PROMO: Time Out

[Vasarian_Brandy 0]

With the SWF caravan traveling northbound from San Fran to Portland, I took the opportunity to

travel back up to Washington to visit some old friends. My not-so-hot restart into wrestling, combined with a less-than-stellar interview segment on AftershoX, had my mind ill at ease. I should’ve known that Hardy’s line of questioning would go in the direction it did, but...

 

It still shocked me. What he was implying and suggesting was... Frankly, it was too ridiculous, too insulting to even fathom.

 

But...

 

What if he was right?

 

I shook the thought from my head as I glanced at the in-dash guidance system. A left up here, and...

 

There it was. A small Tacoma gym that served as a second home for me for a few months way back when. The guy that ran the place was still a friend of mine, and someone I shared a lot with after I lost...

 

Lara.

 

Christ... I knew that coming back to the SWF was going to re-open old wounds, but...

 

This was a lot all at once.

 

I’m glad my friend agreed to see me. I parked my S2000, and stepped out. As is the norm in Washington, it was raining. I let it beat down on me for a few moments... It helped clear my thoughts a little bit. I walked though the door, and was greeted with the sounds of training... The grunts, slaps, footfalls on the mats, bodies off the ropes...

 

“For Pete’s sake! What do ya think you’re doin’?!?!” I found myself grinning at the voice. The most unmistakable part of a training session at this gym. I walked into the low-lit training area, and found James hard at work, chewing out one of his projects.

 

“Ya gotta watch th’ throws!” he was growling at a young man in the ring, who looked no more than 16. “If you’re nay careful, you’ll snap the guy’s neck!”

 

“James,” I responded, “You better watch it, old man... Young impressionable kid like that, you might give him ideas.” James turned, and his grizzled expression softened into a sincere smile.

 

“Chris, ya little shit!” He walked over to me, shook my hand, and then wrapped me in a bear hug that was steely strong for someone of his 55 years. “Ya shoulda called me before ya got here. I woulda had some space set aside for us t’ spar a bit!” I grinned like a fool.

 

“You know you couldn’t beat me even at half your age, old man.” We shared a laugh, then he turned to his gawking protege.

 

“What? Ya ain’t never seen a pro before? Hit th’ showers, kiddo! We’ll finish this after breakfast!”

 

“Yessir, Mister McPatrick!” The fresh-faced kid slipped under the ropes, grinning madly at me before taking off to the locker room area. James looked at me and motioned to his office.

 

“Y’know I always have th’ time for an ol’ friend, Chris. C’mon in.” I chuckled as we walked into the sparse office.

 

“How do you know I’m not just here for an ass-kicking before the next show?” He laughed.

 

“Nay, Chris... I dunna think ya need your ass kicked anymore than ya have recent.” He reached into the fridge, pulling out 2 bottles of Starbucks... Mocha Frapps, to be exact. I popped the top on mine as he looked me over, like the teacher he is and the student I once was.

 

“I know ya aren’t just here on a social visit, Chris. I’ve been watchin’ ya.” I shook my head. Should’ve known he’d be following me.

 

“Of course you know that,” I tried to counter with a weak smile. “I told you I needed to talk.”

 

“I knew that beforehand,” he said with a rueful smile. “I saw how ya started out... How that Clusterfuck went... How that interview went last night.” Damn him for being so observant.

 

“It hasn’t been easy on ya, has it?” He can't be serious...

 

“No, frankly it hasn’t!” I realized I had snapped the instant I finished, but James held up a hand.

 

“Nay, you’re right. It hasn’t been easy. But comin’ back t’ somethin’ ya haven’t done in a while never is.” He sighed, then shook his head at me, very fatherly-like. “Unfortunately, m’lad... Th’ past is something ya have t’ live with...” He poked me in the chest. “It’s part of what makes ya ‘you’...”

 

“Even the bad parts, huh?

 

“Aye, even th’ bad.” I sighed. It wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but...

 

In a way it was.

 

“Listen, lad... Th’ lass Lara... She taught ya how t’ live... How t’ love. Right?”

 

I could feel my heart wrenching as he spoke.

 

“Yeah.”

 

“And th’ Clan... They tried t’ use that all as a weakness. Took it away t’ harden ya, give ya your focus.”

 

“Focus my...” James looked at me for a moment, then said something that rocked me like a kick to the jaw.

 

“Ya did start t’ win titles after they got ya... Didn’t ya?”

 

If it had been anyone else, I would’ve taken their head off right then and there. But I knew this particular old man would still be ticking if I did. I felt my hands digging into the arms of the chair.

 

“You’re starting to sound like Ben Hardy, James.” I started to stand, but James lanced me with a steely grey gaze.

 

“Sit th’ fuck down, Christian. I’m nay done with ya yet.” The force behind his words made me pause. The only times he used this particular tone of voice were when he was trying to get a vital point across.

 

He used it when the student wasn’t listening.

 

I sat back down, begrudgingly, to hear him out.

 

“Now...” He sat back in his chair. “I know ya, Chris. Ya still feel for Lara. Ya never lost that. Am I strayin’ too far from th’ truth, lad?”

 

“No.”

 

“All th’ Clan did was bury it in a mountain of shite and torture-induced brainwashin’. After ya got away, who was there t’ take ya back?” A long pause.

 

“Lara was.”

 

“Aye... She was. Faithful til th’ day th’ Good Lord above brought her t’ be his angel.” My hands shook as I stayed quiet. I could feel James’ demeanor soften.

 

He knew I was listening now.

 

“Lad... Ya always had th’ drive, th’ ambition. Even without th’ Clan’s intervention... Ya know ya were startin’ t’ bring it around.” He chuckled softly. “I saw it with my own two eyes...” I couldn’t help but crack my lips up slightly.

 

“And I know that you’ve heard th’ fans behind ya since ya came back. Ya can’t ignore them forever. It’s nay like ya.” I shook my head.

 

“They’re not why I’m back, James. I came back to prove myself.”

 

“And why can’t they be a part o’ that?” He leaned forward, steepling his hands on the desk. “Chris, your greatest weapon is th’ love for th’ sport... Th’ respect ya have for everything that it is. Th’ fans are a part o’ that.” He leaned to poke at me again, over the heart.

 

“Ya have th’ drive, th’ ambition still. Th’ body may be rusty, but th’ mind has never lost th’ ability.” He grinned “Ya also don’t need a bunch o’ sunglass-wearin’, dark-coated, fancy-speakin’ sons o’ bitches to give ya your focus. You’ve always had it. Still do now.” I found my lips curled up into a smile.

 

“Yeah... Yeah, I suppose you’re right.” He grunted.

 

“Suppose nothin’. I know I’m right.” I laughed, and he looked at me, that steely serious gaze again.

 

“Question is, lad... Do ya know it yourself?” I looked at him in thought.

 

The Clan had given me focus and drive... Or, rather, they just exposed what was always there.

 

I knew that. Their hold on me and usefulness to me was no more.

 

Lara gave me belief in the better things in life.

 

But she was always with me... Even now.

 

The fans still believed. They backed me in this.

 

I looked up at James again.

 

I still had my friends.

 

Nothing had changed.

 

“Yes... I know it now.” James cracked a grin.

 

“Ya shoulda known it before... Maybe ya would be on a winnin’ streak.” I chuckled.

 

“Always the bottom line with you, isn’t it?”

 

“Aye. Ya know me too well.” I leaned back in the chair, taking a deep breath.

 

“Thanks, James... This... This is what I needed.”

 

“Dinna mention it, lad. Ya know I’m here for ya. Always have been.” I smiled and started to stand, but James held up a hand.

 

“Might I ask ya a favor though?” I raised an eyebrow, and nodded.

 

“Since ya want t’ include th’ crowd a wee bit more, ya may want to tweak your entrance... Just a wee bit. Play t’ th’ crowd some.” I popped both eyebrows up in mock surprise.

 

“You want me to be cocky and showboat?” He scoffed, a grin parting his lips.

 

“I want ya t’ show your appreciation t’ them for stickin’ with ya.” I nodded.

 

“Fair enough.”

 

“And...” I blinked, eyeing him as he pulled out an iPod with earbuds.

 

“While I like th’ tastes of music ya have,” he started, pushing some buttons on the tiny player. “I have somethin’ ya may want t’ use.” I rolled my eyes as he handed me the device. James’ tastes in music were much more... Classical... Mellow...

 

Gae... lic.

 

“Dinna be rollin’ your eye at me, lad. Just listen.” I nodded, and put the earbuds on... I figured I’d at least humor him. But when I pushed Play, and listened to what he had for me... I went wide-eyed with surprise. I hit Stop, and looked at his grinning face.

 

“I told ya so, lad.”

 

“Where did you come up with that???” He waved a hand dismissively.

 

“Th’ young lads and lasses that come through th’ doors... All different tastes in music.” He chuckled. “I’m nay as stodgy and set in my ways as ya and th’ others may think.” He winked, and I had no choice but to laugh.

 

“Alright... I’ll think about it. If I go with it, it won’t be until the show after this one.”

 

“Fair enough,” James parroted with a grin. “Now off with ya. Ya need t’ get some practice in, or else that rusty ass o’ yours will never get anywhere.” He shooed me out the main door with a laugh, but stopped and hugged me close.

 

“Fair winds be at your back, lad... And thanks for visitin’.”

 

“Thanks for your sage advice... Old man.” I was rewarded with a sparring box to the ears.

 

“Off with ya, before I put ya down in th’ parking lot here.” I laughed, and took my leave of James. And as I turned my S2000 back onto the main road, I saw the sun start to peek out from behind the clouds near the horizon.

 

It’s about how I felt now.

 

A new dawn.

 

And I’d be a fool not to take advantage.

[Justice 0]

Good promo. I love the reference back to the Clan, but as well how you've freed yourself of it. Plus, I like the addition of James as a confidant. I'm guessing we might see more of him in the future when Fury is in tough times...

[Toxxic 0]

I too like this. And I'll be intriged to see what entrance music is so great it requires its own promo to introduce it...

[Vasarian_Brandy 0]

Judge: Yeah, barring any sort of circumstances "beyond my control" (read as: Swerve!), James will be an on-going confidant. And if this losing streak somehow keeps going, he may become more involved.

 

Toxx: (Laughs) "Remember The Name" by Fort Minor. Somehow, I think it more appropriate. Not sure.

[Guest Evolution]

Toxx: (Laughs) "Remember The Name" by Fort Minor. Somehow, I think it more appropriate. Not sure.

 

Terrible song, good wrestling entrance music.

 

First-person promos are neat. Good stuff. Don't understand the Clan reference, but that comes with not reading much of anything SWF related off and on for a year.

[Vasarian_Brandy 0]

Terrible song, good wrestling entrance music.

 

First-person promos are neat. Good stuff. Don't understand the Clan reference, but that comes with not reading much of anything SWF related off and on for a year.

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking myself... I'm probably going to make the switch after this show.

 

And dude... This particular Clan stuff is back from the IGNML days... Like... 4 years ago.