Merlyn is behind a bar he just bought in Portland serving drinks,not the ones people want but what he decides. Nobody argues with him. He wipes down the bar as he sees Hogan come in and sit in front of him. They nod to each other. Eddie and Talon come in next and nod to him to. Merlyn sifts through some mail. He opens a few letters from fans asking idiot fan questions and throws them out with a sigh. Eddie, Talon and Hogan look at him and he shakes his head. He makes them all drinks without asking what they want. They sniff the drinks before sipping. They look at each other and nod in approval and drink. Merlyn brews himself a pot of coffee and drinks with them. Merlyn's thoughts drift to his first match in a good long time, and its a three way dance no less. He doesn't really know these people he is fighting and he doesn't care to. It makes things better that way. A man is capable of doing more damage if he doesn't give his opponents human characteristics. They aren't human to him now and won't be after the match. He days dreams of blood hitting the mat. He day dreams of limbs becoming broken and useless. He daydreams of their faces when they realize what they walked into. He is already tired of smarmy snobbery and useless trash talk. It's time to fight and feel alive. It's time to backup useless words. He looks at his friends and nods again. They nod back almost knowing his thoughts. They raise their drinks and Merlyn raises his. They toast silently and go back to there dark thoughts of tomorrow.