"Attention this is Bronx 41 - your main source for local news.” The radio which had been blasting old pop hits switched over to breaking news. “I'm your host Chester Chippintooth."
"I always picture this Motherfucka looking like a rabbit, does anyone else?" Beanie asked the room.
"You know I was thinking the same thing-" Carlo chimed in.
“-With a spotted bowtie.” Both men said at the same time before dapping each other in agreement. The rest of the store grunted or nodded in agreement.
"We have incoming reports of increased hero sightings all throughout the Bronx. Some are even saying they’re seeing members of The League including their leader, the powerhouse Righteous Captain, patrolling the skies.”
“Holy crap, the captain? What's he doing uptown? We don’t have any supervillains up here,” the owner said looking at the TV confused.
“Yeah, half of our specials are just kids with learning disabilities. Dyslexia don’t count, the fuck?” Beanie said, causing half the bodega to ah and laugh at his comment.
Chip continued, “Most of the sightings have been concentrated around the 170s traveling up Belmont Avenue.”
“Ohh that's right around here!” said an older woman who was near the back of the store. “Why are they coming here for...” Her voice trailed off when she met Carlo’s eyes and immediately stopped talking. The store suddenly got quiet. The Bronx in general had a very select few that could garner the attention of an organization like The League of Heroes. Carlo, the residential supervillain, made the very short list of possibilities.
"No word on why this is, but reports are speculating that it might have to do with the battle by Soundview with a group of smugglers Tuesday night. If you recall, the captain was hit with a massive orange beam of light that incapacitated him for the rest of the incident. We will have more on this story as it develops. In other news, another bodega cat has gone missing in a rampant discussion over lizard men-"
"Mannn, that's wack," Beanie said as the report finished.
"Yeah, how you gonna casually go over some superpowered jerk-offs bothering regular people, then just move on to some bullshit?" Big added.
"That's always been the deal. They spin some bullshit trying not to make it seem so bad by ignoring millions of dollars of property damage and human suffering. Like bitch we’d seen people get vaporized-you can’t ignore that shit. " Beanie said, showing his middle finger to the radio. “It's…in...in..uh”
“Inequitable?” Carlo inserted walking over to get a bottle of water from the fridge.
“Yeah, that shit. Good looks Crook.”
“It’s what I’m here for,” he said. Waving the water bottle to Ahk at the counter. “Heros are a joke. They aren’t much different from us if we’re being honest,” Carlo said. The bodega acknowledged his statements with hums of agreement as he handed Ahk a crumpled five-dollar bill.
"That's what I’m always saying," Bigs added. "Look, you already have law enforcement lacking accountability-now you give someone free rein to do what they want? Because what? They Fly?"
"Or wear skin-tight spandex," Carlo added "They stuff their suits too. That’s another part they don’t disclose to the media.”
"So because a dude got a cape and a onesie, he’s legally allowed to assault me in the street? The hell is that?" Beanie said.
"If motherfuckas knew all you needed was a colorful suit to legally beat someone’s ass, Thugs would have been running around in their underwear wildin a minute ago. We just didn't catch on in time." Bigs said.
"Besides, why do we need heroes for? The streets take care of themselves,” Beanie added
"A buck-50 with a new box cutter has solved a lot of problems…" said old Miss Pearly, walking past Carlo to pay for her small carton of milk. Everyone remained silent after her statement. When she was finished. She made her way to the door and addressed the room. “Don't knock it before you try it.” She said waving goodbye before leaving the store. Everyone else waved back, still refusing to speak until the doors closed.
“Is Miss Pearly still dangerous?” Carlo Murmured, looking around.
"Yo, she's gonna get locked up again, incriminating herself like that. Beanie, she's the reason you got locked up, right?” Bigs asked his partner who looked physically uncomfortable.
“I don’t wanna talk about that shit. That woman’s nuts. If she ever asks me for a favor, I’m off that. I am not going back to Rikers. I fought for my life up there.” Bigs snorted loud.
"OH, you weren’t fighting,” Bigs disagreed. “I was there. You talked them dudes to death until yard time was over. With yo old stinky ass. Crook, you know this guy didn’t shower for six months." Beanie slapped him on the arm.
"You disrespectful ass...IT WAS A DEFENSE MECHANISM.”!
“Ew,” Carlo said.
“ I called it skunking. It worked too, you know, until the guards hosed me down.” Beanie explained.
“We helped. It was the only time the inmates and the prison staff had solidarity. Against your nasty ass." Bigs chuckled.
“Well, at least you made it out in one piece, Beanie. God bless.” Carlo said, getting his items bagged up before heading towards the exit.
"See you tomorrow my friend!" The owner shouted on his way out. Carlo stopped at the door. This would be the last time he’d leave. No goodbyes, no thank you’s, just a regular day, then gone the next. It might be more than he deserved, he thought. He gave everyone a quick then headed out the door.
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