will1@earthling.net

 Last Dance

 by Phil Hartman

 DISCLAIMER: Bert is technically Marvel's. Anyone else recognizable is
Marvel's. Please don't sue.

--------------------------------------------------------

 She approaches me.

 OhmyGODsheissoHOT-

 OK, OK ... deep breaths ...

 Don't let the norms or those X-geeks see you sweat.

 ESPECIALLY the acid sweat.

 Nasty stuff, that.

 Bert Smith, beta-Hellion ...

 ... and SHE wants me to dance.

 "Bert ?" Jenny smiles. "One twirl before we have to meet with the
X-losers ?"

 "Sure," I manage to croak out.

 I take her hand, and we twirl.

 Left-foot-right-foot-don't-use-your-power-

 God, she's so beautiful.

 The music stops, and she lets me go.

 "Sorry. Gotta go - core team only," Jenny Stavros whispers. "See you
later ?"

 "Sure," I smile.

 She goes upstairs, and I crash in a seat, shove blond hair out of my
eyes.

 90-some Hellions and she chooses me to dance with.

 Maybe she gave me a little luck - ?

 Then the screams start - Ms. Frost, trouble ?

 I see them enter - oh my GOD, SENTINELS HERE !?

 Concentrate - uniform on, the unstable molecules shift -

 - GIANT HAND -

--------------------------------------------------------

 I look up - cramps in my legs -

 - some kind of green-haired freak -

 Oh no. Tarot -

 - she's SCREAMING -

 She's dead.

 I'm shackled - we all are - Rolly and Beth and Dave and - JEAN-MICHEL
!?

 They got BEVATRON !?

 Damn, we're in trouble -

 - I'm sweating, but it's not melting the shackles -

 - wait -

 - something pulling -

 - PAIN -

 - something PULLING AT MY MIND -

 - JENNY -

--------------------------------------------------------
 finis
--------------------------------------------------------
 end