Meltdown 19 - Backstage: Entrance to the Gorilla Position.
A shaft of light penetrates through the curtain. The cheers of the crowd can be heard in the background. Becky is stood, waiting patiently to catch a word with the next man through the curtain. The crowd noise reaches a crescendo, and the inaudible voice of the ring announcer can be heard in the background.
Moments pass.
Chief Anoki staggers through the curtain. He sports a rapidly developing bruise on his right cheek, a slight limp in his left leg, and a colossal grin affixed to his face. One arm reaches out for the wall, and the comforting support it brings. Anoki is quite clearly trembling, and his face is wetter than perspiration should rightly account for. Noticing the young woman in-front of him, he makes an unsuccessful effort to calm his body, grasps his jacket which lies dormant by the curtain, and wipes his face.
Becky: I'm here with the winner of tonight's four way match, and the newest member of the WZCW roster, Akoni Akecheta. Anoki, may I be the first to congratulate you on your victory. It was clear from watching how much this match meant to you. How does it feel for you to walk away victorious?
Anoki: Thank-you. I... Well...
The young man stumbles over his words. Lost for words for the first time in years. Without warning, mind and body overridden by adrenaline and euphoria, the young man comes forward, and pulls Sera into a tight hug. Momentarily taken aback, she puts him gingerly on the shoulder.
As fast as it came, Anoki pulls back, his sweating face suddenly a slightly deeper shade of red. Seeking distraction, he finally finds his voice.
Anoki: Many thanks. ten-thousand times I've longed to hear those words aloud. Tonight begins my road to redemption. The trail of good intentions stretches ahead and behind, but at long last I know which way to walk. My journey begins anew in but a moment; but right now, tonight, this moment... this is a moment in paradise.
Anoki pauses his monologue momentarily in order to remove his colour, and to pull his jacket on over his shoulders.
Anoki: I think we shall talk against soon. But paradise lasts but a moment, and moments must be savoured while they last. Soon...
Grin remains fixed. Damp eyes close. Senses shut down as the young man bathes in the experience. Slowly, eyes still shut, he walks away.
_________________________________________________________________
The Day After Meltdown - Backstage: Outside Chuck Myles's Office
The door is shut. Rebbecca Sera stands outside, microphone poised.
The door opens. Anoki is framed in the entrance. He leaves the office. The door closes.
Anoki glances left and right, then moves to walk away. Rebbecca seizes the moment and follows behind. She catches up.
Becky: So it's all official now then is it?
The young man tunes around and pauses. Perhaps he did not recognise her first time around. He smiles.
Anoki: Indeed it is. As of this time. This point. This place. The sun has dawned on my new first day.
Becky: Well correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you still owe me an interview from yesterday.
She doesn't wait for an answer, and instead presses home.
Becky: We'll start with how you feel, now the ink is drying on your contract, shall we?
Anoki pauses for a moment. When he speaks again his words are slow and deliberate, as if he is working through a thought in his head.
Anoki: A spoken word it like a tool. The right word in the right place can perform any task; but any work can only perform one task at a time. There is no word that can describe how I feel today. Hope runs through my veins, but it chases each and every one of its breathing from the box. Apprehension. Fear. Doubt. I have been handed an opportunity. A single opportunity to walk the path towards redemption. The terror of getting lost would be enough to drive a man alone to madness. But still there is hope. Always and forever... Hope.
Rebbecca bears a puzzled expression. The tone is clear, but it is plain that some of what is said remains a mystery.
Becky: A path towards redemption. You mentioned something of that nature before. What are you searching to be redeemed for?
The smile fades from the young mans face. in all of a moment, ten years of pain and suffering ride across his face. His voice is now weary.
Anoki: The path towards redemption moves forwards. To look back you have to turn around, and I have sworn that I shall never turn my back again.
He has said all that he will. Rebbecca knows this. Perhaps one day he will tell her; but today is not that day. She looks to change the subject.
Becky: Anyway. ... From what I hear, you have already been booked into your first match. You'll be tagging with USA, and your opponents will be Kyle Christiansen and James Baker. Any thoughts?
Anoki: I fear to say, I do not yet know the name of any of the souls who walk this road. At Meltdown there will be no feud. No agenda. No motivation other than to repay my debt.
She pauses, unsure if she should ask. He sensed her discomfort. He answers her unasked question.
Anoki: My debt is owed to this company. To everyone and everything here. To the men I fought last night, whose dreams I stifled. To every man who I will encounter on my journey. To Mr Myles, to yourself, and to every fan in every area. WZCW gave me purpose. It gave me direction. It brought me to life. It is a debt I may never truly be able to repay, but today I make this pledge.
Every show. Every night. Every moment. For as long as my heart beats, I will put my body and soul on the line for this company. I will give blood. Sweat. Tears. It may never measure up to what this company has given me, but I swear to offer up everything I have in return. Now, and forever after. I swear.
Exhausted from the bearing of his soul, he turns to walk away. He turns back.
Anoki: One thing if you will?
Becky: Yes?
Anoki: As I said before, I know no names here. Will you do me the honour of yours?
She stifles a laugh. The last traces of the storm have left the air. She answers.
Becky: Becky. Short for Rebbecca.
He smiles.
Anoki: Well then... goodbye Becky.
He walks away.
