Under the grim skies of Des Moines, a narrative of relentless defeat unfolded. Ryan S. & Kevin C. crushed Matt L. & Andy L. across three sets, with scores whispering a merciless tale: 11-9, 11-4, 11-9.

Ryan and Kevin, weaving through the game with calculated strokes and chance's grace, declared, "Winning is still winning," Ryan remarked, as if the paddle revealed life's mysteries. Kevin left traces of effort on the court, a glistening homage to his unwinnable struggle against physics.

For Matt and Andy, the abyss of defeat was inevitable. "Catching a breeze with bare hands," Matt lamented, pointing to the scoreboard, their unyielding foe. "I've encountered kinder beasts in the wild," Andy muttered, casting a sideways glance at the unforgiving numbers.

As the onlookers absorbed the scene, it became apparent: some games are doomed from the start. This was not a tale of triumph, but of surrender to the indifferent silence of the scoreboard.