Ever since SCW put out their ruling on how we're going forward, had one song stuck in my head... Alter Bridge's Isolation. It's gotta be on everyone's isolation play list, and heard the cheesy jokes like I ordered a Chinese the other night, when the guy showed up, I opened the door and said isolate! Isolate! I looked and him and said nah mate, I only ordered half hour ago..... Yes #BoredBen had been in effect this week. This week has made me see how easy it is for freedoms to be taken away, but honestly, it needs to be done, it has to be done for everyone's good. You might not have symptoms but you might be carrying, it's not just about protecting you, it's about protecting others too, the vulnerable... Here's the thing that you might not see for a guy who looks the picture of health in me right now, I am one of those vulnerable.
Not too long ago, I was not a well man and although idiots claimed it was fake, it was not and although we're locked down a bit and I tested negative, it was still on my mind, so I left a message for my doctor in Maine and it had been a nervous wait for a video call to discuss this situation, but here we are on Friday morning and one of my doctors had finally got in touch.
Friday 27th March 2020 - 10am.
The face of a female lit of the screen in front of the laptop as I sit in front of it. The woman, in her forties with her hair tied back, looked at me from her home in main as I sat in the main room of the hotel suite in The Saxon Hotel.
"Mr Jordan." Her happy voice says. "Wonderful to see you."
I smile at the woman, looking over the top of the laptop to see Evie listening in to the conversation. I can't blame her, she was worried about this whole thing and rightly so, even though not a lot worries my wife, she's actually a rock.
"Great to see you doc, and thank you for taking the time to have a chat. How is Bar Harbor?" I ask her with a serious tone. "Is everything locked down?"
I loved Maine, especially Bar Harbor, the people had taken to me and Evie like we were one of their own and Bear was a bit of a local celebrity there, and he loved it. Ever since we moved there, for a little distance between me and the wrestling world, it had been a god send. I could be a normal guy once in a while. The people there knew I was a wrestler, it was a small-ish town but I wasn't Ben the wrestler, we were Ben and Evie Jordan, married couple that lived on the lake. We were relatively normal people there and treated as part of the community, they even wanted me to ruin for local council. My concern for Maine was genuine.
"We are locked down to a point, it was the mayors choice." The doctor explains. "He didn't wait for restrictions to be forced upon him, he decided to close the roads and close everything while we try and get things back to normality."
"Any cases?" I ask with a frown.
"We have two local." The doctor tells me with a sad look in her eye. "But we're doing everything we can to stop it from becoming two hundred. Even I am doing video appointments and only seeing people who are really sick."
"Sadly doc, everyone with a sniffle is going to panic it's more than it is." I tell her with a casual shrug. "People are scared these days and with good reason to be."
The gravity of this situation was lost on so many people, but not me. Hell, today I woke up to hear that President Trump is gonna reopen America soon.... Are you out of your mind? People will get sick, people will die, the sick part could be what he's after. The more sick, the more hospitals cost, the more money in the economy, I don't know but to me, that's madness. To sacrifice your own people to allow the strong to survive is insane and you probably won't catch me wandering about if he does lift restrictions. Gonna explain why talking to the doc now.
"This is why we need a lock down until this passes." The doctor says.
"I agree doc." I said meaning both words. "It's not touch to see what's coming. If in say two weeks after lock down, cases slow, people will think it's safe to resume normal life, the government might see the same. They'll go out and forget social distancing and there will be a huge surge in cases again, more than the first time. People are gonna go out and party, and hit the bars, casinos, everything possible because they can again, it's gonna spread worse unless those numbers go so low."
There's the truth people, it's slapping you in the face there. Just think about it. Everyone's going down the pub when this is done, everyone. They're gonna be absolutely rammo the day they reopen. People are gonna be hand shaking and hugging like they haven't seen each other for years. Now just because numbers are down in cases does not mean people still don't have it. Everyone out and about is going to cause a rebound that will be worse than the first wave. Us Brits and Americans have the party instinct in us and trust me when I say if you're not smart enough to stay in, regardless of what the leaders say, until this thing is done, it will spread again, people not sick the first time around will be sick this time around, more people than the first time around, and you could be saying goodbye to family members.
Common sense people!
"Sadly, this is true." The doctor says with a sad look on her face. "People need to be responsible for themselves as well as others and I really hope this country doesn't open as soon as being spoken about."
I know people have the urge for freedom but for the sake of a month or two in, they can save thousands of lives. You really need to open your eyes to see how serious this is.
"It will be genocide to open the countries too soon." I said to the doc, a tinge of sadness in my voice. "People moaning about a couple of months in doors is driving me mad, when they're saving people who need it, which is why I set up this appointment with you doc."
"Oh?" The doctor replies.
"I've had some serious health issues as you know over the last couple of years as you know." I start. "And I'm now watching this virus start taking people with no health problems. I've seen the term underlining health problems constantly with these cases but the other day back home, a healthy twenty one year old with no health problems died. The youngest in England without health issues, just catch it and go. I need to know where I stand on this sorta thing doc."
The doctor turned and tapped away at a secondary computer as my heart jumped in to my mouth. I caught Evie out of the corner of my eye listening. She was as concerned as me, but was very much less vocal than I was. She trusted I knew what I was doing with the risks I was taking. Even looking back, the stupid ones standing in front of a live crowd to cut a promo on matches.
"Well..." The doctor starts, pulling my attention immediately back towards her. "Tell me about the situation you're staying in now?"
"Company I work for has taken things in to their own hands too and trusting us to listen." I tell her. "But I doubt some will. They've asked us to stay in a hotel, be tested regular, anyone who tests positive goes in to isolation, anyone who has been around them gets tested again. A bit like some people were doing with contacting people they've been in contact with and aggressively testing people again. They're trying to keep us all in one place to contain it, and limit everything."
The doctor nods with approval.
"It's a very wise move." She says thoughtfully. "Concerning your history and such."
This was it, am I safe? Am I more at risk? Stop talking Ben and find out.
"The illness you did have does put you at more of a risk than most people." She confirms. "You went through a lot to beat what you had and it took a lot out of you, but on the other hand, as your company seems to be very wise with how they're handling things, as long as you do not come in to contact with people with the virus, you should be fine, but any symptoms, you do need to seek out medical advice immediately."
It was kind of what I expected really but needed it confirmed. Evie face shared the concern I had inside but a quick shake of my head and an attempt of a look of don't worry caused her to seem slightly more relaxed.
"Thank you doc." I say as I look at the screen. "I won't take up any more of your time, I'm sure you're busy. Thanks for taking the time."
"Stay safe." was the docs last words before the screen went blank.
My attention immediately went towards Evie.
"Don't you worry your pretty little head about it." I tell her with a reassuring smile. "I'll be ok, this place is clean, no one has tested positive. As long as I stay in this bubble, I'll be alright. Once we get Sunday out of the way, I don't need to leave the hotel for like two weeks."
"I might go crazy by then." Evie says quickly.
"We can go crazy together." I tell her with a grin. "Be a right pair of loons, but I reckon this is getting to people more than it will get to us. I mean I win on Sunday and we get to keep the hot tub room, we can have fun with that."
I wink at Evie who smiles back at me.
"Always knowing the right words to say." She says back with a smile.
"Tell ya what." I say with an innocent look on my face. "Lemme just quickly record a couple of things and we'll go for a swim in there."
"If that's what you wanna call it." She says back with a wink.
I turn my attention to the computer screen and tap away at a few keys. I adjust my face on the screen and hit a record button.
"Alright people!" I say with a cheery smile.
This was something I wanted to do, keep the fans updated on what's been going on.
"I hope you're all well and obeying the rules set out for ya." I start with. "I just wanna let you know what's been going on here and over the last week. First off, me and Eves are fine, we're listening to what we've been told and although it's a bit frustrating that I can't be in and around you guys a little bit more, this whole thing going on is proper serious and we need to take the right steps to stop the spread of it all. We're responsible for thousands of lives and it's something we all need to take very seriously, so please do so and stay inside."
I clear my throat
"So I'm gonna let you in to everything that's been going on here." I continue. "And how SCW has handled this situation. Well, not just SCW, but SCU and GRIME too. First off, big thanks to Mark Ward, Christian Underwood, Brooke Saxon, Donna Beauchamp, Tad Ezra, Erik Staggs and Giani Di Luca, as well as Henry Saxon. These guys worked hard to get us here and safe. They put on coaches to the airport, briefed us all about everything that was gonna happen. They told us how hard they were working to get things done and they came through. So this is what happened."
I take a deep breath, knowing this could go on a bit.
"So on Monday morning, we got on a coach, the whole SCW roster, staff the lot, well, a couple of coaches and headed to the airport." I say as I look in to the camera. "Ended up on a plane together, no member of the public, was a bit like an army marching forward, security all masked up and stuff, through and in the air. Christian thanked everyone for their co-operation, Donna was talking to people about their families coming in, Brooke was sorting out hotel rooms, Erik was trying to keep in touch with the guys from SCU and GRIME to get them in at a time a little before or after us to stagger the tests and Mark urged everyone on the SCW roster to stay at the hotel and not go back to their normal place of living. It was a bit surreal to see all these guys working so hard to keep their employees safe, especially when you read as the week goes on, some people are forcing their staff to work or sacking them."
I shake my head in disappointment.
"So we land in a fairly empty part of the airport and get through security checks, reunited with our furry friends and off to the testing place." I add. "This was a full blown lab, I dunno how these guys pulled it off, maybe someone's funding it from our side or offered more future funding, but they were quick about it and we were in, waiting for the whole roster and staff to be tested and off to the hotel on the coaches. I presume people who didn't wanna stay in the hotel or had other bookings were asked to stay in the hotel for a night before going because Christina Rose disappeared pretty sharpish the next day, but we were all back at the hotel for the night."
I reach to the table, grabbing a bottle of water and drinking from it.
"At this point, we were told to basically stay in our rooms till the test results came back." I continue. "but considering how smooth things went, like none of that usual check in worry, just walk up to the desk, name and boom, room keys, it didn't feel like a hardship to sit in the room for an day. Test results came back the next day and negative was the buzz word. I didn't hear of anyone testing positive."
I fire a quick thumbs up.
"Soon as test results came back, we were allowed to look around the place." I say with a smile. "Allowed to be around everyone else who had got their results and mate, let me tell ya, there's worse places to be stuck than in here. This place has it all. Even the conference rooms have been converted to other forms of entertainment. There's a bar with a pool upstairs on the roof that is the nuts. They're gonna try lay on some music too. Obviously, they can't bring outside entertainment in, but we have Kate Steele and Alex Rush here. Griffin Hawkins too..."
I slowed down for a reason.
"Is Griffin here?" I questioned. "Come to think of it, not seen him around. Either way, we have a ton of musicians on the rosters, I heard a rumour that Christian can sing, and there will be karaoke at some point, Sammi will love that. Either way, there is a lot going on here."
A smile passes over my face.
"The staff are low in numbers considering the amount of people here but they are working themselves in to the ground for us. Trust me, they'll be getting tipped off the scale." I say with a firm nod. "And although it's weird not being in the outside world, it's good to be around people you consider a family. It's good to see employers who actually care and who look out for people, seeing us just not as workers, but as humans, as people and not just numbers."
I can see my face on the screen change to look of appreciation.
"This is why it's a pleasure to work for these guys." I say seriously. "I wanna assure the fans that these guys have everything under control and doing their best to look after us in this times and will make sure after this Sunday's show that we're checked again so we can come back two weeks later at Blaze of Glory and put on the best show we can."
I nod his head firmly.
"We're all good though, but before I go, I gotta say something on a personal level." I said as I form a lump in my throat. "Last night, I heard about my country England, and the rest of the UK all step outside their houses at 8pm and clap in unison, all around the country in support for our National Health Service, the people in the trenches fighting this invisible enemy and that makes me feel overwhelmed. The NHS has often been criticized for many things but no one can fault them, or doctors all around the world for everything they're doing to fight this disease. I'm proud of you all, and I'm proud of the other emergency services, I'm proud that people who work in supermarkets, delivery drivers, and everyone else on that front line keeping the world going. Times like this, it doesn't matter how much money or power you have, we all have the same reasonability to be human, and all you people being out there, risking catching this horrible thing just to keep people alive, you're all heroes."
I can feel the emotion running through me as I fight back the tears.
"And you guys that are not, your responsibility is to keep these people safe." I say as I try and not let me voice crack. "These are the people saving lives, these are the people having to go to work to make sure you don't starve, to make sure you get the medicine you need. So protect them by only going out when you need to. It's not rocket science, you need to protect the ones, who are taking the chances to look after you. A couple of months in doors is nothing when it comes to be able to be able to have your loved ones around for years to come."
And to me, that's the up most truth, the utter truth. What's a few months in doors when it all boils down to saving the ones you love most in the world?
"Anyway people." I start. "Time for me to disappear for a bit. You guys stay safe and catch us on Sunday. Laters people!"
I click the button to end the recording and stretch for a second, before setting up another recording. It was time to record something about the match on Sunday. So I pick up the SCW World Heavyweight championship belt from my lap and put it over my shoulder.
"Alright people!" I say as the recording starts.
What? It's how I always start things. If you've known me for that long, you'll know that's how I've always done it and always will.
"It's funny how some things just happen from that place that commentators talk about. That out of nowhere place." I say with a slight laugh. "And bloody hell, I can attest to that, that those things really are the most surprising things in the world, but before I get to that, need to have a quick word about Jake Raab."
I take a second to pause to get the words right. I know Jake is punished a lot by sins of his family, well, every Tom, Dick and Harry love to insult him on Twitter. Bloody hell people, lay off and focus on you. The Be Kind movement isn't just a saying.
"I didn't forget Jake, but I do feel like I somehow need to justify things, but not sure why I do, when things are really obvious." I start. "I happily accepted your challenge, I never forgot at all, but here's the obvious thing. You was in Blast From The Past. You had Blast From The Past to deal with, had all that stuff to think about. I needed challenges in between that. Now there's only so much card space out there, and people need resting after matches, so because of the card space, because of keeping everyone involved, our match never happened. My guess is it would have happened at Blaze of Glory, the staff was taking note I suspect, and now you're free, and I'm free, I think it would have happened then, but now you've accepted Fenris' challenge, you could have possibly shot yourself in the foot for that main event, but if I walk out of Blaze of Glory as SCW World Heavyweight champion, you will be the first I defend against if the staff now decide to make you face Fenris instead of me."
Honestly, if Jake would have been quiet there, he may have been headlining a supercard. I'm not gonna be one of those who dig him out like a lot do on social media, but that man has a habit of shooting himself in the foot and messing with plans by going off half cocked without asking people if they have plans for him.
"Can't say fairer than that." I continue. "But now on to challenges in the nearer future, and back to that thing out of nowhere."
I readjust the title belt on my shoulder, giving the camera a better view.
"Out of everyone in SCW, SCU and GRIME, I didn't expect it to be O'Malley stepping up to try and face me." I say seriously. "It does seem like a trait of the Go Gym, Carter and Ariana answering an open challenge from London Underground for championship belts at the time and now O'Malley for the richest prize in the game. I mean, he hasn't really done anything in wrestling ever to be able to be considered as a contender at any level. I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just I remember the first run through of your career O'Malley and it didn't really come to anything, it didn't actually leave an impression and you petered away never to be seen until recently. Now looking at SCU, you've hardly been pulling up trees there either. Apart from an attack on Tim Staggs, someone I've known since he was a kid, someone who used to call me Uncle Ben, like the Spiderman guy, or the rice guy, there's not a lot you've done that I can actually remember."
I tap my chin, thinking about it. Truth is, I pride myself on just being able to talk based on what I've watched on past shows, rather than go back and research.
"Nope." I confirm to myself. "Nothing comes to mind at all about you O'Malley. The only decent thing I know about you is Gabriel and Odette don't train tossers and send them out in to the wrestling world without making sure they're ready, but you've been away a long time with not too long back in the game. Frankly, your missus has a lot more confidence in you than most people do cause people ain't stupid, they know ya not on my level at this point. Everyone that comes out of that gym could be but right now, you're not and ya bird has got ya in deep here."
I knew it was an unknown challenge but I was confident.
"Evie lets me get on with things, she trusts my judgement, but your bird clearly feels she needs to put you in unwinnable situations." I say as I tap the belt with my finger. "And this one is clearly unwinnable for you. I should credit the fact that hey, someone is stepping up, and the scheduling worked but I'm sitting here with two school of thoughts. One, this is gonna be a bloody walk over and two, this could be an unexpected banana peel. They both lead to the same conclusion really O'Malley and that's to take you seriously. Don't get over confident and get ready for you as if I was facing the Fenris' and the Austin James Mercer's of this world, get ready for you like my life depended on it, so I have and here's the kicker mate. Those guys are on a different level to you, the fact I'll be ready to face them on Sunday over you already gives me the head start."
I tap the side of my head.
"I'm not even sure why she would drop you in at the deep end, seriously, why?" I asked myself. "Does she get off on seeing you get beat on or something? To me, it makes very little sense, but I got all the faith in the world in myself here O' Malley, plus I really like this room so I think I'll be fighting tooth and nail to keep it."
I look around the room off camera, before looking back and smiling.
"It is pretty sweet." I say as I look at the screen. "Trust me, it's a good incentive to keep on going and get myself to Blaze of Glory as the SCW World Heavyweight champion."
I nod firmly.
"Anyway, that'll do, I mean I've been told I'm opening the show on Sunday so will no doubt have a bit to say then." I say with a smile. "Until then..."
I wink down the camera.
"Laters people."
The camera fades to black.
