SO LONG, FAREWELL

As the camera changes shots to a different section of the arena, we find Eddie Cross stalking the hallways looking both nervous and ten kinds of pissed off. Given the nature of his recent struggles, that is understandable.

Mere minutes away from the literal biggest match of his life, one thing keeps running through his mind: Dave Gibson. 

He searches high and low, asking catering, his AV friends, and he even tries to flag down Simon Tillier, but the interviewer pretends not to see him and scurries off, no doubt remembering their fateful segment. 

Finally he finds a plush meeting room of some type out of the eyes of the crew, and decides to sit down in a chair to just prep for his match mentally. He puts in a pair of earbuds and closes his eyes, letting the world drift for a moment while he listens to Shordie Shordie. 

After a short time, he opens his eyes and staring at him on a television is none other than his former mentor. Shades of Eddie pulling this exact trick on Mushigihara are not wasted on him as he pulls his earbuds out. 

Dave is sitting under a shaded cabana on a beach. The rolling surf is in the background behind him.

Dave Gibson: Hey, kid. I bet you are just on a rampage tonight looking for me… Looking for answers… And looking to tear my head off. Sorry to disappoint. I would much rather be here in this complimentary cabana than in … Hell wherever the show is this week. 

Eddie listens intently to Dave as he talks, his mind racing.

Dave Gibson: When are you going to learn, kid… What you want… In this world it’s irrelevant. It is all about what you can earn and what you can take. And on this losing streak… Well… Not been earning much have you? As for what you can take? From me? 

Dave whips off his sunglasses. 

Dave: Take a look at my eyes, son. Look into the face of a man who gave everything to wrestling and lost all of it except my life. Anything you think you can do to me? Any tortures you think you can inflict? I already did it to myself, my boy. 

Dave chuckles a little before continuing. 

Dave Gibson: I’ll be back around after my vacation and you’ll have your chance at answers. But not tonight. And on MY terms. That’s what we called veterans’ privilege back in my day. 

The shades go back on. 

Dave: Good luck against Ivan. You… Ohohoho boy are you gonna NEED it.

The stream cuts as Eddie screams and puts his head in his hands. 

After a moment, a comforting voice comes through the door.

TAL: Hey kid, I saw that. I’m sorry. That’s some pretty tough stuff to be going through right now, but you have to pick yourself up and go face Ivan.

Eddie looks up, rage and confusion in his eyes. Tom’s seen the look before in his own son’s eyes. He knows this kid isn’t ready and he is about to walk out there to face one of the most dominant forces in the business within a few minutes. 

Eddie Cross: How am I supposed to focus on this match? How am I supposed to focus on anything? He betrayed me, Tom. He left me. He promised he wouldn’t leave me!

TAL: I know, Eddie. I know. All I can tell you is that you have two choices. You can sit in the back and you can let this eat you alive, or you can do what I am going to do later tonight. 

Eddie Cross: Yeah? What’s that?

Tom steps forward and kneels down to Eddie’s level. He puts a fist out and his eyes shine righteously through his mask.

TAL: You’re going to go out there knowing the odds are against you and show them what this opportunity means to you. Win or lose, you only lose if you don’t give it everything you got, kid. 

Eddie looks up and takes a deep breath. 

Eddie Cross: Why not? It’s only Ivan Stanislav. 

Tom smiles.

TAL: That’s right, Eddie. It’s only Ivan Stanislav. He’s just a man like you and me, and all men can be taken down.

Eddie Cross: That’s what my Dad used to tell me when he told me stories of the gods at bedtime.

Tom stands up and claps Eddie on the shoulder before walking back to the door. 

TAL: He’s a pretty smart guy, your dad. Helped me through some pretty tough times. 

Eddie nods and steels himself for the task at hand.

Eddie Cross: I appreciate what you’re saying, but right now it’s going to have to wait. I have too much on my plate, and there are deep wounds. 

Tom takes a deep breath. He took a shot for his friend and maybe it landed. It was a start anyhow. 

TAL: I hear ya kid. Do everyone on Jabber a favor will you?

Eddie Cross: What’s that?     

TAL: Give Alexei something to lie about tonight.

Eddie laughs and stands up to shake Tom’s hand. He flips the light switch off and the scene cuts to the ringside area.