Hollow Blessing

7/19/2008

11:00 AM

*honk*

The large frame of the ship completely overshadowed the residents on the dock, lowering its panel revealing a set of stairs, the ship has boarded.

An exhaust that released black smoke from the funnel of the ship releases as if to signal the coming of end times.

Samuel: "That wasn't how it was supposed to be. I thought my first experience boarding a ship was going to be an eye-opener. Instead, I spent most of my time hurling and sleeping in bed."

Butch: "Quit your yapping, we still have to leave early for tomorrow."

I grab the ticket from my pocket.

"7:00 AM" active pass"

I groaned as I carried the luggage and I clumsily opened it, spilling out our belongings.

Butch: "Pick up the pace, come on!"

This was how it was supposed to be, I'm just forced to tag along. The cluster of people complaining behind me made me pick up the pace, so I hastily pick up what was on the pavement floor.

*chatter*

The residential commotions are natural this early in the morning as the pier is near the local fish market.

Butch: "Glad to see nothing's changed, it's still the same when I was a kid."

Butch commented as if to reminisce the memories he had of this place.

Samuel:" I still don't understand why you were so persistent on taking on this case, even going so far to have a drink with the chairman just to persuade him."

Butch: "It isn't like that, I just had this gut feeling that this case will be different. It's calling me I know it."

Samuel: "Calling you? What are you even talking about? You still haven't even told me about what our business here is all abo-"

As soon as I was about to finish my sentence, a local from the fish market cut me short.

She had a slender and ragged figure.

Melinda: "Is that you Butch? Did the city life finally took you as one of their own?"

Butch: "Oh it isn't like that, I still haven't forgotten my roots."

Butch jokingly replied.

Melinda:" So what brings you here? Don't tell me it's about the recent disappearances?"

Butch: "Unfortunately, that's the case."

Samuel: "Disappearances? Butch how come they know while I do-"

As if I was not there, I was again cut in the middle of my sentence.

Melinda: "I think you should make your way to the town, assuming you guys have nowhere to stay, maybe someone would offer you a place to stay. Besides, the market is bustling with people so it wouldn't be good to dirty your clothes."

She points toward the left from her stall, but I wasn't concerned of what she was pointing at.

What I was concerned with was how she was missing an index finger on her right hand. I guess being a fishwife still has its risks.

Melinda: "Horse carriages, it'll probably take you 2 hours to get there or if you're running short on money, you might as well walk there."

Butch: "I think that won't be necessary, you have our thanks."

Butch nods as a signal that was the end of their conversation.

As we were making our way to the horse carriages, we were greeted with a broad board filled with printouts of supposed missing people. The category wasn't specific, the people that were missing ranged from young, old, male and female, but there has to be similarities for these much people to go missing.

Samuel: "Well, that's an ominous way to greet visitors."

I sarcastically threw out what was on my mind, but Butch shrugged it off.

Butch: "Keep walking."

2:00 PM

We've just arrived and the place was lively which doesn't contrast with the fish market.

Countless items were sprawled on the floor accompanied by the people selling them.

Items varying from fruits, utensils and bouquet of flowers.

Samuel: "I gotta say, compared to the fish market, this is more up my alley."

Butch: "Good, because we will be staying here for a night."

A distant chattering can be heard from the townsfolk, but I was unsure if it was directed at us.

As I was pondering the idea, I bumped into a child.

Samuel: "ha-ha sorry about that kid I wasn't paying attention."

I picked up his slingshot and handed it over to him.

One of the folks came up to me and apologized.

The kid just nods and didn't even respond.

Woman: "He said thank you."

Suddenly, someone called my superior in a tone that gave off familiarity.

"Butch, It's good to have you back!"

It was a man in his 50's and somewhere around the age of where Butch was.

He's somewhat taller than me, but Butch was taller.

Butch: "Ah, Faust."

Like two brothers reuniting, they hugged each other as if to savor the moment.

Seeing Butch being a soft person, almost makes me forget how many times he scolded me.

Faust: "I see you have brought a friend here, it's nice to meet ya'. I'm Faust, the chief of the town, please do make yourself at home."

He offered to shake my hand as to welcome me, I obliged.

Faust: "I already know why you've come here, you're here to fix the people's problems. It's just great timing, I can provide you the details you guys will need."

"Problems"? I thought it was only about the disappearances?"

I thought to myself.

Butch: "Yes, consider it my deed to repay my hometown."

I get why he wanted to handle this case.

Faust: "That's what I like ta' hear! You even grew a bit bulkier since the last time I met you, I guess it's safe to assume the city has been treating you well. I guess it was worth it after all."

"What did he mean by that?"

I asked myself.

Butch: It surely has and I see that you're the one in charge, finally succeeding your father.

Faust: It isn't easy, but it's honest work.

Noticing the mood and countless exchanges between him and Butch, Faust breaks the conversation.

Faust: "Well, that's enough rambling for now, we can resume this when we get you folks your own roof. You know how it is when it gets dark, it gets cold and we wouldn't want you two sleeping on the streets."

Butch: "We don't have much, but we are willing to pay."

Faust: "Oh, don't sweat it. Since it's you, we could sort it out, free of charge."

With the thought of finally sleeping in a roof after going through the hellscape that is the ship's quarters. I can't help, but thank the chief.

Samuel: "Thank you so much for being hospitable, if you hadn't, Butch would've resorted to sleeping on the streets."

I jokingly said to aim at Butch.

Butch: "Don't get so cocky, if you were assigned to a different person, you wouldn't have a roof for tonight."

Faust: "Ha-ha-ha-ha don't sweat it kid, I'm sure you can repay us in some way."

Samuel: "If it's labor work, I'm sure we can."

I replied haphazardly.

While walking there, Faust didn't match the pace of the rest of the people walking.

It wasn't because of his age, no, certainly not that.

It's because where his right leg is supposed to be wasn't there.

4:00 PM

After strolling around town and having a talk with the locals, we finally arrived to the roof that would be under us.

We were provided a house in which we can stay in, as the last suitors were unable to "occupy" it.

It had everything a normal house would, a kitchen, bathroom and even a laundry room, but it won't be put to use because we are only staying for a day.

Butch: "Are you sure about this? We are only staying for one night after all?"

Faust: "Don't sweat it, it's the least I could do."

There were also paintings that caught my eye, it was discrete. As I took a closer look at it, I was interrupted by Faust.

Faust: "Were you intrigued by the painting? It was painted by someone that was very special, more specifically, he was an amputee."

As Faust was going into detail, I noticed a smudge at the bottom right of the painting. A signature.

Faust: "I bet you two must be tired, I'll show you your rooms immediately."

Faust cut short as I was about to ask something, he guided us to our rooms, as the door creaked and opened, we were greeted with two beds.

Without a second thought, I rushed on the bed. Taking all in the cushion provided to us, I felt a sense of relief and urgency to sleep.

Faust: "I'm sure you two are all right in sleeping on the same room, since you're partners and all."

Butch: "For a while, until I choke this fella right here when he doesn't stop snoring."

Samuel: "Me?! Snoring?!"

Faust: "You two are really something, but let's put that aside for now. I want to talk to you as the chief of Arley."

The shift in conversation quickly changes.

We went to the kitchen and sat around the table.

Faust: I'm sure you two may know by now, but there have been countless people that have went missing for the past few months. Some locals say that it was probably a pack of wolves, but I doubt it. No bodies or remains have been recovered, also, most of the people that went missing are last seen around the old Sylian coal mine.

Butch: "That coal mine? You mean the one we used to play around in when we were kids?"

Faust: "Yes, that coal mine. Despite us barricading it, there were still people that force their way in. Some say that it could be a work of an occult, but if that were the case, someone would have reported it by now."

Samuel: "An occult? You mean like a religion where they pray to their own god?"

Faust: "That's an odd way of putting it, but yes. There used to be a number of workers in the Sylian mines, but due to the fragility of the surface that the workers were mining in, people dying or being buried alive was a rare, but natural occurrence. So to counteract the losses, an occult was born by people who suffer great loses, claiming that the mine itself has something buried underneath."

Butch: "Well, thanks to your father, those cultists were banished before your term in being the chief and in terms of our circumstances, we are only here to speculate before we report to the chairman to conduct a proper investigation. Also, it would be too dark to patrol during the night, let alone, knowing that there might be an occult near that place."

Samuel: "So I'm guessing, we patrol during the day right?"

Butch: "Yeah, I'm sure we have enough time to for that.."

Faust: "Well, I guess that's enough about that. It's time to prepare dinner."

7:30 PM

*whistle*

The charring kettle rumbled as soon as we finished dinner.

The three of us were sitting around the kitchen table.

Samuel: "Man, that was good. My most decent dinner in a while without me having to puke it out on the side of a ship."

Butch: "You're still complaining about that?"

Samuel: "Who wouldn't? "

I added.

Faust chuckled.

Faust: "I see you two are pretty close."

Samuel: "Not really, he always acts cold and serious towards his inferiors."

I replied.

Faust: Reminds me of the time where me and Butch used to slack around town, Lisa always scolded us for being a rambunctious bunch.

Samuel: Lisa? Is that one of your friends?

Butch: "No kid, she's my mother."

Samuel: "Oh your mom? How come we didn't meet her first?"

I suddenly notice the change in atmosphere, Butch's fingers shifted to the tea.

Faust glanced at me and looked down as if telling me what Butch meant when he went quiet. The heavy look on their faces gave me the grasp of what was going on.

Samuel:" Oh- I-I'm sorry Butch. "

I stuttered trying to get the words out.

Butch: "Don't be, it's a thing of the past and she's done something good for me."

Faust: "Yeah, she's in a better place now."

The silence is painful. I have to break myself out of this hole, where I dug myself in the first place.

Samuel:" I-I guess it's time for me to hit the hay. I'm going to go to bed first."

Both of them just nod while sipping their tea.

I'm guessing that they're going to catch up on things, knowing that they're close friends so there's no need for me to intrude into their private matters.

I made my way to the room that's provided to us, guessing that I'm the only one here. I might as well look around the room.

The furniture seemed antique and the floorboards are hollow. Hollow enough that the townsfolk can still be heard from the bedroom. I peeked over the blind, It's well-lit outside, like an alleyway in the busy night of the city. Though nothing seems odd at first, but I can't help shake an unsettling feeling. It would be an insult when I tell Butch that his hometown made me felt weird, it was like an equivalent of spitting on his face. I pay no heed to the rural county, as it was probably me who was too accustomed to the busy streets of the city.

I tucked myself in bed.

*tick*

I turned off the only source of light in the room.

As I felt uneasy sleeping in a stranger's house, I slowly drifted away myself to sleep.

2:00 AM

I woke up to a sound of something.

I glanced over the bed next to me, Butch wasn't there and the cover sheets were over the opened door.

The situation slowly sinking into my skull, Faust rushed over the room where two people were supposed to be in, but it was only me there.

He didn't need to tell me what happened, Faust was catching his breath as he was pointing towards the woods.

Without hesitation, I grabbed the revolver that were in Butch's luggage.

Samuel: "Get me there."

It was pitch black. The forest was thick enough where moonlight was a luxury. This wasn't the most ideal situation, not by the slightest.

Faust brought 4 people from the town to provide assistance, we made our way to where the perpetrator or supposed cultists took Butch, the Sylian Mine.

The howls of the wind rustled the grass around us, as if it was warning us that something ominous is within the mines. Without a train of thought, we ventured into an ocean of darkness with only an oil lamp as our source of light.

No one was talking. It was probably out of fear, but it was understandable. None would dare to go into a supposed mine where cultists reside, let alone, do it in the middle of the night, but the sudden situation brought desperation.

Succumbing to rust, shuttle carts, rails and mining equipment were casually seen on the ground. The rough surface in each passage we go through had an underlying intention. A thought pierced my mind that we were burying ourselves as we delve deeper, the pressure in contrast with the amount of gas inside the cave made our breaths ragged as we continued.

Richmond: "There's nothing here."

We halted as we heard the person that led the group faced a blockade of fallen rubble. This was all for nothing. We have reached a dead end.

Drew : "How come? There was suppose to be a diverging tunnel here?"

Samuel: "The cave has been off limits for a long time wasn't it? Our guess is as good as that map."

Faust: "There might have been a fault that caused this part of the cave to collapse."

The current situation was dire. The person who was supposed to be the one helping was the one who became the victim. The only thing I can do now is to go back and confirm the reports to the chairman. With no other choice, I was about to propose the idea that we go back to the entrance until Faust did a headcount.

There were only 5 of us.

The heavy atmosphere of the mine made us lost in our own little thoughts that we didn't even notice that we were missing one person. It was one of Faust's men.

Richmond: Gunther, he was the last one to enter the cave. We probably lost him along the way, we should go back.

As soon as he said that, the person beside me started to panic.

Drew: "Everything is going to shit! I told you that this place isn't normal."

Samuel: "Normal?"

Faust: "You people need to calm down!"

Faust shouted as if also in the brink of panicking.

Faust: "We'll go back now, I'm sure Gunther will be at the entrance waiting for us."

We followed the same rail tracks that led to the surface, but something was looming over us and it made its presence known. The mine itself was in a straight line so there was no alternate directions we could go, but what was off putting was each time we reached a mile when we were going back, there was an open direction to our left and right which we never noticed.

Caleb: "Chief, I know you might've noticed this by now, but there have been countless openings that wasn't shown on the map."

Drew: "This isn't right! We'll be stuck here."

Richmond: "Faust, what do we do now?"

Trying to compose himself as he was the chief.

Faust: "We go in a straight line."

As they were pondering on what to do next, one of Faust's men took the gun from my hand and pointed it at Faust.

Drew: "Give me the fucking lamp Faust!"

Faust: "O-ok look, settle down Drew, you don't gotta be scared we'll make it out okay? So just put the gun down and let's talk this-."

Drew: "Stop spouting your bullshit, now give me the goddamn lamp! I'm tired of working with you, I've had enough of this bullshit! Also, Caleb, come with me or I'll fucking blow your brains out!"

Faust afraid to lose control of the group, hands over one of the lamp. Caleb being forced to come with Drew, gave in. The two ran on one of the openings that led to nowhere bringing one out of two only source of light with him.

As I was about to follow them, Faust stopped me in my tracks.

Faust: "Don't add yourself onto the board."

I wasn't thinking.

As the two sank into the darkness, I can't help think why he would want to bring another person with him. Reminded of being dragged along by another person, Butch pierced my thought and what he went through. He was cold, unforgiving at times, but that doesn't disregard the fact that he's my superior and I've grown attached to his nature.

Faust: "We'll go forth, if you seen an opening don't go into it."

Breaking my train of thought, Faust gave a clear warning.

The reality of the situation was shoved into our skulls. The place we are in wasn't normal.

There were only three of us, but it was better than being alone.

????

It felt like I was carrying bag of sands, we have been walking for minutes to the point where I'm unsure if it were even minutes. Faust was in front, leading us into where the supposed exit is, but it feels like we were walking in circles.

The taste of my own sweat has been lingering on my mind, the place was suffocating.

Richmond: A light?!

The suffering was about to end, I've never dragged my own body this long. As everyone smirks as we've achieved victory despite losing more in the process, the last of Faust's men gets giddy as if a child given a toy for the first time. He started running to the light ahead of us only to meet someone that weren't supposed to be there.

*clang*

*splatter*

Meaty and bloody parts of the man's face flew toward us as someone bashes his head with a metal rod that came out of the corner. The place was dark, but not too dark to notice the person's face thanks to Faust's remaining source of light.

A disfigured figure, but the robe isn't doing him any justice. The stature of the man was ominous as he was taller than Faust and Me, but what scared us more wasn't because he was about to kill us. It was because he was standing over the lifeless body he just pulverized seconds ago and he isn't doing nothing. He was just standing there.

A chill ran up my spine would be an understatement as every fiber in my body refuses to move from sheer terror.

Faust: "RUN YOU FUCKING IDIOT!"

Snapping out of it, Faust curses at me and was the only time I'm thankful for receiving an insult.

Samuel: "B-but what-"

Faust: "Do you think I can run?! I have a fucking prosthetic leg for christ's sake!"

I know that already, but I just wanted to convince myself that it isn't my fault if he died just for the sake of me not being plagued by my guilt conscience at night. Though, that is if I'll ever get to sleep on a bed again as this cold earth might be my mattress and grave at the same time.

With that, I ran as fast as I can. So fast that I couldn't even hear what's happening behind me as the sound of me gasping for air and the loud pulse of my heart drowned the noise.

Samuel: *sobs* "Fuck! Mom, help!" *gasp*

Terror plagued my mind as I ran, to the point where my mind reverts back to being a child. Crying in and out for desperation or consolation from anybody, I called out to my mom which I will probably never see again.

As ever, it was dark. Countless entryways that shone with light are being revealed as if the cave was taunting me. I halt as I reached the dead end we saw earlier, this is where we were before everything turned to shit.

Samuel: "haa-haa-haa"

Trying to catch my breath, I fell on my knees and eventually to the ground.

Samuel: "ha-ha-ha-ha-haHAHAHAHAHA"

The only thing I could do was laugh, because of my own ignorance.

Samuel: "Ho-Honestly, before we even entered the cave. I thought that this was going to be some sick joke that Butch and Faust was setting up when I left them at the dinner table earlier. Ha-ha-ha I even thought that the two idiots that ran away were in on the joke."

I chuckled to myself.

The faces of one of Faust's men who got his face bashed in jolted through my mind. The brain's matter spilling and the skull protruding from the man's face was an image I didn't want to remember.

Samuel: *bleurgh*

I vomit the dinner I had with Butch and Faust, remembering me having dinner with the two made me vomit even more. Everything happened in an instant. With everything lost and the glimmer of hope I had earlier was shattered in front of me. I gave up.

Samuel:" HEY! YOU FUCKS! I'M HERE, COME AND GET ME!"

With my voice seeping through the cracks and echoing out of the cave, there was nothing.

The sound of pebbles that fell from the ceiling were the only noises I heard.

As I picked myself back up, I started to walk, but not in a way that was striving to survive. No, it was to silence the images and thoughts that plagued my mind.

Samuel: "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! I'M HERE, KILL ME!"

It wasn't a cry for a challenge, it was to find peace in the worst way possible, which was death.

I looked over on one of the entrances that this hellhole provided me, I entered with everything within me shattered. I was walking towards another light, with the open idea that someone might swoop out of the corner and give the rough surface a paint of red. The more I walk, the harder it felt to pick myself back up so I find myself being supported by the wall. Leaning on the side of the rough surface, I walked my own pace.

Samuel: "HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN IN TOYING WITH ME?!"

I shouted to the empty space, hoping someone would answer.

I continued walking, with no sense of direction, I paced back and forth as my feet is becoming just from existing. It felt like I was walking on air at some point. Looking back onto the light, it felt like nothing changed from my perspective. The opening that shone light wasn't getting any closer, it's as if the mine was stretching itself.

As I walked further, my vision became blurry.

Fatigue? Shock? Hypothermia?, all of them seemed plausible.

With a short sense of relief, I was glad that I was able to pass away.

????

I woke up.

I was once again back to the land of the living, but I wish I stayed dead for good.

A feeling of tightness wrapped around my leg and wrists. Finally, having the courage to open my eyes, I awoken to my own demise.

"Oh, it looks like he's awake"

My eyes still blurry, I couldn't recognize the silhouette, but the voice seemed familiar.

*splash*

Salty water splashed my dry and ragged face.

"There, that should keep him alive for now."

Another person was there, but this time his voice was unclear. No, I recognized who it was. It was clear as day, but I just made excuses to fool myself.

Samuel: "You fucking bastard!"

Faust: "That's not how you thank a person. I just saved you remember? Or did the cave get to you already?"

Melinda: "I wouldn't be surprised, we knew that Drew and Richmond was about to rat us out."

Faust: "I don't blame theme for being sheeps, as the shepherd, I had my shortcomings too."

Another familiar face has shown itself.

Caleb: "The traitor has been dealt with Faust."

Caleb handed Faust the gun and Faust went to check the barrel.

Faust: "I'm glad you didn't put any bullets into it or we would have been in big trouble."

Talking to someone within my field of vision, Faust made a comment that I wasn't able to comprehend. Suddenly, a looming shadow appeared over my face.

Butch: "Do you actually think that I'm that stupid? I'm already used to using my body so give me some credit."

Losing the strength to speak, I glare at my superior. The man who was supposedly missing was the culprit in the first place.

Butch: "Hey kid, just sit tight and it will all be over soon."

It's as if everything was normal, he was still the same. Trying to control and mediate the situation, that was the Butch I knew, but this time, it was used against me.

In a fit of rage, I struggled and shake around elevated stone.

Samuel: "HOW COULD YOU?! YOU FUCKING BAST-"

A sudden jab was locked upon my jaw, spilling blood on the cold pavement.

Caleb: "That'll shut you up."

Melinda knelt down and picked up my tooth.

Beholding it as if it was made of gold.

Melinda: "Aww why did you do that? Someone needed a pair of teeth."

Caleb: "That was my bad, I got heated."

Interrupting the two, Faust commented.

Faust: "Don't worry, we still have other parts to give to the people. It's just a matter of distributing them."

Samuel: "Distribute?"

Faust: "Why yes, distribute. This place would surely appreciate a supple young body as yours in return of those who lost some."

The woman circles around me, resembling a lion circling its prey. Examining my whole body, she turned towards my right hand.

Melinda: "You have nice fingers."

Caressing my hand, she kissed it as a sign that it would be hers.

At this point, everything tumbled around me. Everything I had that tied me to being sane was slowly losing its grip. As a last request, I had to ask the person who brought me here to break the last thread. My superior. I scanned over the room to see where he was, noticing that there were countless people, I shouted from the top of my lungs.

Samuel: "BUTCH!"

As Caleb was about to silence me, Butch stopped him.

Butch: "I wanna hear what he has to say. Consider it his last words to the chairman when I get back."

The man backed off.

Finding it hard to contain my bloodlust, I curse at him.

Samuel: "Fuck you. Tell me, what was so fun about me dancing in the palm of your hands? I bet your asses were laughing."

The only thing I could do was spit on him, so I did.

He just stares at me and wipes it off.

Butch: "Listen here, we don't have enough time. You have to play this out and trust me. I contacted the chairman when we entered the house. I noticed the smudge on the painting, it was one of the tourist's paintings. "

He whispered. Hope was not lost. I couldn't contain the joy that swelled inside me, even though it wasn't certain that it was going to last, a tear dropped.

Samuel: "Really?!"

Butch: "No."

His expression morphed into something that brought me hope and turned it into something sinister. The man was trying to contain his laughter, but couldn't.

Butch: "HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA I- I CAN'T BELIEVE IT?!

YOU FELL FOR IT AGAIN?! HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-."

As the man laughed maniacally, the last thread of my sanity broke. I wasn't going to be saved, I knew that already. Hope is gone, with it I cried for help.

Samuel: "AHHHHHHHH SOMEONE HELP MEEE! PLEASE, I'M BEGGING YOU! ANYONE?!"

The people around me was turning a blind eye to me. It was pointless to ask for help, but my human instinct was pushed through the brink of being torn into two. I've realized one of human's folly, hope and desperation is awoken when a situation is inevitable.

Butch: "No-no-no. Shush. Shush.

He sealed my mouth shut by with his measly hand. The same hand I shook when I got recruited into the agency.

Butch: "You know, a blessing isn't something that just comes to you. You have to put effort into it, you have to sacrifice something. This cave itself is a blessing, which required a lot of sacrifice. This wasn't a place that we made, this was the place that made us in the first place."

He gazed into my eyes, as if he's looking for something.

Butch: "I was thankful that my mother gave me the limbs I'm using today so I made that painting to commemorate her decision, but the price was her life so I put it to good use. I just want to help the people, like how my mother helped me, that's all."

He finally lifted his sullied hands off my mouth.

Samuel: "You're a lunatic."

Without a second thought, he replied.

Butch: "Maybe I am."

He clapped and clasped hand with Faust. Slowly, everyone in the room gather around me.

Melinda: "Dicit autem benedicens, quod est perdere."

Caleb: "Dicit autem benedicens, quod est perdere."

Faust: "In plena pretium solvit, et offerre tibi."

Butch: "Superbia retribuam in sinu eorum, et offer te."

An ominous chanting of words began began, words that were in a language only few could understand. Suddenly, it followed a long passage of silence, only to be broken by a heart- wrenching scream.

"AHHHHHHHH"

"rrrrrip*

*crack*

Nothing was silent, as tearing of ligaments and cracking of bones echoed throughout the cave.

7/20 /2008

*honk*

A ship has boarded.

"I told you that wasn't so bad."

"Maybe you were right."

*bump*

One of the men bumped into a child, while the other picked up the child's slingshot.

"Sorry about that kid, here you go."

As he handed it to the fellow.

The kid replied.

"Thanks, Mister."

END