The Serpent Queen

4.1

Dear Diary,

It's been a week since the discovery of Jason Blossoms body. But  his death is not the first, nor would it be the last casualty that the town of Riverdale would suffer. The Twilight Drive-In where my best friend Jughead works, a piece of town history, is closing for good. Just when we needed a place to escape to the most. With Sheriff Keller knocking on every door, and neighbor suspecting neighbor, Riverdale, every day that  passes, is becoming more like Salem during the witch trials. And meanwhile, the girl next door, our friendly neighborhood Hitchcock blonde, Betty Cooper, was wrestling with the knowledge that her best friend, Archie Andrews, was caught up in a forbidden romance. 

***

Jughead's voice echoed with frustration as he gazed into the distance, "The Drive-In closing is just one more nail in the coffin that is Riverdale... No, forget Riverdale, in the coffin of the American dream." He stammered slightly. "As the godfather of indie cinema, Quentin Tarantino, likes to say..."

Kevin, clearly exasperated, chimed in, "Please, God, no more Quentin Tarantino references."

Jughead retorted, "What? I'm pissed. And not just about losing my job. The Twilight Drive-In should mean something to us. People should be trying to save it."

Veronica, always quick with a question, pondered, "In this age of Netflix and VOD, do people really want to watch a movie in a car?"

Cali injected a touch of humor, "Yeah, Jug, I can give you my Hulu subscription if you want."

Veronica's skepticism continued, "I mean, who even goes there?"

Kevin, known for his biting wit, quipped, "People who want to buy crack."

Jughead attempted to garner support, "And cinephiles, and car enthusiasts. Right, Bets?"

Betty, showing unwavering agreement, chimed in, "Totally."

Jughead switched gears, "Anyway, it's closing because the town owns it, but didn't invest in it. So when an anonymous buyer made Mayor McCoy an offer, she couldn't refuse..."

Veronica, ever inquisitive, probed, "Anonymous buyer? What do they have to hide? No one cares."

Jughead stood firm, "I do! Also, you guys should all come to closing night. I'm thinking American Graffiti... Or is that too obvious?"

Veronica voiced her preference, "I vote for anything starring Audrey Hepburn. Or Cate Blanchett."

Cali contributed her choice, "Breakfast club. Classic."

Kevin added more options, "Or The Talented Mr. Ripley. Betty, your choices?"

Veronica checked in on Betty, "Everything okay, B?"

Betty, deep in thought, made her decision, "Yeah, I'm just thinking. Um... Maybe Rebel Without a Cause?"

Hermione served the group, skillfully placing their orders before them.

Veronica, showing appreciation, thanked her mother, "Thanks, Mom."

Cheryl, always one to stir the pot, seized the opportunity to criticize, "If I would have known Mama Lodge was working as a waitress at Pop's, I never would have given Veronica a spot on the Vixens. It's off-brand, and sends a false message about acceptance."

Cheryl's friend chimed in, offering her perspective, "After her TMZ-style take-down of Chuck, all the Vixens kind of like Veronica now."

Cheryl questioned the loyalty of the Vixens, "Do they?"

As Hermione moved to handle Cheryl's payment, Cheryl slapped her hand on Hermione's hand.

Cheryl maintained her stance, "Be sure to put all that cash in the register."