Graves walks up to the VIP entrance acting like he belongs.

He doesn't.

Until yesterday, he didn't even realize no such thing existed.

Now with the door within sight, the path isn't free from obstacles. 

Ari Silverstein stands defiant of Gravy.

"Beat it, I have a pin to make!" Graves says with a motion to step aside.

Much to Graves surprise, Ari doesn’t beat it.

"I’m sorry sir, but I’m going to need to see your VIP pass before I can let you though."

Graves grits his teeth as he reaches deep within the dark recesses of his cape, and produces a laminated badge that he flashes at Ari.

"Now, beat it! Jenny's not going to pin herself—probably..."

Ari snatches the laminated card out of Graves paw. He looks at the front, the back, and inspects the lanyard that it’s attached to. 

Gives it a sniff. 

Recoils at the stench. 

His eyes narrow.

FEMALE BODY INSPECTOR

Ari's eyes slowly move up from the badge and he just stares at him.

Graves, unashamed, stares back.

Ari stares harder.

Gravy blinks.

"OKAY FINE! …I’ll use the Goddamned peasant entrance, but I don't understand how that fuckin' clown gets to go through here!"

From inside, a silhouette that very much resembles Schadenfruede Clown waves at Gravy sarcastically.

Later.

Standing alone in line, is Gravy. Once again holding a ticket.

GOOD FOR ONE PINFALL ATTEMPT — No sooner than 4:00pm on 02/01/2026

He doesn’t read it this time.

Doesn't need to.

He already knows how stupid it is.

Up ahead, guarding the door once again, and in that same cursed red polo is Vinnie Lane.

Lane smiles when he sees him.

Graves checks the clock.


He sighs.


Graves tries to enter before the clock hits.

Lane holds up a hand.

"Ah-ah. Not yet."

They stand there.

Looking at each other.

It's uncomfortable.

The hallway door is three feet away.

No one else is around as far as the eye can see.

Total silence.


"…you cannot be serious."

Lane gestures politely to the tape line on the floor.

"Please wait behind the line, sir."

Graves looks down at the tape.

Looks back at Lane.

Very slowly… he slides one foot forward so his toe is just touching the tape but not crossing it.

Lane shakes his head amused.

"Always the rebel."

Graves jaw tightens so hard you can hear teeth crack.

"I don't even need this title.

I definitely don't want to touch Jenny Myst.

But this 24 hour rule is so dumb—I just can't help myself!"


"Cool!"

Frustrated, Graves huffs.


Graves instantly thrusts the ticket forward like a winning scratcher.

Lane takes it gently.

Examines it.

Front.

Back.

Holds it up to the light again like yesterday.

Graves’ eye starts twitching.

"You looked at it for ten minutes yesterday. Can we hurry this up!?"

Lane nods.

"Sorry, new day, new verification process."

He pulls out a tiny handheld scanner from his pocket.


Finally—

"Everything appears to be in order."

Lane opens the door and Graves storms inside without another word.

Inside, Jenny is Jennying. 

Graves decides to Graves.


Jenny shrieks in terror—or maybe not—range isn't her strong suit.


Graves doesn't even pin the mess he made.

Despite that, he knows she'll kick out anyway.