"Lawrence Watt - Evans - One of the Boys" - читать интересную книгу автора (Watt-Evans Lawrence)

“I think I can make it, after all,” Swift said.

Mazilli turned back to the crimefighters.

“There’s one more thing,” he said. “When I heard you men were down here, after this… after this alleged
criminal, I hurried down here because it was the only way I knew to reach you. Now, of course, you’re
not the only, um… independent crimefighters in town—I believe there are at least two others…”

“The Night Man,” Captain Cosmos agreed.

“And the Amazon,” Swift added.

“Yes, well, I haven’t been able to contact them, and I’d like to see that they’re invited, as well.”

“If we see them, we’ll tell them,” Red said.
“Well, good, then, that’s fine…” The mayor smiled, and shook the Captain’s hand again, then turned
away and, with a wave to the camera, headed back to his car.

“What was all that about?” Swift asked, as Mazilli stepped down off the curb.

“Election coming up,” Red replied. “I guess Hizzoner has decided we’re hot stuff, wants it to look like
we’re on his side.”

“Oh, but we can’t take sides in partisan politics!” the Captain said, shocked.

Startled, Swift turned to stare at him; Red snorted.

“Why the hell not?” Swift demanded.

“Well, because… because we’re a symbol, and… and… it just doesn’t seem appropriate.”

Swift stared at him, and Red said, “I don’t recall giving up my constitutional rights just because I like to
put on fancy clothes and punch out drug dealers.”

The Captain blinked and considered.

It was true enough; there wasn’t any real reason that superheroes couldn’t take sides in politics. He had
had some vague idea that they were supposed to be above all that, and besides, if the truth be known, he
didn’t really understand politics.

But he wasn’t going to argue.

“You boys coming?” the plainclothesman called, rescuing the Captain from having to say anything more.

Giving statements was a familiar routine—not particularly difficult or tiring, but not very interesting, either.
Captain Cosmos went through it automatically. Afterward, he waved to the squad room and marched
proudly out of the police station.

He was a good deal less proud when he reached the men’s room at the Station Square Mini-Mall; he
was almost furtive as he slipped inside and took the stall on the end. He stood on the toilet and pushed