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I look up and see Marv standing over me. I rub my eyes.
"What are you doing here?" I ask him.
"Is that any way to speak to friends?" He sees my face properly now and the black and yellow rods that are my ribs. God, I see him think, but he doesn't say it. He answers my question with an answer to a different question. This is typically frustrating of Marv. Instead of saying what he's doing here, he tells me how he got in. "The door was unlocked, and the Doorman let me past for a change."
"See? I told you he's okay."
I walk through to the kitchen with Marv behind me. He asks about the state of me.
"How'd you end up like that, Ed?"
I switch the kettle on. "Coffee?"
Yes, please.
Of course, the Doorman's just walked in.
"Thanks," Marv answers.
As we drink, I tell Marv what happened. "Just some young fellas. They had a look at me and took me from behind."
"You get any shots in of your own?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"There were six of them, Marv."
He shakes his head. "Christ, the world's going crazy." He decides to get back to something sane. "Do you think you'll be right to play this afternoon?"
Of course.
The Sledge Game.
Today's the day.
"Yes, Marv." I make the answer very clear. "I'm playing." I'm suddenly very in the mood for this year's game. Despite being a physical disaster, I feel stronger than ever, and I'm actually relishing the idea of being hurt some more. Don't ask me why. I don't understand it myself.
"Come on." Marv stands up and begins for the door. "I'll buy you some breakfast."
"Really?" This isn't like Marv at all.
As we leave I ask him for the truth.
"Would you be doing this if I pulled out of the game?"
Marv opens his car and gets in. "No way."
At least he's honest.
His car doesn't start.
"Not one word." He eyes me.
We both snigger slightly.
This is a good day. I can feel it.
