i hold up my newest rubber duck and smile. it does a backflip and spits fire. behold! my newest creation! i stare at the duck for a few moments and my smile fades. i toss it into the heap of rubber ducks that has accumulated over the years and collapse onto my throne, letting out a deep sigh. fuuuck...my gaze shifts to a painting of me, my ex-wife lilith, and my daughter charlie. i bury my head into my hands as that familiar silence falls over my palace.