Spider Quinn 16 Tempest and Change Part 3

 

Shortly afterwards, Quinn changed to SpiderGirl on the roof of the theatre. The themes of change resonated with her, specially with the changes she had undergone since she got bit by that spider and after her father died. ‘Daddy! I will always miss you! Thank you for saying ‘With Great Power. Comes Great Responsibility.’ It has given me something to strive for.’ She then thought about Brittany as Ariel. ‘She’s pouring herself into the role.’ Then she heard sirens to the east, across the creek in Lawndale Flats. ‘Responsibility calls,’ she thought as she swung away.

 

 

Daria and Jane left the Historia, heading towards the pizza place. “That was rather good for a first rehearsal,” Jane said.

 

“The actors had time to learn the script. And many were already familiar with The Tempest,” Daria said.

 

“Including Brittany? That was a surprise.”

 

“Apparently she had read Shakespeare since she was young.”

 

“I must have missed that,” Jane mused. “What do you think about the guy playing Prospero?”

 

“Tom? He’s good. It must be because Fielding covers Shakespeare better than a public school would.”

 

“I mean, he’s cute.”

 

“I don’t think so,” Daria said. “He’s like all the other boys.”

 

Jane shrugged. “Maybe. Still, all of them were good, including Tania.”

 

“She did well in her audition. Just because she was running around town accusing people of being the vigilantes over a week ago doesn’t mean I would not give her the opportunity.”

 

“Of course. Of course.”

 

 

Brittany got home at 6 after spending most of an hour patrolling as Ninja Talon. After packing her suit below her floorboards she went down and saw Ashley-Amber making dinner. “Smells good, Ashley-Amber,” she commented.

 

“It’s a pasta bake,” Ashley-Amber responded. “How was the rehearsal, Honey?”

 

“It went very well. Everyone was on point.”

 

“I knew that you being into Shakespeare would pay off.”

 

“Thanks,” Brittany said.

 

“Your father will be home soon.”

 

“I’m not sure what he would say.”

 

“That’s certainly true,” Ashley-Amber said wistfully. “He has a limited view of people. Sometimes I feel stuck here. But I also remember the opportunities.”

 

Brittany smiled. “The play is helping me express myself. Maybe he should see a performance.”

 

“That’s a good idea. The opening night is on Friday, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

 

Dinners at the Taylors were usually quiet affairs, other than Brian mucking up from time to time. “So, you started rehearsing that play, Brit?” Steve asked.

 

“Yes. It has started very well,” Brittany answered. “Also, I’m wondering if you would come to one of the performances?”

 

“I’ll see if I can swing it,” Steve said.

 

Brittany looked disappointed.

 

“It is important to her,” Ashley-Amber said.

 

“I know that. But I’m also busy. She just announced that she joined the play over a week ago. Sometimes my schedule is planned weeks in advance,” Steve said. He turned to Brittany. “I will try to make it.”

 

“Opening night is Friday,” Brittany said.  “Then Saturday. It will run like that for four weeks, before other plays start coming to the Historia.”

 

“Another thing to check out. You can’t believe how competitive Osborn is. Even in his condition, Oscorp is outbidding me in Oakwood and Middlebury,” Steve said.

 

‘Oakwood and Middlebury too!’ Brittany noted.

 

“And I have to reassure investors that Lawndale’s current troubles are temporary.”

 

“I hope they are,” Ashley-Amber said quietly.

 

 

Sandi had finished her dinner. She had been at the Historia earlier, when the play had finished, although she hadn’t caught up with Daria. She did hear the rehearsal had gone well. She opened the yearbook. After Natalia Charles was Samara Collins. ‘Is she in the play?’ she wondered. She knew Brittany and Tania were. She downed the energy drink. “Findu mann sem heiter: Samara Collins!”

 

She found Samara at her home on the east side of the creek.

 

 

Daria was finishing desert when WLND’s usual review show came on.

 

“I was at the rehearsal for the new Tempest at the Historia today, and I must say that the production was amateurish!”

 

“Amateurish!” Daria exclaimed.

 

“Now, Daria, what do you expect?” her mother asked.

 

“That they would take the circumstances into account,” Daria said as she picked up the phone.

 

 

“We now have a caller,” the critic said. “What’s your name.”

 

“Daria.”

 

“Daria, why are you calling.”

 

“I think your assessment of the rehearsal of Tempest is unfair.”

 

“And why is that, Daria?”

 

“Because the actors tried their best.”

 

“The actors who are mostly teenagers? And are you Daria Morgendorffer? The writer and director of the play in question? You sound like her.”

 

“Whether I am that Daria or not is not the point. It’s that you’re not taking the circumstance into consideration. They are teenagers doing their all for the play, including the director herself.”

 

“I don’t have to, Miss Morgendorffer. It’s up to the people of Lawndale themselves to judge whether I’m right or not.”

 

 

“Did you have to try to argue with the critic, Daria?” her mother asked.

 

“I guess I wanted the play to have the best chance,” Daria said.

 

“I can’t argue with that.”

 

“Maybe you can ask your colleagues to come on Friday night,” Daria suggested.

 

“I’ll see what I can do.”

 

 

Daria was still thinking about the argument with the critic when she snuck out as Dafoanairi after midnight. ‘It is something I will have to face in the future. It’s something I have to face now,’ she thought. ‘I guess I have to talk to someone about it. But I’m not sure that Sandi is the right person.’ Even so, she headed towards Grandstaff Drive.

 

 

The Enigma met Dafoanairi halfway towards Glen Oaks Lane. “I see that you’re, like, doing this more often,” she said.

 

“I figure Lawndale needs me to do it, and last night showed that I need to get more experience,” Dafoanairi said.

 

“That’s true,” the Enigma said.

 

“And I thought I needed the fresh air.”

 

“And someone to talk to.”

 

“Jane was out,” Dafoanairi said. “I didn’t want to talk to Trent about it.”

 

“There’s what I said a few weeks ago.”

 

“Let’s not revisit that.”

 

“Are you sure?” the Enigma asked.

 

“Of course, I’m sure. Jane is not one of the other vigilantes.”

 

They then headed downtown.

 

 

In Dega Street, Dafoanairi responded to another mugging attempt as the Enigma watched from on top of the Zon/Zen. She rushed out from an alley, and used the staff to knock the would be mugger down, before urging the would be victim to run. She then made herself scarce before the man got up. She watched the would be victim hide before she turned a corner into a well lit street. ‘I still wonder why Dega Street has poor lighting,’ Dafoanairi said as she went to the side of the Zon/Zen.

 

 

“I’d say that went well,” the Enigma said.

 

“Well enough. But I still need to practice with the staff more to be better able to defend myself.”

 

“Maybe that dojo you told me about.”

 

“Maybe,” Dafoanairi considered.

 

 

A while later, Ninja Talon and SpiderGirl met on top of the Historia as they had planned in the day. “Some new information,” the former said.

 

“What is this?” SpiderGirl asked.

 

“My father says he’s being outbid by Oscorp in Oakwood and Middlebury.”

 

“So, it’s not just Lawndale, its most of the county.”

 

“I think so,” Ninja Talon said. “He didn’t say anything about Cumberland.”

 

“That doesn’t mean they aren’t being looked at by Oscorp as well.”

 

“Of course. Also, he says that he might be at the play on Friday.”

 

“But you don’t sound hopeful,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“He is very busy. But I know Ashley-Amber will be there.”

 

 

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Monday February 19^th, 2001

Fifth Vigilante is apparently snarky

 

“Is that what they’re going with?” Daria asked herself when she picked up the paper from the mailbox.

 

“What is that?” Quinn asked from one of her windows.

 

“Just the usual speculative journalist saying that the fifth vigilante is apparently snarky.”

 

“What evidence do they have?”

 

“None apparently.”

 

 

Quinn read the article at breakfast. ‘Whoever is the source probably did meet Dafoanairi in the past few days. But none of the other heroes are proclaiming themselves as I do. Not even Brittany.’

 

“Penny for your thoughts?” Daria asked.

 

“Each of the vigilantes are different. Not just in how they fight crime, but in the way they present themselves.”

 

“Each has their own personality, that reflects that of their secret identity, the way they want to present themselves and the role they think are playing.”

 

‘That’s something,’ Quinn thought. “And what does that say about SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon?”

 

“I’ll have to think about that. But for now I’ll say that SpiderGirl wants to be seen to be doing something for Lawndale, that there’s a sense of responsibility that drives her.”

 

‘That’s quite accurate.’

 

“Ninja Talon is similar,” Daria continued. “Although she is more stealthy, as would be appropriate, it also appears that she acts out of a sense of responsibility, such that she’s more like a samurai.”

 

“That’s something to think about.”

 

“Planning to write something in the Lowdown?”

 

“Maybe,” Quinn answered.

 

 

SpiderGirl thought on what her sister had said on the way to school. ‘I doubt she would make a connection that way.’

 

 

Daria, Jane, Brittany and others had Language Arts early in the day. “Daria, do you have something to say?” Mr. O’Neill asked as the class finished.

 

“You can see the play on Friday like everyone else,” Daria responded.

 

“I mean, I heard your argument with the critic. That must have been hard.”

 

Daria didn’t want to have that conversation. Certainly not with Mr. O’Neill. She wanted to focus on the rest of her day and prepare to tutor Brittany. “It was.”

 

“It must have hurt to have your work described as amateurish.”

 

“Of course it did. But it wasn’t only myself I was looking out for, but the others involved in the production,” Daria said as she left the classroom.

 

“Wait, Daria.”

 

 

Meanwhile. The critic, Kalina Ondrovic, was outside the Historia, examining it. She had received a cryptic invitation from someone. ‘Didn’t think I would be back here so quickly,’ she thought. She went inside, alert for any trickery.

 

 

“Here again?” Elisabeth Rowe asked the critic.

 

“I suppose you heard Daria’s argument with me?” the critic asked.

 

“Yes, and I agree with her.”

 

“And I have some background on all everyone involved here. Everyone, except Quentin Beck, other than his Hollywood credentials.”

 

“What do you want?” Elisabeth asked.

 

“The theatrical scene in Lawndale County to be respected.”

 

“I’m sure that Tempest won’t make it a laughing stock.”

 

“Still, a production ran by teenagers?” the critic asked.

“You’re biased, Kalina!”

 

“No, you’re biased, as Quinn is your daughter’s friend, and if it weren’t for Daria and her business plan, you would still be working for your old boss.”

 

“It was an opportunity. One that is working out for us and giving people in Lawndale hope at this difficult time,” Elisabeth said.

 

“That’s certainly true, but integrity of the arts is also important.”

 

“Maybe you should come on Friday and see if they improve upon the first rehearsal.”

 

“I’ll consider that,” Kalina considered.

 

“Good, but now, do you want something?”

 

“Coffee, black.”

 

 

Kalina was soon joined by Quentin Beck. “You were the one who invited me?” she asked.

 

“Yes. I heard your argument with Daria.”

“It seems a of lot people did.”

 

“I had my reservations,” Quentin said.

 

“That the theatre is being run by teenagers.”

 

“I didn’t quite believe it when I saw that Quinn is so young and said that she’s about to turn 16.”

 

“Yet you took the job,” Kalina said.

 

“Beggers can’t be choosers, also despite her young age Quinn interviewed well and she has a way with people.”

 

“I guess so.”

 

 

Kalina followed Quentin into the theatre. “As you can see. I have been setting up the special effects.”

 

“There’s a lot more to a play than the special effects,” Kalina said as she looked at where Quentin had placed the various projectors.

 

“Of course. But I think Daria has adapted The Tempest well.”

 

“Shakespeare needs to be done more than ‘well.’

 

“Maybe.”

 

 

Brittany was ready for the first tutoring session with Daria after school. She entered the library and saw Quinn there with Ben and Anna waiting for Gerald.

 

“So, Daria isn’t here yet?” she asked.

 

“She should be here soon,” Quinn said. “So should Gerald.”

 

Anna looked up from her book on Appalachian folklore. “He is usually late.”

 

“I guess I’m a little nervous,” Brittany explained.

 

“That’s understandable,” Quinn said. “Like, I could tell that Angie was, and Gerald definitely was.”

 

 

Daria arrived at the library at the same time as Gerald.

 

“Hi, Daria,” Gerald said.

 

“Hi, Gerald,” Daria said. “Are you coming to the play?”

 

“Shakespeare isn’t really my thing and I don’t like crowds.”

 

“You know that I’m adapting it, right? And you could come to one of the later shows.”

 

“I’ll think about it,” Gerald said.

 

 

“Sorry I was late,” Daria said. “Mr. O’Neill wanted to talk about the critic again.”

 

“I wasn’t listening at the time,” Brittany said.

 

“Good. But where do you want to start? More History?” Daria asked. “Or another subject? But, if it’s Art I would have to point you in Jane’s direction.”

 

Brittany twirled a pigtail. “Maybe more history. Or Math. Arithmetic is fine, but Algebra is quite tricky.”

 

“Both I can help with,” Daria said.

 

“That’s great!”

 

“First, do you have that recent assignment?”

 

“Of course,” Brittany said. She took it out and gave it to Daria.

 

 

Daria read it through. It seemed that Brittany was capable. ‘It’s that she hadn’t had the opportunity. It’s no wonder she auditioned for Ariel. She want’s to escape the role society has given her, much as Ariel wants to be free from having to serve Prospero.’

 

 

“…And so, Ben and I will be at the play on Friday,” Anna said.

 

“Daria will be happy to hear that,” Quinn said

 

“I heard the argument with the critic,” Anna said as she got up.

 

“It’s that she didn’t expect it straight way.” Quinn said.

 

“Like it was a rehearsal,” Ben said. “She should have waited until Friday.”

 

“Maybe,” Quinn said.

 

 

Daria overhead what Ben had said as she and Brittany walked up. ‘I guess she should have,’ she thought. The tutoring session with Brittany had gone well.

 

“When next?” Brittany asked.

 

“Wednesday, given that there are rehearsals tomorrow and Thursday,” Daria answered.

 

Brittany nodded. “Thanks, Daria.”

 

 

Quinn watched as Anna and Ben followed Daria out of the library, hand in hand. “Still can’t believe they’re dating,” she commented.

 

“They’ve always been friends,” Brittany responded.

 

“How did the tutoring go?”

 

“It was mostly figuring out what I need help with. Mostly Math, Science and Ancient History. Daria seems to be an all rounder.”

 

“She’s been buried in her books for as long as I remember,” Quinn said.

 

“That makes sense.”