Riding Bikes and Breaking Skulls
We cut to a locker room where the two members of Fighting For Nora are getting ready for their first match. Jonathan Rhine sits with his head in his hands, breathing slowly. Paxton Ray is shadow boxing behind him, his eyes burning as he hits his air-based target.
BANG BANG BANG
The door is closed, which is important because someone is banging on it. A lot.
BANG BANG BANG
Matt Mills: Jonathan Rhine? Paxton Ray? Can I have a few words before your match?
BANG BANG BANG
Paxton looks from his fists to the door, then to his tag team partner.
Paxton Ray: You gonna get that?
Jonathan doesn’t look up. Paxton shrugs, then returns to punching air.
Paxton Ray: Well I’m not gettin’ it.
BANG BANG BANG
Matt Mills: Please Jon, I just have a few questions about what it’s like to get in the ring again.
Now Jonathan Rhine looks up. He stares at the door, then back at his tag team partner.
Jonathan Rhine: It feels great. It feels like riding a bike.
Paxton stops boxing again and stares at Jonathan.
Paxton Ray: That’s nice an’ all, but I didn’t ask you. He did. Why you tellin’ me?
Jonathan Rhine: Because I don’t want to talk to him. Matt is fine and he does his job well, but the only person who needs to know how this is going to feel is in this room.
Rhine stands up and puts a hand on Paxton’s chest, giving it a solid pound.
Jonathan Rhine: For me this is like riding a bike. It’s old, it’s familiar. This will be your first time wrestling.
Paxton looks down at Rhine’s hand on his chest, then looks down at the smaller man.
Paxton Ray: But not my first time fightin’. Believe me, I won’t be nervous just ‘cause there are a buncha ropes around me. You ride the bike, I’ll break the skulls, and we’ll be just fine.
Jonathan Rhine smiles as the door continues to be assaulted by Matt’s persistent fist.
BANG BANG BANG
Matt Mills: Jonathan? Paxton?
Jonathan Rhine: That’s exactly what I want to hear. Let’s do this. For Nora.
Paxton Ray: For Nora.
The knocking finally stops.
Jonathan Rhine: Okay. You ready? Let’s do this.
The two open the door and are immediately pounced on (figuratively of course) by Matt Mills.
Matt Mills: Jonathan! How do you feel going into your first match in over a decade?
Without stopping, Rhine pats Matt on the shoulder.
Jonathan Rhine: Like we’re going to be late if we don’t hurry. Talk to you later, Matt. Take an order form from the locker room if you want any merch.
And with that, Fighting For Nora heads down the hallway, leaving Matt Mills staring at the camera, confused.
Matt Mills: Uh, back to you, guys.