Freedom From The Past

[Joe Everyman]

One last thing before I quit
I never wanted any more than I could fit into my head
I still remember every single word you said

...and that is where you are wrong, Deathtrain. Or... Brandon, if you prefer that name. I never knew your first name until now... hmm.

You are wrong, because your views on ruling are flawed. You think of yourself as above the people. You think that you deserve to sit upon the high throne, looking down upon the peasants. That is where you are wrong. To truly rule, you must be an equal. You must see yourself as an equal. Then, and only then, will you truly have followers. You can make a difference in these people's lives. Or maybe... just maybe... you can try to not rule them, and just be one of them. Rid yourself of your dark background. Rid yourself of your scary outlook. Instead, try to fit in. Be like the people! Maybe then, you will be respected.

Until then, don't be surprised if you are overlooked. One egotistical voice in a sea of egotistical voices is washed away without even a whisper. That is already you, Train. You did your best in the battle royal, I will give you that. You came out with your heart on fire, trying your damnedest to win... but, you didn't. Instead, you were defeated by someone without an ego. You never expected me to be the one to put you out. Hell, I didn't even think I would do it! But, I did. And I'm proud of what I did. I made a huge statement in that match. I showed everybody that if you put your mind and your heart into something, anything can be done. Even though I didn't win, I finished second. That is a win in my book. I come into this tournament in second place. Ahead of everybody. Ahead of Ryan Shane. And especially... ahead of you.

I do think that I can go far in this tournament. The Imperial Championship is still my goal. It always has been. You don't need an ego to win the biggest title in a company. All you need a solid head, a good skill set and the support of the people to back you up. Deathtrain... you have none of those three. You never have. You were alright in the ring, but nothing too special. Your head is a bag of cats. And your fan base diminished just as fast as your wrestling career did there for many years. But now, you're back! Trying to at least revive one of those three. Probably not the mind one, though. That one is long gone, and I'll tell you why.

You are putting your career ahead of your son. What kind of lunatic does that?! You have one child, who you get to see ONCE a month! If I only got to see my daughter once a month, I would squeeze every single ounce of time I could out of it. Thankfully though, I get to see her every single day. And I can count my lucky stars that I won her custody in the divorce. I know a lot of children aren't that lucky, but your child should be one of them. It makes me sick, Train. And I didn't think you could do that more than you already have. Go see your child. It will make you much happier.

But, enough about Lurch. Onto the enigma of this match, Ryan Shane. He's an enigma to me, because he hasn't been around the entire time I have been. Deathtrain has been around my entire career, but Ryan hasn't been. I know a little about the man, and I must say he's quite... normal. He's an asshole, and has a GIGANTIC ego problem, but he's normal. He's not spawned from the gates of hell or anything, either. If he's going to make it in this company, he's going to need to get his ego into check. If you want to succeed, look no further than yours truly!

I once had a raging ego problem, just like yourself. But, it was costing me too much. My family life, my career, everything. Then I realized that I was average. I was normal. I was your run of the mill American. And look where it got me. One week after I adapted the light, I took second place in the biggest match to date in IWF. You did get eight, which is impressive enough already. But, you only won five bonus points. I won thirty five. If you ditch the ego, you could improve thirty points instantly! ...don't quote me on that, but it could happen!

Instead of trying to be the big... well, small, bad wolf in the yard, try something else. Smell the flowers. Buy an ice cream cone. Help an elderly person cross a busy street. Go out and be a good Samaritan! You won't regret it. In fact, you may even see a new vision of this life you never knew existed. I know it's weird to get out of your comfort zone, but it's nice sometimes.

And Ryan, as soon as you realize that you're not the best, life will seem so much sweeter. We all strive to be greater, but we will never improve if we think that we're the best. Being second best is still an amazing feeling sometimes. That's something that you and Train need to learn.

This weekend, instead of stressing over this match, go home and spend time with your family. Play Scrabble against them. Go to the park and look at the birds. Just enjoy life. But when Monday night comes, buckle down and try your hardest. Realize that it's possible that you could lose. Realize that it's ok to lose sometimes. Don't let your egos get the best of you. If you lose, it's not the end of the world. Even I think I could lose. However, if I do win... I'm going to make sure to tap your ass out, because I want those five bonus points!

This week is going to be huge for all of us. One of us will be one step closer to Lineage. And one of us will be one step back. I plan on moving forward. I will go on to Lineage and become the IWF Imperial Championship. I will win it, because I'm not like you two, Ryan and Train. The both of you are doing it for yourselves. I'm doing it for all of my fans. Plus, the pay check bonus will be great for saving for my children's college funds. Because, after all, that's why I do all of this. I'll see you two on Monday. Be sure to bring your A game.

The scene slowly opens up on the back patio of the Joe Everyman household. Joe, Melanie and Aurora are all sitting at a table, with a game of Monopoly sitting in front of them. Aurora has the majority of the properties, with Melanie in second. Joe barely has a hundred dollars to his name.

Aurora Everyman: Ok daddy, if you roll a six, you have to give me all of your stuff!

Joe Everyman: Oh god... I need to roll a seven! Daddy needs a new pair of hundreds!

Joe rolls the dice, one landing on a three. Joe recoils in horror as the other die slowly rolls towards the edge of the table before falling off the edge.

Joe Everyman: This is killing me!

All three quickly look under the table, and before Joe can see the die, Aurora yells out.

Aurora Everyman: It's a three!!

Joe hangs his head as he slides his piece across the board, landing on a hotel ridden Boardwalk. Aurora quickly gathers up Joe's remaining money and properties, adding them to her stash.

Melanie Brooks: Ok Aurora, lets take a quick break. I think I'll go grab us some lemonade, ok?

Aurora Everyman: Ok!

Aurora smiles big as Joe and Melanie stand up to walk inside. As soon as they walk in, Melanie has to immediately sit down, Joe goes over to her side just as quickly.

Joe Everyman: Are you ok, Mel?

Melanie Brooks: Oh, yeah. I'm just tired from carrying around the babies. I didn't think twins would be so much work.

Joe Everyman: You know it's going to be worth it in the end.

Melanie Brooks: I know, I know. It's just a pain. But, less than four weeks now.

Joe smiles as soon as Melanie says this, and she smiles back.

Joe Everyman: I can't wait.

As Joe finishes, Aurora walks in the door and sees them both.

Aurora Everyman: Daddy?

Joe Everyman: What is it, sweetheart?

Aurora Everyman: Where do babies come from?

Melanie immediately lets out a loud laugh as Joe quickly looks embarrassed.

Joe Everyman: You're way too young to learn about something like that!

Melanie Brooks: Come on now, she's three now. She deserves to know!

Melanie can barely finish her sentence before laughing again.

Melanie Brooks: I'll let you handle this one.

Joe sighs and hangs his head again.

Joe Everyman: I thought losing to her in Monopoly was bad enough.

Joe and Aurora walk back out into the backyard before the scene slowly fades to black.

And all the shit that somehow came along with it
Still there's one thing that comforts me
Since I was always caged and now I'm free