Post by Roy Vezina on Oct 27, 2024 13:23:47 GMT
The Punch Line locker room is dimly lit, the only illumination coming from a flickering fluorescent light overhead. The usual energy is replaced by a sullen quietness as Rick Hull, Roy Vezina, and Harv Norris stumble in, still in their costumes from the chaotic Día de los Muertos match.
Roy is limping slightly, rubbing his lower back and muttering curses under his breath. Rick is looking particularly sour, his Mountie hat askew and his face red with frustration. Harv waddles in behind them, still dressed in his giant beaver costume, the oversized tail dragging across the floor.
Harv Norris: (in his thick Newfoundland accent) “B’y, did ya see that? NEXUS ain’t human, I swear it! The lad’s gotta be somethin’ else—like maybe Blue Thunder in disguise, eh?”
Rick Hull: (grumbling) “How many times do I gotta tell you, Harv? NEXUS is a friggin’ robot, not our ‘tendy’ playin’ dress-up.”
Roy Vezina: (holding his lower back, wincing) “Can we not talk about that right now? I just landed on a roll of quarters after he clocked me. You ever land on a roll of quarters? Hurts like hell!”
Harv, still confused and clutching his beaver tail stuffed with hockey pucks, looks around, as if he’s expecting Blue Thunder to walk in and unmask as NEXUS.
Harv Norris: “But seriously, how do we know Blue Thunder ain’t sneakin’ around pretendin’ to be this NEXUS fella? Wouldn’t put it past the lad—he’s quiet enough.”
Rick rolls his eyes, clearly exhausted from both the match and Harv’s wild theories. He’s about to argue when he notices something in the corner of the locker room. His eyes widen, and he nudges Roy with his elbow.
Rick Hull: (whispering) “Roy, look…”
Roy turns to see Blue Thunder standing silently in the corner, fully dressed in his goaltender gear, his face expressionless as always. The three men jump slightly, none of them having noticed him there before.
Roy Vezina: (voice cracking slightly) “Jeez! How long have you been standing there, Thunder?!”
Blue Thunder just stares blankly, not saying a word. Harv’s face lights up with realization, and he points dramatically.
Harv Norris: “See?! Told ya he’s got that NEXUS vibe! Man barely makes a peep! He’s sneaky-like!”
Before Rick can groan in frustration, a familiar, sharp voice cuts through the tension.
Puck: (leaning back against a locker, casually inspecting his nails) “You guys done playin’ Scooby-Doo or what? Big man over there’s just a goalie—ain’t no robot, ain’t no undercover superhero. Get your heads outta your butts.”
Harv looks between Puck and Blue Thunder, clearly struggling to process the information. Rick sighs and shakes his head.
Rick Hull: (irritated) “Listen, Puck, you wanna chirp, fine. But Harv’s got a point—Thunder’s freakin’ me out with all this standing around.”
Puck: (mocking) “Ooooh, big bad Thunder’s just standin’ there, scary stuff! Maybe you should call your mommy, Hull. Oh wait—never mind, she’s probably busy!”
Rick’s face turns a shade redder, and he takes a step toward Puck, fists clenched.
Harv Norris: (jumping in between them) “Whoa now, b’y! You can’t fight the wee one! He’s just chirpin’ ya!”
Roy, who’s been trying to stretch out his bruised hip, watches the whole scene with an expression of both exasperation and pride. He clears his throat and claps his hands.
Roy Vezina: “Alright, alright, that’s enough. Look, boys, tonight didn’t go our way, but that’s okay. We’re the Punch Line! We’ll bounce back. Puck, you keep chirpin’. Harv, try not to lose sleep over whether or not Thunder’s a secret robot. And Thunder… just keep… standing there, I guess.”
Blue Thunder remains motionless, his silent presence still unsettling. The Punch Line exchanges uneasy glances before they all let out awkward chuckles.
Harv Norris: (nervously chuckling) “Yup, yup… just standin’ there.”
Roy turns away, clearly trying to play it cool, but Harv and Rick can’t take their eyes off Blue Thunder. As the locker room settles into an awkward silence, Puck’s laughter echoes through the room, and the scene fades out with The Punch Line once again left to wonder about their enigmatic, towering teammate.
Roy is limping slightly, rubbing his lower back and muttering curses under his breath. Rick is looking particularly sour, his Mountie hat askew and his face red with frustration. Harv waddles in behind them, still dressed in his giant beaver costume, the oversized tail dragging across the floor.
Harv Norris: (in his thick Newfoundland accent) “B’y, did ya see that? NEXUS ain’t human, I swear it! The lad’s gotta be somethin’ else—like maybe Blue Thunder in disguise, eh?”
Rick Hull: (grumbling) “How many times do I gotta tell you, Harv? NEXUS is a friggin’ robot, not our ‘tendy’ playin’ dress-up.”
Roy Vezina: (holding his lower back, wincing) “Can we not talk about that right now? I just landed on a roll of quarters after he clocked me. You ever land on a roll of quarters? Hurts like hell!”
Harv, still confused and clutching his beaver tail stuffed with hockey pucks, looks around, as if he’s expecting Blue Thunder to walk in and unmask as NEXUS.
Harv Norris: “But seriously, how do we know Blue Thunder ain’t sneakin’ around pretendin’ to be this NEXUS fella? Wouldn’t put it past the lad—he’s quiet enough.”
Rick rolls his eyes, clearly exhausted from both the match and Harv’s wild theories. He’s about to argue when he notices something in the corner of the locker room. His eyes widen, and he nudges Roy with his elbow.
Rick Hull: (whispering) “Roy, look…”
Roy turns to see Blue Thunder standing silently in the corner, fully dressed in his goaltender gear, his face expressionless as always. The three men jump slightly, none of them having noticed him there before.
Roy Vezina: (voice cracking slightly) “Jeez! How long have you been standing there, Thunder?!”
Blue Thunder just stares blankly, not saying a word. Harv’s face lights up with realization, and he points dramatically.
Harv Norris: “See?! Told ya he’s got that NEXUS vibe! Man barely makes a peep! He’s sneaky-like!”
Before Rick can groan in frustration, a familiar, sharp voice cuts through the tension.
Puck: (leaning back against a locker, casually inspecting his nails) “You guys done playin’ Scooby-Doo or what? Big man over there’s just a goalie—ain’t no robot, ain’t no undercover superhero. Get your heads outta your butts.”
Harv looks between Puck and Blue Thunder, clearly struggling to process the information. Rick sighs and shakes his head.
Rick Hull: (irritated) “Listen, Puck, you wanna chirp, fine. But Harv’s got a point—Thunder’s freakin’ me out with all this standing around.”
Puck: (mocking) “Ooooh, big bad Thunder’s just standin’ there, scary stuff! Maybe you should call your mommy, Hull. Oh wait—never mind, she’s probably busy!”
Rick’s face turns a shade redder, and he takes a step toward Puck, fists clenched.
Harv Norris: (jumping in between them) “Whoa now, b’y! You can’t fight the wee one! He’s just chirpin’ ya!”
Roy, who’s been trying to stretch out his bruised hip, watches the whole scene with an expression of both exasperation and pride. He clears his throat and claps his hands.
Roy Vezina: “Alright, alright, that’s enough. Look, boys, tonight didn’t go our way, but that’s okay. We’re the Punch Line! We’ll bounce back. Puck, you keep chirpin’. Harv, try not to lose sleep over whether or not Thunder’s a secret robot. And Thunder… just keep… standing there, I guess.”
Blue Thunder remains motionless, his silent presence still unsettling. The Punch Line exchanges uneasy glances before they all let out awkward chuckles.
Harv Norris: (nervously chuckling) “Yup, yup… just standin’ there.”
Roy turns away, clearly trying to play it cool, but Harv and Rick can’t take their eyes off Blue Thunder. As the locker room settles into an awkward silence, Puck’s laughter echoes through the room, and the scene fades out with The Punch Line once again left to wonder about their enigmatic, towering teammate.