Post by Buckson Gooch on Feb 13, 2013 10:50:17 GMT -4
Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men.
-E. B. WHITE
One of the things I’ve always prided myself on is my resilience. I’m not going to stay down. I’m not going to just throw my hands up and give up during adverse situations...my time in APW has been difficult, but I'm not going to give up...and that work seems to be paying off and this week, after defeating A.C. Smith, I get to choose the stipulation for our match.
The stipulation that I’ve chosen for the XTreme Title match is a best 2 out of 3 falls match. That is the stipulation that I sent into APW offices for this match.
Anyone can win one match.
I proved that last week.
I’m not going to brag. I’m not going to boast. That would make it appear that I don’t respect A.C. Smith. That couldn’t be further from the truth. A.C. Smith is a future Undisputed Champion. He and I are both on the rise here in APW. For me to think that I’m a better athlete than him because of one match would be absurd.
Ludicrous.
Everything I said last week about A.C. Smith I meant. He is a top notch competitor. He's a mountain of muscle that is remarkably agile. He's a man that has made big waves here in APW...I'm not going to belittle his accomplishments, because he has worked hard for them and they are deserved. I have tremendous respect for him as a competitor and a person.
On the flip side, I won’t say I won by luck, and I don’t think A.C. Smith would say that either. Last week preparation met opportunity. The victory was mine. Last week was a step in the right direction in the career of 'Ol Buckson Gooch. There has certainly been a learning curve adding professional wrestling to my resume, but I’m getting the hang of it. I’m feeling comfortable in my skin. The training is starting to pay off, but nowhere near complete. Luck didn’t win that match, hours of training and sacrifice did. Buckets of sweat and liters of blood have led to this title match.
But I know where I still stand. People don’t look at ‘Ol Buckson Gooch as a real threat. I got called up to the Overdrive roster as part of a tag team and then my tag partner had to go home to take care of business. I’ve come close to greatness a few times, but I haven’t been able to grab it.
This is my chance.
This week will be more of a proving ground for me than for A.C.. I’ve been cast in the role of underdog. I don’t mind it, I’ve been an underdog my entire life. I have always persevered though. Hard work does pay off. Dreams do come true.
As much as some may think, I’m really not a slack jawed idiot.
This week, I’m setting out to prove that I belong. If I can defeat A.C. Smith twice in a night, I deserve the respect of APW Megastars and fans alike...and I deserve that XTreme title.
If I can beat one of the top talents in APW twice in one night...I deserve to be an APW Megastar.
"Dad, I want to rebuild a truck."
That thought resonates through Buck’s head as he finds himself laying on the cold ground, under the truck trying to figure out whatever it is that’s keeping it from running. When they turn the key, all they hear is something opening in engine, but nothing cranking...or even turning over.
If he heard clicking, that’s easy...fan belt. Sometimes you knock out some of those “interior” teeth, especially in an older model with junkyard salvaged parts.
It seems that finding the solution has fallen on the shoulders of Buck, as J-Mac searches a yellowed user’s manual. There seems to be a disconnect in something...It’s been years since Gooch has tinkered with a truck seriously (other than upkeep on Fungus) and it’s been 20 years since he originally put Fungus together. Buck is getting frustrated at himself for not remembering this, he wants more than anything to get this truck running for J-Mac. They’ve enjoyed spending time together in building it.
While J-Mac has always been helpful around the farm, using tools and such never interested him much. So the following scenario ran often: Buck would ask for a tool and wait for J-Mac to hand it to him, it would be the wrong one, J-Mac would stammer an apology as he finally handed the tool to his father, rinse, lather, repeat.
J-Mac got better at handing the right tools to his father throughout the process, but this final problem is really becoming a frustration to both of them.
J-Mac lets out a sigh and all Buck can hear under the truck is thumping...the thumping of J-Mac’s fingers.
J-Mac has sort of a nervous twitch about him, he’ll roll his fingers continuously. He starts with his index finger and drops it like a hammer, followed by his others down to his pinkie...all to start over at his index finger. When he’s very agitated he’ll do this with both hands, or he’ll by typing on an invisible QWERTY keyboard whatever he would really like to say. It can get on Buck’s nerves...and it’s doing just that right now. Normally Buck has a plentiful amount of patience, as you have to have in yielding slow growing crops...Buck realizes it’s not the thumping getting on his nerves...it’s his aggravation in not figuring out the problem. Sweat is dripping from his forehead, down the sides of his head and neck and beading into drops that hit the dirt making little mud circles. The thumping feels like it’s getting louder and louder until he feels he’s going to break...not near as serious as Poe’s “Tell-Tale Heart”, but the drumming in his ears must’ve felt similar to that of the title character.
J-Mac is sitting Indian Style next to the car and thumping the bumper with his fingers. Instead of getting on to his son out of aggravation, Buckson just slides out from under the truck and sees the dejected look on J-Mac’s face. Buck wants to cheer him up.
Buckson Gooch: Come on J-Mac, always with the thumping...You’re killing me, smalls.
A smile brushes across the adolescent’s face as his father references a movie they’ve enjoyed since he was a kid. Buck stands up and grabs the glass of sweet tea that he has resting on the roof of the truck. Buck takes a step back and looks at the 1971 Ford F100.
J-Mac’s smile has vanished already and his head is buried in the manual again. Gooch bite his lip and pulls it into his mouth until the hair from the top of beard reaches his upper lip...It’s not a good look for him, and if they ever do a “Men of APW” calendar, he doubts, not only, that he would be used, but he knows this wouldn’t be the facial expression to use.
J-Mac Gooch: You sure it’s not the fan belt?
Buck releases his lip and nods his head, placing the sweet tea back on the roof of the car, finding the circle of condensation that the cup had already made and meticulously matching it up.
Buckson Gooch: Yeah, I’m sure, son. No clicking. That’s usually the sign for fan belt problems.
Buck wipes his hand across his forehead, leaving a black streak from his thick, oil covered forearm. J-Mac was trying his hardest, but years of not building things has made him just about useless to this plight. Experience isn’t something you have until right after you need it. Buck was kicking himself, because he knew he should be leading this project...he did it once...
Buck decides to take a break for a moment, giving them some time to think about something else. Buck sits down next to his son and leans his back against the tire. He tries to sit Indian style like his son, but his legs are to thick to bend that way, especially in overalls. So he just extends his legs and crosses them at the ankle...That’s a lot more comfortable anyways. Buck takes his dirty finger and scratching his forehead starts to make small talk with his son, in hopes that it will calm both of their nerves. There’s no animosity between them...the stupid truck just won’t start.
Buckson Gooch: Why was it that you wanted to restore an old truck, son?
J-Mac stops what he’s doing and thinks. His mouth contorts holding back a smile. J-Mac thinks about what’s going to say before speaking...a great trait he’s inherited.
J-Mac Gooch: Every kid at school is either getting a new truck or a clunker, hand-me-down station wagon from their parents...I wanted to be different. I wanted to be a part of making something. Taking something that had been put to the side and restoring it. You did it once...I figured you could do it twice, this time I’ll be here to support you.
Buck thought about what his son had just said, and took another long swig of sweet tea. The thoughts were racing through his head in rapid succession...He has done this before. But that doesn’t prove that he can rebuild a truck proficiently. That means he lucked out once. Finishing this job for J-Mac will prove that he can do it again...
A.C. Smith
The comparison is as clear as day, but instead of having a twenty year gap between attempts...Buckson Gooch is going to have to beat one of APW’s best twice in one night.
The apple is worth the climb...the winner will be the XTreme champion.
J-Mac breaks the silence.
J-Mac Gooch: Out of all the stipulations you could’ve chosen, why did you choose the 2 out of 3 falls, Dad?
Buck reaches his hands up to his face and with his dirty hands pulls his still sweat dampened hair back and sighs.
Buckson Gooch: Last week I fought hard and I won. This week is more of a proving ground. This type of match is grueling and sets apart the men from the boys. I can’t get puffed up about a single win...if I want to prove that I belong in this match...if I deserve this shot...If I want to prove that I deserve to be on the Overdrive brand of APW...If I want to prove that I belong in the wrestling business...I have to be able to do this more than once.
J-Mac Gooch: Then why not make it a cage match or a hog catching match? You won last week, wouldn’t a win this week just cement that it wasn’t luck?
Buckson looks at his son quizzically...A hog catching match? Really?
Buckson Gooch: I chose the best 2 out of 3 falls because..well...wrestling at this level, if you can beat a guy twice in one night...that says a lot about your ability and most importantly, about your mettle.
This comment makes Buck kick himself. He’s really dropping the ball...was it only luck that allowed him to get Fungus running 20 years ago?...if that were the case, was it only luck that he beat A.C. Smith this past week? He pushes these thoughts from his head and tries to retrace his steps from 20 years ago...and then he remembers.
...Starter Relay...
Buck is getting up and wiping his hands on his pants to dry them. J-Mac doesn’t understand what is going on and Buck calls him over and they open the manual and find the battery circuit diagram in the book. Buck drags his finger across the points, explaining them to his son.
Buckson Gooch: Ok, I think I understand now. See, son, the wire that comes from the ignition is what activates the relay. Only when the key is turned to start is it supposed to be hot...or active. It’s never been hot. We’re having a problem in our relay.
Buck scratches his head again, leaving a dirty stripe of black gunk...he feels something on his forehead, but just swipes both of his hands over his forehead and through his matted hair, effectively relieving the itch and pulling his hair out of his face so he can see.
Buckson Gooch: Now, that relay is supposed to be hot. If everything is hooked up correctly then the only thing I can say is that that relay is faulty and stuck.
J-Mac looks to his Dad hoping there’s a solution.
Buckson Gooch: ...or we have a faulty wire...
Gooch leans into the truck and starts to laugh...He grabs a screwdriver and starts to work.
J-Mac Gooch: What? Dad? What?
Buckson Gooch: Or, look here...
Buck, using his large index finger slides from Point C to Point D in the diagram. He shakes his head at his mistake.
Buckson Gooch: I didn’t connect the D wire from your diagram to the ignition coil. Not having that connected was grounding out the circuit. When we turn the key, that fires from the key, to the ignition coil. The ignition coil causes the spark...that spark gets the engine running.
Buck again, using his dirty forearm wipes the sweat from his forehead.
Buckson Gooch: I disconnected it to ground it, so there wouldn’t be a chance of us getting shocked working on other parts...while not all that possible, accidents are accidents. Always take precaution.
J-Mac nods at his Dad in agreement. Proper advice. If you don’t prepare properly you aren’t properly prepared.
J-Mac Gooch: So now what, Dad?
Buckson smiles from ear to ear. The answer is obvious, but J-Mac wants to hear his Dad say it. Almost as if he knows that this is a big moment for Buckson, too.
Buckson Gooch: Start her up, son.
J-Mac drops the manual in the back of the truck and slides into the dark green bench seat...he turns the key...and the engine starts!!!! Buckson lets out a sigh of relief and puts his hands on his hips as he listens to the engine run. He did it once...and now he’s done it again.
He’s confident that when Lily wants a car in 16 years, that he’ll rebuild one with her...whether she likes it or not.
Buck is capable and confident now and smiles with satisfaction. He steps over to the driver side of the truck and takes his glass of sweet tea off the roof and drinks what remains, letting the ice cubes hit his mustache.
Gooch realizes that last week was a test he passed...this week he will have his hands full...but he can do it. He can overcome the odds. Buck realizes that he is a man who has the ability to complete his goals.
Buck’s thoughts are interrupted as J-Mac cranks the window down, truly “rolling down” the window with the crank in the door.
J-Mac Gooch: Want to go for a ride, Dad?
Buckson Gooch: I thought you’d never ask, son.
Buck puts his glass on the edge of porch and opens the door...He’s taken back to when he was J-Mac’s age. The excitement of driving your first truck...He sits down in the truck and cranks the window down. J-Mac cautiously pulls out of the driveway, and Buck watches their farm house shrink into the distance.
He looks over to J-Mac and smiles, J-Mac is beaming. Gooch looks back in the mirror and all he sees is farm land. He look at the road in front of them and thinks about opportunity. This week will be a big week in determining what direction his career can take.
He has proven he can beat A.C. Smith once...now he wants to prove to himself that he can do it twice. The joy he feels for J-Mac, he imagines, will be a similar joy he feels holding his first APW title...the XTreme title.
-E. B. WHITE
One of the things I’ve always prided myself on is my resilience. I’m not going to stay down. I’m not going to just throw my hands up and give up during adverse situations...my time in APW has been difficult, but I'm not going to give up...and that work seems to be paying off and this week, after defeating A.C. Smith, I get to choose the stipulation for our match.
The stipulation that I’ve chosen for the XTreme Title match is a best 2 out of 3 falls match. That is the stipulation that I sent into APW offices for this match.
Anyone can win one match.
I proved that last week.
I’m not going to brag. I’m not going to boast. That would make it appear that I don’t respect A.C. Smith. That couldn’t be further from the truth. A.C. Smith is a future Undisputed Champion. He and I are both on the rise here in APW. For me to think that I’m a better athlete than him because of one match would be absurd.
Ludicrous.
Everything I said last week about A.C. Smith I meant. He is a top notch competitor. He's a mountain of muscle that is remarkably agile. He's a man that has made big waves here in APW...I'm not going to belittle his accomplishments, because he has worked hard for them and they are deserved. I have tremendous respect for him as a competitor and a person.
On the flip side, I won’t say I won by luck, and I don’t think A.C. Smith would say that either. Last week preparation met opportunity. The victory was mine. Last week was a step in the right direction in the career of 'Ol Buckson Gooch. There has certainly been a learning curve adding professional wrestling to my resume, but I’m getting the hang of it. I’m feeling comfortable in my skin. The training is starting to pay off, but nowhere near complete. Luck didn’t win that match, hours of training and sacrifice did. Buckets of sweat and liters of blood have led to this title match.
But I know where I still stand. People don’t look at ‘Ol Buckson Gooch as a real threat. I got called up to the Overdrive roster as part of a tag team and then my tag partner had to go home to take care of business. I’ve come close to greatness a few times, but I haven’t been able to grab it.
This is my chance.
This week will be more of a proving ground for me than for A.C.. I’ve been cast in the role of underdog. I don’t mind it, I’ve been an underdog my entire life. I have always persevered though. Hard work does pay off. Dreams do come true.
As much as some may think, I’m really not a slack jawed idiot.
This week, I’m setting out to prove that I belong. If I can defeat A.C. Smith twice in a night, I deserve the respect of APW Megastars and fans alike...and I deserve that XTreme title.
If I can beat one of the top talents in APW twice in one night...I deserve to be an APW Megastar.
---------------------------------------------
"Dad, I want to rebuild a truck."
That thought resonates through Buck’s head as he finds himself laying on the cold ground, under the truck trying to figure out whatever it is that’s keeping it from running. When they turn the key, all they hear is something opening in engine, but nothing cranking...or even turning over.
If he heard clicking, that’s easy...fan belt. Sometimes you knock out some of those “interior” teeth, especially in an older model with junkyard salvaged parts.
It seems that finding the solution has fallen on the shoulders of Buck, as J-Mac searches a yellowed user’s manual. There seems to be a disconnect in something...It’s been years since Gooch has tinkered with a truck seriously (other than upkeep on Fungus) and it’s been 20 years since he originally put Fungus together. Buck is getting frustrated at himself for not remembering this, he wants more than anything to get this truck running for J-Mac. They’ve enjoyed spending time together in building it.
While J-Mac has always been helpful around the farm, using tools and such never interested him much. So the following scenario ran often: Buck would ask for a tool and wait for J-Mac to hand it to him, it would be the wrong one, J-Mac would stammer an apology as he finally handed the tool to his father, rinse, lather, repeat.
J-Mac got better at handing the right tools to his father throughout the process, but this final problem is really becoming a frustration to both of them.
J-Mac lets out a sigh and all Buck can hear under the truck is thumping...the thumping of J-Mac’s fingers.
J-Mac has sort of a nervous twitch about him, he’ll roll his fingers continuously. He starts with his index finger and drops it like a hammer, followed by his others down to his pinkie...all to start over at his index finger. When he’s very agitated he’ll do this with both hands, or he’ll by typing on an invisible QWERTY keyboard whatever he would really like to say. It can get on Buck’s nerves...and it’s doing just that right now. Normally Buck has a plentiful amount of patience, as you have to have in yielding slow growing crops...Buck realizes it’s not the thumping getting on his nerves...it’s his aggravation in not figuring out the problem. Sweat is dripping from his forehead, down the sides of his head and neck and beading into drops that hit the dirt making little mud circles. The thumping feels like it’s getting louder and louder until he feels he’s going to break...not near as serious as Poe’s “Tell-Tale Heart”, but the drumming in his ears must’ve felt similar to that of the title character.
J-Mac is sitting Indian Style next to the car and thumping the bumper with his fingers. Instead of getting on to his son out of aggravation, Buckson just slides out from under the truck and sees the dejected look on J-Mac’s face. Buck wants to cheer him up.
Buckson Gooch: Come on J-Mac, always with the thumping...You’re killing me, smalls.
A smile brushes across the adolescent’s face as his father references a movie they’ve enjoyed since he was a kid. Buck stands up and grabs the glass of sweet tea that he has resting on the roof of the truck. Buck takes a step back and looks at the 1971 Ford F100.
J-Mac’s smile has vanished already and his head is buried in the manual again. Gooch bite his lip and pulls it into his mouth until the hair from the top of beard reaches his upper lip...It’s not a good look for him, and if they ever do a “Men of APW” calendar, he doubts, not only, that he would be used, but he knows this wouldn’t be the facial expression to use.
J-Mac Gooch: You sure it’s not the fan belt?
Buck releases his lip and nods his head, placing the sweet tea back on the roof of the car, finding the circle of condensation that the cup had already made and meticulously matching it up.
Buckson Gooch: Yeah, I’m sure, son. No clicking. That’s usually the sign for fan belt problems.
Buck wipes his hand across his forehead, leaving a black streak from his thick, oil covered forearm. J-Mac was trying his hardest, but years of not building things has made him just about useless to this plight. Experience isn’t something you have until right after you need it. Buck was kicking himself, because he knew he should be leading this project...he did it once...
Buck decides to take a break for a moment, giving them some time to think about something else. Buck sits down next to his son and leans his back against the tire. He tries to sit Indian style like his son, but his legs are to thick to bend that way, especially in overalls. So he just extends his legs and crosses them at the ankle...That’s a lot more comfortable anyways. Buck takes his dirty finger and scratching his forehead starts to make small talk with his son, in hopes that it will calm both of their nerves. There’s no animosity between them...the stupid truck just won’t start.
Buckson Gooch: Why was it that you wanted to restore an old truck, son?
J-Mac stops what he’s doing and thinks. His mouth contorts holding back a smile. J-Mac thinks about what’s going to say before speaking...a great trait he’s inherited.
J-Mac Gooch: Every kid at school is either getting a new truck or a clunker, hand-me-down station wagon from their parents...I wanted to be different. I wanted to be a part of making something. Taking something that had been put to the side and restoring it. You did it once...I figured you could do it twice, this time I’ll be here to support you.
Buck thought about what his son had just said, and took another long swig of sweet tea. The thoughts were racing through his head in rapid succession...He has done this before. But that doesn’t prove that he can rebuild a truck proficiently. That means he lucked out once. Finishing this job for J-Mac will prove that he can do it again...
A.C. Smith
The comparison is as clear as day, but instead of having a twenty year gap between attempts...Buckson Gooch is going to have to beat one of APW’s best twice in one night.
The apple is worth the climb...the winner will be the XTreme champion.
J-Mac breaks the silence.
J-Mac Gooch: Out of all the stipulations you could’ve chosen, why did you choose the 2 out of 3 falls, Dad?
Buck reaches his hands up to his face and with his dirty hands pulls his still sweat dampened hair back and sighs.
Buckson Gooch: Last week I fought hard and I won. This week is more of a proving ground. This type of match is grueling and sets apart the men from the boys. I can’t get puffed up about a single win...if I want to prove that I belong in this match...if I deserve this shot...If I want to prove that I deserve to be on the Overdrive brand of APW...If I want to prove that I belong in the wrestling business...I have to be able to do this more than once.
J-Mac Gooch: Then why not make it a cage match or a hog catching match? You won last week, wouldn’t a win this week just cement that it wasn’t luck?
Buckson looks at his son quizzically...A hog catching match? Really?
Buckson Gooch: I chose the best 2 out of 3 falls because..well...wrestling at this level, if you can beat a guy twice in one night...that says a lot about your ability and most importantly, about your mettle.
This comment makes Buck kick himself. He’s really dropping the ball...was it only luck that allowed him to get Fungus running 20 years ago?...if that were the case, was it only luck that he beat A.C. Smith this past week? He pushes these thoughts from his head and tries to retrace his steps from 20 years ago...and then he remembers.
...Starter Relay...
Buck is getting up and wiping his hands on his pants to dry them. J-Mac doesn’t understand what is going on and Buck calls him over and they open the manual and find the battery circuit diagram in the book. Buck drags his finger across the points, explaining them to his son.
Buckson Gooch: Ok, I think I understand now. See, son, the wire that comes from the ignition is what activates the relay. Only when the key is turned to start is it supposed to be hot...or active. It’s never been hot. We’re having a problem in our relay.
Buck scratches his head again, leaving a dirty stripe of black gunk...he feels something on his forehead, but just swipes both of his hands over his forehead and through his matted hair, effectively relieving the itch and pulling his hair out of his face so he can see.
Buckson Gooch: Now, that relay is supposed to be hot. If everything is hooked up correctly then the only thing I can say is that that relay is faulty and stuck.
J-Mac looks to his Dad hoping there’s a solution.
Buckson Gooch: ...or we have a faulty wire...
Gooch leans into the truck and starts to laugh...He grabs a screwdriver and starts to work.
J-Mac Gooch: What? Dad? What?
Buckson Gooch: Or, look here...
Buck, using his large index finger slides from Point C to Point D in the diagram. He shakes his head at his mistake.
Buckson Gooch: I didn’t connect the D wire from your diagram to the ignition coil. Not having that connected was grounding out the circuit. When we turn the key, that fires from the key, to the ignition coil. The ignition coil causes the spark...that spark gets the engine running.
Buck again, using his dirty forearm wipes the sweat from his forehead.
Buckson Gooch: I disconnected it to ground it, so there wouldn’t be a chance of us getting shocked working on other parts...while not all that possible, accidents are accidents. Always take precaution.
J-Mac nods at his Dad in agreement. Proper advice. If you don’t prepare properly you aren’t properly prepared.
J-Mac Gooch: So now what, Dad?
Buckson smiles from ear to ear. The answer is obvious, but J-Mac wants to hear his Dad say it. Almost as if he knows that this is a big moment for Buckson, too.
Buckson Gooch: Start her up, son.
J-Mac drops the manual in the back of the truck and slides into the dark green bench seat...he turns the key...and the engine starts!!!! Buckson lets out a sigh of relief and puts his hands on his hips as he listens to the engine run. He did it once...and now he’s done it again.
He’s confident that when Lily wants a car in 16 years, that he’ll rebuild one with her...whether she likes it or not.
Buck is capable and confident now and smiles with satisfaction. He steps over to the driver side of the truck and takes his glass of sweet tea off the roof and drinks what remains, letting the ice cubes hit his mustache.
Gooch realizes that last week was a test he passed...this week he will have his hands full...but he can do it. He can overcome the odds. Buck realizes that he is a man who has the ability to complete his goals.
Buck’s thoughts are interrupted as J-Mac cranks the window down, truly “rolling down” the window with the crank in the door.
J-Mac Gooch: Want to go for a ride, Dad?
Buckson Gooch: I thought you’d never ask, son.
Buck puts his glass on the edge of porch and opens the door...He’s taken back to when he was J-Mac’s age. The excitement of driving your first truck...He sits down in the truck and cranks the window down. J-Mac cautiously pulls out of the driveway, and Buck watches their farm house shrink into the distance.
He looks over to J-Mac and smiles, J-Mac is beaming. Gooch looks back in the mirror and all he sees is farm land. He look at the road in front of them and thinks about opportunity. This week will be a big week in determining what direction his career can take.
He has proven he can beat A.C. Smith once...now he wants to prove to himself that he can do it twice. The joy he feels for J-Mac, he imagines, will be a similar joy he feels holding his first APW title...the XTreme title.
