Post by Will Washington on Aug 18, 2012 18:50:03 GMT -6
{The darkness of your screen is replaced with the image of an outside parking lot on a particularly sunny day. The camera turns and we find ourselves coming face to face with… a Wal-Mart. We fade inside where we find a casually dressed Will Washington standing in an aisle with his soon-to-be bride. He appears to be exasperated with the situation, as he stares a hole through the latest edition of People Magazine.}
Will: “I can’t believe Adam reads this trash.”
{He tosses the magazine on the nearest shelf and sulks next to his lady. She tediously tries to choose which fabric softener to buy, smelling each one and reacting with pleasantness to each smell. Will watches as the seconds seem to drag on, before letting out a sigh. This gets no reaction from Kristen, who picks up what has to be the sixth different bottle of Downy. This action prompts another elongated and noticeable sigh from Will. This time Kristen sets the bottle down and turns towards our hero.}
Kristen: “What’s the problem?”
Will: “This is ridiculous. It’s like being in Hell… if Hell were filled with dairy products and patio furniture.”
{She chuckles.}
Kristen: “Are you sure it isn’t?”
Will: “Don’t try and cheer my up. Clearly this trip to the redneck haven has broken my spirit beyond repair. Remind me again why exactly you drug me here?”
Kristen: “I didn’t drag you anywhere dummy. YOU asked ME to come here. Something about wanting to see how the average American lives or something like that…”
Will: “Damn it, you’re right. Clearly this retail prison has already started to effect my brain. I have to get out of here.”
{Washington tries to make his move toward the exit, but his fiancé’s hand reaches out and holds onto his wrist.}
Kristen: “Hold on there cowboy. You’re already here, and you haven’t even done what you came to do. Sure you’ve seen what it’s like to shop here, but you’ve yet to talk to one average American.”
{The sulk returns.}
Will: “Ugh. Do I have to?”
Kristen: “If you want to get into the mind of an ‘everyman’, you do.”
{Another sigh from Washington brings a smile to Kristen’s face. Will steps away out of the aisle and looks around. All around him are people rudely pushing their carts around, each trying to get to the deals before the next person. A moment of disgust sweeps over our hero as he takes it all in, before spying an adolescent, no more than twelve years old, clutching a wrestling magazine in his greasy paws. Washington, noticing the magazine, approaches and strikes up a conversation with the youngster.}
Will: “Anything interesting in there?”
{The boy looks up, prepared to be annoyed by a harassing adult, but at the sight of a well-known NCW star, his eyes widen.}
Youngster: “Uh…. Uh…. I uh…. Are you Will Washington?”
Will: “Ha. Yeah. Yeah I am.”
{The kid quickly reacts to the answer by scurrying into the next aisle over, leaving Will befuddled. The young fellow quickly returns, however, carrying a freshly opened Sharpie pen. He extends the pen and the magazine out to Washington.}
Youngster: “Can I have your autograph?”
{Will takes the items and opens the cap of the pen, beginning to write in front cover.}
Will: “What’s your name, kid?”
Youngster: “Lincoln.”
Will: “Ahhh. Like the president.”
{Will nearly finishes up signing.}
Will: “Well, Lincoln. It’s always nice to meet a fan.”
Lincoln: “Oh no. I hate your guts. I’m an Everymaniac!”
{Washington stops his signature and looks up from the magazine with a confused look.}
Will: “You’re an…. Everymaniac? A Joe Everyman fan?”
Lincoln: “Yeah! And he’s going to beat you up on Sunday!”
Will: “If you’re not a fan, why would you have me waste my time autographing a magazine for you?”
Lincoln: “Ebay.”
{Our hero closes the magazine up and calmly puts the cap back on the pen.}
Will: “Oh. Ebay, huh?”
{Washington grabs the magazine tightly and rips it in half before tossing it across the store into the women’s clothing section.}
Will: “Listen up you little Punk. I’m sick and tired of people like you who don’t have any respect for anyone! You want me to sign stuff for you just so you can use the money to go out and buy Joe Everyman foam fingers, Joe Everyman bobbleheads, and Joe Everyman frozen pizzas? Well you’re sadly mistaken, kiddo. So why don’t you take your little ‘Everymaniac’ self and get a freaking education. Because just based on what I’ve learned about you in the last… forty-five seconds… I know you’re going to end up not only shopping at Wal-Mart, but working at Wal-Mart. You filthy little child.”
{The kid starts to tear up a little, but before he can let out a wail, a hefty woman in a Joe Everyman t-shirt comes over with her cart and puts her arm around her son.}
Lincoln’s Mother: “Just what the heck are you saying to my boy?”
{Will chuckles, noticing the Joe Everyman logo plastered across her sagging chest.}
Will: “Well I was telling this little scumbag you’re raising that he’s going to grow up to be a degenerate, but I can tell it’s not really his fault. Obviously he doesn’t have the best role models… Look at the shirt you’re wearing for Christ’s sake.”
{The child’s mother squints her eyes and realizes who she’s talking to.}
Lincoln’s Mother: “Oh! You’re that Will Washington fellah, ain’t ya? I can’t wait to see Joe kick your butt on Sunday!”
Will: “Yeah…. Yeah… That’s just what your little ape-child there was saying too. Unfortunately for you, you’re dead wrong. I’m going to destroy your little hero, so don’t waste your money ordering the show.”
Lincoln’s Mother: “Well I think you’re the one who’s gonna be disappointed, buster. We know Joe is going to beat you, and he’s going to do it for people like us. Isn’t that right, Lincoln?”
Lincoln: “YEAH!”
{The boy’s demeanor becomes more positive.}
Will: “Oh you poor, ignorant people. When will you learn that Joe Everyman is just going to let you down again? He’s done it time after time, and yet you still hold out hope? Why?”
Lincoln’s Mother: “Because we believe in Joe!”
Lincoln: “Yeah! Joe!”
Will: “Well it’s obvious that I’m not going to get through your thick skulls, so I guess you’ll just have to wait and see what happens at A New Dawn.”
{Will turns directly to the mother and cups his hand to his mouth, indicating a secret, despite the fact that his voice remains at the same volume.}
Will: “Just make sure you send the little one to bed early. It’s not good for a kid to see his hero left in the state I’m going to leave Everyman.”
{Washington pulls back and winks at the woman before preparing to walk away. Her voice stops him.}
Lincoln’s Mother: “I think you’re just mad because Joe has more fans than you, and people actually like him.”
{Upon hearing this, our hero turns back to the woman and her child.}
Will: “If being liked means I have fans like you people, I’d rather be hated. I’ll never be the Everyman, and I’m perfectly fine with that, because quite frankly…. You ‘Everymen’…. disgust me.”
{Will turns and walks away from the silent mother and son, trying to return to his fiancé.}
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"I guess it was inevitable that you and I would end up wrestling each other on Pay-Per-View at some point, Joe. Everyone else has faced you on a big show, so I guess it’s my turn. In my head I knew this day would come, but I had always hoped it would be for something much more important. You see Joe, when I came into this company almost three years ago, you were one of the top guys around here. It seemed that everywhere I turned, people were telling me just how great Joe Everyman was. Not long after I came around, you won the National Title, embarrassed Lance Ryan, and had people talking about how in the not-so distant future, you'd be wearing the World Title around your waist. Good grief Joe, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't almost see you as sort of a.... a benchmark for what I wanted to be in NCW. Myself, Glen Nodoveit, Corey Shane... all the new guys that came around at the same time looked up to you as a guy who would lead the way for guys like us. Then things started to falter to you a little bit and I started listening a little more closely to what the boys in the back were saying about you..."
".... Those people saying you were a future World Champion?.... They were snickering.... Barely holding their composure with each bit of praise..... The man that I was told to look up to? He was nothing more than a running joke."
"Ouch. Apparently that was the rib they'd pull on the new talent to give them the least helpful role model possible. Sure Joe was doing big things at the time and looking like he was on the verge of superstardom, but anyone with experience in this business knew exactly how things were going to turn out for him… and they were right. Like prophets who can foretell the future, they knew that Joe was not the man destined for greatness, but for absolute failure. I quickly realized that Joe Everyman was not the man to look to for inspiration. And now?… Well I’d still tell every new guy that steps foot in the locker room to pay attention to Joe, but not for the reasons I was told. I’d say to keep a close eye on him because he’s the ultimate cautionary tale.”
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{Will spots Kristen, and finds that she’s barely moved in the fabric softener aisle. She looks up and sees him, greeting him with a smile.}
Kristen: “How’d it go? Did you talk to anybody?”
Will: “Yeah… I think it went pretty well. I managed to get into an argument with a tween and his mother… So… Not bad, I guess.”
{This information raises an eyebrow from Kristen.}
Kristen: “What happened?”
Will: “I saw a kid reading a wrestling magazine, so I figured I’d ask him about his favorite wrestlers. Long story short, he was a Joe Everyman fan.”
Kristen: “You approached a child in a grocery store?”
Will: “….”
{She laughs.}
Kristen: “…. Don’t tell me you offered him candy…”
Will: “Oh very funny.”
{Kristen laughs again and Will smiles. He then looks over at the shopping cart.}
Will: “Well that little encounter officially sent me over the edge with this place. Can we hurry up and get out of here? I can feel myself becoming less and less awesome by the second.”
Kristen: “Wouldn’t you have to be awesome in the first place to lose the properties of awesomeness?”
{Will exaggerates a laugh, mocking her.}
Will: “Again. Ha-ha. Can we go?”
Kristen: “In just a second. I want to go pick up one of those new Joe Everyman Home Gyms.”
{Kristen starts to move the cart and Will stands, confused for a moment, before walking and catching up with his fiancé.}
Will: “There’s something called the ‘Joe Everyman Home Gym’? Are you kidding me?”
Kristen: “Nope.”
{The future Mr. and Mrs. Washington reach their destination and Will comes face-to-face with a store display, showing Joe Everyman endorsing his home gym system. The Paragon looks at the smiling face of his opponent and voices his disgust.}
Will: “God I hate that guy.”
{The camera zooms in on the goofy smiling cutout of Joe Everyman giving the thumbs up to potential customers. We fade to darkness.}
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“Look no further than this week’s edition of NCW’s online show SpikeTV to validate everything I’ve been saying for all of these years. When asked, the owner of this company said that I, Will Washington, am what NCW is all about. The heart, determination, and desire to never stop fighting no matter the odds. Throughout five years of memorable and unforgettable moments, in the eyes of Kelly Knite, I’m what NCW is all about. How does that set with you, Joe? To know that you’ve been here week in and week out for five years and you’ve done nothing that measures up to my moment in the sun? All the titles, all the moments of your career pale in comparison to what I’ve done. From the man who claims to have this unquestionable heart, it’s actually my heart that’s the most memorable moment in our history. That has to sting, doesn’t it? Will Washington is the poster child of what it means to be an NCW Superstar. Kids should look up to me and strive to be what I am.”
“Everything you want to say about me is your version of the truth, and I have no doubt that you actually believe it to be true. In your warped mind, you’re this guy who can still turn it on and win the big one whenever he wants, but in my reality… the actual reality… your glory days are long gone. Your soul must break every time you have to lie to yourself and believe that you’ve still got what it takes. It’s not because you’re not talented, because you absolutely are. If you weren’t there’s no way you’d even have a job here today. You just don’t have what it takes to ever win the big one when it’s all on the line. Heck… you rarely win the small ones either. The fact of the matter is that you’ve been put on your back by countless NCW stars, only for you to call your fans to action by telling them that tomorrow will be a brighter day.”
“… and they believe you. Why?”
“You’ve told us to ‘Believe in Joe Everyman’…. you’ve told us ‘Not to question your heart’…. All of these lab-tested, thought out sayings to keep the fans thinking that one day you’re actually going to live up to your own hype. Seriously, Joe…. How many times can you talk about the return of ‘The old Joe Everyman’ or ‘The Real Joe Everyman’ before the people realize that the Everyman in front of them IS the real Joe Everyman? You’ve played the role of the Snake Oil Salesman for far too long, and eventually the people would have to catch on, right?”
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“That brings us to the harshest realization of them all… Those people who want to believe in you? They’ll never stop believing that you’re going to do all of the great things you claim. Why do they continuously fall for your tricks? Because people are flawed, and they want their heroes to be flawed as well. They want someone who relates to them that they can place their faith in that things will improve and work out for them. They want the underdog to overcome the obstacles and you keep swearing to them that that day will come, fully aware that you never plan on doing ANYTHING to improve your situation. You can wish and hope and pray all day long, but until you actually take the steps to improve your situation… you’re not just flawed…”
“…You’re a liar.”
“Say what you will about me, and god knows I have flaws, but I’ve never once lied to these people. They might not like what I have to say, but the truth has always been the hardest to take. That’s what makes me a better man than you, Joey. Well… one of the things that makes me better than you. The fact that I look right in your eyes and tell you what I’m going to do, and then do it. I don’t have to hide behind a mountain of lies to have you believe I’m a man… I go out there and prove it every time I step in the ring. Nothing about me is a lie… and you’re living one.”
“That’s the most infuriating part about you Joe. You could be so much better than you are if you wanted to be. But truthfully, I’m not so sure you want to achieve what you’re capable of. I think you dream of being one of the all-time greats, but at this point you’re afraid that your last ditch effort to revive your dying career will fail, and the final card up your sleeve will be revealed. That last bit of hope will be gone, and people will finally see you for what you are… the boy who cried wolf.”
“So Joe…. If you’re ever planning on being this fabled great Joe Everyman you keep talking about, Sunday would be the time. Otherwise… don’t even bother showing up.”
Will: “I can’t believe Adam reads this trash.”
{He tosses the magazine on the nearest shelf and sulks next to his lady. She tediously tries to choose which fabric softener to buy, smelling each one and reacting with pleasantness to each smell. Will watches as the seconds seem to drag on, before letting out a sigh. This gets no reaction from Kristen, who picks up what has to be the sixth different bottle of Downy. This action prompts another elongated and noticeable sigh from Will. This time Kristen sets the bottle down and turns towards our hero.}
Kristen: “What’s the problem?”
Will: “This is ridiculous. It’s like being in Hell… if Hell were filled with dairy products and patio furniture.”
{She chuckles.}
Kristen: “Are you sure it isn’t?”
Will: “Don’t try and cheer my up. Clearly this trip to the redneck haven has broken my spirit beyond repair. Remind me again why exactly you drug me here?”
Kristen: “I didn’t drag you anywhere dummy. YOU asked ME to come here. Something about wanting to see how the average American lives or something like that…”
Will: “Damn it, you’re right. Clearly this retail prison has already started to effect my brain. I have to get out of here.”
{Washington tries to make his move toward the exit, but his fiancé’s hand reaches out and holds onto his wrist.}
Kristen: “Hold on there cowboy. You’re already here, and you haven’t even done what you came to do. Sure you’ve seen what it’s like to shop here, but you’ve yet to talk to one average American.”
{The sulk returns.}
Will: “Ugh. Do I have to?”
Kristen: “If you want to get into the mind of an ‘everyman’, you do.”
{Another sigh from Washington brings a smile to Kristen’s face. Will steps away out of the aisle and looks around. All around him are people rudely pushing their carts around, each trying to get to the deals before the next person. A moment of disgust sweeps over our hero as he takes it all in, before spying an adolescent, no more than twelve years old, clutching a wrestling magazine in his greasy paws. Washington, noticing the magazine, approaches and strikes up a conversation with the youngster.}
Will: “Anything interesting in there?”
{The boy looks up, prepared to be annoyed by a harassing adult, but at the sight of a well-known NCW star, his eyes widen.}
Youngster: “Uh…. Uh…. I uh…. Are you Will Washington?”
Will: “Ha. Yeah. Yeah I am.”
{The kid quickly reacts to the answer by scurrying into the next aisle over, leaving Will befuddled. The young fellow quickly returns, however, carrying a freshly opened Sharpie pen. He extends the pen and the magazine out to Washington.}
Youngster: “Can I have your autograph?”
{Will takes the items and opens the cap of the pen, beginning to write in front cover.}
Will: “What’s your name, kid?”
Youngster: “Lincoln.”
Will: “Ahhh. Like the president.”
{Will nearly finishes up signing.}
Will: “Well, Lincoln. It’s always nice to meet a fan.”
Lincoln: “Oh no. I hate your guts. I’m an Everymaniac!”
{Washington stops his signature and looks up from the magazine with a confused look.}
Will: “You’re an…. Everymaniac? A Joe Everyman fan?”
Lincoln: “Yeah! And he’s going to beat you up on Sunday!”
Will: “If you’re not a fan, why would you have me waste my time autographing a magazine for you?”
Lincoln: “Ebay.”
{Our hero closes the magazine up and calmly puts the cap back on the pen.}
Will: “Oh. Ebay, huh?”
{Washington grabs the magazine tightly and rips it in half before tossing it across the store into the women’s clothing section.}
Will: “Listen up you little Punk. I’m sick and tired of people like you who don’t have any respect for anyone! You want me to sign stuff for you just so you can use the money to go out and buy Joe Everyman foam fingers, Joe Everyman bobbleheads, and Joe Everyman frozen pizzas? Well you’re sadly mistaken, kiddo. So why don’t you take your little ‘Everymaniac’ self and get a freaking education. Because just based on what I’ve learned about you in the last… forty-five seconds… I know you’re going to end up not only shopping at Wal-Mart, but working at Wal-Mart. You filthy little child.”
{The kid starts to tear up a little, but before he can let out a wail, a hefty woman in a Joe Everyman t-shirt comes over with her cart and puts her arm around her son.}
Lincoln’s Mother: “Just what the heck are you saying to my boy?”
{Will chuckles, noticing the Joe Everyman logo plastered across her sagging chest.}
Will: “Well I was telling this little scumbag you’re raising that he’s going to grow up to be a degenerate, but I can tell it’s not really his fault. Obviously he doesn’t have the best role models… Look at the shirt you’re wearing for Christ’s sake.”
{The child’s mother squints her eyes and realizes who she’s talking to.}
Lincoln’s Mother: “Oh! You’re that Will Washington fellah, ain’t ya? I can’t wait to see Joe kick your butt on Sunday!”
Will: “Yeah…. Yeah… That’s just what your little ape-child there was saying too. Unfortunately for you, you’re dead wrong. I’m going to destroy your little hero, so don’t waste your money ordering the show.”
Lincoln’s Mother: “Well I think you’re the one who’s gonna be disappointed, buster. We know Joe is going to beat you, and he’s going to do it for people like us. Isn’t that right, Lincoln?”
Lincoln: “YEAH!”
{The boy’s demeanor becomes more positive.}
Will: “Oh you poor, ignorant people. When will you learn that Joe Everyman is just going to let you down again? He’s done it time after time, and yet you still hold out hope? Why?”
Lincoln’s Mother: “Because we believe in Joe!”
Lincoln: “Yeah! Joe!”
Will: “Well it’s obvious that I’m not going to get through your thick skulls, so I guess you’ll just have to wait and see what happens at A New Dawn.”
{Will turns directly to the mother and cups his hand to his mouth, indicating a secret, despite the fact that his voice remains at the same volume.}
Will: “Just make sure you send the little one to bed early. It’s not good for a kid to see his hero left in the state I’m going to leave Everyman.”
{Washington pulls back and winks at the woman before preparing to walk away. Her voice stops him.}
Lincoln’s Mother: “I think you’re just mad because Joe has more fans than you, and people actually like him.”
{Upon hearing this, our hero turns back to the woman and her child.}
Will: “If being liked means I have fans like you people, I’d rather be hated. I’ll never be the Everyman, and I’m perfectly fine with that, because quite frankly…. You ‘Everymen’…. disgust me.”
{Will turns and walks away from the silent mother and son, trying to return to his fiancé.}
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"I guess it was inevitable that you and I would end up wrestling each other on Pay-Per-View at some point, Joe. Everyone else has faced you on a big show, so I guess it’s my turn. In my head I knew this day would come, but I had always hoped it would be for something much more important. You see Joe, when I came into this company almost three years ago, you were one of the top guys around here. It seemed that everywhere I turned, people were telling me just how great Joe Everyman was. Not long after I came around, you won the National Title, embarrassed Lance Ryan, and had people talking about how in the not-so distant future, you'd be wearing the World Title around your waist. Good grief Joe, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't almost see you as sort of a.... a benchmark for what I wanted to be in NCW. Myself, Glen Nodoveit, Corey Shane... all the new guys that came around at the same time looked up to you as a guy who would lead the way for guys like us. Then things started to falter to you a little bit and I started listening a little more closely to what the boys in the back were saying about you..."
".... Those people saying you were a future World Champion?.... They were snickering.... Barely holding their composure with each bit of praise..... The man that I was told to look up to? He was nothing more than a running joke."
"Ouch. Apparently that was the rib they'd pull on the new talent to give them the least helpful role model possible. Sure Joe was doing big things at the time and looking like he was on the verge of superstardom, but anyone with experience in this business knew exactly how things were going to turn out for him… and they were right. Like prophets who can foretell the future, they knew that Joe was not the man destined for greatness, but for absolute failure. I quickly realized that Joe Everyman was not the man to look to for inspiration. And now?… Well I’d still tell every new guy that steps foot in the locker room to pay attention to Joe, but not for the reasons I was told. I’d say to keep a close eye on him because he’s the ultimate cautionary tale.”
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{Will spots Kristen, and finds that she’s barely moved in the fabric softener aisle. She looks up and sees him, greeting him with a smile.}
Kristen: “How’d it go? Did you talk to anybody?”
Will: “Yeah… I think it went pretty well. I managed to get into an argument with a tween and his mother… So… Not bad, I guess.”
{This information raises an eyebrow from Kristen.}
Kristen: “What happened?”
Will: “I saw a kid reading a wrestling magazine, so I figured I’d ask him about his favorite wrestlers. Long story short, he was a Joe Everyman fan.”
Kristen: “You approached a child in a grocery store?”
Will: “….”
{She laughs.}
Kristen: “…. Don’t tell me you offered him candy…”
Will: “Oh very funny.”
{Kristen laughs again and Will smiles. He then looks over at the shopping cart.}
Will: “Well that little encounter officially sent me over the edge with this place. Can we hurry up and get out of here? I can feel myself becoming less and less awesome by the second.”
Kristen: “Wouldn’t you have to be awesome in the first place to lose the properties of awesomeness?”
{Will exaggerates a laugh, mocking her.}
Will: “Again. Ha-ha. Can we go?”
Kristen: “In just a second. I want to go pick up one of those new Joe Everyman Home Gyms.”
{Kristen starts to move the cart and Will stands, confused for a moment, before walking and catching up with his fiancé.}
Will: “There’s something called the ‘Joe Everyman Home Gym’? Are you kidding me?”
Kristen: “Nope.”
{The future Mr. and Mrs. Washington reach their destination and Will comes face-to-face with a store display, showing Joe Everyman endorsing his home gym system. The Paragon looks at the smiling face of his opponent and voices his disgust.}
Will: “God I hate that guy.”
{The camera zooms in on the goofy smiling cutout of Joe Everyman giving the thumbs up to potential customers. We fade to darkness.}
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“Look no further than this week’s edition of NCW’s online show SpikeTV to validate everything I’ve been saying for all of these years. When asked, the owner of this company said that I, Will Washington, am what NCW is all about. The heart, determination, and desire to never stop fighting no matter the odds. Throughout five years of memorable and unforgettable moments, in the eyes of Kelly Knite, I’m what NCW is all about. How does that set with you, Joe? To know that you’ve been here week in and week out for five years and you’ve done nothing that measures up to my moment in the sun? All the titles, all the moments of your career pale in comparison to what I’ve done. From the man who claims to have this unquestionable heart, it’s actually my heart that’s the most memorable moment in our history. That has to sting, doesn’t it? Will Washington is the poster child of what it means to be an NCW Superstar. Kids should look up to me and strive to be what I am.”
“Everything you want to say about me is your version of the truth, and I have no doubt that you actually believe it to be true. In your warped mind, you’re this guy who can still turn it on and win the big one whenever he wants, but in my reality… the actual reality… your glory days are long gone. Your soul must break every time you have to lie to yourself and believe that you’ve still got what it takes. It’s not because you’re not talented, because you absolutely are. If you weren’t there’s no way you’d even have a job here today. You just don’t have what it takes to ever win the big one when it’s all on the line. Heck… you rarely win the small ones either. The fact of the matter is that you’ve been put on your back by countless NCW stars, only for you to call your fans to action by telling them that tomorrow will be a brighter day.”
“… and they believe you. Why?”
“You’ve told us to ‘Believe in Joe Everyman’…. you’ve told us ‘Not to question your heart’…. All of these lab-tested, thought out sayings to keep the fans thinking that one day you’re actually going to live up to your own hype. Seriously, Joe…. How many times can you talk about the return of ‘The old Joe Everyman’ or ‘The Real Joe Everyman’ before the people realize that the Everyman in front of them IS the real Joe Everyman? You’ve played the role of the Snake Oil Salesman for far too long, and eventually the people would have to catch on, right?”
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“That brings us to the harshest realization of them all… Those people who want to believe in you? They’ll never stop believing that you’re going to do all of the great things you claim. Why do they continuously fall for your tricks? Because people are flawed, and they want their heroes to be flawed as well. They want someone who relates to them that they can place their faith in that things will improve and work out for them. They want the underdog to overcome the obstacles and you keep swearing to them that that day will come, fully aware that you never plan on doing ANYTHING to improve your situation. You can wish and hope and pray all day long, but until you actually take the steps to improve your situation… you’re not just flawed…”
“…You’re a liar.”
“Say what you will about me, and god knows I have flaws, but I’ve never once lied to these people. They might not like what I have to say, but the truth has always been the hardest to take. That’s what makes me a better man than you, Joey. Well… one of the things that makes me better than you. The fact that I look right in your eyes and tell you what I’m going to do, and then do it. I don’t have to hide behind a mountain of lies to have you believe I’m a man… I go out there and prove it every time I step in the ring. Nothing about me is a lie… and you’re living one.”
“That’s the most infuriating part about you Joe. You could be so much better than you are if you wanted to be. But truthfully, I’m not so sure you want to achieve what you’re capable of. I think you dream of being one of the all-time greats, but at this point you’re afraid that your last ditch effort to revive your dying career will fail, and the final card up your sleeve will be revealed. That last bit of hope will be gone, and people will finally see you for what you are… the boy who cried wolf.”
“So Joe…. If you’re ever planning on being this fabled great Joe Everyman you keep talking about, Sunday would be the time. Otherwise… don’t even bother showing up.”
