"It's been a decade of signs and wonders." Melanie was looking at her father from the side of the room as he sat doing his third interview of the press junket. Melanie going with Robert to press used to be a regular occurrence; then high school happened and now it was only during extenuating circumstances. There was no school that day due to it being a teacher's work day and Melanie refused to sit in her home and overthink all the information that was being released about the California fires. Instead, she was spending the day with her dad and then going out to eat with some of the Infinity War cast. This was more of an ideal situation: being able to sit in the same room where her father was talking about his favorite movie role. It was one of Melanie's top pastimes.
"Before we end, I want to ask your thoughts on the recent news that a so called mutant who started the California fires earlier this year."
Melanie could feel herself shrink until her back was completely against the wall. Why was her father being asked about the mutant? Why did real life events have to do with the fictional cinematic universe? Life truly imitates art.
"Maybe they'll join the Avengers team," Robert laughed. "In all seriousness, evolution is always happening and while I never thought this type of evolution would ever happen, apparently it has. Whether the report is true or not, doesn't matter. What does is the safety of everyone. If there are these type of people, my concern becomes very specific I have four children and I just want to know that they are safe with these so called mutants here."
Melanie felt herself beginning to shake: what her father said did not sit well with her. Before the next interviewer came in, she pushed herself up and walked out of the room and back into where the entire cast hung out on breaks. She started to pace near the window and was unknowingly moving the curtains with her. The more she paced, the more livid she became. Did her father really think that mutants were all dangerous? Why was this person being called a mutant? The prejudice that was already evident in her dad against one person. And by extension to Melanie. If the reports were true, what happened was an accident. That didn't make the person dangerous. That made the person a lot like Melanie.
"Mels." Robert reached out and placed his hand on her arm. She hadn't noticed him walk in, her thoughts loud and her anger boiling over. "You good?"
Melanie turned around and noticed that her father was not the only one back from their interview room. Tom Holland, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo were also there. She decided to answer through gritted teeth, "Of course."
"You're lying." Her dad persisted, not breaking eye contact. "What is it?"
"Dad please, I'm fine." Melanie shook her head, trying her best to not cause a scene. Eyes were already on the two of them, though.
"Mels-"
"Dad, ya. Estoy bien. Por favor, estas de madre hoy."
"Melanie Downey," Robert's voice caused every noise in the room to cease. "Lose the attitude. I only asked you what was wrong."
"And I said I was fine." Melanie spat, crossing her arms. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the cast share glances. "I preferred if we drop it."
"You are not fine and I preferred if you dropped your attitude." Robert snapped back, slightly elevating his voice..
A heaviness fell over the room at the same time that Melanie's filter become completely loose, "You know what I really want? For you not to say a stupid ass comment in an interview that shows how prejudice you are! Estabas hablando tanta mierda que me sorprendo que la gente te toma en serio. But of course they take every word in because you are fucking Robert Downey Jr."
"Reminder that you are 16 years old and never once have I disrespected you so you don't get to do it to me." Robert paused before continuing, "What are you talking about?"
Melanie realized that her anger would not make any sort of sense without the backstory. If she spoke about the what now, she would have to also speak about the why. The why, though, was something she was still coming to terms with. She looked around the room and knew this was neither the time or the place. The cast was awkwardly standing as far away as the room allowed, doing the most to look anywhere other than the father-daughter pair. "It doesn't matter. I'm going for a walk."
"Mels-"
"I'll be back before you finish."
The young girl didn't wait for a response before walking out of the hotel room and making her way to the elevator. Her hands did not stop fidgeting - she was hyper aware of this fact. What Melanie had not noticed was the different elevator buttons being lit up every time a different finger hit her thigh. From her front pocket, her phone vibrated. As Melanie went to take it out, the amount of light coming from the elevator drew her attention. Every single button was lit up and it did not take her long to realize how they got that way. Her hands balled up into a fist before she rushed out in the hallway of one of the floors she'd accidentally pressed. Maybe Dad was right.
***
Well, well, well...how the turntables.
I finally updated! In-freaking-credible.
YOU ARE READING
Other Than This
Hayran KurguMelanie Downey has spent the last 10 years of her life wrapped in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her father being the man everyone was starting to call 'the godfather' of the franchise, meant it was a massive part of her life. Never, though, did she...