LIKE RIDIN’ A BIKE

A pair of sharp blue eyes peek behind the curtain in Argyle position, scanning a rumbling MGM crowd, wide eyed.

Stepping away from the curtain, Wade Elliott puts his hands behind his head and paces nervously. An odd image for the usually gruff ‘Bama Bruiser.

Wade Elliott: (Whispering to himself) C’mon you old sum’bitch…you can do this…like ridin’ a bike…

Wade’s whispers keep him from hearing faint steps approaching behind him. Enter the Lady of the Hour, hands behind her back and smirking at the nervous Southern Sparkplug. She’s had quite the busy night so far, but despite the distractions and high-running tensions, she looks rather relaxed.

Besides, she wouldn’t miss seeing Wade off for anything.

Lindsay Troy: You look like you’ve got the first day of school jitters, Drifter.

Wade jerks his head to see Troy, relaxing a touch and taking a deep breath in.

Wade Elliott: Fuckin’ all wound up. It weren’t never like this back in the day. Shouldn’t feel no diff’rent.

He turns his frame to the Queen, looking for answers.

Wade Elliott: Why’s it feel so damn different?

Lindsay shrugs, and her smirk morphs into a gentle smile.

Lindsay Troy: Maybe because you thought you were done with it all. But if I didn’t think you could still go, I wouldn’t have dropped your name on that list.

Elliott turns back to the curtain.

Wade Elliott: Just feels like somethin’s missin’.

Lindsay Troy: I might have the thing that’ll put your mind at ease.

She brings her hands around; clutched there is Wade’s dusty brown drifter’s hat. 

Wade Elliott: Well…shit…

He reaches out for it, looking it over in his hands like a long lost friend. The wide brim, tassels, all the dust and dirt from so many years.

Lindsay Troy: That old hat’s been through a lot. I hope you didn’t think I got rid of it. 

She takes it back and places it on his head.

Lindsay Troy: Just like it never left.

He smiles at her, and adjusts it on his head.

Wade Elliott: Big Damn Heroes?

Lindsay Troy: Ain’t we just.

He flashes her one last grin through that gray beard, and disappears through the curtain.