You probably noticed it, right? That Todd’s stuttering is back. Whatever Emily did to get Todd to talk like a normal human is no longer working. So, the goods news of yesterday is tempered with the fact that I still have work to do.
I have to do something because there’s no way Howard will allow Todd on set sounding like that. The date still isn’t set but it’s definitely going to be sometime next week for the interview. And I’m already at a disadvantage.
Well…a couple of disadvantages.
The most glaring one is that I won’t be able to use Emily this time around. My only contact for her was through Meylin and…we’re not friends anymore (that still doesn’t feel right). I could probably find her number but I don’t know. It’s just too much uncertainty with her.
How about if she cries again when Todd talks about being bullied?
In a sense, one problem leads right into another. Emily was able to reach Todd in a way that Meylin and I couldn’t. So, basically, I’m left with a guy that I can’t even interview.
I have to get him to talk. The only way I can think of is through the comic books. The problem is, I don’t like comics or superheroes. Sure. I’ve seen some of the movies but I’m not really into them. And believe me, I would love to be cast in a Marvel movie. Just think of the…
Wait a second. I’m getting off topic here. I need to remain focused.
I go to my dresser and grab my red ball. I then sit on the edge of my bed and begin rubbing and stroking it.
Okay. That’s much better. If only Hassan wasn’t on vacation. Actually…you know what I could do? How about if I looked up the comics online? If I researched the material that will give me the upper hand needed to converse with Todd.
Yeah. That makes a lot of sense.
I gently place my red ball on the bed and go over to unplug my laptop (it was on the floor while charging). This shouldn’t be too hard. I just need to go to Wikipedia and look this stuff up. There’s nothing to it.
Let’s see…Todd said he liked Spider-Man so I’m going to try that. Wow. Okay. There are a lot of options for Spider-Man. I thought it was just two guys. Look at this list. I haven’t even heard of these characters.
Ben Reilly?
Miguel O’Hara?
Otto Octavius?
And there’s more. Where do I even begin?
Okay. Calm down. Just think this through. I grab my red ball for some emotional support and start to relax a little. Didn’t Todd say he liked Miles? He was talking to Emily about it. So…I’m going to try him first.
This article is pretty long but manageable. It looks like he hasn’t been around that long (compared to Peter Parker).
And…I spoke too soon. Forget about manageable. What is all this stuff?
What is the “Ultimate Universe?” I thought there was just, you know, one world.
I don’t even want to read through all this stuff. It’s starting to give me a headache. So, I just speed read the article and hope that I can absorb most of the contents (please don’t fail me now photographic memory).
Look…it’s hard to even summarize all of this. I mean, didn’t Marvel ever take a break in publishing his series? It just goes on and on and…you get the picture. In television you have seasonal breaks. It’s designed to give the audience and production crew a break.
I guess Marvel never believed in that philosophy.
The worst part is that I can barely make any sense out of it. There’s just so much baggage. I’m not getting how Miles came to the “real” Marvel Universe (even after rereading it countless times).
This whole thing is just a mess. The worst part is that I have to be somewhat comic literate in order to engage with Todd. It’s the only way I can make sure that he doesn’t embarrass me on set.
Maybe I should text Emily after all. It’s not like she’ll have a meltdown for a second time. I’m sure we can work something out. The only thing I have to do is call…
No. Forget it. I’m not going through Meylin. I don’t want anything to do with her.
How about if I go to the comic store myself?
Yeah. I could do that. I can buy a couple of comics, featuring Miles, and I’ll be all set. That’s not a bad idea. It’ll be easy. Just read the comics and talk to Todd about them. After that, he should be good.
The comic store closest to me is in Times Square. Well, there’s a couple here in Brooklyn but they’re kind of seedy looking. Plus, the one in Times Square is bigger and more corporate looking (I guess that’s the word I’m looking for). City Comics looks like a more respectable and professional establishment.
I don’t care about the twenty minutes it’ll take to get there (going by train). Trust me, I’ll brave the subway ride rather than being surrounded by the unwashed. However, at the same time, I have to be careful. Times Square is mobbed with tourists year round and they know I live in the city. Some of them will be actively looking for me. I’m like a tourist attraction to them.
I put down my red ball and go over to my closet. Time to get my little disguise together. It’s not much but it’s something. Like mosquito repellent, you know. I put on my Yankees baseball cap and walk to my nightstand (where I keep my sunglasses). I take them out of their case and put them on.
The disguise is simple but it usually works when I venture out of Greenpoint.
Where’d I put my purse?
Oh, right. I see it sitting on my desk. Okay. I’ll just buy a couple of comics just to have a better understanding of the material.
It shouldn’t take long.
The most noteworthy feature of City Comics is its logo. A towering building with many superheroes crowded around the yellow lettering that adorns the glass windows. It’s pretty striking when staring up at it from the sidewalk.
I enter the building and into a very small corridor, which leads to a staircase. A sign helpfully explains that the comic store is on the second floor (for stupid tourists who don’t understand that several businesses can occupy one building). After climbing the steps, I’m face to face with hundreds of comics.
The layout is actually pretty spacious. There’s plenty of room to move around. But, at the same time, the sheer amount of comic books is amazing. They’re displayed on the walls and inside the bookshelves that dot the sales floor.
And don’t forget about all the superhero posters. It’s all so colorful and surreal. My brother would have loved this place.
There’re only a couple of people browsing the shelves as I look around. The only thing I have to do is find the Spider-Man comics.
“You know where the new comics are?” I ask the clerk who’s standing behind the register.
“They’re all on the back wall.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
I walk over to the back wall and begin to survey all the comics bunched together. It’s actually a little disorienting. I didn’t know they published so many superheroes.
There’s Batman…Black Panther…Wonder Woman…Superman…Green Lantern…
I can’t even name them all. Just a dizzying array of colorful characters all vying for my attention. It’s almost like a carnival.
That’s when I see it. Spider-Man.
Finally.
I grab one copy of the Peter Parker version. Now, where’s the Miles comic? Never mind. I see it. Great. That didn’t take as long as I thought.
I approach the register with both comics in hand. Time to get out of here.
“Hello. Did you find everything okay?” The cashier asks.
“Yep. Everything’s good.”
“Are you in our system?”
“No. I’m just picking up some comics for a friend.”
“That’s not a problem.”
He proceeds to ring me up while I dig into my purse to retrieve my wallet.
“Okay. It comes to $7.98 and…. no way. You’re Lexi Fransen, aren’t you? Even with the sunglasses, I recognize you.”
Just great. I was desperately trying to avoid this very situation. Nothing I can do about it now.
“Could I trouble you for a selfie? My son would absolutely climb the walls if he knew I saw you.”
“Make it quick. I’m in a hurry.”
He takes the picture and I grab my comics. I just want to get out of here before…
“Excuse me, Lexi. I’m from Rhode Island. I’m a really big fan of the show. Could I take a selfie with you?”
Do you guys finally understand what I have to go through because of this stupid show? Now, because the cashier called me out, everyone in earshot is going to come up to me. Especially, the tourists like this joker.
I also find it weird that a lot of people that want a selfie are adults. It’s a kid’s show. This guy from Rhode Island has to be in his forties, at least. Todd, I understand. He’s in his twenties and is slow but come on. Give me a break already.
Finally, after taking more selfies with people, I get out of there.
Once I get on the subway, I start flipping through the comics. It’s as confusing and messy as I thought (looks like both books are in the middle of a storyline). But if I can just get comfortable with the material, on any level, I should be okay. In a worst-case scenario, I can always fake enthusiasm for this stuff.
I’m an actress, after all.
My phone starts buzzing and I see that it’s Howard.
“What is it, Howard?”
“We managed to find a group of kids to bus in. I should add that we barely pulled it off. They’re from a summer camp in the Bronx and this is their last week.”
“That’s great. So, when are you going to schedule my interview?”
“Since timing is an issue, I want to get this done on Friday. That’s what we agreed on. It’s either that or nothing, Autumn.”
“Yeah. That’s fine.”
“Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll see you on set tomorrow.”
That gives me, what, like three days to prepare. I don’t have a lot of time to read and fully absorb these comics.
What choice do I have, though?
It’s either become literate in this stuff or it’s going to be a disaster on Friday.
That’s all the encouragement I need as I frantically flip through the pages.
Related Article: Previous Chapter https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-15-1465f691329f
