Creation of a Man, Pt. 2

[Tommy Knox]

//- Creation of a Man, Chapter 14, Pt. 2 -\\

Friday 9:22 AM [September 23rd, 2011]
Long Beach, California

Nothing but clear skies ahead, you could say. The morning was still early at Long Beach Airport for some. In the distant corner, secluded from the other aircrafts, a black private jet rests underneath the bright sun. A few scattered clouds pass by in the distance but none the less, a beautiful day for most of us. Others though, seem to be less fortunate.

An unknown figure stands by the airplane dressed in a black suit with matching black gloves and sunglasses. He stands with his arms behind his back as if he were waiting for someone. As a matter of fact, the same black sport utility vehicle from earlier pulls away from the main building of the airport and slowly approaches the private jet. Coincidence? No.

As the vehicle slowly stops by the airplane, the man waiting walks to the passenger side back door and opens it. The driver of the SUV then gets out and opens the back door behind him. Well look who we have here. Knoxville slowly exits from the passenger side as Tony wastes no time getting out from the other. Approaching the driver, Salieri shakes his hand and grabs the back of his head with his other pulling him closer as his lips begin to move by the driver’s ear. “You guys finish what we started here. Don’t call me until everything is done, I mean that.”

“Yes sir.” The driver says as he nods his head. “Consider it done Mr. Salieri.”

Looking the driver in the eyes, Tony releases from the hand shake and takes a slight step back. He then pulls out a cigar and cutter from his coat pocket. Clipping the end, he places the cigar between his lips and pulls his lighter from his pants pocket. As he strikes the lighter, looking down at the end of the cigar, he pauses for a brief moment before looking back up into the driver’s eyes. “Grab the luggage from the back and load it on the plane.” He says just before looking back down to the tip and lighting the cigar.

Turning his back to the driver, Tony walks around to the other side as he slowly exhales. Looking at Tommy, he shakes his head back and forth as he pulls the cigar from his mouth. “Didn’t I tell you, kid? Not only are you going to get the training you need, but you’ll be traveling in style.”

“You did tell me that, numerous times. I’m goin’ to tell you the same thing now, that I told you then and the time before that. I’m not interested Tony. The glitz and glam sounds nice, it really does. I’m not that guy anymore. Seriously, do I look like I’m the type of person you associate with?”

Knoxville takes a step forward in his sleeveless shirt and raises his arms in the air, showing off his full sleeve tattoos. He then looks down at himself and his tattered clothing as a smile comes to his face and he shakes his head left and right. Looking back at Salieri through the dark lenses, he then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. Flipping the top open, he grabs a nicely rolled joint from the pack and places it between his lips.

“Honestly, no. I don’t really bother with filth like you on this level. I mean sure, there’s the occasional unlicensed boxing thugs that I deal with on a business level, but I’m not asking you to take a dive kid. Outside of the wrestling world I wouldn’t have anything to do with you.”

“So why is it that you’re interested in Der Eiserne Mann?”

“Heh, we need to do something about that ridiculous name down the road too. We’ll get to that later. When I ran into you the other day, it wasn’t officially business about management. I was coming to collect.”

Knoxville rubs his face for a moment as he pulls a lighter from his pocket and lights the spliff hanging from his lips. Taking a huge drag, he inhales the Chemdog Diesel.

“Collect? Our business was finished.”

Salieri laughs abruptly as smoke comes from his mouth. He rubs his forehead for a brief moment before looking Knoxville in the eyes.

“Just because you partially pay me, hide out in Mexico and skip town all the way across the country doesn’t mean our business is finished. Who the fuck do you think I am?” He says as he takes a slow drag from the cigar.

“So, that’s why you just happened to be in Long Beach. I should have fuckin’ known.”

Without hesitation, Salieri moves in closer to Knoxville as the man waiting from earlier stands behind him with his arms crossed. Lowering the cigar to his side with his left hand, he reaches across and grabs the joint from Knoxville’s lips with his right. Looking down at it for a moment, he then raises it to his mouth to take a couple of quick little puffs. He then hands it back to Knoxville as he exhales into his face and carries on.

“You damn right you should have fucking known. Why the fuck wouldn’t you know? I’ve been looking for your pathetic ass for over five months now. You can only imagine who gave you up. He sends his regards.”

“That son of a bitch. So, what do you want from me? I told you already Tony, I’m not dirty anymore. Go find someone else to do what you want.”

“Look kid. You don’t have to give me your final decision now. We can discuss that on the plane. This is just a friendly gesture of business. Look it, I’m not asking you to lay down for anybody. I want you to succeed. I want you to win a championship. You want these things as well. Am I right?”

“Yea, you’re right. Anyone in the wrestling business would want the same though. What’s your point?”

Salieri takes another drag from his cigar as he thinks to himself for a brief moment. Exhaling, he looks back at Knoxville with a sinister look on his face.

“I’m going to take management over you Tommy. I want to manage you, son. You have the talent and heart right now to climb straight to the top.”

Knoxville takes a couple of hits from the marijuana cigarette. Holding his breath, he bursts into coughs as smoke erupts from his lungs. A minute or so passes until the coughing calms down and silence fills the air.

“Is that a matter of fact? I know I’m capable of doin’ those things again. Things turned around with Branden Harvey. Sunday night when Manhattan White is across the ring from me, you and everyone else will see that I’m back and ready to take APW by storm. So let me ask you a little question Tony. We all know I’m on the rise. I can do it myself. As you overheard a couple of days ago, I’m on my own right now. Rodrigo is history. Why do I need you to be my manager?”

Salieri looks at Knoxville with a look of hatred in his eyes. He then stares at the ground for a moment before looking back into his eyes, piercing his soul and replying.

“You don’t have much of a choice kid. It’s either you pay me right now, I kill you or we do this. You’ve owed me for too fucking long. You’ve ducked and dodged me long enough. I’m here to collect. I will be your fucking manager. I will make sure you get to the top. You know what’s going to happen next?”

“What, I’m goin’ to thank you for it?”

“You always have something smart to say. Listen you little prick. When the money starts flowing in, I’m going to take a big chunk off the top. It’s obvious that fame and fortune don’t sit well with you. Last time you had it all, you let it ruin your life. You’re weak. Me on the other hand, I don’t have that problem. I sure as fuck don’t have to worry about it all going up my fucking nose, junkie.”

Getting angered, Knoxville takes a nice sized toke and replies. “Pills, asshole. I don’t know what you’ve heard but someone’s fillin’ your head with shit. I’m flyin’ straight now, no more junk.”

Laughing aloud, Salieri shakes his head in amusement.

“I know what you owe on the street kid. California wasn’t an escape from just me and you know it. Under my management, these people cannot and will not fuck with you. Your debt to them will be erased. That shit in your hand though, that’s junk too. I can look past the marijuana. All the other shit, it’s over. You have no choice but for me to manage you. I need you at the top of your game.”

“Wait a fuckin’ second…” Knoxville replies with anger in his tone as Salieri nods to the man behind him. Out of nowhere Knoxville falls to the ground from a powerful right hand to the back of the head. He shakes it off and quickly tries to get to his feet before catching another rock hard right to the jaw knocking him on his back.

“You seriously have a problem with authority don’t you? This will be good for both of us. Manhattan White doesn’t stand a chance. You’re going to get in that ring and take him to class, school is in session. Do you understand son?”

Rubbing his jaw, he spits out a mouthful of blood as he looks up at Salieri hovering over him, patiently waiting for a response. “I know I’m goin’ to wipe the mat with Manhattan’s ugly mug.” Pushing himself off the ground, he rises to his feet slowly as Tony watches on and the muscle cautiously overlooks. “I’ve pushed myself to the limit each and every day leading up to this point since getting’ this second, well third chance. I know I’m in your debt, but I could never sell out like this. There’s got to be another way?”

“Well, there is one. Word on the street is that you’re favored to beat Manhattan eleven to one. I guess we could settle this debt Sunday night if you’ll agree to take a dive late in the match.”

“You’re out of you mind old man. Those days are long gone.”

“Then it’s settled. I’m now your manager. I’ll guide you to the top and protect you from those who want you dead. Now… it’s time you learn to give respect where respect is due.”

Nodding his head once more Knoxville slowly turns around only to get blindsided with yet another right smashing into the side of his jaw. He falls to the ground and gets kicked in the stomach a couple of times before the violence comes to a hult.

“Watch how you address me son. Now get the fuck on the place and let’s get to Honolulu. You’ve wasted enough of my fucking time.”

Salieri turns away and walks towards the airplane as the suited man opens the door and lowers the steps. The engine comes to life as the pilot fires up the aircraft. Knoxville slowly leans up and rubs his face as the pain slowly eases. Climbing to one knee Salieri’s voice is heard as he enters the plane in a cloud of smoke rolling from his mouth disappearing into the darkness

“Your soul better belong to Jesus, because your ass belongs to me...”