Nightwing: Heartache

Part 24: Meeting with Granny

August 30th, 4:21pm
Hollywood

"With all due respect, Ms. Goode, but I thought actors were supposed to stay out of politics." Willa sat in Gretchen Goode's office. The elderly woman sat behind her desk, across from Willa. And even though Willa's chair was plush, she fought the urge to squirm under Gretchen's gaze. The old woman unnerved her.

"That is true, usually, yes, but this is a special circumstance," Gretchen said sweetly, "Our studio is a family, and Lex Luthor is our godfather. Family supports one another."

This stupid campaign was going to annoy Willa to death. She just didn't understand why Gretchen Goode herself felt the need to have a private meeting about supporting Lex Luthor's bid for UN Secretary General. Why Gretchen Goode was so hell bent on Willa's support specifically.

"I won't lie," Willa said eventually, "I will happily stay out of it, but I can't lie."

"We are making a superhero movie, dear, the first of its kind, and our primary investor works with the real superheroes. How does it look that the star of our movie won't give her seal of approval?" She kept that sickly sweet smile on her face but tightened her grip slightly on her pen, "and you, my dear, seem to be a social media darling. Your reach online is almost as big as Garfield Logan. People are waiting on you to give your opinion."

"But it wouldn't be my opinion."

"No one would know that. Dear."

Willa didn't miss how Gretchen narrowed her eyes. "Ms. Goode, I do not support Lex Luthor or his previous actions. Criminal actions. I will never support that."

It was like something shifted. Something so subtly Willa couldn't describe it, but Gretchen changed somehow. She was still the same woman, but the air had gone...stale. The shadows bigger. What started as uneasiness under Gretchen Goode's gaze became a trickling of fear. "Well, I think we all have a few things in our past we wouldn't want brought up. It doesn't have to rule the rest of our lives," the woman examined her fingernails, "although it can, if we aren't careful. It could be very harmful to our futures."

Willa straightened, "excuse me?" It surely sounded like a threat but why would Gretchen Goode threaten her?

And then, whatever thing had shifted in Granny's demeanor, changed back. The darkness retreated. The smile was back. "Lex Luthor's past, dear, his past mistakes shouldn't keep him from moving forward. What did you think I meant?" She blinked innocently.

"Nothing," Willa answered, still searching for whatever had just changed in the room. When she looked in Granny's eyes again, she steeled herself and sat forward. She would not be bullied. Not by Lex Luthor. Not by Gretchen Goode. She was not a scared little girl anymore. She had power now. Money. Status. Superpowered friends didn't hurt either. "I really am sorry to disappoint you, Ms. Goode, but I will not lie about my political beliefs for a movie." Her voice was even, strong, and she went on before Gretchen could interrupt her, "and you can't force me. My contract says nothing about political campaigns. I can continue evading the question, but that's the most I will give."

"Well," Gretchen set her pen down, "then that's that."

Willa nodded with a small smile then got up to leave.

"I can however," Gretchen said as Willa got to the door, "amend your press schedule. Our marketing team made some last minute edits, put some more events on your schedule. Biggest one will be the Goode Studios and Lexcorp benefit at the Hall of Justice next week."

Willa turned back, her hand still on the door handle.

"It will look lovely to have you, Ryder, and Garfield photographed with the real superheroes. And I'm sure you'll want to meet all of the greats. Flash, Green Lantern...Batman, if you haven't met them already."