CHAPTER 20: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, PART 4
Otto Rocket and Twister Rodriguez have shared a dream since their childhoods: To become the most famous skaters on the Earth.
The former is the one who carried the half of the dream focused on fame and fortune, concerned with only the clout and influence he might gain from his stardom, but, to every main star, there is a man behind the scenes who sees that he gets his needs fulfilled; a beta to his alpha.
This is where Twister comes into the dream, and how he holds onto the dream as Otto does. He has been Otto's most loyal friend and sole cinematographer, capturing every stunt he has performed on film, and subsequently showing it off to the world to see his skills and talent.
More often than not, that effort has gone unnoticed and unappreciated by Otto, leaving Twister in a rut of dissatisfaction and misery. Twister himself denies himself and to others his own feelings, brushing them aside without any concern for himself or his own mental health.
His emotional self-neglect has left him to pass out on their house's desk, leaning over their laptop, having previously pressed its 'refresh' button in an attempt to boost the view counts of their videos, and hopefully increase their income. It is a hopeless cycle of effort with no payoff or reward, just as definitionally insane as his loyalty to Otto.
There is, however, still loyalty which comes to Twister from other friends. Taking notice of his exhausted state, Reggie and Sam lifted his sleeping body off of his chair, carrying him over their shoulders to a more acceptable sleeping place of a bedroom, and, of course, a bed.
Their arrival to Twister's bedroom was celebrated with Twister being placed in his bed, subsequently covered by his bedsheet and blanket and setting aside his hat. The uncomfortable slumber he previously slept, catching rest that barely qualified as proper sleep quickly turned to a much more peaceful and serene rest, putting an end to all mumblings and snoring and moaning that displayed any other signs of discomfort.
Reggie and Sam then stepped to the doorway as they departed to leave Twister to sleep in peace, accompanied by the witnessing Tito.
"The little cuz gonna be okay?" Tito asked.
"He's fine. Just tired himself out." Sam said.
"How? You were the one doing all the work, cuz."
"Yeah, well, he wasn't fueled by about 350 megagrams of caffeine. I'm only just barely starting to feel tired now."
"Then in that case, we should all be going to bed now, not just Twister." Reggie said.
"Yeah, you're probably right. Tito, does that mean you're outta here?"
"Not just yet, cuz. I figure I'd better see this thing through, for all of our sakes." Tito said.
"But what about Raymundo and the Shore Shack?" Reggie asked.
"Ray thinks I'm sick, told him I was here. We haven't gotten any big amount of customers for years now, he can take care of himself. I called him again today to let him know I 'still wasn't feeling good' and 'might need a few more days', if you catch my drift."
"I got you. We appreciate your help here, Tito." Sam said.
"Yeah. And especially for helping clean this shithole up." Reggie said.
"Well, not exactly how I wanted to plan my sick days, but at least it's in the line of duty of helping Ocean Shores." Tito said.
Closing the door on Twister's bedroom, the group left him alone to sleep, continuing their conversation without any chance of waking him.
"Still... You think there's something else to Twister that he's not letting on about?" Reggie asked.
"What do you mean, cuz?" Tito asked.
"Like Otto being gone all the time's starting to mess with him. The guys were pretty much inseparable back when we were all kids, and they spent pretty much all their waking hours together as adults. The one time Otto's gone, and he just seems miserable."
"I'm surprised you didn't try to argue that's a good thing for him, considering how much you hate Otto's guts." Sam snarked.
"Oh, I don't hate Otto. He's a little dickhead, but he's still my little brother. Who doesn't have to deal with annoying younger siblings?"
"I didn't. I was an only child."
"You know what I mean, Sammy. He's still family, and I still love him. I mean, your parents went through a divorce, but you still love both your parents, right?"
"Of course."
"Right. There you go."
"Reggie's right, cuz. You can't choose family. Family chooses you, whether you like it or not." Tito said.
"Well, you chose to be part of the Rocket family, Tito. You're not officially related to them. At least, not until Ray married Noelani. No offense." Sam said.
"None taken. But that's still not 'choosing' your family, cuz. I spent a lot of time with Ray back in the day, and I ended up staying with him long enough to be considered a brother rather than a friend. I didn't 'choose' that, it just happened. That's how family happens, just the same as being born into a family. Twister's not so different with Otto."
"Yeah, well, with him, I could swear the two were married. You see the way they argue sometimes?"
"What, you think they're gay?" Reggie asked.
"I asked them that the other day, as a matter of fact. They said no, and I definitely don't see it in Otto, but, Twister... I mean... Have you ever seen him with a girl before?"
"Uh... I guess not, now that you mention it. But what difference does it really make?"
"Well, cuz, maybe it's a case of unrequited feelings. I've seen it one too many times with boys and girls, but never between boys and boys. I don't see why it wouldn't be the same. Ancient Hawaiian saying: 'The wild pineapple can be pollinated by the wild hummingbird, but the homegrown pineapple must be pollinated by hand'." Tito said.
As always, Tito's words of wisdom seemed to go right over the heads of their intended audience, who dismissed it as general agreement.
"Eh... Whatever. What difference does it really make?" Sam asked.
"Well, for one thing, it's just another reason that Otto's gotta get his butt back here sooner than later. He's been out for almost two days straight with those guys. What the hell's he up to with them?" Reggie asked.
The answer is found at the skating emporium known as Zero Gravity Zone, but it is not for Reggie or any of the others to know just yet. Otto Rocket arrives now to the massive skate park, led on by his newfound friend, Dax Jett, and the park's sponsored team, the Rippers, which Dax is the leader of.
Rather than take the front door to enter the park, Dax led Otto to the back door of Zero Gravity Zone, stopping short of the door before entering.
"Now, I know you've only hung with us for a few days, I know this, but I give you this offer because I have faith in you. You're one of the best skaters I've laid eyes on in my years, and I believe you could be one of the best things that happened to this team. If you step through this door, you're in it to win it. Any and all skepticism, you walk away now with a clean slate. No shame, no regrets. But this is your last chance to back out now. You still in?" Dax asked.
"What are you, bringing me into a cult or something?" Otto asked.
"Not a cult, man. Something bigger than you could imagine. Are you still in?"
"Yeah, sure, I'm in."
"No, no, no, not 'yeah, sure', are you in, or are you out?"
"Okay, yes, I'm in. That good enough?"
"Why, yes, it is. Right this way, Otto, my friend."
Dax opened the back door to Zero Gravity Zone, leading the two to the VIP section of the park. The area is not a foreign one to Otto Rocket, but his entry is nonetheless slow and careful, making certain that he does not make a wrong move to offend or bring harm upon himself.
Stepping to the middle of the room, just in front of the couch, Dax prepared to deliver his next speech to Otto.
"Now, a few days ago, you came into contact with a group of strangely-dressed individuals, and these individuals rode on skateboards that hover off the ground, right?" Dax asked.
Otto had not expected Dax to bring up the events surrounding the destruction of Squid's Electronics so bluntly, but nonetheless reacted to the question in silence.
"And by the particular silence you chose to respond with, or, should I say, provide a lack of response, you knew that they had something to do ZGZ, and you went off to investigate." Dax said.
Otto again stayed silent, not providing any contest to Dax's recalling of events.
"And I'm also betting you figured out it was us, huh?" Dax asked.
It is now when Otto gives a response at last, replying with a simple and firm...
"Yes." Otto said.
"And you were trying to stop us somehow?" Dax asked.
"No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe. I mean... I don't know what I was gonna do. All I know is that you guys fucked up my friend's store, and I agreed to help try to figure out what was going on."
"Of course. Imagine how unlucky we were for you to lay eyes on us, then even jump in and take action, taking one of us down with nothing but your bare hands."
"And if you were gonna kill me over this, you would've done it already. So you've been keeping your eye on me and trying to talk me into staying with you guys. Bring me into the fold."
"Very good. I told you that you're smarter than you give yourself credit for, Otto."
"Eh, I've seen enough spy movies to get the gist of this stuff. Not a lot you can do when you're stoned but watch some shitty movies. It always makes 'em better."
"I wouldn't know. But I'm sure you would. And I'm also sure you know how we managed to find out a little more about you and your friends. I think we can dispel with the mystery and let him introduce himself."
As if to throw another lampshade onto the theatrical secrecy of the meeting, one of the leisure chairs in the room turned to show Lars Rodriguez sitting in it, lighting up a cigarette as he laid back. On his shirt was a photograph of a cancer patient on the street of a red light district, with a sign below the picture reading 'GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE'.
He greeted Otto with a middle finger raised as soon as he lit his cigarette, smiling as he gave the offensive gesture.
"Sup, nigga?" Lars asked.
"He introduced us to your NewTube videos, and we liked what we saw." Dax said.
Otto returned once again to silence, placing a scowl at Lars, but still keeping himself from making any irrational actions for his own safety.
"What's the matter? That part surprise you? You remember fighting him yourself, don't you?" Dax asked.
"Of course I do. Just surprised this fuckin' pussy would show his face to me again after I kicked his ass. By the way, how's the arm?" Otto asked.
"Hey, you know what, Rocket Dork? I ain't even mad. After you got my old arm ripped off, the boys here hooked me up with a new one. Check this shit out." Lars said.
Lars removed one sleeve of his jacket to display his robotic arm, getting a look of surprise and shock from Otto as he saw it.
"Neat shit, right? You should see the turbo mode on its handjobs." Lars said.
"For the record, I understand why you hate this guy. He's completely insufferable. That's half the reason we kept him away when we brought you in." Dax said.
"You must need me pretty bad if you're going to all these lengths for little old me. And you're definitely getting some great bankroll from your boss to afford shit like this. So, what exactly's the game here?" Otto asked.
"That, my boy, is a question I can answer you myself." A voice said.
Otto turned to face the one who spoke, finding him meeting with Alex Gravity, the owner of Zero Gravity Zone, and benefactor of the Rippers. Entering the room after a long period of staying his presence, he made it known by approaching Dax from behind, approvingly patting him on the back.
"Good job, boy. I'll take it from here." Alex Gravity said.
Dax nodded in response and sat down on a chair, allowing his employer and recruit to talk to one another.
"You know, I was a bit hesitant on adding you to the fold, Otto. You have Dax here to thank for supporting you. I thought Lars would be more than enough. After all, I could always use a good skater, and you're probably one of the best I've laid eyes on." Alex Gravity said.
"So you've had your eye on me, huh? What about Lars? Is he your idea of a good skater?"
"No, he's my idea of a nihilist made of pure rage; stupid, antisocial, and simple-minded. He's my human wrecking ball. You, on the other hand, are the skill to the brawn of the Rippers."
"You want to blow up people's businesses and ruin people's lives, including my own friends. What makes you think that I want to be any part of that?"
"Going for the lone, incorruptible hero approach, are we? Such a fan of the trope. But as much as I love a good movie, you should know that this isn't a movie. This is real life. To the extent this is a movie, I'm the one with the vision. And you're not seeing the bigger picture behind what I'm doing, Otto. That's why I had you brought you here tonight."
"Yeah? Well, you've only got so long before I go back to my main objective of stopping you guys. What's the grand scheme?"
"If this is the part where you think I'm going to tell you the whole plan of our group and then set you in a deathtrap only for you to escape and beat us, I'm sorry to disappoint you on not completing the James Bond cliché. Those might be some of the few films I could never stand. A rich villain coming up with some half-brained scheme and spewing it all for the super-spy to foil? Ah! Boring. Repetitive. No imagination. Instead, I want you to think on your own as I tell you a few things."
"Enough babbling, old man, just say what you're doing already."
"I will. Tell me something, Otto, when you take a look around this town, what do you see?"
"I see my hometown, what's that supposed to mean here?"
"And what's in your hometown? Empty streets. Closing businesses. Struggling citizens. Ever since video games and smartphones came into existence, skating and surfing have become damn near obsolete, the former of which is my bread and butter. Kids just aren't interested in going outside anymore. Why go outside and make the effort to do something when you could just tap away on your phone to get all the exhilaration you need? Because of that, no one is coming to Ocean Shores anymore, and this city has never been worse."
"Yeah, yeah, we've all heard the same bullshit on NameBook plenty of times. What about all the customers you still get every day? That's still gotta be enough for you, right?"
"They only come here because I'm the only skating option in all of Orange County. None of the kids who come here would've ever heard of this town if it wasn't for me. I'm practically the last lifeline Ocean Shores has. Plus, all those kids are children of traditional skaters and surfers. It's in their family. Kids now don't give a shit anymore. There's barely been any new skaters emerging in any of the main championships nowadays. Hell, more people tune in for local news than the X Games nowadays, assuming they even watch TV anymore. My profits have never been as low as they are now. And it's not just me. Property values are the lowest they've ever been, businesses have to charge triple the normal prices of corporate businesses just to survive, and so many people have left this town. This city's nowhere near what it used to be."
After hearing Alex Gravity's arguments about Ocean Shores' deterioration and fall from glory, Otto began to think over his words more carefully, recalling the time when Twister spoke similar concerns to him. Finding a familiar experience to compare the speech to, he began to listen more passionately to the businessman.
"Let's say I agree with some of those points. So, then, what's your solution? How does destroying places help anybody?" Otto asked.
"Simple. They file a claim on insurance, get a big settlement, and move to Florida, where they can live out a better life. They don't have enough money to leave or stay, so we step in and give them a reason to leave. We're just cleaning up what's left in this town."
"And blowing up the bigger businesses drives out all the regular people, too, because there's nowhere to buy stuff from, right?"
"Exactly. When a virus has no more resources to consume, it moves on to another area to find more resources, just like in human nature. All we're trying to do is just urge people to settle elsewhere to be happy. You know, Dax was right, you do catch on very quick."
"But what the fuck is the point? What happens to Ocean Shores?"
"I have a deal with the city government. Long story short, I pulled them out of bankruptcy using what money I could scrape up, and I get my hands on the whole city come the next budget meeting. But I gotta make sure the riffraff is gone before then. Once they are, I get to do whatever I want with the city land. And I have big plans for it."
"Yeah? What plans?"
"That one I'll still keep under wraps. It wouldn't be a surprise otherwise, of course. But rest assured, it is big, and it will make Ocean Shores better than it could ever be, and the very sport of skating will be revolutionized in a way unlike you've ever imagined. Bigger than anything anyone's ever come up with. It's gonna make Reptarland look like Six Flags. I believe you've already gotten a taste of that with our hoverboards."
Otto further pondered what potential plans that Alex Gravity could have, attempting to figure out how the hoverboards fit into it.
"I was a skater once, too, you know. I know how much you love the ride, how much you love the sport. It's the edge you can't get anywhere else in life. I feel just as bad as you watching it all start to die off into extinction. I've seen how hard you try on your NewTube channel. You want it to come back, and come back big? I'm the guy to do it." Alex Gravity said.
"Why do you have to fuck up Ocean Shores and buy it off? Isn't there another way to do it?" Otto asked.
"If there was, don't you think some other great entrepreneur would have found out how? Ocean Shores can't be saved. And if it can't be saved, then it should be euthanized. At this point, Ocean Shores isn't even dying, it's already dead. I'm just here to help the phoenix rise from the ashes."
"So, you just run off everybody in the town, and take the land for yourself. How white you are, sir."
"Hey, say what you will about history, but it proved that the plan works. Besides, the government of today's not so different. You ever hear of eminent domain?"
"Yeah, I'm still not feeling really inclined to terrorizing people. Doesn't exactly rest on my conscience."
"C'mon, Otto. Think about this. All your life, people try to throw you in a box, try to make you this big, strong, respectful member of society, right?"
Dax began to watch on from the sidelines more carefully, as if he was witnessing an event that struck personal to himself, seeing it in Otto as it unfolded.
"Well... I guess." Otto said.
"So, then, don't you wanna get back at them for once? Show the world that you don't wanna be part of its stupid guidelines and rules that don't make any sense? Show your dad that you're not somebody who lives by his rules, but your own?" Alex Gravity asked.
"The fuck do you know about my dad? You've never even met him."
"I know enough about authority figures to recognize how bullshit it all is. I'm a pioneer of industry. I shouldn't have to be held back by government or rules or regulation. I'm the guy you let loose on the world, and I change it as I see fit. You deserve that same treatment, too."
Given another perspective to view, Otto took a moment to think over Alex Gravity's words, beginning to seriously consider the offer being made to him.
"Dax tells me you want the ultimate ride, like he does. Well, this is the ultimate ride, Otto. Don't you wanna be part of it?" Alex Gravity asked.
The rest of the Rippers then leaned in with careful eyes, eager to hear Otto make his choice. The multiple eyes put upon him are each a form of pressure put on his decision, forcing him to make a choice much faster than a timespan which anyone could make a reasonable choice in.
He has heard the case of Dax Jett and the rest of the Rippers over the past few days, given plenty of reasons to abandon all connection to his friends and family, to embrace a life of complete freedom and individualism. It appeals to all his own drives and desires, and offers him the chance to be free as he has always wanted to be under the financing of Alex Gravity.
But no human being can ever detach himself from his family so easily, especially when he has spent the majority of his life with them. Worse yet, he cannot find it in his heart to destroy his own hometown, another place where his heart and soul have attachment to, any more than he can harm himself.
He knows all the pros and cons of his both avenues, realizing the situation as a whole and what facts are available to him. He is also still a young man, susceptible to poor decisions formed based on what information is fed to his mind, fueled by volatile emotions, and is ultimately still human, and can make human errors.
Then, Otto made his decision.
"Okay. I'm in." Otto said.
And hours after those simple words are spoken, the Rippers are geared up for another mission, sent off by their benefactor to commit violence for his own profit. Geared up in their specially-designed suits, they are just steps away from their next objective, off to destroy another fundamental business in Ocean Shores' economy, as well as one of the last.
Their next goal is a gas station, one of the most important, and often overlooked, staples in any economy. When a country's primary method of transportation is by automobile, being the sole way to participate in all sociological and business-related matters, the gas station is the only way to keep up many of these needs.
And the Rippers have been sent off on a goal to attack the gas station.
Dressed in his suit after obtaining it not hours ago, Otto is uneasy about the task set for the group, still unable to bring himself to be eager to violence as the others are.
"I still don't know about this. Are you sure nobody's gonna get hurt?" Otto asked.
The assurance Otto needs comes from the unlikely source of Lars Rodriguez, patting his robotic hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, don't sweat it, Rocket Dork. Gravity's whole thing is that he doesn't want us to kill anybody. Personally, I got pissed when I heard that, but that should be more than enough for a pussy like you." Lars said.
"Whatever, fucktard. Some of us happen to have a conscience." Otto said.
"You're not the only one, Otto. Don't worry. Just think of all these people lying on a beach somewhere, sipping a mojito. That's what they'll be doing after they cash in, and that's what we'll be doing when the job's all done." Dax said.
Otto let out a deep breath, trying to hold onto the conjured image to relieve his nervousness and uncertainties.
"Alright. Let's just get this over with." Otto said.
"By all means. But, Otto? Try not to have that attitude. Try to have fun. Otherwise, what's the point?" Dax asked.
Throwing his hoverboard to the ground, Dax stepped on, calling his team to do the same.
"Rippers, let's get ripping!" Dax called.
[Soundtrack Cue: The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up]
Charging into the gas station on their hoverboards, the Rippers rushed in to attack with no hesitation, each setting their sights on a specific target to destroy. They are no different from the Vikings of older times, ancient conquerors which come to steal what they please and destroy whatever is in their sight.
Old philosophies clash with new technologies as their hoverboards make their mission easier to complete, raging with at high speeds and high tensions to be released.
And the sole unwitting gas station attendant is left to witness the incoming attackers, unsure what to make of their high-tech getup or their skateboards inexplicably hovering off of the ground without wheels. As anyone would do when placed in a situation completely unlike anything resembling a normal occurrence, the attendant looked on with widened eyes and uttered out a confused and scared...
"What... the... fuck?" The attendant stammered.
The invading Rippers then began taking to the gas station's infrastructure, smashing whatever was within their immediate reach. Neon signs and lights are some of the first things to go, sending off sparks and electrical interference as they were crudely and viciously destroyed.
The attack of the Rippers is not any that resembles a clear, coordinated assault, but more akin to a group of mischievous youngsters releasing all the energy they had on their surroundings to let out their anger. They have no rules or caveats to follow regarding how they do their jobs, save for the sparing of any and all lives, so they are left absolutely free to do as they please.
Otto is hesitant to join in with them at first, but, remembering the anonymity and security he has, he allowed himself to join in at last. Taking to the windows and goods inside the gas station, Otto threw rocks, rubble, and whatever else he could find on the ground inside, smashing everything the station had.
After the first step past his hesitancy, Otto soon began to follow through his task more enthusiastically, cheerfully participating in the wanton destruction.
The sole gas station attendant is unfortunate enough to be in the middle of the chaos, ducking down behind the counter and covering his head with his hands to avoid any harm from coming to him. Reacting through his adrenaline rush of flight-or-fight, he rushed to his phone, puling it out of his pocket and attempting to call 911.
Before he could make the emergency call, however, a robotic hand smashed through the brick and concrete of the wall, ripping open a hole in the gas station. Grabbing onto the attendant, the arm then pulled him out of the building, putting him front and center before Lars Rodriguez. The rest of the Rippers then made their way into the station, smashing and destroying all the product inside.
Lars, conversely, stayed with the attendant, wishing to put his attention on him. Taking a gas pump with his human hand, Lars ripped the pump off the hose with his robotic hand, causing the gasoline to spray out indiscriminately. Pointing the broken hose at the attendant, Lars drenched him in gasoline, covering him with the flammable liquid and covering him with an offensive smell that burned his eyes.
"Ugh, fuck, shit!" The attendant groaned.
Attempting to get his eyes clear of any gasoline, the attendant looked to see Lar's arm change to its flamethrower mode, with a small flame ignited on the front to prepare for the fuel to be sent out through it. The attendant realized immediately the danger he was in, slowly raising his hands up and begging for mercy.
"N-No, please! Don't kill me! I don't wanna die!" The attendant pleaded.
"Too fuckin' bad, I want you to die, and I'm the guy with full control over your life, so that means you're pretty much screwed, huh?" Lars asked.
"NO!" Otto shouted.
Rushing in to prevent any death from occurring, Otto pushed Lars' arm away, preventing him from burning the attendant alive.
"Go on, get out of here! Run and get the fuck outta here, go!" Otto shouted.
Immediately taking Otto's chance at freedom, the attendant dashed away without pause.
"The guys said no killing. That's the only reason I'm with them." Otto said.
Lars snatched his arm away in response, scowling at Otto through his mask.
"Fine. But that doesn't stop me from burning the rest of this shit down. Fire in the hole, bitches!" Lars shouted.
Turning his arm to the gas pump, Lars shot a burst of flame on the ground, igniting the spilt gasoline. The gas then caused the fire to shoot up into an uncontrollable inferno, setting the entire station aflame. Moving away from the burning outside of the station, Otto and Lars moved inside to call the others to leave.
"Guys! We did our job, let's hit it!" Otto shouted.
"Right behind you. Just leaving a little Easter present." Dax said.
Taking a grenade off his suit, Dax pulled the pin and threw it into a refrigerator, skating out with the rest of the Rippers, with Otto and Lars following directly behind.
[Soundtrack Cue End]
As the Rippers departed the gas station, the establishment exploded in a massive fireball; an expansion of combustible energy that began with the main station and led to the gas pumps, augmenting the blast to engulf and destroy the entire building and surrounding area.
Their mission is accomplished, and another vital lifeline to the Ocean Shores economy has been destroyed, making the collapse of the city imminent.
Like a group of young men having been off on an adventure together, the Rippers all collectively laughed and cheered at their victory, awarding each other with high-fives and fist bumps. Their treatment of the destruction and violence they have just committed is thought of without the consequences, with the team only focusing on their fun and success, once again comparable to the recklessness of youth.
Otto is once again hesitant to join them in the same mood, nervously reserving himself and staying quiet as the group rode off. His silence is broken with a gasp as Dax skated by and patted him on the shoulder, removing his mask to speak to Otto in a personal manner.
"You did great, Otto, you did real great." Dax said.
Taking off his own mask, Otto responded to Dax with an uncertain face.
"I don't know, man. You see Lars with that gas station guy? He was gonna kill the guy." Otto said.
"But he didn't. And rest assured, he will get a talking-to by management, but you're gonna be fine." Dax said.
"Shit, but I've never done anything this crazy before. This is kind of intense."
"But you like it intense, right? You love the ride. You went off and had some fun, then you got away scot free. You got your ride."
Otto's uncertain look then turned to a small smile, accompanied by a snicker of levity and superiority.
"Yeah. I guess I did." Otto said.
"And this is just the start. You're gonna have plenty more from here on out. It's all just fun and games from here. Isn't it everything I promised you?" Dax asked.
Otto's smile widened with Dax's question, feeling the last hesitations he had start to dissipate.
"Yeah... It is. It is. I'm free." Otto said.