Kip Coradyne wasn’t terribly fond of anybody. If he really wanted to, he could find something nice to say about his closest acquaintances, the few there were, but he’s never wanted to. He was bitter, angry, and spent the majority of his time making up stories about the misfortunes and trials of the random passersby he saw on the street. “Probably going home to his 200 sq. ft. apartment filled only with a beanbag and his dildo collection,” he’d whisper as he watched a perfectly average man walk by. “Enjoy that abortion,” he’d mumble after a woman dressed to go clubbing.
He had particular disdain for his customers, the stoners, the tweakers, the bored and hopeless, who came to him with head down clinching a handful of bills. He found them pathetic, and wasn’t afraid to berate them as they made their purchase, to insult their intelligence, their appearance, and their filthy habit. He didn’t see the irony that he was basically feeding their habit, and whenever he it is mentioned to him, he plainly states that they would just get their drugs elsewhere if he weren’t around. “Because all the world is shit,” he’d say, as he grabbed their money, “and I’m the one behind the horse.”
Kip didn’t adjust his attitude for his compatriots, and was probably the only No One who was disrespectful to the Emperor. “Oh jeez, old man,” Kip said as he saw the kindly figure approach. “Does Fierce really want to play hardball with me?”
“Not exactly, Kip,” the Emperor replied.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Chapter 3 - 9
Tina was just packing up her bag when Reginald bolted into the restaurant. She sighed as she saw him.
“What’s the hurry, honey?” she said, lifting her bag onto her shoulder.
“There’s a big problem. I was approached by a normal at my conference today.”
“So?”
“I mean,” Reginald stammered. “No Ones can’t be approached!”
“Nonsense. People come up to me all the time.”
“Yes, in a business context! But this, this was…um…personal.”
“What are you talking about?” Tina said, sitting down.
“Well,” Reginald said, suddenly realizing who he was speaking to, “I was…propositioned by a woman.”
Tina burst out laughing.
“It’s not funny! Something is definitely going on. I…I’m afraid that I might be losing my powers,” Reginald trailed off into a whisper.
Tina finally caught her breath and reached out her hand to take Reginald’s. “Dear, you worry too much. Tell me, how did you get here?”
“I took the high road.”
“Uh huh, and how far away were you?”
“Maybe a mile and a half.”
“And it took you, what, five minutes?”
The point sank in, and Reginald slowed his breathing. “I…guess it was a stupid worry. It was just really unsettling. I haven’t had that happen to me in a while.”
“I know. You’re stuck in your little isolationist state, and you don’t really expect anyone to be paying attention to you. But don’t worry…I’m paying attention.”
Reginald smiled, and pulled her up to kiss her. “Thanks,” he murmured. “Let’s go somewhere fancy.”
“So,” Tina asked as they left. “Was she pretty?”
“What’s the hurry, honey?” she said, lifting her bag onto her shoulder.
“There’s a big problem. I was approached by a normal at my conference today.”
“So?”
“I mean,” Reginald stammered. “No Ones can’t be approached!”
“Nonsense. People come up to me all the time.”
“Yes, in a business context! But this, this was…um…personal.”
“What are you talking about?” Tina said, sitting down.
“Well,” Reginald said, suddenly realizing who he was speaking to, “I was…propositioned by a woman.”
Tina burst out laughing.
“It’s not funny! Something is definitely going on. I…I’m afraid that I might be losing my powers,” Reginald trailed off into a whisper.
Tina finally caught her breath and reached out her hand to take Reginald’s. “Dear, you worry too much. Tell me, how did you get here?”
“I took the high road.”
“Uh huh, and how far away were you?”
“Maybe a mile and a half.”
“And it took you, what, five minutes?”
The point sank in, and Reginald slowed his breathing. “I…guess it was a stupid worry. It was just really unsettling. I haven’t had that happen to me in a while.”
“I know. You’re stuck in your little isolationist state, and you don’t really expect anyone to be paying attention to you. But don’t worry…I’m paying attention.”
Reginald smiled, and pulled her up to kiss her. “Thanks,” he murmured. “Let’s go somewhere fancy.”
“So,” Tina asked as they left. “Was she pretty?”
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Chapter 3 - 8
“So what if I am?” the woman answered, adjusting her pose to accentuate her features. Reginald was now able to get a good look at her. She was a bit older, but still very pretty, her dark hair cut into a bob and her fine silk dress suit revealing a small amount of cleavage. Her eyes sparkled with some intelligence and attraction, but other than that, Reginald noticed little else, not the familiar tinge of recognition he would expect. This was a normal woman, which worried him greatly.
“It’s just...um...I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting this today,” Reginald said, his eyes darting around the room.
“Oh, don’t be modest. Listen, I can see you’re a bit nervous, so I’ll leave you for now, but,” she said, sticking out her hand and handing him a keycard, “if you have some time this evening, you’ll know where to find me.” She winked at him, and then sauntered out of the room, casting a glance behind her as she left, giggling.
Reginald stood there dumbfounded, trying to come up with an adequate explanation for this. He didn’t doubt that he may have been attractive enough to draw the attention of a wanting woman, but it had been years since he had drawn glances from anyone but Tina. “I don’t get it. Normals do not notice us, it’s part of the rules. Either some new power is at work here or...I’m losing my touch.”
Archer sprinted out of the conference room.
“It’s just...um...I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting this today,” Reginald said, his eyes darting around the room.
“Oh, don’t be modest. Listen, I can see you’re a bit nervous, so I’ll leave you for now, but,” she said, sticking out her hand and handing him a keycard, “if you have some time this evening, you’ll know where to find me.” She winked at him, and then sauntered out of the room, casting a glance behind her as she left, giggling.
Reginald stood there dumbfounded, trying to come up with an adequate explanation for this. He didn’t doubt that he may have been attractive enough to draw the attention of a wanting woman, but it had been years since he had drawn glances from anyone but Tina. “I don’t get it. Normals do not notice us, it’s part of the rules. Either some new power is at work here or...I’m losing my touch.”
Archer sprinted out of the conference room.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Chapter 3 - 7
“I appreciate your time,” Archer said, as the 25-minute mark approached. “You can find my business cards and other materials available at the back table. Thank you.” Archer stepped down from the tiny stage and moved to the side of the room, expecting to slip out without being interrupted. He knew that Tina was at the Jamaican restaurant today, and wanted to get there before she left.
“Excuse me, Mr. Archer,” a woman said as she stepped in front of him.
Archer almost toppled onto her before he caught his balance. He took a step back and posed to regain his composure. “Sorry about that. Hello. Nice to meet you, Ms....Warner.”
“I just wanted to thank you for the talk. It’s been a long day and it was good to see someone who tried to spice things up.”
“Um...you’re welcome. Now, I would love to chat, but I actually have another talk in a different room,” Archer lied, a little confused by the woman’s words.
“Let me walk with you. I would like to hear more about your business philosophy.”
“Oh, it’s going to be mainly the same thing. I wouldn’t want you to have to sit through it all again,” Reginald said, looking for another exit.
“I wouldn’t mind,” the woman said. “I would give me another chance to watch your handsome self strut about.”
Reginald’s sense of irritation suddenly switched to one of danger. “Are you...flirting with me?”
“Excuse me, Mr. Archer,” a woman said as she stepped in front of him.
Archer almost toppled onto her before he caught his balance. He took a step back and posed to regain his composure. “Sorry about that. Hello. Nice to meet you, Ms....Warner.”
“I just wanted to thank you for the talk. It’s been a long day and it was good to see someone who tried to spice things up.”
“Um...you’re welcome. Now, I would love to chat, but I actually have another talk in a different room,” Archer lied, a little confused by the woman’s words.
“Let me walk with you. I would like to hear more about your business philosophy.”
“Oh, it’s going to be mainly the same thing. I wouldn’t want you to have to sit through it all again,” Reginald said, looking for another exit.
“I wouldn’t mind,” the woman said. “I would give me another chance to watch your handsome self strut about.”
Reginald’s sense of irritation suddenly switched to one of danger. “Are you...flirting with me?”
Monday, November 23, 2009
Chapter 3 - 6
“Thank you all for coming today,” Archer said, standing behind a podium in front of a small group of business executives, their suits damp with sweat as they entered their fifth hour of conferences, their attitudes dull from the constant assertions of business sense and blue-sky optimism. “My name is Reginald Archer, and today I’ll introduce you to the world of revolutionary ingenuity.”
Archer really didn’t know anything about business, or at least not at the executive level. Anything from his previous life that might have been relevant to his 25-minute presentation has long since been replaced with knowledge about tricks and tips into sneaking into conferences and getting paid to give a 25-minute presentation about, essentially, nothing.
“Now, as you all know, the economy is making business difficult, making people worrisome.” Archer was assuming this. He hadn’t actually checked a paper beforehand, but he was always under the impression that the economy was in terrible shape. The affirming and aspirated nods from the audience only verified it, but he wasn’t concerned. They would leave this room without any clue what had been said or why.
“That’s why you need to look around your company and discover what resources you have under your control. You need to utilize these resources with vigor. It’s up to you to get your company back in the right direction! Your employees are counting on you.”
Archer knew that all he was doing was throwing out random platitudes, but he didn’t care. He was just there to get paid, and frankly, it was fun to be the center of attention.
Archer really didn’t know anything about business, or at least not at the executive level. Anything from his previous life that might have been relevant to his 25-minute presentation has long since been replaced with knowledge about tricks and tips into sneaking into conferences and getting paid to give a 25-minute presentation about, essentially, nothing.
“Now, as you all know, the economy is making business difficult, making people worrisome.” Archer was assuming this. He hadn’t actually checked a paper beforehand, but he was always under the impression that the economy was in terrible shape. The affirming and aspirated nods from the audience only verified it, but he wasn’t concerned. They would leave this room without any clue what had been said or why.
“That’s why you need to look around your company and discover what resources you have under your control. You need to utilize these resources with vigor. It’s up to you to get your company back in the right direction! Your employees are counting on you.”
Archer knew that all he was doing was throwing out random platitudes, but he didn’t care. He was just there to get paid, and frankly, it was fun to be the center of attention.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Chapter 3 - 5
“There are rumors that some Items do remain when their owner decides to get out of dodge. Really important things, things that really change a No One’s status. Apparently Reggie’s keycard was a found Item, transferred down from No One to No One until nobody can remember just who exactly started with it. The Emperor’s Book and Vase also seem destined to stick around, if the old guy ever gets bored.
“But there’s also murmurs by the more ambitious that there are debt-free credit cards hidden somewhere, or keys to abandoned mansions, things that couldn’t be gotten away from their original owners because they were too powerful, but are now easy pickens for anyone who has the wherewithal to find it.”
“And you don’t believe a word of it,” Travis said.
“I’ve got my own goals, and while I do have all the time in the world, it’s a big city, and I don’t want to waste my time hunting down something that we’re not even sure exists. I’m keeping it practical.”
Travis nodded, thinking.
“Any other questions, champ?”
“No, I think I’m good for now. Something else to think about, anyway.”
“Yeah, if you go on a goose hunt, don’t bother inviting me, k?” Alan said.
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Did you want a cheeseburger? I could buy you a cheeseburger. There were some real morons in the pub last night.”
“No thanks. Have a good day, Alan.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” Alan said, waving a small goodbye before finishing his fries.
“But there’s also murmurs by the more ambitious that there are debt-free credit cards hidden somewhere, or keys to abandoned mansions, things that couldn’t be gotten away from their original owners because they were too powerful, but are now easy pickens for anyone who has the wherewithal to find it.”
“And you don’t believe a word of it,” Travis said.
“I’ve got my own goals, and while I do have all the time in the world, it’s a big city, and I don’t want to waste my time hunting down something that we’re not even sure exists. I’m keeping it practical.”
Travis nodded, thinking.
“Any other questions, champ?”
“No, I think I’m good for now. Something else to think about, anyway.”
“Yeah, if you go on a goose hunt, don’t bother inviting me, k?” Alan said.
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Did you want a cheeseburger? I could buy you a cheeseburger. There were some real morons in the pub last night.”
“No thanks. Have a good day, Alan.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” Alan said, waving a small goodbye before finishing his fries.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Chapter 3 - 4
“Ok,” Alan started explaining, “So when one becomes a No One, we assume that he/she comes into being with Items attached, such as your deck of playing cards.”
“Magic cards.”
“Whatever. So, we assume when a person stops being a No One, the Items on them also fade away as well.”
“That’s something else,” Travis interrupted. “What happens when someone stops being a No One, and how do you do it?”
“No one knows. I mean, we don’t know, we just know that we forget about them, the same way that normals tend to forget about us. But we don’t know if that means they are gone gone, or if they merely switched back to the world of the living, with all that mortality attached to it. Since there’s no real way to track it, and nobody comes back, well…it’s about as mysterious as death itself, with the unfortunate side effect that nobody remembers who you are.”
“Damn…how does it happen?”
“You wish for it hard enough. You say to yourself that you’re done, and – poof – you vanish.”
“So it doesn’t happen that often?”
Travis shook his head in disagreement. “The average lifespan of a No One, according to the Emperor, is only about five years. Apparently we all get bored of this eventually.”
“Huh. How long have you been a No One?”
“Only about a year and a half. I’m probably good for the next little while,” Alan said, beaming. “But back to the question at hand. Unattached Items.”
“Magic cards.”
“Whatever. So, we assume when a person stops being a No One, the Items on them also fade away as well.”
“That’s something else,” Travis interrupted. “What happens when someone stops being a No One, and how do you do it?”
“No one knows. I mean, we don’t know, we just know that we forget about them, the same way that normals tend to forget about us. But we don’t know if that means they are gone gone, or if they merely switched back to the world of the living, with all that mortality attached to it. Since there’s no real way to track it, and nobody comes back, well…it’s about as mysterious as death itself, with the unfortunate side effect that nobody remembers who you are.”
“Damn…how does it happen?”
“You wish for it hard enough. You say to yourself that you’re done, and – poof – you vanish.”
“So it doesn’t happen that often?”
Travis shook his head in disagreement. “The average lifespan of a No One, according to the Emperor, is only about five years. Apparently we all get bored of this eventually.”
“Huh. How long have you been a No One?”
“Only about a year and a half. I’m probably good for the next little while,” Alan said, beaming. “But back to the question at hand. Unattached Items.”
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Chapter 3 - 3
“So what questions do you have today?” Alan said, looking up from his hamburger as he noticed Travis walk in. It had been a full week since Travis had become a No One, and every day without fail, Travis would think about an issue and walk to the nearest fast food restaurant, and almost as it was predestined, Alan would be there, eating a meal and occasionally trying to get the attention of a college-aged girl. He would notice Travis, and ask him to sit, and Alan would answer the question. It was uncanny on the third day, but now it seemed to be a special relationship that they expected.
“Why do you always eat so much?” Travis asked, sitting down. “I haven’t had a bite in three days.”
Alan snapped his teeth, then answered, “I enjoy eating, is all. If I have the means to eat some delicious food, then I’m going to do it.”
“But you only eat fast food!”
“I like fast food. Please it’s not exactly I’m pulling in a lot of coin, so this is pretty much my only option unless I feel like not eating for a while. And frankly, I enjoy this enough to want to do it every day.”
“Huh,” Travis said, a little confused. “Anyway, that wasn’t what I was wondering. I’ve got an Items-related question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Okay, so I know that Items are traded by some mysterious force that the Emperor is control of. But are there any Items that aren’t attached to anyone?”
“Now there’s a $64,000 question.”
“Why do you always eat so much?” Travis asked, sitting down. “I haven’t had a bite in three days.”
Alan snapped his teeth, then answered, “I enjoy eating, is all. If I have the means to eat some delicious food, then I’m going to do it.”
“But you only eat fast food!”
“I like fast food. Please it’s not exactly I’m pulling in a lot of coin, so this is pretty much my only option unless I feel like not eating for a while. And frankly, I enjoy this enough to want to do it every day.”
“Huh,” Travis said, a little confused. “Anyway, that wasn’t what I was wondering. I’ve got an Items-related question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Okay, so I know that Items are traded by some mysterious force that the Emperor is control of. But are there any Items that aren’t attached to anyone?”
“Now there’s a $64,000 question.”
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Chapter 3 - 2
The man didn’t hesitate a second after asking the question, and swung the blade at Fierce’s chest. Fierce leapt back, knocking over a pile of crates before drawing his own broadsword. He nervously looked above him, noting that he couldn’t jump into open space within getting entangled in the cords and wires crisscrossing the alley. He raised his sword to block the next few attacks, trying to squeeze backwards against the blows.
The man’s attacks didn’t lessen, and it was only the breadth of Fierce’s weapon that prevents him from being cut. “Stop backing up, you big fake coward!” the man shouted. “Come on, jumbo, you can take a hit!”
Fierce lost focus, and decided it was best to just swing. He drew his sword high, taking a slash to the chest before bringing his sword down hard. The man clamped to the nearby wall to dodge the blow, then kicked the sword hard while jumping straight at Fierce’s head. Fierce leaned back trying to avoid the attack, but the man hit him full on, and Fierce tumbled backwards, the man pressing him down.
Fierce found himself on his back, the machete against his throat. “Sure you don’t need a shave, Firecrotch?” the man said, “Now get this. I found it, it’s mine, and I’m not sharing with anyone else. Tell your boss to back off or come himself. Now piss off.”
The man dismounted and walked away casually. Fierce stood clumsily and called out to the retreating figure. “You won’t be keeping it, Kip!” Kip held up a hand with an extended middle finger.
The man’s attacks didn’t lessen, and it was only the breadth of Fierce’s weapon that prevents him from being cut. “Stop backing up, you big fake coward!” the man shouted. “Come on, jumbo, you can take a hit!”
Fierce lost focus, and decided it was best to just swing. He drew his sword high, taking a slash to the chest before bringing his sword down hard. The man clamped to the nearby wall to dodge the blow, then kicked the sword hard while jumping straight at Fierce’s head. Fierce leaned back trying to avoid the attack, but the man hit him full on, and Fierce tumbled backwards, the man pressing him down.
Fierce found himself on his back, the machete against his throat. “Sure you don’t need a shave, Firecrotch?” the man said, “Now get this. I found it, it’s mine, and I’m not sharing with anyone else. Tell your boss to back off or come himself. Now piss off.”
The man dismounted and walked away casually. Fierce stood clumsily and called out to the retreating figure. “You won’t be keeping it, Kip!” Kip held up a hand with an extended middle finger.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Chapter 3 - 1
Fierce didn’t like this alley. He didn’t like the overhanging sheets on the clothesline, the smelling boxes of garbage, and the many nocks and crannies that any number of unsavory sort could be hidden in, potential cubbyholes for hobos and rapists. He would likely be able to frighten off anyone who felt the need to molest him, but that still didn’t dispel his uneasiness. He just didn’t like cramped spaces, especially being in one when he was certain he would have to fight.
He spotted the man he needed to talk to at the far end of the alley, talking to a woman wearing dirty clothing and who looks like she hadn’t washed in a while. The woman was looking around nervously and quickly handed the man a small number of bills. The man, a bit of a sneer on his face, counted the bills slowly, shook his head, and gave the woman a bag. She quickly grabbed it and ran off away from Fierce, casting a quick glance behind her as she went. The man notices this skittish behavior and noticed the hulk coming towards him.
“You’re scaring away my customers, Fat Bastard,” the man said to Fierce. “What the hell do you want?”
“I have it from a source that you have something I want.”
“Oh, looking to start a party, big boy? Man, I’ve got everything you need, just prove me with some sum.”
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
“Yeah, yeah,” the man said, casually unhooking a sheath on his belt and withdrawing a machete, “so, we doing this here?”
He spotted the man he needed to talk to at the far end of the alley, talking to a woman wearing dirty clothing and who looks like she hadn’t washed in a while. The woman was looking around nervously and quickly handed the man a small number of bills. The man, a bit of a sneer on his face, counted the bills slowly, shook his head, and gave the woman a bag. She quickly grabbed it and ran off away from Fierce, casting a quick glance behind her as she went. The man notices this skittish behavior and noticed the hulk coming towards him.
“You’re scaring away my customers, Fat Bastard,” the man said to Fierce. “What the hell do you want?”
“I have it from a source that you have something I want.”
“Oh, looking to start a party, big boy? Man, I’ve got everything you need, just prove me with some sum.”
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
“Yeah, yeah,” the man said, casually unhooking a sheath on his belt and withdrawing a machete, “so, we doing this here?”
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Chapter 2 - 15
Travis jumped up and looked at Reginald with concern. “What, why?”
Reginald just smiled. “There was no malice to it. I figured one of two things would happen; you would accept, I’d give you a little training and then when it came time to fight we’d spar a bit, and I’d eventually call for a tie, or you would decline, and get a first-hand account of what it’s like in the vase. Win-win.”
“Well, what did you ask for?”
“Nothing. I hadn’t planned it to be an actual betting fight.”
“Then why didn’t you just let me know that it was you who was challenging me?”
“Because if you had known it was me, you either a) wouldn’t take it seriously or b) never trust me again, because I would have been seen as a threat to you.”
Travis thought for a couple of seconds, then sat back down. “Well, thanks, I guess. I supposed I did learn something.”
“Good. So, how was the rest of your day?”
“It was fine. I’m still trying to get used to being awake all the time. But I found a store to let me play the deck I have. Although I think I quickly got a reputation as someone that’s hard to beat.”
“Oh, you won every one of your games?”
“I…I did actually. Huh, I guess this deck is magic. Do you think I can…?” Travis stood up, and with a bit of effort jumped off the roof.
“You off?”
“I need to go try a couple of things. Thanks for the help, Reginald.”
Archer smiled down at him. “Anytime.”
***END OF CHAPTER TWO***
Reginald just smiled. “There was no malice to it. I figured one of two things would happen; you would accept, I’d give you a little training and then when it came time to fight we’d spar a bit, and I’d eventually call for a tie, or you would decline, and get a first-hand account of what it’s like in the vase. Win-win.”
“Well, what did you ask for?”
“Nothing. I hadn’t planned it to be an actual betting fight.”
“Then why didn’t you just let me know that it was you who was challenging me?”
“Because if you had known it was me, you either a) wouldn’t take it seriously or b) never trust me again, because I would have been seen as a threat to you.”
Travis thought for a couple of seconds, then sat back down. “Well, thanks, I guess. I supposed I did learn something.”
“Good. So, how was the rest of your day?”
“It was fine. I’m still trying to get used to being awake all the time. But I found a store to let me play the deck I have. Although I think I quickly got a reputation as someone that’s hard to beat.”
“Oh, you won every one of your games?”
“I…I did actually. Huh, I guess this deck is magic. Do you think I can…?” Travis stood up, and with a bit of effort jumped off the roof.
“You off?”
“I need to go try a couple of things. Thanks for the help, Reginald.”
Archer smiled down at him. “Anytime.”
***END OF CHAPTER TWO***
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Chapter 2 - 14
“Hey Reginald,” Travis said, standing. “I was…um…practicing.”
“See, there’s your problem. The trick is to treat it as if it’s a completely natural thing you’re trying to do. You had it at the end until you started thinking about it. Of course, if you want to get on top of that building…” Archer braced himself and then jumped forward, 20 feet in the air, to land on the roof of the building Travis was trying to climb. “I would just jump up.”
“Oh! Let’s see here…” Travis said, beginning to squat slightly.
“Don’t think about it. Clear your mind of your expectations of what you can do. Just jump.”
Travis tried to clear his mind of any agitation, and jumped. He tried to mask his surprise at soaring much higher than he though he could and subsequently fumbled the landing, crashing into some loose boxes on the roof. Reginald helped him back up. “There you go, just…think about the landing a small bit.”
“Thanks.”
They sat down on the roof, watching the sun beginning to set. “I understand you were challenged,” Reginald said.
“Yeah, but I just didn’t think I could go through with it. Sure, it was weeks away, but I needed more information that I got. So I went with the vase.”
Reginald nodded. “At least you’re aware of what it’s like in there.”
Travis shuddered. “Yeah, it was terrible. Hopefully whoever challenged me doesn’t try again.”
“Oh, I’m sure he won’t, on account it was me.”
Chapter 2 - 13
Travis ran straight at the building, and quickly started trying to backpedal when he realized he had no idea how to do what he was trying to do. His hands planted against the brick, and he turned around, thinking that he maybe he needed to jump at the wall. He went into a full run again, and at the last moment jumped straight forward, only to smack into the wall and fall. It didn’t hurt, luckily, but it was embarrassing.
“What am I doing? I’m not Spiderman, or even Toby Maguire, for that matter,” he said as he walked back to his starting spot to try again. He tried and failed once more, got the idea to sent up a small ramp to lead up the wall, and as he ran the ramp broke underneath him, causing him to slam headfirst into the wall.
“Ack. Okay, one more try. Then I’m out of here.” He ran once more at the building, putting a little speed into his dash, and in a split second decided to treat the wall as if it were the ground and planted his next step on it, then adjusted the next one to also use the wall as the ground. He managed to run three steps before he realized he was doing it, at which point he immediately fell the five feet to the ground.
“Yes!” he whispered, lying on his back, a little sore. “This actually is kinda awesome.”
“Having fun?” a familiar voice called.
“What am I doing? I’m not Spiderman, or even Toby Maguire, for that matter,” he said as he walked back to his starting spot to try again. He tried and failed once more, got the idea to sent up a small ramp to lead up the wall, and as he ran the ramp broke underneath him, causing him to slam headfirst into the wall.
“Ack. Okay, one more try. Then I’m out of here.” He ran once more at the building, putting a little speed into his dash, and in a split second decided to treat the wall as if it were the ground and planted his next step on it, then adjusted the next one to also use the wall as the ground. He managed to run three steps before he realized he was doing it, at which point he immediately fell the five feet to the ground.
“Yes!” he whispered, lying on his back, a little sore. “This actually is kinda awesome.”
“Having fun?” a familiar voice called.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Chapter 2 - 12
Travis jolted awake, out of the darkness, next to a huge shelf full of wargames. He recognized himself in the gaming store he was at earlier, and stood up, a bit groggy. He left the store, and looked towards the coffee shop he was at earlier, but the Emperor had left, vanished as easily as he appeared.
“Gah,” Travis said, his head swimming a little. “Okay, so that’s why you always accept the challenge.” He remembered his time in the darkness, and thought about the voice in the dark. He probably imagined it, as he couldn’t remember much of the conversation. “Hallucination, probably.”
He walked for a bit, trying not to remember the cold void. “I wonder if it’s like that when a No One bites it too,” he said. “Just an empty darkness. Ug. I’m going to try to stay alive as much as possible.” Travis realized how weird his little monologue was, and realized he probably shouldn’t be talking out loud.
He soon found himself underneath the highway that ran out of the city, and saw a few homeless men sleeping next to their carts full of garbage and dirt. He sighed, and realized his new fate. “We are no different, right guys?” he said under his breath. “Except I have superpowers. Wait a minute…I have superpowers.”
He ran easily down the dirt band under the highway to a space that was fairly abandoned, and looked towards a nearby two-story building, apparently empty. “Okay…here goes.”
“Gah,” Travis said, his head swimming a little. “Okay, so that’s why you always accept the challenge.” He remembered his time in the darkness, and thought about the voice in the dark. He probably imagined it, as he couldn’t remember much of the conversation. “Hallucination, probably.”
He walked for a bit, trying not to remember the cold void. “I wonder if it’s like that when a No One bites it too,” he said. “Just an empty darkness. Ug. I’m going to try to stay alive as much as possible.” Travis realized how weird his little monologue was, and realized he probably shouldn’t be talking out loud.
He soon found himself underneath the highway that ran out of the city, and saw a few homeless men sleeping next to their carts full of garbage and dirt. He sighed, and realized his new fate. “We are no different, right guys?” he said under his breath. “Except I have superpowers. Wait a minute…I have superpowers.”
He ran easily down the dirt band under the highway to a space that was fairly abandoned, and looked towards a nearby two-story building, apparently empty. “Okay…here goes.”
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Chapter 2 - 11
Fierce dropped his sword and looked at Maggie, sitting on a nearby bench. “How long have you been there?”
“Why, did you do something embarrassing?”
Fierce looked flustered, but didn’t say anything.
“I take it that you’re here because you had some fun last night?” Maggie said, walking over to Fierce with a sexy lilt to her step. “Did Archer say anything interesting before he unceremoniously put a bullet in your skull?”
“I…I don’t remember,” Fierce said.
“Of course you don’t. You know, you might remember a lot more if weren’t so stubborn. Anyone else would have been able to walk away from Archer, feeling a little ashamed but still able to enjoy breakfast, but you just had to run your mouth off, didn’t you?”
Fierce kept backing up as Maggie berated him, and eventually he was leaning against the water fountain, his kilt getting wet against the standing water in the lip.
“You sure you didn’t give away our cover, sweetheart?” Maggie said with a bite.
“Um, I…like I said, I don’t remember much.”
She scoffed, and walked away. Fierce loosened and sighed in relief, until Maggie spun around again to look at him, a cruel smile on her face.
“You know what the next step is after this phenomenal failure, right?”
Fierce thought, and realized he had no idea. He just shook his head, his teeth clenched in worried anticipation.
“Come along, we have some work to do. No more fapping about.” She turned and left, not waiting for Fierce. He rushed to catch up.
“Why, did you do something embarrassing?”
Fierce looked flustered, but didn’t say anything.
“I take it that you’re here because you had some fun last night?” Maggie said, walking over to Fierce with a sexy lilt to her step. “Did Archer say anything interesting before he unceremoniously put a bullet in your skull?”
“I…I don’t remember,” Fierce said.
“Of course you don’t. You know, you might remember a lot more if weren’t so stubborn. Anyone else would have been able to walk away from Archer, feeling a little ashamed but still able to enjoy breakfast, but you just had to run your mouth off, didn’t you?”
Fierce kept backing up as Maggie berated him, and eventually he was leaning against the water fountain, his kilt getting wet against the standing water in the lip.
“You sure you didn’t give away our cover, sweetheart?” Maggie said with a bite.
“Um, I…like I said, I don’t remember much.”
She scoffed, and walked away. Fierce loosened and sighed in relief, until Maggie spun around again to look at him, a cruel smile on her face.
“You know what the next step is after this phenomenal failure, right?”
Fierce thought, and realized he had no idea. He just shook his head, his teeth clenched in worried anticipation.
“Come along, we have some work to do. No more fapping about.” She turned and left, not waiting for Fierce. He rushed to catch up.
Chapter 2 - 10
He walked through the park, trying to make sense of last night’s events. He remembered being in high temper with Archer, swinging wide and hard, but it seemed that Archer was still too fast for him. He was able to get a few hits in at least, but he really needed to tighten up his style. He also needed to watch out for tricks, not to get confused when someone did something he found unusual. He didn’t seem to consider being less aggressive, but then again, Fierce didn’t get his name out of a hat.
He found his favorite spot, away from many peeping eyes but still close to a water fountain and near a tennis court, where he liked to occasionally watch the girls play. He looked behind the water fountain to find his sword, as ever nearby, and started to practice.
There was no point in practicing; a No One’s body cannot be improved upon. It is uncannily stronger and more flexible than a normal person, and it can perform any number of absurd actions, but a No One’s metabolism is stopped, and he cannot gain muscle or lose weight. His reflexes won’t get any better, and his strength won’t increase over time. A No One is practically stuck in time, only his mind experiencing each moment going forward. But that never stopped Fierce; for him, his body was his experience, one that wanted to feel everything, and so, out of habit and brash hope, he practiced.
“At it again, handsome?” a voice called as Fierce let out an angry roar after a downward swing.
He found his favorite spot, away from many peeping eyes but still close to a water fountain and near a tennis court, where he liked to occasionally watch the girls play. He looked behind the water fountain to find his sword, as ever nearby, and started to practice.
There was no point in practicing; a No One’s body cannot be improved upon. It is uncannily stronger and more flexible than a normal person, and it can perform any number of absurd actions, but a No One’s metabolism is stopped, and he cannot gain muscle or lose weight. His reflexes won’t get any better, and his strength won’t increase over time. A No One is practically stuck in time, only his mind experiencing each moment going forward. But that never stopped Fierce; for him, his body was his experience, one that wanted to feel everything, and so, out of habit and brash hope, he practiced.
“At it again, handsome?” a voice called as Fierce let out an angry roar after a downward swing.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Chapter 2 - 9
Fierce Hampton’s eyes snapped open, and he found himself in a place he knew too well, an abandoned grove hidden away in the cusp at the local park, his back laying against the cold dirt. It appeared to be midmorning, and he sat up, groggy and aching. It only took a minute of sitting before his strength returned to him, and he jumped up, hoping he didn’t lose too much time this time around.
He strutted out of the cusp onto the field, and looked around at those predisposed to pass time idly on a weekday going about their business, walking their dogs, slowly riding their bikes across sidewalks, sitting at park benches with their toddlers in strollers napping nearby. Fierce walked over to a trashcan and rummaged around until he found a newspaper, and saw that it was still the same day, which he was thankful for. Some injuries had left him vanished for a week at a time, which made him feel that he was missing something vital.
It was not that Fierce sought out injury, it’s just that he was not very careful. He was a bit of a thrill-seeker, and was greatly interested in the limits that he could push himself when he was technically invincible. So, he occasionally do something foolhardy that caused him to tumble off a skyscraper, or get hit by a train, or any number of life-ending instances that he just…woke up from some time later. This fact alone led him to continue his near-suicidal behavior.
He strutted out of the cusp onto the field, and looked around at those predisposed to pass time idly on a weekday going about their business, walking their dogs, slowly riding their bikes across sidewalks, sitting at park benches with their toddlers in strollers napping nearby. Fierce walked over to a trashcan and rummaged around until he found a newspaper, and saw that it was still the same day, which he was thankful for. Some injuries had left him vanished for a week at a time, which made him feel that he was missing something vital.
It was not that Fierce sought out injury, it’s just that he was not very careful. He was a bit of a thrill-seeker, and was greatly interested in the limits that he could push himself when he was technically invincible. So, he occasionally do something foolhardy that caused him to tumble off a skyscraper, or get hit by a train, or any number of life-ending instances that he just…woke up from some time later. This fact alone led him to continue his near-suicidal behavior.
Chapter 2 - 8
“So,” the Emperor asked after Travis sat chewing on the question for a few minutes. “Do you accept the challenge?”
“I…I can’t. I’m sorry. I just don’t feel like I can win, especially when I don’t know who I am up against.”
The Emperor nodded. “He was afraid that you would say no. However, it is your decision, and you understand the consequences.”
“Well, not really. So when do I lose my time?”
“Right now, of course,” the Emperor said, and the old man pulled out the vase again and uncapped it. Travis tried to say something to object but soon found himself in an empty black void, his eyes seeing nothing, and his body feeling nothing, only quiet. His sight, attempting to make sense of the nothingness, started hallucinating circles and sticks, and Travis blinked multiple times to find no difference between when his eyes were open.
“Maybe this wasn’t the best idea,” he said out loud, or assumed he did, as no sound pierced his ears. “Fuck. I don’t know if I can handle this for twenty minutes. What the hell? Maybe I should start counting to myself, move time a little faster. Oh man, this is unbearable.”
Time passed, how much Travis was unable to tell, and his mind reeled trying to come up with an appropriate way to pass the time.
“This new club I’m a part of just gets weirder all the time. Punishing people like this for not playing. I wonder if anyone else is in here.”
Travis recoiled in shock when a voice he didn’t recognize as his own answered. “Yes.”
“I…I can’t. I’m sorry. I just don’t feel like I can win, especially when I don’t know who I am up against.”
The Emperor nodded. “He was afraid that you would say no. However, it is your decision, and you understand the consequences.”
“Well, not really. So when do I lose my time?”
“Right now, of course,” the Emperor said, and the old man pulled out the vase again and uncapped it. Travis tried to say something to object but soon found himself in an empty black void, his eyes seeing nothing, and his body feeling nothing, only quiet. His sight, attempting to make sense of the nothingness, started hallucinating circles and sticks, and Travis blinked multiple times to find no difference between when his eyes were open.
“Maybe this wasn’t the best idea,” he said out loud, or assumed he did, as no sound pierced his ears. “Fuck. I don’t know if I can handle this for twenty minutes. What the hell? Maybe I should start counting to myself, move time a little faster. Oh man, this is unbearable.”
Time passed, how much Travis was unable to tell, and his mind reeled trying to come up with an appropriate way to pass the time.
“This new club I’m a part of just gets weirder all the time. Punishing people like this for not playing. I wonder if anyone else is in here.”
Travis recoiled in shock when a voice he didn’t recognize as his own answered. “Yes.”
Chapter 2 - 7
“I would advice you to stop shouting,” the Emperor calmly stated, casting a glance at the other customers who suddenly were watching the scene, “we may be unremarkable, but we are still noticeable.”
Travis felt really guilty. “Sorry. I’m just…worried. I don’t have any experience fighting.”
“You will have plenty of time to get prepared. The challenge is set for three weeks from today.”
“What? Why? What do they want?”
“That too they have asked to be withheld.”
Travis scoffed again. “This is ridiculous. What happens if I say no?”
“You will be lost for twenty minutes.”
“Lost?”
The Emperor reached under the table and withdrew a small vase, capped with a porcelain lid, and placed it on the table. “According to the arbitration handed to me, I have authority and sound judgment to provide an adequate penalty for failure to participate in the game. If you refuse to accept the challenge, or fails to appear to a challenge you have accepted, your being will be transferred into this vase for the time I have stated. As you are very new, and the conditions of the challenge are stacked rather heavily against you, this is an extremely light penalty.”
“What’s it like there?”
“There is nothing in the vase,” the Emperor said, opening the lid and tipping it forward to show Travis a black maw within. “You will be unable to experience anything while in the vase. It is a disappointing and terrifying experience.”
“That’s…kinda cruel.”
The Emperor put the vase back underneath the table. “I do not set the rules, only enforce them.”
Travis felt really guilty. “Sorry. I’m just…worried. I don’t have any experience fighting.”
“You will have plenty of time to get prepared. The challenge is set for three weeks from today.”
“What? Why? What do they want?”
“That too they have asked to be withheld.”
Travis scoffed again. “This is ridiculous. What happens if I say no?”
“You will be lost for twenty minutes.”
“Lost?”
The Emperor reached under the table and withdrew a small vase, capped with a porcelain lid, and placed it on the table. “According to the arbitration handed to me, I have authority and sound judgment to provide an adequate penalty for failure to participate in the game. If you refuse to accept the challenge, or fails to appear to a challenge you have accepted, your being will be transferred into this vase for the time I have stated. As you are very new, and the conditions of the challenge are stacked rather heavily against you, this is an extremely light penalty.”
“What’s it like there?”
“There is nothing in the vase,” the Emperor said, opening the lid and tipping it forward to show Travis a black maw within. “You will be unable to experience anything while in the vase. It is a disappointing and terrifying experience.”
“That’s…kinda cruel.”
The Emperor put the vase back underneath the table. “I do not set the rules, only enforce them.”
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Chapter 2 - 6
“Travis Garamond,” the Emperor said, looking up at him with a stern look on his face.
“Um...yes?” Travis answered, realizing by his uncanny recognition that this was another No One.
The Emperor’s face quickly turned to a friendly smile. “It is an honor to meet you. I am the Emperor.”
“Oh, oh hi,” Travis said, shaking the short man’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“May I ask if you have time to speak in a less crowded location?”
“Oh, of course, I was just leaving anyway. Let’s...um...”
Travis and the Emperor left the store and walked down the street to a Starbucks, where they sat down at a table. Travis thought about buying something to not draw attention to them, but realized he still had no money, and nobody seemed to notice them enter anyway, so he sat with the Emperor, who maintained his silence and refined demeanor.
“I am sorry to report,” the Emperor finally said after about 20 seconds of awkward silence, “that I am not here merely for an introductory visit.”
“Oh, no problem. Does this have to do with Reginald’s challenge last night?”
“No, that has been settled. This is about a new challenge. Against you.”
“What? But, but I was told yesterday that I wasn’t going to be challenged for a while!” Travis practically shouted.
“I’m apologize for the misinformation you received. There is no established grace period.”
“Well, who challenged me?”
“They have requested that information be withheld.”
“They can do that?!”
“Um...yes?” Travis answered, realizing by his uncanny recognition that this was another No One.
The Emperor’s face quickly turned to a friendly smile. “It is an honor to meet you. I am the Emperor.”
“Oh, oh hi,” Travis said, shaking the short man’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“May I ask if you have time to speak in a less crowded location?”
“Oh, of course, I was just leaving anyway. Let’s...um...”
Travis and the Emperor left the store and walked down the street to a Starbucks, where they sat down at a table. Travis thought about buying something to not draw attention to them, but realized he still had no money, and nobody seemed to notice them enter anyway, so he sat with the Emperor, who maintained his silence and refined demeanor.
“I am sorry to report,” the Emperor finally said after about 20 seconds of awkward silence, “that I am not here merely for an introductory visit.”
“Oh, no problem. Does this have to do with Reginald’s challenge last night?”
“No, that has been settled. This is about a new challenge. Against you.”
“What? But, but I was told yesterday that I wasn’t going to be challenged for a while!” Travis practically shouted.
“I’m apologize for the misinformation you received. There is no established grace period.”
“Well, who challenged me?”
“They have requested that information be withheld.”
“They can do that?!”
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Chapter 2 - 5
“Goddamnit,” Travis’s opponent said as Travis played another quickhitting and gamewinning card onto the field. He was currently up by 7 matches, moving quickly through the room and devastating all the other decks easily, seeming to have a decent response to all decks. The deck was uncannily resistant, able to counter most combos and stop a rush easily and usually was able to keep enough tempo to finish a game on top. His opponents were obviously frustrated, but also interested in this new hotness of a deck that managed to win in a way they weren’t used to seeing before.
“You have any other decks?” he was asked as his opponent cleaned up.
“Sorry,” Travis said, shrugging. He really couldn’t explain why he only had one highly competitive deck and no trade binder, and he was a little worried when he drew a card to find that it adequately matched the situation and may, in fact, not be a card that was in the deck previously. He couldn’t help but feel that he was subconsciously cheating.
His opponent just grumped and walked away. He was out of combatants, nobody else felt they had the cards necessary to answer to that powerhouse. Travis just sighed and stood up, stepping back into the front room to look around a bit. The man behind the counter was still uninterested in his comings and goings, and he walked among the crowded aisles to see if there was anything interesting.
There was, in the form of a short figure demanding his attention.
“You have any other decks?” he was asked as his opponent cleaned up.
“Sorry,” Travis said, shrugging. He really couldn’t explain why he only had one highly competitive deck and no trade binder, and he was a little worried when he drew a card to find that it adequately matched the situation and may, in fact, not be a card that was in the deck previously. He couldn’t help but feel that he was subconsciously cheating.
His opponent just grumped and walked away. He was out of combatants, nobody else felt they had the cards necessary to answer to that powerhouse. Travis just sighed and stood up, stepping back into the front room to look around a bit. The man behind the counter was still uninterested in his comings and goings, and he walked among the crowded aisles to see if there was anything interesting.
There was, in the form of a short figure demanding his attention.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Chapter 2 - 4
It was a small dark game shop, the shelves overcrowded with sun-bleached games with torn lids and sloppily-placed price tags. Through the narrow aisles a large, bearded man could be seen reading a paperback fantasy novel, and he didn’t look up when Travis walked in. There was an open doorway near the back of the shop, out of which shouts about damage-taking and snorting laughs could be heard. Travis squeezed through the aisles to look in the backroom.
The room wasn’t tiny, but felt that way, as it was crammed with six tables, huge shelves stuffed with boardgames and gaming books, and about a dozen sweaty college students who were crowded around one table watching a match. Travis walked over to see they were playing Magic, and watched the combat. One player was trouncing the other, who was only able to stay alive with a life-gaining combo that was about to fall apart. The winner was awfully smug as he used a Terror to kill off the key creature, after which his opponent conceded.
They shuffled and began playing again, and Travis noticed that nobody else was really doing anything, even though they obviously played. He knew, merely from their disposition of being gamers, that they wouldn’t invite him to play, so he took some initiative, found a player nearby who was shuffling a deck lazily, and asked if he wanted to play. He had a deck, after all. Might as well give it a try.
“Yeah, sure, why not?”
The room wasn’t tiny, but felt that way, as it was crammed with six tables, huge shelves stuffed with boardgames and gaming books, and about a dozen sweaty college students who were crowded around one table watching a match. Travis walked over to see they were playing Magic, and watched the combat. One player was trouncing the other, who was only able to stay alive with a life-gaining combo that was about to fall apart. The winner was awfully smug as he used a Terror to kill off the key creature, after which his opponent conceded.
They shuffled and began playing again, and Travis noticed that nobody else was really doing anything, even though they obviously played. He knew, merely from their disposition of being gamers, that they wouldn’t invite him to play, so he took some initiative, found a player nearby who was shuffling a deck lazily, and asked if he wanted to play. He had a deck, after all. Might as well give it a try.
“Yeah, sure, why not?”
Monday, November 2, 2009
Chapter 2 - 3
Travis was finding himself a little delirious. Based on the position of the sun, it had been about 24 hours since he had woken up, but he was still walking around, not tired, not hungry, and thinking fairly clearly, which caused him to worry that maybe he shouldn’t be taking this in stride. He was wandering the streets of the city out of agitation, after leaving Alan at Burger King, citing a need to gather his thoughts. He noticed that absolutely no one was paying attention to him as he walked, even the homeless beggars, and started to think about what he could possibly do to get anyone to notice him. He began to walk in wide, goofy steps, then after that didn’t get a response, began to babble incoherently, until he noticed what he was doing and recalled that he would definitely not react if he saw somebody doing the same thing, so he stopped.
“Gah, this is nuts,” he stated while at the same time thinking how not nuts this is. His mind was reeling, and he wished that he had some spare change to just stop and buy a Coke, something of normalcy, something to make this weird waking life a bit more obvious to him.
He ran full-on into a sign without noticing, and yelped in agitation. “Ow,” he said, rubbing his head and realizing that the pain had already subsided. He looked at the sign, to find that it was for a hobby shop specializing in board, card, and roleplaying games. “Ok, this might work.”
“Gah, this is nuts,” he stated while at the same time thinking how not nuts this is. His mind was reeling, and he wished that he had some spare change to just stop and buy a Coke, something of normalcy, something to make this weird waking life a bit more obvious to him.
He ran full-on into a sign without noticing, and yelped in agitation. “Ow,” he said, rubbing his head and realizing that the pain had already subsided. He looked at the sign, to find that it was for a hobby shop specializing in board, card, and roleplaying games. “Ok, this might work.”
Chapter 2 - 2
“Aren’t you worried about him?” Tina asked as they lounged on an old mattress placed in the center of an abandoned office on the 14th floor of a downtown highrise. It was around noon, and outside the shadowed room office workers busied themselves as they thought impatiently about lunch. Reginald Archer decided that he was taking the day off to chew over his apparent victory, and he and Tina had spent most of the day enjoying each other’s company.
“There have been dozens of No Ones who have gotten by with no assistance at all,” Archer said, a little peeved the topic turned away from romantic nothings. “Besides, we left him with Alan.”
“Who likely abandoned him as soon as he found some girl willing to talk to him.”
“The newbie is not my responsibility,” Reginald said, “I’ve taught him everything he needs to know, and judging by what he’s carrying around, he should be safe for a while. He’ll have to find his own way, like the rest of us.”
She got out of bed and moved to the dull office chair near the stacks of boxes where her clothes were draped. If it were even possible for any of the office workers to notice this little abandoned office, they would have gotten quite a view when they walked in.
“What are you doing?” Reginald said.
“I’ve got some things to do,” Tina said, dressing. “We can catch up tomorrow if you want.”
“Hey,” Reginald said, sitting up. “Don’t leave mad.”
She turned to him, an eerily-serene smile on her face. “Why, when am I ever mad? Go ahead and rest, don’t let bother you,” she said as she left.
Reginald flopped back down on the mattress and sighed.
“There have been dozens of No Ones who have gotten by with no assistance at all,” Archer said, a little peeved the topic turned away from romantic nothings. “Besides, we left him with Alan.”
“Who likely abandoned him as soon as he found some girl willing to talk to him.”
“The newbie is not my responsibility,” Reginald said, “I’ve taught him everything he needs to know, and judging by what he’s carrying around, he should be safe for a while. He’ll have to find his own way, like the rest of us.”
She got out of bed and moved to the dull office chair near the stacks of boxes where her clothes were draped. If it were even possible for any of the office workers to notice this little abandoned office, they would have gotten quite a view when they walked in.
“What are you doing?” Reginald said.
“I’ve got some things to do,” Tina said, dressing. “We can catch up tomorrow if you want.”
“Hey,” Reginald said, sitting up. “Don’t leave mad.”
She turned to him, an eerily-serene smile on her face. “Why, when am I ever mad? Go ahead and rest, don’t let bother you,” she said as she left.
Reginald flopped back down on the mattress and sighed.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Chapter 2 - 1
The city’s Chinatown was even more cluttered and claustrophobic than you’d expect, the streets crowded with locals and tourists, the shops practically face-to-face and almost slammed next to each other. It’s easy to lose a wallet in the various tight alleys and squeezed rows of merchandise, and even easier to ignore someone hunched over on the side of the road. It was here, in this position, that you often found the Emperor; a humble, unassuming Chinese man, balding with a wisp of facial hair on his chin, wearing the insufficient cloth of the poor. No one ever noticed him, as he wandered up and down the streets, filching small dried tomatoes from open stands and snatching wallets from careless tourists. The only ones who knew he was there at all were those who called him King.
He was resting in a side alley, watching the flow of traffic and ogling the short skirts of the various teenagers spending their summer vacations learning how to be swindled, when he caught the glimpse of someone he recognized moving his way. He did not move or acknowledge the figure as it approached, knowing beyond a doubt what it had to say to him and what he was expected to do. Those who came to the Emperor were beyond predictable.
“Whose name am I writing down?” the Emperor said as the tall, thin figure in fine clothing stopped in front of the inattentive old man.
“Travis Garamond,” the figure said.
He was resting in a side alley, watching the flow of traffic and ogling the short skirts of the various teenagers spending their summer vacations learning how to be swindled, when he caught the glimpse of someone he recognized moving his way. He did not move or acknowledge the figure as it approached, knowing beyond a doubt what it had to say to him and what he was expected to do. Those who came to the Emperor were beyond predictable.
“Whose name am I writing down?” the Emperor said as the tall, thin figure in fine clothing stopped in front of the inattentive old man.
“Travis Garamond,” the figure said.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Chapter 1 - 24
Archer walked up to the other three who were merely standing on the sidewalk chatting. “Any trouble?”
Tina looked up. “Oh good, you’re back. How did it go?”
“It...went fine. He’s been taken care of.”
“Taken care of?" Travis asked.
“I won,” Archer said, not offering any more information. “Did you guys notice anything weird, or anyone else around?”
“More than Fierce suddenly attacking you...again?” Alan said.
“I'm more concerned about the reason why he attacked. He said that he was told he could find me here by someone called the Reverend.”
“I've never heard of a Reverend,” Tina said.
Alan also shook his head. “Me either. Maybe he lied to you.”
“Maybe. Doesn't seem like him though. He doesn't seem the type to lie easily."
"Well, I'm sure whoever this Reverend is, codename or otherwise, isn't going to show up tonight," Tina said. "We haven't seen anyone."
"Hmm," Archer said, biting his lip, still unconvinced that there wasn't a plot being hatched against him. "Well, how's...my opponent?"
"Who?" Travis said.
"I came here for a challenge, at least, I think I did."
"I don't remember that," Tina said.
Nobody spoke as they tried to remember what happened over the past 10 minutes. Reginald put his hands into his pockets out of habit, and felt something odd. He took it out of his pocket to find it was a fast food coupon.
“So, if we're done,” Alan said. “Denny’s?”
***END OF CHAPTER ONE***
Tina looked up. “Oh good, you’re back. How did it go?”
“It...went fine. He’s been taken care of.”
“Taken care of?" Travis asked.
“I won,” Archer said, not offering any more information. “Did you guys notice anything weird, or anyone else around?”
“More than Fierce suddenly attacking you...again?” Alan said.
“I'm more concerned about the reason why he attacked. He said that he was told he could find me here by someone called the Reverend.”
“I've never heard of a Reverend,” Tina said.
Alan also shook his head. “Me either. Maybe he lied to you.”
“Maybe. Doesn't seem like him though. He doesn't seem the type to lie easily."
"Well, I'm sure whoever this Reverend is, codename or otherwise, isn't going to show up tonight," Tina said. "We haven't seen anyone."
"Hmm," Archer said, biting his lip, still unconvinced that there wasn't a plot being hatched against him. "Well, how's...my opponent?"
"Who?" Travis said.
"I came here for a challenge, at least, I think I did."
"I don't remember that," Tina said.
Nobody spoke as they tried to remember what happened over the past 10 minutes. Reginald put his hands into his pockets out of habit, and felt something odd. He took it out of his pocket to find it was a fast food coupon.
“So, if we're done,” Alan said. “Denny’s?”
***END OF CHAPTER ONE***
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Chapter 1 - 23
“Kindly tell me what your plan is, or you’ll be taking a little nap,” Archer said, his eyes darting around to check for any other potential disturbances.
“Ha! Like I’d tell you,” Fierce boasted.
“Did you send Timmy the Brick after me? It seems a little subtle for your style.”
“Take your gun and shove it.”
Archer moved his hand three inches and shot Fierce in the shoulder. The brute cried out in pain, but Archer soon returned the muzzle to Fierce’s eyesight. “Come on, Hulk. Spill it.”
“No,” Fierce said between labored breaths. “I had no idea the Brick was going to be there.”
“So you got a tip then. From who?”
“I’m not telling,” Fierce said.
“Okay, hang on a sec, have an itch on my finger.”
“No! Wait, okay, it was this jerk called the Reverend.”
Archer was puzzled. “Who? Did he mention anything else to you?”
“Just to interrupt when Timmy lost.”
“Which means…” Archer broke his position and ran towards the edge. “Nice chatting with you, Fierce.”
“Wait! I’m not going to let you get away from me!” Fierce shouted, picking up his broadsword and preparing to charge.
With a fluid motion Archer turned and shoot Fierce straight through the forehead. The giant man dropped instantly. “Sorry about that!” Archer shouted as he dove straight off the roof of the 50-story skyscraper.
“Ha! Like I’d tell you,” Fierce boasted.
“Did you send Timmy the Brick after me? It seems a little subtle for your style.”
“Take your gun and shove it.”
Archer moved his hand three inches and shot Fierce in the shoulder. The brute cried out in pain, but Archer soon returned the muzzle to Fierce’s eyesight. “Come on, Hulk. Spill it.”
“No,” Fierce said between labored breaths. “I had no idea the Brick was going to be there.”
“So you got a tip then. From who?”
“I’m not telling,” Fierce said.
“Okay, hang on a sec, have an itch on my finger.”
“No! Wait, okay, it was this jerk called the Reverend.”
Archer was puzzled. “Who? Did he mention anything else to you?”
“Just to interrupt when Timmy lost.”
“Which means…” Archer broke his position and ran towards the edge. “Nice chatting with you, Fierce.”
“Wait! I’m not going to let you get away from me!” Fierce shouted, picking up his broadsword and preparing to charge.
With a fluid motion Archer turned and shoot Fierce straight through the forehead. The giant man dropped instantly. “Sorry about that!” Archer shouted as he dove straight off the roof of the 50-story skyscraper.
Chapter 1 - 22
Reginald flipped onto the roof of the skyscraper, but Fierce was close behind, and jumped onto the roof, sword held high. The blade slammed down hard on the roof as it missed its target, and Reginald quickly slid beside Fierce and put the pistol to his head.
“Will you stop swinging that damn thing for a minute?” Archer growled, agitated.
“Like hell!” Fierce said, spinning and knocking Reginald with the flat of the blade, knocking him back. Fierce swung down on Archer’s arm, and Reginald was nicked, the gun flying out of his hand.
“Damn!” Archer shouted, and tried to dodge the incoming onslaught, taking an additional grazing blow in the process. Fierce swung wide and provided an opening, and Archer ran to where his gun was lying, some 15 feet away. He raised a leg high and with a perfect arc kicked the gun straight over the railing, and the sidearm plummeted to the street below. Fierce was right behind him when he did this, ready to swing when the odd event gave him pause.
The pause was all Archer needed as he reached back into his jacket and pulled out the same pistol, fully-loaded and cocked, and let loose two bullets into the side of the massive blade, destabilizing Fierce’s grip and with a kick to Fierce’s hand sent the broadsword to the ground. He pointed the muzzle straight into Fierce’s face.
“Ahem.” Reginald cleared his throat, his composure returned. “Now then.”
“Will you stop swinging that damn thing for a minute?” Archer growled, agitated.
“Like hell!” Fierce said, spinning and knocking Reginald with the flat of the blade, knocking him back. Fierce swung down on Archer’s arm, and Reginald was nicked, the gun flying out of his hand.
“Damn!” Archer shouted, and tried to dodge the incoming onslaught, taking an additional grazing blow in the process. Fierce swung wide and provided an opening, and Archer ran to where his gun was lying, some 15 feet away. He raised a leg high and with a perfect arc kicked the gun straight over the railing, and the sidearm plummeted to the street below. Fierce was right behind him when he did this, ready to swing when the odd event gave him pause.
The pause was all Archer needed as he reached back into his jacket and pulled out the same pistol, fully-loaded and cocked, and let loose two bullets into the side of the massive blade, destabilizing Fierce’s grip and with a kick to Fierce’s hand sent the broadsword to the ground. He pointed the muzzle straight into Fierce’s face.
“Ahem.” Reginald cleared his throat, his composure returned. “Now then.”
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Chapter 1 - 21
“You never did play fair, Archer,” Fierce bellowed.
“Oh, so we are defining fair as tricking another into fighting your fight for you and then sabotaging the event? You realized I was going to figure out it was a trap, right?”
Fierce Hampton stood silently for two seconds, his expression unclear, and with a roar swung his broadsword at Reginald. Reginald ducked under the slow-moving blade and aims his gun at Fierce’s chest.
“Knock off the shenanigans, Fierce. This is not a legitimate fight and you know it.”
Fierce continued to swing his sword, and Reginald rolled out of the way and sprinted down the street, away from the attacker. Alan reached into his pockets to pull out what appeared to be a magician’s wand, but when Archer saw him moving forward, he shouted at Alan to stop. “Don’t interfere, I can handle this.”
“You won’t be able to handle me, Archer!” Fierce shouted as he started chasing after Reginald.
“What should we do?” Travis asked as he watched the two figures run down the street.
“There’s little we can do. When Reginald has made up his mind, he’ll refuse help no matter what,” Tina said.
“Yet he asked to be here to begin with,” Alan said, irritated. “Screw it, I’m following.”
“Better learn to fly then,” Tina said.
Travis turned to see that both Reginald and Fierce were in fact running vertically up the side of a building.
“Woo. Will I be able to do that?”
“Oh, so we are defining fair as tricking another into fighting your fight for you and then sabotaging the event? You realized I was going to figure out it was a trap, right?”
Fierce Hampton stood silently for two seconds, his expression unclear, and with a roar swung his broadsword at Reginald. Reginald ducked under the slow-moving blade and aims his gun at Fierce’s chest.
“Knock off the shenanigans, Fierce. This is not a legitimate fight and you know it.”
Fierce continued to swing his sword, and Reginald rolled out of the way and sprinted down the street, away from the attacker. Alan reached into his pockets to pull out what appeared to be a magician’s wand, but when Archer saw him moving forward, he shouted at Alan to stop. “Don’t interfere, I can handle this.”
“You won’t be able to handle me, Archer!” Fierce shouted as he started chasing after Reginald.
“What should we do?” Travis asked as he watched the two figures run down the street.
“There’s little we can do. When Reginald has made up his mind, he’ll refuse help no matter what,” Tina said.
“Yet he asked to be here to begin with,” Alan said, irritated. “Screw it, I’m following.”
“Better learn to fly then,” Tina said.
Travis turned to see that both Reginald and Fierce were in fact running vertically up the side of a building.
“Woo. Will I be able to do that?”
Monday, October 26, 2009
Chapter 1 - 20
Timmy’s body spun in the air from the impact, and landed hard on the pavement behind Reginald. Travis stepped forward, but stopped when he noticed nobody else moving. Reginald sheathed his gun, and turned to the crumbled figure.
“Is he alright?” Travis asked.
“He’s stronger than that," Tina said. "It looks like it hit his shoulder anyway.”
Reginald knelt down to Timmy’s level, realized that he was obviously breathing. “Are we done here, Timmy? Because I’m willing to call it a tie if you are.”
Timmy gasped for air. “I’m not going to give up.”
“Whoever has set you up doesn’t have your best interests in mind, and you know it.”
“This,” Timmy said between heavy breaths, “is my fight.”
Reginald sighed, and redrew his pistol as he stood. “I don’t want to do this.”
“Reggie!” Alan shouted, and Archer instinctively jumped out of the way.
A huge hulking figure landed heavily on the road near Reginald, cracking the pavement underneath him. A loud clang rang out as the sharp blade of a broadsword slammed down one six inches from Archer, barely missing Timmy’s huddled figure. The person stood up slowly, towering to nearly 7 feet and half again as wide. The man wore a plaid flannel sweat and what appeared to be a kilt made of khaki, a vast red beard dominating his face. He let out a peel of laughter as he raised his broadsword back to the ready position as Archer spun to look at him.
“Fierce,” Reginald quipped. “Couldn’t wait, huh?”
“Is he alright?” Travis asked.
“He’s stronger than that," Tina said. "It looks like it hit his shoulder anyway.”
Reginald knelt down to Timmy’s level, realized that he was obviously breathing. “Are we done here, Timmy? Because I’m willing to call it a tie if you are.”
Timmy gasped for air. “I’m not going to give up.”
“Whoever has set you up doesn’t have your best interests in mind, and you know it.”
“This,” Timmy said between heavy breaths, “is my fight.”
Reginald sighed, and redrew his pistol as he stood. “I don’t want to do this.”
“Reggie!” Alan shouted, and Archer instinctively jumped out of the way.
A huge hulking figure landed heavily on the road near Reginald, cracking the pavement underneath him. A loud clang rang out as the sharp blade of a broadsword slammed down one six inches from Archer, barely missing Timmy’s huddled figure. The person stood up slowly, towering to nearly 7 feet and half again as wide. The man wore a plaid flannel sweat and what appeared to be a kilt made of khaki, a vast red beard dominating his face. He let out a peel of laughter as he raised his broadsword back to the ready position as Archer spun to look at him.
“Fierce,” Reginald quipped. “Couldn’t wait, huh?”
Chapter 1 - 19
Timmy the Brick didn’t walk so much as shuffled. His head was always down, his throat always dry, and his appearance always unassuming. He was not always this way; he used to be one of the stronger and more aggressive No Ones to play in the Game, but a few defeats had stripped him of many of his possessions, and his morale broke quickly after. He was now known as the has-been, his only Item a fast food coupon. Reginald knew better than to underestimate him though, he was probably still as fast and strong as before. They stood 40 feet apart in the middle of the street, the forlornness of Timmy’s position causing a haunting wind to blow.
“We don’t have to do this, Timmy,” Reginald called. “You can walk away right now and I’ll forget about it.”
“Stop looking down on me,” Timmy growled from underneath his hood.
“I’m not mocking you, Timmy, I just think you’re making a mistake.”
“I can make mistakes if I want,” Timmy said, as he planted his feet in the asphalt.
Reginald shook his head and adjusted his foot, putting his right foot back to brace. “It’s your decision.”
A low guttural hum came from Timmy as the wind picked up. Everyone watched as the growl grew louder, watching for the hunched figure to make the first move. 20 seconds passed, and as Travis looked from Timmy to Reginald to watch how he was responding, the rumble burst into a scream, and Travis looked back, to see that Timmy wasn’t there, but had jumped 20 feet into the air, flying in an arc towards Reginald, a clawed hand extended forward to strike.
Archer watched calmly as Timmy descended upon him, and when the Brick was a mere moment from impact, reached into his jacket with his left hand and withdrew a pistol, and released one bullet at the figure.
“We don’t have to do this, Timmy,” Reginald called. “You can walk away right now and I’ll forget about it.”
“Stop looking down on me,” Timmy growled from underneath his hood.
“I’m not mocking you, Timmy, I just think you’re making a mistake.”
“I can make mistakes if I want,” Timmy said, as he planted his feet in the asphalt.
Reginald shook his head and adjusted his foot, putting his right foot back to brace. “It’s your decision.”
A low guttural hum came from Timmy as the wind picked up. Everyone watched as the growl grew louder, watching for the hunched figure to make the first move. 20 seconds passed, and as Travis looked from Timmy to Reginald to watch how he was responding, the rumble burst into a scream, and Travis looked back, to see that Timmy wasn’t there, but had jumped 20 feet into the air, flying in an arc towards Reginald, a clawed hand extended forward to strike.
Archer watched calmly as Timmy descended upon him, and when the Brick was a mere moment from impact, reached into his jacket with his left hand and withdrew a pistol, and released one bullet at the figure.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Chapter 1 - 18
The streets of the city at night are not abandoned by any means, but they rarely occupied by anyone with any authority. A drunk wandering home after hours, the random homeless trying to get some sleep in a doorway, the late shift cop who couldn’t be bothered; the No Ones could act pretty much uninhibited after 2:30 a.m., as long as they avoided the crime-riddled parts of town. The majority of the challenges happened around 3 a.m. in the Financial District, merely because there was no one there who would believe their eyes if they saw anything.
“Shouldn’t I be tired?” Travis asked. “This is weird.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Reginald said. “Oh, here they are.” Reginald waved to a couple of figures walking down the sidewalk towards the skyscraper that Travis and Reginald were waiting under. “What kept you?”
“Sorry, low on cash, was performing coin tricks at a bar.” Alan said. “Those frat boys will bet on anything.”
“And you know the rules: never show up early,” Tina said, trying to act nonchalant.
“Well, it looks like the Brick decided to follow that very rule, it’s getting past the prime, and no sign of his mysterious benefactor either,” Reginald said.
“Hey Reggie, who’s your friend here?” Alan asked, spotting Travis who was sticking to the nearest wall.
“Oh, I’m sorry. This is our latest convert. Travis.”
“Travis,” Tina said. “Nice to meet you. I’m Tina. Maybe we’ll have time to talk after the challenge. I have something to tell you.”
“Um, I...” Travis stumbled, when he noticed the wind suddenly pick up.
“Here we go. Keep an eye out for me.”
“Shouldn’t I be tired?” Travis asked. “This is weird.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Reginald said. “Oh, here they are.” Reginald waved to a couple of figures walking down the sidewalk towards the skyscraper that Travis and Reginald were waiting under. “What kept you?”
“Sorry, low on cash, was performing coin tricks at a bar.” Alan said. “Those frat boys will bet on anything.”
“And you know the rules: never show up early,” Tina said, trying to act nonchalant.
“Well, it looks like the Brick decided to follow that very rule, it’s getting past the prime, and no sign of his mysterious benefactor either,” Reginald said.
“Hey Reggie, who’s your friend here?” Alan asked, spotting Travis who was sticking to the nearest wall.
“Oh, I’m sorry. This is our latest convert. Travis.”
“Travis,” Tina said. “Nice to meet you. I’m Tina. Maybe we’ll have time to talk after the challenge. I have something to tell you.”
“Um, I...” Travis stumbled, when he noticed the wind suddenly pick up.
“Here we go. Keep an eye out for me.”
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Chapter 1 - 17
Maggie scoffed. “So serious. Why would I care what that snob was up to?”
“Just notice a trend of questioning whenever you come round.”
“Please. The ‘Terror Above Fourth’ can continue his little campaign for being perfect all he wants. I’ve got other things to worry about.” She stood up quickly. “I’m leaving. Bye.”
“Sure you don’t have time for a quickie?”
Maggie turned around and flipped off Alan before disappearing into the crowd. Alan only smiled, which quickly melted into a concerned frown, finished with his drink and got up to leave the mall. He was suddenly bored with this venture, and decided to get back downtown before it got too dark. He moved slowly through the mall towards the parking lot, a close eye out for any beautiful women, but those he saw he couldn’t get up the courage to talk to.
“Gah, why do I let her get to me?” Alan muttered underneath his breath. “Damn bitch anyway. Nothing in common with her.” He ducked into the Cinnabon, and stood impatiently in line, ordered a large cinnamon roll, and cursed as he realized that he was running low on walking money. He ate his roll in silence, contemplating his options. After he was finished, he sighed, and moved to the mall entrance. He took a hat out of his pocket, placed it on the ground, and then materialized a set of linked rings.
“How’s it going, little lady? Would you like to see something amazing? Now watch carefully as I…”
“Just notice a trend of questioning whenever you come round.”
“Please. The ‘Terror Above Fourth’ can continue his little campaign for being perfect all he wants. I’ve got other things to worry about.” She stood up quickly. “I’m leaving. Bye.”
“Sure you don’t have time for a quickie?”
Maggie turned around and flipped off Alan before disappearing into the crowd. Alan only smiled, which quickly melted into a concerned frown, finished with his drink and got up to leave the mall. He was suddenly bored with this venture, and decided to get back downtown before it got too dark. He moved slowly through the mall towards the parking lot, a close eye out for any beautiful women, but those he saw he couldn’t get up the courage to talk to.
“Gah, why do I let her get to me?” Alan muttered underneath his breath. “Damn bitch anyway. Nothing in common with her.” He ducked into the Cinnabon, and stood impatiently in line, ordered a large cinnamon roll, and cursed as he realized that he was running low on walking money. He ate his roll in silence, contemplating his options. After he was finished, he sighed, and moved to the mall entrance. He took a hat out of his pocket, placed it on the ground, and then materialized a set of linked rings.
“How’s it going, little lady? Would you like to see something amazing? Now watch carefully as I…”
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Chapter 1 - 16
Maggie Lawrence had a very subtle attractiveness. It was blatantly obvious when you met her, her pert body, her voluminous curves, her beautiful hair and pretty face, her stylish fashion. But for some reason you never quite notice her in a crowd, you are only struck with awe when she decides to take interest in you. You find yourself overcome with amazement as she giggles and flirts, trying to figure out what exactly you did to attract her attention, praising your good fortune at having such a marvelous creature notice you. That is...until she leaves and you find your wallet is missing.
“Why hello, Alehando!” Maggie exclaimed, sitting next to him.
“Oh hey. Trawling for mall trash, are we?”
“Could say the same to you,” she said while scanning the passing crowd. “No, I’m just hear to buy some new clothes, getting a little bored of these.”
“So you’ve owned them for a whole 16 hours then, huh?”
“17, actually, it’s awful” she giggled.
“Who’d you swipe the card from? Another charming Italian?”
“They’re not always Italian, Alehandro. As much you’d like them to be.”
“Just proud of my heritage, is all. We can be quite sexy.”
“Who is this ‘we’ you’re talking about?” Maggie joked, making quotation marks with her fingers.
“Did you want something, or just sit down to pick on me?”
“Oh, you know the answer. What are you up to this evening?”
“Why? You inviting me out tonight? Going to show me the ropes?” Alan said, a bit too eagerly.
“Please, like you could even get into the clubs I go to. Just curious what a fellow compatriot is up to.”
“Sorry, but if you want to spy on Reggie, you can do it your damn self.”
“Why hello, Alehando!” Maggie exclaimed, sitting next to him.
“Oh hey. Trawling for mall trash, are we?”
“Could say the same to you,” she said while scanning the passing crowd. “No, I’m just hear to buy some new clothes, getting a little bored of these.”
“So you’ve owned them for a whole 16 hours then, huh?”
“17, actually, it’s awful” she giggled.
“Who’d you swipe the card from? Another charming Italian?”
“They’re not always Italian, Alehandro. As much you’d like them to be.”
“Just proud of my heritage, is all. We can be quite sexy.”
“Who is this ‘we’ you’re talking about?” Maggie joked, making quotation marks with her fingers.
“Did you want something, or just sit down to pick on me?”
“Oh, you know the answer. What are you up to this evening?”
“Why? You inviting me out tonight? Going to show me the ropes?” Alan said, a bit too eagerly.
“Please, like you could even get into the clubs I go to. Just curious what a fellow compatriot is up to.”
“Sorry, but if you want to spy on Reggie, you can do it your damn self.”
Monday, October 19, 2009
Chapter 1 - 15
Alan sat down at the bench with his Orange Julius, a little bored with walking around. He had spent the past four hours going into every store, looking at all the price tags and trying to think of any reason at all he’d need to buy something, and hitting on every apparently-single woman above 18 he saw.
“How’s it going?” he called to a young well-dressed lady carrying a large Macy’s shopping bag. “Need any help?” She merely glanced his way, scowled, and continued walking.
“Excuse me, I’ve got a general question,” he said to a girl with many piercings and a few visible tattoos who was passing by. “Which one is your favorite?” The girl just rolled her eyes and walked away. Alan just shrugged and leaned back, taking another sip of his Julius.
He must admit that he wasn’t much to see, as he always wore a loose-fitting outfit of jeans and an ironic t-shirt, a day’s worth of stubble and a sloppy haircut, as well as being on the heavy side. He didn’t find himself too uncomely, but then he’d never had a second opinion. He had been to the bookstore a number of times and looked through “pick-up books” for any hints, but a lot of advice he didn’t have the resources to implement, and the rest seemed insincere, so he just stuck with the method of saying the first thing that came to his head. All this didn’t discourage him, however. A scattershot will eventually hit the target.
“Excuse me,” he called out again at a passing woman that he found stunning. “Oh, nevermind, it’s you.”
“How’s it going?” he called to a young well-dressed lady carrying a large Macy’s shopping bag. “Need any help?” She merely glanced his way, scowled, and continued walking.
“Excuse me, I’ve got a general question,” he said to a girl with many piercings and a few visible tattoos who was passing by. “Which one is your favorite?” The girl just rolled her eyes and walked away. Alan just shrugged and leaned back, taking another sip of his Julius.
He must admit that he wasn’t much to see, as he always wore a loose-fitting outfit of jeans and an ironic t-shirt, a day’s worth of stubble and a sloppy haircut, as well as being on the heavy side. He didn’t find himself too uncomely, but then he’d never had a second opinion. He had been to the bookstore a number of times and looked through “pick-up books” for any hints, but a lot of advice he didn’t have the resources to implement, and the rest seemed insincere, so he just stuck with the method of saying the first thing that came to his head. All this didn’t discourage him, however. A scattershot will eventually hit the target.
“Excuse me,” he called out again at a passing woman that he found stunning. “Oh, nevermind, it’s you.”
Chapter 1 - 14
Travis looked inquisitive.
“I have an access card to one of the buildings downtown,” Reginald explained, “and have set up shop in one of the frequently abandoned offices there. While not completely secure, it’s pretty much the only free residence that No Ones know about. As a result, I tend to get challenged a lot.”
“Challenged?”
“The items we have are tied to us can’t be stolen or lost, only given. But if some people really want an item, they’ll challenge the owner to a fight through the Emperor.”
“There’s an emperor?”
“Self-appointed. He will set a time and location, and the opponents will meet there and fight. Whoever defeats the other will get the item.”
“Do you have to go through with it?” Travis asked.
“No, you can ignore the challenge, but the penalties are usually a bit steep. Still worth it if you think you're going to lose though.”
“Sounds nasty. How do you avoid being challenged?"
“Don't have anything that anyone else wants. Don't worry, I think you'll be safe for a while.”
"When was the last time you were challenged?” Travis asked.
“I actually have a fight this evening. It should prove…interesting.”
Travis silently munched on his roll as he took in this weird explanation.
“Did you want to come watch?” Reginald asked.
“Can I?”
“Of course. If this fight means what I think it does, I can use all the help I can get. Not that I expect you to do much, but it should be a good introduction for you. Oh good, meal’s here.”
Reginald began eating almost instantly. Travis, still not hungry, decided that he might as well eat.
“I have an access card to one of the buildings downtown,” Reginald explained, “and have set up shop in one of the frequently abandoned offices there. While not completely secure, it’s pretty much the only free residence that No Ones know about. As a result, I tend to get challenged a lot.”
“Challenged?”
“The items we have are tied to us can’t be stolen or lost, only given. But if some people really want an item, they’ll challenge the owner to a fight through the Emperor.”
“There’s an emperor?”
“Self-appointed. He will set a time and location, and the opponents will meet there and fight. Whoever defeats the other will get the item.”
“Do you have to go through with it?” Travis asked.
“No, you can ignore the challenge, but the penalties are usually a bit steep. Still worth it if you think you're going to lose though.”
“Sounds nasty. How do you avoid being challenged?"
“Don't have anything that anyone else wants. Don't worry, I think you'll be safe for a while.”
"When was the last time you were challenged?” Travis asked.
“I actually have a fight this evening. It should prove…interesting.”
Travis silently munched on his roll as he took in this weird explanation.
“Did you want to come watch?” Reginald asked.
“Can I?”
“Of course. If this fight means what I think it does, I can use all the help I can get. Not that I expect you to do much, but it should be a good introduction for you. Oh good, meal’s here.”
Reginald began eating almost instantly. Travis, still not hungry, decided that he might as well eat.
Chapter 1 - 13
“So...what do we do for money?” Travis asked after he ordered some pasta.
“Pretty much whatever you can. Just dawned on you that you don’t have a wallet, huh?”
Travis shrugged sheepishly.
“Well, as you imagine, it’s nearly impossible to get a job, as you’re basically homeless, and have no history to fall back on. No degree, or what have you. But, your expenses are also pretty low; no room and board to worry about, and since you have no real place to keep stuff, you won’t be buying much.”
“But I still need to buy some things, right?”
Reginald shrugged. “You can beg. Hustle. Steal.”
“That’s...that’s dishonest.”
“What do you care? All these somebodies, they can’t remember our faces, our names, even what we said. And we can’t really remember them either. There are practically no consequences. You can be arrested if caught, sure, but they won’t be able to pin it on you, because nobody will remember that it was you who did it. All reports about the incident tends to disappear, and people forget. It’ll be unpleasant, but eventually you’ll get off. Hell, we can dine and ditch from here if you want.”
Travis seemed uncomfortable. “Well, what do you do for money?”
“Oh, I’m a business consultant, occasional lecturer.” He slid a business card across the table. “Nobody pays any attention to those guys anyway, know what I mean.”
“Wouldn’t you...need any address for that?”
Reginald sipped his wine. “Oh, I do. It’s been no end of trouble, I tell you.”
“Pretty much whatever you can. Just dawned on you that you don’t have a wallet, huh?”
Travis shrugged sheepishly.
“Well, as you imagine, it’s nearly impossible to get a job, as you’re basically homeless, and have no history to fall back on. No degree, or what have you. But, your expenses are also pretty low; no room and board to worry about, and since you have no real place to keep stuff, you won’t be buying much.”
“But I still need to buy some things, right?”
Reginald shrugged. “You can beg. Hustle. Steal.”
“That’s...that’s dishonest.”
“What do you care? All these somebodies, they can’t remember our faces, our names, even what we said. And we can’t really remember them either. There are practically no consequences. You can be arrested if caught, sure, but they won’t be able to pin it on you, because nobody will remember that it was you who did it. All reports about the incident tends to disappear, and people forget. It’ll be unpleasant, but eventually you’ll get off. Hell, we can dine and ditch from here if you want.”
Travis seemed uncomfortable. “Well, what do you do for money?”
“Oh, I’m a business consultant, occasional lecturer.” He slid a business card across the table. “Nobody pays any attention to those guys anyway, know what I mean.”
“Wouldn’t you...need any address for that?”
Reginald sipped his wine. “Oh, I do. It’s been no end of trouble, I tell you.”
Friday, October 16, 2009
Chapter 1 - 12
“This is one of the objects attached to you. You’ll always be able to find it, no matter what happens to it. That...deck of cards you had early was probably one as well.”
“But...what’s the point of that? Who decided that I would carry these things?”
“Who? We have no idea. The only people we know is the other No Ones, and only a couple of assholes claim any dominion over us. But we’ve all seem to have been randomly chosen to become a No One.”
Travis reflected a minute. “What happened to the me before the change?”
“Most likely completely wiped. The only thing a new No One seems to remember is his name, and most fail to find any evidence of a person with that name existing before he became a No One.”
“Most?”
“There has been a No One or two who claims they knew their past self, but I doubt it. Tell me, where did you wake up?”
“In an office...in a storage cubicle. Oh, think that was where I worked when I was....somebody?”
Reginald shrugged. “It’s possible. I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it. I’ve got my hands full with other matters.”
“Other matters? What is it that No Ones do?”
Reginald flashed a smile. “Why, whatever we want. Come on, let’s sit and talk here for a while.”
“But...what’s the point of that? Who decided that I would carry these things?”
“Who? We have no idea. The only people we know is the other No Ones, and only a couple of assholes claim any dominion over us. But we’ve all seem to have been randomly chosen to become a No One.”
Travis reflected a minute. “What happened to the me before the change?”
“Most likely completely wiped. The only thing a new No One seems to remember is his name, and most fail to find any evidence of a person with that name existing before he became a No One.”
“Most?”
“There has been a No One or two who claims they knew their past self, but I doubt it. Tell me, where did you wake up?”
“In an office...in a storage cubicle. Oh, think that was where I worked when I was....somebody?”
Reginald shrugged. “It’s possible. I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it. I’ve got my hands full with other matters.”
“Other matters? What is it that No Ones do?”
Reginald flashed a smile. “Why, whatever we want. Come on, let’s sit and talk here for a while.”
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Chapter 1 - 11
“You, and I,” Reginald said, “are No Ones. That’s with capital letters. We’re special. We don’t have to eat, or sleep. We never get sick. We have advanced strength, agility, and constitution.”
Travis snickered.
“What?”
“Nothing. This sounds ridiculous.”
“It's not. We're special beings, but it does have disadvantages. We are broken off from the real world. Nobody can remember who we are, and we have a very tentative connection to the real world. We’re in our own league.”
Travis found himself sitting on the sidewalk. He was having a hard time wrapping his head around what this insane man was saying, but he knew it was right. It all rang true, even though it was impossible. He almost wished he didn’t want to believe. But he did.
“Real...really?”
“It’s strange, right? Didn’t believe it myself, but then, I’m a practical guy.”
Travis snickered again. “Thanks for making it interesting. Oh good...this is weird.”
Reginald knelt down to look Travis in the eyes. “About that dinner?”
“Still not hungry. Oh, of course. I wouldn’t be. Well, let’s go then. We’re going somewhere fancy, right?”
Reginald smiled. “Of course.” Travis stood up with Reginald’s help and they walked a few blocks, without Travis speaking.
“So...if I’m a superhero...”
“A No One. Big difference.”
“Yeah, yeah, so if I’m a superhero...can I fly? Or turn into stone. Oh, or can I be a human library!? I always wanted to do that!”
“It...doesn’t work that way. The majority of your ‘powers’ are based on the items that you found in your pocket there.”
“What? This...taser?” Travis said, pulling the taser out of his pocket. “Wait, didn’t I leave this on the sidewalk?”
Travis snickered.
“What?”
“Nothing. This sounds ridiculous.”
“It's not. We're special beings, but it does have disadvantages. We are broken off from the real world. Nobody can remember who we are, and we have a very tentative connection to the real world. We’re in our own league.”
Travis found himself sitting on the sidewalk. He was having a hard time wrapping his head around what this insane man was saying, but he knew it was right. It all rang true, even though it was impossible. He almost wished he didn’t want to believe. But he did.
“Real...really?”
“It’s strange, right? Didn’t believe it myself, but then, I’m a practical guy.”
Travis snickered again. “Thanks for making it interesting. Oh good...this is weird.”
Reginald knelt down to look Travis in the eyes. “About that dinner?”
“Still not hungry. Oh, of course. I wouldn’t be. Well, let’s go then. We’re going somewhere fancy, right?”
Reginald smiled. “Of course.” Travis stood up with Reginald’s help and they walked a few blocks, without Travis speaking.
“So...if I’m a superhero...”
“A No One. Big difference.”
“Yeah, yeah, so if I’m a superhero...can I fly? Or turn into stone. Oh, or can I be a human library!? I always wanted to do that!”
“It...doesn’t work that way. The majority of your ‘powers’ are based on the items that you found in your pocket there.”
“What? This...taser?” Travis said, pulling the taser out of his pocket. “Wait, didn’t I leave this on the sidewalk?”
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Chapter 1 - 10
“Excuse me, Travis, do you have a pen I can borrow?” Reginald said after stopping in front of a posted sign.
Travis didn’t know. “Hold on,” he said, checking his pockets. “What the?” He pulled a deck of cards out of his right pocket. Reginald’s eyes went wide when he saw it. “Mind if I…” Reginald half-asked while he grabbed the deck and started looking through it, a look of puzzlement appearing on his face. “What is this?”
“Oh, those are Magic cards. It’s a card game I play. I guess I was carrying a deck around for some reason. Let me see.” Travis thumbed through the deck, astonished. “Wow, this a really good deck. I wonder where this came from.” He checked the back. “Nope, this is real. And Standard too. Huh.”
“The pen?” Reginald said, now a little impatient.
“Huh? Oh,” Travis checked his pockets again, finding a bulky object instead. “What?” He pulled out a small taser. “What the hell?” He set the taser down and turned his pockets inside out. Only a single paper clip fell to the ground. “Where is my wallet? And my keys? I’m sorry, I need to go back to the…no wait, I…”
“If I may interrupt you,” Reginald said, picking up the paper clip and the taser and handing it back to Travis, “it seems to you that things are a bit weird lately.”
Travis nodded, his mind reeling trying to grasp just why he was carrying these things but nothing else and who this strange man was.
“Might I suggest that maybe you’ve suddenly become a member of a secret society, have acquired some superpowers, and now live by a different set of rules?”
Travis was incredulous, but hopeful. “That’s crazy. No one would believe that.”
“Exactly.”
Travis didn’t know. “Hold on,” he said, checking his pockets. “What the?” He pulled a deck of cards out of his right pocket. Reginald’s eyes went wide when he saw it. “Mind if I…” Reginald half-asked while he grabbed the deck and started looking through it, a look of puzzlement appearing on his face. “What is this?”
“Oh, those are Magic cards. It’s a card game I play. I guess I was carrying a deck around for some reason. Let me see.” Travis thumbed through the deck, astonished. “Wow, this a really good deck. I wonder where this came from.” He checked the back. “Nope, this is real. And Standard too. Huh.”
“The pen?” Reginald said, now a little impatient.
“Huh? Oh,” Travis checked his pockets again, finding a bulky object instead. “What?” He pulled out a small taser. “What the hell?” He set the taser down and turned his pockets inside out. Only a single paper clip fell to the ground. “Where is my wallet? And my keys? I’m sorry, I need to go back to the…no wait, I…”
“If I may interrupt you,” Reginald said, picking up the paper clip and the taser and handing it back to Travis, “it seems to you that things are a bit weird lately.”
Travis nodded, his mind reeling trying to grasp just why he was carrying these things but nothing else and who this strange man was.
“Might I suggest that maybe you’ve suddenly become a member of a secret society, have acquired some superpowers, and now live by a different set of rules?”
Travis was incredulous, but hopeful. “That’s crazy. No one would believe that.”
“Exactly.”
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Chapter 1 - 9
Travis recognized this man, although he couldn’t recall where or who he was. “Um, hi.”
“How does the day treat you?” the man said, without the slightest hint that he found the lack of recognition odd.
“Oh, um, fine, I guess. Just…um, woke up in this building here and…”
“Oh, you were recently asleep?”
“Well, I think so. I mean, you’re usually asleep before you wake up, so…”
The man just nodded slowly, “I’m sorry, I want to avoid saving face, but it appears I’ve forgotten your name.”
“Oh, it’s not a problem. Travis.”
“Travis. I’m Reginald Archer.”
“Oh,” Travis exclaimed, now convinced that he had never met this man before but still eerily knew him.
“I would like to catch up, Travis. If we have time.”
Travis quickly tried to recall if there was something that he needed to do, and came up empty. In fact, he couldn’t even remember where his home was, which he should be returning to, given the time. He was ready to accept, until he realized that he also couldn’t remember what he had been up to either. His past was a complete blank. Was he having amnesia?
“I, well, I…” Travis stuttered.
“Come along, dinner will be on me.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Well, your appetite might edge up as we walk. Unless you have somewhere else to be, I wouldn’t want to interrupt.”
Travis thought I couldn’t think of anything better to do, so he shrugged and agreed to go along with this Reginald Archer.
“How does the day treat you?” the man said, without the slightest hint that he found the lack of recognition odd.
“Oh, um, fine, I guess. Just…um, woke up in this building here and…”
“Oh, you were recently asleep?”
“Well, I think so. I mean, you’re usually asleep before you wake up, so…”
The man just nodded slowly, “I’m sorry, I want to avoid saving face, but it appears I’ve forgotten your name.”
“Oh, it’s not a problem. Travis.”
“Travis. I’m Reginald Archer.”
“Oh,” Travis exclaimed, now convinced that he had never met this man before but still eerily knew him.
“I would like to catch up, Travis. If we have time.”
Travis quickly tried to recall if there was something that he needed to do, and came up empty. In fact, he couldn’t even remember where his home was, which he should be returning to, given the time. He was ready to accept, until he realized that he also couldn’t remember what he had been up to either. His past was a complete blank. Was he having amnesia?
“I, well, I…” Travis stuttered.
“Come along, dinner will be on me.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Well, your appetite might edge up as we walk. Unless you have somewhere else to be, I wouldn’t want to interrupt.”
Travis thought I couldn’t think of anything better to do, so he shrugged and agreed to go along with this Reginald Archer.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Chapter 1 - 8
Travis woke up seated in an office chair, inside a cubicle. The computer was off, and it seemed like people were using this cubicle for storage. He looked around and didn’t recognize anything familiar. He looked at himself, realizing he didn’t even remember what he was wearing. A cheap pair of dress pants and a too-big-for-him pastel dress shirt. “Hm,” Travis said. “Alright...” He stood up at the exact moment that someone walked by. She stopped and looked at him quizzically.
“Can I help you?” she said.
“Um, I, I seem to have gotten disoriented, is all. I’ll just...um...can you, guide me to the exit?”
She nodded and started to walk through the cubicles. Travis followed, still trying to figure out where he was. “You sure you don’t need any medical assistance?”
Travis didn’t. He didn’t feel bad at all. He felt healthy, fit, not sore anywhere. Better than he’s felt in years, in fact. He just felt...confused. “No, I’m fine, just...um...” He didn’t have a response, really. He couldn’t think of any reason why he would be in this building.
He was guided to the elevators, and he figured he might as well get out of the building. He got to the bottom, stepped through the lobby and stepped outside, only to realize he had no idea what city he was even in.
“Um...huh.” He stood dumbfounded, unnoticed by the people streaming by. He tried to pick his mind for what he could possibly do next when he saw a man in a three-piece suit walk by, glance at him, do a double take, and step towards him.
“Hello,” the man said.
“Can I help you?” she said.
“Um, I, I seem to have gotten disoriented, is all. I’ll just...um...can you, guide me to the exit?”
She nodded and started to walk through the cubicles. Travis followed, still trying to figure out where he was. “You sure you don’t need any medical assistance?”
Travis didn’t. He didn’t feel bad at all. He felt healthy, fit, not sore anywhere. Better than he’s felt in years, in fact. He just felt...confused. “No, I’m fine, just...um...” He didn’t have a response, really. He couldn’t think of any reason why he would be in this building.
He was guided to the elevators, and he figured he might as well get out of the building. He got to the bottom, stepped through the lobby and stepped outside, only to realize he had no idea what city he was even in.
“Um...huh.” He stood dumbfounded, unnoticed by the people streaming by. He tried to pick his mind for what he could possibly do next when he saw a man in a three-piece suit walk by, glance at him, do a double take, and step towards him.
“Hello,” the man said.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Chapter 1 -7
“I got it,” Reginald said, “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do a thing but flip a card over.”
“Still. Does that mean anything to the girl?”
“It all matters how much she takes to heart,” Tina said. “It’s all about interpretation, on how it is seen. I imagine that she’ll find a queen of pentacles somewhere, whether her roommate, mother, some cow at a bar, and she’ll be blunt. Frankly, any card could have been flopped down and I would have been able to twist it to match the question she asked. It’s all there to reassure yourself, that’s all fortune-telling is. A reassurance to keep doing what you planned to do in the first place. Unless that damn Death card flops up.”
“Yeah, I imagine that scares the hell of people.”
“It’s just 1 of 78, just another possible random draw,” Tina sighed. “Oh well. Now I can hit the thrift store. Want to come along?”
“I probably should do some more legwork anyway.”
“Oh phooey. Well, see you tonight?"
"Why bother? You know how it will end."
"I’m still interested in seeing how it goes. And personally I’m very invested in what you are up to.”
Reginald blushed. “Well, alright. But if it starts to get dangerous, get out of there.”
“Of course, but I’m confident you’ll have it under control.” She leaned across the table and kissed him. “Go get some work done, you lug. You’re going to have to buy me breakfast in the morning.”
Reginald stuttered to himself while she sauntered out of the restaurant. He would never understand why he couldn’t be without her.
“I didn’t do a thing but flip a card over.”
“Still. Does that mean anything to the girl?”
“It all matters how much she takes to heart,” Tina said. “It’s all about interpretation, on how it is seen. I imagine that she’ll find a queen of pentacles somewhere, whether her roommate, mother, some cow at a bar, and she’ll be blunt. Frankly, any card could have been flopped down and I would have been able to twist it to match the question she asked. It’s all there to reassure yourself, that’s all fortune-telling is. A reassurance to keep doing what you planned to do in the first place. Unless that damn Death card flops up.”
“Yeah, I imagine that scares the hell of people.”
“It’s just 1 of 78, just another possible random draw,” Tina sighed. “Oh well. Now I can hit the thrift store. Want to come along?”
“I probably should do some more legwork anyway.”
“Oh phooey. Well, see you tonight?"
"Why bother? You know how it will end."
"I’m still interested in seeing how it goes. And personally I’m very invested in what you are up to.”
Reginald blushed. “Well, alright. But if it starts to get dangerous, get out of there.”
“Of course, but I’m confident you’ll have it under control.” She leaned across the table and kissed him. “Go get some work done, you lug. You’re going to have to buy me breakfast in the morning.”
Reginald stuttered to himself while she sauntered out of the restaurant. He would never understand why he couldn’t be without her.
Chapter 1 - 6
“The first card represents the heart of the issue, representing your innocence, your unfamiliarity with the city. The card on top is the reversed Ace of Wands, which represents a lack of passion, a general unwillingness to try. Your past, your foundation, the Three of Swords, stands for where you came from, a scene of restfulness, of meditation, possibly what you hoped for in the city. The Chariot in your subconsciousness represents your force, your willpower, to try to get along in the new city. The top slot is your conscious influence, the reversed Queen of Pentacles, a strong, down-to-earth woman. The reversed position may signify an opposition to become this, or someone who is like this. The seven of swords represents the immediate future; a theft of some kind, something that will rob you and affect your outcome.”
The girl could only sit and watch as Tina explained, pointing to each card.
"Now, the staff will help you determine what to do and what will come. Temperence here represents you, you as someone who is able to maintain balance, able to keep your cool. The reversed Hanged Man represents the environment, the forces around you. It represents a opposition around you to letting go, to sacrificing, to changing. This card is your guidance, the Knight of Swords is paired against the conscious influence, the Queen of Pentacles, representing how you should respond to the person that this represents, being blunt, logical, forceful. Acting this way will help the situation.
“And finally, the ultimate outcome is the World, representing accomplishment and fulfillment. This is a very positive card here, it means that it’s going to be alright. Just remember to watch out for this Queen of Pentacles, and remain against a resistance to change, and you will win out.”
“Oh,” the girl said, a little overwhelmed. “That’s...interesting. Um, um, thank you. How much do I...?”
“Not much. $10 will do me.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks.” The girl gave Tina a fresh bill and left, cast a glance or two at Reginald before leaving.
“Did you get all that?” Tina said without looking up while shuffling her cards and putting them away.
The girl could only sit and watch as Tina explained, pointing to each card.
"Now, the staff will help you determine what to do and what will come. Temperence here represents you, you as someone who is able to maintain balance, able to keep your cool. The reversed Hanged Man represents the environment, the forces around you. It represents a opposition around you to letting go, to sacrificing, to changing. This card is your guidance, the Knight of Swords is paired against the conscious influence, the Queen of Pentacles, representing how you should respond to the person that this represents, being blunt, logical, forceful. Acting this way will help the situation.
“And finally, the ultimate outcome is the World, representing accomplishment and fulfillment. This is a very positive card here, it means that it’s going to be alright. Just remember to watch out for this Queen of Pentacles, and remain against a resistance to change, and you will win out.”
“Oh,” the girl said, a little overwhelmed. “That’s...interesting. Um, um, thank you. How much do I...?”
“Not much. $10 will do me.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks.” The girl gave Tina a fresh bill and left, cast a glance or two at Reginald before leaving.
“Did you get all that?” Tina said without looking up while shuffling her cards and putting them away.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Chapter 1 - 5
“Yes, of course. Please, sit down,” Tina said, motioning to the chair Reginald was sitting in. Reginald moved out of the way and let the girl with thick glasses and a heavy sweater sat down.
Tina reached into her burlap purse and pulled out an almost pristine deck of tarot cards. The girl looked mildly distrustful, but soon forgot about it when Tina became shuffling quickly and professionally. “I’m going to need you to write down a question on that piece of paper there, something you want to gain insight on. Avoid yes or no questions, keep it personal, keep it positive, and let me know when you’re ready.”
The girl took the index card laying nearby and wrote down a question quickly. She cast a weary glance at Reginald, but put the question down in front of Tina.
“Hmm. Alright. I’m going to use a Celtic Cross, if that’s fine.”
The girl just nodded, hoping to get this started. Tina set the deck forward for the girl to cut, and she did so.
“Okay, now, stay focused on your question.” Tina drew the first card, a six of cups. “For your reference, I’m dealing to you. It’ll be reversed if you see the card upside down.” She placed the card in the center of the table, then drew the next and placed it on top of the next. She continued drawing, placed four cards around the central cards and four cards in the staff.
The girl looked at the spread, and obviously didn't understand. “What does it say?”
Tina reached into her burlap purse and pulled out an almost pristine deck of tarot cards. The girl looked mildly distrustful, but soon forgot about it when Tina became shuffling quickly and professionally. “I’m going to need you to write down a question on that piece of paper there, something you want to gain insight on. Avoid yes or no questions, keep it personal, keep it positive, and let me know when you’re ready.”
The girl took the index card laying nearby and wrote down a question quickly. She cast a weary glance at Reginald, but put the question down in front of Tina.
“Hmm. Alright. I’m going to use a Celtic Cross, if that’s fine.”
The girl just nodded, hoping to get this started. Tina set the deck forward for the girl to cut, and she did so.
“Okay, now, stay focused on your question.” Tina drew the first card, a six of cups. “For your reference, I’m dealing to you. It’ll be reversed if you see the card upside down.” She placed the card in the center of the table, then drew the next and placed it on top of the next. She continued drawing, placed four cards around the central cards and four cards in the staff.
The girl looked at the spread, and obviously didn't understand. “What does it say?”
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Chapter 1 - 4
Tina Spartan was slim, wearing a pink tanktop and a frilly green skirt that went just to her knees. She wore her dreadlocked dark hair up in a tie-died scrunchie. She had multiple piercings in each ear. She always seemed to be smiling, and carried a burlap sack with peace symbols and flowers pained on. Most would assume that she was a hold-over granola girl, with all kinds of misguided ideals but good intentions. Most people are wrong.
“I’ve got an activity tonight,” Archer said after some small talk.
“Oh? Sponsoring a lecture or something?”
“Not...exactly.”
Tina understood immediately, and narrowed her eyes. “Who wants it?”
“Timmy the Brick.”
“That buckethead. Who do you think is behind it?”
“Could be anyone,” Reginald theorized. “Help out the Brick, then take it from him easily in a later challenge. Of course, Timmy’s too dense to even consider it.”
“What time?”
Reginald grimaced. “I don’t want to drag you into this.”
“Stop being so cavalier. We help each other. That’s how this works.”
“I...well...”
“Oh, you’re adorable when you think you’re in charge,” Tina said, touching his arm. “What time?”
“3 a.m., outside my building.”
“I’ll be there. So...what are you doing until then?”
Reginald shook his head and wonder why he put himself through this. He should be concentrating on the game, but he just felt that this was a much more enjoyable use of his time.
“Well...” Reginald started, but was interrupted when someone walked up to the table.
“Excuse me, I...heard I could get a reading here?”
“I’ve got an activity tonight,” Archer said after some small talk.
“Oh? Sponsoring a lecture or something?”
“Not...exactly.”
Tina understood immediately, and narrowed her eyes. “Who wants it?”
“Timmy the Brick.”
“That buckethead. Who do you think is behind it?”
“Could be anyone,” Reginald theorized. “Help out the Brick, then take it from him easily in a later challenge. Of course, Timmy’s too dense to even consider it.”
“What time?”
Reginald grimaced. “I don’t want to drag you into this.”
“Stop being so cavalier. We help each other. That’s how this works.”
“I...well...”
“Oh, you’re adorable when you think you’re in charge,” Tina said, touching his arm. “What time?”
“3 a.m., outside my building.”
“I’ll be there. So...what are you doing until then?”
Reginald shook his head and wonder why he put himself through this. He should be concentrating on the game, but he just felt that this was a much more enjoyable use of his time.
“Well...” Reginald started, but was interrupted when someone walked up to the table.
“Excuse me, I...heard I could get a reading here?”
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Chapter 1 - 3
Reginald Archer, the Terror Above Fourth, didn’t seem very dangerous. He was tall and slim, and wore a fine dark blue three-piece suit. His hair was short but mildly styled, maybe a $40-50 haircut, he was cleanly shaven, and wore a pair of rectangular glasses. He walked casually, his plain black dress shoes clacking against the sidewalk as he idled forward with his hands in his pockets. Nobody really paid him much attention, as he glided through the foot traffic of the city. If anyone did see him, they probably thought of him as a young business professional out to lunch or on an errand, when really, Reginald hadn’t held a job in over four years.
He was headed for the stranger part of town, where the young hipsters shared studio apartments and kebobs were sold on the street, where the streets were dirty and empty except for the homeless and the listless. Reginald sympathized with them, and gave money to any homeless he saw, because he knew that he was in the same position, if under infinitely better circumstances.
After about an hour of walking from the Financial district, he arrived at his destination, a small Cuban restaurant next to an ex-art studio. He stepped in, said hello to the cashier (who didn’t recognize him and merely waved back), and headed to the back, where, as he was hoping, was the person he was looking for.
“Archer, you sly devil,” she said, jumping up and giving him a hug. “It’s good to see you.”
“It's good to see you too, Tina.”
He was headed for the stranger part of town, where the young hipsters shared studio apartments and kebobs were sold on the street, where the streets were dirty and empty except for the homeless and the listless. Reginald sympathized with them, and gave money to any homeless he saw, because he knew that he was in the same position, if under infinitely better circumstances.
After about an hour of walking from the Financial district, he arrived at his destination, a small Cuban restaurant next to an ex-art studio. He stepped in, said hello to the cashier (who didn’t recognize him and merely waved back), and headed to the back, where, as he was hoping, was the person he was looking for.
“Archer, you sly devil,” she said, jumping up and giving him a hug. “It’s good to see you.”
“It's good to see you too, Tina.”
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Chapter 1 - 2
“I’ve got a challenge, from Timmy the Brick,” Reggie said.
“That do-nothing? What kind of leverage does he think he has?”
“He’s thinking I think he has less than he actually does. He’s probably got help.”
“Mm,” Alan said, after taking a bite of the massive burger. “What does he want?”
“My keycard.”
Alan let out a low whistle. “Yeah, he must have some serious help. I assume you want some assistance?”
“If you’re not too busy.”
“I assume that some storage space is on the table.”
“A bit, if you have something you’re looking to store.”
Alan thought, then shook his head. “Not really. But I’ll certainly never get the offer from the Brick. I’ll do it on the condition of continued friendship.”
Reggie chuckled. “Not a problem.”
Alan licked his fingers over the empty wrapper. “Anyone else in on the game?”
“On my side? Well, I was going to ask Tina to help...”
“She’s got a hell of a good reason to, if you ask me, wink wink,” Alan said as Reggie noticeably blushed.
“Well, I wouldn’t assume that...”
“Meh, none of my business. Where is this going down?”
“3 a.m. in front of my building. Plenty of space for a few surprises.”
“Got it. I’ll be there, friend. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I feel like wandering the mall.”
“Still haven’t given much thought of really getting into the game, huh?”
“Hey, what can I say?” Alan said, as he bussed his own table. “I’ve got all the time in the world.”
“That do-nothing? What kind of leverage does he think he has?”
“He’s thinking I think he has less than he actually does. He’s probably got help.”
“Mm,” Alan said, after taking a bite of the massive burger. “What does he want?”
“My keycard.”
Alan let out a low whistle. “Yeah, he must have some serious help. I assume you want some assistance?”
“If you’re not too busy.”
“I assume that some storage space is on the table.”
“A bit, if you have something you’re looking to store.”
Alan thought, then shook his head. “Not really. But I’ll certainly never get the offer from the Brick. I’ll do it on the condition of continued friendship.”
Reggie chuckled. “Not a problem.”
Alan licked his fingers over the empty wrapper. “Anyone else in on the game?”
“On my side? Well, I was going to ask Tina to help...”
“She’s got a hell of a good reason to, if you ask me, wink wink,” Alan said as Reggie noticeably blushed.
“Well, I wouldn’t assume that...”
“Meh, none of my business. Where is this going down?”
“3 a.m. in front of my building. Plenty of space for a few surprises.”
“Got it. I’ll be there, friend. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I feel like wandering the mall.”
“Still haven’t given much thought of really getting into the game, huh?”
“Hey, what can I say?” Alan said, as he bussed his own table. “I’ve got all the time in the world.”
Monday, October 5, 2009
Chapter 1 - 1
They do not meet on rooftops. They do not meet in darkened alleyways, barely restraining their hostility for each other. They do not meet in abandoned warehouses and complain how the Masquerade is becoming harder and harder to maintain. They do not visit each other at their opulent mansions and sip sherry while making veiled threats at each other.
No, they typically meet at McDonalds.
“I’ll have a number 3, large, with Coke. And also a sundae. You want anything, Reggie?”
“Just a double cheeseburger will handle me.”
The Magnificent Alehandro Besetti (known by practically everyone as Alan) paid the cashier and stepped back. He and Reggie (real name Reginald Archer) stood in silence waiting for their food, approximately three feet apart, not looking at each other. After their number was called, they got their food and sat at a table in the furthest corner from the front counter.
“I never understand how you have such an appetite,” Reggie said as he unwrapped his burger.
“Can’t change old habits. If it doesn’t matter what I put into my body, might as well eat what I want to,” Alan said, and proceeded to devour his meal.
Reggie finished his meal quickly and quietly and watched Alan eat. He reflected on how Alan was pretty much the only one who was allowed to call in Reggie, the rest knew him only as Archer, the Terror Above Fourth. He couldn’t exactly how this relationship came to be in the first place.
“So,” Alan said, putting down his half-eaten burger. “What’s the plan for the evening?”
No, they typically meet at McDonalds.
“I’ll have a number 3, large, with Coke. And also a sundae. You want anything, Reggie?”
“Just a double cheeseburger will handle me.”
The Magnificent Alehandro Besetti (known by practically everyone as Alan) paid the cashier and stepped back. He and Reggie (real name Reginald Archer) stood in silence waiting for their food, approximately three feet apart, not looking at each other. After their number was called, they got their food and sat at a table in the furthest corner from the front counter.
“I never understand how you have such an appetite,” Reggie said as he unwrapped his burger.
“Can’t change old habits. If it doesn’t matter what I put into my body, might as well eat what I want to,” Alan said, and proceeded to devour his meal.
Reggie finished his meal quickly and quietly and watched Alan eat. He reflected on how Alan was pretty much the only one who was allowed to call in Reggie, the rest knew him only as Archer, the Terror Above Fourth. He couldn’t exactly how this relationship came to be in the first place.
“So,” Alan said, putting down his half-eaten burger. “What’s the plan for the evening?”
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