Oblivious to the fact that Trixie and Tootie had been in the mall, Timmy decided to head on back home. His backpack (Cosmo) and his watch (Wanda) had actually enjoyed seeing Timmy master the older games, though Cosmo would have this evening an odd nightmare about a great big ball with a mouth chasing him through a maze...
"Thats interesting", Timmy commented as he passed by the Flannigan residence. 'Interesting' was an understatement. There were a couple of vans marked 'Interior Decoration and Repair' parked in the drive, but what got his attention were Mr. and Mrs. Flannigan doing cartwheels out in the front yard.
"You're right about that", Wanda agreed, "normally, those two usually cower in their house".
"Maybe they won the lotto", Cosmo suggested.
"Hardly", Timmy replied, "because Vicky would be doing the cartwheeling instead, after swiping the ticket from her parents".
"Maybe Vicky's in trouble", Wanda suggested next.
"Here's hoping", Timmy replied, crossing his fingers...
The reason why the Flannigans were so happy was because not only did the visiting 'electrician' remove the weapons systems and other weapons that Vicky had stowed inside the house, he had also found the hidden stash of additional weapons outside the house that Vicky had kept as 'insurance'. It was because of this second stash that Vicky could still control and threaten Mr. and Mrs. Flannigan when the house had burnt down a year ago and they ended up living with the Turners for a time until the house was rebuilt (making Timmy's life even more miserable in the process). Now, there was nothing that Vicky could use as leverage...
As Wanda had suggested, Vicky was indeed in trouble, and Timmy - not to mention the vast majority of kids and adolescents in Dimmsdale - would have been overjoyed to see Vicky in her current situation: bound up with rope and her own handcuffs, with a jute sack over her head and tied in place around her neck, her arsenal of weapons stripped from her person, and being driven around in a large unmarked car. She was at first laying in the back seat, but the driver decided not to take the chance on people peering in, so in a secluded alley, he grabbed Vicky out of the back seat, and threw her into the trunk, closing the trunk door after her.
Smiling as the driver got back behind the wheel, he started the car back up and continued his drive around Dimmsdale. It was nice that he was dealing pain to a person who deserved it for a change, he thought as he also took the time to grab snatches of one item he did remove from Vicky's bedroom: her diary.
"Wow, you've been a very naughty girl", he said to himself as he read Vicky's own description of assault, shoplifting, blackmail, extortion, and several other offenses. He took the time to stop off at a local Kinkos in order to run off a couple of photocopies of the diary. He was sure that Trixie would want to see this...
Trixie at this time was with Tootie at the Orthodontists, which was just down the street from the mall. The orthodontist knew Tootie well. He had not been pleased at Tootie's big sister's insistance that old-style braces be used when she first came in for a fitting, and was glad that this time, he could finally replace them with see-through types. Also the fact that Trixie paid cash up front for this procedure did not hurt either.
"So what do you think?" Trixie asked after the fitting of the new braces was completed. Trixie had been given a mirror and she looked intently at her shiny teeth with the new - and better looking - appliance. She could hardly see it at all.
"Wow, it really looks great, Trixie", Tootie replied. She looked at the bench beside her chair which had her old appliance. Vicky really was vindictive in making her wear it, she thought to herself.
"Well, just one more place to go to, and you're all set", Trixie said as the both left. Trixie guided her over to an optometrist's office which was just a couple of businesses down from the orthodontist's.
"You know, with how you look now, you might qualify for the popular section", Trixie mused.
"Actually, Trixie", Tootie answered, "Tad and Chad don't appeal to me and Veronica freaks me out, so I think I'll stay where I am. Besides, Timmy will be in the general section and he's the one I want to impress".
"Good point", Trixie acquiesced. She had almost forgotten that the reason she was helping Trixie with her total makeover was to ensure that Timmy didn't harass her any more. She did not intend to make Tootie look TOO good, but she was glad when Tootie declined the honor. It made her feel better.
"Wow", Tootie said as she walked into the optometrist's shop, "Look at all of these cool frames".
"They do look good", Trixie agreed, "lets try some frames first. Only go for contacts as a last resort".
"Works for me", Tootie agreed.
Both of them spent several minutes picking out several candidates, and Tootie tried them on. At last, Tootie found a pair that was comfortable, and more importantly, complemented her new look immensely.
"So what do you think?" Tootie asked Trixie, "you think Timmy will like this?"
"I think Timmy would be very hard-pressed not to notice you", Trixie replied, liking what she saw very much, "but remember, you have to be more restrained, and not let your emotions take over when you see him".
"I will", Tootie promised, "I really don't know how to thank you for all of this. It did cost a fair amount of money after all".
"Money is something I have plenty of", Trixie assured her, "and it felt nice helping you out. It works out well for both of us".
"Well, your secrets are safe with me, Trixie", Tootie promised, "I'll try to restrain myself around Timmy... and around you too when we're in public".
Trixie nodded. She briefly hugged Tootie.
"Thank you for understanding, Tootie", she said after breaking the hug, "this popular facade does need to be maintained, but I'll tell you this: If I ever had a little sister, I would have wanted her to be like you".
"Do you have to remain with that clique of yours, though?" Tootie asked, "it really is not healthy in the long run". Tootie was touched by Trixie's comment.
"My mother insists upon it, and given the competition in high school and college, I am going to need every advantage I can get", Trixie explained. Tootie nodded. That logic she understood.
"Well, I hope all your efforts here won't be wasted. What about Vicky though?" Tootie asked next, shuddering some at the thought of her big sister ruining all that Trixie had done for her today.
"As I promised earlier, I don't think you need worry. Trust me on this", Trixie answered, "just go home and impress your parents with your makeover, and let me handle Vicky. Okay?"
"Okay, Trixie. I know we will have to keep our distance from each other from here on out, but you would make a wonderful big sister", Tootie said, making Trixie smile broadly.
The optometrist expertly placed Tootie's prescription lenses into the new frames. Now Tootie could see clearly the full effect of the makeover. She smiled broadly.
"I can't wait to see Timmy", Tootie breathed.
After a final hug, Tootie headed out of the optometrist and headed back to her home with her new purchases in a shopping bag. Trixie watched her leave. The makeover looked really impressive. That should impress Timmy Turner, she thought. She pulled out her cell phone and punched in a phone number.
"Hi", she said into the phone", "Time to take her in. You know what to do".
"No problem, Miss Tang", the voice on the other line replied, "and I have got some dirt on her that you are going to love".
"I can't wait. I'll see you shortly". Hanging up the phone, Trixe walked back towards her mansion. Her smile got broader as she thought about what was going to happen...
