"No God's or King's only Man." –Andrew Ryan

Inscription on all entrances to Rapture

Sometimes we walk hand in hand by the sea
And we breathe in the cool salty air,
You turn to me with a kiss in your eyes
And my heart feels a thrill beyond compare
Then your lips cling to mine, it's wonderful, wonderful
Oh, so wonderful my love.

Sometimes we stand on the top of a hill
And we gaze at the earth and the sky
I turn to you and you melt in my arms
There we are, darling, only you and I
What a moment to share, it's wonderful, wonderful
Oh, so wonderful my love

Bridge:
This world is full of wondrous things it's true
But they wouldn't have much meaning without you

Some quiet evenings I sit by your side
And we're lost in a world of our own
I feel the glow of your unspoken love
I'm aware of the treasures that I own
And I say to myself, it's wonderful, wonderful
Oh, so wonderful my love!

December 31st, 1958

Rapture the city unlike any other, a city at the bottom of the ocean. That wasn't what made Rapture unique however. It was the promise that the artist would not be censored, the scientist not held in check by petty morality, and one could reap what they sew off the sweat of their brow and the strength of their back.

At least that is what they were promised.

FortFrolic, Rich's Malt Shop 5:37 P.M.

Kim looked around longingly about the diner at the red leather booths, the checkered floors, and the seemingly deserted room. The stools were left barren and unoccupied at the bar, all except for one all the way at the far end that was. An older gentleman in crisp white chef's attire was sitting at the end of the bar smoking a cigarette that produced blue smoke into the air above. He was thin and lanky with dark brown eyes with even darker hair to match. Kim recognized him immediately.

"Mr. Rich?" Kim politely called

The man spun with a start to face Kim first extinguishing his cigarette in the ashtray nearest him before devoting all his attention to her.

"Yes Kim, sit anywhere you like and I'll be with you in a second" said Mr. Rich in a cheery voice

Kim sat down in the booth nearest her and looked at the clock above the diner's kitchen.

"Twenty to Six, where in Rapture could he be?" she thought

Mr. Rich walked back with a pair of menus in tow and placed them down on the table, one being in front of Kim and the other in the vacant spot to her front.

"I don't know why I bother doing this truth be told, as if I don't know what the two of you are going to get. Hold on, where exactly is Ron anyway? It's not like him missing out on your date night and whatnot." asked Mr. Rich with a curious glare

Kim didn't have an answer for him right then and there. She was actually hoping that Mr. Rich had seen him earlier but given the fact that he had just asked her meant that he was just as in the dark about the matter as she was.

"I don't know, we were supposed to meet here at five thirty but since I was running late I thought that he might have managed to beat me here. Obviously, I thought wrong." said Kim

Mr. Rich merely smiled at that and gave a light chuckle.

"Women have reasons for being late, if you're anything like my wife than it's usually because you all can't find a thing to wear or because you had to quote put your face on. Men on the flipside have almost no reasons because we are simplistic." replied Mr. Rich

Kim stared up with an obvious (how so) look generating from her emerald eyes.

"How is it you've managed to come to that conclusion?" she asked

"I'll give you an example, if two women show up to a party wearing the same dress an argument usually is what ensues. Where as if men walk into the same party and see other men wearing the same suit that they are wearing it just means that we've done something right." answered Mr. Rich

Kim raised her eyebrows at this, she couldn't help it, she had to say the automatic response that any woman would say as a result of hearing such a remark. "But surely we women are worth waiting for?" in what sounded like a rather accurate imitation of Betty Boop

"Of course you are and there isn't anyone here who will tell you all otherwise." said Mr. Rich whilst pounding his hand in a reaffirming manner on the table

"Of course there isn't, we're the only people in here" Kim thought which she was glad she had not said anything out loud because that statement although true at the given moment would be a cruel one

Mr. Rich continued as if he hadn't noticed the worried look of interest forming on Kim's face "Why I mean just look at you, you're all dolled up for your night out on the town, and you know" he paused for a moment as he pondered his words "Ron's a lucky guy to have a girl like you."

Kim blushed at this "I'll be sure to remind him of that" she said with an innocent sigh

"It's odd though, the fact that Ron can break records as a running back, yet seems to always run late for everything else. At least that's what Barkin tells me anyways" Mr. Rich said with a shrug

At that same moment the shops door rang with the usual clatter of the bell jingling to announce the arrival of a customer. Both Kim and Mr. Rich turned and looked to see who had made their way in and to no ones surprise the very man they had just been discussing was standing there. Ron stood proud in a newly pressed slate suit with a shining black tie hanging from his collar. His blonde hair was slicked back and his face clean shaven. Kim saw what looked like a small gift box wrapped in gold wrapping paper but he quickly stuffed it into his pocket before she could get a better look.

"How convenient, we we're just talking about you." said Kim with a sly grin

Ron cocked and eyebrow "And I was just thinking about you"

He sat down across from Kim and looked up to Mr. Rich with a look of gratitude.

"Thank you for keeping Kim some company while I was in dispose Mr. Rich." Ron said gleefully

"Not a problem, what is it you'll be drinking? Wait let me guess cola and ice tea with a lemon slice, right?" said Mr. Rich holding his fingers to his temple as if he was a sideshow physic

"Please and thank you" said Kim

Mr. Rich turned around headed towards the kitchen and disappeared behind the counter to prepare the drinks. Kim turned again to face Ron once more. Ron who was just smiling with the cat that ate the canary look couldn't help but look at Kim. She was beautiful; Kim had always been the fashion conscience one in the couple and Ron wanted to come in all bells for tonight. Kim had not disappointed with her choice of apparel tonight either. She had on a white blouse with a blue kerchief at the collar to match the skirt below her blouse. Her hair was combed down in the usual manner but had a much sleeker shine and flow to it than usual.

"It's impolite to keep a girl waiting you know." said Kim in a rather sultry voice

"I know but I promise that I'll make up for it." Ron as he caught himself staring at Kim again. "You look beautiful Kim." he added

"I try" said Kim through her pursed ruby lips

"No I mean it, look I'm sorry I was late I just couldn't get this noose of a tie on right. After several rather embarrassing attempts by yours truly and conceded and let Rufus do it." said Ron in a rushed defensive passing

Mr. Rich had returned with their drinks and had set them down on the table. He interjected on Ron's behalf "Ain't no shame in that Ron, heck my wife still helps me with mine from time to time, and four kids later I'll still admit when I need a hand. It's the trick to a happy marriage, remember that boy."

Kim and Ron looked slightly apprehensive at this and both opened their mouths to speak but no words came out. Mr. Rich looked at Ron and then to Kim and realized what he had said to cause such an alarmed look.

"Not that anyone's saying you kids ought to get hitched anytime soon." said Mr. Rich hastily "After all there's no reason to go on a furlough like many people did back during the war but that's a story for another time, you all getting the usual or you going to switch things up tonight?"

"We'll split a basket of fries, I got somewhere special I want to take Kim tonight" Ron said in a rush

"Basket of fries it is then" and with a flash Mr. Rich spun off to the kitchen once more

"So where's Rufus?" Kim asked Ron

"On loan to Mr. Bell for the moment over at the Riveters Rest, said something about needing the little guy to help fix the beer taps. You know how busy it gets this time of year and how handy the little guy is with mechanics" said Ron looking out the window

Kim thought once more of the parcel that Ron had stuffed into his pocket. "What could it be" she wondered

"I saw the gift box you had when you walked in here and your not very good at keeping secrets from me Ronny, could you give a girl a hint?" asked Kim

"As a matter of fact I can, here your going to need this for when we go there, I wanted it to be a surprise but you've caught me" said Ron as he reached into his pocket where he had placed the small gift box

He pulled out the box encircled with gold wrapping paper and presented it to Kim with an outstretched palm. Kim reached of and gently grasped the box in her hand and pulled it to her. The top of the box had a note that read "To Kim my one and only", after reading the note over carefully she lifted of the top of the box to view the contents and gasped. Inside was a black pennant a white dove as the focal point.

"Ron I, I" stuttered Kim

"Do you like it? Tell me" Ron asked eagerly

"I love it Ron it's just this brought back so many memories" Kim said tears forming

"I hope they're good ones" Ron whispered

Kim grabbed a napkin from the dispenser on the table and wiped the tears away from her face "They are"

"Anything in particular or just scattered all about?" Ron asked

Kim rolled her eyes "It's silly really, do you remember the day we met?"

"How could I forget, Ryan's Company Picnic, where it all started" Ron said gazing back at Kim

"Trying to think it was about over twelve years ago, I remember it as if it was yesterday." Kim giggled

April 24th, 1946

Upper Manhattan NYC, Andrew Ryan's Office 1:28 P.M

Andrew Ryan sat at his desk filling out the usual paperwork that came with running the esteemed Ryan Industries. He flipped through his notebook that contained the general "To do" listings for each day of the week and ran his fingers down to the 1:30 mark. There it simply stated (Meeting with Dr. James Possible).

Mr. Ryan pressed down on the buzzer on his desk and spoke into the receiver "Elaine, is there a Dr. Possible waiting in the foyer?" and let go of the buzzer

There was a buzzing noise and a light female voice came back through the speaker "Yes Mr. Ryan"

Mr. Ryan pressed down once more on the buzzer "Would you kindly sent him in"