CHAPTER XVIII:
improv pays off

( March 1986 )

      THIS HAD TO BE THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE OUTFIT THAT CLEODORA HAD EVER WORN IN HER LIFE. Nancy, bless her heart, had the worst taste in fashion to go visit a murderer.

Before leaving the Wheeler residence, Nancy had dressed Cleo in a sage green skirt that went just below her knees with tulle underneath that was making her itch anytime she moved, a white button-up tucked into the skirt with a black belt tied on her waist, a sage jacket that resembled a blazer, heeled shoes the same color as the blazer and skirt with frilly socks to complete, and two school-girl braids to complete the look.

Robin also had a monstrous ensemble on her that she too wasn't enjoying wearing. "I can't breathe in this thing," Robin complained, "and I'm itchy. I'm itching all over."

Cleodora fidgeted with the skirt that was causing her large amounts of discomfort, "I am too, I mean, who needs this much tulle around their bits?" she added to Robin's complaints.

Nancy sighed rolling her eyes at the two girls. "It's not all about comfort. Okay? We're academics."

"Who are evidently coming straight from Easter brunch," Robin said while extending her arms out to her sides. "Also, this bra that you gave me is really pinching my boobs."

"Okay. Could you two just let me do the talking? If that's even possible?" Nancy said with a hint of annoyance.

"It's not only possible, it's inevitable because shortly, I'll be dead from strangulation," Robin dramatized.

"I may just put myself out of my misery and kill myself before the tulle does it for me," Cleo said through gritted teeth.

     "TWO THREE-POINT-NINE GPAS AND ONE FOUR-POINT-OH, IMPRESSIVE," the man in front of the three girls complimented.

Nancy held out a falsely printed recommendation, "And this is a recommendation from Professor Brantley."

"Yeah, I know Larry. Quite well, actually. Eh, you know what they say, Those who can't do, teach." Robin and Hatch shared a laugh while Cleodora smiled awkwardly while attempting a fake chuckle.

"Uh, yes, yes, that's actually why we're here. I mean, we can only learn so much in a classroom."

"And all three of you are working on this thesis together?" Hatch questioned.

Robin's eyes seemed to slightly widen while feeling the familiar feeling of panic course through her, Nancy's eyes darted between the man and the recommendation searching for the proper way to word her lie. Cleo, in a matter of fewer than ten seconds, came up with the perfect lie.

"Furthering our exploration on topic human behavior, we were tasked to work in groups of three with people of different personality types and record our data on how well we worked together instead of working with people we were closer with." The lie came out so perfectly through the girl's teeth that the professor immediately nodded along with her words. The girls beside Cleo glanced at her in slight awe. "It was a side project we decided to divulge in for an additional source," she added.

Professor Hatch nodded approvingly at the girl sitting in the middle, "I see why you have the four-point-oh GPA, you're very well-spoken, I expect that you've put in extreme amounts of effort into your vocabulary throughout your life." His words carried out of his mouth in a condescending manner making Cleo restrain herself from furrowing her brows in offense. She nodded to not show how poorly she had taken his words and decided that after that she would leave the talking to Robin and Nancy.

"Mmm. And I'm sympathetic to your struggle, truly. But there is a protocol to visiting a patient like Victor," he advanced in his seat, "You put in a request and then undergo a screening process, at which point
the board will make a decision. I can see you're disappointed. But I'm more than happy to give you a tour. Perhaps you can even speak to some patients in our low-security wing."

"And we'd... we would love that. It's just that, um..." Nancy clicked her tongue, "...our thesis is due next month."

"And you're out of time," Professor Hatch butted in, "Whose fault is that?"

"Ours. Absolutely. And I do apologize--

      "Don't apologize, Ruth. Screw that. The fact is, we did put in a request months ago and were denied. And then we reapplied and were denied again. And coming here was our last-ditch effort to save our thesis. And I really... I can't breathe in this thing."

"Well, Rose, maybe you'd like to go outside and get some air."

      "Maybe I should, Ruth."

      "Mm-hmm. Because I'm starting to think this whole thing is a colossal mistake. I'm breaking out in a rash. My boobs hurt. And I'll tell you the truth, Anthony. May I call you Anthony?" She didn't wait for an answer. "These aren't my clothes. I borrowed them because I wanted you to take us seriously. Because nobody takes girls seriously in this field. They just don't. We don't look the part or whatever. But can I tell you a story? 1978, I was at summer camp. And my counselor Drew told me and everyone in Cabin C the true story of the Victor Creel Massacre. And little Petey McHew... You know Petey, right, Ruth? Becky?"

      "Of... Of course," Nancy confusedly said.

      "Yeah, Petey in Econ, love that guy," Cleo easily added, not ever knowing a single Petey in her life.

      "Yeah. Little Petey McHew started sobbing right there on the spot. Full-on hyperventilating. The other campers couldn't sleep for weeks. I couldn't either, but not 'cause I was scared. Because I was obsessed with the question, What would drive a human being to commit such unimaginable acts?"

All Cleodora could do was watch as Robin continued to win over the man who Cleo had wanted to throw her uncomfortable shoes at.

"Other kids wanted to be astronauts, basketball players, rock stars. But I wanted to be you. I wanted to be you. So, forgive me if I'll now try anything in my power, including wearing this ridiculous outfit, if I might get to speak to the man that ignited my passion and learn a little more about how his twisted, but let's face it, totally fascinating mind works. So, yes, we don't have the official paperwork, but don't tell me that cry-baby Petey McHew wouldn't have gotten an audience with Victor in moments if he'd asked politely, because you and I both know that he would," Robin finished her rant.

      "This is the new world, Professor Hatch. Women are becoming more and more equal to men if you haven't noticed." Cleo stood with Robin. "So I suggest you don't feed into the propaganda that men can do research better than women, because we all know that a girl can create a hypothesis and chart and graph just as easily as a man," she concluded.   

      Nancy had raised eyebrows and a face of slight confusion mixed with pride for the girls next to her who she would be glad to call her friends.

      "So... ten minutes with Victor. That's all I ask," Robin concluded.

     "I'M BACK IN THIRTY," Hatch said while exiting the door with the three girls following behind him. All three of them looked proud of themselves while they walked side by side.

      Cleo, still in the middle, held her hands low to the other girls who then high-fived her as they continued to walk. She then leaned in closer to Robin's ear, a smart remark whispered into her ear to earn a roll of her eyes.

      "Told you taking improv would be helpful."

NOTE. you guys would not BELIEVE the amount of editing that went into this chapter for robins speech