Ripcord stood in front of the entrance to Macy's in Times Square, dressed in a security guard's uniform.
Watching the crowds come and go, Ripcord impatiently tugged at his slightly-too-tight uniform. He tilted his head and complained over his concealed radio to Duke, who was posing as a passerby inside the department store. "What are we even doing here?
We have the intel. Why don't we just take out all those messed-up Mutants?
I've been a security guard for three days. Do you know how popular I am?
I've got four business cards from beautiful women in my pocket. Every day I waste here is a day of my life down the drain..."
After listening to the talkative Ripcord ramble on for nearly five minutes, Duke, who had spent the past three days inside the department store holding a newspaper, was getting irritated too. "Could you keep it down?
I see a beautiful girl every day, but I don't act like you.
You're acting like a horny gorilla, but you always forget your own shortcomings..."
Ripcord let out a strange "Ha!" "Shortcomings? Are you sure you're Duke?
Or have you read so many newspapers that your brain's gone bad and you've mistaken me for Roadblock?"
Roadblock, providing backup on the perimeter, heard the laughter over the radio and snapped, "Quiet. Keep the channel clear...
Ripcord, there's someone suspicious at your nine o'clock. Go check it out..."
Ripcord looked toward nine o'clock and saw a Black Man staring at him dreamily. Irritated, he said, "Yeah, she's very suspicious. She's drooling over my ass!
Roadblock, why don't you move your black ass over here and check her out? Maybe she's your type."
As Ripcord spoke, he watched the heavyset Black woman approach him with a map in her hand...
After asking for