When you head back down to the basement, you find that a muscular man in preppy clothes is sitting with an uncomfortable-looking Dirk. Your former friend looks apologetic but doesn't say much. Maybe a little surprised, too, considering the grooming and wardrobe change. The two are sitting on folding chairs at the table, which still has weird stuff from that horse game all over it. The large TV on the other side of the room is showing clips from old UFC fights. You remember that you used to like those, and watch the screen from the stairs for a few minutes. "Hey Marty," Dirk eventually says in a meek voice. The other man turns his head slightly, cords of powerful muscle tensing and bulging on his neck. You can see them pretty well thanks to his wifebeater and high-and-tight cut. "Clean your shit up, dweeb. Dad and your mom said I get to use the basement, and my buds will be here soon."
It takes you a minute to realize he's talking to you. Lost in the fight on the screen, you had almost forgotten your situation. You had even forgotten your fat, unpleasant body. You suppose this must be Marty's half-brother or step-brother. It's pretty obvious where his mean, disinterested tone comes from, considering he's used to his brother being a condescending jerk who smells like a dumpster. "Who's fighting tonight?," you ask cautiously, sitting at the table next to Dirk. He has a frown on his round face and is subtly shaking his head back and forth. Taken off guard by the question, the other man looks at you, piercing gray eyes locking with yours. His stare widens when he sees your grooming attempts.
The guy lets out a wolf whistle and grins. "Got a hot date with dweeb two tonight?" Flashes of your awkward and pathetic explorations flash in the back of your mind. You push them out and shake your head. "No. Just thought it was time to look less like a dork." The muscly guy deflates a little, turning back to the screen. He's probably used to getting an easy rise out of you. "Well, you got a long way to go Marty. But at least you're doing something, I guess." He sips a can beer as if to end the conversation. But you don't give up that easy. Watching a fight and kicking back with a few beers sounds more fun than playing the horse game with Dirk, even if he's ready to help you. A nice buzz will pass the time until you can get back into your real body. Well, whatever that looks like, anyways.
"We should probably let Tanner and his friends have their space," Dirk says nervously, standing and heading for the door. "Come on Marty. You can hang out at my place." You're torn. On the one hand, you think Tanner seems way more fun than whatever Dirk has planned for the rest of the evening. Then again, maybe you'll just get bullied and humiliated. You could go with Dirk, but who knows what his house is like? And then there's the stuff on the table. There's a couple more pieces of fudge, and didn't Dirk say something about getting something else from the carnival? Maybe it's just the tool you need to fix things here and now.
After some pondering, you decide...