It started as a perfectly normal day. Police sirens moving about, business men and women moving to and fro, food vendors yelling at the top of their lungs, trying to get you to buy their delicious, delicious, slop. The city of Megalopolis is buzzing, from the academic district where MU (nicknamed μ u) houses the next generation's best and brightest, to the eternally churning industrial district (located on the southeastern border of town) which is literally churning with industrial activity as supervisors watch over the robotic arms and steel machinations performing the labor of tens of men.
But your concern is neither with the Depression of Young Literati, nor with the Foundation of the city's exported products. Instead, the camera slowly pans down on what could be politically described as an eclectic group of individuals both young and old. Kids toting superhero dolls buzz around the crowd making woooosh noises. Adults in clothing both mild and Spicy mannered clothing gather in the throng as well. But a third class of citizen is also peppered among them. Superheroes. The city of Megalopolis, Megarcadia is proud of its heroic population, and while the times have been especially tough due to strained relations between heroes, villains, and civilians, for now, the heroes and civilians are gathered together like the good old days. Heroes in costume are greeted with cheers from those that they have rescued, and for the particularly popular ones, such as Lieutenant Larry, who have truly held the spotlight on their actions, masses of children impede all movement.
The crowd was gathered by the mayor for an announcement. The entire place is buzzing about what it could possibly be.
The Mayor, an elderly man who was most likely on his last years of office and life, walked onto the stage. He was a man whose years showed. He wore a monocle and top hat and walked with a cane and a limp.
The Mayor ascends onto the stage and reaches the microphone. As he always does when speaking in front of any crowd, he straightens his coat, adjusts his hat, and clears his throat loudly into the microphone, getting everyone's attention. And, as he always does, he addresses the audience, saying,
"I'm sure you are all wondering why I've called you here today."However, unlike other days, every soul in the crowd was unaware of what this meeting was to be about. The mayor seemed urgent in his notice of the meeting saying that all heroes who are not absolutely incapable of movement (this was meant, primarily, to absolve Clyde, who was watching the meeting on a monitor of the TV store across the street from where he stood, immobile.
"As I'm sure you are all aware of, bill seven one oh two oh one, also known as the self-defense act has been in effect for some time now."A dull roar rose over the crowd as people began discussing what had been more commonly called 'the anti-superhero bill' while it was being lobbied through the house and senate.
The mayor cleared his throat again
"As all of you may or may not know, many cities have been asked to take part in a..." The mayor seems to be struggling with the wording.
"Beta testing of a new form of defense."Before the crowd has a chance to go crazy with discussion, the mayor quickly adds:
"Please, everyone, welcome Roland"What at first seems like
some sort of humanoid pillbox walks onto the stage. A voice, still very far away from the uncanny valley played out loud, as if from a megaphone.
"HELLO. I AM UNIT R ZERO ONE A N D. MY MANUFACTURER BESTOWED THE ALTERNATE CLASSIFICATION 'ROLAND' UPON ME. I AM HERE TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THIS CITY."The crowd is roaring before the robot even finishes its sentence. Cries of
"How is a robot better than a super." and
"awwww, how cute" and even
"What're we gonna do with a robot?" are heard piercing the din of everyone speaking.
The Mayor announces with a voice that he hasn't used in years.
"NOW LISTEN! I will be the first to say that I am proud of this cities heroes, but our city has been selected to house one of these robots. This does not mean that I will be eliminating superheroes from this city. Nor is Roland the Harbinger of Ill portent. We have been asked to receive him. And he will be assisting local authorities as well as our super heroes in their fighting against crime. I will remind you that Roland is here on FEDERAL business. Please, treat him with respect. I have called this meeting to both inform you of Roland's presence and to allow each of my city's finest as well as it's citizens to interact with Roland before he goes on duty tomorrow. If you would like to Speak with Roland, he will be here in front of City hall until this evening."The mayor steps away from the podium and stands next to Roland.
The news copter switches off of it's feed as a one man storm of reporter rushes up to the mayor along with many other heroes and civilians.
Among the crowd of people are three young girls. The Three young girls collectively spot the Swiss Army Man, along with a few others of the 'older' heroes. People who have been at it from the beginning.
A well dressed man, answering the call for all heroes, is also present. He sees Swiss Army Man, a friend, and several other heroes littered around.
It's 7 PM on a Friday.
