Heart of the Woods Interview: Maddie

(Hey everyone, it's Rachel again! For this interview, I'm going to be introducing a new character who will be hosting all future character interviews! Elisheva (or Eli for short), a journalist reporting from the totally-a-real-building Élan HQ, is going to be making sure you get the inside scoop on all your favorite gals. As for learning about her...stay tuned...)

Maddie Raines arrives at the studio a little more than a half hour ahead of schedule, rolling a small suitcase behind her. When the time comes to mic her for the interview, she reveals that she brought her own set of recording equipment (I’m a little ashamed to admit that it was significantly better than ours) and is more than capable of setting it up herself. However, that efficient attitude disappears the moment the camera itself clicks on: while she’s definitely a pro, she clearly doesn’t care for being on this side of the camera.

Elisheva: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us today. I know you’re a very busy woman.

Maddie: It’s no trouble. I’m a lot more willing to sit down with someone when they’re actually able to schedule ahead of time, unlike certain other people I could mention.

Elisheva: So for starters, why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself?

Maddie: Well, I’m sure you already know the basics. She’s 25, her favorite cryptid is-

Elisheva: Sorry, I must have misspoken. I asked you to talk about yourself, not about Tara.

Maddie: Oh! Uh...wow. Sorry. Every other interview I’ve done is mostly people just asking questions about her.

Elisheva: I understand.

Maddie: About me...I’m not sure there’s that much to tell, really. Uh...I’m 24, I play piano, I’m a film student. Well, I was a film student, for a while, but I dropped out in sophomore year. I’m going to go back eventually, though.

Elisheva: So you’re a big movie fan, then.

Maddie: Let’s just say that if I was the one with the vlog, there would be a lot less Sasquatch and a lot more David Lynch.

Elisheva: Have you ever thought about making a movie yourself?

Maddie: Oh, sure, plenty of times. I had plenty of film ideas when I was in school, but Taranormal ended up overriding that. For now, I’ve got my hands way too full to focus on anything else.

Elisheva: For now...I assume you’re referring to the fact that you’re going to be leaving Taranormal after this trip?

She seems to freeze up at the question, unsure how to respond. As I consider changing the subject, she finally speaks up.

Maddie: Well, uh...yes, that’s true. It’s been an honor to be a part of the show and I’m going to miss it terribly, but it’s...time to move on. Tara and I will always be best friends, and I don’t want it to seem like I have any problem with her. I have the fullest confidence that Taranormal will continue on as it always has.

She responds like she’s reading from a cue card. I can tell she just wants to get this line of conversation out of the way.

Elisheva: I see. Well, I’m sure we’re all looking forward to seeing where you go next.

Maddie: You probably shouldn’t expect much.

Elisheva: Oh. Well, then, um...do you have a favorite movie, then?

She perks up much more at this question, the uncomfortable air fading into the background. I can tell that she’s a lot more interested in talking about movies than she is in talking about herself.

Maddie: Well, it’s really hard to pick just one. I suppose I’d have to go with 2001: A Space Odyssey, because Kubrick really is a master of his craft. No Country for Old Men is also incredible, and of course Mulholland Drive, and Tokyo Godfathers, and…

Elisheva: Well! Sounds like you’ve got a lot of favorites!

Maddie: -and...oh, sorry. I guess I got a bit carried away.

Elisheva: That’s understandable! I can tell you’ve got a lot of passion for it. Does that extend to TV as well?

Maddie: Well, I love Twin Peaks.

Elisheva: ...And?

Maddie: That’s pretty much it. I feel like the best stories should only take a couple hours to tell.

Elisheva: So you’re not a big video game fan, then.

Maddie: Absolutely not.

For some reason, she looks directly into the camera.

Elisheva: I have heard that you’re a bit of an anime fan, though.

Maddie starts to look around the room nervously, fidgeting with her hair.

Maddie: Who told you that?

Elisheva: I have my sources. Do you have a favorite?

Maddie: [unintelligible]

Elisheva: What was that?

Maddie: ….Love Live Sunshine...

Elisheva: A classic. Do you have a favorite character?

Maddie: Riko and Dia, I guess. I can really relate to Riko’s struggle to find a place and make peace with herself and what she wants to do, and I can relate to Dia’s struggle to manage and bring order to an absolute trainwreck.

Maddie: Can we be done talking about anime now, please?

Elisheva: Of course.

Elisheva: So! Let’s talk about Abigail.

Maddie: Okay!

That same excitement seems to take hold of her once again, but she seems to be actively attempting to hide it. But she can’t beat out my reporter’s instinct.

Elisheva: As a self-proclaimed skeptic, it’s pretty surprising to see you sharing such a close relationship with a supernatural entity.

Maddie: “A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence,” as David Hume put it. I’m a skeptic, sure, but I’m not going to ignore the evidence in front of me. Especially when the evidence is as sweet as she is.

Elisheva: She certainly is a cutie.

Maddie: She’s spoken for.

Elisheva: I know, I was just-

Maddie: And I’m just saying that she’s spoken for.

Elisheva: ...Right. Okay. So. Clearly she’s very special to you.

Maddie: Well, you know…it’s not often that you meet someone like her, and not just because she’s a ghost. She’s really wonderful in a lot of ways.

Elisheva: Care to elaborate?

Maddie: Even after everything she’s been through, she’s still such a kind and joyful soul full of life and passion. It really motivates me. She’s a lot of fun to be around, too. Plus, she’s, ah...well…

Elisheva: Pretty?

Maddie: She’s very...beautiful. Even if she were fully human, it would be otherworldly.

Elisheva: That’s really sweet.

Maddie: Yeah...she’s...really great. She’s amazing.

Maddie: Actually, can we wrap this up? I think I have somewhere I need to be.

Elisheva: I can’t imagine where that could be.

Maddie’s face has been slowly turning more and more red since we began talking about Abigail, and now it turns an even deeper shade of crimson. She’s clearly not used to feelings like this.

Elisheva: Well, thank you so much for your time! It’s been a pleasure.

Maddie: Likewise. It’s nice to actually talk to someone professional for once.

Elisheva: And speaking of professionals, be sure to check back in next time for an interview with one of the most popular vloggers around, Tara Bryck! I’m sure plenty of you are looking forward to getting a little more up close and personal with her.

Maddie: Good luck with that one. You’ll need it.