A studio office upstairs is prepared for a comfortable interview between one of the producers and the Elite Academy contestant. It has large wall length windows allowing plenty of light and a great view of the Refuge, there is a small fridge stocked with water and refreshments and the crew is ready.
Time for an interview.
OOC: Open to any Contestant, first come and first served. People who have not done an interview are preferred. But if the slot does not fill, you are more than welcome to jump in.
She made sure she was looking her best. A clean blouse and skirt (both yellow) and kerchief (black). Her cowboy hat, though she tipped it and offered to remove it, if her interviewer preferred. Her cowboy boots. No bees presently visible. Her make-up was light and natural.
She greeted her interviewer with a bright smile.
"Hello. I'm Beatrice Hawkins. Also called Bea. Or Bee. Or even Bee Haw."
“Pleasure, Bea, so for the folks back home let’s just start with a basic introduction. Just state your name, again, and a brief bio about yourself and your time here thus far?” she responded.
"Howdy to everybody watching!" She tipped her cowboy hat.
"I'm Beatrice Hawkins. Often shortened to Bea. B-E-A. But also, because of my emergence and powers and personality, it can be bee. B-E-E. Bee Haw!" She said 'Bee Haw' with the same enthusiasm that you might say 'Yee Haw' while encouraging a group of riders to speed to a gallop.
"I'm from Oklahoma. In the United States of America. I grew up in a rural area, on my parent's ranch. I had an experience when I was thirteen that changed my life. That triggered my emergence. I fell down into a network of tunnels, no way out, the only light from that spot way above where I fell through. It took days for folks to find me. I was so scared. But I found this honeycomb. Bright white honey. And it nourished me and calmed me."
"And, then, I started to be able to do unusual things. Bees are important to my faith. The pilgrims brought deseret - honeybees - on their search for the promised lands when they came to the Americas. Bees represent hard work, order, a community in perfect harmony. And I just found I could calm people when they were angry or scared. I could even read their minds in the process. I could look over them, like heaven looking down, watching in every room, the stable, all over the ranch at the same time. I could fly! And then, I could even turn into a swarm of bees. All those eyes watching in different directions, but all choreographed, all working together. I could help others shine. And work well as a team. I could even pacify a person who wanted to do something violent. It didn't last long, but long enough maybe to get people in danger out of the way, or so they could be taken into custody."
"That part ...I mostly figured that out once I joined a local team of teen elite do-gooders. The Salt of the Earth. In Oklahoma City. We did afterschool patrols. Occasional assistance to the OK Cavalry -- the adults taking care of the big stuff. I got some great mentorship along the way. Particularly from Bill. The Dusky Demon. Our ghost defender."
"But then I got the invitation to come here! To Ethiopia! To UNJE! A chance to maybe join a future team of UNJE do-gooders. And definitely a chance to learn a lot on the way to that decision. I'm honored for the opportunity. Truly."
"It's also been a great opportunity to meet other young elites from all over the world. Lots of really nice really talented folks. New friends and teammates."
"Traveling so far from home... It's been made easier by having a host family here. Like I did in OK City. My church, the church of Latter Day Saints, the Mormon faith ... they help find hosts for us when we travel. I stayed with the Bekeles here before starting up at Academy House, and visit with them when I have breaks, and for Sunday services."
"And since I've been here ... goodness ... there have been very stressful chances to try to save people from bad situations. One real - a gang situation where we saved bystanders and folks trapped in a burning building. But also a simulation. It felt real. Saving folks from an erupting volcano. We also had some teamwork and public facing practice making a viral video for Elite Chai, where I am able to work part-time while I am here."
She paused. "Did that answer your question? Did I miss anything you were looking for?"
"So how do you reconcile your faith with your abilities? Or the abilities of other Elites? Have you had any moments of doubt or uncertainty?" she asked.
"My faith is a big part of who I am. It helps me understand what is right. It helps me be brave and selfless. I know that I should be loving and kind, patient and peaceful, gentle and self-controlled. Honest. Pure in heart and body."
"I think everyone has doubts about whether they can live up to what their faith - what God - asks of them. I will make mistakes. That's life. That's being human. But I will try to do my best and be my best and help others as I can. And try to make it right, or at least amend, when I mess up. And I can try to learn. So I can do better the next day. God has grace enough to cover my self-doubting and stumbling. Infinite inexhaustible love. That's pretty incredible, when you think about it."
"I don't know how faith interacts with elite emergence. I think there are several examples of individuals who find a connection to their faith. Malik, also called Ur-iel, is another example here. Some use the word 'endowment' when it seems like what you've been given comes from a power greater than yourself. Others - I've heard - speculate that our elite abilities can take many shapes, but can be influenced by who the person is. So faith might only be one example, and not the only one. Like ... who we are is the soil in which the seed is planted. I don't know. I can't say for sure. I only know that I saw that my powers developed in ways that resonated with my faith, that made sense as an expression of my faith, and therefore, for me, carry a related duty. But I don't know. I can't say for sure."
"As for how it plays out in small day to day ways, for me, for my faith, there are specific rules about how to dress and what to eat and drink. What not to wear. What not to eat or drink. I have to be comfortable being different. Honestly, I hope I can be a role model for others facing that challenge to be different because of their beliefs! You can do it. I wore a modest burkini in a beach video, side-by-side with a supermodel in a tiny bikini. And it was fine. It was beautiful. I don't drink caffeine while working at a chai shop. These are small things. But they matter if that's part of your faith tradition. It's practicing the muscle of self-discipline. It's honoring those who taught you and showing devotion to your higher power. Stick to your principles. You don't have to 'bend' for people to like you, or to advance in a contest or ... friend group, or relationship, or workplace."
She paused and then added: "Maybe it would be more accurate to say you don't have to bend for the right people to like you, the right friend group, the right relationship, the right workplace."
"And, if other people don't share your beliefs, it's okay for them to be different from you! Just so long as they are still within the bounds of what is good-hearted - or at least harmless to others - and legal. But ... that's a lot of wiggle room!"
Bea blushed. "Thank you. Are you a woman of faith, Ms... Oh! Forgive me. I should have asked your name." She knew she was one of the producers, but she hadn't been at the first day orientation. She has only met Ms. Patel.
She could see the hijab. Probably the woman wore it for religious reasons. She admired that. Respected it.
She waited for her answer.
Eventually, she also added: "I am very aware of the need to represent my communities well. My faith community. The people of Oklahoma. The US. Women of faith. Modest women. Girls who love animals." She smiled at the descriptions. All warm associations for her. "And not just to represent but, yes, to be a role model. There should be lots of admirable women that your audience can think of in their own community, in their faith communities, in business, in charitable work, and in politics. I hope to just be one of many! But one more good example. A little more good in the world. A reminder that this is a good world, with good people in it. And that's not about people being stars alone. That's about people working together, bringing out the best in each other. Harmony of plan and purpose. Resilience. That good ole yee haw spirit!"
"And yes, I hold to my faith as a Muslim. It's not perfect, but it's given me comfort when I needed it. Do you feel you have represented your various communities well?"
"I am glad you have your faith, and the comfort it gives you."
She paused, thinking about the question. Taking it seriously.
"I can always do better. Particularly - the volcano rescue simulation - we didn't save everyone. It was a simulation. But it felt so real to me. We rescued everyone we'd noticed. Everyone we could in the time we had. But there was surely a way to do more. To have tried something else. It made me realize how much there is to learn. Is there a way to stop a volcano? If we'd built the trench so it ran all the way to the sea, would that have prevented any lava from reaching the town? You don't just have to want to help - you need ... knowledge. What is best to do in each kind of emergency. The science. The best practice. The stuff rescue aid workers all over the world learn as they make evacuation plans and perform rescues."
"But in terms of the moments when I felt like ... like a principle was at stake ... I've stuck to my values. I've always chosen to protect first. To save the people at risk. I've prioritized protecting the weakest - infant, children. I've kept to the codes - the Words of Wisdom. Modest. Clean. Hard-working. Kind. I'm always glad for feedback if there was an opportunity I missed. Or words that didn't come out right. But I think I've held my course."
"And I've spoken about my values. It's no secret. More people know the cowgirl code now - assuming that conversation ends up on the show. I've talked about my faith. I have an opportunity tonight to represent the church at a gala. I'm ready to talk about our priorities for charitable giving. I am who I am. Cameras all day and night - I think it doesn't need me to try to be anyone but who I am."
"I wouldn't expect them to follow the Words of Wisdom. They are not part of my faith community. They drink caffeine. Alcohol." She shook her head. "There ... there is some use of substance in the broader celebrity community that I think is a bad influence. Perhaps these are legal intoxicants? But I do not want to be present for that. I left the sports event for that reason." It's not like she could hide it. It happened on camera.
"But I speak only of my personal discomfort. I have no expectation that they eat or drink or dress like me. That is personal. A higher standard maybe, but it only applies to me. That is part of my faith. Rules for me, but not for them."
"And I should definitely emphasize that it has been a very good experience in the team activities. Real and simulated. Everyone gives their all. There is no one I've been on a team with that I wouldn't gladly work with again. I've particularly had a chance to see Malik, Miles, and LD in action when people's lives were on the line, and they always prioritized saving the innocent, even at the potential cost of their own lives. It's very admirable."
"And there are others I haven't had a chance to partner with yet, but who are clearly taking this very seriously. Like Galatea. I've been impressed in the few chances I've had to see her in action. She is thoughtful. A peace maker."
"I think the judges will have a very hard decision to make. Maybe there is room for everyone if they carry on as they have been. Maybe it will come down to what UNJE needs. What specific abilities best complement. And, elites can be called to many kinds of service. There are elite scientists, elite diplomates, elite spokespersons... I don't know what will happen, but I think each of us could do a great deal of good if put to the work of it, in any of those ways."
"A team needs to have a unified purpose. That is the key to acting as one - efficiently, harmoniously. That is the lesson of the hive."
Her expression was thoughtful.
"I can't imagine there is anyone here who does not value the preservation of human life, the protection of the vulnerable, the need for law and order. I think there is only complicated nuanced situations where well-meaning people see different routes to shared values. Politicians deal with this all the time - everyone values human life - but is the next dollar best spent on a soldier to protect, or a doctor to heal, or a teacher to teach. All valuable. All intended to the same ultimate good. And, when - if a danger is great enough - should you act in an unorthodox way that may approach the edge of what is lawful. And do you truly understand what is legal in this place, this city, this community. The law is not universal world-wide."
"But there are, sadly, elites who do not value human life. Villains. Could we find common ground ever? I imagine there are scenarios where even enemies work together to escape a common threat, or defeat a common enemy. We are to love our enemies. To pray for them. To wish them to a healthier place where whatever pain or fear that shaped them might be healed."
"No one is beyond redemption. There is always the chance to turn a life around. Right up to the end. Redemption comes to those who have a broken heart and contrite spirit. That's all it takes. The realization of the wrong-doing. Regret. Humility. It is possible. Our free will gives us the power to do a lot of reckless and harm-causing stuff, and that's the world we live in, but the one power we do not have is to put ourselves beyond the reach of redemption and grace. There is no place the hand of Love cannot reach."
She grinned brightly. She looked straight to the camera.
"Mama, Papa, I think about you every day! I remember everything you taught me. I hope you are proud of me. Give Sunshine a brushing from me. A hug."
"Bill Pickett, I don't know that you watch TV, but hopefully someone will tell you I'm doing my best, and grateful for everything you taught me. I hope the OK Cavalry is keeping the city safe and there isn't too much trouble."
"Diamond, Mercury, Rocky, I know you're all off to college now. I miss you guys. You taught me a lot about teamwork!"
"Bishop, brothers and sisters, I know you've been praying for me! Thank you! Pray for all of us here that we think fast on our feet and make the right choices when peoples' lives are at stake."
