The sun shines brightly in the big blue sky with nary a cloud in sight. The laughter of children is heard; wide smiles and excitement fill the air as kids run down a cobblestone street, past a hardware store, a veterinarian’s clinic, and a convenience store. A street sign at the corner comes into view which reads POPPY PLACE.
Yes, this is what you think it is.
In a courtyard, a small child and a furry, neon blue creature hold court on a stage. Both stand behind a table dressed like magicians, and the child holds a top hat in his hand.
Child: Alright, Thornton, are you ready?
The creature nods its head.
Thornton: (cheerfully) Ready, Caleb!
Caleb: Okay! Ladies and Gentlemen! The Amazing Caleb and Thornton the Terrific are about to pull a rabbit out of this hat! With a wave of this magic wand…
Thornton “waves” a wand over the hat.
Caleb: …and the magic word…
Both Caleb and Thornton close their eyes and yell “ABRACADABRA!” Caleb reaches into the hat and pulls out…
…
…
…
Nothing.
The little boy frowns, confused. Thornton looks at the wand, then looks at the hat.
Caleb: I don’t understand…
Thornton: Maybe we need a different word?
Caleb: No, that’s the magic word, everyone knows that…
Voice: You little dudes look like you could use some help!
Caleb and Thornton look to the right and their disappointment turns to surprise when two very tall, very tan, and very tubular guys jump into view, gigantic grins on their faces.
Thornton and Caleb: Surf Express Bro!
Caleb: What are you doing here!?
Bowie: Well little dude, we were passing through on our way to Capital Clash and we saw you were having trouble doing some magic.
Bradlee: There’s no way we were gonna leave two of our little bros hanging without trying to help!
Thornton: (sad) We did everything right, too! We waved the magic wand and said the magic word but we couldn’t pull the rabbit out of the hat.
Caleb: (pouting) I just don’t understand what we did wrong.
The Wonderful Wizards of the Waves look at each other, nod, and then put their arms around Caleb and Thornton.
Bowie: Listen little brosef, it’s OK that your magic trick didn’t work the first time. Sometimes, you need a couple of chances for it to work, and that’s OK. Look at me and Bradlee. The first time we faced the Amazing Amarettos, it was our first ever match in Classic, and we lost. It was a total bummer!
Bradlee: Totally, dude! But Bowie and I, we just kept practicing and training, and we got better. Bowie faced Gomez Amaretto one-on-one, and beat him!
Bowie: I sure did! And Bradlee won a number one contender’s match for the Real World’s Championship!
Bradlee: I might not’ve beaten Vito for the title but I learned a lot from facing him. And we’re totally cool with each other! He’s not my bestest best dudebro, that’s always gonna be Bowie, but he’s definitely a best dudebro for sure.
Bowie: Now, we’re facing the Amarettos again for the tag team titles. And we’ve got so much more experience than we had the first time.
Bradlee: What we’re trying to say is…if you keep working hard, big things are gonna happen. You’re gonna nail that magic trick. And then you’re gonna try another one, and you’re gonna nail that one too!
Bowie: Pretty soon, we’re gonna see the Amazing Caleb and Thornton the Terrific in Las Vegas instead of the Amazing Amarettos!
Both Caleb and Thornton are over the moon.
Thornton: Wow, do you really think so?
Bradlee: We know so!
Bowie: Now how about you show us that magic trick again.
Caleb: OK! (He beams) With a wave of this magic wand…
Thornton waves the wand.
Caleb: …and the magic word…
The boy and creature close their eyes, yell “ABRACADABRA!”, and Bradlee quickly reaches down and carefully places a rabbit into the hat before Caleb can reach in there. When the little boy does and his hand touches fur, his eyes fly open in delight.
Caleb: Oh my gosh! It worked!
He puts both hands into the hat and gently lifts the rabbit out. Thornton looks surprised, as do Surf Express Bro.
Bowie: See little bro! We knew you had the magic in you the whole time!
Caleb: Thanks Bowie! Thanks Bradlee!
Thornton: Now go and win those tag titles!
Bradlee: We sure will, little dudes!