@chibisashimi requested: “a pretty, frothy Sense and Sensibility type fake movie staring Nicole Beharie, Chadwick Boseman, Gina Torres and Lawrence Fishburne.”

The music that came up: Postmodern Jukebox’s cover of Rhianna’s We Found Love

Yellow Diamonds -- When Lord Willoughby dies quite suddenly of a fever, the estate is set into an uproar.  His only two sons, Arthur and Fredrick (Fishburne and Boseman), had a falling out with the family ten years ago and have not been home since.  Rumors have swirled since they day they left -- of the great tragedy that caused the family to scatter to the winds, of fathers betrayed and sons disowned -- but no one has ever been able to confirm the truth of it all.

Now both of the prodigal sons must return home -- each having made something of themselves, each having married, each having reason to think their claim on the estate is stronger than the other.  Their first meeting ends most unfortunately with raised voices and ugly recriminations.

Now their wives -- Isobella (Torres), a naturalist who would rather spend time with her flowers and bees than at balls, and Beatrice (Beharie), the daughter of a Carribean governor whose fiery pen is well-known, even in these country hills -- must forge a friendship and find a way to bring their newfound family  together, to bring old secrets to light, and to put old jealousies to rest.

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Zoe AlleyneWe don’t know anything about Zoe before she signed up for the army, but I like to think she was the sweet, most favored younger daughter of a very happy family.  To that end, something floral and non-alcoholic for her teenage years:

Mint leaves2oz Elderflower cordial2oz pink lemonade4oz Juniper Dry

Muddle mint at the bottom of a glass.  Add ice, mix remaining ingredients gently and pour over ice.

--Lt. ZoeThey didn’t have much down there in the trenches, just a slug or two of something that’d peel paint, but when they got leave and got to a bar she liked to order something that made her think of home.1 pint dry apple cider1 shot bourbon

Take two swings of the cider before you drop the shot in the glass.  Don’t you dare waste anything so precious by letting it flow over the top.  

--

Zoe WashburnWhen they got married, they had champagne of course, this tiny little bottle of faux-grape fizz that was truly awful, so bad it made them laugh and laugh and laugh.  They didn’t even finish it until the morning after, over a quick but filling breakfast so they could get back to work. So of course when it was a special occasion, she likes to order something that makes her smile.

4oz champagne or sparkling white wine1oz vodka1oz lemon juice (or a packet of whatever dry lemon flavor crystals are onboard)1 spoonful of berry preservesMix liquid ingredients and pour into a glass.  Add the spoonful of preserves (preferably cherry, but any berry will do) and stir until the sweetness goes all through the drink.

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Fake movie meme: @shinysherlock says:  Fake movie cast--use as many or as few as you like: Ruth Negga, Angela Bassett, Rosario Dawson, Queen Latifah, Gina Torres, Anthony Mackie, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Ealy, and Billy Dee Williams. :)

Music that comes up: Mountains O Things - Tracey Chapman

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Final Bequest: a fantastical tale of unlimited potential, starring  Ruth Negga, Angela Bassett, Rosario Dawson, and Queen Latifah

At 1:22 PM on January 1, 20XX, someone dies.  No one knows who they are, or what they did in life.  They are unremembered, largely, and their passing goes unremarked on in the press -- not even an obituary in the local papers.  

In life they preferred to listen, to absorb, to acquire -- but in death they had something to give.  Four very important women each answer their phone and suddenly find themselves with near-unlimited wealth and a puzzling gift.

As the women find themselves connecting over and over again in more and more impossible ways, they begin to realize that there are no coincidences, and that these final bequests were given by someone quite extraordinary indeed -- and whether it’s magic, technology, or all that and more, they must forge a fellowship and stop what’s coming.

To Alegria Garcia -- economist of wit and vision -- I leave my left eye, both literal and metaphorical.  May the future you now see drive you to create a better one.

To Tanisha Johnson -- noble councilwoman and civil servant -- I leave my pocketwatch and faithful companion.  May she guide you as she guided me to be in the right place at the right time.

To Marissa “Missy” Bello -- mother, sister, wife, daughter -- I leave the key to my home.  May you learn to navigate its impossible corners and find what is needed in this time of trial.

To Ava Martin -- rabbi of uncommon wisdom -- I leave faith, true and pure.  May you save us all.