2014.06.18: PWN - LEGACY - Making a Difference
The scene opens up outside the Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri as Drew Stevenson and Bobby Langford can be seen walking towards the entrance. Bobby had plans to hit the Emerald Academy first thing in the morning but when he arrived, Drew Stevenson was there to turn him away. At first Bobby was perplexed as his Drew was usually willing to let him in the building and start the day off with an intense workout regimen but today he had other plans for the recent graduate. After discussing the change of plans over breakfast the two made their way to Children’s Mercy.
Drew Stevenson: I appreciate you taking time to out of your day to come here with me, you’re going to make a lot of kids’ day.
Bobby Langford: Once you told me what you had planned Mr. Stevenson I was more than happy to oblige. What I don’t get though is why they requested me out of all the people in the country. They could’ve asked for Jerry Rice, Tom Brady, Troy Polamalu, Adrian Peterson, or any member of the Kansas City Chiefs but they requested me?
Drew laughs and pats his former student on the back.
Drew Stevenson: You’re a modern day folk hero, like John Henry! Once that clip from Los Angeles News Today made its way to Youtube people clung on! You’ve got a magnetic personality that many everyday people can relate to; you’ve got the size of a giant and a heart that’s even bigger. It’s a great honor to be selected by Wish Upon a Star and kids today need more positive role models they can look up to.
Wish Upon a Star was an organization that granted wishes to sick and disabled children to make their hard journey on the road to recovery a little bit easier and to give them something to look forward to; to give them hope to hold on. Bobby enjoyed being around children, in fact he was an uncle to two nieces thanks to his brother David so it was something he was accustomed to. As Bobby goes to open the door Drew just smiles and stands back.
Drew Stevenson: This one’s all you Bobby; I can’t be seen in there with Legacy Wrestling cameras rolling. I got an image to maintain after all!
Drew Stevenson laughs as Bobby smiles and nods.
Drew Stevenson: I’ll join you inside the hospital later after the cameras have finished filming.
As Bobby steps inside the hospital he’s greeted by Legacy Wrestling cameras and a physician holding a clipboard. The physician was in his mid-30s and had red hair that struck an uncanny resemblance to Larry of the Three Stooges. He extends his hand for Bobby to shake with a friendly smile to welcome him.
Physician: So glad you could make it on such short notice.
Bobby Langford: I’m glad to be here Dr. …
Physician: Dr. Fine, Howard Fine.
The two shake hands as they walk down the hallway followed by the camera crew. After a few moments they reach room 219 and Dr. Fine knocks on the door checking to see if the patient was ready for their wish to come true.
Dr. Fine: Is Tanya ready for her visitor?
After a moment we hear a soft voice from behind the door in what one could assume was a nurse who worked at the hospital.
Nurse: Alright we’re ready, let him in.
Dr. Fine opens the door as the good doctor and Bobby step into the room. It’s what you’d expect an 8 year old girl’s room to look like; the room was very vibrant and colorful as My Little Pony wallpaper could be seen lining the walls. We could also see several professional wrestling posters on the walls and a picture of Joe Montana wearing a Kansas City Chiefs uniform above the bed. The little girl, Tanya was sitting on the bed with a huge smile on her face. Bobby Langford being a full grown man appeared glassy eyed behind his smile when it came to the realization of what the young girl was battling, she was battling cancer as her hair seems to have fallen out due to chemotherapy.
Tanya was ecstatic and full of life and energy when she saw Bobby Langford standing in the doorway, even rubbing her eyes and pinching herself just to convince herself it wasn’t a dream.
Tanya: Bobby Langford!? Oh. My. Gosh. How did you guys get him?! I can’t believe it!
Bobby was absolutely stunned by the reaction as if time slowed down and everything was going in slow motion. Just a week ago he was working overtime in a steel mill in Pittsburgh and today he was standing in the room of a little girl who specifically requested him to grant a wish. Bobby tried his best to not cry on the spot as he was overwhelmed by emotion as the nurse was in a state of shock seeing Tanya hopping out of bed and running towards him. Bobby kneeled down as Tanya gave him a great big hug as the Nurse scrambled to her out of great concern.
Nurse: Tanya you should conserve your energy! You have another round of chem-
Dr. Fine is quick to shake his head at the nurse not wanting the moment to be ruined by a grim reality that was right around the corner in the form of chemotherapy. The Nurse quickly catches on and stops herself midsentence covering her mouth unconsciously.
Dr. Fine: Tanya you need to stay well rested and comfortable. I don’t think your parents would be too happy if you overexerted yourself.
Tanya pouts and curls her bottom lip at Dr. Fine for being a party pooper.
Tanya: You’re no fun! Bobby, tell them they’re no fun!
Finally Bobby Langford was snapped out of his stunned state as he looked at Dr. Fine and the Nurse smiling and chuckling before turning his attention back to Tanya.
Bobby Langford: I’m sure the good Doctor and Nurse have your best interests at heart.
Tanya: But Bobbbby!
Bobby Langford: It’s alright Tanya, today is about you. Dr. Fine, do you think we could get some ice cream in here? I could go for a few scoops and I’m sure Tanya would love to have some as well.
Dr. Fine smiles and nods as Tanya wont let go of her death grip on Bobby Langford.
Dr. Fine: I don’t see why not, today is a very special occasion after all.
Tanya’s eyes light up as she squees in joy at the mention of ice cream.
Tanya: Can I get mine with cookies and cream?
Bobby holds up two fingers before Dr. Fine gets a chance to ask Bobby which flavor he wanted.
Bobby Langford: Can you make that two?
Dr. Fine: Of course, we’ll be right back and Tanya; you should really get back in bed and save your strength.
Tanya: Fiiiiiiiiiiine.
Bobby finally manages to stand up to give the Doctor and Nurse room to move through the doorway. As Bobby took Tanya back to her bed he just couldn’t quite grasp the whole situation. Tanya was a cancer patient facing another round of chemotherapy in the near future, a very debilitating and aggressive form of treatment usually reserved for the worst stages of cancer as a last resort yet despite it all she was happy. She reminded him of one of his nieces, right now she was a normal child without a care in the world. After tucking her back into bed he pulled up a chair with a distant look in his eyes staring at the wall, he should be sharing her joy right now but her plight really tugged at him at his soul.
Tanya looked at Bobby with a look of concern and tugged at his shirt.
Tanya: Bobby, what’s wrong?
Bobby Langford: I just have a lot on my mind right now.
Tanya frowned knowing that Bobby was a bit distracted. She didn’t know quite what was bothering him but sensed something was going on.
Bobby Langford: So Tanya I’m glad to be here but why did you choose me out of all people to meet? I’m just an average man looking to make a living.
Tanya giggled at him as her smile quickly returned.
Tanya: Because you’re Bobby Langford! I’ve been watching wrestling for a few years with my Daddy on the TV and on his laptop when he and Mommy come to visit me. We were watching it on I think… it’s called Youtube? With the red and white and all that. Daddy came across your videos on Legacy Wrestling’s channel and we became huuuuuuuge fans! You’re so big but you’re nice, not a meanie like Christen Offniel!
Bobby couldn’t help but smile at that.
Bobby Langford: So who’s your favorite wrestler?
Tanya thinks for a moment placing her finger on her chin before pointing at Bobby Langford.
Tanya: You! I also like Peyton and Johnny Bonecrusher and Marie Porter but you’re my favorite so far!
Bobby chuckles as he points to himself.
Bobby Langford: Me? I haven’t even wrestled a match yet.
Tanya: So? You’re nice and you’re a good person and you never ever give up even when someone tries to bully you!
Tanya looks down and frowns.
Tanya: I hope people don’t try to bully me.
Bobby looks at her with a look of concern on his face noticing the change in her demeanor. He could see the pain in her eyes for the first time since arriving at the hospital and it shook him to his core. Bobby wasn’t a mind reader but he could only guess it was because of her cancer treatments leaving her bald and knew it had to hurt her self-esteem.
Bobby Langford: Why would anyone want to bully you?
Tanya: Because… I have no hair from the cancer treatments…
Tanya bursts into tears as Bobby gives her a hug to console her. Bobby had to stay strong during this time no matter how bad he wanted to let a tear roll down his cheek. It wasn’t often that a grown man was moved in such a monumental way but this was as real as it gets. Bobby is quick to rub his bald head with a smile trying to raise her spirits.
Bobby Langford: I’m bald too you know. It’s nothing to be ashamed of Tanya. Not everybody has hair and it’s no reason why anyone should ever pick on you. People who decide to pick on you over something like that are just sad people who have to make others feel bad to feel better about themselves. If anyone ever tries to pick on you just let me know, I promise you I’ll put a stop to it real quick.
Tanya smiles a little through the tears as Bobby goes to dry them off with his finger.
Tanya: Prom.. promise?
Bobby Langford: I promise.
Tanya tugs on his shirt again to get his attention.
Tanya: Bobby, do you think I could film a promo? I want to be a wrestler when I grow up! I want to be on Youtube and TV just like you!
Bobby Langford smiles and pats her on the head softly.
Bobby Langford: There’s no time like the present and you know Legacy Wrestling sent their cameras down here. You want to help me say some words to Christian Othniel?
Tanya nearly jumps out of her bed with excitement if it wasn’t for hospital staff getting after her for it. She was grinning like a kid in a candy store with anticipation.
Tanya: Please, please, please!?
Bobby laughs and scoots his chair closer to the bed as he points to the cameras which have been filming the whole thing since he stepped foot into the building.
Bobby Langford: Ready?
Tanya: Yes!
Bobby collects his thoughts for a moment as he looks into the camera. It was an emotional rollercoaster meeting with Tanya but now it was time to address business and his upcoming match. This time he wasn’t alone and had a partner in crime who was the very epitome of what he fought for and what drives him to succeed in wrestling. Bobby Langford fought for those who experienced hardship, trials and tribulations but refused to let their circumstances define them, for the people who were down but far from out.
Bobby Langford: Christian Othniel…
Bobby finally broke his silence as Tanya put on a tough expression for the camera in a cute, childish way. Dr. Fine and the Nurse walked through the hallway but decided to stand back while Bobby and Tanya said their piece for the viewing audience.
Bobby Langford: I’m really getting tired of your distorted outlook on myself, of the great people who refuse to let their circumstances get the better of them and most of all… I’m tired of your distorted outlook on life. You sit there in Carson, California with your box of sour grapes on your cardboard throne waiting to cut everyone down around you.
Tanya: Christen Offniel is a meanie doo-doo head! He’s a no good bully who needs a spanking and have his mouth washed out with soap!
Bobby Langford: You choose to see the worst in everything and everyone instead of looking in the mirror to see what Christian Othniel can do to better himself and the world. You’re a veteran of the wrestling ring and I get that, not once have I ever denied that but yet here you are making the fatal mistake that dooms all veterans arrogant enough to buy into it; you’re underestimating me because I haven’t been doing this 6, 7 years like you. You think that experience is the only part of the equation, you say that your mind is the sharpest attribute that Christian Othniel possesses yet you allow yourself to remain ignorant of the every possibility; you’re overconfident.
Tanya: Offniel picks on people because he’s a meanie linguini! Offniel thinks he’s invincible because he draws on himself and thinks he’s a smart guy but he isn’t wearing his glasses!
Bobby Langford: But you’re right about one thing…
His expression was that of a man ready to go to war; gone were the smiles and respectful nature that was the hallmark of Bobby Langford. Othniel was a man he couldn’t respect and this was only further solidified by every action he took and every sentence of trash talk he spewed leading into their match.
Bobby Langford: It’s going to be psychological warfare. It’s a war of ideals of men on complete opposite ends of the moral spectrum, it’s good versus evil; a battle that has been waged since the beginning of time. You fight for your own selfish reasons and to reach your goal you’ll go through whatever it takes but unfortunately for you all shortcuts stop here. I don’t need to lie, cheat, or steal to prove to the world what I can do and in a few short days you’re in for the wake-up call of a lifetime, brother. I don’t believe in destiny or fate, the future is a clean slate until it’s written in stone. You underestimate all the good that’s left in this world and the power of a person’s spirit and what resides in their heart will always triumph over evil in the end.
Tanya: The hero will save the day and slay the evil villain! Good always wins in the end and on Friday the 20th Bobby Langford is gonna bring the curtain down!
Bobby Langford: And just for you Tanya I’ll slam him down to the mat twice in the Steel Curtain. Christian, what will your excuse be when the Steel City Dream runs wild on you?
The Doctor and Nurse seeing that their piece was said brings them their ice cream as Tanya smiles at her new friend. Bobby holds his ice cream up with a warm smile.
Bobby Langford: Don’t ever give up Tanya.
With that the scene fades to black.
