One Step Beyond
Mar 27, 2012 14:35:41 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2012 14:35:41 GMT -5
Sunday, March 25, 2012
You are inclined to be aggressive and hot-tempered now, particularly when your will is blocked. Your pushiness or competitive attitude is likely to create antagonism, hostility, and further resistance to your efforts. It is best to work alone rather than try to cooperate or coordinate your efforts with anyone at this time. Also, you are impatient and tend to behave in an impulsive, irritable way which makes you more prone to accidents during this period.
"Big wheels keep on turning,
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the Southland
I miss Alabama once again
And I think it's a sin, yes"
Somehow we, myself, Dianna and Jenny have ended up at a bar that insists on playing Lynyrd Skynyrd songs all night. Anywhere but Zelo's is all I can say. It's been a long day of training; with big matches against Preston Blake in FGA and Kit Kelsey in PSW coming up, I'm working a bit harder to be in better shape than usual. Than ever. One night out, a few bourbon and cokes to take the edge off, that should help. Unfortunately I broke the seal and am now on my third toilet break of the evening. Standing at the urinals in the strange wood-panelled bathroom looking at the cross stitch confederate flag hanging on the wall above me.
Stranger
Hey, you're Blaine Harrison ain't ya?
Blaine Harrison
Yes...
Stranger
I've been a big fan of yours since Saints Haven!
Blaine Harrison
That's great.
He's not even using the bathroom. He appears to have just drunkenly stumbled in here and found it appropriate to strike up a conversation with me while I'm taking a piss. I finally button up my jeans flies and turn around to leave the urinal but he's blocking my path.
Blaine Harrison
Excuse me.
I say as I try to pass, instead he offers me a handshake. I haven't washed, I'm hesitant to accept.
Stranger
It'd sure be an honor to shake your hand
Blaine Harrison
Get the f### out of my way!
I say as I push past the man, accidentally knocking him flat on his ass on the wet bathroom floor. God I hope it's only water.
"Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you"
Meanwhile, at the bar, Dianna and Jenny are making conversation. As the designated driver for the evening Dianna is only on soft drinks, Jenny on the other hand has decided to let her hair down. Wearing some tight jeans and a black and white checkered shirt, Jenny seems to fit in with the other patrons. Dianna opted to wear a white vest and chino pants. Hey, I'm not dating her for her dress sense.
Jenny
Do you want another drink?
Dianna
No thanks, I'm only half way through this one.
Says Dianna as she holds up her three quarter full glass of diet coke. Jenny shrugs her off and orders another vodka lime and lemonade from the bar. She gets served promptly, probably because of the cleavage she's showing and the barman's interest in her.
Dianna
Have I shown you the necklace that Ben bought me last week?
Jenny drunkenly rolls her eyes as she knows where this conversation is going. Plus she's already seen it, she helped me pick it out. Dianna fingers the sterling silver heart shaped pendant I bought for her as a way of apologising for drunkenly flirting with Tiffani Michaels on Twitter. Nothing like a monetary gesture when seeking forgiveness.
Jenny
That's very pretty. Any special occasion?
Dianna
Just a way for him to say he's sorry for something stupid he did.
Jenny bites her tongue; she was going to make some smart-ass comment about how Dianna must have a box full of jewellery that I've bought for her but decided against it before it was too late.
Dianna
But it's just sooo gorgeous, I couldn't stay mad at him after he bought me this! And he's taking me to Disneyland when he gets back from Virginia next week. He's, like, the best boyfriend I've ever had!
Jenny
Ha!
Dianna
What's so funny?
Jenny
Nothing, sorry. Ignore me, I'm drunk...
She takes another mouthful of her vodka cocktail, but Dianna presses her for information; she's assumed the cross armed pose of an angry woman, glaring at Jenny who suddenly gets all defensive. She throws up her hands, spilling a bit of her drink over the back of a man wearing plaid who, fortunately, is a little too inebriated to notice the wet patch.
Jenny
It's nothing, honest.
Dianna
No, you totally know something! Tell me.
Jenny
Di, it's not anything. I just wouldn't fall in love with him too much, I don't want to see you get hurt is all...
Dianna
Oh my GOD! You want him for yourself, don't you?
Jenny
So he can cheat on me? F### no!
Jenny immediately realises what she's said (a lie no less, we were on a break!) as Dianna's eyes widen in shock. She believes what she just heard; why wouldn't she when the information is coming from my close friend, my valet, the woman who's living in my home, a woman whom I have known for years. Her first reaction is to drop her glass of coke, spilling the sticky liquid all over hers and Jenny's boots. Followed by a defiant arm gesture indicating she is displeased with the situation and finally storming out of the bar before any other patrons notice the mini-scene she just made. Jenny stands there in shock, hand over mouth, wondering whether she is angrier with herself than I will be with her when I find out what she's done.
"Now Muscle Shoals has got the swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two (yes, they do!)
Lord, they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue, now how about you?"
The man gets up off the bathroom floor as I'm washing my hands. He pushes me; I fall over the sink a little bit but am able to get my hands down before I fly head first into the mirror. Urgh, I can feel the wet patches on my back from where his hands were.
Stranger
What's your problem?
Blaine Harrison
I don't like talking to people when I'm taking a piss.
He squares up to me, pushing his forehead against mine; he must be giving up three inches in height, fifty pounds in weight and God knows what else. Dutch courage, that he has buckets of.
Stranger
I was just saying I'm a fan of yours, there's no need to be such a c### 'bout it!
I cannot be bothered with this. I take a deep breath and go to walk away out of the bathroom when he pushes me from behind, catching me off guard and sending me into the door. On instinct I swing around and land a right hook square on his cheek bone. He goes down like a sack of potatoes as the bouncer runs into the room and sees me standing over my prone foe. He promptly grabs me by the collar and 'escorts' me from the bathroom, through the crowd of drunken Skynyrd fans and out the front door and onto State Street.
Blaine Harrison
Goddamnit...
I say as Jenny appears in the door way. She looks a little upset but I'm busy rooting around in my pants pocket for my cell phone, which just beeped with a text message. 'Emerald Eyes' by Pierre LaFontaine sounds so I know that it's Dianna texting me.
'U bastard'
"Sweet home Alabama, oh, sweet home baby
Where the skies are so blue and the governor's true
Sweet home Alabama, Lordy
Lord, I'm coming home to you, yeah yeah
Montgomery's got the answer"
Monday, March 26, 2012
Friendships and cooperative endeavours flourish now. You achieve a harmonious balance of giving and receiving and of talking and listening, and any social or joint activity will benefit.
There'll be no joint activity today. The only social activity I can muster the enthusiasm for is what I'm about to do - cut a promo for 'Spring Breakage' and my upcoming title defense against Preston Blake. And after having found my way to a local gym, one with a wrestling ring no less, I'm ready to do just that. It's only five in the morning so the gym is not yet open; I have an understanding with the owner, I can occasionally use the gym for these purposes and he can use my face and name to promote his business locally. It's even drawn some local kids in thinking that they might get to see me.
Blaine Harrison
So, my first title defense as the FRONTIER Grappling Arts Heavyweight Champion...
I say as I prowl around the outside of the ring. The sun hasn't risen yet so the room is illuminated by the lights high above me. They cause the title belt on my shoulder to sparkle; the polish job I did on it before I came here helps too.
Blaine Harrison
Some would call me lucky to be in this position. People like yourself, Preston. Or Micky O'Reilly or Jared James. The fortunate few who have beaten me.
I climb up the ring steps and enter the ring, standing in the corner wearing my ring attire. Black shorts with the purple trim, matching knee pads and black boots with purple kick pads. My wrists are taped up, the only anomaly is that I'm wearing a black 'FGA' t-shirt that a few hundred fans have picked up from the merchandise booths at any of our shows. Myself included. There's a smile on my face as I stare out across the ring.
Blaine Harrison
To those people I say this: I earned this belt through heart and sheer determination. I worked my way through the ranks of FRONTIER defeating Evan Bodom, Elliot Black and Jack Flener to earn my title shot. I got to the semi-finals at 'A New Odyssey' just like you did, Preston, only to find myself on the losing end to Jared James. And then fate intervened, JJ went AWOL and I got pushed up from number two to be the number one contender for Michael Tomkins's title ... Yeah, I guess you can call that a stroke a luck. Divine intervention. Whatever you want to call it. And on that night when I got the chance to challenge Michael Tomkins, March 7th in Huntington, Virgina ... Was that luck?
A glance down at the cameraman who is still standing outside the ring; I shake my head, answering my own question.
Blaine Harrison
That wasn't luck. Ask Tomkins, I bested him that night. For the first time in his eight matches, someone finally got the better of 'The Rogue'. And if you ask the fans they'll tell you I deserved it too. So when I stand before you as the FGA Heavyweight Champion, as the man who in a few days time on March 30th in Salem, Virgina is set to defend this very belt--
I say as I pat the belt's golden plate.
Blaine Harrison
--I rightfully deserve to be there! And deep down, Preston ... deep, deep down you know that's true. You're not amongst the Johnny Braves and Sean Fallons of the world, people who think that I'm a shine boy or that I got lucky in "one match". Witty insults, I know. You can look at me and you can see the man you defeated a few weeks ago in Newark. I don't feel the need to defend myself from that one--
Pointing out that Chandler Scott pinned Jared James and that the victorious fall involved neither myself nor Preston doesn't seem to have stopped him from holding that match over me before, why should he start now?
Blaine Harrison
--I let myself and my fans down on that night. But I've got the resilience to bounce back. I took that defeat, I took the verbal jabs you threw my way and I used them to do what nobody thought I could! I guess I should say thank you...
I crouch down in the corner as the cameraman climbs the ring steps and enters the ring just like I did a couple of minutes ago. He kneels down facing me, capturing that sly smile on my face, remnant of the joke I just made.
Blaine Harrison
What was it you said at the event centre two weeks ago, Preston? You don't like me. You don't respect me. You don't see me as a threat. You don't take me seriously...
I have to bite my bottom lip; my brow furrows as I glare at the camera. I have to assume that these words were supposed to rile me up, if so, Preston was successful.
Blaine Harrison
Fine. I don't need you to like me - there are hundreds of fans who fill the venues every show who cheer me on, who wear my t-shirts, who show signs of support for me. I don't need you to respect me - the same fans fill that quota too. And the wrestlers I've faced in that ring, whether or not I beat them, they tend to respect me when all is said and done. I can probably guarantee that after 'Spring Breakage' is over, Preston, when you look up from that mat after I've driven you head first into the canvas just like I did Michael Tomkins, then you might feel an ounce of respect for me. When I have proven to you that I am not only the better wrestler but, in fact, the better man out of the two of us. Possibly. You can underestimate me, be just like Tomkins and the rest of them. Don't see me as a threat, I don't mind. I've spent my whole career with people looking down on me just like that ... You see, I stand before you as the FGA Heavyweight Champion, as one half of the PSW Tag Team Champions. If you don't see me as a threat, as a serious contender now then you never will. You can join the ranks of Johnny Brave and Sean Fallon, as one of the people who will never, ever be the one to take this belt from me!
Another pause; I try to remove the angry look from my face before it becomes a permanent feature.
Blaine Harrison
And as I told you at the event centre two weeks ago, Preston. At 'Spring Breakage' it'll be you and me, one-on-one in that squared circle. I'll be going to that ring on my own. Solo. There's not going to be any Jared James to weigh me down. No Chandler Scott to aid you. No Jenny in my corner. It'll be just the way I like it. Because since you last got a victory over me I have become better than I have ever been. I'm stronger than I was when you robbed me of victory against Micky O'Reilly. I'm more resilient than when I defeated Michael Tomkins. I'm just better than I was last week against Nic Venum. This week at 'Spring Breakage' I will make reparations to the fans; they will get one hell of a show out of me this time! They can watch the fatal four way match. They can enjoy the street fight. But they are in for an absolute treat when that main event rolls around, Preston. I am going to give every fan in the Salem Civic Center, every fan who buys the DVD, every fan who pirates the show later, I'm going to give them what they want!
Pause.
Blaine Harrison
Look me in the eyes, Preston. I'm ready for this match. I'm ready for you. So trust me when I tell you I will delight every fan by pinning you for that precious three count at 'Spring Breakage' and I will leave Salem as I entered: as the FGA Heavyweight Champion.
I take the belt from my shoulders and hold it in my hands as I stay crouched in the corner of the ring. The golden plate glitters in the light causing me to smile once again; the cameraman stops recording at this point, leaving anyone watching with the visual of me smiling down at the belt. I breathe a sigh of relief but the cameraman pipes up with a question.
Cameraman
Hey, Blaine, what did you mean when you said Jenny won't be in your corner this week?
I look up at him with a blank expression on my face.
Blaine Harrison
Uh, she handed in her resignation last night...
Cameraman
That's a shame...
"Handed in her resignation". I replay the expression in my head as I remember the happenings of Saturday night/Sunday morning.
Dianna isn't answering her phone, not replying to my texts. I don't understand why she appears to have left the bar abruptly and called me a bastard. Regardless, it's ruined my night and Jenny and I have returned home so I can drink a glass of water and try to get a good nights sleep.
Jenny
Are you alright?
Blaine Harrison
Confused.
Jenny has been quiet since we left the bar, silent the whole cab ride home. Then again so was I. But I was deep in thought as to what the hell I done wrong this time, had Dianna seen me being a jackass in the bathroom and thought I should have handled it better? No, she wouldn't go in there. Had I forgotten something? Her birthday isn't until August, our anniversary is five months away.
Jenny
She's probably just ... I don't know.
Blaine Harrison
Did she say anything? It's not like her to just up and leave like that.
She hesitates.
Jenny
I may--
My ears prick up.
Jenny
-- have said something I shouldn't--
A scowl crosses my face as I glare at Jenny; she stands petrified like a deer in headlights.
Blaine Harrison
What? What did you say!?
She doesn't answer. She can't. Mainly because I've got my arm across her throat, pinning her against the wall. There's fear in her eyes; Jenny starts crying as she gasps for air and the sense of déjà vu kicks in. The memories of that Valentine's Day two years ago are brought to the forefront of my mind; the few pieces of that night I can remember are the memories that haunt me at night. They're the reason I sometimes wake up in with sweat stains soaked into my sheets, surrounding my foetal shaped body. The reason I lost everything I held dear. My fiancée, my unborn son. My life. All gone in one mad moment, one instance of blind rage. I can't repeat those actions. I can't go through anything even close to resembling that ever again. Immediately I release her and hold my hands to my face, backing away from her as utter shame envelops my soul at the thought of my actions. Jenny slaps me. Once, twice and a third time before she falls to her knees, crying. I take a step back.
Blaine Harrison
Sorry...
I say weakly.
Jenny
You bastard!
Blaine Harrison
I'm sorry...
Louder this time. It's not enough to stop her crying, I don't know the words that could make up for what I've just done. There's a long silence between us. The sound of the clock on the mantelpiece ticking by fills the void as Jenny's sobs begin to fade. She finally looks up me, her mascara running down her cheeks from the tears as she speaks.
Jenny
I'm sorry ... I told her about you and Tiffani...
You bitch! I stare in disbelief as Jenny reveals her betrayal. My heart sinks in my chest as I contemplate what this means for me; I've grown to need Dianna in my life, to love her for herself and I don't want—nay, I can't have that taken away from me because someone got too drunk to keep a damn secret. My fists clench. The rage inside me is building. A swirling vortex of anger, selfish cogitations and depressive deductions grows within my chest.
Blaine Harrison
I want you gone by the time I get back. Then I never want to see you again.
Jenny
But...
Blaine Harrison
No! You're out of my life!
I state before marching past her slowing only to grab my keys from the hook by the door. I'm going to go to a friend's house. Sleep this off. I close the front door behind me and lock it as I walk off down the street into the Santa Barbara night. This is most certainly not what I need ahead of some of the biggest matches in my career.
Blaine Harrison
This is what I get for letting people in...
You are inclined to be aggressive and hot-tempered now, particularly when your will is blocked. Your pushiness or competitive attitude is likely to create antagonism, hostility, and further resistance to your efforts. It is best to work alone rather than try to cooperate or coordinate your efforts with anyone at this time. Also, you are impatient and tend to behave in an impulsive, irritable way which makes you more prone to accidents during this period.
"Big wheels keep on turning,
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the Southland
I miss Alabama once again
And I think it's a sin, yes"
Somehow we, myself, Dianna and Jenny have ended up at a bar that insists on playing Lynyrd Skynyrd songs all night. Anywhere but Zelo's is all I can say. It's been a long day of training; with big matches against Preston Blake in FGA and Kit Kelsey in PSW coming up, I'm working a bit harder to be in better shape than usual. Than ever. One night out, a few bourbon and cokes to take the edge off, that should help. Unfortunately I broke the seal and am now on my third toilet break of the evening. Standing at the urinals in the strange wood-panelled bathroom looking at the cross stitch confederate flag hanging on the wall above me.
Stranger
Hey, you're Blaine Harrison ain't ya?
Blaine Harrison
Yes...
Stranger
I've been a big fan of yours since Saints Haven!
Blaine Harrison
That's great.
He's not even using the bathroom. He appears to have just drunkenly stumbled in here and found it appropriate to strike up a conversation with me while I'm taking a piss. I finally button up my jeans flies and turn around to leave the urinal but he's blocking my path.
Blaine Harrison
Excuse me.
I say as I try to pass, instead he offers me a handshake. I haven't washed, I'm hesitant to accept.
Stranger
It'd sure be an honor to shake your hand
Blaine Harrison
Get the f### out of my way!
I say as I push past the man, accidentally knocking him flat on his ass on the wet bathroom floor. God I hope it's only water.
"Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you"
Meanwhile, at the bar, Dianna and Jenny are making conversation. As the designated driver for the evening Dianna is only on soft drinks, Jenny on the other hand has decided to let her hair down. Wearing some tight jeans and a black and white checkered shirt, Jenny seems to fit in with the other patrons. Dianna opted to wear a white vest and chino pants. Hey, I'm not dating her for her dress sense.
Jenny
Do you want another drink?
Dianna
No thanks, I'm only half way through this one.
Says Dianna as she holds up her three quarter full glass of diet coke. Jenny shrugs her off and orders another vodka lime and lemonade from the bar. She gets served promptly, probably because of the cleavage she's showing and the barman's interest in her.
Dianna
Have I shown you the necklace that Ben bought me last week?
Jenny drunkenly rolls her eyes as she knows where this conversation is going. Plus she's already seen it, she helped me pick it out. Dianna fingers the sterling silver heart shaped pendant I bought for her as a way of apologising for drunkenly flirting with Tiffani Michaels on Twitter. Nothing like a monetary gesture when seeking forgiveness.
Jenny
That's very pretty. Any special occasion?
Dianna
Just a way for him to say he's sorry for something stupid he did.
Jenny bites her tongue; she was going to make some smart-ass comment about how Dianna must have a box full of jewellery that I've bought for her but decided against it before it was too late.
Dianna
But it's just sooo gorgeous, I couldn't stay mad at him after he bought me this! And he's taking me to Disneyland when he gets back from Virginia next week. He's, like, the best boyfriend I've ever had!
Jenny
Ha!
Dianna
What's so funny?
Jenny
Nothing, sorry. Ignore me, I'm drunk...
She takes another mouthful of her vodka cocktail, but Dianna presses her for information; she's assumed the cross armed pose of an angry woman, glaring at Jenny who suddenly gets all defensive. She throws up her hands, spilling a bit of her drink over the back of a man wearing plaid who, fortunately, is a little too inebriated to notice the wet patch.
Jenny
It's nothing, honest.
Dianna
No, you totally know something! Tell me.
Jenny
Di, it's not anything. I just wouldn't fall in love with him too much, I don't want to see you get hurt is all...
Dianna
Oh my GOD! You want him for yourself, don't you?
Jenny
So he can cheat on me? F### no!
Jenny immediately realises what she's said (a lie no less, we were on a break!) as Dianna's eyes widen in shock. She believes what she just heard; why wouldn't she when the information is coming from my close friend, my valet, the woman who's living in my home, a woman whom I have known for years. Her first reaction is to drop her glass of coke, spilling the sticky liquid all over hers and Jenny's boots. Followed by a defiant arm gesture indicating she is displeased with the situation and finally storming out of the bar before any other patrons notice the mini-scene she just made. Jenny stands there in shock, hand over mouth, wondering whether she is angrier with herself than I will be with her when I find out what she's done.
"Now Muscle Shoals has got the swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two (yes, they do!)
Lord, they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue, now how about you?"
The man gets up off the bathroom floor as I'm washing my hands. He pushes me; I fall over the sink a little bit but am able to get my hands down before I fly head first into the mirror. Urgh, I can feel the wet patches on my back from where his hands were.
Stranger
What's your problem?
Blaine Harrison
I don't like talking to people when I'm taking a piss.
He squares up to me, pushing his forehead against mine; he must be giving up three inches in height, fifty pounds in weight and God knows what else. Dutch courage, that he has buckets of.
Stranger
I was just saying I'm a fan of yours, there's no need to be such a c### 'bout it!
I cannot be bothered with this. I take a deep breath and go to walk away out of the bathroom when he pushes me from behind, catching me off guard and sending me into the door. On instinct I swing around and land a right hook square on his cheek bone. He goes down like a sack of potatoes as the bouncer runs into the room and sees me standing over my prone foe. He promptly grabs me by the collar and 'escorts' me from the bathroom, through the crowd of drunken Skynyrd fans and out the front door and onto State Street.
Blaine Harrison
Goddamnit...
I say as Jenny appears in the door way. She looks a little upset but I'm busy rooting around in my pants pocket for my cell phone, which just beeped with a text message. 'Emerald Eyes' by Pierre LaFontaine sounds so I know that it's Dianna texting me.
'U bastard'
"Sweet home Alabama, oh, sweet home baby
Where the skies are so blue and the governor's true
Sweet home Alabama, Lordy
Lord, I'm coming home to you, yeah yeah
Montgomery's got the answer"
Monday, March 26, 2012
Friendships and cooperative endeavours flourish now. You achieve a harmonious balance of giving and receiving and of talking and listening, and any social or joint activity will benefit.
There'll be no joint activity today. The only social activity I can muster the enthusiasm for is what I'm about to do - cut a promo for 'Spring Breakage' and my upcoming title defense against Preston Blake. And after having found my way to a local gym, one with a wrestling ring no less, I'm ready to do just that. It's only five in the morning so the gym is not yet open; I have an understanding with the owner, I can occasionally use the gym for these purposes and he can use my face and name to promote his business locally. It's even drawn some local kids in thinking that they might get to see me.
Blaine Harrison
So, my first title defense as the FRONTIER Grappling Arts Heavyweight Champion...
I say as I prowl around the outside of the ring. The sun hasn't risen yet so the room is illuminated by the lights high above me. They cause the title belt on my shoulder to sparkle; the polish job I did on it before I came here helps too.
Blaine Harrison
Some would call me lucky to be in this position. People like yourself, Preston. Or Micky O'Reilly or Jared James. The fortunate few who have beaten me.
I climb up the ring steps and enter the ring, standing in the corner wearing my ring attire. Black shorts with the purple trim, matching knee pads and black boots with purple kick pads. My wrists are taped up, the only anomaly is that I'm wearing a black 'FGA' t-shirt that a few hundred fans have picked up from the merchandise booths at any of our shows. Myself included. There's a smile on my face as I stare out across the ring.
Blaine Harrison
To those people I say this: I earned this belt through heart and sheer determination. I worked my way through the ranks of FRONTIER defeating Evan Bodom, Elliot Black and Jack Flener to earn my title shot. I got to the semi-finals at 'A New Odyssey' just like you did, Preston, only to find myself on the losing end to Jared James. And then fate intervened, JJ went AWOL and I got pushed up from number two to be the number one contender for Michael Tomkins's title ... Yeah, I guess you can call that a stroke a luck. Divine intervention. Whatever you want to call it. And on that night when I got the chance to challenge Michael Tomkins, March 7th in Huntington, Virgina ... Was that luck?
A glance down at the cameraman who is still standing outside the ring; I shake my head, answering my own question.
Blaine Harrison
That wasn't luck. Ask Tomkins, I bested him that night. For the first time in his eight matches, someone finally got the better of 'The Rogue'. And if you ask the fans they'll tell you I deserved it too. So when I stand before you as the FGA Heavyweight Champion, as the man who in a few days time on March 30th in Salem, Virgina is set to defend this very belt--
I say as I pat the belt's golden plate.
Blaine Harrison
--I rightfully deserve to be there! And deep down, Preston ... deep, deep down you know that's true. You're not amongst the Johnny Braves and Sean Fallons of the world, people who think that I'm a shine boy or that I got lucky in "one match". Witty insults, I know. You can look at me and you can see the man you defeated a few weeks ago in Newark. I don't feel the need to defend myself from that one--
Pointing out that Chandler Scott pinned Jared James and that the victorious fall involved neither myself nor Preston doesn't seem to have stopped him from holding that match over me before, why should he start now?
Blaine Harrison
--I let myself and my fans down on that night. But I've got the resilience to bounce back. I took that defeat, I took the verbal jabs you threw my way and I used them to do what nobody thought I could! I guess I should say thank you...
I crouch down in the corner as the cameraman climbs the ring steps and enters the ring just like I did a couple of minutes ago. He kneels down facing me, capturing that sly smile on my face, remnant of the joke I just made.
Blaine Harrison
What was it you said at the event centre two weeks ago, Preston? You don't like me. You don't respect me. You don't see me as a threat. You don't take me seriously...
I have to bite my bottom lip; my brow furrows as I glare at the camera. I have to assume that these words were supposed to rile me up, if so, Preston was successful.
Blaine Harrison
Fine. I don't need you to like me - there are hundreds of fans who fill the venues every show who cheer me on, who wear my t-shirts, who show signs of support for me. I don't need you to respect me - the same fans fill that quota too. And the wrestlers I've faced in that ring, whether or not I beat them, they tend to respect me when all is said and done. I can probably guarantee that after 'Spring Breakage' is over, Preston, when you look up from that mat after I've driven you head first into the canvas just like I did Michael Tomkins, then you might feel an ounce of respect for me. When I have proven to you that I am not only the better wrestler but, in fact, the better man out of the two of us. Possibly. You can underestimate me, be just like Tomkins and the rest of them. Don't see me as a threat, I don't mind. I've spent my whole career with people looking down on me just like that ... You see, I stand before you as the FGA Heavyweight Champion, as one half of the PSW Tag Team Champions. If you don't see me as a threat, as a serious contender now then you never will. You can join the ranks of Johnny Brave and Sean Fallon, as one of the people who will never, ever be the one to take this belt from me!
Another pause; I try to remove the angry look from my face before it becomes a permanent feature.
Blaine Harrison
And as I told you at the event centre two weeks ago, Preston. At 'Spring Breakage' it'll be you and me, one-on-one in that squared circle. I'll be going to that ring on my own. Solo. There's not going to be any Jared James to weigh me down. No Chandler Scott to aid you. No Jenny in my corner. It'll be just the way I like it. Because since you last got a victory over me I have become better than I have ever been. I'm stronger than I was when you robbed me of victory against Micky O'Reilly. I'm more resilient than when I defeated Michael Tomkins. I'm just better than I was last week against Nic Venum. This week at 'Spring Breakage' I will make reparations to the fans; they will get one hell of a show out of me this time! They can watch the fatal four way match. They can enjoy the street fight. But they are in for an absolute treat when that main event rolls around, Preston. I am going to give every fan in the Salem Civic Center, every fan who buys the DVD, every fan who pirates the show later, I'm going to give them what they want!
Pause.
Blaine Harrison
Look me in the eyes, Preston. I'm ready for this match. I'm ready for you. So trust me when I tell you I will delight every fan by pinning you for that precious three count at 'Spring Breakage' and I will leave Salem as I entered: as the FGA Heavyweight Champion.
I take the belt from my shoulders and hold it in my hands as I stay crouched in the corner of the ring. The golden plate glitters in the light causing me to smile once again; the cameraman stops recording at this point, leaving anyone watching with the visual of me smiling down at the belt. I breathe a sigh of relief but the cameraman pipes up with a question.
Cameraman
Hey, Blaine, what did you mean when you said Jenny won't be in your corner this week?
I look up at him with a blank expression on my face.
Blaine Harrison
Uh, she handed in her resignation last night...
Cameraman
That's a shame...
"Handed in her resignation". I replay the expression in my head as I remember the happenings of Saturday night/Sunday morning.
Dianna isn't answering her phone, not replying to my texts. I don't understand why she appears to have left the bar abruptly and called me a bastard. Regardless, it's ruined my night and Jenny and I have returned home so I can drink a glass of water and try to get a good nights sleep.
Jenny
Are you alright?
Blaine Harrison
Confused.
Jenny has been quiet since we left the bar, silent the whole cab ride home. Then again so was I. But I was deep in thought as to what the hell I done wrong this time, had Dianna seen me being a jackass in the bathroom and thought I should have handled it better? No, she wouldn't go in there. Had I forgotten something? Her birthday isn't until August, our anniversary is five months away.
Jenny
She's probably just ... I don't know.
Blaine Harrison
Did she say anything? It's not like her to just up and leave like that.
She hesitates.
Jenny
I may--
My ears prick up.
Jenny
-- have said something I shouldn't--
A scowl crosses my face as I glare at Jenny; she stands petrified like a deer in headlights.
Blaine Harrison
What? What did you say!?
She doesn't answer. She can't. Mainly because I've got my arm across her throat, pinning her against the wall. There's fear in her eyes; Jenny starts crying as she gasps for air and the sense of déjà vu kicks in. The memories of that Valentine's Day two years ago are brought to the forefront of my mind; the few pieces of that night I can remember are the memories that haunt me at night. They're the reason I sometimes wake up in with sweat stains soaked into my sheets, surrounding my foetal shaped body. The reason I lost everything I held dear. My fiancée, my unborn son. My life. All gone in one mad moment, one instance of blind rage. I can't repeat those actions. I can't go through anything even close to resembling that ever again. Immediately I release her and hold my hands to my face, backing away from her as utter shame envelops my soul at the thought of my actions. Jenny slaps me. Once, twice and a third time before she falls to her knees, crying. I take a step back.
Blaine Harrison
Sorry...
I say weakly.
Jenny
You bastard!
Blaine Harrison
I'm sorry...
Louder this time. It's not enough to stop her crying, I don't know the words that could make up for what I've just done. There's a long silence between us. The sound of the clock on the mantelpiece ticking by fills the void as Jenny's sobs begin to fade. She finally looks up me, her mascara running down her cheeks from the tears as she speaks.
Jenny
I'm sorry ... I told her about you and Tiffani...
You bitch! I stare in disbelief as Jenny reveals her betrayal. My heart sinks in my chest as I contemplate what this means for me; I've grown to need Dianna in my life, to love her for herself and I don't want—nay, I can't have that taken away from me because someone got too drunk to keep a damn secret. My fists clench. The rage inside me is building. A swirling vortex of anger, selfish cogitations and depressive deductions grows within my chest.
Blaine Harrison
I want you gone by the time I get back. Then I never want to see you again.
Jenny
But...
Blaine Harrison
No! You're out of my life!
I state before marching past her slowing only to grab my keys from the hook by the door. I'm going to go to a friend's house. Sleep this off. I close the front door behind me and lock it as I walk off down the street into the Santa Barbara night. This is most certainly not what I need ahead of some of the biggest matches in my career.
Blaine Harrison
This is what I get for letting people in...