<meta name="LineWrap" content="true"><TITLE>SR_Bk1 0174</TITLE><P><P>Even though he was sore all over, Fry realized that he felt stronger, more vital, more alive than he ever had with french fries in him. They were holding him back. Ring had been correct.<P><P>He regretted not doing this long ago--to think of all the suffering and despair he had to endure for the past two years... what a waste...<P><P>It was a year-and-a-half ago that Ring had taken the plunge. Ring was always talking about his weird theories and criticizing the Monarch. Fry was torn. He liked Ring a lot and respected his intelligence, but he also loved the Monarch. And he always feared that the Monarch would discover the terrible things that Ring was saying and that Fry was tentatively agreeing with.<P><P>But now... it didn't matter anymore... and somehow, Fry knew, he would find Ring, and let him know how right he had been about the Monarch's hidden evil...<P><P>Yes... yes...<P><P>Fry then slipped back into unconsciousness.<P><P>It was a bad time--periods of sleep and disorienting semi-consciousness--and it went on for what must have been days.<P><P>Then suddenly, after Fry woke up after a particularly nightmare-ridden doze, he realized that he had reached the bottom.<P><P>He was at the base of the Escalator, one corner of him still barely touching it. He stood up and was glad to feel that his pain was pretty much gone.<P><P>He was in a dark, enclosed space--the only light coming from the last few lights of the Exit Escalator. He could make out a number of abandoned storefronts lining the walls of the chamber. He took a few steps away from the Escalator and then he spotted it--a few paces away--a napkin with writing on it.<P><P>He approached the napkin and saw that "FRY" was written on it in red crayon. Had he a heart, it would have raced as he unfolded the napkin and read the scrawled message...<P><P>Fry,<P><P>I knew you'd make it someday. I was right about all this, as you see. I've searched the entire area and found little of any interest--except the Friendly Times restaurant, which you can find down the corridor opposite the E. E. It's what I always thought--we were the archetypes for a chain of fast food restaurants. Anyway, it gets very dark past the restaurant, but it's the only way out as far as I can tell, so that's where I'm headed. I found the crayons and napkin in the restaurant. I'm taking some with me, so I'll leave you other messages, if I can. But it's on into the darkness for me. I hope to see you again someday, my friend. <P><P>--Ring<P><P>P.S. Sorry I didn't say goodbye when I left, but that's the way things go.<P><P>Fry looked up from the letter, his mind buzzing. The restaurant... he had to see the restaurant... and then, he too would have to face the darkness.<BR>