In truth, even if every identity brought its share of troubles, big or small, it wasn't something Herman couldn't handle.
If one regarded the All-Seeing Eye as a system, then the identities and abilities it granted him were essentially rewards. Getting the rewards first and then being assigned a few tasks—wasn't that fair enough?
Besides, not every identity came with problems. Most of the time, it was simply the historical inertia triggered when the All-Seeing Eye assigned Herman a specific role.
...
Before returning to Stellar Tower, Herman stopped to buy two dinners. The whole affair of bringing vengeance down on the Fraternity hadn't interfered with his habit of never skipping a meal.
Skye had developed a real fondness for localized Chinese food—maybe because of her slightly Eastern looks—but when it came to spicy dishes, she was completely hopeless.
For several days in a row, Herman kept a close watch on the news and on whether any police cars or suspicious vehicles showed up outside the building.
He had already been extremely careful in his actions, but after returning to the tower, he even had Skye hack into the city's surveillance system under the pretense of training her skills.
Still, better to be cautious. S.H.I.E.L.D. might have shortcomings in other areas, but when it came to tracking people, their skill level was second to none.
Fortunately, after days of observation, Herman saw no signs of anyone coming after him, and he was able to set his worries aside for the time being.
That didn't mean he could relax completely, though. The massacre at the textile factory hadn't shown up in any news reports—likely suppressed by certain forces.
...
"Director, looks like no one in Hollywood respects you anymore," Skye said with a lazy yawn.
It had been six days since Herman announced auditions for The Boys.
And yet, aside from a handful of nobodies chasing their star dreams, not a single actor with any actual credits had turned up.
The reason was obvious.
Herman was clearly being blacklisted by the industry.
Skye figured his show was doomed.
Looking around the empty audition room, she had already suggested more than once that they should just split the investor's money and run.
They could head somewhere like New Mexico. That wealthy investor in a wheelchair—was he really going to chase them down himself?
"How many times do I have to tell you? We're decent people. We don't break the law." Herman gave Skye another solemn lecture.
As if he wasn't the same man who had slaughtered a building full of people just days ago. Telekinetic killings had nothing to do with law-abiding citizen Herman, after all.
Running off with someone else's investment money? That was something he'd never do... especially since the investor was Charles.
Run? Run where?
With Cerebro on his head, Charles could probably find him even if he burrowed into the Earth's core. More importantly, Herman still needed to complete his Identity Exclusive Mission.
"Hmph! And you claim you didn't embezzle investor funds! I saw you with my own eyes that day—counting stacks of cash in your office!" Skye grumbled.
She was talking about the day Herman came back from the textile factory. Sloan had left behind plenty of wealth—not just gems and gold bars, but piles of cash as well.
"I've told you already, that was my hard-earned money! Isn't it perfectly normal for a once-famous director like me to have some savings?" Herman shot back righteously.
"Then pay me my salary!"
Skye held out her hand. "And the meal expenses from the other day—three hundred seventy-one dollars total. I'll let you off for the coffee."
Good grief.
She really did keep the accounts down to the cent.
"Relax, you'll get your salary and your meal money. As soon as we cast the actors, I'll give you a big fat red envelope."
Herman sounded serious.
But after so many of his empty promises, Skye wasn't buying it anymore.
"You're the stingiest person I've ever met!" Skye huffed, turning away and furiously scribbling nonsense on a sheet of paper with her pencil.
"Don't be like that, cheer up. I'll get you an extra chicken drumstick with your lunch today," Herman sighed, trying to placate her.
"And I'll be the one paying, right?"
Skye rolled her eyes, like she'd long since figured out Herman's routine.
"Just cover it for now… just cover it for now…"
Caught out, Herman looked a little embarrassed. He wasn't really stingy; he just didn't dare spend freely until he was certain Sloan's stash of dollars was safe.
Over the past few days, he'd been trying to get in touch with black market dealers, hoping to turn the gold and jewels into clean Franklin bills.
What?
The dealers might double-cross him?
For Herman, that would actually be perfect.
"Seriously, director, can't you lower your standards a bit and just use some of those Hollywood dream-chasing newbies?" Skye asked, her face full of frustration.
"Those people don't even know what acting is. And honestly, I can't stand those plastic faces." Herman might have considered compromising, but he knew very well—even the best script could turn into trash with bad actors.
"Well, that's it then. Guess I'll never get paid in this lifetime." Skye let out a dramatic sigh, her expression one of pure despair.
"Knock, knock, knock~"
Just then, a rhythmic knock came from the front door.
"Another actor auditioning?"
Skye instinctively glanced over. Hmm, no plastic face. Pretty too—and her figure was even just a little better than hers!
She lit up immediately.
Looked like they'd finally found their first actor. She was about to remind Herman to hurry up and put on a professional air to greet the newcomer when she noticed something.
Herman's expression had gone stiff… How to put it? Skye felt like her boss was staring at his ex-girlfriend.
"Hello, my name is Natasha. Is this the audition for The Boys? I'm very interested in playing a role in the show."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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