Chapter One Hundred and Twenty: The Veil of Uncertainty

“Are you guys SURE you want me to do this? I still think you should give Charlie a chance.” Peter said that night as the two families sat around the dinner table.

“Honestly, this isn't about me.” Charlie said. “This is about doing what is right for the people of Pleasantville.”

“Exactly!” Belle stood by her best friend.

“Things in Pleasantville have gotten too far for me to make things about me.” Charlie said as his mother put a roast dinner in front of him.

“Is this about what I said to you that day in the tip?” Belle asked.

Charlie, who had been about to dig into his roast lamb, stopped.

“What happened at the tip?” Lara asked.

Charlie twirled his fork around.

“Charlie?” Betty pushed.

“I found out I'm a racist, okay?!” Charlie snapped.

The table was silent.

“What happened?” Betty questioned. Belle then told the whole tale as Charlie slumped in his seat.

“So you found out something you don't like about yourself, and you're using it as an excuse to shirk on your plans?” Thomas shoved mashed potato into his mouth.

“WHAT?!” Charlie and Belle cried.

“So you found out that you have racist parts. Instead of facing it and doing your best to combat the systems that are helping cultivate racism in Pleasantville, you're using it as an excuse to pass the buck to Peter.” Thomas swallowed and started on his beans.

“But there IS a chance that they won't want to vote for me!” Charlie pouted.

“MAKE THEM WANT TO VOTE FOR YOU!” Peter groaned. “Or is it too hard for you?”

“Don't you want to help Pleasantville?!” Charlie fought back.

“I'm a Counsellor now! Do you KNOW how much work both being a Counsellor AND the President of the Chamber of Commerce would be?” Peter snapped. “If I took on both, one would have to suffer, and we need all bases covered if we're going to make a difference.”

Charlie slowly turned to face Belle.

“Don't even think about it.” Lara said. “This is your beast.”

“And it's high time you stopped hiding behind your best friend.” Betty finished.

“Wow Charlie, you're getting RIPPED tonight!” Oscar commented innocently. The table couldn't help but laugh.

--

“And that is why I need YOU to put your name forward for a Chamber of Commerce and to elect me, the owner of Begly Metalworks, as the President. I might be young, but that just means I can listen, learn and grow more.” Charlie said to the owner of West Pleasantville Jewellers, who was a strong PCC supporter.

The old woman rocked back in her seat. “You have some fantastic points there young man, and I must admit, it heartens me to see young people taking a stand. Where do I sign up?”

“If you could fill out this form and send it to the Council building that would be great. You can also fill in your details online.” Charlie handed her the forms.

“Excellent, I'll get this done today. Stay for a cup of tea and some scones?” The woman asked, getting up and opening a cupboard.

“Sure, why not?” Charlie smiled.

It had been a long day canvassing for subscriptions, but already Charlie had forty signatures to add to the ten he already had. Stopping by one of the businesses and having a bit of afternoon tea with them was an added bonus.

“You know, if this goes through I might be able to start helping the PRO.” The owner said as she brought the tea and scones back.

“You want to join the PRO?!” Charlie looked surprised.

“Most of us would in a heartbeat.” The woman poured Charlie a cup of hot tea, and offered him milk and sugar. “But we know the score. Openly supporting the PRO would mean suicide for our livelihoods. The Mayor would destroy us all in retaliation.”

Charlie sipped his tea thoughtfully.

“This place needs a shake-up, but not at the expense of our lives.” The woman continued.

The rest of the tea was lovely, and Charlie was sure to thank her profusely. He then left, thinking about everything she had said about wanting to change Pleasantville but being too scared to do it.

He was still thinking about it heavily when Sammy nearly barrelled him over in the street as he walked home later on that same day.

“SAMMY! Geez mate, you gonna take someone out!” Charlie woke from his thoughts. “Wait, are you okay?”

“Judith's in the hospital, the baby is coming early!” Sammy cried. “I gotta get to the hospital! I gotta be there for Daniel!”

“Hold up, I'll come with you!” Charlie followed Sammy as he broke out into a run again.

--

TJ was pacing up and down. Sammy and Tammy were hunched over on the couch, trying to stay awake. Sunny was rocking Melody, trying to keep her daughter asleep.

“Belle just messaged. She's keeping Demon under control while Judith is out.” Charlie checked his phone. “Apparently he's not impressed that she's in hospital.”

“Of course he wouldn't. He's a jerk.” Tammy mumbled.

“Tell Belle we appreciate it.” TJ said.

“I will. She's devo she can't be here.” Charlie sighed. “But she's busy.”

“She's doing the world a favour. Like you and your Chamber of Commerce.” Sunny said.

“Yeah...”Charlie sighed.

“Isn't it going well?” Sammy asked.

“It's going better that I thought. I just wonder if I'm the right person to take care of it all.” Charlie looked down.

“If it's going well then clearly you ARE the right person for the job.” Sammy stretched. He looked over at Charlie, sizing him up. “You're worried about something though.”

“I just keep thinking about what happened at the tip that day and what I said.” Charlie sighed.

“That was WEEKS ago!” Sammy groaned. “And we worked it out!”

“Yeah, but if I'm a racist...” Charlie started.

“Oh shut up.” Tammy snapped.

Everyone turned to look at her.

“Self-flagellation is boring to watch. So what if you messed up. Belle nearly got all of us killed with her protest stunt a few years ago, and she's still working her butt off!” Tammy snapped at him. “If you're so upset about being a racist, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT instead of wallowing in self-pity.”

Charlie shut up and looked at the clock.

“Thank you.” Tammy looked at her phone. “You know, if you're scared of not being as smart as Belle is, you can just say so.”

Charlie flinched.

“You ARE as smart as her though, so I don't see why you're acting like this. I mean, without you there's no Improbability Clause. Belle might be great at finding things out, but it's your brain that puts it together.” Sunny said.

“Just like with the Chamber of Commerce. Belle found all the little pieces of the problem and you're the one putting it all together not to just find the solution, but make it work.” Sammy added. “I wish 'Tuney or Dan would come out here already and tell us what's going on!”

Tammy checked her phone again. “And Belle needs to stop texting me.” She texted back furiously the same text as the past ten texts.

“STOP TEXTING ME!”

Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen: Making Plans

 “Do you think it's safe?” Izzy whispered to her sister.

“I don't know, he might rip us a new one if we try.” Lizzy replied, peering cautiously into the dining room.

“I mean, if we were super quiet we might get past.”

“Are you kidding me, he'd hear us the moment we stepped in!”

“I CAN HEAR THE BOTH OF YOU NOW!” Charlie roared, making both girls jump.

Charlie did not take to paperwork and studying well, which made life in the Begly household tense as the family tip-toed around him, trying to be as quiet as possible as to not incur the wrath of Chuckles.

“You know, I thought it'd be fun having a smart brother, but I was wrong.” Lizzy threw her brother a dirty look as the two sisters walked through the dining room to get to the front door.

“Anyway, I got a date with Hugo. It sucks that you don't hang with us anymore.” Izzy said as she pulled on her shoes.

“I still don't like Hugo!” Charlie called from the dining room.

“Get back to work!” Izzy yelled back.

“I'm going out with Sammy. Making up for lost time. I can't believe Mum and Dad are letting me date a gaolbird.” Lizzy joked.

“And they still don't like Hugo. HE'S never been to gaol!” Izzy complained.

“Parents are weird.”

“So are brothers.”

“I HEARD THAT!”

The twins headed out the door just as Belle walked in.

“Good luck with HIM, he's in a mood.” Lizzy warned the Masters as they passed each other.

“I can handle him.” Belle grinned.

“Probably the only one who can.” Muttered Izzy, sharing THAT look with her sister as they walked out of the house. Her sister shrugged back. Would Chuckles and Giggles EVER admit to their love for each other?!

“So Charlie, how goes the Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce?” Belle sat down at the dining room table.

“Don't ask. Just don't. Bloody. Ask.” Charlie groaned. “I've looked through all these books you gave me plus those websites and I can't find a way around Demon.”

“You mean the proviso that it HAS to go through a Council review?” Belle asked. “I thought there was about ten ways to circumvent that.”

“Yeah, well, I'd need Higher Government support, and that's not exactly forthcoming is it?!” Charlie snapped. “Unless you want to call Dickson again and have him try to kill your Dad!”

“Easy! Easy!” Belle threw up her arms to protect herself. “Geez, you studying is a pain. You're all prickly, like a hedgehog.”

Charlie snorted. Then he froze. Then his face lifted into a grin. He immediately grabbed for his phone.

“This totally doesn't count as Improbability by the way.” Belle grumbled.

–

“Thanks Webster!” Charlie finally got off the phone as Belle sat at the table, waiting. “Wait, is that my chocolate ice cream?”

“I'm your best friend. We share everything.” Belle replied as she ate. “What did Webster say?”

“He's gonna talk to some of his friends on the Brisvegas City Council and have them come up here to help establish it.” Charlie grinned. “We're in!”

“All right!” Belle cheered. “Have some ice-cream!”

“Don't mind if I do!” Charlie grinned, digging a spoon into the ice-cream. “I've been researching legislation too, and there is SO much that we can stick on the Council if we can pull this off.”

“IF we can pull this off. Have you got any more signatures?” Belle asked.

“Noooo...” Charlie admitted.

“Charlie, you NEED those signatures, otherwise there's no Chamber of Commerce.” Belle frowned at him.

“I KNOW, but there just aren't enough non-PCC businesses in the Pleasantville Council area!” Charlie whined.

“Well, why aren't you canvassing PCC businesses?” Belle asked.

“I THOUGHT OF THAT.” Charlie snapped. “That'd never work.”

“PCC businesses would LOVE a Chamber of Commerce. They could weaponize it easily.” Belle pointed out.

“Yeah, but then they wouldn't be voting for ME to run it, would they?!” Charlie snapped. “The whole point of this is to get me in a position to run this joint!”

“Technically it doesn't have to be you.” Belle pointed out. “It just needs to be someone fair and impartial.”

Charlie's face fell.

“But it definitely should be you.” Belle quickly tried to backtrack.

Charlie sighed. “Let's face it, no one will vote for me even if they WERE all PRO. No one knows who I am, and I'm only 23 years old.”

Charlie felt his lip wobble.

“Don't be like that Charlie! We can find someone who will do things right.” Belle rubbed his arm. “I'm sure it will be you, but in case it isn't maybe we should have a backup?”

“I guess.” Charlie looked defeated.

Just then, Peter walked in.

“AGAIN!?” Belle groaned as Charlie perked up.

“Hi you two. Where's Tom?” Peter asked.

“Hey Peter, do you want to head up the Chamber of Commerce? Might help your chances of getting elected Mayor in the next election!” Charlie beamed.

Peter looked at the pair and blinked. “Excuse me?”

–

Poison didn't work. Straight out shooting him wouldn't work either, because he was too well protected. Plus after the poison tea episode he KNEW that his underling wanted him dead.

Crusader Daryl sat on the edge of Pleasant Gorge, looking down to the dusty road below. Something in the air made him think of Charlie Begly.

“If only I had a best friend like he does. Someone who has all the good ideas.” Daryl chortled, but it was bitter. How that loser managed to snag himself a pretty little best friend was beyond Daryl. Charlie wasn't rich, or popular, not like Daryl had been when they were in school. Back when Daryl had been School Captain and the richest, most popular kid in school. Before he lost everything.

Daryl sighed. This wasn't getting him anywhere. He had to get rid of Crusader Roger, and he had to do it in a way that kept himself safe. Then his father would come crawling back. Daryl was definitely going to ask for an allowance raise.

Daryl groaned, and looked down the gorge again. Maybe he should just throw himself down and end it all. Serve them all right. His mother would scream and wail at his father, who would finally have to feel guilty about something for the first time in his life.

Except that would mean that Sunny won. Everything would be left to Sunny, and Daryl couldn't allow that. Sunny was an unwanted bastard. Sunny should never have been born to begin with. Sunny only existed because his parents were stupid and couldn't keep their hands off each other. If only he could get rid of HER as well. Heck, get rid of Sunny, Lady Courage, Chuckles, Giggles, Belle, Charlie...ROGER.

“Why can't I THINK of anything?!” Daryl groaned. “Why can't I just...get...someone...”

Then Daryl grinned.