An Honest Breakfast [PE EOD4 #2]
Oct 17, 2020 0:06:40 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Dave D-Flipz, and 3 more like this
Post by anthonycaffrey on Oct 17, 2020 0:06:40 GMT -5
[Breakfast. It’s clearly not the most important meal of the day at the Regency Manila Suites. After a wild night of bonding, The Purple Emperors shuffle past trays of food. Caffrey takes it in stride, but Radu looks more like the walking dead than usual. The heavy painkillers he requires to move may have enhanced the effects of the alcohol. A large tray of eggs reminds Deathless of his Balut experience. Shuddering, Radu loads up on pandesal rolls. Next to him, Caffrey shovels silog and tapa onto a plate – clearly looking for a big workout later. The Annihilator finalists find a quiet corner in the hotel restaurant.]
Radu [forcing down pandesal]: "So now that you’re a promoter. Do you find that effects how you deal with people?"
Caffrey: "Huh?"
Radu: "Mistress is on your roster at Fireside. Do you find that uncomfortable? I hear Death Trap implying that Top of the Class have an edge, because of the four of us, Mistress is relatively healthy. Seemed unnecessary, a frankly ridiculous boast designed to set him up as the target. You have a business interest in Mistress’ wellbeing. Do you oblige Trap’s gambit, Caffrey?"
Caffrey: "He’s already been the target for four months, Radu. They also think because I can’t lift people, they have an advantage…which makes no sense, because I won an X-Crown and a world title with the same restriction."
[Caffrey smirks, then reaches into his pocket. His tone changes.]
“But I gotta-- I wanna ask you something.”
[Caffrey pulls out his phone and hands it over.]
“Take a look: that’s my trophy case, championships from my career. Now, ten years isn’t fifteen..."
Radu: “Eighteen.”
Caffrey: "Still, that’s my first, the Pipeline Championship. I remember loving that belt. Then I fought to become world champion…won gold, and went three whole miserable years before finally winning this.”
[The current picture highlights the GWA World Championship, now part of the X-Crown.]
“Two months later, GWA closed. The ride was stopped by lawsuits and lawyers. After watching my joy ripped from me, I was done.”
“Repressed my anger, but it cascaded and I got back on a plane. It closed again; I was still furious. I felt so incomplete I couldn’t sleep. I needed gold... but I couldn’t get a Goddamn job. Listening to some of these FIRESIDE wrestlers, I know their stories because I’ve been there. I spent unemployment knowing I could be happy if someone took a chance. Finally, V did.”
“People think I have one hold; I submitted Dylan Black to a fucking full nelson my first match, that’s how ready I was to impress. I won the world title. To me, winning the gold, and every defense after was this pure high of happiness and joy.”
[His voice shifts.]
“But then I’d come back to an empty hotel room.”
“Then get up and do it again.”
“And again.”
“Coming back to an empty room.”
“Money didn’t fix it. I outwitted Maverick for his hotel and bought me a home with the profits, but the new place was still... empty. Leather and metal don’t talk, Radu.”
“So I’d go out when I was home. Thought it’d be solved in a bar. People liked me enough -- Philly loves me. But my problem followed me there, too.”
[Caffrey looks down for a few seconds before opening up.]
“I wanna ask you: have you ever been around a bunch of people and still realize how incredibly alone you are?”
Radu: “I have ten QUINTILLION friends, Caffrey.”
[Caffrey looks at Radu, disappointed in his answer. Radu stops joking upon seeing his reaction.]
“...None of them are human.”
[Caffrey nods to himself before raising a glass of water in a toast.]
Caffrey: “Well, one of them is.”
[They toast.]
“You see, after countless selfies and stories, you realize how desperate you are that someone would give a shit about you and actually listen. My favorite part of going out was the Uber home, having a real conversation as two passing strangers. The worst part was going inside… back to empty.”
“For months… besides Marcus, the gold was my only true friend. And again… titles don’t talk. So I’d open up my laptop to gameplan and do anything to avoid the emptiness. In the worst feedback loop possible, I focused on the gold! You don’t like me? Fuck you! I have a world championship and I’m better than you! I saw fans as a collection of assholes who wanted nothing but to watch me lose my source of joy.”
“And then I did.”
“Winning the X-Crown was supposed to fix that-- Draven would come knocking, I’d break him, and be happy again. That was my plan; I focused on the Rumble because the alternative was turning around and realizing that just off-screen, was an emptiness so enveloping and commanding and demanding and draining that I’d rather stare into a bright light in the darkness and ruin my eyesight watching film than acknowledge it. The emptiness is covered if there’s a big enough fucking screen in front of your face.”
Radu: “Your plans changed, though.”
Caffrey: “Well, this pandemic changed people’s perspectives about what’s important. What caught me is that the emptiness was suddenly everywhere. I’m used to the city’s noise, the cars and the people. But that drone. It went everywhere. Emptiness. Not one soul.”
“So I spoke about missing Philadelphia, the people, everything. And holy shit, suddenly I got emails, letters and opinions that were actually… supportive. Nice, even! I made a promise to Philadelphians, but I was getting messages of support from everywhere. I didn’t even ask! People wrote they were a fan, that they felt it, that they were trying their best too. It made that little fucking room feel a little different. Like I could be alone, and others are alone too, but we were alone together.”
“Suddenly I realized I wanted that.”
[He bangs on the table for emphasis.]
“I want that more than anyone else, this feeling of togetherness, this camaraderie. People gave a shit for the first time ever.”
“Granted it’s behind a screen, but you take what you can get right now. So I worked, worked for them instead of myself… and fuckin’ won the X-Crown! In the adrenaline rush of happiness and thinking about everyone, I threw the Crown in the ocean in excitement! I remember sending the payment and then sitting there and getting fucking blitzed while reading all he messages. It was amazing.”
Radu: “Everything felt full.”
Caffrey: “Yeah! As I defended the Crown, I realized that I really didn’t... care about physical gold. A piece of cloth substituted for gold because the value wasn’t in the leather and metal. The value was in the people. I was physically further away from people but mentally closer than ever. I will cherish these memories forever. I was the people’s hero, and the emptiness didn’t matter.”
“And then Death Trap stole my X-Crown.”
“I don’t want to hear anymore about how uber nice he is. I don’t believe an honorable man could accept that result and not immediately call it was fucked up. He stole that match and did nothing to rectify it."
"And then the messages from fans stopped coming! That loss partially severed the connection that I’ve worked for, fuck I’ve done everything for it from delivering food to Zooming for a sick kid… the connection withered. The roar of the emptiness came back louder and louder and all I could do was watch this victim-blaming motherfucker -- first Yuki for being a woman and now me for being crazy, as if I haven’t been off my fucking rocker and harnessing that energy to climb to the top because of and despite of it, for a LONG, LONG ASS TIME before heads rolled, because newsflash DT, that makes me the same as any other guy, fighting who the fuck I am and knowing that illness allows me to care about people other than MYSELF -- TRAP PREACHED FOR A YEAR ABOUT HOW HE WAS THE EPITOME OF MASTER CLASS AND DIDN’T EVEN TRY DEFENDING THE CROWN THERE! HE BRAGS ABOUT BEING WORLD CHAMPION OF A COMPANY HE DOESN’T CARE ABOUT! THE COMPANY CLOSED WHILE HE WAS OFF FUCKING AROUND IN JAPAN BECAUSE HE DIDN’T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THE PEOPLE HE SAID HE LOVED! THAT COMPANY DIED WHILE MR. ‘MASTER CLASS’ TURNED OUT TO BE A GIANT FUCKING LIAR! HE ONLY CARED ABOUT GOLD INSTEAD OF PEOPLE AND HE’S BELOVED AND SOMEHOW I’M THE FUCKING ASSHOLE?!”
[Caffrey flips over the table next to them. The place goes dead silent. Radu knows he has to get his partner out now.]
Radu [turning to the other patrons]: "You should see the OTHER hotel restaurant."
[This attempt at humour is lost on most witnesses. Matei hands a sizable tip to the waitstaff cleaning up the mess. He would assist them in moving the clutter, but feels compelled to keep focus on his clearly hurting partner.]
"I hate to ask, but mind if we head outside? It’s kind of stuffy, and if there is any lamanog left in me, I’d rather lose it somewhere I can’t find it."
[Caffrey is still shaking, visibly upset just thinking about Death Trap. Radu places even more money down.]
"It would mean a lot." [Caffrey starts to move.] "Thanks." [turning to the waiter] "This was excellent. Some of the best, uh, bread I’ve ever enjoyed. Thank you, and our apologies."
[SMASH CUT! The two walk down the streets of Manila. Well, Deathless more lurches like Dr. Gonzo from Fear and Loathing, forcing himself to move. No selling this hangover might be his greatest physical accomplishment. Caffrey’s demeanor has picked up, so focused on the catharsis of getting his Death Trap resentments off his chest that he doesn’t let the pain in.]
Caffrey: “I knew he’d lose it immediately because he was seconds away from tapping. He’s too old for this level. He can argue all he wants; you two wear 'old' differently. There’s no crack in your armor; I’ve seen the dents in his. He’s grooming Mistress Discipline multiple ways, mostly to take the titles… she’s a rising star, doesn’t know how good she is, and gets better every match. When I saw you were retiring, everything clicked. I can’t take back the Crown, but I can keep the XHF Tag Team Championships away. I needed someone to believe in, and I knew that was you."
Radu: “Thanks.”
Caffrey: “Hell, injuries don’t mean anything to you. Your in-ring experience is old enough to vote, Discipline doesn't come close. And hey, if this was another stupid shark, bear, whatever match, and we just beat them there, I’d be content.”
Radu: You’re not content now?
[Radu looks a little hurt himself. Caffrey stops and clarifies.]
Caffrey: “Hey. That’s not what I mean.”
[They face each other.]
“On October 18th, I can take something that matters. Death Trap hasn’t tapped in forever. It’s the only wrestling thing he still cares about. He believes it’s part of his identity. But you can’t lie to me in an ankle lock; after seeing his eyes... what he believes doesn’t matter.”
“I’m taking his joy from him. Like Timeless when I kicked his ass out of SWAT, I’ll take what matters most to Death Trap. I let us enjoy the culture because I've been waking up thinking about this match for four months.”
Radu: “Sleep deprivation can be rough. I’m glad you came with me. I had a great time…"
"It was important.”
Caffrey: “You don’t understand: I survived the emptiness through this.”
[Caffrey shows another photo: a table full of copybooks adorned with Death Trap’s name.]
“I couldn’t care if we win EOD. We’ve beaten seven teams. If we don’t win, we’ll win the titles soon enough. To me, Death Trap tapping is what I want most. This is not a grudge, it's a mission. It's what's going to help me and help bring back the connection. I’ve been through my toughest year ever, and I know making that thief truly suffer is going to help make things non-empty again.”
“Now I’m not as wise as you, Radu. I want Death Trap to experience pain like he’s never felt. I don’t care which hold does it. I’ll do it, they’ll kick my ass, or you’ll take care of Mistress. That’s it. This is personal. Out of the rawest spite imaginable, I’m saying I won’t stop until he submits and screams for mercy. Philadelphia burns brightest on love and hatred and I absolutely hate him. Back home, his screams will help me rest, his pain will infinitely lessen mine. I might finally get a full night’s sleep for the first time in months.”
[Radu looks at his partner contemplating and finally imparts his wisdom.]
Radu: "I haven’t lost a singles match in... maybe a decade? When I finally do, it will be a conscious decision to help our business, perhaps building up a young wrestler I'm fond of. It may even play out subconsciously. If someone actively came after me, I don’t think any force on earth could get my shoulders down for the three count. Death Trap may tap in a match before he calls it a career, but I think that honour will end up going to Mistress.
The more you build being the one to do it, the less likely it will happen. He will be twice as guarded around you. If he isn’t passing the torch, the only way that happens is out of nowhere. If you call the spot, it’s very hard to surprise him.
Also, while I’m an undefeated singles wrestler, that has nothing to do with tag matches. I could tap in the finals, and it wouldn’t effect who I am, or my streak. The parameters change everything. If Death Trap can only eat seven ghost peppers and stops at eight, is that eighth pepper the one that made him submit? When looking at this as a tag encounter, that also applies. If it's your hold that makes Trap quit, it's not Caffrey submits Death Trap, it’s the Purple Emperors beat Top of the Class by submission. You won’t be happy until you do it solo, and if you do it now? It’s rare for lightning to strike twice.”
[Caffrey looks at him.]
“But if it will help you sleep at night - I will do I have to.”
[Another nod between the pair. Radu holds up a finger.]
“How you win is important. But the win itself? Much like your many championships, it might not be the answer you’re looking for. Let’s say you get Trap to tap. What are we going to do then?
[Caffrey’s planned this too.]
Caffrey: “Pick out Halloween costumes. We’re gonna run the fuck over Dodo-a-Gogo and win the titles.”
[Radu shakes his head and smiles. The Purple Emperors continue strolling to the gym. It is a beautiful sunny day...but a storm is coming.]
Radu [forcing down pandesal]: "So now that you’re a promoter. Do you find that effects how you deal with people?"
Caffrey: "Huh?"
Radu: "Mistress is on your roster at Fireside. Do you find that uncomfortable? I hear Death Trap implying that Top of the Class have an edge, because of the four of us, Mistress is relatively healthy. Seemed unnecessary, a frankly ridiculous boast designed to set him up as the target. You have a business interest in Mistress’ wellbeing. Do you oblige Trap’s gambit, Caffrey?"
Caffrey: "He’s already been the target for four months, Radu. They also think because I can’t lift people, they have an advantage…which makes no sense, because I won an X-Crown and a world title with the same restriction."
[Caffrey smirks, then reaches into his pocket. His tone changes.]
“But I gotta-- I wanna ask you something.”
[Caffrey pulls out his phone and hands it over.]
“Take a look: that’s my trophy case, championships from my career. Now, ten years isn’t fifteen..."
Radu: “Eighteen.”
Caffrey: "Still, that’s my first, the Pipeline Championship. I remember loving that belt. Then I fought to become world champion…won gold, and went three whole miserable years before finally winning this.”
[The current picture highlights the GWA World Championship, now part of the X-Crown.]
“Two months later, GWA closed. The ride was stopped by lawsuits and lawyers. After watching my joy ripped from me, I was done.”
“Repressed my anger, but it cascaded and I got back on a plane. It closed again; I was still furious. I felt so incomplete I couldn’t sleep. I needed gold... but I couldn’t get a Goddamn job. Listening to some of these FIRESIDE wrestlers, I know their stories because I’ve been there. I spent unemployment knowing I could be happy if someone took a chance. Finally, V did.”
“People think I have one hold; I submitted Dylan Black to a fucking full nelson my first match, that’s how ready I was to impress. I won the world title. To me, winning the gold, and every defense after was this pure high of happiness and joy.”
[His voice shifts.]
“But then I’d come back to an empty hotel room.”
“Then get up and do it again.”
“And again.”
“Coming back to an empty room.”
“Money didn’t fix it. I outwitted Maverick for his hotel and bought me a home with the profits, but the new place was still... empty. Leather and metal don’t talk, Radu.”
“So I’d go out when I was home. Thought it’d be solved in a bar. People liked me enough -- Philly loves me. But my problem followed me there, too.”
[Caffrey looks down for a few seconds before opening up.]
“I wanna ask you: have you ever been around a bunch of people and still realize how incredibly alone you are?”
Radu: “I have ten QUINTILLION friends, Caffrey.”
[Caffrey looks at Radu, disappointed in his answer. Radu stops joking upon seeing his reaction.]
“...None of them are human.”
[Caffrey nods to himself before raising a glass of water in a toast.]
Caffrey: “Well, one of them is.”
[They toast.]
“You see, after countless selfies and stories, you realize how desperate you are that someone would give a shit about you and actually listen. My favorite part of going out was the Uber home, having a real conversation as two passing strangers. The worst part was going inside… back to empty.”
“For months… besides Marcus, the gold was my only true friend. And again… titles don’t talk. So I’d open up my laptop to gameplan and do anything to avoid the emptiness. In the worst feedback loop possible, I focused on the gold! You don’t like me? Fuck you! I have a world championship and I’m better than you! I saw fans as a collection of assholes who wanted nothing but to watch me lose my source of joy.”
“And then I did.”
“Winning the X-Crown was supposed to fix that-- Draven would come knocking, I’d break him, and be happy again. That was my plan; I focused on the Rumble because the alternative was turning around and realizing that just off-screen, was an emptiness so enveloping and commanding and demanding and draining that I’d rather stare into a bright light in the darkness and ruin my eyesight watching film than acknowledge it. The emptiness is covered if there’s a big enough fucking screen in front of your face.”
Radu: “Your plans changed, though.”
Caffrey: “Well, this pandemic changed people’s perspectives about what’s important. What caught me is that the emptiness was suddenly everywhere. I’m used to the city’s noise, the cars and the people. But that drone. It went everywhere. Emptiness. Not one soul.”
“So I spoke about missing Philadelphia, the people, everything. And holy shit, suddenly I got emails, letters and opinions that were actually… supportive. Nice, even! I made a promise to Philadelphians, but I was getting messages of support from everywhere. I didn’t even ask! People wrote they were a fan, that they felt it, that they were trying their best too. It made that little fucking room feel a little different. Like I could be alone, and others are alone too, but we were alone together.”
“Suddenly I realized I wanted that.”
[He bangs on the table for emphasis.]
“I want that more than anyone else, this feeling of togetherness, this camaraderie. People gave a shit for the first time ever.”
“Granted it’s behind a screen, but you take what you can get right now. So I worked, worked for them instead of myself… and fuckin’ won the X-Crown! In the adrenaline rush of happiness and thinking about everyone, I threw the Crown in the ocean in excitement! I remember sending the payment and then sitting there and getting fucking blitzed while reading all he messages. It was amazing.”
Radu: “Everything felt full.”
Caffrey: “Yeah! As I defended the Crown, I realized that I really didn’t... care about physical gold. A piece of cloth substituted for gold because the value wasn’t in the leather and metal. The value was in the people. I was physically further away from people but mentally closer than ever. I will cherish these memories forever. I was the people’s hero, and the emptiness didn’t matter.”
“And then Death Trap stole my X-Crown.”
“I don’t want to hear anymore about how uber nice he is. I don’t believe an honorable man could accept that result and not immediately call it was fucked up. He stole that match and did nothing to rectify it."
"And then the messages from fans stopped coming! That loss partially severed the connection that I’ve worked for, fuck I’ve done everything for it from delivering food to Zooming for a sick kid… the connection withered. The roar of the emptiness came back louder and louder and all I could do was watch this victim-blaming motherfucker -- first Yuki for being a woman and now me for being crazy, as if I haven’t been off my fucking rocker and harnessing that energy to climb to the top because of and despite of it, for a LONG, LONG ASS TIME before heads rolled, because newsflash DT, that makes me the same as any other guy, fighting who the fuck I am and knowing that illness allows me to care about people other than MYSELF -- TRAP PREACHED FOR A YEAR ABOUT HOW HE WAS THE EPITOME OF MASTER CLASS AND DIDN’T EVEN TRY DEFENDING THE CROWN THERE! HE BRAGS ABOUT BEING WORLD CHAMPION OF A COMPANY HE DOESN’T CARE ABOUT! THE COMPANY CLOSED WHILE HE WAS OFF FUCKING AROUND IN JAPAN BECAUSE HE DIDN’T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THE PEOPLE HE SAID HE LOVED! THAT COMPANY DIED WHILE MR. ‘MASTER CLASS’ TURNED OUT TO BE A GIANT FUCKING LIAR! HE ONLY CARED ABOUT GOLD INSTEAD OF PEOPLE AND HE’S BELOVED AND SOMEHOW I’M THE FUCKING ASSHOLE?!”
[Caffrey flips over the table next to them. The place goes dead silent. Radu knows he has to get his partner out now.]
Radu [turning to the other patrons]: "You should see the OTHER hotel restaurant."
[This attempt at humour is lost on most witnesses. Matei hands a sizable tip to the waitstaff cleaning up the mess. He would assist them in moving the clutter, but feels compelled to keep focus on his clearly hurting partner.]
"I hate to ask, but mind if we head outside? It’s kind of stuffy, and if there is any lamanog left in me, I’d rather lose it somewhere I can’t find it."
[Caffrey is still shaking, visibly upset just thinking about Death Trap. Radu places even more money down.]
"It would mean a lot." [Caffrey starts to move.] "Thanks." [turning to the waiter] "This was excellent. Some of the best, uh, bread I’ve ever enjoyed. Thank you, and our apologies."
[SMASH CUT! The two walk down the streets of Manila. Well, Deathless more lurches like Dr. Gonzo from Fear and Loathing, forcing himself to move. No selling this hangover might be his greatest physical accomplishment. Caffrey’s demeanor has picked up, so focused on the catharsis of getting his Death Trap resentments off his chest that he doesn’t let the pain in.]
Caffrey: “I knew he’d lose it immediately because he was seconds away from tapping. He’s too old for this level. He can argue all he wants; you two wear 'old' differently. There’s no crack in your armor; I’ve seen the dents in his. He’s grooming Mistress Discipline multiple ways, mostly to take the titles… she’s a rising star, doesn’t know how good she is, and gets better every match. When I saw you were retiring, everything clicked. I can’t take back the Crown, but I can keep the XHF Tag Team Championships away. I needed someone to believe in, and I knew that was you."
Radu: “Thanks.”
Caffrey: “Hell, injuries don’t mean anything to you. Your in-ring experience is old enough to vote, Discipline doesn't come close. And hey, if this was another stupid shark, bear, whatever match, and we just beat them there, I’d be content.”
Radu: You’re not content now?
[Radu looks a little hurt himself. Caffrey stops and clarifies.]
Caffrey: “Hey. That’s not what I mean.”
[They face each other.]
“On October 18th, I can take something that matters. Death Trap hasn’t tapped in forever. It’s the only wrestling thing he still cares about. He believes it’s part of his identity. But you can’t lie to me in an ankle lock; after seeing his eyes... what he believes doesn’t matter.”
“I’m taking his joy from him. Like Timeless when I kicked his ass out of SWAT, I’ll take what matters most to Death Trap. I let us enjoy the culture because I've been waking up thinking about this match for four months.”
Radu: “Sleep deprivation can be rough. I’m glad you came with me. I had a great time…"
"It was important.”
Caffrey: “You don’t understand: I survived the emptiness through this.”
[Caffrey shows another photo: a table full of copybooks adorned with Death Trap’s name.]
“I couldn’t care if we win EOD. We’ve beaten seven teams. If we don’t win, we’ll win the titles soon enough. To me, Death Trap tapping is what I want most. This is not a grudge, it's a mission. It's what's going to help me and help bring back the connection. I’ve been through my toughest year ever, and I know making that thief truly suffer is going to help make things non-empty again.”
“Now I’m not as wise as you, Radu. I want Death Trap to experience pain like he’s never felt. I don’t care which hold does it. I’ll do it, they’ll kick my ass, or you’ll take care of Mistress. That’s it. This is personal. Out of the rawest spite imaginable, I’m saying I won’t stop until he submits and screams for mercy. Philadelphia burns brightest on love and hatred and I absolutely hate him. Back home, his screams will help me rest, his pain will infinitely lessen mine. I might finally get a full night’s sleep for the first time in months.”
[Radu looks at his partner contemplating and finally imparts his wisdom.]
Radu: "I haven’t lost a singles match in... maybe a decade? When I finally do, it will be a conscious decision to help our business, perhaps building up a young wrestler I'm fond of. It may even play out subconsciously. If someone actively came after me, I don’t think any force on earth could get my shoulders down for the three count. Death Trap may tap in a match before he calls it a career, but I think that honour will end up going to Mistress.
The more you build being the one to do it, the less likely it will happen. He will be twice as guarded around you. If he isn’t passing the torch, the only way that happens is out of nowhere. If you call the spot, it’s very hard to surprise him.
Also, while I’m an undefeated singles wrestler, that has nothing to do with tag matches. I could tap in the finals, and it wouldn’t effect who I am, or my streak. The parameters change everything. If Death Trap can only eat seven ghost peppers and stops at eight, is that eighth pepper the one that made him submit? When looking at this as a tag encounter, that also applies. If it's your hold that makes Trap quit, it's not Caffrey submits Death Trap, it’s the Purple Emperors beat Top of the Class by submission. You won’t be happy until you do it solo, and if you do it now? It’s rare for lightning to strike twice.”
[Caffrey looks at him.]
“But if it will help you sleep at night - I will do I have to.”
[Another nod between the pair. Radu holds up a finger.]
“How you win is important. But the win itself? Much like your many championships, it might not be the answer you’re looking for. Let’s say you get Trap to tap. What are we going to do then?
[Caffrey’s planned this too.]
Caffrey: “Pick out Halloween costumes. We’re gonna run the fuck over Dodo-a-Gogo and win the titles.”
[Radu shakes his head and smiles. The Purple Emperors continue strolling to the gym. It is a beautiful sunny day...but a storm is coming.]
