The Only Beanie - Book 4 (Riverdale Season 4/5)

Hereditary - Part 1

"I think there's a real life mystery in these books," Jughead said as Aminity and Betty went over the highlighted sections of the Baxter Brothers. "Now, I've gone and reread the entire series and I've noticed something strange. While there is a hoarse voice and an overall tone, sure, you can tell when a new writer takes over."

"Well, yeah, a writer can't completely suppress their own style."

"What's so strange about that? Everyone has their nuances. Verbiage, phrasing, it's like they're-"

"Literary fingerprints, yeah," Jughead nodded with his sister. "And when I went back to read the first book, its fingerprint is unlike any of the rest of them. It's raw. It's real. The characters have tension. There's political commentary woven throughout it. They mention the war, the boys have summer jobs, and none of the rest of them are this grounded."

"The writer switched after the first book," Aminity shrugged. "I still don't understand."

"Well, allegedly, Mr. DuPont wrote the first five books before passing the series off."

"That doesn't make any sense," Aminity eyebrows furrowed. "I've read them just about as much as you. Unless he had a huge style switch, there's no way he wrote the first one."

"Exactly. After my analysis, the stylistic differences from book one to book two are two distinct to ignore."

"Okay, well, who wrote it then?" Betty asked.

"This is gonna sound crazy, okay? What if it was my grandfather?"

She straightened in her seat. "Jug, your conspiracy theories are usually spot on, but this one feels like a real stretch."

"I know. This is the one missing puzzle piece I have of my grandfather. Think about it, Betty. He sent me a first edition, first Baxter Brothers book. And if that's not coincidental enough, he wrote inside," he pulled the book open, "'Never let them take anything from you.' Does that not imply that something was stolen from him?"

"Implies, yes. Proves... no. You need proof, Jug."

"I'm with Betty on this one, Jughead," Aminity admitted. "It may be a different writer, but there's not enough solid evidence that it was our grandfather."

"Yeah, you're right," he sighed. "I'll get proof. I know I'm onto something. I know it. Meanwhile," he took Betty's hand in his, "how's the mystery of our suspicious brother going?"

"I'm following a hunch too."

***

"You guys don't have any spare arcade games lying around, do you?" Archie asked as they sat in the student lounge.

"What's this now, Archiekins?"

He sighed. "I'm trying to get these kids away from Dodger's arcade. Step one, give them another option."

"What you're doing at the El Royale is so inspiring, Archie, but not enough people know about it."

"Well, I can write about the center in the Blue and Gold," Betty offered.

"And I'll ask my vendors to see if they can help rustle up some arcade games."

"I can make and hang some posters around. Plus, we have some from the Wyrm that aren't really used much anymore at the Serpents Den. I think Sweet Pea's the only one who really plays them."

"Thanks, guys," he smiled at the girls.

***

"It's Jughead," Betty said, interrupting their writing as she picked up the phone and put the speaker on. "Hey, Jug. Aminity's with me too."

"Hey. So, I pulled copies of Stonewall Prep's literary magazine from the year that my grandpa and Mr. DuPont attended. In the table of contents, it lists 'A Story Written by Forsythe the First,' but it was torn out. It's like every trace of his writing at Stonewall Prep is just gone."

"That's not weird," Aminity let out.

"Jug," Betty started as she thought, "where did your grandpa go to school after Stonewall Prep."

"Riverdale High."

She looked over at the shelves lining the walls. "Wasn't there a literary magazine here too back in the day?"

"I'll be on the next train," he said before they hung up.

"As much fun as solving this mystery is," Aminity said sarcastically as she looked at the many books they would have to go through, "I promised Archie that Sweet Pea and I would help get the video games over to El Royale tonight."

"Go," she smiled at her. "We got this."

"Thanks, Betty. Say hi to Jughead for me?"

"Of course."

***

"I see you got my arcade games," Veronica said as Sweet Pea, Archie, and Aminity finished setting up the last ones, "but where are the kids?"

"Good question," Archie sighed. "Toby! Eddie!" he called and they came over. "Where are your boys? Didn't you tell them we got arcade games? They can play for free."

"Yeah," Eddie shrugged, "But Dodger's still giving them free pizza."

"That's something we don't have," Sweet Pea said quietly.

"Alright, well, you can tell your boys that tonight, it's not just video games that are free at El Royale," Veronica stepped in. "It's burgers and fries and milkshakes from Pop's."

"We'll get the word out," Toby smiled and they headed out.

"Viola," Veronica smiled.

"You are amazing," Aminity smiled at her while she only shrugged.

"I love you, Ronnie."

"Same, Archiekins. Same," she said before kissing him, both Sweet Pea and Aminity smiling at the couple.

"That free food extends to the volunteers too, right?" Sweet Pea asked after they pulled away, making the couple laugh while Aminity shoved Sweet Pea playfully.