Post by Xavier Cross on Jul 19, 2013 23:46:44 GMT
The light of one of those fancy smart phones lights up the red, weary eyes of Xavier Cross, now wearing a suit, obviously having come from a funeral. The half full glass, mostly ice, a long island iced tea, two straws hanging off the brim. We see Xavier Cross, sitting at the end of the bar, his eyes moving down from the cell phone, as his fingers slowly press the keys carefully, Looking up from his seat, both sides next to him are empty, he gently lays his head on the bar.
“Son? How many have you had to drink...”
The voice rang familiar, Xavier’s brow lifted, as he turned, that specific southern twang mixed with sheer arrogance. It had been the first time Xavier had heard the voice in real time, not on a news channel. The knuckles on his right hand crack, as he turns around hopping off the stool. Instead of being toe-to-toe with Senator Richard Marshall, it’s a large black man.
“M’boy, you came off that stool fairly quickly....”
The sadistic vermin turns to one of his lackies, who radios out, men in suits begin escorting people out of the bar, Xavier looks up, and around watching this occur.
“Please bar keep....the tab is on me...”
A simple black card extends from his grubby little fingers. Cross’s breathing intensifies, realizing he is about to put in a dangerous situation.
“Senator, if that’s the case, I’ll take my leave....thanks for the drink.”
“Oh no my boy.”
His voice sends a slight chill down Xavier’s spine, his arm is grabbed by the large black man. Cross realizes he either has to go along with it, or fight....With the numbers against him, he settles himself down.
“No...no no, son I can’t have you riding around in a taxi. That wouldn’t be right would it? No...I’ll take you home.”
“As much as I appreciate that Senator Dick, I’ll be fine hailing a cab...”
The large man slams Cross backwards against the bar, the wooden table top goes into his back sending a tingle of pain up his spine. Cross doesn’t show the pain, only stands there.
“I insist...”
School yard bulling? These are facts, as much as you try to hide behind your wife, everyone knows what you are. Gib Jr.
That’s all you are, and ever will be. You’re only good at one thing Xander, that is fighting, that is hurting people. That’s all you now. You’re every evil that has ever exist the world, rolled up into one ugly looking Everything Burrito. Xander, you say that’s not who you want to be, but I’ve watched your matches, that sadistic grin stretched across that mug. You enjoy this, you may not understand it completely, you’re still a young gun.
You were born to do this Xander, you were born to cause pain. Born out of passion rather than love, raised to fight rather than learn. But yet you took it upon yourself to not only become a physical terror, you know how to get into the heads of your opponents, you know how to undermine them, defeat them before it ever starts.
I’m not them.
I’m here to tell you that, yeah.
You’re in my head.
Big deal. I’m pissed off, that’s to be said, I’ve had a pretty crummy week. I don’t need any tissues, because at Lineage, I’m going to exorcise my demons, when I put my fist through that dense skull of yours. In the ring. Up the ramp. Through the Back. Out in the god damn streets.
Right now, this title should mean something to me, but I just want to end you Xander, I want to take you down every peg, give you a lesson in modesty, something I’ve been taught my entire career.
But go to Vegas, look at the odds. Look at what anyone in the world thinks.
You’re Gib Jr
Who am I?
A placeholder...
I’m a temporary fix for a permanent problem.
You are legacy, you are second generation...
But I’ve beaten Adam
We all know what I did to Zelda
The old man has given me a little more trouble than those two.
So what are you going to do Junior?
You’re going to take me around and beat me up like your old man. Because you should call him up, ask him how long it took, how he had to drag me to every inches of that town in Texas, to finally put me down. To knock me out. How much punishment I took from the Ageless Wonder.
Or will you be like your siblings? Laying there on your back, while I take what I want?
Sandwiched between two large men in the back of an old style limo, spending a night like the former Megan Kane. Senator Richard Marshall is sitting across from Xavier, a simple smile acros his face, a quiet woman, holding a notepad is sitting next to him, she looks almost as uncomfortable as Xavier does.
“Xavier, I’d like you to meet Helen, she is my personal journalist down at the Atlanta Post. Helen is here to record your public endorsement of my candidacy, as well as the fact of you signing over the CrossRoads charity to me. Sounds good right?”
Xavier looks a bit shocked.
“We were supposed to sit down, and discuss this.”
“I’m sitting, you’re sitting, and here we are talking. We both know the outcome Xavier. You’re going to break down, realize that you’re just a wrestler, that you can’t do any good for these kids. You’re the product of a white collar society, regardless of your pathetic strung together lovable tramp backstory, we both know you’re just a spoiled little rich kid, who got everything he needed. So before you get any more children killed out here, you’re going to sign it over.”
“And what if I decide I don’t want to Dick? What then.”
“That’s Senator Dick to you, and second of all, I’m willing to make you a large offer for it. Call it a persuasive gift for you to do the right thing, since obviously you don’t have to right moral fiber to do what needs to be done.”
“Needs to be done? You’re going to use these kids to make yourself seem relatable, and a good hearted fellow, when the only difference between you and the Devil is a skin pigmentation. Say I do sign it over, you keep the charity open until you get your bid for Presidency, than it falls to the wayside, not to mention you’ll put my entire staff back on unemployment. You think I’m going to let you ruin children’s lives, and the lives of people who’ve stepped up with me to do the right thing? Hell no.”
The senator begins laughing, as he pulls out a check book.
“You should take this, go buy another house somewhere far away from here, maybe even retire from the wrestling business, because if you think I’m going to ruin you, that Xander fellow is going to rearrange your face like a Van-Gogh painting my boy.”
Ripping out the check, the Senator hands it over to Cross. Xavier looks at him, not bothering to look down at the piece of paper now in his hands. Cross holds it up, and rips it in two. This doesn’t please the Senator, not one bit.
“Mr. Cross, do you know I’ll have to make my accountant work over to balance that out....And you’ve made a mess of my car...Both things I do not appreciate. So obviously you must be taught a lesson. Helen...”
The woman reluctantly hands over her notepad, as the Senator lights it ablaze with a lighter, throwing it out the window. The two men next to Cross, immediately grab him.
There is so much time left, so much Xander. You could go back to school, become something other than a human wrecking ball. You claim you want to be a father, but do you want your kids to watch what you have. It’s hard to be a man, much less The Man you claim to be. Your style, your craft, and just the way you do things. Do you want your kids to grow up to be ruthless? They may get ahead in life, when they’re lawyers finding loopholes to force the Elderly out of their homes?
Or would you rather look down into their crib, and see that innocent giggling, to wake up and they’re sixteen years old, and you’re so afraid of them getting behind the wheel of the car, because despite how well you’ve taught them, there are still idiots out there. When they’re 18, and walking across that stage to get their highschool diploma you realize it, it hits you, that your baby is grown up. But they never stop being your babies Xander.
We both know Gib isn’t the best man, and as much as he tries to atone for what has happened in the past, he can’t fix what has already happened. You claim you want to be a different man than your father. The path you’re on, as much as you want to, you’re going to wake up, 40 years old, your kid is out there, living their own life. Birthdays, Holidays, and Father’s Days pass bye, and you’re alone.
All alone.
Maybe we fight, maybe we hurt each other, maybe you walk out with the title. But my kids rarely watch my fights anymore, they don’t understand the wrestling business, and they never will, because I kick my boots off at the door. If you want to make that next jump in your life Xander, I’ll give you one piece of advice.
Fighting is everything.
Jennifer won’t stand by you forever while you chase the dream. You’ve accomplished so much in your life Xander, but you’re going to come to a crossroads, where you can be your father, focused on wrestling while family takes a back seat.
Or.
You put family first, I waited too long, and before I knew it, Cari was gone. Single parenthood isn’t easy, yes I am fiancially set, yes, I’m trying to do something good with this charity, yes I am a pro-wrestler. I’m living the dream right now, The IWF World Heavyweight Champion, longest reigning in fact.
But the thing I’m most proud of, is that no matter how tired I am, no matter how sore, broken, and bruised I am. I can go home to those three kids, and give them all the love I got in my heart. Can you do that Xander, no more late nights watching film. Tucking them into bed, call them when you’re out on the road, use Skype to see their faces.
Can you split time? Or will you let your career take a backseat?
Or can you finally do it, become the best while still being a great dad?
Overcome the greatest challenge that your father ever faced.
As much as I hate you.
As much as you make my blood boil.
I can’t help but want to see you succeed.
But that’s my fault, despite your negativities, you have potential.
And if you want to bring children into this world.
I want you to give them the happiness, all the happiness in the world.
No matter how many titles you hold in your career, nothing beats the first time, in your arms, a small little human, with your wife’s nose, and your eyes. Nothing compares to that feeling. Absolutely nothing.
Blood drips down Cross’s face, staining his shirt, dripping on the sidewalk. He looks up, seeing the gates of Crossroads facility. He tries to pick himself up, but it hurts, he ignores it. Xavier wobbles back to his feet. The Senator is standing in front of him, the same calm smile resting on his face.
“I hope you rethink what we talked about Mr. Cross, I think you’ll find your life will be easier. I think this decision would really benefit, Landon, Isabella, and young James...what is he..three, four now?”
Cross’s eyes drift from anger to immediate terror.
“Leave my kids out of this you scum bag.”
The large black man steps forward, hitting Cross in the gut, dropping him to his knees.
“Language my boy, and it’s Senator to you.”
Cross looks up.
“I won’t allow you to terrorize me. I refuse to roll over for some schoolyard bully.”
The Senator leans down, grabbng Xavier by the chin, holding his face up to look at him directly in his cold, black eyes.
“You’ll come to realize this isn’t a school yard, there aren’t teachers around to save you Mr. Cross. You’ll realize that this is my world that you’re playing in, and the fact that I allow a simple insect like you to still scurry around and try to do whatever kind of good deeds, pretending to be some sort of hero. I own this world Cross. I own you, you just don’t realize it yet.”
Looking up at him. Cross starts laughing, the smile immediately wipes of The Senator’s face, who slaps Xavier across the face. Xavier only laughs louder, blood dripping from his mouth. The senator slaps him again, Xavier respond by getting louder.
“Never. Will. I. Ever. Lay. Down. To. You.”
Xavier proceeds to spit at the man, covering the upper part of The Senator’s suit, and face with blood. The Senator draws back, hitting Cross between the eyes, as he stumbles backwards into the wall, laying there. A smile still on his face.
“Hey...Dick...you hit like your wife...”
The Senator sends a hard kick right into the stomach of Xavier, who begins coughing, clutching his stomach, rolling over. Blood still dripping out on the sidewalk.
“Pathetic...Idiot...”
The Senator immediately gets in his car, followed by his bodyguards, as the car peels off. Leaving Xavier laying there on the sidewalk. He tries to stand up again, it’s harder, but he picks himself up. Dragging himself up the entrance way to the building, he reaches in his pocket, pulling out a set of keys. Removing his jacket, Cross wipes his face down with it.
“Well...another ruined suit..”
Cross stumbles into the building, making his way up to his office.
Am I Fighting for the Title? The IWF Heavyweight Champion.
Am I Fighting for myself? The Phoenix.
Am I Fighting for Javi, to try and clear my mind....?
What am I fighting for?
Why am I even here....
I lost sight of everything....everything...
Maybe I have lost already, maybe Xander has gotten in my head.
But maybe I need to fight, just to fight.
To remember why I’m here.
To raise awareness.
But maybe...
I’m not the champion the Heavyweights deserve....
“Son? How many have you had to drink...”
The voice rang familiar, Xavier’s brow lifted, as he turned, that specific southern twang mixed with sheer arrogance. It had been the first time Xavier had heard the voice in real time, not on a news channel. The knuckles on his right hand crack, as he turns around hopping off the stool. Instead of being toe-to-toe with Senator Richard Marshall, it’s a large black man.
“M’boy, you came off that stool fairly quickly....”
The sadistic vermin turns to one of his lackies, who radios out, men in suits begin escorting people out of the bar, Xavier looks up, and around watching this occur.
“Please bar keep....the tab is on me...”
A simple black card extends from his grubby little fingers. Cross’s breathing intensifies, realizing he is about to put in a dangerous situation.
“Senator, if that’s the case, I’ll take my leave....thanks for the drink.”
“Oh no my boy.”
His voice sends a slight chill down Xavier’s spine, his arm is grabbed by the large black man. Cross realizes he either has to go along with it, or fight....With the numbers against him, he settles himself down.
“No...no no, son I can’t have you riding around in a taxi. That wouldn’t be right would it? No...I’ll take you home.”
“As much as I appreciate that Senator Dick, I’ll be fine hailing a cab...”
The large man slams Cross backwards against the bar, the wooden table top goes into his back sending a tingle of pain up his spine. Cross doesn’t show the pain, only stands there.
“I insist...”
******
School yard bulling? These are facts, as much as you try to hide behind your wife, everyone knows what you are. Gib Jr.
That’s all you are, and ever will be. You’re only good at one thing Xander, that is fighting, that is hurting people. That’s all you now. You’re every evil that has ever exist the world, rolled up into one ugly looking Everything Burrito. Xander, you say that’s not who you want to be, but I’ve watched your matches, that sadistic grin stretched across that mug. You enjoy this, you may not understand it completely, you’re still a young gun.
You were born to do this Xander, you were born to cause pain. Born out of passion rather than love, raised to fight rather than learn. But yet you took it upon yourself to not only become a physical terror, you know how to get into the heads of your opponents, you know how to undermine them, defeat them before it ever starts.
I’m not them.
I’m here to tell you that, yeah.
You’re in my head.
Big deal. I’m pissed off, that’s to be said, I’ve had a pretty crummy week. I don’t need any tissues, because at Lineage, I’m going to exorcise my demons, when I put my fist through that dense skull of yours. In the ring. Up the ramp. Through the Back. Out in the god damn streets.
Right now, this title should mean something to me, but I just want to end you Xander, I want to take you down every peg, give you a lesson in modesty, something I’ve been taught my entire career.
But go to Vegas, look at the odds. Look at what anyone in the world thinks.
You’re Gib Jr
Who am I?
A placeholder...
I’m a temporary fix for a permanent problem.
You are legacy, you are second generation...
But I’ve beaten Adam
We all know what I did to Zelda
The old man has given me a little more trouble than those two.
So what are you going to do Junior?
You’re going to take me around and beat me up like your old man. Because you should call him up, ask him how long it took, how he had to drag me to every inches of that town in Texas, to finally put me down. To knock me out. How much punishment I took from the Ageless Wonder.
Or will you be like your siblings? Laying there on your back, while I take what I want?
******
Sandwiched between two large men in the back of an old style limo, spending a night like the former Megan Kane. Senator Richard Marshall is sitting across from Xavier, a simple smile acros his face, a quiet woman, holding a notepad is sitting next to him, she looks almost as uncomfortable as Xavier does.
“Xavier, I’d like you to meet Helen, she is my personal journalist down at the Atlanta Post. Helen is here to record your public endorsement of my candidacy, as well as the fact of you signing over the CrossRoads charity to me. Sounds good right?”
Xavier looks a bit shocked.
“We were supposed to sit down, and discuss this.”
“I’m sitting, you’re sitting, and here we are talking. We both know the outcome Xavier. You’re going to break down, realize that you’re just a wrestler, that you can’t do any good for these kids. You’re the product of a white collar society, regardless of your pathetic strung together lovable tramp backstory, we both know you’re just a spoiled little rich kid, who got everything he needed. So before you get any more children killed out here, you’re going to sign it over.”
“And what if I decide I don’t want to Dick? What then.”
“That’s Senator Dick to you, and second of all, I’m willing to make you a large offer for it. Call it a persuasive gift for you to do the right thing, since obviously you don’t have to right moral fiber to do what needs to be done.”
“Needs to be done? You’re going to use these kids to make yourself seem relatable, and a good hearted fellow, when the only difference between you and the Devil is a skin pigmentation. Say I do sign it over, you keep the charity open until you get your bid for Presidency, than it falls to the wayside, not to mention you’ll put my entire staff back on unemployment. You think I’m going to let you ruin children’s lives, and the lives of people who’ve stepped up with me to do the right thing? Hell no.”
The senator begins laughing, as he pulls out a check book.
“You should take this, go buy another house somewhere far away from here, maybe even retire from the wrestling business, because if you think I’m going to ruin you, that Xander fellow is going to rearrange your face like a Van-Gogh painting my boy.”
Ripping out the check, the Senator hands it over to Cross. Xavier looks at him, not bothering to look down at the piece of paper now in his hands. Cross holds it up, and rips it in two. This doesn’t please the Senator, not one bit.
“Mr. Cross, do you know I’ll have to make my accountant work over to balance that out....And you’ve made a mess of my car...Both things I do not appreciate. So obviously you must be taught a lesson. Helen...”
The woman reluctantly hands over her notepad, as the Senator lights it ablaze with a lighter, throwing it out the window. The two men next to Cross, immediately grab him.
*****
There is so much time left, so much Xander. You could go back to school, become something other than a human wrecking ball. You claim you want to be a father, but do you want your kids to watch what you have. It’s hard to be a man, much less The Man you claim to be. Your style, your craft, and just the way you do things. Do you want your kids to grow up to be ruthless? They may get ahead in life, when they’re lawyers finding loopholes to force the Elderly out of their homes?
Or would you rather look down into their crib, and see that innocent giggling, to wake up and they’re sixteen years old, and you’re so afraid of them getting behind the wheel of the car, because despite how well you’ve taught them, there are still idiots out there. When they’re 18, and walking across that stage to get their highschool diploma you realize it, it hits you, that your baby is grown up. But they never stop being your babies Xander.
We both know Gib isn’t the best man, and as much as he tries to atone for what has happened in the past, he can’t fix what has already happened. You claim you want to be a different man than your father. The path you’re on, as much as you want to, you’re going to wake up, 40 years old, your kid is out there, living their own life. Birthdays, Holidays, and Father’s Days pass bye, and you’re alone.
All alone.
Maybe we fight, maybe we hurt each other, maybe you walk out with the title. But my kids rarely watch my fights anymore, they don’t understand the wrestling business, and they never will, because I kick my boots off at the door. If you want to make that next jump in your life Xander, I’ll give you one piece of advice.
Fighting is everything.
Jennifer won’t stand by you forever while you chase the dream. You’ve accomplished so much in your life Xander, but you’re going to come to a crossroads, where you can be your father, focused on wrestling while family takes a back seat.
Or.
You put family first, I waited too long, and before I knew it, Cari was gone. Single parenthood isn’t easy, yes I am fiancially set, yes, I’m trying to do something good with this charity, yes I am a pro-wrestler. I’m living the dream right now, The IWF World Heavyweight Champion, longest reigning in fact.
But the thing I’m most proud of, is that no matter how tired I am, no matter how sore, broken, and bruised I am. I can go home to those three kids, and give them all the love I got in my heart. Can you do that Xander, no more late nights watching film. Tucking them into bed, call them when you’re out on the road, use Skype to see their faces.
Can you split time? Or will you let your career take a backseat?
Or can you finally do it, become the best while still being a great dad?
Overcome the greatest challenge that your father ever faced.
As much as I hate you.
As much as you make my blood boil.
I can’t help but want to see you succeed.
But that’s my fault, despite your negativities, you have potential.
And if you want to bring children into this world.
I want you to give them the happiness, all the happiness in the world.
No matter how many titles you hold in your career, nothing beats the first time, in your arms, a small little human, with your wife’s nose, and your eyes. Nothing compares to that feeling. Absolutely nothing.
*****
Blood drips down Cross’s face, staining his shirt, dripping on the sidewalk. He looks up, seeing the gates of Crossroads facility. He tries to pick himself up, but it hurts, he ignores it. Xavier wobbles back to his feet. The Senator is standing in front of him, the same calm smile resting on his face.
“I hope you rethink what we talked about Mr. Cross, I think you’ll find your life will be easier. I think this decision would really benefit, Landon, Isabella, and young James...what is he..three, four now?”
Cross’s eyes drift from anger to immediate terror.
“Leave my kids out of this you scum bag.”
The large black man steps forward, hitting Cross in the gut, dropping him to his knees.
“Language my boy, and it’s Senator to you.”
Cross looks up.
“I won’t allow you to terrorize me. I refuse to roll over for some schoolyard bully.”
The Senator leans down, grabbng Xavier by the chin, holding his face up to look at him directly in his cold, black eyes.
“You’ll come to realize this isn’t a school yard, there aren’t teachers around to save you Mr. Cross. You’ll realize that this is my world that you’re playing in, and the fact that I allow a simple insect like you to still scurry around and try to do whatever kind of good deeds, pretending to be some sort of hero. I own this world Cross. I own you, you just don’t realize it yet.”
Looking up at him. Cross starts laughing, the smile immediately wipes of The Senator’s face, who slaps Xavier across the face. Xavier only laughs louder, blood dripping from his mouth. The senator slaps him again, Xavier respond by getting louder.
“Never. Will. I. Ever. Lay. Down. To. You.”
Xavier proceeds to spit at the man, covering the upper part of The Senator’s suit, and face with blood. The Senator draws back, hitting Cross between the eyes, as he stumbles backwards into the wall, laying there. A smile still on his face.
“Hey...Dick...you hit like your wife...”
The Senator sends a hard kick right into the stomach of Xavier, who begins coughing, clutching his stomach, rolling over. Blood still dripping out on the sidewalk.
“Pathetic...Idiot...”
The Senator immediately gets in his car, followed by his bodyguards, as the car peels off. Leaving Xavier laying there on the sidewalk. He tries to stand up again, it’s harder, but he picks himself up. Dragging himself up the entrance way to the building, he reaches in his pocket, pulling out a set of keys. Removing his jacket, Cross wipes his face down with it.
“Well...another ruined suit..”
Cross stumbles into the building, making his way up to his office.
*****
Am I Fighting for the Title? The IWF Heavyweight Champion.
Am I Fighting for myself? The Phoenix.
Am I Fighting for Javi, to try and clear my mind....?
What am I fighting for?
Why am I even here....
I lost sight of everything....everything...
Maybe I have lost already, maybe Xander has gotten in my head.
But maybe I need to fight, just to fight.
To remember why I’m here.
To raise awareness.
But maybe...
I’m not the champion the Heavyweights deserve....