Chapter 13 "Locks Of Love"

(Opening shot: the city skyline during the day.)

Narrator: The city of Townsville where there always' mails the girls' house Like many celebrities the Powerpuff Girls have fans, many fans. And those fans send fan mail, so much fan mail that the Professor has the foresight to hire a fan service which screens the mail sent to a special mailbox. Most fans request pictures of the Powerpuff Girls or of the individual girls, surprisingly the majority of these are for pictures of Buttercup. Then there are the letters from kooks, stalkers, and con men trying to solicit endorsements for sham products. These are usually funneled to the proper authorities. And a small number of special letters eventually reach the girls themselves. It is mail like this the girls look forward to.

Professor said "Girls, fan mail!"

The Girls said "Oh boy!"

Narrator They zoom down the stairs and see the giant mailbag at the front door. Grabbing it they carry it quickly to their room. Once there they spill the entire contents in a huge pile on the floor and dive into it. Swimming around in the sea of correspondence they would pop up occasionally with a letter in their hands.

Bubbles popping up) "Ooh, someone sent me a crayon drawing of their puppy."

Buttercup popping up as well) "Hey, someone wants to trade lady wrestler trading cards."

Blossom at the bottom of the pile) "Hmm, no, not the one I'm lookin for."

Bubbles said "A recipe for cherry cream tarts, Mmmm, I love cherries."

Buttercup said "Wow, someone sent me stick on temporary tattoos of anchors. Now I can be like Popeye."

Narrator Blossom still looking)

Blossom said "No, not this one."

Bubbles said "Hey, this note from the service says over two hundred fans requested a picture of me this month. Looks like I got a lot of devoted fans, Buttercup. How many wanted yours, two?"

Buttercup said "More like two thousand."

Bubbles said "What?!"

Buttercup - said "Read it and weep doofus."

Bubbles sarcastically) "Somebody must've wanted to paper their bathroom."

Buttercup said "I'll paper you."

Blossom jumping up excited) "Here it is!"

Bubbles said "What Blossom?"

Blossom said "A letter from Stacey, I've been waiting forever for it."

Buttercup said "You still writing to her. I thought she stopped."

Blossom said "We used to write each other once a week when we first started over a year ago. About four months ago she started writing less."

Bubbles said "Is that her picture on the dresser?"

Blossom said "Yeah, she has long red hair like mine and we sent each other a picture showing off our hair. But I got that a year ago so I've been trying to get her to send me a more recent one."

Bubbles looking at the photo) "She's pretty. Does she look any different now?"

Blossom said "I don't know, I just hope she finally sent me a new one. Yes, there's a picture in this letter. Let's see."

Narrator Blossom's smiling face changes to one of disappointment. She drops the picture on the bed and reads the letter. Bubbles picks up the photo.

Bubbles said "This is the same as the one you already have."

Blossom said "She doesn't say much in her letter or why she didn't send a different picture. I don't understand? Doesn't she like me anymore?"

Narrator Blossom throws the letter to the floor and floats out of the room.

Bubbles said "I better go cheer her up."

Buttercup said "No, Bubbles, let me."

Bubbles said "Why you?"

Buttercup said "If anyone understands about low self-esteem problems concerning friends it would be me."

Narrator Buttercup floats out and heads for the door. She knows Blossom too well and knows just where to find her when she is in a mood like this. Once outside Buttercup floats up to the roof of the house and finds Blossom sitting there by herself. Buttercup sits by Blossom and stares out into space like her sister is doing.

Buttercup said "Need company?"

Blossom said "Yeah, thanks."

Buttercup said "Feeling like Stacey has abandoned you?"

Blossom said "We used to write to each other about so many things. Our families, school, our hair. But the letters got fewer and fewer. I don't remember saying anything bad to her in my letters. I get the feeling she's not telling me something."

Buttercup said "Didn't you also used talk to her on the phone?"

Blossom said "Yeah, as often as we wrote but a couple of months ago her number was disconnected."

Buttercup said "Maybe she needs help and won't tell you."

Blossom said "But why, she's my friend and I'll do anything for her."

Buttercup said "Maybe she's not telling you the truth because of pride."

Blossom said "What?"

Buttercup said "Maybe it's a personal problem she doesn't want to burden you with it."

Blossom said "But why?"

Buttercup said "Because she's a friend."

Narrator Blossom lets what Buttercup has said sink in. She hugs her sister and stands up.

Blossom said "Pride or not I'm her friend. She can't shut me out like this. She has to let me help her."

narrator Blossom floats back into the house. Buttercup kicks back and smiles at the clouds overhead.

Buttercup said yep "The B-Cup is good."

Narrator Blossom gets on the Professor's computer and using the Internet is able to track down the address of Stacey's home. Armed with the information Blossom flies to a place on the other side of Townsville. Soon she is over a modest apartment complex and lands at one of the multi-family units. She finds the door with the correct number and knocks on it. A middle-aged woman answers the door.

Woman said "Yes?"

Blossom said "I'm a friend of Stacey's, is she in? I'm Blossom of the Powerpuff Girls."

Woman said "Heavens, I know who you are. Please come on in." Blossom enters a simply furnished home. In fact it seems almost stark with it's lack of comfortable furniture. Mostly a few chairs and a single sofa.

Woman said "I'm Stacey's aunt, her parents are out. I'll tell Stacey you're here." Blossom follows the woman to a bedroom door. The woman knocks on it. A small voice could be heard on the other side.

Stacey said "Who is it?"

Woman said "It's your auntie, honey. You have a visitor."

Stacey said "Who?"

Woman said "It's Blossom of the Powerpuff Girls."

Stacey said "NO, tell her I'm not here, send her away!"

Woman said "But Stacey honey.."

Stacey said "I don't want to see her!"

Blossom said "Stacey, it's me Blossom, let me talk to you."

Stacey sobbing) "Please, Blossom, you don't want to see me. Go away."

Blossom said "Stacey, please. What's the matter, I want to help you."

Narrator There was a long silence.

Stacey said "Okay, you can come in." Blossom enters the room and finds it to be as simply furnished as the rest of the apartment. She sees Stacey sitting on her bed wearing a big floppy hat which almost covers her face.

Blossom said "Stacey is that you?"

Stacey said "Yes, why did you come here?"

Blossom Said "I wanted to know why you don't write as much to me as you used to."

Stacey said "Um, I was busy."

Blossom said "Is something wrong? I want to help you."

Stacey said "No you can't help me."

Blossom said "Stacey, I'm a Powerpuff Girl. I help everybody.

Stacey angrily) "Can your powers help me with this?"

Narrator She rips off the hat exposing a totally bald head. Blossom is dumbfounded.

Blossom - said "What happened to all your beautiful hair?"

Narrator Stacey breaks down sobbing burying her face in her pillow.

Blossom said "I'm sorry Stacey. I'll leave."

Narrator Blossom leaves the room as it fills with the sobs of her friend. Never in her life has Blossom felt so helpless. All her powers, her intelligence, she doesn't know what to do. As she steps out into the living room she sees Stacey's aunt.

Woman said "Blossom, are you all right?"

Blossom said "I don't understand?"

Woman said "Stacey is suffering from an incurable disease called alopecia areata."

Blossom said "What is it?"

Woman said "It's a disease that strikes unexpectant causing a person to lose their hair. It never grows back. It especially is traumatic to children who get it."

Blossom said "I can see why it's so upsetting for Stacey. She used to write me how she was so proud of her long red hair. She thought we were so alike because of it."

Woman said "Normally children who gets this disease can wear a wig to hide the problem and basically lead a normal life. But the medical expenses as a result of Stacey's condition has strained her parents' finances. They can't even afford a child's wig, and good ones are expensive."

Blossom said "I see. Please tell Stacey I still want to be her friend and if there is anything I can do to contact me. I still want to stay in touch."

Woman said "I will dear and bless you."

Narrator Blossom leaves the modest home and flies back to her own. Her eyes fill with tears over what she has experienced and becomes nearly blind from them. As she tries to wipe the tears way she nearly collides with a billboard. Landing at a small city park Blossom sits on a park bench and lets the tears flow freely. There is hardly anyone around to hear the sobs of the Powerpuff Girl. Except for one person who is driving by. Ms. Keane is returning from a clothing sale where she has stocked up on clothes for the Rowdyruff Boys who have a penchant for wearing out their clothes quickly. She sees the crying Blossom and pulls over. She gets out and walks up to her.

Ms. Keane said "Blossom, what is the matter?"

Blossom wiping her eyes) "Oh, Ms. Keane."

Narrator Ms. Keane sits next to her and puts her arm around Blossom.

Ms. Keane said "Tell me all about it honey."

Narrator As the noon time sun slowly drifts to the early-afternoon Ms. Keane diligently listens to her story. Finally after wiping Blossom's tears away with a handkerchief Ms. Keane gives her a hug.

Ms. Keane said "Honey, it's not as hopeless as you think."

Blossom said "I know, she has her life but losing her hair like that. She could be a recluse for life."

Ms. Keane said "There is something you can do to help her. But it would take a big sacrifice on your part."

Blossom said "If it will make Stacey happy I will do anything."

Ms. Keane said "Now listen carefully."

Narrator Several hours later the Professor calls up to the girls' bedroom.

Professor said "Girls, dinner time."

Narrator Buttercup and Bubbles float down engaged in a small argument.

Bubbles said "I still think I have more fans than you."

Buttercup said "Hah, two thousand against two hundred, the numbers don't lie."

Professor said "Girls, where's Blossom?"

Bubbles said "I haven't seen her all day."

Buttercup said "I last saw her this morning when she had a problem about her pen pal."

Bubbles said "You mean, Stacey? What happened about that?"

Buttercup said Yep Bubbles "Blossom said she was going to do something about it and left."

Narrator At the moment there was a knock on the door and the Professor answered it. There was a woman and a small girl wearing a floppy hat standing on the front step.

Woman - said "Hello, I'm Ms. Robbins, and this is my niece Stacey."

Professor said "Oh, please come in."

Bubbles - said "Oh, you must be Stacey, Blossom will be glad to meet you if she was here."

Stacey said "We've already met."

Buttercup said "What's with the big hat?"

Professor said "Buttercup, don't be rude."

Buttercup said "But.."

Professor said "What brings you here Ms. Robbins, Stacey."

Ms. Robbins said "A Ms. Keane called me and ask us both to come to this address because she said it was important."

Professor said "Ms. Keane? I don't see why.."

Narrator There was another knock at the front door and when the Professor got it there was Ms. Keane and Blossom wearing a scarf on her head.

Professor said "Ms. Keane. Blossom, where have you been?"

Blossom said "Doing something for a friend."

Narrator Blossom steps inside and hands Stacey a box.

Blossom said "I told you I had the powers to help you. This is for you."

Narrator Stacey opens the box and pulls out a child's wig of red hair.

Stacey said "Oh, Blossom, it's beautiful."

Narrator Forgetting all modesty Stacey pulls off her hat. Buttercup and Bubbles are surprised by her bald head. Stacey puts on the wig and it seems like she is a different person.

Stacey said "I feel complete again. Thank you Blossom. Where did you get the hair?"

Blossom said "It's mine."

Narrator Blossom takes off the scarf revealing a close-cropped haircut similar to Buttercup's. Her family gasps.

Ms. Keane said "I told Blossom about an organization called 'Locks Of Love' that takes donated hair to make into wigs for children who suffer hair loss from a condition like yours. I took her to the local office where they had a stylist cut her hair and make it into a wig for you."

Stacey crying) "Oh, Blossom, thank you, thank you, thank you."

Blossom and Stacey hug as her aunt wipes tears from her eyes and the Professor beams with pride.

Narrator

That night as the girls ready themselves for bed Blossom admires her shorter hairstyle in the mirror. Buttercup moves over next to her.

Buttercup said "Hey, now we really look like sisters." Buttercup gives Blossom a big hug.

Buttercup said "That was the bravest thing I ever saw you do."

Blossom said "Thanks, I owe it to you for talking me into wanting to help Stacey, and Ms. Keane for giving me a way to do it."

Bubbles said "It's not fair. I want to look like you guys. Does that Locks Of Love need my hair too?"

Blossom said "Well it needs to be very long to be made into a wig."

Bubbles pouting) "Oh, pooh."

Blossom - said "Tell you what Bubbles. Until my hair grows back you can wear my hair bow."

Bubbles brightening up) "Can I really?"

Blossom unties Bubbles pigtails and gathers her hair behind her head into a modest ponytail and ties it off with the red ribbon of her hair bow.

Bubbles said "How do I look?"

Buttercup said "Like a propeller head."

Bubbles said "Oh, poopoo on you."

Professor entering the room) "Okay girls. Time for bed." He tucks them in and kisses each on the forehead.

Professor said "Goodnight Buttercup."

Buttercup said "Goodnight Professor. Can I borrow your camera tomorrow? I need to take new pictures of myself for my fans."

Professor Laught "Heh, heh, certainly sweetie. Goodnight Bubbles. Are you wearing your hair differently?"

Bubbles "Giggle, you noticed."

Professor said "You still look cute. Goodnight Blossom."

Blossom said "Goodnight Professor."

Professor said "Blossom, I'm very proud of you. You made Stacey very happy."

Blossom said "That's what friends are for."

Professor said "That is so true."

He turns out the light and closes the door. Somewhere in Townsville a little girl feels alive again. Thanks to her friend, a Powerpuff Girl.

(The background for the end shot comes up.)

Narrator: Once again the day is saved—

(The girls appear. Blossom is in the middle, her Hair Still short Bubbles and Buttercup, in their usual positions,

Narrator: —thanks to the Powerpuff Girls!

-The End-

Author's note: This fanfic was inspired by something I saw on television and I did some research for it on the Internet. To find out more about the Locks Of Love organization visit their web site at: