For the sake of the children

[lexcorp-media.livejournal.com]

The cameraman aims at the cheerful blonde reporter, and the red light is on. "Charles," says the reporter on cue, "I'm here at the Moscone Convention Center, once again the site of the annual Tomorrow's Heroes auction. This year the children's charity theme is San Francisco's resident heroes of today, the Titans."

The camera pans around to show the busy arena, crowded with people wandering around several tables piled high with Titans merchandise. "Titans and collectors from the Bay Area have donated items for this year's auction. The proceeds will be benefitting area charities assisting children in need, including this year's victims of Degeneration Y." The camera returns to the blonde reporter, now joined by a balding, gray-haired Hispanic man in a tux. "Here with me now is Rick Cantu, of Bay Area Memorabilia, whose auction house is running this year's charity. Mr. Cantu, what can you tell us about this year's items?"

Mr. Cantu, obviously at ease in front of the camera, smiles. "Cynthia, we have an astonishing array of Titans-related merchandise available. If your viewers are unable to join us at the Moscone Center, they are welcome to visit our website at w-w-w-dot-bayareamemorabilia-dot-com to review tonight's catalog. And of course your station is being kind enough to provide live coverage of the bidding, and we expect many bidders will be calling the 1-800 number on our website." The URL and phone number appear on the screen. "Starfire has generously provided us with autographed copies of her famous bikini poster--originals, I might add, not reprints. Superboy has donated autographed videogames. Naturally we have a number of action figures both in and out of the box, vintage issues of Hero Beat, lunch boxes from just about every team line-up available, and for those of you looking for holiday gifts, we have some rare Christmas ornaments for sale."

"That's amazing, Mr. Cantu. And I understand there's a very special item to be unveiled during the auction?"

"Oh, yes." Mr. Cantu beams with pride. "Very rare, very collectible. We're most fortunate to have such an item donated, and we expect it to bring in a fine price for the charity." He taps the side of his nose, looking rather like a clean-shaven Santa. "But that's a surprise we're saving for the right time." He nods at the stage at the far end of the room. The curtains have been drawn, but they shift and billow every once in a while, hinting at the busy movements of auction staffers making last-minute preparations.

"We'll be here when those curtains go up," Cynthia promises. She turns back to the camera. "Live from the Moscone Convention Center, I'm Cynthia McAllister. Back to you, Charles."

"And ... we're off air." The cameraman lowers his camera, but Cynthia waves at him. "Keep that in place," she says, looking around at the crowd. "I want some Titans footage, when they get here."

Comments

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Mrs. Campbell shakes her hand. "Thank you. Thank you so much for coming here--" She gestures with her free hand, indicating the other Titans as well. "It means so much to Beth."

Beth smiles shyly up at Aurora. "Beast Boy's a big hero of hers," her mother tells Fauna in a low voice. "She watches Space Trek every time she goes in for chemo."

"Stupid show," mutters Joseph, not quite loud enough for his mother to hear. His contempt is undercut by the protective hand he has on Beth's wheelchair.

[alt-minds2.livejournal.com]

She notices the scowling boy. God, it's gotta be hard. Watching his sister die while he stays well? That's a bone-chiller she knows all too well. Furthermore, Beth's care must eat up a lot of time an attention, meaning the "well" child gets the short end of the stick.

She reaches out to Joseph. "Hello, Joseph. Folks call me Fauna. It's my first time to something like this. Is it yours, too?"

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

He shrugs, not accepting her outstretched hand. His mother gives him a stern look, which he catches. He mumbles to Fauna, "Yeah. My sister wanted to come."

[alt-minds2.livejournal.com]

She nods and pulls her hand back. "Yeah, I can understand that. So, if this isn't your thing, what do you like?"

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

He shrugs. "Playtendo games."

[alt-minds2.livejournal.com]

She snickers. "Seems a lot of folks like those. Back at the Tower..." She takes a breath to remind herself to use the handles. "Kid Flash and Beast Boy are ALWAYS squabbling over who gets to play Ultimate Phantasy."

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

This breaks through his sullen demeanor. "Yeah? I played that last week. I'm only one level away from--"

Beth coughs, distracting him instantly. Their mother bends down and pats Beth's head reassuringly as the little girl continues with her dry, chest-shaking cough. "Breathe easy, honey," she says, the words sounding well-polished with use. She gives Fauna an apologetic look. "Joseph, honey, could you go get Beth a juice box from the vendor?"

Those shoulders go down again. "Yes'm," he says, reaching out to take the crumpled dollar bills his mother hands him.

[alt-minds2.livejournal.com]

"It's okay. I can go get it," she says, without thinking much about it before it comes out. "I saw where they set up. Ma'am, you mind if I go with Joseph?"

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Joseph looks up at his mother, who looks at Fauna, then nods. Beth is still coughing. "Thank you. That would be very kind of you," their mother says.