Reality Check - PW-R-072

Reality Check


  “So, you going to walk around with that badge case open all day, or are you going to actually pay attention to the two guys following you around?”

  Alex smirked and closed her badge case before tucking it back into her vest pocket. “Sorry Jake, still caught up in the euphoria of it all. Might not be a big deal for you, but all the delays I’ve had in going forward in my journey are starting to get to me. It felt like an eternity between this badge and the previous one.” A thought occurred to her as the three continued down the streets of Goldenrod City and she realized, “Come to think of it, it feels like an eternity between winning this badge and now.”

  Nicholas shrugged. “You’re just anxious. It’s hardly been a day.”

  “Yeah, I know.” A small laugh and she turned her attention to more immediate things. “Anyway, plenty to do. So, you going to stick around with us for the interim, or are you going to get back on the road?”

  Jake made a small half-shrug. “I’m in no rush, and that event you two are doing sounds like it’s worth attending, even if I can’t donate much.”

  “Well every little bit helps. A little cash goes a long way for an orphan in need, at least until they can get a good home. And a little entertainment certainly doesn’t hurt.”

  Alex smiled. “Assuming its quality entertainment like your stuff.” Nicholas smiled back and she noted, “Anyway, preparations are almost ready for the show and we’ve got plenty of time to kill, so how about we hit the Goldenrod Galleria?” At Jake’s puzzled expression, she asked, “What?”

  “Nothing, I’ve just got a hard time seeing you going out and shopping is all.”

  A grin. “Hey, there isn’t a single girl I know who doesn’t indulge in retail therapy from time to time. Not to mention the odd guy. I just don’t do it all the time.”

-

  One of the largest stores in the Johto Region, the Goldenrod Galleria consisted of multiple levels and offered a wide range of products, from groceries to trainer supplies to toys to electronics to clothing, allowing its customers one-stop shopping for whatever they may need. As they entered, Alex glanced about the lobby and took a deep breath, prompting Jake to note, “Tempted to quote a movie?”

  “Yeah, but only because my sister isn’t here to do it for me.” She enthusiastically rubbed her hands together as her eyes caught sight of the directory. “Now, let me see where the clothing department is.”

  Her two male associates approached, Jake shaking his head. “It’s a sad but true stereotype, Nick, but there isn’t a woman in the world that doesn’t like getting dressed up. Not even your tomboy girlfriend with her gauntlets and sword.”

  “In my defense, most of my clothing choices are practical, and you can never have too many pairs of shoes.” She tapped a finger against the directory and declared, “Today, however, is not a day for shoes. Today is a day for hats. Met a girl back in Hoenn who rocked a Stetson, my boyfriend looks good in a fedora, and I want to take a swipe at something similar that isn’t a ball cap.” At Nicholas’ curious, puzzled expression, she explained, “They’re cliché. I blame Ash Ketchum; ever since he started wearing that cap of his, there have been imitators coming out of the woodwork.”

  “Well, he is famous and that hat is pretty iconic.” Moving the discussion along, Nicholas prompted, “Anyway, elevator or stairs?”

  Before Alex could answer, the doors to the Galleria opened, a small mass of people  coming in headed by a group consisting of several plus sized women and a pudgy child, cameras and sound equipment carried by others in the group surrounding them. “I wanna Ponyta anna Babsy doll anna big burger anna…”

  Alex quickly turned to her entourage and whispered, “Stairs.”

-

  “Do either of you know who that little girl was?”

  “Not really, but she had enough film equipment following her to do a small blockbuster, and that’s all I needed to know.” Alex led the way up the stairs as she elaborated, “I’ve already got Rockets after me, I’d rather not give them more of a lead than they already have.”

  “Well, she wasn’t doing a movie! That was Sweetie Ga-Ga!” The other two paused, and Jake explained, “Reality TV star, she started on the beauty pageant circuit and now she’s got a show on cable.”

  “Well, that explains why I never heard of her.” The trio resumed their trek as Nicholas explained, “I don’t watch TV.”

  “And I don’t bother with reality shows, cable or otherwise. They’re cheap time wasters that take funds away from good TV shows. Stuff like that on the air, it’s no shocker the good stuff gets canned. I’m surprised you bother with it.”

  “It’s like a train wreck. You can’t really turn away once you start watching.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “If I want to watch a train wreck, I’ll dig up stock footage online or watch a disaster movie.” They reached their floor and stepped out onto it as she continued, “In any case, it isn’t a big problem. I’ll be in and out in a second, and I’ve got a good idea of what a little girl would want to look for. Thus, I know where not to go, and something tells me…”

  “I want that hat!”

  Alex groaned and facepalmed as Jake and Nicholas caught up. “I swear, I’m turning into a weirdness magnet.” She turned around, closing the door behind her, and threw up her hands in surrender. “You know, let’s just forget the shopping. We’ve got work to do at the theater and…”

  “Alex, come on.” Nicholas gave her an encouraging smile. “Just because something’s going on that you’re not happy about doesn’t mean you should let this ruin your day. We all know life’s too short for that.”

  A sigh. “I know, but…” She was interrupted by a knock on the door behind her, prompting her to turn around and open it, one of the television people standing on the other side. “I’m sorry, can I help you?”

  “I hope so. You’re Alex Masters, right?” At Alex’s nod, he made a small gesture with his head back towards the little reality star, who was now looking at them and clutching a tiny purse. “That little girl there? Her name’s Lanie Sampson and she noticed you just a second ago. She’d like to meet you, if that’s possible.”

  Alex made a brief glance at the girl and asked, “She knows who I am?”

  “She’s a fan of yours. Don’t you watch the shows?”

  Part of it was because of her upbringing; being raised by a woman in the business world meant that Alex had a lot of experience around lawyers and various other sorts who twisted words and bent the truth. Part of it was because of her telepathy. She liked to think it was instinct as well, but in general, Alex could tell when she was being lied to. Right now did not feel like one of those times. Plus, as much as she hated to be defined by her appearances in the media, she knew how she’d be portrayed if she turned down meeting a child, and while she was not a fan of this Sweetie Ga-Ga girl, she also wasn’t heartless, and if this slick TV guy was telling the truth, then she’d just feel guilty about it. And who knows, maybe the girl actually deserved to be called a sweetie.

  Alex smiled. “No, but that doesn’t mean I can’t meet her, right?”

  The man grinned, brought his hands together and mouthed “Thank you” and turned around to get back to the show. Alex made a brief glance back to her friends and shrugged, then stepped out onto the floor.

  The door closed behind her, leaving Nicholas to laugh.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing, that’s a happy laugh. You know why Alex is doing this?”

  “Because she doesn’t want to seem like a jerk on TV?”

  “No. It’s because she wants a reminder that there’s something good out there.”

  On the other side of the door, out on the sales floor, cameras were rolling and little Lanie had the biggest, most cheerful grin that one could ever imagine on her girlish face as Alex approached and knelt before her. “Hi! I’m Lanie!”

  The little girl received a friendly grin in return. “Hi Lanie, I’m Alex. You look like you’re having a fun day.”

  “I am! It’s my birthday, and Mama gave me some spending money, and I’m gonna buy myself some neat stuff!”

  “Really? Well, happy birthday.”

  “Thanks!” She opened up her purse and pulled out a picture. “You wanna see a picture of my pet Tepig? Her name’s Sparkles!”

  “Sure.” The little girl showed her the picture, and Alex found herself cooing. “Aww! She’s a little cutie!”

  Alex had a lot to worry about, from ShadowWarrior being in danger to her boyfriend’s show to a number of other things, but for this brief moment, despite the cameras rolling, she found herself without a care in the world. Reality television wasn’t her cup of tea, but this little girl was hardly the worst thing in it.