Validation

[Thomas Uriel Bates]

Scene I “Validation”
Michael E. Moritz College of Law, Ohio State University – Columbus, Ohio

The large ape hangers, and the black gas tank depicting the word “BATES” in bold red impact font barely covers the video shot of Drinko Hall, the entrance to the Michael E. Mortiz College of Law at Ohio State University. Our camera moves past the bike of Thomas Uriel Bates and approaches the steps of the esteemed law school. As the camera walks through the doors, the video fades to an image of the Frank C. Woodside III Courtroom, the moot courtroom used to train future lawyers. Here, sitting at the Judge’s Bench is the WCF Television Champion; Thomas Uriel Bates.

He sits behind the bench reading a stack of papers while wearing a traditional black robe with his grey and white tie knot barely visible at the collar of the robe. He reads the paper with a stone look, and only acknowledges the camera by barely moving his eyes as it approaches. He goes back to reading the paper as the camera appears to “take a seat” at the gallery. Only then does Bates take his eyes off the paper, look directly at the camera, and folds his hands.

Thomas Uriel Bates: Mister Jason O’Neal, I have reviewed your recent adventure on film and have prepared my response to your public embarrassment. Given your brief stay at Tulane, I would have expected a more intellectual display from you, perhaps even invoking a game of wits between the two of us. I see now, that such expectations of your character are moot. Perhaps we should be settling this affair with a “rap battle” instead? No, I find the lyrics much too expletive than I would prefer, and often senseless as well. No, Mister O’Neal, I have chosen to respond to you within this moot courtroom in an effort to remind you not of what you are, but what you could have been.

You see, Mister O’Neal, I look at your résumé, and then I look at you, and I have to say I am quite disappointed. Straight A student, two years at Tulane attempting to pursue a pre-law undergraduate degree. You could have been so much more. You could have changed the very world. Alias, Mister O’Neal, you chose to drop out and become a garden variety thug with no achievable goals.

I thought perhaps that the finances may have been what prevented you, or perhaps other unfortunate circumstances, but I am sadden to find that is not the case. Your statement here, Mister O’Neal, proves that it is more likely the inability to meet certain GPA requirements that contributed to your downfall.

Bates lifts the paper up again, and tilts his head as he diverts his eyes and begins reading aloud.

Thomas Uriel Bates: I quote, “Give a little glance at Article 1 Section 10. The part about no state joining a confederacy.”

Bates lays the paper down, and resumes his previous judging pose.

Thomas Uriel Bates: While your two years at Tulane was able to allow you remembrance of Article One, Section Ten of the Constitution in regards to no state joining a confederacy; your failure to continue your studies have contributed to your ignorance of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution. You are assuming that Secession, the legal act of withdrawing a State from the Union, either never happened or was an illegal act.

To this absurdity I must point out that nowhere in the Constitution is the act of withdrawing a State from the Union prohibited, nor are there any provisions laid out for such an action. As such, per the 10th Amendment, the State reserves the power to Secede. Furthermore, as the Constitution does not prohibit the act, nor does any other law prohibit the act, the State’s legal withdrawal from the Union cannot be made illegal by the very principles of law itself. The concept of nullum crimen sine lege is in full effect. Mister O’Neal, that means that there can be no crime without law.

You see, Mister O’Neal, you are not the only one who has studied Pre-Law. Had you remained at Tulane long enough you may have become privy to other methods of undergraduate majors that are used to pursue law. History, Mister O’Neal, is a pre-law course. Like you however, I chose a different path. Unlike you however, I chose not to make a fool out of myself and simply embarked on a different educational journey and found joy in teaching History.

You however, moved back to the so-called “streets.” You find humor in your curse words, and spend much of your salary on props meant to anger your opponent when all you succeed in doing so far is displaying your own failed attributes. I’m not angry at you, Mister O’Neal; I pity you.

You failed in this life. While everybody fails, Mister O’Neal, not all can cope with such harsh realism. You entered Tulane, only to drop out and return to the streets where you pursue what, a criminal career? Think you’re going to be some big star in your neighborhood while you’re contributing to its demise? Seth gave you an opportunity, for some reason, pulls you out of a lifetime of poverty and gives you one more chance to make a name for yourself, and what do you do?

You come in here acting like you’re already the greatest thing since sliced bread. You walk in just like The Baron, just like At-At-At, and just like Johnny Rabid. You barely walk through the door and you’re already demanding title shots and thinking you’re going to dominate the WCF. Some people can do that, Mister O’Neal, some people have such talent that they can walk in and put everyone on notice. Some people, Mister O’Neal, but not you.

You’re just another run of the mill self-proclaimed tough guy thinking you’re going to dominate the WCF when in reality all you can barely dominate is a staged film of a stereotypical redneck house with no one else in it. Mister O’Neal, I half expected to see you bring out some long bearded individual in overalls wrestling a Gator while his single toothed friend holds his Bud Lite. It was a poorly made video, Mister O’Neal, it is a shame that you failed your courses in Film as well.

Mister O’Neal, since your research into me ended the moment you found out I lived in Huntsville, perhaps I should tell you a little bit about myself. We may not get a battle of wits, but perhaps I can give you some realistic expectations of what is to come this Sunday. Mister O’Neal, I want you to be more prepared than you have demonstrated.

You did see that I attended the University of Memphis and graduated with a B.A. in History and would eventually receive my Master’s Degree in the same field. I then was employed at the University of North Alabama as a History Professor. After several disagreements over the treatment of Educators in Alabama, I resigned and went home to train at my father’s gym.

You see, Mister O’Neal, I am not the first Bates in professional wrestling. I come from a very successful family of wrestlers. Wrestling is in my blood, it is who I am. No matter how much I try to run from it, Mister O’Neal, I always find myself drawn back in. I ran to be an Educator. I ran to be a Senator. I tried to escape, but Mister O’Neal, the pull is just too great. I cannot change it, as it is who I am.

I breathe wrestling. I live it. I train every single day, and I work hard to maintain my physical and mental abilities so that I may achieve the same greatness that my father, my mother, and my uncle had before me. I bleed wrestling, Mister O’Neal. It is not a last resort for me. It is not some final effort to achieve something with my life before I’m found in a gutter somewhere in New Orleans without a soul to grieve for me. No, Mister O’Neal, that ring is my home.

Yes, my size gives me advantages, as does my training. My father always said I was built for this ring. All the big moves of a giant, and the speed and agility of a much smaller man. My training in Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling, Boxing, Wing Chun, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Fencing, all helped me to where I am today. All of this, has helped me to be one of the WCF’s top stars, a privilege that brings me great honor.

I came here a year ago. Yes, I said I wanted the World Championship and I meant it. I was also not foolish enough to demand a title shot right then and there. I did however, make a promise. I promised, Mister O’Neal, that when I was ready I would lay the Gold and Silver of the WCF at the Champion’s feet when I make my challenge. Since then, I have held the Television title twice, the United States title, the Tag Team titles, and the Trios title. I am one belt away from the Triple Crown and the Grand Slam. That one title, Mister O’Neal, is the World Championship itself. I go up against Brent Alpine and my “friend” Gemini Battle at Revenge to take that very title.

Your accomplishment, Mister O’Neal? You’ve won two triple threat matches, and have only faced three people, all as the opener or very near to it. Yes, you’ve beaten Mark Gallagher, yes you’ve beaten Kira Izumi, yes you’ve beaten Dion Necurat. They’re beginners here at the WCF, just like you. While some of them have shown great promise, Mister O’Neal you have not. You want to see my record? Go to www.wcfwrestling.com and click on those links that say “Title History” and “Hall of Fame”, you will find some of the names I have stepped in that ring with.

Yes, I have only twenty victories and seventeen losses, but Mister O’Neal this is the WCF. While you are a testament to the bad decisions Seth Lerch has made during his career, others have truly built this company. Love him or hate him as I do, Logan has built this company. Corey Black built this company. Odin Balfore, Bobby Cairo, ICE Beckman, Dune, even that scoundrel Joey Flash helped to ensure that the WCF had the greatest display of wrestling talent the world has ever seen. Of course I’m going to have defeats, without such defeats how would I even know the sweet taste of victory?

Mister O’Neal, you have much to learn here in the WCF. You have much to learn about life in general. I pray you will stay on top of your studies this time, will you? We wouldn’t want another drop out on your résumé, now would we?

Bates grabs the stack of paper, stands and begins to turn around. He stops, turns his head and smiles. He leans forward and grabs the gavel.

Thomas Uriel Bates: Court is adjured.

He bangs the gavel, and turns away with a chuckle.

Thomas Uriel Bates: I’ve always wanted to do that.

Bates steps down from the Bench, and steps into the Chambers as he removes the robe revealing his grey and white striped suit. He hangs it up, and leaves the Chamber, making his way out of the moot courtroom. The camera remains behind, allowing the WCF Television Champion, and perhaps soon to be future WCF World Champion, to walk out the door.

Scene II “Ten”
Hilton Columbus at Easton – Columbus, Ohio

Ten more days.

The Mountain of WCF brings himself down for a one-armed pushup.

Ten more days until Revenge.

He pushes himself up.

Ten more days until Brent Alpine shines no more.

He brings himself down again and pushes back up.

Ten more days until the blood of Gemini Battle stains his hands.