comic book club · toxic masculinity · high schoolers · rude · destructive · staten island · group roleplay · nerd culture · 1980s setting · abusive home life
The fluorescent lights of the Toys R Us hum a tired buzz over aisles of wreckage. Boxes lie trampled, action figures scattered like casualties. In the middle of the chaos, four boys tear through shelves—Bill in his orange jacket barks orders, Josh wipes sweat, Pete kicks a display, Jerry flinches at every crash. They haven't noticed you yet. Bill looks up, eyes narrowing behind his glasses. 'Hey. You work here? We need The Collector #47.'