Body Breaks

[Richard Price]

Fitness was important, wasn’t it? It helped stave off the beer belly but more importantly it helped keep the mind clear. Rich himself had never really appreciated the role that all the exercises down as a Toll Taker, or when he was serving on the front lines really helped him keep his wits about him. Now it was a way to clear the mind and burn some daylight hours, before it was socially acceptable to hit the bars for lunch.


The Summer aristocrat was hitting the treadmill at the California Family Fitness center in downtown Sacramento, taking some time on the treadmill to try and pretend he could win the gold medal. The six foot eight, long limbed ogre had a solid pace going, wearing a beige t-shirt that hung loose and a pair of navy blue track pants with a white stripe down either side. Of course there was one way to tell if this Richard Price, Ogre of the Summer Courtier - how were the shoes?


On point.


With one head occupied with a headphone, Rich was jogging down a simulated seaside road on the coast of France, all while watching old episodes of Law and Order on the TV’s that were built into the units. At this point they had just collard the perp, and it was going to come down to how well Jack McCoy could make the evidence stick without the murder weapon. If anyone could do it, Jack could.


Where he was nestled up to there was a window letting in the still morning sunlight, and there were plenty treadmills around him. Following this there was probably going to be a break for the lounging pool or hot tubs to rest those rattled bones.

[Richard Price]

The heavy footsteps hit the treadmill with a steady rhythm, paired with an even breath. While the speed, nor intensity was present, any well versed could see the practice that came with the routine even at its most amateur levels. Getting old was no fun. However, the focus was broken up when he heard someone trying to get his attention, and he pulled his earbuds out as the show neared the final verdict and were tossed into the tray on the equipment.

Glancing over he saw the slight woman and offered her a smile. The confusion would have been greater if not for her obvious disposition. He almost chuckled when she gave such a kind hearted compliment to his shoes, the use of kicks was cute.

”Well, thank you very much. I like to think there are few things that represent a man better than his choice in foot wear. You could almost say it is a glimpse into his sole.”

If there were groans from that joke, let there be groans, it was wall worth that gem there. Between heavy breaths he motioned to the machine beside him, before he was greeted again. This time it was a familiar face and raised a hand in greeting.

”Abraham, good to see you again!”

He reached out to accept the hand offered while he ran, while it was a shaky shake - due to maintaining his balance, it worked out.

”Another face you don’t recognize? I think we may have another new arrival.”

He said with a chuckle between breaths.

[Richard Price]

”You know Abraham, can you come around more often? If all it takes is to have you around to become a lovely gentleman I would consider that a win”

A subtle jab at his age and worn down physique that while respectable was not what it once was. He listened to the Fairest give a break down of the state of the Lost in the city, a great little starter for the newest face to be found in the city.

”Yeah, I have been around the block a few times. You pick up a few tricks, and you start thinking a certain way, and it all just balloons from there. Eventually you are in so deep that there is no turning back. So here is hoping that if you get that far, you picked your favorite flavor.”

His double speak wasn’t quite to the sophistication of Abraham’s but if anything he would blame trying to do it while being on the run.

”Now, Reds, I think we need a different name. It is all fine and dandy now, but did either of you young ones have to deal with missile drills? Swear to goodness between missile, earthquake, and fire drills I felt like a disaster relief expert.”

A few more deep breaths from his casual jog.

”Business seems to be going good. May be some things coming for anyone who wants to pitch in. Going to bring up a camping trip on the other side. We will see how it all goes when things settle.”

Meetings still need to be had, and until then he wouldn’t make any rash moves. At this point he glanced over to the young lady with a smile on his face.

”If you need a wingman wink twice, and I’m sure we can at least get you Mr. Norton’s number.”

[Richard Price]

Oh no he didn’t!

”You may want to be careful what you wish for, if we are going to pound the rock it isn’t going to be none of this foul and flop nonsense, full handchecks and shoulders down. Though, it will probably end up resembling Space Jam based on my experience. You have not lived until you have seen a couple of angry teams in the summer really go out it with all their tricks on display.”

He gave a good laugh, Space Jam, everyone always went to Space Jam, good thing Rich had himself a VHS and DVD copy of it still. He had the Loony Toons growing up so that was his excuse to keep it around, and he was sticking to that story.

”You bring up enough of a point, I’m not much a singer and though I can fake it hitting the drums does nothing but make a horrendous noise. And if it is shoes you like, you should keep an eye out. I have a room full of ‘em and haven’t even busted out a tenth of the collection since I got here. As the years grow the one thing I refuse to become is a loafer man.

A few deep breaths as he kept an even pace on his run.

”Going to see if we can find any big tree houses with inhabitants intact. Maybe trade some marbles and make some friends along the way.”

Try and find a big hobb town, trade some goods, hopefully get an ally on the other side.

”About the only good places I know around here are places to go and enjoy a few adult beverages. That is why I need to keep coming here, so I don’t feel so bad about enjoying those. My killer is the fruity drinks, they go down way too easy and before you knew it you are a few thousand calories in the hole. And drunk, but that is different.”

He let Abraham probe the new fairest a bit more, he was a great host, really should take it up as a trade. Gave the ogre some ideas, but those were for a different place and a different time.