James
Humanity is wicked
No one seems to realise this.
We are doomed to repeat our mistakes unless we learn from them.
Narrator box
New York City: 1931
New York, one of the most famous cities in not only America, but the world! America's going through the greatest market crash in their history, the Great Depression.
Mob violence has become rampant, and with dirty cops willing to take bribes to support their families, private eyes have become commonplace to solve crimes cops wouldn't.
James
I'm no exception
I have committed a great sin
And I must atone
Robber 1
Ok, everyone! Hands in the air!
No guns! No knives! No trouble!
Everyone just stay in their seats!
Are we clear?
James
Well, so much for my lunch
Have a nice day Greta.
Robber 2
Hey! You!
Did you not hear him!
He said stay in your fucking chair!
Robber 1
Unless you want a bullet through your thick skull!?
James
I'll leave, when I want to leave
And you're not going to stop me
Robber 2
What did you say to me?
Wanna say that again?!
James
I said, I'll leave, whenever I want to.
Robber 2
Ok, that does it! You're getting a bullet through your eyes!
The robber gasps. A look of shock is on his face. He looks down, and realises he's been shot!
The first robber looks around, panicked
Robber 1
WHO DID THAT! I SAID NO GUNS!
YOU! IT WAS YOU! WASN'T IT!?
James
As I said, I'll be leaving now
Robber 1
OH NO YOU DON'T! WE WAS JUST GONNA TAKE THE
MONEY AND LEAVE!
BUT NOW? NOW YOU'RE A DEAD MAN!
James
Oh? Is that so?
Tell me, can you see it?
The robber looks over James' shoulder, scared
James
You can, can't you?
What about your friend, do you think he could see it?
Robber
G-GET AWAY FROM ME!
He begins to run
James
What happened?
Weren't you gonna shoot me?
Didn't your friend say he was gonna put a bullet in between my eyes?
Robber
(I need to get help, Sinatra! I need to tell Sinatra! I'm sorry Drew, you'd do the same!)
Diner patron
You're just gonna let him run like that!?
He threatened to kill us all!
James
Ma'am, I'm sorry but I just shot a man, it was nothing fatal, but it still takes a lot out of a person to do that. I need to lie down, and I don't need someone's death on my conscience.
I stopped them from robbing or shooting anyone, and if they come back, I'm the only one they'll attack.
So please, just enjoy your meal.
James
Even if humanity is wicked, that doesn't mean I have to be.
I must rise above the evils of this world, and in the process, raise humanity up with me.
If I have to get my hands dirty to do that, then so be it.
James
I just hope that my service will be enough to redeem myself.
Robber
Boss, ya gotta believe me!
We was robbin' this joint, and then some giant guy walks right up to us, and shot Drew!
I couldn't do anything! He was glowing, I think he's like us!
Guard
Oh he's full of it! He probably robbed the joint, killed his partner, and is just hiding the money for himself.
I say we gut him right now.
Other criminals
Ha ha! Yeah! Let's gut him right here!
But first he's gotta tell us where he put the money or it was pointless
Maybe he's a rat! Has anyone checked if he has a wire?
Sinatra
Now, now, don't be too hasty.
I can tell when someone's lying to me.
Robber
Please boss, you gotta believe me.
I know what he looks like! And I caught a glimpse of his power too!
Sinatra
Oh? Everyone, please leave us alone. We have much to discuss.
(Time skip of about a day)
Diner owner
Excuse me sir, but I have something to ask you.
James
What's botherin' you?
Diner owner
Well, you see sir, you remember that robbery you halted?
James
Yes…what about it?
Diner owner
Well sir, you see, some goons stopped by earlier asking about you. They said they had somethin' to tell you
James
Say, they wouldn't happen to still be here, would they?
Diner owner
Nods
Two goons walk over to James
Goon 1
So, you're the tough guy that shot Drew
Goon 2
He don't look so tough to me.
What's with the getup? Think you're some sort of gumshoe?
James
What's it to you?
Goon 2
Oh, you're getting me all riled up!
No one messes with the Casa Dei Re and gets away with it!
How about you enjoy my fist in your face!
James
Before that, I would prefer if we could go outside as to not bother other folks
Goon 2 looks over to Goon 1, who nods at James' idea
Goon 1
Less witnesses the better.
The three stand outside the small diner, with James facing the two goons head on
James
I'll give you two one last chance to leave me alone, and get lost before I put you in the hospital
Goon 2
Oh, I can already tell I'm gonna enjoy this
James
Me too
The name's Spectre, James Spectre.
Now tell me, your friend could see it, how about you?
Do you see Lacerta? Or no?
Pick your next few words carefully, cause they'll determine how severe of a beat down you'll receive.
Goon 2
So what if I can see it? I'm still gonna beat the piss out of you!
Goon 1
Wait! We still don't know what it can do! All we know is it was enough to hospitalise Drew!
Goon 2
For the sake of fairness, I'll tell you about my Manifesto before I clean your clock.
This is Hercules. It has one of the strongest left hooks in the state!
James
Manifesto, is that what you call these?
Well, that doesn't really matter,
Lacerta! Ready.
Goon 1
(what's he about to do, I have to be prepared to intervene if that idiot gets himself hurt)
(at least he'll allow me to gage our enemy's strength)
James
Aim.
Goon 2
It's been too long! Hercules!
James
Fire.
Goon 2 gets shot before he's even able to make contact
Goon 2
Wha-what just happened…?
He falls to the floor
Goon 1
(How…How did he defeat him so quickly? It was over in the blink of an eye!)
(it's almost like he didn't even make contact, no, it's more likely that he was shot!)
James
Hey, you. Guy with the winter hat.
That look of horror, seems you've figured out my power.
I have a disdain for killing people. I hate shooting or stabbing people.
However, kindness doesn't get you far in this business.
Fortunately, Lacerta provides me with the gun I'd otherwise be lacking.
Goon 1
(Shit! What should I do?)
(I can't let him get to the boss! I was entrusted with this mission personally, I could never live it down if I put the boss in danger because I was scared!)
(I have to be the one to stop him here and now!)
James
Oh? That look in your eyes. That's one of determination.
Made up your mind eh?
Well, I'm willing to let you go if that's what you want. On TWO conditions.
One: Get your friend to the hospital. I didn't hit anything vital, just his arm. I think his manifesto took the blow, but better safe than sorry.
Two: you leave whatever mob or gang you've joined and get a real job. You look like a bright young man, not hot headed, yet not afraid to hold your ground. Leave here, and I won't follow you. Our business will be done. Stay…
Lacerta comes back out
James
And see what happens when I shoot point blank range. I'd have to be trying to miss you from this distance.
Goon 1
(Dammit! He's got me cornered!)
(I can't leave the boss, but I can't take one of those shots from point blank!)
(I could try to get the drop on him, but I can't outspeed a bullet!)
(What to do…what to do…)
James
Hey! Make up your mind already! I don't have all day! What'll it be?
Goon 1
I've made up my mind, I'll grab my friend, and we'll get out of here. We'll let you off the hook for today. But we'll be back!
Picks up his friend using his Manifesto
Goon 1
Don't get trigger happy, I just can't carry him on my own is all. I'll even tell you about my Manifesto.
It's called "Cepheus". It allows me to consider everything about a situation before making a decision. We'll take our leave now.
The two begin to leave, after they're a fair distance away, James brings out Lacerta
James
These "Manifestos" as they called them.
They're nothing but a curse used to mark us sinners.
Who would've guessed there'd be a whole group of them?
James
Lacerta, ready. aim…
James
Humanity is Wicked.
James
Fire.
James
And I am no different.
The Manifesto of Goon 1 is shown with a bullet hole through its head. It begins to turn to dust, as goon 2 is dropped and goon 1 falls down as well.