Chapter 5: Harvey

I found myself back at my booth feeling lighter than air. I spent my remaining time making idle chit-chat with strangers and peddling my wares. I couldn’t get her eyes or that kiss out of my brain. No matter where I went I saw her. I mean I really wanted to actually SEE her but for some reason, she never even passed by my booth. I was no longer wearing my costume so maybe she wouldn’t recognize me. I felt like such an idiot for not getting her name or some way of contacting her. Throughout the rest of my day, I just told myself that the connection wasn’t really there and that I just made her up.

The convention-goers made it easy for me to push her out of my mind. Getting the chance to talk to about 20 different people dressed as Batman never gets old. This place is pure magic and if what happened with Catwoman was genuine, I might start believing in magic.

Grace came back just before the con was closing and plopped down next to me in her Harley Quinn outfit. “So I gots a message for ya boss” she said in her best Harley voice. “Oh yeah? From whom doth this message doth come doth from?” I said holding out my hand like I was holding a skull. “You quite possibly are the worst, you know that?” she said in her normal voice. “Yes, yes I do,” I replied with a smile. “A girl dressed as Catwoman told me, to tell you, that you should meet her next to the Space Invaders machine tonight at ten at the costume bash.” I just stared at her with my mouth wide open not knowing what to say. “Where did see her?” I asked a little too excited.

“I sat down next to her and her friends in the Empowering Woman through Comics panel. I overheard them asking her about “that dude in The Riddler costume” and I assumed it was you and I told them I knew you. One thing leads to another and she told me to give you the message.”

“I didn’t know you were interested in fairer sex my lord; since you didn’t like any of my friends,” Grace said super sarcastically. “Well, I have never really been looking you know? I mean those girls you set me up with were nice but not really my thing. I like more intellectual women, no offense” I said trying to cover my tracks. “None taken, my friends are idiots. I don’t keep them around because they keep me interested. I’m friends with them because they buy me drinks when we go out and attract good-looking dudes. I keep you around for the conversation.” She nudged me in the arm and winked. I have never been happier that I hired Grace than I am right now. Another moment of magic and I don't even know what to do with myself.

“Thanks, Grace. I haven’t been able to get her out of my head all day. Did you overhear anything juicy?” I asked hopefully. “Not that I can remember. It was a lot of grilling on her friend’s side and a lot of silence from our kitty. Did you forget to tell her your name?” I shrugged “Well she didn’t tell me her name either.” I challenged. “I told her your name, so don’t worry.” She said offhandedly. “What!? Grace, you gave her so much! Now she has more power than me.” I scolded. “What the hell are you talking about? Power? You know you don’t actually live in a comic book right?” I ignored her and nodded. “Of course but now she knows my name and I don’t know hers and that’s that power and I don’t have it…” I trailed off suddenly hearing how super villainess I was sounding.

“So, are you going to meet her or what?” asked Grace chewing on the crust of a piece of pizza she seemed to magic into existence. “I have to don’t I?” I asked. “Well yeah, but you can’t be The Riddler again. You need to be something sexier. Did you bring your backup costume?” I dug in my bag under the counter. “Yeah but all I have is my Green Lantern costume and it’s not very sexy.” “Why not? Is it the one with the fake muscles?” I nodded. “What am I going to do?” I asked in a panic. “Hold on I’ll be right back.” She got up and vanished leaving one bite of her crust on the table. I started packing up for the night and when I was pulling the sheet over all of the stuff Grace came around the corner holding a see-through bag full of red leather-looking material. “I found you something.” She said ominously shaking the bag in front of me.