Deli Subs & Dark Knights

Clemens rented a small room above a convenience store in a small city. Buildings not more than four stories high. Smoggy weather. A bit rough.

Clemens was still on her way to Hollywood, but realised even with Jeff’s lump sum, she was gonna run out of money. Plus she needed a shower.

She got the room for cheap given she worked shifts for less than minimum wage at Matteo’s convenience store. Matteo was a middle aged Italian man who made good deli sandwiches.

“Kid, anyone can slap bread together. A sandwich here is about respect,” Matteo said.

Clemens nodded. Ham and pepperoni. Cheese. Pickles.

“You gotta build flavour like you build trust. If you rush it then it all falls apart,” Matteo continued.

“Woah…” Clemens said. That was a pretty good looking sub, “Trust.”

He packed up the sub and handed it to Clemens, “I’ll be expecting you to start making these yourself tomorrow…”

“Yes sir!” Clemens said. She took the sub and swung the bell door and up the outdoor stairs to the top flat.

It wasn’t much. A living room. Small bedroom. And a shower sink toilet. She had a CRT box TV and VCR. She played a cassette of Batman Begins.

She was enthralled by the film. Bruce Wayne was so fucking cool. A ninja hero. Fighting nightmares. And had muscles. Damn… Then the tumbler Batmobile. How do they even do that? She chomped into her deli sub.

Fell asleep on the couch. Batman begins closing…

“It’s not who I am underneath… but what I do… that defines me…” Batman said.

Clemens woke early to run the convenience store. Matteo prepped the sandwich bar. Small talk in between. Quiet city charm.

She made her first sandwich. Impressed with herself.

“Not bad kid… Not bad…” Matteo said after a bite.