12-28-2022, 12:39 PM
Reed James roleplay 1 of 2
For Reed James it had been a roller-coaster twelve months, starting on the streets of New York and culminating with an apartment, a job and more than anything some self-dignity emerging from the shell of what he once was. Reed right now was on top of the world, and ultimately that all came down to one person. That person being none other than the now SCW World Champion Owen Cruze. Of course, Finch, Chloe, Willow and Jason had all played their part, but ultimately it was Owen who had taken a chance on someone when no one else would, and he would always be grateful for that. When Owen won the World Championship, Reed doubted that there was anyone who had cheered as loud as he had, knowing just how much it had meant to him. And knowing the responsibility that came with that Title, it had been a surprise that Reed would be called into Finch’s office, coming face to face with the Champion himself.
Owen: Hey man, thanks for your time. Take a seat.
Reed: Am I in trouble or something?
Owen: Nah, nothing like that. Just looking for a chat if that’s ok.
Reed: Alright… sure.
Reed pulls out a chair and takes a seat, still a little nervous as to what this was all about.
Owen: So, how’s life been treating you? All settled in the new apartment.
Reed: Yes, thank you. It’s really starting to look like my own.
Owen: And the job… still happy here? Finch tells me you’ll throw yourself into anything. Even recently doing some maintenance.
Reed: I like to help Owen. I mean, you guys gave me an opportunity, it would be wrong of me not to help wherever I can. And you’ve all been so good to me.
Owen nods his head, agreeing with the sentiment.
Owen: I get that. It’s a good attitude to always want to give back and seeing someone like you with that kind of attitude, well it means we must be doing something right here. After all, you were the guinea pig, so it’s heartening that you’ve been a real success story. I know Willow and Jason think a lot of you, and I do too.
Reed: Thank you.
Owen: I hear you’ve found yourself a girlfriend as well?
Reed: Yes, I have.
Owen: Does the lucky girl have a name?
Reed: Well, I’m the lucky one… but her name is Zara.
Owen: Nice one. It’s good to see you getting out there and being a part of society. It’s having friends and relationships that will keep you from ‘going back’ so to speak. Not as I think there is any danger in that.
Reed: Yeah, she’s nice… doesn’t know about my past yet but I’m going to tell her when the time is right. How do you tell someone that you came from the streets though?
Owen: Exactly like that Reed, there is nothing to be ashamed of, nor is it something that you should hide. If she’s as great as you obviously think she is, she’ll love you for who you are now, not what you were before. And anyway, it wasn’t like you were a monster, is it? You were only doing what you had to do to survive. No one should dismiss you for that. Look at it this way Reed, you wouldn’t be the person you are today if you hadn’t experienced it all firsthand and learned from those mistakes. It’s a good job that it was me you pulled a knife out on and not someone else, or your situation could have been a lot different. But sometimes, you gotta ride that luck, which is precisely what you did.
Reed understood every word perfectly, and so he should consider it had been drilled into him repeatedly, the need to feel good about yourself. Andy, the shelters psychologist had done a lot of work with him and had signed off on Reed leaving when he had, Owen more than willing to let an expert make that decision. What Reed still didn’t understand however was why he was here.
Reed: So… is this what you wanted to talk about?
Owen: Actually, no…
Reed: I didn’t think so… there is something wrong isn’t there?
Owen: No, not at all, exactly the opposite in fact.
Reed: Sorry… for being paranoid I mean.
Owen: No, that’s fine Reed, but because of that I’m not going to hold on any longer.
Reed: Thanks, I don’t think my heart could take it.
Owen: Before I make this suggestion however Reed, I want to make something perfectly clear.
Reed: Here we go…
Owen: What I am going to suggest, is nothing more than an experiment ok? An opportunity for Jason and I to see how the land lies. There is no pressure on you, and you shouldn’t put any pressure on yourself. Truth is, this is way to early for you, but it seems like too much of an opportunity to pass up.
Reed: Opportunity? I don’t understand.
Owen: I’m talking about the End of Year Invitational Battle Royal in SCW. Jason and I both believe that you should enter.
Reed’s face tells all the story, his shock obvious for all to see. He’s speechless, and so Owen continues, allowing Reed to digest what he has just been told.
Owen: Look Reed, I know you’ve only been training for just over six months, and your training is nowhere near complete.
Reed: No shit
Owen finds Reed’s first words amusing as he finds his voice and makes his feelings known.
Owen: But it’s all well and good sparring with people at your own level, but they aren’t going to test you in a way that the SCW Superstars will. I’ve already heard that Clyde Sutter is going to compete, and I have no doubt that there will be a few more that throw their hats into the ring. This way, we get to see just how well you handle yourself against some seasoned professionals, and like I say, with no pressure on your shoulders.
Reed: But what’s the benefit in me getting murdered?
Owen: First, I don’t believe you will. Don’t get me wrong, with some of the names being mooted to compete, I wouldn’t be putting any money on your winning the whole thing.
Reed: At least that’s something we can agree on because I wouldn’t either.
Owen: But I don’t think for one second that you will be eliminated first either. And every veteran, or up and coming you outlast. The longer you go into this Battle Royal. The more we will get to know about how good you truly can be. Not only that, but it also puts your name on the lips of the SCW Management who are always looking out for their next young star. Imagine you eliminate Sutter… even if SCW aren’t interested you can bet there will be a raft of other companies sitting up and taking notice. It will be your first step towards the big time.
Reed pauses for a moment, thinking it through. There was no doubt at all he would love to step into that ring, ever since it had been said he could be a competitor, it was all he’d dreamed of. But this was something else, the real deal, and the one thing he didn’t want to do was look stupid. And he knew that was a distinct possibility.
Owen: So, what do you think?
Reed scratches the back of his head, not sure what he was supposed to think.
Reed: I don’t know Owen; this all just seems too much.
Owen: And ultimately Reed, you are right to think that way. There are going to be people in this match with over a decade more experience than you can muster. People with technical abilities that we aren’t anywhere near teaching you yet. But Jason and I believe in you Reed. Willow as well. We wouldn’t be putting you in this situation just to be a sacrificial lamb to the slaughter. If we did, what kind of people would we be. In fact, what kind of school would this be. We are putting you in there because we believe it would benefit your development. Nothing more, nothing less. But the final decision must be yours. We won’t make you do anything that you truly don’t want to, if you don want to go for it, then there is always next year. But Jason and I think you can make a real stir, and just imagine if you got the last ten, last five even. Imagine how big that would be?
Reed gives it some more thought, Owen coming across as more than a little persuasive. To Owen’s delight, he starts to nod his head, and takes the deepest of breaths.
Reed: OK, I’ll do it, but if I end up in A & E because I was in no way ready for this…
Owen: It’s not going to happen Reed…
Owen pauses, thinking of something in the moment.
Owen: Get your jacket
Reed: What?
Owen: Come on, get your jacket, I want to show you something.
Reed: Err, OK. One minute.
Reed gets to his feet, once again confused by what was going on, and then realizing what he had just agreed to. Fact was, however, he trusted Owen more than anyone, and if he believed he could do it, then he trusted his mentor was right. He was the Champion, after all.
For Reed James it had been a roller-coaster twelve months, starting on the streets of New York and culminating with an apartment, a job and more than anything some self-dignity emerging from the shell of what he once was. Reed right now was on top of the world, and ultimately that all came down to one person. That person being none other than the now SCW World Champion Owen Cruze. Of course, Finch, Chloe, Willow and Jason had all played their part, but ultimately it was Owen who had taken a chance on someone when no one else would, and he would always be grateful for that. When Owen won the World Championship, Reed doubted that there was anyone who had cheered as loud as he had, knowing just how much it had meant to him. And knowing the responsibility that came with that Title, it had been a surprise that Reed would be called into Finch’s office, coming face to face with the Champion himself.
Owen: Hey man, thanks for your time. Take a seat.
Reed: Am I in trouble or something?
Owen: Nah, nothing like that. Just looking for a chat if that’s ok.
Reed: Alright… sure.
Reed pulls out a chair and takes a seat, still a little nervous as to what this was all about.
Owen: So, how’s life been treating you? All settled in the new apartment.
Reed: Yes, thank you. It’s really starting to look like my own.
Owen: And the job… still happy here? Finch tells me you’ll throw yourself into anything. Even recently doing some maintenance.
Reed: I like to help Owen. I mean, you guys gave me an opportunity, it would be wrong of me not to help wherever I can. And you’ve all been so good to me.
Owen nods his head, agreeing with the sentiment.
Owen: I get that. It’s a good attitude to always want to give back and seeing someone like you with that kind of attitude, well it means we must be doing something right here. After all, you were the guinea pig, so it’s heartening that you’ve been a real success story. I know Willow and Jason think a lot of you, and I do too.
Reed: Thank you.
Owen: I hear you’ve found yourself a girlfriend as well?
Reed: Yes, I have.
Owen: Does the lucky girl have a name?
Reed: Well, I’m the lucky one… but her name is Zara.
Owen: Nice one. It’s good to see you getting out there and being a part of society. It’s having friends and relationships that will keep you from ‘going back’ so to speak. Not as I think there is any danger in that.
Reed: Yeah, she’s nice… doesn’t know about my past yet but I’m going to tell her when the time is right. How do you tell someone that you came from the streets though?
Owen: Exactly like that Reed, there is nothing to be ashamed of, nor is it something that you should hide. If she’s as great as you obviously think she is, she’ll love you for who you are now, not what you were before. And anyway, it wasn’t like you were a monster, is it? You were only doing what you had to do to survive. No one should dismiss you for that. Look at it this way Reed, you wouldn’t be the person you are today if you hadn’t experienced it all firsthand and learned from those mistakes. It’s a good job that it was me you pulled a knife out on and not someone else, or your situation could have been a lot different. But sometimes, you gotta ride that luck, which is precisely what you did.
Reed understood every word perfectly, and so he should consider it had been drilled into him repeatedly, the need to feel good about yourself. Andy, the shelters psychologist had done a lot of work with him and had signed off on Reed leaving when he had, Owen more than willing to let an expert make that decision. What Reed still didn’t understand however was why he was here.
Reed: So… is this what you wanted to talk about?
Owen: Actually, no…
Reed: I didn’t think so… there is something wrong isn’t there?
Owen: No, not at all, exactly the opposite in fact.
Reed: Sorry… for being paranoid I mean.
Owen: No, that’s fine Reed, but because of that I’m not going to hold on any longer.
Reed: Thanks, I don’t think my heart could take it.
Owen: Before I make this suggestion however Reed, I want to make something perfectly clear.
Reed: Here we go…
Owen: What I am going to suggest, is nothing more than an experiment ok? An opportunity for Jason and I to see how the land lies. There is no pressure on you, and you shouldn’t put any pressure on yourself. Truth is, this is way to early for you, but it seems like too much of an opportunity to pass up.
Reed: Opportunity? I don’t understand.
Owen: I’m talking about the End of Year Invitational Battle Royal in SCW. Jason and I both believe that you should enter.
Reed’s face tells all the story, his shock obvious for all to see. He’s speechless, and so Owen continues, allowing Reed to digest what he has just been told.
Owen: Look Reed, I know you’ve only been training for just over six months, and your training is nowhere near complete.
Reed: No shit
Owen finds Reed’s first words amusing as he finds his voice and makes his feelings known.
Owen: But it’s all well and good sparring with people at your own level, but they aren’t going to test you in a way that the SCW Superstars will. I’ve already heard that Clyde Sutter is going to compete, and I have no doubt that there will be a few more that throw their hats into the ring. This way, we get to see just how well you handle yourself against some seasoned professionals, and like I say, with no pressure on your shoulders.
Reed: But what’s the benefit in me getting murdered?
Owen: First, I don’t believe you will. Don’t get me wrong, with some of the names being mooted to compete, I wouldn’t be putting any money on your winning the whole thing.
Reed: At least that’s something we can agree on because I wouldn’t either.
Owen: But I don’t think for one second that you will be eliminated first either. And every veteran, or up and coming you outlast. The longer you go into this Battle Royal. The more we will get to know about how good you truly can be. Not only that, but it also puts your name on the lips of the SCW Management who are always looking out for their next young star. Imagine you eliminate Sutter… even if SCW aren’t interested you can bet there will be a raft of other companies sitting up and taking notice. It will be your first step towards the big time.
Reed pauses for a moment, thinking it through. There was no doubt at all he would love to step into that ring, ever since it had been said he could be a competitor, it was all he’d dreamed of. But this was something else, the real deal, and the one thing he didn’t want to do was look stupid. And he knew that was a distinct possibility.
Owen: So, what do you think?
Reed scratches the back of his head, not sure what he was supposed to think.
Reed: I don’t know Owen; this all just seems too much.
Owen: And ultimately Reed, you are right to think that way. There are going to be people in this match with over a decade more experience than you can muster. People with technical abilities that we aren’t anywhere near teaching you yet. But Jason and I believe in you Reed. Willow as well. We wouldn’t be putting you in this situation just to be a sacrificial lamb to the slaughter. If we did, what kind of people would we be. In fact, what kind of school would this be. We are putting you in there because we believe it would benefit your development. Nothing more, nothing less. But the final decision must be yours. We won’t make you do anything that you truly don’t want to, if you don want to go for it, then there is always next year. But Jason and I think you can make a real stir, and just imagine if you got the last ten, last five even. Imagine how big that would be?
Reed gives it some more thought, Owen coming across as more than a little persuasive. To Owen’s delight, he starts to nod his head, and takes the deepest of breaths.
Reed: OK, I’ll do it, but if I end up in A & E because I was in no way ready for this…
Owen: It’s not going to happen Reed…
Owen pauses, thinking of something in the moment.
Owen: Get your jacket
Reed: What?
Owen: Come on, get your jacket, I want to show you something.
Reed: Err, OK. One minute.
Reed gets to his feet, once again confused by what was going on, and then realizing what he had just agreed to. Fact was, however, he trusted Owen more than anyone, and if he believed he could do it, then he trusted his mentor was right. He was the Champion, after all.
![[Image: 270041540-258425806375597-7033161467703002046-n.png]](https://i.ibb.co/8sQWMPt/270041540-258425806375597-7033161467703002046-n.png)