Joseph glanced at the steel skinned woman beside him. One of the robots they were fighting had circled to her rear “Behind you, honey!” Anna continued to grapple with her current foe, but managed a kick backwards. She was rewarded with a horrendous crunch and the would-be ambusher found its mid section sporting a huge hole, “Got him, thanks dear.” She replied with a touch of frost in her voice. His own glowing fist dove into the face plate of one of the robots on him, sending it flying backwards, “Ah… are you mad at me?” “You’re enjoying this far too much, and … forget it,” she muttered, as her delicate fingers hooked into the foe before her and ripped upward, severing the head from it. Damn it, Joseph, do you have to treat this like a game? But now wasn’t the time to give voice to her thoughts. Oh crap, I hate it when she closes up like that, Joseph knew, -knew- mind you, that pressing the subject would just rile her more, but the truth was, selfish as it was, he preferred his wife angry at him openly to letting her go on slow simmer, “We’re super-strong, good looking, and kicking ass… and even helping people, come on baby, how can I not enjoy?” The glow around his fist brightened, and another robot flipped through the air. Of course, that was when one robot’s mouth opened up, and the energy blast from it struck him in the back of the head. The world didn’t exactly go dark, but it did blur a great deal. He found himself on his knees and the glow about him sputtering. “Joe!” Panic filled her voice; she hunched down, and then dove onto his attacker. The constructs could take a lot of pressure, but a full force tackle from a woman who weighed thousands of pounds was a bit more than it could handle. It cracked like a boiled egg. She rolled, flattening the downed robot further still. Anna looked up to see another robot ready to unleash a blast on her. She inhaled, and… Saw Joe rise up, grab one of the severed robot heads about them, and chuck it with an audible “oomph” at the still standing one. There was a boom sound, and it too went down. “Yes!” Joe grinned from behind his make shift mask, and he glanced at his wife, “Thanks, Honey.” “You’re not welcome,” She gasped, “You looked like you might have been killed, you bastard! I could have lost you!” Then she hugged him. Thank God for protective fields. Joseph grunted, and then hugged her back. He kissed her ear, “I love you too, but you realize this is your fault?” “My fault?” Her brow arched in that imperial manner she had but denied possessing. God, he loved that in her. “You cut your hair…” He smiled, “that’s the cause of all this.” Two Days Earlier “Thank you for calling Dyna-Pro’s customer service, my name is Anna, how can I help you?” Anna followed the routine procedure methodically as she’d been trained. She winced as the customer began a tirade about the crappy quality of the cell phone product, its ineffectiveness, and so forth. It’s the V-11 ‘Dyna-line’ model. God, I hate that thing. When are they going to take it off the market so people stop getting ripped off? “Yes ma’am, I understand. So I can better help you, let me ask a few questions,” she brought up the list, “Was the Dyna-Line fully charged at the time of use?” There was a firm answer of “yes” on the other line. “How long have you had your Dyna-Line cell phone?” There was a protest from the customer of what difference that made, when a 7 year contract was involved. It matters, you hapless putz Anna thought to herself because that microtext they had plastered all over the contract you signed for it included how it was –your- job to call us yearly and say how you wanted to continue that optional warranty. It means my company gets off the hook, and gets to shaft you big. And I get to hear you $#*** about it while helpless to actually DO anything. She nodded, as if the customer could sense that. It was a habit she had never fully gotten out of, “I see. I’m showing that this is the first time you’ve called us, and you have had your product for over a year?” There was an angry affirmation. “Certainly, well, I can send you over to our tech support, or we can happily replace your Dyna Line phone… “ The cry of relief on the other end was audible. Despite the customer’s crankiness, Anna felt truly guilty about what would happen next. “… of course, there will be a $25 dollar replacement charge for the latter.” Anna then proceeded to explain to the now rabid customer what she had signed. Nothing could be done, but Anna was sure the woman would gain some small solace in knowing that she had single handedly managed to break her talk time record. She took the next call, just as the dozens of fellow employees in similarly green hued cells did the same all around her. Her script was preset, her hands tied, she gave the illusion of hope to the people that called her at best. Just once, I’d like to have a little power over my life. But the heartfelt thought was soon gone and forgotten as the calls kept rolling in. ….. Joseph tried not to rush his prey. There were three of them, one adult male, one female, also adult, and a young female being firmly corralled into the herd. Slowly he moved, to see if they had settled. He had to be swift, else another would beat him to the prey, but if he made too sudden a movement, they’d surely race off. He circled once, twice, honed in, and came behind them. “If you’re looking for some details on this washing machine, I’d be happy to help you,” he volunteered his services as he straightened his tie. Mutual of Omaha presents: When Salesmen attack he smiled at them, “It’s my job, and besides, I’m terrifically bored.” The guy looked dubious, but his wife laughed, as did the child, “Thank you,” She peered at his name tag, “Joseph, we do need a new washing machine. Ours, well, there was a mishap.” “I know how those go,” Joe nodded, “Say no more. So you’re thinking of replacing it with the latest model of the Admiral, eh? It’s a good choice, handles large loads, reasonable monthly payment plans.” “I’ve seen better down payments at other stores,” said the husband. The bull lowers its horns, ready to protect its family and their finances from the now ravenous predator, Joe smiled, almost visualizing it. Well, I’ve got someone to support too, bud, and it is a good deal, and darn it, I’m behind on sales. My boss may like me, but even she’s noticing I’m over due a big one. You’re going down, pal, or at the very least taking a washer home. “But I doubt those other stores have as comprehensive and complete a warranty, and offer to install it professionally at no extra charge with in two days of purchase. When you add that to the money saved on the remaining payments, it more than beats … well, just about any other store’s offer around, especially for a fine piece of work like the Admiral here,” He patted the machine almost reverently, and pressed the attack. Twenty minutes later, a family was leaving, having paid for their new washer. The commissions for this job weren’t the best, but every little bit helped, “Victory,” He smiled at Denise. His boss was an attractive woman; she lowered her silver hued glasses and her blue eyes sparkled with interest, “really? Mmm…” she moved next to him to read the receipt copy, “not bad. Good thing to, I was beginning to think you were losing your …touch.” She brushed lightly against him, twisted and walked away, “Good work.” Did my boss just hit on me? No way, she knows I’m married…then again, she’d been, bumping up against him a lot lately, that and hands on the shoulder from behind. He wasn’t so sure. He was sure of one thing No way am I telling Anna about this. He rubbed his ring, and smiled as he thought of his wife. She still didn’t believe him when he told her how beautiful she was. God knows, he did his best to remind her. A commission, even a small one, was a blessing. Maybe tonight he’d treat them both to dinner out. Then after, he could run his fingers through those silky locks of hers and see if he couldn’t make her feel very wanted indeed. …… Anna chatted with Beatrice as they headed outside, “I just feel so frustrated, you know, Beatrice? I’m not sure this job is good for me. There isn’t one thing in my life I have control over.” Beatrice smiled, “What about your husband?” “Ha,” Anna scoffed, “I’m beginning to think Joe’s untamable. Besides, it’s a partnership, we do things equally, and we share our lives. There’s no control involved there, except maybe self control.” “Hmmph,” Beatrice tsked, “I’m not so sure about that, this magazine article I read has this consultant who says there’s always one in the relationship who ultimately calls the shots, and a woman who doesn’t try to be the dominant force is reconciling herself to being subordinate. Me? I never give a man the upper hand, because you …” “…never know where he’ll put it,” Anna finished the slogan, Only heard that one about a hundred times. “You read too much Cosmo or whatever… seriously, anyways; I’m not looking for anything big, just… something.” They got to her car, pooling was a pain in the neck, but with the costs of gasoline being what it was, it was really the more practical solution. Except, I’m so tired of being practical Anna mused. “Well,” Beatrice replied, “There’s always hair. A woman can always control her hair. I’m going to get mine done today.” Anna paused, and then smiled Why not? Really, her hair had gotten so long, it was taking forever to clean, “Mind if I come with? I think you have a good idea.” …… “Hi, honey, I’m home,” Joseph announced as he opened the apartment door. Throwing his satchel to the recliner to the side, he began the search for his wife. It was unusual for him to make it home before her, but not unheard of. They both worked full time, they had to, just to make ends meet. All the signs indicated this was one of those rare times. The bra on the radiator was still there from earlier this morning, and Joe was quite sure that was the same mug he’d used this morning on the coffee table. And this is why we’re a match; neither of us is overly anal about housework. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to make the effort since he WAS the one here. He began to collect left out cups and mugs. Besides, with Anna out of the apartment, this was one of his few chances to use the kitchen. If Anna had a compulsive domestic bone in her body, it was there. She had hinted in more than one way that she had a place for everything in the kitchen, and his interference might only muck up her ‘system’. Still, even she couldn’t growl at a guy for actually washing some dishes. Later, the cups, mugs, and glasses were in the drain, and the sound of a door opening could be heard, “That better be my beautiful wife.” “It is…oh god, work was a bear today,” she called from the other room, the distinctive sounds of uncomfortable shoes falling, and then there was a pause, “Are you in my kitchen?” “-Your- kitchen? What happened to share-and-share alike, in sickness and in health, till death do we…” “You can die or get sick in any room you want, just stay out of the kitchen. You keep putting the glasses in the wrong spot,” Then, as an after thought, “I do have something to show you…” “Yeah?” He started to head out of the kitchen to take a look. Maybe she got herself a new dress or … Standing in the main room was his wife, her once long locks no longer reaching down to the small of her back. Indeed, the Paige cut didn’t even reach to her shoulders. She twirled prettily for him, “So what do you…” “What the hell did you do to your hair?” He said, before she finished asking. Mentally, he kicked himself; he knew it was the wrong thing to say, it just bubbled out Smooth move, Ex-lax. “You hate it,” Anna’s eyes somehow grew larger despite her attempts to mask the sting. Oh god, he hates it. Why on earth did I… dang him anyways, why couldn’t he…Didn’t most men WANT a little change, to spice things up? With a blazing white hot passion that engulfs my very soul, Joseph thought, but what came out of his mouth was “It…looks nice. It just, it’s a pretty drastic change. It’ll… take some getting used to.” I will NOT become an insecure twit about this Anna’s own thoughts asserted, it is –my- hair, and it is more manageable this way. Still, she couldn’t help but feel…uglier now: Like she’d lost something. It was a stupid feeling, it was immature, but knowing that didn’t seem to help, and for a brief moment she truly resented her husband for making her feel this way about her own attempt to control her life. “It’ll grow back, “She responded lamely. “Hey, guess what?” Joseph plastered on a smile, desperate to change the topic, “I got a sale today. Washing Machine, let’s go celebrate,” He offered, “I’ll take you out for dinner tonight, like old times.” Back in the days when I didn’t eat my size 11’s. “That’s great news, honey,” Anna recognized both the change of subject, and the tone of apology in the offer. “Are you sure it’s wise to go out? I…” “Please,” he asked, and put his arms around her waist, “It doesn’t even have to be fancy, but let me spoil you just a little?” “Okay,” she said after a moment, “But nothing too expensive.” “I promise to be cheap, heck, we can even drive through and eat in the car as we watch the stars because movies cost too much.” He blew on her neck lightly. She laughed a bit, recalling their first dates, “My, we are going back to the old days, aren’t we? I think I’d like that.” She ran a free hand along his cheek, “I’d like that a lot.” They changed clothes, of course. Joe had to wear his monkey suit at the store, and Anna, despite never having to show her face to the ‘customers’ she talked to, shared the same bane of most lower to middle class Americans, that of an company that gladly told grown adults what to wear. Jeans and pull-overs were almost a welcome rebellion from the tyranny of the grind. The Smiths had taken out their blanket in the back, and were having an impromptu picnic of overly greasy foods under the stars. Anna was still gazing at those, “And that’s yours, Orion the hunter.” “Right, the only one I can pick out, so it’s mine, “he agreed, and popped another meat nugget in his mouth. She laughed softly, and snuggled into him a bit more. Once, she’d majored in Astronomy, but that was before she had to quit college, but she still loved the stars, “You goof, you have the worst memory for these things.” “Yup,” Joseph lied. To tell the truth, after all her coaching, he’d picked up quite a few, but he loved the way her eyes lit up as she got to explain them to him. She never tired of it. So if looking a bit dense was the price he had to pay in order to get to hear her explain, in a voice full of wonder and delight, those same stupid stars over and over again, well, then it was a small price to pay, “What’s that one?” He pointed to a particularly bright one. “Huh?” She twisted her head, “What on… that’s not a star. That’s a meteor.” She felt excitement rise, “Oh, I didn’t see anything about this on the net.” She placed her hand flat above her eyebrows to cut out any extra light and follow it, “That’s odd… it’s kind of a funny color.” “They don’t usually come in blue?” Joe asked quizzically. “No. Maybe some mineral is creating that effect though… oh my gosh, Joe, I think it’s going to be close. That’s amazing! Most burn up in the atmosphere and…” “Uhm, Honey??” There was a note of panic in Joe’s voice, “I think it’s heading this…” “Ohmigod!” And those were the last words they said before it landed. It was odd really, time seemed to slow down. Like a time lapse film going by frame by frame, the blue glowing rock hit the earth like a dew drop splattering against the soil, and erupted. Both were vaguely aware of reaching out to each other, trying to grab on. Instead of just kicked up dust, an azure haze like sparkling smoke engulfed the two lovers. It filled their lungs, and stung their eyes. They could almost feel the tiny particles settle onto their skin, and then begin to seep below the surface. Anna cried out, and for a moment, figured she must be mad. A third figure’s silhouette could be seen in the light. Then the light, the image of the third figure, and consciousness for both of them was gone. Yesterday Anna felt heavy, not just full, but heavy. Every square inch of her seemed unwilling, unable to move. She dreamed of being frozen, trapped by her own weight. A thousand years from now they might dig her body up, and wonder how anything of such mass could have ever walked the Earth. They might even wonder if there was something different about gravity in this area. Maybe they’d prop her up… erect her in some museum like a wooly mammoth on display. In his mind, Joseph screamed. Waves of light oozed off him like a constant outgoing tide that never ebbed. It hammered in great waves from him. Obliterating, driving them back, and keeping him away. He hovered, the earth itself unwilling to accept him. The hammering was so exhausting, but he felt he’d never be allowed to rest again. “What a nightmare,” He opened his eyes, and gazed at the stars above. They wavered, and their colors shifted, “Guess I’m still loopy… I…” He looked to his side, and realized he was hovering about four feet off the ground, waves of energy cascading off him like a stream. About ten feet away, a woman, stuck face down, cried out into the dirt, “Mmphgh...” said the woman. There wasn’t much light to see by, but something about her skin seemed unusual. Not just the color, which was darker, but the very composition. She looked like an iron wrought statue of some goddess that had been knocked down from the temple pillar housing her. “Anna?” Joseph gawked, and tried to twist to get a better view. That was a mistake. He immediately hit the ground and sent himself sliding along the surface of it. It was like he was coated in some outpour of energy that he couldn’t shut off. Anna awoke as she heard her name called. She responded, only to feel the taste of dirt on her tongue. The tongue in question felt thick, coated. Come to think of it, her whole body felt thick and coated. She tried to lift up, but nothing. Oh god, the dream is real! Joseph, is he okay? She called out again, trying to turn her head to the side. It felt like she would need the Jaws of Life to do even that, but she managed to free half her mouth, “Joe?” “I’m here, baby, I’m… god this is weird!” “Joe,” she confided, “I can’t move.” “Great, I can’t hold still…” He responded. “I feel heavy…” “I’m floating, only a few inches off the ground now, but floating.” “My skin is …coated in steel or iron or something.” “Mine’s fine, except I’m sheathed in this energy…” “I’m scared, Joe.” “At last we have something in common, I’m terrified.” And for at least an hour, they shared that fear even if their experiences were totally different. At times she was afraid he’d roll away from her entirely, but he struggled to redirect himself close. He joked, and tried to keep her spirits up, and she laughed, because she knew he needed her to. Then the hour had passed, and each felt something new: Strength. Tentatively at first, Anna pressed herself up. Then, it grew easier, and she was standing. Her feet sank deep into the earth, but she was standing. Joe’s field had dimmed, now he found himself able to plant his feet, and stand up right. He had the odd feeling of being a puck in an air hockey game, but he was at least upright. Actually, both found it easier and easier to do so. “What happened?” He asked. “I think our bodies have adjusted…I ...” Anna felt good, almost embarrassingly good. Power continued to fill every sinew. She reached over, grabbed a nearby boulder, and picked it up, “Oh my god!” “Wow,” Joseph responded, He brought his fist down on another, and it cracked. I have super strength? All my high school revenge fantasies now possible, about a half decade too late to ethically be able to do anything about it. “Joe, let’s get home, now,” said Anna. I feel like I could run home. I feel like I could stride a straight line through and nothing could stop me. She was elated at that feeling, and the elation scared her more than the power itself. Joe nodded, grabbed the car door, and promptly pulled it off. “Opps…” “Get a grip, Joe!” Anna implored, and opened her own side of the car more carefully, sat down, and both tires on the passenger side promptly popped. “#$#!” “We’re going to have to hoof it,” Joe shook his head at the mess they were making of the vehicle, “Call in a tow for it, later. It’s amazing no authorities have come in, what with the meteor. I would have sworn there would be other people here by now.” “Someone was... I mean, there was one other. I thought I dreamt it, but I swear I saw someone…” She twisted her head and looked about. If anyone else had been there, there was no sign of him. They worked their way home. It was okay out in the country, but as it grew more civilized, they both knew there was a greater chance of getting noticed. Amazingly enough, the solution presented itself. Joe’s field just popped off. “How… how did you do that?” Anna hoped she didn’t sound as desperate as she felt. If he could, maybe she could to. “It’s weird, it was like tensing a muscle, then drawing it all in. You try it.” She did, and almost laughed in delight as her skin wavered, and shifted back to flesh. “I’ll never complain about my complexion again, I swear. I thought I was going to be a freak forever…” “A freak?” Joe took her hand, “Honey, you were beautiful.” “Thanks, you would say that, our clothes are torn up and…” Then she looked her husband over, “You have a six pack.” “Beg pardon?” He followed her gaze, and looked down at his own belly. The front of his shirt had been blown open by the energies that had him earlier. “What the …” but it was true, his body now looked like he’d been doing push ups and crunches regularly for months. Damn fit. “Your paunch is gone,” Anna found herself running her hands over her husband’s body. “Paunch? I had a paunch?” Joe looked a bit alarmed, he knew he had let himself go a tad, he didn’t have the time to jog any more and… “I had a paunch?” Oh crud, “Not really,” she said, “But you had been going a bit, soft. We both had.” “Not anymore, “He patted her rear. Some of her was delightfully exposed as well, including her legs which showed a perfect athletic tone without, in her husband’s opinion, of becoming overly muscled tree trunks. His wife looked down at her body, looking healthier than it had in, oh hell; it had NEVER looked this healthy. Then Anna’s lovely face ripened to a delicious pink. He grinned like a fool at that. “Let’s just get home…” now that they were ‘normal’ again, it wasn’t too hard to get to a gas station and get a ride. Expensive, but, they had a lot to think about. …… “But what else WOULD we be but superheroes?” Joe exclaimed, “With great power comes…” “Oh, don’t even start with that, Joe. It’s not responsibility you’re thinking of. Need I remind you I nearly fell through the floor of our apartment when I tried to turn it ‘on’ again? Losing our deposit is not responsible.” “You switched off in time,” He reminded, “See, we’ve got it licked already.” He clicked on his shimmering field again. Easy as flipping on the lights. Anna shook her head, “And what about us having to call into work sick? I don’t have many sick days, Joe. I bet you don’t either. I hate my job, but I don’t want to be fired from it with nothing else to fall back on.” Joe countered, “The City needs us, you know there haven’t been any heroes here, since, what, the 80s? But still villains arise and…” “And the authorities handle it,” She wrapped her arms around herself, “Besides, super anything not exactly common here either, villains OR heroes.” “What about last week? That guy, what’s his name, Inferno? He nearly killed a half dozen cops,” Joe countered, “What if it had been kids, what if…” Joe realized he wasn’t being fair, “I don’t want to do this alone.” “Fine… fine, IF an emergency crops up, I will THINK about it, “Anna explained. Thank god, the odds of super villainy in this city is low. This isn’t New York, after all. Hopefully, her husband would get this idea out of his system. It seemed already he was occupying himself with the internet. Good, she thought. Now, if I can just figure out why this spooks me so much when he brings it up… Gradually, things returned to normal. Today To say each was distracted from work would be putting it mildly. Both wore slightly more concealing clothes to hide the ‘slightly improved them’. At work, Anna winced inwardly at lecture she received about the ‘dangers of using all your sick days too soon’ on what was supposed to be a break. After being forced to swear on her mother’s grave that she would never be so callous as to fall ill anew, she was returned to the drudgery of her duties.I can punch a hole in the wall, and yet my @##$ of a supervisor is untouchable. Life truly sucks. Joe fared a little better, but he nearly got caught flicking his field on during a slow period at the store. He couldn’t wait to take Anna out, and try this. He knew she’d love it if she’d just give it a try. She was always complaining about her job, how it felt to be unable to effect anything, well, here was her chance. He himself well… he… Well, I’ve got my reasons. Can’t a guy want some purpose in his life? A real noble purpose that… Then he sniffed the air, somehow Denise’s perfume had gotten on his paperwork. …… Joe finished recapping, “Which lead to us hearing about the robots attacking this location on TV, which lead to us coming to help, which lead to our first super battle.” Anna stared at him. “So you see,” He reiterated, “It’s all because you got a hair cut.” He was rewarded by a double blink, before she finally spoke, “That is the most ridiculous logic I have ever heard.” Joseph smiled, “Look, An…” Then he saw her make a soft ‘no’ gesture and she called his attention to the people closing in on them. The soldiers of the fourth estate had arrived, and they were hunting for answers. Great, first day on the job and I start to give my wife’s secret identity away. Think fast, Joe. “Look, Anvil,” he grinned, “Looks like some reporters have arrived.” They caught onto that immediately; a barrage of questions flew towards them. “Anvil? Who are you two?” “Do you know who was behind this?” “How did you get your powers?” “Are you two an item?” Joseph K. Smith responded smoothly, “I’m Hammer, this is Anvil.” He smiled to his wife, not wanting to leave her out of this. She went into it easily, a smile on her face, “We don’t know who was behind this, you should probably ask the authorities. We’re just glad we could help.” Anvil? I’ve just been dubbed Anvil? “We prefer to keep how we got our powers a secret, “Hammer declined one question before going to the next, “And we are definitely an item.” He put an arm around her waist. “Please, our costumes are in tatters and we’re really not dressed for interviews,” Anvil said. She discretely made sure nothing pornographic was showing and prepared to scoot behind ‘Hammer’ if that turned out to be the case. …… It took sometime, but they managed to escape the press of, well, the Press. Anna wasn’t sure what was so alarming, the way the media clamored for private interviews, or the fact she actually sort of liked it. Not that I’m going to admit that to Joe just yet. “Anvil?” She shook her head at him again once they were in their apartment. “You dubbed me Anvil??” Joseph threw his hands into the air, “I goofed. I started to say your secret identity, then realized how close they were and figured they might have heard so… Anvil. It was all I could think of, and our name matches. What’s wrong with Anvil?” “Joe, at the time I think I must have weighed over a thousand pounds, what woman –wouldn’t- have had a problem with it?” If he jokes about how there’s just more of me to love, he’s a dead man. “Love you,” He replied and kissed her, I suppose if I tell her that just means there is more of her to love, there would be pain. Lots of pain. “We’re good, we stopped the bad guys.” “We stopped some robots,” she corrected after enjoying the kiss, “We don’t know who sent them. And I love you too, but if we’re going to save the city from time to time, we need some better costumes, something made out of something more durable so I don’t end up flashing the world after every fight.” “Where am I supposed to find reinforced costumes?” “I don’t know, haircut conspiracy aside, -you- got us into this super heroing, so getting us costumes is your job.” Again the imperious brow lifted. “The material won’t be cheap, but I have… connections. I’ll see what I can do,” Joe titled his head and looked his wife over We both really have toned up, and the less material, the lower the cost. He visualized her now in a skimpy, almost swimsuit like costume. She did just put me in charge of the outfits. Anna got suspicious,”What are you thinking?” “I’m thinking…,” He smiled, and set her drink down, after putting his own down on the coffee table, “…that I haven’t made love to my wife in days. And I really, really want to.” She blushed, but glided in the direction of the bed room, casting a coy glance, an unspoken agreement, back at him before vanishing through the doorframe. She didn’t stay alone very long at all. |