This was just a short series I wrote to try and capitalize on the whole ComicCon theme. Like most of my stories, I hope to receive feedback like things that were especially liked and or disliked. I don't really do mean, but I do enjoy constructive criticism. If there is something you don't like, please tell me what could be done instead. All characters are participating in the fictional story of their own free will. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy it.
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I suppose there are lots of people my age with similar likes. At home, I know a lot of people that enjoy the same things I enjoy and some of them have similar ages. I'm a fanboy. I like comics, sci-fi and fantasy novels and gaming. For the most part, it is a male dominated genre. I do, however, know several girl gamers as well, though to be fair, for the most part, they are a rare addition to the hobby. I am also a recent retiree. Oh, I retired early at 57 after selling a couple of books, yes, they were sci-fi/fantasy books and I wrote them under a pen name. Anyway, I digress.
When I embarked upon my retirement, I examined the areas in my life where I was displeased with myself and one of them was my introversion among people I didn't know. This caused me to avoid social situations which eventually led to me spending the previous five years as a practical hermit. I sat at home and wrote and occasionally went to my local gaming store when there was an event for one of the games I played. Outside of that, my other human contact consisted of some phone discussions with my agent, publisher and my five year old grandson, Zach. I got to have Zach for an overnight every other week during which time, we played games and watched movies and I taught him about stuff he needed to know, like catching frogs, fishing and learning to whistle. It was important because his dad was trying to make a music career work for him and was gone almost all the time, so a male figure in his life was a bit lacking.
Again I am rambling on, but I wanted to provide you with an understanding of who I am so you can understand all that I am about to relate. You see, after I retired, my life began.
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I had always wanted to go to one of the big Sci-fi Conventions, or Cons as they are called. So, when I was invited to come to ComicCon in San Diego this year, I was both excited and a bit nervous. Though I was just finished with the hypnotherapy which was supposed to help me with my social anxiety, I had not put it to the test. But my agent thought this was an excellent opportunity to push my new book and get some new people reading my already popular series, Galactic Hunter. So, I agreed to do a four hour signing and participate in a two hour panel called Sci-Fi Believability.
I hit the gym a lot the week before I went since I'd found that I was not going to be able to get to my gym as the closest one, for my chain, was in Escondido. I had lost 60 pounds in the previous year and I was feeling very good about it and my newfound ability to get on the floor and play with Zach. I packed my Tai Chi wear and vowed to use Tai Chi as a replacement for the gym even though I found the gym easier to stick to religiously.
The trip to San Diego was pleasant. I sat next to a forty something business woman named Deloris and we chatted about quite a few things and I began to feel a bit more confident in my social anxiety therapy. When she found I was going to ComicCon, she asked me why and wasn't that a young person thing. I told her I was a writer going for a book signing.
"Really," she said and placed her hand on my arm, "I had no idea. I'll have to look you up."
"You won't find anything under my name," I said and pulled out a copy of my first book I was going to give away at the Con. "This is my book." It had the cheesy Galactic Hunter logo on the front along with a stylized picture of three of the main characters, Max, Paulette and Roxie, with hitech looking ray guns. The author name said Zebediah Guillotine and there was a picture of me on the back flap.
"Oh wow," she said, "I think my daughter read that book and loved it!"
"Excellent," I replied, "I just wrote it on a whim and yet it seems to have taken off and there are a lot of people wanting more."
"Now I have to invite you to look me up when we are back home," she said as she became more animated. "My daughter would love to meet you, and well, I would love to get to know you better as well." She smiled and lit up her face as she gently stroked my arm.
"I think that would be lovely," I said. In response, she stood and got into her carry on and pulled out a business card and a pen. She wrote her cell number on the back and continued.
"Here is my card," she said, "Call any time, I usually don't go out much except for business meetings and those are during the day." Her tone was a bit on the hopeful side and I wondered what she was like once you get to know her.
Unfortunately, she struck me as one of those women that put up a front for those they thought might offer something they were looking for but who turns out to be totally different when you get to know her. I say unfortunately because she was obviously attractive. She had nice legs and a flat tummy, which she managed to show while she was getting her card. She even managed to capture my hand and place it on her lap, enfolded it in her long thin fingers for the rest of the flight to San Diego.
She walked with me to the baggage claim before taking her leave, "It was so nice to meet you and I hope to meet you again soon, Rick."
"I think that would be fun," I said, though really, I wasn't all too sure about it. She gave me a quick peck on the lips as she left and I watched the sway of her body as she walked away. She glanced back at one point and saw me looking, grinned, gave a small wave and was gone.
"Damn," I thought to myself, "that's something that doesn't happen every day."
"She's cute, Zebediah," came a female voice. I turned to look and she continued, "she your girlfriend?" The voice came from a young girl, probably in her early twenties with short blond hair on the sides and a long spikey up do on top. She was wearing a short skirt over a pair of purple stretch pants, army boots and a white, boat neck tee showing a pink tank top strap beneath. She had a piercing in her nose and three in her left ear. On her right ear she had was wearing a Bajoran style cuff and earring combination with the connecting chain.
"She is cute, but I don't think she's my type," I said as I turned to face her completely and continued, "Are you actually deeply spiritual and a follower of the prophets?"
She smiled largely showing even teeth that were white like a human being rather than white like a TV or movie star and chuckled before replying, "I am deeply spiritual, though I don't believe in the Bajoran prophets. I'm surprised that you picked up the reference though."
"Well, some of us old guys do know a thing or two, especially about Star Trek." I responded and she laughed this time, a full body laugh with no falseness in it. "So, are you staying close to the Con venue?"
"Well, sort of," she said, "Hey wait, how did you know I am gong to the Con?"
"It was logical," I said deadpan, "You are wearing a Bajoran earring, you know who I am, though you don't know my real name, and you are arriving on the Wednesday of ComicCon weekend."
"You're cute for an old guy," she said with a smirk, "I heard you were doing a signing so I brought my books for your to sign. This is my second ComicCon and this year, I brought some costumes. I am going to have so much fun."
"Excellent," I replied, "but I tell you what, share a cab with me and I'll drop you at your hotel. Then I'll get checked in and pick you up for some dinner. Then, I'll sign your books so you don't have to wait in line. Deal?"
"Heck yes!" she exclaimed, "But, what's your real name?"
