The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 41
It's the day of the Spelling Bee. Bobby and Cindy are nervous, but feel prepared. This is Cindy's first time at State, and Bobby's second. The kids finished the written test and are awaiting the results. Peter and Jan are in the hotel room watching the twins.
Cindy: Pacing. When are they going to have the results?
Carol: They'll have them out soon.
Cindy: Well, the suspense is killing me!
Mike: Whatever happens, we're very proud of you two.
Bobby: Thanks.
Cindy spots the judges coming back to the registration table.
Cindy: They're back.
Bobby: Inhales. Well, whatever happens, may the best Brady win.
The two nervously make their way to the registration table.
Registrar: Grins. I bet you're wanting your results.
Cindy: Yes. Umm, yes, ma'am.
Registrar: And your name is?
Cindy: Cindy Brady. Number 43.
Bobby: Bobby Brady. Number 86.
Registrar: Smiles. Congratulations, you two. You made it.
Bobby: Excited. We did?
Registrar: You sure Bee will start at seven, so be sure to be here by six.
Cindy: Grins. We will.
They race back to their parents.
Cindy: Mom! Dad! We made it.
Bobby: It'll be another Brady vs Brady showdown!
Carol: Smiles. Congratulations!
Mike: That's great!
Cindy: We'll have to be back here by six.
Mike: We can do that.
Carol: We need to get back to the room and check on the kids.
Meanwhile, in the hotel room
Peter and Jan are watching the twins as they are down for their nap. They're watching TV on their parents' bed while the twins sleep in the playpen.
Jan: Checks on the twins. Good. They're still asleep.
Peter: Sighs with relief. That's good. I can't believe how much grief Ryan gave me.
Jan: He sure fights sleep.
Peter: I'll say.
Jan: It's good practice for you though.
Peter: Feeling nervous. I don't know how I'm gonna do this.
Jan: Mom says it's different with your own.
Peter: I hope so. If my kid's half as strong-willed as Ryan is, Julie and I will be sunk!
Jan: Chuckles. Ah, you'll be okay.
Mike, Carol, Bobby and Cindy enter the room.
Carol: Peers into the playpen. How long have they been out?
Peter: About an hour.
Carol: Guess they'll be down for another half hour.
Jan: How'd you two do?
Cindy: Excited. We made it into the Bee tonight.
Jan: Congratulations!
Bobby: The test was hard.
Cindy: I wasn't sure whether or not I'd pass, but I did.
Jan: You two studied hard enough.
Mike: How were the twins?
Jan: Carolyn was okay.
Peter: But Ryan was cranky and clingy. I had a time getting him down for his nap.
Bobby smirks and starts to say something, but he thinks better of it. Mike notices and gives him a nod and small smile.
Carol: I hope he wasn't too much trouble.
Peter: Sighs. He was bawling the whole time and wouldn't let me put him down.
Jan: I tried to take him, but Ryan clung onto Peter.
Mike: Well Peter, guess you're getting in good practice.
Peter: I suppose so. I do know this is a big dose of reality. To Bobby. I know you've dogged me since I started dating Julie, but let me be a lesson to you. Sighs.
Carol: Wraps her arms around her son. Peter, you're going to be just fine. Life's going to be a bit harder than you'd imagined, and although this isn't what your dad and I would've planned for you, you're going to be a good father.
Peter: Thanks mom. That means a lot.
The twins stir and awaken.
Ryan: Peeet! Peet!
Carol: Picks her youngest son up. C'mere, baby boy.
Ryan: Holds his arms out to Peter. Peet! Peeeeet!
Peter snickers.
Carol: Would you mind?
Peter: C'mere Ryan.
Ryan: Transfers into his brother's arms. Peet! Love Peet!
Peter: I love you too!
Ryan throws his arms around his brother's neck. Mike and Carol take in the scene before them. Mike wraps his arm around her shoulder. Carol, smiling and biting her lip, leans into her husband. Carolyn awakens and startles everyone out of the moment. Bobby and Cindy slip off, swimsuits and towels in hand, and make their way to the hotel pool.
Jan: Lifts her out of the playpen. I've got her. To Carolyn. C'mere, Carolyn.
Carolyn pats her sister's cheeks and giggles.
Carolyn: Than! Than!
Jan: Signs and speaks: Yes, I'm Jan.
Ryan: Laughs. Peeet! Jan! Peeet! Jan!
Carol: Signs and speaks: Yes, that's Peter and that's Jan.
Mike: Looking around. Where's Bobby and Cindy?
Carol: Looks around. Where did they go?
Mike: My guess is the pool.
Carol: The pool! They've got the Bee at six!
Mike: It'll be okay for them to swim for a little while. Besides, I think they've earned it.
Carol: Reluctant. I just don't want them to get overtired.
Mike: Oh, they'll be fine. I'll go get them in about half an hour.
That evening
It's time for the spelling bee. The Emcee welcomes the contestants and audience and goes over the rules. Then, the Bee commences. One by one, students become eliminated, but Bobby and Cindy remain in the bee. Soon, the contestants are whittled down to the top ten. It's Cindy's turn to spell.
Judge: Contestant number 43, spell foulard
Cindy: Foulard. F-O-U-L-A-R-D. Foulard.
Judge: That is correct.
Carol: Grins and exclaims softly. Yes, Cindy!
Next, is Bobby's turn.
Judge: Contestant number 86, spell torsion.
Bobby: May I have the definition, please?
Judge: The action of twisting or the state of being twisted, especially of one end of an object relative to the other.
Bobby: Thinks. Torsion. T-O-R-S-I-O-N. Torsion.
Judge: That is correct.
More contestants are eliminated, narrowing the field to four contestants.
Emcee: I'd like to remind the audience that the top four contestants will advance to the National Spelling Bee.
Cindy's turn is up.
Judge: Contestant 43, spell sacrilegious.
Cindy: Can I have that in a sentence?
Judge: In some religions, the act of killing a cow is considered sacrilegious and offensive to God.
Cindy: Sacrilegious. S-A-C-R-I-L-E-G-I-O-U-S. Sacrilegious.
Judge: That is correct.
Bobby's turn is next.
Judge: Contestant 86, spell soubrette.
Bobby: Soubrette. Takes a breath. S-O-B... He realizes he's messed up.
Carol: Face falls, whispering. Oh, Bobby.
Bobby: Continues. S-O-B-R-E-T-T-E. Soubrette.
Judge: That is incorrect.
Bobby leaves the stage.
Peter: Rats.
Ryan: Yells. ATS!
Peter: Shh!
Mike shoots Peter a look. Cindy takes the mic.
Judge: Contestant 43, spell Soubrette.
Cindy: Soubrette. S-O-U-B-R-E-T-T-E. Soubrette.
Judge: That is correct.
Cindy resists the urge to celebrate, for she realizes she's in the top three. Then, one more contestant is eliminated, leaving Cindy in the top two. It's her turn to spell again. Before she takes the mic, the Emcee speaks.
Emcee: We are down to the final two contestants. Each contestant will spell words until one contestant misspells a word. In the event a contestant misspells a word, the remaining contestant will have to spell that word and an additional word. If that contestant spells both words correctly, he or she will become the champion. If the contestant misspells either word, then the contest will continue. After twenty five words, if neither contestant misspells a word, then both contestants will be declared co-champions.
Judge: Contestant 43, spell eudaemonic
Cindy: Eudaemonic. May I have the definition?
Judge: Conducive to happiness.
Cindy: Eudaemonic. E-U-D-A-M-O-N-I-C. Eudaemonic.
Judge: That is incorrect.
Cindy starts to leave the stage.
Emcee: May I remind the contestants and audience that the next contestant will need to spell this word and the next correctly. If he does not spell either word correctly, the bee will continue.
Judge: Contestant 64, spell Eudaemonic.
Contestant 64: Eudaemonic. U-D-A-M-O-N-I-C
Judge: That is incorrect.Contestant 43, spell esquamulose
Cindy: Esquamulose. E-S-Q-U-A-M-U-L-O-S-E. Esquamulose.
Judge: That is correct.
Jan: Almost squeals. Oh my goodness! Cindy may have just won!
Judge: Contestant 64, spell syllepsis.
Contestant 64: syllepsis. S-I-L-L-E-P-S-I-S. Syllepsis.
Judge: That is incorrect. Contestant 43, spell Syllepsis.
Cindy: May I have the definition?
Judge: A figure of speech in which a word is applied to two others in different senses (e.g.,caught the train and a bad cold ) or to two others of which it grammatically suits only one (e.g., neither they nor it is working ).
Cindy: Syllepsis. S-Y-L-L-E-P-S-I-S. Syllepsis.
Judge: That is correct.
Emcee: May I remind the audience if Contestant 43 spells this next word, she will be declared the champion.
Judge: Contestant 43, spell Ratoon.
Cindy: Grows excited, for she realizes this word is easy. Ratoon. R-A-T-O-O-N. Ratoon.
Judge: That is correct.
Emcee: Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. Contestant number 43.
Cindy beams, almost unbelieving her good fortune, as the audience applauds.
Mike: Atta girl!
Peter: Way to go, Cindy!
Ryan: Go Dee!
Carol: My baby girl won!
Jan: Yeah, Cindy!
Carolyn claps her hands and squeals.
Emcee: I'd like to thank the contestants and their families for a great State Spelling Bee for 1975-1976 school year. The top four contestants will advance to the National Spelling Bee in May. Let's have our Top Ten Contestants back on stage. He waits a few moments as the contestants return to the stage. As I call your name, please come forward and receive your award.
He announces the tenth through fifth place winners.
Emcee: I will remind the contestants and audience that the top four places will advance to the State Bee. Fourth Place, and National Bee Contestant is Bobby Brady.
Bobby smiles, excited to be going to the National Bee. The emcee announces the third and second place winners.
Emcee: And the State Spelling Bee Champion for the 1975-1976 school year is Cindy Brady.
Cindy, grinning from ear to ear, receives her trophy.
After the bee
Mike, Carol, Peter, Jan, and the twins are outside the auditorium waiting on Bobby and Cindy to join them. Carol spots the kids.
Carol: Holding Carolyn. Oh kids! Congratulations!
Cindy: Beaming. Thanks!
Carol embraces her daughter and Carolyn wraps her arms around her sister, ending up in her sister's arms.
Carol: I'm sorry. Let me take her.
Cindy: Kisses and then passes her sister back. Thanks.
Peter: Congratulations, sis! Embraces Cindy. Champion! That's great!
Cindy: I can't believe it!
Mike: Holding Ryan. You did great! You both did.
Ryan: Claps his hands. Yaaaaaay!
Jan: Congratulations, Bobby!
Bobby: Thanks. I can't believe I missed that word. I tripped.
Carol: You still did great, and you're going to Nationals.
Cindy: Shocked. I still can't believe I'm going to Nationals. I didn't even make State last year!
Bobby: You deserved the win.
Cindy: Thanks.
Peter: Unenthused. Congratulations, Bobby.
Bobby: Thanks.
Mike: Peter, Jan, can one of you get a picture of the newest Spelling Bee Champs?
He hands his camera to Jan, and she takes a few pictures.
Bobby: I'm sorry Greg and Marcia couldn't be here.
Jan: They had a gig.
Bobby: Where were they performing?
Jan: I think Marcia's fashion club was having a banquet and they were performing there.
Cindy: Will they be at the Art Show?
Jan: I don't know.
Mike: Holding a sleeping Ryan. We need to get back to the room. You guys go ahead and come on up.
Bobby: Aww! Can't we stay out a little longer?
Mike: No.
Bobby: Can we go swimming?
Mike: It's after ten.
Bobby: But dad!
Mike: No "But Dad." Besides, you're grounded.
Bobby sulks as the Bradys make their way back to their hotel rooms.
In Peter and Bobby's hotel room
While Peter stretches out on his bed to watch TV, Bobby puts on his swimtrunks and grabs a towel.
Peter: Where do you think you're going?
Bobby: Going to the pool.
Peter: But Dad told you not to.
Bobby: Defiant. And?
Peter: Frustrated. What's gotten into you?
Bobby: What do you mean?
Peter: You're rude, obnoxious, and sometimes even crass.
Bobby: Shrugs his shoulders. Dunno.
Peter: Irked. I'm really sick of your attitude.
Bobby shrugs his shoulders and starts to walk off.
Peter: Don't walk away from me.
Bobby: Whatever.
Peter: I'm sick of it. I've had it up to my eyeballs with you.
Bobby: Puts his hand on the door knob. Later.
Peter springs up from his bed and nearly tackles his younger brother.
Peter: Enough.
Bobby: Protesting. Get off of me!
Peter: No. Not until we have it out.
Bobby: Leave me alone. This is my night.
Peter: This may have been your night, but right now, it's OUR night.
Bobby: You're insane.
Peter: I've had enough of your lip. I'm tired of you dogging on me with Julie. I'm sick of your wise cracks. By the way, they're not wise.
Bobby: Whatever.
Peter: Unless you straighten up and fly right, I don't want you around my child.
Bobby starts to retort, but stops short.
Peter: Sarcastic. What? Nothing to say? That's a first!
Bobby: I can't believe you knocked Julie up.
Peter: Steamed. That's it!
Peter leaps and throws a right hook, connecting with Bobby's nose. Blood gushes down and begins staining his shirt.
Bobby: Covers his nose. You hit me!
Peter: Shocked. I'm sorry!
Bobby: You hit me! I can't believe you hit me!
Peter: Panics. I'm sorry! Let me get you a towel.
Peter wets a washcloth, grabs a towel and gives both to Bobby.
Bobby: You jerk!
He shoves Peter into the wall. The boys begin to brawl. Peter shoves Bobby back, hitting the opposite wall. Peter knocks his head and shoulder and crumples to the ground.
Bobby: Horrified. Peter!
He panics and debates calling his parents, but the hotel door opens, revealing his father.
Meanwhile, in Mike and Carol's hotel room.
Mike and Carol put the sleeping twins to bed. As they change for bed, they hear a big thud and muffled shouting on the other side of the wall.
Carol: What on earth?
Mike: Sighs. Sounds like Peter and Bobby are at it.
Carol: Groans. When are those two going to cool I?
Ryan awakes and begins crying.
Ryan: Mommy! He stands up and puts his hands up toward his mother.
Carol: Picking Ryan up. C'mere, Ry. Did your brothers wake you up?
Ryan: Pouts. Uh huh.
Ryan snuggles into his mother's arms and pats her chest. She unties her robe and adjusts her gown. The baby immediately latches on.
Mike: I'm going to get to the bottom of this right now.
Mike puts on his robe and knocks on Peter and Bobby's hotel room. They don't answer, so he uses his key and opens the door. He sees Peter on the floor, rubbing his head and shoulder and Bobby, standing over his brother, holding a towel over his nose.
Mike: Furious. What?!
Bobby: Peter decked me!
Peter: It's only because you've been an absolute ass!
Mike: That's enough, Peter.
Bobby: He hit me, so I shoved him.
Mike: Firm. All right, you two! I have had enough of this.
Peter: Dad, he's been a pain since Julie and I started dating, and I've had enough of it!
Mike: Calm down, you two. He exhales. First, Peter, are you all right?
Peter: My head hurts, but I don't think it's severe. He rubs his head and feels a small wet spot. He looks at his hand and sees red. Uhh, I think... I'm bleeding.
Mike looks at his son's head and sees a small cut.
Mike: I don't think it needs stitches. We'd better get some ice on it. I'll get some in just a minute. To Bobby. Now, how's your nose?
Bobby: Hurts. He decked me good.
Peter: Serves you right.
Mike: Okay, that'll do. Let's look at your nose.
Bobby takes the washcloth off his nose.
Mike: I don't think it's broken. I'll get you some ice too. Now, can you both call a truce while I go get the ice?
The boys nod, glaring at each other. Mike returns with ice, fixes them a pack each and hands them to the boys. The boys sit on their respective beds.
Mike: First thing I want you to do is get some soap and water and clean the walls, and if the stains don't come out, the damage will come out of your allowance, Bobby and your salary, Peter. And Bobby, you will be doing another two weeks of extra chores.
Bobby: He hits me and I get the chores!
Mike: Exasperated. No. Peter's going to do extra chores with you, and if you two can't get along without killing each other, then I'm all out of ideas. I'm not going to force you two to apologize, but enough's enough. Peter, you're going to be a father soon, and this is no way for a father to act. And Bobby, you also know better than this.
Bobby opens his mouth to say something, but thinks better of it.
Mike: Now, I'm going back to my room. I don't want to hear another peep out of you. By the way, you woke up Ryan. And no sneaking out to the pool.
Mike leaves and goes back to his room. Carol is lying on the bed with a sleeping Ryan at her breast.
Carol: Are they at it again?
Mike: Yes. Peter punched Bobby and Bobby pushed Peter into the wall and he has a knot on the back of the head.
Carol: Exasperated. What is it with those two?
Mike: Sighs. I don't know.
Carol: I don't understand what's gotten into Bobby. I understand why Peter's defending himself, but this is getting out of hand.
Mike: And to top it off, there's blood on the walls, and we'll probably be charged for damages. I've already told them they'll have to pay for them... Oh, and Bobby's got four weeks of extra chores, and he and Peter will be doing chores together for the next two weeks.
Carol: Smart thinking. They'll either reconcile or kill each other.
Mike: That's what I was thinking.
Carol looks down and sees that Ryan's still asleep. Carolyn's also asleep.
Carol: Puts Ryan in the playpen. Good night, little man. May you and Carolyn always get along with each other.
Mike and Carol finish getting ready for bed, turn the lights out and fall asleep immediately.
-End of Chapter 41-
A/N—The art show coming up next chapter. And, I'm sorry about the formatting. I don't know why it gets wonky every once in awhile. It's just too much to fix right now.