The Honor Roll: Episode 23. Working Into Madness

    As another day's arrived, at Thomas' Farm, Thomas sits outside on his porch, as he sighs with relief "Teacher's Work Day." Bill pulls into the driveway, as he lets Scarlet down, and asks his Son "So taking a day off?" Thomas tells his Father "I'll head down there soon. I'm just thinking." Bill responds "I think all the time too Thomas. I think about why Mary.." Thomas tells him "Dad, give it up. Mary's never taking you up on your proposals, and I think Mama would be very pissed." Bill sighs "Yeah, and with Jean at the school, I can't catch no breaks. So what's on your mind?" Thomas responds distantly "Something similar to your situation, but different." Bill asks "Well what kind of situation. Missy Gardner?" Thomas gets up, as he asks his Father "So are you bailing the hay today for Mr. Gore to buy later?" Bill nods, as he hugs his Son, as Thomas leaves, and Bill tells his puppy "I think Thomas may finally be moving on."
    Meanwhile at Waters Elementary, in the lounge, Alice, Effie, Winnie, Judy, Didi, and Jean sits inside, as Jean tells them a story about Susan, as she goes "I hope she tries to find herself a Husband soon, and give me a Grandbaby." Alice tells Jean "Susan's much nicer than Maura. I think she's been a great addition to the school, and you as well." Effie quips "Mary gets relief now." Jean sighs "Bill's always been a flirt, and I had to keep him in line." Marian meanwhile walks inside, as she asks everyone "So where's Mrs. Ellis?" Jean asks "My Sister Diane?" Marian goes "Yes. She has work to do and today's her first day. Not a good impression." Jean snaps "She already works one job, and she could use a break once in a while." Marian tells everyone "Well I'll just ask Maura's assistant to help me out." Winnie quips "The warden's prisoner is working at The Inn today." Effie gets up, as she tells them "I need to go help Connie, so later at The Inn?" Everyone nods, as Marian has left, as have Didi, and Alice gets up, and heads to her classroom, as Jean looks at Winnie, and asks her "So Eliza said you worked for Maura Carson.." Winnie quips "I was a prisoner! She's an evil bitch and I hope one day Caswell County fires the bitch once and for..." Maura walks in, and goes "Here's the bitch! And you may ought to consider retirement ladies." Jean is quiet, as Winnie asks Maura "Met Jean yet? This is Thomas' Aunt." Maura looks at Jean, and boldly goes "Anyone related to that psycho I have no use for." Jean looks at Maura and smiles "Watch your ass Maura, and if you come after my sweet little Susie, Eliza will be the least of your problems." Jean struts out, as Judy tells Winnie "I like her." Winnie nods in agreement, as Maura yells "So more of Thomas' deranged family are working here? Shit!" Winnie and Judy gets up, as they walk out and Winnie looks at Maura and jokes "Scary isn't it?" Maura sits down, as she rolls her eyes, as she makes a phone call to Corey, and tells him "I need to talk to you NOW!" Corey, inside his office at the Board Of Education, tells Maura "Come down here then. My schedule's free." Corey hangs up, unknown to him, Erica stands outside his office, as she's overheard him, and with a look of mischief in her eyes, returns to her office, and says to herself "Well Corey and Maura, Anna's spending the day with her Mama, and the two of you will be dealing with me."
     At The Courthouse Inn, Eliza sits in her office, and smokes a cigarette, as April fills her in on what's been going on, as Eliza sits back, and sighs "Well April, Maura Carson is a bitch. And tell your children to enjoy that playhouse that was delivered yesterday." April asks "You sent that Eliza?" Eliza nods, and smiles "I wish it was for my Grandchildren, but sweetie, you are doing great work for me." April asks Eliza "So do you know anything else about Maura? Like who her Parents are? Or anything along those lines. We could do a check." Eliza responds "Her parents hated her too. Gave her up at birth. I done my homework, except I don't know who gave the bitch up." Diane, Bill's youngest Sister, and Eliza's former Sister In Law, walks inside, and tells Eliza "I need to head off to the school and meet the teacher I'll be working with." Eliza asks Diane "And do you remember the main purpose of why I asked you to work at the school? Not for your sweet little Grandbabies..." Diane finishes "For protecting my favorite Nephew, and my Adopted Sis." Eliza tells her "Now remember later today we'll go look at that house up the street that's for sale." Diane goes "Just build me a house near Bill." Eliza gets up, and hugs Diane, as Diane tells April "Watch out. Eliza is unpredictable." April quips "I think we both know that." Eliza laughs" Yes, I am. But what I start, I finish, and what I want, I will get. And my money.." Diane and April both goes "Speaks in a small town like Caswellton." Eliza tells Diane "Have fun honey." Diane leaves, as April asks "So do I need to head to the school?" Eliza looks at her watch, and tells April "Nah, go out there and get ready for the lunch I have prepared for the staff." April walks out, as Eliza sits back, and says to herself "I oughta... I won't. They aren't allowed outside of South America."
    Meanwhile back at Waters Elementary, Missy is inside her class, as Jacob pops his head in the door, and asks Missy "You don't have an assistant?" Missy shakes her head, and goes "No. Only up to 2nd Grade have assistants and Special Ed." Jacob asks Missy "So how long have you been here?" Missy responds "I've been here now for two years. And went to school here. My Mother is the one I imagine you already know and hate among with the rest of the staff." Jacob, in shock goes "Maura? That bitch is your Mom?" Missy sighs "Unfortunately. I see her here, but we're not close." Jacob sits down, as he tells his life story to Missy, and changes subjects, as he asks her "So what's up with you and Principal Duncan?" Missy answers "I'd like to know the answer too. We have dated, but no commitments." Meanwhile in Thomas' office, Thomas sits inside, as Alice sits at his desk, and they talk about the staff and the changes, as Alice tells him "I'm really impressed with Jacob, Susan, and Jean. And Diane will make a fine addition to the staff. But you know Marian has a record with assistants. She's already mad at her." Thomas asks "What's the longest she ever kept an assistant?" Alice is silent, and answers "Four years. Mrs. Faye. She became an alcoholic working with Marian, but last I heard, she's now sobered, and works at the school in Simpson." Alice asks "And where's Dwight? He didn't show up today." Thomas goes "He and his Wife are buying some things for their Former Daughter In Law and Grandson to move in. What happened the other day really bothered him." Alice quips "If Colin was my Grandson, and he pulled that on me.." Thomas laughs "I remember what you did to that kid years ago that acted up, and you ran out of zaps, and the lights went out, and then paddled him and went "Pay attention to what happens when you talk back to me wrong!" Alice reminds him "I was going through menopause then. I'm much kinder now." Thomas asks "Need Dad to watch your class?" Alice adamantly and sternly tells Thomas "I never, NEVER want Bill Duncan in my classroom in charge ever again!" They laugh, as Alice asks Thomas "So are you going down to Eliza's restaurant for the lunch?" Thomas tells Alice "I will in a few. I'm going to walk the halls first before I leave." Alice and Thomas walks out of his office, as Alice heads out, and Thomas walks towards Missy's classroom, as she laughs with Jacob, as Maura watches, and smiles "Well look there. Maybe someone else will catch Melissa's eye besides psycho." Thomas asks Maura "What are you staring at?" Maura snides "Looks like somebody's attracted to my Daughter that I approve of. So hopefully she'll forget about you." Maura struts out, as Thomas watches on, and walks away, seeing red, as inside Missy's classroom, Missy asks Jacob "Going down to The Inn?" Jacob shakes his head, and tells Missy "I'm going home. Want to go out on a date soon?" Missy responds "How does tomorrow sound?" Jacob agrees, and leaves, as Missy heads to The Courthouse Inn, and Jacob walks out, as a janitor stands nearby, and Thomas watches, and tells the janitor "Lock up the door when the son of a bitch leaves." Thomas follows Jacob outside, and yells "Mr. Cobain?" Jacob asks "What is it?" Thomas walks up to him, and goes "I seen you putting the moves on Missy, and we're seeing each other. So if I catch you hitting on her again, I'll beat your ass." Jacob snaps "Well you are crazy! She said the two of you weren't committed." Thomas warns Jacob in a snarling tone "Just know one thing, I can have your ass fired, and let me catch you, or see you with her, and back to wherever you came from Cobain!" Jacob goes "That's very unprofessional." Thomas yells "Ain't the city you asshole!", as he gets into his car and speeds off, as Jacob makes a phone call to Anna, and leaves a message, before he too leaves.
     At The Courthouse Inn, April finishes setting up the tables, as Bill and Scarlet arrives, and April tells Bill "Sir, dogs aren't allowed inside." Eliza walks out of the kitchen, and snarks "I make exceptions on puppies, and the dog can stay." Bill asks his Ex-Wife "So feeling bitchy today Eliza?" Eliza looks at Bill, and snaps "Have you been working on that damn car? You're all dirty, and the staff's on their way!" Bill snaps back "I was bailing hay for Alice's Husband to buy! And hell, this ain't no five star restaurant. That damn alimony's going to your head." Eliza smiles "But you do enjoy our alone time when I decide you can have me." April yells at them "Another person here!" Bill asks Eliza "So let's talk about Thomas. He's falling for Missy." Eliza sighs "Like the girl, but I wish her Mother would disappear." Meanwhile, Alice, Effie, Winnie, Didi, Judy, Connie, and Jean arrives, as Bill sees his Sister, and tells Eliza "Ok. Enough for one day!" Jean asks her Brother "And what's your problem with me working at the school?" Bill asks "Remember the money?" Jean sighs "Damnit Bill, that was over 50 years ago, and get over it." Bill and Scarlet leaves, as Eliza turns on the TV, and goes "Where's Thomas and Missy? Think they are doing the deed?" Alice asks Eliza "Do you really think he's going to sleep with her as bad as he mourns Valerie and T.J.?" Eliza goes "Well they have dated." Missy arrives, as Eliza asks her "Where's Thomas?" Missy answers "I don't know." and sits down as April serves everyone tea, and Eliza walks into the kitchen, and calls Thomas, and gets no answer, as she says to herself "He's acting strange, and I think it's time for us to have a talk." Meanwhile across the road at the Board Of Education, Corey works inside his office, as Maura arrives, and Corey greets her, and asks "So what's the problem Maura?" Maura responds "Thomas' crazy ass family! And Anna's allowing Jean Jones to work with Susan? And then Diane Ellis is hired? What in the hell is going on?" Erica, next door, overhears, as she walks out of her office, and into Corey's, and snaps forcefully "Corey, what in the hell did I say about dealing with this bitch?" Maura warns Erica "Don't start with me." Corey also warns Erica "And remember that Anna has to approve of your decisions." Erica asks Corey "And exactly Corey Horton, would she approve if she seen this?" Erica shows a file to Corey, and snaps at Maura "Wait bitch." Corey gasps, as he goes "The money's gone for the Duncan Developmental Center's completion." Erica looks at Corey and Maura, and tells both of them "And I know the damn thieves also, and Corey, you and Maura better start ass-kissing now, because Anna knows, and when I tell this to Eliza, both of you will wish you were dead. And most likely, will." Erica storms out, as Corey is shocked, and Maura asks Corey "So who do you think is stealing money? Thomas?" Corey goes "It's not me. And I am certain it's not Anna." They both are dumbfounded. Meanwhile at The Courthouse Inn, Diane returns, and goes "Marian really is a pain! Eliza I want to be paid extra!" Winnie quips "Marian is an old bitch, but we've always gotten along nicely." Jean assures her Sister "If you have any problems Diane, just let me know." Eliza's phone rings, as she walks away, as the staff of Waters Elementary has lunch, as Bill tells her "Thomas flew into the driveway, and left dust. He's pissed." Eliza looks at Missy, as she grows confused, and Bill adds "I would go over and check on him, but.." Bill hears Thomas screaming "DAMNIT!", and tells Ex-Wife "Something's happened." Eliza assures him "We'll find out." Meanwhile at Thomas' Farm, Thomas walks into his living room, and says to himself "I knew she never changed. Damn you Missy!"