December 13, 2005
Week 33 - Impossible Dreams 14
Episode 2
Harry sits in his office, talking with Powell. "Now this is more like it!" he says, thumbing through a small stack of papers. "This is funny, this is a blast to read!"
Powell shrugs. "Um... You were right. The first draft was pretty bad..."
"The only thing is... the ending is a downer. 'The Death of Coyote Man'? You can't leave the article like that."
"But... the story is over. Mr. Lamont was stabbed. He... he was almost killed. And the doctor said his heart is weak. He can't become Coyote Man anymore."
"Nut case like that doesn't care. Guy's convinced he's a hero..."
"He is a hero! He saved that woman from being raped."
"Be that as it may, ten to one he puts on that costume again."
Powell shakes his head. "Um... Not as long as I have this." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the chain and plastic fang. "It's his... his Mystical Talisman. He thinks it gives him his powers. I... I took it."
"Wow..." Harry stares at the fang. "What are you going to do with it?"
"I don't know. But I can't give it back to Mr. Lamont. It's too dangerous. Coyote Man is dead."
"That is heavy, kid." Powell pushes the chain back in his pocket and they sit quietly. After a few moments, Harry stands. "I got something that'll cheer you up." He leads Powell to the display case that hangs on the wall. It is empty except for a single action figure that sits on the middle shelf. "I'm restarting my collection." He picks up the toy and hands it to Powell.
Powell examines it. "That... that looks like you!"
Harry grins. "Got it in one! I made a deal with that bastard Tommy the Tinkerer, in the Bronx. He did this up for me custom, in exchange for a full page ad in the magazine."
"Um... That's really cool!" Powell hands the figure back to Harry.
"Look! You can bend the arms!" He demonstrates. "The only thing is, I don't think I'm really that fat." Powell looks down. "I said," Harry repeats, "the only thing is, I don't think I'm really that fat..."
"Um..."
"Oh, forget it." Harry places the figure back on the shelf and looks at it. "I think he got the body off of Jabba the Hut."