Four Days of PHAME: A Matt Mollster Mystery: Matt Mollster, #2

By M.D. Metro

After receiving some grim news about a colleague, Matt Mollster decides to heed his own advice and head out to attend PHAME, an East Coast fan and media convention, where he hopes he can get his book published. But when attendees and gamers start winding up dead, only Matt can sift through the vague clues and uncover the conspiracy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Neo Apsis Publishing
• Release date: Feb 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393225904

M.D. Metro

Born during the Old West in 1989, M.D. Metro has had time to watch more movies than the human brain was designed to remember. A former video store clerk, M.D. has made Pittsburgh, PA his home. When he's not crafting the next Matt Mollster mystery, he's debating that age old question: do rocks sleep?

Book preview

Chapter 1

The key is to not let them see you sweat.

Matt wiped his brow and immediately cringed.

Too late.

Greetings and Buenos Tardes, my friends. I am on location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the city of steel, and I’m standing inside the charming Nostalgia Crypt, a landmark ‘nerdporium’ that has gained attention recently due to the heroic exploits of one of the Crypt’s star employees, Matt Mollster. Gabriel Jammez, the vlogger Matt and his friends knew as ‘The Curator’, had been pacing about the store as he spoke, making sure the camera kept on him and his custom Mighty Thor baseball jersey, not the merchandise on display. Once he had finally finished introducing the segment, he found his way to the counter. Matt, thanks for letting us film here today.

Anytime, Gabriel. Matt, aware he was now on camera, shuffled his hands, not quite sure where to put them.

Matt, I have to tell you, I am in, just... complete awe in how you exposed that sleezeball Ian Bech. And I don’t think I’m alone. A lot of our commenters are guys just like you, who say they’ve been inspired by you. A counter clerk who put the pieces together and avenged the death of a young woman? That’s a modern hero tale, if I may say so.

I’m not sure what to say to all that. I didn’t save the day, though, to be honest. That was all Tyler Harrington. If he hadn’t gotten involved-

But he already was, wasn’t he? Gabriel placed a pronounced hand on his hip. From what I read, Mr. Harrington was a silent partner whose guilt caught up to him, but atoning for a mistake is not the same as heroism. Everyone wanted to see Anakin Skywalker save his son, but Luke was the true hero, for sticking to his convictions from the beginning. Don’t you want to be Luke, Matt?

Matt pointed to the wall behind the counter, waiting for the camera to follow and spot the FX replica of Luke’s Jedi lightsaber. Well, for $150, anyone can be Luke.

Gabriel offered him a manufactured smile.

Come on, that was a good zing! Matt thought as he sat up straight.

So, what’s your background, Matt? What special skill set were you able to leverage in your investigation?

Nothing that special. I’m a writer, so I guess I just tapped into my ongoing observation of the human condition.

A writer! I didn’t know that. What’s the name of your most recent work?

Asshat. He read the article, he knows I’m still... This guy’s going to...

Ah, fuck it.

I’m actually shopping around my debut novel right now. I’ll be sure to drop you a link when it goes up.

Please do. I think you’ll find you already have a budding fan base. Okay, cut. Gabriel pointed to his cameraman. I’ll do the outro from the sidewalk to get an exterior shot, and we’ll intercut with the interviews from earlier.

Mr. Vade emerged from his office, a bright smile plastered across his face. Mr. Jammez, thank you so much for coming out this way. It’s great exposure!

Gabriel shook his hand. Mr. Vade, my pleasure. You’ve got a great little shop here, and some great employees. It’s always good for our industry to showcase the diamonds in the rough. He fished a few business cards out of his pocket and handed them to Mr. Vade. If you’re ever in Camden, stop by. Maybe we can take a few pieces off your hand or vice versa. Gabriel noticed a flyer on the countertop, then nodded to Matt. You should drive out for P.H.A.M.E. next week. The convention floor’s mostly Anime and Manga dealers, but there’ll be publishers there. They may be interested.

I’ll keep it in mind. Matt picked up the flyer. It read: ‘Philadelphia Hero Anime and Media Expo! April 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th. Comics, Art and Video Games! Major eSports Tournament!’

Now, if it was a skeeball tournament...

Gabriel picked up his bag and started following his cameraman out the door. Great, well, the episode should be up sometime after the weekend. Be sure to spread the link around, alright?

Will do! Mr. Vade waved fast enough that Matt was waiting for his hand to fly off.

Once the front door closed, Matt groaned. Thank God that’s over.

Matthew, the Curator is good publicity! On his way back to his office, Mr. Vade slapped Matt on the arm. Word of mouth! I’ll probably even have to hire more help after the video is out!

You said that after the local news was here, and you still haven’t hired anybody.

Matt made his way about the store, putting away all the back issues, statuettes and props Gabriel had pulled out to take pictures of. It took him about ten minutes, mainly because he dragged his feet, hoping the filming outside would be done and Gabriel would be long gone. As he returned up front, the door chimed, but instead of Gabriel popping back in, Matt found that he was instead being faced with an all-together different type of irritation, albeit a very similar type.

Did we miss him?! Johnny almost knocked over a display of new trade paperback collections as he crashed into the store.

And as always, Johnny’s friend and fellow podcaster Snyder walked in a few steps behind him, knowing better than to stay close to a frantic Johnny. That was his van pulling away, wasn’t it, Matthew?

Matt nodded. I told you to get here early, guys.

Damn it! Johnny stopped himself from kicking the counter. I knew we shouldn’t have stopped for lunch.

What? Snyder threw his arms in the air. It was your idea, knucklehead! ‘I’ve got a hankering for bacon fries, Sny!’ This is on you.

Matt shook his head. Let’s be honest, the Curator wouldn’t have made an appearance on your podcast for free. He didn’t strike me as that kind of guy. But, Matt reached behind the counter, retrieving a bag and boarded vintage comic book. This may cheer you up. Amazing Adventures #11.

Johnny abruptly took the comic out of Matt’s hands, his mouth agape. The Beast becomes a beast! Finally! How much?

Pages are off white, no spin roll, and someone doodled on one of the last pages, so Mr. Vade okayed me pricing it at $30.

Sold! Johnny reached into his pocket for his wallet.

It wasn’t there.

You forgot who had to pay for lunch, didn’t you? Snyder adjusted his glasses. Someone you owe $20 to?

Johnny grabbed Snyder by both arms. Dude, I’ll pay you $50 tomorrow. Please!

Snyder sighed. Fine. But I’m going to start charging interest, man. Matthew, I’m going to hit the back room first. Can you hold it?

Matt grinned. Only if Johnny begs.

Johnny dropped to his knees. Please, Matt! Dude!

Wow, you’re way too serious. Yes, I’ll hold it. Matt put the comic back behind the counter. John, you need to cut back on the caffeine. Seriously.

As Johnny and Snyder wandered deeper into the store, Matt’s phone buzzed. It was a picture message from his friend, Carrie. Matt had only met her six months previous, when he had shouldered the burden of seeking justice for Carrie’s friend, Cindy. Despite a very slight age gap, the two of them had really bonded, and the snarky Hot Topic employee often sent him memes throughout the day. The picture this time however was of a packaged Betty White POP figure, with the ‘Hot Topic Exclusive’ sticker affixed to the front. The text said ‘The ole girl’s waiting for you.’

Matt laughed out loud, then tried covering it up with a cough.

The last thing I need is for Johnny to josh me for collecting The Golden Girls.

Once he realized no one had noticed, he replied to Carrie. ‘You rock. I’ll swing by later.’

Shipment’s finally here, Mr. Vade had snuck out of his office and was pointing outside. Almost got worried there for a second. Give him a hand, Matt?

Why? He’s got