Chapter Text
It had been three months since the contracts had burned. Three months since the casino had collapsed and The Devil was defeated.
Three months since Cuphead and Mugman had somehow become the most famous people in the Inkwell Isles.
Every newsstand was plastered with papers with their faces. Every bakery sold "Hero Cup-cakes." Every child wanted a toy finger gun that made little pew-pew noises.
And every former debtor had become very, very tired of hearing about it.
"...And that's exactly why we're here today!"
Ms. Chalice stood proudly before a circle of folding chairs squeezed into the storage room behind Porkrind's Emporium. Porkrind himself had locked the connecting door fifteen minutes ago.
Ms. Chalice beamed from the front of the room at the crowd arranged in a circle of folding chairs.
Nobody beamed back.
A handmade sign hung behind Chalice.
WELCOME, FORMER DEBTORS!
A SAFE PLACE TO SHARE YOUR FEELINGS!
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CURSING, HEXING, BITING, OR EATING OTHER ATTENDEES.
The Root Pack stared at the sign.
"That last one seems awfully specific," Ollie muttered.
"Probably because of her." Sal pointed across the circle.
Cala Maria glanced up. She folded her arms.
"What? I haven’t eaten anyone."
"Yet."
"Yet."
Ms. Chalice clapped her hands together. "Alright, everybody! Let's settle down."
Nobody listened.
Brineybeard was licking his palms and slicking them over his beard, eyeing Cala Maria with a smile.
Werner Werman was lingering at the snack table, spearing cheese samples with a fork and muttering to himself in German.
Beppi the Clown was balancing upside-down on his chair on one finger, cackling madly, as Djimmi the Great watched beside him with interest, puffing a hookah.
Chalice clapped louder.
"Guys!"
Still nothing.
"GUYS!"
The room jumped.
Chalice smiled sweetly. "There we go."
Several bosses exchanged nervous looks. Grim Matchstick, who had been politely asked to sit near an open window due to fears of fire damage, whimpered quietly.
"Now," Chalice continued, smoothing out her dress, "the purpose of today's gathering is to discuss our experiences, support one another, and begin healing. Now, let’s begin, shall we?"