|
Post by Adminenkainen on Apr 17, 2023 0:39:54 GMT
Hour-Man Monday May 15, 1940 Appleton
Hour-Man knew his temporal predecessor, the original Rex Tyler, was a radio enthusiast and quietly built a network of other radio enthusiasts to aid him, but he would take that one better and do what he and Captain Desmo had already done - reach out to people en masse over one public radio broadcast at a time. Russ Johns of WAC AM had interviewed the two of them live on air less than two weeks ago. Perhaps a second such broadcast would get him leads for adventures.
Russ Johns was interested, when Hour-Man contacted him, but was booked solid and could not get him on air until Wednesday. But when he reached out to WNEW AM, early morning disc jockeys Jack Lescoulie and Gene Rayburn were willing to have him on their show 6 am Monday morning. ((Which would you prefer?))
|
|
|
Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Apr 17, 2023 4:23:05 GMT
((Yeah, that name should be fine. It's never said in the comics what his real name is.))
Red's handshake struck a nerve with Desmo, and as Red squeezed with his vice like grip, Desmo squeezed even harder and yanked him in close and glared in his eyes.
"I'll give you a serial number," said Desmo. "It's called flakes. So Flakes, you can call me Captain."
And then Desmo released his hand very suddenly, and shook hands properly with 'Whitey' and said in a much more friendly tone, "Nice to meet you Whitey."
|
|
|
Post by Adminenkainen on Apr 17, 2023 15:31:50 GMT
Captain Desmo (Doris West, Bart Regan) Monday May 15, 1940 Washington, D.C.
Red seemed more sore than his hand was, but he quickly turned his scowl upside down and beamed at Doris. "Now that I'm here...care for a dance?"
"Love to! Excuse me, gentlemen..." Doris said.
"Sit with us, Whitey!" Bart said. "If Sally wasn't out of town, I'd be on that dance floor too, but you're stuck here with just us menfolk."
"It's fine, Mr. Regan," Whitey said. "I'm more hungry than wanting to dance anyway."
Bart turned his gaze to Captain Desmo and was beaming a knowing grin. "Yes, Red and Doris are something of an item. Nothing official, of course, not like me and Sally, but if you joined up with us hoping to get closer to Doris, I'm afraid you've got an uphill battle ahead of you..."
|
|
|
Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Apr 17, 2023 22:55:39 GMT
"Well, I was never much one for dancing to big bands," said Desmo looking uncomfortable for a moment before quickly trying to change the subject. "Say, Whitey, I been a bit of a burden this trip on Bart and Doris. How's about you show me around Washington when I'm done my interviewing tomorrow? I wanted to see that big stone statue they have of Lincoln and the White House."
And then after a nice exchange while glancing at the dance floor from time to time, he gives both men a childish grin and abruptly stands up. "Actually, Bart," said Desmo. "You probably know me well to enough to know, I never go down without a fight."
With that he turned and marched to the dance floor towards Red and Doris just as the band began a new slow number.
"Hey, buddy. Flakes," said Desmo tapping Red on the shoulder, and then giving Doris a nice smile. "Mind if I cut in?"
|
|
|
Post by dtspurrier on Apr 19, 2023 15:38:28 GMT
Hourman took the advantage and did both radio stations interviews. Having access to both stations will increase the popularity. Hourman will tell of the adventures he and his friend the new hawkman have done. He will mention about the cult the captain is fighting against. He will also promote about being good citizens, respectful to the police and of course supporting the US allies in the time of need. He will not devulge his secret identity nor about any future events.
While preparing the new headquarters he will take time to contact schools and try to see if he can speak to the kids about safety and being good future citizens. This belief is a little from future JSA hero mister terrific about " fair play and honesty" but it might work.
|
|
|
Post by Adminenkainen on Apr 19, 2023 18:05:49 GMT
Hour-Man Monday May 15, 1940 Appleton WNEW Radio Station
During the early morning interview on the Jack and Gene Show, Hour-Man got the distinct impression that the show hosts were mocking him on air as a crazy person. They kept trying to convince him to do some stunt for them, like go outside and pick up a car outside their window.
|
|
|
Post by Adminenkainen on Apr 19, 2023 18:13:40 GMT
Captain Desmo (Doris West, Red, White, Bart Regan) Monday May 15, 1940 Washington, D.C. The Merry-Land Club
"Sorry, I'm busy tomorrow," Whitey said with a shrug.
Desmo had better luck with Doris. Red begrudgingly handed her off for the next dance, as decorum demanded it of him. The jazz band was covering Bing Crosby's hit "Only Forever."
"Don't be too hard on Red," Doris said in Desmond's ear. Her breath on his lobe sent shivers down his spine. "Bart may have told you we're dating. Naturally he's going to be jealous of me being on long missions without him, surrounded by such capable men. If it wasn't for Sally, he'd be jealous of Bart too."
Doris smiled as the next song became a Rumba. Red sat this one out too, fuming, while the two of them got wild.
|
|
|
Post by dtspurrier on Apr 19, 2023 21:12:12 GMT
Hourman did the interview and thought about a stunt and instead did something Superman or wonder-woman would do in bending bars. Hourman then says, " gentlemen lets then go outside and let me give you a demonstration. " So when outside he looks to see if there is sheet metal or something he can bend he will use his wrecking superhero powers as a demonstration. If this still did not impress them then he will use his hour of power as a demonstration then, provided there was enough room and also so no one will get hurt. He also sees if there are any young fellows outside or maybe a younger station intern to assist him in the demonstration
|
|
|
Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Apr 19, 2023 23:03:14 GMT
After the number, Desmo started to lead Doris off the dance floor with a hand on her arm (as etiquette dictated). An undissuaded Desmo tried something a little daring and ignored the fact that Doris was dating Red.
"You're a swell dancer Doris, and a very classy lady," said Desmo, making sure not to look at Red. "And I want to see you again."
Subtly touching her hand, Desmo said, "How about tomorrow after my interview? I'll pick you up at 1 pm tomorrow in front of your hotel. I'll treat you to a coffee and cake at a nice shop near Lincoln Memorial."
|
|
|
Post by Adminenkainen on Apr 20, 2023 17:11:09 GMT
Hour-Man Monday May 15, 1940 Appleton WNEW Radio Station
Jack and Gene did not follow Hour-Man outside, as that would leave no one talking on the radio. They did promise to watch from the window, though, and Hour-Man could see them at the window from outside.
The parking lot did not have scrap metal just laying around, except for a length of pipe Hour-Man managed to find. His goal was to apply just enough pressure to bend it in half, but he misjudged and snapped it instead. Jack and Gene were not aware he had planned to do anything different, though, so they looked wildly ecstatic through the window.
When Hour-Man came back in, they were still raving about Hour-Man on the radio. In fact, they had somewhat inflated their description of what they had seen...
After the show, they promised to keep a record of any requests for Hour-Man's help that were called in to their show; Hour-Man would just have to come in person to WNEW to get his messages.
|
|
|
Post by Adminenkainen on Apr 20, 2023 17:14:12 GMT
Captain Desmo (Doris West, Red, White, Bart Regan) Monday May 15, 1940 Washington, D.C. The Merry-Land Club
Doris made Desmo wait nine minutes before she gave him an answer. "Alright, Captain, but just one time. I'm not the type of lady who lets two men court me at once. Also, I reserve the right to tell Red that captain is your occupation and not your military rank, if I ever need him less jealous. Deal?"
|
|
|
Post by dtspurrier on Apr 20, 2023 19:04:14 GMT
Hourman agrees to this deal and still will keep his appointment with the other station on wed.
|
|
|
Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Apr 20, 2023 23:53:23 GMT
"It's a deal," said Desmo smiling with reief. "Look forward to seeing you at 1 pm tomorrow."
Desmo was not sure how the rest of the evening would transpire with an evidently jealous Red. Desmo tried to be a little more civil for the remainder of the evening, and tell a couple of amusing stories about how he met Hobbes and got the plane that took them over from India. He then ended the evening with a special thanks to Bart and Doris for making these interviews possible for him.
|
|
|
Post by Adminenkainen on Apr 27, 2023 23:56:01 GMT
Captain Desmo (Doris West, Red, White, Bart Regan) Monday May 15, 1940 Washington, D.C. The Merry-Land Club
Captain Desmo's story about meeting Hobbes was a good one, maybe even important for Doris and Bart to know about how he got his plane and that it was still handy. But Desmo had to award a point to Red; Red went with a more personal anecdote, retelling one of his adventures with Doris. Doris laughed often at the little inside jokes they had about it. And after that, Doris said she was getting a headache and begged the men leave from the table for the night.
Tuesday May 16, 1940 Washington, D.C. Arlington Hall*
Captain Desmo's final interview was presented to him as just a formality, but when he arrived he learned it was with Colonel Spencer Akin, U.S. Army, Chief of the Signal Intelligence Service. It became clear that if the military officer did not warm to Captain Desmo, his employment might be sunk regardless of how well he had done up to this point.
Colonel Akin was in full uniform in his office in the converted women's junior college. He sat at a large oak desk, with a small chair in front of it. There was an American flag behind his desk. The desk's paperwork was meticulously organized into trays.
"Come in, sit," Col. Akin said, but it sounded more like a suggestion than an order. He tapped his pen on his desk while he spoke. "I understand you like to be called by Captain. I trust you understand, you will not hold a military rank, as a spy. The U.S. Military will have no official record of you. You will be contacted periodically for missions, which you may refuse if you consider them too dangerous, or if you have a conflict of interest, but be warned that refusals will make us rethink your fitness for spy duty. You will be provided with resources you need for missions. The rest of the time you will pull a small, hard-to-trace retainer for your services. It will not be enough to live on, unless you economize, but it should aid you with keeping up appearances of having a full-time job, if you work part-time or odd jobs between missions. The job does come with health insurance, life insurance, and - should you live so long - retirement benefits.
"Do you have any questions for me?"
(*They weren't actually based in Arlington Hall until 1942, but I can't find where their HQ was before that.)
|
|
|
Post by Tim_Fox1002 on Apr 28, 2023 3:48:36 GMT
"Sir, thanks for meeting with me," said Desmo sitting down and removing his sunglasses for the first time in public to reveal a jagged scar over his left eye. "I have no questions Colonel, and you've seen my records."
"Look, I've had my life on the line, I don't know how many times for our country, Colonel. I'm sure you have too," said Desmo. "But, I rest assured I can get jobs done that very few other men can no matter whether you call me captain of not. It would be a privilege and pleasure to work with US Army Intelligence." said Desmo, and then putting his right hand over his heart added, " I am a true patriot and have a real interest in defending 'merica and our god given freedom in these troubled times."
Then he stood and paced a little. "If my colleagues and I were able to route out terrorist bombers in Appleton, surely with your direction and support we can accomplish much more."
When he said "much more", he sat down again directly facing the Colonel.
"What do you say, sir," said Desmo. "Have I got the job?"
|
|