Creation of a Man, Pt. 5

[Tommy Knox]

//- Creation of a Man, Chapter 14, Pt. 5 -\\

Monday 11:47 PM [October 10th, 2011]
Red Hook, New York

The night is dark, a little more than usual. Above the stars sleep as the moon struggles to break through the few thin, lingering clouds scattered throughout the midnight sky. Silence consumes the air, not even a single cricket singing its own melody. The air is a bit nippy tonight; it only gets colder from here. A stench consumes the air as the slight breeze carries it from afar.

Off in the distance, a private black jet rests in the illumination of what overlooks us all. Slowly, the engine dies down just before completely turning off and calling it a night. To the right, a black limousine is parked with the engine running and parking lights on. Standing outside towards the back, an unknown man dressed in a black suit smokes a cigarette as he waits for his passengers.

Suddenly, a latch is heard as the door opens to the side and stairs unfold one by one to the concrete. From inside, Tony can be heard talking in a tempered tone as Knoxville wastes no time and steps out from the lion’s den with a duffle bag draped over his shoulder. Taking a minute to catch a breath of fresh air, he pulls out his pack of cigarettes and slips a spliff between his lips. It’s been a long flight, this has been way overdue.

“Jesus fuckin’ Christ… that fucker’s got a mouth on him. I’m just glad I’m not the one on the other end of the line.”

Pulling his lighter from his pocket, he strikes it with the flick of his thumb as a flame ignites. With a few slow puffs, the cherry begins to glow as it burns evenly without a single run in sight. Taking two back to back deep inhales, he holds it in for as long as he can before it bursts from his lungs with force. Pulling a beer from his other pocket, he quickly pops the top as the joints bobbles in his mouth. Quickly pulling the joint away, Knoxville takes a swig from the bottle quenching his thirst and soothing the harsh cough.

“Fuck that flight. If last night isn’t good enough for that old fuck then he can kiss my white ass. Last night was only a little taste of what I’m about to unleash on those fucks. I’ve seen everyone in the ring up close, there’s only one other I’d like to see behind closed doors. That’s neither here nor there. She’ll get her chance, after she comes runnin’ to line up behind the others when that championship is strapped around my waste. Until then, she can just know her place and stay the fuck out of my way. Like I said before, this is a man’s world. The main threat in this whole ordeal is who I’m concerned with. He has what I want. I could care less about the others. Rico has no fuckin’ clue who I am. I think it’s time to show him and the rest of APW out there just who I really am.”

“Now he has something to say…”

Walking out of the plane with a cigar in hand, Tony exits, dressed in the normal attire, black from head to toe. His face is slightly red as he reaches the bottom looking over at Knoxville standing by himself.

“That was an awful quiet ride back from Hong Kong.”

Looking surprised, Knoxville cuts in just after taking a toke from the rolled delight. “Seriously, dude? Shit… obviously you weren’t on the same ride back as me. From the moment we hit the sky, you were on that phone constantly yelling at the top of your lungs to one of your hoodlums. Where the fuck are we anyway?!”

“It’s good to see you finally growing a pair, son. Don’t fuck with me; I’ll jerk your ass in line like the dog you are. We’re in fucking Red Hook! Now do we have a problem or is the little bitch pooch obeying his master?”

Shaking his head back and forth, Tommy takes a few slow drags from the joint as the top burns fiery red illuminating his face in the darkness. “We’re cool Mr. Salieri. You’re not my master though, I’m my own man.”

“Is that so?”

“You can bet your ass it’s fuckin’ so. I’m the one in the ring doin’ all the work. I’m the one putting in all the time. I’m the one putting all my blood and sweat into this…”

“I fucking own you! Don’t you ever forget that, not until your time is paid. You have talent Thomas; you just need to work on your manners. If you want to make it to your little title shot at One Night In Hell then I’d highly suggest you shut the fuck up and do as you’re told. Don’t you ever question or talk about my business. I’m your fucking manager and that’s all there is to it.”

Laughing to himself, Knoxville takes a few more puffs as he gives in to the sensation as it overtakes his soul. Staring at Tony with his hazy red eyes, he slowly exhales through his nostrils just before speaking up. “Calm down Tony, you act as if I’m wearin’ a wire. I could give two fucks about you and your business dealings outside of wrestling. What you do is on you, I’m not one of your thugs. I’m just concerned with where you’re takin’ my career in APW. It’s bad enough I have to worry about your reputation hangin’ over my head, now I’m hearin’ word on the street that you’re becomin’ an agent to wrestlers other than myself. What the fuck?”

Taking a deep toke, he leans his head back as his lungs expand and head tingles from the high. Salieri watches on for a moment as he takes a few puffs himself from the Cuban cigar in his hand. Turning his back, Tommy casts a stare over Sky Park Airport as the joint dwindles.

“It’s not what you think, kid. For now, all those rumors are just rumors. I need you to succeed before I can even attempt creating the professional wrestling empire awaiting me to take throne. You’re the one I want representing the firm. I need you to take a stand and make this all happen. I need you to be the great wrestler you once were.”

“I’m better.”

“If you only knew…”

Quickly turning his head, he strikes Tony with all his attention as he removes the joint from his mouth holding it to the side with his right hand. “Give me a fuckin’ break! Not only am I smarter than I was then, I’m in a hell of a lot better physical condition now. I’m almost at the peak of my career and I’ll be damned if I’m goin’ to let you squash it by bringin’ in another new face to replace me. Although you’ve been overseein’ my so called “career”, I’ve been the one actually doin’ anything legit to earn the opportunities that have fallen in my path. Don’t give me this bullshit about bein’ the one at the top of your scheme. I know exactly who the fuck you are, Tony.”

“You can think what you want, I probably deserve that. Look at it like this. You’re in my pocket deep, son. The only way for you to dig your way out is to dig deep down inside and fight for what’s at stake.”

“That’s exactly what I’m doin’. You can only pull the strings for so long. I’ve busted my ass from day one and look where it’s landed me. I’m the one in the elimination chamber fightin’ for the championship. Week after week I’ve had to deal with guys like Johnny Brown, Manhattan White, Mike Morrison and your buddy Jason fuckin’ Kash. I’m the mother fucker drivin’ this bitch towards gold, not you!”

“Are you kidding me? You know exactly who the fuck is in charge. Instead of wasting your energy with this pathetic power struggle, you need to focus on Rico Casteel kicking your fucking teeth down your throat. I’ve done nothing but take you in, guide you in the right direction and provide you with opportunities of a lifetime. Now you want to spit in my face? I run the show; you just do as you’re told.”

“Is that so?”

“You damned right it is! If it were totally up to me, you’d be tagging up with your old pal Kash.”

“What the fuck are you talkin’ about old man?”

“You heard me, loud and clear. The only problem though is that Kash doesn’t want anything to do with a junkie like you. You’ve let him down one too many times Thomas. If anything, I’d bet my money on him gunning straight for you in the chamber.”

Silence fills the air as Knoxville stares across at Salieri with the small, burnt joint still hanging from his mouth. Taking a slow drag, he inhales for a slight moment just before exhaling and replying without even bothering to remove the marijuana cigarette from his lips.

“You’ve always been a bettin’ man, Mr. Salieri. You should know better than to bet against me in this situation. Kash doesn’t worry me for one moment. If you want to praise the hype then by all means, have at it. I’ve fought side by side with him numerous times in my career, from TcW all the way to WCF. The only difference between me and the others, who have walked in my shoes by his side, is the fact that I cast my own shadow. I don’t get consumed by his like the other jerkoffs who have represented his cheap imitations of what once was. I’m an individual myself, an influence of my own. Kash and I will have our time, face to face in the ring next weekend. Old friend or not, I’ll break his face just like any other one of these pains in my ass.”

Salieri laughs aloud as smoke slowly escapes his lungs. Hesitantly, he steps towards the limo, turning his back to Tommy.

“You still have a lot to learn. I don’t know if I can guide a lost cause like you. You act as if these other competitors in the ring are jokes of some sort. This is the big leagues, kid. The fun and games need to be left at the door. I know right now you think you’re hot shit, but you’re not. Last night was literally your first official victory since taking another stab at this vicious, crucial, deceiving business. You need to take tomorrow off and have some time to yourself, relax for fucks sake! Get to the condo I set you up in downtown and clear your head.”

As his eyes widen, Knoxville takes one last toke just before flicking the roach to the side only to die out on its own. Without any facial expression, he stares to the back of Tony’s head and says with anger in his tone. “There’s nothing but clear sky’s in my head, hombre. I appreciate everything but no thanks. I don’t have time to relax. My life isn’t anything like yours; I have to actually work for what I earn. First thing tomorrow morning I’m kickin’ Plex’s ass all over that mat. We’ll see just how good your little errand boy is.”

Turning around, Tony looks back at Knoxville with a smirk on his face. “I’ll be sure to give him a call on the ride back to town and give him a heads up. I’m sure he will be glad to know that you’re coming for his head tomorrow. What time can he expect you?”

“Fuck you, I’ll get there when I get there.”

“You aren’t back stepping, are you? I thought you were the great Eiserne Mann.”

“You’re lookin’ right at him, old man. From day one I have been forcing myself to become a new man, created from what I have learned from over the years both in and out of the ring. I’m far from bein’ lost this time around. For the past couple of months, I have gone from bein’ a has been to almost bein’ the head mother fucker in charge. Right now, APW has a little bitch at the throne claiming to be the World Heavyweight champion; the best Asylum has to offer. Pfft... please. The way I see it, Rico doesn’t even make it to the last three. Not only does he have to worry about me, I know for a fact that Kash has it out for him too. While at the time we may not see eye to eye, I can toss our differences aside for the brief moment of knocking him down from that pedestal he clings so tightly to.”

“Well, I like the enthusi…”

“No, let me finish! For the past few weeks I’ve had to deal with Manhattan White pesterin’ me. I’ve had to deal with his bullshit luck one too many times. I was supposed to beat him into a bloody pulp last night but things got a lil’ off track. The game ends at One Night In Hell. I don’t care if I have to put my body on the line and sacrifice my own health, I will have my vengeance. He’s slowed me down for too long, way too fuckin’ long. I have to hit him where it hurts. I have to show him that he’s just goin’ to be another nobody in the presence of me. I know we’re both in the middle of comebacks and I agree with him one hundred percent. One of us will have to be the one who attempts it all for nothing, only a broken dream and a cross of shame to bare. That ain’t me, babe. I’ve had my time in the ring with him and I know exactly how to read his every move. Sucks for him though, he’s the one who has to bare that cross.”

“Then we have the freaks and geeks like Mike Morrison and Sally Talford. There’s only one person in that entire sentence that strikes some sort of caution goin’ into this match. I’ll let you in on a little secret; she wears less makeup than the other. Although I’m goin’ into this match with a little hottie, don’t think for one second that I’ve began to even underestimate this bitch. Sure, I can think of a few things I’d rather be doin’ with her outside of the ring but I’m focused Tony. I know Sally brings a good bit of talent to the ring. After all, she’s more than just tits and legs. I’ll tend to her when I’m nice and ready, keep her in the match to get some eye candy while fighting my way to becoming the next champion. Morrison though, he won’t be so lucky. I’ve had it up to here with the Boy George routine. Last night I watched the worst performance I have seen since signing up with APW. Tony, this place is here for the takin’. I just need you to back off a bit and let me do my thing.”

Rudely interrupting, Tony cuts Knoxville off as he calls over to the limo driver standing at the rear of the vehicle. “Grab the bags and toss them in. We’re already running late. We were supposed to be at the pickup seven minutes ago but instead we got to hear Dr. Phil here express his feelings. Hey, Tommy! Get your shit and get in the back. We can finish this conversation on the way back to town. We have about three hours ahead of us but first I need to make a little stop and handle something. You just remember to use the handheld vaporizer I bought you in the limo. I don’t need that shit stinking up my night. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

Salieri turns towards the door as the driver comes around from the side and opens it for him. Across the lot, Knoxville thinks to himself for a moment before looking down at his watch. After coming to a decision, he proceeds towards with caution. After the two get inside, the driver closes the door and heads for the bags on the jet as the night just begins for them both.