Speech campaigns and marketing schemes
Deadpool grabbed Weasel by the shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. Loud and wet. Weasel groaned and whipped a sleeve across his face. Swore at deadpool’s back.
Deadpool didn’t stick around to see the disgust on his face. Or hear the patron ask if they were done with their gay shit in the closet.
Deadpool ran out of sister Margaret’s and towards Central Park.
[[Oh I got a golden ticket! I got a golden ticket.]]
He ran like his old bones were young again. Like he didn’t taste metal in his teeth with every step. Like there was a gun pointed to the back of his head and he had to outrun the bullet.
Deadpool made it to Central Park in record time. He heaved with his hand on his knees. Let the metal taste fade. When his teeth stopped ringing he stood.
Everywhere he looked he saw happy faced families enjoying the festivities. He shoved them and moved deeper into the park. Into the bellows of the beast.
The sidewalks were lined with booths. Small time artisans peddled their avenger themed crafts and knickknacks. Food venders sold various snacks in the shape of of a hero’s face.
[[I’ve always dreamed of licking cream off daredevil’s face.]]
Deadpool pushed past the box too. Towards the giant stage in the centre of grand Central Park.
It was like walking into a mosh pit.
He forced his way to the front of the parade. the cosplayers bobbed and weaved around him. He managed to catch a glimpse of his hero. His actual hero, not the couple ninety cent knock offs in the crowd.
Off to the side just within view. across the metal bars of the barricade Spiderman stood proudly with captain America. several police officers held the line.
The hero’s spoke quietly amongst themselves. Deadpool couldn’t make out the words. Cap because his back was turned to him, Spiderman because of the mask.
Spiderman noticed him, and gave a small wave. Deadpool’s ears warmed up at the attention.
If Spiderman stood proud beside Steve, then captain America stood like a mountain. Confident and strong. He paid no attention to the chorus of boos and cheers.
It was hard to tell which side won the poll.
When the time was right captain America walked up towards the mic. For a single moment, he waited. Around Deadpool the entire park quieted. Waited on baited breath for Cap to begin.
“I want to first thank each and everyone of you who came out to celebrate with us today. Here showing your spirit and support. its a testament to what we, the avengers stand for. Unity.” Steve addressed the entire crowd. No one made a sound.
Even the party banners overhead seemed to still as he spoke. Not even the wind would dare interrupt his speech.
{{I wonder who wrote this campaign speech.}}
[[shh! Cap’s talking!]]
“Now I know, things may look different from when we started.” He looked over the entire crowd. It was hard not to get caught up in that expression. Deadpool had a hard time placing it.
He wasn’t so far away. If Deadpool hopped over the metal railings he could be past the gaurd barricade and up on the stage in a minute.
But even he wouldn’t dare interrupt captain America.
“When times change it’s easy to hold on to the past, to cling onto how it used to be.” He paused and smiled a darling smile. The one that won him hearts, it might have won him the war.
“Believe me, I know.” Cap paused as the crowd chuckled.
“But if you let them. These new experiences can mold and change you into something better than before.” Steve’s eyes passed over the crowd. For a second even he was met with that warm gaze.
Warm, smouldering. It was a gentle stare and it bored into his very soul. Deadpool couldn’t hold it, it was only a second and all too intense. He looked away before Cap did.
“And it is in that notion, I’d like to welcome to the stage a man I trust to guide us into these new times. One I trust with my own life. Spiderman.” With a sweeping motion Steve directed everyones attention towards Spiderman. Half hidden by the stage. He turned towards the crowd shocked. He lost hold of the water bottle he’d been drinking and it fell to the ground unceremoniously. The contents spilled over his shoes. The straw rolled out of the bottle.
Sheepishly Spiderman waved.
“I don’t think I like where this is going.” Deadpool watched as Spiderman twitched towards the mic. His movements were strained and jerky. Nervous. Cap smiled warmly and stepped aside.
[[what? Spidey is great with people!]]
“Uh. Yeah…” Spiderman leaned towards the mic tentatively, it let out a high pitched wail. He flinched away and covered it with his hand. Tapped it and restarted. “Y’know I know everyone says they didn’t prepare a speech to these things.. but I really didn’t prepare a speech.”
Spiderman swallowed thickly. But it did nothing to ease his dry throat and shaking hands: he swallowed again. He stared blankly out towards the sea of people. Someone coughed.
“YOU SUCK SPIDEY!” A heckler yelled towards the stage. If he had been within arms length of the mercenary then Deadpool would have elbowed him in the throat.
Spiderman looked helplessly towards Steve. Who clasped an encouraging hand on his back, but offered no encouraging word. He also didn’t offer to step in after he had thrown Spiderman up shits creek. Without a paddle.
“Get on with it!”
“Fucking hell…” Deadpool rubbed a hand down his mask. He was going to watch spidey choke.
[[and not in the good way.]]
{{depends who you ask.}}
Spiderman coughed, straightened his back and stood to his full height.
“Right. Right, thank you Captain America, it’s always an honour to fight by your side. Wether it’s alien coming down to earth, or through impromptu speeches.”
Spiderman took in an unsteady breath. The crowd was silent through his quip. He pressed on.
[[Boldly going where no laugh track has gone before!]]
“Many of you know me as your friendly neighbourhood spider man.” Spiderman looked over the sea of people. A select few cheered encouragingly. They were nearly indistinguishable over the chorus of booing.
“Real hero’s don’t wear masks!” Someone screamed. Deadpool scanned the crowd for the culprit.
Spiderman caught the remark, glanced back at Steve one last time for support. Spiderman seemed to find what he was searching for because he turned back to the crowd with a bolder demeanour.
[[S’not spideys fault. Public opinions shifting this year.]]
{{the poles haven’t been promising.}}
“Y’know, we’re not so different you and I. We go through a lot of the same struggles, frequent the same coffee joints, and love the same city.” For one impossible second Spider-Man’s eyes found Deadpool’s. Plucked him out of the crowd as if they were the only two standing there.
Deadpool couldn’t look away even if he wanted too. he was trapped in that stare.
{{It’s like watching a train wreck.}}
“And I think that means theres a hero in all of us. Anyone can be a hero… because it’s not the suit that makes the man… it’s the man that makes the hero.” Spiderman said. His voice cracking unnaturally.
{{Points docked for originality. I’ve heard all of this in five different car commercials.}}
“We all have the power to do better for the world. And with great power comes-“ Spiderman was cut off abruptly. He looked confused for a brief second, then slowly glanced towards his hand. A can of cola had gone barreling straight for his head.
[[Not bad product placement.]]
“Uh. Cola. Apparently.”