Post by Leon "Purple" Hayze on Sept 29, 2017 2:13:47 GMT -5
Leon “Purple” Hayze – “ On the shores of Shimokita Peninsula”
{Sound hits us before sight; the crashing of waves first greet us before the sight of a beach with a stretch of grassy area almost as large as that of sand. We’re overlooking the waters of a bay, showing us exactly what kind of environment we’re seeing. The skies are overcast with light grey clouds, and after panning left for a bit from looking out onto the waters, we see Leon “Purple” Hayze sitting on the sand. He’s wearing a nondescript green hoodie, with it drawn up, and a pair of dark colored blue jeans. Moving back over to the grassy area, we see the women—Hiroe—that Leon was with at the arcade, with a picnic basket resting on a spread out, pink and purple beach towel. She waves at the camera, before we move back to look at Leon. He looks contemplative across the waves, as Jimmy Kring moves in with the camera. Even as Jimmy moves to within five feet of Leon, the wrestler is quite—not seeming to notice the cameraman’s presence. After a few awkward moments of silence, Jimmy clears his throat to speak.}
L”P”H: Naw man, we’re good. I’m ready to get this going, and yet… At this point, I wonder what’s left to say? I mean, I have some things to say, or I wouldn’t have had you brought the camera out here. I’m gonna keep this one short WCF, I’ll tell ya that now.
J K: You seem depressed man, shouldn’t you be excited? WAR is right within reach, after all.
L”P”H: Ha, guess I haven’t had many…uhm…happy-time, fun foods, if ya know what I mean.
J K: To quote Poochy off that one Simpsons episode, I certainly do. We’re kinda runnin low on those supplies man, concerning that topic.
L”P”H: We’ll live man; I mean, there’s only a few days left until WAR. If we run out, well then we run out; we’ll be on a plane back to Oregon before you know it. Then it’s dispensary heaven with that bomb ass Northwest weed!
J K: For sure Leon man.
L”P”H: Except, what’s really sure in this life WCF? Very little I can tell you, a few things besides death and taxes, that is. Ya know boys, you never know what’s coming around the corner, do ya? The crash of waves upon the shore, that’s another constant in this life—the tides are for sure, that’s another certainty. Over time man, erosion takes its course, and even mighty cliffs are worn away and cast into the sea, mere fragments of what they once were. I uhh, I don’t think I’m going to mention names anymore man, I’ve seen other cats—in one form or another—doing lists of nearly everyone that’s competing, and that’s not where my head is at anymore. I’ve already mentioned those names that I care to mention; the luck of the draw, and my ability to outperform the others, that’s all that’s left at this point. If I get an early number, I’ve really got to dig super deep into myself. I mean, it’ll be like digging into the Hell area of Terraria, ya know?
J K: Not at all; some kinda game?
L”P”H: Yeah it’s on Steam, it’s just about my favorite game for the last few years. Check it out of if you like sandbox, exploration type of games. It’s got a cool, old school vibe to it too, with graphics that kinda reminds you of a Super NES game. I’m not a spokesman for the game though, let me get away from that kinda talk. Anyway, it’s pretty fuckin deep WCF, that’s how deep I’ve gotta dig into my reserves. Now that’s IF fate throws me a bad hand. Of course, lady luck could be kind to me, and I could be dealt a fantastic-seeming hand and draw a real high, beneficial number. Ahhh, but does that mean I’m a sure bet to win if I’m one of the last few men to enter that ring? Naw, not really; an elimination could come around that proverbial corner at any time man; if I’m not careful, if I’m not ready for anything, if I get caught by surprise....BAM, I'm done! It can happen to the best of us; a bit of caution if I’m just referring to myself, but a bit of a reminder to even the best, most proven competitors here.
J K: You never know when a wave could take you out, that kinda thinking?
L”P”H: Yeah man, exactly that kinda thinking. And I can just tell that WAR is gonna be a damned hurricane, fever-pitch kinda bay, not this fairly placid affair you see here WCF, but you already know that. There’s killer, 10 foot waves by the plenty man; whether they’re a title holder or not. Lots of past World Champions, champs from other promotions; lots of rough seas ahead Jimmy man, and I’m not gonna say that I’m not worried. I am man; while I feel like I’m hard as rock, I can still crumble when all these waves hit.
J K: No one could blame ya if you didn’t when this is your very first match in 8 years away from the sport.
L”P”H: Yup.
J K: Yup, that’s all you have to say?
L”P”H: Of course not, but I’m finding it difficult to focus. The time for talking is almost done, whether you’ve come out and made your point already, or have stayed in the shadows and ready to put your views out at the last minute. I know how some of these cats think Jimmy man, thinking that just because you have the last word, means that it’s the best word. Ennhh ennnhhh; wrongo dongo!
J K: Wow, I don’t know where you come up with some of this shit Leon, I really don’t.
L”P”H: Well I’m trying not to be totally solemn ya know, but it’s a time to be more contemplative. The fun and games is past, and now it’s time to really think hard about just what could happen. I’ll tell ya another thing that scares the shit out of me Kringer, this is a first for me. A battle-royal type situation; I’ve been there, taken pictures, and put up videos on my Facebook timeline. This kinda match environment is already hectic enough; you gotta watch yourself and make sure you don’t get tossed over the tope rope--normally. But that logic is thrown out the window when it comes to WAR. Pinfall or submission ONLY?! With so many bodies potentially being in the ring. How does it all happen, what if the ref misses me scoring a pin on someone?
J K: I have to guess there’s a ton of refs, probably all out on the floor around the ring, so they don’t get in the way of you wrestlers. Hold on man, I thought you studied a bunch of old matches.
L”P”H: Hmm, yeah man, that’s right, of the competitors that are in the match. Shit, didn’t even think of watching any past WAR matches; what a dumbass I am. Still, I’ll be able to keep up on all the action, no matter how tough it is. Can’t worry about it too much though, at this point. I’m sure any pinfall or submission I get on someone will be counted; with the caliber of talent we have in the ring here, I’m sure that quality extends to the referees that Seth Lerch has employed.
J K: Oooh speaking of WAR, thanks for hooking me up with that seat Leon. Now I can watch you kick everyone’s ass all over that ring in style!
L”P”H: Yeah man, no problem. I gotta wonder just how much ass I’m gonna kick tho…
J K: Would you stop psyching yourself out man? You’ve been through it all before, in other places. This kinda talk is gonna sound like weakness to every other wrestler whose watching right no…
L”P”H: Naw, not if they really think about it. I’m just someone who can accept it about himself, and is willing to admit it. I’m being real man, and if you’re a man--or a women--of conviction, you’ll be able to admit that to yourself. The small pebbles, that will just get stepped on, yeah they’ll take it as a sign of weakness. And let them think I’m weak man, cause I’ll put ‘em under my boot where they belong, on my path to victory. You get a pebble in your boot, as you march along, you take a moment and remove it, and you quickly move on. Your right about one thing though Jimmy, I’m psyching myself out a bit too much. It’s good to be cautious, and not over-confident, but in the end, I also know one thing. My quest for the World title is like sailing man. Winning this WAR match would be a huge, award winning combination of wind and waves that would get me to World title shores in one quick motion. I’ve got what it takes to tack hard, set the sails just right, and steer my boat to shore on October 1st at the Tokyo Dome. I don’t have to win though, because there are more attainable, near-future goals I have in mind too.
J K: You mean like Eth…
L”P”H: NO! S-sorry, didn't mean the harsh tone man. Just, not today Jimmy, not today man. Just let it be. Yeah, like him—mostly him, but not today. He’s heard what I have to say, and he’ll hear about it a lot more after WAR. Today though man, it just doesn’t feel like a day to be droppin names like that.
J K: Isn’t that kinda what a wrestler always does though?
L”P”H: Maybe that’s what most think, but I don’t think that’s ALWAYS the case, at least not for me man. Today, being here, with all things concerned, it just doesn’t feel right. Hmm, I gotta look something up, bear with me WCF. Also, you’ve heard it before, but it’s very cool and, more importantly, very wise. Unlike last time, though you might know the source, I will tell you exactly who said it; I know his name from memory quite frankly. But I wanna get the actual quote exactly right.
{Leon takes his Samsung from his pocket, and starts pecking away on it. Jimmy turns the focus of the camera out to the sea for a moment, panning slowly around to get a glimpse of the breathtaking bay that surrounds the three. High cliffs and light blue water are contrasted by the grey clouds overhead, threatening rain at seemingly any mo…}
L”P”H: ‘B…(the camera abruptly swings to focus back on Leon)…e like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.’
(Leon looks out to the sea with a slight smile on his face, before Jimmy Kring interrupts his moment of silence.)
J K: Bru…
L”P”H: Really man, your gonna steal my thunder on the reveal? Plus a moment of silence would have been nice, ya know?
J K: I doubt most would consider it a reveal, it’s a pretty famous quote. But uhh, yeah man, sorry, you’re right about the moment of silence. Try again?
(Leon just nods as they remain silent for ten to fifteen seconds. Before long, Leon continues on.)
L”P”H: To millenial…hmm, don’t mean to insult, lemme start that thought over. To those who are uninitiated, those are words from the famous Bruce Lee, a fantastic definition of what it means to be a man, in every sense of the word. In my mind, the greatest martial artist to live within the last two centuries, perhaps the greatest of all time. Ahh, but I’m not a martial artist, per se. I’ve studied some forms, bring some of that into my style in the ring, but I’m certainly no master of a dojo. I’ve got some feet, and uhh, ahem, fists of fury, but I’m a professional wrestler at heart. Those famous words, to be like water, that’s what I’m going into WAR like. That’s my mindset right now man, and that’s how I’ve crafted my wrestling style. I’ll be like water, as I flow in the ring, taking out those I need to, to outlast them all and have my hand raised in victory. And if the waves crash on me harder than I expect them to? Then I’ll sputter a bit, but the loss doesn’t mean I’ll drown man, I’m a strong swimmer don’t ya know? Trust me WCF, I’ll get my head back above water, and I’ll keep swimming on to other islands of opportunity.
J K: Profound man, I dig it.
L”P”H: Yeah man, thanks. Mostly just flowing, heh, off the words of the master. Keeping this one short; a tall glass of ice water, not a 2 gallon canteen one might take on a long hike. Veterans established in the WCF game, newcomers that want to dismiss how I help myself relax, don’t take me lightly. When it comes to me, you’d be wise to be like water. I’m hoping you won’t be though, I’m hoping you can’t flow and adapt to my style, as I crash through the flotsam and jetsam. Get ready boys, Leon makes land and truly arrives on the shores of WCF come Sunday night in Tokyo!
(As the view fades to black, we move away from Leon’s contemplative expression to the sea expressing it’s constant nature, as waves form and collapse.)
