Post by loveyawana on Oct 25, 2018 0:21:21 GMT -5
It was about ten at night when Watanabe walked fresh off the boat into a dockside bar. A neon sign outside declared it was “boy’s night” at an establishment whose name had worn away with time. Nabe still had a duffle bag with wrestling gear, expecting to meet his mysterious new manger stateside. Twenty minutes at a dirty counter made no difference nor cut down on the awkwardness of it. He had no wallet, useable ID or any kind of US tender – not even a working bankcard. All this because this new manager promised a little “taste of America” to celebrate his first night in the land of the Stars and Stripes. Only three other men occupied the place besides a bartender and this chunky biker kick giving lap dances. Nabe declined – not even looking from his Sprite, either time – until she buzzed off to bother a man of less self-respect.
“Have you seen a tall man with dark hair?” he asked the owner over his fizzing glass.
“No one as tall as you, brother. A friend or something?”
“A manger,” Nabe said. “He supposed to buying my drinks tonight.”
The keep scoffed. “Just my luck. Another fish straight out of the water.”
“I can understand you,” Nabe said in his deep yet cottony voice. “Please respect me.”
A hand grabbed his shoulder. “Like he said – respect him. Or you speak to my steel.”
Watanabe looked up to a man taller than him in every way, although it was not the person who promised to meet him there. This was a man or dark features and an even murkier expression. He also seemed to be brandishing a twelve-inch hunting knife from its holster.
“Another Sprite for the new guy,” this large man said. “And a Coors.”
“Yes… no problems, Mr. Malone.”
“Thank you,” Nabe said, and just stopping himself from a bow. “People think–“
“People think you got that accent and don’t understand them. Americans can be that way. I say carry ya blade out and ask questions when they matter.”
“I don’t have a knife. Weapons are frowned upon in my country.”
The tall man made the lightest chuckle despite having the looks of a wicked giant.
“Do you know where I might find this man?”
Nabe showed him a scummy photo off LinkedIn of a scrawny man clad in a pristine suit. A quick look at his savior sank when he handed the cellphone back, and did so without blinking or saying much in edgewise.
“Well… do you think he’s still coming?”
“Nah, that guy skipped on you, man,” Malone said. “Say, wanna throw some back with me?”
His weak wave seemed to enrage this large man.
“You too good to drink with me?”
“No I–”
“Ya what?” Malone said, groaning as he did, “you one of them nondrinkers?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, cool then. I like a man of principle. Shows character – and even more courage.”
That little chat went from the bar to a cramped booth near the jukebox. Watanabe, though happy to have made a new friend, breathed heavy every time someone tried to use the jukebox. Because his new friend “Karl” would confront anyone trying to play a song. People took his threats seriously, until a couple rough types showed up – all three heading their way.
“Let these ones go, Karl,” Nabe plead with a hold of his new friend’s wrist. “They look dangerous.”
“Let go of me, Nabe,” Karl said. “They ain’t nothing but leather and hot air.”
The tough guys flipped a shiny coin for the antiquated player like extras from Rebel Without a Cause. Their leader reached but got totally blocked. His coin rolled until settling under a dining table. Things escalated pretty quickly after that.
“No music.”
“Says who?”
“Karl Malone.”
“You ain’t Karl Malone”
“See, why you got to say something like that. You insult my intelligence. Because when people insult me, same people start dying.”
Watanabe retreated to his phone hoping all this would boil down to a few shoves or less. Karl punched their leader and almost knocked him out cold. Things heated up to where the owner had no choice but throw both parties outside into a steady downpour. Both sides reconvened for real this time with their weapons ready.
“I’mma need your help,” Karl told him. “Karl Malone don’t know if he can handle this one.”
“Will you apologize then?”
“Nah, I mean stop Karl Malone from killing these men.”
Nabe took a long look at the knife and those weapons soon to joy the fray. He just wanted to finish his Sprite; instead, Nabe found himself in the middle of what became a massacre. Three dead and his new pal Karl had not satisfied his need for cheap, Amercian beer. A few blocks later – his SUV’s trunk still full of bodies – Malone pulled up to a 7/11 for a case of silver bullets and swisher sweets. He came back with a tall boy in a paper bag and a handful of scratch offs.
“Do you think my manager is going show up?”
“Nope.”
“Maybe he’s late.”
“Nope. That dude is a scumbag.”
“Where are we going then?” Nabe asked a little scared to know where. “It’s getting late.”
“Karl Malone’s dump site.”
“Do you kids see what happens when you try to let a stranger set up you dates? It ends in disaster. Hi “Lovelies” I hope you’re well. Your buddy Watanabe is here to tell you about the dangers of getting into the cars of strangers. Do you see what happened to me? One drink looks fun, but in the end, you’ll end up in a Tahoe with Karl Malone and a trunk full of dead bodies. The same goes for most things in life. If you let a stranger drive you, it had better be for Uber. If you let strangers into your life, you should expect all the trouble that comes with them.”
Watanabe walks in front of the main shot.
“This week I am the stranger, but all you “Lovelies” know me – and I love you for that. But this company sees me as the stranger. An outsider with no footing in their ring but the prestige to film Karl Malone killing three men like Jason Borne. They will laugh at me for many reasons without trying to learn what makes my body groove. Nor will they learn how I love.”
By now, teamsters have put most of the set away or moved pieces out of frame, leaving him to a green screen background sheet.
“From the safety of a green screen we can do anything, my Lovelies. We can upload it to YouTube or Twitter and watch the views climb. Yet I’m not here to beat some people to a pulp. I’m here to prove that I belong on a roster of legends in a company of great history. I may be the stranger today, but after this match at Helloween, they all be loving Wa-ta-na-be.”
He begins shaking his booty before having a number of Asian-American dancers join him.
“Now comes the part, they all wish to see
When Nabe leaps right out of the sea
and the big time bad boys have to learn
that these twinkles toes tap until they burn”
Clap! Clap! Clap!
“That Sheik wants to impress
Because he’s gold and overdressed
Compensating, he’s a devil dervish
In the ring he hating, oh so selfish
A taste of Nabe, gonna be his cure
Because all my love he can’t endure”
Clap… Clap… Clap…
“Don’t think we forgot about the Coda
Fighting the good fight like the Lakota”
Clap! Clap!
“Don’t let the lady of black, turn your back Jack
Don’t be a slave when she rants and raves
Points you up the river, a salmon stirred
Defanged, Declawed then made a steer
Gonna be your daddy, gonna change your life
Time to boogie to the coda to end of the night…”
Oh!
“The time has come for love to reign, and it begins at Helloween. I know this all seems for fun and games – and it totally is when my Lovelies watch – but I promise my love is more than a bear hug when you need it tight. A shoulder rub in the light of a glowing hearth. Love reigns because it cannot bow to evil. It cannot be denied. My heart is too big to fall at the feet of a wrestling ring against two lovely people who’ve lost all direction. But I know our encounter is not for mere chance. It will not only help Shaul Michaels see the errors of his ways. Or bring understanding to the lost pursuits of poor Coda. There is still a lot of love in them both – and by god, I will find it and expose it all for this world to see. So you know what time is, my Lovelies…”
His dancers circle up again in a chain of interlocking arms.
“It’s time to make our weekly pledge:”
I promise to obey my parents and help those in need. To be a bigger person in a fight, and never let others bully the weak. I want to be a good person because I can love anyone.
“Well Lovelies, that’s all the time we have today. Let’s give a big hand for Karl Malone who flew all from Alaska to be with us today. And don’t forget our Lovettes for their beautiful voices and outstanding moves. Without a world of love, there’s no point in being yourself. That’s why we’re here to be the cure against all this hate polluting our world. An evil we’ll conquer one battle at a time. Now… let’s all just be a little more lovely.”
“Have you seen a tall man with dark hair?” he asked the owner over his fizzing glass.
“No one as tall as you, brother. A friend or something?”
“A manger,” Nabe said. “He supposed to buying my drinks tonight.”
The keep scoffed. “Just my luck. Another fish straight out of the water.”
“I can understand you,” Nabe said in his deep yet cottony voice. “Please respect me.”
A hand grabbed his shoulder. “Like he said – respect him. Or you speak to my steel.”
Watanabe looked up to a man taller than him in every way, although it was not the person who promised to meet him there. This was a man or dark features and an even murkier expression. He also seemed to be brandishing a twelve-inch hunting knife from its holster.
“Another Sprite for the new guy,” this large man said. “And a Coors.”
“Yes… no problems, Mr. Malone.”
“Thank you,” Nabe said, and just stopping himself from a bow. “People think–“
“People think you got that accent and don’t understand them. Americans can be that way. I say carry ya blade out and ask questions when they matter.”
“I don’t have a knife. Weapons are frowned upon in my country.”
The tall man made the lightest chuckle despite having the looks of a wicked giant.
“Do you know where I might find this man?”
Nabe showed him a scummy photo off LinkedIn of a scrawny man clad in a pristine suit. A quick look at his savior sank when he handed the cellphone back, and did so without blinking or saying much in edgewise.
“Well… do you think he’s still coming?”
“Nah, that guy skipped on you, man,” Malone said. “Say, wanna throw some back with me?”
His weak wave seemed to enrage this large man.
“You too good to drink with me?”
“No I–”
“Ya what?” Malone said, groaning as he did, “you one of them nondrinkers?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, cool then. I like a man of principle. Shows character – and even more courage.”
That little chat went from the bar to a cramped booth near the jukebox. Watanabe, though happy to have made a new friend, breathed heavy every time someone tried to use the jukebox. Because his new friend “Karl” would confront anyone trying to play a song. People took his threats seriously, until a couple rough types showed up – all three heading their way.
“Let these ones go, Karl,” Nabe plead with a hold of his new friend’s wrist. “They look dangerous.”
“Let go of me, Nabe,” Karl said. “They ain’t nothing but leather and hot air.”
The tough guys flipped a shiny coin for the antiquated player like extras from Rebel Without a Cause. Their leader reached but got totally blocked. His coin rolled until settling under a dining table. Things escalated pretty quickly after that.
“No music.”
“Says who?”
“Karl Malone.”
“You ain’t Karl Malone”
“See, why you got to say something like that. You insult my intelligence. Because when people insult me, same people start dying.”
Watanabe retreated to his phone hoping all this would boil down to a few shoves or less. Karl punched their leader and almost knocked him out cold. Things heated up to where the owner had no choice but throw both parties outside into a steady downpour. Both sides reconvened for real this time with their weapons ready.
“I’mma need your help,” Karl told him. “Karl Malone don’t know if he can handle this one.”
“Will you apologize then?”
“Nah, I mean stop Karl Malone from killing these men.”
Nabe took a long look at the knife and those weapons soon to joy the fray. He just wanted to finish his Sprite; instead, Nabe found himself in the middle of what became a massacre. Three dead and his new pal Karl had not satisfied his need for cheap, Amercian beer. A few blocks later – his SUV’s trunk still full of bodies – Malone pulled up to a 7/11 for a case of silver bullets and swisher sweets. He came back with a tall boy in a paper bag and a handful of scratch offs.
“Do you think my manager is going show up?”
“Nope.”
“Maybe he’s late.”
“Nope. That dude is a scumbag.”
“Where are we going then?” Nabe asked a little scared to know where. “It’s getting late.”
“Karl Malone’s dump site.”
STOP!
“Do you kids see what happens when you try to let a stranger set up you dates? It ends in disaster. Hi “Lovelies” I hope you’re well. Your buddy Watanabe is here to tell you about the dangers of getting into the cars of strangers. Do you see what happened to me? One drink looks fun, but in the end, you’ll end up in a Tahoe with Karl Malone and a trunk full of dead bodies. The same goes for most things in life. If you let a stranger drive you, it had better be for Uber. If you let strangers into your life, you should expect all the trouble that comes with them.”
Watanabe walks in front of the main shot.
“This week I am the stranger, but all you “Lovelies” know me – and I love you for that. But this company sees me as the stranger. An outsider with no footing in their ring but the prestige to film Karl Malone killing three men like Jason Borne. They will laugh at me for many reasons without trying to learn what makes my body groove. Nor will they learn how I love.”
By now, teamsters have put most of the set away or moved pieces out of frame, leaving him to a green screen background sheet.
“From the safety of a green screen we can do anything, my Lovelies. We can upload it to YouTube or Twitter and watch the views climb. Yet I’m not here to beat some people to a pulp. I’m here to prove that I belong on a roster of legends in a company of great history. I may be the stranger today, but after this match at Helloween, they all be loving Wa-ta-na-be.”
He begins shaking his booty before having a number of Asian-American dancers join him.
“Now comes the part, they all wish to see
When Nabe leaps right out of the sea
and the big time bad boys have to learn
that these twinkles toes tap until they burn”
Clap! Clap! Clap!
“That Sheik wants to impress
Because he’s gold and overdressed
Compensating, he’s a devil dervish
In the ring he hating, oh so selfish
A taste of Nabe, gonna be his cure
Because all my love he can’t endure”
Clap… Clap… Clap…
“Don’t think we forgot about the Coda
Fighting the good fight like the Lakota”
Clap! Clap!
“Don’t let the lady of black, turn your back Jack
Don’t be a slave when she rants and raves
Points you up the river, a salmon stirred
Defanged, Declawed then made a steer
Gonna be your daddy, gonna change your life
Time to boogie to the coda to end of the night…”
Oh!
“The time has come for love to reign, and it begins at Helloween. I know this all seems for fun and games – and it totally is when my Lovelies watch – but I promise my love is more than a bear hug when you need it tight. A shoulder rub in the light of a glowing hearth. Love reigns because it cannot bow to evil. It cannot be denied. My heart is too big to fall at the feet of a wrestling ring against two lovely people who’ve lost all direction. But I know our encounter is not for mere chance. It will not only help Shaul Michaels see the errors of his ways. Or bring understanding to the lost pursuits of poor Coda. There is still a lot of love in them both – and by god, I will find it and expose it all for this world to see. So you know what time is, my Lovelies…”
His dancers circle up again in a chain of interlocking arms.
“It’s time to make our weekly pledge:”
I promise to obey my parents and help those in need. To be a bigger person in a fight, and never let others bully the weak. I want to be a good person because I can love anyone.
“Well Lovelies, that’s all the time we have today. Let’s give a big hand for Karl Malone who flew all from Alaska to be with us today. And don’t forget our Lovettes for their beautiful voices and outstanding moves. Without a world of love, there’s no point in being yourself. That’s why we’re here to be the cure against all this hate polluting our world. An evil we’ll conquer one battle at a time. Now… let’s all just be a little more lovely.”
