A Cold Day In The Sun

[Joe Everyman]

I wish I could take it away
And save you from yourself
You get so lost inside your head
Like no one else

This fire burns.

It has burned this bright since day number one.

But brighter lights outshined it.

Even when fuel was added to the flames, another fire would cast a shadow upon it.

My heart has burned since day one...

And it didn't get me anywhere.

I only experiences heartache, everywhere I went. Every step I took, the fire would burn my insides.

Every path I took, just another flame would take control and take over.

But then... it happened. My flame finally rose, and overtook every single other pyre in the world.

The flame within my heart finally shown through... it finally was the hottest in the universe.

My passion, my drive and my determination finally paid off.

I never gave up on myself. Millions... upon millions of others did. My own family did. My friends did. My longtime fans even had their doubts. But finally, after so many years, so many restless nights, so many painful mornings, so many long flights, so many disappointments...

I did it.

I never gave up on myself, and with that personal glory within myself, I was able to fight against the odds, fight against the titans of our time, the Gods themselves, and become... champion. And not just a regular champion, no no... a much grander champion.

I finally proved to every living soul out there that I could become a World Champion. I had to bring down the gods themselves to do it... but I did it.

Just a small town kid, having to fight through his life to be able to survive, wanting nothing more than to just keep his family safe, warm and protected... finally did it. I proved to the world that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything. There is no glass ceiling. There is no sky to limit you. I showed every single person out there that if you have a dream, never give up on it.

Never stop yourself and think that you can't do it. Never think negatively of a goal of yours. If you think you can do it, by god, you can do it! No mountain is too steep. No valley is too deep. No person is too strong, and no task is too hard. If I can do it, anybody can do it. I promise you that.

But remember one other thing... once you accomplish something, you must fight to maintain it. If you are working for a promotion at work, be sure to show that you will persist through it and stay that way after you get it. If you're battling cancer, show yourself that you will be ok, during and after you beat it into remission. If you are fighting for your very life... prove that you will survive. Prove that you will make it through and come out stronger on the other side, because failure is not an option.

If you find yourself up against death itself, look him straight in the eyes and do not waver. One blink... one split second, and it could be all over. This Sunday, I fight death. I fight his human embodiment. But, I will not lose a step. I will not waver. I will not fault. Because failure is not an option. It never was, and it never will be again. When you battle death itself, you must be stronger than the only promise in our lives... and you must come out stronger than the strongest force in the universe.

Are you up for the challenge?

The scene slowly opens up at what looks to be a county fair somewhere in Virginia, outside of Washington D.C. There are flyers all around advertising the festivities. One many of the flyers, smack dab in the middle in big red, white and blue letters says, "With Special Guest Appearances by IWF Imperial Champion and Virginia's own, Joe Everyman!!", along with a picture of Joe holding the championship up proudly. The camera slowly pans back to show Joe standing in front of the flyer, suitcase in hand. Joe looks stern in his viewing of the paper, slowly waving in the breeze. After a few seconds, a small hand reaches up and tugs on Joe's pants. Joe quickly turns around and sees a young boy, bald head and a nervous smile on his face.

Young Boy: Um... Mr. Everyman?

Joe smiles as he sees the kid standing there, wearing an IWF Joe Everyman shirt. Joe kneels down next to the kid, which surprises him a little bit.

Joe Everyman: Please, call me Joe. What can I help you with?

Young Boy: It's really you, isn't it?

Joe Everyman: Of course it's me! Did you expect anybody else?

The kid smiles a little bit as Joe looks up for a moment and sees a man and a woman with another younger child standing a little ways back from where the kid stood.

Young Boy: I-I... I was wondering if I could get your autograph.

Joe Everyman: Well of course you can. I've got just the thing for you.

Joe opens up his briefcase and pulls out a small portrait of himself standing in front of the American flag, with the Imperial Championship around his waist. He then pulls out a Sharpie, clicks off the top and places the picture onto his knee.

Joe Everyman: Ok, who should I make it out to?

Young Boy: Um...

The boy looks down, nervous again, tugging at his shirt. After a few moment, the man walks over to the child and kneels down as well.

Man: Go on James, tell him what you want.

The boy smiles again, looking up at Joe again.

Joe Everyman: You know, I have a son named James too.

The child smiles again, still being fairly shy. The man then grabs Joe by his sleeve and stands up, causing Joe to stand up as well.

Man: So... um... I know this is going to sound weird, but could you write something special on there for him?

Joe Everyman: Of course, but what?

Man: Well... he's battling a form of Leukemia right now... maybe something about never giving up? I know that's kind of your thing.

Joe smiles for a second before kneeling down to the kid's level again.

Joe Everyman: I want you to do something for me, ok James?

The kid nods slightly, still a little shy.

Joe Everyman: I've been through some tough situations in my life, and do you know what I always told myself?

James: What?

Joe Everyman: I always told myself to never give up. I always tried to fight through whatever I was up against. And sometimes I got scared not knowing what was on the other side. Life can be scary sometimes, but in times like this, you have to fight the monsters back. Can you do that for me, James?

The child nods again, less shy than before. Joe then starts writing onto the picture with his pen.

"To my number one fan, James

Never give up. Never stop believing in yourself. Never be afraid. You can make it through this, I know it. You are stronger than even you realize, and you will beat this.

- Joe"

Joe hands it to the child who reads it. His face lights up and before saying anything, he lunges forward and gives Joe a hug. Joe hugs back and smiles as James' father looks on. The kids releases the hug and holds the picture close to him.

James: Thank you, Mr. Everyman. And please... beat Lex this Sunday, ok?

Joe Everyman: I'm gonna do my best.

James: Are you afraid?

Joe looks at him for a moment, thinking about his answer. He looks up at James' father for a moment before looking back down.

Joe Everyman: Terrified. But I refuse to give up.

James: I believe in you, Joe.

Joe Everyman: Thank you, James. Here, let me show you something.

Joe moves a few more pictures in his briefcase and pulls out the Imperial Championship and hands it to James. He has a struggle holding up the heavy belt, but his face lights up with joy as he holds the real belt. The camera slowly pans back as Joe keeps letting him hold the belt. Joe stands up to talk to the father again as the child is filled with glee. The scene then slowly fades to black.

Lex... I will be the first to admit... I'm scared to death this week. I've been focusing on every single possible other thing this week, because I didn't want to face the reality of this match. But in the end... I knew I had to finally look up and face my fears. I know that I've always talked a big game, and I know that I refused to give up... but I'm scared.

There is not a single other man or woman who I want to face less than you this week. I would gladly go up against anybody else this week, but instead... I have to go up against you, the devil himself. I try to hide my fear, and I'm usually pretty good at it. But against you... I just can't. The amount of everything riding on my shoulder this weak has made my knees weak and my heart heavy. But no matter what... I can't give up.

I have too many riding on this match. I have to face my own personal fears to be able to succeed. And even on top of that, I will have to face you, my biggest fear of all.

And yet... through all of this fear, I still stand here today, ready to fight.

No matter how much fear is put into my heart, I will always fight. No matter how scared I get, I have to fight. I've faced my fears before and I came out on top! Last month, I was able to fight my fears and beat you in the middle of the ring, robbing you of your life long goal. I managed to conquer my fear and put it to rest, if even for just a few weeks. And now, are things different? Has the fear grown? Has my heart diminished? Only time will tell. As of now... I honestly don't know.

Being scared sucks, because it cripples your entire life. This week has been hell for me. I haven't been able to sleep, I haven't been able to eat, and it's all because of you, Lex. You've managed to dominate my life for the past month, when it was me who won. I may have won the war... but nobody told me what I would truly lose when I won the big one. That's the one thing they never teach you. They push you and push you and push you, telling you that you can do it, that you can finally win the big one. They never warn you of what will happen when you finally do win it.

But no matter what, of any extra hardships that come from it, there is one thing that you can never take away from me, Lex. You may have taken my sanity, you may have taken my trust in everybody and you may have taken my peace of mind... but there is one thing that you will never take from me... my championship.

I stood tall at the end of Lineage. I stood there with the Imperial Championship above my head, standing as proud as I had ever been. And now because of that, my name will always be first. My name will be etched first in the list of any and all Imperial Champions to come. And even if... when... you win this championship, your name will never be above second.

That drive you crazy Lex, and that's exactly what I want. I want you to feel what I feel every single week when I see your name next to mind on the card. I want you to feel rage, intimidation and fear... I want you to feel how I do. I know that I may still just be a small fish in a big pond in the eyes of everybody else, but sometimes the smallest fish shines the brightest.

This Sunday, I will further my Legacy. I have already cemented myself into the reaches of history, but now, I prove to the world that it was not a fluke. I prove to the world that no matter how much or what you fear, you can persevere. I will prove to everybody who said I couldn't do it that I can do any damn thing I set myself up to. Lex, you are an egocentric child who wants every single thing given to him on a silver platter, never fighting for what you deserve. I've had to fight for EVERY single thing in my entire life! I will prove to every single person out there that even the everyman can do grand things.

I showed the world last month what I was finally capable of, and this Sunday, I show the world that it was no accident. I may be stood up against the gates of hell, but I refuse to give up. I may be facing the biggest fear in my entire life, but I refuse to give up. You may have betrayed me, Lex... but even now, I will show no fear in the face of certain doom. No matter your betrayal, no matter what you put me up against, I will fight through... because my heart refuses to do anything less.

Sometimes, it's the smallest light that shines brightest. And even now, as the World Champion, I am considered the underdog. And honestly... I wouldn't have it any other way. I have the chance again this Sunday to prove who's heart is the strongest in the entire IWF. Lex, your heart is full of darkness, blackened and broken. My heart burns with the fury of a thousand stars, and it will never be extinguished. No matter the fear I face, I will never back down. My heart will persevere... because it is stronger than yours. In the end, the brightest flame will stand tall in the end. And Lex... my heart just burns brighter than yours.

Are you looking for someone to blame?
Did you blame me all along?
You'll take the heat
But you would never take the fall