This as all too familiar. That thought kept running through Becker’s head as he stood there hula-hooping again. They were in the second round when a strong wind seemed to blow down all of their hula hoops and the judges called for a drink break.
Becker took a seat at the outdoor bar that had been set up and gladly took the glass of spirits.
“Don’t even say it,” he said looking at Rocco as he walked up to him.
Rocco shook his head and sat down beside Becker. “No worries, Mate. I’m the last person who’d say anything after I was Mary Poppins a couple of weeks ago.” He didn’t know a lot about the hula hoop but it was easy enough to pick up and he didn’t want to think about how ridiculous he looked. “At least we’re on the ground so that’s goo. And booze. I didn’t get booze with the umbrella.” Which would have been a lot easier to take.
Becker didn’t say anything as he took a sip of his drink, he just nodded.
“This sort of thing actually happened not long after the first of us arrived,” he commented thoughtfully. There had been a few things that he vividly remembered happening here. He sighed. “Sorry about Bonnie,” probably not the best time but it was something he felt he should say.
He hadn’t expected him to mention Bonnie but then Rocco remembered she’d been here a long time. “Thank, me too. I really miss her. Maybe she’ll come back.” He took a sip of his drink, trying not to think about the fact that even if she did come back, she could be from anywhere and any time and might not remember her time in Atlantis at all. Maybe it was better if she didn’t but even so, he couldn’t help but hope.
Becker paid attention to all the comings and goings and he’d known Bonnie a long time. “Never know with this place,” was really all that Becker had to offer. He didn’t really have much else to add to it seeing as that wasn’t his strong suit.
“No you never do,” Rocco agreed. He had not been here as long as some but he’d already seen his brother Leo come and go at least three times and every time he’d come from a different point in time. “I wonder how long they’re going to make us do this hula hoop thing before we’re free?”
“Until one of us wins,” Becker said grumbling. He’d noticed the pattern of past Atlantis problems popping up, and this was one he’d already dealt with. “It’s simply part of the game or the keeping with trends.” He half mumbled finishing off his drink.
“How do we win? I have no idea.” he could always hold the hoop up by magic but that wouldn’t be fair so he hadn’t even tried it. “Tire out and just give up?”
Becker shrugged. There wasn’t a lot that he could say. “Last time it seemed arbitrary.” Becker didn’t like it, but he did know it wouldn’t end until it ended. “That could be it, or it could be whoever does, god knows what.” Becker sighed. It looked like they were calling them back over.
“Ready for the next round?”
Rocco stood. “Yeah, let’s do this. Good luck to you.” He didn’t really care if he won or lost, and it was actually kind of fun even if he did look a little ridiculous.
“You too,” Becker nodded as they headed off for the next round.