She is the One

[Mr_Fairplay]

Recall that "political workshop" that Mary dragged Kayla to one weekend? Bet there were a lot of young ladies present so the political honchos could size up potential talent.

Well, if your theory is correct, hen Mary was whoring out her own daughter at the "political workshop"...or she wanted her daughter to take over her business?

The theory is good, and adds a considerable amount of drama, but i can't imagine Kayla getting involved with this shit, and if Mary indeed ran this operation then Kayla would know first hand because she was there.

If Mary was indeed getting her daughter to "join the business", then when she was going to apply to the vet's, she was with a client and if she supposedly gets a job, this could be a perfect cover. How this could split up the group? One of the guys such as Craig or Sam, looking to get some side action contacts the business without the knowledge that this particular ring is run by Mrs. Hannigan, so Kayla gets sent over and they do the deed. Somehow the secret gets out, Jack and the group have an enormous fight and split up.

An unpopular theory, but since most people are of the view that Mary can be the madam of the ring, i thought this might be a possibility.

Edited August 22, 2015 by Mr_Fairplay

[Joe Long]

An unpopular theory, but since most people are of the view that Mary can be the madam of the ring, i thought this might be a possibility.

I didn't see her as the madam, but the liasion within her organization.

"Oh Mary, Joe here is visiting from Delaware for a few days, and was thinking he might like some company for dinner and The Kennedy Center tonight - can you help him out?"

"Joe, why don't you look through this book and tell me which three you like the best - and I'll put in the call."

later on...

"Hello, Capitol Escorts? This is Mary over at the DNC. Is Misty Dawn available tonight?"

Of course, in the internet age, she'd be a smart phone app to place the take-out order.

Edited August 22, 2015 by Joe Long

[Mr_Fairplay]

Hmm, nope still not convinced Mary's involved. Joe could be lining it up with the Ashley Madison controversy, some hackers hacked the site and hundreds of thousands if not millions of accounts have been exposed, all the cheaters are laid bare for all the world to see. I wager one of the Hannigans has their name on that list...but still doesn't explain how that will affect the group, unless the person they have an affair with is one of the parents of the other members of the group.

I say enough of the emotional crap and let us have some Crag or Brad level fights.

Edited August 22, 2015 by Mr_Fairplay

[thismy]

Hmm, nope still not convinced Mary's involved. Joe could be lining it up with the Ashley Madison controversy, some hackers hacked the site and hundreds of thousands if not millions of accounts have been exposed, all the cheaters are laid bare for all the world to see. I wager one of the Hannigans has their name on that list...but still doesn't explain how that will affect the group, unless the person they have an affair with is one of the parents of the other members of the group.

I say enough of the emotional crap and let us have some Crag or Brad level fights.

I agree! The question being, who does the fight happen between? Joe v Jack? (I hope not)

I have one theory. This is based sort of off a few movies I've seen, particularly, The Perks of Being a Wildflower, which is a great movie, by the way. (I love Emma Watson(really, she's fantastic)) And some of my own ideas. It goes along these lines. Joe joins the football team this year. Although, I think Craig said something about him missing the tryout date. Whatever. So Joe's bi, and while he loves Belle(probably) he can't help stealing a few glances at his teammates. This is not really a problem, but a few factors start contributing to concern. Belle notices that Joe's hanging a lot with his football buds, which causes her to worry. But Joe is not-so-subtle with his glances, and his football "buds" pick up on it. Bad leads to worse and they attack Joe. It goes from there.

I might write up that scene and post it, but I'm not feeling too hot today.

[Mr_Fairplay]

(I love Emma Watson(really, she's fantastic))

Haven't seen The perks of being a Wallflower, but i will, totally agreed with your opinion on Emma Watson though.

Hmm, i don't think it will be Joe, he's not that kinda guy, i really don't see him and Jack fighting, Craig has a chance but little, Sam could be one but last i checked he and Jack got along pretty nicely, Alan doesn't have an incentive anymore so not him. What if it's not Jack vs. someone but it's between others and Jack has to take sides which in turn splits up the group. Sam's still pretty new so he could say the wrong thing at the wrong time and piss off Craig.

Most popular choices are Nick or Jessica, but someone in the new batch could also be a possible...target? instigator, can't find the right word.

[Jashley13]

Hey everyone!

WOW! Well, that kinda shuts me up about the lack of updates, huh? I didn't mean that I was demanding more or anything; I'm just kind of a worrywart. I've had bad things happen when people I know go silent and...well, you guys are the best readers/fans imaginable and the last thing I want is for anything bad to happen to any of you. Glad to know you're all still there and doing well

Anyway, onto the Reality Check:

- Jack's thoughts on Rhona are developing much the same way as mine with the friend Rhona is based on. I'm not going to say more in case of spoilers but it's kind of surprising how well it is lining up. I try not to make any of my characters exactly like the people I know, just in case of...copyright? I don't know. But needless to say, it's fun writing her.

- Nothing has happened between me and my cousin like what happened with Jack and Tara (and it's not going to), but their conversation is based on some that we've had over the years, particularly about the guys who have screwed her over (that's where my cousin and Tara line up exactly). It was kind of hard to write since it recalls less-than-happy memories for her but I'd be doing her a disservice by sugarcoating it.

- God...I know conversations like the one between Jack and Jessica too well. Seriously, I've had too many of them over my teenage years and beyond.

- I tried doing that handstand thing that Alan did at a hangout similar to the one in the story. It...did not go well.

- To the particular commenter asking why I named a character after myself...I just happened to. But if you want a more detailed explanation, you can kind of break it down like this: Jack is how I think, Joe is how I act. Not completely and totally, but for the most part.

Now for Bad Idea Confessional:

There was originally going to be a brawl between Jack and Kayla versus Craig and the two bruisers he brought with him. Scrapped because I was saving up for Homecoming and because I didn't see how the police couldn't get involved with that one. Basically, I didn't want the story to turn into a long series of fights. I thought it best to have Craig make cutting remarks and then save the fight for Homecoming.

Well, that's all for that. As for other business, I've started working on the next chapter. Its...weird. Mainly because I'm back at the first day of school, but without having to use it as the basis for introductions. Now I've got a cast of fleshed-out characters who are returning, begrudgingly, to school. It's a weird sort of feeling and meant I started off a little slowly, but it's starting to pick up now, mainly because I convinced myself that deep, in-depth descriptions of every single class are not absolutely required.

In another bit of news, BashfulScribe has just posted the first chapter of a new story. It's fantastic. If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, it's called 'The Good, The Bad, And the Molly'. Give it a read. You won't be disappointed.

Well, that's all the news I have for now. I'll keep you all posted with the next chapter. In the meantime...God, I love the theories you guys come up with. I won't comment on them, since I don't want to even directly reveal spoilers, but it's always amusing how crazy or even scarily accurate some of them are. You'll just have to keep reading to find out.

See you soon!

[that-one-guy]

I go back to school on Thursday, I dread the thought but honestly I don't know what to do once I leave

[Joe Long]

Well, that's all for that. As for other business, I've started working on the next chapter. Its...weird. Mainly because I'm back at the first day of school, but without having to use it as the basis for introductions. Now I've got a cast of fleshed-out characters who are returning, begrudgingly, to school. It's a weird sort of feeling and meant I started off a little slowly, but it's starting to pick up now, mainly because I convinced myself that deep, in-depth descriptions of every single class are not absolutely required.

We've got our cast of regulars who no longer need to be introduced, but there will be freshman (although younger than everyone so may not be in anyone's circle) and transfers (like Kayla the year before.)

Also...the county can redraw the boundaries between high schools, so that kids who went to one school last year are now going to another. Up to 30% of the student body being dropped in from another school.

[Joe Long]

Also, a question for Joe

the character Jack took some swipes at baseball and interest in sports in general, although you also wrote Sam having a very good defense of baseball (the anticipation), one I've often given myself.

We assume that Jack = Joe the Author, but where do you really stand in real life? Sports fan or don't care a bit? Did you ever play high school or summer sports, or were you simply a drama nerd?

Full disclaimer: much like my eponymous character, I loved playing baseball, but never got the playing time I wanted. So I ended up being a stats nerd.

Edited August 22, 2015 by Joe Long

[Chester57]

It goes along these lines. Joe joins the football team this year. Although, I think Craig said something about him missing the tryout date.

Don't think that's possible. Joe is going to be a junior and (as far as we know) has no experience in organized football. If he did indeed miss the tryout date then the coaches would assume that he has no real interest and wouldn't give him a look. The only exception I can imagine would be if they desperately needed players at special teams positions-- like a kicker, punter or kick-return specialist.

[thismy]

Side note: I haven't seen anyone mention anything about this recently, but if there were a SITO movie, I think Logan Lerman would be as Jack. (Though he's a tad old now.)

Edited August 23, 2015 by thismy

[Mr_Fairplay]

Side note: I haven't seen anyone mention anything about this recently, but if there were a SITO movie, I think Logan Lerman would be as Jack. (Though he's a tad old now.)

I picture Dylan O'Brien playing Jack, a girl who is a cross between Emma Watson and Chloe Moretz playing Kayla, and Colton Haynes playing Craig.

I go back to school on Thursday, I dread the thought but honestly I don't know what to do once I leave

Ugh, know the feeling bro, i go on Monday so i got 4 more days. But look at it this way, you go for two days and then you have the weekend.

[Mr_Fairplay]

On a completely unrelated topic, does anyone know some good horror dungeon/quest mods for Skyrim? I tried Demonika and Gates of Solitude, they were good but i'm looking for something that'll give me nightmares.

[Joe Long]

I picture Dylan O'Brien playing Jack, a girl who is a cross between Emma Watson and Chloe Moretz playing Kayla, and Colton Haynes playing Craig.

The author Joe had already suggested Watson for Kayla and Moretz for Amanda.

Although, as much as I like to look at Emma Watson over the last, 7 or 8 years(?), she just doesn't seem to look like the written description of Kayla.

[thismy]

The author Joe had already suggested Watson for Kayla and Moretz for Amanda.

Although, as much as I like to look at Emma Watson over the last, 7 or 8 years(?), she just doesn't seem to look like the written description of Kayla.

No, and I personally have never suggested her to play Kayla. In fact, if there was a movie, I'm not sure Emma could fill the role. I feel like her style is different. I have a hard time pinning down an actress who I think would be good, in part because I don't watch a lot of movies.

In other news, I'm inclined to believe that any sort of prostitution ring will not come too quickly. That it will be a later in the year problem, something to keep us readers on our toes.

I thought for a while that Ms. Cartwright might have some involvement, but I dropped that, unless anyone wants to suggest otherwise. I'm still banking on the Ms. Locke goes crazy and is replaced, or Ms. Locke runs the ring theory.

[thismy]

In relationtion to my prostitution ring theory, I'll offer some illustration on how I picture some of it going down, or rather, starting.

---------------------------------

It was as steamy a session as he could remember. With all the shit that had gone down in the past few months, including some stuff between he and Kayla, Jack was just glad to have squeezed out some alone time with her. (Is that suppose to sound dirty?)

Much to his surprise, Mr. And Mrs. Hannigan had gone out that evening. Kayla would talk about their problems when she wanted, and Jack was still working on the "don't try to fix everything" situation. And while they seemed to have made some sort of amends, they weren't exactly peachy. So when Kayla excitedly invited him over with the news, he quickly, though somewhat confused, agreed.

Lying on Kayla's bed in post-orgasmic bliss, Jack could feel himself start to drift off. Kayla was nuzzled against him, her head resting on her chest, eyes just closed. But something rudely destroyed his state of peace.

It was his phone.

Jack grumbled, reaching for it. He smacked at Kayla's side table, attempting to pick it up. Bringing it over to his face, he looked at the screen. An incoming call.

His eye scanned over the contact and he sighed. Could he not have peace?

"Who is it?" Kayla murmured, her eyes fluttering, but staying closed. Jack hesitated, but Kayla prompted again. "Are you going to leave me hanging?" Her eyes were still closed, her voice was still soft, but the command behind it was enough to get Jack to talk.

He let out another heavy sigh. "It's Jessica."

Kayla's eyes opened and she scoffed. "Ignore it." She said.

Jack was more than happy to comply, dropping the phone back on the bedside table.

Kayla let her eyes fall closed again, and a smile pursed her lips. "Much better."

But the silence was temporary. The phone burst out again. Kayla stiffened, and almost growled. "Answer that so I can tell that God damn bitch to hop off."

Jack went to answer, but not necessarily thinking it was a good idea to hand the phone to Kayla. "Hello?" Jack asked.

And, not for the first time in his life, Jessica's voice came across the line in a desperate, broken plea. "Jack." A pause. "Help me."

---------------------------------

A fitting peice, I think, as an introduction to the prostitution ring problem. A little bit o' deja vu. Something involving the drama department, with Jessica being in too deep. Or is it a coincidence that the Hanigans just happened to go out?

Edited August 24, 2015 by thismy

[Guest Delta4]

Nice theory thismy,i also think Jessica is in some deep and as jack helped her out in past so she has hopes for him to help her again but how Jack will agree?

this also explains why she was trying to avoid kyla presence there because she doest want her dirty secrets exposed to kyla.but will jack tell Kyla about her secret or he will hide? hmm i think he will share it with her

[Mr_Fairplay]

In relationtion to my prostitution ring theory, I'll offer some illustration on how I picture some of it going down, or rather, starting.

---------------------------------

It was as steamy a session as he could remember. With all the shit that had gone down in the past few months, including some stuff between he and Kayla, Jack was just glad to have squeezed out some alone time with her. (Is that suppose to sound dirty?)

Much to his surprise, Mr. And Mrs. Hannigan had gone out that evening. Kayla would talk about their problems when she wanted, and Jack was still working on the "don't try to fix everything" situation. And while they seemed to have made some sort of amends, they weren't exactly peachy. So when Kayla excitedly invited him over with the news, he quickly, though somewhat confused, agreed.

Lying on Kayla's bed in post-orgasmic bliss, Jack could feel himself start to drift off. Kayla was nuzzled against him, her head resting on her chest, eyes just closed. But something rudely destroyed his state of peace.

It was his phone.

Jack grumbled, reaching for it. He smacked at Kayla's side table, attempting to pick it up. Bringing it over to his face, he looked at the screen. An incoming call.

His eye scanned over the contact and he sighed. Could he not have peace?

"Who is it?" Kayla murmured, her eyes fluttering, but staying closed. Jack hesitated, but Kayla prompted again. "Are you going to leave me hanging?" Her eyes were still closed, her voice was still soft, but the command behind it was enough to get Jack to talk.

He let out another heavy sigh. "It's Jessica."

Kayla's eyes opened and she scoffed. "Ignore it." She said.

Jack was more than happy to comply, dropping the phone back on the bedside table.

Kayla let her eyes fall closed again, and a smile pursed her lips. "Much better."

But the silence was temporary. The phone burst out again. Kayla stiffened, and almost growled. "Answer that so I can tell that God damn bitch to hop off."

Jack went to answer, but not necessarily thinking it was a good idea to hand the phone to Kayla. "Hello?" Jack asked.

And, not for the first time in his life, Jessica's voice came across the line in a desperate, broken plea. "Jack." A pause. "Help me."

---------------------------------

A fitting peice, I think, as an introduction to the prostitution ring problem. A little bit o' deja vu. Something involving the drama department, with Jessica being in too deep. Or is it a coincidence that the Hanigans just happened to go out?

Now that my friend, is how you do it. This is by far the best theory i have heard, no offence to other people who came up with their theories they did a great job but personally i like this better. Yep, that sounds about right, Jessica seems like the person to get involved in this shit, in fact she's the most likely to get involved in this shit.

[Joe Long]

Now that my friend, is how you do it. This is by far the best theory i have heard, no offence to other people who came up with their theories they did a great job but personally i like this better. Yep, that sounds about right, Jessica seems like the person to get involved in this shit, in fact she's the most likely to get involved in this shit.

I know thismy always writes things up well, but we know that Jessica's the person most likely, and shouldn't the author throw us a twist? Is it as satisfying if it always comes from where we expect it? I will accept wherever it comes from, as long as it's logically consistent with whatever character is involved.

Or, it could be one of those new students from the neighborhood that just got attached to Brow Ridge this year. Like Alien Nation a whole group that arrives together

Edited August 24, 2015 by Joe Long

[Mr_Fairplay]

I know thismy always writes things up well, but we know that Jessica's the person most likely, and shouldn't the author throw us a twist? Is it as satisfying if it always comes from where we expect it? I will accept wherever it comes from, as long as it's logically consistent with whatever character is involved.

Or, it could be one of those new students from the neighborhood that just got attached to Brow Ridge this year. Like Alien Nation a whole group that arrives together

Well, the threesome and everything that followed was unexpected, with the familiar face we were expecting Brad to come back or Kayla's ex (forgot his name), so far Joe's given us plenty of twists.

[thismy]

I know thismy always writes things up well, but we know that Jessica's the person most likely, and shouldn't the author throw us a twist? Is it as satisfying if it always comes from where we expect it? I will accept wherever it comes from, as long as it's logically consistent with whatever character is involved.

Or, it could be one of those new students from the neighborhood that just got attached to Brow Ridge this year. Like Alien Nation a whole group that arrives together

Yeah, that story was to advance my own agenda. it was convenient. I would much rather see a different or new character. In all honesty, Jessica doesn't really seem the type. The problem with choosing "the curve ball" is that I have no fucking clue who it would be. Creating a caracter won't do (that's a half lie, I did that with Tom and a few others, but I digress), because to get what I would consider a suitable setup, I'd have to write a lot more than would be suited for this forum.

Rather than a "regular" enemy, frienemy, usually suspect, ect, I, like you, would much rather prefer a new character. However, too many twists, and it becomes overbearing.

[Chester57]

In other news, I'm inclined to believe that any sort of prostitution ring will not come too quickly. That it will be a later in the year problem, something to keep us readers on our toes.

I thought for a while that Ms. Cartwright might have some involvement, but I dropped that, unless anyone wants to suggest otherwise. I'm still banking on the Ms. Locke goes crazy and is replaced, or Ms. Locke runs the ring theory.

The ring could come quicker than you think if Jessica has anything to do with it. She could recruit her entourage with a snap of her fingers if they want to stay part of the "in" crowd. As far as Ms. Cartwright goes, anyone who approached her and suggested that she start turning tricks would quickly feel a sharp pain in their groin right before spitting out half a dozen teeth. I can easily see Ms. Locke having a nervous breakdown with the new play. No way can she run the ring, though. She is too in love with her current job (and herself).

[Mr_Fairplay]

The ring could come quicker than you think if Jessica has anything to do with it. She could recruit her entourage with a snap of her fingers if they want to stay part of the "in" crowd. As far as Ms. Cartwright goes, anyone who approached her and suggested that she start turning tricks would quickly feel a sharp pain in their groin right before spitting out half a dozen teeth. I can easily see Ms. Locke having a nervous breakdown with the new play. No way can she run the ring, though. She is too in love with her current job (and herself).

Wait, you just gave me an excellent idea, i was having trouble linking the group with the ring, and now you have given me something. Belle used to run with Jessica's entourage, if Jessica had been involved with the ring before then it's most probably true that Belle was a part of it, so when Jessica reaches Jack the secrets come out and something happens which results in a big fight resulting in a split.

Regarding the fight, i don't think Jack will be directly involved with the actual fighting part with a member of the group (fighting with people outside the group is a different story), he'll most probably be a middle man of sorts trying to get people to calm down and negotiate, which doesn't work and a fight happens, leaving Jack feeling like a total failure.

Whatever the case, i think most people would agree with me when i say that i would like Jack and Kayla to face whatever clusterfuck awaits them as a couple, as a two person team, together.

[Joe Long]

As far as Ms. Cartwright goes, anyone who approached her and suggested that she start turning tricks would quickly feel a sharp pain in their groin right before spitting out half a dozen teeth.

I've been wondering what Ms. Cartwright would be like in the sack, and then you have to go do that!

[Chester57]

I've been wondering what Ms. Cartwright would be like in the sack, and then you have to go do that!

Don't fret, I have no doubt that Ms. Cartwright would be the sexual experience of a lifetime. I was simply suggesting that anyone who treated her with less than perfect respect would feel her wrath. This is why she likes Jack so much-- he always speaks to her as a friend and equal, never stares or makes lewd comments. She would share things with Jack that she wouldn't think of telling any other student. Yeah, I want to see this relationship grow.