"Listen, I don't want you to think that your world is doomed to live our history. First of all, that's obviously note the case. Dad is still alive. So don't sit and fret and over analyze everything that's going on."

"Second, do some of those crazy things that are safe but you're too scared to do." Ace grinned a bit at this advice, "Because when we don't have the means to do it, all you'll do is sit around and whine about how lucky I was to go sky diving and all that stuff. That stupid country song, "I hope you get a chance to live like you were dying" is so one of many of my Joy's theme songs."

Ace sent a sly look to the door where he'd sent her off to wonder what he was saying, "This is a secret I swore never to tell anyone, but I think you don't count. Joy Edwards looooooves the bad boys. That's why you joined me against your better judgment. You -she- had this major crush on like three suave ne'er do wells in the evil gang." His smile and the sly look vanished, "And they played you and I let them because I wanted my sister by my side. I'd always had this stupid idea of you marrying one of my best friends." He looked utterly disgusted with himself. As a matter of fact, the screen shook a bit, and a thump was heard, like he'd just kicked something.

"I remember Neil from school. If he's not over his stupid games of let's-see-how-many-girls-I-can-juggle-without-being-caught, you need to drop his butt nd bite that Ace's head, neck, and torso off to his knee caps. I'm not saying that Neil's like that in your world or that he hasn't grown out of the stage if he was. Do yourself a favor and don't let Ace set you up, and give Neil the third-degree. In early high school a least, the best test was to see if he'd let you into any of his safe-zones. If he doesn't, it means you're just a game to him. If he does, it at least means you're his number one that he plans on keeping around." Ace shrugged, "But he always cheated. Don't know how to test that one. Sure you're smart enough to find a way."

Ace sighed and paused, "Don't have much more time on this. Look, I love you and I'm sorry. Don't kill yourself. Don't let yourself get knocked around. Watch out for idiots like me. I hope the---" And the video ran out of time.