X-Men Story My Version
Chapter Three: Registration Act
The Senate is holding a committee meeting. Dr. Jean Grey, a strong, attractive woman in her early 30's, addresses the committee. This is an open hearing; behind the committee members are ordinary Washingtonians. An image of the human genome is closing down behind her. She's concluding a talk about what mutants are and how they came to be.
"We are witnesses to a new stage in human evolution. The mutations appear during puberty, and are often triggered during periods of high emotional stress." Dr. Grey explains.
A microphone voice interrupts. Bearing down is the flamboyant Senator Robert Kelly, a conservative from Florida, and the hearing's Chairman. Just behind him sits his aide Henry Gyrich a man in his mid 30's typical government cog.
"Thank you Miss Grey, very educational but it missed the question that is the focus of this hearing. Three words: are mutants dangerous?" Senator Kelly rudely interrupts her.
"I'm afraid, that's an unfair question, Senator. After all, the wrong person behind the wheel of a car is dangerous." Dr. Grey said.
"Well, we license people to drive." Senator Kelly responds.
"Yes, but not to live." Dr. Grey counters. "Senator, the records clearly show that mutants who have chosen to reveal themselves to the public have been widely regarded with fear and suspicion, even violence." Dr. Grey continues.
Murmurs of dissent. Kelly himself is only listening with half an ear. Gyrich passes some information into his hand that he's obviously happy to get.
"It is because of this violence that I urge you all to vote against mutant registration. Forcing mutants to expose themselves will only…" Dr. Grey said before she's interrupted.
"Expose themselves? What is it the mutant community has to hide?" Senator Kelly asked rising from his seat and interrupting her.
"I didn't say they were hiding…" Dr. Grey said but is interrupted again. She thinks Senator Kelly is a pompous asshole.
"Well, let me show you what is being hidden, Miss Grey." Senator Kelly asks.
He takes out a paper, beginning to work the crowd.
"Senator…" Dr. Grey starts to say. She sighs deeply disturbed by Senator Kelly's blatant attitude and downright hatred towards mutants. "Forcing mutants to expose themselves is the same as forcing people to expose their sexuality to the public."
"Gays aren't dangerous." Senator Kelly responds as the crowd laughs.
"Says who Senator?" Dr. Grey asked smirking. She had a point and Senator Kelly knew it.
"I have here records of mutants living in the United States. Here's a girl in Illinois who can walk through walls. What's to stop her from walking into a bank vault? Or into the White House? Or into their houses?" Senator Kelly blathers on about. "And I have even heard, Miss Grey, that there are mutants so powerful that they can enter our minds and control our thoughts..."
As Kelly continues to talk, Professor Charles Xavier, an older, bald man who nevertheless has a powerful presence stares down at the crowd. He no doubt is disappointed in what he is hearing. The listeners around him cheer Kelly on. He looks deeply troubled by the response Kelly is getting.
"Taking away our God-given free will." Kelly said trying to sell what he thought everyone was buying. "I think the American people have a right to decide if they want to send their children to school with mutants. To be taught by mutants. Ladies and gentlemen, the truth is that mutants are very real. And they are among us. We must know who they are, and most importantly, we must know what they can do!"
"Well based on your argument Senator, it sounds to me like you would have the American public decide if they want to send their children to school with gay kids or to be taught by gay teachers. The truth is senator you're just a hypocrite and want the American to panic and do something irrational which may lead to some dangerous situations. That's what I'm trying to get you and the American public to understand." Dr. Grey said. Professor Xavier smiled at the young woman.
"Like I said before…gays aren't dangerous people." Senator Kelly said smiling at her.
"Then why do others out there attack them for coming out of the closet to reveal themselves?" Dr. Grey asked. She had him there. The room was quite for a moment. Senator Kelly knew she was right. He looked around knowing that Dr. Grey had him right where she wanted.
"The bottom line is Dr. Grey…" He said with much distain. "Is that although gays are a problem to all cultural communities, so are mutants." Senator Kelly. "But we are not talking about mutants are we, we are talking about gays, we here to discuss whether mutants are dangerous. Thus far we haven't gotten that question answered. Would you rather wait until some mutant does something dangerous and harms someone?"
"No but forcing them to reveal themselves may cause more harm than good Senator." Dr. Grey said.
"All the more reason to know what they can do so we can stop them. If we don't then who will?" Senator said. The crowd reacts loudly in support of the Senator. One man in a hat and trenchcoat gets up and leaves. Xavier notices him and seems to recognize him. He decides to follow him.
Xavier is behind the man in the trenchcoat, who is storming out. Xavier stops him with a word.
"Erik. What are you doing here?" Professor Xavier asked.
The man is Erik Lansheer, also known as Magneto. He was once the boy in the concentration camp. Now he is an old man, but like Xavier, he has a powerful presence.
"Why do you ask questions to which you already know the answers?" Erik responds. Professor Xavier doesn't respond. "That's not very smart Charles. I thought you were more intelligent than that."
"Don't give up on them, Erik." Professor Xavier said to him.
"What would you have me do, Charles? I've heard these arguments before." Erik said to him.
"That was a long time ago. Mankind has evolved since then." Professor Xavier said to him. Professor Xavier and Erik have known each other for a very long time. Both now fight for two different sides. Charles is trying to appeal to his longtime friend but it seems as though Erik is all talked out. Time for action.
"Yes... Into us." Erik responds. "I gotta give credit to that protégé of yours. She made one compelling argument." Erik said referring to Dr. Grey. No one knew she was a mutant or that there two other mutants present in the room with them.
"That she did." Professor Xavier said. Dr. Grey was a student of his at his Institute now a teacher at his school.
"I personally don't like be compared to gay people but she made a valid point." Erik said.
"Jean knew what she was saying."
"I take it she's the smarter of your students." Erik adds. Professor Xavier smirks. Xavier looks sad, but also looks like something else... as if he's looking inside Erik's mind. Erik seems to notice this, and taps his own forehead.
"Are you sneaking around in there, Charles? Whatever are you looking for?" Erik asks him.
"I'm looking for hope." Professor Xavier said to him.
Erik turns and gives Xavier a warm smile.
"I will give you hope, old friend. And I ask only one thing in return. Don't get in my way." Erik said to him.
"Erik!" Professor Xavier calls out to him.
Erik turns on his heel and strides out, leaving Xavier more troubled than ever.
"We are the future, Charles, not them. They no longer matter." Erik said continuing down the hall.
Professor looked after him wondering what was to come. He knew Erik was pissed at Senator Kelly and realized Senator Kelly's words hit him much harder than they normally would have. He was proud of Jean for standing her ground. Though none in the room with the exception of Professor Xavier and Magneto knew she was a mutant fighting for her own kind, she was still able to make a valid point. Forcing mutants to expose themselves was the same as gays being forced to come out of the closet. To do so would surely bring about scrutiny, judgment and violence as it has. What was to come of this Registration Act?