A Queer Turn of Events   by Lisa Lees	Episode map Characters Extras Blog
2:4 – "Council of Doom" Part 1: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Part 2: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Following the revelations of yesterday, Carys had suggested they have a meeting, Jami's feared "council of doom," Saturday morning. The atmosphere was tense. Crystal had brought a guitar down from her and Sandy's room and was softly working on a melancholy tune that seemed to reflect the mood of the group.

While they waited for Carys to take charge, they made small talk.

"Why are you looking at me, Tam?"

"Just wondering if you're letting your natural hair color grow out?"

"You are so observant! I am, and I will dye my hair before we leave, so as not to upset my parents with my weird ways."

"You're not weird, Emi. I hope things will be okay. Emiko sighed. "I sent long letter. I not exactly come out, but say enough so they maybe not be surprised. I told about Wizzy wig, all of you, my friends. I wrote most about Rachel." She paused to kiss Rachel. "But yes, I am worried." "Emiko? What did you say about me?" asked Jami. "Oh, I say you are intersex. Papa taught human genetics and biology at university. He understands such things. When I was young, he was always traveling to do research, I believe with atom bomb survivors. There was something about it my mother did not like. They argued, but I do not know why. They would never speak of it around me, like it was some big secret."

"I wrote most about Rachel."

Emiko paused, embarrassed. "It was long ago. He is retired. My parents are old. I think I was an unexpected child. My mother will not talk about me as a baby. Things they said make me believe we lived somewhere else before moving to Sapporo. But they will not speak of my first few years. I do not know why. Eventually I stopped asking."

"But aren't there photos? Relatives?" said Jami.

Emiko shook her head. "We are not a traditional family. An only daughter, no grandparents living now. My parents have few friends. For that matter, I was not encouraged to have friends." She shrugged. "Being the studious loner with strange feelings of love, that was mostly okay with me. I was surprised they seemed eager for me to leave Japan and go to school here."

Jami was staring at Emiko. Carys and Tam looked at each other, then at Emiko. They moved closer to Jami.

"I do not understand," said Emiko. "What did I say?"

"The reason I'm so upset..."

Jami took a long, slow breath. "This may be totally random, Emi. See what you think." She snuggled in between Carys and Tam. "The reason I'm so upset..." When Jami finished telling about her theory and her talk yesterday with her mother, she stopped and looked around at her friends. Kay and James seemed puzzled. Sandy was staring off into the distance, thinking. Crystal looked horrified. Rachel had wrapped her arms around Emiko, who was trembling.

Sandy turned to Jami. "Your mother confirmed this?"

Jami nodded.

"Holy shit," said Sandy, softly. "So what are we going to do?"

"Are you okay, Emi?" asked Tam.

"As okay as Jami," whispered Emiko.

"There's no reason to believe that you..."

"Oh, there is reason. As much as Jami had. But I could never ask my parents. What if my father was involved? What have I done, Jami, in telling him about you?"

"But you're normal!" said Rachel. She blushed. "Sorry, Jami, I didn't mean it that way."

"Jami also looks normal." Emiko placed a hand on Rachel's cheek. "I know, you have looked very close at me. But not with microscope. I am small and pretty. High priced item in some markets. I could have been expensive call girl instead of poor college student. I have had offers."

"Emi!" Rachel seemed shocked.

"I have refused, girlfriend. No Darcy Parker lifestyle for me."

"When did you send the letter to your parents, Emiko?" asked Sandy.

She thought a moment. "Two days. They cannot receive it earlier than Monday."

"So we have to make and implement a decision by the end of the weekend."

"Decision? What? I'm lost here!" said James.

"We don't know anything for absolute certain..." began Crystal. "We don't dare find out for absolute certain!" said Sandy. "What do you want, to come home and find Jami or Emiko dead? Shit, if they figure out we all know, we might all be on their short list!" Emiko put her hands around her head. Rachel stared at Sandy, her mouth hanging open. "Stuff like that doesn't happen!" said James. "What the fuck? I thought you grew up in LA?" said Kay. "Don't you watch CNN? People get kidnapped and killed and go missing all the time."

"We don't dare find out for absolute certain!"

"This isn't the X-Files!"

Carys pulled at her hair. "Whoa! People, I need you to be professional here. We need to discuss this rationally."

"What's that from? That quote?" asked James.

"Contact. After the religious nut blows up the first machine."

"Ah! Right. Thanks."

The doorbell rang. Everyone jumped and turned to stare. Crystal set her guitar down and went to look through the peep hole. "It's Alyssa. Do I let her in?"

"Damn," said Carys. "You're right Sandy, we have to decide some things, fast, before other people get involved with this, with us. But Alyssa is Jami's friend and Wizzy Wig's promoter. She's got to be in on this."

"So I open the door, boss?" asked Crystal.

"Open the door." So much for a rational discussion, thought Carys.

To be continued...