Chapter 7

## Characters

New characters

* Dr. Lowenberg
* Dirk Sides

## Locations

New places unlocked in this chapter:

* Living Room

## Tasks

Players need to get 46 stars to complete the tasks of this chapter.

* Begin Next Chapter
* Who's Whistling?!
* New Cabinet
* New Table
* New Message Board
* New Dish Towel Hooks
* New Lamps
* Clean Living Room
* New Floor
* New Walls
* Answer Door
* Restore Bar
* Restore Bar Front
* Restore Bar Chairs
* New Lamp
* Picture This
* New Chair
* Table Time
* Fix Centerpiece
* The Verdict
* Hide The Papers!
* Bathroom Breakout
* Nightcap With Daphne
* Begin Next Chapter

> [In the Butler's Room]**Flo**What is that SOUND?
> It's... WHISTLING? At this time of the morning?
> SHEESH, I'm channeling Grumpy Morning Penny!**Pink Sweater Cat**MRROWLL!**Flo**Sorry, kitties! I miss her, too.
> Gotta go see what that sound is...

#### Who's Whistling?!

> [Outside, Flo walks down to the bottom step as Dave stands at the planter]**Flo**Good morning, Dave! So YOU'RE the one whistling so cheerfully!**Dave**Mornin', Flo. How are you on this beautiful day?**Flo**Um... surprised? When you said you were going to get tools to work on the car...
> ...I kinda assumed automotive tools.**Dave**Nope. Gardening tools. Thelma has moved on to her next incarnation.**Flo**That's very... philosophical of you, Dave.**Dave**There's a flow to things, like a river...
> You can swim against it, but you just get tired.
> I guess we're all just a place for flowers in the end, right?**Dave**Oh, Dave. I don't know how we got along without you.**Dave**Kitchen's not done, as I recall. What part do we work on next?[They walk up the steps]

Transition Dialogue

> [They walk into the Kitchen]

#### New Cabinet

> [They stand by the doorway]**Flo**I'm so glad you can help with this cabinet, Dave.**Dave**My pleasure. How about this one?

*Player chooses an option*

> **Flo**That should hold all the kitchen thingies!**Dave**It must be hard without Penny here.**Flo**Oh Dave, you know it! I'm really feeling...**Dave**...her absence?**Flo**Yes, that's a good way to put it!
> Why is it that we can feel things that are NOT there?**Dave**Like absence is a solid thing that's present with us.**Flo**Yes! My mind is a little blown right now.**Dave**A little more work with our hands is good for contemplation.

#### New Table

> [At the table]**Flo**Now if I could get your help with this table...**Dave**Of course. How about this one?

*Player chooses an option*

*Player chooses another option*

> **Flo**Dave! You have a flair for decorating.**Dave**We should be open to new flairs. They might become joys.**Flo**Flair into joy! I love it!**Dave**I take it Daphne's not up yet.**Flo**I suspect you're right. We'll keep an ear open for her, though.**Dave**That woman who arrived as I was leaving...**Flo**Daphne's daughter, Violet!**Dave**I got a very toxic vibe from her.**Flo**Wowee, that's the truth! I'll tell you the whole story there...

#### New Message Board

> [By the message board]**Flo**I suppose we should deal with this message board...**Dave**Well, how about this one?

*Player chooses an option*

> **Flo**Yep, that'll do just fine.**Dave**I sensed a little resistance to this chore.**Flo**It just reminds me of my husband, Ted. Always keeping lists!**Dave**And that feels confining to you?**Flo**Yes, like he could write my name in one of those boxes and I'd be trapped there.**Dave**Different personality types, I see.**Flo**He wasn't always so buttoned-down.
> He was fun, spontaneous, even a little wild...**Dave**Maybe he will be again. Might just need to climb out of a box.

#### New Dish Towel Hooks

> [They walk to the doorway.]**Flo**We need a better place to hang up dish towels.**Dave**Here's a choice of hooks...

*Player chooses an option*

> **Flo**Hey, Dave, how's it hangin'?
> Sorry, just a thing my son Rupert says to me a lot.**Dave**How old is Rupert?**Flo**He's 17 now, applying to college. Real tech whiz. Into robotics.**Dave**He sounds like an interesting young man.**Flo**Oh, yes! But you know how it is with teenagers...[Flo turns her back to Dave]**Flo**Hard to understand what they're going through. Even the nerdy ones.
> And they are even MORE convinced that no one will understand them.**Dave**So, maybe they're right.

#### New Lamps

> [By the sink]**Flo**And we finally get around to these lamps!**Dave**We do, indeed. Which ones shall we put up?

*Player chooses an option*

> **Flo**There! That wasn't so hard![They walk to join each other at the bottom left of the island]**Dave**Why did you expect it to be hard?**Flo**I dunno, I've just had these lamps at home I've been meaning to mount...
> ...but months later, they're still in boxes!
> Yet we've renovated a bunch of an old mansion in no time flat!
> How's that for a paradox?**Dave**We inhabit a space, and it inhabits us. Definitely affects the energy.**Flo**...**Dave**At least, that's a theory.

Transition Dialogue.

> [By the doorway]**Flo**...Aaaand we're done with the kitchen!**Dave**The closure feels good.**Flo**Thank you SO much for your help, Dave. And for listening to me ramble...**Dave**You needed to express things. I am honored to listen.
> If you need me, I'll be out in the garden...[Dave walks out][Daphne walks in and stands in the doorway]**Daphne**Flo! What wonderful work on the kitchen![Daphne walks further into the room]**Flo**Good morning, Daphne! What should we do next?**Daphne**I feel like a bit of knitting. Best place for that is the living room!

#### Clean Living Room

> [In the Living Room]**Flo**Okay, how should we divide up the work?[They walk closer to the armchair]**Daphne**How about if I knit in this chair, and you clean the whole room?**Flo**That seems fair.

Transition Dialogue

> [Flo cleans the room as Daphne knits in the chair]**Flo**That's a good start. How's the knitting going?[Flo walks over to Daphne]**Daphne**It's a lot of work.**Flo**It must be! So many cat sweaters! But I miss Penny.**Daphne**So do I, dear. What time is it?**Flo**Omigosh, it's wedding time!
> She should be walking up the aisle right about NOW...

#### New Floor

> **Flo**Now that everything is cleaned, I can see we need a new floor in here.**Daphne**Oh, yes. How about this danceable surface...

*Player chooses an option*

> **Flo**Yes, a good basis for... everything!**Daphne**You still look stressed, dear. Thinking about the wedding?**Flo**Yes, but... more about Violet. Now that I'm not going along with her plan...
> I mean, she was just USING me with that Power of Attorney thing...
> But what happens next?**Daphne**We wait.**Flo**WAIT?**Daphne**I am a veteran of these battles.
> We watch for her next move, and then I'll know...

#### New Walls

> **Daphne**These walls should be next.**Flo**You're so right! How about these designs?[Flo walks over to the Living Room stairs]

*Player chooses an option*

*Player chooses another option*

> [Flo walks back over to Daphne]**Daphne**Oh, I like the way that turned out!**Flo**Speaking of things turning out, I can't stop thinking of Violet's schemes...**Daphne**She does get under the skin, doesn't she!**Flo**But... you know her so well... What's your PLAN, Daphne?**Daphne**Plan? Why spoil the mystery?**Flo**I would love to have this mystery spoiled with a safe outcome.**Daphne**My dear, half of acting is improvisation...**Flo**So your plan is... IMPROV?**Daphne**Keeps you on your toes! You'll be sharp until you're 100!

Transition Dialogue

> [Blue Sweater Cat walks to them as Daphne stands by the chair]**Daphne**Finished the sweater!**Flo**Good job, Daphne! You've been working so hard!\*DING DONG\***Flo**Oh, I really hope that's Mike! He'll know what to do...

#### Answer Door

> [In the Lobby]**Flo**Violet! It's you... and a fancy friend!**Violet**Lovely to see you, Flo. This is Doctor Lowenberg.**Dr. Lowenberg**Hrmmm...**Violet**Dr. Lowenberg is a psychiatrist, and an expert in geriatric assessment...**Flo**Oh, he studies old people! Neato!**Violet**Yes, and I think you know the old person we have in mind.**Flo**He's going to help Daphne?**Violet**Yes, he's going to help her decide whether she can live on her own...
> ...or if she needs more... support.[Daphne glides down the stairs and stops halfway]**Daphne**What a very supportive plan! Welcome, Doctor.
> My interior designer is just choosing some new bar designs...

#### Restore Bar

> [In the Living Room][Violet and Dr. Lowenberg stand by the table][Flo and Daphne stand by the bar]**Flo**The back of the bar is important for presentation.**Daphne**I agree, Flo! Let's go with this design...

*Player choose an option*

> **Daphne**Splendid! Our guests will see our attractive array of choices![Violet and Dr. Lowenberg walk over]**Dr. Lowenberg**Hrmmm... obsession with alcoholic images...**Violet**Yes, I had the same concern...**Daphne**Well, a stimulating social life keeps my wits sharp!**Violet**Having a lot of people over, Mother?**Daphne**One should always be prepared for accidental guests.**Violet**Or invisible friends?**Daphne**Oh, dear girl. You don't still believe in such things, do you?**Flo**Tee-hee!

#### Restore Bar Front

> **Flo**The front of the bar needs to be nice and welcoming.**Daphne**It certainly does! I was thinking of something like this...

*Player chooses an option*

> **Daphne**Yes, that's it! Now if Marlon Brando shows up, he'll have a good bar to lean on.**Dr. Lowenberg**Hrmmm... narcissistic delusions...[Violet and Dr. Lowenberg walk closer to the bar]**Violet**You know Marlon is dead, right? Or are you living in a fantasy world, Mother?**Daphne**Darling, that was what we call a clearly hypothetical example...
> ...the notion that a well-known celebrity who is clearly no longer with us...
> ...serves as an apt example to illustrate a general point.**Violet**...**Daphne**You should really use your imagination more, dear.
> Keeps you from getting old and demented!

#### Restore Bar Chairs

> [By the bar]**Daphne**When guests arrive, they should have somewhere to sit.**Flo**I should hope so! Which bar chairs do you like?

*Player chooses an option*

> **Flo**Comfortable and stylish!**Violet**No one is coming to visit, Mother.**Daphne**No one will want to if we're not prepared.**Violet**I'm concerned about the sort of man we passed in the front yard.**Dr. Lowenberg**I honestly thought that was a life-sized Buddha statue.**Daphne**Oh, Dave! He's delightful!**Violet**He looks entirely unsavory.**Daphne**Unsavory? Like a person who would evict her own mother?**Dr. Lowenberg**Hrmm, persecution complex...

Transition Dialogue

> [By the armchair]**Daphne**But enough of the bar. Here's the cozy area where I knit!**Flo**It's good to be cozy, even when no guests are around.**Violet**Sure, Mother. Let's see where you knit insanely while cackling nonsense.**Daphne**You're not going to make me lose my temper, evil daughter.**Dr. Lowenberg**Hrmm, thinly disguised hostility...

#### New Lamp

> **Flo**A new lamp will give it just the right clarity and warmth.**Daphne**Well put, Flo! I was thinking of this...

*Player chooses an option*

> **Daphne**Yes, I could knit to that light!**Violet**Mother, all of your cat sweaters hardly point to a healthy social life.**Daphne**A minute ago you had a very sour view of my time with humans.**Violet**There are healthy and unhealthy social connections.**Daphne**Are you insulting Dave again?**Violet**I honestly don't see ANY people in your life I could recommend.**Flo**HEY! Just because I didn't follow your bidding...**Violet**It's called Tough Love, Flo. Mom needs professional help.**Dr. Lowenberg**Hrmmm, reliance on amateur caregivers...

#### Picture This

> **Daphne**I've been thinking new pictures on the wall will liven the room.**Flo**That's a great idea, Daphne! Which do you like?

*Player chooses an option*

> **Daphne**Yes! This really speaks to me!**Violet**And what is it saying, Mother? Any other decorations that talk?**Daphne**You were never too subtle with metaphors, little girl.**Dr. Lowenberg**Hrmm, obession with social hierarchy...**Violet**Well, any picture is like a Rorschach test, isn't it?**Flo**I didn't know there would be a test.**Violet**This one really looks like Mommy is crying for help.**Daphne**You just flunked your own test, dear!**Dr. Lowenberg**Hrmm, panic at loss of authority...

#### New Chair

> **Daphne**A new chair here will increase our comfort options!**Flo**And comfort is important! How about this one?

*Player chooses an option*

> **Daphne**Now I can knit AND entertain guests!**Violet**That must be so nice for them, watching an old lady knit.**Daphne**My needle technique is quite impressive. I could show you up close.**Dr. Lowenberg**Hrmm, fantasies of violence...**Violet**I wonder if you knit because the rest of your life is... unraveling?**Daphne**I wonder if you manufacture make-up because your FACE...**Flo**Don't let her get to you, Daphne!**Daphne**... is so PRETTY... I was going to say.

#### Table Time

> **Daphne**A good table lets us set our burdens down.**Flo**So wise, Daphne! Which style were you thinking?

*Player chooses an option*

> **Daphne**Oh yes, I'd set my knitting needles on that!**Violet**Always the knitting needles. Don't you ever read a book?**Daphne**Yes, I'm reading one called "The Ungrateful Child."**Dr. Lowenberg**Hrmm, disconnection from offspring...**Daphne**Your psych-monkey is getting predictable.**Violet**The good doctor is here to help you.**Daphne**The good monkey is here to do your bidding.**Violet**He's a respected professional, Mother.**Daphne**He's a hired gun, Daughter.

Transition Dialogue

> [They walk to the bottom of the Living Room stairs]**Daphne**This room needs a centerpiece to hold it together.**Violet**Holding it together seems to take all your acting skills.**Daphne**It's not acting if it's real...

#### Fix Centerpiece

> [At the bottom of the Living Room stairs]**Flo**Let's make a great centerpiece for this safe, happy room!**Daphne**Yes! Here's what I was thinking...

*Player chooses an option*

> **Flo**Really ties the room together, man!**Violet**"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold..."[Daphne and Flo walk to the others]**Daphne**Lebowski reference countered by Yeats. Very high-brow!**Violet**Your knowledge of poetry will entertain your neighbors at the nursing home.**Flo**Hey! You're jumping to some conclusions here!**Violet**Oh, I'll leave conclusions to the professionals.[They all turn to look at Dr. Lowenberg]**Dr. Lowenberg**Just... preparing my form now...**Daphne**The suspense is... non-existent.**Violet**Oh, Doctor. Do tell...

#### The Verdict

> [At the top of the Lobby stairs]**Violet**So, Dr. Lowenberg, what is your professional assessment?**Dr. Lowenberg**Well, CLEARLY, the subject cannot continue along the present course...**Daphne**The "subject"? I'm right here!**Dr. Lowenberg**Given the advanced age, the manifest symptoms of decline...**Flo**"Manifest!" Ooo...**Dr. Lowenberg**...my official assessment to the state is that...
> ...Daphne Bellstar requires an advocate to take legal responsibility...
> ...for all of her domestic and financial affairs.**Violet**In other words, the state compels you to sign this Power of Attorney document.**Daphne**You really play HARD, don't you.**Flo**How about HARD TO FIND![Flo snatches the document and runs down the stairs]**Dr. Lowenberg**Miss! Running away with legal papers is not exactly... legal.

#### Hide The Papers!

> **Daphne**Haha! Flo to the rescue!**Violet**That was silly. We have extra copies of the document...**Daphne**Aw...

*Meanwhile, outside...*

> [Flo stands at the top of the steps as Dave meditates on the bench]**Flo**Oh hi, Dave. Didn't mean to interrupt.**Dave**Hello, Flo. I was just meditating. What's up?[Flo walks down the steps to meet Dave at the bottom]**Flo**Doctor Evil says Daphne HAS to sign over legal authority!**Dave**To whom?**Flo**To... She doesn't get to make her own decisions any more!
> I grabbed the paper, but... NOW what?**Dave**Just breathe, Flo. I have an idea...

#### Bathroom Breakout

> [In the Bedroom, Dr. Lowenberg stands in the middle of the room][Daphne walks into the Bathroom][Violet follows Daphne to stand at the Bathroom doorway]**Daphne**Well, at my advanced age, I think it's time for a bathroom break.[Daphne turns to face Violet]**Violet**Of course, Mother. But you can't put off signing forever...[Flo and Dave join Violet at the Bathroom doorway]**Violet**Well, Flo, that didn't take long. Seen the error of your ways?**Flo**Yup!**Violet**And you're going to talk to my mother in the bathroom and get her to sign?**Flo**Yup![Violet walks to Dr. Lowenberg][Daphne meets Flo at the Bathroom doorway]**Flo**Oh, Daphne! I'm going to slip you this paper. Please sign it!**Daphne**Well, let me see... Oh, okay!

*A short while later...*

> [In the Living Room by the top of Lobby stairs]**Violet**Hmm, that was surprisingly easy.

> **Violet**You... WHAT? You gave Power of Attorney to FLO??[At the top of the stairs]**Daphne**I need a trusted advocate. You were SO right, Doctor!**Violet**VERY clever! But you know I'll keep coming back until this is DONE![Violet and Dr. Lowenberg walk down the stairs to exit as Penny passes them on her way up]**Penny**Hi, guys! Did I miss anything?**Daphne**Sounds like we need to catch up over a nightcap...

#### Nightcap With Daphne

> [In the Trophy Room, Daphne sits on the sofa with Penny and Flo on the armchairs]**Flo**PENNY! I am SO glad to see you!**Daphne**You are a sight for old eyes, young woman!**Flo**We just sent Darth Violet running like a little loser!**Daphne**And Flo is my legal guardian now!**Penny**Um, WOW... All I had was a wedding.**Daphne**Yes... AND?**Penny**Couldn't go through with it.**Flo**WOW!**Penny**So, lots happening EVERYWHERE, huh?

*Player chooses an option between "**Wedding?**" or "**What's Next?**"*

#### Begin Next Chapter

*LeFleur Cosmetics 10:32PM*

> **Violet**And there's nothing else we can do about my mother?**Dr. Lowenberg**Not legally, no. That Flo person is in charge of all of her care.**Violet**Then I guess we're done, Doctor. Please send in the gentleman outside as you leave.
> ...
> So, my doctor friend was just telling me I am out of options with the courts.**Dirk**Well...
> There's always the court of public opinion...