>>5741015“Sumo, huh? Is there a sumo circuit around here?” You wonder.
“You haven’t visited the Sumo Hall? It’s far from here. Oldest stadium in town. We gotta go one day. Tickets on me.” Craig wants you to join him in his hobbies.
“Don’t listen to him, kid. Boxing is way better to watch.” Roger cuts right in.
“If you say so…” Craig shakes his head. He doesn’t see the appeal.
“A former champ should be more into it.” Roger chuckles.
“If this chump got to be champ, that’s all you need to know about boxing.” Sewel never stops throwing shade. “And it doesn’t surprise me to hear that from you, Jackson. Cops and barely legal violence go hand in hand!”
“I don’t wanna hear that from a lowlife crook, hahaha!” The unretired policeman takes it with humor. There’s no tension despite the hefty word exchange. They keep bickering with each other still.
“Hey, did Dirty Rob mention the treasure to you?” You ask Craig now that the two mortal enemies keep messing with each other.
“Treasure? Don’t tell me…” Craig’s eyes open wide.
“Mr. Ando! Have you finally evoked me to be part of this equation?” Mr. Conti raises his voice as he’s the other figure in the shadows. “I didn’t believe that you would be here today, but I applaud you for your bravado.”
“You are talking about that dumb myth?” Craig sighs. “Man, that brings me back.”
“It’s no myth, Craig Harris. What we all fought for isn’t a mere fabrication of some deluded writings. The Treasure, the treasure is… REAL!” Mr. Conti slams the table. “And Ando here denied my right to witness its contents.”
“Kids are still fighting for that thing…?” Craig is kinda disappointed.
“Sadly...” You scratch the back of your head.
“Please, Mr. Ando. Be honest with your fellow compatriots in arms. If that’s how you really feel, you wouldn’t have taken the reward with you.” Conti has a wicked smile. “But I understand. Yes. I understand as to why you denied me the privilege. You didn’t believe I was worthy, did you? You didn’t see the sum of my efforts. But I’m going to rectify this. Tonight, Mr. Ando, the cards will be dealt. And statistically speaking, tonight is my time to shine. Lady Luck might smile with her crooked teeth, but Mathematical Logic stomps over the nonsensical notion of fortune. Mr. Ando, tonight you will yield, and when you do, you will give me the treasure. I’ll earn my right to the ULTIMATE PRIZE by taking you all out of the equation. COUNT ON IT.”
“…The hell is he talking about?” Roger looks around for answers.
“Yeah, what the fuck is he talking about?” Sewel doesn’t get it either.
“Not a word, Ando. If they want to know the truth of the hundred-year war, they must win the trophy.” Mr. Conti won’t allow you to divulge the entire nonsense of the situation.
