Author's Note 4.26.08: Since I'm moving over the weekend, I figured I'd post this a day early before I pack up Prospero (my computer) for the trip. Progress on the penultimate chapter of Not Alone is reeeeally slow, since lately I've had naught but packing, moving, and work to deal with, but I should be back to something resembling normal life (or what passes for it) soon.

So enjoy 'Conversations With Five-Year-Olds And How They Don't Really Happen At All'.


28: Playing With Kids (eensy spoiler, if you can even call it that-- This takes place in the near-ish future, but has no references to what happens. Gene is Nic's son (short for Eugene, named after Nic's dad.))

"And then-- and then-- and then-- you put Spider-Man over there, he gotta rescue Superman."

"It is my understanding that the Superman entity could easily extricate himself from such a trap."

"No, not there. Over there."

"Very well..."

"No, no, there."

"Gene, the figurine is precisely where you indicated I should put it."

"Spider-Man hasta rescue-- and then-- he shoots webs and flies up in the air."

"Are not these two characters also in separate franchises? Or is this the scenario known as a crossover?"

"No, gimme Thing."

"Which thing?"

"He's the orange guy with rocks on him. He goes-- gimme it here-- Thing goes POW, POW-- GONNA CLOBBER YOU!"

"I... see."

"VRRRRREOW, aaaaaaaah!"

"It is highly doubtful that he would attack the Human Torch. They are allies, are they not? Or has your narrative had the Thing turn traitor?"

"Take Spider-Man! Over here. He gotta-- gotta go up and fly up here and then-- and then--"

"And then?"

"Superman! No, no, Spider-Man, he gotta go here!"

"Your tactics are confusing, Gene."

"And then-- Thing POW POW-- No, Whip, you're not doin' it right!"

"I confess I am at a total loss as to what it is I am doing incorrectly."

"POW AAAAAAAAAH! BSSHHH!"

"Gene, you may damage your toys if you continue throwing them at me. The small parts could become wedged in my components--"

"POW BRGGAAAAAAAAH!"

"How very like your mother you are."

("I heard that!")

"And then-- and then-- and then--"