Capes short: "Job Satisfaction" PG

[hsavinien]

Title: Job Satisfaction
Author: Malakos
Rating: PG
H. Savinien's note:  Now, I don't think I mentioned this when I first started posting Capes stuff here, but the Capes Universe is a joint creation of myself and my younger brothers.  We are all (and have been for a long time) great fans of superhero comics.  Malakos, Littlest Brother, wrote this story as an extra credit project for his English class and agreed to let me post it here.
Summary: An interview with Brett Davidson, aka Rebound.

 

Job Satisfaction

 

-You know, I hear that question a lot. I suppose it’s natural. Kind of a celebrity thing.

Yeah, yeah. Don’t apologize. Even if the tabloids say I’m Jesus, I’m just human. Keep in mind that they also said I’m the son of Elvis and an alien. But, if you really want to know about me… Fine. I don’t mind too much. You know?

I suppose I should start at the beginning. Heh. The origin story, as some would call it.

No big secret, really. Can’t keep it secret when I don’t know myself. No radioactive cheetah bite, no weird chemicals. I just woke up one day as the amazing Rebound, superhero extraordinaire. Not too exciting, right? But back to your question. What it’s like…That’ll take some time.

I hear that most capes start out like I did, young, naïve, hoping to save the world. Maybe bad wording, but you know what I mean. Metaphorically. Not just, you know… Yeah.

It’s…exciting. For a long time. The rush of adrenaline. Could be just fighting some random guy who calls himself Doctor Aardvark, or the…I don’t know. Didn’t I once… yeah. I fought some guy named The Spleen. Yeah. I know, right? Seriously, who names themselves… Eh. Their loss. And not that unexpected. After all, it’s not exactly geniusville among supervillains. Except for the evil geniuses. But honestly? Even them…

Sorry. Not really answering the question… Hmm?

-Oh. Right, that’s a little easier. More specificity, you know? The best part… Not really the adrenaline rush, so much. It’s nice… but doesn’t make up for the rest of the job. I could spout the usual “Making a difference in the world” line…

And I guess it is true. Technically. Not having it blow up is in all technicality a difference. Happens a lot, too. It must have been… five times after last week? And that’s only in a few years. It was some guy. What’s-his-face the galaxy… crusher? Eh, who knows? You get used to it. Kind of pisses me off, still. Which is probably a good thing…

 Anyway. Best thing. I’m gonna go with the people. The Guard’s pretty incredible. Again, metaphorically. Yeah. Besides the whole superhero thing. Anyway, what else?

-Yeah, should have seen that one coming. Worst part. Definitely being in the spotlight so much. Sure, the almost dying part kinda sucks, but you get used to it. You know?

Society’s a lot more brutal than the super-villains. At least they don’t have paparazzi. Even when the crowds love you they want to see you sunbathing naked or kissing someone. Tabloids and that other crap. Like I said, a celebrity thing.

What’s worst about it is you always have to be on your best behavior all the time. Can’t have scandals, you know? Though you’ve always got wackos who blame everything on the capes. I once had a guy claim that me using my powers made him sterile, of all things. Stuff like that. Also about fifty girls saying I got them pregnant. And one guy. I don’t really know what he was thinking. Kinda sucks sometimes. And it’s pretty tiring. I don’t know how movie stars put up with it. You know?

-Ooh, I don’t know. Lots of memorable moments… Actually… Honestly, a lot of the fights are pretty forgettable. Half their names I don’t remember. It’s not about the supervillains, at least in my mind.

We once saved this old lady from a burning building. She ran back inside after we got her out. I don’t know why. Maybe she was crazy, or suicidal, or she forgot her Chihuahua. Yeah, that stuck with me. Can we move on to something a little less depressing?

-I don’t really assign it any profound meaning. I guess the great power, great responsibility thing is a part of it. After all, what else am I gonna do? I have a talent, and I use it. No real profundity. I like it, I dislike it, but when it comes down to it, it’s just a job… You know?

 

***
Post script:  Rebound's bio. I'll add it to the Guard bios I have posted already.

Name: Brett Davidson

Alias: Rebound

Age: 19

Gender/Species: Male Human

Physical Description: 6’4”, lanky, dark brown hair, blue eyes.  Quiet.

Powers: Phenomenally good reflexes, can dodge, defend, or take action against any attack he sees coming.  Speedster (to a point)—it is not coupled with super endurance.

Other Talents/Skills: Working on a Physics undergrad, computer-gaming, sketching.

Connections: Member of the Guard.

Comments

[wittyilynamed.livejournal.com]

I know I shouldn't think this, but when I saw the title, I started snickering a little. Good, if a little confusing because you didn't know the questions. I liked how he kinda tripped over words and rambled, like real people do.

So your brother wrote this? Tell him, thumbs up!

[hsavinien.livejournal.com]

C'mon, now, it's labeled PG... ^_^

Yeah, he was experimenting with Dramatic Monologue. I was able to follow all right, so I thought the rest of you would be okay.

I'll be sure to tell him. I was really pleased with it too. He's a good writer.