The talk didn't die down in 9 or even 99 days. Bill's "suicide" was discussed everywhere in the Shire, but the news never made it outside of town (or so they thought). The problem with suburbs like the Shire is mostly that nothing ever gets out, with the exception of a few Tates who occasionally take their limo to New York City to see a show, and the Brownolows have actually been known to take Plane Trips (thus the cause of the death of Fred's parents). Bill's suicide was used as a lesson in health classes at the Shire schools, to teach kids that even in good, rich towns like the Shire, the only thing that can protect you is a nice, large circle of friends. Fred thought that it was a bunch of crap, and I couldn't agree more. But then again Fred knew from the start that Bill was one of the only sane people ever to live in the Shire at any time.

Fred continued to celebrate Bill's birthday, and convinced His Aunt and Uncle to leave Bill's room as it was. They sent him to a good many shrinks, and Fred maintained that Bill wasn't dead. When asked where Bill was, Fred always answered "Massechusetts, I think." The Bagginses had him tested a few times for mental illness, and finally gave up when the last of the 23 tests showed nothing abnormal for a 9th grade boy. Then they started blaming Dr. Grey.

"If only that damn old coot had left our boys alone, none of this would have happened. Fred wouldn't be this way, and Bill...Bill wouldn't have...". Usually around this time Mrs. Baggins would burst into tears. Dr. Grey, however, took no heed, and in fact was seen with Fred more often. Perhaps it was a valiant attempt of his to discourage the Bagginses from leaving it all to Fred, but no such luck. Those S-O'Bs were WAY low on the list of people even considered to be written into the will.

Fred had a large circle of sympathetic friends, but his truest friends were the ones he had even before Bill's disappearance: namely Kenny and Pippin, and a few others, like Ben Folger, also from Westdale. Ben was a 10th grader, and Bill had been his senior buddy and helped him through most of 9th grade, which had not been a pleasant experience for Ben, considering that he was a little less rich and a lot less popular than most of the Westdale kids. Also, he was a bit overweight...

Fred was in a few clubs at school, and could often be seen with his friends all around the Shire. But he usually preferred to hang around in the Public library, mostly in the history section, or the Travel section. But, for one reason or another, he was never seen in the sci-fi/fantasy section. Perhaps it reminded him too much of Bill. Kenny and Pippin both suspected that he was contemplating following Bill, they thought, to his grave, and they kept a close watch on him.

Fred began to think to himself, "Maybe I'll leave this all someday." To which his Shire-ridden half always replied: "Not yet."



The school year was ending again, and the people continually recalled the event the previous year brought. Fred was watched day and night, and Dr. Grey was urged to keep as far away as possible. As if he was going to listen.

Visitors were no longer such a rarity in the Shire, and a few of the Brownolow apartments had to be converted into hotels. Many of the people seemed to be moving away from wherever their homes were, and when asked why, most reponded that wherever they had lived was no longer safe or happy for them. A large number of these people were Jewish, for one reason or another.



Most of the Shire citizens could care less. But a select few, even among the teenagers, ended up debating the safety of their little community. Sam Garrick, the Gardener's son, was one of these kids.

One day, he was in the cafteria, eating lunch alone, and ignoring the junior stuffing macaroni salad down his own throat, when Ted Stamm, an aquaintence of his, walked up and dropped his tray right next to (and nearly on top of) Sam's. He sat down.

"So, hired help, you don't think that the Shire is a nice place to live?"

Sam, more than used to Ted's snide remarks, relplied, "Certainly not with people like you living in it."

"Oh, cute, Sammy, very cute. But really, what's so bad about a little high-class living?"

"I've been hearing a lot of strange things lately..."

"So have I. But I can hear fairy-tales and watch 'Blue's Clues' on my own, at home, on my nice, big-screen TV."

"You mean the one you stole?"

This seemed to have gotten Ted just a little angry. "Low blow, hired help."

"And honestly, Ted, have you ever watched the News?"

"Sorry, but I get cable."

"You know what, you don't even have to watch the News. Just think: the idea for kidnappers must have come from somewhere."

"Yeah, from a couple of parents who lost their little whiney brat in Lord and Taylor."

"All right, but what about murderers? I saw something a while ago about a dozen kids who got killed at school, and a teacher too."

"Where'd you hear that?"

"It's called NBC."

"NBC? What kind of abbreviation is that? No-Brain Central?"

"How about Mindless Tedium's Victory?"

After taking a few seconds to acronym it, Ted retorted: "I like MTV! You aren't normal."

"Forget MTV for a second; those aren't the only things I'm worried about. Why are all of these people leaving their homes? The Brownolows must be making a fortune from all the business they're getting. Something must really be wrong. I almost think that Bill had the right idea, and was telling us to get out as soon as we might. I used to talk with him alot, especially before he left us. He even got me started reading that book of his...The Lord of the Rings...I haven't finished it yet, but...it started off something like this..."

"Lord of the Rings? HA! Lord of the Ringers is more like it! You're a Dead Ringer for a mental institution! Just like your master, hired help! At least Bill was nuts, and Fred is well on the way. Why don't I call the guidance counselors now!?"

Sam just sat where he was. "You asshole," he said, as if he were giving the time.

"What was that, Kunta Kinte? Did you just call me an asshole?"

Luckily, the bell rang.



The saturday of the week before the school year, Fred was at his computer, downloading a couple of MP3s. Suddenly a window appeared on the screen:

The internet user Greyhame1420 has sent you an instant message.
Would you like to accept?