Post by Chris Madison on Jun 13, 2013 11:44:28 GMT -4
Tuesday June 11th, 2013
0230 AM
0230 AM
Water cut through the dense fog in an annoying mist. The night sky is a dark gray from the overcast. The only source of lighting is the red neon lettering spelling out 'Emergency Room'. Ambulances are reversed in towards the building unoccupied. The electric door slides open as a patient leaves the building.
Chris Madison gingerly strolls through the door slightly grimacing in pain with every step. He stood at the edge of the street shuffling through his discharge papers. "What a waste of time." He muttered to himself while stuffing his paperwork into the front pocket of his blue jeans.
Madison let out a sigh as he pulled out his cell phone. He skimmed through his contact list looking for a ride. Before he could make a choice a blacked out Chevy Suburban pulls up coming to an abrupt stop. Instinctively Madison blades himself with his right side slightly back. He balls up his fist, ready for a fight. The driver door swings open as a middle aged man with short salt and pepper hair steps out. Dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt and slightly disoriented giving the impression someone just rolled out of bed. He reaches back into the truck and pulls out two styrofoam Dunkin Doughnut cups.
"Don't even start with me..." Chris warned while taking one of the cups from the extended hand of this friend of his.
The man simply nodded while releasing his grip from the coffee. Madison walks around the front of the truck to the passenger side. Simultaneously both men enter the vehicle and shut their respective doors. The driver reaches to the steering column and turns the key unleashing the starting up roar of the engine. With mirroring sips of their coffee the silence is broken by a soft angelic voice from the back row of the suburban.
"When does it stop? When do you stop doing this to yourself?" She questioned while leaning forward to reveal her identity.
Before she could finish Chris had lowered his head down. After a brief moment he shot a glare to the driver. "You couldn't have told me she was here? Some friend Frankie..."
"No! You need to hear her out! All these years I have stood by your side as an advisor, a confidant, and most importantly a friend. I have never got in the mix while on camera but enough is enough!" Frankie explained with sincere concern for his friend. "When we left Japan you told me to get some gigs lined up here in the states and against my gut instinct we got you into the APW. I just don't know if you have it in you to compete here."
Madison was left speechless. Frankie Morrison was a business man and maybe Madison's closest friend. He was a shoulder to lean on, an advisor of sorts. As a friend he was concerned that Chris was putting himself at risk. The woman in the back leaned forward even more. She brushed her pin straight black hair out of her eyes and smiled at Madison.
"So this is it? This is the big plan to get me out of the ring? An impromptu intervention?" Aggravated, Madison slumped down in his seat like a child throwing a tantrum. He folded his arms over one another and tucked his hands at his side.
"When you lost that loser quits wrestling in Japan I thought that was it. I thought we could finally settle down, have a family, grow old with each other. I didn't think I would wake up to a handwritten note on the other half of the bed and an empty apartment." She fought back the tears, choked up, burying her face into her hands. Frankie shot a look at Chris with hopes that this could serve as a rude awakening.
"What did you expect out of me Kiyomi?" Madison roared throwing his hands in the air. "You expected me to just give it all up like that? You expect me to be domesticated? A stay at home dad? The perfect husband? It's not possible! I have too many flaws to burden you for the rest of your life. You deserve better..."
After lifting her head she wiped the tears that were dripping down her cheeks. "I just expected you to be there with me" she whispered.
Madison stepped out of the suburban and slammed the door shut behind him. Frankie and Kiyomi sat in disbelief of his stubbornness for a moment before she followed pursuit. Short and slender she placed her arms around Madison's waist pulling herself against his chest. The two locked eyes with one another before Madison broke apart the embrace. He took a few steps and turned his back to her.
"I can't be that. I'm not ready for life after wrestling. It's bad enough I watch your brother struggle day after day because of me. He can't compete in the ring anymore, but I can...I refuse to take this for granted." Madison placed both hands on top of his head, interlocking his fingers and letting out a sigh. Kiyomi knew the risks of the wrestling world. It was her brother who was in route to be the next sensation until he ran into Chris Madison which earned him the madman moniker.
"Just tell me one thing" she pleaded. "Why? Why can't you? Why can't we just be a normal couple?" Kiyomi reached down and grabbed Chris's hand with both of hers, slightly tugging at him.
"Why can't a junkie stop injecting himself with their self destructive drug of choice. Why can't an alcoholic stop at only one drink? This is my addiction. The adrenaline pumping through me from night to night is indescribable. Stepping into a wrestling ring and competing from town to town is what keeps me going. There is no life after this for me. When my time comes and goes, so will I!" He adamantly explained. If anything, Chris has made it perfectly clear that despite a rough start in APW he wasn't ready to admit his days were numbered. Perhaps it was his pride, but he just couldn't come to terms with the possibility.
Frankie stormed out of the truck and stood by Kiyomi's side. "It needs to stop Chris" he demanded. "I have had your back since the beginning and you just aren't that guy anymore! It's like you have this crippling fear of life after wrestling. There is more to life...You're lucky Sentinel didn't kill you. Sienna has already released next weeks match. No disqualification, no count outs, tornado tag against them!"
Madison stood perfectly still with the prospect of another confrontation with the Unforgiven before finally cracking a smile. "And my partner..."
Frankie was hesitant to say. With his hands on his hips it pained him to utter, "Brian Hollywood..."
Chris scratched at his shaved head before letting out a chuckle. "Frankie do me a favor, take Kiyomi back to the hotel, I'll meet you there."
Frankie begged one final time, "No come on, hop in and we'll all go back together. You're in no condition to be walking around the streets by yourself".
"I'm fine, a couple of bruises and welts, nothing that can't heal. I just need to walk a little, clear my head and think about some shit" Madison explained. He walked off leaving Frankie and Kiyomi standing by the suburban.
"My mouth must be really pissing someone off! Seems to be that Sienna Harrison thinks it's a great idea to put me in a rematch with the Unforgiven in an anything goes match only a week removed from my Singapore cane match with Sentinel. Then to top it off she gives me Brian Hollywood as a teammate again! We've been down this road before. Brian Hollywood proved to be an unreliable teammate. Putting us together again only proves she wants to extend the win streak for her darling team, the Unforgiven. Real solid entertainment for the APW faithful, a match they saw two weeks ago."
"Coming up to my third week here and still haven't gotten that crucial first win. This is a rare moment for me, a situation I'm not used to being in. I've never been one to get put down over and over again. I tip my hat to you boys. It is a bit frustrating but what can you do when the numbers are constantly stacked against you. Apart of me knew that when I made that open challenge it didn't matter who accepted it. I knew the rest of this merry bunch of misfits couldn't keep their hands out of it. But I forge on. I stay strong and keep moving forward. No matter the outcome, no matter the odds...my spirit remains the same. With out of a shadow of a doubt I will fight tooth and nail no matter who stands across from me!"
"It's that drive, that drive for tough competition that keeps me going. I stand here winless in my first two and apart of me loves it! I may be pissed off at myself but I won't let that stray me from my objectives. The only way to resolve this feeling of frustration is to get that first inevitable win! Perhaps the third time is a charm!"
"Sentinel and I just went through an absolute war. I must say I respect the hell out of you now. You nearly beat me senseless and the sick, twisted bastard in me enjoyed it. Unfortunately the only thing preventing that match from becoming an instant classic was the constant distractions and interference from your boy Zachariah and your mouthpiece Talon. Its sad because you have all the talent in the world to be one of the best yet they weigh you down. You are a pure warrior in that ring. The kind of warrior that I earns respect. I just don't understand the need for this extra baggage you carry around."
"Zacky boy...a couple weeks ago in our first meeting you seemed a bit distraught over my mouth. I believe the exact quote was 'A mentally-challenged thug of a man-child who thinks name-calling and petty insults are going to get our hackles up'. Name calling and petty insults huh? Your entire promo you tried to demoralize me by adding a feminine twist to my name, Chrissy. You said you weren't into a dick showing contest yet you stood with a pumped out chest and told stories of how over the years you have beat people from kids to current day. Hypocrite much? Too many guys stand in front of that camera and use it as a soap box for their dislikes of the industry. If you hate guys who are quick to get on the stick and spill their guts, don't do the same!"
"It's that kind of mentality that can't be respected. I guess thats the difference between the two of you. Your partner shows up and takes care of business. He might share similar views about guys like me who like to let their mouth be heard but he at least keeps true to himself. You bitch and complain when your mouth is just as big, the difference is I warned you. I told you from day one that I have a big mouth and that I'll get under your skin. It's part of my make up. It didn't take long did it? Two weeks in and you seem to be sick at the thought of me. Time to batten down the hatches Zachariah, this is only the beginning!"
"Oh, and enough with the benefactor nonsense. No one's buying that crap!"
Fade to Black...
Chris Madison gingerly strolls through the door slightly grimacing in pain with every step. He stood at the edge of the street shuffling through his discharge papers. "What a waste of time." He muttered to himself while stuffing his paperwork into the front pocket of his blue jeans.
Madison let out a sigh as he pulled out his cell phone. He skimmed through his contact list looking for a ride. Before he could make a choice a blacked out Chevy Suburban pulls up coming to an abrupt stop. Instinctively Madison blades himself with his right side slightly back. He balls up his fist, ready for a fight. The driver door swings open as a middle aged man with short salt and pepper hair steps out. Dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt and slightly disoriented giving the impression someone just rolled out of bed. He reaches back into the truck and pulls out two styrofoam Dunkin Doughnut cups.
"Don't even start with me..." Chris warned while taking one of the cups from the extended hand of this friend of his.
The man simply nodded while releasing his grip from the coffee. Madison walks around the front of the truck to the passenger side. Simultaneously both men enter the vehicle and shut their respective doors. The driver reaches to the steering column and turns the key unleashing the starting up roar of the engine. With mirroring sips of their coffee the silence is broken by a soft angelic voice from the back row of the suburban.
"When does it stop? When do you stop doing this to yourself?" She questioned while leaning forward to reveal her identity.
Before she could finish Chris had lowered his head down. After a brief moment he shot a glare to the driver. "You couldn't have told me she was here? Some friend Frankie..."
"No! You need to hear her out! All these years I have stood by your side as an advisor, a confidant, and most importantly a friend. I have never got in the mix while on camera but enough is enough!" Frankie explained with sincere concern for his friend. "When we left Japan you told me to get some gigs lined up here in the states and against my gut instinct we got you into the APW. I just don't know if you have it in you to compete here."
Madison was left speechless. Frankie Morrison was a business man and maybe Madison's closest friend. He was a shoulder to lean on, an advisor of sorts. As a friend he was concerned that Chris was putting himself at risk. The woman in the back leaned forward even more. She brushed her pin straight black hair out of her eyes and smiled at Madison.
"So this is it? This is the big plan to get me out of the ring? An impromptu intervention?" Aggravated, Madison slumped down in his seat like a child throwing a tantrum. He folded his arms over one another and tucked his hands at his side.
"When you lost that loser quits wrestling in Japan I thought that was it. I thought we could finally settle down, have a family, grow old with each other. I didn't think I would wake up to a handwritten note on the other half of the bed and an empty apartment." She fought back the tears, choked up, burying her face into her hands. Frankie shot a look at Chris with hopes that this could serve as a rude awakening.
"What did you expect out of me Kiyomi?" Madison roared throwing his hands in the air. "You expected me to just give it all up like that? You expect me to be domesticated? A stay at home dad? The perfect husband? It's not possible! I have too many flaws to burden you for the rest of your life. You deserve better..."
After lifting her head she wiped the tears that were dripping down her cheeks. "I just expected you to be there with me" she whispered.
Madison stepped out of the suburban and slammed the door shut behind him. Frankie and Kiyomi sat in disbelief of his stubbornness for a moment before she followed pursuit. Short and slender she placed her arms around Madison's waist pulling herself against his chest. The two locked eyes with one another before Madison broke apart the embrace. He took a few steps and turned his back to her.
"I can't be that. I'm not ready for life after wrestling. It's bad enough I watch your brother struggle day after day because of me. He can't compete in the ring anymore, but I can...I refuse to take this for granted." Madison placed both hands on top of his head, interlocking his fingers and letting out a sigh. Kiyomi knew the risks of the wrestling world. It was her brother who was in route to be the next sensation until he ran into Chris Madison which earned him the madman moniker.
"Just tell me one thing" she pleaded. "Why? Why can't you? Why can't we just be a normal couple?" Kiyomi reached down and grabbed Chris's hand with both of hers, slightly tugging at him.
"Why can't a junkie stop injecting himself with their self destructive drug of choice. Why can't an alcoholic stop at only one drink? This is my addiction. The adrenaline pumping through me from night to night is indescribable. Stepping into a wrestling ring and competing from town to town is what keeps me going. There is no life after this for me. When my time comes and goes, so will I!" He adamantly explained. If anything, Chris has made it perfectly clear that despite a rough start in APW he wasn't ready to admit his days were numbered. Perhaps it was his pride, but he just couldn't come to terms with the possibility.
Frankie stormed out of the truck and stood by Kiyomi's side. "It needs to stop Chris" he demanded. "I have had your back since the beginning and you just aren't that guy anymore! It's like you have this crippling fear of life after wrestling. There is more to life...You're lucky Sentinel didn't kill you. Sienna has already released next weeks match. No disqualification, no count outs, tornado tag against them!"
Madison stood perfectly still with the prospect of another confrontation with the Unforgiven before finally cracking a smile. "And my partner..."
Frankie was hesitant to say. With his hands on his hips it pained him to utter, "Brian Hollywood..."
Chris scratched at his shaved head before letting out a chuckle. "Frankie do me a favor, take Kiyomi back to the hotel, I'll meet you there."
Frankie begged one final time, "No come on, hop in and we'll all go back together. You're in no condition to be walking around the streets by yourself".
"I'm fine, a couple of bruises and welts, nothing that can't heal. I just need to walk a little, clear my head and think about some shit" Madison explained. He walked off leaving Frankie and Kiyomi standing by the suburban.
"My mouth must be really pissing someone off! Seems to be that Sienna Harrison thinks it's a great idea to put me in a rematch with the Unforgiven in an anything goes match only a week removed from my Singapore cane match with Sentinel. Then to top it off she gives me Brian Hollywood as a teammate again! We've been down this road before. Brian Hollywood proved to be an unreliable teammate. Putting us together again only proves she wants to extend the win streak for her darling team, the Unforgiven. Real solid entertainment for the APW faithful, a match they saw two weeks ago."
"Coming up to my third week here and still haven't gotten that crucial first win. This is a rare moment for me, a situation I'm not used to being in. I've never been one to get put down over and over again. I tip my hat to you boys. It is a bit frustrating but what can you do when the numbers are constantly stacked against you. Apart of me knew that when I made that open challenge it didn't matter who accepted it. I knew the rest of this merry bunch of misfits couldn't keep their hands out of it. But I forge on. I stay strong and keep moving forward. No matter the outcome, no matter the odds...my spirit remains the same. With out of a shadow of a doubt I will fight tooth and nail no matter who stands across from me!"
"It's that drive, that drive for tough competition that keeps me going. I stand here winless in my first two and apart of me loves it! I may be pissed off at myself but I won't let that stray me from my objectives. The only way to resolve this feeling of frustration is to get that first inevitable win! Perhaps the third time is a charm!"
"Sentinel and I just went through an absolute war. I must say I respect the hell out of you now. You nearly beat me senseless and the sick, twisted bastard in me enjoyed it. Unfortunately the only thing preventing that match from becoming an instant classic was the constant distractions and interference from your boy Zachariah and your mouthpiece Talon. Its sad because you have all the talent in the world to be one of the best yet they weigh you down. You are a pure warrior in that ring. The kind of warrior that I earns respect. I just don't understand the need for this extra baggage you carry around."
"Zacky boy...a couple weeks ago in our first meeting you seemed a bit distraught over my mouth. I believe the exact quote was 'A mentally-challenged thug of a man-child who thinks name-calling and petty insults are going to get our hackles up'. Name calling and petty insults huh? Your entire promo you tried to demoralize me by adding a feminine twist to my name, Chrissy. You said you weren't into a dick showing contest yet you stood with a pumped out chest and told stories of how over the years you have beat people from kids to current day. Hypocrite much? Too many guys stand in front of that camera and use it as a soap box for their dislikes of the industry. If you hate guys who are quick to get on the stick and spill their guts, don't do the same!"
"It's that kind of mentality that can't be respected. I guess thats the difference between the two of you. Your partner shows up and takes care of business. He might share similar views about guys like me who like to let their mouth be heard but he at least keeps true to himself. You bitch and complain when your mouth is just as big, the difference is I warned you. I told you from day one that I have a big mouth and that I'll get under your skin. It's part of my make up. It didn't take long did it? Two weeks in and you seem to be sick at the thought of me. Time to batten down the hatches Zachariah, this is only the beginning!"
"Oh, and enough with the benefactor nonsense. No one's buying that crap!"
Fade to Black...
