Stacey and the Mystery at the Mall Chapters 11-15
Chapter 11
Shannon fills the BSC in on what’s going on. Shea has a crush on her. I’m shocked there wasn’t a plot about Stacey having a crush on one of the client’s dads. Why wasn’t there a babysitter’s seduction book? There could have been a new client on the block with a DILF and he could have requested Stacey to be a babysitter for a long term assignment and Stacey spends the job trying to figure out a way to seduce him. There’s also mention about how Jackie is a great kid, but clumsy. If you guys like Jackie and think he’s such a great kid, can’t you be more patient or understanding? I know you guys go on about what sensitive babysitters you are, but I highly doubt Kristy and Dawn are good at hiding their bitchfaces. I’m sure they’re rolling their eyes and huffing. It’s not Jackie is deliberately being an asshole. It’s not like he purposefully makes a huge mess or likes to chuck rocks at you.
They tell Shannon about the mall mystery. Kristy is suspicious of Mr. Morton because he’s always talking to those kids. I find that ironic because I’m sure Kristy’s creepy obsession with kids will mean she’ll get banned from areas where kids gather. I’m also sure she’ll try and kidnap a kid because she thinks she can raise them better. Of course, I’ve heard it’s more suspicious for a man to be talking to kids than a female talking to kids.
They wonder why Mr. Morton would be shoplifting. There’s something about financial difficulties. Claudia suggests going to the library to look up information in newspapers. I’m shocked she’s actually suggesting going to the library. I’m pretty sure she thinks she’d burst into flame if she ever went there. No, she probably thinks she’ll turn into a geek and dress in frumpy old sweaters and loafers because I’m sure that’s how Claudia thinks people who spend lots of times in libraries dress like.
Maybe Claudia thinks looking up this information will be like being a detective like Nancy Drew. My memory of the books is kind of foggy, but it stands to reason that a detective might have to look up certain events in order to solve a case. I’ve also wondered, does Claudia ever read art books? My brother and my best friend both draw and I’ve seen them check out books about drawing anatomy so they could get proportions right. My best friend also wanted me to go with her to the library to get some book on art stuff I didn’t understand. Has Claudia ever read books like those? Since her reaction when she went to that art class with Mallory in New York was basically, “Bitch, how dare you criticize me,” when all the teacher said was to slow down, I’m guessing she doesn’t. Her attitude is probably ‘I’m perfect at art and I’m not going to take the opportunity to improve.”
Shannon, Kristy, Stacey and Claudia go to the library. Claudia is able to operate the microfiche machine because she’s a librarian’s daughter. I have a really hard time seeing Claudia paying enough attention to know how to use it. It turns out Mr. Morton is being investigated, but they don’t say what for. There’s also something about the mall maybe going bankrupt and misappropriation of mall funds. The BSC wonders how the kids are involved in this mess. Mr. Morton is using them as a gang of pickpockets.
Chapter 12
Jessi was taught to deal with teenagers making out in the theater, people who talk during the movie, and kids who run up and down the aisle. I’m damn sure Stacey would get caught making out during a movie or having sex. And then the kids would see and Kristy would fire her from the BSC because they have an image to maintain. I’m damn sure the BSC would talk during the movie. I can just see Kristy yelling dumbass comments. I’m also sure the BSC would have a popcorn fight. And Dawn would be protesting that the theater doesn’t offer any healthy alternatives. Or maybe they do. I just get popcorn and soda, so I’m not too familiar with movie snacks. The Pikes would run up and down the aisle and cause damage to the theater.
Jessi has to set up for a birthday party. The birthday girl’s mom hangs around talking about her daughter’s accomplishments and Jessi thinks she’s exaggerating. I get parents might exaggerate, but Jessi knows the Perkinses. Those girls came out of the womb speaking eight languages fluently and with four Ph.D.s, so I don’t know why Jessi is so skeptical of a first grader reading at a fifth grade level. During the party Jessi gives the mom the BSC’s information and tells her about the daycare.
The fire alarm goes off and Jessi freezes because she doesn’t know what to do. Someone comes to get them and take them to the nearest fire exit. Hannah decides she needs to save her presents and goes back. I’m remembering how Mallory and Jessi were saying that they wished kids would be more creative when answering what would you save during a fire. I guess Hannah will save her presents. I’m shocked they didn’t use that as a way to list the character’s traits. Claudia would save her art supplies, Kristy would save her sports gear, Mary Anne would save her tissues, Jessi would save her ballet shoes, Dawn would save her fridge full of tofu and soybeans, Stacey would save her vibrator and magazines of hot guys, and Mallory would have tried to save her diary, but she’d get burned to death before she could.
Jessi convinces Hannah to leave. It turns out the fire was a false alarm. Kristy says that the blond kids ran past before the fire alarm was pulled and they looked scared to death.
Chapter 13
I’m in shock. The BSC is actually hanging out. Like hanging out, hanging out. Like hanging out with your friends like normal teenagers instead of babysitting or having a meeting. Kristy even says it’s nice not to be babysitting or having a meeting. Clearly the mystery in this book is what happened to Kristy. Was she replaced by something else? Was she brainwashed?
They talk about boys for a little bit. Mary Anne bought Logan a blue shirt because Cam Geary looks good in it and if she can’t have sex with Cam Geary, she can have sex with a Cam Geary look alike. Stacey says she likes her guys older. We know. Kristy says his sports ability is more important than how he looks. They actually sound like teenage girls for a change. Then Kristy turns the subject towards the mall. The kids haven’t been showing up recently. She also caught Mr. Morton on tape looking upset. They’re confused about Mr. Morton being the culprit because he’s such a nice guy.
Stacey figures that Mr. Morton can’t say no to people and the stuff he says yes to costs money that the mall doesn’t have. I guess Stacey has a sixth sense when it comes to solving cases. I thought it’d be a sixth sense when it comes to knowing where a hot guy is. They figure that Mr. Morton was losing money and that’s why he’s stealing. They also think maybe the kids found out and Mr. Morton wanted to keep them quiet. I think child murder is a little hardcore for a BSC book.
Chapter 14
They get Charlie to take them to the mall. Charlie thinks they should go to the police because there are kids missing. Kristy says that she’s a mall security guard so she counts as police and police don’t know how to handle kids like the BSC. Okay, fine, Kristy just says she’s worried that the cops will scare the kids and they’ll run off and hide, but she agrees to call the police if they don’t find the kids by five-thirty. They find the kids. It turns out their mom had gotten sick and the aunt had was supposed to come take care of them but she never showed up. The oldest girl, Mara, didn’t want to worry her mom, so she didn’t say anything. But the rent was due and they ran away from the landlady. So no one came to check on these kids? Not neighbors, cops, the land lady? If the land lady did find out, I’m pretty sure she’d have to call the authorities. Maybe the kids thought they’d be separated from each other and their mom? I admit, I have a weakness for stories about living in the wild or abandoned places, but I know what I’m getting into when I read these books. With a series like the BSC I’m just like, “Okay.”
The kids only stole what they needed to and said they were going to pay the mall back. I’m not sure how they were going to do that, but okay. They made a deal with Mr. Morton-they don’t snitch on him and he doesn’t snitch on them. But then Mr. Morton got scared and threatened them, so the boy, Kyle pulled the fire alarm. That reminds me-my mall has stores that pull a big iron gate over it so you can’t get in unless there’s a key. I guess the mall doesn’t have that.
Shockingly, Kristy says they have to call the cops because this is a problem too big for the BSC. I’m shocked Kristy is actually admitting this. I’m sure she would have thought they could have just adopted the kids and lived happily ever after.
Chapter 15
Charlie takes the kids to go get a cheeseburger while Stacey calls the cops. I’m shocked Dawn doesn’t magically appear to talk about how the kids are evil for eating murdered cows and traumatize them further. Stacey calls the police. It turns out no one missed the kids because they were new in town and hadn’t enrolled in school and they didn’t have a phone, so the mom couldn’t check up on them. Mara was also afraid that if child welfare got involved, she’d be separated from her siblings. Social services comes to take the kids away.
Mr. Morton was arrested. There’s still going to be a daycare center. Mara and her siblings weren’t split up because her mom miraculously recovered and now the family is getting counseling. I’m glad the kids weren’t split up, but I’m just thinking, “Wow, how convenient.” I really don’t have much to say. You know when something’s so ridiculous you can’t talk and can only sputter. Yeah, that’s pretty much my reaction. I’m sure there are a dozen things wrong with this, but I just can’t come up with any words for it besides, “This is stupid.”
Shannon fills the BSC in on what’s going on. Shea has a crush on her. I’m shocked there wasn’t a plot about Stacey having a crush on one of the client’s dads. Why wasn’t there a babysitter’s seduction book? There could have been a new client on the block with a DILF and he could have requested Stacey to be a babysitter for a long term assignment and Stacey spends the job trying to figure out a way to seduce him. There’s also mention about how Jackie is a great kid, but clumsy. If you guys like Jackie and think he’s such a great kid, can’t you be more patient or understanding? I know you guys go on about what sensitive babysitters you are, but I highly doubt Kristy and Dawn are good at hiding their bitchfaces. I’m sure they’re rolling their eyes and huffing. It’s not Jackie is deliberately being an asshole. It’s not like he purposefully makes a huge mess or likes to chuck rocks at you.
They tell Shannon about the mall mystery. Kristy is suspicious of Mr. Morton because he’s always talking to those kids. I find that ironic because I’m sure Kristy’s creepy obsession with kids will mean she’ll get banned from areas where kids gather. I’m also sure she’ll try and kidnap a kid because she thinks she can raise them better. Of course, I’ve heard it’s more suspicious for a man to be talking to kids than a female talking to kids.
They wonder why Mr. Morton would be shoplifting. There’s something about financial difficulties. Claudia suggests going to the library to look up information in newspapers. I’m shocked she’s actually suggesting going to the library. I’m pretty sure she thinks she’d burst into flame if she ever went there. No, she probably thinks she’ll turn into a geek and dress in frumpy old sweaters and loafers because I’m sure that’s how Claudia thinks people who spend lots of times in libraries dress like.
Maybe Claudia thinks looking up this information will be like being a detective like Nancy Drew. My memory of the books is kind of foggy, but it stands to reason that a detective might have to look up certain events in order to solve a case. I’ve also wondered, does Claudia ever read art books? My brother and my best friend both draw and I’ve seen them check out books about drawing anatomy so they could get proportions right. My best friend also wanted me to go with her to the library to get some book on art stuff I didn’t understand. Has Claudia ever read books like those? Since her reaction when she went to that art class with Mallory in New York was basically, “Bitch, how dare you criticize me,” when all the teacher said was to slow down, I’m guessing she doesn’t. Her attitude is probably ‘I’m perfect at art and I’m not going to take the opportunity to improve.”
Shannon, Kristy, Stacey and Claudia go to the library. Claudia is able to operate the microfiche machine because she’s a librarian’s daughter. I have a really hard time seeing Claudia paying enough attention to know how to use it. It turns out Mr. Morton is being investigated, but they don’t say what for. There’s also something about the mall maybe going bankrupt and misappropriation of mall funds. The BSC wonders how the kids are involved in this mess. Mr. Morton is using them as a gang of pickpockets.
Chapter 12
Jessi was taught to deal with teenagers making out in the theater, people who talk during the movie, and kids who run up and down the aisle. I’m damn sure Stacey would get caught making out during a movie or having sex. And then the kids would see and Kristy would fire her from the BSC because they have an image to maintain. I’m damn sure the BSC would talk during the movie. I can just see Kristy yelling dumbass comments. I’m also sure the BSC would have a popcorn fight. And Dawn would be protesting that the theater doesn’t offer any healthy alternatives. Or maybe they do. I just get popcorn and soda, so I’m not too familiar with movie snacks. The Pikes would run up and down the aisle and cause damage to the theater.
Jessi has to set up for a birthday party. The birthday girl’s mom hangs around talking about her daughter’s accomplishments and Jessi thinks she’s exaggerating. I get parents might exaggerate, but Jessi knows the Perkinses. Those girls came out of the womb speaking eight languages fluently and with four Ph.D.s, so I don’t know why Jessi is so skeptical of a first grader reading at a fifth grade level. During the party Jessi gives the mom the BSC’s information and tells her about the daycare.
The fire alarm goes off and Jessi freezes because she doesn’t know what to do. Someone comes to get them and take them to the nearest fire exit. Hannah decides she needs to save her presents and goes back. I’m remembering how Mallory and Jessi were saying that they wished kids would be more creative when answering what would you save during a fire. I guess Hannah will save her presents. I’m shocked they didn’t use that as a way to list the character’s traits. Claudia would save her art supplies, Kristy would save her sports gear, Mary Anne would save her tissues, Jessi would save her ballet shoes, Dawn would save her fridge full of tofu and soybeans, Stacey would save her vibrator and magazines of hot guys, and Mallory would have tried to save her diary, but she’d get burned to death before she could.
Jessi convinces Hannah to leave. It turns out the fire was a false alarm. Kristy says that the blond kids ran past before the fire alarm was pulled and they looked scared to death.
Chapter 13
I’m in shock. The BSC is actually hanging out. Like hanging out, hanging out. Like hanging out with your friends like normal teenagers instead of babysitting or having a meeting. Kristy even says it’s nice not to be babysitting or having a meeting. Clearly the mystery in this book is what happened to Kristy. Was she replaced by something else? Was she brainwashed?
They talk about boys for a little bit. Mary Anne bought Logan a blue shirt because Cam Geary looks good in it and if she can’t have sex with Cam Geary, she can have sex with a Cam Geary look alike. Stacey says she likes her guys older. We know. Kristy says his sports ability is more important than how he looks. They actually sound like teenage girls for a change. Then Kristy turns the subject towards the mall. The kids haven’t been showing up recently. She also caught Mr. Morton on tape looking upset. They’re confused about Mr. Morton being the culprit because he’s such a nice guy.
Stacey figures that Mr. Morton can’t say no to people and the stuff he says yes to costs money that the mall doesn’t have. I guess Stacey has a sixth sense when it comes to solving cases. I thought it’d be a sixth sense when it comes to knowing where a hot guy is. They figure that Mr. Morton was losing money and that’s why he’s stealing. They also think maybe the kids found out and Mr. Morton wanted to keep them quiet. I think child murder is a little hardcore for a BSC book.
Chapter 14
They get Charlie to take them to the mall. Charlie thinks they should go to the police because there are kids missing. Kristy says that she’s a mall security guard so she counts as police and police don’t know how to handle kids like the BSC. Okay, fine, Kristy just says she’s worried that the cops will scare the kids and they’ll run off and hide, but she agrees to call the police if they don’t find the kids by five-thirty. They find the kids. It turns out their mom had gotten sick and the aunt had was supposed to come take care of them but she never showed up. The oldest girl, Mara, didn’t want to worry her mom, so she didn’t say anything. But the rent was due and they ran away from the landlady. So no one came to check on these kids? Not neighbors, cops, the land lady? If the land lady did find out, I’m pretty sure she’d have to call the authorities. Maybe the kids thought they’d be separated from each other and their mom? I admit, I have a weakness for stories about living in the wild or abandoned places, but I know what I’m getting into when I read these books. With a series like the BSC I’m just like, “Okay.”
The kids only stole what they needed to and said they were going to pay the mall back. I’m not sure how they were going to do that, but okay. They made a deal with Mr. Morton-they don’t snitch on him and he doesn’t snitch on them. But then Mr. Morton got scared and threatened them, so the boy, Kyle pulled the fire alarm. That reminds me-my mall has stores that pull a big iron gate over it so you can’t get in unless there’s a key. I guess the mall doesn’t have that.
Shockingly, Kristy says they have to call the cops because this is a problem too big for the BSC. I’m shocked Kristy is actually admitting this. I’m sure she would have thought they could have just adopted the kids and lived happily ever after.
Chapter 15
Charlie takes the kids to go get a cheeseburger while Stacey calls the cops. I’m shocked Dawn doesn’t magically appear to talk about how the kids are evil for eating murdered cows and traumatize them further. Stacey calls the police. It turns out no one missed the kids because they were new in town and hadn’t enrolled in school and they didn’t have a phone, so the mom couldn’t check up on them. Mara was also afraid that if child welfare got involved, she’d be separated from her siblings. Social services comes to take the kids away.
Mr. Morton was arrested. There’s still going to be a daycare center. Mara and her siblings weren’t split up because her mom miraculously recovered and now the family is getting counseling. I’m glad the kids weren’t split up, but I’m just thinking, “Wow, how convenient.” I really don’t have much to say. You know when something’s so ridiculous you can’t talk and can only sputter. Yeah, that’s pretty much my reaction. I’m sure there are a dozen things wrong with this, but I just can’t come up with any words for it besides, “This is stupid.”