Post by Philip Burns on Sept 1, 2007 21:56:21 GMT -6
The heart wants…
::The scene is indoors. The location is a small gym inside a hotel in LA. The Burning has been lifting weights and running a treadmill for the better part of the two hours since he got off the plane. HE is wearing gym shorts and a tank top. The sweat is pouring from his face. It is after noon. As he finishes a set of sit-ups, he comes to his feet and his manger hand him a towel. He thanks him, wipes the towel across his forehead. At this time a young man, maybe nineteen years old walks up to them. He is muscular and walks with a presence. His hair is dark and medium length::
Man: hey, The Burning, right? My name is Joseph. I'm being trained to wrestle locally. I have got to tell you that I love your in-ring stuff.
The Burning: really? So you don’t hate me?
Joseph: No way man, of course a lot of people don’t understand why you would do some of the “mean” things you have done. But I know that this sport is as much about a mental advantage as it is about skill and talent.
The Burning: Well thanks man. Maybe I will see you in the ring some day.
Joseph: I hope so sir.
::Joe shakes his hand and walks away, no doubt preparing to in attendance at Road to the Gold. Phil thinks about what a great chance that young man has at making big time, maybe even in nCw someday. His thoughts then turn to his match. All week he has been in isolation, whether it be in his home or on walks though the city. LA has been good to him::
The News: hey man, how about getting some reps in on this machine?
The Burning: maybe in a little while. Do you every get the feeling that maybe when a plan goes wrong, it was really as wrong as you first thought?
The News: I don’t follow.
The Burning: It is like even though I a not going for the nCw Championship I still have a lot of purpose this Sunday. It is almost like I was supposed to be in this match. And for the life of me I don’t know why I feel this way.
The News: listen, Phil. I have been there. Maybe after all we’ve been through, all the different companies we have been around to you feel like you found a good place to settle in. and that is great. There is always a home for you here in nCw and the competition is great. And I will tell you this right now: the National title will have more prestige to it than most other promotions main belts. Especially with you and Manson are chomping at the bit to wear it. And it is no secret in the wrestling world that you deserve the main event. We can’t afford to get too comfortable in a spot.
The Burning: Rest assured man, that’s not what I am saying at all. I just think that this company deserves more from me. I want this to be a longstanding relationship. I signed a two year deal but that seems like a joke. I want a rise to dominance.
I want to be hoisted on the shoulders of my peers. I want to save this place from certain evils; whether it be a Fox or Davey Ortega. The hiring of this new General Manager feels like an ushering in of a new era. Although I do not have a personal relationship with any member of management I can feel a shift going on. Fining Kelly wasn’t a kind gesture toward me; it was a gesture to this company, to make it a legitimate place to make a living. I think I owe this company a few gestures myself. And also… the fans.
The News: alright, back up. Since when do you give a crap about the fans? Have you even taken your eyes off of any opponent long enough to look at a fan?
The Burning: I know I have been indifferent to them. But ultimately, being a fan is what attracted me to this business. Wrestling changed my life. What if I can do that for some kid out there?
The News: and you think your match with Manson will do this for you? What makes this different?
The Burning: come on, I know you are smarter than this, News. Have you not heard what he has said? Though others may throw attack at me his way, he shoots them down. He knows I am a challenge. This man has competition at the heart and so do I.
I know that no matter what happens to our match we will have everyone on their feet. Ultimately, straight competition will sell more than controversy. I need to end the chapters of my life devoted to vengeance and enmity and start writing the book of self realization. Sometimes one seemingly ill-founded idea has got more potential than an entire careers worth of wins. Starting at the Pay-Per-View I am no longer, the obsessed, grudge harboring, revenge bound Philip Burns. A new passion burns. I live for the business.
The News: well don’t hang your hat on one thing man. This is an important step towards that heavyweight title. I am going to check our travel arrangements and I will be back in the room soon.
The Burning: alright, I'm going to finish up down her. Take care.
::The news walks away, sexually harassing a woman in a bikini coming from the pool area only to be slapped. The Burning chuckles as he sees this. Once again he wipes his face with a towel. Philip walks over to a bench in front of some locks and reaches into his gym bag. From it he retrieves his notebook and takes a seat. Pen in hand he begins to write his thoughts::
On the airplane ride her I had a few hours to think about why exactly the National title was shaping up to mean so much to me. Was it that I was settling for a lesser title or because I would be proud to build a future from the ground up?
No matter the reason I would be proud to carry that belt. There is an entire locker room full of people who would love the chance to be where I am right now.
How would my mother react if she saw me doubting my potential to be on top of this business? Surely she would give encouragement, just as she did the day we talked about the sad event between me and my nephew.
It is time I stop fighting just to prove my skill to myself. Instead I now fight to showcase my respect for this industry, my love for my job, and my admiration of any fan who would pay to see me wrestle, love me or hate me. I have a new mission.
::The Burning reaches for a baseball cap and places it backwards on his head. He tucks his journal neatly back into the gym bag and zips it up. With a newfound mission and desire, he slings the bag over his shoulder and heads for the door. Scene fades. It is Meer hours until from the event that will change his career::
::The scene is indoors. The location is a small gym inside a hotel in LA. The Burning has been lifting weights and running a treadmill for the better part of the two hours since he got off the plane. HE is wearing gym shorts and a tank top. The sweat is pouring from his face. It is after noon. As he finishes a set of sit-ups, he comes to his feet and his manger hand him a towel. He thanks him, wipes the towel across his forehead. At this time a young man, maybe nineteen years old walks up to them. He is muscular and walks with a presence. His hair is dark and medium length::
Man: hey, The Burning, right? My name is Joseph. I'm being trained to wrestle locally. I have got to tell you that I love your in-ring stuff.
The Burning: really? So you don’t hate me?
Joseph: No way man, of course a lot of people don’t understand why you would do some of the “mean” things you have done. But I know that this sport is as much about a mental advantage as it is about skill and talent.
The Burning: Well thanks man. Maybe I will see you in the ring some day.
Joseph: I hope so sir.
::Joe shakes his hand and walks away, no doubt preparing to in attendance at Road to the Gold. Phil thinks about what a great chance that young man has at making big time, maybe even in nCw someday. His thoughts then turn to his match. All week he has been in isolation, whether it be in his home or on walks though the city. LA has been good to him::
The News: hey man, how about getting some reps in on this machine?
The Burning: maybe in a little while. Do you every get the feeling that maybe when a plan goes wrong, it was really as wrong as you first thought?
The News: I don’t follow.
The Burning: It is like even though I a not going for the nCw Championship I still have a lot of purpose this Sunday. It is almost like I was supposed to be in this match. And for the life of me I don’t know why I feel this way.
The News: listen, Phil. I have been there. Maybe after all we’ve been through, all the different companies we have been around to you feel like you found a good place to settle in. and that is great. There is always a home for you here in nCw and the competition is great. And I will tell you this right now: the National title will have more prestige to it than most other promotions main belts. Especially with you and Manson are chomping at the bit to wear it. And it is no secret in the wrestling world that you deserve the main event. We can’t afford to get too comfortable in a spot.
The Burning: Rest assured man, that’s not what I am saying at all. I just think that this company deserves more from me. I want this to be a longstanding relationship. I signed a two year deal but that seems like a joke. I want a rise to dominance.
I want to be hoisted on the shoulders of my peers. I want to save this place from certain evils; whether it be a Fox or Davey Ortega. The hiring of this new General Manager feels like an ushering in of a new era. Although I do not have a personal relationship with any member of management I can feel a shift going on. Fining Kelly wasn’t a kind gesture toward me; it was a gesture to this company, to make it a legitimate place to make a living. I think I owe this company a few gestures myself. And also… the fans.
The News: alright, back up. Since when do you give a crap about the fans? Have you even taken your eyes off of any opponent long enough to look at a fan?
The Burning: I know I have been indifferent to them. But ultimately, being a fan is what attracted me to this business. Wrestling changed my life. What if I can do that for some kid out there?
The News: and you think your match with Manson will do this for you? What makes this different?
The Burning: come on, I know you are smarter than this, News. Have you not heard what he has said? Though others may throw attack at me his way, he shoots them down. He knows I am a challenge. This man has competition at the heart and so do I.
I know that no matter what happens to our match we will have everyone on their feet. Ultimately, straight competition will sell more than controversy. I need to end the chapters of my life devoted to vengeance and enmity and start writing the book of self realization. Sometimes one seemingly ill-founded idea has got more potential than an entire careers worth of wins. Starting at the Pay-Per-View I am no longer, the obsessed, grudge harboring, revenge bound Philip Burns. A new passion burns. I live for the business.
The News: well don’t hang your hat on one thing man. This is an important step towards that heavyweight title. I am going to check our travel arrangements and I will be back in the room soon.
The Burning: alright, I'm going to finish up down her. Take care.
::The news walks away, sexually harassing a woman in a bikini coming from the pool area only to be slapped. The Burning chuckles as he sees this. Once again he wipes his face with a towel. Philip walks over to a bench in front of some locks and reaches into his gym bag. From it he retrieves his notebook and takes a seat. Pen in hand he begins to write his thoughts::
On the airplane ride her I had a few hours to think about why exactly the National title was shaping up to mean so much to me. Was it that I was settling for a lesser title or because I would be proud to build a future from the ground up?
No matter the reason I would be proud to carry that belt. There is an entire locker room full of people who would love the chance to be where I am right now.
How would my mother react if she saw me doubting my potential to be on top of this business? Surely she would give encouragement, just as she did the day we talked about the sad event between me and my nephew.
It is time I stop fighting just to prove my skill to myself. Instead I now fight to showcase my respect for this industry, my love for my job, and my admiration of any fan who would pay to see me wrestle, love me or hate me. I have a new mission.
::The Burning reaches for a baseball cap and places it backwards on his head. He tucks his journal neatly back into the gym bag and zips it up. With a newfound mission and desire, he slings the bag over his shoulder and heads for the door. Scene fades. It is Meer hours until from the event that will change his career::