Prologue. A lawyer and a retired hero
Point of View – Mariana
This is a world of heroes. Every day, thousands of people go out there, to the real world, to help and save people. Some wear uniforms, other masks and for the longest time, we have offered special treatment to the latter. I talk about those who can fly, hold thrice their size or can conjure fire. These people, known as Powered, use their abilities for the greater good and help society be better every day. Or at least that’s what the media, the companies that subsidize them, tell us. But what about the reporters, that risk their lives to keep us informed daily? The firemen, who enter the belly of the beast just to save people from the fire? Or the policemen, ready to step up and protect the innocent at the cost of their lives? Like I said in the beginning, this is a world of heroes…but some are more recognized by others. Which is why, I, Mariana Rodriguez, alongside other members of the senate and politicians, bring up this new Power Bill, where we propose for the tax money and other cash infusions that fall into the Ranking and Powered programs like pensions, be better redistributed. This will allow us to get more budget to essential parts of our society. Improve our police’s forces, get better equipment for firemen and even allow the teachers a breath of air with more pay. We do not want to take away from the heroes with masks, but empower the other security corps we have so together, we can protect New York City from any threats. We reach to you, government officials and other serious and important position in the state, so we can get the support behind this bill and make a difference. It’s time for the NYC to become a city where anyone, powered or ordinary, can be a hero and be rewarded like they deserve. Thank you.
As I repeat the video, I keep refreshing every news site in the entire city. My eyes hurt and I feel like crashing in each lapse of 5 minutes. Is the bill going to get passed? Did I wear too much makeup? Do I really sound like that? Why did I pick that peachy vest? I’ve seen this video like 5 times and I always find something I disliked. Good thing I’m a lawyer; the spotlight isn’t for me. As my finger keep hitting the refresh tab, I look behind me and I see her. Peacefully sleeping, like she has not a single care for the world. How dare she? Looking all cute and relaxed while I’m here, feeding my obsession and refusing to let myself go in a deeply state of sleep. Gosh, my eyes surely need it. As I let myself go again, I click on the wrong part and an advert for H-Day appears. Ugh, why do they have to be so entitled? Worse, how can they sleep with the fact that they take away other people’s jobs? Firemen and the police are defunded but we just approved a new incentive for young, powered heroes to step up and work for the government. This is why this bill has to pass. For them, for her…and for me. I owe it to my brother and to myself.
Screw heroes.
As I return to my now 5 hours of click marathon, fueled by resentment and anger, I click once again. However, this time is different. The news changed, or at least one of the predominant articles. I read it, and I re-read it again. I pinched myself. Nop, not dreaming, still in this dreaded reality. However, it feels different, cause it’s different. Only one word can describe it: Change.
“It passed!” I scream at the top of my lungs, while I launch myself to Alana’s side of the bed. Screw her sleeping hours, this is big for me.
“Alana, wake up!” Now I’m jumping the bed, a no-no rule for her.
She removes the blanket covering her face and I see her. Pissed, with criminal, almost murdering intentions and those green eyes I love so much. – Mariana, for your sake, this better be good or else… –
I stop my jumping and fall directly at her side with my legs crossed. My face tries to contempt the happiness inside me while I take a deep, long breath.
“The bill passed” Suddenly, I see the transition in real life. She goes from thinking of killing me to thinking of killing me tomorrow, to celebrate and a huge smile on her face.
“It passed!?” She screams back.
“It passed!” I throw myself at her, excited for a brand-new tomorrow. Nothing but laughs overflow across the bedroom. Then we get lost into the night, while the laptop slowly turns off.
Point of View – Albert
The night arrived; I barely noticed it. From the window I see the lights of other buildings and apartments. What is going on in the lives of others? Are they happy? Struggling? I don’t know. I hope they are content. Relieved, calm, stress-free. I always wonder how the world would be if everyone could be happy. After all, I strife and fought for it for almost 4 decades. Nowadays? I’m just comfortable on the sidelines, seeing the new generation of heroes. As I finish cleaning the dishes, I place a wet towel in the microwave. One minute, is how she likes it. As I wait, I leave the kitchen and walk a bit on the hallway. Photos of me, in that tribal mask, with heroes of that time. The most wonderful years of my life. That time I rescued the firemen from the biggest fire in New York City history, when we took down the Phoenix gang alongside the greatest hero of all, Blue Jacket and my favorite: When I stopped that tsunami, my debut as a hero. Such pleasant memories that fill me with pride and honor. Its one of the reasons I get to enjoy my pension, knowing well I fought like hell for it. Also, not to sound so entitled, but I feel like I deserve it. As the microwave finished, I return and carefully place it on another towel. On the other hand, I grab the tea I made for her too early and too hot, now ready to drink. I return to the corridor and go to the bedroom, where she is waiting me. My god, she is as beautiful as I remember her. As I see her grey hair and tired eyes, I feel the same as when she was that nurse that treated my wounds from that fire, in the cold streets of NYC. As she talks to me, I escape from my trance.
“What? Do I have something on my face?” As soon as I hear her voice, I’m back to the present. That smile is what I live for.
“Yes, some lovely eyes and a perfect smile” She smiles and laughs a little, followed by that cough that doesn’t let her sleep at night.
“You are a dog. You probably said it to the neighbor the other day” I kiss her forehead and place the towel on it. She feels relaxed.
“I did, she is such a nice girl. And well behaved too” I take a sip of the tea, just to make sure its ok for her. I hand it to her.
“Thanks for babysit her. I don’t know how you do it, Albert. Even retired, you have the heart of a hero” Once in a while, I remember the thrill of the air, overflowing and feeling me with nostalgia. But even the idea of being a hero again, won’t be as fulfilling as being here, with my wife, taking care of her and seeing her smile.
“I promise you, Cecile, I will always be your hero” I get close to her and kiss her good night. Once covered from head to toes, tea cup empty and all cozy, she goes to sleep.
It’s such a relief to see her having a decent night of rest. Her sickness has been taken a toll on her. She is always tired, she can barely walk and once in a while, she can’t even recognize my voice. Despite that, I love her every day and each single day I’m grateful for my hero pension. I don’t know what I would do without it. Most of her medicines are expensive, so a bit of cash for her to be alive one more day is a fair trade, above all things.
A few minutes later, after I finish washing the cup, my phone buzzes. I’m still unable to use this thing properly. Jenna, the little girl I babysit sometimes could use it one without breaking a sweat. Kids these days are masters with technology, I swear. As I turn it on, I see a message.
“New bill passed, to support powered and ordinary heroes”.
Good, we need all the help we can get. Us heroes from another time, we knew the importance of cooperation and teamwork. Without the police, firemen, reporters, teachers and other important professions, society would be doomed. I really hope they get what they deserve. I just imagine how difficult it must be for them to operate with little to no funds or no support whatsoever.
I don’t know what would be of me, a retired hero, without my pension. The fear of not knowing…it scares me.
Luckily, tomorrow is payday and Cecile seems to improve. Who knows? Maybe after a few more, she gets better and we use some of it to have fun. After all, we deserve it, right?