Merton and Tommy arrived at the Dingle residence at about 9 the next morning and were greeted by Becky and another girl. The other girl was Merton's height with dark brown hair and bright green eyes. She was wearing black jeans and a crimson shirt.
"Merton, Tommy, I would like you to meet Alyssa Wood, she just moved here last week," Becky exclaimed.
"Hi." "Hello" Merton and Tommy said.
"I've heard so much about both of you from Becky, it's almost like I've known the two of you forever with everything I've heard," Alyssa said as she smiled at the two guys.
Becky caught a look on Tommy's face, he seemed like he wanted to get away from Alyssa and Becky wasn't sure what that was about.
Tommy was feeling uncomfortable, Alyssa seemed one step too close to Merton, almost like she was about to start flirting with him and Tommy was getting jealous that she could be that close and have Merton notice her.
"Becky told me you were in to the supernatural, is that true, Merton?" Alyssa asked while flashing a slightly flirtatious smile.
"I've dabbled in the supernatural," was Merton's reply.
"Oh come on, you know you've more than dabbled, Merton," Becky exclaimed at Merton's statement.
"I only asked because I'm incredibly fascinated by everything supernatural," Alyssa said with a coy smile.
"Well I've studied various things, but I switch interests so fast I never stick with anything for more than a few days," Merton explained.
"Well, I'll want to hear about everything you've learned."
Tommy did not like what was going on, Alyssa WAS flirting with Merton and Merton seemed to be oblivious to it. Tommy was getting angrier by the minute and he was worried about wolfing out and exposing himself.
Becky saw the look on Tommy's face; it seemed to be a mix of anger, pain, and longing. Becky could see that Alyssa was flirting with her brother, could Tommy have feelings for Merton? It seemed that he did but Merton had no idea and Tommy was suffering. Becky didn't know Alyssa that well but her instincts told her that Tommy would be better for her brother than Alyssa.
"Alyssa, we better leave if we're going to catch that movie," Becky interrupted whatever Alyssa was saying to Merton.
"Oh, right, bye guys," Alyssa said as she walked with Becky toward her car.
With the girls gone, Tommy felt a little relieved, Alyssa had been flirting with Merton and Tommy hated that some girl could flirt and get Merton to notice her when he was in love with Merton and was Merton's best friend. Merton, however, was oblivious to his best friend and secret love's pain. Merton thought that Alyssa seemed to be a nice person but she was too intense for him.
"Well, I guess we better get to work on the lair, after all we only have two more Saturdays to finish this before the comet comes," Tommy said.
"You're right, we need to get to work, who knows how long they'll be gone?" Merton replied.
They worked for the next three hours, then stopping for lunch. They had rearranged the major pieces in the Lair, putting all the bookcases on one wall and Merton began using silver wire to cover the doorknob for the door leading outside from the lair. They worked for a few more hours before deciding to stop for the day. Becky and Alyssa where still gone, so Merton wrote a note telling Becky that they had gone back to their apartment.
One person in Pleasantville wasn't happy, her plans would take longer it they were interfered with like they had been today, she knew Merton had great magical potential and that his offspring would have it as well; she wanted to have that power by her side but she need time to befriend and then seduce Merton. She really had plenty of time, after all Merton wasn't in love with anyone, so it would only be a matter of time before she had him right where she wanted him.