“I may bend, but I won’t break, I define who I become.”
The feed opens to display Cyrus Riddle leaning against a chain linked fence on the perimeter of an empty parking lot. Environmental conditions would suggest a warmer, more lively location as Cy’s casual attire of a black hat, black t-shirt, and dark grey Dickie’s work shorts indicated a need for more breathability. The liveliness of the area could be heard in the distance, with faint cheers and party-like overtures being spouted into the air amongst upbeat Dominican music.
“I believe we as people often forget that we define who we are. As much as God authors the book of life, we do get afforded the free will to pen the pages. I’ve suffered great tragedies in my life, some cutting deeper than others, but all delivering their own form of past trauma. Take this parking lot for instance.”
Cy uses the flexibility of the fence to stand upright and take a few steps forward.
“I lost someone very dear to me in this very parking lot, right in front of my eyes. Even standing here now all of the emotions are attempting to penetrate my current condition and shatter me. Difference between now and before? I’m refusing to let the ghosts of the past defeat the Riddle of the present. Instead, we embrace the pain, reminisce on the tragedy, and use it as hands of a molder to shape the clay of what’s to come.”
“Brandon Hendrix… you daft, less than, ill equipped, delusional waste of oxygen. I’m shaping my future by misshaping everything about you. Your entire aesthetic rearranged à la Picasso, with the brush nestled in my hand, imposing my will and agenda on the helpless and hapless you. I could sense your energy the moment you stood next to me. I knew you were not on the level that I expect and require out of a tag team partner. I knew that you wouldn’t listen to the wise choices that should be made, or be coachable enough to where I could elevate you within the match enough so we could secure a victory.”
Riddle scoffs, shaking his head with an expression of disgust.
“You were a fill in, yet you carried your way into the match like you had a legitimate stake. You walked in as if you owned the ring, that this was your territory and it was claimed. But no, that’s not the reality of it at all. You should have been humble. You were blessed to be put in a match with me. The years, the accolades, the wisdom. Anyone else would have lept at the opportunity to embrace my alliance. But I suppose once an ignoramous, always and ignoramous. Instead I met you with the contempt you deserved. You were not qualified. In fact, you being placed as my partner was a textbook description of failing upward.”
He shrugs momentarily, smirking.
“Now, we find ourselves having to settle things the proper way. I have the chance to put you in the place you didn’t realize you were meant to be in, and you have the opportunity to feel what greatness brushing beyond you really provides. This is your awakening, and it coincides with a much needed reckoning. From here, we will go our separate ways. I will enjoy the spoils of your defeat and see what is awarded to me on the other side, whilst you labor in the realm of obscurity, trying to concoct a winning formula that you will inevitably be driven mad by and succumb to because you are not destined for the same levels of greatness that men like me have achieved. Careers like mine turn men into immortals. I came to this country with a few hundred quid in my pocket, and a dream to escape the nightmares of life. I created the opportunities and took advantage of them by being forward thinking and creating a brand that people couldn’t get enough of. Over time, I understood the importance of evolution and relevancy, as well as the risks involved in reaching levels even my predecessors and trainers had not seen. I was a bottom ranked bloke who became the head of the organization, and it was because the hunger for more couldn’t be satisfied near as easily as it could be for enemies and friends alike who were in the same race to the top of the mountain that I was engaged in.”
Cy walked slowly along the pavement, watching as the unkempt lot began to develop cracks where weeds would creep through.
“People would always tell me the cities were like concrete jungles, and I immediately responded by letting them know I wouldn’t settle for second place in that kingdom. Here, in SCW, the same law of the jungle applies. Brandon, I’ve had two unsuccessful outings. The first was my own unraveling, by losing focus and psychology which I usually pride myself in having an abundance of. The second, and unfortunately for you in this matter, was created because you failed to operate within the parameters you should have known you belonged in when I was involved. Now, you are the wrong that I can correct, and the immediacy of my ability to find redemption leaves me with a great satisfaction. I stood toe to toe with HBC and nearly defeated a former world champion in my debut. It was a loss regardless, and I will see a day where I can atone for that. But you, you’re a mistake that should have never been made in the first place. As much as I will enjoy this venture, I can assure you I see this as nothing more than a means to an end. Defeating you is not a question anyone has on their mind, they are more wondering the manner in which I execute my plan and get my first win in SCW. It will be definitive, it will be a showcase moment, and I will embrace every second following the decision in my favor. So I encourage you to do a very accurate self-assessment. Figure out where you want to be, where you are now, and how you can get there after suffering the defeat I hand you. It takes a lot of work for a disadvantaged numpty to get ahead in life, so you might want to seek the proper planning channels now, as your time for any level of progress ends by my hands at Climax Control.”
After freezing in place for a few lingering moments, Cy closes his eyes and kneels down toward the pavement. This particular spot has a tiny spot of spray paint on it, with an R. He removes an origami rose from his pocket, placing it over the letter and letting his fingers gently grace the spot. Breaking the uncomfortable silence, Riddle looks up.
“I can assure you, I have more I’m fighting for than you could ever imagine, and I've danced with demons that make you look like an after school special. This is my world you're attempting to operate in, and you will find there are no paths to greatness your feet can take you on. Embrace your end, feed your head, and accept your demise.
