CH.4: Interview of death
Emily Sanvers, lead reporter for King's Row was about to do the interview of a lifetime. Jackie Turner, beloved author of the time traveling romance series 'Twist of Fate'. Emily had read practically all of the stories she had written…even ones outside of that series. Today she would be interviewing her and if all went according to plan Tracer, or Lena as her real name was would be able to stop her. To lose such a prize in the LGBT Community was something that could not be lost. Emily would do her part even if it put her in the line of sight of this Widowmaker.
Approaching the Alderworth Hotel she takes a calm breath, her long sleeve shirt is over some blue jeans and she ignores the chill in the air. Holding out her press pass she strolls into the lobby and notes the others who are gathered around, the photographers looking to chance a sneak peak of the illusive author who manages to keep from the media spotlight.
"Hello boys…don't mind me…have a date I can't miss." Emily catches their confused looks before they fix their eyes on her badge.
"Wait…no way…you here to interview Jackie?" One of them asks but Emily keeps mum about it. For all they knew she would be interviewing someone else, though, chances are they might have seen through her wording and realized why she was here.
"Sorry no comment, but, enjoy the food here…though some may go to your gut." Emily hurries up the flight of stairs knowing if she took the elevator it could act up or this Widowmaker could cut the power or make it fall and she could not afford to have her legs broken or worse…death inflicted upon her.
All the while she took the steps she felt her heart flutter and her nerves rattle as she went to place herself in harm's way. She was a good girl…never really one to do something that could impact her life in such a manner. Something about Tracer sparked this side of her…knowing that she had gone out and faced off against this sniper…both brave and perilous at the same time. It was a good thing she kept in shape or she would be winded after these first several steps…which added up to a lot.
Jackie was rumored to be on the fifth floor presumably however with a little help from Winston they managed to get a room number. Emily removes her long sleeve so her blouse is shown and she sends her flaming red hair over her shoulder as she ties the long sleeve around her waist so her stomach doesn't show too much. This was the interview of a lifetime…she did not want to appear like some teen girl, which she wasn't.
Jackie Turner was someone she could never hold up to…no matter how hard she tried, she was someone who gave hope to LGBT characters…whom often were killed off or their relationships were ruined. It was still a dangerous place to live, their time when acceptance was often met with a nose in the air or a look that told them to crawl back wherever they crawled out of. To change who one was…it was just cruel.
Emily had a lot of time to think on her climb and she thought of her and Tracer…where their friendship might take them. So much was uncertain, so many unknown variables and yet from the moment they connected in the bookstore to them reuniting after a fall from the skies…it almost seemed serendipitous and all. Emily was a fan of love stories and fate so her thoughts back in her flat made her latch onto the possibilities…even the far out ones…it was something that made her heart resonate.
Composing herself as she stood before door number 52 she knocks and waits a beat. This was it…a milestone of interviews and there were no people yelling or the sounds of gunfire happening nearby. A beat…maybe two…nothing. She did have the right door right? Emily was about to contact Winston when the door cracks open a little and brown eyes look out at her.
"Are you room service…cause I specifically made it clear to leave it at the door and for no autographs." She had a crisp sounding voice and from what she could discern from the cracked door that she had a light tinge to her skin color and short cropped hair.
"Miss…or Ms. Turner, I'm Emily Sanvers, lead reporter for King's Row news network, I was wondering if I could have a few words in regards to your series 'Twist of Fate' and the latest book in the series."
"I do not do interviews…I thought I made that clear when your network reached out to me. Are you alone?" The woman seems quite paranoid, and rightly so, still Emily felt someone like her needed to step out now…it was the right time and the world needed a new figure to get behind.
"Yes I am. And I feel it is a right shame if you do not speak up now when the world needs a positive figure to get behind. I could do the interview here if you would like…I don't mind…plus not like I'm taking up space." Emily smiles pleasantly hoping it will ease the author a bit.
There is a beat or so of silence and Emily knows that everything she is saying is being relayed back to Winston and Tracer. She was a bit surprised to know that Winston also read her work, but, in some ways it was nice knowing a male read it. If asked a male would outright deny reading such a series, but, she bet a male would read it simply because of the lesbian theme. When Jackie spoke again it was rather hushed.
"I will let you in, but, no recording of me…just my voice got it?" Emily nods and as the door parts open she finds herself pulled in quickly and just as quickly the door closes with a slam. Settling herself a bit she gets her first real look at Jackie. The woman is petite standing around 5'4 or so wearing a short shirt over sweats and her nails short. Emily is once again drawn to her brown eyes which are staring back at her.
"Um…right…so when did you want to begin?' Emily looked around the room noting the scatter of pages and the latest book 'Girl left behind' was sitting on the counter.
"We can begin now…I'm sort of in the middle of something right now." Emily nods her head as she walks over to the available stool and as she sits down she notes that Jackie does not join her but folds her arms.
"Right, well, good morning everyone, this is Emily Sanvers reporting and I have a special interview with Jackie Turner, famed author of the series 'Twist of Fate' and other works. Due to special request we will be unable to show you her features but you will be able to hear her voice. So tell me Jackie, what inspired you to write the character of Danielle Knight?"
Jackie lets out a soft sigh as she walks over to where some books are and she notes the book she picks up, the first one in the 'Twist of Fate' series. "I was born and raised in King's Row…and growing up I realized there weren't a lot of positive LGBT figures who could serve as role models…and it did not sit well with me. There were figures of dashing men who did extraordinary things and some women who served in the field of science coming up with breakthrough cures. However very few figures who stood tall with their sexuality against a storm of hate and prejudice.
"People fear what they do not understand or if they do understand it they wish for it to crawl back inside of that person and wither up and die or just not exist at all. I saw the way the world treated gay men with beatings while people stood around not bothering to lift a finger. I have seen lesbians raped and put in their place…making it seem like such an act would make them realize it is better to not be that way or for them to brag on what they have done. We live in a violent society and without a spear figure of empowerment the community will never have a voice.
"Danielle Knight was the first literary figure who was female and out of the closet…and could do things that male and female straight characters could do. She could hold her own and she had a powerful message that inspired and made things that much more bearable, at least that is what I have received in forms of letters and sorts. Danielle Knight in some ways is me writing as a tired bystander to all of this…and…she is also myself in that I too am fighting battles of my own."
Emily manages to get all this while not blinking, yes, it was rather hard hearing such a story. It was hard hitting and she wondered how much of it would be aired when she showed it. Finding her voice she presses on. "Jackie…why do you refuse to allow pictures taken of you?"
"I have never been one for the spotlight…even now people gather at that small bookstore, a bookstore I frequented when I was younger hoping to get a glimpse of me, maybe get their copy of the book signed. I was hoping that my character alone would the figure to help people understand and take a step back to appreciate that we are all human in the end, but, I suppose that is me being selfish as Danielle speaks to readers but who speaks for the LGBT Community?"
Emily is about to ask another question when she sees a red light resting on Jackie's forehead. Acting on instinct she throws herself towards the writer and feels the bullet go through her shoulder and she utters a cry before the two hit the ground.
"What the hell was that?" Jackie is lying under her and Emily manages to lift herself up while placing a hand over the wound.
"Tracer…she is here…looks like the plan is a go." Emily hears the door open and Winston crushes through making a mess of things as he sets up a shield as more shots enter. The shots do not enter the field set up and Emily sinks to the ground.
"Good morning Jackie, huge fan, oh you are hurt Emily." Emily just smiles as blood gushes out of the wound.
"Perfect timing, oh Jackie this is Winston…don't mind him, he is on our side." Emily had managed to cut the interview just as the bullet came so again not sure how much of it would make it. Jackie was quite the speaker though…passionate about the LGBT Community. Feeling a bit heavy though she decides to lay back some.
Tracer rushes forth and in a blink she is on the rooftop where Widowmaker is set up. "Alright you time for round two!"
"I do grow tired of these meetings little girl…really…why do you protect this woman so much? She continues to speak where her place is not…it is better to let things be, don't you agree?" She turns around firing at her and Tracer rolls along the ground as the bullets pick away at where she was.
"I do not agree, she is a remarkable woman and her book series gives many of us hope. She manages to represent a certain lot of characters with charm and wit and doesn't do them any disservice compared to other media or outlets. Now…I think it is time we finish things here don't you?"
The two square off and Tracer rushes towards her. Widowmaker just smiles as she lines up a shot.
Authors note: A rather tense chapter and in the next one Tracer and Widowmaker square off again as their fight will take them all over King's Row.
