
I’ll Be Ready
Previously Recorded…
The camera focuses on the door of a room in the MGM Grand Hotel. “152 G” can be seen in gold just below a peephole. The locking mechanism of the door clicks as the door begins to swing open. Solomon Richards emerges from the room wearing a pair of black sweatpants and a gray, sleeveless hoodie. He pulls the hood over his messy blonde curls and turns to pull the door closed. He swings a bag over his shoulder. He begins turns back and begins to walk towards the camera before stopping, facing the audience.
Solomon Richards: Things don’t always go the way we hope in this business. Sometimes you come down to the ring, full of ambition, prepared to take on the world. And you do just that. You take on the entire world.
Solomon adjusts the bag on his shoulder as he begins to make his way to the elevator. He presses the down button and faces to door, waiting for the “ding” to indicate his ride to the ground floor has arrives.
Solomon Richards: I want to make excuses. I want to blame dirty play, ring rust, any number of things. But the bottom line is that I just wasn’t ready. I came out, I made a lot of promises, and I…failed.
DING
The doors slide open and Solomon calmly walks into the elevator. He leans down and presses the “G” button and faces the doors, waiting on them to close.
Solomon Richards: So what happens next? I can go back home, head in hands, and continue on my life like I had never tried to dip my toes back into the water of Professional Wrestling. I could accept that my time in the sun truly has passed and just enjoy the few moments I had in the spotlight. Hang my boots up and accept my position in life.
The lights on the board illuminate with each floor the the elevator passes. As the doors open on the ground floor the bustle of the main floor of the MGM Grand can be heard in the background. Solomon pays no mind to the excitement happening on the floor as he heads towards the desk.
Solomon Richards: I could give up. I could accept that a first round loss is indicative of a career that is far past its prime and that I am nothing more than a “Special Attraction” at an Invitational tournament.
Solomon walks to the desk, sets his bag down on the ground next to him. He leans down, reaches into the side pocket of his bag and pulls out a ratty wallet and sets it down on the desk. Sliding a credit card out he tells the desk clerk that he would like to extend his stay. How long? Indefinitely. He puts his wallet back into his back before hoisting it back up onto his shoulder. He walks through the front doors and hails a Taxi. Just before stepping into the cab he stops and turns back towards the camera.
Solomon Richards: But instead, I think I’ll sign an extension. I’ll train harder, work longer. And next time you see me on a card? I’ll be ready.
Solomon leans down and gets into the cab. He closes the door and he can be seen waving his hands explaining directions to the driver. The camera fades as the cab pulls off and begins to drive out of sight.