Post by Johnny Reb on Nov 8, 2009 13:36:07 GMT -5
The Interview
In a corner booth, somewhere in the deepest recesses of a glorified honky-tonk called the Borrowed Bucks Roadhouse, Johnny Reb and Hank Brown lift their glasses in a toast.
Johnny: To redemption, to partnerships, an’ to new beginnin’s…
Hank doesn’t say anything immediately, watching Reb with a contemplative expression as their glasses clink. He takes a long sip of his drink, slips a microcassette recorder from within his jacket and turns it on.
Hank: Redemption, Johnny? Really?
Reb nods slowly, ignoring the skeptical tone in Brown’s voice.
Johnny: Y’see, Hank, I realized somethin’ last week, after that match with Slickie T. Now, I knew what Lerch was doin’ was wrong…but I just reacted. Didn’t think. Tried to turn things to my own advantage. Afterwards, I realized … that’s what I been doin’ all along. But every action has a consequence, an’ the time has come for me to atone for my sins.
Brown raises an eyebrow.
Hank: You’re not going all “Born Again” on us, are you?
The Inveterate Confederate laughs lightly. His eyes travel to the crowded dance floor momentarily, then back to Hank.
Johnny: Nothin’ of the kind, Hank. This is a process, y’see. I’m tired of bein’ known as a guy who has to cheat to win a match. I mean, there are times for that sort of behavior. An’ there are times when it is …inappropriate, to say the least.
Hank: You are the master of the understatement, Johnny. Now, what about this week? Does your road to redemption start with the team of Mikami and Ryan Daniels?
Johnny is silent for a moment, thinking about that. He finishes his drink and signals the waitress to bring him another.
Johnny: Y’know, Hank, I’m just gonna wait an’ see how things go. I mean, on the one hand, neither of these men is much of a threat to either Yours Truly, or my partner, Doc Henry. On t’other, they are representatives of the… TOT…
His tone, his inflection, indicate a clear distaste for anything even remotely associated with the aforementioned assemblage. He gives the waitress a smile as she brings him another SoCo, taking away the empty glass. Reb’s gaze is caught by something in the distance; his brow furrows with suspicion.
Johnny: Hey, Hank… What d’ya see goin’ on out there on the dance floor?
Brown looks at Johnny, fleetingly puzzled, then turns around in his seat to have a look.
Hank: Um…. Dancing?
He continues watching for a moment.
Hank: Wait….is that – ?
Johnny slips out of the booth, suddenly focused on the sea of people writhing to the sounds of a live country-rock band. With slow, deliberate steps, he stalks over, cracking his knuckles and ignoring Hank’s protests that it’s all harmless fun.
In the arms of another man, Dixie moves her body seductively to the rhythm of the music, clearly enjoying herself. Johnny stands there a moment, gazing at them both in disapproval, before tapping the guy on the shoulder…
The Gossip
TMZ.com exclusive: Rocky Romance for Reb?
Posted Nov 8th 2009 at 9:30 am by TMZstaff
Spotted at a Sioux Falls nightclub this Saturday were none other than wrestling superstar Johnny Reb and his lady love Dixie Pride. But while the Inveterate Confederate was occupied with resident WCF interviewer Hank Brown, Ms. Pride was getting intimate on the dance floor with an unidentified man. What followed was almost a brawl, but the would be-suitor took a cue from that classic Skynnyrd song: "Gimme three steps....and you'll never see me no more!"
The couple left the Borrowed Bucks Roadhouse shortly afterward with a distinct chill between them. Or maybe it was the November air.
The Fallout
Breakfast on this particular Sunday morning is a silent affair. Dixie toys with the food on her plate, looking vaguely guilty, if not particularly contrite. Johnny peruses a newspaper without any real interest, drinking his coffee and refusing to look at her.
Dixie: Damnit, Johnny! We oughta talk about this! It was just dancin’, for God’s sake!
Slowly, Reb lowers the newspaper, folding it carefully and setting it aside. The hurt in his eyes is evident as he finally meets her gaze.
Johnny: “Just dancin’…”
He snorts derisively.
Johnny: You never danced with me like that.
Dixie rolls her eyes, sighing heavily.
Dixie: Come on, Johnny. I was just havin’ a little fun. You were busy anyway.
Johnny: I was doin’ an interview with Hank! It was work, Dixie.
She looks away, turning her attention to a selection of fruit in front of her, and stabbing at a piece of cantaloupe with her fork.
Dixie: It’s always work with you, Johnny. You never have any time for me anymore.
Johnny: What in the hell are you talkin’ about? We go everywhere, do everythin’…together.
Dixie: An’ I’m feelin’ like a goddamned accessory, Johnny. I mean, when was the last time you even asked me about my career?
It’s Reb’s turn to heave a theatric sigh.
Johnny: All right, you gotta point. But you coulda said somethin’ sooner, instead of getting’ all hot an’ heavy with some stranger at a bar. There are better ways to get my attention.
Dixie keeps her gaze downcast and doesn’t say anything for a very long time. When at last she does speak again, her voice is almost inaudible.
Dixie: …it ain’t just that…
Reb’s brow furrows in perplexity as he waits for her to continue.
Dixie: I…. I dunno, Johnny, maybe… Maybe things have been movin’ a little too fast.
Johnny: … what … ?
There is another pregnant pause, during which Dixie refuses to look at Johnny. She takes a deep breath before voicing her thoughts.
Dixie: I think, after tomorrow night, maybe we should … take a break for a little while.
This takes several moments to sink in. Johnny gazes at Dixie, dumbfounded. He opens his mouth to protest, but can’t seem to find the words. Instead, he merely shakes his head, either in negation or disbelief.
Dixie: Don’t take it so hard, Johnny. It’s been fun. But I got a career of my own to think about.
Reb sits there a moment longer, letting her words batter against him like the sea against a cliff. He feels suddenly ancient and worn down, never having expected something like this. Everything had been going fine; at least that’s what he’d thought. Evidently, she had a different opinion. Fearing that he might say something he’ll regret later, he simply nods to her, gets up from the table, and walks away.
