When humanity is threatened only the super-powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. All over the continent small seeds of chaotic force have been seeking to control the powers of the National Heroes League. The battle to save the planet has begun.

“What do you mean I’m ‘not allowed?'” Mitch Marner is furious. The robot maitre’d has not been upgraded to read human emotion so it answers the question as asked.

“It means that you and your party will not be permitted entry.” The metallic voice in no way modulates the delivery of this monotone message, which makes it worse.

“What party? It’s just me!” This is not entirely accurate, nor is it technically false. Mitch has split into three identical copies of himself.

“I’m sorry sir, rules are rules. We have no tables for one.” The robot delivers this line without a hint of irony because its irony matrix is on back order.

“There are three of me!” Mitch yells.

“I’m sorry sir, even if there were ten of you, it would still be ten you’s at a table. We cannot allow a single individual to take an entire table, no matter how many of them there are. Rules are rules.”

Mitch stares at the dead robot eyes, they stare back with relentless certainty. Some fights are not worth fighting. Some arguments are not worth having. The city is in danger and Mitch is one of those responsible to keep it safe. His responsibility is more important than any single moment. This tin can official door warden is not to blame, it has no imagination or insight. It has no ability to reason beyond it’s single task and it will accomplish that task regardless of what logic might dictate. Mitch could buy the restaurant just to have the cybernetic jerk recycled, but that would be petty.

Instead the Maple Leaf heads home, knowing that there are more important battles ahead. Life is not fair, not for anyone, that’s no reason to give up though.