Or by the way he has Fleas

The registry award(s) deadline has passed. If you wanted your set to be acclaimed and didn't make it this year, you'll have to keep perusing the auctions and conventions for your graded CGC books to add to your sets for the registry awards for 2014. If you were sniped like a last second bid on EBay, then "it is what it is", but I wonder, if this as collectors is what we strive for? Do we try to edge out our competitors for the top spot, to say we are first, or to show everyone in the collecting community that we have the chops to take the coveted first prize?

Last year I took it from Bagofleas for the New Mutants set. I accomplished this months in advance. I always assumed it would be this year that he would regain that title back, and it was, but I didn't expect the underhanded, despicable, and diabolical way he went about doing it. I mean seriously I called this guy a friend.

But how did he do it? Did he gain signatures on his books? Did he fill holes in his collection? Does he have only one of two New Mutants #1 in a Gem Mint condition....well yes, but that's not how he did it. The first thing he did was gain my friendship. This is easy, but over the past year as I entrusted him to many a personal thing, I never thought he would do what he did. This ex CIA operative, who worked with MI6 who sometimes resides in Area 55 (bet you didn't know there was an Area 55, that's how secret it is) was secretly gathering data to bring me down. I personally think that the day I surpassed him on the registry an evil cry came from his lair as he vowed to not only take back the top spot, but to end my meager existence, to destroy me in the most creative way possible.

I'm pretty sure at this point he decided to break me, to steal away what I worked so hard for and at only $2.83 an hour. The strenuous hours, the walk to distant lands to find what is the Mecca of comic books and create the best set for the New Mutants. During these travels I met the RonnyLama who is good Karma personified, and he urged me on to not decimate any opposition but to embrace them. This is how I treated Bagofleas, like a brother, not the intricate weasel of a circus ringmaster I found out that he was. I thought the friendship Bagofleas gave me was both true and genuine. He fooled us both.

Over the past year I never understood how Bagofleas travelled as much and how he made his money. His modern age collection grew along with his love for Harvey books. I should have begun to realize his affinity for Casper the Friendly Ghost was black ops code for CFG which actually stands for Camouflage Field Guide, which are in actuality wet works team members.

Suffice to say, he might tell you he delivers pizzas but he actually created and runs the best Flea Circus in the whole Northern hemisphere. He travels all over the world showing crowds his trained fleas. I was in awe of his patience and tenacity in bringing joy to the masses, I thought he was a saint.

He surprised me the other day, telling me he would be in my area. The trip would include a visit to the Children's Hospital a short drive away so he could entertain with his Flea Circus. I told him we should meet since he would be in the area but he apologized and told me that it was for the "Make-A-Wish" foundation and he then had to fly out to Toronto for another last wish request. I know, Good Samaritan, right?

So here I am with minutes left and I'm still in the top spot, and after finally getting busy at work I check the registry a few hours later and see my spot is no longer the top spot...I'm now number two. My legs became weak, my heart buttressed against the cavity of my chest wishing to burst free. As I said I knew it was inevitable. I sent a congratulation to Bagofleas by text and his reply was "Damn Straight person_without_enough_empathy". I thought he was texting someone else and I interrupted in the crossfire. I replied back, again and again but he never answered. I just guessed he was busy setting up his Flea Circus.

Finally after a grueling thirteen hour shift I made it home...to a busted open door. The door knob lay on the ground and I pushed the door open with my foot. I knew I had to call the police but first I had to check on my companion, my cat, Boots.

His incessant cries told me he at least he didn't run away, that he was indeed still in the apartment. I found him locked in his carrier and after I took him out I realized he was shaved like a newly hired contract porn starlet.

I looked around and didn't see anything missing, not at first. I had money lying around which wasn't touched, my comics were still beautifully displayed, and my electronics were still hooked up. The only think that was curious was my computer was on. I adverted my attention back to my cat when I noticed it, his flea collar was missing.

I went to my computer, touched the keyboard, bringing the monitor out of its hibernation sequence. I could have sworn I turned it off. Suddenly a video played, it was Bagofleas. He proceeded to tell me that the encoded USB would destroy itself and I better pay attention the first time, because it would delete itself. He informed me not only that our friendship was a farce, but it was only an excuse to profile me and learn what passwords I might use for all my the websites I visit, like HA.com , eBay, and of course the CGC registry site.

In the final minutes of the registry competition he took off every single comic book I had in the New Mutants set to assure himself first place. I swear he couldn't stop laughing and my cat became shaved bare in front of the camera from some unknown means. Bagofleas pulled on his stereotypical mustache pulling it into a curved tip and the red top hat put him over the edge, even the laughter helped.

He even went so far as to tell me that if I ever pass him again in the registry that he would make sure to use my cat as his new home for fleas to train. This man had no soul, he was evil.

I shuddered and picked up my little guy, realizing he is indeed fat and not just covered with hair and cringed at the threat. But I won't be bullied, I will not cajole to fear. I challenge you Bagofleas, oh yes I challenge you and your ex ops, and your fleas, I will not run and I will not shy away. This I vow.

Thanks for reading

Tnerb.

Ps. Bagofleas, are we still up for MegaCon 2014?

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