My strategy for interviewing Todd is complicated. Obviously, there can’t be a repeat of last time. This is my last chance to get this right. But, the question is, how do I get him to talk like a human being? How do I get him to talk at length without freezing up?
That’s the issue.
It’s especially pressing since I interview Todd again in six days.
Six days.
That means I have to ensure that I’m ready. So, I thought of a unique method that actors sometimes use to better develop their characters. Essentially, it’s the same as role-playing. It means switching roles in an effort to understand the person or role better. For example, Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman engaged in role-playing while preparing for the movie, Rain Man.
I stole the idea from them. Don’t judge me, okay. I had to start somewhere and I’m desperate. Anyway, to start, I thought Meylin should play Todd while I portray myself.
Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
Well, not exactly. You see, I want to sharpen my own interviewing skills since Todd is going to be a very difficult challenge. I can’t rely on routine to get me through this like previous interviews.
Meylin is sitting on the edge of my bed and facing me while I’m in the office chair.
“You ready?” I ask her.
“Yeah.”
“Hi, Todd. Thank you so much for agreeing to another interview.”
“Oh…Oh…Oh…Oh…Oh…Oh…” Meylin sings while waving her hands in the air like she’s dancing.
“Come on, Meylin, be serious. I put a lot of work into this and you’re acting like it’s a joke.”
“That’s what he sounds like, for real. You heard him.”
“I didn’t hear him singing.”
“Yeah but how many times did he say oh before finally saying hi? It was like fifty times.”
“It wasn’t fifty times. Look, who cares, can we just get through this?”
Meylin just nods.
“Okay. Let me ask you, did you use any accommodations while you were at Monmouth for your learning disabilities?”
“How am I supposed to know the answer to that?”
“Just fake it. Remember, you’re pretending to be Todd.”
“Um, yes. I did. I used all the accommodations I could find. I can’t understand basic Math and don’t know how to tell time. It worked out okay too because I got a Master’s degree.” Meylin says while trying to stifle a laugh (and failing). Well, at least it’s not as bad as her first attempt.
However, I need something more. Maybe it’s time to go off script a little and deviate from my previous questions.
“What made you choose Teen Titans for your thesis?”
“Huh?”
“You wrote your thesis on gender themes in the Teen Titans? Why did that appeal to you?”
“And a serious answer this time, Meylin.”
“Um…I…I…you sure you don’t want a funny answer?”
“Quit stalling.”
“Okay. Uh…I chose Teen Titans because…I…like superheroes and wanted to write about them.” Meylin says.
That’s a simple answer but at least she wasn’t trying to be cute. And that, obviously, explains something about Todd. He likes superheroes.
Wait a second. That’s it. The keyword here is “likes.” It’s obvious that Todd has more than just learning disabilities. Just judging from his behavior and speech alone. And the fact that some daily tasks are impossible for him, like telling time. He probably has developmental disabilities as well.
“Hey. Did you like my answer or not?” Meylin says.
“I loved it. Not only that but I figured out how to reach Todd.”
“You did?”
“Yep. Remember when we interviewed Eric and he talked about his love for video games.”
“Yeah, so?”
“So, Eric has developmental disabilities and is on the spectrum. His mother confirmed it in a text she sent me while I was preparing for the interview (even though I already suspected it).”
“Okay. And…”
“Think about it. If Todd is on the spectrum, he’s more than likely to talk at length about a topic of interest to him.” I explain. “What we have to do is talk to him on his level. Then he’ll be more comfortable for the interview. It’ll be like earning his trust.”
“Yeah but we don’t like superheroes. Hassan does but he isn’t here.”
“That’s weird, though. Writing your thesis on the Teen Titans. Isn’t that a cartoon? Might as well major in Cartoon Network.” Meylin laughs.
“Well, if it gets Todd to open up a little, I’ll buy him his own comic store.”
“You really want this interview, don’t you?” Meylin asks while giving me a serious look. Like she really wants to know the answer.
“It’s a big opportunity, Meylin. You said it yourself; the channel was starting to stagnate. I know Todd can bring a lot to the table. We just have to get through to him.”
“Aren’t we back to square one then? Who do we know that likes comics?”
“Jessica does but there’s no way I’m going to ask her. I’d rather quit acting forever.”
“Hold up. Jessica’s friend, Emily Flum, is into comics too. She tried to get me into Spider-Man once.”
“That’s great. Do you have her number?”
“I think so. Let me check.”
Meylin gets off the bed and digs into her jean pocket. She then takes out her phone and starts going through her contacts. “Yeah. I have it.”
“Ask her if she’s available to help us in six days.”
“Just like that? I don’t even know her that well. You’re not going to pay her or anything?”
“Are you joking? Here’s some free advice, Meylin. Never offer to pay someone who doesn’t ask for it. Let’s see if she’ll help us without strings attached.”
Meylin just sighs as she starts to text Emily.
“Uh, Emily said that she wants to talk to both of us in person first because the whole thing sounds weird to her.”
“Fine. Tell her we’ll meet her at the playground in one hour. You know which one I’m talking about.”
“Yeah. I’ll text her the address.”
It shouldn’t be too hard to convince her. I just hope she doesn’t make a big deal about it and keeps us there all day.
The reason I love meeting people in this playground is because it’s usually always empty. Never really a lot of kids around, even during the summer. This is especially important since my show is aimed at little kids, exactly the kind of demographic this playground attracts. Yes, like I said before, people in Brooklyn usually leave me alone but small children are always more unpredictable. It’s better not to take a chance.
You’re probably asking why this playground is basically deserted?
Well, I’m not sure but I have a decent theory.
You see, the reality is, this playground is very small. There’re not a lot of attractions for kids. It’s really just some swings and a rusted slide. More kids gravitate towards the baseball field a couple of feet away.
Also, considering how many playgrounds exist here, why waste time coming to this one?
It just doesn’t make sense.
Anyway, that’s why I like coming here if I need to talk to someone.
The playground is, not surprisingly, deserted when Meylin and I get there. However, I quickly spot a girl sitting on one of the swings.
“That her?” I ask Meylin.
Meylin nods as we approach Emily.
That’s when I notice Emily is the same girl from the pool (she was laughing with Jessica). Except today, her dark hair is curly and she’s wearing glasses. But I recognize her anyway and for some reason I tense up.
“Hey, Emily. I don’t know if you’ve met Autumn or…”
“Yeah. I see her on TV all the time. I didn’t like that superhero episode you did. I thought it was stupid and nothing like the comics.” Emily says.
“Um, okay. I just act on the show. I don’t write the episodes.”
“Oh, I know that. I’m just saying.” Emily then makes a loud cracking sound as she chews on some hard candy.
“I didn’t want to do this in school because of Jessica and I didn’t want to look like a loser, but can I take a selfie with you?”
“Yeah, sure.”
She takes the selfie with me and resumes her seat on the swing. “Great. Awesome. Thanks a lot. I don’t know if I can show Jessica this, I’d feel like a traitor.”
“Listen, can you help us with our, uh, problem? The only thing I need you to do is come with us to the library and…”
“Yeah. Yeah. I get it. You want me to read a comic to him.”
“What? No. I’m pretty sure he knows how to read.” I tell her as Meylin laughs.
Emily then takes more candy out of her jean pocket and sticks it in her mouth.
“Then what do you want me to do? Meylin told me that this guy was SPED. Like he’s on a kindergarten level.”
“Meylin…”
“I didn’t do anything.” Meylin says.
“We need you to just talk to him about comics. The fact is, and without getting too much into it, Todd has difficulty speaking with people. We’re hoping that someone with a shared hobby will loosen him up.”
“And this is for your interview, right?”
“Yeah. So, will you do it?”
“I don’t know. I’m still trying to get over how you humiliated Jessica last year. Look, I didn’t like what she did but she’s my best friend. I mean, she was screaming on that stage because of you.”
“She deserved that. Jessica harassed Autumn for over a month. Don’t you remember?” Meylin says.
“Yeah but Jessica told me Autumn made fun of her when she failed a test. If she hadn’t…”
“Oh please. She was making fun of her even before that test. I was there so stop making excuses for her.”
“I’m not. Look, I don’t agree with what she did but it’s just…it’s not as simple as you’re trying to make it out to be.”
“I guess Jessica reading Autumn’s IEP in front of our entire class is cool with you? And you’re upset that Jessica was embarrassed? Really?”
“I said I don’t agree with what she did. Jeez. Do you listen?”
I tune both of them out and gaze towards the baseball field. Kids are running around and chasing a ball. They’re just playing and having fun. No fighting and zero traumas from the past.
“You okay, Autumn?” Meylin asks as she wraps her arm around my shoulder.
“I’ll do it. I’ll help you with Todd.” Emily says.
That’s the one thing I needed to hear. And, just like when I’m on the set, I’m all business. The sounds of the game are just noise to me now as I feel like myself again.
Related Articles:
Being Special, Chapter 1: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-1-b5e175dc0d00
Being Special, Chapter 2:https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-2-4c622095b4e9
Being Special, Chapter 3: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-3-9515c777c14
Being Special, Chapter 4: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-4-d9f850a08edd
Being Special, Chapter 5: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-5-d7160ad484ca
Being Special, Chapter 6: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-6-f7045cc44661
Being Special, Chapter 7: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-7-fb4e7af04c7b
Being Special, Chapter 8: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-8-d490a7b0bcae
Being Special, Chapter 9: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-9-415c313d1d11
Being Special, Chapter 10: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-10-9c085c4d9267
Being Special, Chapter 11: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-11-2ef4f61a770d
