Moments after the theater manager had placed the cardboard standee near the box office, a strange sound began. A rhythmic, gasp-like sound, followed by the appearance of a blue phone booth! The kind British policemen used to refer to as a "call box." One of the doors opened, and out came a middle-aged man with brown curly hair, matching-but-battered fedora, a purplish-colored trenchcoat, and a ratty-looking scarf.
"Well, these are the co-ordinates you gave me. But, my tachyon-counter indicates the Master PC is no longer here." The Phantom Stranger replied; "Perhaps, Doctor. But, at least we can derive some small consolation from restoring Zatanna to three-dimensioniality. Tim, if you would kindly assist me?" Timothy Hunter put his right hand over that of the pseudo-standee. The Phantom Stranger did likewise with the cardboard left hand. Within a minute, Zatanna was flesh-and-blood again!
"Wha-what's going on?" she stammeringly asked. The Phantom Stranger introduced the ex-time Lord known as the Doctor, knowing she already recognized Tim. "The device you were subjected to is called the Master PC, a mind-boggling blend of magic and technology. And, it's currently in the hands of the Harlequin!" The Doctor added; "The technology comes from my homeworld of Gallifrey, so I am here representing my fellow Time Lords (who seldom accept responsibility for anything that's remotely our fault, anyway)."
Zatanna said; "If you guys could use my help stopping that psycho-bitch, you got it." They smiled at the bloodthirsty eagerness of her offer, and nodded. Suddenly, the palm-sized device the Doctor was holding began to beep. "It's the tachyon-counter! According to this reading, the Master PC is being used out west in an urban complex called...Central City."
Sat Oct 28 11:00:15 2000