Post by Ezra Gideon on Dec 17, 2022 18:28:15 GMT -5
The Last Man Standing
“Nobody's taller than the last man standing” - LaMichael James
{The Soft Intro}
The last few weeks, the constant run in’s from…well, no other word for it, CCPE members gone rogue. Well, it’s really tested my patience and my philosophy about the business. Some people like to do their best to be an agent of chaos, while others try to be an agent of positive change. Take John, for example, an absolute beast in the ring, outside of it, he’s trying to turn into the second coming of Oprah or some shit like that. He and Tristian questioned my loyalty, I didn’t defend the person I’ve been, I called in another bastard named Holden Ross. Tristian was injured and couldn’t fight anymore and then came the seventh cavalry, riding in to save the day, in the form of Raion Kiddo. That was a hell of an entrance, wasn’t it? It pissed JMont off so much that he had to be dragged back by his team. He wanted to fight us all so desperately.
You see, some people can’t be reasoned with and that’s what is showing more and more between us and them. I hate to paint this as a good versus evil situation, just because that shit is so cliche it’s ridiculous. I leave it up to the fanbase to decide what’s right or wrong. Having been in this business for so long, it is not lost on me that the winners write the history books. Winning is not something I’ve been doing a great deal of since I arrived at WGWF, but I’m just getting started. I’m not even close to hitting my stride and when I do, it’s going to be an explosion of epic proportions.
In other news, there’s a meeting scheduled involving Chris Page and Joey, wouldn’t you like to be a fly on the wall for that one?
It’s not going to turn out nearly as well for him as he thinks it is. Stay tuned folks, shit’s about to get dicey.
{The offices of Kalei Hale - Chicago IL - The DoJo - “The answer is easier than it appears.”}
[off camera]
Staring up at the lights above the mat, I grimaced as I got up for the third or fourth time. I bowed to Kalei Hale as a sign of respect, but also gratitude. “Take a break, Mac,” she said as she came to sit beside me. We sat in silence for only a moment, it was she that broke that silence. “You’ve grown soft, MacIntyre.” I looked over at her and she was frowning, “The man that I met when he was nineteen years old was hard as steel and just as unforgiving.” With the towel laying nearby, she patted her face dry. I didn’t respond because Aunt Kalei was not a very forgiving soul when it came to rude interruptions during one of her world-renowned lessons. She was and is one of the most well-known Krav Maga teachers in the world. She was also my Aunt by marriage. My first wife, Melissa, was Japanese American, and Kalei was her Aunt. To this day, she holds the quickest tap-out victory at less than one second. That was during a tournament of masters, that was held in Japan some thirty years ago.
“People like this Joe Montuori, an excellent athlete but a fragile ego.” She stared at me and then sat back down. I toweled my face and saw the blood, feeling the sting near my right eye, I could tell it wasn’t a deep gash but it didn’t have to be. The price for failing to have one hundred percent of your focus on the task at hand. She looked at me, “you may speak now.” I nodded at her, “Thank you, but I don’t really think there’s anything to say. You’re right, I’ve not been myself lately.” I stretched my right leg out to ease the throbbing from the calf killer hold she had used previously. She had stretched me to the point of hopelessness. I lost track of how many times I tapped out of the various submissions I had allowed myself to fall victim to. “Where is your head at, Mac?” She asked me in a mild tone. “It’s not on the present, that much was obvious,” she chided me. I nodded, “In the past mostly.”
She nodded, “The real question is why?” I looked into her eyes and saw her sincerity as I always did. She was not the type of person to manipulate or play games. “For the last two years, I’ve literally been an absolute beast inside the ring.” I paused there and took another deep breath, allowing myself to escape slowly. “What happened to Amber, was in part my failure.” I could feel the corners of my eyes begin to sting. “That caused me to start remembering how I failed…” She placed a hand on my mouth, “Do not. You could not have saved Melissa, cancer took her from us, not anything you chose to do or say. You can never take the blame for that.” She nodded her head emphatically. I bowed my head, partially in defeat and partially in acceptance. “I know, but there had to be something that I could have done. She refused treatment there at the end, and I understood that.” She patted me on the shoulder, “You are a good man, Mac, she loved you very much but you cannot save them all.” She winked at me, using my own words against me. “As far as your wife, Amber goes, She’s a lot tougher than even she knows. She is a beast in her own right, you let her tend to the porcelain doll, the broken one.” I smiled, “Yes ma’am.” She chuckled a bit, “Don’t you Okie doke me, motherfucker.” she smacked me upside the head as she said it. “Did I get it right,” she asked me and I laughed, “Fucking perfect, Auntie.”
“Shall we continue? Or are you still resting and hoping we’ll run out of time?” She smirked at me and I returned a sly smile. “Seventy-five fucking years old and still has the stamina of a horse.” I nodded and stood up, extending my hand to her, “May I have this dance?” She giggled and took my hand, “You can have this dance and the ass whippin that comes with it. Softy.” I shook my head and laughed, “Yes Sensei.” I don’t really remember how many times we sparred throughout the day, but at least I faired better as the day went on. She had my attention, I was in the present and as we fought, talked, and fought some more the past was less and less. It finally got to the point that it wasn’t a factor at all. Then we wrapped for the day, soaked to the bone and exhausted I found myself back on that bench. Toweling my face dry, I watched as she approached, limping slightly, a bruise rising on her temple. “That was much better, Mac.” I bowed at the compliment, “Thank you.” She returned the bow, “Thank you, MacIntyre, you’ve restored some faith but now you have to go save face with your industry.” My eyebrows shot upwards and she chuckled.
“You must go out there and shatter the pretty man’s ego. Even his woman was probably taking shots at you.” I nodded to her in acceptance and understanding. “You stop his roll, take his momentum away and you completely derail that smart mouth of his.” I laughed as she said, “Perhaps, there are some people that no matter how much you abuse them, will never shut up.” She smiled, “they will when you break their jaw and their fingers.” She was brutally honest at times but she wasn’t wrong. Up until the last few months, well, last six months I had been a by-any-means-necessary kind of guy. I had gotten away from that to try and appeal to a broader fanbase, I was starting to believe that was a mistake. “Quit trying to make everyone else but you happy, Mac. Focus on yourself and what you need to do to accomplish your goals.” As I stood there towering over her, I bent down and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Thank you for everything Aunt Kalei.” She smiled up at me, “Go wash your nasty ass, we’ll have dinner downtown tonight, there are a few of my pupils I would like you to meet.” I smiled in return, “Of course, I look forward to meeting them.” I bowed to her as I left to get cleaned up. Today had been a good day. I felt focused again for the first time in a long time. I hoped that none of her pupils were looking to break into the business. I’d have to worry about someone trained by her to be more dangerous in the ring instead of a company asset.
Fade.
{The Oblivion Ranch - Las Vegas NV - “Future Plans”}
A few days later I returned home to our second home in Vegas. We had one ranch in Texas and another fully functioning ranch here. A thousand acres, I still to this day, marvel at its beauty. I’ve been so fortunate in my life as beautiful as that view is, it couldn’t ever be better than when I turn back towards my back door and see my wife and kids coming outside. Two carafes of coffee, carried by Amber and my oldest, Jimmy. My middle son, Aerik was grinning like a Cheshire cat, as was my wife. There is nothing more terrifying than to see my wife smile like that. It’s usually because she’s recently hurt someone or was about to. Jimmy had a smallish blonde girl with him, that must be Chelsea whom I’ve heard him talk so much about. My only daughter Julez was there with her new boyfriend, Frankie. I smiled back at them as I walked away from the fenceline to the area we used for morning coffee and family get-togethers.
As I reached the table to refill my coffee cup, still smiling, “What’s with all the grinning going on around here this morning?” My youngest son, Aerik, firmly clamped his mouth shut, and for that boy to not be talking a hundred miles an hour, that was odd. I looked over at Amber, “What? I can’t wake up on the right side of the bed?” I laughed and she stuck her tongue out at me. “Well, kids, what do we owe this surprise? Don’t get me wrong, I love when you guys come to visit.”
Silence.
“Don’t go all dark on me.” I smiled at Amber and I focussed on Jimmy first. “Well?” He smiled back at me, “Well, you see…” I looked down at Chelsea’s left hand and caught the rock she was wearing. She was standing right next to my daughter, Julez, whose hand was bear. I smiled again. Chelsea elbowed Jimmy in the side causing him to sputter. Chelsea, “Mr. Bane, Jimmy, and I are getting married.” I smiled at the young woman and pulled her in for a hug, “I am very happy for you both.” Jimmy whispered in her ear and she blushed, “Thank you, Pops.” my smile broadened. I shook my son’s hand, “It’s about damn time, son. She’s a good one.” I had known that they had been dating for about two years now. I was relieved to see the boy had finally put a ring on it. The hugs and well wishes went on for several minutes. I looked over at Aerik, “Well, you can breathe now.” I laughed and he chuckled, “That was killing me,” he said in exasperation. I nodded, “I could tell.”
“Well, does anyone else, have any surprises that are likely going to give this old man a heart attack?” The silence ensued again, and Frankie stepped forward. “Mr. Bane, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take you out for lunch. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.” Julez was absolutely beaming with pride just then and I smiled. Frankie was everything I had hoped that she’d find in a man. “I’d be glad to, Frankie.” I knew what was coming, the kid was a traditionalist and if he was serious about Julez, he was going about it the right way. You just don’t meet many people that are that way these days. He was polite and respectful and above reproach. I prayed each day that it wasn’t too good to be true.
I stepped back away from the table to light a cigarette since I was the only smoker. Turning my back to my family, I felt the wetness form in the corners of my eyes. Before I knew it, Amber was by my side. She leaned up against me, “Happy?” I smiled down at her, “Always.” It was our thing, to let the other know just how good things were. “Now then, I know you have a match with Montuori coming up.” I nodded as the tears dried up. “You need to wreck that mother fucker, and I mean good.” “yeah,” I said. “How about we send him a message?” She asked the question in such a nonchalant way.” I said, “Sure, what did you have in mind?” She gathered everyone up and put them in place for a photo. We all extended our middle fingers. I laughed pretty hard over this, “Merry Christmas from the Family, Joe” A digital copy would be sent to him of course.
Fade.
{The Trash}
The staccato of boot heels on ceramic tile echoes at my approach to the studio door. I swing the door open and pause there for a moment, more for dramatic effect than anything. Giving the viewer a good look at the way I’m dressed and the set of my jaw. Ripped-up jeans, a lightly starched button-down turquoise shirt, black cowboy boots, and my black stetson to top it off. I continue to walk towards the microphone provided, and take my hat off, resting it on the chair. I pull my hair up in a ponytail and prepare to address the matter at hand.
Well, I would address the elephant in the room, but…
I look around the room, playing up to the joke. I pick up my Rolex and a group picture of CCPE.
There’s no elephant to address really but there is a jackass to talk about.
I smile at the camera and point to the picture.
That is a picture of the pillars of CCPE.
I shake my head in amusement.
I know it’s an overused term by less talented people but this is what Chris told me on day one. CCPE was to be built around, JMont, Thad, Seb, and myself. On that day, I received this.
I set the picture down in order to show the very expensive watch that Joe had given me on that day.
For the biggest part of this past year, I’ve worn this watch because it meant something to me. It was a gift from a man who I thought was my friend. Seb, Thad, and I all received one. Beware the gifts of strangers….
I set the watch next to the picture and exhale forcefully.
The things that have happened between us? I’m sure that by now you realize they may not be repairable. It’s obvious to you that our friendship was nothing more than a convenience.
I shake my head in disgust, as I do the smile disappears, replaced by a glare that could cut through steel.
Over this past year, it’s something I’ve come to expect of you. So, one pillar has begun to crumble, I wonder who Chris will find to take your place when the pillar has collapsed completely? I feel sorry for your family, the cracks are starting to show, Joey.
I look back down at the Rolex and then slip it on my wrist. Then I set the picture back where it was and come back to the microphone.
I guess you thought I’d smash the watch into a million pieces, didn’t you? No, it was a gift from a friend and I’m not that big an asshole, Joey. The friend that gave it to me is no longer around, he’s been replaced by this arrogant, self-serving douchebag. Maybe it’s just that the party manners dropped when he felt brave enough. All is not lost though, I’ll extend the same offer to you, Joe, that Peter Vaughn extended to me. The only difference is, mine has substance, whereas his offer is nothing but lip service.
I adjust the watch slightly on my wrist so it was more comfortable to wear. The expression on my face is the same. The intensity grows with each sentence I speak to the guy who shrugged me off like I didn’t matter.
This can all be forgiven, all you have to do is say the word. Social Media is an interesting tool at everyone’s disposal. You claim that you’ve never, not answered a ten count.
I smirk at the thought of it.
Well, that tells me, you’ve either never been in a last-man-standing match, or you’re a liar. No one wins every match they are in. That makes me think you believe you are a master of the last man standing match, that's about right?
I shake my head in amusement and chuckle a bit.
Now Joey, let’s be realistic, that pretty face of yours isn’t nearly scarred up enough for that to be true. Like most things, I had to take that comment with a grain of salt. Like you have an 849 credit score.
I roll my eyes.
You only said that to try and one-up me, because I had answered Atty’s question before you. No, the real truth, Joey is your a fucking fraud. I’m going with, you’ve never had a last-man-standing match in your life. Welcome to my world. No, I’m not a master of these matches, I’m batting five hundred the last time I checked. That’s not a terrible average, but as we say, matches like this will take years off your career.
The smirk returns as I think of the things I want to do to the man who was my brother.
I plan on taking at least a decade off of yours. Unlike you, pretty boy, I was hardcore long before it was cool.
I lean in towards the camera, so it can get a clear shot of my forehead and neck.
This is what it looks like when you’ve made a name for yourself in this business. It’s what sacrifice looks like, every scar tells a story. It’s a roadmap, the journey of sixteen world titles.
It's the story of my career.
I sneer at the camera and turn my head to the left, just slightly to show the long jagged scare that runs just under my ear and down my neck forming what looks like a “J”.
From my first ever world title match, Joey. I received this from a friend.
I bark a laugh at the memory.
Just before I threw his ass off a scaffold.
Now nothing is funny and my face is all business.
Yes, I did that because of how important that match was to me, just as he did what he did because of how important it was to him.
I pull the shirt's cuff back up a little and look at my watch. I tap the face of it and smile.
The countdown is on. Now, then you’ve said a lot of things on social media, such as this. Telling me that I was at the back of the line. Did you forget you were booked? See, the thing is Joe, I have great respect for you. The problem is, every time you go after me on social media, you look like a slack-jawed dumbass. Seriously, you look like a mouth breather. You certainly don’t look like a guy who at one time could lay claim to around thirty world title reigns. You took some time off and now you can’t even win anything other than midcard belts. While you were taking time off, I was winning world titles. This past year, I’ve won two, you can’t say the same.
I shake my head in disgust again.
A shame really, you were already one of the best that has ever laced up boots, but now, now you’re nothing more than a twat clot! Out here running your mouth about others chasing your clout. Son, you haven’t had any in years. There’s nothing to chase.
I shake my head, knowing that will get me in trouble but I was certain that it would be worth it because the fans love that kind of shit.
Back to what I was talking about, you said that you have never lost a last-man-standing match. Did you forget who you’re in the ring with? You must have because that shit is like throwing a challenge out there.
Challenge accepted, Joey.
I’m going to pop your ten-count cherry.
It won’t be quick and it damn sure won’t be pain-free. It’s going to be a bloody affair, you’ve crossed that line with me one too many times. It’s time to pay some receipts my man, and if you’re boys decide to get involved, well I’ve got some answers for them too.
I say the next words in a voice that drips with sarcasm.
Brother
“Nobody's taller than the last man standing” - LaMichael James
{The Soft Intro}
The last few weeks, the constant run in’s from…well, no other word for it, CCPE members gone rogue. Well, it’s really tested my patience and my philosophy about the business. Some people like to do their best to be an agent of chaos, while others try to be an agent of positive change. Take John, for example, an absolute beast in the ring, outside of it, he’s trying to turn into the second coming of Oprah or some shit like that. He and Tristian questioned my loyalty, I didn’t defend the person I’ve been, I called in another bastard named Holden Ross. Tristian was injured and couldn’t fight anymore and then came the seventh cavalry, riding in to save the day, in the form of Raion Kiddo. That was a hell of an entrance, wasn’t it? It pissed JMont off so much that he had to be dragged back by his team. He wanted to fight us all so desperately.
You see, some people can’t be reasoned with and that’s what is showing more and more between us and them. I hate to paint this as a good versus evil situation, just because that shit is so cliche it’s ridiculous. I leave it up to the fanbase to decide what’s right or wrong. Having been in this business for so long, it is not lost on me that the winners write the history books. Winning is not something I’ve been doing a great deal of since I arrived at WGWF, but I’m just getting started. I’m not even close to hitting my stride and when I do, it’s going to be an explosion of epic proportions.
In other news, there’s a meeting scheduled involving Chris Page and Joey, wouldn’t you like to be a fly on the wall for that one?
It’s not going to turn out nearly as well for him as he thinks it is. Stay tuned folks, shit’s about to get dicey.
{The offices of Kalei Hale - Chicago IL - The DoJo - “The answer is easier than it appears.”}
[off camera]
Staring up at the lights above the mat, I grimaced as I got up for the third or fourth time. I bowed to Kalei Hale as a sign of respect, but also gratitude. “Take a break, Mac,” she said as she came to sit beside me. We sat in silence for only a moment, it was she that broke that silence. “You’ve grown soft, MacIntyre.” I looked over at her and she was frowning, “The man that I met when he was nineteen years old was hard as steel and just as unforgiving.” With the towel laying nearby, she patted her face dry. I didn’t respond because Aunt Kalei was not a very forgiving soul when it came to rude interruptions during one of her world-renowned lessons. She was and is one of the most well-known Krav Maga teachers in the world. She was also my Aunt by marriage. My first wife, Melissa, was Japanese American, and Kalei was her Aunt. To this day, she holds the quickest tap-out victory at less than one second. That was during a tournament of masters, that was held in Japan some thirty years ago.
“People like this Joe Montuori, an excellent athlete but a fragile ego.” She stared at me and then sat back down. I toweled my face and saw the blood, feeling the sting near my right eye, I could tell it wasn’t a deep gash but it didn’t have to be. The price for failing to have one hundred percent of your focus on the task at hand. She looked at me, “you may speak now.” I nodded at her, “Thank you, but I don’t really think there’s anything to say. You’re right, I’ve not been myself lately.” I stretched my right leg out to ease the throbbing from the calf killer hold she had used previously. She had stretched me to the point of hopelessness. I lost track of how many times I tapped out of the various submissions I had allowed myself to fall victim to. “Where is your head at, Mac?” She asked me in a mild tone. “It’s not on the present, that much was obvious,” she chided me. I nodded, “In the past mostly.”
She nodded, “The real question is why?” I looked into her eyes and saw her sincerity as I always did. She was not the type of person to manipulate or play games. “For the last two years, I’ve literally been an absolute beast inside the ring.” I paused there and took another deep breath, allowing myself to escape slowly. “What happened to Amber, was in part my failure.” I could feel the corners of my eyes begin to sting. “That caused me to start remembering how I failed…” She placed a hand on my mouth, “Do not. You could not have saved Melissa, cancer took her from us, not anything you chose to do or say. You can never take the blame for that.” She nodded her head emphatically. I bowed my head, partially in defeat and partially in acceptance. “I know, but there had to be something that I could have done. She refused treatment there at the end, and I understood that.” She patted me on the shoulder, “You are a good man, Mac, she loved you very much but you cannot save them all.” She winked at me, using my own words against me. “As far as your wife, Amber goes, She’s a lot tougher than even she knows. She is a beast in her own right, you let her tend to the porcelain doll, the broken one.” I smiled, “Yes ma’am.” She chuckled a bit, “Don’t you Okie doke me, motherfucker.” she smacked me upside the head as she said it. “Did I get it right,” she asked me and I laughed, “Fucking perfect, Auntie.”
“Shall we continue? Or are you still resting and hoping we’ll run out of time?” She smirked at me and I returned a sly smile. “Seventy-five fucking years old and still has the stamina of a horse.” I nodded and stood up, extending my hand to her, “May I have this dance?” She giggled and took my hand, “You can have this dance and the ass whippin that comes with it. Softy.” I shook my head and laughed, “Yes Sensei.” I don’t really remember how many times we sparred throughout the day, but at least I faired better as the day went on. She had my attention, I was in the present and as we fought, talked, and fought some more the past was less and less. It finally got to the point that it wasn’t a factor at all. Then we wrapped for the day, soaked to the bone and exhausted I found myself back on that bench. Toweling my face dry, I watched as she approached, limping slightly, a bruise rising on her temple. “That was much better, Mac.” I bowed at the compliment, “Thank you.” She returned the bow, “Thank you, MacIntyre, you’ve restored some faith but now you have to go save face with your industry.” My eyebrows shot upwards and she chuckled.
“You must go out there and shatter the pretty man’s ego. Even his woman was probably taking shots at you.” I nodded to her in acceptance and understanding. “You stop his roll, take his momentum away and you completely derail that smart mouth of his.” I laughed as she said, “Perhaps, there are some people that no matter how much you abuse them, will never shut up.” She smiled, “they will when you break their jaw and their fingers.” She was brutally honest at times but she wasn’t wrong. Up until the last few months, well, last six months I had been a by-any-means-necessary kind of guy. I had gotten away from that to try and appeal to a broader fanbase, I was starting to believe that was a mistake. “Quit trying to make everyone else but you happy, Mac. Focus on yourself and what you need to do to accomplish your goals.” As I stood there towering over her, I bent down and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Thank you for everything Aunt Kalei.” She smiled up at me, “Go wash your nasty ass, we’ll have dinner downtown tonight, there are a few of my pupils I would like you to meet.” I smiled in return, “Of course, I look forward to meeting them.” I bowed to her as I left to get cleaned up. Today had been a good day. I felt focused again for the first time in a long time. I hoped that none of her pupils were looking to break into the business. I’d have to worry about someone trained by her to be more dangerous in the ring instead of a company asset.
Fade.
{The Oblivion Ranch - Las Vegas NV - “Future Plans”}
A few days later I returned home to our second home in Vegas. We had one ranch in Texas and another fully functioning ranch here. A thousand acres, I still to this day, marvel at its beauty. I’ve been so fortunate in my life as beautiful as that view is, it couldn’t ever be better than when I turn back towards my back door and see my wife and kids coming outside. Two carafes of coffee, carried by Amber and my oldest, Jimmy. My middle son, Aerik was grinning like a Cheshire cat, as was my wife. There is nothing more terrifying than to see my wife smile like that. It’s usually because she’s recently hurt someone or was about to. Jimmy had a smallish blonde girl with him, that must be Chelsea whom I’ve heard him talk so much about. My only daughter Julez was there with her new boyfriend, Frankie. I smiled back at them as I walked away from the fenceline to the area we used for morning coffee and family get-togethers.
As I reached the table to refill my coffee cup, still smiling, “What’s with all the grinning going on around here this morning?” My youngest son, Aerik, firmly clamped his mouth shut, and for that boy to not be talking a hundred miles an hour, that was odd. I looked over at Amber, “What? I can’t wake up on the right side of the bed?” I laughed and she stuck her tongue out at me. “Well, kids, what do we owe this surprise? Don’t get me wrong, I love when you guys come to visit.”
Silence.
“Don’t go all dark on me.” I smiled at Amber and I focussed on Jimmy first. “Well?” He smiled back at me, “Well, you see…” I looked down at Chelsea’s left hand and caught the rock she was wearing. She was standing right next to my daughter, Julez, whose hand was bear. I smiled again. Chelsea elbowed Jimmy in the side causing him to sputter. Chelsea, “Mr. Bane, Jimmy, and I are getting married.” I smiled at the young woman and pulled her in for a hug, “I am very happy for you both.” Jimmy whispered in her ear and she blushed, “Thank you, Pops.” my smile broadened. I shook my son’s hand, “It’s about damn time, son. She’s a good one.” I had known that they had been dating for about two years now. I was relieved to see the boy had finally put a ring on it. The hugs and well wishes went on for several minutes. I looked over at Aerik, “Well, you can breathe now.” I laughed and he chuckled, “That was killing me,” he said in exasperation. I nodded, “I could tell.”
“Well, does anyone else, have any surprises that are likely going to give this old man a heart attack?” The silence ensued again, and Frankie stepped forward. “Mr. Bane, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take you out for lunch. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.” Julez was absolutely beaming with pride just then and I smiled. Frankie was everything I had hoped that she’d find in a man. “I’d be glad to, Frankie.” I knew what was coming, the kid was a traditionalist and if he was serious about Julez, he was going about it the right way. You just don’t meet many people that are that way these days. He was polite and respectful and above reproach. I prayed each day that it wasn’t too good to be true.
I stepped back away from the table to light a cigarette since I was the only smoker. Turning my back to my family, I felt the wetness form in the corners of my eyes. Before I knew it, Amber was by my side. She leaned up against me, “Happy?” I smiled down at her, “Always.” It was our thing, to let the other know just how good things were. “Now then, I know you have a match with Montuori coming up.” I nodded as the tears dried up. “You need to wreck that mother fucker, and I mean good.” “yeah,” I said. “How about we send him a message?” She asked the question in such a nonchalant way.” I said, “Sure, what did you have in mind?” She gathered everyone up and put them in place for a photo. We all extended our middle fingers. I laughed pretty hard over this, “Merry Christmas from the Family, Joe” A digital copy would be sent to him of course.
Fade.
{The Trash}
The staccato of boot heels on ceramic tile echoes at my approach to the studio door. I swing the door open and pause there for a moment, more for dramatic effect than anything. Giving the viewer a good look at the way I’m dressed and the set of my jaw. Ripped-up jeans, a lightly starched button-down turquoise shirt, black cowboy boots, and my black stetson to top it off. I continue to walk towards the microphone provided, and take my hat off, resting it on the chair. I pull my hair up in a ponytail and prepare to address the matter at hand.
Well, I would address the elephant in the room, but…
I look around the room, playing up to the joke. I pick up my Rolex and a group picture of CCPE.
There’s no elephant to address really but there is a jackass to talk about.
I smile at the camera and point to the picture.
That is a picture of the pillars of CCPE.
I shake my head in amusement.
I know it’s an overused term by less talented people but this is what Chris told me on day one. CCPE was to be built around, JMont, Thad, Seb, and myself. On that day, I received this.
I set the picture down in order to show the very expensive watch that Joe had given me on that day.
For the biggest part of this past year, I’ve worn this watch because it meant something to me. It was a gift from a man who I thought was my friend. Seb, Thad, and I all received one. Beware the gifts of strangers….
I set the watch next to the picture and exhale forcefully.
The things that have happened between us? I’m sure that by now you realize they may not be repairable. It’s obvious to you that our friendship was nothing more than a convenience.
I shake my head in disgust, as I do the smile disappears, replaced by a glare that could cut through steel.
Over this past year, it’s something I’ve come to expect of you. So, one pillar has begun to crumble, I wonder who Chris will find to take your place when the pillar has collapsed completely? I feel sorry for your family, the cracks are starting to show, Joey.
I look back down at the Rolex and then slip it on my wrist. Then I set the picture back where it was and come back to the microphone.
I guess you thought I’d smash the watch into a million pieces, didn’t you? No, it was a gift from a friend and I’m not that big an asshole, Joey. The friend that gave it to me is no longer around, he’s been replaced by this arrogant, self-serving douchebag. Maybe it’s just that the party manners dropped when he felt brave enough. All is not lost though, I’ll extend the same offer to you, Joe, that Peter Vaughn extended to me. The only difference is, mine has substance, whereas his offer is nothing but lip service.
I adjust the watch slightly on my wrist so it was more comfortable to wear. The expression on my face is the same. The intensity grows with each sentence I speak to the guy who shrugged me off like I didn’t matter.
This can all be forgiven, all you have to do is say the word. Social Media is an interesting tool at everyone’s disposal. You claim that you’ve never, not answered a ten count.
I smirk at the thought of it.
Well, that tells me, you’ve either never been in a last-man-standing match, or you’re a liar. No one wins every match they are in. That makes me think you believe you are a master of the last man standing match, that's about right?
I shake my head in amusement and chuckle a bit.
Now Joey, let’s be realistic, that pretty face of yours isn’t nearly scarred up enough for that to be true. Like most things, I had to take that comment with a grain of salt. Like you have an 849 credit score.
I roll my eyes.
You only said that to try and one-up me, because I had answered Atty’s question before you. No, the real truth, Joey is your a fucking fraud. I’m going with, you’ve never had a last-man-standing match in your life. Welcome to my world. No, I’m not a master of these matches, I’m batting five hundred the last time I checked. That’s not a terrible average, but as we say, matches like this will take years off your career.
The smirk returns as I think of the things I want to do to the man who was my brother.
I plan on taking at least a decade off of yours. Unlike you, pretty boy, I was hardcore long before it was cool.
I lean in towards the camera, so it can get a clear shot of my forehead and neck.
This is what it looks like when you’ve made a name for yourself in this business. It’s what sacrifice looks like, every scar tells a story. It’s a roadmap, the journey of sixteen world titles.
It's the story of my career.
I sneer at the camera and turn my head to the left, just slightly to show the long jagged scare that runs just under my ear and down my neck forming what looks like a “J”.
From my first ever world title match, Joey. I received this from a friend.
I bark a laugh at the memory.
Just before I threw his ass off a scaffold.
Now nothing is funny and my face is all business.
Yes, I did that because of how important that match was to me, just as he did what he did because of how important it was to him.
I pull the shirt's cuff back up a little and look at my watch. I tap the face of it and smile.
The countdown is on. Now, then you’ve said a lot of things on social media, such as this. Telling me that I was at the back of the line. Did you forget you were booked? See, the thing is Joe, I have great respect for you. The problem is, every time you go after me on social media, you look like a slack-jawed dumbass. Seriously, you look like a mouth breather. You certainly don’t look like a guy who at one time could lay claim to around thirty world title reigns. You took some time off and now you can’t even win anything other than midcard belts. While you were taking time off, I was winning world titles. This past year, I’ve won two, you can’t say the same.
I shake my head in disgust again.
A shame really, you were already one of the best that has ever laced up boots, but now, now you’re nothing more than a twat clot! Out here running your mouth about others chasing your clout. Son, you haven’t had any in years. There’s nothing to chase.
I shake my head, knowing that will get me in trouble but I was certain that it would be worth it because the fans love that kind of shit.
Back to what I was talking about, you said that you have never lost a last-man-standing match. Did you forget who you’re in the ring with? You must have because that shit is like throwing a challenge out there.
Challenge accepted, Joey.
I’m going to pop your ten-count cherry.
It won’t be quick and it damn sure won’t be pain-free. It’s going to be a bloody affair, you’ve crossed that line with me one too many times. It’s time to pay some receipts my man, and if you’re boys decide to get involved, well I’ve got some answers for them too.
I say the next words in a voice that drips with sarcasm.
Brother