Rogue & Julian: Bigotry in Aisle 4

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Julian takes Rogue to the Yonkers Wal-Mart to buy sheets and the two end up spotting some anti-mutant bigotry.


"I love Wal-Mart," Rogue declared proudly. "It has everything you could ever want.". She turned to look at her shopping partner, an incredibly reluctant looking Julian. "And I promise, we will go somewhere expensive for lunch after where you can buy me caviar and champagne or something. I just can't cope with the floral bedsheets Moira left behind."

Rogue shuddered. "Why hasn't that woman learned that orange flowers haven't been in style since the seventies? How am I supposed to sleep comfortably? I mean, really."

"There are at least a dozen places I've the city we could have gone for sheets. I highly doubt they have anything over...ten thread count here." Julian sighed and pressed forward into the unflattering florescent lighting. It wasn't so much the wares that bothered him, he'd already been asked where things were several times by inquisitive customers- though the suit best likely didn't help with that. Two had been on rascals...the final thing he'd actually seen two aisles back; he had refused to assist out of principle, until Rouge had given him a look and he agreed to sullenly help out.

"You know, I heard that's just a conspiracy by Big Linens so that people spend more money on sheets. Have you ever had freshly laundered sheets, hung outside to dry, all stiff with sunlight? Most amazing feeling ever. And," she continued,"you knew your mama just loved you "

She smiled ‎down at a little girl, singing her alphabet song off-key. "Besides, think of it this way: you're becoming one with the people ," she said with air quotes.

"The people," Julian rolled his eyes. "These folks aren't quite the people I'm used to connecting with. You live in a mansion, Rogue, rent free- you can afford nice things." He followed along behind his friend, hands in his pockets as several young women wearing pajama pants with the word 'Pink' plastered all over them.

"Doesn't mean it'll last forever. Some of us have limited savings and no job. Besides, I like the sense of anonymity here. No one knows who we are, and the best part? No one cares." She slowed down and looked around before nodding towards a teen dressed in full gothic makeup, standing next to an overly tanned woman. "You can be anything you want. And if I want to buy discount sheets, I can. Because I'm poor."

Rogue located the linens aisle and kept on walking towards it. "Once upon a time, I was a runaway teen with nothing but my jacket and a backpack. I don't think you ever forget the feeling of choosing food or shelter cause you can't afford both."

Privileged guilt crept in as he was once again reminded of how good he'd really had it, "Well that sucks. It reminds me of the time that our chef, Maria, burnt a roast so badly that we had to choose if we were going to buy a new house or go out for dinner...we did both." Julian took in the family she had observed, "I never went hungry when I was a kid- I didn't even have to think about money until my dad cut me off when I was at Xavier's. All I had to do to get that back was save him from a sociopath, drug-lord. I am sorry that your early life was so rough, Rogue- I am trying to relate."

They rounded a corner and Julian caught a flash of blue out of the corner of his eye and stopped, "You're almost right. Not everyone can be anything they want to be," he subtly pointed down the aisle.

Rogue had been listening so intently that she didn't notice what was going on until Julian pointed it out.

A young woman, blue from head to toe was arguing with a customer. It was clear from her demeanor that she was trying to explain something to the man, but he wasn't listening. As it was close to where her items were, she started to walk closer and was able to hear what was being said.

"Look, just give me the item. I know you guys have more. The manager is my cousin, so just go to the
Store room and get me the fucking microwave."

"I'm sorry, sir, but we are sold out. As I said before, I'd be happy to provide you with a rain cheque but you will have to wait approximately two weeks until we restock.".

"Listen, you damn mutie," the man snarled, "you gotta do what I say! I'm the customer and the customer is always right. ‎ Now do it before I put you in your fucking place."

"Now wait just a second," she cried out, her accent thickening as she walked towards the girl. She hated it when people acted ignorant and rude. It was obvious ‎the girl was doing her best and was close to tears. "This girl just explained to you what's what. Y'all don't gotta be rude. Ya ain't got the sense your mama gave ya?"

Julian followed close behind, noting several other shoppers watching the confrontation and keeping an eye out for the 'security' team that he'd seen on the way in. He sidled up to the other side of the man and focused a bit to make his eyes glow- it almost always worked to intimidate small minded jack-asses. "And did we hear you call her a 'mutie?'"

Most people would back away when confronted with their idiocies, but it seemed to ignite the man further. "And what if I did? She is a fucking mutie. No human is that colour. How'd you even get hired anyways? Fuck Obama -- he's the reason we decent folk have to put up with looking at these things."‎ To Rogue's dismay, a few bystanders cheered, riling the man up further. "I should get my shit for free since I've had to waste my time talking to that."

By this point, the employee was openly crying and Rogue quickly walked over to her. She grabbed the girl's hand and glared. "She's still got feelings, ya asshole, just like ev'ryone in here! Does this make you feel like a big man, making a poor girl cry? Big, tough man."

Security had shown up and was pressing their way forward, the last thing Julian needed was his picture in the paper at a Wal-Mart. "She's blue, you're a bigot, only one of you can change their fact. If you want to pick on a mutant, how about you pick on me?" He leaned in, "I would love to see you try to do that."

Two men in white polo shirts approached the scene, pushing their way past a woman on a rascal. "What's going on here?"

It was like night and day. The man's demeanor instantly changed. "Oh, everything's fine, guys. Just having a conversation with my mutant friends. Nothing to worry about."

The security guards took on the situation and flicked their eyes to the employee who had stopped crying. Rogue was about to speak up when the girl said, in a tiny voice, "We're okay, thanks." She then took the opportunity to escape, leaving behind Rogue, Julian and the man.

Julian let the green fade from his eyes, "Nothing wrong here, gentlemen- just a misunderstanding." Julian thought about putting a hand on the bigot, but figured he'd probably get sued; instead settling for maneuvering himself behind him, "Isn't that right, sir?"

It was good for the man that Julian clearly didn't want a scene because Rogue was ready to pounce. She hadn't felt this riled up in a while. "Just a misunderstanding," repeated the man. It was obvious he would've said more but the presence of the security guards stopped him. Rogue gave him her patented death glare as he slinked off.

In fact, she continued glaring in the man's general direction until she was sure he was gone. "What the hell was his problem? I wanted to tear him a new one and stuff his head in it, I swear, Julian, why would he think he could do that? Poor girl, and obviously she can't even rely on her co-workers, oh that just makes me so mad!" She stamped her foot and huffed. "Can we go now? Drive me somewhere. Anywhere."

The crowd dispersed and Julian carefully set a hand on Rogue's shoulder, "Hey, he's not worth it. Let's go get some lunch, then I'll get you some real sheets." He offered her his arm, "I know a charming bistro in the city, right near a bedding store."

"Well why didn't you say so in the first place," she asked looping her arm through his. "I hate Wal-Mart anyways."