Episode 8: Deja Vu
THE REUNION (Part 1)
Audio Transcript

SPEAKERS – Hayley Smith-Rose, Becca Howard
GUESTS – Dennis, Valerie

Becca  00:04
Welcome to Fever Dream Diaries. This is Becca, I’m here with Haley. The time has come. The moment you’ve been waiting for. We’re about to give you the reunion

Hayley  00:13
Becca we made it to the other side of the reunion. I feel like we have been building up this event for so long,

Becca  00:22
Right? About 16 years

Hayley  00:26
And it happened. and what would you rate the reunion before we get into it?

Becca  00:31
I will rate the reunion 11 out of 10

Hayley  00:35
it was spectacular.

Becca  00:38
absolute blast.

Hayley  00:39
I had so much fun and you know, going into it. We had big plans, right? You know, our interviews and all this and in the back of my head, I was like maybe they won’t be exactly what we want them to be. Maybe we won’t see the people we want to see. And while we didn’t see everyone we would have loved to have seen we got some really good interviews to share with y’all

Becca  01:00
I feel like we got more dirt and more gossip than we ever anticipated

Hayley  01:09
We started off the day of the reunion with our friend Ali. We’re just gonna use her name. Yes. And we had to reveal to her what our antics were because she just had to drive with us. She just needed a ride

Becca  01:27
not only that she set up a whole dinner for us with our friends beforehand. She wanted this to be like a sweet wholesome reunion

Hayley  01:35
Little did she know

Becca  01:37
She had no idea what she was in store for. she should know us better than that. I actually picked her up in Boston that morning before we came up to visit Hayley and I had a full podcast studio in the back of my car without telling Ali so I was just really trying to avoid her looking in the back of the SUV. And she didn’t ask questions which I appreciate

Hayley  01:57
Absolutely. And now your SUV will be referred to only as the fever dream machine. such a great title because it was transformed and we will post a video of us revealing this to Ali on our socials at feverdreamdiaries.com

Becca  02:15
feverdreamdiaries.com – Okay, where you can find all our social media handles

Hayley  02:36
But if you want to see the big reveal to Ali, we will post it up on there. She loved it. Ali did think that she might have been getting proposed to unfortunately, yeah, she did feel like that was the surprise and unfortunately I’m not organized to be able to plan that

Becca  02:58
maybe next year Ali

Hayley  03:02
but for this year, It really couldn’t have gone better. As far as the vehicle setup, you put an effort. the lights were impeccable. She had pillows back there. Everyone was very comfortable and so comfortable that they did spill all their secrets in the fever dream machine.

Becca  03:23
I’m so glad this all worked out. It was very comfortable back there, shockingly, we were squished in there. But it was just so cozy.

Hayley  03:33
Oh man, but we will get to the interviews and of course we’re gonna share those but Becca, let’s take them through a walk through the very beginning of the reunion. Where should we begin?

Becca  03:43
So we show up at this very bougie event space. The only time I had ever been there in my life was for an American Girl Tea Party back in like the 90s. So an that’s my perspective.

Hayley  03:57
I’m sorry, I’m very curious about this. Did you bring your American Girl doll to have tea with you?

Becca  04:01
Yes. And I dressed up in American Girl clothes

Hayley  04:06

who was your American Girl of choice?

Becca
Can you guess

Hayley
Samantha?

Becca  04:11
I’m such a basic Samantha.

Hayley  04:14
That’s what we love about you.

Becca
You were like a kit girl.

Hayley
Oh, absolutely. I was a kit girl.

Becca  04:17
She was ruthless. Shameless,

Hayley  04:26
you know, we’re just gonna say she was she was a pioneer. We love Kit way more than Samantha. Samantha was a little brat Samantha honestly, it’s okay

Becca  04:35
So I dressed up as like a Victorian girl and I brought my Samantha doll and I brought like my mom brought me it was really cute,

Hayley  04:44
very wholesome. So when we were at the reunion did it bring you kind of back to that time?

Becca  04:48
Honestly, as soon as we stepped inside I like completely forgot about my childhood. In the moment, I was just could not stop staring at all of the people.

Hayley  05:00
Okay, so we get to the reunion. As I said, like this place is fancy. It’s arguably too fancy of a place for us to be in. But we’re there public school kids. And dare I say, we are not to hate on our classmates, but we looked good. We did. And we can’t say that about everyone.

Becca  05:18
We show up with our squad. We’re all looking great. We found some stragglers along the way, and we get there and half of our graduating class is just staring at us know and just,

Hayley  05:32
they just couldn’t take their eyes off was it was really just overwhelming. No, I will say of all things as much as I love my significant other I’m so glad I didn’t bring him because I will say that I very much felt for all the significant others there. They did not look like they wanted to be a part of this. And you know what, fair enough

Becca  05:52
they don’t know what they missed in high school

Hayley  05:55
So that was something that I felt good about that Zach didn’t have to go through that, but we had ourselves a time. I mean, we went in there, we got a drink. And we were just scoping people out. And the first person we decided we really needed to talk to was our friend Dennis because Jane, who obviously has been a big part of our story. We didn’t see her there. And we know that her and Dennis, and Dennis’s wife are close. So we had to approach and be like, where’s Jane? We didn’t even ask how Dennis was. Yeah, we’re we don’t care. We love you. But like, how is Jane? What did we find out?

Becca  06:36
Should we just play the interview? Or? No,

Hayley  06:40

we’re gonna play the interview. But I think we need to preface the interview with what he told us before about why Jane wasn’t there.

Becca  06:52
Oh, wow. Okay, this is big news. Breaking news. You should say it

Hayley  06:53
he revealed to us that Jane is a mom, a new mom, like just had a baby. And that just shows how disconnected our lives have become. Which is really sad because we had no idea she was even apparently married

Becca  07:06
she’s married. She has a baby, a house

Hayley  07:10
we didn’t know any of this at all. So we were taken aback or like, okay, Dennis, like, you’re the closest thing we have to Jane. So hop in the back of this frickin vehicle and spill all the tea. And here’s what he had to say.

Reunion Interview 1: Dennis

Hayley
Dennis, what memories about either Becca and myself or both stick out to you from high school?

Dennis  07:30
You both have the most beautiful souls that ever walked, you know, it is what it is. I’m not gonna lie about it. I’m not gonna be apologetic about it. You guys have the best souls that have ever lived in this world. And you wonder why? Because you’re unapologetic about who you are as people. Celebrate life. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating life. Fuck everyone ever has a problem with that? Because the people who don’t know who they are as people, you, Becca and Hayley, know who they are as life in this world guess who they want to be when they grow up who they were when they were kids. That is the most unapologetic lifelong, selfless personality that has ever existed in this world. So go for it. Be in life, be who you are, and be the best version of yourself. And if you’re not that, then try to aspire to be like them everyone who has any fucking difference of opinion. That’s what life’s about.

Hayley  08:46
Fuck everyone. We love you. We are now in the back of the van with yourself to the people about you, Dennis.

Dennis  08:56
I’m Dennis Rodriguez from Nashua, New Hampshire. Age 30. Not really all that interesting.

Hayley  09:03
Actually. You’re a very interesting individual. What I love about Dennis let me just say Baca is not only did I DJ his wedding shower, but his baby shower. I’m living.

Dennis  09:14
I mean, I don’t even know what you’re talking about.

Hayley  09:18
It’s okay, you didn’t have to be present. You are now a dad and it’s a beautiful thing. How’s fatherhood treating you thus far?

Dennis  09:24
I mean, she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my life.

Hayley  09:28
We love to hear it. Angel, but now let’s get to the dirty shit. So one thing about den dog here is he’s a great friend of Jane who of course we’ve unpacked a lot about so then where is Jane tonight?

Dennis
I couldn’t tell you

Becca 09:43
But isn’t there a reason she might not be here? And then you kind of add in another detail another level of this relationship. like tell us what happened?

Dennis
No. I know just as much as you

Becca  09:57
there’s a child involved

Dennis  10:08
he’s a good boy. We always will love Jane. And we always will never not love Jane right? So therefore will love Jane’s offspring, period. But we will not necessarily love people who we do not know.

Hayley  10:24
Right. Yeah, that’s fair. I think that’s fair.

Becca 10:25
Right? Yes. And also speaking of people, we know your partner. You’ve been together for a long time. Yes. And Angie and Dennis had all of the parties we used to go to Yeah. Let’s talk about it.

Hayley  10:42
Any memories stick out from any of the parties we used to have in your basement?

Dennis  10:46
I love them all.

Becca 10:48
I lost my makeout virginity in your bounce house. I don’t know what to say about that.

Hayley  10:56
All right, final words that you want to throw in any final stories?

Dennis  11:01
No, not about me. But be the best versions of who you are. Be the best versions of yourself every single second of every single day. And you’ll live the best version of yourself.

Hayley
Yes. I love it. That’s perfect.

Hayley  11:27
I love Dennis. He had some really sweet things to say about us which is obviously just what the doctor ordered for my soul. I needed that

Becca  11:36
I needed that also

Hayley  11:37
So Jane’s a mom big congratulations to her really bummed she wasn’t at the reunion but glad that we got to spend this special time with Dennis and get all the information we could

Becca  11:52
Hayley is it weird that I Googled her house? I just wanted to see where she lives.

Hayley  11:56
How did you even get to that? Like how did

Becca  12:00
cuz I just like thought about her family and how she has like a baby now and I just wanted to see

Hayley
how did you find her? Search for names?

Becca
It wasn’t hard there’s not many Jane Does

Hayley  12:12
That’s true. Oh my god. Good thing we’re not saying these people’s real names.

Becca
Can we drive by her house together someday?

Hayley
we will have to have a drive by. that sounds violent, not in a violent way, in a wholesome way. We’ll just like smile. We’ll just smile. Maybe bring some sugar cookies over and something for the baby. anywho, It was obviously a bummer. We didn’t get to catch up with Jane and I would say the only other person that I’m really bummed who was not at the reunion was Cory. Obviously he was another person who’s been a big part of our story and someone we’ve talked about in abundance. He was in what Mexico? with his beautiful fiancee. Honestly, I don’t blame him. I would have rather been in Mexico with his beautiful fiancee as well. So power to him

Becca  12:59
Dude. He also sent me a text like complimenting my Corgi that night. And I love that.

Hayley  13:07
We figured yo just like we did with Jane and Dennis were like who is the best source to give us the tea on Cory since he can’t be here to do it himself. And throughout high school we were friends with this girl, Valerie. and sweet Valerie, I think we were really friends with her so much because she loved gossip and had all of it. So she was in the circuit. And I knew that she could provide what we needed in the back of the vehicle.

Becca  13:36
She for one stays in contact with Cory to this day. So she was actually the one who texted him for us. And we invited her to the back of the car hoping she would spill some tea and that she did

Hayley  13:47
that she did so we’ll play Valerie’s interview for you next she kicks it off by reading Cory’s text response to what we asked her to send to him. So obviously, we have his blessing. He doesn’t know about the podcast directly, but we can assume by this exchange that he would appreciate it

Becca  14:07
And since he wasn’t at the reunion, he actually has no say

Hayley  14:11
That’s true. So I’m sorry, Cory. Here’s what Valerie had to say about you.

Reunion Interview 2: Valerie

Valerie  14:20
And I have a lot of comments to Hayley. It is hurtful and deceitful. I was in Mexico and you’re welcome anytime. Maybe we can host the 2030 reunion in San Francisco on me and the Select alum. I miss you all

Hayley  14:43
We’re here with sweet, sweet Valerie. We do have a couple of letters that you wrote to Becca. any excerpts you want to share with the good people?

Valerie  14:51
I wish there was a date on all of these

Hayley  14:53
Well, we know George Bush was president isn’t it mentioned.

Valerie  14:58
In case you were wondering he still thinks he is George W. Bush the president.

Becca 15:04
This was about Cory. This this letter.

Hayley  15:06
So let me just say, Cory is not at this reunion and we’re upset. He could afford it 10 times over, but I do feel like that will hold a lot of Cory’s secrets. Yeah.

Becca 15:21
She’s the master of Cory’s secrets

Hayley  15:25
like what is a memory you remember about Corey specifically? What’s the first thing that sticks out?

Valerie  15:32
I remember that he liked the office before liking office was cool.

Hayley
You know, he was a is a trendsetter in like a weird way.

Valerie
In a way no one predicted.

Becca 15:46
He loved love loved Dane Cook.

Valerie  15:52
Well, actually, now I think Dane Cook has like a 19 year old girlfriend.

Becca
You hate to see it

Hayley  16:01
Okay, Valerie so Becca has kept some notes from your time together. You know, from so many people

Becca 16:09
I really feel special that these are here. Because otherwise we would never remember George W. Bush being a part of.

Hayley  16:16
We’ve had so many other events that have made us blackout the George W. Bush days that I really forgot that era. So that, you know, obviously we’re here at our 10th – 12 year reunion. What is maybe the biggest memory that sticks out to you about Becca and I?

Valerie  16:36
Okay, I feel like I can’t do one together. So I definitely remember Becca and I taking the bus together. Like very early high school, because that’s also a very tough time. Because you really try to seek out like, it’s like when you’re lost in a city and you’re trying to find directions and you’re like, who’s the most trustworthy person that like, looks like they belong here. And I could trust them to give me directions right? It’s like, when you’re freshmen on the bus, and you’re like, who looks like if I fell asleep? They wouldn’t like steal stuff out of my backyard.

Becca 17:11
We were on a sketchy bus girl

Valerie  17:13
We were on bus 429

Becca 17:17
Oh, you were my savior too

Valerie  17:28
I don’t know like, how we got connected.

Becca
I just remember I looked at you and I was like “can we be friends”

Valerie  17:37
I’m on like legit a street corner. Who can I trust that if I fall asleep? They won’t steal from me.

Becca 17:45
Valerie do you remember another bus friend we had who may have had an accident while getting to the bus one morning.

Valerie  17:55
I don’t wish I did.

Becca 17:57
There was a car accident. There was a tragedy. Like I think they were on like crutches. And like with like Do you remember that? Yeah. That’s okay. I’ll always remember. Cory does too

Valerie
They boned after

Hayley
Is she serious?

Becca
She definitely is

Hayley  18:33
Did Cory and bus accident bone? be honest

Becca
They definitely fucking did

Hayley  18:58
Okay, Valerie as she sips her glass of wine, I need to change the subject immediately because I can’t

Becca 19:04
What is Valerie’s favorite memory of Hayley

Hayley  19:07
please because I need it

Valerie  19:08
We have social studies class together.

Hayley  19:12
You called me ugly in like an endearing way. That was her nickname for me and I live for it.

Valerie  19:17
Yeah, it was like the way you talk to like your sister. Yeah. Yeah.

Hayley
Is that why you broke into my house that one time?

Valerie
I did.

Hayley
You’re like I might as well be here. The way that I remember that was like a Halloween party. Yes. Yeah, like, correct me Mandy’s house, wasn’t it?

Valerie  19:45
It could have been. And then I forgot part of my costume at your house, but then I had to go to another Halloween. Right? So I needed to get that part of my costume. But you had like you’ve gone to the party or like

Hayley
Yo, I was like, I’m not waiting for you. You can go to my dad’s in the front. I want to say the like, window. The kitchen window. Oh, don’t worry. It’s fully unlocked. Yeah.

Valerie  20:27
You were like, the door might be locked. But the kitchen window is always unlocked.

Hayley  20:31
not anymore. no one tries to break my dad’s house. I won’t stand for it

Valerie  20:35
I was like, Okay, that sounds fine to me. And then I got, like, dropped off at your house. And I was like, oh, I should just go get my costume. And nobody felt that was weird because I didn’t say I have to climb in through the kitchen window and, and go into her house. And so I did and I was inside your house. And then your sister came home.

Hayley  21:06
She’s like, who is this stranger?

Valerie  21:09
And then I I tried to talk my way out of like, Hayley said I could open the window in the kitchen and come in.

Hayley  21:17
And you know what? Miranda is in no place to question that.

Valerie  21:20
She didn’t. And she just was like, that makes sense to you.

Hayley  21:28
Miranda is like I will give you pieces out of my closet.

Valerie  21:33
I was just like, thanks so much. I guess we’ll just go out the front door. That’s a good sister.

Hayley  21:38
I’m still a little caught up about Cory.

Valerie  21:43
actually, did I bring my phone? I might have an old message

Hayley
if we have receipts right now. I’m not mentally prepared for this. I believe you. I believe you, Valerie. I do.

Valerie
I wouldn’t make that up

Hayley  22:08
Of course you wouldn’t. I know you wouldn’t. Anything else you want to know?

Becca 22:12
No, but this has been really enlightening

Hayley  22:16
Valerie, thank you so much.

Becca  22:21
Valerie came through with info we didn’t even know we needed. But it explains so much.

Hayley  22:25
It explains so so much. And we love you Cory, we’re bummed you weren’t there. He did make a commitment that the 20th reunion would be on him and wherever he lives California or Mexico or something that’s really sad. He likes Mexico. He’s dead because he was in Mexico visiting. He’s like, I will pay for the next reunion. You guys can come to Mexico. So we have that in writing. He’s texted that to Valerie. So just plan for that our 20th reunion. And with that being said, Becca, we’ve just hit the tip of the iceberg.

Becca  23:01
Right? We have so much left to share.

Hayley  23:03
I’m excited to tease our upcoming interviews.

Becca  23:06
It just got more and more wild as it went on girl.

Hayley  23:10
We’re gonna have to make this episode a two parter because of it. But things to look forward to in our next episode. We got Madam President, Jenny Cardin- Smith, throwing her whole name out there. But you know what she’s the frickin President. And she gave us a killer interview, spilled so much and actually made us feel so much better about things that had happened in high school, especially regarding the election, so get excited to hear what Jenni had to say.

Becca
We got Kevin Rosenberg.

Hayley
Yeah. Kevin was what was he freshman year?

Becca  23:48
Vice Pres.

Hayley  23:50
Vice Pres. Sorry. mixed up the rolls. If you’re not President, I don’t know.

Becca  23:55
You know, so he gave us some info too, because we were just so lost on who we ran against

Hayley
Absolutely. Back in the day, the quad threat time in our life. Oh, what an era to be alive. Yeah, he really provided a lot of insight to his side of the election. We got to chat with a whole group of people inside who were really excited about the interviews and they gave us some really funny answers, which we were living for. Last but certainly not least, I think we got to cap it off with our friends Ali and Kayla. Yes, we’ve been friends with them for forever. I’ve been friends with them since like third grade. I know you’ve a long time as well and they were very wholesome and sweet and awesome. So we’re gonna cap it off with something wholesome because I think we need that to cleanse our soul.

Becca  24:42
I don’t know if I feel like a better or worse after this.

Hayley  24:47
Or you know, I think I’m left feeling the same and we’re just gonna have to feel comfortable with that

Becca  24:53
until next time

Hayley  24:54
till next time.