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Stories from the Verse
Con Version
Chapter 184: Takano 140
Table of Contents
Previous chapter: Brown 350
The superheroes reverted to ordinary versers, helped set up an account for Derek and Vashti, deposited their own paychecks holding a bit of cash back, and then looked at the clock. “I’m glad that’s over; I really don’t like bees. Pizza?” Tommy suggested.
Brian shrugged. “I suppose it’s close and quick. If we’re a little late, we can tell the boss there was a robbery at the bank.”
It was true, and it was a reasonable excuse. They hoofed it to Luigi’s, and Brian ordered a small pie and four sodas. He had it cut in eight slices, so they could each have two, even though these would be small. They sat in a booth, the girls against the wall and the men to the outside.
Suddenly Billy, the mailroom boy, pulled a chair up to the end of the booth. “That was wild!” he said. “I get it--you’re Truth. You keep your costume and stuff in the duffel bag.”
Cornered, Tommy was uncertain what to do. “Me? A superhero? Whatever gave you that ridiculous idea?”
“You vanished into the ladies’ room, and Truth came out, and then when it was all over she vanished into the ladies’ room, and you came out.”
“I went into the ladies’ room to take cover. The bank was being robbed, you know.”
“Yes, but you went into the ladies’ room before the robber revealed himself.”
“That’s ridiculous. So I had to use the ladies’, and I realized the robbery was happening and stayed there until it was safe.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Well, I’m sorry. I don’t know how to persuade you.”
“You could show me what’s in the bag.”
“I told you what’s in the bag. It’s my exercise clothes.”
“So let me see.”
“No way. My undergarments are in there, and I’m not letting you see my undergarments.”
“Oh,” he said, suddenly deflated. “No. Of course not. I’m sorry.”
“Besides,” Derek said, “if she was a superhero, and you found out, well, she couldn’t tell you. It would put you in danger. People who know the secret identities of superheroes are always in danger, you know.”
He blinked. “Yeah,” he said. “Right. I hadn’t thought of that. So you’re not Truth,” he added, “and it would be dangerous for me to think you are.”
“Not to mention,” Derek continued, “that it would be dangerous for her, if someone else finds out that you think she’s Truth. They might believe you and come after her. And whether or not she’s Truth, that’s a bad situation.”
“Got it,” Billy said.
“Want a slice?” Brian offered. He looked a bit troubled, and Tommy knew that it was because they had skirted so close to lying. Brian really had a strong dislike for even coming close to lies.
“Oh! Yeah, thanks.”
“He can have one of mine,” Vashti said. “I’m not that hungry.”
“Thank you,” he said, and eagerly devoured one of the small slices.
“Well,” Brian said, “it’s back to work.” He left a tip on the table and downed the end of his drink, Derek grabbed up the last slice and started eating it, and they all headed back to BBS.
As to the old stories that have long been here:
