Mallory Higgins is a quirky outsider who feels left behind when Jeanette Turner becomes the popular girl. Her anger masks her genuine hurt by her once best friend. Vince Fuller is her other best friend.
Early History[]
Mallory's father was an alcoholic who left when Mallory was five. Her parents subsequently divorced and Mallory suffered verbal abuse as a child that resulted in her being placed in therapy with Dr. Sylvia Parks.
Biography[]
1993[]
Mallory spent June 21st, 1993, celebrating her best friend Jeanette Turner's birthday. Mallory, Jeanette, and their other best friend Vince, went to the mall. They made a pact that day to write a list of activities they must complete before the end of the Summer. Jeanette was hesitant to do anything illegal even though Mallory wanted something on the list to be unethical, and bargained that nothing would be immoral. They bickered over which movie to see but left the choice to Jeanette as it was her birthday. Once they reached the shops, Mallory abruptly left while Vince admitted to Jeanette that he was stalling wile Mallory got her present. They gifted Jeanette a necklace with a "you go, girl" insignia on it as a birthday present. She hugged them tightly and thanked them, though she secretly watched Kate and Jamie make out.
From there, they went to Skylin Realty which Jeanette's father owned. They planned to steal a key to an empty property to play and hide-and-seek in. They crafted a rouse that Mallory had to use the bathroom, though she remarked that Greg is an excellent father though she didn't have much to compare it too. Vince explained that Mallory's father left when she was five, though Mallory interjected that her father was a gambler and an alcoholic. When Mallory returned with the key, the trio biked to 325 Huntington Road, where they stood in front of an empty house. They debated entering as Jeanette worried that the owner was there since the house had been sold, but Vince was sure it appeared empty. They went inside and elected Jeanette as the seeker. Vince and Mallory hid in the bathroom shower. They heard Jeanette scream a few minutes later as the homeowner had arrived. She distracted the man, Martin Harris, while Vince and Mallory ran out of the home. They waited for Jeanette to leave the home then biked off.[1]
On June 26th, Vince, Mallory, and Jeanette went to the local gas station to buy water balloons for a prank they wanted to pull at the Garden Club Party. While they examined their options, and older student named Ben approached them as he though they might be from his school. The trio explained they're a grade below him, but Vince noted that Skylin High is the only school in town. Ben, now flustered, went to leave though he remarked that shaving cream was more fun for the balloons. The trio was ecstatic over the new idea and that night, they ambushed the party by throwing balloons full of shaving cream at the high-end party goers. They fled the scene and were chased off by adults.[2]
On July 4th, Mallory showed Jeanette and Vince some marijuana that she stole from her moms stash. She referenced item number nine on their list - swipe contraband from their home. Vince showed some wine he swiped from his parent’s house and Jeanette stole her brother’s dirty magazine. Vince asked if Mallory's ever smoked before but she hadn't, though she got a contact high before. She asked if Vince had but he hadn't either, nor had Jeanette. They don’t want to do it as it’s wrong, though Mallory claimed the list was full of bad things which was the point. Greg arrived so they hide the weed under a pillow. Greg told Mallory that her mom called and wanted her home
Jeanette and Vince played Jenga when Mallory returned as her mother only needed help to find the remote. She asked for the pot back to which Jeanette nervously admitted she flushed it. Mallory was stunned that she flushed it after she stole it for their list. Jeanette was trying to help. Mallory scoffed that she’ll be grounded now and left. Vince told Jeanette this would happen and ran after Mallory. That night, Jeanette visited Mallory and apologized for the joints and showed her list number 13 - steal something. She gave Mallory Martin Harris’s old yearbook, which shocked Mallory. Jeanette remarked that she does take the list seriously and apologized. Mallory remarked that she's impressed and they agreed to not be in a fight anymore. Mallory invited her inside and Jeanette eagerly agreed to pizza bites and a bad a movie.[3]
On July 29th, Mallory planned to attend the Skylin carnival, where Jeanette would go on her first date. Jeanette prepared for the date with help from Mallory and Vince. Mallory assured her the fair was a good place to go on a first date. She reminded Jeanette that she and Vince already finished this list item with a double date. Jeanette protested that it wasn't not the same as a one-on-one date. Vince revealed that Mallory and her date made out in the movies, though Mallory turned the idea down sharply. She then said they should get going before the good rides were ruined with puke. After barely escaping an awkward moment with Cindy, Jeanette, her friends, and her date Gideon headed to the carnival. Jeanette and Gideon got into a ride as he asked if Vince and Mallory were her friends. She remarked they’re dope and waved to them as the ride took off. Later that night as the carnival wound down, Jeanette, Mallory, and Vince walked past Martin’s booth again and he called Jeanette over. From several paces away, Vince notes that it was weird they were talking which Mallory agreed with. Jeanette rejoined her friends a few moments later. Vince asked if she was in trouble, to which Jeanette lied that he wanted to give her the scrunchie to give back to Kate. Mallory pointed out that she didn't know Kate Wallis.[4]
On August 15th, Mallory headed to the mall with Jeanette and Vince. He wanted to see Jason Goes To Hell, the new Friday the 13th film, but the girls were against the idea. He pointed out that list number 14 was to sneak into a scary movie. Mallory rebuttaled that number 13 was steal something and came first. Jeanette was proud to announce that she already finished this list item with Martin Harris's yearbook. Vince planned to shoplift a CD but worried that Jeanette would ditch them for this list item, but she assured him that should would be there. She then pressed that everything Mallory had added to the list was illegal. Mallory retorted that big corporations budgeted for losses so this was a victimless crime.
Jeanette went with Mallory to a department store where Mallory removed the tags off clothing in the dressing rooms. Jeanette spied on Tanya Peterson who was in the process of fitting Martin Harris for a suit. She was unabashedly flirting with him, which Jeanette pointed out to Mallory. Mallory didn't pay it any mind and wrapped a plaid shirt around Jeanette's waist as it was a "free shirt". While Tanya was distracted, the girls snuck out of the booth and met up with Vince outside the record store. Vince's CD triggered the security alarm so Mallory ran away. Vince panicked so Jeanette snatched the CD and told him to run while she took the fall. He reluctantly complied and she was apprehended by mall security.[5]
On August 30th, it was the first day back at Skylin High School. Mallory headed to Martin Harris's house where she did behind a tree with a video camera. She recorded him leaving his house and being sprayed with a sprinkler system. She laughed at the juvenile prank before she ran off.[6] At school, Mallory and Vince waited for Jeanette by the front doors. He congratulated Jeanette on the lack of braces and how they looked, while Mallory was disgusted to see that Jeanette still had Kate Wallis's scrunchie. Malory pointed out that Jeanette wore it to the movies, the mall, and now to school as if they would ever interact with Kate. The girls started to argue when Vince interfered and put an end to it. The trio faced the entrance of the school. Martin Harris greeted the students and invited them inside.
At lunch, Jeanette, Mallory, and Vince went outside where Mallory gives them a “prank tape” which was the final list item. Jeanette was confused; they were still doing that, while Mallory thought it would be hilarious. Jeanette noted that Summer was over now. Mallory pressed that it wasn’t over until the list was completed. Later, Mallory bragged about getting Mr. Harris with the sprinkler system. Jeanette arrived to their meeting late, much to Mallory’s annoyance, and they exchanged sharp retorts. They planned to break into the AV room and broadcast the tape during class, with Mallory thinking her plan is foolproof. Jeanette questioned her leadership but everyone brushed it off. Vince and Jeanette stood guard while Mallory set up the video.
Mallory spins in a chair as she waits for the clock to change. She put in the VHS and hits play, broadcasting the prank reel. Martin asked what she was doing there and saw through her lies. She admitted that it was a prank - a video of their favorite teachers doing silly things. He saw himself on the video from his home that morning. He made her turn it off and gave her detention.
She left the AV room and yells at Jeanette and Vince for abandoning her. Jeanette has news about Kate Wallis, but Mallory tells her to shut up about Kate. She calls Kate awful and way out of Jeanette’s league. Jeanette takes offense and Mallory asks what’s so wrong with her league with her and Vince. Vince asks what happened, to which Mallory reveals that Mr. Harris caught her so they have detention. Vince lies that a teacher came so he had to run off. Mallory imposes on Jeanette and asks what her excuse is. Jeanette asks why Mallory abandoned them when they shoplifted, but Mallory thought they were past that. Jeanette can’t get past Malory pushing her around and calling all the shots. She references that Cindy said it was normal for best friends to drift apart. Friends don’t bully one another, as it’s everything Mallory wants so else. She wants to make new friends and make her own choices. Mallory asks if Jeanette doesn’t want to be friends with her and Vince anymore, to which Jeanette states that she never said anything about Vince. Mallory pushes past them and begins to cry once she’s out of their way.[7]
1994[]
On June 22nd, 1994, Vincent and Mallory sat at the swings and Mallory told him that Jeanette had sex with Jamie, and called out a quiet Vince on still being in love with Jeanette. Mallory planned to leave the swings but he protested. She remarked that Jeanette discarded them, but Vince didn't see it that way. Mallory didn't think the town needed another Kate Wallis since they know the sequel won’t be as good as the original especially since the first one sucked.
She and Vince went to the mall when they saw Jeanette inside a store with Tennille Peterson and Renee Talbot. Mallory entered and made a fuss over seeing Jeanette while Vince nervously watched. Mallory asked if the girls are her new friends, and the girls shamed Mallory for making her clothes. Mallory congratulated Jeanette on boinking Jamie Henson, asking Vince if that was on the list. He told her that they should leave but she ignored him. She asked if Renee and Tenielle knew the trio used to hang out, so Jeanette asked for a moment alone with them. She then told Mallory that she doesn’t know what’s going on, but she’s been here and that they pulled away too but if she wants to talk she knows where to find her. She then hugged Mallory, who merely responded that she sounded just like Kate and left. Vince apologized to Jeanette then ran off after Mallory.[1]
On July 4th, Vince stacked the shelves of the movie store when Kate entered looking for a movie. Mallory entered in search of a movie and saw Kate. Kate checked out Silence of the Lambs, Misery, and Groundhog Day - the third of which was for her dad. She took the movie and left without her change. Vince locked the door behind her and confided in Mallory that the movie selection was weird, but Mallory thought it might be comforting to see the monsters. Mallory refused to mock Kate which surprised Vince. Mallory invited him over since her mother was going out with Edgar. Vince had plans which she hoped weren't with Jeanette.[3]
On July 15th, Kate left therapy and saw Mallory in the waiting room as they both see the same therapist. Mallory didn't think therapy should be a secret but Sylvia was cool and helped. Kate asked what Mallory saw her for, and Mallory noted that it’s because she’s the child of a divorce but the other stuff was heavy. She clarified that heavy wasn't like what Kate went through, it was more verbal abuse. She introduced herself but Kate remembered as Mallory came to her third-grade party. She asked if Mallory and Jeanette were best friends but Mallory revealed they’re no longer friends. Kate asked if she could tell her something and took a seat next to her. She revealed that she saw Jeanette kiss Jamie but decided not to call her out since the police would deal with her. She had evidence that would bite her any minute now. Mallory confessed that she used to dislike Kate which surprised her, and Mallory understands why now that she's met her.[8]
On July 29th, Mallory attended the Skylin annual carnival when she saw Kate across the lot. Jeanette called to Kate and tried to approach her, which freaked Kate out. Mallory intervened to tell her that they could lose Janette in the Monkey Maze. Jeanette ran in after her against Derek’s wishes. Renee and Tennille run in after them while giggling. Kate got separated from Mallory in the mirrors.[4]
On August 29th, Mallory rang the doorbell to the Wallis household and Joy answered the door. She told Mallory they weren't interested in whatever she was selling, though Kate popped around the door a few seconds later. She happily pulled Mallory into the house, which confused Joy. Once upstairs, Mallory was in shock over the lace bed skirts. Rod walked in to ask what Kate wanted for a birthday snack. He introduced himself to Mallory but she knew who he was already, and cited the notoriety of his football career. He left to whip them up a surprise. Once he left, Mallory was surprised it was Kate’s birthday and that she chose to invite her of all people over. Kate admitted she didn't have much of an appetite, but Mallory had a remedy for that.
Kate and Mallory got high and happily ate nachos. Kate remarked that she hadn't loved food or eaten this much in a long time. Ashley walked in to Whish Kate and happy birthday, but happily noticed that Kate was eating. She realized they are high but promised not to nark on them as she dabbled a few times before. Mallory invited her to stay for a movie, though Ashley was reluctant. Kate pressed it was just a movie so Ashley happily accepted. The trio went to Rent 2 Nite, where Vince Fuller greeted them. He realized the guests were Mallory and Kate, so he grew quiet. He and Mallory talked as he asked what she was doing with Kate, as that’s pure Twilight Zone. She reminded him that he's still friends with Jeanette but he had always been friends with her so it wasn’t the same thing. When Ashley and Kate find a movie, the trio leave the store and return home.
They returned to their house to watch the movie. Mallory remarked that she was a fan of all the Wallis girls. Kate revealed that her mother wanted her to go on TV, which Ashley assured was very insensitive of Joy. Kate thinks Ashley was right about her mom all along, but Ashley carefully said that they each might have unrealistic expectations of the woman. As Kate watched the movie, she wondered why the girl didn't run faster. She began to panic as she yelled at the girl to run away, hurry, as "he'll" get her. They stopped the movie and Mallory opened the blinds and asked if Kate wanted water or anything, but she doesn’t. Ashley told her that paranoia and PTSD are real. Joy walked in to ask if everything was okay, but Ashley brushed it off as just a movie. Mallory hesitantly said she had to leave as she started a new job at the roller rink that day. She wished Kate a final happy birthday, which made her smile, before Mallory left.[9]
1995[]
On July 15th, Kate and Mallory got high in the bathroom where Mallory agreed that Kate shouldn’t have to defend herself against Jeanette who was a weasel. Kate suddenly decided to get dunk-a-roos. Kate and Mallory raided the fridge when Joy arrived with a note that was taped to the front door. Now that news about the lawsuit was out the tides were changing. The only word on the paper was Liar. Mallory noted that everyone in the town was Team Wallis except Jeanette, so the letter had to be from her. Joy told her that there might be a cockroach or two that believed Jeanette and if they undermined her story, they would lose the house and her college fund. Kate wasn't surprised her mother was worried about the house, but Joy clarified that they would lose everything. Joy invited her to Hartwood for the hunting trip so they could make their friends pledge their allegiance with a blood oath if needed. Joy wanted to fill Babs’ big mouth with their story. Joy left so Kate invited Mallory along to the hunting trip.
Once they arrived at Hartwood, Mallory refused to partake in the shooting as she was against the act, so Kate decided not to, and they both admitted to being vegetarians.
That night, Joy asked Mallory if it was her who sent the letter, but Mallory rejected the idea that she would ever send her best friend that letter. Joy thought it made sense since Mallory didn't want to lose Kate, who was no longer a meat-lover or gunslinger. Mallory was stunned that Joy was worse then she seemed but Joy was worse when it came to protecting her family. She didn't trust Mallory and if she found out it was Mallory who sent it she’ll be held responsible. Mallory quipped that she didn’t send the letter and went to walk away when Joy snapped that she wasn't not a nice young lady, so Mallory retorted that Joy wasn’t a nice old one.
Later, Kate and Mallory went for a walk together. Kate asked Mallory if she thought Babs was staring at her all night. Mallory told her that Kate is her favorite person. She then revealed that Joy thought she wrote the letter. She assured Kate she never sent it and Kate approached her family around the bonfire and glared at Joy. Tucker was supposed to tell a ghost story but Kate had a better one. Mallory listened to Kate's ghost story about a girl named Annabelle, and left when she did.
Once they were back home, Kate pulled out her therapy session tapes with Mallory, who worried that Kate wasn't ready to revisit them. She assured Mallory that people were about to doubt her and even though she had her story straight she needed to revisit to feel confident. Mallory reminded her that listening to her tapes might be scary, but Kate had to be brave as this was the only version of her that made it out alive. She put on the headset and listened to the first tape. Kate began to disassociate as she couldn't remember who Annabelle was. Mallory asked if she’s okay but Kate couldn't hear her as she tried to recall Annabelle.[8]
On July 29th, Kate messaged with Berenice94 about who could have sent the letter. Berenice94 asked who could benefit from the letter. Kate thought it was Jeanette so Berenice urged her to believe that. Mallory snuck in through the window to tell Kate that Jeanette was going to sit in the dunk tank to pay for her legal fees. Kate wanted to go to the fair so Mallory reminded her that she was the one who said the fair was for shut-ins. Kate only wanted to go to make sure that Jeanette wasn't there.
Kate and Mallory arrived at the dunk tank where they mistook the person in it for Jeanette. Kate yelled for them to show their face, and Jamie looked at them as he was inside the tank. She threw a ball at the target despite his objections. She dunked him then walked away with Mallory. Kate and Mallory walked as they discussed how great it felt to dunk Jamie. Mallory and Kate spotted Tennille and Renee talking with reporters. The reporters stated that no one had seen Jeanette in months. Tennille though she saw Jeanette buying black hair dye at the drugstore. She also heard that Jeanette wasn't coming to school. Renee called her a drop-out and a shut-in. Mallory merely rolled her eyes at the claims then saw the Monkey Maze ride.
Mallory asked if she wanted to go back to the house to watch a show, but Kate declined as she wanted to listen to a therapy tape first. She placed her headset on and fast-forwarded to the night of the 1993 county fair. She explained to Dr. Parks that Martin ran some silly game booth to raise money for school. She played the game along with everyone else, but Parks reminded her that she wasn't everyone else to Martin Harris. She asked Kate if she was familiar with the idea of grooming, to which Kate simplified that Martin was only nice to her because he planned to kidnap her. Dr. Parks affirmed this but said he did it on some level.
The girls went to a cemetery and hopped the chain link fence. Once inside, Kate was hesitant that she could do it, so Mallory assured her she could. She told Kate that she deserved to get over this by letting her anger out. Kate took the pink bunny Martin gave her in 1993 out of her coat and exchanged it for a shovel that Mallory held. She began to dig and buried the bunny in front of Martin’s grave. She spit on the stone then took the shovel to the tombstone. She broke it down then smashed it into pieces.[4]
On August 29th, Kate woke up on her eighteenth birthday to Mallory's tap on her shoulder. Kate’s mouth was dry and her eyes hurt, which Mallory knew was from the weed. She urged Kate out of bed and wished her a happy birthday, as well as, a happy friend-versary of their friendship. A few hours later, Kate listened to the Annabelle tapes and told Mallory that she found more about her. She asked Mallory to sit with her so she did. Kate played the tape and listened to the doctor ask if she wanted to talk about her again. On the tape, 1994 Kate couldn't remember anything about Annabelle. She told the doctor that she didn't want to remember. She gripped the armchair as her breath quickened. The doctor told her to breathe and Kate proclaimed she wanted to stop.
She turned off the tape, but couldn't believe that an entire memory was gone and worried about what else she couldn't remember. Mallory suggested that she give herself a break but Kate didn't want to. She knew Jeanette’s lawyers wouldn't stop. Mallory told her that today was her day to escape the crappiness of the world. She also had a surprise planned. Mallory and Kate reached the bottom of the steps where Joy ambushed them by talking about lawyers and Tanya Peterson. Mallory stepped forward and calmly stated that Kate had employed her as the keeper of her birthday. As her keeper, she informed Joy that Kate would not discuss anything legal or unpleasant. Joy tried to talk about the trial again, so Mallory interrupted her and pulled Kate away.
Kate and Mallory walked to the roller rink as Mallory blindfolded her, and Kate remarked that Mallory was the only person she would trust to blindfold her. When she removed the blindfold Mallory worried that Kate thought the surprise was lame, but Kate assured her it wasn't. After the disaster of her last two birthdays, she gave up on idea of having a good one ever again. She didn't know how she’d be standing without Mallory. She eagerly asked how Mallory managed to have an empty rink. Mallory was promoted to the new assistant manager, and the only perk was an extra set of keys and the ability to close for maintenance. They run to the counters gleefully and pulled out a box. They took out boa’s and dug through the accessory box as they laughed happily. Mallory convinced Kate to dance on the countertops. They laced their skates and took off onto the rink. Kate urged Mallory to follow her out on the rink and they took hands. Mallory gave Kate a matching lollipop ring as they skated. Mallory admitted that she wasn't great at skating so Kate helped her along. They happily exclaimed that it was the best birthday ever.
At home, Kate remarked that she was starved and tired. Mallory saw a printer in the donation box and asked if she could have it, so Kate said yes. Mallory pulled out a jammed piece of paper and solemnly admitted that she found something unpleasant. Kate crouched down to see it and Mallory showed her what jammed the printer; a piece of paper with the word Liar typed on it.[9]
On August 30th, Mallory was visited by a frantic Jeanette Turner who banged on her front door. Mallory asked what she wanted. Jeanette told her that she needed the snow globe back, but Mallory insisted that she didn't have it. Jeanette pressed that it was important, but Mallory called it a piece of junk that she doesn't have anymore, nor is she sorry she doesn't have it. She then slammed the door shut. She went to her bedroom and pulled a shoebox out from under the bed. She removed the lid and took out a snow globe. She held it up as she looked at it.[7]
Personality[]
Physical Appearance[]
Mallory is a young adult with shoulder-length blonde hair that she styles in waves, a tall stature, oval-shaped face, and hazel eyes. She made her clothes which tended to be of a lesser stature then her friends, though still stylish and fitting. She wore a black choker. In 1994, Mallory cut her hair to chin-length and added red streaks. She wore more denim jackets and accessories.
Notes and Trivia[]
- Mallory is the only character to appear in every episode of Season 1.
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
| Cruel Summer Season 1 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.01 Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner
- ↑ 1.02 A Smashing Good Time
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 1.03 Off With A Bang
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 1.05 As The Carny Gods Intended
- ↑ 1.06 An Ocean Inside Me
- ↑ 1.09 A Secret of My Own
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 1.08 Proof
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 1.04 You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 1.07 Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis