Morality and Values

Part 1

The Hero looked down upon the city. The city that is under his protection. And as he looked down upon it, he realised just how big it is, and how many people he was supposed to look after. Ugh. He thought to himself, "I need someone to split the work with, so I can have a drink while they beat up the Villain... but they can't have nearly as much credit as me, no! What I need... is a sidekick! Yes! I'll hold auditions tomorrow in the City Square. There will be thousands of people just frantically signing up for the chance to work with me, I know it!"

Later that day, he went up to some reporters who were filming. The Hero pushed the reporter out of the way, invoking an annoyed "Hey!" by the crew and sending the reporter flying. He stood in front of the camera, and began his prepared speech. "Hello, everyone! Just to let you all know, I'm hosting an audition tomorrow for a new sidekick! I expect everyone with abilities to show up and try out," he said, "after all, working with me would be a great privilege! Okay, see you all tomorrow in City Square!" He flew away, leaving the crew to pull the reporter out of the sinkhole she had just been reporting.

--- Day of the Auditions ---

No one. Not one person showed up in City Square that day. Well okay, a few people showed up, but they had to be dismissed as soon as they came because they were terrible, so really no one.

A little boy, for example, could float and jump extraordinarily high. "Is that really all you can do? You're useless, stupid, and way too young to have a drink with me after a battle. NEXT"

A woman came who could read minds to an extent and cause illusions, and said she could scare people by putting their worst fears in front of them. "Are you serious? That's the lamest ability I've EVER heard of, and that's saying something. NEXT"

The trials were cut short because the woman decided to cause a bunch of cute baby animals straight from the Hero's nightmares to come into existence in front of him as a thank you for saying no. Let's just say he had to retreat to his tower to calm down. (He definitely didn't scream like a baby.)

That night, a young high school-age girl came to his tower. "I'm so sorry sir, but I had tests all day and I couldn't make it for the auditions. May I come in?" The Hero looked down at her with disgust. But before the word "No" could leave his lips, "Yes, you may" came out. Why did he just say yes? He had wasn't going to say that at all. But he had said yes, and the girl had already pushed past him into his home. So he shut the door and sat down across from her.

"So what makes you think you can be my sidekick?" the Hero asked.

"I... happen to have a way with getting people to do what I want. Basically, I can, to some extent, control people's thoughts and actions. I can't do anything like make a person kill themselves, or hurt themselves in any way, but it can be pretty useful in calming people down or stopping people from doing things that are against the law. Pretty handy, huh? So, may I be your sidekick?"

"Yes... wait, NO! Why am I.... oh. STOP THAT!"

He got up and poured himself a drink. "Do you really have what it takes to be my sidekick? And are you old enough to drink?", he asked.

She gave him a look that just screamed 'are you serious'.

"I see your point and agree that I am, in fact, an idiot... wait... [sigh] you're just going to make me agree with everything you say. So there is no point in arguing, is there?"

"Not a bit."

"FINE. You can be my sidekick. Just no funny business, and use your ability only on the Villain from now on. You must also follow my rules TO THE LETTER, understand?"

"Understood." She stood up. "Oh, and by the way, my name is Jessica. Jess for short. I'll just show myself out now. Goodbye."

She didn't wait for the Hero to get up. He wasn't going to anyway. Almost immediately after Jess had left the room, he poured another drink. "I could've said no. In fact, when that brat next shows up, I'll say that," he decided, completely oblivious to the fact that he had literally no way of doing that without turning around and saying the opposite almost immediately afterwards. "She's just a silly high-schooler who saw me on the news and thought that she could take on the Villain herself. She doesn't stand a chance against me. I'll show her who's boss!"