[Session #8] Parasitic Emotions
Aug 1, 2013 18:11:19 GMT -5
Post by Jerry on Aug 1, 2013 18:11:19 GMT -5
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
I didn’t like the way that this tournament was shaping up…
Everything that I’ve been trying to avoid looked like it might happen much sooner than I wanted it to. Oh no, I’m not talking about Bad Attitude. That’s a match that should be a lot of fun.
My last session with Dr. Roberts had gone about as well as expected. I kept trying to duck the reason I had sought her out by sharing tales of the good times; conveniently trying to skip over where everything went wrong. I assume I just wasn’t ready to begin reliving those moments like I had thought. Regardless, she saw right through hesitation and drew it out. I went on to tell her the tragedy that befell Casey “Merlyn” Rhodes.
After the incident that almost shut us down, our public battle with the National Organization for Women, everything returned to business as normal. We had a promotion to run, always looking to expand. Unfortunately when we purchased SFW from the previous owner, we didn’t really have a say on which contracts we would honor. Guaranteed contracts are the worst thing that’s ever happened to anybody in a management position within this industry. Moreover, we had to deal with a rogue commissioner, another guaranteed contract left over from the previous regime.
To say that O’Brian and I had made his life miserable was an understatement; we had effectively ended his career. Revenge can drive a man to tactics beyond madness. Decisions that Mike Richards sanctioned to sabotage SFW occurred on a weekly basis. However there was one ruling he made that was a direct spit in our face.
Professional wrestling is a sport that draws men and women from almost every background in society; it’s like a microcosm. You have your wealthy playboys, your academics, the never say die competitors, and even the feel-good redemption stories. A different breed of wrestler began emerging in the late 90s; the type of men who represent the dark underbelly of society. Almost every city in America has those sections of town that you don’t venture down during the dark; secrets behind doors that are best kept closed. Enter the Notorious NightShift, Inc.
NightShift, Inc. was the brainchild of a demented man that we only knew as Mayhem. The old man, as they “affectionately” called him had a vision; reshaping the sport of professional wrestling in his own image. Sound vaguely familiar? The problem with men such as this lies in idealism, one of the most dangerous belief systems the world has ever seen. Every vision eventually tends to stray from its origins into a perverted, more dangerous form, known as fundamentalism. Led by a new, more charismatic figure that was a true hardliner, NightShift, Inc. became the cancer for South Florida Wrestling, slowly killing the company one organ at a time.
There’s so much more to this story than what’s just been said. That tale is for another time, for another place. Dr. Roberts has encouraged me to resolve the things left unsaid; reach out to old friends that I’ve long cut off. She says by doing so, I may reach a point of redemption and salvation. That’s a word I’d hoped I’d never hear again.
I ventured out west to Seattle, prior to our match with the Super Mario Wrestling Brothers. It had been ten years since I last spoke to my former tag team partner. I had no idea if he would greet me with open arms, or a right-cross to my jaw. Here goes nothing…
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
:Soft rain drops fell from the sky like tears from heaven. Jason Marx stands outside of a structure resembling an old warehouse, obviously renovated with bright neon lights that dance in the darkness, with the infamous Seattle skyline serving as a backdrop. Our subject is dressed for the current weather, a full length gray trench coat paired with a black umbrella. The only thing missing is a matching derby and we’d have ourselves a scene right out of 30’s Film Noir. After a few moments our subject moves towards the entrance of the establishment, presumably named “Cloud 9” indicated by the flashing neon sign.:
:Once inside, the place looks to be almost deserted. The sounds of AC/DC’s “What Would you Do for Money, Honey?” blares over the PA system, a well-known Stripper’s Anthem. Marx glances to the main stage where a disinterested female is apathetically beginning her routine without an audience; Marx appears to currently be the only patron here. Tuesday nights have never been a revenue producer within this industry. Jason steadily makes his way over to the bar and nods to the bartender.:
Man: What’ll it be?
Marx: Just a beer – a Corona.
Man: Sure thing.
:The barkeep pulls the infamous clear beer bottle from the ice rail, releases the cap with the bottle opener mechanism to his left and places the golden brew in front of Marx after dropping the customary lime within.:
Marx: Slow night?
Man: Yeah, the rain just let up a few minutes ago. It’s already half past midnight, I doubt we’ll see a crowd now. Bossman already sent 6 girls home tonight.
Marx: Yeah? Sure he’s in a foul mood then.
Man: Business hasn’t been as good as it used to be. We’ve been losing a lot of our girls to a new place that opened up about a mile down the road. Lot more potential patrons that way with the new construction, plus they’ve been undercutting his fees. See, the way this business works is that the girls actually have to rent the stage on a nightly basis that comes out of whatever they make in tips. That and having to pay fifty percent on any VIP table-dances means they don’t clear as much as most guys think.
:Marx tunes out the bartender’s explanation and focuses on a picture behind his right shoulder. A close up view reveals three figures: Jason Marx, James O’Brian, and what looks to be a carbon copy of Chris Tryon, but somehow a little older. Behind them is an establishment that the three men used to run together in order to fund their wrestling promotion, Bodytap.:
Marx: Yeah, I know how the business works. Anybody with half a brain would know you can’t be successful if the hot spot has moved down the road. But James was always hard-headed when it came to business. He was always concerned more with cutting costs instead of driving revenue.
Man: … I thought you looked familiar. You’re the guy in this picture with the boss.
Marx: The one and only.
Man: I’ll let him know you’re here. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you! Something needs to cheer him up.
:The barkeep leaves his station and heads towards the back where the office would be. Marx turns to eyeball the girl on stage, who still has on her skimpy outfit; no sense in taking it off if you’re not getting any cash. Upon seeing his gaze she tries to quickly improve on her routine, hoping to at least get something out of this hellish night.
Marx: Somehow, I doubt that he will…
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
Unlike my partner, I don’t think that Mike Tomkins has become delusional. Tomkins has just succumbed to parasitic emotions resulting from a feeling of loss and abandonment. The man lost his title against Ben Hanson, and the fans of Frontier Grappling Arts seemingly forgot his name. The unfortunate effect of this emotion is uncontrollable and misdirected anger; a feeling that he is helpless to control as soon as it’s triggered. How else can you explain a man who worked through blood, sweat, and tears attempting to burn down the very promotion that he built as the first FGA Heavyweight Champion?
The question that you have to ask yourself Mike, is what if you succeed? What happens if Bad Attitude goes on to become the first ever Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions and you also win the Pride title? Mike Tomkins becomes the first ever triple crown winner in FGA, and for what? You’ve already said that your sole purpose is to be the man behind the undoing of FGA. So in the end, Michael Tomkins works his ass off to achieve what has never been done before, only for it to become a forgotten memory as the very promotion he built dies along with now meaningless accolades.
There’s no master plan in that; it’s more like a spoiled child throwing a temper tantrum because he doesn’t get his way. So there was one night when you weren’t as good as your opponent. One night where Ben Hanson schooled you, dumped you on your skull and made you realize that it only took YOU three seconds for you to lose everything that you held dear.
Don’t mistake my fondness of the rookie for aging vision. My sight is still 20/20 and Chris Tryon IS a prodigy in the making. Here’s to you getting a close up and personal experience with that in a few days. As you so eloquently pointed out, the banter that he starts with everyone does have the potential to get him into trouble. Hopefully that’s something that he’ll grow out of. If he doesn’t then he’ll either learn to get away with it or he’ll have a short career. Unlike Chris, I do tend to respect my opponents, which comes from experience. Believe me when I say that I’ve seen your kind before.
I despise men like you; men who had once achieved success and greatness, now bitten so hard by failure that they can’t stand on their own ability anymore. It’s fear that drives men to surround themselves with slaves and lackeys that are recklessly thrown to the wolves while the coward makes his exit. What the hell happened to you, Mike? Whatever happened to the man who took Chandler Scott to his limits? What happened to the man that this company could once be proud to call, its champion? I know you’re still in there somewhere, kid. Hopefully it’s THAT Michael Tomkins that shows his face on Saturday Night in Richmond, Virginia with Adam Stryker.
Adam Stryker…
Are you even paying attention, or is Chris right and you’re involved in too many companies to keep straight on who is who? On what planet have Bad Attitude been deemed the underdogs against the Usual Suspects? It’s the other way around idiot. Maybe you’re attempting to drum up some sort of self-motivation for yourself? Here, let me help you out; I wouldn’t want you to blame a loss on failing to stay focused.
We all know the numerous titles that you’ve won over the years – five time tag team champion, I believe? We’ve all heard about the numerous students that you’ve directed into this sport through the infamous Stryker dojo. We’ve all heard it because it’s all you’ve talked about since arriving in FGA. See Adam, there’s a lot of similarities between the two of us. You have your dojo, I had my school; you’re a former five time tag team champion as am I. The difference is that I don’t feel the need to boast about my accomplishments every time I speak.
With that said, I’m looking forward to our upcoming matchup. You and your boy are undoubtedly the toughest competition that I’ve face in over ten years. I’ll be interested to see exactly how well we stack up. Think of the headlines in the dirt-sheets and the wrestling shows if The Usual Suspects actually defeated the legendary, Bad Attitude; a washed up old vet and his rookie student taking out the great Adam Stryker and renowned Michael Tomkins.
Anything can happen in this sport Stryker; it’s one of the things that I’ve always admired about it. I will leave you with this bit of advice, kid. No matter what kind of strategy you and Mike try to implement – know this – I’ve seen everything that an opponent can throw at you and I’ve always been able to circumvent it. I’m a true tag team specialist. It’s what I’ve done my entire career and there hasn’t been a more successful tag team wrestler than Jason Marx. There’s nothing new or novel in your attempt to cut the ring off, that’s Tag Team 101. If that’s the super top secret strategy that you’re going to implement, I have to ask myself how far has the intelligence and talent fallen in this sport? How on earth has Adam Stryker become a five time tag team champion?
Oh, that’s right. Adam Stryker is a real BAD man who is willing to do anything to pull out a victory, according to Mike Tomkins. He’s the So-Cal Switchblade and right now I should be shaking in my boots. I’ve seen things and I’ve been involved in matches that make Adam Stryker look like a fuzzy pink pussy cat. I’ve sidelined more legends in this sport than both of you put together and I’ve been through more hell than anyone can imagine. At the end of the day, I’ve been the one who’s lasted through it all. Bigger and badder have tried to end me and they failed.
Bad Attitude and the Usual Suspects is a matchup that definitely rekindles those old feelings of excitement and the unknown for yours truly. The so-called experts have made their pick and it looks like me and the kid might come up short in becoming the first Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions. Fortunately for us, predictions serve little purpose other than satisfying pre-match speculations. In just a little over 48 hours, I guess we’ll find out just who moves on and who goes home. Exciting, isn’t it?
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
I didn’t like the way that this tournament was shaping up…
Everything that I’ve been trying to avoid looked like it might happen much sooner than I wanted it to. Oh no, I’m not talking about Bad Attitude. That’s a match that should be a lot of fun.
My last session with Dr. Roberts had gone about as well as expected. I kept trying to duck the reason I had sought her out by sharing tales of the good times; conveniently trying to skip over where everything went wrong. I assume I just wasn’t ready to begin reliving those moments like I had thought. Regardless, she saw right through hesitation and drew it out. I went on to tell her the tragedy that befell Casey “Merlyn” Rhodes.
After the incident that almost shut us down, our public battle with the National Organization for Women, everything returned to business as normal. We had a promotion to run, always looking to expand. Unfortunately when we purchased SFW from the previous owner, we didn’t really have a say on which contracts we would honor. Guaranteed contracts are the worst thing that’s ever happened to anybody in a management position within this industry. Moreover, we had to deal with a rogue commissioner, another guaranteed contract left over from the previous regime.
To say that O’Brian and I had made his life miserable was an understatement; we had effectively ended his career. Revenge can drive a man to tactics beyond madness. Decisions that Mike Richards sanctioned to sabotage SFW occurred on a weekly basis. However there was one ruling he made that was a direct spit in our face.
Professional wrestling is a sport that draws men and women from almost every background in society; it’s like a microcosm. You have your wealthy playboys, your academics, the never say die competitors, and even the feel-good redemption stories. A different breed of wrestler began emerging in the late 90s; the type of men who represent the dark underbelly of society. Almost every city in America has those sections of town that you don’t venture down during the dark; secrets behind doors that are best kept closed. Enter the Notorious NightShift, Inc.
NightShift, Inc. was the brainchild of a demented man that we only knew as Mayhem. The old man, as they “affectionately” called him had a vision; reshaping the sport of professional wrestling in his own image. Sound vaguely familiar? The problem with men such as this lies in idealism, one of the most dangerous belief systems the world has ever seen. Every vision eventually tends to stray from its origins into a perverted, more dangerous form, known as fundamentalism. Led by a new, more charismatic figure that was a true hardliner, NightShift, Inc. became the cancer for South Florida Wrestling, slowly killing the company one organ at a time.
There’s so much more to this story than what’s just been said. That tale is for another time, for another place. Dr. Roberts has encouraged me to resolve the things left unsaid; reach out to old friends that I’ve long cut off. She says by doing so, I may reach a point of redemption and salvation. That’s a word I’d hoped I’d never hear again.
I ventured out west to Seattle, prior to our match with the Super Mario Wrestling Brothers. It had been ten years since I last spoke to my former tag team partner. I had no idea if he would greet me with open arms, or a right-cross to my jaw. Here goes nothing…
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
:Soft rain drops fell from the sky like tears from heaven. Jason Marx stands outside of a structure resembling an old warehouse, obviously renovated with bright neon lights that dance in the darkness, with the infamous Seattle skyline serving as a backdrop. Our subject is dressed for the current weather, a full length gray trench coat paired with a black umbrella. The only thing missing is a matching derby and we’d have ourselves a scene right out of 30’s Film Noir. After a few moments our subject moves towards the entrance of the establishment, presumably named “Cloud 9” indicated by the flashing neon sign.:
:Once inside, the place looks to be almost deserted. The sounds of AC/DC’s “What Would you Do for Money, Honey?” blares over the PA system, a well-known Stripper’s Anthem. Marx glances to the main stage where a disinterested female is apathetically beginning her routine without an audience; Marx appears to currently be the only patron here. Tuesday nights have never been a revenue producer within this industry. Jason steadily makes his way over to the bar and nods to the bartender.:
Man: What’ll it be?
Marx: Just a beer – a Corona.
Man: Sure thing.
:The barkeep pulls the infamous clear beer bottle from the ice rail, releases the cap with the bottle opener mechanism to his left and places the golden brew in front of Marx after dropping the customary lime within.:
Marx: Slow night?
Man: Yeah, the rain just let up a few minutes ago. It’s already half past midnight, I doubt we’ll see a crowd now. Bossman already sent 6 girls home tonight.
Marx: Yeah? Sure he’s in a foul mood then.
Man: Business hasn’t been as good as it used to be. We’ve been losing a lot of our girls to a new place that opened up about a mile down the road. Lot more potential patrons that way with the new construction, plus they’ve been undercutting his fees. See, the way this business works is that the girls actually have to rent the stage on a nightly basis that comes out of whatever they make in tips. That and having to pay fifty percent on any VIP table-dances means they don’t clear as much as most guys think.
:Marx tunes out the bartender’s explanation and focuses on a picture behind his right shoulder. A close up view reveals three figures: Jason Marx, James O’Brian, and what looks to be a carbon copy of Chris Tryon, but somehow a little older. Behind them is an establishment that the three men used to run together in order to fund their wrestling promotion, Bodytap.:
Marx: Yeah, I know how the business works. Anybody with half a brain would know you can’t be successful if the hot spot has moved down the road. But James was always hard-headed when it came to business. He was always concerned more with cutting costs instead of driving revenue.
Man: … I thought you looked familiar. You’re the guy in this picture with the boss.
Marx: The one and only.
Man: I’ll let him know you’re here. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you! Something needs to cheer him up.
:The barkeep leaves his station and heads towards the back where the office would be. Marx turns to eyeball the girl on stage, who still has on her skimpy outfit; no sense in taking it off if you’re not getting any cash. Upon seeing his gaze she tries to quickly improve on her routine, hoping to at least get something out of this hellish night.
Marx: Somehow, I doubt that he will…
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
Unlike my partner, I don’t think that Mike Tomkins has become delusional. Tomkins has just succumbed to parasitic emotions resulting from a feeling of loss and abandonment. The man lost his title against Ben Hanson, and the fans of Frontier Grappling Arts seemingly forgot his name. The unfortunate effect of this emotion is uncontrollable and misdirected anger; a feeling that he is helpless to control as soon as it’s triggered. How else can you explain a man who worked through blood, sweat, and tears attempting to burn down the very promotion that he built as the first FGA Heavyweight Champion?
The question that you have to ask yourself Mike, is what if you succeed? What happens if Bad Attitude goes on to become the first ever Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions and you also win the Pride title? Mike Tomkins becomes the first ever triple crown winner in FGA, and for what? You’ve already said that your sole purpose is to be the man behind the undoing of FGA. So in the end, Michael Tomkins works his ass off to achieve what has never been done before, only for it to become a forgotten memory as the very promotion he built dies along with now meaningless accolades.
There’s no master plan in that; it’s more like a spoiled child throwing a temper tantrum because he doesn’t get his way. So there was one night when you weren’t as good as your opponent. One night where Ben Hanson schooled you, dumped you on your skull and made you realize that it only took YOU three seconds for you to lose everything that you held dear.
Don’t mistake my fondness of the rookie for aging vision. My sight is still 20/20 and Chris Tryon IS a prodigy in the making. Here’s to you getting a close up and personal experience with that in a few days. As you so eloquently pointed out, the banter that he starts with everyone does have the potential to get him into trouble. Hopefully that’s something that he’ll grow out of. If he doesn’t then he’ll either learn to get away with it or he’ll have a short career. Unlike Chris, I do tend to respect my opponents, which comes from experience. Believe me when I say that I’ve seen your kind before.
I despise men like you; men who had once achieved success and greatness, now bitten so hard by failure that they can’t stand on their own ability anymore. It’s fear that drives men to surround themselves with slaves and lackeys that are recklessly thrown to the wolves while the coward makes his exit. What the hell happened to you, Mike? Whatever happened to the man who took Chandler Scott to his limits? What happened to the man that this company could once be proud to call, its champion? I know you’re still in there somewhere, kid. Hopefully it’s THAT Michael Tomkins that shows his face on Saturday Night in Richmond, Virginia with Adam Stryker.
Adam Stryker…
Are you even paying attention, or is Chris right and you’re involved in too many companies to keep straight on who is who? On what planet have Bad Attitude been deemed the underdogs against the Usual Suspects? It’s the other way around idiot. Maybe you’re attempting to drum up some sort of self-motivation for yourself? Here, let me help you out; I wouldn’t want you to blame a loss on failing to stay focused.
We all know the numerous titles that you’ve won over the years – five time tag team champion, I believe? We’ve all heard about the numerous students that you’ve directed into this sport through the infamous Stryker dojo. We’ve all heard it because it’s all you’ve talked about since arriving in FGA. See Adam, there’s a lot of similarities between the two of us. You have your dojo, I had my school; you’re a former five time tag team champion as am I. The difference is that I don’t feel the need to boast about my accomplishments every time I speak.
With that said, I’m looking forward to our upcoming matchup. You and your boy are undoubtedly the toughest competition that I’ve face in over ten years. I’ll be interested to see exactly how well we stack up. Think of the headlines in the dirt-sheets and the wrestling shows if The Usual Suspects actually defeated the legendary, Bad Attitude; a washed up old vet and his rookie student taking out the great Adam Stryker and renowned Michael Tomkins.
Anything can happen in this sport Stryker; it’s one of the things that I’ve always admired about it. I will leave you with this bit of advice, kid. No matter what kind of strategy you and Mike try to implement – know this – I’ve seen everything that an opponent can throw at you and I’ve always been able to circumvent it. I’m a true tag team specialist. It’s what I’ve done my entire career and there hasn’t been a more successful tag team wrestler than Jason Marx. There’s nothing new or novel in your attempt to cut the ring off, that’s Tag Team 101. If that’s the super top secret strategy that you’re going to implement, I have to ask myself how far has the intelligence and talent fallen in this sport? How on earth has Adam Stryker become a five time tag team champion?
Oh, that’s right. Adam Stryker is a real BAD man who is willing to do anything to pull out a victory, according to Mike Tomkins. He’s the So-Cal Switchblade and right now I should be shaking in my boots. I’ve seen things and I’ve been involved in matches that make Adam Stryker look like a fuzzy pink pussy cat. I’ve sidelined more legends in this sport than both of you put together and I’ve been through more hell than anyone can imagine. At the end of the day, I’ve been the one who’s lasted through it all. Bigger and badder have tried to end me and they failed.
Bad Attitude and the Usual Suspects is a matchup that definitely rekindles those old feelings of excitement and the unknown for yours truly. The so-called experts have made their pick and it looks like me and the kid might come up short in becoming the first Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions. Fortunately for us, predictions serve little purpose other than satisfying pre-match speculations. In just a little over 48 hours, I guess we’ll find out just who moves on and who goes home. Exciting, isn’t it?
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
- @#$@*$#@*#$*%@#$%^*@$#%^*@$#*%$@%#$%^@#$%^$@#%^$
