Shell Shocked

[Christian Carter]

~My hands shake as I stand outside in the tiny kitchen of her new apartment. The rose behind my back digs in to my palm but it makes no difference. My head is somewhere else, my head isn’t worrying about Terrin Reign, or the Tag Team Titles but it’s in this moment now. Her apartment smells of new furniture and carpet as boxes are piled up in the hallways. There she is, and my breathe is gone~

Shelley: Well you look handsome

~I smirk and fling the rose from behind my back and shove it in her face nervously~

Christian Carter: Uh... Here I got you this.

Shelley: aw, Christian it’s beautiful.

Christian Carter: Wow.. You look amazing



~I cant help but stare at her as she blushes~

Shelley: Well come on, let’s go before they give our table away

~I open the door for her as we look out at the rainy sky.~

Shelley: Oh no, I don’t think I unpacked an umbrella yet.

Christian Carter: Here..

~I take my suit jacket off and put it over her head as we start running. I open the car door for her and swing around the other side and get in to the drivers side~

Shelley: It’s really coming down out there

Christian Carter: Yeah it is, it’s supposed to slow up by tonight though.

Shelley: So where are we going! Why won’t you tell me?

Christian Carter: It’s a surprise you have to wait!

~Shelley smiles and grabs my hand. We continue to drive on without speaking as Mumford and Sons plays through the stereo. We finally pull in to a fancy restaurant with a maroon awning and “Giovannis” in script up top.~

Shelley: No.. How did you get a table here? Oh my god! This is where we had our first date I cant believe you remember that!

Christian Carter: Of course I remember

~My hand still kind of shaking as I hand off my keys to the valet. She takes me hand again as the door man opens the door for us. The Hostess gives us a bright smile as we walk in and an orchestra plays on our left side.~

Hostess: Good evening sir, name please?

Christian Carter: Should be under Carter.

Hostess: Yes Mr. Carter table for two. Follow me right this way

~The table isn’t far and I pull out the seat for Shelley. I sit across and the hostess drops off menus in front of us~

Hostess: Your server will be right with you. Enjoy

Christian Carter: Thank you.

Shelley: Christian, this is amazing I can’t believe you would go through all this trouble for me.

Christian Carter: It was no trouble at all. I had to prove to you that I am a changed man and I can still be the Christian you fell in love with not the one.. You left.

~She flashes me a grin but I can see in her face that she’s upset~

Christian Carter: Sorry. Shelley I just really care about you and I don’t want to mess this up this time around.

~Over the orchestra I hear Fozzy’s Sandpaper and I look around until I realize it’s my phone~

Shelley: You know I think you have changed and I really like it.

~I scramble for my phone in these deep pockets and finally pull it out. On the screen is none other than the face that haunts me in my sleep~



Shelley: Is that your phone?

Christian Carter: Yeah sorry it’s Jake. I’ll let it go to voicemail.

~I put my phone on silent and leave it face down on the table~

Shelley: As I was saying. I...

~The phone starts vibrating on the table again and Shelley’s eyes burn a hole through my hand reaching towards it~

Shelley: Just answer it so he leaves us alone.

Christian Carter: Alright, I’m sorry this will only take a minute.

~I walk in to the lobby as the furry man on my phone screams for me to answer him~

Christian Carter: Hello?

Jake Cage: Christian! It’s Cage!

Christian Carter: Yeah I know who it is, what do you want im out with Shelley.

Jake Cage: Christian! I’m in trouble Christian!

Christian Carter: What do you mean Jake, I told you not to lose the straw attached to the capri sun!

Jake Cage: No no it’s not that! Im in serious trouble Christian!

Christian Carter: What on earth are you talking about Jake.

Jake Cage: I.. Well.... I may or may not have broke the toilet

Christian Carter: what do you mean you broke the toilet?

Jake Cage: There’s water everywhere! Im knee deep in poopy Christian you gotta come home now! My whole place is flooded!

Christian Carter: Jake I’m sure it’s fine. Jiggle the handle and it will be done with. Now let me get back to my date.

Jake Cage: Wait! No! Christian!

Christian Carter: What a dumbass

~Shelley is at the table with a glass of wine as I sit down and put my napkin back in my lap~

Christian Carter: Sorry Shells, phone is going off now.

Shelley: It’s alright. What did he want? Get his finger stuck in the toaster again?

Christian Carter: ha ha, no I think he learned that lesson the first time not to put animal crackers in there.

Shelley: I don’t understand how you two get along so well. You guys are complete polar opposites. He is doofy and not the sharpest and you are smart, good looking, and have a good head on your shoulders.

Christian Carter: Well you know what they say, opposites attract.

Shelley: I don’t know I think if you dropped him as a partner you can go to infinity in MPW. Look what happened when you started focusing on the tag team, you lost the Sin City Championship.

Christian Carter: We can’t blame that on him. I wasn’t focused enough and Primal got the best of me. Don’t worry I will get that title back soon enough. But for now the Tag Team titles seem in reach and we will take them from Violent Impact.

Shelley: This week again you have Terrin Reign. I’m nervous about you getting in the ring with someone like him. He’s dangerous and has no remorse for people as you’ve seen.

Christian Carter: Shelley, it’s going to be fine. He’s just another wrestler. You have seen what I’ve done in the past and I can do it again. I’m a former World Champion. Who is he? He’s just Justin Fischer’s tag partner.

Shelley: I know but I can’t help but worry. I just keep thinking back to your last match before the... The incident. I was legitimately scared for your life that night and I never want to see that happen again to you.

Christian Carter: I was in bad shape than. I was sick and I wasn’t all there. You know I am clean now and I can get back on top

~The waiter comes over with a bottle of wine~

Waiter: Some wine sir?

Christian Carter: Umm.. No thanks ill have a water please

~The waiter turns and walks away with his nose up~

Christian Carter: Listen, all im saying is don’t worry about me out there I will be fine. I have already scratched and clawed my way back up to the top and I don’t plan on falling down anytime soon even if im up against MPW’s baddest mother fucker.

Shelley: Christian.. Watch your language. Did you learn that from Jake too?

Christian Carter: No? It’s a word people use when they get mad and right now im getting kinda heated. And what does that have to do with Jake? I don’t understand why you still don’t like him.

Shelley: I never said I don’t like him I just think he is a horrible influence on you and your recovery.

Christian Carter: I’m not recovering Shelley im recovered. I’m not going back to that dark place I left two years ago. The Christian in front of you is the Christian that’s staying.

Shelley: Okay Okay, im sorry I said that.

Christian Carter: Let’s just forget it and have a good time. Okay?

Shelley: Okay.

~Shelley smiles at me as her big beautiful eyes flutter. The waiter steps back in and we place our order~

Shelley: I’ll have the Salmon please.

Waiter: And for you sir.

Christian Carter: I’ll have the 12 ounce Sirloin please.

Waiter: Very good choice. I will go put that in for you.

~The waiter takes our menus and its back to just me and Shelley with the world shut out~

Shelley: So what’s your gameplan with Terrin?

Christian Carter: I’ve learned that having no game plan is the best game plan. I don’t know much about this guy so I can’t target his weaknesses or know his strengths so if I go out there not showing my weaknesses and using my strengths I should be able to pull off a win.

Shelley: I guess that can work

Christian Carter: I know it can work. It’s how I won the title to begin with. Don’t worry about me Shelley. The more you worry the less confident I will be.

Shelley: okay okay I’m sorry.

Christian Carter: don’t worry about it. Heres to us.

~Christian holds up his glass of water and Shelley her glass of wine and they clink glasses. The scene fades~

==========================================================

~Christian pulls up to Shelleys apartment and puts his car in park~

Shelley: Im so happy we got to go out like we used to Christian.

Christian Carter: Me too. I hope we can do it again soon.

Shelley: I think we can arrange that.

~I think we can arrange that. That’s a good thing that means she wants to see me again. I think we finally got this back on track. She’s leaning in closer and closer. Our lips finally touching. She backs off and smiles at me~

Shelley: Come in for some coffee

~Well you don’t have to tell me twice. I take the key out of the ignition and I walk around to open the door for her. She takes my hand and leads me inside. My phone begins vibrating again but I quickly silence it and put it back in my pocket.~

Shelley: Make yourself comfortable I’ll be right back

~I take out my phone as Shelley walks in to her bedroom. I see a text from Jake~

New iMessage from Cager

Cager: Where are you!

Cager: Christian!

Cager: lkasdjflkasjdck.amxz.cjdsaf

Cager: Dude Help!

Cager: .... I see you! HAHA!

~He sees me? What the...~

Jake Cage: CANNONBALL!

~Jake jumps on to the couch next to me as I get furious~

Christian Carter: Jake! What the hell! What are you doing here? How did you get in?

Jake Cage: Oh don’t worry I didn’t break in, she leaves a key under the mat. So typical it’s where everyone leaves it. First placed I looked!

~Jake holds up a gold key and I snatch it out of his hand and put it on the table next to me~

Christian Carter Jake you gotta go, you shouldn’t be here!

Jake Cage: Christian I been calling you! The plumbing got bad! I was swimming in my apartment. There was a poop floating next to me

Shelley: Christian.... Come in here.

Christian Carter: Jake listen. You have to leave. I’ll be right there!

Jake Cage: What is she doing in there? Why does she need you in there? Is she okay?! Does she need me to save her!? Christian ill save your women for you!

~Jake goes to run past me in to the room but I stick my arm out to stop him~

Christian Carter: Jake no. You have to leave NOW!

Jake Cage: Well fine, you don’t gotta get all pissy!

~Finally Jake walks towards the front door. I take off my tie and walk in to the bed room.~



Christian Carter: wow.. I mean...... Wow

Shelley: Stop... Come over here. It’s been a while.

~I walk over to her and she pulls me on top of her and begins kissing me again~

Shelley: I missed you Christian.

Jake Cage: Hey Christian, I forgot my... WOE HUBBA HUBBA!

Shelley: WHAT THE HELL!

~Shelley grabs a pillow and covers herself with it as Jake stands in the doorway with his eyes widened~

Christian Carter: Jake what the hell man!? Why are you still here?!

Shelley: Still here? He was here before?

Christian Carter: Yeah he was in here when we got here. He had a flood in his house, long story.

Shelley: He broke in to my house Christian? Are you serious? Why aren’t you mad about this?

Christian Carter: I don’t know.. Its Jake.

Jake Cage: Shelley listen.. I was ankle deep in poopy but if you just let me use your shower the smell will be gone..

Shelley: EW! Christian tell him to leave!

~I stand there staring at Jake laughing as I feel Shelley’s eyes burn a hole through my head~

Shelley: Umm Christian? Are you going to say anything?

Christian Carter: ha ha ha Jake you smell like a dumpster.

Jake Cage: dude it was horrible! My apartment is basically gone. It’s okay I saved my valuables. My lucky paper clip and a box of hot pockets.

Shelley: CHRISTIAN!? TELL HIM TO GET OUT NOW!

Christian Carter: My god I forgot much you can sound like nails on a chalk board when you yell.

Shelley: Are you kidding me right now Christian? You aren’t going to say anything to make him leave?

Christian Carter: Come on look at the guy! He’s covered in shit and smells like a horse. You gotta laugh at that.

Shelley: I don’t think it’s funny Christian. If you don’t make him leave than you leave too.

~I look at Jake and I look back at Shelley with her arms folded and a scowl on her face. Suddenly the face reminds me of the day she left and how careless she was when I needed her the most. I pick up my suit jacket and her eyes widen. ~

Shelley: you can’t be serious?

Christian Carter: Goodbye Shelley. This just isn’t meant to be anymore

~I walk out of the room as she jumps up to follow me~

Shelley: You know if you walk out you can never come back right? It’s over we are done.

Christian Carter: Yeah Shelley, I know what it means. Have a good life.

~Opening the front door I feel a weight lifted off my shoulder. I know that it wasn’t meant to be. It’s raining out again as I walk out the door with Cage following close behind~

Shelley: You haven’t changed at all Christian.

~I turn around as the rain soaks my suit and look at Shelley for the last time~

Christian Carter: You know what Shelley... I might not have changed but you can still be the biggest bitch I ever met.

~Shelley’s jaw drops as I turn around to walk to my car. I open the drivers seat and step in. Jake jumps in to the passenger side. I start the car and stare straight at the windshield.~

Jake Cage: Christian... You okay?

~I could do nothing except burst out laughing as Jake looks confused~

Christian Carter: Jake.. You smell like shit

~Jake starts laughing as do I. I pull away~

Jake Cage: soo... I don’t know if now is a good time but I kinda need a place to stay...

Christian Carter: I figured that question was coming. As long as you shower, you are more than welcome

~Jake reaches over and wraps his arms around me as I swerve around~

Christian Carter: JAKE!

Jake Cage: Sorry.. I just got excited. Think I peed a little.

Christian Carter: Let go watch the Cardinals game

Jake Cage: Buffalo Wild Wings!?

Christian Carter: Damn right!

Jake Cage: WOOO!!!!

~Scene fades as they drive off~