Twilight also mentioned that Midnight encouraged her twin daughters to join the military if they want an advanced education. She suggested they do one enlistment, take their papers, and leave, using the money from the military to go to school. An eighteen-month enlistment can provide the funds needed for education.
I shared how some of my disowned friends’ toxic ex-families tried to use adverse possession laws and squatter rights to take over their property. However, these attempts usually fail because the ex-families don’t have their names on the paperwork and can’t prove anything in court. Squatter rights backfire because my disowned friends often live with my family members. The Watersons they’re dating work night shifts while my friends work during the day, ensuring the house is never empty. This prevents the toxic families from trying to claim any rights to the property. My family members chase them away, making it clear they won’t tolerate such behavior.
Soon Mitchell came in after who knows how long he was with IAC, carrying a few vanilla folders. He didn’t mind that I was there.
“Hey Mitchell, got a question,” I said.
He replied, “Shoot.”
“Hypothetically, if a trucking company had six accidents within six months and the Bureau of Transportation found nothing wrong with the truck, the driving record was clean, qualifications were in order, driver logs and inspections showed nothing, what would your gut say?” I asked.
Mitchell replied, “Corruption. Truck drivers are regulated to drive eight hours per day, and their time is monitored. They have to go through driving qualifications every other year to retain their CDL license. If nothing shows, then that’s corruption because companies can pay inspectors to look the other way and write it up as if the truck driver or the company isn’t at fault.
"Unless it’s my mother-in-law, then she would light a fire under someone to make sure they do their job. Oh, and if one of my coworkers harmed my wife, Star could have them lose their job, have all their money gone in a heartbeat, and make sure they can’t even get a job as a meter maid, parking cars, or washing cars. Yeah, Star has the authority to light fires under other government agencies to make sure they do their job. Her job is an Intelligence Agency Field Agent.”
Mitchell also mentioned that his coworkers, except for Starlight, are the kind of cops who want public trust but end up making the job difficult for those who actually do their job. As the saying goes, “One bad apple spoils the bunch,” or in Mitchell and Starlight’s case, “Fourteen bad apples spoil the bunch.”
Mitchell can’t stand corruption because it allows bad people to thrive. He explained that officers in the Anti-Corruption Team (ACT), Integrity and Accountability Commission (IAC), and the Elite Operations Detachment (EOD) are responsible for investigating corruption. According to his friends Sam and Jack, 50% of the EOD is mobilized in chasing down “ghosters.” I looked at him, Cadence, and Twilight in confusion, so Mitchell explained that “ghost driving” is when people including trucking and train companies report having two drivers so one can take over when the other sleeps. While many truck drivers do have partners and take turns driving, which is legal and common, “ghost driving” involves one person working two shifts but reporting it as two people. This means they’re lying on forms, saying there are two drivers when there’s only one.
Twilight mentioned that some Watersons became truck drivers after World War II to enjoy traveling up and down the East Coast of the United States. They never had partners to switch with at night. Instead, they would pull over at a truck stop, get a motel room, and start again at five in the morning. This way, they could rest properly and continue their journey safely.
I said how this country loves to have fun with acronyms.
Mitchell asked what we were talking about, so we talked about family. Mitchell mentioned his adoptive friend Francis, who hates the word "family" because his adoptive parents' families don’t consider him family due to the lack of a biological connection. They see his adoptive parents raising another person’s child. While his adoptive parents love him and raised him as their own, their respective families don’t like him. However, Francis is dating Mitchell’s half-twin sister, Cadenza, and his extensive adoptive family now sees him as part of the family because he’s dating a Lieutenant Commander who makes a lot of money. Francis’s adoptive parents love him no matter what, but their families want into Francis’s life now because he’s dating a woman who is both attractive and wealthy due to her rank.
Some even had the nerve to move into Cadenza’s farmhouse to take over. Cadenza had two minds about it: either let Francis deal with it or handle it herself. When Francis deals with it, he calls the cops and has them thrown out because Cadenza has all the proper paperwork proving it’s her farmhouse. When she turned eighteen, her father signed over the deed to her, and she has it all notarized. Cadenza, being a fighter and a highly trained, biologically enhanced, and insanely skilled super-soldier, would throw them out without a second thought. She takes orders from high-ranking officials without question, but she’ll question orders if she knows something is very, very wrong.
Mitchell said Francis gets letters full of guilt trips and family obligations, claiming they don’t understand why he turned his back on them. Those letters meet Cadenza’s reusable metal flip lighter and get burned.
“Talk about being hypocritical,” I said. “They didn’t consider him family because he’s adopted, but now that he’s dating a high-ranking officer with money, it’s convenient for them.”
Mitchell also mentioned that Cadenza’s father is a General of Special Operations. Francis’s extensive adoptive family wants to be on good terms with him, hoping to get favors, like asking Cadenza’s father to write letters to keep their kids out of the military. But Francis isn’t going to do that. He knows they’re the type who disappear after getting a favor or keep asking for more, treating people like doormats.
Mitchell shared how he once heard Francis burst out laughing on the phone when his extensive adoptive family pleaded for help, pulling the “As a family we should have each other’s backs” card. Francis laughed at their preachings and asked where this “family” was when he was growing up, treated as unwanted. When they came to him in person and started crying, Francis just said, “Your crocodile tears aren’t helping here.” Cadenza told Francis he had to decide whether to help those who are truly with him or those who see him as a living ATM.
It’s always funny how people who never saw someone as family suddenly come out of the woodwork, trying everything to manipulate them into giving help. Francis just tells them no because they never treated him like family, but now they want to because it’s convenient. Some backed off because Cadenza threatened legal action if they bothered her and Francis. With her salary of $22,000/year ($147,335.14 USD), she can afford a lawyer to bring a restraining order or file a suit for emotional damage on Francis since the age of four. Some of Francis’s extensive adoptive family knew when to back off, but others kept poking the dragon. Cadenza doesn’t have a fight-or-flight mentality—only fight. She loves to fight, not in a courtroom but in a WWE style. She’s the type you only have to tell once, and if she says no, the best response is “Okay, thanks” and leave. Don’t keep pushing because Cadenza is like a sleeping giant.
I mentioned how I have friends who play arcade games but aren’t very good at them. I had to explain to them that in games like Space Invaders, you have to lead the target. My friends always shot at where the spacecrafts were, and they used the universally hated tactic of shooting through their own shield.
Mitchell said they’re trained to lead targets that are fifty feet or more away. I find it interesting that Little Bird’s military uses the Imperial system instead of Metric, but I’m not going to question it.
Cadence said she didn’t play a lot of action arcade games. She preferred action-adventure games or racing games with a steering wheel and pedals, like you see in a normal car.
Mitchell mentioned that he and his friends weren’t into arcade games. They were the kind of kids and teens you’d see at the park playing football or baseball, or sitting at a table playing cards or looking at comic books. The only time they played arcade games was on rainy days, and they preferred physical arcade games like the punching bag, basketball, or skee ball because they required both hand and eye coordination.
Mitchell also mentioned that besides Francis feels bad for Sam because of his mother, who threw away a perfectly good relationship for fun. The funny thing is, Sam’s father kind of predicted it and had a prenup with several clauses. Infidelity is one of those clauses. Sam’s mother wants him back in her life to meet his half-siblings, but Sam just says no. He points out that he is a grown adult and married. His mom is sad that he didn’t marry the woman she wanted and that he and his wife aren’t having babies yet. Sam and his wife have agreed to have kids but are saving up for their future kids' education and other expenses first. They want their kids to have enough money to move out and live comfortably for a while, not indefinitely. Sam’s father doesn’t care if they have kids or not; he just advised Sam to make sure everything is fine before rushing into a situation that could end in separation or divorce.
I asked why Sam’s father told him that. Mitchell explained that Sam, being smart, knew his mother was being unfaithful but only had circumstantial evidence, like another man’s jacket on the couch. At first, he assumed it was a present for his father, but he started noticing more things. Sam learned the hard way to gather evidence before jumping to conclusions because most of what he found could be explained away. He documented everything like a police detective. One day, he came home, and his mother tried to give him money to go out, but he just went to his room. The next day, his world fell apart when he came home from school to find his parents getting a divorce.
Sam’s mother tried to buy his love and affection, wanting him to choose her over his dad to bond with his soon-to-be stepdad. In the Commonwealth of Mountain, Sam was old enough at fifteen to choose without a court battle. His first response was to run away, but the police brought him back. Sam’s father handled it differently, telling Sam it was his choice and that he would still love him no matter what. When the divorce lawyer explained that Sam had to write down whom he was going to live with, Sam immediately chose his father. Despite his ten-hour workdays, Sam’s father always put his well-being first and never missed any milestones, unlike his mother, who tried to buy his affection.
Sam’s mother believed she could miss milestones and make up for it with gifts, not realizing that time with family is irreplaceable. When Sam ran away to join the Marines, he wrote to both parents. His mother responded by saying he threw his life away and was dead to her, while his father expressed heartbreak but still supported and loved him, wishing he would come back.
Mitchell also mentioned that Sam isn’t the type to apologize because in Little Bird, apologizing is seen as an admission of guilt. When Sam came back from the Marines, he tried to apologize to his father, but his father told him there was no need. He was proud of Sam and happy for him, saying he did nothing wrong.
Mitchell went on to say that Sam’s mother actually filed a lawsuit against him for emotional damage and anguish. Sam, being a unique and bright kid, documented everything his mother did that could be considered emotional damage. His mother even had the nerve to claim that his salary as a Corporal in the Marines was enough for monthly payments to her for emotional damage. No judge bought her act, and the case was dismissed. After the third attempt, Sam filed a countersuit for defamation because his mother started spreading rumors about him. The judge granted his counterclaim and warned Sam’s mother that if she bothered the court again with a fake lawsuit, she would be thrown in jail.
Sam also found out that his mother wanted more money from him because she wasn’t housewife material. She had a history of squandering money on frivolous things and just wanted Sam’s salary of $67 ($493.57 USD) a month from the Marines. Sam refused because he knew she had no intention of paying it back. Mitchell described Sam’s mother as the kind of person who asks for money as a loan but never pays it back, spending it instead.
Mitchell also mentioned that Sam is a Designated Marksman in the Marines and has a computer chip in his head to enhance his accuracy. All his shots never miss because Designated Marksmen in Little Bird with the M85 DMR have a fifteen-round magazine with three more magazines in reserve, so he has to make every shot count. Sam is the kind of guy who has a loving and caring father but a mother who broke his trust.
Mitchell mentioned that Sam’s family from his mother’s side supported his father during the divorce because they couldn’t stand cheating. Sam’s grandparents disowned their adult daughter, setting clear rules that cheating and adultery are unforgivable.
Sam often says he should’ve seen the signs earlier, but Mitchell and friends reassure him it’s not his fault. Sam clarified that he wishes he had told his father sooner. Mitchell explained that Sam’s mother, a socialite, asked Sam’s dad to open a café for her to socialize and read books. Sam’s dad refused, explaining that businesses need constant supervision and aren’t like games where you can stop and pick up later. He advised her that running a business requires breaking even and attracting enough customers to stay afloat. Businesses that lose money won’t last long. Just loving coffee and reading isn’t enough to run a successful café.
Sam’s mother told people that Sam’s dad was insecure, toxic, and controlling, but they called her out, saying running a business isn’t a game. If a business doesn’t make enough money to pay bills and employees, people lose their jobs. Catering to only one type of customer and driving away others is bad for business, especially in a small town like Clearlake with a population of 5,500 and the people that Sam’s mother wants to cater to is five people. Most people buy coffee at the store and make it at home, using thermo cups to keep it hot. During lunch, they go to restaurants, and those pressed for time might visit a café. But a café that only caters to socialites reading books won’t survive in such a small market.
Mitchell also shared how his bully had one arm in the cookie jar because his father, the school principal, encouraged his son to fight others. When Mitchell fought back, the bully’s father wanted to expel him. But Mitchell and Twilight’s older sister, Lucy, stepped in. She told the principal that if he expelled Mitchell, she would go to the press, sticking microphones in his face and demanding comments on why the bully always got a free pass while the victim got in trouble. The principal thought Lucy was bluffing, but she challenged him with a tone that clearly said, “You want to risk it?” and “You wanna find out?”
Mitchell mentioned that Star wiretapped his bully’s house, and even the bully’s mother and sister said it was wrong. They pointed out the consequences, including Lucy’s threat of going to the media. In a town of 5,500 people, where 98% are parents, they wouldn’t see the school as a safe place if a bully could run around protected by his father, the principal.
The principal bought into Lucy’s threat because he knew that saying “No Comment” to the media wouldn’t work if he got summoned before the Bureau of Education. He would have to answer questions that “No Comment” wouldn’t cover, and those questions wouldn’t be pre-selected. He could prepare for fifty different questions but be asked ones he wasn’t ready for. So, he decided to go along with Lucy’s threat and kept his son on a tight leash. Mitchell also said that when people are hauled in front of the government, they automatically waive their constitutional rights and have to answer questions, incriminating or not. The principal knew that if he didn’t comply, his own family—his wife and daughter—would throw him under the bus because they were tired of his actions.
Mitchell also mentioned that his bully is now afraid of him, embodying the saying “The hunter becomes the hunted.” Mitchell describes himself as a combat pragmatist, willing to do whatever it takes to win a fight. He’s ambidextrous, meaning he can use both hands equally well. He speculates that his bully doesn’t want to fight anymore because he knows he’ll lose.
To me, that’s the perfect example of “The hunter becomes the hunted.” Bullies who love to fight others for no reason eventually find someone who fights back and gives them a taste of their own medicine.
Mitchell put the vanilla folders down on the coffee table and talked about how people like his bully, Buck Withers, and his father love power. They think it makes them untouchable, but when confronted with a fight, they’re likely to cut and run.
Twilight said her brother always plays it smart, looking at all options. If the best play is to silently neutralize all the muscle in covert warfare, that’s what he’ll do. She mentioned that the biggest weapon isn’t worth anything if your enemy can steal it from you. Mitchell is the type to trade blows and make brutal examples out of others if needed. The last place you want to fight Mitchell is in a fistfight because he’s willing to fight and claw to stay alive, doing what nobody else is willing to do. If an enemy is vulnerable from afar, no amount of guards can protect them from a strike they never see coming. If shock and awe is needed, nobody has seen what Mitchell can do, and he’ll call up his friends for assistance if necessary.
Cadence added that Mitchell can align the most unlikely of allies. Most of his friends are the type who would’ve been enemies under different circumstances.
Mitchell said his friends Sam, Jack, Gary, Mackenzie, Franklin, Red, Michael, Fleur De Lis, and a few others are the type you can trust and count on in a fight. They’re the kind of friends who are there when you’re down, pulling you up after losing a fight and saying, “I didn’t hear a bell ring,” meaning the fight isn’t over until you win.
Mitchell told me about his friend Mackenzie Rose, and the irony isn’t lost on me. The Little Bird Marine Corps excels in fighting in marshlands, forests/jungles, and specializes in amphibious operations, yet Mackenzie Rose is a naviphobe—a Marine with a phobia of ships.
Mitchell said most of his friends have extended families who bring them along on family vacations and pay for them, but they can’t do what they want because the “family vote” always vetoes their ideas. It’s just a fancy way of saying the rest of the family doesn’t want to do things like tour an art gallery or walk up and down a boardwalk, getting fries and feeding seagulls. When they book their own room and say they’ll drive themselves, their family starts to stutter, saying they’ll voice their grievances. Mitchell’s friends gladly voice their grievances, pointing out that they’re part of the family, but their ideas always get vetoed before they can even finish.
Mitchell also mentioned how Mackenzie Rose has a niece who tries to pass off babysitting duties to her so she can relive her college years by partying. One year during a family vacation, her niece asked, “Can you watch my kids for a moment?” Mackenzie Rose responded, “Hell no, I know what you’re doing. You’re going to say you’ll be gone for a moment, but you’ll be gone for three to seven hours!”
That’s a prime example of what we Watersons would say, “If you can’t handle your kids 24/7, then you shouldn’t have kids.” Or, “So Ms. Rose is part of the family, but when it comes to the family vote, what she wants to do automatically gets denied before she can finish saying it? And if it’s what one of you wants to do, it’s A-OK, but if she wants to do something, it’s an automatic no?”
I then asked how Fleur De Lis and Mackenzie Rose look like in which Twilight’s answer caught me off guard seriously.
"Trust me," Twilight murmured, her own hand still on the ice cold root beer, “They have those big, juicy tits and that round ass of theirs are like a neon sign saying 'breed me.' that’s them in a nutshell of how their body type is."
I asked about Fleur De Lis and Mackenzie Rose. Mitchell explained that Fleur De Lis is an LBMC Logistics officer, and logistics is her area of expertise. Like Sam, logistics is her game, and everything has to be signed out. You can’t just walk in and get something; you have to sign for it. This way, if something expensive like a gun goes missing, they know who checked it out. The military has replacement weapons for when grunts need their weapons cleaned and repaired, especially for issues that field stripping can’t fix, like a broken firing pin or a malfunctioning weapon with ammo that cooks off or has a hang fire.
Mitchell explained that a cook-off means the ammo explodes prematurely due to heat in the surrounding environment, while a hang fire is an unexpected delay between triggering a firearm and the ignition of the propellant. Sometimes, Fleur De Lis has to deny requests because they don’t have the items in stock and have to wait for the next shipment.
Cadence mentioned she doesn’t mind that Mitchell has female friends because she’s not the type of wife who gets jealous. As a cop, Mitchell has to talk to both men and women, and his partner is a woman. When I asked Mitchell about it, he responded, “I’m not answering that question. I’m a happily married man that isn’t wishing death on myself,” meaning he’s happily married and doesn’t look at other women except for their faces.
I then asked about college. Mitchell said he and Cadence aren’t the college type, while Twilight plans on going to college and acting school.
Twilight said she’s determined to make a name for herself, not just as an actress, but by making her own way and not living off others. She emphasized that she’s not disabled and won’t live off the government, believing that support should be for those who are actually disabled or retired. Mitchell added that many people don’t rely on government money for retirement. Instead, they put money into a retirement fund or savings account, letting it build up interest. For example, putting in $10 a month with a 4% interest rate over forty years would amount to $23,094.04. By retirement age, people would have paid off their mortgage, and that $23k would go a long way.
Mitchell explained that many retirees turn hobbies into careers, like knitting or making clay items, and sell them at arts and crafts fairs for extra income. This way, they can use that money for groceries without tapping into their retirement fund. Some people add more money to their savings if they can, while others add less. Many banks offer up to 3% interest, with 4% for their best customers, but it varies.
Mitchell also pointed out that many people don’t plan for retirement until they’re sixty, which is poor money management. Everyone has to face getting old and not being able to work full-time anymore. In Little Bird, 65 is the prime retirement age, but many people work past that and never get to enjoy retirement. Some retire before 65 to spend time with family before they pass away, believing everyone has a biological clock that’s set in stone.
Mitchell shared that his friend Jack’s grandfather literally worked himself to death. He retired at 71 and passed away in his sleep just eight hours into his retirement.
Mitchell also mentioned his buddy Jack Skybolt's family. He said they're the worst kind of controlling—always telling Jack what to do, who to be friends with, and even what kind of woman he should marry. They just can't stand that Jack's found his own path to happiness, thanks to friends like Mitchell who taught him that true happiness comes from within, not from others' expectations.
Jack's a Little Bird Marine Machine Gunner and a field agent in the Elite Operations Detachment. He's married to a Marine Drill Instructor, which his parents initially thought was just a cover for him being in the closet. But nope, Jack's happily married to a female Marine DI. Now, his family is pressuring him to have kids, but Jack's more of the "maybe someday, maybe not" type.
Mitchell also mentioned that Jack and his wife live in a mansion on the outskirts of town, a gift from Jack's father-in-law. Jack's family keeps trying to crash there, but he always says no. It's not Jack they should be worried about, though—it's his wife. The Little Bird Marines live by "shoot first, ask questions later," and thanks to the castle doctrine, she's legally protected if she has to defend their home.
Jack's family is a big reason why people lose faith in humanity. They believe false accusations without a second thought, even when there's undeniable proof to the contrary. They accuse others of serious crimes at the drop of a hat, but when they're exposed in court, they end up on the "False Accuser List." Little Bird keeps this list to warn others about people who make false accusations out of spite.
Mitchell shared a story about Jack's cousin accusing him of siphoning money from the family business—a business Jack wasn't even involved in. The family believed the cousin's fake bank statements without question. Jack's response was classic, "Don't worry, I'll call the cops to investigate." His cousin's face went white because embezzlement cases are handled by the Island Patrol or the National Police, who have the resources to dig deep and find the truth. Anyone can print a fake bank statement, but the authorities will uncover the real story.
I told Mitchell there had to be more to the story. He nodded and said, "Oh, definitely." He went on to explain how one of Jack's cousins tried to break into their house. It started with a knock on the door. Jack's wife answered and told him to leave, but he didn't listen. Instead, he tried to force his way in. She warned him that she had a weapon and wasn't afraid to use it. Despite the warning, he kept trying to break in. She did the right thing by reporting it, but since their mansion is on the outskirts of town, the local PD couldn't respond. The Island Patrol had to step in. They brought her in for questioning and reviewed the CCTV footage. The detective saw it was an open-and-shut case of self-defense under the castle doctrine.
In Little Bird, there are three self-defense laws: "Duty to Retreat," "Stand Your Ground," and "Castle Doctrine." The castle doctrine overrides the duty to retreat, especially when it comes to defending one's home.
Mitchell also mentioned that Jack's family filed several lawsuits against his wife for unlawful death, but they were all thrown out. In criminal court, the jury saw the audio and video evidence showing Jack's wife politely asking the cousin to leave. When he tried to break in, she warned him she had a firearm and was willing to use it. He ignored her, and the law was on her side. The people in Clearlake and 98% of the Commonwealth of Mountain supported her. Only 1% were against her, and another 1% were undecided.
Cadence chimed in, adding that Jack's family harassed him for a while because he sided with his wife over them. Jack needed protection, so he and Starlight stepped in. Mitchell even offered Jack a place to stay with him, Cadence, and their kids, but Jack politely declined. He didn't want to impose on a family of five with a newborn on the way—this was back in March 2010, before Cadence and Mitchell's fourth child, Flurry, was born. Instead, Jack stayed with Starlight on her couch for a while. Jack didn't feel safe at home, and Starlight didn't mind having him, nor did Jack's wife.
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Jack's family found other ways to harass him, like throwing rocks at the glass of the building where he worked. They got arrested for vandalism of a Federal Government Building. They even set Jack's car on fire, leading to charges of arson, vehicular arson, and arson within a government building. They went the extra mile by torching the unmarked sedan Jack and Sam used, resulting in charges of destruction of government property and vehicular arson.
Yes, Little Bird has different classifications for arson.
Jack's parents tried to guilt-trip him with the "You're tearing the family apart" card, but it didn't work. Jack knew his family brought this on themselves through their own actions. They should have known that vandalizing a government building, destroying government property, and starting a fire in a government building's parking garage would have serious consequences, not just a slap on the wrist.
Twilight mentioned that Jack talked to the town's prosecutor to have his family's bail either denied or set so high it would be unaffordable, even if they put everything they had up for collateral. The prosecutor agreed, noting that Jack's family was a flight risk. Mitchell explained that whenever Jack's family gets into legal trouble, they post bail and immediately book a train or plane ticket under a false name to lay low. But that never works. Failing to appear in court results in a bench warrant, and law enforcement across Little Bird eventually catches them.
Cadence finally added that Jack's family are literal wedding crashers. They crashed Jack's wedding, and when Mitchell told them to leave, one of them actually hit him. That guy got arrested on the spot. Mitchell's response was priceless. "I'm a police officer. I have to be on duty 24 hours a day." Cops are expected to intervene in a crime, even if they're technically off the clock.
Jack's family threw a pity party, claiming they paid for everything and had receipts to prove it. Mitchell said he managed to make two arrests in one minute. The receipts they had were poorly done and clearly fraudulent. In a small town of 5,500 people, news of what Jack's family did spread like wildfire.
Mitchell mentioned how Jack hates when his family controls the narrative, painting him as the troubled family member while they play the victims seeking sympathy. Jack doesn't care about their attempts to manipulate the story. He told them to stop calling, stop sending letters, and stop sending flowers and other romantic gestures to lure him back. Mitchell said Jack avoids public outings and the grocery store like the plague because he knows his family would corner him there. He lives a low-profile life to avoid attracting attention.
Jack's family even set him up on a date with a woman once. When Jack said he wasn't interested, she took it as a challenge and kept bothering him with calls, letters, and visits to his house. Mitchell said Jack eventually got a restraining order against her.
I actually feel sorry for Jack because he comes from such a controlling family. I asked Cadence, Mitchell, and Twilight more about him.
Mitchell shared that Jack's parents always favored his younger sister over him. When Jack saved up to buy a BMX bike, his sister threw a fit, and their parents bought her a better bike. In middle school, Jack played baseball as a third baseman, but his parents never showed up for his final games. Yet, if his sister had a minor role in a school play with no lines, they were always there, making excuses for missing Jack's games. When Jack got straight A's and made the honor roll, his parents didn't care, but if his sister got a B+, they threw a party for her.
It got worse. Jack's father is a huge football fan, so when Jack made the high school football team, you'd think his dad would be proud. But no, he wasn't. Jack learned early on that respect is earned, not given, and he couldn't trust anyone, not even his family. Since he was eleven, Jack understood that those who wanted his respect had to earn it, regardless of family ties.
Mitchell said what really blew Jack's lid was how he worked hard for everything he wanted, while his sister got everything handed to her on a silver platter. She was treated like a queen for the smallest achievements, while Jack's hard work went unnoticed. On his birthdays, Jack wanted his favorite food and cake, but his sister always decided what they ate. His parents claimed they didn't know his preferences, but the truth was they didn't care. Jack's favorite cake is chocolate ice cream cake, and his favorite food is a cheesesteak with egg rolls. His sister's favorite food is spaghetti stew, and her favorite cake is strawberry sheet cake. Jack loves R&B music, while his sister prefers disco.
I asked what spaghetti stew is, and Mitchell explained that according to Jack, it's spaghetti made with stew seasoning. I couldn't help but say how disgusting that sounds.
Mitchell continued, explaining how Jack's parents finally crossed a line by sending him an invoice for his upbringing. They demanded a specific amount within a certain timeframe, threatening to take him to small claims court if he didn't pay. Jack didn't take it seriously until he actually got summoned to court. But the judge didn't let his parents get far. After reviewing the invoice, the judge tore into them, stating that feeding, clothing, and educating their child is what every parent is supposed to do. Jack added that his parents had only done the bare minimum to avoid government intervention.
The judge threw out the case, making it clear that suing their own son for basic parental responsibilities was absurd. Jack's parents tried to argue that they could have put him in foster care, but Jack retorted that many of his favorite musicians grew up in the foster care system. He pointed out that many people foster or adopt children and love them as their own, not seeing them as a meal ticket.
Mitchell also mentioned how Jack's parents try everything to bring him back into the fold, but Jack isn't naive. He recognizes the red flags and avoids family reunions and gatherings. When they invite him for Christmas dinner and to stay the night for breakfast, he "politely" declines. They guilt-trip him about being alone for the holidays, but Jack just says he deals with it by watching TV. In reality, Cadence says Jack spends Christmas with them. Their kids, McKinney, Rose, and Platinum, call him "Uncle Jack" because he and Mitchell have been friends for so long that they're like brothers.
I asked Mitchell what Jack investigates as an EOD agent. He explained that Jack handles federal crimes, which in a town like Clearlake often means dealing with insurance fraud and theft of medicines. People here sometimes look for quick cash, and insurance fraud is a federal offense after the second offense. Medicine theft is common because the town's clinic, with its fifteen rooms, lacks security. Thieves often steal prescribed pain pills and medicines for the elderly, young people, cancer patients, and others in need. Doctors usually assume the missing medicines were used but not recorded. Thieves are careful to take small amounts to avoid detection, but when larger quantities go missing, it attracts police or federal agents like Jack.
I commented that this is why doctors advise taking medicines only as needed and following the directions on the label. Mitchell agreed but pointed out that the clinic operates more like a typical doctor's office and doesn't have the budget for extensive security. With only two security guards, they can't monitor the two doctors and a few nurses effectively. Guards aren't trained medical staff, so they can't question doctors or nurses about why they have certain medicines, as they can always claim a patient needs it immediately.
Mitchell said insurance fraud is rampant in Clearlake because many out-of-towners come in, set up businesses, and bring in outsiders to commit fraud. I was about to suggest that drivers should get dash cams, but Mitchell explained that most of these scams happen near intersections to catch drivers off guard when making turns. Fortunately, these intersections have both traffic and video cameras.
When Jack interviews the ringleaders, they often have one of two responses: they either claim they want to set a world record for the fastest healing or for serving the most patients. Jack always tells them that cheating to get a world record undermines their point. The real motive is always quick money. Mitchell noted that many people don't have private insurance but rely on government insurance because it's cheaper.
Mitchell also mentioned that Jack doesn't believe in the "redemption pyramid," where bad people try to clear their karma by seeking forgiveness from those they've wronged. Jack's B.S. meter goes off when people try to come back into his life seeking forgiveness, not realizing that many people don't forgive easily and want proof of genuine change.
Mitchell finally admitted that the only time Jack helped his family was when his sister got into serious trouble with the mafia due to her gambling habits. Jack agreed to help, but only on his terms. He demanded that his parents admit how terrible they were to him growing up, acknowledge how they favored his sister while giving him the bare minimum, and give him a public apology for being terrible parents.
At first, his parents tried to get him to help without meeting his conditions. Jack reminded them of what the mafia does to people who don't repay their debts. The mafia operates like a bank but is far scarier. If you repay your loans on time, they don't care. But if you don't, they send tough guys to remind you, often with threats or violence. The least worrying consequence might be broken fingers, but the mafia will get their money back one way or another.
I asked what Jack's parents did next. Mitchell said they initially refused, but once they received a threatening letter in the mail, they realized it was serious. The letter's font alone made it clear it wasn't a joke. They asked Jack if he would help if they met two out of his three conditions. Jack agreed, so they admitted how they favored his sister and gave him the bare minimum, and they publicly apologized for being terrible parents.
I told Mitchell that Jack didn't need to honor his word. He could have pretended to help, then come back a few days later with a believable excuse. But Mitchell said Jack actually met with the loan shark and arranged for his sister to work off her debt. The money she earned would go directly to the mafia to repay the loan. Jack's parents and sister hated the deal, but Jack made it clear it was better than the alternative—being killed or kidnapped and forced into servitude or being forced as a street walker. Unlike banks, the mafia doesn't just repossess your car or foreclose on your house; they get their money back by any means necessary.
Jack's parents and sister complained it was the worst deal possible, but Jack pointed out that working to repay the debt was better than being kidnapped or killed. When they suggested he could have arrested the loan shark, Jack explained he had no charges to arrest them on. Even if he did, the loan shark would be out within an hour because there wouldn't be any charges that would stick. Loan sharks don't leave obvious paper trails, and they hide their records in places law enforcement wouldn't think to look. Even if the police or EOD did a surprise raid, they need concrete evidence to mobilize a tactical team, which takes time. Mafia loan sharks don't advertise their operations with neon signs.
Mitchell finally admitted that Jack's parents had set up a trust fund for both him and his sister. Jack, being the practical one, took the money out of his trust fund and put every penny into a savings account he calls his "retirement fund." His sister, on the other hand, opened her trust fund on her seventeenth birthday and blew through $11,000 in just two hours. Jack's fund, which started with the same amount, has now grown to somewhere between $13,873.22 and $14,906.99.
I remarked that this was the opposite of the stereotype of men spending money recklessly. Mitchell explained that Jack is cautious because "the future is unpredictable." Jack's family, however, believes they have all the time in the world and can predict what's around the corner. According to Mitchell, some of Jack's family members have lost their jobs and don't have the financial security to pay bills while job hunting. Jack wants a financial safety net in case something happens, especially since he's home alone 90% of the year while his wife is training Marine recruits. He knows we can't predict what will happen tomorrow.
Mitchell also admitted that Jack and Sam are the kind of guys who go above and beyond for others. They understand that you never know who you might be helping—the guy at the coffee shop or your mailman could be someone you don't want to mess with. That is how the world needs many people to help others even if they don’t get a benefit out of it.
Mitchell then shared that Jack would rather marry a strict, devout religious woman than someone his family wants him to date. Jack knows his family would choose someone who would act as a spy, keeping them updated on all his activities. Instead, Jack married a female Marine Drill Instructor who believes that spying and espionage are dishonorable. She feels soldiers should engage in direct combat without resorting to spying. Most of her trainees end up in Recon Companies, but she has no say in their assignments. The Little Bird Military has a department that evaluates each class and assigns roles based on their assessments.
Jack's parents want him to have children, but both he and his wife are ambivalent about it. They often say, "Will we have kids? Maybe we will, maybe we won't." Jack's parents are hypocritical and traditional, expecting both their children to marry and have large families. However, they pressure Jack to have kids while not wanting their daughter to marry and have children, which is clearly hypocritical.
Twilight said Jack’s family is seriously messed up. In their family, when someone breaks up, another family member swoops in and starts dating the ex, without caring about the feelings of the person who just went through the breakup. Then, they have the audacity to ask the heartbroken family member to be the maid of honor or best man at the wedding, expecting them to put on a facade of happiness and acceptance, even if they’re still hurting.
That makes me so glad to be a Waterson. In our family, you can’t date a guy’s or gal’s ex-girlfriend, ex-wife, sister, or half-sister, or a guy’s or girl's ex-boyfriend, ex-husband, brother, or half-brother without their explicit, crystal-clear Goddamn permission. You never know if they’re okay with it, and it’s important not to rub salt into the wound.
While us Watersons are no better than anyone else, we live by the saying, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." In other words, when we see someone's true colors, we don't ignore, deny, reframe, or make excuses for what we see. It's like the saying, "What happens in the dark always comes to light."
Many Watersons know not to say something hurtful during an argument because you never know if it might be the last thing you say to that person. Some Watersons have said things in anger to their parents, only to lose them in a car accident or something similar, and the regret of those last words haunts them. So, we watch what we say during arguments, knowing it might be the last time we see them.
But from what Mitchell, Twilight, and Cadence have said about Jack's family, they're the type who say things they can't take back and feel proud of it.
But while we Watersons don’t usually talk bad about other families, when a family messes up so badly that we do, it shows just how bad it is.
Mitchell’s stories about Jack’s family highlight that Jack is living proof that no matter how terrible a family can be, there’s always one child who can rise above and become a pillar of the community. Jack’s parents tried to mold him into their image until his eighteenth birthday and still try to this day.
We Watersons tell new parents in our family, “Children are living proof that no matter how great of a parent you are, one child can and will be a jerk just to be spiteful.” Many parents try to guide all their kids until they turn eighteen, but once they do, they often give up, knowing they can’t control them anymore and just relax.
It’s true that in many families, there’s always one person who loves being spiteful and causing trouble for no reason, blaming others instead of making an effort to be better. When they turn everyone against them, they blame others instead of looking in the mirror. We Watersons aren’t strangers to that either.
But Jack’s family? They’re the type who gladly blame others for their problems, turn people against them, and then blame those same people for their issues instead of taking responsibility.
“I guess I found where most of the entitled snobby brats at Arcane University come from,” I said. “Many university students are the type who blame others for their problems instead of taking responsibility.”
______________________
I decided to meet Jack David Skybolt in person. He was the opposite of what I imagined. I pictured him as a skinny guy, but he turned out to be slightly muscular, the kind of guy who looks like a jock that girls chase after or should be a male model or a male stripper.
When he asked how he could help me, I cut straight to the chase. Jack appreciated that, saying I was the first person outside his circle of friends who got straight to the point. He mentioned that most people he knows either beat around the bush or make conversations so long that he wants to shake them until they get to the point.
I told him I had been talking to Mitchell, Cadence, and Twilight, and they all said he’s a great guy who comes from a terrible family. We went to his cubicle to continue the conversation.
Jack explained, “My family is the type that, if you let them stay with you after being evicted and losing their job, they will take over and not clean or help out. When they get a job and move out, they’ll trash talk you, saying you didn’t help them, until you finally get fed up and either sue them for defamation or crash their housewarming party to expose their ingratitude.
"I have family members who started their own businesses because they have business degrees and are overconfident. They don’t have enough savings or capital, but they throw their money into a business without any connections. In some businesses, you need connections to get your name out there. I’ve told them they need money and connections to stay afloat, but they don’t heed my warnings or practical advice. Predictably, they end up going broke. Some even had the nerve to ask me to talk to government officials for connections. Yes, I’m a government agent, but I investigate federal offenses, not talk to congressmen on a daily basis.”
I asked Jack if his family would turn everyone against the person who exposes their ingratitude. He confirmed it, saying it's a common trait in his family to turn people against you for telling the truth.
"People prefer a comforting lie over the hard truth," I said.
"That's true and always true," Jack replied. He shared a story about a fraud case he worked on where someone faked their death to move in with their mistress. Sam and I went to inform the wife, who was in denial, insisting her husband wasn't dead. She was right—the blood was from a dead pig. They tracked him down and brought him in. Although it wasn't a federal offense, it was a learning experience for them. Later, the wife visited her husband in the interrogation room, handed him divorce papers, and made him sign them, threatening to expose his affair to the whole town if he didn't. In Clearlake, a town that values monogamous marriages, this was a big deal.
Jack also mentioned how his family is similar. For his 10th birthday, he wanted a new bike and dropped hints everywhere. He didn't get the bike, but his sister did, just two and a half weeks after his birthday. He learned not to ask for anything for his birthday or Christmas. When his parents called him ungrateful for not loving the presents they bought him, the truth was that the gifts were last-minute purchases, not thoughtful ones planned weeks or months in advance.
Jack also mentioned that if his birthday fell on a school day, his parents would wait until after work to buy him a birthday or Christmas present, often during the holiday rush. But if his sister wanted something, they would get it months in advance, whether it was for her birthday or Christmas.
Jack shared that even Mitchell and Twilight’s Aunt and Uncle Orange, who don’t particularly like Mitchell, at least swallowed their pride and got him a Christmas gift, even if it was just one thing from his list.
Jack continued, explaining that when he got a part-time job to save up for college—he wanted to study criminal studies and forensics—his sister found out and cried about it. Any good parent would have told her to wait until she was old enough to get a part-time job or given her an allowance. But no, Jack's parents demanded he give 50% of his paycheck to his sister or quit his job. Jack's part-time job was at the supermarket, bagging groceries.
He also said that when he made the honor roll, his parents gave a lukewarm "That's nice," even if he made the honor roll all four quarters. But if his sister made the honor roll for just one quarter, their parents would throw a lavish party, invite the entire family, get catering, and even hire a live band. Jack added that birthday dinners were another can of worms altogether.
"I was going to say something, but I'm just going to keep my mouth shut," I said.
Jack replied, "If you want to criticize and say how messed up my family is, go ahead. If you talked to Mitchell, Cadence, and Twilight, then they already told you how I don’t care if I have kids or not, but I’m leaning towards not having them. My entire family keeps bugging me to have kids with my wife, not respecting our boundaries. But honestly, that’s partly my fault. Once, I mentioned the name 'Melody,' and my parents thought it was my daughter’s name, and my sister thought it was her niece’s name. But nope, Melody is actually a female friend I had back in school who helped me maintain good grades. My wife and I do plan that if we have a daughter, we would name her Melody."
I told Jack that it’s his and his wife’s decision, not anyone else’s. I shared how I know some people who get married, and their in-laws insist that their grandchild should be named after a grandparent or great-grandparent, often resulting in names that sound like they’re from the 1700s.
Jack acknowledged that some of his family members are cunning and smart, giving credit where it’s due. When he and his wife were planning their wedding, they made sure the wedding coordinator, venue, and other details were password protected. One day, Jack got a call from his soon to be wife and the wedding venue about someone claiming to be his wife wanting to add a few names to the guest list. Jack told the venue and coordinator that he would talk to his wife first. After confirming with his fiancée that she hadn’t made any such call, Jack informed the venue and coordinator that the people wanting to be added were not on his soon-to-be wife’s list, as she had no idea who they were.
Jack even said how he hates his family because they always tell him to do things "just to keep the peace," which to Jack is a cop-out used by people who don't really care about your situation or what you've been through.
Jack also mentioned how his parents threatened to cut him out of their will if he didn’t invite them and his sister to his wedding. They said, “We'll cut you out of the will if you don't invite us!" Jack's response was classic. "Oh, you mean I'm still in it? You haven't had it rewritten so Lily gets everything and all I get is a kick in the ass and a 'better luck next time'?"
Jack admitted that Lily is so entitled and spoiled that she feels she can get away with anything without consequences. Mitchell and Starlight once arrested her for DUI. When Mitchell gave Lily a field sobriety test, she fell face-first out of the car before he could even start. Her blood alcohol level was 4.5, way over the Commonwealth of Mountain’s legal limit of 0.8, so she was arrested. Jack said his parents bailed her out, and Mitchell issued an “I-Bond,” meaning Lily couldn't be in a vehicle without a designated driver or a cab. If she drove before her court date, she would be rearrested, her I-Bond revoked, and her bond revoked, meaning she would sit in jail until court. If she drove without a designated driver, it would be upgraded to a felony.
According to Starlight, when Mitchell explained the I-Bond to Jack's parents, they seemed to understand but didn't really care. Mitchell told Starlight he gave it one business week before Lily was back in jail, while Starlight gave it half a month. They were both wrong. Jack said it took only an hour before Lily was arrested for DUI in the town of Cozy. When they ran her name, they found out she had an I-Bond, so it was now a felony. In violation of the I-Bond, she had to sit in jail until court. When Jack’s parents got a lawyer to try to get her a bond, the court took into account that she broke the I-Bond within an hour and saw her as a flight risk, denying her bond.
Jack said his sister took a plea deal with the DA, agreeing to plead guilty in exchange for eighteen months instead of five years. She took the deal because she preferred eighteen months over sitting in jail until her trial and potentially getting five years or more from a jury.
Jack admitted that his sister, instead of serving the full eighteen months, only served fourteen months and got out on good behavior. I was about to say something when Jack pulled up Lily’s criminal record on his computer. It showed that Lily Skybolt was sentenced to eighteen months on February 4th, 2009, at the age of eighteen, but was released on April 7th, 2010—exactly fourteen months later. Jack explained that getting out on good behavior is different from parole. With parole, you still have to report to someone and follow their rules, and breaking one can get you thrown back in prison. Good behavior, on the other hand, reduces your sentence time.
Jack also mentioned that his sister was in a minimum-security co-ed prison. These prisons house inmates with felonies but shorter sentences, usually a couple of years, and the inmates are less likely to cause trouble because they have something to lose—time. Many would rather serve two years than ten.
I asked Jack what a co-ed prison is. He explained that it’s a prison with both men and women, but in Little Bird, the entrances to both sides are heavily secured for obvious reasons.
I was going to ask how Jack has access to this information, but as a federal agent, he likely has some level of access for case-related information. The level of access varies, but he probably has a classification of confidential or something similar, which isn’t public knowledge.
I got information straight from the source, and Jack shared more about how messed up his family is. He mentioned that some family members aren't biologically related but married into the family. During divorces or property disputes, both sides use mind games to break the other. However, the courts in Little Bird don't entertain these games. They require evidence to back up any allegations, not just he said-she said. Courts here don't rely heavily on witnesses because many are bribed to make one party look good and the other bad. When bribed witnesses are exposed, their credibility is shattered. Lying in court is a misdemeanor in Little Bird, and not many people are willing to risk it because any lawyer can poke holes in inconsistent stories.
Jack said that politicians are the only ones who can lie and get away with it. He told his parents he's willing to end his side of the family bloodline because he doesn't care about having kids. When his parents said Lily would have kids to give them grandkids, Jack told them Lily isn't marriage material and is more inclined to be a gold digger and if she does have kids she most likely does not even know who the father is.
Jack also mentioned that he's the only one in his family who supports the women who marry into it. Often, when these women are pregnant, their husbands demand they pay rent while not working, then kick them out. When the baby is born, the husbands want them to come back so they can meet the baby. Jack advises these women to document everything and either get a divorce or separation and seek full custody. As a federal cop, Jack works with lawyers and district attorneys who won't prosecute a case without concrete evidence. Circumstantial evidence can be easily torn apart by any lawyer, even one fresh out of law school. Many DAs in Little Bird won't accept a case without solid evidence because they don't want to ruin families just to improve their win-loss ratio.
Jack admitted that his family accuses him of tearing the family apart and overreacting. He just wants the women to have a thorough paper trail in case they need to take his male family members to court, giving them a leg up if it goes to trial.
Jack admitted that his job involves a lot of paperwork. He has to write reports when he's right, when he's wrong, when he's unsure, and even reports on those reports. He joked that he feels like he's going to fill a library with all the paperwork. His job is 50% writing, 40% investigating, and 10% talking to others.
Jack shared a story about one of his cousins who expected him to help out when she got married, pulling the "It's time to step up to help the family" card. He pointed out how they never cared for him but remembered his existence when they needed money or help. Jack also mentioned a crime he partially investigated that involved a family member. He asked his boss to pass the case to another pair of federal agents due to the conflict of interest. His family tried to guilt him into retaking the case with typical gaslighting tactics like "But we're your family" and "You owe us for everything we've done for you." Jack wasn't moved by it and reminded them how his parents kicked him out at seventeen. Sam's father let Jack stay with them until he and Sam graduated high school and joined the Marines. They used their military money and savings from part-time jobs for down payments on their properties. Jack's father-in-law gifted him and his wife the mansion they live in now, so Jack put his savings into his account. Sam used his money for a down payment on his house.
before heading back to the city of Empire. They thanked me for stopping by.
Clearlake is one of those towns that feels like a step back in time. Picture this: folks waving and saying "howdy" from their front porches every morning. It's the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else's business. If you're the type who thinks cheating in a relationship is fun or you go through partners faster than a sick person goes through tissues, trust me, everyone will know.
Sundays are a big deal in Clearlake. After mass, the whole town heads to the church for a potluck. These potlucks are open to everyone, even if you're not religious. They have raffles and use the funds to support town services. For example, they might raise money for the fire department to replace old wooden lockers or buy new gear. The town's budget is tight, only enough to pay the three Captains, one Lieutenant, and twenty-four firefighters, plus some maintenance. Anything extra has to come from fundraisers or the potluck funds.
Mitchell told me that nothing can make life hell like getting a whole group of religious folks mad. Back in October 2003, the middle school got involved in a public-private venture with the federal government. They decided that only NAPP (Nutritionally Approved Program Products) would be served to students and staff. No outside food was allowed, and anything brought in was thrown out.
Mitchell summed it up perfectly; "Just one phone call from a religious woman rallied the entire religious community of Clearlake and nationwide. They were furious that the school was feeding their kids something they hadn't approved, violating their parental rights and religious views. Instead of fighting amongst themselves, people of different religious backgrounds united under a common cause."
Mitchell even mentioned that Clearlake is one of the few towns used by the military for training. It's unexpected because one minute it's calm, and the next, there are troop transport helicopters with soldiers fast-roping down. The town has a military base, and not every base on Little Bird has decoy urban settings for training.
Clearlake's heart is its park, where people can have picnics, go fishing, or take a stroll and maybe meet someone new. There's also a local cinema, a gym, restaurants, shops, pools, and other recreational facilities.
The town is a unique blend of modern and futuristic building ideas mixed with nostalgic architecture and design rooted in the American suburbs of the 1950s.
Cadence said Clearlake is the kind of town where if you're not a good person, everyone will know. She shared a story about a couple who were supposed to get married. The bride's mother promised to cover all the expenses, but she gambled away all the money. When the couple called the vendors, they found out that no deposits had been made and nothing was paid for.
After some digging, the couple discovered that the bills were past due and the bank was about to foreclose on the house. The bride's mother skipped town without facing the consequences of her actions. Word spread quickly around Clearlake, and people had nothing but contempt for what she had done.
Mitchell even said that when NAPP had them eat paste and other food that was so terrible that military discontinued MREs taste a lot better and here in Little Bird that when an MRE is discontinued it’s because taste has a huge factor in it.
Cadence shared how she once went to the town church with Mitchell and Twilight to see if it was a good fit for her. That day, the sermon was about the importance of forgiving but not forgetting. Another key lesson was to be wary of newspapers, as they often alter the truth to sell more copies. The pastor explained that "bad news sells" and how newspapers can vilify someone for a minor mistake. He emphasized that everyone is fighting their own battles, which others know nothing about. Many people, including journalists, capitalize on this by using sensational headlines over factual news to capture attention.
To Cadence, this showed that the church in Clearlake teaches respect for others. It encourages people not to judge others until they've walked a mile in their shoes, recognizing that everyone has their own struggles.
Mitchell mentioned that folks in Clearlake mainly read the newspaper for a few specific reasons:
- Check Weekly Events: They look for local happenings like chess tournaments, eating contests, and more.
- Community News: The paper shares updates on families moving in or out, births, deaths, and details about upcoming festivals, fairs, or carnivals.
- Find Discount Classes: People can find information on classes that offer discounts.
- Clip Coupons: The newspaper includes coupons for local shops, available for a limited time.
- Hotspots: It highlights popular spots around town.
- Adoptions: Residents can check for neighborhood adoptions or adopt a pet from the shelter.
- Weather Forecast: Although the forecast is less accurate than TV, it’s still a go-to for many. The newspaper is published on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so weather updates are only available on those days, whereas TV news provides updates every 45 minutes.
- Sports: People here love sports and if they miss a sport on radio or tv then reading about it is the next best thing. And are the type who are glad of instant replays during sports.
Mitchell’s insights paint a picture of a town that values community and staying informed about local events and opportunities.
Mitchell mentioned that his half-twin sister, Cadenza, prefers reading supermarket tabloids. She believes they offer "the best investigative reporting in the world." According to Cadenza, local newspapers might get lucky sometimes, but tabloids dig deeper.
Twilight explained that Cadenza's point is about how mainstream media often avoids certain stories for various reasons. Independent media outlets, on the other hand, are more likely to cover these stories. When mainstream media does pick up such stories, it's often because someone in charge is too busy to notice and accidentally approves a story they normally wouldn't.
I decided to head back home to the City of Empire. But when I got back to the City of Empire I decided to check in on Alex and Jake and so I texted Martha that they’re fine in which she texted back saying that she’s glad but to tell them to call her once every other week so I did and they both agreed that they would so they wouldn’t have their older step sister come and pay them a visit even though Alex was as himself of studying while Jake was sleeping in and missed some classes.
Jack also shared that Sam's family is a bit crazy. Sam and his wife Hailey have a daughter, and Sam's mother and stepfather demanded that they give their daughter to them, claiming Sam and Hailey neglected her because they both work in law enforcement. When they threatened legal action, Sam and Hailey told them they'd see them in court. The family court judge ruled that their daughter was in a loving environment with a full-time sitter and was well taken care of. Sam's mother did this because she's very traditional and believes Hailey should quit her job to be a housewife, even though the case was dismissed.
Jack told me about a time he warned a family member that their new wife had a history of scamming people. Predictably, his warnings went unheard. When that family member got scammed, lost every penny, and went into debt, they showed up at Jack’s door or cubicle begging for help. Their new wife had plunged them into substantial debt, and the bank seized their home for repayment. Jack didn’t offer much help—just a business card or the number of a federal agent specializing in fraud cases. He told them that’s as far as he was willing to go and added, “If you want to get out of the hole you dug yourself into, you’ve got to put down the shovel first.”
Jack admitted that his parents have tried to arrange marriages for him multiple times, but he never showed up. As a federal agent, Jack can do background checks on the women his family wants him to marry. His parents try to arrange these marriages for business connections and to have a daughter-in-law who would spy on him and report back to them. Jack often thinks about moving to another town or city, but he refuses to let them win. He believes that staying in Clearlake and ignoring them is his way of winning the battles. Moving away would feel like giving in to them, so he prefers to pretend they don’t exist.
Some of his family members use his career as a federal agent as a bargaining chip, thinking he has connections to people in the government. They don’t realize that his job involves investigating serious crimes like mail fraud, aircraft hijacking, carjacking, kidnapping, lynching, bank robbery, credit card fraud, identity theft, computer crimes, federal hate crimes, animal cruelty, obscenity, tax evasion, counterfeiting, violations of the Espionage Act, illegal wiretapping, art theft from museums, damaging or destroying mailboxes, electoral fraud, immigration offenses, and assassination attempts on the President or Vice President. They mistakenly believe his job involves socializing with politicians and other important figures, but he only interacts with them if they are victims of crimes, which is rare. Most of the crimes he and Sam investigate are white-collar crimes.
Jack’s family wants him to use his career for business opportunities to make more money, but he distances himself from them as much as possible. He even says his entire family is “coo coo.”
Sam then came to get Jack for an investigation, so I left, not wanting to stay inside a government building longer than necessary. I decided to visit Mitchell, his wife, and his sister