Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2009 19:12:42 GMT -5
Continued from the previous entry: Hospital Scene/Memory Lane
Located in the state capital of Hartford, St. Francis Hospital is regarded as one of the finest medical facilities in Connecticut. This is where Bobby Cairo has been receiving treatment for the past few weeks as he recovers from his year-plus stint in a New Mexico prison. The doctors have been top notch and they’ve certainly aided Cairo along in his recovery. But a hospital, even a nice hospital, is not a home. This afternoon Cairo is being released from the hospital, a free man for the first time in more than a year. A free man for the first time since being apprehended by military officers, incarcerated for trespassing on government grounds, and held as an enemy of the state. Cairo is a free man for the first time since his quest for vengeance against the government ended in futility more than one year ago.
Cairo is no longer filled with the hatred and rage that provoked him to declare war on the government and sneak into that secret government compound in New Mexico. Sure, he still blames the government for derailing his presidential campaign, sabotaging his short-lived marriage to CNN news anchor Robin Meade, framing him for rape, and murdering his mentor and dear friend, political activist Oliver Pratt. Cairo’s views, principles and core beliefs have not changed, however he has shifted his priorities. Cairo is now a man determined to put the pieces of his life together, though he’s not exactly sure where to begin. Cairo considers himself blessed despite the crossroads that he’s currently faced with.
Cairo could very easily be dead or still incarcerated. Those guards in the prison tortured Cairo. They beat the hell out of him, deprived him of food and water. They debased his manhood. Cairo is alive and free today because of his fortitude and perseverance, as well as the selfless rescue efforts of his two closest friends, wrestling superstars Biohazard and Chad Evans. Cairo escaped the clutches of his captors at the prison, but after fleeing the prison he found himself stranded in the harsh and barren landscape of the New Mexico desert. As Cairo’s lifeless body lie face down in the sand, Chad and Biohazard spotted Cairo from high above in their helicopter. After rescuing Cairo, Biohazard and Chad flew him down to Mexico to see Dr. Olmeca, Biohazard’s physician since birth.
After Dr. Olmeca examined Cairo and tended to Cairo’s wounds, Olmeca gave Chad and Biohazard clearance to accompany Cairo on a flight to Connecticut, so that Cairo could seek treatment at a facility closer to his family in Hartford. When Cairo arrived at St. Francis Hospital he was in dire straits. Cairo was a man near-death and not long for this world. At that point Cairo was not fully conscious of his physical surroundings, but he knew that he was no longer in the custody of his government tormentors. The comfort of that knowledge drove Cairo to survive, gave him the will and the strength to pull through in the face of overwhelming odds. He knew that freedom was his if he was willing to fight for it.
Those days of being near death weren’t long ago for Cairo, mere weeks in fact, but Cairo is now much further along in his recovery. Cairo is able to walk and talk under his own power, and he’s fully cognizant of his surroundings. Cairo is not 100% where he needs to be physically, but Cairo's physician Dr. Octavius expects Cairo to make a full recovery. Octavius has also given Cairo instructions for his physical rehabilitation.
Thanks to Cairo’s remarkable and expeditious recovery to this point, he is now walking out of his hospital room under his own power, saying his goodbyes to the medical staff that so graciously cared for him, and preparing for his first steps into the outside world since being admitted to the hospital. Cairo takes an extra moment to thank one nurse in particular for her help, a strawberry blond with a heaving bosom and the prettiest dimples that a young man ever did see. Cairo moves in for a kiss, but the nurse pulls back. She’s not ready for it. Not yet anyway. Cairo understands and he doesn’t push the issue. As Cairo emerges from the front entrance of the hospital, with his duffle bag slung over his shoulder, he’s greeted by a chill in the air and gray, overcast skies. Cairo doesn’t care for this, not one bit.
Bobby Cairo: “Fucking goddamn it, that’s just my luck. First time that I’ve been outside in ages and it’s about to start raining cats and dogs. I don’t even have a fucking umbrella. Goddamn it!”
Cairo is somewhat protected from the weather and the chilly temperature. He’s wearing a hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants and a nifty pair of sneakers. Still, he’d feel more comfortable if he had that umbrella. Cairo holds his hand up to the sky, checking for any hint of raindrop.
Bobby Cairo: “Ahh… they’re not here yet but they’re coming. Those motherfuckers are coming.”
Cairo checks his wrist for the time then he remembers that he’s not wearing a watch. Cairo checks his pocket for his cellphone then he remembers that he doesn’t have a cellphone anymore. Those government bastards stole it from him.
Bobby Cairo: “Fucking bullshit, I can’t even check the time. Is there a clock out here? I’m not going back into the hospital to check, that’s for sure; they’ll keep me as a permanent resident, those motherfuckers. Where the fuck is Biohazard? He’s supposed to pick me up here goddamn it. I know he’s late. I can feel it in my bones. Would it be rude of me if I took the bus? Nah, fuck that. I hate the bus. I promised myself when I first started making money that I would never ride public transportation again. Eh, fuck it. I’ll hitch a ride. I’m a celebrity, somebody will recognize me. Right? Am I still a celebrity? It’s hard to say. I’ve been out of circulation for awhile. What the fuck am I talking about? Of course I’m a celebrity. Fucking CNN wants me to sit down for an interview with Larry King. Larry fucking King! Goddamn it, I’m hot shit!”
Cairo looks down at his wrist again, sans watch.
Bobby Cairo: “Fucking Biohazard… late as usual.”
A car horn honks and Cairo looks up. Parked in the visitor’s pick-up lane is Cairo’s old ride, a metallic brown, vintage, 1974 Cadillac Eldorado in mint condition. Cairo’s dear friend Biohazard is sitting in the driver’s seat. Biohazard waves at Cairo. Cairo smiles and waves back at Biohazard. Cairo walks to the passenger’s side door and sticks his head in through the window.
Bobby Cairo: “Bio, what’s up man? You’re right on time, as always!”
Biohazard checks the Rolex on his wrist and smiles.
Biohazard: “Actually I’m ten minutes early, but who’s counting?”
Cairo tosses his duffle bag into the back seat and sits down in the front passenger seat. Cairo and Biohazard shake hands.
Bobby Cairo: “It’s good to see you, my friend. I can’t thank you enough for everything that you’ve done for me.”
Biohazard: “I’m just glad that you’re alive and well, amigo. You’re looking healthy. I see they cleaned you up, shave and a haircut. How are you feeling?”
Cairo runs his hand through his slicked-back, jet black hair and takes a deep breath.
Bobby Cairo: “Some pain but overall I feel good, man. I feel strong. I was so weak when you guys picked me up in New Mexico. I felt dead. I don’t remember all of the details but I know that I was seriously fucked up. All of that seems like a blur right now. I feel like a man reborn, like a phoenix rising from the ashes above Arizona.”
Biohazard laughs and rolls his eyes as he shifts the Cadillac into gear and pulls out of the parking space.
Biohazard: “Arizona… because you’re a phoenix, right?”
Cairo smiles bashfully and nods his head.
Bobby Cairo: “That’s right, because I’m a phoenix! By the way it was actually my mom who shaved me and cut my hair. She insisted upon it. She didn’t even recognize me when she first saw me at the hospital. I was completely emaciated, man. My hair was long and matted with dirt and grime. I had a bushy beard like Evan Tanner, but even wilder.”
Biohazard sighs and looks at Cairo.
Biohazard: “Evan Tanner is dead, Bobby.”
Bobby Cairo: “Goddamn it, are you serious? I just talked to him last week.”
Cairo rubs his head and furrows his brow as if trying to remember.
Bobby Cairo: “Uh… no, it wasn’t last week. I mean it would have been before I went to New Mexico, but I distinctly remember talking to him. He sounded healthy and vital. What the hell happened?”
Biohazard: “Tanner was camping out in the desert in California. He ran out of water and gas for his motorcycle. He died from heat stroke. The authorities said it was a hundred and twenty degrees out there.”
Bobby Cairo: “God, that’s awful. Such a horrible way to die. Fuck… you know, that would have been me if you and Chad hadn’t rescued me?”
Biohazard: “I just thank God that we found you in time, Bobby. It was as if we were being guided by a higher power, a divine force from above.”
Bobby Cairo: “I believe that. I’m not the most religious man, but I, uh…”
Cairo takes a moment to collect his thoughts.
Bobby Cairo: “I’m a blessed man to be sitting here right now.”
Biohazard: “Amen to that, Bobby.”
Cairo shakes his head and sighs.
Bobby Cairo: “When did Evan die?”
Biohazard: “September of ‘08, not long after you disappeared.”
Bobby Cairo: “Goddamn, that’s eerie. That’s so fucking eerie.”
Biohazard: “No shit. You had just dropped off the face of the earth without warning. When Tanner died it hit pretty close to home. By the way, thanks for not telling me that you were leaving... or where you were going. We’re only best friends, right?”
Bobby Cairo: “Bio, I’m sorry man. I wasn’t in my correct state of mind. The government, man… they fucked me over. They ruined my campaign, they ruined my marriage, they tried to frame me for rape… they killed Oliver, man.”
Biohazard: “I know, Bobby, believe me. I know how those fuckers operate. I remember what it was like when they tried to kill us. What was that fucker’s name from the CIA? Radin? Paul Radin?”
Bobby Cairo: “Paul fucking Radin. That prick!”
Biohazard: “That CIA prick who tried to kill us back in ‘07. I still owe that motherfucker a forty-five between the eyes. He tried to kill us, man. That’s why we went to New Mexico in the first place, to shut those motherfuckers down.”
Bobby Cairo: “That’s why I went back, Bio. That’s the only reason.”
Biohazard: “Bobby, if we couldn’t shut them down when we went there together, then why would you think that you could do it all by yourself?”
Bobby Cairo: “Experience, man. I had the benefit of experience. I thought that would make the difference.”
Biohazard cracks up laughing and smacks the steering wheel.
Bobby Cairo: “What? Why are you laughing? That’s not funny, man.”
Biohazard: “It’s not funny but it is absurd, Bobby.”
Cairo sighs.
Bobby Cairo: “I realize that now. Hindsight has a way of providing one with lucidity and perspective. By all rights I should be dead right now, dead because of a stupid mistake. I know that you and Chad risked your lives to save me. You guys could have died too. As it is I have a mountain of medical bills, months of grueling physical rehab, and a shitload of ghosts rattling around in my brain. Sure, I feel a lot better than I did, but the truth is that I have a long way to go.”
Biohazard: “I understand, Bobby. I’m here for you, man. You know that.”
Bobby Cairo: “I wouldn’t be here without you, man.”
Biohazard: “If you need help with those medical bills--“
Bobby Cairo: “Bio, you’ve done enough already. I could never repay you for everything you’ve done. I owe you my life.”
Biohazard: “Not to mention a few million dollars.”
Bobby Cairo: “Huh?”
Biohazard: “I was going to say if you need help with those medical bills don’t ask me.”
Cairo raises his eyebrow. Biohazard chuckles at Cairo.
Biohazard: “I’m kidding, man.”
Biohazard taps Cairo on the shoulder with his fist. Cairo laughs an uneasy laugh and breathes a sigh of relief.
Bobby Cairo: “I know that you’ve taken a great financial burden upon your shoulders, Bio. I know that you spent millions of dollars to rescue me. I know that I’ve caused a lot of misery and suffering for everybody who cares about me. That’s why I’m going to man up to my responsibilities. Nobody’s paying for my medical bills but me. I’ll get a job. I can’t wrestle right now, but I’ll find something. My brother-in-law works for FedEx.”
Biohazard scoffs.
Biohazard: “You hate your brother-in-law, Bobby! And he hates you.”
Bobby Cairo: “Don’t worry about it, Bio. I’ll use my sister as a go-between. Besides, I can use the sympathy factor to win him over. I almost died, man. That goes a long way toward gaining favor with people… makes up for a lot of shit.”
Biohazard: “Good luck with that, Bobby. I’ve got some bills to pay myself. I had to sell my hacienda in Cabo.”
Bobby Cairo: “Are you shitting me? Damn it, Bio… I’m sorry, man.”
Biohazard: “Believe me, it wasn’t my first choice, but I crunched the numbers and there was no way around it. I’m still trying to sell that chopper that Chad and I used to rescue you. I’ll tell you, second-hand military choppers with fully customized machine gun docks and rocket launchers don’t sell on the black market like they used to. The worst part is that while I’m trying to sell that shit I still have to pay for the maintenance costs. It’s a real pain in the ass.”
Bobby Cairo: “Did you try your government contacts?”
Biohazard: “American AND Mexican. No takers. Shit’s too hot right now. Gotta wait for the furor to die down.”
Bobby Cairo: “That sucks, man.”
Biohazard: “Tell me about it. I feel like just dumping the fucking thing in the ocean.”
Cairo laughs and lightly taps Biohazard on the shoulder with his fist.
Bobby Cairo: “Dumping a twenty-thousand pound helicopter into the ocean might draw some attention.”
Biohazard: “Hey, watch with the shoulder taps when I’m driving.”
Bobby Cairo: “But you shoulder tapped me first?”
Cairo looks around the neighborhood as Biohazard cruises down the road in the trusty, old Eldorado.
Bobby Cairo: “Shit looks familiar. We headed to Bolts’ place?”
Biohazard: “That’s the plan.”
Biohazard turns into the parking lot of an apartment complex and pulls up to the front entrance of one of the apartment buildings. Cairo’s wrestling trainer and mentor, a middle aged man with thinning gray hair named Bolts Quackenbush, is waiting in front of the building. Standing next to Bolts is Chad Evans, a blond haired kid and fellow wrestling star who helped rescue Cairo in the New Mexico desert along with Biohazard.
Bobby Cairo: “You know something, Bio? It always struck me as odd that a guy like Bolts who’s making pretty good money never bought a house. Who the hell would choose to live in an apartment building? I hated living in an apartment when I first moved out of my parents’ house. And now I’m about to go back to apartment life… ugh.”
Biohazard: “Bolts doesn’t seem to mind. I guess he likes the camaraderie. Besides, he was smart to avoid buying a house. The dojo isn’t generating the kind of money that it used to, with the recession and all. Plus your sudden disappearance didn’t help. They lost their top draw. Bolts would have been one of those poor motherfuckers who got his mortgage foreclosed upon.”
Bobby Cairo: “I guess you’re right, man. Still, I feel bad for the guy.”
Biohazard: “Ehh, it’s not so bad, Bobby. Bolts lives in a rent controlled building in a decent neighborhood. No gang bangers or drug dealers around here.”
Bobby Cairo: “Well that’s true.”
Cairo gets out of the Cadillac and greets his friends, Bolts and Chad.
Bobby Cairo: “How’s it going, guys? Kind of a nasty day out here. I hope you haven’t been waiting long?”
Bolts Quackenbush: “Nah, we just got out here. How are you doing, Bobby?”
Bolts looks Cairo over.
Bolts Quackenbush: “You look good.”
Bobby Cairo: “Thank you, sir. I feel good, relatively speaking.”
Bolts Quackenbush: “We do need to put some meat on them bones. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of that. I made a three bean casserole for dinner tonight.”
Cairo licks his lips in an overtly sarcastic manner.
Bobby Cairo: “Yum!”
Chad and Bobby shake hands and embrace in a man hug.
Chad Evans: “It’s great to see you, Bobby. You’re really coming along, man. You look like you again.”
Bobby Cairo: “Thank you, Chad... for everything. You risked your life for me. You were the one who knew. I don’t know how you knew, but you knew that I was alive and you knew where to find me.”
Chad pats Cairo on the back of the head and looks him in the eye.
Chad Evans: “You don’t have to thank me, Bobby. You’re my mentor. You taught me everything that I know about wrestling. You taught me about life. You gave me the courage and the faith to never quit and always believe.”
Cairo and Chad share a moment of silent emotion.
Biohazard: “Uh, guys? We should probably get going now.”
Bobby Cairo: “Get going, where? I thought you were dropping me off here?”
Bolts Quackenbush: “Bobby, we’re going to take you out for an afternoon on the city. When’s the last time you went barhopping?”
Bobby Cairo: “Gee… I can’t remember.”
Bolts Quackenbush: “Exactly. Get in the car, let’s go.”
The four men pile into the Eldorado, Biohazard in the driver’s seat, Cairo in the front passenger seat, and Chad and Bolts into the back.
Bobby Cairo: “I’m not really supposed to be drinking. The doctor gave me some pills…”
Cairo pulls the pill bottle from his pocket and reads the label.
Bobby Cairo: “Uh, they’re painkillers and I’m not supposed to mix them with alcohol.”
Bolts leans forward with his head between the two front seats and looks at Cairo.
Bolts Quackenbush: “Are you kidding me, Bobby? Booze and painkillers go together like chunky peanut butter and strawberry jam.”
Bobby Cairo: “Yeah, I guess. It’s just that I’ve had enough adventures lately. I’m not looking forward to taking a trip to the ER to get my stomach pumped.”
Biohazard: “Don’t worry, Bobby. You’ve got three professional boozehounds here to monitor your alcohol intake. We wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you.”
Chad Evans: “You really think you should be hitting the bottle, Bio? You’re supposed to be driving us home tonight.”
Biohazard: “Don’t worry, Chad. I’ve been drinking since I came out the nut sack. Mi madre used to mix tequila in my bottle when I was a mere bebé. Some people think that’s crazy, but it’s a family tradition passed down for generations.”
The expressions on the faces of Biohazard’s friends range from puzzled to shocked.
Bolts Quackenbush: “Actually that is pretty crazy, Bio. Muy loco!”
Bobby Cairo: “It’s fucking nuts, that’s what it is.”
Biohazard: “Eh… fuck you gringo putas.”
Biohazard cranks up the radio, blasting 1980’s American rock music. Raindrops splatter on the windshield. Biohazard flicks the switch for the wipers as the Cadillac cruises down the road.
Located in the state capital of Hartford, St. Francis Hospital is regarded as one of the finest medical facilities in Connecticut. This is where Bobby Cairo has been receiving treatment for the past few weeks as he recovers from his year-plus stint in a New Mexico prison. The doctors have been top notch and they’ve certainly aided Cairo along in his recovery. But a hospital, even a nice hospital, is not a home. This afternoon Cairo is being released from the hospital, a free man for the first time in more than a year. A free man for the first time since being apprehended by military officers, incarcerated for trespassing on government grounds, and held as an enemy of the state. Cairo is a free man for the first time since his quest for vengeance against the government ended in futility more than one year ago.
Cairo is no longer filled with the hatred and rage that provoked him to declare war on the government and sneak into that secret government compound in New Mexico. Sure, he still blames the government for derailing his presidential campaign, sabotaging his short-lived marriage to CNN news anchor Robin Meade, framing him for rape, and murdering his mentor and dear friend, political activist Oliver Pratt. Cairo’s views, principles and core beliefs have not changed, however he has shifted his priorities. Cairo is now a man determined to put the pieces of his life together, though he’s not exactly sure where to begin. Cairo considers himself blessed despite the crossroads that he’s currently faced with.
Cairo could very easily be dead or still incarcerated. Those guards in the prison tortured Cairo. They beat the hell out of him, deprived him of food and water. They debased his manhood. Cairo is alive and free today because of his fortitude and perseverance, as well as the selfless rescue efforts of his two closest friends, wrestling superstars Biohazard and Chad Evans. Cairo escaped the clutches of his captors at the prison, but after fleeing the prison he found himself stranded in the harsh and barren landscape of the New Mexico desert. As Cairo’s lifeless body lie face down in the sand, Chad and Biohazard spotted Cairo from high above in their helicopter. After rescuing Cairo, Biohazard and Chad flew him down to Mexico to see Dr. Olmeca, Biohazard’s physician since birth.
After Dr. Olmeca examined Cairo and tended to Cairo’s wounds, Olmeca gave Chad and Biohazard clearance to accompany Cairo on a flight to Connecticut, so that Cairo could seek treatment at a facility closer to his family in Hartford. When Cairo arrived at St. Francis Hospital he was in dire straits. Cairo was a man near-death and not long for this world. At that point Cairo was not fully conscious of his physical surroundings, but he knew that he was no longer in the custody of his government tormentors. The comfort of that knowledge drove Cairo to survive, gave him the will and the strength to pull through in the face of overwhelming odds. He knew that freedom was his if he was willing to fight for it.
Those days of being near death weren’t long ago for Cairo, mere weeks in fact, but Cairo is now much further along in his recovery. Cairo is able to walk and talk under his own power, and he’s fully cognizant of his surroundings. Cairo is not 100% where he needs to be physically, but Cairo's physician Dr. Octavius expects Cairo to make a full recovery. Octavius has also given Cairo instructions for his physical rehabilitation.
Thanks to Cairo’s remarkable and expeditious recovery to this point, he is now walking out of his hospital room under his own power, saying his goodbyes to the medical staff that so graciously cared for him, and preparing for his first steps into the outside world since being admitted to the hospital. Cairo takes an extra moment to thank one nurse in particular for her help, a strawberry blond with a heaving bosom and the prettiest dimples that a young man ever did see. Cairo moves in for a kiss, but the nurse pulls back. She’s not ready for it. Not yet anyway. Cairo understands and he doesn’t push the issue. As Cairo emerges from the front entrance of the hospital, with his duffle bag slung over his shoulder, he’s greeted by a chill in the air and gray, overcast skies. Cairo doesn’t care for this, not one bit.
Bobby Cairo: “Fucking goddamn it, that’s just my luck. First time that I’ve been outside in ages and it’s about to start raining cats and dogs. I don’t even have a fucking umbrella. Goddamn it!”
Cairo is somewhat protected from the weather and the chilly temperature. He’s wearing a hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants and a nifty pair of sneakers. Still, he’d feel more comfortable if he had that umbrella. Cairo holds his hand up to the sky, checking for any hint of raindrop.
Bobby Cairo: “Ahh… they’re not here yet but they’re coming. Those motherfuckers are coming.”
Cairo checks his wrist for the time then he remembers that he’s not wearing a watch. Cairo checks his pocket for his cellphone then he remembers that he doesn’t have a cellphone anymore. Those government bastards stole it from him.
Bobby Cairo: “Fucking bullshit, I can’t even check the time. Is there a clock out here? I’m not going back into the hospital to check, that’s for sure; they’ll keep me as a permanent resident, those motherfuckers. Where the fuck is Biohazard? He’s supposed to pick me up here goddamn it. I know he’s late. I can feel it in my bones. Would it be rude of me if I took the bus? Nah, fuck that. I hate the bus. I promised myself when I first started making money that I would never ride public transportation again. Eh, fuck it. I’ll hitch a ride. I’m a celebrity, somebody will recognize me. Right? Am I still a celebrity? It’s hard to say. I’ve been out of circulation for awhile. What the fuck am I talking about? Of course I’m a celebrity. Fucking CNN wants me to sit down for an interview with Larry King. Larry fucking King! Goddamn it, I’m hot shit!”
Cairo looks down at his wrist again, sans watch.
Bobby Cairo: “Fucking Biohazard… late as usual.”
A car horn honks and Cairo looks up. Parked in the visitor’s pick-up lane is Cairo’s old ride, a metallic brown, vintage, 1974 Cadillac Eldorado in mint condition. Cairo’s dear friend Biohazard is sitting in the driver’s seat. Biohazard waves at Cairo. Cairo smiles and waves back at Biohazard. Cairo walks to the passenger’s side door and sticks his head in through the window.
Bobby Cairo: “Bio, what’s up man? You’re right on time, as always!”
Biohazard checks the Rolex on his wrist and smiles.
Biohazard: “Actually I’m ten minutes early, but who’s counting?”
Cairo tosses his duffle bag into the back seat and sits down in the front passenger seat. Cairo and Biohazard shake hands.
Bobby Cairo: “It’s good to see you, my friend. I can’t thank you enough for everything that you’ve done for me.”
Biohazard: “I’m just glad that you’re alive and well, amigo. You’re looking healthy. I see they cleaned you up, shave and a haircut. How are you feeling?”
Cairo runs his hand through his slicked-back, jet black hair and takes a deep breath.
Bobby Cairo: “Some pain but overall I feel good, man. I feel strong. I was so weak when you guys picked me up in New Mexico. I felt dead. I don’t remember all of the details but I know that I was seriously fucked up. All of that seems like a blur right now. I feel like a man reborn, like a phoenix rising from the ashes above Arizona.”
Biohazard laughs and rolls his eyes as he shifts the Cadillac into gear and pulls out of the parking space.
Biohazard: “Arizona… because you’re a phoenix, right?”
Cairo smiles bashfully and nods his head.
Bobby Cairo: “That’s right, because I’m a phoenix! By the way it was actually my mom who shaved me and cut my hair. She insisted upon it. She didn’t even recognize me when she first saw me at the hospital. I was completely emaciated, man. My hair was long and matted with dirt and grime. I had a bushy beard like Evan Tanner, but even wilder.”
Biohazard sighs and looks at Cairo.
Biohazard: “Evan Tanner is dead, Bobby.”
Bobby Cairo: “Goddamn it, are you serious? I just talked to him last week.”
Cairo rubs his head and furrows his brow as if trying to remember.
Bobby Cairo: “Uh… no, it wasn’t last week. I mean it would have been before I went to New Mexico, but I distinctly remember talking to him. He sounded healthy and vital. What the hell happened?”
Biohazard: “Tanner was camping out in the desert in California. He ran out of water and gas for his motorcycle. He died from heat stroke. The authorities said it was a hundred and twenty degrees out there.”
Bobby Cairo: “God, that’s awful. Such a horrible way to die. Fuck… you know, that would have been me if you and Chad hadn’t rescued me?”
Biohazard: “I just thank God that we found you in time, Bobby. It was as if we were being guided by a higher power, a divine force from above.”
Bobby Cairo: “I believe that. I’m not the most religious man, but I, uh…”
Cairo takes a moment to collect his thoughts.
Bobby Cairo: “I’m a blessed man to be sitting here right now.”
Biohazard: “Amen to that, Bobby.”
Cairo shakes his head and sighs.
Bobby Cairo: “When did Evan die?”
Biohazard: “September of ‘08, not long after you disappeared.”
Bobby Cairo: “Goddamn, that’s eerie. That’s so fucking eerie.”
Biohazard: “No shit. You had just dropped off the face of the earth without warning. When Tanner died it hit pretty close to home. By the way, thanks for not telling me that you were leaving... or where you were going. We’re only best friends, right?”
Bobby Cairo: “Bio, I’m sorry man. I wasn’t in my correct state of mind. The government, man… they fucked me over. They ruined my campaign, they ruined my marriage, they tried to frame me for rape… they killed Oliver, man.”
Biohazard: “I know, Bobby, believe me. I know how those fuckers operate. I remember what it was like when they tried to kill us. What was that fucker’s name from the CIA? Radin? Paul Radin?”
Bobby Cairo: “Paul fucking Radin. That prick!”
Biohazard: “That CIA prick who tried to kill us back in ‘07. I still owe that motherfucker a forty-five between the eyes. He tried to kill us, man. That’s why we went to New Mexico in the first place, to shut those motherfuckers down.”
Bobby Cairo: “That’s why I went back, Bio. That’s the only reason.”
Biohazard: “Bobby, if we couldn’t shut them down when we went there together, then why would you think that you could do it all by yourself?”
Bobby Cairo: “Experience, man. I had the benefit of experience. I thought that would make the difference.”
Biohazard cracks up laughing and smacks the steering wheel.
Bobby Cairo: “What? Why are you laughing? That’s not funny, man.”
Biohazard: “It’s not funny but it is absurd, Bobby.”
Cairo sighs.
Bobby Cairo: “I realize that now. Hindsight has a way of providing one with lucidity and perspective. By all rights I should be dead right now, dead because of a stupid mistake. I know that you and Chad risked your lives to save me. You guys could have died too. As it is I have a mountain of medical bills, months of grueling physical rehab, and a shitload of ghosts rattling around in my brain. Sure, I feel a lot better than I did, but the truth is that I have a long way to go.”
Biohazard: “I understand, Bobby. I’m here for you, man. You know that.”
Bobby Cairo: “I wouldn’t be here without you, man.”
Biohazard: “If you need help with those medical bills--“
Bobby Cairo: “Bio, you’ve done enough already. I could never repay you for everything you’ve done. I owe you my life.”
Biohazard: “Not to mention a few million dollars.”
Bobby Cairo: “Huh?”
Biohazard: “I was going to say if you need help with those medical bills don’t ask me.”
Cairo raises his eyebrow. Biohazard chuckles at Cairo.
Biohazard: “I’m kidding, man.”
Biohazard taps Cairo on the shoulder with his fist. Cairo laughs an uneasy laugh and breathes a sigh of relief.
Bobby Cairo: “I know that you’ve taken a great financial burden upon your shoulders, Bio. I know that you spent millions of dollars to rescue me. I know that I’ve caused a lot of misery and suffering for everybody who cares about me. That’s why I’m going to man up to my responsibilities. Nobody’s paying for my medical bills but me. I’ll get a job. I can’t wrestle right now, but I’ll find something. My brother-in-law works for FedEx.”
Biohazard scoffs.
Biohazard: “You hate your brother-in-law, Bobby! And he hates you.”
Bobby Cairo: “Don’t worry about it, Bio. I’ll use my sister as a go-between. Besides, I can use the sympathy factor to win him over. I almost died, man. That goes a long way toward gaining favor with people… makes up for a lot of shit.”
Biohazard: “Good luck with that, Bobby. I’ve got some bills to pay myself. I had to sell my hacienda in Cabo.”
Bobby Cairo: “Are you shitting me? Damn it, Bio… I’m sorry, man.”
Biohazard: “Believe me, it wasn’t my first choice, but I crunched the numbers and there was no way around it. I’m still trying to sell that chopper that Chad and I used to rescue you. I’ll tell you, second-hand military choppers with fully customized machine gun docks and rocket launchers don’t sell on the black market like they used to. The worst part is that while I’m trying to sell that shit I still have to pay for the maintenance costs. It’s a real pain in the ass.”
Bobby Cairo: “Did you try your government contacts?”
Biohazard: “American AND Mexican. No takers. Shit’s too hot right now. Gotta wait for the furor to die down.”
Bobby Cairo: “That sucks, man.”
Biohazard: “Tell me about it. I feel like just dumping the fucking thing in the ocean.”
Cairo laughs and lightly taps Biohazard on the shoulder with his fist.
Bobby Cairo: “Dumping a twenty-thousand pound helicopter into the ocean might draw some attention.”
Biohazard: “Hey, watch with the shoulder taps when I’m driving.”
Bobby Cairo: “But you shoulder tapped me first?”
Cairo looks around the neighborhood as Biohazard cruises down the road in the trusty, old Eldorado.
Bobby Cairo: “Shit looks familiar. We headed to Bolts’ place?”
Biohazard: “That’s the plan.”
Biohazard turns into the parking lot of an apartment complex and pulls up to the front entrance of one of the apartment buildings. Cairo’s wrestling trainer and mentor, a middle aged man with thinning gray hair named Bolts Quackenbush, is waiting in front of the building. Standing next to Bolts is Chad Evans, a blond haired kid and fellow wrestling star who helped rescue Cairo in the New Mexico desert along with Biohazard.
Bobby Cairo: “You know something, Bio? It always struck me as odd that a guy like Bolts who’s making pretty good money never bought a house. Who the hell would choose to live in an apartment building? I hated living in an apartment when I first moved out of my parents’ house. And now I’m about to go back to apartment life… ugh.”
Biohazard: “Bolts doesn’t seem to mind. I guess he likes the camaraderie. Besides, he was smart to avoid buying a house. The dojo isn’t generating the kind of money that it used to, with the recession and all. Plus your sudden disappearance didn’t help. They lost their top draw. Bolts would have been one of those poor motherfuckers who got his mortgage foreclosed upon.”
Bobby Cairo: “I guess you’re right, man. Still, I feel bad for the guy.”
Biohazard: “Ehh, it’s not so bad, Bobby. Bolts lives in a rent controlled building in a decent neighborhood. No gang bangers or drug dealers around here.”
Bobby Cairo: “Well that’s true.”
Cairo gets out of the Cadillac and greets his friends, Bolts and Chad.
Bobby Cairo: “How’s it going, guys? Kind of a nasty day out here. I hope you haven’t been waiting long?”
Bolts Quackenbush: “Nah, we just got out here. How are you doing, Bobby?”
Bolts looks Cairo over.
Bolts Quackenbush: “You look good.”
Bobby Cairo: “Thank you, sir. I feel good, relatively speaking.”
Bolts Quackenbush: “We do need to put some meat on them bones. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of that. I made a three bean casserole for dinner tonight.”
Cairo licks his lips in an overtly sarcastic manner.
Bobby Cairo: “Yum!”
Chad and Bobby shake hands and embrace in a man hug.
Chad Evans: “It’s great to see you, Bobby. You’re really coming along, man. You look like you again.”
Bobby Cairo: “Thank you, Chad... for everything. You risked your life for me. You were the one who knew. I don’t know how you knew, but you knew that I was alive and you knew where to find me.”
Chad pats Cairo on the back of the head and looks him in the eye.
Chad Evans: “You don’t have to thank me, Bobby. You’re my mentor. You taught me everything that I know about wrestling. You taught me about life. You gave me the courage and the faith to never quit and always believe.”
Cairo and Chad share a moment of silent emotion.
Biohazard: “Uh, guys? We should probably get going now.”
Bobby Cairo: “Get going, where? I thought you were dropping me off here?”
Bolts Quackenbush: “Bobby, we’re going to take you out for an afternoon on the city. When’s the last time you went barhopping?”
Bobby Cairo: “Gee… I can’t remember.”
Bolts Quackenbush: “Exactly. Get in the car, let’s go.”
The four men pile into the Eldorado, Biohazard in the driver’s seat, Cairo in the front passenger seat, and Chad and Bolts into the back.
Bobby Cairo: “I’m not really supposed to be drinking. The doctor gave me some pills…”
Cairo pulls the pill bottle from his pocket and reads the label.
Bobby Cairo: “Uh, they’re painkillers and I’m not supposed to mix them with alcohol.”
Bolts leans forward with his head between the two front seats and looks at Cairo.
Bolts Quackenbush: “Are you kidding me, Bobby? Booze and painkillers go together like chunky peanut butter and strawberry jam.”
Bobby Cairo: “Yeah, I guess. It’s just that I’ve had enough adventures lately. I’m not looking forward to taking a trip to the ER to get my stomach pumped.”
Biohazard: “Don’t worry, Bobby. You’ve got three professional boozehounds here to monitor your alcohol intake. We wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you.”
Chad Evans: “You really think you should be hitting the bottle, Bio? You’re supposed to be driving us home tonight.”
Biohazard: “Don’t worry, Chad. I’ve been drinking since I came out the nut sack. Mi madre used to mix tequila in my bottle when I was a mere bebé. Some people think that’s crazy, but it’s a family tradition passed down for generations.”
The expressions on the faces of Biohazard’s friends range from puzzled to shocked.
Bolts Quackenbush: “Actually that is pretty crazy, Bio. Muy loco!”
Bobby Cairo: “It’s fucking nuts, that’s what it is.”
Biohazard: “Eh… fuck you gringo putas.”
Biohazard cranks up the radio, blasting 1980’s American rock music. Raindrops splatter on the windshield. Biohazard flicks the switch for the wipers as the Cadillac cruises down the road.
