I Thought My Dad Was A Hero

Master Mixer

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Transcript

00:00Hi, I'm Tuli from Boston. Before I tell you my story, please like and subscribe to MSI.

00:05Growing up, I was really close to my dad. He was a space scientist who worked for the government.

00:11He built satellites, won multiple awards for his space research, and one time, he even predicted a war based on a satellite meeting.

00:19Dad was my hero, and I inherited his look for science.

00:23We would talk for hours discussing big mysteries of space, and I loved it, but my mom always felt left out in our conversations.

00:31Like this one time in 10th grade, Dad was telling me about his new project when Mom walked in and turned the TV volume up.

00:38You turn that stupid music down, it's giving me a migraine. Your stupid science talk is giving me a migraine.

00:45Dad snatched the remote and shut the TV off.

00:48Mom tried to snatch it back, but she lost her balance and knocked into a big shelf with Dad's trophies and awards.

00:54Everything crashed, and Dad looked mad.

00:56Look what you've done! When will you start behaving like a grown-up?

01:00You're a scientist's wife, and you're dumber than a tree.

01:03Gosh, what an embarrassment. Tuli come to my study. We'll talk there.

01:07Mom looked like she'd burst into tears, and I felt a little bad for her, but she was always acting so silly.

01:13Over time, my parents started fighting a lot, and every time Dad would get annoyed, he'd lock himself in his study.

01:19He started getting more distant and would hardly even talk to me.

01:22Then, a week after my 18th birthday, I walked in on him packing his bags.

01:27Where are you going?

01:28On a big mission. I don't have time to explain, Tuli. Just keep this necklace, and know that I love you.

01:33I opened the necklace and saw a picture of me and Dad, and broke into tears.

01:38Don't go, Dad.

01:39I just have to. Take care. I'll see you soon.

01:42Dad left, and I waited for him patiently.

01:45The weeks turned into months, and he never came back.

01:48And then one day, we got a phone call from his office saying that they'd lost contact with his spaceship, and the search was underway.

01:55The news of Dad's disappearance spread like wildfire.

01:58Everyone was concerned for the hero scientist who had gone missing, except Mom.

02:04She was happier than ever.

02:05She went shopping, got a new phone, changed her hair, got rid of all of Dad's stuff, and wiped his study clean.

02:12When I kicked up a fuss about it, she said we had to move on with our life.

02:16But things hit the roof when the police came in asking for questions.

02:20Mom just screamed at them and asked them to leave.

02:23Why did you send the police away? They could have helped us find Dad.

02:27They already went through everything a few days back, Thule, and they found nothing.

02:32Why do I have to go through this again and again?

02:34How would they find anything when you literally got rid of everything Dad ever touched?

02:39It's so obvious you don't want him to come home.

02:42I heard you two fight the day before Dad left, and you sounded like you'd rip his head off.

02:46That's none of your business, and whatever I'm doing is for your own good.

02:50Now go to your room and stop giving me a headache.

02:53But I wasn't going to give up this easily, so I decided to take things into my own hands.

02:58I spent days reading every news article printed about his disappearance,

03:02tried getting in touch with his office, spoke to some of his friends, but nothing turned up.

03:07I was super distracted and failed a scholarship test to one of the best colleges in the city.

03:13Bummed out I skipped school that day and went to a cafe when this guy crashed into me, spilling his drink everywhere.

03:20He tried to apologize, but slipped and fell right on top of me.

03:24Ugh, this is the worst day ever!

03:27Yeah, it kind of is. I almost got hit by a bus in the morning, and then my car broke down.

03:32And then I came to the cafe, but they didn't serve any hot chocolate and I had to get cold chocolate instead.

03:38And now I'll have to order a new one.

03:40Can you shut up and get off me? You're kind of heavy.

03:43Yeah, sorry.

03:45Oh my god, is that the sequel to the Underwater Alien Invasion series?

03:50Please, please let me borrow this. I'm a huge fan, and all the copies are sold out.

03:55I'll get you free coffees for a whole month, please. I'm Kirk, by the way.

04:00Tuli. Kirk and I spent the next few hours together, and it turned out we had a lot in common.

04:06He was a science nerd like me, fun and really cute. He was a bit weird, but at least he made me smile.

04:13We started hanging out often, and slowly I opened up to him about my life, family, and dad's disappearance.

04:19That's exactly what happened to my uncle. He was a fisherman and went missing.

04:24We found him ten days later and kept asking him what happened, but he didn't say a word.

04:28Eventually, we realized he'd gone deaf because of water clogging his ears.

04:32I don't see your point.

04:34The point is that we found my uncle, and we'll find your dad too. We just need to keep looking.

04:39Kirk told me his dad knew people in the government, and maybe he could help us get some inside scoop.

04:44I prayed something would turn up soon, but all my hopes went down the drain when a week later, Kirk came back and told me that my dad was never assigned a mission.

04:53Everyone in the government was just as confused about his disappearance as I was.

04:58But how's that possible? Dad told me he was leaving on a mission. He gave me this necklace right before leaving.

05:04Kirk asked me for the necklace, but just as I was giving it to him, it fell. My picture fell out, and behind it was a tiny key.

05:12When I went home that night, I tried looking everywhere if there was a box or a locker that Dad might have left behind, but I found nothing.

05:19I was searching the living room when I heard a car pull up in my driveway.

05:23I went to check and saw Mom all dressed up talking to some man. As soon as he left, I rushed outside to confront Mom. You moved on quickly.

05:32I just went out to a nice dinner with a nice man. It's not a big deal.

05:37Really? I wonder what Dad will say when he gets back and finds out that his wife is cheating on him with some clown.

05:44And what will he say when he sees that his genius daughter failed an important scholarship test?

05:50That's right. Your teacher called me. How are we supposed to afford college now, huh?

05:54Oh, don't worry about it. We'll just borrow some money from your rich boyfriend. He drives a fancy car.

06:00I don't think he'll have a problem sparing a few bucks for your poor daughter.

06:04You know what, Mom? You never deserved Dad. He was too smart for you anyway. Good that you're finding someone from your own league.

06:11Watch your mouth, Tooley. But I was already on my way inside the house.

06:15That night, I slept with one thought on my mind. I had to find Dad and move out of this miserable house as soon as I could.

06:22The next day, I met Kirk and told him my plan of breaking into Dad's office. Mom got rid of all of his stuff, and the office is the only place I haven't looked yet.

06:31How are you so sure that you'll find something? The police might have looked already.

06:36But they didn't have this key. I know it means something, and I have to give it a shot.

06:41Fine. I'm coming with you. No way I'm dragging you into this. Saying that, I turned around and left.

06:46Dad worked in a government facility, and it was difficult to get past the security checks during the day, so I decided to sneak into the office building at night.

06:54That evening, when Mom slept, I slowly slid out of my window and left. I was standing outside Dad's building when a guy dressed up as Batman came and stood next to me.

07:04How do I look? Kirk? Why are you dressed like that?

07:08I've always wanted to dress up like Batman and fight crime. Actually, no. I wanted a disguise, and this was the only costume available last minute. I wish they had Spider-Man.

07:18Listen, I'm coming with you, okay? I know you're strong and independent, but you need my help.

07:23Why do you want to help me? Because I like you, dummy. And if we survive tonight, I'm taking you out on a date.

07:30Um, just think about it. Now, remember, be quiet and fast.

07:35Kirk said that, took one step, and fell on his face.

07:38I was showing you what we shouldn't do.

07:41Got it, Buttman. I'm joking. Don't cry. Let's go, Batman.

07:46Kirk and I went inside, kept our heads down, and dodged a bunch of cameras. It was dark, and Kirk kept bumping into me.

07:53But somehow we made our way towards the Department of Space and Aerotechnology. This must be it.

07:58But just as we took one step inside, alarms started blaring like crazy, and within seconds we were surrounded by a SWAT team.

08:06I told them my dad worked here, but they still handcuffed me and Kirk, took us to the police station, locked us in, and called our parents.

08:14Kirk's dad used his connections to get us out, but Mom had to pay a lot of money so my arrest won't go on my permanent record.

08:21When we got home that night, she was pissed.

08:25I sold my jewelry to get that money. It was for your college. I don't even know what to say to you.

08:30You could start with telling me where Dad is.

08:32Oh my God, Tooley, your dad's gone. I've accepted that, and you should too.

08:37I just can't give up on him so easily. Look, look at this necklace. It's a key, and Dad gave it to me right before he left and asked me to keep it safe.

08:47Obviously, it's something important. This might have information on it that can lead us to him.

08:52Give this to the police and let them handle it. This is beyond your control.

08:57And what if the police fail to handle it? It's been months, and we have no clue where Dad is.

09:02People don't disappear like that, Mom. Something happened to him. If he is out there, how can I stop looking for him?

09:08If you know something, just tell me, Mom. I can handle the truth. I just know I can't go on like this anymore.

09:16Oh, my sweet baby. I wish I could help you.

09:19Mom hugged me tight as I sobbed like a little baby. In all my years, I'd never felt this close to her.

09:26And maybe she was right, and the situation was beyond my control.

09:31The next morning, Mom and I went to the police and gave them all the information I had, including the necklace.

09:37The principal agreed to let me appear for the scholarship test again, thanks to my previous scores, and this time I cracked it.

09:43Kirk took me out to celebrate over ice cream when he suddenly jumped on a table and started singing.

09:48Oh, Tulee, my Tulee, you're sweeter than ice cream. I want to be with you. Will you be the peanut butter to my jelly?

09:59That was so cheesy.

10:01Then what do you have to say about this?

10:03Kirk kissed me. Oh, and it felt perfect.

10:06We started dating officially, and he even got through to the same college as mine. Mom was happy and everything was fine, except I still missed Dad terribly.

10:15Then, a day before I was leaving for college, I was loading my stuff in the car when a bunch of police vehicles pulled up in our driveway.

10:22They spoke to Mom for a while, and then she walked up to me with tears in her eyes.

10:27It's about your Dad.

10:29My heart leapt to my throat. What's happened? Is he okay?

10:32They found him, but he doesn't want to see you.

10:34That's not possible. Dad loves me. Of course he wants to see me. I have to go.

10:39Mom tried to stop me, but I ignored her and left. I didn't get what her deal was.

10:43But I was too excited to see Dad after so long.

10:46But my excitement turned to horror when I saw the police car turn towards a prison.

10:51My heart was pounding when the police asked me to sit in the waiting room, and minutes later, a frail-looking man walked in.

10:58Dad! I ran and hugged him tight.

11:01I'm so happy you're okay. But what are you doing in prison, Dad?

11:05Paying for trusting my daughter. What else?

11:07Dad told me that he was running away from the government because he had illegally sold important government secrets to enemy nations for money.

11:16The government found out about it and had been tracking down Dad for months.

11:20But I got that phone call from the office about losing contact with your spaceship.

11:25That was a lie the government made up.

11:27They couldn't tell the public a national hero had gone rogue till they had proof, which you gave them.

11:33That was the key to my secret locker with evidence of my illegal activities and bank accounts.

11:38I had no choice but to flee, but I didn't want to get caught with all the information on me.

11:42No one would suspect a stupid necklace, so I put that key in there and gave it to you to keep my information safe.

11:48But you went ahead and handed it over to the police. How could you be so dense, Tooley?

11:53Don't you dare talk to my daughter like that, you moron!

11:57I turned around to see Mom walk in with Kirk, march up to Dad, and slap him square in the face.

12:02That was for insulting my daughter. And that is for lying to us.

12:07You mean lying to Tooley, because you knew the whole truth, but you chose not to tell her, so I guess we're not that different.

12:14What? Is that true, Mom?

12:16Yes. The police told me everything the day after your dad left.

12:20They were the ones who took away his things into custody for investigation, but didn't find anything.

12:26I tried to help as much as I could, but I didn't want them to drag you into the mess, so I kept everything from you.

12:32You worshipped your dad, and I thought finding out that he's not a hero but a traitor would destroy you.

12:38So you lied to me? For months you saw me suffer and you didn't say a word. How could you, Mom?

12:44And Dad, I trusted you blindly and almost gave up on my future to find you. And you didn't bother to tell me you were okay?

12:52Both of you are liars. I hate you!

12:55Mom tried to stop me, but there was nothing more to say. Dad got life imprisonment, and I never saw you again.

13:02Kirk and I left for college soon after, and even though Mom tried calling several times, I didn't answer her.

13:08All I needed was space and time to heal. I felt like a mess, and Kirk helped me pick up the pieces.

13:14I went into therapy, graduated from college, got a job, and got married to Kirk in a small ceremony.

13:20A year went by, and soon I was blessed with a baby girl. I was in the hospital when Mom walked in with a huge bouquet.

13:27I know you don't want to talk to me, but I'm here for my granddaughter.

13:31How are you, Mom? Since you're asking, I'm doing pretty good.

13:35No, that's a lie. I'm horrible, too. I miss you so much. Please forgive me.

13:41I know it was stupid of me to hide the truth about your dad, but I thought I was protecting you.

13:46You have a daughter now. Won't you do anything to protect her?

13:50I guess. I get your point, Mom. But it was still wrong what you did. But I... I forgive you.

13:56Can you please take away these roses from my face now? You know I hate them.

14:01Anything you say, love.

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