[Seated on a large rock in a forest, a lit cigarette burning at the tip of his lips, Roland Gray speaks.]
“I ain’t ever been one for fairy tales, but I’ve had a particular story stuck in my head of late. And it’s one you should take to heart, Mighty Mighty.”
[He takes a deep inhale and on exhale a large billow of smoke fills the screen, Roland’s gritty voice continues.]
Some time ago, a dancing fool was known to all in his village. He was larger-than-life: happy, boisterous, and, above all, he loved to dance. Though he was surrounded by a world of darkness, he thought himself above it all, safe and impervious to the dangers all around him. The fence that surrounded the village was sturdy and tall, he thought. It mattered not what lurked beyond the fence, for nothing would ever get to him.
The other villagers warned the fool about the wolf. There was a monster in the woods beyond the village, they said. A jealous and hungry wolf that would tear the fool to shreds, given the chance. But he paid no heed: the fence was tall, he said. There is no need to fear the wolf.
But from the edges of this safe village, the vicious wolf stalked.
This wolf, knowing nothing of a full belly or any real happiness, grew jealous of the fool. He watched from the shadows as the fool laughed, danced, and indulged on the finest food and drink, all while the wolf starved. And as he watched the fool, his hatred of him grew stronger.
The wolf stalked the perimeter of the village for weeks, patiently, methodically, looking for any weakness that would allow him access. And soon enough, he found it: the smallest bit of rot in massive fencing. So the wolf began to paw, day and night, until he made a hole in the fence just large enough for him to squeeze through.
And once through, he wasted no time in finding the dancing fool. With no warning and without any hesitation, the wolf lunged and clasped its jaws around the fool’s throat. And as the wolf tasted the blood and saw the life leave his once bright and joyful eyes, he smiled, for he knew the fool would dance no more.
[The smoke dissipates, revealing a sneering Roland.]
“You’re a fool.”
“It’s time you realized where you are, Mighty Mighty. You’ve been dancing around Olympus, oblivious to the fact that there are monsters all around you that want nothing more than to make you bleed and eat you piece… by… piece.”
“There’s a hole in the fence, fool, and the wolf has come through.”
“You’ve been dancing around the last several weeks talking about how you just want to have fun. And at Grimm Tales, I’m more than happy to oblige. When we face each other in that ring, you’ll understand firsthand what happens when the fool meets the wolf.”
“You will bleed.”
I’m ready to have some fun.