<span style='font-family:Arial'> When you feel lost, who do you turn to? Do you run to family? Do you go to friends? What if they were the cause of this lost feeling that you felt inside? Who then?
The scene opens up with a statue of Jesus, hanging from a gold cross, his head tilted to one side as a crown of thorns rest upon his head, his eyes closed. The camera pulls back to show the cross hanging from a wooden wall. As the camera moves out further, an old style pipe organ sits to the left of the shot, it's pipes losing some of their brass shine. As the camera moves further back, a pulpit made of worn oak sits in the middle of an elevated floor. Yes, we are indeed in a church, a place where most go when they run out of options and have to look to an unseeable force for guidance, for blind faith. The pulpit stands high, allowing a speaker to see over the congregation, but today wasn't Sunday, the congregation were nowhere to be seen, but a man sits in the forth row, his head bowed and his hands pressed together. The camera moves in closer, clearly showing the head of J2H.
J2H inside a church, seems unlikely, yet there he was, wearing a black suit, with a white shirt, his hair neatly pushed back. His eyes are closed as his hands cover half his face, his fingers brushing gentle over his nose. Nothing but silence fills the church, as SCW's top male champion sits on the slightly uncomfortable wooden benches. His mind rushes as he stays in a silent state, his head bowed for a few more seconds. Slowly he raises his head, his eyes opening as he looks at the statue in front of him and slightly to the right, the main focus part of the churches stage. He looks on in silence, his breath a slow and steady pace, when he is approached from his right hand side by a man dressed in a black robe and white collar. The man, tanned, olive skin, and dark hair neatly combed downwards, around a bald crown, with a moustache, just following the curve of his upper lip. He looks towards J2H, causing him to turn his attention to him. The man points to the bench and J2H nods, inviting him to sit alongside him.
Father Rodriguez: My name is Father Rodriguez. I haven't seen you here before, my son.
J2H: I'm J2... James, just call me James. I haven't been here before father.
Father Rodriguez: You look like a young man with the world on your shoulders.
J2H sighs as he adverts his gaze to the front of the room, his eyes on the statue of the crucified Jesus Christ.
J2H: I do have the weight of the world on my shoulders father, the weight of many worlds I think. Life isn't what I imagined it to be at this point, when I should be happy, but I'm not. This world is a messed up place and right now, I don't even know how I got here.
Father Rodriguez: Sometimes, going back to the start of the path will help you figure out where you are now.
The champion frowns as he keeps his eyes on the statue.
J2H: Well, I'm a wrestler father.
The father smiles.
Father Rodriguez: I confess, James. I do know who you are. Although not a fan of the sport as such, I do see you in the society pages.
J2H: Can you tell my smile in those pages are fake, Father? Can you tell that I put it on like a poker player to hide the fact that I'm not happy?
Father Rodriguez shakes his head slowly as he looks away from the young man.
Father Rodriguez: No, but there is not many people out there that are truly happy with what they have James.
J2H: I'm one of them father, but it's not about wanting more than what I have, cause in honesty, I have everything a normal twenty two year old should have and more, but this point of my life, I don't know what to do with it.
Father Rodriguez: Go back to the start, and bring yourself to this point.
J2H sighs as he closes his eyes and speaks.
J2H: Well I was always the kid that did the unexpected, like I grew up with money, and that was it, I should be sitting around all day doing nothing, but that was never the case, Father, in fact, it was the opposite. I was a child genius, I went to college early, I got a degree in business at a young age, while I was wrestling. I was always good at sports, but people looked at me and saw the skinny rich kid and that was enough for them to judge me without knowing me.
Father Rodriguez: As the saying goes, never judge a book by it's cover.
J2H: That saying could have been made for me. I was judged from the second I said hi to someone. I was judged the instant I came in contact with people, I still am. People don't want to give people like me a chance for whatever reason, no one wants to be that close. I was always the guy that people come to when they wanted something, when they needed something and I still am in a way. People come to me when I can do something for them that others may not want.
Father Rodriguez: So you feel under appreciated?
J2H opens his eyes, breathing out sharply as he looks towards the reverend.
J2H: That's an understatement. I don't do well with friends father, and if this wasn't holy ground, I wouldn't be holding back on how I feel about the and well the curse words would be flying.
The father can't help my smile sympathetically towards the young man.
J2H: I feel used. I feel taken for granted. I feel like people would let me slip through their fingers, watch me crash to the floor, have them step over me, only to come pick me up when they want to. I've felt like that with so many in my life, even with family too. I'm at the point where I'm tired, father. I'm at the point where compliments don't come my way, no matter what I do. It's probably my own fault really.
This draws a curious look from Father Rodriguez.
Father Rodriguez: How do you see it that way, my son?
J2H shrugs his shoulders, a sad exhale coming from his lips.
J2H: Because I let them. The guy you see on television is only part of who I am. The guy that people see on television goes home at the end of every day and does what normal people do. An actor goes home at the end of every day, does he stay in character?
Father Rodriguez: I very much doubt it.
J2H: Right, so am I expected to be the guy on television all the time? Like I don't feel anything? I admit, I am ninety five percent of who I am on television but at times, I would just love to have someone tell me I'm worth something. That five percent of me has it in them to randomly compliment someone. That five percent allows me to smile at someone, or tell someone I appreciate what they do, but it's so one way. It's my own fault.
Father Rodriguez: I don't see how you can blame yourself for others actions, James.
J2H: I can. I haven't been a saint father, I will never claim to be. I will never say I've been a good person, who deserves good things, but I feel like I deserve something as a human being. I feel that I deserve basic human rights as everyone else. I mean people on death row might be monsters, but they are human and deserve the basic rights, as much as their victims deserved to live a peaceful life. I've forgiven myself for my own sins, but I can not forgive others for wronging me.
Father Rodriguez: Self acceptance is a tougher thing to do that accepting the faults of others.
J2H: So you'd think, but it's easier to accept that I'm a horrible person, than accept that people I thought were good people aren't horrible. I can forgive myself for doing things people would burn me at the stake for, but I can't forgive simple things like people not being there on one of my biggest nights of my life, the night I won the SCW World title. My parents, no where to be seen, my then ex, who is now my current was too busy on Valentines being with other people, than being with the guy she tried to win back. My biggest achievement in life, and people who was meant to be there, wasn't there.
Father Rodriguez: Why wasn't they there?
J2H: My parents couldn't care less about me. They did a family tradition of giving me half the family wealth when I turned sixteen, gave me the house and I haven't seen them in five years. I don't get many calls, no birthday card, no Christmas card, nothing. As for my ex, she decided to up and leave, just like that, just like my parents, and didn't come back till just before my greatest victory, tried to work her way back in my life but preferred the company of others that night.
Father Rodriguez: Sounds like you hold a lot of resentment there.
J2H: Oh I do, it burns away at the little part of my soul that I have left, father. I thought I was married to her, long story, and it took me some time to get used to it, but lord knows I tried and lord knows, I was actually happy and then she was gone. Forgetting the relationship side, who says they're your best friend and leaves? Best friend, something I never really had before. I had friends, but not someone I could sit there and share everything with. I went from "wife and best friend" to nothing. There's always that fear it could happen again.
Father Rodriguez: Do you fear it will happen again?
He can't help but shrug his shoulders, as if it was a natural reaction.
J2H: Two weeks ago, maybe not, now, I'm thinking I'm the one that will do the running, father.
He looks towards J2H, a genuine look of concern on his face.
Father Rodriguez: Why would you do such a thing, knowing the pain it caused you?
J2H: Like I said, I haven't been a saint. You know last week, I sat on my boat, looking in to the water and wondering what the point was to life anymore. People might think it was nothing, but I thought maybe it's time to skip through the living fast part and get to the die young part. It was either that or run away and never look back because my personal life, well...
He sighs as he looks away, looking randomly at a stained glass window.
J2H: It's just not what I thought it was. I don't feel free to say what I feel, I don't feel honesty flows around me and I don't believe things are right. Something has changed in my world, and it feels like so many empty words are coming my way, just to keep me there like a roll of tape, just locked away somewhere until they can get some use out of me.
Father Rodriguez: Nothing is unfixable, James.
He looks back to the concerned reverend as he returns the look to the champions eyes.
J2H: This could be. Every aspect of my life feels like it's falling apart. My career, I've been the top man for a long time, yet at this point you'd think people would show some respect, but no, people can not wait for the day I fade away. They look at me with envious eyes and hatred, because it's me, because I out work them. My personal life, well, I won't lie, unless something drastically changes and soon, that will be done and finished because something has changed, I can't figure out what and when I ask, questions get brushed over and I'm back to square one. My health, well, it's not great and I have to fight every day to keep mind over matter instead of just giving up and saying it doesn't matter and never get out of bed again. At times father, I feel like there can be a million people around, and I'm the only one there. There's times I want just one person around, and I'm the only one there. No matter what I want, it falls short.
Father Rodriguez: Surely you are in a position where you can have what you want.
J2H: Some things money can't buy. Could be the richest man in the world but the one thing you want is priceless and you know you're never going to get your hands on it. I'm tired for fighting for that. I don't like goals I can't get, father.
Father Rodriguez: We are our own worst enemy at times, but I like to believe nothing is impossible.
J2H: You should be me for a day and feel what I feel, and so much becomes a speck of dust in the distance.
Father Rodriguez: What is it that you want, James?
He runs his hand on his chin, exhaling sharply.
J2H: The sense that I'm wanted. The freedom to say no to something without being made to feel guilty, the chance to feel valued, to have my opinion matter. For a life of honesty in my direction, and peace. I don't get that and money can't buy me that.
Father Rodriguez: Are you willing to sacrifice everything for that? Your career? Your possessions? Your relationship?
He thinks for a few seconds, letting the silence grow between himself and Father Rodriguez. He looks up at the statue of Jesus hanging from the cross and looks back at the father.
J2H: Yes, I would. My career can end at any time and I don't think I'll miss the ring. My possessions are meaningless when they don't give you what you want, and my relationship.
He pauses again, looking towards the father.
J2H: She's one "I'm single" tweet away from having her message box light up, and I know who would be at the front of the queue for that, but she won't be single for long. Would I give up everything to be appreciated, wanted, valued, have an opinion without feeling guilt, to be able to say what I wanted without walking on egg shells and being forced in to things I don't want? I would prefer it in my career, possessions and personal life, but I'm starting to see that as a pipe dream.
Another sigh comes from the champion, his depressing moving around the silent hall.
J2H: If it means stepping back from everything in my life and just being with myself, then I'm willing to do it. I can't take putting in the effort, only to have to hide what I feel. People would be better off without it and me around.
Father Rodriguez: I don't believe that to be true. At your age, the world is in front of you to make of it what you will.
J2H: So many things are very much out of my hands father. This is why I'm at this crossroads. My entire life is up for debate right now. I can put in the effort and try to over come my next opponent, or I could not put in the effort, let him win and walk away from work. I can sit there in my relationship and let things continue the way they are where equality seems to fly out the window and I become a side kick to my own relationship, or I can walk away from it. I can sit there and say what I feel to people, knowing it will make them walk away eventually, or I can just save the pain and drama and the issues that will no doubt rear their ugly heads in the future.
Father Rodriguez: You can't be fearful of the future, James. You never know what's gonna happen in it, even in these uncertain times.
J2H: Oh, sadly I do. I know me and I know some things are just not meant to be. I don't do empty words, I expect the same. This is why I don't know if I should go full tilt and continue the road I'm on accepting that things will never change, or if I step out of the limelight, step away from everything I know, just go, move to a place where no one can find me and just start again. I feel like I've been sitting at this crossroads forever and I have no way of knowing which way to go.
Father Rodriguez: That is the beauty of like my child. No one knows where we are going, no one knows how to get there, but God has a plan for us all. He will give you guidance and show you where you need to be. The people you meet in life, some are there to test you, some to stand beside you but regardless of if they stay in your life, they was there to teach you something. Everyone you come in contact with, a co-worker, a friend, a life partner, even a fan, everyone's life is impacted.
J2H lowers his eyebrows as he looks at Father Rodriguez, slightly confused.
J2H: A fan?
Father Rodriguez: More so than you might think, James. When you meet a fan, whether it be for a two minute conversation, an autograph or a picture, that fan will remember that moment for an entire lifetime. They will be telling their friends about the second you looked and smiled at them. Even when you feel that you're not making an impact on someone's life, you truly are.
J2H: And when do people start making an impact on mine? When do I get to feel that wow moment? When do I get to stop being the guy there for others that's never appreciated?
Father Rodriguez: When you let people. People can't come in unless you let them.
J2H: Works both ways, father. No one wants me that close till they need something from me, or they want me to do something I don't wanna do.
Father Rodriguez: You get what you give, James. Life is about giving as well as accepting.
J2H: All I seem to do is give. My life is very one sided father. I give it all in everything I do, and here I am not knowing what to do in life.
Father Rodriguez: My advice is to take it one day at a time. You might leave here today and someone may just change your world again. I have listened to you and I enjoyed the fact that you were very open with me. I appreciate the fact that you came here, instead of looking at the water again.
J2H: Thank you for listening father.
Father Rodriguez: The reward is knowing that you came here, to God's house and not in a place where you can do harm to yourself. I must get going James, but I am here all the time, so please don't be a stranger.
Father Rodriguez stands up, reaching down to shake J2H's hand. J2H shakes his hand, standing to his feet.
J2H: Thank you for your time father. This has been as open and honest I've been able to be in a while. Before you go, I have one more question.
Father Rodriguez: Oh course my child.
J2H: Vampires, they're not real, are they?
A very puled look crosses the father's face as he looks down at J2H.
Father Rodriguez: Well, they do say you need bad, to know what good is, but I think in this case, we can clearly rule out vampires. They are a work of fiction.
J2H smiles towards him.
J2H: Thank you father.
Father Rodriguez turns to walk away stepping to the aisle and moving towards the pulpit. J2H moves in to the aisle and looks at the statue of Jesus.
J2H: Gave up it all for others to live in peace.
J2H does the sign of the cross over his upper body before turning around and walking up the aisle, his footsteps heard throughout the building. He stops next to a donation box and reaches in to his pocket, taking out a money clip, thick with rolled up one hundred dollar bills. He takes a handful and puts it in the wooden box, before returning the rest to his pocket and talking to himself.
J2H: It won't buy me a ticket in to heaven, but I can't take it with me.
He walks out of the church, in to the sunshine as the camera fades to black.
A familiar dirt track leads past a gas station, familiar to some who has seen some J2H promo work in this area.... So that's about two of you, good job keeping up with the company you work for. Anyway, dust flies from a four wheel drive pick up truck as it moves at a steady pace down the road, leaving the gas station in the rear view mirror. The car slows down as an old wooden post appears, the gate worn with time, swung open as the pick up truck moves towards it. The camera switches to J2H in the driver seat, the smile on his face as he reminisces. His eyes on the fields surrounding it where horses run freely. He looks at the ranch house and drives forward, stopping outside, the dust kicking up from the tires as he comes to a halt. A woman walks out of the front door, radiance shining from her as she looks up at the driver. J2H cuts the engine, stepping out of the car, his feet crunching on the dirt floor as he looks at the woman.
J2H: Ms. Angel.
J2H nods his head at the smiling woman. Yes indeed, Angel Parker, the wife of Austin Parker himself, stood with a beaming smile, looking at J2H. J2H had surprisingly flown halfway across the country to stand on the grounds of the Parker ranch, his spiritual home if you will, a place where the evolution of James Huntington-Hawkes III slowly kicked in, turning him in to the superstar that became J2H. The woman stepped forward towards the man who had grown so much since his time here and warmly wrapping her arms around his neck.
Ms. Angel: I'm so glad to see you James! Look at you now.
She steps back, her hands on his shoulders and looking at him up and down.
Ms. Angel: You've turned out to become a fine man.
Her southern charms were not lost on J2H, she was a generally likable woman. One could even question how she ended up with the pantomime villain that is Austin Parker. J2H would argue with anyone, male or female, his quips about many females on the roster hasn't gone unnoticed in sectors that bothered to listen, but something about Angel Parker that instantly drew your respect from all walks of life. Her kindness and compassion was plain to see on first meeting her. Pride filled her eyes as she looked at the man who lived in her guest house for months. Without her patience and understanding, he would never have become the man he'd become. She never looked on his as a bratty kid when he showed up at the gates in the past, but as an equal, something he'd never felt he'd had before.
J2H: Thank you Ms. Angel. Without this place, I wouldn't have become who I have.
Ms. Angel: Being a wrestlers wife, I've seen a lot of wrestlers come and go in the past, but you have made me so proud.
That pride she felt translated to J2H. He felt humbled around the woman who had treated him with respect and kindness, regardless of who he used to be. Everyone who walked through the Parker's door was treated as equal, regardless of who they were and what background they came from.
J2H: Without this place, I wouldn't have stood a chance in wrestling. This is where I owe my career to.
A smile crosses her face as she looked at him, like a mother to a prodigal son.
Ms. Angel: You wasn't saying that when you first arrived her.
Her smile was only matches by his own as he thought back to day one. His mind drifted to the task of having to fend for himself for the first time in his lifetime. There was no heirs or graces on the ranch, people were treated with respect and took care of themselves, that was something he wasn't used to. He wasn't used to doing his own shopping, cooking, or keeping his personal environment clean, he always had Simpson for that, but his first day on the ranch saw Simpson sent on a very deserved vacation.
J2H: It took a little time to get used to but it reaped the rewards.
Ms. Angel turns back to the door she walked from, her hand cupping her lips as she calls out.
Ms. Angel: Austin, we have a visitor.
Austin: Ah'm comin', ah'm comin'
Ms. Angel turns back to J2H, as she stands on the stoop to her home, her feet firmly placed on the wooden planks.
Ms. Angel: So you came all the way out here on your own? No Simpson, or Melody Grace?
J2H sighs a little as he bites his lower lip, looking at the woman.
J2H: No, Melody is more of a Los Angeles or Norway person. She's been talking about Norway a lot lately, and tweeting it, so I'm guessing I'm set for an action replay there, and Simpson is with Melody. I needed to get away for the day.
Ms. Angel: And there was nowhere closer than Georgia?
A laugh comes from her lips as she looks towards him, trying to lighten the mood. He smiles at her.
J2H: I needed to feel connected to wrestling again. I needed to feel like I still had it in me, because the last two months could have been the worst two months of my career and life.
Ms. Angel: Oh?
Her tone was of curiosity, but good manners taught her many years ago, not to pry when not required.
J2H: Well my personal life is going to hell, Ms. Angel. Connections just not there at this point with anything. I fake more smiles to the fans when I'm meant to be trying to get their money from their pockets and in to the company. On a wrestling side, I am so bored.
Ms. Angel: How can you be bored of doing something you love to do?
J2H: Because I have faced and beat the same guy in my last two matches and come Sunday, I will have to do it again. It's becoming so routine, I could do this shi... ugh stuff in my sleep. The challenge is gone, there is no need for me to improve and get better anymore because although you showed me to be humble, wrestling doesn't challenge me anymore.
Ms. Angel: That's when you need to make new challenges within wrestling, for yourself. You've been a champion for nine months, why not challenge yourself to go to the end of the year as champion, and then a full year?
J2H: I'm not sure I have it in me. Everything is snowballing in to one giant downhill ball and I don't know what to do anymore.
The door to the Parker home swings open and Austin Parker walks through, stepping on to the wooden planks of the porch and looking down at J2H, a surprise look on his face. Angel puts her hand on J2H's shoulder and looks him sincerely in the eye.
Ms. Angel: I'm sure you'll figure this out, James.
She warmly hugs him again, before turning around toward Austin and walking past him. Austin looks at J2H with the look of surprise still on his face.
Austin: Ah though ah was meeting ya in L.A on Saturday.
J2H: I needed to get away.
A frown passes the cowboy's face as he looks at him, standing taller on the elevated porch.
Austin: An' ya ran outta islands for you an' the lady to go to?
An almost proud smirk crosses his face as he folds his arms.
J2H: Yeah, so I decided to take a trip to the land that smells of sweat and horse shit.
An equally proud smirk crosses J2H's face as he mimics Austin by folding his arms and looking at him. Austin rolls his eyes at J2H.
Austin: Ah'm a popular man today.
Austin turns his head towards the door, calling out loudly.
Austin: Come on out here, Bo!
J2H raises his right eyebrow looking towards the door as Bo Dreamwolf walks through the door, looking towards J2H. Bo's politeness quickly sees him step off the porch and towards J2H, reaching his hand out to shake it. J2H returns the handshake.
Bo: It's been a long time James.
J2H: Very Bo. Still teaching kids?
Little known story about J2H and Bo Dreamwolf, that you will see in a bit. Small talk is natural for two of the most unlikely people to ever have any kind of connection.
Bo: I am, thanks for asking. How are you?
J2H: Still remembering the little people now I'm a nine month champion.
The friendly jab towards Bo causes the Native American to smile towards him.
Austin: Ya clearly came here for ah reason. Ya don't just drop everythin' without a call or anything an' just travel all the to a place ya didn't like, just cause ya wanted a break.
Austin points towards an open area, a barn in the distance, and steps off the porch to join J2H and Bo. He nods for them to walk and the three starts to walk down a dirt track.
Austin: Now, if this is one of those ah need a shoulder to cry on moment, ah'm not interested, you talk to Bo.
J2H scrunches his nose up as he looks at Austin.
J2H: It's not exactly like that. I'm getting bored Austin. I'm getting bored of constantly having to take on Dmitri. I'm tired of going home and feeling second best, I'm starting to like being in a dark room, on my own and locking out the world.
Austin: Boy, when ah was rasslin', me and Mark Ward took on each other every night for a month. We had to cut promo after promo in front of the crowd, every night. Every night we did that and we had ah rule. It couldn't be the same promo as the night before. Rassling changed now. Ya only cut promos ta build television matches. So ya had to talk about that guy ah few times. Big deal, ya the champion.
Bo: What he means is you worked hard to be where you are, so you wanted to be there at some point. You should enjoy it. Shouldn't matter who you've been facing.
Austin: That's what ah said.
Austin and Bo share a look, while J2H, walking in between the two of them, looks either side, shaking his head at both men as the three walk.
J2H: It's not that I don't want to be there. It's about the fact that there is fuck all challenge anymore. Fuck, I spent yesterday trying to goad Simon Jones out of retirement, just to come back and give me a challenge. I see a man who has been out of wrestling for so long as more of a challenge than the people active.
Bo: The roster is full of talent. I am still a fan.
J2H: The problem is people are fucking lazy, Bo. People don't wanna put the effort in to be as good as I am, to lift them up.
Austin: He ain't wrong. In all the years SCW has been going, this is a slack roster.
J2H: They're just so fucking lazy. They turn up when they want and put no effort in to it.
Bo: Dmitri has made himself a serious contender lately.
J2H: Compared to who else? Everyone else is sleeping, Dmitri was the only one who wasn't. He don't look good cause he stepped up, he looks good because everyone else stopped putting in the effort. I'm bored with that and my personal life is going to hell.
Austin: Ah ain't listening to what you and blondie are going through, ah don't care. You talk to him.
Austin points a thumb towards Bo, causing J2H switch his sight direction to his right, where Bo walks. An uncomfortable look crosses Bo's face.
Bo: Well, ummm, have you tried talking to her?
J2H: No.
Austin: Well problem solved. Talk to the woman ya idiot.
J2H: I wouldn't know where to start. I want things to be better with us. I mean they're not bad, but one minute she's bubbly around me, next, she's on Twitter talking to others and acting like she don't care.
Austin: Ah for fucks sake. Have we gone back six months? Cause ya was bitchin' bout that then and I didn't care than, and ah don't care now.
Bo: You should talk to her though. Maybe she feels the same and wants thing to be closer. Ever thought of getting engaged?
J2H raises his eyebrow towards Bo, with a cocky smirk on his face.
J2H: Have you?
Austin can't help but burst out laughing as he looks at the two, pointing at Bo.
Bo: If I haven't, I can honestly say my sister, grandmother and Brandi probably have for me.
Austin: He still got ya there.
Bo stays silent, feeling defeated by J2H's comments and the three stop outside a barn, the wood more worn from when J2H remembered it from the past, the structure not aging very well.
Austin: Can ah just deal with the rasslin' problem? You two can have a heart to heart 'bout women later.
Austin looks up at the old barn and moves towards the door, pushing open the wooden barn door. Inside sits the very old, yet workable wrestling ring, the very same ring that both Bo and J2H stepped in to improve their skills under the tutelage of Austin Parker. Bails of hay sit around the ring, marked with scrapes and scratches to give it character.
Austin: This is where it all started.
J2H: I know, I remember I was here, when you wouldn't let me get in the damn thing till I shovelled shit and lifted hay and fed ya damn chickens.
Austin: Well if ya wouldn't work a regular job, ya sure as shit wasn't gon' be able ta work hard enough to rassle. Ya might have been in an SCW ring before ya got ya skinny ass to this ring but this is the ring ya started ta become a real rassler.
J2H: Yeah, but now I'm bored of it. I am sick of it and I have no drive anymore.
Austin: Do ya remember how bad ya was when ya first turned up here?
J2H: I wasn't that bad.
J2H looks at Austin with all honesty as the three walk in to the barn and towards the ring. The three stand before the ring.
Bo: Actually, you was terrible. I actually remember the first match we had in that ring.
Flashback to the days of training, and here's the little known story about J2H and Bo Dreamwolf. Bo Dreamwolf was one of the very few people who knew exactly who J2H's trainer was, when he made his return. You could say Bo Dreamwolf played a big part in his training. Did you really think Austin was in the ring with the man known as James Huntington-Hawkes III? Not all the time, no. Austin still had it, on occasion, part time, or supercard wrestler, Austin could handle it - hint hint Austin - but wrestling every day would take it's toll on the wrestling legend, and age wasn't on his side - sorry Austin. Bo Dreamwolf was the man in the ring with J2H pretty much every day of his training. Here's their first encounter.
Austin: Seriously?
In the ring, of days gone past. Bo Dreamwolf stand facing a much skinnier, less muscle defined, tattooless, James Huntington-Hawkes III. Both men are wearing training gear.
Austin: You call that a punch?
James throws another punch toward Bo, glancing him on the chest, but not having any major impact to the much better built man. Bo looks out of the ring towards Austin and shrugs. Austin covers his eyes, slowly shaking his head, but James hits Bo on the chest once more. Bo turns his head back towards James.
Bo: I almost felt that one.
James: You're not funny.
James runs off the ropes, springing back across the ring, clumsily charging in to Bo and falling to the canvas.
James: Dammit! Is this guy made of stone or something!?
James returns to his feet, rubbing his shoulder and look at Bo.
Austin: Try a dropkick or something.
James jumps in the air, doing as Austin instructed and tries to nail Bo with a dropkick, but Bo stands firm, causing James to land flat on his back. James struggles to his feet and Bo jumps up, landing the picture perfect dropkick to James' chest and sending the young man flying backwards and to the canvas.
James: Dammit! That freaking hurt Tonto!
Austin: This ain't ice skating boy, get up.
James gets up and walks over to Bo, and instantly tries to lift him off his feet, but Bo tenses up, standing his ground. James stands up straight and stomps on his foot, causing Bo to untense his body. James reaches down and lifts Bo in a bodyslam and drives him in to the canvas. James turns around raises his arms towards Austin in victory, but Austin quickly shoots him down.
Austin: Ya not getting a medal for a bodyslam.
Defeated, James turns back towards Bo, only to be met with a vicious clothesline, sending James flying off his feet and doing a back flip, landing hard on his back.
J2H: Son of a bitch.
James pulls himself to his feet and charges at Bo, who sidesteps and puts a foot out, tripping him up. Stumbling, James flies through the middle of the ropes and in to a pile full of hay. Bo and Austin move towards him, only visible from James is his legs waving out of the hay.
Coming back to modern times, both Austin and Bo laugh as the three sit on hay bales. J2H rolls his eyes at the two as they continue to laugh loud.
J2H: What was the point of retelling that embarrassing story?
The two slowly quieted down their laughing and look towards J2H.
Austin: 'cause that was who ya were when ya showed up here, an' now, ya the World champion and have been for nine months. Back then, ya wanted to be where ya are now an' ya there now. With rasslin', people don't stay on top as long as you have without havin' something special 'bout them.
Bo: We all doubt ourselves in our careers, and in our lives, but you gotta look back at all the sacrifices you've made in your life to be where you are. Being where you are now, having all that you have now make all the sacrifices worth it.
Austin: Ya just go out there, kick Dmitri's pale ass back ta Moscow, an' enjoy being on top.
Bo: And don't push your lady friend away. If you want more from it, then if she's the one, she will too.
J2H looks at the two of them, unable to really argue against them.
J2H: Thank you. Now is there a bar around here that doesn't play country music, and doesn't stink of horse shit? I could go for a beer before getting back on a plane.
Austin: Don't ask for much, do ya?
The scene fades out as the three share a smile.
The scene takes place after Melody's promo.... Don't worry, she did let you know when this one takes over....
Do you use Twitter? Oh you should, because it's actually fun if you're not watching Dmitri try and tweet dark side stuff when he's not tweeting "lol". It's a source to where people may or may not tease with a spoiler or two... Or if you're James Tuscini, don't sell your character to your fans. It teases signings, and returns... Hey, did you see Hot Stuff tweet about putting the money down to get Simon Jones back? Or that Ben Jordan has a reason to be at High Stakes VI, or that this might be Melody Grace's last match in SCW? No? You didn't know that? Well, Twitter is where to be.
Some what of a shock appeared on there earlier this week, as J2H announced that his relationship with Melody Grace was very much on the rocks, quickly followed by a tweet from Melody talking about single life. As expected, not one reply to J2H, not even an "are you ok?" from anyone. Melody on the other hand, bam! A friend went straight to her, not asking if she was ok, but building up how much they can spend time with each other again, and a random guy just trying to be noticed. Hate to think what her DMs looked like, but nothing, nothing of any sympathy for J2H. It could have been Melody that caused it, but no one cared, comfort Melody, burn J2H at the stake, just like last time until he took to the ring and told people the truth.
Weeks ago, the two moved in together, they were happy it seemed, or was they. You saw Melody's promo I hope before you saw this, walking on egg shells was an understatement and J2H couldn't figure out why. He knew his soul had a scorch mark in from nine months ago that wouldn't fade, he knew the mental pain would not go away at any time soon, but it rarely showed when the two was together, it just lived in the darker reaches of his mind.
What could have prompted the two to be like this... Well there was a clue in Melody's promo if you actually were smart enough to pick up on it.
But as you've gathered from this promo so far, J2H is no longer around at the house. He'd extended his stay at Austin's ranch for an extra couple of days, they break up unfairly coming from a long distance setting, but he was heading home, he was home in the city sense so to speak at Los Angeles International Airport.
A private jet comes to a complete stop to one side of a small hanger. Planes can be seen shooting past in the background, their jet engine noise filling up the Los Angeles air. The steps to the private plane starts to slowly come down, next to a waiting car. After touching the ground firmly, J2H is seen standing at the top, adjusting his eyes to the morning light, brightness filling the air around him, only lit up by the countless lights of the working airport. He breathes in deep, feeling the fresh air hit his lungs after hours of compacted recycled air in the private plane. Stepping down the steps, a bag over his shoulder, he moves towards the car. He knew it would only be a short journey to the terminal, and no time through customs - celebrity perks, before he would be back facing reality and the problems he created to wait for him by the time he returned.
He agreed a break up with Melody over the phone, he didn't know what he was going to be walking in to. She sounded firm on the phone during their argument, almost like giving a shit about the situation wasn't on her mind, but he knew differently. He knew that she built her walls high and was sitting behind the wall confused.
He hasn't let the whole thing slip from his mind either. For the last four hours, he'd been stuck on the plane, his mind wandering towards what had happened. He knew the scars from the past would always come back to haunt him, but was he too rash? Was the reasons for his quick escape justified? Were they stupid reasons? A million questions rushed though his mind, enough to cause doubt in him mind.
He knew as he stepped in to the car and sat down, feeling it slowly move towards the terminal building, he had to speak to Melody, he had to clear the air before she moved on and he disappeared off her radar for good, he had to know if he was sure he was doing the right thing.
After seconds, the car was pulling up to the terminal building, snapping him back from his thoughts and scenarios of what could be waiting for him when he got home. He stepped out of the car, pulling his bag with his free arm before moving in to the building in front of him. He looks around the VIP area, where celebrities get to move through security without the glaring eye of the public, spotting it to be relatively quiet before moving through the a security check point. His eyes focus on the tired looking guard as he hold up his ID, the man waves him through, clearly not interested in his celebrity status. He wanders through the security checkpoint and to the outside of the main terminal, expecting to see Simpson waiting for him, yet Simpson is nowhere to be seen. Pulling his bag higher on his back, he starts to walk through the terminal, thinking that Simpson may have been running slightly late. He pulls his baseball cap lower on his head hoping to not be recognized in this early morning setting, but fingers and whispers fly in his direction. A more excitable noise is heard in the distance as he glances his eyes up to see a gathered crowd. He narrows them, looking for the source of this commotion, but takes half a step back as his eyes widen.
Walking towards him surrounded by people following them, taking pictures and asking questions, is Melody Grace and Simpson, Simpson's watchful eye keeping check on how close people are getting to her. His mind races, was she at the airport to meet him? To try and put things right? No, she had a carry on bag with her.
She was doing it again... She was leaving!
His mind was rushing again. No waiting to talk, not even sitting at home with a rolling pin ready to strike, she pulled the same thing she did in the past and just walking away without a word. This is starting to become less of a pattern and more of trait.
Melody had seen him too, she froze in place as her eyes locked on to his. She could see the anger in his face. He knew that running away when she owned half his house, her stuff that she brought in to the house would be a constant reminder of her, but she opted for another indefinite disappearance, leaving him once again to clean up was what she wanted. She knew that this was not going to be a fun reunion as he marched his way towards her, the crowd spotting him and looking towards him. Louder whispers broke out as he got closer, many expecting to see human gasoline, meet a human match. He stopped in front of her, his heart racing as he looked at her as words fell through gritted teeth.
J2H: So you're doing the same again? Just running away.
Melody looks around the crowd. She had a reputation to protect, she had a life she build with not only herself, but with the man in front of her.
Melody: This is not the time or the place James.
His eyes narrowed as he looks at with fiery rage in his body.
J2H: Just like last time when you disappeared. That wasn't the time or the place for months and then we all know what happened when you did come back!
The scars on his soul spoke for him, unable to stop himself. It was almost like he was controlled by something he couldn't control at all. The worlds fell out of his mouth without him being able to stop them, this did not impress Melody.
Melody: I have a plane to catch.
J2H: Let me guess, to Norway, a place you have no connection to, a place that has no meaning to you other than the fact you spun a globe and that's where it stopped. Anyone would think you have something there that you're not telling people about.
Melody rolls her eyes at him, not impressed by his words, her response dripping with sarcasm.
Melody: Yes James, I have a secret family in Norway, who I go and see once every year.
J2H: Wouldn't be shocked.
His eyes look around the people gathered, each waiting on every word they have to say to each other, some recording and hoping to brag to their friends about it later, with video proof.
J2H: Look, can we just go somewhere to talk?
Melody: Where James? We're in an airport with thousands of people. There is nowhere to talk without getting attention.
J2H understands her words, but quickly looks around his surrounding, spying an empty store selling ties - Is it a surprise it's empty? Who goes to the airport to buy ties anyway? He takes Melody by the wrist and quickly, and very surprisingly to Melody, pulls her away from the crowd and in to the store. Simpson quickly follows, caught off guard by the young man's actions. J2H stops and turns around to Simpson.
J2H: No one comes in.
Simpson nods towards him and turns his back towards the store. J2H quickly shuts the door and locks it behind him. The store assistant look across, a teenage girl, looks through her thick rimmed glasses.
Assistant: You can't do...
She looks at the couple as she trails off, her mouth slowly growing wider as she recognises them.
Assistant: You're....
J2H raises his hand and cuts the surprised girl off in her tracks.
J2H: Yeah, yeah, and I'll give ya five grand now and an autograph if ya just walk in to the store room and shut the door for five minutes.
Five grand to a teenage girl working in a tie store in an airport, he instantly knew the answer as he watched her turn around and walk in to a door behind the counter. J2H turns back to Melody, her hands placed firmly on her hip.
Melody: Well? I have a flight to catch.
Her tone was venomous, yet tired. He didn't know of her exploits while he was away, but could sense sleep wasn't high up on the list of things she'd done in the last few days. He can't help but smile at her words.
J2H: You really think yo have a flight to catch? Did Simpson arrange it all?
Melody nods, yet unsure what he was getting at or working towards.
Melody: Of course he did, he called the company, he arranged the car.
J2H: For the exact same time that he had to meet me at the airport to pick me up? Not half an hour or so in between so we never bumped in to each other.
Melody: He wouldn't do that!
J2H looks towards the door at Simpson standing sideways on, half an eye on the crowd, half an eye on what is happening in the store. J2H gives him a slight nod and turns around, Melody keeps her eye on the situation.
J2H: See what I mean?
Melody slowly shakes her head, more in surprise than anger towards Simpson, before turning back towards J2H.
Melody: I can't believe he'd do that to me. He knew I had to get away from all this.
J2H: All this? Run away from your house, your stuff, your damn animals and leaving me to pick up after everything.
Melody: You ended things with me on the phone James, you couldn't even do it face to face, then put it on Twitter and you expected me to just sit around and wait for you?
Anger was growing in her voice and he knew how to push her buttons, not the smartest thing to do but he did anyway.
J2H: At least people replied to you. Your fucking friend seemed over the moon that she could spend more time with you, and some random guy just replying utter shit just to get your attention. I was the one sitting there with no one giving a fuck when I was hurting too.
Melody: You ended it and I still don't know why!
Melody walks away from him, her eyes browsing ties sitting on hooks, not taking much notice of the designs, just using it as an excuse to get away from him. J2H stays in the same spot as he calls out to her.
J2H: Because you fucking lied to me!
Melody stops and turns around, looking towards him with anger in her eyes.
Melody: About what?
Her teeth instinctively grind against themselves as her eyes look at him with pure anger.
J2H: About your injury! You're hurt and didn't tell me a damn thing about it. Do you know how close you were to not being able to do the simple things because of that shoulder? You kept me in the dark Mel and I went along as normal when I coulda done more and I believed you when you said you was fine!
Melody: I was fine!