3.06

“Think of it as a game,” Lisa said, comparing their villainous activities to a high-stakes version of cops and robbers. Driving through a downpour, Lisa explained her theory to Taylor: most costumed individuals were just in it for the thrill, a minority were genuinely dangerous or unhinged, and a terrifying few were monstrous. She argued that the majority were like players in an elaborate game, and even the authorities implicitly accepted this, as the presence of “superheroes” brought benefits like tourism and media attention.

Lisa believed that the relatively harmless villains were allowed to operate because they provided “competition” for the heroes. They were rarely sent to the maximum-security prison, the Birdcage, despite the ‘three strikes’ rule, because authorities wanted to maintain plausible deniability. Evidence of this “game” mentality was the harsh reaction from the cape community when someone broke the unwritten rules, like targeting a cape’s family or committing sexual assault.

Taylor, feeling uneasy, was reminded of the unspoken truce among capes when facing world-ending threats like the Endbringers. She was struggling with an argument she’d had, feeling shaken and out of place among the Undersiders. She worried that Lisa might discover her true identity and intentions. The revelation that two of her teammates were murderers further tainted her perception of them.

Lisa, sensing Taylor’s mood, tried to reassure her. She praised Taylor’s bravery against Lung, urging her to disregard the person who had upset her. Taylor, amused by the irony, was momentarily lifted from her “doldrums.”

Lisa then directed Taylor’s attention to their target: the Brockton Bay Central Bank, a fortress-like building. She envisioned their imminent success, but Taylor struggled to share her optimism. They parked near the bank, donned their masks, and prepared for the heist. Despite her doubts, Taylor echoed Lisa’s words, “Let’s go rob a bank.”