Kid Nation: "Kids Don't Hold Grudges"
Commentary by Cindy Rutolo Dietrich
November 3, 2007
"Divad has the entire snacking monopoly. The worst part is that leadership isn't doing anything about it!" Eleven year old Jarod says this before he angrily shoves a pile of tables with Divad's snack shack items over.
Seems Divad came up with a little side business venture. She was selling snacks for $.05 a piece. Green District members were mad because she was selling what could be had, for free, from their kitchen. "She should at least have some competition," Jarad said, adding: "Do you see where I'm going?"
I do. The kids are bored. They're enterprising too.
It's day twenty in the Kid Nation world. That means they're halfway through this life changing, social experiment. For a moment I think that I might get my wish. Maybe this episode would focus on a few more of the 38 Kid Nation kids.
Divad calmly swept up the mess Jarad made when he knocked her snack tables over. The other kids rushed to her side to confide, and offer comfort. But she said setbacks just make her work harder.
"It's okay. I'm fine with it. I'm going to make more snacks. Go about your business."
Someone said, '"Don't cry."
Divad said "I'm not going to cry. People that are jealous do things to other people that they try to get them off tract. But when they try to do it to me, it just makes me work harder."
The TC (Town Council) leaders consult the pioneer journal early in this episode. Of course it knows exactly what's going on in their world, even though it's alleged written 112 years ago. The pictures of the original residents of Bonanza City, add an authentic touch.
April 20, 1885:" If you're reading this you've been living in BC (Bonanza City), for twenty days, working hard and getting paid for it. Back in 85 we worked hard too, but only got paid a few nickels. I'm guessing times are still pretty lean." Isn't it uncanny? They always know!
Meanwhile, little nine year old Mallory's looking at the toys in the store that she probably can't afford. A dolly's only $.50. A harmonica's 30 cents. But "It's kinda hard to buy things when you're a laborer." Laborers are the lowest, and least paid citizens in Bonanza City.
"Yeah, we were laborers, three times. We know." Fourteen year old Sophia says this, somewhat bitterly. Perhaps she's recalling when their roles were reversed. Despite her age, Mallory was quite tough as a shop keeper. Sophia had to employ all of her bartering skills when she was on the other side of the table.
"I wish you luck at The Showdown. Then you can come back and get whatever you want." Sophia says this to the back of the tiny, dejected girl. Mallory leaves the store empty handed.
"That's a map!" Red District TC leader, Guylan gushes, as Green District TC leader, Laurel reads from the Pioneer Journal.
"Take a hike up to the old mine and find your own treasure. How you divide it, is up to you. Hope you do better than we did."
Laurel always sounds light years wiser than her tender years. She's fourteen. She's also always the most level headed of the TC members. Right away she sees the promise of treasure, as a trap.
"People are going to get greedy, and selfish. It's a really bad idea." Laurel's words fall on deaf ears.
The boys can hardly wait. They have a treasure map. They want to find the buried treasure. They want to find it fast! Zack says they should see what it is, then
"have a discussion about what to do with it."
Guylan says, " Let's follow this.....
Cindy Rutolo Dietrich is an entertainment writer, reviewer, rock journalist, poet, hotel reviewer, pianist, singer, songwriting artist from Pennsylvania.
Are You Buzz Worthy? We Want Your Thoughts!
Have you got something interesting to say. We'd like to hear it. We'll post your comments in Buzz Worthy. This is your chance to sound off about your favorite Reality TV show. Or the show you hate. Did somebody do something really stupid? Really smart? Is there a strategy being over looked? Is a performer for real? Or not getting the buzz they should? Here's your chance - take it.
All articles are the intellectual property of and copyrighted by the individual authors. By submitting an article to Reality TV Calendar you are granting Reality TV Calendar permission to display the article in perpetuity.
