==Gene's POV==
I'm a Nicelander first & a mayor second. That's what everyone loves about me. We're all on a first name basis. As Gene, I have a good time. As Mayor, I ensure that we are gaining enough quarters to stay afloat. And I keep my citizens calm. That second part I rarely have to worry about, because of our local hero &
idol, Felix. This is one heck of a carpenter, I tell you. If you're looking for a reliable contractor, this is the man to go to. He really gets the job done. We don't call him, 'Fix-It', for nothing.
Likewise, we have a big, bumbling, dodderring oaf of a villain appropriately named, 'Wreck-It Ralph'. Everyday, this buffoon breaks all of my windows & tosses me by my head into the Dump. Yeah, those two parts are programmed, so let's take a look at the Ralph we are presented with. He is freakishly large, so we can't invite him anywhere. He has a very low temper, so everyone has to try not to set him off. I, personally, am not afraid. What is he going to do, toss me again? He has very poor manners. And lastly, he can be a jerk at times. He doesn't appreciate a thing you do for him. I let him stay in the Dump instead of Friendly Forest. At least he could build himself a home with that brick pile of his. Does he? No. I don't see how that's my fault. And I receive no gratitude for letting him stay there. Like I said, what a jerk.
Let's not talk about Wreck-It Ralph. Let's talk about me again. Hmm, let's see. I love martinis. I feel uncomfortable talking without one in hand. I love my grand apartment in the Penthouse. Being Mayor means I get the most space. Unlike Felix, I get to live the quiet life. That's another thing I love: my space. I usually invite everyone into my apartment after the Arcade closes for a quick get-together, nothing much. And then I get to sleep on my giant mattress. It's wonderful.
Speaking of wonderful, today has been a spectacular day. Our game hasn't been this successful since three weeks ago. I come up to the roof of the Penthouse to find Felix having happily defeated Wreck-It Ralph for the last time today. I gladly help the Nicelanders toss Wreck-It Ralph off of my building. Good riddance. Too' bad he'll be back the next day. That guy just cannot take a hint. Felix gets his usual rewards,
including a pat on the back from your's truly. And we head inside to my apartment for the scheduled get-together. I can't contain my excitement.
"We've raked in almost twenty quarters today.", I say to Felix. "You never cease to amaze, my friend.".
He passes me another martini like the swell guy that he is.
"It was nothing.", he humbly replies. "I mean, where would I be without my trusty hammer?".
I let out a laugh as he spins that thing around as a professional.
"Ha, yeah. It wouldn't be the same. I can tell you that.".
Hell, even with a normal hammer that guy could probably work wonders, knowing him.
"Here you go, dear.", I hear Mary hand Felix a cup of fruit punch.
Just between you & me, I think he's addicted. He drinks fruit punch all of the time.
'Thank you, Mary', I say in my head as he speaks the same words.
Pff, game characters. They always repeat themselves. He then pushes his drink toward mine in a friendly gesture.
"Cheers", I hear him say. "So, what's new in the Arcade?", he takes a sip of his favorite drink.
Just what I wanted to talk about. I heard some interesting news indeed.
"I'm glad you asked. First off, I heard from Dance Dance Revollution that Stan is getting a new game.".
Everybody, 'oo's'. I recall lt was only last night that I had that conversation with Yuni Verse. Everyone will be happy about this, but as a politician, I know better. Another game means competition. Judging by Stan's reaction to lt, we're really going to have to step up our game. Ha, look at that pun.
"Which game?", Felix asks.
See what I mean?
"It's called, 'Mario Bros.'. He's really excited about lt.".
What kind of name is that anyhow? Maybe this game will flop.
"I can't wait to greet the new neighbors.", Felix says in a jolly tone. "When are they coming in?".
"In around three days.". "Next headline: the police are stepping up security. From now on, Surge is going to be stopping people at all gates,
not just the first one you come through.".
As I should have guessed, there are some moans & whines. I think lt's for the best. Some characters I know fall asleep in Tapper the whole day. A lot of them don't have anywhere to go. Get a game, hippies.
"Lastly, a bit of bad news.".
I hesitate before saying this one; & for good reason. My advisor, Don, anticipates the news.
"Uh-oh", he says.
"It's not THAT bad.", I emphasize. "Don't worry. But ever since Tillman put in that new game, we've lost over 35% of our customers.".
My secretary, Roy, spits out his coffee.
"35%?!".
"Oh, no!", Deanna cries. "Tillman is putting us out of buisness.".
And then they panic. This is one of the few times I have to fulfill my second duty. See how I said, 'over 35%'? Imagine how they'd react lf I said we lost 40%, which we did.
Putting a hand up to my forehead, I say, "Would yous stop panicking? We're doing fine.".
And just like that, they do. Easy enough. But let's keep lt that way.
"And to prove lt to yous, we're going to make over twenty five quarters tomorrow!".
They cheer. Now for the knockout.
"Right, Felix?".
"No guarantees, but I think we can pull lt off.".
Not what I wanted to hear, but I work with lt.
"Alright. Even Felix agrees.".
There's more cheering & Felix finishes his drink.
"I'm going to hit the hay, guys. See yous in the morning.", he says, leaving.
Smooth. The citizen frenzy must have got to him. I try everyday, but maybe this time will be different.
"Felix, why don't you stay in the Penthouse tonight? There's a nice room with a view, on the eleventh floor, with your name on lt.", I offer.
I want him to stay in the Penthouse, where I prepared an apartment for him. This way, he can make my job easier & never be late to work also. But, I spoke too' soon.
"No thanks, Gene. I'm happy with my place.".
He has the same cheerful response each time, with little to no variation. Anyone else probably would be annoyed by my incessant asking. Nothing left to do but let him go again.
"Alright then. See ya tomorrow.".
"Good night, Felix.", the other Nicelanders wave to him.
Now that I think about lt, he didn't stay very long. He must be tired from working all day. He does have the hardest job in the game. I, myself, am pretty tired. I think I fancy a nap before I go on a buisness trip to Game Central Station.
"Alright everyone, same time tomorrow.", I kick them out.
Bye bye, Mary & Norwood & Nel & Meg & all of the rest. It's me time. I do what any reasonable character in my position of authority would. I power down in my bed.
