His name is Donny Ko. He's a stout, hairy, older gentleman who drives a yellow cab. His hair is all gone down the middle, leaving him bald, but tufts remain on the sides of his head. Donny is an interesting man, with an addiction to mediocrity just like the rest of the world. He inhabits two lands: The Jungle, and Numena. He was born and raised in Numena but he quickly found out that The Jungle was where real money was made.  He realized it would be an easy source of income to transport people between the two lands, so once he was old enough and had enough money, he bought a cab and never looked back. 

He drives with a stogie hanging out of his mouth. He had a rough sleep the night prior and waking up this early only made the bags under his eyes that much heavier. He's carrying his first passenger of the day, and he won't carry his last one until nearly 19 hours from now. He's carried all sorts of people throughout The Jungle, most of which he makes his usual small talk with but he's learned it's best to never dig too deep when it comes to natives of The Jungle. It's like asking a killer robot for its darkest desires and being surprised when it says it wants to kill you. He feels a kinship with those from Numena, however, and can always recognize someone he's driven. “So, I remember you, did you find what you were looking for? I'm surprised to see you still in one piece.” 

He stares back at Ingus through the rear view mirror. Ingus looks out the window, almost bursting with glee, trying to hide the smirk plastered on his face. “Actually, I think I did.” Donny raises his eyebrow. “Her name was Ms.2000.” His eyebrow lowers. “Ah geez kid, that's what I was trying to tell ya’ when I dropped you off. You literally pay those girls to treat you nice. The second you see one of them Mates they scan ya’ and take your money. Sure it's in exchange for a service but that's not a life of love. That Ms.2000 isn't yours, she’s owned by The Jungle. They ain't women out here, they're animals.”

“No. She's different. I saw her. I saw the woman underneath the mask.” “Did you get her name, her real one I mean?” Ingus was an unusual passenger for Donny. He's seen all sorts of things and people, but Ingus had something different about him. Ingus had a rough exterior but he wasn't fooling Donny. “No but I didn't need to. She's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with.” “Oh, don't be delusional, kid.” Donny stares forward, being taken into another world through the power of his mind. The thing about Donny was that he tried to pretend to be mediocre, but his heart wanted to soar. He was addicted to the same monotonous life because that was easy. It's easy to stay out of trouble, to remain unchallenged, because anything else brings pain in an already painful world. However, he would be remiss if Ingus’ words didn't remind him of his own heart.

Her name was Angela Vancouver, a worker at a weird shop named Esteban’s. She was a cook, and she was different from the rest of the women in Numena, at least to Donny. He eats there every day, and every time he sees her he can't help but feel like a hidden connection lies between them. She wasn't the most vibrant flower compared to the rest of the garden, but it was only the world that made it seem that way. Donny could truly see the her underneath it all. The way her left eyebrow had a scar caressing it, the way her bandana would cling gently to her forehead, the way her stud nose ring glistened under the fluorescent lights. Donny always wanted to talk to her, but he found it best to leave things alone. He figures that love doesn't have a place in the world he lives in.

“Well if she's that special do ya plan on seeing her again?” “Soon, I told her I'd bring her my favorite meal from Esteban’s and a movie I found.” “You go to Esteban’s too? I love that place.” Ingus shakes his head. “What’s your go to? Mine’s a nice hearty steak with a beer.” Ingus looks at him. “Can of peanuts. Soda. I dump the soda in the can and eat it like cereal.” Donny recoils. “Whatever floats your boat I guess.” “You ever see Angela there?” Donny asks. “Who?” “Angela Vancouver?” Ingus shakes his head no. “Really? But she's so easy to spot.” “No I've never seen her.” “Nevermind,” Donny says. They drive a little longer. “You know you're fighting an uphill battle, kid. Let's say she's even interested in ya at all, The Lion won't be too happy with you.” “The Lion?” “He runs that place, Euphorika. He keeps all of the Mates in check. Listen kid, I can't let you live in a lie. Ms.2000 is kind of a well known asset to him. It's rumored he pays for everything she owns. She's one of the top Mates you can get down here. Didn't you see the arm bandana? Basically she's a hot commodity and in return for her services he gives her anything she wants.” Ingus stares out the window silently. 

“I know what I felt,” Ingus says. “That may be true, but The Lion is a ruthless man. If he found out that you guys even hung out he's not going to make it easy on you. He'll break you physically or mentally. I'm telling you it's best to stay out of these things. Human to whatever you are, just stay in Numena, please.” Donny looks back at Ingus, his determination is dead set. Ingus scrunches his face in disapproval of Donny's words. Ms.2000 will be his love, even if he has to die for her.

They reach Numena and say their goodbyes. Donny gets out of the cab as Ingus nearly runs towards his home. Donny saunters out, shutting the door and heads into the narrow streets. Donny walks along, going home, but the alluring scent of love lulls him in another direction. He freezes in the middle of walking, people pass by him, bumping, crowding, and shuffling. He spits out the stogie, stamping out its dim light. He arrives at Esteban’s. Today a seat is actually open. Donny steals the seat, Esteban recognizing his presence. “The usual today, boss?” “Actually, no. Can I get a can of peanuts and a soda?” Esteban laughs. “You must know my friend Ingus. He swears by it. I got you.” Esteban calls out the order. “Angela!” Donny’s heart sinks. She’s here today.

He expected her to be, but he can’t help but feel invigorated at the thought of seeing her. Donny waits for his food and thinks about Ingus. He ponders on how stupid he must be, to challenge an entire operation like that. Even if he succeeds in taking Ms.2000 away from The Lion, there’s going to be consequences. It oddly inspired Donny. To live in such a state of naiveness that the safety of the self completely becomes inconsequential. Angela arrives with a can of peanuts and a soda. Donny looks into her green eyes. She startles for a moment, no one had looked her in the face like that. Donny quickly looks away out of fear: out of fear that he will live to be something other than the mediocre Donny, and the fear that he will mess things up even if he tries not to. 

She slightly blushes, handing him the food and spoon, but walking back into the kitchen, nearly in the same motion. Donny’s heart races. He stares at the soda and peanuts. “Crazy kid,” he thinks. He pulls open the can. He then uses the edge of the table to clink the bottle cap off of the glass bottle. He shakes his head in disbelief. The soda fizzles and almost pours out of the can. It pops and sizzles as it simmers down, exposing the brown peanuts. Donny hesitates, sniffing the newly formed concoction. He tilts his head in slight acceptance. He grabs the metal spoon and stirs the peanuts. He sighs out and decides to take a bite. As he chews, his stubbled face emphasizes the reactions on the inside. He bites, considering it, and eventually decides on, “Not too bad!” 

He eats and chuckles at how good the food actually is. A sense of elation runs up his back and into his shoulders. Esteban notices, chuckling, “You and Ingus are crazy, I never expected someone other than him to like that.” Esteban moves away, and behind him in the kitchen stands Angela. A bandana is tied around her head, her pixie cut being slightly exposed. Donny stares. A confidence fills him. He calls out to Esteban. “What am I doing?!” he thinks. Esteban walks back over. “Can you tell Angela to come over here?” Donnys meaty hands sweat. She hands over a pan cooking some meat over to Esteban. She walks over meekly. She awkwardly stands there. “Was the food ok, sir?” Donny can only behold a beauty so grand. It's funny how in the presence of divinity, a man without direction soon becomes filled with such purpose, that he becomes overwhelmed with it fully. “Yeah it was delicious, but…” Angela tilts her head inquisitively. “Would you want to come with me somewhere?” Angela becomes confused. “Take me somewhere?” “I mean, in the sense of, I mean, like I could take you to a spot here in Numena. A food kind of spot.” Angela's eyes light up.