The projector is still set up from the weekend, so I press a button and the screen lights up. The home screen of my laptop shows large.
“Now people, here is what I am going to do. I’m going to google Frenzy Towers. Let’s see what the first thing to come up is…”
“Please don’t,” whispers Harmony.
“Trust me,” I tell her. I give her a stern look. She bites her lip but nods as I press enter.
‘The Redemption of Frenzy Towers.’
The All-Star News learned yesterday of a campaign of hate waged against Clash Towers daughter—Frenzy Towers— for over a decade. In a series of startling revelations, it seems that the young woman, once called ‘The Most Obnoxious Brat in Hollywood,’ has actually been a victim of a smear campaign all along.
Screech Towers, the half-brother to Frenzy, admitted that he has spent his life stitching up his sister. When asked why, the boyfriend and manager of pop-songstress Carlie Canterberry, said it was like pulling wings off a butterfly. Just too easy and fun not to.
“Once I started, I got such a kick out of it, I didn’t want to stop. I hid drugs in her school locker, and spread rumors about her. She was so weak and pathetic, it made me laugh to see people think she was actually capable of half the stuff I put about.”
Why would Screech do such a thing? We asked TV psychologist, Dr. Mow.
“A sadist enjoys another’s physical pain. However, sociopaths enjoy inflicting all manner of pain on others including financial, emotional, psychological and social. In this case it would seem that Screech Towers is a sociopath.”
The article switches to a couple of girls. They are all tan and blonde extensions.
“We went to school with Frenzy. She was like, really quiet, but we thought she hated us. Screech would tell us, like, all the awful things she said. There was a game everyone played, you had to stick chewing gum in her hair without her, like, noticing. Everyone in the school did it. That’s why she ended up with a pixie cut. If you’re watching Frenzy—Soz! We didn’t know it was a lie.”
The video feed swapped to an NFL player in a Bulls uniform being interviewed.
“So yeah, I went on a date with Frenzy in eleventh grade. But Screech said she was boasting about only dating a n(bleep) for his big black (beep). I was so mad, I got all the team and cheer squad to turn on her. If she really didn’t say that, I feel shitty.”
Next; an elderly lady, with an updo and glasses.
“I’m ashamed to admit I completely believed the tales that Screech Towers told me, and I was the school counselor. I should have known better. There had been an anonymous homophobic social media campaign against a certain teacher. Screech had shown me, what I thought then, was empirical proof, that the slander was Frenzy’s doing. When she came to me for help, I shut her down and sent her away. I can only hope she will one day forgive me, forgive us all.”
Harmony is frozen, not moving. I’m not even sure if she is breathing.
“Harmony? Love?”
Slowly she turns toward me. “How?”
I go over and take her hand. “It’s all thanks to Brookes really, and New York’s one party consent taping laws.”
Lennox is handing out shots of vodka. About time, this ‘tea’ thing of Asa’s is bullshit. I down my shot then continue.
“I made a meeting with Screech, ostensibly to talk about us touring with Carlie. Then I just got him talking. He has such an ego. I told him I was done with you, and that you were such a sucker. Screech told me I had no idea, so I asked him to fill me in."
And that he did, fully and for a long time.
I taped the whole thing then sent it to some paparazzi that owed us a favor. They set the whole thing in motion.
Turns out everyone in the industry hates Screech and was more than happy to shit on him. We also dug up some old classmates, and teachers of yours.
Plus just generally getting the press worked up about the story, through various anonymous tips.”
Harmony’s face is pale, and she looks stunned.
“Shock,” says Teddy. “Get her a gin.”
“Nonsense,” interrupts Clara, “give the girl some champers, the best medicine in the world.” Lennox gets up and goes and pops a bottle. As he hands Harmony a glass, she blinks.
“It’s over now, babe,” Lennox says.
