“You could say that,” said Betty, “Gunn is good at manipulating people’s fears. But he is working on elements that are already part of this society. Please understand something else. Johnny Gunn is a concern for many reasons beyond a superhero’s ability to operate.”
“Okay,” said Bonnie, “So what should I do?”
“How do you mean that?”
“I can’t let this continue. He has to be stopped.”
“And how do propose to stop him exactly?”
“Well, for one thing, there is this petition online to strand him in space. Now I actually have the power to…”
“Oh no! Stop right there! Bonnie, do you understand why I was so reluctant to let you do this? What was my reservation?”
“You were worried that I wouldn’t respect the people around me.”
“Damn straight! When you talk about dealing with Jonny Gunn the way you are, what does that tell me?”
“Mom, this guy is dangerous!”
“He’s very dangerous. A demagogue of the worst kind.”
“I mean, come on, Mom. Doesn’t he remind you of the despots we used to deal with in the old world?”
“Very much so, dear.”
“The brainwashing tactics he uses—You notice that, right? I mean, why is it alright for him to use mind control?”
“Bonnie! Don’t you ever dare use your mind control powers on humans! Even reading minds isn’t okay, unless there’s a real emergency, and even then, you’d better be pretty damn careful! Do you see how dangerous that is?”
“Fine! You’re right. I get it. I certainly wouldn’t want it done to me. But he’s sure as hell not constrained by any moral limitations.”
“No. Not exactly…”
“So why wouldn’t I want to stop him?”
“Bonnie, think about your powers for a minute. Look, all of us have to live with the consequences of our actions. But that is multiplied many times over for you, and for me too. That is the downside of power, my dear. Even a small action that seems innocent at the time may well come back to haunt you many years later.”
“And it’s the same with Gunn. He’s controlling more of the country every second. And that has far-reaching consequences!”
“But Bonnie, the answer to stopping him lies in the strength of our nation, and it must come from others as well as yourself. Let me ask you something. If you were to take him out of the picture by force, what would you be accomplishing, really?”
“Well, I would get rid of a demagogue, but…”
“Finish the thought dear. I know you’re smart enough.”
“But I would be acting just as badly as him.”
“Bonnie, he’s a criminal, but watch out! Do you see the danger now of being a superhero? You are not the judge, jury and executioner.”
“But if I don’t stop him, who will?”
“Be a force for good. Lead by example, just as you have so far. That has a lot of power.”
“Oh, I don’t know. He’s winning that propaganda war so far. I can’t believe people thought I was there to harm them.”
“Can I ask you something, dear? How did you approach them?”
“Just like always. I flew in there and told them I was there to help.”
“You told them?”
“Yeah, you know. They needed me, so I came.”
“There it is, Bonnie. I’m not discounting the damage done by Johnny Gunn, but I would also look at your approach. You told them you were there to help. You assumed they needed you. You don’t tell them when they need your help. You ask.”
Bonnie lay on her bed for a while, watching her TV. Try as she might to get over her anger, she still found that tension at the pit of her stomach, and inevitably she would be gritting her teeth.
She flipped around her TV, looking for the worst trash she could find. In one of the talk shows, she saw a guest pick up a chair and threaten another guest. “That’s it!” she shouted, “Get him! Smash him! Harder! Harder! Pound him on the head! Make him bleed!”
Betty happened to look in at that moment. When she saw Bonnie’s savage behavior, she looked at her with concern. Bonnie looked back at her mother, feeling judgment coming down upon her. “Oh, come on! I’m just having fun with this. You know I don’t really mean it.”
Betty continued to look at Bonnie gravely, finally shaking her head and walking away. Soon Bonnie got the message. She turned off True Confrontations, Wedding Edition, and flipped around some more. She finally settled on ALF. “Well,” she said to herself, “at least this is a guy I can relate to.”
That night, as they took dinner, Betty spoke again with Bonnie about the day’s events.
“The thing is,” said Betty, “You may try to be a savior, but you won’t always come off that way. To some, you seem threatening.”
“I’m sorry,” said Bonnie, “That line of thinking just isn’t moving me. Would they be this repulsed if I were a white male?”
“Honestly, I don’t think we can really know the answer. You can fight peoples’ perceptions, sure. But let me ask you. Is that your goal, or are you in this to help people? My dear, I’m not quite sure you can always do both at once.”
“Don’t they get it? I used to live in worse squalor than them, any day.”
“I know, Bonnie, but I really don’t think that comes across from the superhero costume.”
13. Fly Like Nobody Is Watching
As Bonnie sulked over her failed response to the tornado, Maria was being stopped on her way to work at the checkpoint. Once her name and workplace were established, she was pulled aside and held for nearly an hour.
“So, let’s just go over your position again, Ms. Lopez,” said the guard.
Maria tried her best to stay calm. “Once again, I’m the runner at the front end. I handle the cashiers and customer service.”
“No other departments?”
“Is somebody there in trouble?”
“I’m asking the questions here. If you don’t cooperate, this is going to be much longer and far more unpleasant than it needs to be. Do you understand?”
Maria tried to keep from showing her feeling of shock. “Okay. I understand…”
“So, it is only the front end you are in charge of.”
“Yes.”
“As you say, customer service and the cashiers.”
“Yes.”
“Now let me ask you another question. What do you have to do with the men’s department, the women’s department, the children’s department, electronics, hardware, babies, stationary or toys?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t you? Because it’s known that you have been conferring with people in all of these departments, trying to arrange some kind of meeting. Since you are only a low-level employee, the best assumption one can make from this is that you are trying to organize. Is this correct?”
“Sir, I don’t understand why this is any business of anyone outside of my job.”
“Once again,” said the guard, his voice now becoming more hostile, I am asking the questions! If you do not comply, things will not be pleasant. Now you can try and argue, but I warn you, I can do this far better and longer than you can. If you answer the question, I will let you go.”
“How do you even know about this?”
“Answer my question or there are serious consequences! NOW! ARE YOU TRYING TO ORGANIZE?”
“Yes.”
“Are you aware that this goes strictly against the rules of your employer?”
“Sir, I don’t understand…”
“Are you saying you don’t understand the rules or are you arguing with me?”
“I know the rules.”
“You may go.”
When Maria finally reached The Big Box, she was about to find Ricardo, the head of the department, to apologize for her lateness. Instead, she found Yvonne, the store manager at the door.
“You’re coming with me, Ms. Lopez,” said Yvonne.
“What is thi
s regarding?”
“We will discuss this in my office.”
Both women were silent as they walked the length of the store to the very back, where Yvonne’s office was. When they entered, Yvonne motioned to Maria to sit down.
“So Ms. Lopez,” said Yvonne, “it has come to our attention that you are attempting to organize.”
“Can I ask you something?” said Maria, “How is this reaching the equivalent of a police officer on Roosevelt Avenue? This is the kind of thing that happens in North Korea.”
“I’m afraid I’m in no position to discuss that with you. To be honest, I have had to worry about my own actions just as much. There must be a camera on the road somewhere, because they caught my car taking an unusual route to work the day I was late. They managed to get out from me that I stopped for coffee that day.”
“My heart goes out to you. Really.”
“Be that as it may, your job is on the line. You had better hear this: Unions are strictly forbidden in this company. You were told that in training. We even show a video about that. This is your warning. If this continues, you will be subject to severe disciplinary action, up to and including your termination. Is that clear?”
“You really are a company woman, aren’t you?”
“I just need to know that I got across to you. Do you understand?”
“Oh, loud and clear.”
Ms. Infinity flew out of her closet through her escape hatch. From on high, she surveyed her city, and spoke to herself quietly, “I wonder where Hal is. If I scanned a few minutes, I bet I could find him. But then Mom would have something to say about that.”
She began to think about how much easier things would be if she didn’t have restraints. If she needed to, she could simply watch everyone, even read their minds. She could be on the scene before trouble started. Now that would be effective superhero work!
After a moment, she stopped herself. If she was lonely now, how much more lonely would she be if she was the world’s watcher? Besides, that would likely mean giving up her other life, that of Bonnie Boring. And then, what was that her mother said about abuses of power? That too.
Ms. Infinity flew back down into her room, where she changed back into Bonnie. She failed to notice that something on her desk had moved while she was up in the sky. Her mother had opened, with some concern, a drawing of a heart with a message inside reading “Bonnie ‘n Hal.”
Lisa worked that day until closing. By the time she left, it was dark. Checking her phone as she punched out, she saw a text that surprised her. “Well,” she said to herself, “I’m sure it will never come up.” She texted back, “Sure.”
As she left, she was surprised to see Hal walking up. “Sorry Hal,” she said, “We’re closed. Bonnie’s not here today anyway.”
“Oh,” said Hal, looking embarrassed, “Uh, yeah. Well I actually had to get some things, but…um, well it’s alright.”
Lisa looked upon the situation in front of her with surprise, and a secret frustration. I didn’t think it would come up this fast, she thought to herself, but I might as well get it over with.
“So Hal,” she said, “I’m glad you’re here. Can I ask you a favor? My ride didn’t work out, and I don’t think I should walk home alone this late. Do you think you could walk home with me? I live not too far away.”
“Oh!” said Hal, “Sure! Of course I will.”
As Lisa started walking with Hal, it suddenly occurred to her that she didn’t really know him all that well. Though he certainly seemed okay, she could never forget to keep safety measures at the back of her mind. She made a point of taking the most well-lit streets, and was always aware of where the nearest crowds were. This decision meant walking down Roosevelt Avenue, and hitting the detested checkpoint. Luckily they were both waved on.
At any rate, Lisa soon came to realize that her fears about Hal were unfounded. The worst thing about the situation was simply that they had little to talk about. Hal clearly was interested in Bonnie, though he did his best to be polite about it.
“So you and Bonnie are friends,” said Hal.
“Uh, yes,” said Lisa, “Best friends.”
“That’s great! How long have you known her?”
“Eleven years.”
“Wow! You must know each other well.”
“Yeah,” said Lisa, “I thought I did...”
“Beg pardon?”
“Never mind,” said Lisa.
Hal was about to press Lisa on what she meant, but at that moment they saw an owl pass by directly overhead.
“That’s funny,” said Hal, “I don’t I’ve ever seen an owl flying around the city like that. Maybe it escaped from the zoo?”
“Interesting,” said Lisa. She watched intently as the owl flew away.
“That’s actually possible,” said Hal, “The Queens Zoo has that aviary, and if someone kept the door open too long, then maybe an owl could get out.”
“I don’t know…” Lisa was deep in thought.
“You know,” said Hal, “That would be a great place to go on a date. You know, like a day date.”
“I suppose,” said Lisa, still lost in her thoughts.
“Anyway,” said Hal, “I think it’s awesome that you and Bonnie have been best friends for so long. That says something great about both of you. I don’t really have any friends that I’m that close with. The people I know from college, I don’t know. I just don’t have that much in common with them.”
“Like Teddy?”
“Well, he’s a nice guy and all. But he wants to go ‘cruising for girls.’ I’m not interested in that anymore. I really want to move on. It’s about that one great person, right?”
“I suppose.”
As they reached Lisa’s house, Hal spoke apologetically, “Listen, I really should get home. I’m not sure if my mom is around tonight. She’s been hit or miss. My little sister really never lets my dad put her to bed, so it would be better if I’m there.”
“Well that’s sweet. Thank you for the favor.”
“Say hi to Bonnie for me.”
Lisa entered her house. Within seconds, her cellphone rang.
“Well that was sure fast!” she said as she answered, “Look, Mrs. B, I really wouldn’t worry. He’s obviously perfectly decent. Seriously, I’ve seen preschool teachers who scare me more than he does.”
When Hal returned home, he was surprised to find the apartment quiet, and his father sleeping on the couch. No doubt, his mother still wasn’t home. But where was Stacy?
“Stacy?” he called, knocking on his sister’s door. He looked in her room and saw it empty. His own room was empty too. He then noticed the bathroom door ajar with the light on. As he walked inside, he saw the bathtub overflowing and Stacy sitting on the sink. Water and toilet paper were everywhere.
“Stacy!” cried Hal, as he pulled his sister off the sink, “What are you doing? What’s going on here?”
Stacy did not answer. When Hal put her down, she just ran into her room crying. Hal frantically turned off the water, then ran into the living room. “Dad!” he called, “What happened?”
“What?” said Jerry as he stirred.
“Stacy just wrecked the bathroom. Thank God she didn’t drown in there! What happened?”
“So Mom isn’t home?”
“No but what are you…Oh, never mind!” As furious as he was, he had no illusions about his ability to reason with his parents. He ran into Stacy’s room and tried his best to speak calmly.
“Stacy! What happened? Why did you do that?”
“I don’t know,” said Stacy crying.
“I’m just relieved that you’re safe, but you can’t make a mess like that!”
Stacy didn’t answer. She just kept crying. Hal got on his knees. “Listen, Stacy, are you worried about Mommy and Daddy?”
Stacy was silent.
“Stacy,” said Hal, “It’s a lot better to talk than make a mess. Listen, you are going to help me clean up in there, and we ar
e going to have a talk.”
“No!” shouted Stacy as she ran into her bed.
Hal was running out of options. He was no child psychologist, but it was obvious that Stacy was acting out. What were those words of Ms. Infinity now? Never Forget the Power You Have Inside You? Where was that power now? All he could do was clean the bathroom and hope that things didn’t get any worse.
The next morning, Bonnie sat at the kitchen table and finished breakfast as Betty leaned against the wall and drank her coffee. “You know, it’s hard,” said Bonnie to her mother, “I feel like Ms. Infinity is hot to boys, but what does that do for me, really?”
Betty stood up from her leaning position. “Bonnie, dear, I don’t think there’s another mother in all of New York who has heard that complaint. I’m not even sure what to do with that.”
“Mom, you wanted me to come to you with these things, right?”
“I appreciate it. I really do. But am I wrong to say that you’re making your own complications here?”
“Hey! I have damn good reasons for my secret identity.”
Betty paused and sat down next to Bonnie. “Look. I just don’t know what to tell you. You’re in some strange territory.”
“Mom,” said Bonnie, leaning in closer to her mother, “What do you do?”
“Pardon?”
“I mean, I know it’s been a lot of years, but how do you handle it when you like a guy?”
“Oh.”
“There has to be some man around who you’ve liked. What do you do when…”
“Bonnie, I really don’t want to…”
“Come on. There must be a nice, hot piece of beefcake around Woodside somewhere. Are you checking out…”
“…You know what?” interrupted Betty, “There is something I wanted to tell you. Since you bring up your secret identity, I’m thinking of creating one myself.”
“Really, Mom? You?” said Bonnie in bemusement.
Betty sat up and spoke with excitement. “I don’t want to be a superhero like you exactly, but how do like this idea: ‘The Guerilla Public Servant.’”
Bonnie looked down uncomfortably, as if she was trying to keep from saying something that might hurt her mother’s feelings.
Where Infinity Begins Page 13