More Than a Zero

The incompetently lit living room reeked of mournful tobacco, which itself would be interrupted by the stronger scent of aimless pot in a few moments. The small collection of desolate souls had grown smaller since their last collection, now numbering four. Andy was the missing member.

Figures that Andy would be late again.
Don’t you read the newspaper? He put a bullet in his brain.

No one was shocked. Cera even twitched a smile. Andy had a wicked sense of humor. The true “iron man” liked his irony. Andy was the first to point out the layers upon aggravating layers of irony in his aggrandizing character. Andy had become famous for his immunity to bullets. Cera had shot Andy on at least four different occasions. But now Andy was dead.

The group of comrades, not exactly friends, was not all that different from a group of former child celebrities. Awkward in their post-fame years. Did they make a difference in anybody’s life? Was their fame worth it? Was it even fame? Could they become famous again or is it their new job, new life, to be find solace in private obscurity? Fads have feelings, too. But Noah, Eva, Ling, Cera and the late (in more ways than one) Andy were not child celebrities. At least not in the traditional sense.

Noah took a drink of his beer and glared at the mocking liquid. Noah felt powerless. This was partially because he was a little drunk and partially because over the last five years Noah had lost his superhuman power of aqua-kenetics. There was a time when Noah could move water. He could hover raindrops and split seas. He replaced entire fire departments. There was a time.

Eva had a similar power but with plant life. Ling could speak any language and any dialect. Cera could control what people say, though not their thoughts. So maybe they weren’t super heroes. But they were special and helpful. They were respected and even loved. Now they were none of the above.

They had lost their powers gradually until eventually they were too normal. Years ago, Noah had wanted to be a sea captain, then not so much, then he started losing his power, then he completely turned away from the sea life. Eva was going to be a technological botanist but then got movie offers from studios. Some wanted her as an actress. Some wanted her for special effects. The green money became more important than the green wildlife. But nobody wanted her when she became like everybody else. Ling, Cera and Andy were similar, yet obviously different.

Wanting to be powerful isn’t enough reason to stay powerful. Greatness is how you take the journey, not the destination. Greatness requires enthusiasm and aberration.

I don’t think we should have these meetings anymore, suggested Noah.
I think they’re important, contested Eva.
I think they’re depressing.
Then leave.
I will.

Noah left as softly as a puddle evaporating.

Cera thought for a moment before speaking up.

So does that mean we aren’t having these meetings anymore?