cheerleading coach was up late and was known to call the officers of the squad as late as 10 PM, even on a school night. This was important after all.
Felicia mentally ran through what she was going to say before picking up the receiver and dialing. Karen answered on the second ring.
"Karen," Felicia began. "It's Felicia. Sorry to be calling so late, but I just had dinner with Marie and Dorren."
There was a pause. "Well... kind of, I mean I would say important enough that I felt I should tell you tonight as opposed to waiting until the morning," Felicia responded. "It's nothing bad like anyone died or is in the hospital or anything like that."
Felicia was quiet again as Karen pressed her to share the information. Clearly, she was intrigued and anxious to get whatever news Felicia had.
"Actually, it does affect some girls on the squad in a round about sort of way, but not directly. I mean this call isn't about anyone on the squad," Felicia dropped a bit of a teaser when Karen immediately assumed she had information to report about someone on the squad. It was not uncommon for seniors to call Karen late at night with gossip concerning another member, particularly a first year member that had committed an infraction. There was always a big to-do when someone on the squad had been seen breaking the rules.
All of the girls were required to sign a "social contract" upon joining the squad. This was a rigid code of conduct that applied to members both in and out of school and governed their behavior. The most serious infractions including things like drinking, smoking, fighting, or being arrested. However, there were all kinds of minor infractions and many of the stipulations in the contract were intentionally vague and open to the interpretation of the coach and officers.
Technically, the contracts were not enforce over the summer. The first year girls were not yet official members. However, they were still expected to behave accordingly and any serious trouble that got in over the summer could be grounds for disciplinary action once the team began practicing. In the case of a serious violation, the violator was subject to removal before school started.
"Oh yeah, it's a specific person," Felicia confirmed as Karen pressed her for more information. "That Shelley Higgins girl you just hired... it's kind of a long story but we found some real dirt on that girl that I think you need to know about!"
That got Karen's attention. A barrage of questions began. Felicia patiently waited for a moment to get a word in. A growing smile spread across her lips as she realized her former coach had taken the bait hook, line and sinker.
"Well, let's see," Felicia said. "Where do we begin..."
Felicia began by sharing all of the convenient coincidences that had happened with Shelley always being right there with her camera ever since she'd inquired about a job at the paper. Then she recounted the boating trip and finding of Marie's car."
"Yes ma'am. They were the ones apparently that called the cops when the allegedly 'found' it," Felicia confirmed. "But there's more. Starla Baxter and one of the first years... can't think of her name... she has red hair.... yeah, her! They were with this girl and some other people on the boat."
The was another long pause. "Well, Marie is going to have her dad talk to her... uh their dads," Felicia explained. She didn't offer that they were waiting to see what happened with Tabitha before approaching Starla's parents. "Right, well given it is summer and all, we thought that was more appropriate. But there is more to it than finding Marie's car."
There was another long pause as Karen wanted to know more. So far, Felicia hadn't even really shared the good incriminating stuff. All she'd implied was that Shelley might be staging crimes or in on them to get the big scoop. That had been enough to get the cheer coach worked up. Now, for the finale...
"Right, but the fact that she's just been in the right spot is all circumstantial. It does seem to be too good to just be coincidence and I have no proof she was involved in jumping Sharon or stealing Marie's car or anything like that. What concerns me is those two are going over to her house and she's living with an unmarried man who is older."
That pushed things over the top. "Right, so Marie is going to talk to her dad and have hers and maybe Doreen's parents talk to theirs. Again, it's summer so we weren't sure that bringing you in was the right thing, but we thought you should know about it it," Felica said. "Yeah, you might want to call Marie. She can probably tell you more. "
Karen was clearly anxious to talk to her captain and get more details from Marie. "Of course, once a Lady Raptor, always a Lady Raptor," Felicia replied with a wide grin. "Yes ma'am. You have a good night, too. Again, I was just really worried about this girl taking over your class and the potential damage not to mention she could be a very bad influence on two of the squad members, particularly a first year that doesn't know any better."
With a final goodbye, Felicia placed the receiver back on the hook. She'd let Marie get into the devil worship shit and everything that allegedly happened at the creepy older guy's house where Miss Shelley Higgins was shacked up.
June 27, 1982
9:oo PM
It was after 9 o'clock by the time Felicia got in after dropping Marie and Doreen off. Felicia debated for a brief moment if she should call Karen now or wait until tomorrow. However, she knew the cheerleading coach was up late and was known to call the officers of the squad as late as 10 PM, even on a school night. This was important after all.
Felicia mentally ran through what she was going to say before picking up the receiver and dialing. Karen answered on the second ring.
"Karen," Felicia began. "It's Felicia. Sorry to be calling so late, but I just had dinner with Marie and Dorren."
There was a pause. "Well... kind of, I mean I would say important enough that I felt I should tell you tonight as opposed to waiting until the morning," Felicia responded. "It's nothing bad like anyone died or is in the hospital or anything like that."
Felicia was quiet again as Karen pressed her to share the information. Clearly, she was intrigued and anxious to get whatever news Felicia had.
"Actually, it does affect some girls on the squad in a round about sort of way, but not directly. I mean this call isn't about anyone on the squad," Felicia dropped a bit of a teaser when Karen immediately assumed she had information to report about someone on the squad. It was not uncommon for seniors to call Karen late at night with gossip concerning another member, particularly a first year member that had committed an infraction. There was always a big to-do when someone on the squad had been seen breaking the rules.
All of the girls were required to sign a "social contract" upon joining the squad. This was a rigid code of conduct that applied to members both in and out of school and governed their behavior. The most serious infractions including things like drinking, smoking, fighting, or being arrested. However, there were all kinds of minor infractions and many of the stipulations in the contract were intentionally vague and open to the interpretation of the coach and officers.
Technically, the contracts were not enforce over the summer. The first year girls were not yet official members. However, they were still expected to behave accordingly and any serious trouble that got in over the summer could be grounds for disciplinary action once the team began practicing. In the case of a serious violation, the violator was subject to removal before school started.
"Oh yeah, it's a specific person," Felicia confirmed as Karen pressed her for more information. "That Shelley Higgins girl you just hired... it's kind of a long story but we found some real dirt on that girl that I think you need to know about!"
That got Karen's attention. A barrage of questions began. Felicia patiently waited for a moment to get a word in. A growing smile spread across her lips as she realized her former coach had taken the bait hook, line and sinker.
"Well, let's see," Felicia said. "Where do we begin..."
Felicia began by sharing all of the convenient coincidences that had happened with Shelley always being right there with her camera ever since she'd inquired about a job at the paper. Then she recounted the boating trip and finding of Marie's car."
"Yes ma'am. They were the ones apparently that called the cops when the allegedly 'found' it," Felicia confirmed. "But there's more. Starla Baxter and one of the first years... can't think of her name... she has red hair.... yeah, her! They were with this girl and some other people on the boat."
The was another long pause. "Well, Marie is going to have her dad talk to her... uh their dads," Felicia explained. She didn't offer that they were waiting to see what happened with Tabitha before approaching Starla's parents. "Right, well given it is summer and all, we thought that was more appropriate. But there is more to it than finding Marie's car."
There was another long pause as Karen wanted to know more. So far, Felicia hadn't even really shared the good incriminating stuff. All she'd implied was that Shelley might be staging crimes or in on them to get the big scoop. That had been enough to get the cheer coach worked up. Now, for the finale...
"Right, but the fact that she's just been in the right spot is all circumstantial. It does seem to be too good to just be coincidence and I have no proof she was involved in jumping Sharon or stealing Marie's car or anything like that. What concerns me is those two are going over to her house and she's living with an unmarried man who is older."
That pushed things over the top. "Right, so Marie is going to talk to her dad and have hers and maybe Doreen's parents talk to theirs. Again, it's summer so we weren't sure that bringing you in was the right thing, but we thought you should know about it it," Felica said. "Yeah, you might want to call Marie. She can probably tell you more. "
Karen was clearly anxious to talk to her captain and get more details from Marie. "Of course, once a Lady Raptor, always a Lady Raptor," Felicia replied with a wide grin. "Yes ma'am. You have a good night, too. Again, I was just really worried about this girl taking over your class and the potential damage not to mention she could be a very bad influence on two of the squad members, particularly a first year that doesn't know any better."
With a final goodbye, Felicia placed the receiver back on the hook. She'd let Marie get into the devil worship shit and everything that allegedly happened at the creepy older guy's house where Miss Shelley Higgins was shacked up.
Home of Karen North
June 28, 1982
After 10 PM
Karen was about to give up on trying to contact Marie when she finally got through. The Evan's phone number had been busy all evening and it was a few minutes past ten when Marie finally answered. Had Karen not lost track of the time, she would have tried again in the morning.
"Oh hi Marie," Karen began. She glanced at the clock. "Oh my, I'm so sorry for calling this late! I didn't realize it was already past 10."
She was quiet for a moment.
"Yes, I just got a rather disturbing phone call from Felicia and your name came up and I wanted to find out your version of all of this," Karen replied as soon as Marie assured her that it was okay that she was calling past 10 p.m. and that she had some important news for the cheer coach and if she'd heard 'the news'.
"Yes, Shelley," Karen confirmed when asked about the disturbing phone call. Karen listened as Marie told her about all of the strange coincidences regarding Shelley with all of the 'unusual events' that had transpired in the past week. Karen raised an eyebrow as Marie shared the news.
"That is definitely concerning," Karen affirmed. "The timing is certainly questionable and the fact that this woman wants to be a reporter and was there for both of those situations. Now let me ask you a question."
There was a brief pause as Marie responded.
"Miss Baxter and Miss Blackwell's names came up in the conversation," Karen said firmly. "What do you know about them and their affiliation with this woman?"
There was a long pause and Karen remained silent as Marie laid out all she knew about Starla and Tabitha's association with Shelley.
"She's living with a man that she isn't married to," Karen repeated. "Are they relatives?"
There was another lengthy pause as Karen listened to Marie relay everything that had 'gone on' based on the information of a friend of hers that she trusted.
"Dungeons and Dragons? Yes, I've heard of it, but I don't really understand much about what it is," Karen admitted. "I have heard suggestions that it involves the occult.... hmmm, I don't know about that... but yes, regardless, that is not an activity that cheerleaders need to be engaged in... uh huh... you're absolutely right... Well let me ask you this, Marie. You are the captain. Part of your responsibility is looking out for the integrity of the team. As the leader, what is your assessment based on what you know?"
There was a several minute pause and Karen remained silent as she listened carefully to Marie's very long-winded reply.
"I think you're spot on. That's why I chose you. So, using your leadership skills and judgement, I want to hear how you think the problem should be solved before I give my two sense," Karen replied. She was trying to show mentorship to her captain in questioning her reasoning and how she thought things needed to be handled. Karen liked what she was hearing.
"I think that once again, you've demonstrated excellent judgement here," Karen said praising the team captain. "Talk to your father and then I think I'd like to talk to your parents before they approach Mr. Blackwell. I agree whole heartedly that having a colleque approach him with the concern over me, particularly given it is the summer is a good way to handle this. I'm not sure that Miss Baxter's parents shouldn't also be contacted, too."
Karen listened and threw in some uh-huhs. "Okay, understood. See what you can do about her parents, too. If Mr. Baxter travels a lot, maybe talking to Mrs. Baxter is the thing to do then. Maybe I can reach out to her..."
Marie interjected and Karen listened to what she had to say. "Yes, it is late. Talk to your parents tomorrow and then I'd like you to have them call me before they approach him," Karen instructed.
She waited for Marie to acknowledge her directions. "Alright, as for Miss Higgins, that is concerning. I can't really discuss that with you as it is not team business, but know that I take that very seriously and I will think about the correct course of action in dealing with that situation," Karen assured Marie. "Alright, well thank you for letting me know about this. We definitely need to deal with it. Have a good evening sweetie.... you too!"
Karen set the receiver back in its cradle and chewed on her lower lip. It was clear that Shelley Higgins was not fit to take over the class. Karen needed to think about how to approach the matter and her dismissal. She needed to act switfly and it seemed like Monday night would be the ideal time to make the phone call.
June 28, 1982
After 10 PM
Karen was about to give up on trying to contact Marie when she finally got through. The Evan's phone number had been busy all evening and it was a few minutes past ten when Marie finally answered. Had Karen not lost track of the time, she would have tried again in the morning.
"Oh hi Marie," Karen began. She glanced at the clock. "Oh my, I'm so sorry for calling this late! I didn't realize it was already past 10."
She was quiet for a moment.
"Yes, I just got a rather disturbing phone call from Felicia and your name came up and I wanted to find out your version of all of this," Karen replied as soon as Marie assured her that it was okay that she was calling past 10 p.m. and that she had some important news for the cheer coach and if she'd heard 'the news'.
"Yes, Shelley," Karen confirmed when asked about the disturbing phone call. Karen listened as Marie told her about all of the strange coincidences regarding Shelley with all of the 'unusual events' that had transpired in the past week. Karen raised an eyebrow as Marie shared the news.
"That is definitely concerning," Karen affirmed. "The timing is certainly questionable and the fact that this woman wants to be a reporter and was there for both of those situations. Now let me ask you a question."
There was a brief pause as Marie responded.
"Miss Baxter and Miss Blackwell's names came up in the conversation," Karen said firmly. "What do you know about them and their affiliation with this woman?"
There was a long pause and Karen remained silent as Marie laid out all she knew about Starla and Tabitha's association with Shelley.
"She's living with a man that she isn't married to," Karen repeated. "Are they relatives?"
There was another lengthy pause as Karen listened to Marie relay everything that had 'gone on' based on the information of a friend of hers that she trusted.
"Dungeons and Dragons? Yes, I've heard of it, but I don't really understand much about what it is," Karen admitted. "I have heard suggestions that it involves the occult.... hmmm, I don't know about that... but yes, regardless, that is not an activity that cheerleaders need to be engaged in... uh huh... you're absolutely right... Well let me ask you this, Marie. You are the captain. Part of your responsibility is looking out for the integrity of the team. As the leader, what is your assessment based on what you know?"
There was a several minute pause and Karen remained silent as she listened carefully to Marie's very long-winded reply.
"I think you're spot on. That's why I chose you. So, using your leadership skills and judgement, I want to hear how you think the problem should be solved before I give my two sense," Karen replied. She was trying to show mentorship to her captain in questioning her reasoning and how she thought things needed to be handled. Karen liked what she was hearing.
"I think that once again, you've demonstrated excellent judgement here," Karen said praising the team captain. "Talk to your father and then I think I'd like to talk to your parents before they approach Mr. Blackwell. I agree whole heartedly that having a colleque approach him with the concern over me, particularly given it is the summer is a good way to handle this. I'm not sure that Miss Baxter's parents shouldn't also be contacted, too."
Karen listened and threw in some uh-huhs. "Okay, understood. See what you can do about her parents, too. If Mr. Baxter travels a lot, maybe talking to Mrs. Baxter is the thing to do then. Maybe I can reach out to her..."
Marie interjected and Karen listened to what she had to say. "Yes, it is late. Talk to your parents tomorrow and then I'd like you to have them call me before they approach him," Karen instructed.
She waited for Marie to acknowledge her directions. "Alright, as for Miss Higgins, that is concerning. I can't really discuss that with you as it is not team business, but know that I take that very seriously and I will think about the correct course of action in dealing with that situation," Karen assured Marie. "Alright, well thank you for letting me know about this. We definitely need to deal with it. Have a good evening sweetie.... you too!"
Karen set the receiver back in its cradle and chewed on her lower lip. It was clear that Shelley Higgins was not fit to take over the class. Karen needed to think about how to approach the matter and her dismissal. She needed to act switfly and it seemed like Monday night would be the ideal time to make the phone call.
Moderators: LisaBlankenship AgentMilkshake