~Saint Patrik stands in a long corridor bustling with activity. Behind him you can see nurses darting from room to room, doctors walking the rounds carrying journals deciding over life and death. Saint Patrik is wearing an immaculate pinstripe suit. His black beard is perfectly groomed, his brown ponytail not having a single hair out of order. His trademark gleaming smile is glued to his face as he lifts a microphone to his mouth and speaks:~
*
"My dear Congregation... Today I once again stand before you victorious. Yet again I have kept my word to you - I have cleansed the filth from the federation, the filth that would not stand up for what is right and true and good and holy. The cowards that are against our holy cause. I faced Johnny Groove, and I was... victorious!"
*
~Saint Patrik looks into the camera, his superior smile showing a man that is completely full of himself. His face turns serious as he ceremoniously speaks:~
*
"I am in The Memorial Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and tonight you will see the inaugural episode of my interview show: 'Confessions'. Join me in room 11!"
*
~Saint Patrik walks with authority towards a room half way down the hall, closely followed by the camera. As he enters, he sits down by the single bed. In it is lying an obviously injured and heavily medicated Johnny Groove. Even through the medication, you can see the sheer look of terror in his eyes as he sees the smiling Saint Patrik just an arm's length away from him. Saint Patrik speaks slowly and calmly:~
*
"Hello again, brother. After our short conversation earlier - off camera - I don't think you mind if I call you brother. No? Very good... brother. I am here today to let you confess to me, to repent, to be cleansed of all your sins through a holy baptism into The Congregation. But first of all, I would like to know - in our match last week, did you really kick out of the Sign of the Cross, the most feared finisher in X-Force?"
*
~Johnny Groove looks wildly around, looking for a clue what to answer. He sees Saint Patrik slowly shake his head, resigns, and shakes his head as well. Saint Patrik resumes:~
*
"You didn't? No, that's right, you didn't. That's correct. I lifted you up at the two-count to be merciful and give you a chance. Yes, I can see you nodding. Good. Now we have that little technicality out of the way, let's go on to the more important aspects of why I am here."
*
~Saint Patrik lifts up a small vial of water from his chest pocket and holds it up in front of Johnny Groove. He leans close to him and almost whispers:~
*
"Johnny Groove, you have been found guilty by the elders of being a coward. You have taken a slight measure of punishment for that, but both you and me know that is not enough to be forgiven. You will confess to me, the Father of The Congregation, and you will repent your sins. Isn't that the case?"
*
~The heavily medicated Johnny Groove is terrified, nodding wildly at the veiled threat from Saint Patrik, who speaks in a booming serious voice:~
*
"Johnny Groove, have you up until now led a life of sin?"
*
~Johnny Groove nods his head.~
*
"Have you been a coward in all possible ways, especially in regards to standing up to the filth in the locker room?"
*
~He nods his head, his eyes losing focus.~
*
"Johnny Groove... do you repent your sins and enter the Congregation as one of my lambs?"
*
~A single word leaves the lips of Johnny Groove before he falls unconscious:~
*
"Yes..."
*
~With that word, Saint Patrik empties the vial of water over Johnny Groove's head and speaks in a soft voice:~
*
"Johnny Groove... you are forgiven."
*
~He turns to the camera, his smile gleaming from ear to ear, and speaks in a serious voice:~
*
"My dear Congregation, this was the first installment of 'Confessions'. I hope you join me again soon in saving another lost soul. Thank you and goodnight."
*
~The camera fades to black.~
