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The Atom
Times Past, 1941
Star Struck
The Lincoln Theatre was the biggest movie house in Calvin City, and naturally the majestic old building drew numerous students from the city's local college. Going to the movies was good entertainment at a reasonable price and offered the kids an opportunity for social interaction. In short, date night in Calvin City usually meant an evening at the Lincoln.
One night in 1941 the crowd was particularly large, and among the masses sat a short youth with reddish hair. His name was Al Pratt, and he was alone in the crowd since he had no date. He watched another girl nearly as often as he watched the cartoon. He had arrived for the main feature anyway. Still, it was hard for him not to feel annoyed at the sight of Mary James sitting with Truck Tarbel. Mary was a pretty and rather shallow brunette, while her hulking date was a crude football hero at the college. Al sighed in resignation. He had asked Mary to attend, and she had offered the already timeworn excuse that she had to wash her hair. I guess all that hot air from Truck's blowing in her ear dried it pretty fast! smirked Al as he thought over the situation and munched popcorn.
"What's the matter, Pratt? Shouldn't you be sitting up front with the other little kids? You can't see back here!" laughed another football player as he passed the short Al.
Al Pratt had been busy for the past few nights with a series of petty crimes that occupied him in his costumed role of the Atom. He handled each crime with his characteristic energy and determination. If he seemed to see the features of Truck Tarbel as he tore into some of the goons, then so much the better!
***
That night Al sat on his bed and listened to a radio quiz show in between studying for an exam. "So for our next big jackpot prize: Who did Julie Gumm sing to on his birthday in one of her first big film appearances? Call us at 657-7889 to win the night's jackpot prize!" echoed the show's announcer.
Al moved with his impressive speed and made the call. "Julie sang to Kent Goble! She sang, 'I Didn't Mean to Love you'!" said an eager Al.
"Correct! You just won tonight's jackpot prize of a trip to Hollywood!" squealed the announcer.
Al smiled broadly. "Swell! Maybe the old Pratt luck is changing for the better!"
***
The next few days passed in a whirlwind of activity as Al completed his exams and prepared for his trip out west. He relished the chance to get away from Calvin City. He had no family, and his friends were mainly members of his team of costumed champions the Justice Society. His pal Joe Morgan had been away for quite a while, too. He hoped the old trainer was doing okay. Got to look up old Joe next time I get time off from classes, he thought.
He enjoyed his flight to Hollywood and soon engaged in a heavy round of sightseeing. He had made more bizarre trips in his time, but seldom had he taken such a vacation as Al Pratt. It's nice to be moving around the nation without that blue mask over my face. The Atom may find such a trip to be routine, but ordinary Al Pratt is living it up! he mused as he strolled down the streets of the glamour capitol of the world.
He smiled as he spotted the dashing Errol Flynn and thought, I'd bet even Hollywood's Robin Hood couldn't handle some of my pals from the JSA!
***
He spent a pleasant few days in the sunny realm of make believe and cinema magic before the big day arrived. He was going to attend a showing of a new Gumm/Andrews film at one of Hollywood's fabled old landmark theatres, but this particular showing would be preceded by a performance by the famous pair of young stars!
He frowned as the huge crowd outside the theatre mingled and chatted. As usual his height prevented him from easily seeing. A woman with an elaborately feathered hat blocked his view. High heels and a massive hat! That combination is enough to ruin the show for a guy my size! he fumed.
He stared at and around the ugly hat with increasing irritation until the two stars bounded out on the stage above and he craned his neck to see them. He could just make them out clearly, although it cost him a stiff neck.
"Mornin', folks! We're sure glad you decided to spent some time and money with us!" beamed Ralph as he gripped the microphone stand with confidence. Girls screamed as the handsome young man worked the crowd like the seasoned pro he was. His pretty co-star smiled at him with her own eager affection and admiration.
She's stuck on him too! I guess that figures. He's got all the girls around going ga ga for him including Julie Gumm! pondered Al.
Julie's slightly curly brown hair reached her shoulders, and she wore a simple dress with white trim. She looked every inch the combination of starlet and girl next door that movie audiences adored. She waved to the crowd with an effervescent charm as she joined her friend in a medley of songs.
Al smiled broadly as he watched her. She's terrific! I wonder if that kind of charisma could count as a super power! She'd be a swell addition to the JSA, but I doubt the Spectre would welcome her! He's never been much of a fan of swing music! he joked to himself.
The duo finished their performance and the crowd filed inside the theatre to catch the show. Al decided to linger and try to get an autograph. As he waited he noticed a car pull up to the curb. The driver was a rough looking man and his companion was equally sinister in appearance. Now, that's a face only a wanted poster could love! thought Al. He frowned as he drew close enough to hear the whispered conversation of the pair of stars.
"Say, Ralph, after we finish here, would you like to get something to eat? We could talk and enjoy some quiet time together!" said Julie.
Ralph patted her arm. "Sorry, kid! I have plans with a blonde. Maybe next time, huh?"
Julie smiled quietly and said, "Sure."
Al frowned, and he realized that his idol was experiencing the same kind of brush off from someone she cared about that he often received from Mary James. That guy is out of his head to ditch a swell gal like Julie, he sighed.
Then, as the crowd passed by during the film's intermission, he noticed the agile Ralph vanish down an alley as the people exited and entered. He turned to see the pair from the car approach just as he was beside Julie. Before he could speak to her he felt a familiar poke in his lower back. He noticed one of the thugs was behind Julie as well, and she looked frightened.
"You two big shots keep all quiet-like and come with us. If you make a peep then we'll dim your stars all too easy!" said one goon.
Al realized that the two gunmen had mistaken him for Julie's co-star. In their haste and the confusion of the crowd they had not noticed one short redhead in blue coat trade places with another! He also knew that, if he tried to take them down here, someone in the crowd or Julie herself could get hurt. Thus he bided his time and kept his face down as they moved him toward their car. "Don't be scared! It'll be okay!" he whispered to the wide-eyed Julie.
They were pushed into the car, and the first thug raced off into the sunshine with the kidnapped pair in the back. Al turned to Julie and tried to offer her comfort. "Miss Gumm -- Julie -- this is nothing to worry about. Just follow my lead and we'll be fine," he whispered.
The car raced through the busy streets and finally reached a huge house on a hill. The house was the only one on the green rolling hill and large gates protected the privacy of the owner. It was a perfect spot to hide someone or something. Al was more than confident that he could capture the kidnappers without any trouble, but he was doubly concerned about picking exactly the right time to do so. I can't jeopardize Julie's safety, he mused.
They were locked in a small room that was well furnished but secure. Al turned to Julie and said, "My name is Al. I know this may sound crazy, but I can take care of this situation. I have certain experience in this area."
Julie took his hand and said, "I don't! I'm scared. They were after Ralph and me! Thank goodness he left before they could get him. I mean, it's not that I wanted them to get you."
Al laughed, "Don't worry. I understand. He did run off just in time. I was even thinking at the time that if I could spend time with a girl like you that I would sure stick close!"
Julie smiled. "Thank you! He's a dear friend, but I'm just a pal to him."
Al noticed the pain beneath the timber of her voice and said, "I know a few girls who can't see me as anything more than a little guy who is not worth their time. For what its worth, I think you are great. I'm a fan. In fact, I am still trying to balance my concern about our being abducted with the thrill of actually being with Julie Gumm!"
Julie lowered her eyes. She was actually moved by his words. She was a celebrated Hollywood star, yet she obviously had no confidence in herself, nor did she feel worthy of anyone's affection. Al suddenly knew that she felt her voice was all she had to offer the world. Al was moved by the young woman's obvious and heartbreaking vulnerability, and as she drew closer he slowly put his arms around her and kissed her gently. She responded timidly but sincerely. Is she thinking of me as a Ralph stand in? She knows I'm just a rough look-a-like, but at this point I'm not going question it! he thought.
Much later they stood up and turned to face the thugs as their locked door swung open. "You punk! You're not Andrews! The boss lady says she spotted him at the Copa. I guess yer just a dumb mug who stepped into trouble!" said the man.
Al smiled and said, "That's what I do. Stepping into trouble is my favorite pastime!" He moved swiftly and thrust his shoulder against the door before it could open widely. His muscular frame caused the heavy door to slam into the gunman's arm. The gun dropped to the floor and Al clipped the gunman with a right hook. The thug did not move and Al hurtled his fallen form to tackle the second man. In seconds he had defeated the other kidnapper.
"Julie, come out. I've sent these lugs to dreamland!" said Al. She rushed forward and into his arms. He bound the thugs and explained, "This is not the home of a common thug. I'd say their mysterious boss lady owns this mansion. She either blew her monthly allowance on the knickknacks around the joint or she didn't grab you for money."
Julie took his arm. "Oh, Al, do you think she wants to just kill us? That means poor Ralph is still in danger. That awful man said she saw him at the Copa!"
Al nodded. "Let me get the cops and I'll try to locate Ralph and the woman in question!"
Julie said, "Let me come too. I'd be just sick if something happened to him!"
Al sighed and said, "Sure."
***
Al Pratt led Julie into the swank club called the Copa just as the sun was setting. He wondered just how long Ralph stayed at the popular nightspot. As he passed through on Julie's arm, he noticed the famous faces in the crowd and tried not to feel out of place in his old suit. Julie's my ticket in this place. Without her on my arm, I'd be tossed out like yesterday's news! She's a real star, and I'm an ordinary Joe. This is nice, but it's not my world. Guess I'm chasing rainbows! he thought.
He saw a sexy blonde with a peek-a-boo hairstyle in a red gown. "Is that Libby Lawrence the columnist or Veronica Lake?" he muttered.
Julie's hold on his arm tightened and she pointed toward a table. "There's Ralph now! Oh, thank goodness we're in time!" she said.
Al shook his head. "We're just barely in time. Ralph looks a bit worse for wear. Those empty glasses spell trouble, as does that ugly hat." He followed Julie toward the table, where a talkative Ralph gazed into the eyes of a sultry blonde.
"Jules! Wha'za matter?" slurred Ralph.
She's drugged him! he mused.
Julie said, "Ralph, you have to come with us! We're in danger! Someone wants us dead!"
Al suddenly pulled Julie back and said, "Yeah! And that someone is right here! She was there when they grabbed us, although that big hat and dark glasses helped conceal her famous face." He gripped the arm of the blonde as she cursed and turned to face them.
"Lola Warner! You mean it was her mansion those goons took us to?" asked Julie as she recognized the young starlet.
"So they failed to get rid of you! When I saw Ralph here I knew they'd lost him, but I hoped they could still get rid of you !" she hissed.
Al tightened his grip on the angry actress. "You wanted to kill Julie and Ralph because you were jealous of her success, and because he would not commit to you!" vowed Al with a keen guess.
Ralph said, "Hold on, pal! That's my date you're grabbing!"
Al shoved him back down and said, "A check of the deed should show that mansion belongs to Lola here. She thought she could get rid of you both. I'd say she's sick herself. Those pills she put in his drink may be a pastime of hers, too!"
Lola cursed as Al led her toward the entering cops. "Julie, I have to go. Take care of yourself and Ralph!" he said as he kissed her abruptly and slipped away. It would not have done for Al Pratt's name to figure too closely in a crime case.
Julie smiled and nodded sadly as he vanished. In spite of all that had occurred, the lovesick girl still turned to tend to Ralph as he sputtered in confusion while Lola was led away by the cops.
***
Back in Calvin City, Al strolled along and ignored the jibes of Truck Tarbel as he passed by with Mary James. For now the memory of his time with Julie was enough to keep him happily oblivious to the fickle whims of the campus flirt.
"Say, who's that twerp think he is, Ralph Andrews?" sneered Truck as Al whistled and confidently crossed the campus.
Mary blinked in interest and said, "You know, he does look a bit like him! I never noticed that before!"
Al choked back his retort. "As long as a face like yours is around, I'd rather be in the dark!"
There was no use starting a fight he could not win. Oh, thanks to the secret training of Joe Morgan, he could drop the whole team in a fight, but since he wanted to keep his excellent physical condition a secret, Al endured the taunts and the bullying. Still, he could dream, and how different life was in Al's rich imagination.
He saw Truck slip one arm around Mary and he thought, Boy! The next gangster I meet is going to lose some teeth!
He decided to forget his troubles and enjoy the show. Broadway Kids was an MGM musical, and as such offered good music and light escapism. Al felt the need for both. It also offered someone that made him almost forget the fickle Mary James entirely. Boy, that Julie Gumm is something else! She sends me! Funny how a girl that age could have such a super voice! She's so sweet, too. That's the kind of girl a guy could really be happy with as a date. I just bet she never tells her dates that she has to wash her hair!" he mused.
He felt simple yet powerful effect of the girl's charisma or star power, and for a while it was more than enough to make Al happy. He looked a bit bemused as Julie's character was romanced by the young male lead Ralph Andrews. Andrews was a dynamo as a performer. He sang, danced, and won the girl and the audience with the same high-energy charm that had made the teen the biggest box office draw in Hollywood. You know, I don't think Ralph is any taller than I am. He even has my coloration, too. Yet he gets the girls through sheer force of personality. Maybe I could do that too, thought Al.
Al walked out of the theatre and whistled one of the movie tunes. He had enjoyed himself greatly and felt pretty chipper. One thing that lifted his spirits was his innate optimism. He now had hopes that even a short guy could win a girl.