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It didn’t take long to find a basketball. All you had to do was find Ember, promise her that you could get the Morlocks off her back for a few hours. The deal was, she'd make about ten Desperado-branded basketballs, and you'd web-shape a comfy couch for her to sit in while the others played.
You and the others thanked her for her contribution once more. Ember just sighed and pulled out a handheld game console. You were pretty sure that she liked having people rely on her, but was too embarrassed to show it.
After she shooed you and everyone else, you requested that the Morlock leaders, Glass and Callisto, spread the word throughout the park, and maybe even to anyone who happened to be walking by.
You considered telling Screwball, but you figured she’d find out from the others. And if anyone could draw in a crowd, it was probably her. But before that happened, you had a few other people that you wanted to invite.
You just hoped you had the right number.
—-----
<span class="mu-g">“You’ve reached the Heroes for Hire. This is Iron Fist speaking.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Hey, Iron Fist. It’s the Huntsman. I hope I’m not interrupting your meditation, or disrupting your meridians or something.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“Rest assured. My meridians remain undisrupted. What can I do for you, Huntsman?”</span>
At least he remembers you. That’s a good sign.
<span class="mu-r">“I was wondering if you and Luke wanted to engage in a little community service.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“Luke’s not gonna like the sound of that. Community service usually doesn’t pay very well.”</span> Iron Fist said.
<span class="mu-r">“What if it helped to expand your clientele?”</span> you suggested.
<span class="mu-g">“I’m listening…”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Well, I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but there’s a group of homeless mutants living in Central Park right now, and the only thing keeping a bunch of angry protesters from barging in and kicking them out is a thin blue line of inner city police officers and Spider-Man’s crowd control skills.”</span> you explained.
Iron Fist made a thoughtful sound on the other end of the line.
<span class="mu-g">“Hmm. No, I hadn’t heard about that. What would you have us do?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“It’s simple. All you need to do is show up, being the local heroes that you are, and show everyone that you’re cool with the mutants.”</span> you said. <span class="mu-r">“You…are cool with mutants, right?”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“I have no such prejudices, Huntsman. Mutants, like most people, are sentient beings with every right to their lives and freedoms.”</span>
You breathed a sigh of relief.
<span class="mu-r">“Awesome. This was gonna be real awkward if you turned out to be some huge racist.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“One cannot harness the energies of the mystical world without being at least a <span class="mu-i">little</span> open-minded.”</span> Iron Fist replied, not nearly as offended as you thought he’d be. <span class="mu-g">“But now that we’ve confirmed that, can we get back to the part where you tell me about this job of yours?”</span>
(Cont.)
