The Honor Roll: Episode 13. The Tactics Of Fear

   As the weekend's past, and winter break's started for Caswell County Schools, at Waters Elementary, Thomas sits inside his office, as he works, as Dwight arrives, and reminds Thomas "You know we have the week off." Thomas responds "I was bored at home, so I came here instead." Dwight sighs "My Wife's on the beach for the week, and forgot to invite me. It was a sorority reunion." Thomas quips "There's a logical reason." Thomas asks Dwight "So what's your plans Mr.Waltrip?" Dwight tells Thomas "I think we should go up to Bankhead to this breakfast place I know of." Thomas tells him "Sounds like a plan, The Courthouse Inn's been slammed since yesterday's opening." Dwight tells Thomas "Eliza's hit the jackpot with that mainstay." Thomas laughs "And apparently she and my Dad are hitting it together after he called me from her house this morning." Dwight laughs, as he and Thomas walks out, and heads to Bankhead.
   At Eliza's new home, that she's named "Sullivan Hill", Eliza sits in her living room, as she smokes a cigarette, and thinks of the night before, and goes through a photo album, and has a thought, and then her doorbell rings, as she goes to answer it, and Didi stands on the other side, as Eliza notices fear in Didi's eyes, and asks her "Where have you been this weekend? I thought you were going to help me.." Didi goes "I found some yard sales." Eliza walks over to her chair, and goes "There's no damn yard sales this time of the year. You've acted strange the last few days, and what's going on? Trouble in Albania?" Didi sighs "Not that. I'm going through something Eliza. I don't really want to discuss it." Eliza stares at Didi, as she is unnerved, and asks "What's going on?" Didi tells Eliza "Someone's come to town, and my entire life's at stake." Eliza asks "And exactly what do you mean?" As Didi starts to talk, Bill walks downstairs, as he yells "What in the hell is that crazy foreigner doing here?" Didi tells Eliza "Well, seeing both of you are in your robes, I'll head back home." Didi leaves with a look of dread on her face, as Eliza looks at her Ex-Husband, and yells "Show that girl some damn kindness Bill! And stop being a jackass!" Bill responds "I showed my kindness this morning." Eliza quips "And now if we could only work on your personality." Bill looks down and yells "Hell I'm wearing pajamas!" Eliza smiles, as she tells her Ex-Husband "And much better than the days you just wore underwear." Bill heads upstairs, as he gets his clothes, and yells at Eliza from upstairs "I'm going home now." Eliza yells "Good.", as she says to herself "The perfect relationship."
   Meanwhile at The Courthouse Inn, Edna sits inside, wearing a wig, and looks through the window, where the offices to Caswell County Schools are located, as she has a flashback (Two days earlier, Edna yells at Maura "Thomas Duncan is Principal! And you let Anna Waters and them cut ties with the school I helped build? Maura responds "I had no choice Edna!" Edna slaps Maura, and warns her "I didn't get out on good behavior so you know, and now that I know everything, you will rectify your wrongs, or else." Edna pulls out the pistol, as she smiles "I like this. Nice, and powerful.") The waitress walks up to Edna, as she asks "Need anything?" Edna responds "I'm ok. Who owns this place?" The waitress responds "Eliza Sullivan." Edna's eyes widen, as she tells the waitress "Eliza Sullivan. She owns this?" The waitress nods, as Edna responds "Thank you for telling me." The waitress walks away, as Edna has a thought, and calls Maura, and gets no answer, as anger grows in her eyes. Meanwhile Corey walks inside with Anna, as Anna tells Corey "Breakfast's on me Corey. Let's discuss your new job as the director of Special Ed." Unknown to them, Edna sits, as she says to herself "My Grandson follows in my steps, and shall lead from my example, whether he wants to, or not." Edna quietly leaves, as she walks back to Maura's apartment, as another thought enters her mind and she says to herself "An excellent decision to make."
   In Bankhead, Dwight and Thomas sits on the town square, as Dwight tells Thomas "This is the first step in overcoming yesterday." Thomas sighs, as he takes a drink of coffee "Since I've moved back here, this is the first time I've came here. I hate this town. Just down the road is hell." Dwight reminds Thomas "There'll be no more need for worry with that place for our school." Thomas tells Dwight "Thanks for the breakfast by the way." Dwight shrugs "Don't mention it. It's a nice day, and the town square has some nice things to see." Two women walk by, as Dwight looks, and Thomas goes "I thought you were talking about the old buildings." Dwight quips "That too, but there's some eye candy." Missy meanwhile arrives, as she sees Dwight and Thomas, and asks "Enjoying our two day vacation?" Thomas sighs "A few days rest before I have to see your Mother again." Missy looks at Dwight and Thomas, as she has a look of fear on her face, as Dwight asks Missy "What's wrong?" Missy sits down, and tells Thomas and Dwight "First off, I noticed Ms.Sullivan called me this past weekend, and wants to meet with me." Dwight sighs "She knows Missy." Missy turns to Thomas, as anger grows in her eyes, and goes "She knows about what I told you?" Dwight responds "If you are talking about your Father's suicide, Alice and Effie told her to get her off your back. They didn't mean anything bad from it." Missy sighs with disgust "Everything's going to hell." Thomas notices Missy growing nervous, as he asks her "Something else seems to be bothering you besides my Mama. What's wrong?" Missy grabs Thomas' hand, and warns him "She has returned." Thomas asks "Who has returned?" Dwight's also curious, as Missy goes "Mommy's lover, and our new Special Ed director's Grandmother, Edna Horton." Thomas has a flashback, as he begins to panic, and holds his chest, as Missy and Dwight both tend to Thomas, as he responds with is nerves shaken "Hell no. Hell no." Missy tells Thomas "You need to be careful, and I'm driving down to check on Mommy dearest. The bitch is crazier than she was before, and even Mommy Dearest's acting strange." Dwight tells Thomas, as he takes deep breaths "Are you alright?" Thomas looks at Dwight, and tells him "I think it's time to head back to the school, and I'm going home. I don't believe this." Thomas walks away with anger in his eyes, as Dwight asks Missy "How did Edna get out of Milledgeville?" Missy tells him "Good behavior from what Mom told me, but I don't believe it." Dwight tells Missy "Me either. Just know one thing, Thomas won't take this well, and when everyone finds out..." Missy responds with disgust "I have a bad feeling since that crazed bitch is back." Dwight assures Missy "You, and Thomas will have many allies at Waters Elementary, and if Edna shows up, she'll be on the first paddy wagon to the nuthouse!" Missy thanks Dwight, and walks away, as Dwight walks to his truck, as Thomas sits, and is silent, as Dwight looks at him, and assures him "It'll be ok Thomas. There's nothing Edna can do." Thomas remains silent, as Dwight drives back to Caswellton, as Thomas sits in the passenger seat, with a look of fear in his eyes.
   Back in Caswellton, Didi returns to her home, as Whip sits in the living room, and asks "So you know Erica Elliott?" Didi yells "Have you been going through my things?" Whip laughs "Wife, I am allowed to, and Erica and I had a fling back in New York City before she headed South. Ahh the days of disco." Didi yells at Whip "I want you to go back where you came from you son of a bitch! I don't owe you a damn thing, and you lied to me to start with!" Whip responds "I don't remember lying?" Didi screams "Jody! Your Wife! I was going to be your chick on the side!" Whip yells "And we were separated, I helped you get to the States, and get your citizenship, and you also headed south as well! Didi looks around her house, as she screams something in Albanian, as Whip quips "Remember to speak English in my presence you foreigner. And I hope your friend got you that cash." Didi yells at Whip "Eliza was busy when I seen her, and I want your ass out of here!" Whip sits back, as he laughs "I'm not staying at the Caswellton Motor Lodge, and you're going to have one hell of a time getting rid of me." Didi looks at Whip, and walks into her bedroom, as he follows, as she slams the door, and Whip goes "That's fine. I'll break some more things, and give Erica Elliott a call." Didi takes a deep breath, as Whip pulls out his phone, as he dials Erica's number. Meanwhile at Sullivan Hill, Erica arrives, as she tells Eliza "I had some things to give you for this beautiful old home." Eliza looks at Erica, as Erica's phone rings, and she tells Eliza "Why would Didi Nikos be calling me?" Eliza goes "Well answer the phone. She came by this morning and was upset, and Bill didn't help things." Erica asks "Oh the two of you having beneficial sleepovers?" Eliza smiles, and gets back on topic, as Erica's phone continues to ring, and Eliza yells "Answer it!" Erica answers, as she goes "Hello?" Whip, on the other end goes "Hello Erica, my little disco whore. I'm in town." Erica hangs up the phone, as Eliza looks at Erica, as Erica takes a deep breath, and responds slowly "This can't be real." Eliza yells "What in the hell is wrong?" Erica responds "Didi may be in trouble, and she isn't the only one." Eliza asks "Where are you going with this?" Erica tells Eliza "That was an old fling I had when I still lived in New York. Whip Morris. He's in town, and apparently with Didi Nikos." Eliza is silent, as Erica tells Eliza of her past with Whip, as Eliza tells Erica "Well we're going to help her." Erica tells Eliza "I can't do that." Eliza asks "And why can't you?" Erica tells Eliza "I have to go back home. Tonight the hubby and I are having date night." Erica walks out, as Eliza grows suspicious, as a thought enters her head, and Eliza says to herself "Well whatever's going on, it looks bad." Meanwhile Erica stops at the red light, as she has a flashback, and says to herself "Didi, we're in the same boat."
   At Maura's Apartment, Maura sits in her living room, as she hangs up the phone with Anna, as there's a knock at the door, and Maura answers, as Missy asks "Usually you yell Melissa?" Missy notices a bruise on her Mother's face, as she asks her Mother "Did Edna hit you?" Maura quickly changes subjects, as she asks her Daughter "So Corey Horton's in charge of Special Education now?" Missy nods, and tells her Mother "And Ms.Winnie's returning to teach First Grade." Maura responds "Well that's great news, and now we need to get Thomas the hell out of there..." Missy stops her Mother, and snaps "He knows Mother! I seen him, and told him that psychotic bitch was back in town, speaking of her, where's she hiding?" Maura looks at her Daughter, and sighs with dread "Melissa, you shouldn't have said a word about Edna." Missy asks "What's there that you're not telling me?" Maura yells "Just drop it damnit! I can't discuss it!" Missy tells her "By the way, Eliza Sullivan knows about my Daddy's suicide, and she called to meet with me. I'm planning to do so." Maura pleads with Missy "Melissa, don't say a damn word to her about Edna being back in town. If you do I'll have you fired from Waters Elementary, and your career will be over!" Missy tells her Mother, as she begins to head towards the door "If the police knew about Edna, or Snowball as some call her staying here, your career would be done, and I'll let you know now, and I'll give you some time to consider it before you give your answer, it's her or me." Missy begins to head to the door, as Edna arrives, and asks Maura "So you've been lying to me? This isn't Melissa, this is your lover!" Missy snarks at Edna "May want to stop popping the Xanax you weirdo." Missy walks out, as Edna warns Maura "She's to never be here again." Maura yells "That's my Daughter!" Edna responds "And I don't give a damn!" Edna pulls out her pistol, as she sighs "I saw Corey today, and he's now the new golden boy, but he wasn't home." Maura warns her "He's disowned you, and people know you're here." Edna, in a paranoid tone goes "Who knows I'm here?" Maura goes "Thomas." Edna pulls out her pistol, and tells Maura "And there's a simple way of solving that solution." Meanwhile Missy arrives at Eliza's Mansion, as she knocks on the door, but to find nobody there, and gets into her car, as she drives back home." At Thomas' Farm, Eliza and Bill await, as Thomas pulls into the driveway, as Dwight follows, as Thomas gets out of his car, and takes a deep breath, as Bill and Eliza asks Dwight "What's wrong with Thomas?" Dwight tells them "Edna Horton escaped from Milledgeville, and she's in town." Thomas grabs his chest again, as he has another panic attack, and Bill and Dwight helps him inside, as Eliza gets out her phone, and calls Missy, and tells her "Meet me tomorrow." Meanwhile at Maura' s Apartment, Edna paces the floor, as she looks at Maura, and tells her "I'm going to get help to our problem. And it will put this damn town on notice!" At Thomas' Farm, Eliza sits in a rocking chair, as she too has a flashback, and calls Anna, and tells her "I want to help Maura with her class." Anna, at her Mother and Father's farm, responds "I don't think that's smart." Eliza responds "I think it is, and Snowball's out of Milledgeville, so you have no room to deny me." Anna agrees, as Eliza hangs up, and pulls out a pistol, and responds "Bitch, you're going to pay for what you've done to my Son." Inside, Thomas lays on the couch, as he has flashbacks, and screams, as Bill and Dwight tries to calm Thomas down, as Eliza walks inside, and tells both of them "Welcome me back to Waters Elementary, and Maura will be kept in check!" Thomas starts to cry, as Eliza's eyes grow with anger, as Eliza pulls out her pistol, and Bill tells Dwight "May want to warn the staff a war's about to erupt."