The Jigsaw Jungle
Page 9
GUARD
Yup. There was a pendulum. My kids and I used to love to come and watch it. Everyone would cheer when the bob would knock one of the pegs down.
PAPA
So what happened to it?
GUARD
Well, it was a Foucault pendulum, you see. Named after the French physicist Jean Foucault. He invented it in 1851 to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth. Some bigwig museum planner got it in his head that there shouldn’t be an invention from a French physicist in the lobby of a museum about American history.
He shrugs.
GUARD (CONT’D)
So they removed it. Packed up the whole thing and put it in storage.
He shakes his head.
GUARD (CONT’D)
Progress. Y’all enjoy the rest of your visit.
* * *
—————
INT. AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM—LATER
Papa walks through the “Star-Spangled Banner” exhibit.
CLAUDIA (O.S.)
It’s so dark!
PAPA
The flag used to be in the lobby. Could see it a lot better then.
GUARD 2
Miss, there’s no photography allowed in here. The flag’s very delicate.
CLAUDIA (O.S.)
Sorry!
* * *
—————
INT. AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM—LATER
First ladies’ gowns exhibit: Claudia stares at Michelle Obama’s Jimmy Choo shoes from the first inauguration.
PAPA (O.S.)
How did she walk in those?
Claudia laughs.
* * *
—————
INT. AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM—LATER
Claudia looks at a huge old dollhouse, with five floors and twenty-three rooms. Papa walks up to her and puts a hand on her shoulder.
She turns and smiles at him.
EMAIL
From: Claudia Dalton
Date: Sunday, July 12, 2015 4:09 PM EST
To: Jeffery Dalton
Subject: The Dollhouse and the Pendulum
Dear Dad,
Papa and I went to the American History Museum today. The pendulum isn’t there anymore, but we saw the flag, and the first ladies’ gowns, and the dollhouse.
I guess that must be the next puzzle, because there is one called “The Dollhouse.” But I don’t see what that has to do with a pendulum. Still, the pieces are the right size, and the cardboard on the back is beige, just like on the red piece with Bobs on the Pendulum. But there was no VHS tape in the box. Maybe you just didn’t put one in this time? But if we’re doing the wrong puzzle, please send another clue!
Love, Claudia
PHONE TRANSCRIPT
Claudia Dalton’s Cell Phone | Sunday, July 12, 2015, 5:15 p.m.
Luis: Hello?
Claudia: Hi, it’s me. How’s your mom?
Luis: She’s much better, thanks. How was the museum?
Claudia: Good. I think I found the next puzzle. And spending the day alone with Papa wasn’t as awkward as I expected. We actually had fun!
Luis: I’m so glad. I was a little worried about him. I mean, he got so upset at the zoo and . . .
Claudia: I’m sorry it was weird.
Luis: No, no. I know how he feels. When Mom first left, sometimes everything seemed normal. Like she was just at work or something. And then other times . . . it would hit me. All at once.
Claudia: Yeah. Yeah, that happens to me too.
Luis: You can call me if it does. I mean, if you feel upset like your grandpa, you can call me.
Claudia: Thanks. But it’s usually late at night. Wouldn’t want to bother you.
Luis: Not a bother. That’s what friends do.
Claudia: Are we friends?
Luis: Aren’t we?
Claudia: Yeah. I think we are.
Luis: Good.
Claudia: Soo . . . “The Dollhouse” puzzle tomorrow?
Luis: Wouldn’t miss it.
VOICE MEMO
Walter Dalton’s Cell Phone | Sunday, July 12, 2015, 8:59 p.m.
[RECORDING BEGINS]
Okay, Lily, I admit it. Maybe there’s something to that doctor and trying new things.
Because Claudia and I had fun today. We took the Metro into the city instead of driving. We had dessert for lunch. And she asked me to help film at the museum. We only had her phone instead of Luis’s good camera, but it worked.
And I remembered why I liked it. Behind the camera, I could be part of the action without saying anything. I felt safe. I wish I had done more with Jeff, but I was there. I showed up!
I’m glad Claudia and I are watching all those old videos. I feel like something is waking up inside me and . . .
Something waking up inside me? Me talking about touchy-feely crap? An alien, it must be an alien waking up inside me, like in a horror movie.
Kidding, Lily. I know you hate horror movies. I just miss you.
[RECORDING ENDS]
NOTE TO READER
LUIS CAME OVER the next morning and we were busy working the “Dollhouse” puzzle, listening to music on my phone, when the most embarrassing thing happened . . .
PLAYLIST
Claudia Dalton’s Cell Phone | Monday, July 13, 2015, 9:30 a.m.
Summer Songs Playlist
Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)
OMI
Marvin Gaye
Charlie Puth (feat. Meghan Trainor)
Uptown Funk
Mark Ronson (feat. Bruno Mars)
Sugar
Maroon 5
Shut Up and Dance
Walk the Moon
Fight Song
Rachel Platten
The Star-Spangled Banner
Whitney Houston
Honey, I’m Good.
Andy Grammer
Heartbeat Song
Kelly Clarkson
Bad Blood
Taylor Swift
Cool for the Summer
Demi Lovato
PHONE TRANSCRIPT
Claudia Dalton’s Cell Phone | Monday, July 13, 2015, 11:15 a.m.
Mom: Hello?
Claudia: Mom, did you add “The Star-Spangled Banner” to my Summer Songs Playlist?
Mom: What?
Claudia: Someone added “The Star-Spangled Banner” to my Summer Songs Playlist!
Mom: Claudia, I’m in a meeting. Are you okay?
Claudia: It was super embarrassing! Luis and I were working the “Dollhouse” puzzle and listening to some music when suddenly Whitney Houston started belting out “The Star-Spangled Banner”!
Mom: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Claudia: It was a really mean joke!
Mom: Claudia, I didn’t do it!
Claudia: Mom, we’re on the family plan. Remember? You said you’d pay for it, but only if I made all my playlists collaborative so you could hear everything I was listening to and delete anything you didn’t like. The only people who have access to it are you and—
Mom: Claudia, it wasn’t me.
Claudia: Oh my gosh, I have to go.
NOTE TO READER
OF COURSE, IT was completely obvious when I looked at the red piece again. There, in one corner, was a silver of white. And sure enough, there was a puzzle on the list called “The Star-Spangled Banner.” (How could I have forgotten the video of me singing the national anthem?) When I pulled the puzzle off the shelf, I knew it was the right one, even before I opened the box and found the VHS tape labeled “The Pendulum Project.” Because it was actually a picture from the museum, from the old days, whe
n the star-spangled banner was right behind the pendulum.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
INT. AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM—DAY
Jeff, Brian, and a bunch of other kids lean over the edge of a railing, looking down through a large round hole cut in the floor. A long cable hangs from the ceiling far above them, swinging back and forth in front of a large American flag.
The cable is connected to a pendulum that swings back and forth on the floor below them. There is a circle of pegs on the floor around the pendulum, and every few minutes, the bob knocks over one of the pegs.
The camera zooms in, as the point of the bob hits a peg, causing it to tip. Everyone holds their breath in anticipation. The bob swings back again, hitting the peg more firmly this time and knocking it over. The kids cheer.
Jeff turns to Brian.
JEFF
I have an idea.
* * *
—————
INT. STAIRWAY—DAY
A big entryway to a house. There’s a staircase with a fancy chandelier at the top. Brian is leaning over the edge of the banister, tightening a loop of fishing line around the light fixture.
JEFF (O.S.)
Careful!
BRIAN
I got it!
Brian drops the line down to the foyer. He runs down the stairs and ties a weight to the end.
BRIAN (CONT’D)
This is gonna be the coolest pendulum ever.
JEFF (O.S.)
I just hope we get an A on the science fair project.
BRIAN
We will! Got the camera ready?
JEFF (O.S.)
Yup.
Brian finishes tightening the line, then pulls the weight back and lets go. Jeff films as the pendulum swings back and forth.
BRIAN
Cool! You had a great idea.
JEFF (O.S.)
Thanks.
He smiles. The weight swings in a perfect arc.
BRIAN
Hmm. We should measure the arc and—
A door opens and Brian’s mom enters.
BRIAN’S MOM
What are you boys doing to my chandelier?
EMAIL
From: Claudia Dalton
Date: Monday, July 13, 2015 12:30 PM EST
To: Jeffery Dalton
Subject: Whitney Saves the Day
Dear Dad,
Haha, very funny. I got it! Thanks for the clue.
Luis has to babysit his sister this afternoon, so I’m going over to his house to work on the flag and pendulum puzzle now. Oh, and we all liked the video. Hope you didn’t break your friend’s chandelier!
More soon.
Love, Claudia
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
INT. LUIS’S DINING ROOM—DAY
Luis’s dining room has a huge wooden table with eight chairs. Claudia sits at the head of the table; Luis works beside her. They are sorting pieces, turning them over so they are all picture side up.
LUIS
You know, we could just look for the piece with the clue on it.
CLAUDIA
We could. But unless the pendulum piece fits, we can’t be absolutely sure we have the right puzzle.
LUIS
That’s true.
CLAUDIA
And how many clues are there? Does the order we find them in matter?
LUIS
I don’t know.
CLAUDIA
Neither do I. And also . . .
LUIS
What?
Claudia frowns.
CLAUDIA
It’s just not as much fun if we look for the piece. Spoils the game somehow.
Luis thinks for a moment.
CLAUDIA (CONT’D)
That sounds stupid, doesn’t it?
LUIS
No. I think you’re right.
CLAUDIA
Really?
LUIS
Yeah. It’s like when my grandma taught me to knit. We spent all this time and money, and in the end, I had a lumpy pair of striped socks that cost me forty-five dollars. But there was something about doing it myself.
CLAUDIA
Yeah. I like that. Wait, you knit?!
LUIS
Shut up. I only made the one pair of socks.
Claudia grins. There’s a cry from a baby monitor sitting on the edge of the table.
LUIS (CONT’D)
I’ll be right back.
He gets up and leaves the room. Claudia works on the puzzle by herself for a few minutes. The camera continues rolling. Finally, Luis returns.
LUIS (CONT’D)
Sorry, I had to rock her back to sleep.
He sits down at the table and picks up a couple of pieces.
CLAUDIA
How’d you get so good at this?
LUIS
At puzzles? Practice.
CLAUDIA
No, silly. At taking care of your little sister.
LUIS
You gonna tease me about that too?
CLAUDIA
No.
LUIS
Good. ’Cause I’m not ashamed. I knit AND I change a mean diaper.
Claudia laughs.
CLAUDIA
My best friend back home, her parents are having a baby. And she’s a little freaked out.
LUIS
Tell her it’s awful. There’s someone newer and cuter in the family. No one’s going to love her anymore!
Claudia stops working the puzzle.
CLAUDIA
Don’t say that!
Luis looks confused.
LUIS
I’m just joking.
CLAUDIA
I think she’s actually worried.
LUIS
Of course they’ll still love her!
CLAUDIA
I know. But . . . her father already doesn’t spend a lot of time with her. He works really long hours.
LUIS
My mom works really long hours. She loves me.
He sounds a little hurt.
CLAUDIA
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it.
LUIS
It’s okay.
They work on the puzzle in silence for a few moments.
CLAUDIA
Why do you live with your dad?
LUIS
Why wouldn’t I live with my dad? Only moms can take care of kids?
CLAUDIA
Never mind. Everything I’m saying is coming out wrong today.
She concentrates on her pieces and blinks rapidly. Luis watches her, then picks up his own pieces. He doesn’t look at her as he talks.
LUIS
I was pretty young when my parents split up. When my mom moved out, I was really angry. And I wanted to stay at my old school, so the judge gave my father primary custody.
CLAUDIA
Oh.
LUIS
I started watching films all the time to fill the hours after school. And on the weekends, when the house seemed too quiet, my dad and I would go to the movies.
CLAUDIA
Nice.
LUIS
It was nice! We went almost every weekend. At home, I wanted to watch something new, but I’d seen everything. Finally, I discovered documentaries on Netflix and . . .
He gestures toward the camera.
LUIS (CONT’D)
Here I am.
CLAUDIA
Are you still angry at your mom?
LUIS
No.
CLAUDIA
Why not?
Luis shrugs.
LUIS
Too hard to explain.
They work the puzzle in silence for a few more minutes.
LUIS (CONT’D)
Actually, I do h
ave some advice for your friend.
CLAUDIA
What?
LUIS
She should hold the baby as soon as she can.
CLAUDIA
Why?
LUIS
My mom made me go to the hospital with them. I was so annoyed at having to sit there in the waiting room for hours. But when she put my baby sister in my arms—she wasn’t even an hour old—I . . .
Claudia stops working and stares at Luis. He keeps his eyes firmly on the pieces.
CLAUDIA
You what?
LUIS
I wasn’t mad at my mom anymore. I could see how much she loved my little sister, and I could see how much she loved me. She did the best she could. And that finally seemed like enough.
Claudia smiles.
CLAUDIA
That’s really sweet, Luis.
He shrugs, embarrassed.
LUIS
Just tell her to hold the baby.
* * *
—————
INT. LUIS’S DINING ROOM—LATER
The puzzle is nearly complete. Claudia presses in two pieces, and then there is only one hole left.
Claudia holds up two pieces. One is red and one is green. She takes the red piece and presses it into the final hole in the puzzle.
CLAUDIA
Ta-da!
LUIS (O.S.)
Which leaves one green piece left. Now comes the question . . . is there something written on the back?