Alvin knew who Matt was: the famous Daredevil from Marvel. Every night, he donned his red-and-black suit and roamed the streets and alleys of Hell's Kitchen, fighting crime and protecting Ordinary People.
In the comics, he was a powerful, intelligent Superhero who could do almost anything. But Alvin knew that in real life, he was a battered, obsessive man.
Matt was a born-and-raised resident of Hell's Kitchen, and he was obsessed with changing the neighborhood's dire state. He believed that the countless gangs and endless crime had turned Hell's Kitchen into the hopeless place it was now.
He wanted to change the neighborhood by fighting crime and disrupting Gang dealings, but he didn't know that everything he did was futile. Gangs and crime would never disappear.
In Alvin's eyes, Matt was just an ordinary man with pretty good fighting skills. Maybe he also had a Superpower that could be called super-hearing. But against Gang members pushed to desperate measures, he often couldn't gain the upper hand, and getting hurt was inevitable.
Still, Alvin admired Matt's character and spirit. A guy who cared only about the safety of others was always worthy of respect!
Feeling a little ashamed, Alvin apologized to Matt. "Sorry, Matt. You know I made a deal with Kingpin. I can't get involved in what's happening in other neighborhoods."
Matt listened and gave a helpless smile. Looking especially lost and confused, he said, "Alvin, we both want Hell's Kitchen to get better. Why have you already changed three neighborhoods, while I've changed nothing? People in other neighborhoods are still being robbed and killed.
"And I'm powerless to stop it. Sometimes I hate my abilities. They let me hear strangers crying for help every night. I've tried, but I can't help everyone. I don't know what to do."
Alvin poured him another Beer, added two small shots of Whiskey, and set it in front of him. He tapped the Wine Glass to signal Matt to drink.
Alvin continued, "Matt, changing a neighborhood has never been one person's job. Do you know why my first condition to S.H.I.E.L.D. was that they improve the Police Station's equipment?"
Without waiting for Matt to answer, Alvin went on, "That way, guys like Michael and Scott will dare to patrol the streets at night. Not every criminal is crazy enough to attack the Police. As long as there are Police patrolling the streets, security in Hell's Kitchen will improve."
Matt silently raised his Wine Glass and drained a big gulp. "But people are still getting hurt, and I'm powerless to stop it." He took off his sunglasses. His grayish-white eyes seemed to have no pupils. He rubbed his cheeks hard, looking utterly helpless.
Hearing Matt's words, Alvin replied with anger and helplessness, "You're not God. Even God can't save everyone. Matt, you have to let yourself relax.
"We all want to make this place better, and we need to work together. Buddy, instead of going out every day as a vigilante, help the real Police get back to their posts.
"Buddy, I'll talk to Kingpin and get him to rein in his men, so they stop bothering ordinary people. You should stop picking fights with him, too. It'll only get you hurt.
"Besides, having someone who can keep the Gangs in check is still far better than having Hell's Kitchen descend into chaos."
Matt downed the rest of his Beer and said angrily, "So we just let Kingpin get away with it?"
Alvin explained helplessly, "Kingpin isn't the problem. He didn't create the situation Hell's Kitchen is in.
"Taking him out would be easy. But what happens afterward? Hundreds of Gangs, big and small, would be left unchecked. What would become of Hell's Kitchen?
"As long as Kingpin is still around, there'll be at least a little Order here, even if it's underground Order."
Matt slumped over the Bar Counter, looking helpless and lost, as if he were about to crumble. He said quietly, "Alvin, I don't know if you're right. But at least what you've done has worked a lot better than what I've done. That doesn't mean I'll give up my approach, though. I'll keep going until I'm truly powerless to do anything."
Alvin knew that by "powerless," Matt meant until the day he died. Alvin respected him, so he wouldn't stop him from acting on his ideal of "making the community a better place."
Alvin patted his shoulder. "I support you, but you have to let yourself rest once in a while." He signaled for Matt to have another drink. This time, Alvin poured him Whiskey.
Matt was soon completely drunk. While Foggy was busy bragging and chatting with someone, a thin red Vine slipped into Matt's calf. A stream of red energy flowed along it into Matt's body. It was the Corpse-Eater Vine's ability: devouring corpses and turning them into vitality.
Alvin kept track of the time. Once he'd fed Matt enough energy to completely heal his injuries, he recalled the Corpse-Eater Vine.
He casually poured himself a drink and downed it in one gulp. Looking at Matt, now fast asleep with a rosy complexion, Alvin murmured, "To noble character! To unwavering effort! Cheers!"
The merry atmosphere lasted until midnight, ending when the Restaurant closed. After arranging for JJ to take Matt and Foggy home, Alvin went back to the second-floor bedroom. He checked on little Nick and found him fast asleep. Smiling, Alvin tucked the blanket around him, turned off the light, and walked out.
Turning around, he spotted Jess leaning against the Corridor wall, watching him. Alvin touched his cheek and asked, "What is it? Do I have something on my face?"
Jess gazed at Alvin with shy admiration, making him a little uncomfortable. In his previous life, he'd been a thirty-five-year-old man, and now a nineteen-year-old girl was staring at him in a way that left him flustered. It really shouldn't have been like this. So he joked, "Jess, did you leave something here?"
Jess shook her head, puzzled.
Alvin sighed in exaggerated disappointment. "Aw, I thought our Jess had left her heart here and was waiting to get it back."
Jess's face turned red so quickly you could see it happening. She got so red that Alvin started to worry she might catch fire.
Embarrassed and annoyed, Jess stomped hard. With a crack, a hole opened in the wooden Floorboards of the second-floor Corridor, and her entire right leg sank into it. She lost her balance, and her upper body tipped backward, making her already modest chest look even smaller.
They both froze. Alvin swore he was shocked that his house was so flimsy—not laughing at Jess's embarrassing predicament.
Jess's face went from red to pale, all the color draining from it in an instant. She realized how she must look, with one leg stuck through the Floorboards and the other resting on top.
Jess could only imagine how ridiculous she looked. Unable to face Alvin, she braced herself with both hands and yanked her leg free. She pulled so hard that one pant leg tore completely, exposing her long, fair leg, and a piece of Floorboards came flying loose as well.
Jess covered her face and let out a desperate, mortified scream before rushing into her room and slamming the door. She put so much force into it that the entire door and its frame flew out and crashed into the opposite wall.
Looking at the house, which now needed major repairs, Alvin silently cursed himself for running his mouth. Why had he teased Jess for no reason, especially when she was a shy girl with superhuman strength? Well, tomorrow would be another Busy day.
Alvin went to the doorway and peeked in. Jess was lying face-down on her bed with her head buried under a pillow, letting out frustrated screams. Don't bother a woman when she's like that—that was advice from a married man.
He picked up the door and shoved the frame back into place. Then he sent Nick, who'd gotten up to eavesdrop after hearing the commotion, back to bed. Alvin returned to his own room, ready to get some sleep and put an end to his Busy day.
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