That night repeatedly plays in my head. I’ve never had a problem shaking off anything that has happened in my life. Whether it was my dad catching me smoking when I was thirteen, getting kicked out of school for beating the sh*t out of that assh*le that took my sisters virginity, or even when my dad died, I’ve always been thick-skinned. But that night… maybe it was the betrayal… maybe it’s just the fact that I still have to face it every day and haven’t had the opportunity to move on yet… either way, the night Tom turned his back on my is constantly on my mind and in my dreams. I haven’t been the same person since. I’ve been spending a lot more time alone. I eat alone, I travel alone, I don’t even really get on Twitter too much anymore because I know that Tom will be on there ready to attack anything that I say. I know I shouldn’t let him get into my head, but he’s so damn good at it. He knows how to push my buttons. I’ve come to realize in the last few weeks that the only way to move on from this situation is to take Tom out of action. I’ve been able to use that motivation to get through the last few weeks, culminating in me beating Tom’s handpicked team at Into The Void to earn the right to face him at the next supercard. I’ve come so close to ending this once and for all, but now, with recent events that have happened away from SCW, I’m not even sure if I’ll make it to the next Supercard.
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Sin City Wrestling has grown substantially since Wyatt Peterson joined its ranks. That’s not to say that it’s all because of Wyatt, though. Due to the hard work in scouting by co-owners Christian Underwood and “Hot Stuff” Mark Ward, SCW has built the best Bombshell division in all of wrestling and has gained a large following due to its unpredictable Roulette Championships. With the perfect mix of legends such Nick Jones, Spike Staggs, and Tom Dudely to go along with the up and comers like Casey Williams, Aleksei Koji, and Lucian Frost, SCW hasn’t just thrived, they have dominated anything that has been put in their path. With SCW’s growth, so have Wyatt’s paychecks grown. They have grown so much that he has even gotten himself an apartment on the outskirts of Las Vegas. He loves having his own place so much that he goes out of his way to get back home between shows, even when they’re not scheduled to be in Vegas that week. This week, Wyatt’s trip home brings some shocking news.
The unmistakable sound of keys being slid into the deadbolt can be heard followed by the click of the door being unlocked. A knob turn later and the apartment is flooded with the light from the evening sun. Wyatt walks into the apartment with his duffle bag over his shoulder and what appears to be about a week’s worth of content from his mailbox in the hand that is not operating the front door. Wyatt steps inside and drops his duffle bag to the floor with a soft thud. After closing the door, Wyatt walks into the living room which is simply decorated with a tan couch, glass coffee table, and a 42 inch flat screen television that is mounted to the wall. He tosses the mail onto the coffee table before changing directions towards the kitchen. A few dishes that Wyatt didn’t get around to cleaning before leaving to Citrus Heights for last week’s Climax Control are stacked on the counter next to the sink. Wyatt ignores them and makes a beeline for the refrigerator. He opens the fridge and pulls out an ice cold bottle of Budweiser. Almost instantly, the glass bottle is covered in condensation because of the intense Las Vegas heat. Wyatt twists off the cap and chugs down about half of the bottle before he can pry the bottle away from his thirsty lips with a refreshed “Ahhh”. Wyatt walks back out into the living room and makes his way to the venetian blinds that cover the sliding glass door that goes out to his patio. Wyatt slides the blinds to the side and opens the door to step outside. He closes the screen door behind him and walks over to the railing on his patio. He has a good view of the swimming pool from his second story patio. The pool is normally populated with children enjoying their Summer break from school and today is no different. Wyatt leans against the railing and watches absent-mindedly as the kids play Marco Polo.
Voice: Hey there, Wyatt!
Wyatt snaps out of his daze as he turns to see his downstairs neighbor, Peter, waving up at him. Peter is what many would consider “annoying”. Wyatt absolutely agreed with that assessment. Unfortunately, Peter is a loyal SCW fan and Wyatt knows better than to blow off the fans. Wyatt lifts the beer to his lips to take another couple of gulps before replying.
Wyatt: Howdy, Peter. How’ve things been goin’ fer ya?
Peter: For me personally, they’ve been pretty mediocre, but SCW has been off the hook!
Wyatt: Off the hook? What’s that mean?
Wyatt still hasn’t gotten down a lot of the slang that they use over here in the southwest. He feels a bit silly having to ask what things mean, but his Maw always told him that if he didn’t understand something it was okay to ask about it. Peter doesn’t even consider making fun of Wyatt’s lack of knowledge.
Peter: Off the hook. It means that it’s been really good. I mean, Into The Void was awesome. I can’t believe that Kittie won the Bombshell Roulette Championship. I didn’t see that coming at all. Then, there was you and the Surf Boys beating Goth, Johnny Brown, and Adam Smith. I can’t wait to see you destroy Tom at the next supercard.
Wyatt starts to say something but Peter keeps talking.
Peter: Then there was Nick Jones retaining against Jordan Williams only to lose the Rage this last week on Climax Control. I can’t believe Rage is the new champ. I never thought he’d be able to get over the hump.
Wyatt starts to say something again, but once again Peter keeps talking. His excitement continues to build the more he talks.
Peter: I can’t wait for this week’s show! Every Bombshell title is on the line! Aleksei Koji is teaming with Lucian Frost! Also, you and Tom are signing the contract for your match this week on top of Kain returning to the ring to face you. He’s got something to prove and I don’t think he’s going to be an easy win for you.
Wyatt once again tries to talk, but Peter keeps talking.
Peter: Oh, I almost forgot…
Wyatt: PETER!
Peter stops talking and looks at Wyatt, surprised that he was cut off.
Wyatt: Ah’ve got stuff tah do inside the house. Ah can hear the dishes callin’ mah name.
Peter looks disappointed.
Peter: Oh, okay.
Wyatt: Ah’ll be out again later. Maybe ah’ll even come down with a couple o’ beers fer us tah share.
Peter seems to perk up at Wyatt’s proposal.
Peter: Alright then, I’ll see ya later.
Wyatt straightens up and takes a swig from his bottle as he steps away from the railing. Wyatt slides the screen door open and steps back into his apartment. He pushes the power button on his TV and plops down onto the couch. The TV comes to life in the middle of an episode of the cartoon “King Of The Hill”. Wyatt watches for a couple of minutes, drinking his beer until the bottle is dry. Wyatt leans forward and places the bottle onto the table, trading it for the stack of mail that he placed there earlier. He leans back onto the couch and starts flipping through the mail piece by piece.
Wyatt: Bill, bill, junk, junk, bill, bill… Hmm…What’s this?
Wyatt pulls an envelope out of the stack, tossing the rest of the mail back onto the table. Wyatt examines both sides of the envelope. It is a basic envelope. The kind that you can buy boxes of at Walmart for under two bucks. Wyatt’s name and address are handwritten on the front of it with no return address. Wyatt’s curiosity gets the better of him as he rips open the top of the envelope. He pulls out a folded piece of lined paper that appears to be a handwritten letter. Wyatt unfolds it and starts reading it. Wyatt’s face freezes in shock. He stares at the piece of paper like he can’t believe what he’s seeing. After a couple of minutes that feel like an eternity, Wyatt is finally able to mutter a single word.
Wyatt: Unbelievable…
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It doesn’t take Wyatt long to arrive in Amarillo, Texas. Taking Interstate 40, it takes him a little under thirteen hours to get from Las Vegas to his childhood home. It’s a little after 7am when Wyatt’s old Chevy pickup truck comes rumbling down the dirt path that leads to his family’s farm, kicking up a cloud of dust. Wyatt pulls up to the house, stopping just a few feet short of the front porch. Wyatt turns off the truck and the sound of the rumbling engine is replaced with the sound of silence. Wyatt hastily scrambles out of the truck, slamming the door behind him and starts quickly walking towards the house. Without so much as knocking, Wyatt walks through the front door that leads into the entryway of the home. After closing the door, Wyatt turns to his right and into the large kitchen. Wyatt’s Maw and his younger sister, Mary, are sitting at the dining table drinking steaming mugs of coffee. Upon seeing Wyatt, Maw immediately gets up to her feet and rushes over to him, giving him a hug that isn’t returned by Wyatt.
Maw: Wyatt! I didn’t know that you were going to be visiting. Let me make some more coffee.
Wyatt shakes his head, waving his mother off.
Wyatt: Ah appreciate the thought, Maw, but ah’ve got somethin’ ah wanna talk tah ya ‘bout. It’s really important.
Maw stops and looks at Wyatt with a worried look in her eyes.
Maw: Of course, dear, what’s going on?
Wyatt reaches into the back pocket of his blue jeans and pulls out an envelope that is folded in half. Wyatt unfolds the letter and hands it to his mother. Recognizing the handwriting on the envelope, the color drains from Maw’s face. She stumbles backwards, sitting down in a nearby chair.
Maw: Mary, I think you should go check on the horses.
Mary shoots Wyatt a questioning look. Wyatt just nods that she should do what Maw told her to.
Mary: Okay, Momma.
Mary gets up from the table with her coffee mug. She walks over to the kitchen sink and dumps the remaining brown liquid down the drain before rinsing it out and placing it on the counter.
Mary: Jus’ let me know if ya need anythin’.
Maw nods in absentminded acknowledgement. Hoping for some clue as to what was going on, Mary glances back at Wyatt but his face is frozen in an emotionless state. She turns and walks out of the house. Once the front door is closed, Maw shakily gets back to her feet and starts walking over to the coffee pot.
Maw: I’ll get you a cup of coffee.
Wyatt: Ah’d really just like some answers, Maw.
Maw: Nonsense! You’ve been driving all night. You need some coffee. I can see it in your eyes.
A cup of black coffee did sound good. Wyatt resigns to letting Maw get him a mug and sits down at the table in the seat that Mary had just occupied. After a moment, Maw brings the coffee to the table and places it in front of her youngest son. He lifts it to his lips and feels his mood lighten as the dark liquid warms his stomach. He momentarily forgets why he’s here but that doesn’t last long. He puts the coffee mug back down onto the table and leans towards his Maw.
Wyatt: Maw, what’s with the letter? Is it real?
Maw sits back down and looks over the envelope. She pulls it out and reads the words to herself. After a few moments, she finishes reading the letter.
Maw: Oh my!
Wyatt: Maw, that letter says that it’s from mah Paw.
Wyatt shakes his head as if he can’t believe what he just said.
Wyatt: Now, ah know that that can’t be true, because mah Paw’s been dead for a few years. Right?
Maw folds the letter and places it back into the envelope. She puts the envelope back down on the table and slides it to Wyatt. She looks up at her son with pity in her eyes.
Maw: Wyatt, there’s something that I should tell you.
Wyatt can’t believe his ears. He looks at his mother with a stunned expression as she returns the gaze with her bottom lip grasped between her teeth. The moments pass as Maw tries to put together the words properly. Wyatt finally breaks the silence, barely getting out a whiper.
Wyatt: Mah Paw ain’t dead.
It was more of a statement than a question. Maw looks at Wyatt with a tear rolling down her cheek. Her eyes are already swollen and red as the tears start pouring non-stop. The remorse is evident in her eyes as she just nods in confirmation. Wyatt immediately drops his head, looking into his lap to try to regain his composure. A flood of emotions hit him at once: joy, relief, anger, pain. The one that comes out over all of the rest is the feeling of betrayal. Wyatt’s eyes are wet with tears waiting to escape his eye lids as he lifts his head to look back at his mother. Wyatt slams his monstrous hands down onto the table in frustration before getting to his feet letting his chair slide across the kitchen until it hits a cupboard. Wyatt starts towards the door.
Maw: I didn’t want to hurt you.
This stops Wyatt in his tracks. He can’t believe what his mother has just said. He turns back to face her?
Wyatt: Ya didn’t wanna hurt me? How the hell does havin’ a dead Paw not hurt me?
This is the first time Wyatt has ever raised his voice towards his Maw. The tears that he had been trying to hold back finally break through the dam and start streaming down Wyatt’s face. Maw looks up at her son from her seated position with regret in her eyes. Wyatt is unsure of what to believe anymore. The one person he felt he could trust more than anyone else had been the orchestrator of the biggest lie in his life. Wyatt just shakes his head and turns once again to leave. Maw’s words just start flowing from her mouth.
Maw: Your father left me for another woman. I didn’t want you to think any less of him, that’s why I told you that he died.
Wyatt turns back towards his mother and takes a step towards her.
Wyatt: But we had a funeral. How do ya explain that?
Maw: Didn’t you ever wonder why you never saw the body? It was an empty casket. I had to make it look realistic if you were going to believe that he had died.
Wyatt: But ya had tah know that the truth would come out eventually. Ya always taught us growin’ up that if we lied it would come back tah bite us in the you-know-what.
Maw looks down and shakes her head.
Maw: I didn’t think it would ever be a problem. When he left, your Paw told me that he was done with everything. He said that he didn’t want the farm, the money… or the kids.
That cut Wyatt deeper than anything else. His own father didn’t want him. First Tom, now his Paw, did anyone want to have Wyatt in their life? Wyatt remembers the letter.
Wyatt: But what about the letter? If he didn’t wanna be a part of mah life, then why did he send me a letter sayin’ otherwise?
Maw shakes her head.
Maw: Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe he saw that you’ve made a name for yourself and he wants to come back into your life to get a slice of the pie.
Wyatt lets the words sink in. Could his Paw really just be trying to get into his life because Wyatt has become somebody? Or maybe his Paw had a change of heart and really wants to get to know his son. Wyatt can’t take any more of this emotional rollercoaster. He shakes his head to try to get rid of the thoughts that are floating through his head. Without saying another word, Wyatt walks out of the house. He flies past down the stairs past Mary who is just returning from taking care of the cows.
Mary: What’s wrong, Wyatt?
Wyatt reaches his truck and opens the driver’s side door. He leans over the top of the truck.
Wyatt: Maybe ya should go ask yer mother.
Mary looks confused as Wyatt climbs into the truck cab and fires up the engine. He wastes no time kicking up dirt as he speeds away from his family’s farm as fast as his truck with take him. Nothing helps you gather your thoughts quite like a thirteen hour drive.
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The scene opens inside of Glacier Gardens in San Diego, California. The activity level is pretty high as we are only about an hour away from show time for this week’s edition of SCW Climax Control. Wyatt Peterson is making his way around the backstage area. His trademark Stetson is perched atop his head as he appears to be looking for someone. He spots SCW Bombshell, Odette Ryder, sitting at a table that is covered by a black tablecloth with an SCW logo emblazoned across the front of it. Odette seems to be enjoying herself as a smile is glued to her face and she keeps giggling. Wyatt walks over to the table.
Wyatt: Hey, Odette, have ya seen the Stoner?
Odette is surprised by Wyatt’s arrival. Her smile disappears as she straightens up in her chair. She appears to be having trouble sitting still as she talks.
Odette: Scott? I… uh… I… oh!
Odette slides down a little bit further under the table but quickly regains her composure and scoots back into an upright position.
Odette: I’m sorry, Wyatt. What was the question?
Wyatt: Ah’m lookin’ fer yer boyfriend, “Stoner” Scott Oliver. He was supposed tah interview me fer mah match against Kain. Have ya seen ‘im?
Odette: Oh, yeah. I… uh… I haven’t seen him. Maybe he’s somewhere ELSE!!
Odette slides down in her seat again. Wyatt eyes her suspiciously with a raised eyebrow.
Wyatt: If ah didn’t know better, ah’d think that ya had someone under that there table.
Odette puts on her best innocent face as she denies Wyatt’s accusations.
Odette: Under the table? Oh no! Not at all.
Wyatt just smiles at how obvious it is that Odette is lying. Wyatt starts slowly bending forward.
Wyatt: Then ya wouldn’t mind if ah take a look under here.
Wyatt lifts the tablecloth and comes face to face with the Stoner who is smiling ear to ear.
Stoner: I guess you win. It took you long enough.
Wyatt: Ah… win?
Wyatt’s face does nothing to hide his confusion. The Stoner crawls out from under the table and gets to his feet. He uses his hand to wipe off his face before continuing.
Stoner: That was a hell of a game of hide and seek. I guess we should start your interview now that you finally found me. Babe, why don’t you go get ready for your match while I take care of business.
Odette giggles at Stoner’s antics as she stands up from her chair and straightens her skirt. She walks around the table and puts her arm around the Stoner’s neck, using the fingers on her other hand to walk up his chest.
Odette: I’ll see you a little later.
Odette leans in and gives the Stoner a soft, yet passionate, peck on the lips before skipping off to prepare for her own match to defend the Bombshell Tag Team Championships later in the evening. The Stoner is in a stupefied state for a moment as he watches Odette disappear around the corner.
Wyatt: Hell of a lady ya got there.
The Stoner just smiles as he turns his attention back to Big Country. As if by some form of stoner magic, a microphone is suddenly in his hand. Wyatt looks amazed as Stoner smiles.
Stoner: I learned that one from Gabriel.
The camera pans over to show The Surf Boys, Narly and Radical, laughing and bobbing their Stetson covered heads.
Narly: That was totally Radical.
Radical stops laughing and gets a serious look on his face.
Radical: But I thought I was Radical.
Narly looks amazed.
Narly: Dude, you totally are!
The camera goes back to The Stoner and Wyatt Peterson, leaving The Surf Boys to their head bobbing.
Stoner: Wyatt, you’ve been on a roll since returning from injury. You beat “The Jackal” Adam Smith in your return match. Then, you teamed with the Surf Boys at Into The Void to beat the formidable trio of Goth, Johnny Brown, and Adam Smith. But tonight, you face a whole new kind of monster. You’re going to face a man who is making his return to the ring for the first time since he took SCW Co-Owner, Mark Ward, to his limits. Rumor has it that Hot Stuff wants you to take Kain out of the picture like you did to Johnny Brown at Into The Void. Is that your goal as well?
Wyatt: Look, ah don’t like puttin’ people on the shelf like some people, such as Casey Williams, like tah do, but ah do go out there an give mah all in that ring every night. Ah’ve seen the tapes. Ah know what Kain is capable of. Hell, ah’ve been in the ring with ‘im before. As ah recall, he was on the losin’ end of that encounter. Now, don’t get me wrong. Ah’m not gonna stand here and talk badly ‘bout the guy. He’s a helluva competitor and ah’m gonna hafta give mah all to get the win.
Stoner: Did you happen to catch his promo earlier this week?
Wyatt: Ah sure did. He’s got a lot of perdy good advice. One thing that really stuck out tah me was when he said that ah shouldn’t be thinkin’ ‘bout all the other things goin’ on once ah step between those ropes. Ah’m gonna keep that in mind goin’ on ‘bout mah matches. Tom’s been tryin’ tah get into mah head fer a while and it’s only gonna git worse as we get closer to our showdown.
Stoner: Speaking of Tom, you’ve also got the contract signing for your guys match tonight. Care to give us some insight into the provisions you got added into the contract?
Wyatt: Ah think that y’all are gonna hafta wait tah find out ‘til Tom finds out at the contract signin’ later on. Ah’m interested in findin’ out what Tom had put into the contract too. As far as ah can tell, the only people who know what this match is gonna entail are misters Underwood and Ward.
Stoner: The contract signing is scheduled to take place after your match against Kain. Are you worried that Tom will attempt to take advantage of a tired Wyatt and attempt an attack on you?
Wyatt: Well, ah wasn’t worried ‘bout it ‘til now. Damn, ah hadn’t thought of that.
Wyatt attempts to shake the thought from his head.
Wyatt: Enough of that crap. Ah need tah focus on Kain right now. He’s the immediate match. Tom will be dealt with at the Supercard.
Stoner: Alright then. Is there anything else that you wanted to say to Kain?
Wyatt thinks for a moment as he rubs his chin.
Wyatt: Ya know what, ah do.
Wyatt takes the microphone out of the Stoner’s hand and looks directly into the camera.
Wyatt: Kain, you do a lot of talking. You repeatedly call yourself the King of Kings. You tell people to bow to you. Ah’ve seen ya in the ring and yer definitely one of the best SCW has tah offer. Anyone who can go toe tah toe with “Hot Stuff” Mark Ward gits mah respect. But respect means nothin’ once that bell rings. We’re gonna be in that ring tryin’ tah achieve the same thing. We both know that the other is the man that stands in the way of their making a major move up the ranks tah challenge Rage fer the Heavyweight title. Tonight, ah’m gonna prove tah you that mah last win against ya wasn’t a fluke. Ah’m gonna prove tah everyone that ah deserve tah be in the SCW Championship picture. Ah’m also gonna prove tah Tom that he made a horrible decision bah turnin’ on me. It all starts again tonight, Kain. Fer me, fer you, fer the entirety of Sin City Wrasslin’.
Wyatt is obviously pumped up as he turns and shoves the microphone back into the Stoner’s hands. The Stoner fumbles with the microphone but is able to maintain control. Wyatt walks away down the hall past The Surf Boys who reach out and pat his back as walks by. Wyatt disappears around a corner as the scene fades.
