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#4

“It's Been A Hard Day's Knight”

by David Marshall

 

I'd never been inside his mansion before. I have to admit I was a little overwhelmed. I've always been a suburbs girl. The JSA Brownstone was the only mansion I'd ever visited, and it was more our headquarters than a home. Sure, we all kept quarters there in case of emergency, but few of us lived there full-time. But this? It was magnificent and all for one person? Who says crime doesn't pay?

I took a deep, deep breath and rang the doorbell. I waited for what seemed like forever before he finally showed up and opened the door. I half-expected a servant like Lurch from the Addams Family to welcome me, but he took the menial task upon himself.

“Please come in, my dear. It's a pleasure to have you in my home,” he said. “May I take your raincoat?”

I handed my yellow vinyl coat to my host and smiled. “Yes, thank you.”

“Such a pity this weather,” he said, as he hung my coat on a black rack topped with silver hooks. “Unseasonably wet for this time of year. You should wear rubbers as well.”

He went on about the weather but I heard little of what he said. I was on sensory overload. What a magnificent home! First there was the decor - like stepping back into time. Think Anne Rice only more opulent and Old World, if such a thing is possible. Just as interesting were the smells. In the foyer, the scent of leather furniture mixed with the unmistakable aroma of a home cleaned with vinegar and water. As I ventured further into the home, cinnamon and vanilla snared my nose's attention. I made a fuss over the fine details of the home as he gave me the penny tour, but mainly I was looking for him .

My host retrieved a gold watch from his pocket and flipped it open. “Promptness was never his strong suit. But his father? You could set a watch by him.”

I was disappointed but knew he wouldn't let us down. He would show.

“I would offer you a glass of wine, but I'm afraid that's out of the question given your age,” said my host.

I smiled. “That's ok. I don't like alcohol. It burns my throat.”

He chuckled. “You say that as if it's a bad thing. I spoke with Ma Hunkle and she shared with me your fondness for a particular chocolate drink?”

“Yoo-hoo?” I asked.

“Yes, that's it,” he replied. “I took the liberty of purchasing some for you. May I get you one?”

I didn't have the heart to tell him that I preferred hot cocoa at that moment. “Sure, that would be wonderful.”

“Shall we move to the drawing room and wait for our friend?”

It wasn't really a question as much as it was a suggestion. I found myself following it before I even realized I was given no choice in the matter. I wish I had a villain with as much charisma. His sitting room was elegantly furnished. Like the rest of the home, it practically screamed Old World charm and bachelor at the same time. The only thing missing were trophies on the wall. I was surprised to see a small, television on a stand in the corner.

“You don't seem the television type,” I said.

His voice trailed off as he disappeared to the kitchen to get me the drink he promised. “It's an eyesore indeed, but useful for checking the day's news and weather.”

A local television guide was open on the coffee table and I noticed that he'd circled a program. I couldn't help but steal a peek. What would interest him so that he would circle it?

A biopic on London Vega? No way!

He returned with my drink. “I heard you had a run-in with the new Dragon Queen?”

I nodded. “We did.”

“We?” he asked.

“Yeah, we,” I said. “It started out with just me and then...”

The doorbell interrupted my story.

“Excuse me,” he said. “I believe that would be our friend.” He glided across the floor like a wraith and made his way to the foyer where I heard the door open.

Then I heard his distinct voice. “Shade! You old son of a gun! You look great! Is she here yet?”

“Indeed she is,” Shade answered.

I couldn't wait any longer. I practically ran to the foyer.

“Jack!” I hopped into his outstretched arms and gave him a big hug.

“My god, look at you! You're all grown up!” Jack shouted.

Another voice from outside interrupted our reunion. “Uh huh. Can it with the dirty old man fantasy.”

“Sadie too?” I asked.

Jack nodded.

Sadie walked in behind Jack. Little Theo was at her side and from the looks of her growing belly, another little Knight was on the way. I hugged her. “You look great!”

“The junk business is treating us well!” Sadie laughed as she kissed my cheek. No wonder Jack fell for her so hard. What a sweetheart.

Jack rolled his eyes. “I do hope that was junque with a q-u-e.”

“Oh absolutely, dear,” Sadie dead-panned. “Q-U-E. What else would I call the Pez dispenser we went twenty-five miles out of our way for? Nothing but q-u-e.”

“This side trip accounts for your lack of promptness?” Shade asked.

“It was an original 1960's Pez Candy Shooter Space Gun!” Jack pleaded. “I know a collector in San Fran who's looking for one!”

“Who are you?” Theo asked.

I bent down to his level. “I'm Courtney, a friend of your daddy's.”

“Not you, the funny-looking man,” Theo pointed at Shade.

Jack wrapped an arm around Shade's shoulders. “This is your Uncle Shade, Theo.”

“Uncle Shade?” Shade asked.

Jack nodded and squeezed Shade's shoulders tightly. “Yep. Good ol' Uncle Shade!”

The blind-sided look on Shade's face was priceless. “Yes, er, Uncle Shade it is then.”

It amazed me how a man that mustered the nerve to stand toe to toe with the Justice Society all those years ago could become so flustered by the innocence of a child.

“It's ok, Shade,” Sadie laughed. “He doesn't bite... much.”

Jack laughed.

“Shall we retire to the drawing room?” Shade asked.

We sat in the drawing room and caught up for a couple of hours before the television blared to life. Apparently Shade had the timer set. On the screen, London Vega climbed into a waiting limo - literally. The paparazzi and those of us at home were treated to quite the show. “London Vega - young, beautiful, and wealthy. Some say the party doesn't begin until London arrives. Others say she's out of control. What is the truth? In the next hour we'll.... CLICK!”

“That dreadful creature is everywhere!” Shade gasped. “I thought I had this thing set to the news!”

I couldn't help but laugh and think of the program circled in the TV Guide. “Problems programming the old VCR ?”

Shade flipped the channel. “This younger generation believes everyone is born knowing how to program a VCR !”

“Tivo,” said Jack. “VCRs were so last century.”

“I see,” Shade replied.

“.... Opal City where the Metal Men are battling a large robot at this very moment. The robot is believed to be controlled by forces loyal to the Society's General Immortus. More details as they become available. Back to you, Tom.”

“Why would anyone invade Opal with a giant robot?” Sadie asked.

“I was wondering the same thing.” Shade swished the wine in his glass in little circles then watched the drops trickle back into the glass.

“What are you doing?” I asked. “With your glass, I mean.”

Jack's eyes were glued to the television set. He shushed us down by waving his hand and answered my question. “He's checking the wine's legs. I'm trying to see this.”

“Sorry,” I answered. Sadie flashed me one of those he-does-this-all-the-time looks and smiled. It made me feel a lot better.

“I've heard enough,” said Jack. “We've got to get over there! The Metal Men are getting trashed!”

“Excuse me?” said Sadie. “We?”

Jack nodded. “Courtney and I.”

“And just how do you propose to help?” Sadie asked. “Shoot Pez at it?”

“He can use the Cosmic Rod,” I said. “I still have my Converter Belt. Besides, the rod's his anyway.”

“Now this is intriguing,” said Shade. “I thought you were done with being Starman?”

“I am,” said Jack. “But it's Opal. Nobody trashes my lady while I'm here.”

It amazed me just how much Jack loved Opal. Batman protected Gotham. Superman kept Metropolis safe. But Jack, he was one with Opal. They danced like old lovers. Sure he'd spent a few years in San Francisco but even when we talked on the phone and agreed to meet at Shade's place, the excitement in his voice about returning to Opal was unmistakable.

“Your lady?” Sadie asked with a raised brow.

“You know what I mean,” said Jack. “No matter where I go in this world, Opal is home. I'll defend her with my dying breath.”

Shade applauded. “Well said, Jack! A man after my own heart!”

“Honey, what about Theo and I?” Sadie asked. “What are we supposed to do?”

Jack reached for the Cosmic Rod as he spoke. The matter was obviously decided in his mind already. “You can stay here with Shade until we return.”

Sadie got up and kissed Jack on the cheek. “If you get killed, I'm going to kill you - and bring me back a Frosty Burger, a Big Frosty. I've missed those darn things. Hold the mustard.”

“Let's see if I still remember how to use this baby,” said Jack. He pressed the anti-gravity button and rose slowly into the air. A big smile spread across his face. “Just like old times!”

“Please use the front door,” said Shade. “These windows are dreadfully expensive. It would force me out of retirement to replace them.”

“Noted,” said Jack.

Once outside I looked at him. “Ready?”

Jack nodded. “Let's do this.”

We took to the skies. I have to admit I felt a little naked without the Cosmic Rod. I'd had it for so long, but if I could hand it over to anyone it was Jack. I was shocked when he gave it to me in the first place. Starman was his father's legacy and Jack did Ted proud before he died. They finally made peace with one another and he entrusted that legacy to me. I still treasure my place among those who've flown among the stars.

“I wish I had my goggles,” said Jack. “I hate the wind and rain blowing in my eyes.”

I laughed. “You going to whine or kick robot ass?”

“I liked you better when you were a kid,” said Jack. “At least then you had a reason to be a smart-ass.”

“I resemble that remark,” I replied.

“No, you don't,” said Jack. “I've seen you on the news during the recent Crisis. You did the Starman name proud. There hasn't been a single day gone by that I've regretting choosing you.”

I almost lost it right there. “Oh, stop it. You're going to make me cry.”

Jack smiled. “Now who's being whiny?”

“There it is!” I said.

The robot unleashed an energy beam of some sort from its eyes and blew up a mom and pop burger joint on the main drag in the downtown business section.

“Dammit! You did NOT just blow up the Frosty King!” Jack yelled. “I have a pregnant wife that's craving a Big Frosty and she won't take “Sorry honey the robot blew it up” for an excuse!”

He rushed ahead and unleashed a Cosmic Burst from the rod. The explosion rocked the robot but didn't knock it off its feet.

When I caught up I spied someone crawling from the smoking rubble of the burger joint. I rushed to see if they were ok. It was one of the Metal Men, Tin.

“Are you ok?” I asked. “Where's the rest of the Metal Men?”

“F-fine, thank y-y-you,” Tin stuttered. “I'm the only one l-l-left. This is one time I'm happy to s-s-see st-stars.”

I helped him to his feet. One leg was broken and I was about to comment on it but he reshaped it. I'm not sure how he did it though.

“Is Magnus around?” I asked.

Tin shook his head and tried to stammer a no.

“Let me guess the robot got him too?” I asked.

“Swatted th-the Aerial Car r-r-right out of the sky,” Tin answered. “I've been trying to reach him ever since, but he doesn't answer. I f-fear the w-worst.”

“Ok, so we're it,” I said. “Come on.”

I grabbed Tin and flew back to the battle. Thankfully as he reminded me several times, he was the only poor metal represented in the group and weighed much less than the other Metal Men. Ever meet someone who prattles on? The little guy could sure talk and was as nervous as they come.

I sat Tin down and rejoined Jack. “Tin's in the game. The rest of the Metal Men are either missing or dead - again.”

“Tin?” Jack asked as he rolled his eyes. “Great! The love child of Barney Fife and the Tin Woodsman has my back! Why couldn't it be Gold or Lead?”

“He's here,” I shot back. “Which is more than I can say for Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman!”

Jack blasted the robot with the Cosmic Rod. “Just saying. That's all.”

“Sorry,” I apologized. “Didn't mean to get so pissy. Let's see if the old shooting stars can't penetrate its hull.”

I flew into position before the robot and unleashed a torrent of my shooting stars. I've never quite understood how they work, but they always seem to do what I want them to. I've willed them to be everything from a nuisance to a deadly weapon that could cut through the armor of a tank. The stars sunk up in the robot's metallic armor but didn't seem to phase it.

“What do you want me to do?” Tin yelled from the ground.

For some reason his voice caught the robot's attention more than anything we threw at it. It raised a foot high in the air over Tin's head.

“Tin! Look out!” I cried.

The robot crushed Tin into the ground and turned back to us. It plodded toward us and unleashed lasers from its eyes.

“Split up!” Jack yelled. “It can only go after one of us!”

Sounded like a good idea at the time. Unfortunately, it came after me. A panel opened on its chest and released a missile. I managed to dodge its first beeline for me but it turned like it had a mind of its own and came back for me. Luckily, Jack had my back and disintegrated it.

“Thanks,” I yelled. “I'm going to check on Tin.”

I wasn't sure what to expect when I landed by the crater formed by the robot's foot in the middle of the street. What I found surprised me. Tin was crawling out of the crater. I landed by him once more. “You ok?”

He shook his head like he was clearing cobwebs. “He st-stepped on m-me. Again.”

Unsure of what else to do or say, I nodded. “I'm surprised you're in one piece.”

“I'm the most m-malleable of the M-Metal Men,” Tin explained. “I flattened myself to such a low d-density that I was mostly unharmed by the r-robot's assault.”

Jack landed beside me. “I have an idea!”

The three of us huddled for a brief moment and listened as Jack shared his idea. It was crazy but it could work.

I took to the skies with Tin in my arms. Once we were high over the robot's head, I dropped him. He plunged toward the robot like a skydiver but slowed his descent by forming himself into a tin version of a paper airplane. He guided himself toward the robot and landed on its back. He stretched his legs into thin wires and wrapped them around the robot's torso.

I did my part by first distracting the robot with my shooting stars in front of its face. Tin assured us there was no one inside operating it according to Magnus. So it really couldn't be blinded by my stars, but my attack did exactly what it was supposed to do. It distracted the robot long enough for Jack to shoot the ground from beneath its feet.

It was enough to make the robot stumble and slowed its advance. I saw the beauty of Jack's strategy. It assured that when the robot fell it would fall back into the already devastated ruins it left behind rather than damage more property and endanger more lives.

I moved on to the second phase of my instructions. I blasted the outside shell off a transformer that sat on the Frosty Burger's lot. Electricity danced all over the exposed wires.

“Now, Tin!” Jack cried.

The Metal Man known as Tin formed his arms into twin lassoes and wrangled the exposed wires.

The impact was immediate. The robot's limbs and head ceased to function in coordinated fashion. Each arm and leg spun wildly in their respective sockets. Its head blew off. In a matter of seconds the decapitated robot fell to the earth.

The authorities rushed to the scene and took over the situation. They were absolutely giddy to see Jack.

“Hey, Starman! You back in Opal?” a fireman called.

“I don't know,” Jack answered. “Maybe.”

“I sure hope so,” the fireman replied. “The Old Girl's been lonely without her Starman!”

“Old girl?” I asked.

“He means Opal,” Jack explained.

The proper authorities finally cut the electrical power to the transformer and Tin was able to release his hold on it. We rushed to his side.

“You okay little fella?” Jack asked.

“I'm f-fine,” Tin stammered. “Look at that! W-we did it!”

“We sure did!” I replied. “Jack? How did you know the electricity wouldn't kill Tin?”

“Solder,” Jack replied.

“What?” I asked.

“Solder,” Jack answered. “Like that used in joining metals together. Classic solder used in old bakelite radios and the first televisions were sixty percent tin and forty percent lead. It gets its conductivity from the tin in the alloy, as Lead is useless as a conductor.”

“D-don't let him hear you say that,” Tin warned. “He doesn't t-take criticism well.”

“I still don't get it,” I said.

“As a collector, I've repaired hundreds of radios and tv sets through the years. I've seen bad solder jobs, but never a joint burnt out from overuse,” Jack explained. “The real trick was getting the big sardine can into position to bring it together.”

“So when he blasted the burger dive to bits...”

“Blasphemer!” Jack said. “To call the Frosty Burger a dive is like calling Superman just another hero.”

“I wouldn't go that far,” I answered. “If he's such a great hero where the hell has he been?”

Jack shrugged. “Who knows? We can't judge though. You and I have no idea what he's been through since the Crisis and if he never does another thing for Earth, he'll still be a hero in my book.

Thankfully the rains ceased while we aided in the cleanup. We found Magnus and the rest of the Metal Men. Magnus was alive but his other Metal Men didn't fare as well as Tin. He assured us he could rebuild them before they loaded him in an ambulance. He didn't seem too badly hurt but the authorities wanted him checked as a precaution. Of course Tin fell to pieces at the sight of Magnus in an ambulance. We escorted him to the hospital where he reunited with Magnus. The four of us exchanged pleasantries before Jack and I took to the skies once more.

Neither of us said anything for awhile. We could have landed at anytime but Jack kept sweeping through the city like he was on patrol. Even when the rains started to fall again, we flew over Opal's spires and towers. He raced out in front of me and clutched the Cosmic Rod with both hands.

The Cosmic Converter belt strained to catch up with him, but I managed. He wasn't aware that I had caught him. That's when I saw it.

Jack's eyes were closed and he was smiling. He flew blind for awhile before opening his eyes and saw that I'd caught up with him. “Thank you.”

“For what?” I said.

“For today,” Jack replied. “I forgot what a rush it was to fly. I still dream about it sometimes, the wind rushing through my air and the city marching along below like ants at a picnic.”

“No worries,” I lied. What if he wanted the Cosmic Rod back? My shooting stars were nothing to sneeze at, but I'd grown accustomed to the Rod's added firepower.

“We'd better get back,” said Jack. “Sadie will be worried and there's something that's been on my mind.”

My heart sank. He wanted the Rod back. What was I supposed to say? I know this is your father's legacy but you bestowed it on me and there's no way in hell you're getting it back? I sighed. If Jack wanted it back, I'd give it to him but it would hurt like hell.

We landed at Shade's mansion and knocked. It just seemed like the thing to do.

Sadie answered the door and threw her arms around Jack's neck. “Oh thank God you're back!”

“Relax honey, it was just an old robot,” said Jack. “Nothing we couldn't handle.”

Sadie released her hold on Jack. “You're wet!”

“It's raining,” Jack answered. “Mind if we come in?”

Sadie stepped aside and allowed us to enter the mansion. We followed her to the drawing room where Shade was waiting.

“Well played!” Shade cried. “We saw it on the news. Have a seat.”

“Thanks,” said Jack. “But we're wet.”

Shade laughed. “A little water won't hurt this old furniture and if it does, I'll simply replace it.”

“Replace it?” I asked. “It looks antique.”

“Antiquity means little to an immortal,” Shade replied. “Besides, it's just a little walk through my garden and down the street and I can have another one delivered in a few day's time.”

The comment puzzled me but I left it alone. We sat down.

“There's something on my mind,” said Jack. “But I don't know how everyone will feel about it.”

I stood back up. “Look, Jack. I know what you're going to say and it's okay. You can have it back.”

Sadie shook her head. “Oh no he can't.”

“He gave it to me,” I replied. “How can I not give it back if he wants it?”

“Perhaps you ladies should let Jack continue,” said Shade.

“Thank you,” said Jack. “I have no idea where the two of you got the idea that I wanted to be Starman again.”

“But you were so happy up there,” I said.

Jack nodded. “Yeah, I was. It was fun. Mom once took me and Davy to Coney Island. We begged to ride the wooden coaster and finally she said yes. It was amazing! We rode several more times before Davy was ready to see something else, but I wanted to stay and ride the coaster. After one of my tantrums, Mom finally relented and she and Davy left me there. I rode that damn thing until I could close my eyes and know what was coming next.”

“This is another one of those stories that seem to go nowhere, but has a deeper meaning isn't it?” Sadie asked.

Jack nodded. “The point is that although I had a blast, I missed out on everything Mom and Davy did. I listened to them talking on the way home and became angry because I felt cheated. It's kinda the same thing. I've ridden the Starman coaster. It was the second greatest joy I've ever known, behind being a husband and a father.” He brushed one hand through Theo's hair and took Sadie's hand with the other. “I want to see the rest of the park with my family.”

I felt foolish and sunk into my seat.

The smile on Sadie's face and the loving way she squeezed his hand said more than any big, mushy scene ever could.

“So what's on your mind?” I asked.

We were perplexed as Jack left the room and walked out the front door. We heard a car door slam and he soon rejoined us.

“When I handed you the Starman legacy, I kept a part of it for myself. Just in case,” Jack explained. “But I realized today that I'm ready to let go. I want you to have this.”

He reached a small black box to me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“A motherbox!” said Shade.

“Partially correct,” Jack answered. “It's a motherbox, but its programming is unique. He activated the box. It took our breaths away when Ted Knight stood before us.

Ted smiled. “Don't look so shocked. You act as if you've seen a ghost.”

“Jack what is this?” Sadie asked.

“It's Dad,” Jack replied. “Kind of.”

“Jack is sparse on words as always,” said Ted. “He means that I'm a holographic representation of all Ted Knight's collected thoughts and memories.”

“Fascinating!” Shade exclaimed.

“Spooky,” said Sadie.

“Jack are you sure you want me to have this?” I asked. “It's your father.”

Jack shook his head. “No, Courtney. It's not.” He pointed to his heart. “He's in here. Ted's right. He's a holographic representation of my Dad. The true Starman legacy is chronicled in his programming.”

“Where did you get this?” Shade asked.

“Dad made it for me when Mikaal and I went into space to look for Will,” Jack answered. “I thought it would help Courtney. Dad is the expert on the Cosmic Rod and all his other weird science projects. But mainly I wanted her to be able to chronicle the further adventures of the Starman legacy, if that's important to her.”

I was almost too shocked to say anything. Finally I was able to mumble, “Of course it's important to me, Jack. I don't know what to say.”

“Try thank you, young lady,” said Ted.

“Thank you,” I replied. “But are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” said Jack.

“Wouldn't this be a great way for your children to know their grandfather?” Shade asked.

Jack shook his head. “No, only I can do that. Despite our differences, I learned so much from him. Passing those things on to Theo and our little one stewing in the oven is the best way I know to teach them who their grandfather was.”

“So I'm dead?” Ted asked.

Jack dropped his head. “Yeah.”

Ted pondered the implications for a moment. “Hmm... that's inconvenient.”

“You went out a hero,” said Shade. “Playing Starman.”

“You saved Opal,” said Jack.

A wry smile brightened Ted's tired face. “Good.”

“So you'll accept my gift?” Jack asked me.

Like I would say no to such gift. “Are you nuts? Of course I'll accept it.”

“Perhaps we can finish the theory I was working on concerning the gravitational field of brown dwarf stars and time travel. I postulate that it's possible for human beings to circumvent the...”

CLICK!

Ted disappeared.

“Unlike my real old man, this one comes equipped with an off button for when he starts to get wordy,” Jack laughed.

“Perhaps he would label that too as an inconvenience,” says Shade.

Jack chuckled. “Yeah, he probably would.”