#Deputy/psychologist Ben

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Took a while but my masterlist is done there will be open requests for now while I work on some of my own ideas so here it is

Masterlist:

Nics

Faith

Grace

Kate

Gibbs

Abby

Ducky

Mcgee

Ziva

Jimmy

Jack

Kasie

Jessica

Jenny

Vance

Tony

Ellie

Nick

Reeves(Clayton)

Alex

Maddie

Kelly

Kayla

Emily

Johnny

morgan

Tobais

jackie

Ncis new orleans

Naomi

Dwyane

Laurel

Chris

Sonja

Meredith

Loretta

Sebastian

Patton

Tammy

Hannah

Quitnten

Connor

David

Jimmy

natilie

Ncis la

Chris O'Donnell

G. Callen

Main

Peter Cambor

Nate Getz

Main

Recurring

Guest

Recurring

Guest

Daniela Ruah

Kensi Blye

Main

Adam Jamal Craig

Dominic Vail

Main[a]

LL Cool J

Sam Hanna

Main

Linda Hunt

Hetty Lange

Main[b]

Guest

Barrett Foa

Eric Beale

Main[c]

Eric Christian Olsen

Marty Deeks

Guest

Main

Renée Felice Smith

Nell Jones

Main[d]

Guest

Miguel Ferrer

Owen Granger

Recurring

Main[e]

Nia Long

Shay Mosley

Main[f]

Medalion Rahimi

Fatima Namazi

Recurring

Main[g]

Caleb Castille

Devin Rountree

Recurring

Main

Gerald McRaney

Hollace Kilbride

Guest

Recurring

Guest

Recurring

Main

Ncis hawaii

Alex

Julie

Maggie

Carla

Jane

Daniel

Ernie

Kathrine Marie "Kate"

Jesse

Kai

Rizzoli and isles

casey

lyida

Jane

Maura(dn)

Angela

Vince

Barry

Susie

Nina

Frankie

Tommy

Tj

Sean cavangh

Constance

Hope

Calin

Womens murder club

Linsday

Claire

Cindy

Jill

Inspector Warren Jacobi (Tyrees Allen) – Lindsay's loyal partner. He was up for the lieutenant position that went to Tom, but has not expressed much disappointment that he didn't get the job, seeming to prefer field work to the politics of the higher position. He also seems to prefer the finer things in life, having an affinity for wine, 30-year-old whiskey, and opera. He is thrice-divorced and has a child from one of those marriages.

Lieutenant Tom Hogan (Rob Estes) – Lindsay's ex-husband, who in the first episode was promoted to lieutenant and assigned as her boss. He is engaged in the pilot and has remarried by "To Drag and to Hold," but he still worries that Lindsay's obsession with her work will consume her. Tom was played by Christopher Wiehl in the unaired pilot.

Deputy District Attorney Denise Kwon (Linda Park) - Jill's immediate superior at the DA's office, she clashes with her over her "bleeding heart" style. She is also antagonistic towards Jill due to her past romantic history with Hanson North. When the show returned after the writers' strike, the first episode credits no longer showed her name. But by the second episode, she was back in the credits as a series regular.

Recurring cast[edit]

Luke Bowen (Coby Ryan McLaughlin) – Jill's ex-boyfriend. He is an ER doctor at the fictional Mission Cross North. Jill and Luke have recently broken up after he finds that she had slept with Hanson.

Hanson North (Kyle Secor) – Defense attorney who has a romantic history with Jill and is currently seeing her boss, Denise Kwon.

Ed Washburn (Jonathan Adams) – Claire's husband. Currently uses a wheelchair full-time after being shot while serving as a police officer.

Heather Hogan née Donnelly (Ever Carradine) – Tom's new wife. She is a kindergarten teacher who is eco-friendly, planning a green wedding.

Pete Raynor (Joel Gretsch) – Lindsay's love interest in season 1, who is in town for only two weeks.

Law and order

Actor

Character

Rank/Position

Seasons

Notes

Regular

Recurring

Guest

George Dzundza

Max Greevey

Sergeant

1

Chris Noth

Mike Logan

Junior Detective

1–5

Appeared in Exiled

Dann Florek

Donald Cragen

Captain

1–3

5, 10, 15

Appeared in Exiled

Michael Moriarty

Ben Stone

EADA

1–4

Richard Brooks

Paul Robinette

ADA

1–3

6, 16–17

Steven Hill

Adam Schiff

DA

1–10

Paul Sorvino

Phil Cerreta

Sergeant

2–3

3

Jerry Orbach

Lennie Briscoe

Senior Detective

3–14

Appeared in Exiled

Carolyn McCormick

Elizabeth Olivet

Psychologist

3–4

5–7, 13–14,

16–18

2, 9–10, 19–20

S. Epatha Merkerson

Anita Van Buren

Lieutenant

4–20

Appeared in Exiled

Jill Hennessy

Claire Kincaid

ADA

4–6

Sam Waterston

Jack McCoy

EADA,

Interim DA,

DA

5–17,

18–present

Appeared in Exiled

Benjamin Bratt

Rey Curtis

Junior Detective

6–9

20

Appeared in Exiled

Carey Lowell

Jamie Ross

ADA

7–8

10–11, 21

Angie Harmon

Abbie Carmichael

ADA

9–11

Jesse L. Martin

Ed Green

Junior Detective,

Senior Detective

10–16

17–18

Dianne Wiest

Nora Lewin

Interim DA

11–12

Elisabeth Röhm

Serena Southerlyn

ADA

12–15

Fred Dalton Thompson

Arthur Branch

DA

13–17

Dennis Farina

Joe Fontana

Senior Detective

15–16

Michael Imperioli

Nick Falco

Junior Detective

15

16

Temporarily assigned

Annie Parisse

Alexandra Borgia

ADA

15–16

Milena Govich

Nina Cassady

Junior Detective

17

Alana de la Garza

Connie Rubirosa

ADA

17–20

Jeremy Sisto

Cyrus Lupo

Junior Detective,

Senior Detective

18

18–20

Linus Roache

Michael Cutter

EADA

18–20

Anthony Anderson

Kevin Bernard

Junior Detective,

Senior Detective

18–20

21

18

Jeffrey Donovan

Frank Cosgrove

Junior Detective,

Senior Detective

21

22–present

Camryn Manheim

Kate Dixon

Lieutenant

21–present

Hugh Dancy

Nolan Price

EADA

21–present

Odelya Halevi

Samantha Maroun

ADA

21–present

Mehcad Brooks

Jalen Shaw

Junior Detective

22–

Law and order svu

Jenna

Maureen

Kathleen

Richard

Elizabeth

Eli

Noah

Jessie

Mason

Billie

Olivia

Elliot Stabler

Christopher Meloni

Sr. Detective

Main

Recurring

274

Olivia Benson

Mariska Hargitay

Jr. Detective (S1–12)

Sr. Detective (S13–15)

Sergeant (S15–17)

Lieutenant (S17–21)

Captain (S21–)

Main

508

John Munch

Richard Belzer

Sr. Detective (S1–8)

Sergeant (S9–15)

Main

G

326

Donald Cragen

Dann Florek

Captain (S1–15)

Main

G

G

332

Monique Jeffries

Michelle Hurd

Jr. Detective

M

25

Alexandra Cabot

Stephanie March

Assistant DA

Main

G

R

M

R

G

97

Fin Tutuola

Ice-T

Jr. Detective (S2–8)

Sr. Detective (S9–19)

Sergeant (S19–)

Main

476

George Huang

BD Wong

Psychiatrist (S2–15)

R

Main

Guest

G

230

Casey Novak

Diane Neal

Assistant DA

Main

G

R

112

Melinda Warner

Tamara Tunie

Chief Medical Examiner

Recurring

Main

Recurring

G

Guest

226

Chester Lake

Adam Beach

Jr. Detective

R

M

21

Kim Greylek

Michaela McManus

Assistant DA

M

22

Nick Amaro

Danny Pino

Jr. Detective

Main

G

95

Amanda Rollins

Kelli Giddish

Jr. Detective (S13–21)

Sr. Detective (S21–24)

Main

226

Rafael Barba

Raúl Esparza

Assistant DA (S14-19)

Defense Attorney (S21-23)

R

Main

Guest

118

Dominick Carisi

Peter Scanavino

Jr. Detective (S16–20)

Assistant DA (S21–)

Main

155

Peter Stone

Philip Winchester

Assistant DA

M

36

Katriona Tamin

Jamie Gray Hyder

Officer (S21–22)

Jr. Detective (S22–23)

Main

36

Christian Garland

Demore Barnes

Deputy Chief

R

M

25

Joe Velasco

Octavio Pisano

Jr. Detective

M

15

Grace Muncy

Molly Burnett

Jr. Detective

Law and order oc

Danielle Moné Truitt as Sergeant Ayanna Bell, squad supervisor of the OCCB task force and Stabler's current direct superior and partner.

Ainsley Seiger as Detective 2nd Grade Jet Slootmaekers, a former independent hacker who is recruited to the OCCB task force on Stabler's recommendation. She was requalified as an NYPD officer to work with the OCCB task force. In season 3 episode 16 ("Chinatown"), she is promoted from Detective 3rd Grade to Detective 2nd Grade.

Tamara Taylor as Prof. Angela Wheatley (seasons 1–2), a former math professor at Columbia University, ex-wife of Richard Wheatley, and a suspect in the hit ordered on Kathy Stabler. She committed suicide and presumably murdered Richard at the same time after discovering that Richard was responsible for her son Richie's murder.

Dylan McDermott as Richard Wheatley (seasons 1–2), son of notorious mobster Manfredi Sinatra, now a businessman and owner of an online pharmaceutical company who leads a second life as a crime boss, and was a suspect in the murder of Stabler's wife. He was presumed murdered by Angela after she discovered that Wheatley murdered their son Richie.

Nona Parker Johnson as Detective 3rd Grade Carmen "Nova" Riley (season 2, recurring season 2), an undercover narcotics detective working under Brewster's command to infiltrate the Marcy Killers. She retires from the NYPD and leaves New York after the murder of the gang's leader Preston Webb.

Brent Antonello as Detective 2nd Grade Jamie Whelan (season 3), a detective with the OCCB. In the season 3 finale, he is shot and paralyzed by Kyle Wilkie and later dies in the hospital.

Rick Gonzalez as Detective 2nd Grade Bobby Reyes (season 3–present), an undercover detective with the OCCB.

Chicago pd

Jason Beghe as Sergeant Henry "Hank" Voight, the enigmatic and often mercurial chief of the Chicago P.D.'s Intelligence Unit. Despite his brutal, tough exterior, he is loyal to the cops and detectives serving under him and highly "dedicated" to the victims of the crimes his unit investigates to the point of committing human rights violations, mainly torture, and not respecting the law. He is first introduced in Chicago Fire as a dirty cop who clashes with CFD Lieutenant Matthew Casey after Voight's son, Justin, causes an accident in which a teenager is paralyzed, and Casey, who was first on scene, had intended to testify that Justin was DUI. He is arrested by Det. Antonio Dawson for trying to have Casey silenced by force but is later released from prison and reinstated to the police force by Internal Affairs. As a result, many of Casey's colleagues dislike him, and Casey's superior Chief Boden has a love-hate working relationship with him. It is eventually revealed in the Chicago Fire episode "Let Her Go" that his dirty cop alter ego was part of an undercover operation to catch criminals and other dirty cops. Prior to taking command of Intelligence, Voight worked in the Gang Unit. His father Richard was a former CPD officer who was killed in the line of duty. Voight is a widower; his wife, Camille, died of cancer some years prior. His son, Justin, served in the Army and was killed in the last episode of season 3 while trying to help a friend. Voight took an interest in Erin Lindsay at 14 and raised her as his daughter.

Jon Seda as Senior Detective Antonio Dawson (seasons 1–6), an Intelligence Unit detective who previously arrested Voight for harassment and has since worked alongside him. Unlike Voight, he has limits on how far he will go to get criminals off the streets, as shown by the fact that he asks Halstead to stop Voight from killing anyone while on the hunt for Pulpo because he does not want it on his conscience. He and his ex-wife Laura have two children: Diego and Eva. He is the older brother of Chicago Fire character Gabriela "Gabby" Dawson. In season 4, he is offered a job at the State's Attorney's Office as Lead Investigator, which he accepts. After becoming disillusioned with the job, he returns to the unit in the first episode of season 5. In season 6, Antonio struggles with recovering from a shoulder injury and dependency on the oxycodone he is taking for the pain. After a dealer he owes kidnaps, beats, and rapes his daughter, Antonio, high on oxy, kills him in revenge. Though Voight and Ruzek manage to cover up the incident as self-defense, and Antonio successfully recovers in rehab, mayor-hopeful Superintendent Brian Kelton later gets the case reopened in order to take down the Intelligence Unit, and in the season finale, Antonio relapses after Ruzek is arrested after taking the blame for everything to protect him. In the season 7 premiere, it is revealed that Voight found Antonio and checked him into an off-the-books rehab clinic to get him clean again while also protecting his career. It was revealed several episodes later that Antonio resigned and moved to Puerto Rico to spend more time with his family.

Sophia Bush as Detective Erin Lindsay (seasons 1–4),[7] a tough Intelligence Unit detective and former CI whom Voight took under his wing when she was a juvenile delinquent. Because of this, she is closer to Voight than the other members of the unit. She has a half-brother, Teddy Courtney, who was taken by a pedophile ring at age thirteen and was found turning tricks in New York City 10 years later. She was in a relationship with her partner Jay Halstead from seasons 2 to 4. Near the end of the fourth season, Lindsay is accused of assault after she sticks her gun down a pedophile's throat in the interrogation room; facing possible dismissal from the police force, she accepts a job offer at the FBI in New York and leaves Chicago.

Jesse Lee Soffer as Senior Detective Jay Halstead (seasons 1–10), an Intelligence Unit detective who was Detective Lindsay's partner. A former Army Ranger, he is confident in his abilities and sometimes comes across as cocky. He also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, shown progressively during Season 5, later seeking therapy for it. He is the older brother of Chicago Med character Dr. Will Halstead. He was in a relationship with his partner Erin Lindsay from season 2 until she transferred to the FBI in New York at the end of season 4. He later marries fellow detective Hailey Upton in season 9. Following Olinsky's death and Antonio's resignation, Halstead becomes Voight's right-hand. He later resigns from the force early in season 10 after becoming disillusioned with the gray area the Intelligence Unit has to work in, and returns to the Army in a new job hunting drug cartels in Bolivia.

Patrick John Flueger as Officer Adam Ruzek, a younger police officer recruited straight out of the academy by Olinsky to do undercover work. He is often portrayed as an overeager amateur who dives headfirst into a situation without thinking. His parents are separated, and he split time between his father, "Disco Bob" Ruzek (Jack Coleman), a longtime patrol officer with the 26th District who lives in Beverly, and his mother in Canaryville. He was engaged to fellow police officer Kim Burgess.

Marina Squerciati as Officer Kim Burgess, a former flight attendant turned uniformed patrol officer who was Atwater's partner. She was then partnered with Sean Roman before his departure. Burgess is shot in "Called in Dead" and spends the next episode recovering. She was engaged to Adam Ruzek; the relationship is later broken off because of commitment issues. She later develops feelings for Roman before he moves to San Diego. In season 4, she is offered a job in Intelligence, which she accepts.

LaRoyce Hawkins as Officer Kevin Atwater, a uniformed patrol officer who was Burgess' former partner until he was promoted to the Intelligence Unit. He is responsible for caring for his younger siblings, his brother, Jordan, and sister, Vanessa. After his brother testifies to a grand jury about a crime he witnessed, and Vanessa is threatened with rape for her brother being a snitch, he sends them to live with their aunt in Texas.

Archie Kao as Detective Sheldon Jin (season 1), a tech and surveillance expert. He was discovered to be a reluctant mole working for Internal Affairs sergeant Edwin Stillwell, who had leverage to make him cooperate. He is found murdered in the first-season finale episode, "A Beautiful Friendship".

Elias Koteas as Senior Detective Alvin Olinsky (seasons 1–5), a veteran undercover officer and a friend of Voight who previously worked with him in the Gang Unit. Before joining the force, Olinsky served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team stationed in Vicenza, Italy. Olinsky mentions in "Called in Dead" that he has eight confirmed kills in the line of duty. At the end of the fifth season, Olinsky is arrested for the murder of Kevin Bingham, the man who murdered Voight's son, Justin, and is later stabbed to death via a hit in prison while awaiting trial.

Amy Morton as Sergeant Trudy Platt (season 2–present; recurring season 1), a sarcastic desk sergeant of District 21, and the immediate superior of the district's patrol officers. Before taking a desk job, she was a uniformed patrol officer, and worked with Dawson. She passed the detective's exam twice. Platt is married to Chicago Fire character Randy "Mouch" McHolland.

Brian Geraghty as Officer Sean Roman (seasons 2–3; guest season 7[8]), a brash patrol officer who partners with Burgess after transferring to the 2-1 from District 31. He transferred out because of his relationship with Jenn Cassidy (Spencer Grammer), who is now a K-9 officer, to avoid breaking fraternization rules. He has his own private security company on the side. After being wounded in the line of duty, and with the department feeling he would be unable to return to patrol, he resigns and decides to join the San Diego Police Department.

Tracy Spiridakos as Detective Hailey Upton Halstead (season 5–present; recurring season 4), a tough former robbery-homicide detective and Erin Lindsay's replacement following her departure to New York. Upton gets transferred to the FBI field office in New York City in season 7 episode 18, "Lines", to temporarily fill in for an agent undercover. She has great relationships with her CIs and goes to many lengths to protect them. Despite a dark turn in Season 7, she is mostly a "by the book" detective. She is married to former Detective Jay Halstead.

Lisseth Chavez as Officer Vanessa Rojas (season 7), a rookie and Antonio Dawson's replacement following his resignation. She previously worked in an undercover operations unit.

Benjamin Levy Aguilar as Officer Dante Torres (season 10; guest season 9[9]), a recruit who had a complicated past and was recruited under Detective Halstead's wing.Recurring[edit]

Samuel Caleb Hunt as Greg "Mouse" Gerwitz (seasons 1–4), the tech and surveillance expert for the Intelligence Unit who replaces Detective Jin. He had served in the same Army unit as Halstead. After he persuades Voight to get a felony expunged, he resigns from Intelligence to reenlist in the Army.

Stella Maeve as Nadia Decotis (seasons 1–2), an 18-year-old former escort and addict whom Lindsay tries and succeeds in helping. She later becomes the Intelligence Unit's civilian administrative aide and was studying to be a police officer. She was murdered by Dr. Gregory Yates in Law & Order: SVU's 16th season, episode "Daydream Believer", the conclusion of the season's second SVU/Chicago crossover event.

Jordan

Vanessa

The lizzie bennet diaries

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennet (Ashley Clements;[11] Elizabeth Bennet in the novel) is the middle Bennet sister and the narrator of most of the vlogs. She is a graduate student studying mass communications and, like her original counterpart, believes women should be highly educated and do more with their lives than simply pursue husbands. She is very close with her best friend, Charlotte Lu, who was born on the same day as she, as well as her older sister, Jane, while appearing to have a more strained relationship with her younger sister, Lydia. While it is clear that she cares for her family and friends, she can also be fairly prejudiced and quick to judge people who she perceives as condescending or a threat to her way of life, such as Darcy and, at first, Bing Lee.

Charlotte Lu (Julia Cho;[12] Charlotte Lucas in the novel) is Lizzie's best friend and often the director/editor of her vlog. Charlotte wants to be a filmmaker and convinced Lizzie to start her vlog as part of a school project. While the original character of Charlotte Lucas from the books is a minor character, Lu's role in The Lizzie Bennet Diaries has been greatly expanded; she appears in many of the beginning episodes, and, according to both Lizzie and Jane, practically lives at the Bennet house. Charlotte and Lizzie have a falling out after Charlotte accepts Ricky Collins' job offer (which Lizzie originally turned down), but the two soon reconcile.

Jane Bennet (Laura Spencer[13]) is the eldest of the Bennet children, and an overworked, underpaid merchandise coordinator in the fashion world. She is incredibly polite, sweet and, according to Lizzie, "practically perfect in every way."[14] When Bing Lee moves into town, Jane is immediately smitten with him, much to the absolute joy of her mother. Jane is devastated by Bing's sudden departure. She moves to Los Angeles for both a new job and the hope of reconnecting with Bing. She later returns to her home to support her sister Lydia through her difficulties. After this is resolved, Jane is offered a new job in New York City and reconciles with Bing.

Lydia Britney Bennet (Mary Kate Wiles[15]) is the youngest Bennet child, currently attending community college. She is "feisty, energetic, and unapologetic."[16] Lizzie, somewhat less kindly, describes her as "too old to be on any reality shows about having babies in high school."[14] She has also created a series of her own videos starring herself, her cousin Mary, and her cat, Kitty.[17] On the occasion of her 21st birthday in December 2012, she and Lizzie get into a bitter argument about Lydia's perceived immaturity, and Lydia makes plans to vacation in Las Vegas for New Year's Eve, where she meets George Wickham and begins dating. Later, after being the victim of George Wickham's money-making site, she makes up with her sisters.

Bing Lee (Christopher Sean;[18] Charles Bingley in the novel) is a young, wealthy Asian-American medical student who has moved into The Netherfield House in the same neighborhood as the Bennets. He quickly falls for Jane Bennet and begins to date her. Bing abruptly leaves Netherfield and Jane by returning to Los Angeles, breaking Jane's heart, after Darcy suggests that Jane is only engaging in a relationship with him for his money and Caroline tells him that Jane flirted with another guy at his birthday party. However, after a run-in with Lizzie during her time at Pemberley Digital, he makes a return, having quit medical school to pursue his own passions. He and Jane move to New York together in episode 92.

Caroline Lee (Jessica Jade Andres;[19] Caroline Bingley in the novel) is Bing Lee's sister. She is aware of Lizzie's vlog diaries and appears to help Lizzie keep Bing and Darcy from discovering them during Lizzie and Jane's stay at Netherfield. She has a romantic interest in William Darcy, although her feelings aren't reciprocated. She is later revealed to have attempted to manipulate events to keep Bing and Jane apart, as well as (to a lesser extent) stymie Darcy's feelings for Lizzie. Caroline reappears in the sequel, Emma Approved, as Senator James Elton's fiancé, replacing Augusta Elton, the original wife of Philip Elton, from the novel.[20]

Ricky Collins (Maxwell Glick;[21] William Collins in the novel) is a former classmate of Lizzie and Charlotte's, who asks that he be addressed only as Mr. Collins. He has formed an alliance with venture capitalist Catherine de Bourgh, to attempt a foray into the world of web video. Mr. Collins frequently visits the Bennets while in town for a few weeks and, near the end of his stay, offers Lizzie a lucrative job at his company, Collins and Collins. Lizzie turns him down, so he offers the job to Charlotte, who accepts. This decision causes a brief but bitter argument between the two best friends, but they reconcile after Charlotte invites Lizzie to visit Collins & Collins (in the fictional town of Hunsford, California), where Lizzie also learns to tolerate Mr. Collins.

William Darcy (Daniel Vincent Gordh;[22] Fitzwilliam Darcy in the novel) is Bing Lee's best friend and the wealthy heir to an entertainment corporation called Pemberley Digital. He stays with Bing and Caroline at Netherfield until they all leave for Los Angeles. He first meets Lizzie at a wedding, and she overheard him telling Bing that she was "decent enough", which is when her dislike towards him starts. He is described by Lizzie as a snobby and condescending robot, and Jane has difficulty coming up with a flattering descriptor of him, beyond "tall";[23] Charlotte, however, believes that Darcy has a crush on Lizzie.[24] For a long time, second-hand characterization is all the audience has to go by, as Darcy is referred to but never seen, making his first appearance in episodes 59[25] (only from the neck down) and 60,[26] where he confirms Charlotte's suspicions by confessing his love for Lizzie.

George Wickham (Wes Aderhold[27]) is the coach of a university swim team who forms a short-lived romantic attachment with Lizzie. He claims that though he and Darcy were childhood friends, Darcy ruined his life by withholding money Darcy's father had promised, thereby ending George's hopes of a college education.[28] He leaves town for work, eventually re-entering the story after New Year's Day, where he meets and becomes romantically involved with Lydia, as chronicled in her spin-off videos. At the same time, Lizzie learns that George gambled away all the money the elder Darcy left for him, and then took advantage of Gigi Darcy, William's sister, for more. Finally, he attempts to exploit "YouTube Star Lydia Bennet" by releasing a sex tape of the two of them online.[29]

Fitz Williams (Craig Frank;[30] Col. Fitzwilliam in the novel) is Darcy's friend and colleague. Lizzie meets him while dining with Catherine de Bourgh, Darcy's aunt and Charlotte's boss. He has a boyfriend, Brandon, whose name was officially confirmed on Fitz's Twitter, and is particularly good at making care-packages.

Georgiana "Gigi" Darcy (Allison Paige;[31] Georgiana Darcy in the novel) is William Darcy's younger sister and a graphic designer at Pemberley Digital. Her first appearance in The Lizzie Bennet Diaries was Episode 77. She is aware of the video diaries, and claims to like them. She and George Wickham were romantically involved, but this ended when William proved that George was taking advantage of her for the money. Twitter posts between Gigi and Fitz suggest that she actively tries to push Lizzie and Darcy together. She is also instrumental in helping to end George's money-making plot: though the website itself did not list his name and George had stopped returning calls, he answers Gigi when she calls him, allowing Fitz and Darcy to track him down. Thereafter Darcy bought out the company which owned the rights to the sex tape, preventing it from ever being released.

Mrs. Bennet is Lizzie's mother. She appears to be a traditional Southern woman, eager to see her daughters married and interested in little else besides neighborhood gossip. She is almost always impersonated by Lizzie.

Mr. Bennet is Lizzie's father. He appears more calm and levelheaded than his wife, though one of his favorite activities, according to Lizzie, is winding her up.[32] He has a special fondness for bonsai trees and prepares a train extravaganza every Christmas. He is often impersonated by Charlotte and Lydia.

Catherine de Bourgh (Lady Catherine de Bourgh in the novel) is Darcy's aunt and an extremely wealthy venture capitalist who is the primary investor in Collins & Collins, the new media firm run by Mr. Collins, where Charlotte accepts a job offer after Lizzie rejected it. Catherine is very attached to her sickly dog who she calls Annie Kins. She is quick with her opinions and judgements. Charlotte said that Catherine is "on Team Caroline," meaning that she wants her nephew to be with Caroline. She is impersonated by Lizzie, and Ashley Clements says her impression is a combination of Julia Child, Miranda Priestly and Dolores Umbridge.[33]

Mary Bennet (Briana Cuoco[34]) is Lydia, Jane, and Lizzie's cousin who has appeared sporadically in Lydia's vlogs and once in Lizzie's. She becomes better friends and occasional tutor with Lydia while Lydia is staying at her house despite their opposing personalities. She is often the "forgotten" character and her Twitter reads, "I am Mary, never forgotten." Mary also has a boyfriend by the name of Eddie (a subtle nod to the character of Edmund Bertram from Austen's Mansfield Park.)[35] In the novel, she is actually one of the five Bennet sisters, being the middle sister between Elizabeth and Kitty.

Kitty Bennet (Rosie of House Wiles) is Lydia's cat who appears in Lydia's vlogs. In the novel, she is actually one of the five Bennet sisters, being the second youngest after Lydia.

Maria

Clara

Chicago justice

Philip Winchester as Assistant State's Attorney Peter Stone, the Deputy Bureau Chief of the State's Attorney's Office Special Prosecutions Bureau. His father is Benjamin Stone, an assistant district attorney in New York City.[3] Stone would later become the ADA of the sex crimes bureau in New York.[4] He previously played professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization but his career ended when he tore his UCL.

Jon Seda as Chief Investigator Antonio Dawson. Before joining the State's Attorney's office, he worked as a detective in the 21st District with the Chicago P.D.

Joelle Carter as Investigator Laura Nagel. Also a former Chicago police officer like Dawson, Nagel left the force and developed an addiction to painkillers after a line-of-duty injury. She has been clean for months and is now struggling to regain custody of her daughter.

Monica Barbaro as Assistant State's Attorney Anna Valdez, Stone's second chair.

Carl Weathers as Cook County State's Attorney Mark Jefferies. He served as a Marine during the

Chicago med

Dr. William "Will" Halstead

Nick Gehlfuss

Attending Physician in Emergency Medicine

Main

April Sexton

Yaya DaCosta

Emergency Dept Nurse

Main

Recurring[1]

Dr. Natalie Manning

Torrey DeVitto

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician

Main[a]

Guest

Dr. Sarah Reese

Rachel DiPillo

First Year Psychiatry Resident

Main

Guest

Dr. Connor Rhodes

Colin Donnell

First Year Fellow/Attending Physician in Trauma & Cardiothoracic Surgery

Main[b]

Dr. Ethan Choi

Brian Tee

Lieutenant Commander, USNR; Emergency Medicine Attending Physician

Main

Sharon Goodwin

S. Epatha Merkerson

Executive Director of Patient and Medical Services

Main

Dr. Daniel Charles

Oliver Platt

Chief of Psychiatry

Main

Maggie Lockwood

Marlyne Barrett

Emergency Department Charge Nurse

Main[c]

Dr. Ava Bekker

Norma Kuhling

Second Year Fellow & later Attending Physician in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Recurring

Main[d]

Dr. Crockett Marcel

Dominic Rains

Fourth Year Resident & later Attending Physician in General Surgery

Main[e]

Dr. Dean Archer

Steven Weber

Interim Chief of Emergency Medicine and Trauma Attending Physician

Recurring

Main

Dr. Dylan Scott

Guy Lockard

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician

Main[f]

Dr. Stevie Hammer

Kristen Hager

Emergency Medicine Attending Physician

Main[g]

Dr. Hannah Asher

Jessy Schram

Emergency OB/GYN Attending Physician

Recurring

Guest

Main[h]

Chicago fire

Name

Portrayed by

Position

Seasons

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Matthew Casey

Jesse Spencer

Lieutenant, Truck 81

Main[a]

Guest

Kelly Severide

Taylor Kinney

Lieutenant, Squad 3

Main

Gabriela Dawson

Monica Raymund

Paramedic in Charge, Firefighter

Main

Guest

Leslie Elizabeth Shay

Lauren German

Paramedic

Main

Guest

Peter Mills

Charlie Barnett

Firefighter, Paramedic

Main

Christopher Herrmann

David Eigenberg

Lieutenant, Engine 51

Main[b]

Dr. Hallie Thomas

Teri Reeves

Resident Physician

Main[b]

Wallace Boden

Eamonn Walker

Battalion Chief

Main

Brian "Otis" Zvonecek

Yuri Sardarov

Firefighter

Recurring

Main[c]

Randall "Mouch" McHolland

Christian Stolte

Firefighter

Recurring

Main

Joe Cruz

Joe Minoso

Firefighter, Engineer

Recurring

Main

Sylvie Brett

Kara Killmer

Paramedic

Main

Jessica "Chili" Chilton

Dora Madison

Paramedic

Guest

Main[d]

Jimmy Borelli

Steven R. McQueen

Firefighter Candidate, Paramedic

Main[e]

Stella Kidd

[writinanon]

Search and Rescue

A small weird AU with Pokémon companions (hinted that there are teams but later on in life you tend to retire your team and only keep one or two with you at work)

Thanks to @yanderedad and @wafflii for both Ben and Dakota but also for Lysander and Spark!

And a special thanks to @azm0n for August and Emma!

  The station was a hub of activity, it was always this way when welcoming members into the fold. Ben felt Lysander nudge up against him and he smiled back at his Lucario. His companion helped him keep a level head and helped him sort through the profiles and applications with Whitehorse. This was the first time that he actually helped with the process and he was a little nervous. He hoped that his suggestions were listened to, that those he pushed forward and were hired based on his assessment they would be good fits for the county. Augustine Gutierrez and Dakota Rook were front and center for the small group, their companions easily following them. Gutierrez’s Flygon, Emma, and Rook’s Arcanine, Spark, were calmly following behind, enjoying the attention and looking at their future work partners as well. There was a small chuckle from beside him and Ben turned to see Mercy, cigarette between her lips and her Sylveon seated primly by her feet. Persephone gave a cheery greeting to Lysander and he returned it. The pair had seemingly bonded over being blue while their companions worked together being the oddballs of the sheriff’s department. As the lead search and rescue medical technician Mercy was in a strange place of working both for the hospital and for the sheriff. Ben likewise was a criminal psychiatrist who worked for the county as a criminalist and a psychiatrist deeming the few criminals of the county sane or insane as well as lending his profiling skills to the officers.

 “Not too sure about this new batch of yours. Half of ‘em have dragons and you hang out with the cutest dragon slayer of them all.” Percy purred softly and rubbed against Mercy’s leg. Ben ran a hand through his hair and took the offered cigarette when she knocked the carton toward him.

 “Eh true but we need a little variety around.” The county was made mostly of companions that were canine or ursine, with the rare feline in the mix. Which was fine but it meant that there were many people with similar views and temperaments. Change was good for the county. Mercy hummed thoughtfully and looked back over the group.

 “Any word on that freaky cult?” She asked softly, spotting John Seed, lawyer extraordinaire, and Joseph Seed, creepy religious leader, and their companions coming to greet the new deputies. John’s shiny Ninetales, Dinah, was sitting disdainfully off to the side with Joseph’s Mareep, Shiloh, was settled into its side like a fluffy burr.

 “They aren’t doing anything strange as of yet and Jacob Seed has finally actually entered into the Veteran’s Center instead of just hanging around.”

 “That Mightyena of his, Ezekiel, showing up with him?” She glanced over at the Seed’s companions and finally spotted Faith’s ball of pink Skitty next to the Mareep. Flora was a quiet Skitty, which was weird and it tended to look like it was seeing things when there was nothing around a person.

 “One or twice.” Ben confirmed settling something unnerved in Mercy’s gut. There was something not right about the way that the Mightyena would prowl around, seemingly always attempting to make itself bigger than those around him. She had seen him sizing Persephone up more than once, and while she wasn’t worried for her little gut in the slightest having one of the most powerful Pokémon in the County gave her that luxury, and never once did Jacob Seed attempt to reign his companion in. Both left her feeling threatened and she didn’t appreciate it.

 “You gonna head down and give profiles for the Center soon? Make sure they’ve all had their mental health checkup?”

 “You that worried?”

 “Mm we’re having more and more rescues in the mountains. The staff boost couldn’t have come at a better time, I’m stealing half of your deputies.”

 “You think they’re the ones behind it?”

 “Who else could it be? And don’t say Team Rocket. You and I both know a ten-year-old can beat them.” Back, long before they became adults, the pair had met on the fields of the Unova region. Both neck and neck to become the next Pokémon champion. The pair had squared off and it came to a tie. After parting ways, Mercy heading to Cinnabar Island for some relaxation and to be home for a bit, Ben had ended up going to school and becoming a psychologist. And then he decided to apply his learned skills to the police and protective departments. Mercy found her way to Hope shortly after Ben settled in, becoming a medic and rescue searcher with her beloved Persephone at her side once she had settled on a career path after becoming a Champion.

 “Maybe we’re umping the gun. The Sheriff doesn’t think anything is up and they technically haven’t done anything illegal. I mean preaching and having a following isn’t against the laws. Otherwise all those organizations would be arrested long before they have to face off against a competent ten-year-old.” They chuckled and nodded before they noticed that one of the new Deputies was heading their way. It was Deputy Rook, her Arcanine practically bouncing at the sight of Percy and Lysander. Mercy raised an eyebrow at the fire breed.

 “Hello! I’m Dakota Diane Rook!” She cheered and held out her hand. “You’re Dr. Lee, I don’t know if you remember but you interviewed me for this position.” Ben grinned and took her hand.

 “I remember.” He nodded and then motioned her to Mercy. “This is Medic Mercy she’s basically the head of search and rescue around here. If you’re ever in trouble you want her and Persephone to be looking for you.”

 “Oh wow.” Everyone was surprised when they saw Persephone’s coat, and always assumed he was a she.

 “He’s shiny but is he really that useful for search and rescue? He can’t fly.” A new voice asked and there was Deputy Gutierrez with her Flygon settled on her shoulders. Dragon and Fairy Pokémon looked at each other in acknowledgement.

 “Oh, my Percy is very good as finding things. He never misses a mark.” There was a tense moment before both women tossed their heads back and laughed.

 “This is Emma, my special guy. I’m August Gutierrez.” They shook hands.

 “Mercy Stein, search and rescue plus medical aid.”

 “I thought you were going to go introduce yourself to the other Deputies, the older ones in the department August?” Rook blinked and Gutierrez blushed glancing over at where Hudson and Pratt were talking to some of the new hired as well, introducing their companions and getting a feel for their new coworkers. “Your face got really red are you okay? Are you feeling sick?”

 “I’m fine it’s just a little hot out yeah?” She murmured looking a little panicked. Mercy watched as Percy carefully wrapped his ribbons around her wrist and sent calming feelings to her. She looked down and blinked before laughing nervously. “I’m um…”

 “Hudson can be a little intimidating on first glance but she’s really nice once you get to know her.” Ben smiled and patted Gutierrez lightly on the back. “So, what do you think of Hope County so far? Pretty different from the City, right?”

  August was sent to work in the Southern Sheriff’s department, but made sure to keep in contact with the others. Mercy had more and more disappearances on her hands, only finding a few of them normal. She remarked that the rest looked drugged but their blood didn’t come back with any known drugs or toxins. Ben helped Dakota settled in to the Central Sheriff’s department and the pair go to work trying to investigate who/what was drugging hikers heading through the southern mountain trails. His looming interview with the Veterans at the Center pushed to the back burning in the wake of all these strange events.

[unofficialkfamtranscripts]

King Falls AM - Episode Twelve: All the Pretty Flowers

View on Google Docs

Summary: October 15, 2015 - Against Ben's wishes, Sammy broaches a touchy subject after witnessing a hearse delivering white roses on his way into the station. Is it a King Falls Halloween tradition or could it be something more sinister? #RedRumRoses

[podcast intro music]

[jazz music]

Chet Well the clock on the wall is telling me that’s all, y’all. So I’m gonna mosey on down to The Red Rock bar and buy all the ladies a drink on me. But don’t try to fool me again, Dennis. This has been Chet Sebastian’s Jazz Corner. Until next time… keep it cool King Falls.

[Sammy & Ben Show intro music]

Ben Good evening, you’re listening to King Falls AM [door closing]– that’s 660 on the radio dial. [slightly irked] And this is the Sammy and Ben show— sans-Sammy at the moment.

[footsteps]

Sammy Sorry about that, Ben! everybody at home. I was just running a little late. I was j- Y-you know, I just saw the weirdest thing!

Ben Was it Chet leaving? I told him to take that fur coat off. Guy looks like he walked off a set of a Blaxploitation[1] film.

Sammy *laughs* No, I wish I’d seen that. But I was driving in tonight- I was running a tad bit late, as you can see, and I swear to you: I’m coming up Main Street, I got behind a hearse delivering these giant white rose bouquets! Like, every couple of streets the damn thing’s stoppin’!

Ben No.

Sammy No *laughs* yeah it did.

Ben … SOOOOO… Weee’ve got a great show for you folks tonight. Uh, Ernie Salcedo…

Sammy Ben.

Ben *pointedly clearing his throat* … Yes?

Sammy Okay, I can see you slashing at your neck furiously and shaking your head “no”, but the audience can’t. Sooo, what’s the issue here?

Ben *nervously* I’m sorry we… just don’t talk about this, Sammy.

Sammy So you know of it! Is it like some kind of weird Halloween thing?

Ben [flatly] Halloween? Are you serious? We don’t celebrate Halloween here in the Falls, Sammy.

Sammy WHAT? This is like friggin’ Halloween Town! You know those shops that open up every year around Halloween and close the day after? King Falls is where all those shops should move to when it’s not Halloween.

Ben Two things. 1) That’s a horrible business model, and 2) Halloween is one, big, diabetic pumpkin.

Sammy Come on? You don’t like decorating? Trick-or-treating?

Ben ALL OF IT. It’s like you’re— tempting these ghouls and goblins to come and mess with you. We get enough of that here. And again, diabetes.

Sammy Okay, I can see where you’re coming from, but I’m not gonna lie— this is kind of a surprise.

Ben What can I say? We’re more the Christmas or Arbor Day types.

Sammy Okay, so the hearse is delivering flowers. What’s the deal if it’s not a Halloween… ritual?

Ben Did you really see that? Did someone tell you to mess with me about this?

Sammy Scout’s Honor. I was late because of it! I illegally passed on a double yellow line (sorry Deputy Troy) just to skate around ‘em and make my way up the mountain.

Ben … I don’t like this. I-I don’t know that I’ve ever known anyone that saw the flowers delivered. Usually businesses and people just find the wreaths the next morning. D-Di-Did you see inside the hearse? Was it… people?

Sammy You know, I didn’t look, but I’m gonna go out on a limb and say… it was a human being.

Ben Well, that’s good. *breath* It’s something.

Sammy Okay, so the roses…

Ben [voice breaking] Damnit, Sammy! We got a show scheduled, ya know?

Sammy I’m well aware! Just fill me in about the roses and we’ll move on.

Ben [muttering] Yeah yeah, okay, so… *deep breath* Every year, around this time—

Sammy Halloween…

Ben OCTOBER.

Sammy Uh-huh…

Ben Every— October… there is a certain society of people— and I use the term “people” loosely— that congregate and deliver the rose wreaths to individuals and businesses. That’s— a fact.

Sammy And?

Ben Annnd… nobody really knows what happens after that.

Sammy [audible grin] But legend has it…!

Ben Don’t “legend-has-it” me! Nobody knows for sure! Why gossip?

Sammy Okay. What do you think happens, Ben?

Ben *breathes in* Uuuugghhhh… Well, I think people either accept this weird— invitation or… they don’t. But I can tell you, the people that don’t? Well… they don’t, last long after that.

Sammy Okay. So we’ve just went from spooky 1-800-Flowers to murder in only a few easy steps.

Ben Not- murder- per say, but… businesses that decline tend to… move away or go under. Or tragedy strikes. Sure, I-I’ve heard stories of these folks winding up on the wrong end of a funeral ceremony, but… I couldn’t prove it. Are you satisfied now?

Sammy Of course. Thank you, Ben. King Falls, you’ve heard our story, now let’s hear yours!

Ben DON’T open the phone lines!

Sammy We’re-opening-up the phone lines here at the station! 424-279-3858. Have you had contact with this demonic annual floral delivery? Hit us up!

Ben Don’t call or tweet us. Please.

Sammy Give us a call or tweet us @KingFallsAM, [smugly] Ben will personally answer every tweet #RedrumRoses[2]

Ben NOPE! Not gonna happen.

Sammy Ben…[faux sympathy] It looks like the phone lines are lighting up, buddy.

Ben I expected better of you, King Falls.

Sammy Lucky Line 1, you’re on the air with Sammy And Ben.

Pete Low-down, gossip-mongering, muckraking filth.

Ben [flatly] Pete?

Sammy [quiet and amused] Escobar?

Pete N-uh- it’s Pete. You know damn well I’m listenin’.

Ben Wwhat’s on your mind tonight, Pete?

Sammy Did your mom teach you to start off phone calls with name-calling, Pete?

Pete [faint creaking in bg] My mom taught me to… stand up for myself! Don’t start a fight, but don’t be afraid to end it.

Sammy Who’s fighting?

Pete Oh, what a short attention span you have, Sammy. Not dwelling on you and Mr. Howard Ford Beauregard III issues; you’re picking a fight with the Unknown! Ben told you to shut your trap. [very faint sounds of driving]

Sammy Heh, lemme tell you, this would a long four hours if we didn’t talk and, y’ know, sometimes you have to—

Pete Yeah yeah, I get it, Mr. Nincompoop Radio Host. [creaking] You gotta blab. But that’s something you don’t trifle with. You should know this.

Ben Sammy, you know I hate to say Pete is right about anything, but—

Pete But I’m right about this! I know you know, Ben. That’s all I need to know. Stop yapping about things you don’t understand.

Ben Thanks, Pete.

Sammy [mostly resigned] Did you have a question or an experience with the flowers, Pete?

Pete Abs-absolutely not! I– d-don’t try to get me in trouble. [car door closing]

Ben You okay over there, Pete?

Pete [failing at being nonchalant] Yeah I’m just out, and… uh, just out.

Sammy [incredulous] This time of night?

[car door slamming]

Pete Yeah! I’m- runnin’ errands and- stuff like that, y’know. ‘T’s- It’s not- it’s not your business!

Ben [literally tongue-in-cheek] Uh-huh…

Pete You’re makin’ something of this. Yer- you’re doin’ somethin’, you’re getting me invo— Stop.

Ben It’s just weird, Mr. Beauregard’s gardener is out at 2 in the morning, running errands.

Sammy So your boss doesn’t have anything to do with the roses, does he, Pete?

Pete Ben Arnold. If you’ve got a lick of good sense, I wouldn’t walk too close to Sammy for the next feww… mm— mmmm… lifetimes! He’s gonna wind up on the bottom end of an anvil.

Sammy You know, I just don’t think asking questions is the equivalent of buying ACME rocket kits and trying to catch a damn bird.[3]

Ben [semi-stern] Y’mind answering his question, Pete?

[creaking]

Pete Oh, HELL NO. You two are a couple ‘a horse patoots. I’m never listening to this show again.

Ben Until tomorrow.

Pete PETE OUT! [click, dial tone]

Ben Are you happy, Sammy? Is this what you were hoping for?

Sammy Civilized conversation is the only thing I look for. That said… I’m gonna say, it’s a tad bit suspicious.

Ben There are dots we don’t need to connect. MOVING ON!

Sammy Maybe you’re right.

Ben Folks, we’re gonna take a break to pay some bills, and we’ll be right back and on schedule.

[rattle, guitar strums]

Dale (presumably) [voice is a low murmur (for lack of a better word)] Dale’s Dollar Tree… [strum] at dirt cheap prices… [strum] it’s almost free. [guitar,western music] Hi, everybody, I’m super excited to tell you ‘bout some unbelievable deals we have right now… at Dale’s Dollar Tree. Let’s segue to the savin’s [eagle screech] Our low prices are guaranteed… Who’s guaranteeing it, you ask? … Me… [guitar stops] How do you take advantage of these savings? [strum, rattle] 1) Walk into Dale’s Dollar Tree [strum] 2) Throw somethin’ in your cart [strum] 3) Savings. [guitar] Dale’s Dollar Tree. [eagle screech]

[S&B theme]

Sammy Ladies and gentlemen, we are back and you’re listening to King Falls AM. Now we were just talking about me running late this morning, because of a, uh, hearse—

Ben [cutting Sammy off] So we’ve got a great show scheduled tonight. We’ve got Mr. Eli Goldblum on later in the hour.

Sammy And who is Mr. Goldblum?

Ben Are you kidding me? Only the most renowned post-mortal psychologist known to man! He’s on his spoken-word world tour, and this Thursday, you can see him live at the King Falls Convention Center.

Sammy … That’sss-something.

Ben Indeed! So that’s in about… forrrty minutes. Uh, we got Rose, (from Rose’s Diner, of course) calling in to talk about how the Bee Crisis is affecting her honey-baked ham specials for the- foreseeable future.

Sammy [TIL] Really? That’s something that’s happening?

Ben Come on, Sammy. This bee situation is serious business.

Sammy You get points for not buzzing or saying “beeees-ness”

Ben You don’t wanna know how hard that was…

Sammy -eh- Okay. So, how can we help with the bees?

Ben Uhhh… cut- back- on swatting them?? *awkward laugh* I-I-I don’t know for sure that’s-that’s why we’re talkin’ to Rose.

Sammy Gotcha!

Ben And our first topic of discussion this evening— was gonna be—

Sammy About the flowers.

Ben Don’t.

Sammy Okay, look. Can we open up the phone lines again? I’d like to talk about these flowers. Uh, you tell King Falls your topic, and then we’ll see what they wanna talk about.

Ben You know they’ll talk about the damn rose wreaths!

Sammy You heard it here, folks. Line 7, you’re on with Sammy and Ben.

Herschel Ugh, I can’t sleep with all this damn racket going on! You two DINGLEBERRIES keep it down!

Sammy *laugh* Herschel??

Herschel Oh, hell. Don’t make me get out of bed and give you a full blast so late at night! [muttered] Don’t even know where my slippers are…

Ben Mr… Baumgartner, you realize you called us, right? This is- the radio station.

Herschel I know who and what I called. I dialed you DICKWHISTLES because all this [mocking] cry-babying about the damn flowers. Turn that jazz fella back on so- so I can get some rest!

Sammy Chet is on from 10 to 2, Mr. Baumgartner. This is Sammy and Ben and we- talk about—

Herschel I don’t give a damn if it’s Tricky Dick Nixon calling to give me a Congressional Medal of Honor! You shut your nose holes about the damn funeral flowers. And play me some heroin-fueled American art! [click]

[dial tone]

Sammy We’re gonna count that as one for the flowers…

Ben Line 14, you’re live on the air.

Creeper Long time listener here!

Sammy [click, dial tone]

Ben Did you hang up, Sammy?

Sammy Yeeaah, sorry. I hate that guy.

Ben Line 3,*chuckles* this is King Falls AM.

Beauregard Good evening, Benjamin. Samuel. This is—

Ben Beauretard?![sic]

Beauregard *sigh* Mr. Howard Ford Beauregard the Third. My man told me that you were spreading more lies than usual on your little “radio show.” I thought I would call and clear the air.

Sammy Mr. Beauregard, can I just say, before this call goes ANY further— that we will not accept any abuse towards us or the listeners of this show.

Beauregard How cute that you think people listen to you two buffoons.

Ben That’s abuse! That’s exactly what we were—

Beauregard Oh, that’s a joke where I come from. You millennials would never have lasted back in my day. With your emotions and feelings and the like.

Ben When was that day, again, Mr. Beauregard?

Beauregard Information about myself and my family, can be found in my international, best-selling e-book, “King of King Falls” … I don’t have to answer to— well— you.

Sammy *sigh* Did you have a reason for the call tonight, Beauregard?

Beauregard Indeed, I do. While men with any couth wouldn’t speak about festivities that they know nothing aboouut—

Sammy So, you’re behind these deliveries?

Ben Also, while I would never name names and throw my friend under a bus— you should know this wasn’t the agreed upon topic of the show.

Sammy Oh, stop it.

Beauregard [agonizingly insincere] I don’t know a thing about the supposed yearly white rose deliveries you speak of. My family, nor myself, have ever been involved with such jovality.[sic] In fact, in all my years I can’t recollect such a thing.

Ben I don’t buy that for a second. Maybe you’ve never sent the roses, and— let’s play devil’s advocate and say, sure, you’ve never received them (which I doubt), but there is No Way you haven’t heard of this.

Beauregard Maybe it’s something you commoners have made up, like, uhh- the tooth fairy or the Illuminati orrr— equal rights for the sexes.

Ben I can’t deal with this guy! Just dump him and let’s take another line.

Sammy Wait… Mr. Beauregard. If you don’t care about this— and, in fact, haven’t even heard of it until tonight— why would you bother to break your Hate-Silence with us to call in?

Beauregard You’re not nearly as dumb as you look, Stevens! And while I continue to honor my statement before— I’d have to assume that this “rose” ordeal is a real thing. It’s probably a very special thing! An intimate invitation sent by the upper echelons of King Falls. A way of making amends or bring people worthy of attention, into a conversation that normally would not have been invited to have.

Ben Just for everyone keeping score at home: I took a college course on Crazy and I believe he is saying he knows that the wreath deliveries are real, and he is probably behind them.

Beauregard Time is money, gentleman. Not that you understand that concept. But instead of painting a ceremony you know nothing about as tragic and scary— perhaps it’s not. Perhaps it’s something more than that, entirely. In any case, it’s not something that should be spoken about in public. [phone pings] Ahhh… I’ll be going now, “gentlemen.” And while I do use that word lightly, perhaps take a break from your radio program and… check your door.

Ben Isss that a threat?

Beauregard Trick-or-Treat, Samuel… Benjamin. [click]

[dial tone]

Sammy I wonder what he sounds like when he has something nice to say to people.

Ben He probably hasn’t said anything nice to a person since the 60s… The 1860s.

Sammy Ya know, I didn’t mean to ruffle anyone’s feathers tonight. Especially crazy old billionaires who try to drive us off the air— so let’s just—

Ben I’M GONNA GO CHECK THE DOOR.

Sammy What?!

Ben Yeah. [chair sliding out] I’m sorry, man. Beauregard gives me the willies [squeak] and I wanna make sure there isn’t—

Sammy A sugar-glider on a noose?

Ben Too far. I was just gonna say— that he hasn’t had Pete ding-dong-ditch us- or something.

Sammy And here I thought the Williams boys had that market cornered.

Ben I’ll be back in a sec. [footsteps rushing off]

Sammy [shouting after him] Don’t talk about Pete that way, Ben! He’s never gonna listen to the show again! Alright, folks. We are just a few hot minutes away from Eli Goldblum coming into the studio to talk about, [ominous bg music starts] uh… I’m guessing- ghosts with lingering mental issues? Ah, sorry— apparitions. [footsteps rushing back] I’m holding out hope for an apparition with multiple personality disorder, but I don’t know if that’s a thing or not… [chair squeak, Ben sitting] Ben? You okay, buddy?

Ben [upset] How many times, did I ask you to stop talking about the stupid, hearse, Sammy?

Sammy What’s wrong?

Ben [sarcastic] Oh, nothing. You wanna go outside and take a look?

Sammy You know, I don’t think I want to. I’m happy with you filling me in.

Ben Well, I didn’t go outside, Sammy! I didn’t have to. I looked out the front window.

[ominous bg music getting louder]

Sammy Yeah? And?

Ben [hissed] damnit

Sammy … Ben. What is going on? Do we need to call Troy?

Ben The whole parking lot- your car, MY car— as far as the lights will let me see— Nothing but white roses, man.

Sammy … Are you serious?

Ben Go look!! Just don’t go out there, huh? It looked like it was snowing, that’s how many of those damn things are out there.

Sammy [scrambling for optimism] What’s the chances that it’s just a non-Halloween bouquet from Emily to you?

Ben ZERO. Zero percent chance, Sammy.

Sammy [seriously] Folks, we’ll be right back after a word from our sponsors.

[KFAM outro]

[CREDITS]

References

[1] Blaxploitation - Blaxploitation or blacksploitation is an ethnic subgenre of the exploitation film that emerged in the United States during the early 1970s. The films, while popular, suffered backlash for disproportionate numbers of stereotypical film characters showing bad or questionable motives, including roles as criminals.

[2] #RedrumRoses - Redrum is from the psychological horror film The Shining. It’s “murder” spelled backward.

[3] “ACME rocket kits and trying to catch a damn bird” - I sincerely hope no one will ever be too young for this reference, but I once had my little brothers ask who Mr. Rogers was so: this is a reference to the Looney Toons cartoons, Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. In each episode, Coyote repeatedly attempts to catch and eat the Road Runner, a fast-running ground bird, but is never successful. In order to catch the Road Runner, Coyote uses absurdly complex contraptions- most acquired from the mail-order company ACME- to try to catch his prey, which all backfire comically with Coyote often getting injured in slapstick fashion.

[theaurorfileshq]

– Changeling Trouble in Champaign

CASE LEVEL: Two

POINTS REQUIRED: Two Hundred Seventy-Five

OVERVIEW:

CW: Abuse

Several weeks ago, local aurors just outside of Champaign, Illinois were contacted by a witch named Lorna Kelly, who believed that her young son Christopher had been cursed. He had been acting strangely for several days, refusing to eat, talking in a voice unlike his own, not sleeping, and showing little interest in his usual hobbies. At the time, Ms. Kelly seemed to believe that he may have come in contact with a cursed object of some sort while he was playing in the store where she works, Birkson’s Odds and Ends, a wixen oddity store and pawn shop owned by Emily Birkson. Local aurors searched the shop and found no sign of any cursed items that may have been the cause. 

After her first conversation with the aurors, however, Ms. Kelly changed her story, reporting that she now believes that Christopher has been replaced by a changeling, identical to her son in appearance but vastly different in demeanor and behavior. According to Ms. Kelly, her son has grown increasingly erratic and violent, and she “can tell he’s not [her] son anymore.” She cites a day trip she and her son took to some hiking trails nearby for a picnic, claiming that she lost track of him for about twenty minutes during their trip and believes this to have been when he went missing and was replaced by something else. His behavior has continued to grow stranger, and Ms. Kelly has attributed several large bruises on her person to his new-found unnatural strength and determination for her not to continue to contact the aurors. 

PERSONS OF INTEREST:

Lorna Kelly: A thirty four year old witch and single mother, Lorna recently moved to Champaign after the death of her husband Arlo four months ago. She works for a local wixen oddities shop owned by a friend of her late mother’s.

Christopher Kelly: Lorna’s nine year old son. The local aurors who spoke with the Kelly family report that young Christopher behaved like a perfectly polite child, showing no signs of anything out of the ordinary, but Lorna’s reports on his strange and sometimes violence recent behavior would indicate otherwise.

Deirdre Rose: An elderly witch and next door neighbor to the Kellys, Rose has little contact with others outside of her home, having suffered from severe agoraphobia ever since an unknown incident when she was in her mid 30s. According to Lorna, Mrs. Rose has been staring at Christopher from the window of her bedroom every day for three weeks, making strange hand gestures, and refuses to answer the door.

John Paul Christensen: A nurse and carer for Mrs. Rose, John Paul stops by her home twice a week, on Sundays and Thursdays, to bring her groceries and other necessities. He is the only person Mrs. Rose permits to enter her home.

CHIEF’S NOTES:

If Christopher is a changeling, then where is the real Christopher?

- Chief Ben Eames

There are just so many things here that make me uncomfortable about this case. I’m concerned Lorna may have jumped too quickly to the changeling explanation, and I wonder if she’s done anything for Christopher before coming to this conclusion, such as take him to a pediatrician or child psychologist. I believe it would be best practice here to bring in a social worker at some point in your investigation, and I’m instructing you to do so, whether it be closer to the end of your initial investigation, or in the beginning. The home setting needs thoroughly investigated by a professional in that field, no matter what your findings are. I will send you the information of a social worker within MACUSA, you can contact them as soon as you’re ready for them. 

- Deputy Chief Langer

CASE STATUS: TAKEN

| RPG HOME | PLOT | WANTED CONNECTIONS | OPEN CASES |

[theguestwing]

~The Guest Wing~

• Cuddy from House • That guy who runs the Chinese restaurant in the Seinfeld episode “The Chinese Restaruant” • Guy who looks vaguely familiar but I can’t remember what I knew him from or what part he played on TWW • The Mayor from Buffy, but with a bad haircut • Headmaster Charleston from Gilmore Girls • Lady who I can’t remember what I thought I knew her from or what she did in TWW • Paris Gellar from Gilmore Girls • Guy From The Truman Show who’s been upgraded in recent years to Guy From The Americans • Lizard guy from Buffy (Bob Balaban) • Old white guy who just kinda looks familiar • Nathan Petrelli from Heroes • Celia’s husband from Weeds • Jane fucking Lynch?????!  

• Laura Palmer’s mom from Twin Peaks • John Larroquette • You know, that one white guy who shows up in stuff sometimes • Guy who works in the office for like two episodes of The Office • Guy who I totally know from something but I can’t figure out what • Felicity Huffman • Laura Dern • Shawn’s dad from Psych • Walt from Grounded for Life / Tom from Office Space / mustachioed Watcher who tells Buffy that her “destiny awaits” or some shit like that in one episode once • The guy who like runs the Agents of SHIELD in the new Marvel stuff. I think his name is Gregg? Also he’s in Buffy ofc • Stockard FUCKING Channing, in case I hadn’t said it already • Oliver Platt • Lawrence O’Donnell, for some reason??? • Chief Vick from Psych • Nick Newport Sr. from Parks and Rec • Samir from Office Space • The guy who used to be married to Bonnie Raitt and is also in Homeland • The main guy from Royal Pains • The psychologist from the United States of Tara • Connie Britton  • Guy who’s definitely the villain in an episode of Buffy somewhere down the line • A lightly snow-covered street which I’m pretty sure is the same street where Jerry Seinfeld once stole a marble rye from an old lady

• Ted from Scrubs • Phil from Modern Family • Joe from The Princess Diaries!!! • Stockard Channing but with curly hair • Paperweights that look just like my grandmother’s paperweights • The guy who plays Kalabar in Halloweentown and Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge • The reverend from Gilmore Girls • This screenshot of CJ Cregg’s inbox – not technically a guest star, but hilarious nonetheless  

• Mark Harmon • Young Evan Rachel Wood • Guy who plays Lena Dunham’s dad in Girls • Guy who plays the former-Knicks-player-turned-local-middle-school-engineering-room-worker who becomes Air Bud’s basketball coach in Air Bud • Coroner Woody from Psych • James Brolin • Young Amy Adams

• Buffy’s principal in Buffy (the one not eaten by students possessed by hyenas) • Woman who looks like the mom from My Big Fat Greek Wedding but I looked it up and it turns out she is in fact not the mom from My Big Fat Greek Wedding • Danica McKellar • Christian Slater • Woman baseball player from A League of Their Own (not Geena Davis or Madonna or the other main one) • Rachel’s boss at Ralph Lauren in Friends • Sullivan from Weeds / Deputy Police Commissioner Foley from The Dark Knight Rises • Matthew Perry • Old white guy whose face looks familiar but who, upon further research, it turns out I’ve never seen before • Big Bird • Taye Diggs • John Goodman • Zeljko Ivanek • Lumbergh from Office Space (Gary Cole) • Dr. Sullivan from Pretty Little Liars (Annabeth Gish) • Ned, Ned Ryerson from Groundhog Day • Gabrielle Union • Stockard Channing in a HAT looking FABULOUS

• Lady from The Wire and The Blacklist and also Other Stuff • Councilman Dexhart from Parks and Rec • Dominic from Dollhouse • Fuckin’ Lucius Malfoy, short black hair edition • A ratty blue Yankees t-shirt that I also owned in 2004 but did not get the chance to wear while brokering a monumental peace deal for the Middle East, unfortunately

• Ben Stiller’s wife in Meet the Parents • Special musical appearance by Taylor Swift’s namesake   (James Taylor) • That old white guy who’s in all sorts of stuff          o Just realized I did this one already above….it’s Philip Baker Hall • The grandpa from Modern Family • Penn and Teller? Man, this SHOW.

• Guy whose West Wing character is named Trevor and you’re like “yeah, that’s about right, you absolute fuck”. He’s also Troy from Veronica Mars. • Old white guy you know from all sorts of stuff (iv)   (Ray Wise) • Old white guy you know from all sorts of stuff (v)   (Brian Dennehy) • Old white guy you know from playing a cop or army guy in a bunch of things (Don S. Davis) • The dad from Boy Meets World • Chris Matthews cameo • Guy I thought was somebody but, upon further research, it turns out is not anybody • Janeane Garofolo • Young familiarish white guy  (Matthew Del Negro) • J. K. Simmons, aka old white guy you know from stuff vii • Jon. Bon. Jovi. • Commissioner Gordon’s wife in The Dark Knight • Special musical appearance by Foo Fighters • Old white guy who’s in a bunch of stuff, blustery   (Ken Lerner) • Old white guy who’s in a bunch of stuff, mustache  (Michael O’Neill) • Old white guy who’s in a bunch of stuff, glasses        (Aaron Sorkin)

[soapberryspringsrpg]

Forbidden Fruits

Hello Berries! The nights are getting longer, the air is getting crisper, the lattes are getting pumpkin spicier so you know what time it is. Time for the third ever Soapberry Springs writing prompt!

This prompt is meant to appeal to that part of many of us that once devoured cheesy romance books, thrilling over cliche after cliche so long as the right people ended up riding off into the sunset together. To play along, please choose one of the scenarios under the cut inspired by the brave harlequin romance writers and their specific books. 

You are free to change genders and names, of course; the only two things that must remain as posted are a) the title and b) the plot.

As always there is no time limit and no due date. Players are welcome to write self-paras, blurbs or novellas, poetry, chatzys or threads, to edit graphics, make playlists, etc. All creative takes on the theme are welcome and encouraged! 

Select below from prompts!

Feyness By E.S. Carter In this dark and sexy story, Faye’s cruel, powerful father forces her to marry wickedly gorgeous Cole. She’s convinced that Cole is pure evil — and he’s determined to break her…

Delicious Temptation By Sabrina Sol

After years of keeping her family’s struggling bakery afloat, pastry chef Amara is tired of being safe and predictable. Can she convince Eric, her brother’s ex-best friend, to make good on his bad-boy reputation? A smoldering erotic romance!

An Unconventional Courtship By Scotty Cade

Personal assistant Tristan and his CEO boss, Webber, both struggle to hide their true feelings from each other. But when the pair travel to the Caribbean on a business trip, they discover they can’t hold back their desires forever…

Grayson’s Mate By Tamsin Baker

An alpha werewolf in search of his mate is led to the last person he expected: the handsome stranger he rescued from a car accident. Their desire is undeniable, but can a werewolf and a mortal man find a way to be together?

Make Me Want By Katee Robert

Lucy is a confident, high-powered lawyer — but her ex-boyfriend gave her self-esteem issues in bed. Can her friend Gideon help her realize she has the power to drive him wild?

Bound by Honor By Cora Reilly

To fulfill her father’s promise, Aria must marry notorious, coldhearted Luca. But can she break down Luca’s walls and find the passion within him?

Bad Neighbor By M. O’Keefe

Sparks fly when Charlotte meets her sexy new neighbor Jesse. He’s an alpha bad boy who isn’t afraid of anything — except for his growing attraction to Charlotte, as their desire for each other rages out of control…

London Calling By Clare Lydon

A charming, witty romance: Jess never expected to be moving back in with her parents at the age of 32. But just as things seem hopeless, she makes an unexpected connection with a gorgeous woman. Could happily ever after be on the horizon?

Three Wrong Turns in the Desert By Neil Plakcy

Aidan can’t stop thinking about Liam, the alluring bodyguard he met in a Tunisian bar… When a high-octane chase takes them into the desert, their desires reach a boiling point in this steamy adventure!

Tempting Boundaries By Carrie Ann Ryan

Decker has always lusted after his best friend’s little sister, the woman he can’t have. But when Miranda decides she wants him, he may not be able to resist any longer…

Camp H.O.W.L. By Bru Baker

A sexy shifter romance! When Adrian finally turns into a werewolf — eight years late — Tate, a counselor at a camp for new werewolves, is ready to guide him. But cynical Tate never expected Adrian to be his destined mate…

Roller Girl By Vanessa North

When newly single Tina joins Joanne’s roller derby team, their friendship ignites a steamy passion behind closed doors…

The Shop on Main By Kay Correll

Bella is devastated to learn that she may lose her small shop — and an attractive businessman is the root of her worries. When they clash, can she settle her financial woes on her own and embrace a second chance at love?

The Road to You By Harper Bliss

Serious Katherine and free-spirited Ali have been enemies since college… but fate keeps throwing them together. As the years go on, will they see another side to each other — one they could learn to love?

Road to the Sun By Keira Andrews

When his eight-year-old daughter is kidnapped in Montana, single dad Jason Kellerman enlists the help of park ranger Ben Hettler. Suppressing their burning mutual attraction, the two men begin a wild and desperate hunt through the wilderness…

Captive of the Hitman By Alexis Abbott

When Alicia gets caught up in a dangerous situation, Mikhail takes her captive for her protection. But their sexual chemistry is off the charts — and he refuses to let her go…

Feeling Hot By Elle Kennedy

Home from deployment, Navy SEAL Cash McCoy forms a tantalizing connection with a mysterious blonde. Little does he know that she’s Jen Scott — his commanding officer’s sister! Can he keep his hands to himself around the one woman who’s off-limits?

Professional Distance By Silvia Violet

Heartbroken Thornwell swears off love — until he hires aspiring chef Riley as an escort! Though the two men couldn’t be more different, they begin to fall for each other. Can Riley convince Thornwell to set aside his doubts and live deliciously?

Black By T.L. Smith

Left heartbroken by his first and only love, hit man Liam Black is surprised to find her a decade later. But Rose isn’t the woman she used to be…

Training Sasha By Becca Jameson

Sasha is eager to explore her submissive side, but BDSM club owner Lincoln — who’s also her brother’s friend — won’t admit his attraction to her. Can she convince him to help her explore her sexual desires?

Stalking Buffalo Bill By J. Leigh Bailey

From the moment coyote shifter Donnie spotted buffalo shifter William at his cafe, he was smitten. When deadly figures from William’s past come back to settle unfinished business, the pair team up to ward off danger — and protect their future together.

Dog Days By TA Moore

Apocalyptic weather conditions are wreaking havoc across the globe. But weredog Danny has more immediate problems — including his wolfish ex-lover, Jack…

Dirty Girl By Meghan March

When Greer is drunk one night, she posts an embarrassing personal ad — and now she has thousands of takers! But bad boy Cavanaugh is a cut above the rest…

Tonight’s Encore By Parker Avrile

When Zac returns to his small hometown, he renews his relationship with Reed, who knew him before he became a rock star. But the pressures of fame could tear them apart in this steamy gay romance!

The Longest River By Hildred Billings

After the death of her twin sister, Helen moves to a secluded mountain village to find her independence and heal. There she meets widowed bookstore owner Kiyoko — an introduction that feels like fate…

Dirty Daughter By JB Duvane

Emily is determined to seduce her mother’s former psychologist, Max. But she doesn’t realize that he has his own plans for her — and soon she’ll be locked up in his remote cottage, forced to satisfy his every desire…

Mr. So Wrong By R.C. Stephens

A searing, sexy romance! After finding wealthy bad boy Al caught in a blizzard, Samantha brings him to her ranch to nurse him back to health. She doesn’t want to let anyone close to her heart, but why can’t she keep Al out of her bed?

Tempt the Playboy By Natasha Madison

After arrogant playboy Noah has a one-night stand with Kaleigh, he’s determined to claim her again. But she may not fall for his charms so easily…

One Last Heist By Dahlia Donovan

Partners in love and in crime, Toshiro and Mack plan to get their crew together for one last heist. It was supposed to be easy — but as they become embroiled in a deadly conspiracy, the stakes will rise out of their control…

Little Liar By W Winters

With so much pain in her past, there’s no way Allie should be drawn to bad boy Dean. And yet she can’t seem to stay away from him…

Seducing Cinderella By Gina L. Maxwell

Physical therapist Lucie needs help wooing her crush, so she asks her brother’s best friend, Reid, to teach her the art of seduction. But their arrangement leads to an unexpected chemistry, and Reid can’t give her up…

Tormentor Mine By Anna Zaires

In this “darkly addictive and hauntingly beautiful” romance, assassin Peter comes to torture Sara. But then he becomes obsessed with her…

As Sure as the Sun By Elle Keaton

After a brush with death, retired US Marshal Sacha starts anew in a small town. As he works to restore an old building, he crosses paths with history enthusiast Seth — and discovers a sizzling attraction that may persuade both men to risk their hearts.

The Endgame Duet By Cleary James

When her life takes a turn for the worse, Lisa offers herself to wealthy Grayson in exchange for the money she needs. For seven days he can do whatever he wants with her — but will they be able to control their sensual desires?

The Beat of Love By L. Loryn

In this passionate gay romance, brooding musician Wolfe and handsome actor Miguel court the media by pretending to be a couple. Will their fake celebrity relationship crash and burn — or turn into a connection more powerful than they expected?

The Isle of... Where? By Sue Brown

When Liam Marshall travels to the Isle of Wight to fulfill his best friend’s dying wish, Sam Owens helps him through it. They swiftly develop a connection — but does their budding relationship have an expiration date?

Ruthless By Dani René

Dangerous bad boy Callan always gets whatever he wants — so when he sees sweet Madison at a BDSM club, he must have her. A darkly delicious erotic tale!

Fire and Flint By Andrew Grey

When single father Jordan turns to sheriff’s deputy Pierre with his concerns about a corrupt judge, the two men discover they’ve made a powerful enemy. They’ll do whatever it takes to protect each other in this stirring and suspenseful read.

Entangled by Nikki Jefford

Two months after dying, Gray wakes up in her twin’s body. She’s forced to spend every other day impersonating snobby Charlene — and only warlock Raj notices the difference. Can Gray be saved, or will she fade altogether?

Southern Spirits by Angie Fox

When Verity discovers the power to commune with the spirit world, she teams up with local bad boy Ellis to evict some undead tenants.

Witch Slapped by Dakota Cassidy

Stripped of her powers, ex-witch Stevie Cartwright teams up with the ghost of a sexy British spy to solve a murder case involving a bogus psychic medium.

Issued to the Bride: One Navy SEAL by Cora Seton

Navy SEAL vet Brian has always dreamed of owning his own ranch — so when he’s asked to marry a general’s daughter, Cass, in exchange for a share of her land, he can’t refuse.

Sit… Stay… Beg by Roxanne St. Claire

Garrett, a dot-com millionaire turned dog rescuer, keeps his heart on a tight leash — until journalist Jessie is hired to write a profile on him…

Earthrise by M.C.A. Hogarth

On a mysterious rescue mission, no-nonsense ship captain Reese Eddings commands her vessel Earthrise straight into danger, battling pirates and slavers to save elf prince Hirianthial…

Chez Stinky by Susan C. Daffron

Kat inherits her great-aunt’s dilapidated house, which is filled to the brim with pets and complications. As she adjusts to her new surroundings — and connects with Joel, who’s as handy as he is handsome — will she embrace her new start?

Rumor Has It by Elisabeth Grace

When an embarrassing video goes viral, Ellie Wagner’s reputation pays the price. Her life seems ruined, but a fresh start awaits when she falls for Mason Nash…

Smart Tass by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Hunter has been tormenting his bookish neighbor Tass since they were children. But when she’s challenged to date him — and he needs to take her virginity to win a bet — can a fake relationship solve their problems and reveal their true feelings for one another?

Once Upon a Time by Blair Babylon

When princess Flicka decides to flee her violent ex, her bodyguard Dieter is the only one who can help her. But their irresistible attraction heats up in ways neither of them expected…

Malevolent by Jana DeLeon

PI Shaye Archer takes on the baffling case of Emma Frederick, a woman convinced that her abusive husband is out to get her. Except Emma killed her husband weeks ago…

Club Shadowlands by Cherise Sinclair

Stranded during a storm, Jessica takes shelter in a nearby house. But when she discovers it’s actually a private BDSM club, she begins to explore her fantasies with a sexy dominant…

Stripped by Stacy-Deanne

Baltimore cop Dee Quarter investigates a cult whose charismatic leader, Jonathan Wild, is determined to ensnare her…

Kiss of Fire by Rebecca Ethington

Joclyn just sent her high school bully flying through the air! Could her phenomenal power have something to do with the strange new scar on her neck? Her handsome best friend Ryland holds all the secrets…

Heaven in His Arms by Lisa Ann Verge

Forced to take a bride, André chooses sickly Genevieve, assuming she won’t survive the harsh winter. But Genevieve is not the frail noblewoman she appears to be, and André soon realizes that he needs her more than he ever expected…

In Search of a Love Story by Rachel Schurig

Tired of losing at love, Emily undertakes a research project: she’ll binge on romance novels and chick flicks until she learns their secret. Handsome Greg could be her Prince Charming — but why is Emily’s friend Elliot so unhappy about her plan?

The Chef’s Mail-Order Bride by Cindy Caldwell

Tripp trained at an elite culinary school, but he can’t get a loan for his restaurant without a wife. Raised in a bakery, Sadie agrees to head west as Tripp’s bride. Can the two learn to work together as they open their new restaurant — and find love in the process?

The Witch Hunter by Nicole R. Taylor

Cursed by an ancient witch, vampire Zachary will die a slow, agonizing death. His only shot at survival is Aya, the so-called Witch Hunter, who has been asleep for 150 years… But she has no interest in helping him.

Ignite by Kaitlyn Davis

When Kira discovers her mystical powers, she must fight for her life — and choose between sweet, goofy Luke and gorgeous, blood-hungry Tristan.

Crash by Drew Jordan

Stranded in the Alaskan wilderness, Laney takes refuge in the arms of the stranger who rescues her. But will he be her savior — or her destroyer?

Going Hard by Kelsey Browning

When rich playboy Grif Steele returns to his hometown, he reconnects with Carlie Beth Parrish. But with a murderous stalker on the prowl, can Grif protect her — and the daughter he never knew he had?

Hers to Take by Talia Ellison

When Octavia gets caught in a dangerous situation, her rival, Aaron, offers her a deal she can’t refuse — to escape with her life, she must pretend to be his sex slave. But they don’t expect a forbidden attraction to ignite…

Claimed by Evangeline Anderson

The Kindred race is primarily male, and must choose among human women for their brides. When Olivia is drafted into marrying broken and tortured Baird, she’s determined to resist — but she hadn’t counted on falling for her alien warrior husband…

Forever a Soldier by Genevieve Turner

When Hank returns from combat, he agrees to move into a 100-year-old house owned by his great-great aunt and uncle. His peace is disturbed by Lale, an inquisitive scholar digging into his family’s secrets. But their attraction will open up hidden places in their hearts…

Liam by Kimber White

Though forbidden to be with his fated mate, sexy shifter Liam will stop at nothing to claim Molly, the spitfire who sets his heart aflame. But is Molly ready to embrace his wolfish identity?

The Second Sister by Rae D. Magdon

When Eleanor’s father dies, she’s left with her unhinged stepmother and two stepsisters, Luciana and Belladonna. Eleanor must prevent wicked Luciana from bewitching a prince — but meanwhile, beautiful Belladonna stirs up feelings she can’t resist…

Time to Upsize by Graeme Aitken

Blake’s the perfect boyfriend as far as Stephen is concerned: easygoing, gentle, and sweet. But lately, Blake has been getting increasingly jealous, and it doesn’t help when gorgeous Rick moves next door. Can Stephen resist temptation?

Playing Games by Liliana Rhodes

Cassie gets her dream job working for billionaire Gabriel — and she’s determined to remain professional. But their irresistible attraction ignites after she’s caught trying to watch him in the shower…

Kindling Flames: Gathering Tinder by Julie Wetzel

After landing a job as assistant to a handsome CEO, Victoria feels like her life is finally on the right track. But when she discovers her new boss is the city’s most powerful vampire, she’ll have to decide whether her attraction to him is worth the risk…

Switching Hour by Robyn Peterman

After a stint in witch prison, Zelda is on magic probation — and if she can’t finish a mysterious task in the next month, she’ll be stripped of her powers forever. But a gorgeous werewolf may prove to be a tempting distraction…

Sacrificed to the Dragon by Jessie Donovan

Dragon shifter Tristan has despised humans ever since hunters killed his mother. But his clan insists he needs an heir — and a human mate. When he meets gorgeous Melanie, a slow-burning fire ignites deep within…

The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter

Running from the mob, Delaney becomes a mail-order bride in the spooky town of Nocturne Falls — only to learn her fiancé is a 400-year-old vampire!

Haunted on Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase

When empath Jade Calhoun moves into a haunted New Orleans apartment, she must use her unique abilities — and the help of her sexy landlord — to ward off a powerful spirit.

[kingfallstranscripts-blog]

Episode 12: All The Pretty Flowers

*Jazzy Music Playing*

Chet: Well the clock on the wall is telling me that’s all, y’all. So I’m gonna mosey on down to The Red Rock bar and buy all the ladies a drink on me. But don’t try fool me again, Dennis. This has been Chet Sebastian’s Jazz Corner. Til next time…keep it cool King Falls.

(King Falls AM intro music)

Ben: Good evening you’re listening to King Falls AM – that’s 660 on the radio dial. And this is the Sammy and Ben show, sans Sammy at the moment.

Sammy: Sorry about that, Ben, everybody at home. I was just running a little late. You know I just saw the weirdest thing!

Ben: Was it Chet leaving? I told him to take that fur coat off. Guy looks like he walked off a set of a Blaxploitation film.

Sammy: *laughs* No, I wish I’d seen that. But I was driving in tonight, running a tad bit late as you can see, and I swear to you, coming up Main Street I got behind a hearse delivering these giant white rose bouquets. Like every couple of streets the damn things stoppin.

Ben: No.

Sammy: No *laughs* yeah it did.

Ben: ……. SOOOOO, we’ve got a great show for you folks tonight. Uh, Ernie Salcedo…

Sammy: Ben.

Ben: *clearing his throat loudly* YES?

Sammy: Okay, I can see you slashing at your neck furiously and shaking your head no, but the audience can’t. So, what’s the issue?

Ben: I’m sorry we…just don’t talk about this, Sammy.

Sammy: So you know of it! Is it like some kind of weird Halloween thing?

Ben: Halloween? Are you serious? We don’t celebrate Halloween here in the Falls, Sammy.

Sammy: WHAT? This is like friggin’ Halloween Town! You know those shops that open up every year around Halloween and close the day after? King Falls is where all those shop should move to when it’s not Halloween.

Ben: Two things: 1) That’s a horrible business model and 2) Halloween is one big diabetic pumpkin.

Sammy: Come on? You don’t like decorating…Trick-or-Treating?

Ben: ALL OF IT. It’s like tempting these ghouls and goblins to come and mess with you. We got enough of that here. And again, diabetes.

Sammy: Okay, I can see where you’re coming from, but I’m not gonna lie - this is kind of a surprise.

Ben: What can I say? We’re more the Christmas or Arbor Day types.

Sammy: Okay, so the hearse is delivering flowers…What’s the deal if it’s not a Halloween ritual?

Ben: Did you really see that? Did someone tell you to mess with me about this?

Sammy: Scout’s Honor. I was late because of it. I illegally passed on a double yellow line – sorry Deputy Troy – just to skate around them and make my way up the mountain.

Ben: I don’t like this. I – I don’t know that I’ve ever known anyone that saw the flowers delivered. Usually businesses and people just find the wreaths the next morning. Did you see inside the hearse? Was it… people?

Sammy: You know, I didn’t look, but I’m gonna go out on a limb and say… it was a human being.

Ben: Well, that’s good. That’s something.

Sammy: Okay, so the roses…

Ben: Dammit, Sammy! We’ve got a show scheduled, ya know?

Sammy: I’m well aware! Just fill me in about the roses and we’ll move on.

Ben: Yeah, yeah, okay, so... *takes deep breath* Every year around this time –

Sammy: Halloween…

Ben: OCTOBER.

Sammy: Uh-huh…

Ben: Every October… there is a certain society of people – and I use the term people loosely – that congregate and deliver the rose wreaths to individuals and businesses. That’s a fact.

Sammy: And?

Ben: And…nobody really knows what happens after that.

Sammy: *you can actually hear the smile in his voice* But legend has it

Ben: Don’t legend-has-it me! Nobody knows for sure! Why gossip?

Sammy: Okay, what do you think happens, Ben?

Ben: Ughhhhh, well, I think people either accept this weird invitation or…they don’t. But I can tell you, the people that don’t? Well…they don’t last long after that.

Sammy: Okay so we’ve just went from spooky 1-800-Flowers to murder in only a few easy steps.

Ben: Not, murder, per say…but businesses that decline tend to move away or go under. Or tragedy strikes. Sure, I’ve- I’ve heard stories of these folks winding up at the wrong end of a funeral ceremony, but I couldn’t prove it. You satisfied now?

Sammy: Of course. Thank you, Ben. King Falls you’ve heard our story, now let’s hear yours!

Ben: DON’T open the phone lines!

Sammy: We’re opening up the phone lines here at the station. 424-279-3858. Have you had contact with this demonic annual floral delivery? Hit us up!

Ben: Don’t call or tweet us. Please.

Sammy: Give us a call or tweet us @KingFallsAM. Ben will personally answer every tweet #RedRumRoses

Ben: NOPE! Not gonna happen.

Sammy: Ben…. It looks like the phone lines are lighting up, buddy.

Ben: I expected better of you, King Falls.

Sammy: Lucky Line 1 you’re on the air with Sammy and Ben.

Pete: Low down, gossip mongering, muckraking FILTH.

Ben: Pete?

Sammy: *softly* Escobar?

Pete: No, it- it’s Pete. You know damn well I’m listening.

Ben: What’s on your mind tonight, Pete?

Sammy: Did your mom teach you to start off phone calls with name-calling, Pete?

Pete: My mom taught me to…stand up for myself. Don’t start a fight, but don’t be afraid to end it.

Sammy: Who’s fighting?

Pete: Oh, what a short attention span you have, SAMMY. Not dwelling on you and Mr. Howard Ford Beauregard III issues, you’re picking a fight with the unknown. Ben told you to shut your trap.

Sammy: Heh, let me tell you, this would a long 4 hours if we didn’t talk. You know, sometimes you have to –

Pete: Yeah, yeah, I get it, Mr. Nincompoop radio host.  You gotta blab, but that’s something you don’t trifle with. You should know this.

Ben: Sammy, you know I hate to say Pete is right about anything, b-

Pete: But I’m right about this! I know you know, Ben. That’s all I need to know. Stop yapping about things you don’t understand.

Sammy: Thanks, Pete. Did you have a question or an experience with the flowers, Pete?

Pete: Ab-absolutely not. I – don’t try to get me in trouble.

Ben: You okay over there, Pete?

Pete: *nervous* Yeah I’m just out…uh, just out.

Sammy: This time of night?

Pete: Yeah, I’m just out uh runnin errands and stuff. It’s n- it’s not your business!

Ben: Uh-huh…

Pete: You’re makin something of this. You- you’re doin something. You’re getting me invol-stop!

Ben: It’s just weird, Mr. Beauregard’s gardener is out at 2 in the morning running errands.

Sammy: So your boss doesn’t have anything to do with the roses, does he, Pete?

Pete: Ben Arnold, if you got a lick of good sense, I wouldn’t walk too close to Sammy for the next few hmmm…life times! He’s gonna end up on the bottom end of an anvil.

Sammy: You know, I just don’t think asking questions is the equivalent of buying ACME rocket kits and trying to catch a damn bird.

Ben: Mind answering his question, Pete?

Pete: Oh, HELL NO. You two are a couple of horse patoots. I’m never listening to this show again.

Ben: Until tomorrow.

Pete: PETE OUT *hangs up*

Ben: Are you happy, Sammy? Is this what you were hoping for?

Sammy: Civilized conversation is the only thing I hope for. That said, I’m gonna say… it’s a tad bit suspicious.

Ben: There are dots we don’t need to connect. MOVING ON

Sammy: Maybe you’re right.

Ben: Folks, we’re gonna take a break to pay some bills, and we’ll be right back and on schedule.

(Wild West Themed Music) Dale’s Dollar Tree…at dirt cheap prices…it’s almost free. Hi, everybody, I’m super excited to tell you bout some unbelievable deals we have right now…at Dale’s Dollar Tree. Segue through the sands *Eagle Screeches * Our low prices are guaranteed. Who’s guaranteeing it you ask? Me. How do you take advantage of these savings? 1) Walk into Dale’s Dollar Tree 2) Throw something in your cart 3) Savings. DALE’S DOLLAR TREE *EAGLE SCREECHES*

(King Falls AM theme plays)

Sammy: Ladies and gentlemen, we are back. You’re listening to King Falls AM. Now we were just talking about me running late this morning, cause of a hearse-

Ben: SO WE GOT A GREAT SHOW SCHEDULED TONIGHT. We’ve got Mr. Eli Goldblum later in the hour.

Sammy: And who is Mr. Goldblum?

Ben: Are you kidding me? Only the most renowned mortal psychologist known to man. He’s on his spoken word world tour. This Thursday you can see him live at The King Falls Convention Center.

Sammy: That’s…something.

Ben: Indeed! So that’s in about…40 minutes. We got Rose from Rose’s Diner, of course, coming in to talk about how the bee crisis is affecting her honey baked ham specials in the foreseeable future.  

Sammy: Really? That’s something that’s happening?

Ben: Come on, Sammy. This bee situation is serious business.

Sammy: You get points for not buzzing or saying “beeeees-ness”

Ben: You don’t wanna know how hard that was…

Sammy: So, okay…how can we help with the bees?

Ben: Uh… cut back on swatting them? I-I-I don’t know for sure that’s-that’s why we’re talkin to Rose.

Sammy: Gotcha

Ben: And our first topic of discussion this evening was gonna be –

Sammy: About the flowers.

Ben: Don’t.

Sammy: Okay, look: can we open up the phone lines again? I’d like to talk about these flowers, and you can tell King Falls your topic, and then we’ll see what they wanna talk about.

Ben: You know they’ll talk about the damn rose wreaths!

Sammy: You heard it here, folks. Line 7, you’re on with Sammy and Ben.

Herschel: Ugh I can’t sleep with all this damn racket going on! You two DINGLEBERRIES keep it down!

Sammy: *laughs* Herschel?

Herschel: Oh, hell. Don’t make me get out of bed and give you a full blast so late at night. Don’t even know where my slippers are…

Ben: Mr. Baumgartner, you realize you called us, right? This is the radio station.

Herschel: I know WHO and WHAT I called. I dialed you DICKWHISTLES because all this cry babying about the damn flowers. Turn that jazz fella back on so I can get some rest!

Sammy: Chet is on from 10pm-2am, Mr. Baumgartner. This is Sammy and Ben and we talk about –

Herschel: I don’t give a damn if it’s Tricky Dick Nixon calling me to give me a congressional medal of honor! Shut your nose holes about the damn funeral flowers and play some good ol heroin fueled American art! *hangs up*

Sammy: We’re gonna count that as a 1 for the flowers…

Ben: Line 14 you’re live with Sammy and Ben

Caller: Long time listener here!

Sammy: *hangs up line*

Ben: Did you hang up, Sammy?

Sammy: Yeah, sorry. I hate that guy.

Ben: *chuckles* Line 3, this is King Falls AM.

Beauregard: Good evening, Benjamin. Samuel. This is –

Ben: Beauregard?!

Beauregard: *sighs* Mr. Howard Ford Beauregard the THIRD. My man told me that you were spreading more lies than usual on your little radio show. I thought I would call and clear the air.

Sammy: Mr. Beauregard, can I just say... before this call goes ANY further, that we will not accept any abuse towards us or any listeners of the show.

Beauregard: How cute that you think people listen to you two buffoons.

Ben: That’s abuse! That’s exactly what we were –

Beauregard: Oh, that’s a joke where I come from. You millennials would’ve never lasted back in my day. With your emotions and feelings of the like.

Ben: When was that day, again, Mr. Beauregard?

Beauregard: Information about myself and my family can be found in my international best selling e-book, “King of King Falls” … I don’t have to answer to, well, you.

Sammy: *sighs* Did you have a reason for the call tonight, Beauregard?

Beauregard: Indeed, I do. While men with any couth wouldn’t speak about festivities that they know nothing about.

Sammy: So, you’re behind these deliveries?

Ben: Also, while I would never name names and throw my friend under a bus, you should know this wasn’t the agreed upon topic on the show.

Sammy: Oh, stop it.

Beauregard: I don’t know a thing about the supposed yearly delivery of white roses that you speak of. My family, nor myself, have ever been involved with such joviality. In fact, in all my years I can’t recollect such a thing.

Ben: I don’t buy that for a second. Maybe you’ve never sent the roses, and let’s play devil’s advocate and say sure you’ve never received them, which I doubt, but there is no way you haven’t heard of this.

Beauregard: Maybe it’s something you commoners have made up. Like, the tooth fairy or the illuminati… or equal rights for the sexes.

Ben: I can’t deal with this guy! Just dump him and let’s take another line.

Sammy: Wait, Mr. Beauregard, if you don’t care about this and in fact haven’t even heard of it until tonight, why would you bother to break your hate silence with us to call in?

Beauregard: You’re not nearly as dumb as you look, Stevens. And while I continue to honor my statement before, I’d have to assume that this rose ordeal is a real thing. It’s probably a very special thing. An intimate invitation sent by the upper echelons of King Falls. A way of making amends or bring people worthy of attention into a conversation they normally would not have been invited to have.

Ben: Just for everyone keeping score at home, I took a college course on crazy and I believe he’s saying he knows that the wreath deliveries are real and he’s probably behind them.

Beauregard: Time is money, gentleman. Not that you understand that concept. But instead of painting a ceremony you know nothing about as tragic and scary, perhaps it’s not. Perhaps it’s something more than that, entirely. In any case, it’s not something that should be spoken about in public. *phone chirps* Ah…I’ll be going now, gentlemen. And while I do use that word lightly perhaps take a break from your radio program and check your door.

Ben: Is that a threat?

Beauregard: Trick-or-Treat, Samuel…Benjamin. *hangs up*

Sammy: Wonder what he sounds like when he has something nice to say to me…

Ben: Probably hasn’t said anything nice to a person since the 60’s. The 1860’s.

Sammy: Ya know, I didn’t mean to ruffle anyone’s feathers tonight. Especially crazy old billionaires who try to drive us off the air, so let’s just –

Ben: I’M GONNA GO CHECK THE DOOR.

Sammy: WHAT?

Ben: Yeah, I’m sorry, man… Beauregard gives the willies and I wanna make sure there isn’t –

Sammy: A sugar glider on a noose?

Ben: Too far. I was just gonna say that he hasn’t had Pete ding-dong-ditch us or something.

Sammy: And here I thought the Williams Boys had that market cornered.

Ben: I’ll be back in a sec. *sounds of getting up from his chair and leaving*

Sammy: *calling after him* Don’t talk about Pete that way, Ben! He’s never gonna listen to the show again! Alright, folks. We’re just a few hot minutes away from Eli Goldblum coming into the studio to talk about…I’m guessing ghosts with lingering mental issues? *ominous music starts playing* Ah, I’m sorry apparitions. *sounds of Ben running back into the studio* I’m holding out hope for an apparition with multiple personality disorders, but I don’t know if that’s a thing or not. Ben? You okay, buddy?

Ben: How many times did I ask you to stop talking about the stupid hearse, Sammy?

Sammy: What’s wrong?

Ben: Oh, nothing. You wanna go outside and take a look?

Sammy: You know, I don’t think I want to. I’m more than happy with you filling me in.

Ben: Well, I didn’t go outside, Sammy. I didn’t have to. I just looked out the front window.

Sammy: Yeah, and? Ben, what’s going on do we need to call Troy?

Ben: The whole parking lot: my car, your car, as far as the lights will let me see…nothing but white roses.

Sammy: Are you serious?

Ben: Go look! Just don’t go out there. It looked like it was snowing, that’s how many of those damn things are out there.

Sammy: Okay, what’s the chances that it’s just a non-Halloween bouquet from Emily to you?

Ben: ZERO. Zero percent chance, Sammy.

Sammy: Folks, we’ll be right back after a word from our sponsors.

[kansascityhappenings]

Attorney General Barr ‘appalled’ over Jeffrey Epstein’s death, announces Justice Department investigation

https://embed-prod.vemba.io/vemba-embed.js

The Justice Department’s inspector general is opening an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of multimillionaire financier and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, Attorney General William Barr announced on Saturday.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed Epstein’s death, saying he was found unresponsive in his cell on Saturday at New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center around 5:30 a.m. CDT. The bureau’s release called it “an apparent suicide,” and said the FBI is investigating. Two law enforcement sources told CNN that Epstein died by suicide.

Barr said he was “appalled” to learn of Epstein’s death while in federal custody awaiting trial.

“I was appalled to learn that Jeffrey Epstein was found dead early this morning from an apparent suicide while in federal custody. Mr. Epstein’s death raises serious questions that must be answered,” Barr said in a statement. “In addition to the FBI’s investigation, I have consulted with the Inspector General who is opening an investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Epstein’s death.”

Epstein had been jailed since early July, when he pleaded not guilty to charges by New York federal prosecutors after an indictment accused him of sex trafficking dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14 years old.

The Southern District of New York’s investigation into Epstein’s alleged conduct is ongoing after his death, according to Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney overseeing that office.

“Today’s events are disturbing, and we are deeply aware of their potential to present yet another hurdle to giving Epstein’s many victims their day in Court,” Berman said in a statement. “To those brave young women who have already come forward and to the many others who have yet to do so, let me reiterate that we remain committed to standing for you, and our investigation of the conduct charged in the Indictment — which included a conspiracy count — remains ongoing,” Berman said.

No foul play is suspected in Epstein’s death, a federal official told CNN. Authorities believe Epstein hanged himself, a law enforcement source told CNN.

After Epstein was placed on suicide watch when he was found with marks on his neck on July 23, daily psychological assessments were conducted on him, according to a source familiar with the matter. But at the end the month, psychologists with the Bureau of Prisons took him off suicide watch and cleared him to return to his cell in the Special Housing Unit, the source said.

Barr is livid at the events surrounding the apparent suicide of Epstein and is determined to get to the bottom of what happened, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Former deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who left the Justice Department in May, said in a tweet Saturday that “pedophiles facing federal criminal charges are at high risk for suicide.”

“It happened in several of my Maryland cases when defendants were released on bail,” Rosenstein, a former US attorney for the District of Maryland, wrote. “Detained pedophiles require special attention. Stopping people from harming themselves is difficult.”

Nebraska Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Oversight Subcommittee, was highly critical of the Justice Department and the Bureau of Prisons in a letter addressed to Barr on Saturday, demanding answers to questions surrounding Epstein’s death. “The Department of Justice failed, and today Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirators think they might have just gotten one last sweetheart deal,” Sasse wrote. “Being responsible for Epstein’s custody and prosecution, the Department of Justice should not have allowed this to happen. His death not only deprives his victims of the opportunity to confront him in court and to see him held accountable for his crimes, but also makes it harder to unravel his ring.”

from FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports https://fox4kc.com/2019/08/10/attorney-general-barr-appalled-over-jeffrey-epsteins-death-announces-justice-department-investigation/

from Kansas City Happenings https://kansascityhappenings.wordpress.com/2019/08/10/attorney-general-barr-appalled-over-jeffrey-epsteins-death-announces-justice-department-investigation/

[sarahburness]

Impression Management Strategies: Are You Responding to Your Failing Business?

“I think the best companies are those that can recognize when something isn’t going right, and fix it, instead of just turning a blind eye because it’s easier.” — Ben Lerer

You’ve got an awesome idea and a sleek brand. You’re ready to create a successful startup that solves your target customers’ biggest problem. After hundreds of pitches, you and your team have managed to convince Angel investors and VCs to support your idea.

We all know how startups work. Every time you get funding, you give up equity in your company with every investor becoming a shareholder. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned.

Despite high hopes and a successful launch, your company’s slowly sinking. You can’t give value to your shareholders and your product isn’t selling. You’ve lost the millions of dollars you received in seed funding and you’re still losing. Your business is heading for a catastrophic failure.

When fear of failure kicks in?

What will people say? How will you tell your investors that you lost all their money? What about the public and your customers who were relying on your product? Will you have to carry the stigma of failure forever? Will you be marked as a bad risk for future endeavors?

Failure is not something you celebrate everywhere. In Japan, an entrepreneur whose venture has failed is expected to give a personal apology for letting people down. For Germans, failure is seen as a weakness and great risks are taken to prevent it from happening. In African culture, failure carries a heavy stigma. “If you fail, there is no glory, only shame,” says Hilda Moraa, co-founder of Weza Tele, a Kenyan fintech startup.

To avoid the negative effects of failure, many founders of failing startups use what social psychologists call impression management. It’s also known as “fake it till you make it”.

Robert McHenry, CEO of OPP Limited, describes impression management as “the process whereby people seek to control the image others have of them”. Recent research shows that founders of failing startups use impression management strategies. They do it to control the flow of information in social interactions, create a positive self-view or foster a desired new image.

Failing entrepreneurs choose the impression management strategy they believe best avoids or minimizes the stigma of failure. Let’s take a look at these strategies which foster social legitimacy with stakeholders and the public following a business failure.

The strategy of withdrawing

Also known as entrepreneurial distance-taking, withdrawing is when an entrepreneur accepts responsibility for the failure but withdraws from the situation. For example, you may exit your financially distressed company as a means to dissociate yourself from the negative implications of a failing business. Or if you choose to remain with your crashing company, you might limit your social engagement and public appearances.

Exiting is a drastic choice and you should carefully consider it. On a personal level, your exit means an abrupt end to your career, the loss of the company that you have worked so hard to create and the risk of the long-term regret for things that, in hindsight, you could have done differently.

For investors, the founder exiting frequently creates a corporate bureaucracy, killing the passion, innovation, and risk-taking that drove the company.

Most importantly, your exit can put a strain in your relationships with investors, employees, and customers. This can create a significant barrier when raising capital for your next venture.

Minimizing stigma poses a unique challenge to entrepreneurs because it comes from outside forces. One way to reduce the effect of stigma is by reducing the number of stigmatizers. The smart move is to remain with your failing company, limit interaction with those who might hold a negative view of you and attempt to save your business.

The strategy of concealing

Concealment strategy is when an entrepreneur ensures others remain ignorant about the condition of the business, particularly its financial situation. It can either be passive or active.

Passive concealment means you do not take steps to inform others of the impending failure. Active concealment, on the other hand, means you take deliberate steps to stop any information about the failure reaching others. It can also mean purposely deceiving investors or the public by not communicating the venture’s financial situation properly and truthfully.

Concealment strategy is a short-term avoidance tactic that can turn into a serious problem if you can’t fix the root problem quickly.

In one of the biggest bankruptcy scandals in the US history, Enron was caught miscommunicating its financial situation to shareholders and analysts. Enron’s senior executives made a habit of using accounting limitations to misrepresent earnings and modify the balance sheet to indicate favorable performance.

CEO Jeffery Skilling and CAO Richard Causey were named in the indictment as the chief architects. “A massive conspiracy to cook the books at Enron and to create the illusion that it was a robust company with limitless potential,” said Deputy Attorney General James Comey. “Enron was an increasingly troubled business kept afloat by a lifeline of gimmicks and maneuvers.”

Concealment only works if you can fix the problem quickly and get your company back on track. As Paul Lee, a partner at Lightbank, advises: “It’s one thing to highlight certain aspects of the business (and maybe embellish certain features), but it’s entirely different to outright lie about milestones, commitments, relationships, among other things. The truth will come out with any professional investor. Don’t take this risk — word travels fast in the small investor community.”

The strategy of denying responsibility

Denying responsibility means the entrepreneurs acknowledge their failure but refuse to take responsibility for it. There is substantial evidence from numerous studies that CEOs of poorly performing companies blame others or external events that are not under their control.

Entrepreneurs who deny responsibility don’t want to face reality. It usually results in dysfunctional outcomes, such as:

Compromised decision-making and poor judgment

Loss of trust in the entrepreneur

Low team and staff morale

Lack of commitment to act

Lack of urgency in responding to key leadership challenges

Don’t be in denial. If you actively ignore your mistakes, you lose the opportunity to learn from them and increase your chances of repeating them. If you’ve made a serious mistake, own up to it. The sooner you can change your strategy, the faster you can save your failing company.

The strategy of defining in a positive light

Defining in a positive light is when entrepreneurs acknowledge that they have made a mistake but define the failure in a way that lessens the effects of the damage caused.

When David Shepherd, Topman brand director, was asked to clarify the Topman target customer in 2001, he said: “Hooligans or whatever,” and added, “very few of our customers have to wear suits to work. They’ll be for his first interview or court case.”

Topman’s parent company, Arcadia Group, saw a 1.5 percent drop in share price. The company embarked on a rapid damage-control exercise, explaining that Shepherd had merely been anxious to show the stores’ affinity with the archetypal British male.

The opposite is true for Gerald Ratner, CEO of Ratners Group, whose famously inappropriate comments at the Institute of Directors cost the company $500 million almost overnight. It led to his resignation and a complete re-branding of the company to distance itself from his name.

Defining failure in a positive light can help others see the problem from a different perspective. If you can help the public see why that failure is positive or may actually benefit the business, it can be easy to turn failure to your advantage.

Lessons Learned

Impression management is a conscious or subconscious attempt to influence the perception others have of you or an event that has happened.

Finally, successful application of impression management strategies avoids or manages social stigma by:

Creating socially appropriate failure impressions

Creating a positive self-view

Supporting emotional recovery

The post Impression Management Strategies: Are You Responding to Your Failing Business? appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

from Dumb Little Man https://www.dumblittleman.com/impression-management-strategies/

[newstfionline]

Bolivia Tells President His Time Is Up. He Isn’t Listening.

By Nicholas Casey, NY Times, Jan. 28, 2018

LA PAZ, Bolivia--When he was 46, Rene Paucara voted for Evo Morales, helping elect him as Bolivia’s first indigenous president in 2005.

At 56, Mr. Paucara, a doorman in El Alto, Bolivia’s second-largest city, voted with the majority again, but that time to reject a 2016 referendum to let Mr. Morales seek a fourth term.

Now nearing 60, Mr. Paucara says he is fuming: Mr. Morales has said he will run again anyway. The president has been aided in the courts, which threw out the country’s term limits, describing them as unfair to politicians like Mr. Morales, a leftist who has reshaped Bolivia in his dozen years in power.

Mr. Paucara now fears that if the president wins again next year, he may be well on track to keep the job for life, unwilling to hand over his office to any successor.

“He said he’d govern listening to the people, but that’s not the case now,” Mr. Paucara said of Mr. Morales as he stood at the entrance of the building where he works. “No means no,” he said, referring to the results of the referendum.

Mr. Morales’s determination to continue governing his landlocked country has echoes elsewhere in the region, where a stable grid of democracies suddenly looks a lot less solid. Corruption scandals have rocked Ecuador, a successful impeachment brought down a president in Brazil and an attempt to remove Peru’s president from office failed by only a slim margin.

In Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro’s leftist government recently banned the three biggest opposition parties from running in a presidential election this year, following a deadly crackdown against protesters. In Honduras, judges overturned a constitutional ban against re-elections, allowing the right-wing incumbent, President Juan Orlando Hernández, to run again. After widespread protests of the results and calls by the Organization of American States for a new election after allegations of vote-rigging, Mr. Hernández declared victory last month, with the support of the United States.

“It’s undeniable that you’re starting to see authoritarian tendencies in parts of Latin America, leaders that are struggling to let go,” said Oliver Stuenkel, an international relations professor at the Getúlio Vargas Foundation in São Paulo, Brazil. “It’s not limited to the right or left now.”

Ben Raderstorf, an analyst at the Inter-American Dialogue, a policy group based in Washington, said recent economic troubles, in an area suffering from stagnant commodity prices, is one factor leading to incumbents trying to hold onto power in Latin America.

“When economies started to turn downward, political machines started to grasp what they could,” Mr. Raderstorf said.

Before telling Mr. Morales, 58, in the referendum that it was time he retired, voters had repeatedly backed him, in three consecutive elections, bringing stability to a country that some politicians had considered ungovernable. Five presidents had served in the five years before the swearing in of Mr. Morales in 2006.

When he first entered office, Mr. Morales, part of a group of leftist leaders in Latin America who rose to power at a time of high commodity prices, sought to tackle a history of inequality in Bolivia. He strong-armed foreign energy companies to share more profits with the state, investing the proceeds in education and health care while rewriting the country’s Constitution to speed his reforms.

A former union leader for coca farmers, Mr. Morales toured the country wearing traditional clothes and touting his indigenous roots. He built a web of aerial cable cars in the capital, La Paz, connecting the city’s poorer periphery to places of employment. By 2012, the poverty rate had dropped by more than half from a decade before.

This momentum has top officials in La Paz arguing that now is not the time to cut short a productive presidency on what they argue are the mere technical grounds of term limits.

“It’s historic leadership, it doesn’t work in short cycles,” said Gabriela Montaño, the head of Bolivia’s Chamber of Deputies and a member of the president’s Movement Toward Socialism party. “There is simply no leader in Bolivia like Evo Morales.”

From her office in the Legislature, Ms. Montaño noted that nearly half of the country’s senators are women and added that her own rise to power would have been impossible under any other president. She then brought up the case of Germany, a democracy where the current chancellor, Angela Merkel, entered office before Mr. Morales and is now trying to form a coalition government after her fourth election.

“I think as Bolivians we have the right to re-elect people as we please,” she said.

It is an argument that has gained traction among some economists on the left.

“The question of term limits isn’t as simple as it’s often portrayed,” said Mark Weisbrot, the co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a left-leaning think tank in Washington, noting that Americans elected Franklin Delano Roosevelt for four terms as he sought to overhaul the economy in the 1930s and lead America’s World War II allies in the 1940s.

“Leaders who are trusted enough and have the skills to get elected and preside over serious transformations can be quite rare,” he said.

Yet in Bolivia, the argument that a leader like Mr. Morales needs to be allowed to run again is being countered by an adage: That power corrupts those who hold it.

While Mr. Morales’s initial years in power were notable for reductions in inequality and increased rights for indigenous people, the more recent news about his government has focused on the misuse of public funds and attacks on the news media.

One scandal involved a woman, Gabriela Zapata, with whom the local news media said Mr. Morales had a romantic relationship. Ms. Zapata, 31, an executive at a Chinese-owned construction company that received large government contracts, was tried and sentenced in 2017 for influence peddling.

Though Mr. Morales has denied any connection to the case, the allegations that he had a relationship with a corrupt businesswoman still follows the president.

The term limits that Mr. Morales wants to jettison were part of a Constitution he had promoted in 2009. Late last year, the country’s highest court, which critics say is packed with judges loyal to Mr. Morales, ruled that term limits had violated an international human rights treaty from the 1960s, a ruling many legal experts consider dubious.

But even though Mr. Morales has said he will run again, that does not mean he will necessarily win in a walkover.

In judicial elections in December, a majority of Bolivians voiced their anger at the government by nullifying their ballots rather than picking from a list of judges that had been preselected by leftists.

But some analysts point out that while many voters are willing to express their anger against the president in referendums and judicial elections, far fewer may be willing to reverse his course by sending an untested opposition politician to the presidential palace.

“We have the perhaps weakest opposition in Latin America,” said Jorge Lazarte, a columnist for Bolivian newspapers and political scientist, saying few candidates stand a chance against Mr. Morales’s power and charisma.

As Julio Eguino, a 42-year-old psychologist, put it, “the question is, if not Evo, then who?”

[writinanon]

Whispers

Dakota belongs to @wafflii and Ben belongs to @yanderedad

Rumors

Mercy has cardinal wings, Dakota has the wings of a bearded Vulture, and Ben has Kookaburra wings (at least we thing that’s what we settled on for him)

  Word reached John shortly there after that the Miraculous Medic had done it again and saved the Savior of Hope County. He scoffed but wouldn’t deny that the Medic’s skills were something to marvel at. He privately hoped this wouldn’t rekindle their relationship, what little work he’s managed to chip away at it would be lost if they did. His only company had been the psychologist and he wasn’t very talkative when it came to Dakota, or Mercy. The youngest Seed brother would never understand his oldest brother’s obsession with her, she was tenacious and had a nasty habit of killing his men she was the ideal woman to stand beside Jacob and be kept tucked away in a house Domestic Goddess until called on so maybe he could see why Jacob had fallen hard for the ungrateful woman. Still she didn’t hold a candle to the Deputy, Sinner though she was, there was an innocence about her. She didn’t know she was being led astray. She didn’t know that the rebels of Fall’s End were False Shepherds. But she could be brought to atonement and redeemed. All John had to do was get her away from these Sinners.

 “You’re a long way from the Mountains.” John’s ears perked as he listened to his guard talking to someone.

 “When the call came in I was worried. She’s one of the reasons we have a foothold in the County. Hell, she helped to put an end to Jacob. I owed it to her.” John vaguely recalled this man o be Eli Palmer, the leader of the Whitetail Militia and constant thorn in Jacob’s side. John grit his teeth and assured himself that he would see him atone for the sins against his brother.

 “If I didn’t know any better I’d say you were in love with the Dep.” The guard chuckled and the man laughed, but it was too light, to airy. John felt his hackles raise. He would need to think of some way to keep Dakota from this man. He sought to ruin everything he built. He was violent and a brute, savage and unwilling to allow someone else to protect him. The misguided fool and sent many men to their deaths for no reason other than refusal to accept Jacob’s authority.

  Dakota groaned softly and blinked awake. She’d been recovering for the last few days and was finally cleared to actually get up and out of the room provided that she was with the constant company of Mercy, Ben, or Eli. She felt warmth creep into her cheeks at the thought of the man and a giddy smile swept in, one she didn’t want to smile but couldn’t help but give.

 “Finally, the princess is awake.” Mercy hummed from the doorway and the brunette looked over at her. She wasn’t wearing her usual hunting gear but rather one of her flowing skirts and loose tops.

 “Well the bed got cold.” She muttered and blinked big eyes at her.

 “As tempting as it is to spend the day in bed we have work to do.” Dakota sobered instantly. They had to figure out what they were going to do with John, what they were going to do about Joseph, and how to keep the County stable. She carefully maneuvered herself from bed and pulled on some borrowed clothing, a pair of Mercy’s loose jeans with the cuffs rolled up and one of Ben’s t-shirts. She felt like she was drowning in her pants but most of her clothes were back at the small apartment above the Spread Eagle in Fall’s End not here at the Pumpkin Farm. Mercy’s house had been too far away and too difficult to get to so they had brought her here.

 “I feel like a little kid.” She mumbled but Mercy smirked at her. “Don’t say anything.” She pointed and the other woman held up her hands and shifted from the doorway.

 “Let’s go Darlin’ we’re burning daylight.” Nodding, proud of herself for cutting off the jest, Dakota walked from the room to the living room where Dutch, Grace, Nick, Jess, Adelaide, Ben, and Eli had assembled. Dakota knew she needed to prove herself to them again, she was foolish, she had pushed away the people that had helped her, that she loved. But now she had Mercy back. She had Ben’s insights. She would try one last time with John. She had to. If only to prove that there was something buried deep inside him. Some part that wasn’t poisoned by the past, poisoned by his brother.

  Palmer and Dakota were among the more common combinations of who came to speak with John. He didn’t like the way that the Sinner looked at his future wife. His glare wasn’t as biting as the silent Medic’s or the Psychologist’s though so he preferred it to the pair of them. Dakota seemed to pick up on this and thoughtfully only brought the others when there was no one else available to come. She was so kind that way. None of these fools deserved her. Still today seemed different, they were going to let him out of the cell that they’d been keeping him in. Dakota wasn’t there to greet him instead it was both Lee and Mercy. Neither looked happy to be there but they were there. John noticed that every few minutes Mercy would rub her chest as though it was hurting her and her head would bend toward the empty air on her right. Lee looked concerned but his eyes rarely left John, so the Baptist had to endure their watch. The hour reprieve from his cell was nice and it allowed John to try and slip away but the Medic never let him. She was a good little watch dog. However, this fine spring day was interrupted by laughter. John knew that musical sound, Dakota was off in the distance with Palmer. He watched as they leaned on each other and walked hand in hand together. Dakota bit her lip and looked up at the Sinner as he smiled down at her. He leaned closer and pressed a kiss to her forehead and for a moment all John could see was red.

 “You harlot!” He was marching over to them swiftly, taking long purposeful strides forward. “You were just stringing me a long, weren’t you? All your talk of love and finding understanding was a ruse. You were using me. Trying to kill my brothers and leave me with their blood on my hands!”

 “What?” Dakota stammered but he was beyond angry. How could she do this to him? How could she betray him like this? The man was now in front of her and John didn’t hesitate to tear into him. Oh, how he wanted his tools. He would make this man beg for forgiveness. For stealing John’s Bride.

 “You need to back up.” Palmer growled hand going to his gun.

 “You know my brother was quite right about you, you’re a coward. Stealing what doesn’t belong to him. First you do this to Jacob and get him killed and now you do it to me.”

 “Dakota doesn’t belong to you. And Mercy never belonged to Jacob.” There was a strange noise from behind them but John continued to glare into the glue green eyes of Palmer. Dakota noticed though.

 “Mercy?” She whispered fearfully.

 “As a Sinner I expect you to deny your sins but this is just mockery. You deny your crimes when the proof stands before you? And you. How could you have done this to me. Was I not worthy enough to you? Did you think that you could play me for a fool?”

 “John I’ve never lied to you and I never promised you anything more than friendship.”

 “Ha! You nearly rent your relationship with the Medic asunder for me. And yet you would deny your love for me?” Palmer moved forward but John was ready. He might not have been the strongest but he was the fastest of his siblings. He and Palmer grappled for the weapon before John came out the victor. But just as he was to claim victory and kill the bastard sinner that thought to usurp him and steal what he had claimed a hand clamped down on his wrist. He twisted and the gun did go off but no one was hit. He struggled until the person spoke.

 “Enough John.” It wasn’t the sound but the tone and cadence. John froze and looked into Mercy’s eyes. But they weren’t the same pale blue they usually were. Now they were the same color as Jacob’s. For a moment he thought her hair shone red and then he was being hauled away. For just a moment his older brother stood in the shadow of the Medic.

  Dakota felt herself trembling, she wanted to cry. Mercy stood, back straight but shoulders rolled loose. It was a disturbingly familiar stance and she had spoken just like the oldest Seed only moments before. This only compounded her fear. She didn’t know what to do. And then Mercy was panting and looking around before looking at Dakota, worry and fear in her eyes. Ben touched her shoulder and she looked over. His face was a grim line.

 “What the fuck was that?” Eli muttered, wrapping an arm around her. She settled a little closer to him and watched were Grace and Sharky were dragging John away. He was still screaming about Eli and her betrayal.

 “Nothing. Just a… Ghost.” Mercy murmured and then fell back into her usual parade rest stance, loose but ready to fight. Dakota wiggled free and darted into her arms. “I’m sorry honey.”

 “Why this is what you wanted isn’t it?” A little bitterness clung, the aggravation of not being thought good enough lingered.

 “No. This isn’t what I wanted.” Mercy ran a hand through her hair. “I knew this would happen, that John’s true colors would be shown sooner or later and it would crush you but I didn’t want it to happen.” Dakota looked up at her and pressed their foreheads together.

 “I don’t understand.”

 “Just because I know he’s a snake in the grass and a bastard, doesn’t mean I didn’t want you to see it.”

 “I’m sorry.”

 “Don’t apologize, neither of us handled that well. It’s over.”

 “Yeah. Yeah it is.” It hurt to admit it but she’d seen it. John believed that he owned her. That she was his property and she owed him. Just for being nice, just for trying to understand him. All because she thought there was good in him. “I’m an idiot.”

 “No you’re a good person.” Ben corrected gently and she looked up from Mercy’s shoulder. “He too advantage of your kind heart. You’re not an idiot, or stupid, or dumb, or anything like that. You’re nice, you’re kind, you look for the best in people. And sadly that means people like John Seed will try to use you.”

 “I really thought… I thought that he just needed a friend.”

 “Maybe he did.” Eli murmured softly. “But the time he needed a friend passed a long time ago. What you did was noble honey. Never doubt that. But sometimes you’re just too late.” Dakota felt Mercy’s body tense and she was staring at something, fear and hatred in her eyes as she tightened her grip on Dakota protectively.

 “Mercy?”

 “Fine.” She said through grit teeth. “It’ll be fine.”

  Mercy rubbed her face. She had been feeling off all day. She knew that it was Jacob’s doing but she couldn’t help but fear another possession. She had herself safe guarded now, but would it actually help? He was already inside. She rubbed at her chest, though the print was washed away she could still feel it. His bloody hand print that he had placed there as he died. That part of her chest was almost always warm. She needed to pull herself together. They were moving John to the jail. He had tried to make nice with Dakota, tried to say it was a moment of passion but his mask had slipped at the Deputy wouldn’t be fooled again.

 “You okay?” Grace asked softly and she smiled. She pressed a kiss to her knuckles and nodded slowly.

 “Didn’t sleep well Milady.” Grace huffed and grinned at her antics.

 “Too excited to finally put that fucker behind bars?”

 “I’m not the cop here, remember?”

 “Thank god for that!” Sharky remarked, he felt he had to be more gentlemanly around Dakota and Ben since they represented the Law and he didn’t want them to throw him back into lock up once this was over. Not that they would but if he wasn’t careful Joey would for sure. Mercy’s vision swayed and she shook her head. Grace was frowning again and she shrugged it off.

 “I’m going to splash some water on my face to wake up. I’ll be back in five.” She assured and headed back into he Spread Eagle. She nodded to Mary-May and then went into the bathroom. She turned the tap on cold, somehow the water was always freezing, and cupped her hands in it. She splashed herself, getting the neck and chest of her shirt soaked but not caring. The sun would dry it and it wasn’t like she’d get sick from it given that the weather what been sunny. She took several deep breaths before a chill ran up her spine. Something inside her told her to look up, look up, look at her reflection. But oh, she knew she shouldn’t. She could see bloody hands in the mirror where hers should be.

 “Oh Chickadee.” He hummed in amusement. Her head snapped up and she took a step back but that didn’t stop him. His hand pressed to her chest, the same place it had before. “It’s time to take a nap, my Little Chick.” The world swam into darkness and she barely registered the sound of her body hitting the floor or someone yelling.

  Dakota was pacing back and forth in Dutch’s bunker. They had sent the transport team off, they could do this without Mercy she was only going to ensure he got there. They found her on the floor of the bathroom after fainting. She had some minor bruising on her temple but that wasn’t what worried her. Sitting on her chest was a red hand print. An all too familiar hand print. Dakota had been there in the aftermath of what happened. Once Ben had snapped her from her trance and informed her that they had to go after Mercy, that she was facing off against Jacob alone, she had gone for blood. He had tried to make her murder Eli. He had almost succeeded too. She still shook with nightmares. With him snapping her free just to show her Eli’s broken body, Ben’s broken body, Mercy’s clipped wings, all at her hands. But when she got to the clearing Jacob was dead, in a heap against some rocks and Mercy was kneeling next to him. She was bloody and bruised but victorious. But even in death Jacob left a mark, his hand print was sitting on Mercy’s chest bright and claiming, right over her heart.

 “Kotie, sweetie, your wings are going to burst if you keep that up.” Dutch’s Bunker was small and confined, it wouldn’t be good if her wings came out here.

 “Sorry I’m just worried.” She was. And not just because Mercy fainted out of the blue. Dakota had sensed that Ben and Mercy were hiding something from her, while they had been fighting it was just one more thing to hold against them but now… Now she worried they were trying to protect her and the strain of the secret was hurting Mercy.

 “No need to get feather dust all over everything.” Mercy’s hoarse voice called from the cot she was laying on.

 “What the hell happened?” Dutch snapped as Dakota rushed to her side. Mercy shook her head and sat up slowly.

 “I – I don’t…” The radio came on. It was Eli.

 “The transport got hit. Joseph brought the fucking cavalry. Like he fucking knew.”

 “How many casualties?” Dutch snapped instantly.

 “Most. Grace and Nick are okay only minor wounds but we’ve lost at least ten good men and women today. And John Seed.”

 “Shit.”

 “Fucking Cunts.” Ben seethed and Dakota winced as his accent thickened with his anger. Ben was slow to anger but when he finally went off he was like an inferno. Mercy was sickeningly quiet. She was trembling and her head was in her hands.

 “It’s my fault.” She murmured sorrow lacing her voice.

 “What? No it’s not. If you’d been there you might have died or been captured too!” Dakota insisted but she and Ben shared a look. Dutch looked over at them and she looked up at him.

 “I’m sorry Grandpa.” She pleaded as tears fell down her face. Dakota had never seen Mercy cry before. Had never actually seen her break down. She wrapped the other woman in an embrace and tried to calm her but she shook her off.

 “What’s happened Mercy?” Dutch asked softly and Mercy let out a shaky breath.

 “Since we killed Jacob I’ve been having… Moments.” She said slowly, Dakota stroked her hand since her sister didn’t want a hug. “Times when I swear I can feel him, hear him, when he’s there. A few weeks ago it escalated to fully seeing him.”

 “When you fought with me?” Had she caused this?

 “Yes but it’s not your fault. He’s been getting stronger and I’ve been ignoring it because I don’t want to admit what’s happened.”

 “Shit.” Dutch cursed and looked at her. “We ain’t got anything that can fix it.”

 “I know. I was hoping I was going crazy.”

 “Hell kiddo you know how dangerous this is.”

 “What’s happening?” Ben asked confused. He had thought that Mercy was suffering from shock and fatigue as well.

 “There are old kinds of magic in this world. Binding kinds.” Dutch ran a hand over his head.

 “You know how John drowned my aunt instead of making her ‘atone’ for her sins.” Dakota felt dread settle coldly into her stomach. “She was a Witch.”

 “Never suffer a Witch to live.” The Deputy repeated and Mercy nodded.

 “Jacob for his lack of interest in religion seems to have taken some interest in magic. He bound his Soul to mine.”

 “He what?” Ben and Dakota shouted at the same time.

 “I couldn’t be completely sure until last week.”

 “He took possession of you.” The frightening sense of familiarity, of wrongness, had not been false.

 “And now he’s strong enough to manifest himself to Joseph. He had to have told him about the plan. Fuck I should have known!”

 “You couldn’t have known he could manifest to others. That takes time and you’ve only killed him three months ago!” Dutch defended.

 “Well now we have proof he can. Which means any plans I know about, are in jeopardy.” Mercy wrapped her free arm around her legs and bit her lip. “You should put me down.”

 “Where? Your house isn’t safe anymore if Jacob can get Joseph to attack it.” Dakota blinked in confusion and Mercy gave a soft laugh.

 “Darlin’ I mean kill me. It would kill him too.”

 “No!” Dakota snapped and forced Mercy to look at her. “No way! We’ll find a way to separate your Souls even if it means bringing him back. Honestly I’d love to take a crack at him.” She smirked and Mercy chuckled weakly.

 “Your optimism is overwhelming.” Dakota wasn’t going to let Mercy die, she wasn’t going to kill her or let her kill herself. She would stick to her side like glue and try to figure this out.