PROMO: Ancient History

[Toxxic 0]

PROMO: Ancient History

 

Atlanta, Georgia

 

Early 2002

 

 

"Toxx, you know you're too young to drink, right?"

 

The question is being asked by Karl Winter, a young man of 22 with an earnest expression, pale blonde hair and a can of lager in his own hand. It's his apartment - well, he's the one who rents it - and as a result he gets the privilege of the armchair to himself. Also in the small living room is a TV, currently showing a popular sitcom, a small coffee table with an assortment of snack foods and nibbles on it, and a three-seater sofa. At one end of the sofa is a pretty girl with full lips and lazy eyes, absent-mindedly winding a strand of hair around her finger as she watches the TV. At the other end is a 19 year-old with spiky black hair, nail varnish and eyeliner who finishes the swig he's taking of his beer, giving Karl a middle-fingered salute as a counterpoint.

 

"Bite me Karl," Toxxic grins, stifling a belch, "I've been old enough to legally drink for a year. It's not my fault if this country doesn't know it."

 

"I still can't believe people can drink at eighteen over there," Karl says, shaking his head in mock-despair. Toxxic laughs. "Eighteen?" the Englishman sniggers, "that's only how old the law says you have to be. I've been drinking since I was fifteen," he informs his host, "you just have to know where to go." He focuses on the TV. "Hey, Livvy," he says, addressing the girl, "I've lost track. What series is this? Who's sleeping with who now?"

 

"I'm not sure," Livvy says, bringing her knees up to her chest and hugging them, "I'm waiting to see if Richard has a moustache or not. I'll know then."

 

It's at this point that the living room door opens and the last member of the quartet walks in. Taller and more heavily-built than the other three, Gabriel Drake has short dark hair and mischievous hazel eyes. He jumps over the back of the sofa and lands in the middle, the impact jolting Livvy and causing her to fall sideways into him, where she grins and hugs him... and spilling lager down Toxxic's front.

 

"Bloody hell!" Toxxic groans, "yeah, cheers Gabe."

 

"Hey man, I'm sorry," Drake instantly apologises, getting up and looking around, "Karl, you got any tissue anywhere?"

 

"Kitchen," Winter replies, jerking a thumb. Both Gabe and Toxxic head for the door, which leads to a playful barging match to see who can get through first. Gabe wins, and stumbles into the kitchen ahead of the Englishman.

 

"God," Drake says as he looks around, "you know I love my mom, right? But I wish she didn't talk so much!"

 

"You've been on the phone to her all this time?" Toxxic asks, astonished, "bloody hell mate, how come your parents live a spit away and phone you every other day, and I don't hear from mine for two weeks at a time?" He shrugs, then spies the kitchen tissue and grabs some to start mopping himself down.

 

"Yeah, I know," Drake grins ruefully. "It gets better too; I gotta go back for a week. Wedding anniversary."

 

"You're shitting me!" Toxxic says, "a week? You'll miss our first show!"

 

"I know," Gabe says, "but there's nothing I can do. I mean, my old man knows how much it means to me, but it's their 25th and the whole clan's coming. And aside from dad, no-one else cares much about my wrestling career, so..." he shrugs helplessly.

 

"Bloody hell," Toxxic says again, chewing his lip, "that's bollocks, mate. An' it was meant to be you me and Karl all tagging together an' all."

 

"I know," Gabe says again. "Family sucks. But hey," he says, "maybe you'll have to miss a show sometime when your sister graduates, or something!"

 

"You what!?" Toxxic splutters, "Amy? Yeah, she'll graduate," he grins, "with a 2:1. Two black eyes, and one hangover. Tell you, that girl..." he shakes his head and turns to go back into the living room, but Drake catches his arm.

 

"Listen, I wanna ask you a favour," he says quietly.

 

"Sure," Toxxic nods.

 

"At the show... there's gonna be a load of guys around, wrestlers and all sorts," Gabe says, looking like he feels slightly foolish but soldiering on nonetheless, "can you... watch out for Livvy?"

 

"You what?"

 

"Take care of her!" Gabe hisses, "you know what the lockerrooms and stuff can be like, you've heard the same stories I have. Just keep an eye on her, make sure no-one messes with her?" he finishes hopefully. Toxxic grins and shakes his head.

 

"Gabe, mate," he says good-humouredly, "Livvy's training to be a wrestler too, in case you hadn't noticed. Any bloke who touches her without her wanting him to is probably gonna lose an arm." He takes another look at his friend's face, and sobers up. "Yeah, sure. I don't reckon anything'll happen or owt, but I'll watch out for her."

 

"Promise?"

 

"Jesus, I promise," Toxxic grins, "take it easy mate! She ain't looking at anyone else, and she'll let 'em know it." He claps the bigger man on the shoulder, then reaches into the fridge for a new beer. "Now come on, I want to worry Karl with my law-breaking ways…"

[Smartly Pretty 0]

Amy references rock.