Log:The South Shall etc. etc., Scene 1

The South Shall etc. etc. 2018/03/02 Frogirl Rebel Stonewall Dreamgirl The Senator Amelia Grizzly

1

Reality shows haven't entirely disappeared by the year 2068. Instead, it has been reduced to a simmer. There are a handful of them now, like the venerable 'Capes', which follows heroes around on their daily lives, busting criminals. Or 'Keeping up with the Metas' show based out of Los Angeles. But today, there are cameras around City Center in Colonial Bay, as a pair of reality show 'stars' are in town. That's right, they're filming 'The South Rises Again', which takes in the antics of two metas trying to secede from the Union again. And...never really getting traction.

There's a director speaking to the two metas in the open area. He says, "Now, be sure to play up the Southern drawl. Seriously. You two let it slip a little last episode, and we had to fix it in post."

Rebel rolls her eyes, and she says, "Yeah, yeah. We'll be on point this time." Though her accent sounds more Brooklyn than Atlanta.

Amelia has heard about the event from her sister. It's so insane in Amelia's opinion she decides to turn up. For the entertainment value if nothing else. So she there on the scene with popcorn and a large to-go container of diet cola.

Frogirl hops on to the scene, and scampers along the wall of a building behind the 'stars'. She unfurls a banner reading 'HEROES AGAINST RACISTS'.

The director points to the sign, "Perfect! Be sure to get a shot of that!" The man with a camera on his shoulder turns it toward Frogirl's sign, making sure that it's framed prominently.

Dreamgirl, admittedly, was drawn by the cameras. When you're trying to get noticed as a model, a bit of "accidental" publicity doesn't go amiss. That said - on seeing who's filming she's not impressed. How has that show not been cancelled? Though for some reason she's still looking on. Maybe an interested in reality TV has come with the distinctly "bimbo" form she's wearing at the moment. And heck, maybe she will get on TV. She's not exactky hard on the eye.

Stone does take note of Dreamgirl nearby, glancing over in her direction several times. "Hmm." The director turns the camera on the two stars, and says, "Action!" At that point, the two switch to really thick...and pretty awful...Southern accents. Stone says to Rebel, "Clearly we need to find out why these folks want to live until the yoke of our oppressive gov-munt." He stops one of the passersby, "Excuse me suh. Are you ready to secede from the country?" The man, who was passing by is literally just some kind of businessman.

Frogirl hops over and declaims. "Don't listen to the racists! The symbols of the Slavers' Rebellion belong in history books, not on holovid!"

The businessman, who is on the older side, looking at Stone. And...smiles slowly, "Oh, no. I feel VERY strongly about the US government. Seceding isn't something I would want to do.

Amelia moves in closer just in case civil disorder breaks out.

The Senator(#1844TOn)

A caucasian man, dressed in a fine grey three piece suit. He looks to be about 45 years old, and has stark white hair.

Dreamgirl is a bit annoyed that she caught Stone's attention but not the cameraman's. Being seen changing in public is just the sort of coverage she needs.... She edges a bit closer, trying to get a better look at the businessman.

Stone's voice goes flat, losing its accent, "Yes. You're right. Secession is a bad thing. I shouldn't even be trying to make money by making fun of the Confederacy, which is an important part of our nation's history."

Rebel and the director both look at Stone with puzzled looks on their faces. Rebel says, "Sugah, are you alright?"

Frogirl headtilts and places one finger on her chin as she ponders. "Weird. Usually people don't find me that persuasive."

Grizzly(#2656TOn)

A bear...or more likely a werebear. It's upright, and holding a light machine gun with both hands. (Paws?)

Dreamgirl calls aloud to the businessman, "Seriously? Mind control?" She rather hopes he doesn't notice who shouted, though her voice does currently rather match her body.

Another meta shows up near Frogirl. Though this one is...a bipedal bear. He looks at the sign and growls, "Nice work I don't think I could make a sign like that."

The Senator looks directly at the camera, "Even though this show mocks the South, trying to make those that believed in their cause look foolish...it still should not exist. You're not trying to secede. You're trying to mock those that want such." The cameraman keeps the camera focused on the businessman, but hte director says, "Well...yeah. That's the point, right? It's good for a laugh."

Rebel walks over and gets in The Senator's face and poking him in the chest, "Hey! This gig is how I put food on the table! Don't be telling me what I'm doing is wrong, you ! Get the out of here, you < bleep, bleep, bleeeeeeeep >."

Dreamgirl tries to make her way forward through the crowd. She didn't want full attention, but she at least wanted to distract the Senator!

Stone looks somber and walks over toward Frogirl, "Please accept my apology, miss."

Frogirl swivels her head to look at Grizzly then at his gun. "Thanks?" She calls out. "Right! Normalizing the symbols of hate just gives cover to those that really believe in them!"

Amelia walks up and tells the Senator, "The idea is inane but the first amendment is about people being able to freely speak, even if what they say is follish or even offensive. Your use of what I'm guessing is mentalk control directly goes against the Constitution."

Frogirl she bobs her head uncertainly at Stone's words. "OK? So you're going to stop?"

Dreamgirl thinks. o O (Oh good - Amelia's said what I was going to! And she probably has more defence against his mind control - I hope!)

Stone nods to Frogirl, "I intend to, yes."

Amelia(#2757PenACcF?)

The first thing likely to catch the eye about Amelia for the people who know her history is that she looks like a perfectly healthy young girl aged in her late teens. Her metallic chrome blue dyed hair is asmymetically styled, the left side cut short while the right side hangs loose past her shoulder. She doesn't seem to wear any obvious make-up, however the right side of her face has a brightly colored animated tattoo of a feathered winged snake on it. Physically she is lean and athletically muscled, toned to a whipcord hardness.

Clothing wise the style seems to be futuristic techno-punk. Long black fingerless gloves. A sleeveless snug fitted vest of a metallic sheen that changes hue from red to green to blue as the direction of the light alters. Synthetic dragonhide pants stretch down to knee length black boots. Worn over all that is a long duster coat that could have come from the set of the classic cult TV series Firefly.

The Senator smiles, ignoring Rebel for hte moment to address Amelia, "You're right. Miss...Raven, is it? I hope my memory isn't already fading. Controlling someone's mind might not be terribly American. I suppose I should just...buy them. Would that be better? If I just bought the production and shut it down?"

That's when he looks to Rebel, "How would you like a different job? One where you dont' have to wear Daisy Duke shorts to appeal to the 14 to 21 year old male demographic?"

Amelia smiles, "I usually go by Amelia these days. And yes, buying and selling is the American way. After all, the owners can alway refuse to sell. An option that mental control doesn't offer."

Grizzly shoulders his gun and leans down to say to Frogirl, "The Sen's a nice guy. Really. He just feels strongly about stuff."

Dreamgirl gets through to the front of the crowd, then pauses. Amelia seems to be handling things, she hopes. If not - well, she's close enough now to help.

Dreamgirl watches Rebel's reaction. If the Senator's doing mind control again - well, that's another matter.

The director sees what's starting to happen, "Oh...no, no, no...NO! We're on the hook for several more episodes!" The cameraman, for his part, knows his job...and keeps filming. It's all drama that could be aired later.

Frogirl nods to Grizzly. "But is he really controlling their minds? That's not right. Displaying threatening symbols isn't free speech, so there should be other ways to stop them."

Rebel tilts her head, "I'd...need to know more."

Grizzly nods to Frogirl, "Certainly did to the stone dude. Then again, the guy got in Sen's face with that stupid act of his. I dunno. I almost want to call it self-defense." He chuckles, but it comes out as a partial growl.

Dreamgirl bides her time still. But shifts to make sure she's in the cameraman's shot!

The Senator smiles, "I have a team of metahumans. I make sure that everyone actually has a salary. And benefits. And we try to maintain the...ideals of the country, as best we can." He motions toward Stone, "Your friend is welcome as well, if he is willing. I'd say that I apologize for changing his mind...but I won't."

The cameraman makes a point of making sure that Dreamgirl remains in the shot, even when trying to follow the other discussion.

Amelia smiles, "See. That's the American way." she says as the Senator offers Rebel and Stone Wall Jackson jobs.

Dreamgirl goes up to the Senator. "You may not apologise - but you should undo what you did."

Frogirl hops over to the Senator. "Excuse me. Please release Stone's mind. You shouldn't control people like that."

The Senator looks a little surprised at the multiple requests, "Very well. I'll be magnanimous." He looks over at Stone, and the large man straightens up, "What the heck just happened to me?" He turns and sees The Senator, "YOU!" He stalks over toward the man in the suit. The pavement cracks a little with each step.

Dreamgirl realises that this may be a problem. It seems that Stone is angrier than she guessed! Best bet - try to distract him! She shifts for Stone's preference. Making sure she's on camera and hoping it will be a suitable photogenic change.

Amelia shakes her head at Stone, "I really advise against it. He can do it again if you make him feel he needs to to be safe."

Frogirl steps in between Stone and the Senator. "Violence isn't the answer. You can file charges at let the law handle it."

The Senator doesn't back up at all. In fact, he looks completely calm, like he's in control of the situation. Rebel steps in front of the suited man, between the two. But Dreamgirl does similarly, changing form into that of a seven foot tall amazon, complete with Greek-like armor.

Stone stops short, seeing everyone get in his way. "Uh..." He looks from face to face...Rebel, Amelia, Frogirl, and then Dreamgirl, "...huh. I'm...confused. What is going on?"

Dreamgirl thinks. o O (Huh! Wasn't expecting that, especially given how he was eyeing me as I looked before....)

Amelia waves a hand indicating the surroundings, "Colonial Bay. Probably half the people in view are Metas."

Frogirl blinks at Dreamgirl's change but keep her composure. She nods to Stone. "He controlled your mind, but he released you."

Dreamgirl says, "It's all in hand now."

Rebel speaks up, "...and he offered us a job. A different job. Though I don't know if it'll advance our acting careers." She mutters to herself, "And here we were trying to be the next Lorelei and Titan."

Dreamgirl says, "Lorelei and Titan are heroes first, actors second."

Dreamgirl thinks. o O (Maybe more like fifth in Lorelei's case,)

Amelia nods, "You knew Titan as I recall, Dreamgirl?"

Stone doesn't look convinced. "A job? Doing what, exactly?" Rebel says, "Supposedly being on a meta team. Full benefits, apparently."

The Senator nods to Rebel, "I'll be in touch, Ms. Dashwood." Rebel looks a little surprised that he knows her real name, but then decides to not press the matter, "Alright. Mr...." The Senator smiles, "Claremont. But you can call me The Senator."

Frogirl assumes her headtilt-finger-on-chin thinking pose again. "Appearing on a show with racist symbols is probably bad for your career."

The camera turns to focus on Frogirl as she speaks, drawing most people's attention. When people look around again, The Senator and Grizzly are both gone.

Dreamgirl looks about. . o O (What happened there?)

Frogirl blinks froggily at the camera. "They vanished?"

Dreamgirl says to Rebel and Stone, "I guess you have a decision to make."

Rebel nods, "Yeah, I guess we do." Stone grumbles a little, "I don't like change."

The director speaks up, "So...don't? We can finish out the season, right?"

Here stand the grand buildings of the city constructed during the rapid 19th-Century expansion, on low land reclaimed from long-lost Harrisburg Creek. Main Street is broader here that to the south, though still paved with cobbles, and surrounded on all sides by grandiose edifices (though at any time at least one seems to be under renovation): the heart of this district. Around this are narrower residential streets with a flavor much like that of Old Town, all with faux-gaslamp street lighting.

Dreamgirl goes over to the director. "Don't you think that being heroes matters more than this contrived show?"

Rebel nods at Dreamgirl's comment. "I gotta think about it, Donny. We both do. But yeah, being heroes, and getting a salary at hte same time sounds good to me."

Frogirl hmmms. "Is a person that uses mind control like that a hero?"

Dreamgirl says, "That is a very good point."

Amelia nods in agreement.

Stone shrugs, "Could just be another gig, right? It's gotta be better than this, I guess."

Dreamgirl says, "Do you want to be heroes? There might be a better 'gig' than either."

Rebel looks up at Dreamgirl, who is well over a foot and a half taller than the actress, "Have something in mind?"

Frogirl hops over to the director. "You might need to think of a new job too."

The director grumbles, "< Bleep >". He shakes his head, "Yeah, that's likely at this point."

Dreamgirl says, "Not in particular, no. But Starguard Gamma do pay, if that's for you."

Stone speaks up, "Yeah, because a military outfit is likely to take us after being on this show. That's a circus waiting to happen."

Rebel shrugs, "I dunno. Maybe. We'll look into it, I think. Thanks for the idea."

Dreamgirl turns back to the director. "Oh, don;t worry. A new opportunity might open up any time," she says, shifting once again, for the director this time. Who knows - he might have contacts to advance her own career...

Frogirl pats the director on the arm. "Choose better next time." She hops away to collect her banner.

This time, Dreamgirl ends up looking like...the dozens of actresses working hard in California to get a big break. Buxom. Blonde. Tall and leggy.

The cameraman continues taking footage of the gathering as it slowly starts to break up. Stone reverts to a human looking form, and he and his partner head toward a car.

Amelia goes after Rebel and Stone. "Hold up a moment. I'm Amelia Steinberg. My number is in the phone directory. If you can't get squared away then give me a call. I might be able to help."

They make a note of the name, "Thanks for the offer."

Amelia smiles, "Good luck." she tells them.