Druid in the Marvel Universe Chapter 26: Frank's House

Misty was starting to think she might've totally misread the folks and the whole security vibe in Hell's Kitchen.

Seeing how her buddies, Michael and Scott, were cool with Alvin, and even the top dog at NYPD, George Stacy, seemed chill with him, it was clear Alvin wasn't the bad guy she thought he was. At least, he wasn't on the cops' hit list.

Misty gave a stiff nod and shot back, "You'll see!" before storming out.

"Hey, officer, you didn't tell me where you got that hand made?" Alvin hollered from behind the bar. "I really need to know."

Misty, trying to keep her tough act, finally cracked and awkwardly blurted out, "Stark Industries' lab," before rushing out.

Michael gave Alvin an apologetic look and said, "Sorry, Alvin, I didn't think she'd be so hot-headed."

Alvin just waved it off, "No biggie. Jessica still owes you one! I'm just worried the next few days might be rough for you guys!"

Michael glanced at Jessica, who was pretending to clean the table, and with a wry smile, rubbed his ribs that always ached when it rained, "It's not her fault. I forgave her ages ago. I gotta get back and keep our new chief from stirring up trouble. Not everyone here is as laid-back as you."

Alvin looked at Michael seriously, "Honestly, Michael, you're a good guy. But you guys need to switch things up. I got a feeling your new chief's a tough cookie."

Michael gave a weak smile, "I hope so! Working here is no picnic!" Then he and Scott took off after Misty.

Surprisingly, Chief George didn't leave but stayed at the bar, lost in thought.

Alvin didn't bug him and called out to Foggy and Matt, "Hey guys, you're in for a treat. I whipped up some sweet and sour ribs and beef stew with tomatoes today. If you're cool with it, I can heat it up for you."

"Of course, Alvin, my man. I knew you wouldn't let me starve," Foggy said, grinning.

Alvin heated up the leftovers, made them into rice bowls, and handed them to Foggy and Matt. Watching them chow down happily, he joked, "Guys, you're lawyers! It's rare to see lawyers struggling like you! Why don't you hit up other districts and find some clients? You can't make a living taking cases here!"

Foggy, munching on his rice, said, "You don't get it, Alvin. We're doing the jobs the mob used to do. Collecting wages for construction workers, handling sexual harassment cases for female employees, suing insurance companies for folks who can't get their pensions."

Wiping his mouth, Foggy grumbled, "You know what? These companies and employers aren't scared of us. They just hire a bunch of lawyers to mess with us. But when the mob's involved, they pay up quick, and the victims even get extra cash. Last week, I got old Harry's wages back by dressing up as a mobster with your school's driver, Swagger. Way easier than going to court."

Alvin laughed, "I meant you could take on some paying clients."

Foggy waved it off, "We really don't have time. Our cases are booked solid for two months. Even though they don't make money."

Foggy shot a resentful look at Matt, "The most lucrative case was the S.H.I.E.L.D. compensation from the other day, but you didn't want to sue them."

Matt turned to Foggy and said, "What we're doing now is making the folks in Hell's Kitchen start believing in the law, not relying on the mob and guns to solve problems. That way, they can find legit jobs elsewhere."

"Yeah, yeah, Saint Matt Murdock, we're already a month behind on rent. And you just gave free advice to a hot girl.

Buddy, if it weren't for Alvin, we'd be out on the streets by now. As a lawyer, this is a huge black mark on my career," Foggy griped to Matt.

Alvin felt a bit sorry for Foggy. Having a partner like Matt made it tough to make a buck. Alvin knew Matt's nature; he was a genuinely good guy. But the world’s a messed-up place where good folks struggle while the bad ones live it up.

Thinking about it, that jerk Kingpin seemed extra detestable. Why should Daredevil live like he's on welfare while Kingpin, a mob boss, rolls in luxury every day?

The kicker was that Matt's welfare was funded by Alvin, which was just too much. He needed to find that bastard Kingpin and make him cough up some dough. The kindergarten was about to open, and they still needed a few school buses.

While Alvin was lost in thought, Frank walked in, covered in white paint on his gray work clothes.

He quickly made his way to the bar and said to Jessica, "Hey, Jess, be a pal and get me a beer."

Frank shot a cold glance at George, who was sitting silently at the bar. He didn't like the guy's vibe.

Frank's presence was so intense that everyone at the bar moved aside, giving him some space.

Jessica, looking disgusted, poured a beer and handed it to Frank at arm's length, like he had the plague.

Foggy and Matt silently moved to a table far away to keep eating. Foggy, who usually had a lot to say, compared their physiques and auras and wisely kept his mouth shut.

Alvin knocked on the bar and said disdainfully, "Buddy, did you fall into a cesspool? If you stay here any longer, my place will be empty."

Frank took a big gulp of beer and said proudly, "I fixed up the house next door, painted it myself, and repaired that damn sewer pipe. And for such a crappy house, the landlord still wanted $5,000 a year."

Alvin looked at Frank like he was an idiot and said, "Did you pay? If not, I can have Old Kent talk to him. He can definitely get you a better deal."

Frank proudly said, "I paid $20,000. Ha, it was a bargain."

In Alvin's eyes, Frank went from being an idiot to being mentally challenged, someone who needed care. So he softly said, "I can introduce you to a lawyer who might be able to get some of your money back. The legal fees would be at a good discount."

Frank looked at Alvin with disdain and said, "I'm not an idiot. Buying the house next door for $20,000 was a steal."

Alvin couldn't believe it. Frank didn't seem like someone who could haggle. Even a bad house wouldn't go for less than $80,000. This was still New York City, after all.

Alvin cautiously asked, "Is the landlord still alive?"

Frank glanced at George, the only one left at the bar, and said, "I helped him get rid of the mob causing trouble at his supermarket, so he sold it for a good price. He gave me a huge discount on the house. Ha!"

Alvin was even more worried now. Frank wasn't known for being gentle with the mob. He asked, "And the mob? Please tell me you hugged them and they left."

Frank proudly finished his beer and said, "I told them to get lost and to come find Alvin at the Peace Hotel if they had a problem."

Then, ignoring Alvin's look of disbelief, he hummed a tune and left to go back to his house, finally realizing that he didn't smell too great.