Hi GLUs! Welcome back to The Clique book club. Today, in DIAL L FOR LOSER, our favorite crooked-banged Orlando girl is basking in the glow of Hollywood klieg lights, and yet, it’s Massie and Alicia who feel the burn.
Recap: Claire, Massie, and Alicia auditioned for the role of “Molly” in Dial L for Loser. Since the character is an LBR, Claire nailed it. And just like that, Claire is whisked off to Wardrobe, where she is dressed like a star and gifted clothes from designers. Massie and Alicia are seething, grieving, and not believing. How is this even possible?
They try to ruin the moment for Kuh-laire by reframing their return to Westchester—and the Briarwood Boys— so “home” sounds like the real win. And it works. Claire is torn. She loves being a starlet, but her role in the Pretty Committee isn’t very secure these days. Will they even remember her name when she returns? What inside jokes will she miss? Will she have to start over?
Just as Alicia and Massie are gearing up to return to Westchester, they receive a phone call from talk show host (and Dylan’s mom) Merri-lee Marvil. She wants Massie and Alicia to host segments for The Daily Grind that show the behind-the-scenes of the movie. Alicia, the aspiring journalist, is beyond. And Massie? She’s relieved that she doesn’t have to do the Hollywood walk of shame and return home without something to brag about. But the broadcasts don’t go as planned. Massie freezes up, and Claire has to come in and save the day. On top of it all, the hot actor Conner Foley has a crush on Claire and is not shy about it. Everything around Massie is crumbling, and it doesn’t help that Claire’s celebrity is sticking like hair to freshly glossed lips. And yet, amidst it all, she misses Cam.
(Sigh)
Let’s discuss.
Claire is having a major makeover moment. An A-list heartthrob likes her, she’s being dressed in designer everything, and photographed by the paparazzi. She seemingly has it all. So, why the urge to get home to Westchester? Is it simply missing Cam, or is there something deeper at play?
Massie is so jealous of Kuh-laire winning the part, but she doesn’t really want to be an actress. So, why the angst?
Of course, Alicia has to share the journalism spotlight with Massie. Always a beta, never a bride. What could she be doing to carve out some social real estate of her own without losing her girls?
LFG (Let’s F-ing Gossip)!
Xoxo Lisi & Ellen
1. It’s funny how even when presented with the chance for ultra-stardom, Claire just wants to feel like she fits in back home. Climbing up the clique ladder proved even harder than landing a role in a huge film, apparently! Claire had finally gotten to a place where she felt happy and comfortable in Westchester, so she doesn’t want to give it up that quickly.
2. Massie just hates anyone out-doing her in any way (especially Kuh-laire)! She was already imagining herself as the star, attracting the Hollywood hotties and being on the front pages of magazines. There’s nothing Massie dislikes more than not winning!
3. I was happy when Alicia got this role, since she practiced doing the nightly news in her bedroom and has the personality to be a reporter. I think she always has to dim her own light a bit to make sure Massie doesn’t get mad at her. Like Kristen in The Witty Committee, I think Alicia should focus on dance and being an alpha of sorts to her small clique there.
2. I think Massie has a problem with Claire being better than her at anything related to extremely high social status, even in areas that she doesn't like. This trait is good for Massie. Excelling in a wide range of activities not only keeps her well-rounded, but closes off paths for challengers to her Alpha position.
3. "Always a beta, never a bride." Is that a clue for the upcoming book? :) The start of Revenge of the Wannabes shows that Alicia has the highest social status at her dance studio and Massie has no presence there (that kind of dance is depicted as less socially prestigious than (e.g.) cheerleading or being a movie star). Kristen and Dylan don't seem to be interested in dance either. Perhaps Alicia's best approach is to focus on what she does best. That'll also help her in high school and college as social groups tend to become more subject-based.