Entertainment: Dinner, maybe a show of some sort. Every once in a while, a hard-working superhero needs a little time to relax. So get a baby-sitter, Jack, and tell the wife to put on something nice; you're going out. The only thing that could ruin the fun would be a super-villain or something.

Chapter 1: Date Night

6:00PM Saturday
TrumpGates Plaza Hotel, NYC
Penthouse Suite

"A magic show?" repeated Sarah for the tenth time that evening.

"Yes, a magic show," repeated Jack for the tenth time that evening.

"Isn't it universally accepted that magic shows are, well... cheesy, at least for everyone over twelve?"

"Are you accusing me of being cheesy?"

"I wouldn't really call it an accusation. 'Identification' would be more accurate."

"Wasn't there something in the marriage vows about love honor and *respect*?"

"I was pretty drunk that night and cannot be held accountable for any promises I may or may not have made."

"This show is very popular. All the big rollers are going."

"So why are we going?"

"Look around, sweetheart," Jack said, indicating the room around them.

"We're in the TrumpGates Penthouse Suite, in New York City. We're rich now."

"I wonder how many of these 'big rollers' got rich by stealing it?"

"Most of them are captains of industry, so I'd have to say virtually all of them."

"You know, being a corporate spy has turned you into a cynic."

"Mommy look pretty," chimed in Lori as she hopped up on the bed.

"And Daddy?" Jack asked.

There was a moment of silence.

"Mommy gots a pretty necklace," Lori continued.

"And *Daddy*?"

Again there was silence.

"It's *has* sweetheart, not gots," Sarah said, breaking the silence.

"Can I come with you?"

Jack and Sarah looked at each other with apprehension. This was the first time they were going to leave her alone since she was retrieved from Ross-Tech.

"No, honey, Mommy and Daddy are going out to dinner one last time before the baby comes," said Sarah, while laying a hand on her nearly nine-month bulge.

"A special young lady is coming to watch you. She's got superpowers and works with Guy Gardner. You know, Guy Gardner, like your Warrior doll."

Lori thought for a moment.

"I go get my Star doll," she chimed, and them padded off to her room.

"Jack, you know this is the first time we've left her alone since Ross-Tech."

"I know."

"Even though she seems to have slept through most of it, I still worry about what effect it might have had on her."

"I know."

"I'm worried there may be some separation anxiety."

"For her or us?"

"Yes."

"There's also the fact," Sarah continued, "that we're letting someone who works at your favorite bar watch our daughter."

"That bar is Warrior's, which makes a fine cappuccino, I might add. Guy Gardner himself speaks highly of Jean."

*Someone is at the door* chimed the doorbell.

"That's probably Don and his date," Jack replied.

"His date. I can't wait to meet this one."

"Be nice."

"I wonder what her name is, Bambi, Candy, or maybe Candi with an 'I'?"

"I said be nice," Jack chided as he answered the door.

"Hi ya, Jack; pleasure as always, Sarah," Don greeted. "This is my date, Kami."

"With an 'i'?" Sarah asked.

"How did you know?" questioned Don's date.

"Do you mind if I use the john? I gotta pee," Kami asked.

"Down the hall to the left."

"Thanks a million, sweetheart."

"She's a find," Jack whispered to Don as Kami walked down the hall.

"How long has she been a stripper?" Sarah asked.

"She's only doing it to put herself through nursing school."

Jack and Sarah raised their eyebrows at Don.

"Well, at least she was wearing a nurse's uniform the night I met her," commented a grinning Don.

"The superhero is here! The superhero is here!" Lori cried.

"Sure is!" Don replied.

Lori came running into the room. Her smile quickly faded when she saw Don. "Hi, Uncle Don," the dejected youth lamented.

"What, don't I rate?"

*Someone is at the door* chimed the doorbell.

"It's her!" cried Lori with newfound excitement.

Jack opened the door again.

"Hi, Mr. Eisner. I hope I'm not late," Jean Lawrence commented. Jack noted her use of the fake name, just as he had asked Guy.

"Not at all."

"Where's your costume?" Lori asked.

Jean smiled at Jack, and leaned down to Lori.

"I don't really have one."

"Daddy don't gots one either. Just a dumb coat."

"Lori, what did I tell you about using names?" Sarah chided.

"Yeah, especially about my coat," Jack added.

"Especially about daddy's coat," Sarah added. "You know how sensitive Daddy is."

"Here is Jack's PAD code, if you need to call us, and there's plenty of food in the fridge. Lori has already eaten, but she can have some dessert."

Kami rejoined the group.

"Well, hunk, did I make myself beautiful?" she asked Don.

"I think the plastic surgeon gets credit for that," Sarah mumbled. Jack gently nudged her in the ribs.

"Bye bye, sweetheart; you behave yourself with Jean," Sarah said as she leaned down to give her daughter a kiss and hug.

"Yeah, don't be too much trouble, squirt," Jack added as he did the same.

"Daddy, you smell nice. Now," Lori said into his ear.

"Why thank you, I think."

"I mean later, the smoke will make you smell stinky."

"We'll try to sit away from the smoke, sweetheart," her mother assured her.

Lori tugged on her father's dinner jacket.

"Daddy, the smoke is bad; you should push it away."

"Okay, sweetie, Daddy will keep away from the smoke," he said as he patted her on the head.

"Shall we begin our date?" Don asked, offering an arm to Kami.

Chapter 2: Five Minutes Mr. The Showman

The Dressing Room of The Showman

A man in a tuxedo, complete with top hat and tails, gazed at his greatest fan: His own reflection in a mirror. He smiled and began a rehearsed monologue.

"Destiny. Tonight is my date with destiny. After years of honing my skills, it comes to tonight. Some would have been happy, displaying my fantastic skills to the masses for their offerings of silver. Once that was all I hoped for, back when I was but a simple trickster."

His gaze turned to several news printouts he kept taped to his mirror for inspiration.

'Profoundly Untalented,' read one review.

'Please! Make yourself disappear!' read another.

'I would have written this review of the Showman's Magical Extravaganza sooner, but I had to wait until I stopped vomiting uncontrollably,' said the worst of them.

"Yes, back then I would have given anything for their applause. That was before my abilities began to manifest themselves. Bit by bit, my tricks improved. Until the day I realized it was no trick at all. My amazing powers finally launched my career to where it had belonged all along."

He looked to the set of printouts on the other side of his mirror.

'How did he do that?' touted one.

'Once you get past the amazingly derivative facade, you'll ask yourself, How did he do that!' read another.

'How the HELL did he do that!' read the last.

"I now tire of amusing the masses. The masses who once shunned me, and now offer me their precious gold for a paltry display of my power. Do I spend my life as little more than a performing chimpanzee for the amusement of the idle rich? No, my power was meant to achieve more. But what? Do I join Justice, and his League. Pish-posh, what care I for gaudy heroics? No, my
power was meant for something better."

"Five minutes, Mr. Showman," came a voice from the door.

"That's THE Showman," he corrected. "But what to do? I do so enjoy the idle rich's gold and silver. But why bother with the show?"

He removed a PAD from his coat. He activated a remote camera in a warehouse he had been stocking for months. The room was bristling withfirepower, mostly ancient-looking cannons with modern controls. Many of the weapons sat in chambers that had small vents on the bottom. The Showman pressed a button on his pad, and the vents began to emit smoke. Soon the
weapons were bathed in smoke.

"Why not take it?"

"You're on in three minutes, Mr. THE Showman," yelled the voice again.

Chapter 3: Showtime

Tippet's Night Club and Showroom

The maitre'de showed Jack, Sarah, Don, and Kami to their table.

"Damn, Don, with all the money you got, you think you coulda gotten better seats," Kami complained.

"These seats are fine, sweetheart, and besides, everyone here is major player. I heard Tim Drake was here a couple of weeks ago. We were lucky to get seats at all."

"Well, at least the restaurant was first-class. Those were the best champagne cocktails I ever had," Kami said.

"All ten of them," Sarah mumbled under her breath.

"Hey, just the best for my Kami," Don beamed.

Kami leaned back, allowing Don an excellent view of her body, which was well displayed in her tight, low-cut, and short black dress.

"And just the best for you, too, babe," she retorted, obviously indicating herself.

"No offense to you, honey," she said to Sarah. "I bet after the baby you lose all that extra weight."

Sarah smiled politely at Don's special friend.

Kami looked over at Jack, who sat to the other side of her.

"So, Don tells me you're a super-hero, and rich, too," Kami blurted out.

"Way to keep up the secret identity thing, Don."

"Oh, come on, Jack, glasses and an unnoticeable dye job? You don't have the secret identity mojo going at all."

"Don't worry, baby, I'm very good at keeping secrets," Kami remarked to Jack with a wink.

"Gosh, when is that show going to begin?" a nervous Jack asked.

Fate was kind to Jack, and the room's lights began to dim. A spotlight came on, and shone on an emcee at the center of the stage.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Tippet's Nightclub and Showroom is happy to present the magic of... The Showman!"

The audience clapped as the emcee backed away and the curtains opened.

The clapping died down as the audience realized the stage was empty. A smoke bomb at center stage exploded. As the smoke dissipated, a man, or more accurately a walking stereotype, was revealed. The man was of medium height, but his top hat made him appear much taller. His tuxedo was obviously of inferior quality, and it wasn't immediately obvious if his goatee was real,
or painted on. The clapping resumed.

"Mesdames et Messieurs; meine Damen und Herren; Signore e Signori; Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to The Showman's Magic Extravaganza. Prepare to be perplexed by a phenomenal display of prestidigitation."

"My God," Jack whispered to Sarah, "there are super-villains less clichéd than this guy."

The Showman threw a smoke bomb to the ground and snatched a cane from the billowing smoke. He looked around the audience, and threw a smoke bomb in front of a large man to his left in the front row. He threw another in front of a thin young woman to his right. Soon both audience members were enveloped in smoke. When the smoke cleared, the audience members had switched places. The audience, including Jack and Sarah, applauded.

"Now you two better check your underwear; sometimes they get switched with that trick."

The audience laughed.

"I wouldn't have that problem," Kami whispered to Jack. "I don't wear underwear," she finished as she put her hand on his knee.

"For God sakes, my wife is right here," he whispered back.

"That's okay, I've done menage a threes before," she added.

Jack considered hitting her with a mental reset, but declined based on the lack of material he had to work with.

"Now if I may have a volunteer from the audience?" The Showman requested. Denton Forbes, a well-known billionaire publisher and former senator, was chosen from the many who raised their hands.

"Ah, Senator Forbes, you'll be perfect. Please step up to the stage."

The former senator happily did as asked, smiling like a school boy.

"Are you exited, Mr. Forbes?"

"Yes, I love magic."

"I bet you do. Now, hold still."

The Showman threw another smoke bomb between himself and the senator. When the smoke cleared, a large, old-fashioned-looking cannon had materialized between The Showman and Senator Forbes, pointing at the surprised man. The modernized controls were in The Showman's hands. "Now, my good senator," The Showman said as he threw the Senator a PAD he
removed from his cape, "if you would be so kind as to transfer one billion credits from your accounts to the secret account indicated on the PAD, I will refrain from shooting you with my very large cannon."

The audience gasped.

"Is this some sort of joke?" the former senator questioned.

"I can assure you I am deadly serious."

With his free hand, the showman threw seven more smoke bombs into the audience. Four of them revealed other cannons pointed at the audience, and the other three revealed slightly more modern bombs.

"I can also assure you I command all these weapons from this controller."

"You will all have a chance to transfer your fortunes, but first you, Senator Forbes."

Sarah looked wearily at Jack. "Is this kind of thing going to happen every time we go out?"

"Most likely," Jack replied.

Jack moved at a speed ten times the speed of an athletic man towards the stage. He telekinetically pulled the controller out of The Showman's hand as he moved onto the stage and placed himself in front of the hostage.

"Show's over," he quipped as the controller landed in his hands.

Sarah lowered her head in shame when she heard the remark.

"I think not!" replied The Showman as he tossed a line of smoke bombs across the stage. When the smoke cleared at the far end, he was standing holding two machine guns aimed at Jack.

Senator Forbes took that opportunity to run from the stage. The rest of the audience began to flee as well.

"Come on, we better get outta here, too," Don said as he grabbed the arms of the two ladies at his table.

"But I wanna see the fight," Kami complained.

"Sweetheart, unless your silicon is bulletproof, you're gonna want to move your ass and give the professional some room."

Don froze and looked at Sarah in surprise.

"I know, I can't believe it, either. I just called Jack a professional."

The Showman opened fire on Jack.

Jack telekinetically redirected the bullets into the floor.

The Showman threw a smoke bomb at Jack. He leapt away before the smoke could envelop him, and landed in the deserted front row.

When the smoke cleared, another smaller cannon, this one on a very short fuse, was standing where Jack had been, pointing directly at him. Jack quickly grabbed a bottle of champagne lying on the floor and threw it at the fuse area of the cannon. It broke open as it struck the cannon, quenching the fuse.

"Damn slippery superhero!" the dejected Showman complained.

Damage rushed the stage as the showman was reaching inside his cape for more smoke bombs. He grabbed the business end of the cannon and swung it at The Showman, sending him flying offstage. Damage pressed his advantage and rushed the fallen criminal. The showman smashed a smoke bomb in his hand and was enveloped in smoke just as Damage reached him. Simultaneously remote smoke bombs were triggered back on the stage. Damage continued through the now empty area and smashed into the far wall of the showroom. He recovered to see The Showman back on stage.

"I've had enough," said The Showman as he blanketed the stage with smoke bombs.

A memory came to Jack. He heard his daughter say, "Daddy, the smoke is bad; you should push it away."

"The smoke!" he exclaimed with a flash of insight.

Damage telekinetically pushed at the thick smoke on the stage, dissipating it before The Showman was done with it. Several partially formed cannons were now on the stage.

"No!" screamed The Showman in obvious great disappointment. In his hands was half of a new controller for the non-functional cannons. Damage noticed several large ceiling fans high above the stage. A mental push got them rotating more and more rapidly. Slowly a breeze began to build in the room, but The Showman was too busy to notice.

"Well, it seems you have discovered my little trick, hero. Now that my prey has fled, I suppose I might as well do the same."

The Showman threw a smoke bomb at his own feet.

"No, there's too much wind!" Damage exclaimed.

He immediately stopped the fans, but it was too late. The swirling smoke began to dissipate. A chilling, echoing scream came from the stage. It sounded as if The Showman were screaming from the other end of a long tunnel. Jack rushed the stage, but by the time he got there, the smoke and The Showman were gone.

Jack winced as he looked at the partially formed cannons still on the stage, and hoped The Showman wasn't in a similar condition.

"Let the bad guy get away?" Don questioned as he re-entered the room.

"Actually, I hope so."

Don returned a confused stare at Jack.

"I'll tell you about it later."

"Well, you saved a lot of rich people today; that's gonna help your career," Don consoled.

"How are Sarah and Kami?" Jack asked.

"Oh yeah, that's what I came in here for. Seems in all the excitement, Sarah's water broke. I guess she's going into labor. We should probably get her to a hospital or something."

Jack rushed past Don.

Don grabbed his nose.

"Damn, Jack, you reek of smoke."

Chapter 4: Three and a half kilos.

Saint Evanger Memorial Hospital

"I don't see the big deal about kids," Kami said to Don as they sat in the waiting room. "I mean, they're messy, they cry all the time, and it's always me, me, me. I think I'm gonna get my tubes tied."

Don reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew a money card. He handed it to Kami. "Kami, I think you should go. This should handle the cab fare."

"But," she looked confusedly at Don, "I was gonna wear the maid outfit tonight."

"Maybe some other time."

The insulted woman huffed off down the hallway and out of Don's life. He would not miss her.

"I'm gonna have to start going out with a better class of stripper."

Jean entered the waiting area with Lori in tow. They were followed by a man Don quickly recognized. It was the man who had been Don's personal hero since he was a child.

"Guy Garder!" he exclaimed. "Wow, *THE* Guy Gardner. I can't tell you what a thrill it is to meet you. You've been my hero since I was a kid."

"Uh, thanks, kid," Guy responded, looking over his shoulder, obviously distracted. "You wouldn't have caught the name of the blonde in the black dress that just walked outta here, would you?" he asked.

"Where's my new brother?" Lori asked.

"Hold your horses, little one," Jean chided.

Jack came into the room wearing a surgical smock.

"Three and a half kilos, and he's perfectly healthy!" announced an excited Jack.

"Congratulations, Jack," Don said as he slapped his friend on the back.

"That makes two now, huh? Better be careful; any more, and you'll be outnumbered," Guy joked.

"Thanks for bringing Lori, Mr. Gardner."

"It's Guy, and I was glad to help out. Wish I was there when you kicked that magic geek's butt, though."

"I wish I know where he went."

"Don't worry. That type of villain is like a bad penny. From what I heard, you did fine. I'm gonna have to get you alone after all this and talk some business."

"So Jack, do you guys have a name for the little tyke?" Don asked.

"For some reason I'm partial to Jonathan."

"Can I see my brother now?" Lori asked, tugging at her father.

"Sure you can," he said as he ushered his daughter back to his wife and new son.

"I'm glad they washed the smoke smell off you, Daddy," she said as she walked past Jack.

"That reminds me. There is something we need to talk about, Lori."

"I know, Daddy."

"That's what worries me."

Don, Guy and Jean were left in the waiting room. Guy looked at Don as if he was expecting something.

"The blonde?" he asked again.

"Trust me, Mr. Gardner. You can do better. Hell, even I can do better."

"She wasn't one of those she-males, was she?"

Epilog: Where there's smoke...

Somewhere Dark

The fake smoke dissipated, only to be replaced by the real thing. The first thing The Showman noticed was the heat. The second thing he noticed was the smell.

"What the hell is that stench?" he questioned.

"It's brimstone. For the love of hell, doesn't anyone know what brimstone smells like anymore?" said a voice from the distance.

"Who's there?" The Showman asked.

"Mostly the damned; my damned," the voice returned.

A tall, pale blonde man dressed in green walked through the smoke. It parted as he walked past.

"Is this hell?"

"One of its many realms, yes."

"Am I dead?" asked the frightened entertainer turned villain.

"No, just redirected. All the smoke attracted you."

"Are you the..."

"I am Neron. This is my home."

"If I'm not dead, can I leave?"

"Soon, but before you do, Mr. Showman, I have a proposition to offer you."

"It's The Show... um, what's the offer?"

Neron extended his hand, and a reddish light illuminated the large cavern they were in.

"Behold the denizens of my realm."

The horrid sight of the grotesque, twisted demons sickened the failed criminal.

"Behold their beauty and power," Neron continued.

"Behold the *smoke* swirling around them. Quite a bit of that stuff down here."

A smile slowly crossed The Showman's face.

"My friend, let us talk deals," added Neron.

Coming in Up:
I have no specific Damage related plans at this time. Damage is now a member of Infinity Inc., and I'm told further issues of that book are due out any time now.

Suggested Music for this Issue:

Chapter 2: Five Minutes Mr. The Showman - Jeremy by Pearl Jam
Chapter 3: Showtime - One Thing Leads to Another by The Fixx
Epilog: Where there's smoke... - Sin by Nine Inch Nails