Before Jimmy could say anything in response, his father stepped up. "If that's the way it's gonna have to be, I volunteer! Drop me inside and I'll make sure I do what I have to do!" The crowd gasped, and Jimmy ran up to his father. "Dad, you can't! You'll die!" Hugh turned to face his son, and giving him the best dad face he could, he knelt down to his sons level and looked him in the eye. "Now Jimbo," he said in his calm, warbly voice. "Everyone in life eats, and everyone in life is eaten. It's the circle of life, and it's just my time." Tears were now welling up in Jimmy's eyes, and a single tear ran down hugh's face. He wrapped his arms around his son one final time. "I love you, Jimbo. Take care of your mother for me."