01-18-2023, 07:02 PM
(This RP is dedicated to Mark Briscoe.)
- - -
Soft thuds indicating something being in constant contact with something else trickle through the area. The noise seems to be coming from the far corner. There isn't much to see until the lights come on. The influx of illumination provides details that were previously unavailable. It looks to be a gym of some kind. The corner the noise is coming from has a speed bag, a hanging bag and a standing bag. There are two people in that corner and one of them is holding the hanging bag for the other. One of them says something and the other shakes their head. The speaker gets a little louder and their voice floats across the currently empty space.
“Come on, Chance, you're flying out tomorrow. You want to be ready, don't you?”
Chance Owens shakes his head again and turns away from the hanging bag to grab a towel and wipe his face. “You're being a slave driver, you know.”
The other person comes around the hanging bag to stare at Chance with their hands on their hips. “Leo asked me to come help you at the gym because his doctor doesn't want him walking around until they get the test results back.”
Chance towels the sweat out of his hair before putting the towel back on the bench. “Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're here, but don't you think you're being a little too hard on me?”
“You haven't had the chance to take this seriously because life sucks, we both know that's the truth, so why are you half-assing it here?”
Chance looks at his companion with an irritated expression on his face. “I've been here since 8 AM and you haven't let me eat anything yet, Adam! I can't concentrate with an empty stomach!”
Adam Brock stares at him before reaching up to tug at the blond braid that got flipped over his shoulder and toss it back off his shoulder. “Well, shoot.” He rubs his hands together and sighs gustily. “I forgot you're not used to being up so early. You packed some food, didn't you?”
Chance sits on the bench beside his towel and takes a small bag out from under the bench. “Of course I did.” He unzips the bag and opens it so Adam can see the high protein, low carbohydrate foods in beside the full water bottle. “Damn cashier at the nutrition center tried to tell me I needed high fiber, low protein and zero carbohydrate foods in my diet...”
Adam shakes his head and sits beside Chance on the bench. “What'd you tell them?”
“I told her I appreciated her suggestion, but my personal trainer and my doctor both told me something else.” Chance takes out the water bottle and opens it to take a few small sips. He knows better than to drink large amounts of water after high levels of exertion. His questing hand finds a hard sided container and he brings it out with a curious look on his face. There's a post-it note on the lid. 'Your doctor said it was okay to have some high carb foods because you're just starting out. I thought I'd give you your favorite right off the bat. Don't overdo it. Love, Leo.' He opens the container and laughs out loud at the sight of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “That brother of mine!”
Adam laughs as Chance takes the sandwich out of the container. “Liam does that to me all the time!” He takes another bag out from under the bench and opens it. “Case in point...” He takes out a small bag of trail mix with bits of chocolate in it. “Today it's trail mix. Tomorrow it'll be something else.”
Chance laughs between bites of the sandwich. “Where would we be without our brothers?”
“I'd be dead by now without mine.”
Adam told Chance all about his life up until he moved back to Philly from Little Rock before Halloween last year. “I think I'd be in jail for killing whoever hurt mine.”
Adam bypasses the trail mix for a protein bar. “What do you mean by that?”
Chance closes the empty container and puts it back in his bag before answering the question. “I used to be a street fighter.” He looks at his hands in silent contemplation for a moment. “I hadn't done it in five years until a few days ago when someone threw rocks at my mom as she was leaving the townhouse to go home.”
Adam looks at Chance in awe, the unopened protein bar still in his hands. “A street fighter... Well, this changes things!”
Chance perks a brow as he takes a few healthy swallows from his water bottle. “In what way?”
Adam turns his attention to opening the protein bar before he responds. “It means I can give you a more customized exercise routine.” He gestures at Chance's bag with one foot. “Go ahead and have something else while I fight with this damn wrapper.”
Chance sounds amused as he brings out a snack-sized bag of unsalted peanuts. “You're using your right hand on the wrapper.” Like Chance, Adam is left-handed.
Adam shakes his head at himself and switches his hands around. “I had to get used to using my right hand for everything at work while I was in Little Rock... My office manager would drop something heavy on my left hand if he saw me using it.”
“What a dick!”
“Yeah, he was... He's in jail now, thank Christ. He can't hurt anyone else.”
“That's good.” Chance opens the peanuts and shakes a few into his hand. “You know about one of my former higher ups.”
“Why do we attract assholes?”
“If you ever find the answer, let me know, okay?”
“Deal.” Adam finally gets the protein bar open so he can eat it.
The silence as they eat is a comfortable one and Chance absently tucks the empty package from the peanuts into his bag. “That's better.”
“Good.” Adam tucks the wrapper from his protein bar into his bag and takes something else out. “Did your doctor say anything about hydration?”
Chance sighs and closes his water bottle. “I haven't been able to find any Gatorade or Powerade... Every store I've gone to has been completely sold out!”
“Gatorade is better for you than Powerade.” Adam shows Chance what he's holding in one hand.
Chance looks at Adam before cautiously taking the one liter bottle of fruit punch Gatorade. “Thank you.”
“Any time, kid.” Adam's other hand is holding a one liter bottle of lemon lime Gatorade. “Take a few sips now and put the lid back on before we get back to it.”
“You don't have to tell me twice!” Chance carefully opens the bottle and swallows three mouthfuls of Gatorade before putting the lid back on. “Leo's pretty bummed about being told not to walk around... I promised him the other ringside seat.”
Adam just grins. “I've already figured out a way to get him there and back without having to do a lot of walking.”
“You have?”
“Jericho's gate software.” Jericho is a computer genius and a programming mastermind. His network of AI computers has revolutionized industries all over the world.
“Now how could I forget about that? You only told me about it last week!”
“You've had a lot on your mind.”
“I know... But still.”
Adam knows what Chance is getting at. “Been there, kid. Try not to beat yourself up over it.”
Chance smiles a little. “I'll do my best.” He rubs his hands together before giving them a good shake and taking something else out of his bag. “These should help my hands not get so sore.” And he puts on the black fighter's gloves he wound up using the day he bought them.
Adam grins again. “Good. Whenever you're ready.”
Chance laughs as he stands up. “That's my secret, Adam...” He turns toward the hanging bag again. “I'm always ready.”
Adam laughs and shakes his head as he stands up and follows Chance back to the hanging bag. “You're a smartass, you know that?”
Chance's grin is downright cheeky. “People say it's my best feature.” Of course, he tones it down at work.
Adam takes up his position behind the hanging bag again. “You remind me of someone.”
“Yeah? Who would that be?”
Adam looks around the bag at Chance and smiles. “You remind me of me when I was your age.”
“Wow... Really?”
“Really.” He pulls back behind the bag again. “That's why I decided to be your mentor. You have the potential to become one of the greatest wrestlers this world has ever seen.”
Chance is sincerely touched by Adam's declaration. “Thank you...”
“You're welcome. Now let's get back to it, shall we? And show me that caged beast you have inside!” He's referring to the street fighter Chance once was.
“Maybe a little... I'm not fighting to stay alive here.”
“We'll work on the details later. Now come on, we're burning daylight here!”
Chance can't help laughing as he takes a few practice swings at the bag before throwing punches in earnest. “What did Lauren say when she found out you and Liam were going to be in Columbus with me and Leo?”
Lauren is Liam's wife and they've been married for about twenty years. “She's thrilled. Says it'll be good for the two of us to get out and enjoy ourselves.”
“Mom said the same thing when I told her I was bringing Leo.” Chance shakes his head and adjusts his stance a little. “Stupid doctor telling him he can't walk around...”
“Yeah, I'm not happy about that either. Why can't he use a cane or crutches?”
“I really wish I knew.” Chance settles into a rhythm and focuses on what he's doing. People start coming into the gym at that point, but they see him and Adam in the corner and give them their space.
- - -
Adam is holding Chance up as they come out of the gym because the younger man is laughing hysterically. “Good thing they waited until we were finished before they started cracking jokes, huh?”
Chance wipes a tear of mirth from his eye. “Definitely.” He takes his duffel bag from Adam and stretches. “I don't know about you, but I could use a hearty meal after all that.” He's gone through most of the food he brought and the Gatorade bottle is half empty.
“Yeah, I could go with a good meal too... Come on, my treat.”
Chance smiles as he looks around. “Hey, we're in luck! There's a Denny's across the street!”
Adam laughs and slings one arm around Chance's neck before they find the nearest intersection so they can safely cross the street. “Lot of meals at Denny's when I was traveling. That was literally all I could afford at first.”
“Denny's is a treat for me and Leo.” Chance finds himself unusually hesitant at the intersection and holds out one arm to stop Adam from crossing.
“What are you doing? We have the green light.”
“I suddenly feel like we shouldn't cross the street.” Almost immediately after he says that, there's a horrific crashing sound on the left side of the intersection. The vehicle at the front of the waiting line is shoved violently out into the street and spins around so it's facing the way it came.
Adam stares in shock before he starts digging for his cell phone so he can call 911. “Those instincts of yours are really going to come in handy in the ring, you know!”
Chance's hand keeps Adam's phone in his pocket. “Someone else is already calling them.” There are, in fact, about half a dozen people using their cell phones. He sounds eerily calm, almost serene.
Adam looks at Chance and recognizes the look in his eyes. “It looks like we have something else in common, kid... Come on, let's go the other way.”
Chance doesn't hesitate at going back the way they came. If the police want to talk to them about the collision, they know how to find him. “What's that you were saying about my instincts?”
Adam is only too happy to talk about something mundane and predictable. “I was saying your instincts will make you unstoppable in the ring if you listen to them.”
“Starting this week with my match against Polly Playtime.”
“Right. You're going to need them.”
Chance has been watching Polly's previous matches in preparation for their match in Columbus. “Yeah, I am. She won't be a pushover.” Then he grins. “I won't be either, though.”
“That's the spirit!” Adam spots a sandwich shop and nudges Chance that way. “Have you been doing any thinking about your move list?”
Chance knows that's been a sore spot with Leo and Liam alike. “I think I have it all figured out. Our mutual acquaintance suggested a good submission finisher.” He opens the door and holds it open for Adam.
Adam steps through with a smile. “What'd he suggest?”
Chance spots an empty table and points Adam in that direction. “Guillotine choke.”
Adam clears a path to the table and can hear Chance right behind him. “Ah yes, an old favorite of submission-based wrestlers around the world.”
Chance sits in one of the chairs and puts his duffel bag on the one to his left. “So how come you never used it?”
Adam grins after sitting down. “I was a pure high flyer, kid.”
“You were?”
“Yup. Someone called me an aerial assault artist and I liked the term.” Then he sits forward after putting his duffel bag on the other empty chair. “You're a brawler and a submissionist. Don't be afraid to play to your strengths.”
“Especially against someone as wily and agile as Polly Playtime.”
“Right.” Then Adam asks the question that's been on his mind since just before they left the gym. “How are your incision sites?”
Chance knows why he's asking. “They're fine. And I don't feel any unusual soreness from my workout in the gym.”
“Good.” Adam stands up again. “Anything you'd rather not eat?”
“No olives, peppers or raw onions.” Then Chance grimaces and rubs his stomach. “And no turkey.”
“Got it... Back as soon as I can.” There's a bit of a line.
“No rush, man. You got your wallet?”
Adam pats his jacket. “I never leave home without it.” Then he turns around and takes his spot in line.
Chance shakes his head with a smile. “Polly Playtime, you're in for a world of hurt come Breakdown... Do you really have what it takes to keep your title? I don't think you do. You've never encountered someone like me before.” He looks around to make sure nobody's giving him funny looks before he continues. “You see, up until now, you've had it easy. The same old predictable opponents and you've been able to anticipate them and take advantage of their rhythms and routines. You can't do that with me. There's nothing in your bag of tricks that will help you... That title is coming home with me.”
Someone passes by the table at that particular moment and rolls their eyes. “It figures there'd be a deluded freak in here today... Where's your imaginary friend?”
Chance keeps his voice neutral. “He's in line to buy sandwiches.”
“Yeah, sure.” And they keep going without bothering to look around.
Chance shakes his head and waits for them to sit with someone who was obviously waiting for them. “Oh to be clueless and oblivious to the world.” He shakes it off and gets back on topic. “Now as I was saying, Polly... All your other opponents have been close to your size, which makes it easier for you to maneuver around them. Other than the Trios tournaments, have you ever wrestled someone my size? I don't think you have. Bring every trick and scheme you have, but it won't matter. You have something I want, Polly... You have the SCW Television Championship. And when we meet on Breakdown, you're going to experience something you've never dealt with before. You're going toe to toe with someone who's bigger and stronger than you... And you're going to lose. Protest all you want, that's how it's going to be.” A wicked smirk flits across his face. “If you want to get anywhere, you have to go through me.”
Adam comes back with their sandwiches and puts Chance's on the table in front of him. “Did you get any prep talk in?”
“Yeah, I did, actually... In spite of someone calling me a deluded freak while I was waiting for you.”
“That's good to know. Any expressions of doubt?”
Chance tugs the sandwich a little closer with a smile. “No sir.”
“Good.” Adam leans forward again. “It's okay to be unsure, but you can't let yourself think you won't get anywhere... If all you're doing is thinking you're going to lose because you're not good at what you're doing, you will lose. The mind is a very powerful thing, Chance.”
“I know it is. That's why I'm thinking positively. You know... I just realized something.”
“What's that?”
“Wrestling and street fighting aren't all that different... Both activities have you playing to win, as the saying goes. The payoff with wrestling is a lot better, though.”
Adam shakes his head and laughs. “It sure is, kid.” Then he gets serious. “I meant it when I told you to show me the caged beast you have inside.”
Chance leans forward a little. “I will... You'll see him on Breakdown. Polly Playtime doesn't stand a chance. And if anyone tries to get involved, I'll take them out too! That title is mine!”
“That's more like it!” Adam sits up a little so they can eat their sandwiches. He can see a dangerous gleam in Chance's eyes and it makes him happy.
[And that's where we're going to leave them today. They've said all there is to be said, so there's really nothing more to add. Good luck in Columbus, Polly. You're going to need it.]
- - -
Soft thuds indicating something being in constant contact with something else trickle through the area. The noise seems to be coming from the far corner. There isn't much to see until the lights come on. The influx of illumination provides details that were previously unavailable. It looks to be a gym of some kind. The corner the noise is coming from has a speed bag, a hanging bag and a standing bag. There are two people in that corner and one of them is holding the hanging bag for the other. One of them says something and the other shakes their head. The speaker gets a little louder and their voice floats across the currently empty space.
“Come on, Chance, you're flying out tomorrow. You want to be ready, don't you?”
Chance Owens shakes his head again and turns away from the hanging bag to grab a towel and wipe his face. “You're being a slave driver, you know.”
The other person comes around the hanging bag to stare at Chance with their hands on their hips. “Leo asked me to come help you at the gym because his doctor doesn't want him walking around until they get the test results back.”
Chance towels the sweat out of his hair before putting the towel back on the bench. “Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're here, but don't you think you're being a little too hard on me?”
“You haven't had the chance to take this seriously because life sucks, we both know that's the truth, so why are you half-assing it here?”
Chance looks at his companion with an irritated expression on his face. “I've been here since 8 AM and you haven't let me eat anything yet, Adam! I can't concentrate with an empty stomach!”
Adam Brock stares at him before reaching up to tug at the blond braid that got flipped over his shoulder and toss it back off his shoulder. “Well, shoot.” He rubs his hands together and sighs gustily. “I forgot you're not used to being up so early. You packed some food, didn't you?”
Chance sits on the bench beside his towel and takes a small bag out from under the bench. “Of course I did.” He unzips the bag and opens it so Adam can see the high protein, low carbohydrate foods in beside the full water bottle. “Damn cashier at the nutrition center tried to tell me I needed high fiber, low protein and zero carbohydrate foods in my diet...”
Adam shakes his head and sits beside Chance on the bench. “What'd you tell them?”
“I told her I appreciated her suggestion, but my personal trainer and my doctor both told me something else.” Chance takes out the water bottle and opens it to take a few small sips. He knows better than to drink large amounts of water after high levels of exertion. His questing hand finds a hard sided container and he brings it out with a curious look on his face. There's a post-it note on the lid. 'Your doctor said it was okay to have some high carb foods because you're just starting out. I thought I'd give you your favorite right off the bat. Don't overdo it. Love, Leo.' He opens the container and laughs out loud at the sight of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “That brother of mine!”
Adam laughs as Chance takes the sandwich out of the container. “Liam does that to me all the time!” He takes another bag out from under the bench and opens it. “Case in point...” He takes out a small bag of trail mix with bits of chocolate in it. “Today it's trail mix. Tomorrow it'll be something else.”
Chance laughs between bites of the sandwich. “Where would we be without our brothers?”
“I'd be dead by now without mine.”
Adam told Chance all about his life up until he moved back to Philly from Little Rock before Halloween last year. “I think I'd be in jail for killing whoever hurt mine.”
Adam bypasses the trail mix for a protein bar. “What do you mean by that?”
Chance closes the empty container and puts it back in his bag before answering the question. “I used to be a street fighter.” He looks at his hands in silent contemplation for a moment. “I hadn't done it in five years until a few days ago when someone threw rocks at my mom as she was leaving the townhouse to go home.”
Adam looks at Chance in awe, the unopened protein bar still in his hands. “A street fighter... Well, this changes things!”
Chance perks a brow as he takes a few healthy swallows from his water bottle. “In what way?”
Adam turns his attention to opening the protein bar before he responds. “It means I can give you a more customized exercise routine.” He gestures at Chance's bag with one foot. “Go ahead and have something else while I fight with this damn wrapper.”
Chance sounds amused as he brings out a snack-sized bag of unsalted peanuts. “You're using your right hand on the wrapper.” Like Chance, Adam is left-handed.
Adam shakes his head at himself and switches his hands around. “I had to get used to using my right hand for everything at work while I was in Little Rock... My office manager would drop something heavy on my left hand if he saw me using it.”
“What a dick!”
“Yeah, he was... He's in jail now, thank Christ. He can't hurt anyone else.”
“That's good.” Chance opens the peanuts and shakes a few into his hand. “You know about one of my former higher ups.”
“Why do we attract assholes?”
“If you ever find the answer, let me know, okay?”
“Deal.” Adam finally gets the protein bar open so he can eat it.
The silence as they eat is a comfortable one and Chance absently tucks the empty package from the peanuts into his bag. “That's better.”
“Good.” Adam tucks the wrapper from his protein bar into his bag and takes something else out. “Did your doctor say anything about hydration?”
Chance sighs and closes his water bottle. “I haven't been able to find any Gatorade or Powerade... Every store I've gone to has been completely sold out!”
“Gatorade is better for you than Powerade.” Adam shows Chance what he's holding in one hand.
Chance looks at Adam before cautiously taking the one liter bottle of fruit punch Gatorade. “Thank you.”
“Any time, kid.” Adam's other hand is holding a one liter bottle of lemon lime Gatorade. “Take a few sips now and put the lid back on before we get back to it.”
“You don't have to tell me twice!” Chance carefully opens the bottle and swallows three mouthfuls of Gatorade before putting the lid back on. “Leo's pretty bummed about being told not to walk around... I promised him the other ringside seat.”
Adam just grins. “I've already figured out a way to get him there and back without having to do a lot of walking.”
“You have?”
“Jericho's gate software.” Jericho is a computer genius and a programming mastermind. His network of AI computers has revolutionized industries all over the world.
“Now how could I forget about that? You only told me about it last week!”
“You've had a lot on your mind.”
“I know... But still.”
Adam knows what Chance is getting at. “Been there, kid. Try not to beat yourself up over it.”
Chance smiles a little. “I'll do my best.” He rubs his hands together before giving them a good shake and taking something else out of his bag. “These should help my hands not get so sore.” And he puts on the black fighter's gloves he wound up using the day he bought them.
Adam grins again. “Good. Whenever you're ready.”
Chance laughs as he stands up. “That's my secret, Adam...” He turns toward the hanging bag again. “I'm always ready.”
Adam laughs and shakes his head as he stands up and follows Chance back to the hanging bag. “You're a smartass, you know that?”
Chance's grin is downright cheeky. “People say it's my best feature.” Of course, he tones it down at work.
Adam takes up his position behind the hanging bag again. “You remind me of someone.”
“Yeah? Who would that be?”
Adam looks around the bag at Chance and smiles. “You remind me of me when I was your age.”
“Wow... Really?”
“Really.” He pulls back behind the bag again. “That's why I decided to be your mentor. You have the potential to become one of the greatest wrestlers this world has ever seen.”
Chance is sincerely touched by Adam's declaration. “Thank you...”
“You're welcome. Now let's get back to it, shall we? And show me that caged beast you have inside!” He's referring to the street fighter Chance once was.
“Maybe a little... I'm not fighting to stay alive here.”
“We'll work on the details later. Now come on, we're burning daylight here!”
Chance can't help laughing as he takes a few practice swings at the bag before throwing punches in earnest. “What did Lauren say when she found out you and Liam were going to be in Columbus with me and Leo?”
Lauren is Liam's wife and they've been married for about twenty years. “She's thrilled. Says it'll be good for the two of us to get out and enjoy ourselves.”
“Mom said the same thing when I told her I was bringing Leo.” Chance shakes his head and adjusts his stance a little. “Stupid doctor telling him he can't walk around...”
“Yeah, I'm not happy about that either. Why can't he use a cane or crutches?”
“I really wish I knew.” Chance settles into a rhythm and focuses on what he's doing. People start coming into the gym at that point, but they see him and Adam in the corner and give them their space.
- - -
Adam is holding Chance up as they come out of the gym because the younger man is laughing hysterically. “Good thing they waited until we were finished before they started cracking jokes, huh?”
Chance wipes a tear of mirth from his eye. “Definitely.” He takes his duffel bag from Adam and stretches. “I don't know about you, but I could use a hearty meal after all that.” He's gone through most of the food he brought and the Gatorade bottle is half empty.
“Yeah, I could go with a good meal too... Come on, my treat.”
Chance smiles as he looks around. “Hey, we're in luck! There's a Denny's across the street!”
Adam laughs and slings one arm around Chance's neck before they find the nearest intersection so they can safely cross the street. “Lot of meals at Denny's when I was traveling. That was literally all I could afford at first.”
“Denny's is a treat for me and Leo.” Chance finds himself unusually hesitant at the intersection and holds out one arm to stop Adam from crossing.
“What are you doing? We have the green light.”
“I suddenly feel like we shouldn't cross the street.” Almost immediately after he says that, there's a horrific crashing sound on the left side of the intersection. The vehicle at the front of the waiting line is shoved violently out into the street and spins around so it's facing the way it came.
Adam stares in shock before he starts digging for his cell phone so he can call 911. “Those instincts of yours are really going to come in handy in the ring, you know!”
Chance's hand keeps Adam's phone in his pocket. “Someone else is already calling them.” There are, in fact, about half a dozen people using their cell phones. He sounds eerily calm, almost serene.
Adam looks at Chance and recognizes the look in his eyes. “It looks like we have something else in common, kid... Come on, let's go the other way.”
Chance doesn't hesitate at going back the way they came. If the police want to talk to them about the collision, they know how to find him. “What's that you were saying about my instincts?”
Adam is only too happy to talk about something mundane and predictable. “I was saying your instincts will make you unstoppable in the ring if you listen to them.”
“Starting this week with my match against Polly Playtime.”
“Right. You're going to need them.”
Chance has been watching Polly's previous matches in preparation for their match in Columbus. “Yeah, I am. She won't be a pushover.” Then he grins. “I won't be either, though.”
“That's the spirit!” Adam spots a sandwich shop and nudges Chance that way. “Have you been doing any thinking about your move list?”
Chance knows that's been a sore spot with Leo and Liam alike. “I think I have it all figured out. Our mutual acquaintance suggested a good submission finisher.” He opens the door and holds it open for Adam.
Adam steps through with a smile. “What'd he suggest?”
Chance spots an empty table and points Adam in that direction. “Guillotine choke.”
Adam clears a path to the table and can hear Chance right behind him. “Ah yes, an old favorite of submission-based wrestlers around the world.”
Chance sits in one of the chairs and puts his duffel bag on the one to his left. “So how come you never used it?”
Adam grins after sitting down. “I was a pure high flyer, kid.”
“You were?”
“Yup. Someone called me an aerial assault artist and I liked the term.” Then he sits forward after putting his duffel bag on the other empty chair. “You're a brawler and a submissionist. Don't be afraid to play to your strengths.”
“Especially against someone as wily and agile as Polly Playtime.”
“Right.” Then Adam asks the question that's been on his mind since just before they left the gym. “How are your incision sites?”
Chance knows why he's asking. “They're fine. And I don't feel any unusual soreness from my workout in the gym.”
“Good.” Adam stands up again. “Anything you'd rather not eat?”
“No olives, peppers or raw onions.” Then Chance grimaces and rubs his stomach. “And no turkey.”
“Got it... Back as soon as I can.” There's a bit of a line.
“No rush, man. You got your wallet?”
Adam pats his jacket. “I never leave home without it.” Then he turns around and takes his spot in line.
Chance shakes his head with a smile. “Polly Playtime, you're in for a world of hurt come Breakdown... Do you really have what it takes to keep your title? I don't think you do. You've never encountered someone like me before.” He looks around to make sure nobody's giving him funny looks before he continues. “You see, up until now, you've had it easy. The same old predictable opponents and you've been able to anticipate them and take advantage of their rhythms and routines. You can't do that with me. There's nothing in your bag of tricks that will help you... That title is coming home with me.”
Someone passes by the table at that particular moment and rolls their eyes. “It figures there'd be a deluded freak in here today... Where's your imaginary friend?”
Chance keeps his voice neutral. “He's in line to buy sandwiches.”
“Yeah, sure.” And they keep going without bothering to look around.
Chance shakes his head and waits for them to sit with someone who was obviously waiting for them. “Oh to be clueless and oblivious to the world.” He shakes it off and gets back on topic. “Now as I was saying, Polly... All your other opponents have been close to your size, which makes it easier for you to maneuver around them. Other than the Trios tournaments, have you ever wrestled someone my size? I don't think you have. Bring every trick and scheme you have, but it won't matter. You have something I want, Polly... You have the SCW Television Championship. And when we meet on Breakdown, you're going to experience something you've never dealt with before. You're going toe to toe with someone who's bigger and stronger than you... And you're going to lose. Protest all you want, that's how it's going to be.” A wicked smirk flits across his face. “If you want to get anywhere, you have to go through me.”
Adam comes back with their sandwiches and puts Chance's on the table in front of him. “Did you get any prep talk in?”
“Yeah, I did, actually... In spite of someone calling me a deluded freak while I was waiting for you.”
“That's good to know. Any expressions of doubt?”
Chance tugs the sandwich a little closer with a smile. “No sir.”
“Good.” Adam leans forward again. “It's okay to be unsure, but you can't let yourself think you won't get anywhere... If all you're doing is thinking you're going to lose because you're not good at what you're doing, you will lose. The mind is a very powerful thing, Chance.”
“I know it is. That's why I'm thinking positively. You know... I just realized something.”
“What's that?”
“Wrestling and street fighting aren't all that different... Both activities have you playing to win, as the saying goes. The payoff with wrestling is a lot better, though.”
Adam shakes his head and laughs. “It sure is, kid.” Then he gets serious. “I meant it when I told you to show me the caged beast you have inside.”
Chance leans forward a little. “I will... You'll see him on Breakdown. Polly Playtime doesn't stand a chance. And if anyone tries to get involved, I'll take them out too! That title is mine!”
“That's more like it!” Adam sits up a little so they can eat their sandwiches. He can see a dangerous gleam in Chance's eyes and it makes him happy.
[And that's where we're going to leave them today. They've said all there is to be said, so there's really nothing more to add. Good luck in Columbus, Polly. You're going to need it.]
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^Banner courtesy of Mad Marlowe