7.10 Darkness by MR and TW (Part IV)

as retold by Maniac64

TW: We cut back to Martha as her door opens and Lucius Best walks in. Martha stands and extends her hand but Lucius just starts yelling.
MR: “What in the hell is that bill? What happened to the Senator who was going to help meta-humans? Here I thought we were going to get some protection, instead we end up with the meta-human equivalent of the Patriot Act.”
TW: “It’s a pleasure to see you again too Mr. Best.”
MR: “Except that we aren’t even being treated as terrorists. Oh no, we’re “Entities of Mass Destruction”. We’re not even human beings any more, now we’re just weapons. Weapons that don’t need any rights, just to be controlled and disposed of if they are too dangerous. Heck, this thing is worse than the Patriot Act.”
TW: “I understand your concern Mr. Best. But I assure you I…
MR: “So did you ever intend to help us?”
TW: “I assure you that I am just as disappointed with what happened to my Bill as you.”
MR: “I highly doubt that.”
TW: “I will do whatever I can to help rectify the situation. Howerver, the bill has already been passed, so I suggest you stop complaining and start thinking about helping those people you are supposed to represent.”
MR: “Don’t try and tell me how to do my job.”
TW: “Well it would appear someone has to.”
KK: Oh snap.
AoT: Now that’s the kind of Martha I like. Not some stay at home mom who does nothing but cook and wait for her son.
MR: Like we would do that to her. “How dare you!”
TW: Martha sits down behind her desk, looking calm. “Ever since this bill was modified you have complained to everyone who would listen and quite a few people who wouldn’t. But none of that is doing anybody any good. All you’re doing is making meta-humans look more hostile. This situation is going to require a delicacy. Not yelling.”
MR: “I am doing more than just yelling.”
TW: “Recently there have been more and more disasters and dangers linked directly to meta-humans. The public is scared, and reasonably so. There are people at there with the ability to do truly dangerous things and prior to this bill there was absolutely nothing that could be done to stop them. Now I admit that this bill has gone too far, but something did need to be done.” Lucius finally sits down, but he is obviously still upset. “Now meta-humans can keep yelling and arguing and just making themselves look like more of a threat, or they can start cooperating. Any meta-human that shows that they desire safety as much as everyone else and shows that they are willing to work with the government to bring about that safety will be treated far better than those that keep fighting it.
MR: “So you think if we all play along things will be just fine?” Best says sarcastically.
TW: “I think that anybody who plays along has a far smaller chance of ending up on the wrong end of some of this bill’s nastier allowances. Anyone who has a possibly dangerous power or a power that could be used for violence should immediately sign up to be on the Meta-Human Defense Force. That will prevent anyone from being labeled as a EMD.”
MR: “So you really think we should just go along with all this.”
TW: “I think that would be the wisest course of action yes. You can still voice your displeasure for this bill, but more importantly you need to show that you are reasonable, and looking out for what’s best for everyone. Not just meta-humans.”
MR: “And that’s it. We just live with this horrible bill over our heads threatening to ruin our lives at any minute?”
TW: “For now yes. I am going to do everything in my power to make things right. I am still determined to protect the meta-human population, both from the government and from anyone else who would threaten it. I already have the bill being sent to court to see if they will overturn some of it. Hopefully we will be able to fix the problems that this bill has caused, but it won’t be easy. And I am going to need the cooperation of the meta-human population if we want to accomplish anything.”
MR: “Alright then Senator Kent. You will have our cooperation. For now at least.”
TW: “That’s all I ask.” They shake hands and Lucius leaves. As soon as the door closes Martha puts her head in her hands looking exhausted.
AoT: Now that’s a good scene.
MR: We’re glad you approve.
TW: Next we go through a series of clips, with Lois and Bittleman talking to people. Each scene is in a different room – we can redecorate the Kent house or the mansion for this.
JG: And you expect to pay for this how? I will not have my hair care budget touched for your silly episode.
MR: Sponsorship from Martha Stewart Living.
AM: Suddenly, unemployment looks better and better.
KK: Damn, that is low, even for you two.
ED: What? I like Martha Stewart products?
KK: You would.
JG: Well, she screams at the help and mocks her neighbors. I approve.
MR: A young Asian man. “The told me it would make the pain stop.” He raises a hand that has been melted into a single mass. “This is an improvement?”
TW: An older African American woman. “My daughter just wanted to go to school with other children. Now she’s on life support in Metropolis General Hospital.”
MR: A young Latino girl. “The doctors said I would be able to stop worrying about my powers.” Pan back to show she is in a wheelchair. “They forgot to mention that the seizures Salvation caused would snap my spine.”
TW: An older white man. “My wife wanted her sight back.” Pan to the left, where a woman lays unmoving on a bed. “Those bastards put her into a coma!”
MR: A young Middle Eastern woman. “The doctors said there was an accident. They said my son,” she starts to get choked up, “they said he stopped breathing.”
TW: Lois says, “I am so sorry for your loss.”
MR: “I could not even lay him to rest. The doctors kept his body. They said it was necessary to help other patients.” She breaks down, sobbing. Bittleman picks up the contract the mother signed to put her son into the salvation testing, and shows it to Lois.
TW: “Would you mind if we look at this?”
MR: “Take it. Please, could you bring my son home to me?”
TW: Lois’s face turns hard. “We will do our best.”

Continued...