Post by CJ on Nov 1, 2011 16:05:27 GMT -5
"David and Goliath"
by Chuck Johnson
by Chuck Johnson
“I can’t believe it, you son of a Bitch… YOU DID IT!!”
The feint sounds of the arena echo through the backstage locker room as both metal doors swing open, banging against each adjacent wall with a thud. Stepping into the view with a hand firmly pressed against his ribcage, Chuck Johnson nods and offers a half hearted smile in return. Beads of sweat find their way down the contours of his flush forehead as he steps into the room and slowly closes the door behind him. Seated across from him, his former manager Vernon smiles through a mouthful of popcorn. That smile is immediately erased the minute he notices that Chuck is anything but healthy..
Vernon: Hey, Boy. You doing alright? You don’t look to good..
Stumbling through the doorway, Chuck grimaces and grits his teeth. Turning his head to the side, he spit’s a wad of blood and saliva into a nearby waste basket. Wiping his mouth off with the back of his hand after, Chuck then looks up at Vernon and takes a deep breath.
CJ: I have been better. I think I may have busted a few ribs here and there, nothing a few beers can’t cure. I’ll tell ya’, that TITAN hit’s a lot harder now than I remember.
Vernon: He ain’t the World Champion for nothing! Well, technically he WAS the World Champion now that you have pinned him for the three count! What we need to do is get your name in that main event at Prestige now. Those fed heads would be absolutely stupid not to stick you in that championship match now!
CJ: Wait a damn minute there, Vernon. I don’t need no part in that blood feud at all. Besides, I have some healing to do. I had a hard enough time putting TITAN down one on one. There isn’t a chance in hell of me handling business with Brett Cross involved too. Now, move on out of the way and let me have a seat. I need to catch my breath a minute.
Stumbling across the room, Chuck Johnson sits down in the seat that Vernon had just been in, removing his black boots afterward. His breathing is still labored as he does so, causing concern in Vernon. Making his way to the nearby locker room phone, he picks it up and glances in Chuck’s direction.
Vernon: I am gonna’ call a medical crew down here. You’re hurt pretty bad.
CJ (Still undressing): Don’t you fucking dare start bothering anyone up there, they have better things to do than to slap a band aid on some redneck! Tell me, what the hell are you doing here anyway? I don’t recall asking you to manage me anymore.
Vernon (Placing the phone back on the cradle): No, you didn’t. Look, Chuckie. I know we had a bit of a falling out, but that’s all behind us now. What say you and me get the band back together, and ride this train to the top! You are a World Champion contender now, Chuckie! Look at the way you manhandled TITAN out there tonight! That makes you the number one bad ass in the business now! Hell, the folks back home have been partying down the street since that bell rang earlier tonight! You’re a hero now!
Chuck listened to Vernon rattle on his trademark way. Being a man of respect for others, CJ pretended to listen while letting his mind wander on. The whole idea of him “manhandling” TITAN was a great thought, but nothing even close to the truth. The recent battle that Chuck had with the World Champion was a straight up war, and it could have gone either way many time though out the fight. TITAN was every bit the monster that he claimed to be, and he came at Chuck hard. It was due to Chuck’s new found focus that he was able to withstand the onslaught by TITAN and turn things around in the process. CJ was beginning to master his finishing move now, “The Hangover”, and it was fast becoming one of the most effective maneuvers in his limited arsenal. So, with TITAN put down for the count, Chuck began to ask himself what was next for his career? It was no secret that the Asylum was hurting roster wise, leaving Chuck with very limited options.
He guessed that he could have stepped into the newer talent pool, and make a few waves. New sensations such as Roy Viper and Natalie Burrows were causing quite a stir in the industry. Stepping in the ring with them would do wonders for his career right now. Then again, how could he top TITAN though? No matter how he twisted it, it was all down hill from here… or was it? Interrupting Vernon suddenly as he began to think out loud, Chuck spoke one word…
CJ: Cross..
Vernon: What?! Are you listening to me, Son! I have a plan for you! We are going to have to begin your pursuit for the-
CJ: No. I know what I need to do. You said that I needed to continue to make a name for myself and let’s be honest, no one is bigger than TITAN right now. So going up the ladder is out of the question. The thing is though, I am not about them championship belts that you guys cherish so much. I am here to make a damn name for myself, and live up to all of the expectations that everybody had for me when I first arrived on the scene a year ago. In order to do that though, I need to get rid of a few ghosts in my attic if you catch my drift?
Vernon (Confused): Ghosts? An attic?! Chuck, I know you got hit pretty hard out there so I will just overlook your obvious mental lapse. We aren’t doing any ghost busting out there, regardless of whether it is Halloween soon or not! Now, as I was saying..
Chuck suddenly rises up from his chair holding his rib with his right hand. He glances at Vernon with an intense look in his eyes.
CJ: I am going to kick Brett Cross’s ass…
Vernon: Yeah, I think you might have a brain tumor or something. What the hell are you thinking, Chuckie?! You just fought the match of your life tonight and put down the World Champion! You look like you are about to fall down flat on your face now! How in the hell are you going to step in the ring with someone the likes of Brett Cross?!! I heard that man eats nails and wipes his ass with sandpaper!
CJ (laughing): Sandpaper?
Vernon: That’s right! You challenging him is just plain silly right now. That man sleeps with an axe in one hand. That isn’t the kind of trouble that you need right now.
Turning to face Vernon, Chuck listens a moment and then steps forward. He bends down and opens up a nearby cooler, removing two bottles of beer. With a sharp twist, he opens one and tosses it at Vernon. He then places the other bottle against his forehead.
CJ: Look, Vernon. I didn’t invite you to come on down here and start calling the shots. Now, I appreciate your intentions and all but this is how it is now. I returned to the EUW to settle a few things and fix a few errors on my part. The last time I faced TITAN, he beat me within an inch of my life. Tonight, I made amends for that and sent that jackass home packing. Now, it’s Brett Cross’s turn to feel a little redneck justice. Cross is another person who took me out to the learning tree earlier this year. It was the loss to him that actually caused me to pack up my things and head on home for the final time. I ran like a little bitch with my tail tucked after he laid into me, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I need to beat him. No.. wait. I HAVE to beat him, or there really isn’t any point to me stepping in that ring at all.
Vernon listened to Chuck speak and knew he was speaking from the heart. Chuck was right. It was Brett Cross who defeated Chuck Johnson during his last run in the company. The war was fought via a drinking contest, something that Chuck was quite skilled in. On that night though, Brett Cross taught Chuck a harsh lesson in humility, and tested his manhood as well in the process. Cross was a large man, dominating in stature. There was no denying that. As with all things though, there was a rather large crack in the armor of the mighty Brett Cross and Vernon noticed it right away. With Prestige on the horizon, and TITAN aching to get a hold of the Viking, Cross was completely focused on the World Champion right now. All of his legendary energy and prowess was being honed to a razor sharp point in hopes of taking down the current champion of the World. That left Chuck completely ignored for the most part, and in the kingdom of Brett Cross… that meant that the defenses were down.
If Chuck could take advantage of Cross’s lack of focus upon him, he could very well pull off another upset. It would be tough though, considering Cross’s habit of getting lost in the ebb and flow of battle, but if anyone could do it.. It was Chuck Johnson.. The angry redneck! Besides, Vernon could see something different in Chuck now. There was a new found streak of intensity inside of him, one that Vernon could see that there was no use trying to stop.
Vernon: I guess there is no point in me trying to stop you, is there?
CJ: Nope. I have to do this.
Vernon: Well then, I reckon we better get training to take on that Viking. I will reopen the gym back home and see what I can do about getting you some decent sparring partners to work with. I doubt I will find someone the same size as Cross but if all else fails, I will just plant a tree and let you try to knock it down.
Chuck began to smile instantly as he gathered his things.
CJ: We’ll be fine, Vernon. Just you wait and see. Size only matters with milkshakes and hamburgers anyway. This is my moment to make things right. Win, lose or draw.. I am going to face Cross like a man this time. No giving up, no crying after.. and no making excuses regardless of the outcome. Now, come on. Let’s go grab some beers for the road and head on home. I need to sleep in my own bed tonight for a change.
Vernon takes the gym bag out of Chuck’s hand and carries it for him with a smile. The two of them turn and exit the locker room, Chuck flicking off the lights shortly after. As the both of them head around the corner, Vernon smiles and looks at Chuck..
Vernon: You know, maybe there is hope after all. Have I ever told you the story of David and Goliath?
Chuck: If it’s anything like Tom and Jerry… I am all ears. Hail the Ale, brother.