Superman is currently speeding toward the estate of Ryan Bache, having just learned that Bache may be in danger. But how could that weird sales clerk possibly know this? Who was he anyway. How could he have just vanished? What is his connection to all that’s happening? Schott’s disappearance? Bache possible involvement in Schott’s death? Too many questions, not enough answers. No time for such questions now. No, now’s a time for action.
“Bache!” screams Superman as he busts into the mansion through a wall, but sees no sign of Ryan, or anyone.
“Ya know, the door’s unlocked.”
Big Blue turns, shocked to see the mysterious sales clerk, “You...?”
“You really have a way for words, don’tcha?”
“What happened to Bache? Who are you? What do you...? Are you... Schott?”
“BUZZ! WRONG!!” Knocking on Supes’ forehead with his fist, “Get a clue, MacGurk!”
“MacGu....” spotting a notepad laying on the couch, and picking it up. “This is Lois’s. She was interviewing Bache.”
“Uh-oh. Looks like someone’s friends are in a tad bit of a jam.”
Rushing at superhuman speed, pinning the guy to the wall. “Who are you?!”
Grinning, the man seemingly evaporates, forming a cloud of mist, his big grin remaining. “Mr. Mxyzptlk.”
“Mxyplk?”
“Mxyzptlk. And don’t forget the Mr, Super-chump,” Mxy tells as the cloud drifts closer to the floor, forming a small impish body with a large round nose, wearing a bowler, as well as bow-tie.
“What are you?” Big Blue says in a hushed tone.
Growing to enormous size, the air around him crackling, the sky turning red, Mxy answers in a deep, commanding voice, “YOU’RE WORST NIGHTMARE!!!” Then, instantaneously shrinks back down, leaning against Superman’s leg, chewing on a carrot in a classic Bugs Bunny pose, “Eh, too much, Doc?”
Grabbing Mxy swiftly, pulling him up, “I don’t have time for games!”
“Didn’t we already do this?” Mxy asks as he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a script. “Let’s see,” looking through the script. “You bust in.... ask about Winny Schott... hehe, I call you MacGurk,” Turning to the Man of Steel, “I love that part. I’m a riot. Oh, yeah, here it is, see?”
But as Mxyzptlk shows Superman the script, Big Blue turns the script to ash with his heat vision. “WHAT ARE YOU?!?!” he asks demanding an answer.
Hopping from Superman’s grasp, onto the floor, brushing the ash from his clothes. “Boy, you do like repeating yourself,. Huh?” looking up at the boy scout, noticing him looking as serious as every. “All right, all right. Sheesh, what a party pooper. I’m an advanced being from the 5th dimension. Think of me as a genie, able to make your every desire come true.”
“Genie?”
“Oooo, we got a bright one here, folks.”
“What do you have to do with anything?”
“Okay, not so bright, but at least he has looks.”
Grabbing the imp forcefully once again, “Read my lips, no games!”
“Oh, the touchy-feely thing again.” Mocking a southern belle, Mxy continues, “Why, I do declare, I think you might be smitten with me,” and kisses blue boy on his lips.
“MXYZPTLK!!!!” Superman yells as his eyes glow red.
“Congratulations,” Mxy says as he pats Superman on the back, “you got the name right. You deserve a reward. One question, just make it the
right question.”
“How are you involved in this?”
“Oh, I so knew you would ask that,” Mxy says as he reaches up to the ceiling, pulling down a movie screen and shoving a pop corn tub at Superman and pushes the big guy into a recliner. “Now, watch closely, big guy, while I give the director’s commentary. Scene opens in ‘Toyman’s Play House’ just as Bache knives Schott. I know, sad ain’t it? That’s when the hero of the piece appears. Me. He couldn’t speak but I knew he had a wish deep in him. Who woulda thought his great desires would be turning him into a doll and revenge? Oh, look, Ryan’s son’s buying the doll. Ooo here’s the scene where I created the robo-rex to attack Bache Manufacturers.”
“That was you?”
“Shhhh, no talking during the film,” turning to the movie screen, seeing the screen now blank. “Oh, I guess you can talk now.”
“Where are they?”
“Oops, I’m so sorry, one question answered. Anything more must be in the form of a wish.”
Grabbing Mxy’s arm, “Don’t make me tell you again.”
“No,” says Mxy as his eyes narrow, looking at Superman’s hand, “don’t make me tell
YOU again.”
And suddenly an incredibly powerful surge of magic energy bursts from Mxy, sending Superman flying back, crashing through the closet, coming down hard onto the tied and gagged Amanda Bache.
“I have unlimited power, more than you could imagine. Touch me again, and you’ll find out just how much,” Mxyzptlk threatens as the energy pours back into him. “Kay? Kay.”
Big Blue moves, his body almost aching as he gets up. As he stands, he notices blood.
My blood? No... looking behind him, seeing Amanda, dead. “NOOO!!!” Quickly turning to Mxy. “Can you...?”
“Of course I can. Your
wish is my command.”
“I’m not stupid. I know there’s a price to be paid. I don’t care. I wish for this woman to be brought back to life.”
“Granted,” the impish little being says with a smirk, as magical energy shoots from his fingertips, awakening the once dead Amanda Bache.
“Ugh...” utters Amanda as she tries to get up.
Big Blue picks the woman up, “Ma’am, who did this to you?”
“Toy... man. It... took them... to his workshop,” the woman answers rather weakly.
“Come on, I’m getting you to a hospital.”
But before Superman can take off, Mxyzptlk gets in his way. “Not so fast, McGurk. Not without the price of admission.”
Long minutes pass, silence, nothing happening, Mxy looks at his watch. “Why the...?”
“If you’ll excuse me.” And without waiting for a response, Superman speeds out of there, knocking into Mxy, causing the little imp to spin in circles.
“Huh? It didn’t work,” Mxyzptlk utters as he pulls out a book titled, “Rule Book for Magic Imps from the 5th Dimension Who Want to be Genies, Granting Wishes for a Price.” Mxy quickly flips through the book, and finds what he’s looking for. “Great! There’s a frickin’ loop hole! Well, I’ll show him,” Mxyzptlk says sinisterly as he fades in a cloud of smoke, his equally sinister, Cheshire Cat-like grin being the last of him to vanish.
***
