You stand in the empty delivery dock for the arena, watching the sunset while you wait for the next match. It's meant to be one of the semis, but it's Bryan Knock vs. Billy Rattle, the challenger and the champion respectively. Any other year, it would have been a headlining grand final, but it's not a normal year.
You're still in costume from the from the meet-and-greet, and the spandex feels tight on your still tender bruises. Mercifully, it's the early fall so it's not too cold to be out. You take another drag from your cigarette, and listen to the bird calls.
"Hey, can I bum one off you, bud?"
You offer the stranger the whole box, only turning to him retrieve it. Your heart jumps when you recognize his snake buckle.
[[• "Holy shit." ->holy shit]]
[[• "Holy shit!" ->holy shit]]
[[• "HOLY SHIT." ->holy shit]]\
(set: $first_time to true)\
(set: $smokers to true)\
(set: $great_match to true)\
(set: $carpent to false)\
(set: $suiciders to false)\
(set: $meaning to false)\
(set: $nutso to false)\
(set: $sugar to false)\
(set: $habits to false)
(set: $curr_time to 13)\
(set: $billy_name to 'Billy')\
(set: $happiest_loser to false)\
(set: $king_draw to false)\
(set: $endtime to 30)\
(set: $half to ($endtime - 9))\
(set: $reprep to false)\
(set: $hour to 6)\
(set: $location to "Commtel Arena, Orlando")Billy Rattle flashes you a grin, teeth glowing in the golden light.
"Fan or foe? I don't think I've seen that getup across the ring from me yet..."
His eyes dart over the nametag on your suspenders, nearly too quick to catch.
"Dexter Flex?"
You just barely notice that he extended a hand out to you in your stupor. You go to shake it, only to realize he was giving back your carton. Your hands awkwardly wrestle out some mix of the two motions.
[[• "I had a poster of you on my wall!" ->core]]
[[• "HOLY SHIT!" ->core]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)(if: $curr_time > 30) [
(if: $happiest_loser is true) [(go-to: "happiest loser")]\
(else-if: $king_draw is true) [(go-to: "king draw")]\
(else: ) [(go-to: "default end")]\
]\
(if: $first_time is true) [ "I'm gonna go with fan."
He deftly ashes the cigarette before taking a drag, nodding to himself.
"Catch your breath, Dex, I'm here 'til 6:30 anyway. Or when that box runs out."]\
(else-if: $curr_time > $half and $reprep is false) [$billy_name lets his butt burn a little longer, before putting it out and flicking it into a nearby bin. He pulls out a lighter and is halfway to searching for another cigarette when he stops and looks at you sheepishly.
"May I?"
You hand another Marlboro off.
(set: $reprep to true)]\
(else: ) [$billy_name nods to himself, taking another drag.]\
(if: $first_time is true) [[[• "Man, I always thought I’d say something cooler when I met you." ->cooler]]
]\
(if: $smokers is true) [[[• "I didn't know that you smoked." ->smokers and jokers]]
]\
(if: $great_match is true) [[[• "What're you even doing in the loading bay out of costume? You're the next match." ->matchman]]
]\
(if: $suiciders is true)[[[• "Does the winning ever get boring?" ->the winning]]
]\
(if: $meaning is true) [[[• "... man, does all this even mean anything?" ->the meaning]]
]\
(if: $carpent is true) [[[• "Whatcha been doing with the extra time between gigs, $billy_name?" ->carpenters]]
]\
(if: $habits is true) [[[• "Anything else from the old days you regret picking up?" ->habits]]
]\
(if: $the_greatest is true) [[[• "Hold on, did you learn to quickchange before or after Suplex Mountain '02?" ->the greatest]]
]\
(if: $nutso is true) [[[• "D'you miss the old days at all?" ->nutso]]
]\
(if: $sugar is true) [[[• "Congrats on last night's match, might've been one of my favorites." ->hel]]
]\
(if: $wasting is true) [[[• "Alright, you got a Top 5 of wrestlers?" ->wasting]]
]\
(set: $first_time to false)
$billy_name's eyes warm up a little.
“You’ve still got time, I’m sure you’ll think of somethin'.”
He leans a little more into the railing. You scratch your head sheepishly.
[[• "Well, when you say it..." ->core]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)
(set: $sugar to true)"Yeah, it's a great way to meet interesting people."
He chuckles a little.
"It's also an ugly habit, but I guess you'd know that already."
[[• "I tried quiting for a bit, but the stress..." *you shrug* ->moremore]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)
(set: $smokers to false)
(set: $habits to true)
(set: $sugar to true)"For some of my fans, yeah, probably... But you'll just have to decide that for yourself."
He gives a cheeky wink before turning back to look at the sunset.
[[• "I haven't for ten years, $billy_name, doubt I would now." ->core]]
[[• "No, I mean for you" ->misery]]
(set: $suiciders to false)
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)
$billy_name looks into your eyes, something indiscernable behind his own. The showy warmth eases from his face.
"...you know, I actually think I remember hearin' your name somewhere. You’ve been on a hot streak recently, right? And not those bogus, B-plot wins... you're doin' championship run stuff."
[[• "Aw jeez, you don’t need to hype it up like that." ->hype]]
[[• *Scratch your head sheepishly* "I mean I guess it’s a streak..." ->hype]]
[[• "Yeah." ->hype]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)He nods, taking another drag.
"You know what it feels like to break through, feel seen, to feel like you made the right choice, being here, right?"
[[• "More and more everyday..." ->more]]
[[• "Yeah." ->more]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)"You know that to feel seen doesn’t mean you feel known. That hingin' your happiness on a few shiny belts don’t give you meaning. It just makes space to hollow you out."
[[• "Yeah." ->yeah]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)"That now that the thrill of the win is so cheap, there’s nothin' to hold on to, nothin' to keep you here, nothin' to the point you’re eager for the crash... the happiest loser."
He takes a long, slow drag, making eye contact with you again. Except this time it feels like he's seeing you. You're so caught in his gaze that you barely register how your expression has transformed.
"’member King’s Cage ‘05?"
[[• "You were missing for the final. You broke your ankle at a party." ->cage]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)"Yeah, no, I actually fell off a chair tryin' to put a noose up. Bruce'd pretty explicitly told me I was winnin' that final. I wanted to pretty explicitly tell him to go fuck himself. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as hard as I did explainin' to him why I was in an ambulance."
He chuckles to himself. The sound is aged, tired.
"I haven't tried again since."
[[• “How do you... stop thinking like this? How did you lock out that urge to leave?” ->staying]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)“Take life on day by day. You’ve gotta make little goals, small stuff to get excited for. I once came back from the edge 'cause my niece was learning how to cook and I wanted to see how her lasagne turned out.”
$billy_name takes a drag.
“It was fuckin' awful. Literally the worst lasagne I’ve ever tasted. I still laugh about it sometimes.”
The tip teeters, before its deftly ashed, revealing fire again.
“It’s about reteachin' yourself how to appreciate the entirety of life. The crap that make those little highlights worth it. Least that’s how I do it.”
He shrugs.
[[• "...Shit." ->core]]
[[• *take a deep drag* ->core]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)
(set: $happiest_loser to true)$billy_name pauses his motion to stare you down. His facade lasts a second until he roars with laughter, then turns back to watching the sunset.
"You're gonna need to be a lot more specific than that, bud."
[[• “You ever just think that our whole... thing is just pointless? Like we’re fucking wrestlers man, what’re we accomplishing at the end of the day?” ->we wrestlers]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)
(set: $meaning to false)
(set: $king_draw to true)“A good show, Dex, God willin'."
His gaze to the horizon seems to soften. So does his voice.
"And hey, sometimes that kid who looked forward to seein' us every Friday grows up to become John Darnielle.”
[[• "Huh?" ->john]]
[[• "... who's John Darnielle?" ->john]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)
$billy_name sideyes you, before thinking better of it.
“John Darnielle? The Mountain Goats? Indie darlin'? He sings and wri- fuck it, hes a National Book judge now, he’s a big deal.”
[[• "Huh... he still watch wrestling?" ->the dragon]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)“He made an album 'bout it, be fucked if he didn’t.”
$billy_name goes quiet.
[[• "Sounds like wrestling meant a lot to him..." ->fans]]
[[• "... you know, I was a lonely kid. Wrestling was one of the few things that made me feel a little less lonely." ->fans]]
[[• "I guess I've been ringside so long..." ->fans]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)"Piece of advice, Dex. Not as a professional, but as a fellow taxpayer: slow down, every now and then. Everythin' looks meaningless when you stare at it hard enough, so what's the point wallowing in that?"
He looks you dead in the eye for the first time in what feels like a while.
"Don't forget to appreciate what you're doing for the sake of it. Watch a match without tryin' to analyze it. Build a chair 'cause it's pretty. Enjoy a sunset."
He gestures out to the soft red horizon.
[[• "Hell of a sunset, $billy_name. Hell of a sunset." ->core]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)"This an interview, Dex? Are you a cop?"
The wrestler squints at you, before he eases back into a smile, jokingly punching your arm.
"I just got back into carpentry. This stays between you and me, but I used to be- "
[[• "-A theater kid?" ->theater kids]]
(set: $carpent to false)
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)"SHHHHH! Not so loud!"
He quickly looks over his shoulder.
"If a blog picked that up, my niece would never let me hear the end of it. But how did you-"
You quickly shush him too.
[[• *quietly* "Techies gotta stick together, $billy_name." ->together]]
[[• *with a wink* "I've got hobbies too, $billy_name." ->together]]
(set: $meaning to true)
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)"No fuckin' way, you-"
He cuts himself off to fish out his phone, before he hands it to you, a new contact page opened.
"First of all, I prefer Rob offstage. Second of all, what d'you build, Dex? We've got a group that meets Wednesdays."
(set: $billy_name to "Rob")
[[• "I hand carve, mostly. Saves me money on gifts." ->ally]]
[[• "Just started a music box project, my boyfriend loves them." ->ally]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)$billy_name lets out a long whistle.
"That takes a lotta precision, Dex, color me impressed. My clumsy ass sticks to simple furniture."
You hand him back his phone.
"Hobbies are important. Keeps you grounded. Helps to not try to add meaning to everythin'."
[[• "I try my best, $billy_name." ->core]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)"Weird, I was gonna ask you what you were doin' in the loading bay in-costume."
You go to answer, but come up with nothing. $billy_name laughs and ashes in the same motion.
"Probably the same reason I'm out here: it's quiet and pretty. I also get awkward runnin' into fans while I'm in costume, so I learned how to quickchange."
You chuckle a little.
[[• "I guess it's the little things that set the pros apart." ->core]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)
(set: $great_match to false)
(set: $the_greatest to true)
(set: $sugar to true)
"Listen, I know exactly what you're gonna say, and no, the flag fallin' off the third costume was completely intentional."
You raise an eyebrow, but his expression remains stony.
"It was a criticism of the war."
[[• "$billy_name, it was a great match, but you tapped out Big Bang Arnold by choking him with that flag." ->excuses]]
(set: $the_greatest to false)
(set: $nutso to true)
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)$billy_name takes a long drag.
"Criticism of the war."
He exhales, quiet before he starts to smirk.
"But it was a great match, wasn't it?"
[[• "One of the best, sir." ->core]]"You mean the crappier pay and fatal injuries? No, I don't miss that very much. Big of a shithead as Bruce might be to y'all now, he was worse when he was coked out."
The champion seems to look deeper into the horizon.
"No, I don't miss that era of wrestlin'. But that era of me?"
He takes a long drag.
"That hunger doesn't come that often anymore. I miss havin' a twenty year old's physique too, that was great."
[[• *take another drag* ->core]]
(set: $nutso to false)
(set: $suiciders to true)
(set: $carpent to true)
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)His eyes briefly break with the horizon.
"Really? Most folks still insist it's, what was it.... the first Alley Slam final! Tag team match against the Alamo Brothers."
He chuckles a little sadly to himself.
"That bit was already tired back then... but it was some good wrestlin'."
[[• "1999... my dad got us tickets, but we couldn't go because our dog had a medical emergency." ->your fave]]
[[• "I caught that match at the vet. An old lady started crying when you clotheslined Admiral Ricky." ->your fave]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)
(set: $sugar to false)
(set: $wasting to true)$billy_name just shakes his head.
"You're not gonna believe this, but you're the third person who's told me they saw that match in a vet office. Somethin' about the holiday season and waiting rooms."
He ashes while looking back to the sunset, eyes tracing the clouds.
[[• "What's your favorite match then?" ->my fave]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)"Mine? Huh..."
Something lights behind his eyes while he keeps watching the cumuli.
"I mean, excuse my vanity, but... my debut match at Badlands. It was a house show, went up against Radio Randy, back before his back injury. Goddamn riot of a man, I barely won that. It was my first time in an arena."
He takes another drag.
"Someone very close to me loved that match... it was their first time in an arena too."
He shakes his head, and the fire dims.
"Tell me, Dex, what's *your* favorite match? Of yours?"
You take a drag of your own Marloboro.
[[• *trace the scar across your forehead* "I won my local championship a year ago, it's where I picked this up from. Didn't know I had it in me." ->enjoy it]]
[[• "I had a private rematch with Yonny Hammer. Pity we didn't have an audience." ->enjoy it]]
[[• "Any match I've had against Gabriel Ventura. Every moment in the ring is life or death with that animal." ->enjoy it]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)$billy_name nods along with your response.
"Hold onto that shit, bud. This is a painful industry, and it'll do it's best to convince you those moments never happened."
[[• *nod and take another drag* ->core]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)$billy_name just tuts sympathetically.
"Yeah, we ain't in a very relaxin' industry. I just wish I'd picked a different poison."
He ashes with a little more force than before, embers exploding into a cloud.
[[• *nod in agreement* ->core]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)"Besides the smokin'?"
He lets out a long cloud of smoke.
"Wish I didn't do that native American gimmick back in '97. Wish I listened to my doctor about my back before I had to go on a prescription. Also wish I'd dropped Bruce through a table, but it's never too late."
You burst out laughing before cutting yourself off and looking around to make sure no one else was listening. $billy_name just winks, before taking another drag.
[[• "Okay, so he is just a jackass." ->bruce]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)
(set: $habits to false)
(set: $suiciders to true)
(set: $carpent to true)"Oh yeah, he's the scum of the Earth. If it weren't for the money and his partner Peggy, he'd 've killed this industry off his personality alone."
His eyes harden as he looks at you again.
"Don't make my mistake, Dex. If that man was gonna change, he woulda done it twenty years ago. All he'll do is bleed you dry and charge you the cleanup bill."
[[• "... So I guess I made the right choice hiring a lawyer for negotiations on Friday." ->core]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)$billy_name looks down at his phone, jumping a little.
"Aw shit, I gotta go."
He quickly puts out his cig and chucks it, before stopping to turn to you.
"I really enjoyed this, bud. I'm gonna be keepin' my eye on you."
He flashes a wide grin, before starting his walk back to the venue.
"'member to stop and appreciate the little things, Dex!"
[[• "Good luck on that match, $billy_name!" -> happy loser 2]]**THE HAPPIEST LOSER: BILLY RATTLE LOSES IN MASSIVE UPSET**
*by Sasha Torres || 2 hours ago*
Last night, defending champion Billy Rattle clashed with top contender, Bryan Knock in an unprecedented, bloody semi-final match. In an unexpected turn, not only did Rattle lose, he did so laughing all the way. After the match was called, him and Knock shared in a.... (<u>*Read more*</u>)
fin.
[[restart. ->the start]]
(set: $hour to 9)\
(set: $curr_time to "02")
(set: $location to "Oviedo, Orlando")$billy_name looks down at his phone, shaking his head.
"Aw shit, it's time."
He takes one last drag before chucking his cig.
"You're real good conversation, Dex, the guys are gonna love you on Wednesday."
He reaches out his hand, and you give a it a firm shake, before he starts his walk back to the venue.
"’member to stop and appreciate the little things, bud!"
[[• "See you soon, $billy_name!" -> king draw 2]]**STANDOFF: BILLY RATTLE & BRYAN KNOCK DUEL TO A DRAW**
*by Sasha Torres || 2 hours ago*
Last night, defending champion Billy Rattle clashed with top contender, Bryan Knock in an unprecedented, bloody semi-final match. In an unexpected turn, both the wrestlers fought to a draw, declared after both collapsed from exhaustion in the ring. Official word has yet to be heard from organization head Bruce Cuthbeart, but... (<u>*Read more*</u>)
fin.
[[restart. ->the start]]
(set: $hour to 9)\
(set: $curr_time to "02")
(set: $location to "Oviedo, Orlando")$billy_name looks down at his phone, nodding to himself.
"Alright, bud, I gotta head out."
He quickly puts out his cig and chucks it, before stopping to turn to you.
"Shake that boot before you saddle- "
"LOOK ON OUT, IT'S BILLY RATTLE!" you finish for him.
He flashes a wide grin, before starting his walk back to the venue.
[[• *realize that you forgot to tell him good luck* ->end 2]]**BEWARE THE RATTLE: BILLY RATTLE DOMINATES SEMI-FINAL**
*by Sasha Torres || 2 hours ago*
Last night, defending champion Billy Rattle clashed with top contender, Bryan Knock in a surprisingly quick semi-final match. While Knock went into this tournament with high hopes pinned on his astonishing performance this year, he was unduly crushed by an explosive Rattle. In fact, four minutes into the match, Knock had already fallen to a devestating Snake Slayer, prompting officials to... (<u>*Read more*</u>)
fin.
[[restart. ->the start]]
(set: $hour to 9)\
(set: $curr_time to "02")
(set: $location to "Oviedo, Orlando")$billy_name groans loudly, before he seems to collect his thoughts.
"Look, bud, I'm not gonna mention anyone alive and active, and you're not the first journo to try shakin' it out of me."
You take a drag of your cigarette, shrugging.
[[• "I can work with that." -> topss]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)
(set: $wasting to false)"Alright, as long as that's established... Bobby Bojangle, Enokk, Yvette, Pretty Face Ritchie, aaaand..."
He squints at the horizon.
"La Ogresa."
He takes a deep drag, then exhales from his nose.
"Nope, I'm not expandin' on why, I came out here to relax, not do a press release."
[[• *coughing awkwardly* "Thanks, $billy_name, I appreciate it." ->core]]
(set: $curr_time to it + 1)(append: ?SideBar)[
**$hour:$curr_time PM**
*$location*
]