The digital clock read 9:53 a.m., its faint green glow flickering across an empty whiskey bottle lying on its side, half-buried in condom wrappers. The blackout curtains did their job well, blocking the morning sun from entering the small apartment, but a strewn shoe kept them from closing all the way. Its interference allowed enough light in to give the room some slight visibility.
Alpha opened his eyes to the weight of a hangover pressing hard against his skull, pain pulsing behind his eyes and temples. His fingers brushed the mask still strapped to his face. Its tight fit dulled the worst of the pain.
Letting out a groan, he threw his legs over the side of the bed and lay there a moment longer. After mustering the ability to stand, he flicked on the lamp and stumbled into the cramped kitchen. After pouring a glass of water and grabbing a small handful of aspirin, he turned back to the pullout sofa bed, looking at it over the kitchen island.
"Good morning," said a young blonde girl.
She was attractive. Slim, yet curvy in the right places, but he sneered when he saw her. She was draped in his cheap sheets, naked beneath, but showing just enough skin and smiling like a mischievous child.
"Is it?" he asked. He opened his mouth and swallowed the pills, chasing them with a swig of water.
"Oh yeah," she said, sitting up.
She didn't bother to cover herself as she did, and her firm, manmade breasts became exposed. He couldn't divert his eyes from her body, which gave her more reason to show off. Standing up, she approached the counter of the island, swaying her hips in a deliberate fashion. What remained of her pubic hair was a neatly trimmed dark patch.
"I've been hoping you'd call," she said with a coy smile. "I'm glad you did."
"Yeah, me too," Alpha said, grabbing the coffee pot nearby.
"Fuck coffee, let's go again," she said, leaning up against the island.
He poured water into the pot, looked up, and said, "I don't think so."
Her smile faded into a scowl. "You've done such a good job cleaning up this city, what else do you have to do today?"
"I don't have to do anything, I just want you gone so I can take off this damn mask," he said, pouring the coffee in.
“Whatever,” she muttered, rolling her eyes as she turned to gather her clothes.
She paused, "You know—"
"I know exactly what you're going to say," he said. "I've heard it before, just like I've said this before. It's nothing personal; it’s just time for you to leave."
As she dressed, he walked over to the door with a Styrofoam cup, steaming from the hot coffee inside. He tried to hand it to her as she left, but she turned her nose up as she stormed out. Just before she got to the elevator, she spun around and said, "What’s to keep me from coming back? Maybe with reporters?"
"Nothing, except this isn't my place. The owner owes me a few favors, and he's often out of town. I stay here when I please as long as I clean the sheets when I'm done."
"Fuck you!" she said as the elevator dinged. He watched as she got on, pressed the button, and flipped him off as the doors closed.
Shutting the door, he walked back to his own cup of coffee and inhaled its aroma. Popping the clasps on each side of his mask, he slid it off and placed it on the counter. After taking a long sip, he grabbed the television remote and sat in the chair. Turning the set on, he laid his head back.
"Tonight, on The Adventures of Alpha Man and Beta Boy: the two heroes face off against their greatest foe yet—Omega Man," the TV said as a colorful animated program appeared on the screen.
"Great," he said, closing his eyes. He lifted the remote to change the channel, but paused, watching the cartoon.
“What are we gonna do, Alpha?” he said, mouthing the young superhero’s words.
"What choice do we have but to fight this vile villain?" he said, talking over the cartoon version of himself.
This went on until the credits rolled and the program was finished. Still holding the remote, he waited until the station announced its next program before finally turning the channel. Just as he landed on the news, his phone went off.
Picking it up, he groaned when he saw the name Rose appear on the screen.
“Fuck,” he muttered, hitting accept. "I know I'm supposed to come see you this morning, but I've been busy. I'll swing by there soon."
Alpha had to pull his ear away, grimacing as the sound of the police commissioner’s yells broke through the speaker. His hangover was in full force.
"I'll come now," he said. He hit end, jabbing the screen with his finger.
With a groan, he got up and grabbed his mask. Pulling it over his head, he snapped the clasps into place. He scanned the wreckage of the room until he spotted his costume hanging off a lamp in the corner. Letting out a chuckle, he walked over and grabbed it. Stepping into each foot, he pulled it up over his waist and snapped it together. On his way to the sliding glass door, he checked for his stuff, then stepped out into the morning air.
Covering his face with one hand, he blocked the sun’s powerful light while the lenses in his mask adjusted. A moment later, his vision returned, just in time for the headache to come crawling back.
"It’s gonna be a shitty day," he said.
