Emotionless, she looked him right in the face and told him flatly, "I no longer love you, you fat Italian slob."
The coldness in her voice slammed into him, sobering him down to the bone.
"But it's me...Mario" he stammered.
“I don't freaking care if you were the King goddamn Koopa. Get out of here, you god damn Plumber,” she replied.
"It's that bastard Chad isn't it?" he asked, forlorn and in tears.
"Chad is just my boss and he has nothing to do with this. Meanwhile, since you mentioned him, the paper that his bank statements are printed on are worth more than you'll ever earn," she said.
"So, it all comes down to money? Didn't I risk my life to save you from servitude and certain death? Didn't I make you happy?" he asked.
The Princess looked at him and stated simply, "You were a warm body at night. Nothing more. Goodbye Mario."
He left her apartment and walked slowly back towards the upper east side of manhattan where he lived. He passed by his favorite pizza shop, Slices of Heaven and talked to the owner, Toad. They were shutting down because they couldn't compete with the larger chains. He ordered his favorite Flying Turtle Pie one last time and wished Toad the best of luck.
On the way home, he saw a Goomba lying on the side of the road, disheveled and shivering. Taking off his coat, Mario draped it over the poor soul making sure to leave a few bucks in the pockets.
The Goomba stirred.."Whazzit? who?"
"It's me...mario," he whispered.
"..mario? MARIO? Hey man, don't hurt me! Get away! Get away! Don't step on my head!" The goomba looked at him with frightened eyes and tried to shrink into himself.
Mario shook his head and said, “It’s over, Goombie. It’sa all over….”
He left the confused Goomba lying on the street and continued up Lexington Avenue. He stared into the Sun and with utter defiance, it continued to shine. The streets of New York remained bitter cold and offered little solace. Everywhere he looked, he still saw Her.
"Man, I hate that Chad," he thought to himself.
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