Post by Ezra Gideon on Oct 17, 2023 16:41:23 GMT -5
The Ballad of Cholo.
“The wolf does not pity the lamb. The storm begs no forgiveness of the drowned.” — Jay Kristoff
![](https://i.imgur.com/oPMPZA5.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/FdZUDN2.jpg)
[off-camera]
Oliver’s Bistro
Miami is a city of many things, diverse culture, rich history, and amazing food if you knew where to find it. Oliver’s was one of those places to find amazing food. This was not the reason for my being here but my stomach argued quite loudly about that fact.
Mac: The Cuban Paninni please.
The waitress took my order and I waited on my newest ally to arrive. Gabriel Baal was an interesting man, often viewed as one of the most evil men in our business. Few knew that the real danger there was making Eden angry. My exchanges with her on social media had always been amusing to say the least. She was Lucy Wyld’s best friend so I always went out of my way to treat her in a friendly manner. Gabriel, I had not always interacted with in a positive manner in our past. Even without knowing each other, “game recognizes game”, as they say. He was an amazing tactician, and he knew I was a man who lived his life without remorse or even an apology for the things I’d done. The things I had done, couldn’t hold a candle to the things I was prepared to do. There was indeed a storm coming, WGWF was not ready. I sat with my back to the wall at a corner table and saw Gabriel enter the facility. He spotted me instantly and approached the table. I stood up and shook his hand as he approached.
Mac: Welcome to South Beach, Gabriel.
He smiled that smile, very similar to my own feral smile I would give people who were about to get more than their feelings hurt. He flagged down the waitress and ordered his drink of choice.
Gabriel: Thank you. I have to say, the way you handled the Daniel situation is quite impressive. Based on what you told me, you’ve basically adopted another wayward child. A smart one, but you’ll do with it as you see fit. It is interesting to watch him follow your every move on social media. He is addicted to powerful people, I think. Another potential point of leverage to consider.
I nodded along with what he was saying, focused on what he was saying. If nothing else, I was a ravenous pupil. I would absorb every lesson he chose to share with me. I’m sure he knew that, and so he continued to make sure the tidbits of information were exactly that, small pieces. I wasn’t sure if he realized it or not, but I already had a very solid base when it came to manipulation. I didn’t think that Daniel was addicted to powerful people, my belief is that he is a kid with no real sense of direction. Or, he was trying to help his dad get the drop on me. Either was a possibility, but the fact that he trusted his Uncle Joe so much spoke louder than most things.
Mac: I’ll definitely keep that in mind. There’s a lot that could be done with that.
We sat in silence for a moment, but that was interrupted by the arrival of my sandwich. He smelled it and took the proffered menu from the young waitress. A beautiful brunette who when she saw Gabriel, I thought was going to swoon on the spot.
Waitress: I’ll give you some time to decide.
We waited until she was out of earshot before either of us spoke.
Mac: Doesn’t ever get old does it?
He studied me for a moment and looked like he was going to vehemently disagree with me, but then he stopped and smiled.
Gabriel: No, no it doesn’t.
I chuckled softly as I sipped some water from the glass on my side of the table.
Mac: You said you had wanted to talk to me about something, what’s on your mind?
For a moment I thought he was going to laugh out loud but instead he stifled it and evidently I’m a funny guy, the amusement was still very evident. The old saying about my mind being a dark and dangerous place hit me just then and I knew why he was so amused. I likely didn’t want to know what was on his mind, but he continued in spite of his amusement.
Gabriel: Ah yes, the why of it. I want you to visit my facility with me, and there’s a meeting. I need you to just be you, Mac.
I smirked at the statement, knowing all too well what he meant. It wasn’t an insult, he wanted my physical presence to deter someone from doing something stupid.
Mac:You want me to be a deterrent then? Sure, I’m game.
The waitress returned and he made his order as I thought about what I was about to get into. Gabriel’s world was a dangerous one, anyone who knew his reputation at all knew that. I was ready though, this was a sign of trust. Or, it might be him using me as a scapegoat should shit go south. Either way I was going to be all in on whatever would come my way.
Mac: Anything I need to know?
He smiled at my question, we were alike in that respect, the snark was always going to come out.
Mac: I’ll answer my own question, Yes there’s much I need to know but you’re going to give me that in small pieces.
He smiled again and then chuckled, he held up one finger to pause me there as he collected himself.
Mac: I don’t like games, Gabriel, but I do understand your reluctance to share information.
Fade.
[Hell’s Gate Wrestling School - Grand Junction, Colorado]
It was a crisp morning in Colorado, the metal tailgate I sat on reminded me of that fact. The cold seeped through the denim of my blue jeans, reminding me how much I dislike cold climates. I sipped coffee and smiled at the thought of Daniel training here. I was under the impression that he hadn’t made up his mind about the wrestling business. I wasn’t going to influence him one way or another but training here would guarantee a few things. If he chose wrestling, then he would be prepared for a match. If he didn’t choose wrestling then he would be prepared for a fight. He had a lot of nervous energy going at the moment, I didn’t blame him, he was going into something where he didn’t really know the people involved very well. I lit a cigarette and smiled as he continued to pace.
Mac: Daniel, relax, you’re safe here. This is one of the best schools you could hope to be accepted by.
He stopped pacing and looked at me.
Daniel: I’m not scared, Mac, I’ve just got all this energy and no outlet for it, yet.
I chuckled as two massive hands rested on his shoulders from behind. Daniel to his credit didn’t panic when he looked first to the left then to the right.
Mac: Daniel, meet Rene, formerly known as The Renegade. He is one of the finest wrestling trainers in the world today. Between him and Whisper they’ve helped create more world champions than you can imagine. He’s been looking forward to meeting you.
I was dying laughing inside, I knew that Rene had scared Daniel. A light form of hazing that we do with newbies to the school. Daniel had handled it like a pro though, and I was surprised and proud of him at the same time. Rene removed his hands from Daniel’s shoulders and smiled. Daniel turned to face Rene and offered a handshake which Rene returned promptly.
Daniel: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rene.
Rene smiled and clapped him on the shoulder.
Rene: You say that now, we’ll see how you feel after we work together.
He said that and shot me a wink. I shook my head and chuckled. Rene was a big teddy bear until you stepped in the ring with him, and then all bets were off. In his trainer mode, he was tough but always fair with students. There would be a feeling out process so he would know what Daniel’s limitations were. Strengths and weaknesses would show pretty quickly in the session, and we’d know more on how to proceed with his training. This was simply an assessment. One that would also help me gauge Daniel, it would show his mentality as a man. It would also show me how far I could push Austin before he snapped. I was looking forward to the experiment in front of us. Rene, of course had no idea what his role in this would be, he’d also never expected why I truly wanted Daniel to be trained here.
Mac: Don’t ruin him on the first day, big man. Let’s just run him through some basics and see how much of his original training he absorbed.
Rene put his hands on his hips and shot me a fake frown.
Rene: Aw, do you have to suck the fun out of this?
Mac: Yes, yes I do. I don’t want the lad to be broken when he goes back home. That’s for later if he gets too big for his britches.
Daniel looked back and forth at us as we bantered in a friendly way.
Daniel: I’m standing right here…
I crushed out the cigarette that had reached the filter, and I smiled as I slid forward enough to allow gravity to finish taking me off the truck bed.
Mac: We know, just messin’ with ya. Come on, I’ll show you around and you can get changed so we can get this thing started.
My heart smiled as we made our way inside, he wouldn’t expect what was coming. Austin and Toddy would try to dissuade him from continuing this association with me. He would fight them out of spite, and that’s one of the things that made this game so much fun. No one at the gate knew what I was up to or why. I’d keep that to myself for the time being. If I knew the family at all, they would encourage it, even applaud it but there was time to find that out later. For now, I was focussed on turning the son against the father. Amber had yet to meet Daniel as far as I know, so that would be the next step.
Fade.
![](https://i.imgur.com/dl7Ri94.png)
South Beach, Miami Florida
I was bare to the waist, as I roamed the beach, with the sounds of my feet shuffling through the sand. A simple bandanna over my head, tied in the back to keep my hair back, and dark sunglasses to help manage the glare. I smiled as I looked out over the waves. Children laughing and enjoying the day. It was still quite warm in Florida, the beads of perspiration were beginning to form on my forehead. The camera had been rolling for a few minutes now and I finally decided to stop walking, and start speaking my mind.
Mac: The first round of the cannabis cup has come to a close. I faced and beat Kim Riddle, who is a baby sister to me. Not by blood, but by everything else that matters. It’s not just that I beat her, it’s the way I beat her. Now, like the great bard that I am, we begin the ballad of Cholo.
I look out at the horizon, a perfect day, sunny with a light breeze, and I sigh. Not a sigh of contentment but disgust.
Mac: Cholo is like a refreshing breeze on a sunny day. I look out here and not a single cloud in the sky, people within the WGWF locker room would like to believe the same thing. They prance around on social media like they’ve already won the tournament, like they have secured the number one contendership for the world heavyweight title.
I shake my head and bark a laugh.
Mac: Ha! After one round?
I chuckle a little more as I pull the shakes off so I can glare at the camera.
Mac: See, I came here to the beach to put me in the right frame of mind for my match against Cholo. Not that I needed any motivation at all. Why would I? I mean, if I remember correctly, he’s only lost one match in WGWF. He’s the Intercontinental Champion, and has defended against all who’ve stood before him. Except he’s never faced me.
The glare and my intensity increase as I think about that smiling jackass.
Mac: I don’t hate you, Cholo, but I do despise every single ounce of what you represent.
I spit on the ground to make certain I’m clear on the subject.
Mac: the fan favorite that can do no wrong in the eyes of anyone not named Austin Ramsey. Like a lot of people, he was convinced you were trying to steal his wife. You smoothed that over, so I guess you guys are buddies now?
I put my hands on my hips and smile.
Mac: Somehow I don’t think so. Regardless, he’s not a man of the people, but you are.
I allow my hands to drop back down by my side, the smile remains, but my voice is almost a growl.
Mac: You represent the people, the fans love Cholo. I guess you could say you’re the people's champ? Yeah, you are, in all your glory. They will get behind you in every match you have, always rallying their champion.
I smirk at the camera, because I’ve already planned for that.
Mac: What if that gets taken away from you, what if the crowd is stunned into silence because the unthinkable has happened. The sound of silence can be deafening, depending on the environment. Take an arena filled to capacity. Then imagine no one making a sound in that space as you get put down like the dog that you are. Every time they rally you, I’m going to knock the piss out of you to shut them up.
I smirk at the camera as a beach ball comes rolling to a stop not far away. A group of small kids comes running up. I snap my head in their direction and they all come to a stop. I don’t say anything at all but then they all ran back the way they had come.
Mac: I’ll break the heart of every fucking kid in that arena that looks up to you. That is my goal, Cholo, to silence the crowd and the critics. Like you, I’ve simply beaten everyone they have put in front of me in WGWF. Unlike you, I was not given title opportunities, they kept me out of the tournament that you won to be called a champion. When Bam and I beat Toddy and Austin for the tag straps, it wasn’t because we were invited or encouraged to do so. We made it clear that we deserved it. We took what we wanted without permission or applause. More importantly we did it without apology. We call that unapologetic violence, Cholo. Get familiar with the term, the archangel of violence is coming for your blood.
I take a few steps and kick the beachball back toward the kids and chuckle as none of them can catch it. The ball rolls out onto the breaking surf.
Mac: Those kids are like every other person in this tournament, they will all run chasing the prize. It’s just out of reach, because the ocean carries it away from them. I am that force of nature Cholo. I know before our match starts you’ll be back there terrified and thankful. You didn’t want to face me because you already know. I am that guy that can bring it all crashing down. Good thing your title isn’t on the line, huh?
Many of the vacationers were packing up and heading for higher ground and I laughed at the storm beginning to roll in.
Mac: Finally, a kindred spirit.
I began laughing, not in a manic way but more of a celebratory feel to it.
Mac: Oh, this storm is going to be glorious.
I point out to the horizon.
Mac: See all those boats out there? They are all using anchors right now to keep their vessel steady. A standard practice, among the sea faring people of the world. Much like the fans cling to you Cholo. Oh the irony…
I watched as one boat lost its anchor line and was flung into another, leaving the status of the crew in question. The wind intensifies, blowing the bandanna in a way that makes it snap in the wind behind me.
Mac: Tragic, isn’t it? Like you, the crew of those vessels thought they were ready. That’s the thing about storms, they can be so very unpredictable. I am that storm, Cholo, for anyone and everyone who holds a singles title in this company. Everyone knows, if you’re facing me with a title on the line, that’s nightmare fuel.
The rain begins to fall, light at first but then it picks up in intensity and I hold my arms out as it pours down. I raise my voice to be heard above the storm.
Mac: So ends the ballad of Cholo, so ends Cholo.
The rain is almost coming in sideways as I square my shoulders and brace myself with my legs.
Mac: This is the way.
Fade.
“The wolf does not pity the lamb. The storm begs no forgiveness of the drowned.” — Jay Kristoff
![](https://i.imgur.com/oPMPZA5.png)
The Storm Part 1
![](https://i.imgur.com/FdZUDN2.jpg)
[off-camera]
Oliver’s Bistro
Miami is a city of many things, diverse culture, rich history, and amazing food if you knew where to find it. Oliver’s was one of those places to find amazing food. This was not the reason for my being here but my stomach argued quite loudly about that fact.
Mac: The Cuban Paninni please.
The waitress took my order and I waited on my newest ally to arrive. Gabriel Baal was an interesting man, often viewed as one of the most evil men in our business. Few knew that the real danger there was making Eden angry. My exchanges with her on social media had always been amusing to say the least. She was Lucy Wyld’s best friend so I always went out of my way to treat her in a friendly manner. Gabriel, I had not always interacted with in a positive manner in our past. Even without knowing each other, “game recognizes game”, as they say. He was an amazing tactician, and he knew I was a man who lived his life without remorse or even an apology for the things I’d done. The things I had done, couldn’t hold a candle to the things I was prepared to do. There was indeed a storm coming, WGWF was not ready. I sat with my back to the wall at a corner table and saw Gabriel enter the facility. He spotted me instantly and approached the table. I stood up and shook his hand as he approached.
Mac: Welcome to South Beach, Gabriel.
He smiled that smile, very similar to my own feral smile I would give people who were about to get more than their feelings hurt. He flagged down the waitress and ordered his drink of choice.
Gabriel: Thank you. I have to say, the way you handled the Daniel situation is quite impressive. Based on what you told me, you’ve basically adopted another wayward child. A smart one, but you’ll do with it as you see fit. It is interesting to watch him follow your every move on social media. He is addicted to powerful people, I think. Another potential point of leverage to consider.
I nodded along with what he was saying, focused on what he was saying. If nothing else, I was a ravenous pupil. I would absorb every lesson he chose to share with me. I’m sure he knew that, and so he continued to make sure the tidbits of information were exactly that, small pieces. I wasn’t sure if he realized it or not, but I already had a very solid base when it came to manipulation. I didn’t think that Daniel was addicted to powerful people, my belief is that he is a kid with no real sense of direction. Or, he was trying to help his dad get the drop on me. Either was a possibility, but the fact that he trusted his Uncle Joe so much spoke louder than most things.
Mac: I’ll definitely keep that in mind. There’s a lot that could be done with that.
We sat in silence for a moment, but that was interrupted by the arrival of my sandwich. He smelled it and took the proffered menu from the young waitress. A beautiful brunette who when she saw Gabriel, I thought was going to swoon on the spot.
Waitress: I’ll give you some time to decide.
We waited until she was out of earshot before either of us spoke.
Mac: Doesn’t ever get old does it?
He studied me for a moment and looked like he was going to vehemently disagree with me, but then he stopped and smiled.
Gabriel: No, no it doesn’t.
I chuckled softly as I sipped some water from the glass on my side of the table.
Mac: You said you had wanted to talk to me about something, what’s on your mind?
For a moment I thought he was going to laugh out loud but instead he stifled it and evidently I’m a funny guy, the amusement was still very evident. The old saying about my mind being a dark and dangerous place hit me just then and I knew why he was so amused. I likely didn’t want to know what was on his mind, but he continued in spite of his amusement.
Gabriel: Ah yes, the why of it. I want you to visit my facility with me, and there’s a meeting. I need you to just be you, Mac.
I smirked at the statement, knowing all too well what he meant. It wasn’t an insult, he wanted my physical presence to deter someone from doing something stupid.
Mac:You want me to be a deterrent then? Sure, I’m game.
The waitress returned and he made his order as I thought about what I was about to get into. Gabriel’s world was a dangerous one, anyone who knew his reputation at all knew that. I was ready though, this was a sign of trust. Or, it might be him using me as a scapegoat should shit go south. Either way I was going to be all in on whatever would come my way.
Mac: Anything I need to know?
He smiled at my question, we were alike in that respect, the snark was always going to come out.
Mac: I’ll answer my own question, Yes there’s much I need to know but you’re going to give me that in small pieces.
He smiled again and then chuckled, he held up one finger to pause me there as he collected himself.
Mac: I don’t like games, Gabriel, but I do understand your reluctance to share information.
Fade.
Educating Daniel Part 2
[Hell’s Gate Wrestling School - Grand Junction, Colorado]
It was a crisp morning in Colorado, the metal tailgate I sat on reminded me of that fact. The cold seeped through the denim of my blue jeans, reminding me how much I dislike cold climates. I sipped coffee and smiled at the thought of Daniel training here. I was under the impression that he hadn’t made up his mind about the wrestling business. I wasn’t going to influence him one way or another but training here would guarantee a few things. If he chose wrestling, then he would be prepared for a match. If he didn’t choose wrestling then he would be prepared for a fight. He had a lot of nervous energy going at the moment, I didn’t blame him, he was going into something where he didn’t really know the people involved very well. I lit a cigarette and smiled as he continued to pace.
Mac: Daniel, relax, you’re safe here. This is one of the best schools you could hope to be accepted by.
He stopped pacing and looked at me.
Daniel: I’m not scared, Mac, I’ve just got all this energy and no outlet for it, yet.
I chuckled as two massive hands rested on his shoulders from behind. Daniel to his credit didn’t panic when he looked first to the left then to the right.
Mac: Daniel, meet Rene, formerly known as The Renegade. He is one of the finest wrestling trainers in the world today. Between him and Whisper they’ve helped create more world champions than you can imagine. He’s been looking forward to meeting you.
I was dying laughing inside, I knew that Rene had scared Daniel. A light form of hazing that we do with newbies to the school. Daniel had handled it like a pro though, and I was surprised and proud of him at the same time. Rene removed his hands from Daniel’s shoulders and smiled. Daniel turned to face Rene and offered a handshake which Rene returned promptly.
Daniel: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rene.
Rene smiled and clapped him on the shoulder.
Rene: You say that now, we’ll see how you feel after we work together.
He said that and shot me a wink. I shook my head and chuckled. Rene was a big teddy bear until you stepped in the ring with him, and then all bets were off. In his trainer mode, he was tough but always fair with students. There would be a feeling out process so he would know what Daniel’s limitations were. Strengths and weaknesses would show pretty quickly in the session, and we’d know more on how to proceed with his training. This was simply an assessment. One that would also help me gauge Daniel, it would show his mentality as a man. It would also show me how far I could push Austin before he snapped. I was looking forward to the experiment in front of us. Rene, of course had no idea what his role in this would be, he’d also never expected why I truly wanted Daniel to be trained here.
Mac: Don’t ruin him on the first day, big man. Let’s just run him through some basics and see how much of his original training he absorbed.
Rene put his hands on his hips and shot me a fake frown.
Rene: Aw, do you have to suck the fun out of this?
Mac: Yes, yes I do. I don’t want the lad to be broken when he goes back home. That’s for later if he gets too big for his britches.
Daniel looked back and forth at us as we bantered in a friendly way.
Daniel: I’m standing right here…
I crushed out the cigarette that had reached the filter, and I smiled as I slid forward enough to allow gravity to finish taking me off the truck bed.
Mac: We know, just messin’ with ya. Come on, I’ll show you around and you can get changed so we can get this thing started.
My heart smiled as we made our way inside, he wouldn’t expect what was coming. Austin and Toddy would try to dissuade him from continuing this association with me. He would fight them out of spite, and that’s one of the things that made this game so much fun. No one at the gate knew what I was up to or why. I’d keep that to myself for the time being. If I knew the family at all, they would encourage it, even applaud it but there was time to find that out later. For now, I was focussed on turning the son against the father. Amber had yet to meet Daniel as far as I know, so that would be the next step.
Fade.
The Ballad of Cholo
![](https://i.imgur.com/dl7Ri94.png)
South Beach, Miami Florida
I was bare to the waist, as I roamed the beach, with the sounds of my feet shuffling through the sand. A simple bandanna over my head, tied in the back to keep my hair back, and dark sunglasses to help manage the glare. I smiled as I looked out over the waves. Children laughing and enjoying the day. It was still quite warm in Florida, the beads of perspiration were beginning to form on my forehead. The camera had been rolling for a few minutes now and I finally decided to stop walking, and start speaking my mind.
Mac: The first round of the cannabis cup has come to a close. I faced and beat Kim Riddle, who is a baby sister to me. Not by blood, but by everything else that matters. It’s not just that I beat her, it’s the way I beat her. Now, like the great bard that I am, we begin the ballad of Cholo.
I look out at the horizon, a perfect day, sunny with a light breeze, and I sigh. Not a sigh of contentment but disgust.
Mac: Cholo is like a refreshing breeze on a sunny day. I look out here and not a single cloud in the sky, people within the WGWF locker room would like to believe the same thing. They prance around on social media like they’ve already won the tournament, like they have secured the number one contendership for the world heavyweight title.
I shake my head and bark a laugh.
Mac: Ha! After one round?
I chuckle a little more as I pull the shakes off so I can glare at the camera.
Mac: See, I came here to the beach to put me in the right frame of mind for my match against Cholo. Not that I needed any motivation at all. Why would I? I mean, if I remember correctly, he’s only lost one match in WGWF. He’s the Intercontinental Champion, and has defended against all who’ve stood before him. Except he’s never faced me.
The glare and my intensity increase as I think about that smiling jackass.
Mac: I don’t hate you, Cholo, but I do despise every single ounce of what you represent.
I spit on the ground to make certain I’m clear on the subject.
Mac: the fan favorite that can do no wrong in the eyes of anyone not named Austin Ramsey. Like a lot of people, he was convinced you were trying to steal his wife. You smoothed that over, so I guess you guys are buddies now?
I put my hands on my hips and smile.
Mac: Somehow I don’t think so. Regardless, he’s not a man of the people, but you are.
I allow my hands to drop back down by my side, the smile remains, but my voice is almost a growl.
Mac: You represent the people, the fans love Cholo. I guess you could say you’re the people's champ? Yeah, you are, in all your glory. They will get behind you in every match you have, always rallying their champion.
I smirk at the camera, because I’ve already planned for that.
Mac: What if that gets taken away from you, what if the crowd is stunned into silence because the unthinkable has happened. The sound of silence can be deafening, depending on the environment. Take an arena filled to capacity. Then imagine no one making a sound in that space as you get put down like the dog that you are. Every time they rally you, I’m going to knock the piss out of you to shut them up.
I smirk at the camera as a beach ball comes rolling to a stop not far away. A group of small kids comes running up. I snap my head in their direction and they all come to a stop. I don’t say anything at all but then they all ran back the way they had come.
Mac: I’ll break the heart of every fucking kid in that arena that looks up to you. That is my goal, Cholo, to silence the crowd and the critics. Like you, I’ve simply beaten everyone they have put in front of me in WGWF. Unlike you, I was not given title opportunities, they kept me out of the tournament that you won to be called a champion. When Bam and I beat Toddy and Austin for the tag straps, it wasn’t because we were invited or encouraged to do so. We made it clear that we deserved it. We took what we wanted without permission or applause. More importantly we did it without apology. We call that unapologetic violence, Cholo. Get familiar with the term, the archangel of violence is coming for your blood.
I take a few steps and kick the beachball back toward the kids and chuckle as none of them can catch it. The ball rolls out onto the breaking surf.
Mac: Those kids are like every other person in this tournament, they will all run chasing the prize. It’s just out of reach, because the ocean carries it away from them. I am that force of nature Cholo. I know before our match starts you’ll be back there terrified and thankful. You didn’t want to face me because you already know. I am that guy that can bring it all crashing down. Good thing your title isn’t on the line, huh?
Many of the vacationers were packing up and heading for higher ground and I laughed at the storm beginning to roll in.
Mac: Finally, a kindred spirit.
I began laughing, not in a manic way but more of a celebratory feel to it.
Mac: Oh, this storm is going to be glorious.
I point out to the horizon.
Mac: See all those boats out there? They are all using anchors right now to keep their vessel steady. A standard practice, among the sea faring people of the world. Much like the fans cling to you Cholo. Oh the irony…
I watched as one boat lost its anchor line and was flung into another, leaving the status of the crew in question. The wind intensifies, blowing the bandanna in a way that makes it snap in the wind behind me.
Mac: Tragic, isn’t it? Like you, the crew of those vessels thought they were ready. That’s the thing about storms, they can be so very unpredictable. I am that storm, Cholo, for anyone and everyone who holds a singles title in this company. Everyone knows, if you’re facing me with a title on the line, that’s nightmare fuel.
The rain begins to fall, light at first but then it picks up in intensity and I hold my arms out as it pours down. I raise my voice to be heard above the storm.
Mac: So ends the ballad of Cholo, so ends Cholo.
The rain is almost coming in sideways as I square my shoulders and brace myself with my legs.
Mac: This is the way.
Fade.