Post by darkdisciple on Jul 8, 2012 3:34:24 GMT -5
Reposting this here so that it counts for the event.
The room is deathly quiet, around me are the many talented wrestlers of the NYCCW… well, the ones of us that are left. After the backstage drama, it seemed like we had been losing people left and right. It had left NYCCW without three of its Champions. One of them being my tag partner. It was a shame, when we had started tagging, well… I guess it was one of those things you thought would work out, but apparently it wasn’t enough for him. He started telling me I was lazy, me of all people, lazy! I had told him it wasn’t how much you did, but that you did what you needed to, and you focused on it. He had told me I would never be anything with a mindset like that.
Something tells me he was wrong…
Of course, he had been in the middle of what had torn apart the NYCCW roster, then again, what I should have expected from him, he left too. He left behind me, his fans, and his federation, but in the end, maybe that was for the best. Maybe he had just been an attention seeker. His conversations always seemed to revolve around him, and him alone. How he was straight-edge, even though he admitted to frequently breaking most of the straight-edge beliefs. He was a loving husband, even though he told me stories of times in the closet of his dungeon with sixteen year old girls… He must have told me about his past a on twenty separate occasions, and I never particularly enjoyed it. I think he was looking for sympathy, but he looked in the wrong place if he thought a tragic backstory would shock someone like me. I have my own issues with my past, but they’re my problems, and I’m not going to shove them in everyone else’s face hoping for attention and sympathy. I guess I didn’t know what I was in for when I signed up for that team. But now I was standing in the executive boardroom of NYCCW, holding half of a now meaningless title.
Well, almost meaningless, it was still mine…
To my left was Drake Hunter, someone I hadn’t really known all that well. Our paths had never really crossed. But from what I understood he was a nice enough guy. He also held a belt, which meant just as little as my own. But his attention was on the man sitting in a chair in the center of the room, at the head of the table. William Turner, or Hacker to his friends, had been chuckling and muttering to himself for the past ten minutes. He had called the entire roster to the meeting for a special announcement, something none of us were particularly looking forward to. Around him were various other suits in the company, most of whom looked sick to their stomach. Finally Old Flabbypants looked up at the rough dozen of us who were left. A twisted smile appeared on his face.
“So this is where we’re left? Fine, fine, fine, we can still work with this, we don’t need to worry about those traitors, we’re better off without all that backstage drama, this is a BUSINESS, AND WE WILL KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL!!!”
His eyes flew to Drake, and his face twitched a bit. Turner’s stare was locked on Drake for an awkward minute before a board member began to speak.
”What… um… Mr. Turner means, is that we’re very happy that you have all elected to stay here with the NYCCW, unfortunately things are going to be very difficult from here on out, in fact, the board has been toying with the idea of jumping ship on the company and walking away with our current profits. We see very little reason to continue…
REVENGE! I will… not… be… denied… my… revenge!
Give it up you idiot.
All of the heads in the room turned towards Drake, the man who had spoken. A cold smirk was on his face.
It’s clear that this place is done. You’ve lost half the staff, you’ve lost half your roster, you failed. Your whole little scheme to get at me has blown up in your face. You’ve lost Will, there’s nothing you can do about it.
Turner’s whole face turned red for a few seconds, then he roared in anger as he flew from his chair, arms outstretched towards Drake’s neck. I stepped out in front of Drake and threw my shoulder into Turner. At the same time, Big Jack Grizzly did the same. We were the two biggest guys in the company, so it didn’t take much for us to send Turner back to his seat. The whole board had flown to their feet during the incident, and hurried whispers were passed around, followed by nods.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for all of your hard work and dedication, unfortunately, at this time we at the NYCCW have decided it will be smarter for us to close down the entire company and liquidate its assets. If you have any company property valued at under a million, you are welcome to keep it. We will pay out your contracts for your time spent fulfilling them, and once again, thank you for being a part of this. Good bye, and good luck.
Turner kept struggling as we headed out the door, shouting insults at us as we filed out. I found myself beside Drake again as we headed for the elevator.
So, what’s the plan for your belt?
Oh, I’ll probably take it home. My sisters have a little display case idea they want to put together. You know, girls and decorating.
Yeah, I have a trophy case I carry from apartment to apartment, it’ll find a place in there I’m sure. So you’re heading back to Germany?
Of course, no real point in staying here. The indies here and the indies in Germany pay the same.
You’re going back to the indies in Germany?
Yeah, what else could I do? It’s not like I was offered a contract anywhere else. Plus it costs a lot to live out of a hotel overseas.
Apostle, I don’t know if you are aware of this, but you’re a damn fine wrestler. I’d be shocked if none of the places here wouldn’t love to have you.
Did you have a place in mind?
Actually, Lexi just told me yesterday that she was talking to this guy Bill Adams, apparently he’s putting this place together in Vegas, and they need a full roster. You know, I’ve always been disappointed we never got to work together. It must sound like a dream match to a lot of people.
Drake hands me a business card with a phone number listed on the front. A big, purple logo with the letters MPW plastered across the front dominated most of the card.
Believe me, the feeling is mutual. Thanks for this Drake, I’ll think about it. Wherever you do end up, good luck.
Same to you. See you around Kried.
I watch as Drake heads off into the New York City crowd. I stand there for a minute, mulling over his words, then raise my hand to hail a taxi, and head back to my hotel room.
Back at my hotel room, I look around at my now nearly empty room. I had been staying here for the past four months, it didn’t sound that long, but this was home. I didn’t like leaving. I had been in this position plenty of times before, I had been part of plenty of promotions that had risen up quickly and fallen just as suddenly, it was always a shock, but it was the nature of the business. I had been all over Europe before catching a break in the American circuit, I had been bouncing around between short lived places ever since.
My eyes fell to the card Drake had handed me, it was sitting on the table, alongside my various possessions.
Why should this MPW be any different? What would keep it alive longer than the other places?
They have Drake and Electra, that’s a good start. And it sounds like they were going for some other big names. Maybe they could pull it off.
What would prevent it from imploding, just like NYCCW?
Turner wasn’t there, that was a good starting point. Pumpkinhead was gone too. At some point you just had to decide the people around you were always going to have some reason to hate someone else, and everyone just had to deal with it. But at the same time, I could find a local place back home, get a job there, take some much needed time off, be with my family…
I needed to ask them. It wouldn’t be fair to do anything else without them. I hadn’t seen either of them for nearly half a year.
Oh come on, you know who I’m talking about, I talk about them all the time don’t I? You probably think I’m a little crazy, I probably am. It has to do with my tragic backstory, but I already said I wasn’t going into that, let’s just say I’m a caring older brother and leave it at that.
I grab my cell phone and hit Kamie’s name on the contacts list. I had an international call plan thankfully, otherwise I wouldn’t have any money at all. The ringing stopped abruptly and her voice came on the other side.
Kurt? What the hell?
She sounded pissed…
This had better be important, it’s three in the morning you idiot!
I glanced at the clock… I guess I had forgotten the Time difference, it was easy to forget which way the six hours went. I could have sworn…
Kurt, you had better start talking, if you seriously woke me up NOW because you sat on your phone I will…
Sheesh! Alright, calm down. Sorry, I forgot it was later there. But this is important I swear. It’s about my job.
Yeah… the place closed down right? I heard about that. It sucks, but I’m sure you can find another place to work at right?
I thought about it, I probably could… one of the guys told me about this place he’s heading to, but it’s even further away, I was thinking maybe I should go back instead…
Back… back meaning here?
Yeah, I mean it’s always been bothering me that I’m never there for you two… I don’t really think I should ever have left. I’ve been pretty selfish this whole time, this is a chance for me to make it right, go back where I belong, get a job at one of the local places, or at the gym or something.
Kurt… listen to me okay?
I nod, which I realize is a stupid thing to do on the phone, but I’m sure I’m not the first person to have that reflex.
Having to do things here without you has been tough, it has been for both of us, but you’re doing more for us than you think. We’ve always found a way to watch your show together, it’s one of those things that Ti and myself both look forward to every week. We love seeing you there, living out your dream, being what you always wanted to be, and doing it in front of a bunch of people who all think what we’ve always known, that you’re a great guy, who really loves being everything he can be. I know it sounds different coming from your sister, but you are one of the best wrestlers I’ve ever seen, people love getting to see you. You’ve made people smile, and I know that’s what you care about. I don’t want you to think we don’t want you here with us, but… I think you need to be there more than we need you to be here.
It took me some time to think about that. It had been what I wanted to here, but I also knew it was what Kamie knew I wanted to hear… I had to…
Can you put Tija on?
Kurt, it’s three in the morning, she’s asleep.
Wake her up please.
Kurt, she has classes tomorrow
I thought she was on vacation?
She got a 3 in science and she wanted to re-take it. So let her sleep, what do you need to talk to her about anyway?
It’s important enough. Wake her up.
Kurt, I’m not going to…
If you don’t I’m coming home tomorrow to ask her myself.
There was a pause on her end this time. I knew Kamie, I knew she was mad at me right now, but she also meant what she had said earlier. She didn’t want me to leave my dream behind. She cared enough about me to tell me to do what I wanted more than what she wanted. But that wasn’t enough for me. Tija was just as much my sister as Kamie, and I needed to hear what they both wanted.
Sigh… fine, but don’t you dare keep her awake too long.
I won’t, I promise.
The next few minutes all I heard was scuffling about, but eventually I heard a very sleepy sounding girl’s voice on the other end.
Hmmmnnn??
Hey there Ti, es ist deiner alter brüder, your older brother.
Mmmnnh.
Sorry for waking you up, but I had something really important I needed to ask you.
Mmm Hmmm?
This wasn’t going to work if she didn’t wake up. I wasn’t even sure if she knew who she was talking to… I guess I had been the same when I was 9, so I was hardly one to talk.
Ti, if you’re that sleepy you can go on back to sleep, sorry I woke you up…
No! No, I… I’m sorry, I’m sleepy… but, you can ask me… if you still want to… what is it?
Well, I have to make a choice… see, the place I’m working at? It just closed down for good.
Oh no! That’s awful!
It happens, I’m not too worried, but… there’s another place in America that I might be able to work for. One of the other guys said he’d help me get in.
Oh! That’s great, so you can keep wrestling? That makes me happy!
But, I was thinking it might be better for me to come home instead.It’s been too long since I saw you guys and…
No!
The sharp response surprised me, it had come out without the tired tone she had been using,, instead, it was clear, and harsh, and very determined sounding.
What do you mean? I thought you’d want to see me.
I do… I want to see you when I get to go to America.
You know I can’t promise that will ever happen. I told you that.
It will, I’m going to work for it until it happens. You can do anything if you work hard enough right?
Yes, I did tell you that didn’t I?
So you need to keep working to. You can become the best wrester ever! I just know it, if you have to be away from us to do it, then you need to do what you want to do, and I know you want to stay there. Don’t worry about us, do what you want to do for once.
I think about it for a bit. She’s right, if I had to choose what I wanted to do, I would stay here and do what I love… and I’d do it in such a way that I could touch as many lives as possible. But I still didn’t want to believe that I was really that selfish.
Kamie says I need to go back to bed now…
Yes, yes you do. Good night Ti, and good luck with studying tomorrow.
Good night!
I hang up the phone and sit on the edge of the hotel bed for a while. Everything going on in my head was going at full speed. I stare at the business card for MPW. I was drawn to it like men to a Spanish lady, I tried to resist it, but deep down, I knew it was what I wanted, and it was what my family wanted for me.
I picked up the card and exhaled deeply. I hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath, but a sense of confirmation swept over me. This was the right thing to do. I dialed the number…
Hello, Mr. Adams? Yes, I’m… well, I’m Apostle Kried… Oh? You know me? Well that's a good start...
The room is deathly quiet, around me are the many talented wrestlers of the NYCCW… well, the ones of us that are left. After the backstage drama, it seemed like we had been losing people left and right. It had left NYCCW without three of its Champions. One of them being my tag partner. It was a shame, when we had started tagging, well… I guess it was one of those things you thought would work out, but apparently it wasn’t enough for him. He started telling me I was lazy, me of all people, lazy! I had told him it wasn’t how much you did, but that you did what you needed to, and you focused on it. He had told me I would never be anything with a mindset like that.
Something tells me he was wrong…
Of course, he had been in the middle of what had torn apart the NYCCW roster, then again, what I should have expected from him, he left too. He left behind me, his fans, and his federation, but in the end, maybe that was for the best. Maybe he had just been an attention seeker. His conversations always seemed to revolve around him, and him alone. How he was straight-edge, even though he admitted to frequently breaking most of the straight-edge beliefs. He was a loving husband, even though he told me stories of times in the closet of his dungeon with sixteen year old girls… He must have told me about his past a on twenty separate occasions, and I never particularly enjoyed it. I think he was looking for sympathy, but he looked in the wrong place if he thought a tragic backstory would shock someone like me. I have my own issues with my past, but they’re my problems, and I’m not going to shove them in everyone else’s face hoping for attention and sympathy. I guess I didn’t know what I was in for when I signed up for that team. But now I was standing in the executive boardroom of NYCCW, holding half of a now meaningless title.
Well, almost meaningless, it was still mine…
To my left was Drake Hunter, someone I hadn’t really known all that well. Our paths had never really crossed. But from what I understood he was a nice enough guy. He also held a belt, which meant just as little as my own. But his attention was on the man sitting in a chair in the center of the room, at the head of the table. William Turner, or Hacker to his friends, had been chuckling and muttering to himself for the past ten minutes. He had called the entire roster to the meeting for a special announcement, something none of us were particularly looking forward to. Around him were various other suits in the company, most of whom looked sick to their stomach. Finally Old Flabbypants looked up at the rough dozen of us who were left. A twisted smile appeared on his face.
“So this is where we’re left? Fine, fine, fine, we can still work with this, we don’t need to worry about those traitors, we’re better off without all that backstage drama, this is a BUSINESS, AND WE WILL KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL!!!”
His eyes flew to Drake, and his face twitched a bit. Turner’s stare was locked on Drake for an awkward minute before a board member began to speak.
”What… um… Mr. Turner means, is that we’re very happy that you have all elected to stay here with the NYCCW, unfortunately things are going to be very difficult from here on out, in fact, the board has been toying with the idea of jumping ship on the company and walking away with our current profits. We see very little reason to continue…
REVENGE! I will… not… be… denied… my… revenge!
Give it up you idiot.
All of the heads in the room turned towards Drake, the man who had spoken. A cold smirk was on his face.
It’s clear that this place is done. You’ve lost half the staff, you’ve lost half your roster, you failed. Your whole little scheme to get at me has blown up in your face. You’ve lost Will, there’s nothing you can do about it.
Turner’s whole face turned red for a few seconds, then he roared in anger as he flew from his chair, arms outstretched towards Drake’s neck. I stepped out in front of Drake and threw my shoulder into Turner. At the same time, Big Jack Grizzly did the same. We were the two biggest guys in the company, so it didn’t take much for us to send Turner back to his seat. The whole board had flown to their feet during the incident, and hurried whispers were passed around, followed by nods.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for all of your hard work and dedication, unfortunately, at this time we at the NYCCW have decided it will be smarter for us to close down the entire company and liquidate its assets. If you have any company property valued at under a million, you are welcome to keep it. We will pay out your contracts for your time spent fulfilling them, and once again, thank you for being a part of this. Good bye, and good luck.
Turner kept struggling as we headed out the door, shouting insults at us as we filed out. I found myself beside Drake again as we headed for the elevator.
So, what’s the plan for your belt?
Oh, I’ll probably take it home. My sisters have a little display case idea they want to put together. You know, girls and decorating.
Yeah, I have a trophy case I carry from apartment to apartment, it’ll find a place in there I’m sure. So you’re heading back to Germany?
Of course, no real point in staying here. The indies here and the indies in Germany pay the same.
You’re going back to the indies in Germany?
Yeah, what else could I do? It’s not like I was offered a contract anywhere else. Plus it costs a lot to live out of a hotel overseas.
Apostle, I don’t know if you are aware of this, but you’re a damn fine wrestler. I’d be shocked if none of the places here wouldn’t love to have you.
Did you have a place in mind?
Actually, Lexi just told me yesterday that she was talking to this guy Bill Adams, apparently he’s putting this place together in Vegas, and they need a full roster. You know, I’ve always been disappointed we never got to work together. It must sound like a dream match to a lot of people.
Drake hands me a business card with a phone number listed on the front. A big, purple logo with the letters MPW plastered across the front dominated most of the card.
Believe me, the feeling is mutual. Thanks for this Drake, I’ll think about it. Wherever you do end up, good luck.
Same to you. See you around Kried.
I watch as Drake heads off into the New York City crowd. I stand there for a minute, mulling over his words, then raise my hand to hail a taxi, and head back to my hotel room.
Back at my hotel room, I look around at my now nearly empty room. I had been staying here for the past four months, it didn’t sound that long, but this was home. I didn’t like leaving. I had been in this position plenty of times before, I had been part of plenty of promotions that had risen up quickly and fallen just as suddenly, it was always a shock, but it was the nature of the business. I had been all over Europe before catching a break in the American circuit, I had been bouncing around between short lived places ever since.
My eyes fell to the card Drake had handed me, it was sitting on the table, alongside my various possessions.
Why should this MPW be any different? What would keep it alive longer than the other places?
They have Drake and Electra, that’s a good start. And it sounds like they were going for some other big names. Maybe they could pull it off.
What would prevent it from imploding, just like NYCCW?
Turner wasn’t there, that was a good starting point. Pumpkinhead was gone too. At some point you just had to decide the people around you were always going to have some reason to hate someone else, and everyone just had to deal with it. But at the same time, I could find a local place back home, get a job there, take some much needed time off, be with my family…
I needed to ask them. It wouldn’t be fair to do anything else without them. I hadn’t seen either of them for nearly half a year.
Oh come on, you know who I’m talking about, I talk about them all the time don’t I? You probably think I’m a little crazy, I probably am. It has to do with my tragic backstory, but I already said I wasn’t going into that, let’s just say I’m a caring older brother and leave it at that.
I grab my cell phone and hit Kamie’s name on the contacts list. I had an international call plan thankfully, otherwise I wouldn’t have any money at all. The ringing stopped abruptly and her voice came on the other side.
Kurt? What the hell?
She sounded pissed…
This had better be important, it’s three in the morning you idiot!
I glanced at the clock… I guess I had forgotten the Time difference, it was easy to forget which way the six hours went. I could have sworn…
Kurt, you had better start talking, if you seriously woke me up NOW because you sat on your phone I will…
Sheesh! Alright, calm down. Sorry, I forgot it was later there. But this is important I swear. It’s about my job.
Yeah… the place closed down right? I heard about that. It sucks, but I’m sure you can find another place to work at right?
I thought about it, I probably could… one of the guys told me about this place he’s heading to, but it’s even further away, I was thinking maybe I should go back instead…
Back… back meaning here?
Yeah, I mean it’s always been bothering me that I’m never there for you two… I don’t really think I should ever have left. I’ve been pretty selfish this whole time, this is a chance for me to make it right, go back where I belong, get a job at one of the local places, or at the gym or something.
Kurt… listen to me okay?
I nod, which I realize is a stupid thing to do on the phone, but I’m sure I’m not the first person to have that reflex.
Having to do things here without you has been tough, it has been for both of us, but you’re doing more for us than you think. We’ve always found a way to watch your show together, it’s one of those things that Ti and myself both look forward to every week. We love seeing you there, living out your dream, being what you always wanted to be, and doing it in front of a bunch of people who all think what we’ve always known, that you’re a great guy, who really loves being everything he can be. I know it sounds different coming from your sister, but you are one of the best wrestlers I’ve ever seen, people love getting to see you. You’ve made people smile, and I know that’s what you care about. I don’t want you to think we don’t want you here with us, but… I think you need to be there more than we need you to be here.
It took me some time to think about that. It had been what I wanted to here, but I also knew it was what Kamie knew I wanted to hear… I had to…
Can you put Tija on?
Kurt, it’s three in the morning, she’s asleep.
Wake her up please.
Kurt, she has classes tomorrow
I thought she was on vacation?
She got a 3 in science and she wanted to re-take it. So let her sleep, what do you need to talk to her about anyway?
It’s important enough. Wake her up.
Kurt, I’m not going to…
If you don’t I’m coming home tomorrow to ask her myself.
There was a pause on her end this time. I knew Kamie, I knew she was mad at me right now, but she also meant what she had said earlier. She didn’t want me to leave my dream behind. She cared enough about me to tell me to do what I wanted more than what she wanted. But that wasn’t enough for me. Tija was just as much my sister as Kamie, and I needed to hear what they both wanted.
Sigh… fine, but don’t you dare keep her awake too long.
I won’t, I promise.
The next few minutes all I heard was scuffling about, but eventually I heard a very sleepy sounding girl’s voice on the other end.
Hmmmnnn??
Hey there Ti, es ist deiner alter brüder, your older brother.
Mmmnnh.
Sorry for waking you up, but I had something really important I needed to ask you.
Mmm Hmmm?
This wasn’t going to work if she didn’t wake up. I wasn’t even sure if she knew who she was talking to… I guess I had been the same when I was 9, so I was hardly one to talk.
Ti, if you’re that sleepy you can go on back to sleep, sorry I woke you up…
No! No, I… I’m sorry, I’m sleepy… but, you can ask me… if you still want to… what is it?
Well, I have to make a choice… see, the place I’m working at? It just closed down for good.
Oh no! That’s awful!
It happens, I’m not too worried, but… there’s another place in America that I might be able to work for. One of the other guys said he’d help me get in.
Oh! That’s great, so you can keep wrestling? That makes me happy!
But, I was thinking it might be better for me to come home instead.It’s been too long since I saw you guys and…
No!
The sharp response surprised me, it had come out without the tired tone she had been using,, instead, it was clear, and harsh, and very determined sounding.
What do you mean? I thought you’d want to see me.
I do… I want to see you when I get to go to America.
You know I can’t promise that will ever happen. I told you that.
It will, I’m going to work for it until it happens. You can do anything if you work hard enough right?
Yes, I did tell you that didn’t I?
So you need to keep working to. You can become the best wrester ever! I just know it, if you have to be away from us to do it, then you need to do what you want to do, and I know you want to stay there. Don’t worry about us, do what you want to do for once.
I think about it for a bit. She’s right, if I had to choose what I wanted to do, I would stay here and do what I love… and I’d do it in such a way that I could touch as many lives as possible. But I still didn’t want to believe that I was really that selfish.
Kamie says I need to go back to bed now…
Yes, yes you do. Good night Ti, and good luck with studying tomorrow.
Good night!
I hang up the phone and sit on the edge of the hotel bed for a while. Everything going on in my head was going at full speed. I stare at the business card for MPW. I was drawn to it like men to a Spanish lady, I tried to resist it, but deep down, I knew it was what I wanted, and it was what my family wanted for me.
I picked up the card and exhaled deeply. I hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath, but a sense of confirmation swept over me. This was the right thing to do. I dialed the number…
Hello, Mr. Adams? Yes, I’m… well, I’m Apostle Kried… Oh? You know me? Well that's a good start...
