After the Ferris wheel, they happened upon the high striker. “Wanna try your strength and impress the lady?” called the barker.
“Not really my thing,” said Hal, “I’m not especially strong. But I suppose…”
He picked up the hammer and hit the target. The lights went up to the “Big Kid” level. He laughed nervously, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you?”
“That’s okay,” answered Bonnie, smiling.
“Why don’t you try?” asked Hal.
“Oh…I don’t think so…” demurred Bonnie.
“It’s no extra charge, Miss,” said the barker, “Two for the price of one. His and hers.”
Bonnie hated things like this. It was very hard for her not to reveal her superpowers, no matter how small an effort she put in. Yet she didn’t want to make a scene. “Alright, sir,” she said.
“Here’s the lady hammer.”
“Nah. I’ll take the same one my date uses.”
“Your choice, Miss.”
She struck the target with what she thought was a very slight effort. Yet the lights went decisively to the top, the area reading “Super Strong,” with bells ringing.
“That must be an accident,” said Bonnie sheepishly.
“Bonnie,” said Hal, “That was awesome! Don’t you go calling that an accident.”
Bonnie looked at Hal in surprise.
“Look,” said Hal, “Never mind me. If you can do something like that, the last thing you should ever have to do is apologize for it. I think that’s great if you’re strong. More power to you.”
“Wow Hal. I’m glad you feel that way.”
“Of course I do. I can tell you’re a pretty special girl. I love that you just did that.”
“I knew I liked you!”
“I think I like him too!” said Betty, sitting with Bonnie in the kitchen once again, “In fact, I was pretty sure I liked him before.”
“Well, I mean, it’s great that he likes that I’m strong, but Ms. Infinity has superpowers…”
Betty shook her head, rolling her eyes, mouth open in a gesture of bemused disbelief. “Uh, yeah. I happen to know a little trivia about Bonnie Boring too…”
“Not the point, Mom. He doesn’t know that.”
“And honestly, how much sympathy do you really want? It’s like you have both winning horses in the same race. Talk to someone with real problems.”
“So, another date you think?”
“Well, what do you think?”
“I’ll do it.”
“I’m glad.”
“So Mom, how do I answer that family background question? I don’t want to tell a lie, but it’s not like I can go ahead and tell him I’m from another planet.”
“Now Bonnie, you aren’t ashamed of our culture, are you dear?”
“Mom, stop the guilt! Obviously that’s not what this is about. Do you go around telling people you’re a space alien?”
“No. I don’t. And I do understand your dilemma. For now, I guess I’d avoid the question. But sometimes I feel like you wish you weren’t who you are. You know, you really should be proud. There is more to our culture than you seem to think.”
“Yeah, whatever Mom.”
“Okay Bonnie. Now, you are planning for that attack, right? Misery could be hitting any day now…”
“Always.”
Apart from her powers, Bonnie felt strongly that her native planet had nothing to offer her. She had abandoned everything from her life there, her name, her history, and her culture. She even tried to ignore her memories, best as she could. Betty’s attitude was very different. While both of their lives there had been very difficult, their flight had meant leaving her past behind forever, and for Betty that had been a very bitter pill to swallow. While Betty had also adapted enthusiastically to Earth, she still privately maintained vestiges of her old culture.
Food was easy enough. The many and varied shops in their Queens neighborhood offered every possibility when it came to finding ingredients. Often all the shopping could be done on one block of Roosevelt Avenue. And really, the food of their heritage wasn’t so “otherworldly;” it was just food. The vegetation and animals of Earth may have been different from those of their native planet, but they certainly came close enough for comfort. The meats turned out to be surprisingly similar in both nutritional content and palate; “tastes like chicken” turned out to be surprisingly true even on the interplanetary level. The dishes were similar to items found in many earth cultures. Some were hardly even exotic to the average native-born American. The desert Betty came to cheekily call the “blastoff” was essentially just a devils food cake with hints of various citrus fruits baked in for flavor. Bonnie still wouldn’t touch it, but Lisa loved it, and was quick to tell “Mrs. B” so.
Betty even still observed some holidays. Since they occurred on faraway planet with a different sun, observance would involve a fairly exhaustive process of consulting star charts to find the right “day.” Whenever she did observe, Bonnie would want to be as far away as possible.
“Dad,” said Hal, “She called me! We’re going on another date!”
Hal was on his break at work sitting near the door with his cellphone. Bonnie had just called him, and he was elated.
“So that’s who now?” asked Jerry.
“Bonnie, the girl from work.”
“And she asked you out?”
“Yes,”
“Well, it’s a new era. So you like her?”
“You know what? A lot. She’s very sweet. Strong too. Beat me at the high striker. I don’t know. I just really like being with her.”
“Well that’s great. Please keep me posted. And please remember you always have a home here. I worry about you.”
“I do know that.”
Hal hung up and smiled, Bonnie still on his mind. After a moment, it suddenly occurred to him that he’d forgotten all about the appearance of Ms. Infinity.
6. A Hero’s Secrets
On their second date, Bonnie and Hal went to the Queens Zoo. Again it was daytime. They held hands and talked as they walked the past the various animals’ habitats. They took a special interest in the aviary, with its metal, winding path, which led up and down around the attraction. As they stopped on a high point watching birds go by, the topic of careers came up.
“I don’t really know right now,” said Bonnie, “I have an associates degree from LaGuardia Community College, here in Queens. I think about going back to school. I don’t really know what I’ll go for though.”
“What is your interest in?” asked Hal.
“I have given some thought to social work. Well, my mom has talked about that more than I have, but I see the point to it. It’s great that she thinks about the greater good. So do I. Why wouldn’t I?”
Hal smiled, looking truly interested. “That’s nice to hear. Not enough people think that way.”
“I just wish she weren’t driving my decisions so much, you know?”
“Well yeah. You are an adult.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t like it if your parents were doing that to you.”
“Sure. That’s not really my issue though. I have a bachelors…”
“I mean,” interrupted Bonnie, “I can see why she would say that. I do care a lot about the public interest. I just don’t know. Where exactly are my talents best applied?”
“I know what you mean, but it can be hard to find work. You see, I have a degree…”
“And anyway, there are so many different professions that are about the public good. Teaching, medicine, law. Where do I fit in?”
“Bonnie?”
“Yes, Hal?”
“You are fascinating. I really like you.”
“Well, thank you.”
“So he seems like a good listener,” said Lisa, “That’s not too surprising or anything, but it’s good.”
Bonnie and Julia were sitting in Lisa’s room. It was much neater than Bonnie’s, and showing somewhat more maturity,
with paintings hanging rather than posters. A picture of herself with Bonnie sat prominently on her desk.
“He is that,” said Bonnie, “And I appreciate it.”
“Yeah. You appreciate his looks,” quipped Julia.
“Hey,” said Lisa, “You know what? Appreciate that you’re dating. Lately I haven’t…”
“He told me about his family,” interrupted Bonnie, “Not too chatty, but sweet.”
“Sweet to look at,” said Julia, “I bet you were behind him the whole time.”
“Oh, You stop it!” said Bonnie, “You are so bad. I don’t mind listening to him though. He was interested when I talked about my career stuff.”
“Sure,” said Lisa, “I see that. But look, for me I’m not even…”
“…And that’s all good,” interrupted Bonnie once again, “But you know, he doesn’t ask a whole lot of questions. I sometimes wish he did. It makes me wonder if he’s not interested. But at least he doesn’t interrupt a whole lot either.”
Lisa thought that was an odd comment. Knowing Bonnie, a man who didn’t ask too many questions should be right up her alley. Of course, interrupting was often her department.
“Big question,” said Julia, “Good kisser?”
“Oh, Do I have to?” laughed Bonnie.
“Hey. We want to know,” said Julia, “I mean, you have to be picky, right? Bad kisser, and I’m out. You know what I’m saying. Right, Lisa?”
“Honestly Julia, right now I don’t even have…”
“I’m happy,” interrupted Bonnie once again, “Does that answer your question?”
“So, do you want to keep going with him?” asked Lisa.
“I think I do,” answered Bonnie.
“Lisa has to study now!” called a voice from the other room. A small woman came in.
“Hi, Mrs. L,” said Bonnie.
“Don’t any of you girls you recognize an entire last name?”
“Umm, sorry about that. Hi Mrs. Lin.”
“I was kidding. You can call me ‘Mrs. L,’ or Tracy even. You are adults. Tell your mother I said hi.”
“Yeah, adults,” said Lisa to Julia under her breath, “Good to hear it said, anyway.”
“See at work tomorrow,” said Bonnie.
“Yeah. See you at work tomorrow, Bonnie,” said Lisa, “Don’t forget the deodorant, Stinky!”
Upon Lisa’s arrival at work the next day, she was called over by Denny.
“I have a receipt from yesterday,” he said, “You checked out a customer from someone’s line during a rush. You missed some of the items in his order. When the security guard checked the receipt, there was a major discrepancy.”
“Really?” said Lisa, “Nothing remotely like this has ever happened to me in three years on the job.”
“Now listen, sweetie, this may be hard on you, but it is your responsibility to make sure to scan every item on every order. Now the customer might have been trying to shoplift, but you need to be on the ball. There were seven items you never scanned.”
Lisa looked at the receipt. It was not remotely familiar. However it did bear her name. “I don’t recognize this,” she said.
“You were signed in. You are being written up for this. Consider this your second warning.”
“Bonnie,” said Lisa as she returned to the customer service desk, “I don’t know what to do anymore.”
“Stop your whining,” shouted Bobbi, who was now being relieved by Lisa. Bobbi seemed to be a favorite of Denny, and no one seemed to know why. She was often spared his attacks, even though her work habits were among the worst in the entire store.
“Nice to see you Bobbi,” said Lisa. Bonnie looked away in disgust, eyes rolled.
“You two don’t understand men,” she said, “Instead of being afraid of him, you have to use your charms on him. That’s how it has worked since the beginning of time. It’s never going to change.”
“Let me understand then,” interjected Bonnie, “You’re saying she should flirt with him?”
“He’s a man. They all think with their little heads. That’s all they understand. You just have to figure out how to work it.”
“You know what?” said Bonnie, “I’d rather just work my job. What do you think, Lisa?”
“Exactly,” said Lisa.
“Yeah,” said Bobbi, “Modern women. So what? You try to impress people, saying you’re all liberated and stuff. You know nothing. Sooner or later you’ll learn.”
Bobbi left. Bonnie gave a look of relief, like she was just relieved of a long and arduous lecture.
“About that receipt,” said Bonnie, “Can I see it?”
Lisa handed Bonnie the receipt. Bonnie looked it over, then showed it to Lisa. “I have a question. Do you recognize the time on here?”
Lisa glanced at the time stamp, then gasped. “I was on break!”
Bonnie gave Lisa a knowing glance, “I guessed it was that. Now did you remember to sign out?”
“I always do. I’m extremely cautious about that.”
“Alright. I believe you. So how else would someone know your login and PIN? Not even the supervisor gets that.”
Lisa and Bonnie thought a minute. Then they looked at each other with a sudden cognizance. “The cameras!” shouted Lisa.
“So it has to have something to so with security,” said Bonnie.
“But why would it? Security has nothing to do directly with this department. And they watch everybody, don’t they? I mean, even Denny’s only supposed to get only a casual look at the cameras to catch us slacking off.”
“Don’t be so sure. Who is to say someone isn’t abusing the system? Surveillance is the kind of power that is very easily abused.”
Lisa gave Bonnie a knowing look. “Do you know something?”
Bonnie demurred. “I wish I could say.”
Something in Bonnie’s eyes told Lisa that there was more to the story. She was also finding her earlier reaction to Bobbi interesting. She looked her friend squarely in the eye. “Bonnie,” she asked in a simple, straightforward tone, “Do you think Bobbi could be part of this?”
Bonnie looked at Lisa and said simply, “Yes I do.”
Lisa paused a second, then looked her again in the eye, “You’re pretty sure about that, right?”
Bonnie looked back and once again said simply, “Yes.”
“Nothing we can prove though, is it?”
“No.”
“Thank you,” said Lisa.
“The important thing is that someone is abusing the system,” said Bonnie, “That receipt is evidence.”
“And you know what? I think I’ve seen the last straw. Are you with me? I want to finally take care of this problem today. If this was an accident of some kind, then fine. We should simply straighten it out. But then if Denny did something on purpose, then it may come down to confronting him. What do you say, Bonnie?”
“Do you know exactly how you plan to do it?”
“I’m not sure. To tell you the truth, I don’t really know where to start. You know what? You can help me plan it. So are you with me?”
“Sure!”
“Alright!” said Lisa, “This is our project.”
Bonnie noticed that Hal had left his register to talk to a small child. He was on his knees, talking to the girl at her eye level.
“What are you doing?” asked Bonnie.
“Hi Bonnie” replied Hal, “This big girl is showing me what she has in her purse.” He handed her back the toy mirror she had just given to him.
“Hal,” said Bonnie, “Please don’t leave the register unless someone relieves you.”
“Oh,” replied Hal, “Sorry.”
Just then, an attractive woman walked by, tall and dark with glasses. As soon as Hal saw her, he began to stare. Bonnie rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“Hey Bonnie,” whispered Hal, “You don’t think…”
“Of course I think,” said Bonnie, “I always think. I’m not always sure about you, though.”
“No. No. That woman. Doesn’t she look like Ms. Infinity? You know, in a different outfit. Do you think that might be her in her secret identity?”
“Hal, You really have to get over this already. I’m tired of hearing about this obsession of yours.”
Lisa marveled at the scene in front of her. It was a strange situation, the kind only Bonnie could get into. After Bonnie stormed away from Hal, she decided it was time to step in.
“Hal,” she said, “Can we talk a minute?”
“Sure,” answered Hal.
“The thing is, I really think Bonnie doesn’t want to hear about your crush.”
“Oh! I guess it is bad manners. You’re right. That was pretty bad of me. I should apologize to her.”
“You know what?” said Maria as she walked up, “You have split shifts today, right? Why don’t you leave for now? We’re covered here, and it’s almost time for you to go.”
“Yeah. Thanks,” said Hal, “I did want to talk to Bonnie about a number of things.”
At that moment Bonnie heard a strange sound from a great distance. It was something from outer space again. It wasn’t another asteroid, but it was something amiss. She quietly snuck up to the roof of the garage to take a look. Not understanding the context, Hal followed a little bit behind.
“Damn!” said Bonnie to herself as she scanned the sky. She saw a giant meteor shower, and large waves of antimatter, clearly coming from an unnatural source. There was little doubt about who had sent them. It was also clear that there would be more. “Misery is sending this from a long way,” she said to herself, “I’m not exactly ready, but…”
She sighed. “Alright. No choice. I have to deal with this.”
First she tried to call her mother. There was no answer. It was almost three o’clock, and her office hours would begin soon. Under the circumstances, she decided not to leave a voice mail. Instead she texted her a code message they had agreed on, “missyou.”
“Well, no use waiting for Mom,” said Bonnie to herself, “I have to change and deal with Misery, once and for all.”
Ms. Infinity (Book 1): Earth's Greatest Hero Page 7