The First Time We Went Downtown

The blood drained from my face. I could feel it. Where does blood go when it leaves your face that quickly? Back to the heart? Down to your toes?

My living room seemed really far away. The world sounded tinny and Roger's voice in my ears was the wahh wahh of cartoon teachers.

"Sorry, what?" Did Roger really just snap his fingers in front of my face. Who does that?

"I said are you all right?" Roger was holding my shoulders, staring down at me.

"Me? Fine. Just fine. Why? What makes you think I'm not fine? I'm just standing here in...what is this made out of anyway, and you say we're going to go somewhere to do something to drug dealers and why wouldn't I be fine with that? I mean that's fine. Fine. Yes, I'm fine." And Roger's brilliant response:

"It's a cotton and lycra blend." What? Oh the costume. "And if you're not feeling comfortable with confronting criminals, just go with me, hang back, and maybe when you see how much fun I'm having you'll feel like joining in."

"You sound like a parent trying to convince a kid to get on a roller coaster." Deep breath, Sam. There were no options. If Roger was going downtown, where ever that was, then I was just going to have to go with him. If for no other reason then to apply first aid when needed.
"All right. Let's go"

Have I told you about the car Roger drives when he's Leviathan? It's not his everyday vehicle. It couldn't be. His work vehicle is just your average family friendly sedan. Nice enough that you know it cost quite a bit, not so nice that you'd worry about parking it at the curb overnight. At least in most areas.

And then there's the L-88 Corvette. So fast it's not even funny. I don't know how Roger got a hold of one seeing as only just over 200 were made, but he did. And then he had it custom painted (out of state). You know how much Roger likes orange and yellow? Imagine the brightest orangiest Vet ever, with yellow detailing and yellow leather interior. Can you picture it? Now turn up the volume on the color by about ten and you still wouldn't be able to comprehend how bright this car is. He's still working on a name for it. Superheros have to have a cool name for their vehicles. The Levimobile, Orange Flash, Water Wonder, none are quite right. I call her Betsy. Roger hates that.

We left my apartment, me in a large overcoat to hide my suit, and made for the storage shed on the outskirts of the city where he was keeping Betsy. This was shortly after he got her, and was still working out the logistics of being a superhero while trying to keep his identity a secret. Hence the storage shed.

There was no talk of going back to his apartment for his costume, so I knew he already had it on under his sweater and docks. At least this time there were no flying buttons. We climbed into Betsy ("Please stop calling her that." "No."), slipped our eye masks on, and pulled out of the shed.

As embarrassing as the color of the car is, there's no denying it awesomeness in all other areas. It's fast and sleek, truly beautiful to drive as I would find out later that night. Roger turned the corner out of the storage lot and we headed south back into the city.