V is for Velma Eugenia Dinkley

I dedicate this month-long challenge to children, with nephew Jeremy topping my list. Much thanks to the animated or more serious characters who agreed (or not) to conduct interviews this month. Sure, I had to promise them 80% of my profits, but a few are altruistic to the core. At least, that sounds good. Right? My point: Have fun reading this or doing something else. Give a child a hug today too.

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Robyn: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm excited to welcome Scooby Doo's Velma Eugenia Dinkley. Velma enters the stage in her typical attire, gripping her glasses nervously. Nice to meet you, Velma. Have a seat and relax. Velma sits at Robyn's computer desk and begins Internet research. Sure, be my guest. My password is...Oh, you figured it out. You know, I used to identify with you, a nerdy outcast and all. How does it feel that Daphne gets so much attention? Let’s face it, she’s not quite playing with a full deck.

Velma: Well (blushing), Daphne is pretty hot. I mean, we all work together as equals. It’s all good.

Robyn: I see. But there’s been some ongoing tension between you and Shaggy. Right?

Velma: Actually, after that one kiss Daphne and Fred pressured us into, I don’t know what I ever saw in him. He chose Scooby over me anyway. That’s ok. Jinkies, Daphne’s pretty -um- pretty. And Fred, well, talk about not playing with a full deck. I barely notice him.   

Robyn: It sounds like there might be something you’d like to come out with. Yes? Now’s a good time. Our audience is very accepting.

Velma: Well (taking a deep breath), okay. Though perceived as illiterate barbarians, the ancient Vikings actually encrypted an enormous quantity of documentation in stone, wood, and metal. Clearly highly communicative, they utilized mysterious symbols known as runes to transmit messages. Runes were instrumental for writing, telling fortunes, and casting spells.

Robyn: Thanks, Velma. Don’t you have a mystery to solve right about now?

Velma: Oh yeah (looking at her watch and logging out). Gotta go.

Scooby Doo was created for Hanna-Barbera Productions by writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears in 1969. Velma’s been a consistent and rather under-appreciated character all along. She does, after all, singlehandedly solve most of the group’s mysteries. Velma was originally voiced by Nicole Jaffe, followed by a series of others. Mindy Cohn of The Facts of Life fame has been Velma’s voice actress since 2002. Keep up the good sleuthing, Velma. They’d be lost without you.