Chapter 2: A chat with their parents

Sure enough, neither of their parents were happy about their run-in with the law when they came to pick them up at police headquarters.

(Velma)

As soon as her parents picked her up from police headquarters, they drove her back to the Crystal Cove Spook Museum in silence.

Soon, they arrived at the museum parking lot and after Dale parked and locked the car, they took her to their office in the administrative part of the museum.

"Velma, we need to talk." Dale said as soon as they entered his office as Angie closed the door.

"Yes. We want to know why exactly are you continuing to pursue mystery-solving as a hobby in this town?" Angie asked as she placed her hands on her hips.

"It's not just a hobby, Mom, Dad." Velma protested. "It's just that these monsters are..."

"Don't you ever say that again, dear!" Dale scolded. "What are you trying to do with that mystery-solving 'hobby' of yours? Destroy our business?"

"Well, I'm just trying to be honest, Mom, Dad." Velma defended herself. "Do you honestly think that it is worth benefiting from those so-called 'supernatural and paranormal occurrences' in town at the expense of justice?"

"How many times do I have to say this to you, Velma?" Dale huffed. "All of those monster appearances are simply part of Crystal Cove's long history of supernatural and paranormal happenings and are simply isolated incidents."

"That's your generations' beliefs, not mine." Velma retorted. "For my generation, we've got only one thing on our minds."

(Fred)

"Mystery-solving and stopping crimes, Dad." Fred Jr. said as he took off his ascot in preparation for a shower in his room once his father picked him up at police headquarters.

"That's two things, Fred." The mayor replied as he enters Fred's room. "I thought that Sheriff Stone told you and those 'friends' of yours to stop this mystery-solving 'hobby' of yours."

"You don't understand, Dad." Fred said. "Crimes are bad for the town's reputation. That's what those monster sightings are about: It serves as a safe cover for criminals to operate their rackets in town."

"Well, do you honestly think that it is worth costing the town's economy for those 'crime-stopping' methods you kids use, my dear Fred?"

"Well, at least come up with a way to showcase the towns history without allowing criminals to use it as a safe cover for their criminal activities, Dad."

(Daphne)

After Nan and Barty Blake picked up their youngest daughter at police headquarters, the Blake family chauffeur drove the family back to their mansion in the outskirts of town.

There was complete silence in the limousine, other than the sound of the limousine's engine, as Barty and Nan Blake are giving their youngest daughter the silent treatment.

Daphne simply kept her mouth shut throughout the drive, given the fact that she wasn't in the mood for a chat with her parents.

Finally, the limousine arrived at the Blake Mansion, and as soon as she got into the mansion, Daphne headed straight for the stairs to her bedroom.

"Not so fast, Daphne." Barty said as he and his wife entered. "Your mother and I will like an explanation on your continued association with that boy Shaggy."

"I thought we told you that there are rich, handsome boys out there to make friends with, and yet you've chosen to become closer friends with Shaggy?" Nan asked as they sat on the sofa in the living room.

"Yes. You're right on making new friends with handsome, rich boys, particularly with Fred Jr., Mom, Dad." Daphne smiled shyly as she sat in the armchair opposite to where her parents were seated. "He's really handsome and quite a good leader, plus he's quite friendly."

"Then, why didn't you go pursue him, my dear Daphne? Why pick on pursuing that ugly-looking hippie?" Barty snorted.

"Mom, Dad, stop calling him a hippie!" Daphne snapped. "He is not just a friend, Mom, Dad. Shaggy and Scooby are really friendly and have manners of a gentleman! Sure, they may eat a lot and tend to goof around most of the times, but deep down, Shaggy really has a kind heart and can make serious decisions at times and is really smart, plus he and Scooby both really cares for me. They never called me 'Danger-Prone Daphne', and they always have ways to lighten up everyone's moods during serious times, and they are always around to support me whenever I'm not in a good mood."

Nan and Barty glanced at each other before Barty spoke again, "Whatever. Another thing your mother and I are worried about is your continued association with Mystery Inc. Are you using that association as a cover to keep meeting Shaggy? Also, what kind a future does 'mystery-solving' have for a young, promised lady like you, Daphne?"

"You really should follow your sisters' footsteps in pursuing a high-profile career." Nan added as she gestured to her five older daughters that were standing nearby.

Donna Blake, in a NASA-issued flight suit, was standing there and nodded as to agree with what her mother had said.

Daisy Blake, still in her standard attire of a white suit, also agreed with their mother's reasoning, as did her two younger sisters, Dawn Blake and Dorothy Blake.

Second Lieutenant Delilah Blake was the only sister that didn't make a response to what her mother had said. She was the one that suggested that Shaggy should pursue her youngest sister and also felt that he matches Daphne well.

"Don't worry. That's why I'm spending every afternoon after school studying with my friends." Daphne smiled.

She then glanced at her small wristwatch and added, "Oh, look at the time! I've promised Shag and Scooby to meet with them in the library to study after solving that mystery. Talk to you later!"

Daphne then went to kiss her parents and raced off, saying, "By Mom! Bye Dad! Bye Donna! Bye Daisy! Bye Dawn! Bye Dorothy! See you later, Delilah!"

(Shaggy & Scooby)

As always, the first thing Shaggy and Scooby usually does when they got home is to have a large meal in the dining room.

Colton and Paula Rogers watched them silently as they eat, and it didn't take long for Paula to feel the need to get her son's attention in the form of clearing her throat.

"Norville, Scooby, we need to talk." She said after clearing her throat.

"Like, sure thing, Mom." Shaggy said after he swallowed the sandwich he was eating. "What is it that you and Dad are worried about?"

"Well, ever since you and Scooby have gotten into mystery-solving as a 'hobby', you've been putting a stop to your participation on the school's tracking and basketball teams, Norville." Colton said. "Why do that? You've won a lot of awards during your two years on the teams, and now you're going to call it quits?"

"Like, don't worry, Dad." Shaggy replied. "Just because I quitted from those teams doesn't mean that I've been exercising less. In fact, quite the opposite, Scoob and I have been doing plenty of running during our adventures, mostly running away from those spooks we've encountered."

"Reah, Mom, Dad." Scooby nodded as he and Shaggy paused their eating.

"Speaking of those adventures, your mother and I are really concerned that you two haven't been making new friends lately at school." Colton continued.

"Yes. In fact, in the past six months, you two have been increasing your association with Mystery Inc. I thought Sheriff Stone have demanded that you kids put a stop to your playing detective." Paula added.

"Like, it's not just 'playing detective', Mom." Shaggy replied. "It's called 'crime-stopping'. Can't you and Dad understand that those spooks are criminals taking advantage of those supernatural and paranormal happenings in town and using them as a safe cover for their criminal activities?"

"Now, we're not going into that, Norville." Paula said crossly. "Speaking of Mystery Inc., I really can't understand why you and Scooby continued your association with Daphne Blake? Aren't you afraid that you're going to get her into trouble with her parents?"

"Like, Daphne's parents simply doesn't understand what true love really means. All they care about is money and social class." Shaggy responded.

"Rand besides, Raphne is really a nice person. She really needs re rupport from Raggy rand I." Scooby added.

"Scooby's right. Like, Scoob and I can't just keep a blind eye on her problems at home. Speaking of being able to support your close female friend when she has problems at home, like, isn't that supposed to be the true meaning of being a gentleman?"

Before his mother could reply, Colton cut in, "Well either way, Norville, what we're really worried about is your future. What future can a mystery-solver like you, Scooby and your friends have?"

"Your father's right. You really need to follow your brothers footsteps in getting into high-profile careers like them." Paula nodded.

She then gestured towards her five older sons that were standing nearby.

Nigel Rogers was busy examining a drawing design for a new bridge to respond, but the way he nodded at the drawing appeared like as if he agreed with what his mother had said.

Norton Rogers have just placed a drill into his breast pocket and nodded, while Norman and Nicholas simply nodded their heads.

Only Second Lieutenant Neville Rogers didn't respond to his mother's suggestion. He was aware that Delilah have advised his brother to pursue her sister, and he also felt that his brother, along with Scooby, both fit well with Daphne.

"Like, don't worry, Mom, Dad." Shaggy smiled reassuringly. "That's why Scoob and I are spending more time studying at the library after school."

Glancing at his watch, he added, "Zoinks! Speaking of that, we promised Daph to join her at the library after solving that mystery. We better run now."

With that, he grabbed a few textbooks with a pencil placed on his left ear and he and Scooby raced out of the house after saying their goodbyes to Shaggy's parents and brothers.


Any thoughts on the names of Shaggy's five older brothers?

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