Post by FPV on Sept 16, 2023 22:28:56 GMT -5
FPV RP #4 - Time Is Not On My Side
It was beginning to feel as though none of my work would ever end.
I had taken a detour from my route to the historic premier episode of Monday Night Melee, stopping by near Ramon’s stomping grounds at the PepsiCo headquarters. Within the past week the phone calls from his soon-to-be ex-wife had thankfully stopped, but they were replaced by a young sounding man, who Ramon later confirmed was his oldest son. He was much more polite than his mother, though still sounding trepidatious about speaking with me. Against my better judgement knowing my upcoming schedule, I offered to meet up with him face to face so that we could clear the air.
So here I was, at a cafe I’ve never been to nor ever heard of, drinking mediocre coffee while waiting for Trent Laguarta to arrive. I had shown up a little early so I could have a seat and get some work done. The People’s Grounds was heading into pumpkin spice season faster than we could keep up with, as our suppliers were playing hardball and holding us up for money. My plan was to give them a call to set them back on the right path, but finding even the time between Ramon and WGWF was damn near impossible.
My mind kept coming back to WGWF despite trying to focus on my work and fast-approaching meet up with my potential future Son-in-law. I had a 45 minute Iron Man match against Edward Grado scheduled for the first ever Melee, and honest to god, I was dreading it. I’ve been in long matches before, but most of them capped out at 20 minutes, 30 tops. Ironically if I had been given any of the other stipulations on the card I probably would have been fine. But with this, I was going to be out of my element. My only other Iron Man match in recent history was with my old friend and rival Roy Speede, but even that was a more lighthearted affair meant to raise money for charity. This was going to be a full on war, and it was sadly probably going to be my best opportunity to show the WGWF fans what I’m truly made of.
I had been booked on three shows up until this point, three tag matches with Joule Ortiz and not a single win under our belt. I would never say it directly to anyone in order to…look stoic, I guess? I dunno. All I knew was that with every loss I took my stock in the company would plummet. This was going to be my big match to course and correct and get things back on track. This was make or break time for me. I couldn’t afford to fail.
My concentration was broken as I saw a young, tanned-skin man begin to approach. I could instantly tell that this was Trent. He most certainly had his dad’s features. He took a seat opposite me and I could feel the tension almost immediately.
It was beginning to feel as though none of my work would ever end.
I had taken a detour from my route to the historic premier episode of Monday Night Melee, stopping by near Ramon’s stomping grounds at the PepsiCo headquarters. Within the past week the phone calls from his soon-to-be ex-wife had thankfully stopped, but they were replaced by a young sounding man, who Ramon later confirmed was his oldest son. He was much more polite than his mother, though still sounding trepidatious about speaking with me. Against my better judgement knowing my upcoming schedule, I offered to meet up with him face to face so that we could clear the air.
So here I was, at a cafe I’ve never been to nor ever heard of, drinking mediocre coffee while waiting for Trent Laguarta to arrive. I had shown up a little early so I could have a seat and get some work done. The People’s Grounds was heading into pumpkin spice season faster than we could keep up with, as our suppliers were playing hardball and holding us up for money. My plan was to give them a call to set them back on the right path, but finding even the time between Ramon and WGWF was damn near impossible.
My mind kept coming back to WGWF despite trying to focus on my work and fast-approaching meet up with my potential future Son-in-law. I had a 45 minute Iron Man match against Edward Grado scheduled for the first ever Melee, and honest to god, I was dreading it. I’ve been in long matches before, but most of them capped out at 20 minutes, 30 tops. Ironically if I had been given any of the other stipulations on the card I probably would have been fine. But with this, I was going to be out of my element. My only other Iron Man match in recent history was with my old friend and rival Roy Speede, but even that was a more lighthearted affair meant to raise money for charity. This was going to be a full on war, and it was sadly probably going to be my best opportunity to show the WGWF fans what I’m truly made of.
I had been booked on three shows up until this point, three tag matches with Joule Ortiz and not a single win under our belt. I would never say it directly to anyone in order to…look stoic, I guess? I dunno. All I knew was that with every loss I took my stock in the company would plummet. This was going to be my big match to course and correct and get things back on track. This was make or break time for me. I couldn’t afford to fail.
My concentration was broken as I saw a young, tanned-skin man begin to approach. I could instantly tell that this was Trent. He most certainly had his dad’s features. He took a seat opposite me and I could feel the tension almost immediately.
Trent: Hello, Mr. Venable.
FPV: It’s nice to finally meet you face to face. I’m thankful I could even schedule this meeting in at all to be honest.
Trent: Sure dude.
I took a momentary sip of my coffee and tried to steer the conversation towards something more innocuous.
FPV: What kind of coffee did you get?
Trent: Black.
FPV: I gotcha. I usually take mine black but I needed a little extra pick-me-up so I got a shot of-
Trent: Can we just cut to the chase already. What exactly are you doing with my dad?
He caught me off guard with that one, I can’t lie. I did my best to reply to him honestly after taking another sip.
FPV: Okay. I’ll tell it you as straight as I can, Trent. Your dad and are dating. By all accounts it is a very traditional, no nonsense relationship and we quite like it that way. And no, before you ask, I’m not trying to steal your father away from you or your mother. Truth be told, I didn’t even know about you guys until about a month ago when your mom called me. Now I’m not sure WHY he never told me about you, but I’m sure he has his reasons.
Trent: I can probably name a few.
I could see Trent visibly lighten up a bit, a good sign in my book.
Trent: You’re positive that my dad and you aren’t doing crazy millionaire shit, right?
FPV: Kid, with the schedule I live I don’t have TIME for crazy millionaire shit. If you think your dad and I are going out on the town every night getting blackout drunk and making damn fools of ourselves, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. We may enjoy a private glass of wine or bourbon every so often, but that’s it. With my job wrestling, I’m perhaps a bit hyper aware of how I come off in public, perhaps more than anyone else I know. I make sure I cross my ts and dot my is. If I got caught blackout at a club one night, all the charity work I’ve done, all my business dealings, that would all go kaput. Nevermind what my peers would say about me. I keep myself in check just like Ramon keeps me in check.
As I continued talking, it dawned on me that I was not only describing myself and what I try to do to keep myself in line…I was also describing Grado and his antics. Was I potentially saying all this because deep down in my subconscious the Iron Man match still loomed over everything else like a monolithic wall? Probably. But I couldn’t dwell on it for too long, as Trent heard me and took a large gulp of his coffee before responding.
Trent: Okay. I think I get it.
FPV: You do?
Trent: Yeah. Sorry if I seemed on edge. I’m just tired of hearing my mom go on her nightly rants about how you’re stealing my dad away from us. That’s the whole reason I agreed to meet up. I wanted to see how you were like for real.
FPV: Well, I hope I lived up to your expectations.
Trent: I’d say so.
He began to stand up from his seat as he kept talking.
Trent: Truth of the matter is, my parents had been separated for a while now. Arguments every night, stressing each other out to no end, I’ll let you imagine the gory details. My siblings and I had already accepted the fact that they were over, even if some of them were still a bit young to fully understand. Really and truly, the only one that hasn’t moved on is Mom. But she’s gonna have to. For everyone’s sake.
FPV: I can help in any way I need to to make it as smooth as possible.
Trent: I appreciate the offer, but I have a feeling this something that’s got to be handled within the family. But thank you, for proving me right that you’re not some monster.
FPV: I can only do my best.
Trent began to walk away from me with his coffee in hand, but stopped and turned to face me one last time.
Trent: You’re a good man, Frank. Please take care of my dad.
FPV: Don’t worry. I will.
He nodded to me and finally left the cafe, leaving me back alone to ponder not only everything that just took place, but also everything set in front of me. For the first time in ages, I was finally able to let out a sigh of relief.
———————————————————
The lake was peaceful this time of day. New Orleans is many many things. Everything anyone has ever said about this city is correct, even the insane bits. Once in a blue moon, though, it can look like something truly special.
I took a short break from work at TPG HQ in the evening right around dusk, I found myself a nice little bench near the lake and popped some headphones in. Most sane people would assume I was chilling out listening to a podcast or something. Instead, I wanted to make sure when I didn’t look like an idiot as I got another visit from the dead clown in my brain.
It took Switches a while to appear this time, giving me ample chance to enjoy the view before his voice began to come through again.
———————————————————
The lake was peaceful this time of day. New Orleans is many many things. Everything anyone has ever said about this city is correct, even the insane bits. Once in a blue moon, though, it can look like something truly special.
I took a short break from work at TPG HQ in the evening right around dusk, I found myself a nice little bench near the lake and popped some headphones in. Most sane people would assume I was chilling out listening to a podcast or something. Instead, I wanted to make sure when I didn’t look like an idiot as I got another visit from the dead clown in my brain.
It took Switches a while to appear this time, giving me ample chance to enjoy the view before his voice began to come through again.
Switches: Well gee whiz, look who’s come back to visit me so soon! You really are a great friendo, you know?
FPV: Nice to hear from you too, Switches.
Switches: Well shit, you don’t normally seem this much of a bummer. What’s eating at you, king? I’m sure ole’ Dr. Switches can make it all better.
FPV: Switches. You exist in my mind and only my mind. I’m sure you can rummage around in there and figure it out yourself.
Switches: Huh. I guess that would make sense. One sec, Franky boy!
A moment of silence before he returned.
Switches: WOWIE! You’re under a lot of stress. I mean, what with the ex-wife drama, the pumpkin spice thing, your failing tag team-
FPV: HEY! Don’t you dare shit talk Joule and I. We’re doing our best in a stacked tag division, give me a break.
Switches: Ha. Haha. HAHAHA. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Ohhhhhhhhhh Franky boy, now you’re just being delusional. You and I both know The Pride has been a big ole' goose egg since joining WGWF, you're just too delusional to say it out loud.
I couldn't respond with anything but a small "Fuck you" muttered under my breath.
Switches: Maybe that's why you're so uptight about this Iron Man shindig. Cause you know it's do or die time and lemme tell you from personal experience; doing rules, dying drools.
FPV: What a poet you are.
Switches: That's not all though. You've got conflicting feelings about your opponnent in this match, Eddie G., yeah?
FPV: You...could say that. Look man, I dunno about Edward. I've only seen him backstage a few times and he seems like a decent guy and a good hand in the ring. You'd think that he'd be a harmless little dude just trying to have fun. But I've heard things about thid guy, Switches. I've heard eyewitness reports about his drunken behavior at this club owned by his cousin. He made an absolute mockery of himself, just no shame whatsoever. Then on top of all that I've him posting on social media flirting with this guy and just....making him super uncomfortable.
Switches: How 'bout you think of it like this Franky. Would you let a guy like Edward be your friendo?
The question was a legitimate one but one that still gave me some pause for thought before answering.
FPV: No. I don't think I would, Switches. Because if I'm gonna be friends with one of my peers like him, I'd want him to respect not just my boundaries but everyone else's, and it seems like he just doesn't. Know. When. To. Stop.
When I started The Pride with Joule a few months back, we wanted to be someone every queer person could look up to. We have our fun with The Guardians now, sure, but those guys know when a bit has run it's course. I'm happy to consider them partners and friends. But when I think of those ideals of what we want The Pride to represent and I think of Grado, they're just too incompatible. And I hate to single out a fellow queer person like myself, but when I think of all the bad stereotypes given to gay people throughout history, it just seems to me like Grado is the living embodiment of all of them.
Switches: Lemme guide you with another question buddy; do you think you can out-wrestle the little creep?
This question didn't take nearly as long to answer.
FPV: Yes. He's not half bad in a match but I've trained my body up too damn hard to come up close in this kind of match. If I can survive the forty five minutes and get a few good Headshots and pins on him, I can win pretty handedly. It's all this other shit that's stealing away my time and energy, y'know.
Switches: Weeeeeellllllllllll it sounds to me like you could do with a little bit of reprioritizing bucko!
FPV: Come again?
Switches: I get that you're under a funhouse worth of stress, but the way I see it, the thing you gotta focus on the most is this match. The coffee probalem can wait, it ain't fall yet. And looks like Ramon Jr. has got that bit taken care of for now. Until Monday, I wanna see you in the gym, everyday, training your caboose off and then getting a good night's sleep so that you can be at 100% come Monday. Cause you're already got that W, friendo! You just gotta make sure you give it a hundo percento of your focus. Sound like a plan?
FPV: Huh...I guess that does, Switches.
An eerie silence befell the lake.
FPV: Switches?
Still nothing. Just like the ghost in the night that he was, he was gone once again. But i felt as though he had (in his own way) impart on me the things I needed to truly hear. I let the atmosphere of the area wash over me before realizing I still needed to head back to the office. Yet instead, I decided to make a phone call and actually heed the dead clown's advice.
FPV: Keep my work off to the side for me, I'm not going back in tonight. I'm heading to the gym.