"We have a new segment today," Zac was saying. "It's called 'They Came Back to Haunt You'. Basically we get a photo, video or quote from someone, and compare it to something that happened later which contradicted or for some other reason make them wish they never did or said it. For example, what you're about to watch is part of a video clip that came out in 1997."
"Oh no," Isaac groaned as the first verse and chorus of MMMBop came on. "I can see where this is going."
Electra gave him a curious look as Babsie laughed.
"Zac's out to humiliate you Ike," she grinned.
"I'm confused," Electra said.
"That guy there playing the guitar? That's Isaac when he was sixteen."
"Oh really? You were cute."
"What? I'm not any more?" Isaac joked.
"Of course you are, but please, don't get your son's girlfriend to admit that," Babsie teased. "That's just disturbing."
"Now, just in case you weren't paying attention to the right stuff," Zac said, "you should now see a picture on your screen of the guitarist from the video, who, by the way, is my brother Isaac. Now, when you see this next photo, taken last Christmas, think of this lyric: 'When you grow old and start losing your hair'."
There was laughter from the audience.
"It's even more shocking when you see those pictures next to each other," Zac grinned. "Hey, I'm allowed to pick on him, he's my brother."
"Daddy's losing his ha-air!" Duke and Cosmo sang gleefully. "Daddy's losing his ha-air!"
"Enough of that boys," Babsie smiled. "And he's not losing it, not really."
"You know," Isaac said sweetly, "I'm going to remember this when you two start losing your hair."
"Never!" They declared.
"That's what they all say," Babsie teased.
Electra suddenly stood up and left the room. They looked curiously after her, then Babsie got up and followed her.
"Electra?"
Electra turned around and wiped a small tear from her eye. She chewed her bottom lip.
"What's wrong?"
"I... I... I'm afraid I haven't been completely honest with you."
"Oh?"
"I didn't come here because I wanted to meet you guys. Well, I did, but not just that - it wasn't the main reason."
"Which is?"
"My uhh, my Mom got remarried recently. And I can't stand my stepfather, and he can't stand me. And my brother Tim is the same. He's nineteen, so he just moved out when he found out that they were engaged. Mom was hurt but she just... she just can't see that we can't stand him. I'm afraid I hurt her too when I asked her if I could move in with my Dad. But see, then my stepfather overhears and he cons Mom into this crazy idea by saying, oh it'll give me a taste of the real world and teach me some responsibility and blah, blah, blah."
"So, what was the idea?"
"I had one week to get to Napa Valley in northern California, on my own merit. I can't borrow any money from him, Mom, Dad or Tim, in fact I'm not even allowed to call Dad," Electra looked miserable. "Oh, I would completely disregard that if... well, see my stepfather is always looking for ways to make my life a living hell, I'm sure! I couldn't stand the idea of giving him the satisfaction of not being able to get there, or getting there and him finding out that I broke one of his stupid rules."
"Ahh, I understand. So, how come you're here? Napa Valley is in the other direction."
"Yes, I know. See, a week or so ago, my stepfather took my ATM card off me with the lame excuse of calling me a frivolous spender, and saying he had to stop it now before I became a shop-a-holic, so he would just take this from me for a couple of months. I couldn't really borrow any money from my friends, because they don't have much and besides, who knows how long it would be before I got to pay them back. I thought I might call Xavier, but it would be a long-distance call, and since I don't have my ATM card, I don't have access to any money that I would need to pay for the call - which is the rule for long distance. I just... I didn't have enough money for any sort of ticket to Napa Valley, but I did for Tulsa, and I thought, well, maybe I could borrow some money off you guys. But then I got here, right, and I realised that hey, I don't actually know you guys at all, even though it feels like I do because of how much Xavier talks about you."
"I know how you feel," Babsie smiled. "I felt like I knew you too, from Xavier talking about you all the time. But what's taken you so long to tell me this?"
"Well, I just, I freaked out! I suddenly realised that I was going to ask strangers for money."
"And yet, you stayed over."
"Well... I figured with all the kids and stuff... I figured it would be safe, but yeah..."
"I never had a step family," Babsie mused. "But I lived with my Aunt and Uncle when my Mum died. I couldn't stand them, and they couldn't stand me, but we were forced to tolerate each other. I was constantly getting into fights, and disappearing for hours, days, and sometimes weeks on end. I think I've just always have had a problem with authority, and anyone else who thinks they've better than me - not that I think I'm better than them, of course. Oh, but they needed me. It was me and my friends who provided the entertainment for the variety club they ran - and still run. We were impersonators. It was cool. Some of my friends still do, and I still impersonate every now and then but usually it just for special events like wedding receptions."
"That's so cool."
"Why, thank you," Babsie smiled, then started walking off. "Follow me."
She headed into the office and picked up the phone.
"Yes, I would like to book a one-way ticket for a... minor to the airport closest to Napa Valley, in northern California. Uh huh, uh huh... tomorrow," Babsie jotted some stuff down. "And that will be? Yes... yes okay."
A few minutes later she hung up and grinned at Electra.
"The flight is eleven o'clock tomorrow. If you haven't got enough in cash, I'll lend you some more so you can get a bus or taxi or whatever from the airport."
"Oh my gosh, thank you so much!"
"That's fine," Babsie smiled. "But I do expect to be paid back, okay? I'm not going to charge interest or set a deadline or anything, I'm just going to put you on the honour system."
"No, that's okay!" Electra replied happily. "I was going to pay you back anyway. Thank you. Thank you so much!"
"No problem."