Stuntboy, in the Meantime

Portico’s cat introduces the next episode in the story and perches on top of the boombox to watch and listen. Portico explains how Herbert Singletary the Worst became a supervillain long before Stuntboy even existed. Herbert is short, but his shadow is immense, and he always has a scowl on his face. Before Herbert (whose mother calls him “Li’l Herby”) was a supervillain, he was just Herbert. He moved into the apartment between Portico and Zola. Portico, in an effort to “be a good castlemate” (64), found Herbert sitting alone one day and offered him some chips. Portico and Herbert started out laughing together, but Herbert announced that he had no plans to stay. Portico guesses that Herbert used to live in a house and had to move into an apartment when his parents separated. Herbert’s mother started calling and yelling at him to come inside, so Herbert took the rest of the chips and pushed Portico to the ground. He went from being friendly to nasty almost instantly.

Zola’s father invites her and Portico to come with him to a lawn chair sale on the 10th floor. Zola and Portico are busy drawing and rewriting scenes from their favorite show, but they eagerly agree to go with Mr.