KELLY SAILOR AND THE BLOODY COVERS

Despite the hall’s width, the sheer number of people crammed inside made breathing a chore. Stalls overflowed into the passageways, fans flocked to photograph themselves with their favorite comic book characters. Many of those fans were too young to have attended the first comic book convention in 1964 at the Workman’s Circle Building in New York or the 1970 comic con at the Grant Hotel in San Diego, but others were old enough to have attended those venues and also other events that followed not only across the country but also in Europe.

The lights were focused on the most respected name in the circle: Ernest DeVine, owner of the most valuable comic book collection in the entire state. DeVine was attending the Amber City convention for the sixth time in a row to promote collecting in his city, and fans were waiting for the main event to arrive. He kept his printed treasures in a security vault in his sixth-floor office at the Latimer Publications Building, an Amber City-based publishing empire valued at over $ 200 million. He found himself amongst a sea of like-minded enthusiasts, sharing his time listening what others had to say and talking about his own experiences and valuable possessions .

— Maybe this isn’t San Diego — the man addressed the audience — but they hardly exhibit pieces in that joint like the ones I usually bring every year for this convention.

Some samples of those beloved comics, which were the envy of everyone concerned, were being transported in a special container by several security guards. Of course, the applause broke out as soon as the copies were placed in a special display case, under strong protection. For the 1986 edition, the display case let everybody see, among other magazines, a Journey into Mystery #83, dated August 1962, grade 9.1, valued in $41,000; a More Fun Comics #73 from November 1941, grade 8.8, whose price was estimated in $46,000, and, for a change, a Suspense Comics #3 from April 1944, grade 6.5, valued in a respectable sum of $12,000.

Three days before, Kelly Sailor, her mother Leticia and her stepfather, Homicide Lieutenant Peter Lloyd, unexpectedly received a visit from Uncle Glen, Peter’s brother. Uncle Glen was a wealthy man, a comic books fan but with a not so worthy collection. He decided to correct that fact, so he invited the family to join him in a little tour.

— Kelly is on vacation, Pete, take it as a recreational trip. I can follow the conventions, you guys can go around the cities looking for attractions elsewhere, of course. We’ll start in Tallahassee, then drive to Amber City, fly to Kenneth Cove, and finally catch a flight to Miami before heading back to Amber City to pick up my car and then back here. It'll only take nine days, at the most. A change of air is always good. When was the last time you went on a tour?

— Believe me, the last tour concept I have in mind is to follow comic cons — Peter responded, refusing to participate.

— Will there be mystery magazines too? — Kelly asked her uncle.

— Of course there will.

— I wanna go!

— I can look after Kelly — Leticia said —, it'll do her some good to leave Port Thomas for a few days.

That's how Kelly Sailor and Uncle Glen, after a short visit to Tallahassee, were able to be present at the Amber City convention hall. Not only Ernest DeVine was present too, but also his son Brent, heir of Latimer Publications. The heir was accompanied by a lovely hostess dressed mostly in yellow, whose smile had the virtue of making the most insignificant topic in the ambience to sound appealing. Glen, who had just purchased half a dozen fine collection items, struck up a conversation with him.

— I know a friend, a collector of course, whose hobby ruined his marriage. Rest assured, Mr. DeVine, that the only thing that will be ruined in my house will be the scent of lavender on the shelves in my studio because of the smell of mothballs.

— Comics, for me, were a vehicle to keep me balanced. Dad enrolled me in a school for bow-tie swellheads, whom I despised. So, I spent a lot of my leisure time with my comic magazines, mainly on the sly. Back then, we’re talking about 1972 or 1973, many of the comics that now are thousands of dollars' worth could be purchased for next to nothing. For example, take a Spiderman #108 like the one I myself picked up for twenty cents in a random newsstand. If someone finds a mint copy today, it would sell for about $500. I can see that you have purchased a good amount of items, Mr. Sailor.

- Actually, I consider these ones a good start. I intend to become a serious collector in the near future. Excuse me for just one second, please.

Glen placed his magazines in a keyed briefcase that he had brought along for that purpose. By then, Brent was already wearing an approving smile.

— It’s nice to meet new members of the community like you. — Brent said — There’s a very nice place nearby called Ocean’s Fountain, it’s just a soda parlor considering that the young lady doesn’t drink, right? We can continue chatting there, instead of standing in this maze.

— Delighted. What do you say, Kelly?

— I’ll have a double sundae, even if it doesn’t taste like grapefruit.

Brent turned to his father who, at the time, was having a serious talk with a representative from the city council.

— Dad! I’m heading to the Fountain with a soon-to-be main collector, I’ll be on time for the meeting with the Fine family.

— I’ll be there later, you know that I leave just in time when it comes to pay a visit to that family. I think I'll pick a watch before heading to the Fine's. Punctuality is a sacred thing to me, you know.

— Ok, then it’s settled. I think we could leave the hall now, Mr. Sailor.

Kelly and the two adults left the bustle of the convention and walked two blocks away to the soda fountain. On the way, the young redhead dared to ask a couple of questions to the heir.

— Mr. Brent, may I call you Brent, since you and your father are both DeVine?

— That’s fine with me, young lady, just call me Brent.

— Well, I didn’t quite understand why your father, if he’s as timely as he claims, departs just in time to arrive at the agreed-upon hour for the meeting with the family you mentioned. He could go a little ahead to arrive a few minutes early.

— My father has been long cautions when carrying costly objects to the street unless it’s absolutely necessary, and he's very cautious in business' situations too. He was the victim of a large robbery in his youth, when he was beginning to build his empire. That caused him a great depression. Now, whenever he takes something precious to the road, he fears that someone will approach him at any minute to take it away. In this case we’re visiting the Fines and he feels it’s alright to wear a Patek Philippe Nautilus, especially as the Fines are as refined as their last name says, so he departs in the eleventh hour and arrives on the dot and that calms his anxieties.

— Does he have a Nautilus? You people are really publishing tycoons.

— That’s right, Latimer Publications distributes 22 magazines across the state. Comics are merely a hobby for him, but in his private collection he has some items that are the dream of many. Someday I’ll take care of that heritage and all things related to the business. Especially the comics.

At the Ocean’s Fountain, Kelly ordered vanilla ice cream and orange juice, since they were out of grapefruit. Glen requested apple pie, which Brent dodged, stating that apples upset his stomach, and ordered a strawberry milkshake. Leaving there, the latter asked Glen and Kelly to accompany him to visit a well-known bookstore, after which they could all go separate ways. Brent DeVine wanted to find out if a Latimer publication from the House and Design division had hit the shelves already.

Brent approached the first clerk in sight, a man who resembled a movie butler instead of a bookstore employee.

— Excuse me, has House Premium magazine arrived?

— No, sir, but we have this one available: Old House Journal.

— I asked you for House Premium, not for that piece of crap.

Kelly and Glen stared at him instantly, not moving an inch, except for the heads.

— I beg your pardon, sir, but it’s not actually crap, there are some very interesting articles in it.

— Sure, if you consider it interesting to decorate rooms to look like railway carriages.

— Sir, please! I’ll be honest with you: we’ve had some problems with House Premium; the last customer who bought it wanted to return it because the centerfold displayed a house that looked like a Smurf’s mushroom.

— What the fuck did you say, you toast-head coat rack? — Brent yelled, throwing the magazine to the floor, prompting a security guard to approach. — See what I do with your... dentist’s office rubbish!

What the man did next was to push the organizer where the magazines were placed until it collapsed. The security guard grabbed the maniac by both arms and attempted to drag him out of the store; however, DeVine managed to free himself to come out screaming:

_ I’m a DeVine, and I could buy this stable to make it a skateboarding bowl! And what are you looking at, ma’am? There’s nothing to see here! That shit crumbled by itself! Do you all listen to me? Don’t push me!

The man was escorted out of the store by force, leaving Kelly and Glen perplexed.

— Do you know him? — the butler-like clerk asked, as someone else helped to pick up the organizer. Glen took a second air to answer.

— He’s Brent DeVine, from Latimer Publications. We just met him at the comics expo, but we didn’t know anything about... Seriously, we had no idea ...

— Don’t be concerned, sir. Is there anything I can do for you?

— Actually, yes. We are touring in this city and would like to know where we can buy photography equipment.

—Certainly, sir. Walk two blocks down this street, then cross to the opposite sidewalk and you’ll find a nice Kodak store.

— Thanks, I appreciate your help.

They both left the place at a doubled pace. Kelly couldn’t contain her curiosity.

— Are you planning on purchasing a nice camera?

— To be honest, I’m going to purchase you a wonderful gift.

— Thanks, Uncle Glen!

What Glen purchased was a Polaroid Supercolor 635CL, a charming photographic camera. The store prepared the camera and handed it ready to use for Kelly so she could start taking pictures right away.

— Let’s find a public park with a lot of people around — she suggested.

After asking for directions, the two arrived at Peyton Park, a place full of cypress trees with an esplanade where mimes and reciters usually congregated. Kelly took her first photographs there. She and Uncle Glen both approached one of the speakers to listen to him better.

— As an actor, I'm best recognized for my work in the theater. Nothing Shakespearean, modern theater is my passion. When the role involves risk, focus and courage, I don’t hesitate to take on any job. I’ve experienced that countless times not only over the scenery but in the movies also. I had a minor part in North by Northwest; fat man Hitchcock, if you saw him, we shared a cup of chocolate... he gave me some advise, but what are words worth today if movies are no longer being made like that... Risk, focus and courage, that’s my thing.

The crowd began to disperse. Kelly approached him to ask if he’d let her take him an instant photo.

— Allow me to show you my best side on! The left one! No, the right one! That’s OK.

Kelly took the photograph. The best thing in it was the background.

— Miss, when you develop the negatives, could you give me a copy? It’s for my collection of famous poses.

— These are Polaroid photos. There’s no negatives, but you can keep this one if you want — she said, showing the photographic paper.

— That’s very kind of you! If, at any event, you need a character actor, just give me a call. Here’s my card.

— Thank you...

Kelly and Uncle Glen walked away. Glen was looking forward to return to the convention, despite Ernest DeVine’s son’s outburst.

— Ugh! It was quite a morning, wasn't it, niece? But I said I'll visit the conventions and that's what I'm gonna do.

— Well, I’d better go to the hotel to see Mom. We’ll surely find something to do together.

(TO BE CONTINUED)