Day 74

## Story

Lily, Regina, and Rachel work on the Visitor's Center Entrance with Justin's help. Evilyn provides an update on the toxic waste from the other day.

## New Characters

*No new characters are introduced on this day*

## Locations

*No new places are unlocked on this day.*

Places to renovate:

* Visitor Center Entrance
* Hermit's Creek Pond

## Tasks

Players must earn 47 stars to complete the tasks of this day.

* Rally Rachel
* Back into the woods
* Dozer Destruction
* Mark the site
* Critter Recovery
* Blaze a Trail
* Top off the Arch
* So Fencey
* Get the Scoop
* Flowerbed Folly
* Sprouting Up
* Talk to Evilyn
* Pond Ponderings
* Clear Waters
* Pondside Planting
* A Pond Alight
* Potential Paths
* Fence Time
* Planting Pretty
* Finishing Flowers
* Take Another Sample
* Start New Day

## Dialogue

#### Opening Scene

> [Lily emerges from Luke's house after staying the night.]**Lily**Good morning, yard! Good morning, junk pile! Good morning, sky!
> Good morning...barrels of probably toxic waste. Ew.
> Definitely need to take care of that today...
> Oh, hey, is that Rachel's car pulling up?

#### Rally Rachel

> **Lily**Hey, Rachel! I can't wait to see your new VC blueprints.
> Though I'm going to have to catch you up on what happened yesterday...**Rachel**Uh oh, what now? As if this one here isn't giving me enough to worry about...**Luke**Hey, Rach...and Karen, kiddo! I thought vacation started tomorrow?**Rachel**Apparently it starts a day early in the form of suspension. Want to tell your dad why?**Karen**It wasn't my fault!! That girl Amy picked a fight with me again, so...I fought back.
> I tried to talk to her, Lily, like you said, but she got mad and pushed me!
> Dad, can we sign me up for karate lessons over vacation? I need to train!**Rachel**I'm not sure MORE violence is what you need...character-building yard-cleaning, however...**Karen**UGGGGH! That's not fair!!**Lily**Oh, Luke, honey, you said you could make some calls today about getting rid of the barrels?**Luke**Right, yeah! It's on my list. I'll see what I can figure out. Good luck in the forest today!

#### Back into the woods

> **Rachel**So what's up with Luke and the barrels? What happened yesterday?**Lily**\*sigh\*We encountered a bit of a mess...I'll tell you all about it later.
> First, I want to see those new blueprints!!**Regina**Ooh, I like the sound of that! Mornin' ladies! Ready for another day in the forest?**Rachel**Yes! Especially now that I've finished up the redesign. Have a look!

> **Rachel**So, I think we're going to have to clear more trees to make this work...**Regina**Yep! Sounds like it's time for the heavy machinery. My favorite part!**Rachel**AHHHH!**Lily**Aww, it's a little chipmunk! Hey, fella! Who's so cuuuute??**Rachel**Sorry, didn't mean to freak out like that! Chipmunks weird me out.**Regina**Don't worry, it'll scatter when I get back with the bulldozer!

#### Dozer Destruction

> [Regina blows the horn on the bulldozer.]**Regina**Make way for the DOZER DESTRUCTOR 2000!

*Some bulldozing later...*

> **Lily**Whoohoo! You didn't sleep on that 'dozing!**Regina**Just when I thought you couldn't get any punnier, Lils...**Lily**Is that a challenge? That sounds like a challenge. I accept!**Rachel**Haha! As much as I love a good pun, I'm dying to know what happened yesterday.**Lily**Oh, right...Well, Justin found some kind of spill in the lake that's been making the animals sick.**Rachel**What?? That's horrible! Does he know what caused it?**Lily**Evilyn's trying to find out. Before we barreled it all up, she took a sample for analysis.**Rachel**Wow, that's crazy. Poor animals...Hopefully Evilyn can get to the bottom of things!**Regina**Speaking of, I'm going to see how our fox friend is doing. Can you two handle marking the site?**Lily**Aw, sure thing! Give our little fighter a snuggle for me.

#### Mark the site

> **Lily**Okay, so, according to your blueprints, we'll need markers here...and over there...

*A little while later...*

> **Lily**There we go! Call me Mark, 'cause we're marked up. Does that look right, Rachel?**Rachel**Yes, looks perfect!**Lily**...aww, hey, another chipmunk friend!
> OH! ACK!! ...uh...okay, that might be too many friends now...**Rachel**UM, DEFINITELY. Ohmygosh...now might be a good time to mention...
> Rodents creep me the HECK out!!!**Lily**Awww, it's okay! They're harmless! ...I think. I've never dealt with a herd before.**Rachel**How do we get them out of here?!

#### Critter Recovery

> **Regina**Heya, Justin! How's our furry patient doing today?**Justin**Oh, hi, Regina...she's doing much better, thankfully.
> She's not ready to roam the wilds just yet, but getting there.**Regina**Good! I'm glad whatever goop we're dealing with isn't...you know, instantly fatal.**Justin**Me too. Hopefully Evilyn will get the results of the sample and let us know today.**Regina**Yeah, hope so. These poor critters don't to have toxic waste dumped in their lake.**Justin**I agree. If we can just trace the sample to its source...
> ...maybe we can put a stop to illegal dumping around here.**Regina**Yeah! With Evilyn on our side at City Hall, I'm sure we can.
> Lily, Rachel, and I were just clearing the grounds for the rest of the VC. Want to give us a hand?**Justin**\*sigh\* Yes, we must make some sacrifices for the greater good.**Lily**Regina, Justin, heeeelp!**Regina**What the heck?! Where did all of these chipmunks come from??**Justin**Oh, no...looks like when you cleared the site, you uprooted their home...**Lily**NOOOO!! Poor chipmunks! I'm so sorry!!**Justin**Not to worry, Lily. I don't think this was their main burrow. I've noticed them elsewhere.**Lily**Still...I'm sorry to force you to relocate, friends! Don't haunt Rachel's nightmares...**Rachel**AH! Don't even joke!**Regina**Maybe let's leave our chipmunks to their unscheduled moving day and tackle the trail next?

#### Blaze a Trail

> **Lily**Let's get started on the trail entrance! I'm thinking...something bold!

*Player selects an option*

> **Lily**That's a bold entrance, all right!**Rachel**Ah! Leave me alone!**Justin**Aww, I promise, Rachel, they won't bite you!**Rachel**It's not the biting I was worried about...although NOW I am!!
> Rodents carry germs and diseases! Eeeyuck. Just the thought makes me shudder.**Regina**Come on, they'll run away when we start working on the fence and archway!

#### Top off the Arch

> **Regina**All right, City Girl, what does your designer's eye think of this archway?

*Player selects an option*

> **Rachel**It looks great! But who are you calling City Girl?**Regina**Haha, you, of course! You're shaking in your expensive shoes over there.**Rachel**I just don't get...WHY THEY WON'T LEAVE ME ALONE! EEK!**Regina**Haha! You're fine, girl. Just ignore them and they'll go away!**Rachel**Easy for you to say...it's not staring YOU down...with all those pointy teeth...
> They're like...fancy rats or something! Ugggh, I can't even.**Regina**It's because you're so fancy, Fancy City Girl! You two match!**Rachel**Ohmygosh, Lily, tell her to stop it!**Lily**No way, this way too entertaining!

#### So Fencey

> **Lily**All right, let's fence! And me without my sword...

*Player selects an option*

> **Regina**Nice! Shaping up to be a real trail now.
> Lils? Earth to Lilyyy...**Lily**Huh? Oh, sorry.
> I was just thinking about the spill. These poor chipmunks...and all the rest of the animals...
> I just hope Evilyn gets back to us soon about the sample analysis.**Justin**I'm certain she will. The VC is too important to her. To all of us.**Lily**We need to put a stop to this so our poor furry friends don't have to flee the forest!**Rachel**Personally, I wouldn't mind if these chipmunks decided to find a new forest...[The chipmunks scowl at the group and run off.]**Rachel**Did it just threaten us?!
> Awesome work, you guys! The new trail entrance looks great.
> And you were right, Regina...our construction scared away the chipmunks!**Regina**Oh, they weren't scared...they went off to plot their REVENGE!**Rachel**Eeek! I swear, I'm going to be up all night thinking they're in the walls.**Lily**Gah, I can't take the suspense!! I HAVE to call Evilyn and see what's going on with the sample.

#### Get the Scoop

> **Lily**Sorry, everyone, I've got a one-track mind today. Let's see what Evilyn says...

> **Evilyn**Lily, my lady, what's the news?**Lily**Hey Evilyn, I was hoping you could tell me! Did the lab test the sample? Did you get the results??**Evilyn**Not yet--but don't you worry. This is my top priority.**Lily**Phew, that's good to hear. The animals are lucky to have you fighting for them!**Evilyn**They're lucky to have you, too! And I'M lucky to have you and your team helping me!
> I'll call you the minute I get the results from the lab. Keep taking charge of the VC meanwhile![The call ends.]**Lily**Okay, I feel better now! Evilyn hasn't heard from the lab yet, but she's on top of it.**Justin**Great! On that note, I'll go tend to the pond. On my rounds, I noticed it was looking neglected.**Regina**Sounds good, Justin! We'll tackle the flowerbeds while you're gone.

#### Flowerbed Folly

> **Lily**A little tilling here, a little digging there...what do you think, gals?

*Player selects an option*

> **Regina**Looks good, Lils! Flowers are really going to brighten this place up.**Rachel**Hey, so...what do you think Justin's deal is?? Living all alone in the forest...**Regina**Well...he IS a Forest Ranger...so I think that explains the forest part!**Rachel**Oh, yeah, of course! I just meant...nice guy like him, all alone...**Lily**Oooooh, I see what you're getting at. Why is a nice guy like him SINGLE?**Rachel**No, no! I mean...well, yes, why IS a nice guy like him single?
> If he even is! We don't know for sure...I just haven't heard him mention a partner...**Regina**Ooooh, does our Fancy City Girl have a thing for our Rugged Forest Guy??**Lily**Justin and Rachel, sitting in the trees! ...because we're in a forest, get it?**Rachel**Oh, stop it, you two! Forget I said anything. Let's finish planting the flowers.

#### Sprouting Up

> **Lily**Are you sleepy, flowers? Because I'm putting you to flower-bed!

*Player selects an option*

> **Lily**Sleep well in your flowerbeds, flower friends!**Regina**You'd think I'd have heard all of your puns already...yet you keep making more!**Lily**That's my specialty! And so is match-making, I'll have you know, RACHEL...
> You don't have to be embarrassed for asking if Justin's single!**Rachel**Well I do if you two are going to keep teasing me about it!
> ...but you're right! I'm a modern woman. "Taking charge," just like Evilyn!**Regina**Oh yeah? Gonna take charge of the hunky lumberjack??**Rachel**Maybe I will! If he wants to be taken charge of. Uhh, I mean...that sounded...never mind!!**Regina**Haha, I'm with you, girl. Nothing wrong with getting the lay of the land.
> ...
> That's not what I meant!! Oh boy. Someone get the mimosas, this just turned into girl's brunch.[Lily's phone vibrates.]**Lily**Oh, hey, Evilyn's calling! Be right back!

#### Talk to Evilyn

> **Evilyn**Lily, hi, glad I caught you. I'm between meetings, so I only have a minute...
> ...but I wanted to update you on the lab sample.**Lily**Ooh, what did they say?? Do we know what kind of chemicals?? Or who spilled them?!**Evilyn**Unfortunately not. Somehow, the lab managed to lose the sample.**Lily**Lost?! Oh no!!**Evilyn**The level of incompetence ASTOUNDS me, Lily. This is why things never get done!
> But I'm going to go down there PERSONALLY to sort this out. We'll get back on track.
> Rest assured, Lily, even without the sample, I'll make sure the park is protected...for the future! Talk soon.[The call ends.]**Regina**What did she say??**Lily**\*sigh\*Apparently the sample got lost. I guess we'll never know who or what was responsible for the spill.
> I guess let's work on the pathways in the meantime...

#### Pond Ponderings

> [Justin approaches Karen at the pond's edge.]**Justin**Oh, hi! Aren't you...Karen? Rachel and Luke's daughter?
> What are you doing here all by yourself?**Karen**Hmph. I can't have any fun at home. Dad says I have a quiet 'cause he needs to think.**Justin**Well, you couldn't have picked a better spot to come.
> In fact, this is my thinking spot. But you're welcome to share it.
> These little guys are great listeners!**Karen**Hey, cool! Can I hold one?**Justin**Sure...if you can catch one!
> Don't let me get in your way. I'm just going to make sure the frogs are okay with all this pollution around lately.

#### Clear Waters

> **Justin**Phew, I shouldn't have let the pond go for this long...needs a good cleaning.

*A good cleaning later...*

> **Karen**Ooh, pretty, I can see the bottom now!**Justin**A little clarity is good for ponds...and people, too!**Karen**My dad says playing banjo gives him clarity.**Justin**Your dad seems like a pretty cool guy.**Karen**Yeah, mostly...except when he doesn't take my side!! I got in trouble for beating up this girl.
> But I was trying to stand up to her so she'd stop bullying me!!
> It's not fair that I have to get in trouble for it.**Justin**Sounds like it's not easy being a kid...or standing up for yourself. That must have taken guts.**Karen**It TOTALLY did!! THANK you!! At least SOMEONE gets it.
> ...Hey, maybe I can help you fix up the rest of the pond?

#### Pondside Planting

> **Justin**All right, little helper, I'm going to arrange some pond plants.
> Would you do the honors of picking them out?**Karen**Umm...these are cool!

*Player selects an option*

> **Justin**Hey, you know, when I was your age, I was bullied too.**Karen**Really?? How come??**Justin**I had a stutter. Kids always made fun of me for it.**Karen**There's a girl at my school with a stutter! Kids are mean to her, too.
> But I never am!! She's really nice. I don't think anyone should make fun of anyone else.**Justin**That's very cool! It takes a lot of courage to go against what the rest of the kids are doing.**Karen**It does? I just figured I couldn't punch 'em all. I'm outnumbered.**Justin**Haha, well, why don't you put your punching arm to use and help me with the pond lights?

#### A Pond Alight

> **Justin**Okay, Slugger, what kind of lights do you think would look nice here?

*Player selects an option*

> **Karen**These! I think they make the pond look extra shiny.
> ...man, for a minute, I almost forgot I'm stuck here during my VACATION.
> My mom cancelled all our plans just so she could WORK!
> And that's all my dad does, too!! Or he says it's work--all I ever see is him staring at his junkyard.**Justin**That's a tough break, kiddo. And I bet it feels like you didn't get a say.**Karen**EXACTLY!! You're, like, super cool. Why can't my parents be like that??**Justin**Speaking of your parents, why don't I get you back to them?
> They're probably wondering where you wandered off to. Don't want to worry them.**Karen**Uggggh, fine. If we HAVE to.[Justin leads Karen to Rachel, Regina, and Lily.]**Rachel**Karen? What are you doing out here??**Justin**I found her at the pond. Seems she needed a little getaway.**Rachel**ALONE?? You shouldn't wander around here by yourself, Karen! It's dangerous.**Karen**Awww, come on, Mom, I'm not a baby anymore!! I can handle the stupid woods.**Rachel**I supposed we can crowdsource keeping an eye on you out here...But let me call your dad first.

> **Luke**Hey! What's going on?**Rachel**Did you notice your daughter isn't there?? In case you were wondering, she's been wandering the forest!**Luke**Umm...aw man, really? Well...I guess I've been a little bit in the zone...**Lily**Yikes, this is going to hurt Luke's track record...**Regina**Let's finish the paths and flowerbeds. Rachel can join us when she's done tearing into Luke.

#### Potential Paths

> **Regina**Another day, another pathway! What kind of design are we thinking?

*Player selects an option*

> **Lily**Yes way, pathway! And over here, too, maybe something like...

*Player selects an option*

> **Justin**Nice choice, Lily! Really brings out the natural splendor of the earth.**Rachel**Hey, Justin, I hope Karen wasn't too much of a problem at the pond.
> She's been a bit...difficult lately. And Luke's no help either, obviously...**Justin**She was no trouble at all! Besides, it's tough being a kid. I can relate.**Rachel**I just wish I could get through to her, you know? Especially with all this fighting stuff!**Justin**She mentioned that to me. Sounded like she was looking for a way to stand up for herself.**Rachel**She was...I just wish she'd use her words instead of getting suspended!**Justin**I don't have children, myself, but I would guess she just needs for someone to be on her side.**Rachel**Hmm...you know, maybe Luke and I haven't made it very clear that we support her.
> Not in beating anyone up! But in standing up for herself, certainly.**Regina**Hey you two, want to help us with the rest of the path?

#### Fence Time

> **Lily**Fence tie, yeah yeah yeah! Fence time, gonna fence all day!

*Player selects an option*

> **Lily**FEEENCE TIIIIME!! Jazz hands!**Regina**Is that a song you just made up about putting up fencing?**Lily**It IS? Thank you for noticing my new original hit single, "FENCE TIME"!
> Oh, Justin, Evilyn called while you were at the pond...**Justin**She did? Did she have the results from the sample analysis?**Lily**Nope. She said the sample got lost. Seems we're out of luck...**Justin**Lost?? That can't be. I thought Evilyn was going to handle it personally?
> Something seems very strange about all this.**Lily**I know, it's super disappointing. But all the more reason to open the VC, right??**Justin**I just meant...ah, never mind. Just strange energy. I'm sure it will pass.
> This fence looks great. I think we're ready for the flowerbeds now.

#### Planting Pretty

> **Regina**What's your take on the flower design for over here, Lils?

*Player selects an option*

> **Lily**Whoop whoop! So pretty!**Justin**Hey, Rachel, I hope I didn't overstep earlier, suggesting how to talk to Karen.
> Like I said, I'm not a parent--I just remember what it's like to be a kid.
> Especially a kid who gets bullied. It can be hard to express that to the adults around you.**Rachel**Oh, don't worry, I know you mean well! And I do appreciate the advice.
> I'd almost forgotten...I was teased at her age, too. I was the first kid in my class to get braces.**Justin**It might help to share that with her. Show that you can relate.**Rachel**You're right. Luke needs to make time for her, period...but I need to make time for heart-to-hearts.
> Thank you, Justin. It's really great to be able to talk to someone about this.**Justin**Anytime, Rachel! I really enjoy your company.

#### Finishing Flowers

> **Lily**Phew, last flowerbed of the day. What do you guys think of this design?

*Player selects an option*

> **Regina**Gawgeous, dahling. Man, we really made a lot of progress today!**Justin**Indeed.**Lily**...Why don't you seem more excited about that?**Justin**I'm sorry, the work we've done here is great, as always. I'm just thinking about Evilyn.
> Didn't she say yesterday that she was personally taking the sample to the lab?
> I wonder how it got lost. Something doesn't quite add up.**Lily**Well, maybe it's just a misunderstanding? Evilyn's still going to try to solve the problem...**Justin**Perhaps. Either way, we're no closer to solving the spill today.
> I jUst hope we'll get some good news tomorrow. For the sake of the animals.
> ...Lily, do you still have the barrels we filled yesterday?**Lily**Yep! Love Luke to pieces, but I'm 99% positive he hasn't gotten around to getting rid of them yet.**Justin**I think this is our opportunity to take another sample and make SURE it gets to the lab.**Lily**Hey, you're right!! That's a great idea!! All hope ISN'T lost!!
> Why don't you come over to Luke's? We can take another sample right now.**Rachel**Yes, why don't we ALL go over to Luke's? I have a thing or two to say to him...**Karen**Oooh, Dad's in trouuuuuble...

#### Take Another Sample

> **Luke**Whoa, hey, the whole gang's here...**Rachel**NOW you notice your daughter! What got into you, Luke??**Luke**Ah, man, I'm sorry...I really should have been keeping a better eye out.**Rachel**Yes! You should have! Be PRESENT! What if Karen had been eaten by BEARS??**Karen**I'm not gonna get eaten by BEARS, ugggh. You're both so DRAMATIC!!**Lily**Um, sorry to interrupt you guys...but can Justin take a sample from the barrels, Luke?**Luke**Huh? Yeah, go for it, they're in my truck...[Justin takes a sample.]**Justin**Okay, that should do it. I'll take this to a lab I know of in town.**Lily**Thanks, Justin. Hopefully you won't run into the same incompetence Evilyn did...**Justin**Indeed...well, I'll see you tomorrow, Lily. Thanks again.[Justin exits.]**Luke**That looked cozy. Did Rescue Ranger get what he needed? Why did he take another sample, anyway?**Lily**\*sigh\* I'll tell you all about it over dinner. Long story.**Luke**Uh, yeah, about that...I need to spend time with Karen tonight. Alone.**Lily**Oh, yeah, of course! I get that. I'll see you tomorrow...[Lily heads home.]

#### Start New Day

> **Lily**Luke was a bit curt there. Did I say something wrong?
> Hm. Guess he just needs some daddy-daughter time with Karen.
> Yeah. That must be it. Good for them. And I can do with an early night for sure.

*A few hours later*

> [Luke walks out on to his front lawn thinking.]**Luke**Ha! I got it! That's it!**Dog**Mrrf?**Luke**Yes, Rox! I know what Karen and I are gonna do tomorrow!**Dog**Borf!**Luke**Just wait and see. It's gonna be awesome!