The Dodgers locker-room was still.
The league officially known as "12" had ended another season with the Cubbies defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers courtesy of Price Monet's booming double off the centerfield wall (why the League was named "12" no one knew. In the league's 3 year history, it had always been known as 12, a fact especially peculiar to players and fans alike, since the league had only 8 teams, but there was talk of adopting a league logo which might help the name 12 appear more official).
Jerry Berry, the closer who had given up Monet's winning hit, sat with a towell over his head. He heard someone plop down next to him and then heard the voice of the Dodger's centerfielder, Mitch Collins.
" I'm sorry man," Mitch muttered. " I tried to get to that ball. Just a few more inches..."
Jerry Berry just shook his head. He knew where the fault lay. It lay with a belt-high fastball over the plate and Monet had jumped all over it.
" Look," Mitch said, throwing an arm around Jerry Berry. " We lost as a team."
" Hey lovers,". The Dodgers' beefy first baseman Roger Milligan was striding past. " Why don't you go get some ice cream and make it a real date..."
" Ah, shut up!" Mitch shouted after the big man. " We're a team. We lost as a team, Mr. 2 for 19!"
The black phone on the wall rang. The trainer answered it and said in his 90 year old, gravelly voice. " Collins! It's your mamma. She was listenin' to the game on the radio..."
Mitch went to the phone. " Hey, mama. What? No, I hit my head on the wall, but it was the BALL that rolled back into the infield... Of course I'm sure."
Suddenly, several screaming people burst into the lockerroom. Mitch dropped the phone, and with Jerry Berry, followed everyone back outside.
They were all gazing at the black sky.
" Oh, my God," Jerry Berry said. " The prophesies were true!"
Far up among the stars was a strange, transparent box with holy writing that read:
Quote:
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OOTP has stopped working...
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" What's it mean?" Mitch whispered.
Jerry Berry's voice shook. " It's the end of the--"
And then all went black.
" Crap," God said.