Chapter 32: Meanwhile, Back At The …

Sergei Kravinoff had ordered enough food for three men. It would have been four if his half-brother, Dmitri Smerdyakov, hadn't felt his stomach knot up.

Spider-man was alive and well. This news made the Soviet assassin, the Chameleon, feel fit to be tied. The same news awarded Kraven, the hunter both a livelier spring to his step and a wide smile.

There was only one thing that kept Dmitri from punching Sergei in the face. It wasn't sibling care, nor was it that they were partners in their present venture. The Chameleon knew that if he tried, the fist he would have thrown would be the same fist that Kraven would've made him swallow.

The one thing that lightened Dmitri's disgust was the declaration that came from his insufferable half-brother's mouth.

The strong man stretched out on the couch and proclaimed, "Tonight I will survey the city again. I am narrowing my choices of the place and the time for my prey to face his ultimate defeat."

The white, unmarked police van drove towards a group of police cars. The driver asked to borrow dark blue police sweaters for him and the perturbed Wasp. Among the things that ticked off the female Avenger was that she could have made it home quicker, but her partner insisted on bringing two teenagers home for the night. And one of them was a definite an a – s itch.

Misplaced charitable feelings aside, lately there have been a lot of instances When Hank decided to do things without consulting her. Jan didn't like this new pattern, and she was going to pick the time to tell Hank and demand things go back to normal.

In her mind they were as good a married, and she had the unquestionable right to know what was going to go on in his life and in their home.

It wasn't like she kept things from him. Well, maybe a few things slipped her mind, but they were excusable as she had a lot of irons in the fire; she was much busier than he was.

The sweaters came, but they were pullovers. Hank had no problems putting his on. Jan hung the sweater on front of her. The shoulder pads on the red swimsuit portion of her costume extended inches from her shoulder. Putting on of this covering would be difficult.

She still had her body-length black leopards, so taking it off wouldn't have been a problem. Her tentativeness came when she realized that she had to go to the back— where the fresh-mouthed Lorna was— in order to remove the hindering bathing suit. No, she was going to do it.

Jan popped her head through the sweater as the van pulled away. The heroine kept it around her neck trying to conceive of a way to do this without damaging the sweater or deforming the shoulder pads. She felt Giant-man's eyes on her and it annoyed her. They were about to approach the barricades that the police had set up to isolate the battle field. She had to get it on NOW!

"Pull over to the side!" She barked at the driver. "Point the windshield away from people."

Ignoring the girls, Jan quickly removed then stashed the red outfit into the disguise bag. Only when she returned to her seat with the sweater did the frustrated Wasp realize that she had shouted at Hank.

Well, he didn't shout back, she thought. That's a good beginning in returning things to normal. With that settled, she concerned herself with picking lint off of the sweater's sleeves.

Giant-man drove the van towards the entrance of the Triborough Bridge with the witch on the front passenger seat. Lorna smirked when the witch had to take off the red swimsuit section of her outfit. That stupid broad— anyone with half-a-brain could see that those wide shoulder pads would have prevented her from pulling the sweater down over her body. How long did the idiot take to figure that out?!

The police vehicle was a supply transport— the bench that they sat on was situated against the left hand wall of the van. While loosening part of her attire, the sh- -thead Wasp didn't look their way. And that was fine with Lorna. At one point, the obnoxious bitch had to bend over to free her feet from the red outfit. Ooooh my, what an opportunity.

Tabby must have seen the look in her eyes, because the younger girl reached for Lorna's arm. Tabby shook her head, NO! Lorna relented, but she felt that she cheated herself of the pleasure of kicking the bitch's a - s. Lorna closed her eyes to disengage from further temptations. She rested her head against the van wall.

When the vehicle passed the half-way mark on the Tribororgh Bridge both adults flipped their masks up to reveal their faces. But the masks still covered the back of their heads. The teens understood this move, but why, oh why, did Giant-man order the two girls behind him to not attempt to look at their faces.

Telling Lorna not to do something was an open invitation for her to actually do it. Still, since Giant-man had been so helpful and good-spirited, the older teen fought herself to become compliant….. and cheat herself out of another enjoyment.

The van finally entered the Queens side. It detoured away from the feed leading onto the Grand Central Parkway. They made a few turns on the local streets. While Tabatha Smith passed the time gabbing away with the unmasked hero, Lorna did what came natural to her. She hawked at street signs. She couldn't pin-point why this was so habitual; perhaps it was a way to retrace her trek in the event that she hated where she would end up.

The van finally stopped at a parking lot belonging to "Airline Dinner" on Astoria Blvd. The front van window faced away from the diner. When the driver was sure that no one was looking, he flipped his masked back on and walked back to the two girls. As expected, Cruella DeVil had no interest in turning around.

Giant-man got down on one knee and explained what was going to happen. The girls were going to be introduced to one-time Ant-man detractor, Henry Pym. Years ago they were on a Network News show debating who had the rights to the original size-changing formula. Pym failed to fully develop it and the Ant-man succeeded. In the end, Pym admitted that the tiny hero won the contest. Since then they have been cool with each other.

At any rate, Henry Pym was going to take them to buy their necessities and then take them to his penthouse.

"Do you know if he's a perv?" Loran asked.

Giant-man's eyes ballooned. "A WHAT?!"

"A Perv. A dirty old fart who goes after young girls. Get with it, man. He's volunteering a place to stay for young female strangers."

Tabby's eyes expressed fear while a chuckle came from the witch in the front of the van.

"No. I'd stake my life on it! As a matter of fact, he share, the place with two females already. They never complained of Henry Pym exhibiting any form of indecency. And two additional women are his housekeeper—they like him. This fellow is very respectful towards women."

Lorna rolled one cheek and said, "A place to sleep, huh. We get a comfortable couch?"

"A comfortable bed. A good-sized bedroom attached to your own bathroom. Annnd whatever the refrigerator holds."

The Wasp mumbled something. Lorna was happy that she hadn't heard it. Giant-man continued the narration saying that a similar appearing van as going to pull up next to them in the parking lot. It would be very close and it would face the opposite direction. The doors would be slid open and the girls had to move into the new van.

This maneuver was to throw off anyone following them. "Not that there is more than a 1 in 1,000 chance that we were followed," Giant-man added. "This is a just-in-case move."

"Yeah, like the disguise bag-thing." Lorna said in a tone similar to that of his sister, Erica, when she thought he was being silly.

At that moment, Tabby pointed towards the windshield. "A van like that?"

The Wasp flipped down her mask as the van moved closer. The vehicle stopped inches to their right. Tabatha thanked Giant-man heartily and then she jumped into their new ride. Tabby turned back when she remembered her manners.

"Oh, Miss Wasp. Thank you, also. I hope we can meet again, sometime."

The heroine unconvincingly replied "I'd look forward to that…" Lorna thought that the Wasp also muttered, "As much as I'd look forward to a toothache."

Lorna had the right reply for that, but she was distracted by the driver in the second van. The older teen could spot a plainclothes cop a mile away. They all seemed to have the same haircut, stare and attitude.

Maybe it was okay to step into that vehicle. It wasn't like the police could trace any of the robbed parking meters to her, after all. Still,…

Giant-man picked up on her hesitancy and he felt overcome by an unexplainable tidal wave of sympathy. From behind, he reached for her shoulders.

"It's okay. The driver is a police man."

"NO SH – T," she felt like exclaiming. But she held her tongue.

Giant-man brought her to himself and rested his cheek on her head. "I'd die before leading you into harm's way. Believe me."

Loran took a step forward and looked back into the hero's eyes. Her own eyelids widened in amazement— within those crystal blue eyes was a magnetic honesty that Lorna couldn't remember ever seeing before. A nervous smile telegraphed the awkwardness she felt. Lorna then hastily retreated into the other vehicle, not caring at that point who her driver was.

F - - k it. If the worst came true, she had the power to wrap the whole damned van around the cop like a metallic, immovable blanket.

"Oh, I want one, too," Tabby excitedly said. The thirteen-year-old leaped into Giant-man's arms. He gave her a warm hug and whispered, "I've made sure that you have a great, welcoming place to live. I wouldn't permit anything less than that."

The van carrying the girls moved out first. If Lorna was surprised by the embrace, it couldn't have reached the heights of Hank's own astonishment. What made him hug her and Tabatha? To say that it was all too strange was an understatement.

The hero shrugged it off as he again his mask off his face. He went to the disguise bag. Hank lifted the bag's fake bottom to access shoes, his wallet and street clothes. He pulled out a pair of pants and sat on the long bench seat. Finally, he called out to Jan.

"Well," Jan replied. "Thanks for remembering me, Mr. Happy Hugs."

Hank looked through the large bills within his wallet and said, "Don't start, please."

"Take the wheel. Turn right, out of the parking lot. Stop three corners down by a taxi cab on the right. I'll get off. You make the next left. Less than a minute, you'll reach Steinway Street. Park the van at the bus stop. The ignition key goes under the floor mat, please.

"A cab is there waiting for you. Take the bag with you. Let's go— the meters on both cabs have been running for a while.

"Yes sir, General, sir. May I have permission to breath? Better yet, when it's time for you to get off, may I send you off with my foot up your… - Jan looked away towards the windshield and subtly shook her head— " never mind."

To Lorna, the van made needless turns. It was as if the driver realized that he was too early for something and had to improvise a route to eat up time. Finally, the driver coasted to a stop in front of a Woolworth store.

This is the place you'll find Henry Pym," the plainclothesman said. "Should I help you out?"

"No, thank you" said Tabby, with a smile.

Lorna slid the door open and quickly hopped out. She was all too happy to get away from the police-chauffeur.

"We can get out fine," the younger girl concluded.

"I'm so glad that you finally got here," a voice sprang from behind Lorna. She turned to see a tall, blue-eyed, sandy-haired, good-looker smiling at her. He turned to the cop-driver and explained that he was Henry Pym. The driver said that no identification was necessary because the officer had recognized the man from a TV News presentation a few years back.

Oh, so people remember the show that she never heard of? Lorna absentmindedly shrugged— that was okay. She could brag at the Salvation Army Home that she stayed in a home belonging to a famous guy who wasn't really all that famous.

If someone asked, Henry who?, Lorna would look at them surprised. She'd then counter-ask, In what hole has your head been in?

When Lorna turned to her pal, the older teen was surprised to see Tabby's face so… weird. The Pym-guy offered his hand to help her out of the van. She accepted.

So, all of a sudden Tabby needed help? Tabby's eyes were down at her feet and she looked like she was fighting a smile. Did she know this guy, or something?

Mr. Blue-eyes opened the Woolworth store door for them. Other women were coming in behind them, so the man kept the door open for them, as well. After putting some space between them and the Pym-guy, Tabby couldn't hold back her enthusiasm.

The Virginia-accented voice nearly sang, "Isn't he the most handsome man you've ever seen?"

"Whoa. Hold up. Earth to Space Cadet Smith— before you get on one knee and propose to him, you need to get a grip. He's a zillion years older than you."

"I'm not going to propose," the younger girl responded with embarrassment over her exposure and annoyance over Lorna's reaction. "I just think he's – I mean, that smile—I mean, those eyes … everything's dreamy."

"Dreamy? You sound like an old person trying to talk like a teenager. Or is that how you all sound in your hick town?"

"Ladies," the man interrupted. "If you're hungry, let's go to the luncheonette. Then we'll get you some things."

The burgers and fries were fine. The Pym-guy ate an old folk's grill cheese and tomato sandwich. Loran gave Tabby a look that asked, "You see?"

The man kind of redeemed himself with a strawberry shake. Loran heard Tabby opted for something more mature—like Coca Cola. But when he ordered the shake, it sounded too good to pass up … so they made it a triple order… three cherries on top of each whip cream top, to boot.

It was time for the "some things" that the man promised to buy them. He dropped sneakers, slacks, and blouses into the shopping cart the very minute that the girls took an interest in them.

All the while, Tabby kept avoiding his eyes and wearing that dumb half-smile. Loran too began to look at him from the corner of her eye. Lorna had a different reason, though.

Those dreamy eyes…. Well they looked like Giant-man's attention-grabbing peepers. And though this guy didn't have the accent, nor a deep enough voice, he shared the Avenger's height. His smile showed her that he had the same grill-work.

Too bad that a couple of monkey wrenches were thrown into Lorna's mental gear box. One, did the good-looker and the hero appear side-by-side during that TV debate? Second, the man's white shirt, tan pants and brown shoes. Lorna was so angry at herself. She should have looked deeper into the disguise bag to see if they were there.

The trio were heading into the Sleep Ware and Intimates. Lorna didn't feel right if he followed them there. If he did, maybe this Pym-guy/ Giant-man WAS a perv.

As if reading her mind, Henry Pym stopped a few feet before the department.

"You girls go in there and pick out things for five or six days. I'll wait at the …. ah, the beauty… no.—He turned to his right—" the curtain and linen, … no."

He made an about face, towards the entrance door, and embarrassingly said," I'll meet you back at the luncheonette."

Good. He wasn't a young girl-chasing, dirty old man. To Lorna, refusing to hang out at beauty section meant that he wasn't the other way, either.

Just as she was beginning to feel comfortable with the guy, she remembered his words. Five or six days? Didn't he know that this was just a sleepover? Lorna would definitely set the guy straight… after he bought five or six days-worth of jammies and undies, of course.

A taxi was easily haiedl and they made it to the Kurtzenberg building.

Tabby allowed the good-looker to carry her bags, but Lorna was keeping both arms around her stuff. NOOOOPE! … Those things had to be with her. In case she didn't like the spread, it was going to be a lightning-fast Adios, Partner.

Tabby looked up towards the higher floors as she walked in front of Lorna. What in blazes is this girl was looking at? Tabby had spent the whole morning in Manhattan with Lorna and there were blocks-full of tall building there.

Wait, maybe there was pigeon poop heading down on us.

If that was so, Lorna surrendered her commons sense to look upward also. But she found nothing worth her consternation … except when Lorna bumped into her younger pal.

"You got lead in your feet, girl? Move it."

Unlike Tabby, the older girl worked hard to conceal her expression of wow. There was a suited doorman, the fancy lobby, the elevators with fake, but still impressive gold framings. They stepped into one elevator… and daaamn. The wood lined interior of the elevator looked great. The floor destination panel had brass- looking buttons. Strangely, the top floors didn't have what Lorna would call buttons. They were numbers that couldn't be pressed because they were sunken into the metal plate panel.

And then came the biggest wow of all wows— from his wallet, their host took a card. He instructed Lorna to swipe it across a thingy on the side of the elevator panel. Suddenly, the lifeless top four floor indicators began to blink. The quick flashes alternated between the creamy vanilla colored floor numbers and the blinking circular ring around the number. Green was the color for the bottom floor, yellow for the second, red for the third and finally blue for the top. It looked like lights from a Christmas tree.

"Tabatha," he said. "Please do the honor of pressing PH-F for me."

"Does that mean penthouse?" the 13-year-old asked almost squealing. "What does the F stand for?"

Lorna couldn't help but think, this shameless girl had no sense of self-control. But, in truth, Lorna held her breath waiting for the man to answer.

The elevator doors opened to a luxurious foyer that led to different parts of the first floor. What they saw of the other rooms was awesome.

It didn't take long for two warm-smiling old ladies to greet them. The kiss on the cheek was accepted by Tabby, but Lorna felt it was too granny-to-toddler like. Besides that, the weirdness meter was high because she didn't know these old bats. After a while, it became evident that Mr. Blue-eyes had told these women all about the girls.

The old woman who identified herself as Brigitka led the girls to their room. As they were on their way, the woman asked a particularly pointed question.

"So you also met the Wasp, I hear."

Lorna turned away from the hallway to face her. Brigitka was looking at her with an expectant smile.

While her sister led the guests away, Del steadied her eyes on her dear, but totally clueless Henry. Should she tell him about Yolanda? Should she tell him that she was distraught… and why?

Del thought that she should ease into that sensitive territory. She could think of no other side entrance than the bold letters that she had found on the girls' shopping bags.

"Woolworth? Really? Wasn't there a Bamberger's and an Abraham & Strauss down the street?"

Henry thought for a moment, but he couldn't come back with a solid defense. "Obviously, I don't know my left hand from my right as far as quality women's wear. But I got them fed there and they were happy with what they have."

Del's eyes dropped down. "Yes, it's good to be content with what you have. Sometimes though,….. you are content reaching for less, if you don't know the better that is already in your hands."

"Well, I didn't think of the other stores, at the time. I was more concern with getting the shopping done and getting them home before they changed their minds and opted for the streets."

In a perfect world, he should have asked "What do you mean?"

That would have opened an avenue for the old, wise woman.

But he didn't get it. Del wasn't talking about clothes, nor stores. She was trying to angle herself into starting a conversation that would open his eyes to a far better alternative to Janet Van Dyne.

And the potential involved in this talk included another darling. It didn't mean that they had to commit to each other. It was just … what possible sane reason could anyone come up with to prevent Yolanda and Henry from broadening their mutual appreciation to include a dating agreement? Only then will anyone know if they were right for each other. And of all the young people that Del could think of, these two deserved the best possible chance for a rewarding love life.

Well, with the stakes so high, Delfina Gilbert was going to try again.

But before Del could open her mouth, Henry turned around to address a large brown canvas bag. It was against the wall just to the right of the elevator door.

"Judging from the bag, he started, "I'd say Jan made it home. Judging from where the bag was left, I'd say she came in ticked off and threw it there. Otherwise, the bag would have been in Lab A's closet."

He turned to Del and sighed, "It's her way of saying take care of your crap yourself. Or more likely, that I should shove the bag in a particular orifice that would produce a painful experience.

"But enough of her—where is Yolanda? She made it back, am I correct?"

Good, this was Del's chance. "Yes, she did. She's in her room."

"Good," Henry jumped in. "She has some explaining to do. She left in a hurry and haste makes for carelessness. I hope no one saw her coming here."

"I had a chance to speak with her." Then the old woman was temporarily silenced when she saw the hero snatch up the bag in apparent anger. It took her by surprise, because Henry's words preceding that harsh swooping grab were calm. He rushed towards the main lab and Del followed.

The woman's voice was hacked as a result of her quick paced steps, "She said that she had her anti-radar device on."

"Good, but that didn't mean that human eyes couldn't have seen her."

"Please, Henry, may we talk?"

He reached for the door knob of the lab and turned. "I'd love to, Del. With all due respect, we can't now. I have urgent phone calls to make."— He then released a smile that in any other day Del would have found charming— "But as soon as I finish, we'll sit down together. I promise."

The door closed behind him and a frustrated Delfina whispered. "Yes we will, young man. That, I-I-I-I promise."

In an abandoned airplane hangar located in Brooklyn's Floyd Bennet Field, Elihas Starr had long ago recovered from his ill-received meeting with a swinging door. Unfortunately, he hadn't regained consciousness fast enough to partake of the catered breakfast that the workers had enjoyed.

Mob boss Blackie Gaxton had commissioned a rush-rush project. That meant Elihas had to be satisfied with a couple of candy bars until the catering van returned with lunch.

The twenty-foot long blueprint was on display against a wall. The other men in lab coats were in charge of assembling the destructive mechanisms. Elihas was responsible for giving them life. He was assigned a work table away from the machine shop noise. On the table was a typical 3-by-4-foot blueprint with a not-so-common diagram.

A year ago, outer-galaxy invaders had constructed a weapon designed for earth domination. Thankfully, Iron Man found a way to destroy it. From the wreckage, the U.S. Government outlined a diagram of an ultra-advanced circuitry within the mechanical threat.

Yes, there was a visual guide for this weapon in Washington, D.C. But seeing how things connected to each other was very different from activating the final product. The most advanced minds that the U.S. government gathered could not figure it out. Neither Reed Richards, Anthony Stark, the Wizard— Bentley Wittman, nor Dr. Bruce Banner were interested in trying their hands on it. And the Feds didn't want Dr. Victor Von Doom, nor the prisoner who called himself the Thinker anywhere near the project.

The government gave up and locked the blueprints away. But Gaxton had the money and the connections to photocopy the plans. And now it was Elihas Starr's turn to shine, to receive the recognition that he saw the world unfairly bestow to others…. especially that empty-skulled Henry Pym. Bahhh, the mere thought of him turned Elihas' sizable stomach.

The football shaped genius was given a short, thin, bi-speckled assistant who was more of a nuisance than a help. He kept asking things like what is this? and how did that fit?

If there was one thing that the Egghead was grateful for—at least, right then—was that when he didn't consume enough liquids, his body… well, his lower rear region exploded with the most malodorous of gases.

He thought that the gross emissions would have been enough to keep his vexatious non-aide away. It seemed like a plan since in the past Elihas found himself close to vomiting from his flatulencies. But either the thin man had lost his sense of smell or he could just hold his breath longer than any other human could.

Elihas had never thought to purposely delay rectifying this problem, until today. But right now, the man imagined that it was only a matter of time before his nose hairs fell out, or his entire nose would just slide off his face. When he could take it no longer, Elihas sent the assistant to bring him an entire pitcher of water…. and a strong fan.

Maybe during this temporary quiet time, the unappreciated genius could figure out where to next send the thin man. Maybe, to a diner in Manhattan?

"The boss is coming" was a warning that seemed to come out of nowhere and silence all machine work. Elihas didn't know what to make of it, but if all the other workers stood at attention in a line close to the hangar door, the man with the egg-shaped head thought he should fall in as well.

As he was welcoming an atmospheric relief from his nauseating discharges, he heard Black Gaxton yelling Unholy Hell outside.

One of the well-attired guard exited through the smaller door carved into the aircraft hangar door. He returned to open the door for Gaxton. But the guard didn't get his second foot into the hangar when he was thrown down to the floor. Elihas jumped back in shock. The door was kicked open wider and in came the rampaging mob boss.

The names may have escaped Elihas, but the four men who entered behind Gaxton he recognized from newspapers. They were Gaton's high priced lawyer, a judge and two local politicians. One of the politicians held his hand over one eye as if he was punched.

The guard who was knocked down got to his feet quickly. The nervousness in his face was as evident as a lighthouse beam. But the cuss-throwing mob boss paced back and forward oblivious to the guard and the line of men standing at attention to the side.

Finally Gaxton made a B-line towards the judge.

"You were in charge of all dis! You and dat idiot!" The underworld leader pointed to man holding his eye.

"The Thinker shoulda been freed by now!"

Gaxton looked at his watch. Then his eyes shot up towards Elihas, leaving the odd shaped man's heart to skip a beat.

After Elihas made an audible gulp, Gaton turned back to the judge yelling, "Five minutes ago I shoulda been finishin' arrangements to get him here! Instead, my plan and my entire reputation now rests on dat… dat delusional sh - t-brain jackass who fancies his-self a genius.

Elihas wondered, who was he talking about? He tried not to look at the other men who were in the line, but it had to be one of them.

"Who's covering dis place? Who's got dese scum-eaters in check?

The first guard stood in front of the line of workers. He was joined by a second. Then taking their place alongside of the duo were the men who brought Elihas there— black-haired Balboni and the nastier brown-haired brute.

Braxton brought his hands to the back of his body. He leaned his torso slightly forward as he paced in front of the foursome.

"Sooo.." Gaxton began. "Are we any closer to bringin' dis sh – t to life?"

The big bad bruisers said nothing. This infuriated the gang boss.

"Wazza matter? You bozos deaf? I asked, are we getting dis off the ground, or ain't we? I WANNA KNOW AND I WANNA KNOW NOW!"

The four broad-built thugs shifted nervously. Elihas heard one tough guy manage a weak, "Well, ah.."

Blackie Gaxton immediately yelled "WHAT?"

Except for his echo bouncing off the rounded ceiling, silence smothered the hangar again.

Now, Elihas knew that Gaxton respected courage. His henchmen were pathetic. They quaked and shuddered. Obviously, they couldn't answer the question, so Mr. Starr was going to step forward and give his appraisal on the progress. It wasn't going to be much, but a steady, confident voice and a bit of flim-flam should calm this dangerous, but non-intellectual fellow down.

Elihas had taken a few steps forward when the irritating assistant pulled on the back of his lab coat. Elihas slapped the hand away and continued his march forward.

"Ahem. If you would allow me." At the sound of Elihas' voice, the four brutes parted to allow the Egghead through. They were clearly relived that their boss' attention was about to turn away from them.

"Elihas Starr," he introduced himself. "Glad to meet you again Mr. Gaxton."

The crime boss looked at the hand that was extended to him to shake. Gaxton then looked at Elihas' face with a squint.

Perhaps Gaxton couldn't believe that the world-class genius would condescend to meet him on his ground. Or perhaps the man suffered from bad eyesight. Either way, if he wasn't going to shake hands, Elihas thought that it was prudent to return his arm to his side.

Elihas started out strong. But a few seconds into his bravado, he felt some serious negative vibes coming from the narrow-eyed Gaxton. The trembling of the gangster didn't help.

Elihas instinctively drew back, but a pair of hands—presumably from the brown-haired brute, since he was closest to the superior intellect— pushed him forward again.

Elihas broke and his courage leaked away. If it had feet, one would think that his courage ran behind him in terror.

"Ah… umm.. That is… Well, you'll be glad to have … umm … I mean… ah… that really…. " Elihas involuntarily squeaked a silly, nervous laugh.

Gaxton didn't return the jocularity. In fact, his body was beginning to tremble more. Again a pair of strong hands pushed the once brave confronter back to his place.

Elihas was losing this match of nerves and he had better do something to regain Gaxton's respect. After a couple of false start, he got it.

He looked at his own shoes. "Ahh, well…." Then he looked up to give the boss a wide smile.

"Even though nothing has been done, boy are you lucky to have me."

Black Gaxton's eyes bulged. Ahhh, finally the mob boss found some respect for his genius. Elihas saw that Gaxton was so awed that the gangster pulled himself back.

All of a sudden Gaxton's right arm shot forward.

Well, …. when Elihas Starr wakes up, he'll realize that he missed lunch, also.

Henry Pym darted out of the main lab. He rushed into the kitchen to tell Delfina that he was ready for their talk.

"We'll have to make it less than fifteen minutes, though," Henry added. "I have to shower and prepare my introduction to Yolanda and a new friend, Fred Dukes.

"Introduction?" Delfina asked in surprise.

"Yes. I'm taking Yollie to City Hall where she and Fred will be given the Keys to the City for their gallantry in the face of impossible odds… How was that for the first line of my intro?"

"From this day on, the world will know him no longer as the Blob, but as Mister Frederick Dukes, hero. And The Unicorn will be a household name. Role model for all the little girls in the world. Tomorrow, I'm going to contact Mattel and see if they are interested in a Unicorn Barbie."

Henry continued, "Oh, and I'll take the Keys on behalf of X-men and Spider-man because they are publicity-shy. I really have to spread it on thick for those heroes because the public is leery of them. But rest assured, Yolanda and the Blob will get the bulk of my time."

Okay, that all sounded good to Del. But if they had only a limited time to converse, the old woman was going to come out with both guns blazing.

She sat him at the kitchen table and began. "You know that Yolanda is very fond of you."

"And I am of her. I can't tell you how she gets me out of my doldrums, at time."

"That's wonderful, Henry."

"Is something wrong?"

"Oh no. As a matter of fact everything is beginning to look nice and cheery."

Suddenly, as if to prove her words to be a lie, Brigitka rushed into the kitchen. She was short of breath, but she managed, "She's gone! GONE! "

"What?" Del asked.

"Who?" Henry asked as his body jumped from the chair and his heart sank into an instinctual dark despair.

Teary-eyed, Brigitka gasped, "Yolanda."

Chapter 32 Glossary:

Woolworthwas your grandparent's Wal-mart. But whereas the typical Wal-mart is about two blocks long, Woolworth rarely took up more than 2/3 of a city block. At the time, many referred to it as the "Five-and-Dime." No doubt, that tag referred to the bargain prices within the store.

Abraham & Strausswas an upscale (and arguably overpriced) department store.

Bamberger's—if you've shopped at Macy's, chances are you have shopped at a Bamberger's store location. The company that operated both stores opted to go under one name since the mid-1980's.

Henry Pym's grill-work. Before the 1970s, cars had lavish chrome front grill designs. Some looked like charming smiling teeth, while others looked like grins from a demon. Lorna used the word as most did back then. She was referring to Dr. Pym's prominent top front teeth.