Free The Rise of the Fat Mogul (The Defenders Saga Book 2) by Adam Oster Page B

get together and, well, geek out about it, I guess.”
    “I still don’t understand.  Is it not true that the memories of days past, in which the likes of me were allowed to roam the streets freely and openly, have been removed from the public awareness?”
    “Well yeah, but, well,” Maggie sounded frustrated, as she so often did when conversing with Zero, “you see, there's these books that people read, they've got pictures and stuff, and that's where people get to read about people like you.”
    “But, dear Margaret, that still doesn’t answer the question of how people would come up with such ideas—”
    Maggie groaned, cutting Zero off midsentence.  Buddy knew it was partially due to the fact that Zero continued to call her by her full name, no matter how many times she protested.  “It's fictional, okay, just pretend.  These stories were made up by some nerds who still live in their mom's basements, and now they make all sorts of money from movie and TV deals and lunch boxes, and I don't know, action figures.”
    “I'm well aware of the current trend in popular culture to highlight people who appear to be quite similar to people like me.  I'm not an idiot, Margaret.”
    “You could have fooled me,” Maggie muttered under her breath.
    “Don’t you find it odd that these supposedly fictional characters are so similar to people that did truly exist at one point?  If no one knows they existed, how did they come up with it?”
    “God, I don't know, alright?  Can I please finish getting dressed so I can get out of here already?”
    “Certainly, dear Margaret. I have but one final question.”
    “Fine, go for it, as long as it’s the last one.”
    “Would you have any concerns with me joining you on this adventure into the world of the crusaders of print?  I believe it would be just the place for someone like me.”
    “I think you're right.  Unfortunately, I only have enough passes to get in the people who are working with me today.  Maybe you can convince Buddy to go with you.”
    “Perhaps I shall!  Enjoy yourself, fair Margaret, and I shall hope to see you at this convention of super heroic feats!”
    Buddy heard loud footsteps storming in his direction.  He quickly pulled the sheets over his head, hoping that somehow Zero would overlook the not-so-hidden mound of person positioned in the center of his bed.
    The door burst open and slammed against the wall.
    “Buddy, old chum! I have just the adventure for us today!”
    Buddy held his breath.
    “Don't tell me you're still sleeping! It's already half past the hour.  Daylight is wasting.”
    Buddy pushed the covers down harshly.  “It's not even daylight yet, Zero!  Just let me get some sleep.”
    “If there is no rest for the wicked, surely there is none for the pure.  However, I shall not waste any more of my time on you for now.  When you awake, you will be taking me to this comic book convention your sister has been telling me about.”
    “Great,” Buddy spoke, pulling the sheet back over his head.
    “While you continue your rest, I shall see what I can do about getting one of these passes I heard mention of.”

CHAPTER 8
     
    Buddy awoke to something heavy landing on his head accompanied by the commanding voice of Zero yelling at him once again to get out of bed.
    “Come on, Buddy, we've got to suit up!” Zero yelled as he rummaged around in the closet. 
    Buddy groggily lifted his head out from what had landed on him and noticed the bright green sheen of the Buddy Hero uniform.  He groaned and let his head fall back on the pillow roughly.
    “What are you doing, chum? Time's a wastin'!  We have to get down to that convention immediately or else we don't stand a chance!”
    “A chance for what?” Buddy whined as he pulled the pillow over his face.
    “To get in, of course.  The lines are out into the street.  And do you want to know the best part?”
    “No.”
    “Everyone there is in uniform.  And I mean Ev. Ree.