In a Superperson World #5- A Diary

April 19th, 2035
The Coffee Shop- Shriner District



Dear Diary,

Some days, more than most, are one of 'those' days. I was leaving the coffee shop after a very odd shift. The buildings echoed reverberations of a distant BOOM. Sudden, like whiplash. 
Great...
I wait for the sirens to sound. (Hands over ears because, let's face it, those fuckers are loud. But they save lives, so what are you going to do?)
Nothing.
Still, no matter how many times you hear it, "BOOM's" are never a good thing. 
Hell, fireworks explode silently now- So the citizenry doesn't mistake a show for another missile attack by that raver gang again...
  
The SPEZ (Superperson Engagement Zone) app dings. It's a cacophony of chimes throughout the entire city. Everyone stops to look at their phones. The notification reads: 
"SPEZ ALERT: 

FIGHT OF REGISTERED VILLAIN'S HOBGOBLIN AND MR. FREEZE. 

321L WEST-BOUND KNOCKED OFF TRACKS. 
ALL LINES SHUT DOWN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 

DARCIA DISTRICT ZONED OFF UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 

UPDATES AS SITUATION CONTINUES."

Fine. 
It's a little extra walking. But the bus stop is only a mile down the road. I notice several others changing their direction as well. Most people have at least five contingency plans to get home. I have eight. It'd be nine, but my friend who flies moved to Bali.
Another alert chimes:
"SPEZ ALERT:

VILLAINS CONTAINED. 
IN CUSTODY OF METROPOLITAN SPECIALIZED RESPONSE UNIT.

MAINTAIN SPEZ UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE."

That's good. It's better when things end quickly. 

The bus stop is in sight. I think my work shoes are on their last days. My feet have an ache that's nagging.  
The phones ding. I hear a series of groans around me. People are looking around and shuffling into the stores around us.
"SPEZ ALERT: 

VILLAINS HOBGOBLIN AND MR. FREEZE HAVE ESCAPED CUSTODY. 

SUSPECTS APPEAR TO BE WORKING IN TANDEM. 

OMNI BOTS EN ROUTE.

ALL STREETS ON LOCKDOWN UNTIL SUSPECTS APPREHENDED. 
ALL HERO'S ASKED TO COMPLY WITH LOCKDOWN.
ENTER NEAREST BUILDING AND WAIT UNTIL YOUR DISTRICT IS CLEARED."

Greeeaaat.
Back to the coffee shop it is. Not like I needed to sleep today anyway. And now I have to jog. 
Stupid villains...

The shop is packed to the gills with people. There's a panicked look in Jain and Austin's eyes. They fly around, milk sloshing everywhere. Trying to bang out the thirty plus orders for those standing testily about. 
A regular, Laramy, is still co-opting a table in the corner. Came in a few hours ago. Usually stays a few more. He's a hipster. Claims to be a revolutionary in Goa. He tips decent, so we go along with it.

I sit with him and pull out my laptop. It's inventory night at Bunsen and Beaker. After some 5th Century Egyptians came in last week, we have a whole mess of new liquors and tools. Might as well add them to the invit. sheets while waiting. 

Eventually everyone settles in. 
Austin turns on the radio which is running the Emergency Broadcasting System on all channels. 
It's kind of a downer. 
 My dad once told me 30 years ago, the announcer voice was very scratchy, fading in and out. I was just a baby then. I don't remember this. But now, the sound's so clear, it's like someone whispering in your ear.

The voice states the death tally is at 13, which is really low, everything considered. 
Ironically, when villains fight one another, the death toll is always lower. They're way more into hurting each other than anyone else. Unlike the Great Avengers Battle of 2016. The entire city of Old Chicago was crushed under an alien spaceship coming through an inter-dimensional portal.

Luckily, the SPAKKO! gel promptly deployed in the train. And they were already cutting people out of it. SPAKKO! is a florescent blue gel. It takes three or four shower to wash off the AXE body spray smell. But I can't complain. It held me perfectly still after filling the cabin. Even when it crashed into the Convention Center, we didn't feel a thing.

The EBS mentions the only people hurt were on the street as the train toppled down. 
Also the sandwich artist at 'McGruff's Hoagies and Muffulettas' who's being treated for severe frost bite.
Witnesses from the shop claim the fight erupted from an argument over which brand is the best olive tapenade. And where it should be placed: Bottom of the bread against the meat, or top with the veggies? 
Bottom. Duh. Everyone knows that.

It's been a couple hours now. The Omni Bots are starting a sweep of our district. 
Someone had a holographic game of Risk. Half the customers have joined in. They've taken sides- cheering or booing any particular take-over. Across the shop, a woman decided to set up a Mary Kay party and is steadily making over everyone in the crowd. I'm surprised how many men volunteered. Even Laramy. 


Hopefully, I'll be able to go home and take a shower before going to the bar. Tomorrow, I'm definitely buying new work shoes. Ouch. 


Cheers for a tomorrow,

Penny