Before You Read!

If this is your first time here, you might want to check out the Introduction before you begin or start off from the beginning with Chapter 1: Reborn (Part 1).
Showing posts with label Chapter 6. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chapter 6. Show all posts

Chapter 6: Revenge (Part 3)

Part 1Part 2Part 3

The restaurant is filled again; including some of the people that were there from the shooting came back the next day. There are even more people at the poker room. All of a sudden the door bursts open.
FBI Agent
FBI! Everyone on the ground!
Everyone in the restaurant drops to the ground. The guard at the door starts to run to the back and the people at the gambling room come out with guns. The FBI warns them to put their guns down. Some of them take shots and the agents fire back, but not to kill. The agents end up capturing every one of the criminals.


June, 2020 – FBI Headquarters
Agent Saunders is meeting a general he and his team follow orders from.
General Larken
Thank you for meeting with me, Agent Saunders.

Saunders
Of course. May I ask what this is about, General Larken?

Larken
I’ll get straight to the point. We know about your illegal use of a Regeneration Pod.

Saunders
Sir?

Larken
Don’t play dumb with me. We know. We also know you’ve been using it a lot on Agent Bennett who is a little – how should we put this – careless on assignments.

Saunders
If you don’t mind me asking; how do you know all this?

Larken
We’re the government. We know everything; just like we know how you have had a gambling problem in the past, you were recently divorced, and you have a particular interest in firearms. You shouldn’t worry. You’re not in any trouble here; quite the contrary. I’m sure you’ve noticed Agent Bennett is a little... different than he used to be. He’s getting harder to kill, he’s stronger, and he’s faster.

Saunders
Among other things.

Larken
And this change happens every time you revive Agent Bennett. We know about this phenomenon. Let’s just say the recent laws put in place by the government were a decision based on a variety of issues. One of those issues was this very reason. We cannot explain it. The original designers of this technology can’t even explain it but I’m betting you want to find out why and so does the U.S. government.

Saunders
Why is that?

Larken
Can you imagine what that type of technology could do to soldiers?

Saunders
So this is for military purposes, then?

Larken
Absolutely. We’re going to assign you a team of agents. You are being reassigned to specifically handle cases in relation to the laws put in place by the US government for the Regeneration Pods or anything else that ties into the category of the Pods or LifeSource. That’s just to put an ‘official’ definition of your team. We want you to do something else for us. You’re going to meet with a man named Joe Tyler.

Saunders
The billionaire?

Larken
Correct. He’s going to tell you all about it and answer any questions you have.

Saunders
And what about our Pod?

Larken
Keep it. Don’t let anyone know you have it.

Saunders
Understood.

Present Day – Nico’s Warehouse, Oakland
Agents Saunders and Bennett are in the warehouse.
Saunders
As you may have heard, everyone has been arrested.

Nico
And the rest of your end of the deal?
Saunders slips Nico some documentation.
Saunders
Here is the information you need and our word that you will be safe with using this Pod.

Nico
Excellent.

Saunders
What about the information you promised?

Nico
The other two Pods you are looking for were taken to try and sell to international bidders.

Saunders
How do they expect to get them across borders?

Nico
This I don’t know, but what I do know is those aren’t the only ones missing. The government has covered up other thefts. From what I understand there are some Pods that are already located outside of the US.

Saunders
How many?

Nico
That I don’t know.

Saunders
How are they stealing them? Is there someone within LifeSource that’s helping them?

Nico
Not that I know of. I do know, however, who has been giving information and resources to steal these Pods. It’s not just one person but I don’t know who the others are.

Saunders
Who?

Nico
I believe you just arrested him.

Saunders
Damn it! That son of a bitch!
Nico starts laughing maniacally.
Saunders
Wait, you said you bought this Pod. Did you buy it off Roberto?

Nico
Not directly from him, but yes I got the information from him as to who had it and how much they were willing to take to part with it.

Saunders
What about Lisa Fields?

Nico
From what I’ve heard, her father provided a new location for her outside of San Francisco. I don’t know exactly where she is but I know you won’t have much luck looking for her in your own back yard.

Saunders
Anything else?

Nico
What else do you want to know?

Saunders
What about this mysterious hooded guy we keep seeing?

Nico
Who?

Saunders
You don’t know about this guy?

Nico
He sounds made up, if you ask me.

Saunders
How about Adam Fields’ brother? Do you know anything about him?

Nico
Huh. I didn’t even know Adam Fields had a brother. Thanks for the information.

Saunders
Alright, I guess that’s all the questions I have for now.

Nico
Anything else you need while you’re here?

Saunders
Where are the bodies you said we can bury?

Nico
In the corner over there. We took the liberty of bagging them for you. Mostly because we didn’t want the place smelling any worse than it does.

Saunders
Alright. Just let us drive the truck in here for us to load them.

Nico
Open the doors!
Bennett backs the truck into the Warehouse and Saunders heads to the back of the truck to open it. Agent Bennett hops out of the front of the truck with a helmet on and lots of guns. He starts shooting at everyone in the warehouse. Those who get over the shock fast enough get their guns out and start shooting back. Saunders opens up the back of the truck and their entire team comes out and starts slaughtering everyone. Saunders hides in the back of the truck. When everyone is dead, except for Nico, Saunders walks out of the truck.
Saunders
Round up the injured and dead and bring them in the second truck.
Another truck drives in to the warehouse.
Bennett
What about the ones who were killed yesterday?

Saunders
It may be too late for them but we’ll still try reviving them. They go in the Pod first. Anyone who was shot in the head or cannot be revived will have to be buried. We may have to go to a few funerals.

Nico
You bastards! We had a deal!
Saunders walks up to Nico.
Saunders
The only deal we had was getting you back for what you did to my team. We can’t have all these people know about our particular situation. Besides, we didn’t arrest you for use of the Pods, just as promised.

Nico
What about your team? They know. I thought you wouldn’t have trusted them with your ‘situation’.

Saunders
My team knew before they were even assigned. And trust me; they are just as determined as we are to reach our goal.

Nico
Alright, fine. Just kill me then!

Saunders
No. We still may need you. Bennett, destroy the Pod and burn this place down! There’s an injured man in the other room who may still be alive! Make sure he’s dead! Let’s move, boys!
Bennett goes and kills the dying man in the other room. He then starts filling the place with gasoline as the other agents drive out of the warehouse. Bennett then sticks a remote detonator inside the Regeneration Pod. When he’s far enough away, he sets it off and watches the warehouse burn to the ground - along with all the people that agent Bennett and the rest of the team have killed.

To be continued...

Chapter 6: Revenge (Part 2)

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Bennett
This is a weird place.

Saunders
Well this is where he said they should be.

Bennett
I think they would have moved if they knew the other guys might come back to kill them, considering they know their hideout.

Saunders
I don’t think this is their hideout. Let’s just check it out.
The agents walk through the door and pass a guard; behind him are tables and chairs with people eating food.
Guard
You two seem lost. Can I help you?

Saunders
Yeah, uh, we’re looking for Roberto.

Guard
And what business do you have with Roberto?

Saunders
We need to ask him a few questions.

Guard
I see. Wait right here.
The guard leaves.
Bennett
Something doesn’t seem right here.
Saunders responds to Bennett in a sarcastic tone.
Saunders
Gee, could it be the guard at the door of the restaurant?
The guard comes back.
Guard
Right this way.
The agents follow the guard to a back room. Inside the first doorway to their left was a room filled with suspicious looking men sitting around tables talking, some seem to be playing poker. Instead, the guard leads them to a door which leads to a hallway. The guard finally stops and points to a large wooden door to his right.
Guard
Roberto will see you now.
The guard walks away.
Saunders
Be prepared for anything.
They knock on the door.
Sin
Do you not know how to open a door? Turn the knob and push, idiots!
They hear laughter on the other side of the door before Saunders opens it and walks in. Immediately they are grabbed by people with guns pointed at their heads. There are a few half-clothed people in the room and a man sitting next to a woman, both in robes, who finally speaks.
Sin
You have got to be the worst FBI agents in the world.

Saunders
Are you Roberto?

Sin
No. You will not be seeing him today. My name is Sin. Now tell me, what brings you here?

Saunders
Roberto. We came to speak with him and right now you are just wasting my time.
Sin laughs and stands up.
Sin
I don’t think you seem to realize the situation you’re in. Now tell me why you are here or I will have my men shoot your friend in the head.

Bennett
You realize there are people eating down the hall. They’ll hear gunshots.

Sin
So at the very worst they’ll scream and run out of the building. None of them will do anything. This is your last chance.
The agents exchange glances and nod. Bennett grabs the guy holding him by the arm as he shoots so that the shot hits the ceiling, and throws the man at the group of men sitting at the table before they can get up to shoot at him. Bennett pulls out his gun and starts shooting all the men in the room. Gun shots are being fired back directly at Bennett but he doesn’t move. Seeing their male counterparts are in need of help, the women get up and start shooting. Saunders takes out his gun and fires at the women and any remaining men standing. Sin is the only one left alive; injured but still breathing.
Saunders
Watch the door!
Again the agents look at each other and each takes their positions; Bennett walks over to start guarding the door while Saunders moves in towards the man.
Saunders
That was for calling us the worst FBI agents in the world.

Sin
What the hell!? You had to kill everyone here?

Saunders
Seems to me like you gave us no other choice. Now I’ll ask one more time; where is Roberto!?

Sin
He’s in the poker room. Please just let me go now.

Saunders
Well, since you said please.
Saunders shoots Sin in the forehead and kills him.
Bennett
Did you get that all out of your system?

Saunders
Mostly. Now let’s go say hi to Roberto.
They slowly open the door, guns pointed to see if anyone is waiting on the other side. Saunders leads Bennett down the hallway, keeping his gun at the ready as they make their way to the poker room. They open the door to find everyone starring at them like they’re waiting for them to sit down and play a game. The agents walk in, guns in hand.
Man
Do you want in?

Saunders
Where’s Roberto?!
Behind them, guns are pointed at their head.
Bobby
Well I’ll be damned.
The agents turn around and see Bobby, the man they know through Joe Tyler when they play poker, standing behind them with a gun pointed in Saunders face.
Bobby
Put your guns away, boys, unless you feel like you’ve had a good enough life.
Saunders
What the hell are you doing here?

Bobby
I own this place. By the way, you’re cleaning up that mess you made back there. And don’t worry; I never liked those guys anyways.

Saunders
Wait, are you ‘Roberto?’

Bobby
Yeah, but my good friends call me Bobby, as you know already. I saw you come in and wanted to know what you wanted first. Killing everyone in that room was a clear message that it’s a really important matter. So what can I do for you?

Saunders
Are you the one who was in a gun fight with Nico?

Bobby
Oh that guy? Yeah. He wants to try and control this place. I think he wants to tear it down, turn it into a whore house or something, I don’t know. All I know is this is my home, for me and my people, and we have a pretty good business going on here on top of other businesses I’m involved with.
Saunders rolls his eyes and starts getting aggravated.
Saunders
I can’t believe this is going on right now. Listen, we need a private chat.

Bobby
Fine, let’s sit in the restaurant; it’s pretty empty right now.

December 17, 2008 – San Fransisco
18 years after the agents were in school with those bullies, Cole Bennett is on duty as a police officer. He is walking to his police car when he gets bumped into by a man running. Their faces meet and Cole’s eyes widen as he recognizes who it is. The man, who is clearly terrified, kept on running.
Bennett
Jason? Hey, Jason!
Cole starts running after his long lost friend and follows him into an alleyway.
Bennett
Jason, wait!
Jason Saunders stops and turns around.
Saunders
I’m sorry! Look, I just don’t have your... Cole?

Bennett
Hey, Jason. Long time no see.

Saunders
Yeah. Hey, I’m actually kind of happy you’re here.

Bennett
Why? What’s wrong?

Logan
He went this way! There he is!

First Thug
Shit, a cop!

Logan
Wait!
Logan stares at the cop for a minute.
Logan
No way! Cole Bennett. So you’re supposed to be a cop now? I don’t believe it. It’s probably just another dirty lie.
Logan pulls out a gun and his gang follows his lead.
Bennett
Whoa! Hey, Logan, I know we never got along in the past but I really think you should put those guns away.

Logan
Shut up! Jason, where’s my money?

Saunders
I told you, I don’t have it yet. I need a little more time.

Bennett
Alright, let’s just all calm down here. What seems to be the problem?

Logan
When I want you to talk, I’ll ask you to! Jason here owes me some money. It seems he bet a little more than he had at a high stakes poker game.

Bennett
So you fellows were gambling, huh?

Logan
Yeah, you can play cop all you want, I’m not buying it.

Bennett
Would it help if you looked at my badge?
Logan starts laughing.
Logan
Sure, I need to see this.
Cole starts to slowly pull out his badge.
Bennett
Here, take a look.
Logan looks at the badge.
Logan
Well I’ll be... guys, drop your guns.

Second Thug
Why?

Bennett
Because if you don’t, I’ll shoot him.
Logan moves slightly to reveal that Cole has a gun pointed at him.
Third Thug
You’re not going to shoot him.

Bennett
Maybe not if he was a regular citizen, but for this particular dirt bag I think I’ll make an exception to the law. You’re all under arrest. You too, Jason. I’m sorry.
They all drop their guns.
First Thug
Are you sure you have enough handcuffs there?
Cole takes out his radio.
Bennett
This is Officer Cole Bennett; I’m going to need backup at–

Logan
Now!
Logan jumps out of the way as one of his men takes a shot at him with a hidden gun. Jason jumps towards the guns that the guys have dropped and quickly grabs two of them. He points the guns at the guy who took the shot.
Saunders
Drop it!
He drops the gun.
Saunders
Now leave here before the cops come.

Logan
Are you going to give me my money?

Saunders
Now!
All the men leave.
Radio
Officer Bennett, are you okay? Was that a gun shot?
Jason grabs the radio.
Saunders
Officer down!

Radio
Who is this? What’s happening?

Saunders
Officer Jason Saunders from the Los Angeles Police Department. I’m going to need an ambulance at 7th Street. Hurry!

Bennett
So you’re a cop, huh?

Saunders
Yeah, but I guess I have a little bit of a problem. Please don’t tell anyone, especially not the wife.

Bennett
You’re married?

Saunders
Yeah.

Bennett
Don’t worry, I owe you one.

Saunders
I don’t think the count is even, Cole. I’m pretty sure I owe you one, now.

Present Day – Oakland
Saunders
I’ve never been in a more confusing scenario.

Bobby
Well help me understand so I can help.

Saunders
Alright, maybe I can tell you; well, not everything, obviously.

Bobby
Obviously.
Bobby doesn’t really know what’s happening; he’s just playing along with the agents until he can figure out what they’re talking about and how it involves him.
Saunders
We’re basically stuck on a number of cases. We get one lead to check out this warehouse, next thing we know Nico is there and he has his men take out our squad. He then tells us he has a lot of information we need on our other cases so we kind of need him. The problem is he will only tell us if we... well... if we ‘get rid of’ you and your people.

Bobby
So, why not tell him off and arrest his ass?

Saunders
It’s not that simple for us.

Bobby
So you’re actually considering killing us here?

Saunders
No, I’m considering arresting you.
Bobby starts laughing.
Bobby
Like hell you are. So you stab me in the back and then let that bastard go free?

Saunders
Not exactly. But we need to make it seem real. Do this for us and we’ll make it up to you.

Bobby
How?
Saunders whispers something to Bobby.
Bobby
My men are not going to go down without a fight. There are others, too, that aren’t here.

Saunders
Give us names. We’ll try not to hurt anyone but we can’t have anyone knowing what’s going on.

Bobby
I understand.
Bobby looks at Bennett.
Bobby
Hey, Cole, you’re kind of bleeding... a lot.

To be continued...

Chapter 6: Revenge (Part 1)

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Agent Saunders, agent Bennett, and four other agents in the squad have found themselves in a rundown area in Oakland. They reach a giant abandoned warehouse.
Saunders
Okay, this is the place. Get ready boys, you may have to use gunfire. We have no clue who these people are or how dangerous they can be.
They burst open the door.
Saunders
FBI! Free–
Agent Saunders is cut short by his own surprise. Waiting for them in the middle of the warehouse is a Regeneration Pod with a man sitting on a chair in front of it. Huge cables and power generators are surrounding the Pod so that enough energy can be produced to power the machine.
Nico
Congratulations! You found it!

Saunders
This is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. You are under arrest for stolen property of the US government.

Nico
Ah you see that’s where you’re wrong. I did not steal this machine. I simply bought it. Sorry about the mess, by the way. I was only expecting two of you to show up. I’m sorry to say that, despite this being a large warehouse and all, I do not have room for all these other guests you have brought...

Saunders
Sir, I need you to stand up and put your hands on your head!

Nico
I would simply ask the others to leave, Mr. Saunders, because the rest of your team will not fully understand the situation I will soon explain to you... However, by stumbling upon this secret hideout, they already know too much...

Saunders
Put your hands on your head, now!

Nico
So, I’m just going to have to kill them.
Gun fire comes from all sides of the warehouse and bullets flow past Saunders and Bennett, crashing into each of their men. Blood shoots out of the agents and their bodies shake through the barrage of bullets until they fall and lay dead on the floor. Only Saunders and Bennett remain alive, surrounded by the brutalized bodies of their team.
Nico
No, Mr. Saunders. I’m going to have to ask you to put your guns down and keep your hands where I can see them.
The people who shot the guns start to reveal themselves from the shadows of the upper balcony of the warehouse. Saunders and Bennett comply with the man sitting in the chair and put their guns down on the floor.
Nico
Ah, good. Now that’s more like it. Oh, where are my manners? I’m Nico.

Saunders
What do you want from us?

Nico
Well that’s a fair enough question. I have a proposition for you, Mr. Saunders and I think you would be very pleased with it. Step into my office so we can talk.

Flashback to October 19, 1990 – St. Joseph Elementary School
It is recess for the kids of St. Joseph Grade school in San Francisco, California in the year 1990. Cole Bennett, who is 10, was just transferred to the school after his parents moved from Chicago. Unfortunately, not all the students from this town are very friendly to the only black child in the school; especially not the older grade students.
Logan
Hey kid. That’s a nice action figure you have there. You know, I used to have one just like that a few years ago but my parents gave it away to charity. I think that’s my G.I. Joe you have there and I want it back.

Cole
No, my parents bought me this for my birthday from a toy store. I saw them buy it.

Logan
I think you’re lying, you little brat! Give it to me now!

Cole
No, it’s mine!
Cole is beginning to cry. The gang of older bullies start to beat him up and grab his action figure.
Logan
Next time, you should listen to us. That way we wouldn’t have to beat you so hard.
The bullies walk away. Cole picks himself up and sees a kid on a bench looking at him. Cole wipes his eyes and his nose before he walks to the door of the school and waits for the bell to ring.


Present Day – Nico’s Warehouse, Oakland
Agent Saunders and Bennett are standing in a smaller room within the warehouse with Nico and a few of his men. The Agents finally get a good look at the man who had so quickly taken control of the situation. He is a little overweight, with salt-and-pepper hair and very defined crows feet which seemed to add a few years to him. The creases on his face make it apparent that he isn’t an overly serious man, and even in this heated moment, he has a large and seemingly natural grin on his face.
Saunders
What exactly do you want from us?

Nico
I’ll get straight to the point. I know you are in your own possession of a Pod, and let’s just say you are in possession of it illegally; although I don’t think you’re too worried about your superiors finding out, are you?

Saunders
Where exactly did you get that information?

Nico
I don’t think we’re very different in this respect and I believe we can reach a mutual understanding for each other. Our Pod is having a little difficulty working. My good for nothing ‘expert’ couldn’t figure out the problem. Let’s just say he’s not a problem anymore. But one of my men is slowly dying in the next room over from a little incident we’ve been in recently.

Saunders
What kind of incident would that be?

Nico
A gun fight, from some scum bastards that think they run this city. In reality, we are the ones who run everything and we intend to stand true to that statement so that everyone knows it.

Saunders
How exactly do you think you run this city?

Nico
We keep everything in order. We may do illegal things but the fear we instill keeps everyone in their place. Most of all, we have power. Do you know what it’s like to have power over everyone? How you can do what you want and nobody can stop you?

Saunders
Yes.

Nico
I’m sure you do. That’s why I set off the GPS signal to bring you here. I knew you were in charge of finding the Pods missing from LifeSource and I knew you would come here. I knew you would understand and help me.

Saunders
And why would we help you exactly? You just killed my men, stole government property, and confessed to other crimes.

Nico
Like I said, this is not one of the Pods that were recently missing. There are others, aren’t there? And there’s other things going on you have no other information on. You’re stuck and you need help. Like who stole those Pods, who is betraying you at LifeSource, and where Lisa Fields is located.

Bennett
You know about Lisa Fields?

Nico
I know a lot of things that I can help you with.

Saunders
What do you want?

Nico
I want this damned machine fixed.

Saunders
We can get you the information but you need to find your own repairman. We can’t risk you killing someone at LifeSource who wants nothing to do with this.

Nico
That sounds reasonable. That’s not all. I want these bastards who did this to my men to pay.

Saunders
You expect us to kill these men?

Nico
I just want them gone. Kill them, arrest them, erase their memories, do whatever you have to do to get rid of them.

Saunders
Fine.

Bennett
Really?
Bennett is used to Saunders always arguing for what he wants and has almost never seen him simply give into someone else so quickly.
Nico
Excellent. One more thing; we want immunity.

Saunders
What the hell does that mean?

Nico
We want to make sure we can use this Pod without consequence. We want protection so that we know nobody is looking for this Pod or is going to come after us. We don’t want another pile of FBI agents here.
Saunders stares into Nico’s eyes for a moment.
Saunders
Done.

Flashback to November 30, 1990 – St. Joseph Elementary School
Logan
No, we’re done when I say we’re done.
The bullies are once again beating up a young Cole Bennett.
Saunders
No, I said you’re done now! He can’t take anymore!
Logan stops and stares at the young Jason Saunders.
Logan
What did you say? Are you getting soft on me, Saunders? He needs to know his place here. We’re simply just showing him that he doesn’t have the right to eat at our table.

Saunders
We never sit here!

Logan
We do now.

Saunders
You know what? I’m done with you! You can’t treat people like this!

Logan
You think he’s like us? He’s nothing like us.

Saunders
You’re right. He’s better than us because he’s not a piece of shit that goes around beating kids for stupid things just so he can feel like he owns the damn school!
Logan takes a swing at Jason, who tries to duck out of the way, but instead gets knocked to the ground when the bully’s fist lands against his chest. Logan continues beating him up until a teacher notices and runs to Jason and pulls Logan off of him.
Teacher
What is wrong with you? You’re in a lot of trouble mister. Are you okay, Jason?
Jason catches his breath and staggers to his feet.
Saunders
Yeah, I’m okay.

Teacher
Alright then. Go see the school nurse to check on those wounds.

Logan
What about the wounds on my fist?

Teacher
Quiet, Logan. If I were you I’d keep my mouth shut to stay out of more trouble. I’ll check on you soon, Jason.
The teacher looks over to a very swollen Cole Bennett. She nods at him.
Teacher
Clean yourselves off, boys.
The rest of the bullies spread out and walk away.
Bennett
You didn’t have to do that.

Saunders
Something tells me I’ll get the rest of that later. At least he’ll lay off you for a bit.

Bennett
Well, thank you.

Saunders
I won’t always be around. You’re going to need to learn how to defend yourself.

Bennett
By the looks of it, so do you.
Jason laughs.
Saunders
Ouch. I think that hurt worse than the beating.
The boys laugh.
Saunders
The name’s Jason. Jason Saunders.

Bennett
Cole Bennett.

Saunders
Hey, Cole. You want to maybe finish eating lunch after we get rid of the blood?

Present Day – Oakland
Saunders
Hey, Bennett! Are you listening?

Bennett
What?

Saunders
You want to grab something to eat before we go into a possible gun fight with a gang of lowlifes?

Bennett
Sure, why not.

Saunders
What’s wrong with you? Still thinking about our men? I know how you feel; I can’t stop thinking about it either.

Bennett
Yeah, I can’t believe they all died in front of us there. Actually, I’m mostly thinking about why we’re doing this exactly.

Saunders
Listen, I’m not too thrilled about this either. I would like nothing more than to give that guy what he deserves. But we’re stuck. This guy is our only lead and he will give us the information we want.

Bennett
Why not just go in with the whole team, arrest them all, and have them tell us anyways?

Saunders
You were there. You know why we can’t do that. And you also know what we have to do after.

Bennett
I know. I was just hoping you would have a different plan.

Saunders
Let’s worry about finding these guys first. Oh, look, a bistro!
Saunders parks next to a restaurant; it seems to be an average Italian bistro. The building is old, maybe 30 years or so, with large arc windows and a red and white striped canopy over the door. However, despite the home-like feeling the building gives, the agents know they are not here for pleasantries.

To be continued...