our home is the wind, we're gods of the morning

[Today the feed opens up on a bright, sunny view of the Goldenrod Game Corner. It zooms in on the name of the building, then on the motto inscribed on the sign - "A Safe and Sound Playground!" - before finally landing on someone's smiling face.

Someone's slightly bruised, smiling face.]

Good morning! Is everybody doing all right? How about that weather....

No, I shouldn't joke. [He looks more thoughtful.] I do hope everybody made it through the storm okay. But let's focus instead on the present, and future.

I never introduced myself in full! I'm Malik, and starting today, I'm the new manager of the Goldenrod Game Corner!

[Another pan out. Ta-da! (Whoever's filming this is having a lot of fun.)]

Pretty much everybody on their Pokémon journey goes through Goldenrod at some point, huh? Well, if you've been, I hope you'll give us a second look, and if you haven't - I hope you put us on your list.

Here, I'll show you a little of what's in store.

[He holds the door open for his cameraman, who says "smoo" in reply as something she's riding on lumbers in.]

Right now, in addition to the usual slot machines, we've got a very special game unique to Johto! It's called "Voltorb Flip", and while I'd bore everybody explaining the rules, I'll give you a demonstration today...

[He then proceeds to sit in front of the machine and pwn at it. While doing so, he chats.]

Sorry, is this still boring? Turn it off at any time....but I hope you'll come in and give this a shot for yourself. We've got lots of great prizes - TMs, but also some rare Pokémon, who I'm sure would love to meet great trainers and find welcoming homes. But we can't give those out to just anybody - you have to prove you're dedicated, so be sure to keep stopping back to win coins.

[His game concluded, he turns back to the camera and smiles.]

The staff and I would love to meet you, too! So that's the Goldenrod Game Corner, and my name's Malik. Best of luck on your journeys, and happy playing!

[The feed cuts out. Malik, for his part, has to rub his cheeks from smiling too hard and immediately types up a little memo for his fellow Rockets. Best show them how quickly he can change gears.]

Congratulations to everyone on the mission's overall success. I'm sure it proved profitable for us all.

Onto further business. Advertising could always use an additional boost...

Tell me what you know about the Psychic type.

[Yeah, folks, no video for you. :/ Malik's only grudgingly handling this interruption to his ~3,000 year revenge~, but he'll never be so sloppy as to air his face on a public network.

Not that you can tell he's upset from the chipper voice on the Gear.]

So we can talk to others on this? Amazing....you'd think it'd be larger.

Hello, Johto! Everything I've been told so far is true, right? There's no set way to head home, so instead we're off on a grand adventure?

Sounds like fun! What are everyone's favorite Pokémon? Which are the strongest?



[On the other hand, those in the Rocket HQ who stop by the training arena may also notice a new face - and in person, he's properly pissed. He's got a Mawile against a Grimer and appears to be commanding both sides.]

Too slow. Bite, again! And Grimer - evade!

[The Pokémon hop to it, though Mawile gnashes its horns at him rather sulkily first.]