The following is a writing sample for my comic, 'Frisson', involving Erik (pictured above), and Lucy, the protagonists, trying my hand at addressing stand-ins for real life experiences with discrimination in smaller scenes.
'Could you believe it? Those... um, mutants, out on the street. I thought they were all gone!' - Roberta, the seller at a tiny bodega rants to Lucy. The latter knows where the conversation is heading, but is powerless to stop it without causing suspicion, or cutting the transaction for a pair of sandwiches short. Erik stands next to Lucy, waiting impatiently for the right time to leave. He cannot quite understand it yet, but he senses an emerging hostility in the room.
Lucy: Oh, well... I... - Lucy knows she cannot refute her openly, nor is she willing to side with her completely, stuck in a limbo of passive agreement.
Roberta: You know what I've heard? That the poor things are just born like that.
Lucy: Yes... Yes that's how it usually happens. It's genetic by definition, just like height, or hair color...
Roberta: Lord. I can't imagine having kids being one. How could you possibly bring that life into this world in good conscience? - It is here were Erik's starts to break. Roberta had been nothing but kind to him the many times they had met, being gifted candy and receiving warm welcomes to the bodega whenever he walked in. But he realizes then... Roberta doesn't know him. Not fully. His large, wolf ears folded inside pair of large headphones, fur concealed in heavy winter fabrics, bright, red eyes behind a pair of sunglasses; to her, he just looks like any other kid, even with that conspicuous outfit. He is used to having his guard up in front of armed military, masked men, goverment officials... not typical people that were not outwardly hostile, or that Erik perceived as an obvious threat to his life. Not the kind old lady in the corner.
Roberta: At least they've taken most of them away. - Roberta continues, to both Lucy and Erik's dismay. Erik is about to interject, but Lucy stands in front of him, trying to avoid making a scene. - Hopefully things will get better, once they're all gone. Right? - Lucy sighs, seeing that Roberta is finally done getting her change.
Lucy: ...Right. Sorry, I have to get going. Thanks again. - Lucy practically runs away from the shop, gently pulling Erik with her form his arm. As they step outside, Erik looks at the ground, dejected.
Lucy: Are you okay? - Erik does not respond. He is still trying to reconcile what he feels was a deep betrayal. - Don't mind her. She's just... Ignorant. Maybe even a little crazy. - Lucy chuckles awkwardly.
Erik: But she was so nice to me and... Is it all because she doesn't know I'm...
Lucy: I know, I know. Some of the nicest people can still harbor awful things. - Lucy crouches to Erik's eye level, seeing him at the verge of tearing up. - Sometimes they're just misguided. You don't have to listen to her.
Erik: What if we tell her?
Erik: That I'm not... That I'm...
Lucy: When people have chosen what to believe, it's very hard to make them change their minds... no matter how obviously wrong it is.
Lucy: And it is not your responsibility to do so anyway. You know she's wrong, don't you? Why bother? - Erik stops protesting, Lucy noticing she might have made the wrong choice of words. After what feels like a long while, Erik speaks again.
Erik: So... She would be happy if I didn't exist? If she knew I was like this?
Lucy: Geez, kiddo... - Lucy takes time to figure out how to respond without making Erik feel even worse than he already is. - I'd like to think she wouldn't. Not really. But we don't need to go and find out. Your safety is what matters most. Understand? - This clearly does not work, seeing as Erik keeps his head down most of the way home. It takes an even longer silence for Lucy to speak again.
Lucy: ...I'm happy you exist. I hope that's worth something.