Page 14 of Turnabout Is Fair Cosplay
“Has that ever worked before?”
“I’ll let you know in about twenty minutes.”
I shake my head, laughing. “Smooth.”
“And no, I’m not.”
“Not what?”
“A psycho in real life. If we’re headed to the pier, I figured I might as well tell you.”
“So all the slithering intensity was…”
“Just an act. A caricature, really.”
“So you are an actor.”
“Yes and no. I’m a student. Not part of any official guild. And… This place makes the best cookies in all of PB.” Mike holds the door open for me, and we step inside a modest café with a counter filled with cookies.
“It smells amazing.” Which must be why there is a line out the door.
“Order for Mike,” the cashier calls.
Mike shrugs. “I ordered ahead.” He collects a bag from the cashier. “Thanks,” he says to the man. To me, he says, “Nutella chocolate chunk or the flavor of the month?”
“I’ll take my chances on the flavor of the month.”
“It’s baklava-inspired.”
I nibble on the nutty, honey cookie. My fingers are going to be a sticky mess, and ordinarily that would be no big deal, but…I’m already primed with all the first-date awkward discomfort. “So, you’re a comics fan? Like Adam?”
“Oh, um, no, actually. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the appeal. Superheroes just don’t get me out of bed in the morning. What about you?”’
“I’m a lawyer with a corporate nine-to-five.” It’s supposed to feel so good to say that. I’m a lawyer. It’s part of who I am. But it never does. Maybe it has something to do with my nine-to-five turning into seven-to-eleven. “I don’t have much say when it comes to getting out of bed in the morning.”
“But if you did?” Mike takes the smallest bite of his cookie.
“I like books better than comics.”
“Oh, come on. You must have grown up watching superheroes on the big screen at least.”
“Adam and I spent many Saturdays at the matinee.” I inhale the last of my cookie. “Honestly,Starship Cruiserhas always been more my speed.”
“Wonder why Adam didn’t go in for that franchise?”
“I’m sure it is only a matter of time and market analysis.”
“He does have a keen eye for the business of entertainment.”
“He’s lucky that way.” Lucky to have landed somewhere he feels passion. Lucky his soul has room to breathe. No danger of it getting crushed by the monotony of corporate work or sold to the highest/most patient bidder.
“May I call?”
“Don’t you need a number to call me?”
“Beatrice McKinney of McKinney, Rosenberg, and Wallace. If I ask nicely, your receptionist will transfer me to your corner office.”
“Cubicle. Only the partners get corner offices. Lowly associates get cubicles.”
