Post by Will Washington on Mar 4, 2012 5:41:26 GMT -6
{The scene opens with Will Washington sitting at on the outdoor patio of a local coffee shop. It’s a sunny and reasonably warm day, so it’s appropriate weather for a light jacket or maybe even a cardigan. He sits there, sipping his usual plain black coffee as he seems to be waiting for someone. Suddenly a small child runs up and shoots “BOO!” at Will, who responds with a smile as he pulls the child in for a big bear hug.}
“You little scamp. Where’s your dad?”
{Before the child can answer, a familiar voice can be heard beneath the loud barking of another child. Suddenly Xavier Cross comes into frame pushing his two year old in a stroller while his daughter holds onto his leg with every step he takes. You can tell the man hasn’t had a good sleep in a while as he moves like a freshly infected zombie. Cross makes it to the table and promptly hands his youngest a sippy cup of juice, which is promptly hurled at the nearest older gentleman. Cross sighs as he prepares to get back up, but Washington stops him.}
“Let me get that.”
{Will grabs the cup while quickly apologizing to the old man before returning to the table. Landon Cross tries to grab Will’s hot cup of coffee, but the soldier warms him about the dangers of burns. He turns his attention to obviously exhausted former wrestler.}
“Tough day?”
“What gave it away?”
“You look like death bro.”
“That’s what having three kids will do to you. Between school, the terrible twos, and being both mommy and daddy… I don’t get a lot of time to sleep.”
“I can see that.”
{An attractive brunette waitress comes up to take Cross’ order. He gets nothing for himself, but orders a few muffins for the kids. He looks out toward the calm streets and takes in a breath. Slowly his head tilts downward and he barely catches himself before dozing off. Cross shakes loose the oncoming sleep.}
“So your big return this week… I can’t believe you’re going back. It’s going to be awesome.”
“I’m pretty psyched about it. Jacobsen is going to be a heck of an opponent. It’s going to be a big night…”
“Yeah…. Yeah… The kids and I will definitely be watching. Right kids?”
{Laondon let’s out an excited yell.}
“YAY UNCLE WILL! I can’t wait to see you beat up the bad guy! Just like daddy used to do!”
{Young Isabella Cross follows her twin brother’s lead.}
“Daddy. Why don’t you beat up bad guys anymore?”
{Xavier leans down to speak to his daughter.}
“Daddy doesn’t have time for that anymore. Daddy’s got his hands full with you rugrats.”
“What’s a rugrat?”
“A rugrat is like… a baby…. But I guess you kids aren’t really babies anymore.”
“They’re getting so big. When Landon showed up I thought it was Andre the Giant!”
“A giant? Giants are scary Uncle Will. Giants are big, mean monsters.”
“Aww. Not all giants are mean and not all monsters are bad. Sometimes they’re just misunderstood… Sometimes they’re just playing a role to make the hero look better, and the good guy is really a jerk.”
“But why would they do that? People don’t like the bad guys.”
“Without the bad guys, nobody would care about the good guys.”
{The kids let this sink in and go quiet, shifting their focus to a coloring book XC brought for them. Will and XC sit there in silence for a few moments before Will breaks the silence and brings up the subject they were clearly both secretly thinking about.}
“Can you believe it’s been two years?”
“I think about her every second of every day. Of course I can believe it. Crossroads is just a sullen reminder of how much we lost that day.”
“I can see her in their faces. Like they say… it’s not about what you take when you leave, but what you leave behind you… and you’ve got three beautiful keepsakes from her.”
“They’re my little angels. That void that was created when she left this Earth will never fully be filled, but I cope.”
{Silence again as both men share a moment of remembrance,}
“It’s good to see that you’ve gotten everything in your life on track. The wrestling, the fiancé and everything else. Speaking of, what did Kristen have to say about you going back to NCW?”
“It was actually her idea. I don’t think she even considered the fact that I’d be wrestling again though. I think she thought AJ would be more receptive to my ideas.”
“People are stubborn. Sometimes tough love is the only way for them to learn. I’m guessing Jacobsen has a lot of that coming his way?”
“Of course.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________
“It’s good to see you’re taking this match seriously AJ, because it seems that you’re not doing the same for anything I say. Much like a child, it all seems to go in one ear and out the other. I know, I know. The big, mean man is telling you something you don’t want to hear, but sometimes you actually have to man up and look at facts. You admit that you have flaws and that’s a good first step, but from here it’s up to you to actually admit what those flaws are. Saying something and doing something are completely different, so it’s time for you to put up or shut up. You’re think what I’m saying is wrong, and now is your chance to prove it. Unfortunately for you, you’re talented… but you’re just not talented enough..”
“I make no bones about the fact that you’re one of the most talented pure wrestlers in the world and you’re obviously working your tail off to get ready for this match, but all that hard work is for naught on Sunday. You know what you’re up against, but seemingly the audience has forgotten. I see the message boards and I know you’re the favorite heading into this thing. People are writing me off completely and I’m here to tell you… I ain’t dead yet. Maybe there’s a consensus out there that during my time away from the ring, I may have developed some rust. Maybe there’s a feeling going around the audience that my best days are behind me… Maybe they don’t think I ever had what it takes to begin with or don’t even know who I am or what I stand for. Well allow me to reintroduce myself to all of you.”
“… I’m Will Washington…. and I destroy worlds.”
“I’ve been thrown off of Coliseums, put through the ring, and had everything short of being murdered happen to me in that ring, and yet, I’m still standing. The people that waste their lives speculating and voting in insignificant polls on the internet are doubting me? You think a little ring rust is going to stop the soldier? Well excuse me if I don’t take your opinions seriously then. ANYONE that thinks I don’t have what it takes to beat Andrew Jacobsen is only kidding themselves.”
“I know with my heart, soul, and my very being that I can, and will, win this match. I honestly think you could win it too AJ… but you won’t. Why? You just don’t want it enough.”
“I didn’t come back to the ring to fight you Andrew, quite the contrary is true. I’m here to help you, and whether you want it or not, it’s going to happen. All I wanted was for you to finally excel and reach the level that some of us thought you could be on, but you won’t let that happen. You pressured me into this. You forced my hand. It’s never too late for you to take my advice, but sadly, you’re too stubborn…. So now I have to hurt you, and in doing so, I’ll still be doing you some good. See… You didn’t want the easy way out, so now comes the hard part…. I have to put you out of your misery.”
“I don’t want to do it AJ, but I’ve got no other choice at this point. It’s a dog eat dog world and you’re content to stand back and let everyone else devour each other and become stars, hoping that they’ll all kill each other off and you’ll be the last man standing. That isn’t going to happen. If every single person in the lockerroom fell off the face of the Earth, there would just be more people to come in and do what you won’t. There’s always going to be someone willing to come in and do whatever it takes to make it in this business, and you’ll get passed by yet again. For all of the positive things you’ve got to your credit, you lack the killer instinct that every single person who has ever stepped foot in a wrestling ring has. You’re a special breed Jacobsen, but survival of the fittest is a real thing. You could come out here every night and put on a five star classic every night, but behind the curtain there’s going to be someone putting on a five star job of cutting your legs out from under you. Until you’re willing to leave your morals at the door, you’re wasting everyone’s time, and you’re letting yourself flounder. And that’s where I come in…. the putting you out of your misery stuff. For too many nights you’ve looked at next week’s card and noticed so many guys that deserve it less than you are getting the title shots that you wanted. You go home and you punch Pillow Pet and weep into your Mexican stereotype best friend’s shoulder… and you do nothing to improve the situation. You tell yourself ‘Hey! Tomorrow will be better!’… but it never does. It won’t get better. It NEVER gets better…. at least for you it doesn’t. So come Sunday, I end the vicious cycle. I end the pain, the blood, the sweat, and the tears. This Sunday… I end your career.”
“It’s the only humane thing I can do for you anymore. You’ve made it painfully obvious to everyone, myself included, that no matter what I say, you’re going to continue to take the high road and be the bridesmaid, never the bride. While wrestler after wrestler gets married in front of you, you’re content to just be at the party. That’s the kind of attitude that gets you nowhere in life except standing opposite the groom’s frat boy cousin. If that’s going to be the way it is, you should have left a long time ago. NCW isn’t going to pity **** you any longer.”
“You keep saying that I’m insulting you… How? I’m only stating the truth buddy, and if you take that as an insult, that’s your deal. I’ve been nothing but respectful towards you, and I’d appreciate it if you could keep it civil. The only insult I’ve seen is you insulting the business that I love with your half-heartedness and ****ty attitude. Telling it like it is is insulting to you? You want an apology for that? ….Okay. I apologize. but I will give no apologies for what I do on Sunday. This is my last resort AJ. Either you’re walking out of there a changed man or you’re not walking out at all. You asked for this and I’m only giving you what you need… I’m giving you an opponent… a rival… a match… and a reason.”
“I don’t want to beat you. I don’t. I don’t want to win this match and embarrass you in the process. I wish with every fiber of me being that you’d step into that ring and break my neck, knock my teeth out, and leave me for dead. That’s all it would take for me to go away for good… but you’re physically incapable of doing it… Because I won’t die…. and you won’t let yourself live. This is a man’s game, and until you stop relying on the kindness (or lack thereof) of others and start making your own breaks, you’re not a man in my eyes. You’re a child… and Will Washington isn’t losing to a child. I’m going to rip you limb from limb if I have to, but can you say you’re willing to do the same? No. No you aren’t. You’ll say that I should ‘bring my best’, but in your heart of hearts you’re hoping against hope that I’ll lay down and let you win. And that’s where it all comes full circle for us AJ. For me… for you… for the fans. There will come a point during the match where I stand over you as you look up at me like a wounded animal and you’ll ask… nay… beg me for mercy. The fans will expect me to give you a break… to let you squeak by… to let you live to fight another day. Yet when this moment comes I’ll look down at you and shake my head in shame, because unlike you, I’m man enough to finish the fight.”
“Think about it like this: I’ve seen you be cold-hearted ONCE in your entire career. You remember that day well, don’t you? A little match with a former NCW superstar that ended with you injuring him to the point that he had to wear a helmet for the rest of his career. And what deadly, maniacal move did the deed and put him out of the picture once and for all? What gave you a temporarily new lease on life? The Kill ‘Em All. A little move you stole from your’s truly…. I was proud of you on that day AJ… everything sense has been a disappointment. I’d be honored if you used my own finisher to try and cripple me this week… but it looks like this time the shoe is on the other foot.”
“The sad part is… It’s going to hurt me more than it hurts you. A broken neck can heal, but my broken heart is forever.”
“You say I lit the fire under you, and maybe that’s true. Ever since I came back on the scene you’ve been on one of the most impressive winning streaks of your career. Maybe you’re winning because of me or maybe you’re winning to spite me. Either way, I get all the credit for this fire inside of you, and now it’s time for me to extinguish it.”
"That's the difference between you and I again. You speak of a newly lit fire in your soul that was previously not there. Inside my chest you won't find a dimly lit flame, but a roaring inferno.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
{Washington watches as the twins finish coloring a picture and rip the page from the book before handing it over to Will.}
“We colored it for you. We got out of the lines a little bit, but we did our best.”
{Will holds the picture up and for the first time, he notices no imperfections, only focusing on the fact that so much love went into it. He takes the picture and carefully folds it into four quarters before placing it into his jacket pocket.}
“I love it. I’m going to put it up on my refrigerator as soon as I get home.”
“Cool!”
“Don’t forget it okay. I don’t want you to lose it.”
“Trust me. I won’t.”
{After a few more minutes of small talk, Washington and the Crosses finish their coffee and muffins before they have to depart. Will gets down on a knee and pulls Landon and Isabella in close.}
“Listen you guys. I know you’re going to be watching my match on Sunday, but I want you to know that’s not me. Anything I do on TV isn’t the real me. This is Uncle Will…. That’s…. That’s opposite Will. He doesn’t always do the right thing, and things don’t always work out for him. Anything that happens on TV is just make-believe. Okay?”
“Okay Uncle Will!”
{Washington hugs the two children and stands back up before turning to Cross. The enemies turned friends shake hands.}
“Hey man. If you ever need anything…”
“I know, I know.”
“When I go out there on Sunday, just know that I’m fighting for you guys. Not only in Cari’s memory, but for you and the kids too. I won’t let you down.”
“We never thought you would.”
{The scene ends with the two parties going their opposite ways as we focus on the empty table before fading into darkness.}
“You little scamp. Where’s your dad?”
{Before the child can answer, a familiar voice can be heard beneath the loud barking of another child. Suddenly Xavier Cross comes into frame pushing his two year old in a stroller while his daughter holds onto his leg with every step he takes. You can tell the man hasn’t had a good sleep in a while as he moves like a freshly infected zombie. Cross makes it to the table and promptly hands his youngest a sippy cup of juice, which is promptly hurled at the nearest older gentleman. Cross sighs as he prepares to get back up, but Washington stops him.}
“Let me get that.”
{Will grabs the cup while quickly apologizing to the old man before returning to the table. Landon Cross tries to grab Will’s hot cup of coffee, but the soldier warms him about the dangers of burns. He turns his attention to obviously exhausted former wrestler.}
“Tough day?”
“What gave it away?”
“You look like death bro.”
“That’s what having three kids will do to you. Between school, the terrible twos, and being both mommy and daddy… I don’t get a lot of time to sleep.”
“I can see that.”
{An attractive brunette waitress comes up to take Cross’ order. He gets nothing for himself, but orders a few muffins for the kids. He looks out toward the calm streets and takes in a breath. Slowly his head tilts downward and he barely catches himself before dozing off. Cross shakes loose the oncoming sleep.}
“So your big return this week… I can’t believe you’re going back. It’s going to be awesome.”
“I’m pretty psyched about it. Jacobsen is going to be a heck of an opponent. It’s going to be a big night…”
“Yeah…. Yeah… The kids and I will definitely be watching. Right kids?”
{Laondon let’s out an excited yell.}
“YAY UNCLE WILL! I can’t wait to see you beat up the bad guy! Just like daddy used to do!”
{Young Isabella Cross follows her twin brother’s lead.}
“Daddy. Why don’t you beat up bad guys anymore?”
{Xavier leans down to speak to his daughter.}
“Daddy doesn’t have time for that anymore. Daddy’s got his hands full with you rugrats.”
“What’s a rugrat?”
“A rugrat is like… a baby…. But I guess you kids aren’t really babies anymore.”
“They’re getting so big. When Landon showed up I thought it was Andre the Giant!”
“A giant? Giants are scary Uncle Will. Giants are big, mean monsters.”
“Aww. Not all giants are mean and not all monsters are bad. Sometimes they’re just misunderstood… Sometimes they’re just playing a role to make the hero look better, and the good guy is really a jerk.”
“But why would they do that? People don’t like the bad guys.”
“Without the bad guys, nobody would care about the good guys.”
{The kids let this sink in and go quiet, shifting their focus to a coloring book XC brought for them. Will and XC sit there in silence for a few moments before Will breaks the silence and brings up the subject they were clearly both secretly thinking about.}
“Can you believe it’s been two years?”
“I think about her every second of every day. Of course I can believe it. Crossroads is just a sullen reminder of how much we lost that day.”
“I can see her in their faces. Like they say… it’s not about what you take when you leave, but what you leave behind you… and you’ve got three beautiful keepsakes from her.”
“They’re my little angels. That void that was created when she left this Earth will never fully be filled, but I cope.”
{Silence again as both men share a moment of remembrance,}
“It’s good to see that you’ve gotten everything in your life on track. The wrestling, the fiancé and everything else. Speaking of, what did Kristen have to say about you going back to NCW?”
“It was actually her idea. I don’t think she even considered the fact that I’d be wrestling again though. I think she thought AJ would be more receptive to my ideas.”
“People are stubborn. Sometimes tough love is the only way for them to learn. I’m guessing Jacobsen has a lot of that coming his way?”
“Of course.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________
“It’s good to see you’re taking this match seriously AJ, because it seems that you’re not doing the same for anything I say. Much like a child, it all seems to go in one ear and out the other. I know, I know. The big, mean man is telling you something you don’t want to hear, but sometimes you actually have to man up and look at facts. You admit that you have flaws and that’s a good first step, but from here it’s up to you to actually admit what those flaws are. Saying something and doing something are completely different, so it’s time for you to put up or shut up. You’re think what I’m saying is wrong, and now is your chance to prove it. Unfortunately for you, you’re talented… but you’re just not talented enough..”
“I make no bones about the fact that you’re one of the most talented pure wrestlers in the world and you’re obviously working your tail off to get ready for this match, but all that hard work is for naught on Sunday. You know what you’re up against, but seemingly the audience has forgotten. I see the message boards and I know you’re the favorite heading into this thing. People are writing me off completely and I’m here to tell you… I ain’t dead yet. Maybe there’s a consensus out there that during my time away from the ring, I may have developed some rust. Maybe there’s a feeling going around the audience that my best days are behind me… Maybe they don’t think I ever had what it takes to begin with or don’t even know who I am or what I stand for. Well allow me to reintroduce myself to all of you.”
“… I’m Will Washington…. and I destroy worlds.”
“I’ve been thrown off of Coliseums, put through the ring, and had everything short of being murdered happen to me in that ring, and yet, I’m still standing. The people that waste their lives speculating and voting in insignificant polls on the internet are doubting me? You think a little ring rust is going to stop the soldier? Well excuse me if I don’t take your opinions seriously then. ANYONE that thinks I don’t have what it takes to beat Andrew Jacobsen is only kidding themselves.”
“I know with my heart, soul, and my very being that I can, and will, win this match. I honestly think you could win it too AJ… but you won’t. Why? You just don’t want it enough.”
“I didn’t come back to the ring to fight you Andrew, quite the contrary is true. I’m here to help you, and whether you want it or not, it’s going to happen. All I wanted was for you to finally excel and reach the level that some of us thought you could be on, but you won’t let that happen. You pressured me into this. You forced my hand. It’s never too late for you to take my advice, but sadly, you’re too stubborn…. So now I have to hurt you, and in doing so, I’ll still be doing you some good. See… You didn’t want the easy way out, so now comes the hard part…. I have to put you out of your misery.”
“I don’t want to do it AJ, but I’ve got no other choice at this point. It’s a dog eat dog world and you’re content to stand back and let everyone else devour each other and become stars, hoping that they’ll all kill each other off and you’ll be the last man standing. That isn’t going to happen. If every single person in the lockerroom fell off the face of the Earth, there would just be more people to come in and do what you won’t. There’s always going to be someone willing to come in and do whatever it takes to make it in this business, and you’ll get passed by yet again. For all of the positive things you’ve got to your credit, you lack the killer instinct that every single person who has ever stepped foot in a wrestling ring has. You’re a special breed Jacobsen, but survival of the fittest is a real thing. You could come out here every night and put on a five star classic every night, but behind the curtain there’s going to be someone putting on a five star job of cutting your legs out from under you. Until you’re willing to leave your morals at the door, you’re wasting everyone’s time, and you’re letting yourself flounder. And that’s where I come in…. the putting you out of your misery stuff. For too many nights you’ve looked at next week’s card and noticed so many guys that deserve it less than you are getting the title shots that you wanted. You go home and you punch Pillow Pet and weep into your Mexican stereotype best friend’s shoulder… and you do nothing to improve the situation. You tell yourself ‘Hey! Tomorrow will be better!’… but it never does. It won’t get better. It NEVER gets better…. at least for you it doesn’t. So come Sunday, I end the vicious cycle. I end the pain, the blood, the sweat, and the tears. This Sunday… I end your career.”
“It’s the only humane thing I can do for you anymore. You’ve made it painfully obvious to everyone, myself included, that no matter what I say, you’re going to continue to take the high road and be the bridesmaid, never the bride. While wrestler after wrestler gets married in front of you, you’re content to just be at the party. That’s the kind of attitude that gets you nowhere in life except standing opposite the groom’s frat boy cousin. If that’s going to be the way it is, you should have left a long time ago. NCW isn’t going to pity **** you any longer.”
“You keep saying that I’m insulting you… How? I’m only stating the truth buddy, and if you take that as an insult, that’s your deal. I’ve been nothing but respectful towards you, and I’d appreciate it if you could keep it civil. The only insult I’ve seen is you insulting the business that I love with your half-heartedness and ****ty attitude. Telling it like it is is insulting to you? You want an apology for that? ….Okay. I apologize. but I will give no apologies for what I do on Sunday. This is my last resort AJ. Either you’re walking out of there a changed man or you’re not walking out at all. You asked for this and I’m only giving you what you need… I’m giving you an opponent… a rival… a match… and a reason.”
“I don’t want to beat you. I don’t. I don’t want to win this match and embarrass you in the process. I wish with every fiber of me being that you’d step into that ring and break my neck, knock my teeth out, and leave me for dead. That’s all it would take for me to go away for good… but you’re physically incapable of doing it… Because I won’t die…. and you won’t let yourself live. This is a man’s game, and until you stop relying on the kindness (or lack thereof) of others and start making your own breaks, you’re not a man in my eyes. You’re a child… and Will Washington isn’t losing to a child. I’m going to rip you limb from limb if I have to, but can you say you’re willing to do the same? No. No you aren’t. You’ll say that I should ‘bring my best’, but in your heart of hearts you’re hoping against hope that I’ll lay down and let you win. And that’s where it all comes full circle for us AJ. For me… for you… for the fans. There will come a point during the match where I stand over you as you look up at me like a wounded animal and you’ll ask… nay… beg me for mercy. The fans will expect me to give you a break… to let you squeak by… to let you live to fight another day. Yet when this moment comes I’ll look down at you and shake my head in shame, because unlike you, I’m man enough to finish the fight.”
“Think about it like this: I’ve seen you be cold-hearted ONCE in your entire career. You remember that day well, don’t you? A little match with a former NCW superstar that ended with you injuring him to the point that he had to wear a helmet for the rest of his career. And what deadly, maniacal move did the deed and put him out of the picture once and for all? What gave you a temporarily new lease on life? The Kill ‘Em All. A little move you stole from your’s truly…. I was proud of you on that day AJ… everything sense has been a disappointment. I’d be honored if you used my own finisher to try and cripple me this week… but it looks like this time the shoe is on the other foot.”
“The sad part is… It’s going to hurt me more than it hurts you. A broken neck can heal, but my broken heart is forever.”
“You say I lit the fire under you, and maybe that’s true. Ever since I came back on the scene you’ve been on one of the most impressive winning streaks of your career. Maybe you’re winning because of me or maybe you’re winning to spite me. Either way, I get all the credit for this fire inside of you, and now it’s time for me to extinguish it.”
"That's the difference between you and I again. You speak of a newly lit fire in your soul that was previously not there. Inside my chest you won't find a dimly lit flame, but a roaring inferno.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
{Washington watches as the twins finish coloring a picture and rip the page from the book before handing it over to Will.}
“We colored it for you. We got out of the lines a little bit, but we did our best.”
{Will holds the picture up and for the first time, he notices no imperfections, only focusing on the fact that so much love went into it. He takes the picture and carefully folds it into four quarters before placing it into his jacket pocket.}
“I love it. I’m going to put it up on my refrigerator as soon as I get home.”
“Cool!”
“Don’t forget it okay. I don’t want you to lose it.”
“Trust me. I won’t.”
{After a few more minutes of small talk, Washington and the Crosses finish their coffee and muffins before they have to depart. Will gets down on a knee and pulls Landon and Isabella in close.}
“Listen you guys. I know you’re going to be watching my match on Sunday, but I want you to know that’s not me. Anything I do on TV isn’t the real me. This is Uncle Will…. That’s…. That’s opposite Will. He doesn’t always do the right thing, and things don’t always work out for him. Anything that happens on TV is just make-believe. Okay?”
“Okay Uncle Will!”
{Washington hugs the two children and stands back up before turning to Cross. The enemies turned friends shake hands.}
“Hey man. If you ever need anything…”
“I know, I know.”
“When I go out there on Sunday, just know that I’m fighting for you guys. Not only in Cari’s memory, but for you and the kids too. I won’t let you down.”
“We never thought you would.”
{The scene ends with the two parties going their opposite ways as we focus on the empty table before fading into darkness.}
