“For Sale: Baby Shoes. Never Worn.”
Bobino’s voice was crisp, with a hint of emotion. Not enough was aid to tell what emotion quite yet, but it’s definitely there.
“What are you talking about, Bob?” Majin could be seen standing over his partner, who was hunched forward, hands clasped tightly.
“It’s Hemmingway. One of his friends bet him he couldn’t write a compelling short story in only six words. He took the challenge, and so we got that. ‘For Sale: Baby shoes. Never Worn.’ You have no heart if you’re not moved.” Bobino’s voice quivers a bit during Hemmingway’s story. The strong context has obviously resonated with him.
“I’ve heard it, very powerful thoughts. What does it have to do with why you’ve secluded yourself out here, Bob? Let me in on what’s going through that brain.” Majin sounds concerned, as the scene pans out a bit, and it becomes evident that Bobino is sitting on edge of a fire escape, back still turned to his C.H.A.O.S. brother.
“What meaning do you pull from it, Majin? What do Hemmingway’s words say to you?” Bobino’s voice has leveled. He seems to be trying to change the subject.
“Again, not sure what this has to do with anything, Bob. I’ll humor you though. A couple lost their child, that much is evident. The ad being placed is them coming to terms that what’s done is done, and they want be able to move on… to find another way to cope.” Majin has slowly been moving closer, and finally takes a seat next to Bobino. The conversation between the standing and sitting had been feeling much too awkward.
“It’s about dreams, Majin. That short story is about one couple giving up all hope. It’s about forfeiting a dream. They wanted nothing more to be parents, and fate would not let that desire come true. They were so excited they had purchased the shoes ahead of time, and now after years of fruitless effort… They had to give up… they had to quit. They only solace they found in their failure was passing on the shoes, more a symbol than actual footwear, to another couple who may be able to achieve their dream.” Bobino’s head slumped forward as he finished his interpretation.
“That’s deep, Bob… but it still doesn’t explain to me why we’re sitting on the fire escape. What’s wrong… what’s going through that mind? Let me help.” Majin’s voice showed a very rare quality from the Living Legend… compassion. He wanted to help his friend, he just wasn’t being told how.
The air around them was thick, a muggy day in Boston. No matter how long the flight or trip, Bobino always returned home just before Pay Per Views. Just a tradition he always lived by. Even with an extended flight to Norway, he still sat in his own apartment, overlooking Copley Square in Boston. The familiarity of home helped to center Darwin’s Messenger. Everyone needs something constant in a world dominated by change, even the man who praises the power of change and evolution.
“I don’t want to give my dream up, Wil.” One simple sentence, spoke volumes about Evolution’s Example. He used Majin’s real name, which between these friends was not uncommon, but also told Majin that it was his friend Bob reaching out for help as a person… not Bobino the wrestler looking for support from another wrestler.
“There’s no need to, we can do this. You’re not near the point where effort is futile. We have –“
“WHAT? We have what? Time? The desire? The passion? What do we have now that we didn’t have eight years ago? What do we have that makes anything I’m doing now more or less important than when we walked in these doors all that time ago? I walked into this place, into the PWA and I took a future Hall of Famer, Stanman, to the limit. Literally and metaphorically, I kicked out of his Afterthought, and showed right off the bat that I refused to become an Afterthought.” Bobino’s face reddened with each word, his usually calm cool demeanor gone.
“There is time… sure, you feel nothing has changed… but as you should know… everything is always changing. The Bobino from then would do anything… and –DID- anything to become this Bobino. You are not defined by your accomplishments… you are defined by your work.” Majin’s voice raised a bit, his effort to contain his anger failing.
“I… I just don’t know…” Bobino’s anger had very suddenly rushed away, as he deflated again.
“This place would be much worse without us, Bob. The people in charge my not book you like a key player… but this place wouldn’t be LPW without you.” Majin’s words seemed to be falling deaf, as Bobino didn’t so much as recognize that Majin was talking.
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Every time I motivate myself to change this place they walk all over me, and stomp that desire out. I can only try so long… I can only fight upstream so long.” Bobino’s eyes glaze over a bit as he looks into the distance. “They want me to fail… they encourage me to fail.”
Majin shakes his head in objection. “Change. They don’t hate you… they hate change. You embody the change and evolution they despise. They don’t want –YOU- to fail… they want evolution to fail. Go out and do this for yourself… it doesn’t matter who wants you to fail.”
“I see what you’re trying to say… but how many times have we had this same talk… how many times have I tried to revitalize myself? How many times have I declared the comeback to be beginning? I can only do this so much.” Bobino has finally turned his gaze from the skyline to Majin, looking for an answer.
“So… what? Evolution’s Solider is going to quit? You’re just going to give in and let them win? We both know that’s not true. You go out there… and you show them that you cannot be beaten.” Majin starts to stand up, growing weary of this conversation.
“Yeah. That’s exactly what I’m saying. I’m done. They’ve swept me under the carpet, and I’m tired of fighting my way back out from under it. If I don’t make an impact at this show… I’m done. If they don’t notice me after this… I’m done. They want me revitalized… well the only way that’s happening is if I put myself on the line. I make an impact, or I finish my own six word short story.” Bobino starts to stand, seemingly gaining a bit of energy.
“Stop talking nonsense. You’re not going anywhere.” Majin walks back inside, thinking his friend is bluffing.
Bobino stands alone on the fire escape alone, looking across the sky again. “Either I make an impact…. Or…” His words trail off… the thought going unfinished. Well, maybe not the thought… but the words at least are left to linger.
~*~
I’m done.
I’m done fighting for nothing… I’m done being overlooked.
I’m done being an afterthought in the history books of LPW.
Blackwell, this doesn’t have to be said, but I’m proud to battle you, and this will be just business.
If I can’t make an impact tonight…
I’ll be proud to have my last battle with a good friend and a better worker.
Tonight…
You remember me… Or Hemmingway’s words gain new meaning.
…
“For Sale: Trophy Case. Never Used.”
Topic: LPW INSANITY PRESENTS: RAGNAROK!!! LIVE FROM OSLO, NORWAY - VOTING and PROMO (Read 13535 times)