Yes... it worked.

Theo stared at the television screen in utter shock and bewilderment. On it was a video a news helicopter had captured, of the E88 villain Stormtiger fighting off an encroachment by the ABB, the other largest gang in the bay and perpetual rival of the Empire.

Just some gang warfare between the pan-Asian ABB and the white supremacist E88. Nothing special in Brockton Bay. But what was strange was the ridiculous, comically small red speedo that garishly stood out over the rest of Stormtiger's normal uniform, which consisted of grey pants, a chain-covered shirt and a metal tiger mask.

"Father...what is that?" Theodore asked, turning frantically to look at his father.

"What?" Max Anders asked, squinting at the TV.

"The speedo he's wearing?" Theo responded confused.

Did his dad really not see what was going on?

"What about it?" His father asked sternly. "Red speedos are a proud German tradition of the Empire. You know this."

Theo froze. There was no way. It couldn't. But it was.

The rule he had written! It had come true!

"I-Um-I thought it was the wrong colour for a second, but I guess I just misunderstood," Theo nervously giggled.

His father frowned angrily.

"Maybe you need to visit en eye doctor. Yet another defect," the man muttered, and the pudgy boy winced.

Meanwhile, all Theo could think was this: He had to get back to the cafe and find that notebook! And get hoped to god it was still there!