Legends of Avantris

Stardust Rhapsody: Anthem | Ep. 9 | Paradise City: Part 2

198 min
Feb 26, 20263 months ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

This episode of Legends of Avantris follows a bounty hunting crew posing as music producers from Rhapsody Records who infiltrate Paradise City to locate and capture a target. Over a week-long operation, they befriend pop star Pixel Pop, gain access to crime boss Grobulus J. Weedlebox's mansion, and discover he's running a drug distribution network—but their capture attempt is interrupted by a mysterious phone call revealing darker intentions.

Insights
  • Social engineering and relationship-building are critical infiltration tools; the crew's success hinged on earning Pixel's genuine trust rather than pure deception
  • Emotional attachment to marks creates operational risk; team members struggled with guilt over manipulating Pixel despite understanding the mission requirements
  • Intelligence gathering through seemingly innocent gifts (bugged lipstick) can yield critical operational data without raising suspicion
  • Criminal organizations use blackmail and leverage as primary control mechanisms to expand operations and ensure compliance from new partners
  • Audience participation mechanics (polling for arena battle conditions) create engagement but can also introduce unpredictability into planned outcomes
Trends
Immersive roleplay campaigns blending heist narratives with character-driven storytelling and emotional stakesInteractive audience participation in tabletop RPG sessions through real-time polling and voting mechanicsCriminal underworld worldbuilding featuring drug distribution networks, organized crime hierarchies, and leverage-based control systemsCharacter development through gift-giving and relationship mechanics that create moral complexity in morally gray scenariosExtended campaign arcs (multi-episode infiltration missions) that develop elaborate fictional economies and social structures
Topics
Undercover Operations and InfiltrationSocial Engineering and Trust-BuildingCriminal Organization StructuresDrug Distribution NetworksBlackmail and Coercion TacticsCharacter Roleplay and Emotional AuthenticityAudience Participation MechanicsHeist Planning and ExecutionMoral Ambiguity in Criminal ScenariosIntelligence Gathering TechniquesParadise City (fictional setting)Bounty Hunting OperationsMusic Industry as Cover StoryOrganized Crime HierarchiesOperational Security and Risk Management
Companies
Rhapsody Records
Fictional record label used as cover identity by bounty hunters infiltrating Paradise City's criminal underworld
The Glitz Room
Nightclub owned by Weedlebox where Pixel Pop performs; serves as hub for criminal operations and money laundering
Golden God Hotel
Luxury hotel where the bounty hunting crew stays during their week-long infiltration operation in Paradise City
Xenodome
Monster arena entertainment venue sponsored by Rex Maxim's casino tour; used for gladiatorial alien creature battles
Sunset Circuit
Go-kart racing facility in Paradise City where the crew competes to build rapport with Pixel Pop
Peachy Beach Private Club
Exclusive beach resort owned by Weedlebox; location for team-building activities during infiltration week
7th Heaven Casino
Major casino venue in Rocksville sector; mentioned as upcoming tour stop for Rex Maxim's entertainment empire
People
Grobulus J. Weedlebox
Primary target; crime boss running Paradise City's drug distribution network and entertainment operations
Pixel Pop
Pop star performer at The Glitz Room; target of infiltration crew's social engineering; unknowingly bugged by team
Rhett Rye
Bounty hunter posing as Rhapsody Records founder and music producer; leader of infiltration operation
Pike Starfall
Bounty hunter serving as driver and logistics specialist; struggles with emotional attachment to Pixel Pop
Coe Saxon
Bodyguard character; becomes increasingly intoxicated during infiltration week; provides physical intimidation
Ziggy Nepo
Bounty hunter with technical skills; creates fake credentials and plants surveillance equipment in gifts
Rex Maxim
Celebrity bounty hunter and entertainment mogul; supplies exotic creatures for Xenodome arena battles
Zetamax
Pop music icon and Pixel's favorite artist; mentioned as potential Rhapsody Records signing to build credibility
The Don
Unseen crime boss; Weedlebox's superior; revealed to be orchestrating Pixel's murder at episode's end
Quotes
"When in Paradise City, right?"
Pixel PopMid-episode toast
"You're not dealing with pixie dust. You're not taking her. No, no, no. Forget about her. Alright? She's off the table."
Grobulus J. WeedleboxFinal confrontation
"We're going to make a lot of money together, aren't we?"
Rhett RyeBlackmail negotiation
"Don't let your guards down. I won't. Yeah. I got you. I'm doing fine."
Pike StarfallPre-mission briefing
"we'll make sure her body is buried deep in a hole in the desert."
Grobulus J. WeedleboxFinal revelation via bugged lipstick
Full Transcript
Welcome to Legends of Avantress. I'm Pike Starfall, and you're listening to Stardust Rhapsody Anthem. Nikki, welcome to the table. Would you... Would you... I feel like we did a breakdown, but please, I would love it if you would describe Pixel in your own words. Yes, Pixel is the quintessential pop star. She is a blonde bombshell in neon yellow. She loves pastels, neon colors. Pink is probably her favorite color, second to yellow. She is a neon green skinned globulin with bright magenta eyes. She loves makeup and music, and she is bubbly and fun. She is never without her heels and her makeup bag, And she is just, yeah, she's a quintessential globalist. You can see her from across the galaxy. And incredible. As you're sitting there in your dressing room, kind of coming down from the show you've just performed, riding an absolute high for an incredible performance, the lights amazing, the music even better, the door to your dressing room opens. is at first you see Mogli, and right behind him, the next person in line, I believe, was Rhett? Yeah, yeah. Since I'm sort of owning this. I think it would have been Rhett, then Ziggy, then Pike, and then Coe. Probably. And you see the image of Rhett take place in your doorway as he walks in. Pixel would have been laying on the couch. She would have been laying back, her legs up in the air. her Digi Diary would have been held out in front of her, and she would have been like, oh my gosh, this show is just amazing, and you'll never believe it, Digi Diary. There's a music producer here. Oh my God, I gotta go. And then she goes up so quickly, and she jumps up and straightens out her outfit, fixes her bow, and she'll rush over to immediately spotting who is clearly the big kahuna here, and she'll run straight over to Red, and she'll look at you, her eye is just like absolutely, like, um, absolutely alight with excitement. Oh, my gosh. Rhapsody Records, I was just looking you up. You're Pixel Pop, are you not? Yes, it's me. Did you like the show? I mean, I hope you like the show. The name's Rhett Rye. It's Pixel Pop. Nice to meet you. I'm a record producer and owner and founder of Rhapsody Records. We did see your show, and you were spectacular. Glimm of glory. You're so cool. I mean, look at you. What a star you are. Thanks. Let me introduce you to my business associate. Yeah, I'd love to meet all of you. This year is Coe Saxon. She's my bodyguard. Whoa, you're huge. I know. And pretty. Well, normally I don't hear that. Thank you. Yeah. That was one of the best fucking shows I've ever seen. Normally I'm all about heavy metal. Oh, my gosh. I never thought I would have liked pop, but you have one hell of a voice. I thought you were out there. You were doing that horn thing with your hands. Oh, you saw that? Yeah, can you teach me? Yeah, I'll teach you. I mean, yeah, I'm here for the big man, though. That's your business. Can you come down here real quick? Yeah, and I'll kneel down in front of Pixar. You have to go pretty low. I mean, the height difference between the two of you is extreme. Enormous. I only got four fingers. Yeah, I know. Can I still do it? Yeah. One thing. Yeah, it's not going to stop. You can put the middle one down. Okay. Hey, you're doing it! Look at that! Oh, my gosh. You might have to do a, you know, we might have to get you on a heavy metal album. Oh, my gosh. I think that you got the, you got, what do you think? What's the Rhapsody telling you, Mr. Rye? We did just sign the T-Rex, so maybe as a guest of the T-Rex. I've never really looked at heavy metal, but I try it. Everybody, everybody loves heavy metal if you give it an open mind. I give everything an open mind. Everything's fun if you look at it the right way. You get a little bit of glimmer. Well, I mean, actually, I was feeling in some kind of way, but I think it was your music that, like, Ziggy and I feel like we just, I don't know, I'm feeling like I can do anything tonight. Anything. But Paradise City is good for us. Take me down. When you're here, the world's a party and you can do anything you want. Yeah, Paradise City. This really is fucking paradise. Anyway, I'm sorry. I'm just a bodyguard. I'm nobody. I'm fucking nobody. It's all about Mr. Rye. I'm going to stand back up and I'm kind of kind of shuffle back. I'm a little like, I'm like pumping the adrenaline from the shows. I'm coming down. Whatever magical effect came over me, probably is still affecting me. And so I'm kind of, like, trying to, like, process as I step back and, like, hold my arms. Oh, honey, you ain't nobody, you're co. And it's nice to meet you. Nice to meet you, too. And then she'll just hop to whoever is now. This is Pike Scorpio, my driver and Guy Friday, so to speak. Pleasure to meet you. Nice to meet you, too. You got a lot of beautiful people with you. Well, I mean, as a record label, we have appearances to keep up. I'm sure you understand the industry. Oh, yeah, Mr. W tells me about that stuff all the time. He loves beautiful people. You put on one hell of a show. Oh, thank you. Cigarette? Oh, no. Does it sparkle when you light it? No, I can't say that it does. Well, can I keep it for later, just in case? Of course, and I'll knock one out and I'll hand it to you. She'll put it in her pocket. And finally, my assistant and stepson, Ziggy. Hi, I'm Ziggy Nepo. Hi, how are you doing? Hi, Ziggy Nepo. It's a pleasure to meet you. I really enjoyed the show. It was really awesome. I enjoyed all the music and the lights and the various people, and they were all so kind, and it was just an amazing show. I really enjoyed it. Wait, you're running around in circles. I mean, I feel full of energy because it was such a good show. Yeah, and tell her what you were telling me about how it was almost like a Zetamax. Oh, yeah, you like Zetamax because it felt like you were, like, really channeling it. Oh, my God. Have you seen Zetamax live? I've never had a chance, but he's the pop messiah. He's one of my favorites. He's so dreamy. Oh, do you like Zetamax? I love Zetamax. He's my all-time favorite. I talk about him in my Digi Diary every single night. pixel hot Zedamax. Oh, well, son, I should introduce you sometime because I just started... Wait, did you say this is your son? This is my stepson, yeah, Ziggy. Ziggy Nepo. She looks back and forth very confused. Now you see, he's the son of my fourth wife. But there aren't any other sons. It's just a me, which means that I'm going to inherit everything when, uh, uh, uh, you understand. Miraculously, no other sons. All daughters. Oh, you have fifth sisters? Well, fifth sisters. There's like 12 or 13 of them. Well, our children have one and six. I looked around like, yeah, I look at Pike, like, he's going on script. No, but it's so funny you should mention that because I actually just began negotiations with Zeta Max's management to sign him as our newest star. No, freaking way. That's right. So anyway, not to bury the lead too much, but I mean, your talent is, you know, is incredible. I don't think anyone's ever said it to me like that before. And so what I'm saying is that, you know, as far as we understand, you know, you're talented. And we are aware of your friend, employer, boss. Oh, Mr. W. That's right, Mr. Weedlebox, correct. Yeah, Krawabi. And so, um, I'm happy to potentially introduce you to Zedamax. If, maybe if you want to get us a meeting with him, I think that he and I have quite a bit of business opportunities, so to speak, especially given his recent line of work. Oh, this is a tough one, because he's telling me all the time that he's going to make me a star, and I believe him. He would never lie to me. But Zadamax, they're always so busy. I mean, if someone else could take that job off of his hands, that could be nice. But I don't know, I think he really wants to be the one to make me famous. Well, look, then maybe that's one of the things we can talk about, because given how talented you are, I believe we can maybe consider potentially discussing opening the door about maybe possibly signing you as one of our top talents. Alongside Thadamore, I could... I could open Thadamore. You could open, maybe even guest on one of his albums. His rock album? Oh, yeah. No, he's working on a rock album. It's combination rock, shatter, funk. what's shatterfunk i don't know he said he said he just kept saying it over and over shatterfunk shatterfunk city shatterfunk you talked to him oh hell yeah i once or twice i said go for ziggy and he said hey this is data max shatterfunk and then he hung up is there a quart of water in this i'm gonna try to find a glass of water and like get it and be like drink this i'm gonna I'd be like, thank you. Go away, Shatterfunk. What the fuck does that sound like? I'm, like, into it. I'm really into Shatterfunk. I'm, like, attempting to hydrate Ziggy and get sober. Yeah, you can definitely find it. Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa. You see that Pixel begins to start turning yellow. She almost starts to match her hair. And then she starts to turn pink. And then she starts to turn purple. And then she starts to turn green again. But it's more of a sickly shade of green before she evens back out. Oh, are you all right? feeling busy? Now, hold on. Can you check on her and make sure she's okay? Oh, yeah. I will leap forward and I'll try to catch you as you're and I'll try to grab you. Are you okay? She'll dramatically kick her heel up into the air. Yeah, I'm just I can't believe you guys know saying that you've spoken to him and everything. Well, yeah. I mean, we're absolutely records. We gotta talk to him. If we're gonna find him, we gotta talk to him. I mean, we wouldn't be able to find him any other way. Negotiations are underway in there. Intense. Do you even know about super-secret Zetamax things that you told little old me? That's right. Because, Pixel, you got what it takes. I don't know if you know this, but the Rhapsody is the grand cosmic melody that emanates through the entire galaxy. and the Rhapsody speaks to me, you understand? That's why I made this record label. That's why I named it what I did. It speaks to me ever since I was a boy and it could just tell me the music that really speaks to the souls of an audience. And that's why I've become so successful. I didn't know they had a name. I feel that thrumping through my body all the time, coursing through my veins. Every time I'm singing, I'll play my key tour. Yeah, writing a song, even writing a poem, I'm not very good. It's very different than writing a song. People don't tell you that. Well, then maybe she speaks to you, too. And I have a feeling that if we could talk to your employer, maybe he and I can work something out. So, if you're interested, I mean, I don't want to necessarily mess up what's going on here. I am interested. I'm more than interested. I'm double interested, triple interested even. Well, then, if you could somehow maybe arrange a meeting between myself, my associates, and Mr. Weedlebox, then we... Oh, did you want to put me down? Do you think you're okay to stay in? Oh, yeah, I can stay in. Okay. It's really comfy. Okay. I just want to make sure you're okay. Yeah, yeah, hold on, hold on. And she'll kick her leg out and kind of stretch her foot a little bit. Oh, God, be peeled. Give away the heels, Kyle. No, never fucking once. She continues to just rest in your arms for a little bit longer. Okay. You okay? Yeah, I'm good. Okay. I'll place her down and I'll step back next to Pike. I'm going to give him a little elbow nudge like we're fucking doing it. Like this is fucking sick. I do. I think. Well, I think I could talk to him, sure. but he's got people that can do what you're wanting to do is anything else he can do to sweeten up the deal well I mean here's the thing if some of my business partners in certain industries are aware of his more lucrative offerings, if you catch my drift. We saw it all over the club. You see her quickly glance at each of your necks, just a quick check. So, yeah, basically I'm trying to figure out if you are picking up what I'm putting down. I would say she's not trying to be deceptive, so you would immediately see that she's catching on to what you're saying. I understand he may be looking for connections on more worlds and potentially spreading his product farther and wider than his current distribution. And I think that I may know people and may be able to assist directly. Someone like you has so many connections. That's right. I know people. That's basically half the job. Only half of them is listening to the Rhapsody and letting her speak through me and then the other half is Shaking hands Oh, yeah Okay Yeah I can do that for you Absolutely I mean, you've got such nice things to me I really appreciated it, Mr. Rhett, can I call you Rhett? You can call me Rhett, that's fine Mr. Rye, I'll call you that if you prefer It's totally up to you Rhett's fine, Mr. Rye's just fine I like Rhett It sounds nice on my tongue All right, well, I mean, would you care to maybe share a drink? Yeah. Oh, I would love to. Can we sit? Oh, please, yeah. My home's your home. Sit whatever you like. Try it whatever you want. I mean, it might not be your size, but... Thank you. You're welcome. There are lush sheets all over this dressing room, and Pixel would have decorated it and adorned it in really whatever format. you'd choose. You've kind of really taken over this as your main space, as the headliner. You're the key star of the Glitz Room. And you may not host often outsiders in such a format, but you definitely have had friends, colleagues come around and this is a very comfortable space to be in. There is water available to offer to Ziggy to help with his situation. Vera, if you want anything special, I got water in here because, you know, I got to keep the pipes nice and watered up, you know, because of the singing and everything. But if you want something a little more dry, if you want something a little more strong, you know, I can go outside. You know, I got the fellas out there. Mike, oh, he likes to be called the Circumstance now. Richie, Derek, and DJ Andy F, they're outside. and so I could just let any of them know that you wanted something to drink, something else. You have some real hard-hitting blue-blend names, aren't you? Did I hear you correctly? There's someone named Derek DTF down outside? Yeah! He sounds like a badass. I don't know. Yeah. I'll have some water, though. I'm very... I'm not going to lie. I took a couple of one-ups out in the crowd. They were just handing me shit. It was, I think it's starting to really kick in. Some water would be good, right? Some water would be good. You don't have to go anywhere. I can stay by. And we'll take some night rain and a couple beers. Oh, no, I just have to open the door and yell out. It's fine. All right. Night rain? Night rain? Night rain, a couple beers. A bucket of beers? A beer bucket? Three night rain, a gallon of water. Yeah, why? A beer bucket? Yeah, and I'll open the door. I'll be like, yo, Mike. Oh, sorry. It's the circumstance. Yeah, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, the circumstance. Can we get, we're going to need three night rains. Well, yeah, what can I do you for? Yeah, we need three night rains. We need two gallons of water. And then we need a whole, oh, so what did you say about the beer? Oh, just like a bucket of beer? Can we get a bucket of beer? A beer bucket. For you, fix the circumstance. For you, the circumstance. So fix the circumstance. All right, I'll be in soon. Bye. Yeah. Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Thanks for so much staying for that cool fucking guy! Rage on! I just look at Rhett like... Cool fucking guy! Hey! Hey! Just don't call him Mike, he's passing me in. No, it's a circle stand! Hey, shut the door. Alright. He's gone. Thank God it wasn't Derek. Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! I definitely wouldn't trust you. There's a lot of fucking perverts out there. Let me tell you. Do not let DTF get our parents. It is a hot night in Paradise City. And he's still wearing a sweater. What the fuck, DTF? Oh, God. Well, well... Oh, do you mind if I put on a... Do you mind if I put on some music? I'm just going to put on some Datamax. This new album is my favorite. Sure. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Go on. I'm very well. I'm very well. I'm very well. I'm very well. And Pixel will just jump over and turn on some Datamax and then settle down. So, um, oh, they should all let the circumstance know that I needed to talk to Mr. W. I mean... And Pixel will, she'll look around, and there's like a hologram clock on the wall. I think I don't know. It'll be a bit before he's free, so I get to spend some time together until then. But I don't think he'll be ready to see you tonight. No, no, I'm not asking for anything tonight. It's obviously late, and I'm sure he has plans. He's a very busy man. I'm just asking, you know, the next time you see him, if he could... Sure, is there somewhere I can tell him that he could reach you? Well, uh, if you or him or whoever his people, they can call for us at the Golden God Hotel. Oh my gosh, you really are loaded. I mean, oh my gosh, you're really famous, aren't you? The Rapsay's been very good to me since a young age, and I feel fortunate to have earned a fortune, so to speak. That's incredible. Yeah, and it pays really fucking good. You all seem really happy. I love that. It's been a good night. Well, can I? This is our fun. Yeah. Cheers. Really? And so it's your first time at the Clips Room. Yeah. And don't let. I'm going to like how Stumble or Pipe is the one I spoke. As you like Stumble or Pipe, I try to like. Yeah. And I'm going to grab you, Russell. Don't let his sad puppy dog eyes fool you. He's having a great time here. It's nothing against your concept. I'm just moldering. It's not sad puppy. He's feeling sad about a girl that he used to know. Oh, no. It's a secret. I wasn't supposed to tell anybody. That's okay. I can keep a secret. I won't tell nobody. Okay, cool. Can I write about it in my dear Digi Diary? No, it's a secret. That's... I'm sorry, but I introduced you to this boy, to a beautiful salari. I mean, you should have seen... The one who broke his heart? No, no, no, no. This is the one who's in the crowd. I don't fucking know. No. And it's like, and I'm just telling him. I was always telling him this. I'm always telling him this. And I'm like, Pike, if you're not going to fucking go for it, give me the word and I'm right there. Here's what I told him. Did he go for it? I don't know. I was out dancing. I was focused on your concept. Did you go for it? Did you ask him? Did you go for it, Pike? Did you, did you, did you? I didn't go for it. Aw. It's okay. That's okay. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. It's only our first night in paradise. We're only here for a limited time, Pixel. It's okay. Limited time, Pixel. of paradise city and now that we're all around we've got to come back maybe it'll happen the next time i was enjoying your concert oh sure you're so sweet thank you yeah we're good friends i think that's done uh-oh uh ko maybe make sure he's still breathing there is a wet spot on the couch right in front of Ziggy's lap, and it's hard to tell whether or not he spilled his water or something else has occurred. How is he asleep with the amount of glimmer that he ingested? That is a fucking miracle. Well, if you don't have the effect on you after a while, should we lay him down or move him somewhere? No, he'll be fine. Look at him. But he's just standing straight up. He's in the middle of the room. I'll catch the record. false. It happens all the time. How did he get into it all the way up on my pillow? The track of the Datamax album changes over. Oh, this is my anthem! Oh! I love this one! Me too! You want to dance? Oh yeah, let's dance! And I immediately dive into what is the worst, like... It's much faster than the beat. Yeah, I'm not even close to the beat. I'm just doing what I think of when I think of the dances in the games that I play, and basically every Fortnite dance that I can think of. Can you do the one? Which one? Well, that's the one? Okay, yeah. I'm just going to kind of sit back and wait for our drinks, and, you know, wait for, like, I'm, the one-ups are hitting me. Yeah, I think, like, we would just sort of talk, get to know each other, talk about music, and talk about, like, really just try to sell it. We're trying to be rich. Yeah. And just come off as rich and powerful. I'm going to, like, lean in on Pike. I'm like, hey, man, I'm sorry I said that. I shouldn't have told my wife. Hey, come on. I'm just worried about you, man. I'm just worried about you. Listen, I get it. You dropped it, all right? It's been years. It's been years, and you're still hung up. I just want you to be happy, man. I want you to be happy, man. It's just what I bitch. I get it. I appreciate it. Let it go. All right? Let it go. Okay. Okay. Sorry, Pike. Sorry. Sorry, man. I love you, man. It's okay. Okay. And then I'll just, we'll just wait awkwardly. Yeah. I'm like, it's all right. It's okay. I'm like, I'm going to be crying a lot. Or a full hug. You probably know what's going on. Yeah. All right. Excellent. The drinks make their way back. And as you're all doing. Bucking and beers. Thank the, the. Oh, it's me that took upstairs. What do you say? What do you know? Oh, you know what I say. That's it. I know these fucking guys. That's a pretty cool fix, man. Have you been into music since you were young? Oh, yeah. The moment I was born, I was into music. I mean, you play the keytar particularly well. And all them holograms. The whole show was just a production value. I've got to say, I'm very impressed. Thank you all so much if it comes naturally to me, but I couldn't do it without the help of Mr. W. He really does take care of me. I've got such a great life here, you know. And one day, I'm going to be the star. Well, I've no doubt that, you know, maybe with he and I working together, you're a name known beyond just Cherrick. You'll be known across the galaxy. Really? Even further than Cherrick? I think even beyond Cherrick. Yeah, not just Paradise City. we're talking I mean you could be headlining at 7th Heaven Casino one day maybe wow yeah we're going there yeah we're going to go there we are we're going to go to Rex Maxim my stepdad he knows he knows Rex Maxim Rex Maxim you don't know Rex Maxim Rex Maxim I don't think so no he's a real he's a real bounty hunter he's a real cowboy he's a real cowboy he's got he's got he's got I don't know the stars. Yeah, yeah. From the TV. He comes in here sometimes. I think Mr. W knows him. Oh, wow. Everybody knows this guy. Wow. Doesn't fucking describe as me. He's so well connected. Yeah, I know Rex Maxim. Yeah, he's very famous, actually. He's got a lot of shows. Oh, he's good. My son can name every single television series that he's very briefed. Oh, he's got a TV show? Oh, yeah, he was in the original show where they showed off his bounty hunting skills, but then they showed off all of his other many, many talents. There was Maximum Survive, there was Maximum Love, there was Maximum Law, Maximum Chef, Maximum Haunt, Maximum Load. That's what's a trade, it's not the other thing. Maximum Makeover, Maximum Baby Daddy, Maximum Therapy, Maximum Court, Maximum Fog. Wait, is it Maximum Makeover? I love that show. Oh, yeah, that was interesting. You didn't really like Maximum because it would be a makeover, but yeah. And also, I mean, Maximum Bounce, where zero G meets double D. Remember that one? Yeah, that was a spin-off of Maximum... Where is it? I have it here. Maximum Love, Maximum Love. Twelve women, one moon base, zero gravity, and zero shame. Yeah! He's in a lot. Yeah. Yeah, he's... well-traveled, so to speak. But, yeah, no, we go way back. Old Rexy and I, you know, he has a bit of a singing career himself. You may have heard his holiday album. Oh, yeah. Yeah, we tried to sign him for that one. He went with the competitor, but that's okay. That's okay. We'll get him next time. Oh, yeah. I really like his, my guiltiest pleasure. I've never told him about this. One of my favorite albums is his Star Yacht Rock album. What's Yacht Rock? Oh, Star Yacht Rock. Star Yacht Rock? I've said too much. I'm going to have some of this water. I'm going to have some of this water. I'm going to have another beer. She can play it for you one day, maybe. That would be great. Yeah, it's getting late. What do you think? Yeah, no, yeah, I can't keep you too long. You would have grace me with so much of your time. Mr. Rhett It's really nice to meet you Pixel it's been an absolute pleasure And again I mean your voice is That of an angel I don't know what else to say I really do hope that we get to work together I will do my very best to talk to Mr. W about it And he'll find you at the hotel That's right Rhett, Rye, Rhapsody Records Just call for us at the Golden God Oh, yeah, of course. All right. I'll bring the car around. Meet me out front. Wow, so thank you. Bring the car around? Have a good night, Pixel. We'll see you later. You too, Carl. We're not here long. Oh, all right. Well, I hope I see you again before you go. It was a pleasure to meet you. It was nice to meet you. We're the Golden God Hotel. It's so cool to meet you in the daytime, I stand. We're at the Golden God Hotel. Okay, great. Have a good night, Pixel. All right. Yeah, I've got to get these two home. Have a lovely night. It's been a pleasure. Good night. Have a good night. Glitter glory. That was so cool. Oh, sorry. Good night. Yeah. Oh, shit. I can't read my hand running. Is Moggly out there? Moggly? Sure. I mean, yeah. We're ready to leave. Oh, Mr. Rye. We'll take you back to the front. Of course. I'll walk you. I will take you back to the car. Did you enjoy your stay? Oh, it was beautiful. Beautiful. Fantastic. Pass my compliments on to Mr. Weedlebox. We hope to host you again tomorrow night. If you're in town for so long. If I may be so bold. You won't be here long. You know, he still keeps saying, but no, we'll be here. He's not here long. We'll keep a booth warm for you. And he walks you out of the Glitzer. Back to your car. They brought it around. You once again enter Pike in the Driver's Seat Co. laser rifle seat, and you two hop in the scatterblast as you get the scatterblast seat. I think that went really well. Oh, no, my dream. Cowholders, right there. Oh, pipe. You're never going to believe this. On our way out, I ran into Tiffany, you know, the Solari that I introduced you to. Oh, that was her name? Yeah, I gave her my room key, and I told her where we're staying. so we'll see what happens fine by me yeah good luck with that okay I told her we had to pass we weren't staying long as you're like mumbling and like kind of like rambling on I'm like I'm checking the dash making sure we're good to go I've lit a new cigarette I rolled the window down I do like a quick check on like how much money we spent and I oh boy and I'll make sure I just like close it and like we make a mental note like oh Brett's gonna fucking kill me yeah and And I put the keys to the ignition and make sure everybody's good to go. And I take us back to the going God. Your car purrs to life and you once more take to those elevated roadways through the buildings as you make your way. Tollway. Slow down, Pike. I'm going thus to be living. You did. You did. I block the empty big cup next to me. I'll be all right. I'll be all right. I'll be all right. I'll be all right. I'll be alright I'll be alright I'll be alright Oh shit God that's funny Pixel You make your way through the backstage of the Glitz Room and pass through a red door flanked by two heavily armed thugs both with bright red belts You walk through the labyrinthian hallways and corridors of the nightclub's back offices familiar with every inch of the place nodding to waving at and giving a friendly hello to the numerous guards and goons that you pass on your travel. None of them pay you any mind having seen the same sight night after night as you make your way to the private office of Grobulus J. Weedlebox. You eventually arrive at another heavy door painted red, but this time etched with the letters GJW and two of the biggest and baddest thugs in your employer's employ on either side of it. They give you a curt nod and let you open the door without issue as you step into the office. The luxurious space is filled with expensive art and antiquities, with an entire fully stocked bar on one wall. Sitting in a plush chair behind a desk covered in papers, empty glasses and full ashtrays is the man you've known, loved and relied upon for years. He's a wide and stout globulin with currently orange skin. His enormous double chin sprouting a purple five o'clock shadow that matches the thin remaining hair that rings his balding head. He wears a tailored green suit with a polished red belt. A glowing neon tie with pink leopard print hangs untied around his neck where several buttons have been unfastened from his crisp white shirt. He holds a large, boxy communicator to his head with thick fingers adorned with many shiny rings as he speaks to someone on the other side. A smoldering cigar in his plump lips. He glances up at you as you come in, pointing at the velvet chair, sitting across the desk as he finishes the conversation before hanging up the communicator with a sigh. Yeah, you let them know it's going to get there when I said it's going to get there. And that means it gets there on time. Okay? Yeah, that's what I thought. Yeah. Yeah, okay. Yeah, don't call back here without that straight no. Yeah, bye. pixie dust look at you oh my gosh did you like this show tonight did i like this show tonight look at you like the dawn coming over the the horizon chasing the dark night away oh my goodness i've never seen anything as good as that i'll look over to the chair and pout and then I'll look at his lap. Oh, I'm not seeing the house for you. Come on down, Pacey. And I'll prance over and just watch his lap. He'll quickly take out, he'll smoke his cigar to its end. He'll quickly take out a large, ornate cigar cutter, almost like straight gold, GJW adorned on the top rim of it as he has this kind of Winston Churchill thick cigar as he snips the end of it. His ring is kind of shining in the light as he lights it up. Wow. Oh, how are you feeling? How are you feeling after a big show like that? You're flying cloud 11! I'm flying cloud 12 tonight. Oh, my girl. It was amazing. The crowd and everything. Oh, they just love your club, you know. Oh, it's not the club, darling. It's you. Everybody here in Paradise City, you know that. Oh, you should not. But especially for me. Oh, my God. Well, of course, of course, Pixie does. I mean, you're my crème de resistance. You're the jewel. You're the jewel. You're the whole thing. You're the glitch in the glitch room, of course. It's for you. Look at the stress. Let me get those muscles. And then I just spin around and start massaging. Oh, I love this time of night. Oh, right there. Oh, yeah. Pixie dust. Sounds like you were having a stressful call. I'm so glad you're done with it. Oh, don't worry your pretty little head about that, my love. That's, you know, never to think about that kind of stuff. It's for you. It's all the lights. It's the glamour. That's the gritty. No, you stay out of that. You keep your hands. You dress clean. Well, I bring it up because, you know, I know how stressed you are all the time. You want some glimmer? Oh, baby, do I? You know how I like to do it, too. I do, I do. I'll make a thumb, okay? And you just lay back and you just listen. I have a proposal. Can I? Oh, Pixie, there's no sound more beautiful than the sound of you talking. And you let's let's quick. Let's do a line together. And then whatever you want to say, I'll listen. You know, it's for you. And so Pixel will quickly get out her. She'll open up her makeup kit that she keeps at her side. It's shaped like a heart. It has a rainbow across it. And she rummages around past her makeup and then pulls out this specialized kit for her glimmer. and she does, she puts down two lines, one larger for Mr. W and then one smaller for her, but they're right next to each other and they're on opposite sides. So they have to like wind around each other to do them. He'll take your hair in his hands and just hold it back kind of tightly, almost in a kind of gripping so your hair is at the table as you go down on the line. On the line? Yeah, on the line. On the line. On the line. On the line. On the line. I propose you to go to a bike. I'd like to play wheelbarrow. I would say. Oh, baby doll. The good stuff. I'll make sure you get me the good stuff, and I'll quickly put my kid away. What a great end of the night. Oh, so, yeah. I know you're so stressed, and you're at the glimpses rushing to our systems. trying to have the best nights of our life. You've been telling me for, you know, months, years, months, that you're going to make me a star, and I know it. I just know it. Oh, darling, a superstar. For you, I mean, there won't be any star higher in the sky. I know. But you've got so much going on, running the glitz room, and being, you know, the Mr. W. And I know that it can be difficult for you sometimes. And that's fine. I don't mind at all because I love it here and I love my life. But did you hear that there was a record producer here today from Rhapsody Records? Rhapsody Records? Yeah. I heard something about it. What was that? They got a website and everything. A website? They even had a form. I thought about filling it out. But I got scared. What are you scared? Are you scared? dog. Are you kidding me? Look at you. Picture perfect. I mean, these guys sound like nobody's dog. I've never heard of them. Rhapsody Records. Who do they sign? Well, apparently they're just about to sign Thetamax. Thetamax? No. Can you believe it? I climb back up onto his lap. And I start massaging into his shoulder. Oh, that's the spot. You know every inch. You know every inch, dog. Oh, yeah. Oh, right there. Oh, you got hands like a... Oh, my goodness. Wait a minute. Can we check the picture box? Yep. Wait a minute. He might be doing a rock album. A rock album. Listen, dog, just a little while longer, okay? This is Rhapsody Records. This sounds like chump stuff, all right? Oh, God. No, you're going to shine. You're the brightest star in the sky. What do I always say? Keep shining, superstar. No one could illuminate me better than you can, Mr. W, but here's the thing. It's not just that they could make me a star. They got connections across the galaxy. And you know how much I care about you. Love you, even. I would never, I would never bring this to you if it was only for me. I'm not that selfish. They got connections, and they mentioned... And she'll glance to his neck. That they could, you know, help with one of your biggest endeavors. Ah, ah, well. Hmm. Okay, okay. I mean, they sound terrible as a record company. I wouldn't admit to that. Listen, I mean, you're saying they got connections all over the galaxy. Maybe they move to and fro. Is that what we're talking about? I mean, just, they talked to the Zadamaks. Can you imagine being able to do what you do at my show with Zadamaks? Dahlia, you're so beautiful. Sometimes I look at you, I could die on the spot. Come on, you don't! I'm back. Okay, well, I'll tell you what. Pixie Dust, for you, okay? I'll set a meet. But my schedule's chock full for about a week. Are they only going to be here for a couple of days is what Co said. Not very long at all. Well, if they want to meet with me, they're going to have to extend the stay. But I tell you what, I'll make it work their way. You take them out, show them the town, take them to paradise, sweetheart. Show them everywhere good, under the sun. And show them a good time, whatever it takes. You get them back in about a week, I'll sit down with them. I'll see if maybe we can't come to some kind of mutual arrangement. And for you, don't worry. Don't worry. Months, years. You're so close, baby doll. You're so close. We're going to have you shining in the sky in days. Maybe weeks. Every time I start to feel nervous, I know you're always going to make me feel so much better. Oh, baby, don't worry. We'll work out some of that tension on you. You're just the best, darling. I love you. Oh, I love you. Okay, I'm going to go. Do you want me to call the hotel at home, or did you want to do it? Why don't you give him a ring? I don't want to connect with him too early. I got stuff going on. I mean, they're big, but they're not. It's the W big. Well, of course. All right. Speaking of, why don't you call me about 30 minutes? All right. I'll go let the circumstance know. And she will squeeze his shoulders one more time and then place a kiss on his neck before she pops off. Right there, right there. Oh, just what? It's got tiny feet walking on my back. Oh, did you want me to do this? Oh, darling. With or without heels? Oh, you know the sectors. Oh, you know, with the heels. You got the red, you know. I got the red. Oh, I got the red. They say the color doesn't matter, but I got to say, I think it changes the sensation. Oh! She will hop off of his lap, and she will turn towards him and bend over a little. Oh, he's going, okay. Woo! I'll write up to you in 30. And then she just prances out, and as she opens the door, you hear, Oh, Mike! Mike's not here with Derek. Oh, Mike! No! No! Who's ready to be hugged? Yeah, we're here. I'm supposed to come back in 30 minutes. Oh, don't worry. I'll take over. Okay, great. See you soon. Oh, bye, Victor. Anybody ready for margaritas? Guys, I don't want to worry about anybody. I think Mace might be a freak. Beast. Woo! Oh, okay. That's fucking funny. And then, yeah, Pixel will head back to her room above the club to make a phone call to the hotel. You do so. You walk down past, back down those winding labyrinthian hallways. Bye, Jeno. Bye. Passing guards and goons, everyone heavily. Marco, good to see you. Oh, Pixel, great to see you. and they'll wave at you as you greet them and they don't even bat an eye knowing that you've walked this hallway a thousand times. Happy birthday, Pauly. Oh, you remembered. Always. Oh, basically you're the best. As you make your way back out and up to your room in the glitch room, just above the glitch room. You can still feel almost in the floorboards of your room the pulsating thrum of the music that carries on beneath you. Wow. That might be a star. And if the W is going to go even further, just my whole life is all coming together, just like you said. Girl like me, splitter all pixel pop. All thanks to Rhapsody Records. Okay. for a call diary you will not believe it and about about 15 minutes while Pixel just explains everything to her diary and then or it's probably about it's probably about 20 minutes and then she looks up at the time and realizes she now only has like two minutes to make this phone call before she has to be back with Mr. W and so she quickly picks up her phone and calls up to the hotel you do so And we will transition back to the Golden God, where you all have found yourself after a car ride through the night city, a slow-moving, easy-going pace, feeling relatively confident that so far your plan has executed without issue. Okay. You find yourselves back in your hotel suite, hanging out, sitting, maybe having another drink. Oh, absolutely. Wind the night down or get it bumping back up. And Pixel gives you a call over the phone to your room, whoever decides to answer. She relays the information that Mr. Weedlevox is open for a meeting, but it will take about a week of you hanging out as he doesn't yet have the time to see you. But when that comes, he'll be able to host you at his mansion in the hills, just to the skirts of the city. Damn. And that she has been tasked with showing you around Paradise City and ensuring that you enjoy your stay for the week that you're there waiting to connect with him. And that she will connect with you tomorrow in the morning. Was that Tiffany No that was Bixel Oh shit We in Nice Guys we are fucking awesome at this Yeah, I feel relatively confident that this is going to work out. This is fucking awesome. I mean... No, you go. I'm glad they're both excited, but you have to realize we've been doing this for a long time. You guys are really fucking good. We should do this more often. That's our job now. That's what that license is all about Oh my god, you're right This is what I was always fucking meant to do You were right, Pike And all the time we were talking in prison And you thought I'd like found anything I'm like, get the fuck out of here It's not always this glamorous And I pull off like the toppest of top shelf That we have in our room I pour myself like five fingers of whiskey A heavy pour But enjoy it while it lasts Alright? Well done Thanks. Oh! Did I forget my license on the bartender bar? No, no, no, no, it's here. No, wait. No, it's here. Here, I got it. I got it. I got it. I told Trifany if she shows up, does it bring more one-ups? Don't worry. Um, I'll look around, and I'll say, regardless of if Trifany Puget shows up or not, We might have to be here a little longer Than we expected I mean at least a full week But she's a busy man But it sounds like Pixel's gonna show us around the town So we gotta You know Get close with her Make sure she likes us Befriend her And I think the closer we can get to Pixel The closer we can get to Weedlepux Yeah, well, we gotta figure out how the fuck, you know, if Wasagio fucking said it was true, then we gotta figure out a way to nab him when we have that fucking meeting. We're only gonna have one shot. It's the... Getting him out of there. It's gonna be tough. We'll figure it out. We're fucking great at this, guys. You guys are awesome. Well, I mean, this whole thing is, he's fucking specialty-based. Mike, you're so much smarter than I thought you were. That's fucking incredible, man. Infiltration. That's so in low. Fucking cool. Being someone else. I'll take that as a compliment. And then with, you know, Ziggy's fake credentials, I mean, I feel like I'm Red Rye. It's weird. I was sitting there, and I didn't even feel like Red Indigo. That's the fucking wildest part of all this. I sort of felt like a record producer. I feel like the Rhapsody actually fucking speaks to me. that was I bought it that was really fucking impressive there's something about that music and that environment just I don't know I would I felt yeah as soon as it was fucking the music the concert was going I just felt like I hadn't even I had like what one drink and suddenly it just came over me I wanted I almost fucking took red line I was holding it in my fucking hand it was right up to my neck and I realized holy shit that's fucking scumbag scum fuck saggio shit what a fucking loser bully that piece of shit is. And I gave it back. She was a very nice girl. And I said, no, thank you. I actually almost fucking did it. And they had people all, when I was out in the fucking crowd, they had people distributing that shit. I mean, there were people like talking. It was fucking crazy. I don't know why. Something came over. As soon as that concert started. You gonna be all right? I don't know. Fucking see. I only took one off. I mean, that's way less fucking hard. than Redline. And you know, Glimmer's not so bad. It's easy to be fine, right, buddy? I did a lot of Glimmer. I miss more Glimmer. I miss it a lot. You can't do that, buddy. I'm not entirely sure. I looked away for one fucking second. That bar's not really fucking good. Well, I mean, I started to sneeze, but instead of going out, it all went in. And then I couldn't stop. I was just going to do a little. And then I was just like, And here we are. I'll take a deep pull on my beverage and say, whatever happens, we've got to get this Pixel Pop to tell us about this guy's place. The more we know ahead of time, the more that she spills, the better prepared that we're going to be. To your point, we've only got one shot, all right? Yeah, but we can't be too fucking suspicious. If you ask her any fucking questions, then she's gonna let him know and then he's gonna be even more fucking paranoid. We heard what fucking Saggio said. Maybe we can like I feel like Ziggy will figure it out. You're smart kid Ziggy. Figure what out? Good night. We should go to bed. If you have some fucking sense we should get to sleep. We're gonna have a I'm gonna get a beer for my nightstand. We're gonna have a busy week. Alright? Z, you okay? I'll be alright. Need anything else? I think I'm gonna be alright. Put a trash can by his bed. You hear that? I'm gonna play some video games. I don't think I'm gonna go to sleep for a little while. I'm gonna play some dance already. You bring all that with you? Well, now that I know that there's ports on the screen, we can play... Look, look, it's the whole window. Don't you want to play dance already with me, Red? Dance already? Yeah. Basically, you do the dance in the time with the thing, and if you're doing the same pose as the thing that's on the simulation, then you sit with the beat and the whole thing, and you can, you know. There's even a dance, you'll love it. Oh, you've got to play the song where Rick Maxim dances to one of his holiday songs. He's in this? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You can do it. You can do the same motions that he does. Oh, my. I'll watch I'll watch and I sit down and I'll just pour my final nightcap and I'll watch the game play dance already sure like a proud dad like a proud stepdad you carry on for the remainder of the night in such a fashion as long as you can't review so before everyone turns into their rooms for the evening this place is so large and lavish And, Rhett, you're in the primary room that's just absolutely massive and gorgeous. But every room in its own right is beautiful and luxurious. And you all sleep incredibly well and peacefully, some more so than others. And you may all enjoy a long rest if that's relevant. Thank God. I don't know what it is. I'm going to do it anyway. I was banged up from last episode. I still rested from the... Yeah, yeah, yeah. I didn't want to... To prompt the, like, hey, go ahead and take a long rest. Do we feel like our magical charm is... Oh, I would say... Good question. Yes. Okay. I would also say that you wouldn't inherently know that it was something of a magical... No, no, I don't know. I just feel the music coursed through me. Yeah, exactly. Exactly right. And throughout the evening, it had definitely begun to wane, especially as you had returned to the hotel. You'd kind of begun to wind down for the evening. You'd feel yourself kind of come back to your full shorts. And you all rest well for the night. And you wake up in the morning feeling refreshed. and if I may, I'll say that Rhett, you're the first one up into the kitchen you maybe even start fixing yourself your own pot of coffee yeah, so I'm looking for a coffee pot and I'm checking the cabinets and I'm looking all over and all they have is a space cure yes! and I'm like in return oh damn and I'll be thinking of fucking everything as soon as fucking coffee. And so I'll get, I'll find a pod of like the darkest, dark, dark, dark roast that they have and I'll be, this will be like pretty early. I do not sleep a lot. Yeah. And I'll sort of, if I can call down if there's like a newspaper, I would call down to have them bring up the newspaper. Yeah. And I'll sit at whatever kind of main table, kitchen table there is and I'll sort of drink coffee and I'll be reading the paper. It's got to be like a balcony, right? Oh, yeah. Looking over the scene. I'm on the balcony. Yeah, for sure. And there's a little outdoor table, and I have my coffee, and I have my beautiful outdoor. And it's like a full dining table outside. It's not like a small coffee table. It's a full-blown dining table, really lavish chairs out there surrounded as you sit there. When you call down, they are instantly, you have the paper within 60 seconds ready to go. They're immediately ready to care to every one of your needs. and they set up a recurring paper delivery now knowing that that's something you're interested in so that every morning as you awake they will have the paper there at the door ready for you and you do the space Keurig machine and Mike can you be the space Keurig machine for me and you're enjoying your coffee on the balcony until you hear a door inside swing open. The next person is getting up for the morning. It'll be me. And you... Okay, yeah, it'll be you. And I'll stumble out into the kitchen. I'll sort of poke my head into the glass door and just see if it planks. I'm getting up and I'll get back to my paper. Morning. Morning. How you holding up? I'm doing pretty good, actually. There's something about the sea air or something. I just feel good here. It's like I'm on vacation. It's weird. We're working. Doesn't it feel like we're on vacation, Pike? I look a little rough. I start to make my way to the bar, and I look at you, and I say, do we have any eggs? I mean, they'll bring whatever the fuck you need. I did check they have little pods for Blonde Roast. No, no. You're in luck there. I need an egg. I need an egg. and I begin to stumble over towards the bar to try to make myself a drink that will little hair of the dog, if you will. You make your way over to the bar and you walk behind it and anything you want drink-wise you can find there and if you can't, there's a communicator connected directly to the bar that you can hit and you know that whatever you could possibly desire that will get to you and if they don't have it, they will send someone to go get it. I find all the things that I need, a little bit of gin, a little bit of Worcestershire sauce. I find a little bit of hot sauce. The one thing I have to call room service for is a singular egg. And Rhett has seen me do this before. Oh, yeah. More than once. They get it to you in 60 seconds. And then as I'm making this drink, I take a look at it and I say, cheers. Cheers. I'll cleanse my coffee mug. That's your glass. As I almost hesitate. My hand is shaking a little bit as I look at this drink, and I look at Rhett, and I say, I've got to hang over the size of the Roxul Sector. And I knock this back. And I stuck the whole drink down in one go. I have separated out the yolk after the yolk weight. It's just the egg white. And I knock it all back and kind of shake as I settle in on the couch. A little constitution saving throw, aren't they? Okay. Oh, killed it. I got a 21. You've done this before. It burns going down, and you're already feeling rough from the night before. But as it hits your stomach, it shoots out a weird sensation, almost like the end of your body, and you start to feel yourself head in the right direction. Every time. And I'll just kind of, like, settle in and just chill and wait to see when everyone else gets up. You'll see the door slide open, if I may. and I would walk in he's wearing long shorts, his sandals and his goggle he's no longer wearing the sunglasses that he was posing in last night and he's wearing an extremely long extra extra extra extra extra large shirt which has like a over stylized poster what is clearly a poster for some movie called the horror on planet Aurora and it's hard to say but it looks real cool And, uh, he's, hey, hey, morning everybody, how you guys doing? Morning. Morning, we're out here. Oh, you got coffee? Well, no, there's a, there's a space here. Oh, I love these things! I, I do a few pushes of the buttons. And, uh, I come, I come out, uh, how you guys feeling? How are you feeling? I feel great. You feel great? Yeah, I had a lot to drink last night and whatever glimmer is, but, you know, I don't tend to get hung over. I don't know. It's just one of those things. I wake up feeling fine most of the time. I have a pretty high constitution. I'm feeling good. I think Brian's feeling good. I'll be all right in a few hours. Then the fourth door swings open as Coe awakens for the day. And as you look in there, the door opens and you look over, you realize that it's not Coe who walks out of the room. But you see that cherry red hair turn to bright orange as Triffany fixes her dress. Oh, is that how I'm going? Is that how I plug it up? As Triffany fixes a strap on her dress, now holding her heels in her hand, she turns back and just says, have a great day, slugger. until she kind of tiptoes and looks at everyone out on the balcony and then just pauses for a second. And then doesn't return the greeting and then just walks out of the room. You're talking to me in the space area. The door shuts behind her as she leaves for the day. And Coe is still not roused. I look at Rhett and I'm like, that's the Coe I know. All right. Yeah. So much for getting some sleep. Five letter word for Piniped No I don't like doing these Come on Too early for that For what? Seals four letters Five letter word for Piniped What's Piniped? Piniped Pin up head? Yeah. Is walrus? No, that's six letters. Damn it. It's around this time that the front desk calls up to you and lets you know that Pixel has arrived at the Golden God Hotel and is here to greet you for a morning and take you out on the town and show you some fun stuff to do as you while away the hours. But you will have to go get caught. Don't worry. I'll handle this. and I'll walk up to Ko's door which is left slightly ajar after the exit of the Solari woman and I'll knock on the door and say hey Ko, come on, we gotta go, you alright? How do I feel? You and I'll say you as well I'll wake up totally unencumbered but you feel particularly drained you're feeling like a little sluggish and And you both share this feeling, so it's not just because of the events of your year. But you both feel relatively particularly energy, drained kind of like your energy. You can maybe, at the rousting of Pike, start to kind of like feel yourself come to. And you'll feel a similar sensation throughout the morning. Though you may not attribute it necessarily to being hungover. I think I stay up late the most nights. I don't know if I would differentiate it, right? And I do have a high enough con where I feel like I can be justified in being like, you know what, I'm all right. I'm plus four. Yeah. Perfect. Hey, Coe, come on. We've got to get moving. I can make you a prairie orsher if you want. They brought a few extra eggs up. What the fuck? I'm telling you, after it goes down smooth, you'll feel better. Can they have a piece of coffee? Sort of. Drink it at your own risk. No, it's good coffee. It's just in a weird machine that they don't like for some reason. Okay. I'll get up. Because room is strewn about. I don't, like, poke my head into the bar. Just enough to, like, be like, hey, you know, we're here to rouse you. I, like, look like death as I walk over. I'll... Fuck, this thing is forever. No, Ziggy, if it was seals, the clue would have been a five-letter word for pin-a-pens. It can't be seals. Oh, I'll keep looking. Don't look it up. That defeats the point. What do you mean? It's like looking up a strategy guide. Don't you want to win? No, you do it more for the act of it. For the proud of completing it. Anyway. I'll continue my crossword. Is there me? If you want it, we can call for it. Recognizing that Pixel is waiting on you downstairs in the lobby, you get yourselves together and we'll say, make your way to meet her in the lobby. Wait, it is for you. Who the fuck wrote this book? I thought it was. I was going to be like, Zalophis and Ataria. It was way off. Oh, God. And we'll run down to the lobby. You get yourselves together for the day, shaking off some of the rust from the evening before. You make your way down that hallway to the elevator, and you're all feeling it just a bit, but man, does that view as you're coming down work to really breathe the life back into you. Until you hit that grand, open, expansive foyer of the Golden God Hotel, and you see Pixel waiting there for you. Hey, Pixel! Oh, hi! Hey. It's me. Do you recognize me? Do you look any different? No. Of course we do. Yeah, good morning. I'm so glad I spotted you the moment you got downstairs. Yep. Well, hopefully you found the hotel okay. Oh, yeah. This place is huge. It is. Or it's shiny. We can afford it really, really easily because of Rhapsody Records. Are you okay? I don't know. Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be fine. I just need like a plate of bacon, a little bit of sausage, some ham. Oh, my gosh. You want to go to brunch? I mean, brunch? What the fuck is that? What do you mean, what is brunch? It's breakfast and lunch, all in the same thing at the same time. Wait, isn't that just lunch? No! No, it comes before lunch. You have it before lunch, but after breakfast, and you can have alcohol. Yeah. Before, before. A little hair of the dog without fucking eggs and sauce in it. Now, I don't know if we can do brunch for too long, though, because we've got to get down to the sandy beach. We're going to do volleyball today. Beach volleyball? Yeah. Beach volleyball? Yeah, peachy beach. I love beach volleyball. Let's do that. That sounds awesome. Do we need to go change? We can change down at the beach. We should go shopping after brunch and get out this way to the beach. I'll get the car. Everybody stay here. And I'll ride over where the valet is, get the keys, get the car. Do you want to drive my car? Miss Pixel Pop, if you don't mind, I think Mr. Rye would be more comfortable in our vehicle. Oh, you're right, yeah. You have a car? You brought a car? It's not my car. Oh. But it's a car I drive sometimes. Well, I feel like we'll be more comfortable in our own car. That's true. Mine is Globensight. And plus, it would be an honor for me to drive you around as well. Oh, okay. I would love to ride in your car. I'll be right back. And I'll go get the car ready and get the car from here. Barry greets you. He gets the keys. He brings the car around. You're able to jump in. You get the door for everybody. Yep, yep. I'll just smoke a cig while I wait for everybody to take the time, you know, and all that good stuff. You do so, and you can all clamber into the back of this beautiful luxury car as Rhett and Ziggy kind of scoot in. Pixel, as you move in, the back is enormous, and this is not a level of luxury you're too unaccustomed to, but this is very nice. It's like a step above. Yeah, it's odd that the seats are all stained, but aside from that it's an extremely nice interior What's that smell? It's Bahamut Blast Yep Yeah it is Well we were making a car most of expected cold it's huge in here You should snake You got room above your head and I'm standing up on the seat to do it Yeah exactly and there's a whole as you walk in on the right side of the car The whole other side is also lined with another kind of like bench style seat where you can lounge about. There's a ton of room to enjoy and settle in. Sit anywhere you like. Okay. Can I sit next to you? Please. And Pixel will plop down next to Rhett and the seats are up high enough that she's just kicking her feet. They don't reach the floor. This is so cool. This is the kind of guy I'd ride around if I was a star. This podcast is brought to you by our Patreon. Become a patron today at patreon.com slash legends of Avantriff and gain access to tons of exclusive perks including a monthly movie night and a weekly Patreon exclusive campaign set on the high seas, Shroud over Saltmarsh. You can also go to thecrookedmoon.com to pick up your own copy of our first published supplement, The Crooked Moon, a folk horror tome for Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, And don't forget to snag all the extra goodies like dice, miniatures, plushies, a tarot deck, and more. Thank you. All right, Pike. Brunch. Yes, sir, Mr. I. Peachy Beach. Peachy Beach. Peachy Beach. That's beach volleyball in all of the lands and space. And with Pixel's directions, I take anybody where they want to go. I take us all where we want to go. And Pixel begins to direct you towards the Viper Strip. Known primarily for it, it has this kind of like windiness to it as these shops float in the section, in these kind of cut into this section of the hills. These shops elevated, beautiful, luxurious shopping. but also some of the best restaurants you can encounter in the area that do serve absolutely fantastic brunch. And you can navigate. It takes you a little bit to get from the hotel and kind of make your way. And you're getting used to this kind of like airways, city kind of traffic maneuver. It's a little different from piloting a ship. It's also a little different from driving a normal car. There's something that's just specific enough about it that you have to kind of get comfortable with it. But you've been able to reach that point. And you eventually make your ways to the Viper Strip. I have a suggestion. It's my favorite place. But we don't have to go to it if it's not your thing. What do you mean? It's this really cool It's this really cool Brunch place called Black Hole Sunny Side Up and did somebody Say pizza? That sounds like a Brunch place. Oh is that it over there? Yeah. Tagline is won't you Come in and eat? Yeah. I know it doesn't look Seriously but I'm telling you There's a floating Chalkboard that Has it drawn in chalk out front Sounds good to me Sounds good to me We have brunch You go into the black hole I ordered three mablemosas I had some mablemosas I saw Perkin up a little bit A picture of mablemosas Could you show yourself Immediately Everyone Most everyone in this town Knows exactly who you are And when you walk into a restaurant Especially on the Viper Street Man, we probably get street exercise. People hop, too, right? They see people coming. They know that you get prime attention. So the second you walk in, this beautiful restaurant stretches out in front of you. It's booths all the way around as they kind of spider out through the room. Nice green foliage kind of lounging above these chairs and booth sections. Kind of casts a comforting scene as you go in. and you sit down and begin to enjoy your brunch meal. The moblimoses hit the table in a picture format. When in Paradise City, right? I will pay for everything. When Rhett goes to pay for it, Pixel will pull out Mr. W's car. Whoa! No, no, no! This week's on Mr. W. He wouldn't have it any other way. Are you sure? I mean, I'm happy. Oh, yeah. I mean. So he, like, made me a credit card skin. It's attached to our account, but it says Rhapsody Records on it. Oh, yeah. Awesome. I mean, are you sure? I'm happy to get this. Absolutely. It would just hurt him through and through if he wouldn't accept his hospitality. Well. I wouldn't want to do that. Very generous. Of course, everything this week is on Mr. W. Beetle Hawk seems like an alright guy. Oh yeah, he's the best. Looking forward to meeting him. Alright, well... That was a very delicious black egg in a hole. It was really fucking good. Extra meat, extra beef, extra pork, extra chicken, extra ham. And every brunch plate comes with a personal pizza. Jesus. Wow. Exactly, I mean, this is where he's calling his awesome. Innofichele! Innofichele! Innofichele! Did somebody say Pinchel? Ziggy has a call. Ziggy destroys this table. Innofichele! This is where the circumstance works when he's not working. Oh, yeah. Oh, Pinchel! How's your Pinchel? How's your Pinchel? How's your Pinchel? How's your Pinchel? How's your Pinchel? How's your Pinchel? You Pinchel Bob, your friend. I remember you. What do you know? What do you say? What do you say? What do you know? Good to see you. Enjoy. Enjoy. Can I get another special here? Oh, here you go. I can't afford that guy's name. My mimosas. I'll have one more. Oh, I think we can just more napses, too. Oh, yeah. Yeah, he did whatever he did. Just put the mimosas on the table, bro. Oh, we got a tough guy over here. What's your job? You dropped the car, I probably don't know. I look him in the eye and say, I drive. Oh, yeah. All right. You have all the mablemosas you could possibly need. You're full. You're so full from brunch on personal pizza. I shouldn't have had the third personal pizza. I thought it only counted as one slice. If you take two slices and just put it into a sandwich, it seems the same psychologically. Oh, God. You make your way to the beach. You get back in the car and you drive to Peachy Beach. This is a private beach club that you know is invested in by Mr. Weedwalks. weed walks. So as you drive up to it, this gorgeous white sand, pristine stretches out in all directions, and you can see the coast right behind it, just very close beyond an enclosed gate that keeps you away from it. It says Peachy Beach Private Club over the bars. They see you, you roll down the window, and you're hanging out the side, waving at people as you come up, and the second they see you, the gates swing open as you're able to drive the car through easily. Nice. You pull over to this private beach club inlaid into this hill, and you can go in. It's gorgeous. It has the smell of the sea in it. As you go in, the floors are just a little wet just from people coming back in from the beach and going out to it. Anything you could possibly want there. if you didn't bring items yourself, either beachwear, towels, more mablimosas, anything you could possibly need, you have the ability to access. I don't change at all. I have my sandals, I have my long shorts, trunks, and I have my massive T-shirt, which is going to get extremely hot in the sun. It's a black tee, and it still has that same design on the front. But I don't feel the need to get into swimwear or Beyond Vet or anything along those lines. All I do is I get out a little bit of sunscreen and I give myself one of the nose markings. You have a nose line of sunscreen. As you all get in your beachwear, you grab towels and you make your way out onto PG Beach. And it is bumping. there's not a ton of people all over the place because it's private and reserved but there are sections, chairs strewn out that hover just above the sand if you want to sit and enjoy yourselves there's a whole section closed off that has, it's almost like roped off in this gorgeous kind of like similar red satin rope that arcs around this section that says reserved for Pixel Pop that you can walk up to, set your stuff down, and enjoy your day at the beach? Normally, if he wasn't trying to be a record producer, Rhett would be wearing a large hound white t-shirt and very big baggy swim trunks. But to be more fitted appropriately, Rhett has on some very stylish kind of like neon animal print swim trunks, a tank top, and maybe like an open Hawaiian shirt with some like jewelry chains and stuff around the neck. I'll be wearing like a super tight like form-fitting like almost a tank top and then like really and tight athletic shorts. I was going to say, I don't know if you got that far in JJK, but I'm basically wearing what Gojo Sashiro was wearing at the beach during the inventory arc. Where, like, you know, nice, like, you know, kind of, kind of like retro older swim trunks that are a little bit shorter. Yeah. But then, like, a button-up, like, almost like a, you know, a short button-up that would be open, like, nice bright colors, almost not quite Hawaiian, but something that could be buttoned up. Like a magnum collar, Tom Sellick kind of outfit. Yeah, sunglasses, hair, again, not like it was at the club, very much back to normal where I just kind of let it fly, where I can lift the sunglasses up, put them back down, right? Very casual, but can cover up if needed. Yeah. Good to go. Pixel would be in a holographic bikini. Nice. But she's got the little, like, ruffles that go around the bottoms, and then an extra line of ruffles on the butt. Her hair is exactly the same as it was before with her holographic bow. And then instead of her classic pink pumps, she's wearing glittery pink jelly shoes. That's very fine. That's what she wears a piece. Go? Did you say already? Yeah. Oh, okay, okay. So, Pixel, you also know that as a portion, this is a huge sight to see if you can get here as a tourist, if you kind of rank the ability to enjoy this private beach. Dang. What they've set up for you right in front of the area that you're lounging in, of course, you can go, you can swim, you can enjoy the day however you'd like, but they do have a classic volleyball net set up for you to play each other, should you choose. Okay, let's fucking go Pike and I have to be on opposite teams It's probably for the best Remember I've always said I could crush you with these volleyball I'm always saying that Yeah, we'll see But we're It would be three of you too It's not their team I think you and Rich would be on the other side I mean, I'm very good What? Just you and me or you and me And then three on the other side Are we sure about that? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I've been playing volleyball forever. I am excellent. If the kid says so, so be it. All right. Well, I'm very bad. It works out then. Yeah. Yeah. Why don't you go with him, and I'll go with them. Do me, Mike. Let's go. I look less than thrilled. The kid's a ringer I'll mostly watch But I'll maybe hustle and grab a ball or two We'll see how this goes Are you ready? I am I've been playing volleyball since I was young Since I was a little kid I have every platinum trophy I visibly cringe Just get ready Oh and Don't line up directly under code I mean, someone would have to play defense, right? Okay. You, sir. And I broke. Are we starting? You begin. Let's go. I'm going to flip a coin to see who begins. Gotcha. That's what I was asking. The teams are you two and then you three? Yeah. No pixel rat versus Python. And Pix will be looking at everything that Ko does, and we'll be mimicking all of it. Because she doesn't really know what she's doing. So when she sees the neck stretches, she's doing it like the flexes. You're off in the lounge on the stand, enjoy the sun kind of beach there. Now you're trying to like. I'm trying to impress and know them. We'll start with Pike and Ziggy. As I'm holding the ball and getting ready to serve, I look across the net and I see Ko and I kind of just. without being at all, you know, coy about it, I just say, try not to kill the kid, and then I serve. And I just try to do the best I actually can and murder this ball across the net. Group, athletics, or acrobatics? That's going to be up to him, Pike. I'm taking acrobatics, personally. Yeah. Everybody, acrobatics or athletics roll? Yes. Okay. Okay. Not bad. There we go. I got a... Oh, 23. 23, okay. 60 plus 7. I got a 17. 17, okay. 26. 26. You said athletics or athletics? I said athletics. Whichever you prefer. 26. I got a 7. 7? 27? What did you say? 26. 26 and 7 and 17. 23. I rolled an 18, so I got a 20. Not bad. Not bad. Not bad. That's kind of. Wow. See? I thought it was natural ones. What? You begin, this volley goes back and forth. Pike, you throw the ball up, you leap into the air, your legs curl behind you, and you crush the first shot. It goes straight at Coe, who sets it, and it sets it up. Rhett, or catches it. Sorry. Rhett sets it up, and Pixel leaps into the air and fires it back on your side. And somehow, Ziggy manages to catch him. You know, I'm just like, hold on, right? And the ball fires at Ziggy. It hits his hands almost like, ah! And it launches back up in the air until, Pike, you jump up one more time. You slam the shot down, and it lands in the sand, spinning in as you two get the first point. I hit the ground. I immediately turned to Ziggy, and I'm like, where the hell did that come from? Not! What, were you all right? That was good luck, Ziggy. Hey, come on, kid. That was the first volley. Good check. I take my shirt off and throw it off into the sand. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. There he is. Oh, now he's wearing it. Oh, no. You start to gloss him a little bit. I see that Ko is good at this, and I'm like, oh, game on. I was kind of standing there almost like watching with my hands off my hips. I get an 8. With a natural one, I also get an 8. 20. 20? 17. Nice! 24! I'm watching Ko like a hawk, and I am emulating everything that she does. And so when it comes towards me, I want to like bolt towards her and have her toss me up so I can smack it. Oh, that's great. Yeah! Don't... you guys actually will serve back at them. So you'll start, Rhett, you'll hit the ball over almost kind of like lazily. It's easy for them to catch it. But it's still kind of, it hits. There you go. All right, Rhett, let's go. It hits Ziggy square on the face, and that's the only way he's able to get it back up in the air. As Pike, you leap up to hit it, and your hand just kind of catches it a little awkwardly. Glancing blow. You don't give it the power you intended to. And that slow-moving ball makes it exceptionally easy for them to catch in the turn. Ko, once again, expertly catches the ball, launches it up in the air, swings out with a leg, and kicks Pixel, launching her super high up in the air as she slams, spikes the ball back down, and it crushes into your side as you all take the next point. Did I get a point? Yeah, you're fucking crazy! I'm not bad at all! I'm not bad at all! I'm high-fiving everybody. I'm also wearing aviators, by the way. Of course you are. I am full Top Gun at this moment. You're wearing denim jeans, no shirt. Well, not that far. I'm one of those kind of beaches. After I give Pixel a high-five, just to, you know, say, like, great shot. I turn back to Ziggy, and I'm like, all right, come on, man. We've got to get our head back in the game here, all right? Yeah, yeah. It's your serve. And I catch the ball from the go, and I throw you the ball. I got it. I got it. I got it. It's my serve. All right, all right, all right. Just remember everything that you remember from all your beach volleyball and all your team, the overplay. Athletics or acrobatics? Oh, I got 26. I'm going to 19. Oh. 15. 9. 26 with a natural 20. Ziggy, what'd you get? 13. 13! And I'll hit. But I don't really, I can't like spike it or drive it really hard. It lobs over the net. This ends up being a ferocious volley back and forth. The ball goes over the net multiple times as Coe is all over the place. He's got it. He's still responding. Oh, you've got to go. Brett is calling out encouragement as he lays against the ball. But Cole is doing most of the work. And then it gets to you guys. It's a similar scene. As you are moving like lightning. I see myself turning right from the center of our side. I turn right, and Pike's already jumped to the other side and hit the ball. And then I turn to the left to cover that other side. But you've actually already outpaced me. It's just going back and forth. I'm just trying to keep up. This is starting to look very much like Pike vs. Cohen Pixel at this point as it's a ferocious volley back and forth until the ball skyrockets Pike slams a huge hit and it doesn't look like you're going to get to it but then Code dives at the last moment and catches the ball on the forearms firmly on the ground and launches up just a little bit until Pixel leaps off your back and you're able to give a light push as she ascends once more into the air and spikes it back down. And Ziggy can't get it quite in time as the ball lands on the side of the net. Yeah! All right, good game. Brett, Dixiel, and Co. take the win. I'll walk up to Ziggy. Let's go! Let's fucking go! You crushed it! You crushed the y'all. Fucking teamwork! Hey, good try, kid, all right? That was good hustle. You guys are awesome. Better in real life. Are you winning some? Stop! You guys fucking played Drake, though. Good game, guys. Good fucking game. Good game. Good game, right? Good game, brother. Good game, yeah. Good game. Damn. I felt good. It's a little slow from last night. You guys can keep playing. I'm going to sit out for a minute. And you continue to enjoy the beach in whatever format you choose. You may go through a swim. You may continue to play another round. You may lounge out in the club. And you would do this until the night begins to wind down. The sun starts to get a little low. Pixel might take you for a nice dinner until you decide to wrap up your first day enjoying what Paradise City has to offer. That was amazing. That was really nice. It was really lovely spending time with you guys today. I appreciate you showing us around. What's on the docket for tomorrow so we can make sure to dress? Oh, gosh, you're right. Well, we could do a little more shopping at the Viper Strip if we wanted. Maybe we could do some turbo cart racing at Sunset Circuit. Oh, that sounds awesome. I'm a very good racer. Are you? Yeah. Awesome. I've only done it a couple of times. I've played hundreds of games. So, well, we'll talk about it in the morning. If that works for you all, it's up to you Hey, you and Mr. W are paying It's up to you Yeah, we can do whatever you want When in Paradise City When in Paradise City Alright, same time tomorrow Wrap these rabbits and Pixel Pop in Paradise City You have a good night Yep, you too Bye And you all go back to your respective abodes As you close out the fun of day one you wake up in the morning thinking about how cool that was, how great this place has been, how lavish that beach was, until you get ready in the morning, you wear whatever outfits you choose to match the event that is on the docket for today until eventually you meet back in the lobby with Pixel. I'm sorry, I completely missed where you said you wanted to go for detail. You mean carts? Oh, yeah, I was saying either do shopping on the Viper Strip or Turbo Carts. Perfect. you meet back up in the lobby of the Golden God, ready to take on the second day as you prepare to show them the next excellent event that you want to take them to. Did Mr. W. give an idea of what he wanted us to do today? We'll say cards. That seems like it would be very fun for the group. and he gave you the intention to take them cart racing. Perfect. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Do you sleep okay? Yeah, this place feels like we're on vacation. Well, it's not much of a surprise because I mentioned it yesterday, but we're going to the cart racing track. Yeah, all right, Kath. All right. Yeah, I mean, I'm more comfortable on a bike, but a bike, this should be your thing. You drive. This is what you do. You drive. Tell us the way, and I'll get us there. You got it. And I'll lead the way. I'm not a jabby driver, you know. So it's a baby, so. You're the big boss man, okay. So, uh, I think I may give Piker one for his money. And you navigate your way to the Sunset Circuit. You drive your way through Paradise City, and you navigate, now comfortably, Pike, until you eventually come upon this giant sign in the black and white checker with the neon logo that says Sunset Circuit. There's a small kind of house where you go in, you sign up, you can sign up yourselves to do the race, and just behind it are a row of carts. You can see kind of stretching out long, all different, mildly different shapes and sizes. It's all very obvious that these are smaller, personal carts, but they come in all sorts of colors, neon, bright, different shapes, all really cool stuff. And as you pull up, you see a group of people rocketing off as they blast away from the starting line, as these kind of neon lights run the track as they disappear out of view through the city. and you all may go in and basically pick whatever cart you think would be your pleasure I don want to influence you but this one mine And Pixel will push a button and you see a hot pink convertible basically Barbie's dream car, will show up on the track. You can really have whatever you want. Just let, oh, hey, look, it's you again, the circumstance. You work here, too? Oh, I have worked everywhere, don't you know? Oh! Oh! You could just let my, I mean, the circumstance know exactly what you want. I gotcha. It's me, the circumstance. Whatever car you want. What do you see? What do you know? What do you know? What do you see? The cars are all yours. For Pixel Pop, whatever you're looking for. I'll find the heaviest, basically the high top speed, very low handling. Yep. You know, sort of the Bowser's. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Picture Donkey Kong's barrel car. Exactly right. Just a big, you know, fast one. You're able to find that exactly. But, like, poor acceleration will come off the line very hard, but at very high top speed. Oh, yeah. As you find exactly that. Whatever elder cars you may look for, fix them. I would get something that's very, like, classic Paradise City, like the car from Outlaw. You know? Yeah, something like that, you know. and a Mario Kart. You have this, like, pastel pink go-kart that you can sit in. It's very, it's your classic experience. There's one in blue, I'll go for that one. There's a blue one instead. And you have basically the same card as in blue instead. And it's extremely well-rounded. Great acceleration, great top speed, good handling. I would also look for the Bowser Kart. I know that speed is everything, and so as long as I can stay on the track, I'm going to go for the fastest car I can get. As long as it looks sleek, wedge-like, and especially if it's in green, I will grab it. You can find that exact car. You go to the same section that Rhett's kind of in, sectioned out to the higher top speed cars. You find a sleek, long-form, green car that you know. I'm just thinking of a classic racer car from, like, Rush 2049. Like, that's what I focus on. Yep, exactly. And you find that exactly. Pike doesn't give a shit. He's, like, too cool about it. He walks up to the circumstance. He's like, split the keys in my palm, bro. Yeah. Split the keys in my palm, bro. I'm over this. Holy shit. You get just the closest car to it. Yeah. As long as it looks kind of cool, he's like, all right, that's fine. That's nice. That's nice. That's nice. Yeah. That's nice. And you all kind of, you get in your cars. as they walk you through kind of how to operate them, you know, you all kind of have to don these helmets with the safety goggles go on. And they will actually push, so they're all kind of hovering as you take place. And they will begin to kind of like shuffle your carts towards the starting line. You see that classic red, yellow, green light that counts down for everyone to kind of kick off the race. And you all take your places on the line until you're ready for the light to start, to start the race, and you go. As you go fast. I'm in the blue blur, Pike! The blue blur! Where'd you get those red shoes? Oh, you like them? Mr. Linovok's made for them. As you pull up to the line and you all get ready to take off, the light starts red. And it hits green and you erupt off the line as you go out. The track roars to life in front of you as these neon lights start racing ahead of you through the city. and what we will do is in a similar way we'll do round dex checks to see how definitely you handle your car how fast you can go and how you can enter into these glass using land vehicle tools oh so you had your proficiency that's nice 21 21 21. Oof, da. 13. Not great. Is it 8? I only get the plus 5, right? Yes. Yeah. Then 13. 13 as well. Oh, pixel. 10. 10. Coe roars off the track, quickly taking the lead as you begin to turn into the city and the buildings strewn by as you go through the, as you race through the hills, buildings tearing past you Coe's in the lead then you two neck and neck pulling right behind her followed by Pixel and then Ziggy bringing up the rear I have been thinking about every game that I've ever played in a Mario Kart setting where I need to hit the gas right at the moment that it turns yellow so that I can hit to get the boost but if you fuck it up you peel out so I peeled out now and last Yeah. Oh, fuck. Coe is saying everything so seriously and, like, completely competitive. It looks like Jesse Pinkman at the go-kart track. Look at this crap speed, look at how fast they're going. I'm like, the place is going. That's like, hang on. You turn, I do this, and it's like this. I just hit the ball. He catches that. That was lap one? That was lap one. Okay. So, Coe is firmly in the lead as everyone kind of trails behind. you're tearing through the city as eventually you break out and once again you find yourself on the coastline as you take a turn and your cars are racing following the track over the water now as you go in and I'll have everyone who's already rolled their decks rolls. 13. 26 for the natural 20. Oh! 24. 24! I got an 18. 18? 5. Oh! Like you said it's over the water? Oh, yeah, you go over to the water. So it does convert into kind of like a buoyancy. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. It goes into the water version as you blast out. Ko's still firmly in the lead, but now Pixel pulling up, able to move up several spaces. Pixel right behind. Pike right behind her, followed by, I think, Rhett and then Ziggy, if I got those numbers. What is that? 13. Oh, Ziggy. Oh, yeah, it's Eugen and Rhett. Solidly third, babe. To this point, I'll say in this track, you all drive through these glowing indicators that as you hit them, I'll have Ko roll a d4. Oh, shit. Rhett roll a d8. Everyone else rolls a d6. Oh, okay. Seven. Oh, I got a four. I also got a four. What would you get? Four. I'm going to be four. Wow. I'm rolling really well. You are crossing it. It's wild. You're meant to win this one. Everyone who gets a D4 receives the power of the power-up bomb. When you're in a sector with power-ups, you can drop the power-up bomb, which becomes nearly identical to other power-ups. When a cart other than you tries to pick up a power-up in that sector, the driver must succeed on a D15. We'll come to it if it reaches it. But you drop things that look like these power-up indicators that will force people, if they go for them, to attempt to figure out which is which. Holy shit. And drop them down. Everyone who rolled a four gets that same power, and you can lean behind. Even as a D6? If you rolled a D6 but got a four, then yes, that's the same. Okay. So everyone who got a four got that power. Got it. Ziggy, what did you get? 13. What? Oh, we're all rolling a D4? My ball is it. No, you're rolling a D6, I think. Or a D8. You're D6. Oh, that's in last. He rolled a D6. Two. Two. Yeah. You may choose a driver behind you. That's only red. As you've activated an oil slick, and you sponge out this blacky ink oil behind you, if the card's driver has to succeed on a DC 13 deck saving throw or has disadvantage on its next roll into the next round. And, Rhett, you... Oh, my God. I crush it. Well done. Well done. Well done. That's right, Ziggy. Oh, hell yeah. With a seven, you get the static shackle. As you activate it, electric lightning leaps out and hits all the other cars on the track. Oh, no. The rest of you are now disadvantaged on your dexterity rolls going into the next lap. Damn. So all lightning bolts. Yeah. Roll one more time. Everyone but red is at disadvantage. Yeah, we're all at disadvantage. Holy shit. Come on. Oh, wow. I actually did really well. I did terribly. That's actually crazy. I rolled a 15 and an 18, so my 15 gives me a 20. 11. 11. 8. 8. It's 15. 19. 19! Pike blazes in the first, followed by Red. Just come all the way from the back, dodges the oil slick, hits the lightning shackles, pulls into the second place, and followed up by the rest of you. And then we'll go into one final round to see who takes it. Everyone, one more time, roll the Dex roll. Oh, I'm getting out! Oh, no! Is it at the event? No, that was just that one round. Brutal. 11. 12. 10. 19. I got a 9. Classic. Red. That's right. As you open up on the straightaway, as you blast back in the check. You see the checkered black and white flag just ahead of you. Your car roars forward as you blaze through the finish line, taking first place. followed, I think, in line by these three, and you might be last. How's that possible? I got a first. No, no, I rolled like a nine. Just now? Yeah. I dropped all the way back? Yeah. Oh, wow. That takes first. Okay. Everyone else in the order you were in is going to start racing through. The checkered flag is right. Easily takes first place. There's a moment you're all pulled up. It's like the old days. You're all pulled up onto a tri-stage platform where Rhett stands on the tallest pedestal with the number one. The second place, number two, and number three. As you're there celebrating your hard box. That was awesome, Rhett. How the fuck did you do that? It was so cool, Mr. Rhett. You went all the way from the back to the front. Yeah, I just got to a park where I didn't have to burn. I'll just win nice one yeah and you can continue in the same way you can continue maybe you do another couple laps another couple races as you enjoy if it's on Mr. W then it's all we'll keep going in the same way as you enter this area Pixel is immediately recognized and the second that she steps in with you in tow everything is Without question, everything is at your request and everything is taken care of. And you enjoy the rest of the day in the same fashion. So once again, you begin to, the sun would go down, wind the night, maybe get dinner, maybe this time you go back to the hotel altogether, whatever it is, until you finally close out the day. And discuss maybe whatever you'd like to do the following day. I think by day three, Pixel would stay a little bit longer at the hotel. She'd actually fall asleep on the couch and ask if you'd woken up and have to go home. Right. You know, because Mr. W will worry. And so she does. But that's how she'd end that. You watch some TV. Yeah. There's an episode of Ball Cops on where it's always in. Yeah. It's maximum law. Yeah. Maximum law. That's right. 21 criminals. One batch. No training. That's fantastic. and Pixel does that falls asleep on the couch has to be rousted later that evening to get home for the night you watch away you while away the evening watching Mall Cops on TV until you come to until you come to the next day and you enjoy day three what do you choose to do? Okay, I know we've had some really crazy days, but nothing compares to tonight. Today, really. It's going to be an all-day event. Okay. Monster Arena at the Vino Dome! Monster Arena? Yeah! Mr. W got us tickets, but not just tickets. We got a funk. What? You haven't been to a Monster Arena before? No, what is that? Oh, my God. I'm not going to spoil it. You've got to see it with your own two eyes. Okay. That's awesome. Yeah, let's do it. Casual? Should I just, you know, dress suit? No, no. Something you're comfy in. Something you can really get into it. We're going to sweat. We're going to cheer. It's going to get hot. Okay. Um, all right. Well, I'll be ready for it. Is it, do we arena, or are we just beds? No, we're spectators. Oh, all right. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's like going to an MMA bed. Yeah. All right. Just with monsters. Yeah. With huge chimeric alien beasts. Okay. I want to, like, look way fancier than I need to. Oh, yeah. Then I'll fall asleep. Yeah. We have box seats, I'll fall asleep. Yeah. You dress through the nines. In case of the, like, video Jumbotron flashes. Yeah, exactly. You're right. We need to look like. No, I think that's reasonable. I follow the same lead. You have all your jewelry on. You have one of your most gauche suits on top to bottom. Your hat is without flaw. Giant fur coat over top of it as you take your cane in one hand. You once again, all of you, make your way out of the hotel, and you head towards the Xenodome for the Monster Arena. This is a spectator blood sport where you would know, Pixel, that huge chimeric alien beasts, like truly odd alien species, apparently discovered and donated to Weedlebox by Rex Maxim on his travels. as you you'll go and see two of these gigantic beasts battle to the death in a gladiatorial fight and when you get there this is an immense this is an immense arena encircled with giant seats but as you go in in that same fashion they see you coming and you are ushered very quickly through almost like a back like a service hallway kind of a very private corridor for a moment, until you take a sharp left turn down this hallway that opens up into an elevator room. It all feels very kind of simple and hidden away, and as you get up the elevator, it opens out into this beautiful open box. Farm chairs all over the place Two rows of seats In front of this massive glass bay With a door where you can walk out And stand on a balcony And look over this giant arena This coliseum currently stands empty at its center But in the seats that line its area Filled with all manner of people You've seen all throughout your time here A large buffet of food on one side In your box and drinks ready to go in the same way anything, a fully stocked bar, whatever you can think of. Oh, they have pretzel bites. With a delicious mustard dipping sauce. And you go in. And the fight, the crowd will erupt as the monsters are not yet identified. the script begins to come up on the scene. And you'll notice that in your box there is what looks like a button system. And what you've become accustomed to is actually as these fights will go on, they will pull the crowd to trigger certain effects throughout the battle. And so the first pull erupts onto a massive jumbotron at the top that floats just above this arena. and Richie, if you wouldn't mind launching the first poll. It's like, who wants to be a millionaire? To our audience members. On Twitch. If you're on YouTube, come participate. To our real audience members on Twitch. Come participate right now. You can come participate. We're getting a poll up right now. You will be able to vote on the first terrain that these gargantuan monsters are going to battle in. you do not yet know what their battle is. Oh, without seeing the creatures. Without seeing the creatures. I see. You will pick the terrain that they will battle in before you see the creatures. Oh, this is so cool. Make it quick. We will have 60 seconds. You will have 60 seconds to vote in the poll. Vote in the poll. What is the terrain? You will get to pick. Go to Twitch. Yeah, twitch.tv. In 60 seconds, when the poll closes out, everyone who's watching you will have chosen the area. The options are coastal pillars, desert basin, or jungle canopy. Wow, this is very cool. Whatever we land on will erupt from the center of the Coliseum, taking the style of battle. And that may or may not have very serious implications. It looks like coastal pillars. Coastal Pillars and Jungle Canopy could catch up. Jungle Canopy could catch up. Coastal Pillars, desert-faced. Jungle Canopy. Can you personally, I'm hoping for. I'm going to say that. Yeah. It's cold. Oh, come on, come on, come on. We all have nice little controls. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You all have controls. Oh, you can hit your buttons. You yourselves in the audience, 10 vote. What did you get that girl? Oh, I picked Jungle Canopy. God damn it. Oh, I picked Coastal Pillars. Oh, are you fucking kidding me? what I wanted. Well, we don't know. Well, maybe the monster that I like the most will benefit from it. I was going for the Desert Basin. What was the terrain they wanted? Coastal Pillar. Coastal Pillar. So it's like a huge stadium filled with tons of people. It's like a big Pokemon stadium. Huge, just like Pokemon Stadium 2 from the Super Smash Brothers. A huge floating coliseum. Seats lined all around it. The crowd is cheering. and going wild. Now we have hazards, and the options are flare, storm, and tremor. Oh, yes. Oh, let me read the 11th. Come on! Come on, storm! Are you kidding me? Flare would be cool. Yeah, I think storm's the way you got it. Everyone, you can vote once again on the new poll. This is your monster fight hazards. The options are flare, storm, or tremor. You can vote on Twitch right now. You have 60 seconds. You have 30 seconds left to vote on Twitch to impact the actual battle that will take place in front of you. The coastal pillars in the storm is just thematic. Come on. Well, I think tremors are pretty thematic, don't you think? It's boring. Storms are cool looking. What's boring about tremors? These giant worms come up out of the ground and kill people. I didn't know that. I thought it was going to be like shaky. Oh, no. Tremors are awesome. Well, can I change my vote? Shit. Oh, no. We're not kidding. Oh, no. Let's get it. Pike's over here. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. No! All right. Let's pair that up. And one more poll. I rolled my sleeves even more. I'll show off my tattoos. I'm flexing a little bit. Oh, my God. One more poll, everyone. The last poll. It's going up right now. You will have 60 more seconds to vote, audience. 60 more seconds. You monster fight the Furies. Choose one of these Furies. What does it mean? We don't know. I don't know. I just got three lists. We don't know. The Furies. You must choose the Fury. Blinding Strike, Crushing Blow, and Off Balance. Blinding Strike, Crushing Blow, and Off Balance. I don't want to influence this one. This is pretty close. I am not going to influence, but I'm pressing one. Come on. I'm pressing one as well. I'm going to look at what co-presses and press the same thing. Come on. Come on. This is a lot closer than the others. Come on. Vote. You have about 30 seconds left. If you're on Twitch or if you're on YouTube, come over to Twitch. Vote in the poll. There's 30 seconds. Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. Oh, it's so close. Oh, it is. Next and next. Oh! Oh! Whoa! Oh, my God. Wow. This is so close. Come on, God. Oh, my God. It's so close. That's wild. Oh, jeez. Oh! This is equal! No. Oh, family. It is flipping around. I know which one I'm voting for. You hit me so. Gosh, this is crazy. Oh, my God. What's it going to be? There's like two seconds. Oh! So, here's what I propose. It's a tie. It's a tie. It's an exact... Yes, yes. We blinded everyone. Holy shit! And a tiebreaker! Oh, it's me, the situation. I'm the announcer. You can go to the announcer voice. Yes. And we have... Welcome to the Xenodome. Two, three, four, five. Here's one. Just write one or two. Oh, my goodness. It ain't Xenodome first. The Furies. We have a tie. between blinding strike and crushing blow. You're done. You keep yours, obviously. We must go into the tiebreaker. Oh, sorry. One is blinding strike. Two is crushing blow. Thank you. Man, this is crazy. This is actually so critical. That's unbelievable. We're going into sudden death where we decide between blinding strike and crushing blow. You don't have to type. You've already voted. I'll take my bed back to the table. Okay, here we go. All right, we got in booth one for two, two for two, three for two, and that does it. That doesn't. It was... Crushing Blow was also two. Everybody unanimously voted two. Crushing Blow! I love that you all picked the final one. The crushing blow is the winner. Can you believe it, ladies and gentlemen? You have selected the three options for this battle dome, monster battle in the Xeno Dome, donated by and sponsored by the Rex Maxim Real Space Cowboy Lady Luck Smiley Casino Tour, happening in one month, kicking off at 7th Heaven Casino. In the, what was it called? The Rocksville sector. Yeah. And as the pole fades away from the Jumbotron up top, you see a lit up all around on all sides, a familiar billboard where before you saw which one will win, and dark gargantuan silhouettes. Now they fill out as you see the forms of a massive, chimeric, muric, hideous constrictor eel. And this is a Leviathan-type eel of the depths with a long, terrible body. Let me just... A long, terrible body. Two gross antennas extending back from the top of its head. These terrible yellow eyes that sit on either side of the face above a long cut mouth with rows of jagged razor teeth. Facing off across of it, a chimera... Sorry. It's the terror of the deep! A chimeric demolisher beetle. A beetle the size of a building erupts out of the ground with a giant bladed deep navy rhino horn almost. A large blade erupts from its back as its carapace turns out and forms into a strong, terrible, curved, dark-bladed shell as it lets out a hideous roar. And Mountain Crusher! Terror of the Deep versus Mountain Crusher! Wow, the coastal flats might be, what was it called? Coastal pillars. Will the water help terror of the deep, or will this mountain crusher cross the pillars? And the exact option of the coastal pillars erupts on the jumbotron in front, blinking, and as it does, the ground shakes and trembles as weathered spires of rock rise from turbulent waters of a windlash bay as liquid floods into the arena. You hear almost the crackling of lightning as the air turns storm. These terrible spires are rising out of the water. The rock is mottled gray and crystalline pink. The beetle leaps up out of the ground so as to not touch the water, clings onto the pillars. Can we place the device on our device too? Can we vent on this? Oh, yeah, absolutely you can. I'm just, and especially if it's... Terror of the Deep. Absolutely Terror of the Deep. No shot. No shot for Mountain Crusher. I'm voting for the deal as well. No shot for Mountain Crusher. Terror of the Deep, 100%. I mean, I am wearing a shirt that says the horror from Planet Aurora. I'm going to have to go Terror of the Deep. You can see as the pillars erupt and the Colosseum floods with this turbulent water, the beetle leaps off the ground and lands on one of these pillars it's a depth powerful movement but with the area now flooded it's movement restricted to having to leap between these pillars to attack at the eel and they have a tightness clash but the eel moves deftly and easily through the waters of this arena now as it snakes around this beetle and grabs in its jaws and bites at it This terrible maw closes around and hits huge piercing blow as it tears into the side of this beetle. And the crowd goes wild. Yeah! Get a terror of the day! Let's fucking go! The second result from the poll begins to flash on the screen for hazards. You see storm as it erupts. and yellow green clouds royal overhead and pour in as the terrible water stays in the section of the arena with the spires the beetle still hanging on these yellow green clouds roll in overhead and unleash a torrential downpour but not water adding to the liquid of the eel but acid oh damn the demolisher beetle with this incredibly dense carapace wrapped around it. You see the droplets land and roll off the shell of the beetle. But as it hits the eel, you can hear this stinging as the acid mixes into the water. It burns away at the body of the eel as it takes massive damage. It's like the friar, short Joe Golden. Ah, fuck. Took me a second. There's a loud shriek of the constrictor eel as it erupts in a roar as these terrible droplets fall to the ground. The third and final poll result blinks on the screen. Before you continue, if you're on Twitch, you can make a prediction right now on who will win. It's neck and neck. It seems very neck and neck. While the terror of the deep is comfortable in the water, this acid rain is sizzling its skin. Meanwhile, the mountain crusher is impervious. Which fury will reign supreme? Which monster will survive? It's a battle to the death. That's very cool. You have how long? Not very. Seconds. Yeah. Two kineric monsters face off against each other. The beetle once more as the acid rain continues to fall. The eel slithering in the water, slithering around the spires that have erupted out of the ground as they face off against each other. The beetle stands and looks down at the eel and then lunges as it charges forward. It crashes into the eel. Its piercing nose stabs straight into the back, cutting clean through towards the end of the eel. But that was not the space to strike. as the EO with a crushing blow erupts out of the water and you get a full sense for truly how enormous this is now with its body hidden by this standing water at times. It raises up into the sky until it arcs down and with a furious blow, mouth wide open, almost flat, as its jagged teeth all point down, as it slams down into the aracus of the beagle. You hear a crushing crack as the entire back of this beetle shatters. Damn! As these dark navy fragments of beetle shell fly off into the audience. Some of them catching and hitting. Damage is occurring in the crowd as this shrapnel erupts. until the eel lunges back, holds the beetle in its mouth, totally pierced by its razor jaws as it claps down and splits the beetle in two, releasing a terrible cry into the night, standing victorious above the beetle. until the Coliseum is quickly shielded over and tenders rush in and begin to zap and attempt to get it back under control as the crowd goes crazy and erupts for the terror of the deep. The crowd is going absolute apeshit. I'll go grab on a picture. Yeah, we did it! We did it! We did it! We did it! We did it! Yeah! How many did we win? Did we move on each show? I've been on the right one! Oh, the odds were terrible, though. I don't fucking care! Just tear the deep means to fight another day! It's more than we had this morning. And tear of the deep reigns supreme, destroying Mountain Crusher. This was not a mountain that could be crushed. It cannot harm the tear in its own domain. And thank you for attending this monster battle at the Xeno Dome. And remember to visit any one of the casinos on the tour of Rex Max and Real Space Cowboy Lady Lux Smiley Casino Tour starting in one month. Start kicking off at 7th Heaven Casino in the Roxhill sector. Thank you, Mikey. That is exactly how the show comes to it. And then you hear, like, the commercial... That's right. Disco kicks in and it says, he's a desperado among the stars. The commercial plays on. And the commercial plays on. Oops. Everybody gets their points. Very cool. That was the coolest fucking thing I've ever seen. Man, that was pretty badass. Thank you, Mr. Weedlebox. I can't believe... I've never seen anything like that. So violent. How often does this go on? Oh, I don't know. I've been to a handful, but I spend most of my time at the Glitz Room. What do you think? It's always such a week to come out. It's a month for it on the way in. I mean, it's got to be, you know, not that old. Probably about 12 a year. I mean, that's, I mean, Jeff, he's finding new, strange, new, undiscovered species and life forms from strange worlds. That's probably taking some time. Yeah, you can't do that every day. Especially when he's busy at the casino, apparently. Yeah, Rex Maxon, sure, it's cool. Yeah, he really is. I can't believe he wrangled those guys. That's incredible. Why not one man wrangled one of those creatures? You guys said he was a loser. I mean, look, you saw that. I mean, those things were massive. They're fucking wet. I mean, that guy, he's the real space cowboy. No, he just put his name on it. They probably just paid him a fucking laugh. So hard to believe that one person was able to do that. You never saw the original show? You don't know. You've only seen him in real life. It's different. Yeah, it's different. God, that was awesome. Well, look, if he managed to somehow get those things from some other world and get them here, then I got to give him props. That's fucking impressive. I am so fucking amped up. I'm ready to rage tonight. Oh. Let's go. You want to go for the rest of the week? And you do so. You head out into the night, and you go rage, excited by the blood sport, the terrible blood sport you just witnessed. You have an incredible time. And you spend the night much like you do, enjoying each other's company, having a great time, clubbing, hitting parties, whatever it looks like. And for the rest of the week, you now continue on in a similar fashion. Pixel will show up in the morning, come get you from the Golden God Hotel, and take you to various luxury sites and scenery throughout Paradise City. And if there's anything in particular anyone would want to hit or want to do, you can call that out. Otherwise, you continue to hit shops, go clubbing, and party all throughout the week. I think I just want to hit various clubs beyond the Glitz Room. Yeah. And, like, maybe a different club every night or just, like, a few. She was out there. And playing the whole, doing the whole act again, right? And just sort of getting the word to spread about Rye and Rhapsody Records. Hell yeah. So it's not just the glitz room. It's sort of like, you know, sort of spreading the word that we're here and that we're like with you. Pixel takes you to the Moxie, the Atom Lounge, the Boa Go-Go. You hit a ton of different nightclubs, different vibes. Even throughout the week as you were closing down, you were grabbing dinner, you were going to these clubs. doing that same kind of thing, putting on that classic Rhett Rye vibe, letting people know that you're here, you're looking for talent, you're having a great time, but you're in really establishing yourself. I would go, well, what I'll say is if it's every night and we're always clubbing and we're always, there's a certain point where my social batteries run out. And so I would probably either wake up one morning or one afternoon be like, I'm going to go do business, Dad. And I would have some rest and relaxation. But during that time, I think that I would reflect about what this week feels like and what this all means. And I think that at some point I might privately go to the Viper Strip and just see if I could shop a little bit on my own and see if I could find some spots. I can hypergrid, look up some spaces. And if I could go and spend a few dollars of my own, I would at least check things out just to enjoy things sort of privately and on my own terms instead of the speed and deception of everything that's going on with Pixel. Absolutely. You'd be able to call a car for kind of like Ziggy's big day out, you know, and you make your way back to the Viper Strip strewn with shops all around you and that kind of windy path as you're seen going in and out of shops, carrying bag after bag. yeah I think so I think for the most part Pike would be trying to like lay low amongst the group trying to sell this part of just being a driver right like he's just he's literally just there to carry bags and be a driver and like not draw too much attention to himself and I'm just observing I'm watching what Pixel Pop is doing trying to get an idea of like who she is as a person and just like taking it all in and and making sure I keep my eye out for Mr. Rye and all this stuff. But I think if given the opportunity, especially if Pixel were to approach me and, like, initiate conversation, I might then engage and ask some questions and maybe drop hints that in the past I would have ridden the red line, you know what I mean, over the year and there, insinuating that there may have been some past drug use in my past and I don't do it anymore because Mr. Rye has employed me and now I have a good career and this is what I'm here for. And just kind of make sure that Pixel understands that I'm in the know. I get it. But now I'm Mr. Rye's driver. That's what I do. I still like to drink and party, but not like I used to. You play the week cool, putting out that vibe. And should that occur, you definitely are capable of conveying that to Pixel. And just being friendly and trying to get you nowhere and relate on certain levels. Oh, yeah, throughout all the day, all these moments, snapshots of you at the beach, snapshots of you carrying bags, pixels leaping in front of you excitedly, dancing at nightclubs, you know, not outlandishly, but enjoying the time in the company of these people. And we can move to the final night. I think that I think that Ko would absolutely be I think getting like too into it. I think she's too into the role. I think she'd be partying. She would be taking the one-ups like the hallucinogenic. I think she would probably try. I mean, if Pixels is offering Glimmer at a point. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I think whatever. Yes. In my most, I mean all. Yeah, all night. I think that Ko's doing Glimmer, doing whatever. And I think the I think that they're basically getting really into it. Trying to encourage Rat, trying to encourage Pike, trying to encourage Ziggy to also party and get fucking degenerate. Because we're at Paradise City. That's what you do here. I think that I would also I would try to play the role. And that means doing the whole Paradise City thing. And I wouldn't hold back, per se. And I think that maybe one moment that would be, like, when we're on the Viper's trip, I think that, like, we'd be, like, passing by a whole variety of stores and then Coe would be, you'd see Coe would, like, lingering out front of the Howdy Bunny store. And there's a variety of cute characters or whatever. And she'd kind of be, like, lingering and, like, looking at it. Especially after, like, some drinks. And it's a glimmer. It's a glimmer, absolutely. And she'd kind of, like, everyone's up ahead and be like, oh, wait, where's Coe? And you'd look back and she'd be kind of, like, staring wistfully at the Howdy Bunny store. And there's like a little bunny with a little cowboy hat, like Howie Bunny and Waving. There's all sorts of cute stuff in there. And then as soon as you met, she's like, I don't want any of that baby shit. This sucks. And then she would immediately, immediately go on. This shit fucking sucks. I don't care about this. It's for babies. It's for like, it's for the tourists. And then she would move on. And so, and then. But their dog character's kind of cute, actually. But no, I understand. I understand. Howdy, Bunny. Are you kidding me? What? I'm an adult. Fuck. spits on the ground. Yeah. And all of that happens, exactly. You're at the Howdy Bunny store and that exactly. And that will bring us towards the end of the week. It will be kind of midday on the final day. This is around the time pixel that you were expecting to kind of report back to Weedlevox on how the week has been, what it looks like and kind of give your insights on this group of people now that you've come a little bit more to know about them. Before Pixel leaves on this day, I would want to have had a moment to try and connect with her and give her some of the things that I've shopped for. Because I feel a little guilty about everything that we're doing and not being able to be my full Ziggy self. And so at some point over the course of this week, after having gone shopping, I would have come to Pixel and been like, hey, I don't know if you need this stuff, but I was out on the town, and I got you a gift. You got me a gift? Well, I got you two gifts. You got me two gifts? Well, I got you three gifts. You got me three whole gifts? Well, yeah, I mean, one of them is a card, but like, you know, here, here, here, here. This is a, it's one of those clamshell mirrors. I thought that you really enjoy, you know, that way you can always make sure you're looking your best. That's amazing. And she'll take out her lipstick and reapply it. Thank you so much, Tiki. This is the nicest thing anyone's ever done to me. And a lipstick. I don't know if it's actually a color that you like, but I understand that it sort of changes color with your mood. Gasty? I've always wanted this one. It's sold out every time I go in. I guess I just got lucky. Wow. And then a card. It's just a little nice something. You've been so generous with Mr. W's money You want me to read it in front of you? I don't know, that feels a little weird Can I? I mean, if you want to Okay, I'll open it and read it out loud It says, Pixel You have such terrific energy and I just think that you're the greatest and, you know Thank you so much for all a fantastic week It is a very standard card but it is very heartfelt It says, you know, you've got big main character energy. Vicky, can I hug you? Yeah, sure. Oh, my gosh. And she's just going to run and, like, throw herself into his arms. I do one of the, like, not quite sure how to do it. You can hug back. And then I immediately dive in and go into a little hug. Buddy, I got you something, too. I didn't spend money on it, though. I hope that's all right. Oh, no, I didn't expect anything. You took us go-karting, and we got to see a bunch of fucking monsters kill each other. Yeah, we did our couple, and we won, too. I can't believe it. Yeah, do you remember the first day when we went to the Viper Strip? Uh-huh. Do you remember how I dragged you into the photo booth? Yeah. And you didn't want anything to do with it? No. Well, I got the photos from that, and I wanted to give them to you so that you'd never forget me. Oh. And it's like a strip of five different photos, and on all of them, Ziggy is clearly trying to play a handheld game. and Pixel is doing things on, like, the peace sign, or, like, face, like, dancing, or, like, behind him. That's so fucking good. Every single one, he's in a different position, like, pulling his hood down and trying to play his games, but he's clearly not having any of it. Yeah, I'm very Mr. Robot in that scene. I'm, like, I don't want to be taken, a photo, like, taken of me in a situation like that. I don't trust it. They can send these to the government. Yeah. Just in case things don't work out, and I don't know when we'll see each other again. I just want to make sure you didn't forget me because this week's really meant a lot to me. I mean, I got all of you something. I hope that's okay. Oh, yeah. That's very generous of you. Like I said, you didn't have to do that. I wanted to get you something special because I agree. I don't want to, you know, we want to make sure the label does well and we want to make sure all this stuff is good. But if you, you know. This has been one of the best weeks of my life, and I've had a rough month. You didn't have to do anything. I mean, this is more than enough. It was just, I don't know, I don't want to speak for anyone else, but for me it felt like more than just business, you know? I really felt like I got to know you all. Yeah. I truly know you. And I don't have much familiarity with record labels and people who work for them, But, gosh, you guys sure are great. Well, for you, Mr. Red, you cut so much on your shoulders. You know, and I have experience with that because of Mr. W and all. But one thing that helps me when my schedule's really busy is, well, I have my Digi Diary. And Pixel pulls up this, like, bright neon pink compact that says, My Digi Diary has got a big heart on it. and you just flip it open and you create your own passcode and you can use this little keyboard here to write your own diary entries or you can even hit this button here and you can record it if you prefer or you can even set it up and turn the camera on and you can make your own video diary. But I just thought that maybe doing a little bit of journaling if something could help you if you're feeling stressed or if things are getting a little bit crazy or maybe your assistant doesn't have time to write things down and you've got a lot to juggle. so I got this for you at the mall. Oh, well, thank you. So I just talk to you. Yeah, or type in it or let it record you. Well, and talk about what, I guess? Anything you could say. Like, sometimes I like to start mine off with, Hi, my Gigi diary. I had a glitter glorious day today hanging out with my new friends at Rhapsody Records. This is what we did and this is how I felt. Now I'm going to bed, and I hope I dream about all kinds of fun things. All right. Well, I'll think about what I should say. I hope you like it. Yeah. Thank you. And, Cole, you had a really rough time, because I hate that. Yeah, it's been a hard couple months. Well, you're one of the sweetest people I ever met, and so I hope things get better for you. Oh, thanks. And I... I didn't go to prison or anything. Oh, but that's good. I know a few people who have. Okay, no. That didn't happen. It doesn't seem like it's fun at all. I'm just... I have a good job at the At the At the record I hope I not overstepping Because I never want to do that with a friend But I noticed that sometimes you like to hide how you truly feel What? No. I know, right? Stupid. I don't feel anything. Yeah, no, that's what I'm saying. I don't feel anything. And so when I noticed that you didn't feel anything outside of the Howdy Bunny store, I went in and got you this Howdy Bunny plush, the XL sign. Oh, Jesus. The XL size. Yeah, yeah. And I even gave it an extra special pixel outfit if you ever want to dress it up. Okay, yeah, that's pretty cool. Yeah, and it's so you'll never forget me. And then if you're ever feeling sad and things are getting out of control, you can hug Howdy Bunny. And somewhere out in the galaxy, I'll feel that hug and I'll hug you back. That's really, really sweet, Pixel. Yeah. You know, and I mean, thank you. I really like this. I know you don't like this kid stuff. I really like this. I'm hoping because it's pixel kid stuff, maybe you like it. I mean, when I was a little girl, I always really wanted Howdy Bunny, and my family was too poor to afford it. My dad was barely able to keep his shop open, so he couldn't afford Howdy Bunny. And this is the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. Yeah. But, I mean, this is really nice. This is a nice memorabilia to remember my youth as a little girl. And I'll, like, kind of squeeze it, and I'll say, Howdy, Bonnie! Howdy, Bonnie! And I'll be, like, struggling. I'm, like, turning, like, a state of, like, in you go. I'm feeling a little bit, like, red. Thanks, Pixel. You're welcome. Thanks, Pixel. You're really amazing. You know that? You have a very good heart. It's surprising that you've been able to be in this city as long as you have and still have such a good heart. You've got to fill your heart with dreams. Thanks Hi, Pike Oh, you really shouldn't have I know And I know we didn't get to talk too much Because you were always so busy driving the car and stuff But I remember when we stopped at that At the station at one time to fill up the vehicle And it was that shelf filled with all the keychains with people's names on it And you were lamenting that there was never a keychain with your name on it because whoever puts a Pike keychain on one of these things? It's just nothing ever with a Y. It's weird. And so Pixel holds up a keychain that says Pike on it, P-I-K-E. I have this custom made for you. I even checked the spelling twice. Oh, you know. You know, because you drive the car and the keychain, and it's your name. Thank you. That's fucking awesome. Thank you. Yeah, that's really cool. Very kind of you to think about the help. Because what Pike does is he drives. Like, Coe's like, no, howdy, howdy, howdy. He's like, muffle. As I'm just, like, kind of holding. I'm like, and I'll put it, like, I'll put it away in the hotel room. I'll put it down next to me. That's fucking cool. I mean, he drives, and that's perfect. Man, you're not cool. I put it right on my keychain. Yeah. Which only contains the rental keys. Yeah. The rental car. But, you know, she doesn't know that. And I just, uh, thank you. You're welcome. That's very kind of you. You know, you're incredibly thoughtful. And, uh, I really feel like after this week, I'm convinced. As long as Mr. Weedlebox will agree to it, I would love to sign you. I can't wait to tell him about everything he did. There's no way he doesn't let this happen, right? It's been a week of dreams. But, oh gosh, look at the time. I better get back because if I'm late, I don't want to upset Mr. W, you know. Absolutely. Well, you drive safe, and I'm sure we'll see you tomorrow. Yeah. And Pixel will look between all of you and then quickly rush and just give each of you a really quick hug before she starts running towards. You'll see a very small, basically it's the go-kart that she drove at the go-kart. racetrack. That pulls up and she'll stop and she'll look back, she'll wave, and then she'll jump in the car. It's like a two-seater where you offered everyone to come with you. It's like a two-seater car. And it is global in size. It literally wouldn't fit anyone else. And you zoom off and cut this beautiful neon light as you go away and everyone else, you'll return to the hotel as you say your heartfelt goodbyes. Pixel, you make it back to the Glitz Room and reflecting on the week you got this kind of bounce in your step as you move through no show's not going on right now it's not really open quite for business yet but it's still it's like coming home, you move under that neon sign you see the stage in front of you the speakers with that beautiful red glow as they turn as they're turned on for the evening festivities. You make your way back down that labyrinthian hallway until once again past all the goons and the guards you find yourself in front of that large red door with GJW inlaid in the top. And then you knock and you enter. And once more you see Weedlevox in front of you. When he sees you open the door, he'll take his hands. Fixie dust! She's back! Mr. W, that week was amazing! Thank you, I'm still... She just rushes over and jumps into his arms. Oh, come on. Can we wait to tell you all about it? I know you don't have much time, so I'll give you the short and sweet. And I'm not just talking about me. Oh, yeah, that is you, short and sweet. Go on, tell me. Tell me about what was going on. And she'll spend like an hour just going over literally every single detail. But then eventually she gets to. So, um, what do you think? He said he would sign me if he were okay with it. Pixie dust, you know, I was initially on the fence. I thought I'd spin the wheels for a week. I thought they'd up and leave, you know. But as it happens, something about this week has really brought my mind around. What? He'll put his hand on kind of like a folder on his desk, and he'll slide it off to the side just making space for you. Yeah, toots, I mean, you know, if you say, if you speak so highly of them, you know, I don't want to see a bill per se, but I'll meet with them. I mean, maybe there's something there. I'll meet with them, eh? I think you'd love them. I really do. They're great people, and they seem like they've really got their head on for business. Well, why don't you give them a ring? You tell them to come by the house a little later. I put them up for a party. I host them. We can talk business. Oh, that'd be so great. They'd love that. Huh. You mean it? Oh, I mean it for you, doll. Anything. I missed you. Been in a week with Aggie. It was so hard. I know we talked every single day, but it still felt like forever. Oh, yeah. You know, I mean, talking's what I love to do best with you, all right? My little superstar, Pixie Dust. Let's get a couple lines going, and then you make that call, okay? Oh, you got it, honey. And she'll put the lines out and once again, one on either side. And you do so. You go on. You enjoy each other's company for a bit until eventually you make your way back to your room above the Glitz room. And you call back to the crew. and you all, now back at the hotel whomever picks up the phone once again, I'm assuming Rhett you get the call from Pixel saying that it's all gone well with Weedlevox you can head over to his house in the hills he'll host you for a dinner he'll host you for a dinner and you'll go from there the following day the following night, yes Real quick, Pixel, back in the room, me and you, before you split away. Yeah, before I go, you want to pinch the cheek? Oh, don't I always. Sarah GGM's like, yeah, they're my turn yet. But while I'm enjoying that, I've got to let you know, you think of this whole record thing. I mean, I'll meet with them. But I've got the Don is sending a friend of his. You know how I've always been telling you, right? Your star is coming up You keep shining, superstar The future is yours, huh? The Don is sending a friend I need you to give him a private show He's coming in tomorrow night So when There's Rhapsody Records or whatever When they come over, I'll talk to them about business I'll have a driver pick you up We'll send you on over And Yeah One of the Don's guys? One of the Don's guys and you know the, I mean, this is the opening. This is your job. You really didn't mean it's in here. You couldn't make me laugh. Toots, you know, toots. Exactly. And you still want to work with Rapsley Records even though they don't need to sign me? Well, I'll hear them out. I'll hear them out, you know. And from what you said about the other things that they could do, you know, there's no end to the business opportunity. It's a business for everyone. I mean, you spent so much of your precious time wanting to dine them and show them a good time. And I know that you had fun, but I'll give them the time. I thought I might give them the time. I'll give them the time, huh? You're an angel. What would I do without you? You're an angel, doll. Okay, cheat time. Pixie does. Mr. W. You know me. Then you make the call to... Fade to black. Then you fade to black. Apologies. You make the call and relay that same information to Rhett at the hotel. And you all now know that you are staged to meet with Weedlevox in his home the following night. He'll host you for, like, drinks and a business meeting. All right. Well, this is it. We got the meeting. We are so fucking good at this. Hey. We might be good at this, but I'm worried about the three of you. You're not getting soft on me here, are you? Just because she gave us those gifts, she's still a mark like anybody else, all right? We're not going to blow this just because she gave us some gifts. I mean, what was the last thing I fucking said to her? I said, oh, I'm going to sign you. I'm getting her hoops up. I'm still fucking doing it. I mean, you too. It doesn't feel good. Yeah, of course it doesn't feel good, but this is what we do. All right, we have a chance to take down a major player. I mean, Weedle Fox is the problem. She's cool. She's fun. We don't want to hide it. Pixels, there's no bounty on. Don't let your guards down. I won't. Yeah. I got you. I'm doing fine. So what's the plan? I look at my photos. Well, we have to call her. maybe that can factor in somehow. We know his mansion's up on the cliff or something. If we can have them meeting, you know, somewhere outside near the cliff, and we get him to maybe send his goons away, we say, oh, there's something private, some sort of top secret NDA shit that we need to tell him. He sends his security away. That's the point. We grab him and we jump off the cliff and the car's there waiting for us. You've seen many such lavish homes in your time here and even your own hotel. And you know that a lot of these places tend to have these extremely large, luscious balconies. And if you'd want to isolate or get him out into the night outside of the house, you would reasonably suspect that his home might have something like that. All right. I mean, that's what I got. Any other ideas? I mean, can we, like, can you remote control the car? Can you get that fixed up? Yeah, yeah, I could probably figure it out. I mean, the software is a pretty simple stuff. I was just hoping that over the course of the last week, we would have learned a little bit more, got a bit more information about where we're going, what we're walking into, what this guy's like. I mean, apparently this guy keeps his personal information close to the chest. Yeah, there's a reason why he's gotten where he's gotten to, I suppose. Ugh, fuck. I mean, hopefully he doesn't have security about, you know, some sort of no-fly zone or something. Or, you know, turrets like the canner. Oh, and we have to park. And so, I mean, if we have fucking dinner with a guy and we say afterwards, we all go out into the fucking terrace and look at the city. Hello, lord over the little fucking peasants. You know, and I'm sure he'll fucking love that. And we celebrate a deal, well, May, where we'll say whatever the fuck we have to. And we'll fucking, we'll say whatever we have to, we'll make a deal. And we'll fucking, even if he's got goons, even if he's got a turd, that thing's fucking fast. I can get us out of there. We just need one chance alone with him for 30 seconds. That's all we need. And if you can remote control it, it moves. Yeah, I mean... Their eyes are going to be on us, not the cars. I feel like I should be able to actually even just plot a course so that it knows where to go, where to stop. I don't even have to pilot it. I can be focused 100% with you guys. Also, why did you get her dish without telling me? I feel like I'm an asshole now. Well, I mean, I still have my job to do, and I want to make sure that the mission was successful, so I, you know... What do you mean? Well, I... I bugged her shit. What? What? What is it? Well, I mean, I've got this whole recording right here of everything that she's had ever since I gave her that lipstick. Why didn't you tell us? Well, I wanted to listen to it first and scrub it down and make sure that it was well edited and I don't know what I got. I mean, who knows? Hold on. Exactly. You don't know what you got. Let us listen to it. We're the ones who know what the GPG needs. All right. Well, let's play it. Hold on. I'll just skip to the middle. Oh, baby. Oh, yeah. Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm backing up. I'm backing up. I'm backing up. I'm backing up. I'm backing up. He doesn't need any of that. You know, he didn't. Oh, wow. Sneaky, I got to say, I'm impressed. Oh, yeah. I mean, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I felt really guilty giving it to her, especially after she gave me the photos. It wasn't a good idea. It was a great fucking idea. Well done. Well, I mean, presumably we would be able to have listened in on that conversation with Weedlebox and Pixel and get a sense of what's happening. Yeah, I mean, so as far as you know right now, I mean, it all sounds like, from what he's communicated to Pixel. That's basically what Pixel relayed to you, so you can listen in on the genuine conversation, you sick pervert. But the information you've gleaned so far is to... is to... Besides a private show... You're telling me that all those gifts that you got are... That was not... You weren't feeling sentimental. No, I wanted to get her something nice. It's still nice lipstick. There just happens to be a microphone inside of it. That annoys me. I'm proud of you. Wow. Listen to this section right here where she's talking and all of a sudden... Yeah, that's for just applying the lipstick. You can't hear anything when she does that. But other than that, it's a pretty perfect disguise. Look, the kid's learning. I'm impressed. I mean, I'm fucking impressed too. Shit. Thank you. It just feels... I don't know, like a... I mean, not to say that I feel bad about it, right? But I just feel like it's real intimate. Like, oh, so that's what she means by pitch and cheese. I'm pausing, I'm pausing, I'm pausing, I'm pausing, I'm pausing. What? Oh, this guy is fucking... Oh, my God. Well, I think it's just this from the next hour. If you look at the sound wave, it's just... 40 minutes of it remarkable I mean that's surprising I mean if he looks at anything like he fucking sounds oh yeah oh I'm a stallion I'm a stallion oh oh god wow I mean I'm not getting soft but you know we're together you know we're a team we're together I'm a crew member of the Rapsy I have the fucking license but like, I just feel bad that we're going to get away, we're going to get off world, and Pitchell's going to have no idea what the fuck happened. Unfortunately, sometimes that's part of the job. Yeah. Keep your eyes on the prize. The job's the job. We're bounty hunters. We're nothing else. Yeah, you're right. The good news is that... You're right. one of the loggers that I left in the car, that's the cannon in my pack. So it's still disguised in the limo. So if anything goes down, at least it'll be closer to my hand. So, you're right. Okay. I'll get over it. And I'll take Howdy Bunny and I'll put it on my bed. And I'm ready. I'll basically prepare myself for the meeting and the plan. With the plan in mind, you all focus on the next evening and what each of you's roles are in the successful taking of Wheelbox, not losing sight of the fact that you're here to hunt a bounty, not just to enjoy these lavish lives you've fallen into. Though the allure was there. You make it to the next day, evening falls, and you get all dolled up in your most music producer-y outfit yet. Large hats. You are the picture of professional driver. Gloves on. That's right. Ready to go. Everyone looks immaculate. Yeah, I'm going to dress it a little more like summery, like silk gear. Oh. The episode Sopranos where Tony goes to Vegas. Oh, yeah. He has a silk kind of shirt, right? and it's like, you know, very kind of sleek. Like a Merlot almost colored, like silk with the wide collar. The wide collar on the shirt. Nice, like, terrorist. Yeah. I'm going to wear a, like. Warm weather night air, kind of. Super, like, light Miami Vice turquoise shirt. Yeah. White vest. You know, dark slacks. Like, super summery. And, you know, obviously my sleeves are rolled up and I'm going to do my hair in the same style like I did when I first went to the classroom. I am ready and I am very much understanding that like Pixel is bubbly and fun and a civilian in this, but like these mob guys, they would not at all expect the bodyguard to be speaking out of turn and like I've, after seeing my experience with the mob, I know that I cannot be nearly as free speaking and it's really, so I will, am going to kind of, I probably will have realized that I've been partying too hard Pike has all grounded me and I have realized I need to act my role and shut the fuck up. And so I'm going to basically kind of recenter myself and try to come to terms with what we have to do with this new lifestyle that I'm trying to slide into. Want to sit? I look like shit. I only had the one suit. It's six days in. I keep throwing it on the couch. It's the actual human backers human backers sneakers. It's the I'm not even having the extremely expensive hotel do my laundry. You're an embarrassment. You're an embarrassment. Yeah. That is fun. That is terrible. These blisters things were in your sneakers. The only other thing I bought out of the discount box was turtlenecks. And it's way too hot. It's way too hot. I want to wear it. As you finalize your outfits, So you make your way one more time down the elevator of the Golden God Hotel. You make your way outside. Barry pulls the car around for you. You all get in, and you head out. You take your air speeder car into the hills on the outskirts of Paradise City, where the richest and most notable people of the area reside. You fly past dozens of mansions, each one more enormous and gaudy than the last, until finally you fly up to what can only be described as a compound built atop a cliff face. Equal parts mega mansion and fortress. The Weedlevox estate is as stunning as it is gorgeous. Countless exotic palm trees grow out of the stone of the canyon walls and from the arid hills around it, making it look as if the compound emerged from the gardens of paradise. That's badass. The landing pad is marked with the glimmering gold letters of GJW, which leads to a lavish fountain complete with a statue of Weedlebox himself. Dozens of guards patrol the grounds with even more stationed along elevated walkways, turrets, and sentry towers. Each one of the heavily armed guards wears a sleek crimson belt. You all begin to make your way towards the large doorway. Pixel, you find yourself inside Weedlebox his home. Once more, walking up to him as you prepare for this evening to meet the friend of the Don. Oh, Pixie Dust. Honey. You look so good. I could die. It's my big break tonight. Oh, thanks to you. And you know what? He's a Viceroy. It's huge. It's a big dime. I mean, this is it. This is it. You must have really talked to the Don about me. Oh, you know, I always wanted the absolute best for you. Viceroy, the Empire, no less. I mean, tonight it's going to be unforgettable. And you look so, I mean, gosh, words. They fail me. I wish I had them. Oh, my goodness. Yes. And you, not in your normal outfit, but you'd be dressed this evening to perform a private show for this Viceroy, Friend of the Dawn. And you want me to pull out all the stops? Oh, honey, absolutely. All the stops. I mean, it's the Friend of the Dawn. You've got to make sure. A Viceroy. A Viceroy. I mean, this is your ticket. Your ticket's going to be punched. I want you to have fun But make sure he has fun too Oh, you know I will I'd never let you down But you know the Don's friends They can be a little finicky So I'm going to need you I'm going to need you to leave everything here Even my keytone? Even your keytone How am I going to perform with my keytone? Well, you know what? you can take the key top with you, okay? But I need you to leave the purse. No, the Digi Diary stays here. Fixy dust, you know. I mean, you need it for the performance, but nothing. It's going to be strict. They're going to patch you down before you go in. I hate when they do that. And I start taking all this stuff out of my bags, and I end up with Stacy in my hands. My lipstick, though. I can keep this. How about you apply a new layer now, but you gotta leave it. But if you want me to put out all the stuff, you know it's gonna smear. And you think the Vice one would be happy with smeared lipstick on a pop star? Well, no, of course not, but... What's a lipstick? Ah, Pixie Dust, you know I hate arguing with you, but you can take the key time. That's it. You gotta leave everything else here. You got to. I'm just looking out for you. I don't want this to go any kind of sideways. All right, I'll put it on. And I look at it and I think about my friends. And there's a little bit of sadness where, like, Pinsul wants to be a star, but she had started to hope for what stardom would look like with the Rhapsody records. And there's a little bit of, but you know what, they'll be proud of me. And so she thinks fondly of her friends. She puts Stacy on her lips, and she goes to put it in her cleavage. All right. And she hands it over. You know, there's one place I'm always looking, huh? You can't have anything there. No, no. Spilling me. You tried, you tried, sis. You know what? That's what I love you for, all right? All right. Cheeks. Cheeks. And I turn around and let him smack one, and then flip around and let him smack the other. It's like two ferocious lions fighting in a paper bag. Why are you sweating? Oh, sweetheart, I'm going to miss you. I'll see you later tonight. I'll tell you all about it. Right. Of course, of course. Love you, honey. Love you, too. All right. Mr. W. Drone. Mr. Janet. Mr. Janet. The middle name, sweetheart, the middle name. Hey, Drava, come on. Hey, what are you doing, all right? Take her with you, all right? You know where to go. Take her. Make sure she gets there safe, all right? And one of the goons at the door will shuffle in. Oh, honey? Yeah. Will you tell them I said hi and good luck? Sure, I'll pass that along. Yeah. All right. Hey. All right, see you tonight. and then I'll hop into the car. And you walk out. You'll walk out. You'll get in the car. And you will head your way towards this meeting with the Viceroy. You all are now approaching the estate of Weedlebox. Do you, like, pass the car? Oh, yeah. Yeah. The black and white. Yeah, we would have now. Yeah, we would have now. As you're pulling in, a car is pulling out. Oh! Blast out windows. Oh! That's fine! As it's taken away. That's fine! Down to this private show on the end of town. And you all are ushered. You land on the GJW, almost like a helipad kind of space. You land in this large area. You walk past that fountain, and you walk in. You're met with this lavish, open, grand foyer. Beautiful section. Almost, I mean, very much similar to the kind of experience almost of walking into the hotel room with this massive, open, expansive room. A huge table down in front of you, but an area. The goons come up as you walk in, all with those gleaming red belts. And the first thing that happens is they all pat you down. So, I have left my driving gloves on. Okay. I've left my club in the back of the car, along with Rhett's cannon. I am wearing long sleeves, and I still have the gauntlet on. But it's under my sleeve and my driving glove. Okay. And these are not like club goons. These are serious. Oh, yeah. You're looking. They have the red belts on. Most of them, one walks up to you, throws a laser rifle over their back as they start to work you around, checking to see if you're carrying anything. Don't get fucking fresh, asshole. Jesus. Fuck. And as long as nobody's carrying anything. He's just calling them. If you think you feel it beneath, feel it. For sure. Absolutely. I mean, I never take it off. Hey, what's this on your arm, huh? What? This? Yeah, you giant piece of metal. What are you wearing? Some kind of bracelet? Jewelry. Yeah, excuse me. I appreciate if you'd be sensitive about that. It has to do with his religion. Roll a deception check. Or persuading if that's intended to be. I don't have twists. We have six twists. No, I use six twists. Because the extremely generous gift in the very beginning. You have six twists. Is that a re-roll on this campaign? Or are we doing the ads? We haven't decided. You may re-roll. Given that it's a Saturday campaign, it's fair for now. We'll do it on the fly. A four. A four? What, you gonna make me take it off? Spicy? Yeah, take it off. I'll peel the driving glove off, and I don't even take, I don't remove eye contact. Oh, hell, that's badass. As I kind of loosen it, click, click. Here. I got this box, and it'll land in the box as it shuts the... You're really gonna... I kind of shake my arm, and you all notice that I almost immediately look uncomfortable. Oh, shit. And I put the glove back on, put my driving glove back on. Fine. Can I smoke in there? Yeah, you can smoke in there. Only religion in this house is Weedlebox. I'm going to make sure Mr. Weedlebox finds out about this. I will tell him ourselves. Go on in. and you usher deeper into the home where there is a long table set out with several seats around it food is laid out kind of like hand-picked kind of food not a full dining experience but hors d'oeuvres, finger foods and a fully stocked bar once again all to the side has a similar extreme whole side of the entire wall, all glass, with two massive panels that both swing open side by side to extend out onto a large balcony that looks over a ravine of this cliff that he is set into. As you see Grobulus J. Weedlevox walk in himself, smoking a cigar, he struts in with that balding circlet of hair. Well, well, well. Rhapsody Records, eh? Ah, there he is. The name's Rhett. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Weedabox. Yeah, okay. Okay, the pleasure's mine, I assure ya. Now, here are my associates. You got Pike, Coe, my stepson's E. Nice. And hopefully Pixie's told you all about us and all good things, all good things, I hope. Oh, Pixie does. She can't stop singing your praises. But you know what? I don't want to talk about her. Let's get down to business. Now, you came. You requested this meeting. Take your shot. What do you want to talk about? What do you mean you don't want to talk about her? I mean, that's part of why we wanted to have the meeting. You want to sign her on the F.C. Records. Oh, Mr. Rye, you're not signing Fixie Dust? That was never on the table. No, no, no. You're here because of your connections, huh? So, you have no interest. I mean, she's got a wonderful voice. We could change her life. We could make her a galactic superstar. My beautiful gem? No, I'll make her a galactic superstar. No, no, no. you're not dealing with pixie dust. You're not taking her. No, no, no. Forget about her. Alright? She's off the table. You're here only for one simple thing. You got K'nex. I distribute Redline. Now you supposedly expressed an interest in that. But in the event that you want to feel as though you change your tune well I got a little something to show you. And one of the goons runs out the same folder that he had on the desk earlier. And he'll kind of wave it. Hey, you thought I was just wanting to dine on you for a week, huh? The go-carts, the beats, the clubs, the drugs, the drink, the women. Well, no, here is all the evidence, huh? And I know a little bit about you, huh? I know you're married to a pretty beautiful Sarian wife, huh? Your stepson is sharp lad. I could use it as a dry cleaning, but otherwise, it seems like I'm not one to judge. But I know that I know women, and they are, and all these photos. You think I didn't have somebody everywhere you went trailing every one of your steps? You think I didn't get every second of lascivious behavior? Kudos, by the way. I mean, you've done some stuff I wouldn't even think to do. But hey, hey, once again, I mean, they each their own. But here's what's going to happen. You're going to move red line. You're going to get it wherever you can to all these pop stars you're supposedly working with. You're going to extend the operation out. And pixie dust for you, that's a thing of the past. Forget the name. Um, do I get the sense? Hmm, never been metanology, but. um so you're fucking blackmailing ah listen I wouldn't put it well no yeah that's exactly what's happening but but here's the deal huh redline and moving it it's extremely lucrative alright forget this Rhapsody Records business that's small potatoes you move redline you start getting it around I put an award to the don for you and it is just game over right you think you're living in the high life now, you start moving red line, holy! I mean, it's the golden god every night of the week. Just don't touch this stuff yourself, huh? Because it's fun when you're on it. But, man, does it hit hard after. You don't know the half of it. All right. Suppose at the end of the day I am a businessman first and foremost, Even though the Rhapsody, she does feed. How would this work? We can make money together. You don't share those things with my wife. Close your ears. What the fuck, Dad? What do you do? What's in that funnel? look sometimes when I went to the various back rooms at these clubs you know things happen I don't know what I'm supposed to say about it you kid better start these I will be ever since he said that there was never any chance of Pixel getting signed it was all just basically to get blackmail you will hear the breathing exercises yeah absolutely I'm thinking in my head like, oh no. I'm like, I am the nose. Things are the nose. Things are the nose. You will be like my forearms are completely tense. Your jaw's tight. Yeah, jaw's tight. You have a tightness already. Grinding my teeth in the rolls of the knee. My tusses are going back and forth. But as you're folding your arms like this, you start to hear this. You can almost see the wrinkles in the sleeve go stark circular as the intensity of it pulls the wrinkles away. And I am, like, really gritting my teeth, and I am just trying to keep an eye out for the terrace and the balcony, and, like, that's the thing that I'm thinking about as I'm doing my breathing exercise. But, like, I am completely, I'm trying to stay as stone-faced as possible. I'm trying to be like Furio from The Sopranos. I love that. As professional as possible. All right, well, let's talk business. Yeah, let's talk business. I mean, if you'd come here and you'd just been up front, you hadn't tried to take pictures from me, well, then it'd just be a normal setup. But now, for seeing as how, you know, I got all the additional photos and, well, it's a lot of blackmail. Let's be serious. I mean, it's wild stuff. You're going to have to kick me an extra 20%. And if you agree to that, then we're fine. We can share a cigar out on the balcony and we can go about our business making heaps and heaps of money, eh? So what you're telling me is that I need to buy it from you. I'll sell it. Even though I already paid you wholesale price for it, you want 20% of my cut? Ha ha. So you're smart as they say. I'm the one that you signed a big shot. That's exactly right. I've been doing this a long fucking time. How does this work? Does this make me a member of the fucking red belts? Do I have to wear one of those things? let's see how it goes first I mean it takes a certain type of person to get involved and you're on your way you're well on your way but join is more in terms of kind of like well we own you now so yeah I mean really how this works next is you say yes sir Mr. Weedlevox we shake hands you start distributing Redline and you go on your fucking business or else what or else these photos go to that sweet story and wife because your poor kid here in tears after a terrible divorce that's going to take more money than you ever stand to make in Rhapsody Records let me tell you alright you look like a man on your fourth marriage you know you don't want that Ziggy's almost 30 well he looks like a crier alright I'm not crying. Well, looks like you got me. But my hands are tied. I appreciate the decency of you just helping me understand how this whole operation works. Don, how is he involved? the red line where the fuck does it all come from now listen you don't ask about the don i'll tell you this i'll tell you what you need to know okay red line comes to me i get it to global distributors all right i move it i move shipments from here and there they get to a point they move it to the people all right at the end of the day i'm just a man of the people uh well you don't need to know a damn thing about the don okay i look around the room, how many goons, armed guards, armed... What's the threat situation of the room that we're in? Good question. Are we on the terrace? You're not on the terrace yet. He was on the terrace smoking a cigar, and he'd come back in to meet you more of like a... Like mid-dinner, like where, you know... Yeah, this is like you're enjoying a meal, you're having this discussion... Oh, you're having a meal. You're having this discussion. And you're still in the room. He has invited you, should you accept the deal, to join him on the terrace to smoke a cigar to finalize the deal. But this is all happening. And as you look around the room, there are several guards that line the inside of this room. Though the balcony does seem to be devoid of it. That's kind of like what feels like a private space for him. and you think that if you were to make any kind of threatening move in here, you'd be Swiss cheese. All right. You know, Weedle Vox, you're a sly son of a bitch, but I like the way you lie. We're going to make a lot of money together, aren't we? Finally. So much money. All right, here, take one of these. I'll hand you a giant cigar. Come on, come on out to the balcony, huh? And you'll begin to make your way. I'll get up and I'll be grinning and I'll sort of reach my hand out. So just take this hand. Yeah, it's about time. I'm going to start doing this thing. Oh, this is going to be good. Yeah, don't worry. I'll snip it for you when we get out there. As soon as he says the balcony of the terrace, I immediately scoot out. And I am standing up immediately. I make eye contact with Ko the moment he mentions the terrace. and we kind of just give each other a knowing look, like, game fucking on. And I give a glance to Ziggy to, like, make sure that he's ready. It's like when we get out there, we're in position to get the car ready. Hi. You begin to make your way to the terrace. It's as you're walking there that in the middle of a stride, Don, Don, I'm terribly sorry to interrupt. One of the goons comes up. Is this Don? Oh, sorry, sorry. Oh, Mr. Boss. Boss, Mr. Weedlebox, I'm terribly sorry to interrupt. There's a... Something's come up. And he kind of like, you know, he's like looking down and he goes, Wow, what do you mean something's come up? In the middle of a mysterious business. Yeah, can you see you're about to close the deal? Who's on the phone? Get them the fuck out of here. Well, no, wait, hold on, hold on. No, listen, we'll lock this down later, all right? You get the fuck out of here. I've got to take care of something. Leave it. Go on, get out of here. Well, he still needs his religious artifacts. Yeah, yeah, they'll give it to you at the door, all right? All right, guys, take them out. And then they'll, like, start to move. He's walking away. He's already handed him a phone. You all are ushered out of the house. firmly out of the house back towards your car as several of the guards walk up. They'll present you back your arm leg. We'll meet later. Don't forget the cigar! You are very quickly shuffled out of the house. As he begins to walk away from you. Who the fuck we are? Who should we talk to to schedule a follow-up meeting? We'll call you. Don't worry. All right. Golden God Hotel. Don't forget. Yeah. And you were ushered back into your car as you are gestured to begin to drive away. What? What was that? We were so close. Mr. Rye? Yeah. Yes. I am like steaming. Mr. Rye? All right, son. Get in the car. Oh, yeah. I'm getting in. I'm in. I'm in. Oh, my loaper. All right, I'm in. I walk around again. I sit in. I fire up the car. I put down the divider. What the hell was that? We were so close. So fucking close. We're not going to get another shot back there. I don't quite peel out, but I'm pissed. I'm driving like a man. Scum fuck. Well, no, there's still a chance. I mean, it sounds like he wants to do business. And we can just... So now if we're to keep this fucking trade up another week. We're running low on funds. Let's get to that fucking terrace again. We didn't wait for that piece of shit. Look, it's not blooming yet. Light like a feather. Yeah, come on. Just breathe, Coe. Light like the sun. I was worried. You'd fucking lose that. Don't worry about that. I would have figured it out. What do we do now? Come on. Ziggy, give us something. You're awfully quiet back there. Well, I'm listening. I don't think that the microphone is in Pixel's purse anymore. Or maybe Pixel's purse is with Weevilvox. What? It's at that point, Ziggy, that you hear the following. Weevilvox has answered a phone call, and you hear just his side of it. Yeah, yeah, yes, sir. Don, sir, yes, absolutely. No, I, yeah, your friend, yeah, the viceroy, yes, sir, he's in town, yeah, we put him up She is on her way, yes, sir Yeah, no, we put him up, yeah, he's on the outskirts, no lights, no cameras Yes, sir Yeah, no, I know, just like the other ones Well, yeah, yeah, no, I'm on it, sir, yes, no, no mistakes we'll make sure her body is buried deep in a hole in the desert. And that's where we'll end the session. Ah! Ah! Oh, no. Um. Okay. Thank you so much for listening to the Legends of Adventures podcast. We hope you enjoyed the session. 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