James Edwards is already in the ring when the show comes back from commercial.ropes.The Burning Heart isn’t dressed for a promotion event. He’s got on old jeans, a black Columbia hiking jacket and a Pittsburgh Pirates cap jammed so tight on his head you can barely see his eyes. He stands awkwardly in the corner closest to the announce table, impatiently tapping his fingers on the ring ropes like he’s ready to get the hell out of Oregon and back to his fight camp.
Spencer Burke makes his way into the ring from near the announce table, and stands in the center until…
"Can You Feel It?"
"Can You Feel It?"
"Can You Feel It?"
The beat of "Can you feel it?" kicks in, and the crowd bursts into cheers, knowing who is about to arrive. The funky beat quickly spreads through the arena, and the crowd begins stomping and clapping along as the song begins. The lights in the arena dim, with pink and gold spotlights swirling around the arena.
"If you look around
The whole world is coming together now...baby...""Can You Feel It?"
"Can You Feel It?"
"Can You Feel It?!"
The crowd is getting heavily into the song, and as the Jacksons sing the title of the song, the lights in the arena bump brighter and brighter.
Feel it in the air, the wind is taking it everywhere..."Can You Feel It?"
"Can You Feel It?"
"Can You Feel It?!"
On the third one, A spotlight and the camera focuses in on the emerging figure of Fujiko Mine, who stands at the top of the ramp, away from her normal crowd entrance. She stands with a Lowri Moss shirt on her form, the FGA World championship over her left shoulder. Fujiko keeps her movements a bit reserved, but it is clear she is enjoying the music as the crowd is. She begins to make her way down the ramp, slapping hands of the nearby fans.
J.A Aldridge: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the FGA World champion, Fujiko Mine!!
She quickly runs up the ring steps, then steps through the ropes.
"Now, tell me...""Can You Feel It?"
"Can You Feel It?"
"Can You Feel It?!"
Fujiko strides to the center of the ring, hoisting the FGA championship high into the air, with the fans in the Matthew Knight Arena cheering wildly for the Apex Goddess. She poses near the ropes, egging on the crowd for a bit until the music dies down. Fujiko chooses to lean herself in a nearby corner, and she is given a microphone from a stagehand as she glances over at her opponent for Grapple Kingdom III.
Edwards keeps his eyes focused on Burke. He keeps lounging in his corner, waiting on his summons to the microphone, hoping that Fujiko will go first and talk like he knows she enjoys. Neither the champion or the de facto master of ceremonies grant the stay of execution he covets. So he meanders to the middle of the ring, hands in his pockets, eyes on the ground. He nods at Burke to fire away.
Spencer Burke: James, we haven’t seen or heard much from you except for a few videos from your fight camp, how have you been holding up?
Edwards shrugs.
James Edwards: About the same as always, man, just trying to keep my head above water.
Burke side-eyes The Burning Heart.
Spencer Burker: That’s it?
Edwards shrugs again.
James Edwards: That’s it, man. Y’all have seen what I do every day. I get up, I train and I talk to the folks that come to film me.
Spencer Burke: Is there anything you want to say to the fans?
James Edwards: Not really.
By this point, Burke is clearly agitated with Edwards.
Spencer Burke: You do realize you have a match that you need to convince people to purchase don’t you?
Edwards scoffs.
James Edwards: The office wanted me to show up and answer a few questions tonight, aight’, they didn’t say I had to tell you my life story, Spencer. Besides, people ain’t here to see me, they’re here to see her.
Edwards gestures back to the champ. Fujiko can’t help but roll her eyes as she hears what James has said. She ignores the beginnings of a chant for her and sighs before speaking up.
Fujiko Mine: I think you have a bit of a different idea about what it means to hold this championship in 2020, James.
She pinches the bridge of her nose with her free hand for a moment and then directs that same hand in a two-finger point at her challenger.
Fujiko Mine: Do you
want to fight me, or not? Because right now you seem like you’d rather be sitting on a log in the woods, grumbling about modern technology. Because believe it or not, James? This is part of the gig. Holding this title is more than just getting to proclaim you’re the best. It’s being the face of the company. And that...that includes chatting with our good buddy Spencer, here.
Edwards snatches Burke’s microphone out of his hand. He paces back and forth for a moment holding up a finger, commanding the attention of his opponent and the crowd, before lounging back in his corner.
James Edwards: You trying to get a rise outta’ me?
Fujiko smirks before hiding it behind a raised microphone
Fujiko Mine: If all it takes to get a rise out of you is to tell you to lay off Spencer when he’s trying to do his job and ask you your thoughts, then sure. I’m trying to get a rise out of you, James. Honestly? No. I’m not trying. I’m succeeding.
She tips the microphone James’ way.
Fujiko Mine: I know your new thing is charging people to hear your thoughts, but outside of the small circle of people you let come to your camp to listen to you, these people want to know what it is you think. Because I’m sure you know this already, but you and I are doing battle at Grapple Kingdom 3 soon...for this.
She grasps the championship on her shoulder.
Fujiko Mine: And you seem to believe that you will be able to take this away from me and become the new FGA World champion. Now whether you just plain don’t want to talk, or it’s part of your strategy? I don’t care. But don’t act like I’m getting some sort of preferential treatment with the crowd, or with anyone when you display that you don’t want to be here.
She shrugs as the crowd ‘oohs’ in her direction. Edwards rubs the bridge of his ball cap, tracing the bright yellow P. He does this for a moment or two longer than expected, drawing boos from the crowd.
James Edwards: I ain’t stallin’ to piss her, or y’all off.
He leans back into the corner.
James Edwards: I was doing my damndest to make sure I found the right words because I want what I’m about to say to stick with everybody here. First off, yeah I don’t wanna be here, because I’ve got work to do. I’ve work to do because I wanna win that thing on your shoulder and people a hell of a lot more talented than me have gotten the job done. That’s a sign of respect in my book, that I take you that seriously I’m putting my life on hold to get ready for this fight. If you can’t see that, that’s on you, not me, Champ. Second thing, who gives a damn what it means to be a champion in 2020? I guarantee you most people in this audience don’t care about what a champion is supposed to be. I’m pretty sure most of them are tired of being told of what they gotta be to fit in, just like I am. So what if I don’t like to talk in public all the time, how many of y’all hate doing it too?
He gestures toward the crowd and gets a nice cheer.
James Edwards: That’s what I thought. I’ve got another question, how many of y’all wanna just do your jobs and be left alone?
The Eugene crowd gives him another cheer.
James Edwards: Well that’s me too. I like what I do for a living and I’m a private person. If I wanna sit in the woods after I fight, that’s my business and no offense, but ain’t any of anyone else’s.
Fujiko waits a moment, as if she is getting clearance to speak.
Fujiko Mine: You got that all out?
She pauses for a moment, and then looks out at the crowd, turning her back to The Burning Heart.
Fujiko Mine: This is typical James Edwards for y’all. Never seeing the forest for the trees. First, you
now have respect for me? After you told all these people that I didn’t deserve to be vying for the Pride title, and I proved you wrong? After I beat you, and you
still told people I didn’t deserve it? Now that I’ve done that, won the Pride title, and then came through to win the top gold? Now you want to show respect? Pssh.
She shakes her head, still looking out at the crowd.
Fujiko Mine: Just remember James, the Goddess never forgets a slight. But let’s put that aside for a moment. You just told me, to my face, that you put your life on hold. As if that’s some sort of accomplishment worth mentioning.
She turns to face him again, eyes narrowed slightly.
Fujiko Mine: I put my life on hold for THIS, James.
She raises the championship in the air, keeping it there.
Fujiko Mine: Since the moment the referee’s hand hit three last year, my life has been on hold. Since I left The Fiserv Forum with this in my possession last year, my life has been put on hold. Friends, family, my hobbies? This title does not care about any of that. Being the best means putting all of that aside...and that brings me to your second mistake, James.
She brings the title down, so that the strap is almost touching the mat.
Fujiko Mine: Sure, you’re right. You may not want to socialize. You may want to just be left alone. But if that’s the case...why are you
here?She cocks her head to the side.
Fujiko Mine: This is Frontier Grappling Arts, one of the top wrestling promotions in the world! Being here puts you under a microscope by its very existence!
Her tone picks up, as does her intensity.
Fujiko Mine: And don’t forget, these people? They work not only to be left alone, but so they can spend their hard earned money to be here. To be entertained. To see Lowri Moss and Neal Durden. To see Cordelia Stevenson. To see Tyler Storm, Izzy Anders, Evan Envi, Sadie San Franscisco, and more. And when FGA comes to their city? They want to see the FGA World championship.
The crowd cheers loudly at the self suggestion.
Fujiko Mine: So ultimately? What you want? Does not matter. Not if you’re aiming to hold this. Because once you have it? You don’t answer to James Edwards anymore. You answer to the three initials at the top of this title, and you answer…
She swings her arm out with the championship in hand, to gesture at the fans.
Fujiko Mine: To all of them.
She turns completely around to face James.
Fujiko Mine: So I ask again. If you don’t understand that...then why...are you...here?
Edwards gives her a glance and then rolls out of the ring. He walks halfway up the ramp and takes a seat on the cold metal, cross-legged.
James Edwards: I figured maybe the Goddess would rather look down on me from up high.
The dry remark even gets a chuckle from Spencer Burke, and with his point proven, Edwards stands back up.
James Edwards: I’ll answer your question. I like what I do. I’m good at what I do and I’m paid damn good money to do it. That ain’t the only reason. I’m a shitty singer so that career option is out.
The crowd laughs with Edwards. Even Fujiko manages a smile.
James Edwards: Here’s the deal, though. I don’t care if the Goddess never forgets a slight. I don’t care what happened two years ago. I could apologize and throw myself at your feet and you’d still find a way to paint me like I’m an asshole. Do I deserve a little shade for the stuff I’ve said and done over the last year, probably? But it’s time for people to quit using that shit aganst me because I don’t fit their image of what an FGA fighter is supposed to look like. For all the talent that you and the rest of the locker room have, you’re a bunch of judgemental assholes, and don’t tell me it’s not true because everytime I try to fight I get the same old shit. ‘You didn’t respect the U.S. Championship’...
Fujiko’s brows furrow. She mouths “When did I bring that up?” towards Spencer, who shrugs.Even Edwards tips an imaginary hat her way for it.
James Edwards: Fair point, you didn’t, but the spirit is the same. And that’s one of the reasons why I want that.
He points to the title.
James Edwards: Because I’m ready to change the story around me. I’m tried of beng the poster boy for what’s wrong in this sport. I wanna prove you don’t have to be a Goddess or a Saint Sexy or a Siren or whatever the hell the past few champions have called themselves. I wanna prove you can be an antisocial fighter with a hick accent who doesn’t always say the right thing can still be the best. If you don’t like it, I don’t give a shit, because honestly you don’t like me and I don’t like you, and that’s fine, but don’t act like I’m not worthy of carryin’ that belt, because the war coming way your way is gonna say otherwise.
Fujiko takes a moment to let James’ words into her ears. She nods to herself, then bites at the inside of her cheek before sighing.
Fujiko Mine: James, you…
She sighs with disappointment.
Fujiko Mine: I’m gonna figure out how to get this through to you, because I understand listening isn’t your strongest suit.
She looks out at the man who has created distance between the two of them.
Fujiko Mine: You are the one painting yourself to be the victim, here. I have spoken of you as a worthy challenger. I don’t like your attitude, but that isn’t what we’re here to talk about. We’re here to talk about you wanting to beat me for my championship. And while you seem to believe that I’m judging you for your choices, I’m not. When you leave here tonight, I want you to go back and listen to what I said. It’s not what I think you’re going to do if you win the championship. It’s what will happen if you win. Whether you like it or not. You may not do “make-a-wish”. You may not do meet and greets. But if you wanna be the best this company has to offer, you better be ready to give EVERYTHING you have. Because if you don’t? I will beat you. And if you somehow manage to get past me and think that for a second that the hard part is over? I will make sure your time with the FGA championship is very, very short.
She adjusts the title, and then leans back against the ropes.
Fujiko Mine: No one tonight said you were being judged. I mean, look back at people like Jimmy Page and Chris Q. They fit that anti-social mold you wanted to champion very well. But go ahead and ask Jimmy, if you don’t believe me. You may think I’m entitled. You may think I’m some sort of ‘golden goose’ the FGA wants protecting. But the first and true thing I have learned as the 25th World champion in the history of this company is that while I’m more than happy to do what the company wants? It doesn’t matter.
She gives a bitter smile.
Fujiko Mine: And you...you should know better than anyone who you’re talking to about judgement. I am the one who has been labeled an underdog here my entire career, and not by my own doing. I had people similar to you telling me about how I couldn’t wrestle, and how I should just quit. They based that off my looks. This may be news to you, James; but I did not fit what people in FGA thought would be a grand slam champion. I was told I was lucky to even be here.
She grits her teeth.
Fujiko Mine: I was judged way more harshly than you can think of off of ‘mistakes’. And while I respect that you want this to try and change peoples minds about you? I am living proof that the trail you walk on does not lead to the treasure you seek. But instead of trying to erase it? I have built a legacy on it. And I will not let you stop the construction. It is not yet complete.
She takes a breath, trying to let the adrenaline come down.
Fujiko Mine: I take you more seriously than most, James. Because I am so close…
She puts her thumb and index fingers together.
Fujiko Mine: To what I want. And you stand in the way of that. And I won’t let you. Simple as that.
Edwards drops his mic on the ramp and slides back in the ring. He’s done talking. He’s done listening to the speech.He’s done with the lecture and the sob story--the way he see it at least. There is a danger and an edge to him that the FGA faithful haven’t seen in over a year; the one from the night that he came ever so close to beating Chandler Scott. Edwards stops within striking distance of the champion. He points to his cheek and tells her to give him the best shot she has.
Fujiko looks at him a moment, cocking her head to the side. The Blissbringer opens her mouth part way, but then shakes her head and tosses the microphone to Spencer, who fumbles it a little before getting a grip on it. She shakes her head again and exits the ring, careful not to turn her back, to a slightly mixed reaction. She turns and taps the championship, and then points at the stage, where the “Grapple Kingdom 3” logo resides. She shrugs and stands at the bottom of the ramp for a moment, and then slowly backs up.
Edwards turns and takes the sight before him in. He looks at the champion and the logo. He throws down his ball cap, giving the world a good look at him. His head is bald and the beginnings of a beard line of his face. Without hair, his ears stick out and are slightly pointed. His lips thin and he licks them, completing the look of a wolf closing in on the kill.
