Post by Hugo Conway on Nov 23, 2010 2:37:23 GMT -6
The pick up truck is stalled by a red light. The traffic in LA aggravating Dutch beyond belief. He can literally feel his hair graying. The traffic isn’t the only problem though. No that is a damn under statement. The real issue here is that damn nephew of his. The ever trouble making and anxiety inducing Hugo Conway.
He yells the cars in front of him as if that will suddenly clear up the grid lock instantaneously. They don’t hear his voice nor care to listen to the horn ragging. And neither does Hugo.
Dutch’s cell phone next to his ear for the tenth time this half hour hearing only Hugo’s Wonderlust King ring tone then his “Yo, not here you know what to do.” voice mail introduction.
Dutch: Hey kid, it’s me again. You know your caring and understanding Uncle who took you in and supported you for the last half decade. I got a message, and you know this from the last ten voice mail messages I left for you, from your trainer. You aren’t present for training and well he is taking out on me.
So if you want to maybe I don’t know get in touch with me and explain where the hell you are so I can get that man off of my back? Or maybe you could just head on over to the gym and work out. He is pretty upset with you.
A lot of talk of dropping you as a student for being pinned this week and not caring to consult with him before skipping the training session. So yeah maybe get back at me so I know you’re not lying in a ditch somewhere. OK?
He hangs up and tosses the phone on the seat next to him and continues staring at the tailgate in front of him. Still stuck, not moving and showing no signs of change.
Meanwhile Hugo is ignoring the vibrating phone in the side pocket of his gray cargo shorts. It’s Dutch again he is sure. Probably pissed about skipping training. But this is something he has to do.
The midday sun is glaring upon the Gilbert Lindsay Skate Park. Helmets reflecting it the shine creating small blind spots as Hugo walks past the gate. Remembering when he had to sign a waiver to skate here back in the day. Now they let him in for free, royalty has it’s benefits he guessed.
His skateboard clasped between his waist and his arms. Pan B Deck, Destructo Trucks fitted with Darkstar wheels. The brainsaver strapped on his head and the Vans shoes tied extra tight.
He waves at a large group of people who all seemingly stop skating, even those in the air to watch Hugo “Bones” Conway return to where it all began. Half of the group surge over to him like a horde of the undead craving his flesh for survival.
He slaps hands with a few and then begins to hug some others. His old friends, posse, and closets competitors before he went pro.
Val: The prodigal son returns!
Brink: Lest we all bow to Bones Conway!
The mass bow mockingly and all laugh, hoot and growl and him.
Hugo: Ok ok ok, I don’t remember this place being such a sausage fest. Where are all the ladies?
Val: They all disappeared right after you left. Figured they all pitched in a got a tour bus and followed you on tour like dead heads.
Brink: Well actually Val gave most of them harpies and scared the rest off.
Val: Don’t worry Bones, it’s not a total loss. They were getting kind of fugly anyway.
Brink: None of them could skate for **** either dude.
Val: I don’t care how well they can skate so long as they wish to filate fella.
Hugo smiles, a grin hiding a wince.
Hugo: You guys haven’t changed a bit.
Val: Yeah I guess you could say that, we try to stay original here.
Brink: Especially since you sold out, it’s been a bit difficult to uphold our reputation in these parts.
Val and Brink glance at Hugo’s shirt, nCw logo on the chest.
Val: Course you sold out twice, so it’s been twice as difficult.
Brink: Especially with all the damn kids around here anymore. “Ooh, Bones Conway used to skate here, how awesome!”
Val: Yeah, “Did you know Bones won a gold medal in the x games?…Oolala”.
Brink: I just want to yank them over to the pipe and be like BONES BROKE HIS HEAD OPEN HERE, SEE THAT IT’S A STAIN MADE FROM HIS BLOOD AND IF YOU DON’T SHUT THE HELL UP AND GET OUT OF THE WAY YOUR GONNA HAVE A STAIN NEXT TO IT!!!
Val: But what brings you back to these the most humble and hallowed of grounds?
Hugo: I have been separated from this for, well a while now. I just wanted to come back and…
Brink: See if we are all clamoring over your greatness still?
Hugo: Something like that.
Val: well don’t flatter yourself kid, we’re kind of over you.
Hugo: Is that so? Really didn’t look that way with you all rushing over worship at my feet.
Brink: We thought the dead head chicks were with you.
Val: Yeah Bones, not sure if you noticed but this place hasn’t quite changed like you have.
Hugo: Changed?…What do you mean?
They tug on the nCw shirt.
Val: I don’t see any wrestling ring, or beefy men in underwear here.
Hugo: You keep the beefy men in your closet though don’t you?
Brink: At least he still has jokes right?
Val: And they are oh so clever. Tony Hawk teach you that one?
Hugo: Am I sensing some hostility here?
Brink: Only a little…
Hugo: Well then lets settle this like skaters then.
Val: How you plan on doing that one? You gonna watch us from the park bench?
Hugo: very funny man, lets skate.
He drops the board and pushes his way to a ramp, they follow in unison and mimic his every move. Everything from the ramps, the verts, the tricks, the bowl and seemingly out performing. Getting higher air, better landings, moving more gracefully. Finally they are dueling in a half pipe. Hugo seems to have hit his stride showing them up as he comes down from trick he is slammed into by Val, Hugo does a 180 and hit’s the cement hard. Bleeding from road rash on his forearms he pushes himself up and walks over aggressively to Val grabbing his collar.
Hugo: What the hell was that?
Val: You ran into me kid.
Hugo: Bull****.
Val: Face it, you’re rusty. Maybe if you weren’t busy selling out the industry you wouldn’t make mistakes like that.
Hugo: What the hell was I supposed to do? Stay here with you clowns pushing each other into the bushes in shopping carts? Getting ****ed up on a nightly basis, watch cartoons and drink Mountain Dew all night? Sleep til 5 and skate here until dark. Rinse and repeat?
Val: Think you’re better than us?
Hugo: This says I am asshole!
He pulls out the X games medal. Everyone’s grow large, he played his hand nicely.
Hugo: You’re all right, I have changed. This isn’t me anymore. Which is why I brought this. I planned on donating it to the park. So the little ones could see you can follow your dreams. But you jaded tools would only preach about how I brought here to remind you all daily that I got the **** out and made it and left you, and all of this behind…That I sold out. Selling out-try growing up assholes.
He throws his skateboard twenty feet to his side and his helmet in the opposite direction. And violently pushes past Val and Brink knocking them back. Before he leaves the park he stops next to a kid practicing. So intent on learning he didn’t even notice the qualm.
Hugo: Hey Kid…
The kid looks up and recognizes Hugo from the magazines his mom bought him from the drug store.
Hugo: Here take this, it will help you skate. Just don’t sell it on eBay ok?
He tosses the kid the X games medal and walks through the park gates for the last time…
Dutch has taken to pulling his hair out, at this point, he wasn’t to launch a missile and sink California into the ocean blue. As he pounds on the horn his phone rings. The screen shows it’s Hugo and he answers anxiously.
Dutch: where the hell have you been?
Hugo: Skate park.
Dutch: Really? You think after your loss this week that’s the most ideal place to be to hone your craft?
Hugo: Don’t worry Dutch, I am done.
Dutch: Done with what?
Hugo: This it’s over. I am leaving ti behind me once and for all. I am ready to attack this wrestling thing right.
Dutch: Ok where are you at? I will come pick you up and we can head over to the gym and get ready before the flight to the great white north.
Hugo: Outside Gilbert Lindsay.
Dutch: No ****, I should have known. Alright kid I will be there as soon as I can.
They hang up and the cars begin to move. The grid lock clears up. Tailgates moving forward. Looks like no ones stuck after all…
When I first arrived here in the nCw the bulk of the people involved in the company raised their eyebrows in what was probably a huge WTF moment. All wondering who this kid was and why in the hell this skater who had never wrestled before had decided to come in and start drinking the kool ade.
The idea left a sour taste in many wrestlers mouths and I have had a hell of a time trying to prove that it was the right decision to come here and that decision is going to benefit both parties.
Soon after my debut the critics seemed to halt any of ill words about my skill level and seemed to start pulling for me. I was put into road to the Gold having almost no experience and although it was widely considered I didn’t have a shot at winning the tournament it didn’t stop those who were scorned by my arrival from cheering me on.
Unfortunately I was eliminated in the first round of the tournament. I admit at the time it was to much for me to bear. I wish I could say I gave it my best but I didn’t and I admit that now. I was to busy trying to live up to me reputation as the skater who gave up guaranteed cash revenue for the rest of his life to skate, the fearless risk taker who has won gold medals to properly learn just what to do inside of a ring and because of that I was not able to execute properly. Nonetheless those within this company still saw potential in me and despite my all but IFFY win loss record gave me a shot at becoming a contender for the X title. That is yet another match I lost and a failed opportunity.
Again it was more important to me to live up this character and continue to create the aurora of an extremist I forgot that it wasn’t a skate park but a wrestling ring and I failed to garner that victory.
It was right around that time then I started to realize that maybe I should start paying more attention to what I was doing in the ring. Nine times out of ten I am grossly outmatched in not just size but experience.
Since the first day I started here Dutch has been in my ears telling me I was going to hurt myself, that I should reconsider what I was doing. I was to busy being selfish to understand just what he meant.
He Didn’t want me to quit wrestling but to finally dedicate myself to the sport I have chosen as my career, my life. So that I can succeed without risking any unnecessary injury. So I could prove to the naysayers that I belong here and so I can gratify the support I have had from the fans and staff who have been behind me rooting, despite my shortcomings.
So I found myself a trainer and hit the gym and I have been learning, paying close attention to the teachings, the ways and the secrets of the ring. I am not a master of one thousands holds and I am not a technical showcase yet either.
But I am getting there and with that comes new determination and drive to apply myself one hundred percent. While watching the promos for my match last week I heard the words of encouragement and they really did mean a lot but it’s not what helped me realize just how much I care.
There was a lot of talk about the past. Ex wives, ex relations, lazy habbits, and interactions in former promotions. Other promotions…I heard those words and it struck another hole in my heart. I don’t care about the past when you’re part of a company you should treat it as though there are no other companies in the world who comes close to being like it.
Then I realized I was guilty of the same thing, because almost every time went to the ring somewhere in the back of my mind was a skate park. But not anymore. I have grown here, and with each passing day I realize how important this place is to me how all of those accomplishments from the past are but mere memories.
Last week I said that my time has come and the future is now. That I was no longer going to allow myself called a future contender. I am stepping in the ring this weekend at the Braking away pay per view with X champion Joe Ragnal. Joe who I have but one match and that experience was as his tag partner. I have seen his matches here, he’s good. I paid close attention to him last week during our match and I am confident that I can beat him. He has a reputation as being lazy and being a real couch potato. But I know better.
But I have a reputation as a risk taker, a hellion, someone who is willing to put his body through anything just for the sheer thrill of it. I have climbed I have swam with sharks, fallen to his earth from airplanes, and climbed mountain tops.
I am synonymous with extreme in every meaning of the word and I will use that as well as I can so I can once and for all climb the mountain to championship gold. I mean honestly whose more suited for this title than me?
He yells the cars in front of him as if that will suddenly clear up the grid lock instantaneously. They don’t hear his voice nor care to listen to the horn ragging. And neither does Hugo.
Dutch’s cell phone next to his ear for the tenth time this half hour hearing only Hugo’s Wonderlust King ring tone then his “Yo, not here you know what to do.” voice mail introduction.
Dutch: Hey kid, it’s me again. You know your caring and understanding Uncle who took you in and supported you for the last half decade. I got a message, and you know this from the last ten voice mail messages I left for you, from your trainer. You aren’t present for training and well he is taking out on me.
So if you want to maybe I don’t know get in touch with me and explain where the hell you are so I can get that man off of my back? Or maybe you could just head on over to the gym and work out. He is pretty upset with you.
A lot of talk of dropping you as a student for being pinned this week and not caring to consult with him before skipping the training session. So yeah maybe get back at me so I know you’re not lying in a ditch somewhere. OK?
He hangs up and tosses the phone on the seat next to him and continues staring at the tailgate in front of him. Still stuck, not moving and showing no signs of change.
Meanwhile Hugo is ignoring the vibrating phone in the side pocket of his gray cargo shorts. It’s Dutch again he is sure. Probably pissed about skipping training. But this is something he has to do.
The midday sun is glaring upon the Gilbert Lindsay Skate Park. Helmets reflecting it the shine creating small blind spots as Hugo walks past the gate. Remembering when he had to sign a waiver to skate here back in the day. Now they let him in for free, royalty has it’s benefits he guessed.
His skateboard clasped between his waist and his arms. Pan B Deck, Destructo Trucks fitted with Darkstar wheels. The brainsaver strapped on his head and the Vans shoes tied extra tight.
He waves at a large group of people who all seemingly stop skating, even those in the air to watch Hugo “Bones” Conway return to where it all began. Half of the group surge over to him like a horde of the undead craving his flesh for survival.
He slaps hands with a few and then begins to hug some others. His old friends, posse, and closets competitors before he went pro.
Val: The prodigal son returns!
Brink: Lest we all bow to Bones Conway!
The mass bow mockingly and all laugh, hoot and growl and him.
Hugo: Ok ok ok, I don’t remember this place being such a sausage fest. Where are all the ladies?
Val: They all disappeared right after you left. Figured they all pitched in a got a tour bus and followed you on tour like dead heads.
Brink: Well actually Val gave most of them harpies and scared the rest off.
Val: Don’t worry Bones, it’s not a total loss. They were getting kind of fugly anyway.
Brink: None of them could skate for **** either dude.
Val: I don’t care how well they can skate so long as they wish to filate fella.
Hugo smiles, a grin hiding a wince.
Hugo: You guys haven’t changed a bit.
Val: Yeah I guess you could say that, we try to stay original here.
Brink: Especially since you sold out, it’s been a bit difficult to uphold our reputation in these parts.
Val and Brink glance at Hugo’s shirt, nCw logo on the chest.
Val: Course you sold out twice, so it’s been twice as difficult.
Brink: Especially with all the damn kids around here anymore. “Ooh, Bones Conway used to skate here, how awesome!”
Val: Yeah, “Did you know Bones won a gold medal in the x games?…Oolala”.
Brink: I just want to yank them over to the pipe and be like BONES BROKE HIS HEAD OPEN HERE, SEE THAT IT’S A STAIN MADE FROM HIS BLOOD AND IF YOU DON’T SHUT THE HELL UP AND GET OUT OF THE WAY YOUR GONNA HAVE A STAIN NEXT TO IT!!!
Val: But what brings you back to these the most humble and hallowed of grounds?
Hugo: I have been separated from this for, well a while now. I just wanted to come back and…
Brink: See if we are all clamoring over your greatness still?
Hugo: Something like that.
Val: well don’t flatter yourself kid, we’re kind of over you.
Hugo: Is that so? Really didn’t look that way with you all rushing over worship at my feet.
Brink: We thought the dead head chicks were with you.
Val: Yeah Bones, not sure if you noticed but this place hasn’t quite changed like you have.
Hugo: Changed?…What do you mean?
They tug on the nCw shirt.
Val: I don’t see any wrestling ring, or beefy men in underwear here.
Hugo: You keep the beefy men in your closet though don’t you?
Brink: At least he still has jokes right?
Val: And they are oh so clever. Tony Hawk teach you that one?
Hugo: Am I sensing some hostility here?
Brink: Only a little…
Hugo: Well then lets settle this like skaters then.
Val: How you plan on doing that one? You gonna watch us from the park bench?
Hugo: very funny man, lets skate.
He drops the board and pushes his way to a ramp, they follow in unison and mimic his every move. Everything from the ramps, the verts, the tricks, the bowl and seemingly out performing. Getting higher air, better landings, moving more gracefully. Finally they are dueling in a half pipe. Hugo seems to have hit his stride showing them up as he comes down from trick he is slammed into by Val, Hugo does a 180 and hit’s the cement hard. Bleeding from road rash on his forearms he pushes himself up and walks over aggressively to Val grabbing his collar.
Hugo: What the hell was that?
Val: You ran into me kid.
Hugo: Bull****.
Val: Face it, you’re rusty. Maybe if you weren’t busy selling out the industry you wouldn’t make mistakes like that.
Hugo: What the hell was I supposed to do? Stay here with you clowns pushing each other into the bushes in shopping carts? Getting ****ed up on a nightly basis, watch cartoons and drink Mountain Dew all night? Sleep til 5 and skate here until dark. Rinse and repeat?
Val: Think you’re better than us?
Hugo: This says I am asshole!
He pulls out the X games medal. Everyone’s grow large, he played his hand nicely.
Hugo: You’re all right, I have changed. This isn’t me anymore. Which is why I brought this. I planned on donating it to the park. So the little ones could see you can follow your dreams. But you jaded tools would only preach about how I brought here to remind you all daily that I got the **** out and made it and left you, and all of this behind…That I sold out. Selling out-try growing up assholes.
He throws his skateboard twenty feet to his side and his helmet in the opposite direction. And violently pushes past Val and Brink knocking them back. Before he leaves the park he stops next to a kid practicing. So intent on learning he didn’t even notice the qualm.
Hugo: Hey Kid…
The kid looks up and recognizes Hugo from the magazines his mom bought him from the drug store.
Hugo: Here take this, it will help you skate. Just don’t sell it on eBay ok?
He tosses the kid the X games medal and walks through the park gates for the last time…
Dutch has taken to pulling his hair out, at this point, he wasn’t to launch a missile and sink California into the ocean blue. As he pounds on the horn his phone rings. The screen shows it’s Hugo and he answers anxiously.
Dutch: where the hell have you been?
Hugo: Skate park.
Dutch: Really? You think after your loss this week that’s the most ideal place to be to hone your craft?
Hugo: Don’t worry Dutch, I am done.
Dutch: Done with what?
Hugo: This it’s over. I am leaving ti behind me once and for all. I am ready to attack this wrestling thing right.
Dutch: Ok where are you at? I will come pick you up and we can head over to the gym and get ready before the flight to the great white north.
Hugo: Outside Gilbert Lindsay.
Dutch: No ****, I should have known. Alright kid I will be there as soon as I can.
They hang up and the cars begin to move. The grid lock clears up. Tailgates moving forward. Looks like no ones stuck after all…
When I first arrived here in the nCw the bulk of the people involved in the company raised their eyebrows in what was probably a huge WTF moment. All wondering who this kid was and why in the hell this skater who had never wrestled before had decided to come in and start drinking the kool ade.
The idea left a sour taste in many wrestlers mouths and I have had a hell of a time trying to prove that it was the right decision to come here and that decision is going to benefit both parties.
Soon after my debut the critics seemed to halt any of ill words about my skill level and seemed to start pulling for me. I was put into road to the Gold having almost no experience and although it was widely considered I didn’t have a shot at winning the tournament it didn’t stop those who were scorned by my arrival from cheering me on.
Unfortunately I was eliminated in the first round of the tournament. I admit at the time it was to much for me to bear. I wish I could say I gave it my best but I didn’t and I admit that now. I was to busy trying to live up to me reputation as the skater who gave up guaranteed cash revenue for the rest of his life to skate, the fearless risk taker who has won gold medals to properly learn just what to do inside of a ring and because of that I was not able to execute properly. Nonetheless those within this company still saw potential in me and despite my all but IFFY win loss record gave me a shot at becoming a contender for the X title. That is yet another match I lost and a failed opportunity.
Again it was more important to me to live up this character and continue to create the aurora of an extremist I forgot that it wasn’t a skate park but a wrestling ring and I failed to garner that victory.
It was right around that time then I started to realize that maybe I should start paying more attention to what I was doing in the ring. Nine times out of ten I am grossly outmatched in not just size but experience.
Since the first day I started here Dutch has been in my ears telling me I was going to hurt myself, that I should reconsider what I was doing. I was to busy being selfish to understand just what he meant.
He Didn’t want me to quit wrestling but to finally dedicate myself to the sport I have chosen as my career, my life. So that I can succeed without risking any unnecessary injury. So I could prove to the naysayers that I belong here and so I can gratify the support I have had from the fans and staff who have been behind me rooting, despite my shortcomings.
So I found myself a trainer and hit the gym and I have been learning, paying close attention to the teachings, the ways and the secrets of the ring. I am not a master of one thousands holds and I am not a technical showcase yet either.
But I am getting there and with that comes new determination and drive to apply myself one hundred percent. While watching the promos for my match last week I heard the words of encouragement and they really did mean a lot but it’s not what helped me realize just how much I care.
There was a lot of talk about the past. Ex wives, ex relations, lazy habbits, and interactions in former promotions. Other promotions…I heard those words and it struck another hole in my heart. I don’t care about the past when you’re part of a company you should treat it as though there are no other companies in the world who comes close to being like it.
Then I realized I was guilty of the same thing, because almost every time went to the ring somewhere in the back of my mind was a skate park. But not anymore. I have grown here, and with each passing day I realize how important this place is to me how all of those accomplishments from the past are but mere memories.
Last week I said that my time has come and the future is now. That I was no longer going to allow myself called a future contender. I am stepping in the ring this weekend at the Braking away pay per view with X champion Joe Ragnal. Joe who I have but one match and that experience was as his tag partner. I have seen his matches here, he’s good. I paid close attention to him last week during our match and I am confident that I can beat him. He has a reputation as being lazy and being a real couch potato. But I know better.
But I have a reputation as a risk taker, a hellion, someone who is willing to put his body through anything just for the sheer thrill of it. I have climbed I have swam with sharks, fallen to his earth from airplanes, and climbed mountain tops.
I am synonymous with extreme in every meaning of the word and I will use that as well as I can so I can once and for all climb the mountain to championship gold. I mean honestly whose more suited for this title than me?