#bergen_county

"Well, you dropped these sweet tarts young man" she says

And hands them over "But wash your hands before you eat them mm?"

"Oh?" He turns around in a circle a few times, tail swishing behind him, before he notices that she's holding it out. "Did I?" A blink. "Oh, oh yes I did. I drop all SORTS of things. Sweet Tarts from sweet hearts. And you're Torin's new sweetheart?"

"I must be, we had a mad crazed sharing of food while we each dressed up in funny clothing," the woman says

His nose wrinkles up. "Funny like fancy SOOTS, or like Howl-o-ween, or clowns? If you were wearing clown suits then I want to see." A little perplexed that he would have missed such a sight.

"He wore a fancy suit, I wore a nice dress, but.. I do often dress at work like some 'hippie clown'... or so some one once discribed me. " She leans forward "But wearing bright colors sometimes makes me happy "

His tail flashes. "Oh, oh wait!" And he darts away, around the side of the building, scrambling so fast that his hands are padding the ground.

"Oh my" But she waits

Coming back shortly, he offers her... a bright yellow dandelion! Large head bobbing on the stalk as he carefully cups his hands around it. "Boss says we should weed these out of the cracks, but they're bright and pretty. And it's not fair to be pulled up just because you're the WRONG flower. But it's bright, so, um. I thought, maybe you, um..." Suddenly shy again and he mutely offers it out.

She takes it, and smiles..."Bright and misunderstood is my FAVORITE flower! How did you know?" And making sure it is cleaned off most dirt, she tucks it in her hair

He beams at her, and pats the bags of fertilizer. "I have a friend who knows how to grow all sorts of things. He's even named Jack because he's good with beanstalks. If you need help with growing things, you should come by the lodge."

"Well, you are the second person who said I should drop by the lodge to talk to someone. I am starting to think maybe the lodge is very nice with good people to talk to" She nods pseudo-gravely

"You gotta come hungry though. Because you're not allowed to leave without eating something. It's in the Written Snaccords." A solemn nod.

"I will bring my appetite. " Then in a lower voice "Between you and me? Sometimes I don't even invite my appetite, and it shows up anyway"

His eyes get big and he nods. "You understand!"

She nods back

Jaymes watches the interplay. Thinking troll thoughts. Which are often more private than other kith thoughts

"My traitory nose smells the things, and suddenly my belly joins in even though it already had enough. Oh, I better get back to work. Mr. Boss King can't handle things without me. He tries, but he always messes up where to put the good snacks so that short people see them first."

"You're doing the Lord's work" She says "Which lord, I can only guess." MA smiles "he's a delight" to Jaymes.

Jaymes nods.

And he motions Connor to go back in.. as he himself is going to ring the price up and wish her well

Zoom, he is out of sight and properly back to work. And he even washes his hands before snacks.

and soon Myrttle Anne aka M.A. is driving off in her Pick up truck with the flower designs on the side of the other wise 'macho' vehicle

A peek up at Jaymes. "She seems awful?" Questioning.

Jaymes grunts ("I kind of like her too")

He gives Jaymes a reassuring pat on the arm, and returns to where he is carefully reorganizing the candy shelf.

The boy is nothing if not dedicated to the spreading of joy.

(End Scene)

A sunny 65 degree day at Bergen... the water SHOULD be a bit too cold... so naturally, the teenagers are there anyway... and yelling memes at each other.

Yelling, as part of the 'rules' applied is a ridiculous game of 'how far can we get and still be heard'... both observing social distancing, and yes, mocking it a bit.

May yells at Dagmar "Sam, I can haz cheezeburger?" for food is laid out.. only on person gets them at a time

"Oh god, May, that meme is old enough to be my DAD!"

Lupe from another area yells "Okay, Boomer!"

May says "i'm bringing it back"

"It'll be so fetch!" Eden grins

"GAAHHHH."

This whole crazy thing, this dorky waste of time... is Eden's fault. Her suggestion.

And god help them all, it might be fun!

"This is stupid, " Nadeen says "ANNND.. you all just made the list"

"What list?"

"Why am I on a list?"

"There is no list" May says. She's seen this show!

No one gets within 20 feet of each other, but sometimes they rotate to grab snacks.

After a full hour, a meme break is declared... which , of course, turns into a discussion if the term 'meme break' could itself become a meme?

And folks talk about how it is going for them, family life, how bored they are, and what's good

Birthday, horses, horse, horse...

Nadeen, horse

Basketball, Brothers are Stupid, Environmentalism, litterbugs are stupid, Basketball

Happy to see all, Was lonely, basketball, horses are nice, friends!

Difficult People, Frustration with delays, glad all are well, missing ice skating more than cheerleading