Well after tossing and turning a few nights ago, I wrote up an analysis of an arc that still pisses me off. Since we probably won't get to this in the new runs for years (if ever), I'd like to post my little essay here.
In mid 2000, Elly decided to buy Lilliput’s, the bookstore she’d been working at for a couple years. In addition to the Patterclan helping out, she gained two employees: Moira, who despite her weird shaped mouth was intelligent and competent, and Kortney, who came off as a ditz.
Cut to 2003 when April catches Kortney in a chat room when she’s supposed to be working.
April turns to Grandpa Jim, who since he’s actually a decent person, is immediately alarmed.
Elly, it seems, is less so.
No, Bitch. That’s not what you say when your child is threatened. You say, “Tell me exactly what happened. What was said, word for word.”
It does not matter that you cannot prove it. SHE THREATENED YOUR CHILD. Grounds for dismissal.
Oh, easier. Right. If you can’t make hard decisions, you don’t belong in business, nor do you belong in a position of leadership. And this shouldn’t be a hard decision anyway. Again, SHE THREATENED YOUR CHILD.
So after more handwringing and consulting both John and Moira (Who both tell her to fire Kortney), Elly sits Kortney down for a chat. Cue the crocodile tears:
This, Elly, is where you stop her and say, “Cut the crap, Kortney. I know you threatened April because she caught you slacking. You ever talk to her that way again, you’ll be the one needing the dentist. Now hit the road. You’re fired. Get out.”
Idiot.
This is Moira, disappointed but respectful while privately thinking you’re a moron.
Kortney is eventually fired but not by Elly. It takes Moira to kick her to the curb while Elly is on vacation.
To quote Chester A. Bum, “Hello, I’m a plot thread that goes nowhere. Bye.”
Oh, you say, but Elly’s just so kind, and just wants to see the good in everyone. You know, maybe assuming the best of everyone isn’t the greatest way to protect your kids. I’m not saying that you have to keep Junior in a giant bubble, but trust your instinct. Be appropriately cautious. And when shit does happen, you deal with it. You don’t wibble and wobble because “Confrontation is haaaarrrddd! Wahhhh!”
So what have we learned? Well April learned that she can’t rely on her mother. Heaven forbid she was ever molested or worse. She now knows that not only will Elly probably not believe her, but she most definitely won’t do anything about it. Grandpa Jim learned that his daughter is a nitwit. Kortney learned she can get away with murder. And everybody learned that Elly is easily manipulated, easily duped, and completely spineless. In the words of Toph, she’s a jelly-boned wimp.
So that was my rant. Thoughts? Rebuttals?