I own my socks at least, nothing more
~Laine.
I feel sick. My hands are shaking and my face looked like floured dough. I told them they put too much foundation on but they wouldn't listen. I needed the money. I keep telling myself that so I wouldn't flee the set. Pan was over by her grandfather watching me. I bet she was mocking me and telling everyone to watch this too. If only I knew had to-ah well. Just a thirty minute segment, couldn't be so bad.
"So, how is this payment going to happen? Up front or will it be a check? How soon am I getting it?" The director never liked to answer me straight.
'"You'll get your money don't worry. Now just remember to relax and act as if the camera is not there, got it?" He smiled and patted my shoulder.
"No but seriously, when do I get the money? See I need it to find a-"
"Hm. What's that?" He grabbed my chin and lifted it upwards. What the hell was he doing?
"Wha?"
"They missed a spot. Molly! Get the makeup crew back here! Those clowns missed an entire section on her face! She looks ridiculous!"
Well, how rude. He is off my Christmas card list for sure.
"I'm sorry! Did you see what they did to her hair? It's impossible! Unworkable!" Molly walked over and grabbed a chunck of my hair and pulled it to show the director.
"Hey!" My hair is flawless thank you.
"Damn. Just pin it back or something." He started to pull on my hair too.
"Let go!"
I must have pushed them harder than I thought because they both flew backwards into the set. I couldn't help but blush and tried to hide. If I got fired from this too I wasn't going to leave my house ever again. I would hide so no one would find me. I could develop a new ki sensing blocking technique and be famous for it. Fighters from the world over would look up to me, the greatest innovator and I didn't even fight!
"Ha! She is a strong one isn't she? But of course she isn't as strong as me! I am her master after all!" Great. Satan showed up. This had to be Hell. Funny it wasn't that hot.
"Yeah." I crossed my arms and tried to ignore him. Pan walked over shaking her head at him.
"Grandpa, shouldn't you be back in makeup?"
"Oh right! Of course!" Thank God for that. He left in a hurry.
"Thanks for doing this. Sorry he is so full of himself. He really isn't that bad once he calms down a bit. Why are you ding this anyway B?"
What was this? Is there some kind of memo going around saying to call me B? Have all my friends gotten so lazy that they can't say my actual name?
"My parents are kicking me and Trunks out of the house. I need money to get an apartment by the end of the month."
"Don't you have a job though?"
Did.
"I did. Then things happened." I shrugged.
"I'm sorry. Was it because we talked for a bit?" Her face started to grew mild terror.
"No. There this stupid bank thing. That's actually why I am here, cuz of it. " I really hated that bank. Worst moment of my life ever.
"The robbery you stopped? You were fired for helping people? That's stupid!" She was getting in a fighting stance.
"I wasn't-anyway I couldn't deposit some check and that was the most important thing I had to do so because I didn't get to do it I was sacked."
"I'm sorry. I could go talk to him! get your--"
"No! Don't! I am going to just move on, you know? Besides I have other things on my mind to worry about to. I think my dad is having a mid life crisis or something. It's really bugging me and my brother is noticing it too."
"You don't think?" She once again had a look of terror.
"Think what?" I blinked.
"That he's . . .under control again?"
"Uh. I don't think dying my mothers hair and buying ties qualifies as getting revenge on a race of people. Besides he looks normal enough."
"Maybe it's a trick!" Pan jumped up. She was getting pumped. Damn, girl.
"I don't think he is. He's normal-okay not totally normal but my dad is total control of himself. I think." He seemed like it at least.
"You should get some of that sacred water to be sure though. I don't want to relive that nightmare again, luckily I am much stronger and older this time." She clenched her fists.
"Sure. Whatever. Sacred water. Gotcha."
"Are you ready? We're setting up for the interview now. Pan you need to go stand over there." The PA who came from nowhere pointed near the directors chair.
"Okay. See you after B!" She ran over to the chair.
"Do you have any idea when my check will be given to me? It's a check right?" The PA shook his head
"I know nothing about money. Ask the producer." Damn. Does no one here know anything?
I was ushered to take my seat. Hercule was already sitting in his. He was reading some magazine while he was getting his own makeup job.
"Oh hey Bra, listen here is a list of what you need to say. Thanks again!" I was reading from a script?
I took the paper he handed me. Was he serious?
"Hercule is the strongest man alive, he saved me from me endless pits of despair and gave light to my life? Are you kidding me?" His cheeks went pink. I am not saying that.
"If you read from it I will have them double what they are paying you now!"
I could live with this. Just a silly script.
"Good! No just be sure that no one sees that you're reading it so you should try to memorize it."
"You saved me from Cell? I wasn't even alive when Cell happened!" The makeup artist jumped at my outburst. Hercule's makeup was smeared and the eyeliner he apparently wears stabbed his eye.
"Fine, I didn't like that one anyway." He sounded like a child then. I rolled my eyes and continued to read the bogus script.
"I don't like the comment on those "blonde fighters." Why are you even talking about them today? I never went super."
"Because you're one of them aren't you?" He whispered that.
"No but I am related to two of them and the rest are friends. They have a name you know."
"Fine! Take it out too."
"All I have left to say is hi then!" This was stupid. Screw the script. I was going to be honest.
"Let me do all the talking then!" He pushed the makeup crew away and the lights went on ridiculously bright. I guess were starting now. I prayed no one I knew was watching this. Please Dende, have everyone fall into a thirty minute coma.
The host of the show walked on the set. I think I've seen her before but couldn't place it. Her hair was blonde and curly and had this awful red skirt suit going on. It was killing me to look at.
" Hello everyone! I am Zola and this is Daily Headline! Today I am here with everyone favorite world champion Hercule Satan and his new protégé, um." Zola walked over and leaned into me
"Your name?" She whispered
I was not going to disgrace my good name for this shit. Please forgive me friend.
"Marron Chestnut." I tried to mouth "sorry" inconspicuously. I could hear my phone going off. Guess this was live.
"Marron Chestnut. Odd name." I tried to smile.
"I like it."
"So Marron-"
"She a very good fighter! But no near my skill level but I am getting older I need to rely on having a predecessor who can one take my place as savior to this good city."
There was a plate of cookies on the table next to me. I figured they could help me through this, so I snatched one and snapped it in half with my teeth. Eating anger felt kinda good.
"Ah! How long have you been training with Mr Satan, Marron?" I swallowed hard
"Um. I don't remember?" Maybe I should look at the script for these answers.
"She's been at my gym for years right B-I mean Marron!" I nodded.
"What do you parents think about you saving those people at the bank robbery?" Zola shoved the mic into my face. Literally.
"Um. They don't care?" I don't remember if they even mentioned how they felt honestly.
"Her parents are dead! Happened the hands of evil Majin Buu." Oh fuck me. I took another cookie. Doesn't that idiot remember? That those memories were wished away? This was too painful. I wonder what the others were thinking if they were watching.
"Did he really just say that?" Trunks covered his face with his hands. Chi-Chi stared at the screen and shook her head.
"How dumb is this man? How could he forget that?" She sighed.
"I thought her name was Bra." Goku frowned and scratched his head.
"It is you idiot. Obviously she doesn't want anyone else to know that." Vegeta turned from the TV.
"Maybe she can recover somehow? She's been doing okay." Gohan turned the volume up on the TV and watched closely.
The gang decided that they wanted to watch this spectacular television event together. It was advertised nonstop since Hercule announced it the previous day. The Chestnuts left after a furious Marron tried to break the TV. She also did not want her name to be disgraced.
"I don't' like how I am being portrayed in this." Bulma crossed her arms.
"What do you mean mom?"
"Well, now I am the heartless dead woman who doesn't care if her kid saves people." Bulma hmphed and glared at the screen
"I doubt she thinks that mom."
"Yeah Bulma, you can be the live heartless," Goku stopped talking as she started to advance towards him. Her face displaying her, " you have two seconds to live" glare.
"Hey guys. They're having people to call in, want to?' Gohan pointed to the number on the screen.
"I want to!" Goku grabbed the phone.
"Hello? Yeah I wanted to talk--okay. My name? Goku, why? Charges for what? Sure?"
" And our first caller in one the line."
On the screen Bra shifted uncomfortably in her seat and ate another cookie. Her head was down and she refused to look up at the camera.
"I wonder who that is."
Goku's voice was echoed on the TV.
"Dad, I think they mean you." Gohan pointed to the TV.
"Oh! Hey Bra! It's me Goku, how are you? Your mom is kinda mad! She doesn't think-" The struggle for the phone would also be heard on the Television. Bra started to pale and sweat.
"What the hell do you mean I never cared when you stopped the robbery and why are you letting people think I am dead? Is this the thanks I get for raising you and letting you live at home way passed what I really should have? I let you have everything you wanted! This is how you-"
Bulma looked at the phone and the threw it to the ground.
"They hung up."
