After a final preparation match, the Agility Monsters are about to leave for the FUMBBL Cup and once more gather in their training hall's locker room...


Head Coach Rabe: Alright guys, here we go. It's the FUMBBL Cup - do I have to say more?

Aegil: Erm... for the newish among us: What's it all about?

Duane: <disdainful> Are you kidding?! The FUMBBL Cup is the one event in our division...

Head Coach Rabe: Well, actually not only our division.

Duane: What do you mean?

Head Coach Rabe: There'll be teams from the Black Box, too...

Aegil: What's that?

Ziruin: Wait, Coach, timeout - isn't that kind of a prisoners' league? Where they box all the lunatics, serial killers and pyschopaths in?

Head Coach Rabe: Sort of, yeah.

Duane: <indignantly> Oh my...

Ziruin: Really?!

Dorfort: So... why are they allowed to participate now?!

Brumbas: Oh, come on, give the guys some slack! They have needs, too!

Ziruin: <drowning out> Coach, you really want us to go there?! There are monsters out there that slice seasoned warriors into pieces with their bare hands-

Grimbald: Claws!

Ziruin: What?

Grimbald: With their bare claws. <slaps Ziruin on the back> Come on, guys... would you please calm down? I've been there, I've played in the Box... And I tell you: We can deal with those "monsters"! Anytime!

Duane: ...yeah, and we'll probably end up playing and losing against goblins first round anyway!

Laughter.

Head Coach Rabe: <screams> You think that's FUNNY?

Dorfort: Oops.

Head Coach Rabe: <hissing> You really think we're meant to lose in round one?!

Alion: <stoically> Well... Rabe... you have to admit that in the past that was pretty much our way.

Head Coach Rabe: Our WAY? Losing? Are you KIDDING me?!

Buzz arises.

Duane: He's got a point...

Brumbas: Oh, come on...

Nomril: <full of hope> Claws and fangs...

Alion: ...moral...

Brom: ...but we are DWARVES...

Ramnah: <steps forward and turns towards her teammates> Alright, you SHUT UP now! All of you!!

Silence.

Head Coach Rabe: Ramnah-

Ramnah: <interrupts> No, you too, Rabe.

Head Coach Rabe: <gasps> I...

Ramnah: <loud and clear> This tournament is gonna be my last one.

Even deeper silence.

Ramnah: I'm gonna retire after the FC. There are reasons behind it, I can't tell you right now. But I have to take that step.

Head Coach Rabe: <looks down>

Rhoda: But... but... we need you! You're our paragon. The Agility Monster's paragon!

Ramnah: <bitter> Paragon is a big word. I certainly not deserve it... even though you might not understand now, you will later...

Brom: <astonished> Is it because of your injuries? Come on, Ramnah! You're still a great player! The best! Others have suffered more and are still part of the team!

Ramnah: No, I'll have to leave... after the FUMBBL Cup.

Brom: Alright... <loud> We better make it hell of a tournament performance then!

Dorfort: Cheers, mate!

Brumbas: Hear, hear!

Rhoda: Agility Monsters - for Ramnah!

Ungor: F-f-for R-Ramnah!


A few minutes later, after most of the team has left:


Head Coach Rabe: Thanks for inspiring them, Ramnah.

Ramnah: I didn't plan to inspire them...

Head Coach Rabe: But you did.

Ramnah: I feared all would fall apart. And I fear so even more now... once they know.

Head Coach Rabe: You know, since Namosz is gone, there is this hole... If you go, it will for sure grow bigger. You don't have to go... We don't have to tell them.

Ramnah: <harsh> Oh yes, we have to. And I won't tolerate you getting into my way here, gnome.

Head Coach Rabe: <on the verge of despair> Ramnah...

Ramnah: Shut up. <walks out>

Head Coach Rabe: <sighs and leaves through another door>


Aegil: <in the men's room> Now what the hell was that all about...?

Dorfort: I have no idea, mate.

Aegil: Well, we'll better find out. I smell dark secrets... and you can trust Ol' Aegil's nose when it comes to secrets!