Yes, they enjoy the struggle. [He takes a second then gestures around them. No one is under their twenties. There are no children or teenagers anywhere. He lowers his voice.] But it is all to distract them from the truth they all know.

Their end is coming and it is coming soon. [He had netted two points with the slap. As he says it, he glances at his points. No change. The first time he said it he lost four points in one go. He narrows his eye.

They want to see him bloodied so badly, probably. He taps his fingers against his arm and straightens.] It doesn’t make it any less garish or terrible. But knowing the perspective helps one net more points.