2014.06.20: PWN - LEGACY - Student of the Game
The scene opens up inside the Emerald Academy during the evening. Most of the students have already left for the day but one man in particular was hard as work as the sound of fists hitting a punching bag echoed throughout the facility. As the camera panned around Bobby Langford could be seen unleashing a flurry of punches on the punching bag as sweat dripped down his forehead as he was wearing a pair of fingerless MMA style gloves to protect his hands from the impact. Bobby had been going nonstop for the last few hours upon watching Othniel’s response video needing a safe outlet to exhaust a cache of built up anger. With each video the conflict has escalated further and further until finally reaching a critical mass, it wasn’t just about a debut anymore and putting on a good show for the fans; now it was personal. Bobby Langford knew Christian Othniel was a scumbag and an asshole that much was clear, hell it was common knowledge by this point but to reach that level of callousness was unfathomable. Othniel was either heartless or his heart turned so black it slowly rotted to death long ago but to go after a little kid with cancer was as cold blooded as you could go without getting thrown in jail. Normally Bobby wouldn’t be this quick to anger but Othniel just seemed to know how to push every single one of his buttons.
The chain holding the bag upright was rattling viciously as imprints of Bobby’s fists were being left on the bag as he had a solitary focus to exercise his boiling anger before a familiar voice called out to him.
Frank Washington: Bobby! Hey Bobby!
For the first time in hours Bobby finally relented on his assault of the punching bag as he looked over to his manager with his bag slung over his shoulder. Unlike Bobby, Frank Washington looked like he was prepared for anything other than training as he wore a look of concern on his face.
Frank Washington: I’ve been looking all over for you; it wasn’t until I got ahold of Drew to finally pin your location down. We got a flight to catch if you want to make it to Legacy Wrestling in one hour.
Bobby just glares at Frank before taking his gloves off. Bobby wasn’t quite himself right now; he wasn’t the big friendly guy everybody at the steel mill or the Emerald Academy knew but a man who was hell-bent on delivering harsh justice. Every punch he threw over the course of the last few hours he was thinking of Christian Othniel, it should’ve allowed him to cool off but it just drove him to go harder and harder. Anger was clouding his judgment and the savvy ring vet Frank Washington could tell, it was written on his face as far as he was concerned.
Bobby Langford: I must have lost track of time…
Frank looks over at the punching bag and quickly inspects the damage with a glance before turning his attention back to Bobby.
Frank Washington: You know you’re always welcome here but you can’t destroy the equipment! What’s gotten into you, you haven’t been the same since Wednesday night?
Without blinking or a hint of hesitation Bobby walks over to a bench where his bag was laying. There was definitely a hint of hatred in his voice as his words nearly burned the moment they escaped his mouth.
Bobby Langford: Christian Othniel –
Bobby briskly walks towards Frank with his bag in hand before throwing a vicious right hook in a fit of frustration.
Bobby Langford: HOW DARE HE ATTACK AN INNOCENT LITTLE GIRL LIKE THAT!
The chain rattled and twisted violently as the bag spun from the impact. The chains began to buckle from being wound so tight before rapidly twisting back the opposite direction.
Bobby Langford: JUST WAIT UNTIL I GET AHOLD OF THAT SCUMBAG! I’M GOING TO FORCE FEED HIS TATTOO’D FISTS AND MAKE HIM EAT HIS “EVIL WAYS”! I’M GOING TO BEAT SOME RESPECT AND DIGNITY INTO THAT SOULESS BODY OF HIS IF I HAVE TO TURN HIM BLACK AND BLUE TO DO IT! MY FATHER WOULD’VE BEATEN HIS ASS WITH A BELT FOR SAYING THE THINGS HE SAID TO TANYA!
Frank Washington: Bobby!
Bobby Langford: I’M GOING TO PERSONALLY MAKE SURE THAT HE NEVER HAS A CHANCE TO POLLUTE THE MINDS OF ANYONE ELSE EVER AGAIN! I’M GOING TO END HIM FRANK! I’M GOING TO DO THINGS TO OTHNIEL THAT WOULD MAKE VIETNAM VETERANS CRIN-
Frank Washington: BOBBY! Get a grip of yourself!
Bobby fell silent as Frank grabbed ahold of his client with authority. Bobby may have had close to 50lbs over his manager and 8 inches in height but The Revolutionary had no problems getting his hands dirty and taking a few bumps from the Steel City Dream if it meant driving a point home.
Frank Washington: Look at yourself, go ahead, LOOK!
Frank points to a nearby mirror as Bobby Langford takes a long hard look at his own reflection. He saw a mammoth of a man seething with hatred on the brink of snapping over the psychological warfare that Othniel was waging. Bobby’s expression soften almost immediately as he saw a man in the mirror he didn’t even recognize as he takes a long hard look at his hands.
Frank Washington: He’s used Tanya against you because he knew what kind of reaction it’d get out of you. He wanted to incite you into an uncontrollable rage; he wanted to drive you to state of uncontrollable hatred and fury so you’d be prone to making a tragic mistake. You’re untested Bobby, you possess incredible athleticism but in that ring you’re untested, this game is as much mental as it is physical; hell I’d argue the mental aspect is even more important. You’re not some dumb, big brute, and you’re far from being a stereotypical “big man” in wrestling but if you can’t keep a clear and cool head you’re going to find yourself in dire straits.
Frank smirks a little as he crossed his arms, as Bobby Langford was letting his words soak in like a sponge.
Frank Washington: Bobby, I’ve seen this happen a thousand times and I’ve seen many wrestlers big and small fall into the same trap time and time again because a lot of the time I was the man behind it. If you’re unprepared mentally then you’ve already lost, you’re going to make a lot of mistakes and most importantly you’re painting a giant target on your back; it’s like handing the blueprint to your opponent. The Art of War states that “to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.”
Frank taps the side of his head several times as a confident grin was prominent on his face.
Frank Washington: I might as well have written the book on psychological warfare, I can see right through Othniel’s strategy. If the circumstances were different I’d probably even consider the man a friend having walked a very similar path to the one he walks now but Bobby, if you have any hope of defeating him you need to clear your mind and stay focused! If you’re going to beat him you’ll have to do so on your terms and not his, don’t give him the benefit of homefield advantage in the realm of mental chess. His mind may be razor sharp but he only has as much power over you as you give him. Right now he has you in the palm of his hand and he’s making you dance around like a puppet on strings. Instead of allowing him to provoke a reaction out of you, study the film.
Bobby looks over at Frank in a quizzical manner.
Bobby Langford: The film? I’ve already watched several of his matches from Japan. He carries his mean streak into the ring with him and he’s ruthless in his efficiency. Mr. Washington, I’ve been a fan of wrestling all my life and I’ve built my body up through physical labor and many countless hours in the gym. I know how things work in the ring.
Frank chuckles as he runs his hand over his facial hair.
Frank Washington: Anybody can watch the film but it takes a student to study the film. What separates the everyday fan from the professionals is attention to the details, the little things that escapes the average onlooker. Take football for example, when Calvin Johnson makes an electrifying catch and beats defenders to the ball while managing to elude several more en route to the endzone the average fan sees a 60 yard touchdown. It’s an electrifying play to be sure and it either animates the crowd into a state of jubilation if it’s the home crowd or it stuns it into silence if the Lions are the visiting team. But how did they get there?
Frank looked over to Bobby who remained silent with his undivided attention. Bobby understood football, he was a big fan of the Steelers after all but instead of interjecting with a response he instead opted to see where Frank was going with the analogy.
Frank Washington: Because they studied the film. Everyone from the coaches down to the players studied their opponent looking for any flaws in their technique and any openings that could be exploited. They didn’t watch the film once but many times and they adjusted their game plan accordingly and struck when the moment was right. In the end football and wrestling are no different than a game of chess, you can have all the skill and ability in the world but if you can’t see the bigger picture you’ll achieve success and failure in equal measure. The great warrior knows how to handle both inferior and superior forces and if you give into your anger like you have today, you’ll lose. If you let him incite your wrath and toy with emotions; if you snap and get yourself disqualified… he wins. Would that really be showing a good example to Tanya or the thousands of fans watching in attendance at a home? You’re better than that Bobby.
Do you want to know how you can silence your critics, the guys like Othniel who think you’re as fake as they come and question your integrity? You lead by example, stick to your guns and your code and never deviate from your path. You only get one chance to make a first impression, so go out there and show the world who Bobby Langford is, the Bobby Langford who’s the pride of the Emerald Academy and the city of Pittsburgh, the hardworking blue-collar man with a heart of gold – the real Bobby Langford.
Frank smiles and pats Bobby on the back who solemnly nods in agreement.
Bobby Langford: You’re right Mr. Washington, he got into my head. I was on the verge of doing something on Friday the 20th that I would end up regretting for the rest of my life. I let one moment of desperation from a bully bring me to the very edge and I was too blind to realize it.
Bobby shakes his head as he looks down at the ground with a look of shame in his eyes. He knew if he crossed that proverbial red line there was no going back, it was one thing to wrestle a physical grueling match and using every asset at your disposal but it was another thing entirely to end someone’s career on purpose in a fit of rage.
Bobby Langford: I guess the saying is true.
Frank quirks an eyebrow as a small smile began to emerge on Bobby’s face.
Bobby Langford: Just like in Batman Begins. Why do we fall?
Frank Washington: So we can learn to pick ourselves up.
Bobby Langford: You know your superhero movies Mr. Washington. When confronted with adversity we can either give up and let it get the better of us or we can use it as an opportunity to better ourselves as people. Christian Othniel is going to be a tremendous challenge but unlike him I refuse to break and I will never give up! From bell to bell I’m going to take him to the very limit and I’m going to test him like never before and I’m going to do it within the rules. Whoever wins is going to have to fight long and hard for that victory and I have too much at stake to accept anything less than victory. This is beyond professional wrestling… it’s about respect! I’m taking a stand here and now, if Othniel wants his message to triumph he’s going to have to kill me in that ring because as long as I still draw breath the wrestling ring is going to be my personal forge. The Steel Curtain looms ominously over “Evil Ways” and on Friday the 20th… I’m going to show him how a Real Man takes care of business!
Frank Washington: Now that’s the Bobby Langford I know! We got a flight to catch Big Man, let’s make this a debut to remember. Hit the showers, I’ll have the car running and waiting in the parking lot.
With that Frank pats Bobby on the back one more time as they go their separate ways as the scene fades to black.
