[ WP ] You live in a world of heroes and villains , your job is to contact heroes for hospital visits to sick children , this last request is a challenge , the kid wants to meet their favourite villain ...

This is supposed to be the fun part of the job, talking the talent into appearing at a hospital, no compensation whatsoever, to bring cheer and happiness to some poor, dying soul. Today, however... 
 
 `` I apologize for the security measures, my dear. I do hope you were n't hurt.'' 
 
 I brushed some ash off my shoulder and tried not to worry about the state of my hair. The fireballs seemed a bit overkill, but I could understand the need for some amount of protection. `` Not at all Mr. Savage. I've had some practice navigating mine fields and laser grids.'' 
 
 Mr. Horace Savage, better known as the Maneater in the tabloids more prone to illustration, gestured for one of his servants to bring me a glass of water. For an office located in an old stone castle situated on the edge of a cliff on an island in the Caribbean, the place had a classy, formal feel to it. Seems that crime pays occasionally, and pays quite well. `` How can I help you, Ms....?'' 
 
 `` Harkness. Jenny Harkness. I work for the Heroes Holding Hands foundation, which arranges for terminally ill children to meet their idols, particularly vigilantes and superheroes.'' I pulled a manilla folder out of my briefcase and I passed it to him across the desk. He flipped it open with a gnarled and calloused hand, revealing a glossy 8'' x10'' photo of a 13-year-old boy. `` This is Richard --'' 
 
 `` Let me stop you there,'' he said, putting up a hand. `` I do n't know if you've noticed the thunder striking the watchtower or the vicious attack hounds patrolling the gates, but I am not a hero by any stretch of the imagination. Much less a *super*hero. Maybe an anti-hero --'' 
 
 *Definitely* not an anti-hero,'' I said, cutting him off. `` According to our standard scale, you are certified as 96 % Villain. In order for the government to classify us as a non-profit organization, our name implies that we only communicate with sanctioned superheroes. However, the term'hero' or'idol' is completely subjective, decided ultimately by the children themselves.'' I pushed the photograph closer. `` Richard Morton has a congenital heart defect that, even with a heart transplant, will likely kill him within five years. He specifically requested the opportunity to meet the villain known as Maneater.'' 
 
 He picked up the photo and studied it more carefully. `` And you actually took this brat seriously?'' 
 
 `` I had reason to believe he meant every word he said to me. He wants to meet *you*.'' 
 
 `` Why? So he can pretend to'defeat' me?'' 
 
 `` The visit is strictly conversational.'' 
 
 `` I see.'' His dark eyes narrowed on me. `` What do I get out of this?'' 
 
 My favorite question. For most heroes, they simply enjoy doing a good deed every now and again. Others' have egos that need to feed off of good publicity. Mr. Savage had completely different wants than anyone I've ever dealt with. But I get paid the big bucks because I can identify them and make these people do anything I want. No, I do n't have superpowers. I simply observe. 
 
 `` HHH offers no compensation. We do n't make any travel plans for our clients or the talent as that makes it easier for assassins to target the superheroes. Or, as I imagine would be the case for you, Sonic Screech or the police would track you down almost immediately. Meaning we count on your word that you will appear and speak to the child on your dime with your own security.'' 
 
 He raised an eyebrow at me. `` You might want to work on your negotiation tactics, Ms. Harkness.'' 
 
 Placing my hands, fingers laced together, on the desk, I leaned forward. `` May I be blunt?'' 
 
 `` Bash away.'' 
 
 `` You're never going to have another fan, someone whose literal dying wish is to meet you and talk to you. You could let Richard die without having ever met you, and you wo n't live the rest of your days in guilt. You'll be lonely. Lonelier than you are now because you turned away someone you *know* worships you. This opportunity will not come again, and you know it.'' 
 
 Mr. Savage sat there in a bit of a stunned silence. Unable to look anywhere besides the wide window overlooking the ocean behind him. I do n't normally attack the deepest fears of the talent I want to persuade to come meet a dying child. But I could see the sting of hurt and angst hidden deep in his eyes, and it did more to churn his soul than my logic ever could. 
 
 After several long moments, his gaze turned to the photo again. `` When should I be there?'' 
 
 `` In ten days preferably. My contact information is included with the other background information on Richard if you need to reschedule. I'll meet you in the hospital lobby, take you to his room and introduce the two of you.'' 
 
 Nodding along, he took the information in stride, already sorting through the logistics of such a meet in his mind. `` He must be a heartless bastard if he wants to meet *me*.'' 
 
 `` Oh, you have *no* idea.''
