The Final Campaign: Chapter 26

[Dave Rydell]

I talked to Hank and Ed the other day. It was nice to visit with old friends. Ed is steadily heading towards retirement. Which is good. He deserves it. I never did find out what he’s been up to lately. But whatever, he’s happy.
 
The bar finally sold and I have no ties to it other than it was my first big investment when I moved to Chicago. And now that I’m on my way out, it’s fitting that I sell it to the one person who’s been running it consistently. Couldn’t have found a better person to take it.
 
The house is Texas is coming along nicely. So I’ll have a home soon. A real home instead of this shitty little one bedroom apartment. But I’ve been thinking. Maybe it’s time to go back to my real home. Back to Virginia. I’ll keep the beach house in South Carolina. Unfortunately, there’s been some storms lately. It’s held up progression.
 
My daughter has started her senior year of high school. Which means she’s off to college soon. Maybe it’s time to go back home, especially if she goes to school in state. She visits. I visit. We have a great relationship. It never used to be this good but it’s better than ever.
 
And that comes back around to me. You know, people look at their life when they reach a certain point. They look back on all the love they’ve had in it. I’ve done that. Many times. I’ve loved and lost. I’ve loved and gotten rid of. And now, I’m alone. I let Mary walk out of my life because of my choices. I told Lindsay to go because of my choices. For most of my life, I’ve been alone. I didn’t want to let anyone in. And then I do, but I’m not ready because there is always going to be a greater love.
 
This business.
 
And once that is over, then I can focus on the other part. For now, I keep chasing the one that got away.
 
The UGWC World Title.
 
Sometimes you have to let them get a little bit further away before to head back after them. Which is why I’m doing what I’m doing. Which is why I’m chasing after my first great love, the Cross-Hemisphere Title.
 
You know who I’ve beaten for that belt? The greats. Phrixus Diemos. Angelica Vaughn. Klaus vonKnorre. Alan Fernandez. Psiko. And there was a young up and comer, the Big Time.
 
Those first five names I listed. All former World Champions. All going down in history with an incredible legacy behind them. All going down in history as the people who paved the way for the current generation. A list of people that I hope to join one day when my time in the ring is done.
 
Now, Vespertine. I want you to look at that last name on the list. The Big Time. You know what he was? A new, young, naïve, up and comer. Had unlimited potential. Ready to reach for the stars. Got too big for his own shoes. And I took him down. Do you know what you two have in common? All of that. You are walking around here like you’re untouchable. But I proved on Monday night that you very much are not off limits. You tried to put this old dog down. And you failed. Monday, at the Melee. You and I go into that ring and only one of us is going to come out with the Cross-Hemisphere Title. And I got some bad news for you, it’s going to be me.
 
Welcome to the fucking show, Vespertine. You’re about to find out in the worst of ways as to who the fuck I am. And what I can do.
 
See you at the Melee.

 

- - -

 
The sound of a sniff of the air…
 
“Do you smell that? It’s Melee season!”
 
The camera fades in on Dave Rydell standing in an open field. The green, semi tall grass bends in the wind. Trees in the background drop leaves to the ground. The sun is setting in the west, and storm clouds are rolling in from the east.
 
“I love the smell of a good rain storm. I love the smell that comes with fall. The chill in the air, the dead leaves falling around… It’s quite beautiful.”
 
Dave puts his hands on his hips and looks around.
 
“You know, where I’m originally from; Virginia; the leaves turn this beautiful yellow to brown color that just flows through every bit of forestry. My parents, they lived on this hill on about 20 acres of land. Trees as far as the eye could see, with gaps that let the sunshine in. My grandparents? Lived at the base of a mountain. Old Rag Mountain to be exact. Had about 40 acres of land. They had a ton of trees around them, but their main property was cleared out around their house. They could see everything. Watching the snow caps form on top of the mountain, and the leaves on the way down change color as they fade away.”
 
Dave just continues to admire the scenery.
 
“It’s truly amazing. It’s truly beautiful. It’s natures way of putting on an art show for the world to see. It’s like a ballet, almost. Similar to what we do as professional entertainers. Professional wrestlers. We go out there and start our careers as young, naïve fools with nothing but hopes and dreams in our pockets. We get our asses kicked and we learn. We climb up that massive ladder, rung by rung, until we reach those hopes and dreams. And what do we do? We get better at our craft. We get better at talking on the microphone. We get better at strutting down to the ring. We get better and our submissions. We figure out what works for us. Some people take longer than ever. Some people get there quick. Some people never make it. For me? My story… my canvas painting started 20 years ago. I hit the ground running and rose too quick. I hit milestones I didn’t think even existed right off the bat.”
 
Dave pauses for a moment.
 
“Then my starter spot went through a massive change. But that’s where I found my home. That’s where I found a place to become the best. That’s where I became who I am.”
 
Dave turns and continues to admire the scenery.
 
“That’s where I first found my love in this business. December 12, 2004. Red Fusion versus Alan Fernandez; rest his soul… Oh, yeah, Vespertine… I used to go by the name of a soft drink. I digress. I beat Alan Fernandez on that cold December night. What was my prize for taking down a legend in the business? My earnings for taking down a former World Champion in the LWF as a 2 year schmuck in the business? The Cross-Hemisphere Title. That very title you hold. That same title that you are killing the legacy of. That title has such a rich and beautiful history. Some, over the years, have tarnished its good name. You are doing just the same. You have taken this beautiful crown… this beautiful accomplishment, and you are doing nothing but showing why you don’t deserve it. When you win this, you fight with honor… integrity. And you’re just walking around thinking that you’re untouchable.”
 
Dave looks around. The sun is now gone as the storm cloud are covering it.
 
“The way you fight, the way you prepare… it’s chaotic. It’s psychotic, even. You don’t care to learn about your opponent. That makes you dangerous, yet naïve. That makes you… stupid. The first time we fought, you couldn’t even say my name right. You treated me like some guy who just won a few titles around here and a couple of matches. Didn’t even pay attention to where I fell on the card. That’s fine. Because I put you down. And then we went down our own roads. You won the Cross-Hemisphere Title. And I made a decision after Run of the Mill. I made a decision that I wasn’t going to let someone take the title who wasn’t ready for it. And after I made it clear what I wanted, you made it even more clear why you don’t deserve it. Or maybe you’re just being overly protective. All is well and good. These bruises, these cuts that’ll be scars. They help tell a story. Much like the trees behind me. And this chapter will conclude on Monday at the Melee.”
 
Dave heads to the top of a hill and keeps looking out at the scenery. It’s truly breathtaking.
 
“Your story as the Cross-Hemisphere Champion ends at the Massive Melee. Just a couple weeks ago, you and I were in the ring together again. You failed, once again, to do your research. You failed to understand me. You failed to know me. You failed to know your enemy. And once again, I knew mine. It was easy. It was simple to see you try and pick your moment. But I was ready. And at the Melee, once again, I’ll be ready. You think that having those four stooges by your side is going to help you. But it won’t. I learned a long time ago that if you want to get past the numbers game, you need to bring some numbers yourself. That’s why when I come out there, I won’t be alone. That I promise you. So bring the goons. I’ve got a few of my own.”
 
Dave walks back down the hill, sauntering slowly. A breeze comes in and gives him a chill.
 
“Ah, that fall breeze. And here I am, wearing a cutoff shirt. Heh… but that chill in the air. You know when get that breeze that rolls in, that sends a chill down your spine? When we get in that ring, and if finally sets in that you’re not walking out with the Cross-Hemisphere Title, you’re going to feel it. That same chill that goes down your spine and through your body. When you know that this is the end for you. And you’ll know that no matter what you tried to do, you know that you cannot, and will not beat me.”
 
Dave stops at the bottom of the hill and looks around briefly.
 
“This is it. This is your demise. I’m going to take everything you have, and I’m going to hold it high while you lay on the mat, looking at the lights. You have tried to take it from me. Everything, that is. And not in a material sense. You tried to take my career from me. Remember that bat? I do. Remember the handcuffs? I do. This wound on my forehead… it’s the only motivation I need to tear you apart. Everything else is just motivated by restoring the prestige of the Cross-Hemisphere Title. So, get ready for your downfall. Because it’s coming.”
 
Dave stands there as four of his veteran friends walk on screen and stand by his side.
 
End.