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Rotating Mother-in-Law, A Funny Mother-in-Law Story

Funny Web published fiction about family fights, in-law trouble, mother-in-law jokes!

	I should have blown my brains out, but for the recollection that it would have given pleasure to my mother-in-law. LORD BYRON

What can I read for free online? A funny mother-in-law story!

The Rotating Mother-in-Law

A Funny Serial Story by

The saga continues! Previously in:

Episode 1: When, Oh When, Will She Leave?
Episode 2: Sister-in-Law from Hell!
Episode 3: Deception, It's the Softer Side of Violence!

we discovered it is time for the annual 'rotation', the time of year when Jane's mother-in-law traditionally departs. But it appears Jane's sister-in-law is not eager for her turn as the next host! Belle, who knows her Joules from her Newtons, is casting about for just the right leverage to compel her. Can she keep it legal?

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Episode 4:

Secret Schemes!

"Here's the bottom line." Belle crossed her arms on her chest and sat back in her chair. "We want Nancy to pick up her mother on Wednesday. But Nancy doesn't want to! And Rupert is afraid of calling to remind her or even to find out what her plans are, and Jane — well, Jane is in a catatonic state, just waiting to see what will happen."

"We can work directly on Nancy," Chrissy suggested. "Or on Dick to have him influence Nancy, or on Rupert to goad him into action."

"It can't look like Jane had anything to do with this."

"She shouldn't even know anything," Chrissy said. "Poor Jane, she couldn't tell a lie to save her life."

"Now, what leverage, if any, do we have — on any of them?"

"I can start to put together a fairly complete dossier on each — financial details, real estate ownership, court judgements, liens... Social security numbers and birth dates would be useful for starting, but not absolutely essential."

"I can look up Jane's now, and then we can cross-reference and branch out from there." Belle reached for her notebook computer and her cellphone on the coffee table. "Would we be able to find out if Dick or Nancy had a skeleton in their closet?"

"Given enough time."

"Hmmm. We have only a few days to work with. Why don't we try something real simple?" Belle smiled. "I have an idea!"

Mrs. G walked in just then and sat down with them. "Why do I get the shivers," she asked, "when I hear you say that? By the way, the duck was doing fine. Said to say hello to you two."

"Mom! You know we don't like to personalize our food."

"Of course, dear. Better not. Who would want to eat a little friend waddling around happily with six baby ducklings in tow?"

***

After dinner, Belle kissed her mother goodnight and started putting on her light poplin jacket. As Chrissy reached forward for her kiss, Mrs. G stopped her. "I just got an idea!" she exclaimed. "Lobster Newburg! Tomorrow is not one of our regular dinner days, but if you children would like —"

"Mom, you know we're ambivalent about lobster," Belle said severely.

What can I read for free online? A funny sister-in-law story!

"It will, of course, be accompanied by Yorkshire Pudding buns," Mrs. G continued with a dreamy smile. "And, for dessert —"

"Ohh, gee..." Belle mumbled, as Chrissy hissed in her ear, "Sure beats canned tuna!"

"We can be here by 6:30."

"Champagne!" Mrs. G said with a grand flourish of her right hand. "I'll check the cellar to see what I can round up. We can toast to your little schemes!"

"I don't like the glint in her eye!" Chrissy hissed again in Belle's ear.
Prev Next

Episode 5: Mrs. G Administers Punishment!
Episode 6: It's a Plan!

Episode 7: Just Desserts!

If you have personal experiences on the subject that you would like to share or you would like to comment on this serial story, please send me a note.

Note for Dramatica aficionados: Check out The Rotating Mother-in-Law for any plot holes. Can you spot the contagonist? Hint: Who is tempted, but then is forced to re-evaluate? Follow the Dramatica Throughlines and Signposts as you read the story.

Also check out the Dramatica Matrix of Appreciations by throughline and signpost to see if the issues have been dealt with in a Grand Argument story. Like the issue of Deception, for instance! (By the way, where do you stand on the use of deception "in the service of a good cause"? You can send me a note and if it it's a zinger, I'll work it into the argument!)

And here's the Template for the Dramatica appreciations of this particular storyform (1 in 32,000 possible Dramatica storyforms!). Enter your own encodings for these appreciations and create a new story with the same storyform! (Note: Just open the page in the EDIT mode in Netscape, change as you wish and save your own copy.)