Jack looked around the parking garage as the three of them got out of the car. It was a place he had been many times, though today the Mall of America lot was strangely empty.
"I will go and do the deed," said Batwoman shrilly. Batman nodded slowly and walked toward his place at the mall's entrance. It was obvious to Jack to Batwoman was anxious, but her high voice betrayed more than simple nerves. Her tall, lithe figure was wrapped completely in her dark cape, and Jack was struck by the contrast between her commanding presence and her shaky voice. He began to worry about her part in the plan. If Batwoman failed to retrieve her male counterpart's costume, he would be unable to fight and all would be lost.
Without warning, she strode off towards the garage's exit ramp and out of sight. Jack shot a worried glance at Batman. Wearing only underwear and his distinctive cowl, he was crouched into a fetal position. He too seemed uncharacteristically worried.
Jack noticed a figure walking into the lot. He recognized it as Geburdick, briefcase in hand. When Geburdick saw Batman crouched at the mall's entrance, he halted and stared, mouth agape.
A loud commotion drew everyone's attention to the exit ramp. Attack dogs and martial artists rounded the corner and started to advance. With a sinking feeling, Jack realized Batwoman had betrayed them. Picking up a heavy wooden bench, he prepared to hold out for as long as he could.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Dollhouse Forest
Jack sat down heavily across the table from Montano, who was nursing a drink. The moving platform they sat upon moved at a steady pace through the woods, threading its way through the cutaway houses.
"I've just come from the concert," Jack said to Montano. "There was a lighting problem. I had to jury rig the wall lights. I hope that is what Narin wanted."
"Hmph. We'll find out," replied Montano, looking up from his drink.
Jack took a sip of his own drink, reminiscing about his brief stint as a concert promoter. He had seen an enormous woodwind instrument that reached toward the ceiling and seemed to weigh several tons owing to its enormous base, though the frizzy-haired man playing it had no trouble supporting its girth. For how visually striking it'd been, Jack could barely recall it's sub-bass tones.
Glancing to his left, Jack beheld another cutaway house. He saw a large sewing room full of child-sized cowboy outfits.
"Crazy! How does that work?..." Jack absently remarked to Montano.
"I've just come from the concert," Jack said to Montano. "There was a lighting problem. I had to jury rig the wall lights. I hope that is what Narin wanted."
"Hmph. We'll find out," replied Montano, looking up from his drink.
Jack took a sip of his own drink, reminiscing about his brief stint as a concert promoter. He had seen an enormous woodwind instrument that reached toward the ceiling and seemed to weigh several tons owing to its enormous base, though the frizzy-haired man playing it had no trouble supporting its girth. For how visually striking it'd been, Jack could barely recall it's sub-bass tones.
Glancing to his left, Jack beheld another cutaway house. He saw a large sewing room full of child-sized cowboy outfits.
"Crazy! How does that work?..." Jack absently remarked to Montano.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Poor Preparedness
Jack sudden appearance on the frontage road indicated that his teleportation spell had been successful. Taking in his surroundings, he saw a few old buildings to his left and a large highway to his right. The road wound alongside the highway until it disappeared into a forest a half-mile ahead. It was late in the day, and storm clouds obscured the fading sunlight.
As an experiment, Jack attempted to teleport back to where he had came from. After a few moments of intensely concentrating on his nose, he knew that was stuck there in New Brighton. He began walking down the frontage road just as the sky exploded in a sudden downpour. Jack's all-black outfit was drenched completely after a few seconds. Luckily, he was able to outpace the rain as he began walking down the frontage road toward the forest.
He became aware of a group of male high-school students walking ahead of him. Surmising that school must have just let out, he slowed his pace so that he might avoid overtaking them. Despite his efforts, he was soon a few yards behind the back of the group.
The young men were tossing a ball back and forth, and it wasn't long before they overthrew a pass and it landed near Jack. Though Jack was loath to betray his lack of athletic skill, he knew it would be impolite to ignore the ball. Picking it up, he was able to use some of his willpower to make up for his weak technique, and he propelled the ball into a rather respectable pass.
"Well, that wasn't too bad," Jack thought to himself.
Before too long, the boys lost the ball yet again. This time, Jack attempted to use only his physical strength. The ball made a small arc and fell lamely just a few feet ahead of him. One of the boys ran over to pick it up, a scowl of contempt on his face. Ashamed, Jack started to hurry past them.
Just then, Jack spotted Dave G. The tall man was walking towards the group with the authoritative air of an administrator. Jack was instinctively startled, but he realized that because he was no longer a student, he had nothing to fear. He continued walking as the powerless Dave glared. Dave approached the boys and began talking with them, and before Jack could put much distance between himself and them, Dave caught up with him, two of the boys in tow.
"We'll help you," declared Dave G. Jack said nothing in response as the group made their way to the edge of the forest.
At the end of the road lay the entrance to a forest path. The entrance was blocked by spiked horizontal bars, and the trees cast eerie shadows. Knowing they would have to enter the forest, they carefully climbed over the bars.
"Did you bring anything?" Jack asked Dave G.
"No," replied Dave G.
"Not even a gun?" Jack asked, disappointed.
"No. A gun would be no good in these woods. It's not powerful to handle one of the big beasts, and the noise would just attract others," said Dave G. Jack wasn't convinced, but knew they had to continue regardless.
The group was startled by the sound of cars behind them. They turned around to see several all-terrain vehicles laden with camping supplies. The drivers and passengers were all female.
"Well, thank goodness the women are prepared," said Jack with a sigh of relief.
As an experiment, Jack attempted to teleport back to where he had came from. After a few moments of intensely concentrating on his nose, he knew that was stuck there in New Brighton. He began walking down the frontage road just as the sky exploded in a sudden downpour. Jack's all-black outfit was drenched completely after a few seconds. Luckily, he was able to outpace the rain as he began walking down the frontage road toward the forest.
He became aware of a group of male high-school students walking ahead of him. Surmising that school must have just let out, he slowed his pace so that he might avoid overtaking them. Despite his efforts, he was soon a few yards behind the back of the group.
The young men were tossing a ball back and forth, and it wasn't long before they overthrew a pass and it landed near Jack. Though Jack was loath to betray his lack of athletic skill, he knew it would be impolite to ignore the ball. Picking it up, he was able to use some of his willpower to make up for his weak technique, and he propelled the ball into a rather respectable pass.
"Well, that wasn't too bad," Jack thought to himself.
Before too long, the boys lost the ball yet again. This time, Jack attempted to use only his physical strength. The ball made a small arc and fell lamely just a few feet ahead of him. One of the boys ran over to pick it up, a scowl of contempt on his face. Ashamed, Jack started to hurry past them.
Just then, Jack spotted Dave G. The tall man was walking towards the group with the authoritative air of an administrator. Jack was instinctively startled, but he realized that because he was no longer a student, he had nothing to fear. He continued walking as the powerless Dave glared. Dave approached the boys and began talking with them, and before Jack could put much distance between himself and them, Dave caught up with him, two of the boys in tow.
"We'll help you," declared Dave G. Jack said nothing in response as the group made their way to the edge of the forest.
At the end of the road lay the entrance to a forest path. The entrance was blocked by spiked horizontal bars, and the trees cast eerie shadows. Knowing they would have to enter the forest, they carefully climbed over the bars.
"Did you bring anything?" Jack asked Dave G.
"No," replied Dave G.
"Not even a gun?" Jack asked, disappointed.
"No. A gun would be no good in these woods. It's not powerful to handle one of the big beasts, and the noise would just attract others," said Dave G. Jack wasn't convinced, but knew they had to continue regardless.
The group was startled by the sound of cars behind them. They turned around to see several all-terrain vehicles laden with camping supplies. The drivers and passengers were all female.
"Well, thank goodness the women are prepared," said Jack with a sigh of relief.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Alpine Escape
Jack careened down the mountainside, his skis slicing a path through the powdery snow. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the landscape, but unfortunately Jack had no time to take in the stunning vista. He wobbled unsteadily on his skis as he glanced over his shoulder to check on his pursuers. The enemy skiers were progressing down the mountain at an alarming pace, quickly eating up the distance between themselves and Jack.
Suddenly, Jack's skis gave out from under him and he toppled to the ground. Cursing his lack of skill, he got up and resumed his frantic journey, but he had barely regained his momentum when he fell once more. Looking back at the cadre of skiers behind him, it was clear to Jack that this chase would not continue much longer unless he changed strategies. He scrambled to his feet and quickly made his way laterally along the mountainside to an outcrop. He dropped to the ground among a collection of rocks and tried to lay as flat as possible, desperately trying to slow his breathing before the skiers approached his hiding spot.
The skiers approached his position slowly and circled up a few yards down the mountainside from Jack. As Jack became increasingly sure they would not move on without discovering him, he carefully unsheathed his rapier from the scabbard on his waist. He would certainly not go down without a fight, and he was determined to get the jump on them.
Without warning, Jack reached out from his hiding spot and swung his rapier at the nearest enemy. As the thin blade whipped through the air, sparks of energy crackled up and down the weapon, making it appear as if Jack were wielding a lightning bolt. The blade connected with the skier and unleashed a mighty clap of thunder, throwing everyone to the ground. Jack had a growing sense of dread as he began to fear his plan had backfired. Surely the thunder would provoke a fatal avalanche.
Jack's fears were confirmed. Above him an enormous snow drift was forming. The snow moved with glacial steadiness, uncharacteristic of an avalanche. It began to spill over the edge of the alcove under which Jack was hiding, though instead of falling down it maintained its shape, forming a blue roof. Jack and the skiers were struck dumb at this perversion of nature. Incoherent whisperings from a deep, rumbling voice curled through the air. As the whisperings reached a crescendo, the snow roof collapsed, burying everyone completely.
Due to Jack's hiding spot, he was buried under significantly less snow than the skiers, and he was able to free himself relatively quickly. Jack quickly brushed himself off and looked around, but there was no trace of the enemy skiers. Again, Jack heard the elemental whispers. Though he could not make out the words, Jack became aware of an ancient presence trying to communicate with him.
I did this so that upon the success of your mission you can free me and others like me, it said. Jack continued making his way down the mountain.
Suddenly, Jack's skis gave out from under him and he toppled to the ground. Cursing his lack of skill, he got up and resumed his frantic journey, but he had barely regained his momentum when he fell once more. Looking back at the cadre of skiers behind him, it was clear to Jack that this chase would not continue much longer unless he changed strategies. He scrambled to his feet and quickly made his way laterally along the mountainside to an outcrop. He dropped to the ground among a collection of rocks and tried to lay as flat as possible, desperately trying to slow his breathing before the skiers approached his hiding spot.
The skiers approached his position slowly and circled up a few yards down the mountainside from Jack. As Jack became increasingly sure they would not move on without discovering him, he carefully unsheathed his rapier from the scabbard on his waist. He would certainly not go down without a fight, and he was determined to get the jump on them.
Without warning, Jack reached out from his hiding spot and swung his rapier at the nearest enemy. As the thin blade whipped through the air, sparks of energy crackled up and down the weapon, making it appear as if Jack were wielding a lightning bolt. The blade connected with the skier and unleashed a mighty clap of thunder, throwing everyone to the ground. Jack had a growing sense of dread as he began to fear his plan had backfired. Surely the thunder would provoke a fatal avalanche.
Jack's fears were confirmed. Above him an enormous snow drift was forming. The snow moved with glacial steadiness, uncharacteristic of an avalanche. It began to spill over the edge of the alcove under which Jack was hiding, though instead of falling down it maintained its shape, forming a blue roof. Jack and the skiers were struck dumb at this perversion of nature. Incoherent whisperings from a deep, rumbling voice curled through the air. As the whisperings reached a crescendo, the snow roof collapsed, burying everyone completely.
Due to Jack's hiding spot, he was buried under significantly less snow than the skiers, and he was able to free himself relatively quickly. Jack quickly brushed himself off and looked around, but there was no trace of the enemy skiers. Again, Jack heard the elemental whispers. Though he could not make out the words, Jack became aware of an ancient presence trying to communicate with him.
I did this so that upon the success of your mission you can free me and others like me, it said. Jack continued making his way down the mountain.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Car Submersion
Jack pulled his car into the empty parking lot. The rectangular space was enclosed on two sides by the darkened mall storefront to Jack's left. Directly in front of him sat he plane-car hybrid that held Jack's objective: his friend's father, who sat dozing at the steering wheel. Despite this midnight rendezvous being his ordained objective, Jack turned left and drove past the sleeping man.
He continued driving around the outer edge of the parking lot until he reached the side opposite from which he began, at which point the road began to incline upward. After only a few feet, the car entered a deep pool of water with a mighty splash. Unfazed, Jack continued driving steadily. He knew that, despite the liquid rapidly filling the cabin, he was in no danger.
Once fully submerged, Jack turned right, now driving along the last edge of the rectangular lot. Jack looked out and saw that the once dry lot was now completely underwater. Masses of coral and rock jutted out at odd angles, and the whole scene was bathed in a pale but pleasant green light. It was not unlike the bottom of a fish tank, complete with garishly colored pebbles and plasticine plants.
Upon further inspection, Jack noticed another submerged car half-entombed in the coral bed. Inside was an alarmed girl whom Jack recognized as an old school acquaintance named Kaela M. Determined to help Kaela, he exited his car and swam towards hers. Just before he reached it, she freed herself of her vehicle, and together they swam up towards the surface. Using Jack's now floating car as a life preserver, they made their way toward the shore at a spot very close to where Jack first entered the lot.
"Are you alright?" asked Jack.
"Yes, I'm fine. Luckily, I had enough air in there for several months," replied Kaela M.
Presently they were joined by another young woman, a friend of Kaela's. They leaned up against a fire truck. Jack saw a very lethargic homeless man dressed in a police uniform laying on top of the truck. Upon noticing the new arrivals, he began to stir. The girls were unaware of his presence until he reached down and lazily cut Keala's friend's shoulder with a small, sharp rock. The girls, scandalized, moved away from the fire truck. Jack decided to take care of the situation.
"Lieutenant ________, this is Seargant _______. Come in, Lieutenant_________. You must get going," crackled Jack in a perfect imitation of a CB radio.
With that, the homeless man roused himself and the fire truck drove off into the night.
He continued driving around the outer edge of the parking lot until he reached the side opposite from which he began, at which point the road began to incline upward. After only a few feet, the car entered a deep pool of water with a mighty splash. Unfazed, Jack continued driving steadily. He knew that, despite the liquid rapidly filling the cabin, he was in no danger.
Once fully submerged, Jack turned right, now driving along the last edge of the rectangular lot. Jack looked out and saw that the once dry lot was now completely underwater. Masses of coral and rock jutted out at odd angles, and the whole scene was bathed in a pale but pleasant green light. It was not unlike the bottom of a fish tank, complete with garishly colored pebbles and plasticine plants.
Upon further inspection, Jack noticed another submerged car half-entombed in the coral bed. Inside was an alarmed girl whom Jack recognized as an old school acquaintance named Kaela M. Determined to help Kaela, he exited his car and swam towards hers. Just before he reached it, she freed herself of her vehicle, and together they swam up towards the surface. Using Jack's now floating car as a life preserver, they made their way toward the shore at a spot very close to where Jack first entered the lot.
"Are you alright?" asked Jack.
"Yes, I'm fine. Luckily, I had enough air in there for several months," replied Kaela M.
Presently they were joined by another young woman, a friend of Kaela's. They leaned up against a fire truck. Jack saw a very lethargic homeless man dressed in a police uniform laying on top of the truck. Upon noticing the new arrivals, he began to stir. The girls were unaware of his presence until he reached down and lazily cut Keala's friend's shoulder with a small, sharp rock. The girls, scandalized, moved away from the fire truck. Jack decided to take care of the situation.
"Lieutenant ________, this is Seargant _______. Come in, Lieutenant_________. You must get going," crackled Jack in a perfect imitation of a CB radio.
With that, the homeless man roused himself and the fire truck drove off into the night.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Two Partings
Jack readied himself and approached Shark-Man. This was the moment he had dreaded, yet it was not unexpected. Though Shark-Man was most definitely a powerful adversary, the strange half-fish had somehow managed to exert a powerful paternal influence over Jack, an influence that muddied his senses. He was filled with an overwhelming and unanticipated sense of regret as he slowly approached Shark-Man at the end of the pier.
Shark-Man stared at Jack's approach through thick gray eyes. As always, his expression was inscrutable. Jack was unsure how to begin, and a short silence passed. Suddenly and without thought, Jack produced a red, tattered woven bracelet and cast it down onto the pier.
"I...I want you to have this," Jack said, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Thank you," replied Shark-Man calmly. The significance of this gesture did not go unnoticed by the giant fish. He knew Jack had woven the bracelet himself and that Jack was filled with sorrow knowing that the it would forever disappear under the sea. It was clear that Jack was having a hard time dealing with this fact, and the thought struck Shark-Man that Jack was perhaps more upset about the loss of the bracelet than anything else about this final meeting.
Filled with an overwhelming need to express himself before it was too late, Jack burst into tears and said, "I love you, Shark-Man."
"I love you too," replied Shark-Man. A knowing smile somehow flitted across the shark's face as he turned and walked into the sea forever.
Shark-Man stared at Jack's approach through thick gray eyes. As always, his expression was inscrutable. Jack was unsure how to begin, and a short silence passed. Suddenly and without thought, Jack produced a red, tattered woven bracelet and cast it down onto the pier.
"I...I want you to have this," Jack said, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Thank you," replied Shark-Man calmly. The significance of this gesture did not go unnoticed by the giant fish. He knew Jack had woven the bracelet himself and that Jack was filled with sorrow knowing that the it would forever disappear under the sea. It was clear that Jack was having a hard time dealing with this fact, and the thought struck Shark-Man that Jack was perhaps more upset about the loss of the bracelet than anything else about this final meeting.
Filled with an overwhelming need to express himself before it was too late, Jack burst into tears and said, "I love you, Shark-Man."
"I love you too," replied Shark-Man. A knowing smile somehow flitted across the shark's face as he turned and walked into the sea forever.
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