Life in Gray Lake

[PrezGAR]

(At the Mall Zord Multiplex, Bruce, Cassidy and Kitty are leaving one screen.)

Bruce: Did you like the movie?
Kity: I did. I wish I could be Puss in Boots for Halloween.
Cassidy: You've already got your costume.
Bruce: Yeah, going as your Mommy.
Cassidy: She's following in my footsteps.
Kitty: I want a kitty.
Bruce: We'll see if they have one at the toy store.
Kitty: No, a real one.
Cassidy: Cats are a lot more to take care of than a goldfish. I certainly wouldnt want to clean a litter box.
Kitty: What's a litter box?
Bruce: A cat's potty.
Kitty: Oh.

(Elsewhere, Brian and Kim are leaving a different screen.)

Kim: Musketeers are so dashing.
Brian: Yes, we were.
Kim: You were a musketeer?
Brian: I was. The called me Le Flou Argent. The Silver Blur, because of how fast I was with a blade. And for a while, I was the personal bodyguard of Louis XIII.
Kim: I'm always learning new things about you. And we've still got several thousand years together.
Brian: Never stop learning. Keeps our marriage interesting.

<Tbc...>

[PrezGAR]

(Monday morning in Gray Lake. Ronny has been up since before the sun, getting everthing ready for her annual Halloween party. Oliver, in costume, gets ready to leave for the library.)

Ronny: You forgot to shave.
Oliver: Haha. I figured I go as Dumbledore this year, since I bought that wand for my office.
Ronny: And he is a literary character, not just a movie one.
Oliver: Exactly. The boys should be waking up soon.
Ronny: And then I can get them into their costumes.
Oliver: I think they'll make a cute little TweedleDee and TweedleDum. The advantage of having twins.

(Oliver oulls down his fake beard to kiss Ronny, and leaves.)

<tbc...>

[PrezGAR]

(It's morning in Gray Lake. As Carolyn is getting ready for school, Ben walks in with a DVD.)

Ben: Hey Dana, look what I found?
Dana:What is it?
Ben: Those PSAs we did back in Mariner Bay.
Carolyn: What's a PSA?
Ben: You remember the commercial you did with me about drunking and driving?
Carolyn: Yeah.
Ben: That was a PSA. It stands for Public Servive Announcement. Before you Mom and I got married, your Grandpa thought it would be a good idea for s to do some for the people back in Mariner Bay.
Carolyn: So you were on TV, like Aunt Cassidy?
Ben: I wasnt. But you know everyone else you'll see.

(Ben puts in the DVD. There's just over 9 minutes of them.)

Carolyn: How come you arent in them, Dad?
Ben: Because I was directing them.I had the skills needed, thanks to Uncle Bob and Uncle Brian.
Carolyn: There's Uncle Ryan, skating with Walter's mom. I dont see Walter's dad.
Dana: He didnt want to be in them.
Carolyn: I still havent seen you, Mom.
Dana: Oh, I'm in there.
Ben: Yeah. I saved the best for last.

(ooc: The PSAs can be seen here: youtu.be/qWRon6kKmtc )

<Tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

(This happened recently)

(Grey lake hospital ICU)
Melissa: I can't believe you forgot your medicine.
Rainbow: I am sorry.
Melissa: We need a contract. We will write it up and have Bill witness it.
Rainbow: fine.

[PrezGAR]

(Across the street from the hospital, Ben and Dana are having lunch.)

Dana: We need better choices in the area. Unless you'd rather eat in the employee cafeteria.
Ben: I'm sure the food is much better here.

(Their meal is interrupted, by Ryan.)

Ben: If this is just an excuse to see your sister, you dont need one. You do have a standing dinner invitation.
Ryan: I wish it was. We've got a situation. Hostages taken at GLU.
Ben: So much for for a peaceful lunch.
Dana: Duty always calls.
Ben: I need to call Brian
Dana: To inform him of the situation?
Ben: And to find out Willy's class schedule. He could be right in the middle of it.
Dana: I keep forgetting he's a freshman.
Ben: Get the ER ready, and hope we dont need it.
Dana; Be careful. Both of you. Especially you, Ryan.
Ben: Why not me?
Dana: Because there's an X3 waiting if anything happens to you. (whispered) But I know nothing will happen to you.

(Ben smiles as he and Ryan leave. At Gray Lake University, two gunmen are holed up in the science building, with at least 30 hostages, faculty and students, including Willy. Only one hostage has been released; Rose.)

Rose: I know I should have started my maternity leave early. I hope Luke isnt worrying.

(Inside...)

Gunman 1: OK, everyone just keep nice and quiet, and no one will get hurt.
Willy (Thinking): Maybe I should signal Mom and Dad, using the silent mode on our Raptor Coms?

<Tbc...>

[PrezGAR]

(Ben and the SWAT team arrive at Gray Lake University, as do Cassidy and Devin.)

Cassidy: We're live at Gray Lake University, where two masked gunmen have taken hostages in the science building. So far, one hostage has been released. Professor Rose Ortiz-Clark. Professor Clark tells us she was released due to being in the third trimester of her first pregnancy, and the gunmen did not want to risk her going into early labor. We suspect one of the hostages may be Mayor Crowmeowme's son, Willy, a freshman here at GLU.

(Nearby...)

Ben: Have we got a phone in there?
Officer: No, Chief. We tred to throw one on, and they threw it back out.
Ben: We need to negotiate with them somehow. I can try Willy's cell phone. If they let him answer it.
Ryan: We dont evenknow if they know who he is. If they realize they have the Mayor's son, they could up whatever their demands are.
Ben: Until we negotate with them, we dont even know what those demands are. I just hope they didnt do this to target Willy. Like those slimeballs that took Kim last year.

<Tbc...>

[PrezGAR]

(As day turns to night, the stand-off continues. Ben's cell phone rings.)

Ben: Chief Crowmeowme.
Voice: I represent the group holding hostages in the university. Our demands are simple. The three smartest scientists will come with us. we want a private plane, fifty million in unmarked bills and ten pounds of titanium. You have until midnight.

(The caller hangs up.)

Ben: We finally have their demands. They must have a greater plan, since they want scientists. And titanium.

(Ryan chuckles.)

Ben: I don't think you're the titanium they want. You do weigh more than ten pounds. They also want 50 million and a private plane. I wonder if I should have told them they had one of the three smartest scientists and let her go already.

(Silently, two figures land on the roof of the science building. Raptor Man and Tara Dactyl.)

TD: We've got to get Willy and the others out safely.
RM: I know you're worried about him. he is our first born. But he's also a black belt. He can handle things if he needs to.
TD: I know, But to me, he's still that little baby who was potty trained by 7 months.
RM: All we need is a plan. I'll contact Ben.

<tbc...>

[PrezGAR]

The stand-off lasts through the night. As the sun rises, a crowd has gathered nearby. And as the first rays of sun shine into the window of the room closest to the hostages, Raptor Man makes his move. Tara Dactyl waits outside.)

Gunman 1: What was that?
Gunman 2: Sounded like a window opening.
Gunman 1: Check it out. If you arent back in five, someone doesnt make it out of this alive.

(The second guman goes to investigate. Raptor Man uses all the stealth of a ninja to silently subdue him, then surveys the situation.)

RM (silently, into Raptor Com): I need a distraction on the northwest side of the building. No way I can sneak in with the way the remaining gunman is facing.
TD (v/o): On it. Is Willy safe?
RM (silently): He is.

(Tara Dactyl glides down to the northwest side of the building, and places a small device against a window. She presses a button, and the glass acts as an amplifier, projecting a sound into the building. In this case, the sound of a vacuum.)

Guman: Sounds like I've ot another hostage.

(The gunman starts to look for the source of the sound, allowing Raptor Man the break he needs. He moves stealthily, disarming him with a well thrown Raptor Claw.)

Gunman: Who are you?
RM: I am Crime's worst nightmare. The saurian scourge of the sinister. I am Raptor Man.

(Raptor Man knocks him out with a swing of his tail.)

RM: Everyone go.

(Most of the hostages leave. Willy stays behind.)

Willy (in Minutiaeian): Nice work, Dad.
RM (in Minutiaeian): Your mother was worried about you. I never was.

(Willy just smiles as he leaves. As he exits the building, someone runs over to him.)

Willy: Ang?
Angela: I'm so glad you're safe. I coudnt sleep at all last night.
Willy: As you can see, I'm fine.

(Willy and Angela kiss.)

Willy: You'd better get going. You dont want to be late for school.
Angela: Teachers meetings today and tomorrow. No school.
Willy: Great. Meet me at the mall for lunch, after you get some sleep.
Angela: Count on it.

(Angela leaves. Kim, having shed her Tara Dactyl costume and hiding it in the trunk of Ben's car, walks over.)

Kim: Are you alright?
Willy: I'm fine, Mom. Hungry, a little tired, but alight. (whispered) Dad said you were worried.
Kim: I cant help it. You're still my son.
Ben: We'll need to get a statement from him, Kim.
Willy: Anything you need, Uncle Ben.

(Nearby...)

Cassidy: As you can see, this tense situation is over. The hostages are free, and GLPD officers are moving in to apprehend the gunmen. One of the hostages said they were freed by Raptor Man. Clearly, Mayor Crowmeowme must have called him in to help save his son and the other hostages.

(Outside the city, at the 4T Compound, Tori is checking her email before she and Tad head to the academy.)

Tori: Yes!
Tad: What's up?
Tori: I'm in a surfing competition, Thanksgiving weekend.
Tad: And I'm sure you'll win.
Tori: You havent heard the best part. It's in Hawaii.
Tad: So the whole family can go. It's a long weekend. Ted and Ryan wont have to be back at school until Monday.
Tori: And I;m sure you'd be willing to pay for anyone else ho wanted to go. Shane, Dustin, Cam, Sensei, Tatsu and Femme.
Tad: Of course I will. Anything for our friends. Probably would be Tatsu's first trip to Hawaii. Hopefully, Femme can get him to relax.

<tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

(More recent events re: hotline)
PRWF HQ
Melissa: I do not believe this. First, you have high sugar, now low.
We had a dance date.
Rainbow: I know my body better than you. I was dizzy.
Mary: Is dad going to be okay?
Melissa: He should be now that they corrected his medicine. He'll be back to the job tomorrow.
Rainbow: It is okay. I just need to go home and rest.
Melissa(to Rainbow): I guess that means the dance, and other things are off.

[Rainbow Ranger]

(Rainbow's house, Sunday afternoon)

Melissa: Sugar seems to be fine. You'll be back tomorrow.
Rainbow: Thanks. A day of limited schedule and I will be right as rain.
Mary: Feel better soon, dad.
Melissa(to Rainbow): Looks like that dance date will be back on the schedule for next week.
(Rainbow smiles)

(Story forthcoming. Note: I may need a passworded forum in which to post.)

[Rainbow Ranger]

(PRWF HQ)
Rainbow: That was a bad idea, dear. I nearly had a dizzy spell.
Melissa: Sorry. I was just so worried about you. I didn't think.
Rainbow: At least I recovered. No harm, no foul.
Melissa: Guess we have to take things a bit slower, then.
(Rainbow nods)

[Rainbow Ranger]

(PRWF HQ, Trainer's Office)
Trainer: You should not have been walking the halls. Sugar readings are fluctuating. I suggest you ease off a day or two.
Rainbow: Okay.
Melissa: I DO NOT want to go to the hospital again.(to Rainbow) Guess we have to take things slow as well. I do not understand how your mom dealt with this.
(Rainbow sighs)

[Rainbow Ranger]

(PRWF HQ, training ring)
Rainbow: Seems I am 100% today. I'll start limited training and should be back soon.
Melissa: That's great. The date is back on, then. I'll tell Bill.
(Rainbow nods, training)

[PrezGAR]

(Gray Lake, present day. Bob comes home for lunch. Eliza is doctring her dolls.)

Eliza: Daddy!
Bob: Hi sweety. Lot of patients, I see.
Eliza: Yeah. Mummy's in the kitchen with Aunt Dana.
Bob: I hope nothing's wrong.

(Bob kisses Elia on the head, and heads into the kithen.)

Kat: Lunch time already?
Bob: Yeah. Hey, Dana.
Dana: Hi Bob.
Bob: Is this a social call, or business.
Kat: Both. Dana's just given me some news.
Bob: Your cancer hasnt come back, has it?
Kat: No. Nothing that grim.
Bob: So it's good news, then.
Dana: The best.
Kat: I'm pregnant again.
Bob: That is the best news. Have you told Eliza yet?
Kat: No. I wanted you to be the first to find out.
Bob: And you knew she'd tell me before you could if you told her first.
Kat: Yeah. After all, she's only 4. She has trouble keeping secrets.
Bob: Yeah. Well, let's tell her now, and we can tell the boys after they get hom from school.
Kat: Alright.

(Bob walks over to the door.)

Bob: Eliza, could you cme here, pumpkin.
Eliza (v/o): OK, Daddy.

(Eliza comes in, carrying her toy doctor's case.)

Kat: Sweety, we've got something to tell you.
Eliza: What, Mummy?
Bob: Eliza, you're going to be a big sister, just like KK, Cassie and Annie.
Eliza: A new baby?
Kat: Yes. And we know you'll be a good big sister.
Eliza: I will. When will the bay be here?
Kat: Not until next year. After Sam's birthday.
Eliza: That's a long time.
Bob: It is. Come on, let's get some lunch.
Eliza: PB & J.
Bob: Anything my princess wants.

<tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

(PRWF HQ, Commissioner's office)
Rainbow: Strange day. 380 to start, and now, 220.
Melissa: Must have been that snack you had last night. Luckily, we have a new doctor to see you soon.
Rainbow: I'll be more careful.
Melissa: At least you are better now. Our dance is still on, health permitting.

[Rainbow Ranger]

(PRWF HQ, Thursday morning)
Rainbow: 212.
Melissa: You sound better.
Rainbow: I feel great.
Melissa: If this keeps up, you should be in action Monday. Our date is on. Call it a celabration.
Rainbow: As long as Bill is ready, I am.
Melissa: He is. Same place, same time.
(Melissa kisses Rainbow)
Melissa: You know I was scared. Now, I just want to be me. Relax, dance, the usual.

[Rainbow Ranger]

(This happened last night. True Story.)
(Gray Lake Revival Church, about 7pm)
Melissa: Please, just have an open mind.
Rainbow: I always do. Why did Tanya suggest this?
Melissa: Wish I knew.
(The service begins. At about 8:30, a visiting pastor from Stone Canyon begins his sermon and asks for people who need healing. Rainbow is first in line, Melissa behind him.)
Rainbow: I believe!
(The pastor, guided by some spiritual force, figures out what ails Rainbow, then Melissa.)
Rainbow: I am just stunned.
Melissa: So am I. He works in unusual ways.
(Later, the pastor again names specifically what is wrong with Rainbow: sugar diabetes.)
Rainbow: Wow.
(The service ends at about 10:30. Melissa grabs some refreshments.)
Rainbow: Without belief, there is no healing. I believe.
Melissa: Let's not tell Mary, ok?

[PrezGAR]

(Morning, just outside of Gray Lake. Tori is making Orion's lunch for school, while Tad is giving Tabitha her breakfast.)

Tad: Ready for another spoonful?
Tabitha: Yeah, Daddy.
Tori: Just think, next week at this tme, we'll be in Hawaii.
Tad: And you'll do great in that competition.
Tabitha: Yeah, Mommy's the best.
Tori: You know I'll do the best I can.
Tad: That's all anyone can do. Too bad we hae to leave before the parade.
Tori: We can record it.
Tad: I'm sure Uncle Bruce would get us a copy.
Tori: Yeah.

(Tori looks at the time.)

Tori (yelling): Hurry up, Ryan. You'll be late for school.
Tad: Be careful not to make him too angry, Tor. If he's even half as powerful as his father...
Tori: I know. Someday, I know he'll finally be a good boy And treat you the way you deserve.
Tad: Until then, I've got Tabby. She's Daddy's girl.

(Tad leans down, and Tabitha kisses him.)

<Tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

(Rainbow's House, Monday Morning)
Mary: Mom seems so happy today.
Rainbow: Of course she is. I am home, healthy and active once again.
Mary: You sure there isn't anything else?
Melissa (from her room): No.
Rainbow: What makes you say that? You hear mom and dad last night?
Mary: No.
Melissa: I'll be out in a moment.
Rainbow (thinking): I am glad Mary doesn't know. But maybe she should... or not.
(Melissa comes out, dressed normally, and smiling)
Mary: Mom!
Melissa: I am okay, dear.
(Melissa smiles at Rainbow)
Melissa (to Rainbow, sotto voce): Thanks for last night.
(Rainbow nods)
Mary: What did mom say?
Rainbow: She just thanked me for taking her out for the dance.
Mary: I see.

[Rainbow Ranger]

(Rainbow's house, Thanksgiving day)
Rainbow: I told them I wanted to celabrate with my family. Considering my recent scare, they allowed me to stay here.
Melissa: I like your new doctor. This should work.
Rainbow: I hope so. Let's see... Turkey, rolls, cheese, dip, bread, pies, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy...
Melissa: I think we have enough. Even with Bill and Sandy.