2011

Chapter 61: The line for the World-Famous Studio Tour wound beneath giant soundstage buildings and towering posters celebrating decades of movies and television history.   Chris could barely contain himself.   He bounced lightly beside Bill while clutching Ollie under one arm, his earlier exhaustion completely overwhelmed by excitement again.   “We’re gonna see REAL sets,” he repeated for probably the fifth time.   Bill laughed softly. “That’s generally how movie studios work, yes.”   Chris ignored the teasing completely.   The moment their tram finally arrived, both of them hurried aboard with huge smiles. Bill slid into the outer seat while Chris immediately claimed the window side so he could see everything.   The tram lurched forward slowly.   And suddenly they were inside Hollywood.   Massive soundstages stretched endlessly around them, each one labeled with giant numbers and production signs. Some buildings looked plain from the outside, but the guide explained that behind those walls entire worlds existed—movies, shows, sets, props, costumes.   Chris stared in complete awe.   “It’s like a secret city.”   Bill looked over at him and smiled.   That sentence alone made the whole morning worth it.   The farther the tram traveled, the more surreal everything became.   They rolled past famous streets used in countless films and television shows—quiet suburban neighborhoods that looked instantly familiar even though Chris couldn’t always place exactly where he’d seen them before.   “Oh my gosh,” Chris whispered constantly.   Every few seconds he pointed at something new.   “That looks like New York!”   “WAIT I know this place—”   “Dad look look LOOK!”   Bill laughed quietly while filming little snippets on his phone, mostly capturing Chris’s reactions rather than the tour itself.   Because honestly?   Watching Chris experience all of this was the attraction for him.   They entered massive practical effect sections where explosions, floods, and collapsing bridges demonstrated movie magic firsthand. Chris screamed during the fast-moving action sequences and laughed breathlessly afterward while clutching Bill’s arm.   At one point the tram passed through a dark tunnel where giant animatronic creatures lunged unexpectedly from the shadows.   Chris grabbed onto Bill instantly.   “NOPE.”   Bill burst out laughing.   “Brave explorer over here.”   “I changed my mind,” Chris muttered dramatically. “I don’t trust Hollywood anymore.”   Then came the most magical part for both of them.   The truly iconic movie sets.   As the tram rolled through famous backlot areas, even Bill found himself staring around in disbelief.   Places he’d seen his whole life on screen now existed physically around them.   And Chris noticed every detail.   Every storefront.   Every alleyway.   Every prop.   Every building facade.   His face never stopped glowing with amazement.   Bill watched him more than the sets themselves.   The wide eyes.   The endless excitement.   The way Chris leaned halfway out of his seat trying to absorb every second before the tram moved on.   Bill realized quietly that this had become one of his favorite moments of the entire trip.   Not because of the movies.   Not because of Hollywood.   But because Chris looked genuinely happy in a way that felt completely pure.   Unfiltered wonder.   No stress.   No fear.   Just joy.   By the time the tram finally returned to the unloading platform, both of them looked emotionally overwhelmed in the best possible way.   “That,” Chris announced dramatically while stepping off the tram, “was AWESOME.”   Bill grinned.   “Yeah?”   “That might’ve been the coolest thing ever.”   “Might’ve?”   Chris gasped.   “Oh right. Mario Kart.”   “Thought so.”   They wandered toward a quieter shaded area afterward while the afternoon crowds thickened around them. Music echoed through the park while roller coasters roared somewhere overhead.   That’s when Bill noticed it again.   The slower waddling.   The slight discomfort in Chris’s posture.   And eventually the familiar little tug on his sleeve.   “Dad…”   Bill looked down knowingly.   “What’s up?”   Chris leaned closer quietly.   “I think I need changed.”   Bill smiled sympathetically.   “Yeah?”   Chris nodded sheepishly.   “…It’s kinda bad.”   After the long tram ride, walking, drinks, and excitement, Bill wasn’t exactly surprised.   “Alright, buddy. Let’s get you comfy again.”   The family restroom nearby thankfully stayed cool and quiet compared to the chaos outside. Once the door closed behind them, Chris visibly relaxed immediately.   Theme parks were exciting.   But exhausting too.   Bill set the diaper bag down while Chris leaned tiredly against the counter holding Ollie.   “You having fun?” Bill asked softly while gathering supplies.   Chris nodded instantly.   “This is the best day ever.”   Bill smiled warmly.   Even during the diaper change, Chris kept talking excitedly about the tour.   “The flood part was INSANE.”   “Mhm.”   “And the shark thing?”   Bill laughed. “You nearly climbed into my lap.”   “I did NOT.”   “You absolutely did.”   Chris giggled tiredly.   Once cleaned up and changed into a fresh diaper, Chris visibly relaxed again almost immediately.   Better.   More comfortable.   Bill helped adjust his clothes and ruffled his hair lightly.   “How’s that?”   “Much better.”   “Good.”   Back outside, the afternoon sun cast warm golden light across the park now. Crowds filled the walkways while themed music shifted around every corner.   Then Chris spotted the towering snowy rooftops in the distance.   His eyes widened instantly.   “No way.”   Ahead of them stood The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.   Stone buildings rose dramatically against the sky while the towering silhouette of Hogwarts Castle loomed above everything in the distance.   Steam puffed from chimneys.   Snow covered rooftops despite the California heat.   And somewhere nearby, familiar magical music floated through the air.   Chris stopped walking completely.   “It looks REAL.”   Bill smiled beside him.   “Welcome to Hogwarts.”     Chapter 62: Crossing into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter felt like stepping into another universe entirely.   The sounds of the rest of the park faded behind them almost instantly.   Gone were the bright movie studio facades and Hollywood energy.   Instead, towering stone buildings surrounded them beneath crooked snow-covered rooftops while magical music drifted softly through the air. Storefront windows overflowed with strange potions, moving trinkets, books, robes, and glowing magical objects.   Steam hissed from hidden pipes.   Owls hooted somewhere overhead.   And above everything, Hogwarts Castle loomed dramatically against the California sky.   Chris froze just inside the entrance archway.   His mouth slowly fell open.   “No…”   Bill smiled immediately.   That reaction alone was worth coming here.   Chris turned slowly in circles trying to take everything in at once. Every tiny detail seemed alive somehow. Even the windows moved. Wands twirled themselves inside displays while magical newspapers shifted on shelves.   “It’s EXACTLY like the movies.”   Bill honestly didn’t know much about Harry Potter beyond basic pop culture knowledge. He’d seen a couple films years ago and vaguely understood who the main characters were.   But Chris?   Chris looked completely enchanted.   And seeing that excitement made Bill love every second of this place anyway.   “You okay there?” Bill teased softly.   Chris grabbed Bill’s sleeve suddenly and pointed ahead with pure urgency.   “The wand shop.”   Bill laughed.   “Ah. Of course.”   The closer they got to Ollivanders Wand Shop, the more emotional Chris became. The windows displayed hundreds of wand boxes stacked floor-to-ceiling while dim golden light glowed from inside.   Chris looked at Bill with genuine hope in his eyes.   “Do you think maybe…”   Bill already knew.   “You want your own wand.”   Chris nodded immediately.   “Really bad.”   Bill smiled warmly.   “Well then I guess we better find the right one.”   Inside, the shop felt small, dusty, and mysterious in the best possible way. Wand boxes covered every inch of the towering walls while dim lantern light flickered overhead.   Chris clung tightly to Ollie while staring around in complete awe.   A wandkeeper welcomed guests dramatically before leading them through the experience, speaking in hushed mysterious tones that immediately pulled Chris deeper into the fantasy.   Bill mostly stood back quietly watching.   And honestly?   Watching Chris was far more entertaining than the actual performance.   Chris looked completely mesmerized.   Every flickering light and magical sound made his eyes widen further.   Then came the moment where Chris got to choose his wand.   Or rather—   The wand chose him.   The wandkeeper guided him carefully through several options while Chris tried different motions nervously. One wand triggered funny magical mishaps while another caused nearby shelves to shake unexpectedly.   Chris giggled helplessly each time.   Finally, after one careful motion, soft lights glowed warmly around the room while music swelled gently.   The wandkeeper smiled knowingly.   “Ah,” he said softly. “I believe this is the one.”   Chris stared down at the wand in his hands like it was something priceless.   Bill’s heart melted instantly.   The smile on Chris’s face looked almost emotional.   Like pure childhood wonder wrapped into one moment.   Bill immediately bought it without hesitation.   Not even remotely regretting the cost.   Because Chris held that wand like it was the greatest treasure he’d ever owned.   Outside the shop afterward, Chris practiced little wand motions constantly while they explored the village streets.   “Swish and flick,” he whispered dramatically.   Bill snorted.   “You’re a professional already.”   “I know.”   They wandered through more shops after that, each one somehow more magical than the last. Chris stopped every few feet to stare at something new—moving candies, enchanted books, Quidditch supplies, robes, magical creatures.   Eventually they entered Honeydukes.   And that may have been a mistake.   Chris practically short-circuited from excitement.   Candy covered every surface imaginable in bright colorful displays. Giant lollipops, strange treats, magical sweets, and famous wizard snacks filled the shop while sugary smells drifted through the air.   Chris pressed both hands dramatically against the glass display case.   “Chocolate frogs.”   Bill blinked.   “The candy?”   Chris looked at him like he’d asked whether water was wet.   “Yes.”   A few minutes later Chris proudly carried a box of chocolate frogs tucked safely under one arm beside Ollie and his wand.   He looked absurdly happy.   Meanwhile Bill finally decided he should probably try the famous butterbeer everyone kept talking about.   A frozen butterbeer arrived moments later topped with thick foam while Chris watched suspiciously.   Bill took one sip.   Then blinked.   “Oh.”   Chris immediately perked up.   “What?”   “That’s actually really good.”   Chris grinned triumphantly like he’d personally created the recipe.   “I told you.”   Bill laughed and offered him a small sip.   Chris tasted it carefully.   His eyes widened immediately.   “Oh my gosh.”   “Right?”   “It tastes like magic.”   Bill nearly spit out his drink laughing.   They found a shaded corner near the castle afterward where they sat together for a while simply soaking everything in.   The afternoon sunlight reflected warmly across the snowy rooftops while magical music drifted softly around them. Crowds passed nearby carrying robes, wands, and butterbeer cups while Hogwarts towered above everything like something impossible made real.   Chris sat beside Bill clutching his wand carefully across his lap while occasionally peeking inside the chocolate frog box again just to make sure it was still there.   Bill watched him quietly.   And even though Harry Potter had never really meant much to him personally…   This moment absolutely did.   Because Chris looked happy in a way Bill knew he’d remember forever.   Completely immersed.   Completely amazed.   Completely himself.   Bill leaned back slightly, sipping the last of his butterbeer while Chris excitedly practiced wand movements beside him.   And somewhere between Mario Kart, movie sets, chocolate frogs, and magic wands, Bill realized this day had somehow become even better than he’d hoped.

Unimaginative 

Agree, very good rule, and a great example of being careful what you wish for.

We headed over to my place.   I pulled my diaper bag out of the car, and Pam took hers out.   We went to the changing table and set to changing each other.   After they changed they left their pants off and headed in just shirts and diapers into the living room. “What do you want to do about food.    I have to say I don’t have much right now in the fridge.” Jim asked. “We could order something in.   Pizza?” Pam replied. Jim set out to order the pizza.   “It’s just down the street.  Be here in 20 minutes or so.” The food arrived, and they set to eating.   When they were finished, Pam came to him.  “Would you like some milk?”   Jim smiled and unbuttoned her blouse.   She moved to the sofa, sat down, and let Jim get comfortable at her breast.    As she suckled, Pam stroked his hair. A while later he awoke.  It was dark, but he was still in Pam’s lap. “You’re awake, sleepy head?”  Pam asked. “What happened?” “You fell asleep.   Don’t worry, I don’t mind.  Let me put you to bed.” She led him to the bedroom and placed him under the covers.   She went over to the changing table, picked up her pants, and pulled them on. “You’re not staying?” Jim asked. “I still think it is risky at this point.   Soon, it will be easier for us.” “Oh, OK,” Jim said, somewhat disappointed.  Pam kissed him and then smoothed the blankets over him.   “Just relax, it will be better soon.” Jim, comforted, drifted off to sleep. The next day, Jim woke up, far from comforted.   He was nervous.   What wasn’t Pam telling him?   Were they going to replace him with Kevin, er uh, Kelly?   Were they going to fire him?   No, they wouldn’t do that.    They spent a lot of money on him.  Pleasant Acres couldn’t be cheap. Maybe they’d reassign him to a special project.   Maybe they’d reassign Pam.   Neither really appealed to him.    He liked being in management now, he had to admit.   Yeah, he could still get his technical hands dirty when he wanted to, but he liked working with the team leads across all the projects.  It gave him a sense of accomplishment. He also loved having Pam as his assistant.   He was getting several times more stuff done with her help, not just the diaper changing assistance.    Still he was beginning to think he loved her, and he’d want her in his life even if it wasn’t at work. “Relax, Jim,” he told himself.   “Go with the flow.”  This is what the time at Pleasant Acres was all about, right?   Pam wasn’t worried, it seemed.   He shouldn’t.

Bias is a big derailer, most people get caught by it and the Police are no exception… rural policing is also only as good as the locals you can attract to it. The salary's are never mega bucks so that cuts the prospective candidates down significantly as well.  Yup, its five days for the effects to start to wear off unless topped up. An orphanage? That is always a possibility.