Part 2:

Out of P*lace

Suddenly, no one was happy to see Ryan anymore.  "You're kidding, right?" The Kid asked.  "Ryan, come on!"  Ryan just shook his head and held up the advance copy he'd spirited from the newspaper office.

Gloria took it.  "At a city council meeting held this past Wednesday, it was determined that one of the city's most famous landmarks is in danger of being misused." she read.

"Misused?" echoed Devyn.  She peered over Gloria's shoulder and continued reading.  "The building affectionally known as The P*lace, which was declared a historical landmark in 1984, has since been used primarily as a youth-oriented club.  When filled to capacity, it could hold well up to 300 teens."

"What they're saying is that large crowds of kids can get careless." explained Ryan.  "They're worried that The P*lace could get damaged."

"Don't they trust us?" Robin asked.

"'Fraid not, Robin.  To them, The P*lace is an antique.   You have to keep it on display because it's too valuable to be used."

"But Flip owns The P*lace." argued Kenny.  "He won't let that happen."

"You're darn right I won't!" said Flip.  "I think it's time for me to have my own little meeting with the city council."

"They meet Wednesdays." Ryan informed him.

"Well, tomorrow's a Wednesday.  And as the owner, it's inevitable that I'd have to meet with them anyway, so I'm just bumping the meeting up a bit."

"I'll hold down the fort for you." Riley volunteered.

"Great.  Chin up guys.  This isn't over."

"It's over." Flip said sadly as he returned from the meeting.

"How could this have happened?" Kenny asked.

"What did the council say?" asked Richie.

"It's out of my hands.  Everything went down before I took ownership of The P*lace."

"Yeah, we were there." said Kid.

"Did you know they originally wanted to tear this place down?" Gloria added.  "It took a lot of convincing to get them to protect it."

"Well, did you know that there are laws that govern how a historical landmark has to be maintained?" Flip asked everyone.

"But we haven't done anything wrong.  The P*lace has never been in danger." Devyn insisted.

"Dev, I know that and you know that, but they refuse to listen.   They say if you kids want a place to play, try the rec center.  It's a done deal."

"So, what happens now?" asked Ryan.

"I can still retain ownership, but I have to consent to the closing.  They're turning The P*lace into a museum because of all the famous people that have passed through here.  We're talking ropes, glass cases, the whole nine yards."

This did not sit well with Riley.  "So, what, you're just gonna play tour guide to a bunch of middle-aged guys with cameras?"

"I've got no choice!  Either I agree, or..." Flip sighed.  "they have the right to seize The P*lace."  Immediately, the Kids began protesting.  "I'm sorry, guys!" he said.  "I gave it my best shot."

"Looks like it's up to us." The Kid concluded.   "Again."

"Got a plan?" Richie asked him.

"Not really." he admitted.

"I might!" said Gloria suddenly. "Or at least, part of one."

"So, spill!" said Ryan.

"You've probably noticed that the audience is enjoying our "Old Home Week" as it were.  So how do you suppose they'd feel if they lost not only you, but us as well?"

"Probably pretty lousy." Devyn guessed.

"Then...if everyone goes to the city council and tells them how lousy they feel..." said Flip.  "It just might work!"

"But how do we get in touch with all those people?" Kenny thought out loud.  Then it hit him, and he and everyone else turned to Devyn.

"The radio show!" she realized happily.  "I know Pete would back us!  I'll go call him!"

"Hey, the paper could certainly cover all this." said Ryan.   "Devyn, tell him to have everybody write to the editor as soon as they get today's edition." he suggested.

"I'll make up some fliers and start handing them out at the college." offered Riley.  "One thing they're really good for is supporting causes.   We've got everything from Save the Whales to feeding starving kids in Asia."

Flip was touched.  "You guys really know how to turn things around."

"Don't thank us yet." said Richie.  "I just hope this is enough to save The P*lace."

Everything was in motion.  Flip went back to city council and informed them he was petitioning the decision.  They weren't really happy about it, but they said they'd "consider the matter" if there was noticeable proof that this wasn't what the community wanted.  Devyn camped out at the radio station, urging listeners every chance she got to make themselves heard.  Riley set up his own booth beside the assorted protesters at college.  Ryan used whatever pull he had with the paper to run a small article opposing the conversion of The P*lace into a museum.  It included a letter written by the Kids asking anyone who read the article to voice their opinion.   The other Kids actually did "try the rec center" - and the mall, the beach, their school, the arcades, anywhere there were kids their ages.  The plan culminated with a big "Save The P*lace rally" at the end of the week. Now all they had to do was sit back and wait.

And wait they did.  "Okay." Flip said, bracing himself behind the counter for the throngs of patrons.  "Any minute now, people'll be showing up...you guys watch...aaany minute now...here we go...doors are open, people...c'mon..."

"Um...anyone else notice there's no one coming?" Robin asked quietly.

"No kidding! I think I just saw a tumbleweed pass by." The Kid quipped.

"You wanna tell Flip?" asked Kenny.

"No.  Do you?"

"What's wrong with these people?" Ryan complained.  "Don't they care that The P*lace is closing?"

"Probably not." reasoned Gloria.  "It's not as much a part of their lives as it is ours.  They'll be other hangouts.  They'll just move on."

"But this place has been around longer than most of the neighborhood!   It is the neighborhood!"

Flip had finally given up.  "Oh, let's face it guys!" he said sadly.  "There's not enough people left who care about The P*lace.  You know, I had such a good feeling about this place when I bought it.  I guess I was wrong."

The Kids sighed collectively and gave up, too.  Kid began taking down some of their signs when he suddenly had a brainstorm.  "Not enough people..." he muttered to himself.  "Wait a minute!  We do have enough people!" he exclaimed.  "I can't believe we didn't think of it before!  It's so obvious!"

"What is?" asked Devyn.

"Who cares about The P*lace more than Kids Inc.?"

"No one, apparently." answered Gloria.

"Exactly.  And if you knew The P*lace was in trouble, no matter where you were, you'd want to help, wouldn't you?"

"Yeah." they all said.

"Well, 'Old Home Week' isn't quite over yet." The Kid said.   "It's time for a real reunion."

What's The Kid's plan?  Check out Part 3!