[ WP ] Several hundred years after a nuclear holocaust that wipes out most of humanity , the remaining humans now pass down sitcom plots as oral parables from the Time Before .

“ Another story! Just one more! ” The young girl cried, her eyes pleading at the widened elder before her. He regarded her warmly, deep wrinkles tightening around his eyes as he smiled. “ Oh, alright, but just one more. And then it ’ s bedtime for you! ” 
 
 “ Tell one about the world that was. Please Papa? ” she begged. 
 He scratched at his thick grey beard. “ The world that was. Well, that was before my time, of course. Far before my time. But there is a story my grandfather used to tell me, when I was your age. ” 
 
 “ Did he live in the world that was? ” 
 
 “ No, ” the man laughed, “ I ’ m not that old. But his grandfather did. ” 
 
 “ Wow! ” 
 
 “ Wow, indeed. And his grandfather told my grandfather the tale of the Six. ” 
 
 “ The Six?'' 
 
 “ The Six were a powerful group. They lived in a futuristic world – Man-hut-ton. In this place, dreams were made. Friendships formed that could last lifetimes. And it was there, in that wondrous place, that the Six united and formed a fellowship that could defeat all enemies. ” 
 
 “ That sounds so amazing! ” 
 
 “ It was, indeed. Of course, it wasn ’ t easy. My grandfather told me tales of strife and woe. It is from the Six that you have probably heard the phrase ‘ we were on a break. ’ ” 
 
 The child gasped. “ That was the Six? ” 
 
 “ They say that Roth had betrayed the Queen Raquel in a moment of passion, and it was then that he uttered those famous words. ” At her stricken face, he grinned widely. “ Not to worry, my child. It took many years, but eventually Roth won back the heart of his Queen, and blessed the land of Man-hut-ton with peace. ” 
 
 “ What about the rest of the Six, papa?'' She asked, before yawning loudly. 
 
 He tutted gently. “ I think it ’ s time for you to go to bed my dear. ” 
 
 “ Aw,'' she complained. `` Will you sing me a lullaby? ” 
 
 “ Oh, alright. ” 
 
 *So no one told you life was going to be this way -- -* 
 

