If At First You Don't Succeed...

[Guernica]

 

Guernica, dressed in his standard ring attire: traditional gold and white from head to toe, including a cape embroidered with various symbols and signs, stands stationary in front of a bubbling brook, with turquoise water and lush green trees and large, waving bushes surrounding it. He is looking away from the camera and ‘Lord of the Land’ is playing quietly in the background, but is overrun by the sounds of the forest; the gushing of the water, the sound of a heartbeat and the distant cry of despair from a helpless victim, whatever animal that may be. 

Over the image, a message flashes up for a moment: 

‘If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again’ 

This message fades away as Guernica turns to the camera. However is still not looking directly at it. He starts to speak. 

. 

‘It’s not a perfect start to the journey. Two fights, two defeats. Even if one match was stacked against me, I could’ve, and should’ve done a lot better. I entered the Roulette with energy, made a mark on some big names, before being quickly disposed of. Third man to enter, second one to leave.’ 

‘However, I have done one positive thing. I’ve made my presence known to this place, which allows me to take the next step.’ 

‘This step is blocked by my next opponent, John Tolly. 5’10, 240 pounds. You are most definitely stronger than me; and you could also possibly be smarter in the ring than me. You have beaten the likes of Freakke, but in similar fashion to me failed to overcome Mike Madness.’ 

Guernica silences for a moment, looking at the water flowing through the rocks of the brook. The water is the only audible sound as ‘Lord of the Land’ fades out, until suddenly Guernica turns and stares directly into the camera lens and begins to speak again. 

‘So both of us have a similar attitude in the ring, and a similar need to get a win after a streak of loses, including both of us making little difference in the Roulette. You were first to leave, and I followed quickly. Nothing is really there to split the two of us. I would like to say we are the two fastest dogs on the track, inseparable; but I think I could better explain it as the two slowest dogs on the track, both desperately trying to get better than each other.’ 

‘As much as I respect you, Señor Tolly, I need to win this battle. I would love to give you all of the chance in the world to beat me, but my desire to grab this opportunity far surpasses yours. Never will I use dirty tactics to gain advantage of a match, but I will always seize a chance if one presents itself.’ 

Guernica starts walking away, past the brook into the deep forest; but the camera follows in persuit. Guernica keeps talking as he hikes into the dense conifer wood. 

‘So while I respect you in this wonderful wilderness, in my home and behind that stage; that respect isn’t going to be shown in the ring. After the match, we can show mutual respect for each other; but I’m showing you a different Guernica this Thursday.’ 

Guernica is met by a cove filled with turquoise water encased in stone walls and roofed by strong soil. Guernica stops for a moment, before jumping down into the cove, his cape blowing through the air before dethatching itself from Guernica’s body. There is no splash, and when the camera looks down into the cove, Guernica has disappeared. The screen fades to black with a final message showing before it ends: 

‘April 9th 2015 – The Next Step’