Chapter Sixteen

2021

The following two years proved to be unexpectedly successful for Mystery Inc. Daphne, Fred, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo couldn't believe that their success included international travel and cases of such intrigue that they didn't think they could solve them, but they did regardless. When it came to their success, it meant they had a building from which they could operate and afford their own homes. The success also meant they had a publicist in their employ. Her name was Helen, and she had dark brown hair and blue eyes. She knew how to sell Mystery Inc.

But like all things in life, what comes up must come down. They sat in the conference room of Mystery Inc., and Fred, Velma and Shaggy were worried. Daphne wasn't in as she had to talk to a potential client who was elderly and couldn't travel to their building.

"Our workload isn't as strong as it used to be," Velma said. "Do any of you have any ideas?"

"Actually, I do, and I'll discuss it with Daphne," Helen said.

"Why can't you discuss it with us?" Fred asked.

"I have to discuss it with Daphne first, and if she says yes, then I'll discuss it with the rest of you," Helen replied.

Sometimes, Fred didn't like how Helen did business with Mystery Inc.

"And what if she says no?" Fred asked. "Do you have any other ideas that will help the business?"

"Yes, I do, but I think I should talk to Daphne first and go from there," Helen said. "I always have other options, but I think the Daphne option is the best option so far,"

Velma and Shaggy didn't always like how Helen did business, but she always came out on top for Mystery Inc., which earned their trust in the long run.

XXXXX

When Daphne arrived at the restaurant later that day, she thought the others would be there. To her surprise, it was only Helen. Helen smiled at Daphne as she walked towards their corner table inside. Daphne forced a smile on her face. Helen stood up, walked towards Daphne, and kissed both cheeks quickly. Daphne returned the gesture.

"It's great to see you," Helen said.

"Thank you," Daphne replied.

They returned to their table. Daphne sat outside the table, and Helen sat against the wall.

"Are the others running late?" Daphne asked.

"No, they're not going to be joining us," Helen replied.

Without thinking, Daphne frowned very quickly.

"Why not?" Daphne asked, confused.

"I have something to discuss with you, and it's of a sensitive nature," Helen said.

"A sensitive nature?" Daphne asked, getting more confused. "What are you talking about?"

Helen cleared her throat quickly.

"Daphne, I'm going to be honest with you," Helen said. "Mystery Inc. isn't as popular as it used to be, and we need to do something to increase popularity, and that's where you come in,"

Daphne had an accurate suspicion she wouldn't like what Helen had to say.

"How exactly do I come in?" Daphne asked.

"Well, the thing is, we need you to do something in terms of publicity that Fred could also do but not as well as you and Velma and Shaggy definitely can't do it either. You're the frontrunner,"

"Frontrunner for what?" Daphne asked, getting agitated.

"Sex appeal," Helen said bluntly.

Of the things Daphne was expecting Helen to say, it certainly wasn't that.

"Sex appeal?" Daphne asked, confused.

"Sex appeal," Helen said again. "You have it in spades, and with the anniversary of Mystery Inc. coming up, we need you to do something you haven't done before,"

Daphne didn't want to hear anymore.

"I think I'm going to leave," Daphne said.

"Wait a second," Helen said. "Just listen to what I have to say, and if you don't like it, then we'll move on to something else. I've done plenty for Mystery Inc. and have I ever let you all down?"

Daphne had to admit that she hadn't, but she didn't like the words sex appeal being attached to her.

"Okay, I'll listen," Daphne said.

"Okay, thank you," Helen replied. "Now, what you have to do is very simple. It's something you've never done before. Whenever you've appeared on camera your blouses are always buttoned up. For your next interview, I'd like you not to do up all the buttons,"

Daphne's eyes widened with shock.

"You mean you want me to show some cleavage?" Daphne asked.

"Yes," Helen said. "Show the world you're not uptight and show some cleavage. It'll increase ratings for the interview, and once it's online, more cases should be coming your way,"

"And what if we attract the attention of the wrong kind of people, and whoever shows up wanting help wants me to do more than show cleavage?" Daphne asked, concerned.

"When new clients show up at headquarters after the interview, we'll make sure that they all behave themselves," Helen said. "You won't be in any danger,"

Daphne wanted to believe that but knew she couldn't afford to be unemployed again.

"Okay, I'll show some cleavage but not to the extent that it makes me look like a slut," Daphne said.

"Don't worry," Helen said. "You won't look like a slut. You'll look sexy,"

The more Daphne talked to Helen about her concept, the more she never felt like such a sell-out, and she hoped this feeling wouldn't be permanent.

XXXXX

As Daphne stood off camera with Fred, Velma, Shaggy, Helen and Scooby-Doo, she hated Helen's chosen outfit. It was a light purple blouse with short sleeves and a matching mini-skirt. Most of the buttons on the blouse weren't connected, so she was showing plenty of cleavage. Daphne wore a bra, which didn't cover much of her breasts. Fred appreciated that Daphne's nipples weren't showing, but they may as well be with the amount of cleavage she was showing. Another factor that Fred hated was Daphne wasn't wearing stockings. The rest of the members of Mystery Inc. were wearing their regular clothes. The only thing that Daphne regularly wore was her hairband. Fred turned to Daphne.

"Can you please do up some buttons?" Fred asked.

"Don't you dare!" Helen said to Daphne before she could answer Fred.

Then Helen turned to Fred.

"Daphne looks perfect the way she is," Helen said. "This is exactly what Mystery Inc. needs. Don't fuck it up!"

Fred sighed as he knew Helen wouldn't change her mind and hoped Daphne was okay, but he knew her well enough to know she wasn't.

"Okay, okay," Fred said, appeasing.

"Thank you!" Helen said, sounding a little resentful.

On camera, the Male Presenter, a man in his late thirties with black hair and blue eyes, looked pleased with himself as he couldn't wait to bring out his guests, especially Daphne, as he was attracted to her.

"Welcome back to Coolsville Excitement," the Male Presenter said. "I'm Jack 'The Werewolf' Jackson, and we have very special guests here tonight. The members of Mystery Inc., as it's the anniversary of their formation. So, let's welcome Fred Jones, Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, Shaggy Rogers and Scooby-Doo!"

The five of them walked out in the order their names were read out. A band played obnoxious rock and roll as they approached their seats. Men in the studio audience cheered and even made wolf whistles towards Daphne as she sat down. Daphne hated the attention she was getting as it felt incredibly sleazy, but she smiled at the men in the audience and gave a small wave. Fred wanted to run up to the men in the audience and punch their lights out. When Daphne sat down, she crossed her legs and aimed them at Jack. That didn't go unnoticed by Jack, and he smiled at her. Daphne smiled back, and she hated herself for it.

"Welcome to Coolsville Excitement," Jack said. "And Daphne, don't you stand out tonight?"

"Ooh!" the men in the studio audience chanted.

Daphne kept on smiling.

"Thank you, Jack," she said.

"I've seen you on the news and online, but I've never seen you like this," Jack said. "You've really taken my breath away,"

"Oh, should we call the hospital to make sure you're okay?" Daphne asked with flirtatious sarcasm. "I wouldn't want you dying on us because of me,"

Jack laughed obnoxiously.

"No, I think I'll be fine," Jack said. "I can take it,"

"Is there anything else you can take?" Daphne asked, hating herself for being so flirtatious.

"Ooh!" the men in the studio audience chanted again.

Jack raised his right eyebrow and smiled.

"That's something I'll discuss with you off-camera," Jack said.

Daphne laughed at this, and Fred could tell it wasn't a genuine laugh. Hearing the fake laugh coming from Daphne gave Fred a little relief. Helen loved the way the segment was going. Fred, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo sure weren't as it was obvious they weren't going to get any attention.

XXXXX

The ratings for the Mystery Inc. segment on Coolsville Excitement were climbing as the segment went on. People all over Coolsville couldn't believe what they saw regarding the flirtations between Daphne and Jack "The Werewolf" Jackson. But one person was watching it that didn't love what he was watching: The Warden of Coolsville Prison. With every passing moment, he watched the interview in his office, his blood boiled with anger.

"I have to say, Daphne, with the way you're not wearing stockings, and the way you've got your legs crossed at me, it reminds me of a certain scene in the classic movie 'Basic Instinct',"

The men in the audience cheered and wolf-whistled while Daphne smiled for the cameras. She looked at the men in the studio audience.

"Thanks, guys," Daphne said to the men, and then she returned to Jack. "Well, I hate to disappoint you, but I am wearing underwear, and I'd hate your censors to have a field day with you tomorrow,"

Jack laughed at that.

"Yeah, that's definitely true," he agreed.

Daphne laughed a little, and then she stopped.

"You know what I'd really love to hear from you?" Daphne asked.

"What's that?" Jack asked.

Daphne put her left arm under her breasts and lifted them a little.

"I haven't heard you give one of your trademark werewolf howls," she said. "Would you give one just for me?"

Without hesitation, Jack howled like a werewolf, and the studio audience loved it. After that display, the Warden had seen enough, so he turned his television off. Then he picked up his television and threw it out the window below. No cars were parked below his office, so it smashed when it hit the ground.

"GODDAMN IT!" the Warden yelled. "GODDAMN YOU, DAPHNE! HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME?"

The Warden sat down and cried after watching the segment. He felt like Daphne had betrayed him worse than her becoming pregnant with Fred in high school. In his deluded mind, the Warden believed that Daphne had to know that she was meant to be his woman and that nothing would get in the way.