-- LOADING... LOADING... LOADED

     flynn simply raises his eyebrows at the other waiting for the penny to drop. though once it does the thief practically cackles. “i don’t go halves on brain bleach with a guy who is going to snitch on me.” seeing the other raise their hand to their forehead, flynn copies but a rather over-dramatic version. “how do you know? one pissed off worked could’ve gone number one in the icing batch and you would be none the wiser.” taking a lollipop out of his pocket, he unwraps it and throws it up to catch in his mouth and discards the rubbish to the floor. “a young one, huh? is he cute?” flynn looks around him as if to spot said mall cop. “i think one doth protest too much.”

“great, now i’m never eating a poptart, or any food i haven’t made with my own two hands, ever again,” he scrunched up his nose in disgust. the cackle causes will to do a double take. this whole conversation has taken a turn so strange, he doesn’t even remember how it began. “maybe i wouldn’t have to snitch on you if you weren’t about to do something that’s probably a minor infraction,” bill pointed out, his head tilting to the side. “guess i’ll just have to buy my own brain bleach... could have had such a great deal, but you ruined that.” flynn reminded bill of his students - rambunctious and always saying the strangest things to get a rise out of him. he could handle that. he wouldn’t have been able to handle an aggressive, mean, mall felon, so he’s thankful flynn is more of a joker than anything. “i don’t know, it’s usually not my forte to come to the mall to check out their cops,” he answered the question of the mall cop’s attractiveness. “fine, if i’m protesting too much, would you prefer i say i would take you to dinner then ghost you because i don’t actually want to.”

       henry is doing his usual walk around the town, greeting those he has known since moving here and picking up a few things. he could easily hire help for that but it just simply isn’t for him. however, the exclamatory words that hit the air nearly knock over the old lady mrs jenkins who he was just discussing the weather with. part of him is grateful due to the fact he can exit the conversation earlier. “are you alright, mrs jenkins? give me a moment.” he gives a curt nod and moves over to the man, pulling his handkerchief from his pocket, he uses it as a glove to grab the newspaper and then place it in the recycling bin beside the trash can. “i suggest bringing that up to the mayor and not yelling it into the street. there’s better ways to handle such things.”

“who are you to tell me how to handle problems?” bill puffed up his chest, already making assumptions about the man in front of him. he seemed like a pompous, rich, dick to will. “isn’t there something about free speech written in that little document we use as the framework for this country?” he scoffed, looking back down at the crumpled up newspaper. god, the story was awful, shocking. william wasn’t acting out because he really thought the teens were dead, he was acting out because he knew some of them. they had been students, he had seen their faces in the hallways at coolsville high school. now it was hitting him just how close to home this case was.

ᴇᴠᴇɴᴛ: coolsville pride

ᴛɪᴍᴇ: 2pm

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: the stands along the main street 

sᴛᴀᴛᴜs: open ( @coolsvillestarters· )

        daphne has no idea why the boss thought it was a good idea to have her man one of the many stands during pride. she’s meant to smile, hand out free stuff with the daily babbler in rainbow print. daphne would rather be out having fun, to have marched with everyone and go on the rides but she still has another four hours sitting here. daphne officially came out as bisexual five years ago, so this is only her fifth pride since being out. but she has attended long before that, mystery inc even had their own float at one point. the very memory of it makes her cringe with secondhand embarrassment due to the float being covered in rainbow versions of themselves and scooby peeing on it. spotting someone familiar she waves them over. “save me from boredom, you get free shit for it.”

“are you... are you really talking to me?” william asks, shocked that any member of the mystery gang would want to have any interaction with him. pride wasn’t something he usually attended - in fact, he rarely attended any town events to avoid being subjected to seeing his students or their parents out of an academic setting. yes, even teachers felt strange running into people from the school outside of the actual school. however, he’d stumbled into pride when he had just come to main street for an afternoon coffee break. “can’t say i have any clue how to save you from this boredom. would you like me to commit another small crime so you and the other meddling kids can stop me all over again?”

Bea heard the outburst as soon as she walked into the diner, and, being drawn to drama and chaos, she walked over to the man and leaned on the counter space next to him. “I think cursed is the wrong word. They’re just… on a 30-year streak of bad luck and worse karma.” Bea tried to wave at the waitress so she could place an order. “You really think those kids are…you know, kaput?”

william aggressively shoved a fry into his mouth, thinking that maybe some comfort food would help alleviate the feeling of impending doom... yeah, that was unlikely. “doesn’t the definition of ‘cursed’ have something to do with a ‘streak of bad luck’?” he asked, one of his eyebrows arching curiously. “bad karma, a curse, just plan old bad luck.... call it what you will, but you have to admit there’s something up with this place.” he leaned further forward on the counter. “i don’t know if they’re all dead. i just assume that the majority are since there’s been a lack of any substantial discoveries except for a dead body,” he shrugged. “what do you think happened to ‘em?”

      “i did not need to know you’re into water sports, dude. brain bleach ain’t cheap.” his nose crinkles in disgust before he huffs out a breath. who just casually says shit like that? flynn has to admit he’s a little intrigued by the guy. “you never know what’s in the icing on those things.” he shrugs, fllynn has actually never had a poptart. they’re not exactly something homeless people can get a hold of. when it comes to food he tends to steal stuff that doesn’t require cooking. he’s ashamed of it but he has dumpster dived for a burger he saw someone toss in. “only guy i’ve seen is well into his seventies. though if you find coolsville paul blart lemme know, wanna set some traps up to knock him off his segway.” flynn leans against the nearest wall and smirks. “roleplay already? wow, i at least expect dinner first.”

“what the hell is water sports...” it only takes a moment of thought before he realizes what the term means, “oh, nasty, man. now i need some brain bleach of my own. do you think they have a two for one special? we could each go in half for it.” bill brings a hand up to his forehead. what’s the deal with this kid and his nonchalant attitude? “i know there is a whole bunch of chemicals in that icing, a lot of things not even a spelling bee champion could get right. i’m pretty sure none of the chemicals have anything to do with piss, though,” he gagged a bit dramatically. “i saw a younger mall cop on my way to the cinnabon, but there was no segway. sorry to burst your bubble of setting a potential trap,” he shrugged. “no to both things; no roleplay and definitely no dinner. and, definitely, no bailing you out of mall jail.”

Ben merely stared at the man when he corrected his countdown and was almost tempted to cut the time down 5 minutes just because he could. “I got it the first time,” Ben stated. “You’ve got a book on hold. Not many people call to put a book on hold so I’ve got a single book here.” 

“you’re lucky i’m a fan of efficiency, otherwise i might have chosen to waste your time even more just out of spite,” william flashed a smug smile at the man behind the counter. “i’m sure your winning smile and lovely personality brings in a whole bunch of business,” he teased futher, making his way up to the cash register to pay for his book and go. “i feel so special being the only one with a book on hold.” he stuck his hands in his pockets to dig around for his wallet. “how much do i owe you?”

“What did it say?” Jessica asked as she look to the trashcan where he had thrown the paper. She knew it wasn’t good news based off his reaction and his words. But she didn’t want to go digging into the trash to see what was written. 

william was surprised that someone had reacted to his little outburst. his expression flattened out and his voice was now quiet enough that only the woman could hear him, “just reporting that one of the teens was found.” he almost felt tempted to dig the paper out of the trash to show her, but he opted to take a sip of his coffee instead. “a camp counselor... i think her name was marcy, mercy... something like that. she was found dead at the drive-in with a movie ticket in her hand,” he shrugged, the whole thing making him feel gross inside. “i didn’t read far enough to get all of the morbid details.”

snapping in faux disappointment, she shrugged. the vagabond had always wanted a furry company, but she knew that pets would be near impossible to travel with. “i’m sure that they were cute pictures, though. dogs are quite photogenic.” she smiled as went back to prepping for the night. “you have a point, but why stay in coolsville when they could go to somewhere with natural air conditioning like finland or something?” she suggested, it being one of the colder places she could think of.

“there was one real mangy looking one,” he joked, barring his teeth. “the rest were pretty cute. although, i don’t think their cuteness is enough to save me from the nightmares of that ugly one.” will sucked his teeth after taking a sip, trying to keep his face from scrunching up at the brief burn of the alcohol on his tongue. “do you have any pets?” he asked, swirling the contents of his glass. “i always had a pet in my house when i was growing up, but after i moved out of my parents’ place i never got one of my own.” bill chuckled when she mentioned finland, “i don’t think a flight to finland would be cheap. people in coolsville don’t strike me as the kind to take luxury vacations whenever they want a change of temperature. they seem more likely to buy a fan from the local home depot.”

     “first of all, who pissed in your cornflakes this morning, dude?” flynn’s brows scrunch, nose wrinkling in distaste at the other. while physically attractive, the man was talking of being a snitch which just lost him points. “secondly, if you think a mall cop who is paid the minimum wage to be harassed by karens are going to give you a reward for me bubbling up the place you’re delusional. you’ll get a pat on the back at most. where do you think you live? in a movie? and thirdly, -i have nothing else to add i just wanted to say thirdly.”

“you know, sometimes piss actually makes a good addition to my cereal,” bill’s voice was full of sarcasm, a defense mechanism for when he really wanted to go into his anger, “but, you should know, i had a poptart this morning, no added condiments.” he smirked mischievously at the mention of the mall cops being less than suitable agents of justice. “i’m sure we have at least one or two paul blart-esque security guards lurking around the mall. the type who crave to do something more than yell at some teens for shoplifting or some middle-aged women for arguing with the cashiers,” he ran his hand across his shaved head. “i get the feeling your the dennis the menace type, man, do i need to go all mr. wilson on you?”

“You know, believe it not, meddling kids have to eat, too.” Fred winked, before looking back at the food in his plate. Truthfully, it felt weird using term ‘meddling kids’ since he didn’t really associate with the other meddlers or do much meddling anymore. “I think any human being with a soul would hope these kids were alive, Bill. They’re kids.” Fred shook his head. “But I guess some people don’t really change. Still only looking out for yourself, huh? Everyone else be damned?”

“good to know that you’re self-aware of your whole groups issue with being nosy,” bill rolled his eyes as fred used the classic nickname for the mystery inc. members. “so, what have you been working on lately, mr. jones? have you been sticking your nose in this whole missing teen mess?” he asked, placing his chin in his palm. it’s how he feigns any interest. “are you saying i don’t have a soul just because i messed with eric’s little video game? i didn’t even commit a real felony, but you had to butt in anyways,” he scowled. “i have a soul, but i also have a healthy bit of realism sprinkled in.” bill almost felt tempted to walk away from the conversation, but he continued instead. “you should know, fred, some of these kids have been my current or past students. i probably know more about them than you do.”

“can’t say i do.” zia laughed, not knowing heads from tails about computers. the only use she found was to research new recipes. “the dog part sounds exciting, except you probably didn’t get to hang out with any of the fur balls.” her hands quickly going to work on his two part drink. "you know what it’s like in once the warm weather hits. everyone empties out to find a better place to be during the summer.” she shrugged as she gave him the jack and coke.

“nope, no hanging out with the actual dogs,” he laughed, pushing himself back from the bar a bit. “i did get to put some pictures of them on the website: that’s as close as i got.” will’s favorite drink had always been a jack and coke, something about it felt so timeless and easy. he accepted the drink as she passed it across the counter, taking his first sip. “i mean, this place is air conditioned right?” he asked, looking around at the pretty empty club. “i thought being anywhere less than ninety-degrees was appealing during coolsville summers.” he set the drink down on the bar, wiping the condensation that had come off on his hand onto one of the paper napkins on the bar.

Fred turned quickly in his seat at the counter. Upon realizing what the yelling was about, he tensed up. “Hey, don’t talk like that. Not in here,” he said, motioning with his head to the mostly full Crusty’s. “A lot of people know those kids, and no one wants to hear people saying their loved ones are probably dead.” Sure it was possible, but it was insensitive. Besides, Fred was sincerely hoping that wasn’t the case.

will quieted down, but now that he had the attention of fred - a face of one of the meddling kids who’d kept him from true greatness - his blood boiled even more. “ah, mr. jones, i didn’t expect to see you sitting down to have a meal at crusty’s,” he gave the other man a once over, “shouldn’t you be out there, instead,” he pointed to the door, “involving yourself in business that isn’t yours?” bill rolled his eyes, leaning against the counter. “of course you want these kids to be alive, you and that damn mystery incorporated are always expecting the best, most cheerful outcome. it’s sickening.”

“oh, hell no!” william exclaimed from his seat at the counter of crusty’s dinner. in his hands, he held the latest newspaper reporting on the body found at the drive-in. “this town is cursed as shit, next thing we know all these teens are going to pop up dead,” he shakes his head, crumpling the newspaper up and tossing it into the trashcan by the door.

ᴛɪᴍᴇ: 1pm

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: coolsville mall

sᴛᴀᴛᴜs: open @coolsvillestarters·

       flynn is beginning to lose his mind with boredom. there’s only so many times a guy can look at clothes before his mind starts considering arson. but the latter is a little harder to avoid being arrested for. so, he lets his mind mull over other plans before a smirk turns up on his lips. when an idea comes to most, it is described as a light bulb turning on- for flynn it’s turning on the entirety of las vegas. “hey, lets dump the whole clothes thing and fill every fountain in here with soap. you down?”

william couldn’t help but overhear the conversation that the young man had initiated. even if bill had been known to break the rules sometimes, something told him to put himself in the middle of these shenanigans. “first rule of committing any small prank or petty crime is to avoid announcing you’re going to do it in public spaces, man,” bill spun on his heels, holding a button down in his hands and wearing a suspicious expression on his face. “now, if i let you just put the soap in the fountains without reporting what i’ve just heard, that would make me an accessory. i definitely don’t want to be an accessory,” he put the shirt back down on a random pile. “i do, however, think i might get an award from the mall cops for reporting your little plan.”

time ; 9:50 location ; binders books @coolsvillestarters· ; open

At the quiet ringing of a bell, Ben looked up at the store’s door opened and someone entered the shop. There were mere minutes left before he could lock the shop up and fully focus on the book before him rather than helping people on and off. “We close in ten minutes,” he instantly said in lieu of a warm greeting. Not that Ben was known to be warm or friendly but his customer service skills needed a lot of work. He was better working alone in his home or a café with his headphones in rather than having to help people. “nine minutes and fifty seconds. 

“actually, it would be t-minus nine minutes and fifty-five seconds when you said that,” bill corrected, looking at his watch. “now,” he lifted a finger, “it’s t-minue nine minutes and fifty seconds.” he had come in for just one book, hopefully he’d be in and out. “i called in earlier to place a hold on a book - ‘you don’t know js: up and going,’“ he explained, placing his hands in his pockets as he looked around. “it’s by kyle simpson and the hold is for william mclemore.”

TIME 10:30pm LOCATION the faux ghost @coolsvillestarters·

tuesday nights were a love/hate for her. zia loved the juxtaposition of the blaring music and the near empty club around her. it made her job a hell of a lot easier but the tip jar was usually famished. prepping some limes and lemons, she looked up to greet the patron with a nod. “please tell me your day was most exciting than mine.” she chuckled. “what’ll ya have?”

bill entered the club not expecting much, but he was on summer break just the same as his students and decided a drink would be the best way to ease him to sleep. he tapped his wallet on the bar as he sat down, smiling at the bartender when she asked about his day. “can’t tell you it has been very interesting. unless you find coding the website for a dog groomer titillating,” he joked, pushing his glasses further up his nose. during the summer, he took up a job as a freelance coder to bring in money that was not coming from the school district. “give me a jack and coke, please,” he ordered, leaning forwards on the bar. “has it been this quiet all night?”

{ winston duke, cis male, he/him } ZOINKS !!! is that { WILLIAM “BILL” MCLEMORE } snooping around coolsville? they’re { THIRTY-THREE } and they’re a { COMPUTER TEACHER AT COOLSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL }. words going around that they’re { INVENTIVE } and { PERSONABLE }. but i wouldn’t cross them cause they can also be { ENVIOUS } and { KNOWN TO HOLD A GRUDGE }! i’ve heard they’re wanting to { AVOID } that new mystery that has cropped up! coolsville wouldn’t be as cool without them!

*reminder that i’m not pre-plotting just going right into writing! i will be responding to starters tomorrow and i would love to post a starter to help get things rolling!