What
if…? Generation X: "Date"
By Quamp
Author's note: This story takes place in an alternate reality that pretty much follows the continuity of the original Generation X with a few alterations in it. I really wanted to set it in Gen X's final continuity, but it just didn't work out. In this alternate reality, mutants aren't hated or hunted. They are seen as equals to normal human beings. Much of the time Generation X spends fighting those mutants and other super powered people who commit crimes in Snow Valley and the surrounding area (mostly in Boston.) Yes, it's something of a sequel to my Young Justice fanfic Going Out.
(Front cover. A pleasant looking young man is standing outside the front door of Generation X headquarters. He is holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand, and attired in a collared shirt and slacks.)
Cap (N): Generation X… on a date!
(Page 1, splash page. Leave room for credits here. We see the Watcher there, standing on the moon. In the background, we see the stars and the Earth in the distance. The Watcher is attired in his usual robe.)
Watcher: Greetings, I am the watcher… and I have privilege to many worlds, and many sights. I sit back and observe, and watch what happens. The tale you are about to see takes place on a world that is similar to the one you know, but there have been a few tiny changes to it… I invite you now to observe with me, watch as the young mutant team of Generation X tries its hand at finding love.
(Page 2, panel 1. Generation X headquarters. Husk is working on a laptop computer. She is busy typing on the keyboard. She is attired in her school uniform.)
Cap (N1): Meet Paige Guthrie, alias Husk.
Cap (N2): A lonely heart desiring love online.
Cap (N3): Strange things happen online…
(Panel 2. Husk stares at the screen.)
Cap (H1): Wow…
Cap (H2): He looks pretty nice.
(Panel 3. Enter Jubilee, also attired in her school uniform.)
Jubilee: Hey Paige, what's shaking?
Husk: Oh, not much. I was just surfing the Internet.
(Panel 4. Jubilee looks at the screen.)
Jubilee: Say, he's cute. So you've been trying to find love out on the net, hmm?
Husk: Well, you have to admit that the guys here aren't just great dating material.
(Panel 5. Jubilee is a little surprised at Husk.)
Jubilee: Oh, come on. Ev's nice.
Husk: For you, maybe. Not me.
(Panel 6. Jubilee smiles a bit.)
Jubilee: Yea, I just wish he liked me more than a friend. I hate that he won't date in the team.
Husk: Well, I've wanted to post my picture here, but I don't think Mr. Cassidy would approve.
(Page 3, panel 1. Jubilee smiles at Husk.)
Jubilee: Well, have you asked him?
Husk: No, but I can tell his answer will be no already…
(Panel 2. Jubilee heads for the door.)
Jubilee: Oh, come on, Paige! There's no harm in asking!
Husk: Except maybe extra homework…
(Panel 3. Enter the White Queen, attired in her uniform.)
White Queen: All right, what's all the noise about?
Jubilee: Paige wanted to post her picture on a find-a-lover website.
Husk (Annoyed): Jubes!
(Panel 4. The White Queen seems apprehensive about things.)
White Queen: I don't know, Jubilation…. There are a lot of predators out on the Internet. People who say they're looking for love, and then end up trying to steal your money.
Jubilee: Well, it's not like she can't handle things if they go wrong.
Husk: Wonderful.
(Panel 5.)
White Queen: Well, don't you think a relationship might interfere with schoolwork?
Jubilee: Come on, Ms. Frost! We've been totally cooped up here, and when we do go out, it's like only to fight crime and on missions. We really need a break from it all.
(Panel 6. The White Queen smiles.)
White Queen: Well, all right. Both of you can do that.
Jubilee: Really? Major coolness!
Husk: Are you sure Mr. Cassidy will agree to this?
(Page 4, panel 1.)
White Queen: Leave him to me. I'll talk to him about this.
Jubilee: Thanks a lot! Oh man, I hope I get a really hot hunk!
Husk: This ought to be interesting…
(Panel 2. A little later, The White Queen is in Banshee's office. Banshee is in a collared shirt and slacks, sitting at his desk. The White Queen is still in her uniform.)
Cap (N): Later on…
Banshee: I donnae really know about that, Emma. There are a lot of things that can go wrong here.
White Queen: Sean, the team really needs to interact more with people their age. If they don't, it could lead to paranoia…
(Panel 3.)
Banshee: Aye, but still, an online love ad? That could lead to some predator out there.
White Queen: We've trained them pretty good so far in the use of their mutant powers, Sean. It's time we let them have a life outside of the team.
(Panel 4.)
Banshee: Well, all right, but I can't help but think this will lead t'trouble.
White Queen: We'll be there all the way to see that it doesn't.
(Page 5, panel 1. Husk is back at the keyboard, busily typing in things.)
Cap (N): Later still…
Husk: File upload complete… there. Done.
(Panel 2. Husk types on the keyboard some more.)
Husk: Well, everyone's up on the site, I've been up for a day, let's check the e-mail.
(Panel 3. Enter Jubilee as Husk types some more on the computer.)
Jubilee: So how are things going?
Husk: I'm checking my e-mail to see that…
(Panel 4. Husk looks a little surprised.)
Husk: Here's one from a something called First Night Out…
Jubilee: Isn't that like that dating show where people either go out and fight or end up in bed with each other?
(Panel 5. Husk works the mousepad on the laptop.)
Husk: I haven't watched the show. Let's see what they want.
Jubilee: You think they may want you to come on that show?
(Panel 6. Husk stares at the screen.)
Husk: Yea. They say they've got about 10 different guys whom they think could make a great relationship with me.
Jubilee: So, like, are you going on the show?
(Page 6, panel 1. Husk looks a little nervous.)
Husk: Well, I'd like to run it by the teachers first.
Jubilee: Oh, come on! That would be totally cool!
(Panel 2. Husk rolls her eyes at Jubilee.)
Husk: Jubes, I can handle this myself.
Jubilee: Oh, come on! Even if you don't connect romantically, it'll be a way to promote the team.
(Panel 3. Enter the White Queen, now in a white one-piece dress with a miniskirt on it.)
White Queen: What would be a good way to promote the team?
Husk: Some TV
show called First Night Out wants me to go on their show.
(Panel 4. The White
Queen thinks.)
White Queen: Hmm… well, as long as they are reputable, I
don't see why not…
Husk: But will Mr. Cassidy agree?
Jubilee: Oh, I'm sure he will! C'mon, don't be such a
bummer, Paige! I'd go if I had the chance.
(Panel 5. Husk
smiles.)
Husk: Well, all right. I'm sure they'll have
someone good for me.
(Panel 6. Jubilee
smiles as well.)
Jubilee: Say, maybe you should ask them if the team
could all go on the show.
Husk: Are you sure about this, Jubes?
White Queen: A Generation X week on this show?
(Page 7, panel 1. Husk stops smiling as Jubilee tries to convince them it's a good idea.)
Jubilee: Sure! What in the world could possibly go wrong?
Husk (quietly): They get to see the real you.
(Panel 2. Jubilee is shocked and offended by what Husk has said.)
Jubilee: Ah! Just what do you mean by that?
White Queen: It's nothing, Jubilation. Let it go.
Husk: I'll do it. Let's see if they like what they see.
(Panel 3. Later still, Husk is working on the laptop some more. Jubilee smiles.)
Cap (N): The next day…
Husk (reads): We have reviewed the members you have selected to go on the show, and we agree to have them on there. Your date will show up Saturday afternoon at 5:00 at your place.
Jubilee: Oh, wow! This is like so majorly cool! You're going to date some guy.
(Panel 4.)
Husk (Pragmatically): I just hope he's not an idiot or ugly. But four days to get ready for a date is not a lot of time…
Jubilee: Relax, Paige. We're all here to help you out on this.
(Panel 5.)
Husk: That's what I'm afraid of.
(Page 8, panel 1. Husk is being primped and preened by the other Generation X ladies. Jubilee is brushing Husk's hair; M is painting her fingernails; and the White Queen is touching up Husk's makeup. Everyone is in nice blouses and either pants or miniskirts. Husk has a miniskirt on.)
Cap (N): That Saturday afternoon….
White Queen: Well, as someone much wiser than I once said, you have to suffer to be beautiful.
Husk: I just hope this is worth it all.
Jubilee: Oh, come on! They use the latest in technology to find some guy who's right for you. He'll be perfect for you, I know it.
(Panel 2. Husk still looks worried.)
Husk: Still, there are quite a number of things that can go wrong on a date, Jubes. I can't help but worry.
M: Worrying about a situation does not lessen its impact. Preparation does.
Jubilee: Yea, don't like get all stressed out, Paige. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, well, there's plenty more guys out there.
(Panel 3. The others finish preening Husk. They pull away from her.)
White Queen: There we go, Paige. You're looking wonderful now.
Jubilee: Get out there and knock 'em dead, girlfriend!
M: I wish you the best of luck.
Husk: Thanks. I really need it.
(Panel 4. Husk stands up, and heads out the door.)
Husk: Ready or not, here I come!
(Page 9, panel 1. The studio of First Night out. It is a pleasantly decorated place with wood paneling in the background and two television monitors. The host, Casey Thomas, is a tall, dark, and handsome male clad in a flannel shirt and blue jeans. He is standing next to the monitors.)
Casey: Welcome to First Night Out, the show that is proof positive that love is a trial and error process, with mostly error involved. I'm your host Casey Thomas. Let's get to tonight's daters. Well, all this week we're featuring the members of Generation X, they're a teenage mutant crime-fighting team based just outside of Boston. Our first one tonight is a young woman named Husk. Husk is originally from Kentucky, and she was the one who contacted us about doing this. We asked her what she likes in a man.
(Panel 2. In a
prerecorded tape, Husk is standing on the FNO set.)
Husk: I like a man who's kind, friendly, and willing
to really sweep me off my feet. Love is something that just happens; it can be
anywhere, anytime, and anyplace. I don't want a guy who's just out for some
'hot blonde' to hang on his arm.
(Panel 3. Back with
Casey, we see pictures of Husk and her date, Georgi on the monitors. Georgi is
a tall, slim build man about Husk's age. He has short blonde hair and rugged
looks.)
Casey: Well, we set Husk up on a date with a young
man named Georgi. He's from Boston and into
(Panel 4. They show Georgi
on the FNO set in a prerecorded tape.)
Georgi: I cannot emphasize this enough; I want a HOT
BLONDE babe. If she's a hot blonde, it doesn't matter what else is going on.
I'll be in love with her forever.
(Panel 5. The screen
shows Casey back on the FNO set.)
Casey: This sounds like a match made in heaven,
right? Think again.
(Page 11, panel 1.
Just outside Generation X headquarters, Georgi is approaching the front door.
He holds a bouquet of roses in his hand.)
Georgi: I hope she's blonde and likes roses…
(Panel 2. Georgi
rings the doorbell.)
SFX: Ding-dong!
(Panel 3. Husk
answers the door. In a computer-manipulated image, Georgi's eyes pop out of his
head, right at Husk. They also dub in a tongue coming from Georgi's mouth and
down to the bottom of the screen.)
Georgi: You must be Husk. I'm Georgi.
Husk: Yes. I'm ready for our date.
SFX:Whoot!
(Panel 4. Georgi
hands the flowers to Husk. The producers dub in a thought balloon pointing to
Georgi that reads: "I'm in heaven!")
Georgi: I hope you like roses.
Husk: Aw, that's sweet of you.
(Panel 5. Husk and
Georgi hold hands as they go to the taxi. A thought balloon points to Husk that
reads: "He's got a blonde fetish. Wonderful.")
Georgi: Oh man… I asked for a hot blonde, and they
sure delivered…
Husk: Well…
(Panel 6. Georgi
opens the taxi's door for Husk.)
Georgi: I know we'll have fun tonight.
Husk: O.k.….
(Page 12, panel 1.
They show Husk and Georgi riding in the back of the taxi. In a computer image,
they have stick figures with the heads of Georgi and Husk superimposed in one
corner. Georgi's stick figure holds out flowers for the Husk figure, which is
stomping on the flowers. A caption reads: "Phase I: Blonde
ambitions.")
Georgi: You look wonderful tonight.
Husk: Thanks. So tell me about yourself.
(Panel 2. Georgi smiles.)
Georgi: Well, I was born here in Boston, and I'm going to John Quincy Adams high. I'm vice-president of the future computer programmers there.
Husk: I'm into computers too.
(Panel 3. They dub in a thought balloon pointing at Georgi. It shows a picture of Husk's hair.)
Georgi: I've recently gotten into this one message board where people talk about whatever's on their mind. They have a lot of stuff that goes on there.
Husk: All right…
(Panel 4. The producer dubs in a picture of a stick figure of Husk falling asleep.)
Georgi: But hey, I don't want to bore you, I want you to feel as good about this as I do.
(Panel 5. The producer dubs in a thought balloon pointing to Husk reading: "So why aren't you doing that?")
(Page 13, panel 1. The scene is a workout gym. There are quite a number of exercise machines around the place. They have Husk in a spandex outfit standing next to Georgi. He is in a sweatshirt and shorts. The caption reads: "Phase II: working out blonde.")
Georgi: Well, I'm glad you agreed to work out with me.
Husk: I work out quite a bit, and I was forgoing an exercise session to be here. I don't mind.
(Panel 2. Enter another guy in a sweatshirt and sweatpants. He has a tall, athletic build about him. He is pretty good looking. The dub in a thought balloon pointing to Husk that reads: "Hmmm… not bad. This trainer's pretty cute.")
Trainer: Hi, I'm your personal trainer today. My name's Mike. So, are you ready to get pumped?
Georgi: Oh yea. Let's hit the iron.
(Panel 3. Georgi is trying to lift a barbell that has a couple of small weights on it. He strains as he tries to lift this barbell up. They dub in a thought balloon pointing to Husk and the trainer that reads: "What a wimp!")
Georgi: Sweating for you, blondie…
(Panel 4. Husk rolls her eyes at Georgi. Georgi lifts the barbell over his head.)
Husk: Do you know my real name?
Georgi: Of course, Husk. I could never forget the name of a hot blonde babe like you. Don't you like this?
(Panel 5. A thought balloon pointing to Husk reads: "NO!!!!" Georgi lowers the barbell to about chest height.)
Husk: Well…
Georgi (smiles): Ah, you like it…
(Page 14, panel 1. They dub in the trainer thinking: "Dude, get a clue!")
Husk: I'm just used to seeing people work out with more.
Georgi: So you want to try it?
(Panel 2. Georgi hands the barbell over to Husk.)
Husk: Ah, this is light.
(Panel 3. Husk sets the barbell down on a rack. They dub in Georgi staring at Husk's hair with laser-guided eyes.)
Husk: How about putting some more weight on it?
(Panel 4. Husk is
now lifting the barbell over her head. It has a lot more weight on it than what
Georgi had.)
Husk: Don't you lift a lot of weight?
Georgi: Well, not really…
(Panel 5. Husk sets
the barbell down.)
Husk: Well, I can lift a lot because of the job
I'm in…
(Panel 6. The
producer dubs in a thought balloon pointing to the trainer. It reads:
"Dude, she can out lift me. You're in over your head.")
Husk: Aren't you interested in what I do?
Georgi: Oh, yea, sure.
(Page 15, panel 1.
The scene: a fancy restaurant. Husk is now attired in a formal gown. Next to
her is Georgi, who is attired in a suit and tie. The two of them are sitting at
a cozy, intimate table for two. The caption now reads: "Phase III: Dining
Blonde.")
Cap (N):Later…
Georgi: You have such pretty blonde hair.
Husk: Well, I do a lot to take care of it…
(Panel 2. The
caption dubbed in reads: "Sign of a bad date #46: The guy doesn't bother
to get to know the woman.")
Georgi: Yea…
Husk: Whatever…
(Panel 3. Georgi
tries to hold hands with Husk, who shies away from him.)
Georgi: You know, you're absolutely wonderful. I
think you should be a model.
Husk: Well…
(Panel 4. They dub
in a thought balloon pointing to Husk that reads: "All right! I get the
point! You like my blonde hair! But do you like me?")
Husk: I think I know what I want now.
Georgi: Oh, that's good.
(Panel 5. Husk's
dubbed-in thought balloon reads: "I want out of this date… now!!")
Georgi: I sure hope it's me.
(Page 16, panel 1.
Husk and Georgi are riding in the back of the taxi again. The caption reads:
"Part IV: Blonde on bonehead.")
Georgi: Blonde, blonde, blonde, blonde. blonde…
Husk (not amused): Are you even looking at me as a person?
(Panel 2. Georgi has
a confused look on his face.)
Georgi: Huh?
Husk: I'm more than just my hair color, mister.
(Panel 3. Georgi
looks very nervous.)
Georgi: Well, I, uh… just wanted you to know me
first before I got to know you.
Husk: I think all you want is some hot blonde babe
to hang on your arm.
(Panel 4. Georgi
makes pleading gestures with Husk. They dub in a stamp on Georgi that reads:
"Busted!")
Georgi: No, that's not true! I care about you, babe!
Husk: You have not asked me a single question
about myself. Everything you know about me is something I've told you after I
asked you more about yourself.
(Panel 5. Georgi
continues to make pleading gestures, but Husk is turned off more and more.)
Georgi: All right, maybe I went a little overboard
with the blonde thing.
Husk: Goodbye, Georgi.
(Panel 6. The taxi
stops, and Husk opens the door.)
Husk: I want you as far away from me as possible.
Georgi: Husk! Please! Don't leave me!
(Page 17, panel 1.
Back at the FNO studios, Casey has a look of disappointment on his face.)
Casey: Well, seems like Husk didn't want to cater
to Georgi's blonde fetish. We'll get their post date wrap-ups after this.
(Panel 2.)
Cap (N): Later…
Casey: Welcome back to First Night Out. We just saw
a date with Husk from Generation X and a guy name Georgi. They worked out a bit
and had dinner. Unfortunately, Georgi was too wrapped up with Husk's looks to
see what was in front of him. Let's hear what they have to say.
(Panel 3. Husk is on
the FNO stage.)
Husk: When I first saw him, I thought he was nice,
but then he started spouting all that blonde crap at me.
(Panel 4. Georgi is
on the FNO stage.)
Georgi: When I first saw her, I fell head over heels
in love. You guys got me exactly what I wanted.
(Page 18, panel 1.
Husk is on the FNO stage.)
Husk: The more he talked about me being blonde,
the more I was turned off. I mean, come on. There's a woman underneath this
hair here! I have a brain, you know.
(Panel 2. Georgi is
on the FNO stage.)
Georgi: I guess I was just too stunned and overcome
by her looks to really see what was there.
(Panel 3. Husk is on
the FNO stage.)
Husk: I got very tired of his blonde talk very
quickly. Then when I tried to find out more about him, he just went back to that
same blonde rag again. I cut the date off early because I just got sick of it
all.
(Panel 4. Georgi is
on the FNO stage.)
Georgi: I'd love to date Husk again… but I think
she'd rather chew glass than date me.
(Panel 5. Husk is on
the FNO stage.)
Husk: I will go over there and kill him if he asks
me out again. I've had some rough nights, but this was one of the worst.
(Page 19, panel 1.
Casey is back on the FNO stage.)
Casey: Well, unfortunately, love comes with no guarantees. Tough break.
(Panel 2.)
Casey: Well, after this word from our sponsors, we're going to be looking at another Generation X member named Jubilee and her date with a guy named Frank right after this.
(Panel 3. Jubilee is
sitting next to a young man her age in a taxi. The man has his hands in the air
in a gesture of frustration. Anger and frustration are written all over him.)
Announcer: Coming up next on First Night Out…
Frank: God, will you just SHUT UP for one minute!?
(Panel 4. The man
lowers his hands as Jubilee yaks in the background. We do not hear her speak,
however.)
Announcer: It's a chatterfest from another member of
Generation X, that's after these commercials on First Night Out.
(Page 20, panel 1.
Generation X headquarters. The members of Generation X are watching television.)
Cap (N): After the dates have ended, Generation X
sits down to watch themselves on the screen.
Jubilee: Whoa, that's like a total bummer, Paige.
(Panel 2.)
Jubilee: Your date looked like it went about as well
as mine did.
Husk: I think the only good thing I can say about
that date is the meal was pretty tasty. Everything else stunk.
(Panel 3.)
White Queen: Well, don't let one bad dating experience
turn you off to the opposite sex forever.
Husk: You know Jubes, your date didn't look like
it went well either.
(Panel 4. Jubilee
rolls her eyes at everyone.)
Jubilee: Gawd, don't get me started on him.
M: Are you sure you weren't constantly talking
like you always do?
(Panel 5. Jubilee gets
very angry with this.)
Jubilee: I do not like constantly talk all the
time!
All but Jubilee: A-hem!
(Panel 6.)
Jubilee: Okay, maybe once or twice I've done it. But
that didn't excuse his total rudeness!
--Continued in part
II--