AS77: Jimmy Wonder vs. Frank Mortlock
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Randy Orton's Head Blood
Swinging with Cesaro...
The WZCW Locker Room. Backstage after his debut on WZCW Aftershock 33, "The Magical" Jimmy Wonder is perched on a bench, with a tablet in his hands. The screen showing a replay of his match against Frank Mortlock & Ilapa, he watches intently while the sweat still drips from his brow, following his loss. Although he wasn't the one made to submit by Ilapa, he would have preferred a win on his first night.
"Damn! Now, that's where it started to go wrong. But man, that crowd were behind me all the way. This kind of support is something I haven't felt in years but... it gets me pumped! Hearing my name being chanted out loud, man that was exciting."
"There it is again! Jimmy, you need to focus and focus good. I know that I have what it takes, but once that crowd starts to get behind me, I can just lose my sights in a second. I'm so used to paying full attention to the people I entertain, but this is a new ballpark altogether. At that moment, the door to the locker room clicks and creaks slowly open as eyes peer around the door. WZCW Superstar S.H.I.T flings opens the door, his robotic stature there in the doorway.
S.H.I.T: "Hello Magic Man. I, am S.H.I.T"
"Hey man, you ain't shit! You're pretty good in the ring!"
Wonder laughs, but the mechanical man stands there, blankly looking Jimmy up and down.
"No, I am S.H.I.T, may I join you while I grease my knobs ready for my next match?"
"Grease your...? Yeah, come in. I'm just going through and watching my debut match from Aftershock, did you see it? Can't believe that I lost, but that's the downside to triple threat matches, I wasn't even the guy who tapped out, but I'm still counted as a loser...if only I had taken more time-"
"Slow down human. You speak too fast. I did see your match, S.H.I.T is all seeing. That means he sees everything, did you know? As quickly as you may speak, your brain works at less than half that speed."
"HEY!"
"Let S.H.I.T finish. You become too distracted, too easily. S.H.I.T does not listen to the people's noise, even though the people love him. What is love?"
"Umm..."
"Jimmy Wonder, you need to learn to think before you move. S.H.I.T has an built in brain that makes him a thousand times superior to all of you, but you need to use yours to help you think about what you are going to do. Do not rush, or you will be in deep, deep shit. That is real shit, not S.H.I.T "shit".
"Well, thanks I guess. I hear that Frank Mortlock is facing me next week, which takes Ilapa out of the equation. This match should have really been my debut, so I can scratch last week off of my mind for now."
*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*
S.H.I.T's head starts to shake
"FRANK MORTLOCK. Former Police Detective and reigning US Police Light-Heavyweight Boxing Champ. Also has reported history of mental illness, could possibly be crazy. That is all S.H.I.T has."
"Wow, thanks S.H.I.T"
"S.H.I.T obliges. S.H.I.T has successfully greased his knobs and they are now nice and smooth. S.H.I.T will leave you to wallow in self pity, or look at your life in a different light and start improving. It is up to you. Goodbye Magic Man".
S.H.I.T makes his way to the door again, walking straight out. Wonder watches him for a second, making sure he wasn't dreaming, or starting to go crazy. Turning off the tablet and placing it on the bench, he raises for the first time since we saw him.
"Mortlock was good, pretty damn good for moving from the Boxing world over to the Wrestling. But then, I moved over from the goddamn magic world! Now that's a place I never even thought I'd leave! Now though, here I am...in WZCW. So my first match was a dud, does it matter? No it doesn't! This match against Mortlock at Ascension is going to be my stepping stone. My stepping stone over the nasty piece of work Frank is, to make my way to the top. I want to be WZCW Heavyweight Champion and one day, I will be. But not until I start proving that Jimmy Wonder is a force to be reckoned with. If I can't even beat another newbie, what chance do I have against someone like S.H.I.T, or Ricky Runn?"
He leans against the wall.
"I'd have no chance, that's what I'd have. Someone like me, with where I've come from, I just can't expect to be the best without working for it. But that's what I've come here to do. I may have been asked to be a part of this business, but I am here to fight. While I fight, I'm going to do my damned best to make sure that I become one of the best in this business. Those people need a hero to fight on their behalf and just like I heard them cheering my name, they'll get who they need."
Jimmy heads over to the door, grabbing his bag from the floor too. He gets to the doorway and opens the door, keeping hold of the handle.
"They'll get a Wonder."
He closes the door, heading off. Frank Mortlock awaits the former magician on Ascension, but can Jimmy Wonder pull off a bigger trick this week?
The moon is a crescent smile, mocking me. I look through the sky-light in the roof of The Shady Glaze, but turn away. The bourbon that ran hot in my throat turns to cold disappointment on its way to my stomach.
Hey, Frank! You okay? It’s been ages, talk to Uncle Hector…
Hector Sanchez is a good guy – one of few in this city. Short, paunchy and with an OCD-driven need to polish his clean beer mugs, he runs this jazz joint like it’s his own kid.
Just a few bumps and bruises...
I lie.
Do you still sell those Cubans? I could really use one tonight.
Detective... I do not know what you’re talking about!
The grin on his face says otherwise.
Relax, Hec, you know I’m not on duty. Put it on my tab, will you?
I watch as the bar’s dull lighting reflects off of Hector’s bald head. He hands me the smoke, which I cut and light.
Much better.
I inhale the smoke, but try to stifle the groan I hear myself make.
“Bumps and bruises”, eh?
The Capacocha is no joke.
For a few bittersweet moments I saw the face of God or the devil - when you’re seconds away from losing consciousness, details become expendable. My neck feels better now, but the memory remains.
Just that, Hec. Forget it.
Following my own advice, I do my best to put Ilapa out of my head. Clearly I had no idea who this woman is or what she’s capable of – I didn’t want to risk finding out, either. “Discretion is the better part of valor” they say, but not getting your ass kicked counts for a lot.
How’s business, Hector?
He looks me in the eye and points to the empty bar counter. Only a handful of tables were occupied.
You are a detective, no? Let me tell you, amigo, this club was booming back in the day! We still had the full band, Shirley was going to be the next big thing and on occasion even Mayor de Luca-
Sanchez’s voice trails off as he mentions the former city official – corrupt as they come. “Loca de Luca” the papers used to call him. Hector probably just realized that I know all about the “special room” the mayor had at The Shady Glaze and how people went missing there and everywhere else if they asked the wrong questions.
But those were the days, Frank. The city has seen better times and so has my beautiful lounge.
It was unbearable watching Hector ranting about this place. It was dead and buried and Hector is the last one at its funeral. Well, not the very last one…
Hey, does Shirley still work here?
Cast your eyes towards the stage, Detective, you are in for a treat!
As I turn around it hits – weariness leaves me and my pulse starts racing. Shirley always put on a good show. The blonde in the electric red dress hypnotized every last man in the club that bothered to look. But for me it was never about her figure… for me it was always her voice – hurt and alone.
[YOUTUBE]iOXrcxt9kps[/YOUTUBE]
The last notes die away and I see her elegant shape glide from the table and disappear backstage. Suddenly, things return to normal. Suddenly, the magic is gone. Somehow it always feels like she’s singing just for me.
Damn! Shirley hasn’t aged a day.
You’re telling me, amigo! But these kids that come in here today, they don’t know what good music is!
I pull on my coat and get up.
It was nice to see this place again, Hector. Take care.
You are already heading home?
I flash him a smile.
Some of us have real jobs.
I nod to the doorman and take my leave, exchanging the dim lights of the jazz club for the industrial yellow glow of the streetlamps. While I’m trying to hail a cab, my brain drifts back to the siren at the club.
Don’t kid yourself, Frank.
I was right, of course. There’s no future with a broad like that.
Officer…
Shirley’s greeting is explosive honey. I turn around and I see her in a lavish fur coat. [/color]
Good evening, Shirley Rogers. Has it really been that long? Am I just “Officer” now?
To be frank… you could swing by here more than once in a blue moon. But it’s not a blue moon tonight, is it? No, looky there.
She raises a slender arm, pointing at the night sky. It exposes her just a little and I see a sliver of that red dress.
Share a cab?
The taxi finally arrives and I hold the door open for her.
She backs away and blows me a kiss.
Next time, Detective.
The trip home feels unusually long. I check my watch – the dials tell me it’s just after midnight. I go straight to the study and sit there in the dark. I think about the blonde of my dreams and how different my life turned out than I expected. I take a record out of its sleeve, place needle on vinyl and flick the switch.
[YOUTUBE]Kwlcgkhuxv4[/YOUTUBE]
I remember to put on my wedding ring before I go to bed.
*****
The park bench is nice, I like it here. It’s soothing. My luck was about to run out when perennial ray of sunshine, Becky Serra, traversed the moist park grass in six-inch heels. I get no small amount of amusement out of seeing her stumble, but being a professional, I keep it on the inside.
Good day, Frank.
She seemed cold towards me. At least she’s not a slow learner.
Hello, Becky. Is this your first time in Gloom Springs?
It is.
This park is one of my favorite spots.
I hold out a paper bag filled with breadcrumbs. Reluctantly, she grabs a handful. It’s not exactly a sunny day, but at least the city was less overcast than usual.
Let’s get this over with, shall we?
I take a scoop of bread and hurl it away, leaving the ducks to fight over it.
You know, Frank, it doesn’t have to be like this.
Becky… I don’t like you and I don’t think you like me much, either. There’s nothing wrong with that, so why put on an act? We’re both grown up enough to get through this without throwing a tantrum, so let’s give the boss what he wants and be done with it.
She turns on her tape recorder and the interview begins.
Ladies and gentlemen, this Becky Serra and with only a few days before Ascension, I am enjoying a fine day out in Gloom Springs, accompanying Detective Mortlock.
Hello there, Becky. Thanks for having this interview – it’s a huge honor.
She rolled her eyes and I knew it couldn’t be easy keeping a civil tone.
All I really want to say is that this week, I will be fighting for the truth. Jimmy Wonder is lying to you, viewers! Magic isn’t real! The only thing that’s real is the law and that’s what I’m bringing back to WZCW! Good day!
I switch off the device.
That’s it?
That’s that.
Wow… I came all this way for that?
What do you want me to say, Becky? It’s not like I care about the fans. I meant what I said – no force in this world, not even the magic between a man and a woman, is real.
Becky collects her things and calls her driver. I don’t care.
How do you survive being so bitter?
I stare at the pond, ignoring Serra until she storms off. Images of Shirley float in the water.
I empty the paper bag after feeding the ducks starts to bore me. I don my hat and start to walk towards The Shady Glaze, removing my wedding ring along the way.
Hey, Frank! You okay? It’s been ages, talk to Uncle Hector…
Hector Sanchez is a good guy – one of few in this city. Short, paunchy and with an OCD-driven need to polish his clean beer mugs, he runs this jazz joint like it’s his own kid.
Just a few bumps and bruises...
I lie.
Do you still sell those Cubans? I could really use one tonight.
Detective... I do not know what you’re talking about!
The grin on his face says otherwise.
Relax, Hec, you know I’m not on duty. Put it on my tab, will you?
I watch as the bar’s dull lighting reflects off of Hector’s bald head. He hands me the smoke, which I cut and light.
Much better.
I inhale the smoke, but try to stifle the groan I hear myself make.
“Bumps and bruises”, eh?
The Capacocha is no joke.
For a few bittersweet moments I saw the face of God or the devil - when you’re seconds away from losing consciousness, details become expendable. My neck feels better now, but the memory remains.
Just that, Hec. Forget it.
Following my own advice, I do my best to put Ilapa out of my head. Clearly I had no idea who this woman is or what she’s capable of – I didn’t want to risk finding out, either. “Discretion is the better part of valor” they say, but not getting your ass kicked counts for a lot.
How’s business, Hector?
He looks me in the eye and points to the empty bar counter. Only a handful of tables were occupied.
You are a detective, no? Let me tell you, amigo, this club was booming back in the day! We still had the full band, Shirley was going to be the next big thing and on occasion even Mayor de Luca-
Sanchez’s voice trails off as he mentions the former city official – corrupt as they come. “Loca de Luca” the papers used to call him. Hector probably just realized that I know all about the “special room” the mayor had at The Shady Glaze and how people went missing there and everywhere else if they asked the wrong questions.
But those were the days, Frank. The city has seen better times and so has my beautiful lounge.
It was unbearable watching Hector ranting about this place. It was dead and buried and Hector is the last one at its funeral. Well, not the very last one…
Hey, does Shirley still work here?
Cast your eyes towards the stage, Detective, you are in for a treat!
As I turn around it hits – weariness leaves me and my pulse starts racing. Shirley always put on a good show. The blonde in the electric red dress hypnotized every last man in the club that bothered to look. But for me it was never about her figure… for me it was always her voice – hurt and alone.
[YOUTUBE]iOXrcxt9kps[/YOUTUBE]
The last notes die away and I see her elegant shape glide from the table and disappear backstage. Suddenly, things return to normal. Suddenly, the magic is gone. Somehow it always feels like she’s singing just for me.
Damn! Shirley hasn’t aged a day.
You’re telling me, amigo! But these kids that come in here today, they don’t know what good music is!
I pull on my coat and get up.
It was nice to see this place again, Hector. Take care.
You are already heading home?
I flash him a smile.
Some of us have real jobs.
I nod to the doorman and take my leave, exchanging the dim lights of the jazz club for the industrial yellow glow of the streetlamps. While I’m trying to hail a cab, my brain drifts back to the siren at the club.
Don’t kid yourself, Frank.
I was right, of course. There’s no future with a broad like that.
Officer…
Shirley’s greeting is explosive honey. I turn around and I see her in a lavish fur coat. [/color]
Good evening, Shirley Rogers. Has it really been that long? Am I just “Officer” now?
To be frank… you could swing by here more than once in a blue moon. But it’s not a blue moon tonight, is it? No, looky there.
She raises a slender arm, pointing at the night sky. It exposes her just a little and I see a sliver of that red dress.
Share a cab?
The taxi finally arrives and I hold the door open for her.
She backs away and blows me a kiss.
Next time, Detective.
The trip home feels unusually long. I check my watch – the dials tell me it’s just after midnight. I go straight to the study and sit there in the dark. I think about the blonde of my dreams and how different my life turned out than I expected. I take a record out of its sleeve, place needle on vinyl and flick the switch.
[YOUTUBE]Kwlcgkhuxv4[/YOUTUBE]
I remember to put on my wedding ring before I go to bed.
*****
The park bench is nice, I like it here. It’s soothing. My luck was about to run out when perennial ray of sunshine, Becky Serra, traversed the moist park grass in six-inch heels. I get no small amount of amusement out of seeing her stumble, but being a professional, I keep it on the inside.
Good day, Frank.
She seemed cold towards me. At least she’s not a slow learner.
Hello, Becky. Is this your first time in Gloom Springs?
It is.
This park is one of my favorite spots.
I hold out a paper bag filled with breadcrumbs. Reluctantly, she grabs a handful. It’s not exactly a sunny day, but at least the city was less overcast than usual.
Let’s get this over with, shall we?
I take a scoop of bread and hurl it away, leaving the ducks to fight over it.
You know, Frank, it doesn’t have to be like this.
Becky… I don’t like you and I don’t think you like me much, either. There’s nothing wrong with that, so why put on an act? We’re both grown up enough to get through this without throwing a tantrum, so let’s give the boss what he wants and be done with it.
She turns on her tape recorder and the interview begins.
Ladies and gentlemen, this Becky Serra and with only a few days before Ascension, I am enjoying a fine day out in Gloom Springs, accompanying Detective Mortlock.
Hello there, Becky. Thanks for having this interview – it’s a huge honor.
She rolled her eyes and I knew it couldn’t be easy keeping a civil tone.
All I really want to say is that this week, I will be fighting for the truth. Jimmy Wonder is lying to you, viewers! Magic isn’t real! The only thing that’s real is the law and that’s what I’m bringing back to WZCW! Good day!
I switch off the device.
That’s it?
That’s that.
Wow… I came all this way for that?
What do you want me to say, Becky? It’s not like I care about the fans. I meant what I said – no force in this world, not even the magic between a man and a woman, is real.
Becky collects her things and calls her driver. I don’t care.
How do you survive being so bitter?
I stare at the pond, ignoring Serra until she storms off. Images of Shirley float in the water.
I empty the paper bag after feeding the ducks starts to bore me. I don my hat and start to walk towards The Shady Glaze, removing my wedding ring along the way.
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