Rotten Apple, Sweet Nightshade
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ Feburary 14, 1969 ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆
The train ride was… Long. Annoying, honestly. But, oddly enough, I was the only one on it. I don't even recall seeing a conductor? Honestly, I barely remember most of the ride. I think I fell asleep a couple times.
But, I'm here. In.. Hell, I guess. That's what I've come to consider it after today, anyhow. Franklyn said it was "safe" here. That it would be a new, fresh start. An escape. That's what he claimed when he called me anyways. I say this place is too colourful and damn haunted. But whatever. Frank said it's safe. Fucking liar.
From the moment I got here, I could just.. Tell? I could tell there was something off about this place. For one, the house in the center of the town has a name, and it has eyes, and everyone fucking talks to it like it's normal and not concerning at all? For two, rip-off Elvis is just a freak. Don't really recall his name? Wally, I think? I don't know. He acts all nice and charming, and while Frank seems to trust him, he's just… Creepy. I don't like him. Honestly, I'd take my chances fighting my own father than stand near him.
And Wally has a few siblings who.. Aren't much better? There's Char and Salem, I know. I don't know the other two's names, though. I'm kind of just doing my best to avoid them all, being honest. I just want to take some time to adjust. It's not terrible here so far, just eerie, and I've already set up my protections around the house. I think I should be okay?
I don't know. My brain is all jumbled, partly because of the new environment, partly because of.. Everything else??? I still have a lot to take care of. I'm just trying to live. Can't seem to think clearly anymore, can't seem to catch a break.
"A new start." It better be. I hope it is. I hope I'm just paranoid, as always. Maybe my mind is just getting to me. Maybe everything will be okay.
Well, I should go work on my plants… Somehow, I already have a greenhouse in the backyard. Frank said it was normal for the… Neighborhood to "conform" to newcomers, I guess. I'm putting a lot of faith in my brother on this one. I hope its normal. I hope I'm just overthinking.
𖤐 - Darsey
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February 14, 1969. 𑣿 Wallace
𑣿- I didn't think today could get anymore… Difficult. I was expecting the new neighbor, of course. Franklyn told me about him. Supposedly the quiet type, sweet, soft spoke… Supposed to be… Easy to handle. HA! Imagine my surprise when he was quite the opposite! Honestly, I think the only thing that saves that slimy little rat from getting smacked is that he's pretty… But that's not the point.
𑣿- The new neighbor, outside of being.. Odd.. Is rather jumpy. He doesn't talk to anyone, and after I showed him around, he practically scurried off to his house, coward he is. I almost feel sympathy for the poor thing. But, at least he'll probably just.. Stay out of the way for the next few days. Or, so I hope. I'm not a fan of people like him. Curious, inquisitive, and immediately suspicious. Acting like he can come into MY home and question things…
𑣿- Maybe he'll shape up. Fall into line like everyone else. I hope so. Father says he will, just give him time. "New Environments Are Stressful For Everyone". Whatever that's supposed to mean… I've never seen anyone THAT jumpy. JULIE scared him! JULIE! What the hell is scary about Julie?
And on TOP of that, he was just downright crass. Pompous little ball of anxiety and anger… But sure. I'll give him time to adjust. He better adjust quickly, though. I don't really want to have to "correct any behavior", or however I'm supposed to word that so it doesn't sound creepy as hell… I don't want Frank to worry.
𑣿- Anyhow, I'm certain I'll write again soon. I have.. Business to attend. Have to go back to my act of being clueless. "Innocent little Wally." I wish we weren't always on air. I hate it here.
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(The TELEPHONE rings, thrice. WALLY picks up the phone, holding it up to his ear. He looks at the camera and smiles.)
(Monotone, to audience)
Hello, Neighbor. Welcome back Home! Ha ha ha.
(HOME creaks. It sounds like ".- ... -.- / - .... . -- / .... --- .-- / - .... . -.-- / .- .-. . --..-- / .-- .- .-.. .-.. -.-- .-.-.-".)
(WALLY blinks, looking off camera. He nods, tilting his head.)
Right. How could I forget, Home?
(WALLY looks back at the camera.)
How are you today, Neighbor?
(A pause, as if waiting for an answer. And then a nod.)
I am... good. Home and I have been waiting for your call. It is always nice to have you around. Should we go check on the other neighbors? What do you think, Home?
(HOME creaks again. The faint sound of a door closing.)
EXT. THE NEIGHBORHOOD - MORNING STILL
(The Neighbors are all out this morning. JULIE is playing hopscotch. FRANK is tending to his garden. EDDIE is delivering mail. BARNABY and HOWDY can be seen talking in front of the BODEGA. SALLY can be seen exiting the THEATRE. WALLY walks over to FRANK, standing and tilting his head. The camera view is angled slightly lower than his eye level.)
(He taps FRANK on the shoulder, startling them. He is monotone as he speaks.)
Good morning, Frank.. What are you up to, today?
(Despite jumping upon being startled, they brush themself off. His hands and sleeves are covered in mud.)
O-Oh! Wally! Good morning. I was just tending to my garden. Julie said she'd help, but… I honestly haven't seen her doing anything other than playing games.
(Looks at the flowers.)
I can see that.
(Looks at the camera, then back at FRANK.)
Would you like to say "hello" to Neighbor?
FRANK stands up, dusting themself off. WALLY almost mimicks him before FRANK shakes their head.
(Looks at camera with a tired smile.)
Hello, You. Glad to see you're back today!
(They clasp their hands together.)
I suppose you're here just in time. Or, rather, before Julie comes to drag us all into a game.
(A laugh, dry.)
I am not looking forward to today, honestly.. I fear I didn't much sleep last night..
(He tilts his head as he looks up at FRANK.)
Oh.. Why could you not sleep, Frank? Is there anything we could do to help?
FRANK shakes his head, looking over his shoulder at DARSEY's house.
No, no. I was going to go visit Darsey later. He should have some sort of solution. The, ah, Remderem isn't working for me, so...
Speaking of DARSEY, he walks out of his house. Much like FRANK, he looks tired. ████████████
꩜…. To be quite honest, I wouldn't have cared if he stayed in his house. Lazy little rodent.꩜
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February 15 ꩜ Ixeus Darling… "Home"
꩜ - A new neighbor arrived on Valentines. Trying to properly fit her- him?- Into the script is getting increasily difficult…They're a pest. Don't speak, don't leave their house.
꩜- I've instrusted Wallace to be patient, but the poor boy is itching for some sort of confrontation. I cannot say I particularly blame him. "Darsey", as is the cat's name, is certainly a difficult creature. They've been rude, stand-offish, and paranoid since getting here. Not to mention their sneaking around at night. I understand they just got here, but I cannot fathom their reasoning for avoiding everyone.. Especially when they are no doubt some sort of powerful. Another demon, if their eyes are anything to go off of. However, I have yet to get a.. Decent.. Enough read on them to know if I should be keeping an eye on them.
꩜- Perhaps I'll give them another few days or so.. I could have Wallace give them a phone call, perhaps that will help them settle in… I'd like them to be involved in this wonderful community I've set up, after all. Especially after I worked so hard to have Wallace convince Franklyn to send for them. Either way, these scripts won't write themselves, and Juliette keeps breaking from hers. Perhaps another talk is due, though I am less than thrilled about the idea of antagonizing the poor gal… She is doing her best, but alas, a few behavioral fixes are due. Same with Barnaby, but my darling Poppy isn't going to forgive me easily if I… Chat.. With him. Whatever. The Neighborhood, and it's safety, come much before others' happiness.
