He can crush his enemies with a single blow, but he's gentle enough to save a kitten in a tree. He's....Stupendous Man! Brought to you by Luxo! Make everything deluxe with Luxo!
A hand reaches from a pile of dirty laundry. It searches, claws, then feels the cold plastic of a remote. It celebrates its victorious hunt with a firm button mash. Click. The TV falls silent.
The hand snakes its way back into the pile. A low rumble shakes the socks and underwear causing them slide and cascade to the floor as a head emerges.
The man rubs the bags under his eyes. That same hand, now attached to a hairy, flabby arm reaches for a clock on the floor. The man's eyes focus slowly in the unlit space.
"I guess 1 PM is good enough time to get up."
He rises, shaking his balding head, clearing the grogginess from his brain. He rubs a chubby hand over his potbelly.
His stomach growls in response.
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
He pokes a hand into the pile, grabs onto the first thing he touches, and yanks it free.
It's a T-shirt, some underwear and some pants, all coiled around each other. The shirt is blue with red sleeves. No logos.
He winces as he pulls it over his head.
In a short time he is dressed. He sighs at himself in the mirror.
"Time for lunch, I suppose."
He locks the door behind him, more out of habit than anything else. No one would want what's in there.
***
The man walks a few blocks to his diner. Not really his, but it's the best memory he has. The food isn't even that great, but it keeps him going.
The waitress eyes him as he takes his spot in his usual booth.
"Hey Sue. Great weather, huh?"
Sue rests a hand on the table.
"The usual?"
The man grimaces, and waves his hand in agreement.
Sue nods, turns without another word.
He likes the booth, because right by the window. He likes to watch the plants sway in the breeze, when there is a breeze. He likes to watch the people wander by. He imagines they are talking about happy, fun things.
He smiles to himself.
A plate is set in front of him, along with a cup and a kettle. On the plate, a double cheeseburger. No condiments.
He never drinks the tea, but he always orders it.
He stares at the food for a few seconds, then turns back to the window.
He watches as more people wander by, holding shopping bags, holding hands.
He smiles again.
He catches something odd in his peripheral vision. A man leaning against the wall, his eyes darting back and forth.
The man's smile fades.
"Broad daylight, is it?"
He throws some bills on the counter, walks out the door.
As much as everything else has failed, he always had his intuition.
He made it two steps when the other guy made his move. He was fast, grabbed the purse of a nearby lady. The motion was smooth, like the wind itself flung it from her grasp.
