Both Annie and Hallie spent the rest of their day sitting in their lodges, talking about the days events. It had come to a shock to the pair of them, though both were keen to push it to one side and put it down to coincidence. One thing Annie had always been good at was poker, she had learnt it at private school and she was quite keen on using her new pack of cards from her grandfather, what better time then tonight, it was a worthy distraction and their was money to win as well. The news so got round to the rest of the camp, and with money and possibly other things up for offer, no-one who could play poker was going to turn down the chance. Hallie and her gang also just happened to her about Annie's plea for players and with a grudge to sort out from earlier in the day and still a bag full of money with a very good record for poker, why not have a shot at it.
Darkness fell and after dinner the opponents started to flood to the cabin where Annie was, with Annie sitting on one side of her bed and the others on the other side. One by one people who came to the lodge got beaten and Annie's money stash grew larger and larger while her opponents slowly dripped away while the crowd watching Annie grew larger and larger. By 8pm everyone was just about out, Annie had proved how worthy she was at poker.
Annie: Sorry, ladies, two pair, read 'em and weep.
She had done it again, and collected her winnings by sweeping it across her bed, looking just a little smug counting up her American dollars.
Annie: So... that's-it... no other takers?
Little kid: You've already token everybody...
Annie was still counting her money when the door opened and people were starting to move out of the way, who was coming through the door Annie thought. It didn't matter anyway, if there was one thing she was very confident at it was poker, nobody could beat her at it, at least in this camp. Then came a familiar sound from behind the crowd watching the proceedings, it was the one that only earlier today she squared up to, another chance to see the similarities to each other. Sure enough it was Hallie and her cronies.
Hallie: I'll take a whack at it.
Hallie was wearing a black leather jacket and black sunglasses, making her look like she was ready for business and just like Annie, she was also fairly confident though she had never had the chance to prove herself at poker, it wouldn't matter anyway, she was her for a little vengeance, and she had a plan. She had a fair percent of her money in a little white bag and after arriving at the bed, tips her bag up letting all the coins from her bag to fly out, keeping very composed and staring at Annie, with a confident grin on her face. Annie lays out her new deck of cards and shuffles them, in as skilful manner as she could and then, just like Hallie, a grin sneaks onto Annie's face, looking at her opponent for the second time in just one day, they were rivals now, no doubt about it, though that curiosity still remained from the afternoon.
Annie: Take a seat…Parker.
So Hallie, along with her band of mates from her cabin have a seat, with the two opposing crews on each side, being represented by Annie and Hallie.
Hallie: Deal me it.
Annie deals the cards with both sides seeming very satisfied with both Hallie and Annie raising a weak smile at their opponent So the bluffing begins and in goes the money, bit by bit as the stakes are raised higher and higher by the pair of them, so confident in appearance and such is the now established rivalry between the two of them though Annie at heart was nervous, occasional biting her lip looking at the hand but knowing that she is holding a deck that is bound to be a winner. Eventually the pair had pretty much cleaned each other out.
Hallie Tell you what I'm gonna do... I'll make you a little deal. Loser jumps into the lake after the game.
Annie Excellent.
Hallie Butt Naked…
A quick smile spread across Annie's face, all those insults from her opponent would be worth it to see the humiliation on Hallie's face, after-all she hadn't lost at poker for a long time and with the deck in her hand, she was almost certain she wouldn't start now. turning over her cards and laying them on the bed and very confident.
Annie: Start unzipping Parker!
Straight….in Diamonds.
Hallie: Your good James, but, your just not good enough.
Hallie's face said it all with a nice large smug smile knowing that she had levelled things up and gotten justice for being beaten earlier, she had got her revenge and it was all going to plan. Annie on the other hand smile rapidly died away to be replaced by one of worry, which quickly turned to horror when she realised that somehow she had been beaten, as Martin had said, there really was someone who could beat her and worse of all, she had lost the bet, a prospect that filled Annie with dread.
Hallie: In your honour, a royal flush.
Just a few minutes later out came Annie slowly taking off her clothes, with the two groups walking outside behind her, with Hallie confidently strutting her stuff ahead of the main group, suddenly on top of the world and from time to time raising a cheeky grin at the upcoming prospect. Annie continued to walk till reaching a large wooden plank where she dumped all of her clothes including her shoes by the side. She then looked towards the water with a very anxious look on her face, it was while a clear night still dark and made the water look menacing, not to mention the water was fairly cold even in the summer.
Zoe:That girl's butt looks awfully familiar.
It does!
Still, she was from England and the good ole stiff upper lip, so she starts a long nervy walk along the wooden jetty that leads out to the lake. As she reaches the end, she turns around to face the others, seeing Hallie quite content, then gives a salute back to the others and in a cheeky way, Hallie responds back also with a salute with Annie putting a brave face on the situation before biting her lip and turning around to face the black water with chattering teeth thanks to the cold. She takes one last look at the water then raise her arms and dives into the cold water with the sound of the other girls laughing loudly in the background.
Hide: her clothes!
As she emerges from the cold water she gives a quick gasp, looking at the other kids running away, knowing almost instantly due to her own mischievous nature what they had done and that it was probably all part of Hallie's revenge. She climbs out of the water soaking wet for the second time in one day and just as expected the only thing left were her shoes, the other lot had left with her clothes.
Annie: Fine, if that's the way you want it, then let the games begin.
She quickly picks up her shoes and covers her body as best as she can with them and her arms and quickly runs in an attempt to find them and save any further embarrassment, she knew though they wouldn't hide her clothes that far away and so she searched for the best place she would put some clothes that wanted to be hidden, sure enough there they were once she headed back to the cabin, almost as if she could read Hallie's mind and so walks to the other side of the boat stack near her cabin where the other girls and Hallie had hid it quickly on top of the stack of boats before rushing off. Annie gingerly climbs up the stack and finally just about reaches her clothes, however this extra stretching puts the top boat off-balance and it topples downwards onto the ground causing Annie to jump off as the whole lot goes over making a very large thump on the sand as everyone from Annie's lodge run out to see a naked Annie on her back next to a big toppled red boat. but at least she had her clothes and still a certain amount of dignity and was ready for some revenge.
The next day and Hallie was up bright and early with her two mates for a nice long jog in the woods, it had warmed up a surprising amount since the night before and while slightly misty it was another nice day at camp, though that was always the case. However Annie had other ideas, closely watching as Hallie ran passed the window. Overnight, along with several other cabin girls had come up with a daring, hard but excellent plan. They ran out quickly after breakfast and designed a system of cranes. They then with great effort moved each bed of the three main targets, Hallie's main band, one by one out towards the nearest large tree, then attached the rope which was attached to a tree over-hanging the roof of the cabin. All it would take is one huge effort by the girls to get the beds onto the roof and with one huge tow for all three beds they were up, though not without a lot of pain and hurt from lifting such weights, though they had removed everything but the bed frame making it easier. They then towed up the smaller pieces with all their equipment in their, which almost weighed as much as the bed frames themselves. Following on from that Crosby, being fairly brave girl attached herself onto the rope, and gathered the linen pieces and pillows that had been dumped by the others outside. Though Annie was certainly mischievous, even she thought they had gone a little far this time, though it was all her plan and certainly took credit for such a great idea. Crosby was lowered onto the roof and put the final touches to the roof and slotted in a British flag in the little hole so the gang would know who done it and just for good measure placed cuppie, Hallie's much loved teddy on top of the flag to add extra insult
It had been fairly dangerous stunt to pull off but Annie didn't really care as she had got back at Hallie big time and when it done, she had a huge self-satisfied smile spread across her face. It would be another two hours before Hallie finally finished her run, really tired as those sorts of runs really do take it out of you and a nice warm day like this, she was hot and sweaty and after a late night self-boosting and talking about Annie and the day before, she was also very sleepy and fighting the urge to yawn constantly but eventually losing that battle. She was infact by now so exhausted that it was left to Nicole to carry Hallie on her back.
Zoe: I swear I heard your evil clone sneezing all the way across the mess hall this morning.
Hallie: I'm so tired. I'm crawling back into bed and sleeping until lunch.
They continue for another few seconds till suddenly they stop, with Nicole dropping Hallie onto the flow allowing her to drink from her green plastic bottle while Nicole has seen what work Annie and the other lot had done during the morning while they were out.
Nicole: That does not seem like a possibility babe.
Hallie: Why not?
Nicole: That's why not.
Nicole then points out to the roof, and finally the other two notice it, stood together in amazement and disbelief. It wasn't like Hallie even needed the reminder of the British flag perched up above the cabin, as she knew instantly from the events of the night before, it was Annie and it was then that Hallie realised that just like herself, Annie was quite a crafty girl and could pull off large stunts, something that she could do as well when she wanted too…though horridly annoying, Hallie had gained some slight respect for Annie after this stunt.
Hallie: No way.
Annie spent the rest of the day playing Tennis with her mates and eating in the mess hall, though always keeping an eye on her own bunk at the same time, very wary of Hallie, knowing full well that she too was rather scheming at times. She had nothing to fear, at least for a while because Hallie had other ideas, Annie had upstaged her in terms of stunts and she spent half of the day watching the camp wardens getting the beds down from the roof. It was in the mess hall Hallie had a plan, it would with any luck make Annie and the other cabin girls pay for their little antics during the morning.
Overnight and when finally the lights finally go out in Annie's lodge, Hallie alerts Nicole and Zoe to undertake their secret plan, and took their camp Walden hoodies, wearing them with the hood up to make them look more the part. They rushed out, making as little noise as they could as to not wake up the other cabin members and also not to alert the camp wardens. It was a very still night, nothing to foretell the mischievousness of the three kids. They arrive about 20 meters away from the cabin with the sacks full off all the goods needed to surpass Annie today, they were sure going to make a mess of the cabin with the stuff in those bags, and Hallie especially was very excited about this, especially because of the similarities. with Hallie sneaking slightly in front and taking a quick look to the left and right to make sure the coast was clear.
Hallie: All clear.
Zoe and Nicole wait at the footsteps of the lodge while Hallie proceeds to take a peek through the window on the door making sure they were all indeed asleep. The answer to that was a resounding yes with several people inside the lodge snoring loudly. Hallie gently opens the door with Nicole and Zoe quickly following. They put their sacks on the floor, careful not to make any type of thud and proceed with the work at hand. The three spend the next twenty minutes making a massive mess of the room, throwing a whole load of honey syrup over the floor making it a horrid sticky mess, then putting string and tweed all over the walls and attaching them to things, like a trick wire that when broke would release a certain item. Oil was poured onto the floor to make it also slippery as well as gooey with all the honey. Still Hallie couldn't help but focus on the defenceless Annie sleeping and decided to leave something special for her instead.
Zoe: (whisper)
She even looks like you in her sleep!
Hallie: Hey.
Up overhead the central walkway was a wooden box, all it would take is Annie to trip the trap and the items inside would come flooding down onto Annie. They though had one last trick to play. They got a large container and started to pour into it a large amount of chocolate, then attached the container full of chocolate to the door. In the door's shut position the container would hang delicately over the porch, when opened though the contents would fall over the floor. The gruesome three ran out quickly and quietly like Assassins, satisfied with their work they had done.
The next morning arrived with the traditional trumpet blowing, terribly done but with a good effort anyway. As with every other day so far, the sun was shining down promising a good day, but for two people it was about to be the total opposite. Annie had been the first to wake up as she was generally a light sleeper anyway . She tiredly rolls over to her left side after sleeping on her right before opening her eyes rapidly, and her face rapidly turned to surprise, and she knew almost straight away who it was, the only girl cunning enough to try and pull off something like this was Hallie. Annie bolts up to get a better picture of the cabin, and just as expected, the cabin was a real mess and looked more like a spiders cobweb rather then a lodge for girls. She stands up on the right side of the bed gingerly, and steps into a horrid viscous substance. It was the honey sticking in-between her toes, making her balance reduced, and at feeling just how horrid it was, lets out a huge scream. This awakes the others who find they too, had been picked on for their deeds from yesterday, Crosby with white shaving cream all over her hair and another girl with the rest of the honey syrup all over her body, it wasn't long before screaming erupted from the cabin and general chaos as they all realised what had happened.
Meanwhile Hallie's group had been up at the rise of dawn, eagerly awaiting the blast of sound to awake everyone. When this arrives the three of them rush towards the cabin, though dare not look incase they are caught by the others, though needn't bother as at least Annie knew exactly who it was. Still the screams told Hallie that the plan had worked and she couldn't resist to take a little peak through the window close to Annie's bed to see the mayhem taking place inside.
The honey on the floor causes Annie to lose her balance sliding all over the place when she hit's the trap wire, to her side drops a basketball and this triggers the cardboard tray above Annie's head to drop introducing the main weapon against Annie, a load of water filled balloons. One by one they drop though Annie is on the look out above her head dodging them as best she can while not falling over, while behind her Hallie was having a great time, laughing away at the fact that she had successfully pulled off another stunt that even outdid Annie's last one, and besides it was funny just to see the reaction of the group, especially look-alike Annie. The final balloon fell just missing Annie, who gained a rather satisfying grin onto her face.
Annie: Uh, she didn't get me.
However she was wrong. Hallie had made one ultra large balloon and slotted them in behind the other smaller four. Annie looked up to see it making its descent towards the ground and Annie, fell to exploding point of water. Annie crosses her arms quickly trying to protect her face from getting splashed. The large balloon explodes on impact with Annie's head making Annie's entire body wet once again, with a clearly dis-satisfied look on her face. Hallie's was the complete opposite, with a little laugh coming from them and large smiles from all three off their faces.
Annie: That girl is without a doubt the lowest, most awful creature that ever walked the planet!
Hallie: (ala Elvis) Thank you, thank you very much.
Hallie was all smiles, doing a fairly good Elvis impression. Though these smiles were short lived. From around the corner came a familiar face, the two Marva's, mother and daughter come from around the corner of the lodge, ready for a surprise inspection of the cabins, as they did every single week, without exception. As usual Marva SR had her bullhorn up to the max to make sure everyone in the area could hear her, though that was not surprising considering just how loud she would have it on. The pair of them had their clipboards, something that originally Hallie didn't see, but noticed as Marva JR walked past, alarming the girls, but mainly Hallie.
Marva: Morning, girls.
Hallie/Nicole/Zoe: Morning, Marva's. (then, freaked out) Marva's!
Hallie's face turned from smiles to worry once she sees the clipboards, and all three off them rush down from their perching points with Hallie being especially nervous, because if Marva saw the mess they had created, no doubt she would be angry and Annie would probably correctly lay all the blame on her. The other two were to be no part of this leaving Hallie on her own as they head back to their cabin and to let her deal with this situation on her own.
Marva SR: Surprise inspection. Ten-shun…Navajos.
Hallie quickly ran towards the door of the Navajos cabin, ahead of the two Marva's in an attempt to stop her getting in, however even worse was what was above her head, the container full of chocolate hang over the top of the two Marva's, so she raises her arms to stop the two Marva's from opening the door and giving them a surprise package.
Hallie: No, no, don't go in there!
one of the girls got sick last night and it's a big big mess. Save yourself the aggravation. It's really disgusting.
However, unluckily for Hallie, Annie also heard the Marva's and baring the horrible honey and then trying not to slip over in the oil made her way to the window putting up the shutters to get a better look at Hallie trying to block the two inspectors. She listened in closely to the conversation, with one final comeback for Hallie springing into her mind.
Marva SR.: Well, if someone's sick, dear, then 1 must go in.-
Marva heads towards the door and start to open it, with the container starting to tilt downwards, though not enough to start to empty their contents yet. Hallie's eye shot up to see the choclate container tilt and slams the door back gaining the attention of Annie's eyes, ever more interested in the conversation and ready to get Hallie into trouble.
Marva SR: Move aside dear
Hallie: No, really, I insist, I can't let you go in there, she's highly contagious.
Annie had heard enough and knew exactly what Hallie had been trying to do, with a rather grumpy look on Annie's face, while Hallie's had turned more and more into a anxious one. From behind the door came Annie whose voice prompted the nervous Hallie to glance sideways, and she knew full well that Annie would give the game away, as it was a great way of getting some revenge, it was certainly what she would have done anyway in the same situation.
Annie: Actually, we're all fine in here. Unless Hallie Parker knows something we don't know. Really, I insist, open the door and come see for yourself ma'am.
Marva SR: Stand aside Hallie.
Marva takes the door handle and opens the door, while Hallie quickly dodges the flying chocolate. Instead the whole lot starts to pour onto Marva SR, who lets out a scream which leads to Hallie letting a gasp, knowing that everything she had planned had worked, to perfection, but it was happening to the wrong person!
Marva JR quickly pushes her Mom forward to get her out of the chocolate while allowing the rest of it to drip onto herself. The push sends Marva SR hurtling into the room, unable to stop herself thanks to the oil laid onto the floor getting the tweed stuck into her face and then hitting the cabinet at the end of the room, while at the other end Marva JR trips over the chocolate on the floor and slides into the room heading the same way as her mom, with Annie letting out a little gasp, with Marva JR screaming out mommy then colliding with the cabinet as well. Hallie was by this point was petrified by the thought of what was possibly to come, it certainly had gone completely wrong. AS Marva JR got to her feet, she grabbed hold of a doll, this was Hallie's finally part, the best part was to make the entire room white.
Hallie: No!
No, no, no ,no, no!
As Marva JR collapsed back onto the floor she ripped the doll the down and this set off the fan on the top of the room, that had little lumps of cotton wool on each blade, which went flying all other room sprinkling it white and sticking to both of the Marva's who were covered with Chocolate, leaving Hallie looking annoyed with herself and at how amazingly wrong it had gone, holding her cheek with one hand and slightly jumping up and down in a aggravated style, while the other girls in the cabin stood up and just watch the whole room go white, with Annie standing close by to Hallie looking rather surprised at how things had turned out, but fairly smug nonetheless and her quick brainwave had worked.
Hallie: I told you it was a mess in here.
Annie: She should know, she did it!
Hallie should hardly have been surprised that her look-alike had told on her, after all the insults she had thrown at her over the recent days it was to be expected, still Hallie was a little surprised at the bluntness of Annie's accusation and looked to her with a slight hint of distrust.
Marva SR:
Congratulations, ladies ...
Marva JR quickly got up and maintained her balance by using the cabinet ordering both Hallie and Annie to stand together to deal with the trouble makers, Annie was rather shocked at this, after all she hadn't even been the cause of this whole incident, though when remembering what had she had done yesterday it came to her that Hallie had also told on her stunts. The two Marva's locked arms and slowly walked over to the two girls now standing side by side, ready to be told off by the camp leaders due to their escapades.
Marva SR: That little stunt was the most revolting display of hooliganism ever to take place on these hollowed grounds
Marva JR: A-men.
Marva SR: And worst of all, coming from two sisters who should be setting an example for the entire...
Annie and Hallie quickly turned to each other, so it wasn't just them or the other girls in the camp that had noticed how similar they looked, the camp Walden's were also in the act and though both knew they had never met before, they couldn't help but still be extremely inquisitive about each other, spending a good part of five seconds eyeing each other, looking at how each other looked then comparing themselves, before responding to the Marva's prompting Marva to take another good look at the two girls, and confusing the old lady even more.
Annie: we're not sisters, ma'am.
Hallie: We've never even seen each other before.
Marva: SR That's impossible.
Marva once again took a deep breath, looking at them and trying to tell the difference though this was always going to fail as they looked so identical, with both girls looking as truthful as they could be while putting on a fairly innocent face and fiddling about with their lockets. Marva SR turns to her daughter, who confirms what the two girls had been saying though this left Marva more confused then what see was before.
Marva SR.:
Well, whatever the excuse, I recommend immediate dismissal.
Hallie: You're sending us home?
The other girls in the lodge watched the proceedings closely, and also noticing how similar the girls were. By now Annie was very annoyed at Hallie, giving her a stare of evils, while Hallie just looked down on the floor, trying not to get upset at all though really, the pair of them had been responsible, tohugh Annie clearly felt she wasn't the one that done it, though she was still being punished and moments after watching Hallie turned away, refusing to look at Hallie, while Hallie took a quickly look up and saw Annie swinging her head away from her, and did the exact same thing, the pair were both to disgusted with themselves and each other to face one another but both girls were biting their lockets anxiously awaiting their fate.
Marva JR: That does somehow say we failed, doesn't it, Mom?
Marva SR: All right, all right... Let me just think...
Marva JR:...(under her breath)...Uh-oh.
So both girls stood their, awaiting their fates, at least it seemed they wouldn't be going home early, much to the relief of Annie, their fate was to at first be much worse, however it would lead to the biggest revelation of their young lives yet.