Epilogue 105 - Underborough Comic Con

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...Previously...



"Geezthe," Angela whispered through her braced teeth. "Thith place is huge!"

"The Underborough Convention Center is fairly massive," Shelley concurred. "It's probably the most modern piece of architecture in the city as well."

"It's like the warehouse from Raiderth!" Angela added enthusiastically.

It relieved Shelley to see Angela in good spirits. Recently, she had shown up to school with glasses, braces, and more than a few extra pounds. That made little difference to Shelley, of course. But what did concern her was how withdrawn Angela had become. She mumbled, she barely made eye contact when she spoke, and when she she spoke it was usually to apologize for simply not knowing something. Angela seemed intimidated by everything in Underborough.

And why not? Shelley realized. Ever since Winifred Pale unleashed that magic scroll of hers on the human world, Angela's life was turned upside-down. She was cut off from nearly everything she knew. The pressures of starting a new school in a new dimension must have gotten to her.

So Shelley decided that they needed an outing. No school, no Winifred, just something that would make Angela feel more at home in Underborough. The comic convention felt like the right choice. "I didn't think you were into comics, Shelley." Angela spoke slowly, keeping her lisp under control. "I thought you were more into... you know, science-fact."

"We all need a break once in awhile, Angela. I enjoy the quiet diversion of a good book, whether it's written or drawn."

The two wandered the convention floor for awhile, eventually reaching Artist Alley. Rows of densely packed tables stretched as far as the eye could see. As they walked through the cityscape of banners, PVC pipng, and collapsible shelves, Angela suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Oh my gosh!" she squealed. "I didn't know those guyth would be here! Come on, Shelley!" Shelley turned and saw a table with two men in their late thirties early forties. Behind them was a banner that read, The Belowborhood.

"I don't know this one," Shelley said, looking at the array of books spread across the table. The two men had clearly been doing this for some time to have so many issues. "What's it about?"

One of the men answered: "It's about a little nosferatu girl who tries to take over the world on the Day of the Dead... but she's not very good at it."

Angela scanned the table excitedly, doing a little happy dance. "Is the new one out?"

"Right here," the other man said, handing her a copy. "We wouldn't do the Underborough Con without something new to show!"

"This is, like, my favorite book," Angela said while rifling through her fanny pack for money. "You guys should make a cartoon out of it!"

"We'd be happy just to have a publisher first."

"How often do you release new issues?" Shelley asked.

"Not nearly as often as we'd like. Maybe one or two a year. We both work full-time, so it's a miracle we get the books out at all sometimes."

"Well, it certainly sounds like a labor of love," Shelley said.

"Yes. Yes it is." The two men turned to the camera, which is very difficult to do in text form. "And that is why everyone should buy The Belowborhood. Thank you. The end."