Chapter 5
The Videotape
Raelyn walked into the living room, which was the only place in the house with a VCR. The room was a little too open for her liking, but luckily Jack hadn't gotten home yet, her father was at work, and Tammy was at someone else's house annoying them. So, she plopped down on the couch and popped in the video.
At first there was just a blank screen, and Rae wondered if there was something wrong with the tape. But then a kind of 50's infomercial, sickly happy music started to play. And in big, fancy letters across the screen came THE CONSPIRACY CLUB. The words and the black faded (but the music didn't, oh god), and she could see the basement of Endy's house filled with everyone she had just met.
Then Racetrack walked onto the screen and said, "Welcome, new member, to the Conspiracy Club…"
But before Rae could hear the rest of the sentence the doorbell rang. Shit! She bolted up and stopped the tape. But why would Jack, Dad, or Tammy ring the doorbell, Rae wondered.
But at the door was a girl around her age. Her hair was long, red but had black streaks. She wore baggy jeans and a black long sleeved belly shirt. Rae wondered if the girl was going to suffocate from the heat. But she was also glad to see a person like this girl. It made her feel like she was back in NJ, and not in the land of pastel Abercrombie and Hollister.
The girl stuck out her hand to shake; her green eyes glittering with amusement, " Hey, sorry to barged in like this, but Spot told me you had the videotape."
Rae, who was still a little shocked, stood there for a moment staring, "What…oh, oh yea. I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but who are you?"
"Oh yes, introductions first. I am Ariana, but to most I'm Miracle," Miracle smiled, "Maybe if I could come in, although your front porch is very lovely, I could explain what I'm doing here."
"Oh, yea of course, sorry," and Rae ducked back inside with Miracle behind her.
"Well, I went to Ireland for a year, so the C Club kinda started without me. But I know everyone in it…Racetrack…Spot…"she said, slowing a little at the last name, "but anyway, so I'm just joining too. And I need to see this videotape or whatever, but Spot said you had it. So I figure we can just watch it together."
Rae, who still wasn't much of a talker, nodded her consent. But she was happy to have some company. Racetrack was there and so was the 50's music. And they watched together.
Racetrack went on, "the point of this tape is to show you the basics of how our club works, and the people we are working against. First, the basic steps of a C Club prank," then Spot came over and pulled down a sheet that had words across it. Alaska came and handed Racetrack a pointer. And he continued, pointing to each step in turn, " 1. Our planners, "and the camera turned showing Irish, Emotions, Sparrow, and Wolf waving, "think something up. Any kind of prank, from large to small, comes from them.
"2. Then our snoops go into action, "Peter, Zodiac, Soaker, and Quills didn't even notice the camera and were kind of looking into space, "They get any information we need. From who a person likes to their attendance record.
"3. Finally, our Actors, "and Rae saw Alaska, Milkshake, Endy, and Buttons, "set everything up. They make sure our victims think what we want them to, are going to be wear we want them to be, etc.
"4. Me and Spot here, "Race grabbed Spot around the neck to bring him into the picture, "are the Action. We finish everything up. We actually do the prank. But most of the time we have everybody help pull the prank too."
Then someone pulled the camera around, and Milkshake's face appeared only an inch from the lens, "Yea, right, they only call themselves the Action so they can fell important. They don't really do anything." And from the back many laughed their agreement.
Race pushed her to the side and stepped back in front, "Anywho, now onto our victims…"
And the screen turned black again. Then a face came up. It was a girl blowing a kiss. She had long brown hair, "This," said Racetrack's disembodied voice, "is Sarah Jacobs. Halfwit extraordinaire. And girlfriend to the next in line, " and Jack's face popped onto the screen, "Jack Kelly. He is the ring leader of this little group of assholes, "Thank god he's not home, " then come his henchmen, Aaron Lohr and Trey Parker, " and then there was a guy with curly hair and one with an eye patch, "other wise known as Mush and Kid Blink. I think he thinks the eye patch makes him look tough. Next are Patrick Callan and Niamh Callan," Thistle was standing next to a tall guy with shaggy brown hair. "Brother and sister, and also brother and sister to our Irish. Shamrock is your average arrogant asshole, but you need to watch out for Thistle. Then, there is Brain Ramsey," Rae knew she knew that name. Her thoughts were confirmed when Jinx's face appeared on the screen smiling like an idiot. But a cute idiot, " also known as Jinx. The last three are Michael Dalton or Meecky, brother of Endy, Markayla Starr or Minx, and Kathryn MacNeill or Kitten," Rae felt bad when their picture came up. They just seemed like three normal people, but she did recognize the one girl from the beach with Thistle.
"And that's about it," the picture faded back and they were in the basement again, "I think I've probably bored you to tears by now, but there is just one more thing I need you to know. Like every club we have some rules that need to be followed:
"1. We meet at Endy's house every Saturday from 12 to 3. That does not include special meetings I might call.
2. Never, ever tell anyone about the c club. And if you need to speak about it to another member and you are in a public place, just call it cheese.
3. Don't form any sort of relationships with any of the afore mentioned. That is why we have employed the help of the middlemen Comedy, Mama, and Mouse. Forming relationships just puts yourself and the club in danger."
And the video just cut off, but it left Rae feeling like she had a stone in the bottom of her stomach. She looked over at Miracle who looked like she felt. But when Miracle saw her looking she smiled broadly, "Well, I better be going. I guess I'll see you on Saturday if I don't see you in school." Rae just nodded as Miracle walked out the door.
She went to her room then and sat on the bed staring at the ceiling. All she could think of was Jinx's smiling face, and Race's caressing voice saying, Don't form any sort of relationships…