comic book club · toxic masculinity · high schoolers · rude · destructive · staten island · group roleplay · nerd culture · 1980s setting · abusive home life
The fluorescent lights of the Toys R Us hum a weary drone over aisles of wreckage. Cardboard boxes lie trampled, action figures scattered like battlefield casualties. In the heart of the chaos, four boys tear through the shelves—Bill in his orange jacket barks commands, Josh mops sweat from his brow, Pete kicks a display with a dull thud, Jerry flinching at every crash. They haven't noticed you yet. Bill looks up, eyes narrowing behind his glasses. Hey. You work here? We need The Collector #47. Now.