Post by Buckson Gooch on May 15, 2013 23:08:40 GMT -4
Dawn - Gooch Farm
The early morning sun is just now breaking onto the shoulders of the giant from PossomGrape. The sweat that has soaked his clothing is not from the sun, it’s from hard work. The cold weather leaving Arkansas for the rest of the season makes this time very important for the farmer from Southern Arkansas. Buck goes next to the house and grabs the water hose.
Buckson Gooch: ♫ Righty tighty, lefty loosey ♫
Even though he’s turned that water knob on and off since he was a boy, and put together enough things with screws that he knows this, he still says it like he’s always done. Buck is a creature of habit when it comes to farm work. The habitual life of a farmer keeps thing running smoothly. It’s a smooth transition to start each day at the same time, a method to how he approaches things. He utilizes the work that needs to be done. Just like his wrestling, there is a method to his madness. Each part and action is still given with his best effort, but the order is very important.
As Buck washes off his arms with the hose water to remove the dirt, manure, and whatever else decided to get stuck to his sweaty arms during the work in the morning. The water splatters on the dry dirt turning into small droplets of mud.
A smile breaks over Buckson’s face...Mmmm....Bacon. Almost as if he’s carried by his nose into the house he parks himself in his chair at the kitchen table. Annabelle is cooking up bacon alright, and she’s ready to make the working man his breakfast.
Annabelle Gooch: How did the morning’s chores go?
Buckson Gooch: Same old, same old...and that’s a good thing with farming.
Annabelle Gooch: Are you ready for the commencement speech today?
Weeks before Buckson received a phone call from Principal Robert Pooler asking if he would do the keynote address at graduation. Buckson tried to convince Mr. Pooler that he wasn’t the right man to do it, but the aged principal wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Mr. Pooler’s years of arguing with teenagers...and those same individuals as they grew up and had teenagers made him an extraordinary debater. By the end of the conversation, Buck really believed this was a good thing...and he still does. It just baffled him that he was chosen. Why Buckson Gooch? The better question, as asked by Mr. Pooler, Why not Buckson Gooch?
Buck lifts his arm and takes a sniff of his armpit while Annabelle had her back to him. Even after all of these years, he doesn’t want to knock her out with his body odor. He drops his arm right as Annabelle turns around.
Buckson Gooch: I can’t believe they selected me.
Annabelle Gooch: I can, Buck.
Annabelle responds quickly and continues working in the kitchen. Buck seems perplexed that that would be her response and it would come that quickly. He really hadn’t voiced his concern about the issue, but Annabelle knew him well enough to know that it was weighing on him. Being supportive was the best approach in this situation.
Buckson Gooch: I barely graduated. Most of my focus was on you.
Annabelle blushes slightly, but doesn’t want him to see it.
Buckson Gooch: I just don’t know why they would want me. I’m just Buckson Gooch. I live outside of town on a farm. I’m no one special.
Annabelle Gooch: Oh, Buck...
The crackling bacon breaks up the silence after Annabelle Gooch’s comment. Annabelle knows better than to interrupt him in thought. She could try to build him up, but that has already been diverted. Gooch is having to think some things through.
The bacon still sizzles as it’s put on a dixie plate covered in a paper towel (to soak up the grease). The sound of eggs hitting the skillet in a blop turns from silence to the loud cries of solidifying eggs. Annabelle has always mixed them in a measuring cup, putting milk and some shredded cheddar that give the eggs a great taste. She keeps the skillet on high and is able to finish up a batch quick before dutily pouring another concoction in. She works over the liquid mass until it’s a solid, yellow and ready for consumption. She loads up Buck’s plate with what has to be 10 eggs and a half pound of bacon. She loads up her plate, but it’s not that big.
Lily Jane just turned 4 months old. She’s sitting in the swing that Annabelle moved to the kitchen. It will only be a few short years Annabelle will be teaching her how to cook. Annabelle loves the thought, but doesn’t want Lily to grow up any faster than she has to. Jimmy is a relatively simple teenager to please. He’s already up at the graduation. After his work with Delikado and spending time on the road with Buck, he’s taken a serious approach to his school and was voted by the teachers to lead in the graduates at the ceremony today. While the others will be wearing dark blue robes and hats, he will be wearing a white robe and hat...Annabelle said she’d kill him if he spilled BBQ on it, Jimmy vowed to not eat anything while wearing it...but that will be seen. Annabelle is a tad worried about how Buck will respond to having a daughter...moreso, how he will respond to boys wanting to date his daughter. Buckson Gooch is a gentle man. He’s a loving man. He will teach his kids, discipline his kids, and nurture his kids. Buck will do whatever it takes to provide for his family, as has been seen since last November.
Buckson Gooch: But what will I say? What can make a difference?
The sudden speech breaks Annabelle from her train of thought.
Annabelle Gooch: Take the same approach that you do in the ring. What is that?
Buckson Gooch: Be myself.
Annabelle Gooch: Then be yourself today on that stage. They wanted you because of who you are, not because of what you think they want to hear or what someone else would say. At Mayhem you are facing Evan Envi. You will never be able to be Evan Envi. But, on the flipside, he will never be able to be Buckson Gooch. You are both different and you march to the beat of your own drum.
Buck sits there again and ponders what Annabelle has said. He feels rather silly that he didn’t think of that to start with. He has always done things his way. Buckson Gooch always does his best. His ways may be unconventional, but he will always strive to do his best. Buck grabs a piece of paper from the table and begins writing out notes. Annabelle begins to clean the dishes as Lily claps her hands and “talks.” A smile crosses Buck’s face that shows his missing teeth. This speech will be him to the core...he hopes to motivate, not because of who he is...but what he stands for.
1:00 P.M. - PossomGrape High School Gymnasium
While a few weeks ago there were freezing temperatures, that is not the case now in PossomGrape, AR, specifically in the overcrowded gymnasium. Every year, the graduating class consists of between 10 and 25 individuals. Most of which will never leave PossomGrape and the ones who do, usually don’t leave the county. With so few graduating, it’s a shock to first time visitors because the gym will be packed with family, friends, alumni, and people from the town. They show up to cheer on their youngsters.
“Pomp and Circumstance” plays, or whatever you call it and Jimmy leads the 2013 graduates into the gymnasium. Random yellings like, “I CAIN’T BUH-LEEVE YOU DID IT, JUNIOR!” and “GET-R-DONE, SUZY!!!!!” ring out. The principal, in his fancy robe and hat, gets up to address those in attendance. He lifts his hand in the air and the place goes silent. The power of being principal for over 40 years hushes so many of his former students, the visitors fall into a hush as well, so as to not stick out.
Principal Pooler: We are all excited to be here, but let’s keep it quiet. Every graduate deserves to have their name heard, everyone deserves to get to listen to our keynote speaker, PossomGrape’s Own...BUCKSON GOOCH!
The crowd cheers wildly, Buck’s taken aback by the outpouring of support at the mere mention of his name. Principle Pooler raises his hand again hushing the crowd. Principle Pooler, a nice softspoken man. Short in stature, but large in presences, the adults there remember the spankings Mr. Pooler could deliver for misbehavior. The Fear of Pooler is still strong in the PossomGrape community...but love for him is even larger.
Principle Pooler: Our keynote speaker is one of PossomGrape’s own sons. He was part of the State Champion 1997 Football team, Coached by our dearly departed Coach Coker. The flower arrangement in front of the podium is in remembrance of Coach Coker this morning.
The crowd politely applauds.
Principal Pooler: We all miss Coach Coker, but one of his favorite players is our speaker of the hour.
Buck freezes a little bit...he’s not prepared to speak for an hour.
Principal Pooler: No, Buck. You don’t have to speak for an hour.
The audience laughs and Buck does nervously. He’s glad Pooler said that because he had no idea how he was going to stretch what he had scribbled down for an hour.
Principal Pooler: Buckson Gooch’s farm was in trouble, much like many in the community here, instead of rolling over and losing everything, Buckson Gooch decided to put his fists to good use, he joined up with the MegaStars of Action Packed Wrestling, the normally docile Gooch can be seen on the Overdrive brand and is known as “The PossomGrape Sasquatch” due to his almost super human strength and his great height. He was called up to the main roster in what some think could be a record 21 days. He’s still a rookie, but is getting better each week. We’re proud of one of our own and glad to have him here today. Welcome to the stage, BUCKSON GOOCH!!!!!
The roof blows off of the gymnasium. It’s not the loudest crowd, or even loudest reaction, that Buckson has heard...but the genuine nature of their being pleased with his success moves him to tears. He soaks in the love that his hometown is freely giving him. He has no problem with his show of emotion.
It’s who he is.
Finding composure is harder than he realized it would be. He thought he would get up in front of his friends, family, and fellow PossomGrapeons and would just deliver the speech, he left out what he finds in wrestling every week, those in attendance can make a moment emotional. Their support warms his heart as he wipes the tears away and begins to speak into the microphone.
Buckson Gooch: Graduates, you have no idea, but your journey is just beginning. This is a goal you've achieved...but hopefully this opens the doors for many more goals and objectives you have for your life.
The crowd quiets down and is ready for the speech to be delivered. Buckson Gooch looks almost comical with his giant, blue robe on. You can see he’s still wearing his work boots and the worn overalls under the robe. He spreads his notes on the podium and continues speaking, wiping the sweat from his palms.
Buckson Gooch: I can wrestle in front of 25,000 people and not be nervous, but you come home to your friends and family and it can be nerve wracking.
One loud redneck breaks up the pause, “BEAT DOWN ENVI!!!!!!!!” The crowd cheers and a teary eyed Gooch smiles a toothy...or lack of toothy...grin.
Buckson Gooch: I'll try my best to beat Evan Envi, and I know he'll try his best to beat me. May the best man win...back to the speech...Every year, PossomGrape graduates it’s senior class...this is a time that you’ve looked forward to for 13 years...or more.
A polite laugh.
Buckson Gooch; So here we are...the day you’ve waited for…One of the most important days of your life. You have looked forward to this day for years and think you know everything...but you’ll get older, you’ll look back at your life, remember your dreams and realize how little you actually knew. Graduates, while this is your big day, remember that you got here with the help of your friends, the faculty, the administration, even the town of PossomGrape...but let us focus on thanking our families. Families are the ones who made this possible. While blood may not tie you to someone, you can be tied by the strong ropes of friendship...I don’t know how much more family you can get with that...You are responsible to these people to succeed. You have been invested into. A seed has been planted. We may have the next Governor of Arkansas in here...or we’ll have the next school janitor...the title of your job does not matter, it’s the effort that you put forth. John W. Gardner once said, “The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.” I charge you to find what you are good at and do your best. My Daddy did his best to take care of the family, and sometimes, that wasn’t good enough...but he never g...he never ga...
Buck begins to mist up and lowers his head. He takes of the hat and his greasy hair falls in front of his face. He places a hand on the podium. Some in the audience are crying, too. Some remember Mr. Gooch, some are moved by the genuine, honest story of Mr. Gooch portrayed by Buck. He takes a long pause and composes himself.
Buckson Gooch: My Daddy never gave up. I love him for that. I respect him for that. Whether you are a farmer, janitor, accountant, burger flipper, lawyer, or whatever you end up doing...always give your best. ALWAYS give your best. Instill in yourselves the pride of a day of hard work, instill that into your children. Some parents never want their children to struggle, they never want them to face hard times. They want to shelter them. Graduating class, don’t be scared about struggles. At the end of the day, graduates, you will have to decide for yourselves what defines failing. Our society tries to define what failure is for us...and that’s not fair. So often people will say you are a failure if you don’t have a big house, a nice job, a spouse, two kids, a floppy eared dog, and money in the bank. If you don’t have those things then you are a failure...Let me tell you, there is more to this life than possessions, when I sat where you are sitting today...I decided that I wasn’t going to pretend to be anything but what I am...I am Buckson Gooch. I’m a farmer. I was going to try hard to be a good farmer. I was about to get married to my beautiful Annabelle. I was going going to try hard to be a good husband. I wasn’t going to spend my life and my energy chasing a job to get rich. I was going to use my energy to do a job that could provide for my family and do that to the best of my ability. Choose today what you are willing to put your energy into. Choose today what you deem as failure and strive to not be that...and if you do, understand that you can brush yourself off and try again...Find what matters to you and don’t listen to what the world says is failure or success. Contribute to society with your goals. Solidify your family. Strive for your goals.
Buck pulls the hair back from his face and wipes the final remnants of tears from his face.
Buckson Gooch: If we went to my Daddy’s grave today. We’d look at his tombstone and see the year he was born, a dash, and the year he died. The most important thing we can look at is the dash. While that won’t mean much to those who didn’t know my father. I know the life he lived during the dash. Be a respectable person. Be someone that your Grandkids will tell their Grandkids about. It all starts today, graduates. It all starts with making a choice...I charge you class of 2013...Be Amazing!
The crowd applauds wildly. Such a simple concept ties so much together. Some people would say, “Go do your best.” But Be Amazing...that makes you want to overshoot expectations. Buckson has lived by “Be Amazing” for years. He understands what people expect and he wants to do more. He wants to do the best he can in every facet of life. The corners of his eyes soften as he shares insight into what makes him tick. The crowd appreciates their homegrown son...and his honesty about life and his approach to goals is a breath of fresh air.
Buckson Gooch: There are many in here who are struggling today to make ends meet, there are some right now who are enjoying the fruits of their labor...be the kind of person who can be content regardless of what their lot in life is. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:10-13, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” I’m not going to tell you how to live for your life, but I can tell you that you can be content with whatever life throws at us. Rough times are not an excuse to give up. Rough times are what makes you tough. The good times and the rough times are going to equal your body of work...the good times and the rough times are going to define how you live the dash in your life.
Buck pauses for a moment as he turns over his single piece of paper. So much of this is directly from his heart, he’s only following bullet points. The emotion is sincere, but anyone who knows Gooch knows that. He’s an easy man to “pull for.” He has really gained traction in APW lately, Buckson Gooch makes people feel good about themselves. He’s all business in the ring, but outside of the ring, he wants to give people a chance. Even Stefan Raab deserves a chance. Buck wants to be a friend to those in need and offer an encouraging word. It’s not a gimmick, that’s who he is. He speaks from the heart, and today’s speech is straight from the big guy’s ticker.
Buckson Gooch: The beautiful thing about being a graduate of PossomeGrape High is that we do graduate small classes. Small, close knit classes. You are going to meet new people as the years go by, but you will always remember who you graduated with. Look to each other in happiness with success and lean on each other during times of heartache and trial. Challenge each other to be the best you can be...and stay loyal...always have the back of your classmates. Remember what I said about family earlier? Class of 2013, you are family. I’m sure we could get each of you up here to tell a story that has happened while you were in school. Some of those stories would move us to laugh, others move us to tears, others make us contemplate our lives and reflect on why we are here.
Buck pulls his hair back again, sliding the loose strands behind his ears.
Buckson Gooch: Class of 2013, I charge you to succeed. To live. To love. To work. To play. To follow your dreams. And to be...Amazing.
The crowd flies up to their feet with loud applause. Principal Pooler gets up and gives Buck a big hug. Buck settles back into his seat as the ceremony goes on, but his thoughts are 1,000 miles away.
The next few hours speed past Buck as if he’s in a trance. He’s taking pictures with fans, hugging people, shaking hands...and it’s all a blur...he has one thing on his mind now.
Giving his best and obtaining Lady Overdrive.
His own words, while they may have motivated those in attendance, helped remind him of his life’s work...reminded him about the legacy he leaves behind...What he stands for and what he has still to do.
Lady Overdrive is very much a part of his future.
10:00 P.M. - Gooch Farm, The Gooch Bedroom.
The large oak bedpost is illuminated by a lamp, clicked on by Buckson Gooch. Annabelle rolls over, still buried by homemade quilts, as she groggily wakes up. It’s obvious that Buck has just been startled awake by a dream.
Annabelle Gooch: What’s *yawn* wrong baby?
Buckson Gooch: I rescued her, and it was beautiful.
Annabelle wakes up in a HURRY!
Annabelle Gooch: WHAT?
She doesn’t immediately accuse him of adultery, just curious as to what he means...it is the middle of the night and all.
Buckson Gooch: Lady Overdrive.
Annabelle rolls her eyes.
Annabelle Gooch: You mean the belt?
Buck doesn’t pick up on her condescending tone.
Buckson Gooch: She’s the premiere of Overdrive. I mean, I’m friends with Envi...but he’s never treated her right. I would take care of her. Respect her. Protect her. I won her, I had the privilege for defending her. Competitors came from miles around, just like they are doing for Envi, but I had the duty to defend Lady Overdrive. I know this is crazy, and I know Envi could pick me apart like “yeah, Gooch, keep dreaming about Lady Overdrive.” But it felt so real. I guess sometimes you dream about what you think about...I guess that would make sense. Lady Overdrive has been on my mind a lot over the past few weeks. I’ve been attacked, I have scars on my face now from an attack. Those shards of glass only strengthened my desire to earn that belt.
Annabelle Gooch: We’re talking about a belt...
Buck is in the zone, as his mind races.
Buckson Gooch: When we were dating, we did stuff we aren’t proud of today. We went to bars. I drank. Men would hit on you. Disrespect you...and I’d...beat their lights out. You were a prize to me...
Annabelle Gooch: Are you comparing me to a belt?
Buck ignores her and continues on.
Buckson Gooch: I knew that I would take care of you for the rest of my life and no one was going to stop me from it. I was going to protect you at all costs. I may have took a beating a time or two, but I always gave one out that was worse. I’m glad we matured and grew up.
Annabelle Gooch: Me too, Buck.
Buckson Gooch: What I’m trying to say, is I’m getting that burning feeling again. When I see Lady Overdrive, I feel like I would be the rightful person to protect her.
Annabelle Gooch: It’s a belt, Buck.
Buckson Gooch: There are some men who have no problem in doing heinous things here in APW. Men who would bring shame on Lady Overdrive. It would be up to me to protect her from those evils. Evan Envi is my friend, but I’ve seen some of the things he’s done in the past. Sometimes a friend has to turn a blind eye and hope that a man will come back to what is right. I believe, deep down, that Evan is a good man...and I’m sure not saying that I’m better a better person or a better wrestler...but I feel like it should be me that defends the honor of Lady Overdrive.
Annabelle Gooch: Defend the honor of a belt?
Buckson Gooch: It’s more than that Annabelle. It’s much more than that. This belt has prestige to it. Mark Mania has held Lady Overdrive. Johnny Rebel has held Lady Overdrive. Delikado has held Lady Overdrive. TMarv. Biggs. Lively...and now Envi. All of these men are in the top 1% of wrestling talent. They are the most elite list of competitors in wrestling history...there have been 25 men to hold Lady Overdrive. Battles have been fought to defend her honor since 2008...I want to be #26...and that’s where the number will stop. I want to be the final defender of Lady Overdrive. She has been searching for a man to protect her, honor her, and make her feel precious...to give her the prestige she deserves. She wants to be defended by a man who doesn’t need to stoop to cheating to keep their claim.
Annabelle Gooch: Did Lady Overdrive tell you this?
Buckson Gooch: Don’t be stupid.
Annabelle Gooch: Did you just call me stupid, Buckson Gooch?
Buckson Gooch: Sorry, sweetheart, I’m on a roll here...
Buck looks over at Annabelle, she’s forgiven him but is looking at him like he’s crazy.
Buckson Gooch: This is my time, Annabelle. This is what I’m meant to do. I’ve always wondered what I would do in wrestling and I’m meant to hold Lady Overdrive. All of our wishes have been fulfilled. We’ve saved the farm...we’re paying for Jimmy and Lily’s education...Lady Overdrive will be the icing on the cake.
Buckson rolls over and kisses Annabelle on the forehead and leans back over and turns off the lamp on his night stand. The light evaporates from the air and darkness clouds the room.
Buckson Gooch: I love you, Annabelle.
Annabelle Gooch: I love you, too, my Buckson Gooch.
