What We Do in The Shadows: "Jen..."
Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar…
Part LXXIII…
Ginny Zeller's office…Ginny, fresh in her pink suit, at desk facing camera with friendly expression…
An astonishingly relaxed Ginny with camera now, as compared with the Ginny of preenthrallment, a few weeks ago…
If anything, eager now to see things with the documentary done properly, in terms of showing the world just how wonderful Lady Nadja and her other beloved Overlords really are…
"So, Simon called and wanted to know if the 'alliance' had been accepted and as I had authorization from our Overlords, I told him, yes, tentatively…" Ginny nods. "But, we…Or rather our Lords and my Lady…Ask that we have the full history of his dealings with Dr. Van Helsing and his relationship with Miss Ciara, Dr. Van Helsing's descendant. He claims he'd be glad to tell the story and wants a meeting. I told him it would have to be tomorrow…I didn't mention tonight we begin the move to Fieldersen or rather 'Relentless-Cravenswood' now, just that the Overlords were busy getting their things in order. I figured it would sweeten the deal if I suggested they were ready to sell to him, which in fact they are, so long as he accepts their final offer. He seemed pretty pleased, even a bit eager to tell his story. Maybe he plans to gloat a bit over something about the Van Helsing girl or his deal with the doctor. Naturally we'll do it here…The earlier in the evening the better…" eyeing the specially treated windows.
Ponders… "In any case, so far, so good. Hopefully we can pull off the initial move tonight without any interruption from any of our foes. It's too bad Guillermo can't be here to supervise but we'll do our best." Warm smile. "I mean that you know…We all, except maybe Jen…Who did see what he could be right away, bless her…Did once think Gui a little well, not quite Chief Minion material. But he's proven us wrong, sweet kid. I only worry he's too eager, going down to Mexico with more on his mind than his poor aunt. Susan's keepin' an eye on him, though, ready to give him any support he needs. But now we know Dracula is involved and is down there in the persona of Dr. Acura, we can't help worrying that something's up. That our Gui might be trying to play hero…" sigh. "Hang on, one sec…" she picks up buzzing phone, raising hand. "Sure, Martha…"
"Hey, hon. Yeah, come on in. I've got a film crew and everything for you." Grin. "No, seriously. One of my clients, Mr. Cravensworth, is actually documenting things from his life, including this sale. Well…I guess I am…" smile. "A lot more mellow, my girl says." She hisses to camera, beaming. "I'm so glad to have you home, honey. Grandma ok? Good, good. Come right on in, don't worry, I'm not too busy. Come on in."
She hangs up, slightly sheepish look…
"My younger daughter Jacqueta's home from Spain where she stayed with my mom who retired to the old country, for her family, twenty years ago. I don't think she's used to a mom who can make time for her in the start, middle, or end of a business day." Wry shrug… "Not that I didn't care or intentionally put her off…Please don't think it was anything spilling over from things with my ex, Roy. I love my girls and while I won't deny I was ambitious and concerned with making my business a success, maybe too much so, I really did always have them in mind." Anxious stare.
Knock…
"Hey, come in, baby!" cheery call…Door opening to reveal a tall, red-haired teen, Jacqueta Zeller, in spring style older teen clothing, jeans, blouse, denim jacket, floppy hat.
"Hi, Mom!" nod, smile. Coming over for a hug… "Oh, excuse me…" to camera.
"No, no…It's ok, just be natural. The…Mr. Cravensworth is looking for strictly natural in this thing."
"Wow…Nice. He's what, a historian? Ken Burns type? Martha said he's a writer among other things…?"
"Historian, philosopher, poet…Filmmaker, all kinds of things and a wonderful man. His wife is an absolute dream." Ginny gushes, hugging the girl. "Really sweet people…" she tones down a hair.
"I'm sorry we didn't have your first night together…" she smiles at the girl on release. "But I get you wanted a chance to spend some time with Brittany before you came home."
"Yeah, uh…Brittany's a good friend…" the girl eyes the camera. A little embarrassed, clearly.
Oh, Lord…Ginny sighs. I shoulda kept my mouth shut.
But if people can accept lovable vampires, they oughta manage a gay daughter.
"So, tell me how you liked Spain? Did you see everything? Grandma must have walked your feet off, she always did me."
"She did…" nod, grin. "But we had a great time." Pause. "Ellie's still at school?"
"By the skin of her teeth and some good friends…" Ginny nods.
Cut to shot of Laszlo and Nandor on college campus…Nandor intoning to the Dean outside his on-campus home's window.
"That guy was a jerk…I always thought so." shake of head.
"Well, he's on his way to prison now, for a while. And Ellie finally seems to have realized what he is after he told her he had a stooge like her on three campuses…" Ginny smiles, reflecting…
I mean, really all they had to do was have him tell her the truth…Just a light touch of hypnosis, the jerk was just about ready to tell her off anyway.
"Well, good. But is she coming home to see me?"
"This weekend…" Ginny nods.
"You look great, Mom. Just maybe a little tired. Things busy? What am I sayin'?" grin…
"They were, but settling now…Jennifer Steinecke's my partner now, she's taken over a lot which helps me no end. She nailed that big Fieldersen estate by the way with the Cravensworths."
"Yeah, I remember. That's great. I like Jen..." hesitant pause. "And Jackie…"
"Took the money and ran…It was all she wanted really, she wasn't interested in the business. It's all worked out for the best." Smile.
"She belongs in jail. I don't say Dad didn't do wrong, he's guilty but she pushed him…"
"I know but at least she's out of our lives, hon."
"What about Dad? I know he's never coming home…" raising hands to Ginny's look… "But…"
"He's ok. I understand Jackie's in touch with him."
"Really? She dumped him fast enough once he got caught." Frown.
"Maybe she does care…I hope so." Ginny nods.
"Seriously? Mom?"
"There's no point in hating them forever, honey. It's over. I can let it go now. And try to remember the better things between us. He's stuck in prison now, I can't grudge him some hope for happiness later."
Jacque eyeing her… "Really?"
"Really. I know I was a little crazy when you left but I've come to a good place. Probably settling the Fieldersen didn't hurt and actually, the Cravensworths, bless em, and their partner, Mr. Relentless, have become really good friends. I mean the kind you can talk to…"
"Well, that's new? You've never felt that way about a client." Jacque, a bit nonplussed.
"You'll see when you meet them. They are just…Such dears." Ginny, fondly.
"And of course, dears giving me $400,000." Grin.
"Mom? Nice. Can I have some?" grin.
"Please, it'll just about pay your and Ellie's college bills. But it will that." Smile.
"You really do look more relaxed, Mom. I'm glad. And I'm glad you're not so furious at Dad…And best of all that that bitch Jackie is out."
"It's a relief to have her out, I won't deny it."
Careful stare… "You didn't have to do anything too rough? Or pay too much?"
"She just wanted to cash in and get out. It wasn't bad."
"Get out while she could, huh?" nod.
Shrug… "Her business. I didn't want to know and I don't."
"Yeah, probably for the best…I'm glad it worked out, more or less, Mom." Wan smile. "I'm sorry if I was too hard on you when you let Jackie in, but I was afraid you were letting your wanting to save this place get the better of your judgment."
"I was, honey." Ginny shrugs. "And I know it hurt you and Ellie, probably led to Ellie's hooking up with that boy. I'm sorry. I was alone after your dad left me and I was desperate…To hold him first, then save what I thought was the only thing I had left. But things are different now. I know you two girls are more important than anything I thought I'd lost. And now I have a nice guy to see how it goes, good new friends…And Jackie's finally out of the picture."
"Sound good, Mom. And I'm glad you put Jen in. She's nice and it'll help you with some of the pressure."
"Jen's a godsend. She made all things possible." Ginny, enthusiastically.
Uh… "Well, letting my greed get in there…She made Fieldersen possible, which made getting rid of Jackie Williams possible." Wan smile, Jacque nodding. Sure.
"I get it, Mom. I've always liked her. Is she out?"
"Helping the Cravensworths get set for their move…" smile. "I know, but on this one, we'd help port their stuff over to get it done."
"I can imagine…" smile. "Well, let me leave ya to it…I'll go home and drop my stuff."
"I'm free for lunch or can be?"
"I'd love that." Nod, beam. "I'll show you my pics then. Uh, no offense but…" she grins at cameras.
"No, they won't be coming." Ginny grins back. Coming over to hug. "Get settled and get back here by 11:30, ok? I'll clear things till 1:30."
"One-thirty? Like two hours? Mom?"
"Ouch, was I that bad?" Ginny winces.
"Nah, it's fine. Sounds terrific."
"You pick the place, anywhere you like."
"Oooh…Careful, I've gone upscale livin' with Gran."
"I can spurge a little this week." Smile.
"Okkk…See ya. Bye,folks." Wave at camera as Jacqueta exits…
"Isn't she lovely? I can't wait to have her meet Lady Nadja, she'll love her I'm sure." Happy beam.
"What?" stare at the somewhat unsettled faces eyeing her…
…
The Residence…Living room…
Jen, clipboard in hand, hurrying along, dressed in jeans and blouse…
"Hey, guys, busy times. Sorry if I can't chat. We've got a lot to do in a little. Movers are here for round one at 2:30. We're gonna do things in stages, partly so as to prevent Simon Devious or anyone else from quite realizing what's up, and partly because, well…We have a few things that should only be moved by us…The family circle, so to speak?" smile.
"Miss Jen?" call from Jacqueline down the hall.
"Gotta go. Yeah, does still freak me a little how well Jackie's fitted herself into her new life as housemaid, but I guess some people…" shrug.
"Oh…Lets get into that later, ok?" to question. "It was, is, a beautiful letter. Still makes me tear up to think of it. But let me see to a few more things, ok? Jackie has lunch for you guys underway, by the way, so maybe we can all eat at noon or something and do this? Great." Beam.
…
The Cathedral, Mexico City…
"You ok, Phyllis?" Guillermo eyes the slightly wan Phyl now seated beside him to his left, between him and Dr. Acura and just over to the left next to Acura, Mrs. Afanas.
"I'm fine, Gui." Phyllis, warmly. "Dr. Acura and I had a nice talk. He told me a few stories about your aunt."
"Great…" Guillermo eyeing Dracula who gave a faint nod and smile…Susan, to Guillermo's right, looking over as well…
"Did he?" hiss.
"Just calmed her, I'm sure…Don't worry." He whispers.
Choir singing now…
"Were you able…?" Acura to Mrs. Afanas.
"Just a moment before they closed the coffin but I was able to secure the things…She'll be fine." Smile.
Well, he's not burning…Susan notes to herself, eyeing Dr. Acura.
…
"Ok…Got a few." Jen, sitting in the Residence kitchen, wiping dirty hands on paper towel, rubbing brow. "Phew…" grin, taking swig from large water bottle. "Like all moves when you actually start, even though we had got the library packed up and some other of that sort of thing set, there's always a million details." She takes bite of sandwich from plate before her on table. "Well, did you guys see the rest of Master Nandor's letter? It was sweet of him to ask you to go while he got me calmed down. I kinda did lose it." Slightly wan look. "Well, it was beautiful. He offered to stand in the Master's place and for Nadja as well, as I think you know. And begged Dracula to consider our fates if it should come to fighting and charged him to protect us, which Master Nandor expected the good (vampiral, sorta still, I guess? Not quite clear yet on exactly what he is) doc to already hold dear, given his Redemption and Hippocratic Oath and all that. He really cares about us, whatever else he is, he is a good soul or essence or whatever he is." Sigh.
"It seems hard to believe, sometimes…" pause. Brushing at her hair. "I can't think about this, sorry, it hurts somehow." She shakes head slowly.
A tense, anxious look, grabbing at the nearest, utterly stunned member of the crew, "You must see they die well! Listen, sirs, ma'am, there's no time! Do not let the Dark One deceive them, he cannot lose his chance now! Oh, please, help me save him! I know you people care for them all, help us to…!" she pauses, looking wan, rather frightened, releasing the stunned female.
"Sorry, sorry." She backs away from the frightened woman. "Really, I'm sorry. What happened? Was it Dr. Van Helsing?" Jen stares.
"No." she answers the director's question. "I don't know, I don't remember anything…"
"You don't think I sounded like Van Helsing when he took me before?" she eyes the woman she'd seized. Nervous tensing… "I sounded…British?"
"But…" anxious stare… "If it wasn't him…I can't. No, Master Nandor's right…I'm sure he's right. He felt her. It can't be me. It's got to be Dracula's girl, it makes sense. It must have been Van Helsing who took me." Pause. "What? Oh…Right, I didn't tell you the rest. The finish of the letter…"
Cut to Nandor, writing alone before Erika's and then Jen's arrival in his cell.
"Vlad, I should tell you, to show you I do honor your trust…I know that Althea, your charge and daughter, adopted, is the Slayer, the Cicely reborn. I felt her power even in those few seconds of our meeting. Nice. You really nailed the Redemptive basket, I see, if they trust you to guard the young Slayer. (I should mention in the last fifty years or so I've become quite the basketball fan. Such an elegant sport, rather like good swordsplay.) But I've no doubt she's also precious to you, as your daughter, as well. I've told none of the others as yet, though I intend to let Cravensworth's most dear minion, Miss Jennifer, know and let her decide if I should tell the others. Though she is enthralled, she is a most practical as well as caring woman and will, I am sure, make the right judgment here. I further pledge I myself will not seek out Althea to surprise her and I will urge Cravensworth to do likewise. Indeed, I hope never to encounter her on the battlefield…Yes, largely out of fear, all vampires know her reputation…But I hope you understand, also out of respect for your Family of which she is clearly a dear part. With that in mind, I have a further proposal, my old comrade, 'Dr. Phillippe Acura'. I invite you to attend what I hope will be a very pleasant family reception at our new home, a little get-together to celebrate the very hard work our minions have been doing for us in our move. Naturally a truce would be in effect if acceptable to you and I will secure the consent of the Cravensworths to such. You should meet them, lovely people if a bit oversexed at times. Althea is most welcome, I should love to meet her properly, under my protection naturally, though I am sure she requires none, and I would truly enjoy an evening, shall we say, before the battle, with you, my old friend. Other, yet clueless human relations of our minions will also be there, so we will keep it a friendly social gathering. I think you'll like the place, our lady friends in real estate have done us most proud. Let me know if you can make it, I'm thinking the 27th which should give us a little time to get things in order. A (single, please?) representative of Van Helsing's team is also most welcome to privately discuss, with me, in secret, if possible, my own surrender terms as I have stated above, in this, my letter. Forgive stains, it's still quite a bitch to write with quill and ink. But I still much prefer it to modern implements."
"Your old colleague and frienemy,
Nandor Relentless."
