Post by Caleb Lockwood on Nov 3, 2012 2:45:21 GMT -6
Open on a Halloween night in the neighborhood where the Conway family makes its residence. Caleb and Tiffany Jones are walking along the streets, Domino and Solitaire skipping along with their candy baskets in hand. Caleb grins as he watches the two, adjusting the Green Goblin mask he’d picked up to try to get in the spirit of things. After a few seconds, he just flips it up so it’s not covering his face anymore, glancing to the kids as they turn and walk up the path to another house.
”Alright girls, just a couple more houses and then we’ve got to get home! It’s getting late!”
They chorus back at him, acknowledging, and Caleb grins, jogging up the path as he glances to Tiffany.
”Solitaire’s so happy. Glad she liked my present.”
Tiffany nods, smirking a bit as she idly inspects her nails. The girls ring the doorbell, bouncing up and down on the soles of their feet as the two walk closer.
”Yeah. It’s nice to see her happy. She liked what I got her too. Oh, speaking of presents, sorry about the extra work with the car. You don’t mind, do you?”
Caleb rolls his eyes as the house’s door opens, smirking at Tiffany. Solitaire and Domino chorus in unison at the smiling couple that answers.
”Trick or treat!”
”Trick or treat!”
The two chuckle, smiling and giving the girls some candy. The woman, an older lady, smiles at Tiffany and Caleb as her husband hands out the sweets.
”They’re such sweethearts, aren’t they? And you two, so nice for taking them out on Halloween. You make a positively adorable couple. Well, Happy Halloween, girls! Have a safe night!”
The couple waves, and Tiffany stammers a denial as Caleb shakes his head, turning away. Solitaire runs up and tugs on Caleb’s arm, pointing down the street.
”Come on Caleb, we still gots a few houses to go to!”
He nods, smiling at her and walking after the girls, who naturally take the lead walking down the block. Caleb glances back at Tiffany, who’s running to catch up, and he mutters ruefully to himself.
”God, I wish…”
Tiffany skids to a more reasonable speed next to Caleb, blinking as she catches him saying something, though exactly what she’s not sure.
”You say something, Lockwood?”
Caleb shakes his head, face falling as he walks along, replying quietly, with the tone of a man who’s clearly given up. He looks ahead towards the girls, smiling a bit as he sees the joy on their faces.
”Nah. Wasn’t anything. Come on, we can’t let them leave us behind.”
Caleb grins, picking up the pace to catch up fully with the girls. Tiffany rolls her eyes again and runs a bit faster, chasing after the three as we fade to black.
”You…pretentious jackass. I think that’s what I take offense to the most. Not the idea that you can beat the Ace, or me, or anyone else. That’s just part of what we do. It’ s how you take everything for granted. You don’t assume there’ll be a contest, you don’t think there’ll be any sort of real competition. You expect that this is going to be you schooling me like I’m some snot-nosed student of yours and you’re putting me back in my place. News flash, Nighthawk. This isn’t the minor leagues anymore. This isn’t wherever the hell you came from before, where you could easily enforce your claim of being the best. This is NCW. This is the big leagues, this is the pinnacle of wrestling today, and if you can hack it here it means you’re one of the best in the world. It’s going to take a lot more than getting beat by Xavier Williams to prove to me that you’re worthy of the respect you act like you’re owed.”
“Maybe it’s because I didn’t come up through this Japanese-American-Mexican hybrid training like you did, but I just don’t get where you’re coming from. Or maybe it’s because I’m not a technical wrestler by any stretch of the imagination. I’m trying to learn and improve myself, but I’m not on the level of the Ace or anyone I’d consider a world-class technical wrestler. That’s not what I do, that’s never been what I do. I’m a high-flyer at heart. And trust me, for all your talk about how great a wrestler you are and how guaranteed it is that I’ll know you’re the best when I’m tapping out this Saturday…you can never count me out.”
“The mat? That’s your world. That’s your domain, that’s where you can work best. But the moment my feet leave the ground, I transcend all that crap. I enter a whole ‘nother world. Gravity isn’t a law for me. It’s a suggestion. How about you ask Xavier Williams what I can do? Or Davey Ortega? Maybe Joe Everyman? I’ve made plenty of people sit up and take notice of what I can do. You can have all those holds, and it won’t mean a damn thing, because I won’t let you get ahold of me. Oh, sure, that 450 you do is nice and crisp, but I’m doing things most people couldn’t pull off without a wire team. I do what others can’t, BECAUSE others can’t.”
“I’m doing this because, no matter what kind of a man Mr. Conway is, no matter what he’s done and how he’s mistreated me in the past, the fact is that he took me into his home. He trusted me with his children. He’s shown me harshness, yes, but he’s also shown me kindness. The man’s done more for my life and my career than anyone whose name isn’t Wes Fox. So for you to insult him so casually, so…callously…it just hit all the wrong nerves with me. And that’s why I wanted this match so badly. They had to waffle over this damn thing, what, two, three times? But I wanted it. Because come hell or high water, I’m going to be teaching you a lesson too. Words have consequences. And these ones are going to hurt.”
“I could just pin you. I could school you on the art of high-flying like you intend to school me on mat wrestling and pin your shoulders to the mat for the three. But I won’t. Because I want to beat you at your own game. I want to make you tap out to the Royal Flush, because in the end, what I do to you is reflective of what kind of a man I am. And I won’t take this lying down. I need to make you submit because you need your eyes opened. This isn’t just about respect. It’s about survival. Your survival. You need to wake up. You’re in a new world…and you’re not king anymore. Good luck.”[/i]
The night is winding to a close, the sun firmly beneath the horizon. Caleb and Tiffany walk back towards the Conway home, Tiffany leading a tired Solitaire and Caleb carrying an unconscious Domino in his arms. They open the door, Tiffany walking towards the living room while Lockwood takes the girls’ candy buckets (with only a slight protest from Solitaire and none from the slumbering Domino). He smiles, handing them off to Tiffany before walking upstairs. Solitaire opens the door to her room and walks in, closing it behind her. Caleb opens Domino’s room, walking over to her bed and carefully setting her down in it. He tucks the little girl in, smiling and patting her head. Domino smiles sleepily, and Caleb turns, walking back out of the room. He gently closes the door behind him and heads back to the living room where Tiffany’s sitting, TV already on. He sits a healthy distance away from her, watching her channel-surf with a contented smile on his face. His eyes track to the various signs of the birthday celebration from earlier, and he sighs, suddenly looking very pensive. Tiffany notices after about half a minute, glancing over.
”What’s got you all looking off into the distance?”
Caleb blinks, startled out of his reverie, and shrugs, looking over to her.
”Just…memories. My last birthday with Dad.”
She blinks, nodding, as she’d known he was an orphan but never asked about it. He sighs, looking down and folding his fingers together. Tiffany returns her attention to the TV as Caleb begins to reminisce.
”Yeah…it was my eighth. Dad took me to see Jurassic Park, and I was just…so amazed. God, loved that movie. Still do. But I remember it was a big deal, since we could never afford to go to the movies. He’d been talking about needing some new jeans, but he just…stopped a few weeks before my birthday. I remember what he got me, too. He gave me that shirt I wear in the ring, the Black Flag one. Said he wore it when he was younger, and he wanted me to have it because it was something special to him. I guess it was him trying to share something that really mattered to him with me…turns out I really like Black Flag. That’s why I wear that shirt all the time and come out to Rise Above. I want to keep those memories alive.”
Tiffany’s attention begins to drift to Caleb, interest beginning to dawn on her face. Caleb, for his part, is oblivious, still looking down.
”We were all we had. I had him, and he had me. I don’t know why his heart gave…maybe it was just too much. I know he wanted the best for me. Every night, he’d tuck me in and tell me the same thing: “Caleb, never forget that I love you, and I always will.” I used to think it was just him saying it, but…I mean, putting Domino to bed must have got me thinking about it. He said that and he meant it. No matter what I’d done or what was going on, he always took the time to tell me that. There were days when I’d look forward to it, because it meant that I was gonna be alright. I mean, my dad was there. Nothing could go wrong. Right?”
Tiffany is paying attention fully now, not even caring what’s on the screen. Her focus is locked on the man at the end of the couch, lost in thought and remorse as he spills his guts to someone who, as far as he can tell, isn’t listening.
“Family was everything…I really hope some day I have kids of my own. I want to be able to provide for them. Make sure they go to the best schools, always have food, clothes, a roof over their head…I want them to be proud. I want them to be healthy, and happy. I want them to be able to do what I couldn’t. Half the reason I jumped at the chance to work for NCW was that I wanted to have a job that I knew would provide steady, lucrative work. There’s stuff that’d be better for my body, but this is security for me and my family…if I ever have one. That’s kinda why I envy Mr. C. He’s got Mrs. C. They love each other so much, and their kids, and they make it work so well…it’s kind of what I always wanted for myself. But I’m probably boring you. Sorry, Tiffany. I’ll clear out. Probably don’t want to hear my sob story. Night.”
He hops up from the couch, turning and walking down the hall towards his room. Tiffany watches after him, and her right hand unconsciously rubs her left ring finger as she watches him go. She shakes her head, snapping herself out of the reverie she’d fallen into, and looks back at the television, hastily muttering excuses to herself as we fade to black.
”Alright girls, just a couple more houses and then we’ve got to get home! It’s getting late!”
They chorus back at him, acknowledging, and Caleb grins, jogging up the path as he glances to Tiffany.
”Solitaire’s so happy. Glad she liked my present.”
Tiffany nods, smirking a bit as she idly inspects her nails. The girls ring the doorbell, bouncing up and down on the soles of their feet as the two walk closer.
”Yeah. It’s nice to see her happy. She liked what I got her too. Oh, speaking of presents, sorry about the extra work with the car. You don’t mind, do you?”
Caleb rolls his eyes as the house’s door opens, smirking at Tiffany. Solitaire and Domino chorus in unison at the smiling couple that answers.
”Trick or treat!”
”Trick or treat!”
The two chuckle, smiling and giving the girls some candy. The woman, an older lady, smiles at Tiffany and Caleb as her husband hands out the sweets.
”They’re such sweethearts, aren’t they? And you two, so nice for taking them out on Halloween. You make a positively adorable couple. Well, Happy Halloween, girls! Have a safe night!”
The couple waves, and Tiffany stammers a denial as Caleb shakes his head, turning away. Solitaire runs up and tugs on Caleb’s arm, pointing down the street.
”Come on Caleb, we still gots a few houses to go to!”
He nods, smiling at her and walking after the girls, who naturally take the lead walking down the block. Caleb glances back at Tiffany, who’s running to catch up, and he mutters ruefully to himself.
”God, I wish…”
Tiffany skids to a more reasonable speed next to Caleb, blinking as she catches him saying something, though exactly what she’s not sure.
”You say something, Lockwood?”
Caleb shakes his head, face falling as he walks along, replying quietly, with the tone of a man who’s clearly given up. He looks ahead towards the girls, smiling a bit as he sees the joy on their faces.
”Nah. Wasn’t anything. Come on, we can’t let them leave us behind.”
Caleb grins, picking up the pace to catch up fully with the girls. Tiffany rolls her eyes again and runs a bit faster, chasing after the three as we fade to black.
”You…pretentious jackass. I think that’s what I take offense to the most. Not the idea that you can beat the Ace, or me, or anyone else. That’s just part of what we do. It’ s how you take everything for granted. You don’t assume there’ll be a contest, you don’t think there’ll be any sort of real competition. You expect that this is going to be you schooling me like I’m some snot-nosed student of yours and you’re putting me back in my place. News flash, Nighthawk. This isn’t the minor leagues anymore. This isn’t wherever the hell you came from before, where you could easily enforce your claim of being the best. This is NCW. This is the big leagues, this is the pinnacle of wrestling today, and if you can hack it here it means you’re one of the best in the world. It’s going to take a lot more than getting beat by Xavier Williams to prove to me that you’re worthy of the respect you act like you’re owed.”
“Maybe it’s because I didn’t come up through this Japanese-American-Mexican hybrid training like you did, but I just don’t get where you’re coming from. Or maybe it’s because I’m not a technical wrestler by any stretch of the imagination. I’m trying to learn and improve myself, but I’m not on the level of the Ace or anyone I’d consider a world-class technical wrestler. That’s not what I do, that’s never been what I do. I’m a high-flyer at heart. And trust me, for all your talk about how great a wrestler you are and how guaranteed it is that I’ll know you’re the best when I’m tapping out this Saturday…you can never count me out.”
“The mat? That’s your world. That’s your domain, that’s where you can work best. But the moment my feet leave the ground, I transcend all that crap. I enter a whole ‘nother world. Gravity isn’t a law for me. It’s a suggestion. How about you ask Xavier Williams what I can do? Or Davey Ortega? Maybe Joe Everyman? I’ve made plenty of people sit up and take notice of what I can do. You can have all those holds, and it won’t mean a damn thing, because I won’t let you get ahold of me. Oh, sure, that 450 you do is nice and crisp, but I’m doing things most people couldn’t pull off without a wire team. I do what others can’t, BECAUSE others can’t.”
“I’m doing this because, no matter what kind of a man Mr. Conway is, no matter what he’s done and how he’s mistreated me in the past, the fact is that he took me into his home. He trusted me with his children. He’s shown me harshness, yes, but he’s also shown me kindness. The man’s done more for my life and my career than anyone whose name isn’t Wes Fox. So for you to insult him so casually, so…callously…it just hit all the wrong nerves with me. And that’s why I wanted this match so badly. They had to waffle over this damn thing, what, two, three times? But I wanted it. Because come hell or high water, I’m going to be teaching you a lesson too. Words have consequences. And these ones are going to hurt.”
“I could just pin you. I could school you on the art of high-flying like you intend to school me on mat wrestling and pin your shoulders to the mat for the three. But I won’t. Because I want to beat you at your own game. I want to make you tap out to the Royal Flush, because in the end, what I do to you is reflective of what kind of a man I am. And I won’t take this lying down. I need to make you submit because you need your eyes opened. This isn’t just about respect. It’s about survival. Your survival. You need to wake up. You’re in a new world…and you’re not king anymore. Good luck.”[/i]
The night is winding to a close, the sun firmly beneath the horizon. Caleb and Tiffany walk back towards the Conway home, Tiffany leading a tired Solitaire and Caleb carrying an unconscious Domino in his arms. They open the door, Tiffany walking towards the living room while Lockwood takes the girls’ candy buckets (with only a slight protest from Solitaire and none from the slumbering Domino). He smiles, handing them off to Tiffany before walking upstairs. Solitaire opens the door to her room and walks in, closing it behind her. Caleb opens Domino’s room, walking over to her bed and carefully setting her down in it. He tucks the little girl in, smiling and patting her head. Domino smiles sleepily, and Caleb turns, walking back out of the room. He gently closes the door behind him and heads back to the living room where Tiffany’s sitting, TV already on. He sits a healthy distance away from her, watching her channel-surf with a contented smile on his face. His eyes track to the various signs of the birthday celebration from earlier, and he sighs, suddenly looking very pensive. Tiffany notices after about half a minute, glancing over.
”What’s got you all looking off into the distance?”
Caleb blinks, startled out of his reverie, and shrugs, looking over to her.
”Just…memories. My last birthday with Dad.”
She blinks, nodding, as she’d known he was an orphan but never asked about it. He sighs, looking down and folding his fingers together. Tiffany returns her attention to the TV as Caleb begins to reminisce.
”Yeah…it was my eighth. Dad took me to see Jurassic Park, and I was just…so amazed. God, loved that movie. Still do. But I remember it was a big deal, since we could never afford to go to the movies. He’d been talking about needing some new jeans, but he just…stopped a few weeks before my birthday. I remember what he got me, too. He gave me that shirt I wear in the ring, the Black Flag one. Said he wore it when he was younger, and he wanted me to have it because it was something special to him. I guess it was him trying to share something that really mattered to him with me…turns out I really like Black Flag. That’s why I wear that shirt all the time and come out to Rise Above. I want to keep those memories alive.”
Tiffany’s attention begins to drift to Caleb, interest beginning to dawn on her face. Caleb, for his part, is oblivious, still looking down.
”We were all we had. I had him, and he had me. I don’t know why his heart gave…maybe it was just too much. I know he wanted the best for me. Every night, he’d tuck me in and tell me the same thing: “Caleb, never forget that I love you, and I always will.” I used to think it was just him saying it, but…I mean, putting Domino to bed must have got me thinking about it. He said that and he meant it. No matter what I’d done or what was going on, he always took the time to tell me that. There were days when I’d look forward to it, because it meant that I was gonna be alright. I mean, my dad was there. Nothing could go wrong. Right?”
Tiffany is paying attention fully now, not even caring what’s on the screen. Her focus is locked on the man at the end of the couch, lost in thought and remorse as he spills his guts to someone who, as far as he can tell, isn’t listening.
“Family was everything…I really hope some day I have kids of my own. I want to be able to provide for them. Make sure they go to the best schools, always have food, clothes, a roof over their head…I want them to be proud. I want them to be healthy, and happy. I want them to be able to do what I couldn’t. Half the reason I jumped at the chance to work for NCW was that I wanted to have a job that I knew would provide steady, lucrative work. There’s stuff that’d be better for my body, but this is security for me and my family…if I ever have one. That’s kinda why I envy Mr. C. He’s got Mrs. C. They love each other so much, and their kids, and they make it work so well…it’s kind of what I always wanted for myself. But I’m probably boring you. Sorry, Tiffany. I’ll clear out. Probably don’t want to hear my sob story. Night.”
He hops up from the couch, turning and walking down the hall towards his room. Tiffany watches after him, and her right hand unconsciously rubs her left ring finger as she watches him go. She shakes her head, snapping herself out of the reverie she’d fallen into, and looks back at the television, hastily muttering excuses to herself as we fade to black.