The Worst Call Ever
Aug 5, 2016 1:31:41 GMT -5
Stuart Slane, Thomas Uriel Bates, and 2 more like this
Post by Chief Tom-O-Hawk on Aug 5, 2016 1:31:41 GMT -5
Bates: You sure it’s safe here? I mean, me and Oblivion in the same room doesn’t seem very safe considering his .. unstable nature. Add in that he might have his sights set on gold in the near future makes me a target.
Freeze: Relax. General household rule is that this place is neutral grounds for anybody who steps foot within. Obi respects this. I suspect he even appreciates it, but it’s kinda hard to tell with him from time to time.
Bates puts the finishing touches on the bolts connecting the engine and transmission assembly to the frame of the 70’s model Harley Softail. The original tan and forest green have long faded from sand storm and sun exposure, leaving the blackish patina of the metal underneath to show through in some spots.
Freeze finishes polishing off the fuel cell, faded paint brush markings of his early 80’s ‘FB’ logo wrapped in flaming barbed wire cover the entire top of the tank with a faint silver pinstriped Semper Fidelis Fortitudine faded across the top.
Freeze: Always Faithful with Courage.
Bates: Tank ready?
This was the last touch. Adding the tank, connecting the lines, adding fuel, and the softail would fire up for the first time in nearly a decade.
Bates: I’m surprised you didn’t have it pai-
Smartphone: Asshole calling. ASS-HO-O-O-OLE CAL-LING!!!
Freeze reaches over, tapping the screen to quiet the smartphone. He seems agitated at the phone as he grabs it up, adjusting a few settings.
Freeze: Sorry about that.
Bates: I’ve been here a few hours now .. haven’t heard a single cuss word out of you. It’s normal speech for you yet not one today. Is it because I’m here?
Freeze: Actually it is. I know you don’t cuss, and I like to be a good host when someone visits .. except in the case of Hank Brown .. so you don’t cuss, neither will I when you’re here.
Freezer Burn behind the scenes is much different than Bates had expected. Still the fiery, spirited, nothing I can’t do attitude that he brought to the ring. But the man Wayne Hammon away from wrestling seemed .. almost normal. The conversations during the motorcycle build led Bates to realize that Wayne Hammon is a much smarter man than he lets on to the public eye.
Obi: Lerchies!
Bates and Freeze look three stalls down to Oblivion who is searching underneath the vintage 56 Ford Thunderbird. He reaches underneath with a mirror on a telescoping stick to look under the engine compartment, searching every small crevice.
Bates: He’s an interesting one.
Freeze: Full of surprises.
Freezer Burn’s smartphone starts vibrating atop the metal tool chest. The Bzzzzt .. Bzzzzttt .. of it’s rattling noticeable to both Bates and Freeze. Someone sure has a hardon trying to get Freeze on the phone, but he just simply ignores it for now, since it’s not gladly singing out ASSHOLE like it was earlier.
Bates: So why not paint it?
Freeze: (nodding) I’ve put a lot of miles on this ride. Nearly a quarter mill I’m guessing. Sure, it has a couple scratches from when it got laid over. A ding in the tank from an angry wrestler with a steel pipe. Fading from weather and stuff. But all that adds character to it. It’s had a hard ride like I had. The bike reflects me. Take away my scars and the memory of those scars, and I wouldn’t be who I am today. This bike wouldn’t be half the bike it is if it got a paint job. It wouldn’t reflect me as well. You understand that, being a rider, the connection between man and his ride.
Bates: So why this ride? I saw your Dukati over there (pointing down the garage stalls). That has got to be fast steel on two wheels. Why this and not that?
Freeze: Cryptic wording Bates? (Bates shrugs)The Dukati is a toy. Something for fun only ..
Bzzzt.. BZZZTTTTT!!!
Annoyed, Freeze grabs the smartphone and raises it to his ear.
Freeze: Hello. (listens a moment) これは誰ですか。なぜかあなたは私を呼んでおくか。... … 待機.もう一度言います。
His features at first soften, then slowly turn blank. The smartphone tumbles from his fingers, bouncing off the concrete floor. His body shakes, and not from the abuse his shoulder took in his last match. His knees fail and he goes down on all fours to the floor.
Bates: Holy ..!!
Bates rushes to the old man, an arm bringing him upright again. The look in Wayne’s face hurt Bates to see. The old man suddenly looked much older. His face seemed ashen and aged. His eyes though .. were the worst part. His eyes lacked the vital spirited spark that made a man great. His eyes became dull, then tears began to trickle down his face which added more years to his appearance.
Oblivion heard the commotion and came over. Seeing his friend on the floor, covered in tears, Bates lifting him back upright, seemed somehow out of place even to Obi. This was his friend, always tough as iron, and yet not his friend. He looked like Freezer burn, yet didn’t have the feel of Freezer Burn.
Oblivion: Freeze? What?
Oblivion would normally say more, and with that intelligent spark that made his insanity a dangerously focused laser. But this visage, to him, just seemed too foreign to properly comprehend.
Oblivion: What happened?
Bates: His phone rang, he answered, ..said some things in Japanese then this.
Oblivion: I think his son lives in Japan.
Freeze: .. just .. not right
Bates: What’s not right? Tell me what’s not right Freeze.
Freeze: it’s .. it’s not natural .. (his body shudders and convulses) not .. natural for man .. to outlive his so..
He couldn’t get the rest of the word out. He broke into sobs, utterly destroyed. Obi and Bates shared a look,a deeply concerned look on Bates and the emotionless mask covering Obi. Both smart enough to know those final words even without having to hear them said.
It’s not natural for a man to outlive his sons.
------------------------------
THE GAME ROOM - One hour later
Bates, Oblivion and Freeze are in the Game Room at Hammon’s resident mansion an hour after the smartphone incident and have been joined by The Baron. Bates and Obi explained what happened in the garage and Baron just reaches into his hairline with his fingers nearly ready to rip fistfuls out.
Baron: Holy Shit.
Bates: That’s what I said.
Baron released his fingers from his hairline and looked shocked at Bates.
Baron: Wait, you cussed? Since when the hell did you start that? And me without a camera to record it. Of all the times I had to be in the gym, getting a workout going to be in peek condition …
Bates: Well .. I only got it half out. I caught myself.
Baron would normally have theologically debated that but other things took precedence at the moment. The man, the soldier, his friend, who had seemed impervious to his own physical harm, had broken down in a way that was almost scary.
Oblivion sat across from Freeze at the chess table. He seemed out of place for a moment, but moved a white pawn, probably to keep his own mind occupied. Seru walked in at this time, actually dressed for a change with a skimpy secretary outfit that still hid nothing. She handed out bottles of orange juice to everyone, the Baron taking his and with a quick palm thrust sent the cap spinning off.
Bates: At least he’s not booked in a match this week.
Baron: Mmmm.. not sure. He’s a die hard soldier type. Full warrior always on. A match might be what he needs to kick this. (shrugs) You know .. after burial services and other formalities.
Freeze reached out to the board, sliding a pawn forward two slots. Bates nods in Baron’s assessment, wondering how deep the truth is behind that statement. Obi slides out a bishop.
Baron: Well, at least he’s doing something now.
Bates, Seru and Baron all look over to the chess board. Freeze slides a pawn one slot, Obi brings out his knight, Freeze slides the queen out, Obi castles his defense. With each move, Freeze’s response gets a little quicker. White pawn, black bishop, white pawn, black knight, white bishop, black queen, and the parts become a cadence of pop pop pop as chess pieces tap against the solid wood chess table top.
Baron: I’m good at chess, but this is beyond me.
Bates: Obi wins in 53 moves.
Baron: You can see the game THAT far ahead?
The parts come out, one after another, each man setting up his side of the board, then the inevitable where pieces start getting taken. Pop Pop, Tap Tap, move after move and the look, the spark seems to slowly revive in the old man’s eyes. Piece after piece get taken, the wooden tat tat tat of moving pieces keeping the game afloat. Dead pieces making small fields off to the sides of the board as Obi starts pushing advantage.
There’s a faint hint of a grin from under Obi’s mask as he suddenly and slowly moves. Freeze counters as he expects and Obi captures Freeze’s black queen. The smile evaporates as Freeze queen side castles, placing his rook into position ending the game.
Baron: He queen side castled Obi into checkmate.
Bates: I’ve never seen that done before. Just .. brilliant.
The aura in the room is intense. Obi is not one to be a gracious loser. It would be easier to say he’s a very sore one and with a temper that can flash instantly. Long moments pass before Obi places his massive index finger over his king, tipping it over. There’s a sigh of relief from Bates and Baron both, neither realising they had been holding their breaths. Baron looks at Obi with an all new understanding.
Baron: You can play chess?
Obi just gives a shrug, ending that conversation. Freeze stands and Obi does the same. Freeze extends his hand out and Obi almost takes it, but his hand pauses just inches away. A wave of emotion overcomes Freeze, bending over his hands on his knees but remaining upright on his own power this time. This time, when Freezer Burn stands, some of the solidarity he’s always been known for seem to have slipped back in.
Freeze: It’s time .. (clears throat) .. time to hang up my wrestling boots.
Oblivion: BULLSHIT!!
Everybody flinched back as Oblivion continues on.
Oblivion: When you stepped into WCF, from that very day. You’ve said you wanted a match against me before you retire. And you promised it would be a big match. (Obis massive finger pointing, prodding right into Freeze’s chest as he speaks) YOU made a promise to it.
The fire and steel always associated with Freezer Burn came back in a flood.
Freeze: I did and you’re right. We’ll have our match. Pay Per View .. God versus God.. Hardcore .. Falls Count Anywhere .. No Holds Barred.
And Obi saw it. The fire, the steel, the never die attitude. His friend was here again. This time, Oblivion extends his open hand to Freezer Burn. He has his friend back.
-------------------------
THE LIBRARY - Half an hour later
Jules Robin 1789 Cognac and a glass in the hands of Bates, Obi, Baron, Seru and Freeze. Everyone drinks their lass of cognac, savoring for long minutes in the afterglow. Freeze wondered for a moment why it was that cognac always tasted better during the after-moments of a traumatic experience.
Baron: And Rider is missing out. Where the hell is he?
Bates: Good cognac.
Everybody nods in agreement.
Bates: Alright Freeze, brass tacks of business. You have your match with Oblivion. Your final match. But there’s other things to discuss. Namely @@@ and his buddies, Young and Vengeance.
Freeze takes in a deep breath. Clearing his head as he ponders the implications. In the end, he decides to voice his thoughts out loud.
Freeze: @@@ is a pass straight out. He’s acting like it’s going to be a long term thing against AOD, and I won’t be around for it, so why start. AOD will always know how to get in touch, and I will always help with organization from afar and planning if I feel it’s warranted. (Obi nods at this as Freeze Continues) I’m no fool, and I know I have one, just one true to genuine WAR left inside me and it’s been promised to Oblivion. Maybe a few months down the road, after recovering and taking care of family, THEN I can have my war with Vengeance. Come back for a spot match here and there, but not full time like I have been lately. As for Adam Young, he doesn’t deserve a war, but WE .. Adam and I .. deserve our one on one match to put to an end our rivalry for good. That can happen before the PPV itself.
Bates thinks on this as does Baron while Oblivion refills his glass from the bottle. Seru is looking at Bates with bedroom eyes and he’s just starting to notice that she’s nearly naked, and that it must be a normal thing for her because nobody else here really seems to pay it any mind.
Bates can also tell that Freeze is still shaken up pretty hard, but also doesn’t want to offend the Druid with Christian ramblings, so he takes to a more neutral approach.
Bates: You know Freeze, when me and Gemini prepared for our match against you and Rider, something became very clear. As I studied your old matches from before the WCF, I noticed a pattern. The longer the match goes, the more it favors you. You feed off the pain, you continue .. I believe .. out of spite. Rider is the opposite. He’s at his strongest in the early portions of the match, but is still very capable long term. It became clear that we needed to take you out really fast, and if that failed, drag the match out and capitalize on Rider.
Bates: When you spit that blood in my face .. I knew we had crossed the boundary. We were not going to get the win over you, so we went on Rider. We had many other contingencies to work in as well, but this I noticed. Normally, I would suggest to you to take time to grieve your loss before facing Oblivion for your final match. But the pain, the misery, the torment you feel is also what makes you stronger. Face him with it fresh in your mind, fresh in your heart, give it your all. You’ll have plenty of time to rieve afterwards.
Bzzzt. Bzzzzztttttt!!
Freeze aps the face of his smartphone, and once again to set it to open speaker.
Freeze: Yeah.
Voice: This is your neighbor, Wapsi.
Freeze: Wapsi Willie .. how’s the river treating you?
Wapsi: Not good today. The old burr oak in my front yard came crashing down onto my house. Door is jammed up and I can’t get out.
Freeze: I’ll be right over old man.
With a tap, he shut the phone off. After a few deep breaths to steady himself he looked around the room.
Bates: I’ll help.
Obi seemed to be staring at something only he can see and hear, but after a few moments, he too nods.
Baron: Alright. Let’s go help an old man.
Everybody stands to leave but Freeze takes hold of Obi’s arm, who seems annoyed at being touched and tenses up.
Freeze: You’re my friend. But we have only one night, only one match. On that night, we are not friends. I will bring everything. On that night, I expect you to bring it all. We steal the show, and we do it by bringing out our absolute worst.
The glimpse of a smile can be seen under Obi’s mask as he nods.
Freeze: Relax. General household rule is that this place is neutral grounds for anybody who steps foot within. Obi respects this. I suspect he even appreciates it, but it’s kinda hard to tell with him from time to time.
Bates puts the finishing touches on the bolts connecting the engine and transmission assembly to the frame of the 70’s model Harley Softail. The original tan and forest green have long faded from sand storm and sun exposure, leaving the blackish patina of the metal underneath to show through in some spots.
Freeze finishes polishing off the fuel cell, faded paint brush markings of his early 80’s ‘FB’ logo wrapped in flaming barbed wire cover the entire top of the tank with a faint silver pinstriped Semper Fidelis Fortitudine faded across the top.
Freeze: Always Faithful with Courage.
Bates: Tank ready?
This was the last touch. Adding the tank, connecting the lines, adding fuel, and the softail would fire up for the first time in nearly a decade.
Bates: I’m surprised you didn’t have it pai-
Smartphone: Asshole calling. ASS-HO-O-O-OLE CAL-LING!!!
Freeze reaches over, tapping the screen to quiet the smartphone. He seems agitated at the phone as he grabs it up, adjusting a few settings.
Freeze: Sorry about that.
Bates: I’ve been here a few hours now .. haven’t heard a single cuss word out of you. It’s normal speech for you yet not one today. Is it because I’m here?
Freeze: Actually it is. I know you don’t cuss, and I like to be a good host when someone visits .. except in the case of Hank Brown .. so you don’t cuss, neither will I when you’re here.
Freezer Burn behind the scenes is much different than Bates had expected. Still the fiery, spirited, nothing I can’t do attitude that he brought to the ring. But the man Wayne Hammon away from wrestling seemed .. almost normal. The conversations during the motorcycle build led Bates to realize that Wayne Hammon is a much smarter man than he lets on to the public eye.
Obi: Lerchies!
Bates and Freeze look three stalls down to Oblivion who is searching underneath the vintage 56 Ford Thunderbird. He reaches underneath with a mirror on a telescoping stick to look under the engine compartment, searching every small crevice.
Bates: He’s an interesting one.
Freeze: Full of surprises.
Freezer Burn’s smartphone starts vibrating atop the metal tool chest. The Bzzzzt .. Bzzzzttt .. of it’s rattling noticeable to both Bates and Freeze. Someone sure has a hardon trying to get Freeze on the phone, but he just simply ignores it for now, since it’s not gladly singing out ASSHOLE like it was earlier.
Bates: So why not paint it?
Freeze: (nodding) I’ve put a lot of miles on this ride. Nearly a quarter mill I’m guessing. Sure, it has a couple scratches from when it got laid over. A ding in the tank from an angry wrestler with a steel pipe. Fading from weather and stuff. But all that adds character to it. It’s had a hard ride like I had. The bike reflects me. Take away my scars and the memory of those scars, and I wouldn’t be who I am today. This bike wouldn’t be half the bike it is if it got a paint job. It wouldn’t reflect me as well. You understand that, being a rider, the connection between man and his ride.
Bates: So why this ride? I saw your Dukati over there (pointing down the garage stalls). That has got to be fast steel on two wheels. Why this and not that?
Freeze: Cryptic wording Bates? (Bates shrugs)The Dukati is a toy. Something for fun only ..
Bzzzt.. BZZZTTTTT!!!
Annoyed, Freeze grabs the smartphone and raises it to his ear.
Freeze: Hello. (listens a moment) これは誰ですか。なぜかあなたは私を呼んでおくか。... … 待機.もう一度言います。
His features at first soften, then slowly turn blank. The smartphone tumbles from his fingers, bouncing off the concrete floor. His body shakes, and not from the abuse his shoulder took in his last match. His knees fail and he goes down on all fours to the floor.
Bates: Holy ..!!
Bates rushes to the old man, an arm bringing him upright again. The look in Wayne’s face hurt Bates to see. The old man suddenly looked much older. His face seemed ashen and aged. His eyes though .. were the worst part. His eyes lacked the vital spirited spark that made a man great. His eyes became dull, then tears began to trickle down his face which added more years to his appearance.
Oblivion heard the commotion and came over. Seeing his friend on the floor, covered in tears, Bates lifting him back upright, seemed somehow out of place even to Obi. This was his friend, always tough as iron, and yet not his friend. He looked like Freezer burn, yet didn’t have the feel of Freezer Burn.
Oblivion: Freeze? What?
Oblivion would normally say more, and with that intelligent spark that made his insanity a dangerously focused laser. But this visage, to him, just seemed too foreign to properly comprehend.
Oblivion: What happened?
Bates: His phone rang, he answered, ..said some things in Japanese then this.
Oblivion: I think his son lives in Japan.
Freeze: .. just .. not right
Bates: What’s not right? Tell me what’s not right Freeze.
Freeze: it’s .. it’s not natural .. (his body shudders and convulses) not .. natural for man .. to outlive his so..
He couldn’t get the rest of the word out. He broke into sobs, utterly destroyed. Obi and Bates shared a look,a deeply concerned look on Bates and the emotionless mask covering Obi. Both smart enough to know those final words even without having to hear them said.
It’s not natural for a man to outlive his sons.
------------------------------
THE GAME ROOM - One hour later
Bates, Oblivion and Freeze are in the Game Room at Hammon’s resident mansion an hour after the smartphone incident and have been joined by The Baron. Bates and Obi explained what happened in the garage and Baron just reaches into his hairline with his fingers nearly ready to rip fistfuls out.
Baron: Holy Shit.
Bates: That’s what I said.
Baron released his fingers from his hairline and looked shocked at Bates.
Baron: Wait, you cussed? Since when the hell did you start that? And me without a camera to record it. Of all the times I had to be in the gym, getting a workout going to be in peek condition …
Bates: Well .. I only got it half out. I caught myself.
Baron would normally have theologically debated that but other things took precedence at the moment. The man, the soldier, his friend, who had seemed impervious to his own physical harm, had broken down in a way that was almost scary.
Oblivion sat across from Freeze at the chess table. He seemed out of place for a moment, but moved a white pawn, probably to keep his own mind occupied. Seru walked in at this time, actually dressed for a change with a skimpy secretary outfit that still hid nothing. She handed out bottles of orange juice to everyone, the Baron taking his and with a quick palm thrust sent the cap spinning off.
Bates: At least he’s not booked in a match this week.
Baron: Mmmm.. not sure. He’s a die hard soldier type. Full warrior always on. A match might be what he needs to kick this. (shrugs) You know .. after burial services and other formalities.
Freeze reached out to the board, sliding a pawn forward two slots. Bates nods in Baron’s assessment, wondering how deep the truth is behind that statement. Obi slides out a bishop.
Baron: Well, at least he’s doing something now.
Bates, Seru and Baron all look over to the chess board. Freeze slides a pawn one slot, Obi brings out his knight, Freeze slides the queen out, Obi castles his defense. With each move, Freeze’s response gets a little quicker. White pawn, black bishop, white pawn, black knight, white bishop, black queen, and the parts become a cadence of pop pop pop as chess pieces tap against the solid wood chess table top.
Baron: I’m good at chess, but this is beyond me.
Bates: Obi wins in 53 moves.
Baron: You can see the game THAT far ahead?
The parts come out, one after another, each man setting up his side of the board, then the inevitable where pieces start getting taken. Pop Pop, Tap Tap, move after move and the look, the spark seems to slowly revive in the old man’s eyes. Piece after piece get taken, the wooden tat tat tat of moving pieces keeping the game afloat. Dead pieces making small fields off to the sides of the board as Obi starts pushing advantage.
There’s a faint hint of a grin from under Obi’s mask as he suddenly and slowly moves. Freeze counters as he expects and Obi captures Freeze’s black queen. The smile evaporates as Freeze queen side castles, placing his rook into position ending the game.
Baron: He queen side castled Obi into checkmate.
Bates: I’ve never seen that done before. Just .. brilliant.
The aura in the room is intense. Obi is not one to be a gracious loser. It would be easier to say he’s a very sore one and with a temper that can flash instantly. Long moments pass before Obi places his massive index finger over his king, tipping it over. There’s a sigh of relief from Bates and Baron both, neither realising they had been holding their breaths. Baron looks at Obi with an all new understanding.
Baron: You can play chess?
Obi just gives a shrug, ending that conversation. Freeze stands and Obi does the same. Freeze extends his hand out and Obi almost takes it, but his hand pauses just inches away. A wave of emotion overcomes Freeze, bending over his hands on his knees but remaining upright on his own power this time. This time, when Freezer Burn stands, some of the solidarity he’s always been known for seem to have slipped back in.
Freeze: It’s time .. (clears throat) .. time to hang up my wrestling boots.
Oblivion: BULLSHIT!!
Everybody flinched back as Oblivion continues on.
Oblivion: When you stepped into WCF, from that very day. You’ve said you wanted a match against me before you retire. And you promised it would be a big match. (Obis massive finger pointing, prodding right into Freeze’s chest as he speaks) YOU made a promise to it.
The fire and steel always associated with Freezer Burn came back in a flood.
Freeze: I did and you’re right. We’ll have our match. Pay Per View .. God versus God.. Hardcore .. Falls Count Anywhere .. No Holds Barred.
And Obi saw it. The fire, the steel, the never die attitude. His friend was here again. This time, Oblivion extends his open hand to Freezer Burn. He has his friend back.
-------------------------
THE LIBRARY - Half an hour later
Jules Robin 1789 Cognac and a glass in the hands of Bates, Obi, Baron, Seru and Freeze. Everyone drinks their lass of cognac, savoring for long minutes in the afterglow. Freeze wondered for a moment why it was that cognac always tasted better during the after-moments of a traumatic experience.
Baron: And Rider is missing out. Where the hell is he?
Bates: Good cognac.
Everybody nods in agreement.
Bates: Alright Freeze, brass tacks of business. You have your match with Oblivion. Your final match. But there’s other things to discuss. Namely @@@ and his buddies, Young and Vengeance.
Freeze takes in a deep breath. Clearing his head as he ponders the implications. In the end, he decides to voice his thoughts out loud.
Freeze: @@@ is a pass straight out. He’s acting like it’s going to be a long term thing against AOD, and I won’t be around for it, so why start. AOD will always know how to get in touch, and I will always help with organization from afar and planning if I feel it’s warranted. (Obi nods at this as Freeze Continues) I’m no fool, and I know I have one, just one true to genuine WAR left inside me and it’s been promised to Oblivion. Maybe a few months down the road, after recovering and taking care of family, THEN I can have my war with Vengeance. Come back for a spot match here and there, but not full time like I have been lately. As for Adam Young, he doesn’t deserve a war, but WE .. Adam and I .. deserve our one on one match to put to an end our rivalry for good. That can happen before the PPV itself.
Bates thinks on this as does Baron while Oblivion refills his glass from the bottle. Seru is looking at Bates with bedroom eyes and he’s just starting to notice that she’s nearly naked, and that it must be a normal thing for her because nobody else here really seems to pay it any mind.
Bates can also tell that Freeze is still shaken up pretty hard, but also doesn’t want to offend the Druid with Christian ramblings, so he takes to a more neutral approach.
Bates: You know Freeze, when me and Gemini prepared for our match against you and Rider, something became very clear. As I studied your old matches from before the WCF, I noticed a pattern. The longer the match goes, the more it favors you. You feed off the pain, you continue .. I believe .. out of spite. Rider is the opposite. He’s at his strongest in the early portions of the match, but is still very capable long term. It became clear that we needed to take you out really fast, and if that failed, drag the match out and capitalize on Rider.
Bates: When you spit that blood in my face .. I knew we had crossed the boundary. We were not going to get the win over you, so we went on Rider. We had many other contingencies to work in as well, but this I noticed. Normally, I would suggest to you to take time to grieve your loss before facing Oblivion for your final match. But the pain, the misery, the torment you feel is also what makes you stronger. Face him with it fresh in your mind, fresh in your heart, give it your all. You’ll have plenty of time to rieve afterwards.
Bzzzt. Bzzzzztttttt!!
Freeze aps the face of his smartphone, and once again to set it to open speaker.
Freeze: Yeah.
Voice: This is your neighbor, Wapsi.
Freeze: Wapsi Willie .. how’s the river treating you?
Wapsi: Not good today. The old burr oak in my front yard came crashing down onto my house. Door is jammed up and I can’t get out.
Freeze: I’ll be right over old man.
With a tap, he shut the phone off. After a few deep breaths to steady himself he looked around the room.
Bates: I’ll help.
Obi seemed to be staring at something only he can see and hear, but after a few moments, he too nods.
Baron: Alright. Let’s go help an old man.
Everybody stands to leave but Freeze takes hold of Obi’s arm, who seems annoyed at being touched and tenses up.
Freeze: You’re my friend. But we have only one night, only one match. On that night, we are not friends. I will bring everything. On that night, I expect you to bring it all. We steal the show, and we do it by bringing out our absolute worst.
The glimpse of a smile can be seen under Obi’s mask as he nods.
