Acville is a small town, and 'round here news travels fast, so the announcement of IceH2O's retirement spreads like wildfire.
Still wearing his All Star jersey, Ice takes a final walk through the streets of the town, and is surrounded by mob of well-wishers under the statue of Bala in the town's square.
"Don't do it!" some shout. "We need you," call out others.
But Ice knows his time has come.
He signs a few autographs, and he looks over the crowd one last time, where his eyes lock with those of a teary-eyed boy.
Ice points and says, "C'mere, boy."
The boy runs to Ice, and unable to contain his grief buries his tear-streaked face in Ice's chest and cries, "Don't do it, Mr. Ice..."
Ice gently pats the boy's back and tenderly kisses his forhead. "I'll always be with you," he whispers in the boy's ear.
The embrace ends, and the boy begins to walk away. Ice removes his jersey, and calls out, "Catch, kid," while tossing the jersey to the surprised lad.
The boy's eyes grow wide as he catches his hero's jersey, and he quickly dons the shirt. It fits him poorly, with the jersey reaching below his knees, and the sleeves ending well past his hands, but the boy doesn't care, and nothing can extinguish the pride now burning in his breast.
"This shirt may not fit me now, Mr. Ice, but someday soon it will. I won't let you down," the boy announces proudly.
Ice gives a nod and a wink, and replies, "I know that you won't, FF. I know that you won't..."