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Eric, Deedee, and Wolf go to a football game to support Bench. The BMS team is losing for most of the game until they manage a few outlandish plays that even the score. Bench gets put in last minute and makes an amazing catch, leading the team to victory. Though Eric, Deedee, and Wolf are excited for their friend, they don’t find the win particularly important. Eric gets into his mother’s car, feeling nervous. Wolf seems to think something strange is starting, and Eric doesn’t like it “because things like this didn’t happen to guys like us” (181).

The boys meet at Wolf’s house to play D&D on Saturday; Bench is absent as he’s celebrating the winning catch with his family. Before the group starts playing, Rose arrives—as Wolf invited her without telling the others. Deedee argues that Rose can’t play because her character won’t be at a high enough level. Wolf counters that they can alter the numbers to make it work, and Rose stays.

Rose decides to be a gnome ninja who casts spells. Deedee refutes this, citing the game’s rules—but Rose takes his hand, silencing him, and explains she can be whatever she wants because he’s the Dungeon Master and they “don’t always have to play by the rules” (195).