Ready For War

[Tommy Knox]

///Ready For War\\\
Chapter XXIII

"With her by my side, the sky is the limit..."
- Knoxville -

Thursday 2:43 PM [March 28th, 2013]
Long Beach, California

The sky is blue, as far as the eye can see. A gentle wind blows throughout the city. It's that time if year again. Spring is here. One cold month after another, we have finally made it to the back stretch towards hot summer days and women wearing less clothing.

Outside of Southside Johnny's, a locally owned gym out by the docks, we find ourselves today. The parking lot is half empty, with cars scattered here and there. Some business is better than no business. The infamous black Charger pulls into the parking lot with a cloud of dust rolling behind. Without slowing down, it drives to the back of the parking lot and slides into an empty space.

A minute or so passes and the driver door opens. Knoxville steps out from inside and stretches for a moment. His jeans are tattered, boots are covered in dust and his shirt is ripped at the sleeves. As usual, his sunglasses hide his bloodshot eyes from the outside world. He closes the door and walks around to the trunk and pops it open. Searching for a brief moment, he pulls out a duffle bag and closes the lid.

Turning his back on the car, he walks towards the gym. He pulls out his pack of cigarettes and places one between his lips. After pulling his lighter out, he strikes the roller and sparks a flame to light the tip. He takes a few drags just before his cell phone rings and interupts.

"Yea?" Knoxville answers with the phone held up to his ear. "I just got in town." ... "I can meet with you later tonight." ... "What do you mean, watch my back?" ... "Ok, see you then."

He lowers the phone from his ear and takes a drag of the cigarette as he thinks to himself. He then places the phone in his pocket and picks up the duffle bag from the ground before proceeding. Once getting close to the entrance, he takes a couple more drags from the cigarette before tossing it into the parking lot, half burnt. Then, just as he reaches for the door to the gym, a familiar voice echoes from the other side of the parking lot.

"Well, look who it is!" yells a man from across the parking lot, a face we haven't seen for a couple of years now. CHINasty walks towards Knoxville with a huge grin on his face as the two look at one another.

Knoxville shakes his left in disbelief before answering. "You have got to be kiddin' me. What the hell are you doin' up here? I didn't think you came back to the states anymore?"

"I do, on occassion. I'm just not very welcomed from some around northern Cali." CHINasty says as he extends his hand out for a shake.

Knoxville looks down at his hand and then extends his as the two embrace. "Your secret's safe with me, bro. Those guys don't even come around here anymore."

CHINasty nods his head for a second before responding. "Well... that's good. I'd hate to pop a cap today."

"Heh, you're fuckin' retarded." Knoxville says with a smile on his face. "So, what brings you up here?"

CHINasty looks Knoxville in the eyes, piercing through the sunglasses. "We have some problems from south of the border. Rico's in critrical condition."

"What?" Knoxville asks as he removes his sunglasses from his face.

"Yea, it's fucked up. Let's go inside and talk about it. I'm like a fuckin' sittin' duck out here." CHINasty says as he walks towards the entrance to the Southside Johnny's.

"Damn, this can't be good." Knoxville says under his breath as he follows behind CHINasty and the two walk inside.

Once inside, the two walk towards the back office. By the looks of the parking lot, this place has more people than expected. Scattered throughout, groups of people work out at their own pace with the sounds of Rush playing on the overhead speakers.

Knoxville unlocks the back office and walks inside, flipping the light switch on as he enters. CHINasty then scans over the gym before entering and closing the door behind him.

"So, what the hell happened?" Knoxville asks as he tosses his duffle bag to the ground and takes a seat behind the desk.

CHINasty looks at him in silence for a moment before answering. "It's fucked up, dude. Those guys beat the living shit out of him a couple days back. He almost died."

Knoxville looks down at the desk and then places his head in the palm of his hand as he thinks. "Who?" He asks.

"It's a long story, man. I don't even know where to begin." CHINasty says.

"Come on, just lay it all out there." Knoxville says as he waits for the unexpected.

"Well, first of all let me say this. A couple of months ago, you pissed a lot of people off when you walked out with those championship title belts in Mexico City." CHINasty then sits in the chair across from Knoxville and looks over the desk as he waits for a response.

"Oh, you know about that? Knoxville asks.

"Fuck yea, who doesn't! You've been the talk of the town over the last couple of months. Those guys are pissed to say the least." CHINasty says as he pulls out a cigarello and lights up.

Knoxville waits a moment before replying as he rubs his chin. "What does any of this have to do with Rico?"

"I'm glad you asked, my friend. I don't know if you knew this but the cartel had ties to that promotion. Somewhere up the lines with the owner, family maybe, I don't know. CHINasty then takes a puff from his cigarello and leans back.

"Shit, really?" Knoxville asks.

CHINasty doesn't hesitate to respond. "Yea, bro. I'm guessing you gave those titles to Rico to sell for some extra bread. Whoever he sold them to, sold him out. The owner got with his cousin in the cartel and put a hit out on him. Rico's lucky to be alive, probably wishes he was dead."

"Fuuucccckkkkkk... I have to get down there and see him. I'm guessin' that the only reason I'm still alive is because of the new business partnership I have with those guys down south. This can't be good. You up for ridin' with me down there?" Knoxville catches his breath and then reaches inside the fridge under the desk and pulls out a cold beer.

"Right now?" CHINasty asks?

Knoxville cracks the top and takes a big drink before replying. "YES RIGHT NOW!"

"I guess man, but there's something else you have to know before we leave." CHINasty says.

Knoxville looks at him, on the edge of his seat waiting in suspense. "What?"

CHINasty begins laughing to himself as Knoxville looks back, confused. "I'm just busting your balls man. Rico's alright."

Knoville takes another drink from his beer as a sign of relief comes over his face. "How did you know about the belts then?"

"Easy, Rico sold them to me. I sold them back to the promotion."

Knoxville looks up at the light for a moment and thinks. "What about the cartel and the owners relationship?"

CHINasty chuckles a little more before replying. "It's bullshit. I made that up man. You're cool with the cartel, I would assume anyway since you're doing business with them. The promotion though, I wouldn't let any of those guys see your face next time you're down there. The belts are one thing, but to unmask a fellow wrestler... that's cold."

"Fuck those guys and fuck wrestlin' in Mexico, at least for that promotion. APW is my home. I should beat your ass, you know that right?" Knoxville questions as he takes another drink from his beer and calms down from the excitement.

"You probably should but lets not do that today. I haven't seen you in a half a year man. I had to mess with you and this all went together so perfectly. Next time, how 'bout trying to stay in touch and not just coming around for me to get you fucked up." CHINasty says as he takes a drag from his cigarello.

Knoxville finishes off the beer quickly as he reaches in the fridge for two more, one for him and one for CHINasty. He then tosses the empty one in the trash and slides a full one across the table to his friend. "I'm glad you were jokin', man. I thought a fuckin' war was about to start over some shitty Mexican wrestling promotions jack-leg belts. I have enough on my plate as it is with business, tag gold with Gooch and workin' my way in the APW North American title scene. I already have a war on my hands next week."

CHINasty replies. "I actually got to catch Rasslemania the other night on the television. Talk about expensive... pfft. You and Buckson make a good tag team combination, bro. With his size and your skill, you guys can be unstoppable. Let me suggest this though..."

Knoxville quickly interupts, "Suggest what?!"

"Well, to be honest, you guys could go a lot further without all the show boating and theatrics from you. It almost bit you guys in the ass with NBK the other night." CHINasty says as he takes another drag from his cigarello.

"Are you serious? We had their number before the match even began. The heat in that match had been buildin' up for weeks, ever since I called those two punks out on Meltdown. When that title shot does come around, I can promise you that there won't be any bullshit theatrics. With the gold on the line, it's all business for me and my big friend, Gooch." Knoxville takes a drink from the fresh beer and leans back again to relax.

CHINasty takes a drink himself before speaking up. "I've noticed that you've taken a little shine to that sexy thing, Niobe."

"It is what it is man. Do you blame me? With her by my side, the sky is the limit for the two of us in APW." Knoxville says with confidence.

"Hah! Are you serious, bro? I'll be damned, I thought this day would never come. To see you tied down with some broad and taking it serious, damn. It's good though, man. I wish you two nothing but the best. Be sure to send me some pics now..." CHINasty tries to hold a straight face but can't.

Knoxville laughs for a brief moment before turning serious and looking across the table into CHINasty's eyes. "I'll be sure not to, asshole."

CHINasty then leans forward and rests his arms on the desk before his next words. "So, tell me a little about this North American title scene you just mentioned."

Knoxville's demeanor changes as he takes a drink from his beer and looks across the table. "Well, first and foremost I'm gettin' back in the ring with the former North American champion, Warren Peace. We didn't cross each others paths really at the rumble, lucky for him, but this time there's no hidin' from me. I've made it know that I respect the man and his ability in the ring but come Monday night, all that goes out the window. For a moment, you had me worried that a war was about to hit the streets of Long Beach. I couldn't have been any more relieved when you told me that you were fuckin' with me. Why? Monday night at Meltdown, it's goin' to be a fuckin' warzone. Warren is just one of the competitors steppin' in that ring. There's two others that have no clue as to what's about to crash on them and blow the out of this fuckin' world."

"Warren's good man, don't take him lightly." CHINasty implies.

Knoxville shakes his head before answering. "Don't worry, I'm not. If there's one thing that I've learned over the years, it's to never take anyone lightly. This sport is anyone's for the takin'. It can be your day one and someone elses the next. All you can do is stay on top of your game and fight for what's yours. It's simple for me, I don't have anything right now. I have a title shot at the tag gold with Gooch and if I can beat the other three monday night, I'll have a title shot at the North American. Once I get the belts in my view, they're there for the takin' and once I have them no one is goin' to take them from me without a fight. I will sacrifice my body to defend what's mine and I will lay it all on the line to become a champion. Warren had the gold around his waist and lost it in the blink of an eye. Me on the other hand, you'd have to pull that strap from my dead hands before I gave it up that easily."

Taking a drink from his beer, Knoxville reaches in his duffle bag and pulls out a small bag of grass and tosses it on the table. CHINasty looks at him with a smile on his face and pulls out a pack of rolling papers. Knoxville then continues to speak as CHINasty rolls a spliff.

"Then we have Cid Phoenix competing for the same title shot as Warren and myself. I'll be honest with you, I wouldn't be able to pick this guy out in a crowd. But that doesn't matter. At the end of the day, he's gunnin' for the same thing I am and only one person is walkin' out of that match with their hand held high and a title shot waitin' for them down the road. You can bet your ass that he sure as fuck won't be that person. Since I've come back to APW, you could say I have been slowly risin' in the ranks and makin' a name for myself. Well, that didn't stop at Rasslemania. I still have a lot to do to reach the status I'm seeking and a small bump in the road like Phoenix isn't goin' to slow me down one bit. If I can almost walk away a winner after facing NBK by myself then this should be a walk in the park. The North American title scene only has room for one champion and one contender. We all know that The Guv'Nor is the champ. With that said, there's not enough room at the top of the hill for Phoenix. I'm goin' to prove to the world that I'm the king of the hill after I make him my bitch and end his hopes and dreams of holdin' a title that has opened it's doors to me. I will be the number one contender after Monday night!"

Knoxville then looks at CHINasty in disappointment. "You ain't finished with that yet?"

"Kiss my ass man, this is going to be a monster. What is this stuff anyway?" CHINasty asks.

"OG Funk, my own special blend." Knoxville replies as he continues talking about the upcoming match. "Then last but surely not least, we have Evan McDonald. This isn't the first time I've squared off in the ring against him and I can assure you he hasn't forgotten our last aquaintance. A few weeks ago him and Megan Andrews met big Gooch and myself in the ring durin' the tag title tournament. I don't even have to tell you how that went, who are the number one contenders? You damn right, Gooch and I are! Well, Megan gets to climb in the ring with my little sweetheart, Niobe this week and Evan gets to have his face smashed once again by yours truly. I'm not even sweatin' this guy, not the slightest. I've danced in the ring with him once and will be more than happy to give him another dancin' lesson Monday night. I ended this guys course towards the tag gold and I'll put this fire out with ease. If a title is in the picture and him and I are in the ring together, you can rest knowin' that I'm takin' the only step forward and inchin' closer to havin' a title wrapped around my waist. You can call it what you want but that's just how it is. I've got Evan's number!"

CHINasty interupts with a grin from ear to ear and a joint rolled about as thick as Gooch's thumb. "Tada!!!"

"Damn, now that's what I'm talkin' about." Knoxville replies.

"So, are we going to sit here and keep talkin' about your work or can we put this bad boy in the air?" CHINasty asks.

Knoxville takes a drink from his beer before answering. "Oh, fire that baby up! I'm almost done talkin' about this match anyway. When Monday night rolls around and my music hits the arena, it's all business for me. I might talk a big game and act childish at times but it's all in good fun. Once it's game time, I'm serious and focused on the task at hand. I've already earned one title shot with help from my southern friend. Now it's time to move on to another title. This time, no one will be in my corner for help and support. This North American contender match rests soley on my shoulders. Sure, I've got Niobe in the back pullin' for me but other than that I'm walkin' into this match alone. Am I worried? No. Am I nervous? No. Am I ready to break out into the spotlight and take APW by storm? You can bet your sweet little ass I am. It doesn't matter if they line me up against one person or ten, I'm goin' to fight with every ounce of energy in my body and will continue to do so if beaten within an inch of my life. Gold and glory motivate me and it seems I've ran into both as of late. It's one thing to hold a tag championship and Gooch and I will cross that bridge when we get there. It's another thing to hold a singles championship when it's you and only you fighting for it. The Guv'Nor should rest easy knowin' that his title is safe for the time being. Before too long though, there's goin' to be a target on his back and I don't miss bullseye when it matters."

As those words roll off his tongue, CHINasty sparks the spliff up as smoke begins to rise towards the ceiling. The two kick back and catch up as the scene slowly fades to black.