The thought of living the rest of his life at a near-poverty level off of what he managed to save while in Mercury seemed to be his fate. But, on the other end of the phone was a man offering a way out.

Mild fame, significant wealth, the chance to make his living off of violence; David Beaumont was offering a life full of everything Geoffrey despised. But, at least it was a life with regular pay, a life with respect, and a life of accomplishment—all of which was significantly more than he had now.

Geoffrey could picture the rest of his former colleagues’ replies. He ran down the roster in his head. Surely Ingles would agree. Summers, Grumann, Wallace and Daniel would probably jump at the chance, too. Toombs would likely come back, and maybe even Picasso, Dirge, and Brimstone.

A fine roster, full of people who would love to making a living doing the things Geoffrey hates.

He could almost feel the look of disappointment felt sure David Beaumont had on his face when he gave his reply.

“You’ll have to call me back tomorrow.”

He hung up the phone before David could say anything else.

How could Geoffrey possibly accept? Wrestling made Geoffrey’s life hell. Cursed is the man blessed with an ability he doesn’t want. All Geoffrey ever wanted is to make his mark on the world using his intellect, to make his living with his head and to live in peace.

How could he possibly justify taking the offer to give up on all of it? How could he go back to living his life by satisfying the violent needs of others by destroying the body of another man?

Destroying himself and other people, that is exactly what Geoffrey Slate used to do. He was exceedingly good at what he used to do.

Perhaps that was his lot in life. Perhaps Geoffrey was not fated to be a creator, but rather to a destroyer. Perhaps the course for his life was not to enhance himself, but to slowly be destroyed at the hands of other men, and for the enjoyment of those he reluctantly called “fans.”

Why go back to that life? Geoffrey didn’t know, but for some reason he knew when David called him back his answer would be “yes.”