'It's pretty sad when the Sharper
Image has more and better sound
and audio equipment than Mercury's
production team. As much money as
Beaumont is worth, you'd think he
could actually spend a little on his
federation.'

'Subdued, you represent everything
that EEI wants to see in Mercury, so
you should be glad we're around.
Oblivion would have preferred that
you and your kind vanished from
Mercury, just because you weren't in
LCW in the good old days. We're not
at all like them, despite what that
bloated sack of ego calling himself
Harbinger may think. No, we're glad
you're in Mercury, Subdued, because
you're a helluva competitor.'

'But the fact remains that I'm
destined for great things around
here, and I'm going to have to go
through you to get them. My win over
Gol is just the start. Next comes you,
and eventually comes Rag Doll
Akujin, and then whoever is the
Mercury world champion after that.'

Picasso reaches over and grabs a
$500 daily planner. 'See, I wrote it in
right here. 'Fusion: Beat Subdued
and prove that I should be the North
American Championship number
one contender.' I even wrote it in ink,
Subdued. That's how confident I am.'

'What you saw against Gol was a
small sampling of why I've been a
champion in federations before
Mercury. I fully expect you to put up
more of a challenge than he did, but
the end result will still be the same. I
win. You may still be the number one
contender, but I'll be the one that Rag
Doll will have to contend with.'

'But don't take all of this the wrong
way, Subdued. You're got a
tremendous future in Mercury, I truly
believe that. But the present is all
mine.'

Picasso turns the control settings on
the chair, and he smiles serenely.
'Ooh, the lumbar is feeling good
now. Wrap this baby up and deliver it
home.'

(fade out)