Post by russellmorris on Jul 13, 2011 16:39:10 GMT -5
*Russell Morris sits alone in his den, going over the entire match in his head, trying to think of anywhere where it could have gone differently. The silence is broken by Annabelle peeking her head into the room.*
Annabelle: Babe, we gotta go pick up your cousin from the airport.
Russell: *clasping his hands together* Yeah. Lemme get my keys.
Annabelle: Okay. *turns down the hall but quickly turns back* Russ, don’t dwell on it. It’s in the past. Just have to take care of these three guys this coming Monday.
Russell: *looking at her for the first time* Yeah. (Rising from the bed) Let’s go.
*Russell and Annabelle get into his Tahoe and drive towards the Lancaster Airport. They pull into the pick-up lane minutes before Russell’s cousin Michael walks over to meet them. Russ and Mike embrace first, then Mike and Annabelle. Michael, a rising high school sophomore known to the family as Mikey, is the most avid wrestling fan in the family. However, barely 5’7” tall and 230 lbs. and his most athletic activity is the Denton High School marching band, he isn’t the pinnacle of athleticism. He has been the go between to let the family know how Russell is doing in Pennsylvania.*
Russell: How you doin’ Little Mikey Money?
Mikey: I’m doin’ good cuz. How’ve you been?
Russell: I’m surviving without being home.
Mikey: Yeah, grandma told me to send along a hug and a kiss from her when she dropped me off at the airport this morning.
Russell: That was sweet of her. Love Maw Maw
Annabelle: So, what are you doin’ here in Pennsylvania? Just vacation?
Mikey: Well, kinda, but I also I have a summer project for school lookin’ into what I wanna do as a career after school. And now I have a cousin doing what I wanna do when I get through school.
Annabelle: That's nice.
*The Tahoe turns off the county road and onto the long driveway leading up to Russell and Annabelle’s current home outside of Strasburg. Russell grabs Mikey’s luggage and takes Mikey to his back room. Since Russell is 10 years Mikey’s senior, he is more like a big brother figure than a cousin. A train whistle, common occurrence at Russ’s house, sounds and Mikey looks up.*
Mikey: Is that what I think it is?
Russell: *pulls out his phone which shows it is 4:15* Yep, sure is. Getchur camera and let’s go.
*Russell and Mikey run out the back door towards the railroad tracks. For some reason, the two had always bonded over their railfan hobby. The tourist train thunders by as Mikey takes a ton of pictures. Russell looks back towards the house where Annabelle is standing on the porch. Russell shrugs as she just laughs at him in the field. After the train goes by, the two Morris’ walk back towards the house. The two have a barely audible conversation until they get a little closer to the house. Russ has his arm over Mikey’s shoulder.*
Russell: Yeah, at some point this week, me and you can go over to the museum and ride the train. That goes without saying. Well, you need to go ahead and call your mom and dad and tell them you got here. *Mikey walks into the house. Annabelle watches as he walks by, then looks back at Russell.* What?!
Annabelle: *with a sly look on her face* Nothing.
*She turns and walks back into the house. Russell shakes his head and walks in behind her. A few hours later, the three are sitting around the dinner table. Russell had cooked the Country Fried Steak dinner, so Annabelle does the dishes as Russ and Mikey excuse themselves to the living room.*
Russell: So…what was it you were wanting to do for your project?
Mikey: Well, you know me cuz, I wanna be a wrestler and you are the only person in the family who might be able to help me. Lord knows my sisters don’t give a crap.
Russell: Don’t worry, *looking up to see if Annabelle is in earshot* most women are like that. (The cousins laugh together) So, I figured you could interview me and then, over the next week or so, I can show you what it takes to be a pro wrestler. Sound good?
Mikey: (excited) Sounds GREAT!
Russell: Alright. You get those questions written tonight. We’ll take care of that tomorrow and head over to the museum and ride the train. All-Star Game’s on.
Mikey: Sweet and sweet.
*The cousins sit on the couch and watch the All-Star Game to end the evening. The next day, Russell takes Mikey to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and then across the street to the Strasburg Railroad for a ride. After a day out on the rails, they return to the house smelling of sweat, smoke and soot. While Mikey is in the shower, Annabelle pulls Russell aside.*
Annabelle: I have never seen this side of you.
Russell: What do you mean?
Annabelle: Well, would’ve never pictured you as someone who would be that good with kids. Strangely sexy.
Russell: (shaking his head) And I’M the one always thinking about sex.
Annabelle: (to Russell as he walks down the hall to get in the shower) Don’t get too full of yourself.
*Russell looks back. While he showers, Annabelle and Mikey sit on the couch watching the news. Once Russell gets out of the shower, the three sit down for dinner. Dinner conversation varies as Annabelle tries to learn more about the Morris family and any embarrassing stories about Russell. After dinner, the gentlemen work their way into living room for the interview Russell said he would do with Mikey. Mikey sits with his note pad and asks the first question.*
Mikey: Why did you decide to become a professional wrestler?
Russell: Hmm…, I guess I was sitting around the house in Highland Park after I got out of UT. I had the job for Paw Paw, but I wasn’t ready to settle into some skyscraper, office job just yet. I still had a lot my athletic streak and wasn’t just gonna play for the South Plains Oil softball team vs. T. Boone Pickens. I was channel surfing and NWA North Texas happened to come on. I guess I would’ve done anything to just give me an excuse to get out from behind the desk. (both share a laugh)
Mikey: What went into your training to be a wrestler?
Russell: It was a lot. Got back into the gym. Had to learn how to take bumps, how to sell properly. If you really wanna do this Mikey, you should probably sign up for theatre class at your school. The gym stuff you’ll need though, I’ll show you that tomorrow.
Mikey: (beaming with excitement) Sweet! Were you nervous in your first match?
Russell: *Letting out a deep sigh* I wasn’t nervous, I was petrified. In the locker room, I threw up about three times before I went out for my first match. I remember, we were in the Fair Park Coliseum. There were maybe 1,200 people there and I was in one of the first matches. I initially wanted to be the good guy, but I guess some of the folks recognized me from my playing days at UT and they were Aggies fans because they gave me so much shi- crap. But because of that, the promoter thought I was only getting “cheap heat,” so he let me go after three matches. He was some fat load from Indiana and didn’t think college rivalries could be the basis for angles.
Mikey: What a dumbass!
*Russell looks up at his cousin who has never said anything like that. Mikey has a deer in headlights look, not knowing how his cousin is going to react, but breathes a sigh of relief when Russell falls over laughing so hard.*
Mikey: Please don’t tell mom and dad.
Russell: *still trying to catch his breath* Don’t worry little man. What’s your next question?
Mikey: What would you tell someone who is wanting to become a wrestler?
Russell: *taking another deep breath* Well, I would say, first and foremost, get your education. There are people up here in WCF that ain’t as blessed monetarily as we are. There isn’t near as much money in wrestlin’ as once was. I only do it because, well, I’m a Morris…
Mikey: And we do what we wanna do.
Russell: *Beaming with pride* Damn right we do. *Still with a huge smile* Any more questions little man.
Mikey: Nope, that’s all I got.
Russell: Then I got some questions for you. What sports you doin’ up in Denton?
Mikey: Well, I’m in the marching band. I actually made the all-district band on sax this year.
Russell: *high-fiving his cousin* Ballin’ little man. So, got any ladies in your life? *Mikey laughs the question off* Come on, you play that saxophone. I’m sure that’s just got tha panties droppin’ up at your school.
Mikey: Nope, there is one girl, but she’s too cute for me.
Russell: No girl is ever to cute, hot, sexy, beautiful for you, and ya know why? Because no girl is ever too hot for any guy, especially a Morris. You wanna know how to get this girl?
Mikey: *reluctant* Yeah, but I don’t know how you can help.
Russell: Lemme show ya. (yelling into the kitchen) BABE, CAN YOU COME IN HERE FOR A SECOND?! *Annabelle comes into the room. Russell stands up, walks over to Annabelle, then turns back to Mikey.* Here’s how ya do it? (back to Annabelle) So, just wanted to tell you that I thought you were the most beautiful girl in here. (to Mikey) The really hot girls love confidence because a lot of guys are too scared to ask them, (to Annabelle) right?
Annabelle: I never had that problem. You just asked me out and you had a Lexus, so I figured I should give it a shot.
Russell: (whispering to her) You’re not helping. (back to Mikey) Just remember, never put them in awkward situations. Ask them to hang out at the mall, come out to eat at a popular restaurant, places with a lot of people which make them feel more comfortable. And then, maybe after a couple dates, you can whisper this in their ear. (He whispers something in Annabelle’s ear. Her eyes get real big and she begins to remove her shirt. Before she can, Russell motions his head towards his cousin on the couch. She whispers something back in Russell’s ear, then heads down the hall as he stands there with a big smirk on his face. He walks back over to his cousin.)
Mikey: (Confused) What did you tell her?
Russell: (Patting his shoulder) When you are ready to know, I’ll tell you. But now, you can have the keys and go for a drive, get you a drink and go out on the back porch. Honestly, whatever you want, as long as you get out of the house for about an hour.
Mikey: But I don’t have a driver’s license, only a learner’s permit and I’m not old enough to drink.
Russell: (Exasperated) Mikey, I love ya, but you need to pick one or the other. You don’t even have to tell me. By the time I was your age, I had two speeding tickets and had snuck my share of beers out to the ranch. I’m asking you with the love of an angel, please get the hell out of the house.
*Mikey gets up with the same Morris smirk that Russell had moments ago. Mikey leaves to go listen to the radio on the back porch and Russell hurries back down the hall towards the back bedroom.*
Annabelle: Babe, we gotta go pick up your cousin from the airport.
Russell: *clasping his hands together* Yeah. Lemme get my keys.
Annabelle: Okay. *turns down the hall but quickly turns back* Russ, don’t dwell on it. It’s in the past. Just have to take care of these three guys this coming Monday.
Russell: *looking at her for the first time* Yeah. (Rising from the bed) Let’s go.
*Russell and Annabelle get into his Tahoe and drive towards the Lancaster Airport. They pull into the pick-up lane minutes before Russell’s cousin Michael walks over to meet them. Russ and Mike embrace first, then Mike and Annabelle. Michael, a rising high school sophomore known to the family as Mikey, is the most avid wrestling fan in the family. However, barely 5’7” tall and 230 lbs. and his most athletic activity is the Denton High School marching band, he isn’t the pinnacle of athleticism. He has been the go between to let the family know how Russell is doing in Pennsylvania.*
Russell: How you doin’ Little Mikey Money?
Mikey: I’m doin’ good cuz. How’ve you been?
Russell: I’m surviving without being home.
Mikey: Yeah, grandma told me to send along a hug and a kiss from her when she dropped me off at the airport this morning.
Russell: That was sweet of her. Love Maw Maw
Annabelle: So, what are you doin’ here in Pennsylvania? Just vacation?
Mikey: Well, kinda, but I also I have a summer project for school lookin’ into what I wanna do as a career after school. And now I have a cousin doing what I wanna do when I get through school.
Annabelle: That's nice.
*The Tahoe turns off the county road and onto the long driveway leading up to Russell and Annabelle’s current home outside of Strasburg. Russell grabs Mikey’s luggage and takes Mikey to his back room. Since Russell is 10 years Mikey’s senior, he is more like a big brother figure than a cousin. A train whistle, common occurrence at Russ’s house, sounds and Mikey looks up.*
Mikey: Is that what I think it is?
Russell: *pulls out his phone which shows it is 4:15* Yep, sure is. Getchur camera and let’s go.
*Russell and Mikey run out the back door towards the railroad tracks. For some reason, the two had always bonded over their railfan hobby. The tourist train thunders by as Mikey takes a ton of pictures. Russell looks back towards the house where Annabelle is standing on the porch. Russell shrugs as she just laughs at him in the field. After the train goes by, the two Morris’ walk back towards the house. The two have a barely audible conversation until they get a little closer to the house. Russ has his arm over Mikey’s shoulder.*
Russell: Yeah, at some point this week, me and you can go over to the museum and ride the train. That goes without saying. Well, you need to go ahead and call your mom and dad and tell them you got here. *Mikey walks into the house. Annabelle watches as he walks by, then looks back at Russell.* What?!
Annabelle: *with a sly look on her face* Nothing.
*She turns and walks back into the house. Russell shakes his head and walks in behind her. A few hours later, the three are sitting around the dinner table. Russell had cooked the Country Fried Steak dinner, so Annabelle does the dishes as Russ and Mikey excuse themselves to the living room.*
Russell: So…what was it you were wanting to do for your project?
Mikey: Well, you know me cuz, I wanna be a wrestler and you are the only person in the family who might be able to help me. Lord knows my sisters don’t give a crap.
Russell: Don’t worry, *looking up to see if Annabelle is in earshot* most women are like that. (The cousins laugh together) So, I figured you could interview me and then, over the next week or so, I can show you what it takes to be a pro wrestler. Sound good?
Mikey: (excited) Sounds GREAT!
Russell: Alright. You get those questions written tonight. We’ll take care of that tomorrow and head over to the museum and ride the train. All-Star Game’s on.
Mikey: Sweet and sweet.
*The cousins sit on the couch and watch the All-Star Game to end the evening. The next day, Russell takes Mikey to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and then across the street to the Strasburg Railroad for a ride. After a day out on the rails, they return to the house smelling of sweat, smoke and soot. While Mikey is in the shower, Annabelle pulls Russell aside.*
Annabelle: I have never seen this side of you.
Russell: What do you mean?
Annabelle: Well, would’ve never pictured you as someone who would be that good with kids. Strangely sexy.
Russell: (shaking his head) And I’M the one always thinking about sex.
Annabelle: (to Russell as he walks down the hall to get in the shower) Don’t get too full of yourself.
*Russell looks back. While he showers, Annabelle and Mikey sit on the couch watching the news. Once Russell gets out of the shower, the three sit down for dinner. Dinner conversation varies as Annabelle tries to learn more about the Morris family and any embarrassing stories about Russell. After dinner, the gentlemen work their way into living room for the interview Russell said he would do with Mikey. Mikey sits with his note pad and asks the first question.*
Mikey: Why did you decide to become a professional wrestler?
Russell: Hmm…, I guess I was sitting around the house in Highland Park after I got out of UT. I had the job for Paw Paw, but I wasn’t ready to settle into some skyscraper, office job just yet. I still had a lot my athletic streak and wasn’t just gonna play for the South Plains Oil softball team vs. T. Boone Pickens. I was channel surfing and NWA North Texas happened to come on. I guess I would’ve done anything to just give me an excuse to get out from behind the desk. (both share a laugh)
Mikey: What went into your training to be a wrestler?
Russell: It was a lot. Got back into the gym. Had to learn how to take bumps, how to sell properly. If you really wanna do this Mikey, you should probably sign up for theatre class at your school. The gym stuff you’ll need though, I’ll show you that tomorrow.
Mikey: (beaming with excitement) Sweet! Were you nervous in your first match?
Russell: *Letting out a deep sigh* I wasn’t nervous, I was petrified. In the locker room, I threw up about three times before I went out for my first match. I remember, we were in the Fair Park Coliseum. There were maybe 1,200 people there and I was in one of the first matches. I initially wanted to be the good guy, but I guess some of the folks recognized me from my playing days at UT and they were Aggies fans because they gave me so much shi- crap. But because of that, the promoter thought I was only getting “cheap heat,” so he let me go after three matches. He was some fat load from Indiana and didn’t think college rivalries could be the basis for angles.
Mikey: What a dumbass!
*Russell looks up at his cousin who has never said anything like that. Mikey has a deer in headlights look, not knowing how his cousin is going to react, but breathes a sigh of relief when Russell falls over laughing so hard.*
Mikey: Please don’t tell mom and dad.
Russell: *still trying to catch his breath* Don’t worry little man. What’s your next question?
Mikey: What would you tell someone who is wanting to become a wrestler?
Russell: *taking another deep breath* Well, I would say, first and foremost, get your education. There are people up here in WCF that ain’t as blessed monetarily as we are. There isn’t near as much money in wrestlin’ as once was. I only do it because, well, I’m a Morris…
Mikey: And we do what we wanna do.
Russell: *Beaming with pride* Damn right we do. *Still with a huge smile* Any more questions little man.
Mikey: Nope, that’s all I got.
Russell: Then I got some questions for you. What sports you doin’ up in Denton?
Mikey: Well, I’m in the marching band. I actually made the all-district band on sax this year.
Russell: *high-fiving his cousin* Ballin’ little man. So, got any ladies in your life? *Mikey laughs the question off* Come on, you play that saxophone. I’m sure that’s just got tha panties droppin’ up at your school.
Mikey: Nope, there is one girl, but she’s too cute for me.
Russell: No girl is ever to cute, hot, sexy, beautiful for you, and ya know why? Because no girl is ever too hot for any guy, especially a Morris. You wanna know how to get this girl?
Mikey: *reluctant* Yeah, but I don’t know how you can help.
Russell: Lemme show ya. (yelling into the kitchen) BABE, CAN YOU COME IN HERE FOR A SECOND?! *Annabelle comes into the room. Russell stands up, walks over to Annabelle, then turns back to Mikey.* Here’s how ya do it? (back to Annabelle) So, just wanted to tell you that I thought you were the most beautiful girl in here. (to Mikey) The really hot girls love confidence because a lot of guys are too scared to ask them, (to Annabelle) right?
Annabelle: I never had that problem. You just asked me out and you had a Lexus, so I figured I should give it a shot.
Russell: (whispering to her) You’re not helping. (back to Mikey) Just remember, never put them in awkward situations. Ask them to hang out at the mall, come out to eat at a popular restaurant, places with a lot of people which make them feel more comfortable. And then, maybe after a couple dates, you can whisper this in their ear. (He whispers something in Annabelle’s ear. Her eyes get real big and she begins to remove her shirt. Before she can, Russell motions his head towards his cousin on the couch. She whispers something back in Russell’s ear, then heads down the hall as he stands there with a big smirk on his face. He walks back over to his cousin.)
Mikey: (Confused) What did you tell her?
Russell: (Patting his shoulder) When you are ready to know, I’ll tell you. But now, you can have the keys and go for a drive, get you a drink and go out on the back porch. Honestly, whatever you want, as long as you get out of the house for about an hour.
Mikey: But I don’t have a driver’s license, only a learner’s permit and I’m not old enough to drink.
Russell: (Exasperated) Mikey, I love ya, but you need to pick one or the other. You don’t even have to tell me. By the time I was your age, I had two speeding tickets and had snuck my share of beers out to the ranch. I’m asking you with the love of an angel, please get the hell out of the house.
*Mikey gets up with the same Morris smirk that Russell had moments ago. Mikey leaves to go listen to the radio on the back porch and Russell hurries back down the hall towards the back bedroom.*
