Post by Thomas Snow on Aug 12, 2019 9:24:18 GMT -5
"Nightshade... Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your performance last week. You didn't win, but you didn't lose either. You looked pretty-"
"No! Jesus Christ, kid, what did I tell you about being nice!" shouted Alex Snow, interrupting his son, Thomas.
Thomas sighed, visibly frustrated.
"Why can't I be a little respectful? There were plenty of champions who showed respect to their opponents and were still great."
"Yeah? And where are they now?"
"...in the Hall of Fame?"
"A hall of fame that means sweet FA. They're crawling around those bingo halls and sad conventions just clinging to their last shred of relevance. 'Hey, do you remember so and so? He used to be cool.' Meanwhile, those who show no respect? Well, let me ask you this... Who's the biggest star in Hollywood currently?"
Thomas sighed.
"Y'know what? I need to take a break. I'll be back in a little bit"
"Fine. But you better not waste anymore of my time when you come back."
Thomas rolled his eyes as he walked out of the hotel room. He tried calling his friend Sierra as he walked down the hall, only to be greeted with her voicemail message.
Snow sighed.
Thomas walked across the street to a small, busy bar. The interior of the bar was that of a typical drinking spot. It was dark, the only lights being the televisions and rare, dim overhead lights. Patrons lined the bar and filled the tables, as well as occupying the pool tables scattered around the place.
Thomas took a seat at the bar. After assuring the bartender that he was not going to order alcohol and just getting water, he was allowed to stay.
Snow sat in silence, drinking his water as he looked up at the television above him, an ad for the upcoming Tuesday Night Sin playing.
The final shot of the ad was a matchup screen, himself holding up his title on one side and the number one contender, Lex Collins, on the other. Thomas just sighed, visibly disappointed with the sight of himself as champion.
"You look like you could use a friend, my dude."
Thomas jumped in surprise as he was ripped from his own thoughts. A man, roughly his age, sat down next to him.
"I-I'm sorry?"
"Nobody comes into this place alone. You look like you need someone to talk to."
Thomas chuckled a little bit.
"That obvious?"
"Quite."
"Well, why are you here alone then?"
"Maybe I need a friend right now too. Name's Cooper."
"Thomas."
Cooper flagged down a bartender and ordered himself a drink.
"Say, Thomas, you look kinda familiar. You from around here?"
Thomas shakes his head.
"Hm... You on TV?"
"Yeah, sorta."
"No shit? That's cool, what do you do?"
Thomas shrugs.
"Nothing important. So what do you do?"
"Me, a drummer for a band called Salvation."
"That's pretty cool. Are you popular?"
"You had to ask, so what do you think?"
This exchange caused both men to laugh.
Thomas looks up to the TV once again only to see the Trinity Wrestling ad being played once again. Damn these repetitive commercials...
Cooper follows Thomas' gaze to the TV just as Snow appeared on screen. Yet another replay of his battle royal victory, holding the world title up high.
"Aw fuck, that's you, isn't it?"
"*sigh* Yeah... yeah that's me."
"Well damn man, don't sound too excited."
"It's just... not all it's cracked up to be, I guess."
"Are you serious? The airtime, the roaring crowd, that sweet belt? Looks pretty sick to me."
Thomas shrugged again.
"I really don't think I deserve any of it, to be honest."
"Explain?"
"I guess it's because it isn't really me. It's all-"
Thomas catches himself and chuckles a bit.
"Here I am, dumping my problems onto a stranger."
Cooper dramatically recoils, offended.
"We just met ten minutes ago and you still think I'm a stranger? That hurts, Thomas. That really hurts."
Both men share a laugh again.
"All right, how 'bout this. My name is Cooper Strumm, friends call me Coop. I'm 21 years old, my blood type is O negative. My favorite band is Sixx AM, favorite color is purple, and I'm-"
"Okay, okay! I got it!"
Another round of laughter.
"Now that we're properly acquainted, spill it. Your new friend Coop is here to listen."
"*sigh* All right. Well, I started off really excited to wrestle for Trinity. It's all I've wanted for as long as I can remember, to compete in front of the world. But then my father insisted on managing me, making all my decisions for me. He's trying to make me something I'm not. He made me attack the nicest man I've ever met, say things I never would have, so many things that go against everything I am."
"So... just stop listening to him. Be your own dude."
"See, that's what everyone tells me to do, but it isn't that easy. It's been just me and him since I was ten so I guess I'm just used to listening to him because I've really had no one else."
"Understandable, but it seems like this dude is trying to stop you from loving what you do. Don't take this the wrong way, but that ain't a dad."
"I don't know about that. I just think he wants me to be the best that I can be."
"That may be. But is it for you? Or is it for him?"
Thomas shrugged.
"Seems to me that he's trying to make you famous so he can be famous."
"I just want to do things my way. I mean, he and I aren't the same people. I just don't have the same aggression he does. Maybe that means I'm not cut out to do this stuff."
Cooper puts a comforting hand on his new friend's shoulder.
"Don't think like that, dude. I don't know shit about that wrestling shit, but I do know that wasn't your dad who won that belt. That was all you. Don't you dare put yourself down by undermining what you did. You're literally a fucking champion. Not your dad, you."
Thomas smiled. The first genuine smile he produced in weeks.
"Thank you, Cooper. I really needed that."
"Anytime, man."
The two men exchanged phone numbers and continued on with some small talk. Cooper managed to come up with new questions about wrestling every time the ad for Trinity would appear on TV. He would ask about various wrestlers, how wrestling works, and what it's like to be in the industry.
"All right, so who are you wrestling this week?"
"He's called 'Nightshade'. Think a tall, brooding figure. A slow guy who uses the same big guy move set as every other guy who's just like him."
"Damn, sounds like you don't like him."
"I don't really know him. That's my problem. My dad wants me to cut promos on my opponents but it's really hard to do when I'm unaware of what any of these wrestlers are like."
"Well, that part is simple. Just pretend like you're talking about something that you know and really don't like. Graph that onto whoever you're actually talking about and just let your emotions flow."
Thomas thought about the advice for a few moments, considering it.
"Yeah, I think that could work."
"Great, I'm glad I could help."
"Speaking of promos, I'd better get going and get it over with."
"Aw, all right."
"Would you, um... want to go with me?"
Cooper smiles
"Sure, why not?"
Thomas smiles.
Cooper settled his tab and the two men got up and walked out of the bar. As they walked, the two continued with their small talk.
"So, you play anything?"
"I play a little guitar, sometimes."
"Oh sick. You any good?"
"Well, I wrestle instead of playing professionally, what do you think?"
Cooper laughed a bit.
"Well, I guess you'll have to play for me some time so I can judge for myself."
"Sounds like a plan."
The two continued talking until they reached Snow's hotel room. The two men walked into the room, where they were met with the intimidating glare of Alex.
"Who the fuck is this?"
"This... is my friend, Cooper."
"And what the fuck is he doing here?"
"I asked him to come. He's helping me with promos."
"What did I tell you? The only advice you need to listen to will come from me. Got it?!"
"Hey, man, relax. I just want to-"
"Shut up, boy. I didn't ask you."
Cooper takes a step forward, clenching his fists but Thomas puts an arm out in front of him, not taking his gaze off his father.
"Let me just do this then Coop will go."
"...Fine. Just don't get in the way."
"Yes, sir."
Alex took his spot behind the camera, Thomas took his in front of it. Cooper stood in the corner of the room, arms crossed, looking at Thomas.
"Okay, go."
Thomas remained quiet for a moment, looking at the floor to collect his thoughts.
He thought of everything that made him upset. The yelling, the insults. The relentless commands, forcing him to do all the things he stood against. Suddenly... it all came out.
"Listen to me, you son of a bitch. I am so sick and so tired of people like you thinking you can push me around. I'm not some punching bag for you to throw around whenever you feel like it. I am a man and I demand to be treated like one. I didn't get to where I am at because of you. I made it based on my own talent.
"You and me? We're on entire different levels. I have natural abilities that you could only dream of meanwhile all you can do to get to the top is ride the coattails of someone like me, you bottom feeding leech!
"You think you're big and tough but in reality you're nothing. Nothing! This Tuesday on Sin, I'm coming for you. I am going to show you exactly what Thomas Snow is about and I will show you that me winning the Trinity World title is no fluke... And you know the best part about all of this? The best part is that I will do it all MY WAY!
"Bring. The. Blizzard.
"The blizzard is here..."
Alex stopped the recording, smiling.
"Great work, kid! I love that fire. You sounded like you really hate this piece of shit. You didn't say his name but I'll take clips from that shit first take of yours from earlier."
Thomas rolled his eyes and glanced over at Cooper, who was holding in his laughter while trying to maintain a straight face. This caused Thomas to smile a bit as well.
"All right, now get this boy out of here. I'm going to get to work on this."
"He has a name, dad. It's Coop-"
"I don't give a fuck what his name is. Get him out."
Cooper's face went red. He was about to say something when he caught himself, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down.
"Tom, it's been real. Hit me up anytime you need to."
"Yeah, definitely."
The two men exchanged goodbyes and Cooper left the hotel room, leaving Thomas alone with his father.
"So how come you're okay with him calling you Tom but not me?"
Thomas simply shrugged as he wore a small smile on his face.
FIN
"No! Jesus Christ, kid, what did I tell you about being nice!" shouted Alex Snow, interrupting his son, Thomas.
Thomas sighed, visibly frustrated.
"Why can't I be a little respectful? There were plenty of champions who showed respect to their opponents and were still great."
"Yeah? And where are they now?"
"...in the Hall of Fame?"
"A hall of fame that means sweet FA. They're crawling around those bingo halls and sad conventions just clinging to their last shred of relevance. 'Hey, do you remember so and so? He used to be cool.' Meanwhile, those who show no respect? Well, let me ask you this... Who's the biggest star in Hollywood currently?"
Thomas sighed.
"Y'know what? I need to take a break. I'll be back in a little bit"
"Fine. But you better not waste anymore of my time when you come back."
Thomas rolled his eyes as he walked out of the hotel room. He tried calling his friend Sierra as he walked down the hall, only to be greeted with her voicemail message.
Snow sighed.
Thomas walked across the street to a small, busy bar. The interior of the bar was that of a typical drinking spot. It was dark, the only lights being the televisions and rare, dim overhead lights. Patrons lined the bar and filled the tables, as well as occupying the pool tables scattered around the place.
Thomas took a seat at the bar. After assuring the bartender that he was not going to order alcohol and just getting water, he was allowed to stay.
Snow sat in silence, drinking his water as he looked up at the television above him, an ad for the upcoming Tuesday Night Sin playing.
The final shot of the ad was a matchup screen, himself holding up his title on one side and the number one contender, Lex Collins, on the other. Thomas just sighed, visibly disappointed with the sight of himself as champion.
"You look like you could use a friend, my dude."
Thomas jumped in surprise as he was ripped from his own thoughts. A man, roughly his age, sat down next to him.
"I-I'm sorry?"
"Nobody comes into this place alone. You look like you need someone to talk to."
Thomas chuckled a little bit.
"That obvious?"
"Quite."
"Well, why are you here alone then?"
"Maybe I need a friend right now too. Name's Cooper."
"Thomas."
Cooper flagged down a bartender and ordered himself a drink.
"Say, Thomas, you look kinda familiar. You from around here?"
Thomas shakes his head.
"Hm... You on TV?"
"Yeah, sorta."
"No shit? That's cool, what do you do?"
Thomas shrugs.
"Nothing important. So what do you do?"
"Me, a drummer for a band called Salvation."
"That's pretty cool. Are you popular?"
"You had to ask, so what do you think?"
This exchange caused both men to laugh.
Thomas looks up to the TV once again only to see the Trinity Wrestling ad being played once again. Damn these repetitive commercials...
Cooper follows Thomas' gaze to the TV just as Snow appeared on screen. Yet another replay of his battle royal victory, holding the world title up high.
"Aw fuck, that's you, isn't it?"
"*sigh* Yeah... yeah that's me."
"Well damn man, don't sound too excited."
"It's just... not all it's cracked up to be, I guess."
"Are you serious? The airtime, the roaring crowd, that sweet belt? Looks pretty sick to me."
Thomas shrugged again.
"I really don't think I deserve any of it, to be honest."
"Explain?"
"I guess it's because it isn't really me. It's all-"
Thomas catches himself and chuckles a bit.
"Here I am, dumping my problems onto a stranger."
Cooper dramatically recoils, offended.
"We just met ten minutes ago and you still think I'm a stranger? That hurts, Thomas. That really hurts."
Both men share a laugh again.
"All right, how 'bout this. My name is Cooper Strumm, friends call me Coop. I'm 21 years old, my blood type is O negative. My favorite band is Sixx AM, favorite color is purple, and I'm-"
"Okay, okay! I got it!"
Another round of laughter.
"Now that we're properly acquainted, spill it. Your new friend Coop is here to listen."
"*sigh* All right. Well, I started off really excited to wrestle for Trinity. It's all I've wanted for as long as I can remember, to compete in front of the world. But then my father insisted on managing me, making all my decisions for me. He's trying to make me something I'm not. He made me attack the nicest man I've ever met, say things I never would have, so many things that go against everything I am."
"So... just stop listening to him. Be your own dude."
"See, that's what everyone tells me to do, but it isn't that easy. It's been just me and him since I was ten so I guess I'm just used to listening to him because I've really had no one else."
"Understandable, but it seems like this dude is trying to stop you from loving what you do. Don't take this the wrong way, but that ain't a dad."
"I don't know about that. I just think he wants me to be the best that I can be."
"That may be. But is it for you? Or is it for him?"
Thomas shrugged.
"Seems to me that he's trying to make you famous so he can be famous."
"I just want to do things my way. I mean, he and I aren't the same people. I just don't have the same aggression he does. Maybe that means I'm not cut out to do this stuff."
Cooper puts a comforting hand on his new friend's shoulder.
"Don't think like that, dude. I don't know shit about that wrestling shit, but I do know that wasn't your dad who won that belt. That was all you. Don't you dare put yourself down by undermining what you did. You're literally a fucking champion. Not your dad, you."
Thomas smiled. The first genuine smile he produced in weeks.
"Thank you, Cooper. I really needed that."
"Anytime, man."
The two men exchanged phone numbers and continued on with some small talk. Cooper managed to come up with new questions about wrestling every time the ad for Trinity would appear on TV. He would ask about various wrestlers, how wrestling works, and what it's like to be in the industry.
"All right, so who are you wrestling this week?"
"He's called 'Nightshade'. Think a tall, brooding figure. A slow guy who uses the same big guy move set as every other guy who's just like him."
"Damn, sounds like you don't like him."
"I don't really know him. That's my problem. My dad wants me to cut promos on my opponents but it's really hard to do when I'm unaware of what any of these wrestlers are like."
"Well, that part is simple. Just pretend like you're talking about something that you know and really don't like. Graph that onto whoever you're actually talking about and just let your emotions flow."
Thomas thought about the advice for a few moments, considering it.
"Yeah, I think that could work."
"Great, I'm glad I could help."
"Speaking of promos, I'd better get going and get it over with."
"Aw, all right."
"Would you, um... want to go with me?"
Cooper smiles
"Sure, why not?"
Thomas smiles.
Cooper settled his tab and the two men got up and walked out of the bar. As they walked, the two continued with their small talk.
"So, you play anything?"
"I play a little guitar, sometimes."
"Oh sick. You any good?"
"Well, I wrestle instead of playing professionally, what do you think?"
Cooper laughed a bit.
"Well, I guess you'll have to play for me some time so I can judge for myself."
"Sounds like a plan."
The two continued talking until they reached Snow's hotel room. The two men walked into the room, where they were met with the intimidating glare of Alex.
"Who the fuck is this?"
"This... is my friend, Cooper."
"And what the fuck is he doing here?"
"I asked him to come. He's helping me with promos."
"What did I tell you? The only advice you need to listen to will come from me. Got it?!"
"Hey, man, relax. I just want to-"
"Shut up, boy. I didn't ask you."
Cooper takes a step forward, clenching his fists but Thomas puts an arm out in front of him, not taking his gaze off his father.
"Let me just do this then Coop will go."
"...Fine. Just don't get in the way."
"Yes, sir."
Alex took his spot behind the camera, Thomas took his in front of it. Cooper stood in the corner of the room, arms crossed, looking at Thomas.
"Okay, go."
Thomas remained quiet for a moment, looking at the floor to collect his thoughts.
He thought of everything that made him upset. The yelling, the insults. The relentless commands, forcing him to do all the things he stood against. Suddenly... it all came out.
"Listen to me, you son of a bitch. I am so sick and so tired of people like you thinking you can push me around. I'm not some punching bag for you to throw around whenever you feel like it. I am a man and I demand to be treated like one. I didn't get to where I am at because of you. I made it based on my own talent.
"You and me? We're on entire different levels. I have natural abilities that you could only dream of meanwhile all you can do to get to the top is ride the coattails of someone like me, you bottom feeding leech!
"You think you're big and tough but in reality you're nothing. Nothing! This Tuesday on Sin, I'm coming for you. I am going to show you exactly what Thomas Snow is about and I will show you that me winning the Trinity World title is no fluke... And you know the best part about all of this? The best part is that I will do it all MY WAY!
"Bring. The. Blizzard.
"The blizzard is here..."
Alex stopped the recording, smiling.
"Great work, kid! I love that fire. You sounded like you really hate this piece of shit. You didn't say his name but I'll take clips from that shit first take of yours from earlier."
Thomas rolled his eyes and glanced over at Cooper, who was holding in his laughter while trying to maintain a straight face. This caused Thomas to smile a bit as well.
"All right, now get this boy out of here. I'm going to get to work on this."
"He has a name, dad. It's Coop-"
"I don't give a fuck what his name is. Get him out."
Cooper's face went red. He was about to say something when he caught himself, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down.
"Tom, it's been real. Hit me up anytime you need to."
"Yeah, definitely."
The two men exchanged goodbyes and Cooper left the hotel room, leaving Thomas alone with his father.
"So how come you're okay with him calling you Tom but not me?"
Thomas simply shrugged as he wore a small smile on his face.
FIN