Scene One – “Last Will and Testament” “I’m gonna miss driving this adrenaline induced machine of precision and speed once I give you back” I said as the scene comes in on “The Xquizite One” closing the door of the McLaren F1 borrowed from his boss, friend and new mentor “Hot Stuff” Mark Ward. I walk over to the sidewalk and stop as I start looking at the car from the front of it for a moment before letting out a sigh and walking towards the front entrance to my condo building.
As I approach it I take one last look at the McLaren which I know will be leaving my possession in just a few days. It was still something I didn’t want to come to terms with. My attachment to it was unreal. I had always despised four wheels, until I drove that beautiful car. Slipping my key into the slot, I turn it allowing me access to the lobby of the building and I proceed over to the large elevators. I press the up button and wait as I stare down at the McLaren keys in my hands, spinning them around.
Looking over at the camera crew that had been put in chargeof following me since I was announced for the mystery partner, a grin spreads across my face as I think about the coming weeks
“You guys know, it’s going to be big when “Hot Stuff” Mark Ward and “The Xquizite One” step into the ring together at Blaze of Glory. The fans won’t know what to think, and Spike and Jordan are just going to shit themselves once they realize what they have gotten themselves into.” The elevator dings signaling its arrival and the stainless steel doors slide smoothly open as I step onto it followed by the SCW camera crew. I slide my key into the slit and turn it and press the button for floor “nineteen.” The doors close behind me and the elevator starts its climb to the top. A minute passes and the elevator chimes again and the doors open. I step off the elevator out into the hall way with only three doors and walk to the middle one. Looking down I see a brown package resting against the door of my condo. I pick it up and try to gauge the weight of it with curiosity pouring through me. I unlock my door with my key and step in, tossing the keys on the table, completely engross with this package and not even noticing the keys hit the floor and the table that was once there, is no longer.
Walking over to the counter I open the package and look carefully at the top sheet.
From: Law Office of Morgan and Morgan
To: Justin Tyler Underwood
Dear Mr. Underwood,
Seeing as you have come into a career the last part of your parents ‘Last Will & Testament” is able to be revealed to you. Let us start with the first part. Your parent’s wanted to leave you all they had secretly put away, and do it in a manner that was different than most. Before reading further, please go to the address listed below. Secondly, all of your possessions have been moved from your condo and placed into a storage unit at the second address. If you could call us while on your way to the first address, we will meet you there, and further go over the rest of the documents entrusted to us by your parents.
Sincerely,
John MorganI look up and see in fact that everything I had bought had been removed from my condo, I looked over at the table that was supposed to be next to the door and a confused look comes across my face. Pulling my cellphone out of my back pocket I select the name contact labeled “HS” and send him a text with the address asking him to meet me at the address as soon as possible. I lean down and pick up the keys off the floor and with the package in hand I dart out the door and back into the elevator and down to the McLaren, and quickly hop into it.
*******
Forty-five minutes later I pull up to the address provided and see a large house. As I pull up directly in front of the house and park at the curb, I get out and see “Hot Stuff” pulling up behind me. He gets out and walks over to me as Angelica is sitting in the car while it still runs.
“What’s up kid?” Mark asks as he approaches me, and I just look at him with a confused look
“What’s going on Justin?” Before I can answer, a male in an expensive suit and a female in a skirt suit come out of the front door of the house and walk over to me and both extend their hands out to me.
“I’m John Morgan, and this is my assistant Natalie” the man says as I shake both of their hands. Still confused I look from the girl back to John
“What am I doing here, and why was all my stuff put into storage?” “Mr. Underwood, if you: and if I am to believe the wrestling hype around here lately, your boss Mark Ward could accompany us inside, we will go over everything in private” turning to Mark’s car, the man points at Angelica and continues
“she may accompany you both inside as well if you would like.” HS motions to Angelica and she turns the car off and steps out closing the door of the expensive driving machine and activates the alarm, before walking over to Justin and Mark. Mark turns to Justin and raises his eyebrow as he continues to speak
“I texted Nick this address, he should be here anytime. I told him to just wait outside; your text came across a bit worry some. I’m starting to become just as confused as you, but I will tell you one thing, this is a bloody nice house mate.” Nodding, I followed John Morgan up the drive way with Mark, Angelica and Natalie, John’s assistant, noticing as it wrapped all the way back out to the street
“I think we should have parked the cars in the driveway…” I said not really paying much attention as we stepped through the front door into the large home. John led us into a large dining room with a huge table and large leather chairs. Motioning us to sit down John speaks again
“May I get any of you anything to drink before we get started?” At this Mark started to pipe up saying he would like a drink, but I interrupted him
“No… We are fine right now. I want to know what’s going on, so feel free to get started Mr. Morgan, by answering this question. Why was I told my parents didn’t have a will when they passed away?” Taking a moment to open his briefcase, he pulled out three folders
“Well Mr. Underwood that was part of the will. I have here, the contents of your parents will, and since I was not expecting you to bring company with you, I didn’t plan for extras, but here is one for you, and if you would like a copy for Mr. Ward as well. The front page explains everything.” Taking my copy I stood up and started pacing the room as I read quietly out loud –
“Dear Justin,
This might be coming as a shock to you several years after we have passed away, but we wanted to make sure you where secure in a career that would be fruitful for you. Your mother and I weren’t completely honest with you as you were growing up, and it is with this regret, that you are reading this instead of hearing it from one of us in person. We never needed to live in the run down places we lived; you never needed to bust your ass for three years saving up for your first car. The humble life we raised you in, was to instill a work ethic in you that would take you a long way. Now that you have gone that way, it is time you know the truth.
Over the first four years of your mother and I being married, before you were born, we made millions of dollars. We over time turned the millions into a couple billion. We never wanted to turn you into a spoiled brat, so when you came along, we spent it moderately. We never lived in the fanciest homes or had the newest cars. We lied to you, and for that we apologize.
When drawing up our will, we wanted to leave something behind for you that you would keep and hopefully pass on to your kids if you have any. So in our will we had a few things to help keep you humble and the way we raised you. Depending on how you do certain things will depend on what you get and what will go to charity. So, when making your choices, think carefully, and do the right thing, and you will be rewarded in the end. We love you Justin.
Love,
Mom and Dad”I finished reading this and continued pacing reading it a second, third, and a final fourth time, before turning back to the lawyer
“What does this mean?” was all I could ask as I leaned against a wall in the dining room. John took his copy and turned it over to the next page and read the first line of the choices Justin had to make
“We leave to our son his choice of donating to a charity of his choosing or keeping for himself one billion dollars” John said and added
“Remember, make the right choices and it will be still be rewarding for you.” I looked over at Mark for a moment, and wondering briefly what he would do, before realizing I already knew what he would do
“Donate. Donate it to the…” I stopped for a moment and turned to Mark.
“What was the charity we were donating money to? For the Stop Cyber Bullying thing.” “Kidscape is the one I’m doing all my donating through.” Mark replies with and I nod looking back to John. “Donate it to the Kidscape charity. The two of you can work that out whenever” I say as Mark leans over and whispers something into Angelica’s ear. She stands up excusing herself from the table and walks out of the room. As I finished making my choice, John writes something down on a legal pad. Without wasting much time John continues -
“Mr. Underwood, the next thing on the list is during the last few years your parents where alive, they made several home purchases throughout the states and throu…” he starts but I interrupt him
“Sell them and donate everything to Kidscape. I can’t take this money. It isn’t mine. I didn’t work for it. I don’t want anything else. I have everything I want to remember my parents by, everything else can be sold and the money donated to Kidscape. I want my property put back in my condo and I won’t press charges.” I tossed the will onto the table and started walking out of the room when both Mark and John stood up and started talking –
“Justin…” “Mr. Underwood…”Both men look at each other and Mark puts his hand up asking for a minute as he followed me out of the room.
“Justin” Mark said again following after me quickly and grabbing my arm turning me around
“Justin, wait a bloody minute kid.” I stopped and looked at “Hot Stuff” waiting for him to talk again.
“Look kid, I understand what you are doing and I know what your parents distilled into you, but you have a chance to do something with this money to better your life. You could live just like I do and not have to worry about anything. Can do as you want, get whatever the hell you want and not have to turn to anybody. Don’t throw it all down the drain just because your parents hid part of their life from you. Embrace it Justin. Embrace whatever “the right choices” are and keep it. Don’t do something you are going to regret five years down the road.” Mark started as I looked at him, confusion and anxiety running through my body along with anger I hadn’t felt before. Mark continued on as I listened to his side of everything happening and I started to calm down –
“Go back in there, find out what else was left to you, and start living up to what you were born to be. Not what your parents made you.” I considered what Mark was telling me and realized he was right. I was born to live just like him, and it was high time I started. With a new confidence in my step I walked back into the large dining room and looked directly at John Morgan.
“Whatever the remaining choices are, sell and donate, and tell me what I have left over” was the only thing I had left to say as I stood impatiently waiting. “Well Mr. Underwood since you made the choices your parents were hoping you would make; I need you to sign these two pieces of legal paperwork.” Handing me the first document and a pen John continues to talk –
“This document that I am presenting to you now is the contract allowing the house you are standing in, to legally become yours. It was the one property your parents specifically didn’t want sold.” Shocked, I looked around the huge room I was in and dumbfounded, I signed the paperwork. I looked out of the room trying to remember everything I had seen upon walking in, and just stood there in shock. John Morgan continued talking, but none of it made to my brain as I stood looking around.
“The second document will need your bank account number and your signature, because there is a remaining two hundred million dollars that your parents left to you in the case you made the right choices” where the words I missed from John’s mouth, and Mark Ward about fell over upon hearing this number. Looking over at me, his presence changed slightly and he waved his hand in front of my face.
“Hey Justin, did you hear the man or are you lost in bloody space kid?” Shaken out of my shock, I looked at Mr. Morgan and finally spoke
“What did you say?” John Morgan repeated
“The second document will need your bank account number and your signature, because there is a remaining two hundred million dollars that your parents left to you in the case you made the right choices, which since I’m telling you about it, you have.” I stumbled over to a chair and sat down and looked up at Mr. Morgan. I studied his face for a moment before asking him my next question.
“Do you have any beer in this house?” At this John and Natalie both laugh, and Natalie excuses herself to go get a few beers from the freshly stocked refrigerator. Almost as fast as she left, she returns and places a beer in front of me and Mark and puts a few more on the table in front of us. I waste no time and quickly open one and drink it down in no time as Mark is just taking his first sip. I grab a second one and open it and start to slowly sip it as I stand back up and start walking around pacing again across the same path as before.
I stop for a moment and look out the large window out onto the street and start to talk
“So, let me get this straight, after selling everything and donating that money to Kidscape I still have this house and two hundred million. What is the catch?” “Mr. Underwood, I can understand why you are hesitant, but there are no more catches. You have fulfilled the requirements of your parents ‘Last Will & Testament’. All you have to do now is sign this last document and the money will be transferred within twenty-four to forty-eight hours.” As Mr. Morgan finishes speaking Angelica reappears with a Kidscape folder and hands it to Mark, who stands up and starts to talk
“Mr. Morgan, as Justin wishes the rest of the money be donated to Kidscape, here is all the info you will need to get in touch with them.” Mark places the folder on the table and pushes it over to John Morgan and sits back down sipping his beer and leaning back watching carefully what unfolds next as Angelica stands behind him, with a hand on his shoulder.
“Mr. Ward thank you very much. Mr. Underwood, I wi…” John starts, but I quickly interrupt him.
“I would appreciate it if you called me Justin. Might sound cliché, but Mr. Underwood was my father, and I haven’t left my mark on this world to deserve to be called that.” I pause momentarily thinking before I continue to speak
“So, the last thing I have to do is just sign this, and everything is done and I will have no further surprises or surprise interaction with you?” Nodding his head John Morgan starts to speak
“Yes Mr. Under… Justin that is correct. Everything else has been taken care of. We will send you all documentation to this address for your donations and will give you a call in advanced if we have to come back out here. My one last question for you is concerning two things. First your parents bought a large burial plot at the cemetery they are buried in. Do you want to maintain ownership of that or do you want it sold as well? Second the home you grew up in. Do you want to keep that, or include it in the selling and donating to Kidscape?” I take a few moments thinking about everything, trying to wrap my mind around everything I have just learned in the past hour. I take another drink from my beer and respond with
“Keep the burial plot and the house. However, have paperwork ready in case I decide to let the house go.” Without missing a beat, Mr. Morgan replies
“Understood Justin. Here are the keys to the house, as well as the keys to the storage unit. When you have gotten what you want to keep out of it, call Natalie and we will sell the rest and donate it to Kidscape if you wish. Per your parent’s request, this home has been furnished with all modern electronics and appliances and is one hundred percent up to code. Enjoy your new home.” Placing the keys into my left hand I shake his right hand and allow him to gather his things as I stand staring out the window. I finish my beer and motion at Mark and he stands up. The five of us walk out of the large home and bid fare well to John Morgan and Natalie. I walk out to the side walk and just look back at the large beautiful home before me as Mark, Angelica and SCW’s Heavyweight Champion walk up behind me. Mark places his hand on my shoulder and starts to speak.
“So what next kid. What is ‘The Xquizite One’ going to do first now that his new life, the life I said you were destined to live, is starting right now?” Turning around I look at the three of them with a cocky grin on my face and respond with the only thing I could think of –
“What’s next? It’s time to throw one Xquizite fucking party Hot Stuff. Start making some calls. It is time to celebrate.” I turn back around and take one more look at the house, before reaching into my pocket and pulling the McLaren keys out and start spinning them around my finger, before I look back at Mark, only to see him shaking his head.
“Forget it kid. That car belongs to me. You can’t buy it off me either.” The scene fades out with everybody laughing and a nice view of my new home.
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Scene Two – Can I Become the next “Hot Stuff” “Hey HS, I’ll be right back” is heard as the scene opens up to Hot Stuff nodding, and me walking away from the table. I looked through the bar until I saw the sign for the men’s room and started walking towards it. As I walked, I observed my surroundings and noticed all the females looking at me. Some looking out of the corner of their eyes, others over the top of glasses while sipping a drink, and yet others still, just straight out staring at me was I walked past.
As I approached the bathroom door, I pushed it opened and walked in. After it closed behind me, I turned and locked it to ensure I had some privacy. The faint sound of music from the bar could be heard drumming through the ventilation system as I walked over to the sink and looked at myself in the large mirror before me. I rested my hands on either side of the sink and started talking to myself quietly, trying to make of everything that’s happened to me the past week and break down what HS is tell me.
“I’ve got more money right now then I have ever thought I would have at one time. I never thought of wrestling being something to make me filthy rich, but as something that I loved doing. Sure the money I have didn’t come from wrestling, but HS seems to think I could make a shit ton more than what I have now, if I make the right career choices” I say as I stare at myself in the mirror. Looking in the mirror now, I felt like a whole new person. For the past four years I felt out of place and like I didn’t belong. Now though, I feel like a weight had been lifted, and I knew what I was supposed to do, and who I was supposed to be.
“I know it is high time I started living up to who I should have always been. Learning what I was born into only solidified that fact. I’ve got money, I have the big house. After Blaze of Glory, I start looking for the first of many cars that only ‘The Xquizite One’ should drive” I continued while still looking at myself. Turning my face and doing my best to see every angel of the person standing before me in the mirror, I allow a cocky grin to spread across my face as I reach over and turn the faucet on.
Taking a few moments to allow the water to warm up, I reach down and splash some water up onto my face and look back up into the mirror, as I figuratively watched the old JT Underwood wash away and look at the new me. The me that I have been destined to be since I came into this earth. I was now looking at “The Xquizite One” Justin Underwood.
“Do I want to become the next ‘Hot Stuff?’ Simply put no. I don’t want to be a copy or a clone of anybody. I am ‘The Xquizite One’ and will prove that HS might be training me, but I am still capable of being my own person. I am still capable of proving that I am just as good as my legendary mentor. If it wasn’t for him, I’d still be lost and confused, trying to make the fans appreciate me. Trying to satisfy the fans when my music hit. Now I only care about putting asses in the seats, and putting boots to faces as I roll through the SCW talent and work my way to becoming bigger and better then HS himself.” I bent down and splashed more warm water over my face as I continued to talk –
“HS told me to take whatever I wanted. I like that way of thinking, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Nick Jones, you and HS go back a long way. I want you to know something. After Blaze of Glory, I start pinning people and getting victories as I climb back into the ranks for the Heavyweight championship. If, and I mean IF for some reason you don’t retain at BoG, then I simply ask you to stay the hell out of my way, as I hunt down what is rightfully mine and bring the Heavyweight title back home to papa.” Wetting my hands, I start running them through my hair spiking it up, as I continue to speak –
“I can be like all the other wrestlers that come back and bitch and moan about not losing the title, and it being mine still, but you know what? That isn’t going to happen. I fought my ass off for it once, and I will bloody well do it again. I don’t care if I have to go through Damon Synn, Kain, Blade Alexander, or Nick Jones to do so. I don’t care if I have to go through Spike Staggs and Jordan Williams to do so. At Climax Control when I stepped into the ring, what you saw was the me I was destined to be. I don’t care if it’s by ‘The Shattered Dimension’ or ‘The Xquizite Kick’, I will be pinning everybody put in front of me, and not taking a second glance at them, once I have stepped over them onto my next challenge.” Rewetting my hands and running them through my hair again, I look back up, my face having lost the cocky grin and now staring back at me is the face of a serious man. A man with nothing to lose and everything to gain as I started to speak, aggression mixed with excitement in my voice -
“At Blaze of Glory I step into the ring against Spike Staggs and Jordan Williams, with ‘Hot Stuff’ Mark Ward as my tag team match. I know a lot of people are wondering why I did this. Why I chose to align with HS when he has all these big name enemies. Here is why. When I look at everybody that has beef with HS I see a bunch of over the hill has beens or people who are trying to cling to the fame they once had. People who once where successful in a handful of federations that toured the world with big production sets and large stages and pyrotechnics.” Pausing for a moment I raise my left eyebrow as I look deep into my eyes and continue to talk.
“However when I look at Mark Ward, I don’t see the same. I don’t see Mark trying to claim to what he once had. I see Mark doing what he needs to do to make this company bigger and better than any other place on the planet. I see a man, taking a young wrestler under his wing and showing him what he could have if he sets his mind to it.” I step away from the sink and walk backwards towards the center of the bathroom, standing with my arms stretched out.
“Look at me and tell me what you see. When I look at me, I see somebody who can truly change this industry and take it to the next level. When I look at HS, I see somebody that did just that. Everybody keeps talking about how HS will turn on me and end my career. Sure, HS has done that to you Spike, but the difference is, he isn’t a full time wrestler. He isn’t the best wrestler the company has. I am, and he isn’t going to risk this company going under by ending the career of his best wrestler. In short time, I will be sitting atop of this company again, watching as new and old challengers step forward staking their claim at stardom and being the best. Challenging me for the heavyweight title that will soon be around my waist. The problem is, no more will I be trying to figure out what direction I need to go. No more will I be confused and lost. I know my purpose, and I know what I have to do, and it all starts with winning at Blaze of Glory.” Stepping forward up to the sink, I reach forward and turn the water off. I look back into the mirror and my face goes from being serious, to spreading into a cocky grin, as I run my hands through my hair one last time and turn towards the door. Unlocking it, I pull the bathroom door open and walk out with a whole new glow of confidence. I walk back over to the table where HS is sitting and sit back down across from him. He takes one look at me and his smirk comes out and he starts to talk –
“That is exactly the shit I’m talking about right there. You are flying into the true Justin Underwood like a fly to shit. This new you, this true you, is just the thing you needed to get your act together and be who you have been destined to be, since you stepped into the six sided ring of Sin City Wrestling.” I let out a laugh as I bring the glass of beer up and take a large gulp from it. Looking down at the table, I raise an eyebrow as I see the napkin with Claire’s number on it is missing. HS notices me looking for something and reaches into his pocket and pulls it out.
“Looking for this Justin” Mark asks with his devilishy cocky grin. I grin back at him and snatch it from his hand –
“Yes I was HS. See, the thing is, I was once told by a living legend, if I wanted something, to take it… and no offence to you Mark, but you aren’t getting the first crack at that red head. I don’t care if you are a legend, god, or Zeus himself, those two women are mine” I say as I fold the napkin and slip it into my pocket.
“You bloody arse. Fair enough. Listen though; it’s time we got out of here. I got something I need to show you, and you got some training to do. Today is the first day of the rest of your life kid, and it’s going to start with some good ole HS training. I’m gonna text you an address, and I want you and my McLaren there in an hour” HS says as he stands up finishing his beer quickly and slaps me on the back before walking away.
I nod at him as I finish my beer and get up, walking out of the restaurant and pull my cell phone and the napkin out of my pockets and start dialing the number. I press call and wait as it rings. Finally I hear the voice of Claire at the other end, and I start talking.
“Hey Claire, this is Justin… I’m throwing a small party at my place tonight, and wanted to know if you and your girlfriend wanted to come?” I ask as I walk towards the McLaren and lean against it while Claire responds.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ll text you my address.” I hang up the phone and immediately text the time and address to Claire and smile as I open the door to the McLaren and a text comes into my phone –
“7000 Las Vegas Blvd N Las Vegas, NV 89119. One Hour. Bring the McLaren”I study the address and get into the McLaren as the scene fades out.
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Scene Three – Reflex TrainingThe scene comes into focus on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway as I am behind the wheel of the very fast McLaren borrowed from none other than “Hot Stuff” Mark Ward. Mark was currently sitting up in the stands, as I raced around this famous race track, easily reaching speeds of two hundred miles per hour plus. In front of me was a series of trucks throwing obstacles in my way as I raced quickly. The purpose of this, as crazy as it seems, was to help me with my reflexes.
Making two laps around the raceway dodging everything easily as it came at me, I made my way into the pit road and pulled the McLaren to a stop behind a series of other exotic cars. My instructions for HS where simple. Two laps in each car, and not to scratch any of them or crash in any of them. Once I was done racing them, I was to pick the one I liked the most, and truly push the car to its limits. Sure, two laps isn’t really enough to figure out the one I liked the most, or at least I didn’t think it was. I started the day out in his McLaren, figured, I had been driving it tamed around for weeks, might as well open the beautiful piece of machinery up on the track and really feel the g forces as I made the turns.
I sped around the track in his McLaren, Corvettes, Ferraris, Lamborghini’s, Aston Martin’s and even a Bugatti Super Sport, which still didn’t catch my interest as much as the McLaren had. As I raced the Bugatti around the track I felt I was wasting my time, and didn’t think anything was going to give me the rush I felt when sitting in the center cock pit style seat of the McLaren. But let me tell you this, I had never been more wrong in my life. After doing my laps in the Bugatti I continued into pit road and pulled into the very spot I left two and a half laps ago.
As I stepped out of the Bugatti Super Sport, I felt disappointed, until I looked at the last car to be driven. It’s shape was amazing in my eyes, and I was lost in the deep metallic blue coloring of it. I walked over to it and ran my hand along the curves of the car and walked around to the front of it. What I didn’t realize when I was walking up to it from the back, was the license plate had three letters on it. The rest of the cars all had some exotic car dealership tag on them, but this car… The 2012 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo already had a Nevada plate on it with the letters “TXO” embossed on it. I walked back to the driver side door and lifted the door up.
Sitting down in the beautiful car I felt a connection to it. A connection that made me want this car more than anything I had ever wanted. This car was in every since of the word me on four wheels. It was powerful looking and all the women would love it. Sure it wasn’t as expensive as the other cars behind it, but this one, this one was truly Xquizite. I turned the key that was already in the ignition and the car roared to life, and idled with a purr that nothing could mimic. Pulling the door down and making sure it was secure, I buckled myself in for one fast ride. I gently push the gas, and watched as the ramp gauge shot up faster than I would have imagined. I pressed the clutch in and put the Saleen into gear and slowly eased off the clutch as I pressed the gas down and the Saleen lurched to life fast.
I let out a whistle and finally the first words came out –
“This car will be mine. I don’t care what the hell I have to do to get it. I will be showing up to Blaze of Glory driving this baby.” Not taking it easy anymore, I started shifting as the car accelerated around the track and effortlessly I dodged and slid around everything the workers through at me. As my speed climbed, my adrenaline raced faster and faster through my large frame and my excitement grew to new heights. Finally shifting into the final gear I placed both hands on the wheel and started drifting effortlessly around the corners of the track. I raced around once, twice, three times. I didn’t want to stop, and I didn’t. The workers in the truck, continued to throw stuff at me as I raced around the track. After about twenty laps around the track, the workers stopped throwing stuff at me, and I just drove.
I got lost in time as I became one with the car and we just speed around the track, not worrying about anybody or anything. Just feeling the vibrations of the roaring engine and the raw horsepower at my figure tips made me forget everything. From the lies my parents raised me around all the way to the present where I would be facing Spike Staggs and Jordan Williams. I cleared my head of everything and just focused on the road ahead of me, and becoming who I was destined to be. I knew that HS had been right all along. I had lost the rush of feeling the wind in my hair a long time ago, but I still had continued to ride my motorcycle. However, now, sitting behind the wheel of this powerful car, I had it all back, even if the wind wasn’t blowing through my hair. Looking down at the clock, I realized I had been speeding around the track for almost two hours, when I finally realized somebody was speaking into the headset that I had been wearing in all of the cars.
“Hey yank, get your arse the hell off that bloody track and back into the pit. We need to talk.” Not paying much attention to the words, but hearing the accent, I knew it was Hot Stuff and I slowed down as I made my way back around the track and into the pit. I pulled into the pit area and saw that the only cars left where the one I was driving and the McLaren of Hot Stuff. I pulled up next to it, and put the Saleen into neutral as I revved the engine a couple times, before turning off the engine and lifting the driver’s door up. As I stepped out, I hear the British accent of HS speaking again, as he walked towards me –
“I think it is safe to say that you found the car you liked.” Mark ran his hands along the car as I shut the door and looked up at him. Before I can respond he continued to speak –
“I’m glad to see that we both have similar taste in cars. I figured you would enjoy this car. When I saw this, I instantly saw you behind the wheel. It is just like you. It fits your personality and you psychically. Powerful stance and the ladies won’t be able to stop drooling over it.” Mark leaned against it lightly and continued to talk as I listened, standing with my hands in my pockets –
“You might be curious why I brought you here Justin” he said and continued on with –
“Long story short, I see a lot of potential in you, and in order for you to make the most of that potential, you have to do stuff you aren’t use to. You will have ot wrestle in matches you have never been in. You will have to face all sorts of challenges you have yet had placed in front of you. What better way than to start giving you some unique training. Walk with me kid.” Mark started walking away from the two cars and out towards the track as I followed by his side. As we walked he continued to talk.
“See, at Blaze of Glory you are stepping into the ring with your biggest challenge yet. Facing the babbling idiots of Spike Staggs and Jordan Williams won’t be a walk in the park. Beating them won’t be easy, but it won’t be impossible. The training I’m going to put you through is going to be unique much like the reflex training you did today. Sure you will spar in the ring, and train like most wrestlers, but in order to live up to your potential, your training will have to be Xquizite.” We both let out a laugh at the pun HS made as we come to a standstill. Mark standing on the elevated surface of the track, me standing at the edge of pit road, he looks at me and continues to talk.
“Justin, my question for you kid, is if you are ready to step out of the crowd, and rise above everybody and stand tall with me and prove that you are the future of the business.” I let the words soak in as I thought about everything that had changed in the past week and nodded as I spoke –
“You can bet your ugly British arse I’m ready. I’ve been trying to forge my path for months now, and stepping away from wrestling allowed me to see I was going about it the wrong way. Instead of grabbing the bull by the horns, it’s time for me to become the bull.” “I’m glad to hear it Justin. You need to step up to the track. Cause from where I am standing, I see everything I need to, and the one thing that is wrong with the picture is I’m looking down on you, instead of being level with you. You are beneath nobody Justin. You will face nobody better then you. You have the talent. Everybody else has luck. Start using that talent and take what you want, and let’s start with taking a win at Blaze of Glory.” I stepped up onto the track and turned at HS’s side and looked out at everything he saw. Seeing things the way he did, allowed me the strange sense of knowing I was choosing the right path with my life.
“Justin, you are well on your way to living the life you were born into. You have the money, you have the house, and soon will have the car. Now we just got to get you out of the douche bag affliction looking shirts and into suits, and get you a better hair stylist, and you will be golden.” I let out a laugh as I continue to listen to HS talk. Allowing every word to seep into my brain. I look back down at pit road next to the two cars still there and smile as I finally find the words I was looking for.
“Yea, I see the first car I’m buying and it is parked right next to your McLaren. My life has changed there is no denying that. There are many changes still to come, and I’m going to embrace all of them. Come Blaze of Glory, the SCW roster and all watching will see me the way I should have always been. At Blaze of Glory it is ‘The Xquizite Ones’ time and I will prove to everybody that I mean business.” Mark pats me on the back and starts walking back down to the two cars and looks back over his shoulder –
“Glad to hear it kid. We got a lot of training to do next week. Tonight however, it’s not about the training, but about having fun.” I start walking after him and quickly catch up as we both come to a stop side by side at the Saleen. I keep looking at it and a grin comes across HS’s face as he reaches into his back pocket.
“Justin, I want you to take this car and go cruise the Las Vegas Strip. While you are cruising, I want you to observe all the jealous men that will be staring at you, and watch all the beautiful women drooling for you. For you, and for your brand new car kid. You have earned it. Monday, we start training and preparing for Blaze of Glory” where the last words out of Marks mouth as he handed me a pink slip and a pen. I take the pink slip and closely read it, seeing the name of the car, the VIN number, the color and year it was made, and I look further down and see the name on it next to the owner – Justin Underwood.
Speechless I look up to Mark with a look of shock and he just smiles at me as he walks backwards to the McLaren –
“I told you kid, we got the same taste. The car is yours, enjoy it, I’ll see you Monday. Have fun.” I quickly sign the pink slip, and walk around the car once more finally noticing the License plate when I get to the rear of the car. A smile comes across my face as I read the plates initials “TXO” as the scene fades to black and I walk to the driver side door.
