Gargoyleman: Day Job
Every hero has a day job
Possessive Kitty
Zoro loves the fluffy doggie pillow. She says its her fluffy doggie! Don’t come near!
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This story is part of a series. Luckily, you can read the whole Sidekick series for free!
…Time for this week’s story…
Gargoyleman: Day Job
On a cold and hazy Sunday evening, Gargoyleman returned home early from a night of fighting crime. It was only three in the morning, but he had to balance his secret second life with his everyday public life. His butler had left a sandwich for when he returned to the spacious mansion he called home. He scarfed it down and was asleep practically the moment his head hit the pillow. Only a few hours later he was awake and wearing an expensive three-piece suit. His butler cooked him breakfast and drove him into the city. The local news would be overwhelmed for the rest of the day, detailing his every move. The morning headline in the Newmoon City Chronicle read: JASON MAVERICK VISITS GENETICORPS FOR SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT!
A crowd of reporters snapped pictures and followed him with microphones as he entered the building, but building security held them back from going any further. The company CEO, Jim Franklin, was there to greet him in the skyscraper lobby and approached with a hand outstretched.
“Jason! Such a pleasure to have you here,” Jim greeted.
“Good morning, Jim. Thank you for having me. The place looks even better than the last time I was here.” Unlike the intimidating growl of his crime-fighting persona, Jason’s voice was smooth and soothing.
“Thanks, that's great to hear. Can you believe all this was covered in ice? Thank heavens for Gargoyleman. He saved all our lives.” Jim led Jason and a small entourage of assistants and executives to the elevators.
“I can't imagine what that did to morale,” Jason said. “Statistics show that the emotional aftermath of super-powered attacks is the most overlooked result of super-crime.”
“That's for damn sure. Until you called, we were all down in the dumps, right there with our stock price. The richest man in the world rescuing our company from imminent layoffs and bankruptcy has really turned the mood around. Everyone is hoping you'll install some of your company's tech to make the building safer from another attacks.”
“How many villains has your company created?” Jason asked skeptically.
“Far as I know, just the one, and it was well before my time. But, you know that doesn't mean I'm not willing to make it right, and I think we finally have the internal motivation to do that.”
“I understand. You've always been a stand-up guy, Jim.”
They continued commiserating about villain attacks and the logistics of running a company amidst the chaos. Jason, Jim, and their executive encourage met in a conference room with a small group of state and federal politicians, including state senators and Governor McKinley, who notoriously did few public events as a security precaution. Then, they all headed down to a conference room together. They were welcomed by a room packed to the gills with reporters and their photographers. Cameras lined the back wall, following them as they walked into the platform and lined up behind a podium full of microphones. Jim approached the podium first.
Jim greeted everyone there and the citizens of Newmoon City, thanking them all for their time. He talked about his time with the company and the horrible tragedy that had befallen them weeks prior. There was not an ounce of hesitation when it came time to admit GenetiCorp’s part in creating a villain and the fate it had endured as a result. Their failed policies and the selfish management of the past had created the problems they now faced, and they could run from it no more. Then, he introduced Jason Maverick. The energy of the room palpably rose and all the reporters eagerly leaned in.
“Thank you, Jim. Hello everyone, I'm happy to be here with you all today. I'm sincerely touched by the love with which I am always received when I visit the city. It makes me a little uncomfortable because I know that a lot of that love comes from the things my parents did when they were alive. As much as I've done what I can for Newmoon City and it's people, I never feel like I've done enough. The city mourned with me when my parents died, and in a way, you all became part of my surrogate family. When I'm in Newmoon City, I feel at home, and that is otherwise a feeling that died when my parents were murdered.”
Speaking from the heart, Jason took a deep breath and a moment to compose himself. Cameras clicked and flashed, but nobody uttered a word during his pause.
“So, it breaks my heart when villains orchestrate deadly attacks on the city I love. The truly heartbreaking part is that these attacks, these villains, they are all preventable. In the case of Zero Cool, his wife died in a terrible accident. Sadly, he was not able to seek justice through the legal system because of a user agreement for an app that even the most nefarious villains could not have thought up. Zero Cool and his wife signed a predatory user agreement that restricted them to arbitration outside of the courts. Maybe the executives at the time thought they were saving some money, but none of them thought about the lives that could be lost and the damage that could be done. These kinds of policies can not be allowed to continue. Today we are here with our state and city officials to announce a new bill being proposed for a vote next month to make it illegal for companies to circumvent the courts, and to prevent them from dragging cases along to drain plaintiffs of their money, and ability to fight for justice.”
The room erupted before Jason finished his sentence. Cameras clicked and flashed furiously while reporters clamored for answers. Jason introduced Governor McKinley, who went on to give more details and answer questions.
The city was booming with the news. Jason Maverick was in the news for weeks as the story developed. The bill gained support immediately, and also detractors. They claimed that companies have a right to protect themselves from frivolous lawsuits and that the actions of a few disturbed individuals shouldn't impede on their rights as a corporation. The people did not appreciate corporations considering themselves equals to people.
Four days before the vote, the bill had overwhelming support. GenetiCorps hosted one final big really. Jim thanked the people for encouraging their senators to support the bill. With the exception of Governor McKinley, every politician and celebrity that had supported the effort was there. Free food, cheap drinks, and a party atmosphere made for a fun event.
Of course, Jason Maverick was fashionably late. He couldn't stay long, but had a few words to say. Standing on a stage in front of the GenetiCorps building, he gave another heartfelt speech that moved the people there and those watching at home.
“The pain that villains cause our city ends when we take responsibility for the society that created them. These people are not lost causes but lost souls who we have all collectively let down, and without our compassion, they'll keep running amok in our world. As long as crime continues on the highest scale, it will persist on the smallest. To create the world we all want to live in, we need to work together. I'm ecstatic to see how we've all pulled together to make this much progress in such a short amount of time, and this is just the beginning.”
Raucous applause erupted from the audience. People cheered and whistled, with some men and women in the crowd even professing their love for Jason Maverick. The handsome bachelor with a chiseled jaw and powder blue eyes smiled and waved at the crowd.
“Watch out!” someone yelled.
The crowd screamed and pointed into the sky. A loud crash behind Jason prompted him to spin around, ready for anything. Before him, the politicians, executives, and others behind him were standing in a circle around a body, which lay cratered in the wooden stage. Police and security rushed to the body and turned it into it's back. It was Governor McKinley. His face was painted white with blue red and purple like a clown. Police swarmed the building but Cackling Clown was nowhere to be found
The event ended abruptly and in tragedy. The next day, the Newmoon City Chronicle’s headline read: GOVERNOR MCKINLEY DEAD! CACKLING CLOWN CRASHES JASON MAVERICK'S SPEECH.
Four days after the incident, the bill went up for a vote. It was a monumental failure. No politician would touch the bill until Cackling Clown was caught.
That night, Jason Maverick put on his cape and cowell and took to the streets as Gargoyleman, as he did most nights. Jason Maverick had done his part. It was time for Gargoyleman to do his, and hunt down Cackling Clown.
Next Time
Sidekick V-Sides 4: Birthday Visit
Adorable kitty!