Post by Xavier Cross on Aug 31, 2012 20:42:33 GMT -6
Act I
The silence was painful, the sound of the door opening and shutting, followed by heavy breathing. The camera pans over; we see Xavier Cross leaned over, clutching his knees. A simple gray sweatshirt, the sleeves cut off, black shorts, and Nike running shoes. Sweat is rolling off his face; he looks up, eyeing the empty gym. No expression, he just lifts himself up and pushes past the pain in his leg. Cross has to, because no one is there to push him, to piss him off, to remind him that he’s doing something wrong.
Adam made sure of that.
Xavier slowly removed his soaked sweatshirt, throwing it to the side near the old boxing ring. It was strange, this didn’t feel like the same place it was weeks ago. The lack of people, the lack of the Old Man was the worst feeling. Picking up a roll of medical tape, left over from whoever used the gym last. Cross slowly wrapped his hands up, making sure to keep it tight. It was strange, it seemed like ages since he had to do this by himself.
His eyes moved around the place, so many memories. He had fallen asleep in the back numerous times, he actually slept here when Cari kicked him out of the house. Just across from where he was sitting is where Natalie broke his nose. This was the first wrestling ring Landon climbed in, this ring was where Xavier spent weeks after Cari passed away. It was almost like a second home to him. Now the silence was the only noise.
Adam made sure of that.
Rising from his seat, Xavier Cross walks over to an old punching bag. Holding his arm out, to his full extension, his fingertips press firmly against the bag. Immediately his outstretched fingers clenched into a fist the impact is nothing. But Cross follows it up with a hard left. The bag begins to sway but he doesn’t allow it to move. He refuses to let it budge. Clutching the bag in a bear hug, he throws a knee, hitting in the general area of just underneath the rib cage, he pushes the bag backwards. Stepping back he firmly plants his back foot, and launches forward hitting a right handed haymaker.
“No one else.”
Xavier waits for the bag to swing around. Sending another hard right.
“Attack me all you want. Beat me until I can’t stand, till I pass out from the pain.”
His stance chances, as he lunges forward, spearing the bag. The metal chain holding it up snaps, as the bag and Cross hurl forward.
“NO ONE ELSE!”
Cross lays there for a moment, next to the black punching bag, the cold gym floor sending shivers down his spine as he just stares at the ceiling. The gym door opens; Xavier sits quickly upright to see who it is. His fiery redhead standing in the doorway, she wears a simple smile and a white t-shirt with a band logo sprawled across it, skinny black jeans, and the typical punk style high-tops. She makes her way over to Cross, who picks himself up, brushing off the dirt from is back and chest. Looking down, he frowns not realizing how much damage he just did.
“Way to go Tiger.”
She smiles, he blushes a bit. He was 29 years old, but she made him feel like a dumb kid.
“What are you doing here Natalie?”
“Considering I have to watch every weekend to make sure you don’t get murdered, added on to the fact of seeing what they did to Henry.”
He grits his teeth, she tilts her head
“Why did you bring him with you?”
“I didn’t! He insisted he wanted to go!”
He looks down, not meaning to yell at her. She smiles, making her way over to him.
“He wanted to go, he even managed to steal my debit card and buy himself a ticket.”
“Didn’t he do that once before.”
Cross chuckles, and she smiles looking up at him. Placing a single hand on his chest, his eyes raise up meeting hers. Her smile is infectious, as he begins to smile.
“I was going to head over to the hospital, if you want to come?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world Tiger.”
He leans down, giving her inviting lips a soft kiss, before started to walk away.
“If you want to hang out for a bit, let me go get changed.”
“Oh? How will I ever resist not peeking.”
“Funny. Just give me a second.”
She begins laughing as Xavier almost makes it to the locker room, turning around she snorts a little bit, clutching her mouth, embarrassed at the noise she just made.
“What’s so funny chuckles?”
“Didn’t I knock you out right here.”
“….Yes…Ms. Piggy.”
“I CAN DO IT AGAIN XAVIER CROSS!”
He shakes his head before disappearing into the back.
Act II
The couple makes their way into the hospital, that weird smell drifting around. Natalie looks a bit awkward for a moment, staying closer to Xavier than usual. He looks down, a confused look on his face.
“What’s wrong?”
“er…Nothing.”
“Yeah, because ‘er’ doesn’t make it totally obvious.”
“…Fine. Hospitals creep me out. When I was a kid, my mom was sick all the time. They just make me feel…weird.”
“You didn’t have to come.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m not gonna miss out on seeing the Old Man, plus a beautiful woman can cheer any sick man up!”
“Did you bring a friend with you then?”
“Go ahead. You might want to grab a wheel chair on our way out, because I’m going to break your knee caps.”
He shakes his head, while she continues to shoot him a serious look. Making their way to the reception desk, Cross leans over, as the nurse looks up.
“Henry Rollins? I’m his son.”
Natalie looks up at him a bit confused, but plays along with it. The nurse tilts her head, starring at Xavier Cross for a moment. The it dons on Cross, he managed to find the sassy black nurse in the hospital. His eyes got wide, as did hers.
“You’re Xavier Cross?!”
“Er. Maybe.”
Natalie giggles.
“Yes. Er, I am…”
“Henry Rollins if your father?”
“God-father.”
The black lady looks at him, before a smile come across her face.
“Well, we’re only allowing direct relatives right now.”
Cross nods his head, trying to figure out some way to get through.
“You got kids? Maybe I could give you a few autographs, or something?”
The lady looks around, thinking a bit.
“Hmm. Well my little boy loves you, and you say you’re his son?”
“Absolutely!”
“Alright, it’s room 604.”
Cross nods to Natalie, who begins to walk to the elevator.
“I’ll be up in a second.”
Natalie nods, and walks away as Xavier leans on the counter.
“Thank you so much, I don’t have any pictures or merchandise, but er, if you give me his address I’ll send him some shirts, posters, pictures, whatever you want.”
The woman smiles, jotting down on a piece of paper, handing it to Cross.
“This will mean the world to him, his birthday is next week.”
“Good, I’ll make sure he gets a great birthday surprise.”
She smiles, shaking Cross’s hand as he starts to walk away, starring at the elevator, then the steps. A creeping pain swells in the back of his knee. Shaking it off, he enters the stairwell.
Act III
Xavier Cross, slowly making his way slowly up the steps.
Act IV
Cross emerges from the stairwell, his hands in his pockets looking at the signs down the hallway, taking a right and heading down, he passes rooms filled with sick, or injured people, various doctors standing around, talking, going over charts. Idle chatter.
Turning the corner he finds the lower 600’s ward. A few rooms down, he turns to see Natalie sitting next to Henry, who is sitting up in his bed. His face still black and blue, his arm wrapped in a cast, looking better for the beating he took. Cross leans in the doorway, his face is somber, seeing his trainer, and basically his grandfather sitting there, in a way that Xavier couldn’t have imagined.
It was too real, sobering. But it also frustrated him, it bothered him that Adam was able to hit so close to home.
“So, that Mimic guy grabs me from behind as I’m trying to make myself a sandwich at the catering table. I let him thing he’s got me, but wrist control. I was able to turn, and wrench his arm. Next thing I know I’m getting blind sided again.”
“You broke his arm, did you know that?”
“I heard something snap, but at my age, eh I figured my hearing was going again.”
“I told you not to come with me.”
“Xavier…”
“It’s alright Natalie, he is right. He told me specifically not to go with him, however last time I checked I’m a grown ass man, and I can go where ever I damn well please.”
“Really? Because now Adam has shown he and his lackeys will go to whatever lengths to silence me. You think I need that weighed over my head. Who’s next, Natalie? Or my kids? What about Chris, or even my parents.”
“Cross m’boy, I chose to go with you because you’re finally fighting for the right thing. You’re fighting for something other than yourself for once in your stubborn life. You think I’m gonna just sit in that gym all day, watch your match, and then train you. I know what I was getting into. I knew I would be an easy way to get to you.”
“So why the hell did you go?”
“Because you had to see, that your opponent is capable of doing something so dastardly as beating up a defenseless old man.”
“But you broke his arm.”
“Fine, semi-defenseless old man. You have to realize that Adam isn’t your friend anymore, he doesn’t deserve the slack you’re trying to give him. He’s a tyrant, he will stop you if you don’t understand what you have to sacrifice.”
“I’ve said it a million times, I’m willing to do what it takes!”
“Saying, and doing are two different things. I know you Xavier, I know that you’re willing to say the right things, but so far you haven’t been able to follow them up. Ever.”
“…”
“You know I’m right. Now about your training schedule…”
“You’re in a hospital bed, and you’re worried about how I’m gonna be trained?!”
“Oh, I’m not worried. Because I’ve got you a replacement until I get out of this stupid place.”
“I should just commit you to a hospice.”
“Don’t you dare say that, I will beat you like a 16 year old valley girl! I may be an old man in a hospital bed, but I will beat you.”
“So…who is going to train Xavier?”
The old man starts to chuckle, as Xavier eyes him. A bit of nervousness creeps through his stomach as he rests his hand on Natalie’s shoulder.
“Yeah gramps. Who is it?”
“I think he was around here somewhere, I was talking to him a few minutes ago…”
“Oh my god you’ve gotten dementia and you have an imaginary trainer for me. Wonderful. I’m gonna go get a doctor.”
“There he is!”
Cross slowly turns around, the camera focusing on his face. His eyes get wide, his mouth drops a little bit before losing a little bit of color in his face. Natalie turns around, and her eyes get wide, but she begins to smile and wave.
“Lady, and Xavier. May I introduce you to your new trainer…”
The camera slowly turns around, to show a man holding a bag of
Cheez-it’s. Crunching down on one.
“Mister Brad Kane.”
“You have got to be kidding me.”
“Cheez-it? Not for you Cross, you’re going to be on a diet. You’ve gotten fat.”
Natalie begins giggling as Xavier just face-palms. Brad has a grin on his face.
“Remember that Uncultured Bathroom Promo? Oh yeah, I’m gonna train you. Train you real good…”
Brad’s grin turns into a semi-sadistic smile, as Xavier’s mouth drops in horror.
The camera fades on Brad's grin.
The silence was painful, the sound of the door opening and shutting, followed by heavy breathing. The camera pans over; we see Xavier Cross leaned over, clutching his knees. A simple gray sweatshirt, the sleeves cut off, black shorts, and Nike running shoes. Sweat is rolling off his face; he looks up, eyeing the empty gym. No expression, he just lifts himself up and pushes past the pain in his leg. Cross has to, because no one is there to push him, to piss him off, to remind him that he’s doing something wrong.
Adam made sure of that.
Xavier slowly removed his soaked sweatshirt, throwing it to the side near the old boxing ring. It was strange, this didn’t feel like the same place it was weeks ago. The lack of people, the lack of the Old Man was the worst feeling. Picking up a roll of medical tape, left over from whoever used the gym last. Cross slowly wrapped his hands up, making sure to keep it tight. It was strange, it seemed like ages since he had to do this by himself.
His eyes moved around the place, so many memories. He had fallen asleep in the back numerous times, he actually slept here when Cari kicked him out of the house. Just across from where he was sitting is where Natalie broke his nose. This was the first wrestling ring Landon climbed in, this ring was where Xavier spent weeks after Cari passed away. It was almost like a second home to him. Now the silence was the only noise.
Adam made sure of that.
Rising from his seat, Xavier Cross walks over to an old punching bag. Holding his arm out, to his full extension, his fingertips press firmly against the bag. Immediately his outstretched fingers clenched into a fist the impact is nothing. But Cross follows it up with a hard left. The bag begins to sway but he doesn’t allow it to move. He refuses to let it budge. Clutching the bag in a bear hug, he throws a knee, hitting in the general area of just underneath the rib cage, he pushes the bag backwards. Stepping back he firmly plants his back foot, and launches forward hitting a right handed haymaker.
“No one else.”
Xavier waits for the bag to swing around. Sending another hard right.
“Attack me all you want. Beat me until I can’t stand, till I pass out from the pain.”
His stance chances, as he lunges forward, spearing the bag. The metal chain holding it up snaps, as the bag and Cross hurl forward.
“NO ONE ELSE!”
Cross lays there for a moment, next to the black punching bag, the cold gym floor sending shivers down his spine as he just stares at the ceiling. The gym door opens; Xavier sits quickly upright to see who it is. His fiery redhead standing in the doorway, she wears a simple smile and a white t-shirt with a band logo sprawled across it, skinny black jeans, and the typical punk style high-tops. She makes her way over to Cross, who picks himself up, brushing off the dirt from is back and chest. Looking down, he frowns not realizing how much damage he just did.
“Way to go Tiger.”
She smiles, he blushes a bit. He was 29 years old, but she made him feel like a dumb kid.
“What are you doing here Natalie?”
“Considering I have to watch every weekend to make sure you don’t get murdered, added on to the fact of seeing what they did to Henry.”
He grits his teeth, she tilts her head
“Why did you bring him with you?”
“I didn’t! He insisted he wanted to go!”
He looks down, not meaning to yell at her. She smiles, making her way over to him.
“He wanted to go, he even managed to steal my debit card and buy himself a ticket.”
“Didn’t he do that once before.”
Cross chuckles, and she smiles looking up at him. Placing a single hand on his chest, his eyes raise up meeting hers. Her smile is infectious, as he begins to smile.
“I was going to head over to the hospital, if you want to come?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world Tiger.”
He leans down, giving her inviting lips a soft kiss, before started to walk away.
“If you want to hang out for a bit, let me go get changed.”
“Oh? How will I ever resist not peeking.”
“Funny. Just give me a second.”
She begins laughing as Xavier almost makes it to the locker room, turning around she snorts a little bit, clutching her mouth, embarrassed at the noise she just made.
“What’s so funny chuckles?”
“Didn’t I knock you out right here.”
“….Yes…Ms. Piggy.”
“I CAN DO IT AGAIN XAVIER CROSS!”
He shakes his head before disappearing into the back.
*****
Act II
The couple makes their way into the hospital, that weird smell drifting around. Natalie looks a bit awkward for a moment, staying closer to Xavier than usual. He looks down, a confused look on his face.
“What’s wrong?”
“er…Nothing.”
“Yeah, because ‘er’ doesn’t make it totally obvious.”
“…Fine. Hospitals creep me out. When I was a kid, my mom was sick all the time. They just make me feel…weird.”
“You didn’t have to come.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m not gonna miss out on seeing the Old Man, plus a beautiful woman can cheer any sick man up!”
“Did you bring a friend with you then?”
“Go ahead. You might want to grab a wheel chair on our way out, because I’m going to break your knee caps.”
He shakes his head, while she continues to shoot him a serious look. Making their way to the reception desk, Cross leans over, as the nurse looks up.
“Henry Rollins? I’m his son.”
Natalie looks up at him a bit confused, but plays along with it. The nurse tilts her head, starring at Xavier Cross for a moment. The it dons on Cross, he managed to find the sassy black nurse in the hospital. His eyes got wide, as did hers.
“You’re Xavier Cross?!”
“Er. Maybe.”
Natalie giggles.
“Yes. Er, I am…”
“Henry Rollins if your father?”
“God-father.”
The black lady looks at him, before a smile come across her face.
“Well, we’re only allowing direct relatives right now.”
Cross nods his head, trying to figure out some way to get through.
“You got kids? Maybe I could give you a few autographs, or something?”
The lady looks around, thinking a bit.
“Hmm. Well my little boy loves you, and you say you’re his son?”
“Absolutely!”
“Alright, it’s room 604.”
Cross nods to Natalie, who begins to walk to the elevator.
“I’ll be up in a second.”
Natalie nods, and walks away as Xavier leans on the counter.
“Thank you so much, I don’t have any pictures or merchandise, but er, if you give me his address I’ll send him some shirts, posters, pictures, whatever you want.”
The woman smiles, jotting down on a piece of paper, handing it to Cross.
“This will mean the world to him, his birthday is next week.”
“Good, I’ll make sure he gets a great birthday surprise.”
She smiles, shaking Cross’s hand as he starts to walk away, starring at the elevator, then the steps. A creeping pain swells in the back of his knee. Shaking it off, he enters the stairwell.
*****
Act III
Xavier Cross, slowly making his way slowly up the steps.
“It seems I find myself staring down an old rival. Charlie Velez, a man that I just couldn’t ever seem to get the upper hand on. The man who frustrated me more than any other opponent in nCw.
Velez who ended my first reign as National Champion. Velez who used a sledge hammer to destroy Cari’s gravestone. Velez, who I ended up finding myself teamed with under the guidance of Steve Awesome and Leonard Fox. I sold my soul, something I never fathomed myself doing in this business. Thinking no matter how big of a jerk I was, no matter what I found myself in I never thought I would become someone’s henchmen. I guess there is a time and place for everything. Maybe it was because my voice of reason wasn’t around any longer. Maybe it was because I just wanted to take the easy road.
Not you Velez, you never took the easy road. You joined the corporate machine at the top of your game, the leader of your own little rag tag group of merry men. But at the time, I couldn’t see past the hate, I refused to acknowledge your talents, your abilities, and your drive for success. I couldn’t see past anything but my anger, it was a cloud that ultimately self-destructed in my face.
So Velez, I’ll take this time, this moment to fight you. My mind is filled with anger, my heart filled with hate, but that is direct towards another man. Adam Knite, what he did on Collision was unforgivable. So I find myself trying to focus on you Velez, a man that has to be taken very seriously. A man who has beaten me enough for me to realize that he is a serious threat.
You want what has been taken Velez, you want your own reign back. You want the world to pay for what has happened to you.
Velez, I look at you and I know that you have the gusto to achieve what you want, you have the strength to break this company, to take the top of the world in an iron grip. You’re so damn angry, I just hope it doesn’t blind you from what you can really do Velez. You’re a great talent in this business, I pray that you aren’t overshadowed by this corrupt reign of the Knite’s.
Though it would be like you to join them, it would be the easy way out Velez. To side with corrupt, tyranny. We have done it once before, it isn’t something new, just like this revolution I stir, it is something that has happened repeatedly through the course of not only nCw, but wrestling itself. In fact, I believe that just recently we have another man trying to stir up what I’ve been fighting for.
The blood spilled, the anger onset, I just wonder what role you will play when the war comes Velez.
I wonder about you, because to me, you are the most dangerous animal in nCw.
I respect you as a fighter, as the competitor, and if anyone can take this business and bring it to it’s knees, it will be you Velez. It will be. I do harbor a nasty taste in my mouth when I think about you, when I remember how much you were able to get under my skin, how much you pissed me off in such a short time. But I also remember getting wrapped up in it all, losing to you twice for the National Title. I remember it all.
I am not the same man I was back then. I would like to say I have
improved. But only time will tell when I face you down at Trauma.
The second rate nCw show that we are headlining, so I guess it will be up to us to show the world just how much talent is being kept down at this place. To show the world that our talent will not be put down like a sick dog.
I will bring it, I will lay everything on my line as if this was the main event of Road to the Gold, I will imagine that this is for the biggest prize of them all. I have to find some way to burn this fire brighter, to fuel this ability inside me, because I need to beat you. Not for the record books, not to prove anything to anyone.
But for myself.
You were the one mountain I couldn’t climb, and even if it is on Trauma, even if it will be viewed by a few thousand people. No buts, not excuses. I will give you my all Velez. Because that’s what it takes to beat you.
Velez who ended my first reign as National Champion. Velez who used a sledge hammer to destroy Cari’s gravestone. Velez, who I ended up finding myself teamed with under the guidance of Steve Awesome and Leonard Fox. I sold my soul, something I never fathomed myself doing in this business. Thinking no matter how big of a jerk I was, no matter what I found myself in I never thought I would become someone’s henchmen. I guess there is a time and place for everything. Maybe it was because my voice of reason wasn’t around any longer. Maybe it was because I just wanted to take the easy road.
Not you Velez, you never took the easy road. You joined the corporate machine at the top of your game, the leader of your own little rag tag group of merry men. But at the time, I couldn’t see past the hate, I refused to acknowledge your talents, your abilities, and your drive for success. I couldn’t see past anything but my anger, it was a cloud that ultimately self-destructed in my face.
So Velez, I’ll take this time, this moment to fight you. My mind is filled with anger, my heart filled with hate, but that is direct towards another man. Adam Knite, what he did on Collision was unforgivable. So I find myself trying to focus on you Velez, a man that has to be taken very seriously. A man who has beaten me enough for me to realize that he is a serious threat.
You want what has been taken Velez, you want your own reign back. You want the world to pay for what has happened to you.
Velez, I look at you and I know that you have the gusto to achieve what you want, you have the strength to break this company, to take the top of the world in an iron grip. You’re so damn angry, I just hope it doesn’t blind you from what you can really do Velez. You’re a great talent in this business, I pray that you aren’t overshadowed by this corrupt reign of the Knite’s.
Though it would be like you to join them, it would be the easy way out Velez. To side with corrupt, tyranny. We have done it once before, it isn’t something new, just like this revolution I stir, it is something that has happened repeatedly through the course of not only nCw, but wrestling itself. In fact, I believe that just recently we have another man trying to stir up what I’ve been fighting for.
The blood spilled, the anger onset, I just wonder what role you will play when the war comes Velez.
I wonder about you, because to me, you are the most dangerous animal in nCw.
I respect you as a fighter, as the competitor, and if anyone can take this business and bring it to it’s knees, it will be you Velez. It will be. I do harbor a nasty taste in my mouth when I think about you, when I remember how much you were able to get under my skin, how much you pissed me off in such a short time. But I also remember getting wrapped up in it all, losing to you twice for the National Title. I remember it all.
I am not the same man I was back then. I would like to say I have
improved. But only time will tell when I face you down at Trauma.
The second rate nCw show that we are headlining, so I guess it will be up to us to show the world just how much talent is being kept down at this place. To show the world that our talent will not be put down like a sick dog.
I will bring it, I will lay everything on my line as if this was the main event of Road to the Gold, I will imagine that this is for the biggest prize of them all. I have to find some way to burn this fire brighter, to fuel this ability inside me, because I need to beat you. Not for the record books, not to prove anything to anyone.
But for myself.
You were the one mountain I couldn’t climb, and even if it is on Trauma, even if it will be viewed by a few thousand people. No buts, not excuses. I will give you my all Velez. Because that’s what it takes to beat you.
*****
Act IV
Cross emerges from the stairwell, his hands in his pockets looking at the signs down the hallway, taking a right and heading down, he passes rooms filled with sick, or injured people, various doctors standing around, talking, going over charts. Idle chatter.
Turning the corner he finds the lower 600’s ward. A few rooms down, he turns to see Natalie sitting next to Henry, who is sitting up in his bed. His face still black and blue, his arm wrapped in a cast, looking better for the beating he took. Cross leans in the doorway, his face is somber, seeing his trainer, and basically his grandfather sitting there, in a way that Xavier couldn’t have imagined.
It was too real, sobering. But it also frustrated him, it bothered him that Adam was able to hit so close to home.
“So, that Mimic guy grabs me from behind as I’m trying to make myself a sandwich at the catering table. I let him thing he’s got me, but wrist control. I was able to turn, and wrench his arm. Next thing I know I’m getting blind sided again.”
“You broke his arm, did you know that?”
“I heard something snap, but at my age, eh I figured my hearing was going again.”
“I told you not to come with me.”
“Xavier…”
“It’s alright Natalie, he is right. He told me specifically not to go with him, however last time I checked I’m a grown ass man, and I can go where ever I damn well please.”
“Really? Because now Adam has shown he and his lackeys will go to whatever lengths to silence me. You think I need that weighed over my head. Who’s next, Natalie? Or my kids? What about Chris, or even my parents.”
“Cross m’boy, I chose to go with you because you’re finally fighting for the right thing. You’re fighting for something other than yourself for once in your stubborn life. You think I’m gonna just sit in that gym all day, watch your match, and then train you. I know what I was getting into. I knew I would be an easy way to get to you.”
“So why the hell did you go?”
“Because you had to see, that your opponent is capable of doing something so dastardly as beating up a defenseless old man.”
“But you broke his arm.”
“Fine, semi-defenseless old man. You have to realize that Adam isn’t your friend anymore, he doesn’t deserve the slack you’re trying to give him. He’s a tyrant, he will stop you if you don’t understand what you have to sacrifice.”
“I’ve said it a million times, I’m willing to do what it takes!”
“Saying, and doing are two different things. I know you Xavier, I know that you’re willing to say the right things, but so far you haven’t been able to follow them up. Ever.”
“…”
“You know I’m right. Now about your training schedule…”
“You’re in a hospital bed, and you’re worried about how I’m gonna be trained?!”
“Oh, I’m not worried. Because I’ve got you a replacement until I get out of this stupid place.”
“I should just commit you to a hospice.”
“Don’t you dare say that, I will beat you like a 16 year old valley girl! I may be an old man in a hospital bed, but I will beat you.”
“So…who is going to train Xavier?”
The old man starts to chuckle, as Xavier eyes him. A bit of nervousness creeps through his stomach as he rests his hand on Natalie’s shoulder.
“Yeah gramps. Who is it?”
“I think he was around here somewhere, I was talking to him a few minutes ago…”
“Oh my god you’ve gotten dementia and you have an imaginary trainer for me. Wonderful. I’m gonna go get a doctor.”
“There he is!”
Cross slowly turns around, the camera focusing on his face. His eyes get wide, his mouth drops a little bit before losing a little bit of color in his face. Natalie turns around, and her eyes get wide, but she begins to smile and wave.
“Lady, and Xavier. May I introduce you to your new trainer…”
The camera slowly turns around, to show a man holding a bag of
Cheez-it’s. Crunching down on one.
“Mister Brad Kane.”
“You have got to be kidding me.”
“Cheez-it? Not for you Cross, you’re going to be on a diet. You’ve gotten fat.”
Natalie begins giggling as Xavier just face-palms. Brad has a grin on his face.
“Remember that Uncultured Bathroom Promo? Oh yeah, I’m gonna train you. Train you real good…”
Brad’s grin turns into a semi-sadistic smile, as Xavier’s mouth drops in horror.
The camera fades on Brad's grin.