The car crash made the local TV news, but only featured about 10 seconds of Beth in her (literally) flashy outfit directing traffic.  The rest of the 30 second clip is spent on explaining what happened and getting eye-witness reactions to Bet's outfit.

But something else is afoot.  Mits is so super excited about this latest news that she has the secretary use the studio's phone system to make a conference call to all her friends, including Beth and Lev!  Those who answer the phone will hear her going on and on about where she's at.

"...Everything's super high-tech!  State of the art recording stuff!  Buttons, knobs, slider thingies... the works!  They took me on a quick tour of the place.  Didja know that Columbia Studios is where Bob Dylan cut his first album?  Well it is!"

"Slow down, Mits," one of her friends chimes in, "I missed the first part.  What's going on?"

"Some super mysterious rich person's decided to make a worldwide club for 'Different Humans' like myself.  And I've been asked to be part of a commercial for it!  And I can invite along whoever I want for a big group shot!"

(Persons with normal hearing can hear the expected sounds of phones ringing, and other office sounds.  Persons with sharp hearing can make out a catchy synth jingle being composed.)

Lev smiled at the local TV news broadcast, happy to see the escapade did make it, especially with the shiny outfit as the center of attention for the event. At the sound of the phone ringing, there would be an answer from Lev's side of things, the bat-boy making a quick 'Hi-and-hello?" before listening to what was being said over the call.

"You've been invited to be in a commercial?! Coooool! Uhm... sorry, shouldn't be too loud over the phone. Alsoooo! Hello to... everyone else as well!" Lev's voice quieted a bit from the excitement after the realization that there was other people present for the call. He'd wait a moment before asking in a still excited but somewhat quieter voice. "What's the music in the background, I don't think I've heard that one before?"

Bethany is listening in. She gasps "A commercial?"

Raichel and Timothius say in unison, "Hi, Mitts!"

Timothius then asks, "What's a rich person wanna do that for? I've heard of never look a gift horse in the mouth, but I've also heard 'Beware of gifts from rich folk'... so which is it?"

Bethany says, "They are mysterious, so it should be fine. Rich people who remain anonymous while giving things are not seeking glory and kinda can't attach any strings... so you should be fine. Oui?"

"It'll be a miracle if a spaz like Mittens is able to last through the filming process before getting thrown off the set by the director!" a friend teases, "Hello, voices I don't recognize."

"You're just saying that to try and get me to spite you," Mits answers, "It's working.  Thanks!  That's Lev the bug slayer I told you about.  And Beth of the glowing traffic jacket.

"I dunno if being secret means anything.  Lex Luthor: rich guy that doesn't shy away from the camera.  Bruce Wayne: rich guy who doesn't shy away from the camera.  Soooo... me-uh-eh.  I'm guessing they're just shy about being a Mutant.

"The music is some famous artist I've never heard of making up a jingle for the commercial.  I can't remember the name, but I think they said he's the guy who made the jingle for Tab Cola.

"So who wants to be in the commercial?!"

"Are humans even allowed?"

"Of course you are!"

"Wow really?!  I guess I'll ask my parents."

Lev listened intently to the conversation, adjusting a bit to being amidst the conference call, given this wasn't exactly the most common type of call he was in. After a bit of listening, he did pitch in. "Secretive can have many reasons. Some don't want the attention, but want to help... some are shady. Some are dramatic and like big grand reveals! And some don't want any conflict from what they're doing. So maybe they are secretly... different?"

He'd pause for a moment, listening again, before speaking up upon a decent opening being present. "Are bats allowed in the commercial?" There'd be a slight snicker after the question.

Timothius objects slightly, "Mittens may be a spaz, but when it comes to something fun like being on TV, she'll show determination."

In a cheery tone, Beth replies, "Tame bats, sure! Untamed, wild bats, probably not. My name's Bethany, also voice I don't recognize! Pleased to meet you!"

Timothius and Raichel mew in unison. Raichel asks, "Will there be dancing?" Timothius adds, "Or singing?"

Bethany says, "So how soon till the commercial? Think we'll be able to invite some other folk who are in favor of this?"

"Emily," the voice answers Beth.

Mits nods.  Especially sharp-eared persons might make out the sound of her pigtails flopping.  "That's Mittens' guess.  Either they're a Mutant like us, or they've got beloved family who is.  And of course you're invited, Lev.  Thank you for the vote of confidence, Bro.  Singing?  Dancing?  Deadline?  Mittens knows not these details yet.  But is guessing, 'yes, yes, and super fast!'  Invite as many people as you want!  They said 'the bigger the crowd, the better!'  Important to note: this is volunteer work.  Absolutely nobody who appears on camera is to be paid a single cent.  The mysterious rich person was very clear on that point.  And there's a pile of dumb paperwork to sign about not holding the studio liable for random people being stupid about seeing you on TV and various other legal mumbo-jumbo.  Not deal-breakers for Mittens, but figured I'd mention in case you have people you'd invite that have weird expectations."

(( Can fast-forward to the first day of filming after next 2 posts if no objection.))

Lev gave a bit of a giggle at Bethany's response to the inquiry of are bats invited. "What if it is a bat that is on two bigs, and hunts bugs? Also! Hello Emily, now that the name is known!"

At the mention of singing, the excitement in his tone sparked. While he had kept his voice in room volume for the most part, the next bit was all but short of a happy and loud exclamation.

"Can anyone volunteer for the singing part?! If so, I would like to assist! Happily!"

There was a pause over the phone before he'd give a totally real and not fake at all cough. "Ehm... sorry, did not mean to shout. But are volunteers still being taken for such? If not, I'd like to volunteer."

Raichel says, "Who cares?! We'll be in a freaking COMMERCIAL!"

Bethany says, "Actually, I can see where they are coming from. If it is found out anyone was paid to do the commercial, then people can point to that and say how the mutants were used as an advertisement campaign for the rich person's goals, and the non-mutants in the commercial HAD to be paid to support mutants, so mutants and humans don't actually get along."

Timothius says, "Gosh... why are people so mean?"

Bethany says, "Hopefully, because we're doing this without pay, they won't be! Because if they are, they will be the ones to look like villains in the public eye instead of us!"

Timothius then says, "Lev, right? Um... you like singing too? I'd love to sing with you..."

(Fine with fast forward)

Mits grins.  "Wowzers!  Someone's excited!  But again.  Mittens doesn't know such details like if there'll be singing.  I could pitch the idea to the composer.  Maybe mention Coke's 'perfect harmony' song that became so famous.

"That sounds surprisingly jaded, Beth.  So you're probably right!  Anyhoo, super glad y'all are excited to join!  They know to schedule around school hours, so hope to see y'all here tomorrow!"

Time skip!

The building is a high rise in the middle of Manhatten right across the street from some world famous hotel.  (  https://www.google.com/maps/@4...3D100!7i16384!8i8192  )  It of course features some silly neon art first thing upon entering.  The secretary directs parents and kids to the proper recording studio.  The studio is as Mits described.  Huge control panel with all kinds of knobs and such.  ( https://www.historyofrecording...lumbiastudiosny.html )  The director is currently on the phone, and everyone else looks very busy, so the only one available to take questions is the geeky looking intern guy that was assigned to peon escort duty.

Lev would attempt to find familiar faces in the grouping of kids, a little nervous to be in the part of the 'tide' that didn't have anyone he knew in it.

Lev looked around in sheer awe at the studio once the group got moving, giving a quiet 'wooooow!' at all of it. From the shiny neon art at the front, to the studio itself inside, as well as the hotel itself. He's seen a few, even a good class one from time to time, but never one of this standing. Once they arrived at the studio, it was a feat in and of itself to not hum in excitement.

He'd keep a ear out amongst all the busy-bodies for any exciting news about what was planned for the day, as well as for questions that were directed at the 'Peon Guide'.

Timothius holds Mittens hand and has tails linked with Raichel. He and Rai look waaaay up at the tower. In unison, they say, "Wooooah...."

Upon Lev humming, Timothius lightly sways his hips and tries to hum along. Bethany is smiling brightly and doing a little dance of her own to Lev's hum.

He looks up at the intern and checks for a name tag. "Mr Eon? Cool name." he smiles. "Happen to know what all these people do?" he asks, half-hoping for a small tour of the recording studio.

Raichel is scanning the area like a cat staring at a Christmas tree.

The parents are pretty interested in all this fancy stuff as well, so outside basic introductions, not much conversation has been had.

Mits grins at her lil sibs' reactions.  "Isn't this place the coolest?!"

(Speaking of cool.  Hadn't established time of year.  Um.  Early April sound good?)

"Thanks!" Eon answers with a smile, "Assistant producer's the big boss.  But usually never around 'cause he's working on a million other projects.  The director's the one who's the big boss who's actually here every day.  Mostly talks with the department bosses.  So there's a team leader for the music department, the video recording department, the staging department, and so on."

"Giant Mullet Man's in charge of recording, right?" Mits asks, "The guy who moaned about, 'never work with kids and animals?"

Parents look offended.

Eon snrks.  "Yeah.  Don't take it personal.  He'd find a reason to complain no matter what."

Parents look less offended.

Lev looked towards Timothius and Bethany, giving a bit of a smile before putting a bit more complexity to the hum, making a small tune out of it. He'd stop after a short bit once more verbal conversing began, so as to not be an intrusion on such, but he'd give a thumbs up towards Timothius, semi-whispering. "Thanks for joining the hum! Always sounds cooler with two!"

Lev attempted to keep a general idea of who was who when it came to faces and titles. He'd give a bit of a snicker about the 'animals and kids', but refrained from making any comments. He'd raise a hand just a slight bit over his head before asking his question to Eon. "There are a lot of people today! If it is okay to ask, how... uhm... how much goes into making stuff like commercials?"

Bethany listens and nods as she looks around, taking in the sights and the what's-what.

Timothius nods to Lev and says, "Yeah... singing is fun..."

Bethany says, "Hmm. Wonder if he's complained about working with himself before."

Raichel says, "I hope I don't give him too much to complain about..."

(April sounds fine with me)

Bethany looks at Raichel. "Now how could anyone complain about a cute, sweet thing like you?

Raichel says, "I'm a lot pricklier than I look..."