Ashley Banks is a student at Neptune High. She's part of the journalism class and was paired with Veronica Mars for an interview activity. Like many of the students in Neptune, she attempted to verbally attack Veronica, maliciously asking Veronica if she believed the rumors about Troy hooking up with strippers in Tijuana. Veronica, already angry that day, viciously retorted by letting slip about Ashley's father having an affair, commenting about how bad his taste in mistresses were. Ashley was visibly stunned with Veronica still glaring at her. She remained nervous and let the sharp words sink in.