• "Testing... testing... Can you here me? Test one on the equipment, Mission one-thirty-five. Testing... testing... Can you hear me?"

    "Yeah Pops, I can here ya loud and clear. So are we gonna do this or what?"

    "Yeah yeah yeah. I got a call for a breaking and entering on 17th and Roy. Copy?"

    "Sounds like its gonna be a slow night. I'll go check it out. Thanks Pops."

    Johnny Feldman. Age 19, college student at the University of San Antigua; fit as a fiddle. When he's not slacking off in class or running around like a little dipshit, he's out on the streets- as The Denizen. Actually... The Denizen 2. I was the original Denizen; protector of night.

    "Hey Pops! This new gear is the bee's knees, right? I can see everything clearly! My gloves are lined with chicken wire on the ends, to add a cut and my boots are reinforced with 3 inches of rubber! Now all the baddies are just cruisin' for a bruisin'!" Johnny spoke through the speaker of his latex 'Hero-suit'. It was standard for regular superheroes like himself.

    "I don't understand you kids and your crazy lingo these days. Just find the perps and get off the streets, alright? Its been dangerous a lot these days." I made sure to warn him, even though I know he'd be his careless self as he always was.
    Back in my day, I was a superhero just like him. I used to run around with Snakeman... The Tokyo Tumbler... and I can't forget Barbie gal. Those were the good ol' days- when a punch and a hand shake was all you needed to get rid of the badguys that roamed the streets. But nowadays its a lot more dangerous. Criminals are smarter and craftier. And us old guys would never be able to keep up... which is why I have Johnny. Oh sure, some things have stayed the same. He still fights crime with his fists, never killing them. But instead, he travels from roof top to roof top. Luckily the rooftops in San Antigua are close enough for him to scale.
    I, however, work at home monitoring Johnny-boy, showing him the ropes and providing him with all the necessary back up and information on any case he's working on. That boy is a lot smarter than he seems though. Every gadget laced on the latex body suit was built and created by him. And he makes them out of scraps from the scrap yard I own. He calls it the Fat-City; which I don't appreciate.

    "I think I see them. Two men... a small one in a zoot-suit and a tall greaser. Nice jacket... is that the new Alberto-"
    "Pay attention Johnny! Now... is there anyone else there?" I yelled to keep him focused.
    "You tell me Pops! Press the red button next to the microphone switch" I could tell he was smirking and up to something.
    I pressed the button and one of the 3 TV screens lined up in front of me turned on and I could see everything he sees.
    "Amazing." I managed to get out as I watched Johnny check out his surrounding. I could see the two men- a skinny small one and a big burly one, but thats it. They looked like punks ready for justice.
    The two stood in a darker corner near the walls of the loading docks in the industrial area of San Antigua. Why do the punks always try and pull stuff there?
    "Dagnabit. I wish I could see what they were saying..." I said aloud to myself. I waited for Johnny to say something but there was no response. "Johnny. ...Johnny? Hey kiddo, are you okay?" My voice worried.
    "...see that knob Pops? The one with the numbers, next to the red button? Turn it and see what happens." He replied finally.
    As I turned it, the camera zoomed in close enough to see the mouths of the men. It was so clear, like I was actually there. I began to read their lips- a trick I picked up from Snakeman.
    "Laser... doom... intranet? What the hell is that?" I spoke aloud again in hopes Johnny-boy would have an idea.
    "No clue Pops. Sounds Russian. Intranet! Da!" Johnny put on a fake Russian accent. It was horrible.
    "Listen kid. If I wanted a comedy act, I would have asked Ray Bolger." I lazed the words around, trying to conceal it enough for him to hear it.
    "Who? Nevermind. I think I'll go in closer to get a better look." I could see him creep closer.
    "WAIT! We don't even know who we're dealing with yet! It could be the Invisibleman! Or worse-"
    "Or worse! Your ex-wife's mother!" Johnny's quick wit stabbed like a knife.
    "Good one wisenheimer. Who even said I was married?" My hand hit my forehead in stress.
    "Lets just say, sometimes I still do my work when I'm not in suit." I could tell he was smiling even though I couldn't see his face. I could do without his wit. Maybe then he would pay more attention... like to the automobile that just arrived...
    "Whats that?" I tried to get Johnny's attention one more time.
    A truck approached the two men and stopped with the hatch toward them. They exchanged a suitcase- the zoot giving it to the greaser, and then a handshake. "Go." I said. Its his time for the action.

    "Hey Pops! Now you can watch me put a wet rag on the two. When I say so... press the green button." Johnny attached something to the top of the roof where he stood and then jumped down. "Okay! Let a rip!" I pressed the button and the second TV screen turned on, revealing a security-like-camera pointed below at Johnny and the other fellers.
    The two men obviously noticing Johnny's loud entrance, became alert. Between the two TV screens, I could see Johnny's point of view and another angle. I was impressed. The definition of the screens was impeccable. It was almost like I could see every fibre on each of their suits. The Hero suit Johnny wore sparkled in the dim light- its black slender form fitting efficiency worth the chaffing. It really did help you move quicker, believe you me.
    "What's Buzzin' Cousin?" He joked.
    "Who's this goof supposed to be?" The zoot said.
    "If you don't know, then its too late to know." Johnny's confidence overtaking.
    He ran toward the zoot, grabbing his lapel and throwing him at the Greaser. I couldn't figure out which screen to focus on.
    "Oh, this daddy-o thinks he can play with the big boys!" The greaser laughed. He pulled out a gun and my heart immediately jumped out. But before he could even point it at Johnny; Johnny already had his hand on the greasers arm. He bent it backwards breaking it on instance and then used the greaser's size to throw him against the truck. The truck driver jumped out and ran for it.
    "Don't bother catching him. Just finish these bozos off. And for goodness sakes, be careful!" I commanded. It was pertinent that he find out what was in the truck.
    The Zoot regained his composure and started taking swings at Johnny. Johnny, dodged them like a professional boxer, maybe even better.

    "What're you... worried Pops? Did that gun get you cranked?" He laughed; still dodging the punches that the Zoot tried to throw. The Zoot kicked and Johnny grabbed his leg with ease. "Press the brown button. Cast an eyeball on this." He swung the Zoot into a wall, winding him instantly.
    I hesitantly pressed the button, a little concerned. On the third and final screen appeared numbers and a picture of the male anatomy, with the heart more apparent.
    "What is this? A bomb?" My head started spinning a bit.
    "Cool it Pops! Its a heart monitor. See how relaxed the heart is beating? I'm not even worried!" He laughed at me.
    "I can't concentrate with it beating like that. How do I turn it off?" The noise made my head spin even more.
    "Press the button again. You old fuddy-duddy." Johnny sighed, while walking toward the Zoot.
    "What in Sam-Hill is a fuddy-duddy? Is that a swear?" I watched him pick up the Zoot and then slap him to get his attention.
    "Wh-Who are you?" The Zoot managed to get out.
    "I'm The Denizen. Remember it. Now tell me. Whats this about a laser?" The Denizen personality took over.
    "...I don't know... I just got the information from that guy over there. I don't even know his name!" The fear in his eyes was real. I could tell from the first screen.
    "Well what's in the truck?" The Denizen became serious.
    "I don't know! I swear!" The Zoot was almost crying. I sat forward, enjoying the show.
    "Then you won't mind if I check it out." The Denizen threw the Zoot and he landed next to the incapacitated Greaser who was screaming and cursing in agony, against the wall.
    "Hey Johnny-"
    "Be careful, I know... cut the gas Pops! You've said it a million times! I got it already!" He interrupted, flinging his hands in agony.

    The Denizen approached the back of the moving truck and tried lifting the hatch door. It was locked. I watched as he dug through his utility belt for a gadget. He pulled out a metal pick and stuck it in the lock of the hatch. He played around a little until a click was heard and the door flung open.

    "What the hell?"
    "Watch your language boy. Thats criminal talk" I scolded him for his bad word.
    "Are you seeing this? There's nothing inside! Let me get a closer look." He climbed inside and started looking around.
    "Do you see anything?"
    "No... completely clean."
    "The second Television is getting all screwy. Whats wrong?" The screen began to fuzz and get snowy.
    "I don't know, I'll check outside." The Denizen said, looking around a bit more.
    Suddenly, both screens cut out and I couldn't see a thing. It was completely black on both.
    "Johnny, are you still there? JOHNNY?" But there was no response. I pressed every button on the control panel, but nothing seemed to get it back. The only thing that worked, was the screen that showed his heart rate. It was beating erratically, but it was beating. All contact with him was lost and all I could do was wait.

    1 hour.

    2 hours.

    3 hours.

    And then the first Television screen kicked in. His head was down and I could see blood dripping. He seemed to be sitting, from what I could tell, because his lap was in full view. I couldn't hear anything, but at least I could see. It was a little shaky, but still clear as a whistle.
    "Come on Johnny boy... wake up." I said under my breath. His head cocked a bit. He could hear me.
    I watched as he looked around. The room was completely empty except for a door and the light above him like a spotlight. He was as clueless to where he was, as I. As he looked to the sides, I saw that his arms were tied behind his back and his ankles seemed to be tied to the chair legs.
    "I don't know where you are! Do you have any idea?" I spoke to him. "Shake your head, because I can't hear a thing!" He shook his head no.
    Soon he started to fiddle around and then I heard a crackle. He somehow fixed the microphone in his suit. God bless that kid. He still seemed a bit disoriented and his head bobbed a bit up and down. He was still bleeding. Then his head jerked up. I could hear the clicking of shoes and which grew louder and louder. It seemed like another hour went by; waiting for the sound to stop, until...

    The door opened.
    But nothing.

    No one appeared. Or so we thought.
    "So this is the kid. The one who seemed to be talking to himself. The kids these days. They're going Ape I tell ya!" I heard it, but I saw nothing.
    "The invisible man" Johnny whispered. He was right.
    "Whats that? Invisible man? Oh! So you know who I am!" His voice echoed in the empty room, bouncing off the wall. Johnny's heart rate went a little higher.
    "Well... Mr. Denizen, is it? You are nothing. Completely nothing. You are a minuscule ankle-biter, who stuck his nose in the wrong smell." I could hear his heels moving again, but I didn't know where.
    Out of nowhere, a clap was heard, Johnny's head swung to the left. The invisible man seemed to have punched him.
    "Hang in there Johnny." I said, reassuring him. His heart rate went up a bit.

    "I'm assuming you heard about the laser and the intranet?" The man said, which seemed to sound from the left.
    "Isn't it cliche to say your master plan?" Johnny spoke for once.
    "Quiet Johnny. Don't get him angry." I hissed sharply.
    "Oh no, my friend. This is anything but my masterplan. You see Johnny. The intranet is like a telephone. You can connect with people from far away. Except this uses satellites."
    "Satellites?" Both Johnny and I spoke at the same time.
    "Yes. You see... the Reds already put one in the sky... for 10 years now. But not without the help of the rest of the colors, white and blue."
    "WHAT ARE YOU SQUAWKING ABOUT?" Johnny yelled, shuffling the chair.
    "Don't you get it? We're invisible! We STOLE it from you guys!" The invisible man laughed.
    "We? Why did he say we?" I asked Johnny, hoping for an answer. He seemed to be preoccupied with something else. He was fidgeting.
    "And now that we have a satellite in space... we can watch nothings like you... try and stop people like me." His footsteps stopped. "Or that old codger thats talking to you now."
    Johnny's heart raised.
    "Thats right Mr. Denizen, the first! I know you're there. I've been watching you in your junk heap for weeks now. I know exactly where you are and I know you can see me... or rather... can't." His laugh shuttered through my bones.

    "Sir! He's trying to escape!" Another voice was heard. Johnny had been using the chicken wire laced in his gloves, to cut through the rope that held him tight. Luckily he was able to cut it.
    "Wait to go Johnny boy! Now get out of there-" I spoke.
    But it was too late.
    Someone seemed to be grabbing him. I could hear him choking. His heart rate started jump higher and higher. I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. How could he fight someone he couldn't see? He couldn't. And then his head snapped to the side and his heart stopped.
    "I'll be watching you. Denizen one." I heard, as a floating piece of paper and pen moved together and then was placed in front of the camera. It was an address.
    "This is where his body will be. Later Gator." The door opened and then the heels walked out, until they were gone.
    I stood in awe, on the brink of tears. But I never cried. Blood soon soaked the paper until it curled up and fell. The address was inscribed in my head, so it didn't matter.

    ---

    I arrived at the warehouse where his body was. I opened the door, only to find the corpse; drowned in blood. "Too soon." I whispered, tears filling my eyes.
    I grabbed his mask and stripped him of his suit. No one could know his identity. He was born and he died the same. Naked. It was sort of beautiful, in a horrible way. "You just weren't cut out for this kid. Sorry."

    ---

    "Here lies Johnny Feldman; Friend, Son... a great person" The priest repeated.

    He was more than a great person. He was a hero.
    I stood back from the funeral, as his parents cried and wailed. For all I know, his murder could be there and I wouldn't even have known.

    And as they buried him, I left. I couldn't stand another funeral.

    ---

    I got to the scrap yard, only to find that I left the TVs on. Since Johnny's death, I've just been using them to watch corny programs. All I could hear was the laughter of people from the comedic acting of the Lucy-Desi Comedy hour. Ricky Ricardo had been talking about a new restaurant, called the 'Fat City'. Lucy Ricardo, his wife, made a comment about it and he said that 'Fat City is slang for a great place'. I could only laugh.

    I burned his suit and trashed all of his gadgets. I picked up the mask and brought it to a locked drawer. Taking out the key, I unlocked it and threw it with the rest of the masks of deceased Denizens.

    I guess the world can only handle one Denizen. And the rest just die in vain. Johnny... Marcus, Darren, Roger... Eileen, AKA The Denizette. May you all rest in peace.

    I burned down the drawer and turned out the lights of 'Fat City' forever.

    It should have been me.