Chapter One [Video]

[thebestseller]

[When the feed clicks on, someone's obviously showing off. First, a blank notebook opens and turns a few pages of its own volition... before post-it notes stick on it out of nowhere, followed by a few splatters of ink. Castle then turns it on his smiling face.]

Now, as far as superpowers go, throwing ink and paper around isn't the worst thing someone could have. In fact, it's quite fitting for a writer and avid reader like myself. Just imagine all the possibilities... reading without needing to turn the pages, writing a grocery list with a few twists of the finger, putting up wallpaper... okay, maybe it's not THAT cool. But look what else I can do.

[Castle holds the phone up with one hand while writing WAFFLES in his notebook with the other. And lo and behold- a plate of waffles appears. Except one is still frozen and one is slightly burnt, and they only linger a few moments before vanishing.]

... I'm failing at demonstrating my abilities and looking halfway-competent at them, aren't I? Anybody willing to help a writer-turned-sudden-superhero out? You'd have my eternal gratitude as well as a dedication in my next novel.

[He then signs RICHARD CASTLE on the notebook page, and awaits replies.]

Comments

[thebestseller]

Flying- no, no, indestructibility. No, not that either... Shapeshifting. Yeah, shapeshifting would be nice.

[raincheck]

[ a little amused: ] Or all of the above?

[thebestseller]

Oh, I wouldn't want to be greedy.

[raincheck]

Why shapeshifting?

[thebestseller]

It's the same principle as the powers I do have- being able to become anything I imagine. I could fly, or turn into something small to sneak around, or become a dog and be the happiest thing ever...

[raincheck]

So it's about having options?

[thebestseller]

Yeah- being able to adapt to any situation.

[raincheck]

Fair enough.

[thebestseller]

I'd like to think I'm adaptable anyways, but being able to change my shape would make it so much easier. Plus, think of how it could help my writing- literally being able to walk in someone else's shoes for a bit.

[raincheck]

What do you write?

[thebestseller]

Mystery novels. I'm pretty famous for them back home, but nobody here's recognized me so far...

[raincheck]

Sorry to say I haven't heard of you either. [ a beat, and then a little ruefully: ] Which doesn't necessarily say much.

[thebestseller]

No worries- I'm sure I'll find someone eventually. But why is that?

[raincheck]

I'm still catching up on my own world.

[thebestseller]

Damn- what happened, if you don't mind me asking? Time travel?

[raincheck]

Something like that. I got stuck in ice for almost seventy years.

[thebestseller]

[Congratulations, you've rendered Castle temporarily speechless.]

Man... must have been some huge culture shock when you thawed out...

[raincheck]

It wasn't easy. [ is a bit of an understatement. ]

[thebestseller]

I can't even imagine, considering how much has changed even during my lifetime... and I was only born in the 1960's.

[raincheck]

Well, the Internet's been very helpful.

[thebestseller]

True that. Best research tool ever- and to make a shameful confession, the detailed fansites help me keep continuity in my books straight. Sometimes I feel like fans know my works better than I do...

[raincheck]

How many books have you written?

[thebestseller]

Around 25. Not all of them are in the same continuity, but many of them are. I'm not as prolific as James Patterson, thankfully, or else I'd never keep anything straight.

[raincheck]

25 is a lot. [ at least steve thinks so. and, a moment later: ] James Patterson?

[thebestseller]

I did start getting published when I was 18, so that helps. Oh, and Patterson is another famous author from my world- he comes around to my poker games sometimes. He tends to co-author so he puts out around a book a month.