Post by RAM on Jun 24, 2024 3:43:31 GMT
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November 5, 2019 - 1:30 PM
Inside Dr. Seager's office...
"Would you two like some coffee...?"
We find RAM and Rydia facing the longtime high school principal's desk, gazing around at the decorations and trinkets that made the room feel like a home away from home. Dr. Linda Seager had a long and storied career in the education field that began in 1975. She had taught for 21 years before becoming Watauga High School's principal in 1999. She had a calm and somewhat maternalistic demeanor, often using a vocal registry that reminded people of Katherine Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager.
"No thank you, ma'am."
"I'll take some, doc...please."
As she placed a pod of donut shop blend into her Keurig and started the machine, Dr. Seager reached into the mini-fridge she kept behind her desk.
"Sweet cream, Mr. Marshall?"
"No, thank you. I prefer my coffee black."
Seager's eyes lit up.
"Black coffee...?!"
She eventually eked out a sly grin on her mug.
"I'm impressed."
The principal handed RAM the coffee in a disposable cup commonly seen at most hotels. He took a sip and nodded, making Rydia blush at his mannerisms. Dr. Seager cleared her throat and directed everyone's attention to a painting of her father.
"When my father served on the USS Lexington during the Korean War, he'd always tell the person working the galley to get him some black coffee twice a day -- a cup in the morning, a cup at night."
Pause. RAM took another sip while listening intently.
"He often said that a man's personality is dictated by the type of coffee he drinks. Those who drink it black are more...hard-edged, rough-and-tumble...the types of folks who won't take any guff from anybody. You, Mr. Marshall, remind me of who he was, God rest his soul..."
Rydia gave RAM a playful poke in the ribs.
"Oooohhh RAM-bo! That ought to be something worth being proud of…"
"Pffft, riiiiight! I never knew my old man to begin with, he was shot down and killed over Afghanistan before I was born…"
A sharp knock on Dr. Seager's door was heard, bringing the ice-breaker conversation to a quick end.
"Come on in."
On cue, Tommy Figgins -- Bobby's younger brother -- stepped into the office.
"Doing alright, Tommy?"
"Just got done taking a pop quiz for Mr. Kreese's civics class."
RAM stared down the younger Figgins as he let his thought processes go to work.
{ ...ahh, another introduction is in order. Tommy Figgins was Bobby's younger bro. A bit of a weenie, not as fast or strong as his older contemporary. Made him more vulnerable than he realized... }
Tommy gave RAM a good, long look before solemnly shaking his head.
"Oh, god…"
"Don't worry, Tommy-boy. I won't turn you into barbecue brisket...not just yet anyway."
Rydia whacked RAM on his right shoulder with her hand.
"RAM!?!"
"He's a Figgins, Rydia. I...I don't trust him."
Tommy shrugged his shoulders.
"Yeah, whatever. I just want ot get this over with."
Dr. Seager nodded, then cleared her throat.
"It took a lot of courage for Tommy here to corroborate everything in that video y'all two posted. The damage done, especially to Bobby, is far more reaching than the week-long suspension I handed down pending probationary review."
She paused. RAM took another sip from his cup, savoring the coffee blend to full effect.
"Notre Dame yanked Bobby's athletic scholarship after the video went up."
RAM covered his face, hidng a sinister smirk in the process. He took great pleasure in Bobby's misfortune.
"Sounds like ain't gettin' his free ride after all…"
"Well, that's the price of getting caught with your pants down…"
Rydia chuckled. Tommy sighed. Even Dr. Seager didn't particularly like the lame joke.
"In a spiritual sense, of course! Tee-hee!!!"
Eventually, the principal eked out a curt smile as Tommy spoke up.
"Look, guys...our parents both went to Notre Dame. Our dad played college ball there, our mom went to their law school. Our grandparents, one on each side, were former professors there."
Tommy paused, noting that RAM didn't like to hear the long versions of stories. So have gave him a "short-short" version.
"It's a family thing, you see."
Rydia nodded.
"Now that family tradition has been unraveled."
"Yeah...you can say that."
Dr. Seager cleared her throat a second time.
"Listening to Judge Nancy Figgins scream in my ear for three hourse straight was not how I wanted to start my day. She's a prominent and powerful member of the school board along with Holland and Cromwell. They'll stop at nothing to ensure that my head winds up on a silver platter -- and I don't intend to let that happen."
RAM piped up.
"Doc? Requestin' permission to pound some nepo-punks! That'll solve the problem in a quick, efficient, Hawk-like manner."
"Permission denied...RAM. Whatever is going on between you, Bobby, and the others, I'm gonna make sure it's nipped in the bud before it escalates."
At that moment, Dr. Seager's tone changed. She turned into a disciplinarian, echoing Mr. Connery whenever someone got into trouble.
"Whether you can or can't justify getting a pound of flesh is irrelevant. I will NOT tolerate violence in this institution -- you know that very well. You should be grateful you weren't expelled for assaulting Mr. Greene last year..."
Marshall's lips twitched after Dr. Seager rightfully referred to the incident he had with his biology teacher.
"But I didn't want to see a potential mind go to waste. I'm not planning on letting you throw that away over something so petty as nepotism -- regardless of whether that reason is justifiable or not. Do I make myself clear...?"
RAM gulped, knowing that Seager was very serious in her demeanor.
"Yes, ma'am."
RAM took another sip, resigned to the fact that he couldn't take matters between himself and Bobby into his own hands.
{ ...as much as I wanted to give Dr. Seager credit for TRYIN' to keep me in check? I wasn't gonna like what she had to say next... }
He scowled as Dr. Seager continued, his face turning a bright red as each minute passed.
"I want you, Rydia, and Tommy to steer clear of Bobby Figgins and his gang from now on. I want the three of you to draw upon each other for guidance and strength. You have your strengths, and you have your flaws. Don't ever be afraid to challenge each other, put aside any mistrust you might have…"
Pause. The principal pointed at the banner hanging above her window, which spelled out the school's motto -- "DARE TO SOAR."
"After all, Hawks soar together."
Rydia smiled. Tommy looked a bit apprehensive but managed to see the big picture. RAM, on the other hand, wasn't too keen about this "forced friendship" deal.
{ ...now THAT, right there, was some sancimonious bullshit! Did you think I WANTED to stand in that office and listen to a lecture about people lookin' out for each other.?! As if someobdy's else's shit suddenly gets casted down at MY feet as MY OWN... }
Rydia couldn't help but focus her eyes upon RAM, who wanted no part of the deal. Yet the latter resigned himself to adhering to Dr. Seager's instruction -- knowing full well that any wrongdoing on his part might mean incurring the full brunt of the principal's wrath.
{ ...deep down, I just wanted to have my peace. I just wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet. I just wanted to be left alone, but on that day, Dr. Seager gave me no fuckin' choice BUT to make friends... }
To be continued...
--------
November 5, 2019 - 1:30 PM
Inside Dr. Seager's office...
"Would you two like some coffee...?"
We find RAM and Rydia facing the longtime high school principal's desk, gazing around at the decorations and trinkets that made the room feel like a home away from home. Dr. Linda Seager had a long and storied career in the education field that began in 1975. She had taught for 21 years before becoming Watauga High School's principal in 1999. She had a calm and somewhat maternalistic demeanor, often using a vocal registry that reminded people of Katherine Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager.
"No thank you, ma'am."
"I'll take some, doc...please."
As she placed a pod of donut shop blend into her Keurig and started the machine, Dr. Seager reached into the mini-fridge she kept behind her desk.
"Sweet cream, Mr. Marshall?"
"No, thank you. I prefer my coffee black."
Seager's eyes lit up.
"Black coffee...?!"
She eventually eked out a sly grin on her mug.
"I'm impressed."
The principal handed RAM the coffee in a disposable cup commonly seen at most hotels. He took a sip and nodded, making Rydia blush at his mannerisms. Dr. Seager cleared her throat and directed everyone's attention to a painting of her father.
"When my father served on the USS Lexington during the Korean War, he'd always tell the person working the galley to get him some black coffee twice a day -- a cup in the morning, a cup at night."
Pause. RAM took another sip while listening intently.
"He often said that a man's personality is dictated by the type of coffee he drinks. Those who drink it black are more...hard-edged, rough-and-tumble...the types of folks who won't take any guff from anybody. You, Mr. Marshall, remind me of who he was, God rest his soul..."
Rydia gave RAM a playful poke in the ribs.
"Oooohhh RAM-bo! That ought to be something worth being proud of…"
"Pffft, riiiiight! I never knew my old man to begin with, he was shot down and killed over Afghanistan before I was born…"
A sharp knock on Dr. Seager's door was heard, bringing the ice-breaker conversation to a quick end.
"Come on in."
On cue, Tommy Figgins -- Bobby's younger brother -- stepped into the office.
"Doing alright, Tommy?"
"Just got done taking a pop quiz for Mr. Kreese's civics class."
RAM stared down the younger Figgins as he let his thought processes go to work.
{ ...ahh, another introduction is in order. Tommy Figgins was Bobby's younger bro. A bit of a weenie, not as fast or strong as his older contemporary. Made him more vulnerable than he realized... }
Tommy gave RAM a good, long look before solemnly shaking his head.
"Oh, god…"
"Don't worry, Tommy-boy. I won't turn you into barbecue brisket...not just yet anyway."
Rydia whacked RAM on his right shoulder with her hand.
"RAM!?!"
"He's a Figgins, Rydia. I...I don't trust him."
Tommy shrugged his shoulders.
"Yeah, whatever. I just want ot get this over with."
Dr. Seager nodded, then cleared her throat.
"It took a lot of courage for Tommy here to corroborate everything in that video y'all two posted. The damage done, especially to Bobby, is far more reaching than the week-long suspension I handed down pending probationary review."
She paused. RAM took another sip from his cup, savoring the coffee blend to full effect.
"Notre Dame yanked Bobby's athletic scholarship after the video went up."
RAM covered his face, hidng a sinister smirk in the process. He took great pleasure in Bobby's misfortune.
"Sounds like ain't gettin' his free ride after all…"
"Well, that's the price of getting caught with your pants down…"
Rydia chuckled. Tommy sighed. Even Dr. Seager didn't particularly like the lame joke.
"In a spiritual sense, of course! Tee-hee!!!"
Eventually, the principal eked out a curt smile as Tommy spoke up.
"Look, guys...our parents both went to Notre Dame. Our dad played college ball there, our mom went to their law school. Our grandparents, one on each side, were former professors there."
Tommy paused, noting that RAM didn't like to hear the long versions of stories. So have gave him a "short-short" version.
"It's a family thing, you see."
Rydia nodded.
"Now that family tradition has been unraveled."
"Yeah...you can say that."
Dr. Seager cleared her throat a second time.
"Listening to Judge Nancy Figgins scream in my ear for three hourse straight was not how I wanted to start my day. She's a prominent and powerful member of the school board along with Holland and Cromwell. They'll stop at nothing to ensure that my head winds up on a silver platter -- and I don't intend to let that happen."
RAM piped up.
"Doc? Requestin' permission to pound some nepo-punks! That'll solve the problem in a quick, efficient, Hawk-like manner."
"Permission denied...RAM. Whatever is going on between you, Bobby, and the others, I'm gonna make sure it's nipped in the bud before it escalates."
At that moment, Dr. Seager's tone changed. She turned into a disciplinarian, echoing Mr. Connery whenever someone got into trouble.
"Whether you can or can't justify getting a pound of flesh is irrelevant. I will NOT tolerate violence in this institution -- you know that very well. You should be grateful you weren't expelled for assaulting Mr. Greene last year..."
Marshall's lips twitched after Dr. Seager rightfully referred to the incident he had with his biology teacher.
"But I didn't want to see a potential mind go to waste. I'm not planning on letting you throw that away over something so petty as nepotism -- regardless of whether that reason is justifiable or not. Do I make myself clear...?"
RAM gulped, knowing that Seager was very serious in her demeanor.
"Yes, ma'am."
RAM took another sip, resigned to the fact that he couldn't take matters between himself and Bobby into his own hands.
{ ...as much as I wanted to give Dr. Seager credit for TRYIN' to keep me in check? I wasn't gonna like what she had to say next... }
He scowled as Dr. Seager continued, his face turning a bright red as each minute passed.
"I want you, Rydia, and Tommy to steer clear of Bobby Figgins and his gang from now on. I want the three of you to draw upon each other for guidance and strength. You have your strengths, and you have your flaws. Don't ever be afraid to challenge each other, put aside any mistrust you might have…"
Pause. The principal pointed at the banner hanging above her window, which spelled out the school's motto -- "DARE TO SOAR."
"After all, Hawks soar together."
Rydia smiled. Tommy looked a bit apprehensive but managed to see the big picture. RAM, on the other hand, wasn't too keen about this "forced friendship" deal.
{ ...now THAT, right there, was some sancimonious bullshit! Did you think I WANTED to stand in that office and listen to a lecture about people lookin' out for each other.?! As if someobdy's else's shit suddenly gets casted down at MY feet as MY OWN... }
Rydia couldn't help but focus her eyes upon RAM, who wanted no part of the deal. Yet the latter resigned himself to adhering to Dr. Seager's instruction -- knowing full well that any wrongdoing on his part might mean incurring the full brunt of the principal's wrath.
{ ...deep down, I just wanted to have my peace. I just wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet. I just wanted to be left alone, but on that day, Dr. Seager gave me no fuckin' choice BUT to make friends... }
To be continued...
--------
"Well, well.
Either the master programmers are playin' with me, or they somehow think I deserve to be in a Gladiators' title #1 contender five way match. Ya know, as much as I want to say somethin' more about that, I've only got one thing to say: I wouldn't get your hopes up, boys.
Especially with that nepo-bitch Jennie callin' shots now.
Lemme ask you somethin': did y'all REALLY think I wanted to enter professional wrestlin' to French kiss asses and make friends?! Thing is, when I graduated high school, I thought I could get away from all the nepo-bullshit that took away the one I loved the most. Yet here I am, constantly reminded about it every time I step inside that shithole of a ring, buildin' myself back up to remember the day everything I knew went up in a sea of flames.
The system wanted me to believe that I was larger than life.
That I'd be coddled and insulated from the real world around me.
Heh, that's a majore falsehood if i ever saw one.
Kinda like the same thing regardin' trophies and championships. They make you want to feel as if you're invincible, that you're better than anyone else and all that shit. I get that a shot at the Gladiators title is on the line, but to me...what would a title shot, or a belt for that matter, do to my own life. Nothin'...not a goddamn thing...except turn me into any one of the four other shitheads that want y'all to think Imperial is such a good, wholesome family environment that looks out for one another.
Fuck that shit.
Ain't that right, Mad Dog?!
Think you can stand on your own two feet, trailer trash?! Congratulations, you've had only one match under your belt and suddenly the powers-that-be decided to put you into a golden situation. Problem is, all that crazy shit you told ain't gonna mean nothin' unless you actually prove you can survive in a world that doesn't really give a damn about you OR your family.
Speakin' of family and idsappointments?!
Howdy Nick...long time no talk, huh?! Let's just cut the shit right now and get down to business. You're a fuckin' FAILURE, through and through, both to your name and the reputation of this stinkin' joint. Time and time again, I watched you run your mouth with nepo-boy Sabin when he had the old TV title, and what happened?! You got your ass beat, plain and simple. Now that Jason Hathaway's got the very Gladiator belt you see, do you TRULY believe you can just whine and cry to that other nepo-bitch and demand a title match?!
Over my fuckin' dead body, you ain't gettin' shit.
Speakin' of bitches who can't prove themselves worthy?!
Howdy TJ...remember me?! Yeah, yeah...you flunked out on the first night of the biggest stage of 'em all. Yet instead of suckin' it up and bein' a MAN, you decided it'd be cute to jump ME from behind. Lemme tell ya somethin' about the REAL world that you shield yourself from with all those championships that don't mean shit in IWF...krama never forgives OR forgets a transgression. Just don't be surprised when I wring out your l'il neck and leve nothin' but the bones.
Last, but certainly not least.
Nate Harris...'sup homie?! How're you doin' on this fine summer evenin'?! Not well, I presume?! Do you really believe that Team Diversity is gonna save your sory ass this time?! Don't get your hopes up, boy -- after all, you and your partner Nick Hunter beat a pair of Hall of Famers -- a dead dude and a broken-down god complex -- for the tag team belts, only to rip a fart and see that go away in a heartbeat. Look on the bright side, bub...I ain't denyin' your skill in that ring. After all, tapes don't lie.
Then again, tapes WON'T lie when I leave the other four of you in the same manner as how the system left me.
Battered. Bloodied. Broken.
Alone.
For years, the Imperial Wrestling Federation has revolved around the concept of nepotism as a method to get people over. For over a decade, this stinkin' joint's been nothin' more than a system that loves its check boxes and identity tags. The more accomplished of a champ you are, the more you're allowed to think of yourselves as morally superior. Come Tuesday, that ends right inside that squared circle. Come Odyssey, the IWF is about to get a system restore and memory wipe the likes of which it had never seen before.
Think yy'all can stand on your own two feet and prove me wrong?!
I don't think you can -- but I dare you to try anyway. For this is MY story -- and I am the star.
For I am the One...Man...SHOW!!!"
PROMO COUNT: 812
Well howdy there pardner.