diff --git a/vultron/display.py b/vultron/display.py
index 11cef29..22f3a11 100644
--- a/vultron/display.py
+++ b/vultron/display.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 class OutFormat:
   def __init__(self, data):
+    self.data = data
     self.spans = { }
     self.rows = [ ]
 
@@ -25,8 +26,7 @@ class OutFormat:
       return str(field)
 
   def render(self):
-    # FIXME: consider if this should do anything
-    pass
+    return self.data
 
 class Basic(OutFormat):
   def __init__(self, data):