Note: This is my response to the Daily Prompt for 1/7/2013 of the Scribbler’s January Writing Contest. Please read and comment, telling me what you think!
You discover your neighbor is living a double life
Today’s genre is Young Adult
“I cannot believe you hid a web cam in the tree!” Sally said.
“Well, unlike you I care to know if there is something wrong happening in the house beside me. I don’t want to be one of those idiots interviewed by a reporter after their neighbor goes postal somewhere and kills who knows how many!” Bart replied.
“Look, I know Jenny can be a little flaky, but she is harmless.”
“Let’s go to the video footage,” Bart said mockingly as he tapped away at his keyboard.
Sally reluctantly settled in behind him, resting her chin on his shoulder while waiting for his voyeuristic indulgence to load. Sally’s fingers slid through Bart’s thick, curly locks as she absent-mindedly drifted off to the event that started this whole diversion, the night Jenny had her “spell”.
Bart and Sally enjoyed spending time in their yard. Unlike the majority of their peers, these two did not need to spend every waking moment tethered to their phone of computer. Sitting outside enjoying the moonlight in their twin aluminum frame chaise lounge chairs was enough of an entertainment choice for an entire evening.
On this particular star filled night, they noticed jenny Hargrove come in from somewhere and go immediately inside without even acknowledging their presence. It was not that Bart or Sally needed to be noticed, it was the fact that Jenny’s driveway flanked their position such that not seeing them was impossible.
Within a few moments Jenny returned to her car, but had on this garish outfit that reminded them of something from the Twilight movies. The experience generated a thirty minute discussion in which Bart declared she was up to something mysterious. As the days passed the conspiracy lover in Bart decided to find out what he could by surreptitious means.
Sally did not realize the web camera Bart arranged looked into the window od Jenny’s kitchen and had a partial view to her bed room. She slapped his head like her favor character from NCIS, Gibbs, might when DiNozzo pulled a bonehead move.
“Are you crazy? This is an invasion of privacy! I thought you just had it aimed at her parking spot.”
“Shhh!” Bart said as the video began.
The scene in Jenny’s home centered on the island in her kitchen, which was parallel to the door leading to her bed room. Bart strained to see what jenny was doing as she was just out of sight, but they could hear noise as if she was rummaging around in something.
What is she doing?” Bart asked.
“I am not watching this any longer,” Sally declared. She turned away and headed toward their bathroom with intent on a soak in the bath.
Bart shook his head, keeping his eyes planted on the 24 inch flat panel monitor he considered his chance to sluss out the mysteries this young girl had. He strained to see what she was doing, considering the options of increasing the resolution of his viewer. He sat back down in the chair as the young blonde finally emerged from the room.
In her hand she carried a stack of documents. She carried them over to the island and turned her back to the camera. Again Bart stood to try to look over her shoulder, not thinking about the fact he had a fixed view. He chided himself for this oversight and was happy Sally had exited the room to miss this nonsense.
After a few moments Jenny seemed to be satisfied with her work and grabbed her purse to head out the door. On the bar where she had been working was a legal pad propped up against the bread box. Written on the pad was the following:
“According to the state code, Section 41, subsection 6, any unauthorized recording of the activities of a private citizen in this state is punishable by no less than two years in prison and a minimum $500,000 fine. Maybe after you and your girlfriend are apprehended I can live my uneventful, boring little life in peace!”
Joe's Musings 