Interlude....
Appleton sorted the mail slowly, methodically, painstakingly. It was his job, and he was careful. Careful and precise. The clock beat time as he rhythmically piled: company one, company two, company three. Company one, company two, company three. Company one, company two....his eyes rolled, almost imperceptibly, and he slumped forward a little. A tiny shudder shook his body, like the last breath of a fragile insect. Next to him, someone grinned a Cheshire cat grin, wide and harsh, spread icily across his face. A fluttering shadow of a cape.
"Toto, you aren't in Kansas anymore," Batman addressed the corpse. He left a minute ink mark on the pine desk, like a dog spraying his territory. He winked playfully, spitefully, and took a bounding leap out the window, shattering it as he went. His Batmobile waited below him, converting into a small trampoline. He sped out of the parking garage, a screech of wheels and a lonely bat the only things left behind.
One for Panfrica.
---
Superman grinned, oozing machismo. "I am honoured to receive this award. Of course, I deserve it, and it's taken far too long for me to receive it, but that's okay. I understand, of course. Now, hand over the shiny to me, would you? I'm a very busy man, very busy. Of course you understand, as I am your representative in the duel."
A cheer explodes from the crowd. Superman begrudged them a smile, and admired his own finely chiseled jaw. Lucky dogs, getting to hear him speak. It was a good day's work...as it always was. He swept off the stage, peaking around the curtain to wink at the audience and relishing the deafening applause. He smirked smugly. Spiderman and Batman couldn't pull this off.
He sauntered out of the building, swinging his briefcase. They had no idea what was in store for them.
---
Spiderman sighed, and grabbed a last handful of Lay's from the jumbo bag. Another day a waste. He stared at his computer, and the idling World of Goo. Why him? Why in the name of God were they picking him? A twenty-something slacker, living at home with his post-stroke aunt. Why couldn't they pick the Flash?
An idle tear fell out of his bloodshot eye and half-heartedly trickled down his cheek. So what if he saved the litter's runt from the neighborhood bulldog? So what if he saved the elderly man down the street from drowning in the toilet? He was just a local firefighter to the extreme.
"I am nothing," he thought. "Why am I here? Is there any point to this dying world?" His head hit the desk and he droned off into sleep, the darts of his thoughts piercing his heart to oblivion.