Tag: ⎇001JW

Uncategorized, Novella, Screenplay, Complete

⎇001JW Defining Leather: Punching Down

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 9 of 10 in the series Justice Wing Vignettes

Tad Gilstone was riding high. He was a popular comedian, talk show and quiz show host, and television producer whose career was in high gear. Sure, people like his road buddy Sutton Sheldon didn't much like the way he treated his girlfriends, and maybe he was ever so slightly incapable of giving a crap about anyone else, but those are survival techniques in show business. But, when some old garbage got churned back up and some kid hero he once mocked on his show Page View Review got national attention for her villain career... a career that could be traced right back to Gilstone's show, Tad Gilstone knew he needed damage control.

It's the comedy game, after all. Nobody cares, until you get caught punching down. But the questions remain... who's he apologizing to? And for that matter, will Leather take it the right way... or take offense?

Content warning: gaslighting, misogynistic behavior, extreme language, and feces.

Evan Shapiro
Justice Wing

⎇001JW Justice Wing: Forebears #14

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 14 of 14 in the series Forebears

“Because you’re not vain?”

“I’m simply not vain about my appearance. I’m still quite possibly the most arrogant human being you’ve ever met.”

“I dunno. I knew Colin Church before he died.”

Evan snorted. “Did you, now?”

“What does that mean?”

“Not much. But I won the only competition we ever had quite handily. He never quite forgave me for that.”

“You. Knew Colin Church.”

“Your father called me the smartest man he’d ever met, earlier today. He sent you to Riverside instead of Middlebury specifically so you could take classes from me. And you’re here now because I asked him to send you. Is it so unreasonable to think I might have met his employer at some point?”

Evan Shapiro
Justice Wing

⎇001JW Justice Wing: Forebears #13

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 13 of 14 in the series Forebears

“Our daughter Loredana is a parahuman, Evan. She chose to bluesuit. That’s fine. She gets to do that… for now, anyway. But the things we’re hammering out in those meetings… Evan, it’s not about Justice Wing or super heroes or even what happened in Europe or all the dead people. It’s about terrified prosahumans and what they might do out of fear, and every bit of it is pointed square at Danni. So no, Evan. There is no realistic alternative. I will die ten times in agony before I allow my daughter to spend the rest of her life hiding from her government and neighbors.” She took a slightly ragged breath. “So. Are there any questions, or have I made myself clear?”

Evan Shapiro
Justice Wing

⎇001JW Justice Wing: Forebears #12

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 12 of 14 in the series Forebears

“…okay, that’s dark. Dad… are you sure you’ve recovered enough to travel?” “I wasn’t physically injured, Tip.” “Yeah, well, Albescu didn’t take a swing for me for almost six years and didn’t connect when he did but I still have nightmares. You’re the one who told me PTSD was a thing, remember?”

Evan Shapiro
Justice Wing

⎇001JW Justice Wing: Forebears #11 (Book 2: Evan #1)

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 11 of 14 in the series Forebears

He turned and begin writing on the board. “The Seelie Court, Elphyne, Tír na nóg, Avalon, Mag Mell, Emain Ablach, Álfheimr, Ryūgū-jō – all different names for different realms, each of which having some claim on being the true Fairyland, barring nomenclature or cultural differences… and all realms Sprite has literally visited. They are contradictory realms and yet they coexist.” Evan turned back around. “Reality, it seems, can withstand a few contradictions.”

Evan Shapiro
Justice Wing

⎇001JW Justice Wing: Forebears #10 (Book 2: Evan Prologue)

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 10 of 14 in the series Forebears

Jonathan told me how there are things you have to do, even if they are dangerous.

“Why is that?” I asked.

“Because if you don’t you are not a human being, you’re nothing but a little louse,” Jonathan replied.Astrid Lindgren, The Brothers Lionheart


“I knew this would happen.”Dr. Evan Shapiro

Mandy Shapiro on the Phone
Justice Wing

⎇001JW Justice Wing: Forebears #9 (Double Sized Conclusion of Book One: Mandy!)

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 9 of 14 in the series Forebears

“Oh my God, Mandy!” came a shout. Topaz. Of course it was Topaz. “Oh my God oh my God Mandy! Are you all right? Who did this to you? I'll tear them into kibble! What do you need? How can I help—”

“Teeny! Shh! Mandy? Mandy this is Hearth.” Dorian sounded… like Dorian. Warm. Caring. Concerned. And laser focused. “I haven’t been able to get over there yet, but I’ve gotten reports on your recovery. I think I can help balance out your residual neurological disruption before your abilities significantly reassert themselves—”

“Eighteen seconds!” That shout was Keira — Jetgirl. “I was eighteen seconds behind Hardesty, and she cheated! I scared the Hell out of those punks, I can tell you! They thought Lynette landed hard? They had no idea!”

“Aunt Mandy? Aunt Mandy?”

Mandy’s throat caught, tears beading unexpectedly in her eyes.

Mandy Shapiro on the Phone
Justice Wing

⎇001JW Justice Wing: Forebears #8

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 8 of 14 in the series Forebears

“Of course I can,” Mandy said, quietly. “If it weren’t an inherent conflict of interest I’d represent them pro bono. I hate them. I hate them, Theriault.” Mandy managed to focus on the woman. “But do I sympathize? Of course I do.”

Mandy Shapiro on the Phone
Justice Wing

⎇001JW Justice Wing: Forebears #7

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 7 of 14 in the series Forebears

The orange fire formed patterns along the clouds and in the sky — fractals twisting and playing and growing, a sound like a ball bearing rolling down a copper tube echoing in the street. I wondered how many of Holland’s neighbors were looking out their windows at the sound… looking up at the burning mandala of mathematics in the sky, and watching it flare a brighter orange…

With a crack, one corner of the fractal seemed to shatter, opening a hole to grey glowing nothing. A craft the size and shape of a tour bus fell through that hole, frost and ice cracking along its surface as it fell. It was at least a hundred meters up and falling, until six underbody turbofan vanes like the flyer’s snapped out and kicked hard to cushion the landing. Above it, the orange fire faded to nothing, even as the medical float leveled off and twisted down towards the ground.

Mandy Shapiro on the Phone
Justice Wing

⎇001JW Justice Wing: Forebears #6

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 6 of 14 in the series Forebears

Mandy felt an itch, just at the base of her neck. Her headache seemed to pulse a bit more. She narrowed her eyes — what…?

Mandy felt a spike of pain. She ignored it, spinning and grabbing Jake’s arm. “Jake, run!”

Mandy Shapiro on the Phone
Justice Wing

⎇001JW Justice Wing: Forebears #5

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 5 of 14 in the series Forebears

Mandy snorted. “West? Do you know why they pull cops with a personal stake off cases? It’s because they have a personal stake. That throws them off. You know that. You must know that. You know better than to—”

“Than to what, Shapiro? Than to bend or break the rules in the name of justice? What the Hell do you think Vortex was doing out there? Huh? What the Hell do you think Nightstick or Foolhardy or even the Beacon do in their cities? So tell me why I have to just live with my son in a cemetery and play by rules that don’t apply to Holland or anyone like him! Huh? When’s it my turn to get to take the short cut?”

Mandy looked at West. “Never,” she said, simply. “It’s never your turn.“

Justice Wing

⎇001JW Interviewing Trey #23

Eric Burns-White
This entry is part 23 of 23 in the series Interviewing Trey

“I noticed you were… protective of Trey, out there. Wary to save face for her, concerned that she might get in trouble or endure the agony Jack shackled her with far more completely than that wristband?” “Well… yeah. I guess I am.” “Mm.” Lady Velvet turned and looked at me. “Mister Chapman? I have to believe you’re far too smart to be this much of an idiot, so I’d love to hear what you’re thinking.”