As always, there was a flurry of activity at the home of Mystery Inc. Though a common occurrence in general, today was something different. Against the law of averages, Velma for once was not inside the house, something that didn't occur too often of her own choice. Well, when it wasn't a mystery, or something along that nature. Instead, she was elbow deep in soil and had a long mark of dirt drawn across her nose, as a testament to her hard work that day.

Fred too, was also not the cause of the noise. He had finally buckled down and was trying to catch up to the DVD collection of movies he had been wanting to see, but hadn't gotten the chance. He was somewhere lost between the past and the present, as SG1 for Baal, in the Continuum. Tucked deep into the couch, his movie was loud, but not even enough to bother someone in another room, let alone allow Velma to hear it outside. He wasn't the cause either.

And as usual, the kitchen was busy. Various clatters and banging told a story for who knows what. But as odd at the sounds were, it was a common background sound for the Mystery Inc household. Like the sound of locusts in summer. Sometimes annoying, but common none the less. Nothing like the out of the ordinary sounds that were originating from somewhere else.

No, the noise was coming from higher.

Upon investigation, the top of the stairs led to the culprit. Peering through the crack in the doorway, it was easy to see at the chaos inside. Positioned at the center of her room, Daphne stood... But it was more then just standing. She seemed 'attached', to the rest of the room. She was held in place but a bunch of cables, though the twirl in the wires that wrapped around her body suggested that it was a phone cord. But not just one phone cord, but several. All lacing around her like various lifelines that disappeared beyond the door. Nestled on each ear was a receiver, with the rest hanging on various points of her body, tucked in the other wires to hold them in place. It seemed that she was actually holding several successful conversations, all at one time.

Her mother seemed to be jabbering her ear on the right, while in her left she was placing an order for something in her right. By her hip was sounds of elevator like music, no doubt she was on hold for something on that one as well. She also at points paused to answer something from one of the other phones, but the topper was the fact that she was working on her website with one hand while she texted on her cell phone to someone else. Quite the talent.

Pushing the door open, Shaggy finally gave away his position. He had been hiding, but with her attention diverted, he doubted she would notice the pair of eyes peering at her from the doorway. He approached, lifting a hand in greeting to her. She smiled and waved back, but she continued her conversations.

"Uh huh. Yeah mom." Was said into her right, only to switch gears and tell some type of order number on her left. How she was keeping track of it all, was mind boggling. Velma had once joked Daphne had been a switchboard telephone operator in another lifetime. It was easy to see why.

"Um... Daphne?" Shaggy asked tentatively, but it got no response. Instead, Daphne nodded to her mother as she spoke, though her mother would not be able to see the gesture. How she didn't drop either phone at her ears, was a wonder to Shaggy. Coughing lightly into his hand, he tried again.

"Daphne?" The answer was quick. She looked over at him, and gave him a light, worried look. Pressing her lips together, she debated something before bringing up her answer. Pointing to the sky, one finger emerged. One minute. His shoulders sunk, but he understood. Obviously she was busy. She shot him an apologetic look, shrug, then used her hands long enough to cover both phones at her shoulders to whisper, "I'm sorry." Before returning to her conversations. With a light sigh, Shaggy nodded and sulked back out of her room. Like a gentleman, he returned the door to the mostly closed position after he left. He turned to watch her through the open door, when he got an idea that perked his spirits.

Before Fred could even notice, Shaggy dashed down the stairs and out the door. The door was open and closed in fractions of a second, seeming like it hadn't moved. Only Shaggy's voice drifted around long enough for the blond man to notice his friend leaving. He didn't even hear the jingle of the keys as they left the hook by the front door.

"Be back, taking the Mystery Machine. Like' see you later."

When the words sunk in, Fred paused his movie long enough to give the closed front door a stare. The rumble of the Van was a confirmation of what he though he had just heard. Getting up, he moved to watch Shaggy drive off, leaving the other man confused at what had just happened. Coming from the backyard, Velma wiped the dirt off her hands as she too, noticed Shaggy's sudden departure.

"What was up with him?" Velma pondered aloud, making Fred turn around. He was about to answer, when he noticed that Velma's face was cut horizontally by the long trail of dirt across her nose. No doubt from accidentally smearing it while she was outside in the garden. It started with a short snort, but soon Fred could not hold back as he dissolved into snickers, then flat out laughter. He shook his head and moved back towards his movie, not answering Velma as she stood there looking at him. Better not leave it on pause too long.

"What?... What are you laughing at? Fred! Fred get back here..."