Cerebro Scans: Cold Reception

## Characters

* Bobby Drake
* Madeline Drake
* St. John Allerdyce
* Logan
* William Drake
* Anna-Marie Darkholme

## Location

* Long Island, New York - Drake Residence
* June 1995

## Scan Transcript

* **[Start Memory Reconstruction Protocol - 3 Participants]**
* **[Memory Synchronization: 98.5%]**
* **Bobby Drake:** [ice crystallizing] So, Rogue, what do you think?
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Ah think it's beautiful, sugah. [pause, sigh] Bobby... [pause] Ah don't mean t'be gettin' personal and all... [pause, sigh] But... Is there anything y'all want t'say? [footsteps, pause] Somethin' on ya mind?
* **Bobby Drake:** Not a thing. Why?
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Ya're in ya room makin' ice sculptures instead of bein' downstairs with us...
* **Bobby Drake:** [pause, sigh] ...
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** This was ya idea, Bobby. We came all this way for ya.
* **Bobby Drake:** [sigh, ice clinking] My dad's an architect... Or was. He switched careers when I was young. This one here... [sigh, ice clinking] This is one of his buildings. [ice clinking, sigh] It's near the shoreline. Not far from here. I used to want to be an architect... I thought it would make my dad happy. He seemed so proud of his creation. [sigh, ice clinking] My dad used to take me to see this building there as a kid. Afterward, we'd usually go down to the beach. One time, I made the building in the sand while he smoked one of his cigars outlawed from the house by mom. [long sigh, footsteps, body dropped on bed, sigh] I used to love those trips to the beach... Looking back on it, though... It's clear that dad never really was a big fan of Bobby Drake... "Ta da! So pops... What do you think?" [pause] [gruff voice:] *"About sandcastles? I think it's hardly a skill that'll serve you well in life, Robert."* [pause] "But dad... It's your building. Look, it's pretty close. Same number of windows and everything." [pause] [gruff voice:] *"A man doesn't get anywhere in this world by dreaming, boy. Dreams shatter... And castles in the sand crumble."* [pause] That's what he said just before he put his cigar out on the roof and caved the whole thing down. [gasp, sniff, nervous chuckle] My dad. What a charmer, huh?
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** How old were ya? [pause] When ya realized he was wrong?
* **Bobby Drake:** [sigh] Who ever said he was wrong?
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Y'don't actually think that, sugah.
* **Bobby Drake:** Don't I, though? [scoff, clatter, footsteps] It's obvious to everybody that I've been a slacker... a dreamer... a fool for my whole life.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Ah don't think ya a fool.
* **Bobby Drake:** Don't you, though?
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Bobby Drake- [footsteps]
* **Bobby Drake:** I've had my face rubbed in the fact that I haven't been living up to the potential of my mutant powers the whole time the last two years. [scoff, footsteps, clatter, ice clinking, scoff, grunt, smash, ice shattering] And I've been fine with it! You want to know why? Because my whole life I've been told that I'm a loser and that I'll never amount to what I could have been... [sniff, sniff, sob] That's why! [footsteps, sob] Even before I was a freak... Even before I knew what I was... My dad summed me up and tried to help me realize just how pathetic I truly was... [sob]
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** [footsteps] Bobby... Goddamn you... Ya know Ah can't touch you or else Ah'd be that shoulder for ya t'cry on, but... [sigh] Screw it. Ya know what? He's wrong, Bobby Ya dad is wrong. Ya is special, sugah. [footsteps, hands adjusting gloves, pause, gloved hand placed on shoulder] And ya not a freak, Bobby Drake. Ya a mutant. Just like Ah am a mutant. Just like Pyro and Logan downstairs are, too. Just like all ya friends at the school. It's nothin' t'be ashamed of, sugah. For what it's worth... Ah don't think ya is a slacker. Ah think ya have a real gift... [footsteps, ice clinking] Ah couldn't do what ya can do...
* **Bobby Drake:** [scoff] Of everyone I know, other than me, you're the only one I knew who could do that.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** [scoff] Not like this, Ah can't... Not even if Ah took ya powers. Ah can't do this. This here is genuine art, Bobby.
* **Bobby Drake:** [sigh] Thanks...
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** For...?
* **Bobby Drake:** For coming down here. [pause, sigh, footsteps] For reminding me of something... [chuckle, sigh] I get in this... head space when I'm here. At home. It does something to me... [scoff] Who am I kidding? It's done something to me my whole life... Whether home home or at school. Anyway, I'm sorry you had to come all this way down here to see me like this... [sniff, finger wiping tears off cheek, ice crystallizing, finger flick, soft shatter]
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** It's not a problem, sugah. [sigh, chuckle, footsteps] After everythin' happenin' at the school Ah needed to get out.
* **Bobby Drake:** I can imagine... For what it's worth, I think he's a jerk.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** What are ya talkin' about?
* **Bobby Drake:** What's his name... The new kid. [pause] Gambit. [scoff] I think he's a jerk.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Is that so?
* **Bobby Drake:** Yeah... You can do a lot better than him.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** [giggle] Ah didn't know Ah was "doin'" him just yet.
* **Bobby Drake:** [groan, pause, footsteps, sigh] I just think the way he flirts with you, plays with your head, and acts like he doesn't care about you the next minute is a real dick thing to do... [sigh] Look, I realize I'm the *last* person in the world that should be giving relationship advice of any kind, but-
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Remy does not play with muh head!
* **Bobby Drake:** Oh, please... C'mon, Rogue. It's not like the two of you live in a cave somewhere. It's a mansion, sure, but it's not that big... and there's a lot of people living under that roof.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Whatever's between me and Remy is between me and Remy!
* **Bobby Drake:** Of course it is, but that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to care about you... Let's look at the facts. He's been there, what? Two months? In that time, he's flirted with you while also hitting on Jean, Tessa, Wanda, and Lorna. He's just a major creep.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Bobby, he's bein' friendly. That's all it- [scoff] Ya hit on all of us girls, too! Ya have no room t'talk, Bobby!
* **Bobby Drake:** I'm different...
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Why's that?
* **Bobby Drake:** I was figur- [sigh] Because, I'm- [pause, groan]
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Ya what?
* **Bobby Drake:** [long groan] I'm younger than him. I'm a dumb kid. I've grown since then...
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** [scoff] That so? Ah recall being shorter than ya when Ah first met ya and now Ah'm just as tall as ya.
* **Bobby Drake:** Not what I meant... Forget it.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** No... [sigh] Maybe Ah see ya point. [chuckle] Maybe we both pretty pathetic, huh?
* **Bobby Drake:** Nothing pathetic about wanting to be loved, Rogue.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Why, Bobby Drake... That was almost profound.
* **Bobby Drake:** ...
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** ...
* **Bobby Drake:** ... [nervous chuckle]
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** [gloved hand gripping shoulder] Ya got real pretty eyes, sugah.
* **Bobby Drake:** [gulp, nervous chuckle] Rogue, I...
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Shh... [whisper:] *No worries. Ah'm not going to touch ya... Just... Want t'enjoy the idea of kissing you a bit longer...*
* **Bobby Drake:** [pause] ... [whisper:] *Rogue, I wish we could, but... There's something I need to tell you.*
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** [whisper:] *What's that, sugah?*
* **Bobby Drake:** [whisper:] *Rogue, I think I'm-*
* **William Drake:** [door opens, scoff] You have got to be kidding me. [pause, sigh] Mads, he's up here making out with his girlfriend! [groan] Get your ass downstairs, boy. Right now!
* **Bobby Drake:** [sigh, footsteps] Rogue and I are just friends. [pause] [whisper:] *I did mention he was a charmer?*
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** [whisper:] *You did.* [sigh, footsteps]
* **William Drake:** Don't give me any of that lip, Robert. I know what I just saw. Good thing I came in when I did... Or else I'd expect I'd have been seeing more of your little floozy friend than either of us would care to have.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Floozy?! [scoff, rapid footsteps]
* **Bobby Drake:** [footsteps, scoff] Would it kill you to just *pretend* to be polite? Just once?
* **William Drake:** You want to give me a lecture on politeness? You're the one turning my house into a hook-up shack for your sideshow friends!
* **Bobby Drake:** We were just talking... [scoff, footsteps on stairs]
* **William Drake:** [footsteps on stairs] Is that what you two do at this so-called school I send you to? Fornicate with other freaks!
* **Bobby Drake:** [pause, ice crystallizing on fist, angry hiss] ...
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Bobby...
* **William Drake:** Answer me, Robert!
* **Bobby Drake:** ...
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Bobby...
* **William Drake:** His name is Robert!
* **Bobby Drake:** No... It's Iceman! [cryo-blast]
* **William Drake:** [feet skidding on wood floor, body hitting wall, thud, ice shattering, gasp, shivering] You... *bastard!* [groan, clatter, footsteps]
* **Bobby Drake:** Oh, shit... [gasp, pant] What... What, did I-? [footsteps] Dad, I-
* **William Drake:** I told you never to bring those freak powers in my home! [footsteps] I tolerated you bringing your freak friends, but now I see that was a mistake! [groan, grapple, footsteps]
* **Bobby Drake:** Dad, please- [stumbling footsteps]
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Let him go!
* **Maddie Drake:** William!
* **William Drake:** Well, this is one mistake I will soon rectify! [footsteps, shove]
* **Bobby Drake:** [body hitting wall, pained gasp] Dad-
* **William Drake:** ... [whoosh]
* **Logan:** [arm caught by hand, growl] If we're in such a rectifying mood, I've got some concerns to address too... [shove] Hands off the kid.
* **William Drake:** [scoff] You can't tell me how I parent my own child.
* **Logan:** [scoff] Funny... Because I just did. [footsteps, growl]
* **Maddie Drake:** William! [footsteps, scoff] Dinner's ready. Go sit down.
* **William Drake:** Who the hell is this guy?
* **Maddie Drake:** This is... Professor Logan. [pause] I tried to introduce you to him but you immediately went upstairs.
* **St. John Allerdyce:** [footsteps, scoff] [whisper:] *The minute he walked in and saw me, he bolted upstairs looking for Bobby.* [lighter cap opens, lighter cap closes]
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** [whisper:] *Ah see...*
* **William Drake:** [scoff, footsteps] I've lost my appetite. [footsteps, door opens, footsteps, door slams closed]
* **Logan:** You okay, kid?
* **Bobby Drake:** Physically? Yeah.
* **Maddie Drake:** [sigh] Look, please forgive William... This... He's not- [sigh] This has been difficult for us. We don't know how to- [pause] We just don't understand how to handle... whatever it is you... uh... people are.
* **St. John Allerdyce:** [whisper:] *Notice the hesitant use of 'people'?* [scoff, lighter cap opens, lighter cap closes]
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** [whisper:] *Ah did...*
* **St. John Allerdyce:** [scoff, lighter cap opens, lighter cap closes] [whisper:] *Oh, this dinner's gonna be a bloody good time, yeah?*
* **Logan:** Look, if we're not welcome, we can go.
* **Maddie Drake:** No! I would not dream of it! You're... You're Bobby's friends... and his professor... for some reason. [nervous chuckle, sigh] Come to think of it, why are you here?
* **Logan:** School policy. [pause, footsteps] Chuck doesn't like the kids driving so far from the school without a chaperone. Hey, Pyro, do me a favor, will you? [fabric shifting] Give me a light?
* **St. John Allerdyce:** [lighter cap opens, footsteps] Sure thing, Mr. Logan.
* **Maddie Drake:** [rapid footsteps] Ah, could you not do that in my house, please... This is a no smoking house.
* **Logan:** [pause, sniff, sniff] Yeah, I don't think that's true, but... Whatever. [fabric shifting] Let's eat and hit the road. Your bags packed, kid?
* **Bobby Drake:** [gasp] Oh, I hadn't actually-
* **Maddie Drake:** Excuse me?
* **Bobby Drake:** [sigh] ...
* **Maddie Drake:** Bobby?
* **Bobby Drake:** They didn't come down here for a visit, mom... [long sigh] They came because I asked them to pick me up...
* **Maddie Drake:** Why?
* **St. John Allerdyce:** Are you mad? Did you not just see what happened here?
* **Maddie Drake:** Bobby... I barely get to see you as is and now... You don't even want to stay here for the summer?
* **Bobby Drake:** Mom...
* **Maddie Drake:** Look, son, I don't know what it's like to be a... a... um... well...
* **St. John Allerdyce:** [lighter cap closes] A mutant?
* **Maddie Drake:** Could you please stop that?
* **St. John Allerdyce:** [scoff, footsteps] Sure...
* **Maddie Drake:** Maybe this school isn't the right thing for you, Bobby. Maybe we can find something closer to home for you. Somewhere that's more catering to... your more, you know... normal talents.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Bobby is already talented.
* **Maddie Drake:** [sigh] I know that... I just don't know how to... [sigh] I still love you, Bobby. I always will, but ever since your whole... mutant problem-
* **Logan:** [growl] What mutant problem?
* **Maddie Drake:** I just fear it's made your life unnecessarily complicated. And life is already complicated enough as it is.
* **Logan:** [scoff, footsteps] He didn't choose this.
* **Maddie Drake:** Excuse me, what exactly are you a professor of, Mr. Logan?
* **Logan:** [pause] Art. [chuckle] And it's just Logan.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Actually, Bobby is an artist! Ya should see what Bobby can do. Have ya ever truly stopped t'see what he can do?
* **Maddie Drake:** ...
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Bobby, show her!
* **Bobby Drake:** [pause] I don't-
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Go on.
* **Bobby Drake:** [sigh] Okay... [ice crystallizing] Here, it's-
* **Maddie Drake:** [gasp] That's your... [sniff, sniff] That's your dad's old car.
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** And he can do a lot more than that!
* **Maddie Drake:** [ice clinking, gasp, nervous chuckle] And you... you're all "gifted"?
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Yeah, we're-
* **St. John Allerdyce:** Bloody hell... We're not "gifted." We're mutants. Okay? We're the same as you except for one little chromosomal mutation. That's it! Is that really so hard to wrap your head around? [scoff]
* **Bobby Drake:** St. John-
* **St. John Allerdyce:** No, look here, Bobby. You're my mate. I love the hell out of you, man... but- [scoff, groan] This is bloody ridiculous! He's your son! Dammit!
* **Logan:** [footsteps] Go outside and cool off.
* **St. John Allerdyce:** No, I'm-
* **Logan:** Go.
* **St. John Allerdyce:** Yeah. Okay... [scoff, footsteps, door opens, footsteps, door closes]
* **Maddie Drake:** Bobby...
* **Bobby Drake:** Yeah?
* **Maddie Drake:** Have you ever... tried... not being a mutant?
* **Bobby Drake:** [pause, sigh] Every single morning... [long sigh] And that's not because I don't want to be a mutant... Or I'm ashamed of what I am... That's because I want to have parents who love me... unconditionally. But... [gasp, sob] The truth is that I never had that... even before my mutation became activated. [chuckle, footsteps] Look, I'm going back to school with my friends. If you really loved me, if you ever really loved me, you wouldn't try to stop me. You wouldn't try to call the police... [scoff] We all know dad's not going to report this. So I guess this is all your choice, mom... [sigh] For whatever it's worth, mom, I'm sorry I couldn't be the normal son you wanted. At least with dad, he didn't have the nerve to tell me he loved me when it was apparent he never did. [sigh, footsteps] I'm going to pack my bags. [footsteps]
* **Maddie Drake:** Bobby...
* **Bobby Drake:** [distant footsteps on stairs] ...
* **Anna-Marie Darkholme:** Maybe this isn't muh place t'say, but... Over the last two years, Bobby's had a lot of nice things t'say about his parents. [pause] True, even had some choice words t'say about Mr. Drake when he was feelin' a little more honest and such. But there's one thing he never did say... And maybe that's because he didn't know until just this minute, but never- not even once, did he say you two was bigots. [sigh] Ah hope ya can prove us wrong someday, Mrs. Drake. Ah really do... Because Ah would be sadder than the last pea at pea-time if ya never had the chance t'get t'know ya son the way Ah have. [sigh, footsteps]

## Trivia and Notes

* This Scan takes place in Subsidiary-Reality M, within Murum Locus.
* Story continues in Cerebro Scans: Birthday Bash 95.
* Debut of St. John Allerdyce, Logan, and Anna-Marie Darkholme