Grassroots Revival Part 4

“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” - Lou Holtz

[Location Unknown]

Darkness, then a pinpoint of light. The camera moves toward the light, the sound of metal on metal echoes throughout. Then the hiss of super heated metal being cooled with water. The silhouette of a man examining his work, a displeased grunt and the length of metal goes back into the fire. Clad in jeans and work boots, bare from the waist up, his body is drenched in sweat. He slowly turns around and begins to speak.

Mac Bane: Previous to your match with Jack, you were so positive, so willing to give the champion respect. When you lost though, that’s when things went sideways with your attitude. To quote Johnny Depp, “The problem is not the problem, it’s your attitude about the problem”. You call yourself, “The Martyr”, that’s fucking hilarious kid. Do you even know what it is to be a martyr? Do you know what that entails? JC or Lucy come way closer to that than you ever will.

He turns back around and drags the super heated length of metal back out of the fire. He continues to talk while he works.

Mac Bane: I still have hope for you Calvin, like this piece of steel, you can be molded. You can be transformed.

Using the hammer to illustrate his point, adding a slight curve to the length of steel. He turns it and begins working the steel to flatten out it’s length.

Mac Bane: The match with Jack should have done that, it should have turned you into something greater than you were. Instead you allowed it to demoralize you. You turned into a fucking cry baby who didn’t get his way.

He drops the super heated metal back into the vat to cool.

Mac Bane: You cried to anyone who would listen, do you know who listened? Better question, do you know who cared? No one. All it did was earn you a reputation. Before that you had the reputation of a man who worked hard to be good at his craft. You’ve never been great, but you were at least someone kids could look up to. Now?

He shakes his head and turns back around. Testing the end of the length of metal with his bare hands, cool enough now to grab, we can see the forming of a blade of some kind.

Mac Bane: Now, you have the reputation of someone who can’t get the job done. You also have lost the respect of your peers. That’s a two fold problem Calvin, not a problem I would want to have. Now you have to do damage control and wonder if anyone in the locker room would have your back. The fact that you were given a spot in the qualifiers is what baffled me. You’ve already had your shot at Jack. I don’t see where you deserve another one.

He puts the opposite end of the length of metal back into the fire. We watch as the cherry color begins to move up the length of metal. Once it gets to where he likes it, he pulls it out and with a pair of cutters snips it. Using tongs he drops the super heated metal back into the vat. He works quickly forming the freshly snipped end into a point. He then turns it and flattens it out.

Mac Bane: I doubt you’ll listen to or even believe anything I’ve said to this point. It’s just the ramblings of another old man that should have left the business long ago right? Just another old guy holding you back, holding you down.

He grabs another piece of metal, one that has been fashioned into a handle and slides it into place. Using first cord and then leather strips he begins criss crossing what appears to be a handle of some sort.

Mac Bane: Do you know the story of the sword of damocles?

He takes what now appears to be a rough model of a scimitar that he’s created to the grinding wheel.

Mac Bane: I’ll let you go google that, that’s what your generation does right? Anyway the moral of the story is that something bad could happen at any time. For you that time has come, in the form of me. I will be your sword of damocles Calvin. I suppose after a fashion, when our match is done you will finally be that martyr you claim to be.

Satisfied with his work, he attaches the sword to a length of rope that is connected to a winch type system and presses a green button causing it to raise up, until it’s suspended ten feet in the air. He walks toward the camera.

Mac Bane: Or perhaps you’ll just be so severely injured that you won’t be able to compete at Season of the Witch. Now, wouldn’t that be a bitch.

He smiles at the camera, then punches it killing the feed.

Fade.

[Crooked M Ranch - Port Arthur, Texas]

{Off Camera}

It’s a quiet time on the ranch, I sit on the front porch, cigarette in hand. Coffee sits nearby. The cold front that moved through last night has a nice feel to it. The high temperature yesterday was around ninety seven degrees. I look at the weather app on my phone.

Mac Bane: Some much needed relief right there. Seventy five for the high today.

I take a long drag of my cigarette and exhale slowly, then take a sip of my coffee.

“And some much needed rain on the way as well.” comes the comment from behind me and a little to my right. I look over and see my son Jimmy, smiling I motion him over to take a seat at the table. He does so, carrying his coffee cup with him.

Jimmy Allen: You look better, like a weight was lifted.

Is his comment as he takes a spot at the table. He digs out a pack of cigarettes and lights one. He has that look on his face, like he’s trying to figure something out. I smile at him and put it out there.

Mac Bane: Spit it out, your question that is, not your coffee.

He chokes a little on that sip of coffee, which was my intent. I laugh as he gets it under control.

Jimmy Allen: You’re way too good at doing that.

I smile at him, I’ve been able to do that to him since he was six years old. He hates it and that’s probably the reason I still do it.

Mac Bane: It’s that whole, find something you’re good at and stick with it.

He smiles at the comment, same line I’ve been using on him forever.

Jimmy Allen: So, I was curious about something.

I nod, he’s always been curious about something since the day he was born.

Mac Bane: Shoot.

Jimmy Allen: When was the last time you took your meds?

I crush my cigarette out in the green glass ashtray on the table. I study the dying embers until they fade to black and grey.

Mac Bane: I wouldn’t worry too much about that kiddo. I am more than okay, more so than I’ve been in a long, long time.

He looks up at me, I know he’s concerned and so I give him an answer to his question.

Mac Bane: It’s been since I joined Carnage.

A low whistle escapes him.

Jimmy Allen: No incidents from not taking it? No side effects or anything?

Mac Bane: Not outside of the ring, no. Well there was that one fight over in Silsbe but not a big deal really.

He arches an eyebrow and I chuckle surprised that he hadn’t heard about it.

Jimmy Allen: What about their wellness program? Surely they will insist that you take them, I mean your rage issues are well documented pops.

Mac Bane: My contract is in the safe, there’s no wellness clause in it. I checked it and had Lauri check it as well to make sure there would be no legal ramifications.

Jimmy Allen: I’m not worried about the legal aspect pops, it’s the long term damage to you that worries me. You use to do some crazy shit in the ring back before they started making you take those.

I laugh, slapping my leg.

Mac Bane: You mean back when I was fighting guys like Chris Andrews? Suplexing people off the top of cages and the like?

He looks at me, cringing, and nods his head.

Jimmy Allen: That wasn’t even the worst of it Dad.

I put up my hands in mock surrender.

Mac Bane: give the old man a little credit Jimmy. I’m not looking to permanently damage myself or anyone else.

Jimmy Allen: Not even Jack Michaels?

I lean back in my chair, taking another sip of coffee. I swallow it allowing the flavor to linger just a bit longer before I respond.

Mac Bane: Well now, don't you think he’s earned a little payback?

He looks at me with an incredulous look on his face.

Jimmy Allen: You attacked them dad, it would be different if it was the other way around. I’m surprised you can’t see that.

I set my coffee cup down and light another cigarette.

Mac Bane: You don’t get to sit there and judge me junior.

He responds immediately.

Jimmy Allen: I’m not judging you dad, I’m just very concerned.

He looks down at the table as I stand up. Stretching, I yawn and look down at him still seated at the table.

Mac Bane: I think I’ll go make us some breakfast.

He looks up at me, then laughs and shakes his head.

Jimmy Allen: Want some help?

Mac Bane: Nah, I got this.

I leave him on the porch as I head back in to get breakfast started.

Fade.

[The Baltimore Arena - Pre Show Promo]

I stepped in front of the camera, wearing my usual, boots, jeans, black duster, black stetson. I carry my sledge hammer and step in front of the microphone. I swing the sledge up and rest it on my shoulder.

Mac Bane: I could stand up here and gloat about the victory over Amber Ryan, but that’s not why I’ve asked for this time. It’s also not my style. See, unlike a lot of people around here, despite the fact that she and I are on the opposite sides. There’s still that respect factor from one former world champion to another. Our current world champion, well he’s a different matter altogether. I wouldn’t piss on that bastard if he were on fire. That is the reason I attacked them both after the match.

I pause and allow my comments to set in.

Mac Bane: See, Jack issued an open challenge of sorts via social media recently. Challenge accepted dumb ass. I realize you’re busy up until Season of the Witch is over. After that though, whether you still have that strap or not. I’m your huckleberry bitch. He walks around here trying to pass himself off as a family man, as someone who cares about Carnage and the legion. I call bullshit Jack, you care about nothing but yourself. Self centered, ego-maniacal bastard.

Again I pause, allowing the anger to fade. I take half a step closer to the microphone. Looking up at it, I sigh and then looking at the camera I smile.

Mac Bane: That’s for another day in the future. The thing that is important for the here and now is Calvin. Once upon a time, I think it goes without saying that you had the respect of your peers. I think a lot of people consider you to be a legit threat to the world title. You earned your shot and then what happened?

I pause for effect and anticipation.

Mac Bane: You fucking blew it, that’s what happened! Yet here we are again right? That idiot that runs this company gave you yet another try at the brass ring. Why? So, if you make it to the end and face the champion, you get to fail again? Whether it’s Jack or JC simply doesn’t matter. You don’t have the stones to be great. No drive, no work ethic, and worst of all? No fucking talent.

I begin to pace with the sledge in both hands now.

Mac Bane: It always has amazed me that the fucking cry babies in this industry get the title shots. That whole squeaky wheel and grease thing huh? Well, maybe it’s time to put a stop to the squeaking then. Maybe it’s time to shut you down and shut you up. Maybe, you don’t make it to the pay per view.

I stop, and smirk at the camera.

Mac Bane: I know what you’re thinking Calvin, that these are just empty threats to attempt to get in your head. I’m just another old guy who poses no threat to you or your attempt at another title shot. I would suggest you ask Amber Ryan if that were true or not, but then again you couldn’t get within earshot of her without getting your ass kicked. You’ve turned into quite the joke around here, but it’s a joke that people are getting tired of telling. Even a good joke is only good for one or two tellings at the most.

I continue to stare into the camera, smirk sliding from my face, now replaced by a feral grin.

Mac Bane: This match is billed as a preview of “Season of the Witch”, there is a fundamental flaw there. What it should be billed as, is a prelude of things to come. Ken and I didn’t come here by accident. The Suicide Saints show up where they are needed. We are needed here, because the Legion’s so called heroes really aren't up to the task of being heroes. The fans have clung to people like Calvin for a long time expecting something great from him. It’s a damn shame he continues to fail. Tonight will be no different, tonight will be like groundhog day for him. Just another old guy kicking his punk ass. See you in the ring little man.

Fin