Post by Gjenrei on Sept 8, 2013 8:05:28 GMT
{The bloop signaled that Cable got another text message. It was, of course, from Amber, the little white bubble displaying the words, "Where are you?". Cable stared at it a long minute, then looked across the table at the man in the mask. Gjenrei was watching the door to the small cafe, unconcerned with Cable's personal dilemma. The phone blooped again. "I need you", said the text from Amber.}
Gjenrei: I asked that you come because I thought you would want to meet the man first. But if you have elsewhere to be, then you do not have to stay.
Cable: I'm fine..
Gjenrei: He is already late. That in itself is not a good sign of his ability. Go to her, I will handle him.
Cable: No, really. I'm good.
{Cable's fingers roved over his phone, typing back a short message. "I'll be there soon." The response was almost instananeous, a frown emoticon. Cable quickly typed back "I'm sorry", then set his phone down on the table and rubbed his eyes as if a headache was forthcoming.}
Cable: Are you sure he said 12:30?
Gjenrei: Certain.
Cable: It's already after 1, where the hell is this guy?
{Gjenrei knew the question was rhetorical, so he said nothing. Cable stared at the front door of the cafe, then began tapping his fingers on the table. Each passing second his face growing dimmer and more frustratingly annoyed. His annoyance was interrupted by another bloop, he looked down to see that he had a picture message. It was Amber on a bed, nude, with a sheet covering her in the right places. The message under it said "Does this change your mind?"}
Cable: Damnit..
Gjenrei: Go, if she needs you.
Cable: This is the seventh guy, we're running out of options.
Gjenrei: The list had twelve names on it, Cable. I understand that this is important to you, but what good would it do to gain the closure you seek if you lose her in the process.
Cable: She'll understand, she has to.
---------------------------------
"Validation. It's a large word that sounds good when spoken. People hear it, and suddenly everything under discussion becomes of greater value. But the question I have for you is..
Who exactly am I seeking to validate myself to?
The crowd? I didn't get into wrestling to hear my name being chanted across a packed arena. Management? Had I cared for that I would not have done all those brutal things that lay behind me. The fact of the matter is, the only validation you owe anybody is yourself. If, at the end of the day, you can look back and be happy with how the day turned out, that's the only kind of life that will ever be worth living. It doesn't matter if you spend the day trying to find people who are lost, or playing games with children who are not long for this world.
It's only validation if you believe in what you're doing.
How many times have either of you been sitting at home, looking back on the day and trying to figure out just where it went wrong, and when you find it, wishing that it hadn't? I'm not blaming you or mocking you for such things, they are merely human nature. I am simply pointing out that every time you've been in front of that camera, you've shown that you really are lacking in either knowledge or conviction. Either you simply don't know the right way to act, or you lack the ability to stand firm in how you approach ascertaining those beliefs.
A man who does not even know what his actions mean cannot possibly understand validation, because he doesn't know the one person he's supposed to be validating himself to.
You don't live life finding one cause to fight for, you live life fighting for the causes that need a champion. Your daughter needs a champion, because her last champions were not exactly paragons of righteousness. Your belts don't need a champion, because they don't care who holds them.
When what you place your care into does not return it, then it's simply a cause that isn't worth the time it takes to be it's champion.
As much as you said you respect the men who taught you, clearly, I don't think you've taken much of their advice to heart. When you put your trust into what a man's done lately, then you're only setting yourself up for the inevitable downfall at the hands of the difference between what happened yesterday, and what can happen tomorrow.
Case in point, two weeks ago.
We've never tried to state that we didn't lose. We admitted that we came up short, everytime the matter came up. What we did was keep fighting for our cause, not just to take some belts from your hands, but to defeat you. The legends who held them, with a long history of broken bodies and bitter ends.
Now, we have the best chance. No distractions, nobody else to get in the way. To win this match, you will have to defeat us, truly defeat us. I won't state that you can't or that you won't, because I know better that to do so.
In truth, I couldn't be happier it came to this. Because this is the penultimate battle.
I've been ready for, my whole life."
----------------------------------
{Another bloop, another picture text, this one is the same photo, only minus the sheet, replaced by the standard video censoring. The text at the bottom simply said "Come home, please". Cable exhaled slowly, then set his phone down.}
Cable: Well, I think...
{Cable was about to stand, when Gjenrei's head nodded toward the door. Cable turned to see a man in a grey suit walking toward them, carrying a file folder. The man was in his thirties, with a solid build and a serious demeanor. He set the folder down on the table, and took the unoccupied seat.}
Man: I assume you're the gentlemen I'm here to see.
Gjenrei: Mr. Hodgens?
Hodgens: That's me. Sorry I'm late, this area is a little confusing with five way stop signs.
Gjenrei: Understandable. I hear you're an expert at finding people.
Hodgens: Dead or alive, I can find anyone in the world.
Cable: Guaranteed?
Hodgens: One hundred percent or your money back.. minus expenses of course.
Gjenrei: Which I assume is on us?
{The man in the suit shrugged as if it was standard practice, well for him it was.}
Hodgens: You want a guarantee, I have to have assurance that I can keep going. If you pull the plug, I don't want to be left holding the bag. You can't believe how many times people try to screw me over and I'm left paying for hotel rooms and airplane tickets.
Cable: I'll pay whatever, as long as you know you can find who I'm looking for.
Hodgens: Don't worry Mr. Arcane, your partner here has already generous paid a hefty retainer for the services in the future. Knowing his father as I do, I have every confidence I will be able to keep looking until you're satisfied.
Cable: Good.
Gjenrei: You have a lead then?
Hodgens: Not yet. I have some lines in the water at the hospital where Cable was born and a few leads from people who claim they know. It's not much, but it's a start.
{Cable got another bloop. A text from Amber that said "Pleeeeaaasssseeee? Why look for them when you have me here?" Cable looked up, to tell Gjenrei that he was leaving, and found the mask looking back at him. Gjenrei nodded, understanding without a word being spoken. Cable rapidly tapped "Be home soon", and stood up.}
Cable: I hope you're as good as they say Mr. Hodgens.
Hodgens: I am that and more, Mr. Arcane.
{Cable extended his hand, and Hodgens shook it. Then Cable departed from the small cafe.}
Hodgens: Is he under a lot of stress?
Gjenrei: Like you wouldn't believe.
---------------------------------------
"This business is full of pitfalls, both hidden and obvious. People fall into the typical traps of having lots of disposable money, or suddenly finding themselves surrounded by people who want more out of them than love or friendship. They find the hidden pitfalls where suddenly success becomes more important than their principles, the glory that comes with victory becomes more important than the lessons than can be learned from simply fighting.
Strong people, avoid these holes. Not by luck or blind obliviousness, but by refusing to allow their vision to be clouded by what is not important.
You can comb through my history, call me fake or frail because I seem to not be the same man I once was. But all you've done is allow your perception of yesterday to dimish the sight in front of you. I see more than just the men you were, or the men you can become. I see who the two of you are, at your core, and I know that while it is great, it is not invincible. While it seems that we have the uphill battle, we are on a more even playing field than we ever have been.
In truth, either way suits me just fine. The hardest roads yield the best rewards, and even if we don't win those titles from you this week, we will still have gained more than you can even conceive possible. For neither of us have had the privledges you have had for as long as you had them, and already we have shown that we can match you every step. Now that we have paired it down to just us, the real battle can ensue.
The battle is where I will discover my death.
And in that, find what it means to live.
You can keep your titles, you can keep your legacy, for I want none of that. What I want is for you to show me just what your legend is really made of.
You won't just have to beat me, you'll have to destroy me. Because I'm not going away.
This is your chance, the gun is loaded and pointed at my temple.
I'm daring you to pull the trigger."
-------------------------------------
Hodgens: Well, I have enough to get started. I'll take my leave.
Gjenrei: Good luck, Mr. Hodgens.
Hodgens: I'll do my best, it's what you're paying me for.
{The man stood up from the table, taking his folder and turning, sliding sunglasses on his face as he exited the cafe. Gjenrei watched him go, then his phone blooped. He looked at it. It was a text from Cable. It said simply, "Don't think I trust him." Gjenrei nodded.}
Gjenrei: Me either.
Gjenrei: I asked that you come because I thought you would want to meet the man first. But if you have elsewhere to be, then you do not have to stay.
Cable: I'm fine..
Gjenrei: He is already late. That in itself is not a good sign of his ability. Go to her, I will handle him.
Cable: No, really. I'm good.
{Cable's fingers roved over his phone, typing back a short message. "I'll be there soon." The response was almost instananeous, a frown emoticon. Cable quickly typed back "I'm sorry", then set his phone down on the table and rubbed his eyes as if a headache was forthcoming.}
Cable: Are you sure he said 12:30?
Gjenrei: Certain.
Cable: It's already after 1, where the hell is this guy?
{Gjenrei knew the question was rhetorical, so he said nothing. Cable stared at the front door of the cafe, then began tapping his fingers on the table. Each passing second his face growing dimmer and more frustratingly annoyed. His annoyance was interrupted by another bloop, he looked down to see that he had a picture message. It was Amber on a bed, nude, with a sheet covering her in the right places. The message under it said "Does this change your mind?"}
Cable: Damnit..
Gjenrei: Go, if she needs you.
Cable: This is the seventh guy, we're running out of options.
Gjenrei: The list had twelve names on it, Cable. I understand that this is important to you, but what good would it do to gain the closure you seek if you lose her in the process.
Cable: She'll understand, she has to.
---------------------------------
"Validation. It's a large word that sounds good when spoken. People hear it, and suddenly everything under discussion becomes of greater value. But the question I have for you is..
Who exactly am I seeking to validate myself to?
The crowd? I didn't get into wrestling to hear my name being chanted across a packed arena. Management? Had I cared for that I would not have done all those brutal things that lay behind me. The fact of the matter is, the only validation you owe anybody is yourself. If, at the end of the day, you can look back and be happy with how the day turned out, that's the only kind of life that will ever be worth living. It doesn't matter if you spend the day trying to find people who are lost, or playing games with children who are not long for this world.
It's only validation if you believe in what you're doing.
How many times have either of you been sitting at home, looking back on the day and trying to figure out just where it went wrong, and when you find it, wishing that it hadn't? I'm not blaming you or mocking you for such things, they are merely human nature. I am simply pointing out that every time you've been in front of that camera, you've shown that you really are lacking in either knowledge or conviction. Either you simply don't know the right way to act, or you lack the ability to stand firm in how you approach ascertaining those beliefs.
A man who does not even know what his actions mean cannot possibly understand validation, because he doesn't know the one person he's supposed to be validating himself to.
You don't live life finding one cause to fight for, you live life fighting for the causes that need a champion. Your daughter needs a champion, because her last champions were not exactly paragons of righteousness. Your belts don't need a champion, because they don't care who holds them.
When what you place your care into does not return it, then it's simply a cause that isn't worth the time it takes to be it's champion.
As much as you said you respect the men who taught you, clearly, I don't think you've taken much of their advice to heart. When you put your trust into what a man's done lately, then you're only setting yourself up for the inevitable downfall at the hands of the difference between what happened yesterday, and what can happen tomorrow.
Case in point, two weeks ago.
We've never tried to state that we didn't lose. We admitted that we came up short, everytime the matter came up. What we did was keep fighting for our cause, not just to take some belts from your hands, but to defeat you. The legends who held them, with a long history of broken bodies and bitter ends.
Now, we have the best chance. No distractions, nobody else to get in the way. To win this match, you will have to defeat us, truly defeat us. I won't state that you can't or that you won't, because I know better that to do so.
In truth, I couldn't be happier it came to this. Because this is the penultimate battle.
I've been ready for, my whole life."
----------------------------------
{Another bloop, another picture text, this one is the same photo, only minus the sheet, replaced by the standard video censoring. The text at the bottom simply said "Come home, please". Cable exhaled slowly, then set his phone down.}
Cable: Well, I think...
{Cable was about to stand, when Gjenrei's head nodded toward the door. Cable turned to see a man in a grey suit walking toward them, carrying a file folder. The man was in his thirties, with a solid build and a serious demeanor. He set the folder down on the table, and took the unoccupied seat.}
Man: I assume you're the gentlemen I'm here to see.
Gjenrei: Mr. Hodgens?
Hodgens: That's me. Sorry I'm late, this area is a little confusing with five way stop signs.
Gjenrei: Understandable. I hear you're an expert at finding people.
Hodgens: Dead or alive, I can find anyone in the world.
Cable: Guaranteed?
Hodgens: One hundred percent or your money back.. minus expenses of course.
Gjenrei: Which I assume is on us?
{The man in the suit shrugged as if it was standard practice, well for him it was.}
Hodgens: You want a guarantee, I have to have assurance that I can keep going. If you pull the plug, I don't want to be left holding the bag. You can't believe how many times people try to screw me over and I'm left paying for hotel rooms and airplane tickets.
Cable: I'll pay whatever, as long as you know you can find who I'm looking for.
Hodgens: Don't worry Mr. Arcane, your partner here has already generous paid a hefty retainer for the services in the future. Knowing his father as I do, I have every confidence I will be able to keep looking until you're satisfied.
Cable: Good.
Gjenrei: You have a lead then?
Hodgens: Not yet. I have some lines in the water at the hospital where Cable was born and a few leads from people who claim they know. It's not much, but it's a start.
{Cable got another bloop. A text from Amber that said "Pleeeeaaasssseeee? Why look for them when you have me here?" Cable looked up, to tell Gjenrei that he was leaving, and found the mask looking back at him. Gjenrei nodded, understanding without a word being spoken. Cable rapidly tapped "Be home soon", and stood up.}
Cable: I hope you're as good as they say Mr. Hodgens.
Hodgens: I am that and more, Mr. Arcane.
{Cable extended his hand, and Hodgens shook it. Then Cable departed from the small cafe.}
Hodgens: Is he under a lot of stress?
Gjenrei: Like you wouldn't believe.
---------------------------------------
"This business is full of pitfalls, both hidden and obvious. People fall into the typical traps of having lots of disposable money, or suddenly finding themselves surrounded by people who want more out of them than love or friendship. They find the hidden pitfalls where suddenly success becomes more important than their principles, the glory that comes with victory becomes more important than the lessons than can be learned from simply fighting.
Strong people, avoid these holes. Not by luck or blind obliviousness, but by refusing to allow their vision to be clouded by what is not important.
You can comb through my history, call me fake or frail because I seem to not be the same man I once was. But all you've done is allow your perception of yesterday to dimish the sight in front of you. I see more than just the men you were, or the men you can become. I see who the two of you are, at your core, and I know that while it is great, it is not invincible. While it seems that we have the uphill battle, we are on a more even playing field than we ever have been.
In truth, either way suits me just fine. The hardest roads yield the best rewards, and even if we don't win those titles from you this week, we will still have gained more than you can even conceive possible. For neither of us have had the privledges you have had for as long as you had them, and already we have shown that we can match you every step. Now that we have paired it down to just us, the real battle can ensue.
The battle is where I will discover my death.
And in that, find what it means to live.
You can keep your titles, you can keep your legacy, for I want none of that. What I want is for you to show me just what your legend is really made of.
You won't just have to beat me, you'll have to destroy me. Because I'm not going away.
This is your chance, the gun is loaded and pointed at my temple.
I'm daring you to pull the trigger."
-------------------------------------
Hodgens: Well, I have enough to get started. I'll take my leave.
Gjenrei: Good luck, Mr. Hodgens.
Hodgens: I'll do my best, it's what you're paying me for.
{The man stood up from the table, taking his folder and turning, sliding sunglasses on his face as he exited the cafe. Gjenrei watched him go, then his phone blooped. He looked at it. It was a text from Cable. It said simply, "Don't think I trust him." Gjenrei nodded.}
Gjenrei: Me either.
Well howdy there pardner.