âLook mom!â? shouted the little boy, âUp there in the sky!â? as he pointed to a streak of light.
Contrasting with the falling night, the clear golden line split the blackness in two. Everyone living in the city knew automatically what it meat: The Beam was high flying into action. Only tourists and newcomers did not know what to make of it, thinking it was some sort of new military experiment. But hearing the city dwellers whispering the name, they understood what was going on.
âThe building is surrounded, captain!â? Yelled the young police officer to his superior. Nodding, the Captain returned to his map, laid out on the hood of his patrol car. âSecure the whole block!â? was his only answer.
âYes sir!â?
And the young officer left.
Grabbing a pair of binoculars, the Captain looked up squinting his tired eyes. At the top of the building, were pieces of machinery. Very strange machinery. Not sure yet what he was facing, the Captain decided to secure the area before taking any action. Anyway, if his instincts were right, and seldom were they wrong, it would be long before somebody else would take action.
As if on cue, right next to the Captain, an intense streak of light hit the ground.
All the curious and the police present covered their eyes, but tried to get a glimpse of the one they had been waiting for.
Once the light cleared, they could open their eyes and see him. Some gaped, some cheered, some simply smiled, but the Captain sighed.
Standing there, hands on his hips, was the Beam himself. Sporting his trademark yellow and blue costume, ready for action. A wide smile and a yellow domino mask covered his face. After a quick wave the bystanders, he turned to the police Captain.
âGood evening, Captain!â? the Beam said still smiling widely, âHow may I be of service?â?
âWe have the situation under control, thank you very muchâ?, answered the Captain dryly.
âI heard that Doctorâ¦â?
âThere is no confirmation of anything of that sort!â? interrupted the Captain angrily into the Beamâs face, âSo leave the work to us!â? he finished recomposing himself.
âRightâ?, let out the Beam, passing his gloved hand through his thick blond hair and trying to keep his smile.
âCaptain! Captain!â? yelled the young police officer out of breath from running so fast.
âHere it comesâ?, said the Captain picking up his CB.
Again his instincts were telling him what was going to happen in the next seconds. Then again, anyone doing this for as long as he had would see the patterns and have the revelations. Nostalgia filled his mind. He missed the good old days, when there were only cops and crooks. None of this super powered craziness. Things were much more simple.
âCap..â?
The Captain raised his palm to quiet down the officer, while talking to the CB: â?This is Captain Cook requesting clean up crew on the corner of Riverside and 4th, over!â?
Lowering his hand, he signaled the young officer to talk.
Puzzled, the officer, still breathing heavily, began t talk: â?We have confirmation! Doctorâ¦â?
A flash of light cut his sentence in the middle. Everyone around covered their eyes, blinded by the intense yellow energy.
Still looking at the streak of light climbing in the night sky, the Captain folded his sunglasses and put them back in his shirt pocket. âSo predictableâ?, he muttered.
Around him, people were beginning to peek between their fingers, over the arms. They were trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening at the top of the building. Trying to make sense of the lights flashes and explosion sounds.
âGet these people out of here!â? Shouted the Captain at his officers, pointing at the crowd, âAnd get everyone out of the building now!â?
A loud booming noise came from above.
The Captainâs eyes widened.
Thatâs when he felt it. In his stomach. This time it was not just patterns, it was the real thing.
âGet back!â? he shouted shoving people as hard as he could, âGet back!â?
When suddenly a cloud of dust and debris engulfed the whole crowd, followed by the deafening sound thunder and scrapping metal.
As the cloud blew away with the nightâs gentle wind, the contours of a crushed squad car were taking shape. Crushed by a huge piece of concrete, fallen from the building.
Coughing, the crowd was slowly getting back to its feet, when one pointed in the air:â? Look!â?
Once more, the familiar streak of light hit the ground.
âSigned, sealed and deliveredâ?, said the Beam dropping someone at the dusty Captainâs feet.
The Captain looked down at the purple and black clad man then back at the Beam.
âNo need to thank me, just doing my dutyâ? finished the Beam before taking air in a blinding flash of light.
People started cheering.
A few minutes later, a truck pulled over, police officers pouring out, one of them coming over to the Captain dusting himself off as best as he could.
âWhat a mess!â?
Looking at the officer, the Captain put his hat back on. It was that Jenkins cop, young but promising. He had already made investigator.
âWhat happened?â? asked the young detective.
âThe Beam and that guyâ?, answered the Captain pointing down at the man the Beam had dropped at his feet.
âThe Beam, huh?â? continued the young investigator, scribbling in a notebook.
âWhatâre you smilinâ at?â?
âWha… I… Looks like he did a pretty good job handling the bad guy!â? Stuttered the detective.
âYou realize how much this is gonna cost the cityâs tax payers?â? began the Captain, âIf you get the chance to talk to him, do me a favor will ya?â?
âYes sir?â? he answered, reopening his notebook.
âDonât ask him for his damn autograph!â? started the obviously angry Captain, âAsk him to lay down on collateral damage if it doesnât bother him too muchâ?
And he walked away, mumbling to himself.
Surprised at the Captainâs comment, the inspector flipped to the end of his notebook and wrote down: Limit collateral damage. Right under: Offer assistance BEFORE going into action and Wave to the crowd.
Then, he closed his notebook and went to work.
The end
GOG'S WORKSHOP 