Drowning In The Sins Of Others
Feb 20, 2012 18:23:06 GMT -5
Post by Micky O'Reilly on Feb 20, 2012 18:23:06 GMT -5
I felt the sun on my skin and the sand between my toes. I was 9 or 10, on a family day out at the beach. It was rare to have weather this good in Ireland, so my family always made the most of it. I walked towards the sea with my friend Jamie, who lived on the caravan site too, to play a game of catch with an inflatable ball that my dad had bought from one of the shops at the top of the sands. We played for about ten minutes before Jamie decided he was bored and wanted to do something else.
Jamie: Why don't we have a dare?
Micky: What sort of dare?
Jamie looked around for a moment before pointing at a buoy about twenty-five metres out at sea.
Jamie: I dare you to swim over to there and climb on top of it.
Micky: But my dad says I'm not to swim out past where I can stand up.
Jamie: Chicken!
He splashed water at me and threw the ball at my head. I grabbed him around the waist and swung him to the ground, dunking his head under the water.
Micky: Am not!
Jamie: Do it then, or are you scared?
Micky: Fine.
I pushed his head under water again and started swimming out. I swam for a couple of minutes, struggling all the way because I wasn't very good at it. All of a sudden my right seized up in pain, cramp.
I started to turn to go back but I couldn't keep my head up. The salt water started splashing up into my face, stinging my eyes and going up my nose. I panicked. I started shouting and waving my arms, forgetting to try to stay afloat. I started inhaling water and my head went under the waves. I bobbed back up briefly, unable to see anything through my irritated eyes. I heard my dad's voice shouting my name.
Tommy: Micky! Someone help him…
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…Please!
I started choking, drawing in air but unable to breathe, someone rolled me onto my side.
Neil: That's it, bring it all up. Good man.
I rolled onto my hands and knees, still choking but breathing again. My lungs felt like they were on fire and my head was spinning and pounding at the same. I vomited just as someone dropped to their knees beside me, rubbing my back.
Alyson: Oh thank God. Thank you Neil.
Alyson and Neil were here? This didn't happen back in my memory. I threw up again. That's right, this was real life now, not some childhood memory.
I pushed myself back onto my knees, leaning my head back to take in as much air as possible, it hurt but it was better.
Neil: How are you feeling buddy?
Micky: Like a drowned rat.
Neil let out a chuckle. It was true though. I was soaking wet, my hair and clothes were plastered to my body and I could taste chemicals along with the contents of my stomach, mostly of an alcoholic nature.
Micky: Who jumped me?
Neil: Uh no one Micky. I heard Aly screaming for help so I came running and you were face down at the bottom of your swimming pool. We managed to drag you out…
Micky: What do you mean my swimming pool?
Neil: I mean your swimming pool, the one in your back yard.
Micky: But I don't have a back yard.
Neil: What? Of course you do. You're probably still a bit messed up. Anyway, we dragged you out and I gave you CPR until you came round.
Alyson: He saved your life Micky.
Neil: Well, if Aly hadn't seen you fall in I dread to think what could have happened. Do you want me to call you an ambulance?
I rose unsteadily to my feet with Alyson's help.
Micky: No, I'll be alright boss.
Neil: Really? Are you sure?
I started walking towards the house with Alyson's guidance. It was dark, obviously night time, the only illumination coming from an open door and lights in the bottom of the pool.
Micky: I'm sure fella, I think I'll just have a whiskey to settle my nerves and go to bed.
Neil: Well, take care of yourself. If you need anything just bang on the door and I'll do what I can.
Alyson: Good night Neil, thank you so much, if there's anything I can do…
Neil: Don't worry about it, anybody would have done the same. Just worry about him for now.
He patted me on the shoulder and turned away, walking down a side passage.
Micky: How did I end up in there?
We stepped through the doorway and into the gym. Huh, I'd always wondered where that door led to, some kind of women-only area I'd assumed, like a cleaning cupboard or something.
Alyson: You were singing me a traditional Irish song by the pool, you stepped back and slipped in. Christ, I was so worried. I thought you were going to die.
She guided me to the weights bench, passing me an old towel and my workout clothes to change into, and went into the kitchen, coming back 20 seconds later with a glass of Jamesons.
Alyson: Here, it'll warm you up.
I knocked it back in one, wishing that she'd brought the bottle in. I dried myself quickly, not bothering with the change of clothes, and headed upstairs with Alyson. I felt like shit and was serious about going to bed.
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I woke up early, a coughing fit jolting me from rest. I got out of bed quietly, got dressed and headed downstairs. I went into the kitchen and poured a glass of whiskey, it would help numb my still sore lungs. I walked out of the back door and was surprised to see that the garden was still there. Maybe it had been put in after I'd arrived, it all seemed a bit suspicious to me.
I looked around. The whole area was about 30 metres by 15, the majority of which was taken up by an algae covered pool but there was also a punchbag hanging from the wall of the house. I went back inside and into the living room, pouring another drink on my way. There was a pile of mail on the coffee table, mostly advertising leaflets and takeaway menu's, but a letter in John's handwriting caught my eye.
Micky,
Don't forget your fight in Pennsylvania this week, I've organised transport so it'll be impossible for you to miss it. You're fighting a guy called Blaine Harrison, he likes to go by the title "Metal Heart". He's not bad but very hit and miss, you shouldn't have any problems but make sure you bring your A game just to be sure. Also I've had word that you and Tomkins aren't allowed near each other, he probably made a complaint like a little bitch, if you break the rules you could get fired and I've got a lot riding on you so don't let him get to you.
John.
Another fight? But I must have only had one just last night, otherwise why would my chest hurt? Ah well, I could handle it, after all I was the most celebrated wrestler in FGA history.
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The scene opens in Micky's back yard, he is stood next to a red punchbag wearing his ring attire and a set of black boxer's hand wraps. He is looking down at the floor.
Alyson: Ok you're on.
Micky slowly raises his head, staring deep into the camera.
Micky: Last week Blaine Harrison made some pretty serious comments about me. He made remarks that, to be perfectly honest, I found hurtful and misrepresentative of my true nature. I'd like to address them.
Micky turns and starts pacing back and forth in front of the punch bag, talking mostly to floor but looking up into the camera every now and again for effect.
Micky: First off, and this was the main thing that upset me, he called me a coward. Me of all people. The only man in the FGA to have entered into a Triple Threat Match and emerged victorious. The only man to have held the FGA Heavyweight, Hardcore and Magnificus titles all at the same time. The man who saved him from a onslaught of deranged weasels when he took the wrong door at a petting zoo. He claimed that I jumped an exhausted Hopkins and then repeated it again a week later, that's not the way I remember it. You need to check up on your facts Blaine. The way I remember it, the first week was payback after Hopkins ran me down in his car in a jealous rage when he saw how good looking I am, and the second week he called me out. It was self-defence.
Micky reaches down and swigs from a half empty bottle of whiskey, choosing to hold on to it rather than put it back.
Micky: Medication folks. Secondly the "Metal Heart" said that I was lacking in morals and ethics. Hah! Tell me, did you not see that video I released last week? The one that quite clearly showed me volunteering in a shelter for abandoned animals, feeding milk to a frail little lizard…
Alyson: Kitten...
Micky: That too. And did you also miss the part where I was helping to build a housing project for the homeless? That really speaks of bad morals and poor ethics doesn't it? Tell me, when was the last time you put the needy first? When was the last time you stopped thinking about where you could get yourself in life and started taking action to improve other people's?
He takes another drink and carries on his systematic deconstruction of all Blaine's lies.
Micky: You called me disrespectful, yet you're the guy who came out name-calling and throwing around insults. Didn't you fella? All I wanted to do was put on a great fight for the fans and maybe go for a drink with you afterwards to show that there were no hard feelings. Unfortunately I'm gonna have to take back my offer lad. This week I will show your "Metal Heart" for what it is, a ball of rust and darkness, created by all your lies and deceit. This week in Transylvania…
Alyson: Pennsylvania…
Micky: Same difference. This week in Pennsylvania I will do the same thing I have done at our last 7 encounters Blaine, I will introduce you to the Traveller's Knee, and tie you up in a Celtic Knot. And when you tap out, the whole world will know the truth, that there is only one coward in that ring, and it sure as hell isn't Micky O'Reilly.
Micky takes one last gulp from his bottle, finishing it off, and pulls a letter from his pocket.
Micky: Now on to more important things, more important people. People that matter…
Alyson: Nice burn, keep going…
Micky: Now onto everybody's favourite deceiver and company man, Mike Hopkins. I received a letter yesterday saying that I can't touch you. In my own professional opinion, and the opinion of my twenty man legal team, you are quite clearly being unfairly endorsed by the FGA management. They seem intent on protecting you from the embarrassment of being defeated in fair combat by a devout pacifist. In essence, they are trying to make you look good. I dare say that if you had beaten me, after jumping me with your four minders, they wouldn't have signed this order of non-violence. However I want you to know, as certain as death, taxes and mountain lions in Brooklyn, I will have my day. And when it comes, may God have mercy on your sins.
The scene fades to black as Micky turns his back on the camera and starts working the punchbag.
Jamie: Why don't we have a dare?
Micky: What sort of dare?
Jamie looked around for a moment before pointing at a buoy about twenty-five metres out at sea.
Jamie: I dare you to swim over to there and climb on top of it.
Micky: But my dad says I'm not to swim out past where I can stand up.
Jamie: Chicken!
He splashed water at me and threw the ball at my head. I grabbed him around the waist and swung him to the ground, dunking his head under the water.
Micky: Am not!
Jamie: Do it then, or are you scared?
Micky: Fine.
I pushed his head under water again and started swimming out. I swam for a couple of minutes, struggling all the way because I wasn't very good at it. All of a sudden my right seized up in pain, cramp.
I started to turn to go back but I couldn't keep my head up. The salt water started splashing up into my face, stinging my eyes and going up my nose. I panicked. I started shouting and waving my arms, forgetting to try to stay afloat. I started inhaling water and my head went under the waves. I bobbed back up briefly, unable to see anything through my irritated eyes. I heard my dad's voice shouting my name.
Tommy: Micky! Someone help him…
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
…Please!
I started choking, drawing in air but unable to breathe, someone rolled me onto my side.
Neil: That's it, bring it all up. Good man.
I rolled onto my hands and knees, still choking but breathing again. My lungs felt like they were on fire and my head was spinning and pounding at the same. I vomited just as someone dropped to their knees beside me, rubbing my back.
Alyson: Oh thank God. Thank you Neil.
Alyson and Neil were here? This didn't happen back in my memory. I threw up again. That's right, this was real life now, not some childhood memory.
I pushed myself back onto my knees, leaning my head back to take in as much air as possible, it hurt but it was better.
Neil: How are you feeling buddy?
Micky: Like a drowned rat.
Neil let out a chuckle. It was true though. I was soaking wet, my hair and clothes were plastered to my body and I could taste chemicals along with the contents of my stomach, mostly of an alcoholic nature.
Micky: Who jumped me?
Neil: Uh no one Micky. I heard Aly screaming for help so I came running and you were face down at the bottom of your swimming pool. We managed to drag you out…
Micky: What do you mean my swimming pool?
Neil: I mean your swimming pool, the one in your back yard.
Micky: But I don't have a back yard.
Neil: What? Of course you do. You're probably still a bit messed up. Anyway, we dragged you out and I gave you CPR until you came round.
Alyson: He saved your life Micky.
Neil: Well, if Aly hadn't seen you fall in I dread to think what could have happened. Do you want me to call you an ambulance?
I rose unsteadily to my feet with Alyson's help.
Micky: No, I'll be alright boss.
Neil: Really? Are you sure?
I started walking towards the house with Alyson's guidance. It was dark, obviously night time, the only illumination coming from an open door and lights in the bottom of the pool.
Micky: I'm sure fella, I think I'll just have a whiskey to settle my nerves and go to bed.
Neil: Well, take care of yourself. If you need anything just bang on the door and I'll do what I can.
Alyson: Good night Neil, thank you so much, if there's anything I can do…
Neil: Don't worry about it, anybody would have done the same. Just worry about him for now.
He patted me on the shoulder and turned away, walking down a side passage.
Micky: How did I end up in there?
We stepped through the doorway and into the gym. Huh, I'd always wondered where that door led to, some kind of women-only area I'd assumed, like a cleaning cupboard or something.
Alyson: You were singing me a traditional Irish song by the pool, you stepped back and slipped in. Christ, I was so worried. I thought you were going to die.
She guided me to the weights bench, passing me an old towel and my workout clothes to change into, and went into the kitchen, coming back 20 seconds later with a glass of Jamesons.
Alyson: Here, it'll warm you up.
I knocked it back in one, wishing that she'd brought the bottle in. I dried myself quickly, not bothering with the change of clothes, and headed upstairs with Alyson. I felt like shit and was serious about going to bed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I woke up early, a coughing fit jolting me from rest. I got out of bed quietly, got dressed and headed downstairs. I went into the kitchen and poured a glass of whiskey, it would help numb my still sore lungs. I walked out of the back door and was surprised to see that the garden was still there. Maybe it had been put in after I'd arrived, it all seemed a bit suspicious to me.
I looked around. The whole area was about 30 metres by 15, the majority of which was taken up by an algae covered pool but there was also a punchbag hanging from the wall of the house. I went back inside and into the living room, pouring another drink on my way. There was a pile of mail on the coffee table, mostly advertising leaflets and takeaway menu's, but a letter in John's handwriting caught my eye.
Micky,
Don't forget your fight in Pennsylvania this week, I've organised transport so it'll be impossible for you to miss it. You're fighting a guy called Blaine Harrison, he likes to go by the title "Metal Heart". He's not bad but very hit and miss, you shouldn't have any problems but make sure you bring your A game just to be sure. Also I've had word that you and Tomkins aren't allowed near each other, he probably made a complaint like a little bitch, if you break the rules you could get fired and I've got a lot riding on you so don't let him get to you.
John.
Another fight? But I must have only had one just last night, otherwise why would my chest hurt? Ah well, I could handle it, after all I was the most celebrated wrestler in FGA history.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The scene opens in Micky's back yard, he is stood next to a red punchbag wearing his ring attire and a set of black boxer's hand wraps. He is looking down at the floor.
Alyson: Ok you're on.
Micky slowly raises his head, staring deep into the camera.
Micky: Last week Blaine Harrison made some pretty serious comments about me. He made remarks that, to be perfectly honest, I found hurtful and misrepresentative of my true nature. I'd like to address them.
Micky turns and starts pacing back and forth in front of the punch bag, talking mostly to floor but looking up into the camera every now and again for effect.
Micky: First off, and this was the main thing that upset me, he called me a coward. Me of all people. The only man in the FGA to have entered into a Triple Threat Match and emerged victorious. The only man to have held the FGA Heavyweight, Hardcore and Magnificus titles all at the same time. The man who saved him from a onslaught of deranged weasels when he took the wrong door at a petting zoo. He claimed that I jumped an exhausted Hopkins and then repeated it again a week later, that's not the way I remember it. You need to check up on your facts Blaine. The way I remember it, the first week was payback after Hopkins ran me down in his car in a jealous rage when he saw how good looking I am, and the second week he called me out. It was self-defence.
Micky reaches down and swigs from a half empty bottle of whiskey, choosing to hold on to it rather than put it back.
Micky: Medication folks. Secondly the "Metal Heart" said that I was lacking in morals and ethics. Hah! Tell me, did you not see that video I released last week? The one that quite clearly showed me volunteering in a shelter for abandoned animals, feeding milk to a frail little lizard…
Alyson: Kitten...
Micky: That too. And did you also miss the part where I was helping to build a housing project for the homeless? That really speaks of bad morals and poor ethics doesn't it? Tell me, when was the last time you put the needy first? When was the last time you stopped thinking about where you could get yourself in life and started taking action to improve other people's?
He takes another drink and carries on his systematic deconstruction of all Blaine's lies.
Micky: You called me disrespectful, yet you're the guy who came out name-calling and throwing around insults. Didn't you fella? All I wanted to do was put on a great fight for the fans and maybe go for a drink with you afterwards to show that there were no hard feelings. Unfortunately I'm gonna have to take back my offer lad. This week I will show your "Metal Heart" for what it is, a ball of rust and darkness, created by all your lies and deceit. This week in Transylvania…
Alyson: Pennsylvania…
Micky: Same difference. This week in Pennsylvania I will do the same thing I have done at our last 7 encounters Blaine, I will introduce you to the Traveller's Knee, and tie you up in a Celtic Knot. And when you tap out, the whole world will know the truth, that there is only one coward in that ring, and it sure as hell isn't Micky O'Reilly.
Micky takes one last gulp from his bottle, finishing it off, and pulls a letter from his pocket.
Micky: Now on to more important things, more important people. People that matter…
Alyson: Nice burn, keep going…
Micky: Now onto everybody's favourite deceiver and company man, Mike Hopkins. I received a letter yesterday saying that I can't touch you. In my own professional opinion, and the opinion of my twenty man legal team, you are quite clearly being unfairly endorsed by the FGA management. They seem intent on protecting you from the embarrassment of being defeated in fair combat by a devout pacifist. In essence, they are trying to make you look good. I dare say that if you had beaten me, after jumping me with your four minders, they wouldn't have signed this order of non-violence. However I want you to know, as certain as death, taxes and mountain lions in Brooklyn, I will have my day. And when it comes, may God have mercy on your sins.
The scene fades to black as Micky turns his back on the camera and starts working the punchbag.
