The Intaragation Room

The next morning FP woke the kids up for school. "Where is Mommy?" Jellybean Demanded "She usually gets us up for school?"

"Baby, Mommy went into work early to make up for missing most of yesterday." Jughead felt a pang of guilt in his stomach. He was the reason his mom missed nearly a full day of work.

FP was trying to put Jellybean's hair up in pigtails, but Jellybean was screaming, "OWW Daddy that hurts. That's not how Mommy does it."

FP was getting frustrated, "Jellybean will you just sit still so I can fix your hair?"

"Dad, I'll do it." Jughead interrupted.

FP handed him the hair brush while saying, "Good luck." FP went into the kitchen and when he opened the fridge to pull out the milk for the kid's cereal he realized there wasn't any. So he pulled out the eggs. He made himself and the kids scrambled eggs and toast. Jughead was making up a story to tell Jellybean as he was doing her hair. Afterwards he pulled out some jeans and Jellybean's Rugrats t-shirt with clean underwear and socks for her to change into. After Jellybean was dressed Jughead told her to go brush her teeth and wash her hands for breakfast. Jughead washed his hands too at sat at the kitchen table. FP put a plate of scrambled eggs with slightly burnt toast in front of them.

The bus honked its horn at the edge of the trailer park. "Bye Jellybean," FP and Jughead called to her as she was grabbing her backpack.

"Come on boy, you get ready too." FP said as he was clearing the table. FP snapped his finger when Jughead hasn't got up yet, "let's go Jug."

Once Jughead had brushed his teeth and changed they walked to the truck. "Dad, I'm scared." Jughead admitted

"Why is that boy."

"What if I have to go to jail or something." Worry could be heard in Jughead's voice as he said this.

"Jughead, you are 10 years old, you're still a little kid. They don't send little kids to jail. Whatever they say to you, the ass whippin I gave you last night is going to be far worse than any punishment they give you." FP told him.

"Okay Dad, But I'm still scared." Jughead admitted.

"I know you are buddy, it's going to be okay." FP and Jughead walked into the police station. "Exscuse me, sir" FP said to the officer, "I'm supposed to take my son Jughead Jones here to be questioned about an incident happening at his school yesterday."

"Right this way Mr. Jones. Forsythe Pendleton III please have a seat in this room and wait for your father, and I to join you." Jughead went to the room and sat down. The officer turned to FP. "Mr. Jones, the fire your son started has been appraised to cost the school just under $1,000 in demage. The trashcan melted into the carpet, and there are burns surrounding that, the nearby bookshelf luckily didn't catch fire, but all of the books have smoke demage and need treatment before anyone can read them. The room itself will not be able to be used for several weeks, maybe even a month. Three desks were demanaged, and all their contents. Jughead is in a lot more trouble than I originally thought."

"Exactly how much trouble is he is in?" FP asked

"Jughead is going to have community service for sure, but he may have to spend time in a juvenile detention center as well."

"You can't be serious, he is 10 years old. He is just a little kid."

"I know it's not what you want to hear, but it is what it is. A juvenile probation officer is on his way here to sit in on the questioning and make a decision. If Jughead admits he will be in a lot less trouble. Does all of that make since Mr. Jones."

"Should Jughead have a lawyer?" FP asked. "We can't afford a lawyer."

"Mrs. Andrews was assigned to Jughead, and will be sitting in to represent him in this case. I'll give you some time to explain to your son what is going on." The officer buzzed FP into the integration room that Jughead was currently sitting in.

After the door shut FP stood next to where his son was sitting. "Jughead" FP started to push the hair out of Jughead's face. "Son, you are in more trouble then we thought."

"What do you mean dad?" Jughead asked with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Well, boy you will have to do community service, probably be on prabation, and you might go to Juvie."

"Juvie? Dad... please please don't let them take me." He cried.

"Hey, hey." FP said hugging Jughead. "You listen to me Boy. Everything is going to be okay. You are a Jones, and the Jones men are brave."

Jughead wiped the tears from his face, when the officer, juvenile probation officer, and lawyer came in, the officer was bringing extra chairs for everyone since interrogation rooms typically only have two chairs, bolted to the ground. FP and Mrs. Andrews sat on either side of Jughead the two officers asked Jughead to explain what happened. Jughead recounted the detention, his teacher being on the phone, being bored, playing with the matches, accidentally dropping one when he got scared, kicking the trash can over in attempts to put the fire out, and all that happened after. When it was all said and done the probation officer deliberated on his sentencing.

"Forsythe, it is clear that the fire was most likely an accident, however bringing matches into school is considered a weapon making it illegal, and is not only exspellable offense, but also something that can be punishable by law. The maximum sentence for a minor for this offense is one year disruted between Juvenile Detention, probation, and a fine of $1,500. Do you understand?"

Jughead looked up, "Yes, Sir."

"Mr. Jones, do you also understand?"

"I do." FP stated.

"Okay, the elementary school is not dropping the chargers, however they are willing to allow Forsythe to remain in school with a letter of apology. Forsythe is to report to the Juvenile Dention center tomorrow at 10:00 am"

"NOOO" Jughead screamed and was crying hysterically.

FP stood up and picked up Jughead as he were 5 years old, embracing him into a hug saying, "shh, Jughead, calm down."

"As I was saying," the office continued "Report to the detention center tomorrow by 10:00am for the next 5 days. and can be picked up after 5:00pm the 5th day. This stay can be lengthened by the Detention Center if they determine necessary. Forsythe is to complete 150 hours of community service, with no probation if the 150 hours are completed within 6 months of his release. There will be no fine for this offense. If Forsythe fails to report to the detention center by 10:00am tomorrow, a warrant will be issued for his arrest. Mr. Jones please talk this over with your son and lawyer, and let us no if you accept, or if you would rather go to court. Push the intercom when you are ready."

FP turned to Mary Andrews. "Mary, what do you think?" FP asked Mrs. Andrews.

"Honestly FP, Juvie is pretty serious sentence, for a kid Jughead's age. My thought is that they are offering juvenile instead of a $1,500 fine. Sheriff Keller knows you don't have that kind of money. Take the deal."

FP was still holding Jughead who had his head on FP's shoulder. FP put Jughead down so he could see his face saying "Jug, what do you think? If we go to court you may not have to do anything, but do it could be a lot worse. Archie's mom thinks that it will be worse if we go to court, but the decision is up to you."

"Dad?" Jughead asked,

"Yeah Jug?"

"If you knew I might be going to jail would you still have whooped me?" Jughead asked.

FP could help but to laugh. "Boy, That was the most deserved spanking of your life. I absolutely would have whipped your ass. Even if they took you in before I saw you I would have wore you out the day you were released." FP said.

Jughead thought about it for a moment. "If Archie's mom thinks it's best, I'll take the deal."

"Okay son" FP said. Mrs. Andrews pushed the buzzard that let the officers know they were ready. FP sat back down in his seat, and instead of sitting next to him Jughead climbed up on his lap, burrying his head into his father's shoulder. He was crying again.

The officer's looked at Mary. "Mrs. Andrews What is there decision?"

"They accept the deal."

"Okay Mr. Jones, I'll contact the center."

FP drove Jughead home, he was sitting in the middle seat of the truck crying the whole way. FP let Jughead sit on the couch and watch TV. Jughead was supposed to be grounded, but FP decided that Juvie was more than enough punishment. FP heated up leftover spaghetti for lunch, and told Jughead that they would go to Pop's for dinner, and he and Jellybean could share a milkshake. Jughead smiled, The family couldn't afford to eat out, very often so it was a major treat when they did. When Jellybean got home from school FP said the kids to continue to watch TV, but told Jellybean that she had to get her homework done before mommy got home, and they had to play outside for a bit.

FP called his wife at work, "Gladys."

"What's wrong FP?" "Can you come home early and go in late tomorrow?"

"FP I missed most of yesterday, and you missed all of today. We can't afford this."

"I know honey, I know, this weekend we can send Jellybean to a friend's house and make up all of our hours then, and I'll get some side jobs to pay for dinner tonight."

"Dinner tonight? I thought we would just throw a couple of pizzas in the oven."

"I told Jughead we would take him to Pops." FP told Gladys.

"And why exactly did you tell him that? He is supposed to be getting punished."

FP sighed. "Gladys they are sending Jughead to Juvie tomorrow."

FP could hear tears from the other line. "I'm on my way home FP."

FP went outside where Jughead and Jellybean were playing tic-tac-toe with a stick in the dirt. FP leaned up against the trailer, watching the kids play, for as long as he could without being noticed. When Jellybean notices him FP hollered at them, "Hey kids, come inside pick up all your toys and get cleaned up. Mommy is coming home early." They ran inside dusting off there clothes. FP stopped Jughead just before he got inside. "I already told mom what happened, okay. We will talk to you and get you all packed before Pop's."

"Okay dad, Can I go play with Jellybean? I don't want her to know anything is wrong." FP hugged Jughead, and kissed him on to of his head. "I love you kid, go ahead."

Once Gladys got home she saw the kids laying on the floor with Jellybean's coloring book. "Jughead," FP said, "come back to our room with us." Jughead got up to go into the room, but Jellybean started screaming hysterically. FP picking her up. "What's wrong Jellybean?"

"Are. You. And. Mommy. Going. To. Spank. Jughead again. I. don't want. You too. You already. Spanked Him."

FP sat his daughter down saying, "no honey we are not going to spank Jughead, but I might spank you if you ever scream like that again, and you're not hurt." Jellybean suddenly became really interested in her shoes, not wanting to say anything that would risk a spanking.

FP walked to the backroom where Jughead and Gladys were already at. FP bent down on his knee so he would be eye level with Jughead. He pushed Jughead's chin forcing Jughead to look at him "Boy, you know what you did was wrong, and your mom and I both already busted your ass for it, and believe me boy, if you ever do anything that dangerous and reckless again we won't hesitate to bust your ass. The point is we already punished you. So, I want you to stop feeling guilty, and enjoy tonight, and when you are in there don't worry about Jellybean, don't worry about your mom or me. We are all fine. Do you understand me boy?" Jughead shook his head yes. "Well Jug, you don't need any clothes, but you do need socks and underwear, your toothbrush, toothpaste, and take the laces out of your old shoes and pack those. You can bring a book if you want too."

"Okay dad, how do I tell Jellybean?"

"Wait until after Pops, I don't want to spend the whole night with her mad at you." Jughead packed everything he would need for the next 5 days.

FP told the kids to get in the car for Pop's. The whole family got burgers and fries. Once they were done eating FP let the kids order a strawberry shake to share. By the time they got home it was already 8:30. "Alright kids," Gladys said, "Jellybean it's already past your bedtime, and Jughead your bedtime is in a half hour. I want teeth brushed and pajamas on, let's go, let's go let's go." She said playfully. While the kids were getting ready for bed Gladys looked through the VHS tapes the kids had. Gladys found "The Lion King" which was one of Jughead's favorite movies when he was little. Gladys and FP changed into sleepware as well.

Gladys told Jellybean that they needed to talk to her, and afterwards the whole family would watch a movies together. The family all sat on the edge of the bed.

"What did you want to talk to me about Mommy." Jellybean asked.

"Well honey the thi..."

"Mom, I'll tell her," Jughead interupted.

"Are you sure honey?" She asked.

"Yeah mom, I'm sure."Jughead answered, "Jellybean, the thing is that I'm going to have to go away for awhile, I'll be back in about 5 days though."

"Why?" Jellybean asked.

"Because of what I did at school. I'm in a lot of trouble." "But Daddy already whipped you for that."

"I know sissy, but Mom and Dad aren't the only people I got in trouble with. I'm got in big trouble with cops too." Jellybean was starting to cry, and Jughead was fighting back tears. "Hey, I'll be back really soon, I promise." Jughead told her.

"Why do you have to go at all?" She asked crying even harder now. "Jellybean, you know how when you get in trouble, sometimes you get a timeout, and have to stand in the corner?" Jellybean shook her head yes.

"Well it's like that, I got in trouble, and now basically in timeout for the next week." Jellybean was crying still,

"I don't want you to go." Jughead picked her up and sat her on his lap.

"I know I know," he said kissing her on top the head. "I don't want to go either, but I have to."

Jellybean was still crying, but she shook her head yes saying "I understand."

FP clapped his hands together., "Alright who wants to watch Lion King." Both of the kid's said yes. "Get in bed then and I'll turn it on. When the movie started FP went to Jughead's side of the bed and Gladys went to Jellybean's. "Scoot over kids." FP said. Gladys and FP got in bed, and the whole family fell asleep watching Lion King.