Post by Level-Two on Jul 2, 2010 20:59:24 GMT -4
''Ones'' Love Triangle (7)
What winning means to one.
''So, you mean I'm not allowed to storm mini house shows and beat up my rivals, siblings? What kind of bullshit rule is that?''
They say I took things too far but I don't think I took them far enough. Not much, what type of low life would set their limitations based on what is acceptable to the public eye filled with their own societal woes? Adultery, theft, murder seem to be nothing more then a pea sized paragraph in the back of the newspaper all so they can fit their hometown devil on the front cover for all to see. Really, I'm not that important.
Though, if these people insist on treating me as if I am bigger then life itself, then I won't hesitate to play that compliment up. I casually lean back and put my feet up on the desk. They don't look too happy about it. All they really need to do is tell me to put my feet down and I'll obey the order, but they're gutless. Go figure.
Three years ago, I was nothing. Back then, if I was here right now; in this office with Biggs and his pet goon with a stupid badge, I'd be hauled off to jail under some bullshit charge of assault with intent to cause bodily harm. Biggs, would tear up my contract quicker then a John Green match at Rasslemania and the show would go on, unharmed. But this isn't three years ago. It's three years later. Where compromise was often made in light of expanding an enterprise. The side deals behind the curtains, often determined what the rest of the world saw at it's forefront.
Regardless, the officer straightened his posture up and addressed my initial concern. He was nervous, despite his authority over the slave class beneath him. Guys like him, only joined the force for power; he's weak beneath his ridiculous costume and Biggs commanded more authority then he did, despite being half the officers size.
''Yes, sir. That's correct. It's not a rule but a law....''
Biggs seated in a black chair leans forward placing chest against the edge of his desk. Despite this, I could barely feel the tension between the two of us. He wasn't a threat to me.
''A law which you were about to be charged with but I, being the good general manger I am, worked my butt off trying to get you out of this mess. As it stands, the charges that were brought upon you have been dropped...'' Biggs can't help but brag, furthering his week long campeign to get himself back on my side.
''Though, next time you won't be so lucky, Mr. Only...'' the officer on a power trip can't help but feel the need to chime in with his unwanted, two-cents.
''Yeah, yeah, bacon boy. If you aren't going to arrest me what the fuck are you hanging around here for?'' I chastised the officer showing him the zero respect, he deserves. The officer nearly jumped out his black boots with his baton but Biggs was quick to jump to aid, though, unwanted.
''Sir, I thank you for your help here. Allow me some personal time with Mr. Only, and I'll be sure to set him straight...'' Biggs tells the officer who treats him with a solid nod before walking past me and towards the door.
''Fucking prick...'' The officer mumbled under his breath...
''Fucking pig...'' I grumble as I wish, hoping I was loud enough for him to have heard my parting shot. The officer slammed the door behind him, I guess he heard me? From the door I turned my attention to a man, almost just as interesting as one... especially when he's mad.
''What's wrong, Biggs?'' I asked, concerned by the angle in which Biggs had clearly been bent out of shape.
''You know exactly what's wrong, Level-One!''
''Uh, no. No, I really don't...'' I said, playing stupid; yet, intelligently driving Biggs further towards the brink of insanity.
''What you just did to that officer is wrong! He is an authority figure. You are treat me, him, and anyone else worth a darn thing around here some respect!''
''Authority figures? Honestly? You know I don't work well with those types of people. You of all people should know this. The last time I was in an office like this, I glued my principles ass cheeks to the chair. Hell, take Hurricane Jeff for example...''
''His name is President Jeff...'' Biggs eagerly interjects.
''Uh, not anymore!'' He's reminded by me. Biggs stopped to ponder the thought before cracking, a self serving grin. It was true. He was the one in charge while Hurricane Jeff was left, powerless, forced to re-assign for a position, elsewhere. Rumor has it, the EWC is hiring... or not.
''Anyways, I made his life a living hell. And as much as you think it may have been motivated by his cape wearing, spandex fitting, douche bag qualities, all summed up with annoying catch phrase to drive the point home, it simply isn't. My actions against Hurricane Jeff were motivated by my distaste for authority. My hate for fancy suites, brief cases, and group meetings behind closed doors. Everything, you now have sold out to embody, Biggs...''
''I'm not your enemy. You got your title shot...'' Biggs raises his hands in protest.
''Yeah about that. I'm not happy about the waiting time it took for that all to happen. I'm not a patient man, Biggs. One could argue that the only reason I got the title shot, I deserved from day one, was because Pence Weatherlight pulled a muscle and was swiftly removed from the title picture. And you being the business man you are finally put your ego aside long enough to cash in on what you see as the last card in your hand...''
''Come on, Level-One! You know that's not true. I've been trying to make this thing work out for you months on end but timing wasn't right! Well, on July, 5th, that's your night!'' Biggs pleaded with all his might, trying to solve their differences through a diplomatic, non violent manner.
I leaned back in my chair folding my arms, into my chest. The kid was right. Politics aside, I did get my title rematch. Politics aside he also made it a no disqualifications match giving me a myraid of new opportunites to inflict pain on my unlucky, opponnet. I was willing to hear him out.
''Look, Level! Remember when we were cool? You know, friends? Allies? Brothers?''
''Yeah, I do. I also remember the saying, absolute power corrupts, absolutely. I'll be ally, when you live up to our little part of the deal. See, Biggs, you may run the show behind the scenes; but I am everything, that plays out in front of it. We'll talk later...''
I said as I rose to my feet similar to the way I did as child, eager to leave the principles office
''What do you mean later? We are here right now!''
''Yes, but the APW world championship, is not. July, 5th, Biggs... that's my night.''
I turned to walk away before I had spotted something disturbing above his head located on a small trophy shelf in his office. Biggs couldn't help himself and followed my eyes with his own resulting in him carrying out an investigation of his own.
''Dude, you have problems. Don't worry, I won't tell Ellie...'' I said, with a light, rare, humorous tone.
Biggs shakes his head back and forth seething with anger as he hopped up onto his chair to remove the picture of Sally Talfourd off his trophy shelve. Biggs, angrily swipes it off the shelve with his free hand, as it crashes onto the floor beneath shattering into a thousand pieces.
''I don't know how that got there, I swear!''
Most men would prove their desire to be champion in the form of a back breaking work out and a fancy pose for a photo-op, but not me. If I was going to prepare myself for war I was going to have to not only be physical shape, but I'd have to get my spirit in check.
''I don't even believe in God...''
Faith? I hadn't really thought about it, up until now. I enlisted the help my former manager now turned, side kick and this was the best thing he could come up with. To be honest, I wasn't in any position to be picky. Over two months without a world champion or a win over a world class competitor (John Green isn't one); I was no in position to pick my poison.
''You don't need to believe in a God. All you need to do is get to the end and the wish is, yours...''
You probably don't know what Jason Blackburn is referring too; five minutes ago, I didn't either. Apparently, there's an old age tale about men who set off on a trip in the wilderness, entering a maze like realm. Most men don't make it out alive but the one's who do, come to find a fountain where they are allowed to make a prayer in faith, a wish for us non believers—and God or rather divine intervention for us non believers has it come to fruition...
Yeah, it really is as crazy as it sounds.
''So you're telling me that if I go on this little trip, find a magic fountain; it's going to bring me a world heavyweight championship title? Are you aware how fucking ridiculous that sounds?''
''Hey, you can't knock it if you don't try it...''
I rolled my eyes in disgust. I hated that saying, with all my might.
''Funny you say that. I don't need to have butt sex with another man to know it's fucking gay. I just look take one look at Micheal Lively, and I know what being a fudge packer does to you...''
''Think about it, Lester. Is it really about the bullshit of fountain and the wish you get to make if you get there? Or is about the journey you will embargo on to get there?'' Jason Blackburn explained, throwing his hands in the air slowly moving them higher and higher as to add emphasis on his point.
''You know, we don't agree on much, if anything; but you make a point. Besides, what's the worst that can happen? I'll get to my destination. I'll find the fountain. And maybe, just maybe, that pseudo religious, prayer bullshit might just work out for me in the long run, eh?''
''Exactly. You're thinking like a champion again. And now that you've opened up your heart, mind and soul, to the concept of higher being...'' Jason Blackburn said, strapping one of his arms around my neck before tapping my chest softly, twice.
''Alright, cut bullshit. Champion, or not... you won't be seeing me in church anytime soon.''
Several hours later...
It wasn't until several hours in the amazon did I realize I was a domesticated animal. I couldn't survive another day out here. The mosquito's attacked often. It was always a swarm of them catching you when you seemed to expect to the least. I don't know but it sure feels like I have already lost a litre of blood. I'm itchy, I'm swollen and I'm thirsty, and it's all the least of my worries. Apparently, a storm looms overhead. You don't need a weatherman to tell you the thickness of those ugly grey clouds, are far from sunshine.
I smelt like the bums near the downtown core of the city. The city. That's about all I could think about now, never had I missed it that much until being here... in the middle of nowhere, in the jungle. Jason Blackburn didn't send me on the road to enlightenment but a fucking suicide mission. I've already walked as far and as fast as my feet could carry me, but they're not pulling my own body weight anymore. Knee deep in mud or my own shit, I cleverly call this, I decided to take a break by an old tree.
I wiped the sweat off my face, despite it being, nearly pitch black and gazed at my compass. The piece of shit has done nothing but lead me onto circles; which is what the last few months in my career has felt like. Well, I'm sick of it. I smashed my compass into a thousand of pieces. There wasn't much to lose, now that I was lost. I was going to have to find my own way out of this.
Hungry, I take to a few berries, yanking them off trees and stuffing them into my mouth. They tasted like shit; but it was either that or bugs. Besides, bugs wouldn't give you the weird feeling, these things did! With each one I popped into my mouth, bit on, and devoured; the more, I felt I was floating on clouds.
Fuck, I'm floating on clouds.
''Yerrr, this is therrr shit right herrre''
I pulled myself to my feet, drunkenly taking a few steps back only to trip over a small rock and land ass first in a pile of soil. The tree camping out before me, opened his eyes and smiled.
''Oi! A human! What brings you out here today?'' The tree asked me in a kind and getle tone. Yet, he had a look on his face that told you he wasn't fucking around. This tree had quite the persona.
''Err, I'm trying to find like a fountain?''
''Aye, you fool! Nobody ever really get's that far and the few that do end up wishing their way back out of here! Truth be told, I don't mind you humans. In fact, I let you creatures breath...''
The tree scoffed, feeling overwhelmed and extremly under appreicated.
''Yeah, dude. I like you trees too. You guys get, chopped up and turned into toilet paper, I wipe my ass with and stuff...'' I said as I watched the trees grin turned into a scowl, stump wide.
''Die, human, die! I'll make sure you don't get out of here alive, we out number you, one thousand to one!''
The tree exclaimed inferiorated his fustrations stemming down to his deepest and darkest root.
For the most part, he seemed like a nice enough guy, before he took a swing at me with his long branch like arm. Never the less, the tree stick like figure man, wouldn't hold me back. I was energized. I had a second wind. I was going to find that fountain and make that wish, even if I'd have to go to hell and back to do so. The clouds began to cry, and sky began to roar it's angry roar as the sweet scent of rain began to fill the air.
I tripped over my own feet, more often then not; but it didn't seem to hinder my process, much. Double vision surprisingly made everything easier to see. Especially when a pretty blonde wearing a pink dress made her appearance. I couldn't help but stumble towards her, tapping on her petite shoulder; she quickly turned around.
''Oh my god!'' The vavacious blonde exclaims as she stumbles back in a panic.
''I'm sorry there. I didn't mean to scare you...'' I apologized trying my best not to slur my words, in the presence of a women. The pretty blonde smiled shyly, fixing her blonde hair which at this point was being ruined by the heavy rain fall.
''What is a girl like yourself doing in the middle of this concrete jungle. Haven't you heard, it's like, very dangerous around here?''
''I know. I'm scared. I don't know what I have gotten myself into. I was told if I come here and find the fountain; I could make one prayer which is bound to come true. I always wanted to be an actress growing up, and I figured this was about the only chance I had left. What is it your here for?''
''Oh, I want to be a world champion. Though, I don't really need no' stinking prayer to actually become one. I've done it before without running around a jungle, looking for some stupid fountain that doesn't seem to exist. For me, it's all about the journey. What a colourful journey, it's been so far! I love your orange dress...''
''It's pink...'' She said looking down at her own dress in dissapointment. Apparently, being colour blind is a huge turn off to women who love colours.
''Looks blue now. Ay, now it just turned red!...'' I continue to stumble on about, inspired by the tasty berries I was quick to devour.
''Anyways, are you lost?''
''Me? Lost? Pftt. I'm like, the king of the jungle, alright? I was fucking born here, with lions and the wolves dancing around shirtless with a wood stick, like a modern day Tarzan...of course I'm not lost!'' I said rolling my eyes, playing up the bad boy roll; while symontanously, trying to keep myself up right and on my feet.
''Then please will you take me with you?''
I couldn't turn down a pretty women with a bright and successful future right in-front of her; nerveless, leaving her in the middle of the nowhere for fresh feeding to the wolves.
''Sure why not? It's not like you're going to bite or anything...''
We laughed together for a few seconds, until she reached out with her hand to grab mine. I took hold of it; noting, her overly large palm. I ran my thumb over the top of her hand and felt nothing but smooth hair. Either she had man hands...
...or she's a fucking bear!
I let go of what I thought was her hand only to find myself staring a large brown bear inches away from puncturing my lungs with it's sharp teeth. I did what any reasonable man, stuck in a jungle, high off the wilderness berries would do; turn my back and run as fast as I could in the opposite direction. The bear roared out, as if she was upset she had just lost her golden meal for the night.
''Where are you going? You can't leave me here, alone!'' She cried out, unannounced to me in my current state of psychedelics.
I ran, as far and fast as I could. Stopping for no bush, no plant nor reptile being squashed beneath my feet. Sharp thorn bush ate into my flesh tugging and ripping the skin away, as I work my way through any short cuts I can find. It isn't until my feet are swept under me, tripping over a large log, landing face first into a pile of mud do I finally realize, I escaped the black bear. She was a pretty bear.
I rolled over on my back, forfeiting myself to my intimidating surroundings. Everything was so big. There was so much space. For the first time in my life, the world was much bigger then it was peering over the city, in my cozy penthouse.
The more you realize you know in life; the more you realize, you know very little.
I strained my ears, the sounds of foot steps, couldn't be hidden by guise of a silent night. 'Haaaarrrrrroooooooooo'' a loud howl makes the creatures intentions, blatant. As much as I wanted to pick myself and once again run the opposite direction, I had no where to go. This was the end.
''Come and get me, you little fuckers!''
As the foot steps grew louder; so did my calls. Whatever was out there was going to hear me and take in my last words for whatever they're worth.
''All I wanted was my APW championship back; is that too much to ask? Sure, I lost it. And sure, it was all my fault but I have learnt from my mistakes. I'm sure you could argue that talented guy like me, doesn't need to go through all this; but I just wanted the rest of the world to believe me this time around. This time around, I want smile, laugh, hold up my APW world championship proudly above my head again and mouth the words, I told you so...''
Snarling, can be heard not too far away, followed by the constant sound of brush being moved around. As these sounds grew louder in my head the louder I began to scream.
''I'm just like you guys. An outcast. An intelligent being, seen as stupid and fragile amongst the rest of the jungle idiots, who believe themselves to be superior. They even try hunt us; but WE are fucking hunters...''
And before I know it, I'm looking at a pack, filled with several wolves, staring down upon me.
''So go on, demon spawn scum. Have at me...''
I braced myself for the death. I closed my eyes. I don't know if I fell asleep, or blackness is first thing you see when you die...
...
...
...
I opened my eyes, lifting my head up off the ground, catching a glimpse of my surroundings. A large, stone fountain with a small half dressed boy shooting water from his mouth is the first thing to greet me. The water fountain was huge and surrounded by nothing but Forrest. I couldn't help but conclude this is what I had been looking for all along, but how I did I find it?
My memory is sketchy, so any attempt to draw any immediate conclusions are bound to be sloppy. Truth be told, the last thing I remember was eating a hand full of berries, which perhaps explains my stomach turning ache, as of now. Given the multitude of stories of what goes on around here, I'm not sure I really want to know.
I walked towards the fountain, dipping my dirty hand into the clean pure water before wiping my face off with my hand. I was dirty and I figured if this wish thing, wasn't actually a bunch of bullshit, which I am sure it is; wasting it on a fresh clean bath, is hazardous to my sanity.
''What am I waiting for?'' I asked myself.
Here, I was. I made it and this wish was mine.
''Dear, God. I wish...'' I said before stopping to a pause. If this was really true; and whatever I wished for, I'd get; is a world championship really what I want? I mean, the options were technically endless. I could solve world hunger. I could create world peace. I could virtually save the world, right here and right now. The men who have stood here, where I am, obviously were too selfish, too self centred to do the same...
Fuck, what makes me any different? I wanted that APW world championship and this was my chance. I was going to take it.
''Dear, God. I want my APW world championship...'' I said, before catching myself, mid sentence. Who was I kidding? It wasn't about the APW world championship.
''Think about it, Lester. Is it really about the bullshit of fountain and the wish you get to make if you get there? Or is about the journey you will embargo on to get there?'' Jason's one sentence of wisdom, hit my conscious hard.
It was about the journey, the journey in which I no longer have anything to show for; because I can't for the life of me, remember it.
''Dear, God. I want to remember the journey, that brought me right here, right now...'' I said praying, making use of my wish.
''So, wait. You mean to tell me you got all the way to fountain and made a wish, to remember your journey on the way to fucking fountain and it worked? Lester! You're journey consisted of you eating berries and tripping out. You talked to trees. You ran into a girl who was really a bear.. Really, you should be extremely proud of yourself...''
''Hey, don't forget about the wolves. I don't know why, but those creatures saved me. They brought me to the fountain...''
''Lester, you were tripping balls. Those weren't wolves. That was your imagination running wild...''
''Don't question me. I know what a goddamn wolf looks like. Those were wolves and you aren't going to convince me otherwise, drugged out or not...''
''Maybe they were dogs?''
''Yeah, maybe''
...
''Look does it really matter if they were dogs or wolves? For fuck sakes, Jason. It was you who put that stupid thought in mind about it all being about the journey and not about the final destination...''
''Sure, you could say that but I didn't know the wish was actually going to you know, work. I mean, if you used your wish on the APW world championship that thing would be as good as yours and I'd get my raise...''
''Yeah, but wouldn't that be out right, cheating?''
''Its you were are talking about, you're not exactly the most stand up guy, in wrestling, no offence...''
''None taken. Thanks for the compliment. I guess your right. I'm just going to have to find another way to win. You know, maybe take the natural route of kicking some ass pillar to post until the poor son of a bitch can't answer the bell. I mean, it's worked for me twice before. I'm not sure you can go wrong with that strategy...''
''Hey, if it was that easy everyone would be doing it...''
Jason Blackburn scanning his lap top, comes across a news topic of interest. He clicks the small link, opening up a full scale article.
''Hey, Lester. You know when you said you ran into that girl in the jungle? I think, I found some information about her you might want to check out...''
''No thanks, slick. Truth be told, I just want to forget about the entire thing and move on. Which is exactly why, I'm heading on out today. I'm Canadian and it's Canada day...''
''Want me to come with you?''
''You better not. The last, American to hang out with us red bloods of the Great White North, had a flag pole with the Canadian flag shoved up his ass, and forced to sing Oh' Canada as if the guy was broken radio stuck on repeat. It wasn't a pretty sight. He nearly died of internal bleeding, EH?''
''Gee, thanks for the warning. Try to stay out of trouble, kid. You're in enough hot water with things, after what you did to Bryan Payne's little brother...
Level-One, doesn't make any promises, slamming the door shut behind him. Jason Blackburn, merely sighs and shakes head back and forth at the idea of being left alone in their hotel room. Jason Blackburn operating his lap top, finds a link to a special video, leaked onto the internet.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Canada day. The great red and white known for their maple syrup, igloos, polar bears and whatever cliche or stereotype the ignorant can think up into one big bundle of mindless fun. Truth be told, this country is nothing special. I'd know, I've been half way around the world and back and I've seen it all.
All this talk about identity, what defines we as Canadians. It's a joke. What defines me, is the championships I have won. The events I have main-evented. The shows, I have singly handily sold out the second my name hit the ballet and was printed on the top of the tickets at the booth. As far as I'm concerned the only relation I have to this place, this dump, this hell hole, is that I just happened to be born here, it had to happen somewhere, right?
You'd be crazy, if you thought I was going to tell these people here at this picnic, like gathering this much. See, I could make them look like idiots inside the ring. I could disrespect them, slap them around and treat them like Grade A+ shit; but not here. These people have been lead to believe Canada, is nothing more then a sports team they wear the colours of. Have of them even wear a jersey, to prove my point. And you know how people feel about their sports, right?
It's Canada day, no tears, no riots, no buffoonery.
Hell, I was already in enough hot water as it is. They introduced me to the stage as an honorary, guest. It was an insult. They obviously haven't bothered to watch any of my matches. Fighting with honour is to play by the rules, play by the rules is as to follow a higher authority, following higher authority is kin to slavery, I'm no slave scum. Fuck authority. Luckily for us all; me nor Bryan Payne will have to follow the rule of higher authority. Honour is just about thrown out the window with a championship, hanging in the balance. Anyone telling you otherwise, is lying.
Nonetheless, I took the stage. Bringing, my triumphed up fake patriotism, everyone else was conned into carrying around their ankles.
''Hello, my fellow Canadians. It's good day, a good day indeed. You know, it's funny I am an honorary citizen in Canada. Two weeks ago, I was dubbed an official honorary guest of America and got the key to the city, happy July, 4th!''
The crowd can't help but throw a few boos my way, at the mention of our rivals. In all actuality, they are closest allies; but again, the sports team mentality...
''No need to get all riled folks. I'm just here, on Canada day, to show you all how much I want to make our country proud by once again rising to the top of this business where I once proudly stood, waving our plain old flag, with a leaf strategically slapped in on the middle...''
I said momentarily turning towards a large canadian flag pole behind me; pointing out the world famous symbol.
''Now, I haven't spoke about this issue, publicly. Mainly, simply because it's illegal in virtually every part of the western world but my lawyer like friend told me the statue is up, so I can't be prosecuted for the crimes I had committed. Everyone give a round of applause to Jason Blackburn, an American, who felt out of place here and was too shy to come a long, among you fine, fine people...''
I couldn't help it, honestly. Jason Blackburn clearly wasn't hate enough and so, I set out to make him some new enemies. Hopefully, it would keep him so preoccupied he forgets to annoy me about a pay raise or rather money, just in general.
''Anyways, I got my start in this business, deep underground. I fought in the fight clubs. You know, the dirty, smell, rotten conditions. Filled with criminal-fan-fair who often gambled and wedged bets on which one of the fighters would incapacitate his opponent first. No matter the fight; anything, could happen. Especially, with steel chains, glass bottles, and an odd switch knife coming into play. Me? I was known as the bare knuckled warrior and while I admit to using a steel chair or two when trouble caught me in it's strangle hold, there was nothing better then nearly beating a man half to death with your bare hands...''
I explain, cleching a single fist raising it in the air, produly.
''Needless to say, I built myself quite the reputation. I began to wine and dine with people much bigger then myself, eventually I'd receive an offer to fight professionally, in the EWC by President Danny Mac, himself. You may now know President Danny Mac, as a scum bag promoter, cheating on his taxes, and pulling strings behind the scenes, ultimately prepping up his image while jeopardizing an entire roster, under his lead. It's no surprise with his history of criminal networking, he came across a young star in myself...''
I said before taking a swig of water which rested on the podium
''Folks, I went from rags to riches. I turned my everyday nightmare, into the Canadian dream which is a slightly lesser version of an American one, but is still valid in it's essence. And truth be told, I couldn't have done it without the corruption. I couldn't have done without the crooked politicians pulling strings behind the scenes, setting me up for the perfect rise and perhaps, fall...''
Those sons of bitches. They can't until they see me fall. And to think that they may actually get their wish but some fluke, turns my stomach inside out.
''This country today, like any modernized was country was built by scum like Danny Mac. This country was run and is run to this very day, by criminal politicians lusting for power. Those who become something in life, take advantage of the system and use's it to forward themselves up the social ladder. You want to be like me? You can't. Not if you have a warm blooded, heart, you can't. With a warm blooded heart, you can't make room for corruption. Bryan Payne? He's seems like a nice guy, but he has a cold heart, he's cunning and he has both me and you, fooled. He's not a good guy, he's no different from me; his allegiance to the fans that come out to support him every night, is merely business. Product placement. He could care less about his fans. And me? Well, I'm up here and the rest of you are down here...''
I said lowering my hand, just inches off the ground. The crowd seemed to me offended but didn't make it known, perhaps they were capitvated by what I had to say, to really care about being insulted.
''Well, not for long. I am going to show you all how to make good on your misfortunes. I am going to show you all that I have what it takes to win. I am going to win that APW world heavyweight championship and I will dedicate it to WE the people! The scum bags may have made me who I am today, but tomorrow? I break from the mold. I do what I want. I don't need them anymore. I'm not biting the hand that fed me. I'm chewing it off at it's wrist! I, am going to declare MY independence from the system!''
I exclaim, garnering a few roars of support from the crowd.
''So you people have two choices. You can boo me and see me as the big bad guy or you can stand with me without bias of alignment, cheering me on as long as I am willing to fight! At the end of the day, I am what I have become and none of you people can save me...''
I warned while I surveyed the crowd. I made eye contact with each and every last one of them, as I licked my lips and smiled.
''Choose wisely my fellow canucks...''
''That's some awesome footage man. Now let's get this uploaded to the server and get this bad boy, online. We can't take any chances this time around...''
''Yeah, I still can't believe that statistic Meltzer's little brother Adam put out. Apparently, 100% of matches are lost when a competitor doesn't hype his own match...''
...
''Hey, Jason. You really think that footage is all good or are blowing smoke out of your ass, trying to get a pay raise?''
''A bit of both to be honest. Why? Aren't you happy with it?''
''Well, sure. It just feels like it's missing something, an extra ''oomph''; I mean, we had our fun. We got serious with our history lesson but I think I held back on something, something that I feel I need to show the world and put a stamp on this entire project...''
''Then go for it. You only get one chance, kid. You don't want to mess it up and prove the champion right, do you?''
''No, not all. I need you to do me a favour. I need you to give Patricia Lewis a call and tell her to meet me by the cafe...''
''Woah, woah, woah! Our plane flies out in just a few hours. You miss the plane and your opportunity, flies away with it...''
Jason explains. He stares at me and realizes that there is no room for compromise; I was going to meet with Patricia Lewis one final time before I left town.
''Fine. I'll call her. Why, don't you ring her up, anyways? I mean, she is your girlfriend...''
''Yeah, but she isn't exactly impressed about the entire movie Sega a week ago. I figured, if I showed up when she least expects it; she won't have time to play the entire ''I am mad at you'' schtick, plus I figured it'd be the least bit romantic.''
''Romantic? What? Are you going to pick her up, in a taxi cab?''
''No, of course not. You're going to give me the keys to her, nice, blue corvette and I am going to take it for a test drive...''
''What? Lester, you don't even have a fucking drivers license!''
''That's exactly why I called it a test drive...''
Jason Blackburn moans in defeat as he reaches into his pocket pulling out his keys, tossing them towards me with complete and utter detain for my disrespect for both the laws of the road and his fancy, vehicle. Surely, this driving thing wasn't as hard as it looked; besides what's the worst that could possibly happen? A car accident in these days in time, is merely fashionable. Here's hoping, I don't get pulled over...
With the help of sexy sultry voice, I followed the GPS coordinates to the cafe shop. This cafe shop, was a typical meeting hot-spot of mine. It's famously known as a hot spot in which many criminals have been caught discussing their prosecutable activities on wire taps. To this day, it's still popular because of it's reputation. Who in their right mind would come here knowing that the biggest crime syndicates in the cities history fell here? Well, a smart mind would. They would know full well that the buggs have moved elsewhere, somewhere less predictable.
Though, I preferred the cafe hot spot for the coffee they served. If you're an up scale citizen of this city, you might as well waste your money away on coffee if you aren't going to bother, help swell tummies in Africa, right?
Patricia Lewis spotted the vehicle and made her way from inside of the cafe to outside of cafe and towards the car. She really was beautiful. Though, I'd be lying if I said the images of baby weight, scare me half to death. If there was any positives about this entire thing, is that her belly wouldn't balloon for a few weeks now, despite the early signs. Approaching the drivers side she was shocked to see my face, once the window was rolled down.
''Lester? What the hell are you doing? That isn't your car! Lester, you don't even know how to drive...''
''Well, we all have to learn somewhere, right? And hey, I didn't steal the car from some random stranger on the upper side of town. Instead, I borrowed it from Jason Blackburn. Can you believe he even encouraged me to have a few drinks before coming down here?''
Patricia wasn't buying my horrible sense of humor. She put her hands to her hips and tilted her head to the side, unimpressed.
''Cut out the bullshit, Lester...''
''Oh, come on, Patricia. Hop in. You know you want too. Come on, I have something really important to show you. You know, for old times sakes...''
''I can't; don't you remember?'' Patricia said pointing to her belly.
''How I could I forget...'' I said, my tone screaming the obvious pitch of forced excitement. ''Come on, I drove all the way here and I didn't even scratch the paint on this baby. Everything, will be alright; I promise you''
Patricia couldn't help but grin as I leaned over popping the car door open for her as she circled around the passenger side of Jason's corvette.
I pulled the keys out of the ignition and shoved them into my pocket. Now parked beside a curb on an old residential street, Patricia Lewis couldn't help but stare through her window in an amazement. The houses were small, rugged, and falling apart. The windows to many houses were boarded up, after the hard nosed teens straight out of juvenile hall smashed in many of the windows. The windows that weren't boarded up, were replaced by old metal bars, giving it an allure of dangerous crack house.
Patricia looked at her surroundings as if she had never seen the ghetto, outside her favourite television show playing up any and all stereotypes they could cram in to fit an hour episode. I, saw it as nothing more then a obstacle I had to over come, and did. I casually stepped out of the car locking it and securing it with back up, jack. Jason Blackburn would flip and have virtually every house on this block raided for information until he got his prized possession back. Sure, he could afford to buy a new one with his salary, but was all about the principle of ,''Don't you fuck with my money''.
I opened up the car door for Patricia who looked up at me as if she had done something wrong, I offered her a hand to which she gracefully accepted, pulling her up to a vertical base.
''I'm sorry, Lester...'' She apologized.
''For what? For this? You don't need to worry about this. I'm moving on now. That's why, we're here today...''
Together we approached the front door to my old house. It's been vacant since I had lived here. Many of houses on this street, are. This community had fallen of the map, a long time ago. It's known to cops, for it's high crime rate but ignored by the politicians and mayors. They blame the lack of funds due to the allocation of census forms; which never seem to find it's way here, since three census workers turned up dead a few years ago.
I opened up the door greeted with a similar scent, I had remebering smelling for years on end. The scent of weed and liqour, mixed in with the musty scent emerging from the squeaky, dusty, floor boards. The local juviniles had used this place as a regular hang out, apparently.
''I can't believe you lived here...'' Patricia said amazed by the condition of the home. Sure, it's been several years since I had lived here but it doesn't look much worse from what my detailed memory could conjure up.
''Yeah, this was the place I called home. You know, it wasn't just living here that made my life growing up miserable. Hell, I could have lived a great life, with all this and virtually absolutely nothing, but that wasn't enough for her...''
''What do you mean?''
I took her by the hand and slowly, approached a closet. It had been locked but I remembered the secret to opening it up. Tug on the door twice, hit it once, turn the handle slightly to the right and push forward. The door opened up, reminding me about where I had spent most of my life.
''This is where she used to lock up me up, sometimes days at a time. She'd give me food and water but it was no good...''
''What did she feed you?''
''That doesn't matter. It was nothing good...''
''It wasnt...''
''No, it wasn't feces. Though, I'm sure it crossed her mind more then once...'' I said reading Patricia's mind. She wasn't surprised. It's what happens when you get to know a person, inside out.
''And here...'' I said turning and pointing towards a large, empty liqor cabniet, with the panes of glass smashed in and ransacked.
''This is where she stored all her liqour; it's first time, I've actually seen it empty, if anything that's a relief...''
''Is that why she did all this? Is that why you won't let your tongue touch a drink?'' Patricia asked, recalling awkward moments while we were initially dating, in public. The typical collage moron, chastising me from not taking a sip of the devils posion. He's so drun in fact—that he forgets who, exactly, I am. Picks a fight. Loses. And that's the end of that story.
''I don't know but I'm fucked up as it is, I don't need another excuse to get even worse. I thought about taking a sip or even taking a hit of the pipe but it doesn't seem worth it, it doesn't seem worth the chance. I don't want to become like her; you know?''
''Do you forgive her for what she's done? She cut up her wrists and said that killing her was the only way, she could save you...''
''I don't know. Should I?'' I said on the fense about the entire issue.
''Well, I don't know...'' Patricia chimes in and doesn't hesitate to draw her line in the sand.
''Then neither do I'' I conclude.
We stood around, embracing the silence as he looked around the deterating house hold. Patricia hadn't seen anything like it before. She wasn't rich herself, but was lucky go grow up, in a middle class family, where money was merely a necessity, not a priveledge or a rarity shortage.
''Do you think, I'll make for a good dad?'' I asked, out of the blue, catching Patricia off guard.
''Of course you would! What type of question is that? They'd be happy to have a dad as cool as you, all over television and what not...''
''Is bad that I see this entire thing as opportunity?'' I asked, guilty as sin before her verdict came in.
''What do you mean?''
''An opportunity, to prove to myself; I'm not like her? To prove to the rest of the world that I am not the sick, twisted man, they see me as night and night out...'' I exposed the guilt in which deep down I habored.
''You're just too hard on yourself, Lester. You're a good man. I know this because I know you. Your rivals, the fans, those people they don't know you like I do. They don't feel your touch at night after you've been gone on the road for weeks at a time. They don't see the lengths you take to make me happy, even when you fuck and boy do you fuck up, royally. They know Level-One, not Lester Only...''
''Lester died a long time ago, baby...'' I confessed.
''Then show me where he went because I didn't see him leave...'' Patricia said, crossing her arms to her chest.
I took a deep breath and took a step forward. Placing the hands in which I use to maim, kill, hurt, and destroy, on her shoulders. I kiss her on her forehead as I reach into my back pocket, pulling out a familar weapon to the both of us. I watched her eyes lit up, as she stared at the package of matches.
''Well, I guess there's only one thing, left to do now...''
''Oh, please, Lester; I'm pregnant. Starting fires doesn't seem like the best idea, right now. It's dangerous...'' Patricia protested. Though, deep down she wanted to light it up. The scent of smoke, still lingered in the back of her mind. An arsonist, never forgets that scent.
''Yeah, but I love you when your dangerous. Come on, being Pregnant doesn't mean your thrill needs to go out the window. Not to mention, I have one really, really bad ass promo to shoot and this shot of a burning house, will be quite the exclaimation point on it all. This shit needs to burn. I need to move on and I want you to do the honors...''
''Well, what can I say, I've always been the type of girl to start a fire... or two'' Patricia Lewis said, her voice sharp and to the point. The adreline was pumping through her veins, it almost appeared as if it was all a sexual affair.
''One...'' I said, starting off the count down.
''Two...'' Patricia followed up, taking behind me lead.
''Three!'' She exlaimed, beating me to the punch, before I could even clench a fist.
''Let the motherfucker burn!'' I shouted as she threw the match towards the liquor cabniet, knowing full well that it is more then likely ''spilt beer'' laying around. The fire quickly spreads as I tugged on her shoulder her to bring her with me, she protested it. Her eyes, lit up by the flames.
''Come on, let's get out of here!''
''No, you got start the car; I'll handle myself in here. When the fire starts to spread and the tempature begins to rise, I'll get out out of here. I promise...''
I quickly headed for the door and out to the outside of the burning house, potting the corvette. A group of children, no older then sixteen ran down the street making their escape on foot. The coverette had it's windows bashed in and the words; ''Class war!'' scrimbled along the side.
''Jason Blackburn isn't going to be happy about that...'' I said, shaking my head back and forth in disgust. I turned back towards the house as the flames began to grow more prevaliant. Patricia Lewis was a pro at working these fires; I hadn't had much concern.
I felt something tugging on the back of my pant leg, and a growl to follow. I turned around spotting, what looked like the wolf I saw when I suffered from the delusion. It was clear to me in a sober state of mind that it was no wolf, but a dog. It yanked on my pant leg, pulling me away from the burning house...
''Hey, what do you want boy? Are you trying to tell me something?'' I asked, as the dog let go of my pant leg, and began to bark. I looked back at the house and immmediately charged towards it, re entering the burning house. Patricia Lewis was standing there observing the flames as black smoke poured towards her.
''It's been a long time since I saw something like this. Isn't it amazing?''
''No, it isn't. Patricia, we need to get out of here right now...''
''Don't worry about it. We still have about two minutes before this thing get's serious...'' She explains, reading the flames with percision.
''I don't care. We are leaving right now. I have just had an initution!'' I grabbed Patricia by her arm, dragging her towards the door as the dog out front, continued to bark. I grabbed Patricia and ran as fast as I could towards the car; but for the old house to which I used to live in? It was too late. It blew up, behind us.
A huge fire ball, shot up into the air, catching us both by surprise. Apparently, the flames had caught a canister of gasoline left in the basement; neither of us knew anything about. I looked at Patrica; and Patricia looked at me and then, we both looked at the dog, wagging his tale back and forth.
''I don't know what the fuck was up with that; but we're keeping him...''
''I thought you hate anamials? Why do you want to keep him for good luck?'' She asks bending down to pet the dog, on it's head.
''We almost just died. He saved our life. And I don't know if you noticed yet but I have a world title to win tomarrow night....''
It's been a long road. A long, treacherous road with cracks within it's surface, where potholes lie where you least expect it and every corner you turn your face with yet another sign, telling you to do 60 while your doing 80, telling you to ease up on the peddle and slow down. Well, those cracks were a nuance, the potholes often harmed my progress and when I ignored the signs telling me to slow down, I got a ticket. I paid the price. I suffered the consequence. And here, I stand today, with a smile across my face because I made it.
Even while Pence Weatherlight was spoon fed everything and anything, he ever desired and the road we all take to the championship, was slanted and paved in his favour; it simply doesn't work out in the long run.
Here I was, beaten, by a much lesser man who rightfully raised the question of my future here in the APW. Here I was, knocked down, set straight backwards, seemingly taking the path of every other APW world champion before me, looking to be just another number to fit the mold of a grave statistic...
Yet, here I am.
While Pence Weatherlight nurses a leg injury, I'm standing on the last fucking leg I got. While Pence Weatherlight receives a back rubs for months of wear and tear; I break my back to once carry this company on my shoulders where it rightfully, belongs. While Pence Weatherlight sips on a Margarita enjoying his vacation; I'm in the gym putting in the hours to be the best I can be! Pence Weatherlight was never a champion, just a chaperone of the championship...
See, as much as I thought I was on the top of my game, it's obvious I wasn't. The bright lights, the attention, the legendary status... it all gets to your head. Eventually, the only thing you can think about heading into your next match, is the quicker you end it, the quicker you get home to fuck your girlfriend, wife, or your girlfriends, wife's, sister; but all that is irrelevant. The point is, it all comes to a point where you become the best and look to maintain what you have; rather then expanding on it. For the past two years, all I have heard is, Level-One, your the best. You are the man. You are unstoppable, unbeatable, and nobody can touch you. And it was true, true for awhile.
I don't know if these people were in on the endgame or what; but I can't help but think they were setting me up for the fall. I fell. All because I took those comments to heart. Every night, I may have given my all, one hundred percent—but I could have been giving, more. Quality, not quantity. My effort was bold but not potent. In plain fucking English, ; I limited myself because I was the best and stopped looking to improve.
After all, you can't improve on perfection right?
Wrong, it's all bullshit. We're fucked up, creatures. Don't deny it. One look at Bryan Payne and deep in your gut, you know it's true. I'm far from perfect; which isn't saying anything, profound. If anything, it's being a realist. I may not be perfect but I will get closer to it. And I'm sure that makes you all feel all the more powerless too it.
Bryan, you may have fed me a piece of humble pie; but if you thought it would fill me up, your sadly mistaken. I've heard the question time and time again. Level-One, do you still have the desire to be a APW world champion?; and my answer comes in the form of a question and that's is, when the fuck did I ever lose the desire to be an APW world champion in the first place? Bryan, the worst thing about the idea of being a three time world champion is only losing it the first, two.
C'mon, Bryan. Laugh it up, funny man. You're the APW world champion, smile. After all, it'll be a few months away from now, maybe even years when you find out the worst thing about losing the title twice, is holding it, losing it, and never ever, reliving the experience, again. Grab your local psychic tarot cards because this is what your future entails. That's the punchline.
I'm hungry, Bryan. I'm starving. Sure, your humble pie left a bitter taste in my mouth. Heck, it was much like eating mid-air, psychologically fooling yourself that it was actually a cheeseburger may fill you up for an hour but once the self induced illusion wears off, your hungrier then you were before the mind-trick. For a second Bryan; when you pinned me to the mat, I questioned if everything I ever had was over... but I have my answer now, champ. Whatever I had before, is nothing like what's up for grabs, for my own taking, right now.
I don't have anything more to lose, Bryan. That title has your name on it. You could stake a claim at my legendary status in this sport; but what does that prove? A month as gone by, and you haven't yet noticed that beating a expert hall of famer, suddenly doesn't make you one? For shame. Perhaps, I was right all along, Bryan. Or maybe, it was YOU who was right. You see me as a wash up. A hack. A rolled up condom who had his fun in the uterus and is now to be exposed of, like yesterdays trash. Rather then beating the man I was, you beat the man who you claim I am just a shell of... for whatever that's worth.
Though, that's fine. It's dandy. While your riding high on a championship win sipping poison from a bottle in toast of it all; I'm treating my body like a prism. I've dedicated everything to this and every last inch of my attention span is now eyeing the concept of victory. My ties with outside influences and corporations have been cut. The ills, Bryan, loves to harp on about to boost his own self confidence are well beyond cured. Signing that TFWF contract was the biggest mistake I had, ever made. My heart was never in it. Bryan Payne should know how it feels to fight with half a heart, it rarely ever works out. My cold heart has always been with the APW; even, when I had to seek competition elsewhere, because guys like Pence Weatherlight couldn't give me a run for my money, for months upon months on end.
If anything positive at all came from any of this; is that Bryan Payne has finally realized is that I really am human. Over hyped? Not me. That's you. Over hyped was you painting me as this big bad fire breathing dragon, you were going to slay, and take it's head home with you because you finally found a big enough pair hiding behind your hot pink, three sizes too small, boxer shorts. Though, what do I expect from a guy, who coming into the APW; had no credibility at all? You could make any, ignorant claim and at the end of the day, have nothing at all to lose—yet, everything to gain. It just so happened, you managed to hit lotto. Over hyped was nothing more then your clever attempt, to sling shot yourself straight to the top, a show of GOTCHA journalism all too create a nice solid buzz around your plain old, boring, card board box cut out, personality.
Bryan, you made this entire thing harder on yourself. You turned this thing personal. When you took the one thing, I love in this business; you slapped me in the face. The words ''APW world championship'' wasn't even if your vocabulary a month ago. On behalf of you to your brother, I'd like to apologise for what happend to that man. I hope he got my gift. It's snuggle. Too keep him warm, in the cold hospital bed he lays in, unconcious.
Does looking at your own reflection in that world heavyweight title, bring him back to the way he was, a mere week ago? Does walking around with that strap wrapped around your waste; tighten your brotherly, bond? Can you look yourself in the mirror knowing that you put your lust for greed, before the well being of your own blood brother?
I'm sure could, Payne. I'm sure you have; because you are no different from me. We are the same breed. My brother is a goddamn cripple by my hands and you don't see me here fighting for his honour. You could care less about your brother as long as you can profit from history and drum up some sympathy and fan support from the crowd. As long as you can get a few thousand morons chanting your name as if you were god, you can see past your own insecurities and actually live within your own skin, without wanting to slit your wrists and calling it a night.
No worries, Bryan. You don't need to pretend to care anymore; because you are going to join him, in sharing his Payne. I know your going to be hurting, Bryan. All because...
The APW world championship, is the cure to MY payne.
What winning means to one.
''So, you mean I'm not allowed to storm mini house shows and beat up my rivals, siblings? What kind of bullshit rule is that?''
They say I took things too far but I don't think I took them far enough. Not much, what type of low life would set their limitations based on what is acceptable to the public eye filled with their own societal woes? Adultery, theft, murder seem to be nothing more then a pea sized paragraph in the back of the newspaper all so they can fit their hometown devil on the front cover for all to see. Really, I'm not that important.
Though, if these people insist on treating me as if I am bigger then life itself, then I won't hesitate to play that compliment up. I casually lean back and put my feet up on the desk. They don't look too happy about it. All they really need to do is tell me to put my feet down and I'll obey the order, but they're gutless. Go figure.
Three years ago, I was nothing. Back then, if I was here right now; in this office with Biggs and his pet goon with a stupid badge, I'd be hauled off to jail under some bullshit charge of assault with intent to cause bodily harm. Biggs, would tear up my contract quicker then a John Green match at Rasslemania and the show would go on, unharmed. But this isn't three years ago. It's three years later. Where compromise was often made in light of expanding an enterprise. The side deals behind the curtains, often determined what the rest of the world saw at it's forefront.
Regardless, the officer straightened his posture up and addressed my initial concern. He was nervous, despite his authority over the slave class beneath him. Guys like him, only joined the force for power; he's weak beneath his ridiculous costume and Biggs commanded more authority then he did, despite being half the officers size.
''Yes, sir. That's correct. It's not a rule but a law....''
Biggs seated in a black chair leans forward placing chest against the edge of his desk. Despite this, I could barely feel the tension between the two of us. He wasn't a threat to me.
''A law which you were about to be charged with but I, being the good general manger I am, worked my butt off trying to get you out of this mess. As it stands, the charges that were brought upon you have been dropped...'' Biggs can't help but brag, furthering his week long campeign to get himself back on my side.
''Though, next time you won't be so lucky, Mr. Only...'' the officer on a power trip can't help but feel the need to chime in with his unwanted, two-cents.
''Yeah, yeah, bacon boy. If you aren't going to arrest me what the fuck are you hanging around here for?'' I chastised the officer showing him the zero respect, he deserves. The officer nearly jumped out his black boots with his baton but Biggs was quick to jump to aid, though, unwanted.
''Sir, I thank you for your help here. Allow me some personal time with Mr. Only, and I'll be sure to set him straight...'' Biggs tells the officer who treats him with a solid nod before walking past me and towards the door.
''Fucking prick...'' The officer mumbled under his breath...
''Fucking pig...'' I grumble as I wish, hoping I was loud enough for him to have heard my parting shot. The officer slammed the door behind him, I guess he heard me? From the door I turned my attention to a man, almost just as interesting as one... especially when he's mad.
''What's wrong, Biggs?'' I asked, concerned by the angle in which Biggs had clearly been bent out of shape.
''You know exactly what's wrong, Level-One!''
''Uh, no. No, I really don't...'' I said, playing stupid; yet, intelligently driving Biggs further towards the brink of insanity.
''What you just did to that officer is wrong! He is an authority figure. You are treat me, him, and anyone else worth a darn thing around here some respect!''
''Authority figures? Honestly? You know I don't work well with those types of people. You of all people should know this. The last time I was in an office like this, I glued my principles ass cheeks to the chair. Hell, take Hurricane Jeff for example...''
''His name is President Jeff...'' Biggs eagerly interjects.
''Uh, not anymore!'' He's reminded by me. Biggs stopped to ponder the thought before cracking, a self serving grin. It was true. He was the one in charge while Hurricane Jeff was left, powerless, forced to re-assign for a position, elsewhere. Rumor has it, the EWC is hiring... or not.
''Anyways, I made his life a living hell. And as much as you think it may have been motivated by his cape wearing, spandex fitting, douche bag qualities, all summed up with annoying catch phrase to drive the point home, it simply isn't. My actions against Hurricane Jeff were motivated by my distaste for authority. My hate for fancy suites, brief cases, and group meetings behind closed doors. Everything, you now have sold out to embody, Biggs...''
''I'm not your enemy. You got your title shot...'' Biggs raises his hands in protest.
''Yeah about that. I'm not happy about the waiting time it took for that all to happen. I'm not a patient man, Biggs. One could argue that the only reason I got the title shot, I deserved from day one, was because Pence Weatherlight pulled a muscle and was swiftly removed from the title picture. And you being the business man you are finally put your ego aside long enough to cash in on what you see as the last card in your hand...''
''Come on, Level-One! You know that's not true. I've been trying to make this thing work out for you months on end but timing wasn't right! Well, on July, 5th, that's your night!'' Biggs pleaded with all his might, trying to solve their differences through a diplomatic, non violent manner.
I leaned back in my chair folding my arms, into my chest. The kid was right. Politics aside, I did get my title rematch. Politics aside he also made it a no disqualifications match giving me a myraid of new opportunites to inflict pain on my unlucky, opponnet. I was willing to hear him out.
''Look, Level! Remember when we were cool? You know, friends? Allies? Brothers?''
''Yeah, I do. I also remember the saying, absolute power corrupts, absolutely. I'll be ally, when you live up to our little part of the deal. See, Biggs, you may run the show behind the scenes; but I am everything, that plays out in front of it. We'll talk later...''
I said as I rose to my feet similar to the way I did as child, eager to leave the principles office
''What do you mean later? We are here right now!''
''Yes, but the APW world championship, is not. July, 5th, Biggs... that's my night.''
I turned to walk away before I had spotted something disturbing above his head located on a small trophy shelf in his office. Biggs couldn't help himself and followed my eyes with his own resulting in him carrying out an investigation of his own.
''Dude, you have problems. Don't worry, I won't tell Ellie...'' I said, with a light, rare, humorous tone.
Biggs shakes his head back and forth seething with anger as he hopped up onto his chair to remove the picture of Sally Talfourd off his trophy shelve. Biggs, angrily swipes it off the shelve with his free hand, as it crashes onto the floor beneath shattering into a thousand pieces.
''I don't know how that got there, I swear!''
Most men would prove their desire to be champion in the form of a back breaking work out and a fancy pose for a photo-op, but not me. If I was going to prepare myself for war I was going to have to not only be physical shape, but I'd have to get my spirit in check.
''I don't even believe in God...''
Faith? I hadn't really thought about it, up until now. I enlisted the help my former manager now turned, side kick and this was the best thing he could come up with. To be honest, I wasn't in any position to be picky. Over two months without a world champion or a win over a world class competitor (John Green isn't one); I was no in position to pick my poison.
''You don't need to believe in a God. All you need to do is get to the end and the wish is, yours...''
You probably don't know what Jason Blackburn is referring too; five minutes ago, I didn't either. Apparently, there's an old age tale about men who set off on a trip in the wilderness, entering a maze like realm. Most men don't make it out alive but the one's who do, come to find a fountain where they are allowed to make a prayer in faith, a wish for us non believers—and God or rather divine intervention for us non believers has it come to fruition...
Yeah, it really is as crazy as it sounds.
''So you're telling me that if I go on this little trip, find a magic fountain; it's going to bring me a world heavyweight championship title? Are you aware how fucking ridiculous that sounds?''
''Hey, you can't knock it if you don't try it...''
I rolled my eyes in disgust. I hated that saying, with all my might.
''Funny you say that. I don't need to have butt sex with another man to know it's fucking gay. I just look take one look at Micheal Lively, and I know what being a fudge packer does to you...''
''Think about it, Lester. Is it really about the bullshit of fountain and the wish you get to make if you get there? Or is about the journey you will embargo on to get there?'' Jason Blackburn explained, throwing his hands in the air slowly moving them higher and higher as to add emphasis on his point.
''You know, we don't agree on much, if anything; but you make a point. Besides, what's the worst that can happen? I'll get to my destination. I'll find the fountain. And maybe, just maybe, that pseudo religious, prayer bullshit might just work out for me in the long run, eh?''
''Exactly. You're thinking like a champion again. And now that you've opened up your heart, mind and soul, to the concept of higher being...'' Jason Blackburn said, strapping one of his arms around my neck before tapping my chest softly, twice.
''Alright, cut bullshit. Champion, or not... you won't be seeing me in church anytime soon.''
Several hours later...
It wasn't until several hours in the amazon did I realize I was a domesticated animal. I couldn't survive another day out here. The mosquito's attacked often. It was always a swarm of them catching you when you seemed to expect to the least. I don't know but it sure feels like I have already lost a litre of blood. I'm itchy, I'm swollen and I'm thirsty, and it's all the least of my worries. Apparently, a storm looms overhead. You don't need a weatherman to tell you the thickness of those ugly grey clouds, are far from sunshine.
I smelt like the bums near the downtown core of the city. The city. That's about all I could think about now, never had I missed it that much until being here... in the middle of nowhere, in the jungle. Jason Blackburn didn't send me on the road to enlightenment but a fucking suicide mission. I've already walked as far and as fast as my feet could carry me, but they're not pulling my own body weight anymore. Knee deep in mud or my own shit, I cleverly call this, I decided to take a break by an old tree.
I wiped the sweat off my face, despite it being, nearly pitch black and gazed at my compass. The piece of shit has done nothing but lead me onto circles; which is what the last few months in my career has felt like. Well, I'm sick of it. I smashed my compass into a thousand of pieces. There wasn't much to lose, now that I was lost. I was going to have to find my own way out of this.
Hungry, I take to a few berries, yanking them off trees and stuffing them into my mouth. They tasted like shit; but it was either that or bugs. Besides, bugs wouldn't give you the weird feeling, these things did! With each one I popped into my mouth, bit on, and devoured; the more, I felt I was floating on clouds.
Fuck, I'm floating on clouds.
''Yerrr, this is therrr shit right herrre''
I pulled myself to my feet, drunkenly taking a few steps back only to trip over a small rock and land ass first in a pile of soil. The tree camping out before me, opened his eyes and smiled.
''Oi! A human! What brings you out here today?'' The tree asked me in a kind and getle tone. Yet, he had a look on his face that told you he wasn't fucking around. This tree had quite the persona.
''Err, I'm trying to find like a fountain?''
''Aye, you fool! Nobody ever really get's that far and the few that do end up wishing their way back out of here! Truth be told, I don't mind you humans. In fact, I let you creatures breath...''
The tree scoffed, feeling overwhelmed and extremly under appreicated.
''Yeah, dude. I like you trees too. You guys get, chopped up and turned into toilet paper, I wipe my ass with and stuff...'' I said as I watched the trees grin turned into a scowl, stump wide.
''Die, human, die! I'll make sure you don't get out of here alive, we out number you, one thousand to one!''
The tree exclaimed inferiorated his fustrations stemming down to his deepest and darkest root.
For the most part, he seemed like a nice enough guy, before he took a swing at me with his long branch like arm. Never the less, the tree stick like figure man, wouldn't hold me back. I was energized. I had a second wind. I was going to find that fountain and make that wish, even if I'd have to go to hell and back to do so. The clouds began to cry, and sky began to roar it's angry roar as the sweet scent of rain began to fill the air.
I tripped over my own feet, more often then not; but it didn't seem to hinder my process, much. Double vision surprisingly made everything easier to see. Especially when a pretty blonde wearing a pink dress made her appearance. I couldn't help but stumble towards her, tapping on her petite shoulder; she quickly turned around.
''Oh my god!'' The vavacious blonde exclaims as she stumbles back in a panic.
''I'm sorry there. I didn't mean to scare you...'' I apologized trying my best not to slur my words, in the presence of a women. The pretty blonde smiled shyly, fixing her blonde hair which at this point was being ruined by the heavy rain fall.
''What is a girl like yourself doing in the middle of this concrete jungle. Haven't you heard, it's like, very dangerous around here?''
''I know. I'm scared. I don't know what I have gotten myself into. I was told if I come here and find the fountain; I could make one prayer which is bound to come true. I always wanted to be an actress growing up, and I figured this was about the only chance I had left. What is it your here for?''
''Oh, I want to be a world champion. Though, I don't really need no' stinking prayer to actually become one. I've done it before without running around a jungle, looking for some stupid fountain that doesn't seem to exist. For me, it's all about the journey. What a colourful journey, it's been so far! I love your orange dress...''
''It's pink...'' She said looking down at her own dress in dissapointment. Apparently, being colour blind is a huge turn off to women who love colours.
''Looks blue now. Ay, now it just turned red!...'' I continue to stumble on about, inspired by the tasty berries I was quick to devour.
''Anyways, are you lost?''
''Me? Lost? Pftt. I'm like, the king of the jungle, alright? I was fucking born here, with lions and the wolves dancing around shirtless with a wood stick, like a modern day Tarzan...of course I'm not lost!'' I said rolling my eyes, playing up the bad boy roll; while symontanously, trying to keep myself up right and on my feet.
''Then please will you take me with you?''
I couldn't turn down a pretty women with a bright and successful future right in-front of her; nerveless, leaving her in the middle of the nowhere for fresh feeding to the wolves.
''Sure why not? It's not like you're going to bite or anything...''
We laughed together for a few seconds, until she reached out with her hand to grab mine. I took hold of it; noting, her overly large palm. I ran my thumb over the top of her hand and felt nothing but smooth hair. Either she had man hands...
...or she's a fucking bear!
I let go of what I thought was her hand only to find myself staring a large brown bear inches away from puncturing my lungs with it's sharp teeth. I did what any reasonable man, stuck in a jungle, high off the wilderness berries would do; turn my back and run as fast as I could in the opposite direction. The bear roared out, as if she was upset she had just lost her golden meal for the night.
''Where are you going? You can't leave me here, alone!'' She cried out, unannounced to me in my current state of psychedelics.
I ran, as far and fast as I could. Stopping for no bush, no plant nor reptile being squashed beneath my feet. Sharp thorn bush ate into my flesh tugging and ripping the skin away, as I work my way through any short cuts I can find. It isn't until my feet are swept under me, tripping over a large log, landing face first into a pile of mud do I finally realize, I escaped the black bear. She was a pretty bear.
I rolled over on my back, forfeiting myself to my intimidating surroundings. Everything was so big. There was so much space. For the first time in my life, the world was much bigger then it was peering over the city, in my cozy penthouse.
The more you realize you know in life; the more you realize, you know very little.
I strained my ears, the sounds of foot steps, couldn't be hidden by guise of a silent night. 'Haaaarrrrrroooooooooo'' a loud howl makes the creatures intentions, blatant. As much as I wanted to pick myself and once again run the opposite direction, I had no where to go. This was the end.
''Come and get me, you little fuckers!''
As the foot steps grew louder; so did my calls. Whatever was out there was going to hear me and take in my last words for whatever they're worth.
''All I wanted was my APW championship back; is that too much to ask? Sure, I lost it. And sure, it was all my fault but I have learnt from my mistakes. I'm sure you could argue that talented guy like me, doesn't need to go through all this; but I just wanted the rest of the world to believe me this time around. This time around, I want smile, laugh, hold up my APW world championship proudly above my head again and mouth the words, I told you so...''
Snarling, can be heard not too far away, followed by the constant sound of brush being moved around. As these sounds grew louder in my head the louder I began to scream.
''I'm just like you guys. An outcast. An intelligent being, seen as stupid and fragile amongst the rest of the jungle idiots, who believe themselves to be superior. They even try hunt us; but WE are fucking hunters...''
And before I know it, I'm looking at a pack, filled with several wolves, staring down upon me.
''So go on, demon spawn scum. Have at me...''
I braced myself for the death. I closed my eyes. I don't know if I fell asleep, or blackness is first thing you see when you die...
...
...
...
I opened my eyes, lifting my head up off the ground, catching a glimpse of my surroundings. A large, stone fountain with a small half dressed boy shooting water from his mouth is the first thing to greet me. The water fountain was huge and surrounded by nothing but Forrest. I couldn't help but conclude this is what I had been looking for all along, but how I did I find it?
My memory is sketchy, so any attempt to draw any immediate conclusions are bound to be sloppy. Truth be told, the last thing I remember was eating a hand full of berries, which perhaps explains my stomach turning ache, as of now. Given the multitude of stories of what goes on around here, I'm not sure I really want to know.
I walked towards the fountain, dipping my dirty hand into the clean pure water before wiping my face off with my hand. I was dirty and I figured if this wish thing, wasn't actually a bunch of bullshit, which I am sure it is; wasting it on a fresh clean bath, is hazardous to my sanity.
''What am I waiting for?'' I asked myself.
Here, I was. I made it and this wish was mine.
''Dear, God. I wish...'' I said before stopping to a pause. If this was really true; and whatever I wished for, I'd get; is a world championship really what I want? I mean, the options were technically endless. I could solve world hunger. I could create world peace. I could virtually save the world, right here and right now. The men who have stood here, where I am, obviously were too selfish, too self centred to do the same...
Fuck, what makes me any different? I wanted that APW world championship and this was my chance. I was going to take it.
''Dear, God. I want my APW world championship...'' I said, before catching myself, mid sentence. Who was I kidding? It wasn't about the APW world championship.
''Think about it, Lester. Is it really about the bullshit of fountain and the wish you get to make if you get there? Or is about the journey you will embargo on to get there?'' Jason's one sentence of wisdom, hit my conscious hard.
It was about the journey, the journey in which I no longer have anything to show for; because I can't for the life of me, remember it.
''Dear, God. I want to remember the journey, that brought me right here, right now...'' I said praying, making use of my wish.
''So, wait. You mean to tell me you got all the way to fountain and made a wish, to remember your journey on the way to fucking fountain and it worked? Lester! You're journey consisted of you eating berries and tripping out. You talked to trees. You ran into a girl who was really a bear.. Really, you should be extremely proud of yourself...''
''Hey, don't forget about the wolves. I don't know why, but those creatures saved me. They brought me to the fountain...''
''Lester, you were tripping balls. Those weren't wolves. That was your imagination running wild...''
''Don't question me. I know what a goddamn wolf looks like. Those were wolves and you aren't going to convince me otherwise, drugged out or not...''
''Maybe they were dogs?''
''Yeah, maybe''
...
''Look does it really matter if they were dogs or wolves? For fuck sakes, Jason. It was you who put that stupid thought in mind about it all being about the journey and not about the final destination...''
''Sure, you could say that but I didn't know the wish was actually going to you know, work. I mean, if you used your wish on the APW world championship that thing would be as good as yours and I'd get my raise...''
''Yeah, but wouldn't that be out right, cheating?''
''Its you were are talking about, you're not exactly the most stand up guy, in wrestling, no offence...''
''None taken. Thanks for the compliment. I guess your right. I'm just going to have to find another way to win. You know, maybe take the natural route of kicking some ass pillar to post until the poor son of a bitch can't answer the bell. I mean, it's worked for me twice before. I'm not sure you can go wrong with that strategy...''
''Hey, if it was that easy everyone would be doing it...''
Jason Blackburn scanning his lap top, comes across a news topic of interest. He clicks the small link, opening up a full scale article.
''Hey, Lester. You know when you said you ran into that girl in the jungle? I think, I found some information about her you might want to check out...''
''No thanks, slick. Truth be told, I just want to forget about the entire thing and move on. Which is exactly why, I'm heading on out today. I'm Canadian and it's Canada day...''
''Want me to come with you?''
''You better not. The last, American to hang out with us red bloods of the Great White North, had a flag pole with the Canadian flag shoved up his ass, and forced to sing Oh' Canada as if the guy was broken radio stuck on repeat. It wasn't a pretty sight. He nearly died of internal bleeding, EH?''
''Gee, thanks for the warning. Try to stay out of trouble, kid. You're in enough hot water with things, after what you did to Bryan Payne's little brother...
Level-One, doesn't make any promises, slamming the door shut behind him. Jason Blackburn, merely sighs and shakes head back and forth at the idea of being left alone in their hotel room. Jason Blackburn operating his lap top, finds a link to a special video, leaked onto the internet.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Viewer discretion is advised!
A small, petite, beautiful blonde wearing a pink, princess Esq. like dress holds a camera in her hand jerking the camera view full circle in the direction in which a man unidentified on camera is seen running away.
Women (off camera); Where are you going, you can't leave me alone!?
The women is helpless with her cries as the man in the frame, doesn't re appear. Seconds later, she's knocked to the ground by a large, grizzly bear. In a panic, she reaches out for her camera phone, grabbing it with her free hand as he points it up, in line with the bear.
Women: Oh, my god!
The bear pounces on the young women, as camera phone is knocked out of her hand in the process. The camera view, helplessly points in the direction of the sky, before being drenched with rain droplets. The phone lays in just a few feet away from the scuffle recording the audio of the sickening blood curdling screams, mixed in with vicious growling as the grizzly bear bites and tears away at the young woman's flesh, until her screams are no more.
About this video: Saint-Ellen, Marie, age, 23, reported missing on June, 29th, approximately at 12:00 noon. Her whereabouts have been located after internet chat room conversations revealed that Saint-Ellen, Marie appeared on location in order to complete an old-aged ritual, which she had sought out to apparently help her career progress as an actress.
Update: Saint-Ellen, Marie, age 23, was said to be cast member in a new movie called, Last Wish. Famous film producer, Allison Albright announced this morning that Saint-Ellen, Marie initially didn't make the part but upon a drop out by one of the cast members due to a life threatening illness; Saint-Ellen was in line to receive a call from Allison Albright, in a weeks time to fill in for the role. This would have been Saint-Ellen, Marie's first big role as an actress. Allison Albright and the production team of Last Wish would like to extend condolences to the family of Ms. Marie for their loss.
A small, petite, beautiful blonde wearing a pink, princess Esq. like dress holds a camera in her hand jerking the camera view full circle in the direction in which a man unidentified on camera is seen running away.
Women (off camera); Where are you going, you can't leave me alone!?
The women is helpless with her cries as the man in the frame, doesn't re appear. Seconds later, she's knocked to the ground by a large, grizzly bear. In a panic, she reaches out for her camera phone, grabbing it with her free hand as he points it up, in line with the bear.
Women: Oh, my god!
The bear pounces on the young women, as camera phone is knocked out of her hand in the process. The camera view, helplessly points in the direction of the sky, before being drenched with rain droplets. The phone lays in just a few feet away from the scuffle recording the audio of the sickening blood curdling screams, mixed in with vicious growling as the grizzly bear bites and tears away at the young woman's flesh, until her screams are no more.
About this video: Saint-Ellen, Marie, age, 23, reported missing on June, 29th, approximately at 12:00 noon. Her whereabouts have been located after internet chat room conversations revealed that Saint-Ellen, Marie appeared on location in order to complete an old-aged ritual, which she had sought out to apparently help her career progress as an actress.
Update: Saint-Ellen, Marie, age 23, was said to be cast member in a new movie called, Last Wish. Famous film producer, Allison Albright announced this morning that Saint-Ellen, Marie initially didn't make the part but upon a drop out by one of the cast members due to a life threatening illness; Saint-Ellen was in line to receive a call from Allison Albright, in a weeks time to fill in for the role. This would have been Saint-Ellen, Marie's first big role as an actress. Allison Albright and the production team of Last Wish would like to extend condolences to the family of Ms. Marie for their loss.
Canada day. The great red and white known for their maple syrup, igloos, polar bears and whatever cliche or stereotype the ignorant can think up into one big bundle of mindless fun. Truth be told, this country is nothing special. I'd know, I've been half way around the world and back and I've seen it all.
All this talk about identity, what defines we as Canadians. It's a joke. What defines me, is the championships I have won. The events I have main-evented. The shows, I have singly handily sold out the second my name hit the ballet and was printed on the top of the tickets at the booth. As far as I'm concerned the only relation I have to this place, this dump, this hell hole, is that I just happened to be born here, it had to happen somewhere, right?
You'd be crazy, if you thought I was going to tell these people here at this picnic, like gathering this much. See, I could make them look like idiots inside the ring. I could disrespect them, slap them around and treat them like Grade A+ shit; but not here. These people have been lead to believe Canada, is nothing more then a sports team they wear the colours of. Have of them even wear a jersey, to prove my point. And you know how people feel about their sports, right?
It's Canada day, no tears, no riots, no buffoonery.
Hell, I was already in enough hot water as it is. They introduced me to the stage as an honorary, guest. It was an insult. They obviously haven't bothered to watch any of my matches. Fighting with honour is to play by the rules, play by the rules is as to follow a higher authority, following higher authority is kin to slavery, I'm no slave scum. Fuck authority. Luckily for us all; me nor Bryan Payne will have to follow the rule of higher authority. Honour is just about thrown out the window with a championship, hanging in the balance. Anyone telling you otherwise, is lying.
Nonetheless, I took the stage. Bringing, my triumphed up fake patriotism, everyone else was conned into carrying around their ankles.
''Hello, my fellow Canadians. It's good day, a good day indeed. You know, it's funny I am an honorary citizen in Canada. Two weeks ago, I was dubbed an official honorary guest of America and got the key to the city, happy July, 4th!''
The crowd can't help but throw a few boos my way, at the mention of our rivals. In all actuality, they are closest allies; but again, the sports team mentality...
''No need to get all riled folks. I'm just here, on Canada day, to show you all how much I want to make our country proud by once again rising to the top of this business where I once proudly stood, waving our plain old flag, with a leaf strategically slapped in on the middle...''
I said momentarily turning towards a large canadian flag pole behind me; pointing out the world famous symbol.
''Now, I haven't spoke about this issue, publicly. Mainly, simply because it's illegal in virtually every part of the western world but my lawyer like friend told me the statue is up, so I can't be prosecuted for the crimes I had committed. Everyone give a round of applause to Jason Blackburn, an American, who felt out of place here and was too shy to come a long, among you fine, fine people...''
I couldn't help it, honestly. Jason Blackburn clearly wasn't hate enough and so, I set out to make him some new enemies. Hopefully, it would keep him so preoccupied he forgets to annoy me about a pay raise or rather money, just in general.
''Anyways, I got my start in this business, deep underground. I fought in the fight clubs. You know, the dirty, smell, rotten conditions. Filled with criminal-fan-fair who often gambled and wedged bets on which one of the fighters would incapacitate his opponent first. No matter the fight; anything, could happen. Especially, with steel chains, glass bottles, and an odd switch knife coming into play. Me? I was known as the bare knuckled warrior and while I admit to using a steel chair or two when trouble caught me in it's strangle hold, there was nothing better then nearly beating a man half to death with your bare hands...''
I explain, cleching a single fist raising it in the air, produly.
''Needless to say, I built myself quite the reputation. I began to wine and dine with people much bigger then myself, eventually I'd receive an offer to fight professionally, in the EWC by President Danny Mac, himself. You may now know President Danny Mac, as a scum bag promoter, cheating on his taxes, and pulling strings behind the scenes, ultimately prepping up his image while jeopardizing an entire roster, under his lead. It's no surprise with his history of criminal networking, he came across a young star in myself...''
I said before taking a swig of water which rested on the podium
''Folks, I went from rags to riches. I turned my everyday nightmare, into the Canadian dream which is a slightly lesser version of an American one, but is still valid in it's essence. And truth be told, I couldn't have done it without the corruption. I couldn't have done without the crooked politicians pulling strings behind the scenes, setting me up for the perfect rise and perhaps, fall...''
Those sons of bitches. They can't until they see me fall. And to think that they may actually get their wish but some fluke, turns my stomach inside out.
''This country today, like any modernized was country was built by scum like Danny Mac. This country was run and is run to this very day, by criminal politicians lusting for power. Those who become something in life, take advantage of the system and use's it to forward themselves up the social ladder. You want to be like me? You can't. Not if you have a warm blooded, heart, you can't. With a warm blooded heart, you can't make room for corruption. Bryan Payne? He's seems like a nice guy, but he has a cold heart, he's cunning and he has both me and you, fooled. He's not a good guy, he's no different from me; his allegiance to the fans that come out to support him every night, is merely business. Product placement. He could care less about his fans. And me? Well, I'm up here and the rest of you are down here...''
I said lowering my hand, just inches off the ground. The crowd seemed to me offended but didn't make it known, perhaps they were capitvated by what I had to say, to really care about being insulted.
''Well, not for long. I am going to show you all how to make good on your misfortunes. I am going to show you all that I have what it takes to win. I am going to win that APW world heavyweight championship and I will dedicate it to WE the people! The scum bags may have made me who I am today, but tomorrow? I break from the mold. I do what I want. I don't need them anymore. I'm not biting the hand that fed me. I'm chewing it off at it's wrist! I, am going to declare MY independence from the system!''
I exclaim, garnering a few roars of support from the crowd.
''So you people have two choices. You can boo me and see me as the big bad guy or you can stand with me without bias of alignment, cheering me on as long as I am willing to fight! At the end of the day, I am what I have become and none of you people can save me...''
I warned while I surveyed the crowd. I made eye contact with each and every last one of them, as I licked my lips and smiled.
''Choose wisely my fellow canucks...''
''That's some awesome footage man. Now let's get this uploaded to the server and get this bad boy, online. We can't take any chances this time around...''
''Yeah, I still can't believe that statistic Meltzer's little brother Adam put out. Apparently, 100% of matches are lost when a competitor doesn't hype his own match...''
...
''Hey, Jason. You really think that footage is all good or are blowing smoke out of your ass, trying to get a pay raise?''
''A bit of both to be honest. Why? Aren't you happy with it?''
''Well, sure. It just feels like it's missing something, an extra ''oomph''; I mean, we had our fun. We got serious with our history lesson but I think I held back on something, something that I feel I need to show the world and put a stamp on this entire project...''
''Then go for it. You only get one chance, kid. You don't want to mess it up and prove the champion right, do you?''
''No, not all. I need you to do me a favour. I need you to give Patricia Lewis a call and tell her to meet me by the cafe...''
''Woah, woah, woah! Our plane flies out in just a few hours. You miss the plane and your opportunity, flies away with it...''
Jason explains. He stares at me and realizes that there is no room for compromise; I was going to meet with Patricia Lewis one final time before I left town.
''Fine. I'll call her. Why, don't you ring her up, anyways? I mean, she is your girlfriend...''
''Yeah, but she isn't exactly impressed about the entire movie Sega a week ago. I figured, if I showed up when she least expects it; she won't have time to play the entire ''I am mad at you'' schtick, plus I figured it'd be the least bit romantic.''
''Romantic? What? Are you going to pick her up, in a taxi cab?''
''No, of course not. You're going to give me the keys to her, nice, blue corvette and I am going to take it for a test drive...''
''What? Lester, you don't even have a fucking drivers license!''
''That's exactly why I called it a test drive...''
Jason Blackburn moans in defeat as he reaches into his pocket pulling out his keys, tossing them towards me with complete and utter detain for my disrespect for both the laws of the road and his fancy, vehicle. Surely, this driving thing wasn't as hard as it looked; besides what's the worst that could possibly happen? A car accident in these days in time, is merely fashionable. Here's hoping, I don't get pulled over...
With the help of sexy sultry voice, I followed the GPS coordinates to the cafe shop. This cafe shop, was a typical meeting hot-spot of mine. It's famously known as a hot spot in which many criminals have been caught discussing their prosecutable activities on wire taps. To this day, it's still popular because of it's reputation. Who in their right mind would come here knowing that the biggest crime syndicates in the cities history fell here? Well, a smart mind would. They would know full well that the buggs have moved elsewhere, somewhere less predictable.
Though, I preferred the cafe hot spot for the coffee they served. If you're an up scale citizen of this city, you might as well waste your money away on coffee if you aren't going to bother, help swell tummies in Africa, right?
Patricia Lewis spotted the vehicle and made her way from inside of the cafe to outside of cafe and towards the car. She really was beautiful. Though, I'd be lying if I said the images of baby weight, scare me half to death. If there was any positives about this entire thing, is that her belly wouldn't balloon for a few weeks now, despite the early signs. Approaching the drivers side she was shocked to see my face, once the window was rolled down.
''Lester? What the hell are you doing? That isn't your car! Lester, you don't even know how to drive...''
''Well, we all have to learn somewhere, right? And hey, I didn't steal the car from some random stranger on the upper side of town. Instead, I borrowed it from Jason Blackburn. Can you believe he even encouraged me to have a few drinks before coming down here?''
Patricia wasn't buying my horrible sense of humor. She put her hands to her hips and tilted her head to the side, unimpressed.
''Cut out the bullshit, Lester...''
''Oh, come on, Patricia. Hop in. You know you want too. Come on, I have something really important to show you. You know, for old times sakes...''
''I can't; don't you remember?'' Patricia said pointing to her belly.
''How I could I forget...'' I said, my tone screaming the obvious pitch of forced excitement. ''Come on, I drove all the way here and I didn't even scratch the paint on this baby. Everything, will be alright; I promise you''
Patricia couldn't help but grin as I leaned over popping the car door open for her as she circled around the passenger side of Jason's corvette.
I pulled the keys out of the ignition and shoved them into my pocket. Now parked beside a curb on an old residential street, Patricia Lewis couldn't help but stare through her window in an amazement. The houses were small, rugged, and falling apart. The windows to many houses were boarded up, after the hard nosed teens straight out of juvenile hall smashed in many of the windows. The windows that weren't boarded up, were replaced by old metal bars, giving it an allure of dangerous crack house.
Patricia looked at her surroundings as if she had never seen the ghetto, outside her favourite television show playing up any and all stereotypes they could cram in to fit an hour episode. I, saw it as nothing more then a obstacle I had to over come, and did. I casually stepped out of the car locking it and securing it with back up, jack. Jason Blackburn would flip and have virtually every house on this block raided for information until he got his prized possession back. Sure, he could afford to buy a new one with his salary, but was all about the principle of ,''Don't you fuck with my money''.
I opened up the car door for Patricia who looked up at me as if she had done something wrong, I offered her a hand to which she gracefully accepted, pulling her up to a vertical base.
''I'm sorry, Lester...'' She apologized.
''For what? For this? You don't need to worry about this. I'm moving on now. That's why, we're here today...''
Together we approached the front door to my old house. It's been vacant since I had lived here. Many of houses on this street, are. This community had fallen of the map, a long time ago. It's known to cops, for it's high crime rate but ignored by the politicians and mayors. They blame the lack of funds due to the allocation of census forms; which never seem to find it's way here, since three census workers turned up dead a few years ago.
I opened up the door greeted with a similar scent, I had remebering smelling for years on end. The scent of weed and liqour, mixed in with the musty scent emerging from the squeaky, dusty, floor boards. The local juviniles had used this place as a regular hang out, apparently.
''I can't believe you lived here...'' Patricia said amazed by the condition of the home. Sure, it's been several years since I had lived here but it doesn't look much worse from what my detailed memory could conjure up.
''Yeah, this was the place I called home. You know, it wasn't just living here that made my life growing up miserable. Hell, I could have lived a great life, with all this and virtually absolutely nothing, but that wasn't enough for her...''
''What do you mean?''
I took her by the hand and slowly, approached a closet. It had been locked but I remembered the secret to opening it up. Tug on the door twice, hit it once, turn the handle slightly to the right and push forward. The door opened up, reminding me about where I had spent most of my life.
''This is where she used to lock up me up, sometimes days at a time. She'd give me food and water but it was no good...''
''What did she feed you?''
''That doesn't matter. It was nothing good...''
''It wasnt...''
''No, it wasn't feces. Though, I'm sure it crossed her mind more then once...'' I said reading Patricia's mind. She wasn't surprised. It's what happens when you get to know a person, inside out.
''And here...'' I said turning and pointing towards a large, empty liqor cabniet, with the panes of glass smashed in and ransacked.
''This is where she stored all her liqour; it's first time, I've actually seen it empty, if anything that's a relief...''
''Is that why she did all this? Is that why you won't let your tongue touch a drink?'' Patricia asked, recalling awkward moments while we were initially dating, in public. The typical collage moron, chastising me from not taking a sip of the devils posion. He's so drun in fact—that he forgets who, exactly, I am. Picks a fight. Loses. And that's the end of that story.
''I don't know but I'm fucked up as it is, I don't need another excuse to get even worse. I thought about taking a sip or even taking a hit of the pipe but it doesn't seem worth it, it doesn't seem worth the chance. I don't want to become like her; you know?''
''Do you forgive her for what she's done? She cut up her wrists and said that killing her was the only way, she could save you...''
''I don't know. Should I?'' I said on the fense about the entire issue.
''Well, I don't know...'' Patricia chimes in and doesn't hesitate to draw her line in the sand.
''Then neither do I'' I conclude.
We stood around, embracing the silence as he looked around the deterating house hold. Patricia hadn't seen anything like it before. She wasn't rich herself, but was lucky go grow up, in a middle class family, where money was merely a necessity, not a priveledge or a rarity shortage.
''Do you think, I'll make for a good dad?'' I asked, out of the blue, catching Patricia off guard.
''Of course you would! What type of question is that? They'd be happy to have a dad as cool as you, all over television and what not...''
''Is bad that I see this entire thing as opportunity?'' I asked, guilty as sin before her verdict came in.
''What do you mean?''
''An opportunity, to prove to myself; I'm not like her? To prove to the rest of the world that I am not the sick, twisted man, they see me as night and night out...'' I exposed the guilt in which deep down I habored.
''You're just too hard on yourself, Lester. You're a good man. I know this because I know you. Your rivals, the fans, those people they don't know you like I do. They don't feel your touch at night after you've been gone on the road for weeks at a time. They don't see the lengths you take to make me happy, even when you fuck and boy do you fuck up, royally. They know Level-One, not Lester Only...''
''Lester died a long time ago, baby...'' I confessed.
''Then show me where he went because I didn't see him leave...'' Patricia said, crossing her arms to her chest.
I took a deep breath and took a step forward. Placing the hands in which I use to maim, kill, hurt, and destroy, on her shoulders. I kiss her on her forehead as I reach into my back pocket, pulling out a familar weapon to the both of us. I watched her eyes lit up, as she stared at the package of matches.
''Well, I guess there's only one thing, left to do now...''
''Oh, please, Lester; I'm pregnant. Starting fires doesn't seem like the best idea, right now. It's dangerous...'' Patricia protested. Though, deep down she wanted to light it up. The scent of smoke, still lingered in the back of her mind. An arsonist, never forgets that scent.
''Yeah, but I love you when your dangerous. Come on, being Pregnant doesn't mean your thrill needs to go out the window. Not to mention, I have one really, really bad ass promo to shoot and this shot of a burning house, will be quite the exclaimation point on it all. This shit needs to burn. I need to move on and I want you to do the honors...''
''Well, what can I say, I've always been the type of girl to start a fire... or two'' Patricia Lewis said, her voice sharp and to the point. The adreline was pumping through her veins, it almost appeared as if it was all a sexual affair.
''One...'' I said, starting off the count down.
''Two...'' Patricia followed up, taking behind me lead.
''Three!'' She exlaimed, beating me to the punch, before I could even clench a fist.
''Let the motherfucker burn!'' I shouted as she threw the match towards the liquor cabniet, knowing full well that it is more then likely ''spilt beer'' laying around. The fire quickly spreads as I tugged on her shoulder her to bring her with me, she protested it. Her eyes, lit up by the flames.
''Come on, let's get out of here!''
''No, you got start the car; I'll handle myself in here. When the fire starts to spread and the tempature begins to rise, I'll get out out of here. I promise...''
I quickly headed for the door and out to the outside of the burning house, potting the corvette. A group of children, no older then sixteen ran down the street making their escape on foot. The coverette had it's windows bashed in and the words; ''Class war!'' scrimbled along the side.
''Jason Blackburn isn't going to be happy about that...'' I said, shaking my head back and forth in disgust. I turned back towards the house as the flames began to grow more prevaliant. Patricia Lewis was a pro at working these fires; I hadn't had much concern.
I felt something tugging on the back of my pant leg, and a growl to follow. I turned around spotting, what looked like the wolf I saw when I suffered from the delusion. It was clear to me in a sober state of mind that it was no wolf, but a dog. It yanked on my pant leg, pulling me away from the burning house...
''Hey, what do you want boy? Are you trying to tell me something?'' I asked, as the dog let go of my pant leg, and began to bark. I looked back at the house and immmediately charged towards it, re entering the burning house. Patricia Lewis was standing there observing the flames as black smoke poured towards her.
''It's been a long time since I saw something like this. Isn't it amazing?''
''No, it isn't. Patricia, we need to get out of here right now...''
''Don't worry about it. We still have about two minutes before this thing get's serious...'' She explains, reading the flames with percision.
''I don't care. We are leaving right now. I have just had an initution!'' I grabbed Patricia by her arm, dragging her towards the door as the dog out front, continued to bark. I grabbed Patricia and ran as fast as I could towards the car; but for the old house to which I used to live in? It was too late. It blew up, behind us.
A huge fire ball, shot up into the air, catching us both by surprise. Apparently, the flames had caught a canister of gasoline left in the basement; neither of us knew anything about. I looked at Patrica; and Patricia looked at me and then, we both looked at the dog, wagging his tale back and forth.
''I don't know what the fuck was up with that; but we're keeping him...''
''I thought you hate anamials? Why do you want to keep him for good luck?'' She asks bending down to pet the dog, on it's head.
''We almost just died. He saved our life. And I don't know if you noticed yet but I have a world title to win tomarrow night....''
It's been a long road. A long, treacherous road with cracks within it's surface, where potholes lie where you least expect it and every corner you turn your face with yet another sign, telling you to do 60 while your doing 80, telling you to ease up on the peddle and slow down. Well, those cracks were a nuance, the potholes often harmed my progress and when I ignored the signs telling me to slow down, I got a ticket. I paid the price. I suffered the consequence. And here, I stand today, with a smile across my face because I made it.
Even while Pence Weatherlight was spoon fed everything and anything, he ever desired and the road we all take to the championship, was slanted and paved in his favour; it simply doesn't work out in the long run.
Here I was, beaten, by a much lesser man who rightfully raised the question of my future here in the APW. Here I was, knocked down, set straight backwards, seemingly taking the path of every other APW world champion before me, looking to be just another number to fit the mold of a grave statistic...
Yet, here I am.
While Pence Weatherlight nurses a leg injury, I'm standing on the last fucking leg I got. While Pence Weatherlight receives a back rubs for months of wear and tear; I break my back to once carry this company on my shoulders where it rightfully, belongs. While Pence Weatherlight sips on a Margarita enjoying his vacation; I'm in the gym putting in the hours to be the best I can be! Pence Weatherlight was never a champion, just a chaperone of the championship...
See, as much as I thought I was on the top of my game, it's obvious I wasn't. The bright lights, the attention, the legendary status... it all gets to your head. Eventually, the only thing you can think about heading into your next match, is the quicker you end it, the quicker you get home to fuck your girlfriend, wife, or your girlfriends, wife's, sister; but all that is irrelevant. The point is, it all comes to a point where you become the best and look to maintain what you have; rather then expanding on it. For the past two years, all I have heard is, Level-One, your the best. You are the man. You are unstoppable, unbeatable, and nobody can touch you. And it was true, true for awhile.
I don't know if these people were in on the endgame or what; but I can't help but think they were setting me up for the fall. I fell. All because I took those comments to heart. Every night, I may have given my all, one hundred percent—but I could have been giving, more. Quality, not quantity. My effort was bold but not potent. In plain fucking English, ; I limited myself because I was the best and stopped looking to improve.
After all, you can't improve on perfection right?
Wrong, it's all bullshit. We're fucked up, creatures. Don't deny it. One look at Bryan Payne and deep in your gut, you know it's true. I'm far from perfect; which isn't saying anything, profound. If anything, it's being a realist. I may not be perfect but I will get closer to it. And I'm sure that makes you all feel all the more powerless too it.
Bryan, you may have fed me a piece of humble pie; but if you thought it would fill me up, your sadly mistaken. I've heard the question time and time again. Level-One, do you still have the desire to be a APW world champion?; and my answer comes in the form of a question and that's is, when the fuck did I ever lose the desire to be an APW world champion in the first place? Bryan, the worst thing about the idea of being a three time world champion is only losing it the first, two.
C'mon, Bryan. Laugh it up, funny man. You're the APW world champion, smile. After all, it'll be a few months away from now, maybe even years when you find out the worst thing about losing the title twice, is holding it, losing it, and never ever, reliving the experience, again. Grab your local psychic tarot cards because this is what your future entails. That's the punchline.
I'm hungry, Bryan. I'm starving. Sure, your humble pie left a bitter taste in my mouth. Heck, it was much like eating mid-air, psychologically fooling yourself that it was actually a cheeseburger may fill you up for an hour but once the self induced illusion wears off, your hungrier then you were before the mind-trick. For a second Bryan; when you pinned me to the mat, I questioned if everything I ever had was over... but I have my answer now, champ. Whatever I had before, is nothing like what's up for grabs, for my own taking, right now.
I don't have anything more to lose, Bryan. That title has your name on it. You could stake a claim at my legendary status in this sport; but what does that prove? A month as gone by, and you haven't yet noticed that beating a expert hall of famer, suddenly doesn't make you one? For shame. Perhaps, I was right all along, Bryan. Or maybe, it was YOU who was right. You see me as a wash up. A hack. A rolled up condom who had his fun in the uterus and is now to be exposed of, like yesterdays trash. Rather then beating the man I was, you beat the man who you claim I am just a shell of... for whatever that's worth.
Though, that's fine. It's dandy. While your riding high on a championship win sipping poison from a bottle in toast of it all; I'm treating my body like a prism. I've dedicated everything to this and every last inch of my attention span is now eyeing the concept of victory. My ties with outside influences and corporations have been cut. The ills, Bryan, loves to harp on about to boost his own self confidence are well beyond cured. Signing that TFWF contract was the biggest mistake I had, ever made. My heart was never in it. Bryan Payne should know how it feels to fight with half a heart, it rarely ever works out. My cold heart has always been with the APW; even, when I had to seek competition elsewhere, because guys like Pence Weatherlight couldn't give me a run for my money, for months upon months on end.
If anything positive at all came from any of this; is that Bryan Payne has finally realized is that I really am human. Over hyped? Not me. That's you. Over hyped was you painting me as this big bad fire breathing dragon, you were going to slay, and take it's head home with you because you finally found a big enough pair hiding behind your hot pink, three sizes too small, boxer shorts. Though, what do I expect from a guy, who coming into the APW; had no credibility at all? You could make any, ignorant claim and at the end of the day, have nothing at all to lose—yet, everything to gain. It just so happened, you managed to hit lotto. Over hyped was nothing more then your clever attempt, to sling shot yourself straight to the top, a show of GOTCHA journalism all too create a nice solid buzz around your plain old, boring, card board box cut out, personality.
Bryan, you made this entire thing harder on yourself. You turned this thing personal. When you took the one thing, I love in this business; you slapped me in the face. The words ''APW world championship'' wasn't even if your vocabulary a month ago. On behalf of you to your brother, I'd like to apologise for what happend to that man. I hope he got my gift. It's snuggle. Too keep him warm, in the cold hospital bed he lays in, unconcious.
Does looking at your own reflection in that world heavyweight title, bring him back to the way he was, a mere week ago? Does walking around with that strap wrapped around your waste; tighten your brotherly, bond? Can you look yourself in the mirror knowing that you put your lust for greed, before the well being of your own blood brother?
I'm sure could, Payne. I'm sure you have; because you are no different from me. We are the same breed. My brother is a goddamn cripple by my hands and you don't see me here fighting for his honour. You could care less about your brother as long as you can profit from history and drum up some sympathy and fan support from the crowd. As long as you can get a few thousand morons chanting your name as if you were god, you can see past your own insecurities and actually live within your own skin, without wanting to slit your wrists and calling it a night.
No worries, Bryan. You don't need to pretend to care anymore; because you are going to join him, in sharing his Payne. I know your going to be hurting, Bryan. All because...
The APW world championship, is the cure to MY payne.
