The Vigilante
February 3rd, 2021
Starring: Deidre (female, 70-85), Comic Man (male, 25-35)
A small comic shop, empty. Comic Man sits behind the counter, reading a comic, eating a plum in a paper towel. A bell sound tings as Deidre opens the door. Comic Guy puts down his plum and smiles at Deidre. Deidre nods back. She goes from crate to crate and shelf to shelf, picking out comics. She’s assured, on a mission. Comic Man watches:
COMIC MAN
Can I help you find anything?
DEIDRE
No. Just researching.
…
COMIC MAN
O-kay.
Deidre has now unearthed a hefty stack, and sets them at the register. Comic Man starts to scan the titles:
COMIC MAN
Punisher, Moon Knight, Catwoman, Elektra, Deadpool, Watchmen, some pretty out there Batman.
Nice haul.
Your grandson pick these?
DIEDRE
I don’t have kids.
COMIC GUY
Oh. I just know the vigilantes are super in with the younger crowds.
Very ambiguous and violent, you know?
DIEDRE
I can resonate.
COMIC MAN
You can?
DIEDRE
Deeply.
COMIC MAN
You know they kill people—?
DIEDRE
They don’t compromise.
…
…
Someone tried to scam me last week.
COMIC MAN
Jeez. Uh...who?
DIEDRE
I’m tracking them down.
But whoever they are, they assumed I was weak. They assumed they could prey on me, and I’d roll right over. I would give in because I was old.
She points down to the comics:
DIEDRE
But them? They give in to noone. They take it in their own hands. Get bloody, if they have to.
Sounds pretty heroic to me.
COMIC MAN
...what are you gonna do to the scammer?
DIEDRE
Nothing yet.
As I said. Research.
...
COMIC MAN
Well I hope you um...bring forth justice...
...
Did you want a bag?
Deidre instead hands him a 50 dollar bill, picks up the whole comic stack at once, and walks out. The bell tings.
COMIC GUY (calling out)
Have a nice day…!