Mario smashed the hammer down on the first barrel. It rang
loudly against the iron hoops, lighting the night air with
angry sparks. He leaped over the next two barrels as the
hammer vanished from his hands.

The king-size primate heaved another barrel. Mario dodged
it with ease and sped over to the last of the ladders. He
looked up at his beautiful Pauline as he ascended the
steel steps. Her purple dress blew about her thighs as Mario
climbed skyward. The beast dropped to all fours, walking
on his knuckles to Pauline’s side.

“Help me, Mario,â€? she screamed, her blonde hair falling
over her shoulder.

Pauline fought to keep her balance, the stench of banana
breath hot on her neck. She ran to Mario, but the mighty
ape scooped her up like a doll. It growled and snarled in
defiance, nearly dropping her to the ground. Mario reached
for the Smith & Wesson Model 36 tucked in the small of his back. He fired several rounds into the gorilla’s hairy hide as it climbed the scaffolding to next level.