Metaphysical Man The Don Quijote Of The Digital Age

METAPHYSICAL MAN

(The Don Quijote of the Digital Age)

By William Chasterson

Published by William Chasterson at Smashwords

Copyright William Chasterson 2015

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of contents

Chapter 1 – With great power comes great responsibility.

- Spiderman

Chapter 2 - In brightest day, in blackest night no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evils might beware my power green lantern’s light.

- Green Lantern

Chapter 3 - There comes a time when you’ve got to stop running away from things and you’ve got to start running towards something.

- The Flash

Chapter 4 - If the prospect of living in a world where trying to respect the basic rights of those around you and valuing each other simply because we exist are such daunting, impossible tasks then what sort of world are we left with? And what sort of world do you want to live in?

- Wonder Woman

Chapter 5 – Dreams save us. Dreams lift us up and transform us. And on my soul I swear until my dream of a world where dignity, honor and justice becomes the reality we all share. I’ll never stop fighting. Ever.

- Superman

Chapter 6 - You’ve got to forge ahead. Keep moving even if your path isn’t lit. Trust that you’ll find your way.

- The Flash

Chapter 7 - It’s not who I am underneath but what I do that defines me.

- Batman

Chapter 8 - Life is locomotion. If you’re not moving you’re not living.

- The Flash

Chapter 9 - True happiness is found along a middle road. There lies the balance and the harmony with reason and emotion not at war but hand in hand.

- Aquaman

Chapter 10 - This. This is what I am. This is who I am. Come hell or high water if I deny it I deny everything I’ve ever done. Everything I’ve ever fought for.

- Green Arrow

Chapter 11 - There isn’t much justice in this world. Perhaps that’s why it is so satisfying to occasionally make some.

- Martian Manhunter

Chapter 12 - A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a little boy’s shoulder to let him know that the world hadn’t ended.

- Batman

Epilogue

About

Contact

Chapter 1 – With great power comes great responsibility.

- Spiderman

Every day the world is increasingly becoming a more terrifying place to live in. Most city streets are flooded with crime. Injustice is the rule of the day. Millions are afraid to go out of their homes after dark as a result of the violent crime wave sweeping from one city to another. The horizon of possibilities seems full for evildoers. They can be seen everywhere walking with their heads held high confident about the future. Everywhere that is except for in Atro City. In Atro City the scumbags have been put on notice. There, criminals know that crime doesn’t pay. They realize that if they break the law they will have Metaphysical Man to answer to.

Now as far as superheroes go Metaphysical Man is no less capable than any other. It’s been said that he can move at lightning speed and that he can lift three thousand times his own weight. He’s been rumored to level mountains by emitting laser beams from his eyes. Metaphysical Man has been around fighting crime for as long as anyone in Atro City can remember. No one knows where he came from or how old he is because he never seems to age. Though historians have traced back his history some six thousand years, Metaphysical Man’s origins remain a mystery. In any case the citizens of Atro City don’t seem to be too worried about these details. They’re just happy he’s there.

As our story begins we encounter our hero flying high above Atro City as the sun begins to set. His red cape gently flutters as the wind glides between it and the tightly stretched yellow micro fiber suit revealing a muscular chiseled frame. Encountering an obstacle course of alternating clouds MM suddenly springs into tactical maneuvers. Reminiscent of an Olympic gymnast he gracefully twists his frame from left to right dodging between the mazes of nebulous. At this height MM must be aware that he is beyond the view of onlookers yet after every thrust he contracts one side of his body flexing all of the muscles and showing off his washboard abdominals. Our hero is in rare form as he develops this rhythm of movement. All at once the pattern of clouds becomes irregular and MM is engulfed by a large cloud. He desperately lurches his body around, arms and legs flailing.

What the… groans Metaphysical Man as he is struck in the face by a solid object.

The thought, Am I under attack? quickly flashes across his perfect mind. Now certain it was a fist that struck him MM bursts out of his foggy prison wildly throwing punches. He jerks his head down fiercely and catches sight of a lifeless goose plummeting towards the earth. Frowning MM bristles his large dark eyebrows. Gradually his face blushes crimson. Again, Metaphysical Man must realize that there were no witnesses to this mistake. Nevertheless he suspiciously looks from side to side to confirm it. At lightning speed he flees the scene with an array of thoughts and emotions clouding his mind. Among these emotions is an unmistakable desire to revenge himself on somebody.

Metaphysical Man continues meticulously searching his route until finally he spots what he’s been looking for. Three lowlifes have a ten-year-old girl cornered against a brick wall in a dead end alley. With his perfect eyes the defender of justice quickly surveys the situation. The girl has bruises all over her arms and legs and her dress is torn. MM smiles.

You scumbags picked the wrong night to disturb my city’s peace.

With one fist extended he plummets toward the crime scene. The little girl is so terrified she can’t even scream. A pale round face with wide eyes just looks up at her attackers as if hoping for a miracle. She reminds Metaphysical Man of a little defenseless lamb cornered by a pack of wolves. As he stealthily lands, his red leather boots make no sound. His mind is now free from confusion. He’s already forgotten about the incident with the goose.

Since no one witnessed it, did it really even happen? reasons Metaphysical Man.

He finally concludes that the event never actually happened, the only remnant of the incident being the desire for vengeance, which is now stronger than ever. The scumbags begin closing in upon their prey.

Hey little girl, taunts one of the men. We wont hurt you. We just want to play.

The other two begin to laugh. Suddenly something catches the little girl’s attention. Her attackers expect their victim to be intently focused on what’s about to happen to her. However her wide eyes dart just over the shoulders of these dregs of society and rest upon a large insignia with large red capital letters that read MM. This insignia is stretched across a yellow background in the shape of massive pectoral muscles. Although they hear nothing the strange actions of the girl cause all three of her attackers to turn simultaneously. Rapid movements of shadows dance across the girl’s pale face. She occasionally flinches as she gazes upon the action unfolding before her very eyes. As swiftly as it started the action is over and the bruised battered bodies of the three attackers lay in a heap off to the side. But the little girls attention is not focused on this heap of bodies. Her wide eyes are locked on the six-foot tall figure standing in front of her with outstretched hand and beaming eyes.

What is it about superheroes that grip our imagination? No matter who we are, if we’re being honest with ourselves we have to admit that we’re captivated by super powers. From the time we were children we would pretend that we could fly like Superman, shoot lasers out of the palms of our hands like Iron Man, or become unbelievably strong like the Incredible Hulk. Even when the power doesn’t seem to be the greatest, as long as it makes the bearer stand out from the huddling masses of ordinary human beings we are drawn to him. Take for example Batman. He has no super powers. He does however have a power that enables him to stand out from the other citizens of Gotham. His power consists of a combination of dark personality traits, exceptional martial arts ability, and an ever-increasing number of gadgets that no one else has. What do you think would happen if another of Gotham’s citizens suddenly discovered that they had the ability to fly or effortlessly pulverize boulders with their bare hands? Suddenly Batman doesn’t seem so special. He fades into the background of every day human beings that we ignore. It’s for that reason that there must exist a balance of power with regard to heroes and villains. A super villain must not have abilities so superior that the superhero cannot handle him. At the same time although we expect the hero to win, he must not be so powerful that no villains present a challenge for him. The possibility must always exist that the bad guy could actually win. For that reason if the superhero has an overabundance of power – which sometimes happens – he must also have an accompanying weakness to check his power. That being said, it must be noted that Metaphysical Man has no known weaknesses.

He can judge a situation simply by looking at the outside appearance of someone. He looks down at the girl and begins a process that has been carried out by him millions of times before. The little girl tugs at his cape and suddenly becomes animated as she excitedly explains her situation and how she arrived in this predicament. MM is forced to use one of his super powers in order not to be distracted while he renders judgment. His mind produces a force field to block out everything the girl is saying. A few words penetrate his defenses here and there. He hears the word ‘abuse’ and ‘captivity’. However he quickly pushes these ideas out of his consciousness. You see Metaphysical Man recognizes that all human beings are liars. Truth doesn’t exist in their world. If he’s to render a proper decision he cannot be influenced by earthly ideas. As he watches the little girl’s mouth moving he hears no sound. He lifts one of his eyebrows and ponders.

This little girl should not be alone in an alley at this time of night. What could have driven her from the security of home to aimlessly wandering the streets? Look at those bruises. This little girl has been through an ordeal.

Metaphysical Man nods to himself as he arrives at his conclusion. Without saying a word he sweeps up the child into his arms and ascends into the sky. The girl buries her face into her protector’s arms. Her sobs gradually lessen as it sinks in that her ordeal is over. Where else could her liberator be taking her but to a place of safety? Distress suddenly appears to register on the little girl’s face as she begins to look around. She seems to recognize her surroundings. She begins to struggle against Metaphysical Man’s powerful muscles. He appears to not even notice the resistance as they descend upon a brick house with the windows boarded up. There are a couple of cars parked in the yard with tall weeds growing around the flat tires. The yard is strewn with empty beer bottles. As his red leather boots touch down on the porch of the house the girl immediately runs behind MM, occasionally peeking around his cape to gaze at the weathered front door of the old house. Metaphysical Man knocks loudly on the door. After an interval of a few minutes the sound of squeaking floor boards gradually gets louder as someone approaches the door. All at once the door bursts open and loudly bangs against the front of the house almost coming off the hinges. A balding man with large hairy forearms and tattoos fills the doorway. With large bloodshot eyes he sizes up Metaphysical Man as if to demand to know, Who are you and why are you banging on my door like that? If looks could kill everyone on the porch would be dead.

Citizen! declares Metaphysical Man appearing to not notice the man’s irritation.

Don’t be alarmed. It is I, Metaphysical Man!

MM pauses to let this information sink in. The superhero doesn’t receive the response he is expecting however. The man lifts his eyebrows sarcastically and slightly jerks his head as if to say, And? MM ponders for a moment.

He must not have heard me, he thinks. Or maybe he just woke up and hasn’t put on his glasses yet. That must be why he doesn’t recognize me.

Metaphysical Man loudly clears his throat.

I said have no fear citizen for…

I heard you the first time! interrupts the man. What I need to know is… What the…

Suddenly he stops in mid- sentence, as something seems to catch his attention. MM’s cape seemed to have moved by itself. The man frowns looking suspiciously at the base of the cape where he thought he saw the movement. His suspicions are confirmed when the section of cape suddenly begins to tremble uncontrollably. A barely perceptible wicked smile seems to flash up then quickly disappear from the man’s face. His demeanor instantaneously changes.

Oh… Metaphysical Man! Looking back over his shoulder he shouts, Look dear! Metaphysical Man is at our door!

Extending both of his rough hands he grips double M by the hand.

To what do we owe this great honor sir?

Metaphysical Man smiles widely displaying all of his perfectly shaped pearly whites.

This is more like it, he thinks.

In one fluid movement Metaphysical Man reaches behind him and produces the little girl.

You must be this little girl’s father?

Yes, replies the man without taking his eyes off the child. What has she done now? This one is nothing but trouble. And how she lies…

Double M gives a start.

No sir you have it all wrong. This child is a victim. I rescued her from the grasps of some pretty unsavory characters. She must have wandered off while playing and unexpectedly found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Don’t worry she’s safe now.

Double M hands the child over to the man. All at once he stoops down and begins hugging the child.

You had your mom and me worried sick! Don’t ever put us through that again. You hear?

The man embraces the girl with one hand while pointing accusingly at the girl with his other hand. The child’s reaction to her father seems a little out of place to Metaphysical Man. Instead of embracing him and expressing relief for being home safe, she has a blank look in her eyes and stands completely frozen.

She must still be in shock, reflects MM.

Inside, commands the man in a stern voice.

Obediently the little girl walks into the house and disappears into the darkness.

Thank you so much Metaphysical Man. How can we ever repay you for bringing our little girl back to us?

Double M anxiously awaiting such a response waves his red-gloved hand and replies.

The best way you can repay me is to make sure your little girl stays safe. There are a lot of sick people out there.

Slightly turning MM extends his hand behind him drawing the man’s attention to the city. The man responds by flashing a wide wicked smile at the superhero. He then turns and slams the door violently, once again shaking loose the hinges. Double M stands there for a moment staring at the closed door. On a sudden whim he lifts his gloved fist to knock on the door but then he has second thoughts and lowers his arm. He turns around and again begins to look from side to side as if someone were watching him. All of a sudden he goes down on one knee then with lightning quickness propels himself into the air like a rocket.

As Metaphysical Man glides effortlessly across the sky he allows his perfect mind to relax and reflect on his recent actions. He asks himself why he had raised his fist to knock on the door in the first place. Hadn’t this encounter gone like countless others before? He saved the damsel in distress. His beneficiaries had acknowledged his heroism and stroked his ego. Yet something seems to be missing. He can’t quite put his finger on it but lately he has been feeling a lack of certainty. Double M shakes his head vigorously as if waking from a dream.

What are you doing Metaphysical Man? he asks aloud.

You see, doubting one’s self, in Atro City is frowned upon. Doubting Metaphysical Man is straight blasphemy.

Your being silly, he continues. That citizen acted appropriately. Didn’t he? It’s our citizens that make Atro City the greatest city on earth. Sure there are other cities out there but none as perfect as ours. There are other superheroes defending these cities but they will never attain what we have achieved because they don't understand the key.

Double M nods confidently. Suddenly he catches a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye causing him to pause in midair. From this height Metaphysical Man can see the entire city. Using his meta-vision he quickly identifies what now threatens to disturb the harmony of Atro City. Double M grins slightly then defiantly glares into the distance at a two-story house engulfed in flames.

Not on my watch! declares the superhero as he points his red leather covered index finger at the blazing edifice.

With the same hand he forms a fist then descends toward the fire in the same fist-first manner he approached the previous crime scene. As he lands among the rescue workers the gathering crowd begins to applaud. Noticing that the police barrier had been violated, Atro City’s finest begin closing in on Metaphysical Man. Suddenly a young man with horn-rimmed glasses and short black hair darts across the path of the officials and stands between Double M and the police. The young man is carrying bundles of files in paper sleeves all wrapped together in a fashionably weathered brown leather carrying case.

Hey! This is a restricted area, shouts a police captain. You need clearance to be in here!

Doug, replies Metaphysical Man calmly. Show the captain my clearance.

He then walks through the officials as if they weren’t even there.

Sure thing Double M, pants Doug exhausted from running.

Doug bends down on one knee and begins rifling through the files. Badges and certificates of every sort all bearing the name Metaphysical Man are sifted through until finally the proper documents are found. As his credentials are being verified in the background Double M inquires about the fire.

Is there anyone still inside?

A smoke blackened firefighter speaks up.

We got most of the family out but the father rushed back in to save one of his children.

The fireman wearily removes his helmet and rubs a sweat-covered forehead.

Son or daughter? asks Metaphysical Man.

The fireman looks over at the visibly shaken family wrapped in blankets.

Daughter, replies the fireman with a puzzled expression on his face.

Suddenly an explosion bursts forth through the second story windows causing everyone to scatter. Everyone that is, except Metaphysical Man. He just lifts his red cape protecting his face from any projectiles. There is something unnatural about the flames. They seem to be reacting to the arrival of Metaphysical Man. The flames appear to explode angrily as if they are revolting against some invisible oppression. Double M bounds into action penetrating the flames that bar entry to the front door. Placing hand to ear he uses his meta-hearing to identify movement in the house. MM runs to the staircase then flies to the top, skipping every step. Squinting he notices movement at the other end of the hallway. As he approaches he sees the father with hands wrapped in his jacket struggling to open the door. Metaphysical Man reaches toward the man gripping him firmly by the shoulder. Just as the man is pulled from in front of the entrance the door explodes off its hinges and smashes against the opposing wall. The father glances at his near death experience then quickly brushes it aside as he turns to enter the doorway. However Metaphysical Man is still gripping his shoulder. The man nearly pulls it out of its socket determinedly wrenching his body towards the entrance.

Annie! screeches the man hysterically.

Seconds later Metaphysical Man bursts through the front door gripping the man by the waist. The crowd erupts in applause but the ovation is mixed with faint sounds of sobbing and cursing. All at once it is noticed that the man isn’t at all grateful for having been rescued. He pounds on Metaphysical Man’s chest and shouts hysterically.

Let me go! I need to save my little girl!

As if unaware of the man’s punches Metaphysical Man responds.

Sorry but no one is allowed back inside. The percentage of risk compared to the probability of a successful rescue divided by the remaining quality of life makes this a closed issue.

As Double M’s cold calculations begin to resonate, the man’s mouth drops open in disbelief. Metaphysical Man has just reached behind his cape and produced a calculator.

Your homeowner’s insurance is up do date? Metaphysical Man types rapidly on the calculator. And you had a life insurance policy covering the girl?

Abruptly the man swings his arm slapping the calculator from the superhero’s hands. It bursts violently on the street.

Her name is Annie! Don’t you dare talk about her. You have no right! I’ll sue you and the city for wrongful death! shouts the man angrily.

Silence falls over the crowd. They look at Metaphysical Man in incredulity then back at the man. Before MM has a chance to react, the crowd begins to turn on the man.

You can’t talk like that to Metaphysical Man! shouts someone.

It’s your fault anyways! Someone else adds, Disasters like this don’t occur in Atro City for no reason!

A third voice accuses, I’ve seen this before. This man…

He points at the man.

This man’s sin is a lack of faith in man!

Coming to his senses and being provoked by the crowd, the man begins to defend himself.

Its not true! I always lease with 15% low APR financing. My expressed views are never a reflection of Atro City or its affiliates. All of my ideas are free of cholesterol and unsaturated fats.

As Metaphysical Man lifts himself into the sky the still burning building begins to noisily collapse in on itself. However the noise steadily drifts away until it becomes barely audible to the superhero. Besides, his thoughts are now elsewhere.

Why was that citizen so angry? He was informed he would be monetarily reimbursed for the loss of his belongings. He and his wife are young. They can have another child. With luck maybe this time it will be a boy. The latest statistics show males give a greater contribution to society than do females. In surveys women are more likely to say they had taken career interruptions to care for their family. Research has shown that these types of interruptions can have an impact on long-term earnings. I wonder what my Klout score is? I could go for a latte just about now. Was the crowd’s swift response appropriate? They were so angry at the thought that someone was questioning the system. Of course I believe in the system with all of its checks and balances, but is it really a sin to have doubts?

These thoughts flash through Metaphysical Man’s perfect mind at lightning speed. Lost in thought MM reaches his headquarters before he realizes it. A large statue of a partially eaten apple stands alone in the middle of a city block. This statue marks the location of Atro City’s only Apple Store. In front of the statue is a large towering glass staircase that leads customers underground to the large Apple Store showroom and a seemingly endless supply of hip Mac Geniuses wearing Apple t-shirts. This part of the store is open to the public and every citizen of Atro City has access. However hidden behind the Apple statue is an entrance that is restricted to the public. This is Metaphysical Man’s secret entrance to his underground layer, which resides even deeper underground, beneath the Apple Store showroom.

A glass elevator plummets the superhero into the depths of the earth. Each layer of rock is clearly visible through the transparent walls of the elevator. The change in color of the walls mark the changing formations of earth and signal to Metaphysical Man how far he has to go to reach his destination. Double M feels a slight perspiration about to break out on his forehead but it is quickly extinguished as the flow of air-conditioning rushes into the opening elevator doors. Double M walks down the corridor and enters a large room that has the appearance of a first class airport lounge. There are newspaper and magazine racks of every sort, fine leather sofas, bar stools and Macbook stations. As soon as Metaphysical Man enters the room a young man with sideburns and thin circular framed glasses approaches him.

Its Metaphysical Man everyone, the young man shouts. Let me take that for you your Excellency.

The man removes Double M’s cape and folds it over his arm. He then bends down to remove the superhero’s red leather boots.

Thanks Bart, responds Double M wearily.

Metaphysical Man notices Bart’s bald spot at the top of his dark-blonde hair. Because of the sideburns and the fact